The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 205

As soon as those words left his mouth, both of them froze.

Lin Zhen lifted his head and widened his eyes at Jian Fu. Jian Fu was equally stunned, fumbling to cover it up. “Just eat your meal. I won’t scare you anymore.”

After saying that, Jian Fu’s gaze darted around nervously, and he quietly pulled back the arm he had braced against Lin Zhen’s waist.

Lin Zhen pressed his lips together, lifted the blanket, and sat up.

He was wearing an oversized, loose T-shirt that was incredibly soft, doubling as sleepwear.

At that moment, the T-shirt was wrinkled and rumpled from being pressed against the bed. As Lin Zhen sat up, the hem stayed rolled up, revealing a small patch of fair, smooth skin on his waist.

Maybe the earlier words had been too much, but both of them behaved themselves after that, as if afraid the situation might spiral completely out of control.

Lin Zhen said, “Get off my bed first. No eating on the bed.”

Jian Fu slowly slid off the bed, leaving an impression on the blanket where he’d been sitting.

The room had a table and two chairs, so the two of them moved there.

They sat by the table, a classic film playing in front of them, and shared the packed meal.

Lin Zhen barely tasted the food. His mind kept replaying the earlier scene on a loop, so much so that he felt like he was stuck in a trance.

Why would Jian Fu say something like that? Do straight guys even joke like this?

Jian Fu picked up a piece of spicy chicken and placed it in Lin Zhen’s bowl. Lin Zhen ate it absentmindedly, barely registering the taste.

A moment later, Jian Fu gave him a piece of braised pork. Lin Zhen glanced at it briefly before eating it, still looking preoccupied.

These were foods Lin Zhen rarely touched because of their high calorie count, but tonight he seemed to abandon all dietary restrictions, eating whatever Jian Fu gave him.

Jian Fu started piecing together a pattern.

It seemed like threatening to feed Lin Zhen with his mouth actually worked. Lin Zhen would obediently eat after that.

But Lin Zhen being too obedient left Jian Fu feeling a little disappointed. Of course, he hadn’t meant to follow through, but still, couldn’t Lin Zhen leave him just a sliver of opportunity?

By the time they finished the meal, the movie hadn’t even reached its halfway point.

Lin Zhen set down his chopsticks and rubbed his stomach. “I’m so full.”

Jian Fu gathered up the empty meal boxes and tossed them into the trash.

“Alright, now you can rest.”

Lin Zhen rolled his eyes. “How can you sleep right after eating? Aren’t you afraid of indigestion?”

Jian Fu, who wasn’t tired, replied, “I’m just worried you might be.”

Lin Zhen raised his chin, gesturing toward the bathroom. “Go take a shower first. And don’t wear pants on my bed next time.”

Feeling a bit dismissed, Jian Fu pouted but obediently grabbed a towel and went to take a shower.

While Jian Fu was in the bathroom, Lin Zhen did some post-meal stretches in the room’s open space. Taking advantage of the moment, he also gave Li Rong a call.

“Class monitor, how’s the project coming along?”

Li Rong teased, “Oh, you’re still free to call me even though you’re living with Jian Fu?”

Lin Zhen’s cheeks warmed slightly, and he stammered, “Huh… how did you know we’re living together?”

Li Rong chuckled lightly. “Of course, it’s because Young Master Jian reported this happy news to Cen Xiao right away.”

Lin Zhen’s face flushed even more. In a small voice, he said, “Class Monitor, stop teasing me. What happy news?”

Li Rong didn’t elaborate. “As long as you two can take care of each other, that’s what matters.”

Lin Zhen hesitated before murmuring, “…Class Monitor, are you and Cen Xiao still pretending to not get along?”

Li Rong replied casually, “During the holidays, we relax a bit. Fewer people are watching, and even if they are, it doesn’t bother us. We’re used to it.”

Lin Zhen said, “But how can you get used to that? You two used to be so close.”

Li Rong couldn’t explain the events of their past lives to Lin Zhen, so he just said, “You wouldn’t understand—it’s a kind of fun.”

Lin Zhen blinked in confusion, then shyly said, “If you put it like that, then… I guess I get it.”

Li Rong burst out laughing. “Figured as much. In your line of work, you’ll learn things quickly… Why’s Jian Fu so quiet?”

Lin Zhen hurriedly replied, “He’s in the shower.”

“Oh?” Li Rong let out a meaningful sigh. “Alright, I won’t disturb you two anymore.”

“Okay, bye-bye.” Lin Zhen hung up the call, still a little dazed. It took him sitting on the bed for a while to realize what Li Rong had meant.

His face flushed crimson as he rubbed his cheeks, but he couldn’t exactly protest the Class Monitor’s implications with any real conviction.

“You were calling the giant panda?” Jian Fu emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.

Steam escaped from the frosted glass door, clinging to the room’s air, while droplets of water slid down Jian Fu’s defined abs.

Lin Zhen glanced up at Jian Fu, then immediately turned his head away. “Why didn’t you put on proper clothes before coming out?”

Jian Fu looked down at himself. “I wrapped this towel pretty well, didn’t I? Besides, we’re both guys. I’m not shy about people looking.”

Lin Zhen was rendered speechless by his logic.

Grinning cheekily, Jian Fu walked over. “And anyway, you’re not a girl. What’s there to be shy about? Changing clothes in the bathroom is just too much trouble.”

Lin Zhen: “…”

The truth was, under the lighting, the water droplets clinging to Jian Fu’s body were a little dazzling.

And now that he was full from dinner, he wasn’t feeling all that sleepy anymore.

Lin Zhen tried his best to ignore Jian Fu’s admittedly impressive physique. Clearing his throat, he said seriously, “Since we can’t sleep right now, help me rehearse my lines.”

His scenes didn’t start until midday the next day, so he had some time in the morning to prepare, but now that he couldn’t sleep, it seemed like a good opportunity.

Jian Fu’s eyes lit up with curiosity. He was always intrigued by things he hadn’t experienced before. “I don’t know how to act, though. Is that okay?”

Lin Zhen nodded. “It’s fine. Just read the lines for the other character. I’ll do the acting.”

Lin Zhen rummaged through his bag, pulled out his script, and tossed it to Jian Fu. “Take a look first.”

Jian Fu flipped to the marked page and was immediately struck by a bold, highlighted stage direction: “A passionate kiss, completely engrossed, oblivious to approaching footsteps.”

“This… this… Are you sure I can help with this?” Jian Fu felt like fireworks were going off in his brain—colorful and chaotic.

He had never seen a script before and hadn’t expected it to be so explicit and intense.

Lin Zhen frowned and leaned over to glance at the page. “What are you looking at? Tomorrow’s scene is between the male and female leads. I’m playing the female lead’s younger brother, who walks in on them. The highlighted lines are mine.”

Jian Fu finally noticed the character labels and felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on him, instantly sobering him up.

Oh, so the kiss was between the male and female leads.

Jian Fu asked, “So whose lines am I reading?”

Lin Zhen pointed. “The female lead’s, of course. Most of my lines are with her.”

In the story, the male and female leads came from feuding families, and Lin Zhen’s character, the younger brother, saw the male lead as an enemy. When he accidentally caught them in an intimate moment, he was first shocked, then angry and disappointed, leading to a heated argument with his sister. This scene also introduced a key subplot.

Jian Fu hesitated. “So I have to play a girl?”

Lin Zhen replied matter-of-factly, “What else?”

Jian Fu: “…”

Jian Fu: “Alright, fine. My precious first time rehearsing lines goes to you.”

Lin Zhen immediately switched into character, his expression shifting to one of disbelief, his eyes brimming with shock and anger. “Sister, what are you doing?!”

Jian Fu glanced down at the script, reading the lines with zero emotion. “Brother, I… nervously, blushing, this is exactly what it looks like. I like him.”

Lin Zhen’s eyelids trembled slightly, his jaw tightening as his fists clenched. His tone was filled with disappointment. “Do you even know what you’re saying?”

Jian Fu, completely detached, continued reading. “I know. Gradually calming down. But there’s a lot you don’t understand.”

Lin Zhen had to forcibly pull himself out of the emotions of the scene. Tilting his head in exasperation, he scrutinized Jian Fu. “Try to sound shyer. My sister would definitely feel embarrassed, nervous, and awkward if I caught her like that.”

Jian Fu felt helpless. “Big star, do you remember that I don’t know how to act? And besides, what’s there to be shy about? It’s just a kiss. How is it any of her brother’s business if she’s dating someone? I don’t get it.”

Lin Zhen explained patiently, “It’s set in ancient times. Girls back then were generally more reserved and introverted.”

Jian Fu stared at the female lead’s lines with a pitiful expression. “How am I supposed to understand how ancient girls felt? It’s a miracle if I can even read this out loud.”

Lin Zhen shook his head and suddenly pressed his hands on Jian Fu’s shoulders, leaning in close. His nose brushed against Jian Fu’s, and his lips barely skimmed Jian Fu’s, stopping just a centimeter short of touching.

Even so, the proximity was enough for them to feel each other’s warmth and breath.

Jian Fu’s eyes widened, staring into Lin Zhen’s clear almond-shaped eyes and long lashes. Lin Zhen was so close that their shampoo scents mixed together, indistinguishable from one another.

Especially Lin Zhen’s lips—rosy and soft, carrying a hint of coconut fragrance that made Jian Fu’s mind spin.

Jian Fu, with his bare upper body, felt Lin Zhen’s hand firmly resting on his shoulder. If he took just one step forward, he could wrap his arms around Lin Zhen’s waist, kiss those alluring lips, and lose themselves in the privacy of the hotel room.

His heart pounded wildly, his breaths grew ragged, and visible warmth spread across his neck and cheeks. His mouth went dry as his thoughts raced.

Just as Jian Fu was about to give in to his emotions, his hand nearly reaching for Lin Zhen’s waist, Lin Zhen abruptly pulled back.

Lin Zhen exhaled softly and glanced at Jian Fu’s reddened ears, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “That’s the kind of shy, flustered, and awkward feeling I meant. Got it now?”

For the first time, Jian Fu felt an overwhelming and complicated surge of emotions, as if his heart were a jar of mixed spices—sweet, sour, and everything in between. He didn’t know how to react.

A part of him had the urge to throw caution to the wind, to push Lin Zhen down and finish what had been left undone.

But Lin Zhen had already snapped back into work mode. “Let’s keep going. ‘Sister, what are you doing?’”

The small ember in Jian Fu’s heart refused to die down, and he had a feeling it would burn there for a long time.

Watching how quickly Lin Zhen moved on, Jian Fu felt a pang of dissatisfaction.

Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around Lin Zhen’s waist and toppled him onto the bed. Tossing the script aside, he looked down at Lin Zhen’s startled and bewildered expression, smirking mischievously. “Don’t be mad, little brother. If you don’t want me kissing him, I can kiss you instead.”

Playing along with the script but now improvising wildly, Jian Fu planted a kiss on Lin Zhen’s cheek.

Lin Zhen froze as warmth spread across his face. His breath hitched, his eyes wavered, and his hand rested against Jian Fu’s chest. “You…” he stammered, his mind scrambled. Jian Fu’s skin felt scalding against his palm, and in a flustered voice, he snapped, “Who said you could change the lines like that?!”

Jian Fu made no effort to move, keeping his hand firmly on Lin Zhen’s waist. With a defiant tone, he replied, “I’m not a professional actor. It’s normal for me to mess up the lines. Is little brother still angry? Does older sister need to explain more?”

Lin Zhen laid pinned beneath him, his messy hair scattered across the pillow. His oversized T-shirt had slipped off one shoulder, exposing smooth skin.

One knee was bent, the other leg dangling off the edge of the bed, with a slipper precariously hanging from his foot. He struggled to push Jian Fu off, unable to find the leverage he needed.

Out of breath, Lin Zhen said through gritted teeth, “Jian Fu, stop messing around!”

But Jian Fu, undeterred, leaned closer and grinned. “Unexpected situations test an actor’s skills, right? What’s wrong, big star? Afraid to act this out?”