Lan Xingchen led Pei Qingjian out of the hotel to the parked car.
He helped Pei Qingjian open the door and settle in.
Only after he got in himself did Lan Xingchen calmly ask, “Was everything you said in the restroom true? You really don’t like Tang Wenzhen?”
Pei Qingjian nodded. “Of course not, I only like you.”
Lan Xingchen smiled at the last part. “No one else left now—you can stop acting.”
Pei Qingjian realized—oh right, he could step out of character now.
“I didn’t think clearly for a moment,” Pei Qingjian smiled, “but I really never liked him. I swear.”
He raised his hand in oath.
This really was the truth. Liking Tang Wenzhen and confessing to him belonged to the original owner, not him.
Seeing this, Lan Xingchen quickly pressed his hand down. “I was just asking, no need to swear.”
“Alright, knowing you don’t like him, I can relax.”
Pei Qingjian said “mm-hmm” twice, then reminded him, “So you can’t like him either.”
Lan Xingchen: …
He looked at Pei Qingjian helplessly. “Do I look like I like him?”
Seems not. Pei Qingjian relaxed. “Then keep it that way.”
Lan Xingchen: …He really doesn’t like Tang Wenzhen at all.
Considering Tang Wenzhen still pined over him, he honestly wanted to add him to a blacklist.
“Back in high school, did Tang Wenzhen sound like that?” Lan Xingchen asked curiously. “He should’ve gone through voice change by then, right?”
Pei Qingjian: ???
How would he know? The original owner had completely forgotten.
“I forgot,” Pei Qingjian blinked innocently. “I was just doing the punishment and confessing to him. I wasn’t paying attention to how his voice sounded. Besides, it’s been years. If he hadn’t suddenly appeared, I’d have completely forgotten I even had this high school thing.”
Lan Xingchen clicked his tongue. “If Tang Wenzhen hears that, he’d be heartbroken again.”
“Sigh,” Pei Qingjian exhaled. “That’s why I said—he should keep his attention on someone else, like Xu Jianian.”
Pei Qingjian glanced at Lan Xingchen, testing him. Lan Xingchen nodded expressionlessly.
Pei Qingjian suddenly became excited. “You think they’re a good match too?”
Lan Xingchen thought: Then don’t just go inserting yourself into someone else’s perfect love story.
Lan Xingchen’s voice was calm. “Judging by Chen Cheng and Xu Ya’s expressions, he probably has some interest in Xu Jianian.”
“Wow, then I’ll just wish them a loving, happy, lifelong union in advance~” Pei Qingjian said sincerely.
Lan Xingchen chuckled at his cheerful tone, started the car, and they drove home together.
Back at home, Lan Xingchen was preoccupied with work, going to the study to hold a meeting with his assistant, checking on collaboration progress, and getting busy again.
Pei Qingjian, meanwhile, focused on his script.
He had gotten some real-world experience today, so he was replaying it in his mind, thinking about how his co-actors would perform and how he should respond.
Since Lan Xingchen was busy in the study, Pei Qingjian stayed in the bedroom, practicing lines.
By the time Lan Xingchen finished his work and approached the bedroom, he heard voices inside before even opening the door.
“Am I doing this wrong?”
“I shouldn’t like him. How could I like him?”
Lan Xingchen: !!!
What does that mean—who is he talking about?
Pei Qingjian’s voice sounded slightly sad. “Even though I shouldn’t care, hearing what they said, hearing about the past, I still… I still feel upset.”
Lan Xingchen: ??? What are they talking about? What past?
“It’s all my fault for appearing too late, for not meeting him sooner.”
“But… did I not want to meet him sooner? Did I want to appear so late? I wish I had known him since birth. I want to go through spring, summer, autumn, and winter with him, every year’s passing days, I want to experience times I didn’t live through, and I want to stay by his side for a lifetime.”
“But it’s not my turn.”
“I don’t have the right. I don’t have that luck.”
“If only we could have met sooner…”
Lan Xingchen: !!!
Lan Xingchen was so startled he stepped back a few paces.
He rushed back to his study, pacing anxiously.
This is bad, really bad. Likes the other person, wishes to have met them earlier, regrets not sharing the same experiences, gets upset over someone else—layered conditions like that could only point to one person!
It’s him!
No wonder Pei Qingjian performed so well today—it was all natural acting!
No wonder he wanted to wish Tang Wenzhen and Xu Jianian eternal happiness—it was because he cared about Xu Jianian himself!
Lan Xingchen sat on the study sofa, letting out a heavy sigh.
What to do now?
Of course, it wasn’t Pei Qingjian’s fault. What’s his mistake? He’s a normal person with normal feelings. A handsome guy like him constantly passing by Pei Qingjian—of course Pei Qingjian would like him!
The main problem lies with Lan Xingchen himself.
He hadn’t repeatedly warned Pei Qingjian not to like him.
He hadn’t accounted for his own “attractive to others” nature.
He hadn’t maintained any distance from Pei Qingjian beyond physical space.
As Lan Xingchen reflected, he suddenly heard faint knocking at the door.
Who could it be?
He got up and opened the study door, only to see Pei Qingjian had also heard it and was heading toward the entrance.
Lan Xingchen froze.
When he met Pei Qingjian… how should he handle this?
He couldn’t pretend he didn’t know Pei Qingjian’s feelings.
Maybe it was time to end their “contract” early.
He felt a twinge of reluctance, though. After these past few days together, he actually liked Pei Qingjian’s personality quite a bit.
Sighing quietly, he walked slowly toward the entrance.
Before reaching it, he heard Xu Ya’s voice. “Why is it you?”
Pei Qingjian tilted his head. “Why can’t it be me?”
Xu Ya frowned. “You and Xingchen… are already living together?”
“Yes,” Pei Qingjian replied with a smile. “For some time now.”
Xu Ya: …
Originally, Xu Ya came to see Lan Xingchen for a meal. Seeing Pei Qingjian now gave him a new thought.
He didn’t rush inside. Standing by the barely open door, he asked Pei Qingjian, “How did you and Xingchen meet?”
“That’s a long story,” Pei Qingjian replied.
“Make it short.”
Pei Qingjian shook his head. “Then I can’t express our true feelings.”
Xu Ya: …
“What do you like about him?” Xu Ya changed the topic.
Without hesitation, Pei Qingjian said, “I like everything about him!”
Lan Xingchen: !!!
Damn it! Just say you like him already!
Lan Xingchen stood in the corner, unable to come out.
“Everything? His face, his money, or how he treats you?” Xu Ya’s voice was calm.
Pei Qingjian countered, “Then what does Xu Jianian like about him?”
Lan Xingchen: !!!
Damn, he really does care!
Lan Xingchen didn’t dare come out any further.
Xu Ya hadn’t expected that question and laughed softly. “Jianian is different. Jianian truly likes him.”
“So that means mine is fake?” Pei Qingjian found that question hilarious.
“You know me? We’ve only met a few times. You don’t even know why I met him, why I moved into his house, or why I’m in front of you now, and here you are, arrogantly judging my feelings and declaring them fake. You’re really something.”
“I didn’t mean it that way,” Xu Ya defended.
“You did,” Pei Qingjian said coldly. “You said Xu Jianian’s feelings for him are real. Doesn’t that mean mine aren’t real?”
Xu Ya was silent for a moment, speaking gently as if explaining, “Jianian liked him for four years—from freshman to senior year. He liked him through the entire college period. Even after Xingchen rejected him, he never let go of that feeling. Even now… he still likes him.”
“So?” Pei Qingjian looked at him, his tone calm. “So it means I didn’t want to meet him in freshman year… didn’t want to like him?”
As he spoke, the lines he had just reviewed in his head queued up, waiting for him.
Perfect timing—he hadn’t practiced a crying scene yet. Why not try now?
A rare chance for practice—if not now, then when?
Pei Qingjian lowered his long eyelashes and put on a sad expression.
“Yes, it’s my fault. I appeared too late and didn’t meet him sooner.”
“But… did I not want to meet him sooner? Did I want to appear so late? I wish I had known him since birth. I want to go through spring, summer, autumn, and winter with him, every year’s passing days, experience the times you did that I missed, and stay by his side for a lifetime.”
“But it’s not my turn.”
“I don’t have the right. I don’t have that luck.”
Pei Qingjian pinched his palm hard as he spoke. Damn! Why can’t I cry?!
Only one line left in the script, but no tears had come. What to do?
He could only keep pinching his palm and add to the lines:
“So I can only meet him at this time.”
Crying!
“I can only listen to you recount your past stories.”
Tears, come on!
“I appeared too late. It’s my fault, but is this what I wanted? If I could, I would want to meet him earlier than anyone.”
Where are the tears?!
Seeing himself running out of ideas and the tears still not coming, he panicked—and finally, a few drops welled up, shimmering in his eyes, threatening to fall.
Good, finally! At least there are tears. Crying on cue is so hard!
With genuine frustration, he sighed, “If only we could have met sooner.”
He blinked, twice, letting the tears finally fall.
Seriously, he even needed to blink manually! And twice!
Those actors on TV could shed tears effortlessly, so beautiful and sad, and yet he needed external help.
Stage one minute, off-stage ten years of effort—it seems he still had a long way to go!
Pei Qingjian glanced at Xu Ya, noticing his gaze had softened. Thank you for letting me practice, for helping me rehearse. You’ve worked hard!
So… how do you think I did?
Am I qualified?
Pei Qingjian met Xu Ya’s gaze, waiting for his reaction.
Xu Ya looked at his reddened eyes, and for a moment, couldn’t say anything.
He didn’t know what to say. He had come to persuade Lan Xingchen on Xu Jianian’s behalf, yet in this instant, he felt guilty and ashamed toward Pei Qingjian.
He was right—he never truly acknowledged Pei Qingjian from the start.
He assumed no one could like Lan Xingchen more than Xu Jianian, who had loved him for so long.
But was it Pei Qingjian’s fault?
Did Pei Qingjian choose not to like Lan Xingchen for so long?
If time could be chosen freely, Pei Qingjian would have eagerly chosen to meet Lan Xingchen as early as possible.
So this shouldn’t be a reason to belittle him.
His late appearance wasn’t his fault. Even missing Lan Xingchen’s college years, he still didn’t complain at lunch, only listened to the past stories.
From this, he seemed very polite.
Even now, feeling above it all, he didn’t force Pei Qingjian away, but earnestly shared his feelings.
Pei Qingjian stubbornly tried not to cry, yet being unable to hide it, the tears still welled up, and despite blinking to hide them, they still fell.
Xu Ya sighed.
“Sorry,” he said. “You’re right. This isn’t your fault. I really have no right to say these things to you.”
After all, Pei Qingjian was just one of many who liked Lan Xingchen, only lucky enough to be liked in return.
So what use was it for Xu Ya to say these things? Ultimately, the choice never lay in Xu Jianian’s hands, nor Pei Qingjian’s—it was Lan Xingchen’s decision.
As long as Lan Xingchen didn’t like Xu Jianian, even without Pei Qingjian, someone else would.
“I’ll go now. Sorry to disturb you.” Xu Ya said politely.
Pei Qingjian had cried because of him. Calling out Lan Xingchen now to talk about Xu Jianian would be too cruel. Better wait until tomorrow, when Xu Ya visits Lan Xingchen’s company. Then they can talk properly about him and Xu Jianian.
Pei Qingjian saw Xu Ya shift from his usual indifference to guilt and thought, not bad—I must have performed well. I even made Xu Ya feel guilty.
Good, keep it up!
Next time, aim to make Xu Ya cry!
He closed the door, preparing to grab some study materials, determined to master crying in a day, practice in two, conquer it in three—crying scenes would become his signature skill!
Just as he stepped past the foyer, he saw Lan Xingchen standing at the corner.
“Why are you here?”
Lan Xingchen nearly jumped back into the wall, startled. He had still been lost in Pei Qingjian’s heartfelt confession a moment ago, his mind filled with anxiety, and hadn’t realized he was caught in the act.
He looked at the redness at the corners of Pei Qingjian’s eyes, and his already troubled heart sank even further.
Oh no, oh no, oh no… he actually cried?!
He had only thought he heard a hint of a sob!
Now it was over!
This genuine emotion had been witnessed, and how was he supposed to face Pei Qingjian from now on?!
It was clear—the contract had to end.
Lan Xingchen was about to speak when Pei Qingjian raised his hand.
“How did I do just now?” Pei Qingjian asked excitedly. “My first attempt at a crying scene! It was tough, but I think I succeeded in the end, right?”
Lan Xingchen: ???
“Act? Crying scene?”
“Yes!” Pei Qingjian brought his palm close to Lan Xingchen’s face. “I pinched myself for so long and couldn’t make tears come. I had to finish all the lines in the script and even improvise some on the spot.”
Lan Xingchen looked at the crescent-shaped imprint on Pei Qingjian’s palm and his reddened eyes: “…Script? Lines?”
“Mm-hmm. I was reading the lines in the bedroom earlier, and then you came, so I used you to practice. You know I don’t have much acting experience, so I have to make the most of every chance to rehearse with a scene partner.”
“Scene partner?”
“Yes.”
Pei Qingjian then retrieved his script and handed it to Lan Xingchen. “Just this scene—did you hear it earlier? What do you think? Did I convey the emotion properly?”
He recalled, “Should the emotion be even richer? For example, the line ‘Did I not want to meet him sooner? Did I want to appear so late?’—should I emphasize it more?”
Lan Xingchen: …
He glanced at the script, recognizing the familiar lines:
Second female (confused, to herself): “Am I doing wrong? I shouldn’t like him, how could I like him?”
“Though I shouldn’t care, hearing what they said, hearing the past, I still can’t help feeling hurt.”
Second female (sighing): “It’s my fault I appeared too late and didn’t meet him sooner.”
Second female (subconsciously sad): “But… did I not want to meet him sooner? Did I want to appear so late? I wish I had known him since birth. I want to go through spring, summer, autumn, and winter with him, every year’s passing days, experience the times you did that I missed, and stay by his side for a lifetime.”
Second female (tears welling): “But it’s not my turn.”
“I don’t have the right. I don’t have that luck.”
“If only we could have met sooner.” (tears fall)
Lan Xingchen: …So it’s all lines! Everything he said, every tear he shed—it was all required by the script!
Lan Xingchen was furious. “Why are you, a guy, memorizing the second female’s lines?!”
Pei Qingjian responded earnestly, “Know your enemy and you won’t be defeated in a hundred battles. I have scenes with her, so I have to know her lines. My acting experience is limited, so I need to practice as much as possible. That way, if the script changes on set, I can adapt.”
Too flexible! Lan Xingchen realized all his previous anxiety, despair, and worry had been completely wasted.
He had almost been tormented by losing such a compatible little golden bird, and yet—
He was just practicing lines!
Lan Xingchen angrily shoved the script back into Pei Qingjian’s arms and turned toward the study.
“What do you want for dinner tonight?” Pei Qingjian asked quickly, seizing the chance to stay professional.
Lan Xingchen turned, his gaze sharp, and said fiercely, “You.”
Pei Qingjian: ???
He didn’t mind at all, but wasn’t sure if this little bird had returned.
“Maybe pick something else?” Pei Qingjian tried to reason. If he’s still in dead-bird mode tonight, then nothing would happen.
Lan Xingchen: …
He leaned closer, squinting. “You beg me.”
Pei Qingjian immediately clasped his hands under his chin, looking obedient and pitiful. “Please~”
Lan Xingchen: !!!
Damn! He’s seriously professional at acting!
Pei Qingjian saw him remain silent and blinked, adding a playful pout, “Is it okay, husband~? Kiss your husband~~”
Lan Xingchen: !!!
“You’re still acting!”
His ears burned red. “No more acting at home from now on.”
“Then what do you want to eat instead?”
“Whatever. You decide.”
Pei Qingjian’s smile lit up the room. “Yay~ As expected of my husband! I knew my husband is the most considerate~~”
Lan Xingchen: !!!
Damn! He’d been tricked!
He huffed and turned toward the study, his ears redder than ever.