The entire villa is quite large, and each room has been meticulously divided into different functional areas. Apart from some conventional spaces, the largest areas are the three zones: the physical training area, the audio-visual room, and the game room.
The equipment in the training area bears visible signs of use, indicating that the owner is quite strict about maintaining their physique.
Unconsciously, Chi Feiran turned his head to look at Rong Jin beside him. He was wearing loose home clothes, making it difficult to discern his physique. However, from their time together on a previous film set, Chi Feiran already knew that Rong Jin was the type with a slim appearance when dressed but with some muscle under it. Especially after swimming together, this understanding became clearer.
He reached out and poked Rong Jin’s arm, easily feeling the presence of firm muscles even without exerting much pressure.
Chi Feiran couldn’t help but feel envious. “I don’t really grow muscles.”
Probably due to genetics, he was someone who, even after training, didn’t have very prominent muscles. His dad was similarly built, with a larger frame that could easily intimidate others.
Rong Jin couldn’t help feeling a little proud, but he also feared that Chi Feiran might be the type who, because they lacked something, desired it even more. He liked Chi Feiran no matter how he looked, but he was worried that the kid might do something reckless and hurt himself. So, he said, “You’re still young, and your metabolism is faster. When you’re a bit older, it’ll be easier to build muscles. You have to take it slow with these things.”
Chi Feiran didn’t mention that he had grown into his twenties in his previous life without developing muscles as much as Rong Jin. He just nodded to indicate he understood.
The audio-visual room was filled with various DVDs, similar to the one in Chi Feiran’s current house, with one difference—a whiteboard. When Chi Feiran raised a question about it, Rong Jin explained, “Sometimes I analyze plotlines or characters and jot down notes.”
Chi Feiran immediately felt the professionalism in this, resolving to learn more about it in the future.
However, what he didn’t know was that Rong Jin rarely used this whiteboard throughout the year because he had shifted to video platforms. He could even watch videos with subtitles…
Rong Jin spent the most time in the game room. It was filled with professional gaming equipment, and a large monitor on a computer desk stood out prominently.
Chi Feiran secretly compared this setup with the gift he got Rong Jin, feeling a bit satisfied.
Rong Jin asked him, “Want to play a game?”
Chi Feiran hadn’t played games with someone in a long time, and the idea made his hands itch. So, when Rong Jin suggested it, he was eager to start.
After familiarizing himself with the character controls on the keyboard, Chi Feiran signaled that he was ready to begin.
With headphones on, Rong Jin said to Chi Feiran, “Follow my lead.”
Chi Feiran pretended to be obediently nodding, but in reality, he was up to mischief. When Rong Jin cornered the enemy, Chi Feiran snuck up behind him and scored a headshot on the opponent.
Rong Jin looked at him in surprise, and Chi Feiran couldn’t help but reveal a mischievous smile, looking both naughty and cute.
Unable to resist, Rong Jin chuckled and ruffled Chi Feiran’s hair a few times.
Their cooperation became increasingly tacit as they played, and they became more engrossed in the game. Under each other’s cover, they seemed like legendary warriors dominating the battlefield. They were so immersed that they forgot about the passage of time, until Chi Feiran unconsciously mentioned feeling hungry. It was then that Rong Jin realized they had been gaming for a long time, and the sunlight filtering through the curtains was already dimming.
Rong Jin: “…”
Damn it, he thought. How many opportunities for quality time alone would they have in their lifetime? And he used it to play games. That was just great.
Setting aside the mouse and keyboard silently, Rong Jin suggested, “Let’s have dinner. We can play games anytime.”
Though Chi Feiran still felt a bit reluctant to stop, he understood that eating was more important. So, he followed Rong Jin to find something to eat.
The kitchen was very clean, with few signs of use, but everything was well-prepared.
As Rong Jin opened the fridge and sorted through the ingredients, he said, “I don’t know how to cook many things. Don’t expect much.”
It wasn’t proper for a guest to criticize the host’s offerings, so Chi Feiran shook his head and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll help!”
Although Rong Jin wasn’t sure how much Chi Feiran could do, he assigned him the task of washing the vegetables, not even letting him touch the knife.
Even with just this, Chi Feiran couldn’t help but feel happy. It felt like being a family, even if it was just his imagination.
But it felt really good.
In reality, Rong Jin wouldn’t have hosted Chi Feiran without any preparation. He had already marinated the meat in advance and had it stored in the fridge. He only needed to cook it on-site.
He quickly prepared a table full of dishes, including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, with chicken noodle soup as the main dish.
As Chi Feiran sat across from him, Rong Jin felt like this moment should be recorded in history.
Friends who knew him well knew that he didn’t really celebrate his birthday. While he might receive greetings and gifts, he hadn’t had this kind of company for who knows how many years.
The food smelled delicious, and it tasted even better than expected. Chi Feiran enthusiastically ate a lot.
He actually had some questions in his mind that he didn’t dare ask. Today was Rong Jin’s birthday. Why didn’t he spend it with his family? Why didn’t he invite other friends to celebrate besides him?
The two didn’t talk much during the meal, but fortunately, the atmosphere wasn’t awkward; it was peaceful and quiet.
When they had almost finished eating, Chi Feiran, holding his cup, was pondering whether to bring out the birthday surprise for Rong Jin. That’s when he heard Rong Jin speak up.
Rong Jin said softly, “Today is my birthday.”
He didn’t know whether Chi Feiran already knew or not. Perhaps it was better not to say anything because if the other party hadn’t prepared anything, it would be embarrassing.
But at this moment, Rong Jin couldn’t help it anymore. Even if it was something he expected, he wanted to hear Chi Feiran say “Happy birthday” to him.
He knew it would be easy, just as long as he spoke up. How could Chi Feiran possibly not even say “Happy birthday”? But there was always a hint of hesitation in his heart.
He was afraid, afraid that one day he would want more, want too much.
But Chi Feiran’s eyes lit up. His hand reached into his pocket, and he directly placed a small box on the table in front of him. “Happy birthday, Brother Rong!”
Great! Rong Jin himself said it, so it’s much simpler now!
Rong Jin was momentarily stunned, then, under Chi Feiran’s urging, he somewhat stiffly picked up the box.
The box wasn’t large, but it was delicately packaged with a luxury brand’s touch.
Rong Jin felt like a flower quietly blooming in his heart, filling up his entire being.
He knew today was his birthday, and he had prepared something too.
Rong Jin’s hand trembled slightly as he opened the box. The lid was lifted, revealing a pair of platinum cufflinks with inset yellow diamonds resting quietly on a velvet cushion.
Chi Feiran whispered beside him, “When I saw them, I thought they matched the color of your eyes perfectly.”
Although amber might be a closer match, Chi Feiran felt that diamonds were a better fit for Rong Jin himself. That sparkling sensation, wasn’t it just like him?
Rong Jin regretted wearing his casual home clothes now. Otherwise, he could have just put the cufflinks on right away.
He lowered his eyelids and said, “Thank you, I really like them.”
Hearing him say he liked them, Chi Feiran was quite happy. “Brother Rong, wait here. I’ll have them bring your birthday gift over!”
Rong Jin paused before asking, “Isn’t this it?”
Chi Feiran replied, “No, I saw this when I was filming in another city. I’ve prepared something else for your birthday.”
While speaking, he took out his phone and made a call. Someone quickly answered, and Chi Feiran immediately said, “Hurry, bring it in!”
Then Rong Jin watched as Chi Feiran opened the door, and the kid turned back to ask him, “Brother Rong, can the stuff in your game room be moved? If not, should I have them put it in the living room?”
Rong Jin replied, “…It can be moved. Move it wherever.”
As long as he was happy, they could tear down the whole house.
Chi Feiran then turned to the team outside and said, “First, tidy up the game room, and then bring it in.”
Saying “tidy up” was basically emptying Rong Jin’s game room completely.
Chi Feiran pulled Rong Jin to see the gift he had prepared. “These are concept machines that haven’t been released yet. They’ve been tested and come with a lifetime warranty. If there are any issues, you can contact them, um, or you can contact me. They’ll set everything up for you later, including game data backups.”
He could only give a general idea, with professional staff providing supplementary explanations. In short, they showed Rong Jin what modern high-tech was all about.
Rong Jin felt like he wouldn’t need to change his computer for the next ten years.
Chi Feiran looked at him with shining eyes and asked, “Brother Rong, do you like it?”
Rong Jin calmly nodded. “I really like it.”
Actually, his heart had exploded long ago, but he still managed to keep a composed expression on his face.
Chi Feiran breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing him say he liked it, then said, a bit embarrassed, “Actually, Dreamyang reminded me that today is your birthday. I didn’t prepare anything in advance this year, but I’ll give you an even better one next year!”
When Rong Jin heard Chi Feiran say he would celebrate his birthday again next year, he turned to the professionals and asked, “We don’t need to stay here, right?”
They reassured him that they didn’t, as they were professionals who guaranteed everything would be taken care of.
Rong Jin took Chi Feiran’s hand and walked to his room. Although Chi Feiran was puzzled, he followed along.
In the master bedroom, Rong Jin asked Chi Feiran to sit on the couch, then took out the hidden guitar from the cabinet nearby.
Facing Chi Feiran’s slightly surprised gaze, Rong Jin said, “We agreed, I’ll sing for you live too.”
Perhaps it was the lighting, but Chi Feiran felt that at this moment, Rong Jin’s expression was particularly gentle.
His aggressive, almost arrogant beauty had turned into a gentle stream.
As Rong Jin sat opposite him, he lowered his head and gently strummed the guitar strings with a pick, his amber eyes obscured by long lashes.
But when Chi Feiran heard his singing, he clearly realized that Rong Jin’s voice, this song, was much more intoxicating than the version he had heard in his previous life.
A heroic dream turned into a gentle melody.
