Side Story (4) : Pei Shinian x Jing Si (6)
Pei Shinian went home and immediately rushed into the bathroom, drenching himself in cold water.
It took him a long time to calm down.
As a healthy and normal functioning man, not having a reaction was abnormal.
He turned off his phone, quickly booted up his computer, and played a PC game after a long time, trying hard to divert his attention.
Pei Shinian had no bias against homosexuality, considering all his best friends were gay.
But since childhood, he had been sure that he only liked girls.
When he saw a cute girl, he would feel the same flutter as any normal guy and would even fantasize about his future wife. He even seriously considered how many children he’d want in the future.
Pei Shinian loved children; he didn’t have grand dreams, but he hoped to become a handsome and reliable father in the future, to grow strong and ensure his wife and children lived carefree under his protection.
After that day, Jing Si contacted Pei Shinian several times.
A certain reality-avoiding straight guy started a guerrilla war with him, not replying to messages and running away from meetings.
In early December, only one month left before the movie premiere.
After finishing promotional activities with two leading actors, Song Jianchu, with nothing much to do that night, asked Mu Ye to join Pei Shinian for dinner.
Lu Shen and Bai Xingyu had been arguing again recently and couldn’t be invited out.
“What are they arguing about this time?” Pei Shinian poured a drink for Mu Ye, sighing, “They’ve been together for so many years, why are they still acting like newlyweds?”
Mu Ye had a headache for his two friends, “This time it’s serious, they’re living separately.”
“I saw Brother Lu moving out yesterday,” Song Jianchu paused, saying, “He seemed a bit hurt.”
“That’s not good, they shouldn’t divorce,” Pei Shinian clicked his tongue, “Are we only going to have gatherings with the four of us in the future? Can’t call Brother Lu, can’t call Brother Xing.”
Even with the best of friends, it wasn’t good to meddle in relationship matters.
There was a moment of silence in the private room.
Pei Shinian set down his glass, shaking his head, “If they divorce, I won’t believe in love anymore.”
Pei Shinian added in his mind, the love between men.
Mu Ye glanced at him, smiling, “Isn’t our relationship with Chu Chu and me setting an example for you?”
“You guys are still in the early stages,” Pei Shinian said, “They are the ultimate test of love.”
Song Jianchu picked up his phone to reply to a WeChat message, then looked up, “Can I invite one more person?”
“Who?” Mu Ye looked over.
“Director Jing,” Song Jianchu said, “He happens to be nearby, and I want to invite him over.”
“Sure, I’d like to meet him too,” Mu Ye said.
Pei Shinian was about to pick up some peanuts when the chopsticks shook, causing the peanuts to fall on the ground.
“Uh, well,” he hurriedly put on his hat, grabbed his coat, and stood up, “I have something urgent, I’ll leave now.”
The two looked at him in confusion.
“So late, what’s the matter?” Mu Ye intended to use this opportunity to mend their relationship, persuading, “Stay until we finish, Director Jing will be here soon.”
Pei Shinian walked to the door, nervously peeked outside, and quickly said, “No, I really have something. We’ll meet another time.”
“…”
Just as he stepped out of the door, Pei Shinian collided head-on with the person getting out of the car.
Jing Si, dressed in casual dark clothing, didn’t notice him but spotted his conspicuous sports car, glanced in that direction.
Pei Shinian cursed inwardly, regretting driving such a conspicuous car.
He lowered his cap, turned in another direction, naturally walked towards the opposite parking spot, and crouched behind a car, leaning against its side, planning to wait until Jing Si entered before driving away.
The restaurant was owned by industry insiders, so there were usually many artists there. A female star recognized Jing Si at the entrance.
As a young and talented director, Jing Si was an ideal collaborator for many actors in the industry.
“Director Jing, long time no see,” the female star warmly greeted him, “What a coincidence, are you also dining here?”
Jing Si maintained his indifferent demeanor, “Yes.”
The female star asked, “Are you meeting someone?”
“Yes.”
Pei Shinian felt embarrassed for the girl; he had never seen someone so bad at chatting.
As expected, the female star couldn’t continue the conversation and awkwardly smiled, “I really like your work. If it’s okay, can I add you on WeChat?”
“Sorry, it’s not very convenient.”
“Ha-ha, then I won’t bother you.”
Listening to the steady footsteps entering the restaurant, Pei Shinian breathed a sigh of relief, patted off the dust from his clothes, and stood up.
He turned around lightly.
The person who should have already entered was standing right behind him, looking at him expressionlessly.
“…”
Pei Shinian stood frozen in place, awkwardly meeting the not-so-pleasant deep brown eyes.
A gust of cold wind blew past, and he felt his hair stand on end under the intense stare.
Suppressing the urge to run, Pei Shinian smiled and friendly gestured, pointing the way, “It’s Song Jianchu who asked you to come, turn left into the innermost private room. Hurry in; he and my brother are waiting for you. I have something to attend to—”
Before he could finish his sentence, a cold hand firmly grabbed his wrist.
Jing Si pushed him into the car and slammed the door shut with a bang.
His gloomy and indifferent expression resembled that of a cold-blooded professional assassin.
“What do you want again?” The slight friendliness vanished from Pei Shinian’s face, replaced by annoyance and a threat, “I’m warning you, if you dare to mess around again today, I won’t be polite.”
Jing Si drove the car out of the parking lot, denying the cowardly straight man any chance of escape this time.
“You park this car for me!”
Seeing the car heading onto the highway, Pei Shinian panicked.
D*mn, is this lunatic going to eliminate him if he can’t have him?
The excessively calm and silent demeanor of the person beside him made Pei Shinian not doubt this possibility at all. He reached for his phone, ready to call the police at any moment.
Pei Shinian was extremely speechless, wondering why he had attracted the attention of such a psychologically deranged gay guy.
“Brother, please let me go.” Not daring to provoke further, Pei Shinian attempted a friendly negotiation, “I just want to be a normal straight guy. There are so many good men in the world, why are you fixated on me?”
“Okay, I’ll be honest with you.” Pei Shinian tried to self-deprecate, “I’m really not a good person. I’ve been a bad kid since childhood, skipping classes, getting into fights, and doing all sorts of bad things. I’m even a jerk; I like one pretty girl after another, just avoiding commitment. Otherwise, why would I still be single?”
“What do you like about me? If you say it, can’t I change?”
“Brother, calm down. I just want to be your friend. Wasn’t it enjoyable when we used to play games together?”
Jing Si remained silent, not uttering a word in response to Pei Shinian’s constant talking.
Eventually, Pei Shinian also stopped talking. He acted lazy, slouching in the passenger seat, “I’ll sleep. Wake me up when we get there.”
Only then did Jing Si make a slight movement, turning his head slightly to glance beside him.
Pei Shinian hugged his arms, pulled down his cap, and closed his eyes nonchalantly.
Jing Si retracted his gaze, frowning.
When Pei Shinian woke up from a nap, he found the car had returned to the city and parked at the same restaurant.
Is this guy really insane?
Did he drag him out just for a walk?
Jing Si unlocked the car door and released his grip on the steering wheel.
Pei Shinian cautiously observed for a while, then unfastened his seatbelt.
He tentatively placed his hand on the car door; Jing Si didn’t stop him, just quietly leaned back in his seat, gazing outside, lost in thought.
After some consideration, Pei Shinian’s hand fell back down.
He sighed in self-abandonment, took off his cap, and ruffled his hair, “Brother Jing, can you just consider me cowardly? I’m already a waste. I admit, I do have some feelings for you… maybe even a little bit of affection.”
Jing Si turned his head slowly.
“I’ve also thought a lot during this time.” Pei Shinian didn’t dare to meet his gaze, his ears turning red. He lowered his head, looking at the cap in his hand, “I still can’t accept it.”
“Can’t accept what?” Jing Si asked.
Pei Shinian turned his head away, looking awkwardly out the window, “I don’t want to sleep with men, nor do I want men to sleep with me.”
Jing Si silently watched him for a few seconds, “You’ve been avoiding me all this time just because of this?”
“Yes, I can’t accept it, even the thought makes me uncomfortable.” Pei Shinian turned back to face Jing Si but quickly averted his gaze, “So, let’s just forget about it.”
Hearing the reason he was being avoided and blocked, Jing Si was speechless and didn’t know what to say.
He remained silent for a while, then said, “You can still be in a relationship without a sexual life.”
“Please stop joking.” Pei Shinian found it even harder to accept, looking incredulously at Jing Si, “Are we talking about Platonic love? I’m not that noble. Why force yourself into a spiritual relationship when you can have one with a physical aspect?”
“Give it a try.” Jing Si said, “If you really find it meaningless, you can opt-out anytime.”
“Try again? I’m not a guinea pig.” Pei Shinian chuckled, “Jing brother, let’s just forget it. Trust me, you’ll definitely meet someone more suitable for you in the future. I’m just passing through.”
Jing Si grabbed his hand, his tone calm yet firm, “But I don’t want you to be just passing through.”
Pei Shinian’s heart skipped a beat, staring blankly at the hand that was being held.
An indescribable sensation, like an invisible fire, burned and spread from his fingertips, scorching hot until it reached his chest.
It was too intense to escape.
He had never experienced this with any girl before. In his twenty-odd years of life, he had never been so frequently scared.
He was genuinely scared.
Scared of an out-of-control life and an out-of-control self.
Actually, Pei Shinian had realized it when he wanted to visit someone at the hospital that day.
He was done for.
Closing his eyes, Pei Shinian’s Adam’s apple trembled as he swallowed hard, his gaze hesitating and wavering.
There’s still time.
Pei Shinian, run quickly.
“Pei Shinian.” The man’s deep and slow voice was like a devil’s whisper, “I like you.”
D*mn.