Flirted Then Forgot Everything - Chapter 10

The trending topics regarding Yu Cheng and Jian Li on Xunsheng had barely cooled down before they were shoved back into the spotlight. Media outlets had taken the photos of Jian Li grabbing Yu Cheng’s wrist and magnified them for scrutiny; under the intense zoom, the bite mark on Yu Cheng’s neck was undeniable.

Online discussions reached a fever pitch. While the previous kissing scandal at the awards ceremony could be loosely explained away as a publicity stunt for the new movie, how could they explain this?

This was a paparazzi leak. Had Yu Cheng and Jian Li predicted they would be followed and staged a performance specifically for the cameras? Did they go as far as to leave a visible bite mark just for the “show”?

It defied logic. Furthermore, would two stars really sacrifice this much for a single film? Publicly coming out?

Though society had become much more accepting of same-sex relationships, few celebrities were willing to expose themselves voluntarily—it was essentially gambling with their entire careers. Between a Film King and a top-tier idol, had they both gone mad?

Many of Yu Cheng’s fans felt betrayed, not only by the possibility that he was using a fake romance for marketing, but by the ambiguity of his sexuality and personal life.

Scrolling through his phone, Jian Li saw several comments attacking Yu Cheng. Anxious and frustrated, he couldn’t help but switch to his burner account to fire back at the haters.

“See? You guys put Yu Cheng on too high a pedestal. ‘Four-time Best Actor’? I bet it’s all fluff. Who knows what shady means he used to get those trophies.”

Jian Li’s reply: “Yu Cheng has more talent in his pinky than you’ll have in eight hundred lifetimes. You’re just a bitter hater whose life is so pathetic you have to find solace by trolling online!”

“A real actor wouldn’t need this much marketing. The old-school greats relied on pure skill and their work. Yu Cheng is just different—one marketing scheme after another.”

Jian Li’s reply: “Funny you say that, considering he’s won Best Actor four times in a row. Since Yu Cheng debuted, no one else can even touch that trophy! Every movie he makes is a masterpiece; there isn’t a single one he can’t be proud of!”

Jian Li’s thumbs flew across the screen. After a round of aggressive rebuttals, he finally felt he had vented some of his frustration. He fought the anti-fans until midnight and eventually drifted off with his phone in hand, still mentally drafting counter-arguments in his sleep.

Unbeknownst to Jian Li, beneath the comments he had defended, several voices of agreement began to surface. A small group of “shippers” was quietly forming, their numbers growing by the minute.

After Jian Li hung up on Wan Tao, the manager truly did stop checking in on him, seemingly determined to let Jian Li learn a hard lesson. Jian Li didn’t mind; he wanted to become a singer who spoke through talent rather than a face that drew fans. This crisis wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; it could be the springboard he needed.

Imprison Your Love would be his first step toward a total career transformation.

The next day, Jian Li showed up for the table read with heavy dark circles under his eyes. Despite the lack of sleep, he was full of energy and didn’t lose focus or make a single mistake throughout the session. Chen Jing and Hu Xin were full of praise, and even the other young actors began to view him in a new light.

As the session ended, Yang Xu announced a one-day break before they would begin shooting the promotional posters. Once the posters were finished, Jian Li would officially join the cast and begin his first real cinematic journey.

Leaving the building, Jian Li stood by the entrance and saw that the number of reporters waiting outside had doubled since the morning. As Yu Cheng walked past him, he pushed the doors open and stepped out without hesitation.

Startled, Jian Li reached out to grab him, but it was too late. The lurking media pounced like a pack of hungry wolves.

“Wait! Hey.”

Seeing Yu Cheng instantly swarmed, Jian Li had no choice but to follow him out. The moment the media saw him, they parted to create a narrow path. Jian Li scurried to Yu Cheng’s side and shot him a silent, frantic glare.

“What are you doing coming out here? Look at all these reporters!”

Just then, Zhou Qingbai arrived with several bodyguards. They were tall, sturdy, and intimidating, and their presence immediately quieted the crowd. Jian Li shut his mouth and stayed close to Yu Cheng as they made their way out.

Though the reporters backed off slightly, they followed tenaciously, thrusting microphones forward and hurling disjointed questions.

“Are the two of you dating?”

“Is this a public coming out?”

“How far has your relationship progressed?”

“Kisses or the bedroom? Have you two slept together yet?”

Jian Li was a four-year veteran of the industry, but he had never been asked such invasive questions so publicly. He faltered, coming to a dead stop. Yu Cheng didn’t look back; he simply reached behind him, grabbed Jian Li’s wrist, and pulled him forward.

Regaining his senses, Jian Li stayed glued to Yu Cheng’s side until they both scrambled into the van. Yu Cheng remained silent the entire time. The moment they were inside, he released Jian Li’s wrist and resumed his usual pose of resting with his eyes closed.

Feeling like this trouble was all his fault, Jian Li was too guilty to speak. Instead, it was Zhou Qingbai who struck up a conversation.

“Where’s your manager? Is he busy today, too? With all those trending topics, shouldn’t he be handling your PR?”

Jian Li didn’t know how to answer. Feeling awkward being grilled by Zhou Qingbai again, he looked at the sleeping Yu Cheng and asked, “What about Yu Cheng? Has he done any PR?”

Zhou Qingbai chuckled as he turned the steering wheel. “Yu Cheng doesn’t need it. His talent is the best PR there is.”

It sounded arrogant, but Jian Li knew it was the truth. If Yu Cheng starred in a film, it would likely sweep the awards; the same couldn’t be said for anyone else. That was the weight of his name. Yu Cheng was irreplaceable.

Noticing Jian Li’s pensive look, Zhou Qingbai said jokingly, “I heard your contract with StarMaker is about to expire. Have you thought about jumping ship? How about Yu Cheng Studio? We’re looking to sign a few artists this year.”

Jian Li immediately looked at Yu Cheng. The man’s eyes were still closed, his profile sharp and handsome. His eyelashes were remarkably long for a man, slightly curled at the tips. Yu Cheng didn’t refute Zhou Qingbai’s words; he appeared to be truly asleep.

But looking at Yu Cheng’s perfectly upright posture, Jian Li knew he was awake. Not sure if Zhou Qingbai was serious or joking, Jian Li played along: “Really? If there’s a chance, I’ll definitely consider it seriously!”

Zhou Qingbai laughed in response and the rest of the ride was quiet. Due to his late-night internet battle, Jian Li soon drifted off. His head bobbed against the window, rhythmically bumping the glass.

Beside him, Yu Cheng suddenly reached out, caught Jian Li’s head, and gently guided it onto his own shoulder. In his sleep, Jian Li let out a comfortable mumble, and his furrowed brow smoothed over. Yu Cheng closed his eyes as well, silently letting Jian Li lean on him.

When they arrived and the car stopped, Jian Li slowly woke up. He found himself leaning against the window—or so he thought—and though he’d slept the whole way, his neck wasn’t stiff at all.

As he got out, he asked curiously, “Do you guys have business to attend to today as well?”

Zhou Qingbai nodded. “That’s right. Our Film King is a very busy man.”

Only when Jian Li’s figure disappeared through the door did Yu Cheng open his eyes. “Let’s head back.”

Zhou Qingbai rubbed his neck and complained, “Driving back and forth like this every day is killing me.”

Yu Cheng replied flatly, “I’ll double your salary.”

Zhou Qingbai immediately retracted his hand and started the engine. “Strange. The moment you said that, I suddenly don’t feel tired at all.”

After a day of rest at home, Jian Li headed to the photoshoot for the promotional posters alone. He was starting to realize he needed to hire an assistant. In the past, Wan Tao was always by his side and insisted they didn’t need one, but things had changed.

The production hadn’t hired a professional photographer; Yang Xu was handling the camera himself. Seeing Jian Li’s surprised expression, Yang Xu smiled. “Just a hobby of mine.”

He rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a small bottle, handing it to Jian Li. “In case you’re nervous. I’ll share one of these with you—it’s my favorite. Don’t drink it all at once; it’s strong.”

Jian Li looked at the bottle. It featured a cartoon animal and no text; it looked like some kind of specialty drink. Remembering the pear juice Yang Xu had given him before, he thanked him. Yang Xu waved him off and told him to get changed.

Since it was a modern drama, the costumes weren’t complex, but they were meticulous. The makeup artist, a young woman in her twenties, stood holding her brush, looking at Jian Li’s face with nowhere to start. His skin was too good; even up close, his pores were invisible. He didn’t even need concealer or foundation.

Following the director’s instructions, she merely touched up his face to give him a more sickly, pale appearance.

Because his makeup was the simplest, Jian Li was the first to be ready. Bored, he pulled out the drink Yang Xu had given him and took a sip. It was syrupy sweet with a slight, sharp kick. Jian Li licked his lips and took several more sips; it was surprisingly addictive.

The bottle was small and he finished it in a few gulps. Feeling a bit unsatisfied, he made a mental note to ask Yang Xu what the drink was and where to buy more.

To his surprise, shortly after finishing the drink, Jian Li felt his head begin to swim. His consciousness blurred, and he completely lost track of time.

Yu Cheng’s dressing room was right next door. As he stepped out, he noticed Jian Li’s door was slightly ajar with the lights still on, so he pushed it open to check.

He immediately saw Jian Li slumped haphazardly in his chair. Hearing the door, Jian Li looked over, his eyes shimmering and moist under the lights. The moment he saw Yu Cheng, a smile bloomed on his face, and he reached out with both hands.

“Hug me!”

Yu Cheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Hearing footsteps in the distance, he acted on a strange impulse, stepping into the room and locking the door behind him.

Jian Li remained there with his arms raised. When Yu Cheng didn’t immediately embrace him, he tilted his head in confusion, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Hug me.”

Yu Cheng spotted the empty, small bottle nearby. He recognized it—it was a high-concentration alcoholic beverage Yang Xu had specially commissioned from a factory. Yang Xu was a man who loved both sweets and spirits; the custom drink was so syrupy sweet that the taste of alcohol was almost entirely masked. Jian Li had clearly walked right into a trap.

Seeing that Yu Cheng still wasn’t moving, Jian Li stood up and staggered toward him. He thought he was walking in a straight line, but he was actually swaying dangerously and looked ready to collapse.

Unable to watch any longer, Yu Cheng stepped forward and caught him.

Jian Li collapsed into Yu Cheng’s arms, reaching up on his tiptoes to hook his arms around the man’s neck. He nuzzled his forehead into the crook of Yu Cheng’s shoulder, mumbling the same phrase over and over.

“Hold me, hold me.”

Yu Cheng rested his hands loosely on Jian Li’s waist and asked coldly, “Jian Li, do you even know who I am?”

Jian Li looked up sluggishly. He boldly hooked Yu Cheng’s neck to pull his head down, squinting to see his face clearly. His voice was thick.

“You’re, you’re a bastard.”

Yu Cheng’s expression turned icy, his grip on Jian Li’s waist tightening involuntarily.

Just then, a knock came at the door. A staff member had come to rush them along. Yu Cheng reached out and bolted the lock, calling out:

“I have a situation here. Please tell the director that the shoot is delayed by two hours. I’ll cover any overtime costs.”

The staff member gave a confused reply and left. Yu Cheng looked down to find Jian Li trying to pry his fingers away. His strength was feeble, and he complained in a small, hushed voice:

“Yu Cheng, you’re Yu Cheng. I know I was wrong, please, be gentle.”

Yu Cheng narrowed his dark eyes. He reached up to squeeze the back of Jian Li’s neck, forcing the boy to look up and meet his gaze. His fingertips pressed down slightly in a silent threat.

Unfortunately, the recipient of the threat was entirely oblivious. Jian Li simply looked up and let out a soft, drunken hiccup in Yu Cheng’s face.

Yu Cheng’s gaze swept slowly across Jian Li’s glistening lips before finally settling on his light-colored pupils. His voice was cold and heavy.

“Jian Li, not running away this time?”