Chapter 22

Chapter 22

When Chen Jinsheng and Xiao Hongbo arrived, the scene was complete chaos.

Chu Heng had beaten Jia Xianyi until his face was bruised and swollen, his lips flecked with blood. He Mingshuang stood helplessly to the side, a crumpled coat covered in dust at her feet.

Chen Jinsheng quickly scanned the area and ran over to grasp Chu Heng's hand.

The hand in his palm was trembling. He paused, softening his tone. "Chu Heng, stop hitting him. Let's go back first."

Chu Heng didn't look at him, pulling his hand away. "Go away."

Earlier at the dinner, he had seemed perfectly normal, even able to joke with Xiao Hongbo as if that argument had never happened. But now, after just a short while, he seemed like a different person, treating Chen Jinsheng with icy indifference. Xiao Hongbo, annoyed by this, pulled Chen Jinsheng aside. He held back, not saying anything harsh.

He could tell that Chen Jinsheng probably wouldn't listen to reason right now.

He didn't know what hold Chu Heng had over him. It was like this seven years ago, and it was still like this seven years later.

Chu Heng paid no mind to what others were thinking. He stared at Jia Xianyi for a moment, then suddenly bent down and whispered in his ear, "Don't you think a murderer and a murderer are a better match?"

Jia Xianyi's eyes widened in terror, letting out a few ragged gasps.

The others didn't hear what Chu Heng said. They only saw him straighten up and say coldly to Jia Xianyi, "Watch your mouth, you coward who only hits women." Then he released Jia Xianyi's crumpled collar and walked over to He Mingshuang's side.

He Mingshuang's lips moved. "You..."

"Sorry." After saying this, Chu Heng picked up the coat from the ground, shook it out, and strode away.

He Mingshuang stared blankly at his retreating figure.

Was he... defending her just now?

She wasn't the only one who thought so. Xiao Hongbo cursed under his breath, glanced at Chen Jinsheng's expressionless face, and put on a polite smile. "Miss He, Mr. Jia is in bad shape. How about this, I'll have someone take you to the hospital. I'll cover the medical bills. How does that sound?"

"...Okay, thank you." He Mingshuang was not a naive young girl. She knew what was most important. She had no time to worry about exposing her relationship with Jia Xianyi in front of these two now. Suppressing her chaotic thoughts, she stepped forward to help him up. "Jia-ge..."

"Bitch..." Jia Xianyi's eyes were so swollen he could only open a narrow slit. His mouth was flecked with bloody spit. Hearing He Mingshuang's voice, he lifted a hand weakly, seemingly to push her away, but lacking the strength, his arm dropped again.

He Mingshuang pretended not to hear the insult. Her eyes reddened, tears streaming down silently. She used her sleeve to wipe the dirt and blood from Jia Xianyi's face. "I'm sorry, does it hurt?"

Jia Xianyi was left speechless, choking on his anger. "Stay away from Chu Heng, or you'll both be sorry."

He Mingshuang bit her lip.

Jia Xianyi raised his voice. "Did you hear me?"

This movement aggravated the injuries on his face, and he groaned in pain, repeating, "Did you hear me?"

Only then did He Mingshuang nod. Then, as if realizing Jia Xianyi might not see it, she murmured a soft 'yes'. Her reluctance was plain for anyone to see.

Xiao Hongbo clicked his tongue, preferring not to see something so irritating. "Miss He, the car is waiting for you downstairs. License plate 3333. Just follow them."

"Okay." He Mingshuang's gaze lingered on the other man. Although he only gave her a cold, hard profile, she still recognized him as the assistant who was inseparable from Chu Heng.

Soon, they were the only ones left on the terrace. He Mingshuang felt cold. Finally pulling her gaze back from the empty glass door, she looked at Jia Xianyi, who was closing his eyes and enduring the pain. Her eyes showed no trace of heartache, only thoughtful scrutiny. After a long moment, as if having made some kind of decision, a glint came into her eyes, followed immediately by a few tears and a tearful cry of "Brother Jia."

Jia Xianyi indeed stopped fixating on the matter with Chu Heng. His hands trembling, he fumbled inside his coat pocket and pulled out a folded mask, saying weakly, "Go back to the private room to get the hat first."

He Mingshuang was slightly taken aback. These two items were their usual disguise. She looked at Jia Xianyi, a complex look flashing across her face for a fleeting moment. In the end, she just pursed her lips, took the mask, and replied softly, "I know."

*

After leaving the terrace, Chu Heng first returned to the private room, grabbed his mask and hat and left.

Bai Leyao called after him but couldn't stop him, so he sat back down looking baffled.

Chu Heng went to the nearest ATM, took out a wad of cash, bought a pack of cigarettes on the way, and returned to the restaurant. He went straight to the surveillance room and slid the wad of cash over to the employee inside. "Excuse me, I lost something. Could I borrow ten minutes?"

The employee caught on immediately, took the money, and left.

Chu Heng found the footage of him beating up Jia Xianyi. Just as he was about to click delete, his eyes uncontrollably shifted to another person in the video.

The top floor of the restaurant was a semi-open terrace, half of it covered by an awning. In the video, Xiao Hongbo was pulling Chen Jinsheng away from him, dragging him under the awning. There were only some decorative colored lights there, the bulbs extremely low wattage. Large shadows fell on the two figures, even their faces shrouded in a layer of darkness.

To be honest, it was quite eerie.

Chu Heng zoomed in on the video, settled back in the chair, and lit a cigarette. After a while, he stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray on the table, waved away the white smoke in front of him, and scrolled the video back a bit.

He could clearly see the surprise, resentment, disdain, and the helpless melancholy in Xiao Hongbo's glance toward Chen Jinsheng on his face. But he couldn't make out Chen Jinsheng's expression at all.

Why was the position he stood in always so perfectly appropriate? Why could he never understand him? And why had Chen Jinsheng become this current version of himself—devoid of edges, allowing others to push him around? Could seven years in prison truly change a person so drastically that they became unrecognizable?

...

Bai Leyao waited. Even after the food turned cold, no one returned. He signaled the waiter for the check.

"Mr. Chu took care of the bill," the waiter said.

Bai Leyao was stunned. "He left? Did he leave with the other two?"

"Mr. Chu left alone."

Chen Jinsheng and Xiao Hongbo happened to enter at that moment. The waiter politely greeted them and then left the private room.

"Uncle, Chuheng-ge left in a hurry just now. What happened?" Bai Leyao asked immediately upon seeing the two of them.

Xiao Hongbo didn't answer directly, checking his watch. "It's getting late. You have to get up early for filming tomorrow. I'll drive you back."

Bai Leyao thought all three of them were acting strange, but nothing showed on their faces. He had no choice but to agree.

The three of them walked out of the restaurant entrance and headed a short distance toward the parking lot. Bai Leyao was pondering the relationship between the three men, walking distractedly, his eyes darting around. Suddenly, they fixed on a point, and he exclaimed. "Chuheng-ge?"

Wasn't the person leaning against the streetlight in the distance, head bowed while smoking, none other than Chu Heng?

He was staring into space. The orange-red ember glowing between his fingers was particularly glaring in the dim light. He flicked the cigarette ash; the burnt tobacco drifted down lightly. The tiny ember dimmed for a moment before brightening again. The cigarette, more than half smoked, was held between two fingers and brought to his slightly dry lips. Pale blue smoke drifted from the tip. As the filter was withdrawn, those lips parted slightly, exhaling a wispy cloud of smoke.

Bai Leyao was momentarily mesmerized.

Even as a man, he had to admit that Chu Heng was incredibly handsome.

Just as he was on the verge of becoming a fanboy, Xiao Hongbo snorted coldly.

The sound made Chu Heng look up. His gaze swept past, finally landing behind the two of them. After a few seconds, he dropped the cigarette, crushed it underfoot, and walked toward them. By the time he reached them, a perfectly courteous smile was already on his face.

"Thank you for your hospitality tonight, President Xiao. Let's catch up another day when we have time. Jinsheng and I will head back now."

His mood tonight was more changeable than the weather in June.

Xiao Hongbo frowned, not understanding what game he was playing now.

Chu Heng just said gently, "Jinsheng, let's go."

Even during those nights they spent together in the past, Chu Heng had never called his name so gently. Chen Jinsheng spaced out for a second before managing an "Mm" after a moment, and slowly walked to his side.

The two bid farewell to Xiao Hongbo and walked away along the path.

The night was cold, but Chu Heng was just carrying his coat in his hand. Bai Leyao watched as Chen Jinsheng shrugged off his own coat and gave it to Chu Heng, taking the one Chu Heng was holding in exchange.

Chen Jinsheng's clothes were a bit too big for Chu Heng, with sleeves that extended beyond his wrists. Chu Heng rolled them up and casually slipped his hands into the pockets.

Even Bai Leyao, slow as he was, understood now. He stammered, "They... they..."

Xiao Hongbo rubbed his temples. "Adult matters are none of a child's business."

When he had come down from the terrace earlier, he had asked Chen Jinsheng: if not for Chu Heng, wouldn't he have been as successful in his career and have a happy family, with a good wife by his side in his old age and children around his knees? He asked if Chen Jinsheng regretted it.

Chen Jinsheng had replied, "I don't regret it."

Upon hearing that answer, Xiao Hongbo knew he had no hope of persuading Chen Jinsheng anymore. All he hoped for now was that Chu Heng had at least a shred of conscience—even if he couldn't love Chen Jinsheng, he shouldn't be too cruel to him.

*

The road back to the hotel was quiet. Chen Jinsheng walked Chu Heng to his room door and prepared to return to his own room.

His room was right next to Chu Heng's, which made coming and going easy.

Chu Heng called out to him, "Come in and sit for a while."

A strange feeling flickered through Chen Jinsheng's heart as he turned to look at Chu Heng.

Only the entrance light was on in the room. Chu Heng stood at the doorway, as if bathed in warm sunlight.

Chen Jinsheng hesitated before following Chu Heng inside.

"Sit," Chu Heng said, turning on all the lights in the room. He switched on the air conditioner, took off his coat, and hung both their coats on the wall hook. After doing all this, he boiled a kettle of water before finally sitting down opposite Chen Jinsheng.

"Has the burn on your hand healed?" Chu Heng asked him.

The burn from the cigarette had long since healed, leaving no scar behind. Chen Jinsheng replied, "It healed a long time ago."

Chu Heng fell silent. When he didn't speak, Chen Jinsheng didn't initiate conversation either.

Chu Heng kept watching him. After more than ten minutes, the beep from the kettle broke the silence in the room. He stood up to pour two cups of hot water. "Hold this to warm your hands."

Chen Jinsheng didn't move. "What do you want to say?"

Chu Heng habitually put a cigarette in his mouth but didn't light it, as if the mere act of holding the filter could satisfy his craving. After a moment, he removed the cigarette and casually rested it on the ashtray. "The card I gave you has eighty million in it. Use it to go into business with Xiao Hongbo."

He had given Chen Jinsheng a card, glorified as a salary card. That card originally held only a few hundred thousand, from which Chen Jinsheng covered his daily expenses. He didn't spend much, and most of it was used on Chu Heng.

When he bought dinner that evening, the balance on the card hadn't changed. But now Chu Heng claimed it contained eighty million, clearly transferred in just tonight.

Chen Jinsheng's voice grew heavy. "Why?"

Chu Heng ignored him and continued with his own train of thought. "You're wasted here with me. Xiao Hongbo has genuine affection and loyalty toward you. If you go into business with him, he won't harm you. Once you become a successful entrepreneur, life will be much better."

Chen Jinsheng's chest rose and fell almost imperceptibly. The three glasses of strong liquor were only now taking effect. He closed his eyes, struggling to suppress his emotions. "Why?"

Chu Heng watched him quietly. "Didn't you hear everything?"

Chen Jinsheng must have stood in the cold wind for a long time, which was why the takeout had turned completely cold.

Besides, the soundproofing of that lounge wasn't very good.

Silence filled the room for one second, two seconds, three seconds.

Suddenly, Chen Jinsheng stood up, grabbed Chu Heng's wrist, and pinned him against the wall. The concealing bandage was finally torn away completely at this moment.

"Why?"

Chen Jinsheng stared intently at Chu Heng, his gaze like a deep-sea vortex capable of swallowing everything.

Why had Chu Heng never felt even a hint of joy because of him? Why was he always so heartless? Why, despite never having been moved, had he still come to pick him up after prison, giving him hope? Why couldn't he have been as indifferent as he had been over the past seven years, cutting everything off decisively back then?

Chen Jinsheng had too many "whys" he wanted to ask, but in the end, none of them came out.

His eyes flickered with madness, stubbornness, and sorrow, all eventually dissolving into profound despair. He was like a wounded, trapped beast, clutching tightly to its last prey. Hunger and cold drove him to constantly desire to bite and devour, but he couldn't—because this was his final prey.

Once he ate it, let it go, or allowed it to escape, he would never have it again.

His grip tightened more and more. Chu Heng even felt as though his wrist might be crushed, but he remained silent.

Chen Jinsheng closed his eyes, no longer hoping for an answer from Chu Heng. Finally, he lowered his head and fiercely kissed those lips.

He looked into Chu Heng's eyes but quickly closed his own, biting and gnawing as if venting. Chu Heng had probably smoked a lot tonight; even his lips carried the taste of cheap tobacco. Chen Jinsheng disliked that taste, so he kissed him like a madman.

His breath carried a faint scent of alcohol. Soon, Chu Heng's lips were bitten and torn, the mingled smells of tobacco, alcohol, and blood lingering between them.

From beginning to end, Chu Heng neither struggled nor responded, merely lowering his gaze to look at Chen Jinsheng's face so close to his.

His skin wasn't smooth; the fine lines at the corners of his eyes became even more visible at this distance. The eyelashes on his left eye abruptly broke in the middle, and only then did Chu Heng notice a faint scar across his left eyelid.

The kiss lasted a long time, until both were breathing unsteadily, before Chen Jinsheng finally released Chu Heng.

His lips burned with pain. Chu Heng asked calmly, "What do you want? All I have is money."

He had once asked Chen Jinsheng late at night if there was anything else he wanted to do besides visiting his mother. Chen Jinsheng had shaken his head. Now, asking a similar question again, Chu Heng's state of mind was completely different.

If Chen Jinsheng answered "nothing" again, he would mercilessly drive him away.

"...You," Chen Jinsheng said, his gaze blazing. "I want you."

"Fine," Chu Heng replied bluntly, pushing him away. "I'm going to take a shower."

Chen Jinsheng stood frozen in place until the sound of running water came from the bathroom. Only then did a bitter smile escape his lips.

Chu Heng showered for half an hour before emerging wrapped in a bathrobe, drying his damp hair. "There's still hot water. You can go shower."

Chen Jinsheng didn't know how he managed to finish that shower. He mechanically stepped out of the bathroom to find Chu Heng had already dried his hair and was leaning against the headboard, holding a small jar.

It was his usual face cream, costing thousands per bottle. Seeing Chen Jinsheng come out, Chu Heng placed the cream on the bedside table within easy reach and beckoned him with a finger.

Chen Jinsheng walked over and was immediately pushed onto the bed.

He felt as though another person had split from within his body, detached from his physical shell, floating mid-air, coldly observing himself and Chu Heng in their intimacy.

The room lights were bright. Midway, Chu Heng said:

"Why... even when you're... with me... you don't speak..."

His words came in fragments.

Three hours later, Chu Heng sat up, drenched in sweat, and took the water Chen Jinsheng handed him, drinking it in one gulp.

His back ached and his legs felt weak, so Chen Jinsheng massaged his waist, his touch firm but soothing. Chu Heng narrowed his eyes, and once he’d recovered a bit, he took something out from the bedside table drawer.

The rustle of a plastic bag being opened sounded. Chen Jinsheng had just looked up when a piece of fabric was slapped over his face.

The texture was familiar—it was a mask.

His face was also sweaty, and the mask stuck to his skin on contact, which was uncomfortable.

But he didn’t remove it, focusing instead on massaging Chu Heng’s waist, seeming to accept it without complaint.

Chu Heng turned his head to look at him for a moment, then suddenly straddled his lap, cupping his face through the mask and asking, “Do you want to wear this?”

His eyes were moist, his pupils reflecting the light from above. Chen Jinsheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

Chu Heng kissed him through the mask. “Do you want to?”

Chen Jinsheng’s voice was hoarse, rough with leftover pleasure. He licked his lips, his tongue touching the coarse fabric of the mask, and said, “No.”

Chu Heng nodded, took off the mask, and tossed it aside.

Worn out, he flopped back onto the bed, closed his eyes, and said, “Turn off the light.”