Although there was an undercurrent of tension between the three of them, with other celebrities either observing or enjoying the drama, today’s schedule still proceeded as planned under Gu Xuanzhe’s instructions.

On stage, the guests were paired up for games based on the intimacy of their characters in the drama. As the male lead and second male lead, who also had romantic scenes together in the series, Lu Youze and Gu Xuanzhe were naturally assigned to the same group. Since this was a fan meeting event, the main focus was interaction, and the games were designed to be fun and help build chemistry. Occasionally, intimate movements between them would trigger fans’ excited screams. The game they were currently playing was “Three-Legged Race,” a simple but teamwork-testing challenge. There were six groups in total, and Lu Youxi’s character in the drama had a complex relationship with Lu Youze’s male lead. However, since Lu Youze was already paired with Gu Xuanzhe, and the other main characters also had their respective pairings, only Yu Li, a special guest who played a minor role, was left without a partner. As a result, Lu Youxi and Yu Li were forcibly grouped together.

Lu Youze was naturally displeased about this pairing but couldn’t show his dissatisfaction outright.

As the game went on, aside from Yu Li’s fans cheering him on, the only sounds left were the excited screams of other fans. In the end, Lu Youze and Gu Xuanzhe demonstrated the best teamwork and reached the finish line first. Even though Lu Youze didn’t have any fans present at the event, Gu Xuanzhe had already made all the necessary arrangements. There were, of course, people in the audience cheering, ensuring that Lu Youze wouldn’t feel awkward on stage.

During the interview segment, Gu Xuanzhe seized the opportunity to openly display affection—wiping Lu Youze’s sweat with a tissue, tucking his hair behind his ear, and even whispering something in his ear while he was being interviewed. Although Gu Xuanzhe maintained a blank expression the entire time, their aura screamed “a couple in love.”

Meanwhile, on the live stream’s comment section, aside from people cursing at a “scumbag,” other voices finally started to emerge.

— “If we’re just talking about visuals, these two really look great together.”
— “Yeah, CEO Gu’s expressionless tenderness really hits me hard.”
— “Agreed, agreed!”
— “Lu Youze, too. That doting, ‘do whatever you want’ attitude—I love this kind of Omega. Not just an Alpha’s accessory, but a relationship where they cherish each other equally.”
— “What are those comments up there? Is the Gu Corporation hiring bots to whitewash him? Do they really think people are that stupid?”
— “Some fans are hilarious. This isn’t your personal echo chamber. Can’t bystanders ship other pairings?”
— “Bots, stop pretending to be neutral.”
— “There are still people who ship a scumbag just for his looks? Well, I hope your boyfriend turns out just like him.”
— “Why did Lili agree to act in this trash drama?”
— “He just couldn’t let go, I guess. Sigh, poor Lili. Even after everything, he still can’t move on.”
— “What do you mean ‘trash drama’? Can you phrase things properly?”
— “Isn’t it a trash drama, though? Some actors really will take any role just for money.”

The bait in the comments was obvious. Any rational fan wouldn’t take it, but Gu Corporation’s hired trolls were definitely in the mix, stirring up emotions. The fans were already displeased with how much screen time Yu Li was getting in the live broadcast, and now that his fans were dominating the comments while other stars were being interviewed, it only fueled their frustration. Before long, the entire chat exploded into arguments.

Yuan Baiyue expressionlessly watched the comment section on his screen before pulling up the plan Gu Xuanzhe had sent him last night. Once again, he marveled at how ruthless their CEO was—not even sparing himself in his schemes. If he still couldn’t get the job done after this, he wouldn’t even need Gu Xuanzhe to fire him—he’d pack up and leave on his own.

“Xiao Liu, I have a list here. Contact these people,” Yuan Baiyue handed a folder to Liu Xiaoyin. “Have them post according to the details in these documents. As for what to do next, I don’t need to spell it out for you, do I?”

“No, no, I got it,” Liu Xiaoyin quickly replied. He opened the folder and found a thick stack of documents inside. As expected from their PR department head—always thoroughly prepared. “I’ll start contacting them right away.”

Yuan Baiyue didn’t say anything else. He closed the live stream’s comment section and continued watching the broadcast of the launch event. Now that their objective had been achieved, there was no need to worry about the comment section anymore.

At that moment, the host happened to be interviewing Yu Li, asking the same general questions about his thoughts on the game.

Yu Li took the microphone from the host, while Lu Youxi stood a person’s distance away from him. Observing their positioning, Lu Youze once again confirmed that Youxi didn’t like Yu Li.

Yu Li’s expression changed subtly, his face showing an almost pitiful vulnerability. Despite being an Alpha, he had an aura that made people want to hold him and comfort him—a rare trait indeed. He didn’t answer the question immediately. Instead, he looked up at Lu Youze.

Seeing Yu Li’s gaze, Lu Youze knew he was in trouble.

Sure enough, Yu Li looked into the camera and said in a nostalgic yet longing tone, “I used to be really good at this game too. I wonder if Youze still remembers?”

In the past, Yu Li and Lu Youze had played the Three-Legged Race together on a variety show, and it had trended for their incredible chemistry, with netizens calling them a “match made in heaven.”

Yu Li was clearly playing the sympathy card, deliberately making fans feel bad for him. And sure enough, they fell for it.

Many fans in the audience started voicing their discontent, genuinely cheering Yu Li on and wishing he would find someone better. Some younger fans were even crying.

Watching them, Lu Youze could only sigh silently. Then, he shifted his gaze to Gu Xuanzhe, who had been holding his hand the entire time. This was precisely why Yu Li’s fans were so furious—because Gu Xuanzhe never let go of his hand. Lu Youze looked at the man standing beside him, whose face remained expressionless but whose eyes carried silent encouragement.

Was all of this within Gu Xuanzhe’s expectations? Or had he orchestrated everything just so that, at this moment, Lu Youze could finally sever ties with Yu Li once and for all?

Lu Youze didn’t believe that every step had been calculated, but he was certain this had been Gu Xuanzhe’s goal all along.

One man had schemed only for himself.
The other had schemed entirely for “Lu Youze.”
And the original Lu Youze had chosen the former.

Love might make people blind, but his past self had truly been terrible at picking men.

“Youze, during the live-streamed fan meeting later, Yu Li will definitely try something. I won’t comment on whether he’s right or wrong, but there’s one thing I want you to know: no matter what he says or does, just respond however you truly feel. No matter what happens, I’ll back you up.”

Lu Youze recalled what Gu Xuanzhe had said to him before they got out of the car.

Strangely enough, he wasn’t someone who acted impulsively, nor was he used to being reckless. But Gu Xuanzhe’s words had given him an inexplicable sense of confidence—confidence to do whatever he wanted.

Well, if that’s the case, he wouldn’t hold back. After all, if things went south, he had someone to rely on.

Damn, he was actually starting to enjoy this feeling of having a powerful backer.

No, no, that thought was too dangerous.

Calming himself down, Lu Youze finally shifted his gaze to Yu Li.