Recalling the message from Pei Jin and the day’s events, Wu Yan tossed and turned on his soft bed, unable to fall asleep.
He finally sat up, pulled back the curtains to watch the snow falling outside, and began to contemplate his next move. In the original novel, his ending was miserable: he crossed the protagonist, was discarded by the villain, and after his engagement with Pei Jin was canceled, his family was ruined. Eventually, his body was covered by the white snow, left undiscovered by anyone.
No way. This time, I’m definitely going to cling to Pei Jin’s thigh.
Wu Yan shook his head, clearing out the messy thoughts. Feeling a bit cold, he tucked himself back under the covers and somehow drifted into a heavy sleep.
The next morning, a bright sun shone high. As the snow melted, puddles began to gather on the ground. Below, the dining table was spread with a magnificent array of breakfast items.
Wu Yan sat on the right side, holding a porcelain spoon and stirring a bowl of vegetable and lean meat porridge. The food smelled delicious, but he didn’t have a shred of appetite.
“Young Master, please eat more,” Aunt Wang said caringly.
Since Wu’s parents had left early for business at the company, Wu Yan was the only one left at the table. He ate a small amount of breakfast, then shifted his gaze to Xu Yike, who stood diagonally across from him.
“Where is Pei Jin’s schedule?” Wu Yan suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Xu Yike pulled a file from his briefcase and placed it in front of Wu Yan. Wu Yan flipped through the booklet, scanning it quickly to get a general idea. He grabbed his coat from the back of the chair and picked up his phone from the long table.
“Young Master, are you going out again?” Aunt Wang asked. She didn’t know what was happening, only that ever since he fainted yesterday, Wu Yan had been constantly running out.
Wu Yan fixed his gaze on Xu Yike. “You, don’t follow me.”
Xu Yike paused, looking hesitant, but still spoke respectfully, “The Master and Madam instructed me to take care of you.”
Take care of me? More like a mobile surveillance camera.
Wu Yan remained silent, pursing his lips as he walked outside. Once in the car, he locked the doors and gave the driver the address. The driver looked at Xu Yike, who hadn’t caught up, then at Wu Yan in the rearview mirror, and immediately started the engine without hesitation.
Yuyang Movie and TV City
Buildings from various dynasties could be seen everywhere, and various filming equipment was clustered together. Inside the green screen studio, the temperature was higher than outside, and fans roared, blowing streamers into the air.
Having just finished a shoot, Pei Jin kept his head down to review the script for the next scene. After the director gave him a few instructions and moved to talk to other actors, a thermos suddenly appeared in his line of sight, it was the one he usually used.
Without thinking, he took the thermos, unscrewed the cap, and took two sips before handing it back. The next second, several colorful candies were placed before his eyes.
His brow knit slightly as he realized something was wrong. He turned his head and met a pair of glass-like eyes filled with laughter. He was momentarily stunned.
Seeing that Pei Jin had finally noticed him, Wu Yan toyed with the candies in his hand and tilted his head. “Have a candy? Luo Xia told me you didn’t eat breakfast this morning.”
Pei Jin didn’t speak or take the candy. He scanned the area but couldn’t find Luo Xia. “Where is he?” he asked.
“He went to the restroom,” Wu Yan answered obediently. Seeing that Pei Jin wouldn’t eat the candy, he could only stuff them back into his pocket. “Do you want some more water?” he asked.
Pei Jin was silent for two seconds. “Follow me,” he said.
Wu Yan nodded and followed Pei Jin into his dressing room. The temperature inside was pleasant with the heater on. He rubbed his hands together and watched as Pei Jin sat in a chair.
He leaned over, preparing to hand Pei Jin his script, when the man spoke.
“You don’t need to do these things, Wu Yan. I’ll have Luo Xia return that scarf after it’s dry-cleaned,” Pei Jin said flatly.
Wu Yan stood his ground, staring at Pei Jin’s face. “Do I look like I’m lacking a scarf?”
What I’m lacking is a handsome and charming husband.
Hearing this, Pei Jin remained silent and indifferent.
Seeing the lack of response, Wu Yan frowned with a hint of impatience. He walked around the table to stand before Pei Jin, reaching out to tilt the man’s chin up. Today, Pei Jin was dressed simply in a thin shirt as if he couldn’t feel the cold. Wu Yan leaned down and kissed him.
Pei Jin’s pupils constricted, and he instinctively pushed the youth away. His voice sounded slightly hoarse. “We are only a business alliance. The Young Master doesn’t need to do this.”
Wu Yan’s eyes grew red. “Brother, why do you keep rejecting me?”
It was one thing for Pei Jin to reject him, but he called him with such distance.
“We’ve only just met,” Pei Jin said, his heart softening slightly at the youth’s expression.
Wu Yan froze. He bit his lip, stepped forward to grab Pei Jin’s collar, and stared into his eyes. “We’re about to be engaged, yet you’re still so cold to me. Besides, we’ve known each other for a long time, Brother Pei.”
There was a five-year age gap between them, and they had met as children. Back then, Wu Yan loved to order him around. However, Pei Jin’s family had moved away, and they hadn’t met again until sixteen years later.
Pei Jin’s memories of Wu Yan were blurred; he only recalled that the boy had very white skin, like cotton candy.
“That was when we were children. We didn’t speak much,” Pei Jin said.
Wu Yan was displeased. He leaned in close, his words sounding as if they were coated in honey: “Pei Jin, I like you.”
The blunt confession left Pei Jin stunned. In that instant of hesitation, Wu Yan leaned in again for a kiss, a brief, soft press of lips that vanished in a flash. He stood back up before Pei Jin could push him away.
Wu Yan panted slightly, pressing his advantage. “Look into my eyes. Do you really feel nothing?”
Pei Jin raised his eyes and met those glass-like orbs, the light blue within them shimmering like ripples on water. He hesitated, his thoughts becoming uncontrollably chaotic.
Just as Wu Yan was about to lean in again, the door was pushed open. Luo Xia entered, carrying a plastic bag. He froze at the scene, unsure how to react. Fortunately, having been in the industry for a long time, his mental fortitude was strong. Enduring Wu Yan’s unhappy glare, he spoke tremulously, “Brother Pei, the director is looking for you.”
Hearing this, Wu Yan let go and stepped back to clear the path. He pursed his lips. “Brother, go ahead. I’ll wait for you here.”
Knowing when to advance and when to retreat as expected of me.
Watching Pei Jin leave silently with Luo Xia, Wu Yan leaned lazily back in the chair and pulled out his phone to play Happy Match. After a few minutes, drowsiness swept over him like a tide. He fluttered his lashes and decided to take a nap.
Time flew. A faint rustling sound woke him. Pei Jin had returned and was watching the sleeping youth, recalling the image of him sleeping in the car the previous night. Wu Yan looked very obedient when asleep—a pleasing sight.
For some reason, Pei Jin felt his breathing slow down. He draped a blanket over Wu Yan, but as he moved to withdraw his hand, it was seized.
Wu Yan blinked his sleepy, bleary eyes. “You’re back?”
Pei Jin could have easily pulled his hand away, but meeting Wu Yan’s gaze, he somehow allowed the youth to keep holding him. “Mhm,” he answered softly.
“You don’t have any more scenes today, right? I booked a great restaurant; let’s go together, alright?” Wu Yan threw off the blanket and stood up, nearly tripping. If he hadn’t grabbed Pei Jin’s hand in time, he would have truly fallen.
Pei Jin: “I have plans for the evening.”
“Ah, I see…” Wu Yan’s tone was full of disappointment, but he feigned understanding. “Alright, then let’s make it another time.”
“I’ll have Luo Xia send you back.” Pei Jin noticed Wu Yan letting go and stepping back, a flash of unreadable emotion in his eyes.
Wu Yan shook his head. “No need. I’ll go back myself.”
Leaving the dressing room, Wu Yan looked up at the vast blue sky, then lowered his eyes to hide his feelings. Xu Yike, who had been waiting outside, hurried forward to hold an umbrella over his head.
“It’s not snowing. Why the umbrella?” Wu Yan asked. “There’s wind,” Xu Yike replied.
Can this body not even handle a breeze? Wu Yan wondered.
Just as he was about to leave, he ran into an acquaintance. The person was wearing heavy makeup and a skirt that exposed her legs despite the cold. The men in black behind her were carrying numerous bags from a high-end dessert shop. Wu Yan looked away, prepared to leave.
“Oh, the young master of the Wu family is leaving already?”
The woman lowered her sunglasses and glanced at Xu Yike. Her tone was malicious. “With a body so weak, you still run outside to trouble people. If you weren’t born into a good family, who knows where you’d be dead by now.”
Her name was Song Yiran, a third-tier actress. She maintained a “personable” and “fan-loving” image, giving her a very loyal fan base. She and Wu Yan had met at a dinner party where Wu Yan’s sharp tongue had caused this trouble. But he had only been telling the truth ,her persona was a facade, and her true character was questionable.
Wu Yan sneered. He couldn’t believe she had the nerve to curse him to his face. She clearly didn’t know her place.
“The weather is cold. If you have nothing better to do, go bury yourself in some dirt. Don’t go hopping around and being an eyesore.” His tone was cold, and he didn’t give her another look.
Song Yiran froze, her face turning pale with rage. Wu Yan was about to say more when he spotted Pei Jin coming out of the dressing room. He immediately swallowed his words and fell silent.
“Speechless, are you? Wu Yan, you’re just a—” Song Yiran stopped as she saw Pei Jin approaching.
“Movie Star Pei.” Her eyes were full of admiration. She opened her mouth to continue.
Wu Yan took two steps back and grabbed Pei Jin’s hand, his voice sounding pitiful. “Brother, I was just about to go back when this Miss Song came out of nowhere and cursed me, saying I won’t live long and that I’m a burden…”
“Brother, if I’m going to be a burden to anyone, it’s you. What does it have to do with her?”
Pei Jin looked down to see Wu Yan’s nose was red, his eyes full of grievance and a plea for help. He turned his gaze to Song Yiran. Feeling that gaze, Song Yiran’s face turned white. She wanted to explain, but Wu Yan tugged on Pei Jin’s hand.
“I know my health is poor. Miss Song is likely just unhappy, so she said a few words to me. I don’t blame her.” He said this specifically to Song Yiran.
Xu Yike, watching the whole scene from the side, had a complex expression. Wu Yan had played both the villain and the hero all by himself; he was the one who just insulted her, yet now he was the “understanding” one who wouldn’t pursue the matter.
“Are you that aggrieved?” Pei Jin suddenly asked.
Wu Yan’s nose was red, and his pale face was flushed but that was from the excitement of his earlier scolding. However, since Pei Jin asked, he nodded. “Mhm. I need Brother to comfort me.”