Huayu: Starting with Hextech

The alcohol was burning in my blood, and the ambiguous atmosphere in the KTV, the intertwined gazes, the subtle touches... everything was fermenting and boiling at this moment.

He heard the sound of something shattering inside him.

That was the collapse of the moral defense line.

Yang Mi sensed his hesitation and kissed him even deeper.

Her hands slid from his neck to his back, pressing him forcefully against her.

Their bodies were pressed tightly together, separated only by thin clothing.

Lin Xiao finally responded.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, took the initiative, pinned her against the wall, and kissed her even more passionately.

Their lips and tongues intertwined, their breaths mingled, and the air was thick with the scent of desire and alcohol.

From the doorway to the bedside, clothes fell one by one onto the carpet.

The city lights outside the window shone through the gaps in the loosely drawn curtains, casting dappled shadows on the wall.

Yang Mi's fingernails dug into Lin Xiao's back, leaving faint red marks.

At four in the morning, Lin Xiao was awakened by thirst.

He opened his eyes, momentarily disoriented.

An unfamiliar ceiling, an unfamiliar bed, and an unfamiliar soft body in my arms.

Memories slowly returned.

He looked down and saw Yang Mi sleeping soundly, her head resting on his arm.

Her long hair was spread out on the pillow, her eyelashes trembled slightly in her sleep, and the blush of passion still lingered on her face.

The crazy scenes from last night flashed through Lin Xiao's mind, and he felt dizzy.

He gently withdrew his arm, got up from the bed, picked up the clothes scattered on the floor, and put them on one by one.

They moved very gently, afraid of waking the person in bed.

But Yang Mi still woke up.

She opened her eyes and looked at Lin Xiao, who was standing by the bed getting dressed. Her gaze went from hazy to clear, and then to complicated.

Neither of them spoke.

The room was eerily quiet, with only the faint hum of the air conditioner vents.

Yang Mi sat up, the blanket slipped off, revealing her fair shoulders and red marks on her collarbone.

She didn't pay attention, she just stared at Lin Xiao for a long time.

Then she spoke, her voice hoarse:

"Just pretend nothing happened."

Lin Xiao paused as he buttoned his shirt.

"I'm still Tang Yan's best friend," Yang Mi continued, her tone as calm as if stating a fact. "And you're her boyfriend. Last night... it was just an accident under the influence of alcohol."

After she finished speaking, she threw off the covers, got out of bed, and walked barefoot into the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of water came from the bathroom.

Lin Xiao stood by the bed, listening to the sound of water, and a strange emotion welled up inside him—guilt, regret, but also a sense of relief.

Yang Mi gave him a way out.

A few minutes later, Yang Mi came out wrapped in a bath towel, her hair still wet.

She walked to the wardrobe, took out a clean set of clothes, and began to change with her back to Lin Xiao.

"Go back," she said, "while it's still dark, no one will see you."

Lin Xiao nodded and walked to the door.

As he gripped the doorknob, he glanced back.

Yang Mi had already changed her clothes and was standing in front of the mirror combing her hair.

Her back was slender and upright, exuding an almost stubborn and aloof air.

"Sister Honey," Lin Xiao said.

Yang Mi didn't turn around: "Hmm?"

"……sorry."

Yang Mi paused for a moment, then chuckled, "What's there to apologize for? We're all adults, it was a mutual consent matter."

She turned around, looked at him, her eyes clear:

"Remember, last night was just an accident. From now on, we'll get along as usual on set. You're Tang Yan's boyfriend, and I'm Tang Yan's best friend, nothing more."

Lin Xiao looked at her and finally nodded.

He opened the door and went out.

The corridor was deserted; the carpet absorbed all footsteps.

Lin Xiao returned to his room, closed the door, leaned against the door panel, and let out a long breath.

The room was quiet, with only the sound of his own heartbeat.

As he watched the sky gradually lighten outside the window, the tension in his heart finally eased.

No need for excuses anymore.

No explanation needed.

Everything can be blamed on alcohol, on accidents, or on a momentary adult indulgence.

This realization gave him a shameful sense of relief.

He went to the bathroom, turned on the tap, and splashed his face with cold water.

The person in the mirror had bloodshot eyes, bluish stubble on their chin, and a faint red mark on their neck—left by Yang Mi last night.

He reached out and forcefully wiped away the mark.

But some marks can be wiped off.

Some cannot be wiped off.

……

At seven o'clock the next morning, the sky over Hengdian World Studios was gray and hazy.

The set of "Palace" is already bustling with activity. The lighting crew is adjusting equipment, the props crew is setting up tables and chairs, and the production crew is moving around.

Lin Xiao, wrapped in a black down jacket and holding a thermos, had just sat down in the rest area when the makeup artist came to greet him.

"Good morning, Teacher Lin. Your makeup needs to be a bit heavier today, there will be close-ups."

Lin Xiao nodded in agreement.

In the mirror, his eyes looked deeper than usual, with a faint bluish tint, which perfectly matched the plot of the Eighth Prince being "drunk" last night.

Yang Mi arrived at 7:30.

She wore a long white down jacket, a beanie with a bear pattern, and her makeup was exquisite; she looked radiant.

When she saw Lin Xiao, her eyes crinkled into a smile, and she walked over and naturally sat down on the chair next to him.

"Good morning, Teacher Lin." Her voice was clear and crisp, and her tone was just the right amount of politeness between colleagues.

"Good morning." Lin Xiao nodded.

As the makeup artist applied foundation to Lin Xiao, she smiled and said, "Mi Mi looks radiant today."

"Really?" Yang Mi adjusted her bangs in front of the mirror, her eyes glancing at Lin Xiao's profile. "He slept well last night, huh?"

Lin Xiao's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the thermos.

The makeup artist, oblivious to anything amiss, continued chatting: "By the way, last night's drunken scene was really well done. Teacher Lin's eyes, wow, they perfectly captured the Eighth Prince's pain of unrequited love."

"Of course," Yang Mi said, resting her chin on her hand and looking at Lin Xiao. "Our Teacher Lin has such great acting skills, he nailed it in one take."

As she spoke, her elbow seemingly accidentally bumped into Lin Xiao's arm.

The sound of the down jacket fabric rubbing together was very soft, but Lin Xiao could feel the warmth and a hint of intimacy in the touch.

After finishing their makeup, the two went to change into their costumes.

In the corridor leading to the locker room, when no one else was around, Yang Mi slowed her pace.

She walked beside Lin Xiao, her voice so low that only the two of them could hear her:

"Did you sleep well, Teacher Lin?"

Lin Xiao turned his head to look at her.

A sly glint shone in her eyes, and a hint of triumph played on her lips.

That look in his eyes seemed to say: This is a secret between the two of us.

"It's alright." Lin Xiao looked away.

"That's good~" Yang Mi's voice became cheerful, "I was worried that you... wouldn't be used to it."

After she finished speaking, she quickened her pace and entered the women's changing room, leaving behind a meaningful silhouette.

Lin Xiao stood still for two seconds, then pushed open the door to the men's locker room.

The morning's filming went smoothly.

The scene where the Eighth Prince and Qingchuan meet by chance in the Imperial Garden is a testament to their excellent chemistry. The tension between them when their eyes meet is palpable, drawing praise from director Li Huizhu.

"Cut! That's a wrap!" Director Li looked up from behind the monitor. "Mimi, Lin Xiao, your chemistry is amazing! Keep it up!"