Vase cannon fodder is pampered by the group again

Chapter 66.1

Editor: Princess

“Director Min Announces New Film Leads! Surprisingly Casting an Idol Drama ‘Vase’ and a Blank Slate Newcomer! Will the Vase Shatter or Will the Cocoon Transform into a Butterfly? Let’s Wait and See!”

“Entertainment Pictorial Cover Shoot Invites Two Newcomers! Birth of Absolute Geniuses? Or Nepotistic Scheming?”

“Why Did Director Min Break Precedent to Use Newcomers? Join Us Thursday at 8 PM for a Conversation with Min Shoubei! Don’t Miss It!”

That afternoon, all major news headlines were pushing related stories, immediately thrusting Shen Ci and the others into the spotlight. Media interview requests nearly destroyed Brother Zhang’s phone.

Brother Zhang rejected all interviews, telling Shen Ci not to worry about anything, and to focus wholeheartedly on learning, as that was the key.

But Shen Ci’s friends kept inquiring, and related information was being frantically pushed to his feeds. He couldn’t ignore it.

After dinner, Shen Ci anxiously took a nap with Lu Xiao, then woke up looking dazed.

Lu Xiao, seeing his poor state, wanted him to stay and rest. However avoiding the situation made Shen Ci feel even more unsettled, so he decided to steel himself and go to the company for class.

On the way, artists and staff he encountered all gave him envious looks, congratulating him.

Shen Ci responded with a stiff smile, feeling so awkward he wanted to kneel down and knock his head against the floor to beg them to stop their excessive praise.

Fortunately, the acting teacher remained calm as usual, not mentioning any gossip during class and teaching patiently and professionally.

Shen Ci was inspired by the dedicated teacher and gradually calmed down, immersing himself in learning.

“Your eyes aren’t right here.” The teacher shook his head seriously. “Think more carefully about what emotions Cheng Dieyi should have at this moment—balance the pathology and rationality appropriately.”

Shen Ci obediently closed his eyes, carefully analyzing the conflict between the character’s situation and personality.

Seeing his furrowed brow, the teacher offered a few key words of guidance and Shen Ci barely grasping the concept, tried again.

This attempt must have been effective, because the teacher patted his shoulder, smiling with satisfaction: “Your mind has finally returned to the classroom. You catch on quickly—you have good intuition. Don’t overthink it, just learn gradually.”

“Thank you, teacher…” Shen Ci responded weakly.

However he left the formal classroom setting, he fell back into anxiety, barely able to eat.

Truthfully, both the announcement about being the lead in Director Min’s film and the Entertainment Pictorial cover invitation—along with the massive public attention that came with it—put tremendous pressure on him.

He had filmed “Don’t say farewell” to stay close to Shao Jinhuan, and “Neighborhood Sunshine and You” merely to fill his schedule—basically they were just casual projects.

He took his second drama more seriously, but his goal was simply to become an idol actor who could make a living, as long as fans enjoyed watching.

Being suddenly elevated to a film actor… and given such high expectations before filming even began, he was terrified his acting would fail.

If that happened, not only would he be embarrassed and ridiculed, but Min Shoubei would likely face attacks from keyboard warriors, potentially falling from his legendary status in the industry.

**

That night Shen Ci tossed and turned. Whenever he closed his eyes, his mind conjured images of internet users mocking both father and son.

“I really can’t sleep like this…” Shen Ci covered his face, nearly breaking down.

When Lu Xiao, who was wearing pajamas and reading beside him heard this, he turned off the bedside lamp and pulled him into his arms, kissing his forehead: “You took a day and a half off, plus you studied this afternoon, yet it wasn’t enough to tire you out?”

Shen Ci sighed heavily, too lazy to explain, but noticed Lu Xiao’s hands starting to wander inappropriately.

“…What are you doing?!” Shen Ci’s face turned red as he pulled the large hand out of his pants, tightening his waistband vigilantly.

They had previously agreed, no touching him during these three months of acting studies.

The heavy curtains blocked the cold moonlight, leaving the room in complete darkness. Lu Xiao’s intense gaze as he focused on Shen Ci was deep and intimidating.

“Wen Ran is your classmate, and he pursued you…” His voice was low and hoarse, with a slight nasal tone from his cold.

Why was he bringing this up suddenly? Lu Xiao was too slow on the uptake, right…

Shen Ci was bewildered: “I really don’t know about that.”

Lu Xiao bit his earlobe gently, murmuring: “Were there so many pursuing my baby that you forgot?”

Shen Ci quickly tried to salvage the situation: “Little Uncle, how could you be fooled by him? I was very withdrawn in university, not a single person pursued me, honestly!”

“But this Rose is jealous.”

Shen Ci was caught off guard as his shoulders were seized, and then a fierce, rough kiss pressed down relentlessly. Shen Ci tried to struggle but failed, causing him to want to cry in his heart.

This was seriously a case of talking past each other… Not only did this guy refuse to listen to explanations, but he’d been silently holding a grudge all afternoon?

It was so unfair. Next time he saw Wen Ran, he’d definitely tear his mouth off.

By the time Lu Xiao was willing to let go, Shen Ci’s pants had already been stripped off by the uncultured brute.

Then the excessively handsome face before him revealed a gentle smile. Shen Ci suddenly discovered the sensation beneath him was wrong, and his legs were being held open by large hands.

“…” Feeling suddenly in danger, he quickly broke free.

He rolled and scrambled toward the edge of the bed, but was easily caught by the ankle and pulled back. Hot breath tickled his ear as a low, husky voice burned: “Baby don’t worry, I’m just helping you fall asleep.”

“You’re lying! You’re clearly going to bully me…” Shen Ci looked on in horror as he watched Lu Xiao spread his legs, then the tall, straight figure bent down to carefully and tenderly attend to both his front and back.

He shuddered, unconsciously reaching to grab Lu Xiao’s hair, his back arching as he gasped…

*

The little one was thoroughly exhausted, his body flushed red like a cooked shrimp. His hands were limp and covered with Lu Xiao’s essence. Shen Ci had no more energy to overthink, his mind repeating only one thought—

Seriously, officer? This kind of activity really can induce sleep…

His head fuzzy and heavy, Shen Ci was carried to bathe where he unconsciously fell asleep in the warm water.

The next day, a pimple erupted on Shen Ci’s forehead, red and swollen, painful to touch.

Shen Ci stood before the mirror, pouting glumly, finding the pimple increasingly offensive.

His acting hadn’t failed yet, but his appearance had!

He had always had good skin, with his face remaining white and clean even through puberty, earning him the nickname “Cream Prince” from teasing classmates.

Now look, he’d become the Pimple Witch Boy.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Xiao, dressed in home clothes, hugged Shen Ci’s waist from behind and kissed his neck.

Shen Ci pointed to the barely noticeable pimple on his forehead, remaining sullenly silent.

It was just a tiny pimple, nothing serious. But seeing how he was fixated on it, even wanting to pick at it, Lu Xiao could only helplessly lead his delicate darling back to the bedroom, taking out ointment to apply to it carefully.

“Don’t touch it, or it will leave a scar.” Lu Xiao capped the ointment: “Has my baby been under too much pressure lately?”

Sitting on the carpet, Shen Ci slumped his shoulders dejectedly: “Yeah. What if I can’t act well in the movie and drag everyone down… Why am I so useless at everything? It’s frustrating.”

“Is that so?” Lu Xiao chuckled softly: “You’re always putting yourself down. Have you actually listened to what others say about you?”

“Of course I have. ‘Shen Ci is a vase’ is common knowledge in the industry, right?”

Shen Ci looked up at Lu Xiao with a pitiful expression, but unexpectedly caught sight of the scabbed knife wound on his neck, a long mark.

Lu Xiao caressed his hair, his voice gentle: “Be good, don’t rush to doubt yourself. Professional opinions are what matters. Why not ask your teachers?”

Shen Ci nodded vaguely, his gaze fixed on Lu Xiao’s injury.

If Lu Xiao lowered his head slightly, most of the long scar could be hidden, making it hard to notice.

When he got a tiny pimple on his head, Lu Xiao showed a concerned expression and treated it seriously.

Yet for the injury Lu Xiao sustained for him, he rarely showed concern, at most reminding him daily to apply scar prevention medicine.

Shen Ci felt awful, wanting to slap himself. Standing up abruptly, he rummaged through the medicine box delivered to the apartment by the housekeeper, determined to apply scar removal medication to Lu Xiao.

Lu Xiao was puzzled, but Shen Ci was adamant, so he could only obediently tilt back his head slightly, allowing him to carefully apply the cool ointment.

The soft fingertips gliding over the wound felt ticklish. Lu Xiao laughed, the corners of his lips slowly curving upward with satisfaction.

Actually, his private doctor had prescribed medication, he only applied it at the office, afraid it might rub off on Shen Ci while sleeping.

He was very careful with this wound, as it somewhat marred his appearance.

Appearance was certainly worth maintaining carefully—otherwise, what if the precious baby he’d finally caught was lured away by other handsome men and beauties?

Like that peacock-like Wen Ran… Lu Xiao’s eyes suddenly darkened.

Shen Ci was still applying the medicine when he was suddenly pulled into Lu Xiao’s arms. The medicine fell to the floor with a “plop”, while Lu Xiao grabbed his chin for a passionate, tender kiss.

Nearly kissed senseless, Shen Ci was full of questions. Why did Lu Xiao suddenly go crazy?

The kiss addict was confirmed!