Chapter 14: Arrogant Big Star

Lin Wu was pondering how to solidify things a bit more.

Xu Qing saw that he wasn’t responding and suddenly grabbed his arm, pulling him along.

“Come here!”

Lin Wu was dragged into Xu Qing’s room, where he glanced at the computer screen.

It showed a clip from a live broadcast.

Ji Xingci was attending an event at the International Film Festival. He was dressed in formal wear for once, his bangs combed back neatly.

And he happened to be standing right next to the female lead from the TV drama they’d filmed together.

They looked perfectly matched.

The segment Xu Qing showed him was the moment when Ji Xingci was asked about his experience filming Director Li’s new movie.

His expression remained neutral, and his response was utterly professional—mostly about how much he’d learned from the director.

“Did you spark any chemistry with the actors from the new drama crew?”

Halfway through the question, another host cut in.

“Hey, hey, I don’t think there’ll be any sparks flying. I heard it’s an arthouse film with a pretty niche orientation.”

“So Teacher Ji made a huge sacrifice for his art.

Wasn’t it more fun pairing up with Yuan Yao, the female lead from the TV drama?”

Ji Xingci glanced at Yuan Yao.

“Mm.”

Xu Qing pursed his lips and paused the video. “The TV drama’s about to premiere, so of course he’s going to hype up a romance with the female lead.”

“And after shooting a movie like that, he’ll probably keep his distance to avoid suspicion… From now on, in front of the cameras, he won’t breathe a word to you.”

“He hasn’t said anything to you about it, has he…”

Xu Qing gazed at him with hopeful eyes.

This was straight out of the original plot. Ji Xingci would end up playing the perfect pair with the female star. Lin Wu recalled Xu Qing’s lines from back then.

With utter sincerity, he said, “It’s just his job. Since I like him, I’ll trust him.”

Xu Qing’s pupils shrank. He clutched his chest, looking as if he’d taken a heavy blow.

Perfect—the protagonist shou’s affection for the protagonist gong had hit rock bottom. Highly effective.

Lin Wu checked the time. He needed to head out.

~~~

Ji Xingci had only just escaped from that Film and TV Night event.

A crowd of people had swarmed him inside, forcing him to play along with the other actors for promotional photos. It was driving him insane.

Finally free, he yanked at his collar to loosen it.

He’d made plans with Lin Wu today—to give the guy a shot.

Deep down, he told himself it was only because his condition was so dire that he had no choice but to try…

Truth be told, that morning in the shower, the young master had lingered a little longer in front of the mirror.

The moment he stepped out of the banquet hall, his pace quickened.

The building’s floor-to-ceiling windows caught a faint reflection of his broad shoulders, long legs, and the sleek, tailored suit hugging his slender frame.

He pictured Lin Wu’s excitement at being asked out by him personally.

Ji Xingci’s lips curved into a smirk.

But when he reached the parking lot, Lin Wu was nowhere in sight.

Ji Xingci’s face darkened instantly. He pulled out his phone.

“Where are you? Didn’t I tell you to wait in the car?”

Lin Wu’s voice came through right away.

“Sorry, I got held up at home…”

“What could possibly hold you up at home?”

Lin Wu fell silent.

Ji Xingci’s temper flared.

“If you don’t want to come, then forget it.”

But after he snapped that, Lin Wu didn’t respond with his usual sweet coaxing or apologies—instead, there was just a long stretch of silence.

Ji Xingci sensed something was wrong.

“But I’m almost there.”

Lin Wu’s voice quivered faintly, laced with grievance. “Do I really have to turn back now?”

It sounded for all the world like he was about to do just that.

Ji Xingci backpedaled at once. “Get over here!”

A moment later, Lin Wu finally showed up at the meeting spot.

The young man wore a plain white T-shirt, a backpack slung over one shoulder, and a baseball cap pulled low.

He kept his head down, looking utterly dejected—his face pale. He didn’t even approach when he spotted Ji Xingci’s car.

A surge of inexplicable anger hit Ji Xingci. He flung open the car door and hauled Lin Wu inside.

“What’s your problem?”

“Who held you up?”

It had to be at home, so Xu Qing?

He knocked the baseball cap off Lin Wu’s head and studied him closely, then pinched his chin to turn his face toward him.

“Talk.”

“What did Xu Qing say to you?”

Did he confess?

Instinctively, Ji Xingci’s gaze dropped to the neckline of Lin Wu’s T-shirt. Thankfully, the young man’s neck was spotless, carrying only a faint scent of soap—no trace of any stolen kisses.

“Bro… Xu Qing said you’re hyping up a romance with someone else. That you just want me as some on-call secret lover.”

Ji Xingci froze.

They were pressed close now—Ji Xingci had instinctively pulled Lin Wu into his arms moments ago. The car’s tight space left their legs tangled together.

As Lin Wu spoke, his lips parted and closed, his pale Adam’s apple bobbing right in front of Ji Xingci’s eyes. His voice was hoarse.

Ji Xingci had noticed before: if you ignored the birthmark, Lin Wu was genuinely handsome.

His eyes were clear black and white, deep and mesmerizing. Now the rims were reddening, making the skin at the corners look translucent, like fine white jade.

But Ji Xingci just sneered.

“So what?”

“You gonna turn me down?”

“Then I’ll find someone else.”

He started to shove Lin Wu away. Sure enough, the young man clung tight.

“Don’t.”

Lin Wu’s eyes grew even redder.

“Don’t go to anyone else. Ji Xingci.”

With that, he leaned in desperately and kissed him.

A rush of deep satisfaction flooded Ji Xingci.

He tried to play it cool a little longer.

They were still in the car—they should head to a hotel.

But truthfully, Ji Xingci had been holding back for far too long. While waiting for Lin Wu earlier, just imagining what was coming had him half-hard already. Kissing like this only made it worse, straining against his suit pants.

The driver had already slipped away discreetly.

Ji Xingci panted as he finally pushed down on Lin Wu’s shoulders.

“Lie back.”

Lin Wu knew Ji Xingci assumed he was the top. He lowered his eyes and obeyed for now.

Ji Xingci’s ears burned red. A few strands of his carefully styled bangs had fallen across his forehead again. His bespoke suit was rumpled.

But before he could get started, he accidentally pressed down on Lin Wu’s hand.

Lin Wu’s face went white. Only then did Ji Xingci remember—the fracture wasn’t fully healed.

Caught off guard by his own fumble, he went rigid.

Lin Wu gazed up at him pitifully.

“The car’s too small, Ji Xingci. Don’t move yet.”

They ended up switching positions almost entirely.

Bewilderment flickered in Ji Xingci’s eyes, swiftly replaced by a flush creeping over his face.

Little Xingci’s equipment was top-notch as befitted the protagonist gong—though it had only ever encountered cold indifference before. Now, at their first real meeting, it was already weeping steadily. Its temperament seemed milder than its owner’s.

Lin Wu reached out. Ji Xingci’s eyes flew wide as he clamped down on his arm.

“Urgh…!”

His entire body flushed red as he curled up in the back seat, his eyes glazing over. He soon forgot all about keeping Lin Wu bent over. His long legs had nowhere to go and ended up kicking wildly at the front seats.

Before long, he stopped caring where his feet landed.

Instead, he clutched Lin Wu’s shoulders and thrust forward to meet him.

“Lin Wu… Lin Wu.”

Ji Xingci’s sweaty forehead suddenly pressed against his. Shockingly, he took the initiative and sought out a kiss.

Lin Wu froze.

He went along with it, which only excited Ji Xingci more. Lin Wu was genuinely afraid the man might rip his T-shirt to shreds.

“Uh… wait… hold on.”

Ji Xingci threw his head back and cracked it against the car door.

Stars exploded across his vision.

Aside from his dreams, this was the first time in his life he’d ever…

Lin Wu watched him remain dazed for quite a while, his face still flushed as if he might faint.

Holding back a laugh, Lin Wu leaned closer. “…Want more?”

Ji Xingci nodded on instinct at first, then suddenly went rigid.

Had that even lasted a full minute?

Lin Wu was just sitting there watching him, perfectly composed, his breathing steady and even.

Ji Xingci, on the other hand, was drenched in sweat. The color had only just started to fade from his face when it rushed back in full force.

It was only because this was his first time—he just wasn’t used to it yet!

No way. Next time, he would definitely unleash his true masculine prowess.

Unfortunately, the driver had no choice but to come knock on the door right then.

“Young Master, sorry, but someone’s coming over.”

“What?”

Ji Xingci scowled.

He glanced at his phone. It was Yuan Yao and a few other actors who’d noticed he hadn’t left yet and insisted on coming over for small talk.

Even his assistant hadn’t been able to hold them off.

Ji Xingci’s expression darkened instantly.

It was his own fault for not driving away. The car was just sitting there.

A lot of them were still live-streaming, so he couldn’t simply rev the engine and peel out in a cloud of exhaust.

They had no idea they’d just buttered up the wrong horse. From now on, Young Master Ji would never give them the time of day.

Ji Xingci suddenly pressed Lin Wu’s head down with one hand.

“Hide in the car.”

Then he straightened his clothes and stepped out.

…

Ji Xingci’s car had one-way tinted windows, but Lin Wu obediently lay flat on the seat anyway, just in case anyone spotted him.

The main goal was to look heartbroken and forlorn.

The driver climbed back in soon after. “I’ll take you home.”

Lin Wu shook his head, maintaining his heartbroken expression. “No need. I can get back on my own.”

The driver paused. “The Young Master’s instructions were to take you back to his place.”

“He wants you to wait for him at home.”

Lin Wu: “…Ah.”

It wasn’t over yet?

…

Ji Xingci’s apartment was enormous, and the butler was the picture of professionalism. He treated Lin Wu like an honored guest, hesitating only briefly before escorting him straight to the top floor to wait in Ji Xingci’s private quarters.

Lin Wu gazed out at the view from the living room and casually nibbled on some chocolates from the fruit plate.

Ji Xingci returned before long.

The elevator opened directly into the space.

Ji Xingci appeared to be in a foul mood. He yanked off his tie, shrugged out of his jacket, and upon seeing Lin Wu sitting on the sofa and staring at him in a daze, strode over to cup his face and kiss him.

Chocolate flavor.

Lin Wu hadn’t even had a chance to muster up some pitiful emotions—which actually saved him the effort—but a flicker of worry stirred in his heart.

Wasn’t he kissing him a bit too often lately?

Lin Wu instinctively glanced down at his stomach.

It was bound to speed things up.