Chapter 62. “Two Secrets Simultaneously Exposed”

Sheng Li had already seen those videos and pictures long ago. At that time, the only light came from a flashlight, the lighting was dim, and the background was a gloomy cemetery. If it weren’t for her and Yu Chi’s good looks, and the snow adding a touch of romance to the scene, those photos would have been quite creepy.

The emotions from the previous scene were too intense, and Sheng Li hadn’t yet stepped out of Xu Yuan’s character. She wanted to calm down before going to find Yu Chi. She saw Yuan Yuan sending photos and videos to him, then thought for a moment and said, “Send him the old photos too.”

Yu Chi’s phone vibrated dozens of times in a row. Yuan Yuan sent him dozens of photos and several videos.

He was a bit surprised; he hadn’t expected Yuan Yuan to have taken so many candid shots of him and Sheng Li back then. Often, candid photos are more vivid than posed, retouched ones, especially of Sheng Li. He always felt Sheng Li looked much better in person than in retouched photos—her eyes were lively and spirited, something that retouched photos sometimes failed to capture. But in Yuan Yuan’s candid shots, both he and Sheng Li appeared in their most natural and lively states.

Yu Chi leaned against the wall outside the studio, his expression dark and heavy, slowly flipping through the photos. At last, he managed to suppress some of the suffocating, painful emotions deep inside, at least enough to ensure his mood wouldn’t affect the upcoming filming.

Suddenly, a woman called out happily, “Hey, Yu Chi.”

Yu Chi turned to look down the steps.

Jiang Qing and her assistant were standing there, smiling warmly at him.

“Qing Jie.” Yu Chi put down his phone, composed his expression, and smiled slightly. “You came to visit Director Jing?”

Jiang Qing was somewhat carefree by nature. She happily climbed the steps, chatting as she walked, “Can’t I come to see you and Sheng Li? Why does it have to be him?”

“Then thank you, Qing Jie,” Yu Chi said politely. Although Jiang Qing had added him on WeChat before, they had never chatted there. Sheng Li and Jiang Qing got along well but weren’t that close, so Jiang Qing’s claim that she came to see both of them was obviously a joke.

When Jiang Qing reached him, she noticed the ground littered with cigarette butts and asked, “You’re smoking so much? Is filming with Director Chen that stressful?”

Yu Chi replied calmly, “I have a strong nicotine addiction.”

“That’s way too much,” Jiang Qing said. “Smoke less; you’re still young.”

“Qing Jie, why did you come?”

Sheng Li came to the door, surprised to see Jiang Qing, then called out, “Director Jing, Qing Jie came to see you.”

“Hey!” Jiang Qing scolded, glaring at her. “Who said I came to see him? Can’t I come to see you?”

Sheng Li replied frankly, “I’m not that charming.”

Jing Yiming soon walked over, raised an eyebrow at Jiang Qing, and smiled, “Really not here to see me?”

Jiang Qing pursed her lips and smiled brightly, “I’ve been staying at my grandma’s for a few days with my mom. Got bored at home, and since the studio is just over three hours away, I drove over to visit. What, you don’t welcome me?”

“Of course not, I’d love that,” Jing Yiming said, hugging her briefly, then laughing with everyone, “It’s rare Jiang Lao Shi comes to visit. Tonight, I’ll treat everyone to a late-night snack.”

Everyone cheered.

Jiang Qing had already gone inside with Jing Yiming to greet Chen Yuan, whom she had worked with before. Soon, only Sheng Li and Yu Chi remained outside the studio.

Sheng Li casually walked over to Yu Chi, lightly stepping on his foot three times in rhythm and clicking her tongue, “Officer Cheng, do you know smoking so much harms your lungs?”

Yu Chi looked down at her, his eyes dark and restrained. “Oh.”

Sheng Li was speechless.

She looked up into his eyes and felt he was like a wounded little wolf—calm and controlled on the surface but deeply hurting inside. That look was pitiful.

Sheng Li felt heartache and really wanted to hug him.

Last time during the kissing scene, he could still threaten her with revenge, but this time he couldn’t even say harsh words. He must be truly upset.

Her shoulder pressed against Yu Chi’s arm, she held his hand and whispered, “I’ll come find you tonight, okay?”

Yu Chi’s hand was a bit cold, probably from the cold outside. He stared at her for a moment, then faintly curled his lips, “Okay, remember the code word.”

Sheng Li was speechless. It had come to the point where she had to go to him to make up. Looks like this time it would be hard to soothe him.

Filming wrapped after 10 p.m. The late-night snack was pre-ordered and delivered. Chen Yuan apologized to Jiang Qing, “Filming has been tight lately. We’ll be moving locations soon, so no time to go out to eat.”

Jiang Qing smiled, “I’m just here to have fun. I’ll be back in Beijing in a couple of days.” Her gaze flicked between Yu Chi and Sheng Li, sensing something off in their atmosphere but couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She joked, “You two went exploring the cemetery at midnight last time. Did you encounter anything scary?”

Sheng Li thought for a moment and said seriously, “I came back with a fever and was sick for a few days. Does that count? Zhou Si Nuan said it was ghost energy entering my body.”

“Ha ha ha.” Jiang Qing laughed. “Is she really that superstitious?”

Sheng Li explained, “She recently took a tomb-raiding themed drama.”

Jiang Qing laughed again and looked at Yu Chi, who was still in his police uniform, sitting with his legs stretched out, slightly hunched, eating quickly but looking very composed and attractive. She hadn’t seen such a handsome and talented younger brother in years. At just 21, he had won the Best Actor award. Since he revealed he was chasing after his first love again, not only fans and netizens were curious, but she also wanted to know what kind of woman could win him over. She couldn’t help but ask, “Hey, Yu Chi, when you get your first love back, will you tell everyone?”

“I will,” Yu Chi looked up at her and smiled lightly. “Even if I don’t say it, it will be exposed sooner or later. How many secrets can there be in this circle?”

Jiang Qing was stunned for a moment, then smiled, “True.”

She asked, “What type is your first love? Pure and cute? If you don’t want to say, that’s fine. I’m just curious.”

Jing Yiming glanced at her sideways and said helplessly to Yu Chi, “She just likes gossip. Don’t mind her.”

Yu Chi put down his bowl, took a tissue, and smiled slightly, “There’s no harm in saying it. She’s straightforward and uninhibited, a bit older than me.”

Jiang Qing was surprised for a few seconds but quickly understood.

Indeed, with Yu Chi’s personality, it wouldn’t be easy for just any girl to win him over; it had to be a capable older sister. Her gaze suddenly landed on Sheng Li beside him.

—

At midnight, Sheng Li carefully left her room, turned right after closing the door, and walked toward Yu Chi’s room.

She could still hear faint sounds coming from other rooms. Yu Chi usually came to find her, but this was the first time she was going to his room. She quickened her pace, holding her phone to her ear. Before reaching the door, she whispered, “Yu Xiao Chi, open the door for me.”

Yu Chi came to the door and said coldly, “You’re not at the door yet, are you?”

“I’m here.” Sheng Li stood before the door, looking left and right, afraid someone would suddenly open the door. She couldn’t explain why she was wandering the hallway at night. She lowered her head and urgently said, “Squeak squeak squeak squeak.”

After three seconds of silence, she took a deep breath and smiled softly, “Chi Ge, open the door for me.”

Yu Chi finally opened the door. Sheng Li quickly slipped inside and threw herself onto him. He had probably just finished showering; his body smelled of shower gel, very pleasant. Sheng Li hooked her arms around his neck, squinting her eyes and looking up, “Little brother, you did it on purpose, didn’t you?”

Yu Chi lowered his gaze and glared at her, “Are you afraid of being seen?”

“Not really. It’s still filming period. Being seen would be bad. If someone said we’re dating on company expense, that wouldn’t sound good, right?”

During the New Year, Sheng Li already felt Yu Chi wanted to go public. She kissed his lips gently and asked with a smile, “Other young stars hide their relationships, why do you want to go public?”

“That’s different.”

Yu Chi looked at her with a half-smile, “Maybe I’m afraid you’ll dump me and ask for breakup money again. Going public makes me feel safer.”

“Don’t you trust me?” Sheng Li bit his lip in annoyance, holding his face and kissing him deeply. “Wait until I finish filming. After this drama, you can go public however you want, okay?”

Yu Chi held her against the door and suddenly lost control, pressing a heavy kiss on her. Sheng Li found his aggressive kissing a bit overwhelming and tilted her head back to catch her breath. He grabbed her chin and lifted her head, kissing her even deeper.

Their bodies pressed tightly together. He was without secrets. Sheng Li reached down to untie his waistband drawstring. Yu Chi arched his back slightly, breathing heavily. Sheng Li was on her fourth day of her period, so she whispered, “Want me to help?”

Yu Chi held her hand back, eyes dark and fixed on her, then lowered his head to kiss her lips slowly and gently, but his words were harsh: “Sister, remember what you said the night I came to the hotel to find you?”

Sheng Li’s head spun a bit. They had said many things that night. She didn’t know which sentence he meant. “Hmm?”

“You said I should behave and next time use my mouth.” He bit her earlobe, his breath hot, his gaze dropping to her fair, beautiful neck, almost wanting to bite and leave his mark, his tone both wicked and aggrieved, “You want me to be famous, to be your treasure, and I’ve done all that. Am I not obedient enough?”

Sheng Li’s heart skipped a beat as memories flooded back. She had indeed said that.

But… she couldn’t help but look up at him, “You remembered that one bite for over three years?”

“Every word you said, every promise, I remember,” Yu Chi’s eyes held indescribable emotions: deep affection, restrained pain, anxious anticipation—every feeling etched deeply. “So, I have to fulfill them all.”

Sheng Li’s heart trembled, feeling soft inside. She stood on tiptoe and whispered into his ear, “Then hurry up, no more waiting.”

Yu Chi hummed softly. Sheng Li whispered again, “Carry me over.”

…

The room’s curtains were drawn, dim and stuffy. Yu Chi stroked her face and lips. Sheng Li felt a bit shy but looked at him, who was lazily leaning against the headboard, his expression cold and restrained—extremely sexy.

After a long time, Yu Chi pulled her up. She gasped, feeling her mouth hurt a bit. She grabbed a pillow and pressed it against his face, scolding, “You little rascal, you promised to be quick!”

After scolding, she got up swiftly.

The little rascal leaned on the bed, smiled lowly.

Sheng Li went to the bathroom, opened a disposable toothbrush pack, and started brushing. Yu Chi followed, leaning on the doorframe, watching her in the mirror. Their eyes met in the reflection. She blinked, lowered her head, took a sip of water, and spat it out.

Yu Chi took another shower. Ten minutes later, they lay back in bed. Sheng Li hugged his waist, resting her head on his shoulder, asking, “Still feeling bad?”

She meant the scene from the afternoon. Was he still upset?

Yu Chi pulled the blanket to his waist, propped up a leg, ran his fingers through her hair, and looked down at her, “A little. Can’t think too much.”

“Then don’t think. Close your eyes and sleep.” Sheng Li covered his eyes and ordered.

Yu Chi closed his eyes but didn’t want to sleep.

Sheng Li was exhausted. She closed her eyes and mumbled, “Wake me up at six tomorrow morning.”

The night was overly quiet, only her long, steady breathing could be heard after she fell asleep. Yu Chi looked at her for a while, then turned off the wall lamp. The room plunged into darkness, quiet and gentle.

At 6:30 a.m., Sheng Li was still groggy. She planned to go back to her room to sleep another half hour. Yu Chi, dressed in sportswear, was heading downstairs to the gym for a run. He hugged her waist and walked to the door.

The corridor was very quiet, no sound at all.

Yu Chi opened the door and stepped out. Sheng Li yawned, burying her face in his shoulder, following him out.

Click.

The door closed.

Just as they were about to leave, the door opposite clicked open suddenly.

Jiang Qing and Jing Yiming stood there, looking up and froze.

All four said simultaneously: “…”

A socially mortifying moment.

Two secrets were exposed at the same time.

Sheng Li instantly sobered up, flustered and embarrassed. But she only panicked for two seconds, mostly just embarrassed.

Jiang Qing recovered first, her gaze shifting between Sheng Li and Yu Chi, squinting with a smile, “I said you two seemed weird. Yu Chi said those things on the show, then you’re in the same crew. So he really is chasing his first love…”

Sheng Li smiled sheepishly and raised an eyebrow, “Same to you.”

Jiang Qing pointed at Yu Chi, smiling with pursed lips, “Still, you’re impressive. You got her three years ago.” She paused, then added with a smile, “Pretty good, very compatible.”

Yu Chi’s mouth twitched silently. Seeing Jing Yiming in sportswear, he asked, “Director Jing, going for a run?”

“This isn’t a good place to talk,” Jing Yiming closed the door and smiled, “I had a late-night snack last night and want to burn it off.”

So, on this awkward morning, Sheng Li and Jiang Qing went back to their rooms to catch up on sleep, while Yu Chi and Jing Yiming headed to the gym for a run.