TIL - 26

Tang Jun’en was highly efficient; he settled the matter Chen Cheng asked him to handle right there at dinner. This also illustrated a point: specialization. What seemed like a complex problem to outsiders was just a phone call away for someone in the industry.

He put down his phone and told Chen Cheng, “This meal is on you.”

Chen Cheng agreed to treat him: “Then help me with one more thing.”

Tang Jun’en’s jaw dropped: “Never mind then, I’ll pay! Isn’t it just a meal? I’ll pay, damn it, I’ll pay!”

Chen Cheng stopped stirring his soup: “Aren’t you going to ask what it is?”

Tang Jun’en didn’t want to know: “From childhood, you’ve never done a bad deal. I don’t even need to ask to know how much advantage you’ll take.”

Chen Cheng thought he didn’t understand him enough: “I’m reasonable.”

“Bullshit.”

Chen Cheng stopped talking, too lazy to reason with Tang Jun’en.

Tang Jun’en thought of Wen Huo: “Did you give Wen Huo so many privileges because you’re reasonable?”

Chen Cheng said, “She got so jealous; what’s wrong with me giving her some privileges?”

Tang Jun’en truly didn’t want to hurt him, but he couldn’t help himself: “Can’t you really see? She wants to go to the film festival with you to declare her sovereignty. Do you really think she’s fallen for you?”

Chen Cheng knew Wen Huo was hired by Han Bailu, but he believed Wen Huo’s reluctance for him to take Han Bailu to the film festival was genuine.

Tang Jun’en sometimes thought Chen Cheng was very cunning, and other times, that he was truly foolish. Was this an essential part of dealing with women? It felt like heroes became idiots after meeting beautiful women.

Chen Cheng said, “Can’t declaring sovereignty represent her true wishes?”

Tang Jun’en analyzed for him: “You have to admit, besides money, there’s nothing else about you that attracts her.”

Chen Cheng gave him a cold look.

Tang Jun’en said, “She’s only in her early twenties, and she’s good-looking. Finding someone her age isn’t difficult, okay? Why would she string you along if not for your money and social status?”

“Well, at least I have that.”

Tang Jun’en gave up: “Can you please set aside your bias towards Wen Huo for a moment and listen to me?”

Chen Cheng said, “She’s not a good person, and neither am I, but that doesn’t conflict with her being jealous.”

Tang Jun’en stopped wasting words: “You’re right, she just loves you, loves you to death. If you take Han Bailu to the film festival, she’ll be consumed by jealousy, she’ll go crazy.”

Chen Cheng wasn’t that irrational: “She can’t see what’s in her heart yet, but she will, sooner or later.”

Tang Jun’en was so amused he laughed: “Teacher Chen, I take back what I said about you being genuinely cunning and falsely innocent. You are truly innocent, crystal clear.”

Chen Cheng, of course, knew that Wen Huo’s eagerness towards him was all because of Han Bailu’s money, but he wouldn’t mistake Wen Huo’s subconscious reactions. She did care, she just wouldn’t admit it.

Tang Jun’en ate his meal, pondering Chen Cheng’s past for a long time. In the past, he was very wise, an expert at discerning intentions; he knew when anyone had ulterior motives...

What was wrong now? Getting old?

He ate and shook his head, momentarily transported back to his school days with Chen Cheng.

Back then, Chen Cheng was the campus heartthrob. Half the girls in school liked him. He was arrogant and often didn’t take people seriously, but because of his arrogance, girls flocked to him like dragonflies before rain, expressing their affection in waves.

Applying a warm face to a cold backside was an unsolved mystery; no matter how cold the backside, someone would always be unable to resist sticking to it.

Looking at Chen Cheng now... he just couldn’t look anymore. It was unbearable.

He took a sip of wine: “If I didn’t have nothing to film recently, I’d be too lazy to have dinner with you every other day. Your fluctuating IQ really affects my judgment.”

Chen Cheng was not mistaken; Wen Huo wouldn’t have reacted that way if she didn’t feel something. She was late in awakening to emotions, so it was normal for her not to realize how deeply involved she was.

Since he started this game, he would play it until the end. He had said he would make Wen Huo beg him to love her.

________________________________________

Cheng Cuo narrowed his eyes: “You know Su He?”

Wen Huo remembered his voice. In his early years, he smoked marijuana, which led to pharyngitis, laryngeal edema, and a ruined voice. His voice was highly distinctive; anyone familiar with him could recognize it, especially since they shared a deep past.

“Sort of.”

Cheng Cuo thought of Su He’s pale skin, obsidian eyes, and deep-set eye sockets, all betraying his mixed heritage. “He’s Chinese-Canadian, do you know that too?”

Wen Huo nodded. She had met him in Canada.

Cheng Cuo’s gossipy nature took over: “You two had a thing?”

Before Wen Huo could answer, Cheng Cuo’s female classmate called, saying she was at the studio door.

Cheng Cuo was getting ready to leave work. Seeing Wen Huo alone, he felt it would be unchivalrous to just leave for dinner, so he politely offered: “How about you join us?”

Wen Huo needed to go back to school; she still had unfinished tasks.

Normally, Cheng Cuo wouldn’t bother with Wen Huo, but perhaps because their conversation wasn’t finished, he suddenly wanted to take her along: “Come on, let’s go together. I’ll ask Su He if he’s free right now, and we can make it a group outing.”

Wen Huo frowned.

Cheng Cuo continued: “It’s perfect that you two know each other. Maybe talking to you will help improve his condition?”

Wen Huo had nothing to discuss: “That’s your job. You can’t make me do it for you.”

“Have I worked less for you? I even helped you hide from my cousin that you’re using him as a tool. Do you really think it’s unfair to help me chat with a patient?”

When he put it that way, Wen Huo had no retort.

And so, Wen Huo agreed to join Cheng Cuo’s gathering, and upon arrival, she saw some of his classmates, and Su He.

Wen Huo hadn’t seen Su He in a long time. Seeing his face, she felt a slight sense of panic. To prevent her usually flawless expression from cracking, she stood far away, trying not to face him directly, but he locked onto her location immediately.

Cheng Cuo watched Su He, whose eyes hadn’t left Wen Huo since he walked in, and his eyebrow subtly raised, taking on a posture of watching a show.

The female classmate next to him was a national-level gymnast, retired and now a dance teacher. In terms of poise, if she claimed second, no one present would dare claim first.

She had maintained contact with Cheng Cuo, not because of any romantic ambiguity or potential for other relationships, but because she had once treated Cheng Cuo to pineapple buns for a whole semester to get Chen Cheng’s class schedule.

Later, the transaction turned into a friendship, and the two became good friends, meeting up whenever they could, chatting about their current lives, and playfully teasing each other.

Of course, her main purpose was still to inquire about Chen Cheng’s recent situation.

After all, youthful crushes, especially those never realized, are not easily forgotten.

A cinnabar mole, a white moonlight—what one doesn’t attain is always the best. Regardless of the passage of time, those who remain unfulfilled in love are wrapped in several layers of filters and sealed deep within the heart.

Chen Cheng was married, but he would always be that boy who, when playing basketball, would lift his shirt and make her nose bleed.

When Cheng Cuo organized the gathering, he did have a bit of a desire to watch a show. He wanted to see what kind of chemical reaction these few people, with their various identities, would create sitting around a round table. But he hadn’t expected Chen Cheng and Tang Jun’en to be dining in the next room.

Beijing was just too damn small.

Actually, it wasn’t Beijing’s fault; there were only a few highly-rated, good places for gatherings, so the collision rate was too high.

Halfway through the meal, those familiar with the place began to move freely around the private room.

Wen Huo had two glasses of Ace of Spades and felt the urge to go to the restroom. Su He left the private room after her.

Cheng Cuo’s female classmate, Chu Tian, winked at him: “Your patient hasn’t taken his eyes off that girl since he walked in. Is it love at first sight?”

Cheng Cuo took a sip of wine: “They know each other.”

No problem then. Chu Tian changed the subject: “Is Chen Cheng attending the film festival in a while?”

How would Cheng Cuo know? “Haven’t heard if he’s going or not.”

Chu Tian’s student had applied to be an etiquette hostess for the film festival and was currently undergoing training. Through her student, Chu Tian had access to the backstage. If Chen Cheng attended, he would definitely walk the red carpet, and she wanted to see him in his distinguished appearance before he did.

It was strange; she vividly remembered the youthful Chen Cheng, yet she felt an inexpressible thrill from the mature, in-control version of him.

After using the restroom, as Wen Huo was washing her hands, a familiar voice came from behind her: “Long time no see, Wen Huo.”

Wen Huo showed little reaction. After washing and drying her hands, she finally said, “Long time no see.”

Su He leaned against the wall: “Aren’t you curious why I came to China?”

Wen Huo dried her hands, turned around: “China is peaceful. The government is proactive, and the people live in peace and prosperity. Everyone wants to come to China. I’m not curious.”

Su He smiled: “I came with someone you know.”

Wen Huo asked perfunctorily: “Is that so?”

Su He shifted his weight. Half of his body was illuminated by the light. His black, slightly curly, shoulder-length hair added a touch of melancholy to him. His luminous white skin resembled Chen Cheng’s, but was softer, being in his twenties, giving him a bit of a Japanese pretty boy vibe.

Wen Huo felt differently seeing him again, but her thought that he was handsome hadn’t changed.

A handsome man is easily memorable, especially if other aspects are not particularly outstanding; that handsomeness will stand out.

For someone like Chen Cheng, whose other aspects were exceptionally outstanding, unless he was staring at her up close, Wen Huo wouldn’t even remember that he was a man who could also make a living off his looks and physique.

Su He walked up to her and removed a piece of paper lint from her hair: “I’ll be in China for a long time. Can I look for you often?”

Wen Huo snapped back to reality. Before she could wonder why Chen Cheng popped into her mind, Chen Cheng walked up to her.

Su He, having grown up abroad, didn’t pay much attention to boundaries between men and women. Seeing Wen Huo not respond, he even pinched her nose, just like in the past, and then he was pulled away from behind by an unknown force.

Wen Huo watched Chen Cheng drag Su He away from her, her mind filled with: Is this old man stalking her?

Su He turned his head and saw a displeased face. He frowned: “Who are you?”

Chen Cheng ignored him, pulling Wen Huo by the arm to leave.

Su He immediately grabbed her other hand.

Wen Huo never expected to be fought over by two men at a restroom door. Honestly, it wasn’t the surge of vanity that TV shows depicted; she just felt awkward and a little mortified.

As the two were in a stalemate, Cheng Cuo appeared in time, invited Chen Cheng to his gathering, and barely defused the tense situation.

Tang Jun’en came over upon hearing the news, quite pleased to see many people at the gathering.

Cheng Cuo arranged the seating, thoughtfully placing Wen Huo next to Chen Cheng. Su He didn’t need arrangement; he directly sat on Wen Huo’s other side.

Tang Jun’en and Cheng Cuo exchanged glances, sharing a look that said they were enjoying the show.

Chu Tian, being a woman, was the most sensitive and had the best intuition. The moment Chen Cheng walked in, she felt a shortness of breath, not the reaction of seeing a beloved, but the sensation that he was there for someone else.

Su He clearly didn’t take Chen Cheng seriously. He sat down and immediately said to Wen Huo, “I couldn’t reach you with your old contact info. Do you want to tell me your WeChat? I’ve been using this recently, it’s pretty good.”

As he spoke, he handed his phone to Wen Huo.

Wen Huo took it, and just as she was about to type in her WeChat ID, Chen Cheng pulled her chair, pulling her and the chair into his arms.

Everyone watched silently.

Tang Jun’en gave a faint smile. Just moments ago, he had sworn Wen Huo was jealous, but she didn’t look jealous at all; giving out her WeChat ID so smoothly, it was clear she had helped others add her WeChat plenty of times.

Conversely, Chen Cheng, with that seemingly normal face, looked completely exposed to Tang Jun’en, who knew him quite well.

Cheng Cuo picked up a piece of meat, covering his urge to smile.

Chu Tian was the only one there who couldn’t enjoy the situation.

Wen Huo said to Chen Cheng, “Teacher Chen, is this appropriate?”

Chen Cheng retorted, “You’re not doing research at the institute, but out here socializing. Do you think that’s appropriate?”

Wen Huo explained, “It’s just a dinner gathering. ‘Socializing’ sounds so 80s.”

She was implying he was old again. Chen Cheng stopped talking to her and looked at Cheng Cuo: “You’re idle, don’t drag others into it.”

Cheng Cuo felt wronged: “No, cousin, it’s just a meal.” Chen Cheng didn’t listen: “Do you know that others still need to publish papers? If she wastes her time at these meaningless gatherings, what will she use to publish papers, her imagination?”

Cheng Cuo was speechless.

Tang Jun’en reminded Chen Cheng: “You don’t need to say ‘others’; Wen Huo is the only one here who needs to publish papers.”

Chen Cheng glared at him.

Tang Jun’en wisely shut his mouth.

Su He realized that Chen Cheng knew Wen Huo, and their relationship seemed quite good. He asked Wen Huo, “Is he your uncle?”

This question froze the room.

Wen Huo secretly glanced at Chen Cheng. He looked so normal, unnervingly normal. She told Su He, “He’s my teacher.”

Su He understood, extending his hand to Chen Cheng: “Hello, Teacher. I’m Wen Huo’s friend.”

Wen Huo reminded him: “We don’t always shake hands when we meet.”

Su He nodded: “Is that so?”

Wen Huo took the opportunity to explain Chinese etiquette to him. As she spoke, she moved her chair closer to Su He.

Su He listened intently. Later, feeling hot, he unconsciously unbuttoned his shirt, revealing half of his chest, with muscles faintly visible, drawing the attention of the women present.

Tang Jun’en whispered to the girl next to him: “Youth is truly great. Look at those abs. I had abs when I was his age too. Once you get older, you can’t maintain anything.”

The girl then realized how captivating Su He, the mixed-race man, was: “He truly is mixed-race; his appearance is really top-notch.”

Cheng Cuo heard this and glanced at Su He; outwardly, he was indeed very superior. Then he glanced at Chen Cheng... no, he stopped looking. The more he looked, the more he felt he would lose his life here.

Chen Cheng didn’t like Wen Huo, but his possessiveness was unmatched by anyone present. With Chen Cheng like this, if he wasn’t completely torn apart, it was because he was too tough.

Wen Huo saw Su He’s shirt open and reminded him: “It’s impolite to be bare-chested like that in public.”

Su He nodded and buttoned up his shirt.

Just then, the waiter entered with soup. Chen Cheng suddenly stood up, causing the waiter to lose his grip, and the entire bowl of soup spilled onto his chest. His shirt instantly clung to his skin.

Cheng Cuo quickly stood up: “What happened?”

The waiter immediately apologized and reached for a tissue to wipe Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng didn’t let him.

Cheng Cuo saw Chen Cheng’s chest showing through, his pectorals and abs clearly defined, block by block, completely unlike the physique a 32-year-old man should have, exposed for everyone present to see.

Tang Jun’en quietly smacked his lips. Chen Cheng’s damnable competitiveness.

Wen Huo looked at his chest, and several fragments suddenly flashed in her mind, all of her lying on his chest, biting his nipples, licking his navel. She even said his chest was as hard as his dick, and she kinda liked it...

Su He saw Chen Cheng’s wet clothes, took off his own jacket, and offered it: “Teacher, wear mine.”

When he took it off, he was left with only a sleeveless vest, and his biceps made a few women gasp. First Chen Cheng, now a handsome mixed-race guy; they were so lucky.

Chen Cheng didn’t take it: “Wear it yourself.”

Su He was very enthusiastic: “Please wear it, you’re older, you shouldn’t catch a cold.”

Tang Jun’en couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Wen Huo glanced at Chen Cheng’s face. She felt she was going to be “hung up” tonight. She stood up, ready to end this meaningless competition.

Chen Cheng, at this moment, unbuttoned his shirt. His sculpted chest was revealed as each button came undone. It’s not uncommon for a 22-year-old to have such a physique; they’re young, their metabolism is fast, and they can achieve it with minimal effort. But for a 32-year-old man to have such a physique, that’s difficult. He needs to maintain his exercise volume and commitment to working out, which in itself adds to his charm.

Wen Huo walked over and re-buttoned his shirt: “Teacher Chen, you’ve had too much to drink.”

She turned to everyone present and said, “I’m taking Teacher Chen home.”

Su He was worried: “I drove. Shall I take you two?”

Wen Huo led Chen Cheng out: “No need. Don’t spoil your fun.”

Su He’s polite, innocent expression changed after Wen Huo and Chen Cheng left, as if a demon had briefly retracted its fangs to play a role-playing game with mortal beings, and now the game was over, he shed his disguise.

Only Cheng Cuo witnessed him in this state.

Chu Tian didn’t want to stay any longer. She told Cheng Cuo and left early too.

She couldn’t believe Chen Cheng would cheat, but he was clearly competing for something. Besides Wen Huo, she couldn’t think of anyone else his actions could have been for.

Tang Jun’en joined Cheng Cuo’s gathering and had plans for the evening, so he didn’t leave. He even had the leisure to tease Chen Cheng: “With Chen Cheng’s slyness, that little girl Wen Huo might not truly be his match.”

Cheng Cuo glanced at him: “Can’t you two just eat away from crowds? What kind of damn luck is this, running into you two?”

Tang Jun’en shrugged: “Maybe it’s fate.”

“Bullshit! Just looking at you makes me angry! You never bring me any good luck.”

________________________________________

Wen Huo led Chen Cheng out and took tissues from her bag to wipe the soup off his chest.

Chen Cheng grabbed her hand: “Were you doing that on purpose?”

Wen Huo wasn’t: “I met him when I was abroad. This encounter is a coincidence; I didn’t expect it.”

“A reunion after a long time?”

Wen Huo explained: “A reunion is for friends and family. He and I are neither family nor really friends.”

Chen Cheng nodded: “Hmm, not friends, yet you had so much to talk about. I never saw you this chatty or patient before. With me, you’re always sharp-tongued and impatient.”

“Teacher Chen, can you stop finding fault?”

“Ms. Wen, it hasn’t even been two days since your heartfelt confession to me, and you’re moving on a bit quickly.”

Wen Huo threw the tissue onto his chest: “I only said two sentences to him! We’re the same age, we have common interests, and he’s handsome. What’s wrong with me saying a few words? Does saying a few words mean I have other intentions?”

Chen Cheng was furious: “That’s considered handsome?”

Wen Huo thought he was quite handsome: “Isn’t he handsome?”

Chen Cheng wanted to strangle her: “Same age? Common interests? Now you’re saying I don’t have common interests with you? Wasn’t it you who blocked my car and wouldn’t let me leave? Calling me ‘Teacher Chen’ every day, saying you’re empty—was that all an act?”

The more he spoke, the more outrageous it became. Wen Huo retaliated from another angle: “I saw Teacher Chu’s eyes were always on you, but I didn’t mind, did I? I just said a few words to someone I know. Do you have to be so petty? Peerless Teacher Chen, can you act like an adult?”

Chen Cheng looked at her: “Why don’t you mind?”

Wen Huo was speechless. She didn’t want to talk to him anymore. She turned and walked away: “Go back yourself!”

Chen Cheng grabbed her suddenly: “Wen Huo! Don’t be unreasonable with me!”

Wen Huo turned and kicked his calf: “Who’s being unreasonable now?! Teacher Chen, if I hadn’t stopped you just now, you would have stripped in public. Can your chest and abs be shown to others?”

“What’s wrong with showing them to others?”

Wen Huo glared at him: “Why should my things be shown to others?!”

Chen Cheng was inexplicably pleased, and his anger subsided significantly: “Who says it’s yours?”

“I’ve licked it, I’ve eaten it, I’ve bitten it, so it’s mine! It’s mine no matter what!”

Chen Cheng took two steps closer to her, their toes touching: “Still want to eat?”

Wen Huo looked up at him.

Chen Cheng asked again: “Do you want to?”

Wen Huo closed her eyes, and all she saw was herself licking Chen Cheng. She licked inch by inch, licking and biting, leaving teeth marks, crimson ones, so damn sexy on his fair skin! Her words started to come without thought, directly controlled by her body: “Yes...”