37: I hate fabricated pairings more than anything in my life.

Shen Lian took advantage of everyone's inattention and ran to the pool to wash his face, but it was useless. Usually lazy, once his emotions were stirred, his eyes and brows were filled with high spirits.

"Oho," Huang Jiacan, sharp-eyed as ever, stepped forward to catch him. "Disappeared for an hour, where did you go? Your... what's wrong with your face?"

"Is there a problem?" Shen Lian raised his hand and touched it.

"It looks like you just came out of a brothel."

Shen Lian: "..."

What kind of talk is that?

Shen Lian laughed it off and then ran to find Dai Tong.

Dai Tong could see that Shen Lian was in a hurry to leave, so he took the lead and said, "When the press conference is held, I'll talk to the interviewers to increase your screen time. As for the wrap party in a few days, I'll call you then."

"Alright." Shen Lian was already halfway turned toward the exit, looking as if he would bolt the moment Dai Tong gave the word.

Dai Tong clicked his tongue. "The costume! I have to return it."

"Oh, oh, right."

Shen Lian moved quickly. When he came out of the breakroom with his luggage, he saw Sun Binghe standing not far away, dressed in a suit and holding a suitcase.

Just like when he first arrived.

Sun Binghe's expression was calm, but his aura was significant.

Shen Lian had prepared a few words of thanks, but as soon as he approached, he heard Sun Binghe whisper, "Mr. Shen, if there's ever another good thing like this in the future, remember to call me."

Of course. No need to deal with those wily business partners, no drinking parties, no banquets. After a few days, Sun Binghe felt his mind was clearer. He could snap at anyone he disliked from time to time, and no one could do anything about it. He still got paid, and it felt just like a vacation.

Shen Lian: "..." He was a bit curious about how much Chu Yilan was paying Sun Binghe.

"Well then, Mr. Shen, until we meet again."

Shen Lian nodded. "Until we meet again."

Sun Binghe walked out refreshed. On the way, Wei Fanchen's assistant saw him and immediately stuck to the wall as if seeing a ghost.

Shen Lian said his goodbyes one by one, naturally ignoring Zheng Ge and Wei Fanchen. The filming of 'silent no more' was officially over.

Shen Lian returned to the car.

Unlike Shen Lian's radiant face, Chu Yilan looked as if nothing had happened, his expression calm.

"I'm exhausted," Shen Lian said. "I can sleep in tomorrow."

He couldn't be lazy on set. Even if he didn't have scenes, Shen Lian had to wake up early and then hang around Dai Tong to exchange insights. Otherwise, where would that extra screen time for 'Li Kuan' have come from?

"Are you hungry?" Chu Yilan asked.

Shen Lian replied, "I want roast duck."

Chu Yilan instructed the driver to go to Dingshi Mansion.

As the car turned a corner and passed the main gate of the venue, both Shen Lian and Chu Yilan caught sight of Zheng Ge walking out, his eyes fixed intently on them.

"Do you think he saw?" Shen Lian asked, seemingly nonchalant.

Chu Yilan: "It has nothing to do with me."

Shen Lian chuckled. Not bad, that's some survival instinct.

"Zheng Ge seems very uncomfortable when I'm doing well," Shen Lian said plainly.

Chu Yilan frowned, then heard Shen Lian add, "But if he's uncomfortable, then I'm comfortable."

The corners of Chu Yilan's mouth curled up slightly.

At the restaurant, Shen Lian polished off a whole plate of roast duck. Swallowing the last bite, he felt life was complete.

Chu Yilan only picked up a few bites of food. Watching Shen Lian eat, he didn't feel bored at all.

After longing for him all these days, he was finally back by his side; his mood was bright and clear.

Once home, Shen Lian slept in for three consecutive days. He would wake up for lunch and then prepare little surprises for Chu Yilan.

On the fourth day, Shen Lian was fully dressed and out of his room by seven in the morning.

Hearing the commotion, Chu Yilan looked up, stared for a few seconds, and then said, "You don't have to go."

Chu Yilan had an appointment today at Ning Sixian's place to check on the recovery of his scar.

Shen Lian put on his jacket. "I'll accompany you."

Chu Yilan didn't refuse this time.

Seeing Shen Lian at the hospital, Ning Sixian raised an eyebrow slightly.

What surprised him even more was that the aura around Chu Yilan had clearly changed.

Before, it was as deep and oppressive as the deep sea, making everyone who approached feel suffocated. But now, as Shen Lian walked in front, Chu Yilan followed unhurriedly behind, his gaze fixed on the person ahead, with bits of light falling into his eyes, making him look calm and peaceful.

Ning Sixian joked, "It's rare for you to be on time."

Shen Lian chimed in, "I reminded him several times last night."

Hearing this, Ning Sixian felt that letting Feng Yueshan tip off Shen Lian was the right move. If he truly cared, he would naturally keep an eye on him and follow along.

While Chu Yilan went in for the examination, Shen Lian waited outside.

Ning Sixian came out halfway through and found Shen Lian's appearance quite amusing. He couldn't help but tease, "Anyone who didn't know would think your wife was inside giving birth."

Shen Lian said shamelessly, "If he could give birth for me, I'd stay on my knees until both father and son were safe."

Ning Sixian: "..."

Ning Sixian was choked with laughter and finally gave Shen Lian a thumbs up.

It was half an hour later when the door to the examination room opened.

"The recovery is going very well. It's clear there have been significant improvements and adjustments in both mental state and diet."

Since Shen Lian had been accompanying him, the expert naturally treated him as family and didn't hide anything. "We can proceed to the second stage of treatment."

Shen Lian: "When?"

"Preferably right now," the expert said. "We might not all be together like this next time."

Such a small surgery wasn't troublesome, taking only forty minutes in total. However, when Chu Yilan came out, there was gauze on his face, and the small patch of skin exposed around it was still red.

Shen Lian stepped forward, and Chu Yilan turned his head away somewhat awkwardly.

"Don't move." Shen Lian held his chin. "Does it hurt?"

Chu Yilan: "It's alright."

"The gauze can be removed tonight. Try not to let it touch water, keep your diet light, and rest on time," Ning Sixian said, standing aside with one hand in his pocket. "The usual platitudes."

Shen Lian replied, "Mm, don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on him."

Chu Yilan looked down at him. "You're keeping an eye? Don't you have any plans?"

"I'll take a few days off to keep you company," Shen Lian said very naturally.

Ning Sixian took a shallow breath, suddenly feeling a pain in his eyes, not wanting to look.

After discovering Shen Lian's acting talent, Hu Kailan was even more reluctant to let him waste time on variety shows. Even staying at home to read books was fine; they had to wait for a good script and let the previous negative rumors subside.

But advertisements still had to be taken.

That evening, Shen Lian was kneeling on the sofa, gently peeling off the gauze for Chu Yilan, when Hu Kailan called. He put it straight on speakerphone.

"Shen Lian, you know Chuncao, right? There's a facial mask advertisement, and I've accepted it for you."

Shen Lian saw that the scar had darkened but was indeed smaller. He felt relieved and replied, "Okay, Brother Hu, send me the time and location later, and I'll be there on time for the shoot."

Hu Kailan continued, "Also, you don't mind shipping, do you?"

Chu Yilan's hand reached for Shen Lian's waist, carrying a hint of danger.

"I do!" Shen Lian rejected it immediately. "I hate shipping the most in my life. A person of my formidable strength doesn't need shipping at all!"

Hu Kailan: "..."

I just asked offhandedly; there's no need to be so worked up.