After Dumping the Scumbag, I Ended Up with His "White Moonlight” - Chapter 4

Shen Nian’s gaze was soft, fixed entirely on Xia Di’an. For two years, he had deliberately avoided Xia Di’an’s music and variety shows, yet in the dead of night, the man would uncontrollably occupy his mind.

Now, watching Xia Di’an sit across from him, eating with slow deliberation, Shen Nian felt a sense of vertigo. He felt as though the two years of longing and pain had finally been justified. He hadn’t expected that after their bitter fallout two years ago, Xia Di’an could sit here and dine with him so calmly.

Shen Nian placed a shrimp into Xia Di’an’s bowl. His voice was slightly raspy, perhaps from suppressed emotion. “Xiao An, I remember this was always your favorite. Try it. They haven’t changed chefs here; the taste is exactly the same as before.”

Xia Di’an’s hand paused over his chopsticks. Then, without a word, he quietly moved the shrimp to a side plate. Picking up a napkin with his long, slender fingers, he wiped his mouth before offering an explanation. “I’m sorry, Brother

Nian. I think I’m still jet-lagged. I don’t have much of an appetite today.”

Shen Nian didn’t feel slighted. He simply couldn’t bring himself to look away from Xia Di’an. “It’s my fault. I forgot you just got back and need your rest.” Looking at Xia Di’an’s face—as elegant and handsome as it was two years ago—

Shen Nian felt his throat tighten. He took a few sips of water before continuing, “Do you have any plans now that you’re back? My next film hasn’t found its second male lead yet. If you want to act, I can recommend you to the director.”

“Thank you, Brother Nian, but that won’t be necessary.” Xia Di’an lowered his eyes. After a moment, he looked up with his customary polite smile.

“Don’t be so formal with me. If you need anything, just ask,” Shen Nian added, worried Xia Di’an was just being shy. “Given our history, I’ll help you however I can.”

The lights in the private booth were bright. Under the glow, Xia Di’an’s eyes looked cold, and his skin appeared almost translucently pale.

“Senior Shen is as hospitable as ever,” Xia Di’an remarked, idly toyed with the glass in his hand.

Hearing the shift to the formal “Senior,” Shen Nian frowned. He was about to speak when a knock sounded at the door. At Xia Di’an’s request, they hadn’t closed the door upon entering. This restaurant was known for its privacy and was a celebrity favorite, so Shen Nian hadn’t paid the open door any mind.

At the sound of the knock, both men turned toward the entrance.

Shen Nian froze.

Qiu Yuyi was standing obediently at the door. Seeing them look over, he gave a small, shy smile, the dimples in his cheeks becoming more pronounced under the restaurant lights.

Qiu Yuyi was actually feeling very anxious. Ever since he’d spotted Shen Nian and Xia Di’an, he had been distracted at his own table. Even Director Zhang Huihai had noticed his absent-mindedness, and Su Yichen had tugged at his sleeve several times, whispering to ask what was wrong.

Qiu Yuyi had just shaken his head, his mind swirling with questions.

The clothes Brother Nian is wearing, isn’t that the suit Xiao Yang came to fetch?

Brother Nian told me he was swamped on set—why is he here having dinner with Xia Di’an?

They seem so close. I’ve never seen Brother Nian smile like that.

Feeling a strange sense of internal chaos, Qiu Yuyi had made an excuse to leave his table to find Shen Nian.

“What are you doing here?” Shen Nian snapped back to reality, his brow furrowing deeply. He had no desire for Xia Di’an to know about his relationship with Qiu Yuyi. He preemptively introduced him to Xia Di’an: “This is one of my juniors.” He didn’t even mention Qiu Yuyi’s name.

Qiu Yuyi hesitated, then stepped into the booth.

Shen Nian remained seated, making no move to offer Qiu Yuyi a chair.

Qiu Yuyi felt a pang of disappointment, but he reminded himself that Shen Nian had always been private about his personal life. In their two years together, the only people who knew were Shen Nian’s manager, his assistant, and Su Yichen. Suppressing his hurt, he answered the question. “Our crew is having a dinner in the booth next door.”

He then turned to Xia Di’an. Seeing him in person was a different experience; the man was far more handsome than he appeared on screen. Qiu Yuyi hadn’t realized he was such a sucker for a pretty face until this moment. He quickly offered a polite greeting. “Hello, Senior Xia. My name is Qiu Yuyi.”

Xia Di’an glanced at Qiu Yuyi, then shot a casual look at Shen Nian before fixing his eyes back on the boy. “No need to call me ‘Senior.’ I know who you are.”

Xia Di’an had a younger cousin who was an avid fan. A year ago, she had been obsessed with a certain character in a drama. When he returned to China, she had even messaged him, asking him to get an autograph if he ever had the chance.

“My cousin likes you very much,” Xia Di’an said with a small smile. “She even asked me to get an autograph from you if I saw you.”

Qiu Yuyi was stunned, then overwhelmed by the flattery. “An, an autograph?”

Shen Nian abruptly cut them off. “Qiu Yuyi, we’re in the middle of something here.” He was clearly displeased by the exchange, and his attitude toward Qiu Yuyi grew even colder.

“Oh, right. Okay.” Sensing the irritation, Qiu Yuyi quickly said his goodbyes. “Then, Brother Nian, Senior Xia, I’ll leave you to your meal. Sorry for the intrusion.”

Once Qiu Yuyi left, Xia Di’an also gathered his things. He stood and looked at Shen Nian. “Brother Nian, it’s getting late. I should head out as well.”

“We rarely get a chance to eat together, why leave so soon?” Shen Nian stood up to persuade him. “There’s a movie out right now with great reviews. Let’s catch a show, and then I’ll drive you home.”

Xia Di’an rubbed his temples. “No, thank you. I just want to go home and rest.”

Seeing the fatigue on Xia Di’an’s face, Shen Nian couldn’t push further. He grabbed his coat from the chair. “Then I’ll drive you back.”

A flash of impatience flickered in Xia Di’an’s eyes before he smoothed it over. “Don’t bother. Xiao Miao is waiting for me outside.”

With Xia Di’an being so firm, Shen Nian had no choice but to stay behind and watch him leave. However, the repeated rejections had left him feeling a bit sour. Normally, Qiu Yuyi was obedient to a fault. Feeling frustrated by Xia Di’an, Shen Nian suddenly remembered Qiu Yuyi’s good points. He decided not to return to the set immediately; instead, he would wait for Qiu Yuyi’s dinner to end, drive him home, and then go back to work.

“Xiao Yi, where did you go?” Su Yichen whispered once he saw no one was paying attention. Qiu Yuyi had been restless all night and had disappeared for nearly fifteen minutes after saying he was going to the restroom. Having looked after him like a younger brother for years, Su Yichen was naturally worried.

“I ran into Brother Nian,” Qiu Yuyi whispered back. “He’s having dinner here with Xia Di’an.”

At the mention of Xia Di’an, Su Yichen’s excitement spiked. “Xia Di’an is here? Oh my god, are they still there? I need an autograph!”

“Maybe another time. I think Brother Nian is discussing business with him.” Afraid Su Yichen would be disappointed, he added, “Seriously, Brother Nian looked really unhappy when I walked in.”

Unlike Qiu Yuyi, Su Yichen, the bystander, felt that something was off. “That’s strange,” he murmured. He was about to ask more when Qiu Yuyi’s phone lit up.

Qiu Yuyi opened WeChat, his eyes brightening. Su Yichen didn’t even need to ask who it was from. After replying, Qiu Yuyi looked at Su Yichen with sparkling eyes. “Brother Nian says he’ll drive me home after this before heading back to the set.” His voice had turned light and cheerful.

Despite his dislike for Shen Nian, Su Yichen wanted Qiu Yuyi to be happy. Seeing his friend so elated made him feel better. “Wait a bit longer, I think we’re almost done here.”

Qiu Yuyi didn’t usually participate in these social circles, so he sat quietly while Su Yichen made the rounds, chatting with the rest of the table.

About half an hour later, after Director Zhang Huihai settled the bill and left, the rest of the group began to disperse. Su Yichen, having had a fair bit to drink, returned to Qiu Yuyi’s side. “Let’s go.”

Seeing that Su Yichen was quite drunk, Qiu Yuyi immediately stepped in to support him. “Yichen, let me take you home first.” Su Yichen had been renting his own place since graduation.

“No, no, don’t let me get in your way,” Su Yichen waved him off. “I’ll just call a cab.”

Qiu Yuyi saw him swaying and stumbling. “No way. I’m not letting you go back alone like this.” He lowered his voice. “Brother Nian and I will drop you off first.”

Given how persistent he was, Su Yichen didn’t argue further. He ruffled Qiu Yuyi’s soft hair. “Brother Yi really didn’t spoil you for nothing.”

Qiu Yuyi gave a little laugh. “Come on, they’re already in the parking lot.”

Shen Nian was already growing impatient. When he saw Su Yichen get into the car, his irritation flared. “What is he doing here?”

Su Yichen caught the venom in his voice. To avoid making things difficult for Qiu Yuyi, he pretended not to hear and slumped into a corner to rest with his eyes closed.

Once Qiu Yuyi was settled, he quickly explained, “Yichen had too much to drink. Let’s drop him off first.”

Though displeased, Shen Nian didn’t say anything further. He barked at Xiao Yang in the driver’s seat, “Drive.”

Qiu Yuyi breathed a sigh of relief. Shen Nian and Su Yichen had never gotten along; if it weren’t for Su Yichen being so drunk, Qiu Yuyi would never have let them cross paths tonight.

The car drove smoothly through the silent night.

Qiu Yuyi stole a glance at Shen Nian, who was staring out the window, lost in thought. Slowly, Qiu Yuyi reached out and tried to slip his hand into Shen Nian’s large palm. When Shen Nian didn’t pull away, Qiu Yuyi bit his lip to hide a secret smile.

After dropping off Su Yichen, they arrived at Qiu Yuyi’s place near midnight. “Brother Nian, I’m heading in. Drive safely.”

“Wait,” Shen Nian called out.

Seeing Qiu Yuyi turn back with a confused expression, Shen Nian pursed his lips and let out a long sigh. “Never mind. Go in and get some rest. We’ll talk when I come back this weekend.”

Qiu Yuyi returned home filled with doubt. Shen Nian had been acting so strange tonight, and he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

What did he want to say to me?

Forget it, don’t think about it.

Qiu Yuyi’s head throbbed slightly. He went to the kitchen to fix himself a glass of milk.

Whatever it is, he wouldn’t say he wants to break up, right?