But since he had nothing else to do anyway, Chi Li patiently explained what group-order meals were.
After hearing him out, Shen Xunye generously declared, "I'll treat you to a group-order meal."
Chi Li: "..."
What rich young master treated someone to a group-order meal? Wasn't he afraid of ruining his image?
Chi Li said, "No. I want something expensive."
"Then we'll get something expensive." Shen Xunye was remarkably agreeable.
Chi Li suspected Shen Xunye was being so agreeable as a roundabout way of comforting him, so he waved a hand. "Don't worry. I can weather this little storm-give me your phone."
Honestly, the moment he signed with Starlight Entertainment, he had already prepared himself to become a superstar.
What mattered most when it came to being a superstar?
Talent? Looks? Character?
No, no, no-
Those were certainly important, but what mattered most was a healthy mindset and the ability to handle pressure.
People disliked public figures for all sorts of reasons. Trying to get to the bottom of them, explain yourself, or please people was all useless.
If those emotions held you back, you were bound to be unsuited to this path.
And so, although Chi Li hadn't even taken his first step toward superstardom in his two years at the company, he had long since developed the ability to handle pressure.
"Are you talking about that post?" Shen Xunye took out his phone and handed it to Chi Li. "...I actually think that person was pretty right. Those six really aren't good enough for you."
The corners of Chi Li's mouth twitched twice. "Do you want to get dragged along with me?"
Chi Li swiped through Shen Xunye's phone but couldn't find a single food delivery app. He had meant to ask about it, but ultimately chose silence instead, opening the app store to download one rather than inviting an awkward answer.
Shen Xunye found a stool and sat down, asking with complete sincerity, "You get dragged for telling the truth?"
"You won't get dragged for telling the truth, but you definitely will for having no self-awareness..." Chi Li offered an explanation, then remembered that Shen Xunye wasn't in the industry. He was probably speaking up for him purely out of protectiveness, and Chi Li couldn't bear to rebuff his kindness. "...Anyway, this won't affect me at all. Don't worry."
Shen Xunye asked, "Then how are you planning to handle it?"
"I'll post a statement in a bit," Chi Li replied succinctly.
"What kind of statement?"
Chi Li quickly registered an account and began browsing nearby delivery options. "A statement saying this was a fan's behavior and had nothing to do with the actual celebrity."
Shen Xunye fell silent for a few seconds before delivering his verdict. "...So spineless."
How was that any different from standing up for a good friend and charging into a fight, only for that friend to announce, "I don't know him"?
Chi Li cast him a sidelong glance. Not bothering to explain that this fan was unlikely to be a real fan, he merely asked, "Then what would make it not spineless?"
"Why post a statement?" Shen Xunye casually looked Chi Li up and down. "Just post a photo."
Chi Li finished ordering dinner and held the phone out to Shen Xunye. "Pay."
Looking at the rather modest figure on the phone, Shen Xunye ultimately refrained from asking, "This counts as expensive?" Instead, he promptly paid and repeated what he'd said earlier. "Why not just post a photo?"
Chi Li was, in fact, unwilling to hide like a turtle.
But he didn't want to stand up for a fan who wasn't a fan, either.
"...Your suggestion actually makes some sense." Chi Li began thinking it over carefully.
He wouldn't apologize or stand up for the fan. He would simply post a promotional photo while views on his profile were rapidly increasing...
Whether you're a hater or just here for the spectacle, you'll all have to come look at this face of mine.
That really was... a little unhinged.
But he liked it a lot.
"Then that's what we'll do." Acting immediately, Chi Li tossed the thin blanket in his hands onto the bed and rushed over to the wardrobe in a few quick strides. "I'll find something to wear."
"Just wear that." Shen Xunye narrowed his eyes, the faintest hint of a smile curving his lips. "You look good in anything. There's no need to change specially."
"...True." Chi Li stopped rummaging through his clothes. "Changing would look too deliberate."
Shen Xunye opened the camera on the phone in his hand and pointed at the bed. "Sit there. I'll take it for you."
Half an hour later, Chi Li, who was at the center of the storm yet still had fewer than a thousand followers, published a new Weibo post.
People from the six major sects flooded in immediately, ready to enjoy watching the little rookie grovel.
-A little rookie who had only just debuted had no choice but to grovel.
But things didn't unfold as they had imagined.
Chi Li had posted nothing but a photo.
In the photo, Chi Li was still wearing the white shirt from his livestream earlier that day.
The setting sun slanted into the room, falling across his beautiful face.
His eyelashes cast fine shadows over his cheeks, their tips tinted a warm gold.
His lips were slightly parted, revealing a glimpse of his moist tongue resting against his lower teeth.
His eyes, hidden in the shadows, were half-lidded, his pupils like obsidian steeped in mist.
His chin rested on the back of his hand, a pose that made his cheekbones look particularly defined.
His whole face had the clean lines of youth while also revealing a certain unwitting sensuality.
[What's this supposed to mean? Did I fucking come here to look at your selfie? Where's the apology? [smile]]
[A few little fans call you wifey and you really think you're some celestial beauty? Let me ask you, what have you got besides that face?]
[Is this supposed to prove you're good enough for top stars? Top stars and their fans aren't that shallow, okay.]
[You're seriously desperate for fame.]
[He's actually showing himself off to his sugar daddy.]
Most of the top spots were quickly occupied by nasty comments.
Holding the takeout that had just arrived, Chi Li read with relish. "Hmm... They're insulting me, but I guess they're acknowledging my looks."
Shen Xunye said, "An objective fact."
Chi Li ignored Shen Xunye's business flattery and kept scrolling.
Strangely enough, positive comments began to appear.
[The world kissed Chi Li with pain, and Chi Li repaid it with rosy lips, pearly teeth, bright eyes, flawless skin, jade bones, and sparkling glances... [drool]]
[My wifey is just that fucking gorgeous and youthful. [fire][fire]]
[Top-star fans, hurry up and get out of the love nest I share with my wifey. Who the fuck wants six more romantic rivals?]
[You still can't tell what this means? Can't you see how innocent my wifey's eyes are?]
[You're all getting this worked up over a little crack shipping. Anyone who didn't know better would think Chi Li was a cheating scumbag dating six people at once.]
Just as the two sides were locked in a fierce battle, Chi Li suddenly received a system notification.
-Shen Qiang reposted your Weibo post.
Chi Li: ?
If he remembered correctly, Shen Qiang was one of those six top stars, the so-called restrained, refined, beautiful best actor.
Why was he reposting my Weibo? Holding court? Sending his little fans to swarm me?
...Surely not.
A little apprehensive, Chi Li followed the notification to Shen Qiang's Weibo.
Shen Qiang had written just one word: Mm.
Chi Li: ...
What was "mm" supposed to mean?
Although he didn't understand, the fans in the comments surely would.
Chi Li opened the comments.
[??????????]
[??????????]
[????]