Chapter 20: Lollipop
Jiang Yin had never acted in a kissing scene before. Well, to be precise, he had never kissed anyone in his life.
When he was born, his birth mother had already fallen out of favor. She had initially hoped to regain favor through him, but her arrogance during her time in favor had led her to offend several concubines. They effortlessly suppressed her, and as her hopes of regaining favor dwindled, she wilted away like a withered flower.
Jiang Yin only learned about postpartum depression after he transmigrated. From his earliest memories, his birth mother was nothing like the gentle and beautiful description he had been given. She was irritable, easily angered, complained about everything, and spent her days in bed cursing. She even resented giving birth to him, believing that if she hadn’t become pregnant, she might not have lost favor.
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So, don’t even talk about kissing. He hadn’t even held a young lady in his arms.
His original self wasn’t much different from him either. He had a penchant for male lovers, to put it in modern terms, he was homosexual. Once he had figured it out, he was terrified and anxious for a while. It was only when Jiang Ai had discovered it and comforted him that he began to understand. However, he dared not reveal his true self; in a small town, gossip was frightening. So, he kept it hidden, of course, he was young then, his family was strict, and he didn’t dare to fall in love early on.
Later, when he entered the entertainment industry, he had no time to be anxious.
Another point to note is that the original Jiang Yin had high standards. He didn’t look at just anyone; otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to Zhao Yansen as a sugar daddy when he knew it was impossible.
So, both unfortunate the Jiang Yins not only were novices in love, but they also both retained their first kisses.
Jiang Ai stared at him for a full minute before nodding in satisfaction. “Very good. It seems you didn’t lie to me before, and you didn’t mix with those people. But now that you’re an adult, you can give it a try. Take advantage of not being famous yet to enjoy it a bit. Otherwise, when you do become famous, you’ll have to do it secretly.”
She winked at him. “How about I set you up with someone? Consider it your coming-of-age gift?”
Jiang Yin took a moment to catch on to what she was implying, then he cried and laughed in response. Chewing the lollipop left in his mouth, the rich taste of milk spread across his tongue. “Should I thank you for this?”
Jiang Ai shrugged. “Don’t bother.”
“Where did you even learn this from?” Jiang Yin tapped her head playfully. “Jiang Xiaoai, I’ll have you know, if you dare go to those chaotic places with anyone, watch me break your legs!”
Jiang Ai pouted. “You’re treating me like you! I’m not interested in dating. Let me travel the world first. Men are all just big slobs!”
“You don’t necessarily have to be with someone for the first time,” Chen Dan, the sibling of the Jiangs, interjected after their playful banter.
Jiang Ai was taken aback. “What? If not with someone, then who else?”
Both Jiang Yin and Zhao Qianjin turned to Chen Dan with shocked expressions.
Chen Dan blushed. “That’s not what I meant! I meant you don’t necessarily have to make it real. Just because you haven’t eaten pork doesn’t mean you haven’t seen a pig run. Find some kissing scenes in movies to watch. You don’t have to actually do it. You’re acting as a dead body, do you really have to die for it? If you think TV shows don’t satisfy you, we have short films. You want kisses, we have all sorts of kisses – slow-motion, fast-forward, pick what you like. Don’t tell me you haven’t watched any?”
Jiang Yin turned his head quietly, avoiding the gaze of both Jiang Ai and Zhao Qianjin.
Short films and the like, of course, he had seen them. He wasn’t a saint, after all.
When he first stumbled upon this section in his original memories, he was completely baffled. The fire-avoidance diagram was just a drawing, but here in modern times, they were literally showing real people. Especially after learning about the related industry chains in certain countries, he couldn’t help but be amazed.
And then, his mouth obediently clicked on the bookmarked pages from the original Jiang Yin.
And then, cough cough, the formerly innocent emperor’s horizons were broadened quite a bit.
“I didn’t say I don’t know how,” Jiang Yin responded. After all, he had watched countless films and TV shows. How could he not know how to kiss? “I was just thinking about who I should give my first kiss to.”
Initially, he didn’t really have much of a plot around his first kiss, but being asked by Director Wang and Fang Xiao, combined with the influence of his original memories, he felt like it was something he should care about.
“Why overthink it?” Jiang Ai straightforwardly remarked. “You’re doing it for the sake of acting, for your work. It’s not a real kiss. Many celebrities have already kissed in private, but they still call it their on-screen first kiss when they act. Work is work, reality is reality. Just separate the two in your mind. Besides, Fang Xiao is so beautiful. You’re actually getting lucky.”
Chen Dan and Zhao Qianjin agreed with the last statement, accompanied by a trace of male envy that only men understood.
“You’re definitely getting a great deal. If you encounter those weird kissing scenes, then you might cry. You’re lucky to be kissing Fang Xiao; you should secretly rejoice.”
“Exactly. My on-screen first kiss was with a zombie. That zombie was so ugly, it even had blackened teeth. Xiao Yin is much luckier.”
“Chen Ge, stop trying to join in on the fun. I’ll tell Ning Jie about it.” Jiang Ai glared at Chen Dan and then playfully picked up the Doraemon plush on the couch, sticking it onto Jiang Yin’s mouth. “Alright, stop thinking about it. Just pretend your first kiss went to Doraemon. How cool is that?”
Jiang Yin: “…”
And so, this debate about his first kiss came to an end as Jiang Yin brought the Doraemon plush – the one that was supposedly stealing his first kiss – back to his room.
The next day, the kissing scene was officially shot. Fang Xiao, who had finished getting her makeup done, came over and gave him an assessing look. “How about it? Are you okay?”
Speaking of kissing scenes, generally, it was the female actresses who cared more about them. Fang Xiao had also acted alongside male actors younger than her, but Jiang Yin’s age, just newly an adult, was truly a first. If they were placed in ancient times, she could practically be his mother.
Considering the age difference, plus the fact that she was his senior and they were in the same company, she needed to be considerate.
“No problem.” Jiang Yin was currently being held in place by the makeup artist, who was applying mascara to his lashes. He couldn’t turn his head, so he could only move his eyes around a bit. Shyly, he said, “As long as Sister Fang doesn’t mind, I’m good.”
Fang Xiao burst into hearty laughter. “Why would I mind? A handsome young guy like you is giving me a kiss. I’m the one getting lucky here. It’s fortunate we’re actors; this kind of thing doesn’t happen in real life.”
The makeup artist seemed to be on good terms with Fang Xiao and teased her with a smile. “Indeed, you’re getting a big advantage. This is Jiang Yin’s on-screen first kiss.”
Fang Xiao playfully patted Jiang Yin’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Big sister will definitely leave you with a wonderful memory.”
The makeup artist, envious and jealous, chimed in. “Just take it easy. But I have to say, Jiang Yin’s lips are truly perfect for kissing…”
Fang Xiao stared for a couple of seconds and agreed, “Absolutely, what’s that phrase? ‘Lips as red as cherry, teeth as white as snow.’ These colors are so envy-inducing that you could skip using lipstick altogether…”
“You wait. Let him put on some lip balm first, then you’ll see, it’ll be even more beautiful…”
For the first time ever, Jiang Yin felt embarrassed. As soon as his makeup was done, he immediately stood up, displaying an appearance of fleeing in a hurry. This caused Fang Xiao and the makeup artist to burst into laughter.
However, once the actual shooting started, he immediately became serious.
Strictly speaking, this kissing scene wasn’t the first kiss between the male and female leads in the drama. The first kiss usually happened by accident, a common trope in idol dramas. It would either involve falling or bumping into each other, and even the most absurd 360-degree Thomas-style spin could result in a kiss.
The main characters’ first kiss was scripted to happen in the fifth episode. The female lead, Gu Mi, after going through a period of pain, compiled a list of things she wanted to do before she died. She quit her job, went to concerts, visited bars, went clubbing, and cosplayed as she’d always wanted to but felt too embarrassed to try. She also put on the most expensive dress to attend a high society party as a guest, not as her previous role as a secretary.
At the party, she unexpectedly encountered her ex-boyfriend, who had previously dumped her, and her former best friend turned mistress. In a desperate situation, she saw the male lead, Qin Yuan, who was filling in for his friend, and offered him double pay to pose as her temporary boyfriend. While fighting against her ex-boyfriend and her former best friend, she was compelled to kiss him.
However, this scene’s kiss happened later in the script. By this point in the story, the two characters had developed feelings for each other, and Gu Mi had cleared up a misunderstanding about the terminal illness. However, due to the age gap between them, she hesitated.
—
Gu Mi sat by the window, gazing absentmindedly at the rain curtains outside in the night.
After the misunderstanding was resolved, she didn’t return to work at the company or search for another job. Instead, she mortgaged her car to secure a loan and opened the coffee shop.
The night had grown dark, and the coffee shop was devoid of people. The employees had already been dismissed by her, and she planned to wait until the rain subsided before leaving herself.
She frowned, deeply troubled.
Thoughts about her encounters with Qin Yuan kept replaying in her mind, eventually settling on his expression of disappointment and pain after she had gently turned him down.
She covered her head with her hands and let out a soft groan, tugging at her hair a couple of times.
Her frustration grew.
Suddenly, a tapping on the glass window caught her attention. She looked up and saw Qin Yuan outside, leaning against the window.
The young man had come through the rain, his body completely drenched. Rainwater still dripped down from his hair, making him appear quite disheveled. However, there was no trace of despondency on his face; instead, his entire countenance was radiant. He wore a bright smile, and his crystal-clear eyes gazed at her without blinking.
Seeing her looking at him, he shook his phone in a playful manner.
Gu Mi answered the call, and the young man’s clear and melodious voice came through, “Look!”
He stretched out his other hand, placing a bank card and a savings passbook against the glass.
“All the money I’ve earned is here, and it’s all for you!” He stared at the mature and beautiful woman behind the window, his voice nervous, “I know it’s not much, only two hundred thousand yuan, but I’ll earn a second two hundred thousand, a third two hundred thousand, all for you in the future!”
“I’ve listened to you. I’ve enrolled in a baking class. I won’t keep delivering food forever. I’ll work hard, I promise.” His voice trembled with anxiety and apprehension, but his eyes were resolute, “I don’t like anyone else. I don’t want to stargaze, cycle, or drink red wine with any other woman. What you’ve taught me, I’ll only do with you. I only like you. I know I’m not worthy of you. I’m not smart, I lack education and a good job, but I’ll try and learn. I’ll do whatever you ask of me, I’ll follow your lead.”
“Please…” His eyes reddened, “Don’t reject me.”
The young man half-crouched, his gaze fixated on her, a mix of persistence and humility in his eyes. He looked at her as if she was his everything, his entire world. He was willing to be born and die for her.
Gu Mi’s heart was moved. Their eyes met, and she said, “Come here.”
A radiant gleam instantly appeared in the young man’s eyes. He practically dashed into the coffee shop.
Gu Mi met him halfway, then hooked a finger on his arm when he hesitated. He obediently lowered his head, and she gently held his face and kissed him.
—
Author’s Note:
After N long years…
Jiang Yin: Huh? Where did my Doraemon go?
CEO Zhao: …
*Quietly locks the box and hides the key.*
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Lol love the author’s note