Because Liang Yan simply couldn’t keep his mouth shut, Qiao Qi ended up sleeping through the second half of the flight.

As the plane neared landing, it hit turbulence, jolting Qiao Qi awake. Her eyes blinked in a daze for a few seconds, until the man beside her lifted her hand and kissed the back of it, asking quietly, “Awake?”

Only then did Qiao Qi register that she was still on the plane.

“I was dreaming — thought it was an earthquake.” Qiao Qi’s voice was thick and soft with sleep, and to Liang Yan’s ears it sounded like a kitten acting coy.

She instinctively leaned closer into his side.

Liang Yan, this boyfriend who had never before witnessed Qiao Qi acting sweet and clingy, froze for a moment, then reacted with lightning speed, lifting his arm to pull her into his embrace.

He lowered his eyes, gaze falling on her slightly mussed but endearingly warm head, and couldn’t help but let a rippling tenderness spill into his eyes.

He lowered his voice, stroking her head the way one soothes a child, and said, “If there’s an earthquake, it’ll hit me first. You can hide underneath me.”

Qiao Qi yawned lazily, then tilted her head up and, uncharacteristically, initiated a kiss on Liang Yan’s chin.

And with that single act, in front of their production colleagues, their relationship became public.

…Although everyone had more or less already assumed the two of them were a couple, the sight still left everyone stunned for a moment.

Liang Yan himself wasn’t quite as stunned, because he’d been kissed into a daze.

After a beat of bewilderment, he looked down at Qiao Qi. “Why’d you kiss me?”

Qiao Qi said, “Not allowed? Fine, sorry, I won’t next—”

Liang Yan covered her mouth.

With his own mouth.

By the time Qiao Qi got off the plane, her face was still red.

Behind her, Liang Yan wore a half-quirked smile, in an excellent mood, and at one point even suggested skipping the VIP passage.

He wanted to go greet the fans, ideally so they could all see him glowing with satisfaction.

— But Qiao Qi stopped him.

“Can you not always be trying to make headlines?”

“This counts as headlines?” Liang Yan scoffed. “If I carried you out right now and announced the gender of the baby in your belly, that would be headlines.”

Qiao Qi: “…”

Ugh.

She didn’t want to deal with this man.

“Hey.” Liang Yan suddenly poked her arm.

Qiao Qi shot him a look.

Liang Yan: “Want to have a baby?”

Qiao Qi: “?”

Liang Yan: “Beg me. If you beg me, I’ll help you out.”

Qiao Qi: “…”

Absolute lunatic.

—

Backstage at the event, everyone was in their own dressing rooms doing hair and makeup.

The dressing rooms looked separate from the outside, but really, they were just divided by thin partitions.

If one really wanted to, moving them wasn’t hard at all.

Liang Yan, for instance, moved his with total confidence and zero shame.

Qiao Qi had been sitting with her eyes closed getting her makeup done when she suddenly felt her makeup artist’s hand pause. Puzzled, she opened her eyes and found herself locked in eye contact with Liang Yan, who had “brazenly” slipped through the gap in the partition.

Liang Yan had already changed into his outfit — a black suit, hair styled to perfection, forehead exposed, with finely sculpted eyes beneath his brows.

His whole bearing carried such noble refinement that even squeezing through a gap in a partition didn’t make him seem the least bit out of place.

There were staff in the dressing room not from the Secret Key production, and seeing Liang Yan just show up in their room like that left them all stunned in place, momentarily unsure how to react.

By the time Liang Yan strode over to Qiao Qi’s side, his long slender fingers reaching out to pinch her soft, pale earlobe teasingly, everyone finally vaguely understood what was going on.

But the two people directly involved didn’t seem to care much what outsiders thought.

Qiao Qi raised a hand and slapped the back of his hand. “Why’d you come over here?”

Liang Yan pulled up a chair and sat beside her, tilting his head to look at her reflection in the mirror. “Came to help pick your dress.”

Qiao Qi glanced at him at the sound of his voice.

The stylist beside her glanced at him too.

Ten minutes later, the sofa in the dressing room was piled with one discarded gown after another.

“To be honest, you could wear this one and just stand on a street corner.”

“Tsk, what brand is this? Are they going out of business? Saving that much on fabric?”

“Wow, is this even underwear?”

“…”

After Liang Yan had rejected the seventh dress, Qiao Qi decisively shoved him out of her dressing room.

Liang Yan clicked his tongue, stretched out his arm to wrap around Qiao Qi’s waist, pulled her firmly into his chest, and murmured a warning: “Pick well. If you don’t pick well, I really might make some headlines.”

Qiao Qi gave several perfunctory “mm-hm”s, her soft, boneless hands braced against his chest, pushing him toward the door.

Liang Yan glanced around, saw everyone in the room busy with their own tasks, and in a flash of opportunity, cupped Qiao Qi’s face and planted a kiss on her lips.

After the kiss, he commented, “Your lipstick’s smudged. Have the makeup artist touch it up,” then turned and walked back the way he came.

Leaving Qiao Qi standing there alone, utterly speechless.

Wasn’t this man supposed to be a noble young master?

Why was he so effortlessly skilled at every manner of shameless behavior?

“Qi—Teacher Qiao… um… should I touch up your lipstick?” the makeup artist’s voice sounded from behind her.

Only then did Qiao Qi’s ears belatedly flush red.

—

This event was mainly to promote Mist Pavilion, which was premiering the next evening. The trailer that had come out earlier had gotten quite a considerable amount of views and plays.

There were interviews at the event, and the interviews inevitably brought up questions about Liang Yan’s recent trending scandal.

Liang Yan naturally couldn’t answer that directly, and instead gave a cool smile, turning the question back on the reporters: “Anyone who doesn’t know better might think someone else played the male lead in Mist Pavilion.”

The reporter: “…Netizens are just curious, that’s all.”

“Will netizens pay for my retirement?”

The reporter: “…”

As it turned out, Liang Yan wasn’t the type to properly cooperate with interviews just because he was in a good mood.

His interview style remained, as ever… enough to make people want to quit their jobs.

While Liang Yan was being harassed with various questions, Qiao Qi, rather than sticking close to him affectionately, unusually walked alongside Lin Chu instead.

With Mist Pavilion premiering, Qiao Qi was naturally also at the peak of public discussion.

Media outlets on all sides kept the cameras trained closely.

Qiao Qi walked with Lin Chu, and Lin Chu — only too pleased — played the gentleman with thorough attentiveness, straightening her dress and even offering his arm so she could steady herself while walking in her heels.

The fans on site kept screaming, shouting both Qiao Qi’s and Lin Chu’s names.

The livestream comments also had plenty of attention on Lin Chu:

【Ahhh it’s the Deputy Officer!!】 【This pairing is actually super shippable too!】 【Lin Chu looks so upright! Total old-cadre vibes!】 【Our Brother Lin Chu is a solid investment — doesn’t go near women, spends all his time with gym equipment, total old-cadre material!】

These comments landed on Cheng Yueming in a very different way. As Lin Chu’s girlfriend, she couldn’t help feeling jealous of these fans who got to openly express their affection for their idol.

If only… if only she could… Cheng Yueming gripped her phone tightly, accidentally hitting the lock button, and the screen went dark.

She didn’t turn it back on, instead staying quietly in the backstage dressing room, thinking about how to secretly get hold of Lin Chu’s phone.

Lin Chu had an assistant, but she wasn’t particularly close with him, and it would be awkward to just go up and ask for his phone directly.

After much deliberation, Cheng Yueming decided to test the waters first.

What if the assistant already knew about their relationship?

Meanwhile, Qiao Qi and Lin Chu were being interviewed. Two single people of the opposite sex — naturally the questions about preferred partner types were unavoidable.

Qiao Qi didn’t answer directly, just said it was the same as before, nothing had changed.

When the reporter pressed for specifics, Qiao Qi said flatly, “Can’t.”

The reporter: “…”

The leads on this production were all so hard to interview.

Lin Chu and He Nianyi, who joined later, were much easier to interview, though the reporters clearly weren’t as curious about them and moved on after a few quick questions.

He Nianyi’s carefully maintained polite smile nearly cracked in front of the cameras — she clenched her teeth, watching Qiao Qi draw endless flashbulbs despite her aloof expression, her resentment deepening.

So, unable to hold back, she “accidentally” stumbled and grabbed onto Qiao Qi, who was standing closest to her.

But someone reacted even faster than she did—

In full view of everyone, Liang Yan, who had still been in the middle of being filmed, seemed to catch something in his peripheral vision; his expression suddenly shifted, and before anyone could quite register what was happening, Liang Yan had already crossed the distance to Qiao Qi in a few long strides.

And steadily shielded her in his embrace.

Meanwhile, He Nianyi, stumbling and about to fall, was skillfully redirected by Liang Yan straight into Lin Chu’s arms.

Two perfect pairs, each matched in looks.

Under this “misunderstanding,” such a dramatic scene unfolded, and the flashbulbs went off even brighter for a moment.

Backstage, in the restroom.

Lin Chu practically dragged He Nianyi into a corner, his brow furrowed, his originally rugged features looking rather fierce.

He Nianyi acted coy. “What’s with you! So fierce!”

Lin Chu, thoroughly annoyed, let his impatience show plainly on his face. “Didn’t I tell you not to act rashly? Can’t you see that this business with Liang Xumo has had zero effect on Liang Yan? If he turns around and investigates, do you think you’ll come out of it well?”

“So what? The show’s already aired anyway, and Secret Key is almost wrapped. What are you so worried about?” He Nianyi hadn’t seen Lin Chu in a long time and missed him terribly, so even though he was so impatient with her, she still couldn’t help wrapping herself around his muscular arm. “Ugh, fine, I get it. Won’t happen again.”

Lin Chu said nothing, but he didn’t refuse the kiss He Nianyi initiated either.

The two of them kissed passionately in the corner, and just around the bend, Cheng Yueming saw the entire thing with perfect clarity.

She stood frozen in place for a moment, not knowing how to react.

A few seconds later, she instinctively started to step forward to confront Lin Chu, when a hand reached out from behind her.

Covering her mouth.

Another hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her forcefully to the side.

Cheng Yueming, still dazed, only then realized it was Qiao Qi and Liang Yan.

Cheng Yueming remembered that not long ago she’d told Qiao Qi she wanted to coax her boyfriend, and now this had happened instead.

She gave a self-mocking tug of her lips; her eyes were full of tears, but she still managed to say, with resilience, “Sorry you two had to see this.”

The more she acted this way, the deeper Liang Yan’s frown grew. “What’s there to cry about? Have some backbone.”

Qiao Qi understood the girl’s feelings far better than Liang Yan did, and elbowed him irritably in the side to make him shut up.

Cheng Yueming wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her voice still thick. “You two already knew?”

This time Qiao Qi didn’t hide it, telling her honestly, “Not the specifics. I heard him on the phone once, but I didn’t know who it was.”

Cheng Yueming made an “mm” sound, fell silent for several seconds, then suddenly looked up and asked, “If something happens to him, will it affect Secret Key and Mist Pavilion?”

Before Qiao Qi could answer, Liang Yan said, “Why worry about all that? Just do what you want to do.”

Cheng Yueming looked deeply at Liang Yan for a long moment, then finally made another “mm” sound.

After Cheng Yueming left, Qiao Qi finally exhaled. “That girl’s pretty clear-headed, actually.”

“She’d better be,” Liang Yan said. “If she weren’t, neither Aunt Yu nor Director Cheng would let her get away with it.”

As they talked, Qiao Qi overheard He Nianyi telling Lin Chu she was going to the restroom, and that she’d wait for him in the hotel room that night.

But Lin Chu refused, saying he had other matters to attend to.

Hearing this, Qiao Qi and Liang Yan both paused at the same moment, exchanging a wordless glance.

Then silently ducked out of sight.

Once Lin Chu left, Liang Yan and Qiao Qi came back out.

The two of them looked toward the women’s restroom, and Liang Yan tilted his head slightly. “I’ll leave it to you?”

Qiao Qi smiled.

Neither of them said anything else, yet each understood the other’s thinking completely.

Entering the women’s restroom, Qiao Qi scanned all the stalls — only one showed red, occupied.

Which meant that right now, aside from herself, the only other person in the entire restroom was He Nianyi.

So Qiao Qi, without the slightest hesitation, pulled out her phone, opened Liang Yan’s WeChat, and pretending to send a voice message to a girlfriend, said: “Don’t keep going around asking about it, I’m not with Lin Chu, we just walked the red carpet together. And besides, Lin Chu’s always had a girlfriend — it’s Cheng Yueming, our director’s daughter. The two of them have been keeping it a secret relationship, hardly anyone knows. It’s Cheng Yueming’s first relationship, she doesn’t know anything, don’t spread it around too much, or she might—”

“Bang—!”

The stall door swung open.

Everything that needed saying had been said, so being interrupted now didn’t matter.

Qiao Qi turned around, feigning composure, and saw He Nianyi looking visibly “stunned” for a moment.

Then He Nianyi’s brow furrowed, as if nothing at all had just happened. “Something wrong?”

He Nianyi’s expression was awful. “What did you just say? Lin Chu is with Cheng Yueming?”

So — she really didn’t know about Lin Chu and Cheng Yueming.

Which meant it wasn’t He Nianyi deliberately playing the mistress — it was Lin Chu alone, toying with two women at once!

Qiao Qi felt sick inside, but on the surface she deliberately put on an expression like her private business had just been exposed. “That’s none of your concern. Please don’t go spreading it around.”

“What the hell! Spreading what?! I’m the one who’s Lin Chu’s girlfriend, okay?!” He Nianyi cursed.

Qiao Qi’s expression changed right on cue. “What did you say?”

She feigned anger. “He Nianyi, our business is our own to sort out, don’t just because you don’t like me—”

“What do you mean ‘don’t’? Yeah, I don’t like you, but I have a brain!” He Nianyi genuinely loved Lin Chu — in her mind, he’d always been clean, mature, and dependable. Now to discover he was two-timing her like this?

“You said Cheng Yueming’s with Lin Chu — since when?” He Nianyi asked.

Qiao Qi, utterly candid now, said, “Not sure.”

He Nianyi turned and walked out. “I’m going to find Cheng Yueming.”

Qiao Qi didn’t stop her.

Because Qiao Qi knew that although He Nianyi loved scheming and playing underhanded games, when it came to matters of the heart, she was genuinely serious.

And apparently, her first love had once cheated on her, which was why she despised the idea of a man being unfaithful so intensely.

Qiao Qi watched He Nianyi’s retreating figure, then after a moment washed her hands and sauntered out.

At the door, Liang Yan was, unsurprisingly, waiting. Seeing her, he smiled lightly and said, deliberately, “How do you know me so well?”

From the way He Nianyi and Lin Chu had parted, it was obvious He Nianyi had no idea about Lin Chu and Cheng Yueming.

He’d been able to tell. And with how sharp and clever Qiao Qi was, she’d have picked up on it too.

Qiao Qi glanced at Liang Yan, not continuing on that topic, and instead asked, “How do you know so much about He Nianyi’s attitude toward relationships? Why are you paying that much attention to her?”

Liang Yan paused, his expression tightening. “Don’t go looking for trouble.”

Qiao Qi let out a “hmph.”

The two of them then finally headed backstage.

Along the way, Qiao Qi said, a little worried, “Should we go check on them?”

Liang Yan said, “No need.”

He walked with Qiao Qi back to her dressing room. By now the room had cleared of staff, and he casually pulled her down beside him onto the lounge chair.

He crossed his legs, leaned back, every bit the picture of a boss.

While Qiao Qi looked like the little white flower he’d gathered into his arms.

He absentmindedly played with her hair, tracing along her jaw.

Annoyed by his teasing, Qiao Qi forcibly pinned both his hands to the sides of the chair and asked seriously, “Why not? He Nianyi’s not someone easy to deal with either — I’m worried she and Yueming will end up in a fight.”

“They won’t,” Liang Yan said. “Isn’t there a saying about how a shared enemy makes women friends? Those two are probably scheming right now about how to deal with Lin Chu.”

“Oh.” Still, Qiao Qi couldn’t fully set her worries aside.

Liang Yan noticed her concern, smiled, and cupped her face for a kiss. “Don’t worry. Mingming’s practically half my little sister — how could I not look out for her?”

As he spoke, his phone rang.

Liang Yan pulled it out and glanced at the caller. “Tch,” he clicked his tongue, glancing at Qiao Qi with a roguish look. “See, speak of the devil.”

Author’s Note: He Nianyi: I’m gonna clean house and switch sides!!