Ji Hanchuan's answer made everyone's eyes dim.
Especially Shi Wei's.
If Ji Hanchuan wasn't coming, wouldn't that leave just Xu Xirui and me as guests?
Oho, that would be a whole different game.
"It's fine. I know you're busy." Chen Yutong was a little disappointed, but inexplicably relieved as well.
If Ji Hanchuan wasn't coming, that meant there wasn't anything special between him and Shi Wei, right...
"Sister Yutong, who are the MCs on your show?" Since transmigrating here, Shi Wei hadn't paid much attention to variety shows.
"Two are my seniors. The others are all young actors and singers." Chen Yutong listed their names one by one.
As Shi Wei listened, his eyes suddenly lit up.
Zhuo Xiao!?
The original owner's only good friend!?
He hadn't expected to have an ally there.
Shi Wei took out his phone and messaged Zhuo Xiao: Guess who's going on "Traveling with You"?
Probably busy, Zhuo Xiao didn't reply. Shi Wei didn't mind and continued chatting with Chen Yutong.
Ji Hanchuan remained focused on his meal.
It tasted like cardboard.
After dinner, the group left one after another.
Ji Hanchuan kept a low profile at the back. Xu Xirui wanted to strike up a conversation, but his icy expression deterred every attempt.
Alone, he fell farther and farther behind the group ahead.
When Shi Wei reached the hotel entrance, he suddenly remembered something. He said goodbye to everyone and ran outside.
Ji Hanchuan hadn't intended to get involved.
But seeing how anxious he looked, he paused, then followed after all.
Phone in hand, Shi Wei seemed to be searching for something. He walked a full two streets before ducking into a dim alley.
Where on earth was he going?
Ji Hanchuan lowered his cap brim and followed. The alley concealed a whole other world, and the suggestive lights illuminating the shops made him feel as though he had stepped into another realm.
Midnight Rendezvous?
Your Passion, My Pleasure?
Full of Vigor?
What was Shi Wei doing in a place like this!?
Just then, Shi Wei emerged from a shop with an illuminated "Your S, My M" sign. He even smiled and waved to someone inside. "Got it. Thanks, boss."
Ji Hanchuan immediately hid in the shadows and only emerged after Shi Wei had gone far away.
Fuck...
He couldn't help swearing inwardly.
What on earth was Shi Wei trying to do!
Surely today's scene hadn't set him off?
With his worldview rocked by a magnitude-ten earthquake, Ji Hanchuan returned to the hotel. The moment he stepped out of the elevator, he saw Shi Wei sitting outside his room, a little bag by his feet printed with a large, suggestive pink heart.
Ji Hanchuan's tall frame gave a slight shudder.
Shi Wei went to that kind of shop, bought something, and then turned up outside my room...
Ji Hanchuan didn't dare follow that thought any further.
Any further and it would definitely get censored.
Ji Hanchuan steeled himself and walked over, his handsome face cold. "What are you doing here again?"
"Hubby, you're finally back!" Shi Wei lifted the bag, looking proud and expectant of praise. "I brought you something good."
Ji Hanchuan: ...
He unlocked the door at lightning speed, stepped inside, and shut it before anyone could react.
Shi Wei: ???
Shi Wei immediately channeled Aunt Xue. "Hubby, open the door! Don't hide in there without making a sound. I know you're in your room! If you've got the guts to seduce men, you've got the guts to open the door!"
There were several seconds of silence on the other side before a voice answered, "Go back."
"No, why should I go back? Open the door first. I bought you some medicine."
"...What medicine?"
"Medicine to rub on you!"
Perhaps because his earlier experience had been so unbelievable, even the coolheaded, rational Ji Hanchuan misheard him completely.
Mistaking "rub" for "fuck" snapped the last thread of Ji Hanchuan's reason.
"Shi Wei, don't push your luck!"
Shi Wei was a picture of utter bewilderment. "How am I pushing my luck? I went looking for this especially for you."
"No need. Leave."
"All right, then." Shi Wei hung the medicine on the door handle. "I'll leave the ointment outside. The shopkeeper said this one works best. There won't be any marks left the next day. I spent a fortune on it, so make sure you use it."
Shi Wei turned to leave, only for the door behind him to open.
Ji Hanchuan opened the bag and checked. There was only a box of ointment inside.
He was inwardly stunned. "You bought this for me?"
"Yes, hubby." Shi Wei hurried over to explain it to Ji Hanchuan. "The shopkeeper said minor whip marks are nothing. Even hickeys are no problem."
So Shi Wei had gone to "Your S, My M" just to find this kind of medicine?
With mixed feelings, Ji Hanchuan stepped aside to let Shi Wei in.
"Hubby, go take a shower first. I'll help you apply it afterward." Shi Wei plopped down on the bed, not standing on ceremony with Ji Hanchuan at all. He made himself more at home than someone who actually belonged there.
"..."
Ji Hanchuan nodded slightly, took a change of clothes, and went into the bathroom.
Soon, the rush of running water came from inside.
Shi Wei found the snacks he had left on the table last time, tore open a packet, and started eating.
Just then, Zhuo Xiao replied.
Zhuo Xiao: Don't tell me it's you?
Shi Wei: Nope.
Zhuo Xiao: ...Having fun?
Shi Wei sent over a "filial laughter to the heavens" meme.
Zhuo Xiao called him directly. Shi Wei answered. "What's up?"
"It's been ages since we talked. Last time, you were complaining about not getting any work lately. Looks like your bad luck's finally over. Hurry up and tell me, is Great God Ji really that cold?"
Zhuo Xiao had a very pleasant voice, though it sounded a little husky, perhaps because he was alone.
"Yeah. So what have you been busy with lately?"
"I recently played a third male lead. It was pretty fun..." Zhuo Xiao began sharing his recent work with Shi Wei.
Shi Wei listened attentively. Zhuo Xiao worked much harder than the original owner. He had climbed his way up from bit parts and had finally gained a little popularity recently, earning a reputation as one of the new generation's most dependable actors.
To the original owner, that had been downright infuriating, so he hadn't contacted him in a long time.
They chatted for so long that Shi Wei didn't even notice when the shower stopped.
"Shi Wei, I'm really glad you're coming on the show."
"Yeah, we can finally work together." Shi Wei offered a well-meaning warning. "But I attract a lot of hate. Until I catch up to you, you'd better not tell anyone we're friends."
Zhuo Xiao got angry and yelled, "How could you take me for such a snob, Shi Wei!"
Shi Wei nearly went deaf. He rolled over on the bed and happened to see Ji Hanchuan standing beside it.
Ji Hanchuan wore a black bathrobe. His ink-black hair was still dripping, clinging to his sharply defined face. An icy chill surrounded him, and his dark eyes stared straight at Shi Wei.
Shi Wei: ...
That stare gave him goosebumps.
On the other end, Zhuo Xiao was still roaring, "Shi Wei, if that's how you're going to see me, watch out or I'll smack your ass again!"
"Hehehehe, Zhuo Xiao, I'll talk to you next time." Shi Wei immediately hung up.
"Hubby, you're done?"
Ji Hanchuan: Under the current circumstances, how could I possibly be fine?
"Who was that man?"