Forcefully Doting On You - c65

 

Chapter 26

Xiaoxue Jiangshan officially began filming at the end of September and it is now already the end of December. (Note: 小雪江山 = Little Snow Mountain.  It's an artistic description of a natural scenery featuring light snowfall, mountains, and rivers.)

Director Jing He has always had a tight filming schedule, so the end of filming not only wasn't delayed but actually finished ahead of schedule. This afternoon marks the final scene of Xiaoxue Jiangshan. Once this segment is completed, the entire film will be wrapped up. 

At the moment, all members of the crew are in a state of both tension and excitement.

Working in a film crew is different from the usual office workers. After completing each film, before moving on to the next, there is a period of time which, for regular crew members, is considered a break.

Once this scene is filmed, it will be more than a month until the New Year. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, after the end of this shoot, it will be pretty much the start of their New Year vacation.

As for the subsequent film editing, dubbing, and other tasks, these will form part of the post-production process.

The joy of a forthcoming New Year's vacation and the tension before wrapping up filming intertwine, making everyone on set all the more alert.

The final sequence to be shot is the ending of "Xiaoxue Jiangshan," which requires a radiant and sunny ambiance. The weather had been gloomy for days, with no hope of clearing according to the forecast. Director Jing was prepared to resort to special effects for the ending scene during post-production.

Unexpectedly, the weather cleared up today. The golden sunlight blanketed the earth early in the morning. Despite the winter sun, filming outdoors was still a chilling experience.

Mu Cai held a hot-water bottle, wrapped in a long down jacket, hopping about the shooting site like a rabbit in hopes of staying warm.

Gu Yunchen was also bundled up in a down jacket, with a cup of hot milk tea in his hand. With practiced ease, he inserted a straw, beckoned the freezing and teary-eyed Mu Cai over, bent the straw towards him, and placed it into Mu Cai's mouth: "Drink quickly to warm up, as you're going to be lying on the deck chair for a while."

Mu Cai's cheeks puff out as he sips the dark chocolate milk tea. The tea even contains his favorite tapioca pearls, causing him to chew with puffed cheeks, looking just like a small hamster munching on its food.

After swallowing, he releases the straw and complains, "Ah, I have to lie around for a long time, while you only have a few scenes to act out! Despite the fact that you're the main lead!"

Mu Cai's nose wrinkles a little, looking somewhat annoyed as his eyes appealingly regard Gu Yunchen.

Even in his complaint, there is a natural familiarity. This isn't like before when Gu Yunchen had to offer his apologies before draping a piece of clothing over him.

This is the outcome of Gu Yunchen's effort over the past two months.

Without making a fuss, he cleverly utilized the pretext of practicing scenes to approach Mu Cai, using breakfast and desserts to lure the young man into his vehicle. As the two months passed, Mu Cai has slowly become closer to him.

Considering this, Gu Yunchen feels very accomplished. He laughs, "That's because you're the character Scriptwriter Chang An likes the most. Whether it's the script or the drama itself, it focuses on Yi Sheng. Naturally, the film's final scenes are centered around Yi Sheng as well."

Upon hearing this, Mu Cai couldn't help but let out a small sigh.

Ah, playing a character that the scriptwriter likes is not easy; he has to bear the winter cold. It doesn't compare to Lin Jiayi's character, who dies halfway through the plot. That day, he ate a boxed lunch on set and went home early without experiencing any cold. He even earned a good sum of money.

Who knows where he's having fun right now?

Mu Cai sips the milk tea from Gu Yunchen's hand, feeling somewhat moody. As he's grown accustomed to this, he doesn't realize there is anything unusual about it.

The crew, however, having observed them for two months, moved from initial shock to acceptance.

All discussions about professional hierarchies seem neglectable in front of adorable Cai Cai!

As they converse, the set for the next scene is quickly arranged. The script supervisor jogged over to summon the actors for their positions.

Mu Cai quickly sheds his down jacket and reclines on the deck chair appointed for his character's position.

-----

The afternoon sun in autumn is very warm, giving a slight warmth to Yi Sheng's cold body.

The doctor said that his ten plus years of heavy worries had accumulated inside. Coupled with the days of wandering where he didn't eat well or dress warmly, his body, like the string of a bow too long taut and now relaxed, had completely collapsed.

When Yi Sheng left the grand and splendid palace, he took only a child servant and a mute servant with him. The child prepared his medicine while the mute servant looked after his daily life.

He went nowhere else, settling down at the foot of the mountain outside the capital city.

The place, with its green mountains and clear water, pleased him greatly.

But it might not be for much longer that he could enjoy it.

Yi Sheng lies on a rocking chair. His eyes pass over the river, looking distantly towards a faint shadow of upturned eaves.

A new dynasty should have been established there already.

When the child servant brought him medicine today, he excitedly narrated how bustling the streets of the capital city were. After all, the child servant was just a kid. Despite being sensible on normal days, his childish and lively nature came out after he accompanied the mute servant to the city to pick up the medicine.

The child servant told him that the people on the streets were filled with joy, and a new emperor had moved into the palace. He said that storytellers shared which generals received what lands, and which officials gained new positions. At dawn, both civil and military officials went to the court for morning assemblies. Everything was in order, the emperor was seen as the son of destiny, with divine fortune supporting him, and it was said that no one could look directly into his astonishingly handsome face.

Yi Sheng listened to the child servant's innocent chatter and couldn't help but smile a little.

He had seen the previous emperor and even personally supported the current new emperor. He knew better than anyone what an emperor was actually like.

Unfortunately, in the end, none of them could tolerate him.

Some things had been foreshadowed long ago.

Yi Sheng had always known that there were many differences in thinking between him and Li Xuan. Therefore, he had been prepared to part ways with Li Xuan after he was enthroned.

Fortunately, Li Xuan still held onto his old affections. At first, Li Xuan had tried hard not to let Yi Sheng escape. But when he heard that Yi Sheng was gravely ill, Li Xuan decisively let him go.

Li Xuan must have thought that Yi Sheng could no longer cause any significant disturbances and finally felt at ease.

Past events flashed through Yi Sheng's mind one by one.

His father's large palm on his head when he was young. His mother's calm smile. The night they fled in panic, with the sound of startled birds in the dark. Wandering in his teenage years, and spending festivals alone.

These scenes swept past his eyes and finally stopped on that night, when a hot hand grabbed his wrist and he could hear the shallow breathing of the other person: "My body is warm, I can warm you up."

The golden sunlight shone on Yi Sheng's body, casting clear shadows of his eyelashes.

Considering that this person might become a wise ruler, his efforts wouldn't be in vain.

Yi Sheng was extremely tired; just a few days ago, he couldn't even get out of bed, but today he managed to walk and lie down on a chair.

He knew this was just a temporary resurgence of energy and was prepared to quietly wait for the inevitable moment to come.

Slowly, very slowly, Yi Sheng closed his eyes.

-----

The scene shifts.

Li Xuan, dressed in casual clothes, was led by the palace maids through layers of branches, and he asked as he walked, "Is the teacher really here?"

The young eunuch in regular clothes immediately replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty. We have found that the Imperial Tutor has been recuperating here and has not gone far."

A smile appeared on Li Xuan's face. He was born with sharp eyebrows and eyes, and thin lips, giving him a ruthless appearance. But now, as he smiled, it was like melting snow, revealing a refreshing spring.

"I knew the teacher couldn't bear to leave. Previously, I was too preoccupied and foolish, which angered him, and I didn't have time to appease him. Upon hearing that he was sick, I didn't dare to anger him more and thought it would be best to let him take a break. Fortunately, the teacher has always been forgiving. I... I just need to apologize to him sincerely this time, and he will surely forgive me."

Li Xuan's eyes shone with vitality, a stark contrast to his usual serious and imposing demeanor. The young eunuch smiled awkwardly and did not dare to chime in, as he could not agree with the emperor calling himself foolish.

Pushing aside the tangled branches, Li Xuan finally caught sight of the person lying quietly asleep on the lounge chair.

The young eunuch by his side was about to go forward and wake the person, but Li Xuan stopped him with an outstretched hand.

"If the teacher is asleep, let him sleep for a while longer. Once he wakes up, I will talk to him."

Li Xuan wondered if sleeping here would cause the person to catch a cold, causing his brow to furrow slightly.

As the emperor's command, the young eunuch dare not defy. He offered helpfully, "Your Majesty, since the imperial tutor is sleeping, why not accompany me to the nearby pavilion to sit and rest instead of standing here?"

"It's fine," Li Xuan declined again, owing to his background in the military, he didn't find standing for a while, or even a day, tiring at all. "I'll just stand and wait here."

After he finished speaking, he just stood there without moving.

Seeing that his persuasion was ineffective, the young eunuch could only stand by quietly.

As Li Xuan observed the scene before him, he found his mind in a state of tranquility.

He thought to himself, if it started to get windy later, he would carry the teacher to his own carriage. After all, the teacher was so light, and it was not his first time carrying him.

But he wondered, once the teacher woke up, how should he apologize to him?

-----

"Cut!"

Jing He nodded in satisfaction.

The smooth completion of the final scene of the film put him in excellent spirits, making his shouting voice unconsciously rise with exhilaration.

When Mu Cai heard these words, he hurriedly opened his eyes and jumped up from the lounge chair, stamping his feet on the spot.

He had been lying there for quite some time and felt his hands and feet freezing.

Gu Yunchen had already taken a down jacket from his assistant, Lín, and slipped it over himself. Then, he wrapped Mu Cai in a thick garment, ahead of Xiao Liu.

The sudden addition of the down jacket blocked the cold wind, making Mu Cai feel better. Soon, Gu Yunchen linked his arm around Mu Cai's shoulder, leading him towards the nanny car.

After sitting in the car, drinking a cup of hot milk tea, and warming up for a while, they finally felt like they had come back to life.

A light knock was heard on the car window.

Gu Yunchen rolled down the window slightly, revealing a member of the crew. The person leaned in and said, "Gu Yunchen, Mu Cai, Director Jing says there's a wrap party tonight at 8 PM at the hotpot restaurant, don't forget."

Upon hearing about the wrap party, Mu Cai's eyes lit up and he immediately replied, "Sure, thank you!"

Through the small gap in the window, the crew member couldn't help but be drawn in by the sight before him.

The young man's face still bore makeup, and his cheeks were flushed, probably from the warm air. His eyes sparkled as he looked over, reminiscent of twinkling stars in the night sky.

Even though the crew member had seen this countless times in the past three months, he couldn't help but be captivated. Just as he was about to take another look, Gu Yunchen's deep voice came through, "We got it."

Then, the window rolled back up, closing the gap.

The car window was covered with a one-way film, making it impossible to see inside from the outside. The crew member felt a pang of regret. Recalling the situation just now, four words inexplicably popped up in his mind: "Beauty hidden in a black car."

Startled by his own thoughts, he quickly shook his head, turning around to notify others.

After Gu Yunchen rolled up the window, he turned around to see Mu Cai, whose face was lit up with excitement.

He felt a stir in his heart and couldn't help but ask, "Excited about the wrap party?"

Mu Cai nodded, "Of course! There should be lot of delicious food. Plus, it's always lively when everyone is dining together."

He got a little downhearted as he continued, "But it probably won't be this lively afterward."

Seeing Mu Cai looking downcast, even his eyelashes drooping, Gu Yunchen recognized the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

His hands were slightly sweating as he nonchalantly said, "Every show crew must disband eventually. More than this, I'm curious... How do you plan to spend the New Year?"

Mu Cai honestly replied, "I'll probably just stay in the company dormitory. However, I'm not certain if it will be open during the New Year's holiday. If it's not, I may have to stay in a hotel for a few days."

Since the death of his biological father, and with nothing left for him at Wang Li's place, he had no intention to reach out. And as for the Mo family where he had lived for a few years, there didn't seem any reason to return there now that Wang Li had been driven out by Uncle Mo.

Although Uncle Mo treated him quite well and Mo Hengqing didn't reject him, they didn't even share a step-family connection any more. Mu Cai thought it was fine to pay an occasional visit, but during the New Year, a day for family reunions, he always felt uncomfortable.

Most importantly, Mu Cai felt he wasn't very familiar with Mo Hengqing and Uncle Mo, so they might not welcome him.

When Gu Yunchen heard this, he suggested very naturally, "How about considering moving into my place?"

As he said this, he added, "It's a house I bought myself, I live alone."

Mu Cai had initially planned to refuse, but upon hearing this, he started to consider it.

If Gu Yunchen lived alone, then he would only have to deal with him. By the time New Year came, if Gu Yunchen went home, he could stay alone. And if Gu Yunchen's parents were to visit, he could spend a few days at a hotel.

The only unknown was Gu Yunchen's living standards. Most likely, Gu wouldn't ask for rent, but when two people live together, they will have to share costs, such as meals.

He probably won't have trouble affording it, right?

Recalling the clothes that Gu Yunchen wore casually on any given day, each piece costing tens of thousands, Mu Cai wondered a bit nervously.

Seeing that Mu Cai was still hesitant after considering it for a long time, Gu Yunchen couldn't help but play his trick.

With his eyes lowered and voice softened, Gu Yunchen seemed mysteriously pitiful as he said, “My father is always buried in work, and my mother spends her days with her friends, traveling and shopping. They don't really pay attention to me or visit me. Each time I go home, I feel quite lonely.”

With that, Gu Yunchen stopped talking and just stared intensely at Mu Cai with a pair of profound eyes.

The implication was already starkly clear.

Mu Cai never envisioned his predicaments being similar to someone as affluent as Gu Yunchen. At the sight of the other's disheartened appearance – similar to an abandoned puppy – he no longer hesitated and promptly responded: "Alright!"

Gratitude washed over Gu Yunchen's face.

Nonetheless, he discreetly made a scissors gesture in triumph deep down.

-----

Author's Note:

Gu Yunchen's parents: ??? Stinky boy, you obviously moved out because you found us annoying. Now, you want us to take the bullet for you? We might as well have given birth to a piece of pork barbecue!

Gu Yunchen: Can a piece of pork barbecue bring Cai Cai back to you?

Gu Yunchen's parents: ... (Actually, it can't!)

Notes: Thank you Kassilph for the Ko-Fi! Here's an extra chapter release dedicated just for you! 💗

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