Li Qianxing resided in a building where each floor housed only one unit. The elevator required authorization from the floor’s occupant to access, including for property management staff who needed to request permission. The emergency exit normally required fingerprint authentication from property management or the owner, with this system only deactivated during alarms.
Thus, although Jiang Lin and Li Qianxing were separated by just one floor, elevator access still required the other’s authorization. Otherwise, they’d have to use the stairs to visit.
Li Qianxing entered the elevator and pressed the button for the floor below. Jiang Lin immediately granted access, and the elevator descended slowly and opened its doors.
Jiang Lin waited outside, his face beaming with a smile, eyes filled with nervous excitement. “Li-ge.”
Li Qianxing nodded at him and was about to exit when Jiang Lin entered and pressed the elevator stop button.
Jiang Lin then used the touchscreen to access the settings menu with his fingerprint, saying, “Let’s set up long-term authorization for you so you can come over anytime.”
Setting up long-term authorization required the authorized person’s fingerprint and registration of relevant information with property management. However, if the system detected the fingerprint belonged to a building resident, it could skip the registration step and grant authorization directly.
Following the system prompts to complete the setup, Li Qianxing stepped out of the elevator. “The food hasn’t gotten cold, has it?”
Jiang Lin hurried ahead to open the door. “Don’t worry, I’ve kept it warm with heating plates.”
They entered, and Li Qianxing changed his shoes, briefly surveying the living room. It was neatly arranged with a sofa, coffee table, and TV wall. The overall color scheme was light brown, but there were no personal items, giving it the feel of a model home staged by decorators for potential buyers.
Li Qianxing casually touched the back of the sofa and asked, “Just moved in?”
Jiang Lin nodded. “The landlord only came to sign the contract the day before yesterday. I had someone clean yesterday, and today, I brought some clothes to move in.”
As he spoke, he led Li Qianxing to the dining room.
Entering the dining area, Li Qianxing immediately noticed how different it was from the living room.
The entire dining room was bathed in warm yellow light, with small, charming succulents adorning the walls. The dining table was covered with a cream-colored checkered tablecloth, and on the heating plates sat an enticing spread of six dishes and a soup.
Li Qianxing hadn’t noticed earlier, but now, alongside the arranged bowls and chopsticks, he saw that the entire set of porcelain was a subtle cyan color, with delicate fish-shaped chopstick rests.
In the adjoining open kitchen, pots sat on the stove and countertops. A row of condiments lined the side. On the rack by the sink, a few bowls and plates were drying haphazardly, and even an apron and sleeves were casually draped over the counter’s edge.
The space exuded a palpable sense of lived-in comfort.
Jiang Lin pulled out a chair for Li Qianxing. “Li-ge, please sit.”
He then ladled a bowl of soup for him. “Try the chicken soup first. It’s been simmering all afternoon. Careful, it’s hot.”
Li Qianxing spooned up some soup, blew on it gently, and took a sip. His eyes immediately lit up.
Though his hired housekeeper could cook several cuisines, she only came at lunch and dinner times, rarely preparing time-consuming dishes. Even when making soups, she’d simmer for a bit at lunch and then again in the evening, never achieving that perfectly timed flavor.
Jiang Lin returned with two bowls of rice from the pot, and they began to enjoy the delicious dinner.
He observed Li Qianxing’s expression and asked cautiously, “Li-ge, you’re not angry anymore, are you? Eating while upset can lead to indigestion.”
Li Qianxing glanced at him, then scanned the table. Not finding serving chopsticks, he simply used the soup ladle to scoop a piece of chicken for Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin, pleasantly surprised, asked, “Does this mean… I’ve passed your test?”
Li Qianxing chuckled, “You’ve already acted without permission. Could I really make you move out now?”
Jiang Lin replied, “I only brought some clothes over. Moving wouldn’t be troublesome.”
Li Qianxing inquired, “How much is your rent here?”
Jiang Lin stated an amount.
Li Qianxing asked, “Three months’ deposit, one month’s rent in advance?”
Jiang Lin explained, “Six months’ rent upfront. If I terminate the lease, I’d lose the deposit, but I could probably negotiate to get back five months’ rent. According to the contract, rent is refundable.”
Li Qianxing remarked, “So, I’m only worth you risking four months’ rent.”
Jiang Lin was momentarily stunned, but seeing Li Qianxing eating calmly with a slight smirk, he laughed and said, “Well… should I go buy the apartment from the landlord, and then we can redo the ‘act first, ask later’ scenario?”
He adopted a pitiful expression, seeking sympathy. “If my moving in makes you uncomfortable, I’ll sell the place immediately.”
Li Qianxing pondered, “Flipping a house like that, wouldn’t your loss be even greater than breaking the lease?”
Jiang Lin blinked, continuing his act. “Of course it would. With property prices so high, the taxes are substantial.”
Li Qianxing mercilessly exposed the truth. “Houses here are expensive. Even if you list it immediately, who knows how long it’d take to find a buyer. By the time you sell, prices might have risen, and you could even make a profit.”
Jiang Lin finally broke character, leaning on the table and laughing, “Then I chose wisely. Four months’ rent shows more sincerity than buying a house.”
After laughing, he added, “But if you really don’t mind me living here, I’d like to buy the place. If I scrape together some money, I should just about manage it.”
Li Qianxing responded, “Don’t empty your accounts. Keep some cash on hand. I’ll lend you part of it. Once ‘Reunion’ premieres, your share of the box office returns will surely be enough.”
Since the profit sharing would be handled through Xingyi, he naturally wasn’t worried about Jiang Lin defaulting. He could simply deduct it directly.
Jiang Lin was stunned again, then a surge of joy exploded in his heart, momentarily dazzling him.
His gamble had paid off tremendously! Li Qianxing even offering to lend money for a house purchase meant he surely no longer minded the situation!
Li Qianxing observed Jiang Lin’s expression of disbelieving happiness, and the last trace of displeasure in his heart dissipated.
Feeling playful, he added, “It’s not like I only have this one apartment. Now that you’ve moved in, I could move out.”
Jiang Lin’s expression froze, then turned to a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Li-ge…”
Li Qianxing smiled again. “Actually, my housekeeper just asked for a few days off this afternoon.”
Jiang Lin immediately understood. “I’ll take care of all three meals. You can come down to eat, or I can bring it up to you.”
The two discussed the details of their meal schedules.
Li Qianxing was very satisfied with this arrangement.
Especially for breakfast – waiting for the housekeeper to come after he woke up was too slow, but setting a fixed time was too restrictive, denying him the freedom to sleep in on days off. Usually, the housekeeper would prepare food the night before, which he’d reheat in the morning. Now, being able to eat freshly made food was certainly ideal.
Relaxed, Li Qianxing casually suggested, “If it’s not too much trouble, you could make breakfast for me every day. I’ll cover the food costs.”
Jiang Lin smiled, “It’s no trouble at all. I’m cooking for myself anyway, making a bit extra is effortless. Actually, cooking for one person is more challenging – it’s hard to buy and cook small portions, and making more dishes leads to waste. If you’re willing, whenever I’m not working, we could share meals regularly.”
Li Qianxing considered this and found no objections. He nodded in agreement, “In that case, let my housekeeper buy and prepare the ingredients. I’ll send you her WeChat contact; add her and send her the menu.”
Jiang Lin agreed, “Sure.”
They continued chatting as they finished their meal, then washed the dishes together and loaded them into the dishwasher.
Seeing that Li Qianxing wasn’t mentioning leaving, Jiang Lin casually suggested, “Want to look around the apartment? I haven’t really explored it myself yet.”
Li Qianxing followed him on the tour.
Although the layouts of the upper and lower apartments were identical, some partitions had been rearranged during renovation, giving a fresh feel. However, every room in this apartment looked like a model home, as if no one had ever lived there.
Li Qianxing asked, “Are you really planning to buy it?”
Jiang Lin nodded, “Even setting aside the fact that you live upstairs, this complex is excellent in many ways. From what I know, several well-known actors and singers live here.
“Although I’ve saved some money, it wasn’t enough for a good house, and I didn’t want to settle for something subpar. I’ve been renting all along, without a place to call my own. The decoration here is nice, allowing me to move in right away and gradually replace the soft furnishings.
“The landlord doesn’t live locally; the apartment was originally bought for her daughter. But the daughter suddenly got a job elsewhere, so this place has been empty. Coincidentally, a classmate of mine knows her daughter, which is how I found out about it. With some negotiation, the landlord should agree to sell.”
Li Qianxing replied, “Alright, once you’ve settled on a price, give me your account details, and I’ll transfer the money.”
Jiang Lin turned to look at him, feeling a warm swell in his heart. He wished he could embrace Li Qianxing, but it felt too abrupt.
Li Qianxing sensed his gaze, returned a brief glance, then quickly looked away. He opened the balcony door and went out, leaning on the railing to view the night scene.
Jiang Lin stood beside him, “Is the view from your place similar?”
Li Qianxing replied, “Probably.”
The late July evening was still warm. However, at this height, the strong breeze, though slightly warm, dispelled the day’s stuffiness, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
Not far ahead lay a bustling commercial district, its bright lights forming a large, luminous patch interspersed with colorful, flickering neon.
Jiang Lin stood next to Li Qianxing, their elbows on the railing almost touching. Jiang Lin’s body temperature was high, and Li Qianxing faintly sensed a hint of warmth, though the occasional gust made him wonder if it was just his imagination.
Li Qianxing turned his head, just as Jiang Lin did the same. Li Qianxing saw two tiny reflections of himself in Jiang Lin’s eyes.
Jiang Lin’s gaze wasn’t overly intense; its gentleness even softened the potentially overwhelming effect of his strong features at close range. It was like moonlight – even when outshone by the bright ground lights, it still enveloped one in its subtle, tender glow.
Li Qianxing once again felt his face grow warm. He wanted to look away but found himself captivated by Jiang Lin’s gentle gaze, unable to break free.
Only when Jiang Lin spoke did the momentary spell seem to break.
Jiang Lin smiled and said softly, “This scene would be perfect for a confession, wouldn’t it?”
His voice was so faint, as if dissolving into the wind, slightly tremulous.
Li Qianxing took a subtle deep breath, composing himself before replying, “Do you want to confess again?”
Jiang Lin thought about it seriously, his expression turning troubled, then regretful. “I’d like to, but I’m worried it might pressure you.”
Li Qianxing lowered his eyes, turning back to the view, his gaze sweeping across the bright strip of lights ahead.
“I thought you’d ask me out. Dinner, shopping, movies, nearby trips – isn’t that how people usually pursue others?”
Jiang Lin responded, “But you don’t like going out, do you?”
Li Qianxing couldn’t help but glance back at him.
Jiang Lin turned to face the view as well. “You haven’t gone out once in the half-month since you’ve been back. And during those three months of filming, I never heard you mention any outings.
“I figured you’re the type who prefers staying at home. I promised to let you enjoy the pleasures of love, so how could I make you do things you don’t like?”
Li Qianxing asked in surprise, “So that’s why you found a way to move here?”
Jiang Lin nodded, “Yes. Being neighbors makes it easy to visit often and helps us bond better.”
Li Qianxing asked, “What about you? Do you prefer staying in or going out?”
Jiang Lin replied, “I’m fine with either. But when I go out, I prefer exploring night markets for some barbecue, or hiking, camping, just wandering around. Those entertainment venues like bars and karaoke give me a headache with all the noise.”
Li Qianxing remarked, “So we share half of our preferences. And we dislike the same things.”
Jiang Lin smiled, “See? We’re quite compatible.”
Li Qianxing raised an eyebrow slightly, “However, with your recent box office hit and rising popularity, it might be difficult for you to casually visit night markets for barbecue in the future.”
Jiang Lin turned back, gesturing towards the balcony, “Then we’ll grill here. This balcony is big enough for a barbecue grill.”
After saying this, he noticed Li Qianxing hadn’t responded for a while and looked at him curiously, “Li-ge?”
Li Qianxing pointed at Jiang Lin’s arm, “It’s dirty.”
Jiang Lin raised his arm to look and found both his forearms and elbows were covered in dust. Looking down, he saw his clothes were also dirty, though less noticeable due to the dark color.
Alarmed, he quickly turned to Li Qianxing.
Li Qianxing had already moved away from the railing and was checking his own forearms and clothes.
Jiang Lin gasped, “I had someone clean yesterday, but the house is so big, they missed the railing!”
Li Qianxing couldn’t help but laugh softly. This oversight somehow seemed endearing.
They returned inside to wash their hands at the sink.
While drying his hands, Li Qianxing suddenly remarked, “The faucet should have hot water at this angle, but it was all cold just now. Is the water heater off?”
Jiang Lin was startled and went to check the utility balcony. He found the water heater was plugged in and switched on, but there was no sign of it heating. The entire apartment relied on this single air-source water heater; if it was broken, there’d be no hot water anywhere.
Li Qianxing suggested, “It’s probably broken from disuse. You should replace it. But how will you shower tonight?”
Jiang Lin sighed deeply, “I guess I’ll have to go back to my old place for the night.”
“Why don’t you…” Li Qianxing hesitated briefly before continuing, “come up to my place to shower?”
Jiang Lin looked at him in surprise, “Is that okay?”
Having made the decision, Li Qianxing didn’t back down. He gestured towards the master bedroom, “Grab your clothes and towel, let’s go up now.”
Jiang Lin smiled, “Alright.”
Li Qianxing brought Jiang Lin back to his home and gave him a quick tour.
Jiang Lin, being tactful, finished the tour swiftly and headed to the guest bathroom, closing the door to shower.
Li Qianxing was about to walk away when he suddenly remembered that he rarely had guests, so there were no toiletries in the guest bathroom.
He quickly called out, “Jiang Lin, wait a moment. I’ll bring you shampoo and body wash.”
Jiang Lin’s voice came from inside, “Ah, I’ve already taken off my clothes…”
Li Qianxing replied, “Just a second.”
He hurried to the master bathroom, grabbed two bottles from the shelf, and returned to knock on the guest bathroom door.
The door opened, and Jiang Lin stood there with a towel around his waist. His thick chest muscles, taut abs, and strong, long arms and legs were exactly as Li Qianxing remembered.
Controlling his urge to look, Li Qianxing handed him the items, saying, “The shower here hasn’t been used in a while. Let the water run first to check if there’s any issue. If there is, you can use the master bathroom instead.”
Jiang Lin agreed with a smile and closed the door.
Shortly after, Li Qianxing vaguely saw a shadow move behind the door, followed by the sound of running water.
After a moment, Jiang Lin said, “It’s fine, I can use it.”
Li Qianxing replied, “Good, go ahead and shower then.”
As he turned to leave, he saw the silhouette behind the door seem to raise its hand.
In an instant, the scene from the hotel bathroom replayed in his mind.
Though nearly a month had passed, the memory remained as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. Jiang Lin’s body heat against his back, his breath brushing past his ear, his lips kissing him, and…
As if responding to this memory, Li Qianxing felt his body temperature rise and his heartbeat quicken.
Looking again at the blurred silhouette behind the frosted glass door, Li Qianxing slowly raised his hand and pressed it against his chest.
He had to admit—he indeed held a double standard when it came to Jiang Lin.
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