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Perhaps it was the wonderful atmosphere, or perhaps it was He Tiao’s incredibly gentle gaze, but Chi Yizhen didn’t have the chance to tease him. It just happened naturally.
The weather was very cold, their breath visible in the air. He Tiao was handed a drink, but it wasn’t hot anymore, just warm enough to warm his hands. He took a sip and asked Chi Yizhen, “Why is it red bean?”
Without looking at him, Chi Yizhen, sitting next to He Tiao, watched the fireworks burst open in the distance, still in the shapes of animals.
Smiling, he replied, “If you don’t like it, then don’t drink it.”
He Tiao responded, “I don’t like red bean.”
Chi Yizhen said, “Then give it to me.”
Just as he reached out to take it, he was pulled into He Tiao’s embrace.
With the fireworks banging and his heart pounding, Chi Yizhen’s mind buzzed. He thought to himself, “I’m all grown up, so why am I still playing at innocent love? It’s too pure, so pure that I can’t resist at all, and I’ve fallen into He Tiao’s gaze like this.”
【All romance drama crews should learn from this variety show!】
【I still want to ask: is there really no script? Are the fireworks real or added for the show?】
【I searched it up, and it’s actually a scheduled fireworks display…】
【Weren’t the staff members of Melon Agency exposed before? They’re all addicted… It’s a complete surrender, haha.】
【I really hope this never ends; we might as well get married like this.】
However, the production team was clearly very greedy. Chi Yizhen had thought that once they left the park, the day’s schedule would be over, and he could relax a bit in the car. But even in the car, there were cameras set up, clearly trying to drive him crazy.
During the transition, Chi Yizhen vented his frustration, particularly in a voice message to Chen Linan.
“Bro, I’m really tired. Please don’t bother me.”
“During this time, just rest well and take care of the child.”
“What? A company wants to see me? When did this happen?”
“Let’s talk about it later. I still have to record the show… I have no free time at all, it’s basically 24-hour surveillance.”
Chi Yizhen vented non-stop, clearly showing his personal exhaustion, and finally sighed.
After discussion with the directing team, they were allowed to return according to their character’s travel arrangements.
Chi Yizhen took a deep breath. “Can’t it be like it was before when we came?”
He glanced at He Tiao, who was also messaging. His fair skin made his dark circles particularly obvious. Standing under the park’s streetlights, the shadows cast by his eyelashes appeared especially dense. Clearly tired, one hand held his phone while the other grasped the red bean milk tea.
It was He Tiao who didn’t like red bean milk tea, yet Chi Yizhen had taken it away after just one sip and was now giving it back.
Thinking of He Tiao falling asleep on the recliner and the upcoming filming the next day, it was hard not to feel sorry for him.
He thought to himself: Would someone worth billions like him ever feel sorry for a working-class person like me?
However, with these emotions, coupled with He Tiao’s kindness on the show, Chi Yizhen couldn’t help but admit that finding a better partner for collaboration would be quite challenging.
Brushing aside the awkwardness, He Tiao and he cooperated seamlessly. As He Tiao wasn’t an artist and had no conflicts of interest, their natural proximity during their days together felt effortless.
With the underlying ambiguous affection and the seemingly casual intimacy, sharing a bed in front of the camera as “husband and wife” was unsettling for Chi Yizhen, despite his professionalism in acting.
This feeling was especially heightened after He Tiao’s half-sincere confession.
The director said, “It’s still early, and there’s public transportation available. Besides, the audience in the live stream also knows that you two are heading back.”
Chi Yizhen said, “Can we start recording after we get back to the dorm?”
“He Tiao can fall asleep standing up, he’s so tired.”
Unaware of his protective tone, and with the square being a bit noisy, Chi Yizhen’s voice naturally grew louder.
He Tiao heard it too.
He was already standing not far away and walked over to ask Chi Yizhen, “Are you tired?”
Chi Yizhen brushed his hand away. “I slept until noon. What about you?”
Perhaps it was rare to see him like this, and He Tiao found it refreshing. He could sense that this anger was genuine, not an act.
He Tiao smiled and said, “Five o’clock?”
Chi Yizhen squinted at him.
He Tiao simply pulled him closer. “It’s okay, we can sleep once we get back.”
“Did you forget we can take a cab back?”
“Isn’t that going to deduct from our savings?”
“Today is a special edition, it won’t be deducted.”
The director standing nearby suddenly felt that their behavior was a bit too much. It was clear that Chi Yizhen was concerned for He Tiao, which was normal in the show. However, the cameras were off.
He Tiao, what’s wrong with you? How can you be smiling like this, we said it would cost you if we took a cab!
This is not allowed!
No wonder a group of netizens calls you the “oblivious ruler” – now you’re making yourself look good.
Chi Yizhen said, “Let’s take a cab, it’s quite far from here. I’m going crazy with the subway, and I still have to take three transfers. I have to take the subway to work tomorrow.”
After all, a lot had happened from yesterday to today, including encountering Sheng Xin. Even though Chi Yizhen felt there was no need to be overly anxious, his body was subconsciously on alert. He Tiao’s ambiguous affection had largely eased this tension, but still left Chi Yizhen feeling mentally exhausted.
Sheng Xin was like a ticking time bomb. Even if he exploded, he would take Chi Yizhen’s last hope with him.
How could he fully retrieve Chi Yizhen’s belongings?
If I were to return to the entertainment industry and achieve the heights I desire in this world, security issues would be much better, but I would still be passive.
He Tiao grunted and hugged Chi Yizhen as they headed to the taxi stand.
Director: “Hey? Did you two just decide that on your own?”
Cameraman: “Isn’t it up to the guests to decide?”
Director: “But did I say it would be reimbursed?”
Production Assistant: “Do you really think President He is someone who follows orders?”
Indeed, Chi Yizhen’s cooperation had been visible since the first episode. He Tiao’s cooperation entirely depended on Chi Yizhen’s attitude, and he didn’t have a pleasant expression toward the production team.
One moment, he was smiling gently at Chi Yizhen, and the next, he turned to the camera with an icy demeanor, perfectly demonstrating what it means to have double standards.
Now, the master of double standards had taken Chi Yizhen into the car, and the cameraman hurried to follow and capture their journey.
For about ten minutes, the live stream audience saw nothing but shaky footage and the two of them in the taxi.
【Is E God awake now? He looks quite lively.】
【Chi Yizhen seems like me on a Sunday, dreading going to work on Monday.】
【But E God, selling barbecue, seems to have a good attitude. Is this the happiness of working for oneself?】
He Tiao provided the address, intending to arrogantly expense a taxi ride to their doorstep courtesy of the production team. Chi Yizhen knew the live stream had started and changed his mind.
“Just go to the Shuiwen Bridge Station, and then we can take a bus back three stops.”
He Tiao hesitated, and then Chi Yizhen said, “You should take a nap as well. Someone just fell asleep on a chair earlier.”
Chi Yizhen continued, “Don’t hesitate. Once I become famous, we won’t have the chance to take a taxi together.”
His words sounded remarkably natural, giving the live stream audience the impression that it was coming straight from him.
He Tiao responded, “Will our cohabitation experience become a juicy piece of gossip once I become a big star?”
【Ten days ago, I would never have expected these words to come from the mouth of my dear E God.】
【How humble, hahaha, why are you two getting dramatic again?】
【This kind of gossip isn’t as exciting as scandalous gossip… like a sensational headline about a barbecue stand overnight.】
Chi Yizhen didn’t even look up. In the dim light, he was still reviewing the content they were going to shoot the next day.
“Cool Master Seduces the Wild Dog”… the more I read, the more outrageous it gets. Even in the high-end film industry, there’s a branch like this within Qiyi Entertainment.
“Are you the scandal? My faux wealthy husband who pretended to sell socks and deceived me into cohabiting and struggling together?”
The taxi driver seemed to be quite in sync with the show, perhaps a bit too much.
The lighting was decent enough to see their faces, but it wasn’t as good as professional lighting, slightly hazy, like an image with added noise.
Chi Yizhen spoke casually, with a rising inflection, accompanied by a casual glance and a teasing smile.
【It feels like this script is getting closer and closer to their real selves…】
【Isn’t E God’s parents just ordinary people? This wealthy family script is quite Tom and Sue-esque.】
【Ever since Sheng Xin’s sudden appearance in the live stream, I wouldn’t doubt anything more outrageous.】
【There might even be some plot about “a cat exchanging the prince” – haha, maybe it’s arranged by Zhang Miya, something like a script about true or false young masters.】
【Sheng Xin definitely won’t participate, but he’s really heating up the show for the production team. This couple is quite intriguing.】
He Tiao leaned back in the back seat, tilting his head to look at Chi Yizhen. His shirt in the windbreaker was unbuttoned, revealing his chest wrapped in a turtleneck sweater.
It was completely different from the socially awkward college student vibe he had when they first met.
It was as if his experiences during this time had catalyzed a more mature side of him. At least in front of Chi Yizhen, he had transitioned from two-dimensional to three-dimensional.
It even evoked desire.
“I didn’t intentionally deceive you. I wanted to prove that I could succeed without relying on my family.”
He Tiao spoke earnestly, but Chi Yizhen couldn’t help but laugh, “Starting from a street stall is exhausting, although…”
Everyone could see from his screen that he was performing a scripted play, and the lines were truly sensational.
Chi Yizhen sighed, “I’m happy no matter what when I’m with you. I still hope, though, that you and your family can resolve your conflicts, cousin.”
“Don’t you see how guilty your mother is?” Chi Yizhen was genuinely curious about the ultimate outcome of their story. It seemed like a multifaceted creation, and no one could predict the ending.
He Tiao said, “Of course, she’s guilty, because I…”
Not only Chi Yizhen, even the live stream audience was eager to hear the reason. However, He Tiao shook his head, “I’ll tell you when we get home.”
This piqued Chi Yizhen’s curiosity. He genuinely wanted to know how Zhang Miya had arranged things. But he was merely Zhang Miya’s pawn and had no right to pry into personal matters.
It was evident that He Tiao had a deal with Zhang Miya. Although Chi Yizhen understood that delving further into certain matters could entangle him, at this moment, he felt a bit lucky.
Well, revealing a bit on the show won’t hurt, right?
Chi Yizhen asked, “Can’t you tell me now?” and even patted He Tiao’s hand.
He Tiao shook his head, “I’ll tell you when we’re going to bed.”
He said it so candidly that Chi Yizhen was taken aback, “Pillow talk?”
【Chi Yizhen, are you a straight man? Oh, you actually were before.】
【Isn’t this an obvious hint? Melon, did you secretly edit a lot of bonus scenes behind our backs?】
【I just went to watch the next-door couple who are getting back together. It seems like they’re about to reconcile. This is a real married couple… So, E God, you know what to do! This show can reconcile divorced people in just seven days, so it’s okay if you turn make-believe into reality!!】
【Pillow talk… hehehe.】
In high definition, He Tiao raised an eyebrow, curved his lips, and nodded slightly.
“In that case, you can’t be on top today.”