CH 15

Just like Luo Yaoye, Xu Jingzhe didn’t touch food that was high in calories or high in sugar. This included popcorn, of course, so he didn’t understand how Liang Yu managed to finish off his popcorn so fast.

Since his eyes were focused on the screen, his other senses naturally became much more sensitive. When Xu Jingzhe’s fingertips were caught by Liang Yu, he subconsciously looked around, worried that someone may be filming them. 

Xu Jingzhe remained calm throughout the entire thing. After it was over, he even pulled out the handkerchief that he was carrying with him and wiped the place where Liang Yu had licked him.

Xu Jingzhe didn’t know what exactly he was feeling. It felt a little bit like the time when Liang Yu helped him put on his socks. His entire back was numb.

After Liang Yu finished chewing the popcorn in his mouth, he asked for some more. Xu Jingzhe had no choice but to give him the popcorn bucket. The movie was almost over, and he didn’t want to miss the rest of the plot.

“Aren’t you going to wash your hands?” Liang Yu suddenly asked. 

Xu Jingzhe kept his eyes on the screen and perfunctorily replied, “I’ll wash them later.”

Actually, he felt that it didn’t really matter if he washed his hands or not. The saliva had dried up. Besides, it was probably an accident. There wasn’t any need to worry so much.

Liang Yu quickly finished off half a bucket of popcorn. He didn’t seem to be interested in the movie at all. When the movie was close to ending, Liang Yu started urging Xu Jingzhe to leave earlier.

Xu Jingzhe reluctantly followed behind Liang Yu. He picked up the popcorn bucket and weighed it in his hands, a little dumbfounded. “Aren’t you afraid of getting fat?”

Liang Yu replied, “We’re on vacation right now. I can just lose weight tomorrow.”

Liang Yu was indeed different from Xu Jingzhe. He did a lot of exercise, but he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Fortunately, his recent workout routine was mainly about building muscle. His personal trainer wasn’t going to make things too difficult for him.

The two of them headed back to the car first and waited. Luo Yaoye and Mai Jiu left the theater a little bit later. Mai Jiu was also one of the leading actors, so his attitude was pretty similar to Liang Yu. He was really just here for the popcorn. Luo Yaoye, on the other hand, had been really taken in by the movie. She kept chattering about the plot with Xu Jingzhe.

“It’s too bad we didn’t get to see the easter eggs,” Luo Yaoye said regretfully. “We still don’t know if Xiao Cao returned home or not.” 

Xiao Cao was the character played by Jiang Yueming. There movie ended with a bit of an open ending. It didn’t really show what happened to Xiao Cao.

Xu Jingzhe was also very curious. He was just about to exchange a few words with her when Liang Yu cut him off. “She went home. She returned just in time for the reunion.”

Luo Yaoye was dumbfounded. “What happened to your sense of professional ethics? Are you supposed to be giving out spoilers like that? You’re the leading actor.”

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Liang Yu was driving. He somewhat childishly wrinkled his nose and said, “You were so focused on the movie. I couldn’t be bothered.”

Normally, the first or second day of the new year would be spent visiting relatives. Xu Jingzhe’s situation was a little special. His parents had been living in Southeast Asia for many years now. They would only come back once or twice a year to check up on their kid. 

Xu Tianliang and Song Qiu opened a guest house in Thailand. During Chinese New Year, the business would get really busy, so they were only able to contact their son by phone.

“Is Liang Yu living at your place now?” Song Qiu’s voice sounded full of energy. Xu Jingzhe didn’t tell her that the relationship was a “business” relationship. Song Qiu simply thought that the two of them were in love and that they were a normal pair of lovers.

Although same-sex marriage had been legalized for a number of years now, it still wasn’t common for parents to be as open as Xu Jingzhe’s.

“He’s living with me,” Xu Jingzhe said. “How are you guys doing? Do you have enough money?” 

Song Qiu: “You don’t have to worry about us. However, since you two are living together now, where’s the photo? Send Mom a photo of the two of you.”

“?”

Xu Jingzhe didn’t understand. “What do you need a photo for?”

Song Qiu’s voice took on a sneaky tone to it. “We only have photos of you at the guest house. The customers are going to get tired of them after a while. Send me a few photos of Liang Yu. We’ll be able to attract even more business then.” 

Xu Jingzhe: “…”

A celebrity’s photos had a lot to do with their public image, so Xu Jingzhe definitely couldn’t just hand it out like that. Later, Xu Jingzhe casually brought it up to Liang Yu. Liang Yu also found the request a little peculiar. “You want my what?”

Xu Jingzhe: “Your photo. My mom wants to put it up in her guest house.”

Liang Yu seemed to find this interesting. He joked, “Your mom wants my photo? Isn’t it just because she wants to see her son-in-law?” 

“…” Xu Jingzhe thought to himself, “Who do you think you’re taking advantage of?”

He explained, “She just wants to put the photo up so she can get more business.”

Liang Yu raised an eyebrow and said, “In that case, I need to be paid my advertising fee.”

Xu Jingzhe didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He didn’t understand why Liang Yu was being stingy now of all times. He good-naturedly replied, “Give me a number. If it’s reasonable, I’ll give it to you right now.” 

Liang Yu actually did name a price, but it wasn’t really that expensive. Xu Jingzhe generously paid him straight away, and he got Liang Yu’s photo that very night. They were all candid photos. It was clear that they had been edited. The angle of each photo was excellent as well.

Xu Jingzhe sent the photos over to Song Qiu. Then, he messaged Liang Yu on WeChat. “Who took the photos for you?”

Liang Yu asked, “Why do you want to know?”

Xu Jingzhe: “The photos are really good. Can you introduce me to the photographer?” 

Liang Yu puffed himself up. “It’s my personal photography team. You’ll have to forgive me, but I don’t lend my team out to others.”

Xu Jingzhe: “…”

Song Qiu was very satisfied when she got the photo. She said that she’d put it on display in the guest house the very next day. She asked Xu Jingzhe, “Does he have a lot of family members? Did you go give your new year’s greetings?”

They didn’t need to take their “business” relationship that far. Xu Jingzhe had no choice but to tell her the truth. “Not yet.” 

Song Qiu chided him. “Take more initiative. Do you really still need me to teach you these things?”

Xu Jingzhe could only grit his teeth and fool his mother for now.

Liang Yu hadn’t mentioned his family at all. However, Xiao Luo showed up on the second day of the new year.

Xu Jingzhe opened the door and was a little surprised to see her. “Don’t you have the holidays off?” 

“I do.” Xiao Luo was very happy to see Xu Jingzhe. She gave him her new year’s greetings before continuing. “I’m here to pick up Liang Yu. We’re going to visit home for a couple days.”

Xu Jingzhe’s head slowly started filling with question marks. He looked behind him and saw Liang Yu walking down the stairs. His expression was very calm.

“I’m packing my things. Wait for me downstairs,” Liang Yu said to Xiao Luo.

Xu Jingzhe blinked, a little unsure of what he should do. 

Liang Yu called him over. “I have to go home for a week. What do you say?”

Xu Jingzhe didn’t quite understand what he meant. “Me? Where are you going?”

Liang Yu: “I’m going back to my mother’s place.” He paused and looked up at Xu Jingzhe. Then, he suddenly asked, “Would you like to come with me?”

Xu Jingzhe finally reacted. “You want me to greet your family for Chinese New Year?” 

“…” Liang Yu’s expression was a bit complicated, “Mr. Xu, you don’t need to be thinking about work even during the holidays. We’re just staying for a few days.”

Xu Jingzhe let out an “oh”. After a while, he realized that he may have been a little too proactive about the “business” relationship. He said, a little embarrassed, “Won’t it be an inconvenience for you?”

“How would it be an inconvenience?” Liang Yu seemed to suddenly think of something. His expression kept changing for quite a while before he said uncertainly, “My family … is kind of big, so please bear with them.”

Xu Jingzhe: “?” 

The Author Has Something To Say:

Mr. Liang: “The photo’s free if you just want to see your son-in-law, but you’ll need to pay extra if it’s for advertising.”