Yan Su Ang thought Xiao Bai was acting strangely today. Very strangely.
Ever since earlier, Xiao Bai had kept glancing at him, looking as though he wanted to say something but kept stopping himself. Even Jia Zhi Qing, who was standing beside him, seemed somewhat distracted.
Lian Jue Xiu handed out the boarding passes. “Two more cities and we can go home. Hang in there, everyone.”
Yan Su Ang said, “When did you become a tour guide?”
Lian Jue Xiu shrugged. “Too much energy. I have to vent some of it. Is that a problem?”
“There aren’t any scandals about me in the papers today.” Yan Su Ang could not resist reminding him about their bet.
Lian Jue Xiu gave him a sidelong look. “You hid in your room at seven last night and didn’t come out until this morning. Even if there were news, it could only say that the mighty Heavenly King spent the night pleasuring himself alone in his room. What other news could there be?”
Yan Su Ang glared fiercely at him. “Get lost.”
“We’re about to get on a plane. Where exactly am I supposed to get lost to?” Lian Jue Xiu asked.
Yan Su Ang said, “Have you ever considered sitting on the wing and enjoying some open-air travel?”
Lian Jue Xiu said, “Have you ever considered showing a little love for your fellow countrymen?”
…
The two of them turned their heads away from each other.
Jia Zhi Qing could not quite describe what he was feeling.
If he said he was looking forward to it, then yes, he really was looking forward to seeing Great God’s expression once he discovered that Jia Zhi Qing had quietly helped bring everything together behind the scenes.
If he said he was worried, then yes, he really was worried too. After all, a same-sex relationship was not something that could be openly exposed, especially for two entertainers. Although he knew Great God would never let Xiao Bai down, he still could not stop himself from worrying about their future.
Jia Zhi Qing felt more and more like a mother bird.
While his thoughts were running wild, Yan Su Ang was already walking toward him.
Jia Zhi Qing’s heart tightened, and his face instantly filled with a fawning smile. “Great God.”
Yan Su Ang said, “Did you do something behind my back that you ought to feel guilty about?”
…
The corners of Jia Zhi Qing’s mouth drooped, tears gathering in his eyes. “Great God, you’ve terribly misunderstood—”
“Good, as long as you didn’t.” Yan Su Ang turned around and walked away.
…
Great God, I actually have a meritorious contribution I haven’t reported yet!
Jia Zhi Qing continued agonizing.
Yan Su Ang turned around, intending to talk to Xiao Bai, only to catch Lian Jue Xiu inserting himself between them again out of the corner of his eye.
“This airport is huge. There are plenty of places capable of accommodating your bulk, so why do you insist on fighting me for the same mouthful of air?” Yan Su Ang snapped.
Lian Jue Xiu snorted. “You think I want to? I’m only trying to keep reporters from getting shots of you and Xiao Bai alone together.”
“You think they won’t write anything as long as it isn’t just the two of us in the picture?”
Lian Jue Xiu rubbed his chin. “Come to think of it, it’s strange. You and I have worked together so many times. Why have we never had a scandal?”
“…” Yan Su Ang said, “Are you complaining?”
“I’m merely examining the issue from an academic perspective,” Lian Jue Xiu said. “Normally, there shouldn’t be that many scandals between two men. So why does Xiao Bai keep getting them?”
Yan Su Ang gazed at Xiao Bai, who was sitting with his head lowered over a book, and smiled. “Because Xiao Bai is constantly radiating a light that makes it impossible to look away.”
“A light bulb?”
“…”
Inside the airplane cabin.
Before Yan Su Ang could even approach, Jia Zhi Qing tactfully vacated the seat beside Xiao Bai.
Yan Su Ang sat down in satisfaction, only to discover that Xiao Bai’s gaze remained fixed on Jia Zhi Qing’s retreating back. His mood immediately soured. “Jia Zhi Qing probably really enjoys sitting with Lian Jue Xiu.”
“Uh.” Xiao Bai hesitated. “Maybe I should sit with him instead?”
Yan Su Ang’s displeasure climbed higher. “Is sitting with me no good?” Damn Jia Zhi Qing. What exactly had he done to Xiao Bai last night? Why was Xiao Bai acting so strangely today?
Xiao Bai said, “But Zhi Qing…”
The cabin announcement began.
The flight attendants slowly withdrew.
The scenery outside started sliding backward.
“All right, enough about him.” Yan Su Ang seized the opportunity to cut off the subject. “Did you sleep well last night?”
“No,” Xiao Bai answered honestly.
As far as Yan Su Ang knew, Xiao Bai had always slept extremely well. Something really must have happened last night. At that thought, his smile deepened, and he coaxed gently, “What happened? Why didn’t you sleep well?”
“Because Zhi Qing kept shaking me awake.”
“Shaking you?” Yan Su Ang’s voice rose slightly, drawing glances from a flight attendant and several other passengers.
He immediately tugged his baseball cap lower. “Why was Jia Zhi Qing shaking you?”
“Because he wanted me to watch a video.”
…
Yan Su Ang’s fists were already cracking. “What kind of video?”
“One with two men doing the things married couples do.”
…
Yan Su Ang gritted his teeth. “He actually showed you that kind of video?”
“Mm.”
“And it was just the two of you alone in the room?”
Xiao Bai nodded again.
“…” Yan Su Ang decided that if Xiao Bai nodded at his next question too, he would immediately charge over, twist Jia Zhi Qing’s head off, and use it as an air-to-air missile. “Did he do anything to you afterward?”
“What kind of thing?”
“Like taking off your clothes?”
“…” Xiao Bai said, “I changed into my pajamas myself. Why would he have to take them off?”
So he had not undressed him. The flames of rage and jealousy in Yan Su Ang’s heart slowly died down a little. “What else did he do?”
“I don’t know.” Xiao Bai rubbed his eyes. “Actually, I didn’t see anything last night. I was too sleepy.”
“Good. It’s good that you didn’t see it.” Yan Su Ang slowly exhaled.
Xiao Bai continued, “But I watched it by myself this morning.”
…
Yan Su Ang said, “And then?”
“And then?” Xiao Bai thought about it, then suddenly blinked up at him. “So when are we going to do it?”
Yan Su Ang: “…”
“Urgh!”
“Ah!”
The two cries came almost simultaneously.
Xiao Bai and Yan Su Ang whipped their heads around.
Jia Zhi Qing was half sprawled over Lian Jue Xiu. Yellow bile was dripping down between their pressed-together thighs.
Xiao Bai said, “That’s why I said I should sit with Zhi Qing.”
Yan Su Ang said, “It’s fine. Lian Jue Xiu will have to get used to it sooner or later.”
Lian Jue Xiu really was beginning to get used to it.
After his initial cry of alarm, he became remarkably composed.
He helped Jia Zhi Qing lean back against the seat, placed a hot towel over his face, poured him some water, then wiped Jia Zhi Qing’s trousers clean before finally cleaning his own.
After resting for a while, Jia Zhi Qing defended himself. “I’m only like this during takeoff.”
Without even raising his head from his trousers, Lian Jue Xiu said seriously, “I have doubts about that statement.”
“Why?”
“I’m certain you’re like this when you’re drunk too.”
“…” Jia Zhi Qing suddenly remembered that after he had gotten drunk last time, the person who cleaned up the mess seemed to have been Lian Jue Xiu too. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” As Lian Jue Xiu wiped, he thought, Everything I’m paying out today will eventually be collected back.
Jia Zhi Qing said, “You’re not going to sit with me on planes anymore after this, are you?”
Lian Jue Xiu came back to himself. “Why not?”
“Because Gao Qin decided it that way.”
“Gao Qin has Feng Ya Lun.”
“…” A sliver of clarity emerged through Jia Zhi Qing’s grogginess. “What does that mean?”
Lian Jue Xiu leaned back against the seat and turned his head until his lips were almost touching Jia Zhi Qing’s ear. “It means… I made a bet with Yan Su Ang, and I lost.”
…
If he had not just finished vomiting and been too weak to move, Jia Zhi Qing would definitely have jumped up and shouted, Are you kidding me?!
Although he did not have the strength to jump up and yell, several vicious daggers still flew from his eyes. “You don’t strike me as someone who honors bets.”
Lian Jue Xiu smiled wickedly. “I wasn’t before. That doesn’t mean I can’t be now. Starting today, I’ve decided to become a man who keeps his promises.”
“I think that decision was way too hasty.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll carry it out very carefully.”
Jia Zhi Qing looked miserable. “Man, what exactly did I ever do to offend you?”
Offend him?
Perhaps it had been Jia Zhi Qing’s tenderness that night when he drove Lian Jue Xiu home, stopped the car, and covered him with his clothes.
Or perhaps it had been Jia Zhi Qing’s thoughtfulness when, despite grumbling nonstop, he went downstairs to buy Lian Jue Xiu a cup of hot soy milk while Lian was searching for his underwear.
The corner of Lian Jue Xiu’s mouth curved upward. “Actually, there are enormous benefits to being with me.”
“…”
“For one thing, you’d never have to worry about me withholding your salary.”
Jia Zhi Qing’s tone immediately turned hostile. “Are you saying you’d withhold it otherwise?”
Lian Jue Xiu did not answer directly. “As long as you’re with me, I could even let you manage all my assets.”
“Pfft. How much money could you possibly have?” That was what he said, but his ears had quietly perked up.
Lian Jue Xiu leaned close and whispered a number into his ear.
Jia Zhi Qing could not help swallowing.
After handing him the candy, Lian Jue Xiu immediately brought out the whip. “And that way, you wouldn’t have to worry about my mother flying into a rage when the truth comes out.”
“You think I’m scared?” Jia Zhi Qing closed his eyes, and his mind instantly filled with Mother Lian’s rapid-fire roaring.
Lian Jue Xiu administered the final dose. “Most importantly, I’ve realized that I like you.”
…
Jia Zhi Qing rubbed his arms. “Doesn’t saying something like that to another man make you feel awkward?”
“No. I’m gay.”
…
Actually, Jia Zhi Qing had not really been asking Lian Jue Xiu that question. He had been asking himself. Perhaps because he had spent too much time around Great God and Gao Qin, the word gay no longer caused him the slightest discomfort or rejection. It felt almost as ordinary as a man and woman dating.
Could it be… that he had been assimilated too?
“No way…” Jia Zhi Qing muttered in shock.
In the life he had originally planned for himself, he would be married before he turned thirty. His family would consist of a beautiful, gentle, understanding wife and either a lively, mischievous son or an adorable little princess. It absolutely, positively would not include the man beside him. Even if that man did have a mountain of gold strapped to his back—the sort Jia Zhi Qing had never even dared dream about before.
He shook his head violently.
Lian Jue Xiu supported him worriedly. “Do you feel like throwing up again?”
Jia Zhi Qing froze.
He had assumed that after being vomited all over earlier, Lian Jue Xiu would at least have some reservations. Yet the way he reached out now was completely natural.
…This kind of tenderness was clearly supposed to happen between me and my beautiful wife! Why is it happening like this?!
Seeing the confusion and distress in Jia Zhi Qing’s eyes, Lian Jue Xiu secretly felt quite pleased with himself. He was an internationally renowned director, after all. Romantic, tender scenes were something he handled with considerable expertise. People were always easiest to conquer when they were at their most vulnerable.
He was confident that his days of lying awake alone at night would not last much longer.
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