The rehearsal week came sooner than Xiulan expected. Before he knew it, he was squeezing the handle in a car while An Ni drove him to the set.

"I hope you did something pro-active during your free days. I didn't call you because I wanted you to be responsible and independent once in a while." She commented and made a right turn. Xiulan only squeezed the handle tighter.

"Do you realize there's only a four-year difference between us? Why are you acting like my mother?" he asked with his eyes shut. He has been handling the car drives worse lately. An Ni noted and considered calling his therapist. After all, the anniversary has been slowly coming up.

"Why are you acting like a baby then?" She asked in return.

"Just you wait, I'm going to act gay soon." Xiulan snapped. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥... he thought.

"Looking forward to it." An Ni smirked and her BL heart skipped a beat.

***

"We're here." She announced after another 10 minutes of pure horror for Xiulan. He was sweating even though the AC was set at 16 °C. (Aapprox. 60°F)

"Thank goodness." He was out of the car before An Ni had a chance to say anything.

"Hey! What's the rush? Can't wait to meet the male co-actor?" She teased him a bit, wondering if she crossed a line.

"Very funny. How about you? Can we expect you to get out of the car in the near future?" Xiulan tried to get her back but didn't succeed, yet again.

"Actually, no. I was just about to tell you but you started running away. I won't be coming with you to the rehearsals and actor bonding. I'll come to pick you up though, so call me when you're finished. See you." She waved him one last time and drove off.

"Damn, that woman..." Xiulan cursed under his breath and looked around. He was in front of YG Studio, one of many semi-successful studios in China.

The first week of filming was always like this. The actors and director alongside script and screenwriters met up to go through everything together. The purpose was to try out different camera angles, act out crucial scenes, and most importantly, bond actors together.

Xiulan hated the last point. Although he was already a professional and learned how to overcome issues like this, dealing with people wasn't his strength. It changed only while he was acting and the camera rolled but otherwise, he kept his distance.

He took off his disguise once he entered the building and headed straight to the gym. It wasn't a real gym but everyone called it that since all the practicing was done there.

The lady at the reception didn't try to stop him nor talk to him since he was well known in this branch. Nobody questioned a famous actor if he suddenly appeared in one of the studios, even if he wasn't a part of one.

"No way... would you look at that? Isn't that my bro, Wen Xiulan?" A familiar voice echoed in Xiulan's ears and made him stop.

𝘖𝘩, 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝒏𝒐. He lamented in his mind while he turned around and put on a forced smile.

"Qui Shan... what a surprise to see you here." He breathed out and his smile already weakened. A tall man in his twenties was walking towards him.

"Surprise? Hahaha, you always amuse me. I've been working here for three years and you haven't come to see me once since we played in 'The end came yesterday.' How could you forgot about me..." Qui Shan's eyes filled with tears while he dramatically covered his mouth and let out a few sobs.

Xiulan's fake smile quickly changed into sour expression and a huge frown formed on his forehead.

"I haven't forgotten about you, unfortunately, I just don't recall being so close to you to invite you somewhere." He shrugged him off.

"Oh-hooh! That's even worse then! My heart is bleeding, my dear Wen Xiulan... your thoughts might be light but your words weight tons!" His friend continued to cause a scene in the middle of an entrance hall. A several pairs of curious eyes were already on them.

Xiulan only wished to disappear at that moment.

Qiu Shan. A fairly famous actor for his dramas but even more for his scandals. It was a known rule that he had a fling with every actress he's ever played with. Many had tried to resist, yet failed. Who wouldn't though? His black and curly hair falling to his shoulders made him an exotic type. His fit, tall, and muscular body made him a tough man. And above all, the way he dressed made him look like a gentleman he wasn't.

"Would you stop?" Xiulan sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Everyone was already looking at them and trying to figure out what was going on. "You haven't changed the slightest." He muttered to himself.

Shan smirked and loosened up.

"Aw, man, you always gave me a cold shoulder. I've heard you're in that upcoming gay drama. Going to the gym?" He asked and started heading to the elevator.

"It's not gay." Xiulan frowned even harder and pressed the button for the elevator. "And yes, I'm going to the gym. I shouldn't have been there," he glanced at his clock, "four minutes ago."

There was a long pause before a bell rang and the door opened.

"Wen Xiulan." Qui Shan finally broke the silence when the elevator moved downwards. His voice was very deep and serious all of a sudden.

"Hm?"

Xiulan's chin was grabbed and forcefully turned to face Shan. His body was pressed against a wall behind him while Qui Shan came awfully close.

"What the fuck are you..." Xiulan tried to push him away but Shan's grip was stronger. Their faces were only inches apart and Qui Shan's thigh was pressing in between Wen Xiulan's legs.

"Why are you like this? You can't ignore me forever." Qui Shan looked him deep into his eyes while half-whispering. "You know I've always loved you, yet your cruelty has no boundaries. This is all your fault, Yan Ji..." he leaned even closer with his eyes half-closed, aiming for Xiulan's lips. Hopeless Wen Xiulan also shut his eyes and feared the worst.

The elevator's bell rang and the door opened.

"H-huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhh?!" An overly loud voice screamed.

It surprised both men in the elevator so greatly they turned their heads to see what was up. Neither of them moved to get out of their strange position.

A teenage boy with a baby face was standing outside, currently watching a scene of two males being extremely intimate. His mouth fell wide open.

"I'm sorry for the interruption! I'll take the stairs, p-please continue!" He yelled, quickly bowed as an apology and ran away.

"Have you lost your mind?!" Xiulan came to himself a second later and successfully pushed Qui Shan's face away. The glare he was giving him was deadly.

"What do you mean? I was practicing for my new drama. I think I got the scene right this time. What do you think? Amazing, aren't I?" Qui Shan smirked and winked at him as he walked out.

Wen Xiulan was left dumbfounded and speechless in the elevator.

"Don't tell me... it took you this little to fall for me?" Qui Shan made yet another dramatic pose and covered his forehead with the back of his palm. "My heart belongs to Yan Ji... but my body can be yours! Shall we contin-..."

The elevator's bell rung yet again and the doors closed, making the strange duo part.

That day, Xiulan decided to run anytime Qui Shan happened to be nearby.

--------------------

𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:

Qui Shan = old acquaintance of Wen Xiulan, loves to toy with others