At six in the evening, Yu Junqing stepped out of the studio and asked Xiao Yitong as they walked,
“So how is it? That is everything for today, right? You did not schedule anything else for me after this?” He was still on someone else’s turf, so his face carried that practiced, easy smile—but there was a trace of nervousness in his voice.
“Mm, that is all. Did you not tell me to keep tonight open? So this is the last item.” Xiao Yitong flipped through his tablet to double-check, then gave him a firm nod.
“That is good. Then you can just drive back later. No need to drop me off.” Yu Junqing seemed to think of something, an unreadable look flickering across his face.
“…All right. Be careful.” The words lingered on Xiao Yitong’s tongue but never came out. In the end, he simply watched Yu Junqing walk away, clearly in an unusually good mood, and sighed inwardly.
Honestly, he really did not want to know what Yu Junqing had secretly gone out to buy earlier today.
Better to light a candle for someone in advance.
With a sympathetic glance at Yu Junqing’s noticeably light steps, Xiao Yitong headed home. He would just pretend he knew nothing.
—
Following his original plan, Yu Junqing arrived early at the movie theater he and Rui-ge had agreed on. For safety’s sake, he had disguised himself so thoroughly that even Rui-ge might not recognize him. That should eliminate any problems.
The theater was packed. One look at the crowd made him click his tongue. Good thing he had been smart enough not to buy seats on the first floor like everyone else. He had deliberately booked a private box on the second floor. No worries about being recognized.
Strangely enough, his bizarre getup did not attract any attention. In the dead of winter, plenty of people bundled themselves up like oversized dumplings, faces hidden except for their eyes. Compared to that, he just looked like someone afraid of the cold, shoulders hunched.
He passed through ticket inspection and made his way upstairs. Maybe it was the atmosphere, but the second floor was dimmer than the brightly lit main level. After a bit of searching, he finally found his seat.
“You are here.”
Bo Rui had already arrived. Today, he was wearing a pair of plain glasses—something rare for him. For a moment, Yu Junqing did not even recognize him.
Bo Rui might not fuss over many details in daily life, but when it came to clothing, he was surprisingly meticulous. One glance at his carefully coordinated wardrobe would tell you that.
And today’s outfit was stunning.
Yu Junqing’s eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
It was rare to see Rui-ge in such a bright color. A sapphire-blue coat fitted perfectly over what was clearly a close-cut inner layer. The neckline plunged in a deep V, most of it concealed by a long scarf wrapped around his neck. Even so, the exposed portion was striking enough.
At least, Yu Junqing found it impossible to resist.
“What is it?” Bo Rui asked, seeing him stare blankly. He reached out to pull him down into the seat—
Only for a hand to slip straight into his coat and press against his chest.
Bo Rui paused, then calmly drew him closer.
“I have noticed you are slowly learning bad habits,” he said, half amused, as he caught the mischievous hand inside his coat.
Even if they were in a private box, that did not mean he had to be so impatient.
“…It is so warm…” Yu Junqing pretended not to hear him and leaned in further.
Rui-ge really was like a human heater.
“As long as you are warm.” Bo Rui stopped teasing him, removed the hand from his chest, and instead enclosed it in his own broad, warm palm.
If it was warmth he wanted, this was much more practical. The previous position had nearly torn his clothes open.
A flash of regret crossed Yu Junqing’s face—but his attention was quickly stolen by the snacks Bo Rui had brought.
Bo Rui had long since noticed that Yu Junqing’s taste buds had grown increasingly refined. He used to eat sweets and snacks bought outside, but after learning some mysterious “ordering technique” from who knew where, he had practically stopped eating anything not made to his specifications.
Perhaps it was time to replace the refrigerator at home with a four-door model. Sometimes the ingredients did not seem fresh enough.
Watching Yu Junqing happily munch beside him, Bo Rui made a mental note.
Yu Junqing had no idea what new domestic upgrade was being considered for the sake of his appetite. He was too delighted.
He had once casually mentioned wanting to eat popcorn while watching a movie. He had not expected Rui-ge to actually make it and bring it along.
Every now and then, he stuffed a piece into Bo Rui’s mouth—though Bo Rui appeared entirely indifferent to popcorn. Yu Junqing narrowed his eyes in bliss, smiling until they curved into crescents.
After quite some time of munching, the movie finally began.
They were watching the very film Yu Junqing had just finished shooting. By rights, he should have attended the screening with the cast and crew. But to preserve a final touch of mystery, Wang Shilin had specially approved his request to skip the group viewing. Yu Junqing had immediately turned to Bo Rui and asked if he would watch it with him instead.
Bo Rui had not even hesitated.
On screen, the scenes were deeply familiar to Yu Junqing. Aside from acting, he had occasionally stood behind the camera with Wang Jin and Wang Shilin to review footage and identify flaws. Even though many shots had been edited, he still recognized nearly every scene.
He absentmindedly ate, glancing sideways at Bo Rui from time to time, eyes spinning as if plotting something.
Bo Rui, however, was completely absorbed. Yu Junqing appeared right at the opening, and he watched intently, eyes fixed on the screen.
For no clear reason, that focus made Yu Junqing suddenly want to be jealous of his own on-screen self.
The real person was sitting right here. Why was Rui-ge staring so hard at the screen?
Pouting slightly, half teasing, half sulking, he shoved a piece of popcorn into Bo Rui’s mouth.
Bo Rui opened his mouth reflexively—but instead of popcorn, his tongue brushed against warm fingertips. He glanced sideways at the man whose thoughts were written all over his face and, on a whim, deliberately licked once.
Yu Junqing’s ears flushed red instantly. He jerked his hand back and lowered his head, silently condemning himself while continuing to eat popcorn.
He had planned to make a move on Rui-ge tonight!
So why did it feel like Rui-ge was the one teasing him instead?
He popped another piece into his mouth, his tongue unconsciously touching the finger that still carried Rui-ge’s warmth.
This was troubling.
If things continued like this, how was he supposed to become the “ultimate top” people joked about online?
And if he could not become the top, how would he ever pin Rui-ge down?
Lost in thought, he fed himself popcorn mechanically, not realizing how much he had eaten.
Bo Rui had been watching the film carefully, eyes tracking Yu Junqing’s on-screen presence. But the steady rhythm of popcorn crunching beside him became impossible to ignore.
Was he trying to get a cavity at this rate?
When Bo Rui glanced over, he immediately recognized the look in Yu Junqing’s eyes. Though he appeared to be watching the movie, he was clearly miles away in thought.
Bo Rui said nothing. He continued watching quietly, occasionally straightening the tilted popcorn bag to keep it from spilling.
After half a bag of popcorn—and with Bo Rui’s “help,” an entire large cup of juice—Yu Junqing finally snapped back to reality.
He rubbed his stomach with a faint frown.
Why did he feel so full?
Looking at the popcorn in his hand, he blinked. When had it gotten so low? Had Rui-ge eaten some too?
Bo Rui, though focused on the film’s climactic scene, had been keeping an eye on him.
“Too full?” he asked.
“But I did not eat that much…” Yu Junqing complained softly, confused as he patted his belly.
Bo Rui considered telling him the truth, then decided against it. It was not serious. He had been watching the whole time. The real culprit was probably the juice.
“Rest a little. Do you not want to watch?” Bo Rui took the snacks from his hands.
From start to finish, Yu Junqing’s mind had been wandering. It seemed his claim about wanting to see the movie had not been entirely sincere.
Bo Rui did not expose him. But if not for the film, then why had he insisted on coming?
Yu Junqing let out a small, regretful burp.
He slipped a hand into his pocket and touched the item hidden there.
With a quiet sigh, he thought—
Maybe the original plan was not very reliable after all.
Those online guides had made it sound easy. But looking at himself now… he could not seem to pull off a single step.