Chapter 1: The Distance Between Light and Ice

“Lin Yichen! Stop moving!”

“I am stopping.”

“You’re literally spinning in the chair!”

“That’s because this chair is expensive. It spins smoothly.”

“Your brain spins smoothly.”

The makeup room burst into laughter.

Lin Yichen leaned back dramatically in the salon chair, one long leg lazily swinging while his stylist fought for her life trying to fix his hair for the third time.

“Gege,” the stylist said through gritted teeth, “if you move again, I’m shaving your head.”

Yichen gasped in horror. “You would destroy this face? Cruel.”

“You destroy it yourself daily.”

Another wave of laughter spread through the room.

This was normal.

Wherever Lin Yichen was, silence usually died within five minutes.

He was currently one of the hottest actors in the entertainment industry. At twenty-six, he had already collected countless awards, millions of fans, endless brand deals, and enough viral clips online to haunt the internet forever.

And yet—

“Brother Yichen, can you stop stealing the staff snacks?” his assistant sighed.

Too late.

Yichen looked up innocently while holding three strawberry cakes in his hands.

“I’m helping reduce food waste.”

“You stole those from the director.”

“The director is on a diet.”

“The director cried last time.”

“He’ll survive.”

The assistant closed his eyes briefly, looking like someone questioning every life decision that had brought him here.

His name was Song Yu.

Twenty-four years old.

Professional assistant.

Part-time babysitter.

Full-time victim.

Unlike Yichen’s chaotic energy, Song Yu looked soft and clean-cut, with warm eyes and an easy smile that made people trust him quickly. He had been with Yichen since before the actor became famous, long enough to know every fake smile and every real mood swing.

They fought constantly.

But anyone could see how close they were.

“You have an interview in twenty minutes,” Song Yu reminded him while reorganizing the disaster Yichen had turned the table into.

“Mm.”

“And filming tonight.”

“Mm.”

“And no flirting with reporters this time.”

Yichen finally looked offended.

“I never flirt.”

The entire room stared at him silently.

“…Okay,” he corrected. “Not intentionally.”

“You smiled at a male reporter once and he forgot his own question.”

“That sounds like his problem.”

Song Yu sighed deeply.

Yichen grinned.

Bright.

Effortless.

Dangerous.

The kind of smile that made fans scream online and directors throw money at him.

It wasn’t fair, honestly.

“By the way,” Song Yu added casually while checking his tablet, “there’s a new endorsement offer.”

“Reject it.”

“You didn’t even hear it yet.”

“I’m busy.”

“It pays a disgusting amount of money.”

Yichen immediately sat up straight. “Continue.”

The room laughed again.

Song Yu shook his head helplessly before saying, “Lu Jewelry Industry.”

The laughter slowly faded.

Yichen blinked once.

“Jewelry?” he repeated.

“Mhm. Luxury brand. One of the biggest in Shanghai right now.”

Song Yu handed him the tablet.

On the screen was a sleek black-and-gold logo.

Simple.

Elegant.

Cold.

Very cold.

“Wow,” Yichen murmured. “This logo looks rich.”

“That’s because they are rich.”

“How rich?”

Song Yu named a number.

Yichen inhaled sharply. “Maybe I do love jewelry.”

“You love money.”

“That too.”

But despite the joke, his eyes remained on the screen.

Lu Jewelry Industry.

Even someone like him—who barely paid attention to business news—had heard the name before.

The company was famous for luxury jewelry pieces that were elegant, expensive, and nearly impossible to get without connections.

Very high-class.

Very untouchable.

Very unlike him.

“Who’s the CEO?” Yichen asked casually.

Song Yu gave him a strange look. “You seriously don’t know?”

“Should I?”

“Lu Chengyan.”

Yichen looked blank.

Song Yu stared at him in disbelief. “You really live in your own world.”

“I’m an actor. My job is fake crying, not finance.”

“He’s famous.”

“Is he handsome?”

Song Yu paused.

“…Annoyingly.”

Yichen immediately became interested.

“Oh?”

“Don’t ‘oh’ me,” Song Yu warned. “You flirt with living beings too easily.”

“That’s slander.”

“You flirted with a golden retriever last week.”

“He wagged his tail at me first.”

The makeup artist nearly fell over laughing.

Yichen stretched lazily before standing up, grabbing his sunglasses from the table.

“Send me the details later,” he said. “If the concept is boring, I’m rejecting it.”

“You reject everything.”

“Because most brands think standing there and smiling is enough.”

“And what do you want?”

Yichen tilted his head slightly.

Something playful remained in his expression, but his voice softened just a little.

“Something real.”

The room quieted briefly.

Only briefly.

Because the next second—

“YICHEN! WE’RE READY!”

“COMING!”

And just like that, he was smiling again.

Like nothing heavy had ever touched him.

—

Meanwhile, across the city—

No one dared laugh.

The conference room was silent enough to hear papers shifting.

“Explain.”

Two syllables.

That was all it took.

The executive standing near the screen stiffened immediately.

“Mr. Lu, regarding the overseas expansion—”

“Not the summary.” Lu Chengyan’s voice was calm. “The problem.”

The man swallowed.

Around the table, several others lowered their eyes slightly.

At the head seat, Lu Chengyan sat perfectly still, one hand resting lightly against the armrest.

Black suit.

Silver watch.

Sharp features untouched by warmth.

He wasn’t loud.

That was the terrifying part.

“Transportation costs exceeded the projected numbers by eight percent,” the executive admitted carefully.

“And your solution?”

“We’re currently adjusting—”

“Currently?”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Lu Chengyan finally looked up.

His gaze was steady, cold, impossible to avoid.

“You discovered the issue three days ago.”

The executive’s face paled.

“Yet you’re still ‘currently adjusting’?”

Silence.

“…No, Mr. Lu.”

“Then give me the actual answer.”

No anger.

No shouting.

Just pressure.

Pure, terrifying pressure.

Near the side of the room, someone quietly pushed a new document forward before the silence became unbearable.

“Updated transportation routes,” a calm voice said.

The speaker wore glasses and a dark suit similar to everyone else’s, though his posture looked more relaxed.

Xu Chen.

Lu Chengyan’s assistant.

Unlike the others, he didn’t look nervous.

Mostly because he had worked beside Lu Chengyan long enough to survive this environment.

Efficient at work.

Cold when necessary.

But outside the office?

He was surprisingly easygoing.

Though no one here would believe it.

Lu Chengyan glanced at the document briefly before nodding once.

“Proceed.”

The room collectively breathed again.

Xu Chen calmly adjusted his glasses while mentally planning tonight’s dinner and wondering whether his boss even remembered what sleep looked like anymore.

Probably not.

Forty minutes later—

“Meeting adjourned.”

Chairs moved instantly.

People escaped professionally.

Xu Chen gathered the remaining files while Lu Chengyan walked toward the window overlooking Shanghai’s skyline.

The city glittered below.

Busy.

Noisy.

Unpredictable.

He disliked unpredictable things.

“Your schedule for tomorrow has been adjusted,” Xu Chen informed him calmly. “And regarding the brand ambassador selection—”

“Finalized?”

“Yes.”

Lu Chengyan turned slightly.

“Who?”

Xu Chen handed over the file.

“Lin Yichen.”

The name meant very little to Lu Chengyan.

Actors, celebrities, influencers—

Useful for publicity.

Temporary by nature.

Nothing more.

He opened the folder casually.

Then paused.

A photograph stared back at him.

Messy dark hair.

Bright eyes.

A smile that looked entirely too alive.

It didn’t look polished or fake like most celebrity photos.

It looked…

Warm.

Lu Chengyan’s gaze lingered for exactly two seconds before he closed the file.

“Prepare the contract.”

Xu Chen blinked slightly.

That was fast.

Usually his boss reviewed endorsements for at least another day before deciding.

Interesting.

“…Understood.”

Lu Chengyan placed the file back onto the desk.

Efficient.

Simple.

Just business.

Neither of them noticed the photograph sliding slightly free from the folder—

The smiling actor frozen under warm studio lights.

As if belonging to a completely different world.

And maybe he did.

But somewhere between one signature and one impulsive decision—

Their worlds had already begun moving toward each other.

Quietly.

Inevitably.

LU CHENGYAN

LIN YICHEN

Chapter 2: First Sight Trouble

“NO.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Just once.”

“Absolutely not.”

Lin Yichen leaned dramatically across the sofa, looking personally betrayed by the universe.

“Song Yu,” he said solemnly, “your heart grows colder every year.”

Song Yu didn’t even look up from the tablet in his hands. “And yours grows more embarrassing every day.”

“That’s called personality.”

“That’s called being a public danger.”

Yichen ignored him completely.

“I just want to see the CEO photo.”

“You can wait until tonight.”

“But I’m curious.”

“You’re nosy.”

“That too.”

Song Yu sighed for what was probably the hundredth time that morning.

The endorsement contract from Lu Jewelry Industry had officially been confirmed yesterday evening. Which meant tonight’s luxury business gala would be their first formal meeting with the company executives.

Including the CEO.

And unfortunately—

Lin Yichen had suddenly become very interested in CEOs.

“Is he really that handsome?” Yichen asked again while lazily scrolling through fan comments online.

Song Yu finally looked up.

“…Yes.”

That answer came too fast.

Yichen narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“Oh?” he drawled. “You sound sincere.”

“He’s objectively handsome.”

“Objectively?”

“Very annoyingly objectively.”

Yichen gasped softly. “Now I’m excited.”

“That’s exactly what worries me.”

Yichen grinned.

Bright.

Dangerous.

The kind of grin that usually meant trouble for everyone nearby.

—

By evening, the entire luxury hotel glowed under golden lights.

Crystal chandeliers reflected across polished marble floors while soft classical music floated through the grand hall. Famous celebrities, wealthy investors, executives, and reporters moved through the crowd with practiced elegance.

Everything looked expensive.

Yichen loved it immediately.

“Wow,” he whispered while stepping inside. “This place smells rich.”

Song Yu nearly choked.

“You cannot say things like that out loud.”

“Why not? It does.”

“You’re representing a luxury brand tonight.”

“I am luxury.”

“You ate instant noodles in bed yesterday.”

“That was emotionally luxurious.”

Song Yu closed his eyes briefly.

Behind them, several staff members from Lu Jewelry were already approaching politely.

“Mr. Lin, welcome.”

Yichen instantly switched into professional mode, smiling warmly enough to make the poor employee visibly nervous.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

Song Yu watched the transformation happen in real time and felt mildly offended every single time.

This man could become charming faster than most people could breathe.

“Mr. Lu will arrive shortly,” the employee added carefully.

At that—

Yichen’s interest visibly sharpened.

“Oh?”

Song Yu immediately noticed the expression.

Danger.

Dangerous expression.

Abort mission.

“Behave,” Song Yu warned quietly.

“I always behave.”

“That sentence itself is a lie.”

Yichen laughed softly before casually accepting a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

The lights above reflected against the crystal, scattering gold across his fingers.

Beautiful.

Carefree.

Like he belonged naturally in places like this.

And maybe he did.

Because only minutes after arriving, several celebrities had already approached him.

“Yichen!”

“You’re finally here!”

“You disappeared after filming again!”

One actress linked arms with him dramatically while another actor complained about unanswered messages.

The atmosphere around him became instantly lively.

Warm.

Chaotic.

Completely opposite from the other side of the ballroom.

Near the floor-to-ceiling windows stood a man dressed entirely in black.

Tall.

Calm.

Untouchable.

Even from a distance, people naturally avoided standing too close to him.

Not because he was unpleasant—

But because Lu Chengyan carried the kind of presence that made people instinctively straighten their posture.

His expression remained indifferent as another executive spoke beside him about market projections.

He listened quietly, one hand holding a champagne glass he hadn’t touched once.

“Mr. Lu,” Xu Chen said beside him, lowering his voice slightly, “our ambassador has arrived.”

“Mm.”

No interest.

Typical.

Xu Chen almost smiled.

Then—

From somewhere across the ballroom—

Laughter rang out.

Bright.

Unrestrained.

Completely out of place in this carefully controlled environment.

Lu Chengyan’s gaze shifted instinctively.

And stopped.

Under the golden chandelier lights stood a young man laughing while nearly spilling champagne because someone beside him said something ridiculous.

His hair was slightly messy despite obvious styling.

His smile looked real.

Too real.

Not refined.

Not calculated.

Alive.

“…”

For the first time that evening, Lu Chengyan’s attention left work entirely.

Xu Chen followed his gaze.

Ah.

So that was Lin Yichen.

Even from here, he looked different from everyone else in the room.

Most people at events like this smiled carefully.

Lin Yichen smiled like he genuinely enjoyed living.

Dangerous person, Xu Chen concluded immediately.

Meanwhile—

Completely unaware—

Yichen was still laughing when he suddenly felt something.

A gaze.

Strong enough to cut through the entire ballroom.

His smile slowly faded.

Then he turned.

Across layers of golden light and moving crowds—

Their eyes met for the very first time.

And suddenly—

Everything around Yichen became quieter.

The laughter.

The music.

The conversations.

Gone.

Only one thought remained in his head.

Holy shit.

Song Yu noticed the exact second disaster struck.

Because Lin Yichen—

Who normally flirted with the entire planet—

Actually looked stunned.

“Oh no,” Song Yu whispered immediately.

Too late.

Way too late.

Because across the ballroom stood the most handsome man Yichen had ever seen in his life.

Cold black suit.

Sharp jawline.

Calm eyes that looked completely unreadable.

Like ice carved into human form.

And for reasons Yichen himself didn’t understand—

His heart skipped violently.

“…That’s him?” he asked quietly.

Song Yu looked exhausted already. “Yes.”

Yichen stared for another full second.

Then another.

Then—

Very sincerely—

“…I’m gonna make him fall in love with me.”

Song Yu almost dropped his drink.

“WHAT?”

Unfortunately for him—

At the exact same moment—

Lu Chengyan watched the smiling actor suddenly straighten before walking directly toward him without hesitation.

Like a missile locked onto a target.

Xu Chen blinked slowly.

“…Mr. Lu.”

“Mm.”

“I think,” Xu Chen said carefully, “you may be in danger.”

XU CHEN

SONG YU

Chapter 3: Unexpected Disasters

“I think,” Xu Chen said carefully, “you may be in danger.”

Lu Chengyan glanced at him once.

“Why?”

Xu Chen looked toward the approaching actor.

Lin Yichen was smiling.

That alone was not dangerous.

The dangerous part was that he was walking directly toward Lu Chengyan with the confidence of someone who had already decided something unreasonable.

And unfortunately—

People with that expression usually caused problems.

Large problems.

Beautiful problems.

“Just a feeling,” Xu Chen replied diplomatically.

Meanwhile—

On the opposite side of the ballroom—

Song Yu was already sensing catastrophe approaching at full speed.

“Slow down,” he hissed quietly while following behind Yichen. “Why are you walking so fast?”

“Because true love waits for no one.”

“You saw him thirty seconds ago!”

“And I’ve seen enough.”

Song Yu looked exhausted. “You cannot decide to chase a CEO because he’s handsome.”

“Why not?”

“Because this is real life!”

Yichen gasped dramatically. “Your lack of faith in romance wounds me deeply.”

“You don’t even know his personality!”

“I can fix that.”

“You sound insane.”

“I prefer passionate.”

Song Yu wanted to resign.

Unfortunately, before he could continue arguing—

They arrived.

Close enough now that details became clearer.

Lu Chengyan somehow looked even more intimidating up close. Tall, calm, dressed entirely in black, with the kind of face that made expensive magazines fight for photoshoots.

Cold eyes.

Sharp jawline.

Perfect posture.

Honestly unfair.

Even Song Yu had to admit it.

No wonder Yichen looked like he was about to commit crimes.

And beside him—

Xu Chen turned slightly.

Their eyes met.

Song Yu froze.

Completely.

His soul nearly left his body.

Wait.

WAIT.

No.

No no no no no—

That face—

THAT FACE—

Song Yu’s brain immediately replayed an extremely cursed memory from one month ago.

A nightclub.

Too much alcohol.

Crying dramatically because his longtime crush had called him “like a little brother” before introducing his boyfriend.

Worst night of his life.

Then—

A man sitting alone at the bar.

Cold-looking.

Handsome.

Wearing glasses.

Drinking quietly.

One thing somehow led to another.

Then another.

Then—

Song Yu nearly blacked out from secondhand embarrassment.

OH MY GOD.

THAT WAS XU CHEN.

LU CHENGYAN’S ASSISTANT.

The one-night stand assistant.

The extremely calm one-night stand assistant.

The one-night stand assistant currently staring directly at him without changing expression.

Song Yu internally screamed.

Outwardly, he smiled like someone dying peacefully.

“…Hello,” he managed weakly.

Xu Chen’s gaze rested on him for one extra second.

Then—

“Hello.”

Calm.

Professional.

Nothing else.

No shock.

No recognition.

No reaction.

Song Yu blinked.

…Wait.

Did he not remember?

Right.

They had both been drunk.

And Song Yu had escaped the hotel room early in the morning like a criminal avoiding taxes.

Maybe Xu Chen genuinely forgot.

A wave of relief almost hit him—

Until Xu Chen suddenly added politely,

“Your alcohol tolerance seems better tonight.”

Song Yu’s soul ascended.

HE REMEMBERED.

HE ABSOLUTELY REMEMBERED.

Song Yu nearly choked on oxygen itself.

Beside him, Lin Yichen noticed immediately.

“…Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” he whispered.

Song Yu smiled painfully. “I’m experiencing death.”

“Huh?”

Before Yichen could question further—

Lu Chengyan finally spoke.

“Mr. Lin.”

His voice was low and calm.

Yichen instantly forgot everything else.

Including Song Yu’s ongoing spiritual collapse.

“Mr. Lu,” Yichen replied smoothly, smiling brightly.

Their handshake lasted exactly three seconds.

Long enough for Yichen to think:

His hands are nice too.

Dangerous thought.

Very dangerous.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Yichen said casually.

“Likewise.”

Cold.

Polite.

Professional.

Yichen became even more interested.

Ah.

A difficult type.

Fun.

Meanwhile behind them—

Song Yu was trying not to make eye contact with Xu Chen.

Xu Chen, meanwhile, looked perfectly composed.

Almost too composed.

Which somehow made it worse.

“You seem nervous,” Xu Chen commented quietly.

“I’m not.”

“You almost walked into a flower arrangement.”

Song Yu glanced at the destroyed corner of flowers beside him.

“…That was emotional support.”

Xu Chen looked at him for two silent seconds.

Then unexpectedly—

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

Not fully.

Barely noticeable.

But definitely there.

Song Yu stared.

OH NO.

HE WAS HANDSOME WHEN HE SMILED.

This was terrible.

Absolute disaster.

Meanwhile—

Completely unaware of the side romance chaos happening beside them—

Lin Yichen was still focused entirely on Lu Chengyan.

Up close, the CEO was even colder.

Not rude.

Just distant.

Like someone naturally separated from everyone around him.

Most people would probably feel pressured talking to him.

Lin Yichen, unfortunately, felt the opposite.

Interested.

Very interested.

“So,” Yichen said lightly, swirling his champagne glass, “you’re the famous Mr. Lu.”

“And you’re the famous Mr. Lin.”

“I think your title sounds cooler.”

Lu Chengyan looked at him quietly.

“…Is that important?”

“Yes,” Yichen answered seriously. “Image matters.”

For the first time—

Xu Chen noticed Lu Chengyan pause slightly.

Probably because nobody usually spoke to him like this.

Most people became nervous around him.

Lin Yichen somehow looked relaxed enough to start a podcast.

Interesting.

“Mr. Lin seems very comfortable in social situations,” Lu Chengyan observed calmly.

“That’s because I’m beautiful.”

Song Yu closed his eyes.

Xu Chen looked away briefly, clearly suppressing amusement.

Even Lu Chengyan fell silent for half a second.

Then—

Unexpectedly—

“I can see that,” he replied.

The entire atmosphere froze.

Yichen blinked.

Song Yu’s eyes widened.

Xu Chen looked genuinely shocked for the first time in years.

Because—

Did Lu Chengyan just flirt?

No.

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

Meanwhile Yichen slowly smiled.

Bright.

Victorious.

Dangerous.

Ah.

This CEO was definitely getting kidnapped emotionally.

Without hesitation, he stepped slightly closer.

“Mr. Lu,” he said warmly, “I think we’re going to get along very well.”

Lu Chengyan looked down at him calmly.

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Yichen’s smile widened innocently.

“Because,” he said softly, “I like beautiful things.”

Xu Chen immediately looked at the ceiling.

Song Yu wanted to faint.

And for the very first time that evening—

Lu Chengyan felt something unfamiliar.

Not annoyance.

Not interest.

Something stranger.

As if a very dangerous person had just quietly stepped into his perfectly controlled life.

And somehow—

He had a feeling things were about to become troublesome.