Lin Shen handed over the paper in his hand, and Lu Jing naturally took it.
Just as the pen was about to touch the paper, someone behind Lin Shen gave him a gentle push, anxiously urging him in secret.
All eyes were expectantly fixed on him and Lu Jing. Lu Jing had already finished signing and handed the paper back to Lin Shen without any sign of surprise.
Lin Shen did not take it, just standing in place, somewhat awkwardly looking at Lu Jing.
Lu Jing gave him a puzzled look, his voice gentle as he asked, “Do you need anything else signed?”
Lin Shen felt a light poke in his waist—the person behind him was silently urging him again.
With no other choice, Lin Shen steeled himself and said, “Could you please sign personalized messages for everyone?”
Lu Jing was slightly taken aback, but after seeing the countless hopeful eyes behind Lin Shen, he quickly understood what was going on. He smiled and replied, “Of course, no problem. What would you like me to write?”
Lin Shen felt a bit more at ease, but standing so close to Lu Jing again after nearly three weeks apart still made him a little nervous.
“Just write ‘To Lin Shen, be happy every day.'”
“That’s all?”
“Yes.”
Lu Jing didn’t ask further and lowered his head to sign the paper. Judging by the strokes and time he took, it seemed he wrote more than just those few words.
After finishing, he handed the signature to Lin Shen, who took it, politely thanked him, and left the signing area clutching the note.
Only when he was in a spot where no one was paying attention did Lin Shen carefully unfold the paper. Upon seeing the words written on it, his cheeks and neck flushed bright red in an instant.
Xiao Xu, having received his personalized signature, happily ran over from the side and stood behind Lin Shen, excitedly saying, “I never thought I’d get a personalized signature from my idol in my lifetime. My friends are going to be so jealous.”
Lin Shen didn’t say anything. Unaware of his unusual reaction, Xiao Xu continued asking, “Brother, what did Actor Lu write for you?”
As he leaned in to look, Lin Shen swiftly folded the note, avoiding Xiao Xu’s gaze. “It’s… nothing. Let’s head back first.”
Xiao Xu was puzzled. “Aren’t we waiting for Actor Lu?”
Lin Shen stole a glance at Lu Jing, who happened to look up at him at that moment. Their eyes met for a second, and Lin Shen’s mind went blank, feeling his face grow even hotter.
Quickly averting his gaze, Lin Shen stuffed the note into his pocket. “Even after he’s done, I can’t leave with him. I’ll wait for him back at the hotel.”
Xiao Xu thought it made sense and followed Lin Shen back to the hotel.
Along the way, Xiao Xu admired his signature while frantically sending photos to his friends, his smile practically overflowing through the voice messages.
It wasn’t until they reached the room door, with Lin Shen tapping the keycard against the sensor, that Xiao Xu suddenly remembered and said to Lin Shen, “Oh, by the way, Actor Lu’s room is right across from yours.”
Lin Shen was a bit surprised. “Isn’t he staying on the 28th floor like Director Jiang and the others?”
The 28th floor had the best rooms in the hotel, and everyone of importance in the crew was staying there.
“I heard he was originally assigned to the 28th floor, but Actor Lu himself requested to stay in a regular room like everyone else. So, they ended up putting him across from you.”
Lin Shen nodded.
Just as he was about to enter the room, Xiao Xu cautiously covered his mouth and whispered, “Brother, there are only three of us staying on this floor. Should I apply to switch floors? I feel like I’m being a third wheel here. What if I accidentally see something I shouldn’t when I open the door someday…”
“No need,” Lin Shen interrupted, his ears turning red. “That won’t happen. Just stay here peacefully.”
Besides, even if he and Lu Jing were to do something, they certainly wouldn’t do it in the hallway.
Realizing what he was thinking, Lin Shen’s mind heated up again. Without another glance at Xiao Xu, he turned around, entered his room, and closed the door in one fluid motion.
Turning on the light, Lin Shen took out the autograph hidden in his pocket and stood under the light, slowly unfolding it. Once again, he read every word, engraving them into his heart.
What Lu Jing had written indeed went beyond what Lin Shen had mentioned.
Through the halo of light, the words on the paper were clearly visible:
To: Wife Lin Shen
May you be happy every day. Wait for me tonight, and remember to fulfill our agreement.
The signature read: “Husband Lu Jing.”
A flush of heat surged through Lin Shen, and he felt he could hardly withstand Lu Jing’s advances.
Husband and wife. An agreement.
Was Lu Jing reminding him of their relationship, or of the “benefit” he had promised last time?
The benefit—a goodnight kiss.
The image of Lu Jing kissing his forehead flashed through Lin Shen’s mind, the soft touch and warm breath feeling as vivid as if it had happened just yesterday.
Downing a glass of cold water to suppress an inexplicable restlessness, Lin Shen sat by the window and read his script. After what felt like an eternity, his phone on the table suddenly rang.
He unlocked it and opened the message. It was from Lu Jing on WeChat.
Lu Jing: [Are you in your room?]
Lin Shen: [Yes.]
Not long after, Lin Shen’s door was knocked.
There was no need to guess who it was. As he walked to open the door, Lin Shen felt both anticipation and a hint of nervousness.
The door opened, revealing Lu Jing standing before him. Though his expression was hidden behind a mask, the smile in his eyes was unmistakable.
Behind Lu Jing stood Ren Chen. Seeing Lin Shen open the door, Ren Chen nudged one of the suitcases toward Lu Jing. “Boss, I won’t disturb you two, then.”
Lu Jing nodded, and Ren Chen pulled his own suitcase into the room next to Lu Jing’s.
Watching Ren Chen enter his room, Lin Shen felt a momentary daze. It seemed there were more than three people staying on this floor—Xiao Xu’s worries were completely unnecessary.
“What are you thinking about?” Lu Jing asked, noticing his gaze drifting elsewhere.
Lin Shen snapped back to reality. “Ah… nothing.”
He glanced at the suitcase behind Lu Jing, then at the door to Lu Jing’s room across the hall. “Should we put the suitcase in your room first?”
Lu Jing: “Mm.”
With that, he pulled the suitcase straight into Lin Shen’s room.
Lin Shen followed behind, momentarily caught off guard. He instinctively wanted to ask if Lu Jing wasn’t going to take it to his own room first, but the words never left his lips.
Lu Jing probably just wanted to see him first.
After all, the beds in ordinary rooms weren’t as large as the ones upstairs. Two grown men would find it a bit cramped. Besides, since rooms had already been booked, Lu Jing surely didn’t intend to share a room with him, right?
Lu Jing found a spot to set down his suitcase and turned to see Lin Shen standing some distance away.
Removing his mask, he said to Lin Shen, “Come here.”
Lin Shen complied, stopping before Lu Jing and looking up to meet his gaze.
Lin Shen’s eyes were beautiful, with brown irises as deep and dazzling as stars.
Lu Jing wanted to kiss his eyelids lightly, as he had done many times before, but in the end, he simply embraced Lin Shen, his left hand stroking the hair at the back of his head. “Did you miss me?”
Suddenly pulled into the embrace, Lin Shen’s heart skipped a beat, his entire being focused on the warmth radiating from Lu Jing.
With his nose catching the unique, pleasant scent of Lu Jing, Lin Shen nestled his head into the crook of Lu Jing’s neck and nodded.
Feeling the movement against his neck, the corners of Lu Jing’s mouth curved upward. He held Lin Shen tightly, gently stroking his hair.
“You’ve lost a lot of weight,” Lu Jing said.
Lin Shen replied softly, “The filming for this period is almost done. I’ll start gaining weight in a few days.”
Lu Jing knew this was part of Lin Shen’s work. Though it pained him, he didn’t say much to avoid adding pressure.
After holding him for a while, Lu Jing released Lin Shen and asked, “What were you doing at the hotel earlier?”
Lin Shen answered, “Reading the script.”
Lu Jing glanced at the script on the table, picked it up casually, and saw it was densely covered with annotations.
Flipping through a few pages, he found the same throughout. He looked back at Lin Shen, a hint of pride in his tone. “So diligent?”
Lin Shen felt a bit embarrassed by the question. “I just jot down some thoughts while reading. Only by doing my homework well can I know how to perform in front of the camera.”
After briefly discussing the script, Lin Shen asked, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to the set in advance?”
Lu Jing replied matter-of-factly, “If I told you in advance, how could it be a surprise?”
“Do you like it? This surprise.”
Lin Shen smiled and nodded. “Yes, I like it.”
Lu Jing hadn’t arrived at the set early. After chatting with Director Jiang in the evening and signing autographs for a while, it was already late by the time he returned to the hotel.
Now, after talking with Lin Shen for so long, stars had already filled the sky outside the window.
As time grew later and Lu Jing showed no intention of leaving, Lin Shen’s mind was filled with thoughts of a goodnight kiss. He wondered whether Lu Jing wanted it tonight or later.
The autograph had said “tonight.”
While speaking, Lin Shen secretly observed Lu Jing, but Lu Jing showed no expression related to the matter.
Unable to figure it out, Lin Shen decided not to dwell on it. He said with concern, “You have work tomorrow. You should rest early tonight.”
Lu Jing glanced at the time and realized it was almost midnight. “Alright, you go take a shower first.”
Lin Shen looked at Lu Jing’s suitcase. “Let me help you with your suitcase first. I’ll shower after I come back.”
Lu Jing didn’t say anything, only giving him a slightly questioning look.
Lin Shen had a vague guess but asked cautiously just to be sure. “…Are you staying here tonight?”
Lu Jing answered quickly. “No.”
Lin Shen breathed a sigh of relief.
Lu Jing continued, “I’ll be staying here for a while.”
Lin Shen’s breath caught again.