AAUMOBIP C7

Chapter 7

“Your eyes are practically stripping my pants off.” Yun Jingqiu teased.

Realizing he’d been tricked, Liu He fumed.

Why hadn’t he noticed before that Yun-ge’s personality could be this wicked? Yun-ge had never joked with him like this before.

But…

He really had just thought for a second, if only I could take a look.

Maybe, deep down, he really was just a little pervert?

Liu He began doubting himself.

“Alright, I’ll stop teasing. Weren’t you working on revising your thesis? I’ll put my clothes back on so you can actually focus.”

How was that not still teasing?

Liu He ignored Yun Jingqiu.

Watching him put his clothes back on, covering up that flawless physique, Liu He couldn’t help but feel a little regret.

Yun Jingqiu picked up a paper script on the side and occasionally made notes with a pen.

Liu He watched him for a bit, then returned to editing his thesis.

By the time he finished revising, it was already late at night.

After sitting for so long, his body felt stiff.

He stood up to stretch and glanced at the video call window—Yun Jingqiu was no longer in the frame.

Liu He had been so immersed in working on his thesis that he hadn’t noticed when Yun-ge left the screen.

After sending the paper off to his advisor, Liu He grabbed his pajamas and went into the bathroom to shower.

Warm water poured over his head, and all he could think about was Yun Jingqiu’s body from their earlier video call.

Looking down at himself, he couldn’t help but compare.

He didn’t really exercise, so there was no muscle definition on his body, though he wasn’t fat either. His abdomen was flat, and his skin was pale.

Under the hot water, his skin quickly flushed red.

If only I had abs too, Liu He thought, before laughing at himself.

He wasn’t the type who liked sports anyway—most of his time was spent in the lab or the dorm, barely ever going out.

No one gets abs living like that.

But Yun-ge’s body really was something else. His chest muscles were that big, right?

Liu He imagined it, measuring with his own hands.

His palm slid over his own flat stomach, picturing what Yun-ge’s abs would feel like to touch.

Maybe it was the heat of the bathroom, or maybe it was just his restless thoughts about his boyfriend’s body—

but when his “little Liu He” saluted him, cheeks burning, he ended up relieving himself right there.

After showering, he changed into pajamas, towel-drying his still-damp hair.

“All done?” came Yun Jingqiu’s voice from the computer.

Liu He looked over. Yun Jingqiu had also showered, now dressed in sleek black pajamas, script in hand as he sat there.

Liu He nodded. “Done.”

Droplets from his hair slid down, dampening parts of his pajamas.

He pulled out a hairdryer and carefully started drying his hair.

The freshly showered youth’s skin glowed faintly red against the white, his head lowered as he focused on drying his hair.

Strands, still half-wet, flicked playfully across his face.

His pale fingers combed through them, trying to tame the mess.

He looked so obedient.

The script in Yun Jingqiu’s hand was just for show.

He was actually staring at Liu He, snapping screenshots like crazy.

Fresh out of the shower, Xiao He looked soft and kissable.

He could already imagine pressing him down on the bed, inhaling deeply and whispering, you smell so good.

Xiao He would definitely blush and not know what to do.

Yun Jingqiu crossed his legs, glanced down briefly, and ignored the thought.

A while later, the sound of the hairdryer clicked off.

Liu He’s hair was a little fluffy now. He ran his fingers through it, trying to tame his unruly strands.

“Getting ready for bed?”

Liu He nodded. “You should sleep early too.”

Yun Jingqiu changed the subject. “Want me to sing for you?”

Back then, Liu He had often fallen asleep at night to Yun Jingqiu singing for him.

“Okay,” Liu He agreed softly.

He switched the call over to his phone, turned on the small nightlight inside his bed’s curtain, switched off the dorm’s main light, and climbed onto his bunk.

The singing filled the dorm softly. He lowered the volume and placed the phone by his pillow.

Yun-ge’s voice was beautiful, but for some reason, always incredibly soothing—sleep-inducing, even.

Yawning, Liu He quickly drifted into dreams with Yun Jingqiu’s voice as his lullaby.

Since meeting Yun Jingqiu in person and discovering his real identity, Liu He had started paying attention to an industry he’d never cared about before.

He rarely used Weibo, but this time he even registered an account just to follow Yun Jingqiu.

Whenever he had free time, he scrolled through Yun Jingqiu’s old posts, sometimes even watching the movies or dramas he’d starred in.

Before, Liu He had always filled his free time with reading or writing papers. Now, his attention had shifted to following Yun Jingqiu’s updates.

The change was so obvious that a junior from his lab noticed. “Senior, you like watching his work now?”

Only then did Liu He realize he’d been paying too much attention to Yun Jingqiu’s activities. Still, he didn’t deny it. “Yeah, recently I realized he’s very charming.”

“His work really is good. But right now, fans are more obsessed with who his partner is. His significant other is still a mystery,” the junior sighed. “Honestly, Senior, I thought you had zero interest in this kind of thing. Didn’t expect you to like his work too.”

“I’ve got a list of all his projects here,” the junior said, sending him an Excel file.

Liu He went quiet.

He hadn’t expected even his junior to be a Yun-ge fan.

And if nothing unexpected happened, that “mysterious lover” of Yun Jingqiu’s… should actually be himself.

Scrolling through Yun Jingqiu’s Weibo these past few days, Liu He noticed some things.

Like how sometimes, right after he sent him bubble tea, Yun Jingqiu would post a picture flaunting it on Weibo.

Then, within half an hour, his manager Wang-ge would confiscate the drink.

Or how gifts Liu He gave him would almost always get photographed and uploaded too.

This man was literally using Weibo as his private friend circle.

Even the local specialty pastries he gave him during their in-person meetup had ended up on Weibo.

【Yun Jingqiu: Went on a date with my partner today. Got some local treats from him—heard you have to queue for two hours to buy this now? Another day of loving him more~

[Picture][Picture]】

Two photos: one of the pastries Liu He bought, and one of Yun Jingqiu’s selfie.

Liu He quietly saved the selfie.

【This shop already has a 2-hour wait, bet it’ll be 4 hours now】

【Locals can’t even buy it anymore, Yun-ge recommending it makes it impossible】

【Wait, isn’t Yun-ge supposed to be filming? How’s he still going on dates? @BaldManagerWang say something!】

【@BaldManagerWang Yun-ge’s sneaking food again! Go confiscate it!】

And not just that—whenever they played games together, Yun Jingqiu would post about winning or losing too.

His need to share was excessive.

If Liu He had discovered Yun Jingqiu’s Weibo earlier, he wouldn’t have suspected him of being a player at all.

No way could someone this obvious be a scumbag.

To convince Jiang Yi, Liu He even lined up timelines—screenshots comparing the times he ordered bubble tea with when Yun Jingqiu posted about it.

Jiang Yi’s reply: 【Hopelessly in love】

Liu He didn’t think it was “hopelessly in love.” He was just… paying too much attention to Yun Jingqiu.

“Yun Jingqiu’s current film should be released next year. Want to go watch it together?” his junior invited.

Liu He vaguely replied, “Nah, I’ve got plans with someone else.”

His junior sighed. “Alright then.”

But maybe because they now shared the same identity as fans of Yun Jingqiu, his junior seemed much closer to him, like the invisible wall of “distance” between them had disappeared.

It’s true—sharing a common interest can make people bond faster.

【187Boyfriend: Coming tomorrow? If not, I’ll be leaving C City soon】

【187Boyfriend: All the other actors have family or fans visiting set. Xiao He doesn’t want to come see me film?】

Tomorrow was a rest day. For once, Liu He had no experiments scheduled, and his thesis could be pushed back.

【fon: I’ll come】

【fon: Don’t you already have fans visiting?】

【187Boyfriend: But Xiao He is my family】

That straight ball hit Liu He right in the chest.

Their relationship was just dating, right? Did that count as family?

His idea of “family” had always been vague.

But right now, if he had to name his closest people, besides Jiang Yi, it was Yun Jingqiu.

So maybe “family” wasn’t that wrong.

【fon: I’ll come with Jiang Yi】

【fon: We won’t bother you】

【187Boyfriend: Why bring a third wheel?】

【187Boyfriend: Can’t Xiao He just come alone?】

【fon: No】

【187Boyfriend: …Fine then】

Yun Jingqiu gave in.

Smiling, Liu He told Jiang Yi the news.

【Jiang Yi: No problem!】

【Jiang Yi: Don’t worry, I’ll get Yun-ge’s autograph then disappear, I won’t ruin your couple time!】

【Jiang Yi: Even third wheels have principles】

【187Boyfriend: [Business Card]】

【187Boyfriend: Xiao He, add this. It’s my assistant, he’ll pick you guys up tomorrow】

Liu He tapped the card, sent a friend request, and it was quickly accepted.

【MyCatDoesBackflips: Hello, sis-in-law!】

【MyCatDoesBackflips: Please send me your location so I can pick you up tomorrow】

【fon: [Location]】

【fon: Thanks. And don’t call me sis-in-law】

【MyCatDoesBackflips: Okay sis-in-law】

【MyCatDoesBackflips: Got it, sis-in-law】

Liu He: …

He decided to remain silent.

The next morning came quickly. Liu He tidied himself up a little and wore a mask. Just then, the dorm door knocked.

Jiang Yi: “I’m back.”

He opened the door.

Liu He nodded at him.

“This is my first time visiting a film set. Why’re you wearing a mask?”

Liu He’s voice was muffled through it. “Protection.”

Yun Jingqiu had specifically told him to wear one.

There were plenty of reporters and paparazzi outside the set. Liu He was just an ordinary student—if he was caught in an intimate moment with Yun Jingqiu, his academic career would be over.

He still wanted to pursue a PhD!

Jiang Yi nodded and borrowed an extra mask from Liu He.

【MyCatDoesBackflips: Sis-in-law, I’m here!】

【MyCatDoesBackflips: Did you send the wrong location? This is the boys’ dorm?】

…Had Yun Jingqiu never told his assistant his partner’s gender?

Liu He paused before replying.

【fon: I’m a guy】

【fon: The location is right】

【fon: Coming out now】

Then he took a screenshot and sent it to Yun Jingqiu.

The assistant reread the messages in shock.

He refreshed, rechecked, but the words didn’t change.

The sky had collapsed—he’d been calling “sis-in-law” this whole time, only to find out it was a guy! How embarrassing.

Liu He knew it was awkward but didn’t bother explaining further.

He and Jiang Yi left the dorm, found the car with the plate number he’d been sent, and got in.

“Hello, thanks for coming to pick us up.” Liu He smiled politely.

Any embarrassment in the assistant melted away at seeing how approachable “sis-in-law” was. He quickly tried to lighten the mood. “Sis-in-law, Yun-ge’s got some aerial fight scenes today—you’ll get to see him show off.”

The title slipped out; habit was hard to change.

Liu He swore he heard Jiang Yi snicker beside him.

Pretending not to care, his ears turned red. “That sounds good. Can we watch?”

“Of course! You just can’t film or share anything. I’ll get you both visitor passes.”

“Alright.”

The assistant added, “Thanks for the pastries yesterday, by the way. They were delicious.”

Manager Wang had confiscated two boxes, and he and the assistant had finished the rest last night.

Poor Yun-ge had ended up being robbed again after returning.

Imagining Yun Jingqiu’s pitiful expression, Liu He’s heart softened. He couldn’t wait to see him.

The filming site was in a developing scenic area outside the city. The production had partnered with the park to use it while it was still closed, promising future promotion.

A win-win.

The drive took about an hour. The assistant showed his credentials and led them inside.

“Yun-ge should still be filming,” the assistant explained. “Want to rest first or go watch?”

“Let’s go watch,” Liu He answered.

It was his first time visiting a set.

The place bustled with people. They stood off in a corner to observe.

Suspended on wires, a handsome man in ancient costume drifted through the air.

Wind rippled his red robes, sleeves flowing dramatically as he wielded a long sword, blocking an incoming strike.

It was a fight scene. Yun Jingqiu wasn’t using a stunt double, and though the sword was a blunt prop, he handled it with skill and grace.

The two fought fiercely mid-air.

The man in black spotted an opening and slashed at Yun Jingqiu’s arm.

Instantly, a flash of pain crossed Yun Jingqiu’s face, but in that gap he drove his blade into the opponent’s chest.

Fake blood splattered.

“Cut!” the director shouted. “That’s good, let’s touch up makeup!”

Lowered from the wires, Yun Jingqiu landed from the trees. Clutching his arm, prop blood dripping steadily, he winced.

Watching his arm, Liu He felt uneasy.

“What’s wrong, Brother Yun?” someone immediately asked.

Yun Jingqiu flexed his arm lightly and forced a smile. “Can’t lift it anymore.”