Chapter 35

Lu Wen grabbed the two sides of the shirt at Qu Yanting's chest. His knuckles touched the fabric, which was even softer than he had imagined. His fingers loosened but did not retract, instead hooking the two light ribbons.

No wonder the wide-angled collar was so beautiful; the hollowed semi-clavicle, the fair triangular area of skin, and the bobbing Adam's apple were all exposed. Lu Wen tried to tighten the ribbons, giving them a tug.

Qu Yanting thought he was fooling around and chided his childishness, "How old are you?"

"In the prime of my life, young and vigorous." Lu Wen's hands and mouth were in sync; he praised himself while continuing to tug. "It's cold outside, tie up your little fairy ribbons."

After being down all evening, the corners of Qu Yanting's lips finally curled up openly, amused by Lu Wen's choice of words. He held up the folded pocket square, afraid it would come undone, so he didn't hand it over, personally tucking it into the small pocket on Lu Wen's chest.

After putting on his overcoat, Qu Yanting tied the two long ribbons into a knot and said helplessly, "They're for decoration, they don't cover much."

Lu Wen raised an eyebrow. So this guy knew they didn't cover much? He pushed his luck, interfering with the other's fashion choices, "You just recovered from your illness, and you don't even know how to bundle up."

Qu Yanting changed the subject, "What a coincidence, both our coats are black."

It was too clumsy. Lu Wen retorted, "There's an even bigger coincidence. We're both men."

These few nonsensical jokes seemed more effective than the forty minutes in the booth. Qu Yanting's mood eased, and he raised a hand to smooth his messy hair, pushing the night's embarrassment to the back of his mind.

The two had left in the middle of the event, and the crew's driver was probably off killing time somewhere, so they didn't bother calling for a car.

They left through the building's back door and emerged into a bustling commercial district. The pedestrian street was brilliantly lit, with department stores, restaurants, and luxury shops, and tourists strolled by in groups of two and three.

It was a rare moment of leisure since joining the cast. Lu Wen and Qu Yanting walked side by side, neither in a hurry. An old couple was sitting by a flowerbed walking their dog, its leash tied to the handrail. The small dog rushed towards them as they passed.

Lu Wen knelt on one knee. His large hand could have petted the small dog's head silly. He stroked it and said, "Its fur is quite smooth."

Qu Yanting squatted beside him and chimed in, "Its eyes are quite big."

The aloof little male dog, confirming they were two overaged single men, turned its butt and went back. Lu Wen and Qu Yanting were speechless. They got up and walked forward, and Lu Wen threw out resentfully, "This dog is no good. I wouldn't raise it even if you paid me two hundred."

Qu Yanting asked, "Then what about an Idiot?"

Lu Wen snorted from his nostrils, but his heart settled back in his stomach. Qu Yanting being able to tease him meant his mood was pretty good.

Seeing Lu Wen remain silent, Qu Yanting bumped his elbow after a few steps. Having ribbed him, he couldn't help but worry, "Are you upset?"

It wasn't that serious, but no one would refuse the feeling of being cared for. Lu Wen deliberately kept a straight face and didn't answer.

The last time Qu Yanting had seriously tried to coax someone traced back to over a decade ago, and the target was his elementary school-aged younger brother. He stood silently at a loss for a moment, unable to think of any other trick.

Lu Wen walked on his own, but was suddenly stopped by Qu Yanting, face to face under a tree. 'What is he going to do? Apologize? Say something nice? Don't tell me he's going to act cute for me on the street?'

Qu Yanting's trick was the same as it was over ten years ago: attract the other's attention with a small object. Back then, it was bubble gum, cards, and toy cars. Now, he had nothing else on him but his phone.

He opened his photo album, selected a fluffy picture, and held it up in front of Lu Wen's eyes. "Let me show you my cat."

It was a domestic shorthair, probably a stray he had picked up, but it was well-fed and robust. Lu Wen couldn't appreciate its beauty; he could only sense that Qu Yanting was at his wit's end.

'Forget it,' he decided to let him off the hook. "So cute."

Thinking his method was working, Qu Yanting asked, "Do you like it?"

"I like it." Lu Wen could no longer tell who was coaxing whom. "It's a really good photo."

Qu Yanting gave up and looked down to fiddle with his phone. Lu Wen sighed softly, blaming only Lu Zhanqing for not shaping his character well, making him too easy to be manipulated.

Just then, the phone in his pocket rang. It was a WeChat notification. Lu Wen took it out and opened it. A little red circle was displayed by "New Friends." He tapped it and saw a friend request.

The note read: I'm Qu Yanting.

Lu Wen found it a little hard to believe, like frantically searching for something and not being able to find it, only for it to appear on its own after he had forgotten and given up.

Lu Wen remained silent, not daring to look at Qu Yanting who was a step away, afraid the other man would change his mind in the next second. He hastily pressed "Accept."

Successfully added.

Immediately after, Qu Yanting sent him the picture of the fat cat.

Lu Wen was afraid that Qu Yanting had only added him to send the picture and would delete him right after. He stared at the screen for a moment before tentatively replying: What's its name?

Qu Yanting looked up, amused. "You could have just asked me directly."

Lu Wen asked without thinking, "You won't blacklist me, will you?"

Qu Yanting paused for a moment, then said with some reservation, "As long as you don't provoke me..." The rest of the words were swallowed. Everything Lu Wen had done tonight was still fresh in his mind, and he couldn't help but change his tune. "You weren't exactly pure to begin with, so why would I blacklist you?"

Whether it was a compliment or a criticism, Lu Wen felt reassured by Qu Yanting's words. Even that fat cat seemed a little more pleasant to the eye.

They continued walking forward. It wasn't convenient to hail a cab on the pedestrian street, so they walked a long way, sometimes talking, sometimes in silence.

They passed a hot pot restaurant. Red lanterns hung beside the black plaque, and the spicy aroma wafted out, causing Qu Yanting to slow his steps. He had only had two glasses of wine at the party and was hungry.

Lu Wen hadn't eaten either. He sniffed the air, a little intimidated by Chongqing hot pot. Just as he was internally lamenting, 'This must be so spicy,' Qu Yanting, like a young master from the old days or a graceful opera singer, elegantly ascended the steps in front of the door.

"I say, Teacher Qu..." Lu Wen tried to stop him at the last minute.

Qu Yanting turned back and invited him, "Come on, my treat."

In the small private room on the second floor, the decor was simple and rustic, with a square table and long benches. Pushing open the window brought a gust of chilly wind. They placed their coats in a wicker basket and rolled up their sleeves. Qu Yanting was much more at ease here than sitting on a velvet sofa.

He held a pencil and ticked off items on the menu, checking off a series of his must-haves for hot pot. When he looked up, Lu Wen was holding his phone horizontally, playing a game, so he helped him out, "What do you like to eat?"

Lu Wen answered, "Clear broth."

"...Okay." Qu Yanting changed the pot base. "We'll get a split pot."

A burst of noise came from downstairs. Qu Yanting held a cup of tea and glanced down. It was a group of seven or eight young people finishing their meal, and a drunk person was making a scene.

The dishes arrived one after another. The split pot was half deep red and half milky white, the two aromas mingling. Besides the time at the hospital, this was the first time Qu Yanting and Lu Wen had formally eaten at the same table.

The two pairs of chopsticks stayed on their own sides. Qu Yanting cooked his food in the red broth and dipped it in a dry chili powder dish. His pearl-colored shirt was so clean, making his two thin lips look exceptionally vibrant.

Lu Wen picked up a slice of beef and placed it on his plate to cool. His movements were slow as he ate the hot pot distractedly.

He was actually waiting for an opportunity, a chance to ask.

Regarding Qu Yanting's behavior and reactions tonight, as well as his aversion to doorbells and ringtones, he didn't think they were normal, but he couldn't determine if they were pathological either. He wanted to know more.

Furthermore, certain traits of Ye Shan and Ye Xiaowu were projected onto Qu Yanting. Was this a simple coincidence, a source of inspiration, or a record of his own experiences? If it was the latter, which parts were creative fiction, and which parts were Qu Yanting's real past?

Lu Wen deliberated over and over, afraid of misspeaking rashly, afraid of touching upon Qu Yanting's privacy. He was so full of apprehension that he couldn't bring himself to speak.

After finishing a plate of shrimp paste, like after a few rounds of drinks, he mustered his courage and called out, "Teacher Qu."

Qu Yanting looked up through the curling white steam. There was a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead, completely different from the sweat when he sang on stage. He was relaxed, natural, his lips slightly parted and unguarded, exhaling spicy breaths.

A thousand words got stuck in his throat. Lu Wen couldn't get a single one out.

Call him a coward or a wimp, but he had changed his mind at this very moment. His curiosity and concern weren't important; he wanted more for Qu Yanting to enjoy this meal without any burden, to leave the hot pot restaurant still feeling physically and mentally at ease.

"What is it?" Qu Yanting asked.

Lu Wen pulled out a tissue. "Wipe your sweat."

"Thanks." Qu Yanting suddenly smiled. With his red lips and dark eyes, he looked bright and vivid under the light. "I ordered a portion of pig brain for you."

Lu Wen was a bit stunned. "Huh?"

Qu Yanting said, "Like cures like."

Lu Wen suddenly felt his sincerity had been misplaced. "...That's going too far."

Qu Yanting picked it up from the serving rack. It was a small portion, shaped like a brain. Those who loved it would drool, while those who didn't would keep a great distance.

Lu Wen frowned and grimaced with extreme disgust, as if he would get up and leave the very next second if Qu Yanting dared to put the brain in the pot.

At that critical moment, a phone rang, its muffled sound coming from the wicker basket.

Lu Wen's phone was on the table, so he immediately lifted the lid with schadenfreude. Qu Yanting put down the pig brain and reluctantly took his phone out from his coat pocket.

The character "Ruan" flashed on the screen.

Lu Wen caught sight of it, and his body, which had been warmed by the hot pot, suddenly turned cold.

It was like waking from a midnight dream, or a slap across the face. Everything he had decided not to dwell on tonight came back to life, replacing the boiling red and white split pot, lying between him and Qu Yanting.

"Hello?" Qu Yanting swiped to answer the call.

The party wasn't over yet, and it was inconvenient to talk on the phone outside. Ruan Feng's voice was a little quiet. "Brother, I called you, why didn't you pick up?"

This was the second call. The first time, it had been noisy downstairs, and Qu Yanting hadn't heard it. He explained, "It's not quiet around here, I didn't do it on purpose."

"Then where did you go?" Ruan Feng said. "I looked for you several times."

Qu Yanting said, "I left after singing."

Ruan Feng asked with concern, "Are you okay? Are you not feeling well?"

"I'm fine, don't worry." Qu Yanting turned his head. There was a faint moonlight outside the window.

Lu Wen's expression dimmed. He wasn't deaf; he could hear the tenderness and doting in Qu Yanting's voice towards Ruan Feng, and it was right in front of him. In a moment of distraction, the beef on the tip of his chopsticks slipped into the broth.

There was some background noise. Ruan Feng asked, "Brother, are you at the hotel?"

"I'm out eating hot pot." Qu Yanting habitually reminded him, his tone carrying a parental command, "Drink less."

"I know." Ruan Feng couldn't help but be puzzled. "Brother, are you eating hot pot alone?"

Qu Yanting replied, "I'm with Lu Wen."

Across the table, Lu Wen's eyes suddenly widened, looking at Qu Yanting in disbelief. What was this? Qu Yanting was alone with him, his unconfirmed "new flame," and he had to tell his old love so clearly?!

After hanging up, Qu Yanting picked up his chopsticks again, only to realize the table was terrifyingly quiet. Lu Wen was as still as a stone statue, his gaze scorching, as if to burn a hole through him.

Qu Yanting's hair stood on end. "Why did you stop eating?"

"How can I possibly eat?" Lu Wen retorted, suppressing the overwhelming emotions. "Teacher Qu, was that Ruan Feng who just called you?"

Qu Yanting nodded, a hint of bewilderment showing. "What's wrong?"

Lu Wen said with difficulty, "I'm not doing well at all. I've been feeling miserable these past two days."

Qu Yanting grew even more confused. "What on earth happened?"

"What do you think?" Lu Wen shot back another question. "You don't understand?"

Qu Yanting was a bit dazed. They were having a perfectly fine hot pot meal, why did one of them go crazy after a call from Ruan Feng? Could it be... he probed, "It has to do with Ruan Feng?"

'Is he finally laying his cards on the table?' Lu Wen took a sharp breath, no longer wanting to play dumb. "Yes, of course it has to do with him."

After a pause, he said forcefully, "And it has more to do with you."

"Me?" Qu Yanting put down his chopsticks.

Lu Wen questioned him, "Why did you have to tell Ruan Feng you were with me?"

Qu Yanting felt dizzy. "Because I am with you right now."

"Why did you tell him!" Lu Wen became agitated. "Have you considered Ruan Feng's feelings? Did you ever think he would mind?"

Qu Yanting was puzzled. "Why would he mind?"

Lu Wen roared hoarsely, "But I would!"

Qu Yanting picked up his herbal tea and downed the whole cup, suspecting the clear broth had been spiked with fake alcohol. He picked up the teapot to pour a second cup, but his wrist was grabbed by Lu Wen, held in a firm grip.

Their eyes met. There were dancing sparks in Lu Wen's eyes. From the moment he saw through Qu Yanting's intentions, he shouldn't have played deaf and dumb. The longer he dragged it out, the deeper the hurt. He could not hold back any longer.

Even if Ruan Feng didn't mind, he couldn't accept it.

Qu Yanting wanted to have a foot in two boats, but he would rather die than be the third party.

Lu Wen had never been so serious. "Teacher Qu, you hinted to me that Ruan Feng and I are very similar. Let me tell you, you've got the wrong person."

Qu Yanting's eyes widened. 'What did I hint at? Didn't I say it outright?'

"Ruan Feng and I are not alike at all. He's tolerant, I'm narrow-minded. He's generous, I'm petty. He doesn't go against your wishes, but I fucking can't accept it!"

Qu Yanting struggled to break free. "What the hell does this have to do with Ruan Feng?!"

'Whatever the consequences, at worst I'll quit the movie. Even if I get blacklisted and have to leave the industry, I don't care!' Lu Wen could no longer hold it in and yelled, "I've known about your relationship for a long time!"

Qu Yanting froze for an instant, his gaze fixed. It was too sudden, too unexpected. He hoped Lu Wen was joking. "...You know?"

"Yes, I've known for a long time." Lu Wen's tone was firm. "There's no such thing as an airtight secret."

Qu Yanting panicked for a second but quickly calmed down. His first instinct was to conceal it. He said, neither servile nor overbearing, "Keep it a secret for us, okay?"

Lu Wen had no intention of telling anyone. He swallowed, his deep voice tinged with a bit of hoarseness, as if it hurt to say the words. "Then in the future... don't mess with me."

"I'm messing with you?"

"Yes."

"How am I messing with you?"

"What do you think? You explain scenes to me, arrange an assistant for me, everything you've done for me—I know exactly what it all means."

"...What does it mean?"

"Still pretending!"

"What am I pretending?"

"Do we have to spell it out? Don't use the same tricks you use on Ruan Feng on me. I don't need it. You're good to Ruan Feng on one hand, and then you take care of me on the other. What kind of person do you take me for?!"

"Is being good to Ruan Feng and taking care of you a conflict?"

At this point, Lu Wen didn't understand why Qu Yanting was still being so stubborn. His tone was so aggrieved it could wring out sour water. "Just let me go! I'm not willing!"

Qu Yanting: "I—"

"You just have to mess with me, don't you!" Lu Wen completely hardened his heart. "Then you first have to break up with Ruan Feng!"

Pushed to his limit, Qu Yanting finally exploded, "What the hell is wrong with you, how can biological brothers break up?!"

"Biological...!"

With a clang, the teacup was knocked over.

Lu Wen was so shocked he bit his tongue, his face a mask of astonishment.