“Alright! Cut!” the director called out, raising his hand. “Take a ten-minute break, everyone, and then we’ll prepare for the next scene.”
Hearing this, Qiao Huaiyao was about to put away his phone, but he saw Bai Jinyan walking towards him. It was evident that they were shooting an earlier part of the film, as Bai Jinyan’s clothes were spotless.
Qiao Huaiyao hesitated, then raised his phone again to take more pictures.
Seeing this, Bai Jinyan walked over without hesitation and stood beside Qiao Huaiyao. “How many have you taken?”
“I lost count.” Qiao Huaiyao replied, not having kept track. After saving the last few shots, which were taken from a distance and then up close, he said, “There should be a few hundred.”
Bai Jinyan took Qiao Huaiyao’s hand and gently warmed it with his own, then took the phone. “Let’s take some more inside.”
Qiao Huaiyao shook his head. “The view is better here.”
The previous shooting location was good for indoor angles, but with multiple people in the scene now, that small window wasn’t suitable.
Director Qian Yibin approached with a thermos cup in hand and said to Bai Jinyan, “Jinyan, I’ve calculated the time. We won’t need much time at noon. If we skip the break and shoot through, we can finish this scene and rest in the afternoon. What do you think?”
Bai Jinyan replied calmly, “That’s fine.”
Qian Yibin nodded and then added, “My friend opened a hot spring resort and gave me a bunch of tickets. I thought since we only have a few scenes left, we could celebrate wrapping up early and go to the hot springs together this afternoon.”
He paused and then asked with a smile, “Are you free?”
“Hot springs?” Bai Jinyan asked.
Qiao Huaiyao glanced at the tickets in Qian Yibin’s hand, noticing that they seemed to depict a ski resort.
Thinking Bai Jinyan might not be interested in hot springs, Qian Yibin added, “There’s also skiing, fruit steam rooms, and private hot spring rooms. Everything is fresh water, and it’s all single occupancy.”
“Anytime works; my friend owns this place, and it’s definitely the best in the city.”
He didn’t compare it to those outside the city, which naturally had geographical advantages like hot springs and mountain springs.
As he spoke, Qian Yibin glanced at Qiao Huaiyao and said, “You don’t like it, but what about asking Xiao Qiao if he does?”
“I…” Qiao Huaiyao was caught off guard by the sudden shift of focus.
Bai Jinyan took the tickets from Qian Yibin, “Thanks.”
Qian Yibin raised his eyebrows and said, “You’re welcome.”
Qiao Huaiyao asked, “Brother, do you want to go?”
“We can go for the hot springs,” Bai Jinyan replied, noticing that Qiao Huaiyao’s fingers had warmed up. He placed his hand on Qiao Huaiyao’s waist, sensing the immediate tension. “We have nothing else to do this afternoon.”
Instead of just sitting around, he thought it would be better to take Qiao Huaiyao to relax in the hot springs.
Since Qian Yibin dared to offer the tickets, it showed that the place was good at maintaining customer privacy. As a director, Qian Yibin had many concerns, and he wouldn’t risk his reputation by offering tickets to a place that could cause problems.
Moreover, although Qiao Huaiyao didn’t show it, he likely wasn’t feeling well.
Bai Jinyan checked the time and said, “Let’s have lunch here first and then go.”
There was no rush, and it ensured they had something to eat in case the food there wasn’t to their taste. The restaurant had already arranged for their meal to be delivered soon.
Qiao Huaiyao nodded, “Okay.”
…
The address on the hot spring tickets was within the city.
However, given the location of the ski resort, it was definitely not in a busy area.
The crew followed the director’s suggestion and went early.
It wasn’t clear how many tickets had been given out, but when they arrived, it seemed there weren’t many people.
The ski resort and the hot spring facility were in separate areas, connected by a large lobby.
The entire place was vast, with only a few people skiing down from the heights, their figures small from a distance.
Qian Yibin had arrived early and, knowing Bai Jinyan would be coming, had arranged with the owner to reserve a private hot spring room.
He informed Bai Jinyan and sent the exact location to Lu Lu.
Lu Lu, holding his phone, led the way to the top floor. “Brother Bai, the hot spring clothes in the left cabinet are all new; I checked them. The fruit is in the central hall on this floor, and other small items are in the cabinet inside the hot spring room.”
The upper floors were not yet open to the public, so there was no one else around.
Originally, Qian Yibin planned to have staff handle these tasks, delivering things as needed.
Lu Lu refused without hesitation.
“Brother Bai, just ring the bell if you need anything. I’ll be right here,” Lu Lu explained what needed to be arranged and then said, “I’ll head out now, Brother Bai.”
As Lu Lu left, he closed the door behind him.
Bai Jinyan took out two thin outfits and a bathrobe.
This floor had a dedicated changing room. Due to the hot spring and the air conditioning, the indoor temperature was relatively high.
Leaving clothes out for a while could make them feel damp.
The entire floor had a large half-hall with a door leading to the hot spring pool.
The pool occupied most of the floor’s area, with a bit of a retro decor, mimicking a natural hot spring.
This pool could comfortably accommodate dozens of people.
Bai Jinyan neatly folded the bathrobe and placed it on a nearby chair. Qiao Huaiyao descended the steps, and the water level just reached his shoulders.
The hot spring water had a faint herbal scent.
Bai Jinyan entered later, placing some snacks to the side.
Since these snacks weren’t Qiao Huaiyao’s usual brands, Bai Jinyan only brought a small plate of fruit.
Sitting at the edge, Bai Jinyan noticed the marks on Qiao Huaiyao’s shoulder and reached out to rub his head, “Is the temperature okay?”
“Yes.” Qiao Huaiyao turned to face Bai Jinyan, “Brother, Lu Lu just sent me a message asking if you wanted a massage.”
His phone was in a waterproof bag, placed within arm’s reach on the edge.
Lu Lu might have sent the message to Bai Jinyan first, but since Bai Jinyan was picking out fruit and didn’t have time to check, he also sent it to Qiao Huaiyao.
“Massage?” Bai Jinyan raised an eyebrow, slid into the water, and pulled Qiao Huaiyao close. “Am I not professional enough? Why find someone else?”
Qiao Huaiyao instinctively tried to back away in the water, but movement was slow, and before he could even take half a step back, Bai Jinyan pulled him back.
With a fruit platter in front of him, Bai Jinyan earnestly massaged him. The marks on his body couldn’t be removed, but it helped relieve the soreness.
There was a specially made stone bench under the hot spring, extending horizontally from the side, with a hollow center.
Qiao Huaiyao sat on it, allowing him to lean against Bai Jinyan comfortably, with the water level unchanged, making it more relaxing than standing.
“Is it too hard?” Bai Jinyan tested the pressure, finding it challenging to control in the water.
Qiao Huaiyao leaned his head on Bai Jinyan’s shoulder and fed him a strawberry. “It’s not too hard. You don’t have to massage me, Brother. Just sitting for a while is fine.”
Soaking in the hot spring for a bit already felt much better, and standing for too long was tiring.
Qiao Huaiyao patted the seat beside him. “Sit.”
Bai Jinyan kissed his cheek. “I won’t sit. Next time you’re uncomfortable, tell me. Don’t tough it out.”
Qiao Huaiyao, indifferent, casually replied, “It’s not that serious.”
After speaking, he realized he might have overlooked the key point in Bai Jinyan’s words.
Qiao Huaiyao pursed his lips slightly and sneaked a glance at Bai Jinyan’s expression. But when his gaze met Bai Jinyan’s, he was caught off guard.
He froze for a moment, then quickly looked away, focusing on the fruit platter in front of him.
Bai Jinyan noticed all of Qiao Huaiyao’s subtle movements and chuckled. He pulled him closer from behind and kissed his lips.
The hot spring made it difficult to breathe indoors. Worried that Qiao Huaiyao might be uncomfortable, Bai Jinyan kept the kiss light and brief, though it still left a hint of redness.
Seeing Qiao Huaiyao’s flushed face, he couldn’t help but kiss him again.
Bai Jinyan poured some hot spring water on his shoulder and continued to massage him. “Is this better?”
“Yes.”
The fruits Bai Jinyan picked were fresh, with intact and unblemished skins.
Qiao Huaiyao picked some to feed Bai Jinyan, then chose one for himself, realizing it was a grape after biting into it.
The grape had a rose-like flavor, a variety Qiao Huaiyao often ate, though he rarely tried other kinds.
But…
Qiao Huaiyao looked around and saw no trash can nearby.
Bai Jinyan lifted his palm to Qiao Huaiyao’s mouth. “Spit it out here.”
“Uh…” Qiao Huaiyao hesitated, then braced himself on the edge, intending to find a trash can. “I’ll go look for a trash can.”
Bai Jinyan pulled him back. “I’ll get it.”