145: In reflection

After less than half a minute of the standoff, Feng Yueshan found it a bit hard to withstand: "Is there a flower on my face?"

Shen Lian: "Pretty much. I keep feeling like you're hiding a lot of things from us, kid."

Feng Yueshan: "That's impossible!"

Chen Mu's expression stiffened. He didn't understand the subtext of Shen Lian and the others' conversation, but strangely enough, prompted by instinct, he actually felt a bit afraid to get close to Feng Yueshan.

Chu Yilan had known Feng Yueshan for a long time after all, so he could sense something. He simply felt that Feng Yueshan was overly concerned about Chen Mu, but he hadn't even thought about it in terms of "falling in love." It wasn't that he was slow, but rather that Feng Yueshan was flirtatious in speech while actually just loving to set up social gatherings for fun. He was constantly surrounded by women, but to be honest, Chu Yilan had never seen him seriously bring anyone around.

Compared to the truly playboy Zhou Yuanlin, he was a complete novice when it came to love.

A novice talking about liking someone? What a joke.

Young Master Feng also had some acting skills under his belt. Anyway, he spent the rest of the time joking around to stabilize his emotions, simply not wanting even a hint of his feelings to be seen.

What the hell am I panicking for? Feng Yueshan thought to himself. What does one thing have to do with the other? Looking at Chen Mu a few more times meant nothing; he was just as interested in luxury watches and cars.

While resisting Shen Lian and Chu Yilan's scrutiny, Feng Yueshan brainwashed himself. By the time the banquet ended, a thin layer of sweat had already formed on his back.

So exhausting. This feeling was too foreign to Feng Yueshan, yet within that strangeness, there was a surge of nectar he had never tasted before—a bit astringent, with a slightly sweet aftertaste.

Chen Mu had come in Shen Lian's car. He didn't want to trouble anyone else, so he planned to head back on his own.

“It's not that much trouble.” Feng Yueshan stood on the steps with one hand in his pocket. He first told Chu Yilan and Shen Lian, “You guys go,” and then looked at Chen Mu: “I'll see you home.”

An inexplicable sense of crisis flooded his heart. Chen Mu wasn't afraid of Feng Yueshan, nor did he loathe him. On the contrary, he felt very grateful. Yet, he subconsciously shrank back in timidness when Feng Yueshan approached.

“No, no, no.” Chen Mu retreated down the slope. Just then, a taxi drove by, and the two words "Available" on the roof practically saved Chen Mu's life. He flagged it down, spoke to the group while accurately grabbing the car door behind him, and with a final, hurried “Goodbye,” he ducked inside.

The next second, the taxi sped away.

Feng Yueshan: "..."

Shen Lian laughed at the sight: "Seriously, Young Master Feng, did you do something behind my back? Why does Chen Mu look at you like he's seen a ghost?"

Feng Yueshan's lip twitched: "Maybe I just look terrifying."

Feng Yueshan was also very frustrated. He had seen how frugal Chen Mu was, but now, just to run away faster, he was even willing to take a taxi.

Feng Yueshan recalled what his old man had said: "With you playing around like this every day, how many people are you going to scare off? Don't end up a bachelor for the rest of your life!"

Feng Yueshan had been dismissive of this. If he couldn't find someone, he'd just have an arranged marriage. The one thing prestigious families never lacked was heirs, so what was there to fear?

“What are you thinking about?” Chu Yilan's voice suddenly rang in his ear.

Feng Yueshan replied instinctively: “Reflecting.”

Chu Yilan raised an eyebrow, thinking those two words could be used specifically for exorcism. “What's wrong with you?”

Feng Yueshan was suddenly exhausted. He waved feebly at Chu Yilan: “Forget it, brother. I’m going home.”

Chu Yilan watched Feng Yueshan leave.

Shen Lian approached, and Chu Yilan grabbed his hand, gently rubbing the back of it: “What do you think?”

“He's showing too little, I can't tell,” Shen Lian said truthfully. “But it's only a matter of time. Feng Yueshan won't be able to hide it for long.”

Chu Yilan deeply agreed.

Shen Lian returned home. After only a few days of leisure, he received a call from Director Zhao, Zhao Wenshu.

Their collaboration on "blazing fire" had been very pleasant, and it had even propelled Lin Fu to the position of "best actor." Coupled with Star Opening's investment, Zhao Wenshu now saw Shen Lian as more than just someone to be respected. He had realized while filming in the mountains that Shen Lian's backing was unusually strong. With his own talent added in, it was only a matter of time before he took off.

Zhao Wenshu said over the phone that he had polished a script—a fictional dynasty setting with an ensemble cast. The leads were all of equal importance, but in terms of billing, he could give Shen Lian the top spot.

With Zhao Wenshu personally supervising, was there any need to hesitate? No.

Shen Lian immediately contacted Hu Kailan. Once the trivial details were handled by his Agent, the matter would be settled.

Chu Yilan didn't stop Shen Lian, but upon hearing the news, the first thing he asked was the filming location.

“It's right here in Qudu, at the same movie studio as before.” At that moment, Shen Lian was wearing only a pajama top; he had been too lazy to bother with pants. As the weather grew hotter, he lay on Chu Yilan's chest, his voice sounding clingy as he tried to soothe him.

Chu Yilan sat in his study chair, leaning back. Holding Shen Lian face-to-face was more than easy.

The sensation against his palm was mesmerizing, but Chu Yilan's resistance grew by the day. Anyway, once he couldn't resist anymore and resorted to "violence," he wasn't the one who would suffer.

“Don't go creating another Jiang Nong for me,” Chu Yilan said in a dangerous tone.

“You're being unreasonable.” Shen Lian looked up and laughed. “I'm just standing there. If people like me, is that my fault too?”

Chu Yilan lowered his eyes: “I don't care.”

The moonlight drifted in lazily as the summer breeze stirred the gauze curtains. Between the sways, their shadows overlapped and shifted. Chu Yilan pressed the back of Shen Lian's head. Thinking that he might not see this person for a while, his longing flooded uncontrollably.

Shen Lian set a meeting time with Zhao Wenshu. When he arrived, quite a few people were there. Seeing Song Yuan, Shen Lian's expression didn't change at all.

There were only a handful of top-tier entertainment companies in the industry; it wasn't surprising that Song Yuan was investing in Zhao Wenshu's production.

Their eyes met, both showing cold indifference.

Actually, Song Yuan had thought about sabotaging Shen Lian. But before he could speak, Zhao Wenshu had already praised Shen Lian. Zhao Wenshu didn't understand their grievances; he just happened to state his determination to use Shen Lian no matter what. As a famous director, Zhao Wenshu wouldn't be easily threatened. Song Yuan knew this, and since he needed to get Shi Zhujie into the cast, he had to ask a favor of Zhao Wenshu. Thus, making things difficult for Shen Lian really couldn't be rushed.

Shi Zhujie was dressed in a white suit with slightly slumped shoulders—a very docile look. Snuggling up to Song Yuan, he wasn't just being sensible; Shen Lian even felt he was being somewhat "fawning."

Shen Lian sat across from Zhao Wenshu, took the script, and looked through it carefully again.

Zhao Wenshu was a bit proud: “What do you think?”

Shen Lian nodded: “It’s written very well.”

If it weren't good, he wouldn't take it. His current reputation hadn't come easily, and he couldn't let it be ruined.

“Great! I was waiting for those words.” Zhao Wenshu reached out, eager: “Our second collaboration—I have a feeling we're going to have another hit!”

Shen Lian looked up slightly with his familiar confident arrogance: “Of course.”

Song Yuan's voice chimed in appropriately: “Director Zhao, regarding Zhujie's side...”

“Yes, yes, we'll go according to what was agreed upon before.” Dealing with Song Yuan, Zhao Wenshu maintained a businesslike attitude. Since the man was putting up money, he had to be somewhat polite. Furthermore, Shi Zhujie's role wasn't heavy, so Zhao Wenshu was happy to do him this favor.

As soon as Shi Zhujie heard that his spot in the cast was secure, his expression changed. He shot a triumphant look at Shen Lian, but immediately followed it with a shudder.

Shen Lian smiled thinly, looking at Shi Zhujie like he was looking at a small animal that had fallen into a trap.

Baring his claws and teeth with no manners, Shen Lian thought.