Chapter 31

Yan Zhao leaned closer to the mirror, the bright red mark clearly visible on his neck, not too large in size but still impossible to ignore. And Yan Zhao… wasn’t pure enough to mistake a love bite for something else, even though he lacked practical experience, theoretically, he was an experienced driver.^[1]老司機(lǎosījī) = Experienced driver, The term “老司機” can refer to someone who is very experienced and knowledgeable in a particular field, often accompanied by a sense of admiration … Continue reading

Yan Zhao’s fingertips hovered beside the red mark, and a hint of warmth rising at his earlobe.

Damn, seriously? Shen Yuanting bite his neck while he was asleep?

His hand moved to his lips again, Yan Zhao observed his lip carefully. When he wake up, his lips were slightly dry, but still had a rosy hue, showing no signs of abnormality, or rather, it was difficult to detect any, after all, lips were far less delicate than the skin on the neck.

Yan Zhao was still trying to analyze whether he had been kissed, when he heard the door card click open.

He turned his head, and the culprit carrying porridge and side dishes walked into the room.

Shen Yuanting placed breakfast on the table: “Come eat when you wake up.”

Yan Zhao covered his neck, shuffled out of the bathroom, head hanging low, his gaze constantly flicking towards Shen Yueting’s lips, then quickly looking away as if nothing had happened when the other party noticed.

Yan Zhao covered his neck, rubbed it as he walked out of the bathroom with his head lowered. He kept glancing at Shen Yuanting’s mouth. When he was noticed by the other party, he then averted his gaze as if nothing had happened.

Shen Yuanting said calmly, “Left a mark? It was dark last night, I didn’t notice.”

Yan Zhao: “…”

Holy crap, how can you say that so nonchalantly? CEO Shen, Shen Juju, we haven’t even kissed yet, and you’re already leaving marks??? And while I was asleep!!!

Yan Zhao furrowed his brow, and struggled to speak, “You… can’t just sneak up like that.”

Shen Yuanting raised his eyebrows, “So, can I do it openly now?”

Yan Zhao took a step back, “No!”

Indulging in such acts in broad daylight, what kind of decency is that?

Shen Yuanting responded nonchalantly, “Oh,” arranged the breakfast, and asked, “Vegetable porridge or pumpkin porridge, which one do you want?”

Yan Zhao replied, “Pumpkin. Don’t change the subject.”

Shen Yuanting pointed to his own neck, “So, do you want to kiss me back?”

Yan Zhao, “…”

To be honest, he really wanted to… He had been coveting Shen Yuanting’s neck for a long time, especially the protruding Adam’s apple, which perfectly hit his sweet spot.

Yan Zhao said, “Don’t move.” He put his hand on Shen Yuanting’s shoulder, turned his head, and pressed his lips to the man’s slightly protruding Adam’s apple.

He felt a slight movement in Shen Yuanting’s throat.

Yan Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. He kissed him gently, pulled away his lips, casually sat on a chair, moved the pumpkin porridge in front of him, and his exposed ear under the black hair turned slightly red.

Shen Yuanting also packed spring rolls and other light side dishes. While Yan Zhao chewed on radish, his focus wasn’t on eating but on staring at him with eyelids raised.

Shen Yuanting ate slowly and carefully, the feathery eyelashes casting a fan-shaped shadow under his eyes, and the slightly greenish color of his lower eyelids was quite striking.

Yan Zhao attempted to find a topic, “Did you have trouble sleeping again last night?”

Shen Yuanting simply replied, “Much better.”

Yan Zhao stared at him suspiciously. Shen Yuanting put down his chopsticks, and stretched out his hand to rub his head as if comforting a small animal. He didn’t lie to Yan Zhao; considering his past sleep quality, last night was indeed a good sleep.

Yan Zhao asked, “Have you seen a doctor?,” After saying this, he realized how absurd the question sounded. As a celebrity, he had special access to hospitals, not to mention Shen Yuanting, who might even have his team of private doctors or … maybe he had invested in a major hospital.

Shen Yuanting smiled, “Don’t worry, I had a checkup last week, everything is fine.”

Only then did Yan Zhao relax and continue eating.

Midway through the meal, the doorbell rang.

Yan Zhao got up first to answer the door. As he opened it wider, Sheng Xin stood outside.

Sheng Xin’s expression momentarily froze. He turned his head to check the room number, then blinked to confirm the person in front of him.

Before he could say, “What are you doing here?” he slowly caught up to the situation. Yan Zhao was still in his pajamas, and there was a subtle hickey on his neck… It was easy to guess what had happened between these two!

Sheng Xin: “…” What the heck???

Encountering the aftermath scene of your bro’s rendezvous, what kind of experience is that? Afraid of seeing messy sheets, scattered clothes, lubricants on the bedside table—Sheng Xin had initially intended to step inside but halted, swallowed all the words he wanted to say and said dryly, “We’ll head back after lunch; you guys continue,” and made a hasty exit.

Yan Zhao: “…” Reputation damaged.

Yan Zhao closed the door and sat back in his seat speechlessly, only to find a band-aid on the table, which was obviously used to cover the hickey.

Yan Zhao: “Why didn’t you give it to me just now?”

Shen Yuanting innocently replied, “Forgot.”

Their first priority upon returning home was to pick up Wang Zai. Fostered for a day and night, Wang Zai felt wronged. When it saw them, it complained with meows incessantly, circling around their legs while rubbing it head against them.

Shen Yuanting picked it up and gave it a comforting pat.

Wang Zai then retracted his claws to pat Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao quickly scratched its chin, and the cat calmed down.

…

After the vacation, he faced another intense shooting schedule. After working overtime on the film set, the day for the wrap-up banquet arrived.

On that day, the crew booked a restaurant to treat everyone.

The director led the way, toasting each person.

Yan Zhao was afraid that he would get drunk and go crazy, so he held a glass of plain water and said, “I’m not feeling well today. Is it okay if I drink water?”

The director said cheerfully, “Sure, sure, the important thing is the sense of ceremony. What you drink is secondary.”

Yan Zhao smiled. This was one reason he liked this crew. From the director to the production assistants, everyone was friendly, unlike some people who habitually put on airs, and create a mess even when they were eating.

Midway through the meal, Lu Yinnan hurriedly arrived. She had a meeting with Yaoguo Entertainment scheduled for today, and she took a leave from the crew in case she couldn’t make it in time. The others saved her a seat, but most of them guessed she wouldn’t come to the wrap-up banquet. After all, in the crew, she was treated like a primary school student in education. For this female star who had graduated for many years and had some fame, it might not be a pleasant memory.

Lu Yinnan thought the same. Even in her high school third year, she didn’t have such a tough time. She held some resentment towards Yan Zhao, and after shooting the last scene, she celebrated happily with champagne. However, for some reason, after returning to a life where no one cared, she began to miss the days of reciting lines in front of Yan Zhao and the director. They weren’t obligated to teach her acting, and even though their main goal was to improve the web series, she undeniably gained a lot from it. Also, apart from the initial few days of cold words, Yan Zhao treated her like any other actor.

Teaching an apprentice is like starving the master, most people prioritize their own interests. Lu Yinnan thought that she might not encounter such a good crew again, or an actor like Yan Zhao who would personally teach her acting.

“Teacher Yan, I toast to you,” Lu Yinnan poured herself a glass of white wine and clinked glasses with Yan Zhao.

Yan Zhao said, “Don’t cause trouble during scenes in the future; it’s annoying.”

Lu Yinnan smiled, “I won’t.” She had conflicts with He Tao before, but without much public opinion on her side, she didn’t have the courage to switch jobs. She thought of making a big scene before leaving but ended up learning a lesson in reality, along with accumulating a 2 million debt. If it weren’t for Yan Zhao, she would have been blacklisted in the industry and sold the pot and iron for scrap by now. Where else would she have the chance for a comeback?

With this thought, she felt even more reluctant, but she didn’t show it on her face.

“Teacher Yan,” Lu Yinnan said seriously, “You will definitely become the best actor in the entertainment industry.”

Yan Zhao smiled impishly, “No need for your blessings, isn’t that a certainty?”

“Hahaha,” the director joyfully interjected, and raised his glass again, “Come, let me toast to the future best actor in the entertainment industry!”

Others from the crew joined in, saying, “Cheers to Teacher Yan!”

The actor’s work comes to an end, and the production team needs to hurry up with the post-production editing and approval process, aiming to release the completed series this year.

Meanwhile, Yan Zhao had no rest, and immediately boarded a flight to the filming location of “The Great Mystery.”

He messaged Shen Yuanting:

Yan Zhao: [I’m on the plane.]

Shen Yuanting: [Okay. When you come back, I’ll introduce you to someone.]

Yan Zhao: [Who?]

Shen Yuanting: [You will know when the time comes.]

Yan Zhao: [Wang Zai rolling.jpg]

Yan Zhao scratched his head, unsure who Shen Yuanting was planning for him to meet. Anyway, it wouldn’t be to meet the parents. He would only bring someone detestable to meet Shen Zhuo and Tang Jingyan, and then let them fight it out.

After getting off the plane, a group of fans holding red light boards came to pick him up, creating an impressive spectacle from a distance.

A deep and rugged voice shouted, “Zhao Zhao, you’re the best!”

The girls chimed in, “Zhao Zhao is the cutest!”

Yan Zhao looked over and saw the sea of red, with a hint of green in the middle. Wasn’t that Elegante’s designer, Zuo Tian, with his rare male fans…  Speaking of which, could that the Sweetie in the fan group be him…

Besides Zuo Tian, there were several other men standing beside him, also holding Salt Soda light sticks and banners. It seemed that Zuo Tian had successfully recruited quite a few male fans, and the male fan group had grown larger.

Yan Zhao waved to the fans, and the Salt Sodas were immediately overjoyed—it turns out real-life Zhao Zhao was a hundred times more handsome than the edited photos and he could also move, bringing double the happiness!

The program team sent a car to pick him up. At the hotel, after reporting to Shen Yuanting that he had arrived safely, Yan Zhao organized his luggage, took a short rest, and then went to have dinner with everyone.

As he entered the restaurant, someone tapped his shoulder.

Yan Zhao turned around, and Ling Xiao was smiling at him, “Zhao Zhao, Long time no see!”

Yan Zhao exclaimed, “Ah,” feeling pleasantly surprised, “Lao Ling!”

The program team didn’t inform him of the true identity of the other flying guest. Unexpectedly, it was Ling Xiao!

The other four guests already knew that both of them would be coming, prepared welcoming words, and even hung up a banner: “Warmly celebrate Teacher Ling and Teacher Yan becoming the next targets to be toyed with by the production team.”

Yan Zhao: “… Just how malicious is this production team.”

The director revealed an elegant and mysterious smile. Can you guess?