Chapter 41

Yuan Ye had expressed his opinions to the director long ago too. He was only accepting a small portion of a screenwriter’s usual salary for appearance’s sake, because he wasn’t here for the money. Thus, there was also no need to put his name in the credits. This wasn’t simply a matter of whether or not the script was good; he didn’t want to add his name in no matter how good the movie was. In the past, Yuan Ye had rejected several invitations to be a screenwriter. Among them, many had been from people he was familiar with or had worked with before. He had rejected all of them.

If they heard that he was an on-site screenwriter for this movie, it would be pretty comical and quite difficult to explain.

He had come here this time purely for Fang Shaoyi. It was a very simple reason.

Yuan Ye headed over to greet the director after returning. This was also his way of notifying the other that he was back from vacation. The director had waited for him for several days. When Yuan Ye was on set, the two of them argued everyday. After he left, the director had no one to argue with anymore. He felt quite unused to this, always feeling like something was off when he discussed the script with others.

The director’s door wasn’t closed. Yuan Ye simply pushed it open and walked in. The director noticed him and made a sarcastic noise of surprise. “Oh, Teacher Yuan’s back?”

Yuan Ye rubbed his head and said with a grin, “Don’t tease me, Leader.”

Jiang Linchuan scoffed. “Who’s your leader? Which subordinate would leave their leader behind and run off on their own?”

“Ey ey ey, spare me.” Yuan Ye clasped his hands together. He was still very smiley as he said, “You’re my leader, my big leader.”

There was one scene that Jiang Linchuan had been waiting to discuss with him. Thus, as soon as Yuan Ye got back, he was held captive by the director for four hours. In the end, Yuan Ye already felt sleepy, but the director still made no indication of wanting to let him go. Yuan Ye forced his eyes open and continued the discussion, only leaving when he honestly couldn’t stay awake anymore. Prior to returning to his room, he first visited Fang Shaoyi’s room. Fang Shaoyi had just finished exercising and was in the shower. Yuan Ye pushed open the shower door and walked in, scaring Fang Shaoyi. With eyes practically closed, Yuan Ye kissed the other: the kiss landed on Fang Shaoyi’s nose.

The water splashed all over Yuan Ye. Fang Shaoyi turned off the water and asked, “What are you doing?”

Yuan Ye was barely able to open his mouth to speak. He mumbled, “I’m heading back to sleep now. I’m so sleepy.”

“Then go. Why’d you have to get yourself all wet?” Fang Shaoyi replied.

The corners of Yuan Ye’s mouth tugged up into a smile. After, he reached out and hugged Fang Shaoyi, then smiled and said, “I missed you.”

Fang Shaoyi’s heart felt warm after noticing how tired Yuan Ye was. He was just about to say something else, but Yuan Ye had already turned around and left. He truly was too sleepy to do anything else. Yuan Ye even wished he could walk with his eyes closed. Fang Shaoyi burst into laughter. He and Yuan Ye hadn’t contacted each other very often during the time Yuan Ye had been gone. They were past that age, so no longer messaged each other incessantly when they couldn’t see each other. Yuan Ye had left to deal with his own business. Fang Shaoyi needed to film too. They couldn’t call each other everyday.

Yuan Ye was simply leaving Fang Shaoyi a message. We haven’t seen each other in several days, but I didn’t stop thinking about you.

Fang Shaoyi’s birthday was in April. The day before his birthday, filming started at sunset. This scene was one where Sen Cha snuck into the blacksmith’s shop at night to find clues. However, this was actually a trap set by the blacksmith. The two fought in the dark. In the end, Sen Cha’s arm got wounded, so he ran.

After repeated attempts, there always seemed to be something missing. The director didn’t feel completely satisfied. Yuan Ye glanced at his phone. It was already three in the morning. Fang Shaoyi had already told Yuan Ye to head back and rest many times during his breaks in between shots. It was no use to stay up with the crew. Yuan Ye didn’t try to argue. He agreed, but didn’t actually leave.

When they finished this scene, it was just past four. Everyone was a bit tired. The lights were still off on set, rendering their surroundings half-dark. The director said into his speaker, “Don’t turn on the lights yet. Everyone has worked hard today. Get a lot of rest later. Catch up on sleep during the day tomorrow.”

Before he could finish speaking, someone suddenly pushed a cake out from behind Fang Shaoyi. It was a triple-layered cake with candles. Fang Shaoyi watched this scene unfold, a faint smile on his face. He even turned to look at Yuan Ye. This dummy had stayed up all night too. Fang Shaoyi wanted him to hurry and head back to sleep.

When he made eye contact with Yuan Ye, the other was smiling. He was holding onto a speaker too. He shouted, “Happy birthday, baobei’er!”

Fang Shaoyi was slightly surprised. A moment later, he finally came to a realization. Then, he shook his head and burst into laughter. He had truly forgotten; the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind.

All the lights got turned on. Fang Shaoyi smiled and thanked everyone. The director walked over and ordered, “Come on, you guys. Sing the happy birthday song for your Teacher Fang.”

Fang Shaoyi was already extremely familiar with this scene. His birthday would often occur on set. Normally, the film crew would celebrate with him. While the others sang, Fang Shaoyi turned to look for Yuan Ye. Yuan Ye reached out from behind him and squeezed his hand once.

Fang Shaoyi was very used to celebrating his birthday on set. He had done this last year too. That time, Ji Xiaotao had still been stressed everyday because of Fang Shaoyi and Yuan Ye’s divorce. Fang Shaoyi, the director, and the others had gone out to eat. Ji Xiaotao had stared at his phone, waiting for Yuan Ye’s call. But until the day ended, no call came in.

That day, Yuan Ye had posted a Weibo post that only he could see: Happy 36.

Things were different this year, though. Yuan Ye was on set too, right next to Fang Shaoyi. Their relationship was slowly healing as well. Everything was great.

Yuan Ye had prepared a gift for Fang Shaoyi. It was a carving he had personally made. This took several days of sneaking around; he had also messed up a few prior versions. However, Yuan Ye wasn’t super creative when it came to gifts. He gave Fang Shaoyi a monkey every year.

This year’s was a bit coquettish. It was a monkey swinging its tail, hugging and kissing a tree. One could even see its puckered lips.

Fang Shaoyi held it in his hand, caressing the top of the monkey’s head with his finger repeatedly. He told Yuan Ye, “You need to make up last year’s gift.”

Yuan Ye nodded. He smiled and said, “I’ll give it to you when we get back.”

He didn’t need to make it up at all. He had already made it. Only, with the status of their relationship last year, he hadn’t been able to give it away.

That night, Fang Shaoyi slept in Yuan Ye’s room. After filming, celebrating, and eating cake, it was already five thirty in the morning. By the time he fell asleep, it was already a little past seven. It could be said that Fang Shaoyi spent his entire birthday in Yuan Ye’s room, never stepping foot outside.

Ji Xiaotao and Dong Lin chatted on WeChat for a long time. It was unclear what mindless things they talked about.

There was nobody on set who couldn’t tell what was up between Fang Shaoyi and Yuan Ye. They had understood early on. These two were publicly divorced, but in private, continued being lovey-dovey. They had reconciled long ago.

There definitely needed to be a Weibo post on Fang Shaoyi’s birthday. Ji Xiaotao chose a photo that had been taken while he was cutting the cake. He captioned it: Celebrating on set. Treating everyone to cake. Will continue to work hard.

Though the lighting was fairly dim in the picture, keen-eyed netizens still instantly spotted Yuan Ye, who was standing next to Fang Shaoyi. Originally, a lot of people asked Yuan Ye under his Weibo why he wasn’t doing anything for Fang Shaoyi’s birthday. CP fans were still preoccupied with what Yuan Ye said about pursuing Fang Shaoyi. But after that post, there had been no progress. Fans had been agitated for a long time.

After this photo got posted, the sugar arrived unexpectedly and with great difficulty. It was the new year.

Our Uncle Ye has already visited the set and is celebrating Fang Shaoyi’s birthday with him! Aaaah, isn’t that proof enough?!

Many celebrities reposted Fang Shaoyi’s Weibo and wished him happy birthday. Fang Shaoyi didn’t even look at any of them. He was busy sleeping. Where could he find the spare energy to check Weibo?

Among them, Chi Xing’s repost seemed a bit different. When he reposted, he added the comment: Hahaha, I, the number one Shape CP fan, can finally see clear skies!

Underneath this, his fans, Fang Shaoyi’s fans, and Yuan Ye’s fans all commented “hahahaha.” They were very satisfied with this number one CP fan.

Cheng Xun reposted this repost: ......Shaoyi ge, happy birthday.

Underneath this, their fans started “hahahaha”ing again. Our Xun’s usual daily speechless ellipses. Little Chi, don’t make Little Cheng stress so much!

He Sai reposted Fang Shaoyi’s Weibo too: Big Boss, happy birthday. What a pity that I wasn’t scheduled to shoot last night, so I didn’t get any cake. I’ll make up a slice later.

This repost almost pissed Ji Xiaotao off to death. Who the fuck is your Big Boss?! This nickname was used very cleverly. It sounded very intimate. Who are you? Only I can use that nickname. Who do you think you are? And making up a slice. I’m going to feed the uneaten cake to dogs later, thanks.

They would always encounter each other on set daily. Ji Xiaotao somehow managed to avoid talking to the other’s manager almost completely. To each their own. These two actors weren’t even of the same status. Additionally, they interacted with others in completely different manners too. Let’s hurry and say goodbye to each other immediately after filming. Don’t try and act close with us. Have some shame, okay?

Downstairs, Ji Xiaotao was still cussing. Upstairs, there was someone who had just woken up and was cussing too.

It had been too long since Yuan Ye had used Weibo. The previous uproar had passed, but when he logged on, his Weibo was still full of angry comments. Yuan Ye didn’t even look at these. He had logged on mainly to post a blessing. Before he had gone to sleep this morning, Fang Shaoyi had muttered in complaint about how Yuan Ye hadn’t posted a blessing last year. Their tradition of many years had ended just like that. At that time, he had been almost asleep, but his brows had still been furrowed. Yuan Ye had tapped the spot between the other’s brows and said, “I did, I did.”

Thus, Yuan Ye kept thinking about this matter after waking up. He hurriedly decided to post a Weibo before the other woke up. He noticed that Ji Xiaotao had used Fang Shaoyi’s account to make a post. After clicking into it to check, he instantly noticed He Sai’s words.

Yuan Ye furrowed his brows on the spot. He cussed to himself.

Yuan Ye didn’t like their entire team of assholes. This caption was honestly quite disgusting.

Ji Xiaotao continued chatting while scrolling through Weibo. A while later, he received a notification in his special following list. Ji Xiaotao clicked into it; Yuan Ye had made a Weibo post.

It was a photo of the monkey he had gifted Fang Shaoyi last night. The caption was only a few words long: “Happy 37, Big Boss.”

“Badass!” Ji Xiaotao couldn’t resist quietly shouting.

Yuan Ye’s use of “Big Boss” was honestly too comforting. What was their relationship? Even though they were divorced, they still had an ambiguous relationship. After Yuan Ye used “Big Boss”, where did that leave He Sai?

As expected, when he checked back in ten minutes, He Sai had already deleted his repost.

Ji Xiaotao sent Yuan Ye a message: Ye ge, I love you!

Ji Xiaotao: I love you!

Ji Xiaotao: I almost died from anger because of that dumbass! Thanks for saving my life, Ye ge!

Ji Xiaotao: I love you!

Yuan Ye’s response to all these confessions was very cold: Don’t you know to bring some food upstairs?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om