Chapter 37: Three-Party Convergence

In the silence of death.

Duan Tingfang smoothly said, “Shift,” and then calmly stood up, patting his windbreaker. “Who opened the door?”

Jian Mingzhou looked at the instigator beside him.

Xie Jing, with his hands in his pockets, said, “God opened the door for you.”

Duan Tingfang, “…”

Jian Mingzhou glanced at him sideways. So you weren’t asleep during the medical room incident!

The topic ended, and they looked at each other in silence.

In a new location, the unyielding trio appeared quite perplexing.

But soon, movements from both sides reached them.

The bus swayed, and the people from Zaojiang Publishing got off one by one, followed by Xiao Ling from Huanyan. The editorial team from Huanjiao also arrived, and you could vaguely see Xia Ye and Qian Qian approaching rapidly, her mouth wide open…

And he was still standing there with Xie Jing and Duan Tingfang.

The three parties converged, and Jian Mingzhou’s heart slightly skipped a beat.

So many people… so many familiar faces…!

Xia Ye walked a few steps closer, and upon seeing Xie Jing by his side, he suddenly paused. He pushed up his glasses, gazing deeply. “Jian Mingzhou, you…”

Qian Qian followed and let out a loud bang!

Then she turned her head, gripping Xia Ye’s arm and whispering loudly, “Ah…!!! Chief Editor!! Handsome man alert!”

“Is he following the Deputy Editor!? Ahhh!”

Jian Mingzhou forced himself to appear nonchalant, grateful for the dim twilight that concealed the heat rising to his face.

He glanced at Xie Jing, only to find Xie Jing looking at him.

The expression on Xie Jing’s face was unclear, but there was a faint curve at the corners of his lips. His throat moved. “Don’t mind them; they are a bit… affected by their profession.”

Xie Jing chuckled but didn’t respond.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from the front: “Teacher Liufei! You forgot to take your luggage. Don’t just fly out of the car suddenly.”

…Who?

The familiar name made Jian Mingzhou snap back, suddenly looking at the caught Duan Tingfang in front of him: Liufei!?

It’s you! The unapologetic dove spirit of the Qixi Festival!!

The editors on the opposite side quickly noticed the subtle atmosphere among the three of them, “Oh, Deputy Editor Jian. Teacher Liufei, do you guys know each other?… And who is this?”

Duan Tingfang looked to the sky and said, “Student, a student’s parent.”

“Ah?!”

The connections were hard to explain for a moment.

Xiaolu and the others had also come over, lurking in the darkness. They were watching Jian Mingzhou and Xie Jing while observing Duan Tingfang. Trying to extract new information from this big love triangle…

The whole scene was chaotic.

Jian Mingzhou took a deep breath, trying to take control, when a voice suddenly came, “Oh, it’s you?”

Xiaoling walked out from behind.

Mouth open, exuding a kind of earth-shattering momentum, “You’re the one who said you like me…”

Xie Jing’s gaze went straight over. Xiaoling tapped his forehead with a pen and said, “Qingshou, I won’t forget this time.”

“…”

“…”

“Mingzhou. Teacher.”

The awkward situation ended with the editor on the opposite side.

Editor Wei came out to take charge, “Let’s get to know each other.” He introduced everyone one by one, and finally, it was Xie Jing’s turn, “And this is…?”

Three voices sounded simultaneously.

Jian Mingzhou, “Living in my house…”

Duan Tingfang, “My student, his family.”

Xie Jing, “An extra guest.”

The three-layered explanation left Editor Wei silent.

After a while, he waved his hand nonchalantly and said, “Well… knowing each other is enough. Okay, let’s go into the hotel.”

—

The two groups of people entered the hotel in a grand manner.

Jian Mingzhou and Xie Jing were at the back, along with Duan Tingfang.

Just as he was about to pick up his luggage, Xie Jing bent down and took it. “Let me do it.”

The night breeze moved his sleeves, and his forearm swelled.

After the chaotic and noisy voices drifted away from the front, Xie Jing’s presence became warm and vivid again.

Jian Mingzhou shook his head slightly, feeling like he should have been shocked by Xie Jing’s appearance. However, due to Duan Tingfang’s sudden arrival, it strangely made him feel that Xie Jing’s presence was so natural.

At this moment, Duan Tingfang was still snapping pictures beside them.

Jian Mingzhou glanced at him.

Thinking back to the evenly arranged Gobang board and the posture that disregarded life and death, as well as the always-present capture of the horse formation…

Everything seemed to have a trace.

As he was looking at people, Xie Jing suddenly spoke:

“Teacher Duan is holding multiple roles.”

“…”

Duan Tingfang paused and put down the camera gracefully. “Hmph, you don’t understand. Being a school doctor is also for gathering materials. Think about it, university campus, sports field, passionate youth!”

Jian Mingzhou glanced at him sideways. Wait a minute, could he be the real—

“You’re a shonen manga artist?”

“No.” Duan Tingfang showed him the photos.

Behind the stands, beside the playground, the corners of the corridor… Jian Mingzhou’s eyelids jumped. This is serious; there’s even a new corner under the office desk.

A surge of inexplicable familiarity washed over him.

Duan Tingfang, proud of himself, says, “I am a Shoujo manga artist.”

Jian Mingzhou and Xie Jing raised their heads:!!

The person in front was still basking in the spring sunshine.

The two turned and left. Xie Jing’s voice sounded in the blurry night,

“Uncle, I don’t quite understand the ‘world of adults.'”

“That’s not the world of adults.”

Jian Mingzhou corrected gently, “That’s another world.”

…

The hot spring hotel had a Chinese-style design.

Upon entering, a long corridor twisted and turned.

Vases and calligraphy were placed at the corners, and there were delicate artificial mountains next to the outdoor corridor.

They had booked two large rooms.

The two editorial teams shared a room, divided into male and female dorms.

Jian Mingzhou pushed open the door, revealing a spacious room at a glance. Because there were many people, several piles of bedding rolls were prepared, and everyone slept on the floor.

It felt like a graduation trip from student days.

Xiaoling and the others had already started tidying up.

Xie Jing carried his luggage inside and then grabbed a roll of bedding, moving to a corner away from them to start making his bed. Jian Mingzhou followed behind.

Xia Ye turned his head and said, “… Jian Mingzhou, why are you making your bed so far away? Don’t stray from the main group.”

Xie Jing kept his eyes down, not raising his head. “Editor Xia, do you sleep honestly? You won’t kick Uncle, will you?”

Reasonable. Jian Mingzhou glanced vigilantly.

Xia Ye suddenly choked, “No!”

The bedding was reluctantly moved a bit closer.

While Xie Jing was making his bed, with his long arms and legs, his movements were neat and skilled. Jian Mingzhou was silently watching when a cool sound suddenly came next to his ear:

“You’ve got no dignity; let people make your bed for you…”

He shook! Turning his head, he saw Xia Ye with a deep gaze.

Jian Mingzhou belatedly realized:

At home, it was always Xie Jing doing things, and he had actually gotten used to this lazy lifestyle!

He turned awkwardly and said, “Xiao Jing, I’ll do it myself.”

“It’s already done.” Xie Jing finished making the bed in a few quick moves, then stood up and said, “Uncle, do you want to come to my room?”

 The reflections on the lenses behind Jian Mingzhou became sharper.

He took the opportunity to escape and said, “Let me check it out.”

—

Xie Jing’s room was not far from theirs.

Turning down a corridor, it was a separate room.

Upon entering, it was quite spacious.

The warm light was soft and bright, there was a private bathroom, and the bed was already made.

Jian Mingzhou was looking around when Xie Jing leaned against the doorway and casually said, “Uncle, do you want to sleep here with me?”

His heart skipped a beat, turning his head. “Why?”

Xie Jing curved his lips, looking very natural. “There are so many people over there; it’s easy not to sleep well.”

The room door was half-open at the moment.

The atmosphere seemed secretive yet casual. Jian Mingzhou’s heartbeat accelerated slightly; steadying himself, he said, “It’s okay; team-building is about having fun together.”

Xie Jing just made a low sound of acknowledgment.

After some time, he was about to suggest going for dinner when he heard a soft voice say, “Are we having a late-night chat? With Editor Xia, and also with your favorite teacher, Xiaoling.”

What favorite…!

Although it was his favorite, saying it out loud felt oddly wrong.

Jian Mingzhou suppressed that subtle feeling and said, “Yes, and also with our beloved school doctor, Teacher Duan.”

“…” Xie Jing, “Forget about him.”

The room tour was over.

Just as Jian Mingzhou received a call from Qian Qian, and since Xie Jing hadn’t eaten yet, he invited him to join for dinner.

Dinner was buffet-style.

By the time they arrived, others were already inside.

In the bright hall, the buffet tables were arranged with abundant dishes, with large and small tables interspersed.

Jian Mingzhou was looking for a seat when suddenly Xiaoling called him, “Mingzhou, do you want to sit with me?” He turned his head and saw Xiaoling pulling out a chair gracefully.

“…”

His pupils trembled: …This guy is really good at being a male PR!

Xie Jing’s gaze followed.

Jian Mingzhou looked at the chair, feeling that sitting on it directly would be too weird. Trying to be as natural as possible, he invited Xie Jing, “Xiao Jing, let’s go sit over there together.”

Xie Jing’s gaze shifted, and after two seconds, he gave a casual “Hmm.”

Jian Mingzhou sat across from Xiaoling.

In the middle, he conveniently grabbed Xia Ye, who was passing by, and placed him next to the table.

A square table was instantly filled.

Jian Mingzhou took a seat and realized: Xia Ye on the left, Xie Jing on the right, and Xiaoling across from him.

He felt a slight pause. …What’s going on? It feels like everyone’s buffed up.

Xia Ye and Xie Jing sat face-to-face. Xia Ye pushed his glasses with a smile, and Xie Jing also curled his lips. Jian Mingzhou faced Xiaoling, feeling a bit nervous as a fan.

Only Xiaoling seemed unaffected and said, “I just found out you’re an editor; next time, just come to me directly for an autograph.”

Jian Mingzhou said, “It’s okay, I can wait.”

“Hmm? Why?”

Xia Ye chuckled. “Oh, Mingzhou said that, to get you to feel the sincerity and motivation, he has to personally wait for you.”

Xiaoling was instantly moved!

He grabbed the tomato sauce on the table, shook it casually, and signed a name on a slice of bread, then handed it over. “Too thoughtful~ Exclusive autograph for you, Mingzhou—”

The bread arrived, with the bright red “Mingzhou” on it.

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

It’s so strange!… but I can’t help but want it!

He said, “Thank you,” and took out his phone to take a picture. Turning his head, he saw Xie Jing supporting his head, also holding some tomato sauce and spreading something on the bread.

Jian Mingzhou turned to him, and on the bread was a sloppy little dog. He felt a sudden movement in his heart: …So cute!

“Xiao Jing, let me take a picture too.”

He took a picture, and just as he turned around, the bread was handed to his mouth.

Xie Jing asked casually, “Do you want a bite?” He handed it over so naturally that Jian Mingzhou took a bite. Xie Jing’s gaze fell on the corner of his lips, and his eyelashes flickered.

After he finished, he met Xie Jing’s gaze and asked, “…What?”

“Tomato sauce.”

“…” Jian Mingzhou fell silent, turned his head, and grabbed some tissues.

As he turned away, Xie Jing casually put down the slice of bread. Across from them, Xiaoling seemed to be lost in thought, touching his chin.

Xia Ye sneered, “Cunning dog.”

—

After a dinner full of hidden currents,.

By now, it was not early.

Everyone prepared to go back for a wash, gather in the men’s dorm to play games, and then go to the hot springs tomorrow.

Xie Jing had a separate room and went to take a bath first.

The hot spring hotel had a well-equipped public bath.

Jian Mingzhou finished bathing, changed into pajamas, waited for a while, and then Qian Qian and the others came over with snacks.

“Disturbance ah!!!”

“Do you want to play team-building games?”

Board games, cards, and snacks are scattered all over.

Jian Mingzhou found a place to sit, and Qian Qian looked around, sitting down and asking, “Deputy Editor, where’s that… Xiao Jing?”

…How did Xiao Jing become “that.”?

“‘That’ is… he should still be in the shower.”

“Younger, big wolf dog, huh?” Qian Qian smirked, took the opportunity to lean in, and asked in a low voice, “Deputy Editor, honestly, is he chasing after you?”

Jian Mingzhou’s heart skipped a beat, and his expression remained unchanged, “He referred to our travel itinerary.”

Qian Qian looked at him with a side-eye and said, “Hehehe…”

Nearby, the others had already started bustling: Xiao Fu was making a team spirit sign for the editorial department, Duan Tingfang was engaging in a battle of wits with Editor Wei, and Xiaoling was lazily yawning.

Xiaolu stood up and suggested, “Since we’re all authors and editors, how about playing a few rounds of scene improv?”

“Sure, let’s wait until everyone is here.”

“Deputy Editor, may I ask how long Xiao Jing will take to come?”

Jian Mingzhou was caught off guard by the cue, responded with a sound, and sent a message to Xie Jing.

【Mingzhou】: Xiao Jing, how long until you come over? ^▽^

【Jing】: I’m here ^^

Almost as soon as he received the reply, there was a knock on the door. “Knock, knock” twice.

Editor Wei called out, “Just come in!”

With a rustling sound—

The door opened, and Xie Jing was wearing the same style of pajamas. His freshly washed hair fell over his eyebrows, one hand lazily in his pocket, and the collar slightly open.

Jian Mingzhou was suddenly stunned.

Xie Jing’s gaze fell on him, and it seemed to pause for a moment.

The whole room fell silent.

In the quiet, the sound of inhaling could be faintly heard. Jian Mingzhou snapped back to reality and saw Qian Qian opening her mouth again. The familiar scene made him instantly alert! He stood up and rushed out.

He pushed Xie Jing aside and closed the door behind him with a bang!

Jian Mingzhou acted decisively, “Cover your ears.”

The next moment, the warm and large palm obediently covered his ears.

Jian Mingzhou raised his head suddenly, “?”

Before he could correct it, a deafening explosion erupted from the room behind him.

“Ah ah ah ah ah—!!!”

His pupils trembled: …What’s the point of covering only his ears?