LOI Chapter 29 — Overdoing It

When the fourth episode of “Patchwork Family” was being filmed, the first episode premiered on the video streaming platform.

On the day of the release, Weibo was abuzz with activity.

Firstly, Jiang Si’s starring movie “Meihua Lane¹” hit theaters, with promotional content flooding the trending topics. Secondly, the end credits of “Patchwork Family” listed the cast in order of appearance, with Zhou Lin and Xin Ran ranking first and second, while Rong Ke surprisingly placed third, pushing Liu Qing to fourth. The public square was filled with Liu Qing’s fans’ outrage.

Moreover, Sha Ya, who only appeared for 30 seconds in the first episode, garnered significant attention. Many TV and film bloggers shared clips of Sha Ya’s self-harm scene, with comments unanimously questioning, “What? Is this Rong Ke again?”

#Rong Ke Unhinged Version# briefly climbed to the top three on the entertainment chart, though it didn’t stay long as he didn’t have a team to continue promoting it.

However, another trending topic about Rong Ke appeared on the main chart.

Sha Ya often wore sunglasses, which were from SPL, one of the show’s sponsors.

At the end of the first episode, upon learning the main characters’ whereabouts, Sha Ya pressed his middle finger on the center of his sunglasses, slowly lowering them to the bridge of his nose, revealing a roguishly handsome smile.

SPL officials used this short clip as an advertisement, which went viral. Within three hours, the same model of sunglasses sold out across all platforms.

Searching for Rong Ke-related content on Weibo revealed many fans eagerly anticipating Sha Ya’s official debut, but also a large number of Liu Qing’s fans viciously attacking Rong Ke.

“I heard it was the director’s decision,” Zhou Lin said as he ran into Rong Ke leaving the studio after finishing the day’s shoot.

The two had been sharing more scenes lately, providing more opportunities to chat.

Rong Ke didn’t understand Zhou Lin’s comment and asked, “What?”

“The list order,” Zhou Lin lowered his voice, “You’re ranked above Liu Qing.”

Rong Ke could guess why; among the main cast, Luo Bi was least satisfied with Liu Qing.

But Liu Qing hadn’t done anything particularly extreme, and given the filming schedule couldn’t be delayed, Luo Bi was merely dissatisfied with Liu Qing, not looking to replace him.

“Do you think I should thank the director?” Rong Ke chuckled self-deprecatingly, continuing to walk with his hands in his pockets.

“His fans are really not easy to deal with,” Zhou Lin matched Rong Ke’s pace, draping an arm over his shoulder. “Want to grab a drink later?”

Before Rong Ke could respond, Zhou Lin added, “You stood me up last time for karaoke. Can’t do that again, right?”

Realizing he had no plans for the evening, Rong Ke agreed with a simple “Sure.”

Rong Ke drove himself while Zhou Lin took a nanny car, and they headed back to the hotel separately.

After removing his makeup and changing into comfortable clothes, Rong Ke arrived at the hotel lobby at the agreed time, but only saw Zhou Lin.

“Where are the others?” Rong Ke asked.

“What others?” Zhou Lin led Rong Ke forward, “Just you and me.”

Rong Ke’s steps faltered.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the car keys in Zhou Lin’s hand. He asked, “Where are we drinking?”

“A bar my friend owns,” Zhou Lin walked to the car parked outside the hotel, gesturing for Rong Ke to get in. “It’s near the Fourth Ring Road, we’ll get there quickly by car.”

Rong Ke stopped, suddenly not wanting to go.

If they were heading back to the city, he’d rather go see a certain prince than drink with Zhou Lin.

But Zhou Lin had already brought the car out, and it felt awkward to refuse now.

Wait, going could work too.

A brilliant idea popped into his head, and Rong Ke started walking again, getting into Zhou Lin’s passenger seat.

“You clearly lack experience as a celebrity,” Zhou Lin grabbed a baseball cap from the backseat and put it on Rong Ke’s head. “Don’t think no one will recognize you.”

Rong Ke pressed down on the cap’s brim with one hand while messaging Yan Zhi with the other.

[Rong Ke: What are you up to?]
[Yan Zhi: Preparing the May issue cover]

Isn’t that Jiang Si’s issue?

Rong Ke continued typing.

[Rong Ke: Are you free?]
[Rong Ke: Come out for drinks]
[Yan Zhi: Address]

With less traffic at night, Zhou Lin drove for just over half an hour before reaching the bar near the Fourth Ring Road.

Although Yan Zhi was closer, the city center was full of red lights, so he arrived a bit later than Rong Ke and Zhou Lin.

“Let me introduce you, this is Zhou Lin,” Rong Ke led Yan Zhi to the booth, then told Zhou Lin, “This is Yan Zhi.”

Everyone except Rong Ke seemed surprised.

Amidst the noisy bar, Yan Zhi tilted his head towards Rong Ke’s ear and asked, “You invited me out for drinks, but there’s someone else?”

Rong Ke leaned in to Yan Zhi’s ear and said, “Introducing you to a friend.”

“Hello,” Zhou Lin stood up and shook hands with Yan Zhi, then asked Rong Ke, “Are you two really dating? I thought it was just a rumor.”

Yan Zhi parted his lips, about to say “It’s not a rumor,” but Rong Ke had already answered, “No, we’re just good buddies.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Lin smiled, gesturing for Yan Zhi to sit down and opening a bottle of beer for him.

“He plays the eldest brother in ‘Patchwork Family,'” Rong Ke told Yan Zhi. “His superpower is mind-reading, the one you like.”

Yan Zhi took a sip of beer, vaguely feeling something off about those words.

“You thought my mermaid scene was pretty good, right?” Rong Ke said to Zhou Lin. “He was the one who planned it.”

“Ah, I know,” Zhou Lin exchanged a glance with Yan Zhi, both seeing confusion in each other’s eyes.

“This buddy of mine used to work in Europe and only returned to China late last year,” Rong Ke continued. “Though he often attends fashion events here, his social circle is still quite limited.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Lin raised his bottle, clinking it with Yan Zhi’s. “We’re all friends now.”

Yan Zhi responded with a quiet “Mm.”

“He’s single now,” Rong Ke added to Zhou Lin.

At this point, both men at the table understood what was happening.

Just then, Zhou Lin’s phone screen lit up. He glanced at it and said, “I need to go greet a friend. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Rong Ke nodded. “Sure.”

After Zhou Lin left, Rong Ke nudged Yan Zhi with his elbow and asked, “So, what do you think?”

Yan Zhi frowned slightly. “What do I think about what?”

“I work with him every day on set. He seems like a nice guy, very friendly and easy to get along with,” Rong Ke said.

The lighting in the booth was dim, and Rong Ke couldn’t tell if it was his imagination, but Yan Zhi’s face seemed to darken.

“So,” Yan Zhi set his beer bottle down on the table with a thud, “you weren’t introducing me to a friend. You were actually introducing me to a man.”

“He mentioned before that he’s gay and single,” Rong Ke explained. “Weren’t you feeling a bit lonely lately? It’s good to meet more people. Who knows, you might hit it off.”

“You…” Yan Zhi took a deep breath, feeling his temple throb.

He took another sip of beer to calm himself, then asked, “Why did he tell you he’s single?”

“It just came up in conversation,” Rong Ke said.

“Did it just come up, or was he hinting at something?” Yan Zhi pressed.

“Hinting?” Rong Ke looked confused. “Hinting at what?”

“Hinting that you could go to his room,” Yan Zhi said.

Rong Ke found it amusing and playfully tapped Yan Zhi’s chest with the back of his hand. “What are you thinking? He’s a good guy, not that calculating.”

Yan Zhi wanted to say, “What can you see? You haven’t noticed a single one of my countless schemes.” But he swallowed his words and only said, “Your judgment of men is flawed.”

“Just chat with him for a bit,” Rong Ke said, seeing nothing wrong. “If nothing else, you’ll make a new friend.”

When Zhou Lin returned to the booth, Yan Zhi’s lack of enthusiasm was palpable. For every ten things Rong Ke said, Yan Zhi would barely muster a disinterested response.

Rong Ke seemed to think that this was not possible and that Yan Zhi had to take the initiative to chat, so he excused himself to the restroom, leaving the two alone.

Finally, Yan Zhi turned to Zhou Lin with a direct gaze. “Are you pursuing Rong Ke?”

His bluntness left no room for ambiguity.

Zhou Lin hadn’t initially intended this, but finding the situation amusing, he twirled his glass and countered, “Why, is that not allowed?”

“It’s not,” Yan Zhi said gravely. “If you make a move on him, I’ll make a move on you.”

Without further explanation, Zhou Lin understood the dual meaning of “move.”

One meant pursuit, the other meant blacklisting in the fashion industry.

Zhou Lin leaned back against the sofa and changed the subject. “Didn’t he say your Chinese wasn’t good? It seems fine to me.”

“It means I’ve conveyed my point effectively,” Yan Zhi steered the conversation back.

“Speaking of which,” Zhou Lin leaned forward, elbows on his knees, “I heard Jiang Si lost quite a few fashion resources. Was that your doing?”

“You’d do well to remember that,” Yan Zhi said.

“I see,” Zhou Lin nodded. “So Jiang Si was also pursuing Rong Ke?”

Yan Zhi raised an eyebrow, thinking he hadn’t misjudged after all—this man wasn’t as simple as Rong Ke claimed.

He leaned forward, looking Zhou Lin in the eye. “You’re welcome to ask Jiang Si about it.”

Zhou Lin had only been asking casually, not wanting to provoke this formidable figure.

He smiled, clinking his glass against Yan Zhi’s to ease the tension.

“But I don’t understand why he’d introduce us,” Zhou Lin said. “I don’t look like a bottom, do I?”

Yan Zhi averted his gaze and leaned back. “His thought process is just strange like that.”

“And if you’re so possessive of him, why haven’t you made him yours?” Zhou Lin pressed. “Is he beyond even your reach?”

Yan Zhi didn’t answer, or rather, he had never considered this question before.

Just then, Rong Ke returned to the booth and asked, “What are you two talking about?”

Zhou Lin smirked, implying, “The topic of romance.”

“Really?” Rong Ke looked at Yan Zhi with surprise. “You actually discuss such topics with others?”

Feeling irritated, Yan Zhi asked, “How long do you plan to keep drinking?”

His Royal Highness was clearly unhappy.

Rong Ke found it strange. Could introducing a friend really upset Yan Zhi this much?

“Let’s call it a night then,” Rong Ke said to Zhou Lin, unable to figure out the reason.

“Alright,” Zhou Lin stood up. “Shall we head back to the set?”

Rong Ke was about to agree, but noticing Yan Zhi’s expression, he said, “You go ahead. We have some matters to discuss.”

–

Yan Zhi had driven his Ferrari to the bar, and a designated driver couldn’t accommodate two passengers.

Rong Ke called a car. The ride home wasn’t conducive to conversation, so it wasn’t until they were back at the house that he found the opportunity to ask Yan Zhi, “Are you angry with me?”

“No,” Yan Zhi replied, removing his jacket and opening a bottle of red wine.

“Don’t think I can’t tell you’re sulking,” Rong Ke leaned against the dining table, arms crossed, watching Yan Zhi. “Tell me, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t like that person,” Yan Zhi said, pulling out a chair and sitting at the table.

“I understand,” Rong Ke sighed. “It’s my fault. I should have given you a heads up.”

“It’s not about that,” Yan Zhi said. “Just don’t try to set me up with anyone in the future.”

“Why?” Rong Ke was genuinely puzzled.

Putting himself in Yan Zhi’s shoes, he wouldn’t be this upset if someone tried to introduce him to a potential boyfriend, would he?

“Because I have very high standards,” Yan Zhi drained his wine glass and retreated to his bedroom.

—In truth, that wasn’t it at all.

Yan Zhi knew exactly why he was irritated.

He wanted everyone to see Rong Ke as the gem he was, but he disliked anyone coveting his treasure.

Yes, he suddenly realized, he thought of Rong Ke as his exclusive treasure.

But Rong Ke trying to set him up with someone only proved one thing:

Rong Ke had absolutely no romantic interest in him whatsoever.

Damn it.

He’d overdone the act of pretending to be a bottom.