Absolute Zero

Many years ago, through a twist of fate, Xie Yao became Su Zhao's personal photographer.

Years later, Xie Yao resolutely gave up the photography he loved and went off to become an obscure, small-time nobody.

He swallowed his grievances and agonized over it for a long, long time. At last, he couldn't take it anymore. He cornered someone against a wall and complained furiously.

"What the hell! Do you even know what you're saying?! Now you're telling me you've forgotten our past? When you shamelessly clung to me and insisted on being with me, why didn't you say you'd forget? When you took my hand and begged me not to leave you, saying we'd never part, why didn't you say you'd forget?

That day, I went to Xinrong Middle School to pick up my nephew. I had just reached the entrance when I heard someone call out Xie Yao. My brain short-circuited, and without even thinking, I chased after him for eight whole blocks. Then I caught up and saw that it was a woman!"

The other person blinked, gazing at the furious face before him and thinking, As expected, even when this beauty is angry, he looks so good.

"I only take photos of good-looking people." Xie Yao held up his camera and winked at Su Zhao with a smile.

"Lucky for you, I'm good-looking. We're clearly made for each other."

"I'm serious."

"What, can't my looks persuade you?"

Xie Yao didn't answer. His slender fingers gently pressed the camera's shutter. Click. "For payment... write me a song. The two of us can star in the music video."

Years later, Xie Yao joined the company Su Zhao worked for, hoping to apply once again for the position of Su Zhao's photographer. Who could have expected that a celebrated photographer nominated for an international award would be rejected? (The reason behind the scenes: Su Zhao already had a full roster of photographers.)

Xie Yao was determined to stay. If he couldn't be a photographer, couldn't he switch careers instead?!

As a fresh-faced rookie relying on his looks to get by, Xie Yao made Su Zhao feel quite worried. Life is hard, and it all comes down to acting. If your acting isn't good enough, money can make up the difference. You and I were never meant to meet; it took Big Brother throwing money around to bring us together. And even if our birth charts are compatible, didn't you secretly pay your way into eight lifetimes of fate with me?

None of that matters. The most important thing is, why does a perfectly respectable man like me have to play a scheming, backstabbing villain? Su Zhao feels that life is treating him unfairly.

After breaking up and getting back together, this time, I want to be the one who falls for you first.

"I'll charge you for singing lessons."

"I'm only halfway into this line of work, and my annual income isn't much. I've got a family to support. Besides, there's a huge dog at home, and I have to run myself ragged taking photos every day just to keep him well-fed. Where would I get any spare cash?"

The huge dog didn't even blush as he answered, "That does sound pretty rough."

Cunning, refined, and pretending to be respectable gong × unruly, pleasure-seeking shou who was restrained at first and then became outrageously flirtatious

If you like it, add it to your collection.

Theme: Reunions don't necessarily need fate to bring people together.