He Han wore sunglasses, and since there weren’t many people in the mall, no one recognized him.

Cheng Ping had called him because he happened to be nearby.

He Han arranged for his driver to take Cheng Ping home while he hurried off to attend another engagement.

As for the girl Cheng Ping mentioned, He Han didn’t give it much thought.

……

Today, the film crew didn’t have any scenes scheduled for Ye Fan, giving her some free time to teach her baby how to ride a bike.

The children’s tricycle she ordered yesterday arrived quickly. Dressed in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, Ye Fan was ready to head out.

Since this was the first time she was taking her child out, Ye Fan carefully packed everything Ye Duo might need, checking multiple times to ensure she hadn’t forgotten anything.

Ye Duo sat on the edge of the bed, watching his mom bustle around. Swinging his little legs, he called out. “Mommy?”

Hearing his voice, Ye Fan walked over.

She knelt by the bed and gently touched her baby’s chubby cheeks. “Mommy is taking you out to play,” she said with a warm smile.

Ye Duo giggled, his small hands clapping excitedly. “Play outside, play outside.”

His laughter made it clear—today, Mommy would be spending the whole day with him.

Ye Fan kissed her baby’s chubby face, then zipped up her bag and scooped him up, ready to head out.

As she walked towards the door, she saw Aunt Li coming out of the kitchen and smiled at her.

“Aunt Li, you’ve been working hard taking care of the baby. Take the day off today.”

Since Ye Fan was often away filming, Aunt Li had taken excellent care of little Duo Duo, and it had been a huge help.

Aunt Li had planned to use this time to clean the house while Ye Fan was out.

But Ye Fan insisted she rest for the day.

The weather was pleasant today with the sun hidden behind clouds, allowing only occasional rays of light to shine through.

With such mild weather, it was the perfect day for the baby to go outside without worrying about sunburn.

Moreover, the park Ye Fan chose was just nearby, making it easy to return home quickly if anything came up.

Duo Duo had never ridden a bike before, but he showed great interest in it. As soon as he sat on the seat, he was reluctant to get off.

Ye Fan unlocked the pedals on the front wheel, letting him pedal freely.

Duo Duo, having been indoors for a while, went wild with excitement once outside. But while playing, he always made sure to keep Ye Fan in sight, as he felt insecure if he couldn’t see her.

Ye Fan walked behind him, staying close enough that he could see her whenever he turned around.

During this time, Ye Fan couldn’t help but reflect on herself. Was she giving her child enough love and attention? She had never been anyone else’s mother before.

But she believed she would do her best to be the best mom she could be.

There was a small amusement park next to the park, a popular spot for nearby residents to take their children.

“Is this your son?” A woman with her own child asked. Her child, unlike Duo Duo, was a little wild, running around everywhere. She wished she could just tie him to her side.

Her child was the type to wander off, while others’ children happily stayed close to their mothers.

Ye Fan smiled. “I’m busy with work, so I don’t have much time to spend with my child. That’s why he’s so attached to me.”

She glanced at Duo Duo, who was playing energetically in the amusement park. “It’s actually better for kids to be more lively.”

Seeing that Duo Duo hadn’t caught up with her, he quickly toddled over with his short legs and ran straight into Ye Fan’s arms.

“Mommy, it’s fun!” Duo Duo looked up at her, eager to share his excitement. He babbled happily, his voice sweet and childlike.

Even as they were about to head home, he wasn’t ready to stop.

“Can we come back and play next time?” Ye Fan pinched his round little earlobe, smiling.

Although he didn’t want to leave, he always listened to his mommy.

Duo Duo’s face scrunched up, but he obediently said, “Okay.”

Ye Fan wiped the sweat off his face. He had been having so much fun that the sweat had dampened his hair, and a few strands were sticking to his face.

“I promise, baby, we’ll come back again.”

She helped him into his seat, then pushed the stroller as they made their way back home.

…….

That day, Ye Fan arrived at the set. As usual, she was standing in for Tang Jin, preparing to act opposite He Han.

Tang Jin watched Ye Fan with a hint of jealousy in her eyes.

At first, she was thrilled to be working with the international film emperor, He Han. But when her boyfriend, Duan Qi, expressed that he didn’t want her to have any physical contact with He Han, her excitement waned.

Moreover, now that she and Duan Qi were the nation’s favorite couple, getting involved with He Han would harm her public image.

But Tang Jin couldn’t help feeling resentful. Duan Qi might be a popular young actor, but how could he possibly compare to He Han? He Han was young, handsome, and incredibly talented—he was the perfect man many people dreamt of.

Tang Jin brooded over this as her frustration growing.

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Tang Jin stayed and watched Ye Fan film the scene.

Ye Fan arrived early, and as soon as she entered, her eyes landed on Tang Jin, who was resting nearby. Normally, Tang Jin wouldn’t show up at the set unless she had scenes to film.

But for some unknown reason, she had arrived early today.

After finishing her makeup, Ye Fan changed into the same outfit as Tang Jin and prepared for the shoot.

The scene being filmed depicted the male and female leads being chased while completing a mission. To save the female lead, the male lead was stabbed with a dagger. She helped him into an abandoned warehouse, where she tended to his injuries. They spent the night there.

Ye Fan was performing the scene where she embraces He Han.

As the scene progressed, He Han, gravely wounded and unconscious, leaned against Ye Fan.

A shadow fell over them. He Han closed his eyes, and his body slumped toward Ye Fan.

As he leaned in, his body pressing against hers, Ye Fan instinctively raised a hand to steady him.

In the process, He Han’s lips brushed gently against Ye Fan’s earlobe.

Both of them froze.

Ye Fan’s ears turned instantly warm, and the heat spread to her cheeks.

He Han’s expression remained calm, his eyes as deep as a bottomless abyss.

The director’s voice broke the tension: “Cut! Perfect,” signaling the end of the scene.

Ye Fan quickly averted her gaze, avoiding He Han’s eyes. He Han, too, remained silent, not speaking a word.

The director spoke with appreciation: “He Han, you did a great job. This is exactly how an injured person would react.”

“Ye Fan, you did well too. I’m very satisfied with this scene.”

After the director left, He Han looked at Ye Fan and suddenly said, “Sorry.”

His dark eyes fixed on her, his voice soft yet sincere.

Ye Fan was momentarily taken aback but quickly responded, “It’s fine.”

She understood that it was just an accident.

This small moment went unnoticed by others. The unintended brush of his lips was like a secret shared between them.

Tang Jin had been watching them both, her eyes filled with growing jealousy.

Ye Fan was merely her stand-in, yet she was allowed to act alongside He Han—what right did she have to that?

A cold glint flashed in Tang Jin’s eyes.

The next scene required Ye Fan to care for the unconscious He Han. His body was cold, and Ye Fan had to remove her own clothing to warm him, holding him close to her to share her body heat.

Ye Fan hesitated.

The director spoke up, “Ye Fan, He Han, get ready. We’ll shoot the next scene now.”

Reluctantly, Ye Fan walked over.

As a stand-in, her face couldn’t be captured on camera. Ye Fan tilted her head, her dark hair covering most of her face.

She gently lowered He Han to the ground and gazed at him in silence. According to the script, she was supposed to remove both of their clothes.

Ye Fan bent down, and as she neared He Han, she felt the coldness radiating from his body.

It enveloped her in a heavy, quiet atmosphere.

Suppressing her emotions, Ye Fan carefully began removing He Han’s military uniform, and then she took off her own jacket.

Ye Fan paused, her movements stilled.

In the next scene, Ye Fan was supposed to embrace He Han, with the two of them holding each other closely.

Though Ye Fan didn’t want to be close to He Han, the scene had progressed this far, and she had to carry on.

Ye Fan lowered herself down, lying beside He Han. They were positioned on opposite sides, the distance between them very close.

Ye Fan’s body tensed; it was the first time she had been this near to a man.

She extended her hand, resting it lightly on He Han’s body, but it only barely made contact, keeping a certain distance between them.

He Han’s eyes were closed, and once again, a faint, pleasant scent drifted to his nose.

It was the scent of Ye Fan.

He Han could feel her hand resting beside him.

He had always disliked others getting too close, but strangely, he didn’t mind Ye Fan’s touch.

Ye Fan didn’t embrace him as the script suggested.

She seemed quite stiff.

“Cut!” the director called out.

Both He Han and Ye Fan straightened up and looked toward the director.

The director frowned. “Ye Fan, you’re too far from He Han. You should be holding him.”

“This scene is a crucial turning point in the relationship between the leads. If you’re too far apart, you won’t be able to convey the emotional shift between them.”

Ye Fan took a deep breath. If this take was another failure, she would have to get even closer to He Han. It might be better to just do it right this time and avoid more physical contact between them.

“Director, I understand,” Ye Fan said.

The clapperboard was struck, and the camera zoomed in on He Han and Ye Fan. Since Ye Fan was just a stand-in, she faced away from the camera, and her face was not visible.

Ye Fan steeled herself, reaching out to wrap her arms around He Han.

He Han felt the soft sensation at his waist. Unlike last time, this delicate feeling lingered, and he couldn’t help but notice it.

Ye Fan’s cheeks burned, but her arms didn’t pull away.

They remained wrapped around He Han’s waist.

Thinking of the director’s words, Ye Fan lowered her head, resting it against He Han’s chest.

Her long hair brushed lightly against his lips, sending a tingly sensation through him.

With them this close, Ye Fan’s heart raced a little faster.

It was probably the sudden intimacy that caught her off guard.

Ye Fan’s soft, cool body pressed against He Han’s warm chest.

Beneath a single military uniform, they embraced.

The air seemed to grow hot and charged with a subtle, lingering tension.

=^_^=