Why is This Clingy Snow Leopard Acting So Innocent? - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Reunion — Meeting Again Across Mountains and Seas

“Where is he?”

“Don’t know. Probably went out.”

Behind the back wall of the main house, Su Wen stared at the spot where he had seen the snow leopard last night. On a very narrow ledge, caught on the sharpest corner, hung a small tuft of silver-gray fur. He estimated the height; it was roughly twice his own.

“I mean, is he really staying with us?”

At the base of the wall were a few large rocks and a snakeskin bag filled with something heavy. Standing on those rocks and jumping might just be enough to reach that ledge.

“He probably won’t stay long. How could a ‘Young Master’ like him handle this hardship?”

Su Wen took two steps back. Based on his high school long jump experience, a three or four-meter run-up might give him the height he needed.

“I hope he leaves today. I honestly can’t take it. Do you know how scary it was to wake up last night and see a dark shadow standing there? I nearly died of a heart attack.”

“Huh? What was he doing standing there?”

“God knows. I don’t understand the brain of a Movie Star~”

One— He crouched low.

“Oh, come on, cut him some slack. The ‘Young Master’ has had a smooth life. The only bitter thing he’s ever tasted is probably an iced Americano.”

Two— The run-up.

“Let me be born into a good family in my next life, too. Please…”

Three— The jump.

“Count me in. I also want to use the back door when I don’t have any acting gigs.”

Four— THUD!

“Hahahahahahaha!”

A sudden burst of laughter came from inside the house. Su Wen fell back, bracing himself on the ground with his hands. A mysterious gust of wind swept by, and the silver-gray tuft of fur drifted up, swirling onto the ledge and vanishing from sight.

“Looking for something, Su Wen-ge?”

Su Wen turned his head. Yun Shu had uncrossed his arms and was slowly walking toward him.

“Did something fall up there? Want me to help you get it?”

Su Wen looked away and scrambled up from the ground, brushing the dust off his hands. “No need.”

Yun Shu glanced at the ledge, then back at Su Wen. As Su Wen brushed past him, he said, “Your clothes are dirty.”

“Mm.”

“Want to go to my house and change?”

Su Wen followed his gaze. His black-and-white outdoor jacket was stained with mud. He swatted at it twice, but it wouldn’t come off. Still, he replied, “No need.”

…

“Where’s Su Wen?”

“No idea. Went out?”

“Where could he go? Probably got scared by the environment and went home?”

“Tsk,” Cheng Daozhi looked at the speaker. “If you don’t know what respect is, leave now.”

The person’s voice dropped, but they remained defiant. “Why? He’s the one who insisted on squeezing in with us. What’s he trying to do, build a ‘man of the people’ persona?”

“Shut up.”

Seconds later, Su Wen pushed open the door and looked at Cheng Daozhi, his expression calm. “Looking for me?”

The atmosphere in the living room shifted as he entered. Cheng Daozhi stood up. “Where were you?”

“The courtyard.”

“Remember to take your phone next time.”

“Mm.”

“Your manager just called me.”

Su Wen blinked. “What happened?”

“He said there’s an emergency. He’s taking leave from your sister and had to go back temporarily. If you need a new manager, ask her,” she continued. “Take care of yourself for now; we might not always be able to look after you.”

“Oh.”

The news didn’t seem to trigger much emotion. Su Wen didn’t say much and picked up his phone from the table. The moment it turned on, dozens of messages and seven or eight missed calls flooded in. The gist was: Emergency, have to go, luggage is at the rescue station, take care of yourself.

After replying to a message, Su Wen looked up. “Where is the rescue station?”

“That’s what I was about to tell you,” Cheng Daozhi said. “Ask Yun Shu to drive you later. He’s more familiar with the area. I messaged him; not sure if he’s here yet.”

“Understood.”

As he turned to leave, Cheng Daozhi called out, “Eat breakfast before you go.”

He looked toward the crew, who quickly averted their eyes. “No, I’ll go now.”

He pushed through the thermal curtain. Outside, Yun Shu was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Seeing Su Wen, he jiggled his car keys and arched an eyebrow with a grin. “Leaving now?”

Before Su Wen could answer, the curtain behind him opened again. “Su Wen, come here a second,” Cheng Daozhi called. She pulled him aside. “I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

“Are you sure you want to stay at the station?”

Su Wen was momentarily stunned, unsure how to answer. His roommates’ dislike was blatant, and he had already refused Yun Shu’s offer yesterday. The guesthouse was far too distant.

After a long pause, he started, “I’ll go to a ho—”

“My house,” Yun Shu interrupted, cutting him off.

Su Wen stood frozen. As Cheng Daozhi looked over, Yun Shu flashed a smile, walked over, and draped an arm unceremoniously around Su Wen’s shoulder. He looked at Su Wen, but his words were for Cheng Daozhi:

“Didn’t you just promise me? Said you’d move straight into my place.”

“Oh? Really?” Cheng Daozhi looked surprised. “Then I’ll leave him in your care.”

“Of course.”

Su Wen looked at him with utter confusion. He didn’t remember promising anything. Yun Shu winked at him as if reading his mind and whispered enticingly in his ear: “It’s a private room. You sure you don’t want it?”

…

It really was a private room.

Yun Shu’s house was different from the station’s two-story building. It was a bungalow with a large, clean courtyard. The walls looked freshly painted. The house wasn’t small; it would be very comfortable for a family.

Su Wen looked at the room. Although it wasn’t as fancy as his house in Linzhou, it was spacious, featuring a 1.8-meter king bed and a full set of furniture.

He turned to Yun Shu. “Aren’t we going to the rescue station?”

“I figured you’d think I was lying, so I brought you here to see first,” Yun Shu tilted his head, meeting Su Wen’s gaze. “Well? Do you want to stay here?”

“Thank you.”

It was a polite formality. Yun Shu smiled. “You’re welcome.”

The car in the yard wasn’t the small pickup from yesterday; it was an Audi SUV—the station’s backup vehicle. Seeing Su Wen standing by the car lost in thought, Yun Shu approached and opened the passenger door for him. “Not getting in?”

Su Wen snapped out of it and sat down. A second later, he grabbed Yun Shu’s wrist. “What are you doing?”

His grip was tight, but Yun Shu kept his gentle smile. “Helping you with your seatbelt.”

Su Wen released him. “I can do it myself.”

Yun Shu sat in the driver’s seat but didn’t start the engine immediately. “Are you in a bad mood?”

Su Wen looked out the window and didn’t answer.

When he heard Zhang Xiaoqian had left, his first instinct was to quit. When his sister called to offer a new manager, he refused. He was oscillating between giving up on what might be his last chance and staying to film. His heart was filled with an inexplicable dread; Zhang Xiaoqian probably didn’t realize how much his presence meant, but Su Wen was truly terrified of facing so many people alone.

While his mind raced, a hand reached out from the side. In the palm was a small tuft of silver-gray fur.

Su Wen froze for a long time before turning to look at him.

“I found this behind the station wall. Is it what you were looking for this morning?”

Su Wen took the fur. “Thank you.” This time, he meant it.

Yun Shu stepped on the gas and smiled. “You’re welcome.”

The rescue station was at least thirty or forty kilometers away, but Yun Shu drove deeper into the village. Su Wen felt like they were going the wrong way, but seeing Yun Shu’s serious expression, he didn’t say anything.

After a few turns, the car stopped in front of a building with thick curtains on all sides. Inside were several tables with steaming bamboo baskets—it looked like a breakfast shop. The people sitting there didn’t look like locals; they looked like tourists.

Two pretty girls in beanies saw Yun Shu. After whispering to each other, one approached him. Su Wen couldn’t hear what was said, but Yun Shu was smiling warmly and brightly, looking very happy as he took a photo with them. One even pulled out her phone, seemingly asking for his contact info.

Su Wen looked away and scrolled through his phone out of boredom. The internet was slow, with the loading circle appearing constantly. Feeling an inexplicable irritability, he closed the phone and leaned back to rest. He had basically pulled an all-nighter. He’d felt fine earlier, but now the exhaustion was hitting him.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and Yun Shu climbed back in, bringing a gust of cold air with him. While adjusting his seat, he handed over a bag of buns. Su Wen hadn’t been asleep; he’d been woken by the aroma.

Yun Shu looked at him with that same bright smile he’d had outside. “They’re beef buns. Eat up.”

Su Wen glanced at the sign outside that clearly said “Mutton Buns” in large characters, then silently looked away.

Seeing Su Wen’s hesitation, Yun Shu pulled one out—a bun the size of a fist—and finished it in three bites. The scent of beef in the air grew even stronger. Having been hungry since last night, Su Wen stopped acting reserved and devoured one as well. The bag of eight or nine buns was finished by the two of them in minutes.

Full and satisfied, he looked at Yun Shu. “How much longer?”

Yun Shu glanced at his dark green mechanical watch. “You’ll be there by the time you wake up from a nap.”

Not knowing how to thank him, Su Wen said casually, “Nice watch.”

Yun Shu slowed down and glanced at him. “A gift from someone I love.”

Su Wen had no reaction and no interest. He just offered a perfunctory, “Very nice.”

“Aren’t you going to ask who it is?”

Su Wen yawned. “Who is it?”

“You should know them. Actually, you should be familiar with them,” Yun Shu shook his head. “You…”

He trailed off and didn’t finish.

Beside him, Su Wen’s head leaned against the window frame as he fell into a deep sleep.

Yun Shu’s heart tightened. He pulled over to a clearing on the mountainside and leaned over the steering wheel, watching Su Wen without blinking. He looked exactly the same when he slept as he did five years ago, except for the dark circles under his eyes now.

Across the distance of mountains and seas, Yun Shu’s fingertips traced Su Wen’s face in the air. The small mole under his eye, the bridge of his nose, and those thin lips that always liked to talk nonsense.

As the sun rose over the northern side of the snow mountain, the light hit Yun Shu’s eyes. He blinked, and when he opened them again, he met Su Wen’s gaze.

Su Wen was propped up on his hand, leaning against the window, watching him quietly with eyes full of a faint smile. The sunlight gilded his black hair, making him look like a meticulously carved statue of a deity.

Yun Shu instinctively reached out his hand, lost in a golden, woven dream.