Jing Li was stunned by his sudden action, and the words that were about to leave his mouth got stuck in his throat.
“Jing-laoshi?” Wu Xiaojun, who was on the other end of the phone, didn’t get a response from him and called out to him again.
“Ah, I’m here.” As Jing Li spoke, he felt the arm around his waist tighten even more. When he looked at the man’s face again, his expression was evidently even more displeased. Jing Li raised his head and pecked the man’s lips to appease him, while speaking into the receiver to Wu Xiaojun, “There’s no need to pick me up. I’ll head straight to the filming location early tomorrow morning. It won’t be too much trouble.”
As he said that, he still felt puzzled by Wu Xiaojun’s sudden offer to pick him up directly and couldn’t help but ask, “Do you have something to tell me?”
“… No.” Wu Xiaojun’s voice on the other end of the phone sounded a bit disappointed, but he didn’t insist. “I just thought that I haven’t seen you for a long time, and there are quite a lot of fans at the airport, so I thought it would be more convenient if I picked you up.”
“But if Jing-laoshi has other arrangements, then never mind. Just be sure to stay safe. Some fans can be quite crazy.”
Hearing his words, Jing Li thought he was just worried about him and couldn’t help but smile. “Okay, I’ll be careful. Thank you.”
The topic ended there, and it seemed that there was nothing more to say between the two. After a moment of silence on the phone, Wu Xiaojun said goodbye to Jing Li with a smile and hung up.
Seeing that he had finally hung up, Gu Tingshen hugged Jing Li in his arms again, resting his chin on his shoulder, his lips pursed, still looking displeased.
“What’s wrong?” Jing Li put his phone away and hugged him back, nuzzling his cheek while asking softly.
“You seem to like him quite a bit.”
“Who? You mean Wu Xiaojun?” Jing Li turned his head to look at him. Seeing him remain silent with a look of tacit agreement, he thought for a moment and said, “It’s alright. We’re in the same crew, and that kid is quite polite with a good personality. We’re just a bit more familiar with each other compared to others.”
This wasn’t a lie. Having seen enough of the dark and scheming side of the industry, Wu Xiaojun’s straightforward nature was indeed much more refreshing.
Although Jing Li could see that the other party was intentionally trying to please him and establish connections, he didn’t feel disgusted to it because of the other party’s undisguised attitude.
Moreover, in this circle, the pursuit of fame and fortune was almost the norm. Anyone with a bit of ambition would desperately try to take advantage of any available forces to climb up.
So as long as they didn’t use despicable methods behind his back or harbor any inappropriate thoughts or ideas towards him, Jing Li felt that it didn’t matter.
Jing Li’s thoughts were simple, but he didn’t know that this was only the Wu Xiaojun he saw. In fact, from beginning to end, Wu Xiaojun had been harboring different thoughts about him. He just didn’t know it.
However, Gu Tingshen, who had already seen through everything, obviously didn’t think so. Especially when he heard him speak of Wu Xiaojun in that tone, he became even more displeased.
“You’re even praising him?” Gu Tingshen frowned and stared at him, the sourness in his voice almost spilling out. After he finished speaking, he forcefully kissed Jing Li’s mouth with evident dissatisfaction, making a loud smacking sound.
“You’re even jealous of this?!” Jing Li’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. Thinking back to when he specifically mentioned not allowing him to be alone with others while in the crew, it seemed to be because of Wu Xiaojun as well. He instantly felt a bit torn between amusement and exasperation.
However, seeing his slightly raised eyebrows and displeased look, Jing Li still coaxed softly, “Alright, alright. I’ll keep my distance from him in the future, okay?”
Seeing that Gu Tingshen was still looking at him without saying a word, he quickly raised his head and took the initiative to kiss the man’s mouth. “What about now?”
This kiss was a bit hasty, and Jing Li didn’t pay attention as his teeth suddenly knocked against Gu Tingshen’s lip, causing him to frown and let out a muffled groan of pain.
Jing Li, however, couldn’t help but laugh out loud when he saw his look.
Gu Tingshen glanced at him with dissatisfaction, but then couldn’t help but laugh as well.
The two of them were like a pair of childish fools. They could bicker over some meaningless words, but even such a boring conversation made their hearts feel as sweet as if they had just drunk a large bucket of honey.
Just as they were being affectionate, Jing Li’s phone suddenly rang again.
Gu Tingshen subconsciously frowned, and Jing Li kissed him again to appease him before taking out his phone once more. “It’s probably my assistant…”
Before he could finish his sentence, he saw the words “Gege” on the caller ID. Jing Li’s face instantly changed, and he subconsciously pushed Gu Tingshen’s embrace away, then turned around to look behind him while whispering, “Ge! My Ge!”
Upon hearing this, Gu Tingshen’s expression also tightened. He quickly withdrew his hands and stood properly, then followed Jing Li’s gaze to look inside the villa.
“Hello, Ge…” Jing Li answered the phone and called out nervously.
“Did you send yourself to the Gu’s as well?” Jing Yu’s voice on the other end of the receiver was clearly tinged with dissatisfaction.
“No, I just took a call and am already heading home.” As Jing Li spoke, he gave Gu Tingshen a look, then pretended to walk a few steps forward, as if his brother could see through his actions.
Jing Yu didn’t say much after that, just snorted coldly, telling him to hurry home before hanging up.
Jing Li glanced at the call interface and secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. However, considering his brother’s mood, he didn’t dare to continue being affectionate with Gu Tingshen at this moment. He pursed his lips and looked at him, saying, “I’ll go in first. You should hurry back too.”
With that, he looked outside again. “The driver hasn’t arrived yet?”
“No, I told him to wait at the intersection over there.”
Seeing this, Jing Li didn’t say anything more. He pursed his lips and glanced at him, then turned around and reluctantly returned to the villa.
Gu Tingshen watched him enter the house all the way, then went to the intersection as well.
*
Unlike the sweet entanglement between the two, Wu Xiaojun was a bit unhappy after hanging up the phone.
Almost as soon as his call with Jing Li ended, a call from an unknown number came in.
Wu Xiaojun glanced down, and his fingers holding the phone couldn’t help but clench tightly. He waited until the phone rang several times before finally answering with a “Hello”.
“Well? Did Jing Li agree?” The voice on the other end of the phone was a slightly deep male voice, and sounded very young.
However, when Wu Xiaojun heard this voice, his heart tightened, and his own voice sounded a bit tense as he said, “… No.”
“Tsk.” The person on the other end of the phone sneered upon hearing this, as if he wasn’t surprised by this result at all, but it instantly made Wu Xiaojun’s face flush red.
Like a dumb cat whose tail had been stepped on, he was furious in his heart but couldn’t make a sound no matter what.
“Alright, since picking him up at the airport won’t work, then let’s go with the second plan I told you.” The person on the other end of the phone didn’t care about his thoughts and instructed on his own, “When you’ve agreed on a time with him, just let me know.”
With that, the person was about to hang up.
“Wait.” Wu Xiaojun hurriedly called out to him. After a moment of hesitation, he still asked, “Can you really guarantee that Dongyu will promote me?”
The person on the other end of the phone fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then laughed disdainfully. “What, are you questioning my ability?”
“No, I just want to confirm it again.” Hearing the displeasure in the other party’s tone, Wu Xiaojun quickly explained, then paused and asked a bit uneasily, “You don’t have any other motives for getting close to Jing Li, right?”
Wu Xiaojun’s words were vague, but the implication was clear. Although he had agreed to introduce the other party to Jing Li, he didn’t really want to offend Jing Li, especially with the Gu family backing him.
In this circle, even if one was promised the best resources, if they offended someone they shouldn’t have, they probably wouldn’t have the chance to enjoy them.
“What motives could I have?” The person on the other end of the phone seemed to find his words absurd and ridiculous, and indeed couldn’t help but laugh out loud, mocking, “Even if I had motives, do you think I could do anything to him with Jing Li’s background?”
Hearing him say this, Wu Xiaojun’s originally uneasy heart instantly settled down a lot.
Having said all this, the person on the other end of the phone finally became impatient. “Alright, you’re being so wishy-washy about introducing someone. If you really don’t want to do it, say so earlier. There are plenty of others scrambling to seize this opportunity.”
With that, the person hung up the phone without hesitation, leaving a flustered Wu Xiaojun. After thinking about it, he still made up his mind and sent another message over, saying that he would arrange it as soon as possible.
However, this time, the other party didn’t respond and only said to let him know when it was done.
Wu Xiaojun calmed his mind, and this time, even the last bit of hesitation completely disappeared.
*
Jing Li rested at home for a night and took a plane back to the filming location with his assistant early the next morning.
Ever since the awards ceremony, Jing Li’s popularity had risen to a new level along with the recognition of his skills. Although he wasn’t yet at the level where everyone could recognize him, there were still many fans who had found out his schedule and were waiting for him at the airport.
Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, the studio had arranged a car to pick him up at the airport early. Jing Li got off the plane and went directly through the VIP passage, then got in the car and returned to the filming location.
When he arrived, they were in the middle of filming. Jing Li had his assistant take his luggage to the hotel first, while he walked over to Director Wen’s side to watch the scene on the monitor together.
At this moment, they were filming a scene where the third male lead, a member of the Red Star Party, was having a risky argument with other party members to seek the support of the Major General. The actors involved were all veteran actors, so their acting skills naturally went without saying. However, what was amazing was that Wu Xiaojun still held his own among the veteran actors.
Whether it was his tone of voice, actions, or subtle expressions, Wu Xiaojun’s acting was equally commendable, and the entire scene was filled with highlights.
Director Wen’s eyes were also fixed on Wu Xiaojun, and from his expression, he was quite satisfied with Wu Xiaojun’s performance.
This emotion continued until the scene ended, and Director Wen shouted, “Cut! This scene is done. Great work, everyone. Take a break for now.”
After saying that, he slightly turned his head to the assistant beside him and said, “Go check on Wu Xiaojun. His state is good. Let him maintain it and continue filming the next scene in a bit.”
The assistant left in response.
“Wu Xiaojun’s acting has improved a lot.” Jing Li said with a timely smile, and the sincere praise for Wu Xiaojun could be easily heard in his tone.
“This kid is quite sharp. I think…” Director Wen also subconsciously responded with a smile. As he spoke, he turned his head and only then saw who had come. His smile immediately deepened. “You’re back?”
“There are no scenes scheduled for you today. Why did you come here instead of going back to rest while you have the chance?” As he spoke, he smiled and pulled over a stool for him to sit on. “Let me give you a heads-up. There won’t be many opportunities for you to rest later on.”
“Then I’ll have to devote myself to the job at the risk of my life,” Jing Li said with a laugh.
As the two were joking around, the people inside also gradually walked out.
Wu Xiaojun, who was following the director’s assistant, had originally intended to ask about the upcoming scenes. Seeing Jing Li there, he also greeted him with a smile.
His attitude was still as polite and cheerful as before, but Jing Li clearly felt that there was less enthusiasm than usual and a bit more caution.
This change made Jing Li feel a bit puzzled, but seeing that the other party still had a calm and natural demeanor, he temporarily suppressed his doubts, thinking that perhaps he was overthinking.
After staying on set for a while longer, Jing Li also returned to the hotel to rest and study his scenes for the next day.
He got so absorbed in it that when his phone rang, Jing Li only then realized that it was already a bit dark outside.
He picked up his phone and saw that it was Wu Xiaojun calling.
Thinking that the other party had something to discuss, he casually answered the call and heard Wu Xiaojun say with a smile, “Jing-laoshi, I’m not disturbing you, am I?”
“Well, I was wondering if I could invite you to dinner tonight?”
Jing Li paused for a moment, feeling a bit hesitant.
As if sensing his hesitation, Wu Xiaojun on the other end added, “Don’t worry, I don’t have any other intentions. It’s just that I happen to be free tonight, and I haven’t had the chance to treat you to a meal for all the trouble I’ve caused you before.”
“Rest assured, it’ll just be you, Wang-laoshi, and a few of my assistants gathering privately. There won’t be anyone else.”
When Jing Li heard that Wang Lele was also going, he thought that it would indeed be hard to refuse, so he agreed.
Wu Xiaojun laughed happily as soon as he heard him agree, then said that he and Mr. Wang would be waiting at the entrance before hanging up.
Afterward, he looked around and secretly sent out a message.
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