Xie Jianwei hadn’t seen Lu Li for two consecutive days. Even on the day he was discharged from the hospital, Lu Li did not come to pick him up.

Xie Jianwei unhappily said: “It seems that he was hooked away by that little goblin.1

Yan Ke thought in his heart: Except you, the little goblin, who else could hook the Marshal…

But all of this was also within their expectation, as long as they cooperate.

Xie Jianwei still has some work to do in M country—some shots need some retakes, and he also had to help on the film’s publicity. It goes without saying that Lu Li had already reminded him in advance, that he’s not allowed to tire himself too much; therefore, working became more pleasant.

In regards to his health, he didn’t feel any physical discomfort. Except for the fact that he slept more soundly at night, he felt nothing unusual about his body at all.

Lu Li continued to not show his face¾it seemed like he had disappeared from the face of the earth. Xie Jianwei, of course, should feel “unsettled”, thus , he sent a lot of text messages to Lu Li but to no avail. He then tried calling him but as a result, he only heard: The person you are trying to reach is unavailable at the moment, please try your call later. The person you are trying to reach is unava……

Unavailable your fart! Xie Jianwei put down his phone and instructed his assistant to keep on calling Lu Li’s number.

After dialing for seven or eight consecutive times, the operator’s message has changed: The number you have dialed has its phone powered off, please try your call later. The number you have dialed has its phone powered off, please…….

Xie Jianwei: “…”

Yán Kè happened to come in just then and took a casual glance at Xie Jianwei’s phone screen. Seeing so many outgoing calls, he was surprised: “What happened?”

With an expressionless face, Xie Jianwei replied: “I can’t contact Senior Lu.”

Yán Kè: “Speaking of which… I think I saw him on the set just now.”

Xie Jianwei immediately got up from his seat, wanting to go out, but Yán Kè pulled him back and looked at him with rare seriousness: “What the hell is going on?”

Xie Jianwei briefly described the situation.

Yán Kè frowned: “You couldn’t get in touch with him these past few days?”

Xie Jianwei: “Yeah.”

Yán Kè thought of something but he paused. Still, in the end, he slowly said: “Maybe… Film Emperor Lu wants to break with you?”

Xie Jianwei was visibly startled.

Yán Kè looked at his expression, and carefully said: “In fact, it’s almost time…you…”

Xie Jianwei closed his eyes, and after opening them again, his eyes became calm: “It doesn’t matter if he wants to break up, but he should at least make everything clear.”

Yán Kè observed the young man for a while. Seeing that he wasn’t too agitated, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief: Perhaps… Xie Jianwei indeed only regarded Film Emperor Lu as a mere Gold Master, and nothing more.

********

At the 《Star Battle2》’s celebratory dinner, Xie Jianwei finally saw the long-lost Lu Li. (t/n: )

Their eyes met.

Xie Jianwei was about to walk over, but someone caught his eyes— a man who was currently beside Lu Li…

——Xie Zhiwei.

The way the two men wore the same tailored suits speaks how intimate their relationship is.

Xie Jianwei’s footsteps stopped, his brows furrowed.

Yán Kè, who was by his side, carefully tugged at the corner of his clothes and said, “You mustn’t go over there….”

Of course, Xie Jianwei won’t go there.

Yán Kè said to him, “I only heard about it recently. It turns out that Film Emperor Lu already had someone dear to his heart..” he  pouted for a second then continued, “…And that person is the one standing by his side ¾ the third young master of the Xie family, who used to be so unattainable  but has now fallen from the clouds to accompany us, mortals.”

Xie Jianwei remained silent.

“I must say, the reason why he acts like he likes y…” Yán Kè stopped midsentence,  then took a glance at Xie Jianwei.

Xie Jianwei added for him: “.., is because I am a stand-in for that person.”

Yán Kè patted him on the shoulder and said, “Don’t take it to heart.  In the first place,  the relationship you two had was merely a ‘mutually beneficial’ one.”

Xie Jianwei smiled ironically. He didn’t go to Lu Li, so Lu Li would naturally not come to him. After all, he was very busy¾ busy being close to that White Moonlight.

Yan Ke couldn’t help reminding Xie Jianwei: [My lord, control your expression!  You have to act like this is nothing! We have to cooperate with this “show” of theirs!]

Xie Jianwei: [I know.]

Yan Ke: [I am relieved that you know.]

Xie Jianwei said coldly, [but I’m still angry.]

Yan Ke: [….]  Did I turned on the recording? Damn,  I missed the opportunity to make a fortune! If I can record the footage of Military Advisor Xie being jealous, the Marshal will definitely give me an official rank!

Once Lu Li and Xie Zhiwei starts being ‘together’, Xie Jianwei’s script would be like this:

He won’t angry nor get sad, because he doesn’t love Lu Li. He has to give them his blessings and congratulate the Lu Li for getting what he wants.

He has to act like such, and he has to do it well!

""

Otherwise, if Lu Li finds out that he’s unhappy, it will reveal his true feelings.

If that happens, if Lu Li realizes that he(xjw) loves him (LL) ,  then……

Oh my mother, the consequences would be too much.3

If Xie Jianwei feels extremely upset or suffers from heartbreak, Da-Li would go crazy.

The Marshal’s personality is like this: Him suffering is fine —even if he gets stabbed with thirty broadswords in his heart, his expression won’t even change. But if you touch his wife, the Military Advisor, he’ll definitely act out, and violently at that.

Xie Jianwei socialized as usual, but instead of wine, he drank a lot of juice and when he felt his bladder full, he went to the restroom to solve the problem.

Just when he got to the sink to wash his hands, Xie Zhiwei suddenly came in and he could tell that the latter was waiting for him.

With a face full of shame, Xie Zhiwei called out to him in a cautious tone: “Jianwei…”

Xie Jianwei’s head remained low while washing his hands, without looking at the unexpected guest.

Xie Zhiwei spoke with embarrassment: “I… I and Lu Li…”

Xie Jianwei looked at Xie Zhiwei through the mirror: “Are you together?”

Xie Zhiwei lowered his eyes and said, “I’m sorry.”

Xie Jianwei said, “ Is there anything to be sorry about? I have made a deal with him a long time ago. If he finds someone he likes, we will cut off the relationship we had. “

Xie Zhiwei was still uneasy and said: “I really… can’t forget him.”

“Okay.” Xie Jianwei said with some slight annoyance in his tone, “Don’t disgust me with these public affections. Do whatever you want. Just give me a generous ‘breakup fee’ and we’re even.”

After saying those words, he turned around and left without hesitation.

Xie Zhiwei stood in the bathroom, and the corners of my mouth lifted.

Xie Jianwei was about to go out of the bathroom and when opened the door, he saw a man standing outside.

This was obviously arranged beforehand.  Xie Zhiwei knew that Lu Li was outside.

Xie Jianwei was stunned for a second, and then he laughed and said, “He’s inside.” Both of them  knew who he was referring to.

Lu Li motionlessly stared at him.

After a moment’s thought Xie Jianwei said, “Actually, you don’t have to stop answering your phone just to hide it from me. We already made an agreement before, so why do yo¾”

“Do you ……”  Lu Li cut in. He wanted to ask, Do you really not care?, but those words got caught in his throat.

Seeing as Lu Li didn’t say anything after two words, Xie Jianwei resumed speaking: “To be honest, This situation is kinda making me uncomfortable4. Because you know, Xie Zhiwei is my older brother. You were fucking5 the little brother previously and now, the older brother. That somewhat leaves a bad taste in the mouth, doesn’t it?”

Lu Li just stood there, with his thin lips almost pressed into a line, emitting a cold and vulnerable atmosphere.

Xie Jianwei smiled again, and added: “Or is it the opposite? The older brother was the first and then you went for the younger brother next? Well… it doesn’t matter, who doesn’t have a special hobby.”

As he walked passed Lu Li, he said: “I wish you two a sweet and happy life as a couple and may the both of you live and grow old together.”

But Lu Li suddenly grasped Xie Jianwei’s wrist tightly.

Xie Jianwei turned to him with a puzzled look.

Lu Li didn’t know how he made any sound. He only knew that when he began to speak, his chest and throat became hot, as if what he was breathing in and out wasn’t air but a fiery magma.

“I’m with Xie Zhiwei.”

Xie Jianwei’s face remained as usual: “I know.”

“You really don’t care?”

Xie Jianwei smiled, “Of course I do…” He winked then leaned close to Lu Li, almost touching his ear as he said:  “Where could I find another good senior like you now that we’ve broken up? After all…you were a pleasant companion.” The last two words he said were very ambiguous.

Lu Li finally released his hand.

“I won’t become the third-party in someone else’s relationship, but if you and my brother split-up, you are welcome to come and find me again.”

After throwing that knife, Military Advisor Xie left gracefully.

Yan Ke’s liver trembled from the “abuse” he just witnessed.  [My lord, just now, weren’t you too…] cruel?

Xie Jianwei: [Just a little bit.]

Yan Ke: […]

Xie Jianwei: [But if Lu Li really did something like that…..]

Yan Ke quickly replied: [The Marshal would never betray you!]

Xie Jianwei: [Right, he can’t hide anything from me, so if he cheats on me, then…… “

Yan Ke felt that the last three words of that sentence would be—I’ll kill him. (t/n: xjw just went yandere omo)

In the past, he thought that it was only the Marshal who had a strong desire for exclusivity, but in fact…..Military Advisor Xie was no exception!

It’s just that Military Advisor Xie never had the chance to show this side of his because he uses his brain so well and he knows that his lover’s characteristic is like that of a loyal dog.

In fact, the degree of each of their jealousy could equally destroy the heaven and earth.

.

.

In order to make it more realistic, Xie Jianwei continued with his acting after returning to the celebration hall from the restroom.

He deliberately pulled Yán ‘The Gossipy Aunt’ Kè to chat where Lu Li and Xie Jianwei would pass by.

Yán Kè was anxious: “Film Emperor Lu won’t make things difficult for you, will he?”

Xie Jianwei: “Why would he? It was he who abandoned me first. I’m the one who should feel hurt and sad.”

Yán Kè mumbled, “I don’t see where you’re sad…”

Xie Jianwei:” “I am very sad,”

Yán Kè roasted him: “Stop pretending!  Don’t think that I don’t know what you’re truly thinking! I’m warning you now that you’ve gain some fame: Don’t mess around anymore after we return to China. I swear I’ll beat you to death if you get caught doing something scandalous.”

Xie Jianwei smiled: “Why do you want to go back to China?? The girls here in M country are very energetic.”

Yán Kè was speechless for a moment: “…You! That’s enough! …You can still get hard on women?”

Xie Jianwei: “Oh please! I originally prefer women.”

Yán Kè thought about the past and said: “Right …… you had a lot of female companions before you met Film emperor Lu.”

But then, Xie Jianwei changed his tune again: “However, it’s better to wait until we get back to China, I’m not too physically fit lately and I’m afraid I won’t be able to handle the M country’s beauties that are full of energy, so I’d better practice first.”

Yán Kè scolded Xie Jianwei again, and the two gradually moved away.

Standing behind the wall were two men— Lu Li and Xie Zhiwei.

________

Translator’s notes:

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