Nothing I Hate More Than Shipping Hype

While no one was paying attention, Shen Lian slipped over to the sink to wash his face, but it did no good. He was usually so laid-back, but once his emotions stirred, his whole face lit up.

"Well, well." Huang Jiacan's sharp eyes caught him, and she stepped forward to intercept him. "You disappeared for an hour. Where did you go? What's... happened to your face?"

"Is something wrong with it?" Shen Lian raised a hand to touch it.

"You look like you just came out of a brothel."

Shen Lian: "..."

What a thing to say.

Shen Lian laughed it off for a while, then went to find Dai Tong.

Dai Tong could tell Shen Lian was eager to leave, so he got straight to the point. "When we hold the press conference, I'll talk to the interview team about giving you more time. As for the wrap party in a few days, I'll call you then."

"Sure." Half of Shen Lian's body was already turned toward the exit, as though he would dart out the moment Dai Tong gave the word.

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

"Oh, right. Of course."

Shen Lian moved quickly. When he emerged from the break room carrying his luggage, he saw Sun Binghe standing nearby, also dressed in a suit and holding a suitcase.

Just as he had when he arrived.

Sun Binghe's expression was impassive, but he had a commanding presence.

Shen Lian had prepared a few words of thanks, but as soon as he approached, Sun Binghe said quietly, "Mr. Shen, if another opportunity this good comes up, remember to call me."

Of course he would. No dealing with those slippery business partners, no drinking engagements, no banquets. After these few days, Sun Binghe felt as though his mind had cleared. He could snap at anyone who rubbed him the wrong way now and then, and no one could do anything about it. His salary still came in. It was practically a vacation.

Shen Lian: "..." He was a little curious how much Chu Yilan paid Sun Binghe.

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

Shen Lian nodded. "Until we meet again."

Sun Binghe headed out looking refreshed. When Wei Fanchen's assistant saw him on the way, he instantly flattened himself against the wall as though he had seen a ghost.

Shen Lian said his goodbyes to everyone, leaving out Zheng Ge and Wei Fanchen, of course. With that, filming for Silent Words was officially over.

Shen Lian returned to the car.

Unlike the radiant delight on Shen Lian's face, Chu Yilan looked as though nothing had happened, his expression calm.

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

He couldn't slack off on set. Even when he had no scenes, Shen Lian got up early and sidled over to Dai Tong to discuss his thoughts. Otherwise, where would those extra scenes for Li Kuan have come from?

"Are you hungry?" Chu Yilan asked.

"I want roast duck," Shen Lian answered.

Chu Yilan told the driver to head to Dingshi Restaurant.

The car turned a corner. As they passed the entrance to the filming location, both Shen Lian and Chu Yilan caught sight of Zheng Ge walking out, his eyes fixed intently on their car.

"Do you think he saw?" Shen Lian asked with feigned nonchalance.

Chu Yilan said, "Nothing to do with me."

Shen Lian smiled. Not bad. The man had a decent survival instinct.

"Zheng Ge seems pretty unhappy that I'm doing well," Shen Lian said lightly.

Chu Yilan frowned, then heard Shen Lian continue, "But his unhappiness makes me happy."

The corners of Chu Yilan's mouth lifted slightly.

At the restaurant, Shen Lian demolished an entire plate of roast duck. After swallowing the last bite, he felt his life was complete.

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

After missing him all these days, having him back at his side finally put him in a bright mood.

Once home, Shen Lian slept in for three days straight, waking up just in time for lunch before putting together little surprises for Chu Yilan.

On the fourth day, Shen Lian was dressed and ready when he came out of his room at seven in the morning.

Hearing him, Chu Yilan looked up and gazed at him for several seconds before saying, "You don't have to come."

Chu Yilan had an appointment with Ning Sixian that day to check how his scar was healing.

Shen Lian put on his coat. "I'm coming with you."

This time, Chu Yilan didn't refuse.

When Ning Sixian saw Shen Lian at the hospital, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

What surprised him even more was the obvious change in Chu Yilan's demeanor.

Before, he had been as dark and oppressive as the deep sea, suffocating everyone who came near him. But now, Shen Lian walked ahead while Chu Yilan followed at an unhurried pace, his gaze resting on the man in front of him. Glimmers of light fell into his eyes, lending him a quiet serenity.

Ning Sixian joked, "You're actually on time for once."

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

Hearing that, Ning Sixian felt he had made the right choice in having Feng Yueshan give Shen Lian a heads-up. If he truly cared, he would naturally keep an eye on things and come along.

Chu Yilan went in for his examination, and Shen Lian waited outside.

Ning Sixian came out once during the examination. Finding Shen Lian's behavior amusing, he couldn't resist teasing him. "Anyone who didn't know better would think your wife was in there giving birth."

Shen Lian shamelessly replied, "If he could have one for me, I'd stay on my knees out here until mother and child are safe."

Ning Sixian: "..."

Ning Sixian choked out a laugh, then gave Shen Lian a thumbs-up.

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

"He's recovering very well. There's clearly been a marked improvement in both his mental state and his diet."

Since Shen Lian had been with him the whole time, the specialist naturally treated him as family and spoke openly. "We can proceed with the second stage of treatment."

"When?" Shen Lian asked.

"Right now would be best," the specialist said. "We might not all be available next time."

It was a simple minor procedure, taking only forty minutes from start to finish. When Chu Yilan came out, though, his face was covered with gauze, and the small ring of exposed skin around it was still red.

Shen Lian approached, and Chu Yilan awkwardly turned his head away.

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

"It's not too bad," Chu Yilan said.

"The gauze can come off tonight. Try not to get it wet, keep his diet light, and make sure he gets regular rest." Ning Sixian stood beside them with one hand in his pocket. "The same old advice."

"Got it. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him," Shen Lian replied.

Chu Yilan lowered his eyes to look at him. "You will? Don't you have anything scheduled?"

"I'll take a few days off to keep you company," Shen Lian said without hesitation.

Ning Sixian drew a shallow breath. For some inexplicable reason, his eyes hurt. He didn't want to watch.

After discovering Shen Lian's talent for acting, Hu Kailan was even more reluctant to let him waste his time on variety shows. Even staying home and reading would be better. They needed to wait for a good script and let the earlier negative talk gradually die down in the meantime.

But he still had to take the appropriate advertising jobs.

That evening, Shen Lian knelt on the sofa, gently peeling the gauze off Chu Yilan's face. When Hu Kailan called, he put him straight on speaker.

"Shen Lian, you know Spring Grass, right? They have a face mask ad. I accepted it for you."

Shen Lian looked at the darkened scar. It had indeed grown a little smaller, and he felt relieved. "Sure. Send me the time and location later, Brother Hu. I'll be there on time for the shoot."

Hu Kailan continued, "Also, you don't mind playing up a pairing for publicity, do you?"

Chu Yilan's hand slid onto Shen Lian's waist, carrying a hint of danger.

"I do!" Shen Lian rejected it outright. "There's nothing I hate more than shipping hype. With talent as formidable as mine, I don't need to play up a pairing at all!"

Hu Kailan: "..."

I was only asking. No need to get so worked up.