112: Tender

Chu Yilan's dependence on Shen Lian remained as before, but his desire for control was no longer what it used to be.

When Shen Lian first moved into the villa, if he returned a few minutes late, Chu Yilan would think he couldn't take it anymore and had run away; now, with Shen Lian staying with the film crew for a shoot, it wasn't so unacceptable to the man.

But they still had to seize the time to enjoy some tenderness.

Only each other's breathing and heartbeats remained in their ears, completely ignoring what was happening in the outside world.

Sun Binghe looked at the young man walking toward him and sighed softly.

He just wouldn't listen.

Jiang Nong glanced at the car behind Sun Binghe, "Where's Brother Shen?"

"Don't call him that so casually." Sun Binghe exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Just call him 'Teacher Shen' properly."

Jiang Nong took a deep breath, his tone softening. "Actually, you don't need to be so hostile toward me. I'm sincere."

"Sincere?" Sun Binghe chuckled, flicking the ash with one hand. "Although I've never been in a relationship, I know that feelings aren't as simple as just being 'sincere.' They also require 'mutual affection.' Do you think Teacher Shen is interested in you?"

Jiang Nong argued his case, "That's because Brother Shen hasn't gotten to know me deeply yet!"

"Know what about you?" Sun Binghe countered. "The man has clearly expressed his rejection, yet you have no sense of boundaries. To put it bluntly, you're inherently self-important. If you were a bit tougher, I might appreciate you a little, but the truth is, one look from your brother and you immediately fold. Are you still waiting for your brother to feed you like he's peeling shrimp for you?"

Jiang Nong couldn't win the argument against Sun Binghe and understood that Sun Binghe didn't like him at all.

"Brother Shen is in that car, isn't he?" Jiang Nong felt a faint sense of unease, always feeling that something was hidden in that car. "I have something to discuss with Brother Shen."

Sun Binghe stepped aside, his gaze calm and rippleless. "Go ahead and try to find him, then."

Sun Binghe's tone already carried a faint threat. Anyone with a modicum of sense would know not to mess with other people's things, but a sudden cold wind made Jiang Nong feel increasingly irritable. His heart throbbed as he met Sun Binghe's gaze, but his long-standing habit of acting recklessly soon gained the upper hand.

The next second, he strode forward, making a move to open the door. As he passed by Sun Binghe, the hairs on his body stood on end.

Jiang Nong gripped the door handle. The gaze behind him felt more and more like thorns in his back. Sun Binghe's dangerous aura seemed to spread through the night, making the oxygen feel thin.

But Jiang Nong was just unwilling to give up, unconvinced, and didn't think Sun Binghe could do anything to him.

Click!

The car door wasn't locked. If he gripped it from the outside and pulled hard, it would open.

Bang!!

A biting wind from a fist brushed past his ear as Sun Binghe slammed a punch into the car door, instantly shattering Jiang Nong's paper-thin confidence.

"Ah!" He couldn't help but cry out, looking back at Sun Binghe. "What are you doing?!"

Sun Binghe said coldly, "Get lost!"

The disgust in Sun Binghe's eyes stung Jiang Nong deeply. Coupled with the fact that he truly didn't have the courage to try a second time, his mind fell into a mess, and he immediately fled in panic.

"Heavens." Shen Lian looked out the window in surprise. "That gave me a start."

Looking out from inside this car, everything was perfectly clear. Chu Yilan recalled Jiang Nong's panicked face just now, and a bit of pride and joy couldn't help but overflow from his heart. What was the use of just being young?

Although Master Chu wasn't a superficial person, he still felt he was much better than the other guy.

The two doted on each other for another half hour until the sky was completely dark. Only then did Chu Yilan reluctantly let him go.

"Go on. I'm going home. Call me if anything happens."

Shen Lian gave a roguish grin. "Okay."

Stepping out of the car, the cold wind blew in gusts.

Shen Lian shivered and turned to Sun Binghe. "Assistant Sun, this... you've been standing guard for an hour? You didn't have to; it would've been much better to sit inside."

"It's fine. I feel more at ease watching over things personally." Sun Binghe heard the sound of the car window rolling down and turned his head to reveal a perfectly gentle smile. "Is the Boss going home?"

"Mm." Chu Yilan's features appeared particularly deep in the dim light. He stared at Sun Binghe for a moment, a smile appearing in his eyes. "I'll give you a bonus."

Sun Binghe expressed that he could stand for another two hours.

Once Chu Yilan left, Shen Lian and Sun Binghe walked back together.

"Teacher Shen, you didn't even finish your lunch box. I'll bring some food to your room later," Sun Binghe said.

Shen Lian gave an "Mm," then couldn't help but say, "Assistant Sun, you're so thoughtful and thorough; most people would find it hard to handle."

Sun Binghe did not refute this.

Indeed, many people would mistake his "thoroughness" for "gentleness and consideration," but they were two different things. If they couldn't tell the difference, they would waste time on him and then suffer for it. Everything Sun Binghe did was to maximize benefits; that was his nature.

When disguise becomes a habit, it's as simple as breathing for Sun Binghe.

In fact, when he was alone, he wasn't strict or proper at all. He would throw clothes on the floor and leave towels on the sofa, doing whatever was comfortable.

To Sun Binghe, his private space was a sanctuary of freedom. Once he stepped out of his house, he needed to be on high alert, making no mistakes to go further.

His life had a disastrous start. Meeting Yang Bin and receiving his guidance, then being appreciated by Chu Yilan, had already used up all his luck. To expect a pie to fall from the sky would be truly impolite.

Entering the set, the staff were packing up props and equipment. Chen Zao and the other actors had gone to rest. Su Niansheng and Jiang Nong were sitting on a sofa in the corner, seemingly talking about something.

Jiang Nong looked over, and when Shen Lian met his gaze, he only gave a polite nod.

Director Liu Zong didn't lack lounges here; there were plenty for both actors and assistants.

Shen Lian and Sun Binghe both disagreed with Jiang You staying here; the Young Girl would leave before dark and come back the next morning.

Around ten o'clock, Shen Lian took a shower. Not long after, Sun Binghe brought a portion of chicken steak rice. There wasn't much, but it tasted great. Shen Lian ate it all, and after satisfying his stomach and chatting briefly with Chu Yilan, he brushed his teeth and went to bed.

Work started at 8:30 the next morning. Besides the actors needing to work on their acting and lines, everyone else's workflow was about the same.

Under the horrified gazes of passersby, Jiang You was hunched over a small round table, working on test papers.

That's right, test papers.

Jiang You also had to take the Level 8 A-Language exam.

Best Actress Chen Zao came over out of curiosity, but after just one look, she clutched her forehead and left; it really made her head spin.

With Sun Binghe watching, Jiang You's concentration improved significantly.

Once one paper was finished, Sun Binghe graded it on the spot.

Even from a distance, Shen Lian broke into a cold sweat for Jiang You.

"My goodness, look at this accuracy." Sun Binghe twirled his pen. "Even if I stayed up for three days and had a severe cold, and only read the questions once while groggy, my accuracy would still be at this level."

Jiang You lowered her head and slowly covered her face.

But Jiang You had one very good trait: she would learn whatever you taught her. Her attitude was upright, and Sun Binghe liked her even if she was a bit slow.

Not just in studies, but also in the workplace and interpersonal relationships, Sun Binghe would offer some guidance.

After spending more time with him, Jiang You grew bolder. "Assistant Sun, you've even studied these things?"

Sun Binghe looked serious. "Student Jiang You, I wasn't born with an innate roasting constitution. I've been through the stage you're in. I'm like this now because I have the strength and confidence, understand?"

Jiang You nodded vigorously.