MMLDU Chapter 30

Yan Han counted the days. Despite his reluctance, the day for Pei Lang to join the filming crew had arrived.

There were so many things he wanted to say, but he had no standing to voice them. To Pei Lang, he was nothing more than a benefactor or a contractual partner. It would feel strange to say those things to someone in such a relationship.

Pei Lang didn’t let Lu Lu know his address. They had agreed on a meeting point from which they would head to the filming location together. Pei Lang didn’t have much luggage, just clothes and daily necessities. But even so, it was enough to fill a large suitcase. After breakfast, it was time to leave.

Yan Han had Su Jia drive Pei Lang to the designated meeting spot. Pei Lang didn’t refuse, bidding farewell to Aunt Lin before saying goodbye to Yan Han. However, he hadn’t expected Yan Han to join the ride. Yan Han explained that it would save time to drop Pei Lang off before heading to the office, so they left the house together.

Pei Lang sensed that Yan Han’s mood was off. In his inner world, the little chibi drooped its head, holding tightly onto a struggling little fox, unwilling to let go. Su Jia also pursed his lips, his expression somber with a hint of melancholy.

Pei Lang’s gaze darted between the two of them. He could only assume they’d had a disagreement. The world of mutual pining was indeed peculiar—both parties were reluctant to clarify their feelings, choosing instead to keep everything bottled up.

With a sigh, Pei Lang thought, I’m about to join the crew and can’t help them resolve this. I can only hope that by the time I’m back, their relationship will have progressed.

“Have you saved my number?” Yan Han finally broke the silence as they neared their destination.

“Yes, yes. I’ve saved it,” Pei Lang replied with a nod.

The car fell silent again after that.

Yan Han’s implied message was that Pei Lang could reach out to him if needed, but Pei Lang didn’t catch on. The matter passed without further discussion.

As the car approached the destination, Yan Han had it stop about a hundred meters away. Pei Lang got out on his own with his luggage, not wanting Lu Lu to see him stepping out of Yan Han’s car. He could only walk the rest of the way.

Yan Han stared at Pei Lang’s retreating figure, his gaze lingering long after he had disappeared from view. Su Jia, oblivious to the tension, started the car and turned it around, forcing the two to part ways completely. As he focused on driving, Su Jia couldn’t shake the feeling of being pierced by a pair of dagger-like eyes behind him, sharp enough to stab straight into his heart.

Unable to figure out what had caused his boss’s erratic mood this time, Su Jia discreetly wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead and pretended to know nothing, dutifully driving Yan Han to the office.

Before Pei Lang left, Yan Han had only felt reluctant. Now that Pei Lang was gone, his chest felt heavy and constricted, as though a weight pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe no matter how deeply he inhaled. He didn’t fully understand what he was feeling, but he had a vague idea—it was longing.

Longing? He questioned himself. Can someone feel longing for a pet they want to keep?

In Yan Han’s mind, Pei Lang was merely a cute and amusing little fox. Without realizing it, he had already started treating him as a pet—keeping him close for comfort and relaxation. Yet, he failed to grasp that these seemingly harmless thoughts had long since transformed into something deeper.

It wasn’t until the suffocating weight of longing became unbearable that he began to wonder: Is it normal to feel this way about a “pet”?

The question lingered unresolved even after he arrived at the office.

Sitting in his office and lost in thought for a long while, he finally made a decision and dialed a number.

“Hello~ Who is it…” A lazy, cheerful voice came from the other end, tinged with drowsiness, as though the person had just woken up.

“It’s me,” Yan Han replied, his brows unconsciously furrowing in dissatisfaction at the casual tone.

The person on the other end immediately picked up on Yan Han’s displeasure and sounded a bit more alert, though not without some grumbling. “Oh, it’s you. For heaven’s sake, could you be a little more considerate? I’m overseas, there’s a time difference, and I’d just fallen asleep when your call woke me up. This better be urgent.”

No one dared speak to Yan Han so casually, but Qi Shaoheng was the exception. He had been Yan Han’s childhood playmate and now worked for him. Their relationship straddled the line between superior-subordinate and close friends.

“I’ve met someone. I have… strange thoughts about him,” Yan Han finally admitted after a long silence, seeking advice from the seasoned love expert, Qi Shaoheng. “I want to ask you what it means.”

Hearing the mention of gossip, Qi Shaoheng instantly woke up and sat up in bed. “What kind of thoughts? Tell me everything, in detail. Don’t leave anything out, or it’ll affect my judgment.”

The eagerness in Qi Shaoheng’s tone was obvious. Yan Han ignored his request for a detailed explanation and instead summarized the key points in the briefest terms possible: “I want to take care of him, help him, can’t bear for him to work outside, and miss him when he’s gone.”

“Holy sh*t!!” Qi Shaoheng exclaimed excitedly, unable to hold back. “Who is it? Who is it? Who is it!?”

Yan Han: “…”

“Ahem~~” Realizing he had overreacted, Qi Shaoheng coughed twice to compose himself, then pretended to ask seriously, “What is he like in your eyes?”

“He’s reckless, loves to act clever, talented, good-looking, and reminds me of a fox.” Yan Han paused for a moment, then added, “And he doesn’t look at my disability with pity. He even said he’d cure my legs as a way to repay me.”

Just from these few descriptions, Qi Shaoheng was already certain. He was so excited he couldn’t contain himself. “Holy sh*t!! Book me a plane ticket, right now! I’m coming back to China!”

“Is your work done? What are you coming back for?” Yan Han frowned, his icy tone instantly dampening Qi Shaoheng’s enthusiasm.

“I want to see this person immediately! I have to see what kind of extraordinary beauty managed to stir the heart of an old monster like you. Yan Han, Yan Han, you’ve finally met someone you like, and you don’t even realize it. Be careful, or they’ll slip away!”

“Like?” Yan Han had speculated as much himself, but now he wanted confirmation. “What kind of like?”

“Oh, my goodness! Love has come knocking, old monster. You’re in your thirties, and you’ve finally fallen for someone. I won’t mock you for being clueless. Now that you know, you better take it seriously. With your personality and temper, it’ll be a miracle if you don’t scare the poor thing off.”

Qi Shaoheng was practically desperate to help Yan Han navigate his feelings and pursue the person. He shifted restlessly in bed, lying down and sitting up repeatedly, causing the bed to creak under the strain.

A good brother had finally found someone he liked. If Qi Shaoheng didn’t step in, Yan Han might stay single for life.

Yan Han, on the other hand, wasn’t as flustered. Still, he felt uncertain. “What should I do then?”

“Wait, don’t rush. Let me think,” Qi Shaoheng took a deep breath to calm himself down. “Here’s the deal: I know a few books. I’ll have someone send them to you. Based on your personality, as long as you follow the strategies in those books, no one, absolutely no one, will be able to resist.”

But… the person in question is a man.

Pursuing someone is the same, whether it’s a man or a woman, right?

Yan Han didn’t voice his thoughts. After chatting with Qi Shaoheng for a bit longer and briefly discussing work progress, he hung up.

Once Yan Han confirmed his feelings for Pei Lang, he felt much more at ease. At the very least, Pei Lang was legally his partner for now, giving him a distinct advantage over anyone else.

The filming location was in another city, at a large ancient-style film studio where the crew was currently shooting. Although Pei Lang wasn’t signed with Lanjin Entertainment, Yan Han still arranged staff and a car for him, following the same standards as for his own artists.

Sister You had already made all the necessary arrangements. Lu Lu drove Pei Lang directly to the site.

They departed at noon and didn’t arrive until evening. Since Pei Lang hadn’t started filming yet, they first went to the crew’s hotel to drop off his luggage before heading to the set.

Director Jin, the head director, was focused on filming scenes involving the male and female leads and the second male lead, while the assistant director handled supporting roles and additional shots. When Pei Lang arrived, Director Jin was busy directing a scene. Not wanting to interrupt, Pei Lang stood quietly to the side, observing.

He was watching Director Jin’s filming habits to better understand the rhythm and expectations, hoping to find his footing when it was his turn to shoot.

Pei Lang’s presence was immediately noticed, but the reaction wasn’t friendly. Most of the crew members looked at him with indifference or even disdain, their gazes filled with contempt.

In response, Pei Lang offered a polite and pleasant smile, but what he got in return were sneers and eye rolls.

“Why is no one acknowledging us?” Pei Lang asked softly. He knew he wasn’t welcomed, but the role had already been assigned, and nothing could change that. So why did these people still act like this?

Even the temporary workers in the props department sneered at him.

Working with Pei Lang was surprisingly comfortable. At first, Lu Lu had been reluctant when assigned as Pei Lang’s assistant. But after spending time with him, he realized Pei Lang was nothing like the rumors.

The others didn’t understand Pei Lang’s true character, which made Lu Lu angry and also a bit heartbroken. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, unsure how to phrase it. Finally, he sighed and said, “Brother Lang, your reputation isn’t great. Everyone thinks you can’t act and that you’ll ruin the role. They figure that once the drama airs, you won’t gain any fans and will probably receive even more criticism. That’s why they don’t even bother pretending—they just treat you like this outright.”

Pei Lang nodded lightly, showing no signs of unhappiness, which allowed Lu Lu to breathe a sigh of relief before continuing. “And one more thing—Director Jin is seen as sacred in their eyes. He has principles and strength. Your inclusion in the crew has raised two suspicions: First, they wonder if Director Jin is not as principled as he seems and is willing to sacrifice his integrity for profits, tarnishing his image as a director. Second, they think you have a powerful backer—a ‘golden sponsor’ who forced Director Jin to cast you as Wen Yan. They believe Director Jin had no choice but to comply, and they blame you for this.”

No matter which suspicion they hold, Pei Lang is seen as the one at fault.

After listening to all this, Pei Lang laughed instead of getting angry. “Pfft~ Their imagination is really something, isn’t it?”

Pei Lang’s lack of grievance made Lu Lu feel even more aggrieved on his behalf. Puffing his cheeks, he said, “Brother Lang, how can you still laugh? I nearly died of anger reading those comments.”

“Is that all it takes to anger you?” Pei Lang pinched Lu Lu’s face playfully. “Getting mad is punishing yourself for someone else’s mistakes. Be good~ It’s tough following me around. We’re not money; it’s impossible to be liked by everyone. As long as we stay true to ourselves, that’s what really matters.”

Years of experience in the entertainment industry had given Pei Lang the ability to adjust his emotions quickly. It would take more than this to rattle him. Lu Lu’s eyes sparkled with admiration—Pei Lang truly was different.

Meanwhile, the filming on set was paused, and Director Jin was furious. “What’s going on? Such a simple move, and you still can’t get it right? How many takes has it been? If you can’t do it, then leave!”

They were filming a nighttime scene where the male and female leads were being hunted by members of a demonic cult and fought in the woods. One of the moves required the female lead to step onto a tree branch, perform a backflip, and strike the enemy in mid-air. However, the actress just couldn’t pull it off, driving Director Jin into a rage.

The actress, Liu Ran, looked on the verge of tears but dared not cry. Her exquisite face was pale and her hand trembled as she gripped the long sword. She had a heroic and beautiful appearance well-suited for the role of a martial heroine and her acting was commendable. But when it came to action scenes, her weaknesses were glaringly obvious.

The male lead, standing nearby, was also unhappy with the repeated failed takes, his expression cold as he remained silent.

Director Jin’s strict demeanor and Liu Ran’s chastisement cast a heavy atmosphere over the set. No one dared to make a sound as they watched the scene unfold.

Scolding wasn’t helping and Liu Ran’s own frustration had completely shattered her confidence. Forcing her to continue would be fruitless. Director Jin, his anger barely contained, yelled, “Fifteen-minute break!”

As he turned, his gaze landed on Pei Lang, and his expression softened slightly. “Kid, come over here.”

Pei Lang: “…” Director, could you not call me ‘kid’ in front of everyone?

Though he only dared to complain in his mind, Pei Lang obediently walked over and greeted him. “Hello, Director.”

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