“I’ve seen Weibo. How did you get involved in all this again?” Bo Rui asked in a low voice, his hands never slowing as he weaved the car through the city streets, somehow making it feel like a high-speed chase.
“I… I don’t know,” Yu Junqing murmured, lowering his head to discreetly wipe away the makeup smudges on his face. He had just caught a glimpse in the mirror and realized how messy his makeup had become. Honestly… he wasn’t sure how Rui Ge could even recognize him now.
Bo Rui didn’t notice. He was focused on the van tailing them, paying no attention to anything unusual about Yu Junqing.
After finishing wiping his face, Yu Junqing lifted his head. “Rui Ge… how did you come here?” According to their arrangement, it was still a bit early.
“I told you we’d have dinner. I just checked your Weibo and saw the incident,” Bo Rui said. He was pleased to see the car behind had fallen back, then glanced at Yu Junqing’s face and froze slightly at the faint red marks.
Yu Junqing’s usually handsome face now bore several reddish lines, looking as though he had been roughed up. It was alarming.
“What happened to your face? Did I do this while driving?” Bo Rui carefully maintained the speed, reaching over to touch it—it was a little swollen.
“No!” Yu Junqing instinctively leaned back, but the cramped car didn’t allow much room. Bo Rui’s warm fingers brushed his cheek, and a blush rose to his ears.
“It’s nothing serious, just a little scrape. It’ll fade soon; no lasting marks,” Bo Rui said, retracting his hand and continuing to drive steadily.
Yu Junqing only murmured an affirmative, his face tinged with pink.
Bo Rui’s home wasn’t far, less than an hour away. He had prepared thoroughly: a pair of oversized sunglasses that almost covered Yu Junqing’s entire face and some hair gel. He casually ruffled Yu Junqing’s hair, wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and led him inside.
“Old Li, you’re on duty again today?” Bo Rui greeted the security guard, who was the same as always.
“Back early today, Xiao Rui,” Old Li smiled.
“Yeah, thanks to this guy,” Bo Rui teased, looping Yu Junqing’s neck around his arm as they walked.
“This guy’s eyes are all over the place these days. Saying my sister-in-law’s pregnant, he can’t be seen, so he insisted on staying here a few days. Look at these sunglasses—trying to hide his eyes? You can’t even see his face!”
Yu Junqing staggered a couple of steps at Bo Rui’s words, finally catching on, and his voice brightened slightly.
“Rui Ge, don’t say things like that! You promised not to expose me!”
“Oh? You’re wearing huge sunglasses and I can’t comment? Do you know how many people stared at you like you were crazy when I came to pick you up?” Bo Rui laughed. Yu Junqing played along obediently as he rubbed the top of his head—a gesture that looked natural since Bo Rui was several centimeters taller.
Old Li chuckled at their banter. Xiao Rui, usually serious and mature for his age, rarely played around like this. Seeing him tease a friend was refreshing, almost like seeing life return to him.
“Come on, I’ll write your name down. Once we’re done, I’ll show you a trick,” Bo Rui slapped Yu Junqing’s back, nearly sending him into the desk.
“Go on ahead, I’ll write it quickly. Your eyes shouldn’t see the sunlight yet, right?” Old Li joked as he scribbled down the registration, ushering them inside.
“Thanks~” Bo Rui’s voice floated back as he rushed ahead. Yu Junqing blinked, then ran to catch up, yelling, “Wait for me!”
“That’s the spirit of youth…” Old Li watched the small but spirited young man chase Bo Rui, smiling.
“Not bad. No wonder he’s an award-winning actor,” Bo Rui said, standing at the door and patting Yu Junqing’s shoulder.
Yu Junqing caught his breath, smiling.
“I didn’t expect to play a mischievous little kid at Rui Ge’s place.”
He entered, removing his sunglasses to reveal his striking face, the red marks much faded.
Bo Rui casually touched his face. “Almost gone. No lasting marks.” He locked the door and turned to go inside.
Yu Junqing froze for a moment. He almost reflexively wanted to push Bo Rui’s hand away but restrained himself.
“Go wash your face. There’s something on it,” Bo Rui’s voice called from the kitchen. Yu Junqing hurried to the bathroom, checked in the mirror, and realized the makeup near his ear hadn’t fully come off, probably touched by Bo Rui earlier.
Using the soap in the bathroom, he washed his face, shook the water from his hair, and stepped out.
“Do you have a cavity?” Bo Rui asked, turning from the fridge to look at him.
Yu Junqing froze. A cavity?
“Hmm?” Bo Rui snorted softly through his nose.
“My teeth are fine,” Yu Junqing blinked and obediently replied.
“Good. Open your mouth,” Bo Rui said, approaching. Yu Junqing, puzzled, opened his mouth. A rich chocolate flavor filled it, sweet with a hint of bitterness.
“Eat one to lift your mood,” Bo Rui explained casually, rolling up his sleeves and taking out some fresh produce to prepare dinner.
“Mmm,” Yu Junqing licked his lips, savoring the chocolate. He hadn’t had it in a long time.
The man in front of him had damp strands of hair sticking to his forehead, softening his expression. The sweetness on Yu Junqing’s lips unconsciously drew a faint, almost invisible dimple. His lips bore the remnants of a bite mark, looking somewhat… suggestive.
Bo Rui turned and caught the gesture, pausing in surprise.
He had suspected something before. Why did this person seem so enticing?
“Don’t lick it. Too lewd,” Bo Rui said, tossing the comment over his shoulder, taking the ingredients into the kitchen.
Yu Junqing stiffened, dumbfounded at Bo Rui’s words. What… too lewd? He cautiously peeked at the sliding kitchen door, timidly licking his lips.
His feelings were complicated. How could that simple gesture look lewd?
Inside, Bo Rui chopped scallions, his wheat-colored skin lightly flushed. He couldn’t stop thinking about Yu Junqing’s earlier motion, scolding himself silently. What was he thinking, fantasizing like this? They weren’t even on the same wavelength!
Shaking his head, Bo Rui focused back on planning the meal, wanting to make sure it was decent for his guest.
“Director Wang,” Yu Junqing answered a call, keeping a neutral expression while hearing a quick rundown of the situation.
Someone had secretly taken the footage of the “coaching” scene and posted it on Weibo. Now the internet was buzzing, with half claiming Yu Junqing was acting arrogantly, and the other half accusing Director Wang of improper conduct. Meanwhile, a few photos showed him and Yu Junqing smiling and talking, implying a close relationship and fueling the narrative of “coaching” incidents.
“I’ll sort out the crew. I want to see who’s been meddling behind my back,” Director Wang said coldly. Normally even-tempered, he now felt betrayed and wanted to confront the culprit.
He added, “You better stay low these days. Xiao Shao told me about your situation. He can’t contact you, and your apartment seems to have been exposed as well.”
Yu Junqing’s heart sank. His apartment… exposed?
Hastily ending the call, he logged onto a Weibo alt account and quickly found a post revealing his home address.
It was true. Yu Junqing felt a chill. Xu Zong… ruthless as ever.
He had assumed Xu Zong would restrain himself after the warning, but he had hit him when he was already down. Was he trying to leave him homeless?
“What happened?” Bo Rui came out with some ingredients, noticing Yu Junqing’s pale face and blue lips. He hurried over, feeling the cold sweat on his forehead.
“Rui Ge…” Yu Junqing’s eyes were dazed, his right hand rising slightly as if to grasp something, then dropping slowly.
“Alright, go lie down first,” Bo Rui said. Seeing the expression, he didn’t wait for Yu Junqing to speak. He carried him to the bedroom, laid him on the bed, and went to fetch a hot towel.
After cleaning him thoroughly and tucking him in, the warmth of the towel and the freshly aired bedding relaxed Yu Junqing, and soon he drifted into a deep sleep.