Deeply Affectionate Male Supporting Character Topped the Protagonist 38

Chapter 38: Caressing the Scar

On the large TV screen, the first half of the first episode of “Unlimited Escape Room” was nearing its end. Xi Leng was by the bedside, comforting the panicked and resistant Feifei, followed by the VCR they saw for the first time. The scene filmed separately by the two young actresses.

Xi Leng watched intently. It wasn’t his story, yet he felt as if he was also a part of it, personally experiencing the two girls’ joy and pain.

At the end of the VCR, his painting appeared.

A misty forest, lush greenery, dim light, like the approaching night, or the coming dawn. Between the tall trees, the two girls looked so small, their hands clasped tightly together.

Running towards the distance, towards freedom.

Outside the TV, the monotonous game of Buzz went on round after round. Qiao Yusen decided to challenge himself, letting the numbers climb higher and higher, no longer restarting, stubbornly continuing the game while enduring the penalties.

Midway through the game, Min Zhi added a rule, if no one had a question to ask, the penalized person had to drink.

So, Qiao Yusen could only drink in misery, one glass after another.

Luo Jiayan could have helped him out, but his mind was slowing down under the influence of alcohol. Every time he was about to ask a question, the penalty was already over.

“Wait!” Qiao Yusen took a deep breath and called for a timeout. “Something seems wrong.”

His cheeks flushed as he frowned at Xi Leng. The others, puzzled, also looked over.

Xi Leng’s expression remained unchanged, fair and cold. His black hair was tied in a half-ponytail, his hands supporting him as he leaned back against the sofa, relaxed and composed, like a detached observer, indulging his younger brother in a childish game.

—And also because both Min Zhi and Rong Xingyi on either side of him were close to the coffee table, he had to sit further back to avoid touching them. Especially Min Zhi.

Rong Xingyi, perhaps sleepy or something, also seemed a bit dazed, suddenly letting out an “Eh?” Tilting his head, he asked: “Ge… haven’t you had a single drink?”

Even for the question-answering penalty, he had only answered once for Rong Xingyi.

He hadn’t received any penalties himself for making mistakes.

This was very unreasonable and unbelievable. Even the smartest person could easily make mistakes under pressure.

Min Zhi hit the nail on the head, his tone not questioning: “You memorized it beforehand.”

Xi Leng didn’t deny it: “Mm-hmm.”

“Ah… you memorized the multiples of seven? How could you… that’s too much.” Qiao Yusen sighed deeply. “But this way, I feel a little better, at least it proves I’m not stupid.”

Luo Jiayan mumbled, squeezing in a sentence: “I drank even more than you, and I don’t feel stupid…”

Qiao Yusen couldn’t help but laugh, pinching his cheek.

Luo Jiayan froze, as if under a spell.

Qiao Yusen, unfazed, continued the game.

The result of his carelessness was that he blurted out a clear “7”: “917… oh shit.”

He immediately realized his mistake, but unfortunately, it was too late.

Admitting defeat didn’t prevent him from pleading: “I really can’t drink anymore, I’m going to throw up. Spare me.”

“But I’m not curious about you, there’s nothing I can ask.” Min Zhi showed no mercy, then, after a pause, seemingly having a change of heart, said, “Then do a dare.”

“Okay, okay.” Qiao Yusen even seemed a little expectant.

Min Zhi looked at him, then at Luo Jiayan, and said with a straight face: “Go pursue Luo Jiayan.”

Qiao Yusen’s perfect smile vanished like a sticker being peeled off, his playful demeanor disappearing. He was clearly stunned, his breath catching in his throat, his muscles tensing.

Luo Jiayan, on the other hand, was the first to let out a surprised “huh?”

Just as Qiao Yusen was about to speak, Min Zhi suddenly clutched his head, hissing softly.

Xi Leng was the first to react, hurriedly asking: “…What’s wrong?”

Min Zhi raised his head, pressing a finger against his temple, his face slightly pale, but only replying with one word: “Nothing.”

Xi Leng frowned slowly, recalling Min Zhi’s words earlier, unsure if it was a joke.

In the novel’s outline, Qiao Yusen and Luo Jiayan had no romantic entanglement, but his rebirth and different choices might have caused other chain reactions.

Setting that aside, just considering Min Zhi’s identity, the protagonist gong of this novel world, he shouldn’t have said such a thing.

So, a headache?

Xi Leng’s brows furrowed deeply.

“Okay, okay, then I’ll pursue him.” Qiao Yusen regained his smile. “Xiao Jiayan, stand up, run…”

Luo Jiayan, confused, obediently did as he was told.

Qiao Yusen waited for Luo Jiayan to run a few steps away, then chased after him, tapping him on the shoulder, a sly smile on his face: “Okay, caught you.”

This little interlude was casually resolved, and the two returned to their original positions.

Next, it was Min Zhi who kept making mistakes, clearly because his mind wasn’t on the game.

Xi Leng, feeling uncomfortable under Min Zhi’s gaze, also had a few drinks even though he hadn’t been penalized, his expression still calm, but his cheeks slightly flushed.

“Alright, stop staring, it’s your turn to be penalized.” Qiao Yusen, truly disgusted by his friend’s lovesick demeanor, thought for a moment, deciding to help out a little, carefully choosing a penalty. “Look, you’ve all trended…”

They all took out their phones and checked.

“Haha, never any dating rumors before, and now this.” Qiao Yusen chuckled. “Min Zhi, read the first ten trending comments, you have to read them out loud, no matter what the content is.”

Xi Leng’s hand, holding the glass, paused slightly.

Min Zhi frowned slightly upon hearing this. Xi Leng knew that he probably hated those thirsty comments objectifying him. But this time, the trending topic was about the escape room variety show, so the comments shouldn’t be too outrageous.

Min Zhi scrolled through his phone, his brows gradually relaxing.

“Hm?” He suddenly let out a puzzled sound, raising an eyebrow, then smiled. “This is too much… Min-shen has his own studio, he never panders to fans, let alone has any queerbaiting KPIs… But asking out of ignorance, would bros do this?”

Xi Leng: “…”

Min Zhi then added: “I accidentally clicked on a fan-made video, they edited my interactions with Xi Leng to look like a secret romance. They’re so fast. The comments are all about shipping us, I’ll choose another one.”

Qiao Yusen, very accommodating, played along: “No, the bet’s already made. Continue reading.”

Min Zhi didn’t seem embarrassed at all, even finding it novel to be shipped with a man, saying excitedly again: “One glance, a mouthful of candy, then fainting from handsomeness, waking up to another mouthful of candy, then fainting again. Shipping handsome guys is such bliss, double the handsome guys, double the happiness!”

Xi Leng silently lowered his head and took another sip of his drink.

Qiao Yusen belatedly realized: “You specifically picked the ones praising your own looks.”

“No.” Min Zhi glanced at Xi Leng, who was silently trying to be invisible. “I specifically picked the ones praising him.”

Xi Leng: “…”

Qiao Yusen also went to find the fan-made video: “I can’t stand it anymore, let me see what they’re saying.”

“I saw it clearly! Min-ge made the first move! Haha.” Qiao Yusen said mercilessly, reading out loud, “Look at his lovesick demeanor, are his eyes glued to that face? —I’m just reading the comments, these aren’t my words.”

Min Zhi then restrained his gaze slightly.

Xi Leng fidgeted, unable to help but explain: “Because we were chained together, and it was actually darker than it looked on the show, pitch black, we couldn’t see anything, it was easy to bump into each other if we didn’t hold on.”

Min Zhi unexpectedly agreed seriously: “Mm-hmm, netizens tend to overreact and overinterpret.”

And as the protagonist gong with a perfect memory who always honored his bets, Min Zhi continued reading from his phone without being prompted: “Leng Leng’s painting hands are so long and fair, they probably feel cool like his temperament, must be nice to touch…”

Xi Leng’s scalp tingled.

Min Zhi, however, seemed unfazed, pondering for a moment, murmuring softly: “Really? I don’t quite remember.”

Xi Leng picked up his glass again, the cool glass contrasting with the warm and soft touch that suddenly appeared on the back of his hand under the table.

He immediately turned to Min Zhi beside him, who maintained a normal expression, his hand still moving under the table, completely covering the back of Xi Leng’s hand.

Then caressing it.

Xi Leng froze.

Min Zhi read the comments while continuing to caress his hand, seemingly trying to recall the feeling from that day, but he pushed his luck, his hand accidentally brushing against Xi Leng’s thigh several times.

“Xi Leng is so cold and fair, like a little kitty!” Hearing another specifically chosen comment, Min Zhi’s face remained unchanged as he read it out loud in one breath, “Only touching his little hand, Min Zhi, are you that incompetent? How could you resist? Please show us Xiao Leng blushing, his ears red, his neck stretched out, his Adam’s apple bobbing, gasping for air, his face covered in sweat, his little curls plastered to his face…”

“Cough.” Xi Leng choked on his drink, instinctively pulling his hand away.

However, Min Zhi held on tight, pulling his hand upwards.

Min Zhi then casually stroked the wolf tail at the back of his head, his pinky finger brushing against the back of his neck, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Haha, little curls, they do feel nice.”

If one ignored the suggestive actions and gaze, these words sounded like harmless banter between friends.

Xi Leng tried to play dumb, giving him a faint smile in response.

It was getting late.

Rong Xingyi had already fallen asleep on the sofa. The remaining four remained quiet, cleaning up the mess.

The new apartment was large, with four large suites. Xi Leng, as the host, thought for a moment and invited: “Jiayan, Jackson, you’re both drunk, right? Why don’t you stay the night, it’s too dangerous to drive back now.”

The two naturally agreed happily.

Luo Jiayan didn’t forget to ask about his idol: “What about Min-shen?”

Min Zhi casually replied: “It’s very convenient for me to go back.”

“Oh, oh, okay.” Luo Jiayan, truly drunk, his mind slow, didn’t dwell on it.

After settling the two guests, Xi Leng went to check on Rong Xingyi on the sofa, suddenly sensing something wrong. He leaned closer, sniffing, then picked up the half-full glass of pineapple juice on the table.

Min Zhi walked over and asked: “What’s wrong?”

Xi Leng silently handed him the glass.

Min Zhi sniffed it and smiled: “Isn’t this pineapple beer? How much did he secretly drink in front of us?”

He seemed to have forgotten that he was the one who bought the pineapple beer.

But Xi Leng, having been sitting next to his didi the whole time, yet not noticing, was also partly responsible.

Min Zhi observed his subtle changes in expression, the complex layers of indifference, his hesitant demeanor, finding it incredibly amusing.

In the end, Xi Leng didn’t say anything, just took a blanket and threw it over Rong Xingyi.

Min Zhi now resembled a scientist observing wildlife, capturing his every small movement, only asking when he encountered a contradiction he didn’t understand: “Aren’t you going to carry him to his room?”

Xi Leng picked up the slipped blanket and threw it over Rong Xingyi again, saying indifferently: “He needs to be responsible for his own actions.”

Rong Xingyi on the sofa mumbled and rolled over, his words slurred, only calling out “gege.”

Xi Leng glanced at him, still unmoved: “I bought extra medicine last time, antipyretics, cold medicine, everything, let him eat it if he wants.”

Min Zhi smiled, his sharp eyes bright, even brighter than his silver earrings.

Xi Leng felt inexplicably uncomfortable again, instinctively touching the scarf on his neck.

He was wearing a red bohemian-style scarf today.

Like his paintings, gradually incorporating more bright and vibrant colors.

Min Zhi continued staring at him, not in a hurry to leave.

Xi Leng could only tactfully ask.

“I’m not in a hurry, it’s just opening and closing a door.” Min Zhi said unhurriedly. “I haven’t properly seen your new apartment yet, and your new studio.”

“Mm-hmm.” Xi Leng didn’t mind, only saying, “It should be similar to yours, right?”

Min Zhi paused slightly, replying impeccably: “I’ll have to see for myself.”

In the quiet and luxurious duplex, the two walked upstairs lightly, through Xi Leng’s bedroom, then up again to the loft.

The room was spacious, with large floor-to-ceiling windows providing excellent ventilation and natural light.

Xi Leng had his bedroom and studio in the same large space, but Min Zhi didn’t smell the pungent turpentine from the rented apartment. A gentle night breeze drifted in through the half-open windows, brushing past his hair, instead carrying a cool mint scent.

Faint yet lingering.

Min Zhi quickened his pace.

Xi Leng happened to be turning a corner, holding onto the railing, and Min Zhi’s nose almost touched his back. Through the thin summer T-shirt, the folds of the fabric outlined his sculpted back muscles, faintly visible.

Min Zhi confirmed it.

The mint scent was coming from the person in front of him.

“This is it.” Xi Leng stopped, saying, “I turned the loft into a studio.”

“During the day, the lighting is very good, I don’t need to turn on the lights at all.” He tilted his head slightly upwards, looking at the skylights. “The night view is also very beautiful.”

“Hey, Xi Leng.”

Xi Leng responded, turning around, meeting a pair of eyes as deep as the distant night sky. Because Min Zhi was standing under the starlight, his eyes weren’t purely black, but with an indescribable brightness, like some kind of shimmering black gemstone.

Min Zhi stepped closer, his mouth opening, a silver stud piercing the soft, moist flesh of his tongue, two matching cat’s eye stones, one above, one below. After a moment, he closed his mouth and asked quickly: “Do you like me?”

Xi Leng, caught off guard, froze, several thoughts flashing through his mind before finally landing on his duty as a dedicated fan.

He nodded and said with certainty: “Mm-hmm… I’ve liked you for three years.”

Unexpectedly, Min Zhi, relentless tonight, took another step closer and asked: “How much do you like me?”

Xi Leng frowned: “…Are you drunk?”

Min Zhi didn’t hesitate: “No.”

Drunk people were always like this, never admitting they were drunk. Judging by his earlier rambling comments and touchy-feely behavior, he was definitely drunk.

Xi Leng was helpless, being repeatedly questioned about how much he liked him.

Xi Leng was forced into high-difficulty overtime: “These past few years, I’ve only painted portraits of you.”

Min Zhi hummed in acknowledgment, then raised his chin slightly, gesturing for him to continue.

Xi Leng racked his brains: “And also, I listen to your songs every day?”

Recalling the “music curse” Min Zhi was so secretive about, Xi Leng added: “You said your music was a curse, perhaps because I’m used to that kind of thing? Listening to your rock music actually calms me down, those gentle and soothing melodies don’t have the same effect. Only your music does.”

Xi Leng had spoken so much tonight, it was rare.

Min Zhi called out his name for the third time: “Xi Leng.”

Xi Leng was running out of ideas, letting out a soft “hm?” while thinking about how to get him to go home soon.

Min Zhi asked again: “That name, only Luo Jiayan can call you that?”

“…No.” Xi Leng’s eyes flickered for a moment, then he looked steadily at Min Zhi, opening a crack in his guarded heart, confessing honestly, “You can call me that, but I don’t like it, that’s why I changed my name. But I haven’t told him, he doesn’t know.”

Oh? But you told me.

The night was beautiful tonight, and Min Zhi was in a great mood because of it.

“…Hey.”

This time, Min Zhi didn’t call his name.

Xi Leng froze, because Min Zhi’s hand was on his shoulder.

Before he could react, those long fingers touched the edge of his red scarf, and Xi Leng’s nerves instantly tensed, his protective shell threatened.

But those nimble fingers changed direction, unexpectedly slipping beneath the scarf.

“Then this, when are you planning to tell me about this?”

By the time he realized it, those dry fingertips were already at one end of the scar, gently tracing the ugly marks.

The same path the sharp, cold fruit knife carved that night ten years ago.

The difference was that the fingers were warm, the movements slow, even giving Xi Leng a strange sense of tenderness and care.

The scar he had hidden for ten years was touched by someone else for the first time. Xi Leng’s body stiffened, only his hazel eyes trembling, like the surface of calm tea disturbed by the wind.

The panic, the intense discomfort of having his scar touched made him momentarily forget the close proximity between them.

Min Zhi caressed him, looked at him, his eyes filled with emotions Xi Leng couldn’t decipher.

Even when Min Zhi closed his eyes, he didn’t anticipate what happened next.

The next second, his lips softened.

Min Zhi, pressing against his Adam’s apple, kissed him.