Chapter 52 Descent

At this moment, Yan Mei spoke up, “Does anyone have questions about what we've discussed? Let’s open it up to everyone.”

Lin Xi had been poring over the script, lost in thought. She leaned forward and signaled to Yan Mei, “Director, may I speak first?”

“Go ahead,” Yan Mei nodded.

“I actually have a question,” Lin Xi frowned, drawing everyone’s attention.

“It’s about Qin Zexing. Did he ever truly love Mu Beibei?” The question hung in the air, and for a second, the office fell utterly silent.

A few actors broke the quiet. “Isn’t it obvious? Of course he loved her! They were so sweet together before.”

Lin Xi had clearly pondered this herself. She continued, “They were known as the sweetest couple in the e-sports world. The script spends so much time showing the details of their romance. But...” Lin Xi paused, then pressed on, “So why did he leave so decisively? Without a word, no explanation to anyone—not even to the heroine?”

Lu Yuxiu, sitting nearby, seemed to recall something. His expression darkened as he lowered his head, lost in thought.

Lin Xi, sensing his mood, turned to meet his gaze. Suddenly, a pang of sorrow hit her; once, she too had vanished from his life without warning. Even if she had her reasons, it still made her feel like a heartless girl, hurting him deeply.

Lu Yuxiu said nothing, but under the table, his hand reached for hers, gripping it tightly.

For a while, no one spoke.

The editor, Guoguo, finally broke the silence. “I’ve struggled with this, too—how to revise the script so the male lead’s departure feels natural. The truth is, he leaves because his pride and arrogance have always kept him from knowing how to face those who expect so much from him: his fans, friends, girlfriend—even the country. The pressure he bears is immense, and he’s never lost before. But this one time, at the world championship with all eyes on him, he was utterly crushed.”

Lin Xi, hearing Guoguo’s explanation, felt a bit more understanding toward the male lead. She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully and nodded.

Seeing everyone so serious, Yan Mei smiled lightly, unconcerned. “It’s not a big issue. It’ll come down to my direction and Xiushen’s acting. With the right emotional rendering, the audience might even feel sorry for him.”

Laughter erupted around the long table.

“Director Yan, you’re amazing!” Xu Linchen gave a thumbs up.

Lin Xi couldn’t keep from laughing either. Now, she felt reassured; if anything, she had no doubts about Xiushen’s acting.

Lu Yuxiu stealthily tickled her palm with his index finger, making Lin Xi whirl around in surprise—Xiushen, such a reserved flirt!

“This script really is a tragedy,” Shu Yunyi commented from her seat.

Lin Xi turned to her and smiled softly. “Yes, even their names are such a perfect match, yet in the end, they still don’t end up together.”

A gentle sadness filled the room.

Guoguo glanced nervously at her idol—would he blame her for making a tragedy and casting a real couple to play the leads? She hadn’t meant to! She was a fan of their pairing, too! She wanted to witness sweet moments, not heartbreak!

But Guoguo’s wish was granted. Just as she looked up at them, she saw Xiushen lean close to Lin Xi and whisper something, making her blush and giggle.

She’d shipped the right couple! Her beloved pairing was real!

Lu Yuxiu, noticing Lin Xi’s low spirits, had whispered in her ear, “We won’t end up like the couple in the script. I won’t ever let you leave me again.”

This time, Lin Xi was the one to clasp his hand tightly, their fingers interlocked beneath the table.

The script reading carried on into the night before everyone gradually dispersed.

Lu Yuxiu got up and fetched Lin Xi’s coat from the back of her chair, helping her into it.

Shu Yunyi came over and linked her arm with Lin Xi’s. “Xiao Xi, thank you for speaking up for Director Yan!”

“Oh, don’t mention it,” Lin Xi replied easily, brushing her hair back with a careless smile. “That’s what friends are for—helping each other.”

Lu Yuxiu, perceptive as ever, stood by and let the two girls chat without interrupting.

“Xiao Xi…” Shu Yunyi hesitated, biting her lip in hesitation.

“What is it?” Lin Xi squeezed her soft hand. “It’s okay, Yunyi. Just say it.”

Shu Yunyi blinked through a smile, a flicker of pain in her eyes. “You’re so kind, never prying, never asking questions.”

Her eyes were full of warmth as she said softly, “I’m lucky to have met such good and kind people.”

Lin Xi was taken aback—how could someone be so gentle, so free of sharp edges?

“Whenever you’re ready to tell me, come find me. I’ll be waiting,” Lin Xi smiled, her eyes shining with a quiet light.

“Okay.” Their friendship grew deeper.

---

Late that night, Lu Yuxiu and Lin Xi returned to the set. Filming was still underway; Lu Jin was directing the main scenes with Feng Changge and Jiang He.

“Director Lu!” Lin Xi bounced up to Lu Jin, grinning. “We’re back!”

Still sitting behind the camera, Lu Jin glanced at her. “You’re back. Go eat. I saved you some food—don’t go hungry.”

“Thank you, Director!” Lin Xi beamed.

Knowing she was off the hook for the night, she dragged Lu Yuxiu to the makeup room to eat.

Having sat all day, Lin Xi was famished. She dug into her boxed meal, cheeks puffed out as she stuffed her mouth.

Lu Yuxiu could only laugh. “Slow down! No one’s going to steal your food.” He even picked out the chicken drumstick from his own box and gave it to her.

“You sound just like my big brother when you say that!” Lin Xi looked at him, her mouth full, and mumbled.

“What?” Lu Yuxiu, not quite catching it, reached for a napkin to wipe the grease from her lips.

Lin Xi swallowed and repeated, “I said, my big brother used to say that to me too! Haha!” She laughed, eyes crinkling.

But Lu Yuxiu froze at her words, his movements stalling. “Do… do you like your big brother?” His voice was calm, but his question was cautious, almost fragile.

Lin Xi, oblivious, answered without a care, “Of course I do! My big brother is amazing!” There was even a hint of pride in her eyes.

In that instant, Lu Yuxiu’s world seemed to collapse. The air around him chilled to freezing, his eyes dark and unreadable, stormy and emotionless.

He stared at her, unblinking, eyes swirling with an unspoken tempest.

Sensing a sudden chill, Lin Xi quickly looked up and found Lu Yuxiu watching her, his expression unreadable. Her heart skipped a beat, and after a moment’s confusion, she realized—he’d misunderstood!

“No, no, you’re mistaken! I don’t like my brother that way! Don’t get the wrong idea! What I feel for my brother is just sisterly affection! You’re overthinking!” Lin Xi dropped her chopsticks and waved her hands frantically.

Lu Yuxiu lowered his gaze, refusing to look at her, clearly in a sulky mood.

Realizing something was wrong, Lin Xi tugged at his sleeve. “Really! My brother’s too busy chasing his own girlfriend! There’s nothing between us, I swear! Don’t let your mind wander!”

Hearing this, Lu Yuxiu finally relaxed, but still didn’t look at her, hoping she’d coax him a little more. He’d never had anyone fuss over him like this before.

A moment of silence hung between them, growing increasingly awkward. Lu Yuxiu started to worry—had he pushed her too far? Had he upset his little star after all? That would be a disaster.

Just as Lu Yuxiu was about to speak to break the awkwardness, a small hand suddenly pulled him closer, and he felt a gentle warmth on his lips.

He was stunned; his mind went blank, his body rigid as his heart hammered wildly in his chest.

He saw Lin Xi, eyes closed, trembling lashes brushing her cheeks, her arms looped around his neck as she nestled in his embrace, cheeks flushed, her sweet scent enveloping him, her breath hot against his skin, threatening to set him alight.

She didn’t really know how to kiss, only pressing her lips to his, her delicate fingers weaving between his, their fingers entwined.

Suddenly, her tongue tentatively traced his lips. That tiny gesture drove him wild. His eyes darkened, and in one swift motion, he gripped her waist, spun her around, and pinned her against the wall, the air between them thick with desire.

It was the first time she’d ever responded to him so boldly, and it sent him reeling. He wouldn’t let this moment slip away.

He took control, threading his fingers through her hair, capturing her lips with a fierce hunger. As her breath turned ragged, his scorching tongue slipped inside, teasing hers, wrapping her up completely. The electric sensation left Lin Xi reeling, unable to resist as he claimed her, their kiss deep and desperate.

Lin Xi’s face was scarlet, her legs weak, clinging to his neck, standing on tiptoe, giving herself over entirely. His kiss was both earnest and reverent, tender and lingering.

At last, when she was nearly breathless, he let her go, but still kept his arm tight around her waist. Both of them gasped for air.

He pressed his forehead to hers, kissing the tip of her nose, their breaths mingling, his warm exhalations falling across her brow.

Lin Xi panted softly, whispering, “Believe it or not, you’re the only one I’ve ever liked.”

Her cheeks were impossibly red, her unintentionally seductive lips as inviting as fruit.

Lu Yuxiu smiled silently, her lipstick staining his lips, his cool demeanor tinged with desire, his eyes burning with passion, joy, and unabashed longing.

“I believe you.” His voice was rough and low. “Xi Xi, it’s not enough.”

Before she could react, he descended on her again, kissing her with a wild, unrestrained fervor. Lin Xi, powerless to resist, clung to his collar, pinned beneath his embrace. The kiss deepened and deepened, his conquest relentless, sweeping her along into ever deeper waters.

Dizzy from his kisses, Lin Xi could only follow his lead, instinctively holding onto him.

At last, the lingering kiss ended. Lu Yuxiu gazed at her, unwilling to miss a single moment of her surrender, while Lin Xi stared back, dazed, her eyes falling into the depths of his. Reflected clearly in his gaze was her own image.

Lu Yuxiu buried his face in the curve of her neck, breathing in her scent, quietly regaining his composure.

Lin Xi gradually came to her senses too, so shy she wanted to crawl into a hole. Her voice was still soft and sweet as she protested, “You… you’re too much!”

He chuckled quietly at her ear, his chest shaking with laughter.