Chapter 2: Misunderstanding Agreement

Soon, Yu Hanli messaged again: "Are you free now? If you are, I'll have my manager pick you up."

So urgent?

Xu Ci hesitated for a second. "I'm free. I'm at school."

Yu Hanli: "My phone number is also my WeChat ID. Add me so we can stay in touch easily."

Xu Ci: "Okay."

Xu Ci copied Yu Hanli's phone number, tapped "Add Friend" on WeChat, and added him within two seconds.

Yu Hanli's private WeChat used his real name.

Yu Hanli sent him Xu Daming's personal contact card and said: "This is my manager's WeChat. Add him. He'll pick you up shortly."

Then, Yu Hanli added: "Don't be afraid, junior. I really need you."

The last sentence was originally meant as reassurance from an experienced senior to a junior still in the ivory tower. But to Xu Ci, it took on a different meaning.

It wasn't entirely Xu Ci's fault.

Yu Hanli's behavior was too eager, and the word "need" seemed tinged with ambiguity and sexual undertones.

Xu Ci quickly searched for information about Yu Hanli online.

Yu Shen, at nineteen, burst onto the film scene with his debut film Fall, forever altering the course of Huaguo cinema. In just a few short years, he swept through every major award ceremony, conquering them all.

Eight years into his career, with no scandals to his name, Yu Hanli is a true workaholic. While the world is full of Best Actor winners, in terms of acting skill, looks, and star power, he stands as the undisputed king without a crown.

Cool and serene as the moon on a winter night, he is the brightest celestial body in the snowy darkness. Uninterested in worldly romance and fleeting pleasures, his only desire is artistic fulfillment on his cinematic journey.

This is the promotional slogan for Yu Hanli's fan club.

Xu Ci searched for recent photos of Yu Hanli. Tall and handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and long eyes, he wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, his face devoid of unnecessary expression. He was consistently dressed in custom black suits with crisp white shirts, his posture tall and upright like a pine or cypress.

Soon, a photo taken inside a car caught Xu Ci's eye.

A strikingly handsome man reclined lazily in the back seat, eyes closed in repose. His skin was as pale and smooth as porcelain, his nose high and straight, his lips thin and red. The cuffs of his white shirt were slightly rolled up, revealing a clean-lined wrist adorned with a lace band featuring a black butterfly with outstretched wings—a truly captivating sight.

In the interplay of light and shadow, Xu Ci's tired yet aloof features radiated an astonishing beauty.

With a million followers on Instagram and a YouTube channel with a million subscribers, he regularly shared stylish photos. His fashion sense was always unique and captivating, ensuring a large and active fan base despite his infrequent updates.

He had a keen eye for style, able to deduce a person's personality and psychology from their attire.

The black butterfly, seemingly poised to take flight, added a vibrant touch to his meticulously composed, coolly solemn look, stunning the viewer. This man was clearly not the aloof and self-restrained figure everyone claimed. More likely, he was cool and restrained on the surface, with a hint of playful naughtiness underneath.

And probably quite demanding to deal with.

Otherwise, how could he maintain a refined image while secretly coveting the beauty of a pure male college student?

The novel had no shortage of scenes where Yu Hanli drooled over him.

Xu Ci closed the page.

Knowing his time was limited and with so many unfulfilled dreams, he had no intention of wasting time picking a sugar daddy.

If the man didn't have any perverted fetishes, was generous with his money, and could provide him with generous resources, Xu Ci didn't mind staying with him for a while.

If it doesn't work out, I can just switch to someone else.

After all, I'm dying soon anyway. What's wrong with having some fun before I go?

An hour later, Yu Hanli's manager, Xu Daming, arrived at the East Campus to pick him up.

Xu Ci pulled out his phone and found a screenshot.

It showed a past conversation with Xu Chongchen.

Xu Ci: Brother, can we leave Kyoto? I can't stand it anymore. I don't understand why Qiao Mingchu keeps targeting me. The suffering he endured in the countryside was caused by human traffickers. Why doesn't he spend a fortune catching those traffickers instead of repeatedly tormenting me? Can we go abroad together? We can come back when Mom and Dad can accept our relationship. I can give up my acting career, brother. I just want to be with you.

Xu Chongchen: Qiao Mingchu will always be part of our family. Running away won't solve anything. Give me some time.

So, "give me some time" meant endless lies and cold treatment, didn't it?

Xu Ci, you can be a fool once, but don't be one again. It would be a betrayal of the brain you worked so hard to grow.

The meeting was held at a renowned private kitchen in Kyoto, a restaurant specializing in imperial court cuisine that was always bustling with customers.

When unsure of a Chinese person's dietary habits, choosing a Chinese restaurant was generally a safe bet.

Yu Hanli sat at the head of the private room and asked, "Have you had lunch yet?"

Xu Ci shook his head slightly and said seriously, "Let's get straight to business. I can't eat much when I have something on my mind."

He wanted to see if Yu Hanli's offer met his expectations and didn't want to waste time.

Yu Hanli replied, "Agreed."

Xu Daming produced a contract and said, "Our President Yu has suffered from chronic insomnia for years, and no medication has helped. On several occasions, he's accidentally sat next to you on transportation and slept exceptionally soundly. He wants to hire you—not to do anything, just to sleep beside you—to use you as a sleeping aid."

Xu Ci: "......"

Since there's no one else here but us, why bother with such elaborate pretexts to act as a pimp?

The fact that he can only sleep next to me... isn't this just the "high-minded and honorable" Actor Yu's fig leaf?

Just like in the novels, the excuses were identical.

Xu Ci suppressed the urge to complain and opened the contract.

However, as he read the clause about "once-a-week sleeping arrangements," his delicate brow furrowed. "Once a week? Isn't that a bit infrequent? Are you... not up to it?"

You're already keeping me as a sugar baby, and you're setting such limits for yourself?

Yu Hanli: "......"

He glanced again.

Xu Ci: "Ah. The resource compensation is also ridiculously low. Is the Yu family going bankrupt?"

Yu Hanli: "......"

He glanced yet again.

Xu Ci: "A million a month? Are you trying to fob off a beggar? If you don't have ten million, don't come around the sugar baby scene acting all high and mighty, alright?"

Yu Hanli: "......"

Xu Ci stared resentfully at the final clause in the contract:

If the Client requires sleeping arrangements during work hours, the Provider must arrive promptly and may not refuse on grounds of study or work. During such times, the Client will reimburse the Provider for all losses incurred.

How desperate do you have to be to demand I travel across the country for sex during work hours?

Xu Daming frowned, sensing something was off. He said, "Our President Yu is handsome and wealthy, with a physique that makes him a walking hormone. Countless women would pay to get close to him. He sleeps with you only four times a month, and you suffer no losses. Isn't a million yuan enough? You're getting paid for nothing!"

Xu Ci looked puzzled, pushing his lip out slightly in a slightly petulant gesture. "What does his handsomeness and wealth have to do with me? Wealth isn't sexually transmitted, unless you give it to me upfront."

"No, what's the connection between sleeping in clothes and sex?" Xu Daming asked, bewildered.

"There's no connection right now," Xu Ci replied.

After reading the contract, Xu Ci's expectations were shattered. He stood up and said, "Mr. Yu, I'm sorry. This kind of arrangement requires mutual consent, and you don't meet my expectations."

With that, Xu Ci turned to leave.

"Junior Xu Ci, we can discuss any concerns you have. You can revise the terms as you wish," Yu Hanli's cool, weary voice rang out slowly.

The tall, slender man pressed his index and middle fingers against his temple, massaging it gently.

He suffered from severe insomnia; no medication worked. An accident had revealed that only near Xu Ci could he truly sleep well.

He hadn't had a quality sleep in ages. His mind was too exhausted and tense, so he cherished the feeling of sleeping beside Xu Ci, willing to accept any reasonable conditions.

"Huh?" Xu Ci was taken aback.

This is so weird.

He felt he might have been a bit too harsh in his earlier outburst.

Yu Hanli chuckled softly, his demeanor gentle and refined. "Given my status and reputation, you might have assumed this was a collaboration related to the film industry. It's understandable to feel a bit disappointed when the reality doesn't match your expectations."

Xu Ci: "......"

Not at all.

I just think your mediocre conditions don't warrant sleeping with me.

Xu Ci's aggressive stance stemmed from his fear. He had known Xu Chongchen for fourteen years and dated him for one, yet they had never become physically intimate. The thought of engaging in a transaction with a stranger made him hesitant, afraid of the pain.

When they resumed discussing the agreement, Xu Ci had calmed down considerably.

Once all the terms were settled, Xu Ci asked, "When should we sleep together for the first time?"

Yu Hanli replied, "Tonight."

Huh? So soon? That's so lewd.

Xu Ci's cheeks flushed slightly, but he forced himself to remain composed. "Oh, alright."

In the evening, Yu Hanli drove Xu Ci to Bielu Mansion, a prime location in the city's most sought-after ring road. The garden design offered a tranquil retreat from the urban bustle, perfect for self-cultivation and peace of mind.

After entering the apartment, Yu Hanli stepped away to take a phone call.

Xu Ci sat quietly on the sofa, hands resting neatly on his knees, and waited for five or six minutes. When Yu Hanli didn't emerge from the study, he thought about the ten million yuan monthly fee he was being paid as a kept man. The powerful man was probably testing to see if he was worth the price.

Xu Ci stood up and entered the master bedroom.

After an indeterminate time, Yu Hanli returned from the study. Not finding Xu Ci in the living room, he noticed his master bedroom door was slightly ajar.

Could he have gotten impatient?

He went to sleep first? That little thing I'm paying ten million to keep isn't very professional.

Yu Hanli strode over and pushed the master bedroom door open. He froze.

A young, beautiful boy lay on his bed, his dark hair still slightly damp. His features were clean and pure, with a delicate nose and rosy lips that seemed perfect for nibbling.

The thin blanket didn't quite cover him, revealing the elegant line of his slender, pale shoulders and neck—a tempting sight. It was clear he was completely naked.

Yu Hanli froze for a moment, then chuckled in amusement.

No wonder this little guy was so aggressive in the restaurant—he'd misunderstood the terms of the agreement.

After all these years in the industry, untouched by the world, couldn't that prove his noble character?

The corners of the young man's eyes flushed with the color of blooming peach blossoms. Under the thin blanket, his snow-white shoulders trembled slightly. Seeing Yu Hanli remain motionless, he was so ashamed he nearly burst into tears, and whispered, "Are you... really not going to do anything?"

Yu Hanli's Adam's apple bobbed gently.

Pure yet seductive. Yu Hanli had never used such words to describe anyone before, let alone a man.