The entire night, the water in the bathtub was changed twice. Every time Mo Ming almost fell asleep in bed, Han Shao Zhou would excitedly carry him back into the tub. Mo Ming had no idea where Han Shao Zhou had learned these new tricks. Han used to be quite traditional in this area, relying purely on brute strength and stamina, but recently, it was like he had discovered a whole new world, with an array of shame-inducing moves that Mo Ming couldn’t handle.
Mo Ming was grateful that he didn’t have any filming scheduled for the next day. In his current state, there was no way he’d be able to get out of bed tomorrow.
His back felt like it was pressed against a warm, hard furnace. His entire body was sore and numb, yet he subconsciously found this warmth comforting, just enough to let him drift off to sleep.
If he could just stay still for thirty seconds, he might instantly sink into a deep slumber…
“Am I good, huh?” The shameless man behind him chuckled softly, brushing his lips against the back of Mo Ming’s neck. “Was it good, little one? Give me a rating…”
In his twenty-seven years, Han Shao Zhou had only ever been with Mo Ming. All his sexual experience had been gained with Mo Ming alone. Whether his skills were good or not, Mo Ming was the only one who could judge. In the past, Han Shao Zhou thought it was enough that he was satisfied since he was the one paying. But over time, he realized that making the person he was with feel good was the true measure of a man’s prowess.
He wasn’t as promiscuous as Zhao Cheng, who could effortlessly share countless experiences, or even as clueless as Yang Guan, who was still learning. But Han Shao Zhou didn’t care about that. As long as Mo Ming thought he was impressive, that was enough.
Mo Ming didn’t have the energy to respond. Han Shao Zhou, obsessed with getting a five-star review, began to nudge him again. “How did it feel? Hm? Not satisfied?”
Mo Ming’s head was heavy as if filled with lead. He could hardly take it anymore. His lips barely moved as he murmured, almost in a breathy whisper, “Good… satisfied…”
Content, Han Shao Zhou felt his chest swell with pride, pulling Mo Ming closer into his arms.
“You were so captivating while filming today…” Han Shao Zhou murmured into Mo Ming’s hair, his voice hoarse. “Whenever I have time, I’ll come to watch. Don’t worry, I’ll try to control myself…”
Mo Ming was already asleep, but Han Shao Zhou continued to talk to himself for a while longer.
“Go to sleep…” Han Shao Zhou kissed Mo Ming’s hair.
Mo Ming ended up sleeping through the entire next day, only waking up in the evening. Han Shao Zhou had an early morning meeting at the office, so he had left early, but he returned around noon to check on Mo Ming and brought back lunch from a restaurant. Seeing that Mo Ming was still sleeping soundly, he didn’t have the heart to wake him, so he left the food in the kitchen and sent Mo Ming a message.
He had another event that evening—a charity gala in a nearby city—so he wouldn’t be back that night.
When Mo Ming finally turned on his phone, there was a message from Han Shao Zhou and several missed calls from Xiao Song and his agent, Xi Nan, all within the last half hour.
Mo Ming immediately sensed that something was wrong. Struggling to sit up in bed, he called Xi Nan back.
“Sorry, Nan Jie, I just turned on my phone and saw your calls,” he said, his voice still thick with sleep. “Did something happen?”
“Did you just wake up?”
“Uh…”
“Never mind, that’s not important,” Xi Nan quickly cut to the chase. “Have you seen the video that just leaked online? I need to know your exact relationship with Han Shao Zhou so I can determine our PR strategy.”
Mo Ming was stunned. “Wh-what video?”
“You haven’t checked the internet? Oh, right, you just woke up. About half an hour ago, a video of you and Han Shao Zhou was leaked online, and it’s already trending on all the major social platforms.” After a pause, Xi Nan added with a meaningful laugh, “Mo Ming, you’ve been keeping secrets. To be with someone like Han Shao Zhou, and not let any word get out…”
Xi Nan was strict and forceful, but she had always been lenient with Mo Ming, mainly because Xingci had given Mo Ming the freedom to choose his work. She had always assumed that Mo Ming was just a second-generation rich kid experiencing life in the entertainment industry, never imagining that the person backing him was Han Shao Zhou.
Not only was the entire entertainment industry buzzing, but even someone as experienced as Xi Nan was also stunned by the video.
“…”
Perhaps because he had slept for too long, Mo Ming’s head was a bit foggy. He massaged his temples for a moment before speaking softly, “Han… Han Shao Zhou and I are just friends.”
It was probably taken when Han Shao Zhou came to see him at the set last night.
That seemed like the most likely explanation.
“Friends? Are you sure?”
“Yes, just friends,” Mo Ming said calmly. “Nan Jie, you don’t need to worry about me. I never planned to stay in the entertainment industry for long. This kind of scandal doesn’t really affect me, so you can handle it however you see fit.”
The entertainment industry was never short of celebrity gossip, and these kinds of rumors were so common they rarely had any lasting impact. Mo Ming wasn’t a top star, and modern netizens had short memories—within a day or two, this would be completely overshadowed by the next scandal.
“Mo Ming, to be honest, there’s not much to PR here. Han Shao Zhou’s public image is cleaner than most celebrities, and any association with him can only be beneficial to you. There’s no need to avoid it.”
Although she was shocked by Mo Ming’s relationship with Han Shao Zhou, Xi Nan couldn’t help but feel it was a shame not to capitalize on the enormous traffic this would bring. If this had happened to any other eager newcomer under her wing, she wouldn’t have needed to do any PR at all. With her expertise, she could have used this opportunity to catapult the actor to fame. But since it was Mo Ming, all her marketing strategies were useless.
“Nan Jie, Han Shao Zhou and I don’t have the kind of relationship you’re thinking of.”
Xi Nan laughed, “Mo Ming, maybe you should take a look at that video online. Let me know if you have any thoughts.”
“…” Mo Ming suddenly had a bad feeling.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Xi Nan continued. “I need to remind you, instead of getting caught up in this illusion of love, you should see it as a stepping stone, a shortcut. Success isn’t about having a golden opportunity; it’s about knowing how to seize it. Besides, you should know exactly how much you mean to Han Shao Zhou…”
Both Wen Ci and Mo Ming had been her artists. Xi Nan knew the industry inside and out and could see the situation clearly.
“…I understand, Nan Jie. Thank you for the reminder.”
After hanging up, Mo Ming quickly went online to check out the video Xi Nan mentioned.
There was no need to search specifically for it—his name was already trending on the hot search.
Seeing the video that had been shared tens of thousands of times, Mo Ming felt his head spin even more.
He had thought the video Xi Nan mentioned was just a simple clip of him and Han Shao Zhou being seen together, but it turned out to be surveillance footage of them kissing in the dressing room last night.
Mo Ming instantly felt like an idiot. He suddenly remembered that the dressing room had surveillance cameras installed. A few days ago, a fellow actor had lost a bracelet worth over twenty thousand yuan in there. Given how many people were on set for such a big production, a 24-hour camera had been installed in the room.
The camera faced the row of dressing tables directly. The temporary changing rooms along the wall were in the camera’s blind spot; otherwise, footage of them entering the same changing room one after the other would have been captured as well.
Watching the video made Mo Ming curl his toes in embarrassment. Although Han Shao Zhou’s back was to the camera while they kissed, completely blocking Mo Ming’s face, their actions were unmistakably passionate and intense.
The video quality was high, and when they finally left the dressing room together, their faces were clearly and unmistakably visible.
There was no way to deny it…
He had just confidently told Xi Nan that he and Han Shao Zhou were only friends—Xi Nan must think he was treating her like a fool.
The comment section had already exploded, though there were no extreme reactions, just widespread shock. It was clear that Han Shao Zhou was the bigger name.
In short, it was Han Shao Zhou who had put Mo Ming on the trending list.
[Ahhhhh! My youth is over! My Han Ge actually fell in love with someone else!!]
[Even though Han Ge has been out of the spotlight for three years, he still managed to break the internet with one relationship! This is what you call true top-tier!]
[Ugh, my poor Han Ge is finally not alone anymore. Back then, I cried so much over that unrequited love.]
[Oh my god, it’s actually my new crush, Mo Ming! I like him so much. Check out his photo from *this drama—such a beautiful face! {Image}]
[This kiss lasted so long, it’s embarrassing to watch. My gosh, my mouth is watering.]
Mo Ming skimmed through a few of the video comments, then tossed his phone onto the pillow. He rested his arm over his throbbing forehead, leaning back against the bed… Han Shao Zhou was an outsider, and Mo Ming wasn’t a top-tier celebrity. The hype around this gossip would likely die down soon.
Probably.
Thinking of Xiao Song, Mo Ming picked up his phone and called him back.
“Mo Ge, you finally answered!” Xiao Song sounded like he was about to cry. “Did you see the messages I sent last night? And the video online?”
“I saw it.” Mo Ming rubbed his temples.
“And what…” Xiao Song’s urgent tone suddenly grew weaker. “What do you think?”
“Just leave it be. Nan Jie will handle it. Don’t worry about it.”
Sometimes letting things take their course is the best way to handle these situations. No matter how much online gossip escalates, it won’t affect his real life.
It might just be a little annoying from time to time. When he eventually quits the industry and returns to his teacher’s theater troupe, he’ll probably have to endure some teasing from his friends.
“That’s not what I meant,” Xiao Song said. “I mean the messages I sent last night… Mo Ge, you understand what I was getting at, right? That Han Shao Zhou is just using you…”
“This is my private matter,” Mo Ming interrupted. “Just focus on your job.”
Mo Ming rarely spoke so seriously, and Xiao Song didn’t dare press further. “…Okay.”
“Oh, one more thing,” Xiao Song quickly added. “The company has provided you with a trailer, and a driver specifically for the trailer.”
“A trailer?”
“Yeah, I checked it out. It was delivered this afternoon. You can use it at the set tomorrow.”
“…”
Of course, he knew who had arranged this. It was clear that Han Shao Zhou preferred keeping him hidden in a trailer rather than in a simple changing room.
“Got it,” Mo Ming said. “Use it as needed.”
“Okay, see you tomorrow, Mo Ge.”
Xiao Song noticed that Mo Ming’s tone wasn’t as calm as usual, and he swallowed the words he wanted to say. He was worried that Mo Ming would get hurt in his relationship with Han Shao Zhou, but he also had a feeling that Mo Ming wasn’t as fragile as he seemed. After working with Mo Ming for a year, Xiao Song had come to realize that Mo Ming, though gentle and good-natured, was also very clear-headed and grounded.
“Yeah.”
After hanging up, Mo Ming got out of bed, slowly making his way to the bathroom while holding his sore waist.
In the kitchen, he reheated the meal Han Shao Zhou had brought back at noon. As he sat at the dining table, eating, he checked the message he had just received on his phone.
It was from Xia Qing.
[Xia Qing]: You and Han Shao Zhou seem really close [mysterious smile]
[Mo Ming]: Are you here to laugh at me? [sad face]
[Xia Qing]: Why would I laugh? Isn’t it a good thing?
[Mo Ming]: [crying face]
[Xia Qing]: Come on, I actually know why he likes you [patting head]
[Mo Ming]: [sad face]
[Xia Qing]: Don’t worry, Qing Ge is here for you [smirking face]
Mo Ming looked at the message, a faint smile playing on his lips.
[Mo Ming]: [happy face]
…
In a lavish hall, glasses clinked, and lights reflected off the shiny surfaces.
Han Shao Zhou was having an animated conversation with a businessman when his assistant approached, whispering something in his ear.
“Excuse me for a moment,” Han Shao Zhou said with a slight nod, turning to leave.
Once outside in the corridor, Han Shao Zhou took out his phone.
Mo Ming’s name was trending on the hot search, but most of the content was about Han Shao Zhou. Alongside the 40-second surveillance video, there were endless discussions about his intense pursuit of Wen Ci three years ago.
It wasn’t negative press. On the contrary, Han Shao Zhou was receiving quite a bit of praise online.
When his pursuit of Wen Ci was all over the news back then, Han Shao Zhou hadn’t cared. The man he was chasing was a top star, and as a top star, he had to be prepared for the attention. But now, looking at all this nonsense, Han Shao Zhou just felt bored. Especially now that he had decided to follow his grandfather’s path and lay low, he found it irritating that the media was still using his private life as entertainment. He hadn’t bothered to control it before, but now it felt like the media were treating him as a performer for their amusement.
If Mo Ming ever became a top star, Han Shao Zhou would only want to be the man behind the scenes, leaving the spotlight solely for his beautiful lover.
“Sue them.” Han Shao Zhou put away his phone and looked up. “Pick the most aggressive media outlets. No apologies, no settlements.”
“Yes, Han Ge,” the assistant quickly responded. His boss’s defamation lawsuits could easily bankrupt those media companies.
“And don’t let this kind of thing trend again.”
“Understood.”
After the assistant left, Han Shao Zhou was about to head back to the hall but suddenly remembered that he had promised to send Mo Ming a red packet last night.
He wondered if that little guy was feeling better by now.
Han Shao Zhou took out his phone again and quickly opened his chat with Mo Ming. There was no limit to how much he could send in a red packet. With a few swift taps, he sent a bright red packet containing 5.2 million yuan.
Han Shao Zhou was naturally not a romantic person. When he wanted to be good to someone, he acted on impulse, without any delicate or elaborate gestures. Even during the years he pursued Wen Ci, his ways of showing affection were simple and direct to the point of being tacky. Gao Chen would serenade Wen Ci with songs he wrote for him, while Han Shao Zhou would spend a fortune to support Wen Ci’s movies, single-handedly boosting the box office by billions. In the end, instead of moving Wen Ci, he was accused of insulting art.
Wen Ci once joked to Han Shao Zhou, “Han Ge, haven’t you noticed? Our spiritual pursuits aren’t on the same level…”
It was a joke, but it had hurt Han Shao Zhou for a long time. He regretted not accepting his grandfather’s plan to groom him into an aristocrat with artistic sensibilities. Now, no matter how hard he tried, he was just a businessman who only knew how to make money…
One second, ten seconds, thirty seconds…
Ding!
[Your Little Cutie has received your red packet]
Han Shao Zhou chuckled and continued watching his phone.
Ten seconds, thirty seconds, fifty seconds…
But even after staring at the screen until his eyes blurred, there was no reply.
He wasn’t even sure what kind of reply he was hoping for, but any response would make him feel better. Just silently accepting the red packet felt… cold.
But if he directly reminded Mo Ming, it might seem like he was acting superior just because he sent a red packet, as if he expected Mo Ming to thank him profusely.
After a moment’s thought, Han Shao Zhou sent another red packet with the same amount.
Three seconds later…
[Mo Ming]: [Thank you, Boss.jpg]
Han Shao Zhou finally felt satisfied, a smile tugging at his lips as he looked at the crying cat meme.
[Han Shao Zhou]: Let’s continue with the bathtub play tomorrow night [cool sunglasses face]
[Mo Ming]: [Cat begging for mercy.jpg]
Damn.
Han Shao Zhou felt a tightness in his lower abdomen. He was sure Mo Ming was deliberately sending these memes that were somewhere between cute and flirtatious—no, not guessing, he was certain.
Just as Han Shao Zhou was about to type out a teasing reply, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
“Hey, Han, what’s up?”
Startled out of his chat, Han Shao Zhou nearly dropped his phone. He instinctively locked the screen and turned to glare at Zhao Cheng, who was grinning at him.
Zhao Cheng was dressed in a burgundy velvet suit, his hair slicked back with pomade, making him look a bit more respectable than usual.
“Can you stop sneaking up on people?” Han Shao Zhou snapped.
“I was just saying hi, come on. No need to get so worked up.” Zhao Cheng’s sly eyes crinkled into a mischievous grin. “Who were you chatting with, so absorbed?”
Han Shao Zhou slipped his phone into his pocket. “Work stuff.”
Zhao Cheng clearly didn’t believe him, but he didn’t press the issue. He slung an arm around Han Shao Zhou’s shoulder and led him toward a quieter part of the hallway, laughing. “I saw that video online. Damn, Han, you really went for it, kissing Mo Ming right there on set.”
“Which eye of yours saw that it was forced?” Han Shao Zhou was clearly displeased. In the video, Mo Ming had been holding onto him tightly.
“Okay, okay, not forced,” Zhao Cheng said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “But now what? The whole internet knows.”
“So what if they do? This isn’t the first time the media’s taken a shot at me. This will all blow over in a couple of days.”
“I mean, everyone knows now… including Wen Ci, who’s about to return to Chuanhai.”
Han Shao Zhou looked at Zhao Cheng. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
“You always said keeping Mo Ming around was just to pass the time and that you’d never marry him.”
“Yeah, that’s what I said. So?”
“Mo Ming has always been Wen Ci’s substitute. I’m not wrong, am I?”
Han Shao Zhou’s brows furrowed deeper.
He couldn’t deny it. When he first got involved with Mo Ming, he had imagined Mo Ming as Wen Ci. He had even dressed Mo Ming to resemble Wen Ci by eight-tenths on their dates.
Back then, he had harbored a lot of resentment toward Wen Ci. The pain and regret of his unrequited love were mixed with frustration and anger. When he saw Wen Ci posting sweet photos with Gao Chen after their marriage, he would feel a surge of rage, and when he was with Mo Ming, he would cover Mo Ming’s mouth to stop him from making a sound, just so he could fully project Wen Ci onto him, venting his own feelings of hurt and frustration.
At that time, Mo Ming had been so obedient. He would do whatever Han Shao Zhou asked without complaint.
But looking back now, Han Shao Zhou realized how neurotic he had been—obsessive, volatile, treating a failed relationship as if the whole world were against him. Only Mo Ming could calm him down.
“Yeah,” Han Shao Zhou admitted, his expression complicated.
“So, you’ve always liked Wen Ci… Han, you’ve never even tried. How do you know you won’t have a chance if you don’t try?”
Zhao Cheng’s logic was simple: if Han Shao Zhou still loved Wen Ci, he should let Mo Ming go immediately. But right now, it seemed like Han Shao Zhou, maybe because he was traumatized by his previous heartbreak, had developed a bit of an ostrich mentality when it came to relationships.
Han Shao Zhou listened to Zhao Cheng’s words, his tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxing. “Then that means I definitely don’t have a chance.”
“…I really don’t get you, Han. True love is about to return, and you’re still holding onto a substitute. If you keep this up, you’ll lose Wen Ci, and you’ll turn Mo Ming into a joke. What did Mo Ming do to deserve this? He’s given you his whole heart, and you’ve spent three years treating him as someone else’s stand-in.”
A wave of irritation washed over Han Shao Zhou.
He should never have discussed this with Zhao Cheng, a so-called “love expert” who knew nothing about real relationships. This guy, who switched women like he switched clothes, knew nothing.
Han Shao Zhou had long since lost the energy to care about relationships. He analyzed his work with precision and patience, but when it came to love, he preferred to act on his gut feelings. As long as he felt comfortable with Mo Ming, he’d keep him around. Why should he let go just because someone told him to? If Mo Ming ended up getting hurt, Han Shao Zhou could always make it up to him in the future. After all, he could afford it.
As for Wen Ci…
“Why am I even talking to you about this?” Han Shao Zhou snapped at Zhao Cheng, turning on his heel to head back to the hall.
He had been in such a good mood just a moment ago, and now Zhao Cheng had ruined it all!
Zhao Cheng quickly caught up with him. “Han, don’t be mad. I’m just trying to look out for you, for Wen Ci, and for Mo Ming.”
“I don’t need that. I can take care of Mo Ming myself.”
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