CHAPTER 111: IS HENRY JUST A BLOCK OF WOOD?

Luther really wanted to punch Leonard in the mouth, while Leonard was convinced that Luther was just a fake straight guy pretending to be one so he could be best friends with Joshua—and now his true colors were finally showing.

Joshua couldn’t help glancing at Leonard and said, "Leonard, you’re really sensitive. Not everyone’s like you, you know."

Then he pushed Luther’s face away. "All done."

Right after that, Joshua’s gaze flicked toward Leonard, his eyes glinting slightly.

Leonard looked up to find Joshua already right in front of him. The other smiled and asked sweetly, "Leonard, do your lips feel dry?"

From Leonard’s angle, Joshua looked small and adorable—his curved eyes sparkling, his pretty lips smiling to reveal a dimple. No matter how he looked at him, Joshua just seemed so soft, so cute, it was deadly.

Leonard pressed his lips together, desperately trying to steady his rapidly pounding heart.

He turned his face away, awkwardly nodding. "My lips... maybe a little dry..."

And finally, Leonard understood what Luther and Joshua had been doing earlier.

He watched Joshua take the initiative to apply lip balm to him. God, they were so close—close enough for Leonard to see every one of Joshua’s eyelashes!

Those thick, black lashes were so long and perfectly curled that Leonard’s mouth nearly fell open. He muttered under his breath, "Joshua, do you curl your lashes?"

Joshua blinked in confusion, staring at him with those wide, clear eyes.

Leonard immediately shut his eyes tight.

Damn it, why was Joshua looking at him like that? Wasn’t he afraid Leonard might just suddenly kiss him?!

Thinking that, Leonard couldn’t help recalling that rushed, impulsive kiss they’d shared before. His head started to heat up again, thought after thought tumbling over each other—until he felt something hot and wet slowly drip from his nose.

Without hesitation, he covered his face. At the same time, Joshua finished applying the lip balm and frowned when he saw that. "Don’t you dare wipe it off."

Leonard nodded frantically, voice muffled. "I’m... gonna go to the restroom."

Just then, Joshua turned toward Justin, flashing him a perfect, sunny smile.

Justin was way too easygoing! Joshua thought that even if he asked Justin to sit still while he did his makeup, Justin wouldn’t refuse.

Henry was standing off to the side, drinking water, his gaze quietly fixed on Joshua the entire time.

By now, Joshua had finished applying lip balm to Justin. He twirled the tube in his hand, his slender, beautiful fingers catching the light. Henry instinctively swallowed, recalling what Leonard had just said earlier about Joshua’s eyelashes.

Then, he watched as Joshua snapped the lip balm shut and tucked it back into his pocket.

Henry: "..."

He lowered his eyes and went back to drinking his water, though his fingertips curled slightly, the bottle crackling in his grip as if it might shatter at any moment.

Time passed quickly. ShineOn had already finished recording, and now it was time to shoot the music video for their title track. Every day was packed from dawn till dusk—Joshua barely managed to hit the bed before falling asleep, and in the morning, he could hardly bring himself to get up.

Their title song this time was called "On!" Since it was their debut MV, the company had, of course, poured in a hefty investment.

That was—until Joshua saw the director.

He was wearing rose-pink pants, paired with a three-piece suit where every layer was a different color, so bright he looked like a walking traffic light.

William still looked the same as ever, his makeup caked on so thick that if he talked under a side spotlight, you could see the powder falling off like snowflakes in the air.

Leonard couldn’t help frowning. "Do you think working with this guy for too long could give you cancer or something? Joshua, make sure you stay a few feet away when you talk to him."

Joshua: "...It’s not that bad."

Whether William overheard Leonard badmouthing him or not, no one knew—but somehow, Leonard’s scenes had to be reshot again and again, to the point where he was swearing up a storm on set.

Still, in a way, William and Leonard were a perfect match—because William didn’t hesitate to argue right back with him.

An idol and a director, yelling at each other nonstop—both backed by wealthy families—no one dared to interfere.

And at that moment, Joshua finally understood why William and Leonard’s reputations were so infamous, like two devils of the industry.

At least this time, William didn’t seem to hold any grudges against Joshua. For that, Joshua was genuinely thankful to the heavens.

After nearly a month, both the recording and the MV were finally completed.

A few rare days of rest came their way before the pre- and post-debut album promotions began.

"Joshua’s asleep again?"

It was only nine in the evening, yet Joshua was already sound asleep. Henry replied slowly, "He’s been out since the afternoon," then went right back to tapping away on his laptop.

Leonard rubbed his head in frustration. "I swear, William must’ve said something to my parents. They won’t stop nagging me—so damn annoying!"

He grumbled without caring if anyone was actually listening.

His family had some business ties with William’s, which was precisely why he suspected the guy.

As he muttered, his eyes drifted toward the fridge—packed with drinks—before settling on a pink soda can.

Tch. Even his favorite drink was pink.

Leonard clicked his tongue silently, cracked the can open, and took a sip. The sweetness hit the back of his throat so hard he nearly coughed.

"Joshua drinks this all the time?! He really needs to control his sugar intake!"

Just then, Joshua’s door suddenly opened.

Leonard immediately clammed up, and everyone else turned to look.

Joshua appeared, dressed in black pajamas and hugging a snow-white pillow in his arms. The top was a little too big, the hem falling nearly to his knees—it didn’t even look like his own clothes.

Leonard couldn’t help glancing at Henry, then grinned as he walked over. "Well, would you look at that—you do know how to wake up."

But Joshua didn’t seem to see him at all. His eyes were half-lidded and dazed, as if he still hadn’t fully woken. He walked straight over and sat down beside Henry.

Joshua shifted a little, leaned against Henry, wiggled again to get comfortable, and finally stilled—his breathing slow and even, as though still fast asleep. His whole body seemed to melt against Henry’s side.

Leonard stared in disbelief. He looked from Joshua to Henry and asked quietly, "Is he... sleepwalking?"

Henry stopped typing, lowered his gaze to Joshua, and said calmly, "Maybe he’s just been too tired lately."

In the end, Henry closed his laptop, gently picked Joshua up, and carried him back toward the bedroom, passing right by Leonard.

Leonard didn’t think much of it. Henry didn’t seem like the type to fall for anyone—at most, he was just a responsible leader.

With that thought, Leonard downed the rest of his snow-peach soda in one gulp and headed back to his room.