A Fool for Love

For the rest of the interview, Shen Yanci picked and chose what to answer, glossing over the details.

The vehicle passed through a tree-lined lane, slowed down, and came to a gentle stop at the entrance to a remote rural village.

Song Yunxing hurriedly opened the door and jumped out for some fresh air.

The van was spacious enough, but he kept feeling as though the air wasn't circulating. A faint scent of tequila filled the interior.

That stinking booze smell! It made the back of his neck ache for no reason.

He'd never been able to smell anything on Shen Yanci before! Damn this secondary differentiation! He'd better become an Alpha so he could wipe the floor with Shen Yanci from then on!

He anxiously dug his fingers into his palm, feeling especially irritable.

Shen Yanci followed him out of the van, took a wrapped chocolate from his suit pocket, and silently offered it to him.

Song Yunxing frowned slightly. His eyes swept over the chocolate wrapper, and after a moment's hesitation, he took it from Shen Yanci.

"I'll buy you a pack another day."

"Didn't you just call me a beast in human skin? It's only a chocolate. No need to go out of your way to pay me back." Shen Yanci slipped both hands into his pockets, his tone casual.

Song Yunxing popped the chocolate into his mouth and muttered, "Great. Saves me money."

[Hahaha, their friendship is worth exactly one piece of candy.]

[After watching this long, I feel like they aren't that close.]

But the fans who scrutinized every detail of the variety show began popping up.

[This brand of chocolate is Xingxing's favorite!]

[Shen Yanci, you rascal, how do you know Xingxing's habits so well?! Xingxing digs his fingers into his palm whenever he's nervous or irritated.]

[If this isn't love, what is?]

[What kind of sworn enemy gives his rival chocolate?! I don't care. Close enough-you two are already together!]

The two strolled into the village. A crowd had gathered by the entrance, where the props crew was busy working.

Some guests had already arrived and were wandering around near the village entrance.

A young couple, both carefully dressed, was strolling near the rice paddies. Hearing footsteps, they turned around together.

The young man looked very youthful, with handsome, well-defined features. In a hoodie, shorts, and sneakers, he was an energetic, sporty boy.

The boy brushed the straw off his clothes, turned around, and waved to them excitedly.

The girl beside him had long, straight black hair, with wispy strands framing her face. Her camisole and short skirt made her look youthful and pretty, accentuating her slim waist and long legs.

Holding hands, they walked toward them side by side.

"Hello, Mr. Shen! Hello, Mr. Song! My name is Luo An." The boy held out his hand, his excitement impossible to contain. "I never imagined I'd get to be on a variety show with a three-time best actor award winner and a hugely popular singer! All your movies, I've..."

Luo An spoke at length, listing Shen Yanci's acting credits as though they were priceless treasures.

[Hahaha, certified hardcore fan.]

[Luo An is a rookie male Beta actor. Come join the fandom! He's a warmhearted golden retriever who can sing, dance, and make you laugh. He's said in several interviews that Shen Yanci is his idol. There are even photos of his movie ticket stubs on Weibo.]

Shen Yanci's expression was neither warm nor cold. He briefly clasped Luo An's fingers, then immediately let go.

Watching a stranger lavish praise on Shen Yanci, Song Yunxing looked uncomfortable, but couldn't very well contradict him.

This kid clearly had something wrong with his eyes.

"Hello, I'm Lu Yiyi." The girl beside Luo An spoke in a sweet voice and smiled at them.

Lu Yiyi was a popular actress who had risen to fame over the past two years. With her sweet, innocent looks, she was the campus beauty type everyone loved.

Although she addressed them both, her eyes remained fixed on Shen Yanci.

The acting and music worlds were different, so Song Yunxing hadn't realized Shen Yanci was this popular.

But Shen Yanci had always been like this. Back in high school, his love letters could have formed a mountain. Song Yunxing had even delivered letters for plenty of girls in their year, and now Shen Yanci was more mature and charming than before.

In short, he'd gotten even better at putting on an act.

"I really didn't expect you two to join the show! I thought the rumors about you were just baseless gossip." Lu Yiyi glanced at the silent Song Yunxing and smiled. "I thought you'd come on the show with a member of that up-and-coming New City boy band, Mr. Song."

Song Yunxing's brows drew together slightly, but he didn't respond.

He hadn't been involved in this matter himself, but that rumor had indeed come from his company.

Rumors were normal for entertainers. Even after a clarification, some people would choose not to believe it.

But this particular rumor hadn't attracted much attention and had long since been buried under a flood of other information. How had she heard about it?

The haters lurking in the livestream began stirring, posting all kinds of comments.

[Seriously? Song Yunxing even had a backup boyfriend lined up for the show?!]

[They signed a dating contract to come on this show, didn't they?!]

[I was wondering why they'd join a dating show when they get along so badly. They're trying to throw everyone off! He's actually dating that boy band kid, isn't he?!]

[And they're selling this whole love-hate ship to scam people for views! They'll do anything for publicity!]

Song Yunxing was just about to explain when a languid male voice sounded beside his ear.

"The show's cast was officially announced almost a week ago. Apparently, you haven't been paying much attention to this show."

"We're all here because of relationship rumors. Surely you know yourself how much truth there is to them?" Shen Yanci gave her a cold glance. "So, by your logic, I'm not as good as that member of whatever band? Song Yunxing would choose him over me?"

Lu Yiyi froze for a moment, then hurried to explain. "Mr. Shen! That's not what I meant..."

Shen Yanci had been in the industry for years and never accepted variety show appearances. He was rarely seen even during movie promotions!

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that such an untouchable man would lower himself to join this kind of variety show!

Lu Yiyi clenched her teeth and swallowed her hurt.

The corners of her eyes immediately reddened, tears gathering as she gave Song Yunxing a pitiful look. "I'm sorry, Mr. Song. I... I shouldn't have brought it up. I only saw it online and was just curious."

"I don't really mind. Who hasn't had a rumor or two?" Song Yunxing frowned slightly. "But wasn't Shen Yanci the one asking you a question? Why are you apologizing to me?"

Lu Yiyi choked up. Wasn't he supposed to say it was fine and help her out of this awkward situation?

Didn't everyone in the industry say Song Yunxing was softhearted and unpretentious? That kind of person was supposed to be the easiest to handle. Why wasn't he following the script?

"I'm sorry, Mr. Shen. I'll be more careful with my words next time." Lu Yiyi lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly.

Shen Yanci scoffed. "You're an odd one. Did I ask you to apologize? You're making it look like I'm bullying you. I only asked you an obvious question. Is there any need to avoid answering?"

Song Yunxing's eyes lit up, and he jumped in. "Clearly, she thinks you're no match for that boy band kid. He is a lot younger than you, after all!"

Beside them, Lu Yiyi was stunned. That wasn't what she meant! She didn't think that! Shen Yanci was her favorite male Alpha actor!

"Heh. You like younger men?" Shen Yanci stared straight at Song Yunxing, his eyes dark.

"Who doesn't like someone young? Don't tell me you like old men?" Song Yunxing looked him up and down in bewilderment.

He didn't have some weird fetish, did he?

Shen Yanci paused, then lowered his eyes and chuckled. "No. As long as it's him, I'll like him whether he's young or old."

Song Yunxing rubbed his arms, feeling goosebumps rise all over his body.

Unbelievable. He was a fool for love, too?

Completely ignored by the two of them, Lu Yiyi had been reduced to part of the scenery, the tears at the corners of her eyes neither falling nor retreating.

She clenched her fists and turned away to hide the look in her eyes.

Luo An shielded her from the camera and softly comforted her.

Lu Yiyi and Luo An had been paired up because of the TV drama The Tale of the Original Bell. They were a publicity couple, and lately they had attended all their commercial events together, boosting their popularity considerably.

Acting lovey-dovey on the show was also part of their publicity contract. By the end of filming, the show would reveal everyone's actual relationships, and the two of them would clarify that they were only friends.

She simply hadn't expected Shen Yanci to take part in this kind of variety show! She had lost her composure for a moment and spoken without thinking.

She was the female Omega who had liked him all along, and she was famous in the industry, too!

She had reached out to him time and again, but he acted as though he couldn't hear her! His responses were unbearably cold.

But he treated Song Yunxing differently! She wanted to be treated differently, too!