Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Meng Hui had a complete breakdown.

Chu Heng's words were especially cruel to him.

Listening to Meng Hui's incoherent shouting, cursing, and wild accusations from the other end of the phone, Chu Heng knew this call was going nowhere. He finally said, "You don't have to believe me, but you'd better look at what I sent you. If Chen Jinsheng faces even the slightest criticism, these materials will be put online for everyone to see. You wouldn't want your respected Uncle Yu ruined even after his death, would you?"

He hung up, ignoring Meng Hui's reaction, and sent Chen Qirui a text saying 'thanks'.

What he sent Meng Hui was the case file from the Yu Shangbiao case years ago. As it was confidential material, he only included a small excerpt of the summary record and the authenticating official seal at the end. Chen Qirui had to file a special application just to get this small excerpt.

Besides this small image, Chu Heng sent Meng Hui all the evidence he had gathered, including Meng Hui deliberately damaging the wire, installing a tracker and bug on Chu Heng's car, leaking Chu Heng's private schedule, egging on minors to chase his car and cause an accident, organizing groups to slander Chu Heng's reputation online, and putting Jia Xianyi up to murder, among other things.

Ever since Meng Hui returned, Chu Heng had Old Ding keep a close eye on his every move. Old Ding caught Meng Hui damaging the wire late at night, crystal clear. On the day of the high-altitude filming, Chu Heng, already aware the wire was faulty, secretly secured a second, intact wire and acted clueless while attaching the damaged one.

Given the height and ground conditions, a fall would have meant death or severe disability. Chu Heng had been waiting for Meng Hui to call it off, but Meng Hui didn't. So, Chu Heng went along with the plan, using the second wire at the right moment to control his descent and create the illusion of a narrow escape.

Everything he did afterward was merely to lure and allow Meng Hui to make mistake after mistake, walking down a path of no return. The accumulated crimes were enough to ensure Meng Hui would spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Say he's ruthless or devious, Chu Heng wasn't willing to take any more chances.

He had to take things to the extreme.

But for Meng Hui, the evidence related to his own actions wasn't the real issue. That small image revealing Yu Shangbiao's true nature was the fatal blow. Once Meng Hui saw it, the defenses that had sustained him would completely crumble, and every past act against his conscience would become arrows piercing him.

After sending the materials, there was no response from Meng Hui—radio silence. Chu Heng didn't care anymore.

Meng Hui would look eventually.

Chen Qirui quickly replied with a smiley emoticon: ^_^ You're welcome, cousin-in-law.

Chu Heng put down his phone, feeling immensely relieved.

At 4 p.m., the beep of the fingerprint lock unlocking sounded promptly at the entrance.

"Hmm... still recovering, won't be taking any jobs for a while..."

Chen Jinsheng entered carrying two bulging shopping bags, Chu Heng's low, unhurried voice reaching his ears.

Chu Heng was sitting cross-legged on the sofa hugging a pillow, his phone set up on a stand not far in front of him. Chen Jinsheng closed the door and glanced at Chu Heng's phone from a distance. The screen showed Chu Heng's upper body, with a few lines of colorful text scrolling rapidly in the bottom left corner.

Realizing Chu Heng was live-streaming, Chen Jinsheng stayed quiet and bent down to change his shoes.

Just then, Chu Heng glanced back briefly before turning forward again. "It's my assistant, here to cook for me."

His voice lifted slightly, obviously in good humor. Chen Jinsheng couldn't help but look up again. Chu Heng had his back to the entrance, so Chen Jinsheng looked carefully at the live stream feed and realized half of his own body from the shoulders down was also in frame. He quickly finished changing into slippers, placed the shoes he'd taken off on the shoe rack, and carried the bags to the kitchen.

"...Thank you for your concern, I'm fine. Let's end here for today, goodbye."

Chu Heng's voice could be heard from the kitchen. Chen Jinsheng placed the shopping bags on the marble countertop and took out grapes, pomegranates, peaches, and a pomelo from one of them. He rinsed the grapes, drained them with cool water, put them in a bowl, and set it aside before starting on the other fruits.

The pomegranates were plump and translucent. Chen Jinsheng used a knife to make several cuts along the skin, then peeled them open by hand. Holding an empty bowl underneath, the garnet-red, translucent pomegranate seeds fell into it without missing a single one.

His technique was skilled and fast. In less than a minute, he started on the second pomegranate. Footsteps approached from behind, followed by the rustling sound of a plastic bag being opened and Chu Heng's inquiry.

"Bought so much food."

"Mm, Mid-Autumn Festival is tomorrow."

It went quiet behind him. Through the reflection on the knife blade resting on the kitchen counter, Chen Jinsheng saw Chu Heng take out his phone, glance at it, and then show a look of sudden realization.

Chu Heng peeked into the shopping bag again. "So much flour? Are you planning to make the dumpling wrappers yourself?"

"For dumplings and mooncakes," Chen Jinsheng replied simply. He discarded the pomegranate peel, turned, and placed the bowl full of seeds into Chu Heng's hands.

"You can make mooncakes too? When did you learn?" Chu Heng asked, surprised, picking up a few seeds and feeding them to Chen Jinsheng.

He did this naturally. Chen Jinsheng glanced at him, lowered his head to take the seeds into his mouth, his lips inevitably brushing against Chu Heng's fingertips. Chu Heng acted as if it were commonplace, withdrawing his hand to eat a few seeds himself while looking at Chen Jinsheng curiously.

The prison's reform-through-labor courses were varied. Chen Jinsheng said vaguely, "Before."

Chu Heng frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with this answer. Then, as if realizing something, he pursed his lips lightly, quickly lowered his head, stuffed several pomegranate seeds into his mouth, and only then softly said, "Oh."

After a moment, he spat out the white seeds and asked nonchalantly, "Won't it be too much for just the two of us?"

As he spoke, he extended his hand to Chen Jinsheng's mouth, gesturing for him to spit the seeds into his palm.

Chen Jinsheng looked at him until Chu Heng averted his eyes. Chu Heng tilted his head slightly but pushed his hand forward, urging, "Hurry up, I still want to eat more pomegranate."

Chen Jinsheng spat the seeds into his palm. Watching Chu Heng throw them in the trash without any intention of wiping his hand, then continue picking up seeds to eat, Chen Jinsheng turned back to wash the peaches. After cleaning off the fuzz, he started peeling.

He only peeled one, cut it into eight slices, removed the pit, placed them on a plate, then cut a quarter of the pomelo, carefully peeled it, arranged it with the peach slices, stuck in toothpicks, and told Chu Heng to take it to the living room.

"The kitchen's smoky. Dinner will be ready soon."

"No need." As usual, Chu Heng fed a piece of peach to Chen Jinsheng, took a bite himself, then put down the fruit plate and rolled up his sleeves. "I'll help you."

He put the unprocessed fruits in the refrigerator but was momentarily at a loss looking at the remaining ingredients in the shopping bag. "What are we making tonight?"

"Braised pork ribs, stir-fried asparagus, grilled eggplant, and a mushroom soup."

Chu Heng took out the ingredients one by one according to the dishes named, sorted and stored the rest in the refrigerator, placed the mooncake molds directly into the cupboard, and began prepping.

He hadn't cooked in a long time, but having done it often before adulthood, he got back into the swing quickly—washing, trimming vegetables, cutting—all done cleanly and efficiently.

Chen Jinsheng watched for a moment, then went to rinse the rice and start cooking.

Chu Heng started cutting vegetables carefully and slowly, but after cutting some asparagus, his knife speed gradually increased, the blade swiftly rising and falling to mince scallions and ginger. The knife tapped rhythmically on the cutting board. Chu Heng asked Chen Jinsheng, "What filling are you planning for the dumplings?"

"Century egg and fresh pork."

Chu Heng paused. "Just that one kind?"

Chen Jinsheng: "Did you want something else?"

Chu Heng thought for a moment and said, "Let's make other fillings. Century egg is actually something my mom liked. I don't really feel like it this time. Century egg with cold tofu is good too. For dumplings... celery, corn, cabbage are all fine. Up to you."

Chen Jinsheng said, "Then let's make a bit of all three."

After they finished prepping the ingredients, Chen Jinsheng started cooking. Chu Heng stayed nearby, occasionally feeding him fruit. After a while, his phone rang, and he went out to answer it.

The range hood was loud, and snippets of conversation drifted in.

"Live stream... okay, I know... I'll be careful... it's fine, he..."

The stove flame suddenly went out. Chen Jinsheng turned the knob a few times, but it wouldn't ignite. He figured the battery was dead. He moved the pot, lifted the stove top to remove the battery, and opened the cabinet below to get a new one. His gaze suddenly froze.

The climbing rope had been moved.

A few moments later, Chen Jinsheng averted his gaze, put in a new battery, and put everything back the way it was.

Chu Heng didn’t come back in; from the sound of footsteps, he had probably gone to the balcony. By the time Chen Jinsheng finished cooking, the rice was done too. He brought the dishes out, and the sheets and clothes airing on the balcony were already taken in. Chu Heng came out of the bedroom and, seeing him carrying dishes with both hands, rushed over to help.

At the dinner table, Chu Heng said the food was good, eating an extra bowl of rice, though Chen Jinsheng’s cooking always tasted the same.

They finished all the food. Chen Jinsheng got up to clear the table and do the dishes, but Chu Heng stopped him. He smiled at Chen Jinsheng, “You cook, I clean. Fair division of labor.”

Chen Jinsheng remained seated, watching as Chu Heng cleared the table, took the dishes to the sink, squeezed some dish soap, and began scrubbing. With his sleeves rolled up, water droplets splashed onto his bare arms and the clothes on his waist and stomach, so he turned and grabbed an apron off the wall and put it on.

The apron accentuated his slim waist, making his legs look even longer and straighter. Chu Heng focused intently, the back of his neck stretched taut as he looked down. Chen Jinsheng watched him unblinkingly, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. After a moment, he averted his gaze, got up, and left for the study.

The sound of the kitchen sink was cut off. Chen Jinsheng stayed in the study until ten in the evening. In the meantime, Chu Heng brought in some leftover fruit from earlier. Seeing that he was busy, Chu Heng didn’t come in again after that one visit.

When he was done with the documents, Chen Jinsheng went out. Chu Heng was sitting on the sofa, totally engrossed in his phone, not even noticing Chen Jinsheng come up behind him.

He was scrolling slowly, so Chen Jinsheng could clearly see what he was looking at.

It was a film and television project proposal.

Chu Heng also had a backlog of work. He was not only the company’s biggest star but also one of its owners. Wang Yelong said he trusted Chen Jinsheng, but in practice, he still ran things by Chu Heng.

It wasn’t that Wang Yelong distrusted Chen Jinsheng; rather, as Chu Heng’s longtime manager and partner, Wang Yelong was more used to discussing things with Chu Heng.

Chen Jinsheng watched silently as Chu Heng finished reading the project proposal and the attached script pages, then switched to WeChat to text Wang Yelong: There’s a supporting role named Song Yan in this that would suit Xiao Meng. Take her to audition for it.

Wang Yelong replied right away with an OK.

This didn’t align with Chen Jinsheng’s thoughts. He had seen this project proposal but hadn’t yet discussed his decision with Wang Yelong. He felt another artist in the company was suitable for a different role in it, and they could consider investing appropriately.

As he thought this, he saw Wang Yelong follow up with a question: [Invest?]

This way of asking was rather casual, as if playing some kind of simulation game, with an attitude of investing on a whim, without considering costs or optimal profit margins.

Chu Heng thought for a moment, then replied: [I think we can.]

[Confirm with Jinsheng; his decision takes priority.]

Wang Yelong replied with an old man emoji that said “I understand”: [Consulting the professional.]

Chu Heng gave him a thumbs-up.

Chen Jinsheng almost laughed. He placed his hand on the back of Chu Heng’s neck. Chu Heng startled and immediately turned around, relaxing when he saw it was him, complaining, “How do you walk so quietly… When did you come out?”

“Just now.” Chen Jinsheng rubbed the half-dry ends of his hair. “Your hair isn’t fully dry.”

“The roots are dry.” Chu Heng turned off his phone and stood up. “Go take a shower, I’m exhausted.”

So he had been waiting for him.

Chen Jinsheng smiled and obediently went to shower.

After showering, he came out to find Chu Heng had moved to another spot to scroll through his phone. Leaning against the headboard, his gaze swept over Chen Jinsheng as if searching for something. After a long moment, he looked away, put down his phone, turned off the light, and lay down.

Chen Jinsheng walked over and lay down on the other half of the bed, reaching out to turn off the bedside lamp left for him.

The room plunged into darkness. Chen Jinsheng heard Chu Heng toss and turn a few times, gradually falling asleep after about ten minutes. He turned on his side, pulled the other into his arms, and closed his eyes.

The next day, they woke up naturally, handled some work, and then began their tasks: kneading dough, chopping filling, making dumplings, and pressing mooncakes. Chen Jinsheng randomly wrapped a raw red bean into one of the dumplings. He left the steaming of dumplings and baking of mooncakes to Chu Heng while he went to steam crabs and mull wine.

They spent the entire afternoon busy. When the moon rose, they moved a small table to the balcony, setting out steaming dumplings, mooncakes, crabs, and mulled wine. Stars filled the sky, and silvery moonlight poured down like threads, casting dappled shadows across the balcony.

The dumpling with the red bean ended up being eaten by Chu Heng. Chen Jinsheng asked how it tasted. Chu Heng paused for a moment before finally saying the red bean was cooked, and it tasted a bit strange wrapped in meat.

He finished the last sip of mulled wine in his cup, moved his stool next to Chen Jinsheng, nestled into his embrace, leaned his head on Chen Jinsheng’s shoulder, and looked up at the moon. After a moment, he lowered his gaze to the shadow of the balcony railing on the ground and said, “Let’s grow some flowers. And buy a hanging chair for the balcony. What do you think?”

But Chen Jinsheng was looking at the intertwined shadows of the two on the ground, imagining their figures surrounded by moonlight and flower shadows in the dark night. He smiled and said, “Okay.”

Chu Heng, still in that position, looked up at him and kissed his lips.

Chen Jinsheng tightened his arm around Chu Heng’s waist, lifted him onto his lap with a forceful motion, and pried open his lips for a deep kiss. His kisses gradually shifted elsewhere. Chu Heng tilted his head back, fingers tangling in the hair at the back of Chen Jinsheng’s head, soft, muffled moans escaping his lips.

Chen Jinsheng tugged at the hem of his shirt. Chu Heng’s body trembled slightly.

Chen Jinsheng said in a low voice, “The red bean is cooked.”

Chu Heng instantly gripped his hair tightly. Chen Jinsheng’s scalp stung slightly, but it only excited him more. Chu Heng soon loosened his grip, his eyes glistening with moisture as he shot Chen Jinsheng a glare—a look that seemed both shy and reproachful, nothing like the usual Chu Heng.

Chen Jinsheng’s throat went dry, his body burning. But the next second, he was pushed away firmly.

In his daze, Chu Heng left the balcony and returned with something in hand.

Chen Jinsheng stared at the coil of climbing rope.

The climbing rope was ultimately used on Chu Heng. With his hands immobilized, his voice came out in a sticky, tearful whimper. Chen Jinsheng gazed down at him with overwhelming tenderness, leaning down to kiss his sweat-dampened hair, flushed cheeks, and parted lips.

He sighed softly and said, “Don’t belittle yourself, Xiao Heng.”