I silently repent for my crimes, handing him the paper. I pat his shoulder and awkwardly say, "Um, stop crying..."

He suddenly looks up at me, his eyes as crimson as yesterday. I'm slightly stunned and forget to release the tissue I handed to him.

He gently pulls on the tissue, and I lose my balance, falling into his embrace.

He leans over, his thin lips lightly brushing against my earlobe as he whispers softly,

"Thank you, but are you disgusted by my performance today?"

But as I immerse myself in his role, if my lover pushes me away, I can't angrily turn and leave,"

He pauses and then speaks with a touch of grievance, "Last time, I cried like this too."

Last time? Could there be another time?

I snap back to reality and see his already reddened ears and those eyes filled with resentment.

The familiar scent from his body rushes into my nostrils, overwhelming my sensitive ears with a tingling warmth, engulfing my rationality.

I listen to the increasingly loud sound of my heartbeat and suddenly break free from his embrace, fleeing in panic.

For several consecutive days, I try my best to avoid Bai Yong, unsure how to face him.

Explain about the past? That would be too sentimental.

Then compensation...

Oh no, my heart shamefully flutters for a moment.

I shake my head, attempting to shake off these jumbled thoughts.

After work in the evening, Bai Yong blocks the entrance to the dressing room and invites me to dinner:

"Xiao Ke, stop avoiding me. We need to have a serious talk, don't we?"