Under the hood of a black coat, the fine raindrops were blocked.
Jiang Mo’s wrist was tightly held by Chi Yu, without any intention of resistance, allowing Chi Yu to lead him forward.
The wind blowing towards them couldn’t whisk away the strong scent belonging to Chi Yu, as the subtle fragrance of cedar was soaked by the rain and rapidly fermented within the small space covered by their clothes. It seeped into Jiang Mo’s body unreservedly, stirring up his already chaotic mind.
The two of them reached the eaves of a small shop. The transparent glass door of the supermarket was tightly closed, illuminating the interior with bright lights, but there weren’t many people inside.
Jiang Mo lifted his head from his coat, and Chi Yu lowered his head to brush off the rainwater that had splashed onto his white sweater. His bangs were wet and clung messily to his forehead. He raised his hand, and his well-defined fingers passed through his black hair, gathering the damp strands to the back of his head, revealing a fair and smooth forehead without any fringe to cover it. His features became more delicate, with deeper creases on his eyelids. Light colors were suitable for being adorned with many shades. Without the presence of bright light, his light-colored eyes resembled the gray sky filled with gloom. The wet eyelashes hung down slightly, adding a touch of mystery to his beautiful gaze.
Sensing the gaze beside him, Chi Yu turned his head. His palm was still on top of his head, and water droplets rolled down his forehead, cascading over his prominent nose, descending vertically, and landing in Jiang Mo’s heart.
Jiang Mo’s hand trembled as he pulled down the hand gripping the collar of his coat, burying his face once again into Chi Yu’s coat. When he raised his head, he faced Chi Yu’s face, and when he lowered his head, he smelled the scent on Chi Yu’s clothes.
Caught in a dilemma, he endured great torment.
Was he seeing things? Did Chi Yu just say to him, “You ran away?”
So that’s why Chi Yu chased after him, grabbed hold of him, and covered him with the coat, preventing him from getting wet in the rain.
Did Chi Yu’s words mean that?
Gazing at the small, delicate chin emerging from his clothes, Chi Yu smiled quietly.
“Y-Your coat, th-thank you…” The deadlock had to be broken eventually. Jiang Mo took off the coat on his head, lowered it, and flicked off the raindrops on it before handing it back to Chi Yu.
Chi Yu accepted it but didn’t immediately put it on. Instead, he draped it over his arm.
“Why did you come over here too?” Jiang Mo asked.
Chi Yu replied, “I’ve been following you. Didn’t you notice?”
Jiang Mo remained silent.
Jiang Mo raised his head and looked around. Ever since he left the house, he knew someone was following him. These past few days, he went for walks, and the cameraman always trailed behind him. He had gotten used to it, thinking it was the cameraman, but he never imagined that Chi Yu would follow him all the way.
The area in front of the small supermarket was not large enough for both of them. The real cameraman stood under the adjacent eaves, shouldering the camera and aiming it at them. When Jiang Mo glanced over, the cameraman cleverly took a close-up shot of him.
Jiang Mo: “…”
[“Mo Mo noticed me! Mo Mo hiding in Chi Yu’s coat! 😍😳”]
[“You fool! Someone’s been tailing you, and you didn’t even realize it. What if you encountered a bad person?”]
[“Chi Yu: Am I a bad person then?”]
[“Chi Yu is too good! He even gets himself wet to keep Jiang Mo from getting wet. Rainy days truly go well with romance.”]
Jiang Mo: “Why are you following me? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Chi Yu chuckled lightly. “Oh, so you don’t plan on avoiding me anymore?”
Jiang Mo: “…”
Chi Yu glanced at Jiang Mo, who looked guilty and dared not speak, then turned around and pushed open the door of the small supermarket, saying, “The rain won’t stop anytime soon. Let’s go in and browse around.”
“Mm.” Jiang Mo let out a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly, taking a few steps behind to enter the door.
He reached out and pushed open the glass door of the supermarket, his palm touching the smooth and soft sweater. He looked up and saw Chi Yu leaning against the glass door, looking at him with a smile.
After pushing the door open, Chi Yu didn’t immediately go inside. Instead, he stood by the door and made space for Jiang Mo, waiting for him to enter first.
Jiang Mo: “…”
Chi Yu: “Do you like my sweater?”
Jiang Mo: “…”
“If you like it that much, I’ll give you one just like it another day, or…” Chi Yu deliberately paused, “do you want this one I’m wearing?”
Jiang Mo: “…”
Jiang Mo’s ears turned hot, and he anxiously explained, “I-I don’t, I thought it was the door.”
[“Pervert! Don’t tease him. Look at how red his face is.”]
[“Can eat it? Then take a bite quickly!?”]
[“Gift, gift, gift! Just give him the one he’s wearing. It’s best if it’s authentic! Jiang Mo will definitely sleep with it!”]
[“Jiang Mo is not as perverted as you guys.”]
[“But remember, didn’t Jiang Mo sniff Chi Yu’s scent last time? Maybe he really likes the smell on Chi Yu’s body.”]
Chi Yu smiled and didn’t say anything. He reached out and pulled Jiang Mo, who was hesitating, inside. He held Jiang Mo’s hand for less than three seconds before letting go decisively.
He picked up a shopping basket by the door and said, “Let’s buy some snacks. You can eat them while watching TV or playing games.”
“Okay.”
Chi Yu walked ahead, his eyes slightly lowered.
No matter what he said, Jiang Mo’s response was always “okay” or “mm.”
So obedient.
…
Chi Yu thought that when Jiang Mo was shopping in the supermarket, he would be as silent and reserved as when he faced him, hesitant to make a move.
To his surprise, in front of food, Jiang Mo gave up his restraint.
The supermarket was small, with not many shelves, and there didn’t seem to be a lot of things at first glance.
Jiang Mo wandered through the rows of shelves, searching for many snacks that Chi Yu had never seen before. In less than a moment, the shopping basket was almost full.
Jiang Mo came back with a few packs of candy, and only then did he notice that the shopping basket was almost overflowing.
He felt embarrassed and said, “Let me take it.”
Chi Yu smiled and said, “No need, I still have the strength for this. Are you done shopping?”
Jiang Mo asked back, “You, don’t you want to buy anything?”
It seemed like the shopping basket was filled with his things, and Chi Yu said he was buying snacks, but in the end, he just followed Jiang Mo, as if he was accompanying a child to the supermarket.
Chi Yu replied, “I rarely eat snacks. I bought them for you.”
Jiang Mo’s face suddenly turned red. Chi Yu’s tone seemed like he was coaxing a child, making him feel childish.
But considering the age difference between him and Chi Yu, it was normal for someone his age to have a hard time giving up snacks.
Chi Yu asked, “Are you done buying everything?”
Jiang Mo nodded.
“Then let’s go to the checkout.”
The supermarket owner was tallying the items, and Chi Yu stood at the counter, smiling amusedly at Jiang Mo squatting beside him.
There was a shelf in front of the counter with chocolates on display.
Jiang Mo said he didn’t want to buy anything else, but when he saw the chocolates, he couldn’t take his eyes off them.
He squatted in front of the shelf, grabbing each flavor of chocolate as if he were a little hamster hoarding food.
[“Hahaha, it’s like I’m seeing a bunch of kids from my family. When they say it’s enough, it’s enough, but when they see something new, they still insist on wanting it. Jiang Mo is just like them!”]
[“Don’t you think Chi Yingdi looks like he’s taking care of a child? The two of them together are so cute.”]
[“One can imagine that if these two start dating, their life together will definitely be adorable. =v=”]
“Auntie, there’s these too.” Just as the supermarket owner finished scanning all the items, Jiang Mo put a bunch of chocolates on the counter.
“Your little brother is so cute,” the owner said with a smile.
Jiang Mo: “…”
A light laughter came from above, and Jiang Mo glanced at Chi Yu and whispered, “I’m not his little brother.”
The owner’s smile turned awkward. “Oh, really? You two look so handsome together, I thought you were brothers. Sorry, sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Chi Yu said casually, “He likes calling me ‘brother,’ and it’s almost the same meaning.”
Owner: “…”
Jiang Mo: “…I didn’t!”
The owner calculated the price, and Jiang Mo took out his phone to pay. But Chi Yu was one step ahead, taking out a few bills from his pocket.
“I-I’ll do it!” Jiang Mo hurriedly said. Chi Yu hadn’t bought anything, so he couldn’t let Chi Yu pay.
Chi Yu raised his arm high, avoiding Jiang Mo’s hand and handed the money to the owner.
“I brought you to the supermarket. How can a brother not pay and let the little brother do it?” Chi Yu said with a smile.
Jiang Mo: “…”
While they were in the supermarket, the rain outside grew heavier. They bought an umbrella, but with the heavy rain and strong wind, even a large umbrella would soak them.
They had to stay in the supermarket and wait for the rain to calm down before going back. Although the supermarket was small, it had a resting area.
Jiang Mo sat down in the resting area, and Chi Yu said his lapel microphone had gotten wet. He asked Jiang Mo to take it off and give it to the staff to check.
Without hesitation, Jiang Mo took off the microphone and handed it to Chi Yu.
Chi Yu then went to the shelf and grabbed a few bread rolls and coffee. After paying at the counter, he handed the items and the two lapel microphones to the staff who followed them.
Jiang Mo looked at the snacks in his hand and then at the items in the staff’s hands, feeling embarrassed.
Chi Yu was too considerate. He didn’t think of sharing the snacks with the staff. Was he being too stingy?
[“I found a cute detail. Chi Yu gave the staff some food without taking it from Jiang Mo’s snack bag. He bought another one, ah! Maybe he didn’t want to share Jiang Mo’s things with others!”]
[“Damn, you’re right! Chi Yu: My precious, I’ll spoil him!”]
“Am I being too stingy?”
Chi Yu sat down in the chair next to Jiang Mo. Jiang Mo held the unopened bag of candies and leaned close to Chi Yu, whispering.
Neither of them was wearing the lapel microphone. The cameramen were resting in the other area of the resting area, and the cameras were far away, only capturing their faces without picking up their voices.
Chi Yu smiled and asked, “Why do you say that?”
Jiang Mo said, “You… gave them food, but I bought so many things and didn’t even think about sharing with them.”
Chi Yu replied, “These are things I bought for you. Who do you want to share them with?”
Jiang Mo: “…”
Chi Yu pretended to be angry and said, “You want to give away the things I gave you?”
Jiang Mo shook his head desperately, “No.”
Chi Yu lowered his gaze and smiled lightly. Suddenly, he reached out and tidied up Jiang Mo’s messy bangs.
Jiang Mo’s head, which was turning around in confusion, abruptly stopped, and the candy bag in his hand made a slight plastic friction sound.
“These are your things. You have the exclusive right to them. You can do whatever you want without thinking too much,” Chi Yu said, “I gave them things just to please them.”
“To please them?”
Chi Yu nodded, “Yes, so they won’t disturb us.”
Jiang Mo: “…”
Chi Yu rested his elbow on the table, supported his cheek with one hand, and stared at Jiang Mo. “This rain came at the right time. I have something to tell you.”
The raindrops tapped on the glass, and the overhead incandescent light was brighter than the dim sky outside the window. Jiang Mo had never seen Chi Yu in this state before.
Seemingly lazy but harboring hidden danger.
“W-What is it?”
Chi Yu said, “Lately, you’ve been intentionally avoiding me, haven’t you?”
Jiang Mo held his breath, feeling the awkwardness and palpitations he felt when he saw Chi Yu outside the shop come rushing back.
Earlier, Chi Yu asked him this question, and he didn’t respond. He thought Chi Yu was just asking casually and didn’t insist on knowing the answer.
It turns out that Chi Yu gave him time to buffer, catching him off guard when he least expected it.
Jiang Mo didn’t know where he found the courage. He didn’t avoid Chi Yu’s gaze, met his eyes with forced calmness, remained silent for a long time, and slowly nodded.
Chi Yu’s eyelids drooped, and his voice was not as gentle as usual, “I see. You hate me, right?”
“No!” His response this time was too eager, and his voice cracked.
Chi Yu’s smile reappeared as if the coldness from before was just a pretense.
“Well, that puts me at ease.”
“Huh?” Jiang Mo looked puzzled, not understanding Chi Yu’s unpredictable change of mood.
Chi Yu said, “I’ve never been in a relationship or liked anyone before. Do you know why I participated in this dating show?”
Jiang Mo asked, “Because of Lu Xuan.”
Chi Yu reached out and lightly tapped Jiang Mo’s forehead, causing Jiang Mo to cover the spot that had been touched by Chi Yu.
“It’s not because of Lu Xuan,” Chi Yu said, “Since my debut, the company has helped me a lot, and when someone does me a favor, I have to repay it. I joined this show to thank the company.”
“I see,” Jiang Mo responded.
This was also one reason. He had read the script, and the main reason was indeed because of Lu Xuan. Lu Xuan and Red Sister had also mentioned that Chi Yu joined the show because of Lu Xuan.
“There’s another important reason,” Chi Yu said.
Jiang Mo’s fingers lightly rested on his forehead. Upon hearing Chi Yu’s words, he instinctively moved his hand, using his palm to cover his eyes.
He knew what that important reason was, and he didn’t want to hear it.
“It’s because of you,” Chi Yu said.
“…”
Chi Yu lightly poked Jiang Mo’s hand with his fingertip, as if knocking open a door that was blocking his line of sight.
The owner inside the door gave him a response, and Jiang Mo moved his hand, revealing a pair of bewildered eyes.
“Me?”
Chi Yu continued, “When the company asked me to help, they didn’t mention who I would be tied to. At that time, I didn’t care who it was, but when I found out you were also on the guest list, I rejected the company’s request. The person I wanted to be tied to wasn’t Lu Xuan, it was you.”
The howling wind pounded against the glass window, raindrops fell incessantly, mixing with Chi Yu’s voice and words as they struck Jiang Mo’s heart.
Chi Yu… what does he mean?
“Don’t you understand what I mean?”
I like you.
That was the best expression he could think of within the confines of the rules, the most understandable one.
But he had overestimated Jiang Mo’s understanding. Perhaps this idiot had given all his comprehension ability to the game.
He had been so obvious, didn’t Jiang Mo know?
Maybe Jiang Mo was trapped in a lack of self-confidence, instinctively denying the possibility that someone could like him.
Thinking this way, Chi Yu didn’t have much reason to be angry. He sighed lightly, as if punishing him, and lightly poked Jiang Mo’s left cheek with his index finger.
The feeling was as good as he had imagined.
Before Jiang Mo could react, he poked him several more times.
Jiang Mo grabbed Chi Yu’s mischievous finger and asked, “Are you trying to use our interaction for publicity to repay the company’s favor?”
“…”
After thinking for so long, was this all he came up with?
Going along with the flow, Chi Yu confirmed Jiang Mo’s answer, “So, are you willing to help me?”
He would definitely be willing to help Chi Yu, but…
“I’m not a suitable candidate.”
“I know you have a contract with the company, and I know the purpose of you joining this show. I won’t let you help me for nothing. I’ll discuss the penalty fee with the company. You don’t need to worry about these things. I’ll handle them for you. As a gesture of gratitude, I want to ask for your help.”
With a casual tone, he effortlessly resolved Jiang Mo’s dilemma of the past few days.
“Why… Why are you willing to help me?” Jiang Mo’s heart was pounding.
Choosing him wouldn’t bring Chi Yu any benefits at all. Chi Yu had to repay the company’s favor, and for that, he would have to negotiate the penalty fee with the company because of him.
Choosing someone like Lu Xuan, who wouldn’t cause any trouble, would be more advantageous for Chi Yu.
Jiang Mo hooked Chi Yu’s index finger that was being held, and Chi Yu enjoyed the sensation of being touched by him.
Jiang Mo probably didn’t know that he was holding his hand; otherwise, he would have let go shyly.
His finger slightly curved, interlocking with Jiang Mo’s finger. He leaned down, meeting Jiang Mo’s gaze, his light-colored eyes gradually becoming deep, filled with emotions that couldn’t be dissolved.
“Because I don’t like Lu Xuan.”
I like you.
“…”
Jiang Mo’s cheeks visibly flushed rapidly, and Chi Yu sat on the side closer to the outside, deliberately turning his body to completely block Jiang Mo, preventing the camera from capturing Jiang Mo’s expression at the moment.
Only he could see it.
The rain came at just the right time. Jiang Mo couldn’t go anywhere, and Chi Yu could keep Jiang Mo trapped.
[“Huff, huff, are they kissing? What are you doing, cameraman? Hurry up and work! I want to know what they’re doing!”]
[“I know it’s just the angle, but it’s so ambiguous! They say rain is a perfect weather for falling in love, and it seems to be true.”]
[“Ah, I knew this guy had ulterior motives when he handed something to someone. It must be intentional! He even made Jiang Mo take off his earphones, intentionally not letting us hear his little secret!”]
[“Could it be a confession???”]
[“It’s impossible. The show’s rules state that the guests cannot confess privately within a month in the cabin. Chi Yu doesn’t seem like someone who follows rules, but he’s the most rule-abiding.”]
Without the constraint of a penalty fee, Jiang Mo didn’t think too long before agreeing to Chi Yu’s request.
The main reason for helping Chi Yu was to free himself from Sister Hong’s control. He didn’t want to be constantly on edge, fearing criticism from Red Sister if he did something wrong.
“Now that you’ve agreed, let’s clarify the rules first,” Chi Yu said.
“What rules?”
“We have to become a couple in the eyes of the audience, so you can’t show affection to others or have too much physical contact with them.”
Jiang Mo nodded earnestly and said, “You… you can trust me.”
What Chi Yu said wasn’t a problem at all. He never intended to get close to anyone. He just wanted to distance himself from those people. Except for Jiang Ying, who had been kind to him, he didn’t want to intentionally alienate someone who treated him well. Jiang Ying was from Group O, so it should be fine.
Chi Yu could tell what Jiang Mo was thinking. With a calm tone, he reminded him, “Guests from Group O are also off-limits.”
“Why?” Jiang Mo asked, dumbfounded.
“It’s not that you can’t talk to them. You can have normal conversations, but try to avoid physical contact with them. The audience has a god’s-eye view, and you can’t understand what they’re thinking. I want to be the only one in your CP. Can you do that?”
“Okay, I understand,” Jiang Mo replied.
Chi Yu smiled satisfactorily, feeling relaxed all over.
…
After a conversation, suddenly no one spoke, but the ambiguous atmosphere lingered in the small rest area.
An old-fashioned melodramatic TV series was playing on the television. The main characters had a disagreement, and the female lead held her head, sobbing, while the male lead stood on the side, almost going crazy.
“Are you an idiot? Why can’t you see into my heart? Haven’t I made it clear enough? I like you! Everyone can see that I like you, except for you, you idiot!”
“No, I don’t believe it!”
“Do you want me to rip out my heart and show it to you? Will you only see it then?”
“No, I don’t believe it!”
Jiang Mo had his mouth full of candy, listening to the argument on the TV, and gazing at the raindrops outside the window.
After another half hour, the rain became lighter.
“Let’s go back now. If the rain gets heavier again, we won’t be able to go back,” Chi Yu stood up, picked up Jiang Mo’s snack bag.
Jiang Mo wiped his mouth with a tissue and followed Chi Yu.
Chi Yu stood outside the door, holding Jiang Mo’s snack bag in one hand and holding a newly bought transparent umbrella in the other.
With his back to Jiang Mo, Chi Yu could see Jiang Mo’s figure under the umbrella through the transparent cover. Outside the window, the raindrops were falling, and someone was waiting for him.
“What’s wrong?” The glass door was pushed, and Chi Yu turned around, helping Jiang Mo open the door.
“Nothing… nothing,” Jiang Mo blinked, shook his head, and quickly walked under the umbrella.
Jiang Mo wanted to reach for the snack bag in Chi Yu’s hand, but Chi Yu skillfully evaded it. “It’s not heavy. I want to carry it for you.”
“Oh.”
The two walked silently. Chi Yu accompanied Jiang Mo back to his room.
Jiang Mo said, “Thank you,” and reached out to take the snack bag.
This time, Chi Yu handed it over readily, and along with it, his body suddenly moved closer.
Chi Yu bent down, his gaze level with Jiang Mo’s, his voice clear as he instructed, word by word, “Don’t forget what I said earlier. I hope you think about it carefully and give me an answer.”
Jiang Mo was taken aback.
What did Chi Yu say earlier?
It’s because of you.
The person I want to bind is not Lu Xuan; it’s you.
I don’t like Lu Xuan.
I like…
PLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SAY YES TO HIM