The other party didn’t find it shameful, instead, he seemed proud of it.
It was the first time Wang Heng had interacted with Wang Huanxiu at such close range, and he was left speechless. He hadn’t expected that not only was Wang Huanxiu shameless and arrogant, but his mouth was also so venomous.
The driver stood not far away watching Wang Heng suffer a setback. Running into Wang Huanxiu…this spoiled young master had finally hit a wall.
Wang Heng came from a powerful family, but Wang Huanxiu happened to be superior to him in every way. And he didn’t treat Wang Heng any better just because they were blood relatives.
He bullied everyone equally.
Usually, others were the ones getting the short end of Wang Heng’s temper. Now it was finally his turn to be embarrassed.
The driver wished he could run up and hang a red banner with yellow letters around Wang Huanxiu that said “The Hero Who Defied Heng.”
In front of Wang Huanxiu, Wang Heng was nothing more than an ant. Whether in knowledge, experience, or status, the gap between them was clear.
Wang Heng: “What’s the use of just having good looks?”
His heart had already turned as black as a sewer.
‘What’s the use of just having good looks?’
Originally, Wang Huanxiu had only turned slightly to pay attention to him. But after hearing this, he turned fully to face Wang Heng. His tall and upright figure filled out his suit perfectly, showing off his status and impressive physique.
The two of them standing in the same space created a sharp contrast. Wang Heng was usually busy with his studies and rarely went to the gym. His clothes looked stylish because of his frame.
But compared to Wang Huanxiu’s figure, he instantly looked like a boiled chicken. The clothes he had carefully put together now looked loose and empty, he had nothing going for him.
Wang Huanxiu raised an eyebrow. “What did you say is useless?”
Wang Heng: “…”
‘Fine, we can see you have a gym membership!’
A thundercloud seemed to hang over Wang Heng’s head, pouring rain on him.
The driver: Let this storm rage even harder, please.
Seeing Wang Heng’s frustrated expression, Wang Huanxiu turned to leave. He had no interest in this kind of oppressive “education”.
Wang Heng called from behind, “I’m not done talking!”
But Wang Huanxiu had no obligation to stand there and waste time with him. The sleek black car drove past Wang Heng, leaving him nothing but exhaust fumes.
The driver cautiously stepped forward to ask, “Young Master, shall we head home now?”
“Home?”
‘Go home?’
Wang Heng gritted his teeth. “Let’s go to the gym!”
The driver: “…”
Even if you’re stimulated, you’re not going to magically transform overnight into Wang Huanxiu’s body type.
Buying one of those fake muscle suits would be more realistic.
Of course, the driver didn’t dare say that. Dropping Wang Heng off at the gym actually meant a bit of peace for him. So he quickly started the car and headed for a private gym.
After a day of practice, Bai Shuijin slowly walked out of the dance studio only to see Wang Huanxiu’s car parked at the entrance.
It was so embarrassing. The two of them hadn’t seen each other all day, and Bai Shuijin still hadn’t figured out what kind of face to put on when meeting Wang Huanxiu again. He rubbed his face and opened the passenger door, getting into the car.
Lately, whenever Wang Huanxiu picked him up, he always drove himself, no driver.
But now, Bai Shuijin really missed the uncle driver. If he were here, he could at least help ease the tension between them.
Wang Huanxiu said he liked him. And not just casually, he’d kissed him. That meant if their relationship fell apart, they couldn’t even be friends anymore.
And that meant he would lose his family again.
He really liked this home. It was big and warm, he liked big homes.
Bai Shuijin kept his head down as he reached for the seatbelt. From the moment he entered the car to now, he hadn’t looked at Wang Huanxiu even once.
His head was lowered so much, afraid to make eye contact, and it kept going lower and lower…
The next second, someone grabbed him by the back of the neck and lifted him up.
He locked eyes with Wang Huanxiu and asked awkwardly, “W-what are you doing?”
Wang Huanxiu gave him a look and said, “Were you trying to buckle your head in?”
Bai Shuijin: “…”
His head was so low that the seatbelt was almost in his face.
He sat up properly and fastened the seatbelt correctly. A small pouch landed on his lap…it was the lip balm Wang Huanxiu had bought for him.
Now every time Bai Shuijin saw lip balm, he would think of yesterday’s kiss. But Wang Huanxiu looked completely at ease. He was not only unbothered, but he even confessed his feelings in broad daylight.
Before, he used to ignore him. Now he says he likes him? What a fickle man.
Bai Shuijin opened the lip balm and applied it lightly. He had kept up the habit lately, and without it, his lips felt dry.
Wang Huanxiu started the car. “How was your day?”
Bai Shuijin turned his head to look out the window, deliberately avoiding eye contact. “It was good.”
He told Wang Huanxiu everything that had happened today and added, “I have a test tomorrow morning.”
It was a dance test on the piece he’d been practicing. He intertwined his ten fingers nervously, completely losing the relaxed feeling he usually had around Wang Huanxiu.
The latter obviously noticed.
Wang Huanxiu:, “Are you bothered that I kissed you yesterday?”
“Not really,” Bai Shuijin muttered.
“Then what is it?”
“I’m extremely bothered.”
“…”
Wang Huanxiu heard this but didn’t get angry.
Bai Shuijin felt the soft, slick feel of lip balm on his lips, just like when Wang Huanxiu had licked him yesterday. In the flower greenhouse of the garden… Thinking of this, Bai Shuijin suddenly felt flustered.
So he stared at the greenery outside the car window, torn up inside.
“If you don’t like it, I won’t kiss you again.”
Bai Shuijin kept his head turned, mumbling a quiet “oh.”
Isn’t liking someone supposed to be uncontrollable? He says he won’t kiss anymore just like that, maybe he doesn’t like him that much after all.
Hearing this, Bai Shuijin even felt a little angry.
He felt his laogong-ge’s love wasn’t loyal at all.
“But if you want me to kiss you, I will.”
Bai Shuijin pursed his lips, as if smeared with oil. He definitely didn’t want to!
“Is there anything you want to eat?”
Bai Shuijin blinked. “Aren’t we going home to eat?”
“It’s Auntie Li’s granddaughter’s birthday today. She took the day off.”
It turns out that Auntie Li had such an important matter.
What to eat…this was the eternal dilemma faced by countless people every day.
Bai Shuijin thought hard. Ever since arriving in this world, he’d eaten too many rare delicacies and lavish feasts. Those five-star and Michelin restaurants were available anytime.
Naturally, he started missing junk food.
And to this day, Bai Shuijin still hadn’t learned to spend money like the Wang family. He always spent in a frugal way.
Now that he was asked to choose what to eat, of course it had to be cheap, filling, and with lots of variety.
He just didn’t know if Wang Huanxiu would be able to stomach it.
“Laogong-ge, have you ever had buffet?”
“The kind at hotels?”
“Something like that. Let’s go to a buffet.” Bai Shuijin searched online and found a highly rated buffet place with an average cost of 200 per person.
Decision made.
Wang Huanxiu didn’t say no. Although he’d never been to that kind of place, there’s a first time for everything.
They arrived at the restaurant at around 6 PM. The food was ordered according to the menu, and as long as nothing was wasted during the two-hour limit, they could leave without penalty.
If they wasted anything, they’d be charged extra.
They were two adult men, both with large appetites. Bai Shuijin held the menu and invited Wang Huanxiu to look at it with him.
Wang Huanxiu looked at the menu. “What do you want to eat?”
Bai Shuijin waved his hand and pointed at a few dishes. Wang Huanxiu followed his taste and ordered some more.
They both thought they hadn’t ordered much and when the food arrived, it didn’t look like a lot either. But by the end, neither of them were talking.
Bai Shuijin puffed out his cheeks and kept chewing and chewing. His face looked like a soft white bun, but he just couldn’t swallow anymore.
Wang Huanxiu remained as silent as ever, holding a glass of water in his large hand, but he couldn’t lift it up to take a sip for a long time.
To him, the money for the price difference wasn’t even worth mentioning, but Bai Shuijin said that if they covered the price difference, then they’d lose, and the whole meal would become meaningless.
They finally finished all the dishes, and the only thing left was the cake Bai Shuijin had ordered.
Bai Shuijin: “…”
He had not felt this close to ascending to heaven from one more bite in a long time.
For a moment, he wanted to cry but had no tears. He really couldn’t eat anymore.
The two of them had been sitting across from each other the whole time, while at the tables nearby, couples sat on the same side, making it convenient for them to feed each other and act sweetly with each other.
Back in college, Bai Shuijin used to scoff at those kinds of couples because he didn’t have a boyfriend and it would break his defenses.
But now, looking at the couples nearby, Bai Shuijin seemed to get inspired. He picked up the cake and plopped himself down next to Wang Huanxiu.
The booth was spacious enough for two people to sit without feeling cramped.
Both of them were extremely full. Bai Shuijin scooped up a spoonful of creamy cake and held it up to Wang Huanxiu’s mouth. “Laogong-ge, eat.”
Wang Huanxiu: “…”
This was also the first time he thought he might die from eating too much.
The spoon was held to his mouth, and looking at Bai Shuijin’s expectant eyes, Wang Huanxiu opened up.
The spoonful of cake went down, and Bai Shuijin took a small bite himself.
He ate slowly, like a hamster nibbling. The two shared the same spoon to eat the cake. Wang Huanxiu’s dark eyes drooped slightly, seemingly enjoying the moment.
The next second, Bai Shuijin scooped up another big bite and held it up to him again.
“Laogong-ge.”
“…”
Bai Shuijin stuck close to Wang Huanxiu, his bright eyes blinking at him, “Laogong-ge, we’re so sweet and in love.”
It was unclear whether he was brainwashing him or himself.
Just like that, the two of them took turns to share the cake, one big scoop and one small scoop at a time. Afterwards, they leaned against each other, too full to speak.
Bai Shuijin rested his chin on Wang Huanxiu’s shoulder. “Laogong-ge, we’re so ambiguous now.”
“…”
On the way home, Wang Huanxiu didn’t drive himself. He called for a driver.
As soon as they got in the car, Bai Shuijin leaned his head back and stayed quiet the whole ride.
Wang Huanxiu had good physical stamina, and before long he was back to normal.
The driver glanced in the rearview mirror at Bai Shuijin, who was lying motionless with his head tilted up.
‘Sir, your baby looks dead.’
It wasn’t until they were almost home that Bai Shuijin stirred. “Laogong-ge, did I eat too much?”
He felt like his table manners today were not very good, and Wang Huanxiu must’ve seen it all. He felt a bit embarrassed and self-conscious.
Bai Shuijin: “I think I ate like a T-Rex.”
Wang Huanxiu flatly denied it. “You didn’t.”
Bai Shuijin looked at him.
“More like a kitten.”
Bai Shuijin smiled happily, “Really?”
So laogong-ge liked him. Was this what they called beauty in the eyes of a lover?
Wang Huanxiu’s lips curled into a smile. “I’m joking. It was more like a big pig.”
Bai Shuijin: “…”
‘What a bad, bad man.’
Seeing the look of shock on his face, Wang Huanxiu leaned in close. “I’m joking. Don’t believe me.”
Bai Shuijin turned his head away. “I won’t believe a single word you say now.”
“You won’t believe what I said before either?”
“Too late. You said it, and I heard it.”
He called him a pig.
Unforgivable! Bai Shuijin had danced for so many years and had never been called that.
Bai Shuijin turned his head to the window, showing Wang Huanxiu a cold, indifferent back of the head.
He was now cold and ruthless, as if the whole world had turned to ice.
Next to Wang Huanxiu was Bai Shuijin’s schoolbag, a goose-yellow backpack, Bai Shuijin’s favorite among all his bags.
Fingertips hooked onto the strap, and his voice was as gentle as a mountain spring, “I was joking. I was wrong. You’re nothing like a pig. I apologize.”
The man apologized openly, not finding it shameful at all. Being flexible was the best tool for communication in this world.
As long as it was used right, any situation could be turned around.
The back of Bai Shuijin’s head remained cold.
“Like a swan.”
“Really?”
This time, Bai Shuijin turned his head, casting a resentful glance at Wang Huanxiu.
The man’s hand holding the strap of the bag froze in place as Cupid’s arrow from the angel of love pierced his heart.
“…Really.”
They had eaten too much tonight. Bai Shuijin sat through the entire car ride without digesting much. He still felt very stuffed, and walked much slower than usual.
He swore he’d never eat that much again. He had this constant feeling that if he opened his mouth, he’d immediately vomit.
Night fell. The row of green trees was even darker than the night sky, and the Wang family house was brightly lit.
Today, Wang Muguang had returned home for a few days off because the crew was on break. He would go back once filming resumed.
But as soon as he stepped inside, he wasn’t greeted by a delicious meal, only the news that Auntie Li had taken the day off.
Wang Zhenzhu had also gone out to eat with her girlfriends. The household staff were all busy with their own tasks, leaving Wang Muguang bored on the sofa.
He had planned to surprise the whole family, but there was no one.
Just then, he heard sounds at the entrance, and his ears twitched like a wild animal’s.
Someone was back! He perked up, got up quickly, and rushed toward the entrance in his most handsome pose to welcome them.
He was like a passionate sunflower. He didn’t know who’d walk in first, but whoever it was would be lucky to witness his grand surprise.
The door opened.
Wang Muguang spread his arms wide. “Surprise!”
Bai Shuijin looked at him for two seconds, then raised a hand to cover his mouth. “I think I’m going to vomit.”
Wang Muguang: “…”
For a moment, the whole world dimmed to black and white.
A heinous sinner had appeared on earth.
Just a few seconds, but it would take him a lifetime to heal.
But after wallowing in self-doubt for a few seconds, Wang Muguang immediately crushed that absurd thought and laughed. How could it be possible? How could there be someone in this world who was physically uncomfortable with him?
He remembered the last time Bai Shuijin said he felt like vomiting, it was when he saw Shen He’s magazine photos.
Wang Muguang raised an eyebrow. “Morning sickness?”
Bang!
The electronic door slammed shut with a loud bang, and Wang Huanxiu walked in right after.
Wang Muguang: “…”
Now he really was about to be beaten until he vomited.
The bloody scene of “film actor and sister-in-law have a baby and get caught by the big brother” was playing out right before his eyes.
Even his brother was holding Bai Shuijin’s schoolbag.
Wang Muguang’s keen observational skills told him something was off. Since when did a big boss like his brother carry things for someone?
Or maybe he was just overthinking. It could just be a simple gesture.
Wang Muguang’s sudden appearance was like a magician pulling off a hat trick, and Bai Shuijin asked, “Why didn’t you let us know you were coming back?”
Wang Muguang glanced at his brother nervously. “…I wanted to surprise you.”
“…”
Wang Huanxiu and Bai Shuijin had just changed shoes when the sound of the keypad being pressed came from outside.
Wang Zhenzhu was back.
Wang Muguang rushed to the front. “Move, move, let me show you what a real surprise looks like.”
The door opened. Wang Muguang raised both arms, even jumped a little energetically. “Zhenzhu! Surprise!”
Wang Zhenzhu blinked, her long lashes fluttering with her gaze. Facing Wang Muguang, she said, “Oh, second brother, you’re back.”
She was so calm it was as if she was reading an essay.
Wang Muguang: “Zhenzhu, don’t you miss your brother?”
Wang Zhenzhu changed into her slippers. “Don’t say things that are bad for family unity.”
Wang Muguang: “…”
He silently turned back to look at Bai Shuijin and Wang Huanxiu watching him from not far away.
Bai Shuijin pointed at him while looking at Wang Huanxiu. “He really became a clown after going abroad.”
“…”
‘Aaaaahhh!’
‘There was not a single ounce of warmth in this house!’
Even though no one said they missed him, Wang Muguang still felt his family cared about him through their actions.
For example, Bai Shuijin pulled him over to watch TV together and even gave him half of his tangerine.
Asked if life abroad had been good, what had happened, and how many times he’d gone to the dock for french fries?
Wang Muguang’s wounded heart was soothed. Wang Huanxiu sat quietly next to them reading a book, while Wang Zhenzhu was playing games with a face mask on.
At this hour, shouldn’t his brother be in the study working?
What was he doing here reading?
From his aura alone, Wang Huanxiu didn’t seem like someone with free time. And ever since entering the house, he hadn’t strayed far from Bai Shuijin’s vicinity.
Wherever Bai Shuijin was, Wang Huanxiu was always within sight.
Wang Muguang felt it was strange. Didn’t his brother dislike Bai Shuijin? Weren’t they likely to divorce in the future?
What was this then? Lure Bai Shuijin in, use him up, and throw him away?
That wouldn’t do. Wang Muguang’s sense of justice overflowed. He had been the most positive-energy child in kindergarten, a modern-day model citizen.
After finishing the show, Bai Shuijin yawned, stretched, and went upstairs. Not long after, Wang Huanxiu also got up to leave.
Wang Muguang: “Big Brother! Where are you going?!”
Wang Huanxiu turned back. “To the study.”
‘As if.’
After Wang Huanxiu’s figure disappeared from the first floor, Wang Muguang finally pulled Wang Zhenzhu over.
“Have you noticed anything strange about Big Brother lately?”
“Strange?” Wang Zhenzhu peeled off her face mask. “No? Why do you ask?”
“No? Between him and Bai Shuijin?”
Now that Wang Muguang brought it up, Wang Zhenzhu really did start connecting the dots about their recent interactions.
They did seem a lot more intimate than when she first came home.
“Don’t you think Big Brother is being a little irresponsible?”
Wang Zhenzhu’s expression became serious. “Yes, a little.”
Both of them had heard Wang Huanxiu personally admit he didn’t like Bai Shuijin.
So what was all this closeness about now? In an era where male virtue mattered so much, how could he have no sense of boundaries?
They couldn’t accept this!
Wang Huanxiu hadn’t lied to Wang Muguang. He followed Bai Shuijin upstairs to the fourth floor, but instead of entering the bedroom, he went into the study.
After opening the study door, he didn’t go in immediately but turned to look toward the bedroom.
Sure enough, Bai Shuijin was leaning against the door, watching him warily, like an animal on the grassland observing a predator.
Their eyes met, and Bai Shuijin shuddered. He didn’t expect Wang Huanxiu to notice him.
When Wang Huanxiu went upstairs with him just now, he thought the other party was planning to sleep with him tonight.
Since he had confessed he liked him, wouldn’t sleeping together tonight mean he might not be able to hold back from doing something?!
While feeling conflicted, Bai Shuijin was also a little excited. As soon as he entered the room, he crouched by the door crack. If Wang Huanxiu came in, he’d rush out and cosplay as a roadblock tiger.
As a result, the other party didn’t show any sign of entering the bedroom and went straight to the study.
Wang Huanxiu looked at him and said, “Sweet dreams.”
Then he opened the door and walked into the study.
Watching his figure disappear down the corridor, Bai Shuijin stood there dumbfounded.
That was it?
The thing he expected didn’t happen, and he actually felt a little disappointed. He rubbed his face and went to shower.
Hanging on the bathroom rack was Wang Huanxiu’s bathrobe. It was cleaned daily and a fresh one was always hung in a prominent spot.
Probably because the two had been sleeping together more often lately, the servants had moved the bathrobe into the master bedroom bathroom.
Bai Shuijin walked around the robe twice. Wang Huanxiu’s clothes were one to two sizes larger than his.
The bathrobe was longer than both his pajamas put together. Damn it, he really wanted to fight all those 1.88-meter guys.
But people at 1.76 meters lived more flexibly.
After showering and coming out of the bathroom, he saw a message notification on his phone.
[Wang Huanxiu: My bathrobe is with you. Can I come get it?]
Bai Shuijin: !
He stared at the phone, tapping and deleting on the keyboard, and in the end, didn’t manage to type a single word.
Laogong-ge just wanted to get his clothes. He wouldn’t do anything to him. Bai Shuijin told himself not to overthink it and chanted it in his heart.
[Bai Shuijin: Okay.]
After receiving the message, Wang Huanxiu closed “Make Your Husband Unable to Resist You”, picked up a pillow, and prepared to head to the master bedroom.
He wasn’t planning to sleep there yet. Bai Shuijin hadn’t fully accepted him. If he acted like nothing was wrong and kept sleeping with him, the other party would feel more like he was manipulating the situation rather than being sincere. No one liked being passive in a relationship.
Wang Huanxiu just wanted to switch out a pillow, so he could at least have some presence next to the other party.
Everything had to progress step by step.
But as soon as he opened the door, he saw Wang Muguang and Wang Zhenzhu standing outside.
The two of them stood straight like soldiers, clearly nervous but showing no intention of backing down.
Seeing him come out with a pillow, Wang Muguang plucked up the courage. “Big Brother, where are you going?”
For Bai Shuijin, they were willing to take knives to the ribs. If asked whether they had some irreplaceable reason to stand by Bai Shuijin, they could only say he was both a friend and their “sister-in-law”.
Without Bai Shuijin, Wang Muguang might still be getting scolded online for lacking acting skills, and Wang Zhenzhu would still be stuck in her unrequited love, unable to move on.
If Wang Huanxiu really hurt him, they probably couldn’t even stay friends.
Naturally, Wang Huanxiu couldn’t say he was just switching pillows. “Going to sleep.”
Wang Zhenzhu was shocked. “You want to go sleep in my sister-in-law’s room?”
Wang Huanxiu’s face was filled with black lines, as if he had just heard something absurd. “Why can’t I go sleep there?”
Wang Zhenzhu: “How is sister-in-law supposed to get married after this?”
“…”
