No need for that

Chu Yilan had never doubted Sun Binghe's professional competence, but he had forgotten to remind him not to reveal his identity.

So when Shen Lian asked, "Master Chu probably didn't want me to know Assistant Sun was his right-hand man, did he?" Sun Binghe's smile stiffened.

It was a rookie mistake.

Still, Sun Binghe felt that something didn't add up.

Boss didn't want Mr. Shen to know? What was he afraid of?

In Sun Binghe's eyes, Chu Yilan had never feared anything in his life. If he really did have some interest in Shen Lian, that made things even simpler.

If you kept a pretty little bird, shouldn't you let him know how much his sugar daddy had done for him?

Sun Binghe had seen plenty of this in their circles. That was how it worked.

But he had overlooked one thing: Chu Yilan's feelings for Shen Lian might actually be genuine.

And genuine feelings brought push and pull, tentative probing, and flirtation. You wanted the other person to be happy, yet didn't want him to know what you had done for him. It was awkward and contrary, like biting into a sour apricot, then tasting the sweetness that lingered afterward-a flavor only you could savor.

Sun Binghe had never been in love. His theory sounded fine, but when he actually met Shen Lian's half-amused gaze, even he felt a little intimidated.

"Relax," Shen Lian said. "We'll pretend that conversation never happened. You do what you're supposed to do, and I'll do what I'm supposed to do."

A smart man, just as expected!

Sun Binghe gladly accepted.

Filming went on all day, and by the end, Shen Lian had stunned everyone into silence.

Chewing on tea leaves, Dai Tong studied Shen Lian and decided that the comments online were absolute bullshit.

They called this bad acting? He could easily have passed for a professionally trained actor.

Yet Shen Lian's performances in his previous productions really had been garbage.

The most reasonable explanation Dai Tong could think of was that Shen Lian had come to his senses. He had finally stopped obsessing over romance and, after being vilified across the internet, realized how important his future was. He must have put in plenty of work behind the scenes, with a little natural talent helping him along.

In any case, Dai Tong was delighted with his portrayal of Li Kuan. In fact, the Li Kuan Shen Lian presented had made him realize there was room to explore the character further. He had just been discussing additional scenes with the screenwriter.

Shen Lian was the first to finish work. Rather than lingering around anyone afterward, he grabbed his toiletries and headed straight into the bathroom.

For what felt like the umpteenth time, Zheng Ge glanced at Sun Binghe, certain he looked familiar.

Shen Lian emerged from his shower feeling refreshed, damp all over, his hair tousled. He looked particularly vibrant.

Click-

At the sound, Shen Lian turned and saw Sun Binghe.

Had anyone else taken that photo, Shen Lian would have immediately asked them to delete it. But if it was for Chu Yilan, that was another matter.

"Will that one do?" Shen Lian even immediately struck a sideways pose, presenting what he thought was his most handsome angle. "Take another."

You certainly know how to play along, Sun Binghe thought.

Then Shen Lian added, "Should I lift my shirt a little and show my abs?"

Sun Binghe: "..."

No need for that.

The pretty little birds kept by wealthy men in their circles weren't necessarily obedient. Some lived on their money and enjoyed everything they provided, yet still put on an attitude of "You can't insult my dignity." To Sun Binghe, they wanted it both ways, and most were no fun at all. Shen Lian was different. The moment he heard the name "Chu Yilan," he practically radiated flirtation from head to toe.

He was countless times better than that Zheng Ge outside.

In fact, Zheng Ge's instincts were right. He had met Sun Binghe before.

After an argument with Zhou Tangsi, he had gone to Chu Yilan in a fit of temper. Chu Yilan happened to be heading out for a meal and took him along. Sun Binghe had stopped by during the meal to deliver a document.

At the time, Zheng Ge had been too upset over Zhou Tangsi to pay much attention to Sun Binghe.

The only special assistant of Chu Yilan's he knew well was Yang Bin.

Sun Binghe, however, had heard more than enough about Zheng Ge.

Yang Bin had complained about him countless times, mostly calling him "clueless," "an ungrateful bastard," and "not right in the head."

Sun Binghe wholeheartedly agreed.

Zheng Ge was the perfect example of wanting it both ways. Oh, so his love life had nothing to do with their boss, but the moment he caused trouble or needed resources, he suddenly remembered who Chu Yilan was?

But Sun Binghe was a consummate professional. He let none of it show. Zheng Ge had tried twice that afternoon to approach him for a chat, and Sun Binghe had deftly avoided him both times.

Shen Lian said goodbye to Director Dai, then returned to his room to rest.

Director Dai waved him off hastily, busy giving Wei Fanchen a dressing-down. His delivery was bad, his bearing was bad, and his expressions were even worse. Dai Tong wouldn't feel satisfied until he had told him off.

But to Wei Fanchen, it seemed as though Shen Lian had deliberately come over to show off.

Lying on the bed, Shen Lian couldn't focus on his script, so he video-called Chu Yilan.

The call connected on the third ring.

The image shook as Chu Yilan propped his phone upright on his desk. Judging by the background, he was still at the office.

Shen Lian frowned. "Do you realize how late it is?"

Chu Yilan seemed to chuckle. "If I don't work, how am I supposed to support everyone at the company?"

"You still need to rest."

"I'm staying at the office tonight."

Shen Lian wasn't pleased. "Can you even sleep there?"

Without wasting words, Chu Yilan switched cameras, got up with his phone, and gave Shen Lian a tour of the adjoining suite.

Shen Lian: "..."

Sorry. I clearly didn't give a domineering CEO like you enough credit.

The suite had two bedrooms and a living room, all beautifully furnished. There was a dedicated coffee station, plenty of fine liquor in a cabinet beside it, and a generously sized bathroom.

"Satisfied?" Chu Yilan asked.

As though he really had finished a satisfactory inspection, Shen Lian answered solemnly, "Not bad."

"Good thing you only got busy after I came to the set. If you'd left me all alone in that empty house before, I'd have died of frustration."

Chu Yilan had grown used to Shen Lian's outrageous talk. He simply thought Shen Lian had cause and effect backward.

He hadn't just happened to get busy after Shen Lian left. He simply... didn't particularly want to go home.

In fact, before Shen Lian's video call, Chu Yilan had been feeling rather irritable.

"Master Chu, turn the camera around. I want to see your face."

Chu Yilan sat on the edge of the bed and waited a moment before switching it.

Playing coy.

Shen Lian leaned closer for a look. "Master Chu, the scar on your face seems to have faded a lot."

Had it? Chu Yilan hadn't noticed.

Now, even when Shen Lian openly mentioned the scar Chu Yilan had once been most sensitive about, he barely felt anything.

Ning Sixian had told him before, "You need proper rest, a brighter mood, and to cooperate with our treatment."

But Chu Yilan hadn't known how to rest or how to brighten his mood.

Recently, though, his days with Shen Lian had left him more relaxed than ever before. Perhaps that was why the scar had faded so much.

Shen Lian had said so many times that he didn't care about the scar that Chu Yilan had gradually come to believe him. So when Shen Lian asked him to bring the camera a little closer, he didn't resist.

But as soon as he did, he heard a "Mwah!"

Chu Yilan turned his head and saw that Shen Lian still had his lips puckered.

The next second, Chu Yilan couldn't help it. His lips curved into a smile.

The slight crease between his brows smoothed away. As his demeanor softened, all the hostility vanished from him, revealing the full appeal of his sharply defined features. He was so handsome that heat stirred low in Shen Lian's belly.

"Master Chu, don't do that..." Shen Lian covered his face.

Chu Yilan: "?"

"You're too good-looking. You're turning me on."

Chu Yilan: "..."