By the time he got back home, it was already past midnight.
Mu Nianwen’s livestream was still ongoing, and a faint light could be seen through the crack under the door. Xiao Can passed by his room door, and he could vaguely hear Mu Nianwen’s exaggerated shouts.
Before moving here, Mu Nianwen often received complaints about noise at night. He tried to restrain himself, but it didn’t work well. On one hand, it was hard to control his emotions once they rose, and on the other hand, being too restrained affected the effectiveness of his show, making the audience feel bored.
Xiao Can, on the other hand, adapted well to this. Their schedules were similar, so Mu Nianwen’s noise didn’t affect his rest. Moreover, he had a good relationship with Mu Nianwen, so Xiao Can was always very tolerant of his antics.
However, disturbing the peace was still not right. That’s why when Mu Nianwen moved here, he specially installed soundproof pads in the room he used for livestreaming.
His loud noises were successfully isolated inside, but some could still be heard near the door.
Their fans all knew that the two of them had a good relationship and lived together. Xiao Can occasionally joined Mu Nianwen’s livestreams on his own initiative.
A while ago, Xiao Can had some free time and decided to check out Mu Nianwen’s livestream. He found him playing a horror game and deliberately scared him while wearing a mask, which had a great effect. Clips of Mu Nianwen jumping out of his chair had been made into videos by fans and garnered a surprising number of views, attracting many new livestream viewers.
Xiao Can was very proud of this and wanted to shine again.
However, today wasn’t the right time. He was just too tired and wanted to take a shower and go to bed quickly.
But when he finally got into his familiar bed and closed his eyes, despite the overwhelming yawning, his brain insisted on running at full speed, and no matter how he tossed and turned, he couldn’t fall asleep.
The accident in the elevator last night made him realize a very embarrassing thing: He Xingzhou did not intentionally mark him.
Everything that day was just an accident. The person who had put illegal drugs in He Xingzhou’s flowers inexplicably didn’t show up, and he happened to pass by, attracted by the scent due to his lack of common sense, and then collided with He Xingzhou in an out-of-control state.
And He Xingzhou himself obviously had no recollection of this experience afterward.
So ultimately, He Xingzhou was also a victim. Like him, he had been in poor health recently and needed medication and treatment.
Of course, the possibility of He Xingzhou deceiving him couldn’t be ruled out.
Although He Xingzhou’s character evaluation was very low, after spending these two days together, Xiao Can instinctively trusted him.
Considering the situation in the elevator at that time, if He Xingzhou had really intended to do something to him, he probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to refuse.
In the hotel room, he had been completely overwhelmed by He Xingzhou’s pheromones. And he hadn’t made a fuss afterward, so he might have endured it the second time as well.
But He Xingzhou didn’t do that. He even got injured to save both of them.
Having figured this out, Xiao Can didn’t feel any sense of relief. He just felt more and more aggrieved.
Originally, he had someone to target, but who would have thought that the person he believed was the culprit turned out to be innocent, and he suddenly found himself at a loss.
He didn’t know if the person who drugged him had been caught. He would have to ask He Xingzhou when he had the chance.
However, this collaboration had come to an end, and they probably wouldn’t have much interaction in the future, right?
With his eyes closed, his consciousness gradually became hazy.
Before completely falling into a dream, he couldn’t help but marvel in his heart that He Xingzhou was also lucky that the drugs didn’t fail in front of everyone.
However, was it just a coincidence that it suddenly happened when there were only the two of them?
Could it have something to do with himself?
Unintentionally, Xiao Can brought such thoughts into his dream.
In his dream, he returned to that elevator, surrounded by the strong scent of mint, making him dizzy.
He Xingzhou was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, pointing at him with a righteous look, saying, “It’s all because of you that I suddenly lost control. You must take responsibility.”
He stupidly asked, “How do I take responsibility? You don’t expect me to become AI with you, do you?”
After a moment’s thought, He Xingzhou nodded and said, “That’s possible.”
After saying that, he beckoned to Xiao Can with his finger and said, “Come here.”
Xiao Can went over in a daze.
Just like on that day in the hotel corridor, he was fascinated by the charming scent of pheromones, and he stumbled over wanting to get closer.
He bent down, knelt in front of He Xingzhou, reached out to embrace He Xingzhou’s neck, and then tilted his head slightly upward.
When he was kissed while being held, he vaguely thought, something seems to be not quite right.
What could it be?
Xiao Can quickly gave up thinking.
He knew that everything that was about to happen next would make his body extremely pleased. That was enough.
The next day at noon, after Xiao Can got up, he immediately took a shower.
Standing under the showerhead, he vigorously scrubbed his skin, trying to wash away the sensation left by the dream.
As a naturally dramatic person, he often had strong acting urges when he was alone. Occasionally, he would act out some “I feel dirty, I feel dirty” scenes from TV dramas while showering.
But at this moment, he really felt that way.
Especially when his fingertips touched the sticky mess, shame and embarrassment almost overwhelmed him.
It was obviously something to avoid at all costs, so why did he dream about it, and his body even gave honest and positive feedback?
It was truly a terrifying nightmare.
After stepping out of the bathroom, he happened to see Mu Nianwen rubbing his eyes.
“It’s rare, you’re actually taking a shower early in the morning?” he was very puzzled.
Xiao Can avoided the topic, “It’s already noon, and you still call it early? What time zone are you living in?”
Mu Nianwen chuckled twice and asked, “I ordered breakfast early, do you want me to bring it for you?”
“Thanks, just get me the same as yours,” Xiao Can said, remembering the conversation with his family last night, he tried to ask, “Do you mind if my relatives come to stay?”
“Ah?” Mu Nianwen thought for a moment and said, “If it’s just for a few days, then of course it’s OK.”
“…What about a longer stay?” Xiao Can asked.
Mu Nianwen frowned. “What do you think?”
“Sigh,” Xiao Can sighed. “I don’t want to either. We’re not close at all. It’s really annoying.”
“It’s okay, you can use me as an excuse. I don’t mind if you describe me as fierce and unfriendly,” Mu Nianwen said. “If it doesn’t work, I can help you refuse. After all, I don’t know them.”
“Let’s see when the time comes. I’ll try to handle it myself,” Xiao Can said.
Back in his room, his phone, still lying on the bedside table, suddenly rang. It was Teacher Xia, the sound engineer he had just dealt with these days.
Xiao Can felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy, thinking that there might be something wrong with his audio. He nervously answered the call, only to quickly realize he was worrying over nothing.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the other person cheerfully asked, “When are you planning to visit He Xingzhou?”
Xiao Can was speechless for a moment, thinking, Shouldn’t you ask me if I intend to visit him first?
The other person continued, oblivious, “If it’s convenient for you, can we go together?”
Speaking up now to express his lack of intention to visit would seem too indifferent, not in line with the image he had crafted for himself.
“I’m not sure when you’re available,” Xiao Can said. “I’m quite busy these days.”
“It’s okay, I can arrange it. Just let me know when you decide,” the other person chuckled. “I always feel nervous when I’m alone with him, haha. It’s more comfortable with more people.”
“…”
Xiao Can felt extremely speechless, but also somewhat understanding.
“When can you confirm the time?” the other person asked.
“I…” Xiao Can sighed. “The day after tomorrow, I guess.”
Tomorrow would be fine too, but emotionally, he didn’t want to face it so soon, attempting to delay it.
“Okay, see you then!”
“Wait,” Xiao Can persisted, asking, “What if we suddenly go and he’s not available to receive us?”
“He’s available. I asked just now, and he said he’s been home these past few days,” the other person said cheerfully. “Just let him know before we go.”
After hanging up the phone, Xiao Can sighed.
He thought their relationship was quite good, but it turned out to be superficial brotherhood.
It was understandable, though. With He Xingzhou’s personality, he probably didn’t have many friends, right?
Adding this unexpected visit to He Xingzhou to his schedule, Xiao Can felt both speechless and choked.
Since it was a visit to a patient, he should bring a gift.
Xiao Can couldn’t be bothered to pick something special, so he casually ordered an expensive fruit basket on a fresh produce platform.
At one point, he considered just giving the gift to Teacher Xia to take with him, as a gesture of goodwill. But then he realized that the other person probably wouldn’t agree, and might even suggest postponing the visit to accommodate him.
The next evening, Teacher Xia messaged him, saying they had already arranged to visit He Xingzhou the next day.
“Wouldn’t he think we’re making too much effort?” Xiao Can tentatively asked, “Did he say we shouldn’t go?”
“No, he said he wants to perform a solo guitar piece for us,” Teacher Xia replied honestly.
Xiao Can facepalmed. “Okay, I… I’m looking forward to it.”
Perhaps due to his resistance to tomorrow’s schedule, he felt a vague sense of restlessness.
During his follow-up visit, the doctor had warned him not to overexert himself and to try to maintain a cheerful mood, but he hadn’t done any of that.
Yet miraculously, the discomfort in his body had almost completely disappeared these past few days, and he even felt quite cheerful. It seemed that the new medication was very effective for him.
If he continued taking it, he should be able to wash away the mark and return to normal soon, right?
Who would have thought that after one night, all the restlessness and discomfort would return.
Xiao Can usually drove very calmly and rarely argued with others. But today, he was cut off several times while driving, and an evil fire rose in his heart, almost causing him to roll down the window and curse.
After picking up Teacher Xia, the other person unexpectedly had a fruit basket identical to his own.
The two beautifully packaged boxes sat together on the back seat, making Xiao Can feel both embarrassed and amused.
“You’ve known He Xingzhou for a long time, haven’t you?” he asked the other person. “Why are you still afraid to go to his house alone?”
“Every time we’re alone, he can’t help but want to chat with me about production and post-production,” Teacher Xia shook his head. “Who wants to talk about work all the time after work? So, if I bring someone else along, he loses interest.”
So that’s why he always looks for someone else to tag along.
Xiao Can held the steering wheel, looking ahead, thinking, He Xingzhou and Tan Zhen must have a lot in common to be able to get along so well privately, right?
He Xingzhou’s place was quite remote, and after driving for a while longer, the road became empty and smooth.
Feeling resistant, Xiao Can deliberately drove slower.
About ten minutes before they arrived, Teacher Xia received a call.
He furrowed his brows and talked to the other person for a few moments. Xiao Can gradually realized that something was wrong.
“Can’t you handle such a small matter yourselves?” he asked. “I’m outside now, and it’ll take me at least an hour to get there.”
Xiao Can glanced at him uneasily.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“It’s nothing. I just need to go over there for a bit,” Teacher Xia sighed. “Really, I can’t stand it.”
After hanging up the phone, he asked Xiao Can with a bitter face, “Something has come up in the studio. I need to go.”
“Then, uh… I can… I mean, should we just forget about today?” Xiao Can said. “I’ll send you over now, and let’s cancel for today?”
“No need, no need. We’ve already agreed on it. He would definitely be unhappy if we suddenly don’t go,” Teacher Xia pointed to the gift box in the back seat. “You should go. And take mine as well, consider it a token of goodwill.”
Xiao Can remained silent, biting his lip. He thought, Damn, I’ve seen this trick before.
