AAUMOBIP C31

Chapter 31

When Yun Jingqiu returned after filming, the moment he opened the door he caught the aroma of food drifting out.

He already knew Liu He would be coming over today, so on set he had been a little distracted. Normally, someone who hardly ever did a retake, today he had quite a few NGs** and kept struggling to focus.

Unable to bear it, he rushed inside, ignoring the rabbit hopping up wanting attention, and went straight to the kitchen. There, seeing the young man busy cooking, the corners of his mouth curved upward uncontrollably.

This was his Xiao He*.

For the next two months, they would be living under the same roof, enjoying the sweetness of cohabitation.

Liu He was simmering soup. On the stove, the clay pot bubbled steadily, filling the entire kitchen with the rich fragrance that made one’s appetite surge. On the counter sat two prepared light dishes, but tonight’s star was this pot of chicken soup still simmering away.

Liu He hadn’t noticed the sounds outside yet, not realizing Yun Jingqiu had already come home.

Footsteps came from behind, then an arm encircled his waist, making Liu He aware of Yun Jingqiu’s arrival.

“Just a moment longer, the soup’s almost ready. Rice is already cooked—if you’re hungry, you can scoop some first.” Liu He lifted the pot lid, giving the broth a stir with the ladle.

He filled a small bowl, placed a spoon inside, and passed it to Yun Jingqiu: “Try the taste.”

But Yun Jingqiu still held him from behind, unwilling to let go, making no move to take the bowl.

“Not letting go yet?” Liu He chuckled, asking lightly.

Resting his head on Liu He’s shoulder, inhaling the fragrance of chicken soup, Yun Jingqiu muttered: “Let me hold you for a while. I need to recharge myself with Xiao He’s energy.”

“If it cools down, it won’t taste good. Hurry and try it—I’ll add salt if it’s bland.”

Finally loosening his hold, Yun Jingqiu took the small bowl, drank a spoonful, and praised: “Delicious.”

Liu He was doubtful. “Let me try.”

In his experience, even if the food were abysmally awful, Yun-ge would keep a straight face, eat it, and still say: “Good.”

There was a little left in the bowl. Without adding fresh soup, Liu He simply used the same spoon Yun Jingqiu had just drunk from, took a sip, and scolded: “How is this delicious? It’s clearly lacking salt.”

“Maybe I’ve gotten used to eating light, this tastes just right,” Yun Jingqiu tried to argue.

But Liu He wasn’t having it. Annoyed that Yun Jingqiu was getting in the way, he pushed him out of the kitchen and shut the glass sliding door.

Now only Liu He remained inside.

Through the glass, Yun Jingqiu rested his hand on the door, pitifully watching Liu He at work.

Of course, he wanted Xiao He’s soup—but more than that, he wanted to cuddle with Xiao He.

Hadn’t they gone almost two months without seeing each other? Didn’t Xiao He want to hold him too?

After adjusting the seasoning in the soup, Liu He called out: “Come take the soup out.”

Summoned, Yun Jingqiu eagerly pushed open the door, striding in and reaching straight for the clay pot.

Quick-eyed, Liu He stopped him with a sharp scold: “Do you not want your hand anymore? It’s burning hot—how can you just grab it bare-handed? Put on gloves!”

Only after seeing Yun Jingqiu obediently slip on oven mitts did Liu He go back to finishing the dishes, carrying them out one by one, and later serving two bowls of multigrain rice.

Tonight’s staple was multigrain rice.

Not his favorite, but with the rich colors and aromas of the side dishes, it paired nicely.

Yun Jingqiu ate many servings of vegetables, but only two small bowls of rice.

He complimented: “Xiao He’s cooking just keeps getting better and better.”

Almost all the dishes were finished, but half the chicken soup remained—tomorrow it could be used for chicken noodle soup.

Smiling, Liu He instructed: “Do the dishes.”

Yun Jingqiu countered: “There’s a dishwasher.”

Even so, he cleaned up—packing the leftover chicken soup into a big bowl, sealing it with plastic wrap, and putting it in the fridge.

Not every dish could go into the dishwasher, so he scrubbed the rest by hand, leaving the kitchen spotless before stepping back into the living room—where he saw Liu He playing with their rabbit.

The little rabbit, Cream, was cradled in Liu He’s arms. Parting the rabbit’s legs carefully, Liu He observed closely, then remarked, “Isn’t it in heat?”

By now, Cream was almost six months old—it was about time.

Startled, Yun Jingqiu leaned over to look.

Obediently, Cream lay on Liu He’s lap, letting him fuss.

With its legs apart and tail moved aside, the tiny “pepper” stood out plainly.

“Seems so.” After a pause, Yun Jingqiu said, “There’s no female rabbit here anyway. We should take Cream for neutering soon.”

Liu He agreed: “We should’ve had it done earlier.”

Releasing it, Cream changed positions, flopping belly-down across Liu He’s thigh.

With Liu He in shorts, he could feel the bunny’s soft belly fur brushing against his skin.

Sensing something not right, Yun Jingqiu quickly grabbed the rabbit by the scruff and set it on the floor.

Scolding: “Who do you think you’re trying to hump?”

Liu He: ?

Yun Jingqiu: “It almost molested you.”

Liu He: “It’s just a rabbit.”

“So what?” Yun Jingqiu shot back.

They went back and forth debating Cream, neither convincing the other, until they finally dropped the subject and shifted topics.

Liu He asked about the villa.

The house had four stories. He hadn’t seen it all yet, but from the size, he was sure…

“Only my room’s ready. The rest are still untouched,” Yun Jingqiu explained.

“You planned that.”

“Do you and I need things divided so neatly? We’ve always shared a bed.” Yun Jingqiu continued.

Taking Liu He’s hand, he pulled him toward the stairs: “If you don’t want to climb stairs, there’s a lift. It was just serviced a few days ago, everything works fine.”

“First floor is the reception hall—but I rarely have guests, so I use it as a living area. Second floor has another lounge, plus the bedrooms. Third floor’s my gym, study, and gaming room. Fourth is a rooftop garden. Oh, and there’s a swimming pool out back—it was refilled yesterday, so it’s clean.”

This neighborhood was all detached villas, each spaced far apart for privacy.

Most residents drove in and out, but since Liu He didn’t drive, property staff had delivered him straight to the house.

“You can ride an e-scooter, right? While you don’t have your license yet, use the e-scooter.”

Liu He nodded: “That, I can do.”

Chatting, they reached the second floor. The lounge was warmly decorated, and aside from the living space there were a couple of rooms.

“One’s going to be a home theater,” Yun Jingqiu said. “Any ideas for the other?”

“My room,” Liu He answered.

“No way.” Yun Jingqiu refused outright. “My room is your room.”

“What if we argue and need separate rooms?”

“Then I’ll sleep upstairs in the study—it’s got a little sofa, if I curl up, I’ll fit. Worst-case, I’ll settle on the treadmill for a night.” Grasping Liu He’s hand, he kissed the back gently: “But Xiao He won’t bear making me sleep there, will you?”

Liu He wasn’t swayed. “You never know.”

The master bedroom was just as expansive as ever, entirely in Yun Jingqiu’s style.

“The other room will be a walk-in closet, full of Xiao He’s clothes,” Yun Jingqiu decided.

Liu He: … not necessary.

He didn’t own that many clothes.

Most of his wardrobe came from Yun Jingqiu’s shopping sprees—too much to ever wear through.

From the drawer, Yun Jingqiu handed him a key: “The e-scooter key, it’s in the garage.”

There were several keys in the drawer. Among them, only the e-scooter and two cars belonged to Yun Jingqiu—neither especially luxurious. He wasn’t a car enthusiast. The vehicle Song Zhiyuan usually drove was company-provided, not Yun Jingqiu’s.

“Now, may I kiss my lover?” Yun Jingqiu suddenly asked.

Still fiddling with the scooter key brand, Liu He looked up, puzzled.

In the next instant, his world spun—his head pressed down by a firm hand, soft lips covering his own, no chance of escape.

It wasn’t a request so much as a declaration of intent.

After nearly two months apart, once they kissed, it was hard to hold back.

From the table edge, they tumbled to the bed, clothes stripped away one by one.

Summer heat meant they hadn’t worn much to begin with, and Liu He’s mind quickly went hazy under the kisses.

But just as Yun Jingqiu was about to take the next step, Liu He came to his senses, pushing him away with effort: “Not possible. I have plans tomorrow.”

He had to report to the research institute. Yun-ge had scenes to film. Tonight wasn’t right for taking it to the final step.

It wasn’t that he rejected intimacy—only that the timing was wrong.

“Then just a kiss?” Flames burning in his eyes, Yun Jingqiu pecked lightly at Liu He’s lips.

So the night ended not in full passion, but with a shared shower.

Later, Yun Jingqiu showed him his display case, where every award from his acting career was carefully arranged.

“This is the Golden Rose trophy. This is the Golden Taro Ball trophy.” He pointed carefully. “Still missing two.”

There were four internationally recognized Best Actor awards carrying the weight of the title “Film Emperor.” Yun Jingqiu already had two. He meant to complete the set.

He truly loved acting. He loved being an actor.

“You can do it. Your acting is the best.” Liu He praised, supportive as ever.

He didn’t say: It’s tiring, you’ve already surpassed most actors with two, why push yourself so hard?

Because Yun-ge had a dream—and he would never deflate it.

“I love you.” Yun Jingqiu confessed.

Liu He smiled back.

The next morning Liu He woke early, though Yun Jingqiu was already gone from bed—the sheets still warm, meaning he’d just left.

After washing, Liu He came downstairs, immediately catching the scent of chicken soup.

Yun Jingqiu was cooking chicken noodle soup.

By the time Liu He entered the kitchen, Yun Jingqiu was fishing noodles out of the pot into bowls.

One was a larger portion with extra meat; the other more modest.

“You’re here? Breakfast’s just ready—this one’s yours.” He handed the smaller to Liu He.

Sitting at the dining table, Liu He began eating.

“I’ll take you to the institute later,” Yun Jingqiu said.

“Isn’t that inappropriate?” Liu He raised a brow.

“What’s inappropriate? I’m your boyfriend—what’s wrong with dropping you off at work? Or are you saying it’s my identity as your boyfriend that’s inappropriate?” Yun Jingqiu narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Slurping some noodles, Liu He swallowed before explaining: “Your identity as an actor.”

Yun Jingqiu had always concealed their relationship. Personally driving him to the research institute would blow the cover.

“I won’t get out of the car. Just drop you off and leave. Besides, I need to memorize the route.”

“I already sent you the location pin. But fine, do as you like.” Liu He continued eating the breakfast Yun Jingqiu had made with love, even discovering a poached egg hidden among the noodles.

All in all, today’s meal owed its excellence to last night’s chicken soup.

Footnotes

** NG (No Good): A film/television industry term commonly used in East Asia (especially China/Japan) meaning a take that wasn’t usable, i.e. a “failed or bad take” during filming.