Chapter 62 Openly, they secretly kissed behind the camera's back...
"..." Yan Quan pressed the message button and opened his lips, his elbows rubbing against the blanket.
The clear, slightly hoarse voice rolled across the ceiling in the cool autumn night, traveling from one end of the phone to the other via a buzzing electromagnetic current.
Goodnight, puppy.
Yan Ceyan listened intently to those four simple words, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily. He murmured them into the silent night:
"Okay, goodnight."
My sweet orange.
You two are really... sweeter with each episode.
Oh dear, what a couple chatting on the phone!
Am I the only one who thinks their "goodnight" was a bit suggestive...?
[Add one, I'm increasingly getting the hang of Shuangyan's stuff now—the lingering, unresolved feeling of being entangled with an ex.]
"Watching this makes my lividity fade; love is definitely more interesting when you watch others experience it."
*
As the morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, Yan Quan's phone vibrated for the third time. He squinted as he unlocked the screen, and messages from Shan Haotian began to pop up one after another:
10:00 AM
"Remember to wear sportswear."
"I'll act as your personal trainer."
Yan Quan hovered his finger over the screen for a moment before finally replying with a simple "OK".
To make things clear, Shan Haotian clearly needs a formal farewell. This would be better for everyone.
The climbing gym was empty and quiet. Shan Haotian was warming up, his back muscles stretched like a bow under his tight-fitting workout clothes. When he saw Yan Quan walk in, his eyes lit up, and he jogged over to hand him a sports drink.
"Great, you're here." He smiled brightly, as if the conversation from last night had never happened. "Let's warm up first. I specifically chose a beginner-level route."
Yan Quan took the drink, her fingertips icy cold. She watched Shan Haotian busily adjusting her protective gear, a hint of helplessness in her voice.
"Shan Haotian, you actually knew all along—"
"Let's climb first!" Shan Haotian hurriedly interrupted Yan Quan, his voice deliberately sounding lighthearted. "We can talk about it after we reach the top."
The rock face was fifteen meters high, with orange-yellow anchor points winding upwards. Yan Quan fastened his safety rope, and his fingertips had just touched the first anchor point when he heard Shan Haotian say beside him, "You know what? I used to think that dating and rock climbing were a lot like that."
He moved nimbly upwards, his voice rising and falling with his movements: "To determine the best route, to find the right point of leverage, and most importantly—"
With a graceful lateral movement, Shan Haotian landed steadily on a very narrow fulcrum: "Give it your all, don't give up easily."
Yan Quan gave up on continuing upwards, stopped with his feet on the fulcrum, and quietly watched Shan Haotian's figure.
"Do you know why I showed such great interest in you at the beginning?" Yan Quan suddenly asked.
"Because..." Shan Haotian was initially very confident, but as the recording of the show progressed, he became more and more uneasy about this answer: "Because you initially had a little bit of a crush on me."
"It's not a liking."
Yan Quan's voice came softly from behind Shan Haotian, his tone very certain: "It's a sense of déjà vu."
Dan Haotian paused for a moment, then continued upwards: "What is... déjà vu?"
“Shan Haotian, sometimes I feel like you’re a lot like someone.” Yan Quan took a deep breath: “You know who I’m talking about.”
“Giving it your all is certainly useful…” Yan Quan climbed up to the platform next to him in one go, “but what if the thing you’re trying to do was wrong from the very beginning?”
Dan Haotian turned to look at Yan Quan: "So, the first reason you noticed me was because I resemble Yan Ceyan..."
"right."
Yan Quan stared at the somewhat broken expression on Shan Haotian's face and said somewhat hesitantly, "I apologize for this."
The two were suspended ten meters in the air, their safety rope swaying gently. Shan Haotian's breathing was visibly erratic, and it was impossible to tell whether the sweat on his forehead was from sweat or morning dew.
“Yan Quan, I don’t think you need to apologize.” Shan Haotian stared at the rock wall for a long time before saying, “There are always many reasons why someone pays attention to another person. Even if… that reason comes from some kind of quality of the other person.”
"This..." Shan Haotian said with a relaxed smile, "There's nothing hard to accept."
“Besides—” Shan Haotian grabbed a narrow, flat protrusion above him and took a big step up: “Since I resemble Yan Ceyan, why choose him instead of me?”
"Huff..." Yan Quan rarely attempted sports that required upper body strength, especially given his previous leg injury. As he continued climbing, his breathing became slightly heavier.
The paramedics below called out from afar, asking if he needed help, but Yan Quan waved his hand. The wind ruffled the stray hairs at his temples, revealing his smooth forehead.
"Shan Haotian, why are you so persistent..." Yan Quan asked softly again, "Is it just because I'm good-looking?"
“That was true before.” Shan Haotian realized that Yan Quan had fallen behind, so he stopped and waited. “But later I found that being with you made me feel more and more comfortable…”
The upscale restaurant on the top floor of the financial center offers views of the city lights through its floor-to-ceiling windows.
The dark blue suit accentuated his exceptionally straight shoulders, and the cufflinks gleamed coldly in the candlelight. Murong Yuan looked directly into Yan Quan's eyes:
"Yan Quan, you are strong, intelligent, decisive, and unyielding..."
Murong Yuan took a deep breath. "Yan Quan, I've always believed that relationships, like business, require rational consideration, analysis of pros and cons, and the pursuit of maximizing profits..."
“I admit that when I first learned of your identity, I was more concerned about the benefits the Yan family would bring me.”
“But after you burned the coat you wore when we were alone, I became more and more uncertain…” Murong Yuan paused for a moment, “especially during the Yan family crisis, you could have dragged me down with you. But you didn’t, you saved me instead.”
"It's fair to say that the company's current profit increase is largely due to your efforts."
"So I think that my current admiration for you is only partly due to 'self-interest.' The vast majority of it comes from your personal charm."
"These personality traits of mine..."
The silver knife made a soft scratching sound on the plate, and the safety rope made a slight scraping sound as it descended.
After hearing these answers, Yan Quan, who was facing him, chuckled softly: "That's why it can only be Yan Ceyan."
"You like Yan Quan, who is 24 years old now."
A more gentle, reserved, and worldly-wise Yan Quan.
"If you knew me when I was seventeen or eighteen, you would never have made such a comment."
"At seventeen or eighteen, Yan Quan was arrogant, proud, and covered in sharp thorns. His greatest skill was stabbing those who liked him until they bled profusely..."
In his unrestrained and absurd hedonistic youth, Yan Quan played tricks on and hurt so many people, but Yan Ceyan was the one who was hurt the most.
He is the rarest "fool" in the world.
Only a "fool" like this would, after enduring countless wounds, still be able to cross the thorns to embrace Yan Quan, and after being pushed away time and time again, still catch Yan Quan without hesitation.
That "fool" taught Yan Quan how to "love" someone.
Only then can we bring the mature and romantic Yan Quan we see now to you.
On the high climbing platform, Yan Quan let go without warning, his body arching backward as he plummeted straight down. He heard the whooshing sound of air beside his ears, as if someone was calling him to "go back."
"Yan Quan!" Shan Haotian was almost at the top when he grabbed a small foothold and turned around to exclaim in surprise.
“I think I’ve made myself perfectly clear.” Yan Quan’s feet sank into the mat, making a slight scraping sound.
"I'm sorry, I can't accept your feelings."
"I already have someone I like in my heart." Yan Quan was slightly out of breath, the safety rope tightly wrapped around her chest, clearly transmitting her increasingly urgent heartbeat:
"Moreover, I now know very clearly how firm I am in my decision."
Scented candles flickered in the air. Ignoring the surprised looks from the waiters clearing the dishes, Yan Quan hurriedly stood up to bid farewell to Murong Yuan.
"Let's end today's private meeting here. I want to go back now."
As the elevator descended, Yan Quan saw through the huge glass exterior wall the city lights cascading down like stars, converging into a cluster of human warmth.
Yan Quan suddenly felt a strong urge to see Yan Ceyan.
Just like many years ago, on the cold, windswept streets of California, there were many international phone calls that never got through.
Yan Quan began to run with long strides, merging into the crowded flow of people—his direction was clear and definite, his eyes always forward, without looking back.
If I were going to see you, I would definitely run.
Watching Yan Quan run around on the street is like watching a romantic movie; it's pleasing to the eye and romantic (starry-eyed)
[Sending out two rejection cards in one day, and saying in front of people that you have someone you like—Yan Quan, you're something else!]
Let's play a comforting song, "Elimination," for these two losers (fireworks).
[A swift and decisive move; Yan Haiwang rejects his backup options without any hesitation (thumbs up)]
[His attitude is so serious, how can he still call her a "sea king" (annoyed)? This is clearly pure love!]
[Aww, our duo is so adorable!]
I've always believed in reconciliation from the very beginning; I was right to have such insight (proudly)!
*
The night was deep, and the fine rain had turned into a light drizzle. Yan Quan's hair and shoulders were covered with a damp chill.
After unlocking the door electronically, only a few warm yellow wall lamps remained in the living room, dispelling the gloomy darkness and making the atmosphere more tranquil and private.
Yan Ceyan sat on the single sofa closest to the door in the living room, a book of illustrations of cutting-edge military weapons spread out on his lap. But it was clearly just for show, because Yan Ceyan's gaze was not on the book, but fixed straight ahead, lost in thought and focused.
It looked like they were spacing out, or perhaps... they had been waiting for a long time.
Wearing simple gray loungewear, the soft fabric softened Yan Ceyan's usually sharp demeanor. Warm light outlined his clear profile and slightly drooping eyelashes.
Hearing the noise, Yan Ceyan looked up and saw that it was Yan Quan. His gaze seemed to carry a real warmth.
[Sobbing, I love my ex-husband too, I'm still waiting for someone.]
I have every reason to suspect that Yan wasn't reading the book at all before...
[His eyes lit up the moment he saw Yan Quan.]
I hallucinate some loyal dogs waiting for their owners to come home.
"You're back?" Yan Ceyan's voice sounded particularly deep in the quiet night, with a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness.
"Hmm." Yan Quan's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously smoothed her slightly damp hair. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Not sleepy." Yan Ceyan closed the book and placed it on the shelf next to the living room. His movements were unhurried, but his gaze never left Yan Quan.
He stood up and walked towards Yan Quan. "Did you get caught in the rain?"
Yan Ceyan's gaze fell on Yan Quan's damp hair and slightly soggy shoulders, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
"It's okay, it's just a little bit."
"I took the subway back. It's just a few steps from where I got off to the door," Yan Quan said, her eyelashes fluttering as she tried to sound casual.
Yan Ceyan drew closer and closer, so close that Yan Quan could smell the intense scent of datura flowers emanating from him, which mingled with the woody aromatherapy in the room, creating a kind of aggressive yet gentle fragrance that enveloped Yan Quan like a cage.
Yan Ceyan didn't say anything, but turned around and walked to the shelf next to him, taking out a clean and soft white towel from the drawer.
Then Yan Ceyan walked back, very naturally, even with a hint of undeniable authority, raised his hand and gently placed the towel on Yan Quan's head.
Yan Quan froze, and Yan Ceyan grabbed Yan Quan's shoulder with his other hand, his palm tightening slightly inward to stabilize Yan Quan's body.
"Don't move." Yan Ceyan's voice was close at hand, his breath brushing against Yan Quan's forehead.
"You're more likely to catch a cold if you don't dry your hair."
Yan Ceyan gently wiped her hair with a towel, his movements light and tender, conveying a sense of tenderness.
My fingertips would occasionally brush against Yan Quan's earlobe and neck unintentionally. Like a dragonfly's wing, each touch would quickly disappear after a fleeting moment.
Yan Quan lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the soft texture of Yan Ceyan's loungewear, his chest rising and falling slightly with his movements, and his shallow breathing.
Yan Quan could feel the back of his neck burning; a silent tension filled the air, tugging at their nerves.
No, you two have been getting more and more ambiguous lately.
[I was drying my wet hair, and it felt like the towel was practically shooting out sparks...]
This isn't just ambiguous; it has the unspoken understanding of a young couple in the throes of new love.
"Could they really have been secretly talking behind our backs?"
Whether they talked about it or not, I'm totally hooked!
Yan Ceyan slowed down his wiping motion with the towel as if in a slow-motion scene from a movie.
Then the edge of the towel slipped down, revealing her flushed cheeks and moist eyes.
Yan Ceyan looked at Yan Quan quietly, his gaze deep and unwavering, as if it were filled with ink. Complex emotions swirled within him—concern, relief, and restraint.
"Are you happy today?" Yan Ceyan suddenly asked.
"..." Yan Quan murmured, her answer seemingly unrelated to the question: "I had a good time with you yesterday."
Yan Ceyan looked away and chuckled lightly.
Her fingertips lingered on Yan Quan's hair, remaining still as she gently twirled a slightly damp strand. The air between them grew thin and scorching.
“My hair used to be longer than it is now,” Yan Ceyan suddenly said.
"Because it's hotter in Federation A than here. And they don't have air conditioning... If you have long hair, it will get soaked with sweat very quickly."
"Later I simply cut it short. To this position." Yan Quan roughly indicated the position of her forehead and the back of her head with her hand.
"But I've been so busy since I got back to China that I haven't had time to get a haircut. So it's grown back to what it is now."
Yan Quan rambled on and on about a lot of things.
About the Commonwealth of A, about California where I was unfamiliar with the place, about the foreign language pronunciation that was always skipping and connecting sounds...
It's about the many years they "missed out" on each other.
Yan Ceyan listened quietly with his eyes down, occasionally glancing intently at Yan Quan.
"It's almost late autumn." After Yan Quan finished speaking, Yan Ceyan ran his fingertips through Yan Quan's hair and down: "The temperature will get colder and colder, and it will be harder to sweat."
“So…” Yan Ceyan raised his hand and gently wiped away the tiny droplets of moisture clinging to Yan Quan’s eyelashes with his fingertips.
"Grow your hair a little longer."
Just like back then.
"..." Yan Quan looked up at Yan Ceyan and met his unfathomable eyes, in which his own image was clearly reflected.
Yan Quan guessed that Yan Ceyan probably preferred his appearance with long hair—a puppy's special XP.
"Okay." Yan Quan heard himself say this.
As soon as Yan Quan finished speaking, Yan Ceyan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his breathing seemed to become a little heavier.
Yan Ceyan glanced away and looked at the camera with the red dot lit up in the living room.
Yan Ceyan closed his eyes with restraint, and when he opened them again, the deep color in his eyes was forcefully suppressed.
"Alright, that's almost done." Yan Ceyan's voice was even hoarser than before. He stared at Yan Quan: "Get some rest."
After saying that, Yan Ceyan withdrew his hand, clenched the towel in his hand, and seemed to be preparing to turn around and leave.
Just as Yan Ceyan turned around, Yan Quan suddenly reached out and grabbed the cuff of his pajamas without saying a word.
Yan Ceyan paused, his back frozen in place.
Without the slightest hesitation, Yan Quan gripped her wrist tightly with his other hand, the force quite strong, yet carrying an unmistakable urgency.
[Look closely, it was Yan Quan who struck first!]
"Wait, Yan Quan, where are you taking this person?"
Damn, is this finally going to escalate into a full-blown conflict?
I was so excited that my eyes widened immediately.
Yan Quan pulled Yan Ceyan along, and in a few steps they reached the shadowy area below the spiral staircase—from this angle, the camera could only capture their backs.
The faint moonlight filtering through the window and the dim, ambiguous light reflected from the wall lamp in the distance.
Yan Quan faced Yan Ceyan, his back to the staircase steps. Yan Quan stepped back up the steps, and Yan Ceyan bent his knees and took a step forward.
Inertia made them stagger, like an awkward dance.
Later, Yan Quan stopped. Yan Ceyan, however, continued to move forward. The space gradually became cramped, and their breaths could be clearly heard, mingling together, rapid and hot.
Yan Ceyan wrapped one arm around Yan Quan's back, trapping him within his small space. He looked down at Yan Quan, his burning gaze tracing every inch of Yan Quan's face—
First, there were the sharp, delicate eyebrows and eyes, the clear, bright pupils, then the straight nose, the thin lips, and the small cupid's bow...
Yan Ceyan's gaze was focused intently on the imitation, as if he wanted to sculpt Yan Quan's appearance into a statue.
The "statue" is not content with simply being "admired"; on the contrary, the "statue" is somewhat impatient—
Yan Quan grabbed Yan Ceyan's collar tightly, forcing Yan Ceyan to lower his head slightly.
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