Forcefully Doting On You - c68

 

Chapter 29

The audition material was quite long. Considering that Gu Yunchen still wanted Mu Cai to make dumplings, and Su Xingyun didn't seem to be in a hurry for a response, Mu Cai decided to put his phone back into his pocket, return to the cooking counter, and continue making dumplings with Gu Yunchen.

Gu Yunchen's dumplings were beautifully pleated like flowers, with thin wrappers and ample filling, neatly lined up on the cutting board. In contrast, Mu Cai's dumplings were crooked, with thick skins and scant filling.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Mu Cai said, "Brother Gu's dumplings look amazing."

Gu Yunchen chuckled, "Cai Cai's dumplings are cute, too." He picked up a dumpling that looked like a bag of blessings and poked it with his finger.

Mu Cai's face turned a faint shade of red as he saw the dumpling in Gu Yunchen's hand, "I put in too much filling. I couldn't hold it."

Gu Yunchen had been making round dumpling wrappers, while Mu Cai had wrapped smaller amounts of filling, fearing that the wrapper would break.

Mu Cai had wanted to try using more filling this time. However, there was too much filling for Mu Cai to successfully pleat it into a crescent shape. As a result, he simply gathered the excess and made it look like a bag of blessings.

In order to add aesthetic appeal, Mu Cai used some wrapper dough scraps to roll out a thin strip and wrapped it around the mouth of the dough bag. Using the end of an iron spoon, he impressively stamped a small "luck" character on the plump dough pocket.

Gu Yunchen reveled for a moment in Mu Cai's shy demeanor before gently touching the blessed-bag dumpling and sternly declared, "This dumpling is mine. Let me taste Cai Cai's skill."

Once all the dumpling wrappers were filled, Gu Yunchen divided the batch into two. The dumplings made by Mu Cai weren't suitable for boiling as they might potentially fall apart. So, Gu Yunchen steamed all the dumplings made by Mu Cai while using his own for sour soup dumplings.

WWith nothing else to do, Mu Cai patiently waited at the small dining table.

Busy prepping the meal, Gu Yunchen glanced up to find the young man sitting on a small stool, eagerly watching him. Touched by this sight, he smiled and asked, "Are you hungry?"

"No," replied Mu Cai quickly.

Although he was a little hungry, he felt guilty about mentioning it, knowing how hard Gu Yunchen was working. With these thoughts in mind, Mu Cai ruefully patted his slightly flat stomach.

Gu Yunchen had observed Mu Cai's little gestures all along. He grinned and pushed a bowl full of sour soup dumplings towards him, before he started enjoying the steamed dumplings with vinegar himself.

Mu Cai stared at the bowl brimming with sour soup dumplings before him. Each one was plump and filled to the point of nearly bursting. The soup was seasoned with soy sauce and had a dark hue. A thin layer of oil floated uniformly on the soup surface, accompanied by dried shrimps and seaweed. On top, a small helping of chopped green onions and coriander was sprinkled.

It looked particularly appetizing.

Next, Mu Cai glanced over at Gu Yunchen's plate, spotting his own handiwork. The neatly arranged dumplings with slightly pale and thick wraps appeared a little deflated.

It was clear to Mu Cai that Gu Yunchen had kept all the good ones for him, which stirred a little guilt within him. He quickly protested, "Brother Gu, I can't finish all these in my bowl, let me share some with you."

His objection was genuine. The bowl was indeed full to the brim with exceedingly large dumplings; it was practically an ocean bowl. Mu Cai began to suspect that Gu Yunchen was fattening him up like a pig. For most people, a serving of eleven or twelve of these giant dumplings would be more than enough. A girl with a smaller appetite might feel full after just seven or eight.

By his quick estimation, there were at least twenty dumplings in his bowl.

Mu Cai was about to use his chopsticks to transfer a dumpling into Gu Yunchen's plate, but to his surprise, Gu Yunchen intercepted him halfway.

Gu Yun Che leaned in closer, with his thin lips stopping right in front of the chopsticks held by Mu Cai. With his body inclined, he glanced up at Mu Cai and smiled slightly, "Thanks, Cai Cai."

Unable to resist commenting, Mu Cai began, "Brother Gu, you..."

Before he could finish, Gu Yun Che opened his mouth and ate the dumpling. As Mu Cai released his chopsticks, he saw Gu Yun Che's expression change throughout the chewing process: from calm and composed at first, to a sudden alteration in his complexion, and finally to opening his mouth wide and blowing air desperately.

Mu Cai finally completed his sentence: "...be careful, it's hot."

Gu Yunchen: "..."

Feeling embarrassed and unsuccessful in his attempt to be seductive, Gu Yunchen could barely hold back his tears.

Quickly, Mu Cai stood up and rushed out of the restaurant, the fluffy bunny patterned slippers creating a "da da" sound as he returned with a can of children's milk in his hand.

Gu Yunchen had specifically bought it for him, claiming that it would help with both nutrition and sleep. Mu Cai skillfully tore open the straw wrapper, inserted one end into the milk box and placed the other end into Gu Yunchen's mouth.

In the cold winter months, the house was always stocked with hot water. Now that Gu Yunchen had burned himself, Mu Cai couldn't find cold water to help in a hurry. Thus, Mu Cai had the clever idea to bring the children's milk that they usually drank.

Cold and sweet, with a hint of rich milky aroma, the liquid brought respite to Gu Yunchen's scalded mouth. He swallowed the now cooled-down dumpling and wrapped his arms around the waist of the young man in front of him, feeling mentally drained.

He didn't know whether Cai Cai would laugh at him or not.

Mu Cai looked at Gu Yunchen, who clung to him listlessly, and couldn't help but think of the round Alaskan Malamute they had in the villa.

Every time Mu Cai teased the dog with food, raising his hand to make the dog work for it and stand up to get the food, the Alaskan Malamute would display a similar expression when it couldn't get its snack after trying for a while. It would even make a sound similar to "woo woo" from its throat.

He couldn't think about it anymore; otherwise, the more he thought, the more Gu Yunchen's face seemed to blend with a dog's face.

Mu Cai tried his best to restrain his wandering thoughts and couldn't help but reach out to touch Gu Yunchen's hair.

The texture of Gu Yunchen's hair was completely different from Mu Cai's. Mu Cai's hair, just like his personality, was soft and fluffy, making it very comfortable to touch. In contrast, Gu Yunchen's hair was somewhat stiff, each strand distinct, and even felt a bit prickly in the hand.

Although it couldn't compare to the fluffy touch of the Alaskan Malamute, after stroking it for a while, there was an oddly satisfying sensation.

It was a bit addictive.

Mu Cai became engrossed in touching Gu Yunchen's hair, unable to stop himself.

The moment Gu Yun Che felt the soft touch on his head, his body froze.

Slender, pale fingers weaved through his hair, occasionally lightly tapping his head. Mu Cai's body temperature was lower than Gu Yunchen's, and when that cool sensation touched him, it felt as if fireworks had exploded in his mind.

Unconsciously, he buried his face in Mu Cai's stomach, like a big dog seeking comfort. His arms, wrapped around the young man's waist, tightened involuntarily.

After more petting, Mu Cai finally came to his senses and asked, "Brother Gu, is your mouth still burning?"

Gu Yunchen didn't speak or lift his face, but just shook his head that was nestled in Mu Cai's stomach.

Mu Cai petted Gu Yunchen's hair again, feeling there really wasn't much difference now between Gu Yunchen's behavior and that of the Alaskan Malamute seeking petting.

Thinking that Gu Yunchen might feel wronged because of the scald, he quickly comforted, "Let's continue eating. Gu, your dumplings are especially delicious, I want to eat them while they're still hot."

Mu Cai was praising him!

He didn't find Gu Yunchen's reaction embarrassing; instead, he comforted him! Gu Yunchen felt a bit contented and warmed, the persistent heat on his face even subsiding.

Silently, he released his hold on Mu Cai. He didn't say a word as he picked up a sunken steamed dumpling with his chopsticks and dipped it in vinegar before eating.

Soon enough, a round plump dumpling appeared on Gu Yunchen's plate. When he looked up, he saw Mu Cai's eyes curved into a beautiful crescent moon shape, his black pupils seemed to hide a bundle of stars. "This is for you, Brother Gu. Remember to eat slowly."

The smile was so dazzling.

Avariciously, Gu Yunchen glanced at it before lowering his head and making a muffled "Mhmm" sound.

His face was calm, yet his ears blushed a vibrant red.

"Cai Cai is really nice," he thought.

-----

Unaware of the other's emotional state, Mu Cai, after serving ten dumplings to Gu Yunchen, started to enjoy his sour soup dumplings while reviewing the script in his mind.

It's coming up - the final plot point of my character in the original.

This time, "Memories of a Small Town" was the magnum opus of director Wu Feng and was intended to claim international awards. In the original plot, the two main male characters were played by Gu Yunchen and Mo Hengqing.

It was only after this film that the two gradually entered the ambiguous stage preceding formal dating. The sweetness was apparent in their every action when they were shown together; every word and deed was filled with intimacy and care.

On Weibo, topics about their pairing were trending with a multitude of fans. Naturally, my character couldn't stand seeing the person he admired entangled with rumors of another man. Therefore, he started debunking their pairing on the internet, maliciously speaking ill of Mo Hengqing in an attempt to dispel the rumors.

As a result, my character was torn apart online by fans of the pairing and Mo Hengqing. This also provoked Gu Yunchen, leading to my character's suspension by Kai Cheng Entertainment and expulsion from the Mo household. From then on, my character never appeared in the plot again.

After finishing this plot point, I might be able to retire successfully and leave this energy field.

As Mu Cai absentmindedly pondered this, Gu Yunchen finally snapped out of his thoughts about his racing heart.

He quickly finished a plate of dumplings and, while wiping his mouth, cautiously inquired, "Yang Cheng just sent me some audition information for director Wu Feng's 'Memories of a Small Town.' I heard that Wu is also in touch with your agent. Is that true?"

Mu Cai nodded.

Trying to appear casual, Gu Yunchen asked, "What role does Wu Feng want you to audition for?"

Recalling the audition information he had seen earlier, Mu Cai honestly replied, "Yao Xiubin."

Although "Memories of a Small Town" is a dual male lead film, the entire story unfolds through the perspective of Yao Xiubin's character. It is a particularly significant role, making it the lead among leads.

Gu Yunchen's hand paused for a moment before he raised his head and smiled, "What a coincidence; Wu Feng asked me if I'd be interested in playing the role of Ji Zicheng."

Ji Zicheng is the other male lead and the lover of Yao Xiubin in the film.

As he said this, his palm was already sweating underneath the table, yet he still had to maintain a casual facade: "The audition is scheduled for the seventh day. Shall we go together?"

The two of them were living together now, so naturally, they would go together. Without giving it much thought, Mu Cai readily agreed, "Sure."

-----

On the seventh day, they both took a car to the audition venue.

This time, Su Xingyun was waiting at the hotel entrance early. As soon as he saw Mu Cai, he immediately pulled him over to inspect him from left to right, like a mother hen checking her chicks for any lost feathers or injuries.

The inspection results were excellent.

Although Su Xingyun didn't want to admit it, he had to say that Mu Cai's current state seemed to be thriving.

In the past, the other person was very thin, with a pale complexion, looking rather unhealthy. But now, Mu Cai's face exuded a healthy glow, and he had gained a little weight, making him even more attractive.

Su Xingyun felt both happy and a little heartache, as if Mu Cai no longer needed his care.

The audition took place in a conference room on the second floor of the hotel. Upon their arrival, Mu Cai and the others didn't linger at the hotel entrance. They quickly entered and climbed up the stairs, soon finding the designated room.

The tables and chairs in the conference room had already been moved aside. As they pushed open the door, they saw Mo Hengqing standing in the center of the empty space, talking to a middle-aged man.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, the two people in front turned around.

The middle-aged man was slightly chubby, with a round, friendly face, big eyes, and a flat nose. It was none other than Director Wu Feng. His eyes lit up the moment he saw Mu Cai.

He was even better-looking in person than in the photos.

Director Wu Feng was quick to shake hands with the agents and actors who had arrived, exchanging a few pleasantries before getting down to business.

Looking at the three actors present, he smiled and said, "Now, Yao Xiubin, Ji Zicheng, and Fang Ling are all here."

Mu Cai was a bit surprised.

When he had first seen Mo Hengqing, he thought the latter was auditioning for the role of Yao Xiubin. After all, Mo Hengqing had played this character in the original story.

But this time, Mo Hengqing unexpectedly chose to audition for the supporting male character, Fang Ling.

Fang Ling was a highly conflicted character in the script. He was homophobic yet couldn't help but be deeply attracted to the two protagonists, often falling into a vortex of self-doubt.

Director Wu Feng's gaze wandered over the three of them. Finally, he smiled and suggested, "Since all three of you are here, why don't we try a confrontation scene? Is that okay?"

The confrontation scene wasn't listed in the audition materials. However, anyone confident enough to audition for such a film would have prepared thoroughly. None of the three present objected and all nodded in agreement.

Director Wu Feng was very satisfied. After contemplating for a moment, he said, "Then, let's go for the section where the decision is made."

Mu Cai was taken aback.

Director Wu Feng, however, was pleased with his choice. He retreated behind a table and waved his hand, signaling them to start.

Mu Cai took a deep breath.

As he turned around, about to look at Gu Yunchen, he felt a light push. Mu Cai quickly reached out to steady himself on the table behind him. After regaining his balance and lifting his head, he felt a hand gripping his waist and another resting on his shoulder.

A heavy breath puffed against Mu Cai's ear.

Gu Yunchen had cornered him.

-----

Author's Note:

Gu Yun Chen: The scene Director Wu chose is just perfect! I can openly tease Cai Cai!

Wu Feng: ???

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