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Chapter 10: The Correct Wrong Delivery (2)

Xu Zhiyi regretted it the moment she stepped out of her dorm.

On the midnight streets, a fine lonely drizzle floated down. The wind lashed her face like one sharp, cold slap after another. She pulled up her scarf that hung past her knees and wrapped it tightly around her neck four times. Most of her face was buried in the wool scarf, yet she was still cold.

Midnight movie screenings in winter were usually desolate. But the taxi Xu Zhiyi took got stuck in a traffic jam two blocks away from the theater, unable to move. She had no choice but to get out of the warm car and walk there shivering.

The cinema was completely surrounded by layers upon layers of frenzied fans, packed so tightly not even air could get through.

Most of the crowd were women. They were dressed thinly and fashionably, with perfectly drawn eyeliner and lips blooming like summer flowers. Their makeup was flawless. Even though their bare knees exposed under their skirts were blue from the cold, they remained unfazed. They didn’t look like they were here for a movie—more like they were going on a romantic adventure.

What shocked Xu Zhiyi most was the feverish look of infatuation on each of their faces, as if they were all here for a one-on-one date with that man called Shen Si.

Hot bodies trembled with excitement in the cold wind, the mix of perfume and body odor completely overturning the natural scent of the air. Most people hadn’t even managed to get tickets. They stood around holding name signs, flowers, gifts, promotional posters… shouting Shen Si’s name, as if that alone could summon their beloved idol.

One short girl stood out the most, screaming while waving a gigantic body pillow that was half a head taller than her. The image of Shen Si printed on it was twisted in half from how tightly she hugged it around the waist.

Another group, likely trying to match the film’s theme, wore borrowed, cheap period costumes and were laughing boisterously.

It was an all-out party, and everyone seemed to be enjoying it—everyone except Xu Zhiyi, who felt utterly out of place. Trapped in the crowd, pushed and pulled, she was finally swept into the theater like a wave. Her once-grey snow boots were now so trampled they’d lost all color.

She could feel the hot breath of countless people inches from her face, see the bacteria-packed moisture shooting directly toward her and getting sucked into her nose. It made her nauseous.

She was just about to flee—when Jiang Chunyi suddenly popped up behind her with a huge bouquet of white tulips and affectionately hugged her. “I was so afraid you wouldn’t come!”

Xu Zhiyi stumbled and shoved the ticket into her hand. “You’re going to be the death of me!”

“It’s so stuffy—I can barely breathe!” She had to practically yell into Jiang Chunyi’s ear for her to hear.

“I know right? I’m so excited my heart is about to jump out!” Jiang Chunyi waved the flowers in excitement.

“Speak for yourself,” Xu Zhiyi frowned suddenly. “These flowers are way too inauspicious.”

Jiang Chunyi smiled mysteriously. “He thinks colorful flowers are too tacky.”

“No wonder everyone’s giving white flowers—it’s like we accidentally walked into a funeral,” Xu Zhiyi quipped, sharp as ever. “Tell your idol that white flowers don’t attract bees and butterflies. They’re terrible for pollination.”

“Can you mind your mouth?!”

“Ignorant! That’s basic biology!”

“Stop acting like a love-struck schoolgirl,” Xu Zhiyi teased, poking Jiang Chunyi on the forehead.

Jiang Chunyi didn’t flinch. “You don’t get it. That’s the greatness of fandom!”

“Ma’am? How old are you again?” Xu Zhiyi looked at her in disdain.

“Hah! If that… what’s-his-name, Maurice-something-Gins… stood in front of you, could you stay this calm?” Jiang Chunyi retorted.

“That’s different,” Xu Zhiyi said bitterly. “Can Shen Si block viral infections from entering host cells? Has he built a DNA model?”

“He can sing the most romantic love songs and make women dream of him at night!” Jiang Chunyi grinned, leaning in flirtatiously. “Have you ever had a romantic dream? I bet your dreams are all about cells and viruses. Tonight, take a good look at Shen Si’s face—his eyes, nose, lips, those long legs… every part of him stirs the imagination…”

“Pervert! You probably just want to see what’s between those long legs!” Xu Zhiyi slapped her across the face, blushing.

For a moment, she felt a bit sorry for the man who was probably getting mentally harassed by women day and night.

Luckily, the movie soon started.

In the darkness, while Jiang Chunyi wasn’t paying attention, Xu Zhiyi sneakily took out disinfectant spray and doused the area around her before settling in to watch the movie.

Almost as if gripping the hearts of his female fans, Shen Si floated across the screen with effortless elegance—stepping on flowers, on waves, on snow… Each time the camera froze on his face, it triggered waves of lustful screams from the crowd.

Xu Zhiyi noticed that the cinematographer particularly liked filming Shen Si’s right profile. From that angle, his sculpted, striking features were criminally handsome.

Even in an industry oversaturated with plastic surgery and flower boys, Shen Si’s looks were undeniably exceptional. Especially in a film world where androgyny reigned, his rebellious, roguish masculinity made him stand out.

In truth, he wasn’t flawless. There was a small scar, about half an inch long, slanting upward from the corner of his right lip. It gave him a strange, ambiguous smile.

A scar on the face is rarely good news—but on Shen Si, it didn’t lessen his charm. In fact, it added a layer of mystery.

Xu Zhiyi had to admit: the man was physically outstanding.

But to be consumed purely for his looks? She found that rather pitiful.

She was never very interested in films, so she forced herself to stay focused for a bit, then started daydreaming. In a daze, she saw Shen Si standing beneath a snow-white cherry blossom tree, lips curved in a not-quite-smile, inching closer to her…

That piercingly handsome face almost reached hers with the next breath.

She panicked—and snapped awake.

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On screen, Shen Si stood beneath a cherry blossom tree, saying to a beautiful woman in palace garb:

“Whether I met you too early or too late… whether we met or missed… I still wouldn’t love you.”

His light amber eyes reflected the snow-like glow of cherry blossoms—cold and piercing.

So this is the real face behind the charming smile of the superstar, Xu Zhiyi thought sarcastically.

He clearly saw people as insects, yet insisted on acting humble and polite. Hypocrite!

The theater’s heating soon made Xu Zhiyi’s head nod. Jiang Chunyi, furious, pinched her hard.

Just then, the hero Shen Si played collapsed on screen, blood trickling from the corner of his lips. He looked at the heroine, face stoic: “Don’t be sad. After I die, please cremate me. When the wind rises, I’ll be free to roam again…”

As female fans sobbed softly, Xu Zhiyi yelped in pain—drawing unwanted attention.

People turned to look. Embarrassed, Xu Zhiyi shrank into a ball, pulled her scarf up, and hid her face.

From the front row, Shen Si, hearing the sound, glanced back. He saw someone curled up, face hidden, just the glint of dark eyes visible above a scarf in the shifting screen light.

He instinctively squinted slightly and looked away.

Meanwhile, Xu Zhiyi, struck by his cold stare, muttered: What is he, a wolf? Why are his eyes so sharp?

“Shh—” Jiang Chunyi leaned over and whispered, “Who are you calling a wolf?”

“I meant all the girl-wolves in this theater.” She smirked.

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After the movie, thunderous applause erupted.

Then came rhythmic chanting: “Si-mo! Si-mo!” (a nickname for Shen Si).

The spotlight lit up, and the cast came onstage one by one to greet the audience. Shen Si was last.

“Hi, everyone.” Holding the mic, his voice was clear and charming as spring skies—and the crowd reached a new level of hysteria.

Xu Zhiyi suspected some women shouting “Shen Si, I love you, marry me!” had already lost bladder control from excitement.

She was the only one standing quietly.

And in that frenzy, Shen Si noticed her immediately—the lone cold spot among the feverish crowd.

He looked at her. Once. Then again.

A fan had fainted and was carried out. Another tried to rush the stage with flowers and fought the security guards.

The chaos was endless. The poor director and cast were left awkwardly standing there, and even the usually composed Shen Si was clearly uncomfortable, constantly apologizing.

The planned Q&A and lucky draw seemed doomed.

Thankfully, the host rescued the moment: “The winner will have dinner with your beloved demon king tomorrow. So quiet down! Pray for Lady Luck!”

The crowd instantly fell silent.

Xu Zhiyi saw the girl next to her tear up and tremble with excitement.

She thought: Only if Darwin himself crawled from the grave and stood in front of me would I be this emotional—and that would be from fear.

Then came the Q&A session—equally chaotic.

One fan ignored the director completely: “I don’t want to talk to the director—I want to talk to Ah Si!”

The director’s face darkened.

Another asked the female lead: “When you kissed Shen Si, did you faint from happiness?”

The actress flusteredly explained it was a fake kiss.

The fan was outraged: “So you were disappointed? Rumor says you asked for a real kiss and were rejected!”

Shen Si finally had to step in, gently coughing: “Let’s not go overboard. No more questions like that.”

Finally, it was Shen Si’s turn to answer.

The host picked a male fan.

“Ah Si, is there a chance you could fall for a man?” the guy asked shyly.

“Ah—well—Impossible is nothing,” Shen Si replied, smiling like a spring breeze.

“Just do it!” the guy blew him a kiss.

Shen Si nearly choked.

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Then the host scanned the crowd and Shen Si whispered in his ear, “Pick the calmest one.”

When the staff handed the mic to Xu Zhiyi, she realized—she had won. She felt like a porcupine on fire under all the envious stares.

“I have no questions,” she said crisply, handing the mic back.

The staff didn’t take it, instead looking to the host for help.

Shen Si chimed in, “Now this is a real fan—just looking at me is enough to be satisfied…”

What nonsense! Xu Zhiyi yanked the mic back, pulled out her sanitizer, and sprayed it on the mic for all to see. Then she raised her eyes and met Shen Si’s mocking, challenging gaze.

Unconsciously, her spikes came out:
“Classmate Shen, is your curiosity satisfied now? How did that fall feel?”

The crowd gasped.

Everyone knew Shen Si’s infamous public fall was taboo—nobody dared bring it up.

In the dead silence, Shen Si’s scar curved into a faint smirk.
“Thank you for your concern, miss. But I’m actually more curious about something else.”

“Oh? Too bad I’m not interested in your curiosity,” Xu Zhiyi replied, returning the mic with a bow.

In that moment, she was certain:
That day, Shen Si really had come to find her.
And those two movie tickets were definitely not a mistaken delivery.

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