"What do you want?" Lin Jianlu asked.
Lin Ming said a few words in a low voice, his attitude much more humble than usual.
"Having trouble with cash flow?" Lin Jianlu said, "Ask ge to help you. I don't have that kind of money."
"How could you not have money?" The voice on the other end grew heavier. "You just won the championship and got the marriage certificate with Xie Wang."
"I don't." Lin Jianlu replied, "Why don't you just ask him for it?"
There was a long silence on the other end before the call was hung up.
The eavesdropper was snickering at the side.
"Don't laugh," Lin Jianlu said. "He might come looking for you."
Given Lin Ming's perspective of "marriage as a transaction of benefits," it was no surprise he had privately approached the Xie family many times. Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com/p/homepage.html
"Then shall I help him?" Xie Wang asked for his opinion in a good manner, holding him close and resting his chin on his shoulder.
"No," Lin Jianlu replied.
"Are you two ready yet?" Xie Wang's gege knocked on the door. "The guests have all arrived."
"Coming." Xie Wang tossed his phone aside and walked out holding his omega's hand.
It was the first time Lin Jianlu realized just how wide Xie Wang's network was. Half the entertainment industry was there, including numerous actors, even some he had seen on TV as a child.
"How do you know so many people?" he asked quietly.
"When I was a kid, I wanted to act in movies. My family thought I had talent and sent me to try it out," Xie Wang said. "After so many years of acting, I naturally know a lot of people."
"Teacher Hu," Xie Wang approached an elderly actor whose hair and beard were completely white. "This is my omega, Lin Jianlu."
"Hello," Lin Jianlu greeted.
"You rascal," the old man laughed and scolded him, "Even a wild and cheeky brat like you has managed to settle down."
"Settled down perfectly," Xie Wang quickly said. "He's the boss—what he says goes. If he says east, I wouldn't dream of going west."
Mr. Hu, the old man, turned to Lin Jianlu. "YoYo, would you mind giving me an autograph? My grandson is a big fan of your songs—he knows almost all of them."
Lin Jianlu was about to agree when Xie Wang interjected, "That depends. Is your grandson an alpha or an omega?"
"My grandson is only 10 years old!" The old artist was exasperated. "Are you jealous over this?"
"Huh? Not as bad as that," Xie Wang didn't feel the least bit embarrassed. "YoYo, sign one quickly."
"Alright," Lin Jianlu agreed, knowing this was Xie Wang's way of introducing him to many people in the same industry.
Actors, his singer seniors, and even numerous project investors—Xie Wang had invited them all.
That day, Xie Wang had told him to sing freely without worrying about anything else. True to his word, he had taken care of everything.
"Why aren't you wearing a wedding dress today, YoYo?" Someone came around the corner—it was Chen Yimo.
"It's too heavy," Lin Jianlu replied. "Not a fan."
Chen Yimo, who had seen the wedding dress during the filming before, wholeheartedly agreed. "It's really very heavy. Casual clothes are much more comfortable. But, YoYo—"
Chen Yimo leaned closer and lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I never would've guessed that an alpha like Da Wang would be afraid of his wife. He always seemed like the 'my way or the highway' type."
Lin Jianlu was amused by his comment.
It was not that Xie Wang was afraid. He just respected his opinions very much.
"Pervert!" Xie Wang slapped Chen Yimo on the shoulder. "Did you bring a wedding gift?"
Chen Yimo grimaced at the slap: "I custom-ordered your YoYo's new in-ear monitors as my gift."
"What about mine?" Xie Wang shamelessly asked.
"You get nada," Chen Yimo replied. "Where's our director? I'll chat with him."
Xie Wang pointed him in a direction, and off Chen Yimo went.
"Hidden Blade is being sent for awards consideration. The team's been pretty busy these days," Xie Wang said. "YoYo, you should rest for a bit—I'll take care of the rest of the guests."
Socializing wasn't Lin Jianlu's strong suit, so he headed over to join his friends from the Hidden Blade crew. Chen Yimo shuffled two decks of cards, and with the director, the screenwriter, and himself, they started a game.
"Who's going to be the landlord in the first round?" Chen Yimo asked.
"I'll do it," Lin Jianlu volunteered.
"Do you know how to play?" Chen Yimo was skeptical.
"I do," Lin Jianlu said with a nod.
"It's boring to just play cards." The director suggested, "Let's add a wager."
"Sure." Lin Jianlu asked, "What do you have in mind?"
Chen Yimo thought for a moment before grinning. "You're the landlord. If you lose, Da Wang has to drink as a penalty."
Lin Jianlu sold out Xie Wang without the slightest hesitation: "Deal."
"Let's get started, then." The director, who hadn't had a good drink during the filming period, lit up at the idea.
"Wait a moment." Lin Jianlu didn't move. "What if I win?"
Chen Yimo: "Then we'll drink as a penalty?"
Not far away, as Xie Wang was chatting with a director he'd worked with before, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
"No can do," Lin Jianlu replied. "If I win, each of you must repost Da Wang's next project's promotional post."
Chen Yimo sucked in a sharp breath: "YoYo, you're being too ruthless! I've got tens of millions of fans and one promotional post is worth a lot of money!"
Lin Jianlu didn't respond, his long, slender fingers casually shuffling the playing cards.
"Fine, you have a deal," Chen Yimo said, then shouted toward the distance, "Da Wang, come over and deal the cards."
Hearing this, Xie Wang, who had been greeting guests, walked over toward them, his tall figure sharp and straight in his suit. The alpha's mouth curled into a slight smile: "Why are you playing cards now?"
"We're playing, and there's a stake," said the director of the Hidden Blade production, holding a cup of tea. "Come on, Da Wang, start by performing as a sexy dealer and deal the cards."
Xie Wang: "..."
"Just torture me, why don't you." Even so, he shuffled the two decks of cards a few times in his fingers, held them in one hand, and with a light flick of his thumb, split the cards into four piles.
Lin Jianlu couldn't help but stare, captivated by his smooth card-dealing action.
He thought to himself that when he had some free time, he'd want Xie Wang to deal cards for him all night. Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com/p/homepage.html
The final card was about to be dealt, and it was just the one meant for Lin Jianlu.
Xie Wang held the card between his fingers and extended it toward Lin Jianlu's cheek. Without turning his head, Lin Jianlu reached out to take the card, his fingertips brushing lightly against Xie Wang's, the deliberate, unhidden movement almost like a slow-motion moment for Xie Wang.
Xie Wang didn't leave. He stood behind Lin Jianlu, watching his omega play the game.
Although he didn't know what stake they had bet on, he guessed Lin Jianlu wouldn't lose—after all, few people could outsmart his cunning Cheese.
Lin Jianlu organized his cards, looking at each one carefully, his face clearly showing a pleased expression. He slightly lifted his head, his lips curved in a smile, and there was even a hint of expectation, as if he hoped someone else would make the first move.
Chen Yimo: "?"
Such good cards?
They had to be careful.
Standing behind Lin Jianlu, Xie Wang first raised an eyebrow, then showed a slightly surprised and very eager expression.
"This hand is good!" Xie Wang said. "YoYo, you're lucky."
The director became more cautious with his moves as well.
After a round, everyone had kept their good cards close, unwilling to play them freely. Instead, they gave Lin Jianlu the advantage, and by the time Chen Yimo realized it, Lin Jianlu only had one card left.
Meanwhile, everyone else still had cards to play.
Lin Jianlu calmly placed the final card, the Ace of Diamonds, on the table: "You guys lost. For Da Wang's next project, you'll have to help with the promotion and praise him."
"It's gotta be at least 800 words," Xie Wang said.
"Your cards aren't so great either," Chen Yimo said, staring at the cards on the table, thinking for two seconds, then grinning: "YoYo, you're playing mind games."
"No one said he couldn't," Xie Wang chimed in from the side, his hand resting on Lin Jianlu's shoulder as he playfully flicked the ends of his omega's hair.
"Da Wang didn't used to be so calculating," the director grumbled. "You even helped him play along—you two really are family."
"You flatter me. After all, this is my old profession," Xie Wang said. "But you, director, didn't catch on at all."
"So this is what Lin Jianlu is really like," Chen Yimo said, laughing and shaking his head at his miserable defeat.
"The publicity is definitely no problem," Chen Yimo continued. "I'm friends with Da Wang. Whether or not we played this game, I'd still help add icing on the cake when his work is promoted."
Chen Yimo: "How about you two doing me a favor too on this special occasion."
Xie Wang: "Let's hear it."
Chen Yimo's friend had recently directed a reality dating variety show and wanted to invite Xie Wang and Lin Jianlu to participate.
"Dating theme?" Lin Jianlu didn't understand.
"You two are very popular right now, and many people are interested in your private life," Chen Yimo said. "So, what do you think? Interested? The pay is quite high, although I know Da Wang doesn't lack money."
"I have no objections," Xie Wang said. "I just want to show off."
"I'm terrible at variety shows," Lin Jianlu emphasized. "Are you sure?"
"Never mind that," Chen Yimo said. "Just go and have fun. You and Da Wang together already make it watchable."
"Alright," Lin Jianlu agreed.
"Then it's settled," Chen Yimo said. "I'll have my director friend go directly to talk to your companies."
The matter of Lin Jianlu and Xie Wang participating in the variety show together was thus decided.
"There you are. It's time for the ceremony," Xie Wang's gege came over. "Quick, get ready."
"You guys have fun on your own for now," Xie Wang said, then took Lin Jianlu's hand and led him away.
Lin Jianlu's wedding bouquet was specially ordered. The silk was not surrounded by fresh flowers, but pearls and beautiful gemstones.
He planned to give it to Wei Lan later, wishing his best friend could also have his own A.
Right before the ceremony began, Lin Jianlu went to find the emcee.
"You want to make last-minute changes to the ceremony schedule?" the emcee asked. "We can do that. What step do you want to add?"
"I'll sing him a song," Lin Jianlu said.
At his and Xie Wang's wedding, singing a song he had written for Xie Wang was the highest form of romance he, as a person in music, could offer.
"I'll send you the accompaniment," Lin Jianlu said.
Just before the wedding ceremony began, Wei Lan arrived. As soon as he entered, he spotted a tall, sharply dressed alpha in a suit. Wei Lan's face immediately darkened.
"What are you doing here?" Wei Lan asked.
"I'm a friend of Xie Wang," Yu Ran replied. "Can't I be here?"
Wei Lan: "…"
The lights in the hall dimmed. Xie Wang had been waiting on stage for a long time, but his omega still hadn't arrived.
He was about to ask when a beam of light shone down, and his omega stood quietly not far from him.
The music started, and Lin Jianlu walked toward him.
Lin Jianlu's first concert was for Xie Wang, and it was at their wedding.
That evening, a video was posted on Xie Wang's personal account. It was a song Lin Jianlu had specially written for him, called The Rose Riddle. Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com/p/homepage.html
The first petal is snow,
the second petal is frost,
Midday sun traps the rose,
the long night traps the moonlight.
The wanderer's answer to the riddle is you.
@LinJianlu'sDog6532: Ahhh new song, I've never heard it before! He actually wrote a new song for you, so beautiful! Wahhh
@LinJianlu'sCorgi: Nice, thanks for sharing. Do you have a high-quality version?
@LinJianlu'sDog15: Damn! Can't you tell he's just showing off?!
@LongHair: Wishing you happiness! How many people on the internet are heartbroken today?
@Medium-longHair: Congratulations, newlyweds! Any red envelopes?
@ShortHair: Xie Wang posted it on his homepage!!? Go grab it!! Ahhh, happy wedding! I love you guys so much!
@Bald: Ahhh why don't you post more wedding photos? I just saw some at Chen Yimo's. These two are a perfect match!
In the wedding hall, Xie Wang grabbed his omega's hand after posting the clip: "YoYo, will you sing it for me again when we go back tonight?"
"I love your suit," Lin Jianlu whispered, "Wear it a little longer. Until tonight."
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