FLME Ch71

The sound of water splashing came from the bathroom. Yu Wen felt slightly uncomfortable but could tolerate it.

He rolled out of bed, picked up the scattered clothes, and threw those with dust into the laundry basket, planning to wash them. That’s when he saw Xie Heyu’s recently discarded T-shirt in the pile.

Although he didn’t know how Yi Ming had found out he had a boyfriend, Yu Wen did agree with one thing: Xie Heyu was too composed.

He was calm and unflappable, handling unfamiliar situations with only a brief moment of panic before regaining his composure and responding with poise.

This composure largely stemmed from Xie Heyu’s high expectations of himself. Just like when they first met—Xie Heyu wanted Yu Wen’s contact information but insisted on finishing his PowerPoint presentation first.

Sometimes, Yu Wen didn’t appreciate this unwavering self-discipline of Xie Heyu. He felt the man pushed himself too hard.

Like just now, Yu Wen hadn’t expected that simply saying “no” would cause Xie Heyu to decisively turn away without hesitation and head for the shower.

Because his unreliable family had forced him to mature early, Teacher Xie… you can afford to show a bit of willfulness in front of me.

Yu Wen hesitated, then put back the clean clothes he was about to change into and instead grabbed Xie Heyu’s worn T-shirt.

He casually threw the T-shirt on. The hem barely covered his hips, and he wore nothing underneath.

Before pushing open the bathroom door, Yu Wen tugged at the neckline and sniffed it, wondering if Xie Heyu, being so particular about cleanliness, would find his worn clothes dirty…

Then he thought, Wait, no.

This is his clothing. If I don’t mind it, why should he?

With that, Yu Wen strode in confidently.

The bathroom was filled with steam. The shower was running, and Xie Heyu was leaning against the wall with one hand, brushing his hair back. Water streamed down his back, tracing the contours of his muscles.

The sound of the shower masked the door opening, so Xie Heyu didn’t hear him.

Yu Wen stood at the door with his hands on his hips, debating whether to call out directly or tease him with some playful banter.

As he hesitated, Xie Heyu caught a glimpse of his silhouette in the foggy mirror.

“…Yu Wen?” The mirror was misted over, and Xie Heyu couldn’t see him clearly. He turned around, and when he finally made out Yu Wen’s appearance, his pupils shrank sharply. His Adam’s apple bobbed a few times before he found his voice. “I’ll need a little longer…”

Yu Wen thought, Forget a little longer; you look like you’ll need at least another half an hour.

He gave Xie Heyu a quick once-over but still felt a bit embarrassed, his face heating up along with the bathroom’s temperature.

“I’m barefoot… come over and carry me.” He had entered the bathroom without shoes and now didn’t dare to move, fearing he’d slip at any moment.

Once safely planted on Xie Heyu’s feet, Yu Wen tugged at the neckline of the T-shirt he was wearing, tilting his face upward. “Smells like you, Heyu—your sweat.”

The motion of pulling the collar made the already revealing T-shirt even more suggestive.

Xie Heyu’s breathing noticeably deepened, his eyes and brows tensing.

Yu Wen didn’t quite understand. They were both men with similar bodies, so what exactly was the appeal of seeing a little skin?

Still, when he looked at Xie Heyu, all he felt was shyness.

But Teacher Xie seemed different. Yu Wen had once asked him, out of sheer boredom, if he’d always known he was gay. Xie Heyu admitted he had, though his understanding was vague and he had never confirmed it.

In certain situations, Xie Heyu’s reactions were much more intense, and he was far easier to provoke.

The shower was still running, filling the bathroom with thick steam. The moisture blurred Yu Wen’s expression. His gaze, both shy and straightforwardly inviting, struck Xie Heyu like a thunderbolt, making his heart race and his head spin.

“…Aren’t you going to the roadshow tomorrow?” Xie Heyu asked.

Yu Wen pouted. “Of course. I already promised Chu Han… but I can skip going in. Just stick with you for a while.”

Listen to this.

Xie Heyu felt his ears start ringing.

Young Master Yu really didn’t know his limits.

Xie Heyu’s gaze slowly traveled downward.

His stare was deliberate, like an X-ray scanner peeling away skin and bones. Yu Wen turned his face aside, visibly uncomfortable.

Xie Heyu suddenly picked him up, gripping his waist and turning him toward the sink.

“Ah, that’s hard—”

“Don’t move.”

“…”

“Legs together.”

“…”

“Arch your back.”

Xie Heyu’s tone carried a strong sense of command, much like the time long ago when Yu Wen was sick. Yu Wen knew that Xie Heyu was tolerant by nature and rarely got angry. Precisely because of this, whenever his tone turned serious, Yu Wen would feel inexplicably guilty.

And once guilt crept in, he would obediently follow instructions.

Xie Heyu wiped the water vapor off the mirror.

Yu Wen looked up and saw his own reflection—his face flushed from the heat, his back arched low, hips raised high, and the hem of the T-shirt barely covering his round curves. The next moment, that little scrap of fabric was tugged away by Xie Heyu.

Yu Wen couldn’t help but gasp softly, lowering his head in embarrassment.

Xie Heyu leaned down and kissed the tip of his ear.

“Teacher Yu… squeeze tighter.”

They fooled around a bit late into the night. While Xie Heyu was helping Yu Wen dry his hair, Yu Wen leaned against his chest, nearly dozing off.

Xie Heyu kissed the corner of his lips with practiced ease. Catching the familiar scent, Yu Wen relaxed, knowing he could rest. He burrowed into Xie Heyu’s embrace, found a comfortable spot, and didn’t stir again, even as Xie Heyu carried him to bed and tucked him in.

The next morning, they set off a bit later than planned.

Xie Heyu wanted to accompany Yu Wen to the roadshow, but Chu Han had only provided one ticket. The two scrambled to purchase a pair of adjacent seats using various apps. Yu Wen went all out, wearing a hat and mask to cover himself completely, declaring his intention to make Chu Han think he had skipped the event, only to surprise him with a dramatic entrance.

Yu Wen asked Xie Heyu how convincing his disguise was, to which Xie Heyu replied, “Flawless.”

The two walked out in matching hoodies, sunglasses, and masks, brimming with confidence.

It wasn’t until they reached the cinema that they realized no one else was wearing sunglasses to watch a movie. Instead, their elaborate getup made them stand out.

As Yu Wen hesitated in the ticket-checking area, a girl rushed past and accidentally bumped into him. She apologized quickly, staring at his expressionless face behind the sunglasses before realizing something.

“Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize you were blind. Really sorry! Do you need me to guide you inside?”

Yu Wen: “…”

Realizing the misunderstanding, Xie Heyu immediately took off his sunglasses. “He’s not.”

The girl’s face lit up with realization. “Oh, you’re just wearing sunglasses to accompany your loved one. Which theater are you heading to? I’m very familiar with this place.”

Several people nearby, drawn by the conversation, glanced over. Hearing the girl mention a blind person, the crowd quickly parted to make way, kindly letting them through first.

Yu Wen froze, his hand hovering near his sunglasses, unsure whether to take them off or leave them on.

As an entertainer, taking them off risked being recognized and causing a scene.

After a brief silence, Yu Wen subtly nudged Xie Heyu’s side.

Xie Heyu immediately said, “Thank you for your kindness, but it’s alright. We can wait in line.”

He held Yu Wen’s hand and led him to the back of the line. Yu Wen pulled his hat lower, clinging tightly to Xie Heyu and shuffling along with his head down.

Once inside, Yu Wen said he would remove the sunglasses after sitting down since the dim lighting would prevent further misunderstandings.

However, as soon as he sat down, the girl from the ticket hall, the one who mistook him for blind, turned around.

“Oh, you’re here for Chu Han’s new movie? I’m a big fan of Chu Han! I’m so happy to see supporters like you here!” She enthusiastically handed them some fan merchandise. Yu Wen adjusted his sunglasses, which had slipped down his nose, deciding to just keep them on.

Sitting beside the girl was an elderly man with gray hair. Noticing her passing out the items, he also asked for some.

“Thank you.” The old man, wearing reading glasses and sporting a slightly long beard, leaned on a cane as he thanked her shakily.

The girl beamed again. “I never imagined Chu Han had fans as senior as you. I’m so happy!”

Yu Wen couldn’t help but glance at the old man a few times. His voice sounded familiar, even though he spoke in a lower pitch. It didn’t match his elderly appearance.

Moreover, the old man kept craning his neck to look at Chu Han, who was seated at the front. The way he moved—wriggling and twisting—was something Yu Wen doubted he could mimic himself.

The old man’s got impressive core strength.

The movie began soon after, and the theater fell quiet.

It was an art film, overall mediocre, but Chu Han’s character stood out as the film’s highlight, easily deserving an eight out of ten.

When the screening ended, faint sniffles could be heard as viewers were moved by the story’s ending.

The lead actors came forward to bow and express their gratitude.

The event included some media coverage, with a Q&A session and fan interaction segment. During the fan interaction, the host asked each lead actor to pick a lucky audience member to pose a question.

“Ah, the old gentleman in the back row, may I ask who you’re a fan of?” The female lead immediately spotted the white-haired figure in the corner and spoke with keen interest.

The entire audience turned to look.

The dim lighting in the back row made it hard to see clearly, but Chu Han noticed the figure and briefly frowned in confusion.

This person… looks familiar.

“Me?” The old man sounded incredulous. He double-checked a few times before waving his hands and pretending to cough weakly. “I… cough, cough, cough… I’m just a viewer…”

The host quickly asked someone to fetch water for him. Other audience members looked concerned. Sensing the increasing attention, the old man stood up abruptly, stooping over as he said, “I came to see Teacher Chu… my parents really loved his shows…”

The host asked hesitantly, “…Are your parents still alive?”

The old man replied, “Of course.”

The host laughed, “Haha, that’s quite a long-lived family then…”

Judging by the old man’s hair, he looked to be in his sixties or seventies. That would make his parents in their eighties or nineties, still in good health and even enjoying young actors’ dramas—a truly enriching life.

The conversation grew increasingly awkward. Yu Wen leaned back in his seat with his arms crossed, listening intently, and the more he heard, the more something felt off.

Suddenly, he leaned forward, tilting his head to get a clearer look at the old man’s face. At that moment, the old man, feigning a cough, turned his head and accidentally met his gaze.

…Well, that explained a lot.

It only took a glance for Yu Wen to confirm the man’s identity.

Under Feng Chengzhou’s startled look, Yu Wen calmly leaned back in his seat. When the host called out again, Feng Chengzhou had no choice but to face forward. Yu Wen quickly whispered to Xie Heyu, “Put your sunglasses on, or we’ll end up in pictures and share his embarrassment.”

Xie Heyu asked who that man was.

Yu Wen replied, “A lunatic, on par with Xi Su.”

Xie Heyu understood immediately. “Oh, Feng Chengzhou.”

As the Q&A continued, Chu Han seemed to notice something unusual as well. His gaze lingered on Feng Chengzhou for quite some time.

When it was his turn to invite a fan to ask a question, Chu Han strode into the audience with a few quick steps. He extended a hand toward Feng Chengzhou and said, “Thank you for your support.”

Feng Chengzhou looked at the outstretched hand, his heart skipping a beat. It had been ages since they had any physical contact; their past intimacy felt like a lifetime ago.

Clenching his palms nervously, just as he was about to shake hands, Chu Han suddenly raised his hand and yanked off Feng Chengzhou’s wig.

The black wig cap underneath was exposed, and the gray wig dangled from Chu Han’s hand, swinging in the air.

“Pfft—”

Yu Wen, who was witnessing this spectacle up close, couldn’t hold back and let out his first hearty laugh of the day.

After laughing, he noticed Chu Han looking his way. He immediately composed himself, grabbed Xie Heyu’s thigh to suppress his amusement, and maintained a facade of elegance and indifference, his gaze fixed ahead.

Xie Heyu: “…”

Feng Chengzhou still had some makeup on to age his face, but it wasn’t special effects-grade. With his hair concealed earlier, he could pass, but without the wig, his facial features stood out sharply.

The room fell silent. The scene was absurd, but without understanding the context, no one dared laugh freely.

Only the media in the front row stayed true to their purpose, snapping away gleefully, preserving the precious moment.

Feng Chengzhou’s lips, hidden behind his fake white beard, trembled. “You…”

Before he could finish, Chu Han coldly placed the wig back on his head.

Just as Yu Wen was about to laugh again, his vision suddenly cleared. He blinked in confusion before realizing—oh, Chu Han had taken off his sunglasses.

Chu Han held Yu Wen’s sunglasses and glared at him coldly.

The girl beside them tried to ease the tension, saying, “Han Bao, this gentleman is also your fan. He’s a blind—”

Chu Han removed Yu Wen’s mask too.

Caught off guard, the girl found herself staring at the familiar face of an entertainment industry figure. “…Well, I’m the blind one.”

Scattered laughter finally broke out in the theater, and the media went wild with their cameras. Yu Wen felt utterly humiliated.

Under everyone’s gaze, Xie Heyu calmly removed his own sunglasses and placed them back on Teacher Yu’s face.

Before Yu Wen could feel touched, Feng Chengzhou did something entirely unexpected.

He removed his wig and placed it sympathetically on Yu Wen’s head.

Yu Wen: “???”

Dude, are you serious? What is wrong with you?

Feng Chengzhou truly had issues.

Afraid of being too obvious and disrupting his “strategy” to win over Chu Han, he had snuck into the cinema disguised as an elderly man to watch the roadshow. He hadn’t considered how conspicuous a seventy-year-old would be among a young crowd.

After the screening, Chu Han left without waiting for anyone. Meanwhile, Yu Wen and Feng Chengzhou couldn’t stand each other, exchanging quips as they exited the theater.

Yu Wen said, “President Feng, may I ask, what was the purpose of giving me this wig? To wish me a long life?”

Feng Chengzhou caught the sarcasm in his tone and sneered. “A good deed taken for granted. An artist’s unflattering photos going public can hurt their fashion endorsements. The wig was to help cover your face—pure charity.”

Yu Wen replied, “…Don’t you think this wig is far uglier than my bare face?”

Feng Chengzhou countered, “It’s not ugly on me. If it’s ugly on you, that’s your problem.”

Xie Heyu, displeased, shot him a cold glance and said two words: “You’re ugly.”

Feng Chengzhou: “…”