Last time he ran away from home, it was mostly out of spite.

Jian Yang hadn’t taken anything with him.

This time, he packed up some of his belongings into a suitcase. Guan Ciyan wouldn’t care about these little things anyway.

Still, it was kind of a hassle.

It didn’t seem like he had that much stuff, but packing it up made it feel like a lot.

Jian Yang filled one suitcase with the things he used most often and was already exhausted. The next morning, he had Dongdong come pick him up and headed to the apartment Jiang Ke had arranged for him.

It was a two-bedroom place, not too small. Dongdong could stay with him from time to time.

The location was just as Jian Yang had requested—secluded, with fewer people, so he wouldn’t have to worry about being recognized by fans.

After a bit of unpacking, Dongdong asked, “Why don’t you just stay in the villa? It’s way more spacious.”

“Isn’t it nice to have a place of my own?”

Dongdong thought for a moment. “True.”

“So when are you moving in?” Dongdong asked as he finished setting up the apartment. He frowned slightly. “This place is way smaller than the villa you were in.”

Forget about a jacuzzi—the bathroom was barely ten square meters. Even storing extra clothes would be a hassle.

“We’ll see.” Jian Yang frowned.

Right now, to Guan Ciyan, he was still a well-behaved little lover. If he suddenly insisted on leaving, it might anger him, which wouldn’t be good. It would be best to transition slowly. Once Guan Ciyan was fully focused on Jian Buqing, he could safely bow out.

The doorbell rang. Both Jian Yang and Dongdong looked up. Dongdong went to open the door, and Jiang Ke walked in.

“You’re moving out so fast? I thought you’d rest for a few days after finishing your shoot.” Jiang Ke pulled a rolled-up variety show proposal from her classic LV bucket bag and handed it to Jian Yang. “Now I don’t even need to convince you to work—you’re the one being proactive.”

She placed some desserts and fruits on the table, sat down, and immediately started checking her phone.

Her usual voluminous curls had been straightened into her natural hair, and she wore a black, tight-fitting knit tank top with matching wide-leg pants. Her earth-toned eyeshadow was bolder than before. Sitting cross-legged, playing with her phone, she exuded a commanding aura.

Jian Yang glanced at the proposal and then at Jiang Ke. “You seem… different.”

Still focused on her phone, Jiang Ke furrowed her brows slightly. “How?”

“Before, I thought you were the proper, by-the-book type.”

“Oh, back when I worked at Fuyu Cathedral, I had to put on an act. But now that I’m only managing you, and you’re so low-maintenance, I need to go out there and grab more resources for you. Why bother playing it safe? I’m going all in.”

She handed her phone to Jian Yang. “The show’s cinematographer agreed—all of your footage has to go through me first. So just go and have fun. It’s an outdoor survival show—think of it as an adventure trip.”

Jian Yang gave her a thumbs-up. “Boss, you’re amazing.”

Seeing Jiang Ke looking so confident and energized made Jian Yang genuinely happy. If his team members were doing well, he felt even more motivated.

This variety show was relatively authentic. It had structured games and a two-day, one-night itinerary but didn’t force celebrities into rigid personas or scripted drama. It suited him perfectly because he was naturally likable to fans.

“Just be polite and respectful while you’re there,” Jiang Ke advised. “The other guests are all at a similar level to you—no big-name seniors, so you won’t feel uncomfortable.”

“Has the guest list been finalized?” Jian Yang suddenly thought of something. “Can we bring in another person? Like Su Jin. He’s on a break right now, right? If there’s a spot, maybe he can join a similar variety show?”

“Not possible.” Jiang Ke shook her head. “The lineup was set ages ago. Adding someone last-minute isn’t easy, and you’re not at the level where you can push newcomers into shows.”

“Fair enough.”

Jian Yang took the proposal and returned to the villa. That evening, he had dinner with Guan Ciyan.

After dinner, he declined Guan Ciyan’s offer to walk Xia Tian (their dog) together and instead stayed on the couch, playing with Xiao Taiyang (his cat).

Xiao Taiyang retracted her claws and pawed at his hand playfully. They went back and forth, but Jian Yang was distracted.

Xiao Taiyang had grown a lot since he first took her in. She was much bigger now—holding her was starting to feel like a workout.

Zhang Bo had fed her well, giving her fish jerky, fish oil, and quail necks on rotation.

A little stray cat, yet her fur looked even better than some purebred pets.

Jian Yang really liked Xiao Taiyang, but if she stayed with him, she wouldn’t have her own space. He could only give her a cat bed. And whenever he left for a shoot, gone for four or five months at a time, he’d have to leave her with Jiang Ke or Wei Wei again.

But Wei Wei was always busy…

Jian Yang looked around the lavish villa, then scooped up Xiao Taiyang. “Maybe… you should just stay here.”

Thud—

A small fluff ball shot past the cat and the actor.

Xiao Taiyang meowed and darted off after it.

Jian Yang turned around—Guan Ciyan was standing at the door, his shirt slightly damp with sweat. “Lazy pig. I asked you to walk the dog with me, and you didn’t go.”

Xia Tian barked loudly. Guan Ciyan patted his head. “You just got back. No need for a walk.”

Jian Yang chuckled and went to pour Guan Ciyan a glass of water.

Guan Ciyan took a step back. “Don’t come near me. I’m all sweaty. I’ll take a shower first.”

“Okay.”

Jian Yang placed the cup of water back on the table and watched as Guan Ciyan went upstairs.

Right now, they probably looked like a real couple—having both a cat and a dog, some financial security.

If they were truly a couple, wouldn’t life be wonderful?

Jian Yang kept imagining what it would be like to live alone in the future. To be honest, life in the villa was very comfortable, and not just because of the material luxuries. As long as he knew Guan Ciyan would be coming back, nothing felt scary.

Even during the hardest times, he would think, I’ll just wait for Guan Ciyan to come back and ask him.

But in the future, there would be no one to answer his questions anymore.

Going from luxury to simplicity was hard. Lying on his bed, Jian Yang wondered—was this what withdrawal felt like?

Withdrawal from a life of wealth…

The floor lamp at the door turned on, and Guan Ciyan walked in, towel-drying his hair. He naturally lay down beside Jian Yang.

Jian Yang: ?

Guan Ciyan brushed his damp bangs back, revealing his smooth forehead. He was wearing an extremely deep V-neck pajama top. Lying on his side, he looked straight at Jian Yang.

“…Sir, this is my room,” Jian Yang said politely.

“I don’t like my room.”

Then why did you live in it for so many years?

“Alright then.” Jian Yang lay back down, utterly indifferent.

They had shared beds in hotels while filming; bringing up separate beds now seemed pointless.

Guan Ciyan tugged his pajama top slightly off his shoulders, exposing his well-defined chest.

“Did you work out after your shower?”

The way his chest muscles stood out—it probably took at least three sets of strength training.

Guan Ciyan’s gaze lingered on Jian Yang. “You noticed.”

Jian Yang replied flatly, “You might as well take Xia Tian for a longer walk. He really wants to go out.”

Guan Ciyan’s expression stiffened. The intimate atmosphere he was trying to create just wasn’t working.

Back at the hotel, he and Jian Yang had been completely in sync. Even when Jian Yang was exhausted, as long as they shared a bed, a casual touch would always spark something.

But ever since they returned from the filming set, Jian Yang had shown no interest at all.

Guan Ciyan had waited in his own room for two nights, but Jian Yang never came knocking. Now that he took the initiative, Jian Yang was acting like they’d been married for ten years.

They say passion fades even faster in same-sex relationships, but wasn’t this a little too fast?

Guan Ciyan pulled Jian Yang into his arms, guiding Jian Yang’s hand to his chest. “Baby.”

Jian Yang used to love grabbing his chest when he was in the mood. He had even made special preparations tonight.

“Sir, I don’t want to.” Jian Yang withdrew his hand and turned over.

Guan Ciyan was caught off guard. “Are you tired?”

“No,” Jian Yang replied listlessly. “I just… don’t really feel like it.”

He had no problem engaging in a purely physical relationship with Guan Ciyan—adults seeking pleasure, nothing wrong with that. They were compatible in that way. But the moment Guan Ciyan tried to buy his body with islands and yachts, all his passion for him disappeared.

He wasn’t an object. If someone didn’t respect his feelings or his body, he couldn’t do something that betrayed himself.

Jian Yang’s rejection was so firm that Guan Ciyan was momentarily stunned. He hesitated before asking, “Is it because I’ve been too busy lately? When I went to the set with you, I fell behind on a lot of work…”

Jian Yang replied blankly, “…If you’re busy, then rest more.”

I never asked you to come with me. Saying this now was completely meaningless.

Jian Yang turned off the bedside lamp and closed his eyes.

This wasn’t what Guan Ciyan had expected at all. Jian Yang always joked around with him. A few times, Guan Ciyan had taken him seriously, only to be teased in return.

He was unwilling to give up. He slipped his hand under Jian Yang’s pajama top, resting it on his waist.

Jian Yang’s body tensed, but he said nothing.

Guan Ciyan pulled him closer. “Yangyang.”

Whenever he called him like this, it meant he wanted something.

Jian Yang’s mind buzzed. Is Guan Ciyan going to force himself on me?

Am I still stuck in the novel’s plot, doomed to be tormented?

Soft lips pressed against his, filling his senses with a familiar scent. Jian Yang stiffened completely.

…No way. That wasn’t possible.

Hadn’t he already broken free from the story?

He felt his lower lip being sucked, a sharp bite of pain following.

Sweat broke out on Jian Yang’s skin as Guan Ciyan entwined their fingers, pressing their palms together. His fingertips brushed against Jian Yang’s damp hand.

Guan Ciyan tried every trick in the book, but Jian Yang gave no response at all.

That’s when Guan Ciyan knew—Jian Yang really wasn’t interested.

Although he had no idea why, Guan Ciyan let go of him and kissed his forehead lightly.

“Alright. Go to sleep. Can I at least hold you?”

Jian Yang kept his eyes tightly shut and turned his head away.

They were too close—so close that Guan Ciyan could hear Jian Yang’s racing heartbeat. After a moment, he let go and moved to the other side of the bed.

The bed was large enough that there was space for another person between them.

Jian Yang took slow, measured breaths, not daring to move.

He had to leave soon.

Guan Ciyan might tolerate his rejection once or twice, but would he still accept it if it happened every time?

Leaving while things were still amicable was the smartest choice. Otherwise, if he angered Guan Ciyan and he turned dark like in the novel—what then? Who would be able to save him?

Guan Ciyan was his only shelter.

The next day, after Guan Ciyan left for work, Jian Yang turned on the air conditioning and soaked in cold water for half an hour until he developed a mild fever.

By the time Guan Ciyan returned, Jian Yang clung to his hand pitifully. “Sir… I don’t feel well.”

“Here, drink some more water.” Guan Ciyan’s eyes were filled with concern, regret washing over him. He had been too focused on his own desires last night—Jian Yang must have already been feeling unwell.

Jian Yang secretly threw away the cold medicine and endured it for three days. Then, as soon as the variety show started filming, he grabbed a small suitcase and fled the villa.

When Guan Ciyan returned, everything in the room was exactly as it had been. His phone had no messages.

Only Uncle Zhang relayed the news: “Young Master has gone to work, sir. No need to worry.”