Xu Jingzhe found that Liang Yu’s preferences in bed were not so much out of consideration but rather an unabashed desire to control which he usually kept well concealed. Now, all of this was focused fully on Xu Jingzhe. It was as if Liang Yu was unwrapping the “candy” that was Xu Jingzhe and savoring it, letting him melt from top to bottom before deigning to swallow.

Afterwards, Xu Jingzhe sat on the toilet for a long time. He didn’t actually manage to pee, but his legs were still a little weak. Liang Yu carried him to the bed where they lay face-to-face, Liang Yu massaging his waist.

From start to finish, it seemed that Liang Yu had been the one to do everything. Sometimes, Xu Jingzhe felt almost like an “object”, but he didn’t really feel any of the offense he would have felt if he’d actually been “objectified” like that.

Liang Yu controlled him, cherished him, loved him, as if he was holding something precious in his heart.

Xu Jingzhe didn’t even remember when he’d fallen asleep. He woke up several times in the night, and Liang Yu would touch his forehead each time, checking his temperature.

By the time he actually woke up, it was already the next morning. Xu Jingzhe found himself almost sprawled over a pillow, one of his hands dangling off the side of the bed. He moved his hand a bit, and it brushed against someone’s head.

Liang Yu was sitting on the floor next to the bed, a script resting on his knees. He turned his head to look at Xu Jingzhe.

“Awake?” He reached out and touched Xu Jingzhe’s forehead again, “You had a low fever during the second half of the night.”

Xu Jingzhe didn’t say anything. He stared at Liang Yu’s face.

Liang Yu was wearing glasses again, perhaps because he was reading a script. It was a different pair from before. These were slightly larger, and they had silver frames. The temples had a delicate silver chain hanging from them, draping all the way down to his shoulders.

Xu Jingzhe couldn’t help but reach out to play with the chain. Liang Yu took the opportunity to lean in, but, in the end, their lips did not meet.

“I’m going to brush my teeth.” Xu Jingzhe buried his face in the pillow, very seriously saying, “You can only kiss me after I finish brushing my teeth.”

Liang Yu: “…”

The housekeeper was here today. Liang Yu must have told her what to make for breakfast. She cooked porridge and cold dishes. Xu Jingzhe only arrived downstairs after he’d finished washing up and performing his skin care routine. His hair was tied back and his face was clean, but his lips were a little swollen.

In the living room, there was a TV. The housekeeper was watching a program while she cleaned. She had worked at Xu Jingzhe’s home for several years and was always neat and efficient, so Xu Jingzhe didn’t pay her much mind.

Liang Yu was already sitting at the dining table across from him, still reading his script. He had one leg propped up, and his eyelids drooped as he read. There wasn’t much expression on his face.

Xu Jingzhe glanced at him as he ate. He then turned towards the TV and found that it was airing the reality show featuring him and Liang Yu.

The housekeeper was happily watching away. The TV just so happened to be showing their one-on-one interviews from the very first day. Liang Yu looked at the camera, smiling as he said, “Once he landed by my side, my whole world became spring.”

The housekeeper let out an “oh my goodness”, having truly been moved. She said, “The relationship between the two of you is just wonderful.”

“…” Xu Jingzhe was also seeing his performance in the reality show for the first time. He felt that it was very different from watching himself act in dramas. He was a little embarrassed, but he couldn’t just say that this was a variety show, that he was just performing. He was afraid that it wouldn’t be entirely the truth.

At that moment, Liang Yu finally raised his head from the script. He glanced over, and the silver chain on his glasses swayed as he turned his head, sliding down from his shoulder.

“That’s nothing.” Liang Yu was a little disdainful. “There’s even a kiss scene later.”

The housekeeper was quite surprised. “They can show that?”

Liang Yu: “If you pay, you can even watch it on demand.”

The housekeeper: “…”

Xu Jingzhe finally couldn’t hold back and said, “Give it a rest, will you? You don’t need to be squeezing money out of the housekeeper too.”

Xu Jingzhe had asked Zhang Man for a few days off, but Liang Yu still had a few things he needed to wrap up. He asked Yang Jierui to bring all the PR materials to the villa. Yang Jierui didn’t think much of it and brought it over that afternoon.

Along with him came Liang Luo. After all, she was an assistant and had quite a bit of work to do.

“Your personal image is about as flawless as it can get.” Yang Jierui showed him several reports. “You’re practically a saint at this point. If someone were to try to stir things up by criticizing, say, the way you sent your own blood relative into jail, they’d basically be setting themselves up to be torn apart. We wouldn’t even need to buy any water army. Anyone with a voice will jump to defend you.”

Xu Jingzhe wasn’t steering clear of this conversation, and Yang Jierui didn’t really mind either. He was truly grateful to Xu Jingzhe this time. Xu Jingzhe put himself at the forefront of the controversy and helped shield Liang Yu from a lot of negative press. Yang Jierui had actually been worried about what would happen if something went wrong with Liang Yu during their contract relationship and Xu Jingzhe just washed his hands of it and left…

The contract relationship. Yang Jierui suddenly remembered that there was such a thing. He glanced at Xu Jingzhe before subtly signaling Liang Yu with his eyes.

Liang Yu was waiting for the rest of Yang Jierui’s analysis of online traffic and such. After staring at him for a long time, Liang Yu frowned and said, “What the hell are you doing? Got a stye or something?”

“…” Yang Jierui hinted, whispering, “Mr. Xu’s been a huge help to us. You know that, right?”

Liang Yu had a look on his face that said, “What bullshit are you on this time?”

Yang Jierui still hadn’t caught on and said anxiously, “I mean the interview, the heartfelt confession! Mr. Xu’s performance was really incredible.”

He hadn’t even finished speaking when the housekeeper, who had been flipping through channels, happened to land on a replay of Xu Jingzhe’s live interview with Qu Tianwen.

“That’s it!” Yang Jierui shouted, pointing excitedly at the TV.

Liang Yu didn’t say anything. He crossed his arms and quietly watched Xu Jingzhe’s “confession” again.

Xu Jingzhe felt a little embarrassed and interrupted, “Auntie, let’s change the channel.”

The housekeeper refused, “What for? I think this is perfect!”

Yang Jierui was still kissing up to Xu Jingzhe. “Yes, exactly! Mr. Xu, look at your acting skills! No wonder you’re the reigning Drama Emperor. It just so happens that a couple of movie productions have approached us. Mr. Liang and I both think that you’d be perfect for them. What do you think? Why don’t we find some time to collaborate?”

Xu Jingzhe let out a genuine laugh this time. He turned to Liang Yu and asked, “What movie? Were they asking for you?”

“No.” Liang Yu looked at him. His expression didn’t seem to be joking. “I know you don’t want my film resources, but Director Qiao actually wants to meet you this time. I’m just making the introduction. I really haven’t done anything else.”

Xu Jingzhe stared at him for a while but ultimately decided to trust him. He shook his head with a smile and said, “Oh, you.”

Yang Jierui, on the other hand, felt like something was off. It was clearly his suggestion, so why did it feel like the two of them were off in their own little world without him?!

“Hey…” While Xu Jingzhe was busy changing the TV channel, Yang Jierui secretly took the chance to consult with Liang Yu, “We still have that business agreement. Has Man jie said anything about Xu Jingzhe helping us out? We have to pay, right? Has Mr. Xu mentioned an amount? I’d like an estimate, just to be prepared.”

The Author Has Something To Say:

Let’s light a candle for Yang Jierui!