Finale with Fireworks

The room seemed to freeze, everyone’s gaze fixated on Su Ran as he silently broke free from their grasp and stepped a few paces away. Even at a distance, their eyes followed him. 

Fidgeting with his fingers, his head slightly bowed, Su Ran knew deep down he still harbored feelings for Fu Qian’an. Fu Qian’an was his first love, and though they were forced apart, if he were to speak the truth, he would definitely choose Fu Qian’an.

Seeing Su Ran’s retreat, Fu Linxuan and the others wore extremely complex expressions. Fu Linxuan was the first to react, stepping towards Su Ran and demanding, “So Ran Ran, have you been lying to me all this time?”

Su Ran couldn’t bring himself to meet his gaze. Fu Linxuan, agitated, gripped his wrist tightly. “You said he couldn’t compare to me in any way, that you liked me now.”

Su Ran evaded his grip, and at this moment, Qin Yue and Pei Zhiyang stepped forward, reproaching Fu Linxuan, “Why so harsh? You’re scaring Ran Ran.”

“I told you, Baby Ran is with you only because he’s scared,” said Pei Zhiyang.

Fu Linxuan was stunned, looking at Qin Yue and Pei Zhiyang as a fierce expression crossed his face. Clearly, the real problem was Su Ran’s feelings for Fu Qian’an, and these two were seizing the chance to step on him.

However, Fu Linxuan quickly loosened his grip. Seeing Su Ran’s tearful, frightened look softened his tone. “Ran Ran, just tell us what you really think.”

Qin Yue and Pei Zhiyang also watched him intently. “Just say it again, forget what you just said.”

Su Ran glanced at them and asked, “Are you sure you want my honest feelings?”

They affirmed together, “Yes, the most honest feelings.”

Su Ran stated, “Then, I still want to be with Fu Qian’an.”

Hearing this, the three men were stunned for a second before their expressions fell apart. Pei Zhiyang, unable to contain his agitation, was the first to step forward, “Baby Ran, am I really inferior to that blond kid? After all these years of friendship, so close like we’re one person, you choose him over me?”

Qin Yue also seemed dazed, saying, “Ran Ran, I didn’t expect you to really choose him, but I can’t understand, what does he have that I don’t? You liked me first, I was just a week late in responding to you!”

Fu Linxuan’s face darkened, “That’s not an option! You can only choose me. You’ve been in a relationship with me from online to reality, all of it real. There was never an option for Fu Qian’an!”

Su Ran was at a loss for words. They had asked him to choose according to his heart, and when he did, none of them accepted it. “Love… it’s inexplicable, I just like him.”

“No! We don’t accept that!” They nearly said in unison.

Su Ran was overwhelmed by their insistence, stepping back, his eyes red, “Then what do you want?”

Pei Zhiyang stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Su Ran, assertively stating, “You don’t need to choose anymore, I can only accept you choosing me. We’ve been best friends, it’s natural for us to be together. No matter what, you can only be with me.”

Qin Yue also moved closer, embracing Su Ran tightly, not caring that Pei Zhiyang was already holding him. He wedged himself in, “Ran Ran, you can’t be so fickle, it’s heartless and you’ll suffer for it. 

Maybe someday someone will take you away, lock you up at home, not letting you go anywhere, making you sleep by his side every day, filling up your little belly.”

Hearing this, Su Ran went pale with fear, and Pei Zhiyang stepped forward to push Qin Yue away, “Get away from him, you’re revealing your true thoughts, you sleazebag!”

Qin Yue’s eyes filled with bloodshot rage as he glared at Pei Zhiyang, “And you’re pretending to be the good guy? Swear you’ve never thought that way!”

Pei Zhiyang faltered, momentarily stuck, not knowing how to rebut. Seeing their reaction, Su Ran felt a chill—they actually considered imprisoning him!

At a loss, Su Ran wondered if he could ever escape them after the plot ended. Was he doomed to a coerced romance…?

“Ran Ran, don’t be scared, we won’t treat you like that,” Pei Zhiyang tried to reassure him, then added, “Just don’t fall for any blond guys.”

Hearing this, Su Ran felt like crying; it seemed the whole world was preventing him from being with Fu Qian’an, a deep sadness welling up inside him.

Just then, Fu Linxuan approached with a dark expression, his deep-set eyes fixing on Su Ran, “Do you really like Fu Qian’an?”

Terrified, Su Ran wanted to confess but dared not, just looking back at Fu Linxuan with tear-filled eyes. Fu Linxuan, his expression icy, seemed to understand, then pulled out his phone and dialed a number, “Since it’s come to this, I need to let you know the truth.”

Su Ran, puzzled, wondered what truth awaited.

As the phone connected, Fu Linxuan spoke to the person on the other end, “Bring him over.”

Everyone watched Fu Linxuan’s actions, unclear about his intentions, while he calmly sat down at the table, gesturing for the others to join him, “Come sit. I think after Ran Ran sees this person, he’ll change his mind about what he just said.”

Su Ran was baffled, as were the others, but they ceased their quarrel and gathered at the table, waiting for the man who might change Su Ran’s mind.

“Bring some tea,” Fu Linxuan ordered, then turned to Su Ran, “Ran Ran, I won’t force you, and we can forget the past deceptions. But you must stay by my side. We can take our relationship slow.”

Fu Linxuan’s words were tactful and showed great magnanimity, but Su Ran still felt pressured, his head bowed in silence.

Pei Zhiyang also spoke, not wanting to appear less dignified than Fu Linxuan, “Baby Ran, I won’t press you either, but after our long friendship, you surely won’t part from me.”

Qin Yue added, “You told me you liked me that night. We’ve been together so long, surely those feelings of like can be rekindled. I want to be with you until you truly fall for me.”

Listening to them, Su Ran’s gaze lowered further, then said, “If you all say so, am I supposed to be with all three of you?”

This left the three men silent; naturally, each wanted Su Ran all to himself, but the situation seemed irresolvable.

Su Ran found the entire situation absurd, and just then, a bodyguard entered, dragging a person along. This man was somewhat overweight, with several bruises on his face and torn clothes, looking rather pitiful.

“Baby Ran, do you recognize this man?” Pei Zhiyang asked.

Su Ran shook his head, clueless about what Fu Linxuan intended by calling this man, “I don’t know him.”

Fu Linxuan spoke up, “His name is Liu Chen. You don’t need to know him, but he knows Fu Qian’an.”

Liu Chen was dragged forward by the bodyguard, and Fu Linxuan casually commanded, “Tell us what you know, what have you and Fu Qian’an been up to?”

Su Ran was startled, sensing it involved Fu Qian’an and likely nothing good.

Liu Chen, clearly terrified of Fu Linxuan, started trembling as he spoke, “We just scam gay men online for money.”

Hearing this, Su Ran clenched his fist, “You’re saying Fu Qian’an scams people online? I think you’re the scammer!”

Liu Chen looked at Su Ran, saying, “I know you. Fu Qian’an showed me your photo, said you looked like a girl and were easy to deceive, that you even transferred him your living expenses.”

Hearing this, Su Ran was stunned; indeed, he had transferred living expenses to Fu Qian’an when they first met, but he still couldn’t believe it, his eyes reddening as he demanded, “What proof do you have?”

Qin Yue and Pei Zhiyang, now believing Liu Chen, Pei Zhiyang angrily stated, “I always said he was no good! It’s true! I should have beaten him up when we first met!”

Qin Yue agreed, “Right, I never liked him from the start, just as I suspected.”

“The matter isn’t settled yet…” Su Ran murmured.

Fu Linxuan gestured for Liu Chen to continue, “Go on, you have proof, don’t you?”

Hearing even proof existed, Su Ran grew nervous. Liu Chen then pulled out his phone, fiddled with it, and handed it to Su Ran.

Su Ran saw Liu Chen and Fu Qian’an’s WeChat conversation, recognizing Fu Qian’an’s profile picture instantly. As he read the messages, his eyes immediately welled up.

Fu Qian’an: Hahaha, met a fool. I told him I was broke and he immediately transferred me two thousand. Easy money, and he’s just a student, he must be in love with me. It’s his living expenses.

Fu Qian’an: Money from gays is easy to earn. How’s it going with those straight guys, not so easy to get money from them, huh? Your loli voice isn’t working anymore, join me in scamming gays.

Fu Qian’an: Check out his photo, so pale and soft, total femme. I hate femmes, they deserve to be scammed!

Fu Qian’an: Look at this! He crossdresses! He looks so pretty in drag, imagine if he livestreamed, we’d make a killing!

…

Fu Qian’an: Bro, let me tell you, I get goosebumps every time he touches me, so disgusting, but the money isn’t easy to earn.

Fu Qian’an: His drag look is not bad, wish he’d stick to that, don’t wear men’s clothes, it’s disgusting.

Fu Qian’an: Brother, good news, we livestreamed, guess how much we made!

Fu Qian’an: Don’t worry, he’s totally devoted to me, he’d count money for me even if I sold him haha, where else can you find such a fool?

…

As Su Ran read on, tears began to fall. He threw the phone onto the table and soon couldn’t control his emotions, burying his face in his arms and beginning to cry.

Fu Linxuan and the others immediately scrambled to console him, Fu Linxuan rubbing his back, “Ran Ran, don’t cry, now you see his true nature. I didn’t want to tell you this… but you needed to grow.”

Pei Zhiyang felt helpless, gently patting Su Ran’s back, “Baby Ran, such a scumbag doesn’t deserve you. It’s great that you see his true face now, just forget about him from now on.”

“Ran Ran, you still have me, I’ll always be your support, don’t be sad over someone so unworthy,” said Qin Yue.

As Su Ran processed this, he received an update from System 555. Just at that moment, the system indicated that his mission was completed!

However, with the men crowding around him, he felt a bit trapped, as if the air itself was being blocked, stifling his breath.

Just then, a ringtone sounded, and Su Ran felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He lifted his tear-stained, lash-wet face, looking pitiful. The three men beside him felt a rush of sympathy, hurriedly wiping his tears. Checking the caller ID, Su Ran saw it was Fu Qian’an calling.

Just after discovering he was a major scammer, he was calling? Su Ran brushed their hands away and answered.

Fu Qian’an sounded anxious, “Baby, how are you? Did Fu Linxuan do anything to you?”

Su Ran, chest heaving, his voice choked up, shouted, “Fu Qian’an, you big scammer!”

There was a pause on the other end, then a hurried response, “Baby, what are you talking about? What scammer?”

Su Ran sobbed, “No more lies, Liu Chen is right here, he told me everything!”

There was a total silence from the other end, then after a long pause, “Baby, listen to my explanation…”

“I don’t want to hear it! I know everything!” Su Ran angrily declared, “Fu Qian’an, don’t call me again, don’t come looking for me, I never want to see you again in my life!”

With that, Su Ran hung up, then collapsed back onto the table, crying, while Fu Qian’an, on the other end, stared at the now dark screen, dazed for a moment before seeming to collapse, unable to accept the reality. Tears streamed down uncontrollably as he shook, sobbing louder and louder as if all hope in life was lost, the world turning gray around him.

Back at the table, Su Ran, still communicating with the system, realized after declaring his break-up with Fu Qian’an that the system had come back online, “Lord Ran Ran, mission successfully completed! Your storyline was executed perfectly! And, this world’s thrill index has reached its peak!”

Su Ran reflected on the storyline; he wasn’t sure why the thrill index was so high, but with the men still crowding around him, he didn’t know what to do next.

“I’ve finished my storyline, why are they still here…” Su Ran felt something was off, unsure how to extricate himself.

“Hmm… well, our storyline ended very well! Just go with the flow now,” said System 555.

The men resumed their frantic consoling, “Ran Ran, it’s a good thing, you’ve seen the truth, but look, we’re here to comfort you.”

“Yes, Fu Qian’an was never the right one, he doesn’t compare to any of us.”

“Baby Ran, you don’t deserve to be sad over such a person. You should be with whoever makes you happy.”

…

Hearing the chaotic voices around him, Su Ran suddenly looked up, his eyes red, and declared, “I choose none of you!”

With that, he wiped his tears and ran out, “Don’t try to stop me, or I won’t deal with you either!”

After saying that, indeed no one dared to stop him. He ran out of the villa, out of the gated community, and hailed a taxi, breathing a sigh of relief once inside.

Once the storyline was completed, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He asked the driver to find the best hotel near the university, booked a high-end room, and happily ordered some food.

In the room, after taking a bath and donning a disposable robe, Su Ran sat on the bed. He checked the backend data of Banana Platform, looking at the string of incredibly long numbers—amounts in the billions, and couldn’t help but smile more and more.

He had been cautious while with Fu Qian’an, knowing he needed to survive after the storyline ended, and so kept his livestream earnings minimal, just enough for living expenses. 

The money he told Fu Qian’an about reaching billions was just for show, to add a sense of ceremony, though in reality, it had reached that mark long ago. With so much happening recently, he had forgotten about it.

He was always sensitive about financial matters, so he had almost all his livestream earnings left, now all his to enjoy, feeling incredibly exhilarated.

Watching the money, Su Ran practically counted himself to sleep. Just as he drifted off, a knock on the door woke him.

Su Ran sat up, checking his phone—it was one in the morning! Who could be knocking at this hour? Seeing the missed calls on his phone screen, almost all from the few men, though he had silenced it and not answered.

He looked towards the door, figuring it must be them outside, probably not entering directly to avoid scaring him…

With a resigned sigh, Su Ran got up to open the door, and indeed, the three men were right outside.

Before Su Ran could speak, Pei Zhiyang embraced him, “Baby Ran, you didn’t answer your phone, you weren’t in your dorm, do you know how worried we were?”

Su Ran felt nearly suffocated by his embrace until Fu Linxuan pulled Pei Zhiyang away. Su Ran then spoke, “I’m an adult, do you really need to worry so much?”

“We thought you couldn’t handle the shock…” said Qin Yue.

The men entered the room, noticing the food on the coffee table and the snacks scattered around, feeling relieved that Su Ran wasn’t as fragile as they feared, though they remained worried.

Su Ran didn’t know how to face them, his head bowed, fingers twisting, he said, “You should leave, I really don’t want to talk about romance right now.”

His true nature was straight, and he didn’t want his life entangled with men anymore.

Fu Linxuan took his hand, looking earnestly at him, “Ran Ran, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have pressured you. I can accept if you don’t want to date, just don’t hide from me, do you know how anxious I was today when I heard you were missing? Don’t make me worry like that again.”

Qin Yue also leaned in, his face eager, “Ran Ran, I was wrong too, I shouldn’t have pressured you. It’s okay if you don’t like me now, I can wait, even if you never like me, I’ll wait, just don’t let me lose sight of you.”

Pei Zhiyang also came forward anxiously, “Baby Ran, no matter what, we are the closest people to you, we’ll never be apart, right?”

Pei Zhiyang’s words ended, immediately drawing cold looks from Qin Yue and Fu Linxuan. They didn’t appreciate his emphasis on being the closest, as if childhood friends held some noble status!

Su Ran was unsure, their posture was the lowest, but it felt like he couldn’t easily reject them, and the scene seemed all too familiar. He didn’t seem surprised by the current situation, rather accepting it as if it were to be expected.

And he felt, facing these over-capable male leads, he probably couldn’t escape them.

After a moment, Su Ran looked at them, “Then… I’ll think about it.”

As soon as he said this, the three of them immediately embraced him, surrounding him in a circle, making it hard for Su Ran to breathe.

“Great, Ran Ran, we’re going to be together forever.”

Since the day he agreed to consider their proposal, things took a rather bizarre turn.

First, he moved dorms, and his roommates increased; not only Qin Yue, but Pei Zhiyang joined, and, shockingly, Fu Linxuan moved in too.

While other students were in double rooms, they started a four-person dorm life, apparently the most unique in the entire university.

Fu Linxuan, reportedly well-acquainted with the university president after donating a building and also an alumnus, suddenly became a professor of Su Ran’s major in economic management.

It all felt incredibly surreal; a professor sharing a dorm with students seemed downright frightening.

Thankfully, their dorm was much more spacious than others, or it would have been cramped. Their dorm’s layout was also different from others, the only one with a loft bed and desk underneath, which Su Ran found better than before, wondering why they changed it.

The unanimous response was, “Because it’s harder to climb into bed that way.”

Su Ran found this answer odd but soon adapted.

One morning, after getting up and heading to the bathroom to brush his teeth with the toothpaste already applied to his brush, breakfast was served just as he finished washing up—it was his favorite, soup dumplings.

He seemed to have grown accustomed to having everything prepared for him. After eating, he locked the dorm door and started to apply makeup and change into women’s clothing.

Halfway through, he looked at the others, who were all busy at their desks. But when he caught their gaze, they quickly looked away, pretending to be busy.

Su Ran, “…”

Knowing, knowing, Su Ran is your moonlight.

“I’m going to stream, you better not come in,” Su Ran warned.

“Don’t worry, Ran Ran, just stream with confidence.”

Su Ran nodded, having not streamed since that day, today he was ready to make a comeback, unsure if his fans were still around.

Dressed in a tight miniskirt and long hair draped over his shoulders, he stood up and twirled in front of them, “How do I look? Good for streaming?”

“Beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous!”

Reassured, Su Ran then started his livestream.

The stream’s viewer count soared, eventually reaching over a hundred thousand! His absence seemed to have drawn even more viewers.

“Ran Ran’s wife, wuwuwu, you’re finally back.”

“Missed you so much, Ran Ran’s wife!”

“Wife, kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss!”

“Qin Yue sends 10,000× ultimate gifts.”

“Fu Linxuan sends 10,000× ultimate gifts.”

“Pei Zhiyang sends 10,000× ultimate gifts.”

The chat exploded, “Whoa, who are these big spenders showing up with a billion right off the bat!”

“And there are three of them! Baby Ran is going to be stuffed!”

Watching the chat, Su Ran’s heart went numb; such large sums, they were competing for the top spot again, weren’t they? And they were using their real names, perhaps wanting him to call them that…

“Thank you, Brother Qin Yue~”

“Thank you, Brother Zhiyang~”

“Thank you, Brother Linxuan~”