Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Character profiles. A necessary part of any smau.

For the rest of the characters, there's no point in making a profile. You'll get to know them when it's needed. But you already know everyone, sort of.

Next chapter, the story starts and this autor will only appear on the notes, I promise.

Enjoy :3

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"Lao Xie," Hua Cheng called, stopping Xie Lian's retreat as they left the company's building. "About the rehearsals—"
"Oh, yes, next week, right?" Xie Lian said nervously.
"Yeah. Maybe we could meet—" Hua Cheng continued with a big smile, so Xie Lian had to interrupt him again before it got more awkward.
"I'm sorry, Hua Cheng, but I must go," Xie Lian rushed to say. "I'm glad to share this project with you, I'm sure we'll get acquainted soon!"
"Sure..." Hua Cheng said weakly, his bright smile falling a little. "We'll meet at the rehearsals, then."
Xie Lian nodded and practically ran from the place, getting to his assistant's car in record time.
"Are you okay?" Quan Yizhen asked from the front seat as Xie Lian fastened his seatbelt.
"Yes, everything is okay," he lied.
"Congratulations on the job," he smiled, giving him a small bag with pastries. "Your costar's assistant dropped this."
"Oh." Xie Lian opened the paper bag with care and took out a cream bun. His favorite.
With a smile, he took a few bites before remembering to take a quick picture of the pastry. It was good, really good. Hua Cheng had good taste.
Hua Cheng... It was his first time meeting the younger actor in person, he was even more handsome than on screen. His plump lips and tall nose were breathtaking, his deep voice was hypnotizing, and he couldn't help trying to take in his scent... But he didn't have any, well hidden behind suppressors. It was unusual for an alpha to hide his scent to that extent, and that made him even more interesting for Xie Lian. Mysterious.
And their chemistry... It had been so comfortable to act with him, to get close to him, and interacting with him while on character was the easiest part he'd ever played. He was charming and slipped into his passionate demonic role with ease, and Xie Lian, playing a rebel immortal, was enthralled by him. But when they stopped acting, the chemistry was still there, Xie Lian couldn't shake it off himself, he was still attracted to the man.
It was scary and unexpected, they were both alphas after all. And it was inconvenient, since he had San Lang already.
Yes, there was nothing romantic between them, but Xie Lian was already half in love with his online friend. He hoped that, when they finally met in person, the spark was still there and they could become a real thing. Having a crush on his costar wasn't something he could allow.
But he couldn't be impolite, either.

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After the first group reading, it was time for his health check-up. It was a necessary part of the training that he should have gone through the day before but he was flying in from an ad shooting and arrived almost at midnight. They had scheduled him for this afternoon and the next morning he had to come back for a quick blood test.
Upon arriving at the medical facility, he noticed he wasn't the only one from the cast there. He quickly registered and went to sit next to Shi Qingxuan and Lang Qianqiu, eager to be around familiar faces in such an environment.
Xie Lian had a secret he told no one about. Not his cousin. Not his oldest friends. Not even San Lang. He was terrified of hospitals. He had spent so much time in one when he was little because of the car accident that killed both his parents. He was barely injured, but was deeply traumatized and became very quiet, bottling everything up. His aunt and uncle sent him to therapy at the same hospital where he had recovered from the accident, and he hated every moment of it, but he said nothing. He couldn't. One of the many things the therapist recommended to get him to open up was theatre lessons, and that's when he started acting.
He found his passion, and with time he healed his emotional wounds, but his discomfort at hospitals was still there.
"Oh, Xie laoshi," said Lang Qianqiu. "Here for your check-up, too? I couldn't make it yesterday, my flight was delayed, yours too?"
The younger actor was very effusive when he talked, barely leaving him space to answer with a nod.
"Please, Xie laoshi is too formal, Lian-ge is all right," he said, and Lang Qianqiu's smile brightened. Before he could talk anymore, he was called by a doctor and had to leave.
"He's a fan of yours, he was so nervous when he saw you through the door just now," Shi Qingxuan whispered, moving to the seat Lang Qianqiu just vacated. "I'm a fan myself, but I consider myself more chill."
"I'm glad to meet you both, I'm not worthy of your adoration, I'm just some guy," Xie Lian said, controlling the blush that crept up his neck.
"Lian-ge, you're not some guy, you're one of the greatest actors of our generation," she declared, then continued jokingly. "Even if you're scared of hospitals."
Xie Lian blinked slowly. "How did you know?"
"You were so nervous when you got in. Shit, you're still nervous now, Lian-ge, it's not subtle."
"I've been keeping this fear a secret for so long, please don't tell anyone," he pleaded.
"I wouldn't! But it's nothing to be ashamed of, Lian-ge."
"I know, but I'm still ashamed... Please keep the secret?" Xie Lian blinked, trying to emulate the look his cat gave him when he tried to feign innocence.
"Of course! But on one condition."
"Wh-what condition?" Xie Lian stammered.
"We're friends now," she said solemnly, then added, "Even if you don't want to be our friend I still wouldn't tell, don't worry, I'm no snitch."
"I'll be your friend," Xie Lian smiled. "You're fun."
"Why, thank you," she bowed her head, then heard her name. "They're calling me, they probably have my new dose of suppressants, I was running too low."
She stood up but doubted, looking at him.
"Oh, okay, go, don't worry about me."
"We'll wait for you to go back to the hotel together. And tomorrow morning you can meet with Qianqiu for the blood tests."
Xie Lian felt so grateful that he could only nod, keeping the tears pooling in his eyes at bay. It was always nice to have someone who knew and respected your fears without belittling them.

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Xie Lian was taking five minutes to rest his feet before the next scene when a knock came on his trailer's door. Thinking it must be his assistant with the boba he requested, he simply shouted "Come, come" without bothering to lower his legs from the bench where he had them lifted. His costume's robes were pooling against his lap, baring most of his legs and showing his bare feet. The costume shoes were very uncomfortable, he had already discussed it with the production when he had his costume fittings, but the new, more comfortable shoes haven't arrived yet, so he had to make do with the bad ones.
"Xie laoshi," came a deep voice from the door once it opened. "Oh, you're..."
Hua Cheng tensed at the entrance, looking him over, stopping for a longer moment at his legs then lifting his gaze over his disordered robes to finish with a very small grin on his face.
"I'm resting a little. The shoes are killing me, honestly," Xie Lian complained, moving his robes a little until his legs were mostly covered. Hua Cheng left a loud sigh and visibly relaxed. "What brought you here?"
"I just wanted to chat. About our characters and stuff," he said.
"Come, sit," Xie Lian pointed at an empty chair by his side, and as Hua Cheng came closer his breath hitched. It was a bad idea having him so close out of the filming set. It was hard enough to focus during the scenes, but he couldn't stop watching him when they were alone. He had messed up most of his scenes with Hua Cheng and wasted all the afternoon, the director wasn't his fan, and Xie Lian was a starting to feel upset with himself.
Hua Cheng must have noticed a little of what he was feeling, because instead of talking about Xie Lian's character, he took the conversation slightly elsewhere.
"We're filming the scenes where I deceive you about my identity, my character is such a scumbag," he complained with a mocking smile.
"You're not a scumbag! You've second intentions, sure, but you're also shy when you meet me," Xie Lian excused his character, and Hua Cheng lifted an eyebrow. Xie Lian looked intently at said eyebrow, his mouth suddenly dry.
"Yes, because you're so beautiful."
Hua Cheng looked at him unblinking and Xie Lian felt his heart skip a beat, before he stammered, "Um, I mean, sure, that's what your character must be thinking certainly."
"I really understand the guy. You're mesmerizing," Hua Cheng said as he inclined a little in his hair, getting even closer
"Oh, Hua Cheng, what—" Xie Lian blushed, unsure of what to do, when Hua Cheng chuckled and straightened back.
"I mean, this costume looks amazing, I get why you have three alphas in love with you."
"Oh. Haha. Thanks, yeah, we should congratulate the costume department, they did a great job," Xie Lian still felt nervous, but relaxed a little. Hua Cheng was scary, and his gaze was intense, but he was a great actor on set which made it even more difficult for Xie Lian to not like him.
The trailer door opened without a knock and Quan Yizhen walked in with a cup of bubble tea that he handed to Xie Lian. Just then, he looked at Hua Cheng with a questioning look.
"Your assistant was looking for you. Something about touching your make up," he shrugged.
Hua Cheng stood up and gave Xie Lian a fleeting smile before walking out without a word.
"What was he doing here?" Quan Yizhen asked.
"I honestly have no idea."

Xie Lian dropped his phone when he got to the last bouquet. White flowers. The exact same amount and style as he used to send. He. The stalker. The reason he stopped working on big productions.
He reached for the card, hoping it was just a coincidence.
"Welcome back" was all it said.
It was definitely him. 

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Xie Lian saw the preview for San Lang's answer and his heart fell a little, but he lifted his head and decided to take his advice. Right now.
He stood up from his bed, stretched his cramped leg, and put some shoes on before taking the stairs two floors down, looking for the single room Hua Cheng had at the hotel.
He was completely sure of this. Well, not that sure. Maybe 80% sure. Or more like 60%. He was on the verge of tears, but he also felt like laughing.
He knocked on his door, putting on his best smile and ready to beg if it was necessary.
Hua Cheng opened up with a smile that wasn't at all surprised.
"Gege," he said, and stepped aside so he could enter his room.

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"You can't keep getting away with it!"
"Then take me to your sect. Isn't that what you want?"
Hua Cheng walked to him, extending his arms together in front of him. Xie Lian took a step back, but hit a wall—that was supposed to be a tree.
"Don't— don't come closer!"
"Why not, Hao-er?"
"Don't call me that!"
His heart was beating wildly, and he wasn't sure if it was his character or himself that felt the need to get away while not wanting to do that. The contradiction that his character, a rebel immortal that still held his righteous values, was facing. He wanted Hua Cheng, but he shouldn't.
"Hao-er, Hao-er, don't you like how it sounds?"
Hua Cheng took a tie and handed it to him. It represented the immortal rope he was supposed to use in the real scene.
"Tie me. I'll go with you."
With shaky fingers, that were both his and his character's, Xie Lian tied Hua Cheng's hands loosely. Hua Cheng smirked, still in character, and lifted his arms above them, letting them fall behind Xie Lian's head. That put their faces close, and Xie Lian wanted to stop, but couldn't manage to call it. He bit his lower lip, and Hua Cheng's sight wandered there.
Then, he took a long step back, and shook his body, loosening up.
"That was good, gege. You're really good."
"Hua Cheng..."
"Come, sit." He pointed at the small table beside the bed. "Do you want a snack?"
Xie Lian nodded, while sitting on the chair, still shaking the scene off from him.
"That was intense," he mumbled.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine... Well, not entirely. I'm feeling too much, Hua Cheng."
Hua Cheng was sitting on the bed, and leaned against him, putting their faces closer.
"Do I make you nervous?"
Xie Lian gulped. "Yes. And no."
"You're so interesting." He licked his lips. "Do you know... Do you know we're meant to kiss in this scene, right? I mean, I'm meant to steal a kiss from you. So do you want to...rehearse that?"
Xie Lian started to nod, then stopped.
"Better not." He stood up, and moved to the door. "I know we can do it tomorrow. It's just a peck, after all. No need to rehearse that."
Hua Cheng nodded, not standing up from the bed but smiling.
"See you tomorrow, then."
Xie Lian nodded back, and got out of the room.
He almost ran the stairs up, his feet not fast enough to lead him to his bed before he started to shake.
It was overwhelming. Hua Cheng was overwhelming. But talking to him felt comfortable. Nice. Familiar.

"Thanks for inviting me, Xie laoshi," said Hua Cheng politely. Xie Lian had been silent the entire meal, but Hua Cheng felt comfortable just in his presence. Still, he tried to reach him a little, trying to start a conversation.
The kiss probably got Xie Lian shy again. Even so, he had managed to end all his scenes for today flawlessly, and Hua Cheng couldn't be more proud. This man he had in front of him, eating his food and lifting his head from time to time with a smile, was the reason Hua Cheng decided to start acting. He considered briefly becoming a fansite to be close to him, but in acting he found a passion, so he decided to go with it, hoping for the day he could act alongside his idol.
And the time was here.
Even after talking to him as San Lang for more than a year, he was dumbfounded every time he was in Xie Lian's presence. He managed to collect himself with a high dose of suppressors and a lot of self-control. But he wanted to let loose, to tell him all his secrets, to be called mine and marked and... He was getting too far ahead himself. First, he needed to start a conversation successfully.
"San Lang?" said Xie Lian softly all of a sudden.
"Yes, gege?" Hua Cheng answered on instinct. Then, he processed Xie Lian's words.
"I'm glad it's you," Xie Lian said with a knowing smile.
Busted.

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"You know, gege? I almost jumped from my window when you sent me that first DM. And I live in the eighteenth floor," Hua Cheng said jokingly.
Xie Lian smiled at him, still amazed. It was his San Lang. Hua Cheng was his San Lang. Last night, after they rehearsed the scene, he couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about the familiarity, about how comfortable he felt, and especially about that moment when Hua Cheng opened the door. He went over his last conversation with San Lang a few times, and fell asleep holding his phone.
When he woke up, he felt almost sure. And after he texted San Lang about the kiss he felt certain.
Still, it had taken him most of the dinner to say something, and he had barely eaten with how nervous he felt, his stomach in knots because what if he was wrong? And what if he was right and Hua Cheng felt uncomfortable? But he wasn't a coward, so he blurted what he correctly guessed as the truth.
Now, they were walking back to the hotel, and Xie Lian was still unsure about how to treat Hua Cheng now. But Hua Cheng, as usual, made it easier.
"I'm glad you didn't jump. Your post was so accurate, I had to say something," Xie Lian sighed. "«Nobody tells you how hard it is to be a young adult orphan. Everyone keeps complaining about their parents, but you have nothing to say. Because your parents aren't there anymore.»
"You remember?"
"I memorized it with how much I read it," Xie Lian admitted, blushing.
"You're amazing. Always have been. You know I'm a fan, right?"
"I know San Lang is a fan."
Hua Cheng sighed. "I kinda hate that name. I used it ironically. It was a few months after my father's passing when I created the account, and it was inspired by him. By how I was always third in his life, after himself and his job. I had a nanny my whole childhood, she was the one who showed me your dramas."
"She sounds like a nice lady," Xie Lian nodded.
"She was. The best. She was my best friend's grandma, so you could say she gave me the two most important people in my life."
"San Lang... No, I won't call you that, Hua Cheng," Xie Lian shook his head. They stopped at a red light, and Hua Cheng pushed his arm playfully.
"As much as I adore you calling my name, I like it when you call me San Lang. Only you call me that, you gave it a new meaning. Feels nice... to have a special name for your idol to call you."
"I'm a normal person. Don't make me your idol," Xie Lian huffed.
"Too late. You've been the light of my life for years now, you can't take it back."
They crossed the street, and soon they were at the hotel door. Hua Cheng's assistant was waiting for him with a worried look and a small suitcase, but he relaxed when he saw Xie Lian smiling by his side.
"What is he doing here?" Hua Cheng muttered when Yin Yu approached.
"I'm sorry, sir. Someone from the company called, there's good news about the sale, but the timeline—"
"To the point, Yin Yu," Hua Cheng said, impatient.
"You have to fly to Beijing right now to sign the papers tomorrow. I already discussed it with the production, you'll have to be back in two days."
Xie Lian felt like an outsider, so he started to walk to the elevator, giving them space.
"Gege," Hua Cheng called, and Xie Lian turned around. He was giving him a nervous smile, as if he was as full of doubts about their current relationship as Xie Lian. "I'll text you."
"Please," Xie Lian blurted. "I mean, sure. Let's text."
Hua Cheng smiled, then followed an impatient Yin Yu out of the hotel.

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Shi Qingxuan knocked on the door of the room Ming Yi was staying at the hotel and waited for a full minute. She wanted to explain herself, to curse her brother and to apologize. Yes, that was the perfect plan. After that, maybe get Ming Yi as a friend would be nice. Ming Yi was beautiful, after all.
But it wasn't Ming Yi who finally opened the door. It was a very bare chested Hua Cheng with an annoyed expression.
"Do you need something?" Behind him she caught a glimpse of Ming Yi with a devilish face that turned to disgust when she saw Shi Qingxuan was the one knocking.
"No, I'm sorry for interrupting," Shi Qingxuan rushed to say, and took a step back.
Hua Cheng shrugged and closed the door, and Shi Qingxuan stood there for a while before reacting and running to her room, where she locked herself in the bathroom to avoid her roommate.

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The past week had been torture. Hua Cheng kept sending him all kinds of snacks to his room, and kept texting him as San Lang. Yet Xie Lian still refused to talk. He felt a connection with him that night, and he thought... But it was all a lie. He was dating his childhood friend. One of the most important people in his life.
Once Shi Qingxuan told him what she saw, he went online, and he looked at the HuaYi supertopic. It was full of sweet moments between them, interviews talking about growing up and entering the entertainment world together, shared memories and a future in common. They couldn't imagine their lives without the other.
Xie Lian couldn't compete with that.
He all the food and snacks in a big box and looked sadly at the buns, and was about to throw it away when he saw the note.
"I saw you're sad. Please cheer up."
So it wasn't from San Lang.
His stalker had been quite calm lately, not nearly as intense as he used to be in the past. But he still appeared from time to time, making sure Xie Lian could never rest, and could never forget.
Without thinking much about it, he placed the box on the floor outside his room and locked the door.

"What do you want?" Ming Yi opened the door and stared down at her. Shi Qingxuan was shorter than her, so it was easier to be dismissive, and her resting bitch face sure helped.
Shi Qingxuan visibly shivered, but forced a smile before opening her mouth.
"Hey, can we talk for a second?"
"I have nothing to talk to you about," Ming Yi said, then started to close the door, but Shi Qingxuan threw her whole body at it and pushed it open again, landing forcefully against Ming Yi's chest.
Shi Qingxuan breathed heavily, looking up at her and blinking, scared and sweet pheromones coming out of her, with a scent of vanilla and something else she couldn't place. Instead of pushing her away, Ming Yi surrounded her waist with one arm and pushed her inside her room.
She released her on the couch softly, her own pheromones surrounding them with calming intent. Soon, her room smelt of her orange and pepper scent, the scared vanilla suppressed. Shi Qingxuan kept breathing heavily but for a different reason, and Ming Yi went to sit next to her to find out.
"What did you want to talk about?"
"I'm sorry," she blurted, looking her straight in the eyes. "I didn't know what my brother was doing. I'm sorry I took opportunities from you and got you fired from projects. I-I didn't know. I know it's not an excuse, but I was naive and stupid."
"It's okay—"
"It's not. I knew my brother was ruthless but I never expected him to do something like that. I was really, really stupid."
Ming Yi wanted to be pissed, but she found herself smiling.
"Aren't you upset?"
"I am upset. But not with you," Ming Yi said, realizing she actually felt that way. Shi Qingxuan was innocent. And annoying. And too happy most of the time. But she was also cute, and beautiful, and talented. And she smelt like vanilla and... Coconut. And Ming Yi loved coconut.
Without stopping to think about it, Ming Yi closed the space between them and captured Shi Qingxuan's lips in a soft but urgent kiss, her hand holding her neck, her thumb lightly caressing her gland. Shi Qingxuan moaned at the touch, but pushed her away breathlessly.
"What about Hua Cheng?" she asked, almost panicking.
"What about him?" Ming Yi asked in confusion.
"Aren't you two dating?"
Ming Yi chuckled and shook her head. "Me and that idiot? Never."
"Thank Goddess," Shi Qingxuan blurted, then kissed her back, pushing her against the couch until she was sitting in her lap, one leg at each side of her hips.
Ming Yi held her by her thighs and stood up, carrying her to her bed.
And the scent of vanilla and coconut and orange and pepper filled the room, intertwined in an unexpected dance.

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Xie Lian was pretending. After all, he was a professional actor, this was his speciality.
Pretend to not care about the man he likes being the man he was weirdly attracted to.
Pretend to be indifferent to Hua Cheng dating someone that wasn't him.
Pretend he doesn't have a broken heart.
Pretend to be strong and detached with his stalker.
But he was actually scared. Last time, Jun Wu followed him everywhere and controlled his every schedule with the excuse of being his manager. He had isolated him from his friends and family, making him busy and lonely until Jun Wu was his only constant company. He also sent him anonymous gifts, his favorite flowers or food. He ruined white flowers and wonton soup for him.
When Xie Lian managed to break from him, literally running away when he realized he was staying at an hotel that belonged to Feng Xin's family. His friends had saved him, and his cousin took him in and gave him a symbolic job at their family company until he managed to stand on his feet again.
It had taken years of therapy and a very strong will to go back to his dream job.
And now Jun Wu texted him when he was heartbroken and sad. But that sadness now became anger
Someone knocked on the toilet door and Xie Lian opened with fury, ready to punch whoever dared to annoy him.
"Woah, calm down," said Feng Xin, taking a step back to avoid being hit by the door. By his side was Mu Qing, who had been moved from the trajectory of the door by Feng Xin, who still kept a protective arm around his waist.
"I'm sorry," Xie Lian sighed. "Jun Wu texted me. He didn't do anything, and I already blocked him, but it gets me kinda..."
"That asshole," Feng Xin muttered, ready to go to the company building in another city to punch a certain CEO.
"I checked with the AD," Mu Qing intervened, then explained, "It's about to rain so they'll take the chance to record some of the rain scenes, but none of us is included in them so we can go."
"Let's get to the hotel," said Feng Xin, finally releasing Mu Qing and placing a hand around Xie Lian's shoulders. "Let's watch a movie and eat junk food, like the old days."
Life was complicated for Xie Lian, but at least he never had to pretend with his friends.

"Did I interrupt the sweet couple?" said Jian Lan jokingly as Feng Xin opened the door of his room.
"There's no couples here," blurted Feng Xin, looking back to the other two looking at him from the door. Mu Qing looked about to panic, while Xie Lian was half curious and half sad. And because he was sad, it hadn't been an option to leave him alone to satisfy his mate's urges. Luckily, he and Mu Qing shared the same mind, and their priority was to cheer up their best friend, so the impending rut had to be controlled. But he was still affected by their early conversation and flirting, or he would have been able to stop Jian Lan's well intended jokes.
"Haha don't lie to me babe, I know you too much," said Jian Lan, unaware of the turmoil in Feng Xin's mind.
"Xie Lian is here, we're having a friend's night,"  he explained rushedly, and Jian Lan blinked slowly, finally realizing that Xie Lian probably didn't know about them.
"Oh. Sure," she smiled awkwardly and went straight to what brought her there. "I just wanted to let you know, Cuocuo has a slight fever. I don't think it's dangerous but if it persists tomorrow morning can you take him to the hospital for a check up? I know you don't have scenes in the morning."
"Are you sure you don't want us to take him now?" asked Mu Qing, who had came to Feng Xin's side when he heard this was about the kid's health. He was frowning in worry, and Feng Xin fell in love with the man again seeing him so worried for his son.
Feng Xin couldn't help it and placed his hand on Mu Qing's lower back, caressing him in light circles. Mu Qing tensed, but Feng Xin knew him enough to know he was holding in a possessive growl. It was so cute, Feng Xin couldn't wait for everything to go back to normal so Mu Qing could release all his alpha instincts on him.
"I'm sure, step dad, I'll let you know first time in the morning, okay?" Jian Lan sighed, pleased with the mate her ex-husband got for himself.
"Please."
Jian Lan left and Feng Xin closed the door as they turned around and went back to sit at the bed. They were both deep in thought, so they didn't realize the suspicious look Xie Lian was giving them until he spoke.
"Are you two dating?"
Feng Xin blinked and said nothing, avoiding Xie Lian's face. Mu Qing, on the other hand, looked straight at Xie Lian's eyes, his gaze saying everything his mouth didn't.
Xie Lian sighed.
"I thought you trusted me," he mumbled, then moved to leave the room. Before closing the door after him, he turned to them briefly. "Let me know how Cuocuo feels in the morning."

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"Cut!" director Yushi Huang shouted.
"Everybody, take five. Qingxuan, Pei Ming, please don't leave, it's impossible to find you when you walk away," one of the assistant directors pleaded.
"Don't worry, cousin, I won't let her go anywhere," Pei Ming said jokingly, so Pei Xiu sighed with annoyance and went about his work.
"It's not like you can stop me, ge," Shi Qingxuan shook her head. "I lost all my respect for you twelve years ago, when you fought eight year old me for the last Oreo."
"But seventeen year old me got the Oreo, so guess who gets the last laugh," Pei Ming argued, punching her shoulder jokingly.
"Me, seeing how pathetic you are." She tried to punch him back, but her current costume restricted the movement of her arms. "Oh, you'll see when I'm in normal clothes!"
Then, Shi Qingxuan felt a presence at her side, so she turned around to find Ming Yi, just standing there silently.
"Ming-jie!" she said happily.
"We're the same age," reminded her Ming Yi, and Shi Qingxuan blushed, her husky tone and orange scent reminding her of their night together. It had been a couple days ago, and they've been texting since, but their schedules were opposites and this was the first time they were physically together again.
"Oh, look, the little thief," Pei Ming huffed, looking down at Ming Yi.
"I didn't steal anything," she refuted, giving Pei Ming a hard stare.
"You stole Qingxuan from me," he declared. Shi Qingxuan wanted to punch him and remind him that she would rather cut her tongue than kiss him, but Ming Yi spoke first.
"I didn't know you were a thing," she muttered, then walked away.
"You're an idiot," Shi Qingxuan snapped at Pei Ming, then went after the girl who she was starting to like a little too much.
"I thought you said you'll keep her here," Pei Xiu protested once he noticed his cousin standing alone in the middle of the set.
"Whatever," Pei Ming shrugged with a knowing smile, then ignored Pei Xiu and walked to his personal assistant to grab his phone.

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Ming Yi had mentioned how her scent was weird that morning, but Shi Qingxuan had decided to ignore it. They were busy with work, after all, and she had to put in suppressor patches anyway to be more comfortable on set without bothering anyone.
But when they returned to the hotel that evening and Ming Yi took off her patches before they entered the bathtub, even Shi Qingxuan could say something was unusual with herself. And that was when she realized it.
After being single and on suppressants for so long, she had kinda lost track of her estrus periods. She knew some days her scent was stronger so she'll use patches on top of the pills, and that was it.
But suppressants only took care of the symptoms. They didn't act as contraceptives.
"Ming Yi, I think..." she mumbled, and her girlfriend nodded as she reached the same conclusions.
The alpha didn't waste any time talking. She called for a car, placed the suppressor patches back, and took her straight to the hospital.
Shi Qingxuan felt giddy, seeing her girlfriend silently take control of the situation, and couldn't help kissing her cheek as they sat in a doctor's office waiting for her blood test results.
"Turns out I was in heat the first time we made it. I didn't realize with the suppressants but it makes sense how emotional I felt at the time," she sighed.
"So you don't actually want to be with me?" Ming Yi was still in full alpha mode, tense and ready to jump at any provocation, but she didn't push Qingxuan away when she surrounded her neck with her arms and hid her face in her neck.
"I do, I want you, I just..."
The doctor interrupted after a quick knock on the door and sat behind her desk. The young actresses straightened out, and Shi Qingxuan reached for Ming Yi's hand nervously.
"So, the results are out. You're pregnant, miss Shi."
"Oh."
Having a confirmation, Shi Qingxuan felt conflicted, her gaze down, and she started to panic, but Ming Yi squeezed her hand gently.
"What precautions do we need to take now? And what are our...options?" Ming Yi asked.

Jian Lan was about to post something to help Feng Xin with the fans when someone knocked on her door.
People might be confused about her relationship with her ex husband, but the truth was simple: she wasn't in love with him, and he was in love with his best friend, so it was pointless to fight for a doomed relationship. She had loved him at the beginning, and he at least liked her a little, but she was never more than a substitute for the person Feng Xin really loved. What she couldn't have guessed was that, once they broke up, he would start dating someone else that wasn't said best friend. Because the person Feng Xin had always loved wasn't Mu Qing, that came as a surprise to everyone. No, it was of course Xie Lian.
He never said anything, but Jian Lan was doomed with an ability to read people like open books. She saw he was in love with Xie Lian, she saw that he liked her —and she saw when he stopped liking her—, and now she also saw how much he loved Mu Qing. Jian Lan just wasn't the chosen one to push Xie Lian out of his heart.
She was sad at first, but she had no hard feelings about it anymore. Feng Xin was happy and more grounded now than when they were together, and Mu Qing was a good man that cared about Cuocuo. All in all, it was a good deal.
She opened her bedroom door, thinking it must be Feng Xin with their son, but instead Shi Qingxuan was standing awkwardly at the hallway.
"Oh! Hi."
"Were you expecting someone? I can come back later," said Shi Qingxuan rushedly, starting to take a step away.
"No, no. Feng Xin is supposed to drop Cuocuo later, but I'm free for now," she said, stopping her, and stepped aside so she could follow her in.
Shi Qingxuan sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her hands nervously. Jian Lan sat by her side and placed a hand behind her shoulders, noticing she was feeling anxious about something.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes... No... Can I ask something personal?" she blurted. Jian Lan nodded, so she kept talking. "Was your life really ruined by your child? People on twitter keep saying that and... I don't know. Are they right?"
Jian Lan wanted to refuse it immediately, but seeing the state Shi Qingxuan was in, she decided to give it some thought.
"Being completely honest... A little. It stopped my career for a few years, and the divorde didn't help either. I was a top actress and a role model and now I'm just a side character with few lines, when I even get casted on something. This isn't what I wanted of my life," she sighed. "I love Cuocuo with all my heart but sometimes..."
"You wish you never had him," Shi Qingxuan guessed.
"Yeah. But abortion wasn't legal back then, and Feng Xin's family promised me they would take care of the baby financially so..."
"They wanted you to have it?" she asked, surprised.
"Well, yes. An heir is an heir, and we were married already."
"Right. I'm not even married," Shi Qingxuan sighed.
"Qingxuan?"
Shi Qingxuan looked up at Jian Lan, her eyes full of tears when she said, "I don't want this, Jian Lan."
"What do you—"
"I'm pregnant."
"Oh, goddess."
Jian Lan hugged her tightly, and Shi Qingxuan finally let her tears come out freely.

Chapter Text

Shi Qingxuan found herself once again knocking on Ming Yi's door nervously. But this time it wasn't a confession or apology but a big decision she had to make.
Ming Yi saw her at the door and with a barely there smile stepped aside. Shi Qingxuan went straight to the bed, laying down on her back with a loud sigh.
"You don't have to carry all this weight alone," said Ming Yi, laying next to her and resting her head on her shoulder. "I'm here for you. As long as you want me."
"I want you, Ming Yi." Shi Qingxuan closed her eyes, trying to hold back the tears. "But I'm too young. My career is just starting to take over. Yours, too. We don't need a baby now."
Ming Yi nodded, kissing her neck softly.
"Whatever decision you make, I'll support you."
"Thanks, Ming Yi. I love you, you know?"
"I— I didn't know," Ming Yi stammered. "I love you, too."

"So..." Xie Lian tried.
They were still at the parking lot, both sitting straight in their seats and looking out. Xie Lian felt so nervous, his hands were shaking and his face was burning. Hua Cheng wasn't in a better state, but his skin didn't blush so Xie Lian couldn't know how affected he was by their closeness. They had been closer before, they had even kissed, but they were in a smaller space now, and alone, and if any of them chose to move they would certainly touch legs or elbows. So they didn't move, they barely breathed, and they refused to speak.
"Gege..." Hua Cheng tried.
They should have gone to a café, this wasn't going to work. The scent of jasmine and green tea pouring from Xie Lian was driving Hua Cheng nuts, and the shit ton of suppressants he used wasn't going to work if he went in heat right then and there. But he didn't want Xie Lian to hold on his pheromones: it was the first time he was able to smell them, and it was the sweetest fucking scent in the world. He couldn't think clearly, he just wanted to jump on top of him and dive into his body until they were one, nothing else mattered.
"I think—"
"You should—"
They both started talking again at the same time, and Xie Lian giggled, while Hua Cheng just smiled, enamoured by the man at his side.
"You first, gege."
"San Lang, I think you should start driving. We can't stay here forever."
"You're right, gege. But there's a small problem."
"Oh no, what?" Xie Lian, visibly worried, turned in his seat and looked at Hua Cheng, but he was still watching forward.
"I can't drive," he admitted.
"What? Why?"
"I'm about to lose control, gege. You're about to make me— lose control," he said through gritted teeth, trying not to breath too deep.
"Huh?" Xie Lian was confused, but saw a small tear fall down the corner of Hua Cheng's eye and reached a hand to collect it, but Hua Cheng jerked back.
"Gege— If you don't want me to go in heat right now, please don't touch me."
Xie Lian's mind cleared suddenly, and he understood... Something. He wasn't sure, but he knew he had to take control of the situation.
"Please move to the back seat. I'll drive us somewhere safe."

"Where are we going, gege?"
"Somewhere safe."
"Don't take me to the hotel, there's too many people there," Hua Cheng said in a pitiful tone. Xie Lian couldn't hide a small smile but luckily he didn't catch that from the back seat.
"I know, don't worry."
"I can only worry, gege. I don't want to do anything... weird."
"Let's talk about something else, then. Like, why did you have to leave the night after our dinner together," Xie Lian suggested. He was making an effort to hold on his pheromones so talking about anything unrelated to their current situation would help them both.
"Are you mad about that?"
"No, just curious."
"My father had a company. He passed away a couple years ago and it fell on me but I never wanted it. I kept it running all this time while looking for a buyer, and finally found someone that night. But I had to rush back to sign the contract, I couldn't allow the guy to back down."
"Who did you sell it to?" Xie Lian asked, a suspicion arising in his mind.
"A guy named Qi Rong. He paid good money. I was already rich, but with this I don't think even my children will need to work, you know?"
"Oh, I know how that works. My cousin was the buyer," Xie Lian commented.
"Really? That guy's your cousin?"
"Why do you sound so surprised? We've been told we look alike since we were children."
"Gege's prettier."
Xie Lian blushed again, and couldn't help to release a small wave of pheromones. He heard Hua Cheng moan from the backseat, but they weren't at the safe place yet so he held back his scent and kept talking.
"You technically sold your company to me. Isn't it funny?"
"How so?"
"Well, actually the company Qi Rong runs is my family's, and I'm the official owner, but I don't want it so I've appointed Qi Rong as CEO. I'm the biggest shareholder, too, but Qi Rong manages it. He's doing a great job. I'd like to give it to him definitely, but there's a clause in my parents' will that forbids me from giving away anything, so I can just make him handle it."
Hua Cheng hummed from the back seat and Xie Lian took a glimpse of him in the rearview mirror. He was sweating profusely, but there wasn't a scent to be felt. If he didn't know he was an omega about to enter his heat, he would think he had a strong fever or something.
"When I retired a few years ago my cousin helped, actually. He gave me a small job as a consultant or something equally useless at the company to keep me busy. I was like a glorified intern, but I kinda enjoyed it. Still, as soon as I got back on my feet I came back to acting. Desk jobs are not for me."
Xie Lian kept chatting in an effort to  distract Hua Cheng, until they finally arrived at an old house in the middle of a big terrain. It was secluded and surrounded by trees, and there was a big gate at the entrance that opened as soon as they got close, as if it was expecting them.
"We're here," Xie Lian announced.
"What is this place?" Hua Cheng had his face plastered to the window and looked around amazed.
"One of the many properties my parents own around the country. This cottage was my favorite, actually. It's the smallest property, but it's cozy."
"It's a fucking big cottage," Hua Cheng commented.
"Yeah, you're right," Xie Lian laughed. "Welcome to Puqi Shrine."

Chapter Text

"The staff just left, you can come in safely."
Xie Lian opened the car backdoor and called Hua Cheng. He was hiding, afraid of being seen by anyone who might talk and reveal his secret. He wasn't ashamed of being an Omega, he told Xie Lian, it was just an inconvenience if it got out because of his contract with the current production.
"Gege," he said, coming out of the car and standing in front of Xie Lian, shaking a little. Xie Lian wanted to hold him, even if he was a head taller he looked so fragile right now, and his instinct told him to protect his mate. "I love you."
Xie Lian smiled slowly, and reached a hand to him. Hesitantly, Hua Cheng grabbed him. A scent of roses and coffee surrounded Xie Lian. It was beautiful and intoxicating and...
"I love you, too. My mate," Xie Lian declared. "Mine."
Originally he wanted to face this declaration with sweet words. Say "I like you" and maybe a hug would have been enough, but it wasn't enough anymore, not now that he had felt him. His scent. His pheromones. All it screamed was "Mine" and Xie Lian wanted to hold him and possess him right there and then.
"Let's go inside, gege. So my mate can help me," Hua Cheng said calmly, their thoughts alike, and started to lead the way to the cottage.

SLIGHT NSFW, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ IT SKIP TO THE END OF THIS WRITTEN PART

Xie Lian felt his self-control reaching a limit.
His first mistake was taking Hua Cheng's hand, because now he never wanted to release it again. It was his, his mate, and he wasn't going to let him go. Ever.
His second mistake was breathing in his pheromones. Because now he was sure they were fated, and they hadn't managed to speak properly yet, and beyond the declaration of love everything was up in the air and he wasn't sure of the proper way to lead with his mate in heat.
Which led to mistake number three: leading Hua Cheng to his bedroom. His intent was for him to rest comfortably, but that wasn't going to happen with Xie Lian sitting at the edge of the bed and Hua Cheng climbing up his lap.
Xie Lian wanted to leave. No. He wanted to want to leave. But he actually wanted to stay and do many, many things.
"Gege," Hua Cheng groaned. "Can we do it?"
"Do what?" Xie Lian asked, his brain catching up slowly.
"Mate."
Xie Lian bit his lower lip but nodded.
"If you want to..."
Hua Cheng didn't need more than that to start taking off his clothes, grinding against Xie Lian's body during the whole process. Xie Lian held his waist for support, but let him do what he needed.
"Gege," Hua Cheng moaned, baring his teeth as he reached climax.
"Mark me first," Xie Lian begged, already licking his lips.
When Hua Cheng's teeth sank in his flesh, Xie Lian released his knot, holding them together as their breaths got slower, calmer.
"Gege, you didn't mark me," Hua Cheng protested. He was still going through his heat, but resting with his head on Xie Lian's chest he felt a little better, more clearheaded.
"Next time, San Lang," Xie Lian promised, petting his head.
"Can we... exchange permanent marks?" Hua Cheng asked. He was bold with his words, as always, and Xie Lian just had to nod.
"We're fated mates, San Lang. Let's make it official."

END OF NSFW (What do you need to know to keep reading? They're fated mates and they're going to exchange permanent marks.)

Everything was wrong. Feng Xin was a little slow, but if he could feel it, which meant Mu Qing had already felt it a while ago. The second they got to their table at the restaurant they had been getting weird looks from the people around them, but since Mu Qing returned from the restroom his face said something happened.
"Are you okay?" Feng Xin wondered. Mu Qing moved the spoon in his cup of ice cream absentmindedly and nodded. "Mu Qing, my love, what happened?"
"Nothing, Xin-er. What makes you think something happened?" Mu Qing shook his head, but his eyes were still focused on the melting desert, avoiding Feng Xin.
"I've noticed the whispers since we got here, love. Did they say anything to you just now?"
Mu Qing nodded slowly.
"But it doesn't matter. I know it's not true, so I'm okay."
"You're not!" Feng Xin claimed.
"Calm down," Mu Qing winced, now looking up. His eyes were red, as if he wanted to cry or bite someone's neck. Probably both.
"Someone insulted my man, I won't calm down," Feng Xin retorted, standing up and looking around. "Does anyone have a problem with me and my boyfriend?"
Most of the people looked down, ashamed, but a couple of them looked at him in disdain.
"Your boyfriend is a homewrecker, a whore, and you're disgusting," said an older woman.
"Who are you calling a whore?" Feng Xin took a step to her, but she didn't step back. She was an alpha, so she started to release her domineering pheromones in the air. It was suffocating for the few omegas present and extremely rude for everyone. Mu Qing got dizzy with the invasive scent and released his own pheromones, trying to stand between the woman and his mate.
But Feng Xin was unaffected by the pheromones, and got closer to the alpha woman, keeping Mu Qing behind him.
"You have no right to talk about my man. You know nothing about us, you asshole b—"
Before he could say anything else, Mu Qing hugged his middle and used all his alpha strength to drag him away from the restaurant.

Chapter Text

After colliding with an angry Xuan Ji, they found out Shi Qingxuan was in her girlfriend's room. Which was a smart move, considering her actual roommate was mean and her girlfriend had managed to room alone.
"What," was Ming Yi's greeting as she opened up the door with a scowl, but moved aside so they could enter.
"Qingxuan!" Lang Qianqiu exclaimed as he took two long steps to the bed.
Shi Qingxuan was lying there, propelled up in a lot of pillows so she was half sitting. She looked tired, but smiling.
"Sorry I can stand to welcome you guys. The doctor said I can, but she won't let me." The words were a complaint, but she looked at Ming Yi with so much adoration that it was impossible to believe there was anything but love between them.
"Can we hug you?" Xie Lian asked, standing next to her bed. Lang Qianqiu stood at the other side, and looked at Ming Yi, who was still near the door, inquisitively.
"Yeah, don't worry, it's not contagious," Shi Qingxuan shrugged, and her friends threw themselves at her, engulfing her in a big hug.
Just then, Ming Yi cleared her throat menacingly, so the other two alphas took a step back, putting some awkward distance with Shi Qingxuan.
"Can I ask... are you okay?" Xie Lian wondered.
"Um... Let's say I had to take a couple days off or I'll have to take a longer vacation in about nine months," she said nervously.
Xie Lian blinked slowly, trying to understand.
"Are you pregnant?" Lang Qianqiu blurted.
"I was. Not anymore," she clarified.
Lang Qianqiu frowned at Ming Yi and was about to lash out at her but she spoke for the first time since they entered the room.
"It was her decision and I respect it."
Xie Lian nodded slowly in agreement.
"That's good, then. You can keep dating my best friend," said Lang Qianqiu proudly.
"I wasn't asking for permission but thanks, I guess."
"Haha, well, I'm glad there's no more secrets between us, friends," Shi Qingxuan said happily, then looked straight at Xie Lian. "So? I guess it went well with Hua Cheng?"
Xie Lian couldn't hide the goofy grin on his face when he said: "We're fated mates. And boyfriends."

"What do you mean they're broken? Is this a fucking joke?"
"I'm sorry, man, I—" Feng Xin tried to calm Hua Cheng down, but it was unsuccessful.
"Someone broke into my room, Feng Xin. And I can't involve the police..."
"Because of your lie," Mu Qing guessed, and Hua Cheng looked at him in surprise.
"How did you—"
"Xie Lian told us everything when he was mad at you. I had to hold the big guy so he wouldn't hunt you down," Mu Qing explained.
"It's true," the 'big guy' by his side nodded.
"So you can't have the police in your room for fear of them snooping around and finding something they shouldn't?"
"Basically," Hua Cheng deflated.
Feng Xin scowled. The security of his hotel confirmed the cameras from Hua Cheng's floor had been broken for a few days and needed to be replaced, and there was just too much people circulating in the lower floors for that other footage to be useful.
"I'm sorry, Hua Cheng. But if we can't involve the police, then I don't know how to help," he sighed. Mu Qing placed a supportive hand on his back and moved it in soothing circles.
Hua Cheng nodded and left Feng Xin's room without saying anything more.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

"Surprise!" Shi Qingxuan giggled as she crossed the door, entering Xie Lian's home. Ming Yi was following her closely, carrying a big suitcase and a smaller bag. Puqi's staff was waiting around, wanting to carry their luggage for them, but Ming Yi growled at them when they tried to take the bags over so they retreated, leaving the three actors alone.
"I already sent someone to get a room ready for you two," Xie Lian smiled. He was surprised when he heard Shi Qingxuan and Ming Yi were waiting at the gates, but he was also happy to have visitors. And it had been over a month since he met Shi Qingxuan, he was starting to miss his new friend after all.
"I'm not staying," Ming Yi intervened. Xie Lian looks at her in confusion.
"She's starting a new project so she'll be staying at the hotel near the set," Shi Qingxuan clarified. "Not Feng Xin's hotel, that's unexpectedly closed so the production booked a different one."
"Really? Closed? Why?"
"You're Feng Xin's friend, you should ask him," Shi Qingxuan shrugged.
"I haven't been talking that much to Feng Xin and Mu Qing, they said they're busy," Xie Lian said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Well, I'm here, and we'll figure out how to make our series happen!" Shi Qingxuan declared, and Xie Lian, for the first time in a month, felt hope.

"Xianle!" Jun Wu walked around his desk happily. His smile fell a little when he saw Shi Qingxuan behind him, and became more of a grimace. "Miss Shi. What do I owe this pleasure?"
"Was it you?" Xie Lian asked, not walking further into the office.
"I need you to be more specific, Xianle."
"Was it you who leaked Hua Cheng's second gender? Why did you cancel the production? You talked so much about wanting the best for me, but you're still nothing more than a shitty stalker and a powerful psycho." Xie Lian was a little surprised at how much he had to say to Jun Wu. His original intent was to confront him about the cancellation, but some of his past with him had to come out, it was inevitable if he thought about it.
Shi Qingxuan clapped twice behind him, then placed a hand on his shoulder for support.
"Wow, Xianle, I didn't know you thought so lowly of me," Jun Wu shook his head.
"Really? I quite literally escaped from you and  stopped acting because of you."
"That was a pity," Jun Wu sighed. "But I'm good at what I do, and I really think you deserve the best. Well, what I consider the best."
"So what? You found a reason to get Hua Cheng fired? What do you win with that?" Shi Qingxuan questioned.
"Great question. My guess is someone wanted to put Hua Cheng in a bad position to push him away from my Xianle."
"Not yours."
"Keep telling yourself that," Jun Wu scoffed. "Anyway, it wasn't me, I knew about Hua Cheng being an Omega all along but it wasn't worth mentioning. I really don't want you to be unhappy, Xianle, but my hands are tied. Whoever sent the info to the other producers threatened to leak it to the press."
"But..." Xie Lian's thoughts wandered. If it wasn't Jun Wu, who else might have wanted to separate him from Hua Cheng? No one, that he knew of.

Chapter Text

"So... Remember that someone broke into my room days before the cancellation? And the security cameras were broken?" Everyone but Feng Xin nodded while Hua Cheng explained. "We found out someone from maintenance had quit days earlier. He was supposed to take care of the broken cameras, it was his area of expertise. We took a while to track him, but he spoke as soon as he saw his former boss."
"You've been working together?" Xie Lian asked surprised, looking between his boyfriend and Feng Xin.
"I helped a little, too," Mu Qing added.
"A lot, actually. You're the one who managed to make Pei Ming talk," Feng Xin smiled fondly.
"Wait a minute," Shi Qingxuan pointed at Feng Xin with her chopsticks. "Pei Ming?"
"Yeah. The maintenance guy said Pei Ming paid him quite a lot to break the cameras on Hua Cheng's floor and leave without fixing them," Feng Xin explained.
"So we had to track Pei Ming, which was easy since the guy documents his every move on his socials," Hua Cheng continued.
"Did you go all the way to Bali?" Shi Qingxuan asked.
"You keep up with Pei Ming?" Ming Yi frowned at her girlfriend.
"I just randomly remember seeing a cool pic, babe," Shi Qingxuan leaned on her girlfriend's shoulder, kissing her cheek softly.
"Yeah, we went to Bali," Feng Xin confirmed. "But I didn't go to the beach, Mu Qing confronted Pei Ming at his hotel and after a hard stare he told us what he knew."
"Xuan Ji told him to do it. He didn't question her after a make out session or something..." said Mu Qing.
"Which led us to a dead end," Hua Cheng sighed. "Making that woman talk is impossible."
"Yeah, rooming with her was awful," Shi Qingxuan shivered.
"Do you have any idea what she might have against you?" Ming Yi wondered.
"I can't remember ever interacting with her outside of our scenes," Hua Cheng shook his head.
"Maybe..." Xie Lian started, deep in thought. "Maybe I know someone who can make her talk."
"Who?"
"My cousin. They're friends"
"I don't think I like this cousin of yours, terrible taste in friends," Shi Qingxuan shrugged. "But sure, that might work."
"Let's talk to him," Hua Cheng nodded. He wasn't sure about involving Qi Rong either, but it was their best shot right now.
"I'll text him right now."

"I never..."
"Gege? What did your cousin say? Can he get Xuan Ji talking?" Hua Cheng asked, anxious.
"I didn't ask," Xie Lian sighed.
"Why not?" Shi Qingxuan cocked her head, confused.
"It's him." Tears pooled in Xie Lian's eyes. The betrayal hurt so much. He could accept it from someone else, but Qi Rong was his only family. And he had betrayed him. "I never told him the cancellation was because of Hua Cheng. But somehow he knows."
"Qi Rong sent Xuan Ji," Mu Qing guessed.
"And he leaked it," Xie Lian nodded sadly. Hua Cheng hugged him, while he cried, releasing all his sadness and frustration with his tears. "But why?"

Chapter Text

"Cousin!" Qi Rong stood up from his desk happily and accompanied Xie Lian to a lounge space in a corner of the office. They sat on the couch and faced each other. "Do you want tea? Coffee? Water?"
Xie Lian shook his head.
"I'm okay. This won't take long," he sighed.
Qi Rong frowned, then shrugged and took out his phone.
"Look, Guzi had to dress as a tree for the school play, he was so cute," he gave his phone with a video on the screen to Xie Lian, but he refused it.
"Don't use Guzi to distract me. I'm here to have a serious talk with you," he said, facing away from his cousin.
"Then talk," Qi Rong huffed.
"Why?"
"Because you said you came to talk—"
"No, I mean, why? Why did you expose Hua Cheng and threaten the producers so they had no choice but to remove him from the series?" Xie Lian said angrily, but still unable to face him.
"Oh. You found out."
"Yeah." Xie Lian glimpsed at his cousin, and he looked deflated. He started to feel sorry for him, when Qi Rong straightened up and gave him a mocking smile.
"I wanted you to get mad at your little boyfriend and break up with, of course."
His words were like a dagger to Xie Lian's chest.
"Cousin... I trusted you!"
"And I trusted you, but then you had to get yourself an omega," Qi Rong said with distaste.
"What does that—"
"I can't have you having a child and taking everything away from Guzi and me, can I?"
Xie Lian stood up and took a step to the door. He had listened to everything he needed to hear. He was going to remove Qi Rong from his role as CEO and from being his representative in board meetings. He was done with his cousin.
Except, he wasn't.
Xie Lian stopped with his hand on the door. He wasn't that mad anymore. He was mostly sad.
He and Guzi were all the family he had left.
"You can... You can keep acting as the CEO," he said without turning around.
"What? Really?" Qi Rong was genuinely surprised.
"But you're not my representative anymore. I'll handle my shares from now on. You fuck up, you're out."
"Thank you, cousin, I knew you'll forgive me!" Qi Rong tried to hug him from behind, but Xie Lian took a sidestep.
"I won't forgive you. Ever. But you're competent." He opened the door and stepped outside. When turning around to close the door, he locked eyes with Qi Rong one last time. "We're not family anymore. You're just an employee from now on."

"I hope it's important," Shi Wudu huffed, entering his office where Shi Qingxuan and Ming Yi had been waiting for him for almost an hour.
"Am I not important?" Shi Qingxuan wondered.
"Are you?" Shi Wudu retorted, eyeing the alpha woman by his sister's side. Ming Yi growled, but didn't intervene, knowing this was a fight her girlfriend needed to fight by herself. She was there for moral support, to give her strength, but they had agreed she shouldn't take charge of the conversation.
"I am. But I'm not sure if I'm important by myself or just as an asset. What do you think, ge?"
"What is even that question? Is that woman putting ideas in your head?" Shi Wudu called in outrage. If it was honest or a mockery, Shi Qingxuan wasn't sure anymore.
"That woman has a name. A name you've scratched out from several series in the past,"  Ming Yi said, unable to contain herself.
"I did it for my family. You wouldn't understand it since you don't have one." In the moment right after the words left his mouth, Shi Wudu knew he had fucked up.
The scent of pheromones filled the air as Ming Yi growled, threatening. Shi Wudu blinked, unaffected as he was a beta, but aware of the tension in the air.
"I didn't—"
"Don't!" Shi Qingxuan interrupted him before he could apologize. "And stop saying you did that shit for me! You did it for yourself, for your reputation!"
"I did it for our family's reputation, Qingxuan. I couldn't risk the youngest heir of the Shi family failing auditions," Shi Wudu explained in what he was sure was a calming tone, but it just came out as condescending to the women in front of him.
Ming Yi reined in her pheromones but kept her protective stance next to her girlfriend, while Shi Qingxuan just looked at him sadly.
"You're a self-centered asshole. You never cared about me. You were never there when I needed you. I was out sick from filming for a week and you didn't even come to see me. Do you even care why I took a sick leave?"
"...why?"
"I just had an abortion. Because I didn't want to bring a child to this world when I still don't have a place in it. When not even my brother believes in me and took away my opportunities to prove myself. I'll have a child in the future, but they won't have an asshole for an uncle. Do you understand?" Shi Qingxuan said, her voice cracking at the end.
"You were pregnant?" Shi Wudu murmured, shocked.
"Now you care?"
"Qingxuan—"
"I don't want to talk to you. Stop messing up with my life. Thank you for all the help, but I'll take my life from here, okay?"
"You—"
"No, you don't get to talk to me unless it's to apologize. To me and to my girlfriend."
Shi Wudu blinked, his gaze turning to Ming Yi, who gave him a knowing smile.
"I still want to ruin your career and your face. But that wouldn't help Qingxuan, and I only care about her and our future," she said, the menace clear in her voice: if he hurts Shi Qingxuan again, she'll find a way to deal with him. Shi Wudu nodded, gulping: message received.

Chapter Text

"Visiting again, Xianle?" Jun Wu greeted Xie Lian as he entered his office. Then, he noticed Hua Cheng walking behind him. "Oh, he brought you? Do you have any juicy announcements?"
"No, you weirdo. We came to talk about the series," Xie Lian shook his head in exasperation.
"What about the series? It's cancelled," Jun Wu shrugged.
"You could un-cancel it," Hua Cheng suggested.
"I like how that sounds, what do you propose?"
"Hire me again," he said simply.
"Interesting. You paid your fee for contract breach so I'd only have to make you sign a new contract. A truthful one."
"Sure."
"But contracts can get leaked. Even if I don't intend to do it, it happens."
"I'll come clean," Hua Cheng nodded.
"All your previous works where you lied on your second gender statement could sue you. Are you sure you can pay all those fees?"
"We have the money," Xie Lian interfered.
"Great, then. I'll talk to Shi Wudu about this, but I'm sure he'll agree. After all, he's trying to win his sister back."

Chapter Text