He gave Lin Shen a sense of absolute reassurance.
Lu Jing’s eyes held a smile as he stared at Lin Shen for several seconds before turning to Brother Huang. “If it’s convenient, I’d like to borrow Lin Shen for a moment.”
Brother Huang had been working as a talent agent since graduation and had seen countless celebrities. He had even encountered stars of similar status to Lu Jing, but it was truly the first time a big shot of this caliber had taken the initiative to speak to him.
His own artist had just used Lu Jing to provoke someone, and as the agent, he had stood by, clapping enthusiastically without a care for the consequences. To make matters worse, they had run into the big shot himself just around the corner, who then approached him to speak.
In those few short seconds, Brother Huang contemplated the ups and downs of life.
But his professional instincts as an agent forced him to face the situation.
Trembling, he spoke up to defend his artist. “Mr. Lu, please let me explain. Lin Shen didn’t mean what he said. He was just…”
“I know,” Lu Jing interrupted him politely and courteously. “I need to speak with Lin Shen about something else. Please don’t worry.”
Brother Huang still tilted his head slightly, as if trying to decipher Lu Jing’s meaning.
However, Lu Jing clearly had no intention of explaining further. He simply repeated his earlier question. “So, if it’s convenient, may I borrow Lin Shen for a moment?”
Unable to figure it out, Brother Huang decided not to overthink it. After all, there was no way a big shot like Lu Jing would kidnap Lin Shen.
Once he calmed down, he replied without hesitation, “Of course, feel free.”
With that, he gave Lin Shen a gentle push forward.
Lin Shen: “…”
Lu Jing’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he walked over to Lin Shen. After stopping beside him, he turned back to Brother Huang. “I’ll make sure Lin Shen gets home safely tonight. Please rest assured.”
Brother Huang’s expression froze for a moment before he quickly regained his composure.
Lu Jing was certainly not short on money. After discussing business, arranging a driver to take Lin Shen home would be nothing more than a small favor.
It seems the film emperor Lu isn’t as cold and indifferent as rumored, nor unwilling to meddle in others’ affairs.
Brother Huang decided to change his view of Lu Jing from now on, vowing to stop believing and spreading rumors, and become a law-abiding good citizen.
After this self-purification, Brother Huang patted Lin Shen’s shoulder approvingly, then turned and left without looking back.
Lin Shen: “…”
Once Brother Huang’s figure completely disappeared from sight, only Lin Shen and Lu Jing remained in the empty corridor.
Although Lu Jing had said he wasn’t looking for him because of that matter, Lin Shen still felt somewhat uneasy.
Just as he was about to explain, before he could speak, Lu Jing’s gaze fell on his arm: “Does it still hurt?”
Instinctively, Lin Shen also glanced at the scalded area.
Actually, the burn wasn’t severe, and it had been treated promptly, causing no serious consequences. By now, it hardly felt any different from normal skin.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Lin Shen extended his hand, “See, it’s already healed.”
Lu Jing grasped his wrist, his eyelashes casting a beautiful arc in the light as he lowered his head.
His expression was serious and focused, as if he wouldn’t be satisfied until he saw through Lin Shen’s skin.
Confirming there was no serious issue, he released the wrist and looked at Lin Shen: “The entertainment industry is murky water. Such things are common in this circle, and usually I wouldn’t intervene.”
Though he was smiling, it was precisely because of his smile that Lin Shen couldn’t understand what Lu Jing was trying to convey.
So Lin Shen instinctively said, “I’m sorry, I won’t…”
Lu Jing interrupted him: “I want you to understand that with me, you will always be the exception.”
Lin Shen froze in place. The person before him suddenly took a step forward, and then his head was pressed against a warm chest. Through the thin fabric of his clothes, Lin Shen seemed to hear the rhythm of Lu Jing’s heartbeat.
For a moment, Lin Shen thought Lu Jing would lower his head and kiss him like last night.
But no, Lu Jing only hugged him gently yet firmly.
He gave Lin Shen an immensely reassuring embrace.
The neon lights from the street outside shone through the glass, reflecting a bustling scene. On a giant screen not far away, Lu Jing’s flawless handsome face exuded captivating charm, yet the owner of that face was now standing quietly in the corridor, silently embracing his beloved.
After an unknown length of time, Lu Jing finally released Lin Shen and whispered in his ear, “Let’s go.”
Lin Shen softly uttered, “Hmm?”
Lu Jing smiled: “I’ll take you home.”
…
The car drove into the underground garage. As they got out, Lu Jing said, “How about tasting my cooking tonight?”
Lin Shen was somewhat surprised.
He thought Lu Jing only knew how to make simple breakfasts, but unexpectedly, he could cook other dishes too.
“Sure, I’ll help you,” Lin Shen replied under the dim light in the garage.
The two cooperated quite seamlessly in the kitchen, and Lu Jing’s culinary skills were excellent. Without much effort, a table full of sumptuous dishes was laid out before them.
“Try this, it’s a dish you used to love the most.”
A piece of sweet and sour pork ribs appeared in Lin Shen’s bowl. He picked it up and put it in his mouth.
Lu Jing patiently waited for him to finish, then asked, “How does it taste?”
Lin Shen didn’t hold back his praise: “Extremely delicious.”
The meal wasn’t awkward. Though only a day had passed, Lin Shen found himself already somewhat accustomed to this life.
Perhaps this was what he had once imagined marriage to be like—having someone who cared about him, a warm and comfortable home, where they could prepare dinner together in the kitchen and then sit at the table enjoying the fruits of their shared efforts.
Leisurely watching the sunset together in idle moments, and not disturbing each other when busy.
After dinner, Lu Jing went to the study to handle work, while Lin Shen opened his planner in the living room to check his work schedule for the next few days.
However, upon opening the planner, Lin Shen realized he had no work arrangements for a long time to come.
Just then, Brother Huang called.
Lin Shen answered, and the first words from the other end were, “So, Lin Shen, what did Actor Lu talk to you about?”
Lin Shen replied, “Nothing.”
Brother Huang: “??”
Brother Huang: “Then why did he look for you?”
Lin Shen casually made up an excuse: “He said there was originally a role he wanted me to try, but after chatting with me for a bit, he felt I wasn’t quite suitable, so he scrapped it.”
Brother Huang: “??”
Brother Huang: “That’s so arbitrary?”
Lin Shen: “Exactly that arbitrary.”
Brother Huang: “These big shots really change their minds every second. But Lin Shen, don’t be discouraged. So what if you’ve been in the industry for years and are still a nobody? So what if every time you give your all, no one pays attention? So what if you’re in your twenties and still a pure, inexperienced virgin? You’ve got a long road ahead in life. You’ll definitely achieve great things and marry a beautiful, wealthy woman.”
Lin Shen: “…”
Lin Shen: “Thanks a lot.”
“By the way,” Lin Shen asked, “Do I really have no work arrangements for a long time to come?”
Brother Huang: “That’s right. But don’t worry, I’ll do my best to fight for opportunities for you!”
Lin Shen hung up the phone with a snap.
As the clock approached eleven, Lin Shen’s mind was filled with the question of how to sleep tonight.
Even at night, Lu Jing carried a powerful aura. Even lying far apart from him, Lin Shen couldn’t ignore his presence.
However, people still need to sleep, and Lin Shen knew he couldn’t avoid it.
After showering, he lay at the edge of the bed just like the previous night, closed his eyes, and pretended to be fast asleep.
After a long while, the bedroom door opened—it was Lu Jing, finished with his work.
Lu Jing tiptoed through his shower, then quietly turned off the lights and got into bed. Just as Lin Shen thought Lu Jing wouldn’t make any more moves, Lu Jing suddenly turned over and whispered in a very soft voice, “Lin Shen.”
Lin Shen’s heart was in his throat.
Lu Jing called out again, “Lin Shen.”
Knowing he couldn’t keep pretending, Lin Shen mumbled in response, “Mm.”
A low chuckle reached his ears, and Lin Shen immediately realized he’d been tricked.
Lu Jing had only been testing whether he was truly asleep.
After laughing to himself for a moment, Lu Jing suddenly asked, “Lin Shen, am I a tiger?”
Lin Shen was confused. “No.”
Lu Jing pressed on, “Will I eat you?”
Lin Shen’s face grew warm. “No.”
Finally, Lu Jing sighed helplessly. “Then why are you so far away?”
Author’s Note:
Lu Jing: I just want to cuddle with my wife.