Chapter 40: Can’t Even Tell Sour from Sweet Anymore?

Chapter 40: Can't Even Tell Sour from Sweet Now?

Time seemed to freeze right then.

Qin Yan looked at Su Zhiyu, pausing a beat before reaching out, his scorching palm pressed against Su Zhiyu's.

"Alright."

Qin Yan came down the stairs and stood in front of Su Zhiyu. Su Zhiyu tried to pull his hand back, only to find Qin Yan had a firm grip on it.

Qin Yan's thumb gently pressed against the back of his hand as he lowered his chin slightly: "Just like this, so you don't trip."

"You—let go of me."

He glanced around nervously, scared someone might see them.

Qin Yan just wouldn't let go: "Stay like this. If you keep struggling, *that's* when people will notice. Be good, let's hurry on down."

Su Zhiyu couldn't break free and didn't dare move too much, so he just went along with it, keeping his head down and speeding up as he dragged Qin Yan along.

Qin Yan let himself be pulled along without a fuss, watching Su Zhiyu's back. He looked a little sneaky, but he found it totally endearing—more grounded, more human.

Su Zhiyu, I hope your life is full and bright.

...

Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was time for the second recording.

This time, Su Zhiyu didn't sneak off early without a word. Instead, he actually asked Qin Yan: "Can I catch a ride with you?"

Qin Yan looked him up and down with amusement: "Did the sun rise in the west today? Fine, follow this young master."

"Okay."

Su Zhiyu was long used to his cocky attitude, quietly following him into the car. The driver glanced at the back seat: "Young master, want me to put up the partition?"

"What do you reckon?"

"Yeah, of course."

When they got to the set, Su Zhiyu got out of the car first. Qin Yan thought for a moment, then got out as well. And wouldn't you know it, the moment he stepped out, he ran into Yang Yichen.

Su Zhiyu gave Yang Yichen a calm look, nodded slightly in greeting, and said to Qin Yan: "You two talk, I'm heading off."

Qin Yan raised his chin: "Sure."

Yang Yichen watched Su Zhiyu walk away, stunned, then hurried over: "Brother Yan, how'd you show up with Su Zhiyu? You two... actually on the way?"

He remembered Qin Yan didn't live in that direction—it was the complete opposite of Su Zhiyu's place.

Qin Yan raised an eyebrow: "Yep, on the way."

"Really on the way? Or is it for personal reasons... Don't tell me you actually bought a place over by Su Zhiyu's?"

Qin Yan: "..."

"Nah, you'd only ever bully Su Zhiyu. Why would you go out of your way to buy a place near him?"

"..."

"Brother Yan, I just saw Su Zhiyu talk to you first. How come in just half a month, you two seem totally different?"

Qin Yan swatted his head away: "So noisy. Your lord here has already turned over a new leaf, didn't you hear?"

"For real?"

"Obviously."

Yang Yichen gave Qin Yan a knowing smile, leaning in to tease quietly: "Brother Yan, honestly, have you actually fallen for Su Zhiyu? Don't rush to deny it—don't worry, I support you. Even if you were a bit of a jerk before, it's fine as long as you've changed now."

"..." Qin Yan rolled his eyes. "Come on, let's go."

Fallen for Su Zhiyu?

The corners of Qin Yan's lips curled up slightly. It seemed... he really did like Su Zhiyu a lot. If he could, he wanted to protect Su Zhiyu and stay by his side forever.

Everyone gathered in the main hall again. Most of the 15 contestants were pretty familiar with each other by now—at least the ones in the same group were close.

Just as Qin Yan and Yang Yichen walked in, someone darted over to Qin Yan: "Brother Qin."

Qin Yan jumped back a step, startled.

Jiang Yizhou smiled sheepishly and raised a hand in greeting: "Brother Yichen, Brother Qin, it's been a while."

"Long time no see." Yang Yichen, seeing it was Jiang Yizhou, smiled and nodded slightly. "You two talk, I'll head over there."

"Alright."

Qin Yan kept his hands in his pockets, looking around distractedly: "You need something?"

"Uh, not exactly." Jiang Yizhou sighed, sounding a little hurt. "Brother Qin, why didn't you accept my friend request the other day? We've worked together before—I wanted to add you."

Huh? Friend request?

"Let me check."

"Sure, sure."

Qin Yan pulled out his phone and scrolled through it casually before remembering—to them, his current account was Su Zhiyu's, and Su Zhiyu's account was his own.

"Cough." Qin Yan put his phone away, tilting his head casually. "I don't like adding friends. Isn't there a group chat? Just say it in there."

"Huh? But I..."

Qin Yan didn't bother responding, walking over toward Su Zhiyu instead. Jiang Yizhou clenched his fist in frustration and followed anyway.

"Captain." Qin Yan called out to him with a sly grin. "This seat next to you taken?"

Su Zhiyu paused, startled, then shook his head: "No one's sitting there."

"Great, I'll sit here then." With that, Qin Yan plopped down beside Su Zhiyu and casually took the half-peeled tangerine from his hand.

Jiang Yizhou walked over and greeted Su Zhiyu too: "Captain, it's been a while."

Su Zhiyu looked up and gave a polite nod: "Mm."

"Um, could you scoot over one seat? I'd like to sit here, is that okay?"

He was looking at Qin Yan's side—there was no seat next to Qin Yan, or he would've just sat there.

Su Zhiyu followed his gaze to Qin Yan beside him. Qin Yan was peeling the tangerine in his hand, splitting it in half and handing over the half with more segments to Su Zhiyu: "Here, all done."

"Thanks." Su Zhiyu took it without a second thought.

Tangerine in hand, he turned to Jiang Yizhou and said, "Sorry, I don't like changing seats."

Jiang Yizhou: "...?"

"Is there anything else?" Su Zhiyu's expression stayed as cold and composed as ever, but Jiang Yizhou thought he caught a hint of disdain and impatience.

Was he imagining things?

When he looked again, that feeling had disappeared.

It had to be his imagination. The captain had always been this cold and blunt. Normal, totally normal. Forget it.

Jiang Yizhou turned back to Qin Yan, who was munching on the tangerine: "Brother Qin, I have a question I'd like to ask you. Could you come sit with me?"

Qin Yan shook his head: "Too lazy to move. Just ask whatever you want right here."

"..."

Jiang Yizhou glanced at Su Zhiyu, then at Qin Yan, and finally made up a question about the last performance, chatted for a moment, then left.

Su Zhiyu watched Jiang Yizhou's retreating back, broke off a segment and popped it into his mouth.

His brows immediately knitted together. It wasn't sweet—it was a little sour.

Qin Yan polished off his half in two bites and looked at Su Zhiyu with confusion: "What's wrong? Not tasty?"

Su Zhiyu swallowed without tasting it: "Mm, it's sour."

"Sour?" Qin Yan looked incredulous. "It's not sour. It's really sweet. Try another segment."

Su Zhiyu looked at the tangerine in his hand, losing his appetite, and shook his head: "I'm done."

Qin Yan held out his palm, a little disappointed: "Then give it to me. I love these."

"..."

The remaining half vanished into Qin Yan's stomach.

Su Zhiyu couldn't help doubting himself. Was it really that sweet? Had his taste buds gone haywire, unable to even tell sour from sweet anymore?