Playing Sweet and Clever, with Impure Intentions

"Sure."

Under Duan Xun's gaze, the young woman blushed again, her words turning a little clumsy. She took a deep breath before steadying herself.

"Um, Teacher Duan is a senior everyone in the industry admires, and Teacher Song has also been extremely popular lately. Netizens are paying close attention to both of you. Since you've come on this show, what kind of good friend would you like to have?"

This was really a roundabout way of asking about their love lives. The young woman had already prepared herself for Duan Xun not answering, so after glancing at him a few times, she automatically angled the microphone toward Song Mingzhou. The question had been prepared for Song Mingzhou.

But Song Mingzhou looked at Duan Xun.

"Teacher Duan is the senior here, so Teacher Duan should answer first."

The young woman: ???

Duan Xun pondered slightly, then actually took the microphone and spoke at an unhurried pace. "Probably someone who pretends to be sweet and clever, with impure intentions."

-- "What kind of description is that? Isn't he just insulting someone?"

-- "Is it possible our God Duan is trying to be abstract, but nobody understands him? Boohoo."

Song Mingzhou shot him a suspicious look.

6, what friend? That's obviously a lover. He summed up Shen Qing's essence in one sentence. No wonder he went crazy over him—was he already in love at this point?

Duan Xun kept smiling.

Song Mingzhou's answer was much more official. "I like people with shared interests. That way, we'll have things to talk about."

The young woman was a little excited, her voice even trembling. "It seems the two of you have very different expectations for friends. Then I'd like to ask Teacher Song something: do you think you and Teacher Gu Yanting have any common interests?"

-- "Right to his face? Keep asking if you know how."

-- "This girl is a real one. They told her to ask, and she really asked. Hahaha, I'm dying. Song Mingzhou is probably about to lose it again, considering Best Actor Gu came on this show with Shen Qing."

-- "This show really isn't simple. What dating show invites the rumored leads of a same-sex love triangle at the same time?"

-- "I'm losing it. Honestly, this show is exactly my thing. I love it. When they sit together later, I'll be embarrassed for them."

In the original plot, the original owner had joined the show for Gu Yanting.

The production team had also set their sights on the buzz surrounding him, Gu Yanting, and Shen Qing.

Of course, the original owner was cannon fodder holding a sacrificial script. He was repeatedly led into traps by the production team, while also actively sabotaging himself. Not only did he become part of the male leads' push-and-pull game, he also successfully got himself blacklisted and driven out of the entertainment industry, eventually ending up begging on the streets.

This young woman looked quite young, and she spoke gently. She had probably received instructions from her superiors to use him as the opening sacrifice.

[Ding. A plot point has been triggered. During the interview, the host must answer that he and Gu Yanting do indeed share many interests, thereby publicly tying himself to him.]

[...]

How pathetic.

Song Mingzhou smiled faintly. "Of course we do. Quite a lot, actually. For example, we used to play games together all the time, and we both loved street food stalls. He doesn't eat there anymore, though. He says they're dirty. But I still really like them."

[Ding. Host Song Mingzhou's key plot point has been successfully repaired. Current mission progress: 4/100.]

The young woman: ?

Why was this different from what the director had said? Hadn't they said Song Mingzhou would seize every opportunity to grovel before Gu Yanting? Why had he stepped on him instead?

A while ago, Gu Yanting had publicly responded after receiving two endorsement offers at once: one for a gaming product, and one for a cosmetics product.

He could only choose one.

The cosmetics company offered more money and had broader name recognition.

In an interview, he said he had never played games and didn't want to mislead his fans for money. But he used cosmetics himself, and they could make everyone happy. Even girls sitting by the roadside eating at street stalls could look beautiful.

That move sent him trending. Fans praised him everywhere for being sincere and ambitious, rigorous and self-disciplined, and it even led to a sizable boycott of that gaming company.

Passersby were converted into fans one after another.

When Song Mingzhou had read that absurd plot, he'd cursed up a storm.

527 had calmly said, [This is a beloved-by-all entertainment-industry novel. Of course most brainless passersby will collectively support the protagonist.]

Now that Song Mingzhou had said this in public, wasn't he practically exposing Gu Yanting for building a fake persona under his real name?

Sure enough.

His fans exploded again.

-- "Song Mingzhou, you bitch, stop clout-chasing. So what if you knew Brother Ting before? You can just make up rumors with your mouth now?"

-- "I heard that when Gu Yanting had no money, Song Mingzhou supported him."

-- "Isn't he disgusting? Like a single rat dropping, he latches on through every crack he finds. Brother Ting must have had eight lifetimes of bad luck to get tangled up with a bloodsucker like him."

-- "I'm so mad. Someone hand me a knife—I'll go to prison!"

-- "I think he might be telling the truth. I don't know about games, but I saw leaked footage from a drama. The staff bought barbecue to eat, and Gu Yanting thought it was dirty and refused to touch it. He was putting on such an act."

The young woman gave an awkward laugh, her mind spinning as she quickly changed the subject.

"Really? Do either of you have any favorite foods?"

Song Mingzhou answered without hesitation, "I still like street food stalls the most, the kind by the roadside. I don't think they're dirty. I think places like that feel full of life."

Mm-hm, mm-hm, brother's delicious, brother's wonderful, brother takes a bite of grilled pork kidney—hell yeah, I'm screaming.

"Pfft."

Hearing his increasingly off-key, demonic little tune, Duan Xun truly couldn't hold it in any longer and laughed outright.

Song Mingzhou: "??"

The young woman: "?"

What had she just seen? God Duan was actually smiling so gently? Was he smiling at her?

Duan Xun coughed twice, trying hard to suppress his laughter. "I think Mingzhou is right. I like street food stalls too. You can invite me next time."

The passersby burst out laughing.

-- "I think he's mocking someone, but couldn't bring himself to say it outright, so he said that instead. It's so obvious."

-- "Song Mingzhou seriously seems sick. He keeps desperately clout-chasing now that Brother Ting is famous. Brother Ting hasn't even arrived yet, and he's already doing it. This is ridiculous."

-- "Brother Duan is so handsome and sexy. Every frame is worth saving."

-- "The kid was just answering a question. You people lose it yourselves and then bite everyone else. Don't be so outrageous."

-- "Wow, Brother Ting is here! He came with Qingqing! Boohoo, I'm starting to ship them."

With guests arriving, the interview was temporarily paused.

On camera, Gu Yanting gallantly opened the car door for Shen Qing. He even thoughtfully raised a hand over the top of the door to keep him from bumping his head.

That considerate gesture sent the fans squealing again.

After the two got into the car, Gu Yanting finally saw Song Mingzhou sitting in the back seat. His smile froze for a moment.

Shen Qing also turned around in confusion to look behind him.

[Host, the one in blue is Shen Qing, the original novel's bottom.]

Song Mingzhou looked over at him as well.

To be honest.

As expected of the bottom in a beloved-by-all novel, he looked refined and delicate, with fair skin and large innocent eyes that shimmered. He was even more pretty than many girls.

He really did inspire the urge to protect him, but Song Mingzhou didn't like him. He thought he was fake.

He tilted his head and glanced at Duan Xun. Duan Xun seemed to be looking at Shen Qing too.

Look, look, look. What's so great about him? Is he handsome? He's so effeminate. I really don't know what Duan Xun likes about him. I'll find a chance to ask.

No. I can't let them have too much contact. I need to strangle this in the cradle.

Song Mingzhou calmly met Shen Qing's gaze halfway, then politely greeted him. "Good morning."