After getting out of the car and entering the hotel, the two took a private elevator and pressed the button for the top floor.

In the elevator, Jiang Chi's face was still flushed.

He clearly hadn't recovered from what Ye Lan had just said.

He knew Ye Lan was joking. Of course, that kind of scene didn't need to be rehearsed beforehand. Not to mention, the script's description of that part was actually very subtle and vague, not detailed at all. Jiang Chi still didn't know the specifics of the filming. It was said that Ren Haichuan had a very personal style when shooting such scenes and might make adjustments on the spot based on the plot and the situation.

But no matter how it was adjusted, it would definitely be filmed. He and Ye Lan...

This wasn't Ye Lan's first time filming a bed scene. Film Emperor Ye, who had dedicated himself to art for many years, had plenty of experience in this area—subtle ones, passionate ones, semi-nude, fully-nude, Jiang Chi had them all on his computer.

From the time Jiang Chi hit puberty until now, a compilation of those clips had accompanied him for quite a long time.

He never thought that he would also be a part of one of those scenes...

Ye Lan had taken a short nap in Jiang Chi's car earlier, so he wasn't sleepy anymore. With his hands in his trench coat pockets, he tilted his chin up slightly, glanced at Jiang Chi, and said softly, "What are you smiling about? Happy to know we're filming a bed scene?"

Jiang Chi choked abruptly.

Ye Lan burst out laughing and patted Jiang Chi on the back twice. "Just teasing you. What's wrong?"

Jiang Chi looked at his reflection in the elevator's decorative mirror and tried to control his expression, lest Ye Lan see through him.

The crew's usual meals were either boxed lunches on set or the buffet on the hotel's seventh floor. To prevent outsiders from disturbing the artists, the crew booked the entire buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner. But even so, the great Film Emperor Ye had never graced the seventh floor.

Jiang Chi actually found the hotel's buffet to be sumptuous and delicious, and the dishes were quite exquisite. However, to treat Ye Lan to a meal, he certainly couldn't drag him to the buffet. Jiang Chi had texted Li Weili in advance to tell him to go eat dinner on his own and not to wait for him. Then, he went up to the restaurant on the hotel's top floor with Ye Lan.

The restaurant on the top floor was quite famous; Jiang Chi guessed that Ye Lan usually ate here.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, the first person Jiang Chi saw was Ren Haichuan.

Ren Haichuan was talking to someone and looked like he had just come up as well. He nodded when he saw the two of them. "Dinner?"

Ye Lan's gaze swept over the person next to Ren Haichuan, and he instantly dropped the playful demeanor he had in the elevator. With a look of pleasant surprise, he greeted the person standing with Ren Haichuan, then turned to introduce him to Jiang Chi. "This is Director Xu Haozheng."

Jiang Chi hurriedly greeted him. Xu Haozheng smiled. "Jiang Chi, right? I've heard so much about you. I heard a while ago that you guys were filming here. It just so happens I had business in the area, so I came to force Director Ren to treat me to a meal."

Ye Lan joked, "Director Xu, that's not very loyal of you. Why didn't you help me get a free meal out of Director Ren too?"

Xu Haozheng blinked. "Weren't we afraid he'd feel the pinch? We also know you hate drinking with us old geezers the most, so we didn't dare disturb you."

"You make me sound like such a scoundrel..." Ye Lan said, smiling, while inconspicuously glancing at Jiang Chi.

Jiang Chi wore a proper smile, watching himself exchange pleasantries with the newcomer. When he was introduced, he only offered a polite greeting. It was sincere enough, but unfortunately, there wasn't a single extra word.

This was the great director Xu Haozheng.

Frustrated at his lack of initiative, Ye Lan maintained his fake smile and said to Xu Haozheng, "Then you go ahead and order first. Since Director Ren is paying, you must order a lot. When I come over to toast you later, make sure there's a portion for me."

Xu Haozheng laughed heartily and nodded. Ren Haichuan couldn't stand Ye Lan's pretentious and insincere manner of making small talk with people and suppressed his anger. "Are you two planning to chat at the entrance all night? Are we eating or not?"

Ye Lan gave Xu Haozheng a helpless smile. Xu Haozheng, familiar with Ren Haichuan's temper, couldn't help but chuckle. Ye Lan took two steps to the side, letting Ren Haichuan and Xu Haozheng enter the restaurant ahead of them.

Ye Lan and Jiang Chi entered the restaurant and sat at a table by the window. After ordering, Ye Lan said to Jiang Chi in a low voice, "Are you really dense or just pretending? Why are you like a block of wood, not saying a single word?"

Jiang Chi was feeling anxious. He vaguely sensed that Ye Lan wanted to introduce him to Xu Haozheng, but he wasn't entirely sure, and...

Afraid of upsetting Ye Lan, Jiang Chi explained in a small voice, "I was afraid if I talked too much and we got familiar, we'd have to share a table with them later."

Ye Lan didn't understand. That was his original plan. "So what? You're too embarrassed to eat a meal treated by Ren Haichuan? Worst case, I'll pay for this one."

Ye Lan himself didn't care whether he dined with Xu Haozheng, but for Jiang Chi, this opportunity to interact with great directors was very important. Ye Lan knew Xu Haozheng would give him this face.

As Ye Lan was about to get up, Jiang Chi felt a little disappointed at the thought of having to eat at the same table as Ren Haichuan and the others. He couldn't help but whisper, "But it's so rare for me to have a meal alone with you."

Ye Lan froze, a smile gradually spreading across his lips.

Was Jiang Chi just complaining to him?

He sat down steadily, smiling. "Having dinner alone with me is more important than getting to talk to Xu Haozheng?"

Jiang Chi's Adam's apple bobbed.

Of course.

Not counting the time at Ye Lan's house, this was the first time Jiang Chi was dining alone with Ye Lan outside.

The hotel restaurant was exquisitely decorated, with clever lighting. Sitting together by the window for dinner was so romantic.

Ye Lan gave an indulgent smile. "Fine, if we're not going, we're not going."

Jiang Chi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing Jiang Chi's little expression of relief, as if he had just survived a disaster, Ye Lan suddenly felt an itch in his heart.

The food arrived quickly. The two chatted as they ate. Ye Lan, intending to find out about Jiang Chi's work arrangements after filming wrapped up, asked casually, "What are you planning to do after this film is finished? Take a break?"

"No break. I'm in talks for a TV drama, and the company is also negotiating a reality show for me." Jiang Chi swallowed the food in his mouth and explained in detail to Ye Lan, "It's called 'One Thousand and One Professions.' It's an experiential program. Each episode, I'll be sent to experience a profession. Of course, there will be other partners, and we'll do tasks together and stuff, to understand a job. I guess it has some popular science and educational value?"

Ye Lan had never been a fan of reality shows; he didn't understand their entertainment value. Two years ago, his New Year's blockbuster movie's box office had been squeezed by a reality show movie. Film Emperor Ye had to lose with a clear understanding, so he disguised himself heavily and took his assistant to see that big movie, only to come out in less than half an hour.

If Cen Wen and another assistant hadn't been strong enough, Ye Lan probably would have kicked open the screening room door, chased away the projectionist, and replaced that nonsensical "big movie" with his own film.

Of course, Ye Lan would never tell Jiang Chi about this dark past. He smiled faintly. "Isn't that too simplistic? If you really use the 'popular science and education' banner for promotion, I reckon you'll even have trouble attracting investment."

"No, no, no." Jiang Chi explained, "The gimmick of this show isn't that. The key point is that it's a live broadcast program."

Ye Lan was speechless. "Live broadcast?"

Reality shows were usually recorded. They would film for a day or two for post-production editing, where the most exciting parts were pieced together, making the comedic and explosive moments very dense. But if it were live... the risks would be much greater.

"There are risks, but this part of the market is empty, so there's a chance it could become a huge hit. Live streaming is very popular now, and some teams have long wanted to combine it with a reality show to test the waters. Of course, there will still be an edited version released after the live broadcast." Jiang Chi explained in detail, "The live broadcast can't be shown on TV. The live streaming rights will be licensed to a video platform, the edited version sold to a TV station, and the online version of the edited broadcast sold to another video platform that partners with that TV station. By splitting the copyright and naming rights sales, the profits could be substantial if it really takes off."

Jiang Chi was quite optimistic about this show. He smiled. "I heard that after the news was released, the fans were really looking forward to it. The reality show is filmed over one day and one night, and the live stream won't be interrupted. Fans can watch their idols all day long, which is quite fun."

As a fan of Ye Lan, Jiang Chi really wanted to watch a 24-hour live stream of him. The feeling of his idol accompanying him for a whole day was just too good!

It was just a pity Ye Lan didn't do reality shows.

Someone as detached from worldly matters as Ye Lan couldn't understand what was so fun about staring at a phone all day watching a celebrity eat, drink, and sleep. But if it was Jiang Chi...

A light suddenly flashed in Ye Lan's eyes. He asked, "During the recording, you'll be on camera for twenty-four hours?"

Jiang Chi nodded and couldn't help but fish for a compliment. "That's why the investors have very high requirements for the artists. They need to have a good personality and good adaptability."

The corners of Ye Lan's mouth curled up in a sly smile. "Then if I call you during your live broadcast, will you answer?"

Jiang Chi froze.

He gave a dry laugh. "Why... would you call me during my live broadcast?"

Ye Lan took a sip of red wine and said with a lazy smile, "No reason. I just feel like teasing you."

Jiang Chi imagined the scene, and quite pathetically, his face turned red again.

The production team had already done a market survey based on the artists' fan appeal and the show's popularity. They preliminarily estimated that the number of people watching Jiang Chi's live feed would exceed ten million.

Answering Ye Lan's call in front of so many people...

What if the director asked him to put it on speaker...

"Tsk, why so scared all of a sudden? Is this the 'good adaptability' you were just bragging about?" Ye Lan sneered. "You don't even dare to answer a single call from me? Sigh... What if I just drive over to where you're recording and find you? Wow, that'd be awesome. I'd be on the live broadcast too."

Jiang Chi: "!"

Ye Lan appearing on his live broadcast? That would probably be a headline explosion for a whole month!

Seeing Jiang Chi's anxious look, Ye Lan felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. "Choose one. A phone call or I go there directly?"

Jiang Chi's cheeks were flushed as he looked at Ye Lan pleadingly.

Ye Lan waited for a moment, then his face suddenly turned grim.

Ye Lan picked up his phone and said coolly, "Who's the chief planner of your show? Tell me, I'll contact him and ask which other artists are on this program."

Ye Lan gave a half-smile. "If you're not willing, I bet there are plenty of people who would be begging on their hands and knees for me to make an appearance on their live broadcast."

Jiang Chi's heart instantly turned cold.

Was Ye Lan angry?

Before Jiang Chi could think too much, he had already subconsciously placed his hand on top of Ye Lan's hand that was holding the phone.

Jiang Chi's warm palm rested uneasily on the back of his hand. Ye Lan's eyes shifted slightly as he said indifferently, "What's wrong?"

"Don't be angry..." Jiang Chi was anxious, afraid that Ye Lan would think he didn't know what was good for him, and also afraid that Ye Lan, in a fit of temper, would do something that would affect his popularity. He apologized in a low voice, "I was wrong... Go ahead and call. Of course, I'll answer your call."

Ye Lan tried his best not to laugh and asked, "You know to answer now?"

Jiang Chi nodded.

Jiang Chi looked at Ye Lan nervously.

Ye Lan lowered his head and smiled.

Jiang Chi: "..."

Was he... being teased by Ye Lan again?

There were other people in the restaurant; Ren Haichuan and Xu Haozheng were not far away. Ye Lan didn't dare to laugh too loudly. He lowered his head and coughed, suppressing his laughter. "You'll definitely answer?"

Jiang Chi wished he could crawl into a crack in the floor. He didn't dare to provoke Ye Lan again, afraid he would really start ignoring him. He nodded. "Mmm..."

Ye Lan sighed inwardly. Jiang Chi really had a good temper. Even after being played like this, he still wasn't angry.

Ye Lan's conscience was limited and couldn't sustain his self-reproach for more than three seconds. Instead, he upped the ante while eating. "What if the director asks you to put it on speaker? Will you agree to let me say hello to everyone?"

"I'll agree..."

"You're not mad, are you?"

"No..."

"If I tease you again in the future, will you let me?"

Jiang Chi wanted to crawl under the tablecloth. After a long moment, he whispered, "I'll let you..."