Rong Jin pursed his lips, remaining silent.
Chi Feiran was probably feeling the effects of the alcohol. Normally not very talkative, he seemed quite expressive now. However, his language system was getting a bit chaotic, initially combining Chinese and English but gradually leaning more towards a mixed jumble.
Some passersby overheard and found it quite amusing, asking what Chi Feiran had said.
Chi Feiran began to ramble on mischievously, but nobody could understand what he was saying.
People nearby gathered around, intrigued, and marveled at how cultured individuals were different. When they got drunk, they might act crazy, sing folk songs, or speak in dialects, but they couldn’t match Chi Feiran, who seemed to hold a United Nations meeting all by himself.
Rong Jin watched quietly from the side. He didn’t know how much time had passed. Eventually, the crowd dispersed, and Rong Jin finally managed to squeeze out a word, “Different.”
Chi Feiran was taken aback, not completely drunk but a bit slow in his response. “What?”
Rong Jin said, “I’m not like your brother.”
It took Chi Feiran a moment to process; he wasn’t completely drunk either. Finally, he remembered it was a topic they had discussed before and felt a bit bewildered.
How long ago was that conversation?
Rong Jin tilted his head back and downed the contents of his glass in one gulp, declaring firmly, “I’m much better looking!”
This elicited a laugh from Chi Feiran, who leaned against Rong Jin, unable to stop laughing. “Haha, yes, you’re good-looking. You’re the best-looking…”
After knowing each other for a long time, Rong Jin had a bit of narcissism, something Chi Feiran naturally noticed. Of course, Rong Jin didn’t try to hide it, but hearing him assert it so confidently was particularly amusing.
Though Rong Jin remained still, where they were leaning against each other, Chi Feiran could feel his warmth.
However, after a while, their body temperatures melded together, and they began to feel a bit feverish from being so close.
Feeling the heat, Chi Feiran straightened up and laughed, the effects of the alcohol wearing off.
But Rong Jin’s heart cooled along with that temperature. He needed some quiet time to think.
As the crowd dispersed, walking back in groups of three or two, Rong Jin noticed Ning Xuan and Qiming walking together, apparently having a conversation.
Rong Jin couldn’t see Qiming’s expression from his angle, but when Ning Xuan turned to look at him, she had a smile in her eyes and at the corners of her mouth.
Rong Jin remembered what he had said to Ning Xuan before.
Indeed, it was different.
When Chang Haoqing went to check on Rong Jin, he noticed that Rong Jin wasn’t using his phone and was sitting there, lost in thought.
Immediately, Chang Haoqing’s internal alarm went off. While he had been hoping for Rong Jin to spend less time online, every time Rong Jin stayed off the internet, something bad usually happened!
These past few days, Chang Haoqing had been quite anxious, fearing that Rong Jin might do something foolish, like Xiao Taizi. If their parents found out, they might end up buried as fertilizer in the castle.
With his thoughts spiraling, considering all the possibilities, Chang Haoqing couldn’t help but shiver. “Did… did you do something?”
Without lifting his eyes, Rong Jin simply said, “I have some good news. Want to hear it?”
Chang Haoqing: “…”
Chang Haoqing felt something was off with Rong Jin’s demeanor. He decided to sit down first, just in case the news was too shocking. If, for example, Rong Jin and Xiao Taizi were planning to get married right now, and he fainted on the spot, it would be quite embarrassing.
Rong Jin didn’t show any expression on his face as he spoke calmly, “He doesn’t like me. I misunderstood.”
Chang Haoqing took about three to five minutes to process this before cheering, “Damn! That’s…!”
Before he could finish saying “great,” he suddenly remembered Rong Jin’s state these past few days.
Xiao Taizi didn’t like Rong Jin, but Rong Jin was…
Chang Haoqing’s heart sank instantly. He wanted to curse. What kind of situation was this!
It had been ten years. Rong Jin had finally developed feelings for someone, only to have his heartbroken. From the start to the end of his infatuation, it had been less than a month.
And he had been so happy before, thinking the other person liked him first!
Chang Haoqing didn’t know what to do. He cautiously approached Rong Jin, squatting down to carefully observe his expression. He tentatively called out, “Rong Jin… Are you okay?”
Even asking this made him feel guilty. How could Rong Jin be okay? This situation would be unbearable for anyone, let alone Rong Jin.
Rong Jin opened his eyes and looked at Chang Haoqing, unexpectedly smiling. He said, “Maybe it’s just bad luck. The important people in my life never seem to like me.”
When he was young, he longed for his parents’ affection, but he could never get it. He couldn’t help it and tried to like himself.
Being a star at that time had made him happy. Suddenly, so many people liked him. It felt like all his regrets could be compensated for.
So despite strong opposition from his family, he didn’t turn back.
Later, it was probably time that passed, so long that he had forgotten that being liked by someone was not a given.
Rong Jin couldn’t help but wonder if their first collaboration on the film script was bad, leading to today’s outcome.
But he knew deep down that such a thing wasn’t possible.
It was just normal. He just didn’t like him, that’s all, not that kind of liking.
Upon hearing his words, Chang Haoqing almost teared up.
Over the years, Rong Jin’s only regret was the estrangement with his family. They rarely visited each other during holidays, and even when they tried to contact each other, it always ended in disappointment.
And then Rong Jin would spend entire nights unable to sleep. Having been by Rong Jin’s side for over a decade, how could Chang Haoqing not understand the weight of this situation in his heart?
How could things in this world become so messed up?
Feeling a surge of emotions, Chang Haoqing couldn’t help but exclaim, “What’s wrong with not liking you now! You can like each other in the future! Isn’t that how it works with crushes?!”
Chang Haoqing immediately regretted shouting. Could this situation be treated the same as ordinary crushes?!
Who was the other person! Engaging with them might lead to being dumped into the sea filled with cement!
Logic and emotion clashed violently within him. Chang Haoqing felt like a small sapling in a raging storm—weak, pitiful, and helpless.
Rong Jin looked at him and unexpectedly smiled. “I thought the same.”
Chang Haoqing: “…”
Chang Haoqing almost cursed. Wasn’t this a waste of his feelings, deceiving his sympathy?!
Rong Jin, this shameless guy, was actually planning to make a move on the other person’s child! Is he even human?!
But then Rong Jin said, “It’s just that he’s so good, I… can’t bring myself to do it.”
If Chi Feiran weren’t so perfect, perhaps selfish desires would have prevailed. Regardless, he felt powerless in every way.
This person had so much potential for the future. Why should he endure such a difficult path just for his feelings?
So Rong Jin concluded, “It’s fine to just treat him as an idol.”
Chang Haoqing didn’t know whether to be relieved or not. In this critical moment, Rong Jin had held onto his principles.
Words of comfort always felt dry coming out, because he knew this wasn’t something that could be easily comforted with just a few words.
Chang Haoqing could only be thankful that they were returning home tomorrow. At least Rong Jin wouldn’t have to pretend to be okay while nursing his heartbreak.
Rong Jin said, “There’s one more thing.”
Chang Haoqing, feeling sympathetic, spoke in a particularly affectionate tone, “Tell me.”
Rong Jin said, “I just posted on Weibo.”
Chang Haoqing: “…”
Chang Haoqing silently took out his phone and opened Weibo directly to the trending section.
He didn’t need to go looking for Rong Jin’s Weibo page. Whenever Rong Jin made a move on Weibo, it was bound to be trending!
Chang Haoqing almost fainted when he saw it, pointing at Rong Jin with trembling fingers. “You, you, you, you!!!”
Rong Jin sighed. “I just had a breakup. Can’t I post on Weibo?”
Chang Haoqing’s voice trembled, unsure if it was out of sympathy or something else. “You… you jerk!”
Weibo exploded at this moment, flooded with messages about Rong Jin’s latest posts.
But this time, Rong Jin didn’t just post one Weibo!
He posted five at once! And they were all music shares! All songs from Chi Feiran’s EP!
People were utterly confused. Was he selling endorsements so vigorously? Were Rong Jin and Chi Feiran really that close?
Fans expressed their doubts, some saying, “Alright, alright, alright. Do we need this much endorsement?” Some speculated that Rong Jin might have listened to these songs and remembered his own past. Some guessed that Rong Jin might have some relationship issues but couldn’t express them openly. In short, there were all kinds of comments.
Only the CP fans were ecstatic.
“Ah! More sugar!”
“Tsk tsk, such an endorsing stance. How deep is their love!”
“My CP ship is sailing so sweetly! If the songs were sweeter, we’d be in heaven!”
“Haha! Where’s the lack of sweetness in these songs? They’re all written for him by him! This sweetness is unbelievable!”
“Yes yes yes! The upstairs commenter is right! Super sweet!!!”
“My Rongran CP rules the world! Yay!”
Author’s Note:
Rongrong: … They only know how to eat sugar; they have no idea about the pain in my heart. QAQ
