Chapter 30 Part 1: A Name No One Could Read

Lin Chuji saw that he wasn’t speaking and kept his head tilted back, a bit confused.

“What’s wrong?

If you don’t tell me, I can’t see it.”

Xie Yan’s mind was a complete mess.

He felt like he could barely hold the pen.

Why had he written his own name without thinking?

He didn’t understand why he had that subconscious impulse.

Was he trying to make Lin Chuji his own?

It was as if, in that moment, the thought of putting Lin Chuji’s photos online had flashed through his mind, and he wanted to tell everyone that Lin Chuji actually belonged to Xie Yan.

That thought was too terrifying.

Xie Yan slowly exhaled.

He was probably going crazy.

Lin Chuji, seeing that he still wasn’t speaking, got up from the small sofa and turned his head to look at the mirror beside him.

A line of black marker text now adorned his neck.

The strokes were fine, the color leaning toward blue-black, more like a tattoo.

Xie Yan’s handwriting was, as always, in running script—not quite legible, like a few connected letters, but still quite beautiful.

“What did you write?

I can’t tell,” Lin Chuji said, turning to look at him.

Xie Yan found it hard to speak.

For the first time, he felt guilty and didn’t confess.

“Just something random.

Latin.

Doesn’t mean anything.”

Lin Chuji nodded, satisfied.

“Okay, then remember to use this as the mark from now on.”

Xie Yan felt his palms sweating.

Lying was wrong, but he couldn’t explain it to Lin Chuji, and he was afraid Lin Chuji would misunderstand.

Since he had written it today and it wouldn’t wash off, next time he would definitely use something else.

Standing somewhat uncomfortably in the center of the set, Lin Chuji was illuminated by the overhead lights.

He squinted.

“What kind of shot do you need?

What pose should I do?”

Xie Yan dragged over the cardboard box nearby, which contained the feather props they had used earlier.

He grabbed a handful and placed them in Lin Chuji’s palm, directing, “Just toss them up.

Move naturally.

I’ll capture the moments.”

“Don’t I need to look at the camera?”

Lin Chuji, inexperienced, thought for a moment.

“Though, if I’m not showing my face, should I make the movements bigger?”

“Don’t move.”

Xie Yan took a piece of white lace, gently wrapped it around Lin Chuji’s eyes, not too tightly, just loosely tying a beautiful bow at the back of his head.

“Try opening your eyes.

It might be a bit uncomfortable, but your face will be mostly covered.”

Lin Chuji cooperatively opened his eyes.

His lashes brushed against the lace, a little prickly, but within his tolerance.

This way of covering his face was simple and practical, and it looked good.

He ran his fingers over the lace twice and praised, “You’re really clever.

Let’s go.”

Xie Yan stepped back a few paces.

The feathers flew up before his eyes, and Lin Chuji, surrounded by the drifting feathers, tilted his head back.

Dressed all in white, without any superfluous movement, he seemed to express a thousand emotions.

Xie Yan pressed the shutter.

Photo after photo was born.

His first impression of Lin Chuji had been right—he really was suited for this.

Just standing there, composition and lighting all became mere accessories to him.

“Very good.

Keep that up.

Don’t be afraid,” Xie Yan said, reassuring him as he shot.

Lin Chuji was very nervous at first, his limbs stiff and at a loss.

He either looked up at the ceiling or down at the floor.

But Xie Yan didn’t voice any criticism, just had him toss the feathers repeatedly, turn his back, or spin around—all very simple actions.

Then he watched as Xie Yan approached with the camera, towering over him.

He crouched down to look up.

From this angle, Xie Yan seemed especially tall, his presence commanding.

“I… what should I do now?”

Lin Chuji was once again at a loss.

Xie Yan reached out, grabbed Lin Chuji’s hand, and pressed it against the lens, finding an angle between his fingers to capture the letters on his neck—the mark that belonged to Xie Yan.

With his hand pressed down, Lin Chuji felt his entire body temperature rising, his thoughts also in disarray.

Did he shoot other people like this too?

The models just now didn’t seem to have been treated this way—he had just directed them from afar with words and gestures.

It must be because Lin Chuji was a beginner, so he was being more meticulous for his sake.

He really is a kind and approachable person, Lin Chuji thought.

With Xie Yan’s help, Lin Chuji relaxed and found his rhythm.

Thirty minutes passed quickly, and the shoot was coming to an end.

“Lin Chuji, turn around and look at me,” Xie Yan commanded softly.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a guidance that made one instinctively want to obey.

Lin Chuji turned his head.

The shutter clicked.

Just at that moment, the last feather brushed across his cheek, like a kiss.

Xie Yan pressed the back button to review and smiled, not sparing his praise.

“Very beautiful.

Excellent.”

Lin Chuji smiled too, leaning in to look up at him.

“Since I helped you so much, doesn’t that mean you need to treat me to dinner?”

As he leaned in, he was also untying the lace bow.

The moment it came off, his features, like a blur removed, suddenly became clear.

But for some reason, he felt particularly uncomfortable with Lin Chuji’s proximity today.

Xie Yan put the camera aside, bent down, and began gathering the scattered feathers on the floor.

“I was going to treat you anyway.”

“Your phone is vibrating,” Lin Chuji said, noticing the screen lighting up on the sofa.

“Answer it for me.

I’ll finish cleaning up here, then we’ll go,” Xie Yan said without looking up, just speeding up his tidying.

Lin Chuji said “oh” and thought, You’re really not being formal, letting someone else touch your phone.

He walked over quickly and saw the incoming call was from Shen Yinan.

He answered.

“Where are you?

Why aren’t you in the dorm?”

“He’s at a shoot.

Just finished,” Lin Chuji answered quietly.

“Huh?

Who’s this?”

The other person was confused.

“Lin Chuji.”

“Isn’t this Xie Yan’s phone?

Did I dial the wrong number?”

Lin Chuji quickly explained, “I answered for him.”

“You two are already close enough to answer each other’s calls!”

Shen Yinan’s voice shot up in disbelief.

“I vaguely remember just yesterday you were leaving lukewarm comments on his Moments.

What happened in one day!

I feel like I’ve lost a chunk of memory.

I’m so lost.”

Lin Chuji stammered, “No, it’s because… he was busy tidying up, so I just…”

“Never mind.

It’s boring.

Really boring.

My brother and I specially found a new place and wanted to comfort you two poor souls for being cyber-bullied on the forum again.

But now it looks like we don’t need to.

I’m the clown here.”

Shen Yinan sounded very mournful.

Lin Chuji grew even more flustered.

“No, we haven’t eaten yet.

Let’s go together.

Where’s the new place?”

Xie Yan looked up at him desperately trying to explain and wanted to laugh.

Shen Yinan gave an address and then said slowly, “Oh, it’s a shame to ruin Boss Xie’s good time.

How delightful.”

From a distance, Xie Yan delivered a single, sarcastic word: “Scram.”

After the call ended, Lin Chuji looked at himself in the mirror again.

The mark on his neck was still visible; he would need alcohol to wash it off, which meant he’d have to go back to the dorm to clean it properly.

“What’s wrong?”

Xie Yan had finished packing and came over with his bag.

Lin Chuji tapped his neck.

“I need to buy a band-aid to cover this.”

As the instigator, Xie Yan was a bit embarrassed too.

He cleared his throat.

“Wait outside.

I’ll go buy one.”

His expression looked a bit stiff, his eyelashes casting shadows under the light.

Any deeper emotion was hard to read.

Lin Chuji felt his reactions today were strange.

Watching him hurry ahead, Lin Chuji slowly followed.

But exactly what was strange, he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

There happened to be a convenience store at the entrance.

Xie Yan bought a band-aid and, under the streetlamp nearby, carefully stuck it on to cover the mark.

The writing was larger than the previous bite mark, and even with one band-aid, the edges of the bold script were still visible.

To be safe, he put on two.

“Okay.

Remember to wash it off when you get back,” Xie Yan said, tilting his head.

As he handed over the helmet, he paused, then reached out and put it on Lin Chuji’s head, his movements gentle.

Lin Chuji blinked slowly, not moving.

See, when you help someone, you get treated better.

Even the little details are more thoughtful.

So this is how friends reciprocate.

For the second time, getting on the back of Xie Yan’s bike, Lin Chuji was completely at ease.

He slightly bent his waist and wrapped his arms around Xie Yan’s firm waist.

“Okay, ready to go.”

Xie Yan, who had been looking at his map, went rigid.

He usually didn’t pay much attention to these little touches with Lin Chuji, but today was different.

Ever since that inexplicable mark, everything had been thrown into disarray.

He wanted Lin Chuji to let go, afraid that holding him like this would cause misunderstandings.

But then again, when learning to drive, students sometimes held onto their instructors like this too.

It seemed normal.

“Holding on tight?” he asked.

“Okay, let’s go,” Lin Chuji answered softly.

Xie Yan shook off the chaotic thoughts in his head, bent his waist, and stepped on the gas.

When they arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant, the Shen brothers were at the entrance waiting for a number.

Hearing the sound of the bike stopping, they both turned their heads.

“This bike is pretty cool.

Are students at our school this flashy?”

Shen Yinan muttered to himself.

“The people look familiar too, these two…”

Shen Yibei had only taken two steps closer when he saw them take off their helmets.

“Holy crap, Boss Xie.”

Shen Yinan’s jaw dropped.

“Is he trying to win someone over?

He’s like a flashy peacock!

He even got his license.”

“Love makes people work harder.

Believe me, with this kind of effort, he’ll still get straight A’s on finals,” Shen Yibei said, watching them approach like a pervert.

Xie Yan saw the number in their hands and knew they’d have to wait.

He leaned lazily to the side, not blocking the way.

Shen Yinan’s eyes were sharp.

He immediately noticed the two overlapping band-aids.

Suddenly, his imagination ran wild.

He gasped.

“Did you two just get a room?”

Lin Chuji: “Huh?

What?”

Are you seeing things from hunger?

What nonsense are you talking about?

Xie Yan snapped out of it and gave him a disgusted look.

“If you keep this up, I’ll start suspecting it was you who started that thread on the forum.”

“I’m innocent, heavens above!

I just remembered that bite mark from before.

It was clean and clear at noon, but by night, it’s covered.

Who wouldn’t overthink?”

Shen Yinan tried to defend himself, but his eyes were fixed on those two conspicuous band-aids.

How hard must he have bitten to need two?

Lin Chuji thought this suspicion was very reasonable and immediately felt defensive.

This new place was just behind the school gate, and most people coming and going were Jing University students.

If there were another round of baseless rumors, he couldn’t imagine the consequences.

At that thought, Lin Chuji instantly lost his appetite.

“I’m going back to the dorm to shower.

You guys eat slowly.”

Shen Yibei was confused.

“Why do you suddenly need to shower?

What did you two do?”

Lin Chuji: “……No, it’s just…

I was out all day and want to wash up.”

The more you explain, the worse it gets.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could already see gossipers perking up their ears.

Xie Yan glanced at him, understanding his concern.

“Why don’t you head back?

I’ll pack some food for you.”

Lin Chuji breathed a sigh of relief.

“Okay.

I’m going.

Bye.”

Without looking back, he turned and disappeared from sight with big strides.

Watching him hurry off, Shen Yibei was even more puzzled.

“What exactly did you two just do?

It’s like… like… never mind, I’m embarrassed to say.”

Xie Yan guessed he wouldn’t say anything good, but he was still curious. “What?”

“…That thing we read before, in that ABO story.

The aftermath after marking,” Shen Yibei squeezed out the words.

Xie Yan was lost.

“I don’t get it.

Send it to me tonight.”

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