Through everyone's tireless efforts, the second day's livestream finally ended at eight that evening.
Ji Nanshu had arranged to meet Fu Yu at nine. He had intended to sneak out with just Chu Mo, but Bai Nanyu, who was constantly watching his movements, spotted him.
Just as Ji Nanshu was about to make it out through the courtyard gate, Bai Nanyu shouted in exaggerated surprise, "Third Brother~~ Where are you and Teacher Chu going? It's so late. You really shouldn't wander around, should you? And you're taking Teacher Chu along too. That's so dangerous!"
Those words successfully stopped Ji Nanshu and Chu Mo from sneaking out.
Credit where it was due, Bai Nanyu was a master at this sort of thing.
Everyone still chatting in the courtyard turned to look at the two men by the gate.
Jiang Yue shook his head in strong disapproval. Worried for his "benefactor," he tried to dissuade him. "Nanshu, it's so late, and neither of you knows Incense Valley Town very well. You'd better not go out."
Bai Nanyu said, "Exactly. Teacher Jiang is right. Going out by yourself would be one thing, but why did you talk Teacher Chu into coming along? What if something happens?"
Before Ji Nanshu could respond, Chu Mo snapped back, "Mind your own business."
He wanted to stick his nose into everything, even my wife's business? If he were just being kind like Jiang Yue, that would be one thing, but this Bai guy clearly meant no good.
"Brother Yue, we're just going for a walk nearby." Ji Nanshu answered Jiang Yue first, then turned his gaze toward Bai Nanyu, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. "As for you... if I remember correctly, I already told you to stop calling out to me in that disgusting way. Is your memory bad, or do you think I won't do anything with other people around?"
With that, Ji Nanshu shot a meaningful glance at Bai Nanyu's knees.
Bai Nanyu went pale, involuntarily recalling Ji Nanshu's chilling gaze from two days ago.
"Third... Teacher Ji, I just... I was just worried about you..." Bai Nanyu threw himself into He Jingyi's arms and began his daily sobbing routine.
Ji Nanshu didn't understand. Neither did Chu Mo.
How could a man start blubbering at the drop of a hat? What exactly could crying solve?
As Bai Nanyu's fiancé, He Jingyi genuinely liked him. Of course, that didn't stop him from being a promiscuous philanderer.
Playing around wasn't illegal!
"Nanshu, you're Xiaoyu's third brother, after all. Why are you so hostile toward him?" He Jingyi sounded disapproving, as though he were genuinely worried about their brotherly bond. "You've been targeting Xiaoyu ever since he came home. At my engagement party with Xiaoyu, you even... I... forget it. Just talking about it makes me feel Xiaoyu deserved better."
The other guests quickly realized what He Jingyi was leaving unsaid. The previous episode had generated considerable buzz, even making several trending searches, and Ji Nanshu had spoken about it quite bluntly himself, so they knew.
But no matter what, they simply couldn't believe Ji Nanshu would try to seduce He Jingyi.
Even Yu Lu, who detested Ji Nanshu, found it hard to believe. He had to admit that with Ji Nanshu's face, he could hook someone even richer! Besides, after spending an episode and a half together, he had realized that Ji Nanshu couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge you if you didn't provoke him. Why would he seduce He Jingyi? For money?
Huh, that did seem possible.
Not sure. Better wait and see.
And what was Ji Nanshu thinking?
He was wondering whether He Jingyi was genuinely stupid or genuinely in love. Hmm, forget it. Let's assume he's genuinely stupid. Otherwise, how could he believe everything Bai Nanyu says?
Chu Mo was even angrier. His wife was so gorgeous, so sweet-smelling and soft, and so capable. Why would he pass up a high-quality man like him to seduce some short, ugly pauper?!
Who the hell were they insulting?!!!
Ji Nanshu rolled his eyes with a complete lack of grace. "Both of you, stop yapping at me. It's annoying just listening to you! I'll believe other people are worried, but don't you two know damn well how little actual concern you have? You love sticking your noses into things so much, would you taste-test a manure truck passing your front door to see how salty it is?"
"You-!"
"You what? Don't know how to insult someone? Want me to teach you? Forget it. With how stupid you two are, you probably couldn't learn anyway. Easier to just hold each other and cry."
Roasted into silence, Bai Nanyu and He Jingyi had remarkably similar thoughts: How was Ji Nanshu getting better and better at insulting people?
Jian Yuanjia asked curiously, "Nanshu, what are you and Brother Chu going out to do?"
Those two weaklings, Bai Nanyu and He Jingyi, were no match for their Nanshu. Useless! So he wasn't the least bit curious about that.
With his wife so formidable that he had no chance to put his own abilities to use, Chu Mo said resentfully, "Stay out of my business!"
The others didn't understand, but Cen Yan understood perfectly.
Film Emperor Chu really, really loved Ji Nanshu!
Jian Yuanjia sounded aggrieved. "Brother Chu, don't you love me anymore?"
"I don't love you. We're not close. Stay away from me!" That was the cold, heartless Film Emperor Chu.
He all but told Jian Yuanjia to crawl away.
Ji Nanshu addressed Director Yang, who stood nearby looking thoroughly eager for gossip. "Director Yang, we'll be back in two hours at most."
Director Yang waved wearily. "Stay safe."
What could he do? Couldn't they see that murderous look in the eyes of the man surnamed Chu behind him?!
After Ji Nanshu and Chu Mo left, Bai Nanyu lifted his head from He Jingyi's arms and said tearfully, "Jingyi, should we... should we follow them and take a look? It's so late, and this town is so remote. I'm really worried about Third Brother..."
"Even... even if Third Brother hates me, that's fine. As long as we know he's safe!"
Hah, going out alone with Chu Mo in the middle of the night? Who would believe there was nothing fishy between them?!
Whatever they were doing, there was always a way to turn it into dirt on them.
He Jingyi could only think how kind his Xiaoyu was. Forget it! No matter how good-looking Ji Nanshu was, I could never fancy someone so vicious!
"All right, let's follow them and take a look. Once we know they're safe, we'll come back. Okay?"
"Yes!! Brother Jingyi, you're the best!!"
Jian Yuanjia sneered inwardly. What kind of decent person could get all lovey-dovey and clingy with He Jingyi? Making sure Nanshu was safe? Only an idiot would believe that.
Oh, wait. He Jingyi seemed to believe it. Tsk, sure enough, idiots came in packs.
Jian Yuanjia said, "I'm coming too."
Cen Yan fell silent for a few seconds. "Me too."
Li Lan, Jiang Yue, and Yu Lu exchanged looks. Li Lan shrugged. "I'll pass. I went to bed too late yesterday. I need my beauty sleep tonight~"
Jiang Yue said, "Then I'll come along too."
Yu Lu said, "Then... then I'll go too."
Director Yang: "..."
Wouldn't he look terribly unsociable if he didn't go? Besides, hadn't Ji Nanshu said there were things here that weren't human? As the director, how could he not show some concern?!
And so, Ji Nanshu and Chu Mo ended up with seven not-so-inconspicuous tails following behind them.