Pretending Not to Love You [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 66

Chapter 66

That afternoon, filming wrapped early. Ou Sheng invited Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun to his house for a self-service barbecue.

When Zuo Qiu arrived at Ou Sheng’s house, he originally planned to go into the kitchen with Ou Sheng to help, but Ou Sheng wouldn’t let him, saying he had been working too hard recently and should go rest with Xiao Baijun. So, Xiao Baijun immediately lured Zuo Qiu to the poolside.

“I don’t want to swim.”

Zuo Qiu refused to get into the water. Although the swimming trunks they left behind last time were there, he didn’t want to flail around in the water with a swimming ring like a child again.

“But I want to!”

Xiao Baijun held Zuo Qiu’s hand and didn’t let go.

Zuo Qiu was puzzled, “If you want to swim, just swim by yourself.” Why drag along someone who can’t swim?

Xiao Baijun still didn’t let go or speak, but the look in his eyes was filled with resentment, seemingly complaining about Zuo Qiu’s lack of romantic understanding.

Zuo Qiu looked at Xiao Er like this, and his train of thought finally aligned with his, “Isn’t it inappropriate here?”

Since the video recording day, Zuo Qiu knew Xiao Baijun wanted to have sex in the pool, but fooling around at someone else’s house was simply out of the question.

Xiao Baijun didn’t think so, “I…” He promised he absolutely wouldn’t give them away.

Before he could finish, he saw Ou Sheng and Cheng Ye carrying the barbecue tools toward them. Zuo Qiu quickly ran over to help.

“The weather is lovely today. Let’s eat by the pool; it has a nice atmosphere,” Ou Sheng said.

Zuo Qiu had no objections and helped Ou Sheng cut the meat, completely forgetting about the sexually frustrated Xiao Baijun.

At this time, Cheng Ye slowly strolled over to Xiao Baijun, glanced at a certain area of his body, and teased, “Do you want to go to the bathroom and take care of that?”

Coming out for dinner was actually his idea. His purpose, of course, was to prevent someone from being so driven by lust as to dirty his pool. This was clearly the place where he and Ou Sheng showed their affection. Lending it out for a swim was one thing, but doing anything else? Never!

Xiao Baijun, who had been put through a lot by Cheng Ye lately, glanced at him, not wanting to deal with him. He took a running jump and plunged into the pool, splashing water all over Cheng Ye.

“You damned little rascal!” Cheng Ye snapped.

Xiao Baijun ignored him and swam straight to the opposite bank.

Cheng Ye was furious, but since Ou Sheng was nearby, he didn’t dare to vent his anger at a “guest.” He had to suppress his rage and pitifully went over to Ou Sheng for comfort.

Ou Sheng looked at Cheng Ye, finding him a little funny, wondering how a person in his 30s could still act like a child.

Seeing that the two seemed to have something to talk about, Zuo Qiu found an excuse to step aside.

After Zuo Qiu left, Cheng Ye immediately sidled up to Ou Sheng, sticking close to him.

Xiao Baijun, submerged in the water, looked back at the pair of dog-men happily showing affection, then looked at Zuo Qiu, who was busy preparing dinner with his head down. He sighed and decided to get out of the water to accompany his “wife” so he wouldn’t be lonely.

…

After dinner, Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun immediately excused themselves and got into Guo Chen’s car.

As soon as he got in the car, Zuo Qiu was so tired he fell asleep. He didn’t know how much time passed before Xiao Baijun woke him up with a shake.

“We’re here.”

Xiao Baijun looked at the drowsy Zuo Qiu. If their identities weren’t so unique, he really would have just carried Zuo Qiu in right then.

Zuo Qiu rubbed his eyes and followed Xiao Baijun out of the car. When he stood up and looked at the hotel entrance in front of him, he froze.

“Where is this?”

The hotel Ou Sheng booked for them wasn’t bad, but the hotel in front of them was clearly of a higher grade. Had they gone to the wrong place?

Xiao Baijun walked straight inside, saying, “Just follow me and you’ll know.”

Guo Chen had already driven off, disappearing from the hotel entrance. Zuo Qiu had no choice but to follow Xiao Baijun into the hotel. Xiao Baijun entered the elevator, pressed the 28th floor, and then remained silent.

Zuo Qiu, whose brain hadn’t fully woken up, also kept quiet. He looked boredly at the advertisement screen inside the elevator.

“…This hotel has 28 floors. The top floor features the Supreme Presidential Suite, equipped with a sauna and a year-round constant-temperature swimming pool…”

The elevator dinged and stopped. Zuo Qiu followed Xiao Baijun out of the elevator and turned right, stopping at the door of room 2808. Xiao Baijun took out a key card and swiped it. The door opened with a beep.

It was only then that Zuo Qiu, following behind Xiao Baijun, slowly realized that Xiao Baijun had planned this long ago.

Xiao Baijun walked into the room, turned back to look at Zuo Qiu, who was standing still at the door, and said, “Why are you standing there like an idiot? Come in!”

Zuo Qiu thought, If I walk in, will I come out intact tomorrow morning?

Xiao Baijun saw Zuo Qiu’s attempt to escape and abruptly pulled him in from the doorway. With the meat already at his lips, how could he let him get away?

It was inconvenient to have sex at someone else’s house, but in a hotel room he booked himself, no one would dare to intervene even if they did it ten times!

After the door was closed, Xiao Baijun immediately opened the suitcase placed by the bed and started looking for something. After searching for a while, he suddenly stopped.

“Forget it, I won’t wear any. I’ll just have to take them off later anyway.”

After speaking, he immediately started taking off his clothes. Zuo Qiu was speechless, looking at the person who had finished undressing himself and was now eagerly reaching out his predatory hands toward him. Could you please be more reserved?

…

The next morning, the two checked out of the hotel and immediately got into Guo Chen’s car, which was parked outside, and drove straight to the set.

At the hotel entrance, someone was making a phone call: “Yes, we got the pictures.”

…

When Xiao Baijun and Zuo Qiu arrived at the set, they were greeted by Ou Sheng’s teasing face. It was clear he had already heard about them not returning to the hotel last night.

Zuo Qiu didn’t dare to meet Ou Sheng’s eyes. He coughed lightly, lowered his head, and hurried off to the makeup room.

Ou Sheng and Xiao Baijun stood there watching Zuo Qiu’s figure disappear. Ou Sheng said, “Young man, take it easy.” The first moment he saw Zuo Qiu, he knew he was severely exhausted. He probably didn’t get much sleep last night.

Ou Sheng didn’t name names, but Xiao Baijun knew the remark was directed at him. He showed no shame on his face but said, “You can move my scenes forward this afternoon. I’ve memorized all the lines.”

If he finished filming his scenes early, he wouldn’t have to go to Cheng Ye’s company that afternoon to be manipulated. Anyway, he had already gotten his driver’s license, so Cheng Ye couldn’t play tricks anymore.

Ou Sheng didn’t say anything at the time, but after the morning scenes were finished, he told Zuo Qiu, “We’re not shooting your scenes this afternoon. You rest and prepare for the evening scenes.”

Zuo Qiu didn’t think much of it and nodded, agreeing. He was truly exhausted now. After lunch, he fell asleep in his makeup room.

Zuo Qiu slept for the entire afternoon. Xiao Baijun checked on him twice during that time, but Zuo Qiu showed no sign of waking up. Finally, at dinner time, Xiao Baijun brought him food and had no choice but to wake him up.

After a nap, Zuo Qiu felt much better. While eating, he softly warned Xiao Baijun.

“If there’s a next time, believe it or not, I’ll…”

Before Zuo Qiu could finish, Xiao Baijun interjected, “You’ll what? Didn’t you enjoy yourself?”

Perhaps because they hadn’t done it for several days, coupled with the excellent lubrication effect in the water, both of them were exceptionally excited and thoroughly enjoyed it. Xiao Baijun seized the opportunity to break his own record, truly becoming a “seven-times-a-night guy.”

Zuo Qiu was choked by Xiao Er’s words. Considering how he felt yesterday, he really couldn’t deny it. So, he admonished, “It absolutely can’t be like that next time.” Especially during the filming stage. Fortunately, the filming schedule was changed today, or he really wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

Xiao Baijun hummed softly, not telling Zuo Qiu that he, who also hadn’t slept enough, had struggled through the afternoon’s scenes too.

…

The scene scheduled for that evening was the first small climax of the entire drama—He Lang confessing to his secret crush, Shen Rui.

On a pitch-black night, He Lang and Shen Rui walked through the small woods on campus. Shen Rui looked at the surrounding paths and asked in surprise, “Is this the way back to the dorms?”

He Lang secretly glanced at the couples scattered around and calmly replied, “Yes. I heard the lights on the path back to our dorm are broken, so I brought you this way.”

Shen Rui had also heard that this small wood was a popular meeting spot for couples on campus, but this was his first time here. Occasionally hearing the flirtatious laughs and subtle moans of boys and girls on the path made him a little embarrassed. Fortunately, the person beside him was a dormmate. Shen Rui tried hard to suppress the slight discomfort in his heart.

The two walked to a secluded spot. He Lang stopped, turned to look at Shen Rui, and then shyly lowered his head, saying, “Shen Rui, I have something to tell you.”

Shen Rui didn’t understand why He Lang chose to speak here and at this hour, instead of in the classroom or the dorm.

“What is it?”

“I…” Just as the word “I” left his lips, He Lang noticed the beam of a flashlight shining into the small woods. He felt a little guilty and nervous. He had only heard rumors that the school was recently cracking down on students dating early, but it turned out to be true? He Lang reflexively grabbed Shen Rui’s hand and immediately hid behind a large tree.

Shen Rui asked He Lang in surprise, “Why are we hiding?” He didn’t understand why they had to hide just for walking.

He Lang’s mind was wandering at the moment. Shen Rui’s palm was warm and dry, seemingly larger than his own. With their hands clasped together, He Lang felt his heart was full. Even the cold wind blowing on his face didn’t seem so biting.

He Lang vaguely heard Shen Rui’s question and didn’t care about the possibility of being discovered. He blushed and held out the biscuit tin in his right hand to Shen Rui, then whispered his confession, “I… I like you.”

Shen Rui was stunned for a moment before he understood what He Lang had said. Being confessed to was nothing new to Shen Rui, but receiving a confession from someone of the same sex was a first in his life. After realizing this, and seeing his hand still clasped with He Lang’s, Shen Rui violently flung He Lang’s hand away as if he had been burned.

He Lang was startled by Shen Rui’s reaction. Caught off guard, he was thrown to the ground. The biscuit tin in his hand was squeezed and fell open. Biscuits of various shapes, neatly arranged, scattered all over the ground. He Lang stared blankly at the scene.

“Who’s there?” Someone shouted toward their direction.

Shen Rui instinctively wanted to pull He Lang and run when he heard someone speaking, but it was too late.

Two people from the campus disciplinary patrol, wearing red armbands, had arrived nearby. Looking at the two boys, one standing and one sitting, one of them asked, “Which class are you in? What are you doing here so late?”

Shen Rui anxiously explained, “We were just…” Passing by.

Before the last two words could be spoken, a gust of wind blew, and a small slip of paper flew out of the biscuit tin, landing at the feet of one of the patrol members.

The man picked up the slip of paper in confusion, glanced at it, and then looked strangely at the two people in front of him. The next day, both their parents were called to the school.

…

The evening scene went very smoothly. Apart from the first blocking, they passed the scene after only one NG.

Zuo Qiu walked behind the camera to check the footage. After watching it once, he felt he was lacking in the handling of his expressions, so he suggested to the director that they shoot it again.

“No need. You did very well.”

Before the director could say anything, Ou Sheng, standing nearby, immediately spoke up to stop Zuo Qiu.

Zuo Qiu turned back to look at Ou Sheng. Ou Sheng was looking at him too, and there were emotions in his eyes that Zuo Qiu didn’t understand, along with a hint of nostalgia. Zuo Qiu knew that the scene they shot tonight almost perfectly recreated the original situation of Ou Sheng’s rejected confession. He was playing that role now, so he could understand some of Ou Sheng’s feelings. After all, he was the first person he loved in his youth. Brother Sheng’s heart, while hurt, probably retained a special affection for that person.

Ou Sheng quickly withdrew from his thoughts. He saw the fleeting look of sympathy on Zuo Qiu’s face, found it a little funny, but didn’t say anything. He told Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun to wrap up and return to the hotel.

Once in the car, Xiao Baijun suddenly said, “Cheng Ye’s expression was very bad today.”

The remark carried a trace of subtle schadenfreude. Xiao Baijun indicated that he was very happy to see Cheng Ye uncomfortable right now.

Zuo Qiu looked out the window, thinking that Brother Ye must have been jealous. Brother Ye was always highly possessive. Seeing Brother Sheng reminisce about past events or people must have made him unhappy.

“Can you stop smiling so happily?” Zuo Qiu looked at Xiao Baijun and said.

“I’m not smiling!” Xiao Baijun countered. His face was stern; how did it look like he was smiling!

“Your face isn’t smiling, but I can see your eyes smiling, and your heart is smiling too,” Zuo Qiu ruthlessly exposed him.

Xiao Baijun awkwardly turned his face toward the window. He just wanted to watch Cheng Ye be embarrassed.

“Fine, I won’t smile next time.” Cheng Ye wasn’t the greatest person, but Ou Sheng was very good to Zuo Qiu. Xiao Baijun decided to hold back and argue less with Cheng Ye in the future for Ou Sheng’s sake.

Zuo Qiu felt a warmth in his heart seeing Xiao Baijun being so obedient. He leaned closer to Xiao Baijun, hugging his waist, and sighed, once again lamenting his good fortune. Before they got together, he had always worried that after confessing, they would become strangers, like Shen Rui and He Lang, unable to even remain friends. So, he had decided to keep enduring it, enduring the sight of Xiao Baijun getting married, having children, and having a happy family, while he would return to his small county town a thousand miles away to spend the rest of his life reminiscing and offering silent blessings. But in the end, the goddess of luck favored him.

“I’m so lucky!”

The first person he loved also loved him—that was luck. Not becoming strangers with Xiao Baijun—that was also luck. But even luckier was the fact that the two of them were completely unafraid of and would never shrink back from the various difficulties they would face in the future!

Xiao Baijun put his arm around Zuo Qiu’s shoulder and kissed him on the forehead.

The car was silent. There was no need to say much; all they had to do was bravely face what was ahead.