Out of the corner of his eye, Yu Xiuyuan saw Lu Jinming behind them, staring at them with a hostile expression and dark eyes.
Got it.
Our big award-winning actor felt he'd lost face. He'd only just told me last time to keep my distance from other people.
Gave me a fright. I thought he was jealous.
Yu Xiuyuan looked away and leaned closer, his tone warm. "Floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides? Then I'd better hurry over and take a look. Can't miss that."
He took his suitcase in one hand and naturally closed the other around Yun Chuan's wrist, the pad of his finger resting right over his pulse.
"Come along, God Yun," he said, his eyes curving with his smile. "Let's see just how beautiful that view is."
Yun Chuan lowered his head, his gaze settling on the hand around his wrist. He didn't pull away, simply stepped forward and followed Yu Xiuyuan.
Then he raised his eyes and cast an unhurried sidelong glance down the corridor, the corners of his mouth lifting.
It looked like mockery, like triumph, and like a certain, assured possessiveness.
Yu Xiuyuan let go as soon as they entered the room, pushed his suitcase aside, and rushed toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.
He could already see it: three walls of pristine glass bringing the scenery in from every angle.
Nearby were the stone paving and bamboo grove in the guesthouse courtyard. Farther away, wooded mountains rose in layers, and a few wisps of white cloud scattered in the wind, making the sky look even bluer.
It was breathtakingly beautiful.
Utterly delighted, Yu Xiuyuan turned toward Yun Chuan, his eyes shining. "You're really giving me this room?"
Yun Chuan reached out to steady his suitcase, a smile on his lips.
"Yes, it's yours." His voice was quiet, as though he were stating something perfectly natural. "As long as you want it."
Of course I want it, Yu Xiuyuan thought.
If he'd chosen this room himself, people might have asked what gave him the right. But now that God Yun was giving it to him, why should he stand on ceremony?
This was what he deserved as Yun Chuan's "partner."
Yu Xiuyuan pulled his suitcase over, bent down to open it, and began taking things out with brisk, efficient movements.
Seeing him accept it all without the slightest hesitation made Yun Chuan feel even better.
Although Yu Xiuyuan had said he no longer liked that man, having the man come right up to him was still something of an eyesore.
Since he's being so good now, I'll let him off for the moment.
Yun Chuan showed no intention of leaving. He went straight to the wraparound couch in front of the windows and sat down, casually crossing his right leg over his left as he quietly watched Yu Xiuyuan bustle about with his back to him.
"Didn't you say you were being a Sophisticated Boy this time and had even brought makeup?" he suddenly asked. "How come I haven't seen any?"
Yu Xiuyuan turned sideways, his hands pausing. "How did you know?" He remembered that Yun Chuan hadn't arrived yet at the time.
Yun Chuan merely smiled without answering.
Yu Xiuyuan didn't press him. He rummaged through his suitcase and dug an eyebrow pencil out from the very bottom, holding it up. "Here it is."
Looking at that lone eyebrow pencil, Yun Chuan couldn't help laughing aloud.
His laughter was soft, with an unexpected tenderness.
He teased him. "Didn't you think it through when you had your eyebrows shaped?" He paused, as though something had occurred to him. "Actually, you don't have to draw them in. They look lovely."
"Forget it." Yu Xiuyuan tossed the eyebrow pencil onto the table and complained, sounding baffled, "I have to. If I don't, people keep leering at me, men and women alike. I can't stand it."
A shadow flickered through Yun Chuan's eyes. "Then you really do need to draw them in."
There wasn't much to unpack, and Yu Xiuyuan soon finished. When he turned around, he found Yun Chuan still comfortably settled on the couch, as relaxed as if he were in his own home.
"Aren't you going to unpack?" Yu Xiuyuan asked in puzzlement.
Yun Chuan drew his gaze back from the distant mountains and turned to look at him. Backlit, his face looked a little cold.
"Thanks to you, I'm already done." He gave a little huff. "The scenery here really is beautiful. I couldn't help looking a little longer. What, am I disturbing you, Mr. Yu?"
He pronounced those last few words very softly, as though he'd rolled them over his tongue before letting them out.
Great, he's upset again.
Yu Xiuyuan's earlobe felt a little itchy. He scratched it and offered an appeasing smile. "How could you be disturbing me? You're the one who helped me find this room, God Yun. I couldn't ask for anything better than having you enjoy the view with me."
"All right." Yun Chuan answered immediately. "Then whenever I have time, I'll come keep you company."
Yu Xiuyuan's smile faltered. "All right." With a handsome man keeping me company, what have I got to be afraid of?
A little over ten minutes later, the staff told everyone to gather in the courtyard.
Director Liu stood at the front of the courtyard with a megaphone in his hand, his face plainly declaring: nothing to do with me, just doing my job.
"Starting now, you may use your Date Cards at any time to choose a date partner. If no one uses one, you're free to do as you like around the guesthouse and the surrounding area. During this episode's filming, the production team won't make any other arrangements. All activities are entirely voluntary. You're free to go now."
The moment he finished his announcement, Director Liu made a swift escape.
He had no choice but to run.
As he walked, he cursed inwardly. I can't afford to offend Yun Chuan, Lin Sen has powerful backing, Fang Yi has connections with the Investors, and Su Ziming is at least a second-tier celebrity. Every last one of them came to me wanting to pair up with Yu Xiuyuan. Who can I afford to offend?
The most absurd thing was that Lu Jinming had come to him too, declaring with righteous conviction, "If you want the show to generate buzz, you'd better pair Yu Xiuyuan with me."
What a joke. Of all of them, he's the one with neither backing nor ability, yet he's the cockiest. Who knows what he has to be so proud of?
With things arranged this way, everyone would have to compete for him on their own merits. Whoever won him over got him, and no one could blame the director.
Director Liu patted that clever head of his, his steps growing lighter.
I'm such a genius.
Yu Xiuyuan was deeply touched. He felt that Director Liu was practically the director of his dreams.
Such beautiful surroundings, such a comfortable life, and so much free time-every single thing suited him perfectly.
Yun Chuan, however, stared at the back of Director Liu's hastily retreating head, his brows drawing together slightly.
Mandatory Date Cards?
He lowered his eyes, his fingertips unconsciously tapping his leg twice. Hopefully no one will be stupid enough to...
"What are you thinking about?" Yu Xiuyuan's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Do you have any plans? If not, let's go fishing. I've never fished before."
His previous life had been far too much of a rat race. He hadn't even dared dream of an idle pastime like sitting leisurely by the water, waiting for a fish to bite.
"Sure. I'll teach you." Yun Chuan withdrew his gaze. "The rods should be in the equipment shed. Let's go get them."
Yun Chuan was very pleased with Yu Xiuyuan taking the initiative to invite him, and hoped he would keep it up.
The others also found things that interested them and dispersed.
In the equipment shed, Yu Xiuyuan picked out a rod and fishing gear with Yun Chuan explaining his options, then the two strolled over to the pond.
Yun Chuan chose a spot shaded by a tree, with open water before them and a breeze blowing over from the opposite bank. It felt very comfortable.
Yu Xiuyuan looked around, then got to work under Yun Chuan's guidance, setting up the keepnet, putting up the rod rest, and positioning the little stools. He was full of enthusiasm; he genuinely enjoyed it.
Just then, a voice cut in from behind them.
"What a coincidence. You're here to fish too?"
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