“Don’t worry, I’ll see him back to his room safely.” Cen Jing smiled at Lin Shen, then handed water and tissues to the dry-heaving Ye Hancheng. “Brother Ye… take it slow…”
“Sorry for the trouble.” Lin Shen felt a bit embarrassed. His peripheral vision caught the book in Cen Jing’s hand, and his eyes widened in surprise. “You actually brought my book?”
“Of course.” Cen Jing lightly patted Ye Hancheng’s back. “In my spare time, I always look for books to read. For a late-bloomer actor like me, acting, lines, understanding the story and characters… these are all areas where I need to learn. Your book has been a huge help.”
“I don’t have much of an impression of what I wrote in there anymore.” Lin Shen casually flipped the book open and could clearly see the traces of it being read many times. “This book, let me borrow it for a bit.”
He suddenly thought that perhaps the things he lacked now could be found in his past self.
“Sure.” Cen Jing helped Ye Hancheng up and said with a smile, “Just remember to sign it when you return it to me.”
“Don’t worry, I haven’t reached the age of forgetfulness yet,” Lin Shen joked self-deprecatingly.
“Then I’ll take Brother Ye up first. Please get some rest early.”
…
After bringing Ye Hancheng back to Single Room No. 2, Cen Jing stood on the balcony for a while before returning to his own room. The main lights had been turned off, leaving only the two-night lamps hanging over the headboard lit.
Chu Xingyun was leaning against the center of the headboard, scrolling through his phone.
…There was a sudden, inexplicable pressure in the air.
“Which side of the bed do you want to sleep on?” Cen Jing stood at the foot of the bed, his voice low and raspy.
Chu Xingyun set his phone aside and looked at Cen Jing with studied composure. “Why? Are you going to place a row of bowls filled with water in the middle of the bed after I pick a side?”
Cen Jing: “…That’s too much trouble.”
Chu Xingyun’s eyes widened. “You actually didn’t deny it?”
Cen Jing countered, “Was that not a denial?”
“Not doing it because it’s a hassle and not wanting to do it at all are two different things.” Chu Xingyun gritted his teeth in annoyance. “…Cen Jing, are you trying to piss me off on purpose?”
“Whether it’s on purpose or not, you’re already pissed.” Cen Jing didn’t understand why Chu Xingyun’s fuse was so short these days. He lifted the blanket from the right side and got into bed. “…We have to record the show tomorrow. Sleep early.”
Fortunately, the bed in this room was large. Even with Chu Xingyun occupying the center, Cen Jing could still find enough space for himself while maintaining a certain distance… though he ran the risk of falling off if he turned to the right.
Chu Xingyun was quiet for a moment before reaching out to turn off the night lamp. The room plunged into darkness. Cen Jing sensed the movement of his body sliding under the covers.
“Ge,” Chu Xingyun spoke in a negotiating tone after lying down. “Could you be a little nicer to me, please?”
Cen Jing wanted to pretend to be asleep and not answer, but he knew this person wouldn’t stop until he got a response. “Was I that bad to you today?”
He didn’t think so.
“Terrible,” Chu Xingyun said decisively. “So polite, so cold, so distant.”
Cen Jing let out a soft sigh. “If you spoke fewer ‘weird’ things, we could finish recording this show in peace.”
In truth, he really wanted to pretend nothing had ever happened and put on a harmonious act with Chu Xingyun. But the problem was that this man would constantly drop ill-timed remarks about their real past, forcing him to remember those painful times that were so hard to quit. To say he didn’t care was, of course, impossible. To stop Chu Xingyun from continuing, he had no choice but to swing a cold blade.
“If you’re nicer to me, I won’t say them,” Chu Xingyun whispered.
Cen Jing: “What counts as being ‘nicer’?”
Chu Xingyun thought for a while before saying, “…Don’t make me feel jealous.”
Cen Jing: “…”
An incomprehensible standard.
Seeing that there was no reply for a long time, Chu Xingyun pressed, “Is that a yes?”
“I will.” Cen Jing chose to pacify the man first so he could get a peaceful night’s sleep.
“Liar.” Chu Xingyun saw through it in a second. “But the fact that you’re willing to lie to me is a bit of progress.”
He shifted his body, moving a bit further toward the other side of the bed. “Sleep closer this way. Don’t fall off.”
Cen Jing didn’t resist and moved toward the center a bit. There was still enough room between them for another grown man to sleep comfortably.
“Then, goodnight,” Cen Jing said.
“Goodnight.”
After reaching a brief consensus with Chu Xingyun, Cen Jing thought he would fall asleep quickly. However, his ears kept involuntarily catching the sound of the other person’s light breathing in the room, causing his already thin sleepiness to vanish without a trace. Fearing he would disturb Chu Xingyun, he didn’t even dare to toss and turn.
After enduring this for a while, it became truly uncomfortable. He planned to get out of bed and find somewhere outside to stay for a bit.
Just as he pinched the edge of the blanket, preparing to get out of bed in the dark, the mattress let out a tiny creak first. Chu Xingyun, on the other side, was quietly approaching.
He leaned in slowly, as if testing the water temperature, and finally rested his forehead lightly against Cen Jing’s shoulder. His breathing was intentionally softened, but it couldn’t hide the fact that his heart was pounding like a drum.
After leaning like this for about a minute, he pushed his luck further, groping around until he gently grasped Cen Jing’s hand resting by his side. He rubbed Cen Jing’s knuckles with his thumb, his movements as gentle as if he were polishing a precious treasure.
Seeing no reaction from the other party, Chu Xingyun grew bold. He pressed closer to Cen Jing and guided that warm palm to move slowly until the tips of those fingers hooked onto the hem of his pajamas. After a brief pause, he continued until the palm was completely pressed against his lower abdomen.
“Ge…” he whispered, “I’m so hot. After your palm covered my stomach, I feel even hotter.”
Cen Jing, who hadn’t fled the moment the other approached, could only pretend Chu Xingyun was talking to himself. The delicate sensation burned up along his nerve endings; he had to use every ounce of strength to keep his breathing steady.
Chu Xingyun guided his hand to roam over his abdomen. Every inch of movement brought a new shiver. The firm muscle texture rose and fell under his palm, and a light sweat made the touch slippery.
…There was a low sound of panting in his ear.
“If Ge continues to pretend to be asleep,” Chu Xingyun suddenly let out a light laugh, leading Cen Jing’s hand toward a more dangerous area, “…I’m going to play with something else.”
“…You.” Cen Jing snapped his hand back. “Are you crazy?”
His breathing was uncontrollably erratic. He had no idea when this person had realized he was faking sleep.
“Ge.” Chu Xingyun’s voice carried a sense of lazy pleasure. “Should I not have exposed you? Actually, you were enjoying it too, looking forward to it, weren’t you?”
Cen Jing was both ashamed and annoyed. “…No.”
He only wanted to pretend to be asleep to avoid unnecessary interaction. Who knew some people would be so bold and reckless?
“But this is too inefficient.” Chu Xingyun hooked his calf around Cen Jing’s. “If we cooperate… it’ll be better.”
Cen Jing’s spine went stiff. “Cooperate with what?”
“Didn’t I say… I’m hot.” Chu Xingyun spoke as if describing a perfectly legitimate need. “Ge helps me cool down, and I’ll help Ge…”
His words were ambiguous, but Cen Jing knew exactly what he meant.
“I don’t need it.” Cen Jing hurriedly threw off the blanket and got out of bed. “You… handle it yourself.”
“How can you be like this…” Chu Xingyun’s tone was aggrieved. “My fingers aren’t as long as yours…”
…Crazy.
Cen Jing grabbed his phone from the nightstand, used the faint glow of the screen to find his shoes, and walked out with hurried, flustered steps. “I’ll be back in half an hour.”
After taking two steps, he added: “If you’re not done by the time the half hour is up, send me a message.”
“So much trouble…” Chu Xingyun grumbled in a low voice. “It would only take ten minutes if Ge was willing to help.”
The only response he got was the sound of Cen Jing opening and then closing the door.
Chu Xingyun’s lips curled up as he rolled into the spot where Cen Jing had just been lying, burying his face in the pillow that still held a lingering warmth. The faint scent of roses swirled in his breath. It was the smell of the shower gel someone frequently used.
“And yet your heart was beating even faster than mine…”
…
Cen Jing glanced down at the time and walked aimlessly through the common area on the second floor. Just as he was planning to go to the media room to kill those thirty minutes, he noticed the lights were on in the game room next door.
After a moment of hesitation, he pushed the door and entered. One of the two computers in the game room was lit, and Jiang Xun was sitting there playing a game. Hearing the door open, he gave a start, nearly flinging his mouse away. He quickly looked back and, seeing it was Cen Jing, let out a long breath of relief.
“You here to play games too?” he greeted casually.
“Can’t really sleep, just coming out to sit for a bit.” Cen Jing pulled out the chair for the other computer and sat down without turning it on.
“…Mm, sit wherever.”
Jiang Xun could snipe at Chu Xingyun without reservation, but he wasn’t really close to Cen Jing, so he had to be a bit more restrained.
Cen Jing noticed the lighter and cigarettes on the desk, as well as an ashtray already holding five or six cigarette butts. “Do you mind if I borrow a smoke?”
“Help yourself.” Jiang Xun’s fingers tapped the keyboard rapidly. “Don’t be so polite.”
“Thanks.”
Cen Jing thanked him in a low voice and reached out for the lighter and cigarettes. He pulled one out and bit it between his lips.
Click—
The lighter sparked a blue flame, and the tobacco crackled softly as it burned. Cen Jing tilted his head back and blew out a smoke ring, the grayish-white mist rising slowly under the lights. The nicotine briefly soothed his agitation.
“Brother,” Jiang Xun spoke to Cen Jing while waiting for his character to respawn. “The bed in your room must be pretty big, right?”
Cen Jing lightly tapped off the ash. “…Probably about the same as your room.”
“Then, I have something to discuss with you.”
“What is it?”
“Hehe…” Jiang Xun gave an embarrassed laugh. “Can I sleep with you guys tonight?”
“Why?” Cen Jing asked instinctively.
“Uh… the specific reason isn’t very convenient to explain.” Jiang Xun turned back to the screen that had lit up again, mindlessly controlling his game character. “It’s okay if you don’t agree. I can just stay the night here.”
“…I agree.” Whether out of humanitarian concern or worry about the situation back in the room, Cen Jing was bound to agree. “…But I have one requirement.”
Jiang Xun didn’t care. “Say it.”
Cen Jing: “You sleep in the middle.”