Chapter 12

Zhou Shiru experienced a rare moment of confusion.

The overly sincere words felt like something had struck his heart.

Usually very rational, at this moment his heart began to race. He stared at Le Cheng, “Do you know what this means?”

His voice was slightly cold.

Le Cheng didn’t notice, and after a brief pause, he smiled brightly, “I know. I just want to dance with you. Is that not okay?”

Wow, is he really this petty? Is he actually going to reject me?

Le Cheng couldn’t quite grasp Zhou Shiru’s meaning. After thinking for a moment, he widened his eyes and asked, “Do you have another dance partner?”

Although unlikely, it wasn’t impossible.

Zhou Shiru remained silent, instead looking at Le Cheng. He couldn’t tell if Le Cheng was playing dumb or not.

Le Cheng stared back, his thick eyelashes slightly curled, making him look cute and lively, like some kind of fluffy little animal.

Zhou Shiru felt a slight irritation in his heart.

When Le Cheng saw Zhou Shiru not speaking, he assumed it was a silent confirmation. “Really? You’re not waiting for me? You’re actually not waiting for me?”

He had expected Zhou Shiru to probably reject him, but he didn’t expect the reason to be that Zhou Shiru had agreed to dance with someone else.

Le Cheng couldn’t quite understand why, but perhaps because Zhou Shiru was currently his boyfriend, he felt a bit of ownership and was now genuinely upset.

The air between them grew tense and quiet. Zhou Shiru frowned and was about to speak when Le Cheng, in a somewhat dejected tone, said, “Alright, alright, I’m sad now. I won’t talk to you anymore.”

After saying this, Le Cheng looked up at Zhou Shiru with a slightly wet gaze.

The wet gaze might have been an illusion, but Zhou Shiru was momentarily moved. He pursed his lips. “No.”

Le Cheng blinked.

“No one else,” Zhou Shiru explained half-resignedly. “I haven’t agreed to anyone else.”

Le Cheng immediately brightened up. “Really? Then will you agree to me?”

Zhou Shiru shook his head. “I didn’t say that.”

Le Cheng asked, “Then who will you agree to?”

Zhou Shiru: “No one.”

Le Cheng insisted unreasonably, “There must be someone!”

The question circled back around, and after a brief pause, Zhou Shiru agreed, “I’ll dance with you.”

Le Cheng’s eyes lit up. “Really? No backing out?”

As if unsure, he extended his pinky. “Then let’s make a pinky promise!”

The gesture was childish, but on Le Cheng, it seemed appropriate.

This wasn’t holding hands, not even ambiguous, so there was no harm in doing it. Zhou Shiru looked at his somewhat innocent face and extended his hand. “Pinky promise.”

After making the promise, Le Cheng was delighted, his eyes curved with happiness, like a child who had just received candy.

Le Cheng might not know about the rumor, Zhou Shiru thought.

But does he really not know?

Does he not know, or is he pretending not to know?

Zhou Shiru thought, maybe he knows but doesn’t believe it.

In those few seconds, he found several excuses for Le Cheng.

But none of them fully convinced him.

Le Cheng didn’t know about Zhou Shiru’s internal struggle. He simply wanted to follow his plan and had a bit of selfishness—he wanted to see Zhou Shiru in a suit.

The second reason was actually more significant.

After all, if he just wanted a hug, there were simpler ways. But Le Cheng didn’t want to use those now.

Because he had changed his mind.

During his time with Zhou Shiru, he found him to be stable and generous, someone who would make a great friend. He didn’t want to break up with Zhou Shiru in a dramatic way.

At least, before Zhou Shiru couldn’t stand it and broke up with him, he didn’t want Zhou Shiru to hate him too much. Being enemies with someone had no benefits, and if they could still nod to each other post-breakup, they could be half friends.

So he didn’t want to use aggressive tactics to force Zhou Shiru to break up. He could try for a hug first, take it step by step, and then find a suitable opportunity to ask for a kiss. A homophobic straight guy would naturally be unable to tolerate such close contact with another man and would fear further intimacy, leading to an inevitable breakup.

The logic was sound, and Le Cheng felt the plan was perfect.

His mood brightened, and he even started humming a tune.

Zhou Shiru recognized it—it was “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

He turned to look at Le Cheng, feeling very conflicted.

Had Le Cheng really developed feelings for him? Or was he serious about their relationship? But that wasn’t a precise reason, since most people didn’t believe in the rumor.

Zhou Shiru closed his eyes. “It’s late. Let’s go back.”

Le Cheng responded, “Okay, but let’s stop by the supermarket first. I want to buy some food.”

Zhou Shiru agreed.

After they finished at the supermarket and arrived at the dormitory building, Le Cheng waved goodbye to Zhou Shiru and reminded him, “Remember, you promised me!”

Zhou Shiru gave a noncommittal “Mm.”

When Halloween finally arrived a week later, Le Cheng’s artist application was approved. He set up a new display and uploaded his example work. It wasn’t long before he received new commissions.

After working intensely for two and a half days, Le Cheng earned 760. His current rates were much lower than before his time travel, as he aimed to attract more clients. The queue quickly extended to December, and fearing he wouldn’t be able to finish in time, he raised his rates.

Douyin consistently maintained a ratio of two viral posts for every one that didn’t do as well, so Le Cheng was no longer worried about earning money but was concerned about how long it would take to finish all his work.

As a result, he had no time to focus on the Halloween party.

On Halloween itself, Tan Xiaobai arranged for a senior who was familiar with makeup to help Le Cheng get ready.

The senior was very kind, and as she looked at Le Cheng’s fair and delicate face, she praised him, “So today, I won’t do heavy makeup… Hmm, we’ll go for something lighter.”

Le Cheng drowsily let her work on him, and two hours later, he stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting his cloak with a puzzled expression. “Senior, what character am I supposed to be?”

“An original character,” the senior replied with a mysterious smile. “I named him the Rose Magician, or the Love Trickster.”

She added some background: “The Rose Magician specializes in making love potions. Anyone who sees his face will fall in love with him uncontrollably, but he remains unaffected by the affections of others.”

“The Love Trickster,” the senior said, patting his shoulder, “Junior, you’re perfect for this look!”

Le Cheng tried to stifle a laugh. “Thank you, Senior!”

—

The event required an invitation flyer for entry. After Le Cheng entered, he began searching for people.

He wove through the crowd and quickly spotted the person he wanted to see.

Zhou Shiru was very tall, speaking with a distant expression, wearing a black vest, white shirt, and red tie. His hair was styled, and silver-framed glasses rested on his high nose. With broad shoulders and long legs, he had a model-like figure and was strikingly handsome.

Le Cheng was momentarily mesmerized, his heart racing.

This… this definitely matches his aesthetic.

It was worth all the trouble he went through to get here.

Le Cheng blinked, came up with an idea, and secretly walked to the other side.

“Hey, I didn’t want to come, but I was dragged here to do the dirty work…” A boy complained with a grumble. “And this outfit doesn’t fit at all! I’m totally embarrassed… Hey, Shiru, behind you…”

“Hmm?” Zhou Shiru lifted his eyelids, realizing something. He suddenly turned around and grabbed the person’s wrist with one hand.

The touch was warm and delicate, like jade. Zhou Shiru frowned slightly, then let go, looking slightly stunned. “…Le Cheng?”

“Why did you turn around?” Le Cheng smiled, “I was hoping to surprise you.”

Zhou Shiru’s fingers lightly pinched Le Cheng’s chin. “What is this?”

The sudden touch made Le Cheng momentarily pause. After reacting, he pretended to be fierce and bared his teeth. “It’s fake teeth! Don’t I look like a vampire?”

Zhou Shiru’s gaze lowered. Le Cheng had black hair, red eye makeup, and bright lipstick on his pale face. The dark red cloak accentuated his slim waist, making it look like it could be easily grasped.

Le Cheng looked completely different from his usual self—very striking… very… beautiful.

Zhou Shiru pressed his lips together, deliberately not looking at him. “Hmm… Yes. What are you dressed as?”

“Guess!” Le Cheng was eager.

Zhou Shiru replied calmly, “A magician?”

“Yes! You’re so smart!” Le Cheng nodded. “But I’m dressed as the Rose Magician, the Love Trickster.”

“The Love Trickster?”

“Mm-hmm.” Le Cheng was proud. “The Love Trickster, the big bad guy who deceives everyone.”

His appearance was so cute and somewhat silly, completely contrary to the character he portrayed, which made Zhou Shiru smile slightly. “Deceives everyone?”

Le Cheng nodded. “Yep.”

He smiled with crescent-shaped eyes. “So, Shiru, do you want to see if I can deceive you?”