Chapter 23: Are You Sure You Won’t Let Me In?

Chapter 23: Are You Sure You Don't Want Me to Come In?

Qin Yan glanced at Su Zhiyu, and for some reason, threw the question back at him: "Captain, what do you think? I'll follow your lead."

Follow his lead.

Su Zhiyu's heart skipped a beat, but remembering this was being livestreamed, he figured Qin Yan was probably acting again.

Right—since when had Qin Yan's acting ever been weak? Wasn't he always the type to play the innocent, well-behaved sort in front of others, only to torment him in private?

Su Zhiyu's gaze darkened, his tone carrying a chill he didn't even notice himself: "Since neither of you has a problem, you two can perform."

"Alright, no problem with me."

Jiang Yizhou looked at Qin Yan eagerly.

Qin Yan faltered, wanting to take it back, but since he'd already said it, he had no choice but to nod along: "Fine, no problem with me either."

It was just a stage performance. He'd never been on a show before, but back in school, he'd performed plenty—New Year's galas and the like, he always took part.

The four of them split up the tasks quickly. While other groups were still figuring things out, this group had already started rehearsing.

An hour or two went by—neither fast nor slow—and before they realized it, the livestream had already ended.

The four of them flopped down on the floor.

A staff member came in with water, saying lunch was ready in the dining hall, and only then did everyone realize the livestream had ended.

Jiang Yizhou immediately shuffled over to Qin Yan and whispered, "Brother Qin, last time was so rushed, I didn't get a chance to talk to you much. Didn't think we'd end up on the same team this time."

Qin Yan: "..." Bro, who even are you?

Jiang Yizhou didn't pick up on Qin Yan's coldness at all and kept trying to cozy up to him: "I've seen you before, and that pic you posted online last time was so cool. An Alpha like you is the kind that deserves respect."

Qin Yan: ?

Jiang Yizhou continued: "We Omegas are always running into danger and unfair treatment. If every Alpha were like you, we wouldn't have to be so scared all the time."

"Oh, and Brother Qin, since we're partners this time, want to exchange WeChat? It'll make it easier to work out rehearsal stuff."

Qin Yan mulled it over—since they were working together, it'd be weird not to add him.

"Sure."

He went to grab his phone.

"Wait." Su Zhiyu suddenly walked over, in a no-nonsense tone, "Let's just create a group chat. We're a team, so it's better if we all communicate together."

A flash of annoyance crossed Jiang Yizhou's eyes, but he nodded obediently: "Alright, then you create it, Captain. We'll do the face-to-face group chat thing."

"Yeah."

Su Zhiyu turned to get his jacket and patted his pocket—empty!

Huh?

Where was his phone?

His face changed. Suddenly recalling what happened in the bathroom, he'd run out and... apparently left his phone behind. Then he'd hurried to get ready and completely forgot about it.

Su Zhiyu shot a look at Qin Yan, and sure enough, there was his phone in the man's hand.

His cheap thousand-yuan phone was being fiddled with in Qin Yan's hand. When he looked over, Qin Yan was looking back at him, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Captain, make the group."

He waved the phone, purposely reminding Su Zhiyu.

Su Zhiyu calmly put down his jacket and turned to Liu Mian, looking composed: "I must have forgotten my phone. Liu Mian, you create the group. Add me first, then pull me in."

Liu Mian was shocked that anyone could forget their phone, but then again, this was Su Zhiyu—cold and aloof—so it kind of made sense.

"Alright." He opened the add-friend screen. "Zhi Yu, what's your WeChat ID?"

Just as Su Zhiyu was about to answer, Qin Yan held up his phone: "No need, I already made it. How about I add the captain?"

"Huh?"

Su Zhiyu stared at the phone in Qin Yan's hand, stunned—he, he was holding Su Zhiyu's phone!

Jiang Yizhou piped up too: "Yeah, Brother Qin already set up the group. Just join it."

Su Zhiyu pursed his lips, left with no choice but to go along with Qin Yan's suggestion.

After Jiang Yizhou joined the group, he said in surprise: "Brother Qin, what's that little doodle on your avatar? So cute."

A doodle?

Qin Yan said, his expression unchanged: "Oh, no idea. I just thought it was cute, so I went with it."

"Brother Qin's got good taste."

At that, Su Zhiyu's entire body went rigid.

Qin Yan!

Qin Yan actually dared to use his WeChat and pretend it was his own?

Liu Mian, totally clueless, glanced around—why did the vibe feel a little off?

"Uh, let's go eat first? Rest up, then we'll practice again at three."

It was already close to one-thirty.

The group headed to the dining hall. As it turned out, they were the first ones down—the other teams were still practicing and hadn't come out yet.

After lunch, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

Teammates shared a suite but had their own rooms, with Qin Yan's right next to Su Zhiyu's.

Qin Yan sat on the bed, staring at Su Zhiyu's phone. He'd had it for a few hours, but he'd only just taken it out to make the group and mess with him—he hadn't looked at anything private.

Even so, Su Zhiyu was definitely worried.

With that, Qin Yan got up, stepped out, and knocked on the door next to his.

Su Zhiyu opened the door, and seeing Qin Yan, instinctively tried to close it—but Qin Yan was quicker, planting his hand on the doorframe and smoothly stopping him.

"Don't you want your phone back?"

He had already turned off his microphone before leaving the room, and Su Zhiyu obviously wasn't wearing one either, but he still watched him warily, lowering his voice: "What do you want? We're on a show set."

Qin Yan couldn't help but laugh silently. Was he really depraved enough to come all the way here just for that?

"I'm returning your phone."

"Give it to me."

Su Zhiyu remained cautious and had no intention of letting him in.

Qin Yan hung his head, looking a little hurt, and said pitifully: "Captain, I came to ask you a question. My basics are shaky, and there are some things I don't quite understand. I was hoping you could help me out."

Then, he added in a low, teasing tone: "Are you sure you want the cameras to catch you taking my phone? Are you sure you don't want to let me in?"

"You..."

"Then it'll be hard to explain."

"..."

After thinking it over, Su Zhiyu finally let him in. They still had rehearsal in the afternoon, and there wasn't much time left anyway; he figured Qin Yan wouldn't dare try anything.

Qin Yan helped himself to the only chair in the room.

Su Zhiyu stood two meters away, his voice icy: "Can I have my phone back now?"

"Of course."

Qin Yan waved his hand, his smile just as dazzling: "Come get it."

He looked like a total thug.

Su Zhiyu frowned, his tone turning even colder: "If you came here just to humiliate me, then keep it. I don't want it anymore."

He'd had plenty of time to look through it by now.

Hah.

Why did he still expect anything from someone like Qin Yan? Was messing with him really that entertaining? He even followed him onto the show.

Qin Yan was taken aback, seeing the light in Su Zhiyu's eyes dim for a moment. He panicked and quickly stood up, pressing the phone into his palm: "Here, take it. Don't make that face like you're about to cry."

Su Zhiyu: ...

When was he about to cry?

Qin Yan awkwardly pulled out a pack of tissues and pressed them into his hand too, clearing his throat with a smug tone: "I was just joking with you. I wouldn't even pick up your crappy phone if it were lying on the street. Who'd want it?"

Su Zhiyu quietly tucked the phone into his chest: "I would."

"..."

You didn't have to answer so seriously.

Qin Yan sighed helplessly: "Fine, fine, you would. I'm an upright man—I didn't look at your lousy phone. I just made a group. And just now... ahem, sorry."