Chapter 33

Chapter 33

The system truly felt its host was unlike other flamboyant attention-seekers: "Flamboyant attention-seekers usually possess higher emotional intelligence."

Ye Weian: "?"

*Was that a jab at his low EQ?*

Before the host could erupt, the system shrewdly warned: "Yan Qing is approaching. His gaze is terrifying, as if he means to devour both you and Mr. Zhou whole."

Ye Weian: "..."

He looked up.

Yan Qing’s expression was indeed rather grim.

However, Yan Qing always looked at him that way; he had grown accustomed to it.

The director enthusiastically stepped forward: "What an honor to have both esteemed executives grace us with your presence. My apologies for the lack of a proper welcome."

Ye Weian, still watching Yan Qing, offered no reply.

Zhou Huaichen, his eyes on Ye Weian, nonchalantly responded, "Hm."

The director: "..."

He recalled recent rumors, his gaze flitting between Ye Weian and Yan Qing, then between Yan Qing and Zhou Huaichen, finally settling on Zhou Huaichen and Ye Weian.

What a powder keg!

The rest of the crew also discreetly observed, exchanging gossip through their eyes.

Only Wu Yi lurked behind the crowd, not daring to invite trouble.

He wasn't afraid of Yan Qing, but he feared Ye Weian and Zhou Huaichen.

Mr. Ye clearly disliked him, and Mr. Zhou disliked him even more.

It was best to steer clear of such a tense situation.

Ye Weian shifted his gaze from Yan Qing to Zhou Huaichen, saying, "I wish to speak with Yan Qing alone."

Zhou Huaichen remained silent, simply watching him.

They had flown in, driven directly to Yongshan, and arrived at the set to find Yan Qing without even pausing at a hotel to rest.

*...Weian seems very eager to see Yan Qing.*

Zhou Huaichen’s right thumb gently stroked his index finger, his eyes unfathomably deep.

Seeing his reaction, Ye Weian knew he was jealous again.

—*This jealous old pot!*

—*I need to settle things with Yan Qing once and for all.*

—*Later, I’ll make him chug two bottles of vinegar. If he doesn’t finish them, he’s not allowed to hug me again!*

Zhou Huaichen: "..."

He let out a soft sigh.

From the very beginning, he understood that Weian harbored no romantic intentions toward Yan Qing.

Yet, he couldn't control the surge of bitterness within him.

After a long moment, he spoke in a hoarse voice, "Alright."

He raised a hand, lightly brushing the scarf on Ye Weian’s shoulder. His deep gaze swept over Yan Qing before he departed with his bodyguards.

Seeing this, the director immediately dismissed the staff, leaving the space to Ye Weian and Yan Qing.

Yan Qing, witnessing Ye Weian’s effortless command, felt his anger surge.

He launched into a scathing taunt: "You’re truly something, bringing investment to the set. No wonder the director treats you like royalty. But I don’t understand why you’re so persistent, always hounding me? Oh, right, you came with Mr. Zhou—are you trying to intimidate me?"

Ye Weian said expressionlessly, "Calm down first."

Yan Qing’s eyes grew even darker.

How could he calm down?

He had believed Chi Li could crush Ye Weian, but instead, Chi Li was dragged down, and Bo Qing found himself mired in trouble.

Previously, Bai Yuan had helped him, only to end up in jail.

Xie Siming was also detained for protecting him.

He felt that he and Ye Weian were fundamentally at odds.

Ye Weian looked at him calmly and said, "Why do you hate me so much?"

"After all, for the past five years, I was sincere and devoted to you, even pouring my heart out. I invested over a billion yuan to make you famous. Don’t you feel even a shred of gratitude?"

He scrutinized Yan Qing, stroking his chin, and added, "Could it be that you’re the proverbial ingrate?"

Yan Qing: "..."

He felt like his insides were about to explode with rage!

The system: "..."

It knew it—the host always had a knack for infuriating Yan Qing.

The system: "Host, take it easy. Don’t make Yan Qing sick with anger."

The system: "Even though Yan Qing is indeed an ungrateful wretch, you can’t be so blunt."

The system: "Aren’t you humans masters of subtlety? Be subtle, understand? Subtle!"

Ye Weian: "Oh."

He understood.

Ye Weian stared at Yan Qing: "Let's put the past behind us. I came to you for that same question as before—do you want to be with me?"

The system: "..."

*Is this what you call subtle?!*

Yan Qing was equally stunned: "You still haven't given up?"

He thought that after the incidents involving Bai Yuan and the live stream, Ye Weian would despise him.

However, Ye Weian's persistence must mean he was madly in love with him.

Thinking this, Yan Qing lifted his chin, a smug and arrogant look on his face: "Don't even dream about it. I would never be with you."

He made no effort to hide the disgust in his eyes. "You'd better give up now!"

Ye Weian: "..."

He truly couldn't grasp why the original host had poured his heart and soul into Yan Qing, yet Yan Qing showed no gratitude. Instead, he insisted on burning bridges and even targeting him repeatedly.

Perhaps it was because Yan Qing had always been pampered by the original host, and he himself didn't take Yan Qing seriously, hurting Yan Qing's pride and sparking this hatred.

Ye Weian had no intention of debating whether Yan Qing should dislike him.

He was here for one purpose: to persuade Yan Qing to be with him.

"I'll transfer all my assets to you," he said, looking straight at Yan Qing, enunciating each word. "I'll even give you my shares in the Ye family business. Think hard about whether you want to accept my offer."

Yan Qing: "???"

He looked at Ye Weian as if he were insane.

Ye Weian maintained a poker face, as though unaware of the shocking words he had just uttered: "If you agree, we can sign the contract right now. Once it takes effect, everything I own will be yours."

Yan Qing: "..."

The system: "..."

*Since when did the host drop such a bombshell?!*

It was so shocked it nearly short-circuited.

After a long moment, it managed to calm down: "Host, you're squandering your fortune!"

Giving all his assets to Yan Qing?

What was the host trying to do?

The system: "Does Mr. Zhou know you're planning to hand over your entire fortune to Yan Qing?"

The system: "Just you wait, you're about to lose your Mr. Zhou!"

*Was the CP it shipped going to end in tragedy?*

*Waaah.*

Ye Weian remained silent.

He offered such a bargaining chip precisely to sway Yan Qing and ultimately get him to agree.

Only then could he complete the mission.

The system: "..."

It also desperately wanted the host to complete the mission.

But was the price the host paid too high?

And... the host came here with Mr. Zhou. If the host ended up with Yan Qing, what would happen to Mr. Zhou?

Would Mr. Zhou have to return alone?

It realized it could never keep up with the host's thought process and didn’t understand his bizarre actions.

The system: "Host, once the mission is completed, you're free, but that also means you might leave this world right away."

By then, the host and Mr. Zhou would be separated forever.

Ye Weian had, of course, considered this.

He said calmly, "I have a theory. I'll explain it to you later."

The system: "...Alright then."

It thought the host was rather unreliable, but it was a good little system and willing to trust him.

Yan Qing snapped out of his shock, staring intently at Ye Weian: "You... have you lost your mind?"

Ye Weian's face remained blank, his voice even and calm: "I'm not crazy. The terms I've proposed are genuine, absolutely no lies."

"As long as you commit to me wholeheartedly, you won’t have to repay the hundreds of millions you owe me, and you'll gain all my assets. You know my net worth—after this, you'll be set for life."

Yan Qing's eyes flickered slightly.

Ye Weian didn’t miss the hesitation in his gaze.

That much money would tempt anyone.

Yan Qing was just an ordinary person—naturally, he couldn’t resist the allure of billions.

Confident in this, Ye Weian staked everything he had.

He continued persuading: "I know you don’t want to give up your other admirers, but think about it—would any of them hand over all their assets to you?"

"Xie Siming couldn’t do it, Chi Li couldn’t do it, and neither could anyone else."

"Even if they could, do they have as much money as I do? Their combined wealth probably still wouldn’t match mine, right?"

The Ye family was an established, prestigious clan. Beyond the company's stock value, their antique collection alone was priceless.

Yan Qing: "..."

Ye Weian's words came one after another, leaving him utterly stunned.

The system was also dazed: "..."

*The host's eloquence is impressive!*

It was almost swayed itself.

Although, as a system, it had no use for money, putting itself in Yan Qing's shoes, it couldn’t help but want to accept on his behalf immediately.

Ye Weian glanced at his watch and said to Yan Qing, "It's 1 PM now. I'll be staying in Yongshan until 6 PM tomorrow—that's twenty-nine hours in total. Think it over carefully."

With that, he turned and walked out of the filming set.

Zhou Huaichen was still waiting for him at the entrance.

Yan Qing watched him leave, no longer able to conceal the astonishment and internal struggle on his face.

The system exclaimed excitedly, "Yan Qing is clearly tempted!"

Ye Weian replied, "Naturally."

Who could resist the allure of billions in wealth?

The system said, "I just wonder when he'll make up his mind."

Ye Weian replied, "No rush."

Twenty-nine hours were more than enough for Yan Qing to think it through from every angle.

Whether to choose immense wealth or keep his romantic options open—Ye Weian was certain Yan Qing would make the choice he hoped for.

The system played a round of applause for Ye Weian: "You're amazing, host!"

Compared to his previous terrible ideas—like digging out someone's heart or pursuing Yan Qing when he's old—this time, the host was just giving up his vast fortune. The system felt he had made progress and matured!

Although it suspected that Mr. Zhou would be quite upset if he found out the host was giving all his assets to Yan Qing.

But what did it matter? Mr. Zhou could always take down Yan Qing later.

After all, Mr. Zhou was the ultimate Big Boss in the book, and the system had a blind admiration and confidence in him.

Ye Weian: "..."

He didn't know the system had already thought so far ahead.

After applauding, the system raised another question: "What are your plans once the mission is complete?"

Perhaps it would have to say goodbye to the host by then—the thought was rather sad.

Even sadder was not knowing whether its favorite couple would have a happy ending.

Ye Weian said, "I just told you, I've got a theory. Maybe after the mission is completed, I won’t have to leave this world."

The system: "?"

Ye Weian: "Once the readers’ discontent dissipates, the characters in this book will no longer be bound, and I’ll be free. Then, I can choose who to spend the rest of my life with."

The system: "..."

*Is that even possible?!*

Ye Weian added, "As for my parents and younger brother, perhaps they can also be brought to this world to live."

The system fell silent.

It hoped so too.

But some things might not work out perfectly.

The system’s mechanical voice sounded a bit down: "But what if, after completing the mission, you... must disappear?"

Ye Weian, who had been striding forward, paused and stopped in his tracks.

He looked toward the entrance.

Zhou Huaichen was waiting for him, his tall and upright figure standing there.

His heart sank like a stone.

But his expression remained unchanged, and his voice was calm: "If I must disappear, it... might not be so bad."

The system immediately grew agitated: "How could that not be bad?! You’d have to be separated from Mr. Zhou forever!"

As a CP fan, it couldn’t allow its favorite pairing to end in tragedy!

Ye Weian gazed at Zhou Huaichen’s back, silent for a long time, before saying, "We haven’t even started yet. If I must leave, he would probably forget me eventually."

Why else would he hesitate to even touch those abs? It was only because there were too many uncertainties.

Otherwise, he would’ve pounced long ago.

The system: "..."

It suddenly got discouraged.

It was all its fault for being useless and failing to contact the Main God Space. Otherwise, the host wouldn’t have to struggle like this.

Ye Weian said, "You’re actually very useful. I have a task for you right now."

The system perked up immediately: "Tell me!"

Ye Weian: "Keep an eye on online activity. If anyone posts photos of me and A-Chen coming to Yongshan, remember to intercept them."

It would seem rather strange if word got out that he and Zhou Huaichen had come to Yongshan to find Yan Qing. He didn’t want to attract outside attention.

The system: "Okay!"

*Boo hoo, this was pretty much all it was useful for...*

*No, it had to contact the Main God Space and request a mission change for the host!*

...

Zhou Huaichen was surrounded by film crew members at the entrance, with the director eagerly trying to make conversation with him.

He kept a straight face throughout, rarely speaking and only occasionally responding, giving off an unapproachable vibe.

It wasn’t until Ye Weian emerged that his expression softened.

His eyes locked on Ye Weian.

Ye Weian met his gaze and walked over.

Zhou Huaichen looked him over for a moment before asking quietly, "All done talking?"

Ye Weian nodded.

Zhou Huaichen didn’t ask what he and Yan Qing had discussed, simply saying, "Should we head to the hotel first?"

Ye Weian: "Okay."

That was the end of their exchange.

Zhou Huaichen looked at the director and said, "I'll have my assistant talk to you about this investment."

The director was thrilled and immediately responded, "Great, great! You and Mr. Ye should get to the hotel and rest! By the way, Yongshan has great scenery—you and Mr. Ye can go explore this afternoon..."

Even as Zhou Huaichen and Ye Weian walked away, the director was still enthusiastically talking up Yongshan’s local specialties.

Ye Weian, reminded of how warm Director Chen also was, couldn't help but reflect, "Directors really are a passionately enthusiastic profession."

Zhou Huaichen gave a slight smile but said nothing.

Seeing his silence, Ye Weian couldn't help but wonder to himself:

—*A-Chen’s probably jealous again.*

—*Why isn’t he asking me what Yan Qing and I talked about?*

Zhou Huaichen tilted his head toward him and asked casually, "What did you and Yan Qing talk about?"

Ye Weian snapped out of it and replied, "Can’t tell you yet."

—*I’m not going to tell you that I’m planning to give all my assets and my shares in the Ye family to Yan Qing, to tempt him into being with me.*

—*I’m blowing through my fortune, I’m two-timing you.*

—*If you found out, wouldn’t you actually kill me?*

Zhou Huaichen: "?"

The system: "?"

*Host, it’s a good thing Mr. Zhou can’t hear your thoughts, or he really would beat you to death!*

Zhou Huaichen narrowed his eyes slightly.

Giving all his assets and Ye family shares to Yan Qing?

Was Weian planning to hand the whole Ye family over to Yan Qing?

*Giving up the crown just to please you.*

*How poetic.*

Zhou Huaichen stopped walking and stared right at Ye Weian.

Ye Weian held his gaze.

The two looked at each other silently, neither speaking.

After a long moment, Zhou Huaichen quietly pushed down the churning emotions in his eyes and said gently, "Really can’t tell me? But I want to know."

Ye Weian: "..."

—*A-Chen is being cute again!*

—*I wanna come clean!*

—*Ugh, when can I be completely honest with A-Chen... I want to touch his abs, I want to get up to all sorts of things with him!*

The system: "?"

*Is this something a System should be hearing?*

*Wait, Host’s 'complete honesty'... does that mean taking off clothes and doing this and that?*

Zhou Huaichen: "..."

His eyes darkened again.

If he could, he would tie him to the bed, show him just how much he means to me, and tell him—

He, too, would give up everything to win his favor.

So, please don’t entertain Yan Qing, okay?

Ye Weian sensed the danger and storm brewing in his pitch-black eyes and couldn’t help but gulp. "You..."

—*This is bad, A-Chen is about to snap!*

—*Maybe we shouldn’t go back to the hotel—I’m afraid he’ll throw me on the bed and take me right then and there.*

Zhou Huaichen: "..."

Even though this person’s heart was clearly with him, he still wanted to hand over the entire Ye family to Yan Qing, just to be with him.

For a moment, he didn’t know how to react.

At that moment, he really wanted to scoop him up, carry him to bed, and try every trick in the book.

Just to make him forget Yan Qing, every part of him mine.

But he couldn’t.

He couldn’t scare this person.

This was his beloved, the one he’d claimed as his own.

He would never hurt him.

Oh well.

It was enough to know this person’s heart was his.

Zhou Huaichen sighed softly and said, "If you ever decide to tell me, remember to let me know."

Seeing the danger fade from his eyes, Ye Weian let out a quiet sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly. "Okay!"

—*I wasn’t gonna hide it forever anyway.*

Zhou Huaichen smiled, lowered his gaze, and walked next to him.

The System, however, felt the atmosphere between them was a bit strange and chimed in Ye Weian’s mind. "Mr. Zhou seems kinda sad."

The System added, "Are you two heading down an angsty romance route?"

Ye Weian snorted. "And whose fault is that?"

The only obstacle between him and A-Chen was the mission.

The System: "..."

*Ah, seems like it's this system...*

*Boo-hoo, I'm the meddling old father splitting up the lovebirds, I'm guilty!*

It produced a sobbing mechanical voice: "Host, just wait! This system will find a way to remove the obstacles for you and Zhou Huaichen!"

The mission can be skipped, but the CP it ships must have a happy ending!

Ye Weian: "..."

He had a hunch that the system was up to some shenanigans.

But no matter how he asked, the system just wouldn't say how it planned to remove the obstacles for him and A-Chen.

Ye Weian: "..."

He was worried.

...

After walking for about five minutes, Ye Weian and Zhou Huaichen arrived at the hotel.

The hotel was booked by Sister Long, near the film set.

Though called a hotel, it was actually a quaint and elegant inn, catering specifically to film crews and tourists visiting the area.

The scenery in Yongshan was exceptionally beautiful, and a few years ago, a blockbuster movie was filmed here, turning it into a popular tourist destination with many visitors stopping by every year.

The two entered the inn.

The inn's backyard housed the guest rooms, while the front yard had a restaurant on the left side of the first floor.

Ye Weian smelled the food and immediately froze.

—*I'm so hungry.*

He had eaten breakfast before he left and had a little something on the plane, but it was already past 1 p.m., and he was hungry again.

Zhou Huaichen stopped and said softly, "We're almost past mealtime... Let’s go eat first, okay?"

Ye Weian immediately nodded: "Okay, okay, okay."

The food at the inn’s restaurant was quite good. Ye Weian, savoring Zhou Huaichen’s grape scent, devoured two big bowls of rice.

Seeing him slumped lazily in his chair, unwilling to move, Zhou Huaichen shook his head amusedly and, as usual, rubbed his belly.

Ye Weian squinted comfortably.

Zhou Huaichen said softly, "Let’s go back to the room for a nap later."

Ye Weian lazily replied, "Mhm."

Zhou Huaichen curled his lips: "After resting, we can go check out the area in the afternoon? I heard there’s a bamboo sea nearby that’s very beautiful."

His tone was casual, as if discussing travel plans with his wife at home.

Ye Weian: "..."

Though it was just a simple sentence, he felt like he was being flirted with.

Back in the room, Ye Weian was still flustered by Zhou Huaichen’s casual, domestic tone earlier.

He suddenly couldn't sleep.

The system suggested: "Why don’t you go check out the Super Topic?"

Ye Weian: "..."

Might as well, since I’m bored anyway.

Besides, he was quite interested in that "One Leaf Embraced" Super Topic, but he hadn’t found the time to look until now.

He logged into Weibo and entered the Super Topic.

One look, and he was completely stunned.

Turns out, the Super Topic wasn’t just about hacker stories—there were many other genres, each depicting him and Zhou Huaichen having sex... in various places, in various positions...

Ye Weian: "!"

A whole new world had opened up for him!

He quickly scrolled through the stories in the Super Topic, his eyes widening repeatedly: "You can do it in the bathroom too? On the balcony? Wait, even in an underground parking lot?"

"Huh, this position works too?"

Just as Zhou Huaichen entered, Ye Weian was deep into this new world.

While reading, he was thinking to himself.

—*Maybe I should just try it with A-Chen? The first time should be on the bed, right? Actually, the carpet could be exciting too...*

—*Forget it, better deal with Yan Qing first.*

—*I can’t be that shameless.*

Thinking this, he couldn’t help but sigh.

If he weren’t afraid of disappearing after completing the mission, he would’ve gone for it already.

Zhou Huaichen stood by the door, a complicated look on his face.

Earlier, Ye Weian had eaten too much, and Zhou Huaichen, worried he might have indigestion, had gone to the front desk to get some indigestion tablets.

He knocked several times, but when Ye Weian didn’t respond, he used his keycard to enter.

He never expected to overhear such shocking content.

With his intelligence, he naturally guessed that Ye Weian had also read that hacker story.

No, perhaps not just the hacker story—maybe something else too.

He didn’t know about the Super Topic, nor who had sent those texts and images, but he figured the sender surely meant no harm, otherwise they wouldn’t have played matchmaker for him and Ye Weian.

Seeing Zhou Huaichen enter, the system immediately alerted Ye Weian: "Host, Mr. Zhou is here!"

Ye Weian froze and instantly tossed his phone aside.

Having read things he shouldn’t have, he was unusually awkward and uncomfortable, his ears flushed bright red.

Zhou Huaichen glanced at Ye Weian's phone on the carpet and slowly walked to the bedside.

Ye Weian’s cheeks burned: "You…"

He stopped after just one word.

Because Zhou Huaichen suddenly leaned in close, bending over him.

They were practically pressed together, their breaths tangling together.

Ye Weian recalled those written descriptions and suddenly his mouth went dry.

Zhou Huaichen’s voice was also hoarse: "I'm sorry for coming in without your permission."

He suddenly lowered his head and gently brushed his lips against Ye Weian's.

Ye Weian: "!!!"

Zhou Huaichen, his lips still against Ye Weian's, spoke in a low, restrained voice: "Sorry, I want to kiss you. Can I?"

Ye Weian: "!!!"

—*I! Can't! Even!*

The system screamed: "Yes! Mr. Zhou, go for it! Kiss him! Kiss him!"

Author’s note: 6K+ word count!

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