148: Who sent you?

Shen Lian wasn't being difficult.

He had just removed his headpiece and intended to get a good night's sleep, so his hair was a complete mess. As he sat up, he smoothed it down with his hand.

Chu Yilan's expression turned grim, but his voice was very soft. "What's wrong?"

Shen Lian said, "It's nothing, I've already taken my medicine."

As expected, Chu Yilan's voice turned cold. "Are you coming back on your own, or should I come pick you up?"

He took a stance that left no room for negotiation.

"I'm not going back, and you don't need to come," Shen Lian said calmly and kindly to Chu Yilan. "It was just for a moment, and it wasn't from exhaustion. Since I promised you I wouldn't push myself, I won't. Didn't Si Xian say so? This happens occasionally; just relax."

Chu Yilan said through gritted teeth, "Shen Lian, if I could relax about this, I'd have no heart." The sound of a chair being moved came from the other end. "I'm coming over now."

"You're not allowed to," Shen Lian's voice deepened. "Yilan, be good."

The video call wasn't disconnected, but because Chu Yilan was standing and holding his phone low, it only captured the area from his waist to his chest.

"What are you afraid of?" Shen Lian chuckled. "See, I didn't lie to you."

"Shen Lian," Chu Yilan said each word deliberately. "I'm not at ease. I have to see for myself."

Hearing this, Shen Lian thought of something else and immediately perked up. He quickly checked the time. "Then come! It's only half an hour away. I'll meet you at the side gate. Stay here with me secretly tonight!"

"Mm." Chu Yilan's monosyllabic response finally sounded less irritable. He hung up the video call and set off immediately.

Chu Yilan brought two Bodyguards and sped to the Film Studio City.

He thought about many things on the way.

Chu Yilan loved Shen Lian's honesty the most. It was the string that allowed Shen Lian to soar in the sky while still being held in his hand. Only by grasping it could he keep his sense of security and calm composure in his heart. Yet at the same time, even a minor accident involving Shen Lian was enough to make Chu Yilan anxious. It really hadn't been easy for him to find Shen Lian in this lifetime.

There were security guards at the entrance of the Film Studio City. Shen Lian had given them a heads-up, so they let the car through once they saw the license plate.

Chu Yilan found a random parking spot and shared his location with Shen Lian on the app. He followed the icon down a small path behind some buildings. Once the view opened up slightly, he saw a person wrapped in a coat standing behind a pavilion.

Shen Lian was looking around. The lighting here was insufficient, showing only silhouettes, but they recognized each other at a single glance.

My man's physique, these proportions—they're incredible! Damn, they're perfect!

Shen Lian marveled to himself as he jogged toward him.

"Walk slowly!" Chu Yilan barked.

However, Shen Lian only slowed down for two steps before continuing his jog until he plunged headfirst into Chu Yilan's embrace.

At that moment, both of them took a deep breath.

They hadn't seen each other for a week, and it would be a lie to say they didn't miss each other. Even with video calls, they couldn't kiss or touch. Usually, logic kept things under control, but now that logic had flown out the window, a wave of bittersweet longing came crashing down like a mountain.

"What should I do?" Chu Yilan held Shen Lian tightly, yet worried about squeezing the air out of his chest. His arms were like steel, stiff and full of force. He lowered his head, placing fine kisses starting from the top of Shen Lian's head, moving to his eyes and the bridge of his nose, finally stopping just before his lips. He said hoarsely, "I want to take you home."

Shen Lian snorted with a smile. "Didn't I go home with you a long time ago? Come on, I'll take you to my lounge."

Every time Master Chu visited the set, it felt like he was being a thief, yet there was no other way.

Shen Lian's lounge was spacious, with a bedroom, a living room, and a bathroom, all cleaned up. But even so, in Chu Yilan's eyes, this was a great grievance.

Shen Lian was busy boiling water and pouring tea, and Chu Yilan didn't stop him. He observed for a moment and found that Shen Lian moved freely, and the color had already returned to his lips.

"Do you have many pajamas?" Chu Yilan said. "I'm going to take a shower."

Shen Lian's phrase "taken my medicine" had scared him into a cold sweat.

"There's a bathrobe." Shen Lian quickly rummaged through his suitcase. "It might be a bit small for you, but it'll do."

Chu Yilan took the bathrobe and said, "Five minutes."

Shen Lian pressed his forehead against his. "Mm."

Chu Yilan took off his clothes and went into the bathroom.

Listening to the sounds from inside, Shen Lian's heart fluttered.

Just then, a low knocking sounded at the door. At first, Shen Lian thought it was an illusion until there were three more "thuds."

Shen Lian got out of bed and put on his shoes. When he reached the door, he first asked, "Who is it?" He received no answer, and the person continued to knock.

The security here was fine, so Shen Lian opened the door.

Seeing the person at the door clearly, Shen Lian frowned. "Chen Yan? It's late, why aren't you sleeping? Is something wrong?"

The hallway light came on, and Shen Lian's expression changed slightly.

Chen Yan was wearing a short skirt with a thin coat draped over it. Her hair was down, she was wearing makeup, and her eyes were filled with a certain emotion as she looked up at Shen Lian.

Shen Lian understood instantly.

He almost laughed out of anger.

"What is Teacher Shen laughing at?" Chen Yan whispered. "Is it because you don't like it?"

"Of course I don't," Shen Lian sighed. "If I remember correctly, your reputation has been quite good so far. Although your fan base isn't huge, they're quite loyal. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Chen Yan's shoulders trembled slightly, and her eyes filled with alarm. She hadn't expected Shen Lian to say such things.

If Chen Yan had been more careful, she would have noticed a suit lying on the bed and the constant sound of water from the bathroom.

"Who sent you?" Shen Lian continued. "Was it Ming Lin?"

Now, the panic in Chen Yan's eyes had nowhere to hide.

Faced with a honey trap, Shen Lian wasn't flustered at all. Instead, he saw through the allure and the fog, accurately pinning down Ming Lin's name.

Thinking of what Ming Lin had said, Chen Yan shook her head frantically. "No! It's not like that!"

"You're his girlfriend," Shen Lian said. "He asked you to do something like this, and not only are you not angry, you're following his orders?"

Chen Yan bit her lip, her hands clutching her shoulders to keep her coat from falling. It was clear she was also very conflicted.

Shen Lian didn't give her time to hesitate and gave a final piece of advice: "Go back. Ming Lin isn't a man. Don't make things too embarrassing for yourself either."

With that, Shen Lian closed the door.

Thinking of Ming Lin, Shen Lian sneered. That dog was trying to use Chen Yan to ruin his reputation. If he hadn't resisted the temptation and Chen Yan had turned around and bitten him later, the consequences would be obvious.

Before long, Chu Yilan came out of the bathroom. The bathrobe was indeed small. When the belt was tied at his waist, the two sides couldn't close completely, revealing a section of his abdominal muscles and upward, following the lines of his physique.

Shen Lian's gaze was bold as he openly admired the view.

Chu Yilan sat down by the bed. "Who was that just now?"

"Unimportant." Shen Lian sat on his lap and leaned down to bite Chu Yilan's neck.

Chu Yilan supported his waist and instinctively leaned back, not forgetting to warn him: "Don't let it be another admirer you've attracted."

Shen Lian hummed, "You're wronging me."

Outside the door, Chen Yan struggled for a long while. Shen Lian's words had somewhat cleared her head. She had indeed come to the production crew with a purpose, but in her subconscious, how could she not know that Ming Lin was just feeding her empty promises? She had personally caught Ming Lin pursuing the daughter of Kangsheng Pharmaceutical.

But Chen Yan didn't dare face Ming Lin's anger alone if she went back.

Chen Yan gripped the doorknob and turned it slightly, finding that Shen Lian hadn't locked it from the inside.

For some reason, Chen Yan's heart stirred, and she pushed the door open.

If she told Shen Lian, could she gain an ally?

By the bed, two figures were very close. Shen Lian's consciousness was hazy, and the corners of his affectionate eyes were flushed red. He instinctively looked toward the door, and the wave of passion in his eyes left Chen Yan momentarily speechless. Was this really the same Shen Lian who was so relaxed and composed on set?

The next second, the bedsheet was pulled up, covering Shen Lian completely.

Chu Yilan's eyes were icy cold, like a beast emerging from its den. Upon sensing an intruder in his territory, he unleashed his aggression without concealment. His strikingly impactful face slowly appeared from behind Shen Lian, his gaze locked firmly on Chen Yan.

Chen Yan should have screamed, but the aura Chu Yilan emitted was too heavy. She only opened her mouth, following her instinct's warning, not daring to make a sound.

"Get out," Chu Yilan said in a low voice.