CH 21

Chapter 21: The War Between Rivals

Two seconds later, Jin Yanliu clapped his hands a few times, saying, “Well done!”

Everyone followed suit and applauded. Yan Huihua smiled and also set down his sword.

Fang Dawei was also excited, “This fighting style seems to be more in line with the storyline than what I originally designed.”

The attacks were fierce and the pace was fast, giving a sense of every move being deadly.

Zhou Beiyang sat down beside Jin Yanliu, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground. Jin Yanliu patted his shoulder, saying, “You’re amazing. You learned such complex moves just by watching.”

Zhou Beiyang’s face was still flushed, and the fierceness in his eyes had not completely dissipated. He replied, “It’s alright.”

After speaking, he stretched out his palm, which had bloodstains on it.

Jin Yanliu was startled, “Your hand is bleeding?”

Zhou Beiyang nonchalantly curled his fingers, “It’s nothing.”

“I’ll take a look.” Jin Yanliu opened his hand, and it seemed that during their fight earlier, Zhou Beiyang had exerted too much force and his palm got scraped.

Zhou Beiyang said, “It was my own carelessness, not Hua ge’s fault.”

Jin Yanliu helped him up, saying, “Let’s treat it, otherwise it’ll worsen during the rest of the training.”

The two of them went to the rest area, and Xiao Pangzi had already brought the first aid kit. Jin Yanliu was clueless about these things, so Zhou Beiyang told him what to use and comforted him, saying, “It’s nothing.”

“Does it hurt?”

Seeing Jin Yanliu’s concern, Zhou Beiyang felt a great satisfaction in his heart, “Yes, it does.”

Zhou Beiyang was not someone who was spoiled, so when he said it hurt, it meant that it really did hurt.

Jin Yanliu gently blew on his finger, which he was holding.

Xiao Pangzi looked on from the side and realized that the wound was actually very minor, just a scrape with a little bit of blood. Only someone like Jin Yanliu, who had never experienced any hardships or injuries, would be so nervous.

While Zhou Beiyang was injured, Yan Huihua didn’t fare much better. He quietly left the training room, stretched out his hand, and there was also a trail of blood in his palm.

He went to the restroom and rinsed his hand, then washed his face. He looked up at his reflection in the mirror, his face looking handsome with droplets of water and wet hair. He pursed his lips, grabbed a piece of paper to wipe his hands, and then threw it into the trash bin.

As he walked out of the restroom, he happened to meet Jin Yanliu and Xiao Pangzi coming out of their room. Zhou Beiyang slowed down his pace when he saw them.

“Do you have time tonight?” Zhou Beiyang glanced at the receding figures of Jin Yanliu and Xiao Pangzi, smiling as he asked Yan Huihua.

Although he was smiling, Yan Huihua couldn’t sense any goodwill. Without waiting for him to answer, Zhou Beiyang said, “I’ll treat you to dinner.”

After receiving Zhou Beiyang’s phone call, Wang Junyi had been waiting for him outside the door. In the darkness, he saw a young man wearing a mask and a hat walking towards him. For a moment, he was startled and thought it was Jin Yanliu.

Ever since Jin Yanliu entered the entertainment industry, he often dressed like this.

Wang Junyi was about to give Zhou Beiyang a warm hug, but then suddenly remembered that this kid didn’t like physical contact, so he pretended to offer a handshake instead and smiled.

Zhou Beiyang patted his arm. “Don’t bother with that.”

Wang Junyi couldn’t help but put his arm around Zhou Beiyang’s shoulder. “It’s been months since I last saw you. How come it’s just you? Where’s your brother?”

“He didn’t come,” Zhou Beiyang replied.

“When you said ‘two people,’ I thought you two were coming together,” Wang Junyi said.

“It’s not him. I invited a friend,” Zhou Beiyang said.

The two of them chatted for a while, and then a waiter knocked on the door and entered. “Mr. Zhou, your guest has arrived.”

“Then I’ll go first.”

Wang Junyi nodded and said, “Let’s all get together sometime. We used to do it often, but you brothers are getting busier and busier.”

Zhou Beiyang smiled and got up to go next door.

As he pushed open the door, he saw Yan Huihua standing by the window. When Yan Huihua turned around and saw him, his expression became serious.

He knew this was a trap.

“Have a seat,” Zhou Beiyang said.

Yan Huihua sat down across from him and said, “I came here with Yanliu last time.”

Yanliu, how familiar that name sounded.

“Of course,” Zhou Beiyang said, “We used to come here often. The owner of this restaurant is a mutual friend.”

Yan Huihua indeed paused for a moment. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door from outside. The waiter came in with the menu, and Zhou Beiyang made a slight gesture. The waiter handed the menu to Yan Huihua first.

Yan Huihua couldn’t really understand the names of the dishes on the menu. He came from a humble background, and in all these years, he hadn’t achieved much. The places he frequented the most were street-side eateries. Yiranju was too high-end, and a meal here would cost at least a few thousand. The names of the dishes on the menu were not meant for someone like him. They were too fancy and he couldn’t even tell what specific dishes they were. So, he just ordered the same dish Jin Yanliu had ordered last time.

Zhou Beiyang became more relaxed and added a few more dishes. Then he tore open the pack of cigarettes prepared by Yiranju for their guests and asked, “Do you mind?”

“I’m fine, you smoke,” Yan Huihua said.

Zhou Beiyang’s action of lighting a cigarette was skillful. He furrowed his brows, took a deep drag, and leaned back in his chair. In an instant, he seemed to have completely transformed, exuding a noticeable sense of morbidity. It wasn’t arrogance, nor was it gloominess. Smoking, he looked at Yan Huihua through the haze, giving off an air of scrutiny and authority. Recalling his calm and upright demeanor on set, the contrast was so strong that it sent shivers down one’s spine.

Yan Huihua asked, “You and Yanliu, did you know each other before?”

“We grew up together,” Zhou Beiyang replied.

Yan Huihua was truly stunned this time. “Really?”

No wonder Zhou Beiyang and Jin Yanliu seemed so close. He had thought they were both big stars and that’s why they were intimate. He never expected there was another layer of connection between them.

Zhou Beiyang’s expression softened, even his voice became gentle as he said, “I won’t hide it from you, I’ve always liked him. The main reason I took on this role was because of him. We’re both busy and don’t have much time together usually. Now that we’ll be on the same set for a few months, I want to use this opportunity to nurture our relationship.” Zhou Beiyang paused and continued, “If there’s ever a need for help in the future, I hope Huage can lend a hand.”

The fog lifted, and everything became clear. Yan Huihua finally understood where Zhou Beiyang’s hostility towards him originated from. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, his fingers slightly curled.

Although Zhou Beiyang was much younger, he was already a big star. Yan Huihua should have agreed to his request, at least on the surface.

Perhaps Zhou Beiyang’s hostility had stirred his competitive spirit, or maybe it was because he also liked Jin Yanliu.

“Does he like you?” he asked.

The smile at the corner of Zhou Beiyang’s mouth disappeared, and his previously softened expression seemed to turn cold again.

Yan Huihua said, “I might not be able to help you because I like him too.”

Zhou Beiyang stared at him for a while, nodded, and said, “Okay.”

Yan Huihua stood up, and even his gentle eyes and eyebrows had a hint of sharpness. He smiled and said, “Looks like we don’t need to have this meal.”

“To him, you’re just someone he sends a late-night message to, asking you to go to his hotel and sleep with him,” Zhou Beiyang’s voice was soft, but it carried a chilling malice. “Do you have any idea what place you hold in his heart? Are you completely oblivious to it?”

Yan Huihua was taken aback, then his face turned red. Zhou Beiyang sneered, “Like him? There are a hundred people who have liked him since childhood.”

Yan Huihua was an honest person after all. Despite having the opportunity to retaliate, he ultimately didn’t say anything and simply opened the door and walked out.

Zhou Beiyang used to discreetly handle the various love affairs around Jin Yanliu, but now, for the first time, he revealed his thorns to those who wanted to compete with him. He felt no remorse, only a sense of satisfaction.

He didn’t want to hide anymore. He wished he could stab them all to death.

Yan Huihua left and glanced back, his expression solemn and determined in the night.

Zhou Beiyang went to have a drink with Wang Junyi, who knew he couldn’t handle alcohol. So after seeing him down a few cups, she asked, “Something on your mind?”

Zhou Beiyang remained his usual self, not much of a talker.

When he was slightly tipsy, he took out his phone and called Jin Yanliu, saying, “Brother.”

Jin Yanliu had just finished a massage and was about to go eat. He asked, “Are you drinking?”

Zhou Beiyang responded with a soft “Mhmm.” “I am. Can you come pick me up?”

His tone was gentle, with a hint of a playful voice, to the extent that even Wang Junyi next to him was momentarily stunned.

Zhou Beiyang had always been quiet and mature in front of them, speaking very little. But today, perhaps due to the alcohol, his voice softened, and a vulnerable flush appeared on his determined eyes and brows.

“Where are you?” Jin Yanliu asked.

“I’m with Lao Wang.”

Wang Junyi took his phone and said, “Come over, or else he’ll drink too much.”

Twenty minutes later, Jin Yanliu arrived at the scene and saw Zhou Beiyang slumped on the table. He immediately asked Wang Junyi, “How did you let him drink so much?”

“He didn’t have much,” Wang Junyi replied.

Zhou Beiyang sat up and called out with a smile, “Brother.”

Jin Yanliu let out a sigh of relief and said, “I thought you passed out from drinking.”

“Just thinking while lying down,” Zhou Beiyang said with a cheerful smile.

“Would you like something too?” Wang Junyi asked.

“I can’t, I’m filming. Can you get me some food instead? I just had a massage and haven’t had a chance to eat. My stomach is growling.”

“Alright,” Wang Junyi got up. “You wait here, I’ll personally make a couple of dishes for you.”

Jin Yanliu sat down beside Zhou Beiyang, leaning on his shoulder and asking, “We’re already on set, and you’re drinking. Are you feeling dizzy?”

Zhou Beiyang responded with a soft “Mhmm” and poured some on his shoulder.

Jin Yanliu said, “You’ve grown up now, smoking and drinking. Don’t blame it all on me.”

Zhou Beiyang chuckled twice, burying his face in Jin Yanliu’s neck and taking in a few deep breaths of his scent. He then wrapped his arms tightly around Jin Yanliu’s waist.

The unfortunate thing was their brotherly relationship, but the fortunate thing was also their brotherly relationship. No matter how close they were, Jin Yanliu would never suspect him. Over the past few years, he had shamelessly taken advantage of this.

Wang Junyi brought in two plates of appetizers. “You can start with these, and I’ll cook a couple of dishes for you.”

Zhou Beiyang let go of Jin Yanliu and slumped onto the table. Jin Yanliu was genuinely hungry and sat there eating while saying, “You should have come with me. The master I found today is really skilled. I’m feeling much better after the massage.”

After saying that, he glanced at Zhou Beiyang, who had his head down on the table, as if he had fallen asleep.

Jin Yanliu got up and went outside to get a coat from Wang Junyi, which he draped over Zhou Beiyang.

Zhou Beiyang felt that he shouldn’t have drunk. The alcohol had softened his heart, making him feel both sweet and melancholic.

Details were the most touching. Jin Yanliu wasn’t very good at taking care of others, but in the details, his love for Zhou Beiyang was evident. This love was something Zhou Beiyang alone enjoyed. In Jin Yanliu’s heart, he was an irreplaceable presence. How sweet it was.

But this love had nothing to do with romantic love, which made it even more disappointing.

After finishing their meal, Jin Yanliu brought Zhou Beiyang back. Zhou Beiyang wasn’t actually drunk, but Jin Yanliu still supported him. In the corridor, they ran into Liu Qichang, who smiled and asked, “Had too much to drink?”

“No, just had a little,” Jin Yanliu replied.

Yan Huihua came out and took a glance, seeing Jin Yanliu supporting Zhou Beiyang as he took out his room key. Zhou Beiyang also noticed him, his gaze turning cold as he looked at him for a moment. Then, he leaned his chin on Jin Yanliu’s shoulder, his expression extremely gentle, a look that only existed in love, a complete reliance.

Zhou Beiyang used to think that as long as he could stay by Jin Yanliu’s side, he would be content being a younger brother for a lifetime. But Yan Huihua’s appearance made him realize his true feelings.

He couldn’t be his younger brother.

He wanted to be his only man.

Author’s note: I still need to remind you that Xiao Zhou’s tsundere phase has just begun. He doesn’t care about anyone except for Jin Yanliu. If you like possessive characters, please continue reading.