Chapter 70: The End of World Five

Lin Jianxi burrowed under the covers, suddenly struck by a thought. “Chu Ran, did I catch this fever from you?”

He remembered their first meeting—Chu Ran had a fever patch plastered to his forehead.

“I’m not feverish,” Chu Ran said from beside him, reaching out to test the temperature of his forehead. “That day, I just used it as an excuse to head downstairs and scope you out… Hiss, you really are running a bit hot.”

Lin Jianxi felt a touch of helplessness.

He’d gone out to the balcony for some fresh air to get better footage for the show, but it had all backfired. Now he was sick, and they couldn’t record anyway.

“Get some sleep. I’ll go find you some medicine…” Chu Ran glanced at the camera. “Probably… that guy will sniff it out soon and come rushing over. Then it won’t be up to me to take care of you—I’m just the help when he’s around.”

Lin Jianxi couldn’t suppress a chuckle, though his voice carried exhaustion. “He treats you badly?”

“He never treated me like a person,” Chu Ran said with a shrug. “From childhood on, whenever I screwed up, he wouldn’t even explain why—just kicked me. He’s been doing it since elementary school, and I’ve never once seen him smile. That’s why I was so curious about you at first. Because… a few years back, you weren’t what I’d call likable, but I couldn’t wrap my head around why someone like Fu Jinshen would like you—let alone like you that much. I figured he had to be a little off. Now I get it.”

Chu Ran leaned in close, his voice dropping to the barest whisper. “You really are likable. Got a certain charm to you, I guess? One of a kind, anyway. Makes me want to thicken my skin and move back home.”

Lin Jianxi smiled faintly. “Alright, cut it out.”

“…Does he know what you’ve been up to out here?” Chu Ran lowered his voice further, eyes narrowing slightly. “Little Mom, you’re not exactly playing it safe.”

“Do you like it?”

“I do.”

The words were out of Chu Ran’s mouth almost before Lin Jianxi finished speaking, a slight curve tugging at his lips. “I’m not as greedy as Pei Jin. A little taste of sweetness… and I’m plenty satisfied.”

~~~

No matter how much he liked Lin Jianxi, it could never eclipse Fu Jinshen’s position as the rightful husband.

Lin Jianxi was thoroughly pleased with this world’s husband, so when Fu Jinshen arrived, he cracked his eyes open in a daze and pulled the man—who carried the crisp scent of cold air—into his arms.

Fu Jinshen’s fingers wove through his hair as he bent down, murmuring against his ear. “The show’s on hold for a day. Get some proper rest.”

“Or you could throw on a mask and keep me company for a bit.” Lin Jianxi gazed up at him.

“No mask. Can’t smell you properly with one on.” With that, Fu Jinshen shrugged off his coat and slipped under the covers.

A wave of chill air washed over Lin Jianxi, drawing a soft hiss from his lips. He scooted closer on instinct, wrapping his arms tightly around Fu Jinshen. “You’re freezing. Let me warm you up.”

“…Sorry. Should’ve waited a little longer before climbing in.”

“Less apologizing, more unbuckling that belt. It’s poking me.”

Lin Jianxi’s hand wandered across Fu Jinshen’s waist until it found the clasp. He slid the belt free and flung it aside before nestling contentedly into Fu Jinshen’s embrace. “Now sleep.”

The fever spiked harder as midnight approached. Fu Jinshen asked several times if they shouldn’t head to the hospital, but Lin Jianxi shook his head every time.

Too lazy to budge.

He wouldn’t die from it anyway.

When Fu Jinshen tried to scoop him up by force, he whined and nipped in protest. Left with no choice, Fu Jinshen summoned a private doctor on the spot to administer an injection. Only then did Lin Jianxi settle down, lying still as the needle slipped into his skin.

Dreams plagued him nonstop—snippets of past ordeals replaying in chaotic layers, a messy tangle of pain, bitterness, joy, and everything in between.

He lost track of how many IV bags they swapped out midway, but when lucidity finally returned, the IV needle was gone from his hand, leaving only a bandage in its place.

A glance at his watch revealed it was already noon the next day. He’d slept… more than a dozen hours?

His head pounded fiercely.

Lin Jianxi pressed a hand to it as he sat up, snagged Fu Jinshen’s coat from the chair, and draped it over his shoulders before shoving the door open—

From the second-floor landing, he peered down at an utterly bizarre sight.

Fu Jinshen lounged in an armchair, legs crossed. The others lined up on the big sofa like supplicants, each in their own posture.

Shen Xu tapped idly at his phone screen, the picture of casual elegance. Chu Ran looked sour but sat ramrod straight.

Pei Jin let out a tsk at Fu Jinshen. “What, you gonna make us line up and bow one by one?”

Lin Jianxi: “…”

Pei Jin went on, irritation lacing his tone. “He wants a comeback? You don’t need to lift a finger—I’ll push traffic his way myself. Like you have any say.”

Shen Xu chimed in. “President Fu, is Jianxi aiming for variety shows, acting, or maybe idols? The online buzz about him is solid right now, but I’d advise against his old track. His build’s too frail; the demands of singing and dancing would be too much.”

“I don’t want any of those paths.”

Lin Jianxi’s voice cut in abruptly from upstairs. He descended the stairs with steady steps and came to stand beside Fu Jinshen amid stares from all around.

“Once this show’s wrapped, I’m quitting the industry for good, husband. No need to clear a road for me.”

The current setup meant he didn’t have to do anything more—the mission was all but done.

He had zero interest in the entertainment world anyway. He just wanted to coast peacefully through whatever days remained.

The next world might not be so forgiving.

~~~

~~~

~~~

System: “But you’re doing amazing right now! This world’s original ending was—Pei Jin, fueled by hatred for big money and you, teamed up with Chu Ran, who’d been starved of affection by his brutally strict upbringing, to tank Fu Jinshen. Shen Xu’s the type who gets off on piling misery on the miserable just to savor the ‘art’ of it, so he jumped in too, dooming everyone to a brutal finish. Now it’s all sunshine and rainbows—way better than I expected. You’re the best!”

~~~

Pei Jin stared in shock. “You’re not coming back? Then why’d you even join this show?”

Lin Jianxi draped a hand over Fu Jinshen’s shoulder. “You all happened to be filming here, so I figured I’d drop in and trim down my haters. Save myself from pitchforks on the street later.”

“…”

Fu Jinshen tilted his head up. “Keep recording?”

Lin Jianxi nodded. “Finish what we started.”

~~~

And so the variety show—which had rocketed to the top of the trends from the jump thanks to its “juicy drama”—morphed into a romance special starring Lin Jianxi, the guy with the smallest fanbase.

【Still bizarre】

【…Am I the only one who thinks this turn feels kinda forced?】

【These guys wouldn’t actually be falling for him, would they?】

【Director, can this script really air?】

【What have you guys been sneaking off to the balcony for every day! Director, I’m reporting you!】

The director was also curious about what they were doing on the balcony every day, so this time he quietly grabbed the bedroom key, trailed by a bunch of cameras, ready to burst in at the perfect moment.

The assistant watched the live stream and whispered, “They’re going, they’re going.”

The director flashed an “OK” hand sign.

“Three.”

“Two.”

“One.”

The director shoved the door open and charged inside. When he saw the scene before him, his face drained of color. He spun around, slammed the door shut, and blocked the swarm of cameras outside.

Bang—!!!

Lin Jianxi, lightly pressed against the railing, cracked his eyes open. His lids half-lowered, a flush of desire staining his gaze.

Through Chu Ran’s body, he locked eyes silently with the director.

He still had half a chocolate bar clamped between his teeth. On closer inspection, the end Lin Jianxi was biting was almost pristine—which meant the missing half had been bitten off by Chu Ran.

The director froze in place.

If he hadn’t come in just now…

Wouldn’t that have turned into a kiss?

The shock didn’t end there.

Then came the familiar voices from the balcony’s blind spot.

“Who is it? Slamming the door like that.” Pei Jin sounded irritated.

“…Looks like everyone’s here,” Shen Xu mused. “It’s not the production team, is it?”

The director stepped forward bit by bit and saw three people leaning on either side of the balcony.

Pei Jin and Shen Xu on the left, Fu Jinshen on the right.

Each of them held a few chocolate bars—some one, some three. Fu Jinshen clutched a small bag, apparently in charge of handing them out.

Pei Jin hadn’t finished his yet. As he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and his gaze turned icy toward the director.

The director: “…”

The director: “…………”

The director waved his hands frantically. “I didn’t see a thing. You guys carry on!”

Pei Jin: “You motherf—”

Lin Jianxi’s voice was soft but carried an undeniable edge. “Pei Jin.”

Pei Jin shut his mouth and rephrased with a cold sneer. “Director, saying all this on camera—what are you trying to imply?”

The director’s gaze stiffened as he looked up at the overhead camera.

Damn it.

He’d forgotten about that.

At the same time, the bullet screen exploded with activity.

【What do you mean!】

【Aaaah what do you mean!!】

【What did you see, Director? Spill it!】

【Don’t tell me it’s what I’m thinking…】

【Holy shit, are you guys for real?】

【Is this a legit show?】

【What?????】

The director let out a dry laugh. “I didn’t see anything haha. I absolutely won’t tell your managers you’ve been sneaking chocolate bars during your management period.”

【That excuse is stretching it…】

【They were really just eating chocolate?】

【Who’s the chocolate stand-in for? So hard to guess.】

【Show us the chocolate!】

【Show us the chocolate!】

【Show us the chocolate!】

At this point, Chu Ran dropped the act. He leaned in close, brushing Lin Jianxi’s lips as he bit away the chocolate bar. The soft touch drew a sigh from Chu Ran.

Then, holding his last remaining bar, he strode right up to the camera and offered it to the director with a smirk. “Want a taste?”

The director wished he could gouge out his own eyes. “…”

【Huh?】

【It really is chocolate?】

【Disappointed, moving on.】

【Director’s such a little cutie (simp). Freaking out over chocolate and wasting my time.】

The director: “You guys eat. Eat up. I’m allergic to chocolate—gotta go.”

Chu Ran drawled, “Director, you know… you can’t tell the managers about this, right? Not a single one. Otherwise…”

Crack.

The chocolate bar snapped in Chu Ran’s hand.

“…”

The director stared into Chu Ran’s smiling eyes and scrambled to shove the door open, sealing it tight behind him.

“Move it, move it.”

“Show’s over, everyone scatter.”

The director’s voice herded the cameras away from outside.

Chu Ran returned to the balcony and immediately wrapped his arms around Lin Jianxi’s waist. “Let’s keep going.”

Lin Jianxi blinked as if waking from a dream and nodded on instinct. But then his hand was suddenly caught by someone.

He turned his head—Fu Jinshen.

Fu Jinshen: “I’m tired.”

It wasn’t a question.

Lin Jianxi gave a helpless smile.

“Oh my, Little Mom…” Chu Ran eyed his weary gaze. “If you’re tired, why didn’t you say so? I thought you were enjoying it.”

Fu Jinshen regarded Chu Ran coolly. Chu Ran rubbed his nose and quietly stepped aside.

“Mmm… Husband.” Lin Jianxi looped his arms around Fu Jinshen’s neck. “It’s not your turn yet… I’ll give you special treatment at home this weekend.”

“Alright, time to sleep.”

Fu Jinshen sighed and pulled him into his embrace.

No one noticed the emotions flickering in Fu Jinshen’s eyes.

A love that wouldn’t fade, mingled with deep pain.

~~~

If it weren’t for that time when Lin Jianxi had a fever and his mind was clouded…

Fu Jinshen never would have learned the truth. Everything Lin Jianxi had done wasn’t to satisfy some lustful urge, nor out of enjoyment. It had even exhausted him.

In the end, Lin Jianxi had done it all to save him.

~~~

That day, Lin Jianxi was hooked up to an IV drip, slouched against the headboard looking wilted.

Fu Jinshen’s heart ached at the sight, so he approached to gently rub Lin Jianxi’s feverish cheek, wondering if he should fetch a damp towel to cool him down.

Instead, he heard Lin Jianxi chuckle.

“System.”

Fu Jinshen saw a white shadow flash in Lin Jianxi’s eyes, circling around them as if orbiting nearby.

“Cough… cough.” Lin Jianxi hacked a few times and shook out his hair. “So… is the plot over now? Is Fu Jinshen still under threat?”

“That’s good.”

Lin Jianxi gazed at him in a daze, his eyes brimming with fever-induced tears. Despite the discomfort, he smiled.

“What a good man. I finally managed to save one.”

(World Five Complete)