Deeply Affectionate Male Supporting Character Topped the Protagonist 47

Chapter 47: The Mysterious Landlord

“You should have given him some time for his last words.” Min Zhi walked towards the paint-splattered man, his gaze lowered casually. “Like in the movies.”

Xi Leng, his expression unchanged, discarded the water gun, saying seriously: “This isn’t a movie.”

Min Zhi couldn’t help but laugh.

He absolutely adored this person’s cold and serious, occasionally speechless or indifferent demeanor.

After that instinctive retort, Xi Leng turned around, resuming his fan persona, and said gently: “All missions completed, let’s go.”

Then he added the address somewhat stiffly: “Min Zhi-ge.”

The “masked man,” after being shot, closed his eyes, lying sprawled on the floor like a corpse.

Xi Leng, remembering the key hint on the map, squatted down and searched the man’s pockets, and as expected, besides the key to the handcuffs, he also found another, larger key, similar to the one he threw down the vent.

Xi Leng frowned in puzzlement, but he wasn’t surprised: “Another key…”

Min Zhi came over and asked: “What do you mean?”

“If there’s more than one key that can open the gate on the first floor,” Xi Leng looked at him, “do you think this is the program team—or the masked man trying to make it easier for us, or a trap?”

Min Zhi didn’t answer directly, only letting out a questioning “hm?”

Implying, go on.

For the MVP title and the audience’s viewing experience, Xi Leng seized the time and shared his deduction in one breath.

“Although the masked man used the elevator, even waiting in ambush there, making us believe the elevator was the correct exit…” Xi Leng’s logic was clear, starting from the beginning, analyzing step by step, “But from Mengmeng’s perspective, the elevator was where she tried to seek help, but ultimately failed.”

Min Zhi nodded in agreement.

“Do you remember what the little boy in 209 said? The elevator carrying Mengmeng and Ahao stopped on every floor, it was Mengmeng who pressed the buttons, trying to seek help from the neighbors in the same building. But most of them were indifferent, letting the elevator carry her down, being beaten all the way.”

“So, leaving through the elevator can’t end the nightmare. The blue film set outside the gate is also a reminder, indicating that it’s not the real world.”

He rarely spoke this much. As he finished, his naturally upturned eyes lowered slightly, his gaze meeting Min Zhi’s deep, dark eyes.

“…Do you believe me?”

The person who had just spoken so eloquently suddenly seemed unsure.

Min Zhi looked at him.

Thinking, why wouldn’t I believe you?

I can’t wait to pin you against the camera and kiss you.

Under Xi Leng’s serious and focused gaze, Min Zhi reluctantly swallowed the heartfelt words that almost slipped out.

His Adam’s apple bobbed: “I do.”

Xi Leng silently studied him for a few seconds.

He felt that Min Zhi definitely wanted to say more than just one word.

“Less than five minutes left.” Min Zhi turned his head, glancing at the time on the walkie-talkie. “We have to go now.”

The two immediately set off, without needing further words, walking to 709 next door in perfect synchronization.

They entered the door Jiang Songnan found and arrived at the unfamiliar stairwell.

Xi Leng noticed the seemingly unnecessary railing, a thought suddenly occurring to him. He touched the wall behind the railing.

It wasn’t soft, but definitely not solid concrete.

His blood surged with excitement, and Xi Leng, suppressing his emotions, said: “This is an external fire escape, the wall is fake.”

“Mm-hmm.” Min Zhi said. “We can get out.”

They counted as they went down, exactly seven floors, then another door appeared before them.

Min Zhi suddenly stopped and called out: “You open it, MVP.”

Xi Leng: “…”

This joke wouldn’t die.

No one would be modest when faced with the temptation of money; if they were, it only meant that the amount wasn’t enough.

Driven by the hundred-thousand-yuan prize, Xi Leng pushed open the closed door.

Bright white light poured in.

Xi Leng squinted.

Before them was another constructed walkway, the walls on both sides seemingly made of foam board, the night sky above. At the end of the walkway was a street scene, the program team’s van parked there, its lights on.

The two quickened their pace, successfully escaping with one minute to spare!

Sheng Jiao, with his beaming face, delivered the good news: “Congratulations, you have successfully escaped Happy Apartments!”

Then the two returned to the bus, where the other three, who had escaped earlier, were already waiting.

Xi Leng first asked how Luo Jiayan was doing. Luo Jiayan shook his head, indicating he didn’t know. Qiaoqiao, on the other hand, looked dejected, seemingly already having guessed the outcome.

Sheng Jiao stood at the front of the bus and announced their results.

“First, Jiang Songnan, calculating your score…” Sheng Jiao took out a notebook, reviewing each guest’s contributions in the apartment complex. “Winning the chess game against Grandpa Wang, +10 points; fulfilling Grandpa Wang’s wish, +20 points… discovering the hidden door in 710, +10 points; being the first to escape the apartment, +100 points.”

The bonus points for escaping first were quite significant. Even Xi Leng, who had solved more puzzles, couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“Congratulations to Jiang Songnan for being the first to escape Happy Apartments and achieving the happy ending, escaping the apartment. Plus 50 points. A total of 210 points.”

Jiang Songnan, clearly not expecting this, was stunned: “I’ve been back here sleeping for half an hour, and I still got the happy ending?”

Qiaoqiao, having spent most of her time with Jiang Songnan, also received the same points for the chess game, and 80 points for escaping second. Plus other miscellaneous points, her score was even higher than Jiang Songnan’s.

Unfortunately, the good news didn’t last long.

“Unfortunately, Qiaoqiao failed to escape Happy Apartments, achieving the bad ending, trapped in the dream forever, minus 100 points, a total of 120 points.”

Luo Jiayan sighed deeply, a strong sense of foreboding: “Then I…”

Because of the 100-point deduction for the bad ending, Luo Jiayan’s total score was less than 100, destined to be last.

The biggest question now was whether Xi Leng and Min Zhi could achieve the perfect ending.

The three whose scores had been calculated were both nervous and expectant, their gazes shifting between them and Sheng Jiao.

First, Min Zhi, a total of 190 points. Sheng Jiao didn’t mention his ending, then moved on to Xi Leng.

“Discovering the detective club’s backpack, +10 points; fulfilling the cleaning lady’s wish, +20 points… fulfilling Xiaoxue’s wish… fulfilling the boy Xiaoming’s wish…”

Like a glitching robot, +10 and +20 kept popping out of Sheng Jiao’s mouth.

Xi Leng had already accumulated a surprising 200 points from these miscellaneous tasks, and it wasn’t over yet. Sheng Jiao paused, then revealed the most shocking reward: “Defeating the masked demon, +100 points.”

Xi Leng couldn’t help but freeze, instinctively looking at Min Zhi across the aisle.

Min Zhi was also looking at him, and after a few seconds, he raised an eyebrow, forcing Xi Leng to look away.

“Congratulations to both of you.” Sheng Jiao smiled, revealing the last suspense. “You both achieved the perfect ending, shattering the nightmare, plus 150 points each.”

“Min Zhi, a total of 340 points, Xi Leng, a total of 450 points.”

Even though they were the last to escape, their total scores far surpassed the previous three.

Amidst the spontaneous applause, Sheng Jiao continued: “We will donate ten thousand yuan to the Anti-Domestic Violence Foundation in your names. Congratulations to Xi Leng for winning the MVP title, here is your one-hundred-thousand-yuan cash prize.”

Xi Leng softly repeated: “…Anti-Domestic Violence Foundation?”

“That’s right, as you’ve probably discovered, the core theme today is anti-domestic violence.” Sheng Jiao said. “This foundation provides financial and legal aid to victims of domestic violence.”

Xi Leng lowered his eyes, thinking for a moment.

The prepared cash prize was immediately awarded. Sheng Jiao took a bank card from a staff member and handed it to Xi Leng.

Xi Leng held the card, then, after thinking for a moment, handed it back.

Under Sheng Jiao’s questioning gaze, Xi Leng, his face calm, said: “Donate my prize money to this foundation too.”

Sheng Jiao was naturally surprised, but he didn’t mind this unexpected publicity stunt, but Xi Leng was an amateur, there was no need for this kind of gesture. Even wealthy celebrities were far more frugal than ordinary people imagined. One hundred thousand yuan wasn’t a small amount for anyone to just casually give away.

Sheng Jiao confirmed again: “Are you sure you want to donate?”

Xi Leng nodded: “Mm-hmm.”

Luo Jiayan, however, was worried for Xi Leng: “Ah Zhao, that’s a hundred thousand yuan, the rent for your new apartment must be very high…”

Xi Leng appreciated his concern, but he still insisted: “They need to help many people, a hundred thousand seems like a lot, but it’s only enough for a few medical treatments. So just donate it all, I’m not particularly short of money now.”

Min Zhi glanced at the considerate Luo Jiayan, then at Xi Leng, who appeared indifferent and nonchalant, and couldn’t help but ask: “You worked so hard to win this prize money, and you’re just giving it away?”

“Because this will be broadcast, that’s why I’m donating.” Xi Leng said seriously. “Spending money to buy reputation, it will be good for selling paintings later.”

Min Zhi chuckled softly, deliberately poking a hole in his flimsy excuse: “Then can I pre-order one now?”

Xi Leng: “…”

Qiaoqiao and the others still had a lot of questions about the subsequent tasks and clues in Happy Apartments.

The bus ride back was lively, but after experiencing various dangers and working together, the guests, now filming for the second time, were already quite familiar with each other.

After their discussion, only one unanswered question remained. Qiaoqiao went to ask Sheng Jiao: “Sheng-dao, the residents in the apartment building were all deceased, and Ahao was also portrayed by Mengmeng as strong and violent… but we never saw Mengmeng, does this mean she’s still alive? You have to be alive to dream, right?”

Qiaoqiao became increasingly excited, her expression and bouncing pigtails in perfect sync.

“Ah, well…” Sheng Jiao smiled mysteriously. “You’ll find out when you see the VCR in the full episode.”

“…Tch!”

After finishing the recording for the second episode, everyone went home.

The second half of the first episode had just aired, and Xi Leng found that his Weibo followers had multiplied again, despite being an unknown amateur, his outstanding performance on the show had caught people’s attention.

He appeared cold and quiet, yet he was the most gentle and considerate one, and of course, most importantly, his face was easy on the eyes, his artistic temperament with the long hair and wolf cut, a refreshing experience even for viewers who had seen it all.

And Min Zhi’s indulgent “who told you to be my fan” as he jumped off the helicopter, unedited, surprised old fans, even passersby praised him, “Min Zhi is so handsome, so cool,” and so on.

By now, fans and melon-eating passersby firmly believed in their idol-fan relationship, unsure who to envy more. Some even started shipping them, enjoying double the happiness.

Their CP super topic was created, called Air Conditioner CP.

Because “Zhi Leng” sounded like “cooling,” and air conditioners cooled.

Quite cold indeed.

Xi Leng wasn’t very concerned about these things.

After generously donating the one-hundred-thousand-yuan prize money, his temporary excitement subsided, and he calmly felt a slight regret. But what was done was done. He could only repeatedly calculate his savings at home.

The appearance fees for the two episodes, plus the promotional fee for the season, were about fifty thousand yuan. According to Sheng Jiao, the show’s popularity and ratings far exceeded expectations, so the guests would receive a bonus later.

Besides that, the one hundred and thirty-six thousand from selling the painting was also thanks to the program team.

Xi Leng and Rong Xingyi’s expenses weren’t high recently, the biggest one being the thirty-six thousand rent.

Rong Xingyi’s tuition fee for his third year of junior high wasn’t a problem. As for high school tuition, he could always earn it later, Xi Leng wasn’t worried, he could even let Rong Xingyi earn it himself, he had no obligation to support his didi.

One hundred and thirty-six thousand, thirty-six thousand.

Xi Leng’s hand, flipping through his account book, paused on this page, his fair fingertips tinged with the orange-pink of the setting sun, his curly black hair covering his slightly furrowed brows.

Min Zhi usually used the underground parking garage when returning home.

The parking garage had three levels. Even neighbors living in the same building rarely ran into each other. The garage was always empty and quiet, with a fresh air system bringing in natural wind, the air as fresh as outdoors.

But today, the garage was unusually lively, several people in property management uniforms chatting and discussing.

Min Zhi noticed the metal cage one of them was holding and, unusually, took the initiative to approach them, asking: “What are you doing?”

“Ah, Mr. Min, good afternoon.” The property staff weren’t surprised to see a celebrity, politely answering his question. “A resident reported hearing a cat crying in the parking garage for several days, so we came to check.”

The strange metal cage was explained; it was for catching cats.

Min Zhi suddenly thought of Xi Leng when he first moved in, when he didn’t know Rong Xingyi’s true identity yet.

On that rainy night, Xi Leng, ignoring the downpour, rushed out of the building to find someone, then quickly returned, changing into clean clothes, taking an umbrella and a strange cardboard box. He was clearly in a hurry, it couldn’t have been just to throw away some trash, could it?

Besides, the annual property management fee at Cloudtop One was five figures, residents didn’t have to throw away their own trash.

Just then, the property staff discovered something and hurriedly excused themselves, going to the other side of the garage.

Min Zhi saw them surrounding a corner, slowly closing in. After a few frantic meows, the cat-catching operation was successful.

They were very experienced in dealing with stray animals, covering the cage with a black cloth to prevent the cat from being further frightened. The covered cage remained quiet all the way back.

“Mr. Min, do you want to take a look?”

Perhaps noticing he hadn’t left, the property staff, following their own logic, guessed his thoughts, was it perhaps a deeply ingrained Chinese characteristic to love watching drama?

Min Zhi, indifferent, didn’t explain, only humming in agreement.

The black cloth covering the cage was lifted slightly.

Inside, huddled in a corner, was a small, trembling calico cat.

The kitten was curled up, its two front paws and chin pressed against a dirty, tattered piece of cloth.

Perhaps only Min Zhi would pay close attention—it was a blue and white, cotton scarf with an ethnic pattern.

Very familiar, very similar to the one Xi Leng wore the third time they met, at the archery range, at the convenience store, in the cold wind on the street.

Min Zhi casually asked them: “What are you going to do with it?”

The property staff replied: “Send it to the stray animal rescue center.”

This was humane, at least it wasn’t “euthanasia.” But for a free-spirited cat, competing with other stray animals at a rescue center might be worse than a precarious life on the streets.

Min Zhi didn’t hesitate, extending his hand: “Give it to me.”

“Eh? Are you going to adopt it? That’s wonderful…” The property staff were surprised and delighted, teasing the kitten through the cage. “Meow, meow, go live a good life with gege, be good.”

Carrying the small life upstairs, Min Zhi still maintained his usual indifferent demeanor.

Until he reached his neighbor’s quiet door.

He paused, observing for a few seconds, then put down the cage, removed the black cloth, and bent down to open the cage door.

The calico kitten, regaining its freedom, was still timid, its round eyes fixed on the large human, not daring to move its small paws.

Min Zhi took two steps back.

The calico kitten sniffed around, slowly emerging from the cage.

Min Zhi made a move to take the cage, which seemed to trigger the kitten’s instinctive reaction. It suddenly clung to the cage, stopping him, hurriedly grabbed the scarf inside, and then, like a rocket, shot to the other side of the corridor, cautiously putting some distance between itself and him.

The kitten couldn’t open the fire escape door, nor could it reach the elevator buttons, so there was no need to worry about it escaping.

Min Zhi returned to his apartment with a reassured look, opened his computer to check the surveillance footage he had installed in the corridor, turned up the volume, and worked while waiting for his neighbor to discover the kitten.

“Ge! Ge!!”

The silence was broken by Rong Xingyi’s excited shouts.

He must have just returned from his tutoring class, but the teenager in the surveillance footage was drenched in sweat, his thin T-shirt clinging to his back, his hair plastered to his forehead.

The innocent and carefree teenager didn’t mind the stray cat at all, immediately picking it up and hugging it, his other hand tightly clutching the scarf, as if holding onto a precious token.

He didn’t knock, only shouting outside the door.

“Ge! Come out! Come out quickly!”

After shouting in vain for a while, he finally remembered to press the doorbell with his elbow, seemingly forgetting that he could just enter the password and open the door.

Fortunately, Xi Leng rarely went out, and he came to open the door upon hearing the doorbell.

Rong Xingyi hadn’t bothered to wipe off his sweat from dance practice or change his clothes. The dirt stains on his black pants were obvious, besides dancing, could Rong Xingyi come up with any other excuse for the dirt on his knees?

Xi Leng’s eyes flickered, expertly pretending not to notice.

But his averted gaze suddenly froze—

Rong Xingyi, unable to contain his excitement, held up the calico cat and the scarf.

“Isn’t this the kitten you saw last time? It’s still alive! And it came to our door!”

There was no reason not to adopt it now, right?

Xi Leng’s reaction, however, was unusually cold, like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the stars in Rong Xingyi’s eyes, the corners of his mouth drooping.

“Don’t come in yet, and don’t let it in.” Xi Leng turned and went back inside, returning after two minutes with a large cardboard box used for moving.

Rong Xingyi’s face fell further, holding the kitten and retreating.

“This box is big enough, it can’t jump out. Put it here for now.” Xi Leng placed the box by the door, then pointed. “This apartment is rented, we need to ask the landlord for permission before getting a pet.”

Rong Xingyi muttered: “Didn’t you say the landlord is always abroad? He wouldn’t know…”

Xi Leng chuckled: “You were so worried my money came from illegal sources before, but now lying is fine?”

Rong Xingyi, knowing he was wrong, didn’t say anything more, obediently following his brother’s instructions and placing the kitten in the cardboard box.

After he reluctantly put the cat down, Xi Leng finally said: “Okay, you can come in, just you.”

Rong Xingyi pursed his lips, lingering at the door, his peach blossom eyes looking at the person inside pleadingly: “Gege…”

“The box provides a smaller space, it feels safer for it.” Xi Leng said. “Just like how you always lock yourself in your room, same principle.”

“…” Rong Xingyi was speechless, his mouth opening and closing a few times before he finally spoke, “My bedroom is much bigger than this box! And it’s not like someone locked me in! I locked myself in…”

As the brothers argued, Min Zhi zoomed in on the cardboard box. The calico cat was already curled up, sleeping soundly with its eyes closed.

Back at home, Xi Leng immediately called Qiao Yusen.

Choosing to call had two reasons. First, it was more efficient, he could quickly resolve the cat’s fate. Second, a phone call, unlike text messages, didn’t allow for much deception or lies.

One hundred and thirty-six thousand, thirty-six thousand.

These two numbers still lingered in Xi Leng’s mind.

The call quickly connected. Qiao Yusen, oblivious, started with a cheerful tone: “What’s wrong, Xiao Leng?”

Xi Leng got straight to the point: “Jackson, can you give me the landlord’s contact information? I need to talk to him personally.”

Perhaps caught off guard, the other end of the line was silent for a few seconds, followed by a few dry chuckles.

“Haha, why so suddenly?” Qiao Yusen’s ability to evade questions was masterful, and he quickly regained his composure. “He’s very busy, and there’s a time difference, he’s asleep when you’re awake.”

Xi Leng was unusually persistent: “It’s fine, I can adjust to his schedule, and it won’t take long.”

“…”

After another few seconds of silence, Qiao Yusen relented: “Okay, I’ll talk to him first, if he agrees, I’ll send him your contact information, and he can add you.”

Having the landlord add Xi Leng, well, that wasn’t troublesome at all.

It seemed he needed some time to prepare.

Xi Leng didn’t expose him, politely thanking him.

About an hour later, while the brothers were eating dinner, Rong Xingyi, preoccupied with the kitten outside and unable to focus on his food, a small red dot appeared on Xi Leng’s WeChat.

A man with the nickname “A1” sent a friend request, the note simply: Landlord.

Xi Leng put down his chopsticks and accepted the request.

He took the initiative to greet: 【Hello, are you the landlord of Cloudtop One? How should I address you?】

A1 was very aloof: 【Whatever】

Xi Leng wasn’t good at pleasantries and found this refreshing, thanking him first for the low annual rent, then asking: 【There’s something I want to discuss with you, are you free for a call?】

A1: 【No】

This cold and aloof communication style was even more extreme than Xi Leng’s.

Xi Leng’s attempt failed, so he switched to typing, explaining the situation with the kitten concisely, finally asking if Mr. A1 allowed pets in his apartment.

The aloof Mr. A1 replied instantly: 【Yes】

Just as Xi Leng was typing, Rong Xingyi suddenly looked at him with alarm: “Ge! What are you doing!?”

Xi Leng paused: “What’s wrong?”

“You look so strange.” Rong Xingyi frowned. “Frowning one moment, raising your eyebrows the next, and even smiling! Are you possessed?”

Xi Leng quickly composed his expression: “I want a mint, give me one.”

Rong Xingyi, not suspecting anything, tossed him the newly opened box of mints, the shiny metallic box: “It’s pineapple flavor, though.”

With that, the issue of the kitten’s fate was successfully resolved.

Xi Leng didn’t announce the good news immediately, taking the opportunity to assign chores to Rong Xingyi: “Wash the dishes and clean up. After you’re done, I’ll ask the landlord for permission to keep the cat.”

Rong Xingyi jumped up excitedly, not suspecting anything: “Really? I’ll go right now!”