“Cut!”
Xin Hexue set down the glass wine cup. The specially brewed pink crystal champagne swayed gently.
He pressed his lips together, tasting the wine.
During the break, the props team scattered. The director and screenwriter still sat in front of the monitor, watching the footage taken over and over.
Xin Hexue saw Qiu Yuan shaking his head.
This scene had already NGed four times.
Wei’er, who acted alongside him, tugged at his suit collar, breathed a sigh of relief, and sat down beside Xin Hexue. “Tired? Director Qiu is just like that, kind of a perfectionist and nitpicky. I think your performance just now was already good enough.”
Xin Hexue smiled at him. “Thank you. I probably still had something lacking that Director Qiu wasn’t satisfied with.”
It was already late.
The last scene of the night still hadn’t wrapped by nine o’clock.
Because of this, Xin Hexue even turned down Xi Zhengqing’s invitation to get late-night snacks.
“Alright, then I’ll wait for you at home.” That was what Xi Zhengqing said at the end of the call.
The plot had already passed the climax of the graduation prom. The intimate video of Yi Si and the older Carter brother was known by everyone at the dance. After falling out, he learned it was all just a game between the Carter brothers, an upper-class hunting game targeting a top student from the lower district. Everyone clearly watched him fall deeper into the trap, eventually losing all dignity and being discarded.
After that, Yi Si even found out that the true culprit behind his parents’ fatal car accident was the Carter brothers’ father.
He didn’t have time to wallow in grief.
Because of the scandal at the prom, the school revoked his graduation qualification. That meant he couldn’t attend a university in the upper district, even though his grades were good enough for the best one with a full scholarship.
The wealthy businessman who had originally sponsored Yi Si was pressured by the Carter family and could no longer support his living expenses or studies.
Without a place to live or a job, without a recommendation letter or any school willing to accept him, Yi Si’s only path was to be deported back to the lower district by the upper district police.
But once he went back, he would almost certainly never return to the upper district. The decaying and chaotic lower district could swallow the rest of his life whole.
Yi Si decided to risk everything. He found out that the Carter family’s branch company would be holding its annual gala at the Guodalan Hotel. The Carter brothers, now working in the company, would be giving a joint speech at the opening.
Yi Si applied to be a server at the Guodalan Hotel. Fortunately, his good looks helped him pass the interview smoothly.
He needed to get back to the Carter brothers.
Feign civility, and then strike fatally when the chance came.
Xin Hexue had already reshot the scene where he met the Carter brothers again at the banquet four times.
The fifth take.
“Cut!”
Qiu Yuan waved his hand. “Good work, everyone. Go home and get a good night’s sleep. We’ll continue tomorrow.”
Walking out of the filming location, the night wind was a bit strong. An assistant stepped up to drape a coat over Xin Hexue’s shoulders. “Mr. Xin, are you heading back now?”
The nanny car waited by the roadside. It was about a twenty-minute drive to the high-end apartments at Yangnan Bay, which was not far.
Xin Hexue spotted Qiu Yuan’s figure, and at the same time, the other party also looked over at him. The moment their eyes met, the blond Alpha grinned at him.
To be honest, wearing sunglasses at night was a bit… strange.
Although Xin Hexue knew that Qiu Yuan was wearing them to cover up the features of his eyes, it didn’t stop him from thinking that Qiu Yuan had something wrong with him. After all, Qiu Yuan could clearly choose to wear colored contact lenses.
After thinking for a moment, Xin Hexue said to his assistant beside him, “You go wait for me in the car.”
He walked towards Qiu Yuan, who was in the dimly lit corner.
Xin Hexue asked, “Can you see clearly?”
“Of course.” Qiu Yuan’s thin lips curved up into a smile, a bit smug. “After all, I’m an octopus. An octopus’s night vision ability is much better than that of humans, and my vision has no blind spots. I can see the environment 360 degrees around me.”
He was displaying his advantages, just like an animal courting a mate.
Xin Hexue glanced at him.
In that case, even if one used a strategy to assassinate the octopus from behind, there would be great instability. The 360-degree field of view would allow the octopus to spot the enemy approaching from the rear.
It was indeed tricky.
Xin Hexue’s voice was a bit soft, perhaps due to the illusion created by the night. To Qiu Yuan, it sounded stickier than usual, and he thought Xin Hexue was acting coquettish.
Of course, the content of his words wasn’t quite like that.
“Do you have any opinions about my performance today?” The young man asked bluntly.
He wasn’t polite at all when talking to him.
Qiu Yuan smiled briefly.
He liked it so much.
Qiu Yuan: “Do you think I’m deliberately targeting you?”
Xin Hexue: “I didn’t say that.”
Qiu Yuan thought for a moment, then shrugged, “Okay, I guess I could do something like that.”
“Mm, but not today.” He added, “Don’t you think there’s something inconsistent in your performance?”
Xin Hexue looked at him with a serious expression, like an exemplary student waiting for the teacher’s critique.
This was really difficult.
Qiu Yuan lowered his head and rubbed his brow, “The parts from the student days could still be covered up, and not many people would notice.”
Xin Hexue quietly waited for him to continue explaining.
Qiu Yuan sized him up.
The young man was calm and composed. After work, he changed into a simple white shirt and black pants, which was a minimalist outfit. But his figure was tall and he had a cold temperament.
“You look like a prince.”
Qiu Yuan suddenly complimented Xin Hexue.
He didn’t look like someone who had struggled through life in the lower district.
Indeed, Yi Si was an outstanding student with a resilient character, but he had grown up in the lower district. If one were to say he had no flaws, it wouldn’t be true.
Having been exposed to the chaotic society of the lower district too early, Yi Si drank, smoked, and sometimes had to use such disguises to make himself seem less easy to provoke. For his safety on his way to and from school, he even had to know a bit of self-defense.
But in the upper district, he quickly realized that nothing he did mattered. Even his extraordinary learning ability was worthless here. In this place, money and power were the real currency.
He was like a little bird in a cage, a performer walking a tightrope in the circus for the amusement of others, suffocated by the absolute authority of the upper class.
“So, with no way out, Yi Si decided to take drastic action to avenge his parents and not be sent back to the lower district…”
Qiu Yuan explained, “He was climbing up with the determination of putting everything on the line. When he encountered the Carter brothers again, he didn’t even know if he would be arrested or if he could survive. Standing in opposition to power, at first, Yi Si had no certainty.”
“But you look so confident.”
“Too smart, charming, and adept. The Carter brothers will be played with in your hands and become dogs caught in the rain.”
“You’re a prince, no, you’re a king. People can tell at a glance that you’ll step on them in the future.”
What he said sounded more like a compliment to Xin Hexue rather than a criticism of his lack of acting skills.
“Watching you perform,” the area was quiet with no one else around, just the two of them. Qiu Yuan said honestly, “I got hard twice.”
Xin Hexue: “…I understand what you mean, but you didn’t need to say that last part. I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear it.”
The pink “cat” ears on Xin Hexue’s head curled inward, as though afraid of getting dirty.
When the host ignored K, K went into cat mode and diligently captured Xin Hexue’s expression from all angles, adding them to a folder titled [Disgusted Emotions].
Qiu Yuan concluded succinctly, “You acted well, but you lack a sense of desperation. I guess you haven’t had much experience with things getting out of control, have you? Or felt that thrill of having your heart in your throat?”
Xin Hexue pursed his lips slightly, showing some resistance to Qiu Yuan’s probing into his past.
Qiu Yuan: “It’s okay, everyone has secrets.”
He stepped closer to Xin Hexue and was pleased to see that the young man didn’t step back. “Want to try it?”
Xin Hexue lifted his eyelids and met his gaze, “Try what?”
“Experience the feeling I just mentioned.”
Qiu Yuan recognized the oversized jacket draped over Xin Hexue’s shoulder as belonging to Xi Zhengqing. He yanked it off and tossed it to the assistant waiting by the nanny car in the distance.
He then handed over his usual hunting jacket, saying, “The wind’s a bit strong.”
Seeing Xin Hexue silently put it on, Qiu Yuan asked, “Ready to go?”
…
Qiu Yuan had a car dealership in the North City.
Compared to luxury yachts and aircrafts, motorcycles were a cheap toy for the children of the wealthy.
Qiu Yuan fastened the helmet strap for Xin Hexue and securely strapped on his elbow and knee guards. “Don’t worry too much. I grew up racing motorcycles in high school. My skills are pretty good. If there’s any danger, I’ll have my tentacles wrap around you. Their regenerative abilities are strong, so even if one breaks, it’s fine.”
Xin Hexue responded coldly, “…No. Disgusting.”
Qiu Yuan realized that he meant that being wrapped by tentacles was disgusting.
The sub-brain transmitted a sound of a broken heart.
“Okay.”
Qiu Yuan took off his sunglasses, revealing his deep blue eyes.
Xin Hexue observed him until Qiu Yuan tucked the sunglasses into the collar of his jacket and put on his helmet.
Qiu Yuan reminded him, “Don’t stare into my eyes too long, it can mess with your mind. Sometimes it even causes hallucinations, it’s a passive skill.”
‘So that’s why he wore sunglasses even at night instead of colored contacts.’
Xin Hexue: “…Mm, where are we going?”
Qiu Yuan asked, “Let’s go see the sea.”
He told Xin Hexue where to place his feet when sitting on the back seat.
The back seat of the motorcycle was slightly higher than the front, so Xin Hexue had to lean forward a bit and hold onto Qiu Yuan’s waist.
A faint and soft green sandalwood scent lingered around Qiu Yuan.
This made Qiu Yuan unconsciously tense his upper body, and his abs became firm in this state.
He couldn’t help but wonder if the material of the shirt he was wearing today was thin enough for Xin Hexue to feel it.
Qiu Yuan started his courting again.
Xin Hexue issued the order, “Let’s go.”
When the motorcycle started, the roaring sound made adrenaline surge up instantly.
Qiu Yuan drove out from the nearest main road, and at the fork not far away, he chose a coastal route.
There wasn’t a single car in sight, and on the seaside, there was only a white guardrail. The needle on the speedometer exceeded 120 kilometers per hour, and the long, ribbon-like coastal road turned into a jumping white line.
The motorcycle sped crazily, the wheels spinning rapidly, as if it had thrown the rider’s soul behind.
Lacking trust in the rider, Xin Hexue hugged Qiu Yuan’s waist tightly, and couldn’t help but say, “Slow down…”
Qiu Yuan didn’t reply.
As they passed a curve, the motorcycle even leaned inward intentionally.
Xin Hexue’s eyes widened. He hugged Qiu Yuan’s waist tightly, and the light blue veins on the back of his hand could be seen protruding slightly from the force.
His heart really felt like it was in his throat now.
In the instant they turned the corner, the motorcycle shot forward like a magpie taking off, then leveled out.
Safe and sound.
Xin Hexue’s forehead had a small amount of sweat.
It was actually quite thrilling.
But he inhaled a gulp of cold wind and immediately started coughing, sounding as though his internal organs were about to burst.
Qiu Yuan was startled and quickly asked, “Are you okay?”
The needle on the speedometer dropped rapidly, and the motorcycle slowed to a crawl, moving like a snail.
The further they went towards the seaside, the more worn and chipped the white guardrails became.
Xin Hexue’s coughing wouldn’t stop.
Fortunately, they soon arrived at their destination.
The motorcycle went uphill off the coastal road, and when they reached the top, the undulating light blue moonlight enveloped them.
Qiu Yuan led Xin Hexue to a bench in front of the beach.
He took a thermos from the motorcycle and handed it to Xin Hexue.
It was warm water.
Xin Hexue glanced at Qiu Yuan in surprise.
Qiu Yuan let out a sigh of relief when he saw that his coughing had stopped.
Xin Hexue lowered his eyelashes, “I really don’t often experience things getting out of control. I don’t do things I’m not confident in, that’s the reason.”
He was referring to his unhealthy body.
Under the moonlight, his face was as pale as snow.
Deep down, he actually craved excitement and challenge, but many times, this desire was limited by his body and suppressed.
Qiu Yuan sat beside him.
The coast had a vast stretch of beach, and at the end of the sand, there were windbreak trees swaying in the sea breeze.
Qiu Yuan: “Have you thought about the previous matter?”
Xin Hexue: “What?”
Qiu Yuan: “Find a way out for yourself.”
Qiu Yuan: “Otherwise, are you really going to marry Xi Zhengqing, or Pei Guangji? You don’t like either of them, right?”
By the end of his question, his tone was no longer one of doubt, but of certainty.
He could tell that Xin Hexue had no feelings for these two men; he was just playing along very well.
“Before they go crazy, or before you get bored, you will have to withdraw completely,” Qiu Yuan clasped his hands together on his thighs. The knuckles rubbing against each other showed that he was not at ease. “Although the news of your engagement to Xi Zhengqing next month hasn’t been officially announced yet, is already known within the Core Zone.”
If the wedding was next month, it was too rushed. They had decided to go ahead with the engagement first.
Xin Hexue knew that the news of the heir to the Xi family getting engaged would spread quickly, but he hadn’t expected it to be this fast.
Qiu Yuan: “The Gong family is a vassal of the Xi family. Originally, unless something unexpected happened, according to the Xi family’s tradition, the Xi heir should marry one of the Gong family’s children. After the engagement news came out, the Gong family’s stock price dropped sharply, and they will look for an opportunity to deal with you.”
Xin Hexue couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you so sure?”
A Beta, and one with no family, the Gong family wouldn’t believe that the Xi heir had unconditionally fallen in love such a person. So, dealing with Xin Hexue was the fastest way to get everything back on track.
That was the logic, but Xin Hexue could see that Qiu Yuan seemed to know more about the situation.
Qiu Yuan smiled mysteriously, “Someone from the Gong family found the Black Serpent organization, hired a hitman, and that hitman’s target is you. The Black Serpent outsourced the job to Huozhong, and I still have some connections with those mutant species.”
Xin Hexue originally thought that the Black Serpent was just an underground organization in District Six, but from Qiu Yuan’s words, he realized that the influence in District Six might just be the tip of the iceberg. The Black Serpent even had ties with Huozhong, an organization composed of mutany species.
So what about Qiu Yuan? What role did he play in all of this?
Xin Hexue thought that understanding the purpose behind Qiu Yuan’s actions might be the key to unlocking all of his love and heartbreak values.
Qiu Yuan continued: “I know the mutant species responsible for this job. I can guarantee that he won’t touch you before the engagement.”
“Not until the engagement day. By then, you should have had enough fun, right?” Qiu Yuan locked eyes with Xin Hexue through his sunglasses. “I’ll offer you a perfect plan to fake your death.”
By then, the filming task would already be over.
Pei Guangji’s heartbreak value was now more than half.
As for Xi Zhengqing, it had only just begun.
Qiu Yuan: “In that case, you can withdraw completely before they go crazy.”
Xin Hexue smiled faintly, the smile glowing under the moonlight.
Withdraw completely?
But he wanted them to go crazy.
The crazier, the better.
“The feeling of taking risks that you mentioned, I think I’ve gained some insight into it,” Xin Hexue turned his head and asked Qiu Yuan, “Do you have any cigarettes?”
Xin Hexue didn’t smoke.
So he must have had a sudden impulse to experience the feeling of Yi Si, making it more fitting for the role.
Qiu Yuan took a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his side pocket. “Don’t get the wrong idea, I haven’t smoked in a long time. These are for the props team.”
Xin Hexue awkwardly held a cigarette between his fingers, lifted his eyelids and gave Qiu Yuan a suggestive look.
His eyes were beautifully shaped, with the curve of his upper eyelids stretched just right, and from the inner corner to the outer corner of his eyes, his eyelashes fanned out like dove feathers.
The moonlight was like salt, sprinkling over them.
Qiu Yuan flicked the lighter.
The rustling sound of the windbreak trees drowned out the low hum of the flame as it flickered.
The flame licked the tip of the cigarette, and after a tiny spark, the smell of nicotine wafted through.
They were very close, the kind of distance only found between lovers.
Qiu Yuan saw Xin Hexue holding the cigarette, the end of the cigarette lightly touching his lips.
His lips were perfect, a pale pink, giving off a faint sense of sickness.
His thin lips parted slightly.
The next moment, the cigarette was turned around and shoved into Qiu Yuan’s mouth.
When Qiu Yuan coughed from the smoke, Xin Hexue laughed heartily.
“I wouldn’t touch something like this,” Xin Hexue wiped the corner of his eye and laughed through the tears. “Here, take it back.”
It was unclear whether he was referring to the cigarette or to vent his anger at Qiu Yuan for causing him to cough due to the cold wind.
Qiu Yuan was still so mesmerized that he couldn’t find his bearings.
He threw the cigarette on the ground, stamped it out with his shoe, picked it up, and tossed it into a nearby metal trash can.
All that talk about the role of Yi Si and needing to let Xin Hexue experience it was just an excuse.
In fact, he just wanted to find an opportunity to spend time alone with Xin Hexue.
You could say it was a date.
Qiu Yuan glanced at the time on his watch.
He had done his homework, and tonight at 10 PM, there would be a meteor shower that came once in ten years.
He looked up at the night sky and then returned to Xin Hexue’s side.
But he found that the young man had already fallen asleep and was leaning against the bench.
His eyelashes were quietly lowered, and he was covered by his jacket.
It was only 10 PM, was he going to sleep this early?
Was he like a plush cat that shuts down the moment its battery runs out?
Qiu Yuan called someone to bring a car over.
It was so late; would sending Xin Hexue back make Xi Zhengqing misunderstand?
Although Xin Hexue was still wearing his jacket, he was about to get engaged to him, so his jealousy shouldn’t be so strong.
Qiu Yuan’s eyes showed a sense of triumph, and at that moment, Xin Hexue’s communicator, resting on the bench, lit up.
He glanced at it without thinking and unconsciously raised an eyebrow.
[Pei Guangji: Can we meet?]
[Pei Guangji: Sorry, I don’t have the chat logs on my side. The backup server’s key hasn’t been obtained yet, but I’d like to know more about what happened between us.]
[Pei Guangji: I want to talk to you.]
Qiu Yuan swiped once.
Then he realized that Xin Hexue’s communicator wasn’t locked!
