After My Ex-Boyfriend’s White Moonlight Proposed to Me - Chapter 55

Ever since he got the formal status of a boyfriend, Zhuang Yan walked with a breezy wind in his steps.

 

Floating.

 

Even hugs and kisses were done naturally now. Xie Ning felt like others looked at him and Zhuang Yan with some sort of ambiguity in their eyes.

 

Luckily, nobody dared to make fun of Xie Ning to his face.

 

Zhuang Yan is very powerful, and Xie Ning is the boss of the art team who didn’t like to talk. The junior art assistant and art assistant were used to his cold, quiet personality, and didn’t really dare to bother him unless they were talking about work.

 

After a meeting, Xie Ning organized some sketches, and as soon as he returned to the front of his computer, Wang JianJian slid himself over.

 

There were no vacant chairs around, but Wang JianJian didn’t mind. Seeing how Xie Ning had a big table, he sat on the table instead and leaned his body slightly to talk to him.

 

“Director Zhuang’s face these two days has been full of spring. Did something good happen?”

 

Xie Ning slowly said, “I don’t know either.”

 

Wang JianJian smiled and raised his eyebrow while looking at him. “If you don’t know, then who does?”

 

Xie Ning: “…”

 

Wang JianJian moved himself closer some more. “Seriously, Director Zhuang told me to watch my actions and image in the crew, but he himself shows so much affection and love for you. Double standards, typical double standards!”

 

Xie Ning choked. “I-It’s not that obvious, is it?”

 

Wang JianJian exaggeratedly widened his eyes. “You guys have come and go together for so many days now, isn’t it obvious enough? There were a good amount of people that complained to me about Director Zhuang running to the art team during lunch. When they opened the door while they were eating and saw him sitting on the sofa, they were so scared that their hearts almost jumped out of their chests.”

 

Xie Ning was embarrassed by his words, and just sat there in silence instead.

 

Like an ostrich, pretending to not hear or know anything.

 

Wang JianJian didn’t mind that, and continued to say, “A couple of days ago, a girl in the props team quietly gossiped to me about you two, saying that you guys must have something going on.”

 

Xie Ning then asked, “A girl from the props team?”

 

Wang JianJian waved his hand. “That’s not the important part.”

 

Really?

 

Xie Ning glanced at him and thought about it.

 

Wang JianJian’s love for seducing women wasn’t actually just talk. He actually started to gossip with a girl from the props team.

 

Wang JianJian said, “And then I told her, isn’t the matter between you and Director Zhuang obvious?”

 

Xie Ning’s face started to heat up a little. “…”

 

He originally thought that Wang JianJian came to find him to talk about something serious, but he understood now that he was just there to tease him.

 

Xie Ning just let him talk to himself, responding with an “Mhm” or “Ah” occasionally for the sake of responding.

 

He opened the file that the junior art assistant sent, and clicked on the picture to start reviewing it.

 

Since the start of shooting was just around the corner, the workload for the art team had increased greatly, and their overtime was getting longer and longer. These designs are the ones that the junior art assistant drew recently, and he gave it to Xie Ning to review first.

 

Wang JianJian was really chatty. He’s the kind of person who can talk to a bot on the Internet for a whole afternoon, even if the bot only responded, “And then?”

 

But while he was talking, he suddenly pointed at the design on Xie Ning’s computer screen and said seriously, “I think…Mhm, this color might not work and it needs to be changed.”

 

Xie Ning paused for a moment. “The color won’t work?”

 

Wang JianJian didn’t say anything, but a familiar voice came from behind him: “What are you doing here?”

 

Zhuang Yan had arrived some time ago, and his pair of black eyes watched Wang JianJian quietly.

 

Wang JianJian jumped down from the desk, and said a little guiltily, “I’m here to talk to Xie Ning about work.”

 

“Work?” Zhuang Yan’s eyebrows lifted, and his gaze swept past Xie Ning’s computer. He replied lightly, “I think this color is pretty good. Let’s just decide on it.”

 

Wang JianJian: “…” You’re the director, so you make the decisions.

 

Zhuang Yan then said, “I remember that it’s time to get off work now.”

 

Wang Jian Jian looked at him with surprise. “No way, those of us who work on behind the scenes things still have something like a time to get off work?”

 

This was one of the rare occasions on which Zhuang Yan choked.

 

Wang JianJian asked him, “Then why are you here?”

 

Zhuang Yan said honestly, “I’m here to take my boyfriend home.”

 

Xie Ning: “Ahem.”

 

Zhuang Yan asked him, concerned, “What? Are you still not over your cold?”

 

Xie Ning said quietly, “…It’s not that.”

 

Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrow. “Your face is so red. Let’s hope it’s not a fever.”

 

Xie Ning’s face turned even redder. “I don’t have a fever!”

 

Zhuang Yan said, “Then what are you blushing for?”

 

“You guys are just treating me like I don’t exist, right?” Wang JianJian couldn’t watch anymore. “He’s thin-skinned, so you have to leave some face for a single dog like me.” He spoke as if he hadn’t said those teasing things in front of Xie Ning earlier.

 

Zhuang Yan frowned and looked at him, saying, “If you know you’re a third wheel, then why don’t you walk away a little further? Ah right, I rejected the plan you proposed last time and returned it. Have you finished the new plan yet?”

 

Wang JianJian immediately replied, “…I’ll be going.”

 

The name of Zhuang Yan’s Republic of China film was finally decided upon. It was called {The Past of Two Cities}.

 

He originally wanted to call it {A Tale of Two Cities}, but it collided with Dickens’ novel.

 

Zhuang Yan relented, and chose this one instead.

 

But if we’re talking about good things, other than Zhuang Yan finally receiving the title of boyfriend, there was also the successful filing and approval of {The Past of Two Cities}.

 

With the publicization of the filing from the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, news on the Internet slowly emerged about {The Past of Two Cities}.

 

Especially when it was leaked that Shen ShiSong was going to star in it. Fans discussed if the film was going to be a good cake or a poisoned cake.

 

This was how Zhuang Yan, a director who the public had never heard of before, started to gain the public’s attention.

 

At first, they thought that Zhuang Yan was a new director, since he wasn’t over 30 and they hadn’t really heard of him before. It was most likely that he was a new director.

 

Thus, they ridiculed Shen ShiSong and said he was becoming outdated for lowering himself and filming such a low-budget film.

 

Until someone dug up Zhuang Yan’s resume.

 

“You don’t know how to Baidu someone when you don’t know him? This director directed {Return to Sender Love Letter}, released abroad.”

 

“He’s a director for literary and artistic films, and has been making films abroad. {Monologue} was also nominated for the Cannes Film Festival. For those who said he’s a new director, I’m afraid I’m going to have to laugh until death.”

 

“This director is very strangely magical. I’m never able to get his points for his films, yet he somehow receives a lot of awards.”

 

“Is he a Chinese person born elsewhere?”

 

“No, he’s from China.”

 

“I went to Baidu and came here. Who the hell told me that it was a poisonous cake? Sheng ShiSong is obviously aiming for the prize this time!”

 

“Aiming for the prize +1, but the box office for literary films is hard to predict. Will ShiSong’s fans still brag that ShiSong is a guarantee for the box office?”

 

“Zhuang Yan’s style has always been undetermined. I liked his {Return to Sender Love Letter} a lot, but what kind of shitty thing was {Monologue} for it to even be nominated for Cannes? I don’t understand the judges’ taste now.”

 

“I’m back after Baidu-ing. Is he really only 28? He has so many works.”

 

“To be honest, I haven’t seen a single one of his films, but he really did win a lot of awards abroad. This is clearly a director who aims for awards.”

 

……

 

Later, the topic turned towards whether Sheng ShiSong could grab the Best Actor award, and his fans and antis alike argued whether or not he could still hold the title of “Box Office Guarantee”.

 

It was getting closer and closer to the start of filming, and it was also getting closer and closer to Xie Ning’s birthday.

 

Xie Ning realized that Zhuang Yan was even more busy these days. He figured that there were too many things to prepare for the movie; for several days, Zhuang Yan had the driver take Xie Ning back to Lakeside Villa, and Auntie Chen also took over the kitchen again.

 

To be honest, after Xie Ning got used to Zhuang Yan’s cooking skills and had to suddenly switch to Auntie Chen’s homecooked food, he had to say that he really wasn’t used to it.

 

He remembered the first time he went to Zhuang Yan’s house. Auntie Chen was the one who made dinner, and at the time, Zhuang Yan was being picky and said a bunch of things, which led to Xie Ning complaining about him in his mind.

 

He found out now that it was easy to go from frugality to extravagant, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

 

When Xie Ning went downstairs after showering, Zhuang Yan had just gotten home, with an obvious look of fatigue on his face.

 

Xie Ning asked him, “Have you eaten dinner?”

 

“Not yet.” Zhuang Yan pressed on his temples. “I went to socialize with a couple of investors today, and couldn’t push it back. I didn’t eat much, but I did drink a good amount of wine.”

 

Xie Ning approached him and really did smell a faint scent of alcohol on him. “Auntie Chen just left. If you knew earlier, you should call and tell me so that I could ask her to make some sobering soup for you.”

 

Zhuang Yan glanced at him. “You have a phone?”

 

Xie Ning was silent for a moment, then said, “…You can call the landline at home.”

 

Zhuang Yan said, “I’m not that drunk. After taking a shower and sleeping a little, I’ll probably be awake and sober.”

 

“Oh.” Xie Ning asked dryly, “Then are you hungry?”

 

Zhuang Yan nodded. “I’m starving. I’ll take a look in the refrigerator to see if there’s anything I can cook.”

 

Xie Ning thought for a bit, then pulled on him. “Take a break, and I’ll make it for you?”

 

Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrows. “You’re going to make something for me to eat?”

 

Xie Ning saidm “…It’s not like I haven’t cooked for you before. If you don’t like it, then forget it.”

 

“I like it.” Zhuang Yan curled his lips upwards and squeezed his cheeks. “I won’t dislike anything my boyfriend makes for me.”

 

Recently, one out of three sentences that Zhuang Yan says always has to include the word “boyfriend”, and every time Xie Ning heard it, his face would turn hot.

 

He turned his head to the side and asked, “What do you want to eat?”

 

Actually, at this time, there weren’t many things that he could do. The dishes that Auntie Chen made were all cold by now, and with Zhuang Yan’s personality, he definitely wouldn’t eat leftovers.

 

There were not that many ingredients in the refrigerator either, and the only thing that could be made were frozen dumplings.

 

This was something Zhuang Yan bought in case he was too busy and came home but didn’t want to make dinner, so he planned to use it when he was lazy.

 

“Or I can make a bowl of noodles for you?” Xie Ning asked.

 

Zhuang Yan thought about it. “Make noodles, since noodles are faster.”

 

He was probably really, really hungry. Xie Ning took a look at him, and washed some fruits for him first to satisfy his hunger.

 

There were still green veggies and eggs in the refrigerator. Xie Ning tok them out and found a bag of ham. He was afraid that Zhuang Yan would be so hungry that it was detrimental to his health, so he carried the bowl over practically right when it was ready.

 

Zhuang Yan smelled it and said, “It smells pretty good.”

 

Xie Ning said, “It’s not as good as what you’d make yourself.”

 

“No.” Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrow and smiled. “I think the way you made it is more suitable for my appetite. If you make it every day, I’ll eat it every day.”

 

Xie Ning whispered and complained a little. “You’re not afraid of getting sick of it?”

 

Zhuang Yan said, “Don’t worry, I won’t get sick of it.”

 

Without waiting for Xie Ning to think of a response, Zhuang Yan said, “But you’re also busy with drawing, so I couldn’t bear letting you cook. Just leave it to Auntie Chen.”

 

The noodles that Xie Ning made were only okay in taste, but Zhuang Yan still ate it completely, not even leaving soup.

 

After finishing the noodles, Zhuang Yan asked him, “Do you have time tomorrow?”

 

Xie ning paused for a moment, and responded with uncertainty, “I should.”

 

“That means you have time,” Zhuang Yan said. “I’ll tell Wang JianJian to not find you tomorrow to talk about work. Does he come to bother you often lately?”

 

Xie Ning hesitated and responded, “It’s…okay? It’s almost all about work.”

 

Then he’d occasionally talk about the gossip that was flying around the crew, but Xie Ning was too embarrassed to tell Zhuang Yan about this.

 

Zhuang Yan nodded.

 

Xie Ning asked, curious, “Do you have something to do…tomorrow?”

 

Zhuang Yan said, “Isn’t it almost your birthday?”

 

“Mhm.”

 

Zhuang Yan glanced at him. “Since I’m going to visit the large compound, I thought about it and although it’s to celebrate your birthday, I can’t miss out on giving a gift to Elder Xie.”

 

Xie Ning: “…that seriously?”

 

Zhuang Yan solemnly nodded his head. “What does Elder Xie like…should I go ask my grandpa? Oh, since your parents are going too, then I should prepare something for them too.”

 

Xie Ning’s mind made up the image of Zhuang Yan carrying a bunch of gifts to the large compound, and choked for a moment.

 

He murmured, “There’s no need to go through so much trouble. It’s enough for you to go.”

 

“No,” Zhuang Yan insisted. “Who goes to see parents empty-handed?”

 

Xie Ning naturally couldn’t out-stubborn him, so he got up and put the dishes and chopsticks in the kitchen sink.

 

When he was washing his hands, his body suddenly became stiff.

 

Zhuang Yan had followed him in without his knowing, and hugged him from behind.

 

This action has happened between couples probably countless times. Zhuang Yan’s hands stretched forward from his waist, clasped his waist, and he lowered his head slightly, burning it in Xie Ning’s neck.

 

His breathing became steady yet hot.

 

Among the sweetness, there was the sense of warmth of home.

 

Xie Ning’s body couldn’t help but soften, and his hands on the stovetop tried to support him.

 

Zhuang Yan chuckled.

 

His laughter rang in Xie Ning’s ears. His ears became heated when listening to the deep, long laughter.

 

Zhuang Yan asked in a low voice, “Boyfriend, can we sleep in the same room tonight?”

 

After he said this, he kissed Xie Ning’s ear.

 

Xie Ning’s waist went limp and wasn’t able to support him anymore.

——————————————————–

Author’s Note:

 

ZhuangZhuang: I want to……

NingNing: …..No, you don’t want to.

ZhuangZhuang: ???

 

The bowl of noodles today made me remember the noodles that ZhuangZhuang made in Chapter 10! Sure enough, I like this sort of parallel plot!