Chapter 13

“I miss you.”

Tall and handsome in his deep blue school uniform jacket, Jin Luyun gently held the girl’s arms, lowering his gaze to look at her with a steady tone.

“I like you.”

“I said, I like you, Yin Duanwu.”

Yin Xiyu wore a white, fitted shirt dress, exuding a gentle and pure aura. Her curled eyelashes fluttered delicately like fragile butterflies. After a few seconds, she pursed her lips, slightly lifted her face, and took the initiative to kiss him.

A tender, fleeting first kiss.

She suddenly felt shy, her eyes flickering slightly. “Sorry…”

Just as she was about to pull away, Jin Luyun reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, gently pulling her closer. He lowered his head, about to kiss her lips again when the director’s ruthless voice interrupted.

“Cut!”

The release of her arms was just a fraction of a second late, unnoticed by anyone but themselves. Jin Luyun’s ears blushed deeply, his face faintly flushed; he dared not meet Yin Xiyu’s eyes, fearing she might notice his awkwardness.

“Xiyu, let’s add a tiptoe move this time, we’ll shoot a close-up. Luyun…”

The director’s voice paused suspiciously, then took on a teasing tone: “Luyun, cover your ears—they’re way too red. It’ll steal the spotlight in the shot.”

The writer and staff chuckled kindly. Yin Xiyu tilted her head curiously, looking at his ears, which made Jin Luyun blush from head to toe and hurriedly flee.

Outside, the onlooker Lin Huizhen whispered that it was unbearable to watch. Was it because he had just returned from America? This girl Xiyu seemed to have no idea what “shyness” even meant.

Zheng Jishi arrived around seven in the evening, just as Yin Xiyu and Jin Luyun were filming their third kissing scene.

The assistant director couldn’t help but say, “I think it’s pretty good. Is there any problem?”

The director stared at the two on the monitor, pondering: “Not exactly a problem, just… it feels like something’s missing.”

Just then, he noticed Zheng Jishi being led inside by Lin Huizhen. Raising an eyebrow—hadn’t he sent a support food truck recently? Why was he back again?

Upon entering the set, Zheng Jishi immediately saw the couple embracing under a tree, kissing. The polite smile faded from his lips as he stared at them for several moments, trying to look away as if nothing was happening, but after just a few seconds, he instinctively glanced back.

If looks could kill, Jin Luyun would have turned to ashes by now.

Lin Huizhen, standing beside him and witnessing everything, almost laughed out loud. She had heard Xiyu mention this once before but never heard of any progress; she thought it might have fallen through. Now, it seemed Zheng Jishi clearly cared about Xiyu.

Though managers have close relationships with their artists, Lin Huizhen kept her role professional. Xiyu was no naive girl; if she needed help, Lin Huizhen was more than willing to assist. Otherwise, outside of work, she was just a close sister figure, never meddling unnecessarily.

Another “cut” was called. Yin Xiyu was puzzled, and Jin Luyun was a bit lost. Not a professional actor, he had been learning by himself, but if his own actions were causing the crew to retake scenes repeatedly, he couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“Eh!”

“Brother, why did you come so early?” Yin Xiyu blinked and walked over to Zheng Jishi.

Zheng Jishi glanced at Jin Luyun standing frozen. Their eyes met, and Jin Luyun instinctively offered a polite smile. Zheng Jishi ignored it, as if he hadn’t seen him, and turned his gaze to Yin Xiyu, his expression softening. His tone was gentle: “I didn’t have anything else to do, so I came early.”

“Are you tired? How much longer do you have to shoot?”

Jin Luyun was young, but men often have an innate sense. He felt this senior didn’t like him much. Following Zheng Jishi’s overly gentle gaze toward Yin Xiyu, Jin Luyun understood immediately.

This senior also liked Nu Na? Jin Luyun hadn’t even realized he said “also.” His eyes darted between Zheng Jishi and Yin Xiyu, his brows and eyes hiding a subtle disappointment—as if caught in the rain, he looked a little wilted, like a soggy golden retriever.

The director observed this intriguing triangle and stroked his chin, feeling he might have found a way to wrap up today’s final scene quickly. Rather than urging them on, he smiled and said to Yin Xiyu, “Why don’t you chat with SimonDxi for a bit? Everyone’s tired. Let’s rest a while before continuing.”

This time, Zheng Jishi politely thanked him using honorifics.

He turned around and looked at the girl who was awkwardly standing there, unable to help but lightly pat her head. “Are you tired?”

He wanted to say maybe they should quit for today and resume tomorrow, but he knew acting wasn’t like their jobs; it required everyone’s cooperation, so they couldn’t just stop on a whim.

Yin Xiyu gently grabbed Zheng Jishi’s sleeve and leaned her head closer. Within a few palms’ distance, her fair, delicate face and rosy lips were crystal clear. Zheng Jishi’s Adam’s apple moved up and down as he nervously held his breath. His voice came out tight and strained.

“Wh-what’s wrong?”

Yin Xiyu wrinkled her nose, her almond-shaped eyes sharp and playful. “Brother, did you smoke?”

Zheng Jishi sighed deeply, his heartbeat still somewhat rapid. He murmured “Mm” and hesitated before asking, “You… don’t like the smell, do you?”

Yin Xiyu unwrapped a lollipop Lin Huizhen left for her, popped it into her mouth, and sucked on it softly. Her voice muffled, “It’s okay, not really that bad.”

She blinked and said casually, “But why does it matter if I like it or not?”

“Do you think I’ll quit smoking just because I don’t like you?”

Zheng Jishi instinctively glanced at her. Yin Xiyu was happily enjoying her lollipop like a child, not looking his way at all. He suddenly felt unsure whether she was just saying that or testing him.

“How do you know I won’t?” Zheng Jishi’s voice was low and slow. “Maybe… I really will quit.”

After saying this, his heart beat faster with anticipation, waiting for Yin Xiyu’s response. But before he could hear what he wanted, the director called to resume shooting.

“I’m going back to shoot now, Brother Jishi.”

Yin Xiyu waved her hand, then hesitated, handing him the lollipop. “Here, you hold this for me.”

She smiled playfully, “Oppa, don’t sneak a taste of my candy.”

Zheng Jishi rubbed his cheek, rolling his eyes in resignation. “What are you talking about?”

The girl wasn’t afraid of him at all. She made a funny face and skipped back to the camera. Zheng Jishi stared at the shiny pale pink candy in his hand, his mind involuntarily recalling how Yin Xiyu’s tender pink tongue had just lightly traced it.

His throat suddenly felt dry and itchy. A strange thought flashed through his mind.

Actually, if I licked it now, no one would know, right?

The idea flickered and vanished instantly, and Zheng Jishi groaned, holding his forehead. What was he thinking!?

As the director had hoped, Jin Luyun’s previous attempts had been too “gentlemanly,” lacking the passion that Haru’s character felt for Duanwu. This time, it was as if he’d unlocked some secret energy. When he wrapped his arm around her waist and leaned in to kiss Yin Xiyu, the possessiveness and subtle aggression were utterly captivating. Several staff sisters nearby wore amused, envious smiles.

Across the set, only the spot where Zheng Jishi stood seemed to radiate a peculiar chill.

To be honest, Jin Luyun’s performance this time even startled Yin Xiyu. When they parted, their lips still bore a hint of intimate redness.

“Nu Na.”

Jin Luyun summoned his courage to call her. Meeting Yin Xiyu’s bright, clear eyes, he hesitated, swallowing the words he wanted to say. Then he softly asked, “Nu Na, do you like strawberry flavor?”

Yin Xiyu was taken aback, recalling the lollipop she had just eaten, and nodded sheepishly.

Jin Luyun wanted to say more, but before he could, Zheng Jishi’s voice came from afar.

“Xiyu, can we go now?”

He smiled, seemingly oblivious to the gossiping looks around, and said boldly, “I’m hungry.”

Yin Xiyu quickly agreed and then looked at the boy. “I’m leaving first, Luyun.”

She waved, hesitated a moment, and added, “That brand of strawberry lollipops is really good.”

Jin Luyun had felt a little down, but her words made him smile softly. His personality was actually quieter and more reserved than Haru’s character. “Got it, Nu Na.”

“Nu Na, goodbye.”

“Byebye!”

Amid Zheng Jishi’s impatient calls, Yin Xiyu ran off with quick footsteps, catching her breath as she walked out with him. She couldn’t help but tease, “Brother, you acted like such an old aunt just now.”

“What? An old aunt?”

Zheng Jishi stopped, unhappy and looking utterly ridiculous. He clearly wanted to argue about this.

Seeing this, Yin Xiyu hurriedly grabbed his arm and dragged him along. Luckily, they were about the same height, so it wasn’t difficult. “Okay, okay, not an old aunt, I was wrong.”

Men, especially older ones, were really hard to deal with.

Though she was grumbling inwardly, her mood was actually very pleasant. Zheng Jishi’s unusual behavior could only mean one thing: today’s multiple cuts hadn’t been in vain.

“By the way, how are we getting to the restaurant? Taxi?”

Zheng Jishi shook his head, looking a bit smug. He tilted his chin toward the outside, indicating she look that way.

“I called the driver.”

He waved his hand, and a black Ferrari nearly blending into the night suddenly turned on its headlights. A familiar face leaned out from the driver’s seat, his narrow eyes sparkling with a brilliant smile.

“Hi~”

Yin Xiyu opened her mouth, then closed it, her expression indescribable.

Alright then, so by day he’s the CEO, and by night he’s the driver of a Ferrari?

You guys really know how to woo people.