Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 26

Finding an excuse to return to his own room, Ran Lin threw himself into bed and rolled around in various ways.

The natural charm of Lu Yiyao was too enchanting. Every word he spoke was as clear and honest as water under the moonlight, but Ran Lin felt utterly beguiled by it, and what’s more, this water turned out to be quite sweet.

Why hadn’t he noticed this trait in Lu Yiyao before?

Or was it something he only showed to friends?

If he was the only one who felt it, did it mean he was special to Lu Yiyao? Wait a second.

Ran Lin suddenly sat up in bed, realizing he might have entered a misunderstanding.

Just because he felt Lu Yiyao was charming didn’t necessarily mean Lu Yiyao was intentionally being charming. Maybe it was just his own… gaydar that was overly sensitive?!

That was a sad realization.

But having an answer, Ran Lin’s heart rate began to slow down.

Thankfully, Lu Yiyao was straight. Ran Lin thought with some relief; otherwise, it seemed all too easy for him to lose control and fall for him. It made sense why Star Lu was popular…

Wait.

Ran Lin, sitting on the bed holding the blanket, looked serious and furrowed his brows. After a while, he swallowed hard, as if frightened by his own thoughts.

Lu Yiyao… He’s definitely straight, right?

Usually, gay people are quite sensitive to each other, and in most cases, a glance is enough to know if someone is part of the community. But after all, one can’t be absolutely certain about these things. What if, maybe, just maybe…

Ran Lin felt he was suffering from “trying desperately to categorize Lu Yiyao as gay syndrome.”

This wild speculation wasn’t helping. Ran Lin decided to use his ultimate move—summoning the paparazzi.

The hotel’s Wi-Fi was as fast as an F1 car. Ran Lin opened a web page on his phone and typed in Lu Yiyao’s name. The dropdown menu suggested “Lu Yiyao’s girlfriend”, showing how many fans searched for it daily.

Ran Lin felt conflicted because that’s what he wanted to search for too…

The page refreshed with the keyword, but all he saw were either promotional articles from drama production or actresses, or clickbait titles from websites. The patterns were similar—”Lu Yiyao’s Night Meeting with XXX”, “Lu Yiyao and XXX Fall in Love on Set”, “Lu Yiyao’s Past Girlfriends PK*”. But none of them were concrete evidence.

*Term usually used in gaming for player killing but has now expanded colloquially to mean a comparison or contest between people or things.

Ran Lin thought he must be crazy because he then returned to the homepage and entered the keyword “Lu Yiyao’s boyfriend”, a wildly outrageous search.

When the page refreshed, apart from one generic article, the rest were unrelated.

The article’s title was—”Lu Yiyao and Ran Lin Sweet Dog Abuse* at the Airport”.

*Metaphoric way of describing one’s envy of seeing couples PDA. Basically, those who are single are referred to as “single dogs” and when they see other couples showing off PDA (dog food), they become abused dogs (a reminder that they are single).

The harsh reality, like a bucket of cold water, awakened Ran Lin from his wild fantasies.

Tossing aside his phone, he turned over and lay on his back, surrounded by the illusion of numerous invisible hands slapping his face. Ran Lin completely cut off his fanciful thoughts.

“People take you as a real friend, and here you are, overthinking your relationship.” Ran Lin looked up at the beautiful ceiling of the hotel room as if it were a mirror reflecting another version of himself, earnestly accepting criticism.

Overthinking can be scary, especially when things are unclear, tormenting one’s heart. But once you have clarity, you feel at ease. Besides, having calmed down, Ran Lin realized that his feelings for Lu Yiyao were not to the extent of being unable to live without reciprocation. He admitted his crush, but it was possible to be just friends.

Just like he realized Lu Yiyao’s fear of heights and quietly accompanied him without pointing it out, and Lu Yiyao noticed his likes and quietly kept them in mind when getting gifts. Such a friendship was already heartwarming and satisfying.

Not to mention those screenshots.

Lu Yiyao was truly exceptional with friends. No matter how Ran Lin thought about it, he felt like he was the one benefiting.

With the clouds dispersed, Ran Lin felt much lighter. He sat up, reached for the perfume, and began excitedly unpacking it.

Soon, the plastic outer wrapping was stripped away, and Ran Lin opened the box, taking out the perfume. The bottle was small and exquisite, identical in design to the larger milliliter versions, only proportionally reduced in size. This made it less of the stable luxury typical of men’s perfumes and added a bit of delicacy. The cool, clear glass felt comfortable in his hand.

Ran Lin suddenly wanted to act like those in the movies, spritzing the perfume into the air and then stepping forward into the mist, waiting for the tiny fragrance particles to fall and permeate.

But staring at the 30ml bottle for a long time, he ultimately couldn’t bear to waste it and just dabbed a bit on his wrists and neck.

Just as he finished, before Ran Lin had time to savor it, the doorbell rang.

Feeling guilty as if he was doing something wrong, Ran Lin quickly stuffed the perfume under the pillow and went to open the door naturally, only to find it was Zhang Beichen.

He was stunned upon opening the door, remaining so until Zhang Beichen joked, “Aren’t you going to let me in?”

Zhang Beichen always gave Ran Lin a feeling of being sunny, gentle, and kind. Even when he was playful, it was a warm and cheerful openness, like the caring male lead in a youth film who loved to ride bikes with the female lead. He was uncompetitive and quietly protective. If Lu Yiyao’s honesty came from his principles, Zhang Beichen’s came from his gentle nature.

But now, this slightly teasing Zhang Beichen seemed a bit unfamiliar.

Suppressing his unease, Ran Lin quickly stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. “You’re the only one who would wait politely for me to invite you in. If it were Xia Xinran, he would just barge in.”

Zhang Beichen entered the room with ease, closing the door behind him, then said, “I’m not like him.”

Ran Lin, who had been waiting to close the door, found himself with nothing to do but stand there awkwardly with Zhang Beichen.

Feeling uncomfortable, Ran Lin turned to walk further into the room, joking as he went, “Of course, you’re different. One Xia Xinran is already enough of a headache. If there were a few more, the director would probably cry.”

“I came to see you, but you keep talking about others. That’s quite heartbreaking.”

Ran Lin had just pulled up a chair, intending to invite Zhang Beichen to sit, when he heard this remark.

Looking up, the other person had a bright smile, appearing very natural, as if he was merely commenting on the pleasant weather.

Ran Lin wasn’t sure if he was overthinking or if it was something else. “Did you come to see me for something?”

Zhang Beichen raised his eyebrows slightly, countering, “Can’t I come to chat with you if there’s nothing urgent?”

“Of course, you can,” Ran Lin felt somewhat pressured by the standing Zhang Beichen and simply pointed to another chair, inviting him directly. “Have a seat.”

Zhang Beichen didn’t sit but stood there for a while, looking at the chair Ran Lin was sitting on and the one left for him, and said with a laugh, “Why does this feel like a formal discussion?”

Ran Lin felt that this partner was not making any conversation easy today. He didn’t hold back and retorted jokingly, “The room is only this big. If you don’t sit on the chair, you can only sit on the carpet.”

Zhang Beichen smiled faintly, his gaze deep and meaningful. “Isn’t there also a bed?”

His tone was light, almost to the point of being flirtatious.

Ran Lin looked up at his backlit face, experiencing a moment of mental blankness.

But then Zhang Beichen sat down, his actions as natural as if the flirtation just now hadn’t come from him.

Well, Ran Lin couldn’t be sure if it was flirtation, considering he had just let his imagination run wild not long ago. Maybe he was still in a cycle of overinterpretation.

Lost in thought, Ran Lin suddenly felt something pushed into his hand—a square box, its edges pressing into his palm.

He looked down, almost thinking he had traveled back in time.

The box was exactly like the one he had opened not long ago, only twice as big.

Confused, he looked up. Zhang Beichen was smiling gently.

“For you,” he said.

Ran Lin suddenly really wanted to go back and see his own expression when sniffing the perfume paper; otherwise, why would one after another send him perfume?

No, the one from Lu Yiyao was a freebie. If the store hadn’t had that promotion, Ran Lin doubted Lu Yiyao would have bought one to give him.

But the bottle from Zhang Beichen was genuinely bought at full price.

“Well, actually, I’m quite indifferent to perfumes. I was just curious, so I smelled it a bit more…”

Without reason, Ran Lin reflexively headed down the path of refusal. This was different from accepting something from Lu Yiyao, which was given casually and received easily. As for the subsequent fantasies, they were purely personal, harmless behind closed doors. But facing Zhang Beichen, he felt a strange pressure.

“You better not say you want to return it.” Zhang Beichen looked hurt; his expression measured, not overly dramatic, but with a tinge of intimacy. “I bought two bottles. If you don’t take it, I can only keep it.”

Ran Lin was stuck.

The gift wasn’t that expensive, but pushing it further would seem awkward. Yet accepting it made him genuinely uncomfortable. Compared to Lu Yiyao’s freebie, this one felt too obliging!

“Try it.” Zhang Beichen, seeing his hesitation, added softly, “I like this scent too.”

The air in the room grew ambiguous with Zhang Beichen’s murmured suggestion.

Ran Lin pursed his lips, no longer hesitating, and firmly pushed the perfume back to the giver, his voice gentle but tone decidedly firm. “I actually don’t like this scent.”

Zhang Beichen frowned briefly but quickly regained composure, sighing softly while looking at the returned gift. “Some things lose their meaning when said out loud. It’s better left unsaid.”

Ran Lin’s heart skipped a beat, looking steadily at Zhang Beichen, trying to maintain a calm façade, but his eyes betrayed his panic.

Zhang Beichen put down the perfume, seemingly realizing Ran Lin’s resistance, and his smile returned to its usual gentle brightness. But his words became more transparent. “The first time I saw you, I knew.”

Ran Lin was at a loss for words.

To deny? Even he felt it was self-contradictory.

To admit? Facing Zhang Beichen, who exuded such a dangerous aura, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

The only thing Ran Lin was sure of was that his gaydar needed fixing. It blared warnings for the straight Lu Yiyao and remained silent for fellow member Zhang Beichen. Could it get any worse?

In the delicate silence, Zhang Beichen suddenly leaned forward, locking eyes with Ran Lin at an extremely close distance. His eyes sparkled with amusement; his voice deliberately lowered. “It took me until the fifth episode to find a chance to be alone with you. It was really hard.”

The barely perceptible warmth brushed Ran Lin’s cheek, leaving him rigid, daring not to move. He wanted to say that he was also struggling, having recorded five episodes, none as difficult as this moment.

Zhang Beichen, perhaps misunderstanding his stiffness as an unspoken invitation, gently curved his lips and moved in for a kiss.

Zhang Beichen’s lips were moderately thick and light in color, appearing soft and clean.

But this was an objective appreciation from a purely aesthetic point of view.

If they misbehaved, no matter how beautiful, Ran Lin would still avoid them at all costs…

Bang!

The carpet’s substantial friction was nearly infinite. Ran Lin had intended to scoot back with the chair, but the chair legs didn’t budge, and he, along with the chair, toppled backward to the ground.

Thankfully, the highchair back created some distance between Ran Lin and the floor, and the chair’s soft, thick padding minimized the impact. Other than the shock, Ran Lin was unharmed.

Zhang Beichen was equally startled.

Only when Ran Lin struggled to get up did Zhang Beichen react, immediately standing to help.

Ran Lin didn’t resist, as the instigator should bear full responsibility, and he accepted Zhang Beichen’s help to stand.

But once up, he quickly let go and turned to steady the chair. “I’m not sure how you see me, and you don’t need to explain. Just know that I consider you a friend.”

Zhang Beichen watched Ran Lin’s adorably composed demeanor, determined in his words but struggling with the chair, looking more and more like someone who needed teasing.

“I consider you a friend too.” Zhang Beichen couldn’t help but chuckle. “Your reaction makes it seem like I was proposing to you.”

Ran Lin thought Zhang Beichen had finally come to his senses, grateful beyond words, and turned around to solidify their friendship. But as he turned, he found Zhang Beichen had already moved behind him, and their sudden closeness nearly brought them face-to-face.

Ran Lin instinctively stepped back, but Zhang Beichen naturally moved closer. Before he could take half a step back, Ran Lin bumped into the chair he had just straightened, and due to inertia, he sat down in it.

Zhang Beichen took advantage of the situation to hold both ends of the chair, trapping Ran Lin in it from a higher position.

The ambiguity, initially subtle, became pronounced.

Zhang Beichen gazed at him quietly, his eyes slowly revealing desire as he breathed in and out. “Friends can do many things together. An exotic country, a seaside hotel, such a rare good atmosphere. You’re happy, I’m happy; it’s not that complicated.”

Ran Lin watched Zhang Beichen unblinkingly, finally understanding.

This man was propositioning him…

This realization brought him relief, yet also amusement. Relief that sexual harassment without emotional attachment was easier to deal with, and amusement that he had actually thought Zhang Beichen was about to seriously confess his feelings. He had vastly overestimated his own charm.

Without further courtesy, Ran Lin pushed Zhang Beichen away and stood up.

Though slightly shorter and leaner than Zhang Beichen, Ran Lin still carried a tall and upright stature. He didn’t seem at a disadvantage, especially now that he had sorted out the situation and exuded confidence.

“No hook-ups.” There was no need for euphemisms at this point; Ran Lin was direct.

Zhang Beichen felt the sudden shift in the atmosphere but couldn’t find the reason and could only follow up with, “Why?”

Ran Lin stood tall and firm, his refusal complete. “I’m straight.”

Zhang Beichen paused for two seconds and then laughed heartily, without any reservations.

Ran Lin let him laugh, as sticking to this identity was the right choice. After all, if his radar could malfunction, why couldn’t Zhang Beichen’s? There’s no concrete evidence in these matters; it’s all about how the individuals define it.

Zhang Beichen gradually contained his laughter, his tone revealing undisguised disappointment. “Do I really have no charm?”

Ran Lin breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Zhang Beichen was backing down.

He didn’t feel attracted to Zhang Beichen but appreciated his “unclingy” approach. If the proposition was accepted, both would be happy; if not, they’d return to a normal distance. Not everyone could be so straightforward.

But it also indicated that Zhang Beichen was experienced.

There’s never a shortage of like-minded people in the entertainment industry, and Ran Lin suddenly became very curious about who Zhang Beichen had approached before…

“It seems like a difficult question to answer.” Zhang Beichen suddenly sighed weakly.

Ran Lin blinked, quickly regaining his composure, and offered a belated answer. “Who said you have no charm? You’re handsome, charming, and especially sunny when you smile… but I’m straight.”

Zhang Beichen watched him with a mix of annoyance and amusement for a long time, finally giving up.

People who play hard to get can be pursued persistently, but there’s nothing one can do with someone blatantly lying.

“Fine, be straight. But you should keep this,” Zhang Beichen said, referring to the perfume still on the table, “as a thank you for your guidance in the recording studio.”

“It’s been so long since then.” Ran Lin chuckled. “Besides, you already thanked me then. If I remember correctly, you even treated us to a lavish working meal.”

Zhang Beichen smiled, his eyes lowered, and after a moment, he suddenly asked, “I’ve never stood up for you on Weibo. Are you upset with me?”

Ran Lin didn’t expect this sudden topic but warmed up to Zhang Beichen’s frankness, replying honestly, “Why bring that up? We’ve been together for so long; you know what kind of person I am. It’s enough that you consider me a friend. It doesn’t always have to be shown off.”

Zhang Beichen watched him silently for a long time, then said, “Has anyone ever told you you’re very gentle?”

Ran Lin grinned. “Someone once told me I’m particularly timid.”

Zhang Beichen shook his head. “You’re not timid. You’re soft but firm.”

Ran Lin felt awkward, finding the phrase somewhat strange…

“By the way.” Zhang Beichen suddenly remembered something. “I saw your debut photo the other day, the one in the white shirt. You looked incredibly beautiful.”

Ran Lin felt overwhelmed by the compliments he had received that night and joked, “That compliment should be for Xia Xinran.”

“Not giving it.” Zhang Beichen refused readily. “Even if I did, he wouldn’t appreciate it.”

Ran Lin pondered for a moment, then decided to ask frankly, “What exactly did you do to him?”

Zhang Beichen looked exasperated. “That’s the problem. I never did anything to him. We debuted together, from the same company, with different positions and no competition in our paths. There’s even no intersection between us. If you insist on a reason, I can only say our stars are not aligned, and it’s his one-sided incompatibility with me.”

Ran Lin was bewildered, not expecting it to be an unsolved mystery. As he thought about analyzing further, Zhang Beichen suddenly sniffed the air, puzzled. “Do you smell perfume?”

Ran Lin tensed up, fearing Zhang Beichen would discover the truth. Although he didn’t know why he felt the need to hide the fact that Lu Yiyao gave him perfume, his mouth moved faster than his brain, and he lied, “Oh, I tried it at the counter. Maybe the scent lingered on me.”

Zhang Beichen tilted his head, then leaned in to smell Ran Lin’s neck as accurately as a drug-sniffing dog.

Ran Lin was about to push him away for the second time, but Zhang Beichen beat him to it, pulling back and announcing his findings. “Indeed, it’s the same scent.”

Ran Lin rolled his eyes helplessly. “Why would I lie to you?”

Zhang Beichen nodded, appearing casual. “Lu Yiyao’s freebie was also this one.”

Ran Lin’s heart skipped a beat, but he responded naturally, “Oh, seems like it.”

“No wonder you didn’t accept it. This scent is indeed too common,” Zhang Beichen said, taking the perfume back into his possession, indicating he no longer intended to give it.

Ran Lin was pleased with this outcome but couldn’t help but argue. “Being popular doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad. It shows that its scent is indeed well-liked.”

“But being popular means it’s not special.” Zhang Beichen put the perfume back in his pocket, his smile brightening. “Next time, I’ll give you something different.”

Ran Lin felt perplexed, about to dissuade Zhang Beichen, but the doorbell rang again.

Ran Lin suspected there must be a “welcoming” sign hanging outside his room.

The door opened to reveal Lu Yiyao standing outside. As soon as he saw the door open, he said directly, “Xia Xinran wants to go for late-night snacks and a night tour of the Dubai River…” He paused mid-sentence, stunned, because through Ran Lin, he could see another person inside the room.

Zhang Beichen smiled at Lu Yiyao. “Sounds good.”

Lu Yiyao was a bit confused, glancing inside the room and then back at the door. “What’s going on with you two…”

“We thought of going together,” Zhang Beichen answered naturally before Ran Lin could think of an appropriate response. “We were also discussing where to go for late-night snacks.”

Lu Yiyao suddenly understood. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go together. I heard the buffet on the night cruise is great, full of local specialties.”

Ran Lin wasn’t surprised by Lu Yiyao’s gullibility. Under normal circumstances, anyone would have thought the same. What truly surprised him was Zhang Beichen’s quick response. It was almost immediate, as if they had rehearsed it. If Ran Lin didn’t know the truth, he might have believed it too.

It was an instinctive protective mechanism that required no thought.

Ran Lin suddenly remembered his failed radar detection on Zhang Beichen, perhaps due to this.

It wasn’t that his radar was malfunctioning, but that Zhang Beichen was too well-hidden.

Perhaps in this circle, self-protection is the primary condition for survival. With this thought, Ran Lin felt relieved.

“Then I’ll go back and change clothes. Shall we meet in ten minutes?” Zhang Beichen asked Lu Yiyao, stepping past Ran Lin.

“Sure,” Lu Yiyao agreed readily. “I’ll go tell Xia Xinran and Gu Jie. See you in the lobby downstairs.”

After watching Zhang Beichen leave, only Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao remained, staring at each other.

“Are you going to change clothes too?” Lu Yiyao asked.

“Oh, I don’t need to,” Ran Lin replied. “Just need my phone and wallet.”

Lu Yiyao was relieved. It was just a late-night snack, not a rush to a show, so there was nothing to fuss over.

Back in his room, Zhang Beichen changed into fresher clothes and adjusted his hair in the mirror until he was satisfied. Just as he was about to leave, he returned, took the ungiven perfume from the clothes he had just changed out of, looked at it quietly for two seconds with a self-mocking smile on his lips, and then threw it in the trash.

The trash can was empty, and the perfume bottle landed with a thud.

……

The Dubai River meanders inward, dividing Dubai into two halves. The east side is Deira, the west is Bur Dubai. Traveling on an Arabian-style wooden boat on the river, the colorful lights on both sides were like a scene from “One Thousand and One Nights”.

The buffet on the boat was indeed good. Though it couldn’t completely match the taste nurtured by five thousand years of Chinese cuisine, trying each dish was a delightful experience.

The boat was large, but not very crowded. Besides them, there was only a table of Westerners and a few Indians. After some simple conversation with Lu Yiyao, it was learned that they were working for local construction companies, including designers and project managers, all new to Dubai, and taking the chance to enjoy some tourist fun after work.

On the first day of filming the task, Ran Lin heard Lu Yiyao speaking English with a pure British accent, precise and particular, but to Ran Lin, it sounded incredibly sexy. He realized for the first time that the same person speaking different languages could make such a big difference. In Chinese, Lu Yiyao seemed upright and reliable; in English, he exuded a restrained sensuality.

However, the tasks later became so draining that, by the end of the day’s filming, all he wanted to do was go to bed and sleep. Even if ten Lu Yiyaos surrounded him speaking English, it wouldn’t be more pleasant than the company of the mythical Duke of Zhou in his dreams.

The dining area was on the deck, but food was served inside the cabin, allowing guests to enjoy the view while eating without being surrounded by the mixed scents of food.

As the boat drifted leisurely on the river, Ran Lin finished his plate and got up to get seconds, only to find Xia Xinran also heading to the cabin.

“Lu Yiyao said when he went to find you, and Zhang Beichen was there too?”

Ran Lin knew Xia Xinran wanted to talk. His suspicious glances on the deck were a giveaway. As expected, as soon as they entered the cabin, Xia Xinran began.

The boat suddenly rocked, and Ran Lin quickly steadied himself against the long table with the dishes, preventing a fall.

Xia Xinran was also startled, his eyes wide.

Seeing those big eyes, Ran Lin suddenly remembered his message on WeChat: “You’re not gay too, are you?”

The question that had been troubling Ran Lin was finally answered in that sway—the “too” Xia Xinran referred to was Zhang Beichen!

“You two really got together?!” Xia Xinran, taking Ran Lin’s silence as affirmation, instantly looked like it was the end of the world.

Ran Lin wanted to cover his mouth, afraid that any gesture would seem even more incriminating. He could only whisper urgently, “No, we didn’t! He just came to have late-night snacks with me!”

Ran Lin didn’t want to lie to Xia Xinran, but saying Zhang Beichen came for a hookup would be even harder to explain.

Xia Xinran clearly didn’t believe the late-night snack excuse and leaned in close, their noses almost touching, his expression unusually deep and serious. “There are no eternal secrets in this circle. What’s done is done and will eventually be exposed.”

Ran Lin felt like crying, realizing how hard it was to defend his innocence.

At the same time, he found Xia Xinran’s way of speaking strange, like a reminder to himself or a warning to someone else through him.

“We haven’t done anything.” Ran Lin clarified. “I just see him as a friend.”

Xia Xinran narrowed his eyes, scanning him up and down.

Ran Lin felt the sadness of being forced into a corner. He sighed, speaking with utmost sincerity, “Really, trust me.”

“Alright, I’ll trust you this time,” Xia Xinran conceded.

Ran Lin wanted to set off fireworks in celebration.

“But I’m also serious,” Xia Xinran said somberly. “If you want to survive and thrive in this circle, you can’t always follow your impulses.”

Ran Lin laughed. “That coming from you… feels a bit off.”

Xia Xinran pouted, his face expressing woe. “I endure even when it’s a matter of life and death. Shouldn’t I indulge myself when I can?”

Xia Xinran complained in a way that was quite amusing.

Yet, Ran Lin could hear the helplessness in it.

However, once immersed in the food, Xia Xinran’s sorrows seemed to drift away with the Dubai River. Ran Lin waited left and right and seeing that the other party had no intention of stopping, he decided to take his own plate and return to the deck.

Only two people were left at the dining table.

Ran Lin returned to his seat and asked Lu Yiyao beside him, “Where’s Zhang Beichen?”

Lu Yiyao had just opened his mouth to respond when Gu Jie from across the table already answered, “He went to the bow to enjoy the breeze.”

“Oh,” Ran Lin acknowledged, and he didn’t inquire further.

However, Lu Yiyao kept looking at him, and his body was moving increasingly closer. Their seats were already next to each other, and with just a slight lean from Lu Yiyao, their shoulders would touch. But now, not only did their shoulders touch, Lu Yiyao’s head also leaned closer to him, sniffing around like a large dog.

Ran Lin was so scared that he didn’t dare to move.

Lu Yiyao sniffed confidently and retreated decisively after getting the answer he wanted. He sat back properly and said earnestly, “Just like the salesperson said, the middle note smells better than the top note—it’s fresher.”

Ran Lin: “…”

A statement that could have led to endless speculation, yet when it came from Lu Yiyao, it was filled with uprightness!

How he hoped Lu Yiyao could be like Zhang Beichen, flirting blatantly and sincerely…

No, wait.

Ran Lin held his forehead, realizing that such thoughts were dangerous, my friend!

Lu Yiyao looked at Ran Lin’s changing expressions, completely clueless.

Gu Jie also watched the inexplicable atmosphere between the two across the table, feeling that he should join Zhang Beichen and enjoy the breeze instead.

……

The third episode of <National First Love Drifting Story> arrived as scheduled the weekend after everyone returned from Dubai.

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