Accidental Mark

Chapter 46

After dinner, everyone went back to the hotel. Pei Shaoyan asked the leading actors Cheng Xia and Ye Mingqian to add him as a friend. He was President Pei’s personal assistant and President Pei took him everywhere. It was enough to see they had a close relationship. If he took the initiative to make WeChat friends then everyone would naturally give him face.

Cheng Xia added him and changed his note to ‘Xiao Yan.’ Then he clicked on the Moments to take a look. All the previous Moments were deleted. The recent ones were ‘working in the hotel [photo]’, ‘the work arranged by the boss has been 30% completed [Jiayou.JPG]’ and ‘Business trip to Ya’an to the boss [photo]’.

The Moments made him look like a positive, conscientious and good assistant.

Pei Shaoyan actually sent it on purpose so his brother and parents would see. After seeing it, Cheng Xia couldn’t help feeling good about Xiao Yan. This little assistant was very diligent. Not only did he serve tea and pour water, but he also worked so hard. No wonder why he could follow President Pei. President Pei’s high demands meant the assistant would be fired if he didn’t have any skills. Cheng Xia thought, ‘This Xiao Yan should be a top student in a key university. Is this why he is employed by President Pei when he is so young?’

The meal ended and everyone took the elevator back to their room. The stars all lived on the 16th floor while Pei Shaoze lived on the 20th floor. Once the elevator reached the 16th floor, Cheng Xia went out with his agent. He turned around and said with a smile, “Goodbye President Pei.” The others also said goodbye to Pei Shaoze.

Pei Shaoze hummed. “The shooting will start tomorrow. Everyone should go back and rest early.”

The elevator door closed. Pei Shaoyan sighed before speaking in a sour tone. “Oh, it’s so miserable to be single. No one will peel crabs for me…”

Pei Shaoze raised his eyebrow and looked at this person. “What are you talking about?”

“During the Spring Festival, Grandfather urged you to find someone and Mom said she would introduce you to a suitable omega. I thought you were making up an excuse to deceive them when you said you have an omega you like. I didn’t expect it to be true!” Pei Shaoyan moved closer in a mysterious manner. “Brother, I understand that you don’t want everyone to know about your relationship with Cheng Xia. You’re afraid that others will look at him differently. This is a type of protection for him, right?”

Pei Shaoze, “……”

A lie always led to more lies. Qin Yu misunderstood and he didn’t explain. His younger brother misunderstood and he didn’t want to explain. His younger brother couldn’t control his mouth at all. If Pei Shaoze made it clear that he didn’t have that type of relationship with Cheng Xia, his parents and grandparents would all know about it within three days and start to arrange blind dates for him again. It was best to let his younger brother continue to misunderstand.

Pei Shaoze told him indifferently, “Since you understand, say less words and don’t be seen by others.”

Pei Shaoyan made an ‘I understand’ expression before smiling. “Don’t worry. I will help keep it a secret for you! In fact, I also think the two of you are well-matched. Today, he took the initiative to help you peel crabs. Such an omega is really sweet. When do you plan to take him back to see our parents?”

“I have an idea in my heart.” Pei Shaoze looked calm. “If you have time to worry about my personal affairs, it is better to do your work first.”

Pei Shaoyan’s expression collapsed. “Yes, I know…”

Back in his hotel room, Cheng Xia sat on the bed and took the initiative to video call his father to let his parents look at the environment of the room. “Dad, Mom, I have arrived at the hotel in Ya’an. This time, I am filming in Ya’an and it will take around two months until I go back to Rong City.”

Jiang Qiong smiled. “Xia Xia, the accommodation conditions of your crew looks pretty good. Is this a single room?”

“Yes, all the actors live in single rooms. It is very late now. Tomorrow I will go out to take a few photos of the scenery. It is said that the environment of the Mingde Private High School is beautiful! The average temperature here in Ya’an is 28 degrees Celsius and everyone is wearing short sleeves…”

This was the first time he was going away and his parents must be worried. Cheng Xia took the initiative to show them the surrounding environment to dispel the worries of his parents.

Sure enough, this video call made Cheng Yiming and Jiang Qiong feel much more relieved.

Cheng Yiming once again started his old-fashioned lecturing. “During the filming, you should pay attention to using inhibitors and don’t get too close to alphas. It is easy for newcomers to get too involved in the role and some people can’t come out of it after filming. Don’t fall in love with the alpha who is playing the opposite role. Don’t just fall in love with people in the circle. Do you hear me?”

Cheng Xia couldn’t help laughing. His father’s tone and words sounded almost the same as President Pei. However, being told this by his father felt completely different to when he was told by President Pei.

Cheng Yiming saw his son laugh and couldn’t help staring. “What are you laughing about? I am worried about you!”

Cheng Xia nodded hurriedly. “I know. Dad, you’ve told me this several times. I won’t fall in love with any actors in the cast. I have a clear distinction between acting and reality. Don’t worry.”

Cheng Yiming sighed with relief. “Well, it’s good that you can tell the difference.”

Cheng Xia felt a bit guilty so he quickly changed the subject and talked about some routine matters before hanging up. He only said to his father, ‘I won’t fall in love with any actors in the cast.’ He didn’t say, ‘I just want to fall in love with President Pei.’

After finishing the call, Cheng Xia was idle and bored. Therefore, he downloaded some origami tutorials, tore off some pieces of paper from the hotel’s guestbook and started practicing.

The previous scenes at the 17th High School didn’t involve origami but after coming to Ya’an, the plot would be filmed in full. In the drama, Qin Nian often folded various shapes with a simple piece of paper such as frogs, cranes, boats and even a complex tower. If he wasn’t familiar with it then the director would have to film it in slow motion before processing it later. After processing, it would look very fake.

He had received the role of Qin Nian so he should be responsible for it.

Cheng Xia studied until 11 o’clock. His work and rest had always been very regular. The next day, he set an alarm for 6:50 a.m. and got up. He woke up and opened the window to see lush green trees everywhere. It was as if he was in the mountains. The forest scenery here was just like the snow in Rong City. Cheng Xia excitedly took a few photos before washing up and running downstairs.

It was 7 o’clock and the sky had just become bright. Director Liu said that the props team had set up the scene indoors. For today’s filming, the actors could arrive at the school at around 9 o’clock in the morning. Since it was still early, Cheng Xia simply changed into sportswear and went downstairs to recite the script.

The air outside was fresh. Once Cheng Xia went downstairs with the script, he found that his decision was very wise.

The hotel was located halfway up a mountain and the surroundings were very quiet. The greenery was more beautiful than a park. Below the hotel was a swimming pool, basketball court, badminton court and long fitness track. Cheng Xia walked along the path and came to a quiet square.

In front of him was a flower bed full of unknown flowers in red, white and blue colors. There was the faint fragrance of flowers in the air. Next to the flower bed was a fountain and a few stone benches that were very clean. Cheng Xia picked a stone bench to sit down on and started to read the script.

The fresh air in the morning helped to improve memory. He had read the script many times and his memorization of the lines was becoming smoother. Just then, there was the sound of footsteps in front. Cheng Xia raised his head and met a pair of familiar eyes.

…It was President Pei?

The alpha wore neat black sportswear with sneakers on his feet. This outfit was very different from the usual President Pei in his suit and leather shoes. The short sleeves showed off his arms and his strong arm muscles were just right. Thanks to the close-fitting shirt, one could vaguely see traces of his abdominal muscles. His legs were straight and long under the sweatpants. The tall and strong alpha was bursting with hormones.

If President Pei who wore the suit and tie was the ‘abstinent version of a male god’ then the alpha who wore sportswear vividly showed off the word ‘sexy.’ In addition, President Pei wasn’t using a pheromones masking agent today. As the result of his run, the alpha pheromones coming from his body were more pronounced. The cold, woody scent instantly suppressed all the floral fragrance in the air and completely enveloped Cheng Xia.

Cheng Xia almost had a nosebleed and hurriedly lowered his head.

Pei Shaoze had the habit of getting up in the morning for a run. As a workaholic, if he didn’t exercise his body well then he couldn’t support his high-intensity work schedule. The habit developed over the years hadn’t changed even after entering the book world. Beside, the morning air in Ya’an was very fresh. Coming out to breathe some fresh air could improve his mood throughout the day. Thus, the two of them met unexpectedly at the flowerbed of the hotel.

Pei Shaoze saw the young man in front of him and slowed down. “Cheng Xia? Why are you out here so early?”

Cheng Xia lowered his head and explained. “It’s too boring to stay in my room so I went downstairs to breathe some fresh air. Director Liu says that the filming starts at 9 o’clock and it’s only 7 o’clock. I want to memorize the script a few more times to deepen my impression of it.”

He really was holding the script in his hand and it had a lot of notes on it.

Pei Shaoze looked at this serious young man and thought, ‘Yes, not bad. He is motivated. Keeping the script close is the professional quality of an excellent actor.’ He nodded happily and said, “Your memory is indeed better in the morning. Then you continue to memorize the script. I’ll go for a run over there.”

Cheng Xia immediately stood up and asked Softly, “Can we go together?”

Pei Shaoze turned around doubtfully. “Huh?”

Cheng Xia looked up at him with bright eyes. “I also want to run and move my body. Can I join, President Pei?”

Pei Shaoze slightly smiled. “Okay, keep up.”

Cheng Xia immediately folded up the script and stuffed it in his pocket. He quickly followed by Pei Shaoze’s side. The track was 1.5 meters wide and it was enough for two people to move side by side.

The alpha was tall and had long legs. Combined with his year-round exercise and his face wasn’t red, his heart didn’t race and his feet were very steady. Cheng Xia ran with him for dozens of meters and it was a bit difficult. Pei Shaoze noticed that the little guy couldn’t keep up so he thoughtfully slowed down and waited.

The two men ran side by side along the track and headed to the forest behind the hotel. The suburbs were vast and sparsely populated. The hotel occupied a very large area. It took a long time to reach the back door of the hotel.

Pei Shaoze saw the panting and red-faced Cheng Xia and felt soft. “Take a break. I’ll take you to see a place later.”

Cheng Xia nodded and sat down on the stone bench next to him. It had to be said that President Pei’s overall physical strength was really good. He wasn’t panting despite running so far. Cheng Xia ran with him and it was indeed a bit strenuous. Fortunately, Cheng Xia usually exercised. He rested for one minute before recovering. He stood up and stretched his arms while asking, “President Pei, where are you taking me?”

Pei Shaoze didn’t answer. “You’ll know when you get there.”

He walked in front and took Cheng Xia away from the hotel.

There was an asphalt road outside the hotel but there were no vehicles in the morning. The two people ran side by side along the mountain road for around 500 meters. Then Cheng Xia unexpectedly found a familiar landscape in front of him. His eyes slightly widened. “President Pei, isn’t this place the location of the photo you sent to me before?” In order to confirm it, he took out his phone and looked. As expected, the scenery in front of him completely overlapped with the photo.

At that time, President Pei had come to Ya’an for a business trip and said he found a ‘holy land for dating.’ He took a photo and shared it with Cheng Xia.

Pei Shaoze nodded. “Yes, this leafy trail was discovered by accident when I first visited the hotel. The location of this hotel is very remote but there’s a lot of scenery around it which can be used for shooting. What do you think?”

The green trail had a width of around 3 meters. The trees on both sides blended with each other like a natural green umbrella. Sunlight spilled through the gaps in the leaves. If they really stood inside it then they would find that the beauty here was even more shocking. Due to the different angles of sunlight, the leaves would blend with each other to form a pure and beautiful natural scenery.

Sure enough, this was a holy place for dating, especially for couples holding hands and walking.

Cheng Xia walked into the green trail and Pei Shaoze followed. The two people took a few steps side by side. Cheng Xia looked at the natural green umbrella above his head and was excited. “Is this the place where you want to film the finale of Folding Paper? It will be a perfect ending if the last scene is filmed here!”

Pei Shaoze saw the bright smile on the young man’s face and felt something flash inside him.

The early morning sunlight happened to fall on Cheng Xia’s face. This young man had his head raised and was looking at Pei Shaoze with a smile on his face. The clear, bright eyes seemed to be looking into Pei Shaoze’s heart.

The breeze blew, the leaves above his head rustled and the air was fragrant. In the early morning in the mountains, it was quiet as if only the two of them were left in the world.

The two people stared at each other. Cheng Xia’s eyes were full of Pei Shaoze and Pei Shaoze’s gaze involuntarily softened.

Pei Shaoze thought, ‘Cheng Xia is so serious about this online drama. He got up early in the morning to read the script and his eyes are so excited talking about filming the finale. Obviously, he really loves the acting industry. I am looking forward to the day when he transforms into an actor and stands on the hugely anticipated stage. Such a shining person should stand in the spotlight and receive praise and applause.’

Cheng Xia was thinking, ‘We ran side by side in the morning and President Pei took me to the ‘holy place of dating’ to personally see the beauty here. There might not be a clear confession but isn’t this our first date? The date that President Pei arranged is quite romantic!’

The author has something to say:

President Pei: ???

There are two people whose brain waves are completely out of sync. They can still get along strangely and continue to chat ??

Proofreader: Cat