LOI Chapter 26 — Casual Chat

Rong Ke didn’t have many clothes to wash, so it seemed wasteful to do a separate load. He asked Yan Zhi, “Do you have any laundry to do?”

Yan Zhi, who had been on the phone with someone on the balcony, returned to the living room and said, “Yes, I’m going to shower now.”

Both of their casual wear was light-colored, so Rong Ke tossed them into the washing machine together.

He returned to the living room to continue reading the script. Not long after—precisely within fifteen minutes, which was also the root of Rong Ke’s sullied reputation—Yan Zhi emerged from his shower wearing nothing but white briefs, just like Rong Ke.

Yan Zhi’s skin was fair, his muscle definition clear. At first glance, he resembled a Renaissance sculpture.

The boxer briefs clung tightly to his well-endowed areas, front and back. As he strode over on long legs, the undulations beneath the fabric were particularly eye-catching.

The pristine white seemed to purify all filth, yet it stirred improper thoughts in Rong Ke’s mind.

He had never understood before why Yan Zhi claimed white was erotic, but now he seemed to grasp it.

Because it was both sacred and obscene.

—Harboring indecent thoughts about one’s ‘sister’ was truly inappropriate. Rong Ke silently repented to the heavens for a moment.

“Why aren’t you dressed?” He lifted his gaze from the enticing view to Yan Zhi’s face.

“Following your example.” Yan Zhi plopped down cross-legged beside Rong Ke. “It’s really comfortable streaking.”

“…This is not called streaking¹.”

Yan Zhi glanced at the script in Rong Ke’s hands and asked, “Is this role challenging for you?”

“Somewhat, but not overly so,” Rong Ke replied. “His emotions are very externalized, without much internal conflict. The key is to maintain control and not overact.”

Suddenly, Yan Zhi formed his hand into a gun shape, pointing it at Rong Ke’s temple. In his dubbing voice, he dramatically declared, “Let us go, or I’ll take you down with me.”

This was Lao San’s² line from the script, from the first major fight scene when Sha Ya discovers their hideout.

Rong Ke immediately caught on that this eccentric prince was acting out the scene.

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, a hint of madness tinged his gaze.

“You’re welcome to try,” he turned, pressing his forehead against Yan Zhi’s finger. “Let’s see if your little flame can set me ablaze.”

“Pew!” Yan Zhi mimicked a gunshot, then spun around and fled to the bedroom. “You’ve been hit by my fireball! You must retreat five meters!”

“Hmm.” Rong Ke crossed his arms, patiently counting down. “Five, four, three…”

When the countdown ended, he rolled his neck and strode confidently to the bedroom, immediately spotting Yan Zhi hiding under the covers.

—In the script, Lao San had hidden behind a pile of debris.

“Why did you stop running?” Rong Ke lifted the covers, pressing his body against Yan Zhi. “Have your brothers and sisters abandoned you?”

“You’ll never catch them.” Yan Zhi cupped his right hand, conjuring an imaginary fireball, then slapped it against Rong Ke’s body…

Effectively smacking Rong Ke off the bed onto the floor.

Rubbing his sore backside, Rong Ke broke character, “Not only do I have rapid regeneration, but my physical abilities are also superior to yours. You can’t overpower me.”

“Sorry,” Yan Zhi repositioned himself, laying down again and looked like he was ready to be slaughtered. “Let’s try again.”

“Can’t we put on some clothes before attempting this scene?” Despite his words, Rong Ke climbed back onto the bed, his knee wedging between Yan Zhi’s legs, pinning him down firmly. “It’s starting to feel like we’re shooting a porno.”

Yan Zhi cocked his head, curious. “You’ve done that before?”

Rong Ke grabbed Yan Zhi’s throat, bringing his lips close to his cheek. In the villain Sha Ya’s tone, he growled, “What the hell are you talking about, hm?”

He forced Yan Zhi’s chin up, his lips inching closer to the corner of Yan Zhi’s mouth. Raising an eyebrow slightly, he whispered, “Or is it that you want to make one with me?”

This wasn’t in the script; it was Rong Ke’s improvisation as he embodied Sha Ya.

Sha Ya’s character was unhinged. Faced with an alluring prince, he’d naturally toy with him.

Yan Zhi’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t respond—or rather, couldn’t, with Rong Ke gripping his jaw.

“We can shoot one if you’d like.” Rong Ke increased his grip, his eyes brimming with barely contained excitement. “I won’t hold back if I hurt you.”

—Rong Ke felt this was far enough.

He didn’t expect Yan Zhi to reciprocate, and one-sided improvisation wasn’t interesting.

However, just as he was about to get off Yan Zhi, Yan Zhi suddenly wrapped his arms around Rong Ke’s waist, pulling him close, pressing their identical white briefs tightly together.

“Keep going,” Yan Zhi challenged, looking at Rong Ke provocatively. “Come and hurt me.”

Hold on, Rong Ke thought, glancing down at where their bodies met. This is getting a bit too steamy, ‘sister’.

He lifted his head, about to comment, when Yan Zhi flipped him over, pressing down on him and asking, “What’s wrong? Scared?”

“Wait a second,” Rong Ke protested. “This isn’t your character. You’re supposed to be afraid.”

Yan Zhi narrowed his eyes. “I’m the director. I haven’t called cut, so stay in character.”

“Huh?” Rong Ke complained, “Since when are you the director?”

“Because I say so.” Yan Zhi’s dominance ignored Rong Ke’s protests. “Now, continue.”

He gripped Rong Ke’s chin, his lips descending directly.

Rong Ke had never seen Yan Zhi so aggressive. As their noses drew closer, his mind blanked, pupils quaking. But just as their lips were a hair’s breadth apart, Yan Zhi suddenly halted, pulling back slightly. Looking at the thoroughly startled Rong Ke, he smirked and said, “You didn’t catch my cue.”

“Fuck.” Rong Ke’s heart nearly stopped. He couldn’t help but curse. “Who improvises like that?”

He’d genuinely thought Yan Zhi was going to kiss him. He had to admit, this His Royal Highness’s acting was quite convincing.

“You started it,” Yan Zhi said. “Am I not allowed to improvise too?”

“Fine, you just wait.” Rong Ke felt oddly embarrassed. “Next time we’ll act with our clothes on.”

It wasn’t that Rong Ke lacked professionalism, but both of them wearing only underwear was seriously affecting his performance.

Yan Zhi had always been carefree, utterly lacking any concept of boundaries, and Rong Ke was used to it.

But he couldn’t be like that. After all, if he also lacked boundaries like Yan Zhi, then…

Things between the two ‘sisters’ might get a bit ambiguous.

“Alright, alright.” Rong Ke pushed Yan Zhi off him. “I’m going back to my room.”

Two days later, the audition went smoothly, and Rong Ke successfully landed the role of Sha Ya.

News of his participation in “Patchwork Family” spread quickly, stirring up another small wave of online discussion.

The main cast was also finalized. Zhou Lin and Liu Qing would play the eldest and third siblings, Xin Ran secured the role of the second sibling, and two new young actors would play the fourth and fifth.

The costume fitting photos were taken separately, so Rong Ke didn’t run into Liu Qing. However, he knew they’d inevitably have scenes together.

As long as Liu Qing remained professional and could complete his scenes properly, Rong Ke didn’t mind being in the same production.

The day before joining the crew, Rong Ke went to MQ’s office for an interview.

He arrived with Yan Zhi right at the start of office hours, immediately heading to the makeup room. His brief appearance set off a storm in the MQ work group chat.

[Yan Wang’s³ CP is in the office!!!]
[Saw him in person, turns out the New Year’s cover wasn’t photoshopped. He’s so handsome in real life]
[Did you notice? He’s wearing that BLCG coat Yan Wang wore before]
[I reasonably suspect they’re already living together]
[No need to suspect, they are living together. They use the same perfume]

After taking several sets of photos in the studio, Rong Ke went to Yan Zhi’s office.

He’d previously seen a cityscape photo in Yan Zhi’s album, and now his guess was confirmed—it was indeed the view from Yan Zhi’s office.

Yan Zhi leaned back in his office chair, legs casually crossed, and pressed the record button on the voice recorder. “I’m starting. Let’s keep this casual.”

Rong Ke nodded. “Okay.”

“After filming ‘Inferno Case’, you were shelved by your former agency. Why was that?” Yan Zhi asked.

“…” Rong Ke paused briefly. “Wait, you’re starting with something this explosive?”

“Just casual chat,” Yan Zhi said. “It might not make it into the article.”

Rong Ke didn’t believe him.

“Change the question,” he said. “Stop stirring up trouble.”

Yan Zhi didn’t respond, but raised his right hand, forming a fist.

Rong Ke immediately understood. They began a game of rock-paper-scissors, best two out of three. Rong Ke won.

“Fine.” Yan Zhi reluctantly looked at his outline and asked the next question. “Your role in ‘Chasing Ice’ was deeply impactful, even leading some to believe you had a history of drug use. How did you portray it so convincingly?”

“I’ve had many jobs. When I worked at a bar, I saw what real drug users were like…”

The interview gradually got on track, with Rong Ke sharing many of his experiences.

Though Yan Zhi occasionally asked off-topic questions, like whether actors ever truly fall for each other during intimate scenes, Rong Ke always managed to bring the conversation back.

An hour flew by. As they neared the end, Yan Zhi strayed from the outline again. “Do you plan on starting a new relationship soon?”

“What do you mean by ‘new’? Doesn’t that imply I just ended an old one?” Rong Ke said. “Your interview style leaves nothing to the imagination.”

“This is really just casual talk now.” Yan Zhi turned off the voice recorder. “It won’t be in the article.”

Seeing Yan Zhi was no longer recording, Rong Ke relaxed, leaning back lazily in his chair. “No, I don’t want to date anymore.”

“Why not?” Yan Zhi asked.

“It’s pointless.”

Yan Zhi rested his elbow on the armrest, fingers supporting his cheek. “Do you have an ideal type?”

“No,” Rong Ke swayed in his chair, then after some thought, added, “If I had to say, someone decent-looking who treats me well and doesn’t deceive me would be enough.”

…Doesn’t deceive?

Yan Zhi raised an eyebrow, feeling oddly guilty.

He sat up straighter, interlacing his fingers on his lap, and asked out of the blue, “If there’s a bottom, I mean hypothetically, who always thought he was a bottom, but later discovered he actually prefers being a top, do you think that’s possible?”

“You mean switching from bottom to top?” Rong Ke was puzzled by this sudden shift to sexual preferences. But he quickly realized Yan Zhi must be hinting at something.

Yes, it must be a hint.

On New Year’s Eve, Rong Ke had made a risqué joke. Perhaps that had sparked something in Yan Zhi, making him hope Rong Ke might switch from bottom to top, letting Yan Zhi experience the other side.

Why else would he bring up the topic of relationships?

Rong Ke had just said he had no plans to date, so wasn’t this perfect for “sisters” to help each other out?

Rong Ke began to consider that if it were Yan Zhi, he might not mind sacrificing himself to let his good ‘sister’ enjoy himself.

…Though being the top was a bit tiring.

Plus, Rong Ke had never topped before, so he wasn’t sure if he could satisfy Yan Zhi.

After careful deliberation, Rong Ke said, “Let’s talk about this later.”

Yan Zhi: “?”