Chapter 46 [VIP]

The elevator descended to the first floor, during the afternoon working hours, and the lobby was bustling with people.

Xu Xing ignored all the supposedly concealed gazes around him and calmly walked towards the door. However, when Jiang Zhuochen lagged slightly behind, he would subtly slow his pace and wait for him to catch up.

The car was already waiting at the door, and the driver respectfully opened the door. Xu Xing first gestured for Jiang Zhuochen to get in, and then got in himself.

The car interior was spacious, and the faint scent of leather was overpowered by the aroma of coffee from the paper bag. Jiang Zhuochen handed over the coffee, took a sip of the warm milk himself, and comfortably closed his eyes.

Xu Xing took the coffee, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw the other person quietly eating cake, trying to keep quiet and not disturbing his work, except for necessary noise.

His heart felt warm, as if it had been soaked in the milk from the other person's hand. He took a sip of Americano to calm himself down and began to focus on processing emails.

After slowly finishing a piece of cake, they arrived at the art innovation center located on the other side of the city. It was a very modern building that housed many new media art studios and exhibition spaces.

As soon as he got out of the car, the project manager and several management personnel from the innovation center, who had been waiting at the entrance, came up to greet him warmly, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. Their gazes inevitably fell on Jiang Zhuochen, filled with curiosity and questions.

Xu Xing didn't offer much explanation, simply gesturing to the people beside him before heading inside. Jiang Zhuochen nodded, following closely behind. The project manager immediately understood, asking no further questions, but becoming exceptionally polite to Jiang Zhuochen.

Jiang Zhuochen had no interest in this kind of business investigation. He simply followed Xu Xing blindly, listening to the jargon and reports he couldn't understand. His attention was quickly drawn to the novel and cool art installations and exhibition posters on both sides of the corridor.

The inspection process was rather lengthy. Xu Xing needed to check the progress of several collaborating studios, and after watching the demonstrations, he also needed to talk with the technical staff to make modifications. Jiang Zhuochen initially tried to keep up, but later found it really boring, so he slowed down and gradually fell to the back of the group.

He stopped and yawned, almost breaking away from the group, his eyes blurry with tears as he considered whether to continue following or turn towards the exhibition at another fork in the road.

Xu walked at the front, listening to the person in charge's report, occasionally asking a question or two, then casually stopping. Seeing his interest in the projection equipment in the hall, the person in charge hurriedly called someone over to explain.

To achieve the best effect, the staff turned off all the indoor lights, and the holographic projection lit up the next moment. The dazzling and ever-changing light and shadow in the middle of the theater flowed and flickered, and the immersive and realistic experience amazed many people.

Jiang Zhuochen stood at the edge of the crowd, watching intently. After the demonstration ended, the lights suddenly turned on, making him squint and raise his hand to shield his eyes.

Xu Xing was discussing technical details with the engineer when his gaze swept over Jiang Zhuochen. He continued talking, but very naturally waved to Jiang Zhuochen, picked up a pair of noise-canceling headphones for VR experience from the table next to him, and put them on him when the other came over. The whole process was so smooth that there was not a single pause.

Everyone present held their breath. Jiang Zhuochen paused for a moment, then put on his headphones, and the world became much quieter. The surrounding noises—from the demonstration to the machines—became muffled, as if filtered through a screen.

He looked at Xu Xing, who had already turned back to continue talking to the engineer, as if the thoughtful gesture from just now was just his imagination.

Jiang Zhuochen's covered ears felt like ants were crawling all over them, causing waves of itchiness. He bit his lower lip, his heart racing for no reason, bewildered that this person could notice his little actions while he was focused on his work.

As the site visit drew to a close, the group needed to pass through a large, somewhat chaotic exhibition hall that was being set up to reach another area.

The exhibition hall was dimly lit, with only some of the lighting equipment on. Electrical wires and data cables were tangled on the floor, and some incomplete components were scattered about.

Xu walked at the front of the line, his steps still unhurried, but he turned slightly to the side, his gaze passing over the project manager beside him and landing precisely on the boy at the back of the line, and then he extended his hand to him.

"Watch where you're going, don't trip." His voice was exceptionally clear in the empty exhibition hall, and the faint echo reverberated into everyone's ears.

Jiang Zhuochen looked at the hand with its distinct knuckles, which still appeared powerful even in the dim light. The silence in the air seemed to be urging him to take action. After hesitating for a moment, he reached out and, with a hint of uncertainty, grasped Xu Xing's palm.

Xu Xing's hand was warm and dry, its grip tight yet firm, pulling the other man slightly closer. He skillfully led him around the cables and obstacles on the ground. The movements were so natural, as if he had done them countless times.

His gaze was fixed ahead, occasionally exchanging a few words with the person in charge, without the slightest hesitation or embarrassment.

The group of project staff following behind them were all shrewd and experienced. They all slowed down and distanced themselves from the two of them, pretending to be studying the unfinished works next to them or discussing the details of the exhibition in hushed tones. In reality, their hearts were already churning with excitement and turmoil.

This is not just simple care; it's like holding a precious baby in the palm of your hand with utmost care, as if afraid of him getting hurt!

Jiang Zhuochen was being held tightly by Xu Xing, and he felt rather uncomfortable with the actions of the others. He was just unfamiliar with the place, not injured or disabled to the point of tripping over a walk, so he tried to pull his hand away.

"It's okay, I can walk by myself." Her voice was soft and low, as if she were ashamed to be seen by others.

Xu Xing used a little force, "Don't move."

Jiang Zhuochen lowered his head and touched his nose, obediently letting him lead him out.

Only after leaving the dimly lit exhibition hall and entering the bright and spacious corridor did Xu Xing slowly let go of her hand, take out her phone to check her messages, and continue discussing the next arrangements with the project manager, seamlessly transitioning back into the mode of a business elite.

Jiang Zhuochen moved his fingers, which had just been held, and felt a warmth still lingering from the other person's palm. He felt a warm feeling in his heart, along with an indescribable sensation.

On the way back, Jiang Zhuochen leaned against the car window, his eyes darting aimlessly out. Perhaps because there was no one else in the car, he relaxed and his head bobbed along with the car's movement, and he soon drifted off into a light sleep.

The carriage fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of the air conditioning system running.

Xu Xing put down the tablet, rubbed his temples, and turned his head to look at Jiang Zhuochen's unguarded sleeping face. The other's breathing was shallow and even, and his long eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes like butterfly wings. The liveliness and passion he had when he was awake had faded, and now he had a different kind of docile appearance that made people's hearts soften.

He watched quietly for a while, never before feeling so tired from the daily grind. Now, only one thought remained in his mind: to openly and honestly hold the person in his arms.

He slowly raised his hand and gently turned the other person's head so that it could rest comfortably on his shoulder.

Jiang Zhuochen unconsciously rubbed against each other in his sleep, automatically searching for a more comfortable position.

Xu Xing adjusted his sitting posture to make himself more stable and comfortable, and then gestured to the driver in the front seat, indicating that he should turn the air conditioning up a little.

After finishing all this, he picked up his tablet again to continue dealing with the endless stream of work emails. However, his fingers unconsciously slowed down and became much lighter when tapping the screen and swiping the page.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the dark car windows, casting a warm and tranquil golden filter over the interior. As the car drove smoothly back to the company, Jiang Zhuochen slept deeper and deeper in the undisturbed space bathed in the almost overflowing warmth.

When Jiang Zhuochen woke up, it was already dark. In his drowsy state, he smelled a faint scent of cedar. Before he even opened his eyes, he gave the person next to him a big hug. He whimpered a couple of times before slowly opening his eyes, and was so startled that he pressed his back against the car window.

Xu Xing felt happy being hugged by him and teased him with a smile: "What's that expression? Did you sleep too much?"

"Ah..." Jiang Zhuochen was speechless. "I fell asleep? I slept until now?"

"Um."

"Then why didn't you wake me up?" Jiang Zhuochen rolled down the car window. The streetlights on both sides of the road were already on, illuminating the bustling crowd below. "Why did you stop at the gate?"

"I just came to pick up a document and went home. There was no need to go to the parking lot." The warmth in his arms was dissipated by the cold air. Xu Xing felt a pang of regret, but calmly explained to him, "I'm not in a hurry, so I didn't call you."

After all, he had wasted so much time, so Jiang Zhuochen thought for a moment and said, "Shall I go upstairs with you to get it?"

“Okay.” Xu Xing readily agreed.

After returning home, Jiang Zhuochen ate a few bites of dinner and then planned to go upstairs. Perhaps because his spiritual energy hadn't fully recovered, he just wanted to sleep whenever he had some free time.

Xu Xing disagreed with his approach and insisted on keeping him for half an hour before letting him go back to rest.

He was unhappy and refused to go out with Xu Xing the next day no matter what. When he was pulled out of the quilt, Jiang Zhuochen angrily opened his mouth to bite him, but the other party did not move and let him bite. Finally, the familiar taste lingered on the tip of his nose and extinguished his anger.

He lifted his head from the other person's embrace; the person's face showed a patient and indulgent expression. Completely bewildered, he had been packed into a thief's car and was now living a similar life of utter useless misery as the day before.

On the third day, when Jiang Zhuochen finally decided not to go out, he was picked up from the bed again. He clicked his tongue and was about to unleash his fury when Xu Xing rubbed the back of his head.

"Get up, aren't you going to the art exhibition?"

He blinked twice, the anger that had been rising in his head quickly dissipating from his feet, and replied dryly, "Oh, okay..."

Xu Xing was amused by the other person's blank expression. "It's okay if you don't want to go. If you're sleepy, you can go back to sleep."

"Look!" Jiang Zhuochen jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom in a few steps. "Why not look at the tickets I won through my own merit?"

After dawdling for a while, it was finally time to leave. Xu Xing stood in the entryway and handed over the unfinished sweet milk that he had left on the table. After the other person reached out and took it, he opened the door and let him out.

Jiang Zhuochen took a sip of milk, then frowned and looked at Xu Xing.

Xu Xing thought the milk wasn't to his liking. "What's wrong? Doesn't the milk taste good?"

“No. You…” Jiang Zhuochen looked Xu Xing up and down, then hesitated before speaking, “Something’s off…”

Something's been off ever since he returned from the banquet. Jiang Zhuochen thought about it a little deeper, but then something still seemed off; it seemed like this person had been acting strangely ever since the illusion.

Could it be that the magic of the illusion still has some residue?

"Wait a minute." Jiang Zhuochen quickly rummaged through his bag, intending to find some medicine to cure illusions. "I don't have much spiritual power right now, so I can't detect the problem within your body..."

Xu Xing noticed the two small jade bottles between his fingers, and his expression softened slightly. His heart felt like it had been overturned, a bitter taste filling the air, and he almost laughed helplessly.

He sighed, took the other person's hand, and pushed the things back. "I'm fine."

After saying that, she lowered her head and gently stroked the back of his hand. "Let's go, don't waste any more time."

Jiang Zhuochen hesitated, then realized he might have said something wrong, so he shut his mouth and let the other person lead him.

On the way to the art exhibition, Jiang Zhuochen kept glancing at Xu Xing's reaction. Xu Xing noticed this and tapped his fingertips on the steering wheel.

He wasn't angry to begin with, so there was even less chance he could get angry now. The slight annoyance at being misunderstood flashed through his mind, but then he thought that he could use this opportunity to gain some benefits for himself.

The art exhibition entrance came into view as it drew closer. Xu Xing was about to say something, but as he got closer, his heartbeat inexplicably quickened, much like the previous times he had sensed a soul. However, this heartbeat was prolonged and within a tolerable range, unlike the feeling of his heart about to leap out of his chest he had experienced before.

Xu Xing was unsure; the pounding of his heart was irritating him, as if it were reminding him of something. A faint smile appeared on his lips, but it vanished after he got out of the car.

A note from the author:

Xu Xing: I was just about to chase after him when my crush's white moonlight popped up again. What should I do? Why is this person still not quiet even after he's dead?