Muchen lay sprawled on the comfy sofa, staring at the kitchen with a pout that could rival a toddler denied candy. His best friend, Shao, was bustling around, humming a tune so offbeat it could make a deaf cat cringe.
"You should be a singer," Muchen called out, a teasing grin tugging at his lips.
"I've been told I have a great voice, thank you very much," Shao retorted, handing him a hot water bag. "Keep it on your tummy."
"Thanks…" Muchen mumbled, placing the warm bag on his stomach. He sipped his calming tea, savoring every drop like it was the elixir of life. In his other hand, he clutched his phone, a slight frown creasing his brow.
"Keep your phone away," Shao ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
"Yes, grandma," Muchen muttered, sending another emoji to Yunfeng. Strangely, his lover hadn't replied. Yunfeng usually responded in seconds. "He must be asleep…"
Shao glared down at him. "Phone. Down. Now."
"Okay…" Muchen reluctantly placed the phone on the table and took a deep breath, trying to ignore the gnawing worry in his chest.
Hours later, Muchen finally felt better. The vomiting had reduced to just gagging, and the throbbing pain in his stomach had subsided. By then, it was dark outside.
"I'm never going on a roller coaster again," he declared, checking his phone once more. Still no reply from Yunfeng.
He shot up, a deep frown marring his face. "Why isn't he replying? Is he sick or something…" He tapped on the armrest anxiously. "I have to go to him."
Shao glared at him from the other room. "Don't."
"He might be sick…" Muchen blinked at him cutely, hoping to sway his friend.
"If you go, I will burn your plushie collection," Shao threatened, his voice deadly serious.
Muchen gaped at him, then grinned. "You wouldn't."
"Yes, I would."
"You wouldn't~" Chuckling, Muchen rushed to the door, snatching the car keys. "And I'm taking your car!"
"No! I hate you, Muchen!" Shao shouted from inside the house.
Giggling, Muchen ran down the stairs and jumped into the car. He drove to Yunfeng's house with a huge grin on his face, his heart light despite the earlier worry. He ran to the door and knocked. "Yunfeng… it's me."
He waited, adjusting his hair, but no one answered.
He knocked again.
Still no one.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. A few teenage girls, dressed in black, were shuffling a huge trash bag into Yunfeng's yard. "We have to paint over his door again. Did you guys get the rotten eggs?"
"Yes, they're here," the girls whispered among themselves.
Muchen's frown deepened as he watched them prepare to vandalize the house. He walked up to them and stood over them, his presence looming.
The girls, too busy with their mischief, didn't notice him at first.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat.
The three of them looked up slowly, and in an instant, they tried to bolt.
Muchen dashed after them, grabbing them by the back of their hoodies tightly. "Do you know how many hours you can get for vandalism? I think a year or so," he mumbled, glaring at them deeply.
The girls trembled. "Chen, we were just trying to help you. He's destroying your image. He's not meant for you!" one of the girls shouted excitedly.
Muchen gritted his teeth loudly. "Why did you think that…."
"You're a star! You must be a shining star! I'm such a great fan of yours. I have so many of your albums. I even have your exclusive poster signed by you. I meet you every time at the airport. Do you remember me?"
Muchen smirked disdainfully. "So you think you own me because you spend a bit of money on me."
The girl just opened her mouth wide, trying to get her words right.
"Is that what you think this is? He is my lover! I love that man, and you would rather torture him like this! Aren't you supposed to be my fans? I want my fans to support me regardless!" He let go of their hoodies. "I don't consider any of you my fans. Don't ever come before me again, or I will have you sued."
The girls trembled, tears in their eyes. "We-we were only trying to help…"
"It wasn't helping!" Muchen glared at them one last time before rushing to the house.
These days, he had been so immersed in his own love that he had completely forgotten how much his crazy fans had been tormenting Yunfeng.
He massaged his aching head hard. "Why must he go through this? Fuck… why did I even decide to be an actor?" He knocked on the door again. "Yunfeng. Are you there? Are you asleep?"
No one replied.
So he had no other way but to go back home, depressed and deeply guilty for what he had put his lover through.