Chapter 60: How Could Ji Yunzhang Refuse Such an Invitation?

With such an invitation, how could Ji Yunzhang refuse?

Thus, Jing Li was kissed thoroughly once more, kissed until his whole body went limp. The corners of his eyes flushed pink, a misty haze swirling in their depths—he was utterly captivating.

When the deep kiss finally broke, the two didn’t pull apart. Their foreheads pressed together, they occasionally nuzzled each other’s necks. Jing Li’s forehead, eyes, nose, and ears all succumbed to Ji Yunzhang’s gentle, lingering kisses.

Their intimacy came to a true halt only when Jing Li’s phone chimed.

It was Le Xiaoxiao, who’d sent him a WeChat message reminding him of his shoot tomorrow morning at nine. He needed to be on the film set by eight, which meant getting up at seven.

The message was written in excruciating detail.

How could Jing Li not understand what Le Xiaoxiao was really getting at?

Seeing “The other party is typing…” at the top of the chat window, Jing Li—still perched in Ji Yunzhang’s lap, his face burning red—replied in the tone of a capitalist who desperately deserved to be strung up from a streetlamp: 【…If you say one more word, I’ll have Teacher Ji dock your pay.】

A second later, he added with utmost sincerity: 【Seriously, go find yourself a boyfriend.】

His phone vibrated. Le Xiaoxiao replied with a string of ellipses.

It vibrated again:

[Le Xiaoxiao]: You can still flaunt your love life to me. Got it.

Jing Li: “…”

He hammered away at the nine-grid keypad: 【I’m really docking it!】

Ji Yunzhang, seeing this, finally burst out laughing. He planted a kiss on Jing Li’s puffed-up cheeks and played along, teasing, “Should I contact accounting?”

Jing Li huffed. “Do it!”

Then he added, “Dock him one cent!”

How do you even dock one cent? Ji Yunzhang found him unbearably adorable. He pulled him close, laughing so hard his chest shook with mirth.

Watching him laugh, Jing Li couldn’t hold back either. He dissolved into laughter, burying his face in Ji Yunzhang’s shoulder, his own shoulders quaking. It took a good half minute before he got it under control.

Lifting his head again, his voice still laced with amusement, he told Ji Yunzhang to let him go. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Alright.” Ji Yunzhang released his hold on Jing Li’s waist.

Jing Li finished up first, and only then did Ji Yunzhang grab his pajamas and head in to wash.

Though it was getting late, Jing Li was still brimming with energy. When Ji Yunzhang emerged and climbed into bed, he rolled right into his arms, nestling in comfortably.

Not quite ready for sleep yet, he asked curiously, “Teacher Ji, did you really get an entire island just to coax me? Is that why you carry the deed around with you?”

“It’s an apology gift,” Ji Yunzhang said, stroking his hair. “I’ve been preparing it for a while—the paperwork only wrapped up these past few days. I was planning to give it to you when you got home. All that online abuse you endured… it was because of me.”

Jing Li didn’t like hearing him talk that way. “I agreed to the fake marriage myself. You laid out exactly what issues we’d face when we got the certificate and went public. I knew full well; there was no deception. The contract was fair.”

He gazed at Ji Yunzhang, his eyes crinkling with a smile. “Besides, two years for a hundred million—that’s nearly 137,000 a day. Just some online scolding, and you promised to make me a star. I came out way ahead.”

Ji Yunzhang was torn between laughter and exasperation. “Who tallies it up like that?”

“Isn’t that how you do it?” Jing Li said. “Teacher Ji, you just have too much money.”

Ji Yunzhang accepted the “criticism” and kissed him with deep affection. “You have too big a heart. You’re too optimistic. Words can kill people, and online mobbing is terrifying.”

“That’s true for ordinary folks,” Jing Li replied, looking at him with clear, rational eyes. “But I’m an actor. Public figures get hate no matter what—no one can be loved by everybody. You have haters too. I’m just not famous enough yet. Once I blow up, people will trash me without needing any excuse, just to vent their negativity.”

“And as long as we’re in love and together, we’ll have to go public eventually. I don’t want a secret marriage, so sooner or later, some fans won’t accept it. It has nothing to do with you.”

Something occurred to him, and he suddenly grinned. “Come to think of it, you didn’t lie to me—you really are a bit cold.”

If they hadn’t ended up together, Ji Yunzhang had known he’d be hurt, but he’d spelled everything out clearly before the contract was signed. By signing it, Jing Li had accepted the risks.

Just as he’d said, the deal was completely fair.

Once it ended and he got his compensation, that would be the true finale.

Ji Yunzhang caught the subtext and pulled him closer. “Feeling disillusioned?” He remembered Jing Li’s old assessment of him: gentle, mature, a gentleman.

Jing Li shook his head and nuzzled deeper into his embrace, resting against his shoulder and neck. “Actually, I’m kind of happy.”

“Hm?” Ji Yunzhang gently caressed his cheek.

“You’re seeing this entirely from my perspective now, feeling bad for me,” Jing Li said, his tone light and delighted. “That means I’m someone you really care about.”

Ji Yunzhang chuckled and held him even tighter, his voice firm and steady. “You always will be.”

“I love you.”

Jing Li’s lips curved into a wide smile. He closed his eyes and wheedled softly, “Teacher Ji, sing me a lullaby.”

“You want me to sing?”

“You sing it.”

He added, “Sing ‘I Do’ again.”

Ji Yunzhang smiled faintly. “Alright.”

He began to sing softly.

The song wasn’t even finished when Jing Li had already drifted off into a deep sleep in his arms. Ji Yunzhang planted a gentle kiss on his cheek, switched off the room lights, and held him close as he too fell asleep.

~~~

The next day, Ji Yunzhang accompanied Jing Li to the film set.

Jing Li basked the whole way in everyone’s squeals of “Aaaah, so sweet it’s killing us!” as they shipped the pair like candy. His mood soared, and he reveled in showing off.

They only parted when they reached the makeup room.

Ji Yunzhang turned to seek out Xie Jun. Spotting him, Xie Jun dangled a cigarette from his lips and threw out an invitation. “Want to guest star in a role?”

Ji Yunzhang hooked a chair over with his foot and sat down beside him. He knew Xie Jun rarely did on-set Flying Pages and was just joking, so he chuckled. “Sure.”

“You said it yourself.” Xie Jun pretended to call over the screenwriter. When Ji Yunzhang remained calmly seated, he shook his head with a laugh and sighed in mock regret. “I really want to, but there’s no spot to slot you in. Such a shame.”

He offered Ji Yunzhang a cigarette, but he didn’t take it. Xie Jun didn’t push, tucking it behind his ear instead, and asked, “How long are you sticking around?”

“Three days.”

“That soon?”

Ji Yunzhang arched a brow. Xie Jun teased, “I figured you’d stay till Jing Li wraps—honeymoon phase and all, can’t bear to part.”

Ji Yunzhang didn’t deny it. “True, I really don’t want to separate.”

Xie Jun: “…”

“Damn, you’re really rubbing it in.”

He went on, “No wonder Yixiang says your old house is on fire—you’re one frisky guy.”

Ji Yunzhang neither confirmed nor denied.

Ji Yunzhang’s arrival put Shen Chenshu on edge all over again. He wasn’t sure if Jing Li had spilled the beans to him, but whenever they ran opposite scenes, he couldn’t get into the right headspace and kept flubbing his lines.

After a dozen straight NGs, Xie Jun called a break. Everyone took ten minutes.

Shen Chenshu deflated, mumbled his apologies, stood there zoning out for three full minutes, then finally approached Jing Li.

Jing Li spotted him lingering at a distance, furtively beckoning. He paused mid-conversation with Ji Yunzhang and blinked. Noticing the look on Jing Li’s face, Ji Yunzhang glanced back.

Shen Chenshu’s hand froze mid-air. “…”

In a flash, Jing Li realized why Shen Chenshu had been so off all day.

“Teacher Ji, let me have a word with him.” He started to stand, but Ji Yunzhang kept hold of his hand, his tone even. “Have him come here.”

With that, he sent Lin Li to fetch Shen Chenshu.

Settling back down, Jing Li murmured, “Don’t scare him.”

Ji Yunzhang gave his fingertip a squeeze. “I won’t.”

It tickled, so Jing Li pulled away. Ji Yunzhang simply shifted, lacing their fingers together, palms pressed flush. They sat shoulder to shoulder, his gaze warm and smiling.

When Shen Chenshu approached, his eyes first locked on their clasped hands, then lifted to Ji Yunzhang’s expression.

He’d caught last night’s episode three of Romantic Journey—never missed one. Even through the screen, it’d stunned him; in person, it hit even harder.

That look, that expression—it was breathtaking. Tender, intent, utterly unique. Raw, unmasked devotion, as if gazing at Jing Li was bliss in itself.

He stood there, dazed, until Jing Li spoke and jolted him back.

“You nervous ’cause Teacher Ji’s here?” Jing Li nudged Ji Yunzhang with his free hand. “Teacher Ji, sign something for him—he’s a fan.”

Ji Yunzhang shot him a glance, reading his intent at once, and turned to Shen Chenshu. “Want it personalized?”

Shen Chenshu blanked again. Jing Li waved a hand. “Surprise’s got you speechless?”

Shen Chenshu relaxed in a rush, nodding hard. “Yeah—total surprise.”

Earnestly, he told Ji Yunzhang, “Please sign ‘Strict with oneself’ for me, Teacher Ji. I need it as a constant reminder.”

Ji Yunzhang took pen and paper, wrote the four characters as asked. Shen Chenshu accepted it with both hands and offered a heartfelt blessing. “Wishing you two endless happiness.”

With that, he walked off, steps light.

Ji Yunzhang’s eyes flicked to him for just a second before returning to Jing Li. “Not gonna tell him I know?”

“No need. He’s reflected deeply, apologized to me, and swears it’ll never happen again.”

Jing Li paused, then added, “Plus, if I did tell him, he’d spiral for ages, tank his performance, delay production. What if I can’t wrap on schedule?”

He looked up, eyes sparkling as they met Ji Yunzhang’s. “I’m lazy. I wanna head home early.”

Ji Yunzhang let out a soft sigh and gently caressed his face. His baby was just too kind and gentle.

Jing Li nuzzled into his palm and broke into a smile.

~~~

The ten-minute break ended, and Jing Li and Shen Chenshu filmed the seventeenth take. This time, Shen Chenshu performed flawlessly, in top form, nailing it on the first try.

“Jing Li.” Shen Chenshu called out to him.

Jing Li glanced at him. “What?”

Shen Chenshu said earnestly, “Thank you.”

Jing Li waved it off casually and turned to leave, flitting lightly to Ji Yunzhang’s side like a cheerful little bird.

~~~

Three days flew by in no time at all.

On the final day, Jing Li wrapped up his scenes early at four in the afternoon. Rather than returning to the hotel, he and Ji Yunzhang disguised themselves and snuck out for a date.

Romantic Journey’s ratings had been climbing steadily, breaking 4 for this episode, while platform views hit a new record high. The variety show was a roaring success, catapulting all its guests into the spotlight.

Jing Li was no longer an unknown face; he’d gained hordes of fans and was easily recognizable on the street. And that was nothing compared to Ji Yunzhang, the actor known to young and old alike.

Together, the two of them shone like twin beacons. Bustling spots were off-limits.

So their date wasn’t anything extravagant—just a leisurely stroll through a nearby park, where bougainvillea bloomed in spectacular, vibrant clusters.

It wasn’t a weekend, so the park wasn’t crowded. Unconcerned about being recognized, Jing Li and Ji Yunzhang held hands and ambled slowly along a path paved with cobblestones.

Bougainvillea burst into brilliant color along the way, while willow branches by the lake swayed gently in the breeze.

Spotting a vendor with toys slung over his shoulder, Jing Li felt a spark of childlike whimsy. He called the man over and bought a bubble gun.

Temporarily releasing Ji Yunzhang’s hand, he played as he walked, the bubbles refracting rainbow halos in the sunlight. Surrounded by them, Jing Li’s eyes curved into delighted crescents, like a winding brook or a slender moon sickle.

Ji Yunzhang strolled a few paces behind, hands tucked in his pockets, watching him with quiet, tender focus. His gaze brimmed with possession and captivation, clearly reflected in his eyes.

Jing Li suddenly turned back, beaming brightly as he ran to Ji Yunzhang and offered his hand once more. It was clasped firmly.

“Not playing anymore?”

“No,” Jing Li replied, savoring the warmth passing between their joined palms. He handed the bubble gun to Ji Yunzhang, his lips curved in a smile. “I can’t be the only childish one—Teacher Ji has to join in too.”

Ji Yunzhang squeezed his hand and chuckled. “Alright.”