Chapter 12: He’s Handsome and Clean

The next day, martial arts training officially began.

Yu Lin and Hua Xinya arrived much earlier than Yun Xingcan and Lin Ming.

The two had already started training.

The first day’s training intensity wasn’t high, mainly focusing on adaptation.

Compared to others, Yun Xingcan’s martial arts movements were not only fewer but also less difficult, and he picked them up quickly.

The martial arts instructor taught each move meticulously, and Yun Xingcan learned rapidly.

A sword in his hands moved with powerful and agile flair.

Hua Xinya, who was learning alongside him, couldn’t help but applaud Yun Xingcan.

Even the instructor was somewhat impressed and couldn’t resist asking, “Have you studied martial arts before?”

Yun Xingcan thought for a moment and replied, “I suppose so. I grew up with my master in a Taoist temple, and he often took me to exercise.”

“Starry Splendor, were you sent to the Taoist temple by your parents when you were young? Is there some reason behind it?”

Hua Xinya called out from the side. Yun Xingcan smiled and said naturally, “I’ve lived with my master for as long as I can remember. He said he found me by the roadside and didn’t know who my parents are.”

Hua Xinya awkwardly rubbed her nose. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine. My master treats me like a father and is very good to me. I don’t feel there’s anything wrong with it.”

Nearby, Lin Ming was hoisted up on wire work. Due to his role, he needed to adapt to performing martial arts movements while suspended in the air.

Just as he was lifted midair, Lin Ming overheard the conversation between Yun Xingcan and Hua Xinya and couldn’t help but inwardly scoff.

That Yun Xingcan wherever he goes, he’s always using his pitiful stories to win sympathy and favor.

“Lin Ming, focus.”

Lin Ming snapped back to attention and looked at the instructor.

Under the martial arts instructor’s guidance, Lin Ming flawlessly executed difficult moves like backflips, front flips, and midair splits.

This was largely thanks to his dance training from his time as a trainee.

The day’s training passed without any mishaps.

All four of them trained with utmost seriousness. Even the scenario Yun Xingcan had imagined where Lin Ming might intentionally cause him harm didn’t occur.

Then again, it made sense. Lin Ming wasn’t foolish enough to play tricks in front of so many professionals, especially right after Meng Chengxiao’s warning, unless he had a death wish.

Half a month of martial arts training quickly came to an end. Regardless of their private relationships, on the surface, all four had become friends.

When facing Lin Ming, Yun Xingcan no longer carried the subtle hostility he once had, as if he had let go of past grievances.

Lin Ming, the actor, was exceptionally slick with his superficial courtesy.

“Brother Yu, Sister Hua, we’ll be heading off first. Keep up the good work!”

“Bye~”

“Ah Yun Yun, are you really leaving me like this?”

Hua Xinya genuinely liked Yun Xingcan and watched him leave with great reluctance.

Returning to the apartment, Yun Xingcan felt an unreal sense of disorientation, as if ages had passed.

It felt even stranger than when he first returned after his rebirth.

The room now carried more traces of human activity Meng Chengxiao must have been coming back frequently recently.

Since that night when Meng Chengxiao had shown up unexpectedly, the two hadn’t seen each other for half a month.

Yun Xingcan found himself genuinely missing him.

“Hey, President Meng, I’m back.”

“Mm, I’m on a business trip these few days. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Yun Xingcan ended the call himself. He had heard a clingy voice on the other end calling out “President Meng.”

Yun Xingcan clenched his hand tightly, warning himself not to voice the questions swirling in his mind.

He knew Meng Chengxiao often put on performances with others outside mere acts for the occasion.

But knowing was one thing; a pang of sourness still welled up in his heart.

“Idiot! Stop overthinking! Your brain’s gone haywire lately, obsessing over every little thing. Meng Chengxiao is your boss, not your dad, why meddle so much? He’d never take it seriously out there. Even if you don’t mind the dirt, his germaphobia would stop him from getting cold!”

Yun Xingcan’s heart ached with discomfort, and he found his own behavior utterly ridiculous.

Berating himself felt strangely satisfying, was there anything more cathartic than self-reproach?

Besides, Meng Chengxiao truly was a germaphobe.

As far as Yun Xingcan knew, aside from himself, Meng Chengxiao would wash his hands three times with soap after shaking anyone’s hand.

Sometimes Yun Xingcan even wanted to suggest he see a therapist a little germaphobia was normal, but this severe? That was an illness.

Still unsatisfied after his self-scolding, Yun Xingcan dialed the number again.

“Yeah? What else?” After a long pause, the man’s lazy, slightly drunken voice came through, low and resonant, making Yun Xingcan’s ears tingle.

“Pass the phone to whoever’s next to you,” Yun Xingcan commanded, his voice trembling with tension.

This move would lead to one or two outcomes:

One, Meng Chengxiao, would indulge him.

Two, Meng Chengxiao would destroy him.

But Meng Chengxiao chose the third option.

“Is Starry Splendor angry? Then I suppose I’ll have to head back early.”

Yun Xingcan froze, his thoughts slipping out unfiltered. “Who said anything about coming back early? I’m too furious right now I need to vent.”

The noisy music on Meng Chengxiao’s end cut off abruptly, plunging the call into silence.

Then, a heavy thud echoed someone hitting the floor followed by a trembling, unfamiliar voice stammering, “S sorry.”

Yun Xingcan instantly understood what that bastard Meng Chengxiao had done.

You want to assert dominance? Fine, I’ll play alone. Now everyone there can hear you through this phone.

But Yun Xingcan wasn’t one to be intimidated easily. If he said he’d vent, he meant it.

Had Meng Chengxiao been beside him, he might have hesitated.

But with Meng Chengxiao on the other end of the line? There was no way he could control this.

“Listen up, all of you! Stay away from Meng Chengxiao! Keep your filthy hands off him! I still need him when he gets back! Watch yourselves!”

On Meng Chengxiao’s end, in the private room of the club, dead silence fell.

The person who had invited Meng Chengxiao gaped in shock.

Whether it was the gyrating dancers or the companion’s serving drinks, everyone instinctively shuffled away from Meng Chengxiao.

After his outburst, Yun Xingcan added lightly, “Come back soon. I miss you.”

Then he hung up swiftly.

Chi Jinchen’s eyes widened in disbelief as he leaned toward Meng Chengxiao, slinging an arm over his shoulder with gossipy curiosity.

“You have a boyfriend now?”

“No.”

Meng Chengxiao took a glass of liquor and downed it in one go, his eyes gleaming with a desire that unnerved Chi Jinchen slightly.

“Then who was that…?”

“Someone I’m keeping.”

“What!” Chi Jinchen looked utterly astonished, mixed with a pained expression as if mourning Meng Chengxiao’s moral decline. “Didn’t you promise your uncle you wouldn’t mess around? How could you stop to this the kind of thing you used to look down on!”

Meng Chengxiao cast a sidelong glance at Chi Jinchen and said with utmost seriousness, “He’s different.”

“Holy shit! You don’t like him, do you?”

“Nonsense! Would I do this if I didn’t like him?”

Chi Jinchen had completely lost his playful mood now. He waved his hand, dismissing everyone else from the room.

He practically glued himself to Meng Chengxiao, staring wide eyed at the red-haired man before him.

Meng Chengxiao was the most detached and desireless person he’d ever met.

They’d been classmates from kindergarten through high school, close enough to share the same pair of diapers!

How could he not know what Meng Chengxiao was like?

Cold hearted, foul tempered, looked down on everyone, and had extreme mysophobia.

He’d been dating since middle school yet never saw Meng Chengxiao show the slightest interest.

When he learned this guy had quietly started an entertainment company and was constantly surrounded by gossip due to his looks and personality,

Chi Jinchen just dismissed those rumors as bullshit. Who would have thought the man himself would admit to having feelings for someone?

Could Chi Jinchen let this interrogation no, this gossip opportunity slip away?

He couldn’t.

“Hey, what do you like about him? What’s he like? What does he do? Is he good looking?”

Meng Chengxiao wordlessly poured them each a drink before slowly speaking, giving a reason that made Chi Jinchen’s jaw drop.

“He’s good looking.”

“…That’s it? Nothing else?”

“And clean.”

“What does this person do?”

“An artist under my management.”

Chi Jinchen took a deep breath; the strong smell of smoke mixed with the pungent alcohol stinging his lungs.

“You’re kidding me!”

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