chapter 61 - opening ceremony

A week later <The Past of Two Cities> officially started filming.

Most filming locations for <The Past of Two Cities> were in other filming cities. Because they had sufficient funds, the manager reserved an entire hotel near the city, and assigned the hotel’s large conference room to the art department as an office.

Xie Ning looked at the room arrangement that the managerial team sent the crew, and felt like something was wrong.

He looked for a long time, but didn’t find his own name.

Wang JianJian silently passed over a room key to him from the side. “This is yours.”

Xie Ning: “?”

The number on the room key was familiar. Xie Ning took another look, and found that it was the same number as Director Zhuang Yan’s on the first row of the form.

Wang JianJian innocently shrugged. “Don’t look at me. This is what Director Zhuang personally arranged for.”

Xie Ning hesitated. “Will it be inconvenient?”

Wang JianJian laughed and responded, “What’s there to be inconvenienced about? It’s the same hotel anyways, just with different floors.”

Xie Ning didn’t say anything and silently put the room key away.

As he pushed his luggage into the elevator, Wang JianJian even said, “Director Zhuang’s room is on the top floor, a luxurious suite, the highest level room. Out of all the people in the crew, there are only a couple who can live there.”

Xie Ning: “Oh.”

When the elevator reached the 5th floor, Wang JianJian left, and Xie Ning rode all the way to the top before he entered the room and put his luggage away properly.

They said it was a luxurious suite, and it really was very luxurious. Other than two rooms and a living room, there was even a small kitchen to make some simple dishes, and could measure up to a high-end bachelor pad.

No wonder Wang JianJian’s look just now was so envious.

The opening ceremony was held after lunch, and Xie Ning followed to watch.

A good amount of media reporters came to the set, but he hid in the crowd so they weren’t able to photograph him.

Most cameras went towards the director and a few familiar celebrities, so nobody would pay attention to an observer in the crowd.

It’s a custom in China to burn incense to pray for protection and smoothness during the filming process. Zhuang Yan didn’t have this habit, coming from abroad, but after returning to China, he diligently followed the custom.

A couple of leading actors surrounded him, and instantly became the focus of countless flashing cameras.

Zhuang Yan was two completely different people in front of the media reporters compared to when he was in front of Xie ning. He didn’t dress specifically for the occasion, but his clothes were normally very good so he looked very, very handsome.

Since he stood next to Sheng ShiSong and the two female leads, if an unknowing reporter looked at him, they’d assume that he was some celebrity.

Zhuang Yan was extremely cold in front of the camera. In response to most media reporters’ questions, he mostly replied “No comment” or “Temporarily a secret”.

His facial features were prominent and sharp, and under certain lighting, he was so handsome that it took people’s breath away.

His eyes were sharp under the flashes of the camera, and his lips were slightly pressed into a straight line, making him look very aloof.

Xie Ning, for some reason, stared at Zhuang Yan’s face and spaced out in the crowd.

When reporters started to interview the other lead actors, Zhuang Yan raised his gaze and coincidentally glanced at the part of the crowd Xie Ning was in.

Xie Ning paused for a moment.

He was clearly not that close to the front, and there were a lot of people around him. Zhuang Yan only glanced at the area briefly, and most likely wasn’t able to easily find him.

But Xie Ning felt like he’d been seen.

Zhuang Yan’s gaze paused for just a second. Xie Ning knew him too well, and even at a little distance away, he could see Zhuang Yan’s eyebrows raise slightly and the corner of his lips curled upwards a bit.

As if he were smiling at him.

Xie Ning’s face inexplicably started to heat up, and lowered his head involuntarily.

Then, he was at a loss of what to do.

Did Zhuang Yan really see him from such a distance?

No way, right?

And then he found out that it might be true.

Because when he raised his head, he found that Sheng ShiSong, next to Zhuang Yan, also glanced over the crowd and seemed to notice him as well; he raised his eyebrows as if surprised.

But compared to Zhuang Yan, Sheng ShiSong’s reaction was a bit colder, and only glanced for a second before he retracted his gaze. There wasn’t much change in expression on his face.

—Of course, it may just be that Xie Ning didn’t notice a change in expression.

Since he wasn’t familiar with him.

But...how were they both able to see him?

Xie Ning couldn’t help but stand more towards the back of the crowd.

The first scene chosen for shooting is usually one that’s less difficult and will go smoothly, giving everyone a good sign for the beginning.

This was Xie Ning’s first time watching the filming process, and he felt like it was quite exciting and new.

—Watching films in front of the screen and watching films from behind the scenes were really two different things, especially when involved as a creator.

On the first day of shooting, the schedule wasn’t packed full, so work ended at dinner and there were no night scenes to film.

Xie Ning watched the shooting all afternoon, and even though he didn’t participate himself, he felt a little tired. When he returned to the hotel, he found that his own luggage had been moved to the main bedroom.

There were two bedrooms in the suite, and Xie Ning assumed that Zhuang Yan would sleep in the main bedroom while he slept in the other.

Zhuang Yan, though, raised his brows as he looked at him. “Why would we separate? Of course we’d both sleep in the main bedroom.”

Xie Ning slowly said, “There’s nobody living in the other one…”

Zhuang Yan was sitting on the sofa, and he reached his hand out to pull him into his arms and give him kisses. “You already accepted the ring, and you still want to live separately?”

“What do you mean, live separately…” Xie Ning started to blush through the kisses, and replied, “Didn’t we sleep separately the whole time?”

Zhuang Yan responded seriously, “So, we need to change that.”

Xie Ning was still trying to support his own point. “I think it’s pretty nice to live in the other one.”

Zhuang Yan was unmoved. “I don’t think it’s nice.”

Xie Ning: “...”

Forget it. What else could he do? The luggage had been moved over already, so would he just move it back?

It’s not like they hadn’t lived in the same house before.

When Xie Ning thought about it like that, he seemed to remember something and his blush deepened.

Zhuang Yan’s heart moved, and he pressed Xie Ning down on the sofa to kiss and hug him for a while. He said, “During the opening ceremony in the afternoon, I saw you in the crowd.”

Xie Ning was panting a little because of Zhuang Yan’s fussing over him, and he asked the question he’d been wondering. “You could find me out of so many people?”

Zhuang Yan smiled. “So you don’t know how conspicuous you are at all?”

Xie Ning looked at him, puzzled. “Conspicuous?”

The corner of Zhuang Yan’s lips rose.

Xie Ning’s appearance and aura were both excellent, and clothes looked good on him as well. Even if he wore something that was hastily thrown together, he would still be able to give out the aura of a model.

Even if he was surrounded by others, he still wouldn’t look like an ordinary person, and instead would attract a person’s attention if they looked into the crowd.

He’s very eye-catching.

Zhuang Yan said, “Besides, we’re so in tune with each other. Isn’t it natural that I’d be able to find you?”

Xie Ning said, “...Why do I feel like you’re talking about nonsense again?”

Zhuang Yan squeezed his cheeks. “There were too many things to do today, so I didn’t have time to pay attention to you. Next time, if you want to watch the filming, let me know and I’ll take you with me.”

Xie Ning hesitated. “I’m just a little curious...would it be bothersome for you? Doesn’t the crew normally deny entry to people who have nothing to do with filming?”

Zhuang Yan said, “You’re not irrelevant to the filming.”

Speaking of it, he really wasn’t. As the lead artist, although he doesn’t interact with the actors very much, most of the crew, especially those from the clothing, props, and art teams, still knew who he was.

Xie Ning originally thought Zhuang Yan was talking about this, but then Zhuang Yan said, “You’re part of my family now, so how could you be someone irrelevant?”

Xie Ning choked. “...How did I become family?”

“Are you not?” Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrow and said, “You accepted my marriage proposal, so you’re pretty much family.”

Xie Ning quietly said, “When did I accept?”

Zhuang Yan said, “You accepted the ring already, but you’re still stubborn about it.”

Xie Ning didn’t say anything.

Zhuang Yan smiled and pulled him into his arms. “I think I’ve figured out that it’s hard to get an ‘I’m willing’ from you, so I can only reluctantly pretend that you said it.”

Xie Ning was surprised. “You can pretend for something like this?”

Zhuang Yan said, “Because you must have agreed in your heart already, but you’re just being stubborn and embarrassed when you speak.”

Xie Ning: “...”

Zhuang Yan continued to say, “I don’t care. If you don’t accept, then return the ring to me.”

Xie Ning shrank his hands back involuntarily, and felt like he couldn’t show his weakness, then asked, “If I give it back to you, will you take it?”

“Of course I won’t.” Zhuang Yan said straightforwardly. “If I’ve already given a gift, there’s no logic to taking it back.”

Xie Ning couldn’t help but complain, “You’re forcing me to buy and sell.”

Zhuang Yan said, “Since I forced you to buy and sell this, then why don’t we just set the wedding date?”

Xie Ning immediately shut up.

Zhuang Yan was really afraid that he would return the ring, so he didn’t dare to pressure him too much, and lowered his gaze to glance at his hand. “Why didn’t you wear the ring?”

“...I’m afraid of wearing it out,” Xie Ning said.

Zhuang Yan frowned, and wanted to insist on his wearing it. “The ring was meant for you to wear it, so if you don’t wear it then there’s no meaning to it.”

Xie Ning asked, “What meaning?”

Zhuang Yan chuckled. “The meaning of catching you.”

Xie Ning: “...”

Zhuang Yan said, “When other people see the ring on your hand, then they’ll understand that you’re already mine.”

Xie Ning’s expression changed slightly, and he felt like his face started to burn again so he turned his head to the side.

Zhuang Yan reached his hand out to hook his chin, and turned his head around. In a low voice, he asked, “Did you bring the ring?”

Xie Ning was quiet for a few seconds, and still spoke the truth. “I did.”

Zhuang Yan smiled and tried his best to look surprised. “So you want me to put it on for you myself?”

Xie Ning’s face turned completely red. “No!”

Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrow. “You brought the ring and won’t put it on yourself; doesn’t that mean you want me to put it on for you?”

Xie Ning hurriedly said, “I can put it on myself.”

“Too late.” Zhuang Yan hugged him in his arms tightly and said, “Today, I have to put it on for you.”

Zhuang Yan had somehow gotten Xie Ning’s ring size, so when the ring was pushed onto his finger, the size wasn’t too big or too small, and was just right.

Zhuang Yan clasped his hand in his own hand and knelt on one knee—this action was more proposal-like than when he gave Xie Ning the ring.

When Zhuang Yan finally put the ring on Xie Ning, after a bit of a push and pull, Xie Ning’s face was already flushed.

Zhuang Yan looked at his hand, satisfied. “This model and style really does fit you well.”

Xie Ning retracted his arms and tried to take his hands back, but to no avail.

“Since you’re wearing it now, you’re not allowed to take it off.” Zhuang Yan raised his gaze and glanced at him.

Xie Ning made a small sound in affirmation. “...Mmn.”

Zhuang Yan took his hand in a tight grip, lowered his head, and dropped a kiss on the ring gently.

He said, “I’ve finally caught you.”

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Twitter: @jiyangtrans