Maintaining his position nestled in Ji Yunzhang’s arms, Jing Li met his gaze. His expression was dazed, still not fully recovered. He didn’t snap out of it until the nearby staff, utterly charmed by the scene, started fangirling right there on the spot.
“Ahhhh, the perfect size difference!”
“It’s killer!”
“Teacher Ji’s boyfriend energy is off the charts. That scoop-up move where he lifted Jing Li clean off the ground was incredible.”
“Hehehe.”
“…” That last hehehe was definitely picturing some naughty scenario! Where was their decorum!
Heat flooded Jing Li’s cheeks, and embarrassment made him want to blast off into orbit right then and there. He hastily pulled away from Ji Yunzhang’s embrace. Feeling the burning warmth on his face, he instinctively covered it with both hands.
“Whoa!!”
“So cute!”
Seeing Jing Li on the verge of overheating, Ji Yunzhang swept his gaze over the girls clutching their faces in bliss. “Don’t tease him anymore.”
“Hahahahaha.”
Ji Yunzhang kept his distance from strangers but was always the perfect gentleman—especially with women—so the girls had no fear of him. They huddled together, laughing uproariously.
They chimed in, “Teacher Ji is so indulgent.”
Ji Yunzhang: “…”
He felt a tug on his sleeve. Looking down, he saw Jing Li’s cheeks still flushed, though his expression had steadied with some effort. “Can we head out now?”
Ji Yunzhang hummed in agreement. “I’m going to shower and change. Let Sister-in-Law know, and go wait for me downstairs.”
Jing Li nodded and turned to leave, taking long strides.
If he could, he would have bolted outright.
He hurried over to Jiang Mengshan in one go. She was laughing too but stopped when she saw him coming, asking with concern, “Are you hurt?”
Jing Li shook his head.
“That’s good.”
Jiang Mengshan glanced at the time. “It’s about that hour, isn’t it? You two heading out?”
“Yeah, leaving right away.”
“Off you go, then,” she said.
After saying goodbye to Jiang Mengshan, Jing Li left the filming location.
He went downstairs and climbed into the car, slumping over the steering wheel. While waiting for the heat in his cheeks to fully subside, he couldn’t help replaying the moment when Ji Yunzhang had effortlessly hoisted him off the ground with one arm. He found it downright unbelievable and let out a string of mental “holy shits.”
He knew Ji Yunzhang worked out. His hobbies—archery, shooting, skiing, surfing—all demanded serious arm strength. So he’d figured Ji Yunzhang’s arms were strong, but he hadn’t imagined they’d be this strong.
Jing Li was proud of his own build: 1.81 meters tall, weight hovering between 65 and 68 kilograms, nicely muscled. Scooping up a female celebrity in a bridal carry was a breeze for him.
But next to Ji Yunzhang, he’d turned into a delicate little bird clinging to a tall tree.
Wasn’t their size difference a tad ridiculous?
Maybe he should…
His thoughts cut off abruptly.
“What’re you thinking about?” Ji Yunzhang pulled open the car door and slid in. He’d changed into casual clothes, and a faint sandalwood scent lingered around his wrist as he adjusted it.
Jing Li eyed him. “Lifting weights.”
“?” Ji Yunzhang blinked at first, not getting it. Then understanding dawned, and he burst into laughter. He pressed his fist to his lips, but the mirth overflowed, crinkling the corners of his eyes and brows.
“Teacher Ji!” Jing Li huffed, cheeks puffing out.
Still laughing!
“Sorry,” Ji Yunzhang said, grinning at him. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”
The praise sent Jing Li’s spirits soaring. Then Ji Yunzhang added, “Want to learn archery? It’s great for building arm strength. We’ve got a range at home. This weekend when we head back, I can teach you.”
“Really?” Jing Li’s eyes sparkled. He leaned toward him, closing the distance until their faces were inches apart. He’d always thought archery looked insanely cool. “You’ll really teach me?”
Up close like this, Ji Yunzhang could easily lose himself in those bright, shining eyes. His smile deepened. “Really.”
“Anything you want to learn—as long as I know it, I’ll teach you.”
“You said it,” Jing Li replied, settling back into the driver’s seat. His voice brimmed with eager anticipation. “Don’t expect me to go easy.”
Ji Yunzhang smiled softly. “Good.”
~~~
Jing Li was polite and always ready to lend a hand. He excelled academically and had a wealth of talents, so he was genuinely well-liked. But before university, while he had plenty of friendly classmates, he didn’t have any true confidants.
Studying, piano, dance practice, guqin, painting—his days never seemed to have enough hours. He simply lacked the time and energy to nurture deep friendships.
It was only after high school graduation, when he finally broke free from his family and arrived at university, that he began living more freely and joyfully, with time to pursue his own interests.
Xu Daye was his roommate, two years his senior. They weren’t close initially. As a student from a poor family, Xu Daye devoted nearly all his time to part-time jobs and studying. He never joined dorm group outings, and daytime sightings were rare—he only returned at night, when it was time to sleep.
Familiarity between them truly blossomed after the semester was halfway through. When Xu Daye’s mother came to visit him, she was unexpectedly involved in a car accident. Though the crash itself wasn’t severe, it led to the discovery that she had lung cancer.
Fortunately, the cancer cells hadn’t spread yet, and prompt surgery could cure it—a true blessing in disguise.
The surgery, including postoperative recovery, would cost a total of one hundred thousand yuan, an amount neither Xu Daye nor his mother could afford. His father had passed away years earlier, leaving just the two of them at home. Their relatives were all strapped for cash too, and even after pooling what they could, they scraped together only thirty thousand. Adding their own meager savings brought the total to sixty thousand.
They were still forty thousand short.
Jing Li made up that shortfall.
Those forty thousand yuan were all of Jing Li’s savings at the time. He had already stopped relying on his parents’ money, and once it was gone, the two of them survived on nothing but steamed buns and pickled vegetables for half a month. Their roommate couldn’t bear to watch and covered their meals for the rest of the time.
That incident forged their friendship, one that had endured ever since and would continue into the future.
Ji Yunzhang had booked the restaurant—a trendy, creative take on Sichuan cuisine. By the time Jing Li and Ji Yunzhang arrived, Xu Daye was already there, seated in the private room and sipping tea.
He had likely come straight from work, dressed in a crisp suit and tie, his overcoat neatly draped over a chair nearby.
The door swung open, and he turned his head. Spotting Jing Li and Ji Yunzhang, he stood up at once. “You’re here?”
Jing Li smiled. “Yeah.”
Ji Yunzhang stepped up beside him, and Xu Daye made the introductions. “Teacher Ji, this is my friend Xu Daye. He works at a bank.”
Ji Yunzhang extended his hand. “Hello.”
Xu Daye shook it firmly. “Hello, Teacher Ji.”
The three of them took their seats again, with Jing Li and Ji Yunzhang on one side of the table. Xu Daye studied them for a moment and couldn’t help sighing. “You two are such a sight for sore eyes. Perfect match.”
Ji Yunzhang was pouring tea for Jing Li. He glanced up with a smile. “Thank you.”
Xu Daye wasn’t one for gossip and didn’t pry into the details of their relationship. Instead, he chatted with Ji Yunzhang about Jing Li. They’d been roommates for two years, and as Jing Li’s first true confidant, Xu had heard all sorts of stories from him—the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Ji Yunzhang listened with keen interest. Jing Li ate quietly beside them, making no effort to stop Xu Daye. Fortunately, he stuck to the shareable anecdotes, steering clear of anything too personal. He knew where to draw the line.
The meal passed in high spirits, with everyone enjoying themselves.
When the bill came, Xu Daye insisted on paying. Ji Yunzhang reached for the tab, but Xu Daye waved him off, determined to treat them.
Jing Li had stepped out to the restroom. Once the check was settled, Xu Daye turned to Ji Yunzhang, his expression deadly serious. “Jing Li’s helped me out more times than I can count. I’m grateful to him—treat him like the little brother I never had. I know the entertainment industry’s a snake pit, full of chaos and backstabbing. But I trust your character. I believe you’ll end up married because you genuinely care for each other. Just promise me you’ll take good care of him, cherish him, keep him from getting hurt or pushed around.”
His line of work had zero overlap with show business, so when he’d heard how Jing Li’s agency had sidelined and mistreated him in the past, there was nothing he could do about it.
Except invite him out now and then for a catch-up, lend an ear to his frustrations, or slip him cash when times got tough—though Jing Li had never once asked.
Ji Yunzhang met his gaze steadily. “I will.”
“What were you two talking about?” Jing Li returned, noting their solemn faces, and asked out of curiosity.
Xu Daye’s eyes shifted to him with a grin. “Nothing much. Just telling Teacher Ji to look after you.” He checked his watch. “I’ll get going.”
Jing Li called after him. “No autograph?”
Xu Daye waved it off with a teasing wink full of goodwill. “You’re together now—plenty of time for that. Next time.”
They watched him go before Jing Li turned to Ji Yunzhang. “Let’s head out too.”
Back home, Custard Bun launched itself at them, clawing at their legs and rubbing against them furiously. The new place still felt foreign to it, and without its owners around, it had no sense of security.
Jing Li scooped it up and spent a good while soothing it in the living room. Once it settled, the little pet scampered over to nuzzle Ji Yunzhang.
Ji Yunzhang gave its head a gentle pat, tossed it a chew toy to occupy itself, then headed to the kitchen for water. He handed one bottle to Jing Li.
Jing Li accepted it, his eyes fixed on Ji Yunzhang. “Teacher Ji, Xu Daye doesn’t know the full story with us. He spoke as my friend, from my side of things. If he offended you, I apologize on his behalf.”
He’d asked in the car on the way back what Xu Daye had said to Ji Yunzhang at the end.
Ji Yunzhang twisted open his bottle and took a sip, meeting Jing Li’s gaze. “Why apologize? He was spot on, and it didn’t offend me at all.”
His expression was warm and gentle. “You’ve got a great friend there—one who really values you. I think he’s a good guy.”
Jing Li’s pinky finger twitched at his side as their eyes locked, a softness blooming in his chest. “I know.”
Ji Yunzhang set the remaining half bottle of water down on the table. His gaze fixed on the man’s face, his voice softening to a gentle murmur. “This might be a bit forward of me, but would you be willing to tell me about your parents?”
