Ou Yu hurriedly grabbed his wrist.
He had kindly taken them in for the night—how could they repay kindness with enmity?
Xiao Fen “tsked” and gave up on his actions. He said softly, “Convince her to go home. Don’t let the Pursuit Team know she has any connection to us.”
“I know. You’re doing this for her own good. Give me a moment to think of a reason.”
Big Sister Li led them into a narrow alley.
Ou Yu looked up and grabbed her. “Hold on. I just saw Pursuit Team members coming from this direction. We’ll run right into them if we go this way.”
No sooner had he spoken than the woman raised her hand and blew hard at him.
A white cloud of powder filled his vision. He was shocked, but his body reacted faster than his brain. He pulled Xiao Fen back.
Xiao Fen was caught off guard by the sudden yank, momentarily stunned by the swift reaction. Then the woman’s brother burst out from a side alley, clamping a drug-soaked cloth over his mouth and nose.
He delivered a back kick. The man behind him clutched his crotch and wailed on the ground.
“Get him from behind!” Big Sister Li shouted.
Xiao Fen’s body swayed as his mind began to cloud. Seeing another attacker coming, he leaped into a perfect side kick that sent the man sprawling.
Ou Yu saw Vice Squad Officers drawn by the commotion. He hoisted Xiao Fen onto his back and charged out of the alley with all his strength.
“Little Fen, don’t fall asleep. What did they drug you with? Will you be okay?”
“It’s probably their homemade Knockout Drug,” Xiao Fen said, struggling to blink. His head felt heavy, but he’d held his breath right after the attack and hadn’t inhaled too much. It hadn’t knocked him out completely. “They’ve finally shown their true colors. Don’t be so naive and gullible from now on. Last night, you even wanted to foolishly give money to get her son treated.”
Ou Yu sighed. “Do I really look like such a sucker? She says, and I pay?”
“Aren’t you?” Xiao Fen rubbed his cheek against Ou Yu’s shoulder. “Your back feels so comfy when I’m lying on it. Not hard at all.”
“Stop messing around.” He explained, “Last night, she made herself sound so pitiful. I just didn’t want you winning all her money again—that wouldn’t look good for your public image. Later, I saw her son really was sick, so I felt some pity. At least the kid was innocent.”
“You hand her the money one second, and the next, she’s taking her kid’s life-saving cash to the casino.” Xiao Fen’s voice weakened. “Never trust a gambling addict. From the moment they get hooked, they lose all humanity. They lie through their teeth and will do anything for money. Not a single cent of yours would go to her son.”
“Having parents like that is his karma too. Last night, I saw his wall full of awards. He was good at chores too—smart kid with solid character.”
【Heaven damn it, you dare hurt Ouyou? Are you tired of living aaaaaah!】
【Damn, I stayed up till dawn last night watching the live stream for real, even got touched by Big Sister Li’s actions. Turns out the idiot was me!】
【Brother Fen, can I stick with you from now on? Those people have so many schemes. This show is basically a showcase of human species diversity.】
【What happened to the fans yelling ‘Fen Treasure isn’t like that’ yesterday? Not speaking up? Admit you’re braindead. Because from now on, I’m a Little Fire Seed too.】
【Where are those bouncy Little Fire Seeds from before? Not chirping now?】
【Mom won’t let me talk to wishy-washy wallflowers.】
【……】
“Brother, you smell so good.”
Ou Yu nearly tripped over his own feet.
【Wait, what did I just hear???】
“I can see your chest. Oh, and you have pecs.”
Ou Yu felt a warm, soft cheek rubbing against his. A head rested on his shoulder. He turned and saw Xiao Fen’s hot breath on his collarbone. Those brandy-colored eyes were misty as they peered curiously through the gap between his workout clothes and body.
He suddenly looked up, blinking blankly. “There’s a handsome guy groping my ass.”
“…That’s me supporting you so you don’t slide down.”
It was over. Someone so smart was starting to talk nonsense.
“What’s that red thing? Can I eat it?” Xiao Fen’s attention shifted to his chest. He tilted his head, slipping a hand in through the collar.
Ou Yu flushed and grabbed his wrist.
【Hahaha, Movie Emperor Ou groped on the street!】
【Movie Emperor Ou loses his innocence forever.】
【Movie Emperor Ou, just give in to my Fen Treasure already.】
【Ou Yu: You rumor, I rumor, Fen Treasure will shake all over soon.】
Ou Yu took a deep breath, reminding himself he was under 360-degree live broadcast. Pursuit Team ahead, vengeful gamblers behind—he couldn’t afford to lose focus.
“Be good. Let’s find a place to hide first.” Ou Yu set him down and pulled him by the hand into the back door of a restaurant.
A soft, sticky voice rang out. “I want Brother’s big pecs.”
“Stop it.” Ou Yu covered his mouth, eyes red-rimmed, chest heaving.
The kitchen bustled with activity as lunchtime approached. Everyone was busy. Dressed in white shirt and black pants, he blended right in with the chefs.
He led Xiao Fen along, remembering how Xiao Fen had changed clothes before. They went to the changing room, where he grabbed a chef’s jacket and hat.
“Why are you taking my clothes off?” Xiao Fen swatted his hand away, clenched a fist, and thumped his own head, frowning uncomfortably.
“I want a handsome guy to do it.”
“…”
“Am I not handsome?” Ou Yu was almost amused to anger.
Xiao Fen blinked at him. “Can handsome be eaten? Why so narcissistic?”
“…Looks like you’re sobering up.”
“Sort of. I felt dizzy and nauseous for a few minutes there, like my head was all fuzzy. Did I say something?”
“…Nothing.” Ou Yu coughed dryly. “The Pursuit Team will catch up soon. We need to move.”
Xiao Fen wobbled to his feet, poured some unknown person’s mineral water from the changing room over his head, shook it off, and wiped his face.
The carefree action made Ou Yu pause mid-handover of the clothes.
With his back to the window, water droplets glistened on the tips of his wet black hair. He patted his head, sending droplets dancing around him in the dazzling light, as if his whole form might dissolve into the brilliance.
He lifted his shirt hem to wipe his face, revealing crisscrossing lean muscles at his waist.
“What about that woman?” His backlit eyes darkened.
“What are you going to do?” Ou Yu’s heart skipped.
“Big Sister Li’s a money-grubber. Last night, she definitely didn’t tell the Pursuit Team the truth, so Fang Si Ting’s team tracked us here through her. Today, she found out our bags had no cash and went for the bounty. She’ll spill everything to the Vice Squad Officers now.”
A mocking glint flashed in his eyes. “It’s all for money, right? Just give it to her.”
Ou Yu didn’t think he was the type to kindly deliver money.
Xiao Fen glanced at the chef’s jacket in his hand and said disdainfully, “Ugly-ass clothes. I’m not wearing them.”
He then yanked the chef’s hat off Ou Yu’s head. “Dumb, silly idiot hat.”
“Hey.” Ou Yu called helplessly. “Come on, it’s camouflage.”
“Let’s go.”
Before he finished, Ou Yu was dragged out of the changing room by him.
