Xiao Can immediately realized that TJL was an abbreviation for the Alpha boss Jiao Liao.
His gaze moved up, and the second-to-last message in the window was also sent by the other party.
—Are you home? Did you like the gifts?
As Mu Nianwen had said, he really hadn’t had any contact with this Alpha after that.
Being treated so coldly, yet still willing to spend a fortune for Mu Nianwen, was indeed unusual.
Xiao Can speculated that he probably felt unwilling and wanted another chance.
So, taking advantage of the still warm favor, he expected that Mu Nianwen wouldn’t be so heartless and would immediately reach out.
Mu Nianwen stared at the screen dumbfoundedly, rubbing his chin with his hand, looking very hesitant.
To alert him, Xiao Can deliberately spoke very plainly, “The other party’s intentions are quite obvious. Spending money on you is just for sleeping with you. Either you accept it or cut it off. Otherwise, stringing him along, wanting benefits but not giving him what he really wants, is going to backfire.”
Of course, his intention was not to persuade Mu Nianwen to surrender to this Alpha for the sake of temporary benefits.
Even without this Alpha, Mu Nianwen was also a well-known streamer, and his income was very stable. He didn’t need to cling to someone’s thigh to make a living.
Mu Nianwen frowned, feeling conflicted for a moment, put down his phone, and said, “Then I won’t reply.”
Not speaking, cold-shouldering, although not very humane, if the other party really decided to expose him in anger, it wouldn’t be his fault.
After all, there was no rule that streamers had to keep in touch with their big supporters after ending their streams, and being distant, for most viewers, was actually quite endearing.
Just as Xiao Can relaxed, he saw Mu Nianwen eating noodles, occasionally glancing at his phone, looking restless.
It didn’t look good.
“Are you unwilling to let go of the money or the person?” Xiao Can asked.
Mu Nianwen thought for a moment. “Both i think,” He looked at Xiao Can. “He’s very gentle, very classy, not like those… sleazy Alphas. I always feel there might be some misunderstanding.”
Xiao Can felt complicated. If it were a year ago, he would definitely have firmly and seriously argued with Mu Nianwen, telling him that being soft hearted towards Alphas was the beginning of unhappiness, and might even arrogantly say some harsh and one-sided words, rebuking Mu Nianwen for being unclear-headed.
But now, he completely understood that some emotions were inherently unreasonable and beyond the reach of reason.
As long as Mu Nianwen had a fondness for that person, no amount of scolding would be useful.
Putting himself in Mu Nianwen’s shoes, if Mu Nianwen staunchly opposed him associating with He Xingzhou, would he listen? He would only choose not to tell Mu Nianwen about his affairs with He Xingzhou.
Of course, He Xingzhou, being so honest, gentle, naive, cute, pure, and sincere, was incomparable to that kind of sleazy Alpha.
“If I reply to him, will you look down on me?” Mu Nianwen asked.
Xiao Can sighed and smiled. “If you really can’t let go, just test the waters. Otherwise, if you keep thinking about it, it won’t feel good.”
“But what if I start to like him, will you scold me?” Mu Nianwen asked again.
“It depends on whether he’s married or not,” Xiao Can said.
“He’s not,” Mu Nianwen said. “He’s twenty-seven this year, had a relationship during his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, each lasting less than six months, and broke up quickly. He’s been single for the past three years.”
Xiao Can was surprised. “That specific?!”
“When we had dinner that day, I found him pleasing to the eye, casually interrogated him, and he confessed everything,” Mu Nianwen said. “He gives off an honest vibe.”
Listening to him, if the gifts hadn’t contained that thing, these two might have already become a couple.
“I’ll reply to him.” Mu Nianwen picked up his phone.
Xiao Can stretched his neck and saw him typing in the window: Not yet, thanks for today~
Pressing send, Mu Nianwen looked up. “Why are you so close?”
“Concerned about you,” Xiao Can said.
“I think you’re just nosy!” Mu Nianwen said.
As they were talking, the other side had already replied.
—You’re welcome. It’s late, go to bed early.
“…Is that it?” Xiao Can, who was trying to sneak a peek, was very surprised. “What’s he here for?”
Mu Nianwen hesitated for a moment. “To make his presence known?”
As they were speaking, another message came through.
“By the way, remind me next time before you compete with someone else. Today I wasn’t in front of the screen and almost missed it.”
Xiao Can couldn’t help but let out a soft “Ah.”
The implication seemed to be, “If you need help, just call out, and I guarantee you’ll win.”
Mu Nianwen blinked twice, then replied after considering:
“Hahaha, don’t take it so seriously. I’m satisfied just having you drop by when you’re free. You should rest early too, goodnight~~”
“Will you really call him for the next PK?” Xiao Can asked.
“Of course not…” Mu Nianwen paused, then corrected himself, “Well, why not? Starting from tomorrow, I’ll set up a challenge for a month straight, let’s see if he responds.”
“…”
“I’m done eating,” Mu Nianwen stood up, “You can put the bowls in the sink later, I’ll wash them tomorrow.”
The next day, Xiao Can secretly went to watch Mu Nianwen’s live broadcast again and found out that this guy was just bluffing. He didn’t compete with anyone but was playing games honestly.
He had a fixed segment. In a well-known team competitive game, he would create a new character pretending to be a newbie. Once in the team, he would speak in a childish voice, saying “Big brother, big sister, carry me,” which attracted some show-off Alphas. But once in the game, he would dominate, and after a spree of kills, he would pretend to be innocent and exclaim, “Big brother, you’re so amazing! How did you do that?” Then, he would join the audience in watching the other players’ performances, often bringing about laughter and amusement, making the show very entertaining.
Mu Nianwen intended to replicate this routine, but as soon as he joined a team, his teammates began shouting, claiming to be loyal viewers of his livestream and lucky to be playing with him.
Mu Nianwen was speechless but couldn’t leave the team just like that, so he went along with it.
Once the game started, the person kept blabbering, emphasizing their affection for Mu Nianwen. Maybe due to excessive excitement, their words became repetitive and somewhat incoherent.
Mu Nianwen responded formally, expressing thanks and then asked, “Have you ever sent me any gifts?”
The person told him, “Feelings can’t be measured by money.”
“Just a heart-shaped badge only costs five yuan and can make me feel your support!” Mu Nianwen said.
After hesitating for a moment, the person took a bold stance and said, “If you kiss me in the game, I’ll send it to you.”
Mu Nianwen, who was skilled at managing his expressions, rolled his eyes on camera.
“It’s okay if it’s inconvenient. Feel free to visit my livestream and send messages when you’re free,” he said.
But the person insisted stubbornly, “Give me a kiss in the game, and I’ll send you a heart-shaped light right away. If it’s not enough, I’ll send a Starry Wish as well.”
Xiao Can opened the gift list and glanced at it. A Starry Wish cost eight bucks.
“Whatever amount you send won’t work,” Mu Nianwen said. “I haven’t activated that service. Sorry.”
“It’s just a kiss in the game, what’s the big deal?” the person chuckled, “You must be shy. If I send you something more, like that Alpha, you’d probably be willing.”
“I’m good friends with him; he wouldn’t ask me for such things,” Mu Nianwen said.
“I don’t believe it, it’s impossible,” the person said, “He spends so much on you; he must have slept with you already. This is how you streamers are.”
Mu Nianwen was stunned, his brows furrowing.
“You streamers, acting innocent, all fake,” the person continued excitedly, “Your friend, Xiao Can, I heard he’s flirtatious, sleeping around—”
“You’re talking nonsense,” Mu Nianwen interrupted him, “What the [beep] are you spewing here? Get the [beep] out of here!”
The person hesitated, “Why are you cursing—”
“I don’t curse at people, but you are a worthless piece of trash. What nonsense are you spewing here, mentioning Xiao Can’s name? I’ll damn well—”
He hadn’t finished cursing when Xiao Can’s phone went black, the screen displaying that the system had detected inappropriate content and had forcibly shut down the stream.
The comments were filled with question marks, then quickly realized what happened. Some laughed, some were speechless.
Some lamented, saying they’d seen many streamers being shut down due to edgy content, but it was the first time they had seen someone curse themselves out of a broadcast.
The person’s behavior was already irritating, so most people didn’t mind Mu Nianwen’s outburst. Some even praised him for cursing so well and started sending gifts to the empty broadcast room.
Xiao Can went to Mu Nianwen’s room, finding Mu Nianwen furiously trying to reconnect.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“Are you watching?” Mu Nianwen didn’t even turn his head, typing quickly, “Damn, I’m so unlucky.”
Reconnecting required a cooldown period. He was sending messages to calm the audience, assuring them he’d be back soon.
“Why bother with such people?” Xiao Can came behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder, “Just act pitiful in the stream, and everyone will sympathize with you. No need to engage with them.”
As he spoke, he subconsciously looked at the screen and suddenly noticed his own name.
—Xiao Can, is he the one who was the third party with He Xingzhou and Tan Zhen’s relationship?
“Just stay out of it,” Mu Nianwen swiftly banned the person who posted this comment, “I’m about to restart, you’ll be caught in the crossfire.”
Xiao Can pretended not to notice, turned around, and before leaving, added, “I’m doing just fine now, don’t care about what a few people say.”
“I was already annoyed with him, not just because of what he said about you,” Mu Nianwen said.
“Mhm,” Xiao Can waved his hand, “Carry on then.”
Mu Nianwen turned back, “Touched by your words, now hurry up and send me some gifts.”
“Ask your ‘good friend’ TJL to send them,” Xiao Can quickly left.
When he returned to his room, the livestream had resumed.
Sure enough, Mu Nianwen began acting pitifully. After a round of venting, when someone mentioned Xiao Can in the chat, he said, “Xiao Can is actually a very simple person. He’s never even been in a relationship and gets dragged into all sorts of rumors. I just can’t stand people who think so lowly of others just because they themselves are trashy. Me? I’ve had relationships before, got dumped later. How many times have I told you this story? Let’s not talk about it anymore. Now? Now, I don’t want to find anyone. I have you guys every day, why do I need a partner? I already feel like I don’t have enough time for myself every day. Hey hey hey, some people stop spreading rumors; mods, ban them if they keep doing it. What kind of person is Xiao Can? Don’t I know him? Is it a crime to be pretty and single?
Xiao Can thought to himself that he had indeed started dating, though it had only just begun.
He just didn’t know when he could let everyone know.
Earlier, he had said he didn’t care, but he was very aware that he was ultimately just an ordinary person who would be affected by others’ comments.
Telling He Xingzhou to wait a year was just an excuse.
Even if they were to go public a year later, he would still face criticism.
He wasn’t betting on the public’s tolerance of him but rather on whether he would have firmly established himself in the industry by then, able to withstand rumors and gossip.
In such matters, the public tends to be stricter with Omegas than with Alphas. And he couldn’t be as indifferent as He Xingzhou.
Just a few hours ago, he had a video call with He Xingzhou.
They chatted for a while before He Xingzhou suddenly said he had inspiration and couldn’t wait to write something. After hanging up, he had disappeared since then, and Xiao Can didn’t know what terrible thing he had created again.
Listening to the songs he sent, Xiao Can felt ashamed.
But amidst the embarrassment, he also felt an uncontrollable excitement. He wanted to present these clumsy yet lovely lyrics and meticulously crafted melodies to everyone, wanting to show off the sincere love he had received, wanting everyone to know that He Xingzhou had only ever loved him.
He also wanted to walk openly with He Xingzhou, without sneaking around or looking over their shoulders.
Love is an insatiable hunger; the more you get, the greedier you become.
