Two lifetimes later, Shen Xingcan finally heard those words. Even though she knew everything had changed, Shen Xingcan still felt a lump in her throat.
Xie Linchuan gently hugged Shen Xingcan, who was sitting there.
Shen Xingcan did not struggle, but let himself lean against the other's chest, the familiar scent of wood filling his nostrils once again.
The annoying chirping of insects fell silent at this moment, and it seemed that only the two of them were heartbeats in this space.
After an unknown amount of time, Shen Xingcan struggled out of Xie Linchuan's arms.
He sniffed and glared at Xie Linchuan: "Even if you have a one-sided crush on me, that's no reason for you to take advantage of me. I've already said it's not mutual!"
"I was wrong just now, I'm sorry. I will try my best to make our relationship mutually affectionate."
Shen Xingcan muttered, "Tch, I can't be bothered with you. I was finally about to fall asleep when you suddenly went crazy! You're so annoying!"
His madness wasn't the end of it; that despicable bastard Xie Linchuan even took the opportunity to confess his feelings. How could he possibly sleep now?
Xie Linchuan: "... Shall I read the novel to you?"
Shen Xingcan lay back down on her pillow. "Forget it, I'm not a child anymore, I don't need bedtime reading. Let's chat instead."
What to talk about?
Shen Xingcan: "Let's talk about what you've actually done these past few years."
Xie Linchuan lay back down and said, "If I find a suitable script, I'll go out and film; if not, I'll handle the relevant matters at the company."
Shen Xingcan: "... That's it?"
I know Xie Linchuan isn't a talkative person, but isn't it a bit much to condense several years of experience into just one sentence?
Xie Linchuan: "... I even secretly went to your concert."
Shen Xingcan said, though her tone was neither entirely justified nor entirely self-righteous, "I also secretly... no, I went openly to judge your acting skills."
Who did it secretly? He did it openly and honestly, he didn't even wear a hat or mask!
Xie Linchuan chuckled softly.
Shen Xingcan pressed on, "Is there nothing else besides that?"
Xie Linchuan in a low voice, "I've been to St. Moritz more than ten times because I wanted to see you there."
But perhaps something was always missing between him and Shen Xingcan; he never saw Shen Xingcan there.
Shen Xingcan's mood turned somewhat low, and his voice was muffled. "Even if you grew up in St. Moritz, you wouldn't see me there... I haven't skied at all in the past few years, but we can go together this year."
Not to mention St. Moritz, Shen Xingcan has even deliberately avoided this sport that he used to love in the past few years.
He was personally taught to ski by Xie Linchuan, and whenever skiing is involved, he inevitably thinks of Xie Linchuan.
Whenever she has time, Shen Xingcan spends January at ski resorts all over the country, but Shen Xingcan hasn't been to one in the past few years.
Shen Xingcan's family once asked him why he didn't go, and Shen Xingcan replied that he didn't like it as much anymore. But only Shen Xingcan himself knew that he just didn't want to think about his past with Xie Linchuan.
Over the past few years, Shen Xingcan has deliberately avoided anything that might be related to Xie Linchuan, yet she can't help but watch his movies and check on his current situation...
Even Shen Xingcan herself felt awkward.
Xie Linchuan: "Okay, let's go together this year... And you, what have you been doing these past few years?"
Shen Xingcan tried hard to recall, "I didn't do much, just concerts, albums, when I wasn't working I would argue with you online, then sit in my room writing songs, and when I was bored I would go fishing at sea."
Xie Linchuan: "Didn't you draw?"
Shen Xingcan said dejectedly, "No, it's because I always think of you when I'm drawing, and the same goes for skiing, so I just get lazy and don't want to do those things anymore. You're so annoying! I definitely won't be as agile as I used to be when I go skiing now."
During that time, Shen Xingcan really hated why he had so much in the past with Xie Linchuan, and why he could think of Xie Linchuan no matter what he did!
Although Xie Linchuan had realized before Shen Xingcan spoke that her change might be related to him, he still couldn't help but catch his breath when he actually heard it.
There will be no joy in the other person caring about you; all you'll feel is deep, heavy regret.
Apologizing has been said too many times; to say it again now would be frivolous and unserious.
Xie Linchuan: "... It doesn't matter if you've forgotten everything, I still remember, I can teach you again."
Shen Xingcan turned around and peered at Xie Linchuan's face. After a moment of eye contact, Shen Xingcan called out Xie Linchuan's name, " Xie Linchuan."
"Um?"
Shen Xingcan blinked. "Your expression is not good. Does hearing what I'm saying make you feel bad?"
"Ugh, it hurts."
Shen Xingcan: "Didn't you suffer in the past few years?"
Xie Linchuan: "It's also very uncomfortable."
Shen Xingcan seemed intrigued. "It's uncomfortable too? Then tell me just how uncomfortable it is."
Xie Linchuan: "There was a time when your name was on a contract."
Shen Xingcan exclaimed, "Wow! That's a major mistake! What did you do afterward?"
I told them I had accidentally dirtied it and asked my secretary to print another copy for me.
Shen Xingcan scoffed, "Those wicked capitalists who increase their secretaries' workload... But is that all? Nothing else?"
Of course, it wasn't just these things, but there was no need to tell Shen Xingcan about them.
"That's all."
Shen Xingcan suddenly began to unbutton Xie Linchuan's clothes.
The moment their skin touched, Xie Linchuan's body stiffened slightly, and he instinctively grabbed Shen Xingcan's hand.
Shen Xingcan looked up. "Let go."
Xie Linchuan pursed his lips, but finally let go of his hand.
Shen Xingcan quickly unbuttoned all the buttons on Xie Linchuan's collar, and his hand slipped inside, finally resting on a spot on Xie Linchuan's back.
"Really not? Then what is this?"
Xie Linchuan didn't speak.
Shen Xingcan pulled his hand away, shook his head, and sighed, "To get injured when your nemesis seems to have a beautiful girlfriend, and then have to tattoo your nemesis's name on the scar after the wound heals, you really hate him deeply."
Xie Linchuan denied it. "No, I just didn't get enough rest those few days, so I was careless the next day. It wasn't very serious at the time, it just looked a bit scary."
Shen Xingcan clearly didn't believe Xie Linchuan's words. "Why couldn't you rest earlier or later, but now that I suspect you have a girlfriend? Xie Linchuan, I'm going to get angry if you lie again!"
Xie Linchuan: "..."
Knowing he couldn't fool Shen Xingcan, Xie Linchuan stopped denying it. "Yes."
Shen Xingcan: "The media is making things up. That person is my cousin's wife."
"I found out later."
Shen Xingcan narrowed her eyes. "... You found out later? How did you find out? Did you investigate me? I don't remember responding to this."
Xie Linchuan: "... I just happened to know that."
Shen Xingcan said sarcastically, "A coincidence? You mean you're staying home obediently, but someone inexplicably comes up to you and tells you that Shen Xingcan's girlfriend is actually Shen Xingcan's cousin-in-law? And my family background isn't that easy to investigate."
If it were really that easy to find out, there would be people who know he is Shen Lingxun's son.
Therefore, the most likely scenario is that Xie Linchuan subtly inquired about his mother's situation.
Xie Linchuan: "... I asked Auntie Shen."
Shen Xingcan clicked her tongue. "I knew it! Let me interview you and tell you what your thoughts were when you saw this news?"