A Breeze Across the River (Showbiz)

Set in the entertainment industry, mainly behind the scenes, with a strong workplace focus

Office drone x celebrity, with the office drone as the protagonist

"I'm already doing everything I can just to stay alive. I really don't have time to be your plaything."

After his ex dumped him, Meng Hui quickly changed his outlook on life: if he couldn't have love, then at least he could have freedom. He was good-looking enough to be a carefree playboy, anyway.

One day, they ran into each other at a nightclub. Li Muyun took Meng Hui home and, for what had to be the umpteenth time, made a heartfelt confession to him while he was dead drunk.

This guy had a lot going for him, and he was completely lovestruck when it came to Meng Hui. He was so young, yet stubbornly refused to talk sex, only wanting to have a relationship with him. It made Meng Hui's skin crawl.

Meng Hui kept closing and opening his eyes. At last, after listening to him ramble on, he gazed at him tenderly and asked:

"You like me? Then how about I fuck you tonight?"

At once, Li Muyun's mind was swept by a storm of desire, and his youthful lust burned bright. But he turned him down. He liked Meng Hui, and of course he wanted to sleep with him, but only when Meng Hui was sober.

Right in front of him, Meng Hui rolled his eyes, displeased. "I can't stand how you always act so high and mighty. You're the one who clings to me, and you're also the one who puts on airs in bed."

"If you're not going to do it, get out." Meng Hui's face went blank, then he changed his mind. "No, wait. This is your place. I'm the one who should leave."

After getting dressed, he walked for ages before finally reaching the door. Meng Hui turned around to say goodbye to the owner of the house:

"I'm leaving. Don't ever see me again."

Two years later. Meng Hui was back on his feet on the set of a new drama.

A little over a month into filming, the second male lead was taken away from the street for soliciting sex. At the same time, a newcomer was parachuted in to take his place. Needless to say, this newcomer had to be another ugly rich kid, brought onto the set with an investor's money.

At last, Meng Hui saw the new second male lead on set. His first thought was, How is this an ugly rich kid?

The man was wearing a costume, dressed like a dashing young gentleman from the Republican era, with an unfinished cigar between his fingers and gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.

He saw Meng Hui and smiled faintly. The smile was every bit as refined and rakish as he was.

"Long time no see, Teacher Meng."

A gorgeous, nasty, shameless blond bottom & a wronged puppy of a younger, top actor

Reading guide:

1. The bottom is not a virgin and is a scumbag early on, but the relationship is one-on-one once they get together. The top is a virgin.

2. This is not a typical entertainment-industry story. It's more about the behind-the-scenes and workplace sides, with a realistic, bittersweet tone.

3. The early chapters contain a lot of characterization for the bottom, covering his emotions, work, and inner thoughts.

4. The second arc officially begins the career storyline on set. The bottom works behind the scenes while the top is in front of the camera. They support and sustain each other as they pursue their future together. Happy ending.

Here's a more bittersweet version of the blurb, but the ending is happy, I swear it's a happy ending!

Li Muyun was young and perfect as a lover. It took him a long time, patiently teaching Meng Hui again and again how to accept love and let himself be loved without fear.

It wasn't easy, but Li Muyun was happy to do it.

Li Muyun had done so much for him. Meng Hui thought he should do something for Li Muyun, too.

Growing up, he had always been conflicted, convinced that the whole world owed him something. So he became selfish and willful, giving up on himself and living selfishly up to this point. He sometimes reflected on his actions, but rarely truly considered other people. He always put his pride and freedom first.

Could someone like that really love another person?

But he truly loved Li Muyun. He loved him so much that, even with Li Muyun right there beside him, even after they had embraced countless times, kissed, made love, and joined body and soul in a bond meant to last until death, he still often felt dazed and lost.

He watched him, felt his breathing, and always wanted to cry.

So even being too happy could make you want to cry.

Meng Hui closed his eyes. His thoughts churned, vast and chaotic, until at last they returned to reality. He thought of Pan Xubin, of Rongcheng's Yuhe Park, and of Song Shenping.

He thought of Li Xingzhou and Xie Shaorong. He thought of the unreleased Snowy Night, and of Li Muyun's possible future.

At dawn, he ate wild millet; at dusk, he drank from an icy river. Flying high, he feared hawks and kites; flying low, he feared nets.

He realized that he might lose Li Muyun forever. He didn't resent him, and he had prepared himself for this outcome in advance, yet he still felt an overwhelming pain. It was different from the loneliness he'd felt when his settled life was disrupted. Now, he seemed to feel a grief that came from the depths of his soul.

Theme: Whether working behind the scenes or in the spotlight, one must take one's responsibilities seriously and realize one's worth in life