Yu Shiqing looked down. A paper cup slipped from the armrest, landing on him most of the coffee spilling onto his waist and stomach, the rest soaking the upper part of his left thigh. It was getting warm, and he was wearing just shirt and trousers. The thin shirt was now wet at the waist, clinging slightly, while his thigh felt warm and damp.
In the next moment, Jiang Yu grabbed some tissues and began wiping his leg. The cinema was dim; only the light from the large screen made his hurried, clumsy movements visible. Before he could even wipe twice, Yu straightened up, placed a hand on Jiang’s and said, “It’s okay. I can do it myself.”
Jiang Yu replied softly, “Why are you being polite now?” His hand moved awkwardly, unable to find the right spot.
Yu began to respond when a girl’s voice called from behind, “Can you please be quiet?” The film had shifted to a non-action scene; it relied on dialogue, and their whispering had become too loud. A few people nearby gave them disapproving looks.
Jiang pulled closer and whispered into Yu’s ear, “See? We shouldn’t talk.” Yet his hand kept moving up toward Yu’s waist. Yu looked at him, then took the tissues back and stayed silent.
Jiang pinched the empty cup between his fingers and glanced at Yu’s profile. The flickering screen light and cool tones made Yu’s expression appear distant and calm, with no visible reaction.
Jiang placed the empty cup in the holder, devoid of emotion. Meanwhile, Yu wiped the coffee stain off and refocused on the film.
Late in the dark, Jiang suddenly asked, “Should we go change your clothes early?”
Yu quietly replied, “No need. Let’s finish the movie.”
The final cut of the film exceeded expectations the effects were polished, the editing smooth and Yu was genuinely interested in watching until the end. Jiang nodded silently, and they continued to watch.
Toward the film’s climax, two emotional peaks emerged: the big group scene, then the personal hero moment. Yu Shiqing’s character (Ji Ming) sacrificed himself to save the hero (Ji Ning, played by Jiang Yu). The two were brothers who grew distant after their father’s death because Ji Ming never returned home. When they reunited in the film, Ji Ming’s cold orders deepened the rift. Only when Ji Ming died on a dangerous rescue mission choosing to save Ji Ning did the truth come out. His comrade Jing Yang revealed that Ji Ming knowingly offered himself as a sacrifice for his brother.
When Yu Shiqing’s anguished cry cut through the theater, even Jiang Yu was moved. The room fell utterly silent. The hero team rushed forward to hold Jiang back, his silent struggle and agony palpable. Only on screen was Yu’s body consumed by fire’s brilliance. Then the camera cut to his devastated brother, Jiang, before returning to Yu with a calm face and a faint smile. His final words softly spoken: “Ning, I’ll leave it to you.” It was the first gentle emotion he showed his brother. The next moment, the fire engulfed him. The score shifted from intense to mournful.
Jiang stood motionless, clutching a pendant his only keepsake from the character’s brother. In the seating around, quiet sobs could be heard, and several cried openly. A few whispers: “Yu and Jiang destroyed us.” “Bones, I need a sequel for resurrection.” “Was that it? I want more!”
Someone added quietly, “There’s an extra scene.” Yu Shiqing caught that and smiled. Jiang Yu, spotting tissue wadding, threw it into the cup bin and glanced over at Yu. A girl wearing glasses looked at them and then blinked with surprise, but before she could speak, Yu Shiqing adjusted his mask, and they left quietly.
Outside, under the lights, Jiang looked at Yu’s shirt half soaked and stained. “Why are you so wet?”
Yu Shiqing answered matter-of-factly, “I’ll change when we get home.”
Jiang Yu asked, “Are you cold?”
Yu just smiled and shook his head— “Not for this weather.”
Concerned, Jiang asked again, “It looks uncomfortable. Want to freshen up in the restroom?”
Yu nodded. A few steps away was a private restroom, a perfect place for changing out of the sticky clothes. Inside, Yu unbuttoned the shirt slightly and paused. “You don’t mind?” he asked.
Jiang, wiping coffee off his fingers, looked back. “Mind what?”
Yu shrugged off the shirt. Jiang glanced Yu’s bare chest briefly caught his gaze. Noting the visible outlines of muscle and bone, Jiang instinctively stepped back. Yu noticed and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
Jiang turned away quickly, hiding his reaction. “I’ll be right outside.” Yu didn’t overthink it, continued drying off, then buttoned the shirt back on.
When Yu walked out, he saw Jiang still near the door. Yu said, “Let’s go.”
Jiang looked at his shirt, now close-fitting against his skin every move had the fabric brushing closely against his body. He called out softly, “Jiang Yu?”
“Hmm?” Jiang replied, diverted by a sound from his phone.
It was a call from Ren Bai. The message: “Your variety show filming is scheduled: July 2, two days per week, once a week. Thought you’d want these details.”
The show was “Take a Trip on a Whim”, a travel reality show with live streaming and personal charm. It excited netizens especially Yu’s first reality show.
Before fans could digest it, news broke: Jiang Yu would also join the show. It exploded online: “Jiang Yu on a travel show?? Impossible!” “Live cameras and him? Instant win!” “Both Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu coincidence?” “Pisces CP is real!” “I can’t wait for July 2!”
