Flirted Then Forgot Everything - Chapter 12

After finishing the soybean paste noodles, Jian Li slipped away. The moment Yu Manman saw him, she handed him his phone.

“Jian-ge, your phone rang several times. I didn’t dare answer it.”

Jian Li took the phone and saw a string of missed calls from Wan Tao. Now that Wan Tao had received news of him joining the cast, it made sense he would call. Just then, the phone vibrated again, and Jian Li picked it up.

Wan Tao seemed surprised that Jian Li answered so quickly and stayed silent for a moment.

“Is something up?” Jian Li asked point-blank.

Wan Tao’s tone was as if they had never argued. “Jian Li, I heard you joined the set today? Why didn’t you tell me? I could have dropped you off.”

Jian Li interrupted him. “No need. I brought an assistant.”

“An assistant? What assistant? Why don’t I know about this? Did you go through the company’s process?” Wan Tao asked, sounding suspicious.

“I’m paying out of my own pocket; there’s no need to involve the company,” Jian Li said, his voice turning cold.

Wan Tao wanted to say more, but Jian Li hung up directly. Less than a minute later, the phone rang again—it was still Wan Tao. Jian Li tossed the phone to Yu Manman and instructed, “If he calls again, just hang up.”

Yu Manman nodded like a chick pecking at grain, exceptionally obedient. Jian Li couldn’t help but smile. “You don’t need to be so stiff.”

He checked the time and headed to the filming area. Yang Xu was busy with several assistant directors while staff carried equipment back and forth. The first scene of the day was about to start, featuring Hu Xin and Chen Jing.

Upon seeing Jian Li, Yang Xu beckoned him over. He flipped through a crumpled script and pointed to a section. “We’re filming this scene with you and Yu Cheng tonight. Go find him and prepare. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask him.”

As he spoke, Yang Xu grabbed a passing staff member. “I noticed you and Yu Cheng are too distant. You need to build chemistry. Starting today, you’ll have a three-minute stare-down and a ten-minute hug every day. I’ll send someone to supervise.”

Jian Li was stunned. “That, is that really necessary?”

Yang Xu glared at him. When it came to work, Yang Xu was absolute. “Go! Do I have to say it twice?”

Intimidated, Jian Li turned and jogged toward Yu Cheng’s dressing room, the staff member trailing right behind him.

Yu Cheng was alone in the room, reading his script. Jian Li felt awkward, trying to figure out how to explain the situation. To his surprise, Yu Cheng spoke plainly:

“Director Yang called me. Come here.”

Relieved that he didn’t have to explain, Jian Li sat down next to him. Yu Cheng didn’t look up, his eyes fixed on the script. “Do you know which scene we’re filming tonight?”

Jian Li immediately flipped his script to the dog-eared page. Yang Xu had just told him about it, and he hadn’t had a chance to look.

Yu Cheng suddenly shifted his body. “Jian Li, look up.”

Jian Li looked up and met Yu Cheng’s gaze. Yu Cheng was leaning down slightly, staring at him with intense focus. He possessed a pair of “phoenix eyes” that netizens constantly praised; when he looked at someone earnestly, it made them feel as if they were deeply loved by the owner of those eyes.

Jian Li took one look and immediately lowered his head, his gaze darting around.

Yu Cheng’s voice came as a warning: “Don’t get distracted. Look at me.”

Realizing Yu Cheng had already begun executing Yang Xu’s task, Jian Li forced himself to look up, though he still hesitated to lock eyes. Seemingly impatient with Jian Li’s vacillation, Yu Cheng reached out and cupped Jian Li’s chin, forcing their eyes to meet.

With no escape, Jian Li could only let his eyelids droop as his eyelashes fluttered. His heart followed suit, thumping in a chaotic rhythm. They were sitting on the sofa with a bit of distance between them, looking anything but intimate.

Jian Li knew that to finish this movie, he had to get used to this sooner or later. He finally summoned the courage to look directly into Yu Cheng’s eyes. Yu Cheng didn’t rush him; he leaned in slowly, as if the rest of the world had vanished, leaving only Jian Li.

The gaze was too deep—like a surging ocean yet a peaceful stream—pulling Jian Li in until he truly felt like someone deeply loved by Yu Cheng.

The staff member dutifully timed them with a phone. The only sound in the dressing room was the tick-tock of the timer. As soon as the three minutes were up, before Jian Li could even process it, Yu Cheng opened his arms and pulled him into a hug.

“Wait! Wait.”

Jian Li was pulled completely into Yu Cheng’s embrace. Not knowing where to put his hands, he let them hang awkwardly at his sides. Yu Cheng’s movements were so natural, as if he had held him a thousand times before.

Still immersed in the lingering effect of Yu Cheng’s gaze, Jian Li felt a wave of dizziness and involuntarily rested his head against Yu Cheng’s chest. His heart was beating incredibly fast and loud; he could hear it clearly and wondered if Yu Cheng could too.

The thought that Yu Cheng might hear his pathetic heartbeat made Jian Li’s skin burn, especially where they were touching. Pressed against Yu Cheng’s chest, he listened for the other man’s pulse.

Thump—thump.

Yu Cheng’s heartbeat was steady and calm. In those three minutes of staring and the hug that followed, Jian Li was the only one whose heart had lost its rhythm.

Still tucked in Yu Cheng’s arms, Jian Li thought back to that gaze and realized with a pang: it was just acting. Yu Cheng truly was a Film King; even his eyes could lie.

Listening to that steady beat, Jian Li’s own heart gradually calmed down. As his brain regained control, a question mark popped up in his mind. Yu Cheng had filmed so many movies—did he have to do this “task” with every leading lady?

Is that why his hug was so practiced? Why his gaze was so soulful?

The moment the thought appeared, Jian Li felt a tightness in his chest. He shifted slightly, trying to pull away.

“Don’t move. Time’s not up yet.”

Yu Cheng’s voice sounded right in his ear, his warm breath moistening Jian Li’s earlobe. But Jian Li was cold now. He tilted his head to avoid the breath and scooted back, maintaining a stiff, half-embrace until the end.

“Time’s up.”

The staff member’s voice was like music to Jian Li’s ears. He scrambled out of the hug immediately. Yu Cheng slowly lowered his arms, giving Jian Li a cryptic look.

With the task finished and a weight off his shoulders, Jian Li finally looked at the scene they were filming tonight. Yu Cheng ignored him, returning to his script. Jian Li smoothed out the folded page, took one look, and sucked in a sharp breath.

It was this scene! He hadn’t expected such a massive challenge on the very first day.

The staff member had left, leaving only the two of them. Jian Li licked his dry lips and asked tentatively, “How about we run some lines?” Even as he asked, he was scooting toward the edge of the sofa, ready to bolt.

Sure enough, Yu Cheng refused without looking up. “No.”

Though he expected the answer, Jian Li was still a bit annoyed. He bid a stiff goodbye and returned to his own room. Upon entering, he saw the stylist and his assistant chatting excitedly over a pair of high heels.

Seeing him, Yu Manman held up the heels. “Jian-ge, look! Are they pretty?”

Jian Li knew nothing about women’s shoes. He stared at the sky-high heels and nodded blankly. “Pretty.”

Yu Manman set the shoes down and picked up a dress. “I’m so excited to see Jian-ge in drag! You’re going to look amazing!”

“Drag?”

Jian Li suddenly realized that the high heels and the dress were meant for him!

He recalled the scene Yang Xu had pointed out earlier—the very first scene of Imprison Your Love. It was the moment where Li Xiaoli disguises himself as a woman—a woman who has to dance to seduce Gao Mochen!

Jian Li stared at the heels, his eyes wide with shock as he cried out, “They’re so high! There’s no way!”

Yu Manman waved her hand dismissively. “It’ll be fine! Really! Jian-ge, you’re a dancer and you’re flexible. You’ll get the hang of them once you adapt. It’s not that hard!”

Jian Li wasn’t buying it. He turned his gaze toward the long dress, thinking that aside from its gaudy color, it at least looked somewhat normal. But just as he let out a breath of relief, the stylist flipped the dress around, revealing a back that was almost entirely non-existent.

Pale with horror, Jian Li stumbled back several steps and bolted for the door.

Forget the career comeback! Forget transitioning into a serious actor! All he wanted right now was to avoid wearing that dress and those heels!

The dressing room door swung open, and Yang Xu was standing there with a broad grin. “I figured you’d have a big reaction. If you won’t put it on yourself, I’ll have them help you.”

Yang Xu stepped aside, allowing several female staff members to file in. They were all smiling playfully at Jian Li.

“Need a hand?”

Jian Li wiped his face, gave two hollow, forced laughs, and slammed the door shut.

“No thanks! I’ll do it myself!”

After much fussing from the stylist, the hair, makeup, and wardrobe for the first scene were finally ready.

Jian Li had a slender waist, long legs, and porcelain skin. Dressed in the long gown and high heels, topped with long, wavy curls and a touch of makeup, his beauty was breathtaking. Looking at the stranger in the mirror, Jian Li’s lips twitched into a stiff, awkward smile.

Wobbling on the heels, he stood up. He refused Yu Manman’s support, choosing instead to walk out on his own. He had to adapt before the cameras started rolling. After all, it was just acting!

Jian Li slowly made his way out of the dressing room, only to collide with Yu Cheng as he passed by. The excessive height of the heels sent him toppling sideways. Jian Li reached out for the wall, but Yu Cheng caught his hand and pulled him into his arms.

Yu Cheng held him tight, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Jian Li—taking in the makeup and the dress. Because the back of the dress was so revealing, Jian Li’s skin pressed directly against Yu Cheng’s palm.

Jian Li instinctively straightened his spine, attempting to escape the heat of the man’s touch. To his confusion, Yu Cheng was acting strange again. He had been unwilling to run lines or even look at him earlier, yet now he wouldn’t let go.

Yu Cheng leaned in close to Jian Li’s ear and whispered, “I won’t let you escape this time.”

Jian Li’s breath hitched. He whipped his head around to stare at Yu Cheng, his expression a mix of shock and suspicion.

What did Yu Cheng mean by that?

Didn’t the system say his previous conquest was a failure? Why would Yu Cheng think he was the one who escaped? Was that why Yu Cheng had been so cold to him for the past year—meeting him with nothing but sneers and disdain?

And why would he have run away in the first place? Did he, did he dump Yu Cheng?

Just as Jian Li’s mind began to spiral, Yu Cheng spoke two more words in that same, slow cadence.

“Li Xiaoli.”

Jian Li let out a massive, sudden sigh of relief as Yu Cheng released him and walked away. Watching the man’s back, Jian Li gulped down fresh air, finally realizing that Yu Cheng had simply been reciting a line.

He had nearly died of fright!

Yu Cheng, that absolute dog of a man!