Fellow Sufferers in Misery
The destination was reached quickly, and as soon as they got out of the car, both men instinctively adopted a guarded and aloof demeanor.
In front of them stood a well-known bar in X City. Wen Muyan gestured for Xiao Han to enter first, then pushed the door open and walked in.
The bar was bustling only at night, with few patrons during the day. Wen Muyan led Xiao Han around for a symbolic tour before stopping at a door marked “Staff Only.” The two guards at the door understood and opened it, revealing its unexpected heaviness as the noise from inside rushed out.
It turned out that the inner room of the bar was where the real value of the establishment lay. The main hall was lavishly decorated, with several private rooms along the corridor, fully equipped with various gambling tools. The outer hall was relatively noisy, filled with red-eyed gamblers. The service was attentive yet discreet, with two doors separating the bustling casino from the quiet bar. Only regulars and new guests introduced by trusted patrons were allowed inside.
Xiao Han showed no surprise, following Wen Muyan around. A beautiful waitress approached, offering each of them a drink without saying much. Xiao Han mentally applauded the service here, noting that a high-class casino was indeed different.
“So, are you satisfied, Mr. Xiao?” Wen Muyan sipped his drink, smiling confidently.
“Not bad. I hope the other places won’t disappoint me either.” Xiao Han nodded.
“Then it’s time to fulfill your promise, isn’t it?”
“Is it really as simple as just meeting him?” Xiao Han looked at him mockingly. “You want to rescue him, but he might not want to go with you.”
Wen Muyan frowned slightly. “That’s none of your concern, Mr. Xiao.”
Xiao Han found his serious demeanor amusing. The scene had played out enough, so he gave Wen Muyan a knowing look. “Since it’s a bar, you should at least buy me a drink.”
“Of course.” Wen Muyan smiled knowingly.
“I’m going to have a drink with Mr. Wen. You all head back first.” Xiao Han turned to instruct his subordinates, who immediately objected. They were not comfortable leaving their young master with someone as dangerous as Wen Muyan.
“I’ll call you if there’s any trouble.” Xiao Han was unconcerned, holding a glass in one hand and with the other in his pocket, he strolled towards the bar’s private room, looking every bit the playboy who owned the place.
“But, young master—”
“Really, are you worried I’ll eat your young master?” Wen Muyan chuckled, blocking the door to prevent the bodyguards from following. Without the script’s constraints, his smile was downright chilling.
Once the door to the private room shut with a click, the suited men exchanged glances and reluctantly left, leaving a few to guard the bar entrance.
The private room was all about privacy. Without ringing the bell, no one would disturb them. A long sectional sofa lined the wall, with a table full of drinks, dice, and cards. Opposite was a rear-projection TV and karaoke sound system.
“…Are they all gone?” Wen Muyan peered through the glass on the door, confirming no one was outside before relaxing. Turning around, he was startled to see Xiao Han sitting on the sofa, undressing. His heart skipped a beat, and he stammered, “W-what are you doing?”
“Taking off my clothes.” Xiao Han frowned, tossing his coat aside, then his vest, leaving only a white shirt unbuttoned to reveal a stretch of firm chest and abs. He rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, fanning himself with the shirt’s hem. “Wearing a coat in this heat, trying to act cool, the autumn heat is unbearable. Where’s the air conditioning?”
He looked Wen Muyan up and down in surprise. “I see you’re not only a good actor but also have maxed-out heat resistance skills. Truly a jack of all trades…”
Although Xiao Han’s face and physique were exactly Wen Muyan’s type, there were more important matters at hand than fooling around. So, with great resolve, Wen Muyan ignored the “temptation.” As Xiao Han muttered while searching for the air conditioner remote, Wen Muyan sat on the sofa, turned Xiao Han to face him, and asked seriously, “How did you become KFC—oh no, I mean, how did you become ‘Scumbag Xiao Han’?”
Xiao Han paused, then shook his head heavily. “I don’t know either. My first script wasn’t as an emperor, but a modern stand-in drama. This is already my third life.”
“…I see.” Wen Muyan looked at him sympathetically, pouring them both a drink. As he drank, he vented his frustration. “I woke up to find myself in ancient clothing, surrounded by servants calling me ‘Prince,’ and I nearly pissed myself in shock!”
Xiao Han raised his glass to clink with his, patting his shoulder with a heavy heart. “I understand you!”
Wen Muyan was moved to tears again.
“…Besides the main plot, I often dream of us in modern clothes. I think I even hit you.” Wen Muyan frowned, recalling.
Xiao Han thought for a moment and said, “I guess that was my first life.”
He briefly recounted the plot of his first script, ending with a frustrated sigh. “I didn’t know the consequences back then. I went against the script’s arrangement and ended up in a second script.”
Now it was Wen Muyan’s turn to console him. “Actually, I kind of know the outcome of breaking the rules…”
“How do you know?” Xiao Han looked up in surprise.
His companion looked at him sympathetically. “The script showed me the scene of you being hit by a car.”
“…” Xiao Han said expressionlessly, “What kind of comfort is that?”
Though it was a tragic story that would make anyone cry, Wen Muyan couldn’t help but laugh unkindly.
Xiao Han downed his drink in one go, feeling the burn in his throat, and poured another. “Since you knew breaking the rules would get you killed, why did you self-destruct near the end?”
“…Sigh, you don’t understand.” Wen Muyan clinked glasses with him, lamenting, “You should be like me, only able to see the upcoming plot, not the end.”
Seeing Xiao Han nod in agreement, he took another sip before continuing, “So by that time, I realized the plot wanted me to agree to Zhuo Fan’s request, go to the battlefield with you, and take a fatal arrow for you, fulfilling my role as cannon fodder and dying heroically!”
“…” Xiao Han was speechless.
Wen Muyan slapped the table in anger. “Either way, it’s death! Why do I have to be the eternal backup? Instead of being completely used by the script, I’d rather go out with a bang!”
“Well said!” This resonated with Xiao Han, who laughed heartily, wrapping an arm around Wen Muyan’s neck. “Speaking of which, seeing you scold Zhuo Fan into a stupor in the last life was incredibly satisfying.”
In no time, several empty bottles littered the table. Wen Muyan’s cheeks were flushed, though it was unclear if from excitement or intoxication. He rested his forehead against Xiao Han’s face, his hand on the other’s back, chuckling as if recalling something amusing. “You know, watching you pretend to be all serious last life nearly made me burst with laughter. You seem all deep and cool on the outside, but you’re actually so childish…”
Though Xiao Han was also quite drunk, his ears were still sharp. He kicked Wen Muyan, annoyed. “Who are you calling childish? You’re the childish one!”
“Was it me who put underwear on someone’s head as childish revenge?” Wen Muyan poked his cheek.
Xiao Han caught his hand, disdainfully saying, “You’re no better. You look like a devoted good guy, but you’re full of schemes, a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”
Wen Muyan retorted, “You can’t get ivory from a dog’s mouth!”
Xiao Han shot back, “Let’s see you try!”
“…”
The two glared at each other, neither willing to back down, until Wen Muyan finally relented, unwilling to lower himself to Xiao Han’s level. “Come on, let’s drink.”
Though Xiao Han was scripted to have a good tolerance, even he couldn’t handle this pace. His head was spinning, and Wen Muyan wasn’t much better, though he drank less and talked more. He’d stripped off his jacket due to the heat but managed to stay somewhat lucid.
“By the way, you haven’t told me how you died last time?” Xiao Han asked, slumped against the sofa.
Wen Muyan leaned against his shoulder, a bit embarrassed. “I’ll tell you, but you can’t laugh.”
“I won’t laugh.”
Wen Muyan paused, then quietly said, “…I was lost in thought after leaving, and walked into a tree… and died.”
“…”
“Hey, you promised not to laugh! If you laugh, I’ll get mad!”
Xiao Han said with a straight face, “I need to step out for a moment.”
“What for?” Wen Muyan asked, puzzled.
Xiao Han couldn’t hold it in, turning away. “I need to laugh for two minutes, ha ha ha…”
“Xiao Han! Get back here!” Wen Muyan was stunned, then angrily lunged at him.
After a brief scuffle, they stopped, panting heavily. Wen Muyan, always scripted to be weak, lay on Xiao Han’s chest, taking advantage of the situation to feel his muscles. Finding no reaction, he boldly moved to his abs, thinking with satisfaction that the texture was indeed nice.
Xiao Han squirmed, laughing, “Stop it, that tickles.”
The alcohol seemed to be kicking in, and Wen Muyan felt comfortable lying there, too lazy to move. He lifted his head, “Fair’s fair, you should tell me how you died last life.”
At this, Xiao Han fell silent, turning his head away with a blank expression. This was one thing he would never reveal, not even under threat!
So Xiao Han decided to change the subject. “Uh, I think I’ve had too much. Where’s the bathroom? Don’t you feel the urge?”
The cunning Wen Muyan saw through his act, chuckling coldly and pressing down on him, letting out a long whistle, “Shhh—”
“…” Xiao Han, caught in his own trap, was furious. “Damn you!”