Chapter 86: Just One Touch

Chapter 86: Just One Touch

In the drama "Settling the World," Gu Sai plays a little fox spirit named Li Xiaojiu.

Because his cultivation was too shallow to fully transform into human form, he was often mocked by his peers. So he secretly inquired among the clan elders and learned that the Crown Prince of the Liang Kingdom possessed a Lunar Spirit Pearl that could increase a demon's cultivation tenfold.

Just gaining his wits, he had no idea how dangerous the Crown Prince of Liang was. Relying on his meager demonic tricks, he foolishly stumbled into the prince's bedchamber.

Chen Wang played the Crown Prince of Liang, Ming Jing, who had known Shi En, the Wei Kingdom general played by Cheng Ji, since they were kids, but they grew up to be enemies because of the war between their countries.

Shi En had a tiger demon helping him who could take on a thousand enemies by himself. Seeing the fox spirit show up right at his doorstep, Ming Jing got the idea to recruit him. Though weaker than the tiger demon, foxes were sly and clever, and the fox clan was vast—if he could win the fox over, he'd definitely help him fight Wei.

And so, Ming Jing kept the little fox in the palace, saying that if he obediently helped him conquer Wei, he would give him the Lunar Spirit Pearl.

The little fox was overjoyed and made a pinky promise, making him swear not to go back on it.

Thus, the little fox made himself at home in the Eastern Palace, finding everything new and exciting, running around with his tail wagging all day.

Tonight's scene was the first time the little fox felt restless and couldn't sleep in the palace, coming to find Ming Jing.

The director said the little fox should be barefoot to better show his innocent, carefree nature, so Gu Sai kicked off his shoes.

Winter had already set in, and the floor was freezing cold. Gu Sai wore only a thin gauze outfit. To keep his breath from fogging up when he delivered his lines, he'd even held ice in his mouth before the scene started.

By now, he was cold from the inside out, frozen from head to toe.

Chen Wang, on the other hand, was bundled up warm and just had to sit at the desk reading. In this scene, he had fewer than ten lines.

"Action!"

Gu Sai hiked up his skirt and ran barefoot toward Chen Wang.

"Your Highness, Your Highness," he leaned over the desk, covering the words in the book with his hand, and pouted, "I'm so bored! When are you gonna attack Wei? How much longer do I have to stay here?"

Chen Wang had his black hair tied up high and was dressed in dark robes. With a cold face and not a word, he really had the dignified air of a crown prince.

The prince didn't answer, just pulled the book out from under his hand and kept reading.

The little fox didn't give up. He scurried over, grabbed his arm, and shook it: "Talk to me, Your Highness! I want the Lunar Spirit Pearl. Didn't you say you'd give it to me once you took Wei? Then go take it!"

Gu Sai's fingers brushed Chen Wang's wrist. Chen Wang frowned slightly—so cold. He glanced down and saw Gu Sai's fingers had turned pink from the cold.

He looked at his feet on the floor—his normally fair skin had turned red too.

If he'd seen Gu Sai barefoot under any other circumstances, Chen Wang would've definitely had some inappropriate thoughts. But now, he had no dirty thoughts at all—just a pang of heartache.

According to the script, the little fox was supposed to throw a fit around him for a while, and finally, while the prince was reminiscing about his past with Shi En, the little fox would wear himself out and fall asleep beside him.

In the second half of the scene, Gu Sai started rolling around on the floor: "So boring, so boring! The palace isn't fun at all. I wanna go home."

His foot accidentally kicked Chen Wang's leg, and suddenly it was wrapped in a big, warm hand, bringing some feeling back to his numb, freezing foot.

With the desk and Chen Wang's body blocking the view, the cameras couldn't see this angle, so Chen Wang boldly used his hands to warm up Gu Sai's feet.

Gu Sai's heart jumped, but the director didn't call cut, so he had to keep acting.

The noise gradually faded, and finally, the little fox fell asleep on the blanket next to Chen Wang.

The last shot was the prince looking at the little fox with a calculating but fond gaze.

"OK, one take, perfect!"

Gu Sai opened his eyes and quickly yanked his feet out of Chen Wang's hands. Chen Wang smiled at him and gave his assistant Xiao Song a look. Xiao Song brought over a down jacket and draped it over Gu Sai's shoulders.

"Brother Gu, you must be freezing. I stuck over twenty heat packs in your jacket—warm yourself up."

"Thanks." The moment the jacket was on, Gu Sai felt a wave of warmth wrap around him. So comfortable.

Next, they had to change the set, which would take a while.

Chen Wang said to Gu Sai, "Come wait in my trailer. You can even catch some sleep if you're tired."

Gu Sai hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

The AC in Chen Wang's trailer had been turned on early. He poured Gu Sai a cup of hot tea and sat next to him, staring at him intently.

Gu Sai felt a little embarrassed under his stare and scooted away, asking, "What... why are you staring at me?"

Chen Wang asked, "Gu Sai, can I touch your ears and tail?"

God knows how badly he wanted to! The first time he saw Gu Sai in this outfit, he nearly lost it. His hands itched like crazy—he wanted to pull the guy into his arms and ruffle him all over!

Gu Sai was taken aback, then said, "After I get the makeup off later, I'll take them off, and you can touch them then."

"No," Chen Wang said, "I want to touch them while they're on you."

Gu Sai gave him a weird look and said, "No."

What kind of fetish does the Best Actor have? Even though they were just props, having him touch them... still felt a bit weird.

Chen Wang sighed in disappointment and said, "Fine, if you won't let me, then forget it. But by the way, I think we've got a bed scene coming up. Hmm... I suddenly can't quite remember—when you sneak in to steal the Lunar Spirit Pearl while I'm asleep and I catch you, do I pin you to the bed and kiss you? And touch your ears and tail?"

Gu Sai glared at him indignantly: "No! When you catch me, you're supposed to lock me up. There's no... no kissing."

Chen Wang: "Really? Lock you up? Lock you up after stripping you naked?"

"No!" Gu Sai's face turned red with anger.

Chen Wang kept playing dumb: "Oh dear, when I stay up late, my memory gets all jumbled. I might forget during the actual shoot, and then like last time—I was supposed to grab your neck but couldn't help kissing you instead."

After saying this, he smugly glanced at Gu Sai to see his reaction.

Gu Sai knew damn well he was doing it on purpose, but he couldn't do anything about it. And he felt that if he didn't let him, Chen Wang might actually do something like that.

After a moment, he said quietly, "Then... you can only touch once."

Chen Wang smiled triumphantly, pulling Gu Sai into a hug. His big hand reached for the fluffy fox tail, and his lips pressed a kiss to the fox ears.

"Gu Sai, you really are a little fox. You've bewitched me—I've almost lost my soul."

Chen Wang's embrace was warm, and Gu Sai didn't want to leave. But he knew he shouldn't stay in Chen Wang's arms.

He pushed Chen Wang away and said, "Okay, we agreed—just one touch."

"I take it back," Chen Wang said shamelessly. "Once isn't enough. I want way more."

And with that, he pulled Gu Sai even closer.