Chapter 46 - Reality (7)
Hearing Gu Zhen say that they were lovers to Bai Xi Xing upfront, Cheng Zhi Chus expression instantly changed. He quickly turned around to look at Gu Zhen and send him a fierce glare but what he got in return was a gentle smile from Gu Zhen.
Youre finally willing to look at me.
Gu Zhens gaze was soft and gentle. Perhaps because he had a good time at the party and had some drinks, his neat suit was a little messy. His tie was loosened, and his top shirt button was unbuttoned revealing his collarbone. Compared to his usual elegant appearance, there was a different kind of sexiness exuding from him.
Fuck
Facing this overly good-looking face, Cheng Zhi Chu couldnt let out the curses inside him. He could only unnaturally shift his line of sight away and then secretly glance over at Bai Xi Xing.
He was originally worried that Bai Xi Xing would have some type of bad reaction after hearing Gu Zhens words, but the latter only revealed a slightly surprised expression before smiling and looking down at Cheng Zhi Chu.
Is that so? Are you and him lovers?
Of course not. Cheng Zhi Chu shook his head and quickly denied it, Were only acquaintances.
Cheng Cheng..
Gu Zhens had a slightly stunned expression. Bai Xi Xing hooked up his lips and said to him: Looks like it isnt like what young master Gu has said and you actually just have a normal relationship with Zhi Chu, right?
He placed emphasis on the word normal.
Gu Zhens expression turned icy: This is something between Cheng Cheng and me. I dont think I need to explain it to you.
Because you actually have nothing to say at all? Bai Xi Xings smile had a hint of sarcasm.
Mr Bai, this has nothing to do with you. Gu Zhens tone was very cold. Please dont intervene.
Why do you think that this has nothing to do with me? Bai Xi Xing raised his eyebrow. This is something that I should say to you. You dont know what relationship I have with Zhi Chu.
Gu Zhens expression changed slightly. He was about to speak again but Cheng Zhi Chu couldnt continue listening to this conversation any longer. He coughed and said: Senior Bai, thank you very much but you dont need to explain to him. Lets go in.
Although he didnt want to have any further involvement with Gu Zhen, he also didnt want to be misunderstood to have some sort of strange relationship with senior Bai - He is a straight man and he didnt want to have ambiguous relationships with other men!
Okay, Ill listen to you.
Bai Xi Xing smiled lightly and pushed opened the door. He said: Young master Gu, it is very late, so I wont entertain you. Your friends are still waiting for you. Why dont we catch up another day?
Gu Zhen, whats going on? What are you talking about with them? Hurry and come over!
Right at this moment, a group of young drunken men also called out to Gu Zhen from the distance. They were a little impatient from waiting.
.Coming.
Gu Zhen fell silent for a moment. He raised his voice slightly to reply and he prepared to leave.
He knew that even if he continued staying there nothing would come out of it and he may actually make the situation worse.
Im sorry to take up Mr Bais time.
Gu Zhen rearranged his clothes and appeared to have sobered up from his drunkenness. He restored back to his original elegant appearance and gave a small bow to Bai Xi Xing.
When he was done, he looked over at Cheng Zhi Chu again. Seeing that Cheng Zhi Chu was still avoiding him, he suddenly stepped forward and gently embraced him. With a hot breath, he whispered in his ear.
Ill find you another time.
After that, he didnt look to see how Cheng Zhi Chu reacted and just quickly walked back to his group of friends and left.
.
Cheng Zhi Chu stood in the same place with his face suddenly pale and suddenly green.
He understood. Gu Zhen this bastard is the same as usual. What gentle and courteous? Thats all bullshit. In fact, he is stubborn and selfish to his bones. Whatever he says is what it is and he didnt care what others thought.
Junior Cheng, whats going on between you and Gu Zhen?
Seeing that the other person has left, Bai Xi Xing no longer continued to pretend. He raised his eyebrow and asked: Hes bothering you?
The situation is a little complicated. Its something like that..
Cheng Zhi Chu revealed a complicated expression. His explanation was also very vague.
Although senior Bai is a good person, he still didnt want to tell him about what happened between himself and Gu Zhen. Afterall, he had only spoken to senior Bai for the first time today and the two were not very close. Even his parents dont know about the matter with Gu Zhen, so he didnt feel the need to let his middle school senior know.
Seeing that he is having a hard time, Bai Xi Xing smiled and acted like he didnt care much about it. He just said: Earlier you shouldnt have called me senior. It would have been better to make Gu Zhen misunderstand our relationship and he might give up on you that way.
Thank you for your good intentions senior but this is too much trouble for you. Its not good for your reputation.
Cheng Zhi Chu waved his hand. There was also another crucial reason: If Gu Zhen knows that he can accept men, then it would be even more impossible to make him give up on him
Lets go in.
Bai Xi Xing brought Cheng Zhi Chu into the villa and then went to help find him some toiletries.
During this period, Cheng Zhi Chu called home. He said that he ran into a senior today and would be staying there for the night so he would not come back and reassured them that they dont have to worry.
Originally Cheng Zhi Chu also wanted to contact Ji Yun Xiao but he didnt have his phone with him so he couldnt access the forums. Fortunately, Bai Xi Xing had the programs contact details and so he called and asked them to let Ji Yun Xiao know that everything is okay now.
Turns out Master Cheng has managed to deal with the evil spirits in the villa? That is amazing..
When Bai Xi Xing contacted the program, Cheng Zhi Chu also faintly heard the praise coming from the other end of the phone. He didnt know what kind of memory the system had made up; it really is too mysterious.
When they mentioned the ghost in the villa, Cheng Zhi Chu suddenly remembered. At that time, the Jokers Coin had fallen to the ground and he didnt have time to pick it up, so he had left it there. He wondered if it was still there right now.
As he thought this, Cheng Zhi Chu checked his system backpack only to see that the coin had returned at some unknown point in time and was just staying in one of the storage compartments quietly.
[Thank you for earlier.]
For some reason, Cheng Zhi Chu felt a little guilty. He thanked the coin.
The coin didnt say anything. Instead, it jumped into another compartment like it was silently protesting.
Cheng Zhi Chu revealed an awkward expression. He didnt know what to say. But even so, he still would not use the silver coin. It was not only because that thing is very evil, he also didnt believe in his luck.
There are three bedrooms on the second floor that can be used at any time. You can pick any of them.
Bai Xi Xing brought over a set of pyjamas and toiletries over and gave it to Cheng Zhi Chu: Its late. You should go to bed soon. Ill drop you off tomorrow.
Thank you very much. Sorry for troubling senior. Cheng Zhi Chu received the items and responded a little embarrassedly.
Its not a problem. I will need to thank you properly in the future for helping me get rid of the evil spirits in the villa. Bai Xi Xing smiled and said. If you need anything in the future, just let me know.
Actually, theres something that I would like to ask for seniors help. Cheng Zhi Chu thought about it and said, Would it be okay if senior gives me an old photo of Bai Yi? Or maybe a family photo?
Earlier, he had seen Bai Yis photo on the bookcase, and he wanted to take one away. Perhaps this would make Bai Yi, who has been alone for six years, happy.
.No problem. I have a lot, you can take as many as you want.
Bai Xi Xing paused for a moment. There was an inquiring look in his eyes: Do you miss my cousin?
Ah, yes.
Cheng Zhi Chu couldnt tell him the truth and could only find an excuse to cover things up. He picked up the teacup to try and hide his discomfort: So I want a photo of him, yes..
Bai Xi Xing assessed him for a moment before suddenly saying something shocking: Do you have a crush on him?
PffttCough cough!
Cheng Zhi Chu almost spat out all the tea in his mouth. He coughed for a long time before finally catching his breath.
Senior?? He looked at Bai Xi Xing with a shocked expression. How did you come to that conclusion?!
Its not it? Bai Xi Xing spread out his hands and revealed an innocent look. If you just had a normal relationship, normally you wouldnt ask for photos.
No no no. I dont like Bai Yi. Im heterosexual..
Cheng Zhi Chu waved his hand repeatedly: But Bai Yi was very good to me in the past, so I regard him as someone I greatly respect. Thats why I wanted a photo of him.
Sorry, I misunderstood. Theres no problem giving you a photo. I have a lot here, you can take whichever you like.
Bai Xi Xing didnt probe any further and just smiled. He pulled out a few thick photo albums from the cupboard and handed them to Cheng Zhi Chu.
Cheng Zhi Chu opened the photo album and saw many photos of people inside. There were also a lot of Bai Yis. There were photos from the time when he was a child until his teenaged years and also up until his recent disappearance.
Bai Yi has been good looking since a very young age. Even as a child, his facial features were very beautiful.
He commented this in his heart and started to flip through the album. The little boy in the old photos looked exquisite as he wore a small tuxedo. With a smile on his face, he was so cute that Cheng Zhi Chu couldnt help but gently tap the little boys cheek with his finger.
However, as Bai Yi gradually grew up, he smiled less and less, and he would rarely look at the camera. Many of the photos showed his cold and indifferent side profile, and it seemed like he was too lazy to even move his line of sight over to the camera.
Cheng Zhi Chu wanted to take a more recent photo where Bai Yi looked a little happier but, after flipping through two complete albums, he wasnt able to find a photo of Bai Yi smiling. They were all his indifferent expression.
Bai Yi didnt like to take photos? Cheng Zhi Chu asked Bai Xi Xing in surprise. Why doesnt he look at the camera?
Yeah, he hates it. Every time we want to take pictures of him, he would need to spend half the day looking for him and he also have to keep an eye on him, or he would run away.
Bai Xi Xing shrugged and appeared to be a little helpless: Hes actually quite stubborn.
Stubborn? This word can also be used to describe Bai Yi?
Cheng Zhi Chu was shocked inside. He recalled Bai Yis gentle look. Stubborn..? Bai Yi is the easiest person to talk to though!
But Bai Xi Xings expression didnt appear to be fake. Cheng Zhi Chu also didnt want to randomly assume that senior is badmouthing Bai Yi. He just thought that perhaps Bai Yis personality had changed a lot after growing up, or perhaps it was because of his disappearance over these six years.
When he thought of this possibility, he suddenly felt a little distressed. He looked down at the album and continued to look through it. By the time he was halfway through, he finally found a picture where Bai Yi was smiling. It was similar to the one that he had seen on the bookcase earlier. It was a photo of Bai Yi painting. His eyes were both gently and focused as he painted gorgeous colours onto the canvas.
Fortunately, the time that this photo was taken was at a slightly different time compared to the one on the bookcase and there wasnt any Zhou Lou Chen. It was just Bai Yi himself.
There were many layers of colours speared across the canvas and it gradually formed a shape. It was a beautiful sea of roses. Standing in the middle of it was a person that had not yet been coloured.
This made Cheng Zhi Chu think back to the earlier portrait painting. The person in the painting was his younger self and it made him feel a little uneasy.
But that was just the instances setting. In the real world, Bai Yi didnt know him, and they had only met for the first time in the game so this painting must be over another person.
Senior Bai, who is this person in Bai Yis painting? To reassure himself, Cheng Zhi Chu still pointed to the photo and asked.
Bai Xi Xing thought for a moment. He then shook his head and said: Maybe it was a girl? I also cant remember.
Then that shouldnt be him. Otherwise, senior Bai would have already recognised him. Cheng Zhi Chu quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Is that painting still here?
No, the painting was moved to a different place a few years ago. Bai Xi Xing said. I also dont know where it is now.
Is that so Cheng Zhi Chu felt a little pity. If he had the chance, he would like to see what that person in Bai Yis painting was like. Senior, can I choose this photo?
He pointed at the photo of Bai Yi painting and asked Bai Xi Xing. For some reason, he liked this photo and it was also a rare photo of Bai Yi smiling. He felt that Bai Yi would be happy if he sees it but wasnt sure if his senior would be willing to part with it.
No problem. As long as you like it.
Seeing him pick that photo, a small flash of light passed through Bai Xi Xings eyes and he quickly answered with a smile.
Cheng Zhi Chu gave his thanks and acted like he was storing the photo inside his wallet, but he was actually storing it inside the systems backpack. Later when he sees Bai Yi, he would give Bai Yi the photo.
It took a long time to select the photo and it is now very late. The two said goodnight to each other and Cheng Zhi Chu proceeded to go upstairs to wash up and sleep. Bai Xi Xing remained sitting alone in the living room on the first floor for a while before suddenly standing up and entering his bedroom. He then opened the door leading to the basement from his room.
It naturally was a lie that the person in the painting was not Cheng Zhi Chu. Anyway, Cheng Zhi Chu had already forgotten about the past so, in order for him not to notice that something wasnt right, he naturally wouldnt tell him the truth.
As for not knowing where the painting is, that was also a lie. Before the program came to record their show, he had taken the painting off and stored it inside the basement to avoid it being discovered.
But
Looking at the empty basement, Bai Xi Xings eyes widened. He suddenly saw that the painting had gone missing and he immediately anxiously searched around the villa only come back emptyhanded.
The other items in the basement were not missing; only the painting was missing. Thinking of the ghosts appearing in the villa today, Bai Xi Xing furrowed his eyebrows. He suspected that there may be a connection between the two. No longer able to sit still, and no longer caring about the fact that ghosts had just recently appeared there, he ran over to the villa on the other side and rushed over to Zhou Luo Chens room.
As expected
Bai Xi Xing looked at the painting on the wall.
No one had moved it, but it had rehung itself up onto the wall.
The boy in the painting had a pair of clear and bright eyes. He stood in the middle of a sea of roses with a brilliant smile looking like he would not be able to leave there for eternity.
..
Although he was unexpectedly thrown into a reality instance and had also accidentally ran into Gu Zhen, Cheng Zhi Chu still managed to sleep very well and he slept all the way until dawn. After having breakfast with Bai Xi Xing, he sat in Bai Xi Xings car and returned back to the city to pick up his phone.
When he went to find his phone, the staff treated him very enthusiastically. In particular, Xiao Liu would constantly call him Master Cheng and would vie to shake Cheng Zhi Chus hands. This made Cheng Zhi Chu feel very uncomfortable, so he just took his phone and hurriedly left the recording studio.
Fortunately, his phone still had power. He contacted his family first to let them know that he was heading back and then he left a message for Ji Yun Xiao through the forum to let him know that all was well. Ji Yun Xiao also immediately replied, and heartfelt joy could be sensed through his words.
At this moment, Cheng Zhi Chu suddenly remembered that his sister had also asked for Ji Yun Xiaos signature. He originally wanted to go find Ji Yun Xiao after the recording was finished to get it but he ended up becoming involved with something unexpected. Now, Ji Yun Xiao was on his way to another city to attend a brand event so he could only go back home empty-handed.
[Chameleon: Its okay, Ill mail you a gift. You can just tell me your home address.]
Seeing this message from Ji Yun Xiao, Cheng Zhi Chu was very surprised. He praised Ji Yun Xiao internally for being so considerate. After repeatedly giving his thanks, he then opened the message sent over from Bai Yi which he was not able to reply to for more than half a day.
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Sorry! Something unexpected happened and I wasnt able to get my hands onto my phone so I could only reply to you now. Sorry about that!]
Bai Yi replied within seconds.
[One Thought: Its okay.]
[One Thought: You worked hard. Im okay.]
[One Thought: Im already used to being alone.]
Oh no, Bai Yi seems to sound very depressed
Cheng Zhi Chu felt that it wasnt good and quickly gave Bai Yi his apologies. Fortunately, Bai Yi is a very considerate person. He didnt apologise much, and Bai Yi had in turn moved to comfort him. The tone in his words were very different from earlier and he was truly comforting him from the bottom of his heart.
This also allowed Cheng Zhi Chu to breath a sigh a relief. Fortunately, he was able to sense that Bai Yi wasnt very happy. If he had said nothing, he was afraid that Bai Yi may really become angry. After all, although Bai Yi has a good temper, he is also sensitive. This was something that he had noticed from a while back.
But..was it just his imagination? Why does he feel like he is trying to coax his moody girlfriend.
He muttered to himself quietly, but he didnt intend to mention about the fact that he had encountered a reality instance, so he wasnt able to reply to his messages. He didnt want Bai Yi to worry about him while he is stuck inside an instance.
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Thats right, when I went out this time, I happened to run into your cousin Bai Xi Xing. It was such a coincidence. He had turned out to be my senior from middle school.]
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: He even allowed me to stay at your familys villa for the night. Hes a really good person. I used to admire him for being smart and handsome and now my impression of him has improved several folds.]
[One Thought: ]
However, Bai Yis reply didnt seem very happy. Cheng Zhi Chu suddenly remembered that Bai Yi had been missing for the past six years so he was probably missing his family very much. With this topic suddenly being raised, Bai Yi may be feeling a little upset. This action of his was really too thoughtless!
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: .Sorry, did I make you upset?]
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Im really sorry. I just happy that I was able to learn more about your situation and I wanted to tell you. If anything that I said was wrong, I give you my apologies]
[One Thought: Im not upset.]
[One Thought: Learning more about me makes you happy? Is that true?]
Cheng Zhi Chu felt that there was a hint of expectation hidden in those words of Bai Yis. He just happened to want to get some more information about Bai Yis disappearance to see if he could be of help, so he answered affirmatively.
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Yes. This time I even saw your childhood photos. I was happy to see them.]
[One Thought: If you want to know more about me, you can always ask me. Dont need to ask Bai Xi Xing.]
[One Thought: He doesnt know anything.]
[One Thought: Our relationship is bad. If possible, I hope that you wont get too friendly with him.]
[Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: Ah? Really? Okay]
Cheng Zhi Chu blinked a few times and revealed a puzzled look.
Huh was that the case? But why did it feel like these two brothers have a good relationship based on senior Bais words?
****
Bai Yis Diary (Part 46)
Zhi Chu actually praised Bai Xi Xing for being smart and handsome, and he even said that he used to admire him.
He never said any of that to me.
Which part of me cant compare with Bai Xi Xing?
****
The author has something to say:
Bai Xi Xing: Clearly we are friends that have killed someone together yet you say that our relationship is bad?
Bai Yi: Isnt it enough letting you keep your life?