No More Playing Along

In his previous life, Wen Xizhou put love above everything else.

When Qin Fang caught a cold, he took care of him all night after filming.

When Qin Fang needed to promote his new project on a dating reality show, Wen Xizhou joined right after winning the Best Actor award.

He even gave up his brilliant career and retired from show business, all because Qin Fang said, "I don't like other people touching you."

Wen Xizhou stayed by Qin Fang's side as he went from having nothing to building a business empire.

He thought their love would last forever, but in the end, all he got in return for giving everything was a divorce agreement.

Only then did Wen Xizhou finally realize the truth. It had all been a lie.

The love and promises were nothing but tricks to deceive him.

Even the dating show had only used his popularity to save Qin Fang's company from collapse.

Unwilling to accept it, Wen Xizhou went to confront Qin Fang, but got into a car accident on the way...

When he opened his eyes again, he was back at the moment he'd just won the Best Actor award, right before agreeing to join the dating show with Qin Fang.

Facing Qin Fang's expectant expression, Wen Xizhou's heart was still. His face clearly said, "I'm not here to play along."

"Do you know how much it costs to hire me?"

"You can't afford it."

Qin Fang: ???

*

After turning down Qin Fang's invitation, Wen Xizhou immediately joined a different variety show, this one focused on acting, as one of its mentors.

His student was Lu Yijin, a recently popular top-tier star. He was not only handsome, but his acting was quite impressive, too.

The only issue was that he was far too clingy for a student.

On set, he was always right next to Wen Xizhou, staring at him intently and insisting that he only wanted to act opposite his mentor.

Looking at that young, passionate face, Wen Xizhou remembered how Lu Yijin used to show up at his film sets, claiming he wanted to learn from his senior. Yet he'd bring him food and drinks, help him memorize lines and rehearse scenes, and stay by his side when he was sick.

Back then, Wen Xizhou had been completely oblivious to Lu Yijin's feelings, thinking of him as nothing more than a kid.

Now the kid stood before him, eyes blazing. Ignoring Qin Fang's loud threats from below the stage, he opened his arms and pulled Wen Xizhou against his chest, right in front of everyone's astonished gaze.

Like a beast that had stalked its prey for ages, he was claiming what was his.

This scene, which wasn't in the script, had no lines.

The man's low voice brushed against Wen Xizhou's ear, tender and bewitching:

"Teacher Wen, from today on, I won't have to secretly love you anymore."

Bonus scene:

As the sole heir of the Lu family, Lu Yijin should have attended the best schools, studied abroad, and returned to take over the immensely wealthy Lu family business.

But when he was young, he went to a TV drama set funded by his family to experience life. There, he met an older boy from the cast with exquisite features and a cool, refined air. He let the boy take his hand and gently tap his brow as he said, "Xiao Jin will make a wonderful actor."

On the strength of those words, Lu Yijin entered the entertainment industry. With astonishing talent, he rose in just three years to become an untouchable, dazzling top star in everyone's eyes.

Later, Lu Yijin signed a single check and swallowed Qin Fang's company whole, seizing every share and crushing all the efforts Qin Fang had made over half his life.

On a lovely spring day, a breeze ruffled his beloved's hair. Lu Yijin lounged with his head on Wen Xizhou's lap and kissed him at length.

Longer than this lifetime.

Reader's guide:

1. Cool, innocent beauty bottom x pure, puppy-like top who has secretly loved him for years and finally reunites with him at the top

2. The scumbag ex pursues his spouse to the crematorium; the love interest changes

3. No idol fandom, no real-life inspiration

Theme: Persevere, and you'll meet again at the top.