Pretending Not to Love You [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Zuo Qiu used the key card to open Xiao Baijun’s room. Seeing the entire room in disarray, he inwardly complimented Xiao Baijun on his high combat effectiveness. He rolled up his sleeves and started organizing Xiao Baijun’s clothes. The clean clothes were folded and placed in the luggage bag, and the dirty ones were first put into a plastic bag to be taken home for washing.

Zuo Qiu searched the bathroom, sofa, and bed for Xiao Baijun’s dirty clothes. When he finally lifted the quilt, he froze. In the center of the white sheet was a spot with a noticeably darker color…

Cough. Zuo Qiu, who was already 21, certainly wouldn’t be naive enough to think this was caused by accidentally spilling water or some childish trick like wetting the bed… He didn’t look further, simply covering the bed with the quilt again, pretending he hadn’t seen it.

Before departing, the trio went to the set. Zhao Zhixian went to greet the director, while Zuo Qiu headed towards Ou Sheng, with Xiao Baijun following behind him.

“Brother Sheng, once the script is ready, can you send it to me to read first?”

Ou Sheng understood what he meant immediately. He smiled and said to Zuo Qiu, “I won’t let you down.”

For someone like him, who was openly out of the closet, starring in a gay movie had no side effects. But Zuo Qiu was different; he was a newcomer and a gay man who dared not reveal himself. After this movie was released, he would inevitably receive much skepticism and disdain. It was normal for him to hesitate about taking the role, but Ou Sheng was still surprised at how short his hesitation was.

This movie was based on a true story from Ou Sheng’s life. He hoped Zuo Qiu could benefit from it—both from external recognition and his internal growth.

While Zuo Qiu went to talk to the director, Ou Sheng’s eyes fell on Xiao Baijun. He stroked his chin, assessing Xiao Baijun. This young man, currently, is quite worthy of his help. He crooked his finger at Xiao Baijun, signaling him to come over.

Xiao Baijun glanced at Zuo Qiu nearby, frowned, and walked over to Ou Sheng, watching him cautiously, unsure what kind of trick he was planning now.

In Xiao Baijun’s mind, Ou Sheng had already been demonized.

“I know you like Zuo Qiu.”

Xiao Baijun raised an eyebrow. He had never concealed his feelings, so he was not surprised that Ou Sheng knew this.

“I can help you pursue him.” Ou Sheng threw out a highly attractive bait.

Xiao Baijun was indeed tempted by this proposal, but Ou Sheng, in his view, had zero credibility. He would truly be an idiot to trust him again.

“What do you want?”

Ou Sheng laughed out loud. The defensive look on this young man was truly interesting. It seemed his little tease this morning had made Xiao Baijun wary of him.

“Relax. There’s nothing about you right now that I’m interested in extorting. I genuinely want to help you. And, of course, the most important thing is helping Zuo Qiu.” Even though Zuo Qiu was trying hard to hide it, his eyes couldn’t lie. Ou Sheng had long seen that Zuo Qiu’s affection for Xiao Baijun was no less than Xiao Baijun’s for him.

Help Zuo Qiu? Xiao Baijun was confused about what Ou Sheng meant. When he pressed Ou Sheng for more information, Ou Sheng ignored him.

On the flight back to B City, Xiao Baijun, who was energetic after a nap, saw Zuo Qiu reading the script again. He glanced to the side; Zhao Zhixian was dozing against the seat back. Xiao Baijun began to tease Zuo Qiu, “When you packed my luggage today, did you see anything strange?”

Zuo Qiu kept his eyes on the script and answered casually, without thinking much: “What?”

“On my bed…”

Reminded by Xiao Baijun, Zuo Qiu recalled the spot of “water stain” and looked down, pretending not to hear.

Seeing Zuo Qiu’s expression that clearly screamed, I’m guilty of trying to hide something, Xiao Baijun understood and deliberately teased him. “I accidentally spilled water when I was drinking this morning.”

Zuo Qiu: “…”

Xiao Baijun looked at Zuo Qiu’s clearly disbelieving expression and conjured another excuse, “Fine, I drank too much water yesterday and accidentally wet the bed.”

Zuo Qiu internally scoffed. He really thinks I’m a child to be fooled! I’m a normal adult male, alright! Saying “wet dreams” in such a “fresh and refined” way isn’t funny at all. I just think you’re insulting my intelligence!

Although Zuo Qiu didn’t say a word, Xiao Baijun read his thoughts in his eyes and found it highly amusing.

“Just kidding.”

Then, he became serious and discussed his “condition” with Zuo Qiu. “Do you think I’m sick?”

Zuo Qiu understood this somewhat and softened his expression to comfort Xiao Baijun. “It’s all normal. Cough. You’ll be fine after you get married.” This statement was a complete adaptation of what doctors say to some women with dysmenorrhea. Zuo Qiu didn’t know if Xiao Baijun would be fine after getting married, but he thought it would probably be okay.

“What about you? Does it happen to you?” Xiao Baijun took the opportunity to probe Zuo Qiu’s privacy.

Zuo Qiu’s face turned red. He didn’t want to discuss this private issue with Xiao Baijun. He refocused on the script, pretending not to hear Xiao Baijun’s question. How could he tell him that when he watches adult films, he imagines the leads are him and Xiao Baijun, and that he often dreams of sharing a bed with him? He probably wouldn’t say these things out loud in this lifetime.

Xiao Baijun felt a little discouraged watching Zuo Qiu. Zuo Qiu didn’t seem willing to share private matters with him. He really didn’t know what to do with him!

Upon leaving the airport, Zhao Zhixian quickly spotted his boss’s car. The three walked over. Xiao Bailin rolled down the window, and Zhao Zhixian and Zuo Qiu smiled and greeted him.

Xiao Bailin nodded to the two, then looked up at the indifferent Xiao Baijun. “Grandma misses you. Come home for dinner tonight.”

After he spoke, the driver in the front seat opened the back door.

Having spoken to Xiao Bailin this morning, Xiao Baijun knew this visit was unavoidable. He instructed Zhao Zhixian to take Zuo Qiu home, told Zuo Qiu he would be back later, and got into Xiao Bailin’s car.

Xiao Bailin watched Xiao Baijun’s series of actions and sighed internally. It seemed another excellent husband, devoted to his spouse, was about to emerge in the Xiao family.

Once the car started, Xiao Bailin got straight to the point. “You’re filming a gay movie, and it’s because of Zuo Qiu again?”

“Half and half. The other half is to prepare for coming out in the future.”

It all boils down to Zuo Qiu!

“Aren’t you afraid of upsetting Grandma and Mom by doing this?”

Xiao Baijun looked at Xiao Bailin as if he were an idiot. “Even if I come out, I’m still Mom’s good son and Grandma’s good grandson. Why would they be upset?”

Xiao Bailin choked. He went over the question in his head. It seemed to make sense. Except for his spouse being a man and not being able to have children, they were just like any ordinary couple. Oh, no. With the development of technology, they could still have children through surrogacy.

“Then you still need to take it one step at a time. Don’t be an idiot and reveal everything all at once. You need to proceed gradually.” Xiao Bailin rubbed his temple. The elders in the family were not as easy to accept this as he was, so the preparation before coming out had to be thorough.

“I know what I’m doing,” Xiao Baijun said. Thinking of his promise to Ou Sheng, he asked Xiao Bailin, “Has the screening license been taken care of?”

Xiao Bailin felt like cursing his foolish younger brother when he thought about this matter. What does this have to do with you? The director, producer, and investors aren’t worried, so why are you taking it upon yourself!

“How could it be that fast! Do you think the NRTA (National Radio and Television Administration) is run by your family?”

Xiao Baijun glanced at him. “I thought you were very resourceful. Turns out you’re nothing special!”

Xiao Bailin was utterly enraged. “If you’re so capable, you go and do it yourself!”

Xiao Baijun put his hands behind his head. “Fine. Hand over the company’s power to me in a year.”

Xiao Bailin paused for a second and then realized. Zuo Qiu is practically the reincarnation of Daji! He’s so smitten that his younger brother is actually starting to become ambitious!