CH 009

TL: Moonlit

After arriving at the hospital, Ran Xing went to have his blood drawn for testing. Lin Hanchuan half embraced him and covered his eyes, saying, “Don’t look.”

Ran Xing found it amusing. He was an adult man, would he really be afraid of getting blood drawn?

He didn’t say anything and obediently closed his eyes, leaning cautiously against Lin Hanchuan’s shoulder. He caught a faint whiff of men’s cologne—warm, comforting, and refreshing. He licked his dry lips and decided to buy the same fragrance in a few days.

“Done,” Lin Hanchuan let go and slipped a candy into Ran Xing’s mouth, like coaxing a child.

Peach flavor. Ran Xing blinked his eyes as the sweet taste spread on his tongue.

After the examination, the doctor prescribed an intravenous injection for Ran Xing. He lay on the pure white hospital bed, buried under the blanket, looking even more frail and delicate.

Lin Hanchuan held Ran Xing’s cold hand and felt the bony fingers. “Don’t lose weight in the future, eat more. You’re still growing.”

“If I gain weight, I won’t look good on camera,” Ran Xing said, trying to sound nonchalant. His sweaty palms oozed tiny droplets of sweat, but he didn’t dare to move. He awkwardly turned his head away, blushing.

Smiling briefly, Lin Hanchuan said with a hint of helplessness, “Acting skills are what truly matters for an actor. Appearance is secondary.” Ran Xing’s face flushed, and he averted his gaze, feeling uncomfortable.

While they were conversing, the police knocked on the door and entered. Lin Hanchuan furrowed his brows but didn’t say anything, standing up to make room for the police.

“Mr. Ran, may I ask why you went to Mr. Qiao’s room at that time?” the police officer asked.

Ran Xing’s gaze involuntarily drifted toward Lin Hanchuan, who was standing by the window, before he answered, “He said he wanted to talk to me about acting…”

As they exchanged questions and answers, Lin Hanchuan observed Ran Xing’s condition.

Perhaps due to the intravenous infusion, Ran Xing looked much better than before. His complexion was still somewhat pale, but his eyes were calm, returning to their usual state.

Somehow, Lin Hanchuan thought of his half-brother, who was four years younger than him and about the same age as Ran Xing.

His brother had been pampered by their parents and spoiled to no end. His biggest worry every day was which toy to play with. On the other hand, Ran Xing, at the same age, probably lived alone and spent each day contemplating where his next meal would come from.

Lin Hanchuan didn’t have much affection for his brother, but at this moment, he felt a great deal of pity for Ran Xing.

Perhaps it was because Ran Xing’s appearance had its advantages, or perhaps it was because he was genuinely so docile… The image of that flat and malicious supporting character from the original story standing by his side made Lin Hanchuan experience a hint of reality for the first time in this world.

After observing for a while, Lin Hanchuan noticed that Ran Xing’s lips were slightly dry. He got up and poured a cup of hot water, handing it to Ran Xing.

Ran Xing hesitated for a moment, a shallow smile forming on his lips. He lowered his head and blew on the scalding hot water, his gaze flickering. Ignoring the reddening of his fingers from the heat, he refused to let go of the warmth in his hands.

By the time the police finished their investigation and left, it was already past three in the morning. Lin Hanchuan covered Ran Xing with the blanket and said, “Rest for a while.”

After a day of fighting and being admitted to the hospital, Ran Xing was extremely tired. He struggled to keep his eyes open and looked at Lin Hanchuan. “Are you leaving?”

“No, I’ll stay with you,” Lin Hanchuan said.

In the hazy night, Lin Hanchuan, who appeared cold and unyielding, emanated a subtle tenderness. Ran Xing glanced deeply at him and fell asleep, though his fingers nervously clutched the edge of the blanket as if trying to hold onto something.

As Ran Xing closed his eyes, Lin Hanchuan took out his phone, turned off the sound, and began dealing with the day’s affairs.

First, he sent a message to the driver, instructing him to come to the hospital to pick him up at six in the morning. Then he started contacting the producer of «Sword Immortal».

Throughout the night, the producer made numerous calls to Lin Hanchuan, but none of them connected. Finally, he managed to reach someone and immediately started making urgent consecutive calls.

Lin Hanchuan subconsciously looked at the sleeping Ran Xing. Seeing that he hadn’t been awakened by the calls, he breathed a sigh of relief and hung up before typing: “Can’t talk on the phone, send a message.”

The typing indicator in the chat box flickered for a while: “President Yan, what’s going on with you guys? Why did the male lead and director go to the hospital together? The online situation has escalated. Those marketing accounts that are ganging up on our male lead, the PR department can’t suppress them. We don’t dare to make a statement without knowing the situation…”

The producer spilled all the details in one go.

How did the news spread so quickly? Lin Hanchuan had a moment of doubt, and he replied: “Investigate the source of the news. Find out who was the first to release it.”

Lin Hanchuan: “The director of «Sword Immortal» is fired. Find another director.”

The producer broke out in a cold sweat, tremblingly asking, “What happened? Is he also terminating the contract?”

The «Sword Immortal» project had been extremely unlucky, starting with the male lead breaching his contract, followed by the change in directors. It was like starting with an extremely difficult level in hell. After this period, I must go to the temple to pray! The producer’s expression was filled with anguish as he began to pray.

Lin Hanchuan’s eyes turned icy: “You don’t need to worry about this matter. Just focus on the tasks I’ve assigned. The new director doesn’t need to be a big name or well-known. A new director is also acceptable, but their character must be evaluated. If their character is bad, they are not considered.”

After arranging the director change, Lin Hanchuan logged into his social media account to see what was happening online.

As soon as he logged in, his phone was instantly flooded with a constant stream of messages. Opening them, he saw that they were all insults directed at him and Ran Xing, mostly speculating about Ran Xing’s private life with extremely vulgar and derogatory language.

It was late at night, nearing Wednesday, a time when people had to work the next day. It was impossible for so many night owls to suddenly propel Ran Xing to the top of the hot search.

The online frenzy continued, and more and more people were brainwashed by the comments, gradually believing that Ran Xing was truly a shameless and unscrupulous person, joining in the insults and doubts.

With a stern expression, Lin Hanchuan read a few of the messages but couldn’t bear to continue. He sent a message to the manager of the PR department.

The next day, Ran Xing woke up from a sweet dream, still looking somewhat dazed. It had been a long time since he had slept so peacefully and comfortably.

“Awake?” Lin Hanchuan observed his confused expression and his intense gaze softened slightly. “Have something to eat to settle your stomach.”

Ran Xing turned his head and saw a steaming bowl of porridge and boiled eggs on the bedside table. He opened his mouth, feeling as if he were still in a dream, staring blankly at Lin Hanchuan.

“What’s wrong? Are you dumb?” Lin Hanchuan asked.

“No, nothing,” Ran Xing replied as he sat up on the bed. He noticed Lin Hanchuan looking at his phone, but he didn’t know what he was busy with.

He secretly took out his phone and opened the camera, taking several pictures of the breakfast from different angles. He snapped more than ten photos before he was satisfied and put down his phone. He cracked open an egg and started peeling it.

As he peeled the egg, he glanced at his phone and saw numerous message notifications. He hesitated for a moment before clicking on them.

“Don’t look,” Lin Hanchuan said as he approached, reaching out to take Ran Xing’s phone.

Ran Xing evaded Lin Hanchuan’s hand. “I’ve already seen it. It’s just people cursing at me.”

He accepted it well, even smiling with a good mood, as if he didn’t care.

Since his debut, Ran Xing had been subjected to constant criticism. He was cursed when playing the villainous supporting role, and when he competed with Qiu Hongguang for a role… He had been cursed so much that he had become used to it.

Lin Hanchuan frowned, wondering why this child had such a big heart. How could he still be in the mood to eat eggs at a time like this?

Just as he was about to refuse, he saw Ran Xing peel the egg perfectly, leaving only the bottom part of the shell intact. Ran Xing’s fingers cautiously touched only the shell, his expression calm but his eyes filled with anxiety and anticipation.

Pausing for a moment, Lin Hanchuan took a bite of the egg from Ran Xing’s hand. “Thank you.”

Ran Xing straightened his back, pulled back his hand, and calmly said, “Thank you for taking care of me yesterday.”

Watching Ran Xing’s reddened earlobes, Lin Hanchuan’s eyes carried a hint of amusement.

Feeling embarrassed, Ran Xing awkwardly touched his ear and his face started turning red. He had no choice but to open his phone and pretend to be engrossed in the internet like an addicted teenager.

Just then, a new post appeared on the hot search.

After indulging in gossip all night, the public’s curiosity had reached its peak, and they eagerly clicked on the post, only to be met with confusion.

Surprisingly, it was an official announcement from the police, with a blue background and white text, concise, clear, and straightforward.

“What does this mean? I’m confused.”

“Looking at the announcement, it seems… they’re trying to clear Ran Xing’s name?”

“What kind of background does Ran Xing have that he can make the official account help clear his name?”

“Forget about clearing his name. You fans have twisted minds. This is already a criminal case, not something to take lightly.”

“So, Ran Xing went to the hospital because of this incident?”

“…Did we curse the wrong person?”

Things on the internet always escalated quickly, and there were always twists and turns. Ran Xing looked at the various conspiracy theories and heated debates in the comments, but he didn’t feel much.

Only when he saw comments apologizing to him did he feel slightly moved.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let them keep cursing you,” Lin Hanchuan’s voice remained calm and unwavering, filled with undeniable determination.

Ran Xing lowered his head and continued scrolling through his phone, his voice trembling as he asked, “Why… why are you doing this?”

Although he used to not care about being cursed, at this moment, his throat felt dry, and his nose stung with a belated sense of grievance.

“Because you are my artist,” Lin Hanchuan simply said, “and I will be responsible for my employees.”

Just an artist? Ran Xing wanted to ask, will you treat other employees the same way?

Covering his eyes when he was having his blood drawn, warming his hand while he received the infusion, buying vegetarian porridge, and boiling eggs in plain water in the morning… Ran Xing bit his lip, struggling to swallow back all these questions.

When he lifted his head again, his face was already beaming with a smile as bright as spring flowers. “President Yan, I will make a lot of money for you, a lot of money.”