[These two are... rivals? I get it, this must be Du Yuesi's scheme to indirectly tell us Chen Mingyi panders to men and loves hanging around male celebrities!]
[But how do you explain Chen Mingyi saying "you're my first choice"? I couldn't say that to someone I hate.]
[Maybe Chen Mingyi wanted to gross Du Yuesi out?]
[?? I can't take this, how are both fandoms still being so stubborn? I think Chen Mingyi and Du Yuesi are fake rivals, and you two fandoms are the real rivals.]
[Do they have to kiss on camera before you'll believe they really are close? Rise up, "A Little Interesting"!]
[Yep, that's right. If they kiss, I'll believe it.]
[Your ulterior motives are practically smacking me in the face.]
[Waaaah, I feel like these pairings are perfect. Everyone, our "Taro Balls" came back to life today too. That guy Yu Xinyan has been secretly thrilled the whole time.]
[I'd be thrilled too if I were him. His "wife" gets him so well, how could he not be?]
In Yu Xinyan and Yuan Man's livestream, the two had also arrived at their new date venue, a rather stylish Western restaurant.
"I really couldn't find anywhere new, so I picked this place again. If you don't like it, we can go somewhere else?"
They sat facing each other, and Yuan Man spoke first, his gaze settling on Yu Xinyan's face.
Feeling his appraising gaze, Yu Xinyan immediately gave a light cough and replied blandly, "It's all right. It'll do."
Yet as he spoke and looked around, he couldn't keep his eyebrows from lifting.
Holy shit, holy shit, Yuan Man actually booked this place again. I've wanted to eat here again for ages, but I could never get a spot. Their charcoal-grilled steak is incredible, but they only serve a limited number each day. I wonder if Yuan Man ordered it.
Listening to the thoughts exploding beside his ears and watching the unruffled Yu Xinyan across from him, Yuan Man's lips curled slightly.
He suddenly remembered the time it had been his turn to arrange a team dinner. Knowing Yu Xinyan liked Western food, he had spent ages choosing before settling on this restaurant.
But once they had arrived at the restaurant, Yu Xinyan had looked aloof and indifferent, showing little interest.
Yet from what Yu Xinyan was thinking now, he seemed to like it?
If that was the case, then all the things he had done for Yu Xinyan before might have seemed unwelcome on the surface, while Yu Xinyan had actually liked them in his heart?
It really was wonderful to be able to read Yu Xinyan's thoughts now.
After reflecting for a moment, Yuan Man came back to himself. "I ordered charcoal-grilled steak and stir-fried seasonal vegetables. Would you like to add anything else?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Xinyan's eyes visibly lit up.
Yuan Man really ordered the charcoal-grilled steak! Oh yeah! Looks like he really has been making an effort to understand me. Ah, I'd actually like dessert too, but we're livestreaming. What if the haters seize the chance to say I don't watch what I eat? So annoying.
"Forget it. This is enough."
"How about some dessert too?" Yuan Man paused, then smiled and added, "I'm the one who wants it, but I might not be able to finish it, so I'll have to trouble you to help me eat some."
Yu Xinyan looked at him, finding his smile so radiant it was almost dazzling. He blinked guiltily, looked away, then shrugged with feigned nonchalance. "Whatever."
Dessert!! Aaaah, I love it!! Yuan Man is... pretty nice, actually. What bad intentions could someone who likes dessert have? Wait, no! If I help him finish what he can't eat, does that count as an indirect kiss?! Yuan Man's lips look... pretty kissable, actually.
The next second, Yuan Man distinctly noticed Yu Xinyan's gaze sweep over his lips.
Pfft, what am I thinking? I'm not gay, I'm not gay, I'm not gay! Tsk, seriously, Yuan Man. He's had a crush on me for so long, yet he only dares think all that dirty talk. Why doesn't he just grab me and kiss me? Useless!
The fork in Yuan Man's hand promptly fell onto his porcelain plate with a crisp clatter.
Even after he returned to the villa that evening, his mind was still filled with Yu Xinyan's words: "Why doesn't he just grab me and kiss me?"
So Yu Xinyan liked that sort of thing?
"Yuan Man, what are you spacing out about?" Chen Mingyi's voice finally pulled Yuan Man out of his thoughts.
"Maybe he's reliving his date with Yu Xinyan," Du Yuesi said with a hint of deliberateness, stressing Yu Xinyan's name as she spoke.
"Oh~ I see." Chen Mingyi briefly lowered her eyes, a faint trace of regret in her tone. "Sounds like it was a very enjoyable date. How nice."
Watching her, Du Yuesi felt a heaviness in her heart too, but to make Chen Mingyi realize sooner that things between her and Yuan Man were impossible, she relaxed her expression again and smiled. "Actually, when you're with the person you have in mind, anything you do is enjoyable, right? Isn't that right, Nianxing?"
Song Nianxing was just about to quietly put the uneaten cake into the refrigerator when the question caught him off guard. Even his hands froze, and he gave two dry chuckles before agreeing, "Yes."
As soon as he spoke, the sharp-eyed Chen Mingyi spotted what he was holding and ran over to him with a delighted expression. "Wow, cake! Is someone's birthday coming up?"
Du Yuesi walked over too. "I saw a trending topic yesterday that seemed to be about Jiang Jingzhe? Did you get it for him?"
Song Nianxing was a little at a loss, but fortunately, Yuan Man spoke up for him just then. "Senior Shen probably got it for Nianxing, right? I heard him on the phone yesterday saying he wanted to order a cake. Is it your birthday today, Nianxing?"
Chen Mingyi and Du Yuesi immediately exchanged a glance, both looking a little embarrassed.
"Sorry, Little Star."
Song Nianxing hurriedly shook his head. "It's okay, it's okay. It's not today anyway. It's tomorrow, so I was going to put it in the fridge so everyone could eat it together tomorrow."
"Wow, so you and Jiang Jingzhe actually share a birthday!" Chen Mingyi said in amazement.
The instant her voice fell silent, the villa's door happened to open.
Jiang Jingzhe and Qiu Bailu walked in one after the other.
The moment he entered, Jiang Jingzhe's gaze locked onto Song Nianxing.
Seeing the cake Song Nianxing held in his hands, he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from lifting.
Ha, see? I knew Song Nianxing still couldn't let go of me.
Going around telling everyone his birthday was the same day as mine while preparing a birthday cake for me-wasn't he just waiting for a chance to make up with me?
Fine, then I'll reluctantly accept.
As long as Song Nianxing keeps obediently doing as I say like he used to, and promises not to have any more contact with Shen Siyi, it's not as though I couldn't try liking a man.
Song Nianxing will definitely choose me tomorrow, but I can't go on a date with him.
Tsk, then I'll make Song Nianxing a bowl of longevity noodles tomorrow.
That way, Song Nianxing will definitely be touched, and he'll stop making a fuss with me.
Before you continue