Zhou Ziheng, wearing a gray-green windbreaker, seemed to have rushed over from another event. He hurriedly entered the room and greeted the staff around him.
“Sorry I’m late.”
The wide hood covered half of his face, revealing only a pair of deep-set eyes.
“Ziheng is here.”
He was well-liked, having frequently appeared on this TV station’s programs before, and the staff who worked with him often enjoyed his company. Zhou Ziheng was only a twenty-year-old young man, and to most people in this industry, he was like a younger brother. However, his overwhelming presence often made people overlook his age.
“Xiao Heng, your outfit today looks great,” the makeup artist smiled gently.
Due to insufficient rest, Zhou Ziheng’s brain was slow to react. He opened his eyes and honestly replied, “This outfit is sponsored by the brand.”
“Haha,” the makeup artist laughed, spraying him with hairspray, “You’re still so honest.”
Seeing that he was in such poor condition, his assistant Xiao Luo quickly went to buy him an iced coffee. Just as Zhou Ziheng’s styling was finished, he was ready to shoot the promotional video. He took the coffee, said thank you, and walked out of the makeup room.
He walked around the photography studio area to the semi-open rest area, took two sips of coffee, set it aside, stretched out his long legs, and sat on the nearby sofa. He tilted his head and scanned the surroundings, his gaze sweeping everything in sight—except for Xia Xiqing, who was at the very center under the spotlight.
“OK, Xiqing, you’re done!”
Xia Xiqing thanked him, glancing at Zhou Ziheng, who was curled up on the sofa. The collar of his jacket was pulled up, covering half of his face, leaving only his handsome eyes and tightly furrowed brows exposed, clearly showing his displeasure.
How amusing this person was, as if he had been dragged here against his will. Xia Xiqing walked over, but as soon as he approached, he could clearly see the other person’s brows furrow even deeper.
Don’t you want me to sit here? Xia Xiqing raised his eyebrows and sat down next to Zhou Ziheng, turning his head to smile at him, repeating the same words he had said when they met by accident last time.
“What a coincidence,” Xia Xiqing narrowed his eyes, looking innocent and harmless even though the person in front of him knew who he was. “You’re participating in this program too?”
Zhou Ziheng rolled his eyes upward in silence, shifting his body slightly to the side. He thought to himself, You’re still here pretending with me.
Though he understood, he didn’t say a word, turning his head to the other side, his entire demeanor cold, as if he didn’t see Xia Xiqing.
Despite the cold reception, Xia Xiqing didn’t feel embarrassed; instead, he found Zhou Ziheng more interesting than he had imagined. He leaned back on the sofa with a smile, stretching out his long legs, which were covered by his suit pants.
Zhou Ziheng not only didn’t want to see him, but also didn’t want to hear him speak. He pulled out his phone and headphones from his jacket, about to put them in his ears, when he heard Xia Xiqing speak.
“If you treat your fans like this, be careful I might unfollow you and turn against you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Zhou Ziheng’s hand holding the earbuds pause. After hesitating for a moment, he finally turned his body slightly to look at him.
The word “fan” really works. Xia Xiqing chuckled to himself.
The two of them stared at each other awkwardly for a moment before Zhou Ziheng finally spoke, presumably out of respect. He unzipped the collar of his jacket and said solemnly, “I’m not targeting you personally. I just don’t like people who are unfaithful in their relationships.”
Xia Xiqing froze for half a second.
This… where did this angelic little god come from? With a face that was naturally suited to play the role of an alpha jerk, he was actually so honest at heart.
He smiled, his lips curving like a cunning cat, “How do you know I’m not faithful in my relationships?”
Zhou Ziheng’s brows didn’t relax at all; instead, they furrowed even deeper. He recalled the day he encountered Xia Xiqing in the restroom, when this seemingly harmless person had spoken such cruel words.
Seeing the complex expression on Zhou Ziheng’s face, Xia Xiqing suddenly became serious, his eyes glowing with sincerity. He spoke earnestly in his defense, “Really, I’m not what you think. You’ve misunderstood.” That day’s events were complicated and hard to explain in a short time. That person wasn’t my boyfriend, but he had been harassing me for a long time, and besides me, he was also involved with others. I was driven to the point of no return and had to say those harsh words to scare him off. Someone like me, who looks easy to bully, would be at a disadvantage if I didn’t speak harshly.” His lips tightened, and his expression was a mix of disappointment and resentment. He raised his hand to touch his nose. “I’ve been feeling really bad these past few days. I was the one being harassed, yet my idol still thinks I’m a scumbag.”
The word “idol” worked wonders; Zhou Ziheng’s expression softened noticeably. Xia Xiqing sighed, his eyes innocent and aggrieved. “I swear to you, I’m not the kind of person who’s unfaithful in relationships.”
It’s just that once he feels the other person has truly fallen for him, he wants to run away.
He only enjoys the thrill of chasing others, with an almost obsessive dedication to tackling challenges. Once the challenge is completed, the fiery passion is doused with cold water, extinguished cleanly and decisively.
He looked into Zhou Ziheng’s eyes with an expression so sincere that even a professional actor would struggle to discern its authenticity, showing no fear of scrutiny. “I really, really like you. I’ve drawn so many pictures of you.”
Seeing Zhou Ziheng’s brows relax slightly and the suspicion in his eyes diminish, Xia Xiqing reached out his hand. “It was awkward meeting for the first time and causing a misunderstanding. I’m truly sorry. Let’s get to know each other again.”
Zhou Ziheng crossed his arms over his chest, reluctant to reach out. His gaze swept over Xia Xiqing, hesitating for a moment before finally yielding.
He thought of the painting Xia Xiqing had drawn.
The warmth of their hands intertwined, creating a strange sense of harmony.
“My name is Xia Xiqing.”
Zhou Ziheng nodded slightly, his superior jawline tensing the muscles on his side neck. Though he knew this “fan” must already know his name, he politely introduced himself succinctly, “Zhou Ziheng.” After speaking, he prepared to withdraw his hand, but felt the other person firmly holding onto it. He raised his eyes in confusion and saw Xia Xiqing smiling. “Hey, aren’t you going to ask what my name means?”
This person was truly strange.
Zhou Ziheng slightly raised his chin, a hint of impatience beginning to show in his expression. This expression made him look exceptionally charming, but he still maintained his final patience. “Which characters?”
“Xi is the character for ‘learn,’ and Qing is…”
Before she could finish, the slender, pale hand holding Zhou Ziheng’s palm suddenly exerted force, mechanically pulling him toward her. The guarded distance between them rapidly closed under her tug. Zhou Ziheng’s deep brown pupils dilated slightly, nearly colliding with that seemingly innocent face. Their noses were now separated by an imperceptibly small distance.
The scent of perfume on Xia Xiqing’s body replaced him as the most cunning intruder, flooding in, spreading, and occupying the high ground.
The brief closeness felt like a scene slowed down infinitely, turning into frame after frame of light and shadow. The distance was too close, even their breaths felt ambiguous. The pungent pepper, thick tobacco, and sweet musk were all stirred up, making Zhou Ziheng wrinkle his brow, yet at the moment of acceptance, he sensed a subtle sweetness, precisely entering his breath and permeating his lungs.
Amidst the complex fragrance, an equally ambiguous breathy sound emanated from the corners of his smiling mouth.
“It’s a clarity that’s neither clear nor obscure.”
Xia Xiqing released his hand, the left corner of his mouth curving upward, his eyes brimming with mockery.
Just a moment ago, he was defending his morality, but now he was revealing his true colors with malicious intent.
Absolutely, absolutely cannot trust this face anymore.
Author’s Note: Zhou Ziheng: Next time, I must not let him succeed. Learn from your mistakes. [Fists clenched]
Xia Xiqing: So, do you think I’m delicious? [Smiling]
Zhou Ziheng: …Goodbye.
The perfume prototype is Jizi’s “dirty talk.”
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