Qiao Shu returned to the lounge, looking aggrieved.
Inside the lounge, Jiang Jiayu sat in front of the dressing table. The clear mirror reflected his flushed cheeks and eyes that seemed as if they had been soaked in water, glistening and moist.
He appeared to be lost in thought. The blush on his face deepened, and he hurriedly covered his cheeks with both hands. After a few seconds, he lifted his head, gently patting his cheeks to subdue the rosy hue.
“Don’t think about it, don’t think about it. It’s just an accident, an accident! Ah! Jiang Jiayu, don’t overthink! Got it? Overthinking will make Senior Chu dislike you!” Jiang Jiayu whispered to himself.
Just as he reached the door of the rest area, Qiao Shu appeared: “…”
Oh my!
The protagonists, both the top and the bottom, had just successfully kissed.
Qiao Shu’s spirits lifted, excitement and gossip factors surging within him.
Suppressing a mischievous smile, Qiao Shu walked in and gently closed the door. Suddenly, he spoke up, “What’s wrong with you? Your face is so red!”
Jiang Jiayu trembled visibly, clearly startled.
He turned around in a fluster, hands covering his face, “N-nothing.”
Qiao Shu pulled down his hands, “Your face is practically on fire. Let me guess, you went to see Senior Chu just now, didn’t you?”
Jiang Jiayu stammered, “N-no, it’s not that. I-I’m just hot!”
Qiao Shu teased, “Oh, hot, huh?”
Qiao Shu looked at him.
Jiang Jiayu avoided eye contact and lowered his head.
But within seconds, he reached out and hooked his little finger around Qiao Shu’s, giving it a gentle tug.
Jiang Jiayu said, “Qiao Qiao, I have a secret to tell you.”
Quick to catch on, Qiao Shu made a motion to seal his lips and patted his chest reassuringly, “Go ahead!”
“It’s like this,” Jiang Jiayu said nervously. He hesitated for a moment, then leaned in close to Qiao Shu’s ear. “I accidentally kissed Senior Chu just now.”
Qiao Shu feigned shock, “Ah! A kiss!”
Jiang Jiayu panicked and covered Qiao Shu’s mouth, whispering, “Quiet, keep your voice down.”
Qiao Shu nodded in agreement.
Jiang Jiayu continued, “Actually, it wasn’t a real kiss. We were rehearsing a fight scene, and we accidentally collided and bumped lips.”
He looked both shy and worried as he asked Qiao Shu, “Do you think Senior Chu will mind? Will he dislike me? It truly was an accident.”
Ah, the bittersweet flavor of love!
I can’t let any obstacles come between my favorite ship!
Qiao Shu reassured him, “No, he won’t!”
Jiang Jiayu studied him.
Qiao Shu added, “You said it was an accident. As a fan, don’t you know what kind of person Senior Chu is? He definitely won’t mind.”
Indeed, in the novel, Chu Chisheng didn’t mind at all. He had even found Jiang Jiayu’s lips unexpectedly soft.
Qiao Shu: Tsk, men!
Jiang Jiayu whispered, “I thought the same way, but I’m a bit worried.”
Qiao Shu patted his chest reassuringly, “No need to worry.”
After comforting him, it was time for some gossip.
Qiao Shu asked, “Xiao Yu, tell me, how does Senior Chu’s mouth feel when you kiss it?”
Jiang Jiayu’s blush, which had finally subsided a bit, flared up again.
Jiang Jiayu stammered, “W-what does it feel like?”
Qiao Shu teased, “Just like this, muah!”
He mimicked a kissing motion.
Jiang Jiayu blushed and scolded, “Qiao Qiao!”
The two playfully bantered.
During the afternoon filming, Jiang Jiayu sat off to the side, avoiding any glances in Chu Chisheng’s direction. Clearly, he couldn’t forget that accidental kiss.
On the other hand, Qiao Shu noticed Chu Chisheng stealing several glances at Jiang Jiayu.
Despite his shyness, Jiang Jiayu managed to suppress his personal emotions during the fight scenes with Chu Chisheng. But when Director Zhu called “Cut,” Jiang Jiayu immediately blushed and hurried away.
Chu Chisheng: “…”
Qiao Shu watched the entire process.
Simultaneously excited and feeling a bit choked up, Qiao Shu tapped his chin. “It’s time to find someone.”
Otherwise, once Jiang Jiayu starts dating, this dog food will become even more overwhelming.
What kind of person should he look for?
Tall, for sure.
Someone considerate in personality, good-looking, and most importantly, with a pleasant voice.
“Thank you.”
The man’s face, wrapped in white bandages, revealed only his features. He lifted his head slightly, his pitch-black eyes calm and indifferent, his voice deep and sensual.
Qiao Shu covered his tingling ears dramatically: “!!!”
Goodness gracious!
Who knew the impact could be this strong!
Wait!
Wasn’t he thinking about a future partner?
Qiao Shu shook his head, feeling like his brain had short-circuited.
“Oh, right,” Qiao Shu murmured, “Mr. Chen hasn’t called me in the past few days. I wonder how that gentleman is doing now?”
That day, Qiao Shu and Chen Wenyuan exchanged mobile phone numbers with each other and learned Chen Wenyuan’s name. However, Qiao Shu still didn’t know the full name of the melodious-voiced Mr. Mummy.
“Should I give him a call to check?” Qiao Shu thought to himself. “After all, we did collide, so it’s only right to take the initiative to inquire and show concern.”
That makes sense!
Thinking about that accidental collision, Qiao Shu’s face suspiciously reddened.
Quickly regaining composure, he found a quiet corner and dialed Chen Wenyuan’s number.
Qiao Shu had already finished filming his scenes for the day and could have gone back to rest. However, Jiang Jiayu still had scenes to shoot, and staying to watch Chu Chisheng act would also provide some helpful insights from other seasoned actors, benefiting his own performance.
Inside the hospital room:
Chen Wenyuan was reporting recent information to Gu Chenyan. “As you predicted, the shareholders have made their move. Gu Yan…”
The sound of a ringing phone interrupted him.
Chen Wenyuan apologized, “I’m sorry, sir.”
He took out his phone and glanced at the caller ID, looking slightly surprised. Then he looked up at Gu Chenyan.
Gu Chenyan asked, “What is it?”
Chen Wenyuan: “It’s Mr. Qiao Shu.”
Gu Chenyan: “Qiao Shu?”
Gu Chenyan hesitated for a moment, then quickly recalled that radiant smile.
He nodded and said, “Answer it.”
Chen Wenyuan, prepared in advance, pressed the answer button and activated the speakerphone. “Hello, Mr. Qiao.”
As the call connected, Qiao Shu let out a relieved breath and smiled. “Hello, Mr. Chen.”
Chen Wenyuan asked, “Is there something you need?”
Qiao Shu hesitated. He still didn’t know how to address the melodious-voiced Mr. Mummy.
Stammering a bit, he finally asked, “How is Mister’s injury?”
Chen Wenyuan clarified, “Mister’s surname is Gu.”
Qiao Shu: Gu?
A pleasant voice and a nice surname.
Qiao Shu continued, “Is Mr. Gu doing well physically?”
Chen Wenyuan discreetly glanced at the stoic man in front of him. “Mr. Gu has recovered quite well. You needn’t worry. The other day, you didn’t exacerbate his injuries. Please don’t dwell on it.”
Qiao Shu replied, “I see.”
It seemed there was nothing more to discuss. It was polite to bid farewell and end the call now.
But Qiao Shu wasn’t ready to give up.
He scratched his face and gathered his courage. “May I speak with Mr. Gu?”
Chen Wenyuan replied, “Please wait.”
“Understood,” Qiao Shu said.
This time, Chen Wenyuan openly looked at Gu Chenyan. When he had answered the call earlier, he intentionally put it on speakerphone, and Gu Chenyan had heard everything.
“Mr. Gu,” Chen Wenyuan addressed him.
Gu Chenyan glanced at him indifferently. “Decline.”
Chen Wenyuan felt regret in his heart. “Yes, sir.”
He picked up the phone. “I apologize, Mr. Qiao Shu. Mr. Gu is currently unavailable to take your call.”
As Qiao Shu sat back down on the small stool, his face was filled with disappointment.
The melodious voice remained unheard.
His mood soured.
“Qiao Qiao, what’s wrong?” Jiang Jiayu emerged from changing clothes and noticed Qiao Shu’s off mood.
Qiao Shu looked up, his expression melancholic. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Jiang Jiayu raised an eyebrow. “???”
Qiao Shu: “Senior Chu… um!”
Jiang Jiayu swiftly covered Qiao Shu’s mouth, his face turning red: “Don’t say it!”
Qiao Shu struggled to remove Jiang Jiayu’s hand. “I didn’t say anything.”
Jiang Jiayu huffed, “Hmph, you’re not allowed to say it anyway.”
Qiao Shu retorted, “Xiao Yu, you’re being unreasonable.”
Jiang Jiayu insisted, “You started it, Qiao Qiao!”
The two of them playfully wrestled.
“Jiayu?” Chu Chisheng squinted slightly, observing the two boys sitting on small stools, engaged in their antics.
“Ack!” Jiang Jiayu quickly looked over. As soon as he saw Chu Chisheng, he withdrew his hand from playfully tussling with Qiao Shu. He obediently sat down, behaving even better than kindergarten kids.
Chu Chisheng said, “I need to talk to you.”
Jiang Jiayu replied, “Okay!”
He stood up and dutifully followed Chu Chisheng.
Qiao Shu watched, and then, halfway there, Chu Chisheng suddenly turned back and gave him a warning look.
Qiao Shu: ???
Qiao Qiao is innocent.
About five minutes later, Jiang Jiayu returned. Qiao Shu noticed that he seemed more relaxed, wearing a mysterious smile on his face.
Qiao Shu: I smell it again!
Jiang Jiayu returned, carrying the scent of love in the air, and Qiao Shu shifted slightly away as if overwhelmed by the sweetness.
“Qiao Qiao?” Jiang Jiayu said.
Qiao Shu smiled.
Jiang Jiayu blushed shyly, leaning in closer. In a hushed voice, he shared, “Qiao Qiao, Senior Chu told me that he doesn’t mind what happened at lunch. He hopes we can continue our previous interactions without reservation.”
He cradled his face with affectionate hands. “Senior Chu is truly kind. He reassured me during lunch, and this afternoon, even though I was avoiding him, he came over specifically to comfort me.”
“Ah, truly my idol.”
“So gentle.”
Qiao Shu continued to smile, knowing it was meant only for him.
Sweet, indeed.
But also a bit overwhelming.
Innocent Qiao Qiao not only faced disapproving glances but was also bombarded with relentless dog food.
Although he enjoyed this sweet nourishment, the desire for romance suddenly intensified. So, what kind of boyfriend should he look for?
Qiao Shu, perpetually single, felt a bit lost.
As he pondered, he thought about his fiancé.
Fiancé = 50 million.
The shadow of a love affair was instantly cast aside as Qiao Shu’s nearly 50 million yuan came into view, promising to rejuvenate him.
He happily counted on his fingers: “I can start by buying a house, not too large—around 100 square meters—preferably in a conveniently located city area. Then, I’ll get a car worth around 200,000 yuan. With the remaining money, I’ll invest in stable funds.”
Having a house, a car, and savings, he could continue working in the entertainment industry until he turned thirty. Then, he could retire, using his savings to open a bookstore.
A perfect life of leisure.
Qiao Shu grinned foolishly, feeling like he’d stepped into a novel.
His 50 million yuan arrived quickly. Just as he was about to finish filming, he received an unfamiliar phone call.
“Hello, Mr. Qiao Shu. I am the secretary of Gu Chenyan, the president of Gu’s Group.”
⌈Weekend chapter:0 ⌉
⌊Progress: 0/2 ⌋