Chapter 68

Chapter 68

After New Year's Day, Ning Yuyi's wish to go out with Fan Zhongchuan didn't come true, as they began shooting the later episodes of "Old Friends".

On the day of the shoot, the director filmed behind-the-scenes footage as they arrived at the Qing'an villa for preparations.

When the cameraman knocked on the door, Ning Yuyi was still drowsily brushing her teeth. It was the housemaid who had returned to work that opened the door.

The maid let several staff in, saying, “Master Xie and Master Ning are not up yet, please come in and have a seat.”

The cameraman entered the room, taking shots of the entire place, until someone descended the spiral staircase.

Xie Yezhou, wearing a black turtleneck cashmere sweater with a black trench coat draped over his arm, made a commanding entrance down the stairs.

The cameraman, who had previously filmed both him and Ning Yuyi, was used to Xie's presence and even managed to greet him casually.

"Master Xie, breakfast is on the table."

"Alright." After checking the time, Xie Yezhou looked up and met the cameraman's curious gaze, signaling him to speak up.

Clearing his throat, the cameraman asked, “Do you live with Ning Yuyi?”

“No, I occasionally stay here for a few nights. This is Ningning's place,” Xie Yezhou replied, sitting at the dining table and crossing his leather-clad legs.

Just as the cameraman was about to ask why Ning Yuyi hadn’t come down, footsteps were heard from the stairs.

Ning Yuyi, with his eyes still half-closed, realized the crew was there upon seeing the camera and rubbed his eyes to try to wake up.

Sitting opposite Xie Yezhou and glancing at the milk pushed towards him, he declined, saying, “No thanks, I'll feel sick on the car after drinking that.”

He’s always disliked milk, feeling a tad queasy after consumption.

Especially when on a car, the persistent taste of pure milk would make him extremely nauseous.

Xie Yezhou took the glass of milk and drank it in one gulp.

The cameraman captured this moment, and marveled, thinking the scene reminded him of eating the leftover food his son didn’t finish at home.

After breakfast, Ning Yuyi went upstairs to pack. When he opened the door, he saw Xie Yezhou waiting outside.

Beside Xie Yezhou was his own black suitcase. With one hand tucked into his trench coat pocket, he used his free hand to carry Ning Yuyi’s suitcase when he emerged.

The VJ captured Xie Yezhou effortlessly carrying both suitcases down the stairs, further highlighting his doting nature towards Ning Yuyi.

The crew's van was parked outside the villa. Ning Yuyi was made to wear a hat and scarf by Xie Yezhou. As he turned, he saw Fan Zhongchuan, also ready to depart, at the neighboring door.

Ning Yuyi leaned against the iron fence and called out to Fan Zhongchuan, "Are you heading to the company?"

Fan Zhongchuan, who had a tight-lipped expression, softened into a smile upon hearing this and approached the fence.

They looked at each other, separated by two fences and a stretch of lawn about a meter wide. Ning Yuyi's eyes sparkled, holding back words for fear of being recorded.

He quickly typed a message on his phone, then waved it at Fan Zhongchuan, signaling him to check.

——Goodbye, official boyfriend~ See you in five days_

Fan Zhongchuan's eyes lingered on the word "official," his lips curving into a slight smile. Seeing Ning Yuyi's joyful face across from him melted his heart.

Not wanting to linger too long, Ning Yuyi waved and reluctantly got into the car shortly after sending the message.

The car started moving not long after he boarded.

Through the rear-view mirror, Ning Yuyi could see Fan Zhongchuan, still standing by the door, watching him. Biting his lip, his feelings of reluctance grew stronger.

He even contemplated rolling down the window to see Fan Zhongchuan better, but Xie Yezhou held him back just in time.

"It's just five days," Xie Yezhou said, grasping Ning Yuyi's wrist. "Be good; you'll be back before you know it."

Ning Yuyi propped his chin up, wearing a gloomy expression, "Life as a worker is tough."

。

Upon arriving at the cottage, Ning Yuyi and Xie Yezhou, lugging their luggage, opened the gate to find familiar filming equipment, the director's tent, and people like Liu Tiancheng chatting.

"Ningning's here." Zhuang Rong brushed off some seed shells and gracefully stood up.

"Long time no see," Luo Bin greeted excitedly. After scanning them, his gaze settled on Ning Yuyi.

"Well, well! You and Xie are actual brothers? Is that fate or what?"

"I never expected that, especially after that big news break," Liu Tiancheng, who was then filming in a remote forest, recalled his astonishment. "Who would've thought the temperamental Xie would be Ningning's real brother?"

Xie Yezhou's face darkened.

To ease the tension, Zhuang Rong beckoned the two inside.

Carrying the suitcase had left Ning Yuyi's hands exposed, turning them a frosty red.

The cottage was heated, with a fireplace burning along the wall, making the entire space cozy.

After sitting for a while, Ning Yuyi felt warm enough to remove his hat and scarf, revealing his little tuft of hair, which Zhuang Rong playfully tugged at, "Ningning is getting cuter."

Having his tuft teased and being praised for cuteness — a trait many men disliked being associated with — Ning Yuyi pouted in mock anger.

Xie Yezhou couldn't stand to see Ning Yuyi being "bullied". "Sister Zhuang Rong."

"Alright, alright. You were protective of Ningning before, but now even more so," Zhuang Rong said, releasing Ning Yuyi's hair tuft and proceeded to ask other questions.

……

After a night's rest, they began to receive guests the next day.

In the morning, Ning Yuyi woke up to see snowflakes drifting outside. He sat in bed, reluctant to leave the warmth of his blankets.

Eventually, Xie Yezhou carried him, blankets and all, to the bathroom to wash his face.

The cottage had been cleaned by the crew prior to filming. Ning Yuyi checked the limited ingredients in the kitchen, then looked despondently at the thick snow outside.

"On such a snowy day, we should be indoors watching TV or playing games," Luo Bin lamented, leaning under the eaves. He pulled out a cigarette, but before he could light it, Zhuang Rong snatched it away.

"My sister-in-law specifically asked me to keep an eye on you," Zhuang Rong said, breaking the cigarette in half and tossing it in the trash. "Explain this to her when you get back."

A disgruntled Luo Bin headed off to banter with Liu Tiancheng.

Close to noon, Zhuang Rong received a notification about arriving guests.

Upon answering the phone, Ning Yuyi heard a heavily distorted voice, making it impossible to identify the speaker.

"Who could it be?" Luo Bin pondered, unable to guess.

"Sounds a bit like Director Wang," Liu Tiancheng speculated.

Director Wang had recently wrapped up shooting "Emperor Zhouyang" with Ning Yuyi.

Sure enough, shortly after lunch, Ning Yuyi saw the director, wearing a goofy grin, walk into the yard and share a hug with Liu Tiancheng.

Luo Bin took a few steps back, positioning himself beside Ning Yuyi and Xie Yezhou, looking at Director Wang with disdain.

Both he and Liu Tiancheng were committed family men, deeply in love with their wives. Thus,

They held little respect for the philandering nature of someone like Director Wang.

As expected, after hugging Liu Tiancheng, Director Wang, rubbing his hands together in anticipation, targeted Zhuang Rong for a similar embrace. However, he was held back by Liu Tiancheng before reaching her.

"Just you?" Liu Tiancheng, clearly unimpressed but wearing a cheerful facade, held onto Director Wang.

Missing his opportunity to embrace Zhuang Rong, a hint of regret flashed across Director Wang's face, but he quickly masked it with a smile, "No, Xiao Ning came with me."

"Isn't Sister Sheng coming?" Ning Yuyi inquired.

"Nianzhi had a conflicting schedule, so she couldn't make it."

The courtyard door opened again, and turning his head, Ning Yuyi saw Ji Xiao Ning enter, wearing a short yellow down jacket paired with a beige skirt.

"Xiao Ning is here," introduced Director Wang and Liu Tiancheng. "This is Ji Xiao Ning. She recently starred in a web series with impressive viewership — a promising talent indeed."

It was evident that they were singing her praises.

Liu Tiancheng greeted Ji Xiao Ning with an air of indifference, while Zhuang Rong suggested they move indoors to continue their conversation.

The four of them entered the cottage in succession, leaving Ning Yuyi, Xie Yezhou, and Luo Bin in the courtyard.

Not keen on seeing Director Wang, Luo Bin followed Ning Yuyi and Xie Yezhou into the kitchen.

Considering Director Wang and Ji Xiao Ning had just arrived and hadn't eaten, Ning Yuyi decided to make scallion oil noodles.

Behind the cottage, young scallions grew. Ning Yuyi changed into rain boots and went to the back to pick some for the scallion oil.

Seated in the cottage's living room, Ji Xiao Ning noticed Ning Yuyi heading out alone and, feeling a bit apologetic, stood up.

"I'm sorry, I feel a bit car sick. I'll step outside for some fresh air."

"Do you want me to get you some water?" Zhuang Rong offered, ready to accompany her.

"It's okay; I just need a moment alone," Ji Xiao Ning replied, heading out, making sure to avoid the cameras.

Following a pebbled path, she soon spotted Ning Yuyi, his white down jacket standing out, as he bent over to pick something.

Checking once more to ensure she wasn't followed by cameras, she continued approaching him.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Ning Yuyi assumed it was Xie Yezhou. Without turning around, he said, "Brother, can you bring these scallions back? I'll also pick some cauliflower to stir-fry tonight."

Receiving no response, Ning Yuyi realized something was amiss. He stood up, turning to find Ji Xiao Ning behind him.

"What are you doing here?" Remembering past events with her, he instinctively took a step back.

Ji Xiao Ning's eyes widened in disbelief at his reaction.

With a hurt look, she asked, "Why do you retreat every time you see me?"

Realizing his inadvertent action had been noticed, Ning Yuyi, feeling slightly disrespectful, apologized, "I'm sorry, I must have lost my balance."

But his apology did little to appease Ji Xiao Ning. She angrily pulled off her microphone, throwing it to the ground, and stared at Ning Yuyi in silence.

Feeling it was inappropriate for them to be isolated where the cameras couldn't see, especially as a man and woman alone, Ning Yuyi, holding the freshly picked scallions, tried to leave.

As he sidestepped her, he heard Ji Xiao Ning's cold question.

"Would you rather be with Fan Zhongchuan, another man, than have feelings for me?"

Ning Yuyi halted and turned to face her.

The warm, apologetic smile he wore moments ago had vanished.

Now, he stared at Ji Xiao Ning with an emotionless expression.

Just as she was about to press him further, uncomfortable under his cold gaze, Ning Yuyi finally spoke.

However, his voice held a chilling tone she had never heard before.

"Who do you think you are to question the legitimacy of my relationship with my boyfriend?"