When the elevator doors opened on the fourth floor, Shan Yu was still holding Chen Jian without letting go.
“We’re here.” Chen Jian held his arm across the door, listening for any movement outside. These past two days, only two guest rooms on the fourth floor were occupied, and no one was in the dorms. The hallway was currently quiet.
Shan Yu froze for another two seconds before reluctantly letting go, turning, and stepping out of the elevator. Rubbing his head, he walked over to the office door and stopped.
“If it’s bad, I can take you to Chen the Masseur later to have him give you a rub,” Chen Jian said, stepping up to pull the key from Shan Yu’s pocket and opening the office door.
“I’d probably die on the way there,” Shan Yu walked into the office, leaving the key hanging in the lock. “Can we replace this broken door with facial recognition?”
“Sure,” Chen Jian pulled the key out. “I’ll find someone to replace it tomorrow.”
Initially, he had thought Shan Yu complaining of a headache was just an expression of how exhausting it was dealing with the leaders, or just a mild ache.
But when Shan Yu changed into track pants, washed his face, and came back out, Chen Jian noticed his eyes were red and his complexion looked poor.
It seemed this wasn’t just an exaggeration. His severe headache had actually flared up again.
“Lie down on the bed, I’ll massage it for you,” Chen Jian said.
“Can’t lie down. Blood rushing to my head will make it hurt worse,” Shan Yu found his painkillers and swallowed them. “Call Da Li.”
“Does he cure headaches?” Chen Jian immediately pulled out his phone.
“Tell him to come witness how you’re angering me to death,” Shan Yu said. “Or call those idiots downstairs. I’m worried they’d commit perjury for you.”
Chen Jian paused for a few seconds before laughing out loud. “Fuck, my head was just so full of your headache.”
“It’s fine, I won’t die. The pills will kick in soon,” Shan Yu reached out and ruffled Chen Jian’s hair. “Tell Da Li about the situation here with Director Lu. After all, he came all the way here and didn’t even go inside to see them. They probably think we played some dirty trick.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian nodded.
“You know what to say and what not to say, right?” Shan Yu asked.
“Director Lu just took a quick tour to check the premises and asked about foot traffic,” Chen Jian said. “Also, I won’t mention that you wrote an essay or snitched on them.”
Shan Yu smiled. “When did I snitch on them?”
“Either way, Director Lu figured out we put in the most effort, yet their promotions deliberately excluded us,” Chen Jian said.
“As long as they don’t cause trouble, we maintain peace and love,” Shan Yu said.
“If I hadn’t thought about that, I really would have wanted Sanbing to go over there right now, set up a stall, and perform a whole storytelling session about this,” Chen Jian slapped his thigh and yelled out in the style of a street storyteller, “A scheming mind exhausted, trying to play it smart! But the Director’s piercing eyes tell the loyal from the false apart!”
Shan Yu leaned against the desk and started laughing, but barely two laughs in, he grabbed his head. “Ugh, laughing makes my head hurt.”
“I’ll massage it for you after I make this call.” Chen Jian dialed Da Li’s number.
Da Li must have been clutching his phone on the other end, because he picked up the moment the call went through.
“What’s going on? Chen Jian?” Da Li’s voice was tinged with confusion and anger. “Why did Director Lu just leave?”
“I don’t know,” Chen Jian answered very sincerely. “He only took a lap around here, checked the grounds, and asked about guest traffic. I tried to invite him for dinner, but he refused…”
“Did he not talk about the bonfire festival?” Da Li asked.
“He asked a few things,” Chen Jian lowered his voice. “He said he saw stuff while scrolling earlier…”
Although Director Lu hadn’t explicitly said it, if he saw the posts about Dayin and the tourists’ BBQ party, he definitely saw those inns’ early promotional posts too.
“It’s normal that he saw the promos we pushed out, and with so many people taking photos during the event, he definitely saw those too…” Da Li affirmed. “Director Lu scrolls through that stuff?”
“He’s pretty young, looks like he’s in his thirties,” Chen Jian said. “He’s probably still at the age where he stays up late playing on his phone.”
“…Nothing else?” Da Li asked.
“Nothing else. He just said all our inns worked hard,” Chen Jian said.
Da Li remained silent for a while, still deeply perplexed. “That’s it?”
“He also drank a cup of coffee,” Chen Jian added.
“Fuck.” Da Li seemingly couldn’t glean any reason from this as to why Director Lu abandoned the rest of his itinerary. Incredibly frustrated but having nowhere to vent, he could only say, “Alright. The real reason will come out eventually.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian acknowledged.
After hanging up, he walked into the bedroom. Shan Yu was leaning against the headboard with his eyes closed.
“Was it okay to say that?” Chen Jian asked.
“It’s fine,” Shan Yu said.
“Hello, I am Chen Jian, the sole technician of this establishment,” Chen Jian walked to the edge of the bed. “What kind of massage would you like?”
Shan Yu smiled, reached out, lifted Chen Jian’s shirt, stroked his waist, then sighed and sat up. “You lean against the headboard, and I’ll lean against you.”
“I haven’t changed clothes,” Chen Jian said.
“I’m hurting to death, I don’t care,” Shan Yu said. “Or you can strip naked before getting on.”
“…We’ll just change the sheets tomorrow.” Chen Jian climbed onto the bed and sat leaning against the headboard. Shan Yu leaned back into his embrace, closing his eyes.
To be honest, this position was a bit…
“Did you not sleep well yesterday?” Chen Jian gathered his thoughts and began gently massaging Shan Yu’s head.
“A bit harder,” Shan Yu said.
“Mm.” Chen Jian applied a bit more pressure, his fingers pressing rhythmically along Shan Yu’s brow bone, moving to his temples, and then massaging up toward the crown. “Is this okay?”
“It’s good,” Shan Yu exhaled softly. “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.”
“Do the pills help?” Chen Jian asked.
“If Director Lu had left half an hour later, the pills probably wouldn’t have worked anymore,” Shan Yu said. “Right now, it’s still in time.”
“This Director Lu seems alright, quite amiable,” Chen Jian said.
“Mm. I’ll ask Yao Yi about his background when we get back,” Shan Yu said.
“Don’t think about work right now,” Chen Jian said.
“If I don’t manage things, people complain,” Shan Yu said. “If I do manage things, people complain. If my head doesn’t hurt, whose will?”
Chen Jian smiled, lowering his head to kiss the top of Shan Yu’s head. “You really are impressive. If you really hadn’t been here today, who knows what a mess the rest of us would have made of this. He might have taken half a lap and headed straight to the inner inns.”
“Honestly, it doesn’t matter what kind of mess is made,” Shan Yu said. “Even if we beat Director Lu up, it’s just a matter of picking someone to spend a few days in jail. If we still wanted to do business, we could.”
“…Are we crazy?” Chen Jian laughed.
“I’m just telling you it’s fine. Don’t think it’s too difficult,” Shan Yu smiled. “If you can’t put on an act, just be sincere. The worst someone will think is that you’re a clueless idiot. They might not give you any benefits, but they won’t make things too difficult for you either.”
“Mm.” Chen Jian looked down at him.
This was his first time seeing Shan Yu from this angle. Although he could only see his eyelashes and nose, he could still tell he was very handsome… Even with his eyes closed and his brow slightly furrowed from the headache, Shan Yu looked even more…
Chen Jian pulled his thoughts back. His fingers continued massaging Shan Yu’s head, but they were a little erratic.
“Hey,” Shan Yu suddenly laughed and asked, “what are you thinking about?”
“Hm?” Chen Jian’s hands stopped.
“You’re poking me,” Shan Yu said.
“Holy shit,” Chen Jian froze, wanting to scoot back, but the pillows were right behind him; there was nowhere left to retreat. He sighed. “It’ll go down in a bit.”
Shan Yu laughed without speaking.
“Is your headache any better?” Chen Jian changed the subject.
“Keep massaging until dinner time. The medicine should have kicked in by then,” Shan Yu said.
“I’m not hungry,” Chen Jian said.
“But I am,” Shan Yu said.
“Oh,” Chen Jian laughed.
Shan Yu reached up, stroked Chen Jian’s face, then slipped his hand around to the back of his neck, hooking his arm around it.
“Didn’t you have a headache?” Chen Jian’s hard-won distraction instantly vanished. Looking down, he could clearly hear his own rapidly accelerating breath.
You sinner, Chen Jian.
He has a headache.
“Let’s try some physical relief before the meds kick in,” Shan Yu murmured, pulling Chen Jian down by the neck as he tilted his head up.
Chen Jian didn’t say another word. He cradled Shan Yu’s chin and kissed him. His other hand slid down Shan Yu’s neck and slipped past his collar.
Everywhere he touched, Shan Yu’s skin felt just as scorching as his lips, rising and falling in his palm in tandem with his breathing.
It was an angle he had never experienced before. Amidst the unfamiliarity, there was a familiar exploration and touch. Chen Jian could even feel an intense wave of dizziness…
When Hu Pan notified them via walkie-talkie that the food had been bought and brought back, Chen Jian had just released Shan Yu, leaning back against the headboard while Shan Yu rested against his stomach with his eyes closed.
“I’m dizzy,” Chen Jian said.
“Keeping your head down like that and having your cervical spine pressed on,” Shan Yu’s lips curled up, “it’s normal to feel dizzy.”
“Do you have a fever?” Chen Jian snapped back to reality and placed a hand on Shan Yu’s forehead. “You feel a little hot.”
“Body temperature rises slightly during a headache,” Shan Yu placed his hand over Chen Jian’s. “It’ll pass once the pain subsides.”
“Oh.” Chen Jian’s fingertips resumed gently massaging Shan Yu’s temples.
“Go get the food,” Shan Yu said. “I could eat three entire Mushrooms right now.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian smiled and sat up.
Sanbing and the others were very quick when it came to buying food, especially when the boss had given the order to get something good. They executed the task with exceptional efficiency.
When Chen Jian went downstairs, he saw a pile of takeout boxes on the kitchen table.
They were opening the dishes one by one and transferring them onto plates.
“You ordered dishes?” Chen Jian walked over to take a look.
“How about it,” Sanbing said. “That restaurant on Second Street. These are all their signature dishes.”
“Very nice. Just pack some up for Boss Shan,” Chen Jian said.
“He’s not coming down to eat?” Zhao Fangfang asked.
“He has a headache,” Chen Jian said.
“Why the sudden headache?” Chen Erhu was taken aback.
“Probably exhausted from talking to Director Lu just now,” Hu Pan said. “That kind of thing is the most tiring. Especially for a guy like him, who can’t even be bothered to build a good relationship with his neighbors on a normal day.”
Sanbing was a bit puzzled. “Actually, he looked pretty relaxed chatting, laughing and joking the whole time.”
“That’s exactly what makes him formidable,” Hu Pan said.
Chen Erhu clicked his tongue in agreement.
“Still not formidable enough if it gave him a headache,” Lao Si chimed in, supporting his boss.
“Right. If it were you, you’d chat for ten minutes and then just take a sniper rifle and blast the Director,” Sun Nana said, carefully arranging the food on the plates with her chopsticks. “You definitely wouldn’t get a headache.”
“Hey,” Sanbing lowered his voice, “honestly, the town’s been trying to develop for years, but I think this is the first time a leader from the top actually came down to visit. Is tourism here really about to take off?”
“Hope so,” Lao Wu thought for a moment. “If it really blows up, I’ll tell my dad I’m not going to be an apprentice anymore. Staying here would be great.”
“Who wouldn’t want that,” Lao Si said. “Let’s hope this Director Lu is someone who can actually get things done.”
Whether Director Lu could get things done or not was yet to be seen. However, Chen Jian learned from Old Ding that after inspecting Dayin, Director Lu returned to the town twice more within a week. He didn’t even ask Old Ding to accompany him, just brought a colleague. Once, he stayed overnight in the mountains, and the other time, he rode a motorcycle around several surrounding villages.
But according to Old Ding, there probably wouldn’t be any further movement before the New Year.
No further movement was fine. Shan Yu had managed to buy a business-class ticket and was leaving early today. If anything major did happen before he got back, Chen Jian was genuinely worried he wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“Is this all you have?” Chen Jian looked at Shan Yu’s “luggage.”
Just one duffel bag, and it wasn’t even full. It felt like people packed more going to the gym.
“Mm, I’m not staying for many days,” Shan Yu said. “Plus I have to take that godforsaken shuttle bus. Too much stuff is hard to carry.”
“Did you take the bag of dried goods Zhao-jie gave you?” Chen Jian asked.
“I did,” Shan Yu said. “Otherwise I wouldn’t even need this bag.”
“Phone, charger, do you need to bring some snacks…” Chen Jian didn’t even know what he was saying. Basically, his mind was a mess, but his mouth just wouldn’t stop.
“Chen Jian.” Shan Yu walked over and stood in front of him, pressing in very close, so close his breath brushed Chen Jian’s face.
“Hm?” Chen Jian looked at him.
“I’m just going for a few days. Even if I brought absolutely nothing, it’d be fine,” Shan Yu said.
“Oh,” Chen Jian responded.
“Message me,” Shan Yu said. “Don’t report on work. Just talk nonsense.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian nodded.
“When I message you, don’t just reply ‘Okay’, ‘Mm’, or ‘Oh’,” Shan Yu said. “Even when my hand was crippled, my typing wasn’t that concise.”
Chen Jian laughed. “Got it.”
Shan Yu hugged him and gently bit his earlobe.
Chen Jian buried his face in Shan Yu’s neck.
“I’m a little scared,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian froze, then forcefully tightened his arms around him.
“Don’t be scared,” he said softly. “Just know that they miss you very much. Don’t worry about anything else. You haven’t seen each other in years. If you were my son, even if you were literally a pig, I’d still…”
“Hey,” Shan Yu started laughing. “You’re supposed to be comforting me, why are you insulting me?”
“I’m just… my head is a mess, don’t listen too closely,” Chen Jian said.
“I know.” Shan Yu’s hand slipped under his clothes, kneading his back firmly.
Compared to Chen Jian, the rest of Dayin’s staff were much calmer. After all, it wasn’t like the boss hadn’t gone home before.
“You don’t want me to drive you?” Chen Erhu couldn’t understand it. “The shuttle bus is so uncomfortable. I could just drive you straight to the station.”
“No need,” Shan Yu swung his leg over the back of Chen Jian’s motorcycle. “Things have been busy lately. More guests means more messy situations. The inn needs someone who can hold the fort.”
“That’s true.” Chen Erhu suddenly looked very profound. He thought for a second and added, “Then have Nana drive you. She has a license too.”
“You’re crazy,” Sun Nana sauntered out from the lobby holding a coffee. “If you can’t drive him, why would he let me, a woman, drive him? Stop worrying.”
Shan Yu smiled without saying anything.
Chen Jian quickly started the motorcycle and drove out.
Chen Jian had somewhat forgotten what his mood was like the last time he waited for the bus at this intersection. He’d probably forget this time too, because right now, his mind was filled with one overarching feeling: a complete mess.
He didn’t want Shan Yu to go back, but he was also afraid Shan Yu wouldn’t go back.
Leaning against the bus stop sign, Shan Yu raised his phone, snapped a few photos of Chen Jian, and then tilted his chin at him: “Come here.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian walked over.
Shan Yu threw an arm around his shoulder and held up the phone: “Give me an expression.”
Chen Jian smiled at the Shan Yu on the screen.
“You really look quite cute when you smile.” Shan Yu pressed the shutter and looked 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 winter break. If I go back and don’t let him pick me up, he might just find a rope and hang himself on me.”
Chen Jian laughed.
“I’ll probably sleep for a bit once I get on the bus. I can usually fall asleep on buses,” Shan Yu said. “I’ll message you when I arrive.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian acknowledged. He turned to look in the direction the bus would come from and saw it already approaching down the road. He couldn’t help but curse, “Fuck. Why is it so on time today?”
Shan Yu looked at him with a smile, glanced around the area, and then leaned in to kiss the corner of his mouth.
The pre-New Year shuttle bus was more crowded than usual. The moment the doors opened, Shan Yu almost wanted to turn back and tell Chen Jian, Just drive me out on your motorcycle.
But he held it in, gritted his teeth, turned around, and squeezed onto the bus.
He needed to end this farewell process quickly. Chen Jian’s distress was already written all over his face. If he made Chen Jian drive him all the way, the kid might just burst into tears on the spot.
Shan Yu himself strongly disliked farewells. Regardless of the underlying reasons for parting, the format was always the same: unless you were sending an enemy off to die, it was always the one saying goodbye left standing in place, watching the other person drift further away…
Chen Jian watched the shuttle bus until its exhaust smoke disappeared down the road before turning to straddle his motorcycle.
If they want to develop tourism, they really need to fix this road first…
Just as he started the engine, before he even twisted the throttle, his phone chimed.
Pulling it out, he could already see Shan Yu’s message on the notification screen.
[Fa Shan Ke Chen]:There were no seats left. I am literally sitting on a sack of rice right now.
Chen Jian couldn’t hold back a laugh.
The feeling of being blocked by something, of being suspended in mid-air with nowhere to land—in that instant, a great deal of it suddenly dissipated.
