LRAPTC Chapter 13

Shen Jue had been on the terrace for over ten minutes. Standing at the edge and looking down, he could see the huge fountain. Shen Jue had just passed by it not long ago and saw a white dove perched on it, but it had already flown away.

Initially, he just wanted to come here for some fresh air. There were too many people in the hall. After greeting Ji Yuanan and a few partners, Shen Jue went to eat something on his own. He took a piece of blueberry cake to fill his stomach, specifically finding a remote corner to reduce his presence. Ji Yuanan was diagonally in front of him, talking to a lady with wavy hair, and seemed unable to get away for the time being.

So, Shen Jue focused on eating the cake, not noticing a man with gold-rimmed glasses approaching him.

“Hello, excuse me for interrupting.”

Suddenly hearing someone greeting him, Shen Jue subconsciously swallowed the cake, smiled at the person, and asked, “Is there something I can help you with?”

“You’re very suitable for acting,” the man said bluntly, “Have you considered acting?”

“I’m not an actor,” Shen Jue said.

The man replied matter-of-factly, “I know, that’s why I’m here to ask you.”

“There should be a lot of actors here, why come to me specifically? You don’t think I look easy to fool, do you?”

As if hearing something interesting, the other party actually smiled, “I’m only now realizing that you’re much more interesting than the internet describes.”

“As you said, there are indeed many actors here, but you are unique, your temperament, many people don’t have. So, really not considering being an actor? I guarantee I’ll make you shine on the silver screen.”

“…No consideration,” Shen Jue replied decisively, unmoved.

“Alright.” The man shrugged, somewhat regretfully, but still unwilling to give up easily. He took out his business card and handed it to Shen Jue, saying, “If you change your mind, feel free to contact me.”

Finally, he said, “Then I wish you a pleasant evening.”

Because of this interlude, Shen Jue had no interest in staying here at all. He finished the wine in his hand in one gulp and came to the terrace on the second floor. He loosened his collar, and the evening breeze gently caressed his cheeks, making Shen Jue feel very comfortable.

He looked at the business card the man had given him earlier. It was printed with the two big characters Chen Huang, a literary film director with some fame, so Shen Jue had a slight impression. Just as the media described, eccentric, Shen Jue thought.

After staring at the business card for a while, Shen Jue still didn’t throw it away.

The feeling of being undisturbed was good, Shen Jue liked this feeling and suddenly didn’t want to leave. But he had already promised Ji Yuanan. Shen Jue was a person with strong professional ethics, and since he had agreed, he would properly fulfill his due responsibilities.

Before returning to the hall, Shen Jue went to the bathroom. In front of the sink, a small celebrity was touching up his makeup in the mirror. He pulled open the lipstick cap, leaned forward, looked at the image in the mirror, and carefully applied it bit by bit. Shen Jue stopped beside him and turned on the faucet in front of him.

The small celebrity saw who it was, pursed his lips, stopped his movements, and then turned to look at Shen Jue. Shen Jue noticed that he was being watched, and although he found it strange, he still turned his head politely and asked, “Is there something I can help you with?”

The two made eye contact, and a fleeting surprise appeared on the small celebrity’s face. The next second, he said, “I was originally planning to look for you later, but I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“Do we know each other?” Shen Jue was even more puzzled.

Hearing this, the small celebrity revealed a bright smile, he said, “We don’t know each other.” He paused, then added, “Oh, well, it should be that you unilaterally don’t know me.”

“But it doesn’t matter, after tonight, you’ll know me.”

Shen Jue didn’t speak. The small celebrity didn’t care about Shen Jue’s reaction at all and continued, “Before meeting you, I was always wondering what your real face looked like. Photos can deceive, but eyes don’t, now that I see it, I realize it’s just so-so.”

“I have to admit, you do look good, but this face of yours is really annoying to look at.”

“Don’t look at me with such strange eyes.” The small celebrity’s tone softened slightly. He turned his gaze back to the mirror and began to fix his hair, “I’m really curious what method you used to get Ji Yuanan to marry you, family background, or… did you use this face to seduce him?”

“Anyway, the two of you couldn’t possibly be in love.”

The small celebrity’s mouth opened and closed, still talking, probably saying some slanderous words, but Shen Jue didn’t care about any of it anymore. He suddenly recalled Zhao Youming’s description of a certain model, whose face was painted whiter than the wall. Now, looking at the small celebrity’s face under the light, with the contrast of the bright lipstick, it appeared even more pale. Shen Jue thought, this must be the kind of white Zhao Youming was talking about.

He looked at himself in the mirror again, his collar slightly open, his hair blown a little messy by the wind, it did seem to have the potential to seduce others.

At this moment, his unsatisfied stomach finally began to rebel, Shen Jue endured the discomfort and interrupted the small celebrity’s soliloquy, “I think… you might have some misunderstandings about Ji Yuanan.” He said word by word, “He’s not that kind of person, the two of us are indeed in love.”

That’s a lie. Shen Jue silently retorted in his heart. After saying this, Shen Jue left the small celebrity alone and left the bathroom.

Even so, Shen Jue wasn’t too happy. The small celebrity’s words were hurtful, but not entirely unreasonable. To some extent, Shen Jue did rely on this face to marry Ji Yuanan.

Just because of this face, which was very similar to Ji Yuanan’s beloved, Shen Jue was forced to endure the malice from others that should not have appeared, their undisguised disgust, and being called a very frivolous person. Shen Jue just hadn’t loved anyone, but he wasn’t that casual.

Fortunately, Shen Jue would no longer be seriously injured by these words. Besides, Ji Yuanan was also very considerate to him. Forget it, Shen Jue told himself, just let it cancel out.

In the end, Shen Jue returned to the hall. He quickly spotted Ji Yuanan in the crowd and walked to his side.

Ji Yuanan used his free hand to tidy Shen Jue’s hair and casually asked, “Where did you go just now?”

“Went to the terrace for some fresh air.”

Ji Yuanan nodded and didn’t ask any further. After tidying Shen Jue’s hair, he buttoned up Shen Jue’s only unbuttoned button and smoothed his collar.

Shen Jue noticed several meaningful glances being cast in their direction. Ji Yuanan lowered his eyes and was still slowly helping him tidy up. Shen Jue didn’t dare to move.

“Shen Jue.” Ji Yuanan suddenly called him, “If you don’t want to come in the future, you can tell me directly, you don’t need to force yourself.”

He’s been found out, this was Shen Jue’s first thought. This gave Shen Jue the illusion that he was naked in Ji Yuanan’s eyes, and all his joys, sorrows, and angers had nowhere to hide in Ji Yuanan’s mind. Would Ji Yuanan one day see through his boring nature and abandon him? Shen Jue wildly speculated.

“…Are you spacing out again?”

Shen Jue couldn’t speak. Ji Yuanan finally finished tidying up and began to quietly stare at Shen Jue, just like before. The short few seconds seemed to be infinitely prolonged. Shen Jue softly said, “Okay. I won’t force myself in the future.”

The banquet finally came to an end.

Perhaps he drank too much wine at the banquet. Not long after getting into the car, Ji Yuanan had already closed his eyes and fallen asleep.

Throughout the entire banquet, Ji Yuanan had blocked many times for Shen Jue when others offered him wine. He drank without changing his expression. When he finally left, except for his slightly slower pace than usual, there was no abnormality to be seen, all of which made Shen Jue not expect Ji Yuanan to be drunk.

Ji Yuanan’s head fell inch by inch in Shen Jue’s direction. Shen Jue couldn’t stand it anymore, so he simply let him lean on his shoulder. Ji Yuanan slept very soundly and wasn’t awakened by Shen Jue.

The destination was getting closer and closer, but Ji Yuanan showed no signs of waking up. Shen Jue began to calculate the possibility of dragging him home alone.

Ji Yuanan indeed didn’t wake up. Shen Jue thought that it was obviously impossible to bring Ji Yuanan back alone. Shen Jue struggled with the thought for a few short seconds and decided to wake him up first. He gently moved Ji Yuanan’s head away and got up. Ji Yuanan leaned against the seat, his face calm, not flushed at all. Shen Jue looked at him for a while and justified himself, thinking that it was excusable that he hadn’t noticed.

He called Ji Yuanan’s name several times, and Ji Yuanan finally slowly opened his eyes.

“We’re getting out of the car, can you walk back by yourself?” Shen Jue asked him.

Ji Yuanan looked at him somewhat blankly, obviously still out of it, but obediently nodded. Shen Jue was worried that he wouldn’t be able to get there smoothly on his own, so he also had Ji Yuanan put his hand on his shoulder.

The two walked step by step towards the gate. Shen Jue struggled to open the door and threw Ji Yuanan onto the sofa.

“I’m going to boil water,” Shen Jue said, “Until then, don’t fall asleep again, at least drink some water.”

Although the words Shen Jue said had no deterrent force at all, Ji Yuanan still obediently waited for Shen Jue to bring him warm water.

“You should be able to go back to your room by yourself, right?” Shen Jue saw that he was about to nod again and quickly said, “Okay, you don’t have to keep nodding, you can go upstairs by yourself after drinking the water.”

In fact, Shen Jue overestimated the drunken Ji Yuanan. At first, Ji Yuanan finished most of the glass of warm water and walked towards the stairs. Although his steps were still very slow, he was walking towards the second floor.

Then, Ji Yuanan turned a corner. Shen Jue followed worriedly. He saw Ji Yuanan pass the stairs, then stopped, as if lost in a maze, not knowing where to go next.

Shen Jue sighed and resignedly walked over to support Ji Yuanan, dragging him towards the room. Ji Yuanan seemed to have finally found a support, allowing Shen Jue to take him anywhere.

Pushing open the door, Shen Jue didn’t even have time to turn on the light before being pulled to the bed by Ji Yuanan. Ji Yuanan walked unsteadily and somewhat eagerly, almost bumping into the furniture on the side. Shen Jue was dragged by him and barely managed to turn on the bedside lamp, only to be dragged into bed by Ji Yuanan again.

Shen Jue’s entire face was completely buried in Ji Yuanan’s neck. He smelled a very faint fragrance, which came from Ji Yuanan. A few strands of Ji Yuanan’s hair accidentally brushed against Shen Jue, and Shen Jue felt a little itchy, so he broke free. He and Ji Yuanan looked at each other for a while. Ji Yuanan stared at him without blinking, saying nothing.

He sighed softly and curiously asked, “Do you know what you’re doing?”

There was no answer. Shen Jue thought that Ji Yuanan probably mistook him for the person he liked. He was generous and decided not to argue with a delirious drunkard. Ji Yuanan had blocked wine for him, he had brought Ji Yuanan home safely, they were even tonight.

He got up to cover Ji Yuanan with the blanket, turned off the bedside lamp, and before leaving, he said goodbye to Ji Yuanan, “Thank you for tonight, just sleep well.” Then he quickly left.

[The author has something to say]

Finally finished writing, I’ll post it first, I might make some minor revisions tomorrow.