When Song Nianxing returned to the house's living room, besides Jiang Jingzhe and Qiu Bailu, two men and two women were sitting on the sofa. All four were currently big names with substantial followings in the industry.
The two male guests were Yu Xinyan, the visual of a hugely popular boy band, and Yuan Man, its all-round ace.
Song Nianxing had heard that their "Taro Balls" ship occupied the top spot on the shipping charts year-round. Their fanbase was enormous, and its aggression was terrifyingly fierce. Anyone who dared break up their ship could only wait to be torn apart.
Song Nianxing also knew the other two female guests. Both were popular young actresses with huge followings. The one in the black dress was Chen Mingyi, and the one in white was Du Yuesi.
Rumor had it that the two were extremely hostile toward each other, and they were widely known rivals. There were countless reports of them stealing opportunities and tearing into each other. Whenever one took a liking to something, the other would immediately "hit follow" and try to snatch it away.
As Song Nianxing looked at everyone present, his legs involuntarily went weak. He just wanted to hurry away and avoid catching any of their attention.
But it was often just like being in class: the more afraid you were of the teacher calling on you, the more likely you were to get called on.
"Hey, Song Nianxing!! Holy crap, I never thought you'd actually be this good-looking in person! I thought the pictures online were photoshopped."
The instant that white figure came toward him, Song Nianxing felt as though the sky had fallen.
The next second, Chen Mingyi also lifted her black mermaid dress and came over to crowd around him. "Wow, you really are gorgeous. Oh, unlike some people I've met, who look worlds apart from their photos in person."
The two flanked Song Nianxing, one in black and one in white.
Watching and listening to them, Song Nianxing felt that they were like the Black and White Impermanence spirits, pronouncing his death sentence. He glanced at the large live-comment screen beside him, and sure enough, an argument had broken out.
[Is Chen Mingyi out of her mind? How dare she imply our darling Sisi looks different from her photos? She's the one who's ugly in a thousand different ways. The production team really has its work cut out, putting a separate filter on her. Look at that editing, she's not even on the same layer as everyone else lmao]
[I'm the one laughing my ass off, okay? Du Yuesi's fans are so eager to take it personally. Looks like they know how ugly their girl is too. Our baby Mingyi is just too blunt and likes telling the truth. It's like chocolate: people can eat it just fine, but dogs die from it]
[Exactly, is your Du Yuesi being so enthusiastic toward Song Nianxing because she's into him? Well, yeah, they're both pretty faces who can't act. They really do make a good match]
[?? You're seriously saying that? Didn't your Chen Mingyi praise him too? Our darling Sisi has emotional intelligence and manners. Unlike yours, who's a copycat]
Song Nianxing was stunned by the comments filling the screen. Just then, Yuan Man also stood and walked toward him. Seeing this, Yu Xinyan, who had still been sitting, sprang up and followed.
Yuan Man scrutinized Song Nianxing over and over before raising his eyebrows and saying, "He really is good-looking."
Yu Xinyan, who had followed him over, immediately snorted and said with a laugh, "What, you're looking him over that closely because you suspect he's had plastic surgery?"
Yuan Man turned his head to stare at him, gave a soft scoff, and curled his lips into a smile. "I certainly don't. Are you saying that because that's what you think?"
The comments that had been arguing just moments ago immediately filled with pink bubbles.
[Aaaah, does anyone get how Yu Xinyan immediately followed the moment Yuan Man stood up? Yu Xinyan, you really can't leave your "wife" for even a second, huh?]
[Oh my, I won't say who's jealous. Yu Xinyan, if you don't want your wife staring at someone else, just say so]
[Hahahaha, the way they exchanged a look and smiled was so in sync. Looks like they hate Song Nianxing just like we do. Husbands joining hands to throw shade at someone, so satisfying!]
Song Nianxing's gaze flicked between Yu Xinyan and Yuan Man, then returned to the comments on the screen.
So bizarre... I really want to run.
Unfortunately, the four had practically surrounded him, trapping him in the middle. He had no way to escape.
"What are you doing?"
The instant Shen Siyi's voice rang out, Song Nianxing felt as though he had heard the sound of salvation.
He looked toward the voice, his face full of anticipation. Shen Siyi was slowly making his way downstairs.
As though he had sensed Song Nianxing's plea for help, Shen Siyi narrowed his eyes slightly upon reaching the living room, then smiled and beckoned to him.
Song Nianxing thus naturally left that suffocating encirclement and hid behind Shen Siyi.
He was focused only on getting free as quickly as possible. He did not notice how Shen Siyi's smile became a little more genuine once he stood behind him, or the icy gaze Shen Siyi directed at the four.
Crowded places really were no good. Disgusting.
After his gaze traveled between Song Nianxing and Shen Siyi, Yuan Man was the first to reply. "Senior Shen, we were just complimenting Nianxing's looks."
Shen Siyi glanced at him, his expression instantly becoming much gentler and warmer. "Oh, really? He certainly is good-looking." He smiled and gestured toward the sofa. "Everyone, sit."
Seeing that Shen Siyi had spoken, everyone prepared to take their seats. Song Nianxing glanced at the spot on the edge where he had originally sat, only to find Qiu Bailu and Jiang Jingzhe standing right in front of it.
Their gazes met. Qiu Bailu was about to move aside, but Jiang Jingzhe suddenly seized his wrist, stopping him, then sat down himself.
"He brought a whole heap of stuff and took forever unpacking, so he got here this late. Are other people supposed to give up their seats for him?"
Jiang Jingzhe could hardly conceal the sourness in his tone, and the eyes he turned on Song Nianxing were filled with both coldness and anger.
"What the hell, why so aggressive? If you're saying Nianxing came late, didn't Senior Shen come even later? Why aren't you saying anything about him?"
Chen Mingyi glanced at Jiang Jingzhe, looking puzzled and somewhat disgusted.
She had long had a problem with Jiang Jingzhe.
She had met him at an event, where she had personally heard him say things like, "Men liking men is so disgusting. I don't get why people nowadays like that sort of thing."
Yet when she went home and searched him up, she found that someone of his standing had only been able to attend the same event as her because he had attracted attention through his heavily hyped ship with Qiu Bailu.
What a hypocrite, wanting it both ways. I hate people like that most!
Qiu Bailu also silently wondered what had gotten into Jiang Jingzhe.
Afraid of getting dragged down with him, he could only help by saying, "Sister Mingyi, why bring Senior Shen into this? Anyone who didn't know better might think you were the one with a problem with him."
"Stop calling me sister. I clearly just..."
"Oh, you're all overthinking this." Du Yuesi hurriedly tugged Chen Mingyi back, then smiled at Shen Siyi. "Senior Shen, Mingyi absolutely meant no offense. She's just rather direct."
[Why is Du Yuesi pretending to be the good guy? Who gave you permission to tug our Mingyi around? And she just had to make that passive-aggressive point to Shen Siyi. Isn't she just trying to show off how emotionally intelligent she is?]
[Seriously, our Yuesi is wrong even when she's kindly helping smooth things over? Your fandom needs to stop being so ridiculous. I'd say Yuesi is still being too gracious. What's this "she's just rather direct"? I'd call her stupid!]
[Weren't you just saying our Sisi was too forward with Song Nianxing and that it was two pretty faces teaming up? Now Chen Mingyi is helping Song Nianxing too. Feel that slap in the face?]
[Sorry, our Mingyi is simply upright and can't stand seeing people bullied]
[?? What do you mean, bullied? Are you saying our Jiang Jingzhe bullied him? Wow, you sure know how to spread rumors]
[But I really do think Jiang Jingzhe is sensitive and overreacts when it comes to Song Nianxing. He did it when their sex lives were revealed earlier, and even more so this time]
[Could it be that people in their industry know Song Nianxing really is disgusting, and our Brother Jiang just happens to be the type who can't tolerate it?]
Before you continue