Chapter 105

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When they arrived at the private room of the restaurant He Zheng had booked, the waiter ahead of them opened the door. Xia Xingcheng, who was standing behind Yang Youming, peered over Yang Youming’s shoulder and saw a room suffused with cigarette smoke, resembling an evil spirit’s lair. Inside, He Zheng sat alone, smoking.

Yang Youming entered first. He Zheng looked up and thought that he’d come alone, so he didn’t get up and merely raised a hand in greeting. “You’re here?”

“I’m here,” Yang Youming answered. Only once he entered the private room did Xia Xingcheng’s face appear behind him.

“Director He,” Xia Xingcheng called out differentially.

He Zheng was startled. “Xingcheng’s here too?” This time, he stood up and greeted Xia Xingcheng, “Come sit down.”

The private room was small; there was a single round table in the middle that could seat six people, but there were only four sets of bowls and chopsticks arranged on it.

He Zheng gestured at them to take their seats and said that another friend of his was coming, but they were currently stuck in traffic and probably wouldn’t arrive for another half hour.

The waiter refilled their tea and quietly withdrew.

When the cigarette in He Zheng’s hand reached its end, he snuffed it out on the ashtray and asked, “Did you run into each other at the door?”

Xia Xingcheng shot a glance at Yang Youming.

With a smile on his face, there was nothing out of the ordinary with the tone of Yang Youming’s voice as he said, “We came here together.”

These words were, in fact, not a big deal, but when Yang Youming finished speaking, Xia Xingcheng subconsciously avoided looking at He Zheng’s face, toying with the wooden chopsticks on the dining table instead.

The smoke in the private room didn’t disperse for a long time. He Zheng crossed a leg over his knee and stared at Xia Xingcheng for a good while before looking back at Yang Youming.

They needed to come clean, anyway. If there was anyone they shouldn’t be hiding from, it was He Zheng.

Thus, Yang Youming said, “This meal should be our treat.”

He Zheng’s complexion transformed in a flash. He picked up the cigarette case and lighter on the table with his right hand and slammed it back down, a curse flying out of his mouth, “Well I’ll be fucked!”

At first, when Xia Xingcheng heard what Yang Youming had said, he couldn’t help but turn to look at him, the corners of his mouth faintly raised—but when he abruptly heard He Zheng swear, his head snapped around to look at him nervously.

He Zheng was seemingly angry. His chest heaved with every breath, and his face had darkened. He wasn’t looking at Xia Xingcheng, his glare fixed at Yang Youming instead. After a while, it seemed as if he’d amended his emotions, and he wiped his hand down his face. “You didn’t listen to a single word I said to you, did you?”

“I did. But what was I supposed to do?” said Yang Youming unhurriedly. He sounded like he was in deep with no way out.

Xia Xingcheng felt as tense as if he was meeting the head of someone’s household. He said to He Zheng, “Director He, it’s me who hung onto Ming ge and insisted on being with him.”

He Zheng leaned back, his head tilted heavensward. His fingers flipped open the cigarette case and fished one out. He let out a long sigh, revealing a profound helplessness. “So you both didn’t learn a thing from Fang Jianyuan and Yu Haiyang’s story?”

Yang Youming said, “I’m not Yu Haiyang, after all. Xingcheng isn’t Fang Jianyuan either.”

He Zheng didn’t say a word. He only looked melancholy as he began to smoke, like he was caught in a memory, his gaze drifting off to a distant point.

Xia Xingcheng reached out for Yang Youming’s hand, and Yang Youming turned his hand over to hold onto it, his fingers stroking the crook of Xia Xingcheng’s thumb. He said to He Zheng,“I know you have unpleasant memories, and I also know that you disapprove of us being together. But you ought to understand what the words ‘can’t help it’ means.”

He Zheng glanced at Yang Youming and shook his head. “I don’t know, I just feel like I owe you both an apology.”

Before Yang Youming could speak, Xia Xingcheng couldn’t help but rush to say, “You don’t need to apologize to us. If it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have been able to be by Ming ge’s side in this lifetime. I’m truly grateful to you, Director He.”

He Zheng barked out a laugh, finding this absurd. He said, “Xingcheng, didn’t you ask me what the real Fang Jianyuan’s ending was like? You know—”

“He Zheng,” both Yang Youming’s expression and tone sank as he said, “Xia Xingcheng isn’t Fang Jianyuan. Whatever Fang Jianyuan’s ending is is no longer important to him. Since you didn’t want to tell him then, don’t use Fang Jianyuan to sway his faith in his feelings now.”

He Zheng looked at Yang Youming in faint astonishment as he asked, “Are you serious?”

Yang Youming’s tone had a slight chill. “I’m serious.”

He Zheng sandwiched his cigarette between his fingers and flicked the ashes into the ashtray. “I’ve never seen you showcase this kind of attitude towards your relationships.”

Xia Xingcheng felt Yang Youming’s hand tighten around his, thumb slowly rubbing over the crook of his thumb. He looked at Yang Youming and found that his expression was calm, yet resolute, and heard Yang Youming say, “I’m very serious about this relationship. Xingcheng respects you, and you’re also a good friend of mine, but I won’t allow you to dissuade him—not even as a friend.”

He Zheng stared at Yang Youming for a while before lowering his gaze and shaking his head, sighing lightly.

Although Xia Xingcheng felt a bit sorry towards He Zheng, he was abruptly overcome with joy, and thus grasped Yang Youming’s hand tightly.

Yang Youming turned to look at him.

Xia Xingcheng smiled at Yang Youming and said, “I’ve repeated this many times. I’m not Fang Jianyuan, and you’re not Yu Haiyang. Nothing will ever be able to sway me.”

Yang Youming kissed the hand he was holding.

Just as He Zheng was about to speak, someone outside knocked on the door of their private room. A waiter subsequently opened the door, escorting their last guest.

The guest was a young man who seemed not-yet thirty. He wore glasses and was a little fat, and he was dressed in a wrinkled T-shirt and carried a messenger bag. Xia Xingcheng had never met him before.

When He Zheng saw him come in, he stood up to greet him and introduced him to Yang Youming and Xia Xingcheng, “This is Bei Yi, a famous suspense novel author.”

Yang Youming and Xia Xingcheng stood up and shook hands with the author named Bei Yi.

Bei Yi was sweating all over. “Sorry for the traffic jam, I’ve made everyone wait,” he said. When he shook Yang Youming’s hand, he looked a little emotional and said, “Mr. Yang, I’m a fan of yours. I’ve liked you for many years.”

Yang Youming smiled and said, “Thank you.”

Bei Yi shook his hand for a little too long; only letting go after what seemed like half a day before going over to the empty chair to sit down.

Yang Youming’s palm was full of Bei Yi’s sweat, yet he didn’t reveal the slightest displeasure, not even wiping it off.

Even with the arrival of a new guest, after He Zheng introduced them, he began smoking again, appearing like he wasn’t particularly planning on saying anything.

Bei Yi looked at the unspeaking He Zheng and took the initiative to speak, “Director He, have you told Mr. Yang about my book?”

He Zheng then said, “I never got around to it until now,” he forcefully roused his own spirit, then said to Yang Youming, “I recently read Bei Yi’s novel titled ‘The Right Trap’. I found it quite interesting, so I sought Bei Yi out and had a long talk with him about a possible movie adaptation.”

Yang Youming listened to He Zheng quietly.

He Zheng continued, “Bei Yi likes you a lot, and when he heard that I wanted to film his novel, he suggested whether it was possible for you to play the male lead. I told him that he’d need to ask what you think. It’s not up to me.”

Yang Youming turned to Bei Yi and politely said, “Apologies, I haven’t read Mr. Bei’s works yet. If I may, I might have to read the novel first before giving you an answer.”

Bei Yi said, “No rush, no rush. I just hope that Mr. Yang could take a look. It’s fine if you don’t take up the role, I only wanted to have the opportunity to give you the book.” With that, he took out two brand new copies of his book and handed one of them to Yang Youming with both hands.

Yang Youming promptly stood and received it with both hands as well, and said, “Could Mr. Bei please sign the book for me?”

Bei Yi was flattered. “Of course, please wait a moment.” He handed the second book to Xia Xingcheng with the same polite smile, then hastily fished out a pen and signed his autograph on Yang Youming’s copy.

Xia Xingcheng hesitated for a second before he flipped open the cover and asked for Bei Yi’s autograph as well.

As Bei Yi signed, he said to Xia Xingcheng, “I’ve seen your drama ‘Secret Sweetheart’.”

‘Secret Sweetheart’ was an idol drama that Xia Xingcheng filmed the year after his debut, in which he played the second male lead. The drama was quite popular at the time, but the filming process was truly messy. Xia Xingcheng was still very young and experienced in those years; the female lead’s acting was over the top, the male lead had stiff facial expressions, and altogether, it was a disaster.

Bei Yi went on, “I really like Xuan Wenyao, so I follow all her dramas.”

Xuan Wenyao was the female lead of ‘Secret Sweetheart’.

Xia Xingcheng said, “Mr. Bei really has a wide range of interests.” Internally, he added, ‘his aesthetic fluctuates way too greatly’, but of course, he didn’t say this out loud.

Bei Yi was totally unaware, grinning as he signed his autograph. He then took out a notebook for Yang Youming to sign, and sat down contentedly afterwards.

He Zheng smoked one cigarette after another.

Xia Xingcheng looked at him a little fearfully. “Director He, how about you stop?”

In the end, He Zheng put down his cigarette for the time being and said, “The reason why I invited you all to a meal today—besides to celebrate ‘Gradual Distance’s award with everyone—was because I wanted to talk to you both about Bei Yi’s novel. There are two important male characters in it, one of them which Bei Yi hopes that Yang Youming can take on, and the other—I first thought that Xingcheng would be suitable, but now I think I should reconsider.”

Bei Yi sat next to him silently. It was evident that he only liked Yang Youming. As for whether Xia Xingcheng could play a role in his work, he couldn’t care less.

Xia Xingcheng also stayed mute. He didn’t know what he was supposed to say. After all, he hadn’t even read the book yet.

Yang Youming said, “Your works are yours to decide, but I hope you judge only by whether he suits the role or not, and not by any other messy personal feelings.”

–

On their way back after the meal, Xia Xingcheng and Yang Youming didn’t talk much.

Although He Zheng’s attitude wouldn’t affect their relationship, a friend’s disapproval and the lack of a blessing would always affect one’s emotions.

When they arrived at the door, Xia Xingcheng entered the password, then opened the door and let Yang Youming in first. He followed behind Yang Youming, closed the door, and turned around and hugged Yang Youming from behind. He’d wanted to do this for a while now.

Yang Youming placed the two books they’d brought back on top of the shoe cabinet in the entrance hall, stroked Xia Xingcheng’s hand, and said, “What’s wrong?”

Xia Xingcheng said, “I’m in a bit of a bad mood.”

Yang Youming caught Xia Xingcheng’s hands to free himself, then turned around and picked Xia Xingcheng up, pressing him against the door. His hands propped up Xia Xingcheng’s thighs, and he tilted his head to kiss him. Afterwards, he asked, “Do you feel a little better?”

Xia Xingcheng hugged his neck and said, “Could be a little rougher.”

Yang Youming chuckled and carried him to the bedroom. Afraid of falling, Xia Xingcheng wrapped his legs around Yang Youming’s waist tightly. When they got to the bedroom, Yang Youming threw Xia Xingcheng onto the bed.

He really threw him. Xia Xingcheng bounced on the bed for a moment and, confused and disoriented, right as he was about to prop himself up, Yang Youming had already taken off the leather belt around his waist and captured his hands, poised to tie them up.

Xia Xingcheng was startled. The lights in the room hadn’t been switched on, and the only lighting came from the outside lights. He was somewhat alarmed as he called out, “Ming ge?”

Yang Youming paused. “Aren’t you the one who wants it a little rough?”

When Xia Xingcheng heard this, he heaved a sigh of relief and said, “I thought you were angry. It’s okay, come on.” He tried to tilt his head up, holding his hands above him in cooperation.

Yet Yang Youming didn’t continue, His leather belt remained coiled around Xia Xingcheng’s wrist, not yet tightened. He let go of his hands and buried his face in Xia Xingcheng’s chest.

“Ming ge?” Xia Xingcheng lowered his head to look at him, but could only see the top of his head.

The warmth of Yang Youming’s breaths permeated through the thin material of Xia Xingcheng’s clothes onto his chest. “I won’t act in He Zheng’s movie,” he said.

Xia Xingcheng was puzzled. “Why not?”

Yang Youming didn’t answer. He merely raised his head and started kissing up Xia Xingcheng’s chest, dropping tender kisses on his neck and earlobes before he finally gasped and whispered in his ear, “I love you. You have to believe me, Xingcheng.”

☆ ☆ ☆

t/n – he zheng ;;;

merry christmas to everyone celebrating!

⟵ Chapter 104 | TOC | Chapter 106 ⟶

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