Before Gong Yue could say anything, Ye Shanshan quickly pulled his leg away from Gong Yue’s hands and, with agile movements, hopped directly to the floor.
Maintaining his “severely injured” persona, he hopped on one foot to the side table, grabbed the rolled-up scarf there, and carefully unwrapped it to reveal the roasted sweet potato inside. As he did so, he explained enthusiastically,
“Look, ge, it’s still warm! It’s really delicious. I made sure to buy one for you on my way back—it was super expensive, ten yuan each!”
Gong Yue, both helpless and amused, watched Ye Shanshan’s face light up with a bright smile. He sat down on the sofa, ready to eat the sweet potato—he never wanted to let even a single one of Ye Shanshan’s heartfelt gestures go to waste.
Before Gong Yue could reach for it, Ye Shanshan carefully peeled off the skin to reveal the soft, golden flesh inside. After making sure it wasn’t too hot, he earnestly said,
“Ge, I forgot to bring a spoon, so I’ll have to feed you myself.”
Ye Shanshan then leaned closer, his lips slightly parted, his pink tongue delicately scooping up a small piece of the sweet potato. His eyes sparkled with anticipation as he looked at Gong Yue.
It was all part of his plan. Ye Shanshan was confident that this would work.
Seeing this, a faint smile appeared in Gong Yue’s eyes. He took the sweet potato from Ye Shanshan’s hand and set it aside. Then, using his thumb and forefinger, he gently pinched Ye Shanshan’s chin, leaned closer, and captured his tongue with his lips.
The sweet taste of the roasted sweet potato spread through their mouths. Ye Shanshan’s tongue playfully entwined with Gong Yue’s, sending tingling, ticklish sensations through him as they occasionally touched his palate, making his whole body feel weak.
“Is it tasty?” Ye Shanshan asked, his voice muffled.
“Very sweet,” Gong Yue replied.
Realizing Gong Yue genuinely enjoyed it, Ye Shanshan moved back slightly, beaming. “Then let me feed you another bite, okay?”
Indeed, his decision not to bring a spoon was perfect! Ye Shanshan made a mental note of this new tactic for initiating a kiss.
But Gong Yue pulled him back into his arms and pressed him onto the sofa. “No need. You’re enough.”
Hearing those words, Ye Shanshan’s imagination ran wild. Thinking back to how Gong Yue had kissed his feet earlier, he felt as though he was like a dish being savored.
—This thought made him even more curious, as if stepping into a vibrant and fascinating new world!
By the end of it, Ye Shanshan had been thoroughly “tasted” by Gong Yue.
After their exploration of this “new world,” Ye Shanshan dozed off on the sofa. He dreamt of Gong Yue being taken away by a hideous monster. He chased after them desperately, all the way to the edge of a cliff.
Just as he was about to leap off, he suddenly woke up to find himself lying on the edge of the bed, half his body hanging precariously over the side.
It really was a cliff!
Getting up, Ye Shanshan rubbed his eyes and realized he’d been moved from the game room to the bedroom. Gong Yue wasn’t there. Seeing it was only eleven o’clock, Ye Shanshan headed straight to the study with a clear goal in mind.
As expected, his emperor was hard at work.
Ye Shanshan sprawled out on the study’s sofa, yawning. His long lashes were damp with tears from his sleepy eyes. Blinking, he suddenly said,
“Ge, I don’t have any bones left,” his voice carrying a hint of alarm.
Noticing Gong Yue’s gaze shift to him, Ye Shanshan raised his hand, let it flop down dramatically, and demonstrated his boneless state by going limp all over.
Gong Yue walked over, helped button up Ye Shanshan’s haphazardly fastened shirt, and asked, “Where did your bones go?”
Ye Shanshan poked Gong Yue’s ribcage and looked up at him. “Right here,” he replied with a silly grin.
Meeting his gaze, Gong Yue took Ye Shanshan’s finger and lightly bit it between his teeth.
Feeling a ticklish sensation, Ye Shanshan pulled his hand back and nuzzled Gong Yue’s waist. Finding the position comfortable, he leaned into him. “When I was reading Hebrew mythology, I thought, ‘I want to be your rib—the one closest to your heart.’”
This way, when you’re alive, I’ll be with you every second. And when you’re gone, I’ll never be separated from you.
Ye Shanshan had never realized that such deep, inseparable love could exist.
Understanding his feelings, Gong Yue picked him up effortlessly, his hands supporting Ye Shanshan’s smooth thighs. “Why aren’t you wearing pants again?”
When Ye Shanshan had come over, he was only wearing one of Gong Yue’s shirts, the buttons fastened carelessly.
Ye Shanshan wrapped his arms around Gong Yue’s neck and responded confidently, “For the freedom of my legs!”
Gong Yue patted his rear but didn’t argue, accepting the reason.
Sitting down at his desk with Ye Shanshan in his lap, the two looked at the computer screen together.
Resting his chin on Gong Yue’s hand, Ye Shanshan squinted at the long string of data. “Ge, are you tracking Durant’s whereabouts?”
“Hmm. I’ve collaborated with the government and narrowed down a few locations based on the information Gong Ji provided. We’ve identified eight suspects from surveillance footage, but there’s still a chance Durant isn’t among them—it could all be a smokescreen.”
Ye Shanshan nodded seriously, scrutinizing the photos. Gong Yue’s episodic memory recovery had only occurred once—when he woke from a coma and recalled the events of the Misius Island explosion. Since then, progress had stalled, leaving everyone uncertain whether this was a good or bad sign.
One thing was clear: they needed to find Durant. It was their only lead.
The next morning, Ye Shanshan woke up yawning and found that his injury had healed significantly. His toes barely hurt when he walked, and the redness had mostly faded.
Relieved, he shuffled half-asleep to brush his teeth but nearly dropped his toothbrush into the sink from drowsiness.
Seeing him so adorably sleepy, Gong Yue took over, gently brushing Ye Shanshan’s teeth for him. Afterward, he had him rinse his mouth and spit out the foam.
When Gong Yue led him to the dining table, Ye Shanshan’s eyes lit up at the sight of steaming soup dumplings. His sleepiness melted away.
“Ge, why are you up so early today?” he asked, noticing the sky outside was still dark. He had an early shoot for a dawn scene, which explained his schedule.
“I’m going to the set with you today,” Gong Yue replied after swallowing a bite of his Western-style breakfast.
Stunned for a moment, Ye Shanshan broke into a radiant smile, nodding enthusiastically. “Together, together! I miss you every day when I’m on set.”
His messy bedhead bounced as he nodded, making him look even sillier.
Because he was happy, Ye Shanshan ate two extra steamed buns.
Seeing the dimple at the corner of his mouth, Gong Yue’s expression relaxed.
When Ye Shanshan arrived, Director Zhang was flipping through the schedule book handed to him by his assistant, planning the day’s shoot. Hearing Ye Shanshan greet him, he responded but kept his eyes on the book without looking up.
Then, he felt his assistant tug on his sleeve and lower her voice, “Director Zhang, look up…”
Feeling puzzled, he lifted his head and immediately saw the man standing behind Ye Shanshan. Taking another look at the lively Ye Shanshan, it took him a moment to react. He walked up to greet the man, “Mr. Gong, hello.”
Although he had only met Gong Yue once or twice, his impression was unforgettable. Gong Yue appearing on set today—was he jealous and here to declare ownership? After all, the gossip about the supporting actress had just spread yesterday, and now this big shot had shown up today, making it hard not to think along those lines.
Gong Yue still remembered him and gave a slight nod, “Director Zhang, long time no see.”
Ye Shanshan was standing nearby, gnawing on a roasted sweet potato, and proudly pointed to the paper bag in Gong Yue’s hand. “I bought three sweet potatoes.” The subtext was obvious:
—My Ge is here. Dare to steal my sweet potatoes now!
Director Zhang pretended not to notice such blatant provocation.
Victorious, Ye Shanshan was so delighted he felt like soaring up to the sky and rubbing shoulders with the sun—his Ge’s aura was invincible!
It was Gong Yue’s first time visiting a set. Ye Shanshan, constantly worried that he might get bumped or jostled, wished he could sprout wings to shield him.
Usually, Ye Shanshan shared a public dressing room with everyone, as it was convenient for running lines. But looking at Gong Yue and the two bodyguards following him, Director Zhang consciously arranged a private lounge for them to make do.
When they reached the lounge and Director Zhang left, the two bodyguards stationed themselves at the door. Ye Shanshan found a chair for Gong Yue to sit on, then sat in front of the mirror, waiting for the makeup artist. As soon as they arrived, the styling process began since they were racing against time to finish a scene before sunrise.
First, the wig cap was secured, and the makeup artist carefully styled his waist-length hair before starting on his makeup.
Noticing Gong Yue watching him intently, Ye Shanshan caught his gaze in the mirror. After a moment of hesitation, he couldn’t resist blowing a kiss. The makeup artist’s hand trembled while dotting his tear mole, almost smudging it.
Realizing this, Ye Shanshan smiled apologetically. The makeup artist instinctively lowered her voice, “It’s fine. It was my mistake.”
When they entered, they had seen the bodyguards at the door. Normally, Ye Shanshan was casual, sharing meals and joking with everyone, so he was approachable. But Gong Yue was different. Simply sitting there in his dark suit and impassive expression, he exuded an aura so intense it stifled even breathing. Yet, his presence sparked an irresistible curiosity, drawing furtive glances.
Gong Yue was accustomed to such scrutiny. When Ye Shanshan’s makeup was nearly done, he stood and approached the dressing mirror, watching as the final touches were applied.
“The character I’m playing is frail, so I appear a bit pale,” Ye Shanshan explained. Then he stood up, “Wait here; I’ll go change.”
He stepped out to change into a white undershirt. When he returned, the costume designer and assistant began layering on the intricate robes. This scene required him to wear the official attire of a prince, much more elaborate than his usual casual wear. With ample funding, the entire crew’s costumes were exquisitely detailed, and the effect was stunning once fully dressed.
Dressed and ready, Ye Shanshan turned to Gong Yue. “How do I look?” He already knew he looked great and asked only to confirm.
As expected, Gong Yue nodded. “You look amazing.”
Ye Shanshan’s mood instantly soared.
Once everything was prepared, Ye Shanshan brought Gong Yue to the filming location, which was fully set up. Director Zhang was positioning the camera, and the extras, already in costume, were listening to the assistant director’s instructions.
Finding Gong Yue a good spot to watch, Ye Shanshan hesitated for a moment, then shyly said, “I’m heading off now, but you have to focus on me—don’t look at the other actors.”
“Alright, only you”
Today’s scene was the Third Prince Ji Lingyun receiving the Emperor’s decree in court and leaving the Hall of Diligence at dawn.
On the white jade steps, flanked by torch-bearing guards, Ji Lingyun walked steadily down. The bitter wind howled as if it would carry him away. At the hall’s entrance, the Emperor’s hoarse cries echoed:
“My son!”
At that moment, the Emperor was no longer a ruler but a grieving father.
Ji Lingyun paused at the door, shadow trembling on the ground, before resolutely stepping away without a backward glance. His every step was measured, as though trying to prolong the moment. By torchlight, he memorized the faces of the guards—it was their first and likely last meeting.
The ministers, holding jade tablets, filed out after him, their eyes reddening. One elderly minister, his beard disheveled by the wind, knelt on the ground and vowed,
“Though the North is weak, ravaged by war and corruption, I swear on my life never to fail Your Highness. Upon your return, the land shall prosper once more!”
One by one, the other ministers knelt, some openly weeping. Such was the humiliation of sending a royal prince to the enemy!
Ji Lingyun stopped briefly, his shadow trembling. But he didn’t look back. At the bottom of the steps, he turned to face the ministers and smiled faintly, eyes misty. With a deep bow, he declared:
“Though I leave my homeland today, I hope to see the North restored in my lifetime. Never forget your oaths. Farewell.”
The ministers, still kneeling, bowed in return, unmoving.
Ji Lingyun straightened, his resolve clear. The chill wind filled his plain robes, but his spirit burned brightly.
Off-camera, Gong Yue watched silently, his aura creating an unapproachable zone around him.
“Shanshan acted well,” Gong Yue finally said after the scene.
Assistant Zheng Dong nodded cautiously. “Yes, Young Master Ye always delivers unexpected brilliance.”
Gong Yue’s gaze softened as he thought of Ye Shanshan’s words about experiencing different lives through acting. It filled him with both pride and heartache.
After filming, Ye Shanshan returned to Gong Yue’s side, still in costume. “Ge, I’m done for today. After removing my makeup, I’ll go to work with you.” He beamed, dragging Gong Yue to the resting room.
Back in the room, Ye Shanshan waved off the makeup crew, opting to remove his makeup himself.
“Ge, did I act well?” he finally asked, anxious for feedback.
“Very well,” Gong Yue affirmed.
Relieved, Ye Shanshan explained, “At first, I couldn’t grasp the emotions of national grief and personal loss. But then I imagined—what if you were the Emperor of the North? That thought gave me all the feelings I needed.”
After removing his makeup, Ye Shanshan noticed Gong Yue’s steady gaze. Unable to resist, he leaned closer.
“Ge, your lips are dry.”
Before Gong Yue could respond, Ye Shanshan pressed his lips to his, gently rubbing as if applying lip balm.
“Don’t move,” he whispered. “I’m putting lip balm on you.”
The tender moment deepened, their breaths mingling sweetly.
In this intimate exchange, time seemed to stand still.
[mfn]If you enjoy my translations, you can show your support by leaving a comment or donating to my Ko-fi. It will be much appreciated. Thank you! -TL: YSIAD
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