Pretending Not to Love You [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Guo Chen followed Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun back to M City. Director Zhao said nothing when he found out, and had his assistant arrange a room for Guo Chen on the same floor as the duo.

The two had requested three days of leave, and immediately after lunch at the hotel, they hurried to the set to catch up on the schedule.

Dai Ni greeted Zuo Qiu warmly when she saw him. “You look much better after your trip back.”

Zuo Qiu looked at her smiling face and Zhu Mao, who was standing beside her. “You look pretty good too.”

Dai Ni glanced at Zhu Mao. Zuo Qiu noticed a trace of lingering gloom in Dai Ni’s eyes besides the affection.

“My father has always wanted me to find a boyfriend from a comparable background. Before I met Zhu Mao, I always listened to him, and the people I dated were wealthy guys who passed his inspection. On the day I confirmed my relationship with Zhu Mao, I called my dad and subtly mentioned a guy on the set who was very kind to me.”

She paused here and gave Zuo Qiu a sarcastic smile. “Do you know what my dad’s first reaction was?”

Zuo Qiu honestly shook his head. Looking at Dai Ni’s expression, Zuo Qiu felt she probably hadn’t had an easy time these past few days, or she wouldn’t be so eager to talk to him during a break.

“My dad’s first sentence was, ‘Is it Xiao Baijun?’ I didn’t answer at the time, and he probably guessed something, so he told me that everyone else in the crew, except for Xiao Baijun, was ‘a peasant.’ No matter how good someone was to me, it would be useless.”

Dai Ni’s father knew about her previous favorable impression of Xiao Baijun. Before she joined the crew, her father had encouraged her to pursue Xiao Baijun.

Zuo Qiu, the “peasant,” was caught in the crossfire. He rubbed his nose. Although his family wasn’t rich, both his parents were educators, and he never felt his family was poor. However, thinking of the large garden at the Xiao family home, Zuo Qiu silently conceded the “peasant” status in his heart.

Dai Ni was unaware of Zuo Qiu’s internal thought process and continued, “So what if they are rich? So-called rich people only act superior, are arrogant and rude, treat relationships like a game, and womanize even when they have an official girlfriend…”

Just as Dai Ni was excitedly ranting about the various boyfriends she had dated, the corner of her eye caught a figure in front of her. The person’s eyes were fierce, and Dai Ni couldn’t help but shrink back.

“Ahem, of course, not all rich people are like that. There are still many devoted good men.”

Zuo Qiu was surprised by the complete U-turn in Dai Ni’s tone. He looked at her, then followed her gaze to Xiao Baijun not far away. Zuo Qiu instantly understood. Ever since Xiao Baijun threatened her last time, Dai Ni had been wary of him.

“So, what are you going to do?” Zuo Qiu asked about Dai Ni’s plan.

Dai Ni sighed in relief when Zuo Qiu changed the topic. Thinking of her current situation, she said self-deprecatingly, “What can I do? I’ll take it one step at a time.”

For her father to accept Zhu Mao, Zhu Mao would need to suddenly have a rich father or become famous overnight as an immensely valuable movie star, but the current situation made that too unrealistic.

Ever since Zhu Mao forcefully kissed her a few days ago despite her mouth smelling strongly of garlic, Dai Ni’s heart had slowly fallen for him.

Dai Ni would never forget her first boyfriend. They had been together for over half a year and never once kissed. Even when they were doing the most intimate things, he refused to kiss her. Dai Ni angrily asked him why, and the man simply said that mouth-to-mouth was too dirty. Dai Ni still remembered her shocked feeling at the time. She didn’t mind his “dirty cucumber” used by countless women, yet he actually found her dirty!

So, even though Dai Ni knew that being with Zhu Mao wouldn’t gain her family’s approval, she didn’t want to miss a person who didn’t despise her.

Zuo Qiu looked at Dai Ni, feeling a little sorry for her.

…

At dinner that evening, Guo Chen had already ordered for the two of them at the restaurant. She declined Zuo Qiu’s kind offer to join them and went back to her room first.

“I feel like Guo Chen is someone with a story,” Zuo Qiu said, looking at Guo Chen’s retreating back.

Guo Chen didn’t talk much but was very thoughtful. She always had warm water ready during breaks, sometimes even preparing fruit. She was very dedicated, but Zuo Qiu felt she wasn’t just a simple female student.

“Instead of having time to care about others, you should worry more about me,” Xiao Baijun said. He didn’t like hearing other people’s names come out of Zuo Qiu’s mouth, regardless of whether they were male or female.

Zuo Qiu turned to look at Xiao Baijun and smiled. “I never noticed how possessive you are before.” He had seen Xiao Baijun interact with his two ex-girlfriends, and he didn’t seem this way.

Xiao Baijun glanced at him, the meaning in his eyes clearly saying: Because they weren’t you.

Zuo Qiu smiled even more brightly.

“Wow, you guys are already eating? That’s fast!” Dai Ni, who was a few minutes behind Zuo Qiu, exclaimed when she saw the two eating.

“The assistant ordered ahead of time,” Zuo Qiu said.

Dai Ni looked back at her assistant, who was still playing on her phone. They’re both assistants, so why is the difference so huge? Why are good assistants always someone else’s?

After greeting them, Dai Ni took Zhu Mao and her assistant to a nearby table.

…

Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun returned to their room after lunch. Both rooms had been cleaned thoroughly, and the contents of their suitcases had been unpacked and put away.

“I kind of understand why celebrities like to bring so many assistants. It’s really comfortable having someone help with chores,” Zuo Qiu sighed.

Xiao Baijun dragged Zuo Qiu towards the bed. “Since someone is doing the work, don’t worry about it so much. Take the time to rest for a bit.”

The two had woken up early to catch a flight and immediately rushed to film upon arrival. Xiao Baijun was worried Zuo Qiu couldn’t handle it.

Zuo Qiu yielded to Xiao Baijun’s force and lay on the bed. After saying, “Okay, I’ll sleep for a bit,” he immediately fell asleep.

…

That evening, after the performance class with Teacher Xiang in his room, the foursome agreed to go out for barbecue, returning to the same private room as before.

Dai Ni was again in charge of ordering. She glanced at Xiao Baijun and teased, “No objection to ordering some grilled chives, right?”

Xiao Baijun’s expression didn’t change at all. He nodded his approval. It was Zuo Qiu next to him who covered his face with his teacup to hide his discomfort.

Zhu Mao didn’t understand why his girlfriend was ordering chives for another man. He knew Dai Ni and Xiao Baijun had no improper relationship, but he still felt a little jealous.

“I want an order too.”

Zuo Qiu burst out laughing at Zhu Mao’s words.

Dai Ni was flustered. She glared fiercely at Zhu Mao. She had intended to make fun of the two across from her, only to end up being the one laughed at by them.

…

The four chatted while they ate. Xiao Baijun took a bite of grilled yam and found it tasted good, so he placed the remaining half directly on Zuo Qiu’s plate.

Zhu Mao watched Zuo Qiu, who was talking to Dai Ni, naturally pick up the half piece of yam and put it in his mouth. He almost bit his tongue. He looked back and forth between the two men, and finally, after spotting the matching Guanyin jade pendants around their necks, he finally found strong evidence for his “absurd guess.”

Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun of the Z.X duo were actually dating!

Zhu Mao looked directly at Xiao Baijun. If this was true, many things made perfect sense.

As Zhu Mao was lost in thought, he suddenly met Xiao Baijun’s sharp eyes. Feeling guilty, he immediately lowered his head to eat, not daring to look Xiao Baijun in the eye. In the entertainment industry, not knowing things is often better than knowing them.

Xiao Baijun didn’t care what Zhu Mao thought about him and Zuo Qiu’s relationship. After all, it was effortless for an entertainment company to ruin a second or third-tier artist without backing. By doing this, he was actually testing Zhu Mao.

Evidently, Xiao Baijun’s judgment was good. While Zuo Qiu and Dai Ni were engrossed in gossip, Zhu Mao quietly said to Xiao Baijun, “Don’t worry, this matter will never leave my mouth.”

Xiao Baijun looked at him but said nothing. Xiao Baijun had noticed early on that Zuo Qiu had an inclination to help Dai Ni and Zhu Mao, but whether they would help depended on how Zhu Mao conducted himself.

…

That night, Zuo Qiu, having heard a bellyful of fresh gossip, was very excited. When Xiao Baijun suggested they do it (make love), he agreed without any shyness.

Afterward, Xiao Baijun leaned against the headboard and asked Zuo Qiu, “Did it hurt this time?”

Zuo Qiu lay on his stomach, his face flushed, and shook his head. “It was very comfortable.” There was only a slight discomfort, which he figured wouldn’t affect his normal filming tomorrow.

Xiao Baijun also felt very comfortable. It was much smoother than the first time. He figured Zuo Qiu was slowly getting used to his size. Xiao Baijun wondered if he should try a new position next time.

Once again, Xiao Baijun carried Zuo Qiu to the bathroom. Zuo Qiu struggled, wanting to get down and walk by himself, but Xiao Baijun ruthlessly rejected him.

“It seems I need to try harder since you’re still jumping around.”

Zuo Qiu immediately behaved. They had been at it for forty minutes today. If Xiao Baijun tried harder, his waist would break. Forget it, since someone is so eager to take care of me, I’ll give him the chance.

However, Zuo Qiu still underestimated Xiao Baijun’s “capability.” In the small bathroom, he was pinned against the wall…

…

Another half hour later, Zuo Qiu was sitting on the toilet, scrolling on his phone.

Xiao Baijun got dressed and called Guo Chen. Five minutes later, Guo Chen knocked on Zuo Qiu’s door. Seeing Xiao Baijun looking like he had just showered, her expression remained completely unchanged.

After seeing Guo Chen off, Xiao Baijun went straight to the bathroom.

“Here you go.”

Zuo Qiu looked up and saw Xiao Baijun handing him a bottle of cola.

“I’m not thirsty.” Zuo Qiu wasn’t interested in carbonated drinks.

“Drink some even if you’re not thirsty. You need it.”

Zuo Qiu stared at Xiao Baijun for a minute and then understood. When they were in the bathroom earlier, Xiao Baijun hadn’t worn a condom. He was sitting on the toilet to let the fluid drain out as quickly as possible, and the bottle of cola Xiao Baijun gave him was meant to kill his sperm?

“Xiao Er, are you kidding me?”

Xiao Baijun leaned against the door, answering seriously, “Yes.”

Zuo Qiu: …