When the elevator doors opened on the fourth floor, Shan Yu was still hugging Chen Jian, not letting go.
“We’re here,” Chen Jian said, holding the door open with his hand and listening for any noise outside. These past two days, only two rooms on the fourth floor were occupied, and the dorm was empty. The hallway was quiet at the moment.
Shan Yu paused for another two seconds before reluctantly letting go, turning, and walking out of the elevator. He walked to the office door, rubbing his head as he went.
“If it’s really bad, I’ll take you to Chen Massage’s place later and have him give you a massage,” Chen Jian said, going over and fishing the key out of his pocket to open the office door.
“Then I’d die on the way,” Shan Yu said, walking into the office and leaving the key in the door. “Can’t we change this damn door to a face-recognition lock?”
“Sure,” Chen Jian said, pulling the key out. “I’ll find someone to change it tomorrow.”
At first, he thought Shan Yu saying he had a headache was just his way of expressing how tired he was from dealing with the official, or that it was just a slight headache.
But after Shan Yu changed into sweatpants and washed his face, Chen Jian noticed his eyes were red and he looked pale.
It seemed it wasn’t just an expression of degree; his headache had really flared up again.
“Go lie on the bed, I’ll give you a massage,” Chen Jian said.
“I can’t lie down, the blood rushing to my head will make it hurt more,” Shan Yu said, finding some painkillers and taking them. “Give Da Li a call.”
“Does he know how to treat headaches?” Chen Jian immediately pulled out his phone.
“Tell him to come and witness how you angered me to death,” Shan Yu said. “Otherwise, I’m afraid that bunch downstairs will help you commit perjury.”
Chen Jian was stunned for several seconds before he started laughing. “Damn, all I can think about is your headache.”
“It’s fine, I won’t die. It’ll get better after the medicine kicks in,” Shan Yu said, ruffling his hair a couple of times. “Tell Da Li about the situation with Director Lu here. After all, he came all this way and then didn’t go to their places. They must think we pulled some strings.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian nodded.
“You know what to say and what not to say, right?” Shan Yu asked.
“Director Lu just took a look around the premises and asked about the customer flow,” Chen Jian said. “And I won’t mention you writing a thesis and snitching.”
Shan Yu smiled. “When did I snitch?”
“Anyway, Director Lu could see we put in the most effort, and they didn’t even include us in their promotions,” Chen Jian said.
“As long as they don’t cause trouble, we’re all about peace and love,” Shan Yu said.
“If I wasn’t thinking about that, I’d really want to have Sanbing go over there right now and set up a stall to give them a piece of my mind,” Chen Jian slapped his thigh and shouted, “The master schemer with all the tricks, the director’s sharp eye spots the loyal from the treacherous!”
Shan Yu leaned against the desk and started laughing, but after a couple of laughs, he pressed his head again. “Ouch, laughing makes my head hurt.”
“I’ll give you a massage after I make the call,” Chen Jian said, dialing Da Li’s number.
On the other end, Da Li must have been holding his phone, because he picked up as soon as it started ringing.
“What’s going on? Chen Jian?” Da Li’s voice was filled with confusion and anger. “Why did Director Lu just leave?”
“I don’t know,” Chen Jian answered sincerely. “He just took a look around our place, checked out the venue, asked about the customer flow, and wouldn’t even stay when I tried to keep him for a meal…”
“Did he not talk about the bonfire festival?” Da Li asked.
“He asked a few questions,” Chen Jian said, lowering his voice. “He said he saw it on social media before…”
Although Director Lu hadn’t said so, if he could see posts about Dayin’s barbecue parties with tourists, he could definitely see the early promotions from the other inns.
“It’s normal for him to see the promotions we posted. And with so many people taking pictures at the event later, he definitely would have seen that too…” Da Li also gave an affirmative answer. “Director Lu even browses this stuff?”
“He’s quite young, looks to be in his thirties,” Chen Jian said. “Probably still at an age where he stays up late playing on his phone.”
“…Nothing else?” Da Li asked.
“Nothing, he just said we’ve all worked hard,” Chen Jian said.
Da Li was silent for a moment, still very confused. “Just like that?”
“He also had a cup of coffee,” Chen Jian said.
“Damn,” Da Li seemed unable to find a reason for Director Lu abandoning the rest of the tour. He was extremely frustrated but had nowhere to vent, so he could only say, “It’s fine, we’ll find out the reason eventually.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian replied.
After hanging up, he walked into the bedroom. Shan Yu was leaning against the headboard with his eyes closed.
“Was that okay, what I said?” Chen Jian asked.
“It’s fine,” Shan Yu said.
“Hello, I am Chen Jian, the only technician at this establishment,” Chen Jian said, walking to the bedside. “How would you like your massage?”
Shan Yu smiled, reached out and lifted his shirt, and groped his waist. Then he sighed again and sat up. “You lean against the back, I’ll lean on you.”
“I haven’t changed my clothes,” Chen Jian said.
“I’m about to die from the pain, I don’t mind you,” Shan Yu said. “Or you can just strip and get on.”
“…We’ll change the sheets tomorrow,” Chen Jian said, getting onto the bed. He sat against the headboard behind Shan Yu, and Shan Yu leaned back into his arms, closing his eyes.
This position was, honestly, a bit…
“Did you not sleep well yesterday?” Chen Jian composed himself, his fingers gently massaging Shan Yu’s head.
“A little harder,” Shan Yu said.
“Mm,” Chen Jian applied a bit more pressure, his fingers tracing along Shan Yu’s brow bone, massaging all the way to his temples, then up to the top of his head. “Is this okay?”
“It’s fine,” Shan Yu let out a soft sigh. “It’s not that I didn’t sleep well. If I got a headache every time I didn’t sleep well, I’d have a headache for more than half the month.”
“Does the medicine help?” Chen Jian asked.
“If Director Lu had left half an hour later, the medicine probably wouldn’t have worked,” Shan Yu said. “It’s still early enough now.”
“This Director Lu seems okay, quite amicable,” Chen Jian said.
“Mm, when I get back, I’ll ask Yao Yi about his background,” Shan Yu said.
“Maybe you shouldn’t think about work right now,” Chen Jian said.
“I get told off for not managing things,” Shan Yu said, “and I get told off for managing things. Who else would get a headache if not me?”
Chen Jian smiled and leaned down to kiss the top of his head. “You’re really amazing. If you really hadn’t been here today, I don’t know what would have become of us. He probably would have wanted to go to their places after just half a look around here.”
“Actually, it doesn’t matter what happens,” Shan Yu said. “Even if we beat up Director Lu, it’s just a matter of picking someone to spend a few days in jail. If we really want to do business, we still can.”
“…Are we crazy?” Chen Jian started laughing.
“I’m just telling you it’s fine, don’t think it’s that difficult,” Shan Yu smiled. “If you can’t act, just be sincere. At most, people will think you’re a simple-minded fool. They might not give you benefits, but they won’t make things too hard for you either.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian said, looking down at him.
It was the first time he had seen Shan Yu from this angle. Although he could only see his eyelashes and nose, he could still tell he was very beautiful… and because of the headache, Shan Yu, with his eyes closed and brows slightly furrowed, seemed even more…
Chen Jian reined in his thoughts and continued to massage Shan Yu’s head with his fingers, but they were a bit unsteady.
“Hey,” Shan Yu suddenly asked with a laugh, “what are you thinking about?”
“Huh?” Chen Jian stopped his hands.
“You’re poking me,” Shan Yu said.
“Damn,” Chen Jian was stunned. He wanted to move back, but there was a pillow behind him, and nowhere to retreat. He sighed. “It’ll be fine in a moment.”
Shan Yu smiled but didn’t say anything.
“Is your headache any better?” Chen Jian changed the subject.
“Massage until dinner. The medicine should have kicked in by then,” Shan Yu said.
“I’m not hungry,” Chen Jian said.
“But I’m hungry,” Shan Yu said.
“Oh,” Chen Jian started laughing.
Shan Yu raised his hand and caressed his face, then traced a path to the back of his neck and hooked it.
“Don’t you have a headache?” Chen Jian’s attention, which he had just managed to divert, immediately returned in full force. As he lowered his head, he could clearly hear his own breathing quicken.
You sinner, Chen Jian.
The man has a headache.
“Let’s try some physical relief before the medicine takes effect,” Shan Yu said in a low voice, tilting his head up with the hand hooking his neck.
Chen Jian said no more, cupped Shan Yu’s chin, and kissed him. His other hand traced down Shan Yu’s neck and slipped inside his collar.
What he touched was skin as hot as Shan Yu’s lips, rising and falling in his palm with each breath.
An angle he had never experienced before, a familiar exploration and touch amidst the strangeness. Chen Jian could even feel a strong sense of dizziness…
When Hu Pan notified them through the walkie-talkie that the food had been bought, Chen Jian had just released Shan Yu. He was leaning back against the headboard, and Shan Yu was resting his head on his stomach with his eyes closed.
“I’m dizzy,” Chen Jian said.
“Your head was bent so low and your neck was being pressed,” Shan Yu hooked the corner of his mouth. “It’s normal to be dizzy.”
“Do you have a fever?” Chen Jian came back to his senses and placed his hand on Shan Yu’s forehead. “You feel a bit hot to my touch.”
“My body temperature always goes up a bit when I have a headache,” Shan Yu said, placing his hand on top of his. “It’ll be fine once it passes.”
“Oh,” Chen Jian said, his fingertips continuing to gently rub his temples.
“Go get the food,” Shan Yu said. “I could eat three mushrooms right now.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian replied with a laugh and sat up.
Sanbing and the others were very quick to buy food. Especially when the boss said he wanted to eat something good, they were even more efficient.
When Chen Jian went downstairs, he saw a pile of boxes on the kitchen table.
The guys were opening the containers one by one and transferring the food to plates.
“You ordered dishes?” Chen Jian went over to look.
“How about it,” Sanbing said, “from that restaurant on Second Street. All their signature dishes.”
“Very good. Just pack a little for Boss Shan,” Chen Jian said.
“Isn’t he coming down to eat?” Zhao Fangfang asked.
“He has a headache,” Chen Jian said.
“How did he get a headache?” Chen Erhu was stunned.
“He got too tired talking with Director Lu just now,” Hu Pan said. “That kind of thing is the most tiring, especially for someone like him who’s usually too lazy to even maintain good relations with his neighbors.”
Sanbing was a bit confused. “But from what I saw, he seemed to be chatting very easily, all smiles and conversation.”
“That’s what makes him amazing,” Hu Pan said.
Chen Erhu clicked his tongue.
“Still not amazing enough, he got a headache,” Lao Si said, backing up his boss.
“Right. If it were you, you’d chat for ten minutes and then just pull out a sniper and take out the director,” Sun Nana said, taking a pair of chopsticks and seriously arranging the food on the plate. “You definitely wouldn’t get a headache.”
“Hey,” Sanbing said in a low voice, “seriously, the town has been trying for so many years, and this seems to be the first time a higher-up official has come. Do you think our tourism here can really take off?”
“I hope so,” Lao Wu thought for a moment. “If it really takes off, I’ll tell my dad I’m not going to be an apprentice anymore. It’s so good here.”
“Who wouldn’t want that,” Lao Si said. “Let’s hope this Director Lu is someone who can get things done.”
It was unknown if Director Lu could get things done, but Chen Jian heard from Old Ding that after visiting Dayin, Director Lu had come to the town twice more within a week. He didn’t ask Old Ding to accompany him, just brought a colleague. One time he spent a night on the mountain, and another time he rode a motorcycle around a few of the surrounding villages.
But according to Old Ding, there probably wouldn’t be any other major developments before the New Year.
No other developments was fine too. Shan Yu had bought his business class ticket and was leaving this morning. If something really happened before he came back, Chen Jian was really worried he wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“Is this all your stuff?” Chen Jian looked at Shan Yu’s “luggage.”
Just one sports bag, not even full. It looked like he carried more stuff when he went to the gym.
“Mm, I won’t be staying for many days,” Shan Yu said. “And I have to take that godforsaken shuttle bus. It’s not convenient to carry a lot of things.”
“Did you pack the dried goods Sister Zhao gave you?” Chen Jian asked.
“I did,” Shan Yu said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t even need this bag.”
“Phone, charger, do you want to bring some snacks…” Chen Jian didn’t know what he was saying. In short, his mind was a mess, but his mouth didn’t want to stop.
“Chen Jian,” Shan Yu walked over and stood in front of him, very close, his breath brushing against his face.
“Hm?” Chen Jian looked at him.
“I’m only going for a few days. It’s fine even if I don’t bring anything,” Shan Yu said.
“Oh,” Chen Jian replied.
“Message me,” Shan Yu said. “No need to report on work, just talk some nonsense.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian nodded.
“When I message you, don’t just reply with ‘okay,’ ‘mm,’ or ‘oh’,” Shan Yu said. “Even when my hand was injured, my typing wasn’t that concise.”
Chen Jian started laughing. “Got it.”
Shan Yu wrapped his arms around him and gently bit his earlobe.
Chen Jian buried his face in the side of his neck.
“I’m a little scared,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian was stunned for a moment, then tightened his arms forcefully.
“Don’t be scared,” he said softly. “Just know that they miss you a lot, that’s all. Don’t worry about anything else. It’s been several years since you’ve seen them. If this were my son, even if he were a pig, I would…”
“Hey,” Shan Yu started laughing. “Comforting is comforting, why are you insulting people?”
“I’m just… a mess right now, don’t listen too closely,” Chen Jian said.
“I know,” Shan Yu’s hand slipped inside his clothes and rubbed his back forcefully.
Compared to Chen Jian, the staff of Dayin were much calmer. After all, it wasn’t the first time the boss had gone home.
“You don’t want me to drive you?” Chen Erhu was very confused. “The shuttle bus is so uncomfortable. I can just drive you to the station, right?”
“No need,” Shan Yu said, getting onto the back of Chen Jian’s motorcycle. “It’s been really busy lately. When there are a lot of guests, there are a lot of random things to deal with. The inn needs someone to hold down the fort.”
“That’s true,” Chen Erhu suddenly became solemn. Thinking again, he added, “Then what about having Nana drive you? She has a license too.”
“You’re crazy,” Sun Nana sauntered out of the house, holding a cup of coffee. “If you can’t even drive him, would he let a woman like me do it? Stop worrying.”
Shan Yu smiled but didn’t say anything.
Chen Jian quickly started the motorcycle and drove off.
He couldn’t quite remember what he was feeling the last time he waited for the bus at the intersection. He probably wouldn’t remember this time either. After all, there was only one word in his mind right now: chaos.
He both didn’t want Shan Yu to go back, and was afraid that Shan Yu really wouldn’t go back.
Shan Yu leaned against the bus stop sign, raised his phone, and took a few pictures of him. Then he lifted his chin at him. “Come here.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian replied and walked over.
Shan Yu put his arm around his shoulder and held up his phone. “Give me an expression.”
Chen Jian smiled at the Shan Yu on the screen.
“You’re really cute when you smile,” Shan Yu said, pressing the shutter and looking down at the photo.
“Is Yue Lang picking you up when you get back?” Chen Jian asked.
“Liu Wu is picking me up,” Shan Yu said. “They’re on break. If I go back and don’t let him pick me up, he’d probably hang himself from my neck with a rope.”
Chen Jian started laughing.
“I might take a nap on the bus. I can usually fall asleep on buses,” Shan Yu said. “I’ll message you when I get there.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian replied, turning to look in the direction the bus was coming from. He saw the shuttle bus already approaching at the end of the road. He couldn’t help but curse, “Damn, so punctual today.”
Shan Yu looked at him with a smile, then looked around, and then came over and kissed the corner of his mouth.
The shuttle bus before the New Year was even more crowded than usual. The moment the doors opened, Shan Yu almost wanted to turn back and tell Chen Jian to just take him out on the motorcycle.
But he held back, turned around, and squeezed onto the bus with gritted teeth.
He had to end this farewell process quickly. Chen Jian’s discomfort was already written all over his face. If he let him go any further, he was afraid he’d cry on the spot.
Shan Yu himself also really disliked goodbyes. Regardless of the essence of the farewell, the form was always the same. Unless you were sending an enemy to their death, it was always the person being sent off who was left behind, watching the other person go away…
Chen Jian watched until the shuttle bus, with its trail of smoke, disappeared at the end of the road before turning and getting on his motorcycle.
If we want to develop tourism, shouldn’t this road be repaired first…
Just as he started the engine, before he even twisted the throttle, his phone buzzed.
He took it out and saw the message from Shan Yu on the notification bar.
[Chen Yu Luo Yan]: There are no more seats. I’m actually sitting on a bag of rice.
Chen Jian couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
The feeling of being blocked by something, of being suspended in mid-air with nothing to hold onto, suddenly dissipated a lot in that instant.
