TSBDRA 43: Come On

The next day’s shoot went on as usual.

Xu Xishuang had gone to bed a bit late the night before. Even though he had taken a nap during the day, he still felt drowsy now. He was leaning back in his chair, planning to catch a short nap while others were filming.

Because both Qu Yue and Luo Huai made mistakes during their scenes today, the shooting was delayed. By the time it was Xu Xishuang’s turn, it was already evening.

Director Cheng Tianwen thought for a moment and decided to adjust Xu Xishuang’s scenes for the day to connect with the confrontation scene from the previous night between Xu Xishuang and Yan Yushan.

In the script, after Yan Zheng led a team to search his home, Chen Muzhou realized he had drawn suspicion. He knew future actions would be under more scrutiny. But rather than immediately suspect he had exposed himself, his arrogance led him to suspect his subordinates first.

After identifying one possible leak, Chen Muzhou changed his clothes, put on his black mask, and headed to one of his properties to deal with the potential traitor.

This scene included minor action choreography. Xu Xishuang had already discussed it with the extras, asking them to avoid physical contact with him as much as possible.

Before filming officially began, he ran through the moves with his scene partner and found no problems. But watching from the side, Yan Yushan still looked uneasy and tried to talk Director Cheng into cutting the scene.

“There’s no need,” Xu Xishuang said, holding his water cup. “I can handle a bit of action.”

Yan Yushan hesitated but ultimately said nothing, silently taking Xu Xishuang’s cup and watching him head to set.

Yan Yao, watching quietly nearby, couldn’t help raising a knowing “auntie smile.”

Ever since she had let her fangirl side slip in front of Xu Xishuang, she had stopped caring and openly shipped them right to his face. After all, he wasn’t stopping her.

The set was ready. Xu Xishuang took a deep breath, put on his black mask, and stepped in.

This was one of the clubs Chen Muzhou owned. Outwardly, it offered KTV and other entertainment, bustling with guests. But behind closed doors, shady dealings took place. Most of Chen Muzhou’s intelligence network was fed through these backroom exchanges.

As soon as he entered, Chen Muzhou summoned the manager to report. He sat loftily on the sofa, waved away the women the staff had brought in, and coldly asked the bowing subordinate across from him, “What happened with that shipment we lost last month?”

“Slip-up,” the man muttered through clenched teeth. “Ran into an undercover cop.”

“Undercover cop” being slang for police.

Chen Muzhou set down his glass—it was still full, untouched. The sound of glass tapping glass echoed sharply. “Did you find the mole?”

The subordinate flinched and lifted his head slightly, trying to read Chen Muzhou’s expression through the dark mask. He failed, answering in a submissive tone, “We got him. I took care of it right away. Boss, I swear this won’t happen again.”

“Then how do I know,” Chen Muzhou said lazily, crossing his legs, “you’re not one of them?”

The moment Chen Muzhou slipped his hand into his pocket, the subordinate broke into a cold sweat. He thought the boss was pulling out a gun to execute him on the spot.

His boss was known for killing without hesitation. The last time they uncovered a mole, he had shot him before the man could even plead his case.

This subordinate did have a guilty conscience. The lost shipment had been compromised by undercover cops, but he later recovered half of it and kept it for himself. If the boss found out, he’d be done for. He figured it was better to strike first.

Heart pounding, he shouted a command, and the women waiting outside suddenly burst in. They weren’t really hostesses but were bodyguards he had placed as a last line of defense.

But Chen Muzhou was faster. Before anyone could enter, he leapt over the glass coffee table, pinned the traitor to the wall with a punch, snatched the man’s dagger from his waist, and held it to his neck.

The move was swift and fierce. But his mask, which wasn’t secured tightly, slipped off at the exact moment the blade slit the subordinate’s throat. Blood splashed across his face.

The look of pleasure from the kill vanished instantly. He blinked, red drops trailing from his dark lashes.

Clicking his tongue in frustration, Chen Muzhou let go of the man.

Everyone at the door saw it clearly. Their legendary boss, back to them, had killed their manager with a clean slash to the throat, then calmly bent down, picked up his fallen black mask, and put it back on.

No one dared speak. Their heads lowered, eyes averted—they were terrified of seeing his face and becoming the next victim.

At the sound of his footsteps, they stepped aside in silence, praying for him to leave quickly.

Chen Muzhou exited through a back passage. In a quiet, dim alley, he took off his mask and wiped the dried blood from his eyelid. Muttering to himself, “Glasses are definitely more convenient.”

At least with lenses, blood wouldn’t get in his eyes when he killed.

“Cut. Let’s reshoot the alley exit,” Director Cheng said. “Extras—look more terrified this time, alright?”

He turned to Xu Xishuang. “Xiao Xu, you okay?”

Xu Xishuang panted lightly. “I’m fine.”

Because the reshoot was coming up quickly, Xu Xishuang hadn’t completely stepped out of character. His face still carried Chen Muzhou’s chilling expression.

Yan Yushan accidentally locked eyes with him and was startled. That icy stare reminded him of how Xu Xishuang used to look at him when they first met.

Back then, Xu Xishuang’s eyes were cold, guarded, and unreadable. Yan Yushan had always assumed it was because of what happened that night—that Xu Xishuang resented him.

But now, looking into those same eyes, Yan Yushan suddenly wondered if he’d misunderstood. That gaze was the same as Chen Muzhou’s. Aloof, all-seeing, and indifferent—interested only in the things that truly mattered to him. Like…

Life and death.

Yan Yushan took a step forward, suddenly wanting to ask what Xu Xishuang really cared about but Xu Xishuang had already stepped up to the camera for the reshoot.

So he quietly stepped back.

There was no denying Chen Muzhou’s allure as a villain. He was completely ruthless. Even while killing, the only thing he cared about was whether blood got in his eyes—not the life he had just taken.

A character like that easily ignited the crowd’s adrenaline. Yan Yao covered her mouth with her hand to keep from screaming, replaying the image of Xu Xishuang wiping blood from his eye. Her mind was already churning out several edit concepts, all of them borderline inappropriate.

Yan Yushan couldn’t tear his eyes away either. But as soon as he realized it, he grew a bit concerned and pulled out his phone to message Dr. Xu.

Yan Yushan: “Dr. Xu, if Xu Xishuang films violent or bloody scenes during pregnancy, could that affect the baby?”

Dr. Xu had special notification tones for messages from his VIP donor and replied quickly.

Dr. Xu: “Depends on whether his emotional state fluctuates a lot.”

Yan Yushan glanced at Xu Xishuang and replied, “Not really.”

Xu Xishuang was an immersive actor. Chen Muzhou’s character was calm from beginning to end. He didn’t kill out of rage—it was for pleasure. So technically… Xu Xishuang might actually be in a good mood while filming.

Dr. Xu: “Then it’s fine.”

Dr. Xu: “But if you’re worried, play some legal-education shows as prenatal audio.”

Yan Yushan: …

Dr. Xu: “Just kidding, haha.”

Dr. Xu: “Still, make sure to come in for a checkup in a few weeks—monitor the baby’s growth and Xu Xishuang’s condition.”

Yan Yushan: “Got it.”

Dr. Xu: “By the way, the pregnancy oil I sent should’ve arrived—did you get it?”

Yan Yushan: “Yes, thank you.”

Dr. Xu followed up with a guide on how to apply it. Yan Yushan read carefully, memorized the instructions, and put his phone away.

Shooting wrapped up just before 9 p.m. Xu Xishuang was already dozing off in the van and nearly asleep by the time they returned to the hotel. Yan Yushan helped him into the elevator and walked him to his room.

Once they got inside, Xu Xishuang was suddenly wide awake. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he yawned, “I’m not sleeping yet—I need to shower. Come back later.”

Yan Yushan nodded and left.

While Xu Xishuang showered, Yan Yushan returned to his room, opened the package, and took out the two bottles of pregnancy oil. He checked the ingredients—no perfumes or additives. Safe. He reread the application instructions, then waited for Xu Xishuang’s message.

When it finally came, he got up from the sofa, grabbed the oil, and went to Xu Xishuang’s room.

Xu Xishuang was already in pajamas, his face buried in the pillow. He watched as Yan Yushan approached, waiting for the nightly chat with the baby.

“This is the pregnancy oil,” Yan Yushan said, holding up the bottle. “I mentioned it last night, but you were already asleep. Dr. Xu said your skin’s in good shape, so occasional use is enough. Let’s apply it tonight, okay?”

Xu Xishuang hesitated a second. “Where exactly… Do you apply this?”

The oil looked a lot like massage oil. He’d heard of those before because his cousin had once tried to drag him to a full-body session, which he refused. He hated the idea of feeling sticky all over and wasn’t comfortable being touched like that.

“Just the belly,” Yan Yushan replied. “Five to ten minutes.”

Xu Xishuang exhaled in relief, lifted the blanket, and pulled up his shirt. “Come on.”

The words sounded almost like an invitation, making Yan Yushan’s hands pause mid-motion.

He looked down, poured the oil into his palm, rubbed his hands together to warm it, and then gently placed them on Xu Xishuang’s belly.

Reading the instructions was one thing—doing it was another. The heat in his palms made it feel more intimate than he expected. He silently recited the calming chant he had learned for a monk role, drawing a slow circle with his hands. He felt Xu Xishuang twitch slightly.

“Was that too hard?” he asked.

Xu Xishuang buried his face deeper into the pillow and muttered, “No, just hurry up.”

Yan Yushan drew a breath and continued carefully. The instructions were clear. Be gentle, apply evenly, rub clockwise, and make sure the oil is fully absorbed to maximize effectiveness.

His hands brushed over the soft skin of Xu Xishuang’s belly, quivering ever so slightly with each stroke. He tried to focus on technique, but the more he recited his calming mantra, the faster it got. His body was heating up, and his fingers were already slipping elsewhere.

Up or down, it was all pink and temptingly soft. Just one glance could drive a man crazy.

As his fingers were about to slide under the hem of Xu Xishuang’s shirt, Xu Xishuang suddenly asked, “Time’s up?”

Yan Yushan jerked his hand back. “Yeah.”

By the time they were done, both of them were warm all over.

Watching Xu Xishuang pull his shirt back down, face flushed, Yan Yushan suddenly felt his throat dry. He hesitated, then said, “Actually… the inner thighs need oil too—”

“I’ll do it myself!” Xu Xishuang yanked the blanket over his body, holding his waistband tight. “Just leave the oil on the nightstand… I’ll handle it.”

His reaction was expected. Yan Yushan wasn’t too disappointed. He knew if Xu Xishuang really let him do it, he wouldn’t be able to stay composed.

Once the door clicked shut, Xu Xishuang finally relaxed. He stared at the bottle of pregnancy oil for a while then reached for it.