“Two pieces aren’t even enough to fill the gaps between my teeth!”
“Is the gap between your teeth a black hole?”
“Yours is the black hole! You ate half of the ribs!”
“I like eating them, so what if I ate a few?”
“…”
Chu Xingyun and Jiang Xun went back and forth, sniping at each other without either giving an inch. Finally, Chen Shu unable to take it any longer gave Jiang Xun a sharp rap on the head and dragged him to the other side of the table. Only then did the table fall into a tentative silence.
Having successfully protected the ribs, Chu Xingyun hurriedly put two pieces in his bowl. Then, he suddenly froze. He quietly raised his eyes and looked in Cen Jing’s direction.
As expected, yet still catching him off guard, he met a pair of calm eyes.
That gaze was like the surface of a lake in late autumn—ripless and cold. It was faint, devoid of scrutiny, and devoid of avoidance. This excessive calmness made his throat tighten, and even his chewing slowed down. Ultimately, he was the first to lower his head.
Cen Jing slowly withdrew his gaze. While smilingly responding to Ye Hancheng’s conversation, he began to analyze the message conveyed by Chu Xingyun’s recent behavior.
He had indeed made that plate of braised ribs, along with three other dishes. But braised ribs were the dish he made most frequently and best during their time in the group. Combined with Chu Xingyun specifically asking him to make a dish earlier in the kitchen and the fact that the audience already knew he used to cook for him.
Chu Xingyun’s deliberate display of caring about these “braised ribs” was most likely a ploy to mislead the audience. He wanted them to think that ambiguity could still ferment between them.
In moments like these, Chu Xingyun’s acting was always impeccable.
…
“So much delicious food; even our staff are drooling,” the PD said, appearing quietly once the meal was finished. “Then, without further ado, let’s head straight to the next segment—room assignments!”
“The first stage of recording, the first five days, will all take place in this villa. So, how you live and who you live with is a very important matter.”
“There are four rooms in the villa. You can take a free tour in a moment, then discuss together how to distribute the rooms.”
【Production team, you did well! Of course, three rooms would have been even better!】
【I am willing to become a vegetarian for life if it means the “Jia Chan” (Family Property/CP name) pair lies on one bed tonight. [Praying]】
【Exactly! Any conflict between lovers can usually be solved with a night’s sleep! If one night doesn’t work, then two! [Approved]】
【Wait until they scramble the assignments; then you’ll all shut up.】
After the PD finished, the six people present had varying expressions, but no one spoke. Thus, the PD spoke again: “To facilitate the assignment, I’ll do a small survey. Those who want a single room, please raise your hand.”
A second later, six hands went up one by one, including Ye Hancheng, who was already slightly tipsy.
“Ah… it seems everyone wants their own space. Unfortunately, the production team’s budget is limited. We could only find a small villa with four rooms. Please overcome this difficulty.”
Fearing he’d be scolded, the PD hurriedly fished a string of numbered keys from his pocket. “The next hour is for free discussion. Once you have the results, bring the corresponding key to us to claim your suitcases. When claiming, you must specify if you are taking them for one person or two.”
Having said his piece, he tossed the keys on the table and turned to leave. The six people looked at each other.
“Let’s go see the rooms first,” Cen Jing said, rising first and naturally taking the keys into his own hand. “We’ll decide after seeing the rooms.”
“Sure, maybe the single rooms are in terrible condition?”
“Yeah, maybe the double rooms have two beds?”
“…”
Soon, the room tour was over. Unfortunately, aside from being slightly smaller, the single rooms were perfectly well-equipped. Even more unfortunately, the double rooms did not have two beds.
After a brief standoff, the six decided to split up to talk.
Jiang Xun, with a stiff face, was the first to hook his arm around Chu Xingyun’s neck and drag him out. They walked to a secluded spot in the courtyard, chased away the follow-PD, and reached a place with no one around.
“Brother,” he said, his tone serious and deep. “I have a reason why I must stay in a single room.”
Chu Xingyun raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
To go this far just to speak, it was likely something that couldn’t see the light of day. This brainless guy was just fighting with him at the table, and now he was actively handing over a weakness.
Jiang Xun took a deep breath, looking as if he had made a huge decision. “I’m gay.”
“What?” Chu Xingyun asked instinctively.
“I’m homosexual!” Jiang Xun thought Chu Xingyun didn’t understand the term. “I like men, got it?”
“…” Chu Xingyun tossed the hand off his shoulder and brushed the spot. “You like Chen Shu?”
“I don’t like him!” Jiang Xun denied immediately. “What does this have to do with him? I said I like men! It’s precisely because I don’t have a specific person I like that I can’t sleep with any man, understand?”
“That’s logical, but…” Chu Xingyun had an odd expression. “How did you find out you like men?”
Jiang Xun scratched his head, seemingly reluctant to answer.
“If you don’t tell the truth, it’ll be hard for me to help,” Chu Xingyun shrugged, feigning difficulty.
“Fine, it’s not like I can’t say it.” Jiang Xun acted as if he didn’t care. “It was the year Chen Shu and I won the World Championship. When we were holding the trophy on stage and the golden rain was falling, I locked eyes with him…”
Chu Xingyun didn’t make a sound, waiting for the rest.
Jiang Xun: “Then my brain went blank. I couldn’t hear anything. There was only one thought left.”
“What thought? Wanted to hug him? Or kiss him?” Chu Xingyun guessed with interest.
“F**k, how did you know I wanted to kiss him?” Jiang Xun’s entire face turned beet red. “I was scared to death, okay? Luckily I controlled myself.”
“Then you do like Chen Shu.” Chu Xingyun bent down, plucked a blade of grass, and toyed with it. “Why won’t you admit it?”
“I don’t like him!” Jiang Xun emphasized again. “It was just an illusion created by the atmosphere.”
“Then why didn’t you want to kiss your other teammates?”
“Holy s**t.” Jiang Xun felt a chill just thinking about it. “With the way they look? I’d be vomiting for three days if I kissed one of them.”
“Oh… so you…”
“So, I just like good-looking men!” Jiang Xun hurriedly cut Chu Xingyun off. “All of you are pretty good-looking. I’m afraid my primal instincts will take over and I’ll kiss you by force. It’s safest for me to live alone!”
Chu Xingyun nodded in agreement. “Makes sense.”
“Good brother, I knew you’d help me.”
“Whether I can actually help…” Chu Xingyun tossed the grass away and brushed off his hem as he walked back. “That remains to be seen.”
“Hey—” Jiang Xun hurriedly followed. “I even told you my secret…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll do my best.”
…
By the time the two returned to the villa, the single room on the first floor already had an owner.
“Teacher Lin is a light sleeper and is used to waking up early for exercise, so we all agreed,” Cen Jing explained to the two newcomers.
Chen Shu: “What did you two discuss?”
“I agree the first-floor single room goes to the old man,” Jiang Xun said, popping a mint into his mouth. “But the second-floor single room has to be mine.”
Chen Shu gave a half-smile. “Who are you again?”
“What’s it to you?” Likely because they had just discussed the past, Jiang Xun was a bit afraid to look at Chen Shu. He nudged his “good brother” Chu Xingyun and whispered: “You go convince Cen Jing, I’ll go convince Ye Hancheng.”
As long as the remaining four agreed to let him have the single room, Chen Shu’s opinion wouldn’t matter.
“Oh.” Chu Xingyun followed the momentum of the nudge and took two steps toward Cen Jing. “Then… let’s talk, Ge.”
Cen Jing thought Jiang Xun might have a secret he didn’t want to go public, so he took the initiative to ask: “In private?”
“Mm.”
【I’m gonna throw a fit! What on earth could there be that we viewers aren’t allowed to hear?! AHHHH!】
【Production team, I’m so disappointed in you. You didn’t hide a camera to follow them? Don’t you know how to capture a viral moment?!】
【If you don’t let me watch, I’m going to start rumors that they’re kissing in private. [Smile]】
【It’s not a rumor.】
Chu Xingyun and Cen Jing didn’t leave the villa; instead, they headed toward the familiar area near the restroom.
“What’s wrong with Jiang Xun?” Cen Jing asked first.
“Let’s not talk about him yet.” Chu Xingyun blinked slowly, the corners of his eyes naturally upturned. “Ge, you respect the elders and love the young; you probably never even thought about fighting for the single room, did you?”
Cen Jing: “Not fighting for it doesn’t mean I don’t want it.”
“Oh… then have you thought about who you want to share a room with?”
“No.”
“If you’re considering the audience, you should be with me.” Chu Xingyun’s tone was calm, as if he were discussing business.
Cen Jing slowly lowered his eyes, his lashes casting shallow shadows on his cheeks.
Considering the audience? The audience naturally wanted to see people who had “broken up” living in the same room to catch a glimpse of the secrets they wanted to know. Even if they couldn’t see anything, just the fact that they lived together was enough for the audience to imagine a wealth of non-existent content.
Wanting attention, considering the fans’ preferences, sparking discussion… Chu Xingyun really wanted to replicate the path they took back then.
“Unwilling?” Seeing Cen Jing remain silent, Chu Xingyun pressed anxiously, his voice rising. “Why are you unwilling? Would you rather share a bed with a stranger than with me?”
“Keep it down.” Cen Jing saw his anxiety and restlessness but ultimately couldn’t bring himself to call him out. “…I didn’t say I was unwilling. Let’s hear what the others think first.”
“In any case… I don’t want to sleep with a stranger.” Chu Xingyun bit his lower lip lightly, his teeth sinking into the soft flesh.
Cen Jing looked away. “Isn’t your relationship with Jiang Xun quite good?”
“That’s exactly the point…” Chu Xingyun’s eyes were innocent. “He likes men! And he wants to kiss every pretty guy he sees. For the sake of my purity, I absolutely cannot sleep with him.”
Cen Jing: “…”
Cen Jing: “Exaggerating again?”
“I’m really not.” Chu Xingyun raised his hand to swear. “He said it himself.”
Cen Jing remained noncommittal. “I like men too.”
“You’re different… you never take the initiative to kiss people.” The inappropriate words slipped out of Chu Xingyun’s mouth naturally. “Back then, wasn’t it always me who kissed you first?”
Cen Jing instinctively took half a step back, only to hit the wall behind him with a dull thud.
How could this person be so casual when saying such things?
“Let the past stay in the past,” Cen Jing said softly. “Don’t mention it again.”
“When Ge films kiss scenes, do you also require the actress to take the initiative?” The more he was told not to, the more Chu Xingyun wanted to mention it.
Cen Jing rubbed his forehead wearily. “I act however the script is arranged.”
“Right.” A bright smile broke out on Chu Xingyun’s face. “I’ve seen Ge’s kiss scenes; you were the one who took the initiative.”
Cen Jing: “I suppose so.”
“I would never remember it wrong.” Chu Xingyun was smiling, but his eyes were cold. “…Do you know what I wanted to ‘exchange’ with her earlier?”
It took several seconds for Cen Jing to realize who “she” was. “Yu Lian?”
Chu Xingyun: “I wanted to ask her exactly what it felt like to kiss Ge’s mouth, and if it felt any different from when I kissed you…”
“Chu Xingyun.” Cen Jing warned in a low voice. “Don’t go crazy in front of me.”
He had realized it now… off-camera, Chu Xingyun couldn’t even pretend to be a normal person for more than a few seconds.
“I can’t ask her anyway, so what’s there to panic about?” Chu Xingyun clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, relying on the pain to stop himself from saying anything more “outrageous.” “Or… perhaps Ge should be the one to tell me: what was the difference between kissing her and kissing me?”
“There was no difference.” Seeing that he intended to continue, Cen Jing’s voice suddenly turned heavy. “Both were just kissing an actor who had entered their role.”