Soon it was time for the second follow-up. The results were good, and his right hand was finally free from restraint. He could handle light objects in daily life.

In the following days, the assistant began coordinating his work matters. The outfit and accessories for the press conference were being finalized, keeping the assistant busy even during meals. Only Ming Che continued to enjoy his leisurely days.

But such days were about to end soon.

On this day, Wen Lin had a rare day off. In the living room, Ming Che was lounging on the sofa, holding something in his left hand, looking at the script the company had chosen for him.

Ming Che flipped through the pages lazily, looking as if he might fall asleep at any moment.

Plop—

The script fell from his hand, and Ming Che had already closed his eyes. Having stayed indoors for so long, he hadn’t had a haircut in a while. The long strands of hair fell on his face, brushing against his eyelashes, making one itch to brush them aside.

Wen Lin indeed did just that, letting the soft strands slip through his fingers. Ming Che fell into a deeper sleep, his head completely tilting to one side, conveniently resting on Wen Lin’s hand.

Wen Lin stared for a few seconds, his lips tightening, and leaned in.

The lips before him were beautifully shaped, a pale color. As if enchanted, he gently placed a kiss on them.

“Ming ge, you—”

An untimely voice came from behind, and Wen Lin turned to see Ming Che’s assistant looking shocked.

“You, you continue.”

Wen Lin found it amusing, but when he turned back, he met a pair of clear eyes. He forced himself to remain calm.

Ming Che yawned, rubbing the tears from the corners of his eyes with a curled finger.

“I actually fell asleep.”

Seeing the poor script lying on the floor, Ming Che bent down to pick it up and placed it on the table.

“I have work next week.”

Wen Lin: “Mm.”

Ming Che didn’t notice his reaction, got up, ruffled his hair, and headed to his room. “Still a bit sleepy, I think I’ll take a nap.”

Ming Che had recovered well, walking briskly without any issues. He entered the room, his figure obscured by the door.

…

The Flowing Pearl press conference was in another city, and Ming Che went there a day early. The company had booked a hotel for him, and coincidentally, several actors from the crew were also staying there. Having not seen each other for a while, they gathered for a meal in the evening.

Since there was work the next day, no one drank alcohol. They just ate and chatted about recent events, with Ming Che being asked the most, mostly about his recovery.

They returned early, and Ming Che lay on the bed, reviewing the schedule for the next day’s press conference. There would be many media present, and questions were inevitable, but Ming Che thought that as the second male lead, he probably wouldn’t be asked much.

The next day, at 2 PM.

Various media outlets had already filled the venue, their cameras all aimed at the stage, waiting for the actors to enter.

After the trailer was played, the host went on stage to introduce, and the actors entered one by one, causing a flurry of flashlights.

Ming Che wore a black suit, with a silver necklace around his neck to add a touch of flair, preventing the outfit from being too dull.

After the director and producer spoke, it was the actors’ turn to introduce their roles and share their understanding of them, which took up quite a bit of time. Then it was time for media questions.

Ming Che didn’t answer much, as the media’s focus was on the two leads, with increasingly tricky questions. Unexpectedly, the next question was directed at Ming Che.

“I’d like to ask Ming Che, we know your character in the drama is deeply affectionate and enduring. In real life, would you be the same if you met someone you liked?”

This question wasn’t related to the drama itself, and Ming Che could have chosen not to answer, but he took the microphone anyway.

“This question, you’d only know when you meet someone you like.”

On the screen, the young man smiled gently, his beautiful eyes curving. The strong lights on the scene gave him an ethereal glow, and the camera quickly switched to focus on the other actors.

The pen paused too long on the paper, leaving a small blot of ink.

Wen Lin put down the pen, a mocking smile appearing on his face.

Indeed, he shouldn’t have let him leave so easily, shouldn’t have softened, shouldn’t have…

—

The press conference finally ended, and Ming Che returned backstage. The assistant stood by his side, worriedly discussing the situation outside.

“There are too many fans outside. If we go to the parking lot now, we’ll be crushed.”

“Then let’s wait. Once the two leads leave, there will naturally be fewer people.”

“Ming ge, do you have a misunderstanding about yourself? You have a lot of fans too. Shouldn’t you check your Weibo and see the comments complaining about your inactivity?”

The assistant held up his phone, showing Ming Che the comments.

“Well, I’m really sorry.”

Ming Che took off the necklace around his neck, removed his suit, and changed into casual clothes, finally putting on a black baseball cap.

“Where exactly is the car parked? Let’s go down now.”

“Huh? Weren’t we going to wait?”

Ming Che stood up, “I’m hungry, not waiting.”

The assistant grabbed the stuff and followed his pace, “The car is parked in Zone D, the nearest is to take Elevator 3 down.”

“Take the stairs.”

It was the third floor, not far to walk down. Ming Che let the assistant go ahead, ready to adapt to any situation.

In the parking lot, the male lead had just come down from the elevator and was immediately surrounded by waiting fans, each with a phone to capture the rare moment.

“Young Master, Mr. Ming hasn’t come down yet.”

They had been here for over half an hour, the press conference had long ended, but Ming Che hadn’t shown up.

Wen Lin was restless, not wanting to wait any longer. He pushed open the car door, instructing the assistant to wait while he went up to check. But he hadn’t gone far before being blocked by the massive crowd of fans.

He wore a black suit, tall and long-legged, an eye-catching presence in the underground parking lot. Someone had already discreetly aimed their phone at him, quietly asking the person next to them.

“Isn’t that a celebrity too?”

“Don’t know, looks like it.”

“Anyway, since we’re here, might as well take a picture.”

“Is that Yu Cheng?”

Someone shouted, guessing that it was Yu Cheng, a newly debuted actor with low recognition. The fans on site had only seen him in a few promotional photos, so seeing Wen Lin, they casually speculated.

Wen Lin’s path forward became more difficult, becoming the center of attention. Phones were almost shoved in his face, his expression growing colder, irritation rising.

Just then, a hat was suddenly placed on his head, and Wen Lin was pulled by the wrist out of the crowd. The person dragged him away, catching the fans off guard.

“Isn’t that Ming Che?”

“Nonsense, Ming Che doesn’t look like that. I’ve been a fan of his looks for a long time.”

“I’m not talking about the person we photographed, but the one who just came and took him away.”

“What? Ming Che, where’s Ming Che?!”

…

Ming Che pulled him behind a pillar. He was about to get in the car and leave when he saw a familiar figure in trouble from afar, so he went over to help.

The hat was given to Wen Lin, leaving Ming Che without any cover, his pure face exposed.

Wen Lin was about to take off the hat when Ming Che pressed it back down.

“Keep it on. It’s not good if your identity gets photographed.”

The scene felt familiar, and Wen Lin couldn’t help but be momentarily distracted. Ming Che grabbed his wrist, leading him quickly to a car.

“Get in.”

Ming Che reminded the person who seemed lost in thought.

Once Wen Lin was in the car, the assistant started the engine.

“Have you eaten?” Ming Che asked the person beside him, not too curious about why he was there.

“I’m hungry, let’s eat first?”

“Okay.”

The car drove out of the parking lot, the view suddenly widening. Ming Che received a call from the crew, asking if he wanted to join them for a meal. Ming Che politely declined.

After hanging up, Ming Che noticed Wen Lin watching him.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing.”

A guy who says one thing and means another, that habit hasn’t changed a bit.

They soon arrived at the restaurant. The three of them sat in a private room, and Ming Che used his phone to order some dishes, handing it to Wen Lin.

“See if there’s anything you want to eat.”

Wen Lin glanced at it and handed it back to Ming Che, “You decide.”

Ming Che looked at the assistant, who promptly said, “Ming ge, I’ve already ordered.”

After placing the order, the restaurant quickly served the dishes, all local specialties, and quite tasty.

After eating, Ming Che planned to return to the hotel. He glanced at Wen Lin, who showed no intention of leaving, so he brought him along.

Finally in the room, Ming Che had just sat on the sofa when Wen Lin suddenly pushed him down, leaning over with a force that seemed to express his current mood.

“Back then, you were the one who approached me first.”

Ming Che didn’t have time to say anything before his lips were bitten, tasting a faint sweetness. The person on him was inexplicably agitated, and soon his tongue felt pain too.

The kiss was rough.

Ming Che placed his hand on the back of Wen Lin’s neck, soothingly stroking it. He felt the person on him pause, then heard him ask.

“What are we now?”

Ming Che raised an eyebrow.

“Friends?”

“Friends who can kiss?”

Wen Lin sneered, continuing to seal his lips. This time, Ming Che didn’t let Wen Lin have his way. He took control of the kiss, using his preferred method.

Gentle, yet absolutely dominant, like a calm sea hiding danger, easily drowning someone within.

After the kiss, Ming Che pulled away, propping himself up on the sofa. Wen Lin seemed unwilling to move, leaning on him, lost in thought.

“What scent is on you?”

Wen Lin, resting his head on his shoulder, suddenly asked discontentedly.

“Is there?”

“A perfume scent.”

“Probably sprayed by the makeup artist.”

Wen Lin said nothing more, watching Ming Che’s long neck, the Adam’s apple moving as he spoke, making one very tempted to take a bite.