Chapter 48
Since Wei Yuan hadn’t fully recovered, his manager didn’t want to overload him with work.
However, the brands he endorsed wanted to shoot new promotional material, which wouldn’t be too time-consuming, so he agreed. He would film the commercials after the next variety show filming session. He hadn’t found any interesting scripts yet.
He wasn’t worried about work. He was more concerned about something else:
Lu Dingyun seemed straight.
Although they still chatted and occasionally video called, Lu Dingyun hadn’t said anything suggestive since their encounter on the plane, avoiding romantic topics and not even replying instantly anymore.
Being friends with Lu Dingyun was fine, and it had been his initial intention, but they had crossed a line!
He couldn’t just pretend nothing had happened.
Wei Yuan was annoyed, but he wouldn’t be the one to address it.
So, he acted even straighter than Lu Dingyun.
The final filming session of the variety show began with this subtle awkwardness between them.
The location was Qingya Mountain, a mountainous region in Northeast China.
Wei Yuan and Fan Tian traveled together, taking a flight to Yuan City, then a bus to the resort.
Lu Dingyun, having arrived earlier, was already on the bus.
Fan Tian greeted him cheerfully, and Lu Dingyun responded politely.
Fan Tian sat across the aisle from Lu Dingyun, assuming Wei Yuan would sit with him.
Wei Yuan boarded the bus and saw Lu Dingyun, who smiled at him warmly.
Wei Yuan smiled back, then turned and sat beside Fan Tian, claiming he wanted the window seat.
He put on his headphones, ignoring Lu Dingyun.
Lu Dingyun, his expression unreadable, seemed deep in thought.
Fan Tian, feeling like a third wheel, moved to the row behind them.
Wei Yuan whispered to him through the gap between the seats, complaining about having to sit with Lu Dingyun.
Fan Tian told him to communicate with Lu Dingyun, but Wei Yuan couldn’t explain his confused feelings about Lu Dingyun’s sudden shift to a platonic demeanor.
Just then, someone patted the back of his head.
Wei Yuan turned around angrily, swatting at the hand, which was caught by Lu Dingyun.
The sudden skin contact made him blush, and he tried to pull his hand away.
But Lu Dingyun held on tight, sitting down beside him, their fingers intertwined.
Wei Yuan’s heart pounded, but he frowned. “What are you doing?”
Lu Dingyun’s gaze lingered on his lips.
“Are you a girl?” Wei Yuan teased.
Lu Dingyun didn’t answer.
“Stop talking,” he said, then suddenly pinned Wei Yuan against the window and kissed him forcefully.
Wei Yuan: “!!!”
Fan Tian, covering his mouth, was ecstatic, then he messaged Jiang Su.
[Brother Su!! Your brother and Movie Emperor Lu are making out on the bus, aooo!!!]
Jiang Su replied almost instantly.
[???]
[Are you looking for a beating?]
Wei Yuan froze, stunned.
Lu Dingyun, regaining his composure, released him and sat back, their fingers intertwined once more.
Wei Yuan, his face burning, looked out the window.
“Don’t talk, or I won’t be able to resist kissing you again,” Lu Dingyun said, his eyes still closed.
Wei Yuan’s face flushed again.
When the other cast members boarded the bus, everyone noticed their intertwined hands. Lu Dingyun greeted everyone calmly, while Wei Yuan blushed.
The bus headed towards the mountains.
The journey was long, and Wei Yuan, initially lost in thought, gradually drifted off to sleep, watching the snow fall.
He was jolted awake by a speed bump, instinctively stretching and nuzzling his “pillow.”
A few seconds later, he realized he was using Lu Dingyun’s shoulder as a pillow and cuddling his arm.
He sat up straight.
“Done sleeping?” Lu Dingyun asked, his voice gentle, almost affectionate.
Wei Yuan shook his head, embarrassed, seeing Lu Dingyun rubbing his shoulder.
“My arm’s asleep, can you rub it for me?” Lu Dingyun asked.
Wei Yuan, relieved, massaged his shoulder.
It was already dark when they reached the resort.
The livestream had resumed, but everyone was tired, so after a brief greeting to their fans, they had dinner, chose their rooms, and went to bed.
They had planned to watch the sunrise the next morning.
The resort only had standard rooms, double rooms, and family suites.
Everyone chose double rooms, including Wei Yuan and Lu Dingyun.
Wei Yuan, initially worried, then slightly disappointed, that Lu Dingyun hadn’t asked to share a room, put his feelings aside and invited Lu Dingyun to see the hot springs.
The rooms all had private hot springs in their courtyards.
Everyone was impressed and eager to enjoy them.
After the livestream ended, they all returned to their rooms.
Wei Yuan, after a quick good night to Lu Dingyun, also hurried back, taking a shower and putting on a bathrobe.
Just as he was about to go to the hot spring, someone knocked on his door.
“Who is it?” Wei Yuan asked cautiously.
“It’s me.”
Lu Dingyun?
Wei Yuan opened the door slightly, peeking out.
Movie Emperor Lu was holding a bottle of wine and some snacks, his eyes deep, a smile playing on his lips. “Want some?”