After Dumping the Scumbag, I Ended Up with His "White Moonlight” - Chapter 8

The guesthouse was named “Shao Guang” (Splendid Time). It sat on the southernmost tip of the island, just a few steps away from the shore.

It was a three-story building with a small attic. The first floor featured a spacious lobby with five tables for guests to dine. In a corner far from the dining area stood a two-meter-high enclosure housing a large white rabbit, and next to it was a wooden doghouse. The second floor contained nearly ten rooms for guests, while the third floor served as the private living and sleeping area for the cast. The property also boasted a small garden and a backyard vegetable patch

filled with potatoes and cabbage.

Upon arriving, Qiu Yuyi hesitated at the entrance for a long moment before summoning the courage to step inside.

Earlier, when Xia Di’an had uttered the name “Shen Nian,” Qiu Yuyi’s brain had momentarily short-circuited. Fortunately, Xia Di’an seemed to have asked in passing and didn’t press for details. Seeing Qiu Yuyi stammering and unable to squeeze out a coherent sentence, Xia Di’an had simply let out a soft chuckle and strode ahead, leaving the boy behind.

Entering the lobby, Qiu Yuyi saw that in addition to Xia Di’an, the returning guests from the previous season—Cao Ziping and Lin Xuemeng—had already arrived.

Cao Ziping, 35, was a professional host. Qiu Yuyi had seen his shows; he was known for his witty, humorous style and a kind personality that made guests feel at ease.

Lin Xuemeng had just celebrated her 40th birthday. She was exceptionally well-preserved; with her waist-length hair and youthful features, she looked barely thirty. However, her career had plateaued. After a decade of acting, she had only reached the B-list, and the scripts being sent to her lately were already for “mother of the lead” roles.

Beside Lin Xuemeng stood a round-faced girl with short hair. She looked eighteen at most—cute, but certainly not a standout beauty by entertainment industry standards.

The group had just finished greeting Xia Di’an when they saw Qiu Yuyi enter. Cao Ziping immediately stepped forward to help with his bags.

“Thank you, Brother Cao, but I can manage,” Qiu Yuyi said, placing his luggage by the sofa. He walked over to Cao Ziping and offered a polite introduction. “Hello, everyone. My name is Qiu Yuyi. I’m an actor.”

Cao Ziping laughed and patted him on the shoulder. “A fresh pair of young hands for the heavy lifting! Excellent, excellent.”

Lin Xuemeng covered her mouth and laughed, giving Cao Ziping a playful nudge before turning to Qiu Yuyi. “I’m Lin Xuemeng. You can call me Sister Xuemeng.” She shot a brief, indifferent glance at the girl beside her, her smile fading slightly. “I hope we have the chance to work together in the future.”

The round-faced girl waited for them to finish before speaking up timidly. “My name is Hu Shasha. I’m eighteen, and I’m Sister Lin’s junior from the same agency.”

Lin Xuemeng shot Hu Shasha a sideways glance and let out a faint, scoffing laugh but said nothing.

Qiu Yuyi’s nerves tightened. In just a few minutes, it was obvious that the relationship between Lin Xuemeng and Hu Shasha was strained; Lin Xuemeng clearly looked down on her junior. He steadied himself, his eyes instinctively drifting toward Xia Di’an, only to find the man watching him with a half-smile. He quickly looked away, resolving to keep his distance from Xia Di’an for the duration of the trip.

One final guest was scheduled to arrive tomorrow, and the official filming would begin the day after.

“There are five rooms on the third floor,” Cao Ziping noted. “Since there are six of us, two people will have to share.”

Lin Xuemeng spoke up immediately. “I don’t like sharing. I’ll take a private room.”

Hu Shasha clenched her hands nervously, her eyes filled with unease as she stole a glance at Lin Xuemeng. Since there were only two women, and Lin Xuemeng refused to share, Hu Shasha would naturally have to take a private room as well.

“Is it confirmed that tomorrow’s guest is a man?” Xia Di’an asked, leaning casually against the sofa.

Cao Ziping nodded. “It’s always been four men and two women.” He suddenly had an idea. “How about we all take a private room tonight, and when the last guy arrives tomorrow, we’ll see which of the three of us he wants to bunk with?”

“No need for the trouble.” Xia Di’an straightened up.

Qiu Yuyi suddenly had a sinking feeling.

Sure enough, Xia Di’an looked over with a glint in his eye. “I’ll room with Qiu Yuyi.” Then, with a touch of mock concern, he asked, “Xiao Yi, you won’t find me annoying, will you?”

Qiu Yuyi was trapped. With everyone watching, he couldn’t possibly refuse. He forced a strained, awkward smile. “Brother Xia is joking. Of course not.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he shot a resentful look at Xia Di’an. The thought of sharing a room with this man for an entire month made him feel dizzy. He was starting to deeply regret accepting this job.

“Then it’s settled,” Cao Ziping said cheerfully. “The two of you can have the master suite on the third floor. Everyone, let’s get our bags upstairs, then we’ll head out for dinner.”

Although the house was already rigged with cameras, the formal recording wouldn’t start until the day after tomorrow, so the production team wasn’t restricting their personal spending yet.

Lin Xuemeng smoothed her hair and declined. “You guys go ahead. I’m dieting; I don’t eat dinner.”

In the industry, nine out of ten actresses were on a permanent diet; the tenth was simply a lucky soul who couldn’t gain weight. Cao Ziping, knowing her habits, didn’t push. He grouped the tall Xia Di’an and the slender Qiu Yuyi into the “no diet needed” category and turned to Hu Shasha. “Shasha? Coming with us?”

Hu Shasha gave a shy smile, two dimples appearing on her round face. “I’ll go with you.”

Qiu Yuyi wasn’t actually hungry; between the seasickness and the exhaustion, he just wanted a shower and a nap. But as a newcomer, he didn’t want to kill the mood, so he remained silent. Xia Di’an shot a glance at him; seeing that the boy didn’t object to dinner, he let out a tiny, almost imperceptible “Hmph.”

“Let’s head up and get settled,” Cao Ziping said, grabbing his and Lin Xuemeng’s suitcases.

Xia Di’an’s luggage hadn’t arrived yet. He walked over to Qiu Yuyi. “Since you’re not feeling well, let me help you.” He naturally took the handle of Qiu Yuyi’s suitcase.

“Thank you.” Qiu Yuyi didn’t argue. In his current state, lugging a heavy suitcase to the third floor would have been a struggle.

“Um.” Hu Shasha interrupted timidly. “Could you help me with my suitcase too?” She looked at them with a pleading expression.

Qiu Yuyi looked at Hu Shasha’s massive trunk and felt conflicted. He didn’t want to be rude, but he also couldn’t tell Xia Di’an to give him back his own bag just to take hers. Just as he was about to grit his teeth and agree, Xia Di’an spoke first.

“I’ll take Qiu Yuyi’s up first, then I’ll come back down for yours.”

Hu Shasha let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Brother Xia!”

Xia Di’an didn’t reply and headed up the stairs. Qiu Yuyi followed closely behind. After a second trip for Hu Shasha’s bag, everyone was finally on the third floor.

The layout featured three rooms on the left of the landing and two on the right. Lin Xuemeng took the room at the far left, Hu Shasha took the first on the right, and Cao Ziping took the one opposite Lin Xuemeng.

Xia Di’an and Qiu Yuyi moved into the master suite across from Hu Shasha.

“It’s 7:00 PM now,” Cao Ziping announced. “Let’s meet in the lobby at 8:00 sharp. Sound good?”

Everyone except Lin Xuemeng agreed.

Qiu Yuyi followed Xia Di’an into the room, and as soon as he crossed the threshold, he froze. He had assumed it was a “large room” because it had twin beds.

Instead, there was only one massive bed.

Qiu Yuyi: “…”

Xia Di’an showed no reaction. He calmly placed Qiu Yuyi’s suitcase by the bed and gave a light smile. “Go ahead and unpack. I’m going to wash my face.”

Qiu Yuyi watched him walk into the bathroom with a complicated expression. He’s a top-tier idol for a reason, he thought. Look at that composure.

Sighing, he pushed his stray thoughts aside and knelt down to open his suitcase. He looked at the fresh bedsheets he’d brought from home, then back at the bed. He decided against using them. It would be too weird to ask Xia Di’an to sleep on his personal sheets.

He quickly transferred his clothes to the wardrobe and set out his laptop and mugs.

“Qiu Yuyi,” Xia Di’an called out as he emerged from the bathroom. “Sorry to ask, but do you have a spare towel?”

Qiu Yuyi had brought two new ones—one teal, one gray. He hesitated for a second before handing the gray one to Xia Di’an at the bathroom door. “It’s new and pre-washed.”

“Thanks.” Xia Di’an took the towel and wiped his face. His sharp eyes immediately caught sight of the folded sheets in the open suitcase. “You brought those?” He pointed. “Why not put them on?”

Seeing Qiu Yuyi’s hesitant face, Xia Di’an understood. “Afraid I’d mind?”

Qiu Yuyi nodded.

A smile tugged at Xia Di’an’s lips. “Put them on. I don’t mind at all.”

With that permission, Qiu Yuyi didn’t hesitate further. Xia Di’an even lent a hand, and the two of them soon had the bed made.

By the time they were done, it was 7:30 PM. Xia Di’an sat on the sofa checking his phone. Not wanting to disturb him, Qiu Yuyi stepped out onto the balcony to return Su Yichen’s call.

The balcony faced the sea. The sky was dark, and a cool ocean breeze blew in, carrying the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

He dialed Su Yichen’s number.