Volume 1 - CH 3

In which the translator fumbles around trying to translate the sex scene as smoothly as possible. Remember, kids, thesauruses are your best friends!

Volume 1, Chapter 3

A few days later, when the new series began filming, Gu Yan received an unexpected surprise.

Zhang Ji blinked those big eyes and greeted him with a smile in the dressing room. “Yan-ge, thank you for taking care of me a few days ago. It’s a rare opportunity to act in the same show as you; I’m really too happy.”

Gu Yan made a sound in acknowledgment. Though he was internally surprised, he didn’t actually say anything out loud and exchanged a few words of greeting very normally. It was only when he returned to put on makeup that he heard from Xiao-Chen that Zhang Ji had been given a male supporting role as the female lead’s younger brother. The person didn’t have too many scenes, and he was simply set to act as the inexperienced young master of the Fu family, full of red-faced embarrassment. It wouldn’t be a difficult role, and it was also one that was easily likeable.

Zhang Ji had begun his career only recently, and so this kind of role wasn’t too above his abilities. It could also help accumulate more popularity, so it was quite a suitable one.

But… why exactly were they forced together like this?

Gu Yan thought back to the words from that night. Qin Zhiyuan did indeed mention the matter of shooting a new series and had dropped foreshadowing everywhere in the conversation; it was his own fault that he had been so absentminded and hadn’t noticed a single thing.

This time it was a supporting role; next time, it’d probably be the lead.

Hadn’t he been the same way?

In the past, he had always had minor roles, and he acted in countless roles as a flower vase in name only, scolded so often that even his ears grew calluses. Later, he immediately got promoted to a leading role the moment he climbed into Boss Qin’s bed. From then on, everyone knew that Gu Yan never acted in supporting roles.

No wonder so many people rushed forward fearlessly, throwing themselves at Qin Zhiyuan like moths to a flame, and the competition was even fiercer than the one for better acting roles. He wasn’t particularly more remarkable compared to everyone else, so how could he continue if he didn’t expend more effort?

Gu Yan looked at his handsome face in the mirror and, at this moment, reflected upon his lazy attitude recently. Afterwards, when they were taking promotional photos, his smile was even more brilliant than usual.

Standing in the corner of the photo, Zhang Ji’s face put his dimples on full display, and his smile was equally lovable and innocent.

The old lover and the new.

Having an open battle behind the scenes.

Gu Yan didn’t understand why Qin Zhiyuan had made such arrangements. Did that person want to see him act jealous, or to pretend he wasn’t? Or was the big boss simply bored and wanted to play at something new?

Thinking like this, when he ate dinner with Qin Zhiyuan that night, he feigned carelessness as he brought up the fact that Zhang Ji was also in the cast of the show.

Qin Zhiyuan was even more clear than him on how everything came about, but at this time, this person actually put forth a business-like attitude and said, “I heard that he had gotten into a historical drama, but I didn’t know he was in the same show as you. But this is also good. He’s still a newcomer who doesn’t know anything, so you’re in a good position to help him.”

“I can’t help with acting, but I can with other things.” Because he was in his own house, Gu Yan raised a leg and kicked Qin Zhiyuan’s own under the table, asking, “What does President Qin wish for me to teach him?”

Qin Zhiyuan very much enjoyed his flirting and, with narrowed eyes, scolded with a smile, “What nonsense.”

“Did I guess wrong? I thought that Zhang Ji was good at almost everything but that he was like a block of wood in bed, so you want him to learn from me.”

“Nothing like that.”

“Then is he flawless? Hm, that’s right, he’s obedient, adorable, and good at playing around. If I had money, I’d also definitely want to keep him.”

The more he said, the more excessive he got, but Qin Zhiyuan didn’t get angry, only replying, “How poor can a famous celebrity like you be?”

“I have high expectations, so when I count the money that I have saved up, I feel like I’m still short that little bit. When I have enough money saved, then I’ll build a house to keep my beloved.”

Qin Zhiyuan laughed. “What kind of person will you keep?”

Gu Yan turned quiet and then suddenly moved forward, placing his beautiful face right before Qin Zhiyuan as he softly said a single word, “…You.”

Qin Zhiyuan’s pupils contracted, and he stared directly at the other.

Gu Yan then dropped his previous tone and continued with, “Your brother.”

For a moment, Qin Zhiyuan’s expression was wiped blank, and then half-angry and half-laughing, he pulled Gu Yan into his arms and said, “Stop having designs on my brother.”

“OK.”

“And stop having designs on Zhang Ji.”

“OK.”

“But you can have designs on me.”

Gu Yan returned that with a large smile, raising his head to kiss the other’s chin and saying, “I’m pretty good at acting in bed…”

Qin Zhiyuan immediately understood his meaning, but he was still the ever considerate lover and didn’t forget to ask, even at this time, “Your new drama has just started filming, right? Do you have work tomorrow?”

Gu Yan responded with a question, “Do you need to hurry somewhere else tonight? If you’re in a hurry, we can do it once; if you’re not, we can do it twice.”

Qin Zhiyuan shook his head, but coincidentally, right at this time, his phone began ringing. And it wasn’t the usual vibration but rather a slow love song.

Gu Yan smiled stiffly at him. “As expected, you’re a very busy person.”

Qin Zhiyuan grabbed his phone and gave it a glance before throwing it carelessly onto the table, saying, “It’s not important.”

Gu Yan put arms around his neck and asked, “Then do you want to do it once or twice?”

Qin Zhiyuan’s response was a kiss on the lips.

Gu Yan closed his eyes and didn’t look at the caller ID on the phone. He thought that he had put on a fairly good performance for the night as, the next day, Qin Zhiyuan personally sent him to the filming location.

Zhang Ji had already changed into his costume and was currently comparing notes with a female actor. When he saw Gu Yan get out of Qin Zhiyuan’s car, he actually didn’t show the least bit of displeasure and even called out ‘Yan-ge’ as intimately as before. Even during breaks, Zhang Ji circled around Gu Yan, asking him this and that, as if Zhang Ji worshipped him a lot. To the eyes of everyone else on set, Zhang Ji simply looked like his fan, and the two of them appeared to have an especially good relationship.

At noon while they were eating their boxed lunches, Zhang Ji also insisted on sitting right next to Gu Yan. Gu Yan didn’t pay much attention to him, but he didn’t seem to care and even started softly humming a song by himself.

When Gu Yan heard that song, his heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

That song was a slow love song, mixed with a bit of foreign flavor, and he seemed to have heard it in a certain place last night. He calmly listened to the end of Zhang Ji’s singing, and it was only when Xiao-Chen returned from buying water that he carelessly asked about it.

Xiao-Chen really lived up to his name as the king of gossip, and he immediately nodded and said, “Yes, yes, I’ve heard it before. It’s Zhang Ji’s hit song from when he just debuted. Although it didn’t get super popular, it still charted a few times, so it can be considered somewhat famous. Actually, his voice is pretty ordinary, but he looks fresh and pure, innocent and naïve, really easily attracting the attention of female fans.”

Not just female fans, right?

But also certain people who get enamored with the new and bored with the old.

Gu Yan’s lips twitched, and he muttered, “It is quite nice to listen to, truly worthy of being a phone ringtone.”

Xiao-Chen’s eagerness for gossip rose, and he asked, “Yan-ge, what are you talking about?”

“Nothing, I’m just reciting some lines.”

He waved his hand and then lowered his head to read the script, suddenly finding a line that actually compelled him to read it out loud.

The naïve were even more cruel, and the sentimental, the most merciless.

This was the climax of the entire drama and what the male lead said to the female lead when he broke it off with her.

Gu Yan’s role, the male lead, was an ice-cold assassin. After meeting a government official’s daughter who just left home, he gradually changed from a heartless man into one filled with deep emotion. Although the narrative was full of all kinds of betrayals and conspiracies, in the end, he still managed to live in peace with his beloved. Of course, mixed in between that were the grudges and gratitude of the the martial arts world, the love and animosity of the imperial family, along with all kinds of cliché plot points — it was melodramatic to the extreme.

Gu Yan had originally just flipped through the script without much thought, and it was only when he flipped to this line that he thought that this story was somewhat interesting. Since his afternoon was relatively free, he took the opportunity to read through his role diligently.

Zhang Ji didn’t have many scenes, and whenever he had free time, he still loved to hang around Gu Yan, humming that love song at the drop of a hat, his dimples slightly visible on his cheeks, looking as if he was in a very good mood.

He was being far too obvious.

Gu Yan was well aware that Zhang Ji was intentionally showing off. But when comparing who could best keep their composure, how could he possibly lose? He not only acted extremely polite but also, upon finishing work, even specially gave the other a smile.

Was there an unrivaled secret to living in this world?

Of course there was. No matter how many times you lose, just maintain your calm, keep your mind and body happy and healthy, and as long as you lived longer than the other party, you’d still be the one who won in the end.

So when Gu Yan returned home that night, the first things he did were to eat a good meal and take a nice bath. Only afterwards did he open his computer and go on the internet, searching up Zhang Ji’s songs and listening to all of them once. Xiao-Chen had been right — Zhang Ji’s singing ability was nothing special, and the only one that stood out among his songs was that hit love song. That song was called Half-Beat Behind, and it was the tune of the song that was good, carrying with it a bit of traditional flavor, making the lyrics sound very poignant when sung, luckily bringing out the most unique aspects of the singer’s voice.

Once Gu Yan heard it, he became somewhat addicted to it, and during the next few days when Qin Zhiyuan didn’t come over, he put on the song every day.

Qin Zhiyuan was probably running between two places at once, and so the number of meetings between them had lessened by a noticeable amount, but he still often sent Gu Yan text messages, sometimes saying that he had a meeting, other times saying he had a business trip, all of it about how he was busy with work. Gu Yan wondered if Boss Qin’s cellphone had a certain software installed that would send messages to all his little lovers at a designated time, or else how could he find the time with how busy he was? He even earnestly considered whether he should make some soup, to help boost a certain person’s health.[1]

But before he was able to put this plan into action, Qin Zhiyuan had already called and asked if he was free that night.

Of course, Gu Yan said he was free. Luckily, filming hadn’t been too intense recently, so he was able to return home early to prepare.

That night, when Qin Zhiyuan came over, the moment he opened the door, he heard the sound system playing Zhang Ji singing that song. That melodiously touching music reverberated through the house, tugging on people’s heartstrings.

It was a pity that Qin Zhiyuan wasn’t in the mood to appreciate it and simply furrowed his brows, calling out, “Gu Yan?”

No one responded.

Qin Zhiyuan searched everywhere; there was no one in the living room, in the kitchen, and even in the study. It was only when he finally pushed open the bedroom door that he saw Gu Yan lying on the bed.

…a Gu Yan in feminine clothes.

At the head of the bed was a nightlight. Gu Yan had put on some light makeup as well as a wig, and the long, black hair was draped over his shoulders. Those clothes were probably a costume from the set, and it was unclear what time period they were from, hanging loosely around his body, with the belt secured casually around his waist, exposing a large expanse of his snow-white chest.

Qin Zhiyuan was brought up short by the sight, and he stood by the doorway for a long while before he finally asked, “What’s with the clothes?”

“I borrowed it from the set.” With the slightest movement, Gu Yan’s slender legs peeked out from under the dress, and the contrast looked particularly enticing against the vivid crimson color.

Qin Zhiyuan closed the bedroom door and walked, step-by-step, to the side of the bed, saying, “I didn’t know you had this kind of kink.”

Gu Yan smiled as he sat up, brushing aside the hair on his temples. “It doesn’t matter whether I have this kind of kink or not. The most important thing is: do you like it, President Qin?”

Qin Zhiyuan looked up and down his body, quietly not saying a word.

Gu Yan also wasn’t anxious, simply gazing at him with a smile, two entangled legs just faintly visible beneath that dress.

Qin Zhiyuan’s expression heated up, and he raised a hand to undo his necktie, his low voice somewhat hoarse, “…it’s acceptable.”

Gu Yan then knew that he had passed the hurdle, and the corners of his eyes curved up as he took the initiative to approach, grabbing the other by the waist and using his teeth to pull down the pants zipper.

Qin Zhiyuan let out a long breath and grasped him firmly by the hair.

Gu Yan softly groaned, opening his mouth to take that hot, stiff shiftt into his mouth, skillfully bobbing his head, purposely making noise as he sucked. When he raised his head to look at Qin Zhiyuan, strands of his bangs covered up his eyes, and his slightly dazed appearance appeared very enticing.

Such soft lips.

Such an indecent position.

Such…

Qin Zhiyuan’s breaths gradually became more and more rough.

Not long after, he pulled out of Gu Yan’s mouth and pressed the person down on the bed.

The sound system was still playing that love song.

Gu Yan gasped and then began to moan with a low voice. Qin Zhiyuan shirked off that suit jacket. He then pulled off Gu Yan’s belt with one hand and pushed his thighs open with the other before firmly inserting himself between those two legs.

The hot and stiff organ very quickly pressed in.

Gu Yan’s entire body burned, but he still had enough clarity to shout in a hurry, “Don’t get the clothes dirty… I still need to return them…”

“It’s fine.” Qin Zhiyuan’s waist dipped, and he furiously pushed in deep. “I’ll pay for it.”

As he finished speaking, he grabbed Gu Yan by the waist and began to move in earnest.

Gu Yan was played by him to the point that he couldn’t even make a sound, his two legs trembling endlessly, unable to even close. In a daze, he thought that it was good he hadn’t bothered to make that health-whatever soup.

Qin Zhiyuan tossed and turned him for an entire night, making it so that, when he got out of bed the next day, his legs were like jelly and even his bones felt like they were falling apart. He could only hitch a ride once again. This time, Zhang Ji didn’t appear quite as calm; although he still sweetly called him ‘Yan-ge’, his expression was somewhat stiff.

Qin Zhiyuan was true to his words. After a few days, he sent someone to deliver two of the same historical outfits.

It was a crimson satin robe embroidered with black peonies, the workmanship extremely excellent. One set was given to the production crew, while the other was given to him to store away. Gu Yan folded that one neatly and then tossed it into the cabinets, knowing that he would never touch it again from then on. This kind of play was fresh the first time, but he’d just be a pervert if he played it too often.

But his mood was good, so he also began humming that song like Zhang Ji, even setting it as his cellphone ringtone.

Of course, there were many ways to get Qin Zhiyuan to change his ringtone.

But was there a need to do that? Wasn’t this current result much better? In the future, whenever Qin Zhiyuan heard this song, other than wondering who the singer was, it’d be hard for him not to think of that passionate night.

Right now, he didn’t care in the least if Zhang Ji called Qin Zhiyuan’s phone. Yes, the more that person called, the better.

Later, when Qin Zhiyuan invited Gu Yan out to eat, he heard this changed ringtone, and his expression changed slightly as he said, “It seems like you really enjoy this song.”

“Yes, it’s quite nice.”

Gu Yan answered very succinctly, not even mentioning Zhang Ji’s name at all.

Qin Zhiyuan then also didn’t say much, simply asking, “How’s your work recently? With how hot it’s been lately, it’s probably been difficult, right?”

The heat had not yet waned in September, and it was indeed not easy to wear such thick-layered historical clothing and heavy headdresses while filming. But luckily Gu Yan’s health wasn’t bad, and the crew had also been taking care of him very well, so he hadn’t suffered very much.

Gu Yan honestly said this to Qin Zhiyuan.

Qin Zhiyuan looked at him very tenderly and said, “I happen to be free in the afternoon the day after tomorrow. Should I visit you at work then?”

Was this a way to show him some appreciation?

However much he put forward, Qin Zhiyuan would also return in kind; these really were some fair transactions.

Gu Yan’s thoughts turned, and he remembered that he and Zhang Ji were filming their fight scene the day after tomorrow. Qin Zhiyuan was the big boss of the company, so he was definitely very clear on both their schedules. Had he chosen this time to visit in order to placate both his lovers at once?

Gu Yan felt that Qin Zhiyuan was too unreasonable. He was putting so much effort into his work, yet here the other was slacking off.

But it couldn’t be help, who let this person be the financial backer?

The only thing he could do was maintain his standard of professionalism and reveal that same smile as always, obediently giving his thanks.

Qin Zhiyuan was very satisfied with how well-behaved he was. For the next few days following that, he was no longer “busy with work” and spent two consecutive days at Gu Yan’s house. On the third day, he even got to the set early in the afternoon and generously treated everyone on the cast and crew to shaved ice.

Zhang Ji had clearly heard beforehand that he was coming and walked over to say hello, the picture of a lovable child, jet-black eyes staring straight at him.

Seeing this kind of burning gaze, even Gu Yan felt his heart move.

It was a pity that Qin Zhiyuan had to keep up his flawless appearance, remaining courteous and considerate in front of others, never crossing the line. He might allow for some ambiguity, but he’d definitely not forget his manners, treating everyone with the same kindness no matter who they were.

As such, when he praised Zhang Ji with some business-like words, the person was clearly somewhat disappointed. Gu Yan, however, was quite calm at the sight and, after seeing him nod, returned to his corner to continue memorizing his lines.

Qin Zhiyuan was also very familiar with the director, and the two exchanged some words for a while. Afterwards, he walked over to Gu Yan’s side and put on a show of looking at the script.

“Since the duty of workplace visitation has already been completed, why hasn’t the big boss returned to work already?”

“I’m free today regardless. I’ll wait for you to finish, and we can go home together.”

Gu Yan shot Zhang Ji a glance and asked, “You’re not afraid of a certain person getting jealous?”

Qin Zhiyuan lowered his head, and it seemed almost as if his lips were brushing past those black strands of hair. Smiling, he returned with, “Who?”

Ah, his acting was better than Gu Yan’s.

Gu Yan knew he was no match and so could only return to memorizing his lines.

Not long later, it was time for him and Zhang Ji to film their fight scene. This was a simple TV drama, and so the plot could be considered quite simple — the Fu family’s young master, played by Zhang Ji, had run over to reason with him, but since the two people weren’t able to see eye-to-eye, a huge argument erupted, with Gu Yan pushing the other aside with a palm and even pulling out his sword to cut a corner of the table.

The director explained the scene to both of them and allowed them to rehearse through it once. When it was actually time to shoot, for the most part, it went very smoothly.

With a red face, Zhang Ji argued and shouted, putting the arrogant willfulness of the Fu family’s child fully on display, all the while never forgetting to appear innocently adorable. Conversely, Gu Yan had very few lines, and most of what he had to do was coldly sneer and scoff before finally displaying an expression of impatience, reaching out a hand to push Zhang Ji aside—-

“Bang!”

According to the script, at this time, Zhang Ji should’ve staggered back a few steps, angrily glaring with wide eyes in response. But although his eyes were opened wide, his body seemed as if it had received a huge blow, and in the next moment, he lost his footing, tripping and falling on the floor.

Gu Yan immediately stopped, startled.

Just now he really had pushed Zhang Ji, but he… didn’t use that much strength, right?

“It hurts…” Zhang Ji tried to stand but wasn’t able to, feeling around at his own ankle while calling out that it hurts.

The director shouted out ‘cut’ at once.

The staff members came over one by one.

“What happened?”

“Were you hurt by the fall?”

“Did you twist your ankle?”

Having a small accident on set was quite normal.

Gu Yan very quickly returned to his senses and walked over to support Zhang Ji by the arm.

For a moment, Zhang Ji curled away, very obviously avoiding his hand, before turning to all the people talking around at once to explain, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing, it’s just that my leg hurts a little. I’ll feel better after a bit of rest. Just now, it was me who wasn’t standing properly, it had nothing to do with Yan-ge…”

Of course it did.

Just now, countless people had seen it with their own eyes, that he had fallen on the floor only after Gu Yan had pushed him. As for exactly how much strength was actually used, only the people involved would know that.

Gu Yan silently withdrew his hand and felt that his fingers were somewhat cold.

Zhang Ji once again stubbornly tried to stand but failed once again. When he took off his shoes and socks, he found that his ankle really was somewhat swollen. His eyes were watery, tears already gathering, and it was only through sheer force of will that they had not fallen yet.

“Quick, bring the first aid kit over!”

“We don’t know if it reached bone. I think he should still be sent to the hospital.”

The scene had already become this chaotic, so Qin Zhiyuan naturally also couldn’t just sit on the sidelines. As such, he also walked over and pressed down on Zhang Ji’s shoulder, saying some very appropriate words at a very appropriate time, “I’ll take him to the hospital.”

Zhang Ji repeatedly shook his head, insistently saying, “It’s just a small injury, there’s no need to go to such trouble. I can still continue filming.”

As he spoke, he once again tried to stand, and right as his foot touched the ground, it was so painful it made him draw a heavy breath.

He blinked his eyes, his tears finally falling, rolling down those adorable cheeks. He really looked pitifully lovely, but from Gu Yan’s position, one could coincidentally see the small, upturned curve of his mouth.

[1] Basically, if it isn’t clear, Gu Yan’s (half-jokingly) considering making some soup to help boost Qin Zhiyuan’s libido to help him keep up with all those lovers he has LOL. ↳