Emotional Skills
The elevator ascended. The desert city's night sky was a darker blue than the Lido's, perhaps the color of the distant sea and mountains. Jinnan leaned against the glass elevator, watching intently.
Xu Zhiyuan stood beside him, acting as a kind of guardian. He had learned firearms while studying in the United States, and had never missed Sanda classes over the years. After Jin Licheng appeared in Jinnan, he intended to train Xu Zhiyuan to be an assistant in various aspects.
Xu Zhiyuan did a great job, but not for Jin Licheng, but for Jin Nan.
If Jin Nan needed him, he would do anything he could, including keeping his hands clean and solving some of his problems. Xu Zhiyuan felt that this was despicable, but he would not stop.
Jinnan looked at the unclear sea in the distance and said to Xu Zhiyuan, "You didn't let me go just now."
The voice was too soft for Xu Zhiyuan to hear clearly. He leaned over and Jin Nan grabbed his earlobe and bit it gently.
"I held your hand, and you didn't let go."
Such a trivial matter was enough to make Jinnan happy for more than ten minutes. Xu Zhiyuan didn't quite understand that they were actually very close, although due to various changes, they were still one step away from success.
Logically speaking, Jinnan would not be greedy for such detailed and intimate contact.
But this was the third time, and Jin Nan told him clearly that he cared a lot.
Xu Zhiyuan had some concerns, but he wouldn't go against Jinnan's wishes. He reached out, hooked his index finger around Jinnan's pinky, and twisted the ring like a pearl.
If a relationship needed a physical token, Xu Zhiyuan had already provided it. The ring's meaning was that as long as Jinnan remained single, Xu Zhiyuan would be his lover.
It has nothing to do with myself or my preferences, it’s just for Jinnan’s happiness.
Most of the time, Xu Zhiyuan's dedication would be rewarded, with some coquettishness, some flattery, some unreasonable giving, or some intimacy.
Like a child and his favorite toy.
"Duan Ruixuan is trying to attract investment in a film. I've seen his project reviews before, and they're pretty good," Xu Zhiyuan said. "Do you want to invest?"
Jinnan hesitated for a moment and shook his head.
The elevator doors opened, revealing the intricately patterned Persian carpets lining the eighth-floor corridor. Duan Ruixuan's room was at the end of the corridor. The hotel waiter was waiting at the door, having yet to contact his assistant.
Xu Zhiyuan obtained access permission based on some company cooperation information. There was no light in the room. The drunk Mr. Duan was lying on his back on the bed, his left hand fighting with his right hand.
It is difficult for people to maintain their composure after being drunk, even celebrities cannot do it. When all muscles lose rational control and only instinct remains, the person's true nature will be revealed.
Xu Zhiyuan knew that if he didn't make it clear, Jin Nan would probably never realize Duan Ruixuan's feelings, but he still wanted to bring Jin Nan to see, certainly not out of kindness or concern.
The result disappointed him a little. Duan Ruixuan sat up, looking a little dazed due to being drunk. His handsome face looked haggard, but he could still speak clearly.
"Xiao Nan? Sorry, I'm a little confused and can't entertain you..."
Duan Ruixuan struggled to stand up, but Jinnan held his shoulders down. "Just sit down. We brought some hangover remedies. Zhiyuan, do you have the instructions? I'll go get some water first."
Xu Zhiyuan took out a tablet of medicine from his coat pocket and held it out to Duan Ruixuan: "They all promote alcohol metabolism and are not prone to allergies."
Jin Nan had already poured the water. Seeing that Duan Ruixuan couldn't stand up, he half-knelt in front of Duan Ruixuan with the water in his hand and tested his forehead temperature: "Mr. Duan, can you contact your assistant?"
The night in Sharjah has a rosy hue, perhaps due to the reflection of the stars, or perhaps it is the residual sunlight that is evenly distributed to those who cannot sleep at night.
The rosy color fell on Jin Nan's face, making it look particularly warm and gentle. The dark blue earrings swayed slightly, and his eyes were like twinkling stars in the night.
Duan Ruixuan was so dazzled that he couldn't hear what Jin Nan was saying. He could only ask stupidly, "Xiao Nan, can we meet again tomorrow?"
Jinnan said, "My flight to Paname leaves at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. Do you have any other plans?"
"Yes." Duan Ruixuan was deflated, his handsome face full of grievance, his eyes half drooping in dejection, "But I want to see you."
Jin Nan couldn't help but laugh: "Why do you want to see me? Do you want to make friends with me?"
Duan Ruixuan pondered for a long time, as if Jinnan's words were some incomprehensible alien language. He let his gaze wander between Jinnan and Xu Zhiyuan, finally settling on the backs of their hands, which were naturally touching.
"Yeah, I want to be friends with you."
Duan Ruixuan gave a very unpleasant smile, trying hard to suppress something. His expression at this moment was even more colorful than the highlight clips of his award-winning acting.
Jinnan didn't understand why Duan Ruixuan had such rich emotions towards him. He just thought that he was drunk and emotional, and he was also a poor man who was unhappy.
"Then let's add each other on WeChat. I'm often at the Lido. Let's go for a drink next time." Jin Nan couldn't help but lower his voice. "Can you give me two more autographed photos? I have a friend who's a fan of yours."
Duan Ruixuan naturally agreed, and his eyes were always on Jinnan. If he had a tail, it would have been drooping. He was so tall and big, and he actually looked a little pitiful.
Xu Zhiyuan watched speechlessly from the sidelines. His relationship with Jinnan was still very fragile, and he had no reason to overstep his bounds. Duan Ruixuan, however, did not do anything beyond his bounds.
Xu Zhiyuan brought Jinnan here because he wanted Jinnan to see his love rival make a fool of himself. But instead of making a fool of himself, he ended up looking pitiful.
He felt incredibly upset. Fortunately, the assistant who had delivered the medicine arrived quickly and took over Duan Ruixuan's care, thanking them both profusely.
Before leaving, Jinnan looked back at the door and saw a man's desperate, lonely and admiring eyes.
Now that he was open to emotions, he would be familiar with such a look. Jin Nan felt a little absurd, but he did not soften his heart and closed the last crack leading to the light.
The world returned to silence.
Xu Zhiyuan followed him, sensing his quickening pace, but asked no questions. He knew Jinnan had noticed, and everything was just as he wanted. But the expression on Jinnan's face wasn't one of rejection or hesitation, but rather confusion.
"I don't know... am I wrong?" Jin Nan gradually lowered his voice. "I feel, I feel that he likes me."
"Is it strange?" Xu Zhiyuan laughed.
"He's not short of money, and he doesn't need my help, so why would he like me?"
Xu Zhiyuan pressed the elevator button with one hand and went down, observing Jinnan's expression through the golden elevator door.
Jinnan pondered, but could find no answer. He seemed to have a hard time understanding someone else's pure admiration for him. To him, liking someone was a serious matter, requiring repeated confirmation. In this regard, Jinnan was as cautious as an old scholar.
Xu Zhiyuan didn't point it out, he hoped Jinnan would not understand.
However, Jin Nan, still distressed, raised his head and turned his anger on him: "Did you see that a long time ago? No wonder you treat him a little strangely."
"Really?" Xu Zhiyuan pretended to be stupid and didn't mention a word about the good things he had done.
"Really?" Jinnan repeated.
The elevator arrived, and Xu Zhiyuan walked in, his expression unchanged. He leaned against the handrail, his head slightly lowered, but his eyes, raised with a hint of inquiry and teasing, looked at Jinnan.
Jinnan stared at him, and for some reason, there was a sense of competition between them. If he looked away first, it would mean he had given up.
After swallowing, Jin Nan asked hesitantly, "Aren't you jealous?"
"Um?"
"That person likes me, aren't you jealous? Aren't you angry?"
Jin Nan was uneasy. He knew this wasn't fair to Duan Ruixuan, but people were biased. Compared to Duan Ruixuan, Jin Nan undoubtedly cared more about Xu Zhiyuan.
Faced with such a...suddenly appearing love rival, did Xu Zhiyuan not show any reaction at all?
Jinnan suddenly realized something. Until now, Xu Zhiyuan had never once expressed his love for him. His attitude was always ambiguous, throwing out bait for him to bite while staying out of the way.
"What do you think?"
It was this question again. Before Jin Nan felt unhappy, he caught a glimpse of a smile in Xu Zhiyuan's eyes.
"I think you're particularly hateful."
When saying this, Jinnan also smiled with his eyes narrowed. Something had happened to him, but it was hidden in the dark where he couldn't see it, growing like moss.
Xu Zhiyuan deliberately stayed out of the matter, which just proves that he is not innocent.
Of course he wasn't innocent. He loved seeing Jin Nan's heartstrings tugged at him, loved Jin Nan's anguish and thoughts for him, loved the care he had deliberately channeled into her.
He wanted those beautiful eyes to only look at him, confused, hesitant, and then determined.
Does Xu Zhiyuan like him? Jin Nan really shouldn't ask such a question. He should have the confidence that everyone likes him.
The elevator door opened, and sounds came with the warm, sweet air. What came into view before the people were people were glasses filled with champagne.
Jin Nan's alcohol tolerance kept him from getting drunk, and Xu Zhiyuan's cool aura kept many glasses away from him. By the end of the show, both of them reeked of alcohol. Chen Chen called a cab, while Claire held down Jin Nan, who was still waving goodbye, and put a coat on him.
This arduous task was finally handed over to Xu Zhiyuan. He held Jinnan down with one arm, his bright eyes looking at him. The wine was not enough to make Jinnan drunk, but it gave Jinnan more courage to kiss him in public.
A kiss happens, as if it were nothing.
Claire screamed, Lu Yiqing covered her eyes, and Chen Chen couldn't bear to watch and used his body to block it to prevent the people holding cameras on the roadside from taking any pictures.
Jinnan didn't actually kiss her on the mouth, Xu Zhiyuan shifted the focus and let him kiss her on the chin.
"What a pity." Jinnan said.
Xu Zhiyuan patted his cheek: "Kiss me again when we get home."
"So do I have sex tonight?"
Xu Zhiyuan covered his mouth with his hand.
Lu Yiqing's face flushed crimson, and she rushed over to open the door when she saw the car approaching. Xu Zhiyuan was also quick to act, grabbing Jinnan and shoving him into the car, blocking out any envious or covetous glances directed at him.
The car started, Claire breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and scolded Xu Zhiyuan: "Boss, we have an early flight tomorrow at 10 o'clock, so we have to leave at 9 o'clock at the latest! Don't stay out too late tonight, okay?"
"Boss Jin, you...you guys..." Lu Yiqing stuttered, "I didn't hear anything."
The other two people in the car huddled themselves in a corner, pretending to be invisible.
The weird atmosphere in the car lasted for more than ten minutes before they finally arrived at the hotel. The two ladies got out first. Chen Chen apologized quietly and gave a tip to the driver and the waiter who opened the door.
Xu Zhiyuan let go of his hand as soon as he got out of the car, and Jinnan followed behind him. He was still far from being drunk, but very close to being blackout.
After entering the elevator, Xu Zhiyuan held up a finger in front of Jinnan and asked, "How many is this?"
Jinnan opened his mouth and took it in, licking it suggestively.
Xu Zhiyuan: ...
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