Because Film Emperor Yan Du was involved, news of Assassination's public casting spread like wildfire. Some information was also leaked, and most netizens were paying close attention to this drama, wanting to see what kind of work Chong Wenxin would produce after honing his craft for three years.

Xi Nian went home and read the script again. Although Assassin 19 didn't have as much screen time as the protagonist, the character was like a main thread running through the story from beginning to end, only meeting his end in the finale. Chong Wenxin loved to depict complex and contradictory emotions in minor characters. Although this role wasn't heavily written, the experience and character design were clearly crafted with care.

Not long after returning, Xi Nian sent a message to Xia Mingxue, deciding to take on the role. The other party was somewhat astonished to hear this: "Didn't you audition for the male lead? Why did you get a minor supporting role?"

If word got out, the fans would probably explode again.

Xi Nian's eyelid twitched uncontrollably. "Director Chong said I was more suited for that role, and I also felt it had more conflict, so I took it."

Xia Mingxue actually had no good impression of that eccentric old man Chong Wenxin. Hearing this, she flew into a rage: "He only cares about his own drama and doesn't give a damn if it affects your future! Xi Nian, the company can't possibly let you play that kind of minor supporting role again. If you become typecast as a supporting actor, your opportunities will be limited, and it'll be very difficult to land lead male roles, do you understand?"

Xi Nian glanced at the script and pondered for a long time before saying, "It's not exactly a supporting role. More like the male number two villain."

If I'm lucky and my performance is outstanding, I might be able to aim for a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the next Starlight Awards.

He never believed that playing supporting roles would limit his opportunities. It was just that Xia Mingxue thought Xi Nian playing minor supporting roles again and again would lower his status. It was like celebrities fighting for endorsements from major high-end luxury brands; if they were to endorse a roadside stall, it would undoubtedly lower their prestige.

When there was a choice, of course playing the male lead was more beneficial for one's career.

Xia Mingxue was silent for a long time before finally asking Xi Nian one more time, "Are you sure you want to do it?"

Xi Nian: "Mhm."

Xia Mingxue took a deep breath on the other end of the line and finally compromised, "Alright. But after Assassination is finished filming, your next drama has to be decided by the company."

Xi Nian had no objection: "Okay."

The two chatted briefly and hung up. Lu Xingzhe, who had been listening on the side, thought Xi Nian was being foolish. "I heard the male lead was already unofficially given to Yan Du. That rotten old geezer Chong Wenxin is clearly tricking you, and you're still falling for it. If it really doesn't work out, just take another drama. It's not like he's the only director in the entertainment circle."

Xi Nian asked, "Do I look like someone who would suffer a loss?"

He wasn't the type to undertake thankless tasks, but Lu Xingzhe just had to nod. His thick fan filter made him feel that Xi Nian had been bullied ever since his debut.

Xi Nian didn't argue, just smiled. He then reached out, pulled him onto his lap, patted his head, and stroked his back, saying jokingly, "If I suffer a little loss, then so be it."

I'll just treat it as repaying a debt from my past life.

Lu Xingzhe suffered in his last life, so it's my turn in this one.

Perhaps, in a sense, fate is conserved. What is gained or lost is destined to be repaid in another way.

"How can that be," Lu Xingzhe pinched his chin and pouted, "You can't be the one to suffer a loss."

'If I don't suffer a loss, what should I suffer? Suffer from you?' He didn't need to say anything; a brief glance at Lu Xingzhe was enough for the latter to understand his meaning.

Lu Xingzhe showed no coyness. He brazenly reached out and undid his collar button. His collarbone, hidden beneath the placket, still bore yesterday's red marks. He leaned close to Xi Nian's ear and, with a teasing smile, acted like a rogue, "Alright, I'll force myself to take a little loss."

The two of them were basically living together now, and they messed around quite a lot. As the one on top, Xi Nian was fine, but Lu Xingzhe, the one on the bottom, couldn't necessarily endure it.

Xi Nian didn't move, only buttoning up his opened clothes. His cool features were no longer as unapproachably cold as before. He mimicked Lu Xingzhe's earlier words, "How can that be? You can't be the one to suffer a loss."

Lu Xingzhe didn't understand why he wasn't touching him. He looked at him with wide eyes, a rare hint of confusion in them. Xi Nian was like a piece of reserved ice. He had never said anything like "I like you," "I love you," "I hate you," or "I loathe you" to Lu Xingzhe. His likes and dislikes were buried deep in his heart. Lu Xingzhe could often only discern the latter, but he had never been touched by the former.

But he never asked. If Xi Nian didn't say it, he wouldn't ask. It was the same this time.

Lu Xingzhe paused, then said, "Alright."

After speaking, he got up from the sofa, lowered his head to straighten his clothes, and asked Xi Nian, "Are you hungry? I'll go get you something to eat."

Xi Nian couldn't see his expression, only saw Lu Xingzhe smoothing his cuffs and the hem of his clothes over and over. His fingertips were slightly blue from the excessive force, looking a little flustered and busy, even inadvertently revealing a certain indescribable unease.

Xi Nian watched quietly for a moment, then pulled Lu Xingzhe back into his arms. He pretended not to see the other's slightly reddened eyes. With his chin resting on the top of his head, he asked in a low voice, "How about we do it... gently?"

Lu Xingzhe pursed his lips and didn't speak, turning his head away. After a few seconds, he finally spoke, his tone normal, "Didn't you say you wouldn't? It's not like I'm eager to do it."

But his voice was very soft, lacking its usual force.

Xi Nian wanted to say something, but due to his personality, he couldn't bring himself to say it. He ignored Lu Xingzhe's weak struggle, lowered his head, and slowly ground his lips against the other's. His movements were languid and much gentler than usual, yet they permitted no resistance.

Clothes were peeled off, sliding silently to the floor.

Xi Nian pressed close to Lu Xingzhe and noticed he seemed to have gotten thinner again. An assistant's job was clearly not that easy, especially since Lu Xingzhe was the only one bustling about, handling all of Xi Nian's affairs most of the time.

The soft sofa gradually soaked up their body heat, making one feel as if they were on a bed in a daze. It was the first time Xi Nian had been so slow, so gentle. Lu Xingzhe bit his lip without making a sound, his eyes squeezed shut. His eye sockets were red, and half his face was buried in the pillow, which was soaked with a dark patch of what could have been tears or sweat.

Xi Nian turned him over, planting intimate kisses on his face. His voice was deep, "Does it hurt?"

Lu Xingzhe's body trembled slightly. He kept his eyes closed and didn't answer.

Xi Nian asked again, "Does it hurt?"

Lu Xingzhe finally shook his head, uttering two words in a low, hoarse voice, "It doesn't..."

"But I'm afraid of hurting you," Xi Nian said suddenly.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lu Xingzhe froze. Even Xi Nian himself was stunned for a moment. His gaze swept inch by inch over the various small and large scattered marks on Lu Xingzhe's body. Then, he slowly cupped his face, paused, and repeated in a low voice, "But I'm afraid of hurting you..."

His empty chest held only a cold, hard heart of stone, but the passing years had finally worn away its sharp, hurtful edges, slowly infusing it with warm blood, and it began to beat, neither hurried nor slow.

Lu Xingzhe was never shy about voicing his affection. When he looked at Xi Nian, his eyes would shine, always sparkling. All his schemes would vanish into thin air, leaving him as clean as a blank sheet of paper. Whatever Xi Nian wrote upon it, that's what he would become.

But at the same time, Lu Xingzhe felt in his heart that Xi Nian wouldn't like him. He could only do his best to be better, and better still, so that he could be worthy of him.

This was a fact Lu Xingzhe had long since accepted in his heart. He wouldn't deliberately think about it normally, but whenever Xi Nian's attitude changed even slightly, it would pierce him like a needle, making it hard to breathe and causing him to frown uncontrollably.

Xi Nian hadn't realized it before, but when he lowered his head to kiss Lu Xingzhe's eyes and his tongue touched a salty taste, he finally, belatedly, realized something.

He pressed Lu Xingzhe into his embrace, holding him tightly. After a long while, he offered a somewhat unpracticed comfort, "Don't cry."

Lu Xingzhe's body remained stiff for a very, very long time. It was only after Xi Nian said this that he finally, slowly, relaxed. He buried his face in the crook of Xi Nian's neck. After a moment, he gently shook his head, reached out to hug him, and said in a low, slightly hoarse voice, "It doesn't hurt..."

Xi Nian wanted to say, 'Then don't let your imagination run wild next time. You're usually so narcissistic, how could you get so muddled at a time like this?' But in the end, he didn't expose him, simply getting up and carrying him into the bedroom.

The cast of Assassination was basically finalized. When the confirmed news came out that Xi Nian would be playing Assassin 19, his fans were first collectively stunned, then nearly cried once it sank in: [Hubby, why are you playing a supporting role again?]

Xi Nian's role as He Xiaoyun in Wolf Smoke had made him popular for his good looks. When netizens privately voted for their military uniform male gods, his ranking was firmly in the top three. His popularity had soared by more than just a little, and his acting wasn't bad either. It would have been absolutely no problem for him to play the first or second male lead in a historical idol drama, so why was he playing a supporting role again?!

No one gave a response to this. It was just rumored that Director Chong felt Xi Nian was more suitable for the role of the assassin. Thus, they could only assume it was the director's decision. Although the Niangao were disappointed, they could only huddle together for comfort.

It's okay to play a supporting role. As long as the performance is good, you can be the protagonist anywhere. Maybe this time, Xi Nian can give an outstanding performance like he did in Wolf Smoke and overshadow the male lead.

This was originally just some self-comforting banter, but Yan Du's fans were not happy when they heard it. What kind of big shot was Xi Nian to dare be compared to Yan Du? Has he won any international awards? Has he been nominated for the Starlight Gala? He played a warlord character that required no skill and only good looks, and now he thinks he's all that? His fans are just mindlessly hyping him to the heavens.

Acting isn't the same as just looking handsome, thank you!

Yan Du had been in the industry for many years, and his skills were plain to see. Although he rarely engaged in hype, his fans were extremely protective. Their tone unconsciously carried a hint of superiority. The Niangao felt their words had been inappropriate and had originally intended to apologize, but after hearing those last few sentences, they exploded with anger, and the two sides started tearing into each other.

What do you mean, a role for just looking handsome?! Are you blind? Can't you see Xi Nian's acting? If it weren't for the lack of good scripts, he would have been famous long ago! Yan Du isn't as handsome as Xi Nian; he couldn't even pull off just looking handsome if he wanted to! So he won a Film Emperor award and now he thinks he's superior? What's so great about that!

The fans from both sides stabbed at each other's weak spots, with each jab hitting its mark. Yan Du's fans were already furious, and hearing this made them even more so. Xi Nian is just a rookie who just debuted. What right does he have to be compared to Yan Du? Is being handsome such a big deal? Only pretty-boy vases rely on their faces. Yan Du has worked hard to climb to where he is today all through his own skill, okay!!

Flame wars in the entertainment circle could start at the drop of a hat. The two fan groups fought from Weibo to the forums, and from the forums to the public squares. In between, there were also some malicious instigators fanning the flames. In the end, the commotion landed them directly on the trending topics.

Except for special circumstances, Xi Nian rarely looked at Weibo. When Lu Xingzhe discovered the two fan groups were fighting, he rolled over in the blankets and poked Xi Nian with his phone.

The late autumn weather was already a bit chilly, but it was warm and cozy in the blanket. Xi Nian felt the cold, hard edge of the phone, subconsciously opened his eyes, and then buried his face in Lu Xingzhe's chest again, his voice drowsy with sleep, "What's wrong..."

Lu Xingzhe didn't think it was a big deal. Fan wars were perfectly normal in the entertainment circle. "Your fans and Yan Du's fans are fighting."

Xi Nian rarely bothered with such matters and hardly ever posted on Weibo. Hearing this, he rustled around under the pillow for his phone, opened his eyes, and read through the whole affair, including the flame war posts. After a moment of silence, he unexpectedly posted a status in the fan group, telling the fans to stop arguing.

After doing all this, he shoved his phone back under the pillow and closed his eyes again.

He was in Lu Xingzhe's 'special attention' list, so as soon as he posted, the latter's phone chimed. Lu Xingzhe paused and said, "Aren't you afraid the fans will be unhappy?"

The flame war between the two sides was at its peak. At a time like this, whoever cursed one less time would feel like they were losing. After all, the fans were arguing with the other side for Xi Nian's sake. It was inevitable they would feel like their good intentions were being ungratefully trampled.

Xi Nian closed his eyes, then opened them again. "How old are they? They can't just take me as their idol and learn nothing else but how to curse at people."

Many people don't understand where an idol's responsibility lies, and the public has blurred this line. But in reality, everyone is born with responsibilities they should bear. Since celebrities have received the love of their fans, they should set an example for them.

They're young and don't understand, so they need to be taught.

Taught how to properly like someone, taught to respect others.

Instead of waiting until they are old and looking back on the idols they once loved and pursued in their youth, only to have nothing left in their minds but a series of blurry faces and a gorgeous stage under the spotlight.

A beautiful face will eventually grow old with the passage of time, and a graceful singing voice will eventually become old and hoarse. But there are some things that even time cannot take away. At such a vibrant age, if all they learn is to argue and fight day after day, it would be too much of a pity.

Lu Xingzhe watched him quietly. For some reason, he smiled, then raised an eyebrow and said, "You tell them to stop cursing, and they'll just stop?"

Xi Nian said, "Aren't you an admin in the support group? Go organize them and calm them down."

Fuck!

Lu Xingzhe's eyes widened instantly. "How did you know?!"

The owner of Xi Nian's fan support group was Lu Xingzhe's alt account. Back then, because there was no one dedicated to managing it, which was bad for career development, he simply slipped in under a sock puppet account. Later, as the fan group gradually grew, he unknowingly became the group owner. Besides posting professionally edited handsome pictures of Xi Nian and announcing his schedule, he spent most of his time lurking.

So how on earth did Xi Nian find out?!

Xi Nian: "Oh, I just guessed."

Lu Xingzhe didn't believe him. "How did you guess?"

Xi Nian wanted to say, 'You did the same thing in your last life, is it that hard to guess?' But he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. He held the back of Lu Xingzhe's head and leaned in as if to kiss him, but just as Lu Xingzhe closed his eyes, he whispered something in his ear.

"Because you like me,"

Xi Nian said, "Because you like me, I know all of your secrets..."

After speaking, he kissed Lu Xingzhe's stunned eyes and asked, "Understand?"

Understand... my ass.

Having his cover blown, Lu Xingzhe's mood was truly a bit complicated. He reluctantly took out his phone to contact a few other admins to calm the fans, pouting, "You sure love your fans deeply."

Xi Nian nodded, surprisingly admitting to it. He paused, then looked at Lu Xingzhe. "What about you? Are you my fan?"

Hearing this, Lu Xingzhe's hand trembled, and he almost typed a typo. He subconsciously raised his eyes and met Xi Nian's serious gaze. His throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton; his mouth opened and closed, but not a single word came out.

Xi Nian propped his head up with his right hand, his fingertips slowly tracing Lu Xingzhe's delicate profile as he said in a low voice, "I'm asking you a question. Are you my fan?"

Yes, yes, yes! Of course I am!

Lu Xingzhe couldn't speak. He just looked at him eagerly and nodded vigorously. Xi Nian held his fidgeting head still, a flicker of a smile flashing through his dark eyes, too fast to catch. In a languid voice, he said, "So, I truly do love my fans... deeply."

The last few words were very soft, dissipating silently into the air, yet every word was clear.

I = fan.

To love fans deeply = To love me deeply.

Lu Xingzhe's mind went in circles. It took him a long while to finally arrive at this equation. When he realized it, the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curled up. He grinned like a cat that had stolen a fish, a hint of disbelief in his voice, "Me? Me?"

Xi Nian actually didn't quite dare to meet his scorching gaze. He raised a hand and covered Lu Xingzhe's face with the blanket, then let out an emotionless 'mhm.' The sound had barely faded when his waist was suddenly seized as he was fiercely hugged from under the covers.

Lu Xingzhe hugged him tightly, like a penniless vagrant clutching his last piece of gold.

Xi Nian's breath hitched, squeezed so tightly he couldn't breathe. After a long time, the person in the blanket finally moved, resting a cool chin on his shoulder.

"Xi Nian,"

Lu Xingzhe's tone was as pure as a child's as he whispered, "I'm so happy."

He was really, truly happy. He hadn't even been this happy when he got chocolate at the orphanage as a child.