TPWNDHAYD Chapter 7

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Qin Kong's work suddenly got busy, and he had to work overtime every night, leaving no time for singing, dubbing, or filling in any projects.

He left home early in the morning and only returned late at night.

Around eleven or twelve at night, faint noises came from next door. Wu Ming tossed and turned in bed, scrolling through Weibo on his phone. He hadn’t posted anything today.

   [Wu Ming sighed: It’s been days since I last saw that silly mom Qing Kong… QAQ]

Qin Kong slumped into his computer chair, exhausted. He rubbed his temples, feeling too drained to even turn on his computer. However, he had a dubbing deadline for a production team and had to record tonight. With a sigh, he powered up his computer.

As the Windows welcome screen lit up, he suddenly thought of his kind neighbor. It had been a while since he last saw him.

Qin Kong hesitantly knocked on the wall. Thud, thud, thud.

He’s probably already asleep, right?

Wait, does the neighbor hear him sing? Like that one night…?

Wu Ming wasn’t asleep. He heard the rhythmic thud, thud, thud through the wall. Hesitantly, he raised his hand and knocked back—thud, thud, thud?

Qin Kong froze. He really can hear it? He knocked three more times.

Wu Ming wondered what was going on and cautiously knocked once.

Qin Kong: “…”

So, the neighbor isn’t asleep. That means I can’t record my lines…

He stood up, stretched with exaggerated effort, and loudly announced, “I’m so tired! Time to sleep!”

Wu Ming vaguely caught the word "sleep" and chuckled to himself. That was totally meant for me, wasn’t it?

He turned his head away, suppressing his laughter.

Hearing no response from next door, Qin Kong carefully moved his computer to a more distant room and opened the script the production team had sent him.

On the other side, Wu Ming also heard nothing more. He closed his eyes and murmured softly, so only he could hear:

“Silly Qing Kong, rest early.”

A few days later.

Wu Ming was cooking dinner after work when he heard a knock on the door.

Qin Kong stood outside, gesturing toward his laundry basket. “Hi, can I borrow your washing machine? Mine… got all stubborn and broke down.”

Wu Ming was a little surprised—this was the first time he had seen Qin Kong in days. He nodded, letting him in. “Off work early today?”

Qin Kong set his things down and replied, “Yeah, I was working overtime the past few days, but I’m finally done. I can relax for a bit.”

Wu Ming was secretly delighted. Yes! That means I’ll get to hear him sing again at night!

But he kept his expression neutral and said, “Make sure to take care of yourself. The washing machine’s over there, go ahead and use it.”

Qin Kong struggled to move the laundry basket over, poured in detergent, and started the wash. As he worked, he called toward the kitchen, “Hey, Wu Ming, don’t you think the soundproofing in this place is kinda bad?”

“What?” Wu Ming didn’t catch that. He stepped out of the kitchen, still wearing his apron. “Say that again?”

Qin Kong’s eyes swept over his neighbor. That apron really suited him. Not bad.

Wu Ming’s face flushed with embarrassment. I’m a grown man, wearing a cutesy bear apron… and now my favorite singer just saw me like this… He shot Qin Kong a small glare and asked, “What were you saying just now?”

“I asked if you think the walls here are too thin,” Qin Kong cleared his throat and added, “That night, the one who knocked on the wall with me—was that you?”

Wu Ming was startled. Does he know something?!

Then he reassured himself. No way, no way. He steadied himself and answered, “Yeah, that was me.”

“Then… have you ever heard any singing?”

“Yeah, I have.”

Now it was Qin Kong’s turn to freeze. So, he really has been hearing me this whole time?

“Sorry about that. It must’ve disturbed you.”

“No, no, not at all.” Wu Ming quickly waved his hand. “Whenever there’s noise, I just wear headphones.”

And listen even more clearly.

Qin Kong scratched his nose, getting to the real point: “Then… have you ever heard anything weird? Like a man shouting, laughing, or crying?”

Wu Ming hurriedly shook his head. “Nope. Have you heard something?”

“Huh. Maybe I was just imagining things.” Qin Kong was confused. How has he not heard my voice acting?

He apologized again. “Sorry about the noise. If I ever bother you, just let me know.”

Even if there were no pregnant women next door, it wouldn’t be good to disturb his nice neighbor…

Wu Ming answered, “Sure, you should also take care and not stay up too late.”

Even if I did hear it, I’d never tell you.

“I will,” Qin Kong said.

The washing machine hummed loudly as it finished the cycle.

By then, Wu Ming’s food was ready. He brought the dishes out and called over, “Come eat with me. I made extra today.”

Qin Kong retrieved his freshly spun clothes and felt a little embarrassed. “Ah, no, no, you’ve already helped me so much.”

As he passed through the living room, though, the aroma of the food reached his nose. His stomach growled loudly.

Both of them heard it.

Wu Ming burst into laughter and set out an extra set of chopsticks. “Come on, sit down.”

Qin Kong groaned in frustration, poked his stomach angrily, and scolded, “You’re so unreliable!”

Still, he plopped down at the table, thinking, I get to freeload off my neighbor again—this is the life!

He almost wanted to post on Weibo: My neighbor is the best! Wuwuwu!

“Try this,” Wu Ming said, placing a piece of braised potato on Qin Kong’s plate.

“Mmm, delicious!”

Seeing his cooking appreciated, Wu Ming couldn’t help but smile. It felt good to be recognized by someone he liked.

So he decided to return the compliment.

“You have a really nice singing voice.”

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