chapter 31 – paying more attention to a lover than friends

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i made a twitter account for updates if anyone would like to follow! i'm also going to leave lil comments about what i thought about each chapter since i don't want to clutter the posts here 🙂 this is the acc: @jiyangtrans

 

There is nothing else in the world that can spread faster than gossip.

 

Yan Xi’s hometown is out of town, so every New Year, he’ll pack up and go home to spend New Year’s with his parents.

 

After the holiday ended, he just got off the plane when he heard his circle of friends talking about Zhuang Yan and Xie Ning.

 

“Did you know about Zhuang Yan and Xie Ning’s situation?”

 

“People are saying that Zhuang Yan is interested in Xie Ning, and is pursuing him.”

 

“Of course it’s true.
Qi Rui said it to me himself; Qi Rui and Zhuang Yan practically grew up wearing the same pants together.
What he says can’t be false!”

 

Yan Xi: ???

 

When he contacted Xie Ning, the rumors had escalated one by one, from Zhuang Yan being interested in Xie Ning, to Zhuang Yan already having successfully pursued Xie Ning, and finally, someone resolutely said that they were already together.

 

Yan Xi asked Xie Ning, “You and Zhuang Yan…” What exactly is going on?

 

He hadn’t finished asking when he saw Xie Ning’s face slowly blush.

 

“!!!”

 

Yan Xi took a deep breath, and said in disbelief, “You guys are really together?!”

 

Suddenly, his heart lamented over the situation where the cabbage he painstakingly raised from day one was dug up and taken away by a pig.

 

Xie Ning shook his head and said weakly, “We’re-we’re not together yet.”

 

Yan Xi’s mood didn’t really improve after hearing this.

 

Looking at Xie Ning’s thoroughly red face, wandering eyes, and the way he suspiciously paused between sentences sometimes, it seemed like spring was blooming in his heart.

 

Even though they weren’t together yet, it was probably just a matter of time.

 

Yan Xi sighed heavily and asked, “Then…which step are you guys at?”

 

Xie Ning: “…”

 

Xie Ning had never hidden anything from Yan Xi, but this time, he felt embarrassed, and it was a while before he said, “He’s confessed already.”

 

Yan Xi asked, “You didn’t say yes?”

 

Xie Ning shook his head, saying, “I’m not mentally prepared yet.”

 

Yan Xi remembered that night when Xie Ning asked for Dr.
Ji’s contact information, and his heart moved.

 

He’d asked Dr.
Ji later on as well.
During the New Year, Dr.
Ji’s phone was turned on as usual, but he said that Xie Ning hadn’t contacted him, perhaps because he forgot.

 

Even so, Yan Xi felt massively relieved.

 

This was the first time Xie Ning took the initiative to contact a psychologist.

 

Yan Xi didn’t know if this had anything to do with Zhuang Yan, but there was no doubt that Xie Ning had the mind to walk out of his own enclosed space and slowly interact with the world.

 

As long as he was willing, it was a huge improvement.

 

“If I remember correctly, you two have only known each other for less than two months.” Yan Xi thought about it and said, “I think you should give some serious thought to it.”

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Seeing Yan Xi’s imposing expression, Xie Ning bit his straw, slowly took a sip of his drink, and nodded, saying, “…Mmn.”

 

He thought back to that time, and felt like he and Zhuang Yan really didn’t know each other for that long yet.

 

Only two months…

 

With his cold temperament, if it was someone else, two months might not even be enough time for him to remember their name.

 

But with Zhuang Yan, he felt like he’d known him for a long, long time already.

 

The warm, comforting feeling he got from Zhuang Yan made him put down his guard, and he let go of his cold, distant attitude.

 

Xie Ning’s expression looked hesitant, and the blush on his face didn’t recede for a long time.
Yan Xi became vigilant in his heart and beat around the bush, asking him about Zhuang Yan.

 

When he asked what Xie Ning and Zhuang Yan had already done, Xie Ning’s blush worsened, and paused for a long time before saying, “He…he’s kissed me before.”

 

Yan Xi: “!!!”

 

If he didn’t ask, he didn’t know, but when he did ask, he was shocked.

 

His face dark, Yan Xi said, “He dares to molest you?!”

 

“No, no,” Xie Ning, seeing him upset, hurriedly explained, “He didn’t molest me…”

 

Yan Xi said, “He even forced a kiss from you! How is that not molesting you!”

 

Xie Ning subconsciously retorted, saying, “He didn’t force me to, I was also…”

 

His voice became smaller and smaller, until his voice was barely audible, “…I was also willing.”

 

Yan Xi, expressionless, felt even more angry after hearing this.

 

Although Xie Ning seemed more human now, and didn’t have that “What does it matter to me?” attitude, but…

 

Thinking about it, it was still upsetting.

 

Yan Xi suddenly understood why those older fathers sulked when their daughters were getting married.

 

No matter how excellent the son-in-law was, there were still hundreds of flaws to the older fathers, and the men were definitely not worthy of their own, good daughters.

 

Yan Xi took a deep breath and continued to ask, “What else has he done to you?”

 

“Nothing else.” Xie Ning quickly shook his head, and, afraid that Yan Xi would keep inquiring about it, he called the waiter over and ordered a drink to give to Yan Xi.

 

Yan Xi knew that his tone was probably too urgent-sounding, so he took a sip of the drink to suppress his gloominess.

 

After a while, he said, “NingNing, I’m not trying to interfere with your personal matters.
I’m just…a little worried.”

 

Xie Ning made a sound in agreement.
“I know.”

 

Yan Xi said, “Whatever you decide, I’ll support it.
I’m in no position to interfere with your own decision.”

 

Xie Ning paused.

 

“I haven’t had any comprehensive contact with Zhuang Yan before, so it’s hard for me to evaluate him.
I know he probably has a very important position in your heart right now.” Yan Xi laughed a little when he said this, and continued, “But you two haven’t been in contact for long, so you may not be able to see what kind of person he actually is.”

 

Xie Ning subconsciously retorted, “Zhuang Yan, he…”

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Yan Xi stretched his finger out and stopped him from saying anything else.
“I’m not trying to slander him.
But I want you to think about it clearly and not do something impulsive that you’ll regret later.”

 

Xie Ning was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Thank you.”

 

Yan Xi smiled.
“There’s no need to say thank you between you and I.”

 

Xie Ning only said, “Honestly, I know that you’ve been worrying about me all these years…I’m very thankful.”

 

Yan Xi raised his eyebrow.
“In any case, I’m your best friend.
These are all things I should do.”

 

As they were talking, the two of them looked at each other and saw a smile in each other’s eyes.

 

They kept talking.
Yan Xi hesitated for a while, but he finally asked, “Before, when you asked me for Dr.
Ji’s contact information…”

 

Xie Ning’s hand that held a cup in it paused.

 

Yan Xi saw that his expression was off, so he didn’t ask why he wanted the contact information but didn’t call him.
He thoughtfully said, “After the new year, Dr.
Ji is officially open again.
But he’s quite famous and there are a lot of people who want to consult with him.
You’d probably have to wait in line for two days.”

 

Xie Ning nodded, looking as if he was in a daze.

 

Yan Xi said softly, “You can make an appointment first, and if you need me to, I can help you contact him.

 

“There’s no need!” Xie Ning hurriedly refused, and the words were already out of his mouth before he realized that he sounded a bit intense when he spoke.
He pressed his lips together before saying, “…I’ll contact him myself.”

 

Yan Xi didn’t force him, and only said, “Okay.”

 

Yan Xi didn’t say too much about psychologists.
In just a few sentences, he found out that Xie Ning’s resistance to them was still quite strong.

 

This…wasn’t very surprising.

 

He changed the topic and talked about a new restaurant that opened nearby.
“A friend of mine has been to that SiChuan restaurant before and said the flavor was quite authentic.
Definitely spicy enough and strong enough.
Since they opened recently, they’re still offering discounts.
Don’t you like spicy and sour food? How about we go try out that restaurant for dinner today?”

 

Unexpectedly, Xie Ning blinked a few times and refused, saying, “At night…I can’t.”

 

Yan Xi was confused.
“Do you have something to do at night?”

 

Xie Ning nodded.
“I made an appointment with someone at night.”

 

Yan Xi made a keen observation, and asked quietly, “Who are you meeting?”

 

Xie Ning shrank his neck back, and quietly said, “Meeting…Zhuang Yan.”

 

Yan Xi: “…”

 

Xie Ning was afraid he would be upset, and quickly added, “We’ve had this appointment for a while already.”

 

Yan Xi muttered, “I never thought that I would experience this one day, to be abandoned for a lover.”

 

Xie Ning tried his best to defend himself.
“I’m not, I didn’t.”

 

Yan Xi glanced at him and smiled, “I’m not blaming you.
We can just make an appointment for another day.”

 

Xie Ning only felt like he couldn’t give a convincing explanation in self-defense.

 

Chatting for a whole afternoon was enough.
Xie Ning still had to go to dinner, so he left first.

 

Yan Xi stayed in his seat and rubbed his cup.
He was deep in thought for a while, his expression changing all the while.

 

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Finally, he took out his phone, opened his contacts, found a specific person’s name, and dialed the number.

 

Yan Xi: “You here?”

 

A lazy voice came out from the other end of the phone.
“A rare occurrence for you to actually call me.”

 

Yan Xi ignored what he said, and straightforwardly said, “I remember you have Zhuang Yan’s contact information.
Copy it over to me.”

 

The person was silent for a few seconds, and his voice became giddy.
“What, are you going to return the injustice that was done to your treasured Xie Ning and duel with Zhuang Yan?”

 

“Scram,” Yan Xi said, annoyed, “It’s none of your business.”

 

The person chuckled.
“I only have Zhuang Yan’s personal number here, and I can’t give it out to anyone.
I’ll go ask him first.”

 

“Go and ask.
Tell him my name and say that I want to talk to him about something.” Yan Xi thought for a bit, and continued to say, “Or you can give him my contact information and have him come look for me.”

 

“Okay,” the person yawned and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to hang up.
I was sleeping when your phone call woke me up.
Remember to treat me to dinner to reward me another day.”

 

Yan Xi said, “Alright, you can pick the place.”

 

Ten minutes later, Yan Xi received a text message with Zhuang Yan’s contact information.

 

……

 

Xie Ning really wasn’t abandoning his friend for his lover when he told Yan Xi that he had an appointment with Zhuang Yan.

 

Previously, because of original film and television art, Mister Yang Rui was the middleman and contacted them separately to connect them, scheduling them to meet each other after the new year.

 

Afterwards, when they found out each other’s identity, there was no need to do anything else.

 

But the two of them were thankful to Yang Rui for busily working and running around for them for several days, so they decided together to treat Mr.
Yang to a meal.

 

They set the time for tonight.

 

Mister Yang eats healthily and favors a light taste.
Xie Ning and Zhuang Yan decided to cater to his taste and booked an authentic, Cantonese tea restaurant.

 

They heard that the restaurant give Cantonese-style desserts after the meal, and thought that it would be well-received by Mr.
Yang.

 

Sure enough, Mr.
Yang was very happy while eating the meal.
“I rarely get to taste such an authentic Cantonese flavor.
The outside shops might say they’re Cantonese, but their taste is not authentic at all.”

 

Zhuang Yan, curious, asked, “Mr.
Yang, you’ve eaten authentic Cantonese cuisine before?”

 

Yang Rui recalled, “When I was young, I took film and television projects in Hong Kong and Macau before.
At that time, I lived in Hong Kong for a couple months and even stayed in Guangdong for a while.
I don’t remember much of the rest, but I remember that their dim sum was very flavorful.”

 

Zhuang Yan called the water over to bring a couple more side dishes as soon as he heard this.
“This restaurant also has dim sum, so if you like it, then come here more often.”

 

“I don’t have that energy anymore, since I’m old.” Yang Rui sighed, saying, “If I travel such a long distance every day, my partner will nag at me for a long time.”

 

Zhuang Yan chatted with Yang Rui while giving Xie Ning a chicken foot steamed in black bean sauce.

 

Xie Ning blinked a couple of times and softly said, “Thank you.”

 

The meat of the chicken feet was soft and full.
With just a small bite, the meat would separate from the bone, and the unique sauce made Xie Ning’s eyes brighten, making him eat so that fragrance was left on his lips and teeth.

 

His eating appearance, one mouthful after another, made Zhuang Yan think of the little white rabbit in his game and its eating appearance.

 

It really did look very similar.

 

Mr.
Yang looked at them happily and turned to Zhuang Yan, saying, “Although this student of mine doesn’t have much crew experience, his skill is really quite good and he can grasp the essence of a design.
He’s just as good as some people in our industry who have worked for many years, and maybe even better.”

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Zhuang Yan agreed with him.
“I’ve seen his work before, and it was all excellent and suited my taste.”

 

“If it’s your taste, then that’s good,” Mr.
Yang said, “In film and television, you directors and us artists will always have a little bit of disagreement, but as long as everyone has the same understanding of the script, then small differences can be discussed.”

 

Zhuang Yan said a few sentences agreeing with him, and glanced at Xie Ning meaningfully, saying, “Don’t worry, Mr.
Yang, I will take care of him.”

 

Mr.
Yang touched his stomach and nodded.
“With that sentence, I’m relieved.”

 

They chatted enthusiastically with each other.
Xie Ning only said a couple of sentences when profession-related matters were brought up, and his voice was quiet and calm.

 

Afterwards, he decided to just eat his food instead and listened to Zhuang Yan and Yang Rui talk about internal rules of various industries in the domestic film industry.

 

When they finished eating, the sky was completely dark.
The two of them sent Mr.
Yang onto the car, and when the car disappeared into the crowded street, Zhuang Yan closed in on Xie Ning and gave him a big hug.

 

Xie Ning tiled his head and looked at him.
“…We’re still on the street.”

 

Zhuang Yan held him, not letting go, and tousled his head.
“No, I’ve already resisted it all night.
I wanted to hug you like this the whole time.”

 

Xie Ning blushed a little, and said quietly, “Why are you so clingy?”

 

Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrows.
“I’m just this clingy.
Not only do I want to hug you, I also want to kiss you.”

 

Xie Ning was startled, and raised his head to look at him.

 

Fortunately, Zhuang Yan was only saying it, and wasn’t actually going to do it.

 

Xie Ning said, “Then keep imagining it.”

 

After hugging him for a while, Zhuang Yan was satisfied and had just let him go when he reached for Xie Ning’s hand.

 

“Are you hungry? This street seems to have a lot of snack bars, should we go and wander a little?” He held Xie Ning’s hand, yet again not letting go, and even interlocked their fingers.

 

Xie Ning was dumbfounded.
“Didn’t we just finish eating dinner?”

 

Zhuang Yan said, “You didn’t eat much at all.”

 

Xie Ning: “…” How come all he remembered was eating a lot just now?

 

Zhuang Yan said seriously, “Cantonese dishes are too light and aren’t the taste that you like, so I’ll take you to eat something more flavorful and heavy.”

 

Xie Ning said, “But I’m not hungry right now.”

 

Zhuang Yan thought about it.
“Then we’ll walk around for a while to wait until you’re hungry, and then let’s go eat a midnight snack.”

 

The two of them walked side by side.
Zhuang Yan swung the hand that was holding Xie Ning’s hand back and forth, and asked, “What do you want for a midnight snack? Barbecue? Skewers? Crayfish? Grilled fish? I remember there was a small plaza somewhere in front that has various food stalls at night.”

 

Xie Ning, listening to him talk, was moved, and subconsciously swallowed before saying, “A-Anything is fine.”

 

Zhuang Yan chuckled.
“Alright then, all your time tonight is mine.”

 

Xie Ning then realized that he’d been kidnapped by Zhuang Yan again without knowing it.

————————————-

Author’s Note:

Yan Xi: Let’s eat dinner together tonight?

NingNing: …I have an appointment with Zhuang Yan.

ZhuangZhuang: Let’s go, I’ll take you to get a midnight snack.

NingNing: (without knowing) Okay.

Yan Xi: ?????