“Kiss here.”
Not long after joining the crew, Chiyun officially announced its endorsement deal with Lin Shen.
The endorsed products were men’s clothing, including both casual sportswear and formal attire for professional occasions. The advertisement depicted the transformation of a young man from campus life to the workplace.
The campus-era outfits were youthful and vibrant, full of energy—casual yet lively. The formal wear for the workplace was impeccably tailored, accentuating a tall and slender figure, exuding stability and sophistication.
Lin Shen had an excellent physique, able to showcase any outfit perfectly—almost like a walking clothes hanger. Coupled with his outstanding looks, he quickly caught the attention of many as soon as the promotional video was released.
[Wow, this handsome guy looks so unfamiliar! Where did Chiyun find such a gem?]
[Didn’t Chiyun only use celebrities with massive followings before? Why did they go against the trend and pick a fresh face this year?]
[Three minutes—I want all the information about this handsome guy!]
Not long after, Bai Jian, the second son of the Chiyun family, suddenly posted on Weibo: “I personally picked him. His temperament is truly outstanding. While everyone else was watching the commotion, he was the only one seriously eating watermelon. It fits Chiyun’s style perfectly—balanced and measured.”
The comments section was soon filled with laughter, with everyone curious about who this “balanced and measured” watermelon-loving friend could be.
In no time, discussions about Lin Shen surged, and his Weibo followers skyrocketed.
Xiao Xu held his phone nearby, marveling. “Bro, is watermelon really that delicious?”
Lin Shen: “…”
Lin Shen: “Actually, I think cherries taste a bit better.”
Xiao Xu nodded cleverly. “Bro, I understand!”
Lin Shen hadn’t expected the endorsement announcement to lead to this situation, nor had he anticipated Bai Jian personally posting on Weibo just to talk about it.
Soon, insiders released footage from the scene. A video of Jin Yucheng throwing his weight around, relying on his connections, spread rapidly within an hour. At the same time, footage of Lin Shen “eating watermelon” on the frontlines—literally just focusing on eating watermelon—was also included.
After Jin Yucheng’s reputation collapsed, a video of him intentionally splashing hot coffee on Lin Shen in the breakroom quickly circulated. In just half a day, Jin Yucheng completely overturned the image he had previously cultivated in public.
For Lin Shen, the direction this matter took was an unexpected blessing, making his days on set much more enjoyable.
Lin Shen worked diligently and endured hardships on set, earning high praise from the director and fellow actors.
He played the role of a haggard-looking family member of a patient. In the early stages, he needed to diet to portray a sickly appearance in both body and face, eating less than others but without complaint.
The filming location was in the suburbs of a neighboring city. The crew booked the nearest hotel, and the floor assigned to Lin Shen and his assistant happened to have only the two of them.
Before coming to the set, Lu Jing had asked Lin Shen to call him every night before bed. Lin Shen had adhered to this routine these days, and today was no exception.
In the evening, Lin Shen dialed Lu Jing’s number as usual.
Lu Jing answered quickly, as if he had been waiting for the call.
“Finished filming for today?” Lu Jing’s voice came through the receiver.
“Yeah, there wasn’t much scheduled for today’s shoot, so we wrapped up early.”
“Lin Shen.” Lu Jing called his name.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Is it okay to switch to video?”
Lin Shen sat down on the stool by the window, leaning back against the curtains. “Sure.”
The call ended, and the video request came almost instantly, as if eager to see the person on the other side.
Lin Shen answered, his slightly gaunt cheeks appearing on the screen.
Lu Jing frowned at the sight. “Why do you look thinner again?”
Lin Shen chuckled. “We just saw each other yesterday. How could I have lost weight that fast?”
The background behind Lu Jing showed he was at home, his hair still dripping, likely fresh out of the shower and not yet dried.
Drops of water slid from his hair down his neck, tracing his collarbone before soaking into the collar of his shirt, disappearing into the faintly visible muscles beneath.
Watching the trail of water droplets, Lin Shen unconsciously swallowed.
Lu Jing grabbed the towel hanging around his neck and casually wiped his hair, unaware of Lin Shen’s subtle reaction. “Are you settling in okay on set?”
Lin Shen replied, “Yeah, everyone’s been really nice.”
“No more incidents like the coffee spill from last time, right?”
“No.”
“Lin Shen,” Lu Jing said, “don’t shoulder everything alone from now on. No matter what it is, as long as you’re willing to tell me, I’ll share the burden with you.”
If Lu Jing hadn’t happened to witness that incident, or if the video of Lin Shen getting scalded hadn’t surfaced online today, he might never have known about the grievances Lin Shen endured when he wasn’t paying attention.
Lin Shen had always been the type to handle things on his own whenever possible, avoiding involving or troubling others. He was used to independence, more accustomed to solving problems alone.
But Lu Jing’s presence meant he was no longer alone. Someone had walked into his life halfway, wrapped in warmth, offering him a home to shelter from the storms.
“I won’t keep things from you anymore,” Lin Shen told him.
Outside the window, a light drizzle seemed to have started, its gentle patter filtering through the phone, creating a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
“Are you familiar with Bai Jian?” Lu Jing suddenly asked.
“Not really,” Lin Shen answered honestly. “I’ve only met him once.”
Lost in thought for a moment, Lu Jing fell silent before nodding. “As Chi Yun’s spokesperson now, you might have some unavoidable interactions with him in the future. But unless absolutely necessary, try to keep your distance. He’s a bit… odd, though I can’t quite put my finger on why.”
Lin Shen didn’t fully understand the reasons, but if Lu Jing said so, there must be a good explanation. “Alright, I’ll be careful.”
After briefly discussing some work-related matters, the sound of rain seemed to grow heavier. Lu Jing reminded him, “There will be a slight drop in temperature over the next few days. Although it’s not yet the season to catch a chill easily, you should still keep warm.”
Lin Shen nodded. “Mm, you too.”
“Lin Shen,” Lu Jing called his name again.
“Mm, what is it?”
“When we meet again in a while, can I ask for a small favor?”
Lin Shen paused briefly and asked softly, “What kind of favor?”
Lu Jing carefully traced Lin Shen’s face on the screen with his gaze. After sweeping over his features, his eyes settled on Lin Shen’s forehead. “Don’t be afraid. The favor I want to ask for is just a goodnight kiss.”
He pointed to his own forehead. “Right here.”
Lin Shen stared blankly at his finger and nodded.
Author’s Note:
A belated Happy New Year!