A Set Visit

Duan Xun smiled. "What did you say?"

Song Mingzhou's tone softened. "Brother~ He bullied me, took on terrible dramas for me, scolded me, and criticized me every time we talked on the phone. His character is awful."

The man on the other end held back a laugh. "What else?"

"And... he exploits me. I'm broke because he exploits me. I'm miserable, Brother. Can you..."

"What?"

"Can you help me bully him back?" Song Mingzhou's eyes sparkled. "Brother is so amazing, you should be able to beat him, right?"

[Ding. Host Song Mingzhou's key plot point has been successfully repaired. Current mission progress: 24/100.]

Song Mingzhou grinned again.

"Brother..."

"Okay."

"Hm? What?"

"Didn't you ask me to help you bully him back? I said okay." Duan Xun's amusement slowly carried over the line. "I'll help you bully him back."

The man's voice was gentle, reaching Song Mingzhou's ears through the screen like currents of electricity, numbing him from head to toe.

Song Mingzhou suddenly felt his eyes sting with tears.

So this was what it felt like to have someone protect you, to have someone stand up for you.

"Zhouzhou?"

"Song Mingzhou?"

A low voice called out to him. Song Mingzhou abruptly came back to himself and quickly adjusted his tone. "Huh? Brother really wants to help me bully him back?"

"Of course. You're mine. I'll protect you."

Protect him...

"I'll be a little busy these next couple of days. I have to go abroad. Once these two days are over, we can meet. I'll bring you a gift then."

Song Mingzhou suppressed the heat in his heart. "Okay. I'll wait for you."

"Good boy."

There was still no video call that night.

But Song Mingzhou was so happy that he could not sleep. He rolled around in bed again and again, grinning so widely that he could not close his mouth.

That night.

Gu Yanting released a statement, saying that Song Mingzhou had informed him and gone to visit him. Shen Qing also promptly said that Song Mingzhou had helped look after him for a while.

With both parties personally stepping forward to dispel the rumors, Cheng Xin was left in an awkward position. Her team also worked overnight to distance themselves, claiming they knew nothing, and labeled the matter a misunderstanding.

There were actually plenty of holes in the story.

But someone was muddying the waters, and the netizens did not dig too deeply into the details.

In the blink of an eye, time on set passed quickly. Song Mingzhou stayed on set during the day, then called and video chatted with Duan Xun at night.

It was another ordinary day.

Song Mingzhou had just finished filming his scenes. After changing clothes, he sat down off to the side to rest. He had barely taken out his phone when Shen Qing came over again.

He really was impossible to get rid of.

Song Mingzhou cursed him internally, then lazily lifted his head. "What is it this time, big brother?"

Shen Qing did not come looking for trouble this time. He merely asked, "I asked Cheng Xin. She's already admitted that she conspired with you. Although I don't know why you switched sides, why did you do it in the first place?"

"..."

Wasn't this matter already over...?

[Ding. Plot point triggered. Facing Shen Qing's questioning, the host deliberately provokes him and flatly refuses to admit his actions.]

Song Mingzhou spread his hands. "Don't believe just her side of the story. I didn't do it."

Shen Qing clearly did not believe him. He snorted coldly. "Do you think I'd believe you? Why do you insist on targeting me?"

"Not me."

"If not you, then who?"

"Hey, how are you so sure it wasn't someone else?" Song Mingzhou looked at him disdainfully. "There should be plenty of people who don't like you. Besides, maybe it really was just a misunderstanding. Who would like a sissy like you?"

"You..."

"What? You're allowed to falsely accuse me, but I'm not allowed to fight back?"

Shen Qing's expression darkened. Perhaps their argument had drawn attention, because someone close to him came over. "What's going on? What are you talking about? Song Mingzhou, did you do something shameful again?"

Song Mingzhou: "..."

He simply smiled. "Yeah, I caught you two having an affair again. I really shouldn't have. You two are so close—are you going to gang up and frame me together?"

"You..."

"You flirt with people all over the set. Does Gu Yanting know?"

Shen Qing was furious for a while before managing to squeeze out, "You really have no shame."

The other person rolled their eyes and joined in criticizing him. Song Mingzhou did not get angry, merely tossing back light, cutting retorts.

[Ding. Host Song Mingzhou's key plot point has been successfully repaired. Current mission progress: 25/100.]

As the battle intensified, more and more people gathered. Shen Qing gained confidence and condescendingly "advised" him:

"I don't care why you plotted against me like this, but Yanting and I both spoke up for you last time. I hope you can have a little conscience."

Song Mingzhou stood up in confusion. "Who are you saying has no conscience?"

"You, isn't that right? I hope you'll stop pestering Yanting. He doesn't like you, so why keep clinging to him?"

Tsk.

His teeth hurt.

Song Mingzhou covered one side of his face and narrowed his eyes. "Who did you say I was pestering?"

"Gu Yanting, wasn't it?"

"Is there something wrong with your eyes?" Song Mingzhou rubbed his forehead speechlessly. "I'm making him pay me back. Pay me back. He's only returned half of it!"

Gu Yanting really had returned part of the money.

But there was no proof for much of the rest, so there was no telling how much he could recover. Still, getting some of it back was better than nothing.

Shen Qing gritted his teeth and glared at him. "Just because you say he owes you money means he owes you money? You're pestering him. Do you have no sense of propriety at all?"

"Who has no sense of propriety?"

A lazy, carefree voice came from behind them. Everyone turned to look. The newcomer wore a black shirt and dark sunglasses, his hands tucked into his pockets. Seeing everyone looking at him, he casually removed his sunglasses, revealing a pair of cold, profound eyes.

It was Duan Xun!!

Song Mingzhou's eyes widened.

He, he, he...

Why was he on set??

Hadn't they agreed he would not come visit the set? Why had he come anyway? Could he have come specifically to see Shen Qing? His gaze... had landed on Shen Qing too.

Song Mingzhou gritted his teeth.

That damn Duan dog. He really could not let go of his Shen Qing!

Duan Xun caught sight of Song Mingzhou's tightly clenched fists, as well as the stream of curses in his heart. His iceberg expression nearly cracked.

What an interesting little kid.

When everyone saw Duan Xun, there was a moment of stunned silence before they hurried over to greet him.

"Hello, Teacher Duan."

"Hello, God Duan."

"Hello, Senior Duan."

"Hello, Senior."

"Hello, Brother Duan."

Duan Xun looked at each of them, politely nodded, and smiled. "Hello, everyone."

"Ahhhhh!!!!"

A girl's muffled scream rang out. Song Mingzhou glared gloomily in that direction, his vision going dark as he nearly lost his balance.

That damned social butterfly!