ABOES 65: Do You Want To See Me?

According to the script, the kiss between the two wasn’t meant to last long, nor be too intense. It’s just a one-sided move from Ning Chu.

All Xu Li had to do, like the first time, was passively accept it.

But when Chi Yunxing’s cool lips pressed against his, hesitant and unfamiliar yet gently sucking, Duan Zhiyan suddenly couldn’t hold back anymore.

His hands, which had hung by his sides, slowly lifted and came to rest at Chi Yunxing’s waist. Then they tightened, pulling the younger man closer into his arms.

Chi Yunxing seemed to notice something. He slightly opened his eyes, a shimmering wetness glinting in their depths.

Duan Zhiyan’s eyes darkened further. In a hoarse voice that only the two of them could hear, he murmured, “Close your eyes.”

Chi Yunxing obeyed. His heated breath landed on Duan Zhiyan’s nose.

Duan Zhiyan’s warm tongue gently pried open Chi Yunxing’s lips and from there, it was the man’s one-sided conquest.

Chi Yunxing’s breathing was already erratic, his heart pounding wildly.

Duan Zhiyan didn’t seem to notice. He just kept holding him close, kissing him deeply, his palm at Chi Yunxing’s waist radiating a heat that nearly burned through his skin.

Chi Yunxing felt numb all over. His legs had gone soft. He could barely stand without leaning into Duan Zhiyan and yet, despite all this, he didn’t retreat.

In fact, when Duan Zhiyan softly sucked at his lips, Chi Yunxing even responded.

Duan Zhiyan froze for a moment then deepened the kiss even more.

Until Li Chao’s voice rang out behind them, “Cut!”

Only then did Duan Zhiyan slightly pull back, ending the kiss.

Chi Yunxing’s legs were truly weak. He nearly stumbled, and only remained upright because Duan Zhiyan caught him. “Are you okay?” he asked quietly.

“My… my legs are just a bit numb.” Chi Yunxing definitely wasn’t going to admit they’d gone weak.

Duan Zhiyan didn’t press the matter. “Mm.”

They were still standing very close. Duan Zhiyan’s lips nearly brushed Chi Yunxing’s ear.

After taking several deep breaths, Chi Yunxing finally regained his balance. He let go of Duan Zhiyan’s hand and touched his burning ear.

Luckily, the crew around them were all busy with their own tasks and hadn’t noticed.

Liu Ran finally came over and quickly handed Chi Yunxing a tissue. Chi Yunxing didn’t take it, instead, he just wiped the corner of his lips with his hand, then quickly darted his tongue out to lick the spot.

He moved so fast, as if afraid someone would notice.

Except he didn’t try to hide it from Duan Zhiyan.

Duan Zhiyan’s gaze lingered on Chi Yunxing’s still-glistening lips. His eyes grew darker. “Just now…”

Chi Yunxing looked up at him. “Hmm?”

Though his face was still flushed, his gaze didn’t waver. He looked completely open and unbothered.

Compared to that, Duan Zhiyan’s almost-spoken explanation suddenly felt laughably evasive.

Seeing him hesitate, Chi Yunxing asked, “What is it, Zhiyan Ge?”

Duan Zhiyan’s expression didn’t change, but Chi Yunxing noticed the subtle crease between his brows. It was the faint shadow of worry.

Chi Yunxing’s heart skipped. Could it be… Duan Zhiyan had realized his feelings?

Surely not, right?

Then why had he responded to the kiss just now?

Chi Yunxing’s face reddened further. A wild thought began to form, what if Duan Zhiyan liked him too?

His eyes lit up. He was just about to speak when Duan Zhiyan said softly, “Sorry… I got a little too into the role. I didn’t scare you, did I?”

The little bubble of hope that had just begun to rise—burst.

So… it was just acting.

Chi Yunxing’s smile faltered slightly. To keep Duan Zhiyan from noticing, he quickly turned away and forced a calm tone. “It’s fine. I think I got a little too into it too…”

At some point, Li Chao had walked over. He grinned when he heard that. “I could tell! We might need to reshoot that kiss scene.”

Chi Yunxing and Duan Zhiyan both turned to look at him.

Li Chao scratched his head and explained, “Even though this is a reunion scene, Xu Li’s character shouldn’t have responded. Ning Chu can do whatever, but Xu Li shouldn’t. So, Teacher Duan…”

Duan Zhiyan nodded. “Got it. I got carried away. I’ll adjust.”

Li Chao relaxed and looked at Chi Yunxing. “Wait, you said you got really into the role just now?”

Chi Yunxing’s ears heated again. It wasn’t that he got into the role… he’d fallen out of it.

But of course, he couldn’t say that out loud. He just nodded sheepishly. “Mm.”

Li Chao frowned. “That’s not good.”

Chi Yunxing blinked. “Huh?”

Li Chao looked at Duan Zhiyan. “You didn’t tell him?”

Duan Zhiyan’s smile had faded. He shook his head. “Not yet. I just found out he said that.”

Li Chao sighed. “Then should I talk to him, or…?”

“I need to go touch up my makeup anyway. Please do,” Duan Zhiyan said, then nodded at Chi Yunxing and left.

Chi Yunxing stared at his back, confused. “Getting into the role… is bad?”

Li Chao nodded solemnly. “Absolutely.”

Chi Yunxing was puzzled but he also felt another gaze on him. He looked around only to see Duan Zhiyan’s retreating back.

Maybe he imagined it. 

Seeing that Chi Yunxing really didn’t know anything, Li Chao led him into a break room to talk privately.

He didn’t go straight into the explanation. Instead, he listed off a few famous couples from the entertainment industry. Even someone like Chi Yunxing, who didn’t follow celebrity news, knew about them.

Li Chao explained. All of those couples got together after filming wrapped but their relationships didn’t last. One couple broke up after only three days.

Chi Yunxing was stunned. “Three days? Then why get together at all?”

As soon as he asked, realization dawned. Li Chao had said they got together after filming ended.

“They fell in love because of the characters…”

Li Chao nodded. “Exactly. They all caught feelings from acting together.”

“I don’t know much about those stars,” he continued, “but my mentor directed one of them. After filming ended, he warned them not to get too close. They didn’t listen. They got together but the moment they did, the problems started.”

“In the crew, they spent a lot of time together, sure, but they weren’t showing their true selves. What they fell for was the character in the script, the perfect version of the other person. They thought they liked each other, but what they really liked were the roles.”

Chi Yunxing’s breath hitched.

Li Chao quickly added, “Of course, I’m just giving an example. You and Teacher Duan have a good relationship, so I just wanted to give you a heads-up. If either of you really gets too into the role, it could end up hurting someone.”

“So it’s best… once filming ends, don’t contact each other for at least two months. Give yourselves time to come out of character. That way you won’t be swayed.”

Chi Yunxing said nothing, lips pressed together.

He understood.

Li Chao was worried he would fall for Duan Zhiyan because he was too immersed in the role of Ning Chu.

But what he didn’t know… was that Chi Yunxing wasn’t immersed at all.

He hadn’t lost himself in the character. He had kissed Duan Zhiyan as himself.

He liked Duan Zhiyan, not because of the role, but because of the man.

So if that was true for him, what about Duan Zhiyan?

Had he really been acting when he kissed him back?

Chi Yunxing remembered Duan Zhiyan’s own words: that he got too into the role.

After Li Chao left, Chi Yunxing collapsed onto the couch, sighing heavily.

So Duan Zhiyan responded to the kiss… because he was acting.

Chi Yunxing had really hoped so he felt a wave of disappointment. But it didn’t last long.

He had prepared himself for this possibility. If anything, he just needed more time. Chi Yunxing knew he couldn’t rush these things.

…

Over the next few days, he and Duan Zhiyan still had kiss scenes to shoot but they were all simple and restrained.

After that heated kiss, Xu Li finally understood his own feelings.

He did like Ning Chu, he just hadn’t realized it before.

They began dating, doing what all couples do—holding hands, hugging, kissing.

With deeper intimacy, Xu Li confirmed his feelings were real.

They might not be as intense as Ning Chu’s yet, but he believed, one day, they would be even stronger.

As side characters in Secret Crush, their storyline wrapped up quickly.

August 30th arrived—it was Chi Yunxing’s wrap day.

As usual, Duan Zhiyan came to run lines with him. Neither of them mentioned that day’s kiss or the “got too into it” excuse.

After running the scene, Chi Yunxing couldn’t help asking, “Zhiyan Ge, how much longer do you have to shoot?”

Duan Zhiyan glanced at his script. “About a week.”

“Oh,” Chi Yunxing replied.

“You’re starting school soon, right?” Duan Zhiyan asked.

“Yeah, September 3rd.”

“After wrapping today, are you going home?”

Chi Yunxing nodded. “It’s been so long since I saw my parents, my Ge, and my grandma. I don’t have anything scheduled before school, so I want to spend time with them.”

Duan Zhiyan nodded.

The silence stretched.

Chi Yunxing couldn’t take it and asked, “Zhiyan Ge, do you have any more projects after this?”

Duan Zhiyan first shook his head, then nodded. “I’ve got one script, but I don’t know when it starts. It could be at the end of this year, or next year.”

“What’s the script?”

Duan Zhiyan smiled. “Scapegoat.”

Chi Yunxing’s eyes widened. “The one I told you about before?”

“Yeah. I was surprised when I saw the title too.”

Chi Yunxing smiled.

“What about you?” Duan Zhiyan asked. “You’re only a junior, right? Are you planning to focus on school or stay in the industry?”

Chi Yunxing answered without hesitation. “I want to keep acting. I asked my professor, next year’s courses are light. As long as I meet my credit and exam requirements, I don’t need to take a break. Yi Jie said she’ll plan my schedule around classes.”

Duan Zhiyan nodded. “Sounds good. Have you decided on your career path?”

Chi Yunxing scratched his head. “Yi Jie wants me to do some variety shows first, then take TV roles. Once I’ve refined my acting, I can move into films.”

“No movies yet?” Duan Zhiyan looked at him.

“Not that I won’t, I just realized I still need work. I want to learn more first.”

What made him a little sad was that this meant he might not see Duan Zhiyan for a long time.

After a pause, Duan Zhiyan said, “Actually, the best way to learn is to keep acting. Trying different roles, that’s how you grow fast.”

“Huh?” Chi Yunxing blinked.

Duan Zhiyan met his eyes, a smile in his gaze. “Want to do another movie with me?”

Chi Yunxing’s heart skipped a beat. “Zhiyan Ge, you mean…”

“There’s a role in Scapegoat I think suits you. Want to give it a try?”

Chi Yunxing was stunned.

Just when he’d been upset about not seeing Duan Zhiyan, this opportunity landed in his lap.

His heart pounded, breath quickening.He couldn’t say no.

His face flushed as he lowered his gaze. He could never say no to Duan Zhiyan.

“What kind of role is it?” he asked hoarsely.

“I’ll send you the script later. Take a look first,” Duan Zhiyan said.

“I… I can read it?”

“Of course.” Duan Zhiyan smiled warmly.

Caught off guard, Chi Yunxing met his eyes again. Those eyes were bright, and that smile was soft. Something in his chest tickled like a feather.

He swallowed hard, wanting to say something, when someone knocked at the door.

“Teacher Chi, Teacher Duan, we’re ready to start filming.”

“Let’s go.” Duan Zhiyan stood and held out his hand.

Chi Yunxing looked at his palm then reached out, grasped it, and stood.

“Let’s go.”

…

The final scene went smoother than Chi Yunxing had imagined.

After graduation, Ning Chu and Xu Li joined the same company.

In the novel, this part was brief but the script expanded it into their first fight, coming out, meeting each other’s families—And finally, after more than ten years of waiting, Ning Chu knelt down and proposed.

It was a normal Friday, right outside Ning Chu’s office. Xu Li had spent half a day setting up a proposal.

Ning Chu’s legs were shaking as he approached.

He took a few steps then stopped.

Xu Li couldn’t wait. He rushed forward, swept Ning Chu off his feet, and set him down in a ring of roses.

As soon as Ning Chu stood up, Xu Li dropped to one knee and pulled out a ring.

Cheers erupted around them.

“Ning Chu, marry me.”

Amid the noise, countless blessings rang out—

“Say yes!”

“Say it!”

“This is so romantic!”

“Oh my god, I’m crying!”

Ning Chu was already in tears. After a while, he finally nodded. “I—I’ll marry you…”

Xu Li’s hands trembled as he slid the ring onto his finger.

Confetti fell. Balloons rose.

In the laughter and cheers, they kissed.

“Cut!” Li Chao’s voice rang out.

“Congratulations on wrapping!” The crew cheered.

“Happy wrap day!”

Staff rushed over to hand Chi Yunxing a bouquet.

Tears still glistened at the corners of his eyes as they dragged him to cut the cake.

“The first piece goes to…?”

Without hesitation, Chi Yunxing looked toward Duan Zhiyan. “Zhiyan Ge!”

Duan Zhiyan smiled and walked over. “Hmm?”

Chi Yunxing handed him the slice. “For you.”

Li Chao walked over, mock-complaining, “Hey! Shouldn’t the first slice go to the director?”

Before he could reach, Duan Zhiyan had already taken the cake. “It’s mine. Cut your own.”

Li Chao: “…”

“Why do I have to cut my own?” He grumbled and turned to Chi Yunxing. “Cut me one too!”

Chi Yunxing sighed and cut another.

Just as he was about to cut more, a warm hand covered his.

“I got it.” Duan Zhiyan handed him his plate. “Hold this for me.”

Chi Yunxing’s fingers trembled slightly, but he let go of the knife and took the plate.

Duan Zhiyan cut another slice, then passed the knife to a staff member. “You guys cut the rest.”

Then he handed the plate to Chi Yunxing. “Trade.”

Chi Yunxing’s smile grew. He exchanged plates and the two sat down to eat together.

The cake was sweet but Chi Yunxing swore, it tasted even sweeter in his heart.

Since only Chi Yunxing wrapped today, and filming would continue that night, there was no wrap party.

After taking group photos with the cast and crew, it was time to go.

Chi Yunxing stood center in the group shot, Duan Zhiyan beside him.

As the shutter clicked, Chi Yunxing felt someone looking at him. He turned and met Duan Zhiyan’s smiling gaze.

The camera captured that exact moment.

…

Duan Zhiyan had another scene that night, so he couldn’t send Chi Yunxing off.

Chi Xiwen called, saying he was coming to pick him up.

It should’ve been a happy moment but Chi Yunxing felt stifled, his chest heavy, nose prickling.

He thought of what Li Chao had said and turned to ask softly, “Zhiyan Ge… after this, are we really not allowed to see each other?”

Duan Zhiyan paused, understanding what he meant.

He didn’t answer right away. After a long moment, he replied hoarsely, “Strictly speaking… we should wait two months.”

So it was two months.

Chi Yunxing’s eyes reddened. He ducked his head and said lightly, “Oh.”

Duan Zhiyan glanced at him, seeing the soft crown of his head.

He raised his hand, wanting to ruffle his hair but stopped halfway, lowering it again.

“It’s okay,” he said gently. “We can still text. I won’t be busy. If anything happens, just message me.”

Online contact wasn’t the same. Might as well not talk at all.

Chi Yunxing muttered under his breath.

“Hm?”

“Nothing.” He composed himself, reminding himself not to rush.

Duan Zhiyan fell silent.

Just then, Chi Xiwen came into view.

Duan Zhiyan suddenly asked, “Yunxing… do you want to see me?”

Chi Yunxing froze.

He turned, dazed, forgetting even that his brother was calling him.

Chi Xiwen didn’t notice. He came up, pulled Chi Yunxing into a hug, and grinned. “Congrats on wrapping!”

Chi Yunxing forced a smile. “Ge, you’re here.”

Chi Xiwen nodded at Duan Zhiyan, then asked, “Got everything packed? Let’s go, Mom made your favorite dishes.”

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Then let’s go,” He waved at Duan Zhiyan. “We’re heading out.”

Chi Yunxing turned back to Duan Zhiyan. His lips parted, but he couldn’t speak.

Chi Xiwen walked ahead, chatting, but Chi Yunxing couldn’t focus.

He glanced back.

Duan Zhiyan was still there, smiling gently at him.

Chi Yunxing’s heart trembled.

Suddenly, he broke free of his brother’s arm and ran back without thinking.

He stopped in front of Duan Zhiyan, panting. “I—I want to see you.”

I don’t want to wait two months. I want to see you every day.

Duan Zhiyan’s smile widened.

He reached out and gently tapped Chi Yunxing’s nose, his voice low and rough with laughter.

“Okay.”