Chapter 29: Teasing Part 2

“Brother Cen Han, you have so many bodyguards. Lending one or two wouldn’t be hard, right?” Xi Nian asked Cen Han, her calculations careful. “Easy tasks—just following him around, the rest of the time they can scroll on their phones, free food and drinks. What great conditions.”

“Xi Nian, only you could think of that.” Fu Li entered with one hand in his pocket, he and Gu Yan arriving one after the other, his eyes crinkled upwards.

For people in high positions, bodyguards undergo strict selection and are hired based on merit. With high salaries, competition is fierce, and those who stand out are exceptional. Making them be assistants would be a waste of their talents.

Running into someone they’d just met that afternoon, Fu Li said to Lin Qinghe, “Teacher Lin, we meet again.”

Perhaps it was an illusion, but Lin Qinghe felt there was a hint of teasing in the way “Teacher Lin” was said. However, he wasn’t close with Fu Li and had barely spoken.

He had no idea that the hotel owner, questioned by Fu Li about the whole incident, had told everything. The mere fact that Cen Han took it upon himself to call someone to account on his behalf was intriguing, let alone the other details.

Gu Yan, not as showy as Fu Li, greeted Lin Qinghe as usual and then looked at Cen Han. “I told you long ago, you and Xu Anyu are fated to clash. Anything connected to him leads to trouble, either for him or for you.”

The pastries on the side table were cute and delicate. Lin Qinghe tasted one—soft, sweet, and sticky. Xi Nian asked him how it was, and he quietly said it was good, then handed her one.

Few people knew about Xu Anyu’s romantic involvement, and Gu Yan was one of them. Cen Han replied indifferently, “He can’t affect me.”

Gu Yan smiled derisively. “True. If anyone could affect you, it would be an unbelievable wonder, iron trees blossoming, extremely rare.”

Cen Han lifted his eyes. “How thoughtful of you to make a special trip to string together a few expressions.”

“No need to thank me, with our friendship.” Gu Yan took the jab with complete ease and changed the subject. “Xi Nian is getting more and more impressive. She used to follow your brother around, and now she’s so career-driven, fully focused on work.”

“Of course,” Xi Nian said confidently. “I’m very capable.” She added, “So, can my proposal be approved?”

This line amused everyone.

Fu Li, in the mood to watch the drama, said, “That depends on whether your Brother Cen Han agrees.”

As Lin Qinghe aimed for the fruit plate in front of him, he sensed a gaze and heard Cen Han say, “A good proposal. What are you prepared to exchange for it?”

Xi Nian’s mind spun incredibly fast. “Brother Qinghe earning money means Starlight Entertainment earns money. Starlight Entertainment earning money means Fengrui earns money. Ultimately, it’s you earning money. What’s there to exchange? It’s all yours.”

“Hahaha, Xi Nian, that mouth of yours.” Fu Li gave a thumbs up. “Brilliant.”

Gu Yan supported, “That makes some sense.”

Suddenly the center of attention, Lin Qinghe withdrew his hand and sat up straight. Whether they lent someone or not didn’t matter; there would be times Xi Nian couldn’t manage everything. He could ask Sister Lin to hire another assistant, and the salary could be deducted from his pay.

Cen Han’s smile lingered, seeming more like a reply to Lin Qinghe. “Pick two. Have them come tomorrow.”

“Brother Cen Han is generous.” Xi Nian cheered happily. / “Look how happy she is.” / “You’re the one who’s willing to spend.”

Because of his injury, Cen Han didn’t participate in the rest of the banquet. He stayed in the reception room until 11 p.m., then rose to leave. Lin Qinghe saw him off at the lobby with a brief farewell, then returned to his hotel to wash up and sleep, as work continued tomorrow.

True to his word, the next day Cen Han assigned two bodyguards to Lin Qinghe as assistants. They wore plainclothes, not as fierce-looking as the previous night, but even so, ordinary people would still sense a hint of thuggishness about them and dare not provoke them easily.

It was still Lin Qinghe and Jiang Nian’s scenes, depicting the daily life of Celine and Devin in Cloud Palace, serving as a transition before the banquet. But there was a slight difference: for the latter half of this segment, Director Li Ran requested filming the actors’ acting process, commonly known as filming behind-the-scenes footage.

The previous character photos had drawn a batch of viewers. To maintain the buzz and not disappoint expectations, the production team decided to surface again, editing a clip to release on Weibo and the affiliated platform.

Lin Qinghe held the music box, waiting for the staff to adjust his costume and hair accessories.

“The assistant director said this music box cost a fortune, picked the most expensive and best-looking one.” Jiang Nian wore a dark robe, tall and imposing, with gems on his fingers gleaming—a typical nobleman’s image.

“It looks exquisite.” Lin Qinghe lifted his hand slightly, trying the switch. A melody rang out, pleasant to the ear.

Jiang Nian casually found a seat. “I noticed you seemed to have a fear of deep water before. There are still scenes requiring you to go underwater. Are you okay with that?”

“I had a drowning trauma, but I think I’ve overcome it.” Surprised at Jiang Nian’s attentiveness, Lin Qinghe turned off the music and said, “That time was truly pushing my limits. When the water covered my mouth and nose, I thought I’d drown.”

“Mm, that’s like crossing a great mountain.” Jiang Nian said, “You’re strong, enduring it without mentioning.”

Jiang Nian had given Lin Qinghe much encouragement on set, feeling like a senior who could guide him. He was grateful.

“Bringing it up wouldn’t mean anything, except to make everyone worry alongside me, repeating it over and over, serving no purpose.”

“You’re right.” Jiang Nian agreed. Having been in the entertainment industry for so many years and tasted all its flavors, he felt a touch of mutual sympathy. “How is it that you’re only a newcomer, yet you carry the maturity of someone who has weathered countless storms?”

“Is it that obvious?” Lin Qinghe’s tone lifted at the end, making an excuse for himself. “Maybe it’s just my personality.”

Lin Qinghe was a man with many stories. Jiang Nian smiled, not revealing whether he believed him or not.

Recently, the Duke of the Central Realm Kingdom had been acting strange. First, he lavishly commissioned the construction of a Stream Pool, then diverted water from the Li River into the palace, spending gold like dirt, exceedingly extravagant.

The craftsmen worked day and night, finally completing the construction one evening.

A gentle breeze blew, roses by the window swayed, a faint fragrance lingering.

Celine leaned against the window corner, moonlight spilling onto the carpet. He held the music box, bowed his head and listened quietly. The little golden figure lifted its skirt and moved slowly, playing a crisp melody in the dark night.

“Not sneaking out tonight?”

The climax was interrupted. Celine flipped the switch again, like a curious explorer, watching the little golden figure spin and dance.

Covering one’s ears while stealing a bell—futile denial.

Devin stayed with him until the piece ended.

Some time ago, rumors ran rampant in Cloud Palace, with the Cooling Pool in the garden being the main location. According to several servants, when they passed by the Cooling Pool at night, they always heard the sound of water and saw a shadow flit by. Although the Cooling Pool had flowing water, it was not a stream, and there had never been such a commotion before.

Some guessed there was a big fish inside, but why only at night? Others suspected something unclean in the pool, deliberately scaring people at night, maybe looking for a chance to drag someone in. In short, opinions varied.

Brave servants, not believing in evil, insisted on finding out the truth, but all ended in failure.

As the rumors spread, they reached Devin’s ears. The butler told the story vividly and emotionally, as if truly encountering a ghost, but Devin smiled dismissively. It was indeed a big fish—a blue merman.

Most of the Cooling Pool was shallow, only the section the servants passed reached four to five meters. Celine’s activity range was limited, so he could only play there. Devin could imagine Celine’s thoughts, probably complaining the place was too small.

The bell-like melody faded, and only then did Celine speak. “Too noisy.”

For this household, Butler Allen worried too much, even arranging people to stake out the Cooling Pool day and night, hoping to uncover the truth. So Celine never went again.

“You scared away several of my palace servants,” Devin raised an eyebrow. “And you still think it’s noisy.”

Celine, stone-faced, insisted, “They are the timid ones.”

Clearly, reasoning with Celine was useless. Devin didn’t bother. “Golden Pool, several times larger than Cooling Pool. Want to see it?”

Celine finally grew a bit interested, but didn’t show any happiness. “There will be people.”

Of course Celine wasn’t afraid of people; this excuse was merely a deliberate response to Devin’s remark about scaring away servants.

“No, the Palace Forbidden Grounds—no one can set foot there,” Devin denied, then asked again. “Want to go?”

Celine set down the music box, and after a moment, condescendingly inclined his chin, waiting for Devin to lead the way.

Golden Pool, as the name suggested, had water so clear and pure. Under the sparse light and shadows, it rippled gently. With the lingering candlelight, those ripples appeared gilded with crushed gold, as splendid as fireworks.

Rocks scattered haphazardly, lush grass grew thickly. The shore was densely covered with pebbles, washed shiny and immaculate.

Celine stood on a wooden bridge, his reflection below, figure ethereal, hazy and fleeting.

Devin lagged a few steps behind, guessing that someone was secretly pleased. He leaned lazily against the railing, taking in the view. “Built at great expense, hired several craftsmen.”

Fireflies that emerged at night patrolled with their lanterns, the jungle dark green.

Celine gazed at the water surface, glanced back at Devin, then leaped with both legs. The ethereal blue fish tail unfurled, dreamily beautiful, splashing and disappearing into the pool, vanishing in an instant.

A few unknown chirps made the surroundings seem even quieter, with only ripples undulating in Golden Pool.

After a while.

Devin wiped a drop of water from the corner of his lips, his expression in the shadows unfathomable. “Not only do you like burning bridges after crossing, but repaying kindness with enmity.”

Perhaps sensing something, the next moment, bubbles rose from the deep pool, and then Celine surfaced. His dark hair was soaked, covering his fair collarbones. His eyes were clear as glass, lips a light crimson, and when he looked at someone, it felt as if time stood still.

Devin walked to the bridge’s edge, his index finger stroking the cool water. “Have I angered you?”

Celine slowly approached Devin, his bare hand, still dripping water, reaching toward the shore—a sight both alluring and intimate.

If not for having associated for days, one would think this merman was seducing hearts, pulling people underwater to drain their energy.

Devin had wielded guns and daggers, his palms broad with slight calluses. Feeling the cool touch on his fingers, Celine’s face was truly gorgeous, making him involuntarily dazed.

A light kiss landed on the back of the hand—the merman’s gesture of gratitude. Celine looked up, observing whether the previously complaining man had been successfully appeased.

In the night, the little bridge became a world of its own.

Devin exerted a little force, and Celine, following the pull, burst out of the water.

A faint glow emanated from him. His belt cinched tight, under the hem, bare feet lightly touched the pool’s surface. Fireflies scattered in alarm. He withdrew his divine aura and met Devin’s gaze.

The moon and flowers were charming, a dream of spring upon the world.