FLME Ch73

Chu Han reflected on his way back, feeling that he had spoken too harshly. However, he was also a little pleased—his accidental meddling had somehow resulted in a beautiful match.

He was quite worried that Yu Wen and Xie Heyu might actually “do” it just to prove a point. These two had just kissed after saying they would, so it wasn’t entirely impossible.

So he hesitated and said, “Yu Wen, I was joking about you ‘doing’ that… Don’t take it seriously…”

Yu Wen replied, “I didn’t take it seriously.”

Chu Han still found it unbelievable.

Once in the elevator, Xie Heyu reached for Yu Wen’s hand, and Yu Wen naturally stood beside him. The two were casually affectionate—not the interlocked fingers typical of lovers but a more relaxed and natural touch, as if they had done it a million times before.

Chu Han watched from the side, astonished yet gratified. He remarked, “You’ve just started dating, and you already get along so comfortably. Truly a match made in heaven.”

Then he added, “It’s not entirely thanks to me, so no need to thank me.”

Yu Wen and Xie Heyu exchanged a glance and smiled.

Seeing how happy they were, Chu Han felt reassured.

Chu Han didn’t arrive at the hotel until midnight. Guessing he wasn’t in the mood for a welcome banquet, Yu Wen returned to his room and only sent a quick message to Feng Chengzhou to let him know he’d arrived safely, declining everything else.

President Feng felt a little disappointed but didn’t insist.

What surprised Yu Wen was that during the time he’d been spinning like a top with work, his relationship with Feng Chengzhou seemed to have progressed somehow—at least it had softened significantly. It was no longer the combative “if you’re here, I’m not” dynamic he remembered.

When Chu Han saw Feng Chengzhou on set, he didn’t say much, his expression calm and indifferent.

Curious, Yu Wen pulled Xie Heyu aside during a break to ask what had happened at home while he was away.

Xie Heyu didn’t know much—after all, he wasn’t responsible for Chu Han—but being in the same company, he’d picked up a thing or two.

“Teacher Chu said that resentment only arises when you care. Now, he doesn’t feel much about Feng Chengzhou, so he doesn’t get angry even when he sees him being stupid.”

In truth, Chu Han rarely got angry at President Feng’s foolishness; it was more about Feng often acting on his own without consulting him, doing things he thought were right. Chu Han wasn’t the type to bare his heart and lay everything out in the open, so their communication often missed the mark.

Yu Wen pondered this and was quite startled.

Wasn’t this basically saying he didn’t love him anymore?

Wow.

Is that where this is heading?

Now Yu Wen was seriously questioning why the emotional drama in the book he’d read was so understated. Was it because all the juicy parts had been censored?

After all, he had read it in a library.

Books that obtained publication numbers couldn’t include even a single explicit scene without being sanctioned.

Otherwise, how could he have missed something like the plot where someone used their partner’s clothes for self-pleasure? He’d only learned about it inadvertently through Chu Han and Feng Chengzhou’s conversations. Chu Han casually saying “do” all the time clearly didn’t sound like the actions of a proper protagonist.

When reading the book, he had already found it puzzling… How could they achieve a happy ending after a forced-love scenario?

Now Yu Wen was even more confused.

If they didn’t love each other anymore, how could they still have a happy ending?

He was determined to find out.

The scene Chu Han was guest-starring in didn’t involve Yu Wen. While Chu Han was filming, Yu Wen dragged Xie Heyu to squat nearby, resting his chin on his hand as he watched.

Feng Chengzhou claimed to be supervising the set, but everyone knew who he was really there for. Standing behind the monitor, his expression was cold, his brows furrowed. He occasionally leaned over to exchange a few words with Director Miao, exuding an air of professionalism. To be fair, it was quite captivating.

But Chu Han didn’t look at him. Even when he glanced his way occasionally, his gaze carried the same indifference as when he looked at other staff members.

This frustrated Feng Chengzhou greatly.

Yu Wen squatted there for a long time, not seeing even the slightest hint of rekindled feelings.

The turning point came in the second scene.

The second scene took place at the fountain pool in the garden. Chu Han needed to fall into the pool, and worried about broken tiles or stones at the bottom, Director Miao had the staff clean it. Feng Chengzhou stepped forward to help, carefully feeling the pool bottom inch by inch. He had taken off his jacket, leaving only a well-fitted white shirt.

Midway, a staff member accidentally turned on the fountain, drenching Feng Chengzhou’s upper body. His healthy, honey-toned muscles became faintly visible through the wet fabric.

Yu Wen watched as Chu Han’s gaze was gradually drawn over, lingering on Feng Chengzhou, unable to look away.

Yu Wen: “…”

Your feelings disappear quickly, but they return just as fast, Teacher Chu.

Why is there a happy ending? The answer was self-evident. Yu Wen understood now but didn’t leave, still resting his chin on his hands and watching the drama unfold.

This was hilarious—watching the prince’s pursuit of love hit obstacles was pure entertainment. It would’ve been a waste not to watch!

Sure enough, Chu Han couldn’t help himself and frequently glanced at Feng Chengzhou out of the corner of his eye. Although President Feng couldn’t figure out the reason for Chu Han’s sudden change in attitude, it didn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curving upward more than an AK rifle.

Yu Wen was thoroughly enjoying the show when, suddenly, everything went dark. A hand appeared out of nowhere, covering his eyes.

“Up to just now, you’ve been watching for three minutes and twenty-six seconds,” Xie Heyu’s meticulous voice sounded by his ear. “Lusting excessively is inadvisable.”

Yu Wen froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“You thought I was staring at Feng Chengzhou? Well, okay, fine. I was looking at him. Three minutes and twenty-six seconds… you actually timed it?”

Xie Heyu kept his hand over Yu Wen’s eyes, his tone calm as still water. “Just a friendly reminder.”

“Oh…” Yu Wen dragged out the syllable. Jealous? Just admit it instead of acting all righteous.

He said, “Thanks for the reminder. I did get a bit entranced.”

Yu Wen distinctly felt the pressure on his eyes increase. Before, the hand had been lightly hovering; now, it pressed firmly.

After a while, Xie Heyu said, “I have it too.”

Yu Wen blinked. “Have what?”

Xie Heyu replied, “What you’re looking at.”

Yu Wen smirked. “The pecs, abs, and V-line…”

Xie Heyu said flatly, “I have them. You’ve seen them.”

Yu Wen’s mind immediately recalled certain intimate entanglements. His face heated up, but he stubbornly replied, “Not the same… You’re too pale, not sexy. His complexion looks healthier.”

That was a lie.

Precisely because Xie Heyu’s skin was pale, the veins and muscles beneath it stood out vividly. When he exerted force and those veins bulged, it exuded not only raw physicality but also a restrained sensuality that left people breathless.

Xie Heyu didn’t respond.

Yu Wen blinked, worried that his stubborn words might have hurt Xie Heyu. He was about to make amends when Xie Heyu let go of his eyes.

“Oh.”

The tone was light, neither salty nor sweet.

Yu Wen thought, Crap, did I actually hurt his feelings?

He wanted to explain, but Director Miao had already started filming, and with people bustling around, he couldn’t say anything too straightforward in public. He decided to console him later.

However, by the time filming ended that evening, Yu Wen had already forgotten about it.

Back at the hotel, he threw himself onto the bed, burying his face in the fluffy blanket and whining to Xie Heyu, “I’m so tired… Once I finish this project, I’m taking a year off.”

Xie Heyu closed the curtains and asked if he wanted to shower.

Yu Wen didn’t want to move and mumbled that he wouldn’t.

Xie Heyu tucked him in and went into the bathroom himself.

The intermittent sound of water echoed in the room. Xie Heyu was showering and would come out soon—this thought comforted Yu Wen. Cocooned in the blanket, he drifted off to sleep.

He woke up to a strange sensation.

The chandelier above was glaringly bright, making Yu Wen squint uncomfortably. As soon as he stirred, the sensation intensified.

“!”

Yu Wen’s neck tingled, his hands and feet curling instinctively. His vision went out of focus, and his entire body trembled uncontrollably.

“…Awake?” The voice above him was unhurried, tinged with a leisurely amusement.

Yu Wen squinted for a while before his gaze focused on Xie Heyu, who was tilting his head with great interest.

Glancing downward, Yu Wen realized his pants had been removed. He stammered, “What are you doing…”

Xie Heyu replied, “You were hard. I was worried you’d feel uncomfortable, so I’m helping you.”

Yu Wen felt utterly wronged. “…It’s because you touched me.”

He wasn’t some pervert! It wasn’t even morning—there was no reason for such an involuntary reaction unless Xie Heyu had deliberately provoked him.

“I didn’t.” Xie Heyu flatly denied it. “I came out of the bathroom three minutes and twenty-six seconds ago.”

“…”

That was a suspiciously familiar number.

Yu Wen stared blankly at the chandelier, sifting through his chaotic thoughts for the significance of three minutes and twenty-six seconds. After a moment, he remembered. “…Teacher Xie, you’re so petty.”

Looking up, he realized that Xie Heyu wasn’t wearing a shirt. His toned chest and abs were bare, rising and falling with his breaths.

His sweatpants hung low on his hips, visibly strained in the front, exuding the same oppressive energy as Xie Heyu’s current gaze.

Yu Wen glanced between his waist and his eyes, gulping nervously. He propped himself up and tried to back away. “Actually, I was just joking earlier…”

Xie Heyu let him retreat to the headboard, watching as he pulled his legs up and hugged them to his chest. One eyebrow arched slightly.

Teacher Xie said nothing. Summoning his courage, Yu Wen decided to push his luck further.

“Your pecs have well-defined contours—neither too prominent nor too flat. Uh… very well-trained.”

Xie Heyu tilted his head, his gaze unreadable.

“Your abs are firm and smooth, like a washboard… They look very strong. Really great…”

Yu Wen racked his brain, trying to recall what else he had complimented earlier.

“Your back, uh, your biceps…”

Yu Wen rattled off nearly every muscle in the human body, but Xie Heyu still wore that faintly amused expression.

Yu Wen wanted to die of embarrassment. “What else did I say back then…?”

“V-line,” Xie Heyu finally spoke. His index finger hooked onto his waistband, pulling it slightly before the elastic snapped back, inching lower and lower.

Yu Wen watched as he drew closer.

The large bed was soft and plush, its mattress springy. Every time Xie Heyu moved, Yu Wen, at the head of the bed, bounced slightly with him.

Yu Wen desperately wanted to make a final plea for himself before his impending doom.

“It was really just a joke,” he raised his face, gazing at Xie Heyu with wide eyes. “I wasn’t looking at Feng Chengzhou; I was just watching for fun—”

Before he could finish, Xie Heyu leaned in and kissed him.

Teacher Xie was fierce on the outside but tender within.

He seemed all harsh and overbearing, as if determined to devour Yu Wen completely. But in the end, all he did was guide Yu Wen’s hand to pull down his waistband and feel the sharply defined lines of his V-line.

Yu Wen could even detect a trace of grievance in Xie Heyu’s low voice.

Leaning against the headboard, they kissed until they were breathless. Yu Wen had no technique or sense of rhythm, fumbling clumsily as he grabbed here and there, yet Xie Heyu’s eyes visibly darkened.

Eventually, Xie Heyu took the lead. He grabbed Yu Wen’s wrist, pinning him against the pillow. The friction between them intensified, leaving Yu Wen gasping for air, his eyes misty with tears.

And this was just… this.

Yu Wen couldn’t help but wonder, If we really went all the way… would it feel even better than this?

He couldn’t take it, squirming constantly. Xie Heyu held him down, but at the last moment, he mercifully loosened his grip. Yu Wen broke free from the restraint and clung to him like an octopus, seeking another kiss.

Xie Heyu turned his head to meet his lips.

Once his sense of security was restored, Yu Wen opened his eyes and spoke earnestly: “Xie Heyu, I like you the most—whether it’s your looks, your muscles, or anything else… I like you the most. You’re the best-looking.”

Xie Heyu leaned down and embraced him. Their bare chests pressed together, and they could feel each other’s heartbeats.

Yu Wen felt the tension in Xie Heyu’s shoulders and back slowly ease.

The next day, Yu Wen had several scenes to shoot and got up before dawn to head to the set for makeup.

He was so tired he couldn’t keep his eyes open, nodding off like a pecking chick while the makeup artist worked on him.

Xie Heyu came over to hold his chin, and Yu Wen didn’t hesitate to rest his face in Xie Heyu’s palm, falling asleep instantly.

The makeup artist was fixing his hair and chuckled, “Teacher Yu has a lot of scenes and always wakes up early, so we’re used to him nodding off. But it’s rare for him to sleep this soundly in the makeup room…”

Xie Heyu pinched Yu Wen’s cheek to keep his head steady, but even he couldn’t suppress a yawn. He thought to himself that once this project wrapped up, he really needed to let little Teacher Yu take a proper vacation.

Today, Yu Wen had a scene with the male lead.

His character, Song Mingzhu, had a kind of naïve recklessness in the later stages of the story. He absorbed everything around him, like a dry sponge soaking up both dirty water and clean water alike.

The Song family was large, and its internal dynamics were far more chaotic than the Fu family’s. It was as if Song Mingzhu had been thrown into a dye vat. The Fu family had sent out a piece of white jade, but by the time it returned, it was unrecognizable.

By the time the story began, he was already vying for power. In the Song family’s environment, it seemed like a natural instinct ingrained from birth. He muddled through it, following the tide. Later, when the male lead became the head of the Fu family, it was the first time Song Mingzhu genuinely desired to become the king of the Song family, someone who could rival the Fu family.

This scene took place in the middle of the story. Song Mingzhu was still fighting but doing so in a bewildered manner. He was at a critical juncture: if he couldn’t resolve the issue, he would never rise again.

Coincidentally, it was the anniversary of Matriarch Fu’s death. He returned to the Fu family to pay his respects. Unable to sleep that night, he wandered to the second-floor balcony, sitting in a wicker chair with his face buried in his knees like a lazy cat.

When Fu Mingshen saw him, he was smoking.

Under the cold and lonely moonlight, Song Mingzhu swung his legs, propped his chin on his hand, and hummed an unidentifiable, cheerful tune. But between his fingers, he held a cigarette, representing his worries and frustrations.

This was an important scene, bold in its storyline but not overly complex in emotions.

Song Mingzhu, unable to find a solution, came up with a bold idea after talking with Fu Mingshen.

He asked, “Brother, do you like men?”

Fu Mingshen frowned at him.

The Fu family was different from the Song family. Fu Mingshen was the ironclad heir, groomed for the role since childhood.

If Fu Mingshen could help…

Song Mingzhu unbuttoned his nightgown. The silk fabric draped loosely, barely covering the essentials. He curled up shyly and murmured, “Brother…”

Under the moonlight, his fair complexion resembled porcelain, tinged with a bashful pink. His movements were restrained, but his eyes brimmed with anticipation as he said, “My waist is very slim…”

This scene included a close-up of his back, a close-up of his waist, and a full-body shot from a distance, aiming to capture a sense of innocence mixed with allure.

The pre-dawn lighting made filming difficult, so they had to redo it several times.

Xie Heyu stood not far away, hands in his pockets, watching.

Yu Wen, fully immersed in his character, was exhilarated and had long forgotten Xie Heyu’s presence. After the shoot, a staff member draped a coat over him, and Xie Heyu came over to touch his wrist, silently handing him a hand warmer.

Yu Wen suddenly remembered this was his boyfriend—a boyfriend prone to jealousy.

He pulled Xie Heyu to a corner, feeling a little uneasy as he recalled the events of last night. He asked cautiously, “You weren’t jealous, right? It’s just this one scene…”

Xie Heyu warmed his face with his hand and smiled at the question.

“You really like Song Mingzhu, don’t you?”

Yu Wen blinked innocently.

Xie Heyu said, “I wasn’t jealous. I kept watching because… when you’re playing him, you shine.”