Song Yu’s dumbfounded expression made everyone burst out laughing, and even Fu Yuxian couldn’t hold back his grin, he turned away to hide a muffled laugh.
【Hahahaha I actually snorted! Did you all screenshot this?! This face deserves to be a meme I can laugh at this for two years!】
Song Yu’s ears turned so red they looked like they might bleed. Trembling, he pointed at the screen in despair. “You guys… are too much! You must be fake fans!”
The fans only laughed harder.
Fortunately, the host came to the rescue. “We can’t do that scene, or the whole show would get banned. Let’s compromise how about a kissing scene instead?”
The comment section exploded with approval.
【This young man has potential — yes, a kiss scene works too!】
【I’m giving this host a golden microphone award, come to me to claim it!】
Song Yu felt like maybe he shouldn’t be human anymore being a cat was probably easier. He looked helplessly at Fu Yuxian with a face that clearly said if you don’t save me, I’m running away from home.
Afraid that Song Yu might really get flustered and storm off, Fu Yuxian stepped forward, shielding him. “Don’t bully Xiaoyu. We’ll just act a short scene.”
Fu Yuxian’s presence naturally carried weight once he spoke, the fans quieted down a bit. Song Yu took a moment to compose himself before joining Fu Yuxian to perform.
Though they’d just been teased, Song Yu got into character quickly. Even though they were both wearing modern clothes, their every gesture and line carried a graceful ancient air. The chemistry was so natural that fans were shocked when did their acting become this good?
Had they both leveled up overnight?
It only made everyone even more excited for the upcoming drama.
For the rest of the livestream, Fu Yuxian subtly blocked Song Yu from the camera. The fans could only grumble in their hearts about what a possessive man he was but of course, they still kept watching all the way until the end.
【So sweet! You can really tell how much Fu spoils Song Yu. Even the tiniest details of how they interact are full of warmth. I can’t stop smiling. I approve of this marriage.】
【Approve! The Pisces couple must be happy forever!】
【Approve +1! Always stay happy together!】
After the show, Fu Yuxian and Song Yu’s “fairy-tale love story” once again shot to the top of the hot search. Everyone saw Fu Yuxian’s deep tenderness and Song Yu’s pure, affectionate reliance, they were too perfect together.
On July 7th, The Tyrant’s Beloved Pet officially premiered. It was a weekly release four episodes per week, with members getting access to two extra episodes.
The moment it aired, viewers from all over flocked to watch. The comment section was so packed it nearly covered the screen. Song Yu sat nervously beside Fu Yuxian on the sofa, watching the comments on a tablet.
He wasn’t new to acting, but this drama he really wanted the fans to like it.
Fifteen minutes in, his worries eased. The final production quality was surprisingly good.
Song Yu only appeared as a human briefly in the opening afterward, his role was replaced by a cat. But it was done so seamlessly that it felt perfectly natural. He even saw fans raving about the cat’s acting.
One comment read: Is that cat really not CGI? The acting is incredible! It feels like Song Yu actually turned into a cat!
“The fans have good taste,” Fu Yuxian said, leaning over to kiss Song Yu’s cheek. “They’re all praising my baby’s acting.”
Song Yu read the comments with quiet pride so he could be this good, to make so many people happy with his performance.
Of course, even more praise went to Fu Yuxian. To say he became Emperor Leng Yunlin was no exaggeration. The way he portrayed the emperor’s twisted mind, hidden kindness, and burden for his people was breathtaking especially in that scene where he whispered to the cat:
“I… I will be a good emperor. If everyone can eat their fill, no one will have to eat wild vegetables anymore.”
That glimmer in his eyes went straight to the heart.
After the two-episode premiere, hashtags like #FuYuxianActing#, #YiYiAndSongYu#, and others shot to the top of the trending list. The scene with that gaze sparked heated discussion. Ratings across all major platforms were stellar. Though a few haters nitpicked, most viewers even casual ones were deeply impressed by the acting and the beautifully crafted sets and costumes.
Director Guo Mao was so thrilled that he spammed the crew chat with a dozen red envelopes to celebrate their successful premiere.
As Song Yu scrolled through Weibo full of praise, he couldn’t help but think back to all those nights of practicing lines with Fu Yuxian. Looking over at him still studying the script, Song Yu called over YiYi the cat, took a photo, and posted a Weibo update.
@SongYuV: “Thank you, Teacher Fu, for helping me rehearse.”
Attached was the photo of him cuddling YiYi obediently.
It wasn’t meant to be a show of affection, just sincere gratitude. After all, he knew how much Fu’s help had meant.
【Oh my, Song Xiaoyu posted! But everyone — check that “Teacher Fu.” Does he call him that in bed too?】
【Gege, the new drama is amazing! Can’t wait for the scenes after he turns human again! I heard there’s a bed scene!】
【Which episode is the bed scene in? How much do I have to pay to binge it all at once?!】
Song Yu: “……”
He was starting to feel allergic to the phrase bed scene.
Why couldn’t people just move past that joke?
When the production was finished, Director Guo had asked if Song Yu wanted to preview it. To preserve the surprise, Song Yu declined but now he kind of regretted it. He really wanted to see how that bed scene had been edited…
Fu Yuxian, who had Song Yu on special notification, saw the new post immediately. His lips curved into a gentle smile as he set down his script, turned around and pinned Song Yu down on the sofa.
“What are you doing?” Song Yu looked up into Fu Yuxian’s intense, predatory gaze, and instinctively realized he was about to lose control again!
“Instead of saying thanks online,” Fu murmured, easily restraining Song Yu’s wrists above his head, “why not thank me in person?”
Song Yu wasn’t exactly shy about intimacy anymore, but Fu’s skills were getting… too good. Sometimes he genuinely feared he might not survive the night.
…
When it was over, Fu Yuxian, as always, cleaned him up first, then held him close. Song Yu’s skin was still flushed pink, glowing softly so tempting that Fu couldn’t stop running his fingers in lazy circles across his back until Song Yu grumbled for him to stop.
“What do you want for your birthday?” Song Yu asked.
Fu Yuxian’s birthday was in September, and Song Yu already had something in mind.
Their relationship was public now, so even if they went out on dates, paparazzi photos would just end up trending again nothing new.
“There’s no need to prepare anything. I already have everything I want.” And he meant it. He’d never wanted for money or luxury and the only person he’d ever truly wanted was right there in his arms. Still, after a pause, he added, “Well… maybe I’d like to win Best Actor and then next year, on your birthday, take you to register our marriage.”
Song Yu blinked. “…I can’t make either of those happen on your birthday.”
Fu’s film wouldn’t even premiere until the end of the year, and awards season came afterward. As for marriage, they still had to follow the law.
Seeing Song Yu’s disappointed face, Fu chuckled and quickly changed the subject. “Then just take the day off and go out with me. I want to spend a whole day at an amusement park.”
“Alright, got it,” Song Yu agreed at once.
Still… why an amusement park?
As he was drifting off to sleep, the memory suddenly came back in one of his early interviews, he’d once said that his biggest wish was to visit an amusement park. He’d been too poor as a kid, sometimes not even sure he’d have food for the day. Other kids bragged about their parents taking them to amusement parks and eating delicious treats, and Song Yu had always envied them.
He hadn’t expected Fu Yuxian to remember that tiny detail let alone make it his birthday wish.
“I love you,” Song Yu whispered sleepily, hugging Fu around the waist before dozing off with a smile on his face.
Fu Yuxian smiled too, holding him close. Everything you never had before, he thought, I’ll make sure you get from now on.
As The Tyrant’s Beloved Pet continued airing, it only grew more popular. Each episode ended at just the right cliffhanger, driving fans crazy and since it only aired a few episodes a week, the viewers didn’t dare scold the actors, so they all flooded Director Guo’s page begging him to release the rest. Guo, delighted by the attention, joked in their group chat that this was the first time in his career he’d ever felt so “seen.”
Song Yu never did watch that bed scene he didn’t know that Fu Yuxian had already reviewed it himself. He’d made sure the camera angles completely hid Song Yu from view before approving it. Director Guo had grumbled about “capitalist censorship ruining art,” but there was nothing he could do.
Fu Yuxian was unfazed. He simply didn’t want anyone else seeing his irresistibly charming Song Yu like that.
So when the long-awaited bed scene finally aired, and fans eagerly slowed the playback speed… they were treated only to a few seconds of Fu Yuxian’s bare back.
Sure, that back was impressive but where was Song Yu? Their adorable, seductive, blushing Song Yu?!
Fu Yuxian, you dog of a man!
Don’t think we don’t know this was your doing! That possessiveness — were you a reincarnated vinegar jar?!
Fans were fuming and went to Song Yu’s page to complain, begging him to “rein in” Fu Yuxian. Song Yu could barely keep a straight face and said there was nothing he could do.
The fans huffed, maybe they shouldn’t have approved of this marriage so soon. Look at Song Xiaoyu now, completely on his side!
After the success of the drama, scripts flooded in for both of them including several same-sex romance projects that had been shelved in earlier years. Ever since the legalization of same-sex marriage, restrictions on LGBTQ+ dramas had also been lifted, with many even getting prime-time slots. The country now needed quality productions to accompany the shift in social awareness.
Traditional idol dramas had already become much rarer after all, with Song Yu’s looks, he was already at the very top of the entertainment industry. Aside from Fu Yuxian, anyone standing beside him would inevitably seem less dazzling.
There was even a young actress who once said that if Song Yu were cast as the male lead, she wouldn’t dare take the female lead role no matter how popular the drama might become because next to him, she’d probably look like a random extra.
And indeed, after Song Yu “woke up,” his looks had somehow become even more striking than before. His facial features hadn’t changed at all, yet he had this inexplicable ability to draw everyone’s gaze.
On top of that, his acting was excellent. Because of this combination, most roles offered to him were for second male leads or beautiful, seductive villains, the kind of characters who shone brilliantly on their own.
Fortunately, there were still many kinds of scripts that didn’t revolve around romance. After three days of careful selection, Fu Yuxian picked out a film script for Song Yu, one centered around environmental protection. It was a movie, and Song Yu would play the third male lead: a simple-hearted man whose story ends in tragedy.
Filming was scheduled to start at the end of the year perfectly timed for Song Yu to finish his historical drama, rest for a month, and then join the movie production.
It would be Song Yu’s first time acting for the big screen, and he was understandably nervous. Luckily, he had Fu Yuxian’s guidance and support.
It wasn’t that Fu Yuxian didn’t want to act alongside him again, but after careful consideration and advice from Yin Lang, they decided it was best not to.
First, Fu Yuxian had firmly set his sights on the film industry if he returned to television dramas, it might make his career path seem narrow.
Second, since he and Song Yu were now openly together and deeply in love, if they acted in a sweet romance, fans might prefer watching their real-life interactions instead; if they acted in a tragic romance, fans might find it unbearable, and casual viewers might struggle to immerse themselves in the story.
Third, there was a risk of damaging their public image among general audiences.
After serious discussion, both Fu Yuxian and Song Yu agreed to follow Yin Lang’s plan.
The day Glory finished filming happened to coincide with the finale of The Tyrant’s Beloved Pet. The final scene, the two of them standing shoulder to shoulder atop the city walls was filmed with breathtaking beauty and deeply moved countless viewers.
A pair for life, in this life and the next.
In the drama and in reality, they had truly achieved that.
In August, Song Yu prepared to join the cast of the historical drama The Flourishing Tang Dynasty.
They were about to be apart again, each filming in different places. But Song Yu had already told Yin Lang and the production crew in advance that September 12 must be kept free, he was going to celebrate Fu Yuxian’s birthday.
He even confided in Yin Lang that he planned to propose to Fu Yuxian.
Yin Lang nearly choked on the dog food. Watching Song Yu’s bright, hopeful expression, he couldn’t help but sigh like a worried parent.
“Are you sure you don’t want to think it over? I can’t help feeling like you’re a lamb walking into the tiger’s den and you’re doing it willingly.”
Song Yu: “……”
Sure, Fu Yuxian had lied to him before, but he had made it up with genuine actions. Still, outsiders didn’t know about that — why did everyone seem to think Fu Yuxian looked like bad news?
Well… maybe it was because, objectively speaking, Fu Yuxian’s aura really was that of a textbook scoundrel.
But Song Yu had thought long and hard before deciding to propose. Yin Lang’s concern wasn’t without reason if they registered their marriage on Fu Yuxian’s next birthday, it would probably spark another round of online attacks against him. On the other hand, if Song Yu was the one to propose, it would greatly reduce any negative impact on Fu’s public image.
Understanding this and knowing how genuine their relationship was, Yin Lang fully supported Song Yu’s decision. Song Yu also shared another idea: he wanted to invite a few long-time loyal fans to witness the proposal in person.
To him, his fans were just like family.
“Brother Yin, you’re close with my fans, right? I trust you to organize it for me,” Song Yu said, blinking his clear peach blossom eyes, filled with eager anticipation.
Yin Lang: “…Fine.”
“Thank you, Brother Yin! You’re the best!” Song Yu cheered happily.
After that, he busied himself ordering a custom ring and keeping it a secret from Fu Yuxian, all while juggling his acting work he was so busy it felt like he’d turned into a spinning top.
Time flew by quickly, and before he knew it, September 12 had arrived.
Author’s Note:
If all goes well, the main story will end tomorrow~ I originally planned to finish it all at once, but I’ve been swamped with work these past few days, so I’ll split it into two updates! Love you all, my darlings~ 💋
Thank you to the little angels who cast grenades or poured nutrient solution for me between 2020-03-31 17:04:01 and 2020-04-01 17:01:29!
Grenade angel: 五行缺钱好多年 (1x)
Landmine angel: 恭喜你 (1x)
Nutrient solution angels: 沈巍 (60 bottles)
Thank you all so much for your support! I’ll keep doing my best! ❤️
[mfn] If you enjoy my translations, you can show your support by leaving a comment or donating to my Ko-fi. It will be much appreciated. Thank you! [/mfn]
