The Ex's Tears Are So Hot - Chapter 12

“Where are you feeling it the most?” Xie Zhixin asked gently, voice low with worry. “Hang in there, I’m taking you to the hospital now.”

Guan Jinnian was burning up, dazed and disoriented. In a haze, he pointed weakly toward his lower half, nodding instinctively.

Xie Zhixin followed his gaze — and immediately understood.

Suppressing the fury rising in his chest, he took off his coat, draped it over Guan Jinnian’s trembling body, wiped the sweat from his brow, then turned and threw a punch.

“Sister Li, check the security cameras. Xiao He, get the car ready!”

Guan Jinnian clung to him, burying his flushed face in the crook of Xie Zhixin’s neck, inhaling the familiar scent like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

Xie Zhixin’s steps faltered. His throat tightened, Adam’s apple bobbing visibly as he adjusted his hold — his grip on Guan Jinnian’s leg tightening instinctively.

“Mm… it hurts,” Guan Jinnian whimpered, voice soft and choked with tears that dampened Xie Zhixin’s collar.

“…Just hold on a little longer. We’ll be at the hospital soon.” His voice was husky, strained — like he was fighting something back.

In the car, Xie Zhixin kept murmuring reassurances, his own emotions barely contained. But Guan Jinnian didn’t respond clearly, and his own body was reacting too — jaw clenched, breathing unsteady.

Their harsh breaths filled the otherwise silent vehicle. Guan Jinnian’s tear-filled eyes blurred everything around him.

“Faster,” Xie Zhixin urged.

Xiao He floored it, weaving through traffic just shy of breaking the law, racing toward the hospital.

When they arrived, Xie Zhixin pulled a mask over his face, picked up Guan Jinnian in his arms, and rushed into the emergency room with Xiao He.

While tests were being arranged and a private room secured, a nurse came in, drew bl00d, and gave Xie Zhixin a look of subtle understanding.

“The test results will take some time,” she said kindly. “In the meantime, it’s okay to help ease the symptoms so the medication leaves his system faster.”

With that, she left.

Xie Zhixin froze for a second, processing her words. Then he turned to look at the flushed man on the bed — eyes glassy, face buried in his arm, desperately seeking any relief.

Guan Jinnian’s shirt was rumpled, the collar undone, revealing red-tinged skin and a heaving chest.

“Jinnian…” he whispered, leaning in, voice tight. “Let me help you. Just trust me.”

Guan Jinnian didn’t reply. He opened his eyes slightly, gaze hazy and locked on Xie Zhixin’s lips.

That look was all it took. Something inside Xie Zhixin snapped. He bent down and captured his lips, the kiss desperate and messy.

Their breathing tangled, filling the room with soft, wet sounds. Xie Zhixin’s hand moved lower, slipping under the blanket.

Guan Jinnian arched up uncontrollably, hands fisting in Xie Zhixin’s clothes as a fire exploded through his nerves.

Eventually, when it was over, Guan Jinnian collapsed from exhaustion — still burning up, but too tired to move. He fell asleep instantly.

Morning came.

Guan Jinnian stirred, slowly coming back to himself. The tourniquet was still on his arm, evidence of the IV he’d been hooked to.

As the sterile ceiling came into focus, memories of the night before surfaced — images flashing behind his eyelids. He blushed instantly and curled deeper into the covers, as if he could hide from it all.

But escape was short-lived. Xie Zhixin promptly pulled the blanket back.

“Don’t hide.”

He chuckled and flicked Guan Jinnian’s forehead lightly. “Feeling any better?”

Guan Jinnian nodded, lips pressed together, too embarrassed to speak.

“Alright, I won’t tease.” Xie Zhixin walked over to the thermos and opened it. “Here. Eat something.”

“…Thanks.” Guan Jinnian’s voice was raspy — even he flinched at how hoarse it sounded. He sat up, wincing slightly, and accepted the thermos.

Inside was warm porridge. He took a sip, soothing his throat, just as Xie Zhixin spoke again.

“What exactly happened yesterday?”

Guan Jinnian’s face fell. “Ran into Wu Zhaoyan. We argued. The guy with him… tried to take me away. Wu Zhaoyan sprayed something on me.”

“Did you catch the guy’s name?”

“Think it was… ‘Mr. Du’ or something.”

“I know who he is.” Xie Zhixin’s face turned icy. “Don’t worry. They’ll pay for it.”

“Good.”

Their eyes met, neither speaking. The silence grew thick, awkward tension hanging between them.

Just as Xie Zhixin was about to say something, Guan Jinnian blurted out, flustered, “Don’t say it! Just—don’t.”

Whatever he feared was coming, he didn’t want to hear it out loud.

Xie Zhixin laughed softly, which only made Guan Jinnian hide his face more, cheeks burning bright red.

“Where’s my phone?” he muttered, trying to change the subject. Xie Zhixin handed it over.

Desperate to focus on anything else, Guan Jinnian opened Weibo. Several marketing accounts had already tagged him and Xie Zhixin — likely the show’s pre-release campaign.

[@Entertainment Frontline]: Rumor has it the upcoming reality show ‘Reunion Plan’ features explosive guest stars — including a recently hyped CP. This one’s bound to be a hit.

The comments were blowing up:

“What even is ‘Reunion Plan’? Never heard of it.”
“Apparently it’s a show where celebrity exes try to reconnect. Sounds messy, I’m in.”
“Which couples though??”
“No way — are we talking Guan Jinnian and Xie Zhixin??”
“If they’re on it, I’m watching.”

Speculation was off the charts. And when no one from Xie Zhixin’s usually reactive PR team denied the rumors, people assumed it was all true.

Fans flooded forums and Weibo alike, creating fan spaces and digging up past moments between the two — hype levels rising fast.

Sensing the heat, the show’s official account released the cast early.

[@Reunion Plan V]: Sometimes, broken things aren’t the end — just a pause before healing. Love isn’t about perfection. It’s about two flawed people still willing to hold a light for each other. Join us on Nov. 25, exclusively on Orange Video.

Alongside the poetic post, the full guest lineup was revealed. The internet exploded.

“They really got Xie Zhixin?!”
“NO WAY. This lineup is insane.”
“This show is already iconic and it hasn’t even aired.”
“LET ME WATCH NOW. I BEG.”

Within ten minutes, the show hit over a million pre-subscribers. The producer even called them personally to share the news, giddy with excitement.

After hanging up, Guan Jinnian noticed Xie Zhixin smirking at his phone.

“…What are you grinning at?”

“We have a SuperTalk now. I just checked it.”

Guan Jinnian flopped back onto the bed, exasperated.

“What’s it called, Happy New Year?” Xie Zhixin asked, joking — then quickly stopped when he realized.

Guan Jinnian’s tone was calm: “Why do you think?”

“…So… you knew?”

“What, that you lurk in my livestream with a burner account?”

Xie Zhixin froze, caught red-handed. His expression went from smug to sheepish.

Guan Jinnian burst into laughter. He laughed so hard he couldn’t stop — until Xie Zhixin leaned down suddenly and kissed him.

Eyes wide, Guan Jinnian stared at him in stunned silence.

“You…” he started to protest, but Xie Zhixin just stared him down, voice low and teasing.

“Keep laughing, and I’ll keep kissing.”