After a while, Song Yi let out a relieved sigh and reached for a damp towel from the coffee table, dabbing at his lips. A hint of crimson blood caught his eye, triggering a dull ache. It must have been Gu Xingchuan’s blood.

He couldn’t comprehend it. There was typically a rationale behind people’s actions. Shen Li kissed him, so logically, Gu Xingchuan should have retaliated by forcefully kissing Shen Li. So why did he forcefully kiss him instead?

Turning off the TV with the remote, Song Yi took a deep breath and said, “Whatever your intentions, whether it was enjoying being with me or struggling with your feelings for Shen Li, now that Shen Li’s back, we should go back to the way before.”

Gu Xingchuan touched his grazed lips, giving Song Yi a penetrating look. He turned his face away indifferently and retorted. “I disagree.”

Song Yi held his forehead to calm down and asked. “What do you want?”

Gu Xingchuan asked softly, “Is Shen Li that remarkably good?”

Song Yi was momentarily taken aback, utterly perplexed. “If you like Shen Li too, you must know his good qualities.” He replied.

Gu XIngchuan’s breath hitched for a moment, and he clenched his lips tightly, suppressing the unease in his heart. He offered a faint smile as he said, “Of course I do. I know him better than you do.”

Standing up, he rested his hands on Song Yi’s shoulders, causing the latter to flinched slightly and leaned back.

“Thanks for your hospitality. I’m quite satisfied.” Gu Xingchuan remarked, licking the blood off his lips with a lingering taste, his expression somewhat somber.

With that said, he walked away without even looking back. Song Yi stared expressionlessly at his retreating figure, exhaling softly.

Despite being forcefully kissed and not yet expressing anger, Gu XIngchuan appeared to be the one discontented. What was all that about?

With only a few scenes left to shoot, Song Yi diligently wrapped up filming over the next few days. On the anniversary celebration day, Director Tang threw a farewell banquet in his honor. After two and half months of bonding, everyone found it hard to bid him farewell.

That night, he was drunk and never saw Gu Xingchuan. Out of sight, out of mind, it was also rather refreshing.

The following day, Song Yi returned to the capital where Song Jie had also come back from abroad. The long-separated family of three shared a meal. Zhao Hongyan held Song Jie in a tight embrace and both mother and daughter cried uncontrollably. Song Yi felt uneasy beside them, unsure whom to comfort.

The contract with Start Entertainment was nearing its end. During this break, he intends to finalize the termination of the contract. Following the standard termination procedure, he’ll need to wait for a one-month grace period before officially terminating the contract with Star Entertainment.

During this month, Song Yi took time off for himself, resting well and contemplating which talent agency to sign with devising his future career plans. He had been relentlessly busy in recent years, rarely having extended vacations aside from bouts of illness.

That day, Cheng Song called him and invited him to play badminton together. They used to pay during breaks, so Song Yi was thrilled and eagerly accepted the invitation.

—