Spilling the Tea on the Movie Star Who Won't Leave Me Alone - Chapter 22

Back at the stall, Xu Chi had no idea that Gu Jingxuan had already seen his secret clearly. Still dazed and lightheaded, he picked up his bathrobe and tied the belt with somewhat uncoordinated movements.

“Why haven’t you come up yet? I’m already dressed.”

He turned to see Gu Jingxuan still soaking in the water. Thinking Gu Jingxuan’s legs might have gone numb from staying in too long, he smiled and reached out a hand to pull him up. To his surprise, Gu Jingxuan directly brushed his hand away and climbed onto the shore on his own.

Muddled by the alcohol, Xu Chi didn’t think much of the rejection. He simply withdrew his hand and watched Gu Jingxuan put on his bathrobe with slow, deliberate movements.

“Brother Gu, you really are handsome.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxuan merely gave a faint smile. He didn’t respond with his usual playful teasing.

“Let’s go.” Gu Jingxuan reached out as if to lead Xu Chi back, but just as Xu Chi’s palm was about to meet his, he pulled his hand back. “Follow me closely; don’t get lost.”

Xu Chi hadn’t drunk enough to lose consciousness. Seeing that long, well-defined hand vanish before his eyes, he lowered his eyelids in disappointment. He followed obediently behind Gu Jingxuan and did not say another word.

The two returned to the dressing room. Amidst a quiet and somewhat awkward atmosphere, Gu Jingxuan spoke first.

“Can you still stand steadily? Do you need me to help you change?”

The walk from the hot spring to the dressing room and the slight change in temperature had cleared Xu Chi’s head a little. He shook his head, declining Gu Jingxuan’s offer.

“I can do it myself. Brother Gu, go ahead and attend to your own business.”

Before the words had even fully left his mouth, Xu Chi shut himself inside a changing stall. He leaned his forehead against the door, his brow furrowing slightly.

Why did Brother Gu’s attitude change so suddenly? Is it because I accepted Director Jiang’s invitation without any hesitation? Does he think I’m a social climber who just latches onto any benefit I see?

Xu Chi had no clue. He didn’t understand why Gu Jingxuan, who had just been sitting intimately beside him and feeding him wine, had suddenly turned cold.

Gu Jingxuan was also troubled. After unfastening his bathrobe, he stood in his own stall without moving.

Seeing that part of Xu Chi had been completely unexpected. Originally, he had only been watching Xu Chi from behind because he was afraid the younger man might fall, but he never expected to witness Xu Chi’s secret.

What was he feeling? Disgust? No, he still held an original and steadily growing fondness for Xu Chi. Could he accept it readily? It seemed he couldn’t; a physical structure that didn’t belong to a man had appeared on Xu Chi’s body. Even though Gu Jingxuan possessed a strong mental capacity, he couldn’t immediately process this and interact with Xu Chi as he had before.

He knew he had feelings for Xu Chi, but what about now, under these circumstances? Gu Jingxuan couldn’t figure out his own thoughts. Or rather, he needed time to digest news that could be described as shocking.

When Xu Chi finished changing and stepped out, he didn’t see Gu Jingxuan. He noticed the opposite stall door was tightly shut, realizing Gu Jingxuan must still be changing inside.

The man who had stood outside the stall being a rogue just an hour ago was now hiding inside like a shy young girl. Xu Chi didn’t think this was a good sign.

Gu Jingxuan was definitely avoiding him, but what could have caused him to want to do that?

“Brother Gu? Are you… finished?” Even though Xu Chi didn’t want to break the silence, he had to remind him. Gu Jingxuan had been inside for an unusually long time.

“Ah, yes. Just a moment, just a moment.” Hearing Xu Chi’s prompt, Gu Jingxuan hurriedly pulled off his bathrobe and changed into his clothes.

Hearing the sound of fabric rustling only now, Xu Chi felt a strange urge to cry; his nose and eyes began to sting. He looked up at the ceiling and blinked, suppressing the stinging sensation.

A few minutes later, Gu Jingxuan emerged. Looking at Xu Chi standing there fully dressed, he felt inexplicably embarrassed.

“That… I was delayed by a few things just now.”

Xu Chi gave a quiet “Oh,” not caring whether Gu Jingxuan was telling the truth or not.

As they walked out of the hot spring facility one after the other, the receptionist noticed the atmosphere between them and felt it was strange. When they entered, they had been noisy and lively, but now they were leaving without even looking at each other. Xu Chi was especially quiet, walking with his head down. This state looked exactly like a quarrel between a young couple. The receptionist patted her cheeks, telling herself not to think such things about two innocent men.

“I’ll… take a taxi back. Brother Gu, you should head home first.” Xu Chi looked at the distance between himself and Gu Jingxuan and felt he should be sensible and leave.

Gu Jingxuan’s brow furrowed immediately. He looked at Xu Chi with a confused expression. “I’ll drive you back. It’s the New Year; who’s going to be driving for you?”

I’m the one who should feel awkward, so why does Xu Chi look like something is wrong too? Gu Jingxuan hadn’t expected that his subtle actions would make Xu Chi so sensitive and cause him to distance himself.

Xu Chi wanted to refuse again, but before he could speak, Gu Jingxuan beat him to it. “I’m taking you back. I was the one who picked you up, so what would it look like if I let you take a taxi home alone now? Get in the car quickly; it’s cold outside.”

Gu Jingxuan was preoccupied with his own thoughts and didn’t have the spare energy to wonder why Xu Chi was suddenly acting moody.

Seeing that Gu Jingxuan was already frowning with impatience, Xu Chi didn’t dare say another word. He sniffed and opened the back door, sitting in the rear seat.

Gu Jingxuan glanced at the dispirited Xu Chi in the rearview mirror and started the car without thinking much of it.

When they had arrived, they hadn’t spoken much either, but it lacked the current awkwardness and unease. Xu Chi felt the dizziness from the alcohol returning. Sitting in the back, the slight swaying of the car made him sleepy.

By the time the car stopped, Xu Chi had already fallen asleep against the window. His small face was flushed red from the alcohol and the stuffy air in the car.

“Xu Chi? Xu Chi? We’re at your house.” Gu Jingxuan shook him, but seeing that he still wouldn’t wake up, he sighed. He restarted the car and drove back to his own home.

After a thirty-minute drive, Gu Jingxuan parked in his garage. Seeing that Xu Chi showed no signs of waking, he resigned himself to his fate, opened the back door, and carried him out.

He keeps yelling about losing weight, but he really isn’t heavy at all. Gu Jingxuan looked down at Xu Chi’s sleeping face and realized the boy had indeed become much thinner than before the filming started.