Chapter 22

At midday, the two of them had already eaten two meals together, yet they had barely spent a hundred yuan. One had to admit, Bai Siyi was really helping the show save money.

The other three pairs of guests had already racked up six-figure expenses for the day, while these two were sitting in a bun shop drinking free soy milk just to save on beverage costs.

Huo Xingming was completely stuffed. He made sure not to leave a single bun behind, and though the porridge was unlimited, he could only manage to force down half a bowl.

Bai Siyi went to pour himself a cup of soy milk before sitting across from Huo Xingming. Watching him finish his meal, he started to feel troubled again.

He had originally thought that today would be both their first and last time meeting.

But obviously, Huo Xingming had no intention of passing him!!!

Bai Siyi was in turmoil.

He took a sip of soy milk, glanced at Huo Xingming, and thought, This dude… he wouldn’t have actually fallen for me, would he?

But I’m not really a girl! I’m a guy…

If Huo Xingming was refusing to cut things off because he liked him, then what would happen when he eventually found out the truth?

Bai Siyi looked at Huo Xingming’s height, then at his solid arms and broad hands. If that fist swung at me, I might just drop dead on the spot…

Meanwhile, the live stream viewers, who had been watching for ages, were growing increasingly impatient. They had been sitting there, watching them eat, for over an hour, and nothing had progressed.

Live Stream Comments:

【Are they really that hungry? They’ve been eating for over an hour… (facepalm-laughing-crying emoji)】

【So from what they’re saying, neither of them plans to cut ties? (shocked emoji)】

【Tbh, Xiao Bai is so pretty. His skin is so fair, and those legs—so thin and straight! I feel like Piupiustar might actually be into him?】

【If he really does like him, this is gonna be hilarious. Just imagine—when they reach the confession segment, Piupiustar finds out Xiao Bai is actually a guy… Will he pass out from sheer rage? Just picturing it makes me crack up! (laughing emoji)】

—

While Bai Siyi was secretly observing Huo Xingming, the now-finished Huo Xingming was also sneaking glances at Bai Siyi.

He was thinking, Why hasn’t Bai Siyi blocked me yet?

That doesn’t make sense.

His whole persona was designed to be greasy and unappealing—so why hadn’t Bai Siyi rejected him?

Unless… Bai Siyi actually likes my body?

After all, his username was “Most Loves Macho Man.”

Huo Xingming: “……”

At this moment, the staff prompted them to take out their phones.

If they weren’t interested in the other person, they needed to block their contact.

If they liked each other, they were supposed to send a text saying: 【Nice to meet you.】

Huo Xingming and Bai Siyi sat across from each other, both taking out their phones at the same time.

Huo Xingming lowered his voice, nervously asking Bai Siyi: “Have you, have you thought it through?”

Bai Siyi’s expression was complicated: “What about you? Have you thought it through some more?”

Huo Xingming actually needed to think for another few seconds.

He didn’t want to flirt with a girl as a gay man, and he thought Xiao Bai was really great. He didn’t want to lie to him.

However, since he had already tricked Xiao Bai, if he really had to stay in the show, he was still willing to team up with Xiao Bai.

After all, if Xiao Bai left, and the show assigned him another female guest, wouldn’t he go crazy?

Huo Xingming sighed and said softly, “Sorry, I’m a selfish person.”

Bai Siyi was confused: “What?”

At that moment, a text message alert went off, and Bai Siyi looked down at his phone.

Piupiustar: 【Bai Siyi, nice to meet you, it’s funny. Soybean smile.】

Bai Siyi: “…”

Huo Xingming looked at him, his eyes full of guilt.

Bai Siyi looked at him: “So, your selfishness means you’re counting on me to help you pay off your debt, right?”

Such a great opportunity—letting him have a chance to switch to a wealthy female guest as a virtual girlfriend—and he just gave it up!

Bai Siyi was about to lose his mind!

Huo Xingming: “…”

Huo Xingming was so embarrassed his ears turned red, and he couldn’t even bear to look Bai Siyi in the eye: “W-well, anyway, I think you’re great. If you’re upset, you can block me. Really! I won’t be angry.”

Bai Siyi: “…”

Thanks, if he could, he’d have blocked Huo Xingming a hundred times by now.

Bai Siyi straightened his face and sent a text to Huo Xingming: 【Hello, nice to meet you.】

They both looked at the text on their phones, then looked up at each other, their hearts filled with complex emotions.

They had come here with excitement, expecting things to end quickly, but after two meals, they unexpectedly found themselves with a backup option.

The good news was, the other person seemed easy to get along with, and in person, they weren’t as greasy as during their online chats.

The bad news was, he was straight (and she was a girl).

The viewers in the live stream chat were very reluctant:

【Huh… so they just got together like this?】

【No!!! At most, this just means their first meeting went smoothly! There’s still the confession segment! Only if they hold hands during the confession will it really count!】

【Guys, if this isn’t scripted, I’ll do a handstand and eat X!】

【Xiao Bai! If you’ve been kidnapped, blink twice!】

【Even though Piupiustar does look really good—he’s a handsome mixed-race guy—he still has a million in debt! And he’s so greasy! Saying stuff like finding a wife to pay off his debt… Xiao Bai, your life is already tough enough, please stay clear-headed!】

—

The viewers in the live stream were practically worrying themselves sick over Bai Siyi.

Bai Siyi was also worrying himself sick!

He originally thought he’d be able to take the 500,000 yuan and slip away today.

The two sat awkwardly for a while until Huo Xingming broke the silence: “Uh… do you have any plans later?”

Bai Siyi shook his head: “I don’t know what the production team has planned… Oh, right, I still have to go back to work.”

He actually didn’t have work—he had already finished all his tasks. But he just didn’t want to stay with Huo Xingming!

What if Huo Xingming really had feelings for him, but he was actually a man…

That would be hard to explain later! So, it was best to minimize their interactions, talk less, and just make it to the confession segment!

Hearing Bai Siyi say that, Huo Xingming seemed to let out a breath of relief. He suddenly stood up, coughed, and said, “Well, perfect, I also have work to do. I—I have to go move bricks.”

Bai Siyi stood up with a polite smile: “Wow, you finally found work again?”

Huo Xingming: “…”

His ears had just been red before, but now his entire face and neck were flushed.

So awkward. So, so awkward. He had never been this embarrassed in his entire life.

Huo Xingming scratched his head and gave an awkward smile.

Bai Siyi also stood up, smiling politely: “Well, since we both have work to do, why don’t we just call it a day?”

Huo Xingming nodded: “Yes, yes, whatever you say.”

Bai Siyi: “…”

After leaving the bun shop, the two went their separate ways—Bai Siyi heading toward his factory, while Huo Xingming walked aimlessly in the opposite direction.

From the moment the male guest officially appeared on-screen, his personal live stream channel had now officially opened.

As soon as they separated, Huo Xingming’s exclusive live stream channel was activated. Originally, there were only four live streams under “First Heartbeat,” but now it had doubled to eight.

Many viewers followed Huo Xingming to his exclusive live stream:

【Hmph! I don’t believe for a second that you’re actually going to work!】

【I need to supervise you on Xiao Bai’s behalf! You better not be lazing around all day, hmph.】

【Piupiustar, it’s already this late—where are you even going to find work? Do you even know that bricklayers start their shift at 6 a.m.?】

—

At first, Huo Xingming’s live stream didn’t have much popularity. Most viewers tuned in just to see how he would slack off again.

After all, judging by his usual behavior, he was most likely going to go home and sleep after eating his fill. The idea of him actually working was laughable.

That was until they saw Huo Xingming get into the production crew’s car and head straight to the entrance of a high-end residential complex in the city center.

The audience instantly recognized this complex—it was the same place where Huo Xingming had chosen a children’s playground for Bai Siyi.

Huo Xingming walked up to the gate and directly scanned his fingerprint to enter.

Live Stream Comments: 

【…】

【Wait a minute… Did he just scan his fingerprint?!】

If he had simply used a resident’s access card, the audience might have assumed he borrowed it from someone. But he had used his fingerprint.

This kind of complex had extremely strict security, with high levels of protection. Unless someone was a resident, they wouldn’t be able to enter without explicit permission.

After all, this place was home to many wealthy elites and celebrities.

Live Stream Comments: 

【OMG, didn’t the director say there’s no script? Damn, is this another “secretly rich second-generation” pretending to be poor?】

【We can’t be sure yet, but if he really is faking poverty, then I’m actually happy for Xiao Bai! I might even start shipping them…】

【Didn’t Piupiustar already explain during the photo reveal segment that he used to be rich? He even gifted Xiao Bai three of Zoro’s swords. If he were truly broke, there’s no way he’d spend money collecting things like that. My guess is that his fingerprint access was recorded from before.】

—

The viewers refused to believe that Huo Xingming was wealthy. And in reality, right now, he truly wasn’t.

He didn’t even have 1,000 yuan on him. All his bank cards were frozen, he had no cash, and his company was entirely reliant on Jiang Fengjing’s investment.

Fortunately, though, the company he founded—while still in its early stages—allowed him, as the CEO, to receive a salary.

If he calculated the dates correctly, payday was coming up soon.

Yes, he was about to have money to spend again.

A staff member asked Huo Xingming, “Mr. Huo, are you heading home now?”

Huo Xingming shook his head. “No, I’m not going home. I need to find a job.”

Staff: “???”

“What kind of job are you looking for?”

Huo Xingming sighed. “My character setting is a bricklayer. I can’t just keep avoiding bricklaying forever, right? What if I get exposed?”

Staff: “……”

Good grief, so he’s actually still thinking about bricklaying!

The staff pulled out a pink mission card and handed it to him. “Mr. Huo, we have a task for you.”

Huo Xingming: “……”

He suddenly felt nervous. He had just separated from Bai Siyi, and now the production team was already trying to push him back toward him?!

Did they have no shame?

Huo Xingming immediately refused.

“No, I don’t want it. Don’t give it to me.”

Saying that, he even started playing dumb. “I can’t read Chinese!”

Staff: “……”

Being exceptionally considerate, they offered, “Then we’ll read it out loud for you?”

Huo Xingming was completely helpless now. He stopped in his tracks, frowning. “What’s the task, exactly? We just met, and you’re already giving me a mission? Can’t you let people rest?”

The staff smiled. “On your first meeting, you both had a lovely morning together and felt that you could continue getting to know each other. So next, it’s time to build affection.”

Huo Xingming nearly jumped up. “What? Build affection? Why—wait, how?!”

Why were they back to this again? They had merely avoided blocking each other, not confessed their feelings!

Staff: “You need to visit Xiao Bai at his workplace and take him on a date.”

Huo Xingming: “……”

A date. Another date. Were they seriously going to make him go on dates with Xiao Bai every single day from now on?!