Chapter 108: Are You Secretly Romancing Me?

Chapter 108: Are You Secretly Romancing Me?

The restaurant booked by the production team was renowned locally, nestled within the desert. By the time they arrived, it wasn't too late—the sun had yet to fully set. From atop the sand dunes, they could see a large crescent-shaped lake adjacent to the restaurant, surrounded by lush greenery, a breathtaking sight.

The restaurant's owner, a person of Chinese descent, had been waiting for their arrival with his staff for quite some time.

Li Changhong warmly embraced the boss upon arrival and began introducing everyone. One by one, others also greeted the boss.

The entire restaurant had been reserved by the production team, exclusively catering to them. The staff led them to an open-air terrace on the second floor, offering a sweeping view. Above, the deep blue sky was sprinkled with a myriad of stars, while lights around the lake suddenly illuminated, as if a fragment of the moon had landed on earth.

Xie Wen couldn't help but marvel as he leaned on the railing, "It's breathtaking. Let's take a stroll downstairs after we eat."

"It truly is beautiful," Ying Li agreed, gazing out from the same railing.

They had chosen their seats freely around the large round table, with Ying Li sitting between Shen Yao and Xie Wen.

Soon after settling in, dishes began to fill the table: roasted whole lamb, beer-marinated chicken, and the house special - charcoal-grilled camel meat. The generous servings filled the table, their delicious aromas and glistening fats tempting the appetite.

Shen Yao inquired, "Director, is it okay to drink alcohol?"

Bian Qiao remarked, "The camel wine here is quite renowned."

While the crew was still filming, Li Changhong, munching on a piece of dry bread, commented, "You can drink, just don't get too drunk. We have an early start tomorrow."

The owner had a bottle of camel wine served for them, pouring into desert-clay bowls. This potent camel wine, paired with the rustic clay bowls, gave a rugged and hearty ambiance.

In the midst of conversation, the owner discovered he and Shen Yao hailed from the same hometown. They instantly bonded, chatting away amicably. When it was Ying Li's turn to be served wine, Shen Yao intervened, "He doesn't drink."

Ying Li expressed, "Thank you, I'm not much of a drinker. Some juice will suffice."

The camel wine emanated a rich aroma. Shen Yao asked the others, "Anyone else drinking?"

Raising his hand, Xie Wen queried, "I'd like to try. I've never had camel wine before. Is it good?"

"It's a distilled spirit, 52% alcohol," Shen Yao explained, "Quite strong, maybe have a taste first."

Having never tried pure spirits before, Xie Wen took a small sip, only to be overwhelmed by its intensity. He quickly gulped down a generous serving of juice from his side.

"Why is it so spicy?"

The owner couldn't help but chuckle at his comment.

On the second floor, gusty winds swept through, pushing smoke from the stove inward, making it slightly suffocating. At the table, only Shen Yao and Qi Xie were drinking. Shen Yao swapped seats with Song Ji Mo. The two of them drank shot after shot without pause, refilling each other's cups as quickly as they emptied, their faces unchanged as if they were merely sipping water.

"It's been a while since I drank so freely," said Shen Yao, placing down his clay bowl, only for Qi Xie to refill it immediately.

Shen Yao gave a brief smile, then downed the drink in one gulp.

Xie Wen was stunned by their bold drinking style, "Doesn't it burn?"

Bian Qiao frowned and advised, "Eat something first. Drinking on an empty stomach will get you drunk faster."

Few dishes on the table had been touched, yet a bottle of liquor was already nearing its end.

Ying Li noticed they were engaged in a drinking contest. While he knew Shen Yao could handle his liquor, mixing both white and red with ease, he was surprised to see Qi Xie matching him drink for drink.

It was clear to the observant that they were competing. Li Changhong understood the underlying tension and quickly intervened, "Stop drinking! We have activities planned for tomorrow. You won't be able to get up if you overdo it."

Leaning back in his chair with a slightly flushed face, Shen Yao said, "Captain, you can really hold your liquor. How much can you drink?"

Emptying his bowl, Qi Xie replied with a raspy voice, "Not sure."

Shen Yao refilled his bowl, clinked it against Qi Xie's, a few droplets spilling over and trickling down his fingers. Feeling the cool sensation, he asked, "Ever been drunk?"

Qi Xie gently shook his head. Shen Yao then burst into a hearty laugh that echoed into the distant desert, "With your tolerance, you outdrink me! Never been drunk, huh? Ready for another round?"

The liquor bottle was now empty. Qi Xie responded, "Bring it on."

The firelight illuminated every curve of his brows and eyes, with the incessant flames reflecting in his pupils, burning with an intensity and fervor unparalleled.

Li Changhong intervened immediately, "No more drinking. Both of you are clearly intoxicated. If you pass out, we'll have to carry you back."

"Don't worry, Director. We won't let tomorrow's shoot be affected." Shen Yao motioned for the owner's attention, "Boss—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Qi Xie slumped onto the table with a loud thud. The impact resonated through the marble dining table.

Seeing Qi Xie in that state, Shen Yao couldn't help but smirk, resting his arms casually on the back of his chair, exuding an aura of a triumphant victor.

Ying Li, startled, quivered from deep within, his eyelashes fluttering in anxiety, "Did he hit his head?"

"Let me check." Shen Yao helped Qi Xie up, examining his flushed face, which was reddened from the alcohol. "No, he looks fine, and handsome as always."

Ying Li suggested, "Let him rest for a bit."

Shen Yao cushioned Qi Xie's arm with his jacket, letting him lean on it. Turning to the others, he asked, "Have you all finished eating?"

Bian Qiao replied, "Almost done."

Shen Yao announced, "I need to use the restroom."

Brushing back his hair, he staggered as he tried to stand. Ying Li quickly supported him, cautioning, "Be careful."

"The alcohol sure hits fast," Shen Yao remarked, shaking his slightly dazed head. "I feel a bit dizzy."

Observing Shen Yao's unsteady steps, Ying Li inquired, "Are you sure you can walk?"

Grinning, Shen Yao responded, "Mind lending me an arm?"

"Of course."

As night fell, the desert temperature plummeted rapidly. The cold wind elicited a sneeze from Ying Li. Shen Yao turned to glance at him, "Forgot your jacket?"

"I did, but it's okay."

Though the rooftop was windy, the presence of a heater made it comfortably warm, so Ying Li had taken off his jacket.

After a brief look at Ying Li, Shen Yao removed his own jacket, draping it over him, imbued with the scent of alcohol and his body warmth.

To him, Ying Li looked even more fetching in his clothes, wrapped snugly within, appearing delicate and exquisite, akin to a doll in a display window.

An unfamiliar emotion burgeoned within him. He recognized it as love. In theory, since Qi Xie and Ying Li were together, he should maintain distance, but love isn't rational. The more he tried to suppress it, the more fervently it grew, entwining his heart like vines.

Only wearing a short-sleeved shirt underneath, Shen Yao felt a chill. Ying Li attempted to return the jacket, "You should wear it. I'm not that cold."

Shen Yao dominantly pulled him close, his tone firm, "Keep it on. No arguments."

Using his height to his advantage, he looked down intently at Ying Li, his dark, lustrous eyes shimmering, as if holding a pool of radiant light, making Ying Li's heart skip a beat.

Shen Yao's gaze softened, and he broke into a deep, enigmatic smile.

Suddenly, he enveloped Ying Li in a tight embrace, as if attempting to meld him into his very being.

Caught off guard, Ying Li blinked his perplexed eyes, "What's wrong?"

Shen Yao buried his face into Ying Li's neck, inhaling deeply, and murmured as if in a trance, "Why?"

"What do you mean?"

Shen Yao seemed to lean all his weight onto Ying Li, making it hard for him to bear the load.

Shen Yao murmured repeatedly, "Why did I say that?"

He wanted to pinpoint the exact moment Ying Li's heart fluttered, and understand where he had gone wrong.

"Why what?" Ying Li detected a strong scent of alcohol from him, "You're clearly intoxicated. I'll get someone."

"No, I'm not drunk."

A gust of cold wind sobered Shen Yao instantly, yet it seemed to also scatter his rationality.

"I just want to hold you, I've hardly ever embraced you." Shen Yao clung to him tightly, his voice growing softer with every word, "Let me hold you."

The heat rose on the skin of Ying Li's neck, his cheeks warming gradually. He called out, "Shen Yao..."

Shen Yao buried himself even deeper against Ying Li's neck, whispering against his fragrantly scented skin, "Hush, just a hug..."

His breath by Ying Li's ear was deep and ragged. Shen Yao didn't hold him for long, just about a minute, but he tightened his grip when he let go.

On the second-floor terrace, Qi Xie's face was flushed, his eyes red and glazed over as if veiled in mist, he slouched in his seat, his expression somber, yet with an oddly serene pallor.

"Captain, do you feel like throwing up?"

It was Xie Wen Shi's first time witnessing Qi Xie this drunk. Everyone knew about Shen Yao's tolerance for alcohol; hence, during social occasions, Shen Yao always took the lead, and the rest backed him up, so they rarely encountered anyone trying to outdrink them.

As Qi Xie rose to his feet, Xie Wen Shi said, "Hey, hey, let me accompany you."

Qi Xie pushed him away, causing Xie Wen Shi to fall back into his chair. As he tried to assist him, Song Ji Mo stopped him, saying, "Let him be."

Shen Yao went to the restroom, with Ying Li waiting outside for him.

Holding Shen Yao's jacket in his arms, Ying Li heard heavy footsteps from behind. Turning around, he saw Qi Xie approaching rapidly.

Ying Li asked, "Do you need to use the restroom?"

Qi Xie shook his head slightly, continuing to approach him. When he stood before Ying Li, he stared intently, unblinkingly, with a piercing edge hidden in his gaze.

Under such scrutiny, Ying Li instinctively wanted to avert his eyes, "Are you drunk?"

Other than the flush on Qi Xie's face, his actions seemed coherent. Ying Li couldn't determine if he was truly intoxicated.

"Touch me," Qi Xie said, looking at him with a slightly delayed response.

His neck was deeply flushed, spreading behind his ears, merging into a captivating shade of red, hinting at a wildness that was somewhat uncontrolled.

There was a shimmering sparkle in Ying Li's pupils, "Touch where?"

"Just touch me."

There was a subtle, almost imperceptible plea in his voice.

He didn't specify where; he simply wanted to be close to him.

Ying Li raised his hand to caress Qi Xie's face. The sensation of burning yet smooth skin spread under his fingertips. Ying Li's breath hitched, "Your face is so hot."

Qi Xie gently rubbed his palm against Ying Li's hand, occasionally tilting his head to kiss it, murmuring, "Mm."

Ying Li pressed his hand more firmly against Qi Xie's face, asking, "Why drink so much? Doesn't it make you feel uncomfortable?"

"It does," Qi Xie admitted, "I feel uncomfortable."

Sweat from his forehead trailed down his prominent brow, sliding onto his sharp eyelids, moving past his lashes as if a tear were about to fall. He was engulfed in a mood that felt both alien and vulnerable.

Ying Li had seen many expressions on Qi Xie — from obsessed frenzy to dark paranoia — but he had rarely seen him in such a fragile state.

Ying Li tenderly wiped away the dampness, his slender and delicate fingers caressing Qi Xie's face, asking patiently, "Where does it hurt?"

"Here," Qi Xie said, guiding Ying Li's hand to his chest, allowing him to feel his sincerity and warmth.

Ying Li felt his erratic heartbeat and said softly, "It's racing. A good night's sleep should help."

"It won't. It's like this every time it sees you."

Qi Xie held on, his eyes glistening with tears, revealing his raw desire.

Ying Li's fingers were held tightly by him, overshadowed by Qi Xie's looming presence, the rich scent of alcohol making his head spin.

Looking up at Qi Xie, Ying Li noticed his lips were a glistening, moist red. A sudden dry thirst surged from his throat.

The pulse at his neck raced wildly, and Qi Xie's adam's apple made a pronounced swallow, "I haven't kissed you today."

It was a matter of great importance.

Ying Li cherished his kisses.

Today, they were in a hurry and had barely exchanged a few words. There was no time alone, let alone for a kiss.

In Qi Xie's dark eyes, there was only the reflection of Ying Li. He teased Ying Li's lips with the tip of his tongue, asking, "Do you want to?"

Ying Li felt slightly awkward, his eyes welling up with moisture, "A little..."

Even a little is still a desire.

The air was thick and stifling. Suddenly, a hand pressed the back of Ying Li's head, completely taking control. Qi Xie's voice was husky, struggling to say, "I want to kiss you, desperately so."

Ying Li did have the desire to kiss, but doing so daily seemed too frequent, reminiscent of couples in their honeymoon phase. They weren't a couple after all.

Qi Xie feigned a gentlemanly demeanor and asked, "May I kiss you?"

His lips, already moistened from the teasing, awaited a deeper, more fervent kiss. Yet, as the sound of approaching footsteps reached Ying Li's ears, he panicked, placing a hand over Qi Xie's mouth, whispering, "Stop."

Qi Xie too heard it. Closing his eyes for a moment, he felt a surge of suppressed emotions. With a hint of vexation, he pinched Ying Li's neck, pressing their foreheads together, "Mr. Ying, are we having a secret affair?"