Meeting Fu Yanli’s teasing gaze, Jiang Shunnian felt so embarrassed that he wished he could vanish on the spot.
His earlobes burned red as he tried to explain, but he couldn’t come up with any clever excuse. He could only mumble softly, “I… I didn’t…”
Fu Yanli naturally didn’t believe him. His dark golden eyes shimmered with amusement, but he didn’t immediately agree to Jiang Shunnian’s request. “Shunnian, pick something else.”
“Huh?” Jiang Shunnian blinked in stunned surprise, a bit disappointed. Why not?
After all, Fu Yanli looked incredibly handsome and captivating with glasses.
Perhaps because his profession was acting, Jiang Shunnian’s facial expressions always perfectly revealed his inner thoughts—anyone could tell exactly what he was thinking.
Right now, his face vividly displayed confusion and a touch of disappointment. With his peerlessly stunning looks, refusing him felt like a sin.
This made Fu Yanli regret it once again. On that chaotic night four years ago, if he hadn’t listened to Jiang Shunnian’s plea to turn off the lights, he might have been able to savor these irresistible expressions.
That was why, later on, he skipped turning off the lights eight out of ten times.
Fu Yanli mischievously avoided mentioning this and explained, “I left my glasses at the company and didn’t bring them home. Next time you come back, I’ll put them on for you in person, okay?”
The slightly coaxing tone made Jiang Shunnian’s ears tingle. His gaze darted away, and though he didn’t agree right away, his expression betrayed him once more.
The amusement in Fu Yanli’s eyes deepened.
Jiang Shunnian didn’t want to chat with Fu Yanli anymore and told him to go find Nono instead.
Nono’s the best. He never says anything to put Daddy in a tough spot.
“Daddy, I miss you so much! Have you been eating properly lately?” Nono pouted and blew Jiang Shunnian an air kiss.
Jiang Shunnian returned one. “I miss you too, baby. I’ve been eating well—see, I haven’t lost any weight.”
But Nono seemed to have gained a little.
Nono had always been on the slimmer side, but ever since returning to the Fu Family, his three meals a day were lavish, nutritious, and balanced. A pediatric nutritionist even adjusted his diet regularly based on his health, so Nono was thriving now—his little face was fair and rosy, even more adorable, and he’d grown a bit taller.
Every time Jiang Shunnian saw Nono, his heart softened.
Nono scrutinized him carefully and only relaxed once he confirmed Daddy looked healthy.
As November approached, the weather had turned chilly, and Jiang Shunnian’s scenes were nearly wrapped—only the big finale remained. He’d dress in women’s clothing, confess to the female lead, “threaten” the male lead to treat her well forever, and then draw away the pursuers for her.
Jiang Shunnian checked the shooting schedule and saw that Nono’s scenes could be filmed during the day he wrapped. They could finish together and head home without delay.
The next few days were as lively as the netizens had predicted. The Qin Family’s slander and rumors faced nationwide backlash, even mockery as “preemptive rumor-mongering.” Their reputation plummeted.
The Fu Group capitalized on the buzz, releasing the filing receipt for their lawsuit. They also announced that a company employee had leaked trade secrets and fled, only to be arrested within half a day.
Insiders revealed that the Qin Group was actually the one stealing patents.
This classic “thief crying ‘stop thief'” drama left everyone marveling at how terrifying high-stakes corporate warfare could be.
More negative news about the Qin Group followed, tanking public opinion.
Qin Group stocks kept sliding, even hitting the daily limit down, while Fu Yanli raked in a fortune.
Just as Qin Guanting had tried to short the Fu Group, Fu Yanli paid him back in kind—and better. He netted over a hundred million, splitting it evenly between Nono and Jiang Shunnian.
Jiang Shunnian had just finished a scene when he saw 50 million hit his bank account. He nearly jumped out of his skin, thinking it was a bank glitch.
Fu Yanli’s message explained it was compensation for emotional distress. Jiang Shunnian refused and tried to send it back, but Fu Yanli had set daily transfer limits on his card—outgoing capped at 100,000, incoming unlimited.
Transferring 100,000 at a time would take nearly two years.
Fu Yanli even joked that if Jiang Shunnian sent it back, it’d just be “pocket money from the wife.”
Jiang Shunnian laughed helplessly and kept it for now. Fu Yanli’s birthday was in January, so he could buy him a gift.
With the big scene ahead, Jiang Shunnian stopped following finance news.
As a former poor student, those analyses were a chore, but he got the gist: the Qin Group was crumbling from within and without, its foundations shaken.
Jiang Shunnian had only two scenes left. In the first, he drugged the female lead to make her sleep, then sat before a mirror, reminiscing about her getting ready and mimicking her. His eyes held resolve for death in her place, yet reluctance—not for his life, but for never seeing her again.
Once dressed, he approached Mu Qinglan, reaching out for the first and only time to gently touch her face. His voice was soft, thick with longing and reluctance. “Sister, you’ll remember me forever, right?”
They said beauties shone best under lamplight. Jiang Shunnian in drag was seamless—even more so in the dim glow, his features painted like a masterpiece, breathtaking. Mu Qinglan on the bed had sharp, heroic looks with feminine softness.
Everyone there inexplicably understood why girls might love each other too—this scene was too perfect, dreamlike.
Fully immersed, Jiang Shunnian teared up unconsciously, then wiped them away. “Sister, I like you so much.”
He leaned down like a wounded cub, pressing his face into Mu Qinglan’s palm. Like when they were kids, he squinted slightly, feeling her warmth, and another tear fell. “Sister, in the next life… like me, okay?”
Only when Jiang Shunnian finished and looked up did Lin Yusong call “cut.”
Even he had been drawn in—a rarity in his directing career, only the third time including this.
Jiang Shunnian wiped his tears, and the makeup artist rushed to touch him up. Mo Zhen couldn’t help saying, “Teacher Jiang, your acting is incredible—especially the eye work. Absolute perfection.”
It was destined to be a classic, iconic shot—a career highlight.
Ji Linyue sat up on the bed and gave Jiang Shunnian a thumbs-up. “Shunnian, you’re amazing. I nearly broke character and cried with you. If you were a girl, I might pursue you.”
Everyone laughed.
Jiang Shunnian felt shy. “Thank you, everyone.”
He hadn’t connected this deeply with romance scenes before. Today, it was because of Fu Yanli—his love for him resonated with Su Yuqing’s soul.
Next was his scene with Mo Zhen.
Chased by killers, the guards were injured. Male lead Xiao Yunzhan slipped out at night for herbs and to hunt.
Returning to the tent, he saw a graceful silhouette and blurted, “Qinglan?”
Su Yuqing turned huffily. “Can’t even tell me from Sister? You don’t deserve her.”
Mo Zhen had lines, but he blanked—stunned by Jiang Shunnian’s beauty.
He’d always admired it; Jiang Shunnian was the most stunning man he’d seen. Tonight, with makeup and eyeliner, those limpid almond eyes gained allure. It was hard to stay composed.
“Sorry, my bad.” Mo Zhen cupped his hands in apology. “Teacher Jiang’s looks are too much—I lost my words.”
Ji Linyue, still watching, laughed. “Can’t blame you. Teacher Jiang is stunning.”
These flubs were caught on camera for bloopers later.
They reshot several times—Mo Zhen kept fumbling. Lin Yusong nearly lost his temper before nailing it.
Both scenes wrapped past 11 p.m. Jiang Shunnian finished makeup removal near midnight and felt drowsy on the drive back, but he video-called Fu Yanli anyway.
They’d made it a habit lately, calling whenever free.
“Shunnian, tough shoot today?” Fu Yanli spotted his fatigue instantly.
Jiang Shunnian nodded and yawned softly. “Yeah, a bit. What time tomorrow?”
“Around nine—we’re leaving early.” Fu Yanli’s voice was gentle. “Rest up when we get back.”
“Okay.”
The next day had no scenes for him, so he slept in. Grabbing his phone, it was nearly nine. After washing up, a knock came—with Nono’s crisp, sweet voice: “Daddy, open up! It’s Nono!”
Jiang Shunnian snapped awake, rushing to open the door to Nono’s beaming face.
“Baby!” He happily took Nono from Fu Yanli’s arms, hugging and nuzzling him. “Daddy missed you to death!”
Nono kissed his cheek. “I super missed Daddy too!”
Then Fu Yanli kissed his other cheek. “I missed you too,” he said with a smile.
With the kid there, Jiang Shunnian swallowed his words and shot Fu Yanli a glare, earning only a gentle smile.
Fu Yanli guessed he hadn’t eaten and had breakfast ready. Famished, Jiang Shunnian dug in without hesitation.
It was a habit lately—eat fast, box meals before shooting or script review, saving time.
“Shunnian, slow down, or I’ll kiss you again,” Fu Yanli teased.
Nono worried too. “Daddy, don’t eat so fast—bad for your stomach.”
Cared for by big and little, Jiang Shunnian slowed, finishing properly.
At the set, Nono went to makeup with another child actor. The snow machines were set, and overcast skies meant perfect lighting—no post adjustments needed.
Nono’s makeup was simple—a wig. Quick work.
With his hair in a half-bun, Nono was explosively cute, though in ragged, patched clothes with dirt on her face—pitiful.
Jiang Shunnian snapped photos.
Nono’s memory was sharp; Jiang Shunnian had coached him last time. Despite the gap, he nailed it in two takes.
His co-star, a seasoned child actress as young female lead, matched perfectly—one take.
Lin Yusong was thrilled. They switched for flashbacks—short, simple clips of seconds each. Done in under an hour, excellent results.
Lin Yusong grinned, handing out red envelopes and flowers ceremonially. “Congrats on wrapping, kids!”
Nono took his sweetly. “Thanks, Director Uncle! This drama will explode!”
“Ooh, borrowing Nono the Great King’s good words.” Lin Yusong knew it was solid, but this boosted his confidence.
At least Fu Group employees would watch, right?
On the way back, Fu Yanli pondered and teased Jiang Shunnian. “When it airs, should I notify staff to watch?”
Jiang Shunnian flushed. “Absolutely not!”
Fu Yanli chuckled lowly, loving to tease him—those expressive features were addictive.
That night was chilly; Jiang Shunnian wore thin layers for his final scene, including a cliff fall with wirework.
Before shooting, Fu Yanli and Nono checked all gear with bodyguards, even testing it themselves.
No wonder his caution—the Qin Family hated them now. Xu Nanqiao, ex of Qin Guanyue, might tamper. Fu Yanli would lose it if anything happened.
But Xu Nanqiao had changed post-breakup—low-key, no trouble for Jiang Shunnian.
Xu Nanqiao was the type with plenty of petty smarts. Without a backer, he naturally wouldn’t provoke someone like Jiang Shunnian who had one. He just wanted a shortcut, not to play the fool.
When filming was about to start, Fu Yanli suddenly called cut and walked over to inspect the arrows held by the group of assassins.
For realism, they carried prop arrows—lifelike but harmless. The ones on Jiang Shunnian were added midway through.
But Fu Yanli’s inspection revealed a few real arrows among them.
They had all been props during the afternoon check.
Fu Yanli’s face darkened instantly, and the props team’s faces went pale.
When the hell had they been swapped?
If Fu Yanli hadn’t called a sudden halt, and those arrows had been fired, what if they actually injured Jiang Shunnian? They’d be blacklisted for life, no doubt.
Lin Yusong jumped in fright too. He immediately ordered the security footage pulled and the police called, even considering postponing the shoot. But after discussing it with Fu Yanli, Jiang Shunnian decided to proceed with filming. There was no need to investigate the arrow swapper—it was definitely Qin Guanyue.
He was always pulling these dirty tricks.
Since no harm had been done, even reporting it to the police wouldn’t lead to severe punishment. And they couldn’t let it leak out either; it would disrupt production, and with Fu Corporation and Qin Group at each other’s throats lately, Jiang Shunnian didn’t want to get dragged in.
This might even be Qin Guanyue’s goal—force them to swallow this loss quietly.
But Fu Yanli wasn’t about to let it slide so easily. Daring to target Jiang Shunnian? They were courting death.
Once new props were in place, Jiang Shunnian began filming. The extras playing assassins were tense at first, but Jiang Shunnian promised no pursuit if they weren’t involved, so they gradually relaxed, got into character, and performed.
The scene wrapped without further incident. Jiang Shunnian caught his breath, exhausted, while Lin Yusong handed out red envelopes and bouquets. The chief producer rushed over too, apologizing profusely to Fu Yanli and Jiang Shunnian, on the verge of tears.
Fu Yanli was a household name now, the chairman of Fu Corporation—who could withstand his wrath? The producer vowed to drag the culprit to justice and even offered compensation to Jiang Shunnian unprompted.
Jiang Shunnian felt a chill of aftershock himself. Thank goodness Fu Yanli was there—what if I’d really gotten hurt? But he didn’t need compensation; he lacked for nothing these days.
Good thing this was his wrap scene. Afterward, he’d rest up at home, go nowhere, and wait for things to blow over.
They returned to S City that very night, leaving an assistant to handle the aftermath.
Back home, Jiang Shunnian had just settled the sleeping Nono into his little room when he turned around—and Fu Yanli crushed him in a fierce embrace.
“Shunnian, thank God you’re okay.”
If not for his cautious nature, calling cut right before the shot, he might have let Jiang Shunnian get hurt through sheer negligence.
If anything happened to Jiang Shunnian, he didn’t know what he’d do—hiring hitmen wouldn’t be off the table.
“Thanks for protecting me,” Jiang Shunnian said, sensing Fu Yanli’s turmoil. He hugged back, then tilted his head up. “Fu Yanli… want a kiss?”
