Wang Chao returned to an empty home. Bored, he paced the floor searching for anything to do to pass time. He tried a piece of mooncake – same as the ones he gifted to Xiao Xie – but he could only finish half of it. It was cloyingly sweet, he thought, Xiao Xie wouldn’t enjoy it either.
He had an otherwise great time at the birthday party. Since his call never got through, however, he could not stop thinking about Xiao Xie during the celebration. Once the birthday boy made his wish, he hurried straight toward Xiao Xie’s apartment. After waiting downstairs for almost an hour, he finally (to his relief!) saw the other man return. Yet, never did he expect Xiao Xie to seem so preoccupied, refusing to answer any questions and even shooing him away. While normally, he would never take no for an answer, he slipped up this time and revealed the bloody scratch marks on his back; an embarrassing mistake, he had to admit. Dejected, he fled and returned home.
Though, he continued to wonder: What happened to Xiao Xie? He seemed all right yesterday.
Wang Chao pondered over the situation, and at last, came up with a tentative hypothesis. To confirm it, he gave the other man another call.
Xie Zhuxing answered promptly this time. Once the line clicked, however, he remained silent.
Wang Chao asked: “You’ve gone to bed?”
Nibbling on his nails, Wang Chao continued: “Are you feeling better?”
Xie Zhuxing replied: “Much better.”
The tone of his reply was gentle as usual. Relieved, Wang Chao grinned and said: “That’s good. I was just thinking, you once said that you haven’t seen your family since the Spring Festival. Watching other families reunite during this Mid-Autumn Festival made you miss your mom, huh?
Wang Chao giggled: “This isn’t anything embarrassing to admit. I miss my Hazhi constantly; who wouldn’t miss their mom?”
Wang Chao said: “That’s all, then. Go to sleep.”
Xie Zhuxing said: “Okay.”
Nonetheless, neither hung up.
Wang Chao felt the desire to speak again, but he struggled mightily to come up with other topics. After a prolonged pause, he broke the ice: “Um, about that box of mooncakes? Don’t eat any. They are sweet to the point of cloying. Way overhyped by the internet. ”
Xie Zhuxing replied: “I tried a piece. It was alright.”
Surprised, Wang Chao asked: “You liked it? We still have several boxes at home. I will bring them to you tomorrow.”
Xie Zhuxing declined: “No, it’s fine. One box is more than enough with how many pieces it has.”
While chatting, Wang Chao munched on another piece of moon cake. Maybe he’s adapted to the sweetness or something, but this time, he found the moon cake to be much better tasting than before.
The front door clicked open and in came Wang Qi. He probably did not expect Wang Chao to be home, as he appeared surprised at the latter’s presence.
Wang Chao spoke into the phone: “My big brother is back. Go to sleep. We will talk again tomorrow at work.”
Once Xie Zhuxing answered, Wang Chao ended their call.
Wang Qi asked: “Why did you come home?”
Wang Chao only complained in response: “Man, I wanted to celebrate with you two, but neither of you treated me seriously. Sure, Lao Er needs to take care of his patients, a noble deed. But what’s the matter with you? Eating dinner with your brother-in-law until half-past ten? Why are you so close to him? I’m your actual brother, but you just beat me up all the time.”
Wang Qi scoffed: “If you were even half as obedient as my brother-in-law, I would have gone easy on you a long time ago.”
Wang Chao said: “Our mom doesn’t even scold me when I’m disobedient. Anyway, shouldn’t tonight’s full moon bring out the animalistic desire within you for my sister-in-law? Why did you come home after dinner? You should’ve made some babies with her instead.”
Wang Qi glared at his crass remark: “This is a lot of opinions coming from a mere child.”
“I’m not a mere child,” Wang Chao mumbled, “Quit looking down on me.” Suddenly, he remembered the wicked favor. He asked: “Brother, you’re old classmates with Zhang Zhongxin, no?” He’s an exec at a film company.
Wang Qi was hesitant: “What do you want?”
Wang Chao reluctantly mentioned the idol actor under Zhou Niansen, and his request: “Help me refer him. He wants a role in their company’s new film.”
Wang Qi was dubious: “What’s your relation with him?”
Wang Chao mumbled vaguely: “Someone in my circle knows him. Just do me this favor, yeah?”
Wang Qi was a little suspicious of his motive. Nonetheless, he agreed: “I can refer him to Zhongxin. Though, whether he makes it or not is up to his ability.”
Wang Qi continued: “I will be upfront. I know this guy; his acting isn’t great. He’s a less handsome and charismatic version of Bai Tu and struggles to attract much audience. He likely won’t make it.”
Wang Chao had zero ideas about who the person was, let alone his appearance. However, his brother’s words gave him another idea. He asked: “Brother, do you know Xie Zhuxing? Our group’s Tomas. Do you think he’s popular among audiences?”
Wang Qi had certainly paid attention to his little brother’s group. He replied: “The boy that Liang Xi promoted on Weibo? He’s okay. Isn’t he already pretty popular?”
His brother’s praises of Xie Zhuxing excited Wang Chao more than those toward himself. Cheerfully, he suggested: “Then, while you’re at it, if there’s any tv shows or movies that need an idol singer – one that doesn’t require much acting skills – could you refer Xiao Xie as a guest performer?”
Wang Qi: “……If there were such a need, wouldn’t you be perfect for it?”
Wang Chao had no ambition whatsoever. “I won’t bother with acting,” he said, “I’m doing fine the way I am, I don’t need money, and I have over a million fans. Why should I waste my time? Xiao Xie wants to settle down in Beijing. The problem is, selling records isn’t very profitable. Sure, he’s the most popular, but our group splits the earnings evenly. It would take several years before he could purchase a house. If he could star in a TV show or movie, that’ll be much faster.”
Wang Qi gave him a puzzled look and asked: “Are you two close?”
“Of course,” Wang Chao claimed, flaunting their relationship, “We’re super close. He cares for me a lot, even more than you do.”
Displeased, Wang Qi emphasized: “I am your brother.”
Even more displeased, Wang Chao retorted: “Yeah right, you treat your brother-in-law better than me.”
Wang Qi paused briefly, then replied: “I will give Zhang Zhongxin a call tomorrow. You’ve had lots of performances lately. Are you getting enough sleep? Look at those dark circles under your eyes, hurry up and go to bed.”
Wang Chao: “……” So touched that he almost shed tears of gratitude.
Once the Mid-Autumn Festival had passed, work resumed again.
At half-past two in the afternoon, the six members of id met at the company lobby.
Until mid-December, the group only had a few commercial performances scheduled for their main focus was to prepare for the upcoming meet-and-greets at the end of the month, beginning with Beijing on October 31st, followed by Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou.
Compared to concerts, meet-and-greets had no requirement for hours-long performances. Less laborious they may sound – the truth, however, is quite the contrary. Except for a few warmup performances, the rest of the meet-and-greet was dedicated to face-to-face interactions with fans that could trip the members up even more than mere singing and dancing.
Thus, Duan Yikun had scheduled classes for them to practice the proper language, expression, and movement of ideal interactions before the actual event. He arranged other staff to role-play various types of fans and even hired a familiar instructor – the one that prepared them for their debut conference – for additional guidance.
Everyone treated the classes seriously. Even Wang Chao had listened attentively for the first few minutes until he could no longer stifle his yawns nor the desire to nap on his desk.
By then, even the instructor had recognized his lazy nature and thus turned a blind eye toward his habit.
During the half-hour recess, everyone else had gone to get some fresh air. Except for Wang Chao, who slept with his face tilted to one side and arms sprawled across the desk. Even after Xie Zhuxing finished using the bathroom, he was still asleep, just now with drool collecting at the corner of his mouth.
Once he sat down, Xie Zhuxing gave the sleeping figure a gentle shove.
“Hey, wake up,” he nudged.
Wang Chao’s eyes opened into a bleary squint. “Huh?” He asked.
Xie Zhuxing removed a box from his nearby backpack and offered: “Here you go.”
Wang Chao opened his eyes a little wider. This time, he saw it clearly.
There was an iPhone 6 in that box. He straightened up and wiped away his drool, glancing at Xie Zhuxing and then the mobile phone.
Xie Zhuxing had never given anyone a gift for no reason until today.
Truthfully, he was embarrassed, an emotion he sought to hide from the other man. Stiffly, he forced an unnerved expression and explained: “Didn’t you crack your phone screen? I happened to pass a retail store this morning and bought a replacement for you.”
Still foggy with sleep, Wang Chao replied: “Then I’ll transfer the money to you later.”
Following a momentary pause, Wang Chao finally realized and exclaimed with surprise: “Ah? Are you gifting it to me?”
“If you don’t want it, then never mind,” Xie Zhuxing muttered as he reached to reclaim the gift.
Hurriedly, Wang Chao intercepted the package. He swiftly tore off the plastic seal and extracted the new phone, grinning from ear to ear as he said: “I haven’t had time to buy a replacement yet. The official website said it was out of stock. I was going to ask you after class to go to a retail store together.”
He’s quite wasteful with mobile phones. On average, he needs a replacement every two to three months. The iPhone 6 with a broken screen had only been in service for less than twenty days, as it was purchased last month right after its release. Given his frequent purchases, the novelty of electronic products lasts only a few minutes, including the recently released iPhone 6. He would’ve felt lukewarm toward the device in front of him had it not been a gift from Xiao Xie. Since it is from him, however, he treated the device with particular care, cautiously activating the device and even agonizing over fingerprints on the screen. Quickly, he decided: “I have to buy a tempered glass screen protector and a high-quality phone case.” Previously, he had never purchased a screen protector and phone case for his devices for those added extra weight and made the devices uncomfortable (for him) to use. He’d need replacements soon anyways since his carelessness had long determined the fate of said devices: broken or lost.
Wang Chao opened the Taobao app on his old phone and first purchased a tempered glass screen protector. Then, he scrutinized each available phone case, at times fielding for secondary opinions: “Is this one pretty? How about this? And this?”
Transparent, Matte, Silicone, PC, TPU, China chic, American style, Japanese anime…he bought over twenty cases of various textures and prints in one sitting.
Xie Zhuxing did not stop him, knowing it would be a futile attempt. Instead, he watched the other man click, add, and purchase with an uncontrollable grin on his face.
Wang Chao, at last, finished his purchase. He turned around to search for the other man, and immediately, his gaze fixated upon that mesmerizing grin. He could not control the desire to touch the latter’s face. Once his fingertips landed, however, a sliver of guilt emerged within him, and he quickly retracted his hand.
Xie Zhuxing’s grin briefly faltered at the contact, though he was not irritated by it.
Bolder now, Wang Chao reached over again, his fingertips tracing the other man’s chin down to his neck, tentatively poking at the dimples above his collarbones.
Xie Zhuxing reached his limits. He plucked the naughty hand off his collarbones and warned: “Quit messing around.”
While he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, Wang Chao could sense the unusual patience the other man had toward him today. Cheekily, he said: “Your collarbone is gorgeous.”
Xie Zhuxing retorted: “What’s so gorgeous about collarbones?”
Wang Chao grinned giddily and emphasized: “Yours is gorgeous. It’s straight and shaped like a flat line, which is super rare among men. See? Mine is v-shaped.”He pulled on his collar, revealing a pair of delicate collarbones and a pale, smooth chest.
Xie Zhuxing: “……” Stripping himself in broad daylight, what gives?
Once class resumed, Wang Chao no longer napped; instead, he installed the sim card in the new phone and downloaded a bunch of apps, fiddling with the device fondly. Afterward, he even caressed Xie Zhuxing’s thigh under the table – not too much – but enough to satisfy himself.
Once the class finally ended, the instructor noticed the strained expression on Xie Zhuxing’s face, and approached with concern: “Tomas, if you’re not feeling well, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.”
Xie Zhuxing only replied: “Instructor, I’m fine.”
Unconvinced, the instructor continued: “I understand how diligent you are. Though the weather has been fickle recently, and you’re sweating a ton. You still insist that you’re fine?”
Xie Zhuxing: “……I’m really just fine, thank you.”
Even Wang Chao was concerned. Once the instructor left, he voiced his doubt: “Are you really just fine?”
Xie Zhuxing coughed and restated: “Yep, I’m really just fine.”
Satisfied, Wang Chao grinned and asked: “Then, would you eat spicy crawfish with me today?”
Xie Zhuxing replied: “Let’s go.”
Both of them laughed as their eyes locked.
Xie Zhuxing understood why he laughed. He liked this person, so much so that he’s satisfied and content doing things he didn’t like, as long as it’s with him.
But Wang Chao didn’t. He thought, as long as Xiao Xie was willing to hang out with him, he’d be happy.
Abruptly, Wang chaos new phone vibrated: a call had come in.
Xie Zhuxing glimpsed at the caller id that flashed across the screen: “Bastard Zhou.”
Nervous, Wang Chao hastily picked the phone up and excused himself: “I’ll answer this call first.”
Then, he ducked out to take the call.
Stunned, Xie Zhuxing was silent for a few seconds. Then, immediately, a fiery rage erupted within him, the desire to punch someone to a pulp.
Yet, before he could do anything, their assistant busted in to inform him that there’s been a problem with his apartment.
Given the nature of his occupation, his rental lease was signed by the assistant. The landlord had no idea that their tenant was a celebrity until today, and for personal reasons, they were adamant about terminating the lease. They’d rather lose money than let him stay a day longer.
Wang Chao told Zhou Niansen he’s completed the favor. Then, before hanging up, that he could fuck himself. Once he returned, however, he realized: Where did Xiao Xie go?
“He had something to attend to and left,” Ji Jie explained, “He told you not to look for him. You annoy him, he said. ”
Wang Chao retorted incredulously: “You’re lying! He wouldn’t say that about me!”
Cheng Yao interjected: “Eh, close enough. Brother Xie’s original words were ‘Tell him, don’t look for me after he’s done fooling around. Such an annoying asshole.'”