In June, to prepare for her final exams, Xu Linlin left the crew early. She planned to return after the exams to shoot the remaining scenes.
Less than a week after getting back to school, entertainment paparazzi leaked photos of her on the film set, tearing her hair out in frustration as she agonized over practice test papers. Fans and netizens cracked up laughing.
【Help, isn’t this me during homework time? When I don’t get it, I just yank my hair like crazy.】
【Hugs for sis, no more hair-pulling—you’ll go bald. (Don’t ask how I know, bitter smile.jpg)】
【Hahaha, good luck on finals, sis!】
【Real talk, she’s busting her ass—filming and studying. Bad grades are understandable. Ignore the trolls; they’re deranged. (Buff stacked: students gotta prioritize school. Take fewer gigs going forward, focus on studies.)】
【Hold up, that last pic—is the one tutoring her Jing Li?】
【Yup, Jing Li for sure.】
【Jealous AF. I want Li Bao tutoring my homework too!】
【Gimme Li Bao’s study hacks—I wanna get into A University so bad aaaah.】
【They seem super close.】
Before long, the topic rocketed to the top of the Hot Search list, dragging Jing Li’s name up with it.
But it climbed fast and crashed even faster.
Once it dropped off, Xu Linlin called Jing Li right away to explain.
“My recent exam bombed—someone leaked the scores and roasted me online. My parents wanted to show I was actually trying,” she said, a bit embarrassed. “That photo with you must’ve been an accidental post from them. Sorry about that.”
Jing Li didn’t hold it against her. “No big deal. You don’t need to apologize like that.”
“Just focus on studying. Don’t sweat this.”
“I am,” Xu Linlin said with a proud chuckle. “Get this: on the math test, I was just ten points shy of passing. Finals are a whole month away—I’ll nail it for sure.”
“Nice work,” Jing Li encouraged her. “You’ve got this.”
Xu Linlin: “Yeah!”
“Oh, right—if I pass, could you and Teacher Ji sign another autograph for me?” Her voice brimmed with hope.
Jing Li laughed. “Don’t you already have one?”
“How can you ever have too many from your OTP?” Xu Linlin gushed excitedly.
“…”
Jing Li smiled and gave in. “Alright.”
Xu Linlin perked right up. “Shipping CPs levels you up! You and Teacher Ji—have those autographs ready for me!”
After hanging up, Jing Li headed back to the living room. Le Xiaoxiao, cola in hand, eyed him. “Xu Linlin?”
“Yeah, clearing up the Hot Search thing.” He gave a quick rundown of what she’d said.
Le Xiaoxiao arched a brow. “You buy that it was just a slip-up?”
Jing Li shook his head—he wasn’t that gullible. “But it’s got nothing to do with Xu Linlin herself. Whoever yanked the Hot Search afterward was probably her people.”
Le Xiaoxiao had the inside scoop. “Her parents, I’d bet. She hasn’t signed with any agency; her team’s run by Mom and Dad, and it’s mostly relatives. They all depend on her paycheck, constantly lining up acting gigs and endorsements. That’s why she’s barely been to class.”
He set his cola aside. “Tonight? They saw a chance to piggyback on your buzz, play up how tight you two are. I checked the follow-ups—all the marketing accounts were hyping you up. Harmless stuff.”
He broke into a grin as he said it, delight spilling over. “Someone’s actually clout-chasing you.”
His smile stretched ear to ear. He clapped Jing Li hard on the shoulder, overcome with emotion. “You’ve finally blown up.”
Jing Li rubbed his nose, fighting back his own grin. “Eh, it’s okay?”
“Okay? It’s phenomenal! Want the full breakdown on commercial offers since Romantic Journey aired?”
“Nah.” But his eyes sparkled, locked on Le Xiaoxiao, ears practically twitching—he was dying to hear.
Le Xiaoxiao went quiet for a beat. “…You don’t have to play it so cool. Show’s wrapped; it’s just us here.”
Jing Li snagged a throw pillow and melted into the sofa. “Spill it.”
Le Xiaoxiao: “…”
Shaking his head with a chuckle, he launched in. “Variety invites: five, six of ’em. But you’re passing—we already weeded them out.” He paused, studying Jing Li. “Reconsidered? The pay’s insane. Lowest one’s 1.6 mil pre-tax per ep.”
Jing Li felt a flicker of temptation—small money deserved respect, after all.
Then he shook his head without hesitation. “Nope.”
“I knew it.” Le Xiaoxiao wasn’t surprised and continued, “Three magazine covers, two domestic light luxury jewelry endorsements, three national trend clothing brands, brand flower shops, three snack brands, wine brands, daily chemicals and household items, appliances…”
He listed off a string of brand endorsements and advertising invitations in one go, then paused for a sip of water. Instead of counting further, he gave Jing Li the total directly. “Nearly forty, and that doesn’t even include the live-streaming sales pitches from short-video platforms or the scripts that have come your way.”
Even Jing Li was taken aback. “That many?”
“Yeah.” Le Xiaoxiao grinned until his eyes vanished into slits. “I’ve never seen brands tripping over themselves to hand over money like this—proactive invites, sincere attitudes, incredibly polite.”
There was no way they could accept them all. Jing Li asked, “Have you screened them yet?”
“Not completely, but we’ve already turned down all the variety shows and live-stream sales. The rest are still in selection. An Jiaming and I agree we should pick the stable ones with solid reputations and potential for long-term partnerships. Anything trying to boost sales off your fame, any brand with a history of scandals, ones that nudge fans into buying, or those with over-the-top marketing? All rejected.”
Jing Li trusted their judgment. He nodded. “Got it.”
“Then there are the scripts. Oh, right.” Le Xiaoxiao remembered something. “Did you finish the Detective’s Notebook script? Want to take it?” An Jiaming had brought it up last time, but Jing Li hadn’t responded yet.
“I did.” He’d liked it—the character was fun, the plot solid. “Let’s do it.”
Le Xiaoxiao hummed in acknowledgment. “That fills your schedule until November, then. I’ll go through the other scripts again.”
~~~
Late June brought Jing Li to his final scene on the Joys of the Human World set—the moment when Pei Yingxing and Fu Bo’s hearts aligned, confessing to each other.
With the college entrance exams over, Lin Ye, Yu Anjing, Pei Yingxing, and Fu Bo had all been accepted to their top-choice schools. Lin Ying’s biological parents had found her and taken her back to their city, the same one where Lin Ye would attend university. The siblings stayed together.
On the day the admission letters arrived, Pei Yingxing called Fu Bo to meet up.
The sun beat down mercilessly as they aimlessly strolled along the road, eventually wandering to their old school. Most students were on summer break, but a few were still shooting hoops on the basketball court.
“Want to go in?” Fu Bo asked.
Pei Yingxing smiled at him. “Let’s.”
Three years at the school had made every inch of it familiar territory.
They crossed the sports field and entered the garden, where vibrant green plants and blooming flowerbeds greeted them. Suddenly, Pei Yingxing tugged excitedly at Fu Bo’s arm, pointing to a bougainvillea tucked in the corner. “It’s flowering!”
They approached, and he inspected the blossoms up close. Then he looked up at Fu Bo, sunlight dancing in his bright eyes. “We really saved it.”
The plant had been on its last legs back then, destined for the trash. Pei Yingxing had been burned out from endless practice tests, so Fu Bo had dragged him into rescuing it as a distraction.
Neither had dared hope it would pull through, but it had clung to life tenaciously—and now it was blooming.
Fu Bo’s eyes flicked to the flowers for a second before settling on Pei Yingxing’s face, his gaze softening with tenderness. “Want to take it home?” They’d bought it outright at the time.
Pei Yingxing shook his head. “I’d just kill it. You’re the one who saved it, anyway. And we’re off to A City for university soon—no room in my life for it. Leaving it here or at my place is no different.”
Casually, as if it were no big deal, he added, “You’re heading to A City too, right? Want to travel together?”
“Sure.”
Pei Yingxing bit back a smile, his voice bubbling with excitement. “Shall we peek at the classroom?”
Fu Bo nodded, smiling. Pei Yingxing led the way and didn’t notice how Fu Bo’s gaze stayed fixed on him, unwavering.
The classroom door was locked, so they peered through the window. It looked just like old times inside, only spotless now—no towering stacks of books on the desks.
Pei Yingxing leaned against the wall, his eyes drifting to the nearby power lines. The pair of birds they’d watched every day on their commute were still perched there, grooming each other’s feathers.
He watched them for a moment, fingers flexing and relaxing as if gathering courage. Finally, he turned to Fu Bo. “I have something to tell you.”
A few centimeters taller, Fu Bo tilted his head down slightly, waiting patiently.
Pei Yingxing held his gaze. “We’re about to be college students. Ever thought about dating someone?”
His breath came shallow, lips pressed lightly together, but his eyes never wavered from Fu Bo’s.
Fu Bo let out a soft laugh. “No one confesses quite like you—not even saying who it’s with.”
His brows were relaxed, a soft light filling the depths of his eyes as he gazed quietly and intently at Pei Yingxing. With utmost sincerity and solemnity, he said, “Pei Yingxing, will you go out with me? The kind where we stay together forever, never parting.”
A gentle breeze carried the chirping of midsummer cicadas to Pei Yingxing’s ears, delivering Fu Bo’s confession along with it. Pei Yingxing broke into a smile, his eyes curving into delighted crescent moons.
“Yes,” he replied.
……
“Cut!” Xie Jun’s voice boomed out. He took a bouquet from his assistant and strode over to Jing Li, pulling him into a quick hug before handing over the flowers. “Jing Li, congratulations on wrapping.”
Jing Li accepted the bouquet. “Thank you.”
Xie Jun shook his hand, his words heartfelt. “I’m really looking forward to working with you again.”
Jing Li clutched the flowers, gratitude and joy shining on his face. “I’m looking forward to it too.”
He took a few steps back and offered Xie Jun a slight bow. “Thank you. I learned so much.”
Xie Jun accepted the bow without hesitation—he had indeed given Jing Li plenty of guidance—but he couldn’t resist adding a teasing remark. “Just don’t tell Yunzhang about this.”
Jing Li played along with the joke seamlessly, responding with deadpan seriousness. “Teacher Ji wouldn’t be that petty. He knows me better than anyone. He’d praise me for respecting my elders.”
Xie Jun: “…”
Elders?
He was only ten years older than Ji Yunzhang.
Tagged as an “elder” like that, Xie Jun shot back, “You’ve picked up some bad habits from Yunzhang.”
The corners of Jing Li’s mouth lifted high in a sweet, radiant smile. “We’re partners, after all. Of course we’re growing more alike. Isn’t that what everyone calls it?” He tilted his head playfully. “Husband and husband?”
Xie Jun shook his head, having been shown up once more. “Alright, I get it—you two are head over heels. Let’s drop the topic. My bad for teasing.”
“Are you heading out tonight or tomorrow?” he asked next.
Jing Li’s eyes sparkled with excitement, eager to get home. “My flight’s at five-thirty this afternoon.”
Xie Jun wore an “I figured as much” expression. “We might need you for some reshoots later. I’ll be in touch.”
With that, he walked away, and the rest of the crew quickly swarmed around Jing Li for photos.
Still in his makeup and costume, bouquet in hand, Jing Li posed with everyone who wanted a picture. The last group was Shen Chenshu, Chen Feng, and Cheng Qinxuan. “How about the four of us get one together?” Chen Feng suggested.
Jing Li joined them for the shot.
Shen Chenshu, still not quite out of character, bolted the moment the photo was done. Jing Li blinked in confusion. “?”
Chen Feng explained, and understanding dawned on Jing Li. Cheng Qinxuan shrugged. “It’s nothing. He’ll be fine in a few days.”
Chen Feng shot him a glance. “You too?”
Cheng Qinxuan slung an arm over his shoulder. “More or less.”
“You’re not?” Chen Feng countered.
Chen Feng shoved the arm away and rolled his eyes. “I snap out of it lightning fast. Doesn’t take me days.”
He turned to Jing Li. “Don’t worry about it.”
Jing Li wasn’t worried about Shen Chenshu struggling to break character—it was impossible. After all, he was a fan of Ji Yunzhang.
It was just that in the later shoots, as Pei Yingxing and Fu Bo’s relationship grew sweeter on screen, the director had required Jing Li and Shen Chenshu to spend a lot of time together to capture that hazy, ambiguous vibe. Otherwise, the illusion fell apart.
Jing Li nodded, one hand cradling the bouquet as he waved goodbye with the other. “I’m heading out. Let’s keep in touch.”
~~~
The plane touched down at eight in the evening. Since the schedule hadn’t leaked, there was no welcoming crowd at the airport—just a few girls who recognized him and asked for autographs.
Once in the car, Jing Li instructed the driver to drop Le Xiaoxiao off first. He planned to stop at a pharmacy for a few things—items he didn’t want Le Xiaoxiao to know about.
Le Xiaoxiao gave him a look. “Me first?”
Jing Li propped his chin on his hand, reasoning it out. “It’s the most direct route. Saves us circling around. You just get a slightly longer ride—no big deal.”
“If you say so,” Le Xiaoxiao replied, letting it go.
On the way back after dropping him off, they passed a pharmacy, and Jing Li asked the driver to pull over. He slipped on a mask and hat, grabbed his phone, and got out. Before long, he returned with a bag in hand.
The driver kept his eyes forward and pulled back onto the road.
Ji Yunzhang had just returned from the United States that day and was battling jet lag, already fast asleep by this hour. The house was silent when Jing Li got home. Guessing that Ji Yunzhang was out cold from the time difference, he moved quietly, leaving his luggage in the entryway. He stowed away his pharmacy purchases, then headed upstairs to the dressing room for sleepwear before taking a shower.
The hot water washed away his exhaustion. Moving with care, Jing Li eased open the door to the master bedroom.
Light from the hallway spilled into the room, and he padded softly to the bedside.
He wasn’t ready to sleep yet. He’d simply missed Ji Yunzhang too much and wanted to see him first—then he’d head back downstairs to unpack and read the instructions on his purchases.
As he bent down to plant a kiss on Ji Yunzhang’s forehead, a hand suddenly seized his wrist and yanked him downward with surprising force. Caught off guard, Jing Li lost his balance and tumbled right onto Ji Yunzhang.
Ji Yunzhang’s arms encircled his waist as he planted a gentle peck on his ear. His voice was still husky from sleep. “You’re back?”
Snapping out of his daze, Jing Li relaxed into his embrace, his tone light and cheerful. “Mm, I’m home.”
