Break Up Right After Same-sex Marriage Is Legalized - Chapter 5

Huang Zhengming slapped Mr. Wei hard on the shoulder and laughed loudly: “Alright, alright, why always keep such a stiff face? I was just worried you weren’t treating He Zhi well. Pay a little more attention. Hurry up and push our He Zhi to become a Grand Slam Best Actor!”

Mr. Wei swiped his hand away, his expression turning cold again: “None of your concern.”

Then, he suddenly gripped my hand tightly and led me away from Huang Zhengming.

We walked up to a middle-aged man. The man was also wearing a well-tailored suit, looking refined and scholarly, though the expression on his face carried a slight sense of the vicissitudes of life.

Mr. Wei introduced him—

“Director Zhang Ming.”

“He Zhi, whom I mentioned to you yesterday, a rookie actor with great potential.”

I hadn’t expected Mr. Wei to actually seek out Zhang Ming after all. We exchanged greetings.

Zhang Ming is a famous big-name director in the industry. Now in his forties, he has already won countless major awards and received two Oscar nominations. The movies he films receive high scores for art house films and are box-office hits for commercial films. He has produced countless Best Actors and Best Actresses.

Those who can collaborate with him are mostly top-tier famous actors.

Zhang Ming himself occasionally scouts for rookie actors. As long as a newcomer acts in one of his movies, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they soar to the sky in a single bound. Their star path becomes completely open and bright.

People in the industry say Zhang Ming has an eccentric temper and is difficult to get along with, but his eye for talent is unparalleled. Whether male or female, he can discover the most beautiful side of the other person and present it on the silver screen.

I had only heard from Brother Jian that Director Zhang was planning a new project and that there was a role inside very suitable for me, but I didn’t yet know what kind of play it was. Let alone a script, even the general direction wasn’t clear. One could say I was completely unprepared.

For this meeting, I only hoped to at least leave a good impression on him. Otherwise, it would waste Mr. Wei’s efforts.

After all, if the little lover being kept is no good, it makes the benefactor’s taste look poor. A professional lover must look out for the benefactor in every aspect to be worth the other’s investment in money and resources.

Thinking of this, I nodded toward Zhang Ming: “Hello, I am He Zhi. I have long heard of Director Zhang’s great name. I have always liked your movies.”

This wasn’t a lie. Since I entered the entertainment industry, I have watched the masterpieces of various famous directors, honing my acting skills by increasing the volume of films I’ve viewed. Director Zhang is so famous that I have watched many of his movies more than once.

Director Zhang was actually very easy to get along with. He stared into my eyes, looking at me for a while longer, and the expression on his face softened: “He Zhi, is it? I heard Chen Lin mention you; he said you are a very good young actor—spiritual, able to endure hardship, and a natural talent.”

Chen Lin is the general director of Citywide Ultimatum.

“Director Chen overpraised me, it was I who received much care from him.”

Mr. Wei, standing to the side, suddenly said: “Director Zhang, it’s true that He Zhi is spiritual, but I don’t want him to endure hardship.”

I disagreed, one cannot perform a good role without enduring hardship.

Hearing this, Zhang Ming didn’t get angry but laughed out loud: “It’s rare for Shengli to introduce a friend to me and be so protective. I find Little He quite pleasing to the eye as well. We can collaborate if there is a chance.”

People in this circle sometimes like to speak in a roundabout way. Zhang Ming’s words actually amounted to making it clear that he intended to give me a role in the future.

I gave a grateful smile: “I look forward to collaborating with Director Zhang.”

Zhang Ming patted my shoulder: “Don’t be happy too soon. No matter who comes for my movies, they have to audition.”

“I will work hard and not fail the high expectations of President Wei and Director Zhang.”

After chatting with Director Zhang, Mr. Wei introduced me to several other famous directors. Mr. Wei held the highest status here, and no one dared not give him face. Consequently, I felt several gazes of envy and even jealousy.

In this circle, there are many monks but little gruel. Too many people fight until their heads bleed for a tiny bit of resources.

I could only let out a soft sigh, ignore those looks, and pull myself together to exchange pleasantries.

After the banquet ended, I was a bit exhausted.

When we went back, Mr. Wei and I sat together in the back seat of the car. He pulled down the partition between the front and back seats and suddenly hooked his arm around my waist, pulling me toward him: “Rest if you’re tired.”

“I’m alright.” I asked, “Isn’t Mr. Wei tired?”

“Not tired.” he said, “I’m used to social obligations.”

It seems I am still not used to the clinking of glasses and social networking.

This won’t do, it seems I need to continue working hard.

At home that night, while I was showering, Mr. Wei walked in.

In the bathroom steaming with heat and white mist, the air gradually became saturated with desire. I stood naked under the shower.Hearing the sound, I turned my head and saw the dark blue color in his deep pupils through the mist.

After our eyes met, I heard his breathing suddenly grow heavy.

“Rest tomorrow.”

He said.

I nodded: “Yes.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, Mr. Wei took a step forward and, with movements that could hardly hide his urgency, pinned me against the wall, placing his palm behind my head to cushion it.

The hot water soaked through his shirt, revealing his strong, lean muscular lines. He leaned down and bit my lower lip fiercely. Before I even had time to give a response, my breath was taken away by him.

Mr. Wei should be a person with heavy desires; many times in the past, I would find myself unable to withstand his demands. Of course, this doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about my feelings, but it’s like being caught and gnawed on by a wild beast—no matter how hard the other party tries to be gentle, the mouth still contains fangs that swallow people once opened.

Especially our first time. I suspected he really wanted to swallow me whole.

The consequences of that time were disastrous. I had to lie in bed for three days before I was okay.

Having not done it for a month, Mr. Wei’s stroking and kissing movements were slightly tinged with a hurried, messy roughness, yet it didn’t make me feel bad. I only shivered slightly within the temperature of being intensely craved.

From the bathroom to the bedroom.

By the time it ended, several hours had passed. I was so exhausted I didn’t have a shred of strength left. It was Mr. Wei who carried me to wash up.

Before falling completely asleep, I thought hazily: This is not good.

Next time I need to wash myself to be a qualified canary.

After messing around at home with Mr. Wei for a few days, Brother Jian brought me a new job.

It was an advertisement for a luxury perfume.

Because the TV dramas I’ve filmed over the past two years have all become massive hits, and I even relied on a serious drama to win the ‘Best Actor in a TV Series’ title, Brother Jian said my current popularity is already that of a top-tier star. Now, I need to take advantage of the momentum to transition toward the acting powerhouse and the silver screen.

With Mr. Wei’s added influence, it wasn’t strange that a big-name luxury brand sought me out for an endorsement.

This quarter, the perfume brand launched its latest fragrance, it’s an oceanic scent.

I arrived at the filming site. The perfumer Aidan and the director, Sister Mei, spent some time explaining the concept of the fragrance to me.

Aidan explained: “Every time we shoot a perfume commercial, we hope the endorser can understand, and even fall in love with, this scent. If you can’t even achieve the most basic understanding, then how will the resulting commercial attract people?”

Sister Mei: “Aidan is right. Our commercial shoots have always been like this. I hope Mr. He Zhi can cooperate well.”

The two of them were very friendly, so naturally, I wouldn’t hold up the shoot: “If there’s anything I need to pay attention to, please just bring it up.”

“Then let’s start with this fragrance; it’s an oceanic scent.” Aidan took the perfume and sprayed it in the air. “Mr. He Zhi, you can try to feel it, to imagine it—natural and fresh, but revealing stability from beginning to end. Do you understand?”

I closed my eyes to carefully sniff the fragrance dispersing in the air, then lifted my eyes and described what I perceived—

“Transparent, vast, inclusive, and with the most primal breath of nature.”

Aidan’s eyes lit up: “Oh dear, you are right! After you reopened your eyes, I saw the ocean in the depths of your gaze!” After saying that, he looked at Sister Mei, “Mei, you can tell Mr. He Zhi about the commercial content now. Believe me, just look at his eyes and you will understand—no one understands this perfume better than he does.”

I suppose I have heard plenty of praise, but it was the first time I met someone as passionate and direct as Aidan. I was momentarily surprised and could only keep thanking him for his affirmation.

Next, Sister Mei explained the concept of the advertisement to me.

To put it simply, it was to play a merman in the sea.

Sister Mei asked: “Mr. He Zhi can swim, right?”

I nodded: “I can.”

“Are your swimming skills good?”

“They’re alright.”

“That’s good then.” Sister Mei explained, “Today’s entire shoot will take place in the water, and you have to wear a prop fish tail. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to hold up.”

The content of the advertisement was simple, without any overly complex plot—a merman captured and kept by humans, living daily in a gorgeously decorated fish tank, content with the current peace. Until he smells the scent of the perfume, develops a longing for the ocean, and finally, on a sunny afternoon, follows the scent and breaks free from the cage to return to the sea, carrying mottled scars.

What we were filming today were the scenes in the magnificent fish tank.

Aidan said: “Mei, hurry up and start! I can’t wait to see Mr. He Zhi turn into a beautiful merman!”

Having clarified the concept of the perfume and the content of the commercial, a professional makeup team came to apply my makeup. Because of the commercial concept, the makeup was blue-toned and extremely tedious and complex. Even my upper body had to be painted with flowing patterns using waterproof tools.

According to Sister Mei, when we film the part in the sea, the makeup will have to be changed again.

The current look was the poignant and pitiable beauty of being imprisoned. By then, it would be the colorful brilliance of freedom.

The head makeup artist was an extroverted lady. She had only just finished the base for me when she started praising: “Teacher He Zhi’s skin, tsk tsk, what’s left to paint? If everyone had this face and this skin, my rice bowl would be smashed!”

In order not to hinder her makeup application, I shouldn’t always move to speak, so I simply offered my thanks.

Thinking that I would have to be bare-chested in a moment, I couldn’t help but feel grateful to Mr. Wei. Although he always demands too much in terms of sex, he won’t leave marks on my body if he knows I have work. And we won’t do it the day before my work.

Of course, after the work is finished, he will double his efforts to take me back.

Having understood his prowess in that area earlier on, I once wondered if Mr. Wei had more than one lover. Otherwise, how could he vent all that energy? Later, finding out there was indeed only me, I began to marvel that Mr. Wei is indeed someone who does great things—enduring when he must, and indulging when he chooses, with a perfect sense of restraint and release.

According to Special Assistant Lyu, Mr. Wei is always steady and abstinent to the outside world, never going to those strange places.

The steadiness is a fact, but I really cannot agree with the abstinent part.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve been thinking of Mr. Wei several times during this period, but halfway through the makeup, Mr. Wei actually arrived at the scene to visit the set.