Chapter 34

Bai Siyi hadn’t slept all night either—his heart felt heavy.

Even though he hadn’t known Huo Xingming for long, after spending these past few days together, he had developed feelings.

After all, it was his first time feeling this way. Who could possibly suppress emotions like this?

But at the same time, Bai Siyi had been working for so long and carrying so much pressure on his shoulders. He was no longer the impulsive young master who acted on emotions.

Huo Xingming was great, but still… it was impossible.

Not even their sexual orientations matched—what was there to talk about beyond that?

Bai Siyi hadn’t slept well all night. His mood wasn’t great, but when he thought about how, starting today, he no longer had to wear women’s clothing, no longer had to force a sweet, girly voice, no longer had to bind his chest, no longer had to put on makeup—and on top of all that, he was getting 500,000 yuan—his mood instantly improved!

That 500,000 could go toward paying off his debts. Over the years, he had gradually paid some of it back, but the loan interest was outrageously high. He had been paying interest nonstop, and the principal had barely shrunk.

With 500,000, he could at least pay off a third of the principal.

In the past, over a million in debt had seemed impossible to clear, something he’d be repaying for the rest of his life.

But now… it actually felt doable.

Still, as he looked at the bills, Bai Siyi sighed. Even if he cleared the entire principal, he’d still be under immense pressure. His mother’s mental health wasn’t in great condition, and between her medication and therapy, they needed 10,000 to 20,000 yuan a month.

In the past, Bai Siyi had worked three jobs and never dared to take a single day off just to barely scrape by. But now, he had a new plan—if an agency wanted to sign him after this show, he’d consider it.

He had never wanted to enter the entertainment industry before. He thought it wasn’t the right place for him, and without any background or connections, he might just get bullied.

But now, he couldn’t afford to care.

First, he had to clear his debts and settle his mother’s situation.

He didn’t want to meet another Huo Xingming someday, only to hold himself back again because of his terrible financial situation—not even daring to fight for what he wanted.

He was still young.

He had to find a new way to live, instead of being stuck in the mud forever.

—

Bai Siyi woke up early to wash up. His fair, delicate face still looked beautiful even without makeup.

He casually tied his hair into a messy bun, put on a mask, and stepped out in just a simple white T-shirt and jeans.

On the outside, he looked calm, but deep down, he was panicking.

Would Huo Xingming beat him up after learning the truth?

Thinking about Huo Xingming’s broad, macho frame, Bai Siyi wasn’t sure he could survive a single punch.

—

Bai Siyi had the day off—he had already asked his supervisor for leave.

Since he had time in the morning, he went to a nearby shopping mall.

The show’s staff followed him, and the live stream chat was already in chaos—everyone was way too excited:

【AAAAAHHH! Xiao Bai really isn’t wearing women’s clothes today!】

【Guys, I can’t take this—I’m so nervous! How is Xiao Bai staying so calm?!】

【Xiao Bai, don’t be scared! Piupiustar is already curled up like a mosquito coil—just go for it!】

【Aba aba aba, I CAN’T WAIT ANY LONGER! I NEED TO SEE PIUPIU STAR GO INSANE FOR LOVE!】

【Didn’t Xiao Bai reject him last night? Aaaah, whatever! “Bai Xing Yiyi” forever! May they be together for a hundred years and have lots of babies!】

—

Early in the morning, Bai Siyi’s live stream chat was flooded with messages of “May you be together forever and have lots of children.”

The audience had gone from opposing Huo Xingming, betting on when this CP would break up, to accepting him, liking him, and even hoping he could successfully win over Bai Siyi—their attitude changed at least three times a day.

Now, the hottest CP online was “Bai Xing Yiyi”, with over 100,000 fans and consistently high engagement.

The top comment read: 【Today is a historic moment! I want to see just how far Piupiustar is willing to go for love! Dog head.jpg】

—

While the chat was celebrating, Bai Siyi looked conflicted on camera.

He turned to the staff beside him and asked, “What do you think I should buy him as a gift?”

That’s right—Bai Siyi still felt deeply regretful about the “gift” he had given Huo Xingming before: a torrential downpour.

They might never see each other again after this.

So, at the very least, during the final confession segment, Bai Siyi wanted to make up for it by giving Huo Xingming a real gift—whether he liked it or not.

The staff hesitated to give advice, but the show’s assistant director suggested, “How about some jewelry?”

Bai Siyi thought about it for a moment.

He vaguely remembered that Huo Xingming had worn earrings before—so he probably liked accessories.

With that in mind, Bai Siyi started browsing jewelry counters at the mall.

He visited three major shopping malls before finally finding a star-shaped earring.

It was deep sapphire blue, set in platinum, with a small but exquisite sapphire embedded in it.

The moment Bai Siyi saw it, he knew it was perfect for Huo Xingming.

He took it out and showed it to the live stream viewers.

“Everyone, help me take a look. Do you think this gift suits Huo Xingming?”

The chat exploded in shock:

【WTF, Xiao Bai! Don’t spend money on a man! This thing looks expensive!】

【As a ^[1]“Bai Xing Yiyi” (白星熠熠) CP (couple pairing) name created by fans for Bai Siyi (白斯奕) and Huo Xingming (霍星鸣). “Bai” (白) comes from Bai Siyi’s surname. … Continue readingBai Xing Yiyi fan, I accept that Huo Xingming is Xiao Bai’s husband, but Xiao Bai, come on—we’re just struggling workers! Spending a whole month’s salary on a gift isn’t worth it!】

【Exactly! You two aren’t even officially together yet. If you want to buy a gift, get something cheaper. Save the expensive ones for when your relationship is deeper.】

—

It wasn’t that the viewers didn’t support Bai Siyi buying a gift.

Nor did they think Huo Xingming wasn’t worth it.

They just knew how hard Bai Siyi worked for money—he was so poor that he wouldn’t even spend ten yuan on a shared bike and only drank the cheapest milk.

Yet now, when buying a gift for Huo Xingming, he went straight for something this expensive!

The audience felt genuinely distressed for Bai Siyi.

They thought he could be terrifyingly rational at times, yet shockingly emotional at others.

One of the staff whispered hesitantly, “Xiao Bai, isn’t this a bit too expensive?”

A bit too expensive?

That was an understatement.

These four-digit earrings were insanely expensive for Bai Siyi!

Almost as much as his entire month’s salary.

Bai Siyi held the earrings, staring at them for a long time.

Gemstone earrings were expensive, but feelings were priceless.

He might only fall for someone once in his lifetime.

He didn’t want to have any regrets.

He didn’t even ask the staff if he could buy just one earring.

Instead, he bought the whole pair—deep sapphire blue, star-shaped earrings.

Then, he asked the staff to pack them separately.

“Two boxes, please. Thank you very much.”

The staff chuckled. “Are these for a couple?”

Bai Siyi pressed his lips together and nodded, a little embarrassed.

These earrings were way too expensive—he couldn’t just give both to Huo Xingming.

He had to keep one for himself!

—

After buying the gift, Bai Siyi checked the time—it was already past noon.

Apparently, he had spent the entire morning shopping for the perfect gift.

The restaurant for today’s confession segment had been arranged by the show’s production team.

They chose a private, highly secure location to avoid a repeat of last time—when fans mobbed the cast outside a bar.

The live stream cameras would only focus on the guests, ensuring viewers couldn’t track the location.

With the staff leading the way, Bai Siyi arrived at a private room on the restaurant’s second floor.

Inside, Huo Xingming was already waiting.

In fact, he had been sitting there for an entire hour.

He had arrived early, face blank, left ear adorned with a black earring, a black baseball cap on his head, his gaze fixed downward as he scrolled through his phone.

His whole posture screamed: “Stay away.”

Bai Siyi took one quick glance from the doorway—

Then immediately backed out.

His hands shook from nerves, making the gift box tremble as well.

A staff member standing beside him whispered, “Xiao Bai, are you nervous?”

Bai Siyi hesitated, then said softly, “Uh… should I go back and change into a dress first?”

Staff: “…”

Live Stream Comments: 

【…】

【Xiao Bai, you’re so handsome! What are you afraid of? Just go for it!】

【Xiao Bai, don’t be nervous! The moment you walk in, he’ll be the one panicking!】

—

The assistant director hesitated and asked, “Xiao Bai, have you made up your mind? Are you not going to confess?”

Although the show required Bai Siyi to reveal the truth, they wouldn’t force him to do it.

After all, according to his contract, he wasn’t allowed to expose his male disguise before the confession segment, nor could he reject his assigned match.

However, the contract didn’t say he had to confess during the segment.

The confession stage was just a time marker—whether to confess or not, and when to do it, was entirely up to Bai Siyi.

Bai Siyi clutched the gift box tightly, feeling more nervous than ever.

He swallowed hard and peeked through the crack in the door again.

Inside, Huo Xingming looked extremely irritated, his expression dark, fingers aggressively tapping at his phone screen.

Bai Siyi’s gaze drifted to his macho arms, the solid definition visible even through his tight T-shirt.

Wait a second.

Why did Huo Xingming look even more built than before?!

That arm muscle… if he threw a punch, wouldn’t that be dangerous?!

Hold up. Something’s off.

Bai Siyi squinted through the door crack again, then whispered to the staff, “He actually wore a tight shirt today… Is he trying to intimidate me with his muscles?”

Staff: “…”

Live Stream Comments: 【…】

One of the staff murmured, “Have you considered the possibility that… maybe he’s deliberately showing off his muscles for you?”

After all, Bai Siyi’s online username was “Most Loves Macho Man.”

Back then, Huo Xingming always wore loose, shapeless clothes, intentionally hiding his physique.

But now?

This was the confession segment.

If Bai Siyi didn’t get to see his muscles today, he might never get another chance.

—

Inside the private room, Huo Xingming was sitting at the table, gaming on his phone.

He glanced down at his clothes.

Originally, he had planned to wear a casual button-up shirt, something that made him look polished and refined.

But right before leaving, he stared at Bai Siyi’s chat history, clenched his jaw—

And changed into a fitted T-shirt instead.

The fabric was so tight, that if he pulled at the hem even slightly, the outline of his eight-pack abs was clearly visible.

This should be enough to make Bai Siyi go crazy, right?

But even if Bai Siyi regretted everything later, he wasn’t going to forgive him so easily!

Huo Xingming had already made up his mind—

The moment Bai Siyi stepped into the room, he would slam the thank-you letter on the table—

Then walk out.

He wanted Bai Siyi to know—he had a temper too!

After playing through more than twenty rounds of Fight the Landlord, the private room door finally opened!

Huo Xingming, still wearing his cap with the brim pulled low, remained seated coldly, motionless.

But in reality, he was secretly peeking at the doorway from the corner of his eye.

He saw someone walk in, dressed in white—their figure resembling Bai Siyi’s.

Then, that person moved cautiously, carefully pulling out a chair, carefully sitting down, and carefully placing a package on the table.

Huo Xingming never lifted his head. He had already sworn—if he voluntarily looked at Bai Siyi again, he was a dog!

Unless Bai Siyi spoke to him first.

Huo Xingming sat there, exiting his game, shoving both hands into his pockets. Under the brim of his cap, he stared at the white clothing in front of him—

And at the pair of hands resting on the table.

Perfect. These were indeed Bai Siyi’s hands—pale, slender, but with small, faint scars.

Looking at those hands, Huo Xingming suddenly felt a pang in his chest.

His eyes burned, turning slightly red, and he bowed his head even lower.

Across from him, Bai Siyi also seemed extremely nervous, his hands twisting together on the table, as if he were trying to find the right words.

Huo Xingming waited. And waited.

Minutes passed.

Neither of them spoke, as if locked in a silent battle of wills.

Finally—Huo Xingming, who had no patience, couldn’t take it anymore.

He exhaled sharply, his hoarse voice breaking the silence.

“Bai Siyi, we’re already here, and you still have nothing to say to me?”

Bai Siyi: “…”

He wasn’t wearing a mask, his hair tied up in a messy bun, with wisps of bangs framing his face.

Nervously, he tucked his hair behind his ear, opened his mouth—then froze.

Should he use his real voice, or continue speaking in his cutesy, high-pitched tone?

While Bai Siyi was agonizing over this, Huo Xingming suddenly shot up from his seat.

The force of his movement sent his chair toppling backward onto the soft carpet.

Huo Xingming kept his head down, his nose stinging, his eyes burning red.

He knew he must look ridiculous, but his voice was still furious and loud.

“If that’s how it is, then fine! Bai Siyi, if I ever come looking for you again—

I’M A DOG!”

With that, BANG!

Bai Siyi flinched as Huo Xingming pulled out a pink envelope from his pocket and slammed it onto the table.

Bai Siyi jumped in shock, quickly standing up as well.

Glancing at the envelope, he hesitated before gingerly pulling out his own, murmuring in a soft voice—

“You… you don’t have to be so worked up… I…”

Huo Xingming roared back: “HOW CAN I NOT—”

Huo Xingming: “…”

Huo Xingming suddenly felt like something was off.

Slowly, he lifted his head, his gaze filled with hesitation as he looked at Bai Siyi.

Sure, he had sworn that if he looked at Bai Siyi again, he was a dog—

But this was a special case!

Why did he just hear a man’s voice?

Where was the cutesy, high-pitched voice?

Where was Bai Siyi?!

Huo Xingming’s angry yet confused gaze locked onto Bai Siyi’s face.

At this moment, Bai Siyi’s entire face was flushed red, his heart pounding wildly.

He stood there, completely at a loss, still clutching the thank-you letter he had written.

His eyes darted around guiltily, avoiding Huo Xingming’s stare.

In the end, he lowered his head and, using his real voice, murmured softly—

“I’m sorry.”

Huo Xingming: “…”

He thought he was dreaming.

To test it, he pinched his thigh—hard.

Ouch!

Okay. Not a dream.

Then what the hell was going on?!

Was this some prank by the show?

Did they know he liked gay guys, so they made Bai Siyi crossdress as a man to mess with him?!

Huo Xingming stared at Bai Siyi’s face, his burning gaze practically tangible, making Bai Siyi’s whole body break out in goosebumps.

Then, Huo Xingming’s eyes lowered—

To Bai Siyi’s Adam’s apple.

Then his collarbones.

His chest.

And finally, back to his face.

Bai Siyi’s face was so red it looked like a tomato.

Lacking confidence, he muttered—

“You promised before… that you wouldn’t hit me.”

Huo Xingming: “…”

It took him a full ten minutes—maybe even longer—to process everything.

The atmosphere was so strange, and Bai Siyi was on edge, feeling uneasy, guilty, nervous, and sad all at once.

His nose stung, and his eyes welled up with tears.

Huo Xingming kept staring at him.

After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice soft, gentle—

“What did you just say?”

His voice was so fragile, as if he was afraid of shattering a beautiful dream.

As if, if he spoke even a little louder, the dream would break.

Bai Siyi, standing across from him, didn’t dare move under Huo Xingming’s gaze.

In a small voice, he repeated—

“You promised before… that you wouldn’t hit me…”

Huo Xingming looked at him.

“Not that one. The one before that.”

Bai Siyi: “…”

He thought for a few seconds, then peeked carefully at Huo Xingming.

“…I’m sorry?”

Huo Xingming immediately responded—

“It’s okay!”

After saying that, Huo Xingming pulled the fallen chair back up and sat down with a loud “thud.”

Bai Siyi: “???”

Bai Siyi glanced at Huo Xingming, then at the thank-you letter that had just been slapped onto the table.

Without any expression, Huo Xingming swiftly covered the envelope with his palm—

Then, in one quick motion, he snatched it back and stuffed it into his pocket.

Bai Siyi: “…”

Huo Xingming stared at Bai Siyi, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

“You… you’re Bai Siyi, right?”

The tension in the air seemed to ease slightly.

Bai Siyi cautiously sat down and nodded carefully, afraid that Huo Xingming might suddenly lose it and punch him.

“Of course I am.”

This was a live broadcast—it wasn’t like he could fake his identity.

Huo Xingming’s heart pounded wildly.

His ears and face turned red, and he even started feeling nervous.

But his gaze remained locked onto Bai Siyi, filled with excitement and delight, burning like fire.

Bai Siyi felt his skin crawl under the intense stare.

For a moment, he even considered bolting for the door.

Then, Huo Xingming softly asked—

“You… you’re a guy?”

Bai Siyi’s face flushed red.

He didn’t dare look at Huo Xingming and kept his head hung low as he gave a small nod.

“Mm.”

“BANG!”

A loud crash made Bai Siyi snap his head up in shock—

Only to see Huo Xingming sprawled on the floor, somehow having knocked over the entire table in the process.

Drinks spilled everywhere.

Bai Siyi rushed over to help him up.

“Are… are you okay?!”

No way.

Bai Siyi panicked internally.

Could it be that… knowing the truth shocked him this much?!

Please, don’t let him have lost his mind.