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Chapter 53 – Gathering
After the variety show ended, there were two days of rest. Jiang Liusui didn’t go out and stayed at home watching dramas.
Although Xu Miao had mentioned it before, he hadn’t had time to watch Chi Lianxi’s new series. It was a domestic-foreign co-produced crime drama, airing on multiple platforms at home and streaming overseas as well. Jiang Liusui watched five episodes in a row, completely absorbed.
Chi Lianxi was really good at acting.
Although many industry traditionalists believed Chi Lianxi lowered his status by switching between film and television projects, Jiang Liusui had enjoyed all the scripts Chi Lianxi chose. This time, the role was no exception.
The day after tomorrow, filming for ⟪Eternal Bell⟫ would begin, and for quite some time, moments of leisure like this would be rare. Jiang Liusui was engrossed in the drama, already planning to keep watching later that night. He Yujing came out of the home studio and glanced at the TV screen.
Thinking that Chi Lianxi had already dropped to second place in Jiang Liusui’s heart, He Yujing directly ignored his friend on the screen and said to Jiang Liusui, “A friend invited us to a gathering tonight. Do you want to go?”
Jiang Liusui paused the show, “What kind of gathering?”
He Yujing had many friends who frequently invited him out. Assuming it would be a somewhat grand event, He Yujing instead said, “Barbecue at my childhood friend’s house.”
Jiang Liusui was slightly taken aback.
A friend’s house? And a childhood friend’s, no less.
“Okay.” Jiang Liusui stood up, still wearing loose loungewear. “I’Il go change then.”
As he walked over, He Yujing suddenly said, “Why don’t you wear my clothes?”
Jiang Liusui halted, slightly startled, then nodded in agreement.
This was Jiang Liusui’s first time entering the walk-in closet of this house. The space was even larger than expected, nearly rivaling the master bedroom. Various types of clothing were neatly organized, with an entire wall made into glass display cabinets holding bags and accessories. The central island displayed jewelry, with various styles of watches arranged under the top glass panel.
Jiang Liusui cast a glance at the sparkling island counter. He had assumed the jewelry and accessories in the master bedroom closet were lavish enough—but this wardrobe easily held several times more.
Hmm… indeed so meticulous.
He Yujing chose his clothes and turned back to see him smiling with curved eyes, saying nothing.
Reading his thoughts, He Yujing tucked the clothes into Jiang Liusui’s arms with a teasing grin. “Funny? Today you’ll be wearing the most flashy outfit in the room.”
“No problem.” Jiang Liusui agreed with a laugh. “Whatever you say.”
As he spoke, he unbuttoned his loungewear. Having already bathed together with He Yujing at the hot spring hotel, he didn’t feel particularly shy changing in front of him now.
He Yujing watched him reveal a slender collarbone and pale, smooth skin on his chest. Remembering how Jiang Liusui had been as pliable as a doll when drunk, he felt a slight itch in his heart.
“Let me help you.”
Jiang Liusui’s fingers paused, then obediently stilled. He Yujing walked over and continued what he had been doing.
Jiang Liusui was sensitive to physical contact. When sober, having his clothes removed occasionally made him tremble unconsciously, but he remained equally cooperative.
Although the person helping him change wasn’t doing anything unnecessary, Jiang Liusui gradually found it hard to stand steadily, his gaze involuntarily wandering.
He accidentally caught a glimpse of the floor-length mirror directly opposite. He Yujing was fastening the buttons on his shirt, then seemed to think it didn’t look right and unfastened the top two buttons again. His slender fingers inadvertently brushed against Jiang Liusui’s Adam’s apple, sending a shiver down his spine and making him quickly avert his gaze.
He Yujing didn’t notice his subtle reaction, but seeing Jiang Liusui wearing his clothes, as if every part of him was now imbued with his scent, made his thoughts wander momentarily.
Unable to resist, he leaned in to kiss him, his fingers stroking the slender back through the thin fabric of the shirt.
The touch on his back was gentle yet precise, carrying a hint of tenderness, like one would stroke a small, delicate animal.
Jiang Liusui felt dizzy and, looking at the mirror, realized that his cheeks were flushed—he was showing a look of indulgence.
He froze, staring at the image in front of him. At that moment, He Yujing stepped away toward the island counter.
When he returned, He Yujing picked out two identical bracelets, handed one to Jiang Liusui, and took his hand.
“Wear it,” He Yujing said affectionately, giving his wrist a gentle squeeze.
He Yujing’s childhood friend’s home was over an hour’s drive from Metropolitan Park. The rooftop terrace offered an expansive view, with a sunken pool shimmering under the light and lounge chairs flanked by greenery. A U-shaped sofa above had a barbecue grill placed in the center.
As He Yujing stepped out of the elevator, Zheng You, who had been chatting with someone, paused and waved. “A’Jing!”
The person beside him looked up as well. “Yu-ge’s here?”
“Here so early? That’s unusual. I thought he’d show up late for drinks,” one friend joked, thinking of He Yujing’s upcoming world tour. “We won’t be able to hang out with him soon, so let’s get him drunk tonight.”
Zheng You walked over as he spoke. “You’re not the last one today. Yan Sheng and the others are even slower than you.”
He Yujing chuckled. “Then tell them to hurry up.”
“No one dawdles more than you, right? Fine, I’ll nudge them later.” Noticing the person beside him, Zheng You paused. “Oh!”
Smiling warmly, he introduced himself. “Nice to meet you.”
Jiang Liusui returned the smile, locking eyes with him.
The young man had a handsome face and an enthusiastic expression. Jiang Liusui smiled back. “Hello.”
Recalling Zheng You’s bold claims in the group chat about preparing the ingredients himself, He Yujing glanced at the neatly arranged skewers of meat and vegetables on the platter. “Did you really prepare these yourself?”
“No way, his family’s housekeeper did it. At most, he might’ve chopped a thing or two,” someone interjected. Noticing He Yujing approached with someone unfamiliar, they took a closer look at Jiang Liusui. “Yu-ge, you brought a friend?”
He Yujing didn’t answer, the silence serving as confirmation.
Everyone at Zheng You’s house tonight were familiar friends. It was rare to meet a new face, especially someone He Yujing brought. They all greeted Jiang Liusui warmly, and he responded to each in turn before introducing himself. “I’m Jiang Liusui.”
A girl exclaimed excitedly, “Yeah! I’ve seen your dramas!”
Someone else chimed in, “You’re an actor? No wonder you have such a striking presence.”
The young man who spoke looked like a student, youthful and bright, but his outfit was immaculate, wearing an expensive watch on his wrist. Catching Jiang Liusui’s gaze, he offered a friendly smile.
“You’ve seen celebrities before, why say something like that?” Zheng You immediately saw through the kid’s attempt to flirt and punched him lightly, then glanced at He Yujing’s expression, worried he might be upset.
“Are you out of your mind? Look at who he came with.”
The young man froze for a moment, realizing the two had an unusual relationship, and quickly apologized, “No, Yu-ge, I honestly didn’t notice! Apologies.”
He Yujing tilted his chin up dismissively, then wrapped an arm around Jiang Liusui’s shoulders and led him toward the barbecue grill.
The heat under the grill was already rising. Someone was chatting while flipping skewers. Most people here never set foot in the kitchen, and few were seriously grilling. When He Yujing approached, one of them teased, “You’re going to do it yourself?”
“No way! A’Jing would only cook if he were stranded on a deserted island—watch out, your skewers are burning again!”
“Damn it! This is the second time already.”
He Yujing watched them scrambling to salvage the situation and snorted, “Stop making up stories about me. You think I’m like you?”
He turned to Jiang Liusui and gestured, “Don’t believe me? Ask him.”
Feeling everyone’s eyes on him, Jiang Liusui joked, “Yeah, his current persona is ‘God of Cooking.’”
Hearing him tease He Yujing like that, everyone burst out laughing. Skeptical voices rose from the crowd: “Wait, for real?”
“Show us, Yu-ge!”
When He Yujing actually put on gloves and started grilling, the teasing intensified, even drawing Zheng You over.
Jiang Liusui helped He Yujing arrange the skewers on the grill and suddenly remembered something. “Do you remember when we filmed the show and grilled barbecue too?”
“I finished grilling, gave it to Qin first, then to you.”
Recalling He Yujing’s dark expression at the time, Jiang Liusui couldn’t help but laugh. “You were actually upset about being second in line.”
He Yujing gave him a resigned look.
He hadn’t been upset about that at all. But he still had some pride and couldn’t admit his misguided assumptions back then. He flipped the nearly done skewers and said to Jiang Liusui, “You really hold a grudge.”
Before Jiang Liusui could respond, He Yujing placed the grilled skewers on a plate and pushed it forward.
Jiang Liusui, seeing he couldn’t argue, let the topic pass, but couldn’t help teasing him: “Do you want me to let you eat first this time?”
He Yujing had no choice but to sigh. “You’re really…”
Noticing their unusual dynamic, people around them exchanged meaningful glances. Zheng You joked, “Wow, A’Jing even knows how to take care of someone now.”
Hearing this, those who hadn’t caught on earlier suddenly understood. “Oh~ no wonder.”
Jiang Liusui, however, was the one most confused.
No wonder? No wonder what?
Most people were too busy chatting and drinking, so eventually, the housekeeper came up to help grill some of the food.
The long table was laden with all kinds of delicacies, and everyone gradually took their seats. As soon as Jiang Liusui sat down beside He Yujing, Zheng You across from them suddenly stood up to greet the last person arriving.
“Yan Sheng!” Zheng You called out, gesturing toward He Yujing. “Look, everyone’s here! And you’re even later than him.”
The newcomer grinned cheekily, slung an arm over Zheng You’s shoulder, sat down beside him, and began teasing He Yujing: “I timed my arrival based on your usual schedule—how come you’re so early today, Young Master?”
He Yujing leaned back casually. “Don’t spread rumors—being on time is just basic courtesy.”
As Jiang Liusui listened to their banter with amusement, a girl across the table noticed his and He Yujing’s outfits and suddenly remarked with a smile, “Your clothing styles are so similar.”
Jiang Liusui’s top two shirt buttons were undone, revealing a delicate, slender necklace. He wore a silver-gray bomber jacket over it, casual pants with oversized pockets, and sneakers.
His clothes were slightly oversized, making him appear even more slender. He Yujing’s outfit was similar in style and color, but comparatively more fitted. While it wasn’t as noticeable when everyone was standing, now that the two sat side by side, they looked almost like they were wearing matching couple outfits.
“Really, I almost thought it was Yu-ge’s clothes earlier.”
“Maybe it is,” someone chimed in with a laugh. “Isn’t it normal for him to wear it?”
For the first time, Jiang Liusui genuinely sensed that some people had always assumed his relationship with He Yujing was special. Although it was their first meeting, they seemed to know exactly who he was and treated him with warmth and familiarity.
He instinctively glanced sideways at He Yujing, who wore a faint smile but remained silent.
Yan Sheng arrived late and missed the earlier exchange, but noticing their intimate demeanor, he teased, “A’Jing, aren’t you going to introduce him?”
Zheng You was the first to speak up. “Haven’t you seen his Moments? He’s already shown him off several times. You really don’t pay attention to our young master—how could you not know about something this big?”
Moments… what’s that?
Jiang Liusui felt a mix of confusion, curiosity, and a twinge of uncontrollable nervousness.
Mu Zhe had once mentioned that his benefactor avoided answering questions about Mu Zhe’s identity when bringing him to gatherings. Would He Yujing respond? And if he did, how would he introduce him?
Just as the thought crossed his mind, Jiang Liusui felt a sudden weight on his shoulder as someone wrapped an arm around him from the side.
He Yujing smiled and said, “Let me formally introduce him—he’s my boyfriend.”
The room immediately erupted into cheers and whistles.
Jiang Liusui froze in his seat.
Although he had vaguely sensed that He Yujing didn’t merely see him as a “lover”, hearing it directly left him deeply shaken and unable to calm down.
Was He Yujing saving face for him in front of others, or had he genuinely… always regarded him as a romantic partner?
Still lost in his thoughts, Jiang Liusui instinctively tightened his grip on He Yujing, a smile spreading across his lips.
Amid the suggestive gazes of the crowd, Jiang Liusui interlaced his fingers with the person beside him. He raised their joined hands and playfully waved them at everyone, as if in affirmation.
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