"Hubby, this is..."
Seeing his look of utter despair, Ji Hanchuan slowly set down his coffee, walked over, and helped loosen and untie the necktie. "This was a last resort. That's what you get for acting up last night."
Fuck! (A type of plant.)
Shi Wei twisted his wrists, still unable to accept it. "What exactly did I do last night?"
"You had a fever..."
"Wait, wait, wait. Say that again." Shi Wei tugged at his ear and leaned closer. "My hearing's bad. I think I misheard you."
Ji Hanchuan repeated it with perfect enunciation. "You had a fever, and you felt cold. You kept wanting to hold something, so I helped you hold the quilt in place. I was afraid you'd struggle free, so I tied you up while I was at it."
Shi Wei: ...
Holding the quilt in place-in the most literal, physical sense.
He searched his hazy memories of last night.
He did seem to have found a comfortable source of warmth, but that thing had seemed harder than a quilt.
Still, judging by Ji Hanchuan's attitude, it seemed nothing really had happened between them.
Thank goodness!
I got off the ride in time. I'm still a pure, good boy.
Shi Wei said sincerely, "Hubby, thank you for last night."
"Mm." Ji Hanchuan casually felt his forehead again, then quickly withdrew his hand. "Your fever's gone."
His movement was quick, but Shi Wei still felt the thin calluses on his fingertips. They brushed against his skin, leaving it a little itchy and a little hot.
Shi Wei raised a hand to wipe his forehead, trying to rub away that strange feeling.
Watching him, Ji Hanchuan snorted. "What, you think I'm dirty?"
Sensing danger, Shi Wei brought his fingers to his nose and sniffed, saying dreamily, "Mmm, hubby's scent."
Ji Hanchuan: ...
"Get lost!"
The illness left as quickly as it had come. After returning to his own room and showering, Shi Wei was full of energy again.
When he reached the set, he found it filled with fancy pastries and drinks. The set had practically turned into a party for the rich.
"Shi Wei, come have something to eat," Mo Xingyu called.
Shi Wei picked out a macaron and swallowed it in one bite. "Wow, this is delicious. Who's treating?"
"You don't know? Wang Jun'er's replacement is here."
"Who?"
Mo Xingyu was a little excited. "Chen Yutong! Have you heard of Moonlight CP?"
Shi Wei shook his head.
"What! You don't know Moonlight CP?" Mo Xingyu hurried to sell him on them. "Great God Ji's first movie was called Skylark Moonlight, the one that won him Best Actor. Chen Yutong played the female lead."
"Great God Ji and Goddess Chen were so good in it. An autistic violin prodigy and an energetic girl fall in love but can't be together. I'm moved every time I watch it. This pairing is still the white moonlight in so many people's hearts." As though remembering something, Mo Xingyu choked up.
"I heard Great God Ji knew nothing about the violin before filming. He practiced like crazy for that movie, and even professional musicians praised him. He really is a genius."
"And, and, he was only seventeen then, and his acting was already that good."
Shi Wei: ... A true diehard fan, all right.
But he was a Ji Hanchuan anti-fan. No matter how passionately Mo Xingyu spoke, he remained unmoved.
Mo Xingyu suggested, "Why don't you come to my room tonight? I brought Skylark Moonlight on Blu-ray. I'll find a player, and we can watch it together."
"Sure." Shi Wei gave him a strange look. "You carry Ji Hanchuan's movies around with you?"
"I want to ask Great God Ji to sign it." Remembering Ji Hanchuan's icy glare by the pool, Mo Xingyu's already limited reserves of courage instantly vanished. "But I don't dare."
Shi Wei fell silent. Heh, a true diehard fan, all right.
"Bring the disc another day. I'll go with you to find Teacher Ji."
"Great, thank you."
Shi Wei tried a few more pastries. Deeply feeling how easily the deliciousness of capital could erode a person's will, he couldn't help sighing.
"What's wrong?"
"When I'm rich, I'm going to buy this much good food and drink for the set too..."
Mo Xingyu was just about to praise his kindness when Shi Wei continued, "Then I'll make everyone watch me eat."
Mo Xingyu: ...
They chatted as they ate, then spotted Zhang Zixiang and Ji Hanchuan showing an elegant beauty around the set. On seeing them, they beckoned them over.
Shi Wei and Mo Xingyu hurried over to greet them.
"Shi Wei, Xingyu." Zhang Zixiang was in a very good mood. "You recognize this gorgeous lady, right? Anyone who dares say no can get out."
"Teacher Zhang." Chen Yutong feigned anger. "Could you please stop teasing me in front of these young men?"
"Hahaha." Zhang Zixiang laughed heartily. He seemed very familiar with her and didn't mind.
Faced with his goddess, Mo Xingyu was so nervous he stammered. "H-h-h-hello, my name is Mo Xingyu. I'm your fan. I absolutely love Skylark Moonlight."
"Don't be nervous." Chen Yutong nudged Ji Hanchuan with her arm. "Who would've thought people would still remember our debut after all these years?"
Ji Hanchuan gave no response either way.
Chen Yutong looked at Shi Wei. "And you? What's your name?"
"Hello, Teacher Chen. My name is Shi Wei."
"Hello." Chen Yutong smiled, her gaze lingering involuntarily on his face. "What a fine-looking young man."
Shi Wei said, "...Teacher Chen, you really know how to give a compliment."
Chen Yutong burst out laughing without the slightest concern for her image.
"Sister Yutong, it really is you."
Xu Xirui came running over with quick little steps and hugged Chen Yutong. "Long time no see. I was wondering why even the weather had improved today. Turns out Sister Yutong is here."
"You've always got something sweet to say, haven't you?" Chen Yutong pretended she was going to pinch him. Xu Xirui played along, pretending to be scared as he hid behind Ji Hanchuan. "Brother Hanchuan, save me."
"He can't save you!" Chen Yutong deliberately put on a fierce voice and chased after him.
Ji Hanchuan, temporarily serving as a pillar: ...
Sigh.
Hearing Shi Wei sigh, Mo Xingyu quietly asked what was wrong.
"If only I had a handful of sunflower seeds."
Such a spectacular scene, yet no sunflower seeds to liven it up.
White moonlight versus white moonlight CP. Who would win?
Ji Hanchuan seemed to hear Shi Wei and shot him a cold look.
Shi Wei promptly shut his mouth, his face expressionless.
-"Pfft, hahaha! Ji Hanchuan really looks like he wandered into a brothel!"
-"Chase me! Catch me and I'll let you hehehe."
Ji Hanchuan: ...
Noticing Ji Hanchuan's expression, Zhang Zixiang kindly rescued him from the romantic battlefield, stopping them with a laugh. "All right, all right. Are you two treating my set like a kindergarten? Yutong, have you memorized all your lines? We officially start filming tomorrow. Don't let me down."
"Teacher Zhang may have brought me in at the last minute, but I definitely won't embarrass you."
"Thanks for your hard work." Zhang Zixiang sighed. "I know you only wrapped another project yesterday. If you're tired, go get some rest."
Chen Yutong shook her head. "I'm not tired. I'll treat everyone to a meal later."
"You two should come too." Chen Yutong looked at Shi Wei and Mo Xingyu. "Don't be shy."
Shi Wei asked curiously, "Will there be sunflower seeds?"