Over the years, Luo Ying had witnessed countless fireworks displays, but this was the only one set off solely for him.
As the final firework faded into the night, Lu Rang wrapped his arms around Luo Ying’s shoulders from behind and whispered, “Did you like it?”
The alcohol from dinner began to take effect, and Luo Ying, still in awe, snapped back to reality. The corners of his slightly upturned eyes were tinged with red, his cheeks flushed a delicate pink. He let out a soft hum and said, “Thank you.”
A warm breath brushed against Luo Ying’s cheek as Lu Rang leaned in closer. “Luo Ying, did you learn what I taught you last time?”
Luo Ying tilted his head in confusion. “Hmm?”
Lu Rang’s hand immediately cupped his face, his thumb pressing against Luo Ying’s chin as his soft, moist tongue slipped into Luo Ying’s mouth.
Feeling the cool lips gently sucking on his own, Luo Ying widened his eyes, meeting Lu Rang’s gaze. During a brief pause in the kiss, Lu Rang reminded him, “Focus.”
Unlike their previous kisses, this time Lu Rang’s movements were gentle. His tongue slowly teased and guided Luo Ying, making the experience even more enjoyable for him.
Drawing from their past encounters, Luo Ying turned around, leaning his back against the railing. He wrapped his arms around Lu Rang’s neck, closed his eyes, and after being guided, began to respond passionately to the kiss, eager to prove his improved technique.
Their tongues intertwined, accompanied by the faint, suggestive sound of moisture. Lu Rang’s tenderness gradually shifted into a more dominant, invasive rhythm.
Their breathing grew heavier, and Luo Ying, overwhelmed by the kiss, felt his breath grow erratic. He rose onto his tiptoes, his gaze hazy, as if his very soul were drifting away.
…
After returning home, the two spent the entire night entangled in each other’s embrace.
The next morning, Luo Ying woke up sore all over. He struggled to get out of bed, supporting his waist as he reluctantly made his way to the office.
As he passed through the finance department’s workspace, pairs of eyes discreetly glanced at him, as if watching for gossip.
Once inside his office, Xie Yunyu took one look at him and immediately understood what had happened.
He asked tactfully, “Are you in a relationship?”
Luo Ying stiffened slightly at the question. Just as he was about to sit down, he stood back up, ready to deny it, but his trembling legs couldn’t support his stubbornness.
Luo Ying replied ambiguously, “Not exactly.”
If it wasn’t a relationship, then it must have been a casual fling.
Xie Yunyu gave him a complicated look. “I know you’ve been under a lot of pressure lately, but even if you’re just having fun, you still need to be careful.”
“Me…?”
Luo Ying knew Xie Yunyu had misunderstood.
But after thinking for a long time, he couldn’t figure out where to even begin explaining, so he simply waved his hand, too lazy to clarify.
“It’s safe, don’t worry.”
The two talked in the office for a long time. Xie Yunyu had already contacted universities willing to collaborate.
Now, all they needed to do was promote the event and wait for the election results from each institution.
When it came to the entertainment industry, Xie Yunyu suggested that Luo Ying attend more industry gatherings to quickly build connections with influential figures.
Luo Ying felt the task was daunting. He pointed at himself. “Me? You expect me to network with big shots?”
He was still at the center of a scandal—aside from Lu Rang, who seemed fearless, who would dare associate with him?
Xie Yunyu looked determined, inexplicably confident in him. “Give it a try. I’m definitely not as good at this as you are.”
Luo Ying sensed something was off. “Are you hiding something from me?”
A gilded invitation was pushed toward Luo Ying, with both his and Xie Yunyu’s names written in the guest list.
Xie Yunyu avoided eye contact. “I don’t really want to go.”
Luo Ying took the invitation and saw that the theme was a film exchange event.
Xie Yunyu had struggled with social anxiety since childhood. In college, he would avoid organized activities whenever possible. Over the years of partnering in their startup, Luo Ying had thought he had improved somewhat.
Truth be told, Luo Ying didn’t want to go either.
Half of the privileged young elites in Haidu were involved in the entertainment industry. After his father’s scandal broke, he remembered all too clearly the faces of those who had kicked him while he was down.
But there was no other choice. Their company had just shifted its focus to investing in entertainment projects, and with no achievements to speak of yet, either he or Xie Yunyu had to attend.
They owed the organizers at least that much courtesy.
“By the way, I heard several award-winning actors from the industry will be there. You have a wide network—see if you can connect with them.”
“Award-winning actors…” Luo Ying’s heart skipped a beat as he thought of Lu Rang, who had tangled with him in passion just the night before.
Xie Yunyu then added with a troubled expression, “These people probably have big egos. Just do what you can, and don’t let yourself be mistreated.”
Luo Ying thought to himself, The mistreatment is already over—I’ve been kept by one of them.
He flicked the corner of the invitation with his finger and said, “Alright, I’ll go check it out.”
Luo Ying didn’t mention the invitation to Lu Rang. Based on his observations over the past few days, he guessed that if he brought it up, Lu Rang would likely insist on attending with him.
Never mind whether his kept status would be discovered—if the media exposed his relationship with Lu Rang, it would be Lu Rang who suffered the consequences.
He only wanted Lu Rang’s money and was drawn to his skills in bed, but he never intended for Lu Rang to be dragged through the mud online because of him.
If they happened to run into each other at the event, he would pretend not to know him. In a public setting, Lu Rang wouldn’t be able to do much about it anyway.
He could even use the exchange event as an opportunity to pretend to get to know Lu Rang. If they were ever photographed by the media in the future, Luo Ying could explain that they were just very good friends.
Consider it for the sake of his benefactor.
The exchange event was scheduled for the end of the month. Lu Rang had been shuttling between the film set and his company lately, busy with who-knows-what. He returned home later and later each night, sometimes only after Luo Ying had already fallen asleep.
Luo Ying thought this was just as well. He could muddle through for a month, and fifty million would be his.
On the day of the exchange event, Lu Rang still hadn’t returned.
Xia Xi came to see Luo Ying at noon, explaining that Lu Rang’s filming schedule was tight lately and that he had many year-end events to attend, so he wouldn’t be able to spend as much time with him.
Luo Ying felt as though Xia Xi’s words were meant to placate him.
It was as if he had become Lu Rang’s “pampered house husband,” the kind who would throw a tantrum if left alone.
That evening, for the exchange event,
Luo Ying arrived half an hour earlier than the time stated on the invitation.
This was a habit he had picked up from Luo Xiaohe when attending events.
Rows of crystal chandeliers overhead shone dazzlingly bright. The event hadn’t even started yet, but the venue was already bustling with people.
Luo Ying took a glass of champagne from a server and found a spot where he could observe the entire venue. Pretending to savor the drink, he discreetly assessed the status and influence of each attendee.
“Mr. Luo, we meet again.”
A cheerful male voice sounded beside him, startling Luo Ying, who quickly turned and gestured for the speaker to lower his voice.
Wen Silan naturally clinked glasses with him, following Luo Ying’s gaze to an elderly man with graying temples sitting in a wheelchair. Across from him, a young man crouched down, his expression both respectful and ingratiating.
“That’s screenwriter Ye Suishan. Many of the top screenwriters and directors in the industry are his students. He retired a few years ago to enjoy his later years, but his status in the entertainment world remains unshakable. The person squatting opposite him is Shi Liu, whose film recently premiered and is said to have performed quite well at the box office.”
A few days ago, while browsing entertainment news, Luo Ying had come across Shi Liu’s name. Marketing accounts mentioned that he had won the Best Director award three years in a row, and his latest work had dominated the box office on its opening day.
For someone so accomplished to be squatting in front of Ye Suishan just to chat, it was clear just how influential Ye Suishan was in the entertainment industry.
If Luo Ying could build a good relationship with Ye Suishan, it would be like gaining access to most of the industry’s connections.
However, Ye Suishan was an artist, and Luo Ying knew nothing about screenwriting or filmmaking. He couldn’t just barge in and embarrass himself by trying to show off in front of an expert.
That would be downright clownish.
Luo Ying’s gaze darkened as he stared at Ye Suishan, thinking he needed to plan this carefully.
Perhaps sensing someone watching him, Ye Suishan quickly locked eyes with Luo Ying. His narrow eyes were sharp and bright, like those of an eagle.
But then, almost instantly, his expression softened into a gentle, fatherly smile directed at Luo Ying.
Luo Ying was taken aback by Ye Suishan’s swift change in demeanor. No wonder he had mentored so many top screenwriters and directors—he was a seasoned actor himself.
A sense of admiration welled up in Luo Ying, making him even more eager to get to know this senior, Ye Suishan.
As the exchange event was about to begin, the entrance to the hall grew crowded with people, the lively chatter drawing the attention of many inside.
Wen Silan said, “The organizers have arrived.”
Luo Ying followed the crowd’s gaze. Ye Xirong was dressed in a purple suit, his long white hair cascading down his back. A blue gemstone necklace wrapped twice around his neck and hung elegantly over his chest. As he moved through the crowd, he casually brushed aside a strand of hair that had fallen near his temple. With one hand lightly resting on the organizer’s back, his fox-like eyes curved slightly, his smile confident and unrestrained.
Looking to the other side of the organizer, Lu Rang’s tousled hair had been styled upward by his stylist, giving him a sharp and polished look. He wore a black suit, his handsome brows slightly furrowed, his deep eyes lowered. His striking features carried an air of aloofness, as if he had little interest in the event.
Beside him, Wen Silan whispered again, “The one with long hair is Ye Xirong, Ye Suishan’s son. Ye Suishan had him later in life and dotes on him immensely.” After a pause, his tone grew heavier. “Oh, come to think of it, Lu Rang is also one of Ye Suishan’s students.”
Luo Ying glanced at him. “How do you know so much?”
Wen Silan smiled. “This industry is just that small.”
Luo Ying asked again, “Mr. Wen, how do you know Lu Rang?”
At this question, Wen Silan’s smile stiffened, and his expression immediately darkened.
On the other side, Lu Rang and Ye Xirong followed the organizer to toast Ye Suishan. While they chatted, Luo Ying kept his eyes fixed on them, waiting for Wen Silan’s answer.
“We might be a bit incompatible.”
Luo Ying thought for a moment and asked, “What, were you two rivals in love?”
“Of course not,” Wen Silan said. “I’m his cousin.”
…?!
“Huh?” Luo Ying turned to him, his amber eyes wide with disbelief.
“I told you, this industry is just that small.”
Wen Silan draped an arm over Luo Ying’s shoulder like a buddy, his smile modest as he clinked their glasses together, the clear sound of glass meeting glass ringing out.
“However… we weren’t love rivals before, but we are now.” Wen Silan leaned in close to Luo Ying’s face, his gaze drifting into the distance, a smug expression on his face as if showing off to someone.
Following his line of sight, Luo Ying saw Lu Rang standing beside Ye Suishan’s wheelchair, his distinct fingers gripping the glass as he sipped slowly. Through the glass, his deep, dark eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze steady and intense.
Luo Ying could feel the tension between Lu Rang and Wen Silan as they stared each other down from across the vast banquet hall, their eyes locked in a silent confrontation, the atmosphere thick with hostility.
And there he was, caught in the middle, teetering on the edge of danger.