When leaving the film set, Ye Shanshan even bought a roasted sweet potato, wrapped it in a scarf for insulation, and prepared to take it back.
Xu Luoyang, wearing a black down jacket, waited nearby. Seeing Ye Shanshan carefully wrap the sweet potato and put it in his pocket, he asked, confused, “What are you doing?”
“Taking it back for Gong Yue to try.”
“…” Xu Luoyang imagined the CEO of the Gong family squatting on the steps, blowing on his hands and eating a roasted sweet potato. He figured if that scene got out, people would probably think the Gong family had gone bankrupt.
However, looking at Ye Shanshan’s expression, full of “good things must be shared,” and then at himself, a single dog, he wisely decided not to poke fun at him.
On the way back, they hitched a ride in Zheng Dong’s car.
Even though Ye Shanshan’s toe throbbed in pain, the thought of all the perks he could get from this incident made him so happy he felt like flying. He kept smiling the entire time.
Xu Luoyang held back for a while, feeling that he should bring up today’s incident with Ye Shanshan. Otherwise, he might get taken advantage of one day without even realizing it. After organizing his thoughts, he asked, “Shanshan, do you know why your foot got smashed today?”
“That?” Ye Shanshan thought for a moment. “She probably did it on purpose.”
“You know?” Xu Luoyang was genuinely surprised. Could Ye Shanshan have outgrown his naïve, sweet persona? Then he heard Ye Shanshan continue,
“I could see her guilt written all over her face. So it must be because she was upset with me and held a grudge about me having a chicken drumstick at lunch while she didn’t.”
“…”
Still firmly within the category of naïve and sweet, Xu Luoyang realized his expectations had been too high.
Xu Luoyang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Seriously? A chicken drumstick?! Once again, he found himself unable to follow Ye Shanshan’s train of thought.
But when he thought about that actress, meticulously scheming to get Ye Shanshan’s attention, crying dramatically, and later even coming over to thank him to establish her presence—only for Ye Shanshan to dismiss it as “a disaster caused by a chicken drumstick”—he couldn’t help but feel immensely satisfied.
This was comedy gold that could last half a year.
“It’s not about the chicken drumstick,” Xu Luoyang decided to get straight to the point. Otherwise, who knows where Ye Shanshan’s imagination would take him. “She was trying to get your attention and make her presence known. Her goal was to establish a money-for-favors deal—basically the entertainment industry’s version of a sugar baby arrangement.”
Worried Ye Shanshan might misunderstand the term “sugar baby” as something innocent like “free meals, lodging, and pocket money,” Xu Luoyang added, “In the entertainment industry, this kind of deal means she accompanies you for… adult activities, and in return, you give her money and resources to support her career. If it eventually evolves into true love, that’s just a bonus.”
After hearing this, Ye Shanshan frowned, his expression showing clear distaste. “I wouldn’t do anything inappropriate with anyone. That’s gross.”
Besides, his one true love was his Majesty at home, who also happened to be the one supporting him.
After mentally replaying Xu Luoyang’s explanation, Ye Shanshan added, “A money-for-favors deal? But she’s neither richer nor better-looking than I am. None of the conditions for a deal are met.”
Xu Luoyang couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Right, right, that’s a perfectly solid reason. With that logic, the entire entertainment industry can’t strike a deal with you!”
After laughing, he asked curiously, “So, Shanshan, what about Mr. Gong?”
Ye Shanshan looked at Xu Luoyang like it was the dumbest question ever. “My brother is way better looking than I am. He’s the most handsome, the most dashing person I’ve ever seen! Is that even a question?”
He said it with utter conviction.
Xu Luoyang recalled Gong Yue’s appearance—striking and unforgettable, yes, but not the kind of ethereal beauty Ye Shanshan claimed. So, whose eyes were failing here?
“Shanshan, do you really think Mr. Gong is much better-looking than you?”
Ye Shanshan nodded. “Of course.”
“…” Xu Luoyang finally understood the phrase love makes one blind to reality.
Bringing the conversation back, Xu Luoyang advised, “Anyway, just ignore people like that actress in the future. There are always some who want to get famous the easy way but don’t work hard themselves. You’re like a walking goldmine right now, so naturally, they’re all targeting you.”
“Okay, sure. We’re all about building a harmonious society, so I won’t play along with them,” Ye Shanshan agreed.
He wasn’t particularly into making friends anyway. Being highly sensitive to other people’s malice or negativity, his social circle was extremely small—just a handful of close friends.
Suddenly, Zheng Dong, who had been sitting in the front seat discussing work, spoke up with a hint of displeasure. “Are you talking about this?” He passed his tablet over.
Xu Luoyang took it and found a news article on the browser. In the picture, Ye Shanshan, dressed in costume, stood in a corridor while the actress playing a palace maid cried.
The headlines were full of clickbait: “Actress Cries on Set, Ye Shanshan Gently Comforts Her” or “Director Scolds Supporting Actress, Ye Shanshan Stands Up to Defend Her”. The article had been widely reposted, and discussions were already brewing on Weibo.
“She’s trying to stir up rumors? With Shanshan?” Xu Luoyang grew angrier the more he read. “She even bought bots to spread talk about them being a good match. Nonsense! Has she forgotten about Wei Ying’s apology post? No brains at all!”
Ye Shanshan leaned over to take a look and immediately refuted, “Who’s a good match with her? My brother and I are the perfect match! This is infuriating.” Poking at the screen, he asked Zheng Dong, “Can I hack these websites?”
Zheng Dong paused, unsurprised by his artist’s bold suggestion. It was very on-brand for Ye Shanshan to want to hack a website over a rumor. However, he urged a more measured approach.
“This news has already been seen by a lot of people, so hacking the sites won’t help much now.”
After a moment of thought, Zheng Dong added, “That actress is a newbie backed by her company. Recently, she’s only been playing minor roles in various productions. Judging by these articles, her team is cautious and doesn’t dare offend you directly, so the tone of the press releases is mostly flattering.”
But the situation was still frustrating.
“Even so, these kinds of cheap publicity stunts tend to snowball. You’re too oblivious in these situations, Shanshan. One day, you might casually say, ‘Drink more hot water,’ and it’ll be spun into, ‘I care deeply about you.’”
Pointing at the headlines, Zheng Dong continued, “See? Just a few pictures, and they’re already implying mutual affection. If this keeps up, you’ll suddenly have a ‘girlfriend’ one day. If you deny it, they’ll paint you as a heartless jerk.”
“Exactly,” Xu Luoyang handed the tablet back. “In the crew right now, all the actresses are practically drooling over you. Handsome and filthy rich—they’re all hoping to get close.”
Ye Shanshan, unfamiliar with industry tactics, listened quietly and nodded. “You’re right.”
Half an hour later, Director Zhang posted a Weibo statement clarifying the incident. He explained that Ye Shanshan’s foot had been hit by a hand warmer during filming, causing him visible pain, yet he still completed the scene professionally. He urged people not to spread baseless rumors or attack the actors involved.
The post provided an official explanation, and fans immediately reacted with heartache after seeing the hand warmer photo.
“Even if it wasn’t intentional, my poor Shanshan’s toe! Such a beautiful foot—it must’ve hurt so much!”
“I feel heartbroken! Shanshan, are you okay? And why do I feel like this wasn’t an accident? Trying to catch the attention of a domineering CEO by stepping on his foot? That girl needs to grow a conscience!”
“My sweet angel Shanshan wouldn’t say anything because he’s so kind and well-mannered. But this scheming woman—does she think we’re blind? Turning anti-fan immediately!”
There were also some voices defending the actress, suggesting it was just an accident and people should be kinder. However, they were quickly shut down.
“Be kind? How about she learns to control her hands first?”
“Focus on acting instead of stirring up rumors. Is that so hard?”
Not long after, Xu Luoyang shared Director Zhang’s post, adding, “I was right there, and it looked painful. But wow, what a precise slip of the hand. Anyway, Shanshan’s family is definitely going to be upset when he gets home.”
The post immediately set off Shanshan’s fans on Weibo, who exploded with excitement.
“What do you know?! Spill it! Does Shanshan really have someone waiting for him at home?!”
“I KNEW IT! I’m running laps around the room!”
“Quick, give us the scoop! Who is it? If it’s his parents, I won’t complain… but still!”
“Smart me quietly tagging His Majesty.”
Ye Shanshan responded quickly, “He won’t be upset. He’s very kind and has impeccable taste—except for his questionable fashion sense. He’s absolutely the best.”
Xu Luoyang, reading the response, made a noise of disbelief. “You might as well just say, ‘I love him to death.’ This is so nauseatingly sweet!”
He scrolled through the rapidly updating comments under Ye Shanshan’s post, expecting backlash from fans. To his surprise, they all revolved around just two phrases: His Majesty and his brother. Occasionally, a “may you live happily ever after” would pop up.
“This fanbase is weird! Isn’t revealing a relationship supposed to cause mass unfollowing and blacklisting? How do they instantly know it’s Mr. Gong without you even using pronouns?”
Ye Shanshan thought for a moment. “Maybe it’s the couple’s resemblance?”
Xu Luoyang remembered Ye Shanshan calling Gong Yue the most handsome person he’d ever seen. So by extension, wasn’t he just praising himself?
“I’ve never met someone so shameless.”
Ye Shanshan smiled cheerfully. “Thank you for the compliment!”
Before the gossip about the actress could gain traction, headlines like “Ye Shanshan Suspected of Publicly Revealing Relationship” and “Rejecting Scandals, Announcing Love—A Deeply Calculated Move!” dominated news platforms and climbed to the top of trending searches.
The official account of Mountains and Rivers Remain posted an update, stating that the production would terminate its contract with the actress involved and provide compensation as stipulated in the agreement. The statement was clear and left no room for ambiguity, serving as a stern warning.
This announcement reminded everyone that, while Ye Shanshan might play the fourth male lead, he was also the film’s primary investor. Additionally, Yuli Entertainment, the film’s distributor, was a subsidiary under his business empire.
When Ye Shanshan arrived home, Gong Yue wasn’t back yet. After grabbing his daily lollipop from the kitchen, Ye Shanshan hummed a tune and headed to the game room to play some Tetris.
Not long into the game, he heard the sound of the door opening downstairs. Ye Shanshan quickly got up from the carpet, flopped onto the sofa, and arranged himself in a thoroughly “exhausted and miserable” pose. To make it more convincing, he pinched his thigh hard, causing sharp pain that instantly blurred his vision.
He regretted not having eyedrops at hand—this hurt way too much!
With his setup complete, the protagonist, Gong Yue, appeared at the doorway.
When the door opened, Ye Shanshan lay sprawled on the sofa, looking pitifully at Gong Yue as he approached. “Ge,” he called weakly, his voice trembling with an air of grievance. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
He stretched out his arms toward Gong Yue. “I want a hug,” he said, his tone feeble and full of plea.
Gong Yue scooped him up without hesitation, carefully holding him close. He kissed the reddened corners of Ye Shanshan’s eyes. “Does it hurt a lot? Is the injury serious? The butler said you didn’t call for a doctor.”
What use was a doctor compared to having Gong Yue himself? None at all! Ye Shanshan thought triumphantly, though he kept his expression appropriately pitiful.
“It hurts a lot,” Ye Shanshan clung to Gong Yue, rubbing his face against his neck. Being cared for like this felt amazing. Once again, he confirmed that his emperor was the best—so good he had to be hidden away where no one else could steal him.
When Gong Yue tried to place him on the sofa after holding him for a while, Ye Shanshan immediately groaned dramatically as soon as his bottom touched the surface. “Ow, it hurts!”
Hearing this, Gong Yue quickly picked him up again, sat down on the sofa himself, and placed Ye Shanshan carefully on his lap. Seeing that Ye Shanshan stopped groaning, Gong Yue removed his socks. “Let me check the injury, be good.”
This time, Ye Shanshan didn’t object. When Gong Yue pulled off his bright blue socks, he saw that the toes which had been injured earlier were now swollen and bruised, turning a deep reddish-purple—a stark contrast to the fair skin around them.
Gong Yue’s expression darkened instantly.
Though Ye Shanshan enjoyed being pampered and loved, seeing Gong Yue genuinely upset made him feel a pang of regret. He leaned in to nibble on Gong Yue’s ear and softly exhaled, “Ge, it’s okay. It doesn’t hurt that much. Just applying some ointment at home will be fine.”
Gong Yue managed to control his emotions. He retrieved a first-aid kit, sat Ye Shanshan on the sofa, and meticulously cleaned and applied medicine to the injured foot with a cotton swab.
“Ge, it’ll heal in a few days with the ointment. I can handle pain really well,” Ye Shanshan reassured him.
After applying the ointment, Gong Yue didn’t seem bothered by its strong medicinal smell. Instead, he gently kissed the top of Ye Shanshan’s foot, his lips brushing over the fair, delicate skin.
“Shanshan, I would rather you never endure any pain at all.”
The tenderness in his words made Ye Shanshan feel as though his heart was filled with sweet, fluffy clouds, expanding to occupy every corner of his chest.
However, Gong Yue suddenly changed the subject. “About today’s reports—you haven’t explained them to me yet.”
Caught off guard, Ye Shanshan blinked, his mind taking a moment to catch up. “You mean the situation at the set? Luo Yang and Brother Zheng said she was trying to catch my attention and stir up rumors to increase her exposure. They said her ultimate goal was to initiate a… transaction involving both money and… uh, favors, hoping to marry into a wealthy family. Of course, I rejected it outright—just thinking about it is disgusting.”
As he spoke, Ye Shanshan reached out to touch Gong Yue’s face and reassured him, “I only love you. You’re my absolute favorite.”
Looking into Ye Shanshan’s eyes full of sincerity and affection, Gong Yue sighed. “Shanshan, I get jealous too.”
Hearing this, Ye Shanshan suddenly realized: Just as he would feel uncomfortable and upset when others admired Gong Yue, the same was true for Gong Yue. Though Gong Yue seemed strong and composed, he was no exception when it came to feelings.
Reflecting on this, Ye Shanshan felt a wave of guilt wash over him. “Ge,” he said anxiously, “I should’ve explained it to you right away. No, something like this shouldn’t have happened in the first place.”
Nervously, he began fiddling with the edge of the sofa, unsure how to soothe Gong Yue’s displeasure.
Gong Yue didn’t say anything further. Instead, he gently kissed the top of Ye Shanshan’s foot again, trailing kisses up along the delicate curves of his ankle and lower leg, leaving faint traces of moisture.
As he held Ye Shanshan’s restless hand, Gong Yue’s warm touch reassured him. His actions conveyed that he wasn’t truly angry, nor was he blaming Ye Shanshan—he was simply expressing his emotions.
Ye Shanshan understood. Tensing his foot instinctively, he lightly touched Gong Yue’s eyebrow with his other hand, feeling that this kind of mutual love was truly beautiful.
Then, as if recalling something important, Ye Shanshan’s eyes lit up. “Ge, I brought you roasted sweet potatoes from the set today—they’re super delicious! Want to try some?”
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