Chapter 39: Zhao Sili Arrives
Ye Qingdu’s mind went blank. He raised his hand to strike Mu Wushuang’s skull, but Mu Huaying suddenly turned, his eyes fierce and bloodshot, glaring at him.
The force of the blow rustled Mu Huaying’s loose hair. Ye Qingdu’s hand froze, then he became even more enraged. Gathering spiritual energy in his palm, he struck again. Ye Hengyang shouted from behind him, “Father, no!”
Mu Wushuang, barely clinging to life, smiled even more ferociously. “Hengyang, my son, look at this man. It’s this man who wants to kill your own mother.”
Ye Hengyang’s face was filled with shock. Mu Huaying, eyes bloodshot, said, “Mother, what nonsense are you talking about?”
But Mu Wushuang’s eyes seemed to no longer see them. She stared fixedly at Ye Qingdu, her gaze filled with a twisted love and intense hatred. Her lips trembled as she said, “I… told a lie. But what that lie is… you… you will never know. Ye Qingdu, this is my final gift to you…”
Before she could finish, Mu Wushuang died.
Liu Qichang stood up. “Cut!”
Because they needed to film additional shots, the actors maintained their emotions. Several makeup artists rushed forward to touch up their makeup.
The surrounding media and lucky fans began to whisper amongst themselves.
[This plot is so complicated, I don’t understand at all! It just feels so dramatic.]
[So, Mu Huaying switched his son with that woman A’Ruan’s son. Ye Hengyang is actually her biological son, and Mu Huaying is A’Ruan’s.]
[So, just now, Ye Hengyang and his father joined forces to kill his own biological mother? Damn, she’s so cruel, she didn’t even care about her own son?]
Immediately, a Willow Leaf fan familiar with the original story stepped forward to explain: [That’s why some people analyze that Mu Wushuang’s own son died at birth. Neither Ye Hengyang nor Mu Huaying are her biological children. She stole a child from somewhere and swapped him with A’Ruan’s son. That’s why she’s so crazy, so hateful, and shows no mercy towards either Mu Huaying or Ye Hengyang.]
[It’s hard to say who’s more tragic, Ye Hengyang or Mu Huaying.]
[Mu Huaying is definitely more tragic. He’s A’Ruan’s son, that much is certain. He should have had such a wealthy and comfortable life, but he was switched. Not only did he suffer all his life, but he also treated his enemy as his mother. Mu Wushuang is his mother’s killer!]
[Damn, that’s tragic. Mu Wushuang’s revenge is truly masterful, destroying everyone at once.]
Jin Yanliu was still in character. Teacher Sang Yuan, who played Mu Wushuang, lay on the ground, urging Liu Qichang, “Director, hurry up and film. I’ll melt under the sun if I lie here any longer.”
Her words caused a ripple of laughter. Jin Yanliu shielded her from the sun. Sang Yuan, lying on the ground, looked at him and said, “I haven’t had enough filming with you.”
She knew Jin Yanliu had always been a good actor, but after this collaboration, she realized his acting was even better than she thought. It was a waste of his talent to only act in idol dramas.
If he encountered a good script, he would definitely shine. The tragic and beautiful character of Mu Huaying gave him this opportunity.
“Restraining your performance a bit would make it even better,” she advised Jin Yanliu.
Jin Yanliu’s eyes were still red. Although he was out of character, his expression remained heavy. He nodded at her.
Mu Wushuang’s final revelation successfully shattered the three men. It was a devastating blow to all of them, completely overturning their lives.
“That madwoman’s words are completely unreliable. She failed to kill us, so she wanted to break our spirits, using lies to drive a wedge between us father and son. If you soften and believe her, you’ll have fallen into her trap.”
Ye Hengyang looked up at Ye Qingdu, whose eyes were red-rimmed, but his expression was firm.
He nodded but didn’t speak. After a while, he asked, “Then how do you plan to deal with Huaying?”
Ye Qingdu frowned deeply. After a long silence, he said, “Let me think about it… Don’t go see him again.”
Ye Qingdu already believed nine-tenths of what Mu Wushuang said before she died.
Because Mu Huaying’s features resembled A’Ruan too much.
He suddenly remembered the prophecy about him, that one day he would die at the hands of his own son.
He had been worried about this prophecy for half his life. As the sect leader, he never allowed his son to cultivate or practice martial arts, instead hiring many Confucian scholars to raise him into a kind, filial, and righteous man with mediocre martial arts skills. He never expected that he had another son.
This son was sinister, ruthless, filled with demonic energy, and consumed by hatred, beyond redemption.
Even if his blood flowed through his veins, he was no longer his son.
Lying in the dungeon, Mu Huaying heard footsteps approaching and opened his eyes.
Ye Hengyang opened the iron gate of the dungeon and stood before him.
Their eyes met, but neither spoke. Ye Hengyang took out the key and unlocked the shackles on his hands and feet.
“Let’s go,” Ye Hengyang said. “Take her body and leave this place. Never come back.”
“Do you believe what she said?” Mu Huaying asked. “That you are her son.”
Ye Hengyang didn’t answer.
“I never understood why she hated me so much. I comforted myself by saying it was all Ye Qingdu’s fault. I thought that if I killed him, everything would change.”
He had spent his entire life striving for a moment of her tenderness, only to discover that he was merely a pawn in her game of revenge. Was there actually a blood feud between them?
Mu Huaying felt lost, neither sad nor angry, as if he had died along with Mu Wushuang.
Ye Hengyang didn’t know what to say. They shared almost the same pain, but Mu Huaying was even more pitiful. He reached out and embraced Mu Huaying. The dirt on Mu Huaying’s body stained his snow-white robes. Ye Hengyang held his head and said, “Let’s go.”
Mu Huaying didn’t speak, only holding him tighter.
The camera moved from the front to behind them. They maintained their embrace. Yan Huihua enjoyed this feeling of Jin Yanliu completely relying on him. The emotion was both fake and real. The embrace filled his heart. Jin Yanliu was comfortable to hold.
“Cut! Perfect!” Liu Qichang said.
They separated. Today’s scenes involved a lot of action and intense emotions, leaving both of them exhausted. The physical exhaustion affected their mood. Yan Huihua felt a sense of loss and dejection.
For someone like him, feelings weren’t something he could easily let go of, especially since he was still filming with Jin Yanliu, filming such complex and intense emotional scenes. Both the real and the acted emotions were heavy, restrained, and unattainable. Yan Huihua dreamt of Jin Yanliu every night.
Jin Yanliu felt even more tired. He had many action scenes today, but he couldn’t rest. He had an advertisement shoot after dinner.
“With such a tight filming schedule, why are you taking on new work?” Zhou Beiyang asked.
“Yeah, why?” Jin Yanliu asked Cheng Fei.
Cheng Fei said, “They offered a huge sum. Easy money, and it won’t take much time.”
When Jin Yanliu arrived at the advertisement shooting location, he saw a familiar face: Zhao Sili.
“Long time no see,” Zhao Sili extended his hand.
Jin Yanliu smiled and shook his hand. “Long time no see.”
“I’m also following your new drama. Today, I can consider myself a successful fan.”
Zhao Sili’s gaze was exceptionally fervent, making Jin Yanliu suspect that he had fallen for him.
“Hello, Xiao Ai!”
“Dear!”
“Has Zhao Sili fallen for me?”
“Xiao Ai doesn’t know for sure, but probably.”
“…Can you be more reliable?”
“Logically speaking, probably yes,” Xiao Ai said. “Because in the original novel, Zhao Sili fell in love with your face at first sight.”
“If I reject him, I’ll offend him, right?”
“Aren’t you trying to make him stronger?”
“I’m too tired lately, I don’t have the energy for this.”
He glanced at Zhao Sili, who had been watching him. Jin Yanliu turned slightly, giving him a rather aloof and arrogant look.
After the advertisement shoot, Zhao Sili invited him to dinner.
Jin Yanliu readily agreed.
After this meal, Zhao Sili became noticeably more enthusiastic, contacting him every few days and even visiting the set twice. As expected of a domineering CEO character, his pursuit was grand and unrestrained. Not only did the entire crew know, but it also made its way online.
[I heard someone is pursuing Jin Yanliu, a man!]
[Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if anyone pursued him. That face of his was born to cause chaos.]
[Hahaha, I don’t know if it’s the influence of Into The Abyss, but I really hope he’s gay. It would be so delicious.]
[Did you guys watch this week’s episodes? This drama is so dramatic! My whole family is watching!]
[They made the right choice focusing on brotherly love. Homosexuality is still a niche topic. By focusing on brotherhood, it’s suitable for all ages!]
[Are you sure it’s suitable for all ages? I feel like many scenes between Mu Huaying and Ye Hengyang are super gay. It’s awkward watching it with my parents.]
[Hahaha, but those intimate scenes can also be interpreted as brotherly love. It depends on how you look at it. The main drama is their birth secret, that’s where everyone’s focus is.]
[What is the lie that Mu Wushuang told? I really want to know.]
[This thread is off-topic. We’re discussing Jin Yanliu’s love life! A top star is about to fall in love, aren’t you excited?!]
[There are always people pursuing Jin Yanliu. Let’s wait until he’s actually in a relationship before we talk about it.]
[I looked up this Zhao Sili guy. He walks a bit… He doesn’t seem that rich. Probably just wishful thinking.]
[It must be hard for Jin Yanliu to find a man of equal standing. His looks, physique, family background, everything is top-tier. Who could be worthy of him?]
Zhou Beiyang wasn’t worried. It would be strange if Zhao Sili succeeded. Jin Yanliu’s standards weren’t that low.
Besides, they were intimate every few days, although they hadn’t gone all the way. They were already behaving like a couple. Jin Yanliu was clearly getting used to it. Sometimes, when he kissed his shoulder, Jin Yanliu wouldn’t even dodge anymore.
He was just a little annoyed. Zhao Sili wanted to eat swan meat, but he didn’t know his own limitations. His presumptuousness was irritating.
“He’s asking you to dinner again?” Zhou Beiyang asked. “Are you going?”
“Yes.” Jin Yanliu held up some clothes against himself. “How about this outfit?”
“Are you trying to provoke me? I’m giving you advice, helping you dress up nicely for a date with someone else.”
Jin Yanliu laughed. “I’m going to set things straight with him today, tell him to stop bothering me. Don’t you want me to make it clear to him?”
Only then did Zhou Beiyang get up to help him choose clothes.
Jin Yanliu leaned against the doorway of the walk-in closet. “He’s pursuing me, but I haven’t seen you get angry. You’re so petty.”
Zhou Beiyang said, “I’d rather worry about you and Yan Huihua developing feelings for each other on set than about him.”
“If anything develops between us, it’s brotherly love. We’re not filming a romance.”
“Is brotherly love okay?” Zhou Beiyang suddenly asked, quite seriously.
Brotherly love was only acceptable with him.
Jin Yanliu said, “Little jealous pot.”
“Yesterday you kept saying I was too big, too big, and now you’re saying I’m small.”
Jin Yanliu kicked him in the butt.
Zhou Beiyang was becoming more and more unrestrained, and he especially loved making suggestive jokes. However, in public, he remained as aloof as ever. Fans still called him the abstinent male god because Zhou Beiyang looked abstinent, rarely smiled, and didn’t talk much.
Jin Yanliu was quite pleased because only he could see this side of Zhou Beiyang.
They had formed a tacit understanding, keeping secrets only they knew. There was a side of them that their parents and family had never seen, a side they only revealed to each other. This sense of privacy and the satisfaction of exclusivity made Jin Yanliu increasingly relaxed and excited. This was all due to Zhou Beiyang’s coaxing.
Zhou Beiyang’s favorite lines were: “It’s okay, only I can see it, let it out,” or “It’s okay, only I can hear it,” and so on.
Jin Yanliu was successfully persuaded. He felt it was indeed true. No matter what, no matter how ugly or lewd he was, only Zhou Beiyang would see it. He had never been afraid to show his true self in front of Zhou Beiyang since they were young. Zhou Beiyang knew everything about him, and he knew everything about Zhou Beiyang. Now they were exploring the secrets of their bodies, which was also their secret, both shy and exciting. If it weren’t for filming, lack of time, and physical limitations, he would even want to spend a few days indulging in a life of debauchery with Zhou Beiyang.
