Du Mei prepared the press release, and also included the character of Gong Sun Ce played by Wu Henggu. When it was sent out that day, it caused another sensation. Nobody paid attention to the gossip about Lu Zhou and Xiao Yi anymore. Most people believed the press release from Li Changzheng's company. Du Mei contacted the media again to add another report, basically stating that the songs written by Xiao Yi would be sung by Li Changzheng and Lu Zhou themselves, and mentioning that Lu Zhou was preparing for this big project.

Now, almost nobody doubted it anymore. Those who did suspect something thought that both sides were using the opportunity for publicity, dragging Xiao Yi into it.

After the storm passed, people started editing various MVs (NT: music videos) of Lu Zhou and Li Changzheng, hoping for the best and eagerly awaiting the start of filming.

Three days later, Lu Zhou signed the contract, and Xiao Yi was also pressured into signing it. Now, even if Lu Zhou had objections, he couldn't voice them out. After causing so much trouble, he finally let Li Changzheng have his way. He couldn't vent his anger at Xiao Yi at home, so he could only stare at Du Mei.

"Let's get one thing straight, I'm not going to do any BL scenes with Li Changzheng," Lu Zhou said.

Du Mei replied, "You can read the script yourself. There's not much fuss about it. With an investment of over a hundred million, if it gets too hyped online, won't it cause trouble with the censorship? We'll talk about it in the early promotion, but once we officially start filming, we won't mention it."

Only then did Lu Zhou stop saying anything more. Xiao Yi read the script with great interest. The drama was gathering all the hottest actors from mainland China, like a snowball getting bigger and bigger. Many were willing to make a guest appearance just for Li Changzheng and Lu Zhou. It was a collection of handsome men, and the internet was ecstatic. Xiao Yi felt dizzy just seeing it.

This was probably the most star-studded project in the past five years for domestic historical idol dramas. Even the queen of films was making a cameo as a princess. Du Mei and Li Ye's two studios were named as co-producers, with Lu Zhou and Li Changzheng as the lead actors.

What was even more remarkable was that Lu Zhou's name appeared before Li Changzheng's... Thinking about it, Xiao Yi admired him even more.

Now, the script was less than half complete, but Xiao Yi eagerly immersed himself in it. He loved reading scripts, directly envisioning himself as the characters, as if he were going through the entire drama in his mind. However, when he reached halfway through and found it missing, it was like scratching his heart and lungs, almost wanting to go to the screenwriter's house and camp at his door.

Lu Zhou, on the other hand, wasn't very interested in the script. He wasn't looking forward to collaborating with Li Changzheng either. But considering the buzz generated just from leaking a bit of information, he wondered how the fans from both sides would battle it out once the drama aired.

It would definitely be chaotic.

For this drama, Lu Zhou's remuneration was pushed up to twelve million. Li Changzheng didn't know, and Lu Zhou didn't bother to ask. But both sides were willing to invest, with Lu Zhou contributing ten million.

"If it doesn't make a profit, Du Mei will cry her eyes out," Lu Zhou lazily remarked.

"How could it not make a profit?" Xiao Yi said. "This drama is bound to be sensational..."

"It's hard to say. Almost everything Li Changzheng invests in doesn't make a profit," Lu Zhou mentioned.

"Really?" Xiao Yi asked.

"Yeah," Lu Zhou said. "Last time, his movie cost one hundred and forty million. It needed nearly five to six hundred million at the box office to break even. Six hundred million? Could that crappy film even make six hundred million? In the end, it lost money so badly that he almost didn't recognize it. Now he finally knows that movies aren't easy to profit from, so he wants to make money from TV dramas instead."

Xiao Yi's mouth twitched. He thought, indeed, big profits come from big risks. Lu Zhou clearly took money matters very seriously. He rarely invested casually and had pondered for a long time before bringing out ten million, consulting a bunch of people.

*

Lu Zhou's birthday was approaching, and Xiao Yi was still thinking about the cake from last time. He racked his brains, not knowing what gift to prepare for him. However, Lu Zhou never mentioned his birthday, nor did he ask Xiao Yi for a birthday present. Xiao Yi knew that on Lu Zhou's birthday, the company would be filled with gifts sent by fans, so whatever he gave would be inconsequential, instantly drowned in a sea of precious gifts.

Lu Zhou didn't care at all. Until July 12th, when Xiao Yi moved his belongings back from the company to their home, it took a whole truckload. Lu Zhou said again, "Why do you keep bringing all this stuff home? Take it away!"

Xiao Yi said, "I... I'll handle it."

Lu Zhou said, "Is your room big enough? At this rate, it'll be full in a few days!"

Although Lu Zhou said that, he didn't throw anything away in the end, and could only clear out a room for Xiao Yi to store the gifts sent by fans. Until the evening of July 13th, Lu Zhou changed his clothes, put on a shirt and shorts, and went out to celebrate his birthday party with friends.

The weather was already very hot, and Lu Zhou had unbuttoned two buttons, revealing his tanned chest and sexy clavicles. As Xiao Yi drove, his heart raced wildly. These days, he gradually realized that while it didn't matter before, now he cared a lot. He felt that Lu Zhou was simply radiating charm, and no matter how they interacted, Xiao Yi's feelings for him grew stronger. He was almost at the point of wanting to kiss him.

However, that was impossible. He had to control himself, he absolutely couldn't overstep... Xiao Yi thought, as long as he looked from afar, it was fine. He didn't expect anything more.

"Are you going?" Lu Zhou asked. "To sing? Are you coming?"

"I'm not going," Xiao Yi immediately replied. "Director Du advised me to avoid appearing with you too often. So the paparazzi won't start gossiping again."

Lu Zhou hesitated for a moment and said, "Forget it, let's go up together."

"No, no," Xiao Yi quickly shook his head. "You go ahead."

Lu Zhou's producer friends, a few male and female actors, were all there. There was too much gossip in the circle, and Xiao Yi wouldn't go no matter what. He insisted, "I'll wait for you in the car. Have fun."

"Why don't you go take a walk?" Lu Zhou said before getting out of the car. "I'll call you when it's over."

"Okay," Xiao Yi answered with a smile.

Lu Zhou went to sing karaoke, while Xiao Yi quietly sat in the car, holding a birthday gift from a fan. He really liked this gift, even though Lu Zhou had never seen it. It was a pair of phone accessories: cute Chibi figurines of Lu Zhou and Xiao Yi, along with matching phone cases. Xiao Yi was shocked when he received this gift, but he also had fans now. Though not as many as Lu Zhou's millions, he had a modest ten thousand.

Xiao Yi got a new phone, just like Lu Zhou's. He wanted to attach the charm to his phone but couldn't decide whether to give one to Lu Zhou too. That would make it couple phone charms. But wouldn't that be too obvious? What if Lu Zhou found out he liked him...

Xiao Yi never wanted this feeling to turn into love. He didn't even want to think of it as love. It seemed dirty and meaningless once his feelings for Lu Zhou turned into unrequited love. He didn't want to admit it was love, even though he unconditionally liked Lu Zhou. It was because of Lu Zhou's appeal, not because Xiao Yi was gay.

Brotherly feelings seemed better. When he realized he had sexual desires for Lu Zhou, he felt embarrassed and ashamed. What were those thoughts...

Xiao Yi leaned against the steering wheel, holding the charm, then glanced at his phone, and finally attached the charm.

Should he post on Weibo to wish Lu Zhou a happy birthday? Lu Zhou wouldn't see it, and if he did post, he would be flown by Lu Zhou's fans. If he didn't post, he would still be swarmed... Xiao Yi felt like throwing his phone and yelling for his mother. The world was really dangerous.

In WeChat, Anjie, the coordinator, said, "Wish my idol a happy birthday for me. Xiao Yi, aren't you two going out?"

"No, we're not," Xiao Yi replied. "He's singing karaoke with friends."

"That's outrageous!" Anjie complained in the group chat. "Leaving you alone at home?"

Xiao Yi was about to reply when Lu Zhou suddenly roared nearby, "Do you want to die? Do you dare to complain about me in the group chat!"

Xiao Yi: "..."

Lu Zhou wore a birthday cone hat on his head, a string under his chin, and stood outside the car looking at Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi almost burst out laughing. He looked so silly.

"Is it over already?" Xiao Yi asked.

"Uh," Lu Zhou said.

Xiao Yi asked, "Still less than an hour."

Lu Zhou said, "I don't want to play anymore."

Xiao Yi said, "..."

Lu Zhou got in the car, threw a few bags on the back seat, and sat in the passenger seat. Xiao Yi looked at Lu Zhou for a long time. Lu Zhou looked inexplicably at him and ordered, "Let's go."

"Are you really not playing anymore?" Xiao Yi asked.

"The noise is giving me a headache," Lu Zhou explained.

Xiao Yi drove the car out, stuck in traffic on the second ring road. Lu Zhou seemed to be waiting for something, looking at Xiao Yi with a ‘you know it’ expression. Xiao Yi snapped back to reality, realizing that Lu Zhou must be asking for his birthday gift. So Xiao Yi took out a phone case and a phone charm.

"Is this my birthday gift?" Lu Zhou threw the items forward and said, "It's so insincere!"

"It's from a fan... Handmade," Xiao Yi underlined.

Lu Zhou replied, "No! What nonsense is this!"

Xiao Yi said, "I have a birthday gift for you."

Lu Zhou: "Bring it."

Xiao Yi: "But right now... I didn't bring it, I can't get it out."

Lu Zhou grunted, leaned against the car window, propped up one foot, and rested his ankle on the knee of the other leg, closing his eyes to sleep. He smelled of alcohol, so Xiao Yi handed him a jacket to cover himself and leaned over, almost about to kiss him on the face.

Xiao Yi's heart pounded. That action almost came from his heart, but luckily, he restrained himself.

Xiao Yi thought, well, I knew you wouldn't want this phone charm... He stopped at a red light, took out his phone, and started fiddling with it.

Lu Zhou sneakily opened his eyes, raised his eyebrows slightly, and stretched his neck toward Xiao Yi's phone to sneak a peek. Xiao Yi seemed to have bought something, then he raised his head, and Lu Zhou immediately closed his eyes again, pretending to sleep.

Xiao Yi turned the steering wheel, got off the overpass, and soon entered the highway. Before the toll stall, he took out a sleep mask and put it on Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou: "..."

Xiao Yi: "I'll take you to get your birthday gift, but sleep for a while first."

Lu Zhou pulled down the eye mask slightly. When Xiao Yi passed through the toll stall, he glanced at Lu Zhou and felt like kissing him. With the eye mask on, Lu Zhou only showed his beautiful nose, handsome profile, and sexy lips, making Xiao Yi hard to control himself. Once this kind of thing started, emotions were like an unstoppable flood. Looking at him, Xiao Yi could feel the surging emotions in his heart, liking him more and more, wanting to look at him more and more...

Xiao Yi finally managed to gather his senses, swiped his card to pay the toll, and continued on the highway.

"Try not to move around alone in the future, okay?" Lu Zhou suddenly said.

"Huh?" Xiao Yi was focused on driving but stole a glance at Lu Zhou. "Why?"

"Some people don't like you and want to beat you up," Lu Zhou explained.

Xiao Yi laughed and asked, "Do you want to beat me up, Zhou ge?"

"Who's joking with you?" Lu Zhou insisted. "Someone wants to hit you! Send you to the hospital! Teach you a lesson, make you behave! Understand?"

Xiao Yi: "..."

"Who?" Xiao Yi started to feel a bit dangerous and angry. He added, "I haven't done anything."

"I don't know," Lu Zhou answered. "But as long as you stay by my side, no one can touch you."

Xiao Yi vaguely understood. Lu Zhou ended his birthday party so quickly, so his friends must have told him something. But who would want to hit him? Zhang Xinran and his manager? Xiao Yi often heard about such things in the entertainment industry but never thought it would happen to him. He didn't offend anyone or provoke anyone, yet he was still getting into trouble.

"The entertainment industry is like the martial world," Lu Zhou was with the mask on, his lips moved slightly, and he casually said, "Full of intrigue, seeking revenge and repaying kindness. Even if you're good to someone, they may not remember your kindness. If you offend someone, they'll come after you."

Xiao Yi murmured in agreement and uttered, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble again."

"It's not your fault," Lu Zhou lazily replied. "It's my fault."

Xiao Yi thought, you also know it's your fault. This time, Lu Zhou surprisingly didn't scold him. Instead, he said gently, "But you've done some things right. In the entertainment industry, although people's hearts are treacherous, there are still some good people. You're good to them, and they're good to you. Some people are straightforward, serious, and kind."

"Like Sister Li and them?" Xiao Yi asked.

"That day, when you were on the main road," Lu Zhou mentioned, "the paparazzi were following us. If it weren't for Ning Yaqing pulling you away, you would have been photographed. Later, she even called me. She's considered a good person. Remember to thank her when you have the chance."

Lu Zhou didn't add anything else. Xiao Yi sometimes felt that the entertainment industry wasn't as bad as many people said. There was favouritism, backstabbing, but there were also people who appreciated kindness and honesty. Some individuals, such as Director Guo, focused intently on producing films without distractions, while others aimed to advance by attaching themselves to influential figures, climbing social hierarchies. There were also those who exercised their wealth to dominate others, as well as individuals who idly passed their lives without purpose.

 

"We've arrived," Xiao Yi smiled. "Ta dam—"

Lu Zhou: "..."

Xiao Yi went to the back to get the luggage, took Lu Zhou's passport to exchange tickets. The visa had been processed a few days ago, and he even bought first-class tickets. Xiao Yi felt a bit distressed; the round-trip tickets alone cost him over ten thousand yuan. But going abroad for a vacation was better than staying home every day, especially with the scorching weather in Beijing recently.

"Where did you get the money?" Lu Zhou looked at Xiao Yi inexplicably.

Xiao Yi noted, "From you."

Lu Zhou: "..."

Xiao Yi comforted, "I earned it from writing songs. Two songs earned me forty thousand. The round-trip airfare, hotel, I'm treating you to a vacation. I'm covering everything!"

Lu Zhou reached out for the ticket, but Xiao Yi didn't show it to him. He directly put away the boarding pass and gestured for him to enter the lounge. At 11 p.m., they boarded the plane bound for Bangkok.

*

On the plane, Lu Zhou played with his phone for a while before putting it away. Xiao Yi glanced unintentionally and saw that Lu Zhou had already changed his phone case and attached the little figurine. His heart raced with nervousness and joy.

However, when they arrived in Bangkok, Xiao Yi hesitated and stumbled over his broken English at the rental car counter, so Lu Zhou directly took him aside.

Lu Zhou fluently spoke in British-style English, leaving Xiao Yi dumbfounded, almost dropping to his knees.

However, speaking fluent English was of no use because the Thai people couldn't understand it, leaving them all puzzled.

Xiao Yi had to explain again painfully, he rented a car, and then started getting lost, wandering through the city until 6 in the morning when they finally reached the hotel.

Lu Zhou was almost defeated by Xiao Yi: "You didn't even plan the itinerary. What's the point of coming out to play?"

"I'm planning it now," Xiao Yi said.

"Whatever, whatever," Lu Zhou said, "Let's sleep first and talk later."

Finally, they escaped Beijing for once, far from the urban area and the paparazzi, so they could finally wear sunglasses openly, dressed in tank tops and shorts, to go shopping. For a whole week, Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou wandered around, even visiting Phuket (NT: a very touristic and beautiful region of islands).

Xiao Yi wasn't very good at swimming and lost to Lu Zhou every time. Lu Zhou would kick him into the water systematically. After returning from Chiang Mai, they toured Bangkok until they went to make wishes at the Four-Faced Buddha.

"What wish did you make?" Lu Zhou asked.

Xiao Yi replied, "I can't say."

Lu Zhou said, "When you make a wish here, you have to fulfil it."

"Oh," Xiao Yi said, "Then when my wish comes true, I'll fulfil it. Will you come along, Zhou ge?"

Lu Zhou was more familiar with Bangkok than Xiao Yi; he often vacationed here, so he didn't say much. After a moment of thought, he added, "You make a wish to me first. If your wish doesn’t come true, then you go to the Four-Faced Buddha." (NT: Phra Phrom, the deity of good fortune and protection)

Xiao Yi looked at Lu Zhou, the two standing at the street intersection outside the temple, Lu Zhou's sunglasses reflecting Xiao Yi's nervous expression.

"You... might not be able to fulfill it," Xiao Yi smiled.

"Tell me about it?" Lu Zhou raised his eyebrows and suddenly said, "Maybe I can do it?"

"It's impossible," Xiao Yi smiled, "I can't say. I'm going to make my wish."

Lu Zhou put his hand on Xiao Yi's shoulder and said, "Is it about me or about you?"

Xiao Yi didn't answer, and Lu Zhou took off his sunglasses, looking into his eyes.

"About us," Lu Zhou said, "Am I right?"

Xiao Yi said, "Actually, it's about asking the Four-Faced Buddha to bless you to successfully pass the career hurdles in your life, to smoothly transition, and for your career to develop better and wider."

Xiao Yi looked at Lu Zhou, and Lu Zhou finally said, "Wait, I'm going to buy incense."

Lu Zhou bought incense and came back. They took turns to bow in the four directions. Xiao Yi was a bit surprised and asked, "Do you have a wish to make too?"

"Um," Lu Zhou didn't add more.

Xiao Yi didn't ask much either, until Du Mei called to urge them to return for a meeting, did they leave Thailand. The filming was brought ahead of time.

They turned on their phones early. Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou basked for a full week, almost driving Du Mei crazy. Luckily, Lu Zhou's face didn't get sunburned much. Du Mei said, "You two are simply..."

Xiao Yi said, " very tanned? It shouldn't be that dark. I should be fairer than Indian people, right?"

Du Mei said, "Lu Zhou is fine, but you, Xiao Yi, are you planning to play Bao Gong?" (NT: a Chinese politician during the Song dynasty)

"Oh, me... I'll be fair again soon. I never stay dark for more than three months; I'll quickly get fair again," Xiao Yi said.

Du Mei mentioned, "I'm thinking of arranging a supporting role for you."

"No need," Xiao Yi smiled and said, "I'll just be an assistant."

Du Mei remarked, "Others are eager to join the crew, but you're pushing yourself out."

Xiao Yi laughed, "Let the newcomers have the opportunity."

As soon as he said this, the entire office fell silent. Xiao Yi realized he might have said something wrong and felt a bit nervous. Du Mei and Lin Yao seemed to have discovered something and exchanged a glance. However, Lu Zhou proudly said, "Heard that?"

Du Mei: "..."

Lu Zhou proposed, "Let's go, get ready to join the crew."

Xiao Yi asked Lu Zhou, "Did I say something wrong?"

"No," Lu Zhou spoke lightly, "It's very good, young comrade. The country needs people like you, who are dedicated to their career without seeking fame or profit. I've decided to sign you a lifetime contract of dedication."

Xiao Yi smiled immediately, but Lu Zhou became serious again, "But don't get it wrong. The contract is one-sided. If you don't perform well, I can fire you at any time."

Xiao Yi: "..."

*

Three days later, Xiao Yi packed his things and prepared to join the crew at Hengdian, once again. He feared and loved this place. Firstly, the weather was too hot; in the summer, Hengdian felt like a steamer. Filming a few scenes felt like being fished out of water. Xiao Yi and the crew sought every opportunity to keep cool.

However, Lu Zhou and Li Changzheng suffered more; they had to wear thick ancient costumes and had scenes every day. This drama had two lead roles. Xiao Yi had read the script once. It was full of drama and fights, investigating cases and conflicts, and each time they would find clues accidentally. They would love and hate each other, and Bai Yutang occasionally helped Zhan Zhao investigate.

The director, screenwriter, production team, and post-production special effects were all top-notch in the country. Li Ye personally participated.

On the first day of shooting, when Lu Zhou and Li Changzheng arrived together, the entire Hengdian was crowded, almost bursting the scenery of the Qingming Riverside Painting (NT: a handscroll painting by the Song dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan). (1)

Xiao Yi was pushed around, feeling dizzy, and had to protect Lu Zhou and Li Changzheng. Li Changzheng, amidst his busy schedule, found time to talk to him briefly, saying that they should go out for dinner and a chat one evening. After that, Xiao Yi didn't know where he was pushed to.

Shortly after, fans of Li Changzheng and Lu Zhou started fighting outside the venue, causing a small-scale riot that was later broken up by the police.

The promotion of this drama on Weibo has almost gone crazy, with all sorts of supernatural creatures appearing. After experiencing half a day of chaos, Xiao Yi finally got a chance to catch his breath and went into the studio to wait for Lu Zhou to take his makeup photos. Lu Zhou was putting on a helmet, and for the convenience of shooting in ancient costumes he had shaved his head to a buzz cut. Li Changzheng, on the other hand, kept his long hair, ready to have his wig attached for the shoot.

 

--

Translator’s note

(1) Along the River During the Qingming Festival

 

Translator : DarNan