Switch Mode

IOLYF Chapter 21

Disguise

Xia Qing wanted nothing more than to shove Mo Ming’s fake smiling face into the hot pot. But right now, his survival instincts were stronger than his anger. With his weak spot firmly in the other’s hands, he had no choice but to let himself be molded and twisted at will.

Forcing himself to appear as sincere as possible, Xia Qing closed the door and walked toward Mo Ming. At that moment, Mo Ming pointed to a paper bag filled with clothes by the wall. “Change into these first. After you’re done, we’ll talk.”

“You…”

“I know before you came, someone must have given you all sorts of advice.” Mo Ming leaned back in his chair, speaking calmly. “But I hope you can show some sincerity. To be honest, this is between you and me. It has nothing to do with your manager or your company.”

“Fine, I’ll change.”

Xia Qing held back a surge of anger and changed his clothes right in front of Mo Ming. Following Mo Ming’s instructions, he handed over the bag containing his original clothes, along with his phone and watch, to a waiter who came in to serve food for safekeeping.

“Happy now?” Xia Qing sat down across from Mo Ming. “Now can you tell me why you’re doing this to frame me?”

“I can first teach you how to reverse the public opinion.” Mo Ming said, looking at Xia Qing with a gentle smile in his eyes. “I can make sure your reputation comes out of this completely unscathed.”

“Not a single scratch? You’re really bold to say that. Even if you clear my name now, there will still be people who think I paid you off.”

“I’ll cooperate with you to record a conversation.” Mo Ming explained slowly and clearly. “You’ll say that you secretly recorded me during a private negotiation, right before tonight’s post went live. In the recording, I’ll admit to falsely accusing you. I’ll use a smug, triumphant tone to threaten you to promote me, and when you refused, our talk fell apart. That’s what led to tonight’s accusations.”

Mo Ming’s words were measured, his demeanor as calm as ever. He seemed detached, almost cold, yet under the bright lights, his face appeared soft and harmless.

“This recording will completely flip the narrative. You’ll become the true victim in the eyes of the public, and afterward, I’ll delete the post out of ‘guilt.’ The entire controversy will be resolved overnight.”

Xia Qing stared at Mo Ming in disbelief. “Aren’t you worried that I’ll turn on you afterward? Once I’ve cleared my name, I could just sell you out and throw you into the storm.”

“I’m not worried.” Mo Ming smiled. “I’m recording this conversation right now. If you double-cross me, I’ll release this recording of me coaching you on how to fake the audio. Then the narrative will flip again, and you’ll be dragged into an even worse mess. The netizens, having been deceived repeatedly, will completely lose patience with you. No matter what tricks you try next, no one will believe you.”

Xia Qing’s lips twitched slightly. As he looked at the handsome young man in front of him, a shiver ran down his spine.

This guy really is a snake.

“What exactly did I do to you to make you go to such lengths to set me up?” Xia Qing felt like a trapped animal with no way out, his posture collapsing in defeat.

The careless smile finally faded from Mo Ming’s face. “When Zhou Xu approached you to negotiate back then, how did you respond?”

Xia Qing’s eyes widened in shock. “Zhou… Zhou Xu?”

“Does the name sound familiar? Thinking back now, doesn’t this all seem strangely familiar?” Mo Ming’s expression was blank. “After all, I’m using the same trick you used to frame Zhou Xu back then…”

Xia Qing stared at Mo Ming in disbelief. “You… You’re…”

“You could say I’m a fan of Zhou Xu.” Mo Ming sat up, his fingers interlacing as he rested his chin on them. “A fan who’s a little mentally unstable…”

A chill ran down Xia Qing’s spine. Memories from that time flooded back, and his guilty gaze fell to the table.

The strategy was indeed… eerily similar.

But he hadn’t orchestrated things as perfectly as Mo Ming had, and of course, he hadn’t been as cold-blooded. All he had wanted was to use Zhou Xu as a stepping stone—he never intended to destroy him completely. But Mo Ming was different. He had crafted a dead-end trap, leaving Xia Qing with no way to fight back.

Xia Qing’s hand clenched tightly on his leg. “What makes you so sure it was me who framed Zhou Xu back then, and not that Zhou Xu actually…”

“I don’t need to answer that. It’s pointless. You know what you did.” Mo Ming interrupted, speaking slowly. “What I want to know is this: When you framed Zhou Xu, was it your idea alone, or did someone else help you plan it? Back then, Zhou Xu’s career was at its peak, and his team was extremely powerful. Choosing him as your target was risky… There’s no way you would’ve had the guts to do it alone.”

Xia Qing opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word. His face turned pale, his confused gaze drifting into a distant memory.

It was true…

But how could he ever expose that person?

He was just desperate to rise to the top, and someone happened to offer help.

Xia Qing closed his eyes tightly, then slowly opened them again.

Calm, resigned.

“If Zhou Xu were still alive, with his team’s power, they probably could’ve quashed the rumors by now. What really happened in that room, no one would ever know. A little PR spin, and it would’ve all become a blurry mess… But who would’ve expected him to die so suddenly, in such a brutal car accident? I heard he was already gone by the time they got him to the hospital…”

After finishing, Xia Qing lifted his head and looked at Mo Ming. His voice was hoarse. “Got a cigarette?”

Mo Ming’s gaze remained cold. “No.”

Xia Qing lowered his eyes again, staying silent for a long time before quietly asking, “So your ultimate goal is to clear Zhou Xu’s name in front of the public? Is that it?”

“Yes.”

Another long stretch of dead silence. Xia Qing’s eyes grew darker and darker. He looked at Mo Ming, then suddenly shifted the topic. “When you were scheming against me, did you ever worry about making a mistake? Like, what if that night, I really had gone all the way with you…”

Mo Ming tilted his head slightly. “Would that have been a mistake? Sex doesn’t kill, you know. Not only would it not kill, but it could’ve landed you in jail for a few years.”

“…” The person in front of him was hell-bent on getting revenge for Zhou Xu, no matter the cost.

Xia Qing let out a bitter laugh. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have bothered working so hard to get into Remnant Sword. Instead of a successful career change, I ended up losing everything.”

“If not Remnant Sword, then there was that adventure variety show where you’re a regular cast member. Funny thing, the next guest lineup includes me.” Mo Ming looked at Xia Qing calmly. “You were destined to fall into my hands. Remnant Sword only pushed up the timeline. If you let public opinion continue to spiral, you’ll be dropped from that show. As for your scenes in Remnant Sword, Director Liu would probably replace you and reshoot everything, no matter the cost. I feel sorry for Director Liu…”

Xia Qing no longer had the strength to be angry. He let out a hollow laugh. “You really went to great lengths to ruin me…”

“Yes. I even hired a private investigator to dig into your past. Xia Qing, you bullied classmates in middle school, beat up teachers in high school, and made two girlfriends get abortions in college. Since entering the industry, you’ve had countless flings, one of whom got so emotionally attached that she jumped off a building and broke her leg. Your company had to pay her 1.4 million yuan to settle it. And that’s just the start—I could go on and on…”

Xia Qing sat there, stunned, looking at Mo Ming as if he were a monster.

“But all those mistakes are things your manager can still clean up for you. That’s why I didn’t bother hiring people to stir up trouble over your private life.”

Xia Qing opened his mouth, “You’re… terrifying.”

“I think you’re ready to give me an answer now. Do you want to carry the unbearable shame and never rise again, or confess your past mistakes and deal with a short-lived backlash?” Mo Ming spoke slowly. “The sympathy you’ll gain from the latter could help counteract the negative press. You know what the right choice is.”

Xia Qing didn’t respond immediately. He slumped back in his chair, staring at the ground. After a long time, he spoke in a low voice, “Zhou Xu is dead. Some things no longer matter to him, but they’re still important to me.”

“If you mean your reputation, then you clearly haven’t grasped your current situation.”

“No.” Xia Qing looked up, his smile pale and fragile. “I’m talking about my life. Between life and reputation, I choose life.”

Mo Ming frowned slightly.

Xia Qing’s words clearly had a deeper meaning.

Before Mo Ming could say anything, Xia Qing slowly stood up from his chair.

“Now that I know you did all this for Zhou Xu, I’m not even angry about your false accusations.” A look of desolation filled Xia Qing’s eyes as he let out a low chuckle. “With that recording, the company will definitely shelf me. I’ll never make a comeback. Mo Ming, I accept this retribution, but I won’t do what you want. And there’s nothing more I have to say to you.”

Xia Qing turned away from the table and slowly walked toward the door.

Mo Ming watched Xia Qing’s retreating back, his gaze cold. “When you clear Zhou Xu’s name, I’ll clear yours.”

Xia Qing froze, his gaze falling on the doorknob in his hand. After a long pause, he turned back to look at Mo Ming.

“To go this far for Zhou Xu… He must’ve been very important to you.”

Mo Ming didn’t answer.

Xia Qing would rather see his life fall apart than confess to what he did back then. That much was unexpected.

Xia Qing opened the door and left the room, his steps heavy as lead.

Once outside the hot pot restaurant, Xia Qing called his manager back. He told Chen Li that Mo Ming was very cautious and didn’t give him a chance to record anything.

As for the rest of his conversation with Mo Ming, Xia Qing didn’t reveal a single word. He only said that this was a personal grudge between them—one that couldn’t be resolved.

Xia Qing’s evasive answers infuriated Chen Li. “If that’s how it is, then the company can’t protect you anymore!”

Back at his hotel, Xia Qing crouched on the balcony, chain-smoking while scrolling through his phone. The wave of hate from netizens was overwhelming, and his studio had gone completely silent after releasing that initial statement.

He knew he was being abandoned.

Xia Qing smoked one cigarette after another and then started looking up information on Mo Ming.

After some digging, he discovered that aside from Remnant Sword, Mo Ming had only appeared in two other productions. Both of those male leads had been hit with major scandals, effectively ending their careers. One of them, Sun Chao, had recently been publicly exposed for sexual assault and was now blacklisted from the industry.

Xia Qing suddenly remembered that both of these actors had also jumped in during Zhou Xu’s trial to righteously accuse him of misconduct during their collaborations. Their testimonies had fueled the fire that ultimately destroyed Zhou Xu’s reputation.

A chill ran down his spine. Could Mo Ming’s rise to fame and these actors’ falls from grace really be unrelated?

If it was connected, then Mo Ming might be far more dangerous than Xia Qing had realized tonight. …

Public opinion fermented for an entire night. The parties involved had all chosen to withdraw from the debate, leaving only the wild and varied sense of justice from netizens to spread unchecked. Xia Qing’s fans believed in the clarification statement from his studio, firmly convinced of his innocence. Meanwhile, the majority of casual netizens believed in the “ironclad” evidence from the accusatory post. The two sides clashed, turning the entertainment section into a chaotic mess.

The true identity of the poster also became a hot topic, with many speculating and digging for clues. Some thought the poster was an outsider, while others guessed it was someone within the industry. They threw out a long list of people Xia Qing had interacted with, and though Mo Ming’s name appeared on that list, it was buried among countless others, making it difficult for anyone to focus on him. However, some sharp-eyed individuals pieced together clues and suspected Mo Ming, though most dismissed the idea. After all, Mo Ming was someone close to Han Shao Zhou—Xia Qing wouldn’t dare touch him, not even with ten times the courage.

Within Hongyi Media, the few who knew the truth were also wary of the recording in Mo Ming’s possession. No one dared to act rashly. Chen Li, though furious that Mo Ming had cost him a cash cow like Xia Qing, remained clear-headed enough to recognize that fighting Mo Ming to the bitter end would only bring more harm than good, given the deadly trump card Mo Ming still held.

A light rain had fallen all night.

The autumn rain brought an early taste of winter’s chill.

Mo Ming liked rainy days. The sound of raindrops hitting the ground, umbrellas, and windowsills gave him a sense of peace like never before.

“This is yours—one basket of steamed buns. Be careful with it.”

“Thank you.”

Mo Ming took the breakfast handed to him by the shop owner. The owner turned to greet another customer, a girl who seemed to be a regular. He asked with concern, “Has school been tough lately? You look a bit worn out.”

“It’s not school that’s wearing her down.” a friend of the girl chimed in with a smile. “It’s her useless idol stressing her out.”

The friend laughed as she explained, “Her idol is Xia Qing. You know him? He got caught up in a scandal, and now the whole internet is hating on him. He’s probably finished in the industry.”

“These young idols, I don’t know any of them. They all look the same to me. Now, our generation’s idols were people like Zhou Yixiang.” The shop owner looked at the girl’s bright smile and asked curiously, “Then why are you so happy?”

The girl’s smile seemed to light up the gloomy rainy day. “Because my idol is Zhou Xu! Seeing Xia Qing fall makes me happy, of course. Haha, Uncle, you don’t know how great this year has been for me. It’s like karma—those three people who stepped on Zhou Xu to rise up have all gone down this year. I feel like I should go to a temple to offer thanks.”

“Oh, I know Zhou Xu. He’s that singer who passed away, right? My wife’s phone ringtone is still one of his songs. My daughter used to like someone from his group… Gao… Gao something?”

“Are you talking about Gao Chen?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Gao Chen.”

The drizzle kept falling, as if it would last all day.

Crossing the street, Mo Ming walked toward the entrance of his apartment complex, holding his umbrella.

As he approached the gate, a scruffy little puppy darted out from under a bush and blocked his path. The puppy was tiny, its fur soaked from the rain, and its belly was so thin that its ribs showed. It was hard to tell what breed it was. It stuck out its little tongue, its black eyes fixed on the bag of buns in Mo Ming’s hand.

Mo Ming stepped around the puppy and continued walking.

The little thing, sensing that this human hadn’t kicked it, caught a whiff of hope and quietly followed close by, trying to sneak into the complex.

Mo Ming nearly stepped on the puppy’s leg. He stopped, frowning slightly, and looked down at the little creature at his feet. After a moment of hesitation, he crouched down and took a steamed bun from the bag, handing it to the puppy.

The puppy was overjoyed. It devoured the bun in a few bites, then stomped its front paws on the ground, wagging its tail as it circled excitedly around Mo Ming.

Mo Ming couldn’t help but smile. He reached out a finger and gently poked the puppy’s round nose. The little creature immediately licked his finger in a friendly manner, rubbing its body against Mo Ming’s foot.

“Sorry, but I can’t take you home…” Mo Ming said softly. “The place I’m staying isn’t mine, and I think I’ll be moving out soon.”

The puppy tilted its head, not understanding Mo Ming’s words, its tail still wagging happily.

“I’ll give you another bun, but that’s all. I didn’t buy much.”

Mo Ming placed another bun on the ground and stood up to leave. The puppy, seeing its chance of finding a home slipping away, grabbed the bun and tried to follow after Mo Ming. But a nearby security guard kicked it several meters away. Whimpering, the puppy scrambled to its feet and fled, only to turn back hesitantly, its ears drooping, hoping to retrieve the bun. The guard stomped his foot, and the puppy ran off in fright.

Mo Ming turned to see the scene. The security guard waved at him, casually explaining, “No idea where that thing came from. It’s been hanging around for days. If it shows up again, we’ll have to get rid of it. If it bites a kid, it’ll be trouble.”

The guard picked up the bun from the ground and threw it in the trash.

Mo Ming glanced in the direction where the puppy had fled, but it was long gone. He quietly turned away and left.

Around 10 a.m., Mo Ming received a call from Xi Nan.

“You’ve seen what’s happening with Xia Qing online, right?”

“Yeah, I’ve seen some of it.”

Xi Nan half-joked, “Mo Ming, what is it with you? Every time you join a project, someone from the same crew ends up in trouble.”

“…”

“Alright, I’m done joking. I’ve got some good news for you.” Xi Nan said with a cheerful tone. “Director Liu has decided to reshoot all of Xia Qing’s scenes in Remnant Sword. He contacted me and said he wants you to take over Xia Qing’s role. You’d only need to reshoot the scenes where Xia Qing’s face appears.”

“But I’ve already played a different role in that film.”

“Your role only has a few scenes where your face is visible. They said they’ll find someone else to replace you, but Xia Qing’s character is second only to the lead. His scenes are critical to the quality of the entire film. Director Liu is willing to put in extra effort to recast your role just so he can free you up to replace Xia Qing. That shows how much he values you.”

“Sister Nan, please thank Director Liu for his appreciation, but I…”

“Mo Ming!” Xi Nan interrupted sharply, “Did you even listen to what I said? This is Director Liu He Kun we’re talking about.”

“I told you before, aside from the upcoming variety show, I don’t want to accept any more work.”

“You said that, but then you voluntarily joined Remnant Sword as a stand-in. Weren’t you doing that because of Director Liu’s name? I think you’re someone who still has ambition. This is another chance to save the day, and it’s for the second male lead in Remnant Sword. Why not take it? I’m really frustrated, Mo Ming. You need to give me a good reason this time.”

After a long silence, Mo Ming quietly said, “I don’t like the entertainment industry.”

“…Are you messing with me, Mo Ming? Do you know how many actors in the industry would kill for this role? Xia Qing only got it because Hongyi Media invested in Remnant Sword and because he trained for nearly half a year to earn Director Liu’s approval. If it weren’t for the fact that you happened to be in the director’s crew as a backup, you wouldn’t even have the chance to be considered. Let’s talk face-to-face, Mo Ming. Come to the company, and I’ll give you a proper breakdown.”

“Sister Nan, I have the right to refuse this job.”

“…”

Mo Ming’s words left Xi Nan speechless. She was used to having complete control over her artists, no matter how famous they were. They always followed her lead. But for over a year, she had gotten nowhere with Mo Ming, largely because of this right he had. When she found out that right came from Han Shao Zhou, she became even more puzzled by Mo Ming’s choices… He had great looks, outstanding acting skills, and the backing of someone as powerful as Han Shao Zhou. He held all the winning cards, yet he played them without rhyme or reason, doing whatever he pleased.

It wasn’t just that she was disappointed in him—she was frustrated to the point of wanting to crack open his head and see what was going on inside.

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

Mo Ming spoke again, his voice soft. “I’m sorry, Sister Nan, for letting you down.”

“Mo Ming, let me tell you something. Afterward, if you still can’t muster any ambition, I’ll truly wash my hands of you” Xi Nan’s tone softened as she spoke. “This hasn’t been officially announced yet, so only a few people know.”

Mo Ming didn’t want to listen, but Xi Nan had phrased it in such a way that he couldn’t refuse. He could only respond with a quiet “Mm.”

“Wen Ci and Gao Chen are getting divorced” Xi Nan said. “Wen Ci is planning a comeback, and there are over ten companies trying to sign him, including our own Xingci. Mo Ming, what I’m about to say might sound harsh, but it’s for your own good. Everyone knows that Wen Ci is Han Shao Zhou’s first love. It’s no secret. You probably understand why Han got together with you after Wen Ci got married, right? If you don’t, you can go online and search for the topic that came up the night your relationship with Han was exposed—the one suggesting that you’re a ‘low-budget version of Wen Ci.’ Once you see it, you’ll understand why you were able to stay by his side. Yes, even if Han Shao Zhou isn’t truly in love with you, your life with him is definitely more comfortable than ours as ordinary working people. You could choose to be a freeloader, relying on Han Shao Zhou to live a life of luxury. That’s an advantage your face has given you. But here’s the key point: Wen Ci is coming back. How long do you think you can hold on to your comfortable life? How long do you think you can keep freeloading? I’ve told you before, instead of getting lost in this illusion of love, why not see it as a stepping stone—a shortcut to success? You didn’t listen. Now I’m telling you, Han Shao Zhou isn’t someone you can rely on. Can you have some sense of urgency? Let me put it this way: if you take this role in Director Liu’s film and win another prestigious award, maybe in the eyes of the public, you could stand on equal footing with Wen Ci. You might even make Han Shao Zhou see you in a new light. If you let me plan your career, I promise that within a year, you’ll reach Xia Qing’s level…”

Xi Nan spoke rapidly, leaving Mo Ming no chance to interject.

Mo Ming switched his phone to speaker mode and placed it on the balcony. With one hand, he held a small spray bottle and a cloth, carefully wiping the leaves of an orchid on the balcony, all while quietly listening.

He caught the key point in Xi Nan’s words: Han Shao Zhou’s true love was returning, which meant he would soon no longer want Mo Ming.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?” Xi Nan asked, taking a sip of tea before continuing. “If you do, come to the company right now. I’ll be waiting for you in my office.”

Mo Ming’s voice was calm and sincere, “Sister Nan, I won’t take the role.”

“You…” Xi Nan was on the verge of exploding with anger.

“I’m sorry.” Mo Ming said softly, feeling guilty.

Xi Nan could almost imagine him lowering his head, his eyelashes trembling, looking both pitiful and sad. She could already see the expression on his face as if it were somehow all her fault.

Just picturing it made Xi Nan feel even more frustrated.

“Fine, I’ll just assume you’ve got a gold mine from Han Shao Zhou, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life like us regular folks. I give up. I’ll call Director Liu and decline the offer. You’re probably going to be the first actor to ever turn down Liu He Kun. You’re going to become a legend, you know that?”

“…”

“Talking to you any longer will just give me high blood pressure. I’m hanging up.”

“Sister Nan.” Mo Ming asked softly, “Can I ask, when is Mr. Wen coming back to Chuanhai?”

“Oh?” Xi Nan paused, then let out a meaningful chuckle. “Now you’re starting to worry about when Wen Ci is coming back? I thought you didn’t care.”

“I’m just… asking.”

“The information I have says this Sunday.”

“This week?” Mo Ming murmured, “That soon?”

Sensing the disappointment in Mo Ming’s voice, Xi Nan’s tone softened. She spoke gently, trying to reason with him, “Mo Ming, how about you come to the company and have a proper chat with me?”

“I’m not taking the role.”

“Goodbye.”

With that, Xi Nan coldly ended the call.

Mo Ming: “…”

The rain outside continued to fall.

Mo Ming picked up his phone and checked the date. It was already Wednesday.

Only a few days left?

After lunch, Mo Ming pulled two large suitcases out of the storage room. He had bought them right after he first heard about Wen Ci’s divorce and his impending return.

Rushing things would only make them messy, so he preferred to prepare in advance.

Mo Ming neatly folded his summer clothes and items he didn’t wear often, packing them into the suitcases, leaving only two outfits hanging in the closet.

That way, when the time came for him to leave, packing would be swift and efficient.

After sorting out his clothes, Mo Ming started to deliberate over the other things in the apartment.

He and Han Shao Zhou kept many of their personal items separate, so could he take his share with him? Things like the recently purchased electric razor, electric toothbrush, and that set of white porcelain bowls with gold rims and kingfisher patterns in the kitchen. He had picked them out after visiting several shopping malls.

Would it seem too petty to take them? After all, Han Shao Zhou had given him so much over the past three years.

Maybe it was better not to take them. He wasn’t a petty person, after all.

In the afternoon, Mo Ming received a message from Han Shao Zhou, saying he had just boarded a plane in *City and would be back in time for dinner.

The fridge was nearly empty, with only two soon-to-expire cartons of yogurt left. In the week that Han Shao Zhou had been away on his business trip, Mo Ming had stayed cooped up in the apartment. When the food at home ran out, he ordered takeout, and occasionally went out to a small restaurant near the complex for a quick meal.

With Han Shao Zhou coming back for dinner tonight, Mo Ming figured he’d better prepare, so he went to the nearby supermarket to stock up. He only bought enough groceries to last for three or four days.

Carrying two full bags back from the supermarket, Mo Ming was already thinking about tonight’s menu. But when he reached the door and tried to enter the passcode, his heart sank.

The door lock’s battery had died.

The emergency manual key that could open the door was still with Han Shao Zhou.

There was no other choice.

Han Shao Zhou returned just after six, stepping out of the elevator only to see someone squatting by the door of his apartment.

The figure had their face buried in their arms, curled up quietly, with a full grocery bag on either side—like a little kitten that had been kicked out of its home. Pitiful.

Han Shao Zhou stood in front of Mo Ming, looking down at him, trying not to laugh. “Why are you squatting here?”

Mo Ming slowly lifted his head, looking up along the two impossibly long legs in front of him until his gaze met that familiar handsome face.

“Brother Shao Zhou.” Mo Ming’s voice was low and raspy, as if in complaint. “The door lock battery died.”

“You couldn’t call a locksmith? It just needs a quick charge to fix it.” Han Shao Zhou shook his head, half-amused, half-exasperated. “I’ve never met anyone as silly as you, just sitting here waiting.”

Mo Ming slowly lowered his head again, his voice even softer. “I thought you’d be back soon, so I didn’t want to bother anyone else.”

“And if my flight had been delayed? You’d have waited here the whole time?”

Mo Ming didn’t respond, his head drooping even lower.

“Alright, I’m not mad at you. Isn’t it cold, sitting out here like that?”

“Yes.” Mo Ming replied.

Han Shao Zhou unlocked the door and grabbed the two grocery bags by Mo Ming’s side. “Hurry up and come in. Look at you, freezing. If you don’t soak in the tub with me for a good while tonight, I don’t think you’ll warm up.”

Mo Ming started to stand but immediately winced, slowly crouching down again, his brow furrowing. He looked up at Han Shao Zhou, his expression almost pitiful. “My legs… they’re numb.”

“…”

Mo Ming pursed his lips and slowly stretched his hand out toward Han Shao Zhou.

Han Shao Zhou chuckled, but didn’t move. “You want me to carry you? Call me something sweet.”

“B-Brother Shao Zhou?”

“Heard that one too many times.”

Mo Ming furrowed his brow, seriously considering for two seconds before trying again. “Husband?”

Han Shao Zhou froze for a moment, silently sucking in a breath.

Wow…

That escalated quickly.


Be my Patron~
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is patreon.png

Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.

Powered By
Best Wordpress Adblock Detecting Plugin | CHP Adblock

Options

not work with dark mode
Reset