Chapter 69: Exclusive to Jinjiang 1/2

When she answered, Shi Zhang quietly got out of bed.

“Hey.”

Zhong Ziyan’s voice was full of the tacit understanding of adults. “Octopus Teacher’s birthday is finally over. Your Weibo is really something; you directly posted a bed picture—though it’s just hands, my secretary says she’s been se*ually frustrated.”

Shi Zhang loved hearing these kinds of words, but now there was something more important. He briefly passed over this topic in two or three sentences.

Hearing the seriousness in Shi Zhang’s voice, Zhong Ziyan also restrained herself a bit and asked, “Is there something you need to contact me separately?”

Shi Zhang asked, “Do you know a coser named Wen Qian?”

“Wen Qian, huh?” Zhong Ziyan thought for a moment. “I vaguely remember those who followed the route of appearance signed with the company a few years ago, with decent popularity and commercial value. What’s the matter?”

Zhong Ziyan knew cosers of all sizes, but in her eyes, except for good friends, other cosers were basically no different from commercial resources, and she remembered them as parameter-like data.

Shi Zhang said, “In the selection of the cosplay program you invested in, Wen Qian participated in the voting and is currently in first place.”

“I don’t have time to pay attention to such detailed rankings. Let me check.” Zhong Ziyan opened the app and asked slowly, “So what if this person got first place?”

“I suggest Boss Zhong check if his first place was obtained legitimately,” Shi Zhang advised.

Zhong Ziyan fell into a mysterious silence for a while and said, “Am I hearing it right, Teacher Zhang, since when did you start caring about these trivial matters in the circle? You called me to check on such a small matter?”

Zhong Ziyan added, “And, Teacher Zhang, haven’t you retired from the circle?”

“I must handle this matter,” Shi Zhang said calmly.

Zhong Ziyan smiled. “Wen Qian seems to have touched a nerve with Teacher Zhang, if you personally have to call the group president to investigate…”

Midway through her sentence, Zhong Ziyan paused because she noticed the video of the second-ranked FuFu on the leaderboard.

The man had a tall figure, a familiar temperament, and, coupled with Shi Zhang’s unusual attitude, although Zhong Ziyan was surprised, she immediately had a guess.

Raising her eyebrows, Zhong Ziyan asked, “Is this FuFu teacher… Mr. Song?”

Shi Zhang paused and said, “Yes.”

“Oh my, my goodness.” Zhong Ziyan’s enthusiasm was immediately ignited. All thoughts of Wen Qian were pushed to the back of her mind.

While scrolling down and watching Song Fuzhi’s video, Zhong Ziyan exclaimed, “Wow, he’s so handsome, and the videos are well done! Teacher Song actually likes cosplay? How come I had no idea!”

Shi Zhang snorted, “I knew only one day earlier than you.”

Zhong Ziyan puzzled, “Huh?”

Shi Zhang’s tone softened. “On the night of my birthday, Teacher Song showed me. These are the birthday gifts he gave me. They are all characters I have cosplayed before.”

“Wow.” Zhong Ziyan watched it again. “So thoughtful. I don’t even remember what characters you cosplayed before.”

“Yeah, Teacher Song is so thoughtful, but he got led by others.” Shi Zhang’s gaze darkened. “Look at the comments section.”

Zhong Ziyan followed his advice, scrolling down and furrowing her brows.

Being in the industry, Zhong Ziyan had seen a lot. Such organized rhythm and negative comments could only be the work of internet trolls. It seemed that they targeted Song Fuzhi as a newcomer with no fan base, making it easy to manipulate public opinion, and that’s why they acted so arrogantly.

Zhong Ziyan glanced at Wen Qian’s avatar coldly and said, “Don’t they even know who Teacher Fu is?”

“Old Zhong, I’ll check it. I’ll definitely get you a result,” Zhong Ziyan said. “After confirming, this person will lose their qualification in the competition, and the platform will make a public announcement.”

Shi Zhang asked, “How long will it take?”

“It’s hard to say, but it won’t take too long,” Zhong Ziyan replied.

“Thanks, Boss Zhong.”

“Thanks, my foot.” Zhong Ziyan was still in an indignant mood. “If anyone dares to clip the wings of my friend’s husband, I will destroy his entire paradise.”

Shi Zhang almost laughed, touching his forehead. “Boss Zhong is quite lively tonight.”

Zhong Ziyan’s voice softened a bit. “Oh, I’m reminiscing about my youth with the kid.”

“Oh,” Shi Zhang said, “I won’t disturb your two-person world.”

“Hey, it’s okay; you can disturb for two more minutes.”

Zhong Ziyan stopped him, her tone rising. “By the way, Teacher Song is amazing. Ranked second on the leaderboard, and after Wen Qian is out, he’ll be the first. Hey, why don’t you two come on the show together? The divine coser couple, my goodness, the netizens will go crazy!”

Shi Zhang thought for a moment and said, “It depends on Teacher Song. And participating in the whole program, do you think the two of us are possible?”

Zhong Ziyan clicked her tongue and said Shi Zhang “lacks flexibility” and accused him of “having no business acumen.”

“Who said you two come to the variety show as ordinary participants?” Zhong Ziyan said. “At the very least, you should be heavyweight special guests. Just put on makeup and cosplay costumes for a shot together, and it’s enough to excite the audience.”

Shi Zhang silently thought about that scene, appearing on the show with Song Fuzhi, cosplaying as a loving couple, receiving everyone’s blessings and cheers.

Just thinking about it made Shi Zhang ecstatic.

But he still said, “My husband has the final say.”

Zhong Ziyan laughed and scolded him for being “lame” before hanging up the phone.

To Shi Zhang’s surprise, even after he finished the call, Song Fuzhi still hadn’t woken up.

At this moment, Shi Zhang finally felt a bit hungry.

He also realized that the steak, fruit, and candlelight dinner he had prepared for Song Fuzhi’s birthday had all gone unused.

The entire day had been spent indulging without reservation.

Shi Zhang checked the time, rushed into the kitchen like he was going into battle, and started preparing ingredients.

There was still time to put together a candlelight late-night snack.

–

Song Fuzhi was awakened by the enticing fragrance.

He lay on the bed, opening his eyes in confusion, unaware of the current time.

Song Fuzhi reached out to grab the water glass on the bedside table and nearly strained his waist.

A flood of memories from a full ten hours overwhelmed him, and Song Fuzhi gritted his teeth as he silently cursed Shi Zhang a hundred times in his heart.

This situation was like a hangover—when you kept drinking one glass after another and couldn’t stop, only to regret it the next morning with a splitting headache.

 Song Fuzhi was currently in this state. He felt satisfied physically, but now he had to endure the consequences.

No, he was enduring the consequences, and the main culprit was Shi Zhang.

Just as Song Fuzhi was about to shout for Shi Zhang to come over, he heard a series of footsteps.

Shi Zhang, holding a spatula, poked his head from outside the bedroom door. “Professor Song, are you awake?”

Seeing the spatula, Song Fuzhi’s stomach involuntarily growled.

“I’m starving,” Song Fuzhi complained, his voice still hoarse.

Shi Zhang walked in, rubbed the back of Song Fuzhi’s head, and spoke gently, “It’ll be ready in five minutes.”

Song Fuzhi, considering himself a strong and robust adult male, believed that no matter how much he indulged, it wouldn’t be as exaggerated as depicted in novels where one couldn’t walk the next day.

The reality was different—Song Fuzhi could walk, but with each step, his whole body protested, and he found it easier to lie down where he was.

In the end, Shi Zhang came over, picked him up, and carried him to the dining room.

During this meal, Professor Song ate with such humility and attentiveness, as if he knew he had done something wrong.

Song Fuzhi found it amusing, and adopting a teacher’s demeanor, he solemnly said, “You’ll sleep in the guest room for the next two weeks.”

Shi Zhang’s expression changed immediately, and he earnestly said, “Isn’t that too much?”

Song Fuzhi cut a piece of steak, looked at Shi Zhang with a half-smile, and nodded toward him. “I know this expression too well. When the boys in the class did something mischievous, and I educated them, they had the same expression on their faces.”

Shi Zhang couldn’t help but ask, “What expression?”

Song Fuzhi said, “I know I was wrong—I’ll do it again next time.”

The two of them looked at each other for a few seconds and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

As they were finishing the main course, when Shi Zhang brought out the dessert, he casually mentioned, “Fu Teacher, I saw the comments under your video.”

Song Fuzhi paused and slowly uttered, “Hmm.”

Shi Zhang looked at him and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Song Fuzhi hesitated for a moment. “They were just words from irrelevant people. I didn’t take them to heart. Besides, it wasn’t even your birthday yet, so I couldn’t say anything.”

Professor Song remained emotionally stable; he knew what truly had value. Therefore, these low-level negative comments couldn’t harm him at all.

Shi Zhang frowned. “But I’m not happy about it.”

Song Fuzhi said, “Oh.”

“I suspect Wen Qian is behind this,” Shi Zhang tapped on the table, “because your momentum is too strong, and you took his first place.”

Song Fuzhi nodded. “Lu Luli, and I also guessed that.”

“You guys think the same way.”

Shi Zhang informed him about Zhong Ziyan being the program’s big boss and helping investigate the matter. If the evidence is solid, the person would probably disappear from the leaderboard.

Song Fuzhi showed no change in expression; he just picked up a piece of pudding and nodded to indicate he understood.

Shi Zhang asked, “Do you think I’ve gone too far?”

Song Fuzhi shook his head. “I don’t mind, but I still hope he gets punished. I already collected evidence and planned to sue him later.”

Shi Zhang fell silent for a while; his voice softened. “Do you plan to sue him yourself?”

Song Fuzhi, puzzled, nodded, “Yes.”

Shi Zhang took a step closer, and his tone unexpectedly carried a hint of danger: “Even though you know I’m Octopus, you can freely borrow my influence, and you still don’t plan to tell me?”

“I probably will,” Song Fuzhi said nonchalantly, smiling as he pointed at the small bowl. “This pudding is delicious.”

“Fu Teacher, those comments saying you’re riding on Octopus’s popularity,” Shi Zhang approached within an inch, repeating, “They say you’re riding on my popularity.”

“Yeah,” Song Fuzhi put down the small spoon, looking at Shi Zhang. “I’m aware.”

Shi Zhang furrowed his brows. “Is that all? Don’t you have any thoughts about it?”

Song Fuzhi thought for a moment, “It was uncomfortable at first to be criticized by so many people. But seeing that most people still like my works, I’m quite happy.”

“Moreover, those who criticized me were mainly saying that I was riding on Octopus’s popularity.” Song Fuzhi revealed with a cunning smile, “They don’t know that Octopus Teacher is my husband. I find it amusing to see the internet trolls stomping their feet.”

“What’s so funny?” Shi Zhang pinched Song Fuzhi’s cheek seriously.

“It feels like having a surefire strategy,” Song Fuzhi laughed.

“Fu Teacher, you also know the term’surefire strategy.’ Since you know, why didn’t you tell me?” Shi Zhang’s tone turned fierce.

Song Fuzhi, with a gentle tone, said, “Because I know Octopus Teacher doesn’t care about being ‘popularized.’ That’s enough. As long as you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter what others say.”

Shi Zhang frowned. “But Fufu is your coser account. Don’t you mind others misunderstanding you?”

“It’s precisely because it’s just an online account that I don’t mind much,” Song Fuzhi said.

Probably because Professor Song is so amazing and able to separate the real world from the online world, mature and stable adults won’t be bothered by such trivial matters.