A thin blanket covered the waists of the two, with their long arms resting on each other's ribs. Yu Cheng felt a slight movement of the legs and heard a husky chuckle by the pillow, "Awake?"
The two had slept facing each other last night, the thick curtains unable to shield their gaze upon waking.
Yu Cheng restlessly pressed the muscles between Zhong Shao's ribs, to which Zhong Shao responded with a sleepy "Hmm," still lingering between sleep and wakefulness.
The lingering allure of the night had not dissipated, as the gentle touches and caresses sparked a tantalizing sensation. Zhong Shao eventually restrained Yucheng's mischievous hand between his ribs, "Can't behave now that you're awake?"
At some point last night, they each discovered and realised the sensitivity of Zhong Shao's ribs, his secret erogenous zone.
"Aren't you ticklish?"
Before more words could be exchanged, another beautiful spring beckoned.
Among the group, many were nursing hangovers, so Lu Cheng invited the two to a hotel for lunch.
Upon entering the private room, Lu Cheng, Tian Ye, and Miaomiao's gazes fixed on the duo. The inevitable traces of hickeys on their bodies were concealed but not unnoticed by Lu Cheng and Tian Ye's teasing eyes.
Tian Ye removed the hand covering his eyes and said, "You two are more anxious than we are."
"Your words are inaccurate," Lu Cheng, accustomed to storms, folded his hands across his chest, "If I didn't trust these two to be professional enough, I'd be worried this project wouldn't pass the review!"
The two protagonists remained unfazed, walking in with composed expressions. As the film and television king, Zhong Shao suddenly abandoned his public persona, courteously pulling out a chair for Yu Cheng, and thoughtfully pouring a cup of tea. It was clear they didn't see each other as strangers.
After scanning the rotating dishes, Zhong Shao responded to their banter, "So are you all going vegetarian today?"
"Lu Cheng and Ye were hungover last night, so we thought a sobering meal at noon would be good." Miaomiao answered as the representative, not knowing if the young girl had picked up on the subtleties.
Yu Cheng remarked, "Seems like a very effective sobering meal."
It was his first time realizing that an all-vegetarian meal could help with a hangover.
The collaboration between Lu Cheng and Tan Ye was fruitless, while Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng ordered a few meat dishes. Although it was called a sober-up meal, it was simply an excuse for a few people to enjoy a good meal.
With the play finished and the crew disbanded, the next collaboration date unknown, they all felt the need to have another meal together before parting ways.
As they were about to leave, Lu Cheng quietly asked Zhong Shao, "Are you serious about this?"
Being friends for over a decade, he had never seen Zhong Shao involved in a romantic relationship, so he wanted a definite answer.
Zhong Shao gave him a look and replied, "What do you think?"
Lu Cheng agreed, "Alright, bro., I'll start saving up for the gift money."
Tan Ye went out to answer a phone call and rushed back, "Chen Le agreed to take the filming offer."
Zhong Shao looked at Yu Cheng and asked, "Do you want to go together?"
Tan Ye remained silent, feeling helpless.
Yu Cheng replied, "Yes."
Lu Cheng played with his fingers and watched the interaction between the two, thinking that they needed to save up for the gift money quickly.
Once the visit to Chen Le was scheduled, Tan Ye created a small group with four members - Zhong Shao, Yu Cheng, Tan Ye, and Miaomiao. The first thing Tan Ye did in the group was to share Zhong Shao's schedule for the next four months and mention Miao Miao.
Then, she changed the group name to "I Agree!"
One week after the filming with Chen Le, the day before being discharged from the hospital, on the third day of September, the tickets to Ning City were booked for the evening of September 2nd.
That afternoon, Zhong Shao brought Yu Cheng back to the screening room of the studio. Prior to this visit, Zhong Shao had already informed him that this trip was to view the final cut of the film, yet inexplicably, Yu Cheng felt a hint of unbelievable nervousness inside.
This nervous emotion dissipated completely as the film began.
As a documentary, it was straightforward yet gripping, hitting emotional chords and providing profound insights without being overly sentimental. It tactfully laid out stories beyond the public eye.
Until the final credits disappeared and the screen turned pitch black, Yu Cheng finally snapped out of his tremor.
Yes, a tremor.
He finally understood why Zhong Shao spared no expense to produce, film without expecting returns because any form of gender equality and freedom is not a binary opposition, let alone a compromise based on deception, no matter where you belong in the LGBTQI+ spectrum.
"Zhong Shao," the lights came on, Yu Cheng gazed into Zhong Shao's eyes shining brightly, "I might start admiring you."
Zhong Shao chuckled lightly, leaning forward, "Isn't it love?"
"I mean," sitting in the back row, Lu Cheng, with a hand on each of their shoulders, "it's still work hours, you two shouldn't lose professionalism after the movie, okay?"
"Hurry up, give your feedback," this was directed at Yu Cheng.
"I really liked it."
Lu Cheng squeezed his head between the two, his dark eyes fixed on the screen, "I really liked it too."
After leaving the studio, Lu Cheng and the filming crew accompanied Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng to the airport, arriving in Ning City close to midnight.
To ensure the confidentiality of their work, everyone stayed at a suburban villa owned by Zhong Shao.
"Yu Cheng," Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng, who lived next door, exchanged greetings. "My auntie would like to meet you," Zhong Shao mentioned.
"Sure," Yu Cheng responded, "When would be convenient?"
There was no particular surprise, as if they had been anticipating this day.
"After you return," Zhong Shao handed over the printed documents on equity changes to Yu Cheng, saying, "These are the relevant materials and documents, for your reference."
Initially planning to anonymously invest 5 million in WAT, Yu Cheng was advised by Zhong Shao that it was not permissible.
Zhong Shao made it clear that there was no room for negotiation, stating, "My auntie is the legal entity; this matter can be discussed after you meet her."
Having previously coordinated filming matters with the hospital, the hospital administrative staff welcomed Zhong Shao and his team.
Chen Le's recovery was progressing well, and she had been attended by a man during this period, whom Chen Le referred to as her loved one. Zhong Shao brought a bouquet of lilies, removed his hat and mask, and handed the bouquet to Chen Le as he squatted by her bedside.
"hello, Chen Le, I am Zhong Shao, representing all the staff of the filming crew. Thank you for allowing us to film, and I wish you a speedy recovery and all the best with your loved one."