Many Thanks for the Compliment

Jiang Tingxu rarely came here. It was closer to the outskirts, making the drive inconvenient, but security was excellent, and it was very secluded—paparazzi would not easily catch anyone here.

After flopping onto the sofa, Si You muttered something under his breath.

Jiang Tingxu settled him down, then went to turn on the lights and boil some water.

Although no one had lived here for several months, an auntie came to clean regularly, so aside from feeling deserted, it was still very clean. Jiang Tingxu activated the cabinet's sterilization function and waited two minutes before taking out a cup. By then, the water had boiled. There was still over half a bottle of honey in the refrigerator, and he methodically made a cup of honey water.

Si You lay flat on his back on the sofa, his right arm draped over his forehead. His breathing was somewhat heavy, and the discomfort of being drunk began to show one symptom after another.

Si You had a slight headache.

"Are you thirsty?" A warm, low voice sounded beside his ear.

Si You gave a vague hum.

Then a straw was placed against his lips, and the man continued, "If you're thirsty, drink some."

Si You turned his head and took the straw between his lips. With a slight sip, the warm honey water flowed down his throat and into his stomach, instantly soothing that restless irritation.

Under the soft lighting, Si You slowly opened his eyes.

Jiang Tingxu did not move. The moment their gazes met, he knew Si You had not sobered up yet.

Si You said softly, "You really are the best-looking person in heaven and on earth besides me, and the one with the most decent acting skills."

Jiang Tingxu replied, "Many thanks for the compliment."

Si You added, "My head hurts. I'm sleepy."

"Finish this honey water, and I'll take you to bed."

The truth was, some people remained absurdly fussy even when drunk. Si You drained the honey water in one go. After Jiang Tingxu helped him into the room, he insisted on finding the bathroom to wash up. Fortunately, the basic toiletries were all there. With no other choice, Jiang Tingxu opened each one for him and stood watch as this young master seriously brushed his teeth and washed his face. Si You touched his chin in the mirror, looking as though he wanted to shave too, but since he had shaved only yesterday morning and there was practically nothing there, he had to give up.

"May I retire now, Your Majesty?" Jiang Tingxu asked.

Si You grudgingly hummed in agreement. Finding the minty taste in his mouth rather pleasant, he swayed past Jiang Tingxu and, fully immersed in the act, declared, "Reward him!"

Jiang Tingxu did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Jiang Tingxu felt nothing when Si You took off his jacket, but the next second, he was taking off his pants. The Movie Emperor's long-prided self-control collapsed with a crash. He nearly turned away in a fluster, even though Si You still had shorts on underneath.

Hearing rustling sounds, Jiang Tingxu waited several seconds before turning back. Just then, he saw the young man's slender, fair calves and ankles disappear beneath the blanket. Against the dark bedding, the sight was especially startling.

For a full ten seconds or so, Jiang Tingxu's brain froze.

That image alone kept replaying over and over.

Back when people had wanted something to happen with Jiang Tingxu, they would bribe hotel staff and show up in his bed. The most serious incident was when a naked young man had been lying in his bedroom. Jiang Tingxu had barely lifted the blanket before seeing that provocative scene. He could no longer remember what the person looked like, only that he had been "not bad-looking," slender in build—the sort many bosses liked. Yet Jiang Tingxu had felt no stir whatsoever. His first thought had been that the security there was utter garbage. Then he had walked out while making a phone call, ignoring the pitiful, aggrieved cries behind him.

Jiang Tingxu had always exercised strict and precise control over such matters. In his view, being casually ruled by desire was an utterly terrible thing.

But at that moment, looking at Si You like this, Jiang Tingxu finally realized that it was simply impossible for him to remain in this room like some virtuous gentleman.

Si You lay stiffly on the bed like a corpse. His eyes were already closed, but after hearing no movement for a while, he suddenly lifted his head like a resurrected zombie and asked Jiang Tingxu, "Aren't you sleeping?"

Jiang Tingxu took a deep breath.

The man strode forward. The thought that Si You would have been taken advantage of tonight if he had gone home with anyone else made him angry. He tucked the blanket around the young man and said rather fiercely, "Don't trust people so easily in the future, and don't casually go home with someone!"

Si You nodded in wholehearted agreement, then added, "But you're Jiang Tingxu."

Because he knew it was him, he trusted him. Because it was him, he dared go home with him.

The anger that had just flared up inside the Movie Emperor went out with a puff.

Si You really was something else. Truly something else.

Jiang Tingxu coaxed him to close his eyes. Si You's breathing quickly evened out. Jiang Tingxu did not dare stay too long, but before leaving, he left the door open. His own bedroom next door was also left open, so if anything happened, he would hear it immediately.

The facts proved Jiang Tingxu's guess correct.

In the latter half of the night, the sound of something shattering rang through the silent air.

Jiang Tingxu's eyes flew open. Before his thoughts had even caught up, his body had already thrown back the covers and gotten out of bed.

Jiang Tingxu had just stepped out of his bedroom when Si You, in his confusion, struck the switch by the bed. The lights abruptly came on, spilling from the room into the hallway.

The moment Jiang Tingxu entered, his nerves buzzed. His voice was hoarse from sleep, and when it dropped slightly, it sounded especially stern. "Don't move!"

There was a decorative porcelain horse on the bedside table. Jiang Tingxu had not noticed it at all when he brought Si You in. Si You must have thrashed around while getting up just now and knocked it to the floor. He was definitely still drunk, or he would not have tried to pick up the porcelain shards barehanded. Jiang Tingxu saw him nearly tumble off the bed.

At the shout, Si You pulled his hand back like lightning. When he raised his head, his gaze was indeed clouded with haziness.

Jiang Tingxu quickly stepped forward, grabbed Si You's arm, and made him sit upright. At the same time, he shoved the slippers aside, pushing the porcelain shards farther away.

Si You noticed. "Watch your feet..."

Jiang Tingxu had been frightened into rapid breathing. Unable to stop himself, he said, "It's broken, so let it be broken. Why were you picking it up?"

Si You said nothing.

Jiang Tingxu lowered his head and saw him lightly pressing a hand to his chest, his complexion not looking good.

Jiang Tingxu was startled again and softened his voice. "What's wrong?"

"It's beating a little fast." Si You mumbled, "I didn't bring my medicine."

Jiang Tingxu helped him lean against the headboard. "I brought it. Wait for me."

Si You's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Jiang Tingxu had previously said he would watch him take his medicine. Si You had not dared take those words too seriously, worried that Jiang Tingxu had merely said them to placate him while he himself had foolishly believed them.

But Jiang Tingxu had meant it.

Si You frowned faintly, and a dull pain tugged at his chest. He really should not have drunk that glass of alcohol.

Si You was not the only one thinking so. Jiang Tingxu thought the same.

Although Si You had been discharged from the hospital, a little over a month ago, he had protected Xue Boyu while rolling and falling down a hundred-meter forested dirt slope. By the time he was sent to the hospital, he had suffered internal organ damage, bruises, and bleeding all over. Even broken muscles and bones took a hundred days to heal. It had to be said that Si You's ability to put up a front was exceptional. He always seemed relaxed and at ease, to the point that even Jiang Tingxu had let down his guard.

Jiang Tingxu came back with warm water and medicine. Si You had no strength, so he took the pills and drank the water from Jiang Tingxu's hand.

The young man's soft lips touched Jiang Tingxu's palm before pulling away, like a feather lightly brushing past. Yet the itch reached straight into his heart.

Si You had sobered up by then. Looking at the clock on the wall, he saw that it was past four in the morning.

He looked around. "This is..."

"My home," Jiang Tingxu said.

Si You paused. "They all came?"

By "they," he naturally meant Director Zhu, Su Ya, and the other lead actors.

Jiang Tingxu raised a brow. "How could that be?"

"Where's Huahua?"

"Qian Su took her home."

Only I came here. Si You gave it some thought.

After taking the medicine, his heartbeat slowed, and the pain was not as bad. Si You lightly tipped his chin at Jiang Tingxu. "Go back and rest. You can still sleep for a few hours."

Jiang Tingxu silently sighed. "Your face is whiter than the walls in my house. How am I supposed to sleep in this situation?"

Si You froze, then pressed his lips together. "Sorry..."

After a brief silence, Si You caught a shadow approaching from the corner of his eye. Then dry, warm fingertips swept his loose hair behind his ear, and Si You felt his just-calmed heartbeat threatening to speed up again.

"I'm not blaming you, and I'm definitely not saying you're a bother." Jiang Tingxu's tone was soft and slow. Rather than explaining, he seemed to be coaxing him. "I'm very worried."

Si You hurriedly said, "It's fine. The doctor said occasional palpitations are normal. I'll recover in a few months."

"If symptoms like this can occur, then it isn't normal." Jiang Tingxu made the final call. After a pause, he added, "You can't be alone."

Si You looked up. "...Huh?"

He could actually predict what would happen next, so the emotions in his eyes were laid bare. Jiang Tingxu was not deliberately teasing Si You, but he often found the man's little thoughts quite interesting.

"This bed is a little small." As Jiang Tingxu spoke, he bent down. His movements were swift and domineering. Si You instinctively wrapped his arms around his neck, and then his body left the ground—he was lifted up, blanket and all.

Si You's face had been whiter than a wall a moment ago, but now it was flushed red, as though steam might rise from his head.

Of course, he truly had no strength left and could not walk.

Jiang Tingxu carried him back to his own bedroom. At the door, he casually raised an arm to turn on the light. Though separated by the blanket, Si You still felt his butt get supported...

The decor here was more distinctive, dominated by silver-gray tones. More importantly, the bed was big enough!

Jiang Tingxu's hands were steady, and Si You barely felt any jostling.

"This way, I can rest easier too," Jiang Tingxu said blandly. His voice was cool and detached, and every inch of him proclaimed the words "upright gentleman."

It was perfectly normal for Jiang Tingxu to enjoy helping others. At some point, Si You's rose-tinted filter for him had begun to take shape, faintly reaching the point where he could no longer distinguish right from wrong and could tell blatant lies with his eyes open. Or perhaps he was deliberately finding excuses to smooth over the flutter in his heart.

Si You curled up under the blanket without moving. He cleared his throat, wanting to say something, but then someone covered his eyes. The sound of the lights being switched off rang by his ear, and his perception of light immediately weakened.

"Sleep." Jiang Tingxu was concise.

How am I supposed to sleep?

He could clearly feel the mattress dip and the blanket being tugged over. Jiang Tingxu's scent enveloped him from every direction, gentle and inescapable. Si You's tense heart gradually relaxed. His thoughts scattered, light and comfortable. Though he said he could not sleep, the medicine had left his energy completely drained, and he soon lost consciousness again.

In the darkness, Jiang Tingxu kept his eyes open. Si You's breathing was still somewhat heavy.

He watched over him until the sky began to lighten, only then feeling reassured enough to catch some more sleep.

Based on the filming schedule, they were supposed to get up by seven at the latest. Yet right at that time, Jiang Tingxu received a call from the assistant director.

"Movie Emperor Jiang, are you asleep? I'm terribly sorry."

Jiang Tingxu was already standing on the balcony. He glanced back and said, "It's fine. I was about to head to the set."

"Ah, I'm not calling to rush you. I wanted to say you can keep sleeping. I'm afraid we'll have to take two days off."

Jiang Tingxu frowned. "What happened?"

"After you left last night, Director Zhu and the others drank themselves silly and were sent to the hospital in the middle of the night..."

Jiang Tingxu: "..."

Jiang Tingxu rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Is it serious?"

"It's alright. They had their stomachs pumped, but they need bed rest for two days. I'm truly sorry for delaying your schedule."

Jiang Tingxu kept his expression neutral. "It's fine. Health comes first. We've already been moving quickly, so losing two days won't matter."

"Alright! Thank you!"

Jiang Tingxu hung up. He saw the dawn glow rising in the sky, crimson gold and orange-yellow blending together. The biting air scattered the last of his sleepiness. Jiang Tingxu's expression softened. This was good—Si You could rest for two days as well.

He quietly returned to the bedroom and drew the curtains until no light could get in, then went to shower in the room next door.

By the time Si You woke up, it was already nine-thirty in the morning!