IOLYF Chapter 56

“What’s he busy with?” Cai Zhao asked. “It can’t still be that variety show stuff, right?”

Han Shao Zhou was about to mention that Mo Ming had finished the show when Cai Zhao continued, “I really don’t get why your company let him do that. He’s got the potential to be a great actor, yet they put him on some variety show.”

“It was his own choice.” Han Shao Zhou said. “Whether it’s acting, doing variety shows, or even getting into business with me on a whim—if he’s happy, I’ll support him.”

Qin You nodded slightly. “That’s actually a good approach. Since you’ve decided to take this relationship seriously, you should respect your partner’s choices.”

“Is Mo Ming not ambitious or something?” Cai Zhao frowned. “I’ve worked with him before, and he didn’t seem like that kind of person.”

“Maybe his ambitions lie elsewhere. By the way, Shao Zhou, has Mo Ming ever mentioned any future plans to you?”

Qin You’s question caught Han Shao Zhou off guard.

Plans?

He suddenly recalled the interview he overheard in the closet back in T City… When asked about his hopes for the future, Mo Ming had said he just wanted to maintain the status quo.

“It seems like he just wants to be with me…” Han Shao Zhou mused. “I haven’t noticed him showing much enthusiasm for work or life in general. He only seems genuinely engaged when he’s with me…”

“Alright, enough with the showing off.” Cai Zhao waved his hand, laughing. “We get it—Mo Ming likes you.”

Han Shao Zhou smiled.

“But now that you two are officially together, does he have any other plans?” Qin You said thoughtfully. “I can’t imagine Mo Ming being content with just being a pretty face by your side.”

Han Shao Zhou frowned, thinking of Mo Ming’s gentle, refined face. Whenever he saw him, those delicate dimples would appear, and his beautiful eyes would be filled with a deep affection, like a spring breeze gently caressing the heart. It was as if just being with him completed his life, leaving no room for thoughts of future plans or ambitions.

He assumed that Mo Ming’s next step would be to marry him. After all, it took him three years to transition from being just a lover to something more permanent. Mo Ming would naturally want to take things further as soon as possible. Han Shao Zhou expected that after they got married, Mo Ming would start planning his own career and life.

Thinking this, Han Shao Zhou leisurely crossed his legs and leaned back on the sofa.

Heh, the little guy knows what’s important.

Han Shao Zhou didn’t voice these thoughts, partly out of consideration for Zhao Cheng’s current state of mind. Instead, he replied to Qin You, “I’ll ask him about it sometime soon.”

“You’d better find out soon because there’s an opportunity coming up.” Cai Zhao said. “Liu He Kun’s new movie Wen Du is already starting nationwide auditions for the cast. They’ll be filming by early next year. Usually, Liu He Kun only picks experienced actors in their 30s or 40s for his lead roles, but this time, he’s looking for a younger lead. And unlike his last movie, Can Jian, which was a commercial film, this one is aimed at winning awards. Whoever lands the male lead role in this film could be looking at an award nomination at the very least.”

Directors like Liu He Kun, who are practically national treasures, have almost absolute control over casting decisions, unlike most directors who are constrained by commercial interests. While he might occasionally give minor roles to actors of average ability out of goodwill, he chooses his lead actors based solely on his own judgment.

Cai Zhao had heard Liu He Kun praise Mo Ming’s performance in Can Jian, which gave Mo Ming an edge over other actors. If Xing Ci, their agency, helped him fight for the role, there was a good chance Mo Ming could secure it.

Han Shao Zhou nodded thoughtfully. He’d have to ask Mo Ming if he was interested in this opportunity. Mo Ming seemed eager to work with Liu He Kun—he was enthusiastic even about playing a minor role in Can Jian, so he’d likely be even more eager to land the lead role.

“By the way, your relationship with Mo Ming seems to be a bit of a mystery.” Qin You remarked. “Aside from us, not many people know you’re together. Some think he’s just your lover, and others believe you two broke up after Wen Ci returned to Chuan Hai. So are you planning to keep your relationship low-key, or are you thinking about making it public?”

Recalling how sneaky his visits to Mo Ming’s sets had been, and how he’d been shoved into closets like a secret lover, Han Shao Zhou didn’t hesitate to say, “Public.”

If their relationship was public, visiting Mo Ming on set would be straightforward, and Mo Ming wouldn’t have to worry about gossip or his so-called professional ethics as an actor.

“Have you thought about how you’re going to announce it?”

“Yeah, my birthday’s coming up in a few days. I’ll bring him out to meet everyone then, and I’ll also let him be honest with reporters when they ask about his love life.”

Zhao Cheng, who had been sitting silently, suddenly perked up and quickly wiped his eyes.

“Hey, Han, how about you celebrate your birthday at my bar? I’ll give you an 88% discount on all drinks.” Given his connections, just Han Shao Zhou’s guest list could probably fill the entire place with second-generation heirs from across Chuan Hai.

If they all signed up for memberships, imagine how much he could make.

Han Shao Zhou glanced at Zhao Cheng. “Already bouncing back from the breakup?”

“Not quite, but I need a distraction.”

Looking at Zhao Cheng sniffing, trying to pull himself together after a devastating blow, Han Shao Zhou couldn’t help but say, “Look at you, all pathetic. If you don’t find a distraction, are you planning on going back to that girl?”

Zhao Cheng was silent for a few seconds before mumbling, “I was thinking of talking to Xiao Mei again.”

Han Shao Zhou almost wanted to punch him in the face. “She treated you as a stand-in, and you’re still hung up on her? What you need to do is cut ties completely, not run back to her. You’re just embarrassing yourself.”

Han Shao Zhou’s tone was serious. He never thought he’d find himself lecturing Zhao Cheng, given how Zhao Cheng used to preach to him. How the tables have turned.

“You don’t understand my feelings for Xiao Mei.” Zhao Cheng argued. “If Mo Ming dumped you, you’d probably feel just as…”

“You always think you know me so well…” Han Shao Zhou interrupted, not holding back. “That’s why I’m the one enjoying life, and you’re the one moping around like a lost puppy.”

Zhao Cheng didn’t have a comeback, so he just sulked and drank.

Relationships that start as casual affairs, like the one between Han Shao Zhou and Mo Ming, are risky. But in their case, it somehow turned into something more. Now that they were together, Mo Ming had avoided a heartbreak that could have been devastating after three years of genuine feelings.

Thinking of Mo Ming, Qin You asked why Han Shao Zhou hadn’t brought him along tonight.

“He’s been busy with work.” Han Shao Zhou said, leaning back on the sofa. “Probably another four or five days of it.”

The light rain continued on and off for two days.

After some overtime at work, it was already dark by the time Han Shao Zhou left the office. The damp, cold air clung to him, making him feel uncomfortable all over.

The drive to Xiangbin Mountain was long, but the apartment he shared with Mo Ming was much closer, so Han Shao Zhou told the driver to head there instead of the hotel.

It had only been two days, and Han Shao Zhou didn’t expect Mo Ming to be back yet. But he had a pretty good idea of where Mo Ming might be hiding out. Over the past three years, he’d given Mo Ming two apartments, and he figured if he picked one at random, there was a 50/50 chance he’d find him.

Of course, he wasn’t about to go looking for him. Since he’d decided to give Mo Ming the cold shoulder for five days, he wouldn’t even answer his calls during that time.

As he scrolled through their chat history, Han Shao Zhou resolutely shut off his phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

As they neared the apartment, Han Shao Zhou couldn’t help but pull out a small red leather box from his pocket. His thumb traced the edge of the lid, lifting it slightly. Inside were two exquisite diamond rings, catching the light and reflecting a dazzling array of colors.

The silver bands were engraved with the letters H and M—something he’d specifically requested from the jeweler. Engraving one’s own initials symbolized personal ownership, but having both initials together represented a shared bond.

Han Shao Zhou released the lid, letting it snap shut with a soft click.

He wouldn’t give the rings to Mo Ming as soon as they made up. It would depend on how sincere Mo Ming was in his apology this time.

If he was genuinely remorseful, he might get the rings sooner. But if there was even a hint of insincerity… well, then he’d wait a few more days.

When the car pulled up to the building, Han Shao Zhou tucked the ring box away and stepped out.

The night was deep, and the entire apartment building was quiet and cold.

Winter’s chill was inescapable, even in the elevator. As Han Shao Zhou watched the numbers tick up, he suddenly thought about how nice it would be to soak in a hot bath. But then he remembered that Mo Ming wasn’t around, and he quickly dismissed the idea…

A quick shower would do.

Stepping out of the elevator, he walked down the deserted hallway to his apartment. Han Shao Zhou irritably loosened his tie with one hand while the other entered the passcode on the door.

Maybe he should stop threatening Mo Ming with breakups. Each time they had a cold war, they ended up apart for days, and now he had to hold back even when he wanted to…

Disagreements were fine, but they shouldn’t be sleeping in separate beds anymore…

The apartment’s sensor lights flicked on as Han Shao Zhou walked in, one hand massaging the back of his neck, his head tilted back to relieve the stiffness.

But as he looked forward, he suddenly froze.

Forgetting to take off his shoes, he walked a few steps forward, dazed.

He stopped abruptly, staring at the empty, barren living room. His scalp tingled.

Damn it!

Was he robbed?!

No, not a robbery!

A thief wouldn’t be this malicious!

This was more like a hurricane had swept through, leaving nothing but walls and floors in its wake.

The sofa, rug, coffee table, paintings—everything, even the hundred-inch TV that had been mounted on the wall—were all gone!

Han Shao Zhou’s lips twitched as he stood there, finally realizing who might have emptied his apartment like this.

His fists clenched at his sides, trembling slightly as he tried to control his anger.

Closing his eyes, Han Shao Zhou took a deep breath, raising his head as he exhaled slowly.

Stay calm…

After much effort to calm down, Han Shao Zhou opened his eyes again, only to be hit with another shock.

The chandelier, a massive European crystal fixture that had hung in the center of the living room, was also gone!

Only the small white recessed lights around the edges of the ceiling remained, now bare and exposed.

Damn it!

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Author’s Note: To clarify and avoid any misunderstandings:

The reason I wrote about Mo Ming moving out so much stuff isn’t for dramatic or comedic effect, but because Mo Ming was genuinely considering Han Shao Zhou’s feelings.

Mo Ming only took things he had used or bought himself, based on what Han Shao Zhou said the day they broke up. He figured that leaving those items behind might upset Han Shao Zhou or his next lover, so he made sure to clean out everything to make it easier for Han Shao Zhou to start fresh with someone new… (P.S.: I’ll keep my comments short from now on to avoid disrupting the reading experience.)

Mo Ming: Han Shao Zhou is a good man. I definitely won’t leave him any trouble…