Chapter 99

Chapter 99

"Liang Youjing." Chen Zui's tone held a hint of surprise; he hadn't expected Xie Qingyue to be with him.

Ao Tian: "That's right, their dynamic is the CEO and the petty drama queen."

That made a lot more sense. But if Xie Qingyue's type was someone like Liang Youjing, then why would he be interested in him...?

For the first time, Chen Zui wondered if he had been conceited.

Ao Tian: "Let me check Xie's favorability rating toward you first."

Chen Zui felt a flicker of anticipation, which only grew when he heard Ao Tian's scream.

"It's actually 40%!"

"Chen Zui, what have you been doing?!"

Ao Tian was shocked. It was absolutely certain that only a few days had passed since its arrival, and they had the wrong target—there shouldn't have been any interaction with Xie Qingyue. How could the favorability be so high?

There was only one explanation: its host was actually—an incubus.

This number washed away Chen Zui’s earlier self-doubt. His expression relaxed as he recalled his few encounters with Xie Qingyue. So it wasn’t just him who felt that inexplicable attraction.

Couldn’t this be considered a two-way attraction?

But since Xie Qingyue was the mission target, the "little tricks" he had prepared to gain favorability weren’t necessary. He had actually gone out to hire a few thugs to ambush Lu Buyan the next day. He planned to ask Lu Buyan out, "save" him, and get slightly injured in the process.

There was no need to use this strategy on Xie Qingyue.

For Xie Qingyue, he had other methods. He took out his phone and sent a message to his contact: "Cancel the plan."

Then he transferred the remaining payment.

The other party received the money without asking any questions, only saying, "Next time you have a job like this, come find me. I’ll give you a discount."

Chen Zui opened his chat with Xie Qingyue. His profile picture was plain white, his nickname simply "Xie Qingyue," and his Moments were set to visible for only three days. He wondered if someone like Xie Qingyue even posted on Moments.

Exiting the chat, he opened his own Moments and posted pictures of the snacks he had taken that night: "A happy night."

Visible only to Xie Qingyue.

After posting, he refreshed and immediately saw Xie Qingyue’s new post—a crowded snack street with star-shaped lights taking up most of the frame: "Happiness is all around."

Chen Zui stared at the post, a slow smile spreading across his face. What were the chances this post was visible only to him?

He liked Xie Qingyue’s post.

Xie Qingyue, wearing a silk robe, swirled the wine in his glass and liked Chen Zui’s post.

—

Lu Buyan sent over a bespoke suit, instructing Chen Zui to be ready by 7 p.m., when he would come to pick him up.

Chen Zui placed the bag on the coffee table. Although Lu Buyan wasn’t the mission target, having him as a bridge would create more opportunities to meet Xie Qingyue.

He took out the suit. For example, tonight’s banquet.

If he weren’t Lu Buyan’s kept man, getting in would have been more troublesome. Unlike now, where he could enter openly.

And—the thrill of their quasi-adulterous dynamic made him eager. Since Lu Buyan didn’t like him anyway, he felt no guilt. He was curious: when would Xie Qingyue’s emotions override his rationality and make him cheat on his good friend?

He looked forward to that day.

The day Xie Qingyue’s affection for him surpassed everything else.

Chen Zui put on the suit and accessories Lu Buyan had sent and went downstairs. A luxury car was parked by the roadside at the entrance of the residential complex. The driver opened the door, and someone was already inside.

Lu Buyan looked pleased seeing Chen Zui obediently wearing the clothes he had prepared, his gaze appraising Chen Zui like a prized work of art.

Only this version of Chen Zui was barely worthy of him; the usual one wasn’t fit at all.

"At the banquet, you don’t need to do anything. Just stay by my side and be the perfect arm candy." Lu Buyan was confident that the person by his side tonight would be the most beautiful arm candy.

Chen Zui didn’t argue.

After all, the other man was part of his affair—he could tolerate some disrespectful remarks.

Lu Buyan glanced at Chen Zui’s indistinct reflection in the car window. "You should know that Qing Yue only looks out for you because of me."

He felt it necessary to remind Chen Zui, lest he think he was particularly charming.

"Of course." Chen Zui turned to look at the smug man. "It couldn’t possibly be because he likes me." The outside light streamed in, half of Chen Zui’s face illuminated, the other half in shadow. "Naturally, it’s because he’s your good friend, your sworn brother. His kindness to me is just love me, love my dog."

Lu Buyan snorted. "Good that you know your place."

Ao Tian: "Oh no, I almost feel sorry for him, but then I remember how terribly he treated the original host in the other book, and I think he deserves it."

It’s a little payback on behalf of the original host.

They arrived at a brilliantly lit manor. Swans with necks entwined nestled in the fountain, and endless flowers stretched as far as the eye could see, like a divine garden. The air was filled with the scent of perfume and the clinking of glasses, soft music flowing through the room as servers wove through the guests.

Tonight was an engagement party, and everyone’s faces were beaming with happiness.

All banquets were venues for socializing and resource exchange among the upper class. Even Lu Buyan, who usually seemed so frivolous, switched into businessman mode here, navigating the scene with ease.

Chen Zui held a glass and followed beside him, acting the part of his arm candy.

Opportunities to be arm candy were rare in his life. He was usually the most powerful weapon, the fiercest beast jumping into the fray. Being arm candy was a new experience.

And this arm candy was as eye-catching as Lu Buyan had hoped.

Xie Qingyue watched from upstairs as Lu Buyan paraded around with his Chen vase. Though there were no intimate gestures between them, everyone present would assume they were a couple.

He lifted his glass in a solitary toast.

Clothes make the man. Tonight, Chen Zui looked refined and aristocratic, nothing like a kept man. He didn’t have the aura of one either—more like someone from a prominent family, an equal-status marriage partner for Lu Buyan.

Xie Qingyue gazed at Chen Zui through his wine glass, as if capturing him in its curved glass.

Then he downed the wine in his glass.

Lu Buyan was constantly meeting people and exchanging greetings. After standing around like decoration for a while, Chen Zui quietly slipped away, scanning the room for Xie Qingyue.

Ao Tian was still eager to see Xie Qingyue, curious about how the latter’s liking for Chen Zui had risen so high.

Chen Zui tilted his head, his gaze sweeping across the crowd and landing on the balcony in the farthest corner. The night breeze billowed the heavy curtains, and a tall figure looking lonely stood there, a wisp of smoke curling upward from his hand.

As Chen Zui walked over, he messed up his tie until it lost its shape.

"President Xie?"

Xie Qingyue paused mid-exhale, straightening up from the rose-covered railing to look over.

The moment he saw Chen Zui—

Ao Tian: "Favorability 41%. Wait, what did you do? How did it increase already?"

Chen Zui thought about what he had done. Probably: breathing.

"President Xie, could you do me a favor?" Chen Zui tugged helplessly at his tie. "I can't seem to get this right. It looks really messy."

Xie Qingyue’s gaze fell on his tie. Tying a tie was an intimate act. He raised his hand, bringing the cigarette to his lips as he considered whether he should cross that line.

But Chen Zui was Lu Buyan’s companion.

His appearance reflected on Lu Buyan too.

He was Lu Buyan’s good brother.

He had an obligation to help take care of his companion.

Crushing out his cigarette forcefully in the ashtray, he said, "Come here."

Even though he had justified it perfectly in his mind, his actions were furtive as he moved behind the curtain, making it look downright shady.

Chen Zui stepped in front of him, tilting his chin up. "Sorry to trouble you, President Xie."

As the man lifted his head, his jawline sharpened, his neck elongated, and his Adam’s apple became more prominent—perfect for biting, for licking and teasing.

Xie Qingyue said nothing as he began adjusting the tie, his fingers occasionally brushing against Chen Zui’s chin and neck.

Each touch was fleeting.

Chen Zui caught a whiff of mint from his hands, cool and refreshing.

Xie Qingyue appeared expressionless, but inside he was exhilarated. Chen Zui's tie in his hands was about to be undone. Undoing a tie was often just the beginning; his gaze drifted to the buttons of the shirt.

His slender fingers deftly loosened the tie, smoothing it out.

The motion of retying it for Chen Zui slowed.

While Xie Qingyue kept his eyes fixed on the tie, Chen Zui stared at him unabashedly, his gaze so invasive that if Xie Qingyue had looked up, he might have felt as if he were about to be attacked by a wild beast.

"Where did he go?"

Lu Buyan’s voice suddenly rang out, growing closer.

Xie Qingyue grabbed the nearby curtain, pulling it over both of them—a reaction full of guilt, like a thief caught in the act.

Chen Zui, in turn, wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him further back.

The heavy, gold-tasseled velvet curtains completely concealed them.

Lu Buyan stepped onto the balcony and immediately noticed the bulging curtain. His expression turned suggestive as he glanced toward the hall, thinking someone couldn’t resist sneaking away to get up to something illicit.

Mischievously, he deliberately stayed, pulling out his phone to chat in the brothers’ group chat while occasionally glancing toward the curtain.

Under the curtain, the two stood pressed together, Chen Zui’s hand still resting on Xie Qingyue’s waist. His naturally lowered fingers could feel the distinct contours of the other’s body.

Lu Buyan’s intermittent chatter left them unable to move or speak. Their eyes darted around before finally locking onto each other.

The moment their gazes met, it was as if two agile tongues had tangled, kissing with audible wetness.

In each other’s eyes, they seemed to have already stripped bare.

Exploring secrets known to no one else.

As the eye contact prolonged, their breathing grew noticeably heavier. Xie Qingyue’s head slowly leaned closer to Chen Zui’s.

It was his body moving on instinct, his overly tense mind yet to realize it.

But Chen Zui noticed—and not just that. Parting his lips, he whispered words only the two could hear: "President Xie, you’re poking me."

The pupils behind Xie Qingyue’s glasses trembled.

He instinctively tried to step back, but the arm around him was like an iron clamp. Instead of retreating, he was pressed even tighter against Chen Zui.

So tight he nearly gasped aloud.

Chen Zui raised his other hand, his index finger tracing the neatly tied tie. Slowly, he trailed downward, past the elegant tie clip, to the end resting near Xie Qingyue’s abdomen.

His finger circled, winding the tie around itself.

Neatness gave way to disarray.

Like a forbidden desire.

Chen Zui’s dark eyes sparkled with amusement as he gazed at him. "President Xie, isn’t it inappropriate for you to be aroused by your good brother’s lover?"

The moment he said it, even through the fabric, he could feel Xie Qingyue shudder with excitement.

Indeed, even the most composed humans harbored hidden perversions.

The reminder of their roles.

In that moment, it became dopamine, stimulating adrenaline.

Even without applying more pressure, Xie Qingyue pressed against him more firmly.

Lu Buyan grew bored and decided to leave with Qing Yue. Thinking of Xie Qingyue, he dialed his number—and then heard the ringtone coming from behind the curtain.

His face froze in shock.

Holding his phone, he walked toward the curtain.

The moment Xie Qingyue saw the caller ID, he swiftly slipped out from under the curtain sideways. He knew Lu Buyan too well—if he discovered him here, he would definitely come over. Sure enough, as he emerged, he saw Lu Buyan right in front of him, reaching for the curtain.

He seized Lu Buyan's wrist: "Stay still."

Now Chen Zui was between them, facing him with his back to Lu Buyan, his body completely hidden by the curtain.

He glanced quickly at Chen Zui and noticed that the other wasn't nervous at all, even teasingly winking at him.

Xie Qingyue: You bold bastard.

Lu Buyan looked as if he had stumbled upon the juiciest gossip, utterly thrilled, and immediately noticed Xie Qingyue's still noticeable bulge: "You little rascal, let me see who it is."

He was far too curious!

What kind of heavenly beauty could make Xie Qingyue react like this!

Xie Qingyue pushed him back: "Stop messing around."

"Don't be so stingy, you can't keep this from me forever." Lu Buyan was still eagerly staring at the curtain when Xie Qingyue pushed him more firmly, finally making him give up. He placed a hand on Xie Qingyue's shoulder, "Alright, alright, I won't look. Just don't get too close to me right now."

He teased Xie Qingyue with a glance: "Cool off first."

Xie Qingyue adjusted his glasses frame, his heart pounding. He didn't dare linger too long there either. After about two or three minutes, he composed himself, grabbed the reluctant Lu Buyan, and left the area.

Chen Zui emerged from behind the curtain five minutes later.

At the same time, he received a message from Lu Buyan: "At the entrance."

When Chen Zui reached the entrance, Xie Qingyue was also there. Their eyes met discreetly before looking away. Lu Buyan was still teasing Xie Qingyue: "Sorry about that, didn't mean to interrupt your fun~"

Chen Zui walked over: "President Xie."

Xie Qingyue responded naturally with an "Mm."

Lu Buyan scowled when he saw Chen Zui: "Where did you run off to? And what happened to you? What's wrong with your tie?"

Chen Zui: "A little cat in heat clawed it loose."

Lu Buyan: "What?"

Xie Qingyue, standing slightly behind him, was stunned, his ears gradually turning red. He had been the one kindly helping Chen Zui with his tie, after all.

As they interacted more, Xie Qingyue realized Chen Zui was deceitful and untrustworthy. He had clearly signed an agreement with Lu Buyan, yet he was also making advances toward Xie Qingyue...

It seemed he wanted to have his cake and eat it too.

What a morally bankrupt individual.

This type of person was exactly what Xie Qingyue despised the most.

Lu Buyan didn't press about Chen Zui's appearance any further. He ushered the group into the car and headed to the next event—the actual party, mostly the same crowd from the last restaurant.

This time, Chen Zui drank some alcohol.

By the time the party wrapped up, Lu Buyan was already drunk. Naturally, as his lover, Chen Zui was responsible for seeing him home.

Xie Qingyue and the others watched from the bar entrance as Chen Zui helped Lu Buyan into the car, which then drove off. Someone beside him remarked that the two of them were probably going to get it on tonight.

Xie Qingyue turned, his glasses deepening the coldness in his eyes: "So concerned? Why don't you go see for yourself."

The other person: "Huh? Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

Xie Qingyue was already getting into his car: "Take me home."

The driver said nothing and drove off. Xie Qingyue raised the partition, pulled out a cigarette. What would they do tonight...

He crumpled the cigarette in his hand.

Chen Zui dumped Lu Buyan on the sofa and left. Considering he was about to cheat on the man, he figured he owed it to him to at least get him home safely. Otherwise, it would truly be unforgivable.

He got into the car and told the driver to take him back.

Lu Buyan rolled over and fell off the sofa, letting out an "Ouch."

—

Ao Tian: "You just left Xie Qingyue like that. He’s definitely going to assume you and Lu Buyan hooked up tonight. Aren’t you afraid his sense of morality will kick in, and he’ll cut you off completely?"

Chen Zui leaned his head against the car window, squinting in the wind.

"It's fine. When the time comes, I'll just—"

"Just what?"

Chen Zui stretched his hand out the window and made a beckoning gesture: "Crook my finger toward him—"

His hand clenched.

As if gripping an invisible leash.

—

Xie Qingyue, who hadn't slept all night, met with Lu Buyan the next day. The moment he noticed the red marks on Lu Buyan's neck, his mind automatically pictured what happened.

"I have things to do. I’ll head out first."

Lu Buyan, confused, lifted his hungover, throbbing head from behind the desk.

Huh? Didn't he just get here?

He scratched his itchy neck. Damn mosquitoes. That bastard Chen Zui not only dumped him on the floor but didn’t even bother to close the door properly when he left.

He’d been feeding mosquitoes all night.

He was going to dock Chen Zui’s pay!

—

Chen Zui packed some things and moved to a hotel near the filming location arranged by the crew.

The commute was too time-consuming. From now on, he had scenes to shoot every day until the wrap.

Today, he was filming scenes with Liang Youjing.

Chen Zui arrived on set shortly before Liang Youjing. Seeing him again, Chen Zui felt entirely different—he observed Liang Youjing with a scrutinizing gaze as the other moved around.

Ao Tian: "The little drama queen is also a quite popular protagonist lately."

Chen Zui didn’t know much about that.

But as the target of the little drama queen’s antics, he didn’t care for this type of character.

Liang Youjing swaggered over: "I'll need you to take care of me during the shoot later, oh~ veeeteran actor~" He dragged out the three words mockingly.

Liang Chen couldn't dig up any dirt on Liang Youjing. As the protagonist, the author hadn't given him any overly negative traits.

The only option left was to punch his lights out.

Chen Zui silently pondered whether to break his legs or break his arms?

Why not both?

Buy one, get one free.

His silence made Liang Youjing think he was an easy target: "Honestly, I really don’t think you’re suited for this role. There’s no dramatic contrast. Only someone with my image playing this kind of role would surprise the audience."

Chen Zui suddenly spoke up: "Director Xue."

Startled, Liang Youjing whirled around in panic, explaining, "Director Xue, I didn’t mean to say you made a mistake in casting—"

There was no one behind him.

Liang Youjing blinked, then heard a soft chuckle. He turned back angrily—the man on the sofa was messing with him like he was a dog.

Suppressing his anger, he snorted.

Just you wait—this isn't over!

The shoot today was overseen by Assistant Director Wang Xinci. Director Xue had to film the protagonist’s scenes. Their scenes today weren’t heavy, just showcasing the relationship between the two, needing to create a sweet atmosphere.

Assistant Director Wang was directing them from the side.

"Here, I think it’d be better if Chen Zui hugged Youjing."

"You stay on this sofa, and as soon as he comes over, pull him onto your lap. Youjing, act like it's second nature, naturally settling into Chen Zui’s arms while talking about the photo in your hand."

Both nodded.

They rehearsed once, and it went smoothly.

Assistant Director Wang returned behind the monitor, and filming officially began.

The two, who had been at each other's throats earlier, now appeared all sweet and cozy on camera. Chen Zui, seated on the sofa, grabbed Liang Youjing as he passed in front of him and yanked him into his embrace.

Everything was going according to plan.

As the scene continued, Assistant Director Wang called, "Cut!"

"Youjing, your head is too high—it’s blocking Chen Zui. Lower it a bit."

Take two began. Xie Qingyue appeared beside Assistant Director Wang, and after exchanging a look, they both kept their eyes glued to the monitor.

This time, another issue arose.

Assistant Director Wang: "Youjing, the photo in your hand is held too high—we can’t see Chen Zui’s face."

Liang Youjing glanced over and immediately noticed Xie Qingyue, his eyes lit up like Christmas trees.

"Assistant Director Wang~ Actually, it doesn’t matter if Chen Zui’s face isn’t visible in this shot, right?"

His voice turned sugary.

"I think the focus here should be on highlighting my trust in him. The shot should center on my face."

"If this isn’t emphasized early on, it won’t appear pitiable when he kills me at the end."

Ao Tian: "Xie Qingyue is here! He’s met his official love interest!"

Ao Tian: "Oh, and his official love interest is in your arms."

Ao Tian: "Host, remember, just focus on winning over Xie Qingyue. Don’t spread your charm around too much and end up snagging both Liang Youjing and Lu Buyan."

Chen Zui shifted his gaze away from Xie Qingyue. Today, Xie Qingyue had dark circles under his eyes.

Assistant Director Wang, with years of experience in the industry, knew Liang Youjing’s words sounded reasonable but were actually an attempt to steal the scene.

However, Liang Youjing was currently popular, and he couldn’t afford to offend him. Chen Zui also had powerful backing, so he couldn’t offend him either.

But he had a solution.

"What you said makes sense. Let’s film two versions and let Director Xue choose later."

Liang Youjing only half-succeeded in his goal, and his displeasure showed on his face. That sly old fox!

Filming resumed.

Liang Youjing glanced at Xie Qingyue, tugged his collar open even more, and let out a rather indecent sound when Chen Zui pulled him into his arms.

If this were a porn movie, it would’ve been fitting.

Assistant Director Wang: ?

But it was just a sound—no big deal.

Liang Youjing was wearing shorts, showing off his long legs. After sitting on Chen Zui’s lap, he deliberately lifted and curled his legs upward.

It was impossible to miss.

Assistant Director Wang wanted to call "Cut!" but bit his tongue.

The investor was right there, and calling "Cut!" repeatedly would just waste money.

Xie Qingyue watched expressionlessly from behind the monitor when suddenly Chen Zui looked up, staring daggers into the lens.

It felt as if he were looking right into his eyes through the camera.

"President Xie, could you please come over and show him how to position his legs?"

The entire set fell into complete silence.

Asking the big boss to give guidance?

Unprecedented.

But it was rumored that Chen Zui had some connection with the big boss’s friend.

Liang Youjing, on his first day on the job, wasn't in on the gossip. He stood up from Chen Zui’s lap: "What kind of joke is this? President Xie would never—"

"Okay," Xie Qingyue walked toward Chen Zui.