The late-autumn noon sunlight was a little dazzling. They had chosen a rare fine day for the filming kickoff ceremony.
Xu Shi raised a hand to shield his eyes from the harsh sunlight. A breeze lifted his waist-length hair, and cameras flashed incessantly in the distance, capturing his sculpted, cool profile.
Xiao Chi brought over a hat and put it on him. "That fan is waiting inside, Xu Shi."
Glancing around at the reporters, he added quietly, "There aren't any reporters inside. We still need to be careful, or we'll get criticized for privately contacting fans."
Xu Shi pulled the brim lower. "Mm."
They had rented an enormous old residence for the kickoff ceremony. Apparently, Song Zhixing had specially consulted a feng shui master about it. Xu Shi thought he simply had money to burn.
The reporters were all kept outside the residence's main gates. The grounds inside were spacious, with vehicles parked all around.
Xu Shi followed the navigation, turning in a circle before finally figuring out which way the arrow was pointing.
Suddenly, someone ran into his arms. "Xu Shi!"
Xu Shi jumped in fright.
He instinctively raised both hands and lowered his gaze to the person who kept nuzzling his neck.
He reached out and grabbed Xu Xingqi by the scruff of his neck. "Why is it you?"
"Xu Shi..." Xu Xingqi wheedled, burying his head in the crook of Xu Shi's shoulder. "I missed you so much."
He took a deep breath, and that familiar scent he had not smelled in so long instantly filled his nose.
He smells so good.
Xu Xingqi refused to let go. His lean, powerful arms wrapped tightly around the Beta's slender waist, trapping him completely in his embrace.
Fuck.
When did this little brat get so buff?
Xu Shi struggled