Chapter 23.2 (1/2)
Deep in the Act
Translator: Kotoni
Editor: Isalee
First Published on Chaleuria
Note: Due to a series of unfortunate IRL events (exam, illness, etc.) the release for DITA Chapters 24.1 and 24.2 may be delayed. There will be no release tomorrow, but I will work hard to release both chapters on Sunday at the usual time! (Please wish me luck QAQ) As always, thank you all for loving DITA ♥
Chapter 23.2
How long would it take to go through a single cigarette? Three minutes, or maybe five? In the end, however, the door opened from the inside with a beep before Chen Hsin could even finish off his first cig. Wu Rong's voice drifted through the gap in the doorway, ”… listen to your big brother, don't be such a fool.”
Then Wu Rong appeared and closed the door behind himself. Chen Hsin did not expect the practice to be over so soon. In a split second, with his cigarette b.u.t.t forgotten between his fingers, he came face to face with Wu Rong. He thought he would be the one to fire the first shot, but Wu Rong went on the offensive before he did. Fuming, the other man jabbed a finger in his face and bellowed, ”What the h.e.l.l are you doing here?” He shoved Chen Hsin with the full brunt of his strength. ”I'm talking to you! What the f***ing h.e.l.l are you doing here?!”
Chen Hsin staggered backwards, glaring at Wu Rong in outrage and disbelief. But Wu Rong did not back off; instead, he strode forward and gave him another shove. ”Stay away from him and stop bothering him from now on!”
Wu Rong kept shoving, again and again, forcing Chen Hsin to back away down the long corridor. After being pushed along for eight or nine meters, Chen Hsin finally managed to fight back. Mustering all his strength, he threw a punch at Wu Rong's chin, only to be caught with little effort by the other man. Wu Rong sneered at him with open scorn. ”I know what you're like - you're the kind who's just out to have fun.” His flippant jeering took on an edge of thuggish ferocity. ”You wanna play? Make sure you look for the right 'uns. Don't get ahead of yourself! You lay a finger on this one,” - he jabbed a thumb at room 3705 - ”no matter what it takes, even if it costs me everything, I'll f***ing kill you!”
Chen Hsin mulled over Wu Rong's threats and found no trace of any aggressive intent to pillage and plunder. The sentiment that pervaded his words, Chen Hsin realized, was much closer to protectiveness. ”Your practice didn't last too long,” he changed the topic out of the blue. ”You sure you'll be okay for tomorrow?”
At this, Wu Rong's gaze began to flicker. They did not manage to practice at all. After being sent out of the bed, b.u.t.t-naked, he retreated to the couch in defeat. ”Zhun-er, you and what's-his-face…” Subdued and wary with apprehension, he asked, ”Are the two of you… like that?”
Zhang Zhun did not reply. Wu Rong knew him well; his silence was precise proof that something was not right. ”Yesterday, at the KTV lounge… how could you let him do that to you?!” He was truly anxious for Zhang Zhun now. His face scrunched up in genuine distress as he continued, ”In films like these, with all that stripping and kissing, it's not a big deal if a dude and a girl get carried away, you know. Who cares if they end up s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g each other for real? But you - you're both men… He's a player. He can afford to fool around, but can you?”
Zhang Zhun remained silent. ”Break it off,” Wu Rong persuaded, ”while nothing serious has happened yet.”
After a quiet pause, Zhang Zhun muttered in reply, ”It's not that big a deal. Neither of us is like that. I'm not that kind of person, and neither is he. Everything will be fine once the film is over.”
”Those are your words.” Wu Rong pressed him for a vow. ”Stay put. No one cares what goes on in your heart as long as you don't act on any of it.” He knew Zhang Zhun far too well: don't act on it - nothing would ever happen if Chen Hsin kept his distance and stopped hara.s.sing him.
”F*** off!” Wu Rong snarled at Chen Hsin, ”It's none of your business.” With one last provocative shove, he pushed Chen Hsin out of his way and swaggered towards the elevator.
Chen Hsin stared at Wu Rong's domineering, arrogant back, until a sudden burning sensation in his fingertips returned him to his senses. He reflexively unclenched his hand. He had forgotten that he was still holding his half-smoked cigarette between his fingers. The cigarette b.u.t.t was lying on the carpeted floor now, while wisps of smoke rose soundlessly into the air. A trashcan stood opposite room 3705. He picked up the cigarette b.u.t.t and walked over to dispose of it. As he turned around, his eyes fell on Zhang Zhun's room. This must be the path that G.o.d had picked out for him.
The doorbell rang. The door opened a moment later, and Zhang Zhun stood in the doorway clad only in his boxer briefs. His hair was damp at the temples; it seemed that he had just finished was.h.i.+ng his face. On the other side of the door, Chen Hsin looked as das.h.i.+ng as ever with his wavy hair, clad in his eye-catching hand-painted t-s.h.i.+rt and white sneakers.
Finding himself dazzled by Chen Hsin's good looks, Zhang Zhun did not dare to look too much at the younger man. He kept the door half-closed, leaving only an appropriate opening as a sign of courtesy to his visitor. ”Yes? What's up?”
Chen Hsin loved the suggestive ambivalence in the air whenever they were together. ”You're not inviting me into your room?”
”It's kind of late,” Zhang Zhun replied, looking troubled.
But Chen Hsin did not relent. ”It's okay for him, but not for me?”