Before coming, Xiao Can hadn’t expected things to develop like this at all.
Unlike yesterday, he hadn’t even gone back to freshen up beforehand. After bringing the food into the hotel, he went straight to the floor where He Xingzhou was staying without any thought.
After all, there were no excuses left.
Before seeing He Xingzhou, he was so shy and reserved, even though they had already had more than one encounter. He still felt shy when thinking about those situations.
But when He Xingzhou appeared in front of him, the restless desire pushed him, making him unconsciously bold.
No need for excuses. He was just thirsty, just craving.
Every experience was overly good, unforgettable for him, hoping to revisit it anytime.
He Xingzhou drank alcohol and became a bit confused, his reactions slowed down by two beats compared to usual.
The lesson from past experiences made Xiao Can vigilant.
Fortunately, when he reached out to test, he quickly relaxed.
“Just one kiss and you want to chase me away like this?” Xiao Can blushed, teasing him with a smile.
He Xingzhou caught his hand and asked, “What are you doing?”
“I don’t know,” Xiao Can said, “guess.”
He Xingzhou was stunned for a moment, then shook his head, “This isn’t right.”
He held Xiao Can’s hand tightly, moved it away slightly, then shook his head again.
Xiao Can thought, I was clearly touching the right spot just now.
“Why?” he grumbled unhappily, “Are you only pretending to be a gentleman now? Isn’t it a bit late for that?” he reminded He Xingzhou, “We did it yesterday too.”
“You said you weren’t feeling well,” He Xingzhou said.
It seemed like he was only doing it out of obligation, as a matter of principle.
Xiao Can suddenly felt annoyed, “I’m not feeling well now either.”
But He Xingzhou still shook his head.
“What do you mean?” Xiao Can withdrew his hand, distancing himself from He Xingzhou, “Is it out of duty, do you not like me at all?”
He Xingzhou seemed dazed, opened his mouth but didn’t make a sound, just caught his hand again and held it tightly.
“Don’t touch me,” Xiao Can tried to pull away but couldn’t.
“Xiao Can,” He Xingzhou licked his lips, speaking slowly, “listen to me, listen to me.”
Xiao Can frowned, waiting for his explanation.
But He Xingzhou didn’t speak again after a while, he just held Xiao Can’s hand, lowered his head, and kissed his hand.
“What are you doing!” Xiao Can blushed.
He hadn’t been this embarrassed even when they were kissing just now.
“Let’s be together,” He Xingzhou said.
“…”
“After being rejected by you so many times, I’ve almost lost confidence,” He Xingzhou looked at him, “It’s become particularly difficult to speak.”
“…Why do you want to be with me?” Xiao Can asked.
But He Xingzhou didn’t answer him.
This tipsy Alpha was completely immersed in his own narrative, frowning and complaining, “Since you’re unreliable anyway, even if you go back on your word, I can’t do anything about it. So why not just agree now? It won’t hurt to agree. If you regret it in the morning, so be it. Promise me, be with me.”
Listening to this, Xiao Can’s face gradually darkened.
The implication of his words was that He Xingzhou just needed a bit of legitimacy to have relations with him without concern.
Breaking up immediately afterward wouldn’t matter to He Xingzhou; he would feel completely justified.
Xiao Can stood up, forcefully pulling back his hand. “I don’t agree.”
He Xingzhou looked up, wanting to speak but hesitated.
“Forget it, I’m leaving.” Xiao Can said, straightening out his slightly messy clothes and walking briskly towards the door.
He heard He Xingzhou’s voice behind him, “Xiao Can!”
After hesitating, Xiao Can stopped and turned to look at him.
“…Rest early,” He Xingzhou said.
“You idiot,” Xiao Can cursed, “I hate you the most!”
With that, he walked straight to the door, forcefully opened it, and left without looking back.
Back in his room, Xiao Can didn’t feel like freshening up. He lay on the bed, lost in thought for a long time.
The little bit of alcohol was insignificant to him; it wouldn’t take long to metabolize completely.
He had calmed down, even feeling a bit low.
It was too embarrassing. Because of a momentary emotional impulse, he had done something extremely cheap.
He Xingzhou had only drunk a can of beer for him, and he had eagerly wanted to sleep with him immediately. If Mu Nianwen heard about this, he would probably turn away in anger on the spot.
Getting close to an Alpha was indeed an unfortunate beginning; love only clouds one’s judgment.
What did that little bit of affection prove? Initially, He Xingzhou was just as accommodating to Tan Zhen.
For He Xingzhou, it was just a matter of finding someone to be responsible for.
He was so annoying. Xiao Can pounded his pillow a few times, then picked up his phone. He found that He Xingzhou hadn’t messaged him, which made him even angrier.
Was he really that uncharming?
No, it wasn’t his problem. He Xingzhou, an Alpha who was still a virgin at his age, was the abnormal one.
Did he even understand what liking someone meant, or did he simply lack the ability to fall in love with someone?
If that’s the case, maybe it was the best choice to just agree to be with him. Out of duty, He Xingzhou would try to do the “right” thing, there would be no worry about infidelity, and he would treat him well.
Xiao Can was tempted by this thought, at one point wanting to actively reach out, but ultimately dismissed the idea.
He didn’t like that, he was never the type to compromise.
He liked He Xingzhou, so he was willing to have a relationship with him.
But He Xingzhou didn’t like him, so they didn’t need to be together.
In his heart, Xiao Can secretly assumed, if he hadn’t left He Xingzhou’s room during their first marking, and afterwards they faced each other, and He Xingzhou proposed to make it up to him, asking if he would be willing to date, what would he choose.
Setting aside all emotional factors, he thought he would agree.
Then he would carefully protect himself and find ways to gain benefits.
Because at that time, he wouldn’t be plagued by doubts, wouldn’t be entangled in hesitation, wouldn’t have any weaknesses, and false love relationships wouldn’t hurt him in the slightest.
But now, his feelings for He Xingzhou were like a small hole pierced in his heart, with warm emotions seeping out from there at any time, easily targeted and vulnerable to collapse.
Today during the day, he was lost in thought during breaks in shooting. If He Xingzhou were to ask him what score he would give him now, he would tell He Xingzhou it’s a perfect ten.
When He Xingzhou showed signs of satisfaction or joy, he would then add, it’s on a scale of one hundred.
He imagined what expression He Xingzhou would show, couldn’t help but smile to himself, filled with anticipation.
But He Xingzhou didn’t ask.
It’s best if he never asks, Xiao Can thought.
After deducting ten thousand points for tonight, he now had a score of negative nine thousand nine hundred and ninety.
The next morning, when Xiao Can woke up, there was an extra message on his phone.
—”I’m still here.”
Sent by He Xingzhou, at three twenty-six in the morning.
Random, inexplicable.
Xiao Can didn’t remember what time he fell asleep last night, but it definitely wasn’t early. His head was buzzing from the alarm, feeling very uncomfortable.
After a moment’s delay, he hurriedly got up to change clothes, ignoring He Xingzhou.
When he arrived on set, the other main actors were already in place, getting their makeup done. The makeup artist responsible for Xiao Can was busy, and he had to wait in line.
Luo Yinan, who always found various excuses to talk to Xiao Can, saw him from afar and just nodded in greeting.
On the other hand, Yi Qiwen, who rarely initiated conversations with people, immediately ran over excitedly upon seeing Xiao Can, seeming quite enthusiastic.
Yi Qiwen hadn’t finished styling his hair yet, with hairpins all over his head, looking a bit funny, but unexpectedly refreshing. With light makeup on his clean face, he appeared even more eye-catching than his character’s formal appearance.
“I talked with Director Cao for a long time last night and realized I had a misunderstanding before,” he told Xiao Can. “I kept thinking about how to ‘act’ this role, but I never really tried to embody him. In my mind, we were always two separate people. Director Cao said, since it’s me portraying the character, it can fully reflect my personal style. Maybe I can try expressing myself more authentically. I’ve been thinking for a long time and found it very inspiring.”
Xiao Can pondered. Was he suggesting that since he couldn’t portray the character perfectly, he might as well choose to act naturally, at least the emotional expression would be accurate.
For fans of the original character, this might be very painful, but it’s better than being wooden.
At least in terms of innocence and simplicity, Yi Qiwen indeed fit the character.
“Great,” Xiao Can nodded in agreement. “Keep it up! But don’t be too nervous, maintaining a calm mind will help you perform better.”
Yi Qiwen smiled at him, then suddenly became awkward. “Uh… um, actually…”
“What?” Xiao Can asked.
“Actually, when I was acting before, I would subconsciously think of you, and imagine you as Xiang Xiang, then try to present it by myself,” Yi Qiwen tilted his head, looking very embarrassed. “And then… it felt weird.” Suddenly he remembered something, “Don’t get me wrong, I really didn’t know about the role change before! And I don’t know why I unconsciously associated you with it. Maybe because you look really beautiful, like a fairy… very, very admirable… I hope I can become like you…”
Xiao Can, who originally had three parts perfunctory, three parts insincere, and four parts sympathy, was now not only somewhat touched but also strangely embarrassed by his bashful appearance.
Faced with sincere and genuine affection, he always tended to be easily moved.
Yi Qiwen was quickly called to continue styling.
Xiao Can sat in place playing with his phone. Cai Yawen, who had been watching the whole time, sighed, “You’re really a good person.”
“Huh?” Xiao Can looked up. “Are you talking about me?”
“Yeah.” Cai Yawen nodded. “No wonder my former employer likes you.”
“I’m not… with him…” Xiao Can awkwardly lowered his head, “And, I’m not that good either. Those are just appearances.”
“So, what kind of person do you think you are?” Cai Yawen asked.
After thinking for a while, Xiao Can replied, “Somewhat hypocritical, sophisticated egoist.”
Cai Yawen actually laughed, “Do you think being like that is pretty cool?”
Xiao Can’s face turned red, “What! I… I’ve had many very selfish, very dark thoughts. I’ve complained about Yi Qiwen many times to my friends in private, but still acted kindly towards him, isn’t that hypocritical?”
“Who can say they’ve never had negative thoughts,” Cai Yawen laughed, “If someone claims they’ve never had any dark thoughts, then they’re the real hypocrites.”
Xiao Can thought for a moment and asked, “Honestly, have you ever complained about me to your friends?”
“No,” Cai Yawen answered without hesitation.
“Really?” Xiao Can was skeptical, “We’ve been together for quite a while, haven’t I made you uncomfortable in any way?”
“That’s why I said, you really are a good person,” Cai Yawen said.
In just five minutes, Xiao Can blushed for the second time because of someone else’s praise.
“And you’re a very easy going good person,” Cai Yawen added, “My former employer wasn’t bad, but I complained about him a hundred times a day.”
Xiao Can thought to himself, you’ve really been through a lot.
“Since that’s the case, just be honest with me,” he leaned closer, whispering, “Just think of it as gossiping with a friend, has He Xingzhou really never dated anyone before?”
Cai Yawen hesitated for a moment, then nodded, “It seems so.”
“Weirdo,” Xiao Can muttered.
Although they were both single, Xiao Can was only twenty-three this year and had already tasted the bitterness of love, leading He Xingzhou by at least nine years.
“It seems like he’s missing something,” Cai Yawen said, “But… he seems to have finally woken up now.”
Xiao Can thought to himself, what’s missing, what he’s woken up to is clearly mine.
“Are you two having a fight?” Cai Yawen asked.
Xiao Can shook his head.
What kind of conflict was it when he was the only one feeling upset? He Xingzhou probably didn’t care at all.
“But, he seems like he really wants to apologize,” Cai Yawen said.
“Huh?” Xiao Can was puzzled, curious, and a little excited, “Why do you say that? How do you know?”
“It’s quite obvious,” Cai Yawen said, gesturing with her eyes towards a distance.
Xiao Can followed her gaze and was suddenly startled.
A familiar figure was standing far away on the sidelines, holding a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands.
He was tall and striking, already quite eye-catching, but with that exaggerated bouquet, everyone on set was staring and murmuring.
Xiao Can was stunned for a moment, then quickly lowered his head to pick up his phone, tremblingly typing in the chat with He Xingzhou: “Dare to come over and I’ll kill you!!!!!!”
