You can read ahead up to 60 chapters on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
"Ah~"
"Go easy, it hurts a bit~"
"You can go a little harder now... mm."
"That feels so good!"
Strange, ambiguous sounds filled the room, soft and sultry, the kind that could send one's blood rushing.
Chen Fei'er was lying back in a lounge chair, her starry eyes half-closed, her delicate face flushed. Beads of fine sweat formed on her jade-like forehead, glimmering under the soft indoor light.
She bit her red lips tightly, and her graceful, slender body shifted slightly, as if she were suppressing something.
Lu Chen looked up and asked with a smile, "How's my technique?"
Chen Fei'er opened her eyes. A flicker of shyness and sweetness crossed her gaze as she nodded and said, "You're amazing!"
Her heartfelt praise made Lu Chen feel like all his effort had been worth it.
He gently set down her small foot and said, "Your other internal organs are fine, but your stomach's not doing so well. It'd be best to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor to get some herbal treatment, and make sure you eat regularly."
When Chen Fei'er first arrived earlier, she seemed tired and out of sorts. Feeling concerned, Lu Chen had personally given her a foot massage and noticed a strong reaction in the pressure area linked to the stomach.
Actually, having stomach problems is very common for people in the entertainment industry. No matter how glamorous they may appear on the outside, behind the scenes, their lives are often exhausting, especially under strict management companies where the job can literally take a toll on your health.
Irregular meals are the least of it. Some artists collapse from overwork while rushing from one engagement to another!
Though Chen Fei'er runs her own studio and works for herself, she's still part of the industry. Most of the time, she doesn't have full control over her schedule. Hard work and fatigue are simply inevitable.
Chen Fei'er obediently nodded. "I usually do yoga... I'll drop by Tongrentang [a famous traditional medicine pharmacy in Beijing] when I'm back in the capital."
She shifted lazily and said, "I'm so sleepy..."
"Then just sleep here."
Lu Chen stood up, reached out, and scooped her into his arms, preparing to carry her to his bedroom.
A classic princess carry.
Chen Fei'er gave a dreamy smile and murmured, "Maybe I should go back after all."
Though she said that, she nestled even deeper into Lu Chen's arms, like a kitten seeking affection, making it hard for anyone to send her away.
Unable to resist, Lu Chen leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Sleep, I'll tell Sister Zhang."
"Mm."
Chen Fei'er closed her eyes, the smile still lingering on her face.
She had come all the way from the capital to Jinling that day, barely managed to eat a proper dinner, and was truly exhausted now. All she wanted was to curl up in Lu Chen's arms and sleep soundly, without thinking about anything.
She couldn't even be bothered to take a shower.
Ding-ling-ling~
Just as Lu Chen placed Chen Fei'er on his bed, the phone on the nightstand suddenly rang.
He quickly answered it. "Hello?"
It was a call from the hotel front desk.
Lu Chen exchanged a few words with them, then hung up.
Chen Fei'er asked sleepily, "What is it?"
Her eyes were half-closed, and she hadn't really caught what Lu Chen was saying on the call.
Lu Chen gave a wry smile. "It's Sister Li. She brought Zhang Junzhi and wants to come up to see me."
This upscale five-star hotel often hosted celebrities and had strict security protocols. The floor where Lu Chen was staying had extra protection, and visitors could only come up with permission, mainly to prevent unwanted visits from paparazzi or overzealous fans.
"Ah!"
Chen Fei'er suddenly jolted fully awake and sat up straight. "Sister Li is here?"
Sister Li referred to Li Zhenzhen, the head of Rainbow Entertainment in Beijing. Zhang Junzhi was her only son and the child actor who played young Yoon Jun-seo in the first three episodes of Autumn in My Heart.
If it had been anyone else, Lu Chen could've politely declined. But not Sister Li, her request had to be honored.
Chen Fei'er had a good relationship with Sister Li. They weren't inseparable best friends, but they were genuine ones.
So when she heard Sister Li was coming, she instinctively panicked.
Truthfully, there's no way Sister Li didn't know about her and Lu Chen's relationship. But she likely had no idea that, at this very moment, Chen Fei'er was lying in Lu Chen's bed. If she had known, she definitely wouldn't have come, she'd never want to play third wheel.
Flustered, Chen Fei'er said, "I should go."
If Sister Li saw her like this, she'd die of embarrassment!
Lu Chen shook his head and pulled her gently into his arms. "Why leave? Sister Li isn't an outsider. We don't have to sneak around in front of her. Let's meet her together."
Lu Chen's thoughtfulness made Chen Fei'er feel both moved and warm inside. "Okay then," she said softly.
She had always carried a knot in her heart when it came to their relationship. She was significantly older than Lu Chen and feared that if their romance were exposed, people would criticize or judge them.
She could take it, but the pressure on Lu Chen would be much greater.
Lu Chen's words had struck a chord in her heart, gently unraveling the knot she'd kept buried. Even though she wasn't planning to go public with the relationship any time soon, at least in front of someone like Sister Li, a close acquaintance, there was no need to hide or pretend anymore. She could be at ease, just as she was.
That said, she still gave Lu Chen a light push. "Go greet Sister Li first. I'll freshen up."
Lu Chen couldn't help but chuckle.
He stepped out into the living room. Before long, the doorbell rang.
Lu Chen opened the door and greeted the two visitors warmly. "Good evening, Sister Li. Hey, Xiao Zhi."
Zhang Junzhi, ever polite, bowed slightly. "Hello, Brother Lu Chen!"
Sister Li smiled cheerfully. "Lu Chen, sorry for dropping in like this. Hope we're not disturbing you?"
"Not at all," Lu Chen replied with a smile. "Please come in, Sister Li."
Once they were settled in the living room, Lu Chen asked curiously, "You're not staying at the hotel, Sister Li?"
"No," she replied. "I've been staying at the crew dorms with Xiao Zhi."
She added with a laugh, "Mostly just to let him experience the group lifestyle on set. It's good for learning independence."
Lu Chen nodded. Parents' hearts are the same everywhere. Seeing Sister Li, Lu Chen couldn't help thinking of his own mother.
He should find time to go home for a visit.
Sister Li took a thermos container from her son and handed it to Lu Chen. "I knew you'd be arriving today, so I made some ginseng and goji chicken soup this afternoon at the dorm. Let it simmer for hours, it's really nourishing."
Lu Chen was surprised and took it with both hands. "Thank you, Sister Li. That's so thoughtful of you."
It wasn't about the cost, a pot of ginseng soup wasn't expensive, but the sentiment behind it was genuine.
Sister Li smiled. "No need to be so polite. I'm good friends with Fei'er, after all. She often drinks my soup too."
"No way~"
Before her words even finished, a playful voice came from the bedroom. "It's been forever since I had your soup, Sister Li!"
Sister Li turned around in shock. "Fei'er?"
Who else could it be?
There she was, Chen Fei'er, the heavenly queen herself, standing at the bedroom door with a bright smile. She'd just washed her face and looked refreshed, her long hair casually tied back with a hair tie. Even without makeup, she was radiant.
"Sister Li, you're totally biased! You make soup for him but not for me!"
Sister Li was startled at first but quickly recovered, amusement flashing in her eyes. "You two…"
Seeing Chen Fei'er emerge like that from Lu Chen's bedroom, there wasn't much left to explain about their relationship.
Sister Li was already gearing up for a good round of teasing!
Unfortunately, she wasn't alone. Her son, Zhang Junzhi, was with her.
So anything not suitable for kids had to stay unsaid.
Zhang Junzhi didn't think much of it. The moment he saw Chen Fei'er, he lit up and jumped to his feet. "Sister Fei'er!"
Chen Fei'er walked over, gently ruffling his hair. "Xiao Zhi, have you been behaving?"
He gave her a pitiful look. "Sister Fei'er…"
"Good boy." Chen Fei'er chuckled, then casually sat down beside Lu Chen, naturally wrapping her arms around his.
Sister Li looked at the two of them curiously. "So… are you two planning to go public?"
Chen Fei'er shook her head. "No, not for now. You know how it is, Sister Li, this isn't the right time. Maybe later. But in front of you, there's no need to hide."
She looked at Lu Chen, eyes full of affection. "Lu Chen just told me the same thing."
Sister Li sighed inwardly.
As someone who had lived through her own share of ups and downs, she could tell, Chen Fei'er had fallen, and fallen deep.
Whether the relationship would last was anyone's guess, but in her heart, she sincerely wished them well.
She turned to Lu Chen with a serious expression. "Lu Chen, Fei'er is a good girl. In this industry, there aren't many like her, clean, principled, and genuine. You need to cherish her."
Lu Chen replied earnestly, "I understand, Sister Li."
Zhang Junzhi suddenly chimed in, "Sister Fei'er, if Brother Lu Chen bullies you, I'll beat him up for you!"
He wasn't that little anymore. He understood more than people thought, and to him, Chen Fei'er was just like a real older sister.
Everyone burst out laughing.
Chen Fei'er teased, "But your Brother Lu Chen's pretty tough, you might not be able to beat him."
Zhang Junzhi thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll learn! Brother Lu Chen, can you take me as your apprentice?"
Chen Fei'er laughed so hard she had to cover her mouth.
Lu Chen was speechless. "You want me to teach you so you can beat me up?"
Sister Li laughed too. "Don't mind Xiao Zhi's nonsense. But I really do hope he can learn a few things from you. After filming wraps, he wants to try singing too. Could you give him some advice?"
Zhang Junzhi added, "Brother Lu Chen, I want to release an album too!"
Sister Li said with pride, "He's loved music since he was little. Plays guitar and piano, even some violin. He dreams of being a big star like his dad, but even more successful!"
Zhang Junzhi frowned. "Mom, don't bring him up!"
Sister Li laughed. "Alright, alright, I won't."
So that's how it is.
Lu Chen was starting to understand, and he felt a deep sense of respect.
Sister Li's story with Zhang Junzhi's father was well-known in the entertainment world. Few people could handle it with as much grace as she had.
Frankly, many men wouldn't be able to match Sister Li's dignity and generosity.
But when it came to her son, her love was wholehearted.
If Junzhi wanted to act, she found roles for him. If he wanted to sing, she sought out opportunities, even if it meant humbling herself.
(End of Chapter)