Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Xu Ze's Side Story (End)

Xu Ze was sprawled out on the bed, not moving a muscle.

He finally understood why those buff dudes liked being the bottom—it was truly pleasurable.

But damn, it hurt like hell.

Yun Yun walked in, backpack slung over her shoulder: "Xu Ze, aren’t you taking me to school today?"

"Not feeling great today, I’ll take you tomorrow, okay?" Xu Ze forced an awkward smile.

"Alright, make sure to take your meds if you’re sick," Yun Yun said, then turned around and waved goodbye before leaving.

Wu Xiaoxiang was at the door, looking as cool as a cucumber.

Thinking about how much he hurt while the other guy stayed all icy, Xu Ze couldn’t resist messing with her: "Yun Yun, do you want to know why I'm sick?"

Yun Yun asked, "Why’s that?"

Before Xu Ze could spill, Wu Xiaoxiang hustled Yun Yun outside: "You’re gonna be late."

With that, he looked away, gave a light cough, and avoided Xu Ze’s eyes, "...I'll be back soon."

After they left, Xu Ze buried his face in the pillow, cracking up, and muttered to himself the next line: "...because your brother hit me last night, really hard."

...

Wu Xiaoxiang came back with ointment and breakfast in hand.

Xu Ze was sprawled out, watching him: "Finally got a clue, huh? Even got me meds?"

Wu Xiaoxiang brushed him off, but his touch was gentle. After applying the ointment, he placed it at the very bottom of the cabinet.

Xu Ze managed to sit up and threw his arms around Wu Xiaoxiang’s neck: "Gimme a morning kiss."

Wu Xiaoxiang shoved his face away: "You haven't brushed your teeth."

Xu Ze clicked his tongue and hobbled off to brush his teeth. When he got back, he skipped the breakfast and puckered up: "I've brushed my teeth."

Wu Xiaoxiang kept ignoring him, slipping into a thin long-sleeve right in front of Xu Ze.

Xu Ze took the chance to cop a feel a couple of times, then lowered his head to take a bite of a meat bun, "Why the wardrobe change?"

"Got a show the day after tomorrow, gotta head to the company today to sort stuff out."

Xu Ze nodded: "Then get back early, or I’ll be bored out of my mind."

"Mm."

After responding, Wu Xiaoxiang leaned down and gently kissed Xu Ze on the lips.

It wasn't until Wu Xiaoxiang was already at the door that Xu Ze reacted, putting down the meat bun in his hand: "Hey! Come back! Kiss me again!"

All he got was the sound of the door slamming shut.

Xu Ze couldn't hide the smile on his face, he opened his phone and found that his group of friends had been frantically @ing him, the messages filling the entire screen.

"@Xu Ze, where are you? Where are you?"

Xu Ze: "What's up?"

"How can you even ask? When did you leave that night without even telling me?"

He lay back on the big bed, propped up the tablet in front to watch TV, and leisurely replied, "Something urgent came up."

"How urgent? Urgent enough to forget to bring someone along? That guy kept asking me for your phone number that night, and I gave it to him."

Xu Ze frowned, "Why would you give my number to someone else?"

"What? Are you serious? Weren't you the one who used to want to plaster your number everywhere?"

Xu Ze: "Just tell him not to contact me."

"Man, what's been going on with you lately? Spill it. By the way, did you leave home? Your dad came to ask my dad a few days ago if you were with me. What's going on with you? Do you need money? I can send you some."

Xu Ze: "No, I'm not short of money."

He always preferred sneaking home to take what he needed rather than borrowing from others.

"Alright, but you still haven't told me what's really going on."

Xu Ze didn't think twice: "I've found my true love."

This statement caused a stir in the WeChat group.

"Who's the unlucky guy this time?"

"So, how long is this one going to last?"

"I gotta hand it to you for picking up guys. When are you going to share your secrets?"

Xu Ze got fed up and left the WeChat group.

Right after he left, he was added back, and several people apologized.

"With that temper, could it really be that you've found someone?"

Xu Ze typed word by word: "Yes, from now on, if anyone asks me to go to a bar, I'm done with them."

After sending it, he tossed his phone aside and went back to enjoying his TV show.

The next day, as soon as Xu Ze felt a bit better, he threw his leg over Wu Xiaoxiang.

Wu Xiaoxiang didn't budge: "Sleep."

"Are you really a man?" Xu Ze hugged his head, "Don't go to sleep."

After that, he started groping around.

Wu Xiaoxiang, young and full of energy, couldn't resist and muttered, "We have a shoot tomorrow. Sleep."

Xu Ze whispered in his ear, "Can't you be gentle?"

Seeing that Wu Xiaoxiang wasn't budging, he decided to dive under the covers.

...

Wu Xiaoxiang lost it at that moment.

Not just mad, but completely blown up.

...

Xu Ze also got a taste of his own medicine.

A guy who’s just started getting into it is not someone to mess with. When Xu Ze went to record the show the next day, his butt was still hurting, and this particular recording required him to sit for most of the session.

Finally, he had to drink a bowl of spicy water prepared by Wu Xiaoxiang.

The intense sensation was something he never wanted to experience again in his life.

He was squinting in pain, and when they arrived at the hospital, he was still lying on Xu Ze's shoulder, shouting, "You’re a monster! You were brutal yesterday, and now you’re trying to kill me!"

Wu Xiaoxiang didn’t say a word, quickly setting up an emergency visit and taking him to the proctology department.

After getting some meds, Xu Ze finally felt a little better and could walk with help.

He leaned on Wu Xiaoxiang and asked, "You’re gonna have to take care of me after this."

Even though he started it, now he wanted Wu Xiaoxiang to step up.

Wu Xiaoxiang agreed, "Okay."

Happy with that, Xu Ze found a bathroom, "Give me the ointment, I’ll apply some more."

Wu Xiaoxiang: "I’ll go in and help you."

"No," Xu Ze grabbed the ointment, "The stall’s too cramped and gross."

With that, he hobbled in.

Wu Xiaoxiang sat on a nearby bench and got a WeChat from his agent.

"Xiao Xiang, there’s a movie looking for you recently. The pay’s decent, and the cast isn’t huge, but the role’s solid, second lead. The director’s really into your looks and build. If you’re in, the role is yours. But honestly, I’d say pass on it. It’s an action flick, tons of wire work, and the director’s a hardass. The shoot’s gonna be long, and getting hurt might not be worth it."

Wu Xiaoxiang skimmed it and was about to answer.

"Hey... uh, hi." A deep male voice sounded near his ear.

He turned around and saw a big guy in a tank top.

Wu Xiaoxiang nodded but didn’t speak.

"I need to tell you something. Can we chat somewhere else?" the man said, "It’s about Xu Ze. I think I saw you two coming out of... that department."

When Xu Ze came out, Wu Xiaoxiang was nowhere in sight.

Just as he was about to call, Wu Xiaoxiang popped out from around the corner.

He leaned on the bench and reached out, "Help me up."

Wu Xiaoxiang just stood there, staring at him in silence.

Xu Ze: "Hurry up, I’m hurting."

Wu Xiaoxiang walked over and quietly helped him up.

It was just a few awkward minutes, but back home, Wu Xiaoxiang was back to normal.

No, it was even gentler than it had been before.

Life continued as normal. One day, after they had finished relaxing together, Xu Ze lay next to Wu Xiaoxiang and poked his hand: "I’m totally obsessed with your muscles."

Wu Xiaoxiang tensed up for a second, then let out a grunt.

Right as Xu Ze was drifting off, the person beside him spoke again.

"You need to... dial it back in the future."

Xu Ze thought Wu Xiaoxiang was referring to something unspeakable. He grinned, eyes still shut: "Then you take the initiative."

Silence followed.

...

The next day, Xu Ze was yanked up by his ear.

He opened his eyes to see his father’s furious face. He froze, glancing around—

New bed, table, wardrobe, stool... definitely Wu Xiaoxiang’s room.

But Wu Xiaoxiang was nowhere to be seen.

He came to his senses: "What are you doing here?"

"How the hell can you ask that?!" Xu's father was so angry he wanted to deal with his son on the spot. "Get your clothes on, now!"

Xu Ze asked: "Where are we headed?"

"Go home and stay put. Forget about the company!"

Xu Ze was roughly dressed by his father. He asked: "Where’s Wu Xiaoxiang?"

No one answered, even after he was locked in his room.

After the beating, Xu Ze’s arm was badly bruised. Luckily, his father left him his phone.

He tried calling Wu Xiaoxiang.

No answer. Busy signal. Out of service.

After every failed attempt, he realized Wu Xiaoxiang had blocked him.

Since when did that stupid phone have a block feature?

Persistently calling for half an hour, he finally calmed down.

It wasn’t until he checked his messages that he understood.

Lu Yan was caught in a scandal, and the other person was him, accompanied by a photo of a passionate kiss.

But—that wasn’t even him in the photo! He’d only held hands with Lu Yan once—where the hell did that kiss photo come from?!

But he finally understood. He immediately sent several WeChat messages to Wu Xiaoxiang.

"Xiaoxiang, that photo with Lu Yan isn’t of me."

"It’s really not me. Can’t you tell? I’m not that tall."

"Don’t get jealous over nothing. If you don’t believe me, wait until I get out, and we’ll ask Lu Yan face-to-face."

He was about to call Lu Yan when Wu Xiaoxiang messaged him on WeChat.

Wu Xiaoxiang: "I know it’s not you."

Xu Ze: "Good, then pick up my call."

He called, but it still didn’t connect.

Five minutes later, Wu Xiaoxiang sent a message.

"Don’t run away, and don’t come looking for me."

Xu Ze was shocked: "What are you talking about?"

Wu Xiaoxiang: "We’re done."

Xu Ze’s hands went numb as he typed back.

"Over what? Repeat that?"

Wu Xiaoxiang: "The friends-with-benefits thing."

After that, Xu Ze’s messages wouldn’t go through.

He stared at the red exclamation mark, sure something had gone wrong.

Last night they were in bed together, and today he’s saying it’s over?

He slumped to the ground, telling himself to keep it together.

Wu Xiaoxiang’s account must’ve been hacked by some moron.

Xu Ze went on a hunger strike to protest and was finally released.

Once free, he rushed to Wu Xiaoxiang’s place.

He knocked, but there was no response.

He waited from 8 in the morning until 10 at night.

When Aunt Qiu came back, she spotted a figure slumped by the wall, scruffy and disheveled, and was startled. She unlocked the door to go inside but was grabbed by the arm.

"...Auntie, do you know where the person across from you went?"

"You know Xiaoxiang?" Aunt Qiu asked, skeptical.

"Yeah, I’m his... friend."

"Didn’t Xiaoxiang tell you he moved out?"

"...He moved?"

"Yeah, he moved out a few days ago," Aunt Qiu said. "It was pretty sudden. He’d been here for three years, and then just up and left. I’m really going to miss him."

Xu Ze pressed on, "Do you know where he moved to?"

Aunt Qiu was on the verge of answering but hesitated, thinking it wasn't her place. If he really wanted to know, why not just ask Xiaoxiang himself?

With that thought, she shook her head, "I don't know."

Xu Ze was taken aback, then gave a bitter smile, "Thank you."

The next day, Xu Ze went to Yunyun's school.

Yunyun had transferred schools.

Xu Ze left the office, and tears suddenly streamed down his face.

It was as if a dam had burst.

He seldom cried, only tearing up when his father hit him hard or when Wu Xiaoxiang was particularly harsh.

At this thought, his tears came even harder.

He couldn't fathom why Wu Xiaoxiang had left.

Slumped against the wall, sobbing uncontrollably, someone stopped and asked him, "Are you alright, sir? Do you need to see the school nurse?"

Xu Ze was about to say no when he suddenly looked up—

The hospital!

Without a second thought, he bolted.

...

Seeing Wu's mother in the hospital bed, he felt a bit of relief.

A friend spotted him and couldn't resist asking, "What's wrong with you?"

Xu Ze asked, "Has Wu Xiaoxiang been by to see his mom lately?"

"He stopped by a few days ago and paid three months of medical bills upfront."

Xu Ze nodded, "Give me a call the next time he shows up."

After saying that, he realized it wasn't the right thing to say. "Never mind, I'll crash here with you for a bit."

His friend was taken aback, "What's going on?"

"...He's dodging me."

The doctor sighed, "I've told you, Xiaoxiang is a decent guy, don't stir up trouble with him."

"What's the big deal if I mess with him?" Xu Ze said, "It's not as if I'm shirking my responsibilities."

"Speaking of being responsible, remember Ken?"

Xu Ze averted his gaze, "Don't know him."

"You went out with him for a few days, and you don't remember?" the doctor said, "He's been talking trash about you all over the place recently."

Xu Ze, "Let him talk, I couldn't care less."

"It's not really badmouthing, just spreading the word about your love life, which is quite ridiculous. Everyone in the circle knows about you. Why does he need to spread it?" the doctor teased. "He came to the hospital for treatment a while ago, and I ran into him—he was partying too hard, couldn't remove something, and had to be hospitalized. Isn't that hilarious?"

Xu Ze wasn't interested: "Not at all funny."

"Oh, you came that day too. I saw you both entering a department. I was in a hurry for surgery, so I didn't go over. Didn't he tease you a bit?"

"He wouldn't dare..." Xu Ze suddenly widened his eyes, "You said he went to a department with me? Which day?"

"I forgot the date, but it was the proctology department," the doctor teased, "Do you have piles?"

Before he could finish, the person in front of him left.

It wasn't hard to find Ah Ken. That night, Xu Ze caught him in the bar's restroom: "Who did you spill my business to?"

Ah Ken, being tall and not afraid of him, replied: "I told plenty of people. Want me to name them all? What, you can do those things but can't handle the gossip?"

Xu Ze didn't want to waste time arguing: "You told the guy who went to the hospital with me that day, didn't you?"

"The guy with the tan?" Ah Ken smiled, "Yeah, I spilled everything to him. What, did your new fling dump you?"

Xu Ze suddenly felt like the air was knocked out of him.

Just as Ah Ken thought the person in front of him was about to explode, Xu Ze turned around and left.

...

"Good! It's about to explode, Xiao Xiang, make sure to jump clear!"

Wu Xiaoxiang nodded: "Okay."

As the explosion boomed, Wu Xiaoxiang leaped.

"Cut!" The director looked at the footage, "Great, go get changed. Nice work!"

After a day of filming, Wu Xiaoxiang left the set, mopped the sweat off his brow, and turned into the dressing room.

In the dressing room, a man was sitting in his designated seat, sitting stiffly with his hands tightly clasped.

Seeing him come in, Wu Xiaoxiang wasn't too surprised. He grabbed his clothes and was about to leave.

Xu Ze grabbed him, forgetting all the things he had thought of saying, and blurted out, "...Don't go yet."

After a moment of silence, Wu Xiaoxiang turned around: "We've already made it clear."

"No," Xu Ze, afraid he would run away, held on tightly, "I said, you can be angry about the past, but you can't just sentence me to death."

Wu Xiaoxiang looked at him and finally responded after a while: "I'm not angry."

Xu Ze: "Not angry, then why are you avoiding me?"

Wu Xiaoxiang: "I'm not avoiding you, there's just no need to be in contact."

"Why?"

Wu Xiaoxiang, exhausted from a day of filming and now mentally drained, was really annoyed.

He turned around: "Xu Ze, I don't have the energy to play games with you. Find someone else."

Xu Ze's nose tingled: "I'm not playing with you, I'm serious."

Wu Xiaoxiang sighed.

Then he pulled his hand away and walked off.

Xu Ze didn’t follow him.

Back at the hotel, Wu Xiaoxiang collapsed onto the bed, exhausted and drowsy, but sleep wouldn’t come.

Someone had told him that Xu Ze had been with plenty of muscular men, only to dump them after a few days.

Honestly, he hadn’t felt much anger at the time.

Once he decided to accept Xu Ze, he chose not to dwell on the past.

But the future filled him with uncertainty.

What if Xu Ze got bored or if his body lost its shape?

If they broke up, could he just walk away?

No, because the mere thought of it made his heart ache unbearably.

So he decided to leave now, before it was too late.

He had a family to support and couldn’t afford to take any risks. He wasn’t willing to gamble on anything.

-

Ever since finding him, Xu Ze had been showing up on set every single day.

He didn’t just bring food and drinks; he made sure everything was taken care of.

Wu Xiaoxiang didn’t bother trying to chase him off, knowing it’d be pointless.

Back in the dressing room, he overheard Xu Ze talking to the makeup artist.

"You’re here to see Xiaoxiang every day. What’s the deal between you two?"

Xu Ze played with his phone: "We’re friends. The kind who’d go through hell and high water for each other."

Wu Xiaoxiang walked in, brushed past him, and grabbed his phone.

Xu Ze stuck around the set for almost a month.

When Wu Xiaoxiang was resting, Xu Ze kept chatting with him: "You always have the same expression when you act. How’d the director even notice you?"

Then he’d turn around and tell everyone, "Xiaoxiang’s acting is the best in the world."

After a while, he would ask: "This character’s a joke. Why’d you even take it?"

Then he would run to the director: "Director, Xiaoxiang’s character is amazing. Why not give him a few more scenes?"

He was so endearing that Wu Xiaoxiang almost gave in more than once.

But today, Xu Ze was nowhere to be found on set.

Half the crew kept asking him where his shadow had gone.

Wu Xiaoxiang stayed silent and was in a funk all day.

Back at the hotel, he glanced at his silent phone and thought, "He’s finally lost interest."

After over a month, he was still doing better than those muscle guys who get dumped in just a few days.

As he was lost in thought, his phone rang.

The agent said, "Everything else is set, go and like You Ming’s Weibo post."

You Ming was the second female lead in the cast.

Wu Xiaoxiang was confused, "Prepare for what?"

"Didn’t we discuss this earlier? You and You Ming are supposed to fake a romance. The news is already out; we’re just waiting for your like. Hurry up."

Before he could finish, another call came in—it was Xu Ze, who had been unblocked a month ago.

He didn’t hesitate to hang up on the agent.

As soon as he answered, Xu Ze’s sobs poured out, "Wu Xiaoxiang, you’re a monster."

Wu Xiaoxiang was taken aback, "Where are you?"

Xu Ze ignored him, rambling, "You actually went to a hotel with someone else. I’ve been with you and haven’t even looked at anyone else. You... you’re a monster!"

The crying and swearing made it obvious he was wasted. Wu Xiaoxiang’s face hardened, "Where are you?"

Click. The line went dead.

He called back immediately, and after a long pause, a strange male voice answered, "Hello..."

"Who is this? Where is he?" Wu Xiaoxiang grabbed his jacket and rushed out of the hotel.

"I’m the bar owner. Get over here fast; he’s had way too much to drink..."

When Xu Ze opened his eyes, his stomach still ached.

He could barely open his eyes, and without looking, he knew they were swollen like a balloon.

He turned his head and saw Wu Xiaoxiang.

He began, "Wu Xiaoxiang, you’re a monster." His voice was hoarse and weak.

Seeing he was awake, Wu Xiaoxiang quickly hit the call button.

The doctor came over and checked him, "He’s stable now. Don’t drink so much in the future—stomach bleeding is serious."

Wu Xiaoxiang nodded and walked the doctor out of the room.

When he sat back down, Xu Ze repeated, "Wu Xiaoxiang, you’re a monster."

Wu Xiaoxiang replied, "Yeah, I’m a monster."

"I’m a monster too, so can we be together?" Xu Ze said, his nose tingling again. He cursed himself silently and asked, "Didn’t I turn you gay? How could you still go to a hotel with a woman?"

Wu Xiaoxiang’s heart softened completely.

Without a word, he took a cotton swab, dipped it in water, and gently moistened Xu Ze’s lips.

Xu Ze continued, "You really made Yunyun switch schools just to dodge me?"

"She had just gotten close to her classmates, and you pulled them apart. Wu Xiaoxiang, you're heartless."

"...Yes," Wu Xiaoxiang said, "You’ve got it all right."

His tone suddenly softened, and Xu Ze felt a flicker of joy, but it quickly turned to more distress. "Did you really check into a hotel with her?"

Wu Xiaoxiang let out a heavy sigh, "No, it was just for show."

Xu Ze: "Really?"

"Yes."

Xu Ze shut his eyes and went quiet.

Wu Xiaoxiang arched an eyebrow, "No more to say?"

"Nothing," Xu Ze still kept his eyes closed, "I’m all charged up. I figure I can keep chasing you for another ten years."

He didn't open his eyes, missing the redness in Wu Xiaoxiang's eyes and the slight upward curve of his lips.

"Just ten years?"

"We’ll see. Maybe I’ll get another boost later, and it could be longer," Xu Ze said, "So you’ve gotta give me more sweet moments, or I won’t last."

Just as he finished speaking, Xu Ze felt something soft touch his lips.

It felt familiar—definitely not a cotton swab.

After a moment of reaction, he suddenly opened his eyes—

Wu Xiaoxiang sat beside him, calm as ever.

"Did you just kiss me?" Xu Ze asked.

Wu Xiaoxiang remained silent.

Xu Ze struggled to sit up, "Did you kiss me?"

Wu Xiaoxiang gently pushed him back down, saying indifferently, "First, you’ll need another ten years of charging."

...

Xu Ze wanted to yell but didn’t want to get kicked out of the hospital.

Wu Xiaoxiang continued, "Yunyun’s transfer was already planned. There was school violence at her previous school, and I wasn’t okay with it."

"We didn’t move out."

"How could that be?" Xu Ze interrupted, "Your neighbors told me you moved."

Wu Xiaoxiang frowned and thought for a moment. When he took Yunyun out, he was pushing a suitcase, and Aunt Qiu’s eyes widened as she asked if he was leaving.

He was rushing to get Yunyun to her new school and just nodded before leaving.

Xu Ze: "You’re lying. Where’s Yunyun staying now?"

Wu Xiaoxiang said, "Her new school’s a boarding school—just for a month."

Xu Ze: "...She's only in the fourth grade and you're already making her live at school, Wu Xiaoxiang, you're heartless."

Wu Xiaoxiang nodded: "If I were normal, how would I fit with you?"

Xu Ze was on the verge of tears again.

And he really did cry, sobbing as he spoke: "...Wu Xiaoxiang, when I feel better, let's roleplay in the hospital..."

"......"

Later, under Xu Ze's pressure and coaxing, Wu Xiaoxiang shared his thought process when he blocked him.

After listening, Xu Ze suddenly cupped his face solemnly.

"You're heartless, even if it sounds cliché, I have to say it."

"—No matter the stakes, I’ll always have your back."

Wu Xiaoxiang felt deeply touched, then reached over and tapped his forehead.

"Stop giving me nicknames."

"...Got it."

—The End—