LR – Chapter 14

Chapter 14 – Indulgence

For a split second, all eyes seemed to freeze, turning in the same direction.Jiang Liusui couldn’t keep up with the pace and responded half a beat late, “…Huh?”

Did He Yujing just say his name?

There were still several hours until the official release of the MV, yet here he was, casually saying it out loud, in front of everyone.

“Oh my god—”

Someone whispered in awe, and as if a switch had been flipped, everyone snapped out of their daze. Eyes everywhere brimmed with curiosity, surprise, and envy, while murmurs and chatter erupted from all directions.

“They actually chose a graduate from NUA? From our class?!”

“And it’s Jiang Liusui! Honestly, I’ve always thought he’s the top among the good-looking guys, just…” The girl paused for a moment, then whispered, “he doesn’t seem all that famous.”

“But if He Yujing picked him, fame doesn’t matter. After tonight, hardly anyone will not know him. There wasn’t even a hint of this news before—he really kept it under wraps.”

Under the gaze of everyone around, Jiang Liusui took two or three steps to He Yujing’s side. A smile stayed on his face, but his mind was full of question marks.

Afraid of being overheard, he spoke almost directly into the man’s ear, “Is this some new promotional strategy? Why didn’t anyone tell me in advance?”

His voice carried confusion and a hint of unease. He Yujing leaned closer to his ear as well, answering evasively, “Why did you go to Chi Lianxi instead of me?”

They were so close that Jiang Liusui could feel the heat of the other person’s breath brushing past his ear. He Yujing’s voice was low, and the slight annoyance made it carry an aggressive edge. A shiver ran through Jiang Liusui as if his ear had been nipped—he couldn’t help but flinch.

Noticing his small movements, He Yujing clicked his tongue: “Aren’t we supposed to be pretty familiar with each other?”

Jiang Liusui froze for a moment, memories of the messages He Yujing had sent him earlier flashed through his mind.

So… He Yujing actually wanted him to come to him?

But he had acted distant, not even greeting him when passing by.

“…Are you angry?” Jiang Liusui asked cautiously.

“A little,” He Yujing replied with a hollow smile[mfn]皮笑肉不笑 (pí xiào ròu bù xiào) – lit. skin smiles but flesh does not; meaning a forced or fake smile[/mfn], his expression resembling that of someone betrayed. “And here I was, preparing a gift for you.”

Jiang Liusui was truly at a loss for words this time.

He recalled how, after wrapping up filming, He Yujing had said he’d give him a gift next time. At the time, Jiang Liusui thought it was just a polite remark—perhaps even an offhand comment made to save face because the gifts they exchanged were so unequal in value.

He had signed with Gallery as soon as he started university and had since worked with numerous film crews. He’d made enemies and friends along the way, but very few friendships lasted beyond the set—most were merely acquaintances. The gap between him and He Yujing was vast. Although He Yujing had been exceptionally considerate during filming, Jiang Liusui attributed it more to his personality and never expected their relationship to extend beyond the project.

But He Yujing hadn’t treated their conversation as mere politeness. Not only had he attended the graduation ceremony at NUA, but he had also remembered to bring the gift he’d promised, even initiated conversations with him.

He truly hadn’t expected He Yujing to care so much about their friendship.

A wave of guilt washed over him. Jiang Liusui opened his mouth, about to speak, when Chi Lianxi, who had been ignored for quite some time, raised an eyebrow and interrupted, “Have you two gotten addicted to talking? Are we still taking the photo or not?”

For some reason, when these two huddled together whispering, they seemed to create a bubble separating them from the outside world. Not only did the surrounding students keep their distance, even Chi Lianxi felt like he shouldn’t interrupt.

But upon second thought, he found this reasoning absurd.

Who cares about intruding or not? He Yujing just got slapped in the face earlier—surely he deserved a little consolation.

Realizing he’d kept Chi Lianxi waiting, Jiang Liusui quickly responded, “Yeah, yeah! Let’s take the photo!”

He Yujing stared in disbelief. “You’re really going over to see him?”

His voice unconsciously rose, making Chi Lianxi burst into laughter: “What’s that supposed to mean? After shooting an MV with you, he can’t take photos with me? You’re quite the tyrant.”

As this teasing remark landed, Shen Sijia, standing closest to them, was screaming internally.

For a moment she’d actually thought Chi Lianxi and Jiang Liusui would make a good pair—what was she thinking? How terribly wrong! No, they were clearly on the same side[mfn]友军 (yǒu jūn) – lit. friendly troops; an ally instead of rival[/mfn].

Teacher Chi! You truly live up to being a teacher! Every word you say hits the mark!

Shen Sijia wasn’t the only one getting a little flustered. From behind her, a few girls whispered excitedly:

“Is it just me? All of gege’s previous dating rumors lacked solid evidence, but this is the first time I’ve genuinely seen him being so intimate with someone. It really feels like he treats Jiang Liusui like a little boyfriend.”

“No, no! Sis, I think so too!”

Jiang Liusui glanced at the person beside him and suddenly suggested: “Then shall we take photos together?”

He Yujing frowned: “Together what together? I—”

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Liusui grabbed his arm. Seeing He Yujing didn’t pull away, he cheerfully pulled him closer: “Come on, let’s take photos.”

He Yujing fell silent but didn’t shake off his hand, as if someone had pressed his mute button.

Recalling how Jiang Liusui had touched him similarly before, He Yujing found himself distracted—Jiang Liusui was truly the most naturally physically affectionate man he’d ever met, and his way of speaking could easily be mistaken for acting cute if one wasn’t careful.

Chi Lianxi was marveling at seeing the “mischief king” so docile for the first time and found it very strange. Jiang Liusui turned to him: “Teacher Chi, aren’t you coming over?”

He Yujing’s eyes flicked to Jiang Liusui’s hand gripping his arm. Finally relenting, he turned to Chi Lianxi with mock grandeur: “Fine, I’ll add you in too.”

Chi Lianxi: “……”

With that damn mouth of yours, you really deserve a beating.

On their way out of the auditorium, Jiang Liusui received the group photo from Shen Sijia.

When they had taken it, students around them were snapping away like maniacs. Jiang Liusui stood right between He Yujing and Chi Lianxi, catching wave after wave of envious stares. Maybe it was the perfect positioning, or maybe Shen Sijia’s habit of chasing schedules for shots, he managed to capture a shot that looked like it came straight from a professional camera.

After sending the photos, she followed up with three excited crying cat emojis: I’ll treasure this photo forever.

“What are you looking at?” a casual voice asked nearby.

Unlike Chi Lianxi, who lingered in the auditorium to follow the formalities with the school officials, He Yujing had been invited as a donor to NUA. Once the photos were done, he suggested that Jiang Liusui leave with him.

“The gift is in the car,” He Yujing explained. “Besides, given the current situation, it wouldn’t be convenient for you to stay here alone. You might as well leave with me first.”

Coming back to reality, Jiang Liusui handed over his phone: “The group photo from earlier.”

He Yujing glanced at the photo, automatically ignoring the annoying figure on the far right. In the photo, Jiang Liusui was holding onto his arm, their bodies pressed close together.

“Not bad. Send it to me.”

Jiang Liusui sent the photo to He Yujing, then replied to Shen Sijia: Your gege said the photo turned out well, so I sent it to him.

Unsurprisingly, he received another barrage of crying cat stickers from her: What do you mean ‘your gege’? From today onward, we’re all one family—no distinctions between yours and mine. He’s your dear gege now.

Even though he was accustomed to Shen Sijia’s occasional outrageous remarks, Jiang Liusui was still stunned for a moment. Slowly, he typed a single period in the chat.

He Yujing’s unexpected appearance had caused the main entrance of the auditorium to be completely blocked[mfn]水泄不通 (shuǐ xiè bù tōng) – lit. so tight that even water can’t get through[/mfn] by students who had rushed over upon hearing the news. To avoid the crowd, they took the side exit. Lin Chong and another assistant Jiang Liusui hadn’t met before stayed close to He Yujing the entire time.

The driver had pulled the car up to the side entrance. Apparently guessing that He Yujing would board there, many students had gathered outside waiting. The moment he appeared, the crowd surged forward. He Yujing lowered his voice and said to Jiang Liusui, “You get in first.”

Without hesitation, Jiang Liusui stepped into the car. Just as He Yujing was about to follow, a voice wailed[mfn]鬼哭狼嚎 (guǐ kū láng háo) – lit. ghosts crying and wolves howling[/mfn] from not far away: “Gege! Yu-gege! When’s your next concert? I followed your tour from China to abroad two years ago, every single show without missing one!”

The shouting boy’s voice was nearly hoarse, his enthusiasm truly impressive. He Yujing, who had been about to get into the car, couldn’t help turning back with a laugh:

“Skipping class in sophomore year?”

The boy stammered, unable to reply, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

Seeing the car door close, the students gradually dispersed on their own. Jiang Liusui watched the crowd outside through the window, thinking that while artists often came to NUA for various events, none had ever caused such a commotion. After all, most students had some connection to the industry, and many were already somewhat famous during their studies. Yet only He Yujing could inspire such fervent admiration.

Truly a star among stars—genuinely and undeniably popular.

As this thought crossed his mind, he saw the superstar beside him answer a phone call. He Yujing frowned at whatever was said on the other end.

“What nonsense?”

The friend on the other line detected the hidden impatience in his tone and also found the situation somewhat awkward. But remembering Lu Zhun’s earlier insistence over the phone, acting like he wouldn’t give up until he saw someone, the friend forced a dry laugh: “Lu Zhun’s been asking around everywhere. He didn’t see anyone at the auditorium and heard Jiang Liusui left with you? Could you… meet up with him?”

“Meet up, and then what?”

“Well… you know, didn’t we talk about it when we were drinking that night? He has a crush on Jiang Liusui, probably wants to confess at graduation.”

He remembered Lu Zhun—the youngest son of a senior executive at Tianyuan Group, someone who changed boyfriends and girlfriends as frequently as changing clothes. It shouldn’t have concerned him, but the thought of Lu Zhun trying every possible way to see Jiang Liusui, even that vaguely familiar, irritating face started to grate on him.

He’d already been rejected once. Why cling to false hopes?

He Yujing glanced sideways. The object of this unwanted attention was replying to messages, his eyes curving into happy crescents at whatever was being said to him.

The corners of his eyes naturally curved upward. His deep black eyes glistened, as if holding a pool of moonlight.

Shen Sijia nudged him with a poke: Dinner tonight? Zhou Xun’s here.

Shen Sijia: Or if you have plans with gege, that’s fine too! Don’t worry, I’ve handled him for you.

Jiang Liusui replied: No need, you guys pick the place. I’ll be there soon.

Right after sending it, he received another message from Xie Chen: I heard you’re the lead in He Yujing’s MV. Is that true?

Considering He Yujing had already publicly announced it, Jiang Liusui saw no harm in confirming. He replied with a simple “Yes.”

Xie Chen didn’t respond. Just then, He Yujing’s voice came from beside him: “Lu Zhun wants to see you.”

Suppressing the faint irritation that tickled his temper, he turned to ask Jiang Liusui: “Do you want to see him?”

Jiang Liusui’s fingers paused. He hadn’t taken what was said that night seriously, but didn’t expect Lu Zhun to go to such lengths just to meet him. If it was a confession, it might be better to clear things up face to face: “Then… I’ll meet him.”

The friend on the other end of the call, having received no response for a while, asked again: “Is that alright, A’Jing? If it’s really too much trouble, I can have Lu Zhun come over—”

“Fine, of course it’s fine.” He Yujing gritted his teeth slightly, a faint edge of anger in his voice, “Make him wait somewhere without people.”

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Author’s Note:

When Jing gets pulled by Sui’s arm: Softened

Hearing about the “meeting”: Hunting mode activated

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