“Yu-ge, wuwuwuwuwu…” On the other end of the line, someone was crying miserably. It was obviously Xiao Yitong.
“Mm… what’s wrong?” Yu Junqing yawned, rolling comfortably on the bed. Only after the other side finally stopped sobbing and spoke like a normal person did he ask.
“You’re not seriously thinking of quitting the industry like they say, are you?” Xiao Yitong asked, sniffling nervously.
“…Good boy. I remember there’s a breakfast stall downstairs from your place. Go there and have a bowl of tofu pudding to make up for it.” With that, Yu Junqing hung up without another word, a smile playing at the corner of his eyes as he looked at the strong man who had just stepped out of the shower, still misted with steam.
“Why not sleep a little longer?” Bo Rui asked, drying his hair and noticing the gaze fixed on him.
After a bit of overexertion last night—the big baby had said “no” repeatedly, and afterwards had been completely out of it—how was he up so early today? Bo Rui changed into a bathrobe, suspecting he hadn’t fully satisfied the other.
A shiver ran through him, and Yu Junqing quickly pulled a blanket over the exposed, fair shoulder, accidentally tugging at the sore lower back.
“Aiya…”
Bo Rui smoothed his hair and moved closer. “Be more careful.” His large hand naturally slipped under the covers to massage the waist—was this soreness from yesterday when he’d pinned him against the bathroom wall?
“…It’s fine.” Blushing slightly, Yu Junqing pressed his lips together, hastily changing the topic.
“Xiao Yitong called just now, saying everyone’s spreading rumors that I’m quitting.” Yu Junqing couldn’t help laughing. He’d only come out to Rui-ge, so which fool had started this rumor? And the silly kid Xiao Yitong actually believed it!
Bo Rui’s hand paused briefly, then continued massaging as if nothing had happened.
“I’ll have Liang Xin show him a breakfast stall,” Yu Junqing added, and the two surprisingly synchronized, Yu Junqing laughing, “I already said that.”
“I saw the news; it’s quite a stir,” Bo Rui said, continuing the massage.
Online, things were almost chaotic. Who would have expected that on such an important day, the two of them would publicly come out? If either of their identities had been more ordinary, it wouldn’t have attracted much attention. But one was the recently prominent CEO of RQ, and the other, Yu Junqing, had just won a fresh Best Actor award. Put either one alone in public, and there’d be a flood of fans. Together… well, it was eye candy overload.
#I give up on this world. Are all handsome, fit, wealthy men gay?#
#History shows the eldest brother is always the truth-revealer, no wonder I’m still single#
#I feel so anxious seeing them together, even if they are visually pleasing!#
#At least in their youth, besides looking good, can you feel all the dog food in their mouths?#
#I used to be naive and ship them, but heaven really blessed my boy with a CP, I just want to say—let go of him!#
#Yu Junqing and the RQ CEO are disgusting. Yu Junqing’s acting award must be rigged. Selling your butt as a man? Really?#
#Heh, fools. They’re openly planning to marry. True love. And RQ is new; do you think money alone can buy a Golden Award? Go home and use your brain.#
#I don’t even like homosexuality, but at least I have a brain. The person claiming “selling your butt”? Joke’s on you, a CEO standing before your pale butt… spit. Heh.#
#Unfathomably impressive#
#Everyone’s missing the point! The real question: Will Yu Junqing continue filming The Legend of Lu Yuan in Magic and Martial Turmoil? Planning to quit with such a dramatic move?#
At first, everyone focused on the public coming out. Soon, though, speculation turned into: “Hmm, did Yu Junqing come out because he’s planning to quit?”
Soon almost everyone misunderstood. Because Yu Junqing was busy at home… well, it was assumed he tacitly confirmed it. Everyone jumped on the discussion.
“…No wonder he cried so badly when he called. All rumors, all rumors.” Yu Junqing muttered, softly calling out as Bo Rui pressed a bit too hard, nearly crushing his waist.
“That’s enough. Get up. Today I’ll take you home to see my parents.” Feeling satisfied, Bo Rui withdrew his hand. That waist felt too perfect—further touching might confine the big baby to bed all day. Best to take it slow.
“Go home?” Yu Junqing blinked, a little confused. Wasn’t this Rui-ge’s home?
“Since we’re getting married, I’ll take you back to the old family temple to pay respects.” Bo Rui shook the ring on his hand and helped him put on shoes. Because they planned to visit his hometown, he had removed the rugs. The winter floor was cold; he had to keep an eye on his big baby, lest he step out barefoot.
The warmth of Bo Rui’s hand was high. Yu Junqing squinted as he helped him with socks and shoes, mischievously nudging with his other foot.
“Stop fooling around. We’re going out today, aren’t we?” Bo Rui caught the wandering foot and slipped the sock on forcibly. The man was reckless, having teased him last night and now hurting from his waist, yet still playing around.
“Hmph.” Yu Junqing, remembering last night, now restrained his mischief. He wanted to stomp!
“All done. Let’s go.” Bo Rui tied his laces, completing the task.
“Leaving now?” Yu Junqing tried to step down, immediately wincing. Honestly, his legs didn’t feel like his own. Stepping on the ground felt like sinking into cotton—so soft, so sore, unbearably strange.
“Mm.” Bo Rui kissed his forehead, wrapped his arm around his waist, letting his strength support him. He wanted to take him home early to show the parents and, before the new year, get married. That way, next year they wouldn’t be alone for the holidays. Felt perfect.
Hearing this, Yu Junqing’s interest piqued. He’d never celebrated the New Year with his family. If they married soon, he’d truly have a family. Experiencing New Year together—felt amazing.
After breakfast, Bo Rui loaded the packed clothes into the car, called Old Li to watch the place, and they set off for Bo Rui’s hometown.
Yu Junqing had been there once before, but Bo Rui was taking him to the family graves on the hillside, near the back mountain. The path was narrow, lined with weeds and saplings. Without a 4×4, they might have gotten stuck.
The journey was actually short. Leaving in the morning, they arrived by noon.
Not being Qingming season, the graveyard was empty. Bo Rui carried the sleepy man from the car. Yu Junqing looked exhausted, his face still tinged with weariness. Bo Rui frowned, slightly annoyed.
He set him on a foldable reclining chair on flat ground, covered him with a blanket, and rolled up his sleeves to tend to his parents’ graves.
It had been a while; the grass had grown thick. Bo Rui spent considerable effort clearing it. His tight vest was soaked with sweat on both front and back.
Placing offerings of fruits, pastries, and other tributes, Bo Rui knelt and recited a prayer with a hint of longing.
“You two left early, never saw me marry. Tonight, I’ll bring him straight to you. Last night was intense, he probably still can’t get up. So, he’ll continue sleeping. According to Dad, a man should cherish his wife. Don’t mind that she’s a man—tsk, each one of them is stunning. I don’t even know how many fans call him husband. Our rivals would circle the globe if they tried. After seeing you, we’re ready to marry. Look, the rings are on. Isn’t marriage overdue? Enough, I won’t say more. Watch us—we’ll live well.”
For the rare occasion, he rambled extensively. Bo Rui quietly burned the joss paper. The orange-red glow lit his face. His eyes smiled, and a trace of regret flickered before vanishing.
The burning lasted over half an hour. Standing upright, Bo Rui noticed the big baby had woken, kneeling behind him. Seeing his frown, he said, “Get up.”
“Numb legs?” Seeing no movement, Bo Rui lifted him onto the chair gently.
“I only knelt a little while. My legs are useless,” Yu Junqing said, staring at Bo Rui’s dark face, swearing he’d only knelt briefly. After all, they agreed to pay respects; leaving Rui-ge to kneel alone would be ridiculous.
“Feeling better?” Bo Rui ignored his explanation, noting the legs had gone numb. He remembered.
“Much better.” Yu Junqing obediently followed, wrapping his hands around Bo Rui’s neck, being carried into the car.
“Wait for me.” Bo Rui quickly packed their things, leaving the offerings and two blazing red candles burning at the grave.
“Rui-ge, are we staying at your home?” Yu Junqing asked, holding the blanket.
“Yes, a few days. Once you’re rested, we’ll fly off to get married.”
“Actually, I feel fine now.” Yu Junqing said softly.
“After the wedding, you’ll take your position as President’s wife at the company.”
“…You know already?”
“Know what? President’s wife, also an actor’s man?”
“Oh, so that’s the actor’s man?”
“The nickname your mom fans gave him.”
“I think they should call themselves ‘painful dad fans’…”
“You can show them later that you have the president backing you. No quitting.”
“Hehe, Rui-ge, you’ve gone rogue~”
…The car drove off, leaving the two candles, their orange flames swaying in the wind, waving goodbye. Warm, yet slightly wistful.
—The End—