Chapter 26
Early Morning
The morning dew was fresh and glistening, and the air crisp and clean. Sunlight poured through the window lattice, scattering in soft golden streaks.
Lu Tingchuan opened his drowsy eyes and looked at Xia Shi, still lying peacefully in his arms, smiling faintly. Carefully, he lifted her arm from his body, tucked the blanket around her, and quietly got up to wash and dress.
When he went downstairs, the house was empty. Only Chu Xun sat at the small round table in the courtyard, sipping coffee. There was an empty cup opposite him—clearly prepared for Lu Tingchuan in advance.
Seeing him come down, Chu Xun lifted the pot and poured, asking, “Want a cup?”
Though phrased as a question, his tone was plainly declarative.
Lu Tingchuan understood immediately—time for a man-to-man talk.
“Uncle Xia went to the café,” Chu Xun said casually. “Auntie and my mom took Xuanxuan to the park.”
Lu Tingchuan gave a low hum of acknowledgment and waited for him to continue.
Chu Xun didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “You can relax,” he said directly. “I have my principles and bottom line. I don’t get off on being a homewrecker.”
Lu Tingchuan gave a short laugh. “Even if you wanted to be the third party, you’d have to be capable of it first.”
If Xia Shi had any intention toward him, that would make him a rival. But if she didn’t, then Chu Xun was nothing more than a man nursing a one-sided affection.
A few words in, and the air between them was already laced with the scent of gunpowder.
Chu Xun turned to smile, not quite sure himself whether there was more self-mockery or bitterness in that smile.
After a long silence, he finally spoke again. “Xiaxia and I grew up together. She’s always thought of me as a good friend—a good buddy, even like siblings. But never as a potential lover or husband. She always brushed off our parents’ jokes about us ending up together. I used to think the same.”
Lu Tingchuan’s eyes flickered. Used to—meaning not anymore.
“Until she got together with you,” Chu Xun went on. “I’ll never forget when she brought you to meet me for the first time. She was glowing when she said, ‘Chu Xun, this is my boyfriend.’ When she introduced you, she radiated pink light all over, every cell screaming, I’m in love. I always thought I only saw her as the girl next door. But that day I realized—I was jealous. My feelings for her weren’t what I believed them to be.”
Too late, he had realized it too late.
Xia Shi was never short of suitors. Back in high school, Lu Tingchuan had been one of them—constantly pursuing her. Yet at the time, Chu Xun hadn’t thought much of it. Maybe he’d felt a small pang of discomfort, but he told himself it was because he thought none of those guys deserved her.
Lu Tingchuan turned slightly. “And then?”
“There was no ‘then,’” Chu Xun said with a faint smile. “I used to wonder—if I’d realized my feelings earlier, would you ever have had a chance? But life doesn’t deal in ifs. Maybe I was unwilling to accept it at first, but…”
He sighed, expression growing serious. “When Xiaxia had her accident, I was in Northern Europe shooting an MV. By the time I got the news, it was too late. The weather grounded all flights. When I finally made it back to China, she was gone. I couldn’t find her. Auntie wouldn’t say where she’d taken her, and even my mom didn’t know. The production team kept urging me back, and I had no choice but to finish the shoot.
“But you—your situation was different.”
“You were about to start filming Hidden Blade, right?” Chu Xun went on. “Everyone said it was going to sweep the awards and set a new standard in the industry. Yet you gave it up, paid a massive breach fee, and walked away. That’s when I realized the difference between us. Losing to you—I can accept that.”
Lu Tingchuan’s fingers trembled slightly as he held his cup. He kept his face calm, but inside, his heart surged like a storm.
When Xia Shi had her accident, he’d been deep in the mountains scouting film locations with the director. The area had poor reception, and by the time he got the message, it was already late. He’d rushed back, called her frantically—she wouldn’t answer. He’d gone to Haishi, but she was gone.
The same helplessness Chu Xun described—he’d lived it too. Only, in his last life, he hadn’t found her. He’d given up, returned to work—just like Chu Xun had.
But Chu Xun had been luckier. Three years later, thanks to their parents’ connection, he’d found her again and stayed by her side for four years.
Thinking of that, Lu Tingchuan suddenly smiled. Yes, what was there to resent? In that life, Chu Xun had every advantage—four whole years—and Xia Shi had never fallen for him. In this life, Lu Tingchuan had found her earlier, long before Chu Xun even knew where she was.
They were never truly equals.
When all was said and done, Chu Xun stood to leave. After a few steps, he turned back.
“I may despise wrecking families,” he said quietly, “but if you treat Xiaxia badly, I won’t stand by and watch. Don’t think too highly of me—I’m not noble enough to play the eternal, self-sacrificing side character in some TV drama. I’ll let go when I should. But if life ever throws me another chance, I won’t miss it twice.”
Lu Tingchuan chuckled. “Keep dreaming. You won’t get that chance.”
“I hope so,” Chu Xun said—and left.
Later
As soon as Xia Shi came downstairs, she saw Chu Xun coming out of the garden smiling. They exchanged greetings, and he gestured toward Lu Tingchuan sitting in the courtyard.
“Go comfort your eternal jealous king,” Chu Xun joked. “Otherwise, I’m afraid he’ll murder me one of these days.”
Xia Shi laughed. “Then hurry up and get yourself a girlfriend—clear your name.”
“Good idea,” Chu Xun grinned. “I’ll find one as soon as I’m back home. Save my mom some nagging.”
They said their goodbyes. Xia Shi walked into the garden and found Lu Tingchuan unable to hide his amusement. She sat opposite him, propping her chin on one hand and tapping the table with the other.
“Well, well,” she teased. “The sun must be rising in the west today. You and Chu Xun actually sat down for coffee—peacefully! And he left smiling! You too! What’s going on?”
Then she lunged playfully and pretended to grab his neck. “Spill it! What secret are you two hiding? Don’t tell me—you’ve fallen for each other?”
What nonsense! She’d been hanging around Sophie too long!
Lu Tingchuan burst out laughing, half amused, half exasperated. “Your acting is terrible—way too dramatic!”
Xia Shi pouted. “So you’re not mad anymore?”
“I wasn’t mad. I just…”
“I know,” she interrupted, smiling sweetly. “You were jealous, weren’t you, my eternal Jealous King?”
“Xia Shi,” he said softly, “Chu Xun and you grew up together. Your families have decades of friendship—you can’t just pretend you don’t know each other. When he came to see me holding Xuanxuan that time, I saw the shock in his eyes. That’s when I knew how he really felt.
“That’s why all these years, I’ve written so many songs but never one for him. Just like you never wrote for Yunduo. I couldn’t give him hope or misunderstanding. I’ve been showing him, through my actions, that I’m happy—and that he and I are impossible.”
Lu Tingchuan unconsciously pulled her into his lap. “I understand,” he murmured. “I’m just… envious. Not of his feelings, but of his past. Jealous that he got to grow up with you—sing with you, perform with you. Jealous that he shares memories I’ll never have. I still remember back in middle school, whenever there was a school event, you two always performed together. Everyone said you were the perfect pair—even I thought you looked like you belonged together.”
Xia Shi giggled. “And yet you still chased me?”
They’d only been teenagers then, hearts just beginning to stir. He had secretly written her love letters like any boy, bought her breakfast, finally summoned up the courage to ask her out—only to miss the date.
His mother had passed away. He’d been taken in by Lu Jingshan, leaving Haishi behind. Everything had happened too fast—grief, a new home that didn’t feel like home. He’d had no space left for that tender, budding affection. The feeling faded, unfinished.
Later, she’d joined The Most Beautiful Voice, filming not far from the set where he was working. Thank heaven for that reunion.
Lu Tingchuan smiled. “I’m better than him. We look even more like the perfect couple.”
“Shameless!” Xia Shi laughed, twisting in his arms until his throat tightened with desire. He suddenly stood, lifting her into his arms. “Everyone’s out. How about another round?”
Her body tensed. “No!”
But Lu Tingchuan was already carrying her upstairs, pressing her down onto the bed. “You tease me and think you can just walk away?”
Xia Shi tried to wriggle free. “I was wrong! I was wrong!”
Too bad—when it came to this, she never stood a chance. Within moments, she was caught in his embrace again.
“Oh, so you admit you were wrong,” he murmured, “then how should I punish you?”
Her face flushed scarlet. “Lu Tingchuan!”
Her voice trembled—half protest, half plea, all sweetness.
He stripped off his shirt and reached for her buttons.
“Xuanxuan—” she started, desperate.
He cut her off with a kiss. “Mom took him out. They won’t be back soon. And even if they do, she won’t let him come in.”
“I’m tired! It hurts!” she whined.
“Where does it hurt?”
“My whole body!”
“Then I’ll give you a massage,” he said, hand already slipping under her clothes. “Don’t worry—I’ll be gentle. We’ll go slow.”
Xia Shi shivered, realizing she couldn’t escape. She pushed at his chest. “Condom! Condom!”
Lu Tingchuan groaned. “We’re back home now—we’re not staying here. You think this house would still have any left?”
She froze, then shoved him hard. “No way! You didn’t use one last night either!”
He didn’t get it—since it was already too late, what did it matter now?
“Don’t want to have a little princess with me?” he asked, voice tinged with disappointment.
Xia Shi gave a wry smile. “I’m not ready to be a mom again. Xuanxuan’s still small. If we have another baby, it’ll affect him. I know people say they love their children equally, but hearts aren’t perfectly even. I don’t want him to feel neglected.”
“You’re overthinking it,” Lu Tingchuan said gently. “He’ll understand when he’s older.”
“Maybe,” she muttered stubbornly. “But I’m not ready.”
He leaned down to whisper, “You’re in your safe period. Don’t worry.”
His plan was simple—stop talking and start doing.
Xia Shi did a quick mental count. Roughly, maybe, possibly, probably, she was in her safe period… probably.
Fine, then.
She wrapped her arms around his neck—a clear signal.
Lu Tingchuan didn’t need another word.
Like thunder meeting fire, passion filled the room once again.
