A lesson

[I've been there. The scenery really is beautiful. Have fun, streamer.]

[Waaah, honey, if you'd told us sooner, I would've come too.]

[It's cold up on the mountain, streamer. Dress warmly and bring water.]

"I will, I will."

After Yu Nian said that, he saw Y send him another Deep-Sea Battleship.

With a message: [Get some rest early.]

As always, the chat teased him for being a bot.

Ever since Y had once asked what a bot was, he had never replied again.

Yu Nian smiled knowingly. Although he was a little curious about Y, he didn't know how to strike up a conversation with him.

Unlike the other viewers, Y never actively chatted or joked around with him, nor did he ask about his life.

He was so silent and quiet, yet so mysterious.

Even though Yu Nian was curious, he didn't feel comfortable asking him outright.

After all, a streamer paying too much attention to a fan's private life could easily cause misunderstandings.

Perhaps Yu Nian had come into a lucky streak with money lately, because another person entered his stream that night and immediately showered him with expensive gifts.

They were all hearts, roses, and things of that sort, sending the spectators in the chat into a frenzy.

They kept saying another big spender had arrived, and this one was even bolder. With pink bubbles and hearts filling the screen, it looked like a declaration of love.

The moment Yu Nian saw the username, his brow twitched.

Sure enough, private messages arrived soon afterward.

[Mountain and: Baby, do you like the rose shower? Next time, I'll take you to see a real rose shower, okay?]

[Mountain and: Why are you ignoring me?]

[Mountain and: Who's that Y? I saw them saying he comes to your stream every day to send gifts and acts like he cares so much about you.]

[Mountain and: Why are you smiling so happily at him? What's your relationship? Is he the reason you're ignoring me?]

[Mountain and: How many tens of thousands has he spent on you? I'll give you three times as much. Stop talking to him.]

Yu Nian: "..."

He didn't know what had set Qin Yu off this time, but he genuinely didn't have the energy to deal with him. He blocked him without hesitation.

A little while later, an unfamiliar alternate account appeared in the stream.

[User8347923: Why did you block me? Do you hate me that much?]

[Oh my god, who's this?]

[No idea. Looks like the streamer blocked him?]

[Nian usually wouldn't do that, right? Unless it's someone who really upset him.]

[User8347923: It's been so long. What will it take for you to forgive me?]

[Wait, dude? Girl? Who even are you?]

Yu Nian blocked him again.

He unconsciously tightened his grip on the mouse, so angry his chest hurt, yet he kept smiling.

"I don't know him. This is so bizarre. I have no idea what he wants."

[That's so scary. Stay safe, streamer.]

[Someone like that might have mental issues.]

"Give me a moment. I'll contact the moderators."

That was what he said, but in reality, he stepped aside to call Qin Yu and argue with him.

"Nian..."

"Qin Yu, if you're trying to ruin me, just say so."

"How could you think that of me? Yu Nian, how did I never realize how heartless you were?"

Yu Nian felt a headache coming on. "If you're sick, get treatment. Why are you coming into my stream in the middle of the night and acting crazy?"

"Are you trying to tell everyone in my stream that you're my ex-boyfriend? Out me without warning?"

"I... I just can't stand watching you laugh and chat with them."

Qin Yu sounded a little hoarse. "Nian, I've missed you so much all this time."

Yu Nian's expression was cold. "Stop interfering with my work, or I'll tell everyone the heir to the Azure Group is gay."

The breathing on the other end caught. "So you knew all along... But if you knew, why did you still leave me?"

Yu Nian was speechless. "Qin Yu, how many times have I told you not to judge other people by your own way of thinking?"

So what if Qin Yu was worth over a hundred million? If he didn't like him, he didn't like him.

The other man fell silent for a while, then said, "You wouldn't. You're so good-tempered. You'd never do that to me."

Yu Nian sneered. "Interrupt my stream again and see what happens."

Without waiting for a reply, Yu Nian hung up.

A message from Qin Yuheng arrived on his phone.

Qin Yuheng: Yu said you two had an argument.

Irritation rose in Yu Nian's chest. What was Qin Yuheng trying to do?

Was he here to stand up for his little brother because he had been wronged? Or to play peacemaker?

But Qin Yuheng didn't know anything at all!

Qin Yuheng: I've already taught him a lesson.

The agitation in Yu Nian's chest abruptly stalled.

Although he didn't know what Qin Yu had told Qin Yuheng, it seemed Qin Yuheng had no intention of urging them to reconcile or taking his brother's side.

Yu Nian: He came into my stream and disrupted my work. Could you please help talk some sense into him?

Qin Yuheng: [Image][Image]

Qin Yuheng: I had someone cut the network cable at home. His phone has been confiscated too.

Yu Nian froze for a moment. Seeing the pictures Qin Yuheng had sent of the severed network cable and Qin Yu having his phone confiscated, he inexplicably burst out laughing.

It was like an older brother cracking down on his internet-addicted little brother.

Yu Nian: Then how are you getting online?

Qin Yuheng: The study has a separate internal network. He doesn't have access.

Yu Nian's mood brightened instantly, and the anger that had just flared up vanished completely: Thanks!

Somehow, Qin Yuheng seemed to have a sly, mischievous streak.

But then he suddenly realized that he might be in such a good mood because Qin Yuheng had taken his side.

And he never asked why. Not once.

Sure enough, no more inexplicable alternate accounts popped up to cause trouble. Yu Nian explained to his viewers that the person earlier had been a rather obsessive fan, and he had already asked the moderators to handle it.

The viewers simply assumed it was someone who had gone off the deep end online and thought spending a little money on a streamer entitled them to do whatever they pleased. They all reassured him not to take it to heart.

Yu Nian felt rather guilty, but if he revealed that he was gay, had dated someone, and was now being relentlessly pestered and harassed by his ex after their breakup, he could talk for three days and nights.

He had always kept his life and work strictly separate, and rarely mentioned much about his real life during his streams.

Since he had to climb the mountain the next day, Yu Nian didn't stream too late. He showered and went to bed. He had no trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places; as long as the bed and bedding were comfortable, he could sleep soundly all night.

The next morning, Yu Nian checked the supplies he had brought: two packs of tissues, some bandages, chocolate and candy, and a trash bag.

He had heard it was windy and snowy on the mountain, so Yu Nian had specially bought a hat with an attached scarf. It was snowy white and fluffy, with two little bear ears, making it both warm and cute.

Yu Nian bundled himself up snugly and took a ride to the foot of Cloud-Gathering Mountain.

Water was relatively expensive up in the scenic area, so he bought two bottles nearby and stuffed them into his backpack. After buying his admission ticket and entering, he picked out a bamboo hiking staff at the foot of the mountain.

The initial stretch into the mountain was quite wide, and sightseeing shuttles traveled up the paved road.

There were some traditional-style Taoist temple buildings nearby. Yu Nian looked around as he walked, but just as he was about to climb the steps, a familiar voice came from beside him.

"Yuheng, there are two paths up ahead. Which one are we taking?"

Yu Nian stiffened. He almost thought he had misheard.

He couldn't help carefully pulling his hat back a little and glancing sideways, only to receive a terrible shock.

It was Qin Yu!

And Qin Yuheng.

Why were the two of them here?

This is bad. I should've checked the almanac before leaving today.

Running into Qin Yuheng wasn't a bad thing, but encountering Qin Yu was a genuine nightmare.