Chapter 79: Love-Starved

The consequence of getting caught having indecent thoughts was the man in front of him undoing two buttons, pressing down, and planting scorching kisses on the side of his neck and collarbone, his every breath a tease.

The wide V-neck white cashmere sweater Shen Xici was wearing was truly convenient for Sheng Shaoyan. The already wide collar was pulled open, pulled down, revealing a lustrous shoulder and a cool, fair chest.

With his eyes half-closed, Shen Xici stared at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, the scene in his vision blurring with Sheng Shaoyan’s kisses.

He trembled from the ticklish sensation, wanting to make a sound but not knowing what kind of tone would escape his lips. His breathing was as rapid as a swan with a broken neck, unable to resist as the other person kissed him wantonly.

In a daze, he thought randomly that Sheng Shaoyan must be very good at eating cherries. The cherry-red fruit, the tender flesh, a gentle suck and sweet and sour juice would overflow…

Skin against skin, Sheng Shaoyan kissed his way back to his eyes and brows, saying in a sighing tone, “Xici, your eyes are wet again, and your lips have been kissed red.”

Shen Xici really couldn’t take it.

As an actor, understanding and controlling his own expressions was one of the required lessons. He knew very well how the tiny muscles in his face should move when he was angry, and what kind of watery light would be in his eyes when he cried.

So every time he heard Sheng Shaoyan’s descriptions, he would picture his current state in his mind—this kind of stimulation was too strong, making his spine tense up, a numbing, sour weakness spreading through him.

Moreover, when Sheng Shaoyan said these things, his gaze was always focused and appreciative, even indulgent, reflecting back without reservation his attraction to him, and how immersed he was in this intimate contact.

“A’Shao…” Shen Xici’s voice trembled brokenly, calling his name without any specific purpose.

He didn’t know how heart-stirring he looked right now, his face flushed with a light red, his damp bangs sticking to his temples, his eyes dazed and intoxicated, his lips slightly parted.

“Mm, I’m here.” Sheng Shaoyan’s Adam’s apple moved, and he once again kissed his trembling lips.

Shen Xici felt as if his entire body, including his soul, had been ironed through several times by a scorching love, leaving him numb and tingly. His brain was dizzy from lack of oxygen, but every sensory cell in his skin and every nerve ending was extremely active. The sight, the sound, the scent, the touch, the astringent taste of red wine lingering on the tip of his tongue—he dazedly bit his own finger, hallucinating that he was about to be submerged.

Someone took his finger out. The skin was already broken. Shen Xici’s eyelashes trembled with fine tears. He watched Sheng Shaoyan kiss away the crimson drop of blood, then slowly prop himself up above him, coaxing, “Be good, don’t bite. If you can’t take it, just cry out.”

The next day, Shen Xici’s throat was hoarse. He groggily followed Sheng Shaoyan onto the private jet to Hong Kong and burrowed into the bed to continue sleeping.

In his ears were Sheng Shaoyan’s calm and methodical words, all professional financial terms. The hypnotic effect was excellent. Shen Xici, wrapped in a cashmere blanket, felt as if he were completely steeped in Sheng Shaoyan’s scent. Even his fragmented dreams seemed to be filled with that faint fragrance of a moonlit mountain forest.

Because he was afraid of getting injured during the process without feeling any pain, they had never gone all the way.

But Shen Xici couldn’t help but wonder, was this what it was like for other people when they were in a relationship? Or was he just too sensitive? These intimate feelings of being in love had already submerged him time and time again. Even now, Sheng Shaoyan just had to touch his earlobe while talking on the phone, and his reaction would be abnormally sensitive.

Yet he couldn’t say a single word of refusal.

Above the ten-thousand-mile cloud layer, Shen Xici got up, crawled a few steps on his knees, and straddled Sheng Shaoyan’s lap, resting his chin on the other’s shoulder and closing his eyes again.

Sheng Shaoyan continued his phone call while holding him, rubbing his waist on and off, and occasionally kissing his face.

Shen Xici thought, this was just how he was.

Knowing Sheng Shaoyan was talking about work, he still couldn’t help but lift his head and deliberately kiss Sheng Shaoyan’s lips, causing Sheng Shaoyan to hang up the phone and kiss him back.

It was as if every pore was crying out in dryness, “Come love me, come love me, I need surging love, I need sweet rain, I need lots and lots of love to nourish me…”

To let him be sure that someone loved him, loved him deeply.

As the Spring Festival on February 17th drew closer, all the movies slated for release during the holiday entered an intensive promotion period.

After finishing the post-production, Lu Jiming seamlessly began running promotions with Shen Xici.

His initial image in front of the camera was too disheveled, and he was directly given the nickname “Sloppy Director” by the melon-eating masses. Even though Lu Jiming cleaned himself up very presentably afterwards, he couldn’t shake off this label.

There were also melon-eating masses who, not thinking there was too much drama, went to his Weibo to ask him which of the three names, “Thirty-six Yuan and Fifty-seven Cents Director,” “Wild Man Director,” and “Sloppy Director,” he preferred.

Lu Jiming was still surfing the internet at five in the morning. He first replied with a string of ellipses, then typed out a cry of “Shen Xici has wronged me!” before finally choosing “Sloppy.”

This psychological journey was drawn into a simple comic strip by a quick-handed fan, and onlookers laughed for over a thousand floors of comments.

The effect of the intensive promotion was remarkable. From saying they were just a little short on funds when asking Cheng Mingye for investment but it turned out to be forty million, to Shen Xici secretly helping the dirt-poor Lu Jiming pay for emergency medical bills, to Shen Xici complaining and tattling on Lu Jiming for changing the script every day as soon as he got the microphone, and also “Lu Jiming teaches you how to save money, set-saving tips”… Almost every day there was a new topic on the hot search.

What the melon-eating masses loved most was this kind of funny and meme-worthy content. In addition, although “Floating Life” had no big-name actors other than Shen Xici, it won with good acting. Lu Jiming was also a bona fide genius, not only could he write scripts, draw storyboards, direct, and teach actors, but his aesthetic sense was always online. The trailers that came out were like fragrant carrots dangling in front of them, with excellent quality.

The very beginning of the trailer was Gu Changsheng, played by Shen Xici, dressed in a three-piece suit, carrying a leather suitcase, walking out of the ship port, and pressing down his hat in the sea breeze.

The sea surface swelled with waves, and the simple fishing boats swayed with them.

He looked up on the screen, meeting the audience’s gaze through the screen.

This trailer was watched so many times by countless netizens that it was worn out. They counted down the days until the New Year every day, and someone even opened a special Weibo account to count down the days until the release of “Floating Life.”

However, where there was praise, there was criticism. Many rivals and anti-fans mocked that Lu Jiming, an unknown rookie director who probably just learned how to operate a camera, what kind of movie could he make? As for Shen Xici, all the presentable shots in the whole film must have been cut into the trailer, right? The promotional offensive was so fierce now, it was obviously to trick a few movie tickets out of people and make whatever money they could.

Moreover, Shen Xici had already won two awards, yet he still had no resources, no one backing him, and no good directors looking for him. He could only mix with this kind of classless rookie director and find an amateur rich second-generation to invest. It was truly pathetic.

Besides learning a little about the public opinion trends and the situation of other Spring Festival films from executive publicist Xiao Ning, and watching a few new videos edited by the great “Dongyu,” Shen Xici basically paid no attention to these comments.

Before the movie was released, no matter how much they tried to prove themselves, it was meaningless. After the release, the work would naturally speak for them.

As the boss of a personal studio with only a few employees, Shen Xici gave each employee a New Year’s red envelope and even a special one for Sister Lanjing’s daughter. Before the express delivery stopped for the New Year, he also picked out a health care device that was effective for rheumatism and leg pain and could be operated at home, and sent it to the old woman who taught him to play the leaf flute, as a New Year’s gift.

Calculating that the time was about right, Shen Xici called Director Wan Shan, Old Ji, Zhong Yue, and Wen Yage one by one to wish them an early New Year.

On the phone, during a break in filming, Wen Yage’s voice was tired, but one could clearly feel her anticipation for what the final cut of this movie would look like.

Speaking to Shen Xici, Wen Yage lit a cigarette, her words full of disdain, saying that after working with Director Ding Wu, she finally knew what a酣暢淋漓 (hānchàng línlí – hearty and satisfying) experience filming could be. She really didn’t know what kind of life she had been living before.

Shen Xici smiled. “The life of a rose.”

“That’s right!” Wen Yage laughed so hard she almost choked on her cigarette, coughing several times. “It really is more satisfying to be a thorn. I can prick whoever I want!”

Soon, it was New Year’s Eve. In the morning, Shen Xici pasted the couplets written by Grandpa He on the doorframe. The couplets were written with vigorous brushstrokes, the characters bold and expansive. Except for being a bit small in size, they were perfect.

In the courtyard behind him, the water from the white marble fountain bloomed like little mushrooms. Butler Laisen was directing the servants to set up the Spring Festival decorations, bustling with activity.

For the past half a month, Shen Xici had been living at Sheng Shaoyan’s place. Perhaps because it was the year-end KPI rush before the Spring Festival, his own place was being watched by paparazzi, with people squatting there all day.

Considering that he was indeed in a relationship that wasn’t so easily accepted in the eyes of the world, and that if Sheng Shaoyan’s whereabouts were accidentally photographed at his place, the security issues would not be easy to handle, Shen Xici simply packed a few pieces of luggage and moved to Sheng Shaoyan’s mid-level villa.

Though it was called a mid-level villa, Shen Xici felt it was more like a mid-level castle. The area was ridiculously large. For example, the two main gates in front of him were astonishingly sized.

Taking a picture of the couplets and sending it to Grandpa He, Shen Xici summarized the experience, “Next year when I ask Grandpa He to write couplets, I need to bring bigger paper.”

Sheng Shaoyan agreed with a “yes,” then added, “My grandfather also asked Grandpa He for a pair of couplets and pasted them on the main gate of the Long Island main residence.”

Reacting for two seconds, Shen Xici was surprised. “Old Mr. Sheng went to see Grandpa He?”

“Yes. After learning that Grandpa He was still alive, Grandpa first went to Hong Kong. After resting for a few days, he flew north to Grandpa He’s house. When he left, he asked for a pair of couplets to take with him.”

On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, there were no schedules. Sheng Shaoyan had changed from his usual handmade suits to a light-colored sweater with a long coat over it. His dark blue eyes were also much gentler than usual.

“Luckily, it only snowed lightly twice this year, so the mountain roads are still passable.” Shen Xici then thought, “A’Shao, is it really okay for you not to go back to the Long Island ancestral home for New Year’s Eve this year?”

A large Chinese family like the Sheng family took the Spring Festival very seriously. During the New Year, family members scattered around the world, both from the main and branch families, would gather on Long Island for gatherings, socializing, and bonding. On New Year’s Day, they would also worship their ancestors together.

Sheng Shaoyan, as the heir, had always been the core presence.

“In Sui County, I promised to spend the New Year with you.” Seeing the tip of Shen Xici’s nose was slightly red from the cold, Sheng Shaoyan tucked his hand into his own coat pocket and walked inside with him, continuing, “Besides, this year’s banquet has been canceled.”

Shen Xici had a faint premonition in his heart. He turned his head to look at him. “Canceled? Why?”

“Sheng Junhong is dead.”

Shen Xici’s footsteps paused for a moment.

He remembered that in his previous life, Sheng Junhong was still alive when he died. However, he had been put in a federal prison by Sheng Shaoyan and was said to have been sentenced to a term of more than one hundred and eighty years.

“Sheng Junhong… how did he die?”

“Suicide.” Sheng Shaoyan’s voice was very cold. He had very little emotion for others, let alone for this person who had tried to assassinate him multiple times and wanted him dead. “He used the drug he had someone research on himself. He couldn’t take it for even a month.”

Shen Xici felt not a shred of pity for Sheng Junhong’s death. He was just thinking that Old Mr. Sheng had canceled this year’s Spring Festival family gathering because of this. On the one hand, it might be out of grief for his son’s death, afraid of being reminded of his sorrow. On the other hand, it was probably also meant as a warning to Sheng Shaoyan, the heir.

The only person who could restrain Sheng Shaoyan was Sheng Junhong. Now that Sheng Junhong was dead, Sheng Shaoyan’s position as the heir was completely unshakable, more stable than ever.

In addition, the fact that Sheng Shaoyan wanted Sheng Junhong dead and could really bring about his death this time showed that he had already accumulated enough power. When he wanted to achieve a certain goal, even Old Mr. Sheng had to yield.

Just like the old emperors of past dynasties being wary of the young crown prince—afraid you’re not strong enough, yet also afraid you’re too strong.

Shen Xici sighed inwardly.

In a family of great wealth and nobility, even kinship was full of calculations and games.

He squeezed Sheng Shaoyan’s hand in his coat pocket and smiled. “It’s okay. The two of us will spend the New Year together. When the year crosses over, your boyfriend will treat you to a movie!”

Sheng Shaoyan leaned down and kissed Shen Xici.

Actually, in his heart, he didn’t care as much as he let on.

Sheng Huaizhou, to him, was both a grandfather and the head of the family. In such a large family, he had no urgent need for kinship, nor did he have high expectations. He knew very well what he had to gain and what he had to lose in return.

He had calculated these gains and losses clearly since he was a child.

But if it could make Shen Xici care more about him, comfort him, and feel more heartache for him, why not?

All day, Shen Xici, wearing a new wine-red sweater, was busy pasting couplets, hanging lanterns, decorating the lawn and railings, and sneaking into the kitchen to see what was for lunch and dinner. He was never idle.

Towards evening, the servants were all on holiday and had left. Only Uncle Laisen, whose family was all abroad, would stay at the mid-level villa to see the New Year in with them. The three of them sat together for New Year’s Eve dinner. Shen Xici took pictures of every dish and posted them on Weibo to wish his fans a Happy New Year.

At the table, he was very pleasantly surprised to receive a red envelope with lucky money from Uncle Laisen.

Shen Xici’s eyes curved into a smile, full of festive cheer. “Good fortune and great profit to you, Uncle Laisen! May you be healthy and safe!”

Uncle Laisen still had his meticulous and serious demeanor. Because it was the holiday, his gaze was kind. “A happy and healthy New Year to you too, Young Master Shen. May you be happy every day.”

The days are short in winter. The sky had completely darkened. Shen Xici carried a box of sparklers to the courtyard.

The sparklers were lit, and Shen Xici’s eyes were brightly illuminated. He wore fluffy white earmuffs and a scarf. He waved the sparkler in his hand a couple of times, then looked up and said softly, “A’Shao, thank you.”

Sheng Shaoyan was also holding two lit sparklers. The wine-red scarf he had picked out for him was around his neck, making him look as if he had a soft-focus filter on him. “Why are you suddenly thanking me?”

“Growing up, I was always envious of the other kids. During the New Year, they could wear new clothes, take their lucky money to buy candy and fireworks, and then run around in groups. Every family would paste couplets, paste the character for ‘fortune,’ make a sumptuous reunion dinner, and set off firecrackers. It was so lively.”

The sparkler in his hand was about to burn out. Shen Xici recalled that cold and cheerless home. “During the New Year, Wu Licheng was rarely at home. He would go to other people’s houses to drink and then play cards. If he lost, he would come back in a bad mood and smash things. Zhuo Suli would cry every New Year, constantly lamenting her bad fate.”

She would also talk to herself in front of Xu Lingjia’s poster in the room, muttering about whether Jiajia was cold, whether he was wearing new clothes, another year had passed, she wondered if Jiajia had grown taller.

His voice lowered. “This morning, when I was pasting the couplets and hanging the lanterns, I was thinking, so this is what it feels like to celebrate the New Year.”

Back on the “Mountain Range Line” set, he had actually just been thinking that if there was even a one-in-ten-thousand chance that after Sheng Shaoyan regained his memory, they could still be friends, then at least he wouldn’t have to spend the New Year alone.

He had never expected that Sheng Shaoyan would make up for everything he had never had before.

Placing a new, lit sparkler in Shen Xici’s hand, Sheng Shaoyan’s voice was very gentle. “Yes, I know all about it.”

“Even if you know, I still have to say it,” Shen Xici thought. The emotion welling up in his heart was like fine wine about to spill from a glass. Just one sip was enough to make one tipsy. If he didn’t say it, his heart really felt too full to hold it all. His nose tingled. “Being loved by you is truly a very happy thing. A’Shao, are you a wishing box? I don’t even have to say anything, and you easily know what I want.”

Sheng Shaoyan’s knuckles wiped the corners of his slightly red eyes, then he kissed his eyelashes and smiled. “You found out. I am indeed a wishing box. Shen Xici’s personal wishing box. In the future, if you have any wishes, remember to tell me.”

The bells for the new year rang, and time officially crossed into the first day of the new lunar year.

A total of nine movies were released during the Spring Festival holiday. Among them, the most watched was the costume film “Capital City Massacre,” starring Zhong Yue. In terms of both estimated box office and pre-sale ticket rankings, it was in a league of its own.

At three in the morning, the first wave of online feedback came out.

“—You’re telling me that’s the Son of the Mountain God, the mute boy? Shen Xici’s acting is explosive! The crazy and beautiful emperor, so fragrant, so fragrant!! His Majesty glanced at me through the screen, and I got goosebumps!”

“—My mind is now full of the sickly emperor’s line, ‘Drag him out and behead him.’ Shen Xici, I’m begging you, take on more roles of this type! It’s so exciting, so beautiful, so thrilling! It suits you so well! I have material for my dreams tonight!”

“—’Floating Life’! Everyone, go watch ‘Fleeting Life’! My top movie of the last two years! I’m definitely not the only one shipping the heretical CP of Gu Changsheng x Sheng Yuen, right? The best CP for Shen Xici will always be Shen Xici himself!! Sob sob sob, so good, trust me!!”

“—Truly the Republic-era charmer, Gu Changsheng. I thought it was a family-friendly film. Why did I cry my eyes out at the end! Highly recommended! I was a casual fan of Shen Xici, now I’m an acting fan, a face fan, and a CP fan. What a wonderful thing a Narcissus CP is!”

“—Whispering, because I couldn’t get tickets for other shows, I went to see ‘The Two-Faced.’ Yes, the one Xu Lingjia is in. To be honest, this movie is surprisingly good! Although Xu Lingjia’s acting is a bit flawed and the romance is a bit melodramatic, the flaws don’t overshadow the virtues. Both the plot design and the cinematography are exquisite! I’ve already recommended it to my friends!”

“—I knew it! Jiajia has been quietly working hard to make good works. ‘The Two Faced’ is truly a sincere work from Jiajia. I beg everyone who has ever liked Jiajia to go see it. You can really see Jiajia’s effort and sincerity in it, and the script is also very well-written and exciting!”

“—Wait… hasn’t anyone noticed something is wrong? The spoilers for those recommending ‘Fleeting Life’ and those recommending ‘The Two-Faced’ are almost the same. Are you sure you didn’t type the wrong name, or get the two movies mixed up?”