SA | Extra 3

Though there were some twists and turns, the collaboration was finally settled. In the end, Zhang Li didn’t really have to give a huge discount. Later, Gu Deng increased the MV budget and gave Zhang Li a co-creator title.

At first, Zhang Li was reluctant until Gu Deng, with a serious face, said, “Don’t you want your name alongside mine?”

Zhang Li kissed the corner of his mouth, “I’m just worried people will guess our relationship.”

Gu Deng didn’t care, “Let them guess.”

He truly didn’t mind anymore. Compared to those superficial reputations, the feelings of the people around him were more important.

Zhang Li smiled, pulling Gu Deng into his arms and gently coaxed, “I know you care about me, but I also don’t want you to get caught up in public opinion.”

Shen Qinglan also had a big opinion about the co-creation thing, directly telling Gu Deng, “Isn’t this basically an official announcement? And your lyrics, there’s not much difference from going public.”

Gu Deng replied, “Didn’t you say as long as I don’t admit it, people can guess all they want?”

“Fine, do whatever you want,” Shen Qinglan sighed, “It’s not easy to date at your age. When are you going to let us meet him?”

Gu Deng looked up, “What do you want to do?”

“You have no experience at all. Let me check him out, see what kind of person Zhang Li is,” Shen Qinglan glared back, “What if you get tricked by love, and I have to clean up the mess?”

“…”

“Okay,” Gu Deng said, “I’ll see when he’s free.”

“No need to schedule separately,” Shen Qinglan said, “Just on the signing day, during dinner.”

“Alright,” Gu Deng nodded in agreement, then added, “Zhang Li doesn’t have a good relationship with his family and doesn’t really keep in touch. Don’t ask about his family.”

Shen Qinglan: “Got it, got it. Do you think your sister Lan is that annoying?”

It turns out Shen Qinglan isn’t annoying, but she’s definitely not easy to deal with.

On the day they met, Shen Qinglan exchanged pleasantries before quickly getting sharp, smiling as she asked Zhang Li, “I heard you sold your house in New York to move to Beijing for Gu Deng?”

“Yes,” Zhang Li nodded, “I’ve been here for almost a month.”

Shen Qinglan: “Don’t you find it uncomfortable? After all, the climate and lifestyle of the two cities are different, and the social circles are different too. Doesn’t it affect your work?”

Zhang Li: “It doesn’t affect my social life, and my work can be done anywhere.”

Shen Qinglan: “It’s quite a big sacrifice for an international move.”

Zhang Li: “Being with Gu Deng is more important.”

Shen Qinglan smiled slightly, “I heard you two live together. Any issues with lifestyle habits or spending levels?”

Zhang Li asked Gu Deng, “Do you think there are any?”

Gu Deng: “Not really…”

Zhang Li: “I don’t think so either.”

Shen Qinglan: “But our Deng Deng loves to enjoy life. Though he doesn’t spend money like water, he does like expensive and good things. Do you feel burdened by this spending?”

“Sister Lan,” Gu Deng widened his eyes, “I don’t spend his money.”

Shen Qinglan glared at Gu Deng, signaling him not to interrupt.

Zhang Li almost showed his asset certificate, listing his properties, investments, and copyright income to Shen Qinglan, saying, “I completely understand and support the pursuit of a high-quality life. Living better with Gu Deng is also a big motivation for my work.”

“I understand your relationship is good,” Shen Qinglan nodded, “But our Gu Deng is a public figure and might not be able to give you a title. Don’t you feel wronged being with him?”

Zhang Li shook his head, “I don’t care about outsiders’ opinions, as long as we like each other.”

Gu Deng was touched and a bit sad, holding Zhang Li’s hand under the table.

Seeing their intimate little actions, the scrutiny on Shen Qinglan’s face disappeared. She stood up to pour tea for Zhang Li, her tone more sincere, “Sorry, my previous questions were offensive, but please understand my concern. I’ve watched Gu Deng grow up, and it’s the first time I’ve seen him like someone so much.”

Zhang Li looked up at Gu Deng.

Gu Deng was a bit moved, a bit embarrassed, and turned his face away, “It’s not that big of a deal. I’ve liked others before.”

Zhang Li squinted slightly.

Sister Lan continued, “I heard from Gu Deng that you helped him a lot in Alaska. Zhang Li, thank you, and please take good care of him.”

Zhang Li nodded, agreeing to everything.

The dinner ended with both Shen Qinglan and Zhang Li very satisfied, only Gu Deng had a hard time.

That night, Zhang Li grabbed Gu Deng by the waist from behind, asking, “You’ve liked others before?”

“I’m almost 30, so handsome, never dated, it’s already unbelievable enough. Can’t I have liked someone?” Gu Deng argued, “Have you never liked anyone?”

“No,” Zhang Li said firmly, “I’ve only ever liked you.”

“Really?” Hearing this, Gu Deng was a bit happy. He turned to look at Zhang Li but was pressed down by him.

His body pressed against the cold floor-to-ceiling glass, making his muscles tense up. This made Zhang Li uncomfortable too, but he didn’t stop.

Gu Deng was so scared his scalp tingled, his voice trembling, “No, someone will see.”

“They can’t.” Zhang Li responded, not stopping his actions.

“Zhang Li, Zhang Li!” Gu Deng’s body was half pressed against the glass, his voice almost trembling.

Zhang Li finally stopped, carrying him to the bed, gently kissing Gu Deng’s trembling eyelashes and lips, “It’s one-way glass, and the lights are off. No one can see.”

Gu Deng didn’t speak, his eyes wet and red, clearly frightened.

Zhang Li withdrew, gently brushing his sweat-soaked bangs, “Sorry, it was my fault this time. If you don’t like it, I won’t do it again.”

Gu Deng bit Zhang Li’s neck until he tasted blood, then finally let go.

Zhang Li knew he was in the wrong, ready to face Gu Deng’s anger.

But Gu Deng didn’t explode. Instead, he licked the wound and said, “I’ll answer whatever you want to know, and I’ll go along with what you like. But I also have things I don’t like, and I hope you can respect my wishes.”

Zhang Li’s heart softened, nodding, “Sorry, I won’t do anything you don’t like again.”

Gu Deng turned his face, “It’s not about forcing me to do what I don’t like. What you do yourself is none of my business.”

Zhang Li: “Okay.”

“Not mad, right?” Gu Deng asked.

“No,” Zhang Li shook his head, “I’m afraid you’ll be mad.”

“I’m not either,” Gu Deng reached out his hands, “Shall we go again?”

This time it was much gentler, and Gu Deng could even speak. He lay on the bed, squinting, enjoying Zhang Li’s service, watching his face, “Do you mind my past a little? To be honest, I did have a crush on someone.”

Zhang Li paused, looking down at him, “Just a crush?”

“Yeah,” Gu Deng laughed, “It was during my teenage years. I liked a sports athlete. Honestly, I’ve forgotten what he looked like, just remember he had a great body, tall, with beautiful muscles, very sexy, I loved watching him.”

Zhang Li: “What about others?”

Gu Deng: “What others?”

Zhang Li understood, Gu Deng was just purely attracted. Luckily, he had a great body.

Zhang Li propped himself up by Gu Deng’s ears, trying to keep his breathing steady, “You didn’t get together with him?”

“Am I crazy? I was focusing on my career then, how could I reveal a same-sex relationship?”

“Then why did you agree to be with me?”

After all that questioning, it turns out this was what he was waiting for? Gu Deng was generous, saying as much as Zhang Li wanted to hear.

Gu Deng reached out to touch his Adam’s apple, sweet words coming easily, “Can’t help it, I just like you.”

Zhang Li almost lost his composure, but he had to pretend, keeping a calm expression.

Gu Deng, intending to tease, scratched Zhang Li’s back, leaned to his ear, and called, “Zhang Li, boyfriend, husband…”

Zhang Li grabbed Gu Deng’s waist, leaning down.

…

The next day at noon, Gu Deng woke up sore all over, regretting his unguarded words the night before.

Zhang Li’s stamina was too good, and he was almost overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, with the contract finalized, the MV production began.

Ideally, the MV would revisit Alaska, retracing their original route. But due to cost and seasonal constraints, it was seriously vetoed by the studio’s CFO. In cost control, this CFO had significant power, unlike Gu Deng’s aesthetic and preferences, which could have blown the budget sky-high.

In the end, they bought some of Zhang Li’s Alaska footage, combined with some studio or location shots of Gu Deng, to be used in the album.

Interestingly, Zhang Li had shot a lot of videos of Gu Deng, not intentionally, just with a sports camera on his shoulder or while filming animals and landscapes.

Gu Deng was waiting to shoot additional footage. He had a song co-created with Ali and would invite her over for recording as a business collaboration.

With everyone busy, Gu Deng found himself with some free time. Bored, he decided to develop the film Zhang Li had given him.

He had six rolls of film, one from the beach, another from the snowy mountain cabin Zhang Li gave him, and the rest from their intimate moments in the seaside cabin. Not daring to let others handle it, Gu Deng, who couldn’t develop photos, had delayed it until now.

He asked Zhang Li to teach him, and Zhang Li agreed, saying he wanted to develop them together.

Gu Deng: “I’d love to, but won’t it interfere with your work?”

Zhang Li shook his head, “I want to develop them with you.”

So they entered the darkroom, and for the first time, Gu Deng experienced film development.

In the dim room, they placed the negatives in the enlarger, adjusted magnification and focus, exposed the paper, and immersed it in the developer… A photo gradually developed, revealing the Arctic Ocean horizon.

The films weren’t numbered, all mixed together by Gu Deng, but unexpectedly, the first one he picked was his candid shot of Zhang Li. Gu Deng lowered his lashes, feeling a bit guilty. Zhang Li calmly hung the photo to dry, asking if Gu Deng wanted to try.

Gu Deng rolled up his sleeves, “Let me give it a shot.”

He stood at the machine, following Zhang Li’s instructions step by step, exposing, developing, fixing…

The photo that emerged wasn’t his candid shot of Zhang Li, but Zhang Li’s shot of his profile.

What happened on the day this photo was taken?

They had some physical contact for some reason, and Gu Deng had just dreamed about Zhang Li. In the two hours before leaving the village, thinking they would part ways, he boldly took candid shots of Zhang Li.

But why did Zhang Li also take his picture?

Gu Deng’s heart skipped a beat, looking at Zhang Li, “Did you already…”

“Earlier,” Zhang Li said, “I liked you long ago, but I didn’t dare tell you.”

So, even earlier, Zhang Li already…

When Gu Deng was feeling anxious, hesitant, expectant, and tormented by his feelings for Zhang Li, Zhang Li was experiencing the same emotions.

The rush of blood heated Gu Deng’s cheeks, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest.

How strange, he and Zhang Li were already together, yet why did his heart still feel so full and bursting?

Gu Deng placed a hand over his chest, unable to calm his racing heart.

“Zhang Li, something feels off…” he said, puzzled.

“What’s wrong? Feeling unwell?” Zhang Li opened the door, seeing Gu Deng’s flushed face, “Is it stuffy in here? Want to get some air?”

“I don’t know, I just…” Gu Deng suddenly hugged him, tiptoeing to kiss his warm lips, “I don’t know, just let me hold you, kiss you.”

Zhang Li chuckled, leaning in closer.

Gu Deng hugged Zhang Li tightly, kissing passionately, yet still feeling it wasn’t enough, far from enough.

He was immersed in overwhelming happiness, yet felt as if this happiness bound his wings.

He had previously told Sister Lan casually: if they didn’t love each other anymore, there was no need to be together. But now, Gu Deng felt he might never be able to easily let go…

Even if their relationship broke down in the future, if he could muster the courage to leave, he would never forget Zhang Li.

Gu Deng suddenly quieted down, as if a flame had been extinguished.

Zhang Li touched his forehead, “You don’t look well, want to rest?”

Gu Deng shook his head, regaining his calm, “It’s fine, let’s continue.”

They developed all the negatives, each small piece revealing emotions so intense they almost overflowed.

His candid shots of Zhang Li by the sea, Zhang Li’s captures of him in the snowy mountain cabin, and in the seaside cabin, under the never-setting sun of the polar day, entwined and embracing each other’s bodies.

Gu Deng quietly looked at these photos, then suddenly said, “Let’s find a place to hang them up.”

“Many of these show your face,” Zhang Li frowned, disapproving, “The house isn’t completely private. Your agent, assistant, and cleaning lady all come over. We can’t let them see these.”

They had shot a whole roll in the seaside cabin, though some were out of focus, leaving only blurry silhouettes, but indeed many photos exposed Gu Deng entirely.

There were ones where Zhang Li held him like a child, ones of him lying on the bed, kneeling, sitting on Zhang Li, pressed against the window glass…

They had crazily left these photos, each one evidence of his love for Zhang Li, but also enough to ruin Gu Deng’s reputation. So Zhang Li wouldn’t let him hang them.

Gu Deng lowered his eyes, suddenly feeling a bit sad.

He couldn’t publicly announce Zhang Li to the world, and even in his own home, he couldn’t fully be open.

“Don’t be sad,” Zhang Li patted his head, “If you really want to see them, we can turn this darkroom wall into a display area, lock the room, and not let others in.”

Gu Deng nodded, agreeing with Zhang Li’s suggestion.

While waiting for the photos to dry, they returned to the bedroom.

It’s hard to say who initiated it, but this time Gu Deng was more excited than ever, trembling from the start, unable to stop his tears. Zhang Li wanted to pause, worried about his condition, but Gu Deng stubbornly insisted on continuing.

He held Zhang Li tightly, calling his name over and over, as if trying to engrave Zhang Li into his soul and body.