Chapter 58

Just now when they kissed, he accidentally swallowed a mouthful of seawater. Yan Zhao spat it out, and the salty and astringent taste was still lingering on his tongue.

This is the price of romance.

Yan Zhao wiped his mouth, pushed Shen Yuanting, and wanted to laugh, but still maintained his image as the initiator of the competition, saying mercilessly, “What a draw? I think you’re just afraid of losing and making excuses!”

Shen Yuanting didn’t mention how much breath he had given Yan Zhao. He didn’t care about winning or losing this competition, let alone when his cute little partner was the opponent.

Water droplets were still dripping from Yan Zhao’s hair. Shen Yuanting’s thumb brushed across his face, wiping away all the water droplets, leaving only a small damp circle, and declared the result of the breath-holding competition: “Mm, I can’t beat you, you won.”

“Perfunctory.” Yan Zhao kept a straight face, but then broke into a silly, unguarded smile.

Shen Yuanting also smiled at him, suddenly recalling the chocolate ice cream ball on the waffle cone. He wasn’t much of a dessert person, but when sharing with Yan Zhao, he never found it too sweet.

It’s like the feeling of liking someone has no endpoint.

On the secluded island, with the sea breeze blowing and the sound of the ocean tranquil, the moonlight over the water made everything seem gentle, as if only the sea and the two of them existed between heaven and earth.

Shen Yuanting rubbed his ear, from the flexible cartilage to his soft earlobe, which quickly heated up, turning a subtle red in the dim night.

With his ears burning, Yan Zhao dodged to one side, and muttered, “It’s uncomfortable, stop it!”

Shen Yuanting grabbed him and held him against his chest, deliberately teasing him. Yan Zhao was cornered and lashed out like a captured wild cat, squirming and twisting. The two of them chased and hid around the small space of the reef, occasionally rubbing against each other.

Back and forth, dry firewood met raging fire, and Yan Zhao’s heart skipped a beat, realizing he couldn’t hold back anymore.

That hand he both loved and was annoyed by had already slid down his spine and stopped at his tailbone, groping and massaging through the fabric, the implication obvious.

The other party hadn’t made the next move yet, but Yan Zhao could already imagine several possible developments, all of which Shen Yuanting had practiced on him before.

Yan Zhao urged him, “Let’s go back.”

Shen Yuanting responded off-topic, “Your chest has been rubbing against me.”

Yan Zhao lifted his necklace to show him, attempting to argue, “That’s the ring.”

The ring glowed with silver light, but Shen Yuanting’s gaze moved beyond that bright spot to the scenery behind it. Under the hazy moonlight, they were like a half-blossomed flower.

The cool evening breeze carried the scent of the sea. A strong, morbid desire surged up, the most primal and violent, like a wild beast’s insatiable possessiveness.

Shen Yuanting’s throat tightened, and he turned his head to kiss Yan Zhao’s jawline, his hot breath whispering, “Let’s do it right here, okay?”

Yan Zhao was stunned, the heat rushing from his head to his feet, making his face and ears blush. Was his reading comprehension that poor, or was Shen Yuanting really implying what he thought?

With his heart about to leap out of his throat, Yan Zhao blushed, still somewhat reserved, “In the open air, isn’t that a bit…?”

Shen Yuanting’s hands kneaded harder, and enticed without any pretense: “There’s no one else. Wanna try?”

After all, they were still young and vigorous, and Yan Zhao’s brain was engaged in a tug-of-war between sexual desire and reason. After hesitating for a while, he shamefully succumbed: “Alright, let’s try.”

Wang Zai woke up from a nap and found that the two owners had not yet returned. It jumped up on the windowsill, and outside was pitch black, except for a small oil lamp that Shen Yuanting had lit before going out.

The shadows flickered and merged together.

Shen Yuanting pressed Yan Zhao against the reef, his chest against Yan Zhao’s back, the person beneath him panting heavily, a ring clenched between his teeth, his whimpers of pleading drowned out by the sound of the waves.

After a while, as the clouds over the moon shifted, the light in the house was turned on.

Wang Zai whimpered and jumped down from the cat tree, circling around him and Yan Zhao.

Yan Zhao’s legs were weak and there were hickeys on the inner thighs. He didn’t dare to squat down while squeezed something between his legs, and ordered Shen Yuanting: “You pet the kitten.”

Shen Yuanting did as told, and Yan Zhao took the opportunity to slip into the bathroom while Shen Yuanting was petting the cat.

Steam filled the air, Yan Zhao submerged his head under water, holding his breath again amidst a barrage of fragmented memories: the kisses under the sea, the stars seen while lying on the beach, the sweat at the man’s temples, the sexy panting and the powerful waist.

When he surfaced, his face was redder than during their passionate moments.

Shen Yuanting was a refined rascal.

And he was also shameless.

So they were a perfect match.

…

As the calendar pages turned, the two finished exploring the small seaside town surrounded by blue sea, and the day to return finally arrived.

On the morning before their flight, Yan Zhao put on his shirt, threading one arm through the sleeve, and asked, “Am I tanned?” Then said, “Never mind, with us being together day and night, you wouldn’t be able to tell even if I did.”

Shen Yuanting’s hands wrapped around his waist, helping him button up: “You’re not tanned.”

Yan Zhao, “Are you so sure?”

Shen Yuanting’s hands rested on his abdomen, feeling the tension of his muscles through the shirt: “Well, I know your body better than you do.”

His voice was soft and hoarse, making Yan Zhao’s lower abdomen tightened.

Yan Zhao: “President Shen, can I ask you a physiological question?”

Shen Yuanting: “What is it?”

Yan Zhao: “You actually have three kidneys, right?”

Shen Yuanting: “…”

His abdomen was pressed maliciously, and Yan Zhao agilely escaped from his embrace, spreading his arms to hug the cat on the chair. Using the kitten as a shield, he shamelessly said: “Wang Zai, we’re going home! Are you happy?”

Wang Zai was very excited, flailing its paws: “Meow meow!”

Shen Yuanting glanced at it, and dropped a bombshell: “The hospital appointment is arranged.”

Wang Zai instantly stiffened like a dead fish.

The first task upon returning to the country was to attend the premiere of “Tian Yuan.” Half an hour of the movie was played at the venue, and it was also Yan Zhao’s first time seeing the completed movie. Yu Youyi abandoned her usual mystical style to tell a serious story, and the effect was obviously good. After the premiere, many viewers expressed their thoughts on Weibo, looking forward to the full movie.

However, this positive reception was not acknowledged by the major cinemas.

There were several blockbusters released at the same time as “Tian Yuan,” and compared to pinning hopes on a movie that had caused controversy and had unknown quality, it was a better choice to give more screenings to the blockbusters.

Thus, on the first day of release, the box office was sparse, with most contributions coming from Salt Soda.

Yu Youyi was anxious. This was the work she was most satisfied with so far. If it still couldn’t stand up, she really had to doubt whether she was suitable for directing.

Yan Zhao told her: “You’re still a director. Gu Bailing was banned for five years and didn’t give up. Are you going to judge yourself just because of one movie?”

Yu Youyi: “After all, Gu Bailing an artistic creation.”

Yan Zhao: “Art comes from life.”

He comforted Director Yu with some clichés, generally saying “good wine needs no bush” and “gold will always shine.” He wasn’t unaware that in the face of real life, most people can’t live very artistically.

As the lead actor, Yan Zhao naturally wanted to support the box office. He called Shen Yuanting to go see the movie with him, and before the screening, he posted a photo of the ticket stub on Weibo with some inspirational words: “After five years, I have never given up the desire for victory.”

They booked the entire theater, and just the two of them in the screening room.

On the big screen, a movie of less than two hours was shot in nearly five months.

The story of Gu Bailing’s return to the competition also represented a new beginning for Yan Zhao.

He always gave his all, every line and action was the result of meticulous work.

After the movie ended, Shen Yuanting said: “You’re like another person in the movie.”

Yan Zhao threw the popcorn bucket into the trash can: “It’s acting, after all. It would be terrible if I were the same person on and off the screen.”

Shen Yuanting: “Hmm.”

What he meant was actually not that.

People are multifaceted. Yan Zhao was cute and gentle in front of him, but after watching the movie, he understood that he had just retracted his claws.

Yan Zhao deliberately asked him: “Am I better looking in the movie or in reality?”

Shen Yuanting looked at him and tapped his forehead: “The you by my side is the best looking.”

When they got into the car and checked Weibo again, the comment section was already very lively.

Yan Zhao originally wanted to subtly call on his fans to watch the movie. He felt this movie was pretty good, and it wouldn’t be a waste to watch it, but the focus of the salt soda seemed to have shifted – some were screaming “Zhao Zhao’s finger looks so good,” while others noticed that there were two movie tickets in the photo.

Who is knocking on my window, who is watching the movie with my idol?

[@ Sherlock Holmes Salt Soda @ FBI Salt Soda @ Edogawa Salt Soda @ Kindaichi Salt Soda, come out and investigate]

[Firstly, it’s not the assistant, otherwise the one who was separated would be too pitiful.]

[Secondly, it’s not Director Yu, because she said she went to Jiangcheng for promotion.]

[Then, it’s not Xiao He, Xiao He is recording a variety show, and if he was with Zhao Zhao, he would definitely post it on Weibo.]

[SO, you’ve analyzed so much, what’s the truth?]

[After hiding it for so long, it’s finally revealed, that’s right, the other ticket belongs to me! [Shy]]

Yan Zhao saw them guessing tiredly and directly revealed the answer in the comment section: [It’s Yuanting.]

[Ahhh, Zhao Zhao replied to me, wuwuwu]

[Front row photo!!!]

Besides a bunch of envious sisters whose comments were turned over, the Shen-Yan CP fans were even more triumphant!

The two watching a movie alone, it’s really hard for people not to think something is going on.

What are the common procedures for a date? Dinner, shopping, watching a movie, checking in, rounding it up, my CP slept together!!!

Steaming and delivering sugar by hand, this CP is damn sweet!

On the movie review website, many Salt Soda generously gave “Tian Yuan” high ratings. On the one hand, it’s our idol, if I don’t vote and you don’t vote, when will Zhao Zhao be able to stand out! On the other hand, they really felt that the movie was very refreshing to watch.

No lengthy narration, just wave after wave of climactic developments, coupled with the theme of the return of the sports king, it’s so refreshing.

The row of good reviews was too neat, and ordinary viewers sneered at it. You’re a fan, with a built-in filter, praising it to the skies has no credibility. Then they went to watch the movie, and gave it five stars!

As more and more passers-by gave good reviews, many critics also praised the movie. With interests at stake, the extremely high attendance rate and popularity have also made the cinema increase the proportion of screenings. More and more viewers poured in, and there were countless good reviews. One thing leads to another, a virtuous circle, and “Tian Yuan” became a hit.

In various forums, there were even a large number of discussion threads and essays.

[The Loneliness after Victory, the Solitary Path of the King – An Analysis of Gu Bailing’s Psychological Journey.[hot]]

[Can someone analyze for me, what was the protagonist thinking when he was banned, why didn’t he say a word in his defense?]

[I guess Gu Bailing retired after winning the championship, here’s why…]

[Right after watching it, I wanted to dedicate the song “You Are Not Truly Happy” to Gu Bailing. After the third watch, I change it to “The Heart of a Dream Chaser.”]

[Retired chess players talk about the chess games in “Tian Yuan” and also discuss the Chinese chess scene over the years]

At the same time, Yan Zhao’s acting also won the recognition of the audience. Compared to youth campus dramas, the audience group of refreshing movie is obviously wider.

[Before watching the movie, I bet with my girlfriend that if Yan Zhao acted well, I would eat the keyboard. Now what should I do?]

[They say it’s a refreshing movie, but I couldn’t help crying when I saw Gu Bailing win the championship. Yan Zhao’s eyes are too good, I never use the term ‘spiritual’ to praise someone, today is the first time.]

[Second watch, the eyes are all acting, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness don’t necessarily have to be expressed in an exaggerated form, calm and composed, the actor is quite impressive]

[Star-chasing girls, don’t hesitate, get this idol, and you will enjoy VIP-level star-chasing service.]

“Tian Yuan” exploded, and the production team quickly took advantage of the heat to buy a wave of publicity, and congratulatory messages came one after another.

After Yan Zhao replied one by one, he sent a red envelope to Shen Yuanting.

Shen Yuanting: ???

Yan Zhao: Take it, spend it however you want! [Sunglasses Wang Zai]

Generally speaking, when the box office of a movie is three times the investment, the money can be recovered. He invested 30 million in “Tian Yuan”, and the box office of “Tian Yuan” has already reached 300 million. Of course, it will definitely be more than 300 million in the end.

With money, confidence is boosted, and he can afford to keep a man!