Drink This Bowl Of Dog Blood! [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 8

Sunlight streamed through the window. Just before the orange glow could hit the sleeping figure, Song Yanxing quickly moved to the edge of the sofa, using his body to shield the other from the piercing light.

The youth’s brow furrowed slightly and his eyelashes fluttered before he finally woke. Opening his eyes with a trace of misty drowsiness, he looked around and set the small blanket aside. He sat up dazed while clutching the hot water bottle Song Yanxing had prepared for him, still appearing somewhat lost.

Song Yanxing asked with a smile, “Are you awake?” He reached for a glass on the coffee table, poured some warm water, and handed it over.

“Thank you.” Tan Qiuyi finally noticed the man beside him. He took the glass and lowered his head, feeling slightly embarrassed that he had fallen asleep while waiting for Song Yanxing.

“I am finished with work. Let us go.” Song Yanxing stood up, picked up a coat from the sofa, and handed it to the youth. “The temperature has dropped outside. You should put on your coat.”

Once Tan Qiuyi was ready, they walked out together. As they passed the photo studio, Tan Qiuyi glanced at the crew handling post-production and then at Song Yanxing, who had changed back into his casual clothes. He felt a lingering regret that he had missed seeing the man in his element.

“Do you want to take a look? Just the two of us.” Song Yanxing sensed the youth’s slight hesitation.

As expected, Tan Qiuyi’s eyes lit up. He glanced at the camera crew following them and asked hesitantly, “Is that okay?”

“Of course.” Song Yanxing signaled the cameraman and led Tan Qiuyi toward the magazine crew.

The staff were busy packing up props, but their eyes instinctively fell on the pair. The two shared an aura of compatibility that felt impenetrable to outsiders. Tan Qiuyi looked at the photos on the monitor. Colored lights hit the man’s face as he leaned against a black wall. His deep features and the artificial scars on his brow complemented each other perfectly. Dressed in a white shirt that stood out against the darkness, he radiated intense charisma.

This was a side of Song Yanxing he had never seen before. “It looks very good,” Tan Qiuyi said sincerely.

Song Yanxing’s lips curved upward. Tan Qiuyi always managed to surprise him, first with his initiative and now with his direct and generous praise. Song Yanxing laughed and said, “I will take that as a good omen. I hope the magazine sells well.”

“It will,” Tan Qiuyi replied with certainty.

At the cameraman’s urging, they drove toward the seaside. Jianyue Beach sat on the edge of A City. Despite the location, its visitor volume during peak seasons remained among the highest in the country. It was nearly 4:00 PM when they arrived, and because it was a weekday, the crowds were thin.

They strolled along the sand while feeling the sea breeze. Song Yanxing had asked around about activities earlier, so he suggested, “How about we go for a ride?” He pointed toward the bicycles parked in the distance.

Tan Qiuyi looked over, hesitated for a second, and then said, “Alright.”

However, as they drew closer, Tan Qiuyi’s confidence wavered. Seeing him hesitate while pushing the bike, Song Yanxing asked as tactfully as possible, “Have you never ridden one before?”

Tan Qiuyi wanted to be stubborn because he did not want the man to know he could not even ride a simple bicycle, but the truth was undeniable. “I have never ridden one, and I never had the chance to learn,” he admitted, deciding to just own the embarrassment.

“I only learned for a film shoot myself. If you do not mind, I can be your temporary instructor.” Surprisingly, the man showed no confusion or judgment, naturally offering to teach him instead.

Thus, the cycling trip turned into a lesson. Song Yanxing adjusted the seat height so Tan Qiuyi’s feet could reach the ground. “Try getting on,” he said. “Keep the handlebars steady, just like steering a car. Look straight ahead, not at your feet, or you will fall. Push down with whichever foot feels stronger.”

Song Yanxing held the back of the seat while keeping a hand ready to catch him. They were close enough to smell each other. The scent of cedarwood mixed with faint lemon seemed to wrap around Tan Qiuyi, sinking into his bones.

“Focus,” Song Yanxing whispered while hiding a smile.

Caught being distracted, Tan Qiuyi suppressed his racing heart and looked forward with renewed determination. After an hour of practice, he had basic mastery of the skill. To finally enjoy the breeze, they switched to a bicycle with a rear seat.

Song Yanxing waited for a moment until the person behind him lightly gripped the fabric of his shirt. Before he could speak, Tan Qiuyi asked, “Can I? I mean, can I hold your waist?” He looked at the man’s long-sleeved shirt and added, “I am afraid I might tear the fabric if I just pull.”

Song Yanxing was stuck between laughter and tears. Tan Qiuyi’s focus was always unique; he was worried about the clothes rather than his own safety. “Of course you can,” he replied.

The distant laughter of people on the beach contrasted with the quiet atmosphere of the two on the cycling path. As Song Yanxing pedaled, the cold sea breeze blew past, making the warmth of the hands on his waist impossible to ignore. He thought back to the anonymous heartbeat messages he had received the previous night. One was particularly distinctive: “There is a flower in the back garden of the house that can be made into dried flowers. Keeping it in the bedroom can effectively help relieve insomnia.”

Song Yanxing had not expected a passing comment he made to be remembered so clearly. Meanwhile, Tan Qiuyi was equally unsettled. The scent of the man carried by the wind had a strange and powerful attraction to him.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the golden light made the waves sparkle. Their shadows huddled together under the fading light. By the time they finished, it was 6:00 PM. The sky turned dark and the streetlights flickered on. Song Yanxing led Tan Qiuyi to a reserved seaside restaurant.

“This way, please,” the waiter said while guiding them to a private room. After ordering, Song Yanxing asked, “Did you have fun today?”

Tan Qiuyi’s eyes crinkled. “I had a great time. I learned about your work and gained a new skill.”

The show had not yet revealed everyone’s professions, but for a famous Best Actor, there was no need to hide. Song Yanxing asked with surprise, “So, you really did not know what I did before?”

He was referring to their first meeting at Grandma Song’s house. At that time, Tan Qiuyi, who did not follow the entertainment industry, truly did not know. He had simply thought of him as the neighbor’s handsome grandson.

“I really did not know then,” Tan Qiuyi answered honestly. “But before coming out today, I saw someone post a clip of your audition on my social media. It was a very good performance because you were very much in character.” He had actually fallen into the pit and spent his time in the waiting room researching everything about Song Yanxing.

Song Yanxing laughed and let the youth off the hook for his survival instincts.

They returned to the house after dinner. By 8:00 PM, not many people had returned, so they went to their respective rooms. Song Yanxing lay on the sofa while fiddling with a glass. After several calls, the system finally appeared.

【Ding! Numerical values have changed. Current mission progress: 45%】

“Thank you,” Song Yanxing replied politely.

【Host, do not forget to apply the inverse melodrama!】

“I have not forgotten,” Song Yanxing said flatly. The system, sensing his low spirits, tried to slip away.

“Where have you been lately?” Song Yanxing asked casually.

The system sighed. 【Can I not say? Knowing these things is not good for you.】

Song Yanxing sat up and set the glass down. Sensing the system’s relief, he added ruthlessly, “If I am not mistaken, I have the right to file a complaint.”

This hit the system where it hurt. Every system had performance reviews and poor ones were sent back to the factory. The system gave up. 【Fine, I was hiding from you.】

“Why?”

The system muttered vaguely, 【I will tell you, but you have to speak up for me later. I do not want to be scrapped.】

Song Yanxing was surprised he had that kind of influence. “I will do my best,” he promised.

The system finally spilled everything. 【Do you feel a sense of familiarity with anyone?】

Song Yanxing’s heart skipped a beat. A certain theory was confirmed. “Tan Qiuyi.”

The system replied with pride, 【That is the soul of our great Boss!】

“So, who is he?”

The system asked, 【Do you not already have the answer?】

“Luo Cheng.” Song Yanxing slowly whispered the name in his heart.

【Correct!】 the system cheered.

Song Yanxing frowned. “Why is he here?”

【That is because】 The system began to glitch. After a sharp static noise, a cold and emotionless mechanical voice spoke.

【Warning! System 886 has committed a violation!】 【Warning! System 886 has committed a violation!】

Song Yanxing felt a sharp pain in his head.

【Ding! Detecting deviation from the designated path. Executing emergency protocol reserved by System 01!】

Song Yanxing lost consciousness from the intense pain. Before passing out, he felt something being pulled out of his body.

【Ding! Operation complete!】