Some things could be hidden from outsiders but not from those within the industry.
Fang Xihua’s sudden rise in resources, going from a nameless supporting role to a leading actor who gained fame overnight, could be traced back to certain influences.
Tu Xi stood there quietly, his right hand resting on the young man’s shoulder. He adopted a protective stance and drawn the young man into his embrace. Under the flowing white light, his chestnut-colored eyes resembled amber, with a mechanical coldness.
Fang Xihua had always been a bully who preyed on the weak. He dared to steal Xia Yan’s resources because he knew Xia Yan didn’t care and wouldn’t retaliate behind the scenes. But in the face of Tu Xi…he cowered.
He curled up, frightened, and only dared to look at Xia Yan. “Brother Xia…”
“…”
Xia Yan didn’t want to say another word to him. He casually opened the door and walked into the living room. His posture was lazy and indifferent, and as he closed the door, his gaze swept over the hallway, landing on Fang Xihua as if he were nothing more than a stone or a speck of dust, unworthy of any emotional response.
Complete disregard could hurt more than hatred.
Fang Xihua stood in a daze, unable to regain his composure for a long time.
–
“Beep—”
The water dispenser made a soft noise as Xia Yan brought over two glasses of water and handed them to the two outstanding men sitting on the couch.
Zhao Wenxiu, experiencing such service for the first time, was flattered. “Thank you.”
Having been here a few times before, Tu Xi naturally took the glass and sipped it. The water was at the perfect temperature, flowing smoothly down his throat and into his stomach. “Sorry for the trouble.”
The black-and-white cat-themed couple’s water cups were simple, clean, and had a touch of cuteness.
The two men exchanged glances, both feeling a little queasy. They simultaneously looked at the young man, who was holding an ordinary transparent glass. His lips, moistened by the steam, were a glossy red, and the tip of his tongue occasionally peeked out.
“…”
“…”
Xia Yan nonchalantly looked away, avoiding their gaze.
Was this…an accident?
Zhao Wenxiu speculated as he found the white cat cup in his hand difficult to drink from. He placed the cup on the coffee table, silent and unsure what to say next.
Suddenly, a hand reached out beside him and forcefully knocked against the cup’s rim.
“Crack.”
The white cat cup fell to the floor, shattering into pieces.
Zhao Wenxiu froze, slowly raising his head inch by inch to look at Tu Xi beside him.
Tu Xi met his gaze without fear, smiling faintly. His eyes were calm as he contentedly took another sip of water. “Oops, slipped.”
Zhao Wenxiu swore it was intentional.
Tu Xi gently stroked the tail of the black cat cup, his touch delicate and tender, and whispered, “A pretty little cat should only belong to one person.”
“…”
Tu Xi stood up from the couch with an elegant and graceful posture as if he were the man of the house. “Broken pieces can easily cut hands. Yan Yan, where’s the broom and dustpan? I’ll clean it up.”
“No need to trouble yourself. It’s my cup. I’ll clean it up myself,” Zhao Wenxiu said expressionlessly as he stood up.
“You’re the guest. I’ll handle it.”
“…You’re just a boyfriend.” Zhao Wenxiu recalled how Xia Yan didn’t seem particularly attentive to Tu Xi during the variety show, which made him think he still had a chance.
Tu Xi narrowed his eyes and silently mouthed, “He’s mine.”
–
Xia Yan had just looked away and didn’t see the undercurrents between the two men.
A hint of confusion crossed his face. What was there to argue about when it came to housework?
Uncertain, the young man said, “I think the things are on the balcony.”
In this house, a robot vacuum usually handled the dust, and a cleaner came every three days for a thorough cleaning. Sometimes, Wang Dazhuang would come over and tidy up as well. Xia Yan himself rarely did any housework.
“Got it.”
Tu Xi was first to reach the balcony, grabbing the cleaning tools. It was clear he rarely did housework. Water stains spread across the floor, leaving gray marks.
But the man worked diligently, carefully sweeping up even the tiniest shards of glass from the cracks.
After finishing, he activated the robot vacuum and watched the little round machine repeat its routine.
When Tu Xi became serious, the fake smile disappeared, replaced with a touch of sincerity and cuteness, like a child discovering a new world.
It reminded Xia Yan of himself after his bankruptcy in his previous life.
The first time he learned to fold a quilt, mop the floor, cook, and wash dishes, he was clumsy, and it took a while to adjust. After transferring to a regular school, his classmates always seemed very accommodating toward him.
At the private school he attended before, tuition was expensive, and the teachers couldn’t possibly let a bunch of young masters and ladies do cleaning chores; custodians did all the cleaning.
But a public school was different. Everyone had to take turns cleaning the classroom.
The first time Xia Yan swept the floor, he was so embarrassed that he didn’t know where to start. He could only imitate others, doing things slowly. The other students on duty didn’t mind the inconvenience and even helped him out.
However, at that time, he was in a state of high alert, refusing to interact with the outside world, which caused him to miss out on many people and things.
–
Tu Xi keenly noticed that the youth’s gaze had softened. He called out in a low voice, “Yan Yan.”
“Hmm?”
“You live here, and any random person can show up at your door. I’m really worried about you.” Tu Xi seized the opportunity to take it a step further. “How about you move in with me? I have a standalone villa with high security.”
Zhao Wenxiu blurted out, “No way!”
Xia Yan: “!!!” Help! Why do the protagonist shou always want to live with him? According to the original owner’s flirtatious persona, he couldn’t outright refuse.
Luckily, he was spared from the hassle with a third person present.
He had been thinking earlier that if he didn’t speak up, the protagonist gong and protagonist shou could have a nice chat and strengthen their relationship. Now, seeing the protagonist gong so anxious…
The youth blinked. There’s hope!
From beginning to end, Xia Yan never thought Zhao Wenxiu liked him. Even when Zhao Wenxiu competed to go home with him at the bar, it was probably for Zhao Wenhan.
As for helping to clear things up, that was even simpler.
During the live broadcast of Heartbeat, he flirted with Ah Er, and netizens could dig up his ambiguous partners from half a year ago. It was only a matter of time before they unearthed Zhao Wenhan.
Rather than sitting and waiting, it was better to take the initiative.
Xia Yan lowered his eyes, then raised them again with a look of irritation: “You two are so annoying. I’m tired and want to sleep. Both of you, get out.”
Go outside, foster your relationship, and, ideally, fall in love right away.
“Did you not sleep well last night?” Tu Xi’s eyes were also bloodshot; he had barely slept all night. “Well, you were really ‘busy’ yesterday.”
Xia Yan: “…” Sorry, I’m a scumbag. Please, just curse me out and dump me already.
Seeing him avoid eye contact, Tu Xi didn’t press further. He didn’t want to push the big cat too hard and provoke him, so he sent Zhao Wenxiu out, “Thank you for your hard work today, Mr. Zhao.”
Zhao Wenxiu stared at him. “Let’s go together.”
“I want to have a private talk with my boyfriend about a couple things.”
“…” Zhao Wenxiu stayed silent, standing his ground.
Xia Yan had many things he wanted to ask Tu Xi, but nothing was more important than the two protagonists’ relationship. He manually nudged them toward each other, hoping to push them out the door.
However…
They didn’t move.
Xia Yan: “…” expressionless.jpg
Both men stood in the doorway, looking at him. One was as gentle as jade, the other mature and steady. Though they were entirely different people, their gazes were eerily similar.
Thick, possessive desire and inexplicable affection.
It felt… not the first time he had seen it.
In his past life as well… vaguely… Xia Yan carefully searched through his memories but found nothing. He instinctively looked away, glancing down at his hand, recalling the embarrassing thing he had just done. His toes curled in embarrassment.
Where’s the dignity of a scumbag gong?
He coughed softly, pretending nonchalance as he sat back on the couch and turned on the projector: “Whatever. If you two want to stay, stay, but don’t bother me.”
Tu Xi: “…”
Zhao Wenxiu: “…”
Both of them wisely chose not to press the issue, fearing they might hurt Xia Yan’s pride.
Tu Xi even felt a bit regretful for standing so firm just now. He should have played along with the youth and used his best actor skills to at least pretend to budge a little.
His eyes swept over the youth.
The young man had taken off his shoes and was curled up on the couch, holding a phone, showing only the back of his head to them, absorbed in something.
Xia Yan was looking at the group chat with his gang of playful friends.
The group had been lively since morning, with over a thousand new messages. Each person was boasting about what they had said to “help” Xia Yan.
Xia Yan couldn’t resist replying with six dots.
[…]
Thanks a lot, guys.
