Chapter 223: That Rascal

Chapter 223: That Rascal

Just as Lin Miao had expected, within minutes of posting the photo, Weibo started to slow to a crawl.

This was despite the fact that they had specifically borrowed extra servers in advance, knowing that the new episode of "Wilderness Survival Challenge" was going to be released today.

The previous episode of "Wilderness Survival Challenge" had crashed several websites, so this time everyone knew better and came prepared. But who could have predicted that Lin Miao would pour gasoline on the fire?

This man had long become a traffic magnet. Even those who didn’t often surf the internet had more or less heard of his legend.

Whether it was Lin Miao’s family background, his identity as an athlete, his performance in the show, or his latest work… he had managed to break barriers in every circle.

Not only had God left his door open, but He had also given him floor-to-ceiling windows.

Such a person, who couldn’t avoid attention from all walks of life, suddenly going public with his relationship—didn’t that mean a new trendsetter?

Anything that could be associated with Lin Miao instantly became a red-hot commodity. Even those who didn’t usually go online would want to open Weibo to see what was going on.

The entertainment industry’s studios were the first to jump on the bandwagon. Before Gu Zhao could repost the Weibo, they had already reposted Lin Miao’s post with no caption, adding their congratulations. After Gu Zhao reposted it, they reposted it again, this time with a photo of the two of them.

Then came the second wave of reposts, surprisingly from the official accounts of companies that had no prior connection to Lin Miao…

Who wouldn’t want to get a little connection with the Lin Group? Gu Zhao’s status still didn’t match Lin Miao’s, so Gu Zhao’s agent and studio had their phones blowing up all night, not getting a moment’s rest.

Lin Miao heard the system’s chime of rising points echoing incessantly in his mind, so he temporarily turned off the system notifications.

Even this gives points?

The more he looked at his boyfriend, the more he liked what he saw.

In his joy, Lin Miao pinched Gu Zhao’s nose.

Their little boyfriend blinked at him, like a wide-eyed kitten, utterly adorable.

Lin Miao was overwhelmed by a beauty overload, his heart nearly jumping out of his chest, and he quickly averted his gaze.

If he kept looking, things would definitely get out of hand.

Who would have thought that some people only put on a facade of being well-behaved? Just like a cat raised at home, with razor-sharp teeth that could tear through cardboard, yet it harmlessly nibbled on its owner’s fingers, gently holding them to play.

If it weren’t for the tongue’s tiny barbs pricking the skin, causing pain and itchiness, one might almost forget that this was a predator that could take on a dog several times its size.

Lin Miao shouldn’t have trusted that innocent face. What pure, naive college boy? At his core, he was still that little devil, fierce as a wolf that’s been starving for days, not sparing even the meat in the bone crevices.

Luckily, Lin Miao had no commitments the next day. He had truly fallen for that face, forgetting that Gu Zhao’s acting skills were taught by him.

How could he have thought that the mental fragment of No. 1 in the book world would be any good? Hadn’t he been burned enough in the past?

Lin Miao buried his face in the pillow, covering himself with the blanket, only exposing a narrow strip of skin on the back of his neck, marked with clusters of plum blossom-like bruises. He was so sleepy his head was spinning, but someone called him up to eat breakfast.

Eat, eat, eat—all he knows is eating.

Not a good guy! None of them are good guys!

Lin Miao angrily pulled the blanket over himself, completely wrapping himself in it.

He wanted to sleep! Lack of sleep could kill a person.

The blanket behind him was lifted, and Gu Zhao quickly slipped in, pressing against his back, an arm reaching out to pull him into an embrace. His clear, soft voice wasn’t deliberately lowered, sounding gentle and obedient, almost too good to be true. Gu Zhao whispered softly, "Miao Miao, get up and eat a little first, then you can go back to sleep, okay?"

If this had happened before, Lin Miao would definitely have been fooled by this harmless appearance, but yesterday he had already seen and confirmed it.

This guy, just like the spiritual counterparts in other realms, is quite the trickster!

Using his upcoming shoot as an excuse, he smoothly coaxed him without leaving a trace. Meanwhile, he was like a dog with a bone, gnawing away even when there was nothing left.

What a scoundrel.

After enduring all the whining and clinginess, Lin Miao's drowsiness was gone, and he was finally carried to the dining room.

He wasn't hungry at first, but this rascal kept whispering the menu in his ear, really making him crave it.

Gu Zhao continued to hold him, not even putting him on the chair, cutting the food into bite-sized pieces and feeding him spoonful by spoonful.

"How is it? I got Li Min to coach me online. Do you like the taste?"

Lin Miao's anger started to melt away, remembering what he liked to eat, and even learning how to make it, willing to put in the effort for him.

Hmph, he’s probably just trying to make up for his misdeeds—he wouldn’t be moved!

Gu Zhao’s cooking isn’t half bad either. Though it tastes different from Li Min’s, it’s tweaked to suit Lin Miao’s taste, making it more to his liking.

Hmm... it’s pretty tasty.

Alright, it’s really good—why is it that the more I eat, the hungrier I feel?

He ate a hearty breakfast and ended up feeling stuffed, too full to lie down, so he was held and had his stomach rubbed.

The room’s central air kept the temperature just right. Lin Miao glanced down and noticed the fresh marks on his skin.

Hmm, his mood, which had just lifted, soured again.

How’s he supposed to show his face like this?

Gu Zhao, oblivious to his displeasure, kept admiring his handiwork.

Lin Miao, in a fit of anger, gave his arm a sharp twist.

"Still feeling off?" Gu Zhao adjusted his position while holding him, so he wouldn’t feel congested and uncomfortable.

Lin Miao’s ears turned red in an instant. No wonder he felt the position was so awkward today—this guy! Does he have no shame!

"Alright, you don’t need to speak anymore." Lin Miao wished he could block this person's mouth, and the next second, he was kissed.

"It’s my fault, next time I’ll definitely listen to you."

The sincere attitude was almost impossible to fault, but Lin Miao felt that this person's forehead clearly read "I was wrong, next time I dare."

He reached out and pinched the soft cheek, pulling the cheek meat and pouting.

"You better mean what you say."

Gu Zhao smiled at him, his eyes full of tenderness, making it really hard to be harsh.

Whatever, he knew this guy’s nature—he wasn’t that mad anymore.

After digesting for a while, drowsiness struck again. Lin Miao yawned and was carried back to the room.

This house was bought by Lin Miao when he was still in school. His home was in the villa area, too far from school, so he bought a house near the school to live in, only going back on weekends.

Now temporarily living with Gu Zhao, they moved into this place, which is more fully equipped.

Other houses are available to move into anytime, but since they’re rarely lived in, they’re not as convenient or well-equipped as this one.

When he woke up again, Gu Zhao had somehow found the comics he’d left in this house back in high school and was engrossed in reading them.

"You’re awake. Hungry?"

"Not hungry yet—it’s only been a few hours since we ate."

Lin Miao, well-rested, felt much better mentally. Before sleeping, he secretly took a pill from the cultivation world, and now his body was fully recovered.

Fully revived, he realized it was almost afternoon—what a messed-up sleep schedule...

So, living together has its downsides—it’s easy to mess up your routine.

Lin Miao got up, drank some water, and then opened his laptop to deal with work.

The company his sister casually handed to him had now grown and thrived under his leadership. After another round of funding, it should be ready to go public. But this wasn’t a big deal—their family never lacked money or investors.

Lin Miao worked as if everything was fine, while Gu Zhao stayed quietly by his side with a book, occasionally handing him a cup of hot water or massaging his eyes when he needed a break.

It seemed like he’d momentarily forgotten all the bad things that guy had done. Lin Miao felt like he only remembered the good times—how could he like Gu Zhao so much? Did Gu Zhao put a spell on him?

After wrapping up work, it was already dusk outside. The two went for a walk, tried a roadside stall that was a letdown, and then wandered near the school. They ran into middle schoolers getting out of class, joined the teenagers to find food, and finally found a great roadside stall.

As expected of a teenager’s pick—great quality, cheap, and clean, with flavors you won’t find in fancy restaurants!

Lin Miao and Gu Zhao were joking around when they suddenly heard a kid scream. The kid pointed in their direction and was about to shout Lin Miao's name.

Lin Miao and Gu Zhao exchanged glances.

"Run!"

Their running caught the kid’s attention, and half an hour later, the two were trending online again.

Netizens were both amused and annoyed—a star who makes more in a day than most people do in a lifetime, actually went to a school to grab snacks from elementary kids. How childish! And they were even chased by the kids.

Lin Miao was amused too; he’d never experienced anything so fun before. Shaking off the group of screaming teenagers just there for the thrill, he couldn’t stop laughing.

As the streetlights turned on, the neon lights of the night flickered to life. With Gu Zhao by his side, holding food full of life’s flavor, surrounded by a lively crowd, he felt truly alive.

He really, really liked this world.

Lin Miao had been resting at home for a few days after finishing the show—not because he was lazy, but because there was a lot of work to handle at the company.

Although he preferred the job of being a star, since it was handed over to him, Lin Miao wouldn’t treat it casually.

Even though the small company under him earned him less each month than the pocket money his sister gave him, his company still supported many employees, and behind each employee was a family. If the company collapsed, it would only harm the nameless grassroots workers.

Even though Lin Miao spent a lot of effort on this company, it was not his main profession.

Just as he left for a few days to shoot with the program team, he came back to a mess.

Even though everyone knew the Lin Group backed this company, it was a small operation with a big impact. Who would have thought that this initially single-product shell could explode the entire industry's gold coins with just one product?

Those who had targeted the Lin Group before found it impossible to target the person now—Lin Tian had many bodyguards, and now being half a public figure, her safety was well guaranteed.

Lin Miao's verifiable record of counterattacks has also deterred anyone who wants to target him.

However, this does not mean that those who are hidden and have had their interests affected will retreat.

With such a high profile and fame, isn’t he the perfect target for a public opinion battle?

Thus, news articles smearing Lin Miao's small company popped up like weeds, with some even throwing mud, claiming that the patents Lin Miao applied for were stolen from the company's employees. They argue that as a dropout from an unaccredited university, how could he possibly have such capabilities!

Lin Miao: Hmm... questioning my expertise? Seriously?