I do have some, but I've worn them all

At that, Jiang Lan hurriedly snatched the aromatherapy box away and tossed it into the gap beside the pillow at the head of the bed, saying:

"It's fine. It doesn't matter."

Jiang Lan thought his performance was flawless, but in reality, it was full of holes. His posturing left Wen Zhiyan speechless for a moment.

But he had no intention of exposing Jiang Lan, either. Haste made waste, and pushing Jiang Lan too far right from the start would do him no good.

Whatever the outcome tonight, Wen Zhiyan had already said what needed saying. As for everything else, there would be plenty of time to take things slowly.

So Wen Zhiyan glanced at the expensive watch on his wrist, stood up, and said to Jiang Lan, "It's late. Get some rest. I'll head back."

Jiang Lan nodded eagerly. "Okay."

It wasn't that he disliked being alone with Wen Zhiyan. Tonight's situation was simply terrible, leaving Jiang Lan feeling constantly flustered and unbearably awkward.

Having spoken, he watched Wen Zhiyan stride toward the door on his long legs.

But just as Wen Zhiyan put his hand on the doorknob, he lowered it again and glanced back at Jiang Lan.

"Lan-ge, could I use your bathroom?"

Jiang Lan frowned. "Doesn't your room have a bathroom?"

"It does," Wen Zhiyan said matter-of-factly. "But I don't want to share with strangers."

Jiang Lan knew Wen Zhiyan had been fussy since childhood, so he didn't refuse. He waved a hand at him. "Make it quick."

With Jiang Lan's permission, Wen Zhiyan went into the bathroom. The moment he closed the door, he spotted a pair of plain black boxer briefs lying in the sink.

Meanwhile, Jiang Lan's mind was still filled with everything that had happened between him and Wen Zhiyan tonight.

He hadn't embarrassed himself like this in years.

Or perhaps he had, but he hadn't cared, so he hadn't felt embarrassed.

But when it came to Wen Zhiyan, Jiang Lan found it hard not to care.

He sat on the corner of the bed and rubbed his face in frustration, then turned his gaze toward the bathroom's translucent frosted-glass door, glowing with light.

It was quiet now.

There was the sound of running water in the bathroom.

Listening to the unceasing flow, Jiang Lan wondered when Wen Zhiyan had developed an obsession with cleanliness, taking this long just to wash his hands.

Only when he saw Wen Zhiyan open the bathroom door and emerge carrying a little bundle of black fabric did he realize what that continuous sound of running water had meant.

"Lan-ge, you forgot to wash these. I'll hang them up for you," Wen Zhiyan said calmly.

He made it sound as though washing his ex's underwear while using the bathroom was perfectly natural and utterly ordinary.

Jiang Lan took a deep breath. Between going over to snatch back his underwear and throwing Wen Zhiyan out in a fury, and shamelessly pretending nothing had happened, he chose the latter.

He stayed seated on the edge of the bed and merely said evenly to Wen Zhiyan, "Thanks. Sorry for the trouble."

Jiang Lan watched Wen Zhiyan carry the bundle of black fabric to the window, lower the drying rack, shake the fabric out a few times, and hang it on the little clips. He even tugged out the wrinkles left by washing to keep it smooth.

He gritted his teeth. Things are already like this. Might as well throw caution to the wind one more time.

He spoke. "By the way."

Wen Zhiyan looked back at him. "Hmm?"

Jiang Lan didn't look into Wen Zhiyan's eyes, only at the pattern on the curtains, as he said with feigned composure, "Do you have any spare underwear? Lend me a couple of pairs."

The moment he finished, he wanted to slap himself.

One pair wasn't enough? You had to ask for two? Jiang Lan, what the hell are you thinking?

But spoken words were like spilled water. Now that he had said it, he couldn't take it back.

Fortunately, Wen Zhiyan didn't look particularly surprised.

He remained calm as he stood beneath the drying rack. "I do have some, but I've worn them all. Lan-ge, would you..."

Jiang Lan gave a light cough to hide his embarrassment.

"It wouldn't be my first time wearing them. I'll make do. I forgot to bring any."

Wen Zhiyan looked at Jiang Lan with the hint of a smile, his gaze gradually shifting from Jiang Lan's face toward his thighs. "No wonder you weren't wearing any. I thought you were deliberately..."

"Shut up. Keep running your mouth and I'll borrow some from Pei Du," Jiang Lan cut Wen Zhiyan off viciously, threatening him.

At those words, the smile vanished from Wen Zhiyan's face.

He looked at Jiang Lan. "Then what if I hadn't come? Were you really going to borrow some from Pei Du?"

Faced with Wen Zhiyan's displeased expression, Jiang Lan instinctively denied it. "Of course not..."

He wanted to tell Wen Zhiyan defiantly, I could just go without!

But before the words came out, he stopped himself. After all, there was nothing between him and Wen Zhiyan now. Strictly speaking, Wen Zhiyan was merely an ex who had just washed his underwear.

So he met Wen Zhiyan's eyes again and bluffed, "What business is it of yours?"

Seeing Jiang Lan's attitude, Wen Zhiyan initially wanted to trade a few barbs with him, but after a moment's thought, he held back.

Although he knew Jiang Lan would never normally borrow underwear from Pei Du, he feared that, with Jiang Lan's determination to prove a point at any cost, he might actually dare to do something like that without caring who lived or died.

So he merely gave a sullen "Oh," walked past Jiang Lan, opened the door, and left his bedroom.

Jiang Lan had only wanted to see Wen Zhiyan get put in his place, but now that he had, he felt no satisfaction.

Looking at the bedroom door Wen Zhiyan had closed, he cursed under his breath:

"Bastard."

Ten minutes later, someone knocked on Jiang Lan's bedroom door again.

He opened it a crack and stuck his hand out, looking determined not to let Wen Zhiyan back in.

Wen Zhiyan didn't say anything else, either. He simply handed Jiang Lan the small bag he was carrying.

Jiang Lan took the bag, withdrew his hand into the room, and said to Wen Zhiyan:

"Thanks."

Wen Zhiyan took a step back, leaving a safe distance between them, and said to Jiang Lan, "Good night, Lan-ge."

Jiang Lan's Adam's apple bobbed. "Good night."

That night, despite having no incense, Jiang Lan unexpectedly slept well.

By the time he opened his eyes again, sunlight had slipped through the gap in the curtains and into the room.

Jiang Lan picked up the little alarm clock beside the bed and checked the time. Nine oh seven.

He stretched, sat up in bed, and glanced at the camera in the corner of the room. Sure enough, its little red light was already on.

Jiang Lan stretched out a leg and hooked the backpack on the floor over to him, then despairingly picked out the comparatively less outrageous, old-cadre-style polo shirt and pulled it over his head.

He rummaged through the backpack and was lucky enough to find a perfectly ordinary pair of black knee-length shorts. He put them on without hesitation, washed up, casually tidied his hair, and headed out.

As soon as he reached the living room and saw everyone looking at him, Jiang Lan realized he was actually the last one up.

But surely that wasn't enough to make everyone look at him like that?

So Jiang Lan asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Everyone exchanged glances. Xu Can pointed toward the projection wall and was the first to speak:

"The staff just announced last night's voting results."

The contract's signed, so regular updates are back. Darlings, you can send some power and little gifts now!

Wishing Zhu Youzi a great launch!