Chapter 24: My Acceptance Is Not My Consent

"Have you no shame?"

"You're not even hiding it from people anymore, are you?"

"And you're not even bathing! What are you trying to do?"

"Humiliating me?"

Zhang Han was truly furious. He had already learned that it was this Zhou Le who had snatched his role in *Wolf Warrior*. He had also looked him up; this Zhou Le was nothing more than a complete novice, without a single representative work worth mentioning. And now, not only was he stealing his role, but he was also stealing his Nazha? He was even doing it right in front of him...

But Zhou Le was unaware of any of this. Even Nazha had forgotten; she had been exhausted these past few days, and when Zhou Le returned just now, she had tossed her phone aside and forgotten to even make a call.

Finally, Guli Nazha pulled aside her spaghetti strap, looking at the two cupping marks on her back. She smiled. "It actually seems to work; it doesn't hurt as much anymore."

Zhou Le chuckled. "Of course. I’m a certified professional, after all. But, can I take a picture?"

"Take a picture of what?"

"The cupping marks. This is the first time I've ever performed cupping on a famous actress. Besides, from the moment I first saw you, I thought your back was beautiful—so beautiful it’s like a work of art. I thought then that if I could ever perform cupping on a back like that, I’d have no regrets in this life."

Nazha: "..."

"Wait, why do I feel like you're a bit of a pervert? Tell me, besides this, have you had any other improper thoughts about me?" Nazha asked, pointing the air conditioner remote at Zhou Le.

"No, not really. Does buying your poster back in college count?" Zhou Le recalled.

"It counts! But have you ever done anything to my poster?"

Zhou Le found that even when she glared, she was still beautiful.

"I swear, I really haven't. If you want me to, though, I could..."

"You cannot!"

Zhou Le raised his hands in surrender. "Then I really have nothing else."

"Really?" Nazha eyed him suspiciously.

"The most I ever thought about was wanting to see you riding a tricycle. That's truly all, I swear."

Nazha felt she couldn't comprehend him at all. "You really are such a pervert. Who in the world likes to watch a girl ride a tricycle?"

Zhou Le looked innocent. "Everyone likes that, don't they? If they aren't riding a tricycle, are they supposed to be riding me instead?"

Nazha burst into laughter, looking as if she had cracked the case. "Look! You let the truth slip out! You really are a pervert! You actually wanted to see me stand up and pedal!"

Zhou Le suddenly realized that a girl being too outgoing wasn't necessarily a good thing. If Nazha’s fans knew she was saying these things to him in private, wouldn't they tear him to shreds?

"Sister, I surrender. You win."

The cupping was done in the morning, and by noon, the entire crew knew about it. Suddenly, wherever Zhou Le went, the gazes cast upon him were filled with envy and admiration.

"As expected of Teacher Zhou, doing with such ease what we wouldn't even dare to dream of."

"Amazing. Is this the true value of Teacher Zhou?"

"I was worried this film might be affected by *Jian Bing Man*, but looking at it now, it seems like Teacher Zhou might just be the one to carry it."

"I really didn't expect Teacher Zhou to hit the trending topics more often than Nazha!"

At first, Da Peng had told the crew to keep it quiet and not go around talking about it. But during an interview that afternoon, the reporter noticed two round, brownish marks on Nazha's smooth, fair, and elegant shoulders, looking like pieces of dog-skin plaster.

"Nazha, I didn't know you did cupping. Have you been too tired from filming lately?"

"Yeah, Director Da Peng has very high standards, and that bass is quite heavy. Practicing and filming every day really did make my shoulders ache."

"Well, it shows how dedicated you all are. But I didn't see these earlier... did you just get them done this morning?"

"Yeah, Zhou Le gave me a cupping treatment this morning."

The reporter: "???"

The reporter had only asked out of passing curiosity, as it was rare for actresses in the industry to do cupping; she hadn't expected Nazha to just blurt it out.

"Teacher... Zhou Le did it?"

"Yes, he's a professional. If you don't believe me, ask Brother Qian."

Yu Qian happened to be nearby. "That's right, he's a professional; he even has a certificate. He usually gives me massages, too. Why don't you try it yourself?"

Zhou Le stood up at that moment and rolled up his sleeves, ready to start working.

"No, no, that's alright!" The reporter waved her hands frantically. But as soon as she said it, she felt a twinge of regret. Zhou Le was tall, handsome, and currently on such good terms with all the big names on set; he was bound to become a star. If she could experience a treatment like that, she’d be one of a kind among her peers.

"It's fine, come on. We're just killing time anyway. You do your interview, I’ll do the massage."

And so, the reporter interviewed Guli Nazha while enjoying a massage. Then it was Zhou Le's turn.

"I haven't finished my set yet, let's just keep going like this."

Although the reporter felt it was a bit improper, Zhou Le’s technique was incredibly comfortable, and he was completely professional with no offensive actions. She glanced at the cameraman, who nodded slightly, clearly thinking this was a great gimmick.

"Alright, then."

The young reporter was actually quite pretty; though not on par with Nazha, she had a capable, sharp beauty.

"Teacher Zhou Le, I’d like to ask, what challenges have you encountered in this film?"

Zhou Le: "@#¥%……&*... Do you sit for long periods often? I can feel your muscles are very stiff."

After answering, Zhou Le asked back.

The reporter: "Yes, I can't help it; it's an occupational hazard. But Teacher Zhou, what kind of person do you think Director Da Peng is?"

Zhou Le: "*&……%¥#@, is it sore here? Does it hurt?"

The reporter: "Ouch, oh—it is quite sore. Thank you, Teacher Zhou. So, what are your expectations for this movie?"

And just like that, in a harmonious, comfortable, and relaxed atmosphere, the reporter finished all the interviews following the wrap ceremony.

Da Peng handed out red envelopes to everyone. When he reached Zhou Le, Zhou Le felt that his was noticeably thicker. He squeezed it, then pulled Da Peng aside. "Brother Da Peng, why don't you take this back to use? I know it hasn't been easy for the crew; I don't need this."

Da Peng: "??? What do you mean? I don't follow."

Zhou Le: "This is a small fortune; the crew must be struggling. If it's really tight, just break this up and give it to the others so everyone gets a little something. We’re all family here, I appreciate the gesture just the same."

Da Peng was left amused and touched. "You've actually moved me. Just keep it. I packed this for you personally because I know your situation hasn't been easy. Having some money in your pocket will give you some peace of mind."

"Oh?"

"Oh, what? I think you have potential. Just remember how I treated you. When I ask you to film something next time, don't ask for a high price—don't go charging me twenty million."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Le tucked the red envelope into his clothes. "Brother Da Peng, one thing at a time. Me accepting this red envelope doesn't mean I’m agreeing to that."