Entertainment Industry Limited Time Open - CHAPTER 2:

After the event ended, the members dragged their exhausted bodies back to the dorm.

Jiang Linzhao tossed his backpack onto the couch the moment he stepped through the door.

Rolling his shoulders to ease the stiffness, he turned to Tong Liyue. Mind if I shower first?

Sure, go ahead. Tong Liyue nodded, pulling his laptop into his arms.

I still have some files to organize.

Jiang Linzhao disappeared into the bathroom with a change of clothes.

The sound of running water followed soon after.

Their dorm was warm and minimalist a cozy living space with a kitchen,

balcony, and a handful of bedrooms. Each room was shared by two members,

except for Qiao Zhiqing, who preferred quiet and claimed a single.

When they first debuted, this arrangement had been unanimously agreed upon:

Ren Yuheng with Tong Liyue, Jiang Linzhao with Shen Yiran,

and the spare guest room left for storage or naps between schedules.

Everything had stayed that way until a month ago.

That was when Jiang Linzhao’s secret relationship with a singer ended abruptly.

The breakup hit him hard, his gloom so heavy it seeped into the group’s rhythm.

Shen Yiran, ever the cheerful and straightforward type,

was completely lost when it came to comforting a heartbroken man.

And of all the members, the only one Jiang Linzhao ever really opened up to was Tong Liyue.

So, after a few tearful nights and awkward silences,

Tong Liyue switched rooms with Shen Yiran,

choosing to share with Jiang Linzhao until he could get through the breakup.

No one asked when the temporary swap would end. No one mentioned it again.

Because soon after Tong Liyue moved in, Jiang Linzhao started eating again.

He laughed more. And at night, the others would hear the sound

of their laughter through the thin walls soft, playful, easy.

A quiet month passed like that.

That night, after finishing a few notes on his laptop,

Tong Liyue suddenly remembered that the hard drive he needed

was still in his old room the one he used to share with Ren Yuheng.

He sighed, shut the laptop, and wandered out into the hall.

Shen Yiran was sprawled on the couch, half-watching TV, half-devouring a bag of chips.

Heng-ge in his room? Tong Liyue asked casually.

Mm. Probably showered already, maybe resting.

Shen Yiran’s eyes never left the screen. He looked pretty beat today.

Got it. Thanks.

Tong Liyue padded quietly down the hall and pushed open the familiar door.

Soft yellow light spilled across the room, brushing over the figure on the bed.

Ren Yuheng lay on his side, facing the door, deep asleep.

His loose shirt hung open at the collar, revealing the faint lines

of collarbone and muscle beneath.

His damp hair clung in strands to his forehead,

lending an air of lazy sensuality to his otherwise clean, composed appearance.

Even in dim light, his features were sharply defined the strong bridge of his nose,

the long lashes casting shadows across his cheeks, the faint part of his lips.

Even asleep, he looked so effortlessly striking it almost felt unfair.

Tong Liyue froze for a heartbeat, unconsciously holding his breath.

They’d shared a room for months before. But now, standing here again,

he felt like he was trespassing on private territory.

His gaze drifted down to the slow rise and fall of that chest,

the glimpse of muscle where fabric fell open. Had he… gotten more toned?

He chuckled silently at his own thought. Maybe he was imagining things.

He tiptoed to his old cabinet and began searching for the drive. No luck.

He moved to the bedside drawers, keeping his movements slow, careful.

He knew Ren Yuheng was a light sleeper; the smallest sound could wake him.

The room was so still that only the faint rustle of his searching could be heard.

He didn’t notice that the man behind him had already opened his eyes.

Ren Yuheng’s lashes trembled. In the dim light, his dark eyes gleamed quietly

as they followed Tong Liyue’s movements.

The younger man was wearing a loose T-shirt, his neck and shoulders

outlined softly beneath the fabric. The lamp carved delicate shadows along his face,

his brow faintly furrowed in focus.

Finally, Tong Liyue found the hard drive at the back of the drawer.

He smiled slightly and straightened only to feel a sudden warmth at his back.

Before he could react, a strong arm wrapped around his waist,

pulling him backward into a solid chest.

The world tilted as he was drawn down onto the bed.

Back already? The voice by his ear was low and husky, still thick with sleep,

the kind of sound that could slip past anyone’s guard.

Tong Liyue went rigid. Warm breath brushed against the side of his neck,

stirring something faintly electric under his skin. His heartbeat stumbled.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you, he said softly,

trying to ease out of the hold. I just came to grab.

Don’t move.

Ren Yuheng’s hand caught his, cool fingers pressing lightly against his wrist.

His forehead rested against Tong Liyue’s shoulder, his tone half-drowsy, half-intimate.

Just a minute. I’m tired. Stay a bit.

The closeness was dizzying the steady thrum of his heartbeat,

the clean scent of soap still clinging to his skin.

You’re heavy, Tong Liyue murmured, trying to twist away.

His hand pressed against Ren Yuheng’s chest for leverage

and brushed warm skin just above the open collar.

Ren Yuheng didn’t let go. Instead, he tightened his hold,

voice quiet but stubborn. Five minutes.

His breath brushed against Tong Liyue’s ear as he continued,

lazy but serious. Linzhao’s doing better now, isn’t he?

How long are you planning to stay with him?

Tong Liyue caught the faint irritation beneath his tone and laughed softly.

This isn’t about the room, you know.

Ren Yuheng leaned closer, his voice a low murmur.

The room doesn’t matter. But you can’t run off.

The air stilled. The words lingered, charged and unguarded.

Tong Liyue’s ears grew warm. He tried again to pull away,

but Ren Yuheng only drew him tighter, chin brushing against his shoulder.

What’s with you tonight? Tong Liyue whispered, half amused.

You don’t usually sleep this badly.

Don’t you feel strange with a new roommate? Ren Yuheng’s tone was lazy, teasing.

Linzhao’s fine. A great roommate, actually.

Ren Yuheng’s fingertips traced slowly down the back of his neck,

stopping to rest against the hollow there. His voice dropped, rough and intimate.

Come back. Stop sleeping in someone else’s bed.

Tong Liyue arched a brow, a playful smile flickering in his eyes.

Since when do you decide where I sleep, Captain?

I don’t. Ren Yuheng nuzzled lightly against his shoulder.

But you might get used to new roommates. I can’t.

For a moment, Tong Liyue thought he sounded almost adorable

this man who was always calm and composed,

now clinging like someone half-asleep and unwilling to let go.

Only when they were alone did this hidden side show itself.

He laughed quietly. Linzhao just needs a little more time.

A month’s long enough, Ren Yuheng muttered. His voice low, resolute.

His hand tightened slightly. His next words fell against Tong Liyue’s ear like a confession.

Without you, I can’t even sleep right.

Tong Liyue stilled. Then he smiled bright, teasing, warm.

If you put it that way, how could I say no?

Ren Yuheng’s arms tightened around him again, his tone soft and coaxing. Then don’t.

Not long after that night, Shen Yiran suddenly suggested switching rooms back.

Jiang Linzhao cheerfully agreed, saying he was fine now and didn’t need company anymore.

The whole thing resolved itself as if by magic.

When Tong Liyue returned late from a schedule, his things had already been moved

neatly arranged in their old places. Even the pillow and blanket lay exactly as before,

down to the smallest detail.