Chapter 16: Arrogant Big Star

Meanwhile, Ji Xingci steadied his breathing and stepped back into the spotlight. He quickly composed his expression, maintaining his usual aloof demeanor as he walked onto the red carpet.

After just a few steps, he had to pause, enduring the relentless barrage of camera flashes exploding in front of him.

There was no helping it—Ji Xingci had a tall, slender frame, the perfect natural clothes horse. Dressed up specially for the occasion today, he looked devastatingly handsome.

The organizers had shelled out a fortune in endorsement fees precisely so he could serve as a walking billboard for the outfit he was wearing.

Fans were already screaming and flooding the live stream with comments.

Ji Xingci could only cooperate by stopping, letting them snap their photos.

But when he recalled what he’d done earlier with this very outfit…

Even the thick-skinned Ji Xingci couldn’t help blushing faintly at the tips of his ears.

This uncharacteristic expression of his only made the flashes intensify.

Just then, someone lightly slipped an arm through his from behind.

Glancing back, he saw a stunning woman in a silver gown. It was Yuan Yao, the female lead from before.

Ji Xingci’s face turned icy for an instant, but he didn’t shake her off in public. Instead, he kept walking forward.

Yuan Yao acted as if she hadn’t noticed, flashing a smile and waving at the cameras before gracefully matching his pace, looking every bit the picture-perfect couple.

To maximize viewership for the live stream, Ji Xingci’s seat was in the front row of the venue.

Yuan Yao had played her cards perfectly, naturally ending up seated right beside him.

This setup meant that whether they sat in silence or exchanged a few words, it would spark endless buzz and send the chat into a frenzy of discussion.

—Ji Xingci looked kinda shy earlier—his ears even turned red. Was it because he saw Yuan Yao’s dress today?

—Goddess is too beautiful!

—Ji Xingci has this side to him??

—Excuse me, he blushed before he even saw Yuan Yao! Have you no shame?

Fans from both sides quickly devolved into arguments, though plenty of casual viewers thought the pair made a perfect match.

Yuan Yao sneaked a glance at her phone and smirked in satisfaction at the exposure.

Ji Xingci had no clue what the online chatter was about. Right now, all he felt was…

Intense itching.

Even just sitting there, the fabric rubbing against his chest felt utterly bizarre.

It was all Lin Wu’s fault…

Ji Xingci’s ears flushed red again as he clenched his teeth lightly.

He didn’t dare touch it, and he couldn’t let it show.

Keeping a straight face, he pulled out his phone and hammered out a flurry of irritated texts to Lin Wu. But Lin Wu didn’t reply.

Ji Xingci grew more and more frustrated.

After a few rounds of this, even Yuan Yao noticed his odd behavior.

Pulling out his phone every so often, then glaring at it with obvious resentment, clearly waiting for a response…

Yuan Yao was surprised.

Ji Xingci hadn’t been this glued to his phone during filming.

They weren’t wearing mics, so venue conversations wouldn’t be picked up.

Feigning casualness, she asked, “Girlfriend ignoring you?”

Ji Xingci frowned.

“What nonsense is that?”

Yuan Yao smiled. “My bad, I spoke out of turn.”

Only then did Ji Xingci realize he’d been anxiously awaiting Lin Wu’s replies, which irritated him even more. He immediately pocketed his phone.

Finally, the runway show wrapped up, but Ji Xingci still had to endure the networking session.

Designers, brand executives, and other celebrities swarmed him for photos.

Ji Xingci handled it with practiced poise on the surface, but inwardly he was on the verge of exploding.

Subconsciously, he scanned the party for Lin Wu.

He finally spotted him, tucked away in a remote corner, engrossed in his phone and not sparing him a glance.

Ji Xingci’s anger surged, veins throbbing on his forehead.

He’s right there on his phone!

Wanting another peek to see if Lin Wu had replied, he got caught by Yuan Yao again.

“This is my brother, Yuan Long.”

Yuan Yao dragged over a male artist with dyed blond hair for introductions. The guy bobbed his head excitedly.

“Teacher Ji Xingci! I’m shooting with you tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

They had a brand ad shoot tomorrow. Ji Xingci responded perfunctorily, his mind elsewhere—he hadn’t really listened.

He stole a few more glances at Lin Wu, finally finding an opening to slip away to the bathroom.

Still no reply!

Ji Xingci’s eyes blazed as he called Lin Wu.

“What are you doing!”

“Why aren’t you answering my texts?”

Lin Wu fell silent for a moment. His voice came out listless.

“You said you’d introduce me to some connections—who?”

Ji Xingci faltered. He’d only said it offhand to lure him over.

But so what? Hadn’t Lin Wu been the one to pinch his nipples? Now they itched like mad.

How could he just ignore him!

“What’s with that attitude? Even if I don’t hook you up with anyone, so what?”

Lin Wu went quiet again.

Fuming, Ji Xingci hung up.

He immediately called his assistant. “Keep an eye on Lin Wu.”

“Don’t let him leave!”

“Huh? Yes, yes, Young Master.”

Ji Xingci exhaled, turning to leave—but his steps halted.

He paused, ears reddening, then ducked back into the stall.

The Young Master never imagined he’d end up hiding in a bathroom stall at the event, furtively pinching himself through his clothes.

And it barely helped.

Why were they so itchy and swollen?

Was this normal?!

…

Lin Wu was determined to give Ji Xingci the cold shoulder and kept his head down, playing on his phone.

Then he sensed Ji Xingci’s assistant awkwardly hovering nearby, neither speaking nor budging.

?

As the event wound down, the assistant sighed in relief and escorted him to Ji Xingci’s car. “Wait here.”

Lin Wu said nothing.

Moments later, Ji Xingci climbed in.

The official stream was still wrapping up; he’d clearly slipped out early. Still in his outfit, he fixed Lin Wu with a stare the instant he sat down.

Lin Wu refused to meet his eyes.

Ji Xingci was visibly pissed too. The two stewed in silence.

Until they pulled up to Ji Xingci’s apartment. As if afraid Lin Wu might bolt, Ji Xingci grabbed him by the collar and hauled him upstairs.

“What exactly do you want?!”

The moment they were inside, Ji Xingci pinned Lin Wu against the wall and demanded. Lin Wu repeated himself.

“Who is it you’re introducing me to…”

“Why do you keep harping on that!”

Lin Wu pursed his lips, his eyes reddening.

“Because you sat with Yuan Yao the whole time.”

“Her brother—the Yuan Long who came up to greet you at the party—is the guy who stole my song and keeps performing it!”

“You’re so chummy with them, but I couldn’t even come talk to you.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were gonna package up my new songs and hand them over too!”

Ji Xingci was stunned.

Although he’d looked into Lin Wu’s background before, he’d only skimmed it.

He didn’t even remember that Yuan Yao had a brother, let alone which company he was with, so he’d never made the connection.

Lin Wu had been forced into the spotlight, and his song had blown up—he had every right to be pissed. Ji Xingci knew exactly what Lin Wu was hoping he’d do.

Help him set things right and take the song back.

It wouldn’t be hard for him at all.

If he so much as mentioned it, Yuan Yao would probably drag her brother over to apologize in person. She’d rip up that unfair contract on the spot, along with the penalty fee.

Her entertainment company would have to risk tanking the hype they’d just built around Yuan Long and correct the composer’s credit to Lin Wu.

He could make it happen, sure. But why should he?

For Lin Wu?

It wasn’t a small ask. Burning bridges with Yuan Yao was one thing. The real issue was that everyone would find out just how close he and Lin Wu really were—way beyond a normal actor collaboration…

His family might catch wind of it too.

Ji Xingci kept his face stern as he slowly let go of Lin Wu.

“That new song you played for my manager… I can buy the copyright. Put out a single.”

Lin Wu wasn’t surprised at all by the offer, but he didn’t let it show.

His face went pale, his eyes even redder, looking utterly aggrieved.

“You don’t care about me at all. You just want to sleep with me.”

Ji Xingci held his ground. “I told you that from the start!”

Lin Wu hung his head, wiping at his eyes under the scolding. “But… I still can’t accept it like this…”

“If you can’t accept it, then get out.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ji Xingci looked up and fixed Lin Wu with a stare, half-afraid he’d actually turn and leave.

But Lin Wu just stood there, like he still hadn’t made up his mind. Ji Xingci let out a quiet breath of relief.

“Go eat.”

Lin Wu looked like all the fight had drained out of him. He flopped onto the sofa, curling up into a big ball, and mumbled that he didn’t want to.

Ji Xingci pressed his lips together and stormed off to eat alone out of spite.

When he came back out, Lin Wu was still huddled in the exact same spot in the living room, looking like a wilted eggplant…

He rubbed his forehead and told the butler, “Get him to eat something.”

Ji Xingci went to take a shower. Under the water, he could see it even more clearly. Still swollen. Looked a whole size bigger.

Damn it, was Lin Wu really completely blameless here??

He came back out looking for Lin Wu.

Lin Wu had gotten the special treatment of eating right there on the sofa and was digging in with gusto.

He looked up and saw Ji Xingci standing in front of him in a bathrobe. He nearly choked and hurriedly set his bowl down.

Ji Xingci said, “Weren’t you just saying you wouldn’t eat?”

Lin Wu turned his head away, mumbling softly.

“Didn’t want to eat with you…”

“Then don’t.”

Ji Xingci gave a cold laugh. “Go take a shower.”

Lin Wu went on high alert.

“I’m not.”

“Will you or won’t you!”

“No…”

Lin Wu had finally found a reason to pick a fight! He figured after this, they could have a nice cold war, and he’d get some time away from all the sex.

But he hadn’t expected Ji Xingci to just yank his pants down.

Lin Wu: “!!”

Ji Xingci was fed up. “I’m done with this. I don’t buy that erectile dysfunction bullshit!”

Lin Wu’s brain short-circuited for a second. Could he just claim ED? Wait—too late!

Ji Xingci was always so picky about Lin Wu’s “service,” but this was the first time he’d ever taken the initiative to touch him.

Even Ji Xingci froze for a moment when he got a hold of it.

“…Not bad.”

Their faces were inches apart.

Lin Wu’s face flushed red.

Ji Xingci’s throat bobbed as he leaned in to kiss him, but Lin Wu dodged.

“You… you seriously ready to bottom…?”

“What? Hell no!”

“Then I don’t want to…”

Ji Xingci rolled his eyes in frustration. He was being nice for once, trying to help the guy out!

“Take it out!”

“No!”

The two of them devolved into a tug-of-war. Lin Wu didn’t dare go all out and was no match for his strength—he ended up pinned down.

Ji Xingci was breathing hard, his bathrobe coming loose. He loomed over him. “You can have my chest!”

Lin Wu: “…”

Bastard! And still no dice.

“Keep this up, and I’ll really get mad!”

Lin Wu dropped his gaze. “I’m already mad…”

They held out like that for ages. After being turned down over and over, Ji Xingci finally stormed off in a huff.

Lin Wu was sweating bullets. He scrambled up, ready to make a break for it, only to find the guy had locked the door.

Ji Xingci spotted him from the second floor and sneered.

“Don’t even think about running to Xu Qing’s place!”

Lin Wu: “…”

What the hell was that supposed to mean? It was his house!