A Turtle Paired with a Dog

Licheng.

A highly private restaurant.

Xie Li sat by the window, his red lips and pearly teeth lending him an air of innocent purity as he looked at Lu Xingchuan across from him with smiling, crescent-shaped eyes.

"Xingchuan, it's been three years. I missed the days we used to spend together so much.

"Every day abroad, I was terrified you'd forget a good friend like me."

His once-innocent smile gradually took on a wronged, tearful look as he spoke.

"Every night, I dreamed of you. I dreamed of our past."

Three years ago, the Lu family's business had fallen into a crisis and nearly gone bankrupt.

Lu Xingchuan had been suppressed in the entertainment industry and could barely obtain any resources.

Just as the whole family had reached the end of the road, Xie Li suddenly left the country without saying goodbye.

Tears trailed down his cheeks as Xie Li looked at Lu Xingchuan anxiously.

"Xingchuan, I heard that you... you got engaged?"

When Xie Li had first gone abroad, Lu Xingchuan had hated him.

He had thought Xie Li ungrateful and heartless.

After all, Xie Li had only become famous in the entertainment industry because Lu Xingchuan had spent a fortune promoting him.

Yet the moment Lu Xingchuan's family got into trouble, Xie Li had immediately run away.

But later, Xie Li told him that the reason he had left without a word was because he had been diagnosed with a serious illness and was afraid of dragging Lu Xingchuan down.

How could Lu Xingchuan possibly blame him?

He hurriedly explained, "No, it's all rumors."

Bzz... Bzz... Bzz...

Lu Xingchuan's phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at it. It was his manager.

To reassure Xie Li, Lu Xingchuan did not avoid him and answered right in front of him. "Hello?"

"Xingchuan, this is bad! Something happened on Weibo!"

The moment he answered, his manager's hurried voice came through.

Lu Xingchuan frowned slightly and immediately opened Weibo.

[Shen Yan: So happy!!!]

Shen Yan had made a Weibo post, and the attached image was...

[The money's been transferred. Stop pestering me from now on. If you dare bully Xiao Li on tomorrow's variety show, don't blame me for blacklisting you directly!]

Lu Xingchuan narrowed his eyes, fury abruptly flooding his gaze.

He had been afraid of leaving evidence behind, so after warning Shen Yan, he had immediately recalled the message.

That bastard had actually taken a screenshot.

And this person's WeChat note for him was simply: Lu Xingchuan.

What was worse—

Above that message was one from a long time ago.

Shen Yan had asked him, [Are you coming home for dinner today? It's my birthday.]

He had replied, [No.]

Although it had been a rejection, the word "home" still stabbed viciously into Lu Xingchuan's heart.

This Weibo post had already pushed down the previous post about him and Xie Li, shooting straight to the top trending spot.

[What? Shen Yan, that rat, is going on the dating show I've been looking forward to for so long too?]

[Ahhh, my CP! Can Shen Yan, that bitch, just get lost? I'm seriously annoyed the moment I see him!]

[Shen Yan is really no saint. Is there anything wrong with Lu Xingchuan warning him in advance so Xie Li won't be wronged?]

[Lu Xingchuan is the finest man in the world.]

[Everyone, please support Teacher Lu's new drama!]

Lu Xingchuan's fans were desperately trying to control the comments.

But they could not control them at all!

Shen Yan had gone crazy and personally joined the fray!

Shen Yan: [That's right, I'm going on this dating show too, because my manager told me to be Xie Li's foil, hahahahaha! I wish them a long and lasting love. A turtle paired with a dog!]

Attached was a screenshot of a WeChat message from his manager.

[Once you're on the show, do what you're supposed to do. Be Xie Li's foil obediently. Just try stealing even a little of the spotlight!]

Shen Yan: [How moving. Xie Li left the country, and right after that, he gave me two million and entered into a contract engagement with me. Xie Li came back to the country, and right after that, he paid me four million to return to being single. How moving. Why couldn't he love me a little deeper? Eight million would've worked too!]

Attached was Lu Xingchuan's transfer record to Shen Yan.

All these years, Lu Xingchuan had publicly claimed to be single...

Lu Xingchuan was so furious that his temples throbbed.

When he looked up, he met Xie Li's reddened eyes.

Lu Xingchuan's heart immediately tightened. "Xiao Li, listen to my explanation..."

Xie Li pressed his lips together and gave a bitter smile. "I don't blame you, Xingchuan. We were only friends to begin with. I have no right to interfere in your private life."

Lu Xingchuan panicked. "It's not like that..."

Xie Li interrupted him. "Xingchuan just told me that everything online was a rumor. Could the pictures Shen Yan posted have been edited?"

Lu Xingchuan was so anxious that anger surged in his chest.

He wanted badly to make a Weibo post saying it was all baseless, that Shen Yan had slandered him, fabricated evidence, edited images, and spread rumors. But he was afraid Shen Yan would produce even more evidence.

That bastard!

He must have gone mad with jealousy after seeing Xie Li return and refused to let go.

Being loved by someone like that was truly eight lifetimes' worth of bad luck!

Burning with rage, Lu Xingchuan was about to say something else when Xie Li had already stood up, his voice carrying a hint of petulance.

"Xingchuan, we still have the show tomorrow. It's my first program since returning to the country. I don't want to mess it up. I want to go back and rest early so I can appear before everyone in my best state tomorrow."

Xie Li was leaving.

How could Lu Xingchuan let him leave just like that?

For a moment—

He chased!

Xie Li fled!

Inside a hotel private room of barely twenty square meters, they somehow spent two full minutes chasing each other around as though a slow-motion replay were playing!

Only then did Lu Xingchuan grab him like a madman. "Listen to my explanation!"

Xie Li shoved Lu Xingchuan away and said with reddened eyes, "I don't want Shen Yan looking down on me."

Then he turned and ran!

"Shen Yan! I want you dead!" Lu Xingchuan was so furious he was about to explode.

He grabbed his phone and called Shen Yan.

Shen Yan had just filled the bathtub and was about to enjoy a nice soak.

"Bastard! I already gave you four million, so how do you still have the nerve to cling to me? Let me tell you, no matter what tricks you pull, I won't feel even the slightest thing for you! If you dare provoke Xiao Li again, I'll make sure your life ends tomorrow!"

Shen Yan lay comfortably in the warm bathtub, savoring the embrace of the hot water as he timidly stretched his legs.

"The four million was only to buy the recording that proved you cheated. Don't make it sound like you're worth that much." Shen Yan took a sip of grape juice. "I posted on Weibo because your fans insulted me, and I got angry."

Lu Xingchuan nearly died of rage and roared, "What do my fans insulting you have to do with me?!"

Shen Yan said, "They're your fans. I checked. They're your die-hard fans, not your antis. Your die-hard fans represent you."

Lu Xingchuan cursed in fury, "Represent my ass. Who the hell are they to represent me? You just can't bear to let go, so don't make excuses."

Shen Yan was thoroughly satisfied. "I recorded that. You just said your fans represent your ass. Give me one million, or I'll post it on Weibo."

Ah!!!!!

Lu Xingchuan was so furious that he died on the spot, directly kicking the bucket!

The end.

Then he took another breath.

Seething with rage as he sat in the restaurant private room, Lu Xingchuan tugged at his tie, his expression dark and vicious. "This is extortion. I can sue you."