Anchor Effect - Chapter 14.2: Tomorrow's Audition

Yu Xiu picked up his backpack and stood up, walking alongside Ye Yuchen out of the classroom.

"You should have some free time," Ye Yuchen added. "I was planning to show you around."

The classroom for film history was at the other end of the hallway, so Ye Yuchen didn't need to go in that direction if he was heading back to the dorm.

Suddenly, Yu Xiu stopped outside the classroom and said, "Then I'll go with you."

"You want to go?" Ye Yuchen was a bit surprised. "But what about your audition?"

"I'll come back by myself on Sunday morning," Yu Xiu replied.

"It's not a big deal," Ye Yuchen considered for a moment. "Or I can drive you back."

At this point, Ye Yuchen suddenly remembered that he would probably be drinking and staying up late the night before, making it unsuitable for him to drive early in the morning.

But Yu Xiu had already agreed. "Okay."

Ye Yuchen felt a bit awkward and scratched his cheek with his index finger, as if he wanted to change his mind. "Uh, maybe you should take your own car?"

Yu Xiu frowned and pursed his lips. "Can't you just drop me off?"

His gaze was sincere, without any impurities, just like a little dog that comes to play with you while holding a ball. Rejecting it would hurt its feelings.

Ye Yuchen had second thoughts. He was playing, but he had to go back to work halfway, and Yu Xiu seemed pitiful, so he compromised, saying, "Alright then."

On Saturday, as soon as Ye Yuchen arrived at the hotel, he sent a message to Yu Xiu, inviting him to the rooftop pool party in the afternoon.

However, Yu Xiu declined, citing inconvenience.

Ye Yuchen understood; open-air parties could be crowded and chaotic, and Yu Xiu, being a public figure, wouldn't be able to relax even if he attended.

However, by evening, Du Rui's birthday party had already ended. Several close friends went back to the hotel suite to play games, but Yu Xiu still refused to come. It wasn't even midnight yet when he told Ye Yuchen that he was going to sleep.

Ye Yuchen was utterly puzzled and bombarded Yu Xiu with messages.

[Ye Yuchen: Why did you come here then?]

[Ye Yuchen: Didn't we agree that I'd take you to play?]

[Ye Yuchen: There's no one else in the suite.]

A little while later, Yu Xiu replied.

[Ye Xiu: It’s fun playing with classmates too.]

Ye Yuchen: "..."

Having known Yu Xiu for almost a month, Ye Yuchen suddenly realized that he didn't know this person very well.

[Yu Xiu: I need to wake up early tomorrow, so don't stay up too late.]

Seeing this message, Ye Yuchen almost considered letting Yu Xiu return by himself in the car. However, he didn't want to appear petty over such a small matter.

"A-Ye, what are you doing?" Du Rui urged, "Play your card already."

Ye Yuchen looked at the cards in his hand and realized none of them matched, so he kept drawing more cards. It seemed like everything was against him, even the cards, except for Yu Xiu.

After losing the game, Ye Yuchen had to buy snacks for everyone outside the hotel, wearing his beach shorts and flip-flops. He headed to the nearby snack stalls.

Late-night snacks by the beach were quite expensive, and Ye Yuchen ended up spending a small fortune on some seafood dishes.

As he waited for the food to be packed, he suddenly noticed Yu Xiu leisurely walking over from the direction of the hotel.

Even though Yu Xiu wore a black mask and tried to conceal his appearance, his disheveled hair and tall figure were unmistakable.

"No," Ye Yuchen quickly took a few steps towards Yu Xiu, blocking his path. "Didn't you say you were going to sleep?"

Yu Xiu clearly didn't expect to run into Ye Yuchen and looked surprised for a moment before explaining, "I came out to have a snack."

Ye Yuchen didn't quite believe it. "Your roommate snores? That bad?"

Ye Yuchen suddenly realized the situation was quite inconvenient for Yu Xiu. "That sounds tough. Why don't you come and sleep in my room?"

Yu Xiu hesitated for a moment. "Your room?"

"We're still playing games. Just go to my room and sleep."

"Where will you sleep then?"

"I have a king-size bed in my room, big enough for both of us," Ye Yuchen explained. "The suite has two floors, and the bedroom is upstairs. We can play in the living room, and it won't disturb you."

The conditions were so suitable that Ye Yuchen couldn't think of any reason for Yu Xiu to refuse. However, if Yu Xiu still didn't want to go, Ye Yuchen wouldn't force him.

But at this moment, Yu Xiu, who didn't mind the presence of strangers in the suite, obediently nodded and said, "Okay."

Ye Yuchen picked up the late-night snacks and brought Yu Xiu back to the suite. At this moment, Du Rui and a few others were engrossed in playing Werewolf, passionately debating with each other. None of them noticed Ye Yuchen going out to buy snacks, let alone bringing someone back.

"You can go straight up," Ye Yuchen handed the room key to Yu Xiu. "I still want to play for a bit. By the time I come up, you should be asleep."

Yu Xiu responded with a simple "Mm" and took the room key. But just as Ye Yuchen was about to walk back into the living room, Yu Xiu suddenly grabbed his wrist.

"I have an audition tomorrow," Yu Xiu said.

"I know," Ye Yuchen said, looking puzzled.

"I'm not very familiar with my lines yet," Yu Xiu said. "Could you help me practice them?"

"Now?" Ye Yuchen glanced at the time.

"Is it okay?" Yu Xiu looked directly at Ye Yuchen. "I'm afraid I won't perform well tomorrow."

Practicing lines was definitely more important than playing games.

Ye Yuchen looked at the bag of snacks in his hand and said, "Alright then, let's practice while we eat."

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