"How could he possibly dislike you?" Chen Feng said anxiously. "Great God Ji is just cold like that. Don't take it too personally."
"Is that really all it is?"
"Of course it is."
Xu Xirui raised his head, his eyes already red. "But I'm scared."
Chen Feng reached over and covered the back of his hand. "What are you scared of?"
"Shi Wei doesn't like me. He's always thought I was the reason he got cyberbullied. That's why he stole my role at the audition, and now..."
Chen Feng's expression grew serious. "He dares bad-mouth you in front of Great God Ji?"
"I'm not saying that. I'm just scared." Xu Xirui's voice grew quieter and quieter. "They've been so close lately..."
"That's because Director Zhang arranged it. Otherwise, why would Great God Ji bother with him?"
"Mm-hmm, I understand." Xu Xirui bravely wiped away his nonexistent tears. "I'm sure I'm overthinking it. I'm fine. Brother Feng, would you like some of these snacks?"
"Thanks, Ruirui." Chen Feng ate the cookies, but seemed distracted.
Mo Xingyu and Shi Wei sat side by side to have their makeup removed.
Once their makeup was off, Mo Xingyu asked Shi Wei if he wanted to go swimming and get a late-night snack afterward. He had only heard today that the hotel had an indoor pool, so they wouldn't have to worry about anyone taking pictures.
"Sure. Does that mean I get to see your abs?" Shi Wei looked at his stomach.
"You..." Mo Xingyu blushed all the way down to his neck.
This puppy blushes so easily. He's adorable. Can I take him home and keep him?
Uh...
I forgot. There's a vicious dog at home.
The thought of Ji Hanchuan instantly deflated Shi Wei a little.
"Shi Wei, do you think Teacher Ji would come swimming and have a late-night snack with us?"
"...If he did, the world would end tomorrow." Shi Wei didn't dare imagine it or make a move.
Mo Xingyu lowered his head in disappointment.
Shi Wei comforted him. "It's okay. I'll take you to get Teacher Ji's autograph and a photo with him another day."
"Great." Mo Xingyu immediately perked up.
Shi Wei returned to the hotel, gathered his clothes, and went downstairs to the indoor pool.
There was no one inside, so Shi Wei went into the changing room first to change.
He had just put on his swim trunks when he heard a sound next door.
Oho, the cutie's here.
An idea for a prank suddenly occurred to Shi Wei. His lips curled wickedly as he quietly pushed open the door, ready to give Mo Xingyu a fright... a surprise!
Like a thief, he crept over to the next cubicle and shoved the door open with a bang.
"Surprise!"
The next instant, Shi Wei was dumbfounded.
Ji Hanchuan turned around, his icy gaze landing on him. "Surprise? May I ask who you're waiting for?"
To Shi Wei, that deep, magnetic voice sounded more like the tolling of doomsday bells.
"I..." Shi Wei raised his head and met Ji Hanchuan's scrutinizing eyes.
-Stay calm. Don't panic.
-Great. Now how do I explain this?
-Fuck, I don't know either! My fucking mind's completely blank right now!
-You can do this, Shi Wei! With that big, clever brain of yours, you'll definitely find an answer!
Listening to his noisy thoughts and looking at his idiotic expression, Ji Hanchuan pressed his lips together. "Waiting for Mo Xingyu, were you?"
Shi Wei lowered his head to avoid his gaze, only to discover-
"Ahhh! Why aren't you wearing any clothes?!" Shi Wei's entire face flushed red, and he blurted incoherently, "H-h-hubby, you're truly unexpected, unpredictable, and out of this world!"
Ji Hanchuan: ...
Just then, the changing room door opened.
In that instant, Ji Hanchuan grabbed Shi Wei, pulled him into the cubicle, and shut the door.
But he regretted it the very next second.
Why had he pulled Shi Wei inside? Didn't this make things look even more suspicious?
But since he had done it, he had to see it through.
Ji Hanchuan pinned him against the wall and signaled with his eyes for him to stay quiet.
Shi Wei's eyes widened.
-He touched me. I'm tainted.
Ji Hanchuan: ...
Mo Xingyu's voice came from outside.
"Huh? Is this stuff Shi Wei's? I don't think I saw him just now."
"Whatever. I'll get changed first."
Ji Hanchuan lowered his eyes. The flush on Shi Wei's face had already spread down his neck. Wearing nothing but swim trunks, he had a slender waist and supple abdominal contours...
His breathing grew a little heavier, brushing softly against Shi Wei's face and deepening his blush.
Shi Wei felt his face grow even hotter and gave Ji Hanchuan a reproachful look.
Ji Hanchuan averted his eyes.
Mo Xingyu soon finished changing and went out.
Inside the tiny cubicle, both men let out a breath of relief at the same time.
Ji Hanchuan quickly stepped away and calmly put on his swim trunks.
"Hubby, are you angry?" Shi Wei cautiously studied Ji Hanchuan's expression.
Oh my god, that expression is terrifying!
[Honestly, host, why do you keep landing yourself in these shuraba situations? You have to explain your way out of this one.]
The system couldn't help speaking up.
Shi Wei bit his lip.
I only wanted to prank Mo Xingyu. How was I supposed to know Ji Hanchuan was next door?
This wasn't a car crash. The car had exploded.
"Hubby, I only wanted to scare him." Shi Wei lowered his head and obediently admitted his mistake. "I only see him as a friend. You know how many people in the industry hate me..."
"I know," Ji Hanchuan said flatly. "I'll go out first and distract him. Come out when you get a chance."
"Okay."
Ji Hanchuan walked out, and the oppressive atmosphere vanished with him.
Shi Wei felt as if that had been the longest minute of his life.
The cubicle was so big. Why did Ji Hanchuan have to pin me down?
Maybe he had a cold and a fever. His breath was so hot it made my face turn red.
He clung to the door and poked his head out. Sure enough, Ji Hanchuan was talking to Mo Xingyu. He seized the chance to step out, pretending he had just returned from outside.
"Huh? Teacher Ji, you're here too."
"Shi Wei, did you go outside?"
"Yep." Shi Wei nodded. "I went to buy drinks."
Mo Xingyu looked puzzled. "You went out in just your swim trunks?"
"...Can't I?"
"Of course you can." Mo Xingyu looked at his empty hands. "Then where are the drinks you bought?"
His questions left Shi Wei thoroughly embarrassed, and embarrassment turned to anger. "Are you a walking encyclopedia of questions?! Why do you have so many? Go swim already."
Amused, Mo Xingyu laughed and said goodbye to Ji Hanchuan, only to discover that the way he was looking at him was particularly frightening...
Uh, it looks like my idol really does hate me.
Shi Wei jumped straight into the pool and swam around, the water successfully cooling his body.
He swam two laps with Mo Xingyu and lost to him both times. Exhausted, he climbed out, only to discover that Ji Hanchuan was gone.
"Huh? Where's Teacher Ji?"
"He left ages ago." Mo Xingyu rested against the edge of the pool.
Shi Wei couldn't help feeling a little worried. "Ages ago?"
"When you lost to me the first time." Mo Xingyu grinned smugly.
Shi Wei was no longer in the mood to tease the cutie. "I'll head back too, then."
"Aren't we getting a late-night snack?"
Shi Wei rubbed his stomach. He was indeed a little hungry, but he still shook his head. "Sorry, I just remembered I have something to do. I'll treat you to a meal another day."
"Okay, I'll swim another two laps."
Shi Wei hurriedly changed, ordered a late-night meal at the restaurant, and carried it into the elevator.
As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he sneezed.
He sniffed without giving it any thought and pressed the doorbell.