HIM Chapter 41: "Remember to Miss Me."
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Bo Qin didn’t fall asleep until the early hours when the sky had already started to lighten, and even then, his sleep was restless. His mind was full of He Xizhou—his kisses, his embrace, his scent...
He played music while taking a shower. Outside, the world was quiet, and the chirping of birds sounded exceptionally crisp. Draped in a bathrobe, he looked at himself in the mirror and thought, Bo Qin, do you have to be this pathetic?
Downstairs, Bo Qin picked through the clothes he had brought yesterday. Constantly under the spotlight, his casual outfits were often reposted by gossip accounts, with people critiquing his style. Thanks to Tony's consistently high-end taste, Bo Qin had developed a sharp eye for fashion himself. But that was only when cameras were around. At home, comfort always came first—just throw on a tracksuit and done.
Today, however, Bo Qin spent nearly an hour figuring out what to wear. He even went so far as to consult Tony via video call.
Wearing low-rise ripped jeans and shirtless, Bo Qin held up a blue lightweight hoodie in one hand and a light gray sweater in the other. "Which one should I wear?"
Tony yawned, eyes half-closed. "It’s the end of November, man. Are you out of your mind? You're not attending a red carpet event. Why go through all this trouble?"
Bo Qin rummaged through his suitcase. "Why didn’t you pack more clothes for me?"
Tony sighed. "Do you know what you look like right now? Like a peacock in full display."
The "peacock" held up a black V-neck sweater. "How about this one?"
Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.
Tony asked helplessly, "What kind of style are you going for?"
Bo Qin: "...Something more... pure?"
Tony: "...Is that He Xizhou’s type?"
Bo Qin: "I don’t know. Just guessing."
Trusting Tony’s reliable aesthetic sense from over the years, Bo Qin finally went with a pair of faded blue skinny jeans and a loose-fitting off-white sweater. He touched the ends of his hair brushing his neck and wondered if he looked too plain.
Downstairs, the scent of toast and coffee filled the air, accompanied by faint singing. As Bo Qin approached, he realized the song playing was his own, “Looking for Fun.”
Housekeeper Wen was holding a bouquet of vivid blue roses. When he saw Bo Qin, he smiled and said, “Good morning, Mr. Bo. Breakfast is ready. Mr. He has a conference call. Please wait a moment.”
Wen placed the roses in a clear glass vase at the center of the dining table. The blue enchantress roses were in full bloom, their petals dewy and glistening. Bo Qin sat down, hugging a warm cup of coffee prepared by Wen.
Footsteps approached. In the next moment, a familiar cool scent enveloped him. A man leaned down and kissed his cheek. He Xizhou said, “Good morning, boyfriend.”
Bo Qin turned his head, their noses brushing. He nuzzled into him. “Morning,” he replied.
He Xizhou was wearing charcoal gray slacks and a crisp white shirt. His hair was slicked back, revealing sharp features. Unlike the warm and relaxed version of him in homewear, this was the serious, disciplined He Xizhou in work mode. Yet when he looked at Bo Qin with a smile, all that commanding presence melted away.
Unable to resist, He Xizhou kissed Bo Qin’s lips. Today, Bo Qin seemed particularly soft, his smile pure and warm. It made He Xizhou’s heart itch. He crouched down to meet Bo Qin’s gaze. “Are you happy today?”
Bo Qin looked into his eyes and couldn’t help but smile. “Half happy, half not.”
He Xizhou took his hand. “Why only half?”
Bo Qin: “Because we’re parting ways soon.”
He Xizhou kissed the back of his hand and whispered, “I’m sorry, baby.”
Bo Qin sighed and pulled him up, dragging his words out playfully. “Since you’re using your beauty to attack me, baby forgives you.”
He Xizhou felt like he might die from how adorable he was.
While they ate, Bo Qin looked at the roses on the table. “Did you order these?”
He Xizhou nodded, setting down his coffee cup. Resting his chin on his hand, he looked at Bo Qin with gentle eyes. “Do you like them?”
Bo Qin didn’t hold back. “Anything from you, I like.”
He Xizhou was busy. Even during breakfast, his phone kept ringing. From his calls with Xu Zhi, Bo Qin gathered that He Xizhou had deliberately rescheduled his flight just to spend a few more hours with him.
But happy times are always short. No matter how reluctant Bo Qin was, the time to say goodbye still came. Before leaving, He Xizhou unlocked Bo Qin’s phone and saved a few contact numbers.
“I know your team’s professional, but accidents happen.” He Xizhou said while putting on his suit jacket. “I’m taking Xu Zhi with me this time. You’ve met Feng Tao a few times—call him if anything comes up.”
Bo Qin looked at him. “Can’t I just call you?”
He Xizhou laughed and couldn’t help but kiss him again. “You’re my pinned contact. Call me anytime.” He added, “Feng Tao is the backup. If I’m tied up or if the time zone difference makes it hard to reach me.”
“Do you know Liu Feng?” He Xizhou asked.
The name sounded familiar. Bo Qin thought for a moment. “Very familiar, but I can’t place him.”
“He’s the head of public relations at He Dong Entertainment. I’m planning to connect him with Zhu Guanyun,” He Xizhou said, gently brushing Bo Qin’s cheek. “Do you mind?”
Bo Qin looked intrigued and chuckled. “Am I just clinging to a golden thigh?”
He Xizhou shook his head helplessly, his finger brushing the corner of Bo Qin’s eye. “If it makes you uncomfortable—”
Bo Qin grabbed his hand. “It doesn’t. Free resources shouldn’t go to waste.”
He Xizhou smiled, took out his phone, and recorded Bo Qin’s fingerprint. “Add Chen-jie and Xiao Zhu’s contact info. Actually, add everyone around you.”
Bo Qin murmured an “okay” and took the phone, slowly inputting the numbers, as if purposely stalling.
He Xizhou finished tying his tie, took the overcoat from Wen, and watched Bo Qin typing slowly, head lowered. His heart softened unbearably. The sorrow and reluctance of parting filled him. He walked over and hugged Bo Qin.
Wen quietly stepped out.
He Xizhou held the back of Bo Qin’s head and kissed his ear. “Take care of yourself. It’s much colder up north. Eat and sleep on time. Don’t skip clothes just to look good. Don’t catch a cold.”
Bo Qin buried his face in his chest and murmured a quiet acknowledgment.
He Xizhou pushed aside the hair on Bo Qin’s forehead and kissed it. His voice was low and tender. “Remember to miss me.”
Bo Qin clutched the hem of He Xizhou’s coat and looked up at him.
He Xizhou wrapped his arms tightly around him and leaned down to kiss him.
Two hours later, Bo Qin got into the car Xiao Zhu came to pick him up in.
As soon as he got in, Xiao Zhu squealed, “Bro! Bro! Bro! He Xizhou added me on WeChat—ahhh! Did I do something? What do I do?!”
Before Bo Qin could say anything, Luo Ming called and shouted, “Dude! Dude! Dude! He Xizhou added me on WeChat—ahhh! Did I do something? What do I do?!”
Just as Bo Qin was about to speak, Xiao Zhu took a call from Chen-jie. Her voice echoed through the car on speakerphone: “Xiao Qin! Xiao Qin! Xiao Qin! He Xizhou added me on WeChat! Wait, who are you on the phone with? The line was busy.”
Bo Qin: “……”
He suddenly regretted letting He Xizhou add all their contacts.
But the next second, he couldn’t help but laugh. As soon as he laughed, the whole car burst out laughing. Bo Qin laughed so hard he trembled. He opened the window, and the cold wind rushed against his flushed face. He thought of how He Xizhou asked him earlier if he was happy today.
I’m very happy now, he thought.
Even when he arrived at the studio, the joy hadn’t faded. He took off his coat and walked into the dance studio. While he was warming up, the door burst open. Tony rushed in with his phone, shouting, “Bo Qin! Bo Qin! Bo Qin!” like he’d just won the lottery.
Bo Qin raised both arms and stretched his waist, saying, “I know. He Xizhou added you on WeChat.”
“Am I dreaming? This is He Xizhou. His contact info is like the Holy Grail in the industry.”
Bo Qin didn’t even bother commenting on that metaphor. After warming up, he turned on the music and began to dance.
“A few years ago, there was this flirty little bottom in the circle, swore he’d seduce He Xizhou. It’s been years, and he still hasn’t even met the guy.” Tony said, “Am I dreaming?”
The music was loud, and Bo Qin couldn’t hear him clearly—only the name “He Xizhou” cut through the sound. He turned off the music, sat down next to Tony, and said, “I’m dating He Xizhou.”
Tony whistled. “Congrats. Wish fulfilled.”
Bo Qin stared at the floor. “You don’t think I’m being reckless?”
“Idiot,” Tony scolded him. “What’s reckless about falling in love?”
“Five years ago, when your group disbanded, I had three or four offers. Tiancheng, He Dong, and your old teammates.”
“You came to me with the lowest offer. Back then, you had nothing but a pretty face and some cheap sincerity.”
Bo Qin chuckled.
“But I still chose you.” Tony smiled. “I thought that was the most impulsive decision I ever made. But looking back, not bad at all.”
Bo Qin: “Just not bad?”
Tony: “Okay, okay—really not bad.”
“Bo Qin, I’ve watched you get to where you are now—gradually gaining your voice and control in the industry, becoming the bright star you are. But it felt like you were always walking a tightrope. There were times I wondered, if I were you, could I have held on?”
Tony’s voice softened. “You’ve done really well. It’s been so hard. Finally, you’ve found something sweet—enjoy it.”
Exploration was Bo Qin’s first serious reality show. Chen-jie was worried sick while packing, like a mother sending her child off on a long journey, nagging non-stop.
Luo Ming and Xiao Zhu were joining him for the shoot. Tony had a competition, so he sent his apprentice instead.
Bo Qin sat on the sofa going through show prep materials. Luo Ming sat next to him playing on his phone. Chen-jie checked everything one last time and, still feeling uneasy, repeated all the filming tips again.
Bo Qin wasn’t annoyed. He closed the folder and listened quietly. Seeing his serious expression, Chen-jie suddenly stopped and said, “Alright, alright, I’ve said it a dozen times. I just can’t help it.”
Bo Qin lowered his head and smiled, fingers toying with the folder edge. Then he suddenly said, “Sis, I... I’m dating He Xizhou.”
Chen-jie replied, “Happy dating.”
Luo Ming didn’t even look up from his phone. “Have fun.”
Bo Qin suddenly felt his nose sting. After a moment, he steadied his emotions and said, “Sorry.”
“Silly.” Chen-jie crouched down and brushed the hair from his forehead. “I’ll coordinate with Zhu Guanyun on a strategy. Just remember to protect yourself on camera.”
Her voice was soft. “If it were any other artist, I’d object. But since it’s you—there’s nothing to apologize for. Love is beautiful. Enjoy it.”
Bo Qin gave a soft reply.
Luo Ming tossed aside his phone and slung an arm around Bo Qin’s shoulder. “You’re in love now,” he said. “Damn, if anyone dares say your love songs aren’t heartfelt, I’ll smack the crap out of them.”
Bo Qin couldn’t help it—his eyes red, he burst into laughter.
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