Chapter 40 – I love you

Editor: Xinghe

Proofreader: UM3

Translator: Churen/YuQiChen

The next day, Xie Qing went to the broadcasting station alone.

The staff members of the program 《Quickly eat, it brings happiness》 were excited to see him. Their gazes towards Xie Qing were filled with gratitude, admiration and sympathy. Xie Qing’s story with Xie Ling had caused a huge uproar on Weibo and the whole nation knew about the despicable things Xie Ling had done. Now, Xie Qing, as the victim, was being showered with love and compassion.

As soon as Xie Qing arrived, the staff members crowded around and asked:

“Xie-ge, are you hungry? I brought some small sandwiches.”

“Xie-ge, I’m going out to buy coffee for Director He. Do you not drink coffee? Is there something else you’d like to drink? I can bring it for you.”

“Xie-ge, your complexion looks much better than before.”

Xie Qing glanced at the enthusiastic crowd, smiled and nodded, “Thank you, everyone, but there’s no need to trouble yourselves.”

However, it seemed like no one heard his words. Everyone’s gaze coincidentally focused on the man’s neck in front of them. Xie Qing’s complexion was pale, his neck slender and fragile, giving the impression that it could snap with just a light touch. And now, there was a faint mark of teeth and a vivid love bite on his neck, causing people to gasp in shock with just one glance. They quickly averted their eyes—

Or at least they tried to, but their eyes seemed to be glued to it.

At this moment, everyone had only one thought on their minds: Who the hell left those marks!

After about two minutes, the staff member who had just mentioned buying coffee turned around with a bewildered expression. As they walked out of the television station’s gate, they muttered under their breath, “I should also buy some band-aids to cover it up.”

Everyone had a perplexed expression on their faces, except for Xie Qing himself, who didn’t seem to care much. Qi Huaiyu insisted on leaving marks on him, like an insecure little beast seeking reassurance. Xie Qing indulged him, took out his phone and scanned the traces on his neck. He went to the dressing room to prepare for makeup.

The other two food anchors¹it appears these are the bloggers who cook while live broadcasting were already in the dressing room, but it seemed like their relationship was truly not great. They didn’t even exchange a glance with each other. Before coming, Xie Qing had checked the reviews of the show and knew that these two individuals had strong personalities and were somewhat arrogant, looking down on food bloggers²while these are the types to write an online post or post edited videos online of themselves cooking/eating i.e. Xie Qing who hadn’t gone through formal culinary training. Xie Qing didn’t bother getting involved with them either.

The makeup artist who was doing Xie Qing’s makeup was the same one as before, a young girl. She stared blankly at Xie Qing’s neck for a while and tactfully said, “Xie-ge, the mark on your neck is quite noticeable. It probably won’t be easy to cover up.”

Xie Qing looked at himself in the mirror.

He was wearing a simple white shirt and when the collar was buttoned up, it could barely cover three-quarters of the marks, but once it opened, everything was exposed. He gently touched the porcelain-white and soft skin with his fingertips and murmured softly, “Don’t worry about it, it’s fine.”

The makeup artist’s eyes widened immediately.

How could it be fine? It’s so obvious!

She was about to say something when she heard Xie Qing continue, “If it’s covered up, someone might get upset.”

His words, accompanied by a hint of teasing and indulgence, entered the makeup artist’s ears, making her feel a ticklish sensation in her ears for some reason. She couldn’t help but reach out and touch her ear, then screamed loudly in her mind—

‘Holy shit! So they’re really in a relationship!’

Indeed, once the main villain Xie Ling exited the scene, it was time for the male lead to develop his own love story.

It’s just unknown who the other person was.

The makeup artist couldn’t help but feel a little down at this thought. After all, she was a loyal fan of Xie Qing and Qi Huaiyu’s relationship. She had thought they were a perfect match during the filming and couldn’t stop shipping them once the show ended. But now, not long after that, Xie Qing already had someone—

It couldn’t possibly be Qi Huaiyu, right? There’s no way such a good thing existed in the world!

…

The shoot started on time.

The MC team had changed this time. Yu Shu was still there, but Zhao Jing had mentioned that he was leaving the show to travel around the country after the six-episode contract ended. So today, a newcomer and a very famous male singer joined the MC team.

The male singer’s name was Chi Xiangchen. It was said that he was currently very popular, singing the OSTs for many TV dramas. He was talented, had a great personality and had a lot of fans. In short, he was a pretty good young man.

When He Jing introduced him like that, Xie Qing’s expression looked a bit strange. “Why are you introducing him in such detail?”

He Jing exclaimed, “Damn, you’re really perceptive. I just wanted to tell you that this guy is actually pretty good. He used to have poor eyesight, and even wrote a song for Xie Ling.”

Xie Qing: “…Then maybe you should go and do some persuasion on his behalf. Who knows, he might stab me while I’m cooking.”

The voice was clearly teasing, with a hint of laughter. It was obvious that he was joking. He Jing chuckled as well, unabashedly draping his arm over Xie Qing’s shoulder and squinting his eyes playfully. “Not everyone is like Xie Ling and Yu Kaize, those pair of outlaws.”

Xie Qing didn’t have any particular feelings towards this singer named Chi Xiangchen. As long as he wasn’t like Li Youbai or Yu Kaize, who deliberately provoked him because of Xie Ling, he wouldn’t interfere with other people’s relationships. Whoever they liked, it had nothing to do with him.

But Xie Qing clearly felt that even during the recording of the show, Chi Xiangchen would always cast subtle glances his way.

Xie Qing: “?”

It wasn’t until the mid-break that Yu Shu discreetly glanced at Xie Qing, who was texting and couldn’t help but glance at Chi Xiangchen as well. He turned his head slightly and lowered his voice, asking, “Xiangchen, your relationship with Xie Qing… You know that Xie Qing is a victim, right?”

Being reminded in this way, Chi Xiangchen’s fair face looked a bit bewildered. He blinked and quickly nodded, “Of course, I know. And…”

He seemed a little embarrassed as he licked his dry lips and nervously intertwined his fingers. “I, I really feel sorry for Xie-ge.”

A question mark slowly formed above Yu Shu’s head.

After hesitating for a while, he couldn’t help but ask, “But don’t you like Xie Ling? I remember fans saying that you even wrote a song for Xie Ling… Did I remember it wrong?”

Chi Xiangchen quickly waved his hand, “No, it’s not like that. It’s just rumors spread online. That song was written for Xie-ge.”

The question mark above Yu Shu’s head grew even bigger.

He couldn’t help but look at Xie Qing again. How could Xie Qing have any connection with Chi Xiangchen? Was Chi Xiangchen starting to talk nonsense because he was too affected? On Weibo, there were quite a few people who, after being maliciously provoked by Xie Ling, started to wildly praise Xie Qing for being good-looking, having a good temper, having a good temperament and being good in every way.

But this Chi Xiangchen…

As if he could guess Yu Shu’s inner doubts, Chi Xiangchen smiled awkwardly, “I wrote that song a long time ago. I think I was still in junior high at that time. I happened to see him talking to others while wearing his school uniform when I was delivering something to my cousin in high school, so… I just wrote it down.”

Yu Shu: “Oh, so you have such natural talent. Being able to write a song like that in junior high, that’s impressive.”

The amateur guest sitting nearby couldn’t help but roll their eyes inwardly at their conversation. Director Yu, is this the key point? So what if he could write songs in junior high? Isn’t the focus on the person who inspired him to write the song?

Moreover, Chi Xiangchen, my friend, did you notice the unmistakable marks on Xie Qing’s neck? Even if you can write songs, you don’t stand a chance.

The three of them had different thoughts, while Xie Qing, leaning back in his chair, lowered his head and found Qi Huaiyu’s WeChat, sending a message: [There’s someone who keeps staring at your boyfriend. Does CEO Qi have any thoughts on this?]

Qi Huaiyu immediately replied: [?]

Then quickly added: [Isn’t the mark I made on my ge obvious enough? Or is he just blind? If he dares to snatch someone else’s boyfriend, he’ll be struck by lightning.]

Xie Qing: [That’s one of Xie Ling’s former pursuers. The possibility of him striking me with lightning is even greater.]

Qi Huaiyu: [Oh, well, it seems like he does have some problems with his eyesight.]

Qi Huaiyu: [Shall I come pick you up later? I happen to miss Director He Jing and the others too.]

Miss?

Xie Qing couldn’t help but laugh.

The messages Qi Huaiyu sent had almost spelt the six words “I want to declare sovereignty.”

Xie Qing replied with a simple [Ok.]

Coincidentally, he had made a reservation at a restaurant for tonight, planning to take the little brat out for dinner.

Today’s filming lasted for a long time because of an unexpected incident with the guest. 《Quickly eat, it brings happiness》 was off the air for a week. He Jing wanted to make it up to the fans during this week, so they shot many interesting scenes to be used as behind-the-scenes footage or extra cuts.

After the filming ended, Xie Qing sent a message to Qi Huaiyu and then sat in the lounge, waiting. Soon, most of the people in the lounge had dispersed. Chi Xiangchen glanced at the young man with a half-clear and elegant face and his heart raced a bit. He took a deep breath and walked quickly to Xie Qing’s side, calling out “Xie-ge.”

Although Xie Qing was indeed a few years older than Chi Xiangchen, their positions in the industry were completely different. Chi Xiangchen was now considered one of the top creative geniuses in the music industry. It was a bit unfair to address Xie Qing as “ge”.

But Chi Xiangchen himself didn’t mind. He nervously smiled as Xie Qing looked up, “Xie-ge, I didn’t get to talk much during the shoot earlier, so I came over to say hello. Also… I really like you and I hope that in the future, without any annoying people, you can always be happy and successful. My manager is waiting for me, so I’ll go first. Goodbye, Xie-ge!”

Xie Qing: “…Goodbye.”

Watching the young man’s figure walking away, Xie Qing blinked in confusion.

This was completely different from what he had imagined.

What he imagined was probably Chi Xiangchen pointing at him and angrily shouting, “You’ve caused Xie Ling so much misery! Don’t get too cocky, I will teach you a lesson in the future!”

But it turned into “I hope you can always be happy and successful.”

Xie Qing thought to himself, and suddenly caught a glimpse of a young man standing at the door, wearing a dark black suit. Qi Huaiyu was tall with long legs and his face was exquisitely handsome. Just standing there alone, he could effortlessly attract everyone’s attention. Xie Qing stared at him blankly for a second and then let out a sigh.

This little brat was probably going to overturn the vinegar jar now³he’s gonna be jealous again.

And indeed, it was just as Xie Qing had anticipated.

Even after learning that Xie Qing had made a reservation at a restaurant to invite him for dinner, Qi Huaiyu seemed quite aggrieved. His gaze lingered on Xie Qing’s neck and he asked several times, “Can’t he see such a big mark?”

Xie Qing: “He saw it. He didn’t say anything, it’s just a simple blessing.”

Qi Huaiyu remained expressionless, “Is that so? I heard him say that he really likes you.”

Xie Qing: “Liking someone and loving someone are different.”

Qi Huaiyu: “Oh, really? You’ve never said that you love me.”

Xie Qing: “…”

It seemed like there was really nothing more to talk about today.

After dinner, Qi Huaiyu still appeared gloomy. Wherever Xie Qing went, he followed. Xie Qing wanted to talk to him, but he ignored him, causing the former a great headache. Lost in thought, trying to figure out how to appease him, Xie Qing didn’t even notice that someone naturally followed him into his house.

It wasn’t until Xie Qing accidentally bumped into the glass coffee table and let out a sound that Qi Huaiyu pulled him into his arms. Xie Qing was stunned for a moment before reacting.

“Did you hurt yourself?” Qi Huaiyu looked at Xie Qing as he bent down to touch his knee, furrowing his brow. He pushed him onto the sofa and tried to roll up his pants, only to realize that they weren’t loose enough for that.

Qi Huaiyu looked up at him.

Xie Qing silently tightened his waistband. “…It’s impossible.”

Qi Huaiyu stared at him for a few moments and under the gaze of those eyes, Xie Qing felt as if he had fallen into an abyss. In his confusion, there were hands pressing on his shoulders and Qi Huaiyu leaned over towards him, his thin lips tracing the beautiful marks on Xie Qing’s neck. In a hoarse and submissive voice, he called out, “Shizun.”

These simple two words made Xie Qing’s heart tremble uncontrollably. He unconsciously gripped the sofa beneath him tightly, about to say something when his neck suddenly hurt. He couldn’t help but turn his head to look, only to have his eyes covered.

“Shizun, can I make a few more marks on you?”

The room fell silent, only the sound of their breaths could be heard. After a while, accompanied by a breath, Xie Qing let out a slightly hoarse and deep “Mmm.”

The young man, easily granted permission, freely left his own marks on the person beneath him.

As the night grew darker, occasional insect sounds could be heard from the greenery outside the old residential area, seemingly drowning out the muffled moans in the bedroom, as if completely immersing Xie Qing into a strange world. His vision was hazy, covered by a mist, and whenever he reached out, he would easily touch the warmth that made him want to hold on tightly, but his fingers would fall weakly. He continued to wander and collide in this world, following the sounds of the insects, moving forward.

Finally, the sound of insects faded away and a ray of dawn-like sunlight dispersed the mist, revealing the warm presence of Qi Huaiyu before Xie Qing’s eyes.

He softly called out his name, “…Qi Huaiyu.”

The young man’s fingers brushed against the beautifully flushed corners of his eyes. He then lowered his head to kiss the pretty and lively beauty mark and felt the slight flinch from the person beneath him. Slowly, he held his hand and hoarsely said, “I’m here.”

Suddenly, his fingers felt a touch of coldness. Qi Huaiyu held Xie Qing’s hand, kissed the ring that he had personally put on, almost devoutly and said, “I love you.”

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• 1
  it appears these are the bloggers who cook while live broadcasting
• 2
  while these are the types to write an online post or post edited videos online of themselves cooking/eating i.e. Xie Qing
• 3
  he’s gonna be jealous again