TSBDRA 31: You’re Breaking Your Aloof and Cold Persona

After resting, Xu Xishuang dragged his heavy body upstairs to take a shower.

Long before he moved in, Yan Yushan had already renovated the place. Non-slip mats were installed in the bathroom, so there was no need to worry about falling or getting hurt while bathing.

Xu Xishuang picked a bottle of lemon-scented body wash, took a quick hot shower, then changed into loose loungewear, ready to head downstairs for dinner.

Just as he lifted his leg and took a single step down the stairs, a sharp, tearing pain shot through his lower body, especially his thighs. His face immediately went pale.

Staring at the short wooden staircase, he realized that if he insisted on walking down, he might seriously injure himself and be stuck in bed for weeks. He stopped right away.

Xu Xishuang began to think about how he could still successfully get dinner.

It didn’t take him long to come to a decision.

He pulled out his phone and messaged Xiao Wang.

Downstairs, Xiao Wang was scooping sweet congee into a bowl when he felt his phone buzz inside his apron. He set the bowl down, pulled out his phone, and saw the message from Xu Xishuang.

Xu Xishuang: “Xiao Wang, could I trouble you to bring my dinner upstairs? My legs hurt so I can’t come down.”

Xiao Wang quickly replied: “Okay, I’ll be right up. Are your legs okay? Should I call the doctor?”

Xu Xishuang: “No need. Thank you.”

Xiao Wang put his phone down and grabbed a lunch box from the kitchen. He packed a portion of every dish on the table.

Yan Yushan had come downstairs first. As he walked into the living room and saw what Xiao Wang was doing, he asked, “Who are you packing food for?”

“For Xishuang,” Xiao Wang answered truthfully. “He said his legs hurt and he can’t come down, so he asked me to bring dinner up to him.”

Yan Yushan frowned slightly. “Hold on. I’ll go check on him.”

Upstairs, Xu Xishuang had already retreated from the stairway and returned to his room, locking the door.

Before transmigrating into the book, he never had the habit of locking his door. As a minor, his family never disturbed him and after becoming an adult, he lived alone, so he’d never needed to. But after transmigrating…

Xu Xishuang walked over to the mirror. He stared at his reflection, slowly raising his hand to touch the cold glass.

His features were almost the same but now more fragile and paler. He looked exactly like he did on the first day he arrived in this world.

“I don’t know if you’re still…” Xu Xishuang spoke softly, then paused and rephrased, “…still here.”

He fell silent for several seconds.

No response.

“Okay then,” he closed his eyes briefly and said, “I guess you’re gone.”

Because on the third day after he transmigrated, when he returned to the hotel from the hospital, he found a bottle of sleeping pills disguised as vitamins in the original body’s backpack. The bottle had clearly been tampered with.

Xu Xishuang was certain they were sleeping pills—he had his reasons, and he wouldn’t mistake them.

Which meant that on the night he and Yan Yushan had slept together, the body’s extreme weakness and dazed mind had all been the result of an overdose.

Xu Xishuang didn’t believe anyone could survive after taking that much. He was almost sure that, by the time he arrived, the original had already died.

…But why?

He couldn’t figure out the original’s motive, nor understand why he had transmigrated but that person had given him a second chance—along with the possibility of rewriting the plot.

From that moment on, Xu Xishuang made up his mind to make different choices from the original storyline and try to change his fate in the book.

Now, after publicly exposing Tang Min, he had already altered the plot—or was just about to. What would change next?

He noticed his fingertips trembling with emotion. Pulling his hand back from the mirror, he hid it behind his back, took a deep breath at his own reflection, and said, “Wish me… wish us luck.”

“Xu Xishuang?”

The sudden knock made him straighten his back. Calming his startled heartbeat, he replied to Yan Yushan outside the door, “I’m here.”

He walked over, unlocked the door, and saw Yan Yushan standing there.

Yan Yushan was nearly as tall as the doorway. Standing there, he looked overwhelming. Xu Xishuang couldn’t help but take a small step back as Yan Yushan said, “I’ll carry you downstairs for dinner.”

As if he already expected Xu Xishuang to refuse, he added, “Dr. Xu said you need to walk a bit after eating to help digestion. If you eat upstairs, you’ll still have to come down later and walk around before you can rest. Isn’t that even more troublesome?”

Xu Xishuang stood in place, silent for two seconds.

Then he raised his arms slightly.

After all, it was because Yan Yushan had made him do a full set of yoga that he was in this state now. It was only right that Yan Yushan take responsibility for his current condition.

Yan Yushan smiled, lifted him into a bridal carry, and steadily walked down the stairs.

Xu Xishuang had to admit, being carried by Yan Yushan—there wasn’t the slightest bump even on the stairs. It was actually… really comfortable. Yan Yushan’s chest muscles were…

Cough cough cough—

Xiao Wang, seeing the way Yan Yushan was holding Xu Xishuang, choked hard on his congee, coughing so violently he had tears in his eyes.

He waved at them furiously, signaling he was fine, then hurried back into the kitchen to pour himself two big glasses of cold water to calm down.

Didn’t Yan Yushan say during the contract negotiation that he and Xu Xishuang were just friends?! Then why were they holding each other like that?!

Zhao-jie always said that if an artist falls in love, they have to report it immediately, or it could ruin their entire career… wait, but Xu Xishuang is an actor, and actors can date, right?

Right, Film Emperor Yan is an actor too. So if they’re together, maybe it’s fine?

Xiao Wang peeked out cautiously.

Outside, Yan Yushan had just reached the last step. He bent down and set Xu Xishuang down gently. Xu Xishuang took a test step—he could still walk normally, just a little slower.

Yan Yushan followed behind, watching as Xu Xishuang slowly made his way to the table and sat down, then picked up the sweet congee and took a bite, his eyes squinting in happiness.

After dinner, following Dr. Xu’s instructions, Xu Xishuang went out for a walk with Yan Yushan.

Since his legs were weak, they walked slowly and only planned to go as far as the second house with its lights on before turning back.

Maybe it was past walk time because none of the neighbors were out. It was just the two of them walking side by side on the empty path.

To avoid any awkward silence with Yan Yushan, Xu Xishuang pulled out his phone and started browsing Weibo.

Nothing major had happened recently. Just as he exited the app to switch to a short video platform, a new message came in from the victim he’d been helping.

She’d asked Xu Xishuang to call her Guoguo, so that’s what he’d labeled her as in his contacts.

Guoguo: “I did it! I submitted all the evidence and even made backup copies just in case! The case has officially been filed! Tang Min’s being investigated!”

Xu Xishuang: “You’re amazing! You’re the bravest and cutest girl! (thumbs up)”

Guoguo: “Hehe, I think so too~ (shy)”

Guoguo: “Looking back, I feel like I was really dumb. Back then, my parents were in the middle of a divorce. They’re always fighting and neither of them want me. I was really starved for love.”

Guoguo: “People online say girls who lack love are more easily deceived and I think they’re right. I actually believed Tang Min’s crap. God, ‘emotional deficiency can only be cured by sleeping together’? I’m speechless.”

Guoguo: “But it’s all good now. Just think of it as getting bitten by a dog and that dog’s about to be thrown in jail.”

Guoguo: “Am I talking too much? Are you getting annoyed?”

Xu Xishuang: “Not at all.”

Walking beside him, Yan Yushan noticed the slight curve of his lips and quietly looked away without asking who he was chatting with.

Guoguo: “That’s great hehe. I haven’t really quit fangirling though. You’re my new idol now!”

Guoguo knew who Xu Xishuang was. When he first contacted her using an alternate account, she thought he was a scammer—or worse, Tang Min using a fake profile to trick her into handing over evidence.

She didn’t trust him at all until he revealed his real identity. Only then did she lower her guard and start confiding in him.

Guoguo: “You know how fans are—we love DMing our idols. We don’t care if you reply or not, but if you do, I’ll be so happy I won’t stop talking.”

Xu Xishuang: “It’s fine.”

Xu Xishuang: “But I still have to remind you—learn from this. When you idolize someone, be careful. Always protect yourself.”

Guoguo: “Got it! I will! I’m not stupid, really! I’ve always been in the top ten in my class! (proud puppy)”

Xu Xishuang: “Also, are you sure you want to stan me? I might leave the entertainment industry soon.”

Guoguo: “!!!”

Guoguo: “It’s fine… I’ve got lots of faves anyway (guilty).”

Guoguo: “But none of them look as good as you! My feelings for them are temporary but I’ll always be grateful to you. I’ll always like you! You gave me the courage to take that step and leave my awful past behind. You’re the kindest, most gentle person I’ve ever met. I super, super, SUPER like you!”

Xu Xishuang’s smile grew wider. He replied: “Thank you. I think so too.”

Guoguo: “…You’re breaking your cold and aloof persona here!”

Xu Xishuang: “Shh.”

Guoguo: “…Fine. Can I post what Tang Min did online now?”

Xu Xishuang: “Wait a little longer—post it when the show airs and the attention is at its peak.”

Guoguo: “Got it!”