TSSRWAB Chapter 25

Xie Zhuhan went back.

 

His heart had developed a problem.

 

It ached whenever he sees Lu Xi.

 

–

 

After a week of non-stop filming, with night shoots requiring overtime, Lu Xi collapsed into bed as soon as he got home on Friday. He even forgot to ask how the two buns and the popular little girl were doing.

 

“Daddy is so tired.”

 

“Daddy works so hard.”

 

Doubao and Dougao lay on either side of their father, their little bodies soft and warm. They wriggled up and smacked two kisses, one on each of his cheeks. Lu Xi hugged his sons and murmured sleepily, “Be good, sleep now. Tomorrow, Daddy doesn’t have work and will spend the whole day playing with you.”

 

“Daddy, I love you,” Doubao said quietly.

 

Dougao nestled against his father’s chest and kissed him again.

 

He loves Daddy too.

 

Though exhausted, the doting father felt happy. Lu Xi hummed, “Daddy loves you too.” He was simply too tired to keep his eyes open. He reached out and tucked the quilt in for the two of them, then fell asleep.

 

The two couldn’t sleep because they took a nap on the plane today.

 

The blankets were warm and cozy, filled with Daddy’s scent.

 

Soon, the two restless buns also fell asleep, their quilts kicked down to their tummies. Xie Zhuhan, who had already returned, appeared by the bedside. He gazed at the three for a long time, then reached out to pull the quilts up properly. Dougao opened his eyes, still drowsy and hazy.

 

It seemed like he saw that person bend down and secretly kiss Daddy.

 

Xie Zhuhan straightened and met Dougao’s eyes. He ruffled the boy’s hair gently, then vanished from the room.

 

Dougao was fully awake now.

 

That person really appeared.

 

And he was secretly kissing Daddy.

 

The next day, Lu Xi woke up late. After catching up on his weekday shoots, he had set aside Saturday to take his sons out, but he was so tired that when he finally opened his eyes, it was already 9:30.

 

He slept very well.

 

After washing up and dressing, he saw the two buns sitting on the couch watching cartoons.

 

Doubao and Dougao attend kindergarten every day and are used to waking up early and eating breakfast on time.

 

“Good morning, Daddy.”

 

“Good morning. What are you watching?” Lu Xi glanced at the TV. It was Toy Story.

 

Dahl warmed up the breakfast. Lu Xi thanked him and sat down to eat.

 

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the two buns sitting closely together on the sofa. Doubao was leaning on Dougao’s shoulder, his big head pressed against Dougao’s ear, whispering something with a happy look on his face and occasionally glancing over at him.

 

Lu Xi: ???

 

What’s going on?

 

Dougao pointed to his own forehead. “Kiss, here.” Then he put a finger to his lips. “Secret.”

 

Doubao happily sat up properly and began watching the cartoon with great interest.

 

After breakfast and feeling refreshed, Lu Xi began asking about their week at school, mainly curious about the popular little girl. “How is it going? Did you give her the candy? Is she still mad at you?”

 

“We didn’t give him the candy, but Daddy, he’s not angry anymore,” Doubao shared excitedly.

 

Lu Xi: That popular little girl is pretty generous.

 

“Then be good friends. Do you want to keep watching cartoons, or should Daddy take you to the amusement park?”

 

Doubao leaned against his father and looked up. “Daddy, are you tired?”

 

“I’m not tired anymore after getting enough sleep.” As a father, Daddy Lu understood what Doubao’s little expression meant. He hugged his two sons and said. “Let’s go, we’ll all go to the amusement park and play.”

 

Dahl already changed his clothes and packed a sports backpack.

 

They looked very much like a family of four, especially with the bag containing the children’s necessities.

 

“Master-“

 

Lu Xi noticed a few couples looking their way and glared at Dahl. Dahl looked back at his master innocently and earnestly.

 

Forget it, let’s just hurry.

 

Dahl bought the tickets, swiped them to enter the park, and asked cheerfully, “Master, would you like some water?”

 

A thermal flask was in the side pocket of the backpack.

 

“Not now.” Lu Xi asked the two buns, “Which ride do you want to play first?”

 

Lu Xi was somewhat afraid of heights, but he always enjoyed bringing the boys to amusement parks. Everything they could play, he could too! And he could do it openly without being judged. What grown guy still plays on these?!

 

They excitedly went on two rides.

 

Dahl followed closely behind, opened the flask and poured hot water, then handed it to his master. “Are you thirsty? Drink some hot water. I’ll go wait in line. You rest a bit and come over later.”

 

“Look at that boyfriend, then look at you.”

 

A young girl on a lounge chair grumbled and complained to her boyfriend. The boyfriend glared over, then silently retracted his gaze. He knew he couldn’t win the fight.

 

Dahl flashed a bright smile. He is handsome, a mixed-race, tall, and muscular. He smiled honestly and kindly, but that was only for his master. He wouldn’t hesitate to use his fists on outsiders.

 

As soon as they entered the amusement park, everyone looked at him, then at his master. Dahl overheard several people whispering that their family of four was very happy. Dahl was very happy and thought that the amusement park is really fun.

 

Lu Xi: …his head is aching.

 

He needed to find time to have a proper talk with Dahl.

 

Dahl likes the Succubus Prince, and he just happened to be the Succubus Prince.

 

They were out to have fun, so he wouldn’t spoil the mood.

 

Thus, they had a great time all day. Dahl secretly enjoyed the attention from passersby and their misunderstanding that he and his master were together. The two buns also had a lot of fun, and Daddy also spent the whole day with them.

 

Lu Xi had an especially great time.

 

“Let’s ride the little train one more time before going home!”

 

“Okay.” Dahl was very enthusiastic.

 

Lu Xi carried Doubao and Dougao onto the train and saw Dahl saying something to a staff member. Soon, Dahl entered the train car, and the staff member was holding Dahl’s phone.

 

He knew what Dahl had said.

 

The little train seats only two per row, so Lu Xi and Dahl each had a bun next to them.

 

Chug chug, woo woo woo!

 

The train started moving.

 

“The little train is arriving! The little train is arriving!”

 

The staff member handed the phone back. Dahl checked it and smiled goofily, then set the photo as his phone’s background and wallpaper.

 

I’ll print it out later and put it up at home, Dahl thought.

 

The weekend ended.

 

Doubao and Dougao had to go back to school.

 

“You don’t need to come next week. Daddy’s work is finished.” Lu Xi kissed both on the cheeks.

 

“Yay!” Doubao waved his little paws happily.

 

The following week, filming entered its final stages and went very smoothly. The Little Male Fox wrapped up as scheduled. Over the past month or so, to save money, they had rushed through shooting at rented locations, sometimes even shooting all night.

 

It was finally over. Xiao Sun and the second male lead were quite reluctant to part.

 

Director Hu is a small director and has seen many poor crews like this. He sighed, thinking only young, unknown actors could put up with such conditions. Anyone with a bit of fame wouldn’t take on such a project.

 

Boss Xi was unhappy hearing this and looked at Director Hu.

 

Director Hu: “Hahahahaha, let’s give a round of applause for our investor and golden daddy, Boss Lu! Boss Lu is famous. Our male lead, who has even made it on real-time search.”

 

Everyone clapped their hands like bear paws.

 

Boss Lu got carried away by the moment and announced, “Tonight’s dinner and karaoke are on Young Master Lu!”

 

“Yay!!!”

 

The applause grew even louder.

 

They ate, sang, and chatted nonsense. The crew was overall young and didn’t engage in all those formal toasting customs. But there were some who genuinely wanted to share a drink with Lu-ge. The second male lead raised his glass and said, “Ge, let’s toast one. Thank you for earning all those gold beans for me over the past month.”

 

“I’m in the mood today, so I’ll skip the milk.” Lu Xi swapped his milk glass for a beer, clinked it, and took a few sips.

 

Just a gesture of my appreciation.

 

No one urged him to finish it. After all, Boss Lu is the golden daddy!

 

The lively atmosphere lasted until two in the morning. Lu Xi drank lightly, but sip after sip added up, and had over a bottle in total. His alcohol tolerance is low, and two bottles would knock him out. With one and a half bottle, his body already felt floaty, though his head was still somewhat clear.

 

Pete picked him up and drove him back to the hotel.

 

“Don’t worry about me, I can wash myself.” Lu Xi said, wobbling on drunken steps.

 

Pete tried to support him but was brushed off. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

 

“A man can’t say he can’t. I’ll deduct your pay.”

 

“Okay, okay, Boss Lu is the best.” Xiao Pete helped him to the master bedroom, then said at the door, “Call me if you need help.”

 

Boss Lu gave Little Pete a handsome back and closed the master bedroom door with a bang.

 

He wobbled into the bathroom.

 

The sound of water running in the shower echoed.

 

Lu Xi sat on a stool, taking a shower. He was in a daze for a while, then he started to hum and sing.

 

“I am a little jumping frog, jumping into the big blue Atlantic… La la la la la la la la la la la…”

 

Without wiping his wet head, he put on a loose pair of pajamas and came out to lie on the bed, continuing to la la la.

 

Xie Zhuhan appeared in the room, not expecting to be greeted by the sight of a pair of legs.

 

The master’s body swayed and the oversized T-shirt rode up, revealing some curves.

 

The little drunkard hummed and whined softly, as if acting coquettishly.

 

「Uncle Xie, cheers to our love.」

 

「Don’t drink alcohol.」

 

「I’m an adult now, cheers!」

 

「Uncle Xie, I feel so dizzy, why are you spinning?」

 

「Xie Zhuhan, don’t move, stand right there, I’m going to kiss you!」

 

“I’m not moving.”

 

Xie Zhuhan murmured it aloud before remembering that it was all in the past. On the bed, Lu Xi had his eyes closed, water still dripping from his hair.

 

His palm passed over the damp hair, now fluffy, dry, and soft to the touch. Xie Zhuhan’s fingers gently brushed Lu Xi’s cheek. Fresh from a shower and flushed from drink, his skin carried a faint pink glow. He was half-lying there, lips slightly pouted, and tongue darting out to lick them.

 

“Thirsty.”

 

Xie Zhuhan’s throat bobbed, and he felt somewhat hot.

 

「…Husband, it’s too much, slower.」

 

The young man, drunk and flushed all over, nestled in his arms and acted recklessly.

 

Memory and reality overlapped.

 

Xie Zhuhan was bewitched and lowered his head.

 

It was just as he remembered.

 

In a half-dreaming state, Lu Xi seemed to see Xie Zhuhan’s face.

 

How dare he still kiss him?

 

He bit down hard.

 

Hmm, he’s gone now. Back to sleep.

 

In the middle of the night, Lu Xi got up with a dry mouth and poured himself some water, thinking of that dream.

 

How could he possibly dream of Xie Zhuhan?

 

And even bite him?

 

Lu Xi looked in the mirror and touched his lips in a daze. The sensation felt very real, along with Xie Zhuhan’s scent, the cold smell of thousands of years of eternal snow. He couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality.

 

At breakfast the next morning.

 

“Pete, did anyone come in after I fell asleep last night?”

 

“It was already late at night. No one came. Why?”

 

Could it really have been a dream?

 

Lu Xi felt something was off. He would hold a grudge against the scumbag for the rest of his life.

 

“Nothing.”

 

After returning to Jinjiang City and resting for two days, it was November 6th in a blink of an eye.

 

Jian Huai, who had been abroad for over a month, called. “My flight lands tomorrow. I’ll bring the chocolate over to you. When is convenient? Are you done filming?”

 

“Just wrapped two days ago. No rush with the chocolate. Just rest for a couple of days after your long flight first.” His sons had already made up with the generous and popular little girl. Daddy Lu is in no rush.

 

Jian Huai seemed very busy on the other end and spoke a few words to his assistant. Lu Xi only caught something about ‘terminating the contract.’

 

“Okay, I’ll come find you after I handle some things.”

 

“Your birthday is coming up. We haven’t seen each other for four years. Can we celebrate your birthday together this year?” Jian Huai couldn’t help asking over the phone. He wanted to surprise Lu Xi, but was afraid their relationship isn’t at that stage yet and that Lu Xi might not be home.

 

Lu Xi: “Sure. The weather’s cold so I’m thinking of going to hot springs for two days and one night.”

 

A bit of relaxation.

 

“I’ll send you the address later. Just come straight over.”

 

Jian Huai held the phone and agreed.

 

After a month apart, he had made up his mind. He would choose the right time to confess.

 

If he won’t take this step, he and Lu Xi would forever remain ‘good friends.’