It was the pendant that Tan Zhen had made using pheromones he had tricked He Xingzhou into giving him to alleviate his physical discomforts before Xiao Can had told He Xingzhou everything. These pendants came in various styles, but the only distinctive feature was their hollow design, unique for preserving pheromones.
Since completing the mark, Xiao Can’s physical condition had improved, and he no longer needed such crude comfort. But no matter where he went, he still habitually carried the pendant with him.
For the present Xiao Can, the pendant had completely restored its original meaning.
— To have the pheromones of the beloved person accompany him at all times.
Teacher Xia recognized the pendant and, assuming they were in a romantic relationship, naturally assumed that the chain in front of him was part of a pair, with the other one on He Xingzhou.
“I didn’t expect you to be so lovey-dovey, He Xingzhou,” Teacher Xia laughed uncontrollably, “Is this what they call an old house catching fire?”
After seeing He Xingzhou’s expression wasn’t too good, he quickly stopped and waved his hand, saying, “I understand, it’s fine.” Then he looked at Xiao Can again, “Quick, put it away, your partner is embarrassed.”
Xiao Can quickly grabbed the chain and stuffed it back into his pocket, lowering his head in embarrassment.
The two of them thought their reactions were just shy lovers being bashful and made a few more jokes before bidding them farewell soon after.
Xiao Can accompanied them to the entrance, and as the door closed, He Xingzhou spoke softly, “I think I’ve seen this thing before.”
“Um,” Xiao Can responded, turning around and walking quickly back inside, “Where’s Charlie?”
“Does the meaning of a couple pendant imply that there’s a pair?” He Xingzhou followed behind him, “Is there another one?”
Xiao Can’s ears turned red.
He knew He Xingzhou must have misunderstood by now.
He should explain it quickly. It wouldn’t be difficult to clarify this matter. But then, what’s the difference between that and just confessing outright?
There isn’t a pair, just one. It was originally for comfort, and even though he didn’t need it now, he couldn’t help but keep it with him.
Thinking about the pheromones of He Xingzhou stored inside, he felt reassured and very happy.
“In whose possession?” He Xingzhou’s tone was awkward, “Why have I never heard you mention it?”
“I was going to ask you,” Xiao Can returned to the living room and sat down, still half-facing away from him, “What did you tell Teacher Xia back then? Why did he misunderstand our relationship?”
“I…” He Xingzhou paused awkwardly for a few seconds, “It just sounded more natural this way.”
“You act so innocent,” Xiao Can muttered, “You lie without batting an eyelid.”
“If I said you were casually staying over, it would give the wrong impression of you,” He Xingzhou said, “Saying we’re in a serious relationship, worst case scenario… we can always say we broke up later.”
“You’ve got your way of talking,” Xiao Can said.
He complained, but he didn’t actually feel much resistance.
After hearing Teacher Xia’s words, he was indeed surprised, but he didn’t feel any resentment, nor did he feel angry at He Xingzhou.
Acting openly with He Xingzhou as lovers in front of others struck a chord with his hidden desire, a beautiful role-playing.
But his awkward appearance was interpreted differently by He Xingzhou.
“It’s bothering you a lot, isn’t it?” he said, “Because… of the other half of that necklace.”
As he spoke, he circled the sofa and came to face Xiao Can directly, “But this… isn’t it too strange?”
Xiao Can quickly shook his head, his face turning red. He was trying to gather the courage to explain when he heard a flapping sound.
Both of them turned their heads in the direction of the noise and saw a green parrot struggling to fly into the living room, then quickly deflating as it landed on the ground. After landing awkwardly, it quickly adjusted its posture and ran towards the sofa on its legs.
That “dada” agile running posture was even more natural and smooth than when flying.
It ran all the way to Xiao Can’s feet, and the little guy spread its wings and leaped onto Xiao Can’s thigh.
“Charlie!” Xiao Can reached out to hold it, “Where did you just hide?”
“Welcome! Welcome!” Charlie exclaimed excitedly, “Hello! Hello!”
Its appearance was really cute, and Xiao Can liked it very much, but now was not a good time to play with Charlie.
“Hello,” he subconsciously softened his tone, “But I have something very important to discuss with your dad now. Can you wait a bit?”
Charlie was very excited, repeating loudly, “Okay! Okay~!”
No wonder Teacher Xia called him a “screaming chicken”; Charlie really was a bit noisy.
While Charlie was screaming, his neck stretched in and out, his whole body exerting force, his emotions high, he probably wouldn’t calm down for a while.
“Annoying,” He Xingzhou wasn’t as polite to Charlie, reaching out to pinch his beak shut, “Be quiet.”
He didn’t use much force, and Charlie easily dodged, calling out even louder, “Okay! Okay!”
“Forget about it,” He Xingzhou sighed, “Is the very important thing you want to talk about related to that pendant?”
Less than ten seconds of authority, this indulgent parent, it’s no wonder he raised such an unruly screaming chicken.
“The situation might be a bit different from what you’re thinking…” Xiao Can hesitated.
He didn’t want He Xingzhou to know his true feelings, as it would make all the pretense he had built up so far collapse completely, leaving him with no way out.
But he couldn’t bear to see He Xingzhou sad.
Suddenly, Charlie closed his mouth and, after a brief silence of two seconds, started singing, with a light and pleasant rhythm, sounding very unfamiliar but comfortable.
Xiao Can took a deep breath, “Let me think about how to say it.”
He Xingzhou frowned, silent for a moment before sitting next to him and saying, “Hmm.”
The two remained silent for a while amidst Charlie’s singing, and He Xingzhou spoke up, “You’ve been bullied and didn’t tell me, is it because there’s someone else more important?”
“Of course not,” Xiao Can denied immediately, “It’s not something pleasant, why would I make you unhappy with me?”
“Then… have you told that person?” He Xingzhou asked.
“Who?”
“The person with the other half of the pendant,” He Xingzhou persisted.
Xiao Can chuckled, “… There’s no such person at all.” He said, gripping the chain tightly in his pocket, “The pendant contains a sample of your pheromones.”
Quite abruptly, Charlie, who had been singing happily, closed his mouth at this moment, and the whole space became extremely quiet.
Xiao Can’s heartbeat also seemed to amplify several times.
He Xingzhou was dumbfounded for a while, incredulously asking, “My… what?”
“Do you remember, before Tan Zhen asked you for a breakup, he asked you for a sample of your pheromones?” Xiao Can lowered his head, rubbing Charlie’s head with his fingers, “… That’s it.”
He Xingzhou didn’t return to his senses for a while.
“I was very uncomfortable at that time because the mark wasn’t complete,” Xiao Can said, “I mentioned it to you, your pheromones made me feel better.”
He Xingzhou seemed lost in thought, slowly nodding.
“Don’t blame Tan Zhen for this. I really needed it back then…” Xiao Can said, “… and couldn’t think of any other way…”
“What other way do you need?” He Xingzhou said, “Just tell me directly, how could I refuse you?”
Xiao Can glanced at him, muttering softly, “Are you bringing up old scores?”
“Of course not,” He Xingzhou’s brow relaxed slightly from earlier, but still carried a strong sense of melancholy, “Thinking that you suffered for so long, I…”
“It’s all good now!” Xiao Can quickly interrupted him, “It’s been a long time since then, I’ve almost forgotten what it felt like.”
He Xingzhou reluctantly raised the corners of his mouth, still looking unenthusiastic.
“Feeling guilty?” Xiao Can said, “It was my choice not to tell you back then. You don’t have to blame yourself for everything.”
“Not entirely,” He Xingzhou shook his head, “I know always dwelling on these things is pointless, but the pain is not a feeling one can subjectively control.”
Xiao Can silently repeated his words in his heart.
It seemed to mean that it wasn’t just guilt, there was also heartache.
These two emotions should be very different, right?
Xiao Can almost blurted out, asking He Xingzhou, “Have you fallen in love with me?”
But when the words reached his lips, he couldn’t help but remember what He Xingzhou had said before.
It was the first time he had gathered the courage to ask He Xingzhou, “Do you like me?”
He Xingzhou acted very excited, emphatically emphasizing over the phone that he was absolutely not the type he appreciated, and it was impossible for him to like him.
At that time, he just felt speechless, but if He Xingzhou were to say something like that again now, he would be very sad, maybe even crying on the spot.
That would be too embarrassing.
Xiao Can hated this feeling of uncertainty.
In the life plan he had set for himself, there was originally no room for being troubled by emotions.
Amidst his own annoyance, Charlie, who had been quiet for a moment, finished tidying up and started singing again, the same tune as before.
The cheerful melody was infectious, making people involuntarily relax.
“What song is this?” he asked, “It’s quite nice.”
“Do you like it?” He Xingzhou finally brightened up a bit, “You can name it.”
“Is this your new song?”
He Xingzhou nodded, “I suddenly got inspired recently.”
“It sounds very loving and harmonious,” Xiao Can said, “How about calling it ‘Love and Harmony’?”
That was the name of the theme song for the Bai Tao public welfare project, and He Xingzhou had always maintained an attitude of “I have opinions but it’s up to you” towards it.
Xiao Can knew he didn’t like it, he was just teasing him.
He Xingzhou nodded slowly after listening, “Seems like I’ve heard it somewhere.”
He actually forgot. Xiao Can was about to remind him while holding back his laughter, but then heard him continue, “But it sounds good, very fitting.”
“…?”
“Let’s go with this one,” He Xingzhou said.
Xiao Can quickly raised his hand to stop him, “Wait!”
“Why?” He Xingzhou didn’t understand.
“This is the title of the song I sang with Tan Zhen,” Xiao Can said, “Did you forget about that?”
He Xingzhou suddenly realized, “No wonder it sounded familiar.”
Xiao Can burst into laughter.
He Xingzhou squinted at him, then after a moment, said, “You said before that you carried that pendant because you were feeling unwell, but you’re fine now, right?”
Xiao Can’s smile instantly froze.
“…Then why are you still carrying it?” He Xingzhou glanced at his pocket, “Did you carry it during filming too?”
Thought he had dodged that question.
Xiao Can hugged Charlie tightly, rubbing his head vigorously.
Charlie couldn’t bear the pressure and went off-key, but for some reason, he persisted and kept singing.
“Do you carry it everywhere?” He Xingzhou continued to inquire, “…Why?”
“Habit,” Xiao Can said.
But He Xingzhou didn’t believe him.
“It’s not hanging around your neck, it’s inconvenient,” He Xingzhou said, “When you change clothes, you have to take it out and put it back in your pocket again. You’re not wearing the same clothes today as last time.”
“…?”
“I have a guess,” He Xingzhou said, “Since you won’t say, shall I say it?”
