Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Today marked Chen Zui’s official start on set, a prospect that filled him with both excitement and curiosity, as it was an entirely new experience.

Chen Zui was a man who relished new endeavors and challenges.

He was in the makeup room, though there wasn't much to do, as his first scene involved showering.

Director Xue dropped by, playfully remarking, “Need to pump out a few quick push-ups? If I finish shooting and you’re unhappy with your muscles, I won’t reshoot it for you.”

Despite his stature, the renowned director possessed a good sense of humor.

Chen Zui required no last-minute preparations in that department. Clad in a bathrobe, he arrived on set, observing his surroundings with keen interest. He hadn’t anticipated that a simple shower scene would necessitate such a large crew, all busily engaged, meticulously arranging even the toiletries in the bathroom.

His gaze settled on the intricate monitor—a large screen where Director Xue would soon preside, orchestrating every detail of the performance.

Two smaller monitors were also present. Chen Zui wasn't sure of their purpose, perhaps for capturing different angles.

Cables and sound equipment were meticulously arranged throughout the space.

Director Xue summoned him, “Xiao Chen, when you shower later, try to keep your expressions minimal and your movements understated. Just slick your hair back and give your chest a quick scrub.”

“Understood.”

So, even shower actions and expressions were directed. Chen Zui had assumed actors were free to improvise.

“After your shower, just turn and walk out,” Director Xue instructed, pointing at the monitor, which was now focused on the bathroom door. “As you exit, I need you to lift your eyelids. At that moment, I want your eyes to convey as much innocence and harmlessness as possible.”

He turned to study Chen Zui’s eyes—sharp and brimming with ambition.

He could already envision the compelling intensity Chen Zui would bring to a murder scene. Yet, such eyes would also perfectly suit the role of a powerful, all-controlling official, Director Xue mused.

“Can you deliver?”

Chen Zui offered no verbal response, merely lowering his eyelids, his thick lashes obscuring his gaze. Two seconds later, he lifted them, revealing dark pupils as clear and pristine as black jewels.

Director Xue broke into a delighted grin.

Just before filming commenced, Chen Zui shed his bathrobe off-camera, revealing a toned upper body. He wasn't entirely nude; he wore shorts. Lacking an assistant, he simply placed the robe on a chair himself.

He stepped into the bathroom and, as instructed, began to wet himself.

The crew completed their preparations and moved to their designated positions. Instantly, numerous eyes fixed upon his almost perfect physique. Chen Zui’s muscles weren’t overly bulky; instead, they exuded raw power, wildness, and vitality.

Director Xue let out an impressed “Whoa~”. This was going to be a breeze to shoot.

This scene absolutely had to be included in the trailer. Using good looks to captivate audiences was not shameful—he was not a stuffy director.

By now, Chen Zui was thoroughly soaked, as if he’d been showering for a while. He had also grown somewhat accustomed to being watched by so many people.

Following the final checks from all departments, the slate clapped, and filming officially commenced.

Director Xue’s hawk-like eyes were fixed on the monitor, while the entire crew remained in hushed silence.

Lu Buyan and Xie Qingyue arrived downstairs. As it was Chen Zui’s first day on set, Lu Buyan, as his benefactor, had come to lend his support. Knowing that his presence alone wouldn’t carry much weight without being an investor, he had specifically invited Xie Qingyue.

His good friend readily agreed.

In the elevator, Lu Buyan suddenly recalled something. “By the way, Qingyue, you were the last to leave the restaurant that night. Did you happen to see a bag? There was a tie inside.”

He had inquired with the restaurant owner the following day, but the owner claimed no such bag or tie had been found.

Xie Qingyue replied, “I didn’t see it.”

Lu Buyan assumed a staff member or another guest had discreetly taken it.

Xie Qingyue, feigning ignorance, asked, “What tie?”

Lu Buyan smugly declared, “Something Chen Zui gave to butter me up. No big loss if it’s gone; it wasn’t anything important.”

He stepped out of the elevator and glanced around.

Xie Qingyue followed, turning left. “Have you considered what you’d do if your first love returned? What would become of Chen Zui?”

Lu Buyan walked alongside him. “I’d just cut him a check and send him on his way.”

A hint of disdain flickered across his face. “If he agreed to be kept, it’s for the money. It’s not like he’s delusional enough to think we’re in love.”

“You overthink everything,” he said, patting Xie Qingyue’s shoulder. “Life is about seizing the moment. With our status, we should never deny ourselves what we desire.”

Xie Qingyue fell silent, lost in thought.

Lu Buyan had already spotted the throng of people ahead and quickened his pace.

He and Xie Qingyue quietly approached Director Xue from behind. Lu Buyan’s smile vanished as he watched Chen Zui in the shower, his eyes widening and fixed on the scene.

Xie Qingyue’s gaze, however, was fixed on the monitor, where the details were even clearer.

The camera panned from top to bottom—from the shower spray to Chen Zui’s refined face and perfect physique. Just as it reached the most anticipated area, the frosted glass door obscured the view.

But Xie Qingyue had seen it before, so he could easily imagine what lay beyond.

Next, the camera lingered on his lean, toned calves.

On the floor, the water flowing toward the drain carried a faint, blood-red tinge.

If he had been showering normally, he wouldn’t have injuries that would bleed that much. So the blood must have belonged to someone else. Whose blood was it? Why was he covered in so much of it?

These were likely the questions audiences would ask when they saw this scene.

On cue, Chen Zui turned off the shower and walked naturally toward the bathroom door, his body relaxed and poised. His upright posture was great to look at. As he reached the doorway, the camera zoomed in.

Xie Qingyue clearly saw Chen Zui’s thick lashes lift with his fine eyelids, water droplets falling from them. His gaze followed the droplets but was soon captured by the dark pupils revealed beneath—endless darkness, yet crystal clear.

Xie Qingyue’s fingers gave a slight twitch at his side, an automatic response to the stimulation.

Chen Zui continued walking forward as the camera tracked him.

With Director Xue’s shout of “Cut!”, the scene ended.

The staff immediately began preparing for the next scene, which was in the same location but shot from different angles.

Since he didn’t have an assistant, Chen Zui had to grab a towel himself. Dripping with water, he turned around and locked eyes with Xie Qingyue amidst the crowd.

A head suddenly popped into his line of sight, interrupting their gaze.

Lu Buyan crossed his arms and tilted his chin up proudly at Chen Zui.

Director Xue was excited to call Chen Zui over to take a look, but as he moved, he noticed Lu Buyan and Xie Qingyue.

He stood up: "President Xie, you made it."

Xie Qingyue smiled humbly: "Sorry to disturb you, Director Xue."

While they made small talk, Chen Zui was drying himself not far away. As footsteps approached, Lu Buyan appeared beside him: "So this movie chose you to show off your body."

Chen Zui shook his head, splattering water droplets all over Lu Buyan’s face.

Lu Buyan had no time to dodge. Frowning, he took two steps back and gritted his teeth in a low voice: "Chen Zui!"

Xie Qingyue, who was talking with Director Xue, glanced over at the two and saw Chen Zui looking at Lu Buyan, his lips moving. From that distance, he couldn’t hear what they were saying.

Then Lu Buyan took a step toward Chen Zui and reached out to him.

"President Xie, would you like to see what we just filmed?"

Director Xue waited for a moment after asking but received no response from Xie Qingyue, who was staring intently in one direction. Following Xie Qingyue’s gaze, he saw the man who had come with him drying Chen Zui’s hair for him.

This was a surprisingly intimate gesture and had already drawn the attention of many people.

Director Xue: "Does President Xie’s friend know Chen Zui?"

Xie Qingyue looked away: "Yes. I’d also like to trouble you, Director Xue, to take good care of Chen Zui."

Anyone who had succeeded in this industry was perceptive, and Director Xue understood almost instantly.

"Don’t worry, don’t worry. Leaving aside everything else, his acting is excellent, so of course I’ll take good care of him."

"President Xie, you’ve made the right investment this time. This film is guaranteed to be profitable."

Xie Qingyue smiled in agreement and subtly glanced over at the "affectionate" pair again.

He understood Lu Buyan’s intention for coming this time—to assert his ownership and keep others from getting ideas about Chen Zui.

It made sense.

They were the ones who had signed the agreement.

That very agreement was one he had personally delivered to Chen Zui and watched him sign.

Lu Buyan and Chen Zui walked over together.

Chen Zui: "President Xie."

Xie Qingyue: "Hmm."

They exchanged quick greetings.

It should have ended there, but Xie Qingyue brought up another topic: "I noticed you don’t seem to have an assistant. If you have any requirements, we can arrange one for you."

Chen Zui smiled: "Thank you, President Xie. I’ll send you what I need after today’s shoot."

Xie Qingyue: "Alright, then let’s exchange contact information."

He took out his phone: "Let’s add each other on WeChat. I’ll scan your code."

Right in front of everyone, they openly and professionally exchanged contact information, so no one could question it.

Xie Qingyue and Lu Buyan didn’t stay long to avoid delaying the filming. After Lu Buyan had asserted his ownership, they left.

Once inside the elevator and out of others’ sight, Lu Buyan patted Xie Qingyue on the shoulder: "You, you’re really thoughtful, but not thoughtful enough."

"What do you mean?"

"You should’ve told me about him not having an assistant. I should’ve been the one to bring it up. You, you just don’t know how to pursue someone."

Xie Qingyue adjusted his glasses: "You’re not pursuing him anyway. Since when does a sugar daddy need to pamper his canary?"

Hearing this, Lu Buyan immediately denied it: "Who would pamper him? I'd have to be crazy!"

Xie Qingyue stared at him: "Right, you better remember he’s just your kept man. Falling for someone you’re keeping is something people would laugh at."

Lu Buyan: "I know, don’t worry."

——

Chen Zui filmed two more takes before the day’s shoot finally ended. His fingertips were nearly pruny from washing.

Fortunately, both he and Director Xue were satisfied with the filming results.

He returned home.

He planned to raise Lu Buyan’s favorability to 70% before the filming wrapped up, so he could leave this world as soon as shooting ended.

Besides, he had no interest in Lu Buyan and saw no need to waste time genuinely cultivating feelings. It was better to use some straightforward methods.

Chen Zui left the house.

——

Xie Qingyue was working in his study but kept getting distracted, glancing at his phone from time to time.

He had confirmed that filming had ended.

Why hadn’t Chen Zui’s message arrived yet? Had he forgotten about it?

He picked up his phone and opened the chat interface with Chen Zui—it was still blank.

Chen Zui’s profile picture was pitch black, and his Moments were set to show only the last three days.

There was nothing to glean.

Xie Qingyue stared at the blank chat interface, his fingers hovering over the keyboard below but not pressing down.

He shouldn’t be too proactive; the other party was with Lu Buyan.

But this was work-related. After all, Chen Zui was acting in a film he had invested in. If Chen Zui wasn’t well taken care of, he couldn’t fully focus.

His actions were merely part of the job.

His finger pressed send: "Have you thought about what you want in an assistant?"

Sent.

Putting down his phone, he returned to typing on the keyboard.

By the time he finished work, Chen Zui still hadn’t replied to the message.

Xie Qingyue picked up his phone and scrolled through his photos, eventually opening the password-protected album.

There was only one photo in the album.

It was taken a few days ago.

His eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses; the photo showed Chen Zui completely naked that night.

Exactly.

He had taken the photo.

Even though he had looked at this photo over and over again, he still couldn’t understand why he had gone back to take it.

Was it an artistic impulse?

His gaze swept inch by inch over Chen Zui’s body in the photo, finally landing on that prominent…

Though it was not small in size, its appearance was not threatening.

As he looked, Xie Qingyue’s other hand, which had been resting on the table, slowly lowered.

In the study, the man wearing glasses behind the desk breathed heavily, his eyes fixed motionlessly on the phone, one hand working busily.

He would deliberately use the finger that had once been in Chen Zui’s mouth to press against the sensitive tip.

Recalling how that soft tongue had curled around the pill that night, it felt as if his own was being curled around now.

The man got lost in the moment.

His slightly parted lips grew dry.

He remembered Chen Zui’s words: "I'm an amazing kisser."

Xie Qingyue was about to climax…

Suddenly, the phone in his hand rang, and the chat interface with Chen Zui popped up—it was a video call request.

The object of his fantasy suddenly sending a video call.

The usually composed Xie Qingyue was so startled he almost panicked, fumbling to answer the call when he had originally intended to hang up.

His face and Chen Zui’s appeared on the screen at the same time.

Chen Zui seemed to be outside, with bustling food stalls behind him, the lights casting a red glow on his face.

Xie Qingyue’s face on the screen was also red, flushed secretly.

"President Xie."

"Sorry, I just saw your message."

Xie Qingyue hesitated for a second but didn’t hang up the video. Staring at Chen Zui’s lively face amid the smoky atmosphere, his hand started moving again.

But his voice came out steady: "It’s fine, no rush."

"Are you working, President Xie?" Chen Zui strolled through the night market. As far as he could remember, he had never been to such a place—it felt lively, with each food cart a different delicacy, each one tempting to try.

"Yeah, just finished work. Are you going to eat?" Xie Qingyue was careful not to move much, afraid of drawing Chen Zui’s attention or giving himself away.

While admiring Chen Zui’s face, he absentmindedly pleasured himself.

His slender fingers grew wetter.

"Yeah, but there’s so much food here, it’s a bit hard to choose. Do you have any recommendations, President Xie?"

Xie Qingyue had never had street food either.

"Sorry."

"I’m not very familiar with it."

Chen Zui had already bought several items: stinky tofu, grilled gluten, grilled sweet potato skin, octopus balls…

"President Xie has never tried them?"

"Never."

Chen Zui looked at the screen: "Want to try some then, President Xie?"

Xie Qingyue swallowed hard.

For a moment, he couldn’t tell what Chen Zui meant by "try," but whatever it was, he wanted to try it.

"Okay."

After getting the address, the two ended the video call. Xie Qingyue looked at the photo and quickened his strokes.

Suddenly, the photo was no longer pristine.

Slowly sliding down the phone screen.

—

Chen Zui sat on a small stool, scooping a spoonful of iced douhua topped with various ingredients.

It tasted pretty good.

Earlier, Xie Qingyue had been pleasuring himself, and the phone had shaken the moment he answered the video call.

At that time, Xie Qingyue was too flustered to notice.

But Chen Zui had seen it.

That thing, held in his hand, pale and smooth.

He used his spoon to move the toppings aside, looking at the pale, smooth iced douhua, and scooped another spoonful into his mouth.

It had a creamy taste.

Xie Qingyue showed up quickly. The man who had just been engaged in naughty business was now dressed in a shirt, trousers, leather shoes, and silver-rimmed glasses, appearing proper and composed.

Chen Zui looked up at him: "Does Xie Qingyue always come to buy up this snack street?"

Xie Qingyue was amused by him: "If there's something you like to eat, it could be arranged."

A line that was hard to read.

Thinking too much, it sounds like a test; thinking too little, it comes off as a joke.

Liang Chen: Ah! Adult communication really makes my head spin!

What does he actually mean?

Is he flirting?

For a moment, he forgot that he was supposed to promote Lu Buyan.

He only cheered Chen Zui on: "Boss! Let's flirt back! Can't lose to him!"

Chen Zui: "So am I getting by on Lu Buyan's clout?"

He volleyed back.

Their locked eyes grew heated.

Xie Qingyue was the first to look away: "Such a small matter doesn’t require his influence."

He looked at the pile of food Chen Zui had bought and sat down opposite him.

Chen Zui pushed another portion of chilled douhua over: "Try it, it tastes good."

Xie Qingyue didn’t stand on ceremony.

The douhua melted on his tongue, icy and refreshing, with sweet mix-ins.

It was just his kind of flavor.

Chen Zui: "Do you think Lu Buyan would like it?"

Suddenly, the sweetness of the douhua in Xie Qingyue’s mouth vanished, but he didn't let it show.

He stirred the douhua: "Buyan doesn’t like sweets."

Chen Zui sighed: "It seems we’d get along better over food."

Xie Qingyue stopped stirring, and a moment later, the sweetness returned to his mouth.

His emotions were yanked up and down, rising and falling with Chen Zui’s every word.

After eating for a while, the two continued down the street, grabbing more snacks along the way.

Xie Qingyue: "Although Buyan doesn’t like sweets, if it’s a gift from you, he might like it. After all, you resemble him…"

He abruptly stopped.

He looked at Chen Zui like he’d just slipped up: "Sorry, forget I said that."

"But since you two only have a paper arrangement, it shouldn’t bother you, right?"

Amid the bustling crowd, Xie Qingyue’s heart sank little by little.

He felt like a criminal on trial, where Chen Zui’s response could determine his fate. Yet Chen Zui said nothing and turned to buy tanghulu from a nearby stall.

Perhaps he hadn’t heard what was said.

Xie Qingyue felt both let down and relieved, suddenly aware how low that was.

You don’t hit on a friend’s significant other.

You don’t hit on a friend’s significant other.

You don’t hit on a friend’s significant other.

He silently repeated it three times in his heart. Chen Zui returned with the tanghulu.

"Try it."

After exploring the night market, the two went their separate ways. Chen Zui was deep in thought the entire way. He had already made up his mind to stick to the mission, yet he couldn’t stop wanting to get closer to Xie Qingyue.

No one had ever been so magnetic to him.

It was as if Xie Qingyue was his soulmate from another life, and being by his side was where he belonged.

Liang Chen had come back to his senses by now: "Host! Mission! Mission! Our target is Lu Buyan!"

"System bound."

Another system binding sound echoed, followed by Ao Tian’s roar: "Screw the mission! What are you doing?!"

Chen Zui raised an eyebrow; the voice sounded familiar.

Liang Chen: "Big brother Ao Tian, you’re here~ I’ve kept the host on track! Our approval rating has reached 5%!"

Ao Tian: "Hah—"

Ao Tian: "Whose approval rating reached 5%?"

Ao Tian: "Look at me when I say this!"

Liang Chen’s voice weakened, tinged with guilt: "The main protagonist, Lu Buyan…"

Ao Tian took a deep breath: "Take another look at which book we’re in?"

Liang Chen checked: "The Flirty CEO’s Crematorium Chase of the White Moonlight."

Ao Tian: "Wrong! Dead wrong!"

Ao Tian: "We’re in The Playboy CEO’s Crematorium Chase of the White Moon!"

Liang Chen: …

Chen Zui: ?

A one-word difference.

Ao Tian: "These are two books by the same author! Companion novels! They’re interconnected! The protagonist we need to romance is Xie Qingyue!"

After a moment of silence.

Liang Chen: "Oh~ Since big brother Ao Tian is here, I’ll leave everything to you. Host, see you around!"

"The system has been unbound."

Liang Chen ran away incredibly fast.

Ao Tian was truly defeated by him. Luckily, it arrived quickly; otherwise, in a little more time, Chen Zui would have *owned* Lu Buyan—what a disaster that would have been!

He let out a heavy sigh.

"It's fine, everything is still in time," Chen Zui's tone, as he comforted Ao Tian, was full of delight.

He had already grasped the key point: the one he needed to *romance* was Xie Qingyue!

Suddenly, he was filled with motivation.

"Especially now that I have a reliable system like you, we're bound to make rapid progress."

Ao Tian was appeased by his words. *No one is more dependable than my host,* it thought.

Ao Tian recapped the story of this book with Chen Zui again.

Xie Qingyue had a white moonlight (his unattainable crush) he couldn't be with, so he let himself *sow his wild oats*—hence the title *The Philandering CEO*. Later, when the white moonlight returned and learned about his romantic escapades over the years, she decided to give up on him. He then turned over a new leaf and began his "chase-to-the-crematorium arc."

Chen Zui's role in this book only got a passing mention.

After the white moonlight returned, Xie Qingyue sought advice from Lu Buyan, asking what he would do if his white moonlight came back and what would become of his little lover.

Chen Zui was that little lover.

Of course, in the other book, this character had a much larger role.

But that had nothing to do with them.

After hearing all this, Chen Zui had only one doubt: "But I feel like Xie Qingyue doesn’t really seem to be sowing his wild oats."

Even though he was a bit flirty with *me*.

He still felt the other party was quite self-disciplined.

Ao Tian asked about the current timeline and cross-referenced both books.

"It's confirmed—we're at the very start of the story. He hasn’t met his white moonlight yet."

"What’s the name of his white moonlight?"

"Liang Youjing."