rehearse

Footsteps and the sound of cardboard boxes being dragged came from the living room. Fang Chengyin suddenly felt that the words in front of him were like countless ants running around, and he wished he could stomp them all to death.

Jiang Zhi did it on purpose. He couldn't possibly drag those heavy cardboard boxes all the way back, making the whole house look like it was having an earthquake!

He took a deep breath to calm himself down, picked up his pen, and sat down on the windowsill. He had just settled down when there was a knock on the door. Fang Chengyin ignored it, but the knocking became louder. He strode over and opened the door. "What is it?"

His face was practically screaming, "You're fucking asking for it!"

Jiang Zhi said calmly, "Don't sleep too long during the day, or you'll have insomnia at night. Come out and have some fruit, it's freshly picked."

Fang Chengyin was stunned for a long time before following him blankly. In fact, he was not resistant to other people's concern for him in inconspicuous areas.

Although the biological clock for a midday nap is indeed 20 minutes, sometimes I sleep too soundly on weekends and two or three hours have already passed. When I wake up, I feel listless, not to mention I can't fall asleep at night.

"Kiwifruit, you're not allergic, are you?" Jiang Zhi took a fuzzy brown fruit from a cardboard box on the glass table.

Fang Chengyin was a little stunned. "I've never eaten it before."

Is this edible? How do you eat it?

Jiang Zhi understood, peeled open the already soft kiwi, revealing the grassy green flesh, and said, "Take a bite." He thoughtfully offered it to Fang Chengyin's lips.

"Oh... thank you." Fang Chengyin took it and took a bite; it was quite sweet.

Jiang Zhi wanted to continue eating, but he took it back, saying, "If you eat it later, it might cause an allergic reaction."

Fang Chengyin said "Oh" again, glancing at the half-closed cardboard box. "Is it full of kiwis?"

“No.” Jiang Zhi pushed the cardboard box in front of him. “Take whatever you want to eat. This year’s are all pretty sweet.”

Fang Chengyin put down the script in his hand and opened the cardboard box. Inside were eight other boxes of fruit, including bunches of grapes, apples, tangerines, kumquats, and dates.

Jiang Zhi brought over a small freezer and squatted down to tidy it up. "We picked too many. We'll be responsible for finishing this box over the next week."

The fruit looks great; it should fetch a high price if sold. Judging from Jiang Zhi's usual tired appearance, he probably makes a living this way. Fang Chengyin didn't want to take advantage of him for free, so he said, "I'll buy it from you."

Jiang Zhi paused for a moment, then looked up at Fang Chengyin, making him feel guilty. "These are the compensation coupons I promised you last time."

He was unhappy, so Fang Chengyin shut up.

Nobody likes this. Sharing with good intentions is misunderstood as being opportunistic. But... isn't Jiang Zhi someone who is opportunistic?

The guilt that Fang Cheng felt vanished instantly.

Put some fruit in a fruit bowl, and put the rest in the freezer on a shelf next to it. "Put them here, and eat more than two every day from now on."

"Oh..." Fang Chengyin focused on the kiwi in front of him, but he couldn't peel it open no matter what he did.

Jiang Zhi sat down next to him and handed him another one, saying, "The one that's hard isn't cooked."

"……Thanks."

Jiang Zhi seemed somewhat dissatisfied with his "thank you," but since it was a matter of politeness, he couldn't really find fault with it. He looked at the table and asked, "The script you're going to perform?"

"Uh-huh."

Jiang Zhi turned his head: "Can I take a look?"

Fang Chengyin had just taken a big bite of kiwi, his mouth covered in green juice, when he shook his head and said, "No."

Jiang Zhi took out a tissue and wiped it off for him. "I won't reveal the contents, or is it some kind of shady plot?"

Fang Chengyin looked at him coldly, clearly not wanting him to know.

Jiang Zhi, however, was not going to back down. "Although it's good to perform in front of the mirror by yourself, you know that the other actors have received professional training, right?" His words implied that he was worried about dragging others down.

This was indeed a problem that Fang Chengyin had been worried about. Although those extras had it tough before, if they encountered a production crew that wanted to cut corners, they could at least show off their skills with other college student extras, charging and fighting with passion, and even the director couldn't stop them.

However, if you encounter a famous production team like "The Unruly" that pays attention to small details, or if you suddenly take over someone else's role, the pressure will increase, for fear that you might be criticized by the audience if you are not careful, which would force the entire production team to stop filming.

Acting out indecent scenes is not easy. Even if you imagine the struggle and resistance during practice, it's still a static scene. When you're actually on set, you not only have to pay attention to the other person's strength, but also to your mental state...

"Are you really not going to consider me as your free sparring partner?" Jiang Zhi wiped his mouth again, but this time he was turned away.

Fang Cheng laughed, "You should take a look at the script before considering your current enthusiasm." Don't let yourself be dampened.

Even if it's just acting, Jiang Zhi wouldn't want to be pinned down.

When acting out scenes, he naturally wouldn't actually play the one being pinned down; he would pin down the other person and observe their expressions to figure out the character's proper state.

Jiang Zhi chuckled softly and opened the script.

Fang Chengyin continued eating the kiwi, and I noticed that the smile on his lips disappeared, but his expression relaxed again halfway through.

After watching it for a short while, Jiang Zhi turned his head and smiled, "Luckily, you're the main character."

"Hmm?" Fang Chengyin finished the kiwi in his hand, looking satisfied.

When he was a part-time extra, he never agonized over what role he played, since he was always an extra anyway. Now that he's being forced to act, it doesn't seem to make any difference.

Seeing Fang Chengyin's nonchalant expression, Jiang Zhi's face darkened. "Fang Chengyin, didn't you ever consider that even the protagonist might be taken advantage of?"

Taking advantage? Really? Isn't it all just acting?

Jiang Zhi was so angry that he teased, "You're so adorably naive."

Fang Chengyin didn't like hearing these words; they sounded like he was lecturing a little kid, "It's your evil thoughts that's causing this."

"In short, you're not allowed to take on any roles in the future. If you do, the interest on the compensation will be reversed."

The document does indeed contain a clause stating that "Party A has the right to charge interest based on Party B's performance." At the time, the signatory Cheng Yin thought that debts were always accompanied by interest, and that he had just gotten lucky and didn't pay much attention to it. However, things are different now, and he wants to repay the loan quickly without interest if possible.

Fang Chengyin scoffed coldly: "You're quite nosy."

"There's no harm in doing it, so why not? That's why you need me to spar with you, right?"

"Oh," Fang Chengyin said casually.

According to the script, the protagonist will kidnap a high school student who is returning home late and drag him to an abandoned factory, where they will meet face to face.

The high school student cried and struggled throughout the entire incident.

Fang Chengyin glanced at the high school student's lines, then at Jiang Zhi, who inexplicably looked righteous and unyielding, and said, "I don't think I need you to spar with me."

"Who taught you this kind of prejudiced personality?"

Fang Chengyin was speechless.

"Let's begin with the first part." The protagonist needs to kidnap the boy.

The two chose the room corridor to simulate an alley. Jiang Zhi leaned against the wall and waited for the "protagonist" at the end to walk over. He was quite serious about it. He was startled when he was suddenly grabbed around the waist and dragged away.

Fang Chengyin acted swiftly and decisively throughout, without any hesitation, but...

"Can't you cooperate a little?"

As they approached the corridor, Fang Chengyin was unable to drag the person no matter what he did.

After recovering from the shock, Jiang Zhi came up with his own strategy. At this moment, he firmly gripped the edge of the wall with his right hand, his eyelids drooping as he looked at the person struggling to drag him in front of him. Although his hair covered most of his face, the redness at the corners of his eyes was very noticeable.

Fang Chengyin is always like this; the angrier he gets, the redder his eyes become.

A gentle ripple appeared in Jiang Zhi's eyes, ignoring his roar. "The actor you're acting with tomorrow might be stronger than you."

Fang Chengyin stopped dragging him along, as if he had stopped to rest, or as if he wanted to hear Jiang Zhi's explanation.

"If he's the kind of part-time worker who's averse to men and loves to have fun, he won't let you take advantage of him easily. Even if he wants to finish quickly, get paid, and leave, his instinct to resist won't let you do whatever you want. Or he might cooperate with you, but do you know how someone who's attracted to the same sex will treat a man who tries to take advantage of them?"

The concluding words carried an inexplicable sadness. Fang Chengyin sensed something was amiss, abruptly releasing the hand around his waist and straightening up. His nose brushed against Jiang Zhi's lips, their eyes met, and he discovered that Jiang Zhi's eyes were indeed empty and deep. He quickly looked away.

Her hand, which had loosened its grip on the wall, loosely grasped his waist. Jiang Zhi said, "You're so good-looking, how can you be sure he won't fall in love with you at first sight?"

Fang Chengyin frowned. How could this person bring up homosexuality in everything?

Is this a case of being gay to the core?

"That's none of your business."

She pushed him away, but her outstretched hand was grabbed, and she was pulled towards the dining table, her back to her chest. "Sweetie, are you home so late?"

Fang Chengyin froze. These were the protagonist's lines. He seemed to know what Jiang Zhi was going to do, and fear surged into his mind.

He turned his head and gritted his teeth, "Let go! This practice ends here!"

Jiang Zhi leaned over and grabbed his chin, continuing with his next line, "Has no one ever told you that boys need to protect themselves too?"

"Jiang Zhi! I told you to let go!"

Jiang Zhi grabbed his hands and ripped off his coat.

Fang Chengyin's pupils dilated. "You fucking let me go!"

"I like you just the way you are."

The protagonist took a deep sniff of the high school student's neck.

Jiang Zhi didn't immediately separate them, but instead held Fang Chengyin tightly and said in a softer voice than usual, "Chengyin, keep your distance from that extra tomorrow."

Fang Chengyin was stunned. How could he suddenly...?

Before he could even think it through, his face was flipped over and his back landed on the dining table. This was the second time the protagonist had dealt with a high school student, enjoying the thrill of his prey's struggle face-to-face.

Fang Chengyin struggled a few times to no avail. "Is it fun?"

Jiang Zhi's soft voice just now replaced his fear that he would actually confront him.

Jiang Zhi looked down at him and said, "Not bad."

"open!"

Jiang Zhi suppressed his emotions, his eyes filled with unfathomable feelings, "Have you learned everything I just taught you?"

Fang Chengyin didn't know what he was thinking. The close proximity made him uncomfortable. The scene of being forcibly kissed that day was still vivid in his mind. He struggled violently.

Jiang Zhi did not go any further, but instead held him firmly in place. Even though the other man's wrists were already marked with red welts, his eyes were still carefully observing the angry, delicate face, watching the lustful red gradually creep into the corners of his eyes.

Struggling and yelling to no avail, Fang Chengyin stopped, his chest heaving violently. Jiang Zhi smiled indulgently, then leaned down on him as if all his strength had left him, his hand stroking his soft hair as if in a relaxed embrace.

Fang Chengyin felt as if he were being crushed by a thousand pounds, and he couldn't push them away.

Jiang Zhi whispered in his ear, "The strength we're using is extraordinary. The extras might be startled tomorrow, so remember to apologize."

Fang Chengyin was still catching his breath, staring at the chandelier swaying in the wind. "Yes, anyone acting in this kind of play should apologize to the other person."

They hugged quietly for a minute before Jiang Zhi got up and moved aside. Fang Chengyin jumped off the table, unable to bear looking at it any longer.

Jiang Zhi, with his keen insight, said, "I already bought a wider one online the day before yesterday, it should arrive soon."

"Oh." Anyway, I don't want my knees to bump into each other every time I eat.

"Now come to the kitchen and help me out."

We'll be eating at the same table again.

Fang Chengyin wasn't used to being fed. He had felt very uncomfortable being fed by Jiang Zhi before, so he figured he was doing his part by helping out. So he rubbed his wrists as he walked toward the kitchen.

Jiang Zhi noticed the wrist that had been gripped red and quickly pulled the person back, saying, "Apply the medicine first."

Fang Chengyin followed his gaze and looked at his wrist with suspicion. His bright eyes froze for a moment. Was this strength even human?

Sitting on the sofa watching the man with a dark expression apply medicine to his wound, Fang Chengyin scoffed, "If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?"

Jiang Zhi looked up. "Fang Chengyin, didn't you understand what I just said? Sometimes people are not in control of themselves."

Why is he angry? He's the one who got hurt...

Fang Chengyin: "You're really something else. No matter what you do, you can always find a reason to convince yourself."

Jiang Zhi finished bandaging his wrist, gently holding it and rubbing his fingertips against it. "You're really hostile towards me, but what can I do? You'll still have to live under the same roof as me in the end."

Fang Chengyin shook off his hand and bit his back teeth.

Jiang Zhi didn't take it seriously. "Sit here and rest. I'll go cook."

Fang Chengyin ignored him and just looked out the window.

Summer is so changeable. Just a moment ago the sky was clear and blue, but now a light drizzle is falling, and the world is shrouded in mist.

With a click, Jiang Zhi turned on the living room light and went into the kitchen.

Fang Chengyin closed his eyes and reviewed his lines. Meanwhile, the newly purchased dining table arrived. An hour later, Jiang Zhi brought out the food and placed it on the table. He then sat down next to Fang Chengyin and turned on the entertainment news channel on the TV.

Breaking News: Family member of the victim in the Flower kindergarten teacher death case committed suicide by jumping off a building.

Fang Chengyin suddenly opened his eyes.

"...The deceased had been protesting for a week before his death, and his attire had sparked heated discussions..."

"The family members chose to commit suicide to prove their innocence..."

...All sorts of voices suddenly sided with the woman on the day she died.

Do you think she's faking it?

Jiang Lie turned to look at Fang Chengyin, who was staring intently at the television. He wasn't expecting any answer from anyone; it was as if he was asking himself a question, or perhaps blaming himself...

“This is nothing more than a stain left behind when a person walks down another moral path,” Jiang Zhi replied calmly.

Fang Chengyin turned his head, his gaze suddenly sharpening, and forcefully pressed Jiang Zhi onto the sofa. Jiang Zhi firmly gripped his waist, staring intently at the man before him, whose aura was filled with hostility—

Fang Chengyin is bearing something all by himself.

Before he could even speak, Fang Chengyin leaned in, a sly look on his face, "Baby, are you getting home so late?"

He was going through the script.

If he were to wear makeup, Fang Chengyin would indeed be a complete sleazy man, and his acting skills are quite commendable.

Jiang Zhi provocatively said, "Fang Chengyin, is it your turn to go crazy now?"

Fang Chengyin then tugged at his hair, saying, "I just love how innocent you are."

Fang Chengyin looked sad, but also funny. Jiang Zhi grabbed his collar and pulled him down, their bodies pressed tightly together. "You're welcome anytime."

Fang Chengyin snapped out of his daze, trying to get up to avoid the breath hitting his nose, but was held tightly: "Trying to run away after you've gone crazy?"

Fang Chengyin elbowed him across the neck to create distance, and said sincerely, "It was my impulsiveness, I apologize."

"So you can use acting to cover up your true thoughts."

Fang Chengyin turned his face away, "This has nothing to do with you. I apologize for what I did wrong. Whether you accept it or not is irrelevant to me, because the damage has already been done. But I think it's better for you to accept it, since we live under the same roof." He returned the same words to Fang Chengyin.

Jiang Zhi laughed, "You seem to have misunderstood something. I don't feel affected at all, nor do I think you need to apologize. On the contrary, I'm quite happy that you're taking the initiative to get close to me."

She pulled her hand away from his elbow, their breaths mingling again, and Fang Chengyin struggled frantically.

"Fang Chengyin, do you think it's possible to forcibly kiss someone during a lewd act?"

"What...uh..."

Jiang Zhi flipped him over and pinned him down, kissing him passionately. Unlike the previous caresses, this time the kiss was direct and intense, making the person's head spin. He bit into the soft flesh of the person's mouth as they tried to push him away, then licked the soft flesh of the upper palate, causing the person beneath him to tremble slightly.

"Ugh... let go..."

"You fucking..."

Jiang Zhi, with his eyes closed, demanded it like a madman, ignoring the struggles and disgust.

They kissed for a long time before pulling away from each other, their teeth grinding fiercely against the soft lips, but ultimately controlling their strength so as not to bite through.

Fang Chengyin glared at him with hatred, his eyes reddening and suggestive, his chest heaving violently from the struggle.

Jiang Zhi looked at him and continued, "Yes, some people will get too caught up in the drama and lose control of their emotions. Fang Chengyin, that's why I'm glad you're the lead actor and not that high school student."

"Get out!" Fang Chengyin's cold voice was full of disgust.

Jiang Zhi chuckled, putting one arm around the back of Fang Chengyin's head and the other around his waist, leaving Fang Chengyin with only his arms around his neck. It was a very intimate pose; anyone who didn't know better would think they were a couple passionately kissing.

Jiang Zhi nuzzled his nose. "You can move around as you like, but I can't guarantee how long I can hold on."

Fang Chengyin has been led astray by him. If Jiang Zhi really is that kind of person, then struggling will only add fuel to the fire.

"You beast!" Fang Chengyin grabbed his hair and gritted his teeth.

"How could I catch you if I didn't act like a beast?" Jiang Zhi was pulled up with his chin raised, but he inexplicably looked down at him with disdain. "Besides, Fang Chengyin, I want to do it again."

Fang Chengyin couldn't understand this kind of person. He should have kicked him away after being insulted like that, but this person was still satisfied and kept pushing his luck.

A strong wind began to blow outside the window, making Fang Chengyin's back feel even colder. He cupped half of the man's face in his left hand and tried to push him away. "What do you mean?"

Jiang Zhi remained unmoved, licked the tip of his nose, and watched it turn red and moist. "Like last time, I'll kiss you until you're dizzy."

"Mmm..." Fang Chengyin was kissed before he could react, and the other person's strength was so great that the hand pulling his black hair trembled.

"Ugh...uh!!"

Jiang Zhi hugged the person tightly and kissed their lips, which were trembling slightly with fear, intimately entwining, teasing, and biting them.

The initial resistance became a catalyst; he relentlessly thrust his tongue deep into the throat, causing the person beneath him to whimper and gasp, forced to open their mouth and allow him to overwhelm them in this manner.

"Ahhh...!"

Jiang Zhi's breathing quickened at his low moan, and she tightened her grip on his waist before biting his lower lip and asking, "Fang Chengyin, are you feeling better?"

In an instant, tears welled up in Fang Chengyin's reddened eyes, as if the dam of suppressed emotions had burst open.

Jiang Zhi suddenly hugged him tightly, "This is not your fault."

The news report continued: "...the deceased was the victim's sister, who ran a beauty salon..."

"Bastard! Bastard! Bastard..."

Fang Chengyin kept pounding Jiang Zhi's back, repeating words that seemed to be cursing Jiang Zhi, but also to be cursing himself for indirectly causing someone's death. The ever-increasing sense of guilt was driving him to the brink of collapse.

He bit Jiang Zhi's right shoulder, biting hard.

Jiang Zhi stroked his hair and sighed, her voice gentle, "I didn't expect you to bite."

Fang Chengyin relented, but Jiang Zhi didn't give him time to process it. "Then let's continue." He pinched the back of Fang's head and kissed him again.

Fang Chengyin stopped struggling, and with the added resistance, he had some difficulty breathing. Only the news broadcast on TV could keep him awake. He ignored his own situation and quietly caught up on the news to prevent missing anything.

The person in his arms was like a stagnant pool. Jiang Zhi kissed his lips and reached under his clothes. Fang Chengyin grabbed his wrist in terror and roared, "I told you I'm not a gigolo!"

Jiang Zhi smiled with satisfaction, "How about we make a deal? I won't kiss you unconscious today, but you have to respond to me for thirty seconds, how about that?"

Before anyone could answer, he kissed him again, and Fang Chengyin tensed up. He knew Jiang Zhi wouldn't let it go easily; he meant what he said.

"...Reports indicate that the suspect is Song Zixin's husband, Fang Bokang! Song Zixin appeared on a program to clarify but failed to provide any concrete evidence!"

Fang Chengyin's pupils dilated, and at the same time, Jiang Zhi licked his palate and let out a muffled groan.

"Song Zixin, please provide a satisfactory response!"

They just drove someone to their death, and in order to get rid of their guilt and not appear foolish, they've set their sights on a new target, wanting someone else to take the blame for their mistakes. This new target is Song Zixin.

This is their usual tactic: choosing famous people who are related to the case to divert attention, which greatly reduces their sense of guilt.

Fang Chengyin clenched his fists and responded to the person on top of him as if venting his anger.

Jiang Zhi was startled, then sat up with his arm around the person, grabbing her slender waist and demanding it like a madman.

Fang Chengyin was not to be outdone and charged ahead to seize control, as if he were comparing this to a broken life and wanting to drive the plot forward himself.

They were like two wild beasts, baring their claws and fighting each other for control.

Beep beep beep—

The phone on the glass table vibrated. Fang Chengyin shoved Jiang Zhi away abruptly, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth, but he didn't care. The special message notification he had just set was from that anonymous person.

Jiang Zhi licked the corner of his mouth clean and then released him, glancing at the message pop-up on his phone:

"Fang Chengyin, what kind of death is the most painful?"

You should answer me now.