CH 35.2

Lu Li, who had finished handling some of his work, suddenly looked up and stared at Xie Jianwei.

The latter was sitting sideways, looking down while silently reading the script. His casual clothes— beige pullovers and trousers of the same color—made his skin appear more tender. His face was without make-up and he emitted a fresh and clean scent, like someone who had just taken a shower.

Feeling another person’s gaze, Xie Jianwei turned his head to look at Lu Li.

Their eyes locked upon each other—  Lu Li’s face remained unchanged, but Xie Jianwei smiled at him: “Finished?”

Lu Li got up and responded: “Yes.”

Xie Jianwei also put down the script and asked him, “Do you want something to drink?”

“What about you?” Lu Li asked in return

Xie Jianwei had drank several times during their meet-ups. Since the liquor selections on the hotel’s menu were all authentic and priced in five-figures, it would be a waste not tasting them.

But the current Xie Jianwei doesn’t really care about those things after all, in Marshal’s Mansion … wait! Xie Jianwei was about to decline but he immediately realized that this was a small opportunity.

‘Be more demanding, it’s good to be greedy at times.’ Hence, Xie Jianwei bent his body as his eyes scanned the room service menu: “I want to drink that.” His finger pointed to a liquor worth tens of thousands of dollars.

“Don’t you have to go to work tomorrow?” inquired Lu Li.

“I won’t drink much so it’s okay.”

In reality, Military Advisor is a very self-disciplined person— not eating more than he should; not absorbing himself in entertainment even though he wants to. Everything is well planned and executed in a steady, step-by-step process, to the point where some people can not see through him because of his meticulousness.

This time however Xie Jianwei was in front of his lover, so there was no need to be too restrained. Being flawed is not a bad thing. After all, the word ‘perfect’ doesn’t really apply to humans. If he really was so, then it means he had failed in being a ‘human being’ to a certain extent.

The ancient brewing process is still very good, Xie Jianwei was very satisfied with his drink, so he said: “Your money wasn’t spent in vain.” (t/n: ancient, since XJW’s real world is in its  intergalactic era.)

Lu Li  said nothing, but the corners of his mouth rose lightly.

Xie Jianwei was trying hard to change himself. According to the original situation, even if it tastes good, he will only drink a glass, especially if he still had to work tomorrow. But now, he wants to change his ‘self-discipline’, to become more self-indulgent!

And so, he secretly poured another glass while Lu Li was not paying attention.

He was just about to take a sip, but Lu Li caught him: “One glass is enough.”

Xie Jianwei revealed an undisguised disappointment in his eyes: “I’m not going to get drunk.”

“This wine is somewhat strong.”

Xie Jianwei pouted, “One sip, only one more sip.”

Because of wine’s strong alcohol content, he had teary eyes and  his cheeks had become reddish. He spoke in such a soft, just like a whiny kitten…

The beast in Lu Li’s heart got awakened. After sipping some wine, he moved slightly, and he leaned over to kiss Xie Jianwei.

Xie Jianwei accepted it with enthusiasm as he put his arms around Lu Li’s neck, greedily devouring the delicious red wine from the man’s mouth.

Lu Li didn’t delay any more, and he did what he wanted. Perhaps because he knew that Xie Jianwei had to get up early tomorrow, Lu Li restrained himself and stopped after one round.

If this was in past, Xie Jianwei would have felt this being like this is the right thing to do and  continuing would be considered being too indulgent, but right now, but for the sake of being more  of a “demanding person” according to Lu Li’s wishes…

He made up his mind and started to rub Lu Li again.

The man held Xie Jianwei’s naughty hand: “Do you still want to get up tomorrow?”

Xie Jianwei lowered his head to swallow Lu ‘Big’ Li and vaguely said: “It’s okay. Let’s do it again…”

Lu Li wanted to push him away, but his hands ended up gripping on  XIe Jianwei’s hair.

After a while, Xie Jianwei changed his position and impatiently sat down above Lu Li…

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After eating a ‘navel orange’, Xie Jianwei was already perfectly satisfied, but thinking about Lu Li’s usual stamina of at least three or four times, he began to get restless again. (t/n: Navel orange=’riding’; prev translator have also explained this in Chapter 6)

Lu Li did not plan on letting him do what he wanted: “Stop. Go to sleep.” He embraced Xie Jianwei in his arms, but the other’s mouth wasn’t exactly well-behaved.

After numerous bites and kisses, Xie Jianwei looked up at him: “I still can’t sleep.”

Moist eyes, flushed cheeks,  still flushed, and luscious lips like petals with morning dew … Lu Li was having trouble with controlling his desire upon seeing Xie Jianwei that look.

Lu Li took a deep breath, and the corner of his eyes caught sight of the stack papers. He suddenly had an idea.

“If you can’t fall asleep, get up and read the script.”

Xie Jianwei was about to decline, but then, Lu Li said: “I’ll take a look at it with you.”

Read the script together?

Xie Jianwei felt that it was a good idea and smiled: “Oh, I don’t understand some things in here. Teach me then!”

“Sure.”

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They got dressed and hugged each other on the sofa.

Lu Li asked him: “This is Li Dongxing’s film?”

Xie Jianwei hurriedly answered: “Yes.” Him getting a role on this film was also thanks to this Film Emperor.

Although it is not a large-scale commercial blockbuster or a literary film that can fight for award nominations, Li Dongxing is a well-known director. Several of his successive small-production romantic movies were very popular with the audience, and the box office had always been good.

It was pretty rare for someone like Xie Jianwei who was just a little famous without extensive experienced to be able to play as the second male lead for this movie.

The film’s plot was actually quite simple — it was the typical love triangle between two men and a woman.

Xie Jianwei is going to play the part of a foolish second male lead, a nouveau riche— an affectionate man who has money but is very unrefined.   And with the goddess-like female lead who excels in literature in art, his coarseness stood out even more.

After being separated from the male lead, this goddess was disheartened and therefore, she listened to her family’s arrangement for her to get married to a man of their choosing.

The second male lead sincerely loves the female lead, and for him, being able to marry this goddess is enough for him to be happy his whole life.

After their marriage, even if they slept in separate rooms, even if his goddess had never forgotten a certain man, even if his painting style looked terrible when compared to her,  he still worked hard. He did his best to improve, thinking that one day, he’ll be able to enter the Icy Beauty’s heart.

Since his story is only a secondary plot, Xie Jianwei’s scenes were relatively few. However these small numbers of scenes were quite thought-provoking.

The first segment of his story is about the nouveau riche second male lead’s pursuit of the female protagonist.

He sent her dozens of bags, shoes and clothes from reputable stores at every turn and yet, his goddess didn’t even look at it.

He smugly showed-off to a friend of his: “My girlfriend is really good! She doesn’t want my money!”

His friend just smiled: “She doesn’t need your money? I’m afraid you can’t give her what she truly wants .”

The second segment is the details of the second male lead and female protagonist’s life after they got married.

The female lead liked to sketch. If the weather is good, she would always go to the mountains, wearing only light clothes. The second male lead would always accompany her and give her a ride.  He would pedal the donkey himself, so in the end he’d be soaked in his own sweat and his shoes would be full of mud, but still his face was still plastered with a smile, grinning like a fool.  And yet, from start to finish, his goddess never glanced at him, not even once.

There is another scene that left Xie Jianwei a deep impression.

The script described that the female lead was only frowning, and the second male lead’s thoughts accounted for half of the paper. He was uneasy, ill at ease, and nervous. He didn’t know what his goddess felt dissatisfied about. He had been trying his best to please her, but he felt like he hadn’t done anything right.

Xie Jianwei acted the part of the second male lead, but it seemed like the female protagonist was an oblique reference to himself.

She was like a reflection of him years ago on that desolate star.

When he just woke up in an abandoned planet, he was indifferent to his life and death— he couldn’t find any significance in living.

At that time … Lu Li seemed like he was constantly and frantically attending to me?

Lu Li couldn’t wait to give him all the good things he could find on that planet. It’s as if as long as he could see Xie Jianwei laugh, he would fear nothing— not even going up against a sword barehanded or swimming in a sea of fire.

There is no doubt that Xie Jianwei was attracted to Lu Li. But perhaps in Lu Li’s eyes, Xie Jianwei was not attracted to him, but was only moved by his actions?

While Xie Jianwei was holding the script, immersed in his thoughts and memories, he heard Lu Li’s voice: “So which part don’t you understand?”

Xie Jianwei paused and pointed to the last paragraph “Why she doesn’t like him.”

“His affection for her is commendable, but hard work alone doesn’t necessarily yield results.”

“ Just ‘commendable’? When she was sad, he accompanied her; when she was in despair with everything, he gave her happiness; when she didn’t want to face life, he opened up the paradise just for her…”

Lu Li smiled and said softly: “Then how do you know that those things are what she truly wants?”

But this is what she wants.

Lu Li added “Remember that emotion well. Chen Li’s character ought to think like that.” Chen Li is the nouveau riche second male lead.

“If I were Song Qian, I would definitely choose Chen Li.” said Xie Jianwei in a gloomy manner.

Lu Li shook his head, “That’s just because you haven’t met Jiang Sen.” Jiang Sen is the male lead that is, the man whom the heroine, Song Qian, couldn’t forget.

Xie Jianwei wasn’t really interested on that issue, so he did not continue this topic.

“Come and practice with me!”

“Okay” Lu Li instantly agreed.

Xie Jianwei played Chen Li, so Lu Li had to play Song Qian. The two were only acting against each other, but it seemed like it inadvertently replace their own situation.

Xie Jianwei became Lu Li, and Lu Li became Xie Jianwei.

Looking at this perspective, Xie Jianwei couldn’t help but feel the sense of  ‘so that’s how it is’.

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Hours passed by and it was already late into the night, so Lu Li put down the script: “Get some rest now.”

Xie Jianwei was actually not tired at all. After all, he slept for a whole day, but considering that he had work tomorrow and he had been ‘disobedient’ enough, he agreed.

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When they woke up, the sky was already bright.

Maybe because of their ‘ vigorous exercise’ last night, Xie Jianwei slept soundly. He was about to get out of bed and put on his clothes, but dismissed that thought and instead stayed in bed.

Lu Li came in from the outside: “Get up.”

“Don’t wanna.”Xie Jianwei hummed and buried his head on the pillow.

Lu Li smiled, but his voice was still stern: “It’s already seven o’clock. You’ll be late.”

“Just one more minute.”

Lu Li lifted his quilt: “How many times are you going to say that.”

When the quilt was lifted, it revealed the ‘Little’ Xie who stood prettily.

Xie Jianwei touched it and squinted at Lu Li: “Help me?”

Lu Li: “…”

Xie Jianwei licked his lips: “I’ll be fast.”

He was indeed quite fast, but Lu ‘Big’ Li certainly wasn’t. There wasn’t enough time, so after getting relieving himself with Lu Li ‘s help, Xie Jianwei went to take a shower.

Lu Li had no choice but to take a cold shower.

Listening to the sound of water in the bathroom, Xie Jianwei couldn’t help laughing.  “How cute.”

Yan Ke silently witnessed the two’s interaction.  He didn’t know whether it was because of the two’s sweetness, or the sourness he was feeling, that his teeth had started aching. Who could understand the suffering of single dogs, bah!

After putting dressing himself up, Xie Jianwei wanted to just slip away, but Lu Li stopped him: “Eat breakfast.”

Xie Jianwei took a piece of bread, “I’ll be late.”

Lu Li pressed him to the chair: “Eat.”

Xie Jianwei felt bitter: “I didn’t go to the meeting yesterday. If I’m late again today, Director Li will explode!”

“You’re not going to be late. I’ll give you a ride.”

Xie Jianwei was waiting for this sentence. He happily said: “You should have said so earlier.”

After eating breakfast, the two went out together.

Xie Jianwei thought of Lu Li who could only  get a cold shower in the morning, so he started teasing him.

“Don’t fool around.” Lu Li reprimanded him.

Xie Jianwei kissed the corner of his mouth: “Are you free tomorrow night?”

“I’m going to City A this afternoon.”

It takes four to five hours to go back and forth., so he definitely wouldn’t be able to come back until tomorrow night.

Xie Jianwei was slightly disappointed: “Alright.”

Lu Li’s lips moved but he said nothing.

Xie Jianwei complained to Yan Ke: [How can it call itself an airplane when flies in such a slow pace?]

Yan Ke replied seriously: “It can fly, so people called it an airplane. If it flies fast, then it should be called Fast Flying Machine.”

Xie Jianwei: “… “ That joke is so cold.

(t/n: there’s a lot of play of words in Yan Ke’s sentence. Fēijī [to fly+machine] = airplane ; hěn kuài = very fast ; therefore fēi hěn kuài jī = Fast Flying Machine.  

Cold jokes [lěngxiàohuà] = the name comes from the fact that when one hears a cold joke, s/he shivers in terror instead of laughing because the joke is so bad. Source]

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To avoid suspicion, Lu Li did not drive his car inside the filming location and just stopped outside. Although many people know that Xie Jianwei climbed Lu Li’s bed, it’s not good to show it so blatantly.

Xie Jianwei thanked Lu Li and before leaving he carefully intentionally dropped a certain device before leaving.

Entering the set, Yan Ke looked at him anxiously and said: “Can’t you hurry up? You would have been late in five minutes!”

In fact, he was already late at this point, since the director was already there.

Xie Jianwei made the entire crew wait for him yesterday,  so he intend to apologize.

Xie Jianwei walked towards Director Li, and he bowed while apologizing. The man next to him said sarcastically: “Don’t take this project if you are so busy. Don’t let a bunch of people delay you.”

Another said, “Mr. Xie, you don’t have to put up with our small crew. Why don’t you ask Film Emperor Lu to give you a role in 《The Seventh Circle of the Devil 》.” That was Lu Ling’s most successful film which had already reached its seventh installment.  Lu Li took six consecutive Film Emperor Awards with this series.

These people were adding fuel to the fire. Director Li was already in a bad mood, and it became even worse at the moment. He glanced at Xie Jianwei and said angrily: “Do you know how much trouble you caused for the crew yesterday? After a day of delay, the whole progress will be further moved! The lease contract for the studio is expiring soon. What do we do if by the next crew comes in, we haven’t finished filming on this set? How much loss would we incur? Can you afford it? “

Most directors having bad tempers are considered professional attributes. Scolding people is also among the top three—guaranteed to make you feel embarrassed in front of the crowd.

In addition to these people who threw stones at people who fell down, what annoyed Xie Jianwei the most was that he couldn’t explain why he made such a blunder. However, Military Advisor Xie

What was even more terrible was that Xie Jianwei was truly at fault, and he couldn’t even explain his situation yesterday.

But Xie JJianwei had never been one to suffer such a loss. If he let these people yell at him, he really won’t be able to lift his head in this crew afterwards.

Fortunately, a few minutes later, Film Emperor Lu arrived.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience I caused yesterday. I had to send Xie Jianwei away for an urgent matter and I was n’t able to inform you.” The Film Emperor Lu appeared on the scene, and the whole group went silent.

Yan Ke couldn’t help but applaud: [Lord Marshal arrived just on time in order to be the hero  who rescued the beauty!]

Then he thought of another issue. [Why did Lord Marshal went back?]

“I left my phone in his car.”

Because he knew that the crew would definitely scold him if he arrived by himself, Xie Jianwei made preparations in advance.

He left his phone in the car, and Lu Li would definitely come to give him it to him. Witnessing the situation Xie Jian Wei was in, he would definitely help him think of an excuse.

Yan Ke: “…” Good thinking, Military Advisor!