Xie Wang stared at him and pinched his ear.
So soft.
So good.
Like a kitten.
—
Ling Shuangjiang's biological clock caused her to wake up at five in the morning.
He stroked the thin blanket, suddenly realizing this wasn't his room. Xie Wang's intermittent voice came from the living room. He put on his slippers, walking with a brisk pace, indicating that Xie Wang had taken good care of him last night.
"You woke me up this morning just to ask me about this?"
Through the simple wooden partition, Ling Shuangjiang noticed that Xie Wang looked unwell, with a hint of irritation and dissatisfaction between his brows. "That was just a game. I was pretending to be gay. I can't tell you the specific reason."
On the other end of the phone, Chen Siqi, holding a cup of coffee, said bluntly: "The way you kissed that couple yesterday really didn't seem to be faking it. Even I, who doesn't follow the entertainment industry, saw it. This morning, it was all over my WeChat Moments. Everyone's saying you're coming out."
"Moments on WeChat?" Xie Wang frowned. "Why don't I have it here?"
Chen Siqi said speechlessly, "Who would dare to gossip in front of you?"
Xie Wang didn't want to waste any more words, and said impatiently, "It's not what you think about me. I don't have that kind of crush on him."
Chen Siqi: "Okay, you may leave."
After being inexplicably interrogated and mocked in the early morning, Xie Wang's morning grumpiness intensified. He covered himself up again, lay on the sofa, and stared at the ceiling with a questioning look: Why are these people so gossipy?
Hearing this, Ling Shuangjiang quietly retreated.
Today is the last day spent at Xie Wang's private resort. The crew took everyone to a secluded beach on the edge of the island.
Here is a small obstacle course set up by the production team over two days, featuring activities such as sand hammers, a rotating swimming pool, and water climbing.
Because this area is undeveloped and sparsely populated, there are almost no convenience stores or shops nearby. The nearest convenience store is 6 kilometers away in diameter, so the production team bought water and food to replenish their energy in advance.
"Anyone is welcome to sign up for this challenge. Guests who successfully complete the challenge will have the right to choose their favorite guest tonight and then travel together to a luxurious manor."
The rules were simple. Xie Wang walked towards the director, ready to sign up. Before leaving, he said to Ling Shuangjiang, "Wait for me to choose you."
Ling Shuangjiang: "Mm."
"So indifferent?" Xie Wang joked, "What if I fail to pass the level without any motivation?"
Ling Shuangjiang smiled at him and said, "Keep it up."
"Hmm." Xie Wang left, satisfied.
The production team prepared a glass of refreshing plum juice for everyone, while the other guests who were not participating in the challenge sat under an umbrella and chatted while drinking plum juice.
Ling Shuangjiang was bored, so she picked up her iPad and prepared to draw.
Wen Nuan leaned closer: "Shuangjiang, are you going to paint?"
Ling Shuangjiang smiled and said, "Mm."
Xie Wang, not far away, was queuing up to pass the test.
He caught a glimpse of Ling Shuangjiang drawing something with a digital pen from afar. Shen Ke happened to be nearby, so he said to Qi Yu, "Shuangjiang is drawing me again."
Shen Ke glanced at him, her expression strange.
Chyi Yu said, "Yes, it's really good."
[Was the fourth male lead's tone intentionally meant for Shen Ke to hear?]
Look at him, how proud he is!
[My little swan is drawing me again, tsk tsk tsk.]
Cheng Jia, the first to attempt the challenge, failed twice in a row and is now preparing to try one last time.
Xie Wang got impatient waiting, glanced at Ling Shuangjiang twice, and then ran over to see him.
"Frost's Descent, what should I paint?" Xie Wang asked knowingly, unaware that the audience, with their omniscient perspective, had already seen through his scheme. "Let me see."
Ling Shuangjiang looked up and showed it to him in a grand manner.
Xie Wang was taken aback: "Why did you paint Qi Yu?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "I promised to draw for everyone, and I happen to have some free time today."
Xie Wang stared at Qi Yu's tall and handsome image on the iPad and said in a low voice, "Oh."
Before leaving, he turned back to look at Ling Shuangjiang one last time, his expression subtle: "So, will you still draw me?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "I won't draw if I don't have time."
Xie Wang didn't speak this time, and left with heavy steps.
Ling Shuang barely lifted her eyelids, following Xie Wang's lonely figure, before lowering her gaze again.
[I have a feeling that the fourth male lead is unhappy.]
[I'm really not happy; I just finished bragging to Chyi Yu.]
[I hope the fourth male lead won't be jealous.]
Beside Ling Shuangjiang, Wen Nuan whispered, "Is the spot next to Qi Yu a place where I can be drawn?"
Ling Shuangjiang replied casually, "Right away."
The challenges on the other side are intense and very difficult.
So far, only Chyi Yu has succeeded, and she only succeeded after three attempts. When Chyi Yu returned, she was panting heavily and asked the staff for plum juice, but was told that they were out of it and only had bottled water.
Chyi Yu joked, "You guys are really stingy."
The staff member scratched his head: "I didn't expect this plum juice to taste so good; everyone loves it."
Wen Ai chimed in, "Yes, it really is delicious. It's sweet but not cloying, and very refreshing."
Bai Xinyu and Qiao Yi subsequently failed to complete the challenge.
As Wen Ai felt a pang of regret, she noticed that Ling Shuangjiang's plum juice was untouched and asked him, "Don't you like it?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "I like it."
When it was Xie Wang's turn to take the challenge, Ling Shuangjiang put down her pen and watched intently.
It must be said that years of fitness training have indeed given Xie Wang a great physique and a strong body. He can easily complete projects that are quite difficult for ordinary people with his long legs.
When exercising your legs, your muscles will look healthy and beautiful, exuding a powerful, masculine energy.
However, Xie made a mistake when he reached the last item.
Chyi Yu said, "It's such a pity, but this project was indeed the most difficult."
Ling Shuangjiang: "It's okay, he can do it."
During the break, Xie Wang gulped down a glass of plum juice and started the challenge again.
Before attempting the challenge, he glanced at Ling Shuangjiang, who was quite far away from him.
He noticed that Chyi Yu was standing next to Ling Shuangjiang.
He frowned slightly and ran towards his destination.
This time, he successfully passed the challenge.
The first thing Xie Wang did after getting off the props was to run towards Ling Shuangjiang.
Ling Shuangjiang handed him her own plum juice: "Thank you for your hard work."
Xie Wang took the drink, tilted his head back and finished it, then stood in front of him, his tone deliberately casual: "Did you draw me?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "No, the time was too short."
[It turns out that the reason for not drinking it during the Frost's Descent festival was to save it for the fourth son.]
[Even though it's just a glass of juice, I think it's so sweet.]
[Frost's Descent is like a little angel.]
"Hmm." Xie Wang sat down next to Ling Shuangjiang, silently observing her. He felt that Ling Shuangjiang seemed a little different today, as if she no longer cared about him.
The guests were only able to rest after recording for the entire morning.
Ling Shuangjiang put down her iPad, intending to go and relax by the sea breeze. Xie Wang chased after her: "Where are you going?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "Taking a walk."
Xie Wang immediately sighed deeply.
It wasn't that he was being overly sensitive; Ling Shuangjiang had truly changed.
He wasn't invited to the walk.
So Xie Wang said, "I'll go with you."
Ling Shuangjiang: "Okay."
Strolling along the beach, Xie Wang's thoughts were in turmoil, constantly trying to guess what Ling Shuangjiang was thinking.
After thinking it over, he felt it might be related to Ling Shuangjiang's comment about wanting to be in a relationship last night.
"Shuangjiang, do you have someone you like?" Xie Wang suddenly asked. "Or are you struggling with whether to find a girlfriend or a boyfriend?"
Ling Shuangjiang hesitated for a moment, then stopped and turned to look at Xie Wang. "Do many of your friends like boys?"
Xie Wang nodded: "There are two."
Ling Shuangjiang nodded gently: "I think you seem to have a prejudice against homosexuals."
Xie Wang frowned: "I'm not prejudiced, it's just that I don't like being with guys."
These words took Ling Shuangjiang a long time to process.
He smiled and asked, "Would you become good friends with a gay man?"
Xie Wang: "When making friends, we should look at their character, not their sexual orientation."
Ling Shuangjiang then asked, "What if your friend is gay and has a crush on you?"
Xie Wang paused for a moment, then said, "I will probably break off all ties with him."
Author's Note: