Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Not only were all the staff near the camera stunned, but even *Lu Tingchao* was stunned.

For a moment, *Lu Tingchao* was too scared to even let tears fall. He hurriedly wiped the corner of his eye with the back of his hand and took a big step back. "*Zhuang Ji*, we're on camera!"

"It's fine."

*Zhuang Ji*, on the contrary, took another step forward and was about to reach out to touch *Lu Tingchao*'s nose when the person in front of him sharply dodged.

*Lu Tingchao* shook his head like a rattle. "It's nothing, it's fine, it doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt anymore, *Actor Zhuang*, you go ahead!"

*Zhuang Ji*, unable to smoothly embrace *Lu Tingchao* as he wished, lightly gritted his molars—a moment captured perfectly clearly by the live broadcast camera.

*Lu Tingchao* followed *Zhuang Ji* forward.

The award-winning actors ahead had huge suitcases, and even *Zhuang Ji*'s suitcase was the largest size—*Lu Tingchao* recognized that suitcase; it was one he had bought as part of a purchase when getting a ring.

Only *Lu Tingchao* seemed to have brought a kid-sized carry-on, sticking out noticeably among the large luggage.

After the series of events during the ride, *Lu Tingchao* had learned his lesson.

He didn't dare to ask *Zhuang Ji* again and instead secretly tugged at the sleeve of a staff member nearby. "Um, can I ask, where exactly is this program taking us for the trip?"

The staff member, who seemed to be in charge of the lighting equipment, looked at *Lu Tingchao* in surprise. "You don't know?"

*Lu Tingchao*: "Uh…"

A brief flicker of sympathy crossed the staff member's face. "Didn't you listen carefully to the host's explanation during the ride? This trip is setting sail from Lucheng to spend three days on a remote island."

*Lu Tingchao*'s vision darkened. "A remote island?"

The staff member nodded. "Yeah, this kind of travel style is really popular now. But did you really bring so little luggage? There's nothing on the remote island except for basic huts."

*Lu Tingchao*: "…"

*Lu Tingchao* reached out and grabbed the staff member's hand. "Can you look up the contract copy for me?"

The staff member: "You'd have to check with the producer for that. But *Mr. Xiaolu*, why do you want to check?"

*Lu Tingchao* said despairingly and bleakly, "I want to see how much compensation I'd have to pay if I run away now…"

The staff member: "…"

The staff member fell silent for a moment. "That'd probably be a lot."

*Lu Tingchao* looked over gloomily.

The staff member said, "This show is funded by the *Zhuang Corporation*. Given *Actor Zhuang*'s personality, as you probably know, generally speaking…"

The staff member's words suddenly cut off halfway, and they stopped. "*Actor Zhuang*, is there something you need?"

*Lu Tingchao* had no choice but to turn around as well, parroting, "…*Actor Zhuang*, is there something you need?"

*Zhuang Ji* very naturally messed up *Lu Tingchao*'s hair. "What were you talking about?"

"*Mr. Lu* had some questions about the program."

The staff member, holding the lighting equipment, quickly backed away from the two. "*Mr. Lu*, you can also ask *Actor Zhuang* for more details. I need to get back to work now."

*Lu Tingchao*: "…"

Only now did *Lu Tingchao* finally feel like he had stumbled into a trap.

*Lu Tingchao* looked at *Zhuang Ji*, and in *Zhuang Ji*'s extremely gentle expression, he seemed to see knives being sharpened.

But the camera was right beside them, and *Lu Tingchao* was already terrified of *Zhuang Ji*'s various fans. He really didn't dare to insult this award-winning actor in front of the camera.

*Lu Tingchao* could only keep putting up with it, picking up his small suitcase. "I don't have any more questions, *Actor Zhuang*. Let's go."

"Let's go."

*Zhuang Ji* took *Lu Tingchao*'s suitcase with one hand and held *Lu Tingchao*'s hand with the other. "We're taking a flight. Once we're on the plane, I'll get you some orange juice to take with your motion sickness pills."

In the process of taking the suitcase and holding hands, *Zhuang Ji*'s arms inevitably wrapped around *Lu Tingchao*.

In terms of height, *Zhuang Ji* was already nearly twelve centimeters taller than *Lu Tingchao*, and when he leaned in, it was just as intimidating as before.

But in that instant, *Lu Tingchao* caught the scent of bitter orange and rose from *Zhuang Ji*.

This was *Lu Tingchao*'s favorite boutique fragrance—not from a major brand or a luxury product, but hand-blended by a perfumer in a small French shop.

It was also a souvenir he had chosen during their honeymoon.

The French perfumer wasn't famous, but this particular perfume had deeply captivated *Lu Tingchao*—top notes of white jasmine and sweet orange, lingering herbal heart notes, and a slightly bitter base note.

Since it wasn't commercially produced, the handmade perfume's production process was particularly complex. The perfumer, who was also getting older, stubbornly insisted on keeping his shop, unwilling to mail the perfume or relocate.

To buy this perfume, one had to travel back and forth between the two countries again and again.

But *Lu Tingchao*, as willful as ever, really loved it.

He loved it deeply, but he hated flying back and forth repeatedly.

So, for seven years, *Zhuang Ji* made those trips over and over again.

*Lu Tingchao* even remembered that when he left their former home, he had just used up the last bottle of perfume.

When he packed his bags and left, the entire closet, their clothes, and the pillows were all filled with the bitter aroma of citrus.

Their marriage lasted through nine bottles of perfume.

Afterward, without *Zhuang Ji* to buy it for him, *Lu Tingchao* had to switch to other, easier-to-find brands—until today, when he discovered that *Zhuang Ji* was still using this very one.

*Lu Tingchao* took a subtle sniff and realized he still loved this scent deeply.

It seemed to be one of his rare instances of enduring loyalty.

But in the end, *Lu Tingchao* didn't say anything. He just felt it was very inappropriate to be held like this by *Zhuang Ji* in front of the camera. He tried to pull his hand away twice but was finally tightly held by *Zhuang Ji*'s five fingers, curled securely into his palm.

*Lu Tingchao*: "…"

*Lu Tingchao* instinctively looked around for the camera. Once he found it, he quickly looked away and tried to pull his hand away again. "*Actor Zhuang*, this is weird for you to hold my hand like this…"

"Strange?"

*Zhuang Ji* handed *Lu Tingchao*'s suitcase to the airline staff and took his own suitcase from his assistant to hand over as well. "Haven't we held hands many times before?"

*Lu Tingchao*: "!!!"

Lu Tingchao sprang up to cover Zhuang Ji’s hand: "What nonsense are you saying!? Stop it!"

"It's too late, baby."

Zhuang Ji grabbed Lu Tingchao's waist, pulling him effortlessly into his arms, then half-carried him into the plane.

With their significant size difference, Zhuang Ji trapped Lu Tingchao in the inner seat like a treasured doll, then leaned down and kissed the tip of Lu Tingchao's nose.

Zhuang Ji's arms caged Lu Tingchao on both sides of the seat, like iron bars, making escape impossible.

Only then did Lu Tingchao look up and see the crazed look in Zhuang Ji's eyes.

It bore no resemblance to the Zhuang Ji he remembered.

In Lu Tingchao's memory, Zhuang Ji was outstanding, excellent, aloof, and proud; but in this moment, the Zhuang Ji reflected in his eyes was gloomy, out of control, with a depth like a bottomless pool, and at its very core, a flicker of fiendish flame.

He was like a madman wearing human skin.

After striving relentlessly, he finally caught his prey and was ready to announce it to the world.

Zhuang Ji curved his lips gently, whispering coaxingly in Lu Tingchao's ear: "Everything was caught on camera, baby."

*

Lu Tingchao had of course seen live streams before; the moment Zhuang Ji kissed him, he didn't need to guess—he knew intuitively how it would explode online.

But once the plane took off,

Zhuang Ji held Lu Tingchao's hand while tempting him with his phone: "The live stream stopped during the flight, Chao Chao. Want to watch the replay?"

Lu Tingchao: "...No."

Zhuang Ji, however, kept scrolling through the replay himself: "Baby, the audience says we're a perfect match, the most compatible pair in the world."

Lu Tingchao gazed at the clouds outside the window and murmured, "They said the same about me and Fei Xiuqi back then."

Zhuang Ji's expression shifted abruptly. He frowned, but his grip on Lu Tingchao's hand remained gentle.

A few seconds later,

Zhuang Ji briefly let go of Lu Tingchao's hand, took an unlabeled pill bottle from his left inner pocket, shook out a few tablets, and swallowed them dry without water.

Lu Tingchao was taken aback by the action and couldn't help asking: "...What are you taking?"

"Just some supplements."

Zhuang Ji recaptured Lu Tingchao's hand, interlacing their fingers. "Chao Chao, don't worry. I'm healthy, just like before."

Lu Tingchao sighed.

Away from the cameras, Lu Tingchao's patience with Zhuang Ji was like the final drop of a roller coaster, plummeting rapidly.

But with other guests seated behind them, Lu Tingchao couldn't just openly show his displeasure.

After hesitating for a while, Lu Tingchao asked: "Did you intentionally get me to participate in this show?"

Zhuang Ji clutched Lu Tingchao's hand.

Only then did Lu Tingchao notice that Zhuang Ji's hand was trembling, and it was getting worse, uncontrollably.

Lu Tingchao was startled and tried to pull his hand back, but Zhuang Ji showed no intention of letting go.

Lu Tingchao took a sharp breath: "You..."

"It's fine, it's fine, Chao Chao."

Zhuang Ji wrapped his other arm around Lu Tingchao, pulling him into an embrace. "It's a side effect of the medication. It'll pass in a few minutes."

Lu Tingchao was almost terrified by Zhuang Ji's unhinged appearance: "What medicine are you even taking?"

"For controlling hallucinations."

Zhuang Ji buried his head in the crook of Lu Tingchao's neck. "When you weren't with me before, I kept seeing you. Later I realized it was all hallucinations."

Zhuang Ji's voice was very, very soft: "Just hallucinations..."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao shivered, too scared to provoke Zhuang Ji further, and tentatively asked: "Maybe we should drop out of the show for now? I'll go with you to see a doctor, okay?"

Zhuang Ji chuckled lightly: "No, Chao Chao."

With almost no space between them, Zhuang Ji's warm breath brushed against Lu Tingchao's neck.

Suddenly, Zhuang Ji bit Lu Tingchao's ear tip.

This was one of Lu Tingchao's most sensitive spots; the moment he was bitten, his whole body went weak in Zhuang Ji's arms.

Zhuang Ji gently grazed his teeth along Lu Tingchao's ear, feeling each tremble, and slowly, word by word, said: "You'll just find every way to leave me, Chao Chao. You're a liar."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Well, that was true.

But soon Lu Tingchao's thoughts were diverted as Zhuang Ji's hand slipped under his shirt, familiarly tracing his waistline and moving upward.

And Zhuang Ji's kisses left his ear, bypassed his nose, and pressed against the corner of Lu Tingchao's lips.

"Chao Chao."

Zhuang Ji's gaze was almost glazed-over and sickly, only the deepest shadow within locking onto Lu Tingchao like a persistent parasite. "Chao Chao... I want you."

Lu Tingchao: "???"

Lu Tingchao was stunned: "No, Brother Ji, Zhuang Ji brother! We're on a plane, with other people, filming a show—no, Zhuang Ji brother, everyone's here!"

But Zhuang Ji seemed completely detached from reality.

He looked only at Lu Tingchao, as if a dying man gazing at his last lifeline: "Chao Chao, I need you."

Lu Tingchao had always had a slender build, while Zhuang Ji was the type who looked lean in clothes but was well-built underneath.

Their significant size difference meant Lu Tingchao's feeble resistance was almost nonexistent.

Lu Tingchao couldn't push away Zhuang Ji's encircling arms, nor could he resist the kisses pressing down—even though it was a private Zhuang family jet with partitions between rows, if they were too loud, they’d still be heard.

Lu Tingchao was so flustered he became incoherent, struggling to push Zhuang Ji away while trying to escape his embrace.

It was useless.

Terrified, tears welled up in Lu Tingchao's eyes again: "Zhuang Ji, you're sick! Let me go, you..."

The window shade beside the seat was suddenly yanked shut from the outside.

A strikingly tall woman in a navy blue cheongsam walked in, her high heels clicking sharply with each step.

I'm done for.

At this moment, Lu Tingchao's heart sank completely.

Zhuang Ji had already pulled Lu Tingchao's clothes down to his shoulders and unzipped his pants. No matter who saw them, it would undoubtedly look utterly disheveled.

But the next second—

A swift, precise chop landed on the back of Zhuang Ji's neck.

Clean, decisive, and with just the right amount of force—enough to knock him out without causing harm.

Lu Tingchao’s eyes lit up, and he immediately looked up to see his savior.

To his surprise, it wasn’t a crew member but one of the guests, Mei Luo.

Lu Tingchao knew little about Mei Luo, only that she had started as a Peking Opera singer, later joined the National Song and Dance Troupe, and had since earned countless honors, becoming a very renowned soprano.

But today, Lu Tingchao discovered that Mei Luo wasn’t just a singer—she was also a practitioner of folk martial arts.

"Thank you... thank you," Lu Tingchao stammered, sweat still dripping from his temples and tears streaming down his face. "Thank you for saving me."

The seats in this special aircraft were spacious.

Mei Luo sat on the armrest of the adjacent seat, glanced at Lu Tingchao, and said, "I wasn’t saving you. I was saving him."

Lu Tingchao: "Huh..."

Mei Luo pointed at the unconscious Zhuang Ji. "The crew is full of gossipy people. If someone recorded this and leaked it, he'd become a laughingstock on the internet."

Lu Tingchao: "...Anyway, thank you."

Mei Luo finally smiled at him.

She was an incredibly beautiful woman; everything about her figure in the cheongsam and her voice was captivating. "Xiao Lu, I suppose you don’t know my relationship with Zhuang Ji."

Lu Tingchao: "What??"

Mei Luo stood up and walked over to Lu Tingchao. "Xiao Lu, I never do variety shows, but for this one, Zhuang Ji asked me, and I came."

"Because Zhuang Ji is my nephew."

Her tone carried a faint, almost imperceptible hesitation and a visible sadness. "And during the time you were away, he was going insane."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

You’re the insane one.

Your whole family is insane.

Lu Tingchao retorted sharply, "We parted on peaceful terms!"

Mei Luo replied, "Was it really peaceful? Xiao Lu, you left someone with severe separation disorder at the marriage registration office and drove away with another man."

Her tone was tinged with a sigh. "No matter how many messages or calls he sent, you blocked him. Even when he chased you to Hong Kong, all you did was expose him to negative news and almost got him arrested. You didn’t even glance at him."

"Xiao Lu," Mei Luo looked at him, then reached out and took his hand. "I know all of this is Zhuang Ji’s fault, but I’ve watched him grow up. I can’t just stand by and watch him die."

Lu Tingchao straightened his clothes.

He turned and studied Zhuang Ji carefully, realizing how frighteningly thin he had become.

But...

Lu Tingchao turned away, meeting Mei Luo’s expectant gaze. After a long silence, he said softly, "But I don’t love Zhuang Ji anymore."

He spoke frankly: "I did love him once, but now I just don’t."

Mei Luo leaned against the window, looking down at Lu Tingchao.

After a moment, she took out a lead-colored cigarette case from her bag and lit a slender cigarette.

The scent of minty nicotine filled the small space.

"I haven’t been back to the country in years," Mei Luo said, taking a drag.

She didn’t look much like Zhuang Ji; instead, she had a mixed-race vibe. "My relationship with the Zhuang family isn’t great, but Zhuang Ji personally pleaded with me to join this show."

She paused, then added, "Actually, it wasn’t just Zhuang Ji. It felt like a child’s game—my sister was the one who called me in the end. She begged me to help Zhuang Ji, saying he was on the verge of death."

Lu Tingchao: "Huh?"

Mei Luo smiled. "My sister is Zhuang Ji’s mother—your former difficult mother-in-law. Ring a bell?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

It certainly did.

Lu Tingchao touched his nose. "His mother... didn’t like me much."

"That was before," Mei Luo said. "Now? She probably just wants us to take care of you—and take care of Zhuang Ji. Haven’t you noticed everyone here is in pairs?"

Lu Tingchao: "No, I haven’t..."

Mei Luo: "Well, no wonder you did poorly in school."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao immediately got annoyed. "So you’re here to scold me too?"

"No," Mei Luo said, smoking quickly.

She stubbed it out on the meal tray with her red-nailed fingers and glanced down disdainfully at Zhuang Ji. "I just think you’re quite foolish."

Lu Tingchao: "...?"

Lu Tingchao snapped, "I'm not stupid."

Mei Luo tilted her head, her honey-blonde wavy hair cascading over her chest. "Is love that important to you young people?"

Lu Tingchao was stunned by the question.

"I heard from Zhuang Ji that you've dated many people, and they all ended the same."

Mei Luo lit another cigarette. "So why not just use Zhuang Ji? He loves you so much."

Lu Tingchao was thrown off by Mei Luo.

He hesitated for a moment. "...What?"

Mei Luo: "Is it hard to understand?"

The woman leaned in close, her curly, voluminous hair carrying an overpowering scent—unidentifiable yet sweet and heavy. "Lu Tingchao, you have nothing, but Zhuang Ji has everything."

Mei Luo exhaled a puff of smoke, blowing it into Lu Tingchao's face. "Besides money, career, and status, you stayed with him for seven years, which means he’s capable and can make you feel good..."

???!!!

Lu Tingchao was horrified, his face paling as he recoiled into his seat. "You—you—stop talking, I don’t know what you’re saying, I—"

"What’s there to deny?"

Mei Luo’s lipstick was blood-red, and paired with her striking features, there was an uncanny resemblance to Zhuang Ji from certain angles.

The woman took a drag of her cigarette and shrugged, speaking leisurely. "Do you never want to get laid again in the future?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Mei Luo: "Honey, you have to admit, even compared to a massage wand, Zhuang Ji gets the job done better. Isn’t that right?"

Lu Tingchao was floored by this barrage of remarks, his face scrunched up. It took him a while to find his voice again. "I’m… not that kind of person, am I?"

"Doesn’t matter to me."

Mei Luo’s long fingertip tapped Lu Tingchao’s lips again. "Love is just a game for the young—pathetic and tedious."

Mei Luo gave a meaningful smile. "Little Lu, love may fade, but good sex doesn’t."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Mei Luo pushed aside the curtain and glanced back at Lu Tingchao before leaving. "You use what he has, spend his money, and even let him serve you. Why must you love him?"

Mei Luo blew a kiss. "Of course, a pretty thing like you—I still hope you’ll love him. And you two have a child, don’t you?"

"Or perhaps..."

Mei Luo’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Given Zhuang Ji’s current health, you might inherit everything he has in a few years."

The click of her heels gradually faded away.

All that remained in the compartment was the scent of weed and cigarette ash left by Mei Luo.

Outside the airplane window stretched endless clouds, soft and white.

Lu Tingchao instinctively glanced at Zhuang Ji beside him—he seemed the same as in his youth, yet also different.

Perhaps because those youthful days were truly too far away.

Though asleep, Zhuang Ji’s hand still rested on Lu Tingchao’s shoulder, a protective grip.

Lu Tingchao removed that hand from his shoulder; all bone, with only a thin layer of skin and flesh.

Zhuang Ji had indeed grown much thinner.

Lu Tingchao suddenly remembered what Mei Luo had said.

Years on meds had fundamentally wrecked Zhuang Ji’s health, his pale veins appearing somewhat strained under his skin.

Lu Tingchao felt somewhat adrift.

He really doesn’t love Zhuang Ji anymore.

But he didn’t seem to wish for Zhuang Ji’s death either.

The previously steady plane encountered turbulence from an air pocket. Lu Tingchao reached out to grip the armrest, but Zhuang Ji, beside him, was stirred awake.

"Chao Chao."

Zhuang Ji still seemed hazy from just waking up and reached out to grab Lu Tingchao’s hand.

Lu Tingchao struggled a few times but couldn’t break free, eventually giving in to letting Zhuang Ji hold it.

Zhuang Ji, however, seemed still clingy, as if he wanted to hold Lu Tingchao’s hand every second, to keep him tethered. "Did that scare you just now?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

That concerned expression made it hard for Lu Tingchao to repeat Mei Luo’s blunt words, so he just shook his head. "It’s fine."

Zhuang Ji pulled Lu Tingchao into his arms. "It’s just a reaction to the medication. I’m sorry, Chao Chao."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao still didn’t resist.

He breathed in the scent of the same cologne they once used.

After a long while.

Lu Tingchao sighed very, very softly. "I’m sorry as well, Zhuang Ji gege (older brother). Can you let me go?"

Lu Tingchao’s tone was still innocent, soft and pleading. "I don’t want to be with you. Every time I’m with you... it’s really frustrating."

Zhuang Ji didn’t speak.

But he didn’t let go either.

The plane broke through the clouds, and the captain’s announcement sounded.

Zhuang Ji smiled at Lu Tingchao and took his hand. "Babe, look, we’ve arrived."

*

Around the outskirts of Lucheng were many obscure islands, some privately owned. Lu Tingchao wasn’t sure if the one they were visiting belonged to Zhuang Ji.

Latitude-wise, the island’s climate was particularly humid. The plane landed at dusk, with the sea breeze carrying a salty scent and the distant sun dipping low.

The live stream cameras were set up again, with one for each guest. However, since Lu Tingchao and Zhuang Ji were always together, they shared one camera angle.

Following the previous live broadcast, the popularity of this variety show has become the highest-ranked, with viewers and fans flooding into the live stream.

The comment barrage is a battlefield, chaotic.

"Does anyone actually believe the rumor that Actor Zhuang is the male homewrecker? I mean, Actor Zhuang has money, looks, and family money—why would he need to chase after Lu Tingchao... WTF, my eyes, why are they still holding hands?!"

"...But isn't Lu Tingchao with Fei Xiuqi? They were the first real-life couple I really shipped, they were so sweet. Why did Fei Xiuqi suddenly quit the biz?"

"Isn't Lu Tingchao a sweetheart with everyone? Maybe it's just that our Chao Chao is naturally sweet #drool#"

"I get it, but why does Zhuang Ji have to hold Lu Tingchao's hand all the time... As a stan, I really can't deal..."

"Hey, OP, if you want to know about Fei Xiuqi leaving the industry, you can sneak a peek on forums in Hong Kong. Just whispering."

"Tea?? Spill!"

"Please!!! Protect my boys!!"

"Just saying, is it possible that Fei Xiuqi left the industry because he lost badly in a dick-measuring contest... Ahem, I'm dipping."

"What dick-measuring contest? I feel like I'm watching a documentary about the other man stealing the spot..."

Fortunately, none of the guests can see the barrage of comments. Lu Tingchao can only hope that the audience won't curse him and that they'll drag Zhuang Ji more.

The sun is about to set.

The host enthusiastically bounds out of the director's car: "Everyone, after a long day of travel, we've finally arrived at this beautiful island! Now, please return to your thatched cottages to unwind and get settled. You can share a room or have one to yourselves. Tomorrow, we'll begin the official activities!"

Beyond where the waves reach stands a row of coconut trees, with ready-made thatched cottages of varying sizes.

This time, Lu Tingchao doesn’t wait for Zhuang Ji. He grabs his suitcase first and runs toward the thatched cottages.

Zhuang Ji doesn’t follow him.

With so many big names around, Lu Tingchao is too shy to grab a large cottage. He quietly finds a small one toward the back and takes a look inside.

Whoa.

Completely empty.

There’s nothing inside except air.

Lu Tingchao immediately regrets not asking Zhuang Ji to help him tidy up earlier. But then he remembers this is a live stream—if he calls Zhuang Ji over, he’ll definitely get cursed at by Zhuang Ji’s fans again.

...Sigh, so annoying.

Lu Tingchao frowns as he crawls into the cottage, opens his small suitcase—two sets of tees and shorts, a pair of shoes, toiletries, and nothing else.

Lu Tingchao: "..."

It’s fine. Sleeping on a bare bed is okay, it’s still good, it’ll work.

Lu Tingchao steps out of the slightly stuffy cottage and sits on the small bamboo platform at the entrance, dangling his bare feet and watching the sun.

Only a sliver of sunset remains.

There’s nothing to lean on inside, so Lu Tingchao pulls his suitcase out, hugs it, rests his head on it, and stares into the distance, dozing off curled up into a small ball.

After a while, Lu Tingchao gets upset.

He’s hardly ever faced hardship in his life. As a child, he got whatever he wanted; as an adult, he got whatever he wanted. His daily life was all about shopping, and his biggest emotional fluctuations were getting mad at his boyfriend. If work tired him out, he simply wouldn’t do it.

He’s never had to sleep in a shithole like this.

No bed, no sofa, no TV, no phone.

As the night deepens, mosquitoes start biting him.

Lu Tingchao sniffles, not even caring about the camera nearby anymore. A warm tear rolls down his cheek.

Damn Zhuang Ji.

Lu Tingchao wipes his face with the back of his hand, but instead of drying his tears, he only smears them around, crying harder.

Lu Tingchao has the fewest fans among all the guests, and his feed was the least-watched.

But at some point, the number of viewers on Lu Tingchao’s stream shot up, and the comments began flooding in.

"I don’t know why, but I just came to see what this fool is up to... Damn, everyone else has cleaned up and is ready to sleep, and he’s just sitting here crying?"

"I’m so tired of this... I’m not even sure if this counts as crying—he’s just tearing up. I’ve been watching for almost an hour."

"...You guys are wild."

"What a useless person, I can’t believe it. Can’t he even clean up a room? I see he has nothing in his suitcase—did he come here to play the rich kid?"

"Maybe he really did #smile# Can someone switch to Actor Zhuang’s stream to see what he’s doing?"

"He’s mopping the floor."

"Making the bed."

"...He even put decorations by the bed and sprayed some fragrance. Dude, you decorating a hotel room?"

"#smile# Congrats, you guessed it. The celeb is heading toward Lu Tingchao’s place."

"Wait, what?? Why did the feed cut?!!"

"Mine cut out too... Damn, right at the critical moment!! Mods!! Fix the stream!!"

The working camera silently dies.

Lu Tingchao is tired from crying.

The sky has completely darkened without him noticing. The other cottages have lights brought by the guests, but his has none.

Because Lu Tingchao didn’t bring one—it never even occurred to him.

The ocean at night is lowkey scary.

In the distance, it’s an inky blackness, like the end of the world, with only a few stationary ships far away resembling ghost fires, swaying faintly.

The surroundings are quiet, occasionally interrupted by the sounds of small crabs or insects crawling across the sand, which feel eerie.

Lu Tingchao hugs his suitcase tightly.

He doesn’t wear a watch, and after his phone was taken away, he completely lost track of time. He waits and waits, unsure when dawn will come.

The sound of crashing waves is overwhelming, making Lu Tingchao relive a ton of old memories.

He remembered his younger self, years ago, shouting about wanting to marry Zhuang Ji and be together. He remembered the look of relief and helplessness on Grandpa Lu’s face. He recalled the Hong Kong morning when Lu Doudou was born, and the confusion he felt the first time he heard the rumors about Zhuang Ji and Jiang Rong.

He remembered Mo Lingnan’s strong arms and warm embrace, the home-cooked meals Mo Lingnan would prepare that he loved so much, their pair of Mickey and Minnie couple mugs, and Mo Lingnan’s mother.

Lu Tingchao thought of the dazzling night lights of Victoria Harbour, the ever-blooming rose fields at the Fei family’s old estate.

Lu Tingchao thought… his life had truly been a mess.

He had once had so much. If only he had held onto something—anything—he wouldn’t now be here alone, waiting for the sun to rise.

The moonlight felt bitterly cold.

The sea breeze carried a sharp chill, making Lu Tingchao sneeze loudly.

Finally, belatedly, he pulled another T-shirt from the small pile of clothes in his suitcase, put it on, sat back down, leaned his head against the suitcase, and half-closed his eyes.

A bright beam from a flashlight lit up a patch of sand in front of Lu Tingchao.

That light cut sharply through the darkness, stopping right before him.

Zhuang Ji’s voice rose with the sound of waves in the evening breeze: “Were you crying again?”

Lu Tingchao roughly wiped his face with his hands. Coarse sand scraped across his skin and accidentally got into his eyes, causing him to flinch in pain.

“Don’t move.”

Zhuang Ji caught Lu Tingchao’s hand.

He set the flashlight down, lowered his head, gently lifted Lu Tingchao’s chin, and softly blew the sand from his eyes. Then, using a wet wipe, he slowly cleaned the tears from Lu Tingchao’s face, as tenderly as if tending to a little cat.

“You cried so hard,” Zhuang Ji said.

Lu Tingchao shoved him away fiercely and turned his face aside: “I wasn’t crying!”

Zhuang Ji grabbed the hand that pushed him and pulled Lu Tingchao into his arms from where he sat on the platform of the grass hut.

Lu Tingchao’s skin was cold all over.

Zhuang Ji lowered his head and kissed Lu Tingchao’s ear: “Are you cold?”

Pressed against Zhuang Ji’s chest, Lu Tingchao could hear his steady heartbeat: “No.”

Zhuang Ji held him tighter: “But I’m cold, Chao Chao.”

Zhuang Ji whispered: “I’m freezing, Lu Tingchao.”

Lu Tingchao didn’t reply.

Zhuang Ji’s arms, thin from drastic weight loss, wrapped around Lu Tingchao with such force it almost hurt—like a dying snake squeezing its last prey, refusing to let go.

Lu Tingchao tried to speak, but in the end, only a soft breath escaped.

The flashlight’s beam dimmed as the battery drained.

Yet the moonlight remained bleak.

Lu Tingchao murmured: “Zhuang Ji, you’re terrible.”

Zhuang Ji said: “I know.”

Lu Tingchao tried to wriggle free but was held even tighter: “…Mo Lingnan is better at picking gifts than you. And he can cook delicious food too.”

The arm around Lu Tingchao’s waist trembled violently, like the endless waves in the distance.

Scorching tears soaked through Lu Tingchao’s shirt at some point, spreading across his back. The burning heat made him shiver—uncertain whether from pain or something else.

Zhuang Ji’s voice was rough and hoarse: “I know.”

Lu Tingchao, nearly drained by the intensity of the embrace, was forced to feel Zhuang Ji’s body heat. Once again, he caught the scent of his favorite perfume.

Lu Tingchao closed his eyes: “Fei Xiuqi is better than you too, Zhuang Ji. He’s younger, more handsome—the most sought-after young master in Hong Kong.”

Lu Tingchao said: “Zhuang Ji, you’re so inferior to them.”

“I know, I know.”

Zhuang Ji pleaded, “Chao Chao, I’ll take any role—even be the third wheel! Just want me, please? Please, Lu Tingchao, please!”

The damp patch quickly spread across Lu Tingchao’s upper back.

Zhuang Ji trembled uncontrollably, barely able to stand without leaning on Lu Tingchao.

Yet still, he refused to let go.

Lu Tingchao’s distant gaze drifted into the horizon.

The first light of dawn broke through, a faint sliver of sunlight appearing on the distant edge of the sky.

Barely visible, almost imperceptible.

Lu Tingchao asked quietly: “Zhuang Ji, what time is it?”

The timepiece adorning Zhuang Ji's wrist was a bespoke luxury from his personal endorsement—an exclusive designer creation, singular in existence worldwide. Diamond-crafted hands graced a sapphire dial, while industry whispers suggested the raw gemstone alone commanded a nine-figure valuation. Its pièce de résistance: an almost entirely skeletonized case that birthed its moniker—The Skeleton.

The precious gem still sparkled brilliantly in the pale morning light.

Zhuang Ji removed the watch and slipped it onto Lu Tingchao’s wrist. His hands shook as he adjusted the strap repeatedly, struggling to fasten it properly.

But Lu Tingchao had already seen the time.

He lifted his face from Zhuang Ji’s chest and spoke slowly, softly: “It’s 6:10, Zhuang Ji gege.”

Zhuang Ji jolted abruptly.

Lu Tingchao flicked his wrist, and the watch slid off, falling onto a nearby reef.

The crystal face shattered with a clear, crisp sound.

“I don’t like this one.”

Lu Tingchao glanced coldly at the watch. “Take out the sapphire and set it into a bracelet for me to play with.”

Zhuang Ji clung to Lu Tingchao almost obsessively. The scent of his perfume, carried by the sea breeze, slowly drifted forward, finally reaching Lu Tingchao’s collar: “Okay.”

Lu Tingchao stopped struggling, but offered no response.

He seemed to be silently counting the seconds, one by one.

A moment passed.

Lu Tingchao said, "Brother Zhuang Ji, it's time for us to go to school."

A sharp blade named time mercilessly pierced through Zhuang Ji's heart, tearing through his organs, his flesh torn and bleeding, the pain so excruciating it felt like his heart was being ripped apart.

Through tears that could no longer be contained.

The childhood versions of Zhuang Ji and Lu Tingchao seemed to bridge time, returning to them on an ordinary morning.

—"Lu Tingchao, get up for school."

—"I don't want to go to school, my Grandpa Deer will take care of me. Go away!"

—"Stop lazing in bed. Grandpa Deer sent me to get you. Hurry up and get up."

—"Zhuang Ji, I want to sleep..."

—"Chao Chao!"

—"If you have the guts, drag me out from under the covers and carry me to school... Otherwise, I won't go. I want to sleep..."

The sun rose over the horizon.

The sea breeze lifted Lu Tingchao's soft hair as he raised his head, meeting the bloodshot eyes of the person before him.

Lu Tingchao's voice was filled with exhaustion: "Zhuang Ji, I'm so tired."

"I know, Chao Chao."

Zhuang Ji managed a bitter smile, more despairing than tears, "It's my fault."

Zhuang Ji knelt before Lu Tingchao.

The platform in front of the smallest thatched cottage was neither too high nor too low. When Zhuang Ji knelt, he was at just the right height for Lu Tingchao to look down upon him, like a king on his throne overlooking his knight.

Dawn, seagulls, a gentle breeze, sunlight.

And Zhuang Ji's hand extended toward Lu Tingchao.

On that hand still rested the wedding ring they once shared, its diamond as dazzling as ever.

Lu Tingchao had seen many fans scrutinize this ring, only to later conclude that it was merely a habit for him to wear it on his ring finger, with no special meaning.

Lu Tingchao had cared about it long ago but eventually stopped.

Because they had separated, and Lu Tingchao had long since lost his own ring.

Now, seeing this wedding ring again, Lu Tingchao reached out and touched it—the diamond surface was still cold, just like his past marriage with Zhuang Ji.

"Let's take it off and throw it away."

Lu Tingchao said with feigned lightness, pointing to the ring on Zhuang Ji's finger. "Before the rest of the crew wakes up, let's secretly toss it into the sea."

But Zhuang Ji seized Lu Tingchao's outstretched hand.

From another pocket, he took out a square box and opened it. Inside lay another glittering ring, though its size was two sizes smaller.

Zhuang Ji held Lu Tingchao's hand and slipped the other ring back onto his finger.

"Look."

Zhuang Ji's large, prominent-knuckled hand enveloped Lu Tingchao's soft, pale one. "Chao Chao, we are a pair blessed by fate."

Lu Tingchao lowered his head. The reflected light from the facets of the two rings shone in his eyes, achingly bright.

This was the ring he had chosen when he loved Zhuang Ji the most.

Lu Tingchao withdrew his hand.

He sat quietly for a while, watching the sun rise higher and higher over the sea until it finally lit up the distant horizon.

At last, Lu Tingchao said to the person beside him, "Zhuang Ji, I hate you."

"It's okay, I love you."

Zhuang Ji smiled at Lu Tingchao. "From school until now, Lu Tingchao, I will always love you."

Lu Tingchao paid no more attention to Zhuang Ji.

He looked down at the ring on his finger for a while, then barefoot, wandered back and forth on the beach, poking at anthills. Finally, after some effort, he caught a small crab, holding it by its pincer and inspecting it from all angles.

The sun rose bit by bit.

Lu Tingchao set free the little crab he had been toying with back into the sand, kindly covering it with a bit of soil to prevent it from being caught again too soon.

The scorching sunlight illuminated Lu Tingchao's sweaty face and also reflected Zhuang Ji's gaze, which never wavered from him.

To the rhythm of the waves.

Lu Tingchao finally turned back and smiled at the person behind him.

His beautiful face appeared even more radiant and captivating in the light, more enchanting than all the treasures in the world.

Lu Tingchao waved to the man standing still, his clear voice ringing out, full of pride and command.

"I'm tired, Brother Zhuang Ji, come carry me on your back. Let's go back."