Pei Tingsong immediately defended himself, “No way! I really just slipped up!”
Ling Yi wasn’t buying it. She leaned in with a sly grin, “This is a major account, you know? How could an accidental slip land on a fan’s Weibo?”
“There’s only one truth,” Lu Yuan exposed without mercy, “Little Pei searched for keywords.”
“Keywords…” Jiang Miao feigned innocence, “Could it be [Juexia Girl Group Dance]?”
“Tsk tsk tsk.” He Ziyan pointed his index finger at Pei Tingsong from a distance, “My teammate is my clay-like fan series.”
Fang Juexia felt utterly humiliated in front of everyone now, his gaze capable of burning holes through Pei Tingsong. How could he have accidentally liked such an explicit Weibo post?
Could it be that he also wanted to see him dance like a girl?
What kind of situation was this?
Fang Juexia was usually the cheerful, warm-hearted type—a cold-faced little Bodhisattva. This time, though, he was genuinely furious. Even Pei Tingsong, known for his fiery temper, quickly backed down. Under the table, he stretched out his leg and nudged Fang Juexia’s toes. Unfortunately, Fang was still seething and pulled his foot back.
“Don’t mess around like that next time,” Cheng Qiang joined in scolding him. “Thank goodness it wasn’t slandering teammates or some other messy scandal—otherwise we’d be trending again. Seeing your names pop up on trending topics scares me now.”
Ling Yi immediately nodded in agreement like a sycophant. “Exactly! Always use a secondary account when browsing Weibo!”
“What fake accounts?” Cheng Qiang tapped Ling Yi’s head with the documents in his hand. “I told you last time not to use fake accounts. Sooner or later, they’ll be exposed, and that’ll just cause more trouble.”
Pei Tingsong protested, “My fake account is spotless. I guarantee there’s nothing to dig up.”
Ling Yi muttered under his breath, “I’d be a fool to believe you.”
“Alright, behave yourselves. I don’t want to relive those days where I wake up to find all of you trending on the headlines.” Cheng Qiang wrapped up the meeting with a few final words, then had the driver take them back to the dormitory.
As soon as they got in, Fang Juexia immediately switched seats with Jiang Miao to sit by the window, unwilling to sit next to Pei Tingsong. Despite Pei Tingsong’s repeated hints, it didn’t work. Sandwiched between the two, Jiang Miao could only stifle his laughter.
Though Pei Tingsong had retracted his like, his slip-up had been spotted by He Ziyan. Given the considerable time that had passed, it had long since been noticed by the hearing girl who lived under a microscope.
[@SoWhatIfImDeaf: Holy crap, calm down with the sour grapes…]
[@HearingIsReal: Somehow, after he unliked it, it just feels like he’s trying too hard to cover it up. That slip-up proves someone really did search for it.]
[@WhoAmIAssholeForStalkingHearing: Girls, I’m feeling guilty just shipping this couple now]
[@GrapevineView replies to @HowDeservingAmIToHaveHearing: Me too… No no no (shaking myself awake) Ask about team spirit, ask about Pei Tingsong loving clay sculptures]
[@DidHearingGoPublicToday: Seriously, I’m kinda scared seeing my own ID now. Even thinking about changing it. PTS is too intense—did I actually get hooked on xx…?]
It’s not just the online Tingjue girls crushing on them—the Kaleido four-person group chat is buzzing too.
[National First-Class Flower-Hand Performance Artist: This accidental slip is telling.]
[Kaleido’s Biggest Boss: What’s telling?]
[Your Fire Brother Is Still Your Fire Brother: I’m starting to suspect he did it on purpose. Is Pei Tingsong hinting at something?]
[Kaleido’s Top Boss: Hinting at what? Spill it!]
[Essential Home Captain: Stop talking nonsense, guys. I’m stuck between them and can’t even look at your messages.]
[Your Fire Brother Still Your Fire Brother: Is Juexia really mad? That doesn’t make sense. If Juexia isn’t mad, I’d actually think it’s pretty normal…]
Seeing He Ziyan’s message, Jiang Miao turned her head to check Fang Juexia’s state. He was resting with his eyes closed, headphones on, looking as if nothing had happened. But his lips were pressed together slightly—clearly not a relaxed state. She turned her head the other way and saw Pei Tingsong slumped by the window, fingers flying over his phone as he typed nonstop.
[Essential Home Captain: Seems he’s still mad. Juexia’s WeChat keeps buzzing, but he won’t even glance at it.]
[Kaleido’s Top Dog: Why shouldn’t he be angry? What’s wrong with being angry?]
[National Level Flower Hand Performance Artist: Ling Yi, are you stupid? When have you ever seen Jue Xia genuinely get mad at us? Getting angry is normal, you know? If it were you today, and your fans begged you to dance a girl group routine, but I accidentally hit like instead, would you get mad at me?]
[Kaledo’s Top Boss: I’m serious! I’m dragging you to dance with me!]
[National First-Class Flower Hand Performance Artist: …]
Finally back at the dorm, Fang Juexia darted straight into his room. Ling Yi followed him in. “Juexia, let’s pack our bags together.”
Fang Juexia took off his jacket and pulled out his phone. The screen was flooded with WeChat notifications—twenty messages piled up, all from Pei Tingsong. He couldn’t be bothered to read them. He agreed to Ling Yi’s suggestion, and the two began packing for tomorrow’s trip to the hot spring resort. Ling Yi had a childlike spirit. Though they were packing, half the items were snacks and toys. Halfway through, He Ziyan called Ling Yi outside to play games.
“Coming, coming!” Ling Yi quickly finished packing, slammed his suitcase shut, and called, “I’m off!”
“Okay.” “Fang Juexia pulled a black sweater from the wardrobe, laid it on the bed, and began folding it meticulously. For some reason, seeing this sweater reminded him of the magazine shoot he’d done with Pei Tingsong. They’d shot for hours in the snow, their hands numb with cold. Back then, even though Pei Tingsong clearly disliked him, he’d taken Fang Juexia’s hand and tucked it into his coat pocket.
Lost in thought, he suddenly felt a pile of clothes land on his bed. Fang Juexia snapped back to reality, straightening up to find Pei Tingsong standing beside him, his arm still suspended mid-air after tossing the clothes.
“What are you doing?” Fang Juexia frowned. “Who let you in?”
“Still mad at me?” Pei Tingsong moved closer, reaching out to embrace him, but Fang Juexia pushed him away the moment his hand neared. Fang Juexia glared at him like a startled rabbit, the faint flush at his temples making even his anger look striking. “What are you doing here? You messed up my bed too.”
“I’ve messed up plenty of things,” Pei Tingsong murmured.
Fang Juexia gritted his back teeth. “Pei Tingsong…”
” I really know I was wrong. I admit I searched for it, but I didn’t mean to like it…“ Pei Tingsong tentatively tugged at Fang Juexia’s sleeve, stretching the knit fabric out long. ”My suitcase broke. I have nowhere to put my clothes. Can I pack them with yours?“ He immediately added, ”Of course, I’ll carry the suitcase. I’ll be your little assistant the whole time.”
Fang Juexia pursed his lips. “Is it really broken?”
“It is. Want to go check? The wheels fell off.”
His eyes drifted to the pile of clothes Pei Tingsong had brought over, including that camel-colored trench coat he’d draped over him. Fang Juexia couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him. Every time he tried to get angry, all the good qualities of Pei Tingsong would automatically pop into his mind, making him unable to stay mad.
“I’m only going for two days. I can’t take that many clothes,” Fang Juexia replied in a sullen tone.
Hearing this, Pei Tingsong knew he was halfway to success. His voice couldn’t help but sound cheerful. “I wanted you to pick for me. I’ll take whichever one you say to take.”
Fang Juexia didn’t respond, but he began sorting through the clothes on the bed. Pei Tingsong was overjoyed, watching Fang Juexia carefully fold each item. He recalled stories he’d read where wives would pack their husbands’ bags before trips, and the husbands would always be delighted. He’d once found it odd—after all, it was just packing. When the housekeeper handled his luggage, he felt nothing, sometimes even thinking it was too much trouble to bother her with such trivial matters.
But now, watching Fang Juexia fold his clothes neatly one by one, tucking them into his silver-white suitcase where they lay intimately pressed against his own garments, the sensation was utterly magical.
Happiness sometimes arrived without warning.
Fang Juexia bent over, arranging the clothes. The familiar scent of sea salt wafted toward him—delightfully fragrant, the scent of Pei Tingsong. He mentally planned the combinations of tops and bottoms. When he reached the underwear, a wave of embarrassment washed over him, his ears burning again. He hastily folded them and stuffed them into the side of the suitcase. But just then, Pei Tingsong crouched down beside him, pressing close. Out of nowhere, he asked, “Can you call me ‘husband’?”
With a thud, Fang Juexia lost his balance and sat down on the floor. He turned his head, frowned, and looked at him with that expression reserved for fools. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Just say it once. I want to hear it right now.” Pei Tingsong just wanted to fulfill his mental fantasy. He grabbed Fang Juexia’s arm. “It’s not like you’ve never called me that before.”
What a weirdo.
Fang Juexia tried to stand up, but Pei Tingsong, who had already read his move, grabbed his hand and pinned him against the bedside. In broad daylight, he wrapped his arms around Fang Juexia’s waist, slipping his hand under his knit sweater. Fang Juexia squirmed to escape, his voice low and threatening, “Ling Yi will be here any minute.”
“Let him come in then.” Pei Tingsong was unyielding. His appearance was distinctive—usually cheerful and boyish, but when he turned slightly stern, he carried an overwhelming intensity. “You have to let me in first.”
“You wish.” Fang Juexia refused to back down, still trying to pull his hand free. Pei Tingsong was a master of both soft and hard tactics, knowing his delicate flower only responded to sweetness. He immediately switched to a more coquettish approach. “Just say it once. I really want to hear it right now.” “Not only did he pout, he actually sat down facing him, wrapping his bent legs and arms around Fang Juexia. Taking advantage of the empty space, he planted a smack on his lips. ”Please?”
Recalling how Pei Tingsong’s catchphrase toward him used to be “beg me,” Fang Juexia felt a tingle of schadenfreude. He lifted his chin slightly. “Call me what?”
“Husband.”
“Aye.” Fang Juexia answered instantly, his face beaming with the delight of having gotten the upper hand, his sweet smile impossible to hide.
“You really are…” Pei Tingsong reached out to pinch his cheek, but couldn’t bring himself to squeeze hard, settling for a light nudge instead. “Stop playing dumb. Say it.”
Fang Juexia suppressed a chuckle, uttering an “Oh” while his beautiful eyes met Pei Tingsong’s. “Little Brother.” ” Seeing Pei Tingsong’s expression change abruptly, he burst into laughter again, tilting his head back so hard it nearly fell off.
“You’re such a little rascal. Think I can’t do anything to you, huh? Fine, just you wait…” Pei Tingsong began tickling his side. Fang Juexia was incredibly sensitive and dodged with every tickle, laughing like a child.
“Say it! Say it!”
Fang Juexia dodged so hard he nearly fell flat on the floor, yet he stubbornly refused, “Call what? Little brother? You’re the little brother.”
Just as they were playfully wrestling, they suddenly heard movement outside. Ling Yi had returned, calling out Juexia’s name. Pei Tingsong quickly pulled him upright and sat down properly himself. Fang Juexia’s face glowed crimson with laughter, peachy and rosy, his birthmark even brighter.
Just before Ling Yi approached, Pei Tingsong couldn’t resist delivering one final taunt: “The day will come when you’ll beg to call me that.”
“What are you guys doing?” Ling Yi held half a popsicle in one hand and offered the other half to Fang Juexia. Fang Juexia shook his head. “Too cold.”
Pei Tingsong snatched the other half, stood up, and headed for the door. “My suitcase broke. I’ll put my clothes in Juexia’s suitcase.”
Ling Yi remembered something and chased after him. “Xiao Pei, I heard you bought a new game console. Can I borrow it for a couple days? Is it waterproof? Would it break if it fell into the hot spring…”
Closing the suitcase, Fang Juexia recalled Pei Tingsong’s final words. Images flooded his mind: the balcony door left open, a breeze carrying the scent of red calamus that made his head spin. He stood up only to collapse onto his bed, landing face-first on the clothes Pei Tingsong hadn’t taken. Burying his face, he was enveloped by Pei Tingsong’s scent.
It felt like the right time to tell the other members.
But Fang Juexia was also a little worried, unsure if they would accept it.
Yet he had already kept several things hidden from them before. He didn’t want to hide this from them too. Regardless of the outcome, being honest with family was only right.
The next morning, Xiao Wen arrived with a driver to pick them up. The destination was quite distant, and the journey took a while. Everyone chattered noisily at first, but those who couldn’t keep up eventually fell asleep, only to be woken one by one upon arrival.
As soon as they stepped off the bus, several uniformly dressed staff members came to greet them. The leader, dressed in a crisp suit and exuding politeness, led them into the resort. It was quite different from what Fang Juexia had imagined. He had expected grand, imposing buildings, but instead found breathtaking scenery—surrounded by green trees, distant mountains shrouded in blue-black hues. It didn’t resemble a typical hot spring resort at all. Instead of a grand entrance gate, they found an enormous ancient ginkgo tree at the entrance. The ground was carpeted in golden leaves, and a small path wound off to the side. Only a few hand-carved characters on a signpost offered direction.
Fang Juexia looked around and couldn’t help but say, “The scenery here is truly beautiful.”
The man leading them smiled. “Our resort occupies a vast, flat expanse between two mountains, connected to a lake. We’ve built structures while preserving the natural landscape, and all our hot springs are genuine natural sources—perfect for recuperation and relaxation.”
Perhaps due to the abundance of hot springs, a hazy mist shrouded the interior from afar, drifting ethereally among the mountain hues. Beyond the green and yellow foliage, the tree canopy was punctuated with vibrant reds—likely maple trees.
No wonder the owner called it a gem—it truly was exceptional. Private and picturesque, it appeared merely as a mountain vista from the outside, yet revealed a hidden paradise within.
Lu Yuan quipped, “This place is gorgeous. It feels like we’ve come here to cultivate immortality.”
“The air is so fresh!” Ling Yi took a deep breath of the crisp atmosphere. “I feel completely rejuvenated.”
The staff led them deeper into the grounds, where the scenery grew richer: layered rockeries, every tree seemingly meticulously designed. Even Pei Tingsong, who’d seen many fine places and was usually picky, acknowledged, “It’s… decent.”
“We offer a wide range of recreational activities here. Beyond the usual movies, karaoke, and golf, you can also go horseback riding, rock climbing, picnicking, or even feed the peacocks.” The staff member smiled again. “Rest assured, this is a private reservation. We’re hosting only you two over the next couple of days. Feel free to relax and enjoy yourselves. Our confidentiality and privacy standards are top-notch.”
“The boss really outdid himself this time.”
“Finally, no more sneaking around!” Ling Yi was already itching to try everything. “I want to do every single activity!”
The leader glanced at his watch, signaling for the other staff to take the luggage away. He then addressed Fang Juexia and the others: “It’s lunchtime now. We’ve prepared a special homemade meal for you. Please follow us.”
They were led to a dazzling golden ginkgo grove, following a pebble path into a rustic yet elegant pavilion with carved corridors. This was where they would have lunch. The windows were wide, and from inside, they could see autumn winds swirling ginkgo leaves.
No sooner had they sat down than a waiter in white brought a plate of cold appetizers: blanched, chopped purslane tossed with diced smoked ham, layered over chicken broth-simmered water bamboo shoots.
“Such thoughtful preparation,” Jiang Miao remarked. “This single cold dish captures the essence of autumn.”
Not only did Pei Tingsong, raised on Western cuisine, fail to recognize it, but even Ling Yi was perplexed. “What is this? The leaves are so round and adorable.”
“Purslane—a wild green, good for your health.” Jiang Miao served everyone a small spoonful. Fang Juexia tasted a bit—the first bite burst with the fresh, wild fragrance of the mountains, while the water bamboo shoots were tender yet firm. Delicious indeed.
The second course arrived next: a soup Fang Juexia loved. He lifted the lid, releasing a gentle, delicate aroma.
The waiter explained, “This broth is made with ginkgo nuts, wild ginseng, and free-range yellow-feathered chicken. The grouper fillets were briefly poached. Please enjoy the fish while it’s hot, then savor the soup afterward.”
He Ziyan scooped up a piece of fish. “Such attention to detail.”
Lu Yuan tasted the fish—fresh and tender. “That private kitchen we tried last time was also exquisite, but they specialize in cooking. It’s rare for a hot spring resort to pull this off so well.”
Other dishes followed in succession, each a seasonal delicacy. Their demanding work schedules often disrupted their eating patterns; sometimes, for figure management, they even skipped meals altogether. Their stomachs suffered as a result, especially Fang Juexia, who frequently complained of stomachaches.
Pei Tingsong, too preoccupied to eat himself, ladled a bowl of soup. He carefully stirred it with a small porcelain spoon to cool it down, then placed it directly in front of Fang Juexia without regard for others nearby. Fang Juexia turned to look at him, about to offer a gentle reminder, but was caught in the act by the others.
“Oh, the youngest only has eyes for one big brother,” Lu Yuan tapped the bowl rim with his chopsticks.
“Only the handsome ones,” He Ziyan teased, holding his chopsticks. “The unattractive ones don’t count as brothers.”
