ARBRMW : Chapter 54

Xiang Xiuhe smiled slightly and said, “I didn’t expect you two to know each other. Is this your child?”

 

Si Ye hugged Chen Xu’s waist and introduced, “This is my spouse.”

 

This answer made Xiang Xiuhe’s eyelashes tremble quickly, and a stiff expression flashed across his face. Then, he showed a proper smile and said, “You’re married? Sorry, I was just too surprised.”

 

“Yeah, we got married on National Day. I heard from Mo Hang that you were busy filming on set, so I didn’t invite you.” While Si Ye and Xiang Xiuhe were talking, Si Ye would still lower his eyelids to pay attention to Chen Xu, with tenderness hidden in his half-closed eyes.

 

“It’s okay, I was indeed in closed filming at that time.” Xiang Xiuhe raised his lips and said to Chen Xu, “I didn’t expect it to be such a coincidence. You’re actually Si Ye’s spouse. Let’s get to know each other again. I’m Xiang Xiuhe, Si Ye’s old classmate.”

 

He smiled, making people feel more favorable towards him. “Si Ye was very popular when he was in school. Girls from the neighboring school would come to wait for him after school.”

 

Chen Xu blinked innocently and asked Si Ye, “Is that true?”

 

Si Ye rubbed his black hair and said, “It’s not that exaggerated.”

 

“Don’t be modest. Your desk was filled with love letters every day back then, and we, your male classmates, envied you.” Xiang Xiuhe said with jealousy on his mouth, but there was no decrease in the smile on his face. Instead, there was a hint of intimacy.

 

Chen Xu took out his phone and said to Xiang Xiuhe, “My name is Chen Xu, let’s add each other on WeChat.”

 

He paused and raised his eyelids to ask Xiang Xiuhe, “Are celebrities not allowed to add people on WeChat casually? If it’s inconvenient, forget it.”

 

“There’s no inconvenience. If you’re Si Ye’s spouse, then you’re my friend.” Xiang Xiuhe took out his phone and asked Chen Xu, “Shall I scan yours?”

 

Chen Xu nodded. “Sure.”

 

The two exchanged WeChat contacts, and Chen Xu put away his phone and looked up at Si Ye, “Uncle Si, you have a big star friend and didn’t even tell me.”

 

He blinked his big eyes, more like teasing than complaining, especially since he dressed like a little prince today. Si Ye’s heart softened and warmed, and he raised his hand to rub his soft earlobe, staring at Chen Xu with a burning gaze. “I also have a friend who runs an entertainment company. I’ll introduce you to him next time and let him take you to his company.”

 

“Okay.” Chen Xu smiled and revealed his snow-white teeth.

 

Si Ye said goodbye to Xiang Xiuhe after sending him off with Chen Xu. After the two got in the car, Xiang Xiuhe was still standing in place. He took out his phone and called Mo Hang.

 

“Xiuhe, why did you suddenly call me?” Mo Hang’s cheerful voice came from the phone.

 

Xiang Xiuhe drooped his eyelids, walked to a place where the light couldn’t reach, and suppressed the smile on his face. “Why didn’t you tell me that Si Ye got married?”

 

Mo Hang was silent for a few seconds, then said awkwardly, “You know?”

 

“I bumped into his spouse today. Is he even adult now?” Xiang Xiuhe took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, leaning against the wall with a cold expression.

 

“Of course, he’s eighteen.” Mo Hang defended Si Ye, then realized that Xiang Xiuhe wasn’t really asking if Chen Xu was an adult. They couldn’t have gotten married if Chen Xu wasn’t of age.

 

Xiang Xiuhe was just expressing that Chen Xu seemed like a kid.

 

“Xiuhe… I didn’t mean to not tell you. I just thought…” Mo Hang paused and said, “Maybe you didn’t want to know about this.”

 

Xiang Xiuhe took a deep drag of the cigarette, letting the smoke fill his lungs, then exhaled through his nose. “Do you think you’re really looking out for me?”

 

“Do you know how uncomfortable it was for me when Si Ye told me that the kid is his spouse? I felt like I was dying in front of him. Why isn’t it me? Clearly, I came first…” Xiang Xiuhe grabbed his hair in pain, his voice hoarse. Mo Hang’s heart shattered into pieces as he listened. “Xiuhe, I’m sorry… I admit I have my own selfishness. You always look at Si Ye, but Si Ye only sees you as a normal friend. I don’t want you to get further entangled.”

 

“Can you turn around and look at me?” (consider him as a potential partner) Mo Hang’s voice was hoarse, almost pleading.

 

The ash from the cigarette fell to the ground, and it started raining outside the window. After a moment of oppressive silence.

 

Xiang Xiuhe said in a low voice, “I’m sorry… Mo Hang, you’re important to me. If it weren’t for Si Ye, I would choose you… But some things are just like this, seemingly impossible to reconcile.”

 

“I understand…” Mo Hang took a deep breath. “Are you done? I’ll come pick you up.”

 

“No need to trouble yourself. I have to meet some investors later, and it might be late.” Celebrities like Xiang Xiuhe attended such banquets mainly to meet investors. His contract was also expiring soon, and he intended to start his own studio, so it was good to know more wealthy people.

 

Mo Hang frowned upon hearing this. “I told you if you need money, just tell me. You don’t have to beg others.”

 

He was from that circle himself, so he naturally knew how those people operated. If you wanted investment, you had to offer something in return.

 

“It’s not appropriate. Anyway, I’m out of time now. I should go in.” Xiang Xiuhe didn’t continue the conversation with Mo Hang and hung up the phone.

 

Looking at his phone, Xiang Xiuhe walked out from the shadows, a sunny smile on his face, still the glamorous big star.

 

On the other side, Si Ye and Chen Xu got in the car and went home.

 

Chen Xu sat in the car and looked through Xiang Xiuhe’s moments on WeChat. He felt that Xiang Xiuhe’s online presence was similar to his real-life persona—very positive, with no hint of darkness. However, it felt a bit artificial, like there was a specific template he followed.

 

This was probably what they meant by a “public image” in the entertainment industry.

 

Chen Xu couldn’t tell if it was just his imagination, but he always felt a hint of hostility from Xiang Xiuhe, though it was vague and he might have been overthinking it.

 

“What are you thinking about so seriously?” Si Ye pinched Chen Xu’s nose and asked.

 

Chen Xu swatted his hand away and wrinkled his nose, saying with some complaint, “Uncle Si is really popular.”

 

“They’re all attracted to my money and status, not genuine affection.” Si Ye said, which was not entirely wrong. Most of the people who wanted to marry him were attracted to his wealth and status, not necessarily because they truly loved Si Ye.

 

Chen Xu felt a bit sour one second, but immediately felt pity for Si Ye the next. Si Ye was such a good person, yet those people approached him only for their own interests.

 

“Even if Uncle Si goes bankrupt, I still like you. I can support you,” Chen Xu said seriously, resting his head on Si Ye’s chest.

 

It was the first time someone had said they would support Si Ye. “Why are you so cute?” Si Ye’s lips curved into a smile, and he lowered his head to kiss Chen Xu’s forehead.

 

Chen Xu felt like Si Ye was coaxing a child. He straightened up and looked at Si Ye seriously, saying, “I’m serious. When you’re tired, I’ll grow up quickly and become a man you can rely on.”

 

This was probably the most touching words Si Ye had ever heard, even though they might not qualify as sweet nothings. Nonetheless, Si Ye was deeply moved by them.

 

“Okay,” Si Ye said softly, kissing the corner of Chen Xu’s lips.

 

Chen Xu’s eyelashes trembled, his body tense. He stared at Si Ye blankly.

 

Si Ye, with a smile on his face, used his finger to stroke Chen Xu’s lips. “Do you hate it?”

 

Chen Xu clenched his fists and then slowly relaxed them. Shaking his head, he said hoarsely, “I don’t hate it.”

 

“Good boy.” Si Ye held his chin and leaned down to kiss him again.

 

Chen Xu trembled all over, like a fawn learning to stand, and his lips were tightly pursed into a straight line, though his eyes were no longer glaring.

 

Suddenly, he felt a wave of warmth and wetness on his lips. It took him a few seconds to realize it was Si Ye’s tongue. The tickling sensation on his nose made him slowly open his eyes, and he saw the smile on Si Ye’s face, which was engraved in his heart in that instant. Suddenly, an unknown emotion surged up in his chest, rushing like a tide, hot like a flame, making him infatuated and crazy.

 

Chen Xu wrapped his arms around Si Ye’s neck, meeting his hot breath and his beast-like greedy gaze, and offered his soft lips like a sacrifice.

 

Si Ye almost lost himself in Chen Xu’s inexperienced enthusiasm. This moment of ecstasy made Si Ye realize that he was just an ordinary man, struggling in love and desire, sinking in love and desire.

 

The sound of the brakes briefly brought Si Ye back to his senses. He suddenly realized that he and Chen Xu were still in the car, with his driver in the front. Even with the partition between them, they couldn’t hide the fact that they had lost control in the presence of an outsider.

 

Chen Xu’s eyelashes were moist, his lips as red as ripe cherries, and his fair cheeks flushed with drunkenness. He softly called out to Si Ye, “Uncle Si.”

 

These three words made sweat trickle down Si Ye’s forehead, and his pants were completely deformed.

 

Opening his eyes, he saw those beautiful and bright peach blossom eyes wet with mist, with a hint of pink at the corners, like flower petals moistened by dew deep in the forest.

 

Si Ye noticed that it wasn’t just him who had changed. He instructed the driver to stop the car in the garage and then leave.

 

The driver sat in the front row and couldn’t hear what was happening behind him, so he hurriedly parked the car and left, his old face blushing red. Mr. and Mrs. were really close.

 

Si Ye kissed Chen Xu’s eyes gently and said softly, “Uncle will help you.”

 

*******

 

Si Ye: I’ve arrived at the school gate, just come over slowly.

 

Chen Xu: Okay, thanks.

 

Chen Xu, who had never been late for class, surprisingly overslept today. As for the reason, thinking of what he and Si Ye did in the car yesterday, Chen Xu blushed.

 

Today, the driver drove him to school, but in a different car. The car from yesterday had apparently been sent for cleaning.

 

If he could still use being drunk as an excuse before, then last night, Chen Xu couldn’t find any justification for the series of actions.

 

Walking on the road, Chen Xu rubbed his burning ears and murmured to himself, “I really like him.”

 

Apart from this answer, he couldn’t find a second reason to explain why he took the initiative to kiss Si Ye and why he even helped Si Ye when Si Ye said he didn’t need it.

 

He lowered his head to look at his fair hand, and the scorching touch seemed to still linger on his hand.

 

After a brief struggle, Chen Xu thought without any burden of thought: I just like him. I fell for someone in two lifetimes, and it’s Si Ye. It’s not in vain.

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