The Affectionate Backup is a Heartthrob [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: The Affectionate Stand-in is Coveted (11)

At noon, Jiang Han took Wen Zhe out to eat. They went to a nearby Western restaurant with a quiet, elegant atmosphere and a hint of romance.

Usually, it was frequented by couples. Wen Zhe sat across from Jiang Han, looking at him with a soft gaze. Under the dim, moody lighting, Jiang Han’s features appeared more profound and three-dimensional. His deep-set eye sockets gave people the impression of being gazed at with deep affection; Wen Zhe felt that his initial heart-flutter had everything to do with those eyes.

It was rare for them to eat peacefully in a place with such a good atmosphere. Wen Zhe felt that Jiang Han was likely doing this as compensation for the last time he swam for him.

However, he wouldn’t overthink how this rare moment came to be. Thinking too clearly about everything would only bring him additional pain.

Jiang Han’s mood was clearly good as well. He lowered his head to cut his steak and suddenly said, “The day after tomorrow, I’m participating in a racing competition.”

Wen Zhe responded, “Then please be safe.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Han’s brow furrowed. He set his knife and fork down on the plate and looked at Wen Zhe silently.

Wen Zhe’s heart tightened. He knew Jiang Han was expressing dissatisfaction, but had he said something wrong?

Could he think Wen Zhe was doubting his racing skills? He didn’t want this rare atmosphere to be ruined by a single sentence, so he said tentatively, “You’ll definitely bring back first place.”

At those words, Jiang Han grew even more impatient. “Does that even need to be said? You’re so stupid, it seems you’re not suited to be taken along.”

Wen Zhe’s eyes lit up, and a look of surprise flashed across his face. “Are you taking me?”

Jiang Han’s eyebrows immediately knitted together. “Who’s taking you? Stop being so sentimental. I’m not taking you.”

Wen Zhe was still smiling. He could clearly tell that Jiang Han intended to take him, and of course, he really wanted to go.

Back when he and Jiang Han first met, it happened to coincide with a competition. At that time, he had begged Jiang Han to take him; he had never seen him race before.

But Jiang Han had only said impatiently, “Do you even understand racing? Why would I take you to be a vase?”

Originally, he wanted to keep begging, but Jiang Han’s face had darkened. If he said more, Jiang Han would surely blow up, so he didn’t dare mention it again.

On the day of the competition, he went to the racing venue privately, but he couldn’t get in because he hadn’t bought a ticket. He heard the waves of cheers coming from inside, and his heart grew excited along with them. He waited until the sky was completely dark and the audience began to file out after the race.

He asked the spectators who took first place. When he heard the name “Jiang Han,” his excitement was beyond words.

He waited at the exit for Jiang Han to come out, wanting to congratulate him in person. However, when Jiang Han emerged, he was surrounded by a crowd of racing fans. Wen Zhe tried to move forward but couldn’t squeeze through at all. Jiang Han looked somewhat impatient being surrounded, and by chance, his eyes met a familiar pair of eyes it was Wen Zhe.

Wen Zhe’s heart jolted violently. The smile on his face widened, and just as he was about to wave hello, he saw the impatience on Jiang Han’s face deepen. Jiang Han didn’t look at him again; pushed by the crowd, he got straight into a car. Wen Zhe stood frozen in place until the car had long sped away.

The feeling at that time was hard to describe, which was why when Jiang Han mentioned racing now, Wen Zhe hadn’t even considered that he might be invited.

Wen Zhe was happy now. He could clearly tell Jiang Han intended to take him. With a bit of a pleasing tone, he said to Jiang Han, “Take me. I want to watch you compete.”

Jiang Han took a sip of red wine, his eyes carrying a hint of pleasure. “You want to go that much?”

“I do,” Wen Zhe said sincerely.

“Are you going to watch the race or watch me?” Jiang Han asked.

“Watch you… and the race,” Wen Zhe said.

The pleasure in Jiang Han’s eyes deepened. “Depends on my mood.”

After the meal, Jiang Han sent Wen Zhe back to the film set. Wen Zhe got out of the car alone and said goodbye.

When the others saw him return, they began to tease him. Wen Zhe was in a good mood and joked back with them.

That was, until he saw Jiang Ke showing off the gift Jiang Han gave him to the others. His face was full of pride as he displayed a wristwatch. Others praised him, saying Young Master Jiang was truly generous.

The smile on Wen Zhe’s face vanished instantly. At this moment, Jiang Ke saw him too, raising his hand to point the watch face toward Wen Zhe. “Wen Zhe, what did Young Master Jiang give you? Bring it out for everyone to see.”

Seeing the look on Wen Zhe’s face, Jiang Ke became even more triumphant. “I’ve had my eye on this watch Young Master Jiang gave me for a long time…”

As Jiang Ke continued to boast incessantly, Wen Zhe turned and walked away. Jiang Han was truly terrible at handling things; he and Jiang Ke were on the same set, yet he gave them the exact same style of watch.

Or was it a subordinate’s carelessness? He knew Jiang Han never personally bought anything for him—it was basically all handled by the secretary. So this must be a significant work error.

Since there were no onlookers nearby, Wen Zhe didn’t react outwardly. But according to his character setting, he should still be quite shaken, though he should also be used to it. He had known about Jiang Han’s perfunctoriness from the very beginning.

Wen Zhe was too lazy to argue. It was one thing to follow the plot in front of Jiang Han, but he didn’t want to increase his own workload; it was very mentally draining.

He personally didn’t care to settle scores, and his character “dared not” settle scores. This matter could only be suppressed in his heart, adding to the proof that Jiang Han didn’t care about him for when he eventually left. These weights of sorrow continued to accumulate, and eventually, the final straw that breaks the camel’s back would fall, making him face reality and leave.

On the day of the racing competition, Wen Zhe specifically asked for half a day off from the crew. He had plenty of time; when he arrived at the racetrack from the hotel, only half the audience was seated.

Following the staff’s guidance, he went to the athletes’ rest area. Not just anyone could go there, but the ticket Jiang Han gave him was a “family/relative” type, so he had that right.

Once inside, he saw many contestants dressed in racing suits. The scene was a bit noisy, but Wen Zhe still spotted Jiang Han at a glance.

The man was tall and lean, and the form-fitting racing suit further emphasized his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He was very conspicuous in the crowd. Of course, Ye Baihuai beside him was also exceptionally noticeable. This was the first time Wen Zhe had seen him in casual clothes rather than a suit a motorcycle-style jacket, jeans, and his hair no longer perfectly styled as usual, with stray strands falling naturally over his forehead.

He looked refreshing and stunning, a completely different style from before, giving him the vibrant aura a young person should have.

Wen Zhe walked over. The friends around Jiang Han were quite surprised to see him. “Jiang Han, you actually let Wen Zhe come.”

“Does he even understand racing? What did you let him come for?”

Jiang Han also frowned when he saw him. He took a few steps forward. “Why aren’t you in the spectator stands? Why did you run here?”

Wen Zhe’s eyes were bright and smiling. “I came to see you.”

“What’s there to see?” Jiang Han’s face was full of impatience. “Go back to the stands now. Stop causing trouble here.”

Wen Zhe looked a bit disappointed. Just as he was about to speak, the coach called Jiang Han over.

Wen Zhe’s gaze followed him until his view was blocked by a figure. Ye Baihuai stood in front of him, his face dark. “Gazing until your eyes fall out, I see.”

“I just wanted to see what he looks like before the race,” Wen Zhe said.

Ye Baihuai stared fixedly at the person in front of him and couldn’t help but glare. “Does he even acknowledge you? Can’t you hear how much he dislikes you?”

Wen Zhe looked at him. Wasn’t Ye Baihuai a man of few words? Why was his tongue so poisonous in front of him?

Ye Baihuai felt uncomfortable under his gaze. “What are you looking at? Do I look strange in this?”

Looking at his expression, Wen Zhe knew this was his first time dressing like this. He couldn’t help but laugh; he didn’t expect Ye Baihuai to have moments of insecurity.

“Are you laughing at me?” Ye Baihuai asked incredulously.

Wen Zhe shook his head and said honestly, “No, I think it looks good. It suits you very well.”

Only then did Ye Baihuai’s face soften. He had only come because he heard Jiang Han was bringing Wen Zhe; otherwise, he wouldn’t have shown up dressed like this. If he had been mocked, he wouldn’t have let Wen Zhe off easily.

“Let’s go. Come to the spectator stands with me,” Ye Baihuai said.

With that, he started to walk out, but Wen Zhe asked him to wait. “I have something to say to Jiang Han. I’ll leave in a moment.”

Just like that, under Ye Baihuai’s gloomy gaze, he walked toward Jiang Han. Coincidentally, Jiang Han had just finished communicating with the coach. When he turned around and saw Wen Zhe, his brow immediately furrowed. “Why haven’t you left yet?”

“I’m leaving soon. I have something to tell you.” With that, Wen Zhe pulled Jiang Han toward the exit.

“What is it that has to be said outside?” Jiang Han grumbled impatiently.

Once the two were outside, Wen Zhe said softly, “I have something for you.”

The sunlight outside was abundant. Wen Zhe’s hair appeared a soft chestnut color, looking very gentle as it swayed back and forth in the wind.

They say people with soft hair have good tempers, and Wen Zhe’s temper was indeed exceptionally good. Jiang Han quieted down. “What is it?”

Wen Zhe smiled and reached out to remove the hand-string he had worn for a year from his wrist. He had sought this from a temple back then; it represented luck and held great significance for him. Now, he wanted to place this luck on Jiang Han’s hand.

Wen Zhe took Jiang Han’s hand to put it on him, but Jiang Han’s hand instinctively retracted. “What is this? It’s too ugly. I’m not wearing it.”

“Wear it. This has been blessed; the meaning is very good.” Wen Zhe held his hand, a hint of pleading in his voice.

“I’m not wearing it. Why do you keep trying to put random junk on my hand…” Jiang Han pushed back.

Wen Zhe suddenly moved closer to him, his grip on Jiang Han’s hand tightening slightly. His other arm almost brushed past Jiang Han’s waist, their hips nearly touching. “Wear it, please.”

Jiang Han’s eyelids flickered, and his heart began to thud wildly. Wen Zhe’s sudden proximity made him momentarily flustered. Looking at the face in front of him, he suddenly couldn’t say the words of rejection.

After a moment of daze, he pushed the person away, his face full of impatience. “Fine, fine, put it on. I really can’t stand you.”

Wen Zhe’s eyes were full of smiles. He happily took Jiang Han’s hand and rolled up his sleeve a bit. On Jiang Han’s wrist was a wristwatch; the leather strap was already somewhat worn, but he still wore it every day.

Wen Zhe knew this was the watch Su Cheng had given him. He had always cherished it and never taken it off. Wen Zhe knew he could never compare to Su Cheng.

He had long seen clearly that he didn’t even have the capital to compete with Su Cheng. He only hoped that in Jiang Han’s heart, there could be a corner that belonged to him.

He placed the string on Jiang Han’s wrist, the smile on his face becoming more satisfied, as if Jiang Han finally had something belonging to him on his person.

“Alright, it’s on now. Are you done?” Jiang Han lowered his sleeve.

He felt as if the skin around his wrist was slightly burning; the presence of that hand-string was unmistakable.

He knew Wen Zhe had always worn this string; it was something he cherished…

He felt a strange sensation in his heart.

Wen Zhe nodded. “I’m done.”

This uncherished hand-string was a major turning point in the stand-in’s mindset. Things that are forced upon someone are destined not to be cherished.

This was yet another weight forcing the stand-in to recognize reality.

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