Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Obscure HappinessChapter 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 members gathered for some casual dining and drinking. It wasn’t an overly formal affair.

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

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

    At that time, Meng Chao stood beside Meng Ke and mocked him, thinking how pitiful Meng Ke was. Clearly, Meng 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 name in front of Han Zhi.

    Truly, Meng 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 Meng Ke’s stomach. Meng Ke handled it cleverly, deftly intercepting the drinks meant for Han Zhi without raising anyone’s suspicions.

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

    Meng Ke, adept at social engagements, 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 Meng 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 Meng Ke returned. Though still smiling, Meng Chao, with his sharp instincts, noticed a trace of unhappiness in Meng Ke’s eyes.

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

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

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

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

    But now that someone’s dirty schemes were directed at his family, Meng Chao couldn’t help but feel irritated.

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

    Meng 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, someone came over to toast Meng Chao with a drink, and Meng Chao reciprocated with a non-alcoholic beverage.

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

    Meng Chao smiled, his tone tinged with helplessness and affection. "I can’t. The family rule is no drinking for me." S~ea??h the N?velFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    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 moment, giving Meng Chao a suspicious look.

    Family?

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

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

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

    Lin Qin glared at him, and Meng 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.

    Meng Ke was among them.

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

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

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

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

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

    "Han Zhi, my brother is staying at the same hotel as you. It’s inconvenient for me to drop him off. Could you please take him back?" Meng Chao said. He could even hear Meng 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 Meng Chao had scenes to shoot early the next morning, it was already quite late. Driving Meng Ke back to his hotel before returning to his own wouldn’t be convenient.

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

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

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

    Meng Chao: "Thanks."

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

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

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

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

    Lin Qin seemed puzzled at first, then had a sudden realization. "You mean Brother Meng and Han Zhi..."

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

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

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