Everyone turned their heads at once, and each of them was startled.

It was a man, not yet thirty, with hair from the right side of his forehead hanging down to cover one eye. Even so, the large scar running from his forehead to the corner of that eye was clearly visible. His face had once been quite delicate, but the scar gave him a menacing aura, a sense that he was not easily approachable.

When Wang Shilin saw him, his eyes first lit up. Then, as they landed on the scar, a pang struck his heart, and he quietly diverted his gaze.

Lin Qing scoffed at Wang Shilin’s useless reaction and turned away. He hadn’t come here just for this spineless guy.

He approached Yu Junqing, who was standing dumbfounded nearby, and greeted him.

“Yo, long time no see. Didn’t think you’d still be hanging onto this circle.” Lin Qing raised an eyebrow with a smile, which only made his face appear more feral. His gaze clearly settled on Yu Junqing, and the familiar tone left no doubt that these two knew each other.

Yu Junqing was caught off guard by Lin Qing’s tone. The brief nostalgia and excitement he had felt when first seeing Lin Qing evaporated instantly, leaving him staring at the unchanged man with mild exasperation.

“I told you before, acting is my dream.” Yu Junqing had made it clear back when Lin Qing first met him that his persistence came from a love of acting.

Lin Qing recognized that nothing about him had changed and didn’t say more. Given the unusual circumstances, it wasn’t really the time for catching up.

Others had begun to react, realizing that this was their film set—how could a stranger just appear here?

“Why is there someone who isn’t part of the crew here? Where are the security guards?” Yun Qi shouted sharply, her eyes shooting a look of resentment at Lin Qing. She had already been halfway to success, and now this person had appeared, drawing everyone’s attention. Not a single gaze remained on her.

Sensitive to attention, Yun Qi noticed how the once-burning gazes on her were completely gone.

Only when Yun Qi’s voice rang out did people snap out of watching the spectacle. Who was this man, and how did he get onto the set?

Lin Qing smirked as the focus shifted from the woman to himself. A meaningless woman—he glanced at Wang Shilin, who had grown more handsome over time, and his irritation deepened.

“Nothing much, I’m just a friend of your director. Came by to visit him today.” He wasn’t keen on revealing that Wang Shilin had actually invited him to help. Whether Wang Shilin really needed his help was another matter.

He spoke ambiguously, and no one could tell if it was true, though his familiarity with Wang Shilin was undeniable. People quietly shifted their gaze to Wang Shilin.

Wang Shilin felt a twinge of annoyance. He couldn’t tell if he should be happy or uneasy that Lin Qing had actually come. Even though he had decided to call Lin Qing back to the country, now that he was here, he felt uncertain.

Regardless, the priority was to finish the morning shoot. Waving his hand, Wang Shilin said, “He’s just here to see me. Don’t worry about it. Focus on preparing for the shoot, don’t waste time!”

At his words, gossiping eyes reluctantly returned to their tasks, wary of Wang Shilin’s voice, and everyone went to their posts.

Yun Qi’s face flickered with anger. Her interruption had been brushed aside, treated as if it were nothing. Gritting her teeth, her eyes followed Wang Shilin’s back, wanting to chase after him.

Her assistant hurried over and tugged at her, whispering that now wasn’t the right time. She leaned closer and asked softly, “Think it’ll work?” She was well aware of Yun Qi’s plan. Without her prompting, Yun Qi might still have been clinging to Fang Sheng.

Thinking of this, the assistant sneered at the direction of Fang Sheng. Initially, she had supported Yun Qi trying to cozy up to him. While the entertainment circle frowned on celebrity romance, publicity stunts were another matter.

Who could have guessed Yun Qi’s obliviousness would lead Fang Sheng’s assistant to assume a relationship? Idiotic as he was, even if the celebrity wasn’t, the assistant was a mess. She preferred Yun Qi to keep her distance from such fools. Even earlier, she nearly messed up Yun Qi’s reputation.

“Almost ruined, all their fault!” Yun Qi admitted with embarrassment. She couldn’t claim Wang Shilin’s glance had been unhelpful, so she blamed Lin Qing and Yu Junqing instead.

The assistant’s gaze toward Lin Qing and Yu Junqing carried subtle resentment and calculation.

With emotions running high, problems arose during the shoot.

Yun Qi, whether intentionally or not, kept flubbing her scenes with Yu Junqing. He shivered from the cold, lips turning purple.

After another flub, Yun Qi feigned a tearful apology, “I’m sorry, Junqing, I just… wasn’t feeling well today. Shall we try again?”

Yu Junqing had no time for her theatrics. Wrapping himself in his coat, he shivered again—the coat had been left out and was icy. His fingers already ached from the cold, probably numb to the bone.

Seeing him unresponsive, Yun Qi assumed he was meek and easy to manipulate, and her disdain grew. She went to rest with her assistant, nearly overheating herself.

“Still as useless as ever,” Lin Qing whispered behind him, low enough only Yu Junqing could hear.

Yu Junqing didn’t get angry. Yun Qi wouldn’t enjoy this long; neither Wang nor Wang Shilin would tolerate her antics. He ignored her, though he felt uneasy about Lin Qing’s tone—once merely teasing, now it carried a sharp, unfamiliar edge.

After a short break, Yun Qi drank some hot water and prepared to redo her scene, clad in sweltering fur for her role meant to flaunt wealth. Wang Shilin, watching her closely, noted her expressions and movements screamed deliberate provocation, aimed at Yu Junqing.

Wang Shilin’s mood soured. Only the first day without his father, and already complications were arising.

“Prepare Yu Junqing’s scene. Yun Qi, adjust off to the side. When ready, you can try again.” His words made everyone’s eyes lock on Yun Qi, signaling she was holding everyone back.

Yun Qi’s face turned a kaleidoscope of colors.

Some whispered behind her back, thinking she was the only one stalling, wasting everyone’s morning. She had flaunted fur, teased with her assistant about being too hot, yet now looked ridiculous.

Yu Junqing, finally warmed, prepared for his scene. Noticing Wang Shilin checking his phone, he realized the director might be worried. He nodded calmly, removed his coat, and stepped on set—preferring to act toward nothing than toward Yun Qi.

Lin Qing glanced between Yu Junqing and Wang Shilin. Was it his imagination, or did these two seem in sync?

Yu Junqing nailed the scene immediately, without further disruption. Wang Shilin could tell he was freezing, waving him off once done. Then he called Yun Qi back inside.

Yu Junqing left, and Yun Qi glared secretly. He didn’t care, preferring a hot shower and bed.

However, not everyone shared his calm.

At the door of Yu Junqing and Wang Shilin’s room stood a familiar figure. Yu Junqing hesitated to approach.

Yun Qi’s assistant, Xie Jianlian, had waited long to confront Yu Junqing. She approached in high heels, intent on catching him.

Yu Junqing wanted to flee, uninterested in female scheming, craving only warmth. Xie Jianlian ignored him.

“I need to make something clear. You’re new, might not understand,” she began, her words overwhelming Yu Junqing.

“Look, your value only barely counts as third-tier domestically. You should address Qi Qi as sister, but Qi Qi doesn’t mind. Still, don’t assume ignorance will save you—better stay sharp,” Xie Jianlian rattled on. Yu Junqing caught nothing.

Was she bragging or what? He couldn’t grasp her main point.

A deep male voice suddenly rang behind them, cutting through Xie Jianlian like a dagger: “Junqing has won Best Actor. What award has your mouth-wagger won?”

It was Rui Ge! Yu Junqing’s eyes lit like fireworks. He restrained himself from rushing into Bo Rui’s arms, mindful of the scowling woman nearby. He blinked playfully at Bo Rui, eyes brimming with longing.

Bo Rui’s heart swelled at the sight. Smiling with restraint, he barely contained his joy.

Xie Jianlian’s face darkened. Yun Qi might be popular, but her fame relied on looks and hype. No awards, no achievements.

“Who are you? We don’t know you. I can sue you for eavesdropping!”

Bo Rui’s expression turned cold. “You don’t know me—your ignorance. Sue if you can.”

Xie Jianlian was stunned, afraid he might be involved in underworld dealings.

“Still not gone?” Bo Rui bellowed, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a strong arm.

Xie Jianlian fled in high heels, terrified. Yu Junqing, relieved, chuckled quietly.

“Hehe, Rui Ge, you’re so cool!”

Bo Rui lowered his head to Yu Junqing, asking about the cold hands. Yu Junqing explained, blaming someone for setting him up.

Bo Rui’s sharp ears caught every word, his expression darkening. He wrapped Yu Junqing’s icy hands warmly in his own, the heat spreading through his fingers and heart. Yu Junqing’s face radiated happiness, a hint of playful satisfaction glimmering in his eyes.

Bo Rui realized, half the mischief was deliberate, half waiting to be rescued. The man was adorable in his subtle tricks.

Not wanting to linger, Bo Rui verified Yu Junqing wasn’t filming, then led him to a better-heated room on the top floor.

Once inside, Yu Junqing felt the warmth immediately. Bo Rui knew him well enough to arrange this.

“Rui Ge! How did you have time to come?” Yu Junqing exclaimed, wriggling excitedly on the bed.

Bo Rui, lowering his gaze, said bluntly, “Being a ruthless CEO leaves time.”

Yu Junqing laughed, imagining Bo Rui’s ruthless CEO antics—delegating everything, punishing mistakes, cutting bonuses or wages.

“Isn’t that right?” Yu Junqing asked, uncertain, thinking of TV dramas he had watched.

Bo Rui, seeing him chattering on, couldn’t help laughing silently, then leaned down and kissed him, silencing him instantly.

Yu Junqing’s lips, once blue, blazed a deep red under Bo Rui’s fiery kiss.

Bo Rui didn’t hold back, and when he released him, Yu Junqing’s face carried a subtle charm, mind slightly dizzy. He avoided Bo Rui’s eyes, turning away in embarrassment.

This man was clearly playing with fire. Bo Rui could feel the warm, teasing breath against him, and Yu Junqing’s flush deepened.

Yu Junqing’s face was now a deep red, utterly flustered.