118: Get out!

Chu Yilan didn't expect to see Shen Lian when he opened his eyes.

In those few minutes, with the cold wind howling outside and the room as warm as spring, he actually had the illusion of being carefully sheltered.

No, it wasn't an illusion.

Chu Yilan just lay there motionless, staring at Shen Lian for a long time.

Truly, even if Shen Lian were to plunge a knife into his chest right now, Chu Yilan wouldn't even bat an eye.

Standing under the hot water, he felt the exhaustion and heaviness of the past few days being washed away bit by bit. The next second, the bathroom door was pushed open, and through the thin steam, Chu Yilan turned around.

Shen Lian mouthed a "wow," his eyes lighting up. Without any concealment, his gaze, tinged with lust, violated Chu Yilan from head to toe, inwardly marveling at the great waist and legs!

Shen Lian squeezed out some toothpaste to brush his teeth, his eyes glancing over from time to time.

Chu Yilan found it amusing and said in a deep voice, "Want to shower together?"

"Wait until I finish brushing my teeth," Shen Lian said indistinctly. "It's not like we haven't showered together before. You used me as a towel last night, rubbing sweat all over me."

Chu Yilan nodded calmly, "Okay."

Shen Lian let out a lewd chuckle as he took off his pajamas, looking like a total rogue. He sidled under the showerhead, tilted his head back to soak his face, and asked, "Why didn't you tell me immediately when you got sick?"

Chu Yilan pressed up from behind. At that moment, Shen Lian shivered slightly, feeling the temperature was a bit too high.

Shen Lian turned back sharply, "Are you running a fever again?"

"No."

Shen Lian seemed to realize that his actions had made Chu Yilan "hungry." Feigning composure, he said, "Your fever just broke, don't be reckless."

"Who's being reckless?" Chu Yilan grabbed Shen Lian's wrists, forcing both his hands against the wall tiles. He leaned close to his ear, his breath smelling of fresh mint. "Was that Jiang Nong behind the trending search? Why did you fly straight here? Did the production crew let you take leave?"

Shen Lian: "You have so many questions. Which one should I answer first?"

"Whichever," Chu Yilan replied. "As long as you can say it."

Shen Lian: "..."

There was no escaping. The temperature in the bathroom suddenly rose, and their figures under the lights almost merged into one. Shen Lian inhaled a mouthful of steam, not daring to make a sound. His affectionate eyes reflected Chu Yilan's incomparably handsome features. He thought to himself, *I really delivered myself right to his doorstep from a thousand miles away.*

The bath took nearly two hours. When Shen Lian was carried out, even his fingertips felt sore.

"You've passed your cold to me," Shen Lian said weakly.

"No," Chu Yilan said. "It's because you lack sleep."

This was true. As soon as Shen Lian's head hit the pillow, he became drowsy and soon lost consciousness.

Chu Yilan covered him with a blanket, changed the duvet, raised the room temperature, and then changed his clothes to leave.

The trending search had already been suppressed by Sun Binghe. On his way here last night, Shen Lian had posted a clarification on the Social Media Platform with one sentence: [Focusing on my career, it's nothing.]

Shen Lian had wanted to curse, but Hu Kailan was on the other end letting out pig-slaughtering screams, begging him to stay calm, so he barely managed to hold back.

Shen Lian's fans were becoming more confident. When anti-fans and Jiang Nong's fans said he had a big attitude and was being disrespectful, they were immediately blasted. Oh, being low-key isn't okay, and clarifying isn't okay either? Do you guys have no shame at all?

Xu Jingge was truly catching a break to recover his energy. He actually hadn't slept enough and lacked spirit, feeling as if there was still residual alcohol in his stomach. Despite dominating the meetings, as soon as he reached the break area, he would collapse into a puddle of mud.

So when Chu Yilan walked in full of energy, Xu Jingge's face was written with indignation.

"What did you do last night?" Xu Jingge asked. "You're better already?"

"Mhm." Chu Yilan sat down on the nearby sofa. Although he was expressionless, he clearly looked in a good mood. His tone was indifferent but packed a punch: "My wife came."

Xu Jingge pounded the sofa hard and then pointed at the door: "Get out!"

Chu Yilan curled his lips into a smile.

He was riding high on success.

With Sun Binghe there, the speed of negotiations and problem-solving was faster. Chu Yilan just came out to get some food and show off a bit to Xu Jingge. He didn't participate in the contracts and soon returned to the hotel.

Shen Lian was still asleep, rolling over while wrapped in the blanket, his profile looking peaceful.

Chu Yilan brought back porridge and soup dumplings filled with beef. As soon as the aroma wafted out, Shen Lian murmured, "Hmm?" He forced his eyes open and lifted his head. "Smells so good."

Chu Yilan: "Eat before you go back to sleep."

"Okay!" Shen Lian scrambled up instantly, but the next second, it was as if someone had pressed pause. His eyes gradually filled with accusation as one hand tremblingly pressed against his waist.

Chu Yilan stepped forward: "Come, I'll carry you there."

Shen Lian enjoyed CEO Chu's service. After a quick brush and wash, he came out and ate ravenously. There were four side dishes, all exquisitely plated and in just the right portions. Shen Lian popped a soup dumpling into his mouth and looked at Chu Yilan: "You eat too."

Chu Yilan just nodded and didn't pick up his chopsticks: "Mhm, you eat first. I'll watch for a bit."

Shen Lian sensed something and gave a soft chuckle.

So easy to coax, Shen Lian thought. He had just rushed over from Qudu to stay the night, and Chu Yilan was satisfied and no longer held a grudge.

Jiang You sent a message to Shen Lian, saying everything was normal on set. Su Niansheng had been beaten up, but he didn't seem particularly angry.

Does he even have the right to be angry? Shen Lian thought. They were two people in their twenties, yet they lacked self-control and discipline. Shen Lian felt that if they needed a brain check, they'd have to go to pediatrics.

Shen Lian finished eating and yawned. Chu Yilan cleared away the leftovers and carried him back to bed.

"Take your medicine," Shen Lian reminded him.

"Mhm."

Afterward, the two leaned against the headboard, chatting idly.

Only then did Chu Yilan learn that Shen Lian had hit someone on set.

"It's a good thing he's not my brother," Shen Lian said. "Otherwise, I would've disciplined him long ago."

Chu Yilan listened quietly. Looking back now, he felt like laughing. No matter how he looked at it, Jiang Nong wasn't enough to make him feel even a sliver of wariness, but subconsciously, he just wanted Shen Lian to coax him.

Shen Lian turned over to face Chu Yilan, his blinking slowing down. "At the latest tomorrow, I have to go back to Qudu."

"Mhm, I'll go with you," Chu Yilan said. "Things here are mostly handled."

The two huddled together to catch up on sleep. They booked a flight for the next afternoon. Shen Lian had decided that after Dawn finished filming, he wouldn't take on any more roles for a while, at least until next spring.

Xu Jingge came to see them off personally the next day. He still had to stay for a while, but the thorny issues were eighty percent resolved.

Shen Lian noticed that Xu Jingge seemed a bit reluctant to communicate with Chu Yilan.

"Did you upset him?" Shen Lian whispered.

Chu Yilan: "He's probably jealous. Chang Qing is busy and doesn't have time to see him. He was even mocking me the day before yesterday for being pathetic with a cold."

Shen Lian gave an understanding smile.

Chu Yilan's voice hadn't fully recovered, but he'd be fine after a few more doses of medicine. When the plane landed and they arrived in Qudu, Shen Lian didn't even have time to go home and immediately rushed to the set. Yang Bin's flight was two days later, while Sun Binghe continued to act as Shen Lian's assistant.