Chapter 26

[Ding, Malice Points +3.67]

Watching the two walk away, 000 said, [People in the entertainment industry really are the best at throwing shade. Everyone knows today's whole thing was cooked up by Pei Mingxuan because he wanted to violate the spirit of the contract.]

Shi Jihan was stunned. [000, you grew a brain? Even I didn't catch that.]

[Huh? I was reading the comments in the livestream chat.]

[...Never mind. Go play.]

The promotional photos were released soon after. Pei Mingxuan had an extra headscarf wrapped around his head, posed with a shovel over his shoulder, and gave the camera a thumbs-up as though someone were threatening him: When you work in the fields, this is what you wear!

Shi Jihan sighed at what a fine cornfield-themed fashion spread it was.

Then he turned and forwarded it to Zhou Jingcheng.

[Why Are You Still Awake?: Sharing good things with you.]

A video call immediately came in from the other end.

Before the video had even connected, a teasing voice came through. "President Shi, you're really generous with sharing, though you haven't been very friendly to my eyes."

The first thing Zhou Jingcheng saw was the enormous pair of sunglasses on Shi Jihan's face. He paused, then looked at the sky on Shi Jihan's side. "You're wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night? And using a flashlight to light the way?"

Who taught you to be this creative?

Shi Jihan pushed up his sunglasses and said solemnly, "I'm too shy and introverted. I don't dare show my whole face on camera."

Zhou Jingcheng said, "Then you really should cover it up."

Secretary Sun, who had been listening to their nonsense, quietly interrupted, "Boss, you need to sign these."

Several folders were pushed into view on camera, and only then did Shi Jihan realize. "You're still working overtime at the office?"

"Thanks to President Shi, all the brands Pei Mingxuan endorsed are cutting ties at lightning speed. Some would rather pay a penalty than keep him." Though he said that, Zhou Jingcheng clearly didn't care much. Without even looking, he swiftly signed one document after another, exceedingly decisively.

Pei Mingxuan wanted to walk away with the resources Zhou Jingcheng had given him?

Zhou Jingcheng smiled. That was a little too wishful.

Shi Jihan said, "Then hurry up and sign. Go home and sleep once you're done."

Zhou Jingcheng's signing hand paused. He looked at the camera, and the smile at the corner of his lips deepened imperceptibly. "You wouldn't happen to be worried about me, would you?"

"What are you thinking?" Shi Jihan asked, confused. "I'm worried you won't be able to get up tomorrow morning to walk Pizza."

The faint smile that had just risen in Zhou Jingcheng's eyes froze at his lips. After a long moment, he curled his mouth and said flatly, "...I'll thank you on Pizza's behalf for your concern."

"No need to thank me! That's it, then. Bye."

"Wait," Zhou Jingcheng stopped him and asked, "Where are you sleeping tonight?"

Shi Jihan didn't understand why he was suddenly asking. "Me? I had the director arrange some random room for me."

Zhou Jingcheng frowned slightly. "Then stay farther away from Pei Mingxuan."

Seeing that Shi Jihan still didn't understand, he reminded him, "Pei Mingxuan likes cute boys like you."

Shi Jihan sucked in a breath and immediately covered his collar with one hand to protect his chastity. "Sleep? I'm carrying the plane home overnight!"

The call ended.

Secretary Sun said, "Even if Pei Mingxuan likes him, he probably won't want to see Young Master Shi anymore."

Zhou Jingcheng lowered his head and continued signing. "Better safe than sorry."

Shi Jihan said he was leaving, and he really left.

He was too afraid that the tight floral padded jacket would latch onto him. After all, he was so good-looking.

[It can't be helped. Those of us with high looks have these kinds of troubles.] Shi Jihan gazed at the night view outside the plane window, leaned against the glass, pitied himself, and sighed melancholically.

000 asked for his opinion. [Host, do you need me to wake you up with a splash? Boiling water or liquid nitrogen?]

Shi Jihan made an OK sign with his fingers, breathed on them, and flicked Lurdan away!

Although he had left, he had still left Pei Mingxuan a little gift. Hopefully, Pei Mingxuan wouldn't like it.

That way, he would have another source of extra income.

That entire night, some people slept soundly, while others tossed and turned without being able to sleep.

And some people stayed awake simply because they were excited.

As soon as the reality show aired, the internet exploded.

Bilibili was the first to be flooded. The clip of Pei Mingxuan dancing while wrapped in a huge floral padded jacket was maliciously edited by a creator into a brainwashing remix video. Every line of "Y-y-y-you want to dance?" came with an endless replay of him twisting his waist and thrusting his hips.

Netizens commented enthusiastically: [Holy shit, a bedsheet is performing an exorcism dance!]

[Thanks, I've already stopped being a fan. Don't tag me, don't bother me, peaceful years ahead. 🙏]

[No worldly desires.jpg]

[Why does this video have more views than his actual stage performance?]

At the same time, Shi Jihan's fourth victim appeared on the trending searches.

#Pei Mingxuan's Most Hardcore Stage#

The directors and the liaison departments of endorsement brands saw where the wind was blowing and immediately turned to Pei Mingxuan's competitors. Some had been discussing collaborations with Pei Mingxuan's assistant Kian one second, only to retract their messages the next.

[Sorry, babe, wrong chat window. I wasn't looking for you. 🌹]

Kian was furious. Before dawn the next day, he went to find Pei Mingxuan.

Only to find Pei Mingxuan on the verge of a breakdown.

"Why is there a floral padded jacket spread over the heated brick bed? Yesterday it was clearly 'Blooming Prosperity'!"

The elderly owner of the guesthouse explained, "This fabric is nice and smooth. Mr. Shi left us quite a lot of it."

Pei Mingxuan flung open the window and pointed outside. "Then why is every goose in the yard—every single one!—wearing one of these floral padded jackets?"

The old man smiled shyly. "Mr. Shi gave them to us. There were simply too many."

Pei Mingxuan's vision went black. He had PTSD.

[Ding, Malice Points +2.45]

[Ding, Malice Points +1.78]

Shi Jihan listened to that heavenly sound and enjoyed himself for a while before immediately asking 000, who had just returned from the Unified Realm, [How was it? What did the Main System say? Is it going to deduct our money?]

000 took out the second penalty notice, looking miserable. [The Main System said that every task objective was completed, but it had never seen a main plot collapse like this before.]

[The way you put it, aren't we just broadening its horizons?]

Shi Jihan met 000's resentful black-bean eyes and immediately covered his mouth. [I'll stop talking. Hurry up and tell me.]

[It said it was extremely disappointed in us, that this was completely unacceptable, and that it would punish us harshly! Deduct money and performance bonuses!] 000 deliberately added an "us" to show that it and its host were united as one.

Shi Jihan slowly, slowly slid off the sofa onto the carpet.

Like a Trisolaran drained of all water.

[But!]

[It has decided to give us one final chance!]

[Ding, Task issued: One Last Desperate Struggle]

[Forge a divorce declaration stating that the relationship has broken down, and deliver it to Shi Bochuan. Reward: none.]

[Penalty for task failure: Unknown.]

[Task countdown: 03:00]

000 shook Shi Jihan awake. [Host, pull yourself together!]

[This is the most crucial task node. If we fail this, the Main System will activate the automatic correction mechanism!]

Shi Jihan struggled to get up and pull himself together. [No. Once money enters my pocket, it can't decrease. I'm going to write it right now!]

But he didn't dare finish it himself, orz.

Shi Jihan held the sheet of paper, but no matter what, he couldn't bring himself to write.

After thinking it over and over, he turned his attention to someone else.

He opened his chat with Zhou Jingcheng.

[Why Are You Still Awake?: Xiao Zhou, it's time for you to repay my kindness.]

It took a while before the other side replied.

[z: What is it?]

[Why Are You Still Awake?: Write me a divorce declaration. It has to be emotionally intense, tragically heartbreaking, the kind that makes all eternity mourn.]

[z: ?]

[z: I'm not even married. Why would I write a divorce declaration?]

[z: Not writing it. Bad luck.]

Seeing the task countdown ticking away, Shi Jihan got so anxious that he sent a voice message and loudly demanded, "You're definitely getting married within the next ten years, so can't you just pretend you're already married now?"

Zhou Jingcheng replied with an even louder question. "I'll definitely die within the next hundred years, so can't you just pretend I'm already dead?"

Chapter 26

Zhou Jingcheng's statement was stunning and forceful, leaving Shi Jihan completely dumbfounded.

When he thought about it carefully, it made sense.

So he quickly replied to Zhou Jingcheng: "Okay, you're already dead. It's fine."

"Now imitate your partner and write a widowhood declaration. It needs to be emotionally intense, tragically heartbreaking, the kind that makes all eternity mourn."

Zhou Jingcheng sent him several question marks, then added another message.

[z: Shi Jihan, be a decent human being.]

Shi Jihan pointed out, [You were still calling me President Shi last night. Men change faces faster than flipping a page.]

[z: Understood, President Shi.]

[z: Daily question: Has President Shi been tragically heartbroken today? Has he undergone mitosis? Has he split into two halves?]

[Why Are You Still Awake?: ?]

[Why Are You Still Awake?: Don't make me slap you.]

[z: 🤷]

Shi Jihan stared at that emoji and detected a trace of Zhou Jingcheng's particular brand of sarcasm. He threw out a heavy bomb.

[Why Are You Still Awake?: Zhou Jingcheng, you wouldn't want to trend again, would you? 😈]

[z: ...]

[z: Send me the requirements.]

Very good. Wouldn't it have been over if he had just listened from the start?

Shi Jihan happily sent them over, then thought about it and still felt uneasy. [No, I need to watch you write it so I can correct you in time.]

[Like this, I'm going to your office to find you right now!]

Before Zhou Jingcheng could reply, the other party had already sent a brisk "Heading out, see you," then completely stopped responding.

"A divorce declaration..."

Zhou Jingcheng fell into thought. The only married couple around that guy was Shi Bochuan and his spouse, right? First he had him act as a love inspector for his younger brother, and now he wanted some kind of divorce declaration. What exactly was he up to?

And besides, how was this thing supposed to be written?

Zhou Jingcheng had a headache.

Just then, Secretary Sun came in with some documents. After confirming that they were correct, Zhou Jingcheng signed them, but he didn't immediately dismiss Secretary Sun. Instead, he stared at him for quite a while. Secretary Sun's scalp went numb under the stare, and he wondered whether Zhou Jingcheng had discovered that he had enlarged an Excel spreadsheet to 500% that morning, scrolling the mouse to look busy while actually accomplishing nothing.

Just as he was tremblingly preparing to confess first, Zhou Jingcheng asked, "Have you ever been divorced? Have you ever written divorce papers?"