That evening, after reposting the promotional poster provided by the production team, Song Nianxing went to take a shower. When he came out, his Weibo had all but crashed.
When reposting the promotional material, he had included several selfies with the star plushie Shen Siyi had given him. Someone dug up a photo of Shen Siyi in which the same plushie had appeared.
On top of that, he had tugged at Jiang Jingzhe during the afternoon livestream and later been comforted by Shen Siyi.
That led to claims that he had stopped leeching off Jiang Jingzhe and now thought he could reach the moon by attaching himself to Shen Siyi.
Just as the abuse was at its height, "Jiang Jingzhe unfollows Song Nianxing" shot onto the trending searches.
[Tsk, tsk, look at that. People already said back then that Song Nianxing would definitely think Best Actor Shen had fallen for him just because he comforted him a little. Sure enough, who knows where he found the same plushie, but now he's forcing a connection.]
[Jiang Jingzhe is a real one. He keeps doing things that feel so satisfying.]
[Haha, I bet Lulu saw that bitch Song Nianxing pulling at Jiang Jingzhe this afternoon and got jealous. Now Jiang Jingzhe is putting on a show for Qiu Bailu.]
[This is exactly how you should deal with someone as utterly shameless as Song Nianxing. Otherwise, you end up like Shen Siyi-show him a little kindness and he thinks you like him. Talk about undeserved trouble.]
Song Nianxing glanced at his following list. Jiang Jingzhe really had unfollowed him.
Remembering Jiang Jingzhe's words about keeping some distance for a while, then thinking of the perverted message he had received today and the box full of sex toys that person had mailed him a few days ago, an intense unease swept through all of Song Nianxing's senses. He curled up at the head of the bed.
Jiang Jingzhe seemed to... really not want him anymore.
What was he supposed to do?
Looking at the flood of abuse in his Weibo comments, Song Nianxing felt his nose sting slightly. Just then, a WeChat friend request popped up.
[Captive Star] requested to add you as a friend through the group chat ("Star"-struck Moments). Note: I'm Shen Siyi.
Blinking his tear-blurred eyes, Song Nianxing froze for a moment as he accepted the request, then snapped back to his senses when his phone suddenly vibrated.
([I'm Shen Siyi] is inviting you to a voice call.)
!!!
The call connected, and a cool, clear voice came through the phone.
"Nianxing."
Just those simple syllables made Song Nianxing feel as though a feather had brushed over his entire body, leaving him tingling and ticklish.
Hugging himself into a ball and looking at his toes gripping the bedsheet tightly, Song Nianxing took a deep breath before cautiously murmuring an acknowledgment and asking:
"Mr... Mr. Shen, did you need something?"
"You've been crying."
At Shen Siyi's response, Song Nianxing couldn't help freezing, his long lashes trembling lightly.
Remembering how Shen Siyi had wiped away his tears that afternoon, another wave of sorrow welled up inside him.
You're so embarrassing, Song Nianxing. Why do you always end up crying in front of your idol?
Quickly wiping away his tears, Song Nianxing sniffled and forced down the sob in his voice as he answered:
"No, I haven't."
"You've learned to lie now? A Star Cat who lies gets punished, you know."
The tips of Song Nianxing's ears reddened uncontrollably. He pressed his lips together. "I... I did cry again. All I know how to do is cry. I'm pretty useless, aren't I?"
The other end of the line fell silent for a moment.
Song Nianxing lowered his eyes.
Sure enough, no one would like someone like him.
Not the people online, and not Jiang Jingzhe.
And someone like Shen Siyi, like a bright moon hanging high above, was even less likely to.
"I'm sorry."
When Shen Siyi's voice came through the receiver again, Song Nianxing was completely stunned.
"What?"
Had Shen Siyi just apologized to him?
A second later, Song Nianxing was certain. Shen Siyi really was saying to him-
"I'm sorry. I know you're upset because you saw those nasty comments. Whatever the case, those people are using my name to insult you, so I'm very sorry."
His voice was rich and captivating. Song Nianxing merely listened, yet it was as though he could see Shen Siyi's eyes filled with sincere apology.
He shook his head instinctively. "No, I should be the one saying that to you, Mr. Shen... I haven't even thanked you for giving me the plushie yet. I was just so happy that I wanted to share it, and I ended up getting you criticized along with me..."
"You said you wanted to share it because you were so happy? Then, Nianxing, you like this gift, right?"
The voice on the other end spoke again. Though Song Nianxing knew perfectly well that Shen Siyi couldn't see him, he still nodded vigorously. "I do! I really love it!"
A low chuckle vibrated through the receiver against his eardrum. "I'm glad you like it. Have you put it on the cabinet at the foot of your bed?"
"How did you know?" Song Nianxing was a little surprised.
"I guessed, of course." There was always a trace of laughter at the ends of Shen Siyi's words, making the listener's mood ease without their noticing.
Song Nianxing touched his ear sheepishly.
I actually asked Shen Siyi how he knew. Of course he could only have guessed. What else, could he have installed a camera in my home and seen it?
I'm such an idiot for asking that!
As he silently chided himself, Shen Siyi's voice interrupted his thoughts again.
"The cabinet at the foot of the bed really is a good spot~ All right, it's getting late. Get some rest. We'll see each other tomorrow?"
Whether it was because Shen Siyi's voice was simply too gentle or for some other reason, Song Nianxing never thought carefully about his words. He only felt a hint of sweetness rise in his heart.
That sweetness made him feel secure, and he began imagining more...
Only after pinching his own thigh hard did he clear his head a little and answer, "Okay."
The instant the call ended, a Weibo system notification popped up right after it.
(@Shen Siyi followed @Song Nianxing.)
Looking at the notification, Song Nianxing felt as though even his phone had become hot to the touch. After tapping to follow him back, he immediately buried his head under the covers, his eyes exceptionally bright in the dim lamplight.
!! Shen Siyi had followed him!!
And right up until the end, Shen Siyi hadn't said he was calling about anything. It looked like he had called just to comfort him.
How could someone as wonderful as Shen Siyi exist in this world? He was practically a god.
If he really asked Shen Siyi for help, would he help him?
No, no.
How could he trouble him again? He already owed Shen Siyi... and now he owed him more and more. How could he ever repay him?
The urge to seek help and the fear of being indebted tangled around Song Nianxing, keeping him from sleep.
Meanwhile, after ending the call, Shen Siyi's gaze returned to his tablet.
Watching Song Nianxing wrapped in his quilt, tossing and turning restlessly on the screen, Shen Siyi's lips curved in a subtle arc.
His index fingertip gently traced the figure on the screen, his covetous gaze settling on the small stretch of ankle exposed beyond the quilt.
The ankle was bony and fair.
It really would look lovely locked up with a pretty, glittering chain.
Ah Xing had said himself that he liked this gift.
No taking it back later, either~
Scrolling through his contacts, Shen Siyi opened the chat labeled [Jiang Jingzhe's manager].
Jiang Jingzhe's manager: [It was all thanks to your reminder today, Best Actor Shen, that I could get Jingzhe to unfollow Song Nianxing in time. Otherwise, if Song Nianxing latched onto our Jingzhe, the backlash from the ship fans would be terrible. I really never expected that boy Jingzhe to catch your attention. I'll definitely make sure he keeps up the good work!]
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
In the boundless night, only one star's light could be seen.
And a star like that would become the sole salvation of someone lost in the darkness.
Before you continue