In the blink of an eye, it was time to part ways.
Before they started dating, it never seemed like a big deal to be apart for a few days. But ever since they got together, Jian Fu couldn’t stand the thought of being away from Lin Zhen—not even for a second.
Just the thought of it made him feel a little melancholy.
Jian Fu laid on the bed, fiddling with his phone and refreshing the ticket-booking app over and over, unable to bring himself to finalize the purchase.
Lin Zhen, smiling, gave him a gentle nudge on the knee. “What are you thinking? Book your ticket so we can go eat.”
Jian Fu pouted, tossed the phone aside, and pounced on Lin Zhen, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist. “I don’t want to go. I finally get to be in a relationship, so why does it have to be long-distance?”
Lin Zhen, caught in his embrace, chuckled even more and playfully pinched Jian Fu’s ear. “Alright, alright. I’ll only be away for ten days at most. I have to rehearse for my graduation play, remember?”
Lin Zhen quite enjoyed how Jian Fu clung to him—who wouldn’t want their lover’s gaze always fixed on them?
But most of the time, he needed to act a little more serious.
“You’re the son of District One’s president, after all. Stop messing around and book the tickets already.” Lin Zhen picked up his phone and shoved it in front of Jian Fu.
Jian Fu glanced down, randomly selected a time, paid quickly, and tossed the phone aside. The thought of going back really dampened his mood.
Lin Zhen, however, picked up his phone and looked at it. “At this time, I might not be able to see you off.”
Jian Fu’s lock screen password had been changed to Lin Zhen’s birthday, and his fingerprint was registered too, so Lin Zhen could check his phone whenever he wanted.
Jian Fu said, “Stop looking, stop looking. Take the opportunity to cuddle more.”
He pushed Lin Zhen down onto the bed with some force. Lin Zhen didn’t resist, going with the flow and lying down. His arms softened as he blinked at Jian Fu. “Feeling that bad?”
Jian Fu replied, “Of course.”
He wasn’t one to hide his emotions.
Lin Zhen’s heart softened immediately. He reached out, brushing aside the hair by Jian Fu’s ear. His fingers trailed along the curve of Jian Fu’s ear and stopped at the corner of his lips. In a gentle voice, he said, “I’ll video call you every day.”
Jian Fu caught his fingertip in his mouth and gave it a light nibble. “I know.”
Lin Zhen’s gaze trembled slightly. He bent his knee, brushing it against Jian Fu. “Come on, let’s go eat.”
Right on cue, Sister Mei called from outside, “Zhenbao, hurry up and have dinner. There’s a night shoot later, and you’ll be late.”
Lin Zhen glanced toward the door and raised his voice. “Got it, coming!”
Turning back, he wrapped his arms around Jian Fu’s neck and gave him a kiss.
The two got up from the bed, their clothes disheveled and hair messy. After tidying up a bit at the sink, they left the room one after the other.
Sister Mei shot them a glance. “Why are you always so slow these days? You used to be much quicker.”
Lin Zhen answered seriously, “It’s because Jian Fu dawdles.”
Sister Mei didn’t think much of it. After all, Jian Fu seemed so straight—a paragon of uprightness and confidence.
Sister Mei added, “Oh, by the way, I heard a rumor that White Pony is releasing Cheng Zerui’s commercial tonight.”
Lin Zhen asked, “When does our partnership with White Pony end?”
Sister Mei counted on her fingers and stood in front of Lin Zhen. “Four more days.”
Lin Zhen mused, “That’s not too long.”
This meant Hazelnut Pastry wouldn’t have to hold its breath for too long. Once the White Pony collaboration ended, the partnership with Whale Sea could formally begin.
Sister Mei continued, “Mmm… Whale Sea wants to send a team over to film material for you. The shoot’s scheduled for tomorrow night, and as soon as the White Pony collaboration ends, they’ll officially announce it.”
Lin Zhen was surprised. “That…?”
Sister Mei smiled knowingly and glanced at Jian Fu. “Their PR team is smart. They know all about the cutthroat competition in the industry and wanted to show their support right away. They’re treating you like one of their own.”
Lin Zhen felt a warm sense of gratitude.
For such a high-end brand to think of him this way—it had to be because of Jian Fu’s influence.
Lin Zhen nodded. “Alright, got it.”
Sister Mei chuckled. “Little boss, don’t forget to keep Zhenbao in mind for future opportunities like this.”
Jian Fu understood her implication. “If there’s anyone you’d like me to connect you with, just let me know. If I can reach them, I will.”
The Jian family’s network didn’t overlap much with the entertainment industry, but with the six degrees of separation theory, it was always possible to find a link.
As long as the Jian family maintained their standing, collaborations were just a matter of exchanging resources.
Jian Fu suddenly recalled Li Rong’s advice about showcasing personal charm.
Could this be his charm in action?
Sister Mei laughed until her cheeks hurt. “Ah, you really are good friends!”
Lin Zhen blushed slightly, avoiding eye contact. “Alright, I’m hungry.”
Dinner was mustard green dumplings. Lin Zhen quickly ate six or seven before being called to get into makeup.
***
That evening, Lin Zhen filmed a farewell scene at the pavilion with the female lead. She was departing with the male lead for the battlefield, while Lin Zhen’s character stayed behind to guard the general’s mansion.
Under the pavilion, lit with red lanterns, Lin Zhen leaned on the railing and gazed out.
“Sister, after today’s farewell, who knows when we’ll meet again,” he said, his voice tinged with sadness. His eyes reddened as the camera moved in for a close-up, capturing the shimmer of his tears.
The female lead looked at him with gentle eyes. She raised her hand and lightly patted his shoulder, comforting him. “You’re already the backbone of the Wei family. The future of this mansion will depend on you.”
Lin Zhen’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his lashes quivered, and his gaze at the female lead was filled with reluctance. “With our parents gone, you’re all I have left.”
The female lead smiled, her eyes glistening with tears as well. She murmured, “Yes, as long as I’m by your side, you’ll always be a child.”
But life’s hardships and twists of fate had forced them to grow up far too quickly.
The actors poured genuine emotion into the scene, ending with an embrace and tears. Jian Fu, sitting behind the director, sniffled along with them.
The director was quite pleased. “Brother Jian, this scene really got to you, huh? It’s such a moving moment.”
Jian Fu sighed mournfully. “I have to part with Lin Zhen too. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have watched this scene—it’s too heartbreaking.”
The director chuckled. “…Where are you going?”
Jian Fu let out a heavy sigh. “Back to school for classes and work in District One.”
The director laughed. “That’s normal. You’re not Lin Zhen’s assistant or anything. Why so dramatic?”
Jian Fu shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand. I’m not telling you.”
The director: “…”
Jian Fu’s flight was at 6 p.m. the following day, but due to an advertising shoot for Whale Sea, Lin Zhen had to work in the studio and couldn’t see him off.
The two said their goodbyes at the hotel.
Dragging his suitcase, Jian Fu kept looking back as he walked, feeling like even the air turned colder once he stepped out of the room.
Lin Zhen grabbed his hand and gently rubbed it. “Send me a message when you arrive. I might not see it right away, but I’ll reply after work.”
Jian Fu mumbled, “I’m so miserable. The client I introduced stole the time my boyfriend was supposed to spend with me.”
Lin Zhen chuckled. “If Cen Xiao saw you like this, he’d definitely tease you.”
Jian Fu pouted. “Tease me? My brother acts like a total fool in front of big panda, and you’ve seen it back in high school.”
Lin Zhen thought for a moment. “I think that’s normal. Cen Xiao is usually pretty aloof, though the class monitor knows how to handle things.”
Jian Fu nodded. “True. Both of them are quite…”
Lin Zhen cleared his throat. “Be safe on the road.”
Jian Fu whispered, “I’ve seen in dramas how couples have these touching airport farewells, with the camera spinning around as they kiss.”
Lin Zhen blinked and took the initiative. “Then give me a kiss.”
Jian Fu obediently leaned in and captured Lin Zhen’s lips.
The two embraced at the doorway, sharing an intimate moment before reluctantly parting ways.
Jian Fu went downstairs and got into the pre-booked car, while Lin Zhen hurried to change clothes and head to the studio for a commercial shoot.
Four hours later, Jian Fu landed in A City. He knew Lin Zhen wouldn’t have time to check his phone during work and didn’t want to disrupt his schedule. Though he missed him terribly, he restrained himself to sending a simple text:
“I’m home. Rest early.”
Lin Zhen didn’t finish his shoot until 1 a.m. The final photos were met with great satisfaction by both the brand and Sister Mei, who prepared the materials for the official announcement.
Yawning and still in makeup, Lin Zhen finally got hold of his phone. Despite his exhaustion, his expression softened the moment he saw Jian Fu’s text.
Sister Mei teased, “Who are you looking at that’s making you so happy?”
Lin Zhen pocketed his phone. “No one. Let’s hurry up and get home after taking off the makeup.”
With his hand in his pocket, holding his phone, it felt as if he were holding Jian Fu’s hand instead.
Love has a way of stirring emotions one never noticed before. No wonder their teacher used to say that to portray true emotions in acting, you needed to have real experiences.
Jian Fu had become a source of inspiration, leading Lin Zhen into a new chapter of life.
Before bed, after removing his makeup, Lin Zhen sent Jian Fu a voice message:
“I’m going to sleep now. I just realized my bed feels so big tonight.”
He assumed Jian Fu was already asleep, but to his surprise, his phone rang immediately.
Jian Fu said, “I don’t want to sleep alone.”
The Jian family home was even larger, and Jian Fu’s luxurious room was big enough for pacing to count as exercise. What once felt incredibly comfortable now seemed unbearably empty. For the first time, he resented how spacious his house was.
It felt lonely. It wasn’t warm.
Lin Zhen whispered, “Hey, Jian Fu, how come I never realized you were so clingy before?”
Jian Fu retorted, “Then why don’t you cling to me?”
Lin Zhen pursed his lips, pulled the blanket tighter around himself, and muttered, “Who said I don’t cling to you?”
Jian Fu replied, “Then don’t hang up. Let me listen to you sleep.”
Lin Zhen was indeed very tired, his eyes barely able to stay open. He mumbled, “Aren’t you sleepy?”
Jian Fu answered, “I’ll sleep after you fall asleep.”
Lin Zhen said softly, “Okay.”
He placed the phone beside his pillow and turned off the light.
He knew many couples in the honeymoon phase had this habit. He used to think it was silly, but now he found himself doing the same thing.
Love really does make people childish.
Despite their nightly video calls and falling asleep on the phone together, Jian Fu’s “honeymoon withdrawal” symptoms remained unrelieved.
The next day, he went to have lunch with Cen Xiao and Li Rong. At that time, Cen Xiao and Li Rong were still trying to keep things under wraps, so Jian Fu went to Cen Xiao’s villa in the suburbs.
Among the three of them, only Cen Xiao could cook, but he wasn’t a fan of it, so they ordered takeout instead.
Cen Xiao and Li Rong were both quite hungry—Li Rong immediately grabbed a piece of cake, and Cen Xiao ate half a steak.
Jian Fu, however, wasn’t hungry and didn’t touch his food.
Holding his chopsticks, Jian Fu propped up his head with one hand. “Hey, you guys know I’m dating Lin Zhen now, right?”
Li Rong glanced at him briefly. “Lin Zhen told me.”
Then, without hesitation, Li Rong speared a piece of steak from Cen Xiao’s plate and ate it.
Jian Fu sighed, “I didn’t expect it to go so smoothly. As soon as I confessed, he said yes. Way smoother than you two, right, bro? I remember you two dragged things out for quite a while.”
Li Rong raised an eyebrow. “You don’t even know when we got together, but you’re sure it was drawn out?”
Jian Fu beamed. “Anyway, Lin Zhen and I progressed super fast. We’re already falling asleep on calls every night.”
Cen Xiao scoffed lightly and said nonchalantly, “Showing off in front of an expert, are we?”
He and Li Rong had started their relationship under far worse circumstances in their previous life. They’d done everything imaginable, both right and wrong.
Li Rong smirked. “I’ve said before that I’m not into flaunting affection in front of others, but since you insist…” He paused, hooked his finger under Cen Xiao’s chin, and kissed him lightly. “Can you kiss Lin Zhen right now?”
Jian Fu: “…”
Suddenly, Jian Fu felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. “I came to have dinner with you two to ease the pain of a long-distance relationship, not to feel attacked.”
Cen Xiao peeled an oyster for Li Rong. “Stop teasing him.”
Li Rong dipped the oyster in sauce. “If this bothers you so much, what’ll you do when Lin Zhen becomes a lead actor and shoots on location for months at a time? You’ll lose your mind. Kids these days make relationships so complicated.”
Cen Xiao shot Li Rong a meaningful look.
He remembered when he’d accompanied his family to a southern resort for a vacation, and he and Li Rong couldn’t bear to part. Eventually, he just booked a ticket for Li Rong to join him. But now wasn’t the time to expose him.
Jian Fu protested, “You’re the same age as me!”
Li Rong shrugged and didn’t elaborate.
They initially thought Jian Fu’s post-honeymoon blues were just a passing phase. After all, he was usually carefree and brimming with joy.
But the next day, while scrolling through his feed, Li Rong stumbled upon a surprisingly sentimental post amidst the usual stream of academic articles and lecture photos.
[Jian Fu: The leaves in A City aren’t as green as the ones where you are.]
Cen Xiao: “…”
Li Rong: “Do you think the greenery in northern and southern cities might just be different types of trees?”
Ji Xiaochuan: “Who’s this about? Did someone hack his account? Is there something I don’t know?”
Li Rong: “Private message.”
Ji Xiaochuan: “On it!”
Aunt Hui: “Little Jian seems to have something on his mind.”
Lin Zhen: “Idiot.”
On the third day—
[Jian Fu: You can’t see stars at night in A City, and the moon isn’t round either. Is it round where you are?]
Cen Xiao: “…”
Li Rong: “Could it be that you’re both looking at the same moon?”
Ji Xiaochuan: “Wow, the whole country shares the same moon. Amazing~”
Aunt Hui: “Stop teasing him, you two.”
Lin Zhen: “It’s not round, but I can see stars.”
On the fourth day—
That evening, Lin Zhen’s collaboration with White Pony officially ended, and Whale Sea’s official account announced him as their brand ambassador.
It was a seamless transition—no trial period, straight to brand spokesperson.
This announcement immediately outshone White Pony, which now seemed outdated. The buzz around Lin Zhen as Whale Sea’s representative skyrocketed, especially after his last event photos went viral, significantly improving his public image.
“Ahhh, Whale Sea announced so quickly! Didn’t White Pony just finish?”
“Haha, just yesterday I saw White Pony posting with Zhenbao. Don’t they already have Cheng Zerui? Why can’t they let go of Zhenbao’s popularity?”
“Isn’t it because the last photoshoot was so stunning and wild that it went viral? Now White Pony is backtracking.”
“Whale Sea’s photoshoot this time has such a refined vibe, totally different from the last style. Lin Zhen’s versatility is amazing.”
“From what I know, Lin Zhen is the youngest brand ambassador in Whale Sea’s history, right? I used to think Whale Sea was elevating his status, but after that last event, Lin Zhen has definitely solidified his place in the fashion world.”
“So gorgeous! I’m tempted to buy from Whale Sea now—doesn’t this feel more premium than White Pony?”
…
The topic attracted over 100,000 participants, with the buzz remaining high. Whale Sea’s executives were thrilled, as the brand, known for avoiding collaborations with mainstream celebrities, hadn’t enjoyed this level of attention in years.
For the first time, the Asia-Pacific president truly recognized Lin Zhen’s massive influence. He even personally wrote Lin Zhen a letter, posted it alongside a photo on his Weibo account: [Meeting you has been a delightful surprise. Looking forward to more brilliance.]
“Ahhh! This is a true sponsor daddy. So kind to Lin Zhen!”
“I’m envious. Is this just luck, or how did he land Whale Sea?”
“Is it so hard to admit someone has a great figure and strong presence? Whale Sea has good taste—I’m sold on their collection!”
“Um… White Pony just announced Cheng Zerui a couple of days ago, but the buzz isn’t even a quarter of this. Are they competing? I heard Cheng Zerui snatched Lin Zhen’s deal.”
“Please don’t bring Cheng Zerui into this. Let’s just coexist peacefully. White Pony is great too.”
“LOL, but when people used White Pony to discredit Lin Zhen before, why didn’t they talk about peaceful coexistence? Convenient timing, huh?”
….
Jian Fu was overjoyed to see Lin Zhen being praised. He posted a photo on his Moments with the caption: [Jian Fu: How is Whale Sea so stylish? The key is who’s wearing it.]
Cen Xiao: “…”
Li Rong: “Your brother wears it too. Tsk.”
Ji Xiaochuan: “Congrats to Lin Zhen! High-end luxury brand ambassador!”
Aunt Hui: “The boy looks so handsome. He’s really starting to have that big-star aura.”
Lin Zhen: “Mwah, thanks, everyone.”
Day 5—
[Jian Fu: “When will this long-distance life end… Suggesting Hongsuo Research Institute invent a product to eliminate long-distance relationships.]
Cen Xiao: “…”
Li Rong: “Lin Zhen, when are you coming back? I’m deleting Jian Fu until you return—let me know when to re-add him.”
Jian Fu: “Heartless panda.”
Lin Zhen: “Class monitor….”
Ji Xiaochuan: “Hahaha, let me get into Hongsuo’s lab first.”
Jian Fu: “Xiaochuan is the best.”
Aunt Hui: “Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Separation makes us cherish each other more.”
Ten days later, Lin Zhen finally wrapped up filming. That evening, after the celebration banquet, he could’ve stayed an extra day but took the red-eye flight back to meet Jian Fu as soon as possible.
Upon landing in A City, fans were waiting for him at the airport. Lin Zhen patiently signed autographs for them before heading to the parking lot to find his car.
The fans’ cameras followed him all the way, making him a bit worried—Jian Fu was waiting inside the car.
When Lin Zhen reached the car, he was surprised to see Jian Fu stepping out.
Lin Zhen glanced at Jian Fu, and their eyes met. Naturally, Jian Fu took Lin Zhen’s bag and raised an eyebrow. “Get in.”
Lin Zhen swallowed hard, bent down, and climbed into the car, scooting inside. Jian Fu followed, shutting the door slowly behind him.
Lin Zhen waved goodbye to the fans through the window as the car drove off.
The fans left behind were still basking in the joy of seeing their idol in person.
“Zhenbao looks stunning—even after a flight, he’s in such great condition.”
“Yeah, yeah! More legendary photos today!”
“Did you see? That guy just now helped Zhenbao shield his head! He’s pretty handsome too.”
“Oh, you mean Zhenbao’s friend? He was also on set with him—definitely good-looking. Hot people hang out with other hot people.”
“And he’s so doting! He carried Zhenbao’s bag and shielded his head. So gentle!”
“Um… If he’s always around Zhenbao, he’s probably like an assistant, even if he’s not officially one.”
“I’m just saying—don’t tempt me to ship them!”
“I’ll lightly ship the rich second-gen friend, but my heart belongs to Zhenbao.”
Inside the car.
Sister Mei was still there, so Jian Fu and Lin Zhen didn’t dare to be too bold.
Sister Mei: “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, little boss. How have you been lately?”
Jian Fu: “… Pretty good.”
As he answered, he traced his fingers across Lin Zhen’s palm. Lin Zhen shot him a glance and clenched his fingers tightly, trapping Jian Fu’s hand.
Jian Fu tried pulling away twice, but he couldn’t. So, instead, he reversed his grip and wrapped Lin Zhen’s hand in his own.
The two secretly held hands, out of Sister Mei’s sight.
Sister Mei: “I’ve felt so out of place these past few days without you. Zhenbao hasn’t been eating properly either—he’s even thinner now.”
Lin Zhen immediately turned his head and retorted, “No, I’m not.”
Sister Mei playfully scolded, “You are. We’re about to start working on your album, so take care of your health. Once it’s released, we can start preparing for your next concert.”
Lin Zhen let go of Jian Fu’s hand and sighed deeply, feeling like his work was never-ending. “I still have rehearsals for my graduation play, you know.”
Sister Mei: “You’re not the lead. You’ve got plenty of time. I’ve already picked a few demos, and they’re quite good. Listen to them when you have a chance. I’ll find someone to write lyrics for you. This time, we’re aiming for a masterpiece—something that really goes viral.”
Jian Fu, feeling concerned, said, “Don’t stress yourself too much.”
He pinched Lin Zhen’s fingertips and then placed his hand on Lin Zhen’s thigh.
Lin Zhen raised an eyebrow slightly and glanced at Jian Fu.
Jian Fu continued speaking to Sister Mei as if nothing was out of the ordinary: “If you need any help, just let me know. Hmm… I can even write lyrics for Lin Zhen.”
As he spoke, his fingers mischievously slid toward the inner side of Lin Zhen’s thigh.
Lin Zhen was wearing thin denim jeans, but he could still feel the warmth of Jian Fu’s hand through the fabric. Sensitive, he straightened his back and pressed down on Jian Fu’s hand, clearing his throat lightly. “With your level of language skills, don’t overestimate yourself.”
Since Jian Fu couldn’t move his hand, he started pretending to play piano on Lin Zhen’s thigh, tapping rhythmically with his fingers.
“Don’t underestimate me. I went through some pretty rigorous arts training when I was a kid.”
Lin Zhen felt a ticklish itch in his heart from Jian Fu’s actions. Unable to endure it anymore, he pulled his leg away and lightly slapped Jian Fu’s hand.
The sound was a bit loud, catching Sister Mei’s attention from the back seat.
Sister Mei: “You two are still messing around like kids.”
Jian Fu immediately replied, “We’re not messing around. We’re just being… —”
Lin Zhen pinched the back of Jian Fu’s hand and shot him a glare.
Jian Fu protested pitifully, “Close. What did you think I was going to say?”
Lin Zhen shook his head helplessly. Of course, he thought Jian Fu was going to say “intimate.”
Sister Mei: “Alright, alright. I know you two are close. If the little boss really has the skill to write lyrics, I can send you a demo. But whether it gets selected depends on the music company.”
Lin Zhen: “Sister Mei, don’t listen to his nonsense.”
Even as he spoke, his fingers intertwined with Jian Fu’s again.
The company had rented an apartment for Lin Zhen in City A, offering excellent privacy. No fans had managed to find out the address yet.
Jian Fu followed him to the apartment, while Sister Mei took the car back to the company.
As soon as they entered the apartment and hadn’t even stepped out of the entryway, Jian Fu pulled Lin Zhen into a tight embrace. “I missed you—missed you so much.”
He rubbed his chin against Lin Zhen’s shoulder, greedily inhaling the scent on him.
Lin Zhen, pressed against the wall, let his fingers relax. His backpack slipped to the floor, and his hands climbed up Jian Fu’s back.
Through the shirt, he traced Jian Fu’s firm muscles, running his fingers down along his spine until they rested on his lower back.
“Kiss me.”
Jian Fu, naturally, obeyed, leaning in to kiss Lin Zhen passionately. The sound of their kisses was soft and lingering, wrapping around them like a thread, fanning the fire in their chests.
“It’s been so long since I kissed you. I need to make up for these ten days.”
Their breathing grew heavy, their faces flushed. Lin Zhen gently pushed Jian Fu away at last.
Jian Fu’s fingers, restless, kneaded Lin Zhen’s shoulder. His eyes were tinged with a heated desire.
Lin Zhen caught his breath, leaning his head against the wall. Smiling at Jian Fu, he said, “Just kissing me? I’m not planning to play the gentleman tonight.”
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