Turns out I Was the CEO's White Moonlight [Rebirth] - Chapter 16

Their gazes met.

Fu Jianyi still wore a half-teasing, gentle smile, but his slightly upturned phoenix eyes were fixed on Xie Yun, sharp as a blade.

Xie Yun held his gaze for a moment, his emotions unsettled by the overly familiar address of “Yelin.” A sudden wave of bitterness welled up from deep within after all his efforts, he could only address the other man affectionately as “senior.” Yet Fu Jianyi, having known him for just a few days, had already reached the point of calling him by his given name. This rocket-like speed was hard not to envy.

He forced himself to suppress the turmoil in his heart, pretending nothing was wrong as he averted his eyes.

“I see,” Xie Yun’s voice lowered, the curve of his lips fading slightly. “Then it seems I was being presumptuous, not having considered that. Since you’re already tired, you should head back early to rest. There’s no rush about expressing gratitude we can talk about it another day when you’re free.”

The light in his eyes dimmed a little as he turned to Shen Xuan with a smile. “Shall we go take photos first? Don’t worry, my assistant is great at photography. She’ll definitely make you look beautiful.” He then called out, beckoning the young woman standing in the distance. “Sorry to trouble you.”

Shen Yelin glanced at Fu Jianyi, his gaze lingering on the confident smile on his face. After a moment, he opened the car door and stepped out, saying calmly, “I’ll take the photos for you.”

Shen Xuan quickly handed over her phone with both hands.

Shen Yelin took it, opened the camera app, and snapped a few simple shots of the two before handing it back to her.

Shen Xuan gratefully cradled her phone, thanking Xie Yun repeatedly before obediently slipping back into the car. Watching her settle in, Shen Yelin walked over to Fu Jianyi and said quietly, “Could you do me a favor and take her home? I won’t be going back just yet.”

Fu Jianyi’s expression tightened slightly as he stared at him. “Are you staying?”

“Yeah,” Shen Yelin replied casually.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he saw Xie Yun’s eyes light up instantly.

Fu Jianyi took it all in, his lips pressing together slightly. The faint sense of triumph he had felt earlier had completely dissipated, replaced by wariness toward Xie Yun and a hint of regret for pushing too hard.

He had almost forgotten Shen Yelin had always been soft-hearted. Though at first glance, one might easily mistake him for someone cold, detached, and indifferent.

To Shen Yelin, Xie Yun wasn’t an outsider; he was already halfway into the circle Shen Yelin had drawn. Faced with such an expression from Xie Yun, it was impossible for him to remain unmoved and walk away coldly.

What a pity, Fu Jianyi thought with a tinge of regret. He shouldn’t have pushed Xie Yun so hard earlier.

Now he had lost more than he gained.

Even so, Fu Jianyi didn’t back down. He glanced at Xie Yun beside him and put on a concerned expression for Shen Yelin. “Are you sure about this, Yelin? You must be tired too. There’s no need to force yourself I’m sure Actor Xie will understand.”

Shen Yelin’s expression remained calm. “I’ve troubled you these past couple of days. Let’s meet another time my treat.”

With that, he brought the matter to a close.

Fu Jianyi swallowed the words he had intended to say to further annoy Xie Yun, knowing full well that today’s invitation could no longer be stopped. He couldn’t help but let out a soft, regretful sigh.

He had still underestimated Xie Yun. However, today’s exchange had earned him a promise from Shen Yelin, so it wasn’t a total loss.

“Alright, I’ll make sure to clear my schedule for you,” Fu Jianyi nodded. Then, he turned his gaze to Xie Yun. “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Xie Yingdi. Please take good care of Yelin.”

His words carried an undertone of protectiveness, as if he were shielding someone under his wing.

Shen Yelin’s brow twitched, and he shot a cold glance at him.

Fu Jianyi pretended not to notice and gave him a gentle smile.

The curve of Xie Yun’s lips tightened slightly, his voice turning cool. “What are you saying, President Fu? I’ve known my senior for many years, and we’ve shared countless meals together. My senior trusts my taste in choosing restaurants, so there’s no need for you to worry. Have a safe trip.”

Fu Jianyi was left speechless, his previous composure gone. Truth be told, not having met Shen Yelin earlier was his greatest regret. If they had met a few years sooner, perhaps he wouldn’t be in such a constrained situation now. Perhaps they would have already become an enviable couple.

Fortunately, fate was fair. It had allowed him to foresee the future, giving him the chance to plan ahead.

Fu Jianyi glanced at Xie Yun, who seemed oblivious, and sneered inwardly. He gave Shen Yelin a slight nod and slowly rolled up the car window.

Xie Yun would never be the one laughing in the end.

Shen Yelin could only belong to him.

Shen Yelin watched as Fu Jianyi’s car drove away in a cloud of dust before turning his attention back.

Seeing that Xie Yun hadn’t moved yet, he said, “Let’s go. Didn’t you say you were going to treat me to a meal?”

Xie Yun snapped out of his thoughts and smiled at him. “No, it’s just that it’s been a long time since I’ve gone out to eat with my senior, so I’m a bit surprised.” He paused. “Actually, I should have invited you another day. After all, this place is in the middle of nowhere, and there’s nothing particularly good here. I’ve gotten used to eating boxed meals on set, so I think they’re fine. But for you, it might be a bit of a letdown for your palate.”

“It’s fine,” Shen Yelin replied flatly, glancing at the assistant in the distance who was carefully holding a hat and sunglasses. “Go cover up. That girl looks like she’s about to cry. There’s no rush. I’m free all day today.”

Xie Yun was momentarily stunned, then his beautiful eyes curved into a smile as he nodded. “Alright.”

He waved to the assistant in the distance, who immediately rushed over as if granted amnesty, shoving the hat and mask into his hands. The area was bustling with people, and paparazzi waiting to catch a story were everywhere. Although she had already dispersed the nearby fans when she sensed trouble brewing, Xie Yun was now about to go eat with someone nearby. As an assistant, she couldn’t keep an eye on him the whole time, so it was better to be cautious.

Especially with these two one the newly appointed president of Yao Entertainment, the other the hottest new film emperor in the entertainment industry. A single photo taken out of context, paired with a few rumors, could cause a significant stir in the industry.

Xie Yun silently placed the hat on his head and adjusted the mask properly, but his gaze was dark and unreadable, his heart gradually sinking into a cold abyss.

He didn’t want to always have to hide and tiptoe around when going out with the person he liked. He wanted to stand openly by their side, to one day fully express his feelings, and to become someone who could spend a lifetime with them.

But for now, these thoughts of his were impossible to realize.

His strength was still insufficient.

In this circle, the influence he could wield was still too small. Not to mention the long-established Yaoyu Entertainment, even the recently emerging Yue Lin, which had only just entered the entertainment industry in recent years, were opponents he couldn’t easily contend with. And as for Fu Jianyi’s watchful gaze, he saw it clearly, but could only feel a mix of anger and helpless anxiety.

Shen Yelin was too dazzling so dazzling that he could effortlessly capture the hearts of everyone who crossed paths with him. Yet he was no weak, trapped dragon in a shallow pond, easily controlled, stripped of his scales, and turned into a plaything to be toyed with at will.

With an exceptionally privileged background, a top-tier mind, skills and methods that matched anyone’s, and a character that treated everyone equally, what kind of extraordinary person would it take to claim such a brilliant gem for themselves?

For now, he simply wasn’t worthy of him.

Take the present moment, for example. If he insisted on not wearing these things meant for concealment, the other might turn cold and launch into a long lecture. And at the heart of it, the reason was simply that Shen Yelin cared about him, worried that unnecessary rumors might affect his future.

Xie Yun looked up, offering Shen Yelin a bright smile, his voice muffled through the mask. “Senior, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

A deep black van pulled up in front of them just in time, and an assistant opened the door for them.

Shen Yelin gave a soft “Mm,” leaned into the car, and casually chose an empty seat. Xie Yun glanced at where he sat, his expression hidden behind the mask freezing for a moment before he restrainedly chose a seat slightly farther away.

“It’s been a while since I went out with you, Senior. I really miss it,” he said, making conversation. “Time flies it feels like just a blink, but it’s been years. I remember back then, you weren’t much of a talker. I had to muster the courage to approach you and force a conversation. But you really have a good temper you never kicked me out.”

Shen Yelin glanced at him and said, “It’s fine. You’re not too noisy.”

Xie Yun had always been good at knowing his limits, never crossing the line into being annoying. Shen Yelin was actually the type who easily felt his personal space invaded, but after taking over the family company, he had managed to curb some of his old habits. Yet, from beginning to end, he had never felt any sense of intrusion from Xie Yun.

That was why, in the past, he had allowed the other to get close.

Many people approached him with all sorts of intentions, but most of them didn’t do it well. Xie Yun was one of the few who managed it perfectly, with no flaws of his own. Shen Yelin didn’t mind making friends with someone like that after all, he wasn’t some solitary figure.

At this thought, Shen Yelin couldn’t help but feel that the system following him was truly lacking in intelligence. If it hadn’t dragged him to the funeral scene and, as if adding legs to a snake, made him listen to the inner thoughts of these people, wouldn’t it already be swimming in peach blossom points by now, lying on a pile of energy and counting it until its hands cramped every day?

The system whimpered pitifully, “Host, I really can hear you.”

Shen Yelin let out a cold laugh.