Xie Wang was seeing Ling Shuangjiang eat so fast for the first time, and he felt very sorry for her as he sat next to her.
It was dark and cold; his little frost must have been starving.
Due to Ling Shuangjiang's unexpected situation, the production team temporarily adjusted the live broadcast time, changing tomorrow's jungle adventure in Zone B to the day after tomorrow, giving the guests a day to rest.
On the way back by bus, Ling Shuangjiang was a little sleepy. Xie Wang put a coat on him and then leaned his shoulder over so he could use it as a pillow.
Chen Ying was sitting next to the two of them.
She looked at Ling Shuangjiang as she leaned against Xie Wang, taking a nap, and asked, "Is Shuangjiang feeling any better?"
Xie Wang nodded: "Mm."
Chen Ying was relieved: "Luckily, nothing happened."
Half an hour later, everyone arrived at the beach RV area. Ling Shuang was very sleepy when he got out of the car, so Xie Wang helped him out slowly.
During this time, Lu Shaoheng came over several times to offer his help, but Xie Wang refused each time.
He didn't want anyone to touch Ling Shuangjiang.
Getting close is also not an option.
After getting into the RV and quickly washing up, Ling Shuangjiang drifted off to sleep.
He vaguely heard Xie Wang ask him something. He didn't think much of it, slowly nodded, and closed his eyes.
—
The next day was a rest day, and the production team specially returned the phones to everyone. After Ling Shuangjiang woke up, he learned that Xie Wang had been watching over him all night, sleeping on the floor.
Today's breakfast was very plentiful, and Xie Wang has already brought it back for him.
Ling Shuangjiang said thank you, and ate while looking at her phone. "Have you eaten?"
Xie Wang: "Yes, I've already eaten."
Xie Wang was wearing a light-colored V-neck shirt today, which was rare for him, paired with linen casual pants, and his temperament was much gentler.
"Do you want to catch up on your sleep?" Ling Shuangjiang asked, observing his condition. "You must have had a hard day with me yesterday."
Xie Wang shook his head, crossed his long legs, and leaned against the sofa: "I'm not sleepy. I slept quite well yesterday."
"That's good." Ling Shuangjiang held the bowl and sipped the soy milk slowly. The cuffs of her white shirt were gently rolled up, revealing a small section of her slender wrist. The gauze was clean and there was no blood.
Xie Wang, who was originally working on his computer, has now shifted all his attention to Ling Shuangjiang.
The sunlight was abundant today, streaming in through the window and illuminating Ling Shuangjiang's profile, making her features appear more defined. Over her thin white shirt wore a loose-fitting preppy-style cardigan, exuding youthfulness and quiet elegance.
Xie Wang thought Ling Shuangjiang was even prettier than Xiaolongnu.
When he was a child, the appearance of the Little Dragon Girl in the Nezha cartoon amazed him throughout his childhood.
But now, that sense of amazement has returned, even a thousand times greater than when I was a child.
Xie Wang recalled how Ling Shuangjiang had slept with her head on his shoulder last night. Her long eyelashes fluttered gently, and she smelled wonderful; it was very comfortable to lean against her.
At that moment, he felt like he owned the whole world.
“You’ve been stunned for ten minutes.” Ling Shuangjiang’s words suddenly broke the silence. “I’m off today, and I have some things to do at noon, so I won’t be able to keep you company.”
Xie Wang asked seriously, "What is it?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "A friend of mine came from abroad, and we're planning to get together."
Xie Wang responded, then suddenly remembered something: "What's his name?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "Lin Jiayi."
This name was deeply etched in Xie Wang's memory because it was the person who appeared most frequently in Ling Shuangjiang's foreign materials.
He also has a special identity: he is Ling Shuangjiang's roommate.
For no apparent reason, Xie Wang became anxious and uneasy. He stood up and said, "I'll take you there. My driver is nearby."
Ling Shuangjiang's voice was clear: "No need to trouble you, I'll take a taxi myself. We might not finish until tonight."
"At night?" Xie Wang frowned. "It's eight in the morning now. Wouldn't it be too long to finish at night?"
Even Xie Wang felt he had been meddling too much after saying that.
He looked at Ling Shuangjiang tentatively, afraid that he would find him annoying.
Ling Shuangjiang patiently explained, "We plan to have lunch, go to the movies in the afternoon, and then have dinner at the food street."
"Hmm." Xie Wang suggested, "How about I drive you there? If you're going to a lot of places, it'll be inconvenient without a car." Afraid that Ling Shuangjiang would misunderstand, he added, "Once I drop you off at your destination, you can go eat. I have my own arrangements. Just contact me in advance."
Ling Shuangjiang smiled helplessly: "It's too much trouble for you. You'll have to spend the whole day on this."
"Anyway, I'm free." Xie Wang said, one hand in his pocket. "Let's go."
Ling Shuangjiang couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she had no choice but to nod.
Xie Wang was very efficient; in less than fifteen minutes, he had the car keys in his hand. Ling Shuangjiang, sitting in the passenger seat, noticed that the interior didn't quite match Xie Wang's usual aesthetic and asked curiously, "Is this your car?"
Xie Wang: "We have a branch office here, and these are company cars." After saying that, he looked down at Ling Shuangjiang and asked, "Don't you like this interior design? If you don't like it, I'll have them change it."
"No, no, it's very good." Ling Shuangjiang fastened her seatbelt and then asked, "How many branches does your group have in China?"
Xie Wang: "Including subsidiaries, there are probably more than sixty companies."
Xie's Hengtai operates in many sectors, including finance, trade, and investment banking, not to mention industrial production.
Ling Shuangjiang didn't know much about Xie Wang. Taking the opportunity, he asked more questions.
"Do you feel tired in your current position? There must be a lot of decision-making power that you need to consider, which brings with it responsibility and pressure."
Stopping at the intersection, Xie Wang turned the car's air conditioning vent towards himself and answered earnestly, "It was very tiring when I first took over because of my personality. The board of directors wasn't used to it, and we often had friction in our work. But it's much better now, and I can also take some time to do things I like."
Ling Shuangjiang asked curiously, "How old were you back then?"
Xie Wang: "24".
Ling Shuangjiang: "So how did the situation improve after that?"
Xie Wang: "The board of directors has learned to adapt to me."
This made Ling Shuangjiang laugh. "Oh, I see, President Xie."
Xie Wang nodded: "Of course, they don't get along with me, so why should I get along with them?"
Ling Shuangjiang suddenly stared at Xie Wang with a slightly scrutinizing look: "Are you usually very fierce when you're working?"
"Not fierce, just a bit strict."
After saying that, Xie Wang realized something and, while waiting at a traffic light, asked softly, "You're not going to be afraid of me from now on, are you?"
"I'm not afraid," Ling Shuangjiang replied decisively. "You're so good to me and so gentle, why would I be afraid of you?"
Xie Wang gave him a knowing look: "I knew it."
A moment later, the car stopped at the restaurant that Ling Shuangjiang had booked. A young man, about 185 cm tall, wearing a white hoodie and a baseball cap, stood at the entrance, attracting much attention.
Xie Wang sized him up.
The young man was about 23 years old, handsome and sunny. You could tell from his appearance that he had a good temper, and he always smiled at everyone.
Ling Shuangjiang opened the car window and said to Lin Jiayi, "Ayi, I'm here."
Ah Yi?
Xie Wang frowned almost imperceptibly as he carefully observed Ling Shuangjiang's expression.
Why are you calling each other so intimately?
Why are you laughing so happily?
When Lin Jiayi saw Ling Shuangjiang, he ran over in a few strides. As soon as Ling Shuangjiang got out of the car, he quickly opened his arms, hugged her, and spun her around. "Shuangjiang! Did you miss me?"
Ling Shuangjiang smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Not bad?"
Seeing this, Lin Jiayi deliberately ruffled Ling Shuangjiang's hair: "What do you mean 'not bad'? I'm sad."
Ling Shuangjiang smiled and said, "I'll think about it."
Lin Jiayi, Ling Shuangjiang's classmate and roommate for three years in college, lives next to Ling Shuangjiang's single apartment.
Despite Lin Jiayi's tall stature of 185cm, sunny and handsome appearance, and standard campus heartthrob image, he is actually a bottom who likes to act cute.
That's right, it's 0.
When Ling Shuangjiang learned that he was the bottom, she was somewhat surprised, especially after hearing Lin Jiayi recount his love-hate relationship with eight top guys. Ling Shuangjiang's understanding of gay men was suddenly elevated to a whole new level.
Lin Jiayi is a warm-hearted person who likes to help others. When Ling Shuangjiang first arrived in England, he was often harassed by others, and Lin Jiayi always stepped forward to protect him.
On one occasion, a rich, delinquent boy who had been harassing Ling Shuangjiang for a year tried to take advantage of him at a school dance, but Lin Jiayi punched him to the ground. From that day on, Lin Jiayi's image in his mind became much more admirable. The two also became best friends who could talk about anything.
Because of Lin Jiayi's appearance, many people spread rumors that the two were dating, and gradually, fewer and fewer people pursued Ling Shuangjiang.
Before graduation, Lin Jiayi accused Ling Shuangjiang of missing out on countless hot guys because of him, and demanded that Ling Shuangjiang help him find a high-quality boyfriend no matter what.
Ling Shuangjiang has kept those words in mind ever since.
Patting head, giving a bear hug, spinning around.
Lin Jiayi performed these intimate gestures with Ling Shuangjiang very naturally, as if the two of them often did so.
Xie Wang couldn't help but wonder if Ling Shuangjiang had actually dated this person, or if they liked each other.
He stared at the two of them with an unfriendly expression, not moving an inch.
“I’m hungry, baby, let’s go get something to eat.” Lin Jiayi naturally put his arm around Ling Shuangjiang’s shoulder, and when he turned around, he found Xie Wang leaning against the car door, staring at him with a dark face.
He asked, "Frost's Descent, what is this?"
Ling Shuangjiang introduced them to each other: "This is my friend Lin Jiayi, and this is Xie Wang."
Lin Jiayi walked over and extended her hand: "Hello, nice to meet you."
Xie Wang extended his hand: "Hello."
It was getting late, lunchtime. As Lin Jiayi led Ling Shuangjiang inside, she couldn't help but glance back: "Isn't Brother Xie coming to lunch with us?"
Although Xie Wang had already said he had other plans, Ling Shuangjiang still asked, "Would you like to eat with us?"
Reason told Xie Wang that he couldn't agree. If Lin Jiayi was Ling Shuangjiang's ex-boyfriend or someone she secretly admired, he should respect and offer his blessings, not interfere.
But the suppressed emotions deep inside him fueled his burning jealousy.