Applaud for Happiness

They hadn’t seen each other for a month, but that didn’t mean there’d been no interaction.

In the modern world, with a cell phone in hand, even if it was inconvenient to video-chat, it was effortless and not very time-consuming to send a message or anything else.

As a suitor, Shen Qi gave three greetings in the morning and at noon. Their conversation went from the basics of ‘have you eaten yet’ to the current emoji-filled extravaganza. It only took half a month.

So even though they hadn’t met up, the bond of affection had remained strong. As a result, Jiang Changshen’s happiness rating had gone up by five points, reaching 44.

With outsiders present, Jiang Changshen’s embrace was touch-and-go, his eyes circling Shen Qi’s face with a pleasure he didn’t even realize was there.

“Happiness value +3.”

Shen Qi took it all. Without further provocation, acting like a modest junior, he smiled. “I will be troubling Brother Jiang for the next month.”

The role he was going to play was brilliant, though he’d be done filming all his scenes in one month.

Jiang Changshen smiled in a similar fashion. “It’s no trouble. If you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to come and ask me.”

At work, Jiang Changshen maintained his film emperor persona perfectly. A gentle and kindly good-natured demeanour was shown towards almost everyone, but that attitude backfired a little, as others felt admiration rather than closeness.

He faced Shen Qi, and immediately gave him a hug, showing something different to the outside world. Onlookers were surprised that Shen Qi would be so close to Film Emperor Jiang.

Those who hadn’t watched the latest episode of “Countryside Life” all wondered how Shen Qi had hitched a ride with Film Emperor Jiang.

“Brother Jiang.” The greeting was called out with some apprehension as Ning Yuntian came over.

Shen Qi wasn’t surprised. He’d already heard from his agent that Ning Yuntian would also be in this movie. Ning Yuntian was also playing a male lead, with even more drama than Shen Qi’s role. However, Shen Qi’s role was more attention-grabbing.

Ning Yuntian came up and greeted Shen Qi with a very polite nod before saying: “Thank you, Brother Jiang. I’ve been meaning to thank you for a while but I didn’t have your contact information, so thank you for looking out for me.”

What did that mean? Shen Qi looked over at Jiang Changshen and unconsciously squeezed his eyebrows together. In a heartbeat, despite him stirring the pot, Jiang Changshen had still given Ning Yuntian a recommendation.

“I know this matter may only be a small thing for you, but it really helped me a lot. I owe you a favour, so if you need anything in the future, just tell me.”

Ning Yuntian’s tone was sincere, his face full of gratitude and his adoring eyes of admiration. It was as if he would be willing to do anything if Jiang Changshen asked him to.

Shen Qi was frowning deeply now and looking at Ning Yuntian with calculating eyes.

Jiang Changshen’s smile remained unchanged. “You’re welcome. You got the role on your own merit and I wasn’t saying much. You can thank Director Zhang if you want, since he made the decisions on all the roles.”

Shen Qi was staring at him jealously. It turned out that Brother Jiang had recommended Ning Yuntian for a role. He hadn’t recommended Shen Qi, yet he had recommended Ning Yuntian. On what grounds was that acceptable?!

Ning Yuntian was rather busy. “Anyway, you did help me, thank you.” He hesitated and blushed. “That, that, Sister Wang said… No, no, it’s me who wanted to say… As a token of my appreciation, can I buy you a meal? But of course, if you’re busy, forget it…”

Oh, shit! Shen Qi was having a heart attack!

Ning Yuntian was pretending his agent had made him do it!

Shen Qi had little tolerance. He was going to blow up if Ning Yuntian tried to buy dinner.

“Sorry.” Jiang Changshen’s smile faded a little.

It wasn’t said explicitly, but the refusal was clear.

“Right.” Ning Yuntian’s face darkened momentarily. However, he still smiled politely to the two of them and said goodbye.

Internally, Shen Qi tsked. This quality, this acting skill, really… He sort of understood why Jiang Changshen had fallen for the lies. If Shen Qi hadn’t known the truth, even he would have believed it.

Once Ning Yuntian left, Shen Qi cooled his anger, not daring not direct it at Jiang Changshen with so many people watching. He could only show indignation.

“Looks like you guys got along well with Ning Yuntian after I left that day.”

There was a hint of amusement in Jiang Changshen’s eyes and he was about to open his mouth. But Director Zhang called out to him, so he patted Shen Qi’s back instead.

“Let’s talk later.”

It was just a little while before dinner time, and everyone was sitting at the table laughing and joking around. There were several people between Shen Qi and Jiang Changshen, so they couldn’t talk at all.

Shen Qi already had no patience with this kind of social interaction, but because of Ning Yuntian’s annoying words, he was so irritated that he went to the bathroom in the middle of the meal for some air.

To avoid being seen, he went into a cubicle and sat on the toilet while he swiped at his phone for a while. He wanted to have a cigarette to sober up, but he had left his jacket on the back of his chair with his cigarettes in his pocket and had forgotten to bring it out.

Frustrated, he found Jiang Changshen’s profile and sent a message.

“I’m in the second-to-last cubicle.”

No emoticons, no tone, just a statement. But the words were full of fantasy.

He watched as the chat box popped up, indicating typing.It disappeared again quickly. Shen Qi was squinting and smiling.

Then he locked his phone and listened for movement outside.

He remembered that Jiang Changshen was wearing a pair of dress shoes today. Today was just a standard ceremony, so the man wasn’t dressed very formally. Naturally, the film emperor was free to wear whatever he wanted, but supporting actors like Shen Qi and Ning Yuntian had to wear more elaborate clothes.

Shen Qi counted silently. When he reached eighty-nine, a pair of shoes appeared under the bathroom door, and then the door snapped shut.

A big grin appeared across his face. He had left the stall door unlocked. Shen Qi stretched out his foot and tapped the floor.

The door opened inwards and there was Jiang Changshen, as expected.

Shen Qi smiled crookedly while he sat on the toilet. Because he had been drinking previously, his posture was slightly slouched and his legs were spread casually to the sides,  With a thin layer of red on his face, his chin slightly raised, and a pair of beautiful eyes that gave the impression of looking down at you from above, like a proud Persian cat, he was extraordinarily provocative.

Jiang Changshen closed and locked the door behind him. Then, he took a sudden step forward.

The space instantly became small. The cubicle that should hold only one person was crammed full with two large men. There was no need to do much other than to take a step forward and face one another.

Shen Qi’s eyes were bold and heated, thanks to alcohol. He licked his lips with a provocative gaze, wordlessly asking, ‘Do you dare?’

The suppressed emotions in Jiang Changshen’s eyes finally broke out. He brought his right knee up between Shen Qi’s legs, leaning forward in a smooth motion. His big hand clamped down on Shen Qi’s chin so the young man would have to look up at him.

He peered down condescendingly, completely devoid of his previous gentleness, like a hunter who had swooped in to capture his prey, from high above everything.

Jiang Changshen cupped Shen Qi’s chin in his right hand and rubbed his thumb over the young man’s lips. His left hand was placed on Shen Qi’s neck, as if he would crush him immediately if he struggled.

It was a gesture of absolute control. There was no resistance, no doubt.

Shen Qi didn’t resist, didn’t struggle. He was even smiling as he tilted his head. He showed off his flawless neck, giving permission.

At this moment, Jiang Changshen was finally tearing down his veneer of moderation, revealing his essence. His eyes were heavy, darting around Shen Qi’s face as if pondering where to take a bite.

This was too grating!

Was Jiang Changshen still not willing to man up?

Shen Qi’s eyes were clearly expressing his meaning. He leaned up, reached out and hooked his hand behind the man’s neck, pulling him down.

Suddenly, Jiang Changshen laughed, a laugh that wasn’t his standard film emperor laugh. He was smiling from the bottom of his heart, truly happy.

Shen Qi wasn’t blinded by this. His gaze remained focused, since he already knew that Jiang Changshen was good looking. While Shen Qi liked his face, in this moment, that ‘like’ instantly went up by two steps.

In the confined space, the air became instantly hot.

Neither of them spoke. Their eyes were heated and full of double-meanings.

Shen Qi couldn’t hold back. He investigated the thumb against his lips with his tongue. There was a sense of urgency, and the faint smell of tobacco made his whole body hot.

So impatient?

Jiang Changshen sported a teasing look. He tweaked Shen Qi’s tongue twice in passing. Only when Shen Qi grew impatient and urged him along did he pull his finger out and lean in for a kiss.

It had the taste of beer.

Both of them had had quite a few drinks at the dinner party. Between their lips and tongues was the strong smell of beer.

Compared to Shen Qi’s youthfulness, Jiang Changshen knew how to kiss, or rather, he was very good at controlling the pace. From shallow to deep, from light to forceful, little by little Shen Qi’s nerves were being stirred up, slowly raising another part of him.

Shen Qi’s entire body was soft, and in the end he could only cling to Jiang Changshen, following his rhythm, completely taking in what he was being given, the excess liquid running down his jaw and not in his mouth.

His tongue was becoming numb and his lips were swollen and red. They were making wet sucking noises.

Suddenly footsteps sounded.

Someone was there!

Shen Qi’s scattered mind was momentarily jolted awake.

Jiang Changshen slowed the pace. The kiss turned from intense to soothing, their noses touching. Feeling the tautness of the young man in his hold, Jiang Changshen’s chest vibrated and laughter spilled out.

Shen Qi stared at him.

Jiang Changshen’s bent knee moved. Instantly, Shen Qi became limp.

Despicable!

His glare became fiercer. But his reddened cheeks and his wet eyes with the corners upturned did not show any angry intent. Instead, they hooked you in.

Or at least, Jiang Changshen was hooked. Hearing the footsteps departing, he kissed Shen Qi again.