Different Treatment

It was no exaggeration—Si You was drenched in sweat.

The moment he entered the main hall, a staff member approached him. The person's expression was awkward and strange, but Si You paid it no mind.

At this point, dignity was a luxury to him.

The staff member led Si You to the filming location. It was actually a manor. Rumor had it that the owner had been close friends with Spring Heartbeat's investors for years, so he had rented it out to the production crew. In the center was a large artificial rock garden and pond, its koi plump and well-fed, with rolling mountains in the background. It was a successful blend of classical and modern styles. Clearly, the first season had done well, and the investors had spared no expense this time around.

Once the show aired, it would certainly look impressive.

The guests were staying in a four-story white villa at the very back, surrounded by lush plane trees.

As Si You reached the entrance, he heard cheerful laughter from both men and women inside. Naturally, the laughter stopped abruptly the instant he appeared.

Drawing on the original owner's memories, Si You matched the people seated on the sofa to their names one by one.

On the far left were Shao Ancheng and Song Yalin, the only real-life couple participating as a CP. Shao Ancheng had shot to fame from obscurity after playing a deeply devoted prince in a historical drama, and his resources had been good ever since. Song Yalin was a model with an impeccable figure. Her looks leaned toward the mature, glamorous type, making her highly distinctive.

In the middle was the slightly older Zhang Jianlin, a conventional male actor with upright features. For some reason, though, he had never had much audience appeal. His CP partner was the singer Jiang Yao, but Jiang Yao was absent for the time being.

Xu Ke and Fei Chang on the right were a male-male CP. Although homosexuality was legal now, same-sex couples still drew enormous enthusiasm on screen. Xu Ke was young, only twenty-three, and both a singer and actor, though he had made little splash in either field. Fei Chang, who was paired with him, had held the top sales spot on Cool Cat Music for half a year straight with a single song, "Gone." Xu Ke often acted spoiled around Fei Chang like a child, and the fans were eating it up.

The remaining pair was Xue Boyu and He Qing, but He Qing could not come because he had been in a car accident.

And Shen Chuan, the original owner's CP... had already withdrawn from the show after enduring all the humiliation he could take.

"Hello, everyone." Si You removed his hat and mask, and everyone in the room took a sharp breath.

Who had not seen the storm online? Si You had repeatedly trended because of Horror Livestream. Just when he had seemed doomed to flop on all fronts, he had suddenly turned things around.

They were all veterans of the industry. Though they had their doubts, none showed it on their faces. As the oldest among them and the captain from the previous season, Zhang Jianlin's congenial nature showed itself in full. He stood and said, "Si You's here? Welcome, welcome."

The original owner had spent the entire previous season fixated on Shen Chuan and had not gotten to know the others well, so Si You would have to take things slowly.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang," Si You replied.

Zhang Jianlin sighed at that. "You've really grown up. You didn't even call me Brother last season."

Si You frowned almost imperceptibly. The implication seemed to be that he had been immature and rude last season.

It was true enough, but hearing it from Zhang Jianlin left a bad taste in Si You's mouth.

Still, Zhang Jianlin's smile was kindly. After meeting his gaze, Si You said nothing and instead sat down in a chair by himself.

Zhang Jianlin's heart gave a sudden thump. He really is different.

With Si You there, no one had anything to say. They silently drank tea while the cameras filmed in secret. The production team was shameless. They knew things would be awkward after Si You's arrival, yet they had not stepped in to resolve it immediately. Instead, they were thinking that, given Si You's temperament, he might start throwing barbed remarks again. It would make for a great opening hook.

The original owner's family circumstances had been poor. He had grown up insecure and sensitive, and even as an adult, he had been unable to change. At the slightest disturbance, he assumed others looked down on him or were trying to make trouble for him. He always sought security by lashing out with aggressive words, so he often became unreasonable. Aside from Shen Chuan, he had ignored everyone's advice during the previous season.

His public appeal among casual viewers was abysmal.

How could Si You fail to see what the production team was planning?

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest, showing no intention of getting angry.

The standoff lasted forty minutes. Even someone as even-tempered as Zhang Jianlin was beginning to grow restless. Xu Ke looked uncomfortable. He had already drunk four cups of tea and was desperate to pee.

Fei Chang noticed and patted his shoulder. "Want to go for a walk outside?"

"Yes, yes," Xu Ke answered hurriedly.

Just as Xu Ke rose to his feet, someone walked in. He was young and fair-skinned, with eyelashes so long they looked unreal. Who else could it be but Xue Boyu?

"Boyu's here?" Zhang Jianlin's greeting carried a touch more warmth and affection.

Xu Ke's eyes lit up as well. "Boyu!"

Boyu—the steadfast strength and uprightness of a pine or cypress, the gentle beauty of uncut jade. It was clear just how much the Xue Household adored him.

At once, Xu Ke and Fei Chang forgot about going outside. Some poured tea, while others pulled Xue Boyu over to sit down. Beneath their intimacy was a faint but unmistakable eagerness to please. Xue Boyu's background must truly have been formidable.

Si You licked his dry lips, feeling that the gap between people was truly enormous.

Though Xue Boyu was young, he knew how to handle people well. He had even brought gifts for everyone. Si You did not open his eyes, unwilling to invite humiliation, but then Xue Boyu cautiously called, "Brother Si You?"

Si You looked over at the sound. "Hm?"

Xue Boyu was struck by his beauty, then handed him a box. "This is for you."

Si You was somewhat surprised, then accepted it with a smile. "Thank you."

When expressionless, he usually had single eyelids. When he smiled, faint double eyelid folds appeared. His sharp, aloof features were like a lake after the ice had broken, glittering beneath the sun, carrying a seductive allure that Si You himself did not notice.

Xue Boyu could not help looking at him again, though he was simply appreciating his face.

The production team did not dare slight Xue Boyu, so they immediately arranged rooms for everyone.

After putting on that little performance, Si You could finally rest.

His room was in a corner. Because of its layout, it only received a little sunlight in the morning. When he pushed open the door, there was even a musty smell in the air, a stark contrast to the sun-filled rooms of the other guests.

The cameraman followed right behind Si You, hoping to catch an angry or teeth-gritting expression. Yet Si You's face did not change. After setting down his bag, he went to open the windows. Fortunately, the vegetation outside was dense, and airing the room out would greatly lessen the unpleasant smell. The room might have been out of the way, but it had everything it needed. Si You efficiently changed into the bedsheets and duvet cover he had brought, then turned around to find the cameraman still there.

"Keeping watch over me?" Si You said. "Get out."

The cameraman did not move.

Si You lifted his chin slightly. His eyes held a faint, condescending smile, yet it was not unpleasant. With long fingers, he lightly undid a button and stared at the cameraman. "I'm going to take a shower. Are you going to watch?"

The cameraman's mind went blank with a buzz.

He suddenly recalled a line that often floated around in Si You's anti-fan forum: He seduced me!

Seeing that Si You was serious, the cameraman could not hold out. He staggered backward and fled.

Finding it amusing, Si You smiled, took off his clothes, and walked into the bathroom.

After sleeping for the night, filming would officially begin tomorrow, and everyone would find out who that mysterious guest was.