HOYSE CHAPTER 60

Chapter 60 Playing With Heartbeats

Once Rong Jing’s eyes adjusted to the dark, he glanced at his watch in the moonlight. It had somehow already crept past midnight. “You sleep first.”

At that, Gu Xi climbed onto the bed with a cool expression, keeping up his aloof persona. Leaning against the headboard, he replied to Mo Dian’s anxious messages. There were almost no sights near the film city, and a bit farther out it was just highway. Over the past few years Gu Xi had been secretly photographed and tailed now and then, to the point that his nerves had become hypersensitive.

Mo Dian would not calm down until he heard Gu Xi’s voice to make sure the replies were not sent by someone else. Helpless, Gu Xi recorded a quick voice message and sent it off, in case Mo Dian really did make a scene and call the police.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Rong Jing rummaging through the wardrobe. “What are you looking for?”

“A blanket.” What kind of hotel had such poor service it did not even stock an extra one?

“…” What hotel prepares that, exactly? The corner of Gu Xi’s mouth twitched.

The situation was awkward. Rong Jing had planned to sleep on the floor, but that clearly wasn’t going to work. Fortunately, the bedroom was spacious, with a table and a pair of chairs near the window. He figured he could doze off in one of them. He was just about to get up when a quiet, steady voice drifted over. “The bed is big. It is plenty for two.”

“I toss in my sleep.” A lone Alpha and a lone Omega, not exactly appropriate.

“Oh. I thought you were saying you looked down on me.”

The sound trailed off. Gu Xi lowered his eyes, and in the blurred dark there was a hint of sadness. After finishing his little scene, he did not look to see how Rong Jing reacted. He slipped under the covers and pulled the blanket over his head.

Silent awkwardness was too lethal, striking straight at the softest part of the heart.

“It is not that. I just worry…” Sigh. Nothing he said came out right.

Rong Jing decided to prove it with actions and stopped caring about any Alpha–Omega propriety. He lifted the other side of the blanket and got into bed.

Gu Xi felt the mattress dip and the corner of his mouth tipped up.

The bed was large, and a single quilt stretched between them with a wide, cool gap of air in the middle. The chill crept in and cooled their slightly overheated heads.

The room was so quiet it felt like only their breathing existed.

Gu Xi kept his voice steady and soft, listening to the rhythm beside him. In his head he counted the time between Rong Jing’s breaths, as if that could soothe his own restless pulse.

The soundproofing was not great. They could hear Xie Ling get up in the night. Maybe they really had disturbed him earlier, because he sounded like he was checking on his brother. The handle rattled, then stopped when he discovered the door was locked from the inside.

What was he guarding against, this brat who even guarded against his own big brother? Does he have a death wish?

Hearing the lock, the two people who had not yet fallen asleep both went taut with nerves. Xie Ling did not try longer and left.

They had just relaxed when the other’s scent became clearer, seeping into every pore. Both lay very still, looking for all the world like they were asleep.

Who knew how long it was before Gu Xi decided Rong Jing’s breathing sounded even. He quietly peeled back the blanket and turned over as silently as he could.

He did not expect Rong Jing to be choosing that exact moment to change position too, to glance over and check on Gu Xi.

Their gazes met in the dark.

The room was black and still. Even their breathing lightened.

They could not really see, yet Gu Xi jerked his gaze away like he had been shocked. Before Rong Jing could think it through, Gu Xi had already rolled back. His reactions were delicate and subtle.

Rong Jing had only meant to shift, but Gu Xi’s response was a little too… something he could not name. Awkward, maybe. Like a sticky thread that snagged then would not quite break.

Rong Jing knew he had been affected by the temporary mark. After a first mark, he was like every Alpha who had marked before. Reason and want began to split. At the level of want, Gu Xi was his. Sometimes, when they were too close, looking at Gu Xi set off an impulse. When other men looked at Gu Xi, a badly timed possessiveness would flare. It was weak for now, just nibbling at his reason.

In his head he knew better. His body did not care.

According to the encyclopedia, the feeling would deepen with each subsequent mark. The one good thing was that in the novel, Gu Xi’s heat cycles were very rare. There had only been that one time in Maya City.

After that, Gu Xi’s heats seemed to fall into an endless sleep. Commenters called him a dormant volcano. If you wanted him to erupt, he had to first start burning inside.

But judging by that year-round ice and snow of his, in the original scumbag lineup only Xu Juelian who had not yet shown his true colors was treated a touch more kindly. The rest had become enemies. Wanting him to melt was not realistic.

#But the kick is the high-speed chase. Watching untouchable Gu Xi, cold as winter, forced to endure is what hits#

When Rong Jing woke, the sun was a bright glare outside.

Something soft and slick was pressed against his arm, and something weighted his calf. His thoughts had not yet caught up—

“Mm… who is it?”

The knocking had woken Gu Xi as well. He had thought he would be sleepless, but he had fallen fast asleep with unexpected ease.

He forced his eyes open and saw a forearm with clean lines and muscle, the veins raised faintly from years of training, sexily perfect.

At some point he had rolled to the other side of the bed and was pillow-cheeked against that muscle. He came fully awake, jerked his face away, let go, and sheepishly lifted his calf off Rong Jing.

Seeing Rong Jing slowly sit up too, Gu Xi ducked his head in shame and whispered, “Morning…”

If there was a hole, he wanted to crawl in.

Rong Jing did not respond. His hair was mussed from sleep, one piece sticking up. He looked even more dazed than usual.

Gu Xi noticed it immediately and lightly pressed that little cowlick down. Maybe he was not fully awake yet. Gu Xi felt like he had stumbled on a small secret and tucked it into his private treasure box.

It took a few minutes for Rong Jing’s blank gaze to gather focus. He looked straight into the face right in front of him and sucked in a breath. “Gu Xi?” To get hit with beauty the moment you woke up was hard to handle.

Gu Xi understood he was finally awake and pointed at the door to say they had been knocking a while.

Rong Jing could still feel the lingering warmth on his arm and leg. He looked away from Gu Xi’s eyes and decided to pretend he did not know. He glanced down. His clothes were on. With Gu Xi here, he had definitely not slept bare. No need to scare the little cabbage.

He went to open the door, and Gu Xi slipped instinctively to stand behind it.

“Check the time yourself. Your schedule is a mess. What is that supposed to be?” Xie Ling took one look and knew his little brother was groggy. It was not the first time he had had to wait for him to get up.

Rong Jing promised to fix it.

Xie Ling moved to leave, then noticed the rumpled bed beyond him, creased from left to right.

He knew Rong Jing’s sleep posture was excellent. He usually got up the way he had lain down. This looked nothing like that.

He remembered the locked door last night and his brother’s occasionally odd expression.

He glanced at Rong Jing, then headed for the bathroom.

Rong Jing followed to cover, and Xie Ling frowned. “Why are you squeezing in. Wait your turn.”

“No, I need to head out right now. Let me go first.” Rong Jing laughed and wheedled. Out of the corner of his eye he listened for any sound outside.

Xie Ling kept his brows knotted but resigned himself to squeezing toothpaste and setting a cup of warm water on the counter. Rotten brat. Always ordering people around.

The moment Xie Ling turned, Gu Xi slipped out from behind the door, then darted for the exit. He nearly collided with Zhou You who was coming to knock.

Ignoring Zhou You’s stunned look, Gu Xi gave him a reserved nod and vanished a second later. Zhou You had never expected their young master to turn Gu Xi into a behind-the-curtain guest. No, wrong. To win over the hardest ice crystal in the industry.

When Rong Jing was called to makeup, Xie Ling kept Zhou You behind. “Was someone in his room last night?”

Zhou You said, “You told me, from now on, everything follows the young master first.”

“I am his brother. I cannot even ask?”

“But the young master signs my checks.” Zhou You thought about it and decided that what Rong Jing had said earlier was rather reasonable.

“…” Definitely Zhou Xiang’s brother. That stubborn streak was identical.

“Was it Qi Ying?”

Seeing Zhou You’s shocked face, Xie Ling crossed that option out. With how tightly Zhou You was guarding, could it be… an Alpha?

Worried, Xie Ling walked to the unmade bed. He picked up the blanket and sniffed lightly, his face going grave.

One side was definitely his little brother’s scent. The other side…

Sweet. Soft.

One whiff, and it felt wrong.

Xie Ling said, “There is a problem.”

Zhou You thought: … President Xie, you just sniffed your little brother’s bed. The problem looks a bit bigger than you think.

---

Today was the opening ceremony for Sovereignty. A stage had been set early. Auspicious fruits, pastries, even a pig’s head covered the red-cloth tables. The show had been under a spotlight lately for many reasons, and now the director and male lead had just won international awards. There were dozens more media outlets than expected. The place was buzzing.

Fans were also gathered, penned back by barricades.

Because of the headcount cap, those present were lucky fans selected by lottery from the official account. Thanks to sheer numbers, Gu Xi’s fans dominated.

When the leads followed the director out, the shouts rose like a landslide. Someone even screamed “Gu Xi!” at the top of their lungs. Gu Xi waved toward the sea of light boards and banners. The wave roared hotter, pulling the atmosphere up with it.

Reporters swarmed for interviews, and of course the focus was on Director Liu Yu and Gu Xi. The questions had gone on for a while before someone noticed Rong Jing standing a bit to the side. They all remembered the trending topics from before. Even the film academy posts alone promised plenty to dig up on this rookie.

Now the most important thing was that the rookie’s name was tied to Gu Xi, with the tipster being the washed-out Xun Jiarui who had been cut by the production. Rumors split into extremes. Some said Gu Xi had used the casting couch on a newcomer he already knew to get him the role. Others said Gu Xi hated that kind of thing most of all and that these rumors had damaged his public image and soured him on the newcomer.

One reporter aimed right at it. “Gu Xi, there is news that because of certain false rumors, you and a certain newcomer in the production have a conflict. Is that true?”

A certain newcomer, no names given. Even so, many glanced at Rong Jing, who stood out without a word.

The fans farther back got excited.

“Wow. Going head to head.”

“Is it normal to ask this to someone’s face. I thought they just posted that stuff.”

“If they do not beat the public accounts to it, how do they eat? It is not easy being entertainment press.”

“What will Gu Xi say?”

“Honestly I was watching him and the newcomer Rong Jing from the moment they entered. It was like they treated each other like air. When their eyes did cross, it was cold. Especially when they set positions just now, I think the director told Rong Jing to stand closer, and Gu Xi’s face just dropped. It was not obvious, but there was a little rejection there. No face given.”

“Rong Jing did not push in either. He stood farther away. Seems like the new guy has some spine.”

“I noticed too. Forget casting couches. I thought they were going to fight. He looks gentle, but with that build and aura he is definitely not an Alpha to mess with.”

“I believe it. They probably are not getting along.”

“Yeah, I can feel that stranger’s chill while pretending to be fine.”

“Gu Xi must be unhappy at the rumors about the newbie. He looks really mad. Being smeared like that.”

“Who would not be. You work your *** off and then people only talk gossip. As a passerby even I think he is being wronged, while the newbie keeps clout-chaining off him.”

“Newbies have it hard too. I saw that ‘performance accident.’ To be fair, if the director confirmed him, maybe he does have potential.”

“There are plenty with means and backing who climb by manufactured ties.”

“Fans of Xun Jiarui were in the livestream just now waiting for the newbie to be kicked.”

“Either way, they cannot stand each other off set, and rumor has it there are intimate scenes on set. How do you shoot like this?”

“Right, I feel stressed for them.”

“If the newbie acts badly, Gu Xi will probably cut him right there. No one doubts Gu Xi’s professionalism. This could be a show.”

If you looked carefully, there were actually a few of Rong Jing’s fans at the back. They had sworn to keep a respectful distance from the Gu Xi-fans who spent all day imagining people throwing themselves at their idol. They were the early founders from the support group. The earlier spats had united them. They had crowdfunded their way to the lot. Hearing the talk from other fan cliques, they could only huddle together, outnumbered and anxious, and stare toward the stage where Rong Jing stood.

Gu Xi raised his mic and glanced at the reporter who had asked the sharp question. The reporter met Gu Xi’s calm gaze and felt a chill rise from his bones, like some harmless-looking creature had set its sights on him.

Gu Xi noted the logo on the mic. It was a magazine with entertainment and fashion divisions, one his new company had been trying to cultivate. Starting today, their relationships might feel a draft. He was full of flaws, very petty among them.

He blinked innocently. “What do you mean by false rumors? Sometimes I am the last to know. Every time I hear them I get this sudden revelation.”

A few actors nearby laughed in sympathy. It was true. They had all had that happen. In a few seconds the mood lightened from a tense edge to something more teasing. Gu Xi called on a few other reporters.

But that one reporter would not let go. He had been one of those tossed out of the hotel by Qi Ying last night for trying to tail Gu Xi, and he was still sore. “But today the newcomer stood so far away it was hard to get both of you in frame. Was that because you do not like him?”

Gu Xi looked genuinely taken aback, then smiled in exasperation. “I have been following the director around this whole time. I was not paying attention to the other actors.”

The people around thought he was being ridiculous. Would Gu Xi really lower himself to make a point on a small matter like that and he was known for lifting up juniors. It did not fit.

When the mic came to Rong Jing, the reporter went sharp again.

Rong Jing was modest, as if he did not hear the trap. “As a newcomer I am grateful to the director for the chance. I will do my best. I am also very grateful for Senior Gu’s guidance. I hope I do not let him down.”

They even exchanged a civil glance, then moved their eyes away.

To calm the rumors, the newbie had praised Gu Xi on purpose. People present gave the rookie a few approving looks. Whatever else, knowing how to handle people counted.

That answer was boring to the reporters who had come to score an exclusive. Same old boilerplate. Still, it was clear that neither the top-tier Gu Xi nor the newcomer intended to drag conflict into the open. That was the unspoken rule. A rookie trying to rise would try to tie themselves to a senior, and if the senior refused, that alone was a story. Now it would be a waiting game to see who could catch something later.

After they stepped down, the producer saw Xie Ling standing not far away, face cold as he watched. The man had just multiplied the investment. A walking god of wealth. The kind who played in entertainment for fun. The producer hurried over. “What a surprise. You should have spoken on stage.”

“Just came to look.”

He almost told him to keep an eye on his brother, then thought better of it. If he said that, his brother would pitch a fit. There was a fire in Rong Jing’s heart. He wanted to prove himself and be recognized.

When the producer walked him to the car, Xie Ling pointed subtly at someone.

“Replace him.” Now that he was sure the person in his brother’s room was not Qi Ying, there was no reason to keep that person here.

The producer looked back and saw Qi Ying flirting with a deputy director. “Of course. He will not be on set tomorrow.” He had never seen an investor remove someone rather than insert someone. But a sponsor’s request had to be met.

While Gu Xi was on stage, he felt a little heat on the back of his neck. It faded after a bit. When the ceremony ended, the director shot the first scene for the media as promised. The set had to be cleared. The fans trickled off. Most reporters took their fresh interviews and went to draft their pieces.

They had planned to wait until the formal first-day shoot tomorrow, but because of the negative buzz they decided to start with Rong Jing’s first scene now. Liu Yu picked a few more neutral media accounts. He did not need praise, only fairness.

The story was about the seventh prince, Zhao Hua, who grew up humiliated and swore to rise above all. He hid his edge and after being betrayed by his childhood sweetheart, the grand chancellor’s son, he trusted no one. By chance he found the brilliant mind of a young eunuch near death, Fu Qianming, and drew him close. The two loved and fought each other through schemes upon schemes until Zhao Hua cut a bloody path to the throne.

In this scene, Fu Qianming has been in the palace for six years. The imperial concubine he served, Xiang-pin, is found poisoned in a side hall. She had only entered the palace recently, but her voice was like a yellow warbler and the emperor doted on her.

Her easy poisoning, staged as a hanging, enraged the emperor.

Everyone who handled her meals, from lowly eunuch to first-class lady-in-waiting, seven in total, was rounded up. Ordinarily they would all be put to death, but the emperor thought that if one could poison a concubine, one could poison him. The key was to find the hand behind it and the method.

The seven were gathered and questioned. Two were beaten to death first as an example. The rest panicked and accused each other. The lowest in rank, Fu Qianming, became the target. With no way to prove himself, he was about to become the

Alludes to the Chinese idiom "杀鸡儆猴" (shā jī jǐng hóu),
which means "kill the chicken to scare the monkey."
Basically punishing someone (often a minor figure)
as a warning to others. In this context,
Fu Qianming is about to be made the third example. third chicken.

They would start with the accusations. The production had moved to a painted courtyard. The setting was lovely. Koi broke the surface now and then. Cameras were set, dolly tracks laid, actors in their marks.

Rong Jing glanced at the three camera positions and thought through his blocking. His hand hidden in the costume trembled faintly. Days of intensive training had cured the worst of his shiver in front of a lens, but being perfectly free still took time.

He closed his eyes and flexed his damp palm, ignoring the media and accounts waiting to see a show. The assistant director said, “Ready? If you are, go. Everyone is waiting on you.”

Rong Jing tried to relax and stepped in.

Gu Xi’s cool voice sounded. “Then let me say this plainly. A drama belongs to everyone. Your role is very important. If you cannot carry it, neither the director’s team nor the rest of us can keep you.”

Two rookies ready to replace him were standing beside the AD. They lit up and stared at Gu Xi. Gu Xi stayed as distant as ever.

The accounts buzzed. Live material. So it had just been polite on stage. The real show was here. Gu Xi’s one line set them aflame.

Director Liu Yu was the most surprised. He was the only one who knew the truth. Were they really falling out.

Rong Jing looked at Gu Xi. They did not speak, but he heard the words in his eyes: Look at me. Do not care about anyone else. You only need to focus on me.

He glared like a rookie swallowing insult, banked anger in his eyes. In the crackle of that stare, no one noticed that his hands stopped shaking.

The clapboard snapped. “Action.”

Two fresh corpses lay to the side. A head eunuch with a face like a chopping block glared at the four shaking survivors. His sharp voice cut the air. “These two refused to talk. Hard-mouthed. Are your mouths as hard?”

The others immediately shoved blame back and forth. Only the mute-looking young eunuch lifted dazed eyes.

There was not a trace of Alpha in him. On the contrary, it was as if his edge had been removed. He was a soft-shaded youth. Earlier even with makeup, he still carried force. Now, with a delicate shift, the yang had been erased.

People found themselves pulled to the change. Once Rong Jing dropped into the role, his aura changed in an instant. He had no lines yet. Just the panic in his gaze, the way he could not get the words out, trying several times and getting cut off, the sweat slipping from his brow, the flush that came from fear rather than health, all painted Fu Qianming completely.

When everyone pointed, Fu Qianming’s tears brimmed. He crawled on his knees to the head eunuch, stammering, “N-no, not me, I did not…”

The head eunuch gave him a contemptuous look and motioned for the bench.

Crack, crack, crack.

The heavy rattan landed on flesh.

They all knew it was not real, yet watching the figure bowed over the bench made your palms sweat, like you were feeling his pain. Fu Qianming’s fists clenched. Veins rose at his temple. He mumbled “spare me” around the pain.

Sweat dripped from his lashes. One drop. Two.

Just a single line, but his body told the story with real force. When the caning ended, the day’s questioning was over. The survivors and the half-dead Fu Qianming were dragged back to the Zongren Office’s cells.

A few eunuchs whispered, “The others I do not know, but that one on the bench, green as grass.”

The head eunuch heard them. If the brat really knew something, he would have spilled like the rest to save his skin.

He said coldly, “In the palace, no one is innocent. Understand?”

They muttered yes.

When the invited accounts finally stepped outside, they could breathe again. The scene had been a jolt. No one had dropped the ball. The veterans were all precise, especially the newcomer, Rong Jing. Not only did he not drag them down, he made you want more. When he was on, you could not look away. Compared to that accident before, it was like he was a different person.

Who would not be stunned by that contrast.

They were sure the broadcast would stun even more.

The show’s costumes and props were meticulous, and the acting they had just seen had teeth. With a popular original novel behind it, the heat would not be low. They were already itching to write, but they still had to finesse their wording to hook the audience best.

Most of the crew had not seen Rong Jing act during auditions. They had heard things and thought he had a back door. Watching him in person shocked them. Rong Jing glanced at Liu Yu. The director had been the most worried, knowing how bad his issue was. If the first scene bombed, he would not know how to answer for it. Luckily, Rong Jing had turned in a satisfying answer. Even the assistant director, who had been against him, cracked a smile.

Rong Jing knew Gu Xi deserved much of the credit for burning the tremor out of him so fast. He looked to where Gu Xi had been and found no one there.

All he saw was Gu Xi hurrying away. He had just sat down when Zhou You handed him a phone. In WeChat were two words Gu Xi had just sent: Come now.

Then a location pin.

Rong Jing reached the restrooms and saw a few not-so-unfamiliar faces coming in the distance. The reporters from earlier interviews. To avoid being seen, he darted into Men Ω (O). In the heat-cycle stall he found Gu Xi burning up, pale flushed to pink, an inhibitor in his hand.

Gu Xi’s scent was about to tear through the blocker and bleed into the air. The second he sensed Rong Jing, he threw himself forward. Their weight slammed the door. Gu Xi’s hand fell to the lock.

“Hurry. It is back again…”

He leaned his head on Rong Jing’s shoulder, struggling to speak.

At that moment, two entertainment reporters strolled into Men Ω chatting and laughing. They were only a few steps away.

---

PREVIOUS           TOC           NEXT