The silver-gray Aston Martin sped down the asphalt road, its blackened rims kicking up dust as it left the morning sunlight far behind.
The filming location was Pingqiao Village, an unspoiled little village on the outermost edge of S City. Surrounded by mountains and water, it was a wonderful place to admire the scenery, but its remote location and inconvenient access meant few people visited.
Through the clear car window, Nan Qing spotted the sign for "Hello, World," where quite a few people were already busy at work.
Several luxury cars were parked nearby as well. They did not look like they belonged to the production crew, but rather to the show's guests.
The mountain road was rather narrow, so Li Shu drove slowly. Even so, when they rounded a sharp bend, Nan Qing tipped sideways despite himself.
The next instant, the man's long, powerful arm hooked him into his embrace. That familiar ebony and agarwood scent once again filled Nan Qing's nose, and he lifted his beautiful face.
"Thanks, hubby~"
Huo Yuzhou looked down at him, only answering after a long moment.
But his strong arm remained around Nan Qing's waist, never letting go.
Nan Qing was not stingy.
Besides, when they had lived together years ago, it was not as though Huo Yuzhou had never held him.
The exquisitely handsome young man's eyes curved. Their outer corners lifted slightly when he smiled, making him look outrageously spoiled.
He deliberately teased Huo Yuzhou. "That reluctant to let me go?"
Huo Yuzhou looked at him with an unreadable expression.
"If I say I am, will you still take part?"
Nan Qing looked as though the answer were perfectly obvious.
"Then you have to say you're reluctant to let me go first!"
Huo Yuzhou's Adam's apple dipped. "I am."
His deep voice held a slight rasp. His long, fathomless eyes watched Nan Qing, his distinct black-and-white eyes reflecting Nan Qing's image, as though he were the only person left in the world.
Nan Qing froze for half a second.
Those eyes of Huo Yuzhou's really would look affectionate even gazing at a dog.
Like hell I'd believe him.
Nan Qing's petal-like lips curved. Playing along perfectly, he wrapped both arms around the man's neck, his voice unbearably coy.
"Hubby, I'm really reluctant to leave you too~"
"You know I've dreamed of becoming a big star ever since I was little. But you're so wonderful, hubby, better than every other man in the world. You'll understand my dream and support it, won't you?"
Once he finished, he blinked his round, moist eyes at Huo Yuzhou.
The way he wheedled softened Huo Yuzhou's entire heart. He desperately wanted to crush Nan Qing into his arms, kiss those soft lips, then turn the car around immediately and take Nan Qing away.
Shut him inside their home and chain him beside the bed.
Entwine with him day and night, unto death.
But all those deep, wild desires settled only in his fingertips. Huo Yuzhou raised a hand to stroke his cheek, his voice very low.
"Mm, I understand."
"If there's anything you can't get used to, or if any problems come up, call me immediately."
His slightly rough fingertips brushed the young man's soft, tender cheek. Huo Yuzhou sighed inwardly, finding him unbearably pitiful.
"Don't let anyone bully you. If anyone does, hit them."
"Your husband can handle anything that happens. Don't be afraid."
The car rounded a few more bends before stopping by a road sign not far away.
The silver-gray body had a fine, shimmering sheen, even its sleek lines seeming to glow. Quite a few crew members looked over, seemingly wanting to see just which big shot was sitting inside this luxury car.
A winding mountain road had been built on Mount Pingqiao, but exposed to sun and rain day after day, it was inevitably poorly maintained and riddled with potholes. If the car got scraped or dented, it would have to be shipped overseas for repairs, which was both troublesome and expensive.
Anyone who could drive a sports car down this lousy road without a care was no obscure nobody putting on a rich front.
Someone this ostentatious was either a major star or a rich second-generation heir.
The next instant, the car door opened, and a long leg stepped out.
The person wore a tracksuit from a major designer brand and had superb proportions.
Bai Ruanruan, who was enjoying everyone's flattery nearby, had a bad feeling. Sure enough, Nan Qing's striking, exquisite face appeared, and he greeted the crew.
"Hello, everyone!"
"It's actually Nan Qing! Oh my god! Is he really this beautiful in person?"
"Doesn't everyone say he's had plastic surgery? How could anyone surgically create a face like that?"
"With looks like his, couldn't he do whatever he wanted in the industry?"
Whispers rose from the crowd, and someone from the directing team greeted him as well.
Bai Ruanruan's face tightened, a powerful sense of crisis rising within him.
He quickly glanced at Nan Qing, then at the Aston Martin.
He scoffed inwardly.
That stupid car is just a rental, isn't it?
What's he showing off for?
He was watching Nan Qing show off with a cold gaze when Nan Qing turned and walked around to the other side.
The window seemed to have opened. Nan Qing bent down, apparently speaking to the person inside.
Bai Ruanruan's lips twitched again.
He really knows how to put on an act. Not only did he rent a car, he hired an actor too.
What does he think he is? Some big shot's pampered little wife?
A moment later, the silver-gray Aston Martin slowly pulled away, raising a cloud of dust along the mountain road.
Ever dedicated, Nan Qing watched Huo Yuzhou's car drive into the distance. The moment he turned back, he saw Bai Ruanruan looking at him with an unfriendly expression.
"Nan Qing, who was that just now? Why didn't you ask him to come down and say hello?"
Nan Qing was briefly startled.
No wonder Huo Yuzhou and Bai Ruanruan could get along. The two really were on the same wavelength.
How had he known that Huo Yuzhou had just offered to get out and say hello, only for Nan Qing to fob him off?
Seeing Nan Qing's expression, Bai Ruanruan gained confidence. But rather than continuing to question him nastily, he quit while he was ahead and went to chat with someone else.
"Hello, World" had no regular cast. Besides inviting film and television stars each episode, it occasionally invited professors and teachers familiar with local folk customs. However, these people had no experience being filmed for extended periods, so they were somewhat inhibited on camera and rarely produced any buzzworthy moments.
The person chatting beside Bai Ruanruan was a professor from a university in S City. He had a scholarly air and was quietly listening to Bai Ruanruan speak.
The person standing on Bai Ruanruan's other side was probably from the entertainment industry. He had pink highlights in his hair. Nan Qing found him somewhat familiar but could not recognize him.
Soon, that person rolled his eyes at him.
Nan Qing understood at once.
He really is from the entertainment industry. No mistake this time!
"Nan Qing!"
A familiar voice came from behind him. Nan Qing turned around. It was Yu Xingyan, who had considered himself the company's future top star yesterday, only to be put in his place.
Yet he showed no embarrassment at all. "When did you get here? Want to team up if we get the chance?"
Before Nan Qing could speak, the pink-haired man beside Bai Ruanruan spoke instead.
"Flops sticking together. Obscurity squared."
Yu Xingyan gritted his teeth in anger. "Of course. Who could compare to you, Lin Tang, a professional bed-climber!"
Lin Tang's face went white with fury, and he turned away without another word.
Hearing that familiar name, Nan Qing finally realized who he was.
Lin Tang, an idol selected for last year's hugely popular group, was billed as the visual of Hua Country's singing-and-dancing groups, with a face kissed by God.
But in the group photo at the year-end charity gala, the two of them had stood together, and Lin Tang's supposedly God-kissed face had been utterly outclassed. His fans had all gone mad, angrily accusing the production team of Photoshopping Nan Qing alone. It had caused quite a stir at the time.
"We're just waiting for one more guest before we can start filming. Everyone, please get ready!"
After the director called out, Bai Ruanruan obligingly answered, "Okay."
He was already eagerly prepared to welcome his explosive rise to fame!
Just as the words fell, a car came speeding from the distance and stopped steadily in front of them.
Bai Ruanruan merely glanced at it before quickly looking away.
I'm a man with the script in hand. There aren't any big shots on this variety show, or I wouldn't get so many buzzworthy moments.
Four nobodies, one outsider, and me, Bai Ruanruan.
Isn't it obvious who they're promoting?
Bai Ruanruan curled his lips, watching the car door open and a figure step out.
Bai Ruanruan's expression froze. Why is it him?