The moment Fan Qing got off the plane, he called Young Master Jin to ask for leave.
Behind him trailed a thoroughly bewildered Yao Ge.
I mean—but still.
Why couldn’t he just go home directly?
What exactly did Agent Fan want him to do?
Yao Ge followed Fan Qing onto a car in a daze, then, right at the airport, watched as another plane ticket was booked on the spot and they took off again.
After landing, he followed Fan Qing just as blankly into another car.
The vehicle sped along, the surroundings growing more and more desolate.
Yao Ge slowly began to get scared.
He suddenly remembered Fan Qing and that President Jin.
That President Jin seemed like he was involved with the underworld!
So was Agent Fan taking him to…???
Just then, they arrived.
Heart pounding, Yao Ge got out of the car and watched helplessly as Fan Qing led him into a hotel.
A h-hotel?
The moment he stepped inside, Yao Ge froze.
Th-this room looks like someone’s already staying here?
There’s luggage!
And clothes!
As he was still processing this, he saw Fan Qing open the fridge like he owned the place.
“Want some water?”
Fan Qing handed Yao Ge a bottle of water—and immediately noticed the look in his eyes.
Fan Qing: …?
What kind of look is that?
Honestly speaking, even though Yao Ge resembled Jian Feiyang a bit, this guy was way harder to read.
For example—who would have guessed he’d actually tell his teacher about designing fetish clothing?
If Fan Qing had been mildly interested in teasing him before,
Now?
He just wanted to see Nie Luo as soon as possible.
But before that, he needed to rest a bit.
Nie Luo probably still had some time left filming, right?
He’d take a short break, then give Nie Luo a surprise.
Fan Qing leaned back, closed his eyes, and began resting.
The room fell quiet.
Yao Ge glanced at Fan Qing, troubled.
What were they supposed to do here?
How long would it take?
He really wanted to go home and make clothes…
As he thought about it, Yao Ge leaned back on the sofa and tilted his head.
He fell asleep too.
On set, Nie Luo couldn’t help glancing at his assistant again.
The assistant—formerly a bodyguard—looked back at him.
Their eyes met, and the assistant silently typed out a question mark in his head.
Brother Nie has looked at me several times today—what’s going on?
Nie Luo withdrew his gaze.
Still nothing?
That was strange.
A-Qing still hadn’t sent him a message.
That wasn’t right.
Nie Luo thought.
A-Qing…
was actually pretty clingy, unexpectedly so.
Normally, at times like this, he would have already sent several messages.
Even though Nie Luo usually didn’t have time to read them, the assistant would signal him with hand gestures.
That way, he’d know how many messages A-Qing had sent.
But today—nothing at all.
That wasn’t right.
Nie Luo swept his gaze around.
All he saw were withered trees blanketed in thick snow, green-gray against the white. When someone stepped on the ground, there was the crisp sound of dry branches snapping.
Could it be because they were deep in the mountains?
Bad signal?
That wasn’t impossible.
Possible.
Very possible.
Thinking this, Nie Luo’s gaze—nearly as cold as the surroundings—landed on Yuan Jing in the distance.
Come to think of it, hadn’t Yuan Jing had way too many NGs today?
If Yuan Jing messed up less, wouldn’t they be able to leave this place earlier?
Nie Luo pondered quietly.
“Achoo—!”
Not far away, Yuan Jing suddenly let out a sneeze that could shake heaven and earth.
Even he was stunned afterward.
W-what just happened?
The director happened to be nearby and silently shuffled two steps away.
Then he spoke kindly.
“Yuan Jing, are you wearing too little? Even though it’s a costume, you can stick some heat packs underneath. As long as they don’t show, it’s fine.”
“Huh?”
Yuan Jing froze.
You can use heat packs?
He instinctively looked at the director, who was also not exactly dressed warmly.
The director slowly took another small step back.
“…Well, uh, not for any particular reason—but the ones I’m wearing definitely aren’t for sharing.”
Yuan Jing: ???
“So you actually secretly stuck heat packs on yourself… huh?”
Just as Yuan Jing was registering a dark cloud descending over his head, his collar tightened.
The next second, he was lifted straight up.
“Director, I’ll go over the scene with him.”
Nie Luo was concise and efficient, hauling the guy off to the side.
The director had half a mind to stop him—but after thinking it over, he let it go.
If Nie Luo was willing to guide Yuan Jing, that was hardly a bad thing.
Besides, this place was freezing, and there wasn’t a soul around. The sooner they finished filming, the sooner they could head back to the city.
Not for any special reason—he just really missed central heating.
Once he’d been dragged far enough away, Yuan Jing cautiously spoke up.
“Brother Nie? You wanted to see me?”
Nie Luo set him down and handed him a booklet.
What was this?
Yuan Jing took a look.
…?
A script?
Why was Brother Nie giving him the script…
“Next scene. Let’s do it.”
Nie Luo held the script, his voice as low and cool as ever.
But to Yuan Jing’s ears, it sounded like heavenly music.
He jumped up in surprise, his face full of disbelief.
“Brother Nie, you’re going to run lines with me?”
Wasn’t this a gift falling straight from the sky?!
“Hurry up. Don’t waste time.”
Nie Luo urged him on.
“Oh oh oh, okay!”
Yuan Jing quickly pulled himself together and started rehearsing.
Five minutes later.
His eyes began to look a little lost.
Ten minutes later.
Yuan Jing started to waver.
Fifteen minutes later.
Yuan Jing could no longer remember who he even was.
That aside—
Why did this feel like force-feeding?
He couldn’t take any more!
Seriously!
If this kept going, he was going to get fatty liver disease or something!【?】
Yuan Jing swayed on his feet, but Nie Luo snapped the script shut with a 啪.
“Alright. Get ready to shoot. Maintain this state.”
“…Okay.”
Yuan Jing drifted off in a daze.
After that, the filming really did go incredibly fast.
Especially the scenes between Nie Luo and Yuan Jing—almost all of them passed within three takes.
The director was so pleased he nearly forgot himself, even starting to fantasize about Nie Luo running lines with Yuan Jing every time in the future.
While he was still dreaming, Nie Luo walked over.
“We’re done, right? Let’s go back.”
“Yes, yes, yes—let’s head back to the hotel now.”
The director answered immediately.
Just as he was about to stand up, he saw Nie Luo standing in front of him, frowning and completely still.
What was going on?
Didn’t he just say they were going back?
The director looked at Nie Luo.
Nie Luo looked back at him.
“I mean, go back.”
“Right, we’re going back now…?”
The director froze, hesitation and disbelief creeping in.
“You mean, go back now?”
Nie Luo nodded slowly.
“Mm.”
Director: ???
“My ancestor, are you messing with me? Even if filming’s done, there’s no way we can leave immediately!”
Nie Luo looked genuinely confused.
“Why not?”
He asked in return.
“Aren’t we finished filming?”
If they were done, then of course they could leave—right?
Seeing how serious Nie Luo was, the director was stunned.
Then it hit him—Nie Luo also happened to be an investor.
With that realization, the director started explaining carefully.
“It’s mainly because the vehicles aren’t arranged yet, and packing up all this equipment takes time. Plus, I still need to review the footage when we get back. If there are any shots that need reshooting, we have to handle that before leaving. Otherwise, having to come all the way back just for one shot would be way too costly.”
After he finished, he couldn’t help glancing at Nie Luo’s expression.
Not good.
Normally, he was just cold outside of filming.
Right now, he looked like an icy wasteland raining shards of ice.
But there really was no way to leave immediately.
Nie Luo stood there thinking for a moment, then sighed.
“Alright. Then I’ll go back first.”
He turned around and left.
The director panicked and hurried after him.
“Go back where?”
Nie Luo’s long legs widened the distance between them.
“The hotel.”
If they couldn’t leave earlier, then he’d go back and video call A-Qing.
…Better than nothing.
Before Nie Luo had gone far, Yuan Jing jogged after him in short steps.
“Brother Nie, Brother Nie! Thanks for running lines with me today!”
His small face was practically glowing with excitement.
“This is the first time filming’s gone so smoothly for me! I barely had any NGs today! It’s all thanks to you, Brother Nie—you’re amazing! Thank you so much!”
“No need.”
He just wanted to get off work early.
Nie Luo thought.
“Hehehe, I get it.”
Yuan Jing glanced around.
Perfect.
Only the assistant and the bodyguard were nearby.
They were both Agent Fan’s people!
He leaned in just a little and lowered his voice.
“You did this to give Agent Fan face, right? I understand completely. I’ll definitely work hard on my acting and make more money for Agent Fan!”
He’d heard Hual say it before—Agent Fan really valued their future earning potential!
He could do it. He really could!
Nie Luo slowed his steps slightly.
“Make money… for Fan Qing?”
His voice was like pouring a bowl of hot oil—red chili oil—into a field of ice and snow.
Yuan Jing, utterly unaware, nodded obediently.
“Yeah.”
He briefly repeated what Hual had told him, then grew a little embarrassed.
“But I know I can’t make much money for Agent Fan yet—but I’ll work hard!”
Agent Fan is a really great person!
If it weren’t for Agent Fan cultivating him, there was no way he could have afforded his grandmother’s medical bills!
But… A-Qing already has his own black card, doesn’t he?
After hearing this, Nie Luo actually hesitated.
A trace of confusion appeared in his eyes.
Could it be… that the money he was making still wasn’t enough?
Did A-Qing want more?
Nie Luo began seriously considering another matter.
Should his studio start thinking about signing artists?
Lost in thought, Nie Luo walked on ahead while Yuan Jing kept chattering to himself, somehow following him all the way back to the hotel.
It wasn’t until Nie Luo opened his room door that Yuan Jing snapped back to his senses.
He looked at Nie Luo’s doorway, hesitating a little.
But then, thinking about the relationship between Brother Nie and Agent Fan, he took a deep breath.
“So, um, Brother Nie—later on, can I still look for you to rehearse—”
Before he could finish speaking, Yuan Jing watched in shock as an arm suddenly reached out from inside the room.
His heart jumped.
An ambush?!
The next second, he saw Brother Nie—who had looked like a block of ice just moments ago—get slammed against the door!
Yes!
Brother Nie was slammed against the door!
Yuan Jing sucked in a sharp breath.
The abruptly-awakened Yao Ge also sucked in a sharp breath.
The two of them locked eyes instantly.
Who are you?
Who is that?
The next second, their gazes snapped toward the doorway.
A tall, handsome man was pinned against the door by a strikingly bright and flamboyant young man. His long, straight legs were caught between the youth’s knees in an ambiguously suggestive rub. Fingers with well-defined knuckles pressed down against the back of his head, forcing him to meet the youth’s eager lips and tongue in a heated kiss.
He struggled slightly, but was quickly restrained again, the youth pressing him firmly in place.
Soon, the room filled with wet, lingering sounds, along with increasingly obvious breathing.
Yuan Jing: C-cri—critically stimulating!
Yao Ge: Slowly raises a hand to cover his eyes… then secretly leaves a gap.
Outside the door, the assistant and the bodyguard exchanged a look.
The next second, both of them moved with practiced precision, standing side by side in front of the door to block any possible outside view.
Only after satisfying himself a little did Fan Qing finally let Nie Luo go.
He looked regretfully at Nie Luo’s thin lips, now flushed red from being sucked on.
“I originally wanted to bite them.”
He was talking about Nie Luo’s lips.
But to everyone else’s ears…
Nie Luo was the first to change expression.
He turned his head slightly, his voice carrying a faintly breathless allure.
“…Not here. There are people.”
Yuan Jing: Hiss—! Face instantly turning bright yellow.
Yao Ge: Ababababa—this is something he can see without paying?!
Assistant: …He always thought Brother Nie was the dominant one in this relationship. Turns out it’s the opposite?
Bodyguard: Used to it. My previous employer was like this too. Stay calm.
Fan Qing: ?
What do you mean, “not here”?
What does biting Nie Luo’s lips have to do with people being around…
His gaze suddenly darkened as his knee pressed up suggestively.
“Brother Nie? What did you mean just now?”
He still remembered that last time, someone hadn’t agreed.
Could it be that Nie Luo had finally come around?
His eyes couldn’t help drifting downward.
Nie Luo instinctively lifted his chin.
Their positions reversed.
Yuan Jing: Wo—wow!!!
Yao Ge: Ababababa—if he pays now, is it still in time? Inspiration! So much inspiration! His head is full of it!
Meeting Nie Luo’s eyes, Fan Qing felt—
There really was something there!
He leaned forward slightly and kissed Nie Luo’s lips again, shy and heated.
“So Brother Nie means that if there aren’t other people, then it’s o—mmph!”
Nie Luo’s ears burning red, he kissed him to shut him up.
After a long moment, he finally squeezed out a soft sound from his throat.
“…Mm.”
Fan Qing: Surprise!
His shy boyfriend actually agreed!
…Wait.
Fan Qing’s gaze suddenly swept over Yao Ge and Yuan Jing.
Yao Ge and Yuan Jing immediately turned their heads away.
His mood turned a little complicated.
Why did it have to be at a moment like this?
Why was it that at this exact moment, both he and Nie Luo had brought along an extra human light bulb???