Side Story (3) : Mu Ye’s Birthday
Unknowingly, it was nearing the end of September.
The 25th of September was Mu Ye’s birthday.
All the fans were praying for a birthday fan meet this year.
This was the first time Song Jianchu celebrated Mu Ye’s birthday since they had been together.
Previously, when he was just an ordinary fan, Song Jianchu attended one of Mu Ye’s birthday fan meets. He had just gone abroad for studies and won a ticket, specifically taking leave to fly back to China. That was the only time he ever took leave during his student days.
Back then, Mu Ye was 23 years old, and he felt different from how he is now. Standing in front of him, there wasn’t a flaw visible, dazzling enough to instill a sense of awe, as if there was an innate barrier isolating him from others.
Like all the other fans, he was asked for his name by Mu Ye and had a brief conversation. However, on that day, with so many people and wearing a mask, Mu Ye probably didn’t remember him.
The filming of the movie had reached its final stage. The preparations for its release were getting busier, and Song Jianchu hadn’t had a proper day alone with Mu Ye for a long time.
After wrapping up the final scene, Song Jianchu gathered all the main cast for dinner. At his brother’s request, Pei Shinian helped Song Jianchu to hold his liquor.
Although his body had almost completely recovered, maintaining this hard-won health was more important. Under Mu Ye’s supervision, Song Jianchu’s current lifestyle habits were much healthier than those of his peers.
Pei Shinian and those party animals were like rookies compared to others, but among ordinary people, they could hold their liquor well. As the lead actor, he drank a lot, but his face didn’t change much.
After dealing with the toasts, Pei Shinian sat down beside Song Jianchu with a glass of wine, “Is Brother Ye still abroad?”
“Yeah.” After replying to Mu Ye’s message, Song Jianchu looked up, “Has Director Jing toasted yet?”
“In a while. He’s surrounded by a group of girls; I think he’d do well if he switched careers to acting. He looks like a wallflower but knows how to steal the spotlight.”
“No conflicts between you guys?” Song Jianchu casually asked, “Don’t leave a bad impression; we might have to cooperate in the future.”
“I know, I’m not an ignorant newcomer.” Pei Shinian brushed it off and nudged him with his shoulder, “Jianchu, my brother’s birthday is next week, you know?”
Due to this movie, their relationship had swiftly escalated. They were now like close brothers who could talk about anything. In these past few months, Song Jianchu had spent even more time with Pei Shinian than with Mu Ye.
Mu Ye was in the middle of rehearsals for the upcoming concert; it was still noon.
[MY: Don’t stay up too late, video call when you get home?]
Song Jianchu paused for a moment, replied with an “OK” expression, and nodded, “Understood.”
“What are your plans for him? You could also invite Star and Road Bros; it’s been a while since we all got together,” Pei Shinian suggested.
“I haven’t decided yet.” Song Jianchu lowered his eyes, pondering. Curiously, he asked, “How did you guys celebrate his birthday before?”
“Just drinking, an all-nighter.” Pei Shinian leaned back on the sofa, arm resting, and laughed, “Let me tell you, Brother Ye is now behaving in front of you. He used to be wild for real; couldn’t live without booze. I was worried about his health for a while.”
“…”
Putting away his phone, Song Jianchu raised an eyebrow, “He used to binge drink often? When did it start?”
Pei Shinian blinked, suspecting he might have said something wrong, laughed awkwardly, and bumped him with his shoulder, “When I first met him, he was already like that. I was quite surprised back then. That’s why Brother Ming later kept a strict eye on him, not because his behavior was an issue, mainly to prevent him from ending up in the hospital.”
Actually, after formally getting to know Mu Ye, Song Jianchu hadn’t witnessed him binge drinking. Occasionally having a little more to drink didn’t classify as binge drinking in his opinion.
People who are addicted to alcohol often have some psychological issues, but Mu Ye seemed to have no reason at all to binge drink.
Even in Song Jianchu’s view, Mu Ye was the person with the best mentality he had ever met. Faced with any problem, Mu Ye always seemed calm and was adept at finding joy in life and healing others.
Mu Ye was a gentle yet powerful person.
This was one of the things that attracted Song Jianchu the most and had subtly become his standard for self-expectation.
Song Jianchu looked at the usual conversation in the chat box and furrowed his brows.
He suddenly realized that he might have never really understood Mu Ye.
Even now, when Mu Ye occasionally held him quietly, he couldn’t guess what was on Mu Ye’s mind.
Song Jianchu rarely dwelled on the age gap between them, but the fact remained that there might indeed be a significant generation gap between him and Mu Ye. For instance, as an elder brother, Mu Ye never voluntarily talked to him about his troubles. He listened more when they conversed. In this relationship, Mu Ye had always played the role of a guide and provided a sense of security.
Song Jianchu suddenly remembered when they coincidentally met on the rooftop of a bar a year ago, Mu Ye was standing there, looking down at the city. Recalling it now, Mu Ye’s silhouette at that time seemed somewhat lonely and inexplicably desolate.
What was he thinking about then?
On the 24th of September, Mu Ye returned after finishing the concert abroad.
Song Jianchu put aside his work and drove to the airport to pick him up.
Gu Jiaming didn’t disturb the couple’s reunion; he left with his assistant first.
In the car, Mu Ye hugged him tightly for a while, exhaled deeply, completely relaxed, and lazily asked with his chin resting on his shoulder, “Did you miss me?”
Song Jianchu was charging up Mu Ye.
It had been a long time since he was surrounded by the familiar warmth and fragrance. His heart beat fast, and he calmly replied, “I do.”
Mu Ye smiled, released him, fastened his seatbelt in the passenger seat, and asked, “Has the filming finished?”
Song Jianchu drove out of the parking lot and smirked, “Yep, feeling hungry? Let’s grab something before heading home.”
Mu Ye silently observed him, tilting his head, reached out to pat his head, and grinned, “Chu Chu, you seem to have grown again.”
Song Jianchu replied, “Had a physical check-up a few days ago and gained another centimeter.”
Mu Ye raised an eyebrow, gazing at him for a few seconds. “Darling, you won’t end up taller than me, will you?”
That was highly unlikely.
Mu Ye stood tall at 188 cm, and at nineteen, Song Jianchu’s growth wasn’t as rapid anymore. Surpassing Mu Ye would indeed be challenging.
But boys were always competitive. Song Jianchu earnestly said, “I’ll try.”
“Then I’ll have to figure something out too.” Mu Ye’s expression turned serious, adding playfully, “It won’t look good if the elder brother is shorter than the younger one. I might have to tiptoe to kiss you.”
An amusing scene formed instantly.
Unable to hold back, Song Jianchu’s lips twitched.
Mu Ye chuckled softly, his voice low and alluring due to the fatigue of the past few days.
This time, Song Jianchu went for a dinner date with Mu Ye at the city’s finest restaurant.
Tonight, there were no other customers, no need for masks.
Handing over the car to a parking attendant, Song Jianchu and Mu Ye stepped into the elevator.
As the elevator doors closed, Mu Ye pushed him against the pristine metal wall, cradled his chin, and kissed him gently. Caressing his lower lip, Mu Ye playfully rubbed his forehead against Song Jianchu’s and hoarsely asked, “Booked the room?”
“Staying wherever.” Feeling the long-lost intimacy, Song Jianchu controlled his breath and said, “The restaurant and hotel are yours.”
“?” Mu Ye tilted his head slightly, pondered, and didn’t recall owning them.
Puzzled by Mu Ye’s reaction, Song Jianchu hesitated, “Don’t like it?”
Mu Ye’s lips tightened slowly, a hint of complexity in his eyes. “Chu Chu, doing this might make me feel like I’m still under your care.”
Song Jianchu tensed up instantly and hurriedly explained, “I just didn’t know what else to get; don’t overthink it.”
He had thought about it for a long time.
Mu Ye lacked nothing, and he wasn’t good at those romantic things. Practical gifts seemed better. Also, their marriage lacked legal protection. In case… Mu Ye wouldn’t suffer.
As if seeing through his thoughts, Mu Ye looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, held his hand and interlocked their fingers, suddenly asking, “Do you want to go abroad with your brother for the marriage certificate?”
To obtain a legally binding certificate abroad, they would have to immigrate.
Song Jianchu had considered it but felt it wasn’t necessary. Not wanting to dampen the mood, he didn’t refuse directly. “Let’s discuss it later.”
The elevator doors opened, and Mu Ye playfully pecked him, “No rush, let’s first enjoy the company of our benefactor.”
They had dinner overlooking the city’s night skyline. Mu Ye had a bit of alcohol, so Song Jianchu accompanied him to the rooftop to enjoy the breeze and the view.
It felt like going back to that day.
The city’s dazzling lights were warm and bright, resembling another sky of stars fallen from the night. Countless tiny dots of light intermingled harmoniously in an irregular yet coherent dance, their eternal glow overshadowing the passage of time.
Song Jianchu observed the person beside him, quietly gazing at the distant lights.
The cool autumn breeze tousled the man’s black short hair, partially covering his eyes. The white light from a nearby billboard cast a cold hue on his skin, the rays delving deep into his beautiful gray eyes, making them gleam brightly as he gazed into the distance. The shirt collar, gently fluttering in the wind, emitted an elegant and charming aura.
Unconsciously, Song Jianchu found himself lost in observation.
Mu Ye’s appearance was always something one could never get used to, and staring at it for extended periods only deepened the enchantment.
Only Mu Ye could make Song Jianchu, who had little appreciation for beauty, experience what it felt like to be mesmerized by a man’s allure.
On many nights, he felt he was engrossed due to Mu Ye’s seduction.
But upon sober reflection, Mu Ye hadn’t really done anything.
He only needed to maintain his natural presence, and that alone was enough to provoke everyone’s primal instincts with his inherent charm.
Suddenly, Mu Ye’s gaze shifted, gently turning to Song Jianchu, lazily smiling in the breeze.
Song Jianchu heard his own heartbeat thudding unabashedly.
Mu Ye reached out, lightly tapping the silver bracelet on Song Jianchu’s wrist, slightly intoxicated, and asked, “Will you always wear this?”
Song Jianchu glanced at the bracelet on his wrist. “Hmm.”
Unknowingly, he had grown accustomed to its presence.
“Teacher Mu.” In certain conversations, Song Jianchu subconsciously used this address. Not only were the fans curious, but he had also wanted to ask for a long time, “Does this bracelet have any special meaning?”
Mu Ye had been wearing this bracelet since his debut, perhaps even longer, already becoming a symbol of his identity.
“It didn’t have any meaning at first.” Mu Ye turned around, leaned against the railing, held his hand, and looked at his wrist, “During high school, when I traveled abroad, I saw it in a handicraft store and bought it. It looked really nice, didn’t it.”
Song Jianchu nodded.
Indeed, Mu Ye looked great with it before.
Mu Ye continued, “But after wearing it for a long time, it became a kind of reminder.”
“A reminder?”
“Yeah.” Mu Ye said calmly, “Perhaps due to my illness when I was young, even as I grew up, I often felt emotionally depressed, always unable to control my wandering thoughts. Before I got into music, I did a few foolish things.”
Song Jianchu reacted with surprise, his eyes widening.
Mu Ye had never talked about these things before.
Song Jianchu had a feeling this was the first time Mu Ye had spoken about it to anyone.
Mu Ye pinched his fingers, soothingly smiled, and said, “Wearing such a beautiful thing reminds me not to soil it. Every time I look down and see it, it’s a warning to myself.”
At that moment, Song Jianchu suddenly realized what Mu Ye had given him.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, feeling a slight warmth behind his eyelids.
His fingers, held tightly by Mu Ye, trembled slightly.
Song Jianchu gripped Mu Ye’s shirt, pressing his eyes against his shoulder.
At midnight on the billboard, Song Jianchu restrained his emotions and hugged Mu Ye tightly, “Happy birthday.”
Mu Ye hugged him back, kissed his ear, and thanked him.
Song Jianchu tightened his hold on Mu Ye’s shirt, his eyes marked his shoulders.
In the hotel’s top-floor suite, clothes scattered from the entrance to the bed.
Mu Ye’s kisses were filled with tenderness, touching his eyelashes and nose, exploring every inch of him.
Song Jianchu asked, “Teacher Mu, are you still unhappy now?”
Mu Ye took his hand and pressed it against his open-shirted chest.
Song Jianchu felt the violent heartbeat, getting faster and faster, resonating with his own.
Mu Ye looked into his eyes and said seriously, “Every day I spend with you, I’m happy. I’ve never been this happy.”
Song Jianchu raised his chin and kissed the corner of Mu Ye’s mouth.
He knew Mu Ye was speaking the truth.
“So, darling, you don’t need to give me anything else.” Mu Ye leaned down to hug him, contentedly saying, “You’re the best gift I’ve received in my twenty-six years.”