Once he confirmed it wasn’t Jian Yang, Guan Ciyan reverted to his cold and distant demeanor. His gaze carried no emotions, and the smile on his lips was purely formal. Though his movements appeared casual and friendly, they inexplicably exerted pressure on those around him.

Guan Jingyu was stunned by Jian Buqing’s sudden outburst. No matter how dissatisfied he felt, he didn’t dare openly challenge Guan Ciyan—especially not in front of the old master.

Jian Buqing had only approached him because of his surname, and he, in turn, had been drawn to Jian Buqing’s face. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, so why was Jian Buqing suddenly taking a stand for him?

“Uncle, let’s move elsewhere. You all continue.” Guan Jingyu, afraid of angering Guan Ciyan, chose not to support Jian Buqing’s words.

Jian Buqing’s heart pounded. He had spent considerable effort getting close to Guan Jingyu, but he hadn’t even had the chance to discuss investment opportunities for the Jian family’s cinema chain before realizing that Guan Jingyu was nothing more than an empty title.

He had no assets, no money—not even a true foothold within the family. The real head of the Guan family was Guan Ciyan. The others only held minor shares out of respect for the old master.

For a few days, Jian Buqing had grown cold toward Guan Jingyu. But when Guan Jingyu approached him again, offering the lead role in this film, Jian Buqing rekindled his enthusiasm.

Just now, as soon as Guan Ciyan saw him, he had reacted so strongly. He had scolded Guan Jingyu and then fixed his gaze on him. When a man seriously looks at another man, it’s either out of interest or because he has been captivated.

Jian Buqing had always been extremely confident in his looks and charm. Especially growing up alongside Jian Yang, the sickly misfit—everyone always praised him instead.

He had heard that Guan Ciyan was a workaholic, so stepping in now, under the pretense of defending Guan Jingyu, was actually a strategic move for the project. Perhaps Guan Ciyan would find him different from others. And even if Guan Ciyan didn’t remember him, Guan Jingyu would at least owe him a favor.

Either way, it was a win-win.

But Guan Ciyan remained silent. Jian Buqing couldn’t tell what he was thinking, so he pressed further. “The director is here, wouldn’t it be more convenient to discuss the script here?”

He widened his eyes, bit his lip deliberately, and did his best to appear innocent and fearless in the face of power.

With such similar features, Guan Ciyan’s mind was instantly flooded with memories of Jian Yang’s face—his round apricot eyes burning with defiance, scolding him like an indignant little beast. If Jian Yang wanted to leave, he would leave. If he said he wouldn’t come back, he wouldn’t.

That was what it truly meant to be fearless.

How had he tolerated it back then?

Guan Ciyan couldn’t help but chuckle. And Jian Yang always claimed that he bullied him?

Jian Buqing saw his smile and grew more confident. He picked up his glass and approached. “Thank you, Chairman Guan, for giving us this opportunity. I will work hard to repay your trust and won’t let you down.”

Guan Ciyan stared into his amber eyes as if evaluating an expensive commodity. “Repay?”

“If it weren’t for you, Chairman Guan, I wouldn’t have gotten this role.”

“Alright.” Guan Ciyan granted him this small favor.

Seizing the moment, the director interjected, “Xiao Jian, we still have matters to discuss. Why don’t you take everyone to the next room?”

Jian Buqing had already achieved his goal—Guan Ciyan had noticed him. So, he didn’t press further and obediently followed the director’s suggestion. As he and Guan Jingyu stood up, the other actors naturally followed.

The director tentatively asked, “Chairman Guan, do you find Xiao Jian promising?”

“Buqing,” Guan Ciyan corrected, deliberately dropping the surname.

The director thought to himself: That sounds rather intimate.

Meanwhile, Guan Jingyu pulled Jian Buqing aside. “What were you doing just now?!”

“Me? I was standing up for you! You’re part of the Guan family too—why should he always overshadow you? He’s your uncle, yet he doesn’t take care of you and even humiliates you in public. I couldn’t stand it.” Jian Buqing’s gaze was fluid and expressive, his every smile exuding charm and warmth.

Watching him, Guan Ciyan couldn’t help but think of how good Jian Yang was.

In the past, Jian Yang had also stood up for him like this, speaking up on his behalf.

It was all his fault for sending Jian Yang to Guan Ciyan. That man must have known Jian Yang was his and had used coercion to steal him away. Guan Ciyan always enjoyed taking what belonged to him.

One day, he would take back the Guan family, drive Guan Ciyan out, and bring Jian Yang home.

“Xiao Yu, you’re not mad at me, are you?” Jian Buqing’s face, so similar to Jian Yang’s, softened in a plea for forgiveness. Guan Jingyu felt a surge of guilt and let it go.

Meanwhile, Guan Ciyan instructed his assistant to compile a report on the Jian family’s cinema business.

Timing his exit to coincide with Jian Yang finishing his scene, Guan Ciyan left the banquet hall and walked over. The air was already warming, and he shrugged off his jacket, letting the breeze dispel the lingering scent of alcohol.

The spring-summer air carried the fresh scent of grass, inexplicably lifting his mood.

Before he even rounded the corner, he could already hear Jian Yang’s laughter. The sound made him smile unconsciously as he strolled forward.

Jian Yang and a group of actors were huddled around the monitor, laughing at something.

They were all young men of similar age, but Jian Yang stood out. His dazzling smile, his clear and beautiful features, his straight shoulders and back—it was as if a spotlight naturally followed him, making everything else fade into the background.

Guan Ciyan watched intently, his steps gradually slowing.

Such an extraordinary Jian Yang deserved everything good in this world.

What wish of his shouldn’t be fulfilled?

“Sir?” Jian Yang’s bright smile widened as he ran toward him. “Didn’t you say you had something to do tonight?”

“I finished early.” Guan Ciyan’s gaze was gentle as he brushed his fingers over the corners of Jian Yang’s smiling eyes. “Does it hurt?”

Jian Yang always wore black contact lenses and never complained about discomfort. Even if he was in pain, he would endure it silently. But no matter what he said, Guan Ciyan wouldn’t believe him.

“It will get better,” Guan Ciyan assured. “Soon.”

In his mind, he pictured Jian Buqing’s obsidian-black eyes.

Jian Yang stood on his tiptoes and leaned in, sniffing near Guan Ciyan’s lips. “Sir, you’ve been drinking?”

As Jian Yang stretched up, Guan Ciyan instinctively lowered his head. Their lips brushed—just barely grazing the tip of Jian Yang’s nose.

For a moment, the world fell silent.

All he could see were Jian Yang’s slightly parted lips.

Then, as Jian Yang pulled away, Guan Ciyan unconsciously followed.

In that half-second of hesitation, the surrounding noise rushed back, washing over him like a tide. Jian Yang’s soft, clear voice stood out the most.

Guan Ciyan’s heart was still pounding.

So it wasn’t a kiss after all.

“I only drank a little, not much,” Guan Ciyan said, pausing before reaching out and pulling Jian Yang into his embrace.

He really had endured for too long.

Almost there, almost there. Just a little more until the island.

Jian Yang wrapped his arms around Guan Ciyan’s waist in return, rubbing his face against his shoulder. He caught a faint scent of alcohol mixed with the heat radiating from his skin. The masculine pheromones, intensified by alcohol, were overwhelming. Jian Yang instinctively avoided his exposed neck. “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”

Guan Ciyan didn’t answer. Instead, he only tightened his embrace. Jian Yang had to stand on tiptoe, leaning his entire weight against him. His lips brushed against the fabric of Guan Ciyan’s collar, and every now and then, they would accidentally touch the warmth of his bare skin.

Jian Yang’s first thought: Was he drugged?

“Sir, are you okay?” Jian Yang pressed a hand against Guan Ciyan’s chest, feeling the rapid thumping underneath. “Sir, why is your heartbeat so fast?”

“Do you need to go to the hospital?”

Guan Ciyan sighed inwardly. So naive.

He let go of Jian Yang and looked into his clear, genuinely concerned eyes. Guan Ciyan smiled.

Why did he like Jian Yang? Was it his honesty? Or the way he always showed such sincere concern for him?

Either way, that look in his eyes made Guan Ciyan feel… delighted.

The kind of delight that rivaled the thrill of secretly kissing Jian Yang.

“Hey, Guan Dong, how come you’re only treating the production team across the hall to dinner and not us?” Bai Shun called out loudly.

Jian Yang turned his head and finally noticed that the entire crew was standing not too far behind them.

Damn it.

Guan Ciyan, that bastard—his back was turned, so he forgot about everyone. But Guan Ciyan was facing them; there was no way he didn’t see! With so many eyes watching, why the hell did he hug him like that?

Now, everyone was looking at him strangely.

Guan Ciyan, still in a good mood, draped an arm around Jian Yang’s shoulders and walked over. “Of course, I’ll treat everyone.”

“Yeah, you should. We’re almost wrapping up, and Jian Yang just pulled off a spectacular scene,” Bai Shun responded.

Hearing this, Jian Yang beamed. “Brother Bai, was it really that good? I want to watch it again!”

Before Guan Ciyan arrived, they had been reviewing the footage. Bai Shun had just praised him, but Jian Yang hadn’t fully heard the feedback.

Guan Ciyan lowered his gaze, watching Jian Yang eagerly seeking praise from Bai Shun. He grabbed the back of Jian Yang’s collar and pulled him back into his arms. “Don’t run around.”

“Whoa,” Su Jin gasped.

Most of the crew busied themselves with their equipment, but their eyes kept sneaking glances in their direction.

“Guan Dong is already drunk, huh?” Bai Shun remarked.

Jian Yang instantly understood and supported Guan Ciyan. “Can you stand?”

The deliberate way he distanced himself was obvious. Guan Ciyan wasn’t pleased, but since he didn’t have an official title, he had no right to be upset. Instead, he leaned his whole body against Jian Yang, forcing him to support his weight. Then, he turned his annoyance toward Bai Shun: “Even if I drank twice as much as you, I’d still be fine.”

The crew happily accepted the free meal. Since Jian Yang was present, they weren’t in a hurry, and they also had some juicy gossip to enjoy. No one was complaining.

At the back of the group, Guan Ciyan whispered into Jian Yang’s ear, “You know I’m not drunk.”

“Oh dear,” Jian Yang grinned playfully. “You’ve been hanging around the set for days. Everyone knows you’re the big boss now. Brother Bai was just covering for you to prevent any misunderstandings, like people thinking you’re my sugar daddy. I finally have some fans now. If rumors about me being kept started spreading, it’d be awful. Besides, you played along, didn’t you?”

Guan Ciyan patted Jian Yang’s head, sighing regretfully. Looks like we’ll have to keep this underground in the future.

After boasting about drinking Bai Shun under the table, Guan Ciyan ended up getting chased down and challenged to a drinking contest. He had already had a round earlier, and now the alcohol was really kicking in.

Jian Yang, now an expert on Bai Shun’s acting skills, immediately saw through his fake drunkenness. His eyes were too clear.

“Brother Bai, stop forcing him to drink…” Jian Yang reached out to stop Bai Shun.

Guan Ciyan grabbed Jian Yang’s shoulder and pulled him back into his arms. “I’m still here, you know.”

Bai Shun winked at him. Jian Yang sighed helplessly and turned to soothe Guan Ciyan, patting his shoulder. “Yes, yes, you are.”

Jian Yang sat up from his embrace. “Sir, stop drinking. You’re already drunk.”

“Come on!” Bai Shun placed a large jug of craft beer in front of Guan Ciyan. “Guan Dong, keep going!”

Guan Ciyan rested his right hand on Jian Yang’s shoulder, practically locking him in his embrace. Jian Yang turned toward him, pressing in closer. “Stop drinking.”

Guan Ciyan stared at him, watching as he furrowed his brows. His thick lashes cast shadows over his clear black eyes. Under the colorful lights of the bar, he looked like a painting—an exquisite oil painting with vibrant yet fleeting colors.

Guan Ciyan deliberately asked, “What did you say?”

The music was deafening. Jian Yang braced one hand on Guan Ciyan’s thigh and leaned in to whisper, “Stop drinking.”

Guan Ciyan lowered his head, letting the edge of his ear graze against Jian Yang’s soft lips. At the same time, his other hand pulled Jian Yang’s hand down against his thigh. Jian Yang suddenly lost his balance and fell against Guan Ciyan’s chest. When he tried to get up, Guan Ciyan held him firmly in place by the shoulder.

“What right do you have to control me?”

Jian Yang’s heart trembled.

Guan Ciyan’s gaze was intense and domineering, pinning him down like a predator. He felt like prey trapped beneath the claws of a beast.

The possessiveness in those dark eyes—he could be devoured at any moment.