TBSDRA 19: There’s Nothing Like That Between Me and Him

Even though everyone was already full from dinner, the girls in the crew insisted they had “a second stomach for dessert,” so the specially ordered cake was still brought out to the table.

The cake was a large and double-layer fruit cake. The entire cake was a grass green color, and the top layer featured a cream drawing of two boys in school uniforms from behind, representing Yu Xiang and Xia Qinglang. Scattered across the surface were light yellow sugar sprinkles, symbolizing sunshine. It was so beautiful that no one wanted to cut into it.

At first, everyone jokingly suggested the two leads should cut the cake, but after Chi Siyuan and Xu Xishuang politely declined back and forth, all eyes turned nervously to Yan Yushan.

Under everyone’s anxious gazes, Yan Yushan naturally reached out for the cake knife and began distributing a piece to everyone who wanted one except for Xu Xishuang, who watched longingly.

Xu Xishuang was being held back by Xiao Wang. He stared unblinkingly at the cream on the cake. He knew Yan Yushan and Xiao Wang wouldn’t let him eat it because last time he had something creamy, it triggered intense morning sickness. He still craved it, he wanted it badly, and it had been so long since he had dessert.

Xu Xishuang had a little secret he never told anyone. Aside from his love of spicy food, he also had a serious sweet tooth especially for anything with cream. He could eat four or five cream puffs in one go.

He always felt that loving sweets made him seem unmanly, especially after his cousin caught him eating a bunny-shaped milk pudding and teased him for it. He became determined to hide this side of himself.

Over the years, he had done a good job of keeping it under wraps but now, maybe because he was pregnant, his self-control had suddenly taken a hit. Watching Yan Yushan give out pieces of cake one by one, a strange and inexplicable sense of grievance bubbled up inside him.

Xu Xishuang turned and walked away.

Yan Yushan, who had been watching him from the corner of his eye the whole time, paused. He set down the cake knife, apologized to those around him, then picked up a small slice of cake and hurried after him.

Xu Xishuang hadn’t really decided where to go—his feet just unconsciously took him toward Binjiang Road, where he had talked with Yan Yushan earlier. After a few steps, his anger subsided. He realized it had been a sudden mood swing, and now it was gone. He felt a little ridiculous.

Really, there wasn’t anything to be mad about. He just couldn’t eat cream while pregnant and maybe after the baby was born, he’d never have another chance to enjoy it again.

He tried to convince himself to let it go when suddenly, Yan Yushan’s voice came from behind. “Xu Xishuang.”

Xu Xishuang stopped and turned around, his gaze landing on the small piece of cake in Yan Yushan’s hand.

Yan Yushan clearly saw his eyes light up for a moment. He almost laughed. Xu Xishuang looked adorable like this. He wanted to give him the cake and watch his happy expression but he couldn’t risk Xu Xishuang’s safety.

The last time Xu Xishuang got sick from cream had scared him deeply. So Yan Yushan steeled himself and said, “You can only eat some fruit.”

He had purposely chosen a piece with almost no cream, where the fruit was all tucked inside. There wasn’t even a hint of frosting. Xu Xishuang quickly pouted, but before Yan Yushan noticed, he returned to his usual expression and took the tiny fork from him.

He politely directed the little fork toward a strawberry but just before reaching it, the fork suddenly changed direction. In a swift, sneaky motion, Xu Xishuang scraped off all the cream on top of the cake and stuffed it into his mouth.

Yan Yushan let out a frustrated laugh. He knew Xu Xishuang wouldn’t behave. He had been prepared for this. He moved fast to snatch the fork out of Xu Xishuang’s hand but his aim was slightly off. He didn’t manage to grab it, just grazed it with his fingers, smearing all the cream onto his hand.

Xu Xishuang stared at the now-bare fork, frozen in place.

Yan Yushan’s hand hovered in midair. He gave a slightly awkward cough and reached into his pocket with his other hand to grab a tissue to wipe off the cream.

Xu Xishuang panicked. The cream was almost in his mouth, and now it was gone. He couldn’t even explain why he reacted the way he did but by the time he came to his senses, he had already grabbed Yan Yushan’s wrist and leaned forward to lick the cream off his index finger.

They both froze.

Yan Yushan stared down at Xu Xishuang in shock. Xu Xishuang pressed his lips together, clearly flustered. The moment was absolutely mortifying, it was far too intimate. They both involuntarily recalled a certain night, when Xu Xishuang had been gasping under him, and Yan Yushan had made him bite down on his finger so he wouldn’t hurt his own tongue—so that the sounds he made would be soft and muffled.

“Director Yan! Xiao Xu!”

A crew member’s voice suddenly rang out. Xu Xishuang jumped and quickly let go of Yan Yushan’s wrist, hiding his hands behind his back. Yan Yushan swallowed hard and slowly pulled his hand back, then used his other hand to take a tissue from his pocket and wipe the remaining cream off his fingers. He turned toward the voice and responded, “What is it?”

“Karaoke! Are you coming?” The assistant director called out to him. “Everyone’s waiting on you two.”

Yan Yushan seemed unusually easygoing tonight. People gathered the courage to come over and dragged him along. Xu Xishuang quietly breathed a sigh of relief and said to them, “I’m a bit tired. I’ll skip it, sorry.”

Everyone knew Xu Xishuang’s health wasn’t great and that he needed to rest early, so no one pushed him.

The road to the karaoke place and the hotel was in the same direction. Xu Xishuang walked behind the group, having told Xiao Wang to give him a moment alone. He wanted to clear his head and let the night breeze cool his burning face.

What had he been thinking just now? Why on earth did he lick the cream? It was just a bit of cream so what if he couldn’t eat it? Now he had thoroughly embarrassed himself. If Yan Yushan brought this up again later, what excuse could he possibly make?

“Senior.”

Chi Siyuan came running over, panting. He cautiously walked beside Xu Xishuang and said in a low voice, “Senior, could I borrow a minute of your time? Just a minute.”

Xu Xishuang had intended to refuse, but Chi Siyuan’s expression was so serious, like he had something major to say. Xu Xishuang paused for a moment, then nodded.

“Senior,” Chi Siyuan sighed in relief and said solemnly, “Actually, I’ve known about you and Director Yan for a long time.”

Xu Xishuang was startled.

Here it comes—the protagonist shou have found out about him and Yan Yushan and was here to confront him.

Xu Xishuang subtly shifted to the side. He was afraid Chi Siyuan might lash out. In his current state, with a baby on the way, there was no way he could win a fight.

“I’m sorry, senior,” Chi Siyuan said, his voice filled with anguish. “I’ve known for a while that Director Yan was forcing you, but I didn’t have the courage or the chance to expose him. I’m really sorry!”

Xu Xishuang: …?

“Senior Xu, I know you must have suffered. That two-faced bastard Director Yan must have forced you to do so many things you didn’t want to do,” Chi Siyuan said with a heartbroken expression. “But don’t worry, senior. Filming is over and he has no control over us for now. I’ve gathered plenty of evidence—once we expose his true colors, you won’t have to suffer anymore!”

Xu Xishuang: …??

“Wait, hold on.” Xu Xishuang pressed a hand to his forehead. “What exactly do you think my relationship with Yan Yushan is?”

“He’s coercing you,” Chi Siyuan said firmly. “He’s forcing you to do… things. He took advantage of you. He made you get close to him. He even beat you so badly you coughed up blood, but wouldn’t let you speak the truth. He bribed your assistant Xiao Wang to spy on you and control your every move—he’s turned you into his possession!”

Chi Siyuan trembled with righteous fury. “He’s a monster!!”

Xu Xishuang: …???

He was genuinely shocked—so shocked he completely forgot about licking Yan Yushan’s finger. He stared at Chi Siyuan and couldn’t help blurting out, “Did you just imagine all of this?”

“I’m not in that kind of relationship with Yan Yushan,” Xu Xishuang said, half-laughing and half-exasperated. “He didn’t take advantage of me. The blood thing happened because I have a weak body. You misunderstood.”

He kept a straight face and started bullshitting. “As for Xiao Wang, Yan Yushan just asked him to look after my health better so it wouldn’t affect filming. Also, Xiao Wang was assigned by my agent so he has nothing to do with Yan Yushan.”

Chi Siyuan slowly opened his mouth in shock, letting out a confused, “Huh?”

“It’s true,” Xu Xishuang smiled. “Director and actor, that’s all there is between us. Nothing else.”

The evening breeze wasn’t cool at all—it was hot and stuffy, making people restless.

Xu Xishuang turned and looked seriously at Chi Siyuan—the sunny, cheerful protagonist written by the author. He pushed down the tangled feelings in his heart and, like every side character in a BL novel who helps the main couple get together, told Chi Siyuan, “Yan Yushan is a good person.”

“He’s strict with you because he wants you to improve. I hope you can understand him,” Xu Xishuang smiled. “Chi Siyuan, you’re a talented actor. You’ll have more chances to work with Yan Yushan. You’ll create even more amazing work together.”

Then you’ll become a happy couple, blessed by the entire entertainment industry.

Chi Siyuan seemed dazed. He asked urgently, “But what about you? Senior, you’re not working with me anymore?”

“No,” Xu Xishuang said, “Go sing with them. I’m heading back to the hotel to sleep.”