[Completed. A beginner's writing exercise, with lots and lots of flaws. Not worth reading.]
In the eyes of outsiders, Nan Lin is refined, graceful, and talented, a bona fide heartthrob of an award-winning actor.
In his tenth year after debut, his career plummets after he is falsely accused of bullying a junior male colleague. Worse still, people spread rumors that he got angry after failing to seduce the junior.
Nan Lin: Speechless.
Not long afterward, the scandal blows up. The movie Nan Lin directed and starred in gets no attention, but he doesn't seem to care and brushes off every question.
On a drizzly night, Nan Lin attends a banquet at a friend's invitation. Treated coldly by everyone there, he simply leaves.
A famous boy-band member, Xiao Yanshu, appears on a screen atop a building by the street. His features are striking, reminding Nan Lin of the dance videos of his that he's watched.
He thinks, "He looks even better now. If I were going to seduce someone, it would be a guy who looks like that."
Then he smiles bitterly and puts out his cigarette.
Inside a car behind him,
Xiao Yanshu has slipped out without permission. His manager is giving him a long, earnest lecture, but he doesn't hear a word, staring motionlessly at Nan Lin's figure.
The manager turns to see where Xiao Yanshu is looking and starts berating him. "What are you staring at him for? Worried about him? Want to go talk to him? Keep your nose out of..."
Before he can finish, Xiao Yanshu gets out of the car and walks straight over.
"Teacher Nan."
Nan Lin turns at the sound of his voice and sees the man from the screen standing in front of him.
A young face and a deep voice. He's trying to hide it, but Nan Lin can tell at a glance that he's nervous and being careful.
"Is your movie still looking for actors?"
After working together once, the two become an overnight sensation, and the hard-to-describe Nan Lin and Xiao Yanshu pairing suddenly takes off.
A candid still from the film immediately trends online.
In the photo, Nan Lin is pinned against a wall, one arm casually draped over Xiao Yanshu's shoulder. With his other hand, he tips up Xiao Yanshu's chin, smiling with a carefree air. Xiao Yanshu is a little taller, gazing down at him with an intense, earnest look. One hand grips Nan Lin's waist, and his clothes have been tugged up slightly.
The netizens who used to argue fiercely over the scandal start changing their tune.
Netizen A: Aaaah! Younger men are the best! Younger men are amazing!
Netizen B: Aaaah! I knew my award-winning actor wouldn't let me down! He's acting so damn well!
Netizen C: Aaaah! Is this actually real? Brother Nan is becoming my sister-in-law! Aaaah!
Nan Lin: ...?
Bonus scene
After winning back his honors, Nan Lin is asked by the host if he has anything to say.
Everyone expects to hear a moving, eloquent speech.
Instead, Nan Lin, usually so restrained and courteous, looks at Xiao Yanshu below the stage and smiles. Then he takes the microphone and says, "I want to thank my love."
*
Reader's guide:
1. They only have eyes for each other, happy ending, eight-year age gap.
2. The story is fictional and has no real-life models. The entertainment industry and all the places mentioned are made up.
3. Both characters' perspectives are included, and they love each other so much.
4. Thank you to everyone for your support. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.
***Coming soon***
The Pretty Cannon Fodder's Spring [Quick Transmigration]
Under the glow of the protagonists' halos, there are always some people who become cannon fodder, loving someone they can never have.
Chen Zhou is bound to a System and ordered to play a cannon fodder in various worlds. His tasks include serving the protagonist tea, cheering them on, caring for them in secret, and helping their romance along...
System 126: This will help the Host develop perseverance and a willingness to endure hardship...
Chen Zhou: Heh. [Smiling.jpg]
World 1
Chen Zhou is an obscure character in a rural novel who has a crush on the protagonist seme. Every day, he unwillingly follows the plot.
To get to know the protagonist seme better, Chen Zhou first approaches the protagonist's best friend. He acts obedient and keeps calling the taciturn, rough-looking man "big brother." Sometimes, the man even treats him gently.
Until one day, the man catches Chen Zhou deliberately acting sweet to follow the plot. His expression darkens, and he holds Chen Zhou captive in his arms. In a low voice, he asks, "How am I not as good as him? Leave him and come with me."
Even the protagonist seme, who used to treat Chen Zhou like a little brother, starts acting strangely and asks him, "Why don't you bring me things anymore?"
Chen Zhou: ...Something's not quite right.
World 2: (Nonhuman)
Chen Zhou is a top researcher in this world. He and the protagonist, whom he secretly loves, accidentally trespass into centaur territory.
While helping the protagonist with his research, Chen Zhou quietly looks after him and gets close to the centaur chief.
Just as Chen Zhou is about to leave, the tall, handsome centaur takes his hand and presses it against his chest, enticing him. "Aren't you curious about my body? Stay, and let me be your research subject."
World 3
Chen Zhou is a serious, proper young prince in poor health, secretly in love with his cursed elder brother, the Crown Prince.
After an accident, Chen Zhou encounters the King of Hell, dressed all in red. To keep the Crown Prince from being harassed by little ghosts, and to keep himself away from evil spirits, Chen Zhou visits the King of Hell every day to cuddle up to him and win his favor.
The King of Hell treats him with contempt, but in the end, refuses to let him go.
He keeps climbing on top of Chen Zhou to kiss him. His sharp canine teeth break the skin of Chen Zhou's lips, and the taste of blood spreads as Chen Zhou hears him whisper, "Don't leave. The person the King of Hell has his eye on can't get away, even as a ghost..."
Other worlds to be decided...
Reader's guide:
1. The seme is the same person in every world. 1v1, happy ending, and the seme and uke only have each other.
2. Most of the small worlds have happy endings, and the overall ending is happy too.
3. The uke tends to attract everyone's attention, but the seme and uke only have each other!
Theme: Don't be swayed by what others say. Stay true to yourself, keeping your original ideals even when times get tough.
Hmm... Why is this place called Shang? Why is it called Shang Xiaoshu? I obviously know that Yang Ke is here.
I don't really understand Yang Ke's character. I feel like it's a bit perverted, but he really understands each other, like a tool to promote the development of their relationship, haha.
"Save" is a big bug for the author~
Congratulations on Kaiwen! Throw flowers!