TSBDRA 10: He’s Still Pregnant?!

…

As the character Yu Xiang gradually began to open up to Xia Qinglang in the drama, in real life, Xu Xishuang and Chi Siyuan also became more familiar with each other.

Xu Xishuang had already started treating Chi Siyuan like his goofy little cousin. He found that Chi Siyuan was actually highly perceptive. Once you gave him a pointer, he’d remember it and apply it. On top of that, he was hardworking and dedicated, willing to put in the time to study the script, even going so far as to write a character backstory to deepen his understanding of Xia Qinglang, polishing his performance with care.

Thanks to Chi Siyuan’s effort, their filming went smoother and quicker—at least half the time faster than initially expected.

Life on set was relatively smooth, there’s no more incidents of fans sneaking photos. The only thing Xu Xishuang found odd was that Yan Yushan’s gaze toward him and Chi Siyuan was getting weirder by the day. Other than that, everything was great. Xiao Wang’s cooking was delicious, and Xu Xishuang finished every meal without fail. He even felt like he’d put on a bit of weight as his belly was starting to round out.

Today marked Xu Xishuang’s 30th day on the Bitter Summer crew and it was also the day Yu Xiang and Xia Qinglang’s relationship would take a major turn in the script.

In today’s scene, Yu Xiang would finally allow Xia Qinglang to see the scar on the back of his neck. Xia Qinglang, moved by this gesture, would begin to develop romantic feelings.

The scene took place in Yu Xiang’s home, inside his cramped and dim little bedroom. The lighting crew had turned the lights down low. Chi Siyuan, facing a camera that was practically right in his face, thought about what was about to happen and started to feel a bit flustered. He snuck a glance at Xu Xishuang, who looked perfectly calm.

Xu Xishuang was far from calm.

It wasn’t the emotional scene with Chi Siyuan that was bothering him. It was the fact that he had been feeling increasingly irritable lately, like there was a fire burning inside him that wouldn’t go away. His mind had been flooded with strange impulses. 

Just last night, while eating the vegetable salad Xiao Wang had made, he suddenly craved braised pork knuckle and wanted to watch videos of geckos wagging their tails. The look on Xiao Wang’s face at the time had been… indescribable.

Now, he still desperately wanted to watch a gecko wag its tail. If he didn’t get to see that today, he felt like he might explode.

“First scene, get ready.” Yan Yushan’s voice snapped Xu Xishuang out of his thoughts.

Just hearing that voice irritated him for some reason. He tamped down the feeling, stepped into Yu Xiang’s room, and got into character.

This wasn’t Xia Qinglang’s first time visiting Yu Xiang’s room to do homework.

Last time, he had run into Yu Xiang’s drunken father. He stepped between them and took the slap meant for Yu Xiang. Yu Xiang had been deeply grateful, opening up about things he had never told anyone. 

Xia Qinglang had been overjoyed as he felt he was becoming Yu Xiang’s best friend. Even the red slap mark on his shoulder didn’t hurt so much anymore.

Yu Xiang’s room was hot and cramped. Xia Qinglang suggested going out to buy two bottles of cold water to cool down. Knowing Yu Xiang’s family was tight on money, he didn’t want to use the fan and increase the power bill. He offered to step out.

Yu Xiang moved aside to make room for him to pass, but the space was so tight that their bodies still bumped. Xia Qinglang tripped on the table leg and stumbled forward, falling onto Yu Xiang, who was knocked onto the bed.

Both froze.

They stared at each other, some unspoken heat stirring beneath the surface. Xia Qinglang’s breathing grew heavier, his fingers twitching and by chance, they brushed over the scar on the back of Yu Xiang’s neck.

Startled, Yu Xiang pushed him away and scrambled up, covering his neck in panic.

A long moment passed.

Yu Xiang then dropped his hand. He turned around, facing away, and lifted the shoulder-length hair he always wore down, revealing the ugly scar underneath.

Xia Qinglang’s breath hitched. He couldn’t resist lifting his hand to touch the scar. Beneath his fingertips, Yu Xiang’s body trembled—he was baring his most painful secret, waiting for Xia Qinglang’s judgment. Would he be disgusted? Pity him? Or…

Xia Qinglang leaned in slowly, then closed his eyes and pressed a soft kiss to the back of Yu Xiang’s neck.

“Cut!”

Yan Yushan’s voice sounded a little rushed. Xu Xishuang instantly dropped the character, stood, and stepped aside to rest. He took a sip of warm water from Xiao Wang.

Chi Siyuan still stood frozen, touching his lips and face flushing crimson. He quickly backed off the set, gulping down cold water like his face was about to combust, sneaking peeks at Xu Xishuang all the while.

The veteran actor Zhang, who played Yu Xiang’s father, sat beside Xu Xishuang and chuckled. “Xiao Xu, looks like you really got Chi Siyuan into the role. Look at that face—red as a monkey’s butt. He’s not falling for you for real, is he?”

Honestly, Zhang wouldn’t be surprised if he was. Xu Xishuang was just too beautiful. When he looked at Chi Siyuan with that shy, affectionate gaze as Yu Xiang, it was enough to make even bystanders flustered—never mind the guy acting opposite him.

“New actors are always like this,” Xu Xishuang replied with a smile. “It’s normal. Once filming’s over and we don’t see each other for a while, he’ll get over it.”

Back before he transmigrated, Xu Xishuang had filmed a youth drama where the actress playing the female lead had fallen for him on set and nearly chased him to his home. Only after he bluntly told her he was gay and planning to leave the entertainment industry did she finally give up.

“Fair enough,” Zhang replied, smiling.

Still, deep down, he didn’t think Chi Siyuan would get over it so easily. This was his first real role, after all and young guys had a thing about firsts. Xu Xishuang was drop-dead gorgeous, and it was obvious how smitten Chi Siyuan was. If Zhang had to guess, the kid was probably going to try confessing soon.

Too bad it was doomed from the start. Zhang glanced at the calm-faced Xu Xishuang again. The kid had been through too much. Admirers probably lined up in droves and Chi Siyuan didn’t stand a chance.

Xu Xishuang’s thinking was much simpler.

He still believed the original novel’s plotline would prevail. Chi Siyuan was the shou protagonist. His official gong, Yan Yushan, was standing right there watching. How could anything happen between him and Chi Siyuan?

Besides, even filming a neck kiss scene had made Yan Yushan call cut like his life depended on it. There were no more intimate scenes left between their characters either—Yu Xiang and Xia Qinglang were about to part ways. Where was the room for romance?

Worst case scenario, even if they did like each other, they were both bottoms. Nothing was going to happen.

So Xu Xishuang didn’t even consider the idea of Chi Siyuan being a potential top. He took his break, then returned to film the next scene.

That evening, after wrapping for the day, everyone celebrated their progress with another team dinner at the same hotpot place as before.

Xu Xishuang hadn’t eaten anything spicy in a long time, so his mood instantly perked up. He grabbed Xiao Wang and joined the others, ready to feast, and planning to scoop up as many spicy meat slices as he could.

The hotpot owner, recognizing the film crew, happily added a freshly delivered grass carp to their pot, slicing it and tossing it into the bubbling red broth.

Xu Xishuang wasn’t usually a big fan of fish, but he could eat it especially if it was swimming in spicy oil. Plus, Xiao Wang was always nagging him to eat more fish, so now was the perfect excuse.

He gleefully picked up a piece of fish and dropped it into his bowl. Once it cooled down a bit, he brought it to his mouth and took a bite—

“Ugh…” Xu Xishuang abruptly dropped his chopsticks, bent over, and covered his mouth.

What the hell? Why did that taste so fishy?

Xiao Wang noticed right away and rushed over. “Xishuang, what’s wrong?!”

“This fish… it’s disgusting. So fishy,” Xu Xishuang said with difficulty, grimacing. He badly wanted to rinse his mouth—his whole mouth was filled with the taste of fish, and he felt like throwing up.

“Fishy?” Xiao Wang looked confused and took a bite himself. “It’s not fishy at all…”

Xu Xishuang froze.

He looked around the table. Everyone else was digging in, scarfing down fish slices like their lives depended on it, sweating but clearly enjoying themselves. Not a single person complained about the taste. 

So… was it his sense of taste?

Wait a second…

A sudden suspicion crept into Xu Xishuang’s mind, and his eyes slowly widened.

No way?!

He wouldn’t…

Could he really be pregnant?!!