*Bang!*
The sweet scent of champagne spread as foam burst out of the bottle.
“Cheers to your wrap party!!” Emma raised her glass high, shaking it slightly toward Luo Ding, her smile wild and carefree, her delicate features stunningly beautiful.
Luo Ding took the glass and sipped. “Thank you.”
He had a great rapport with everyone in the crew, and being the first among the main cast to wrap up filming, even the always time-conscious Carmen Clovis generously gave the crew a day off. They all gathered at a fancy bar in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate and bid him farewell.
Emma had been a bit down when they first arrived, as she preferred the more lively bars nearby, where the atmosphere was more chaotic. But Clovis insisted that the whole crew shouldn’t go to such a rowdy place. However, it didn’t take long for Emma to perk up and join in the fun.
Although quieter than a typical nightclub, this bar was still buzzing with energy—bright lights, low music, and rhythmic beats that seemed to thrum in your ears. Onstage, someone was dancing, not too energetically, but most patrons were well-dressed, making it feel more like a work event or a gathering for those who wanted to enjoy themselves while still maintaining a certain level of class.
Luo Ding took a sip of the cool champagne, feeling it slide down his throat. He set his glass down after just one sip, knowing his alcohol tolerance wasn’t great. Although he had tried to train himself at home, his body’s sensitivity to alcohol seemed too strong—one glass would make his face flush, two would knock him out. There hadn’t been much improvement.
Even though champagne was lighter, Luo Ding remained cautious, especially while out.
Duan Xiubo sat two seats away from him, with Carmen Clovis and Emma in between. From the moment they sat down, Duan’s eyes were fixed on Luo Ding, as if he was itching to switch places and sit closer. But the seating had been arranged by Clovis, and changing seats midway would be too obvious. The crew was full of sharp-eyed people—normally, their close relationship might just be seen as friendship, but if they stuck together too much, especially with Duan Xiubo currently in the honeymoon phase of their romance, it could raise suspicions if he drank too much. That would be risky.
Luo Ding shot him a stern look, and when Duan Xiubo peeked over with a pitiful gaze, Luo Ding couldn’t help but smile.
On the second floor of the bar, behind transparent railings, an overweight man took a freshly lit cigar from the young woman leaning against him.
As smoke spiraled upward, old Xia Rui took a deep puff and frowned, displeased. “This thing isn’t even a fraction as good as my pipe.”
The man across from him laughed heartily. “You never appreciate the finer things, do you? How many years have you had that pipe? You’ve had it since I first met you. You’ve replaced the mouthpiece several times, right? All your teeth are falling out; maybe it’s time to let the pipe retire too.”
Old Xia Rui’s fingers twitched, and the young woman quickly understood his intent, holding up the ashtray to carefully catch the cigar.
Xia Rui then pulled out his pipe, wrapped in a handkerchief, from his suit pocket, packed a pinch of tobacco, and clamped the pipe between his teeth. The scene took on a nostalgic air.
“You’re about to be a father again, right? Congratulations. Quite impressive at your age.” Xia Rui gave a knowing smile and straightened up. “Nate, teach me some tricks for dealing with women.”
The man smiled, clearly in on the joke, and glanced at the young woman beside Xia Rui. “I think you should be asking her.”
Both men burst into laughter.
Tricks? What tricks? It’s all about the money.
After the laughter died down, a faint sadness lingered.
“Have you seen him recently?” the man asked.
Xia Rui shook his head. “I know he’s been filming here. His new drama has been announced, but Los Angeles is a big place… He seems to be doing well, though. Last time I saw him at Old Stennis’s place, he looked tall and handsome, dressed in nothing but the finest. He couldn’t have been doing better.”
Nate Duan swirled the ice in his glass and downed his drink, motioning for the girl beside him to pour him another. He sighed deeply. “The other day, I called Stennis’s house. At first, the servant told me he was in the backyard and went to fetch him, only to return and say, ‘Young Master Duan has already left.’ His bodyguards in New York say he refuses to take my calls. How many years has it been? If I didn’t see his face on TV so often, I’d probably forget what my own son looks like. That ungrateful brat.”
Xia Rui remained silent. Although he was friends with Nate Duan, he sympathized with Duan Xiubo’s decision to cut ties with his father. It wasn’t his place to say it aloud, but if he did, Nate would probably want to fight him.
As the girl refilled his drink, Nate Duan grumbled and wrapped an arm around her waist. Satisfied with the feel of her slim figure and the curve of her body against his arm, he looked her up and down—her golden-red hair, her slim ankles—and grinned wickedly, pulling her into his lap.
The girl responded with a seductive smile.
“Nate, Nate!” Afraid he might be steering toward another divorce, Xia Rui quickly interjected. “It’s getting late. We should head out.”
“Are you kidding me? We just got here!” Nate Duan had no intention of leaving, his gaze lingering on a new dancer taking the stage. But then something in the corner of his eye caught his attention—a girl with platinum blonde hair!
That girl was stunning! He quickly leaned over the railing for a better look—her delicate features, pale skin, long, silky platinum hair. She wore a simple red dress, but it couldn’t hide her overwhelming femininity.
Yoyoyoyoyo…
Nate almost whistled at her but managed to hold back, maintaining his composure. He went from half-sitting to fully standing, his gaze growing hotter by the second. After a moment, something clicked in his mind. “Wait, she looks like that… that actress!”
Xia Rui, half-annoyed, half-curious, looked down. His eyes immediately landed on Duan Xiubo, seated not far from Emma. With a loud smack, his huge hand slapped Nate Duan on the back. “You old fool!” Just a moment ago, Nate had been going on about missing his son, but as soon as a pretty woman appeared, his focus shifted. He hadn’t even noticed his own son sitting just three steps away.
Guided by Xia Rui, Nate finally spotted Duan Xiubo sitting in a slightly shadowed corner, interacting frequently with Emma. He felt a mix of joy and disappointment—joy that he had stumbled upon his son and disappointment because he had been eyeing someone he shouldn’t.
Ouch!
Then it hit him—that was his son! The one he hadn’t seen in years!
Anger, surprise, and a bit of fear swirled inside him. Part of him wanted to storm over and smack the ungrateful boy for not coming home in years, while another part felt awkward, unsure of how to approach after such a long time apart. He hesitated for a moment, then slowly sat back down, watching from a more comfortable angle—better to wait and approach with caution. Confronting his son now might lead to an argument.
The girl leaned in again, but Nate Duan, now too preoccupied, pushed her away.
*****
Emma was getting drunk. Luo Ding knew it was going to be trouble as soon as he saw her downing one glass after another. Westerners weren’t big on pressuring others to drink—it was drink if you want, don’t if you don’t—but almost everyone else in the crew had joined in the fun, except for Luo Ding and Duan Xiubo, who had barely touched their glasses. The rest were enjoying their drinks, and before long, the alcohol had everyone singing and playing games.
“Goodbye, Luo… I’ll miss you…” Emma crooned, glass in hand.
Their table was tucked in a corner, and with the loud music from the stage, few people noticed the off-key singing. But when Emma’s glass nearly poked him in the face, Luo Ding had had enough. “You need to stop drinking…”
“Ah, goodbye!!!!” Emma’s voice suddenly shot up.
Westerners seemed to love their booze. The rest of the crew was in a similar state as Emma—still somewhat rational, but their minds fogged by alcohol. Luo Ding had no choice but to move over and sit next to Duan Xiubo. In this situation, changing seats wouldn’t draw much attention, and Clovis even made room for him. Without Luo Ding around, Emma quickly found someone else to drag into her drunken singing.
“When can we leave?” Luo Ding asked, feeling as if time had slowed to a crawl.
Duan Xiubo, knowing how much Luo Ding disliked these kinds of events, patted his back. “Soon, just wait a little longer. By midnight, we’ll definitely be able to go.”
Luo Ding chIkeed the time—it was only a little after 10 p.m. The thought of enduring a few more hours made everything feel bleak. As the others started a drinking game with a dIke of cards, their energy rising like dueling roosters, Luo Ding shrank back into the couch, dragging Duan Xiubo with him, hoping to avoid being roped into the game.
Suddenly, there was a burst of laughter, a flash of red, and a whiff of perfume. Emma leaped onto Luo Ding, planting a kiss on his cheek with lightning speed.
“Good job!!!” The crowd cheered. Emma tossed aside the cards, kicking off one of her high heels. “Let’s keep going! I’m going to win!”
It took Luo Ding a full three seconds to react. Watching Emma, now fully immersed in the game, he sighed and grabbed a napkin from the table to wipe his face.
A warm hand suddenly landed on his cheek, gently and slowly caressing the spot where Emma had kissed him. Luo Ding, startled, looked up to see Duan Xiubo’s displeased expression. His brow was furrowed as he rubbed the area where Emma had kissed Luo Ding. Duan’s eyes were dark with possessiveness, and he kept touching Luo Ding’s cheek for a long moment before finally stopping.
Luo Ding glanced around, relieved to see that everyone was too busy drinking to notice. Sighing, he seized a discreet opportunity to pinch Duan Xiubo’s waist in retaliation.
****
Nate Duan, watching from upstairs, was stunned. He stared at Luo Ding for a while before nudging Xia Rui, who was puffing away on his cigarette. “Do you know that young man? Who is he?”
Xia Rui leaned forward to take a look, then laughed. “Oh, he’s here too? His name is Luo… I can’t remember the rest. Anyway, he’s friends with Ike. I saw him at Old Stennis’s place last time. A great young man. Ike later gave me one of his albums—he sings beautifully. He’s definitely going to be a big star.”
“Ike took him to Old Stennis’s place!?”
“No.” Xia Rui thought for a moment, recalling the third person at the gathering. “He came with the Lee family’s kid.”
It wasn’t often that Xia Rui praised someone so highly. Nate Duan hesitated for a moment, his heart racing as he recalled the subtle interactions between the two young men in the corner.
So he stayed and watched, even as the crew finished up and headed out together. He saw Luo Ding and Duan Xiubo walking shoulder to shoulder at the back, whispering to each other, exchanging glances. Until the very last moment, Nate didn’t summon the courage to approach them.
🎄Christmas surprise ! : Not one, not 2… not 3.. but 5 PAGBWMH updates today for you !🎁🎁
Also, 2 updates for REI , BMN and BPTCMW ! Love you guys ! (♡ >ω< ♡)
Merry Christmas and happy holidays ! ☆*・゜゚・(^O^)/・゜゚・*☆
Rain : See you tomorrow ! :*