Chapter 59

Monday arrived quickly.

Jing Li was in an exceptionally good mood all day long, and his performance was equally outstanding.

He wrapped a demanding long take that delved deep into the character’s psyche in under an hour, flawless from start to finish. The entire crew fell silent in astonishment before murmurs of admiration rippled through the set.

Xie Jun’s praise was evident on his face, unreserved.

But he wasn’t surprised. He’d spotted Jing Li’s talent from the beginning—his knack for picking up acting techniques was like a sponge absorbing water, incredibly quick.

Seated beside him were Best Actress Xu Miao and Film emperor Zhang Yao, their expressions mirroring the shock.

Xie Jun lit a cigarette and turned to them. “Still think Jing Li’s not right for Pei Yingxing?”

They’d voiced mild objections at first when Jing Li was cast as Pei Yingxing.

They’d assumed, quite reasonably, that it was Ji Yunzhang working his connections behind the scenes—after all, everyone knew he and Xie Jun were close friends.

Pulling strings for a buddy’s partner wasn’t a big deal. Nepotism was rampant these days, with every production overrun by parachute drop-ins. The only variance was between those with passable skills and those who were outright disasters—they’d dealt with plenty of both.

Joys of the Human World had a stellar script. They’d signed on because the story captivated them and because they saw it as a chance to advance their careers. They wanted the film to shine, not be dragged down by a single weak link.

Now, witnessing Jing Li’s work, their concerns truly melted away.

Xu Miao owned up to it frankly. “I jumped to conclusions.”

She lit a cigarette of her own, gazing at Jing Li amid the crowd, a smile tugging at her lips. “He’s a natural for this business.”

Zhang Yao nodded in agreement. “That scene? Stunning doesn’t even cover it.”

Xie Jun exhaled a plume of smoke, grinning through the haze. “I’ve got high hopes for him.”

~~~

Jing Li took a seat to catch his breath. Le Xiaoxiao handed him a bottle of water, flashed a thumbs-up, and gushed, “That last take was perfection.”

Leaning in, he lowered his voice with excitement. “Everyone’s raving about how good you were.”

The validation and compliments lifted Jing Li’s spirits.

He downed the water in big gulps, then tilted his chin up with a touch of pride. “I thought so too.”

Shen Ru approached with a tray of cut fruit, offering some to Jing Li before settling beside him. She propped her chin on one hand, beaming as she asked, “You’re in such a great mood today because Teacher Ji’s coming, huh?”

Jing Li accepted the fruit without ceremony, sharing it with Le Xiaoxiao. He crunched into a piece of apple, cheeks bulging as he looked up at her words, puzzled. “How’d you know, Sister Shen?”

Shen Ru jiggled her phone. “Hot Search.”

Jing Li’s day was packed: one scene that morning, two in the afternoon, more lined up for evening—including background bits that kept him on his feet nonstop. No time to glance at his phone.

“Teacher Ji’s on Hot Search?”

“Brand promo event.”

Jing Li nodded.

He borrowed Le Xiaoxiao’s phone and tapped open Hot Search Plaza. Top of the list: a video of Ji Yunzhang striding the red carpet in a tuxedo. Jing Li’s face warmed when he spotted the cufflinks he’d made on Ji Yunzhang’s cuffs—and heard him mention them in the interview clip afterward. His lips curved into an unstoppable smile, his heart bubbling with sweetness.

Scrolling down revealed a frenzy from the Yunjing CP fans.

【AHHHHHH, it’s so sweet I can’t even form words!】

【Confirmed: this man’s straight-up flexing how sweet our Li Bao is.】

【They look amazing! Jing Li’s got great taste.】

【Has to be—have you seen Teacher Ji’s face?】

【Has to be—check him out in the mirror?】

【I’m exhausted from saying it, but Ji Yunzhang is head over heels.】

【Our Li Bao’s just as smitten.】

【Mutual rush of love.】

……

Before handing the phone back, Jing Li checked the time: six o’clock.

Just a few more hours until Ji Yunzhang arrived.

The thought made his smile even sweeter.

After dinner, at seven, Jing Li changed into fresh clothes, touched up his makeup, and joined Shen Chenshu in the background for Chen Feng and Cheng Qinxuan’s scene.

It was a lively ensemble shot: Lin Ye and Yu Anjing, newly aware of their feelings, each striving to better themselves by blending into the group. They agree to join the weekend outing, which stretches into the evening with riverside barbecue.

The scene blended the spark of young love with unbreakable friendships, capturing the uninhibited joy of teenagers at play.

Wrap brought a wave of easy satisfaction to everyone.

Next up: Jing Li and Shen Chenshu’s two-hander.

Since the elevator mishap, Fu Bo had known about Pei Yingxing’s fear of the dark and claustrophobia. He kept a closer eye on him. When Pei Yingxing took a call and wandered off alone toward the river—where the light was dim—Fu Bo rose and followed.

Pei Yingxing sat on the slope, gazing down at the calm, flowing water.

“Aren’t you afraid of the dark?” Fu Bo asked as he slowly approached his side.

Pei Yingxing didn’t look at him. “It’s not that dark here.”

Fu Bo sat down beside him and pointed to some faint specks of light in the distance. “Do you know what those are?”

“What?”

“Night fishing.”

“Oh.”

“Want to give it a try?”

“No.”

“You don’t know how?”

“…You’re so annoying.”

For all his words, Pei Yingxing’s attention had been diverted by Fu Bo’s string of pointless questions, and his mood had improved considerably.

Fu Bo pulled out a bar of chocolate and held it out to him. “Want some?”

Pei Yingxing took it. He hadn’t eaten much all day—he just couldn’t stomach overly salty or spicy food. “Why do you have chocolate with you?”

“Prepared it for you.”

Pei Yingxing took a bite. “?”

“I figured you probably wouldn’t feel like eating much today.” Fu Bo chuckled, his tone teasing yet gentle. “After all, you’re the little young master—such a picky eater.”

Pei Yingxing bristled and shot him a glare. “Don’t call me little young master.”

“No can do.”

“You’re still such a jerk!”

Fu Bo’s expression turned serious. “If you want me to stop, then next time you’re in a bad mood, don’t wander off to some dark corner by yourself. Or… you could bring me along.”

Pei Yingxing’s face twisted oddly. He turned his head, only to meet Fu Bo’s gaze. Fu Bo was looking right at him, his eyes holding a warmth that was different from usual—genuine concern.

It was like a pebble had dropped into the still waters of a lake, sending ripples spreading outward.

His ears burned bright red, and he whipped his head back around.

~~~

After the eighth take, Xie Jun finally nodded in satisfaction. “Cut.”

Jing Li seized the moment. “I’m heading out first,” he said, before dashing off to remove his makeup and dragging Le Xiaoxiao back to the hotel with him.

Xie Jun had no idea Ji Yunzhang was there. Seeing Jing Li bolt like the wind left him baffled, so he turned to Chen Feng. “What’s he in such a hurry for?”

Chen Feng grinned. “Teacher Ji must’ve arrived.”

~~~

They got back to the hotel right at eleven. Jing Li had been bursting with impatience the whole way, but he slowed down at the door. Before swiping his keycard, he took a deep breath.

The lights were on inside, and the card was slotted in the lock—someone was home. Jing Li’s face lit up with a beaming smile as tension melted away from him. He hurried into the living room. “Teacher Ji—”

Hearing his voice, Ji Yunzhang rose from the sofa and headed toward the entryway. He’d only taken a few steps when Jing Li was already there.

Their eyes met. Ji Yunzhang’s expression softened into a gentle smile as he opened his arms. Grinning, Jing Li ran straight into them, colliding with his chest. Strong arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him into a tight embrace.

“I was worried I wouldn’t get to see you.” Jing Li tilted his head up. The light caught in his clear eyes, reflecting stars—bright and dazzling.

Ji Yunzhang couldn’t help himself. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to each of Jing Li’s eyes, his voice tender. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“Yeah!” Jing Li’s reply was light and joyful.

He lifted his face, offering his lips. Ji Yunzhang held him close and took control, deepening the kiss.

Ji Yunzhang kissed him deeply, fiercely. Jing Li could only follow his lead, stealing breaths in the brief pauses Ji allowed before being drawn back into the intoxicating rhythm, lost in it endlessly.

It was a long while before they parted.

Jing Li leaned against Ji Yunzhang’s chest, steadying his breathing and heartbeat. Ji Yunzhang stroked his hair and led him by the hand to the sofa.

He handed Jing Li a glass of warm water. Jing Li took a couple of sips, then looked up at him expectantly. “How many days are you staying?”

“Three.”

“Including today?”

“No.”

Three full days! Jing Li’s face brightened. He set the glass down, grabbed Ji Yunzhang’s hand, and fiddled with his fingers. “Then back to A City?”

“No—to S City for a public service ad.” He pulled Jing Li back into his arms and rattled off his schedule: three commercials, two magazine covers for the seasonal launch, location scouting and script readings with the crew in H Province and J Province…

Jing Li listened, then met his eyes. “That’s so busy.”

“It’s manageable. It’s all crammed into early May and June, so mid-June will be lighter—just the script reading.” Their fingers intertwined. Ji Yunzhang kissed his cheek and shifted the topic. “How’s the shoot going?”

“Really smoothly.” Jing Li puffed out his chest, a touch smug. “Director Xie even praised me.”

Ji Yunzhang found his little show of pride utterly adorable and chuckled. “You deserve it. You’re excellent.”

Jing Li fought to suppress his grin, feigning modesty as he poked Ji Yunzhang in the chest. “Teacher Ji, others would say your rose-tinted glasses are a hundred meters thick.”

He took that hand and pressed a gentle kiss to it. “It’s not a filter. It’s the truth.”

Jing Li’s heart burst into bloom. He leaned against Ji Yunzhang’s shoulder, his eyes curved in a smile more lovely than the moon overhead.

A tender light shone in those eyes. Ji Yunzhang caressed his cheek and turned to Shen Chenshu. “Does he still fear you?”

“Not anymore.” The reminder sparked Jing Li’s memory of his planned tattling. He pulled back from the embrace, schooling his features into solemnity with visible effort. “Teacher Ji, I have a complaint.”

He lifted his gaze to meet Ji Yunzhang’s eyes squarely. “Shen Chenshu’s your fan. He was scared of me because he cursed me out when we registered our marriage.”

“You knew?” Ji Yunzhang had meant to bring it up himself.

Jing Li blinked. “You knew too?”

Realization dawned. “You investigated him.”

Ji Yunzhang nodded. “I don’t want you running into any trouble.”

Jing Li’s heart melted into a puddle of sweetness. Unable to resist, he threw himself back into those arms, wrapping them tight around Ji Yunzhang’s waist. “Teacher Ji, now I can’t even make my complaint.”

With a laugh, he buried his face in Ji Yunzhang’s shoulder. “I was going to use it as an excuse to get you to sweet-talk me.”

Ji Yunzhang’s lips curved in amusement. He drew Jing Li close and brushed a kiss against his ear. “How should I sweet-talk you?”

Jing Li twisted around to meet his gaze from inches away. Those eyes held nothing but him, their breaths mingling in the heated space between. “You figure it out.”

“How about I give you an island?”

The suggestion blindsided Jing Li. He froze, mind gone blank. “…Huh?”

Ji Yunzhang chuckled softly and planted a featherlight kiss on his forehead. Then he patted the hands clasped around his waist, a silent urging to let go. Rising, he fetched a document from the suitcase.

“Have a look.”

Still dazed, Jing Li accepted it and flipped it open. It was a certificate granting usage rights to an island.

A long moment passed before he looked up. Ji Yunzhang’s voice came gentle as ever. “What if we hold our wedding there?”

That gaze brimmed with devotion, tender and unending. Jing Li’s face broke into a radiant smile. He nodded without a second thought. “Yes!”

He scanned the document once more, thoughts snapping back into focus. “Teacher Ji, you bought this island ages ago. How’d you get the paperwork sorted so fast?”

Emboldened, he pressed further. “That doesn’t count. You owe me more coaxing.”

He scooted close, lips pursed in a pout, delight spilling from the corners of his eyes. “Kiss me again.”