Feng Chi's arms trembled around him, and he tried to keep his voice sounding normal.
"Really?"
"Maybe I imagined it." Wen Jiu tipped his head back and took another swig, quickly dismissing the thought. The two of them clearly weren't alike in the slightest.
Besides, that person was clearly doing perfectly well. How could he possibly be here?
Unable to say whether he felt disappointed or relieved, Feng Chi rested his chin on the shoulder of the person in his arms and murmured an unreadable, "Mm."
[I'm tired of saying how perfect they are together]
[You really can't blame us fans for shipping them. These two are way too much like an old married couple]
[Are they actually together?]
[Possibly, but they might still be in the courting stage]
[New fan timidly asking: are we allowed to say this?]
[It's fine, say it. They don't own our mouths. Are they going to stop us talking? Hell, I say they're married! Say whatever you want]
[My turn. They definitely did it last night]
[Their kid is already three]
[They definitely had big-plate chicken too]
[Hahahaha I'm dying. We're never getting past this chicken joke, are we?]
Wen Jiu was drunk.
The performance hadn't finished, and Feng Chi hadn't even had a chance to go onstage when Wen Jiu's bottom slipped, nearly sending him sliding onto the ground.
Resigned, Feng Chi scooped him into his arms. Wen Jiu hugged him and leaned closer, sniffing him like a puppy. Once he had confirmed his scent, he straddled Feng Chi's lap.
Shen Huaian: "Holy shit!!!"
The bullet comments: [!!!]
This time, even Feng Chi froze. He had never imagined that his straight-guy wife, who normally bristled at the slightest teasing, would take the initiative to get close to him.
"Feng Chi, are you drunk?" His face flushed red, Wen Jiu wrapped his arms around the man's neck and shook his head, saying foolishly, "Why... why is everything swaying?"
Feng Chi: ...
As he spoke, he shifted farther onto Feng Chi's lap, trying to hold him steady with his own weight.
A vein throbbed at Feng Chi's temple. He held the waist of the person in his arms and took a deep breath.
"Sit still."
Eek, so mean.
"Okay." Even in his muddled state, Wen Jiu knew the big shot was dangerous when angry. He meekly rested against the man's shoulder and quieted down.
Seeing everyone watching him, Wen Jiu tilted his head and asked Zhang Guozhong, who stood at the front, in puzzlement, "Huh? Shameless director? What are you doing here too?"
The shameless director's mouth twitched. "..."
Why do you think I'm here?!
I'm the director! Where else would the director be?!
[Hahahaha I'm dying. I told you this little dumbass holds grudges]
[Aaaaah holy shit! None of us are getting any sleep tonight]
[It's only day one, and these two have already stuffed me to death with dog food]
[I'm still so young. Am I going to get diabetes?]
[Sisters, why are you taking screenshots? Stand there in shock!]
[Don't worry, I recorded it all. I'll edit a couple of luxury cars when I get back. This exact position! Fuck like crazy for me]
[Hehehe, sister above, remember to send me a copy when you finish]
[As expected of President Feng. My son's throwing himself into his arms, and he can still remain unmoved]
President Feng wasn't. President Feng couldn't.
That tormenting little thing had already teased President Feng into an inappropriate physical reaction, and even his forehead had broken out in a thin sheen of sweat from holding himself back.
Feng Chi shot a sidelong look at the director standing dumbstruck nearby, urging him on with a cold expression.
The director hastily nodded in submission.
The banquet was already drawing to a close. In fact, the only people who hadn't gone onstage were the two investors, Feng Chi and Li Peiqi. After the two big shots went out for a talk before the banquet began, Zhang Guozhong hadn't seen Li Peiqi return. Something had probably come up, and he had left early.
Affairs between the investors weren't something a mere director like him could meddle in.
As for Feng Chi... Zhang Guozhong stole a look at the pair's situation, unable to stop his old face from reddening.
Oh my, avert your eyes. Avert your eyes.
How could he perform like this? Go onstage with someone clinging to him?
Zhang Guozhong waved a hand, directly signaling the crew to clear up.
"Hm?" Seeing everyone packing up to leave, Wen Jiu tried to get up too, only to be easily scooped back. He couldn't help shifting his bottom, whining his displeasure. "What's so h-mmph!"
Before he could finish, a hand clamped over his mouth.
Countless viewers in the bullet comments turned into screaming rubber chickens, desperately wanting to watch, only for the screen to go black. That damned camera-
Had actually been turned off???!!!
Aaaaaah, which bastard dared turn off the livestream?!
The bastard director put down the cameraman's precious equipment, his face and ears burning.
He could imagine with his toes how crazed the viewers were right now, but what choice did he have?!
If he didn't shut down the livestream, his variety show would be shut down instead!
Zhang Guozhong grabbed Shen Huaian, who was bouncing all over the place, and sternly ordered the crew to wrap up. The villagers had no choice but to hurry and pack up to go home too.
Of the several hundred people present, not a single one dared glance in that direction.
Covering Wen Jiu's mouth, Feng Chi lifted him with one arm and headed toward Taoyuan House. His expression seemed unchanged, but his burning ear tips betrayed how difficult his current state was to endure.
"Mmph, mmph, mmph!" Afraid of falling, Wen Jiu unconsciously hooked his long legs around the man's waist and blinked up at him in confusion with his hazy, peach-blossom eyes.
Feng Chi pressed his lips tight, standing still to compose himself for a moment. When he spoke again, his low voice had turned hoarse. "I'll let go in a moment. Can you promise to be good and not shout things?"
Wen Jiu nodded. "Mmph!"
The instant Feng Chi let go, Wen Jiu snuggled close, wrapping both arms around his neck and pressing their chests tightly together.
Feng Chi's breath caught, and his entire body went rigid.
"A-Jiu."
The man turned his face and leaned toward his ear, his breath scorching. "Do you know who you're holding?"
Wen Jiu nodded. The pounding heartbeat grew faster and faster, and it was impossible to tell whose it was.
A smile curled Feng Chi's lips. He nipped Wen Jiu's ear, his smile teasing and beguiling.
Still wearing that enticing smile, he softened his voice and coaxed, "Tell me, who are you holding?"
How could Wen Jiu withstand this kind of teasing? His ear tips burned even redder.
"It's..." Wen Jiu scrunched up his neck and hugged him tighter.
The distance between them closed completely, their chaotic heartbeats declaring their fluttering attraction.
An intangible intimacy enveloped them, the temperature gradually rising.
After a long while, Feng Chi finally received a firm, resounding answer-
"It's Kumamon!"
Feng Chi: ...
The man's smile froze, and his expression instantly darkened.
He patted the bottom of the person in his arms, his tone dangerous. "Say that again. Who?"
Wen Jiu suddenly bristled and began struggling violently, his voice even taking on a tearful edge. "You actually dared hit me!"
Thinking this fellow had finally returned to normal, Feng Chi actually felt a little guilty.
Feng Chi patted his back soothingly. "No hitting, no hitting. I'll give you another chance. Who exactly are you holding right now?"
"Kumamon!" Wen Jiu copied him by patting his back, only much harder, sounding fierce. "Who brought you home? And who rescues you from the big shot's clutches every day?"
"If it weren't for me, you'd have been cremated until you were well-done, without a single hair left!"
Big Shot Feng's face was cold. "Believe it or not, I'll have someone burn it right now!"
Sure enough, when Wen Jiu had packed up his little rental back then, he should never have let anyone bring that damned bear back!
The familiar tone stunned Wen Xiaojiu. This time, he did recognize who was speaking to him. "Feng Chi, you're unreasonable! Inhuman!"
Feng Chi was practically laughing in anger at the little bastard. "If I really were unreasonable, that shabby bear of yours would have died ages ago!"
"He's not a shabby bear!" Wen Xiaojiu rose in revolt. "If he dies, I die! If he lives, I live!"
Big Shot Feng choked. Just like their previous clashes over the bear, he instantly found himself at a disadvantage.
All he could do was carry Wen Jiu firmly back with a dark expression.
Fuck, why should he reason with a drunk?!
Behind them, Yu Qing and Shen Yu, who had deliberately kept their pace slow because they felt too awkward to overtake them, both silently sighed in relief when the big shot finally regained his reason and got on with walking.
Yu Qing gave the young man a worried look. After struggling desperately to no avail, he had given up and obediently let himself be carried. Yu Qing said quietly to Shen Yu:
"What do you think we should do if Feng Chi spends so much time with Xiaojiu that he stops being so shrewd too?"
How would he protect Wen Jiu then?
Shen Yu: ...
How was he supposed to answer that?
Shen Yu wasn't very good with words, so he could only stroke his wife's head as he always did, silence speaking louder than words.