The dishes were brought out one after another. Jiang Nuo was hungry by then, too, and thoroughly enjoyed his meal.
Whatever else could be said about this world, it really did have plenty of delicious food.
Si Yan hadn't been hungry at first. He had always had a small appetite, after all, but watching Jiang Nuo eat with such relish whetted his appetite, too.
Suddenly, Jiang Nuo's phone began chiming.
Whoever was messaging him seemed ready to bombard him a hundred times over.
He finally picked up his phone and glanced at it. Brother Cui was telling him to check Weibo right away.
Puzzled, he set down his chopsticks and opened Weibo. Sure enough, his name was trending again.
#Jiang Nuo taken away by police
Jiang Nuo: ?
When had that happened? Had no one notified him?
Only after connecting the person who had posted the news with the girl in the taxi did Jiang Nuo roughly understand what had happened.
But...
It was one thing for the imperial capital police to debunk the rumor, but why had the Hua Country Daoist Mysticism Association shown up again?
They were certainly persistent.
The girl had even revealed that they would be going to the Jiang Family's home to uncover the truth.
He scrolled through the public feed.
Der Guagua: I'm dying, how come even after Tian Dong croaked, his fans can still cook up such dark jokes? They'd barely started spreading rumors before the police came out to debunk them. Thanks to the sweet potato sisters for clearing Jiang Nuo's name!
If the Tiger Isn't Fierce, Who Is: Does anyone still not know God Nuo's been dedicated to face-slapping for a hundred years? Bet they're about to cry from all those slaps, hahahaha!
Louis XV Celebrates the Lantern Festival: Jiang Nuo, you've really made it now. So many people are spreading rumors about you! Make sure you watch what you say and do in everyday life, forgot the rest, so you can go further~
Dream and Butterfly: So what if he wasn't arrested this time? It's still a fact that he promotes feudal superstition. Who knows, he might end up behind bars someday!
Full-Sugar Grapefruit: Exactly! If he's got the guts, livestream it this time, too! Didn't that last so-called livestream stop halfway through? Then they claimed he'd cured that little girl. Who believes that? Director Liu's part of the entertainment industry anyway. They're all birds of a feather!
This time, the dissenters weren't just Tian Dong's fans. Most were haters who had followed Jiang Nuo for years, and they weren't so easily fobbed off.
Who would have thought the Hua Country Daoist Mysticism Association would actually reply to them?
Hua Country Daoist Mysticism Association: @Full-Sugar Grapefruit, thank you to this rather ill-tempered netizen for the suggestion. If our young friend Jiang agrees, we will personally send someone to livestream it and communicate with the Jiang Family to ensure the connection remains uninterrupted throughout.
Full-Sugar Grapefruit: ...Seriously, what's wrong with you people?!!
Jiang Nuo happened to scroll past this post. He lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment.
It wasn't as though he couldn't tell that this Dao Xuan Association had repeatedly shown an interest in befriending him.
But why? Did they think he was a Daoist priest, too?
Oh, crap.
Jiang Nuo sucked in a breath.
What if they ask which master or school I learned from?
That old Daoist priest in the instance was as dead as could be.
He scratched at the table with his fingers, feeling a little awkward.
Maybe I'll just make up some story when the time comes.
He finally posted a response on Weibo.
Jiang Nuo: @Hua Country Daoist Mysticism Association I have no objections, as long as the fans enjoy watching.
After replying, he smiled as he watched his fans enthusiastically commenting below.
They were so cute.
Seeing the undisguised smile on his face, Si Yan's brows drew together slightly. He suddenly stood up and said, "Nuonuo, can I go with you tomorrow?"
"That organization won't hurt you. I'll help you, too."
He spoke with great solemnity.
The latter part of his words made Jiang Nuo pause slightly. Then a smile suffused his eyes, and he pinched Si Yan's cheek. "Looks like those rumors online were right after all."
"Shocking! A certain film emperor surnamed Si has a mysterious background and an illustrious family, and no one knows his true identity!"
He imitated the sensational headlines online and burst out laughing first.
Yet it was as though he were using this to hide the faint flutter in his heart.
Si Yan laughed along and lightly nuzzled his palm. "Say yes, Nuonuo."
"All right, then come with me."
Jiang Nuo hadn't intended to refuse in the first place.
After finishing their meal, the two went out together.
With a coat draped over him, Si Yan looked elegant and distinguished, yet he nestled in Jiang Nuo's arms like a canary.
The two drew plenty of looks.
They could even see young women excitedly raising their phones.
Si Yan, who generally disliked being photographed in public during his private time, showed no reluctance this time. He even revealed his face so people would know who he was.
Only after getting into the car did he stop showing off like a peacock fanning its tail.
"I still have a shoot this afternoon. I'll definitely get there on time this evening, so wait for me, Nuonuo."
"Sure."
Jiang Nuo leaned back languidly, one arm around Si Yan's waist. At his words, he lowered his eyes to look at his pale face.
"How come you've got work all day long? Aren't you tired?"
He was already frail. It would be a wonder if he could stay healthy working nonstop like this.
"I am..."
Si Yan sighed and tilted his head up to meet his lowered gaze, finding it irresistibly alluring.
He had noticed this unique quality in Jiang Nuo the very first time they met.
He seemed detached from this world, indifferent to everyone and everything, his heart a barren wasteland.
But perhaps it was the mutual attraction between their souls that made him insist on becoming the person in that barren land.
"I want to earn lots of money, then give it to you to spend."
Si Yan continued, looking up at him expectantly.
Unfortunately, Jiang Nuo completely missed what he meant and patted Si Yan's shoulder, touched.
"You're so good to me."
That's my little lucky star!
Si Yan: "..." Forget it.
His phoenix eyes dimmed for a moment, then grew moist. He buried his face in Jiang Nuo's chest again, greedily breathing in his scent.
It rather tickled.
Jiang Nuo shifted, but it wasn't unbearable. Si Yan was so tired; he might as well let him lean against him.
He had always been very patient with his own people.
After taking Jiang Nuo home, Si Yan reluctantly watched him go inside. Then he surveyed the surroundings, secretly thinking that he needed to trick Nuonuo into moving in with him.
The idea was there. All that remained was to put it into practice.
But before that, he needed to finish shooting the advertisement.
Otherwise, his youngest aunt would erupt like a volcano.
Si Yan leaned against the spot where Jiang Nuo had just reclined, his thoughts drifting intermittently.
That evening, refreshed after sleeping all afternoon, Jiang Nuo got into the car Si Yan had brought to pick him up and headed for the Jiang Family's villa.
Daoist Priest Hu and Wang Ping had already arrived, too. The three members of the Jiang Family waited outside, along with the still-unconvinced Xu Tian and the nanny.
A whole crowd clustered at the main entrance, yet even their living presence couldn't suppress the aura of death emanating from the villa.
Jiang Nuo looked inside several times, then glanced around.
"Where's the cameraman?"
Didn't they say they were going to livestream it?
Wang Ping stepped forward. "Right here. These are biomimetic cameras exclusive to our association. They can synchronize all livestream recordings and maintain an uninterrupted signal."
As he spoke, he wasn't showing off. It was more as though he were demonstrating them to Jiang Nuo.
There was a subtle sense of, Look how amazing our association is. Join us.
Jiang Nuo looked up and, sure enough, saw several bees circling the group.