Chapter 35

Chapter 35

When spring came, Chu Heng became busy again. The six new talents the company signed didn't have any major personality flaws; they were just desperate to make it big, and were even more eager to learn and train than their teachers. After a month or two, they had made significant progress. Chu Heng also made good on his promise, laying out all the scripts he could get his hands on for them to choose roles from and recommending them for auditions.

Chen Jinsheng's project proposal got the thumbs-up from all the management. After the New Year break, it was implemented, triggering another round of reshuffling and personnel transfers. Recruitment information was also released externally. But this meant the company had to relocate. Chu Heng checked out a few places and finally ended up picking a space on the mid-to-high floors in another building within the same park, renting two entire floors. It was spacious, sunny, and had a great view, and everyone in the company was happy with it.

Chu Heng himself landed a few ad deals and two or three endorsements, found time to do a few magazine photo shoots, and, after picking and choosing, accepted another acting role. His schedule was packed, requiring him to fly back and forth every few days.

Wang Yelong still mocked him, "a dog can't change its habit of eating shit, and all that talk about taking a break was clearly bullshit." Good thing Wang hadn't bought it.

Actually, Chu Heng had originally planned to take a break. He felt Chen Jinsheng was too gloomy, seemed to have no wants or needs, often silent and sometimes downright gloomy. He guessed it was because Chen had just been released from prison and jumped right into the hectic work with him, without a chance to get his head straight. When asked what he wanted, Chen would only shake his head. So, Chu Heng thought about taking him out to relax, perhaps on a small world tour, to see the vastness of the world.

But after returning from City G, Chen Jinsheng's gloominess dissipated considerably. While secretly marveling at the effectiveness of heart-to-heart therapy, Chu Heng also winced at the hit his wallet took and got his ass back to work to make money.

Chen Jinsheng tagged along without complaint, fetching and carrying for him, the perfect assistant.

At night, lying in bed together, Chu Heng hugged Chen Jinsheng's waist and kissed him. "Things will ease up after this busy stretch."

Chen Jinsheng ran his fingers through Chu Heng's hair, rubbing the ends between his fingers to make sure they were dry before starting to massage his scalp in a slow, steady rhythm. "After this stretch is Chen Jiasheng's birthday banquet. Are you going?"

The pressure on his scalp was just right, making Chu Heng drowsy. He buried his face in Chen Jinsheng's chest, finding the ridges of the scars a bit uncomfortable against his cheek, and tilted his head slightly. "We're invited?"

"Yes, other members of the Chen family will also be there."

"Do you want to go?"

"It's up to you."

Chu Heng thought for a moment. "Let's go."

His impression of Chen Jiasheng was also fairly good. In previous years, he could have pretended not to know him, but now with Chen Jinsheng, he felt he should at least show his face for his birthday.

The next day, Chu Heng went to film. The location was swarming with bugs and mosquitoes, flying around in front of the camera and messing up the shots. Chu Heng had to do several retakes, finishing work very late.

Chen Jinsheng draped a coat over him and handed him water and his phone. Chu Heng drank water while checking his phone; he had dozens of messages from just the past few hours.

Jing Jing asked if, now that the company just moved, they should get a feng shui master in to adjust the layout. A while later, she asked if the training plans for several artists needed to be changed.

A few of their signed artists had passed their auditions and excitedly shared the news with him.

Wang Yelong had identified several candidates who could be trained as operations managers, their resumes took up a whole screen, and asked Chu Heng to find time to come by the office to look them over.

Xiao Hongbo once again gave him grief for working Chen Jinsheng like a personal gofer. Bai Leyao sent him a variety show he was planning to attend, asking if Chu Heng was interested in participating.

Chu Heng replied to each one, left two conversations for last.

"He Mingshuang: Haven't seen you around lately. Not in City B?"

"He Mingshuang: I came across this restaurant; their French cuisine is very authentic. I haven't properly thanked you for last time. My treat?"

Chu Heng's fingers moved.

"Chu Heng: I'm shooting lately, probably won't wrap for another month."

He Mingshuang replied almost instantly.

"He Mingshuang: Another project? You really never stop."

"He Mingshuang: What are you filming this time? Where are you shooting?"

"Chu Heng: Jungle adventure film, deep in the mountains."

He Mingshuang sent a crying-laughing emoji.

"He Mingshuang: You really have a thing for this genre, haven't gotten tired of it after all these years."

"He Mingshuang: By the way, I have a script on hand, a realistic love story. The production team is excellent, and the male lead hasn't been decided yet. The filming schedule starts not long after you wrap up. Are you interested?"

"Chu Heng: Are you playing the female lead?"

He Mingshuang replied after a moment.

"He Mingshuang: Yes, thought since we're familiar, acting together would be easier."

Chu Heng smiled ambiguously.

"Chu Heng: Indeed."

"Chu Heng: After finishing this film, I might not really be free. Let's cooperate next time there's a chance."

He Mingshuang didn't show much regret, only sent: "Got it, busy man. I know you don't like filming this kind of movie."

She added that when Chu Heng returned to City B, he must tell her so she could repay the favor. Chu Heng agreed.

He didn't avoid Chen Jinsheng while replying to the messages. When he tapped the last notification, his finger hesitated for a moment, but he ultimately remained seated.

The back of his neck had several mosquito bites. Chen Jinsheng was applying cooling oil, making it feel chilly.

"Jinsheng." Chu Heng pulled his hand down but didn't let go. "Why don't you go back first to help Brother Wang and the others?"

Chen Jinsheng's gaze sharpened, somewhat puzzled.

Chu Heng showed him Wang Yelong's message interface. "You know there aren't many people in the company who can make decisions. Only Brother Wang and Jing Jing can oversee things. I can't get away, and the project proposal was yours. Only if you go can I feel at ease."

The company was the result of Chu Heng's seven years of hard work and was currently at a critical point of transformation. To ensure the company's cash flow remained normal, Chu Heng had to keep taking on jobs. Chen Jinsheng understood this. While feeling pleased by Chu Heng's unreserved trust, he couldn't help but worry. "If I go back to City B, what about you?"

Chu Heng chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not a child; I can take care of myself. If anything really happens, Old Ding and Little Mei are still here."

Chen Jinsheng hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing.

There was no electricity by the mountain forest. Chu Heng sat curled up on a small fabric stool, holding Chen Jinsheng's clean, warm palm. Under the temporary streetlight powered by a diesel generator, he looked up at Chen Jinsheng and suddenly curved his eyes into a smile.

He stood up, pulled Chen Jinsheng into the wild woods where the streetlight didn't reach, and kissed him.

It was a remarkably gentle kiss. Chen Jinsheng's back pressed against the rough tree trunk, his chest tightly against another's resilient, warm body. Surrounded by darkness, all his senses focused on their moist lips.

The number of times Chu Heng had initiated a kiss could be counted on one hand. For a moment, Chen Jinsheng forgot to respond, lowering his gaze and straining to see Chu Heng's expression, but only a dark, blurred outline met his eyes. He closed his eyes, wrapped his arms around Chu Heng, and kissed back.

Chu Heng's waist was slender. When passion peaked, Chen Jinsheng couldn't help but tighten his grip. His strength was considerable; after each intimate encounter, two bluish-purple handprints would often appear on Chu Heng's waist. Even during ordinary kisses, he might accidentally leave red marks there. But aside from in bed, Chu Heng showed no reaction to this.

An unexpected compliance.

Chen Jinsheng relaxed his grip, placing his hand on Chu Heng's waist as gently as possible. As their lips and tongues intertwined, a string of numbers suddenly surfaced in his mind.

This string of numbers was very unfamiliar and from a long time ago. Chen Jinsheng had only seen it once, but thanks to his good memory, he had remembered it immediately. He was momentarily stunned, not understanding why this number had suddenly come to mind.

Immediately afterward, another completely unrelated matter emerged.

The Chen family was extensive, with members in business, politics, and the military. His second uncle's branch was in politics. He had a cousin who worked in the police force and was now the captain of the criminal investigation team. But a few years ago, he was just an ordinary detective. One year, he participated in cracking a cross-province organ trafficking case, made a significant contribution, and was promoted rapidly.

Good news lifts the spirits. During that period, his cousin was riding high, bragging openly and hinting in private about his promotion. His method was to repeatedly warn family members never to respond to certain phone numbers—those were the numbers of "knives."

Chen Jinsheng had overheard a few snippets but hadn't paid much attention.

Yet now, on this ordinary night, he suddenly remembered those numbers his cousin had mentioned. At the same time, it dawned on him where he had first seen that initial string of digits.

The day after meeting Chu Heng, the day after they first slept together, while tidying the messy room, a business card bearing that number had accidentally fallen out of the pocket of Chu Heng's old denim jacket.

That number ending in 3174 was identical to one of the "knife" numbers his cousin had mentioned.

Chen Jinsheng's hands began to tremble slightly. Back then, after seeing the card, he hadn't thought much of it. After Chu Heng woke up, he had given it to him along with the check. Chu Heng had only fallen silent for a moment before accepting everything.

What had Chu Heng intended to do back then?

A panic, belatedly, washed over him. He pushed Chu Heng away, not bothering to wipe the silvery strand of saliva stretching and breaking between their lips as they separated. "What were you trying to do?"

What trying to do?

Chu Heng had been enjoying the kiss and was caught off guard by the sudden push. He asked, bewildered, "Kissing you. What else could I be trying to do?"

"Not that."

Chu Heng's shoulders ached from the tight grip as Chen Jinsheng asked, "Why do you have a knife's number?"

"What kn—"

Chu Heng stopped.

"Knife"—slang for intermediaries in the black-market trade of human organs.

Chu Heng had almost forgotten about that incident himself. How did Chen Jinsheng know?

Chu Heng remained silent for a long time, only coming back to himself when a strong hand gripped his waist. Chen Jinsheng's hand had silently landed, pressing firmly against his side. "Speak."

"Chu Heng, tell me."

A thread of barely detectable dread tinged his usually steady voice. Chu Heng silently took the hand on his waist and pulled it to his chest, then covered it with his other hand, deflecting, "Just think of it as me being swayed by your looks."

"What do you mean?"

Chu Heng smiled, his eyes curving. "Just what it sounds like."

Originally, that night, he had only intended to go through the motions.

He had nothing left, but at least he still had his basic human dignity.

Losing an organ—he could scrape by. But if he lost his principles and dignity too, he didn't know if he'd have the strength to go on. Sitting by his emaciated mother's sickbed, he had even considered dying with her.

Repaying her with his life—to end it all.

But that night, of all people, it was Chen Jinsheng who appeared. Among the dozens in that vast room, it was Chen Jinsheng he had spotted at first glance.

He didn't know whether he had followed Chen Jinsheng out of fear of death, choosing to sell his body and dignity, or because he was at the end of his rope, resolutely stepping onto a new path that seemed like a mocking twist of fate—just like the astronomical check handed to him alongside the knife's business card.

That was the first time he realized he was worth so much.

Chu Heng took a step forward, gently kissing Chen Jinsheng's tense jaw, then closing his eyes and slowly moving to his lips. He didn't deepen the kiss, just pecked lightly before pulling back slightly.

"These are all old matters. Let's not dwell on them," he murmured softly.

Suddenly, noise erupted. Shouts from the crew wrapping up for the day drifted through the trees from not far away. The temporary streetlights began going out one by one. One of the lamps must have been jostled as someone moved it, its bright beam sweeping over from a distance, abruptly illuminating half of Chu Heng's face.

Chen Jinsheng saw eyes brighter than the light itself. Emotions surged within him like tidal waves, then gradually settled into calm. The fabric of Chu Heng's right shoulder was crumpled from his grip. Chen Jinsheng withdrew his hand and clasped Chu Heng's hands, which were still covering his own.

"...Alright. Let's not dwell on it."

Some things had given warning signs long ago, but it had taken him years to see them clearly.