Lin Can slightly tilted his head, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Qi Yuan wrapped his arms around him from behind, the Guanyin statue hanging around his neck brushing against Lin Can’s skin, bringing a hint of coolness.

“Still mad?”

“What?”

“About the show,” Qi Yuan said.

Lin Can shook his head, “Forget it, there’s nothing to be angry about.”

Qi Yuan loved Lin Can’s gentle temperament the most, but hearing him say “forget it” at that moment made him feel uneasy all over.

“Are you just too lazy to argue with me?”

Lin Can was taken aback, not understanding why Qi Yuan suddenly got stuck on that point.

“Or do you just want to get rid of me quickly and focus on reading fanfiction about your ex-husband?”

Thinking of the words “chasing after the wife in a cremation ground,” Qi Yuan couldn’t help but darken his expression.

Lin Can frowned slightly and turned to meet Qi Yuan’s gaze.

He was a few centimeters taller than Qi Yuan, and during their conversation, Qi Yuan would instinctively look up at him, getting lost in those distinct and thick eyelashes, repeatedly mesmerized by that stunningly handsome face.

His voice was also very pleasant, tinged with a helpless good-naturedness, “It’s one thing if others don’t know, but why do you have to say it? Are you trying to make fun of me on purpose?”

After being apart for just a few hours, Qi Yuan couldn’t stop thinking about that face; otherwise, he wouldn’t have rushed back before the meal was even over.

Now, with their faces so close, he was even more stirred up by the beauty, wanting to lean in for a kiss.

Lin Can dodged his approach, looking at him disapprovingly.

“I can’t help it,” Qi Yuan had to explain, “Why would you look at that stuff?”

“I clicked on it casually, thought it was too ridiculous, and couldn’t help but look a few more times.”

“You don’t actually think it’s feasible, do you?”

“Of course not,” Lin Can shook his head, his expression unwavering, “I wouldn’t do those things.”

To reassure Qi Yuan completely, he added, “I think he and Song Xiao are a good match.”

Qi Yuan showed a look of surprise, his hand that was about to pull Lin Can closer paused for a moment, “You’ve heard about their rumors too?”

“What?” Lin Can was taken aback, then a hint of relief appeared on his face, “Looks like they’ve made some progress.”

“Aren’t you mad?” Qi Yuan stared at Lin Can suspiciously, feeling unhappy inside.

What was this? Just a role where you should be happy for me?

What was he, a side character in a tragic love story who couldn’t even get a response from his crush?

Qi Yuan was completely unaware that he had already dug himself into a dead end; now, just being associated with Ran Yang made him uncomfortable.

“What’s there to be angry about…”

Lin Can was halfway through his sentence when his phone buzzed.

Lin Xun sent a text: “Mom knows about you and Brother Yuan.”

Lin Can’s heart skipped a beat, instinctively thinking that Xu Suqin had found out about him being supported by Qi Yuan.

He called back, “Is Mom okay?”

Lin Xun was on the other end, slightly out of breath as if busy with some housework, “It’s fine, what could be wrong? Mom just thinks it’s a bit of a pity; she used to like your sister-in-law a lot…”

“Ah, not sister-in-law, it’s Brother Ran.”

Qi Yuan, standing next to him, pouted at the mention of “sister-in-law.”

He really didn’t know what kind of charm that ex-husband had; was he really that much better than him, Qi Yuan?

Lin Can awkwardly cleared his throat, “Alright, let’s not talk about that.”

“I know, I haven’t mentioned it in front of Brother Yuan,” Lin Xun reassured Lin Can, then added, “Do you want Brother Yuan to talk to Mom on the phone?”

Lin Can’s face turned awkward, “Why?”

“To put her mind at ease. Ever since she found out you broke up with Brother Yang, she’s been nagging at home, worried you won’t find a partner.”

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Lin Can’s face could easily make someone lose sleep at night, and his mom was actually worried he wouldn’t find a partner?

Lin Can clearly didn’t expect Lin Xun to give such an answer, stunned for a moment.

In that brief moment, another conversation came through on the phone.

“Lin Xun, who are you on the phone with?”

“My brother.”

“Ah, A Can, pass the phone to me, I want to say a few words to him.”

Before long, Xu Suqin’s voice came through the receiver.

“A Can?”

Lin Can softened his voice, “Mom, it’s me.”

“Haha,” Xu Suqin’s tone was much lighter than during their last conversation; the tens of thousands of yuan Lin Xun brought back had clearly eased the family’s financial pressure, “Lin Xun said you have a new partner?”

Lin Can awkwardly glanced at Qi Yuan standing next to him, “Y-yeah, what’s up…”

“You child, you start dating and don’t even tell the family,” Xu Suqin scolded him gently with her soft voice, “At least let me feel a bit at ease.”

“I-I just started dating… it hasn’t even been a month,” Lin Can was relieved this wasn’t a video call; otherwise, his flustered expression would have given him away immediately, “I was thinking of waiting until it was stable to tell you and Dad.”

“Only a month?” Xu Suqin was surprised, “Lin Xun said he treats you well; I thought you two had been together for a while.”

Lin Xun, who kept bringing up the ex-husband, finally said something nice about him, making Qi Yuan feel quite satisfied.

Lin Can didn’t dare to look at Qi Yuan’s expression; others might not know, but didn’t he know what their situation was?

“It’s only been a month.”

“I was actually thinking of asking you to bring him home to meet us when you have time.” Xu Suqin said.

“H-He’s shy, let’s forget about it…”

“I’m not shy,” Qi Yuan suddenly interjected, “It’s you, the scumbag, who never thought of bringing me home.”

Lin Can was so shocked that he almost dropped his phone, “Y-You!”

Xu Suqin was the first to react, “Is this A Can’s partner?”

Qi Yuan snatched the phone from Lin Can’s hand and put it on speaker, “Hello, Auntie, I’m Qi Yuan, you can just call me A Yuan.”

He was an award-winning film emperor, and his acting skills were unquestionable. His tone was slightly elevated, sounding completely different from usual—obedient and enthusiastic.

Not only Lin Can, but even Lin Xun, who had been listening on the other end, widened his eyes, thinking, wow, that young master is really in love.

The only one completely in the dark, Xu Suqin had no idea and began to guess what kind of gentle person was on the other end based on this obedient attitude, “Hello A Yuan, I’m Lin Can’s mom. Thank you for taking care of A Can.”

Qi Yuan completely dropped his usual arrogance, sounding very humble, “Auntie, you’re too kind; it’s usually Lin Can taking care of me.”

“Hahaha, it doesn’t matter who takes care of whom, as long as the feelings are good.”

Qi Yuan glanced at Lin Can, who was nervously trying to grab the phone back, and a mischievous smile crept onto his lips.

“We have a great relationship, but it’s a pity I’m a boy; do you mind, Auntie?”

Not expecting Qi Yuan to be so direct, Xu Suqin was stunned for a second, then laughed, “What’s there to mind? As long as you two are happy.”

“About Lin Xun’s child…”

“Lin Xun’s child is also my grandchild.”

Qi Yuan was more than satisfied with this answer, casually flattering her, “Auntie, you’re really open-minded.”

You should know that even though the same-sex marriage protection law has been in place for a while, there are still many parents who can’t accept having a son-in-law for the sake of continuing the family line. Regardless of what Xu Suqin really thought, Qi Yuan was overjoyed at the surface-level pleasantries.

“As long as you two are happy,” Xu Suqin added, not forgetting to invite Qi Yuan, “Come over to our house for a visit when you have time; don’t mind that Auntie’s house is in the mountains.”

“Mom!” Lin Can finally couldn’t take it anymore and snatched the phone back.

“I have to hang up; I’ll be busy with work for a while and might not be able to answer your calls. If you have anything, just message me, and I’ll reply as soon as I have time.”

Before the call ended, Qi Yuan shouted, “Auntie, don’t worry, I’ll definitely go back with Lin Can to see you during the New Year.”

After the call ended, Xu Suqin listened to the beeping sound on the phone, feeling puzzled.

“Lin Can said he’d be back in January, and A Yuan said during the New Year; what? Are they going to be in a long-distance relationship for a month or so?”

Lin Xun silently kept his mouth shut.

*

“What nonsense are you talking about?” After putting away his phone, Lin Can turned to Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan snorted, not thinking he did anything wrong, “You asked me; I should be asking you, when have I ever been shy?”

Thinking of the random nonsense he had just blurted out, Lin Can averted his gaze in frustration.

Qi Yuan took advantage of the moment, reaching out to touch his neck lightly, “I’ve cooperated with your act; shouldn’t you give me a reward?”

Lin Can was on guard, “What?”

Was he going to kiss him again?

That was the first thing that popped into his mind.

Then he couldn’t help but scold himself; he was really falling too fast, getting easily swept up in Qi Yuan’s rhythm.

Qi Yuan leaned in and gently kissed his cheek, not waiting for him to relax before asking what he had talked about with his ex-husband.

This was the second time he had asked this question, and Lin Can finally realized how much it mattered to him.

“What did I say? He just returned this to me.” He pointed at the green thing around Qi Yuan’s neck.

“Didn’t you ask him why you helped him?” Qi Yuan swiftly turned, dodging Lin Can’s reaching hand.

“He said after seeing you, he felt there was no need to ask,” Lin Can sighed, unable to retrieve the item, “It’s not worthy of you.”

“I think it is worthy,” Qi Yuan said, a hint of joy appearing in his eyes at Ran Yang’s perceptiveness, “I want to wear it on the show.”

Lin Can felt a headache coming on, “Stop messing around; this isn’t mine. If you really want to wear it, I’ll get you another one later.”

Qi Yuan paused, tilting his head to look at him, “You’re going to give me a necklace?”

“Yeah, but I can’t give you an expensive one.”

Qi Yuan’s smile deepened, “I don’t need an expensive one; as long as it’s heartfelt, that’s enough.”

“Then this one…”

“Once you give me the new one, I’ll return this one to you,” Qi Yuan said.

He was truly a cunning person, not giving in at all. Lin Can, being the honest type, could only go along with him, promising to make him a heartfelt pendant as soon as possible.

Having gathered all the information he needed and even shown off to his “future mother-in-law,” Qi Yuan was in an exceptionally good mood, humming a little tune as he walked out.

As he reached the door, he suddenly remembered something and turned back, “Oh right, pack up your clothes and stuff; we’re recording tomorrow.”

“T-Tomorrow?” Lin Can looked a bit caught off guard.

“Yeah,” Qi Yuan leaned against the door, “We start recording from home, and it’ll be live the whole time.”

Lin Can felt like he wouldn’t sleep well tonight.

Qi Yuan clearly noticed his unease and smirked, “It’s fine; I’m here, right? Do you want to sleep with me tonight? Let me comfort you?”

Lin Can turned his head away, ignoring him.

Compared to the nervousness of facing the camera tomorrow, he was more anxious about whether Ran Yang’s fans would recognize him in real life.