TCFGBH Chapter 21

Night fell over the villa within the Third Ring of the Imperial Capital.

A man stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his hair a tangled mess. He anxiously gnawed on his thumb, the metallic taste of blood spreading across his lips and tongue.

“Damn it… that ghost-like Xia Yan… Why is he always around…” Fang Xihua muttered a curse, his eyes bloodshot and unsettling.

Online public opinion had flipped too quickly. The expensive army of paid trolls he’d hired had only created a brief ripple before everything settled back down.

Fang Xihua hated… No! To be precise, he despised Xia Yan.

Xia Yan was like his polar opposite—carefree, reckless, and effortlessly liked by everyone. Meanwhile, Fang Xihua had schemed tirelessly, only to end up with a man well past forty.

In Xia Yan’s presence, Fang Xihua always felt particularly despicable.

But… if he could drag Xia Yan down bring him to the same level… then… neither of them would have any reason to look down on the other.

Fang Xihua’s deep-seated insecurity constantly made him paranoid, thinking Xia Yan looked down on him. Yet, he forgot that, in reality, it was Fang Xihua who looked down on himself.

He is living in his delusional world, deceiving himself.

He pulled out his phone, carefully hidden in a cloud drive was a video he’d taken earlier. Blood from his thumb smeared across the screen, leaving a large, eerie stain.

The dim white light from the screen made the scene all the more unsettling.

Fang Xihua stroked the sharp, delicate profile of the young man on the screen, a fleeting trace of hesitation flickering in his eyes. It quickly vanished, replaced by greed and calculation. Xia Yan… this is your last chance to choose.

–

11 PM.

Xia Yan… was numb.

Using a secondary account, he had cursed himself a few times, trying to stir up some drama and remind netizens of his past scandals. And then… he was labeled as a paid troll.

【Bro, if you’re making money, don’t hog it all to yourself. Pull me in too.】

【Honestly, I couldn’t stand Xia Yan’s flirtatious ways before, and I still can’t. But his boyfriend forgave him, so as bystanders, let’s not meddle. Let’s focus on enjoying his looks.】

【Xia Yan… Xia Yan… I can’t even bring myself to insult him anymore. I’m a Tu Xi’s mom fan. From today on, I’m switching from a fan of his personal life to a fan of his career. As for shipping him with anyone, I need some time to process.】

【Same here, I can’t bring myself to insult him.】

【Please, future photographers of Xia Yan, keep up this standard. I’m not here for morality, just to admire his looks. Thanks.】

…

Still unwilling to give up, Xia Yan replied, 【I think Xia Yan’s looks are pretty average. You can find faces like his everywhere in the entertainment industry.】

【???”】

【Redefining ‘average’.】

【Paid troll, retreat, retreat, retreat.】

【Bro… Never mind, making money isn’t shameful.】

Xia Yan, utterly defeated, opened the system panel. The progress bar for Task 6 had already regressed to 30%. He lay on the bed for a good ten minutes, zoning out.

“No, I can’t give up,” the young man muttered.

If there were no scandals, then he’d create one.

He rolled across the bed, grabbed his phone, and quickly searched for places online. After some browsing, he settled on a newly opened bar, planning to make a scene there.

He chose a new bar because Liu Jinhao’s bar had too strict confidentiality agreements, making it impossible for the paparazzi to get in. How was he supposed to ruin his reputation without anyone leaking information?

While changing clothes, Xia Yan glanced at his sprained ankle.

Quietly, he muttered four words to himself.

“Physically impaired, but mentally determined.”

As the spokesperson for Beaufort, Xia Yan received an entire truckload of clothes this morning, including many pieces featured in promotional photos.

The most popular item right now is a black and red jacket.

Since it was the same one worn by a certain someone, its price had already been inflated fivefold in the second-hand market.

Without hesitation, Xia Yan chose that outfit, fearing that passersby wouldn’t recognize him.

He parted his hair in a 7:3 ratio, slicking it behind his ears to reveal a smooth, fair forehead. He accessorized with exaggerated silver skull jewelry on his ears and hands and wore two thick necklaces, one thin—adding a touch of brightness.

Xia Yan didn’t know how to apply makeup, so he eventually gave up after hesitating in front of the products for a long time.

This should be attention-grabbing enough, he thought uncertainly.

–

At Blue Night Bar.

Colorful lights danced everywhere, a singer hugged a guitar and screamed hoarsely from the center stage while men and women crowded together, their bodies colliding and their gazes entangled.

On the second-floor booth.

Zhao Wenxiu was holding his forehead with one hand and swirling a glass of golden liquid in the other, his gaze unfocused as if lost in thought.

“Hey… Wenxiu? Zhao Wenxiu.”

“Hm?” Zhao Wenxiu snapped out of his daze and glanced at his college friend. “What’s up?”

“Not me.” His friend chuckled wryly. “You’ve been acting strange lately. You used to hate bars, but now you come here every night to drink alone.”

“…”

“What’s troubling you? Even our young master Zhao is stumped.”

“…”

“Is it the company? No, Zhao Corp is doing great. If it’s not business, then it must be personal.”

As his friend spoke, he carefully observed Zhao Wenxiu. Noticing his clenched jaw and uncertain expression, he realized he’d hit the mark.

“Wow… it’s true…” His friend grew curious. “You’re in love.”

“…Mm.”

Zhao Wenxiu rubbed his temples and leaned back tiredly on the sofa. Ever since he escaped ‘Love Island’ and returned to the capital, he had unspeakable dreams every night.

The warmth of a body, smooth skin… and the uniquely enticing scent of a young man.

His first-ever crush, falling for someone he shouldn’t—this was destined to be a tragedy.

“Who is it? Do I know them?” his friend pressed.

“You probably do.” Xia Yan had been trending on social media frequently these days, so it was hard not to know him if you were online.

“Judging by how lovesick you look… you haven’t gotten him yet?”

“If only it were that simple.” Zhao Wenxiu smiled bitterly, downed his drink in one gulp, and let the burning sensation spread across his tongue.

It only made him feel more pathetic.

Seeing this, his friend tactfully refrained from asking more. He turned to watch the chaotic crowd below. Near the bar, a stunning beauty seemed to have arrived, surrounded by admirers. A few people were even sneaking photos.

Speaking of stunning beauties… the man couldn’t help but think of today’s trending topic.

That celebrity, Xia Yan, was truly gorgeous.

Even as a straight man, he couldn’t help but feel his heart race when he saw Xia Yan’s photos, as if struck by Cupid’s arrow.

The man opened his phone and stared at the young man on his lock screen.

So good-looking.

His peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the crowd at the bar, and he realized that the person downstairs looked just as stunning as the guy in the photos… Wait! Just as stunning???

He quickly leaned forward, rubbed his eyes in disbelief, and stammered excitedly, “X-X-Xia Yan?”

Zhao Wenxiu: “?”

He followed his friend’s gaze downward.

–

At the bar.

A faint smile lingered on Xia Yan’s fair face as he lowered his gaze to the menu in his hands. The silver skull earring on his right ear reflected the hazy light.

Two sharp-eyed men had quickly snatched the spots on either side of him.

More and more people crowded around, calling his name and claiming to be his fans. Xia Yan responded absentmindedly, and though his indifference was obvious, it only incited even more fervent praise.

Since Xia Yan had already come out as gay, the women in the bar, though tempted by his looks and figure, kept their distance, watching from afar without approaching.

“Couldn’t find a drink you like?” the man on his right asked first. “How about a glass of rum? It’s on the sweeter side, and it tastes great.”

Before Xia Yan could respond, the young man on his left sneered, “Old man, if you’re getting on in years, you shouldn’t be out playing around. Yan-Yan is a young man—he should be drinking something stronger.”

“Hmm?” Xia Yan raised an eyebrow and glanced at the young man. Propping his chin up with one hand, he lazily asked, “So, what do you recommend?”

The young man appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen, with a baby face, naturally curly hair, and emerald-green eyes—likely a mixed-race youth.

He smiled, revealing a small tiger tooth. “Long Island Iced Tea, of course.”

The name “Long Island Iced Tea” easily misled people into thinking it was a non-alcoholic drink. In reality, it was a potent cocktail made from four types of alcohol, with an alcohol content of up to 40%, making it very easy to get drunk.

It was also known as the “losing-your-virginity” drink.

Surrounded by a crowd, Xia Yan felt immense pressure internally, but he maintained a carefree and cheerful demeanor outwardly.

He lightly tapped the bar counter and gave the young man a half-smile. “Want to go out together?”

“Well, that depends on whether you’ll give me the chance, big brother.”

“One Long Island Iced Tea,” Xia Yan called out.

His words caused the surrounding crowd to sigh in disappointment. They all glared at the lucky young man with envy while a few excitedly snapped pictures to post on social media.

“Big brother.” The young man thought he had won. Confident in his looks, he cupped his face with both hands and put on a naive, cute expression. “You’re so handsome.”

“Mm.”

“I’m a fan of yours, you know.”

“…”

“But big brother, does Tu Xi know you’re out here having fun tonight?”

“You sure do talk a lot.” Xia Yan glanced at him lazily, his gaze flirtatious and ambiguous. Though his words were impatient, they were laced with affection.

The young man’s throat went dry, and he licked his tiger tooth in restraint, daring not to probe further.

Sensing the change in mood, he tactfully shifted the topic. “Your outfit is really nice, big brother. I couldn’t get my hands on this one today. I’m so jealous of whoever gets to match outfits with you.”

“You want one too?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Xia Yan took the cocktail, swirled it near his lips, then set it back on the bar. Under the young man’s puzzled gaze, he pushed the drink toward him.

“You wanted a Long Island Iced Tea.”

“Huh?”

“I’m giving you the chance to go out with me.” The young man smiled wickedly. “Can’t you do it?”

The young man hesitated.

It wasn’t that he was afraid of drinking, but what if he got drunk and accidentally scared the delicate celebrity away? Xia Yan’s mischievous side was even more charming.

“Not drinking?”

“Big brother.” The young man tried to play coy.

“You’re no fun.” Xia Yan yawned, bored. “Forget it, I don’t want you anymore. Whoever drinks this glass gets to go out with me tonight.”

The deep red liquid sat quietly in the glass.

Like a poisoned apple—dangerous, yet irresistibly tempting, just for the chance to please Xia Yan.

A crowd surged forward.

“I’ll drink it.”

“Let me…”

“I can do it…”

“Damn it!” The young man cursed under his breath and quickly snatched the glass. Shoving aside the others vying for his spot, he glared coldly at them until they backed off. When he turned back to Xia Yan, he acted pitifully.

“Big brother, you’re so mean. You promised to go out with me.”

Xia Yan glanced at the cocktail, then at the young man. He didn’t say anything, but the young man “heard” the message clearly.

—If you’re not willing to drink, get lost.

The young man licked his lips. Damn, this was intense.

“If I drink this, big brother, you won’t leave me behind at the bar, right?” He still wanted to confirm. “I don’t want to be abandoned.”

“Who knows?” Xia Yan replied lightly. “If you’re scared, don’t drink it.”

“…”

“…Fine.”

“I trust you, big brother.”

Giving himself an out, the young man lifted the glass, ready to down it in one gulp. But just then, a hand suddenly reached out from the side, snatching the glass and finishing it in two gulps.

The young man: “?” The prize was right in my grasp… and now it’s gone?

Which bastard dared to ruin his plans? He turned around furiously, only to meet a familiar face.

Zhao Wenxiu—why was he here?

Zhao Wenxiu’s face was flushed, and his eyes were hazy. “I-I drank it. You have to come with me.”