Dating the Heartthrob Superstar Chapter 71: Obscure Happiness

Chapter 71: Subtle Happiness

In the blink of an eye, Han Zhi had finished all his scenes, marking the completion of his shooting.

Although he played a small role, everyone had witnessed Han Zhi’s dedication to the character. So, on the day he wrapped up, the director specially organized a small wrap party for him.

The party was held at a restaurant near the film studio, where several key crew mbers gathered for so casual dining and drinking. It wasn’t an overly formal affair.

When ng Ke walked into the private room, Han Zhi wasn’t surprised at all.

Over the past week, ng Ke had managed to get along with everyone in the crew. Whenever people saw him, they would affectionately call out "Brother ng, Brother ng," and ng Ke showed no trace of a big boss attitude. The director especially addressed ng Ke with familiarity, almost treating him like their bread and butter. Which, to be fair, was true—ng Ke had invested a significant sum into the production and even told the director to spare no expense when it ca to the film’s music, insisting on making it grand and sophisticated.

At that ti, ng Chao stood beside ng Ke and mocked him, thinking how pitiful ng Ke was. Clearly, ng Ke invested in the film just because of Han Zhi, yet he had to go around in circles, unable to reveal his reasons or even his na in front of Han Zhi.

Truly, ng Ke had it the worst.

Back to the point.

Although Han Zhi was relatively reserved in character, he wasn’t socially clueless. Over the week, he had built good rapport with everyone in the crew. As a result, during the wrap party, everyone toasted him one after another, and Han Zhi found it hard to refuse. He had already resigned himself to the idea that he might get drunk.

However, all those drinks ended up in ng Ke’s stomach. ng Ke handled it cleverly, deftly intercepting the drinks ant for Han Zhi without raising anyone’s suspicions.

Han Zhi lowered his head and sipped his juice, feeling that the sweetness seed to seep straight into his heart.

ng Ke, adept at social engagents, could hold his liquor well but eventually found himself unable to keep pace with the frequent toasts. He excused himself to the restroom midway through.

By coincidence or not, as ng Ke stepped out, the film’s second male lead, Huang Wankai, received a phone call. Apologizing briefly to the group, he walked out of the private room to answer it.

Everything unfolded naturally, without drawing attention.

It wasn’t long before ng Ke returned. Though still smiling, ng Chao, with his sharp instincts, noticed a trace of unhappiness in ng Ke’s eyes.

As ng Ke passed by, ng Chao softly asked, "What’s wrong?"

ng Ke lowered his head and quietly replied, "Nothing, just so people not being straightforward."

Right after ng Ke’s remark, Huang Wankai pushed the door open and returned, his gaze flickering. ng Chao imdiately had a good guess about what had transpired.

Such incidents were quite common in this industry. So people, in their quest for fa or trying to curry favor with influential figures, would do anything. ng Chao, who had spent years in this field, was long accustod to witnessing such scenarios.

But now that soone’s dirty sches were directed at his family, ng Chao couldn’t help but feel irritated.

Lin Qin, sitting beside ng Chao, took a small sip of juice before turning to him. He quickly noticed that ng Chao seed a little off. "Brother Chao, what’s the matter?"

ng Chao shook his head. "Nothing." As he spoke, he pushed a dish Lin Qin liked in front of him and gently ruffled his hair. "Eat more."

Lin Qin didn’t press further and focused on eating.

Just then, soone ca over to toast ng Chao with a drink, and ng Chao reciprocated with a non-alcoholic beverage.

The person wasn’t pleased. "ng, you’re drinking juice? Isn’t that a bit much? At least have a beer!"

ng Chao smiled, his tone tinged with helplessness and affection. "I can’t. The family rule is no drinking for ."

He glanced at Lin Qin as he spoke. Lin Qin’s face turned red, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up.

The person froze for a mont, giving ng Chao a suspicious look.

Family?

The realization seed to hit, and the person’s expression suddenly showed understanding. He took his drink and moved on to toast soone else.

In this industry, secret marriages were quite common, so it wasn’t unusual for soone of ng Chao’s stature to be discreetly married.

After the person left, Lin Qin nudged ng Chao with his elbow. Under the table, however, ng Chao took hold of Lin Qin’s hand, his fingers gently tracing Lin Qin’s palm.

Lin Qin glared at him, and ng Chao simply smiled. Lin Qin couldn’t help but smile back.

This sort of subtle intimacy had occurred frequently in the crew recently—hidden, their little secret, thrilling and filled with joy.

...

If we set aside certain underlying agendas, this wrap party turned out to be a pleasant gathering. By the end, several people had gotten drunk.

ng Ke was among them.

But in ng Chao’s eyes, ng Ke was rely pretending—it wasn’t as if ng Chao didn’t know his brother’s drinking capacity. ng Ke certainly wouldn’t get drunk over just these few glasses.

ng Chao saw through it but refrained from exposing him. Alongside Lin Qin, one on each side, they helped ng Ke downstairs. Han Zhi, on the other hand, had been shielded by ng Ke and hadn’t had a single drink.

When they reached the parking garage, ng Ke dropped endless hints to ng Chao, clearly wanting him to arrange for Han Zhi to drive him back. ng Chao pretended not to understand, continuing to lead ng Ke toward his own car.

If he hadn’t been acting drunk, ng Ke would probably be jumping in frustration. Though ng Chao was smart in all other matters, at this mont, he seed utterly clueless. Was it so hard to help out for once?

ng Chao was already amused, though on the surface he still maintained a perfectly serious deanor. Just as Han Zhi was about to get into his car and leave, ng Chao called out to him.

"Han Zhi, my brother is staying at the sa hotel as you. It’s inconvenient for to drop him off. Could you please take him back?" ng Chao said. He could even hear ng Ke exhaling in relief from nearby—clearly, he was very much hoping to share the ride with Han Zhi.

Han Zhi paused slightly as he opened the car door. Considering that Lin Qin and ng Chao had scenes to shoot early the next morning, it was already quite late. Driving ng Ke back to his hotel before returning to his own wouldn’t be convenient.

Without hesitation, Han Zhi walked over to ng Chao and Lin Qin, extending his hand to take ng Ke.

ng Ke imdiately leaned against Han Zhi, placing his entire weight on him. Han Zhi staggered, and it was only thanks to ng Chao’s quick support that both of them avoided falling to the ground.

Han Zhi steadied himself, propping up ng Ke, and said to ng Chao and Lin Qin, "I’ll take him back."

ng Chao: "Thanks."

With that, everyone dispersed into their respective cars, heading in different directions.

Lin Qin sat in the car, reflecting for a mont before saying to ng Chao, "I don’t think Brother ng was actually drunk."

He could distinctly recall how ng Ke had moved quickly to steady Han Zhi when they almost fell.

ng Chao chuckled. "He wasn’t drunk at all. If I’d put him in our car, he’d probably never speak to as his brother again."

Lin Qin seed puzzled at first, then had a sudden realization. "You an Brother ng and Han Zhi..."

ng Chao nodded. "Exactly what you’re thinking."

Lin Qin marveled. "Wow, I didn’t expect it. They’re actually together?"

"Not yet," ng Chao said with mischievous glee. "My brother’s road to chasing his love has just begun."