When Rong Xu filmed “3200 Miles” in the past, he was indeed… approached by Clemens. At that time, he had just finished his audition, and Clemens ambiguously traced his palm, a highly suggestive gesture.

Although Rong Xu later told Qin Cheng about it, and Qin Cheng then privately contacted Sr. Holt, telling him to rush to Washington and give his son a good beating, this didn’t mean Sr. Holt forbade his son from being gay. This great director was quite open-minded; the only thing he didn’t allow was his son engaging in casting couch incidents.

The entertainment industry is full of handsome men and beautiful women, but it’s also quite chaotic. Promiscuity and orgies truly exist; if you want to fall, you can fall to a terrifying degree.

Sr. Holt, of course, knew about these things and certainly didn’t allow his son to participate in them. Since his son was confirmed to be gay, the Holt couple could only start looking for a partner for their son. They had to find a good and obedient partner, for the two to live a good life together.

---

Initially, Sr. Holt hadn’t thought of Rong Xu. Although his son had told him that Rong Xu was probably also “one of them” when he was beating him, he hadn’t had much contact with Rong Xu and didn’t understand him deeply, so he hadn’t considered this at all. It wasn’t until two years ago, when he decided to invite Qin Cheng to star in Zeroth Law, that Qin Cheng calmly told him: 

“A gay film with two male leads, and the other actor also has to be Asian… Lance, I recommend someone to you, what do you think of Rong Xu?”

From then on, Sr. Holt finally paid attention to Rong Xu and began to have contact with this young Chinese actor.

It was fine if he didn’t have contact, but once he did, it was extraordinary.

“Rong, your last movement still needs some improvement. Clemens is more familiar with these things; I’ll have him guide you.” The silver-haired great director smiled kindly. He pulled his son and pushed him towards Rong Xu, with a perfectly valid reason.

The handsome young man smiled helplessly, saying, “Lance, this movement is quite simple. I don’t think I need Clemens’s help; I can read the script and understand these things myself.”

Sr. Holt vigorously shook his head: “Clemens is good at action scenes, you know that. Don’t refuse my good intentions, Rong.”

Clemens Holt, standing nearby, sneered and didn’t speak.

At this moment, Qin Cheng was getting his makeup done. As soon as he left the makeup room, he saw Sr. Holt playing matchmaker again. His dark eyes narrowed slightly, and he walked towards Rong Xu and Clemens. Before he even got close, he heard Sr. Holt say loudly: “Hey, Qin, I happen to have something to talk to you about. Your scene this afternoon, I think it still needs…”

Before Qin Cheng could react, Sr. Holt pulled him away from the set. No one knew where this almost 70-year-old man got such strength. Qin Cheng struggled twice but couldn’t break free. He could only watch helplessly as he was dragged away, then saw Rong Xu wink at him.

Looking at a certain man’s wide, round eyes, Rong Xu found it both amusing and helpless. 

When Sr. Holt completely disappeared from the set with Qin Cheng, Rong Xu hadn’t even spoken when he heard a low voice beside him: “Don’t misunderstand, Lance inexplicably insisted on dragging me over. He’s the main investor in my next film, and I don’t want to offend him for now, nor do I want to be beaten by him again.”

Hearing this, Rong Xu turned his head to see the blond, blue-eyed young director say casually, “They’re mistaken; they think I like you. But you know, we later filmed 3200 Miles for so long together, and there were no sparks. It’s tough for you this time too. When this film is done, Lance should give up. Until then, I’ll continue to serve as assistant director.” 

He paused, Clemens hesitated for a moment, then said, “During this time, I apologize.”

When he heard this apology, Rong Xu raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking at the man in front of him with considerable astonishment.

One thing Clemens said wasn’t wrong: they did spend a long time together when collaborating on 3200 Miles. Those few months might not have allowed Rong Xu to fully understand this director, but he also knew that the other party was definitely a proud person, even arrogant.

Such a Clemens Holt, actually apologizing to someone?

After a moment’s thought, Rong Xu smiled: “It’s nothing major, and besides, Lance wasn’t wrong, you are indeed good at action scenes. But I’m more curious, why are you willing to be an assistant director for this?”

Clemens shrugged: “The most important reason is that Lance is investing in my next film. He’s been rolling in money for years and never gives me a dime. If I don’t get something from him, my conscience wouldn’t be clear.”

Rong Xu: “…” Is that how “conscience wouldn’t be clear” is used?!

“Other than that, the special effects and technology in this film are indeed very good and worth learning from, so I also want to be closely involved.”

“…”

As an ambitious great director, shouldn’t that be the primary reason?!

Since they already knew each other, Rong Xu and Clemens quickly reached an understanding, deciding to somewhat go along with Sr. Holt’s wishes and occasionally spend time alone. 

Anyway, Sr. Holt wasn’t wrong; Rong Xu could indeed learn more action scene filming techniques from Clemens. Each art has its specialty; in terms of dazzling action scenes, Clemens was a leader among the younger generation of directors.

And… a certain man’s jealous look was quite cute.

On that impeccably handsome face, too many emotions were never revealed. Even when he was injured and bleeding during a shoot, this man remained calm and didn’t utter a sound. However, when Rong Xu and Clemens spent a few minutes together, this man would stare at them with a serious expression, even sitting directly next to them, ostensibly saying: “I can also come and learn.”

Sr. Holt was annoyed because he couldn’t stop Qin Cheng from being ambitious and wanting to learn about filming action scenes. But Clemens gradually seemed to realize something. Once, when Qin Cheng was busy with something, he privately asked Rong Xu: “A couple?”

A simple question. Rong Xu was slightly startled, then smiled: “Yes, a couple.”

“Oh.” The blond director smiled meaningfully, then turned to look at the man not far away, saying: “Three years ago, he tricked me about investing in a film. I still remember that to this day.”

Rong Xu: “…As a world-class director, Clemens, can you not hold grudges so much?”

Clemens Holt didn’t answer that question. However, he then physically demonstrated his answer.

This time, Sr. Holt didn’t need to play matchmaker at all. Clemens inexplicably started to frequently seek Rong Xu out for “heart-to-heart talks.” The so-called heart-to-heart talks naturally couldn’t be ordinary chats; they involved discussing private matters, which definitely couldn’t have a third party present. Thus, they had to be alone, and a certain man could no longer follow them.

---

By the third week of filming, Clemens came looking for Rong Xu again. This time, Qin Cheng sat nearby, his phoenix eyes raised, looking at this director, who was clearly making things difficult for him, with an indifferent gaze. He said calmly, “My temper is really good?” 

He seemed to be talking to himself, his voice very low, but it clearly reached Rong Xu and Clemens’s ears.

A powerful, oppressive aura fiercely pressed down on Clemens with these words. However, Clemens was no pushover. By age, he was several years older than Qin Cheng and had been in the global film industry for many years. 

He subtly took a step aside, as if he hadn’t heard anything, and turned to Rong Xu, saying, “Rong, there’s a plot point I think I need to discuss with you.”

This time, when Clemens led Rong Xu away again, Qin Cheng raised his eyes, his gaze deep, and looked at him. His thin lips curved slightly, and his fingers lightly tapped on the table. Clemens feigned ignorance, taking Rong Xu and leaving, clearly enacting his revenge.

However, this time, Clemens didn’t expect that when he turned back, wanting to slightly flaunt his act of revenge to Rong Xu, he saw the young Chinese actor looking at him with a calm expression. There was no trace of a smile on his clear and elegant face. 

Rong Xu looked at him coldly, and after a long time, said, “Occasionally seeing him jealous makes me happy. But Clemens, he is my lover. Who allowed… you to bully him like this repeatedly in front of me?”

Clemens suddenly froze.

Rong Xu said indifferently, “I only came out again this time to tell you this. Clemens, there will be no next time.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Rong Xu turned and left, not giving the other party a chance to speak.

Clemens stood stunned for a long time. He watched Rong Xu walk back to his original spot, not sitting down immediately, but standing beside that man, lightly smiling and ruffling his hair. 

Qin Cheng raised a hand, stopping the young man’s mischievous hand. Qin Cheng’s lips were still pressed together, but his expression clearly softened a few shades, though no one heard what Rong Xu said.

Their playful squabbles seemed very common to the crew members, because: “Qin and Rong are good friends anyway.”

But in Clemens’s eyes, it slowly made this arrogant director’s expression darken. The slight pleasure he felt from his successful revenge seemed utterly pale at this moment.

Clemens quietly watched them for a long time, finally closing his eyes and letting out a low laugh: “It’s just dating, what’s so great about it?” Saying this, he turned and walked away.

But after two steps, Clemens stopped, seemingly muttering to himself with self-deprecation: “Are all Chinese people like this…?”

After that, Clemens never actively sought out Rong Xu again. Even when Sr. Holt made excuses to try and set up his son with Rong Xu, Rong Xu would directly refuse.

Initially, Sr. Holt still wanted to persuade Rong Xu. He truly believed that if his son were with Rong Xu, he might change many of his bad habits and be happy. But later, seeing Rong Xu’s firm attitude, he completely gave up on the idea and stopped forcing the issue.

Aside from that, the filming of Zeroth Law went very smoothly.

Having Clemens Holt as the assistant director for this film was indeed an overqualification, but precisely because he was there, when many problems arose, his youthful and avant-garde thinking could clash with Sr. Holt’s ideas, sparking inspiration and making the film even more perfect.

And on the night Rong Xu clarified things with Clemens, no one knew that a certain man secretly walked into the room next door and kissed his most beloved young man.

During the day’s kissing scenes, they had kissed many times, but at night, the kiss took on a different meaning.

It belonged not to Chu Wen and Qi, but only to Qin Cheng and Rong Xu.

The set of Zeroth Law was in a large film and television city on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Apart from the studios built in the distance, the six-story hotel where the crew stayed was the tallest building nearby. Looking out, continuous mountain ranges surrounded them, and in the distance, a clear, mirror-like lake shimmered under the moonlight.

With the French windows open, the evening breeze blew in. The white curtains swayed with the wind, and the bright, flawless moonlight, like white sand, spilled onto the smooth wooden floor. The two sat on the bed, rarely having such free time to truly look at the person in front of them.

Not for acting, but simply to look at this person.

As Rong Xu watched, he couldn’t help but curve his lips, reaching out to pinch a certain man’s cheek. Seeing that face, ranked first in “most liked male celebrity appearance” by thousands of fans, distort in his hands, Rong Xu felt delighted and instinctively reached out with both hands, gently pinching.

He pinched for a while, then heard Qin Cheng sigh and ask, “Does seeing me jealous make you very happy?”

His fingers didn’t stop moving, and Rong Xu replied with a smile, “Happy.”

Seeing his young man’s carefree appearance, with helpless yet doting light flickering in his deep, dark eyes, Qin Cheng reached out and pulled Rong Xu directly into his arms, softly saying, “I know you’re happy, but I still can’t help but get angry.”

Rong Xu looked up and asked, “Shouldn’t you be angry?”

Qin Cheng pondered for a moment, then pursed his lips: “Can’t help it, just angry.”

“You’re angry, I’m happier.” As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly pushed the man down and kissed him heavily.

---

Not long after, the rustling of clothes could be heard in the room. A little later, soft, alluring moans were tightly suppressed in the young man’s throat, echoing in the large bedroom. Later, such sounds could no longer be suppressed. Rong Xu sat on his beloved’s body, biting his lip tightly, but his voice still called out unrestrainedly.

I know you want to see me jealous, but I just can’t help but get angry.

Angry that you talk to him alone, angry that others want to set you up.

As much anger as there is, there is as much love, love to the point of wanting to tell the whole world right now that you belong only to me, and I belong only to you.

Perhaps because they had gone a bit too hard the previous night, Rong Xu wasn’t in very good spirits the next day, and he had several NGs during the morning shoot. NGs are common for any actor; it’s impossible for an actor not to have NGs. So, Sr. Holt gave Rong Xu some time to rest properly so he could be in better form for the afternoon’s scenes.

This approach was very suitable. By the afternoon, Rong Xu had completely gotten into character.

In the center of the set, the pure and innocent little robot diligently followed Chu Wen, watching him conduct experiments. Chu Wen couldn’t just research this love robot; he also had his own work, and when he worked, he didn’t like anyone disturbing him. One time, the little robot accidentally spoke, and he immediately looked over with cold eyes, sternly saying, “Shut up.”

From then on, the little robot never spoke again while he was working.

The laboratory was large and filled with various instruments and tools. The young and handsome scientist sat in the center of the room, wearing a pair of virtual glasses similar to transparent protective goggles, his fingers rapidly pressing in the void.

In post-production, this would be rendered with special effects to create a holographic computer effect. But now, Qin Cheng was just acting against thin air. Looking at the air so seriously and pressing randomly in it seemed quite comical, but when this man performed it with composure and poise, you could perceive his focus and seriousness.

His eyes were only on the work in front of him, all other things cast aside, not even a tiny bit of attention given to the little robot beside him.

---

However, when the staff members by the set looked at Rong Xu again, their gazes had just met when they suddenly froze.

In the corner of the room, a well-behaved and beautiful child sat quietly on a small chair. His hands were gently placed on his knees, so obedient that it was almost heartbreaking, and he watched the man in the center of the room intently, without blinking. He watched so attentively; if Chu Wen’s gaze at his work carried a hint of strictness and caution, then in the robot’s eyes, there was only overwhelming, endless adoration.

Those clear, bright eyes seemed to have taken root on this man, only looking at him, only wholeheartedly looking at him, as if this was his entire world, and just looking at this person was already satisfying.

As night fell, Chu Wen finally finished reconstructing a key point. He took off the transparent goggles from his nose and turned to walk towards the door. Halfway there, he suddenly remembered there was a robot in the room. He stopped, looked back, and said calmly, “Let’s go.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his head and left. But when he reached the door, he suddenly realized that the little robot hadn’t followed. A flicker of surprise and annoyance crossed his handsome face. Chu Wen looked up, raising his voice: “Come here.”

The little robot still didn’t move.

Chu Wen frowned: “I command you, come here.”