Deeply Affectionate Male Supporting Character Topped the Protagonist 66

Chapter 66: Loving the House and Its Crow

Zhengzhu (Idol): 【You’re not allowed to move.】

Xi Leng woke up to find this message on his phone.

His landlord, having shed his “A1” disguise, sent him a notification from his main account, his tone brooking no argument.

They would be meeting again tomorrow for the last recording of “Unlimited Escape Room,” in the suburbs of Beijing.

Xi Leng replied with an “okay.”

Zhu Minglang came knocking early in the morning, asking him to join them in the car.

He went downstairs and got into the van. Min Zhi was already there, sitting with a sullen face in the back corner.

Zhu Minglang gestured for him to sit in the back as well. Two assistants were also waiting, after he got in, they would take the individual seats in the middle row.

Xi Leng had no choice but to join Min Zhi in the back, sitting at the other end of the long sofa.

The conversation started with a poke from Xi Leng.

But not the WeChat “poke,” Min Zhi looked down at the hand poking the back of his hand.

Xi Leng, seeing his reaction, continued, taking something out of his pocket, his hand, curled into a fist, brushing against Min Zhi’s fingers.

Min Zhi frowned, his expression still annoyed, but his palm, not quite obeying him, opened instinctively.

Then, Xi Leng placed the mysterious small object in his palm.

It was a black hair tie.

Min Zhi: “…”

What did this mean, trying to tie him down for life with this worthless trinket?

Min Zhi was truly angry.

But that didn’t stop him from finding Xi Leng’s clumsy attempt at appeasement incredibly cute. Just suppressing the smile took all his effort.

His energy focused on controlling his lips, his dark, emotionless eyes seemed even fiercer.

Xi Leng thought he knew how to apologize, but that “sorry” clearly backfired, making things worse.

If he couldn’t say sorry, then he seemed to have become completely useless, like a newborn baby, like a wild animal encountering humans for the first time.

All his life experiences, his rational thinking, gone.

And Min Zhi’s response was, “I don’t even like this thing.”

Okay.

Xi Leng lowered his eyes, at least he had anticipated this response, his anxious heart calming down somewhat.

However, Min Zhi then said: “Just loving the house and its crow.”

Xi Leng was speechless again, his hand, reaching to take back the hair tie, freezing.

During his hesitation, Min Zhi curled his fingers, flipping his wrist and pocketing the “thing” he had just claimed to dislike.

The two sat at opposite ends of the long sofa, silent.

Finally, Min Zhi, turning to look out the window, said casually, “Your hair has grown longer again.”

Xi Leng raised his hand and touched the curly ends of his hair, humming in agreement.

In two lifetimes, this was the first time he had let his hair grow past his collarbone, long enough for a full ponytail. The previously unruly curls were now much neater, more and more like carefully styled waves.

Just then, his phone vibrated.

Perhaps considering the other staff members in the car, Min Zhi switched to messaging.

Zhengzhu (Idol): 【What’s so good about Luo Jiayan?】

Seeing this message, Xi Leng immediately glanced at Min Zhi, who had a cold expression.

Zhengzhu: 【Because he’s different from you?】
Zhengzhu: 【This makes my feelings seem cheap :)】

Xi Leng pursed his lips, typing and deleting, even texting couldn’t save his limited vocabulary.

Min Zhi glanced at him a few times, frowning suspiciously, probably wondering what he was doing, as his own phone remained silent.

Min Zhi continued typing.

Zhengzhu: 【Luo Jiayan is indeed different from anyone I’ve met before, but you are too, you’re even more special, don’t you feel it?】
Zhengzhu: 【But Luo Jiayan is definitely more likeable than you】
Zhengzhu: 【To everyone except me :)】
Zhengzhu: 【Every time I tell Jackson to pursue him, I get a headache, because Jackson is my bro, so he can’t like him, right?】
Zhengzhu: 【You said I’m the protagonist, is he the protagonist too?】

Clatter, Xi Leng’s phone fell to the floor.

He quickly bent down to pick it up, his fingers fumbling under the seat, just as the screen lit up again.

Zhengzhu: 【You know how hard it is for me to defy fate, and you’re still lying to me】

He was clearly angry, yet his words carried a hint of grievance.

Xi Leng hurriedly picked up his phone and started typing again.

Min Zhi was faster.

Zhengzhu: 【You’re not allowed to say sorry】

Xi Leng deleted what he had been typing.

You poked “Zhengzhu (Idol).”

Min Zhi turned his head.

Xi Leng didn’t dare to meet his gaze, looking out the window instead.

“Stop the car.”

Min Zhi’s voice.

Everyone in the car was puzzled, the assistant in front seeming even more confused than Xi Leng.

Confused as they were, no one dared to question him. The van stopped as instructed, Min Zhi opened the door, and suddenly jumped out.

Xi Leng’s gaze followed him, it was early winter in the desolate suburbs of Beijing, the trees bare. And in this deserted place, by the roadside, where the sunlight was strongest, a few plum trees stood, adorned with a few small white blossoms.

Xi Leng paused, unsure if Min Zhi was in the mood to appreciate wildflowers now.

A minute later, Min Zhi returned to the car, and facing the confused passengers, only said, “Drive.”

Zhu Minglang, the assistants, and the driver, their minds filled with questions, turned back to their duties, tactfully not asking anything.

Xi Leng, sitting closest to Min Zhi, smelled a faint plum blossom fragrance and suddenly remembered that Min Zhi’s complexly scented shampoo seemed to contain a similar fragrance.

“Come closer, turn your head.”

Min Zhi placed the freshly picked white plum blossoms on his lap and instructed Xi Leng.

Xi Leng obediently leaned closer, not only following his instructions but also instinctively lowering his head slightly, assuming Min Zhi was aiming for his hair.

Min Zhi, both amused and exasperated, let out a “hmph,” his hands still moving to the back of Xi Leng’s head, first untying his ponytail.

Xi Leng’s face was tickled by his loose hair, clearly feeling someone clumsily working on his hair, judging by the movements, he couldn’t help but ask, “Braids again?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Min Zhi’s tone was slightly forceful.

Xi Leng didn’t say anything more.

Before, he had been drinking and watching Animal World until he passed out, completely unaware of someone playing with his hair all night, only finding out the next morning when Rong Xingyi pointed out the little braids.

His hair, even when long, wasn’t as long as a girl’s. This time, Min Zhi could only braid thin little braids.

After some effort, Min Zhi gathered the rest of his hair, tying it together with the braids, not pulling out the ends, creating a messy bun.

After Min Zhi finished, Xi Leng instinctively raised his hand to check his hairstyle.

But Min Zhi quickly grabbed his wrist, pressing it down, his voice low and close to his ear, “Don’t move.”

Xi Leng froze.

An elegant floral fragrance wafted over as Min Zhi carefully inserted the fresh plum blossoms into his hair.

Xi Leng couldn’t see and asked hesitantly: “…Flowers?”

Min Zhi held onto his wrist to prevent him from ruining his masterpiece, his tone still forceful, “You’re not allowed to remove them.”

Xi Leng: “…”

As long as Zhengzhu (Idol) was happy.

Thinking this, Xi Leng didn’t bother with his hairstyle anymore. Arriving at their destination, he prepared to get out of the car.

However, unexpectedly, news of today’s recording had leaked, and the area was crowded with fans of the show and the guests.

The program team had to send people to clear the way before Min Zhi’s van could reach its destination. Some fans recognized the car, erupting in ear-splitting screams that penetrated the windows.

Just as Xi Leng was about to check his hairstyle, Min Zhi grabbed his wrist again. He was helpless, watching as Min Zhi once again put Xi Leng’s hair tie on his own wrist, the one Xi Leng had just given him when they got in the car.

Xi Leng couldn’t help but remind him: “There are fans outside.”

“You’re still not allowed to remove them,” Min Zhi said, referring to the flowers in his hair.

They were talking at cross purposes.

The two got out of the car just like that.

“Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!”

Xi Leng, experiencing the frenzy of a fan mob firsthand, uncomfortably lowered his head.

“Air Conditioner CP aaaaah—”

“I knew Leng Bao would come with Min-ge!!”

“It was worth waiting three hours in the cold wind sob sob…”

“Leng Leng! Look here! Aaaaah, he looked at me!!!”

“Min-ge, what did that cryptic Weibo post mean, explain!”

Only today did Xi Leng finally understand why Min Zhi ran away at the airport before.

Min Zhi, long accustomed to being surrounded by fans, this was nothing compared to airport pickups and drop-offs. He was calm and collected, even taking two steps towards the fans, answering their most pressing question amidst even louder screams.

“Cryptic? Not cryptic, just the literal meaning.”

“You reposted so many, and they’re all fake? Then what did it mean? You’re not in a relationship, and there are no relationship problems?”

Min Zhi not only chatted with fans, but even smiled, his fan service unbelievable.

“Mm-hmm, you decide.”

“Holy shit, the hair tie again, look!!”

“Could it really be his girlfriend’s? Aaaaaah!”

As the crowd around Min Zhi grew, the screams surged like waves.

Just as Min Zhi was about to turn and leave, a voice came from behind him—

“Min-ge! That hair tie definitely belongs to Leng Leng, right? Right?”

“Seriously, can CP fans stop being so obvious in front of the idol!?”

Min Zhi stopped and turned around.

Another strange smile, and a well-intentioned reminder: “Don’t fight, it wasn’t easy for everyone to come here.”

“Aaaaah!”

“Okay, gege, I understand, sob…”

“Let’s go.” Zhu Minglang, unable to bear it any longer, came over and dragged Min Zhi away.

Thanks to the attention-seeking Min Zhi, Xi Leng was also caught in the crossfire.

“Leng Leng, is your hairstyle deliberately messy today?”

Xi Leng: “…”

“And those little braids hahahahaha!”

“Look! Are there two small flowers in Leng Leng’s hair?”

“Really! Plum blossoms!!”

“Aaaaah, my handsome, beautiful, and cute baby…”

“Could it be that Min-ge put the flowers in your hair?”

“Could it be he also tied your hair, hahaha, very likely judging by his skills.”

“Aaaaah, I’m dying!”

“Hey! You CP fans…”

“Calm down, calm down, Min-ge just told us not to fight!!”

Xi Leng: “…”

After saying goodbye to the overly enthusiastic fans, he was greeted by the program team staff, their reactions not much different from the excited fans.

“Ah Zhao, your hair…?” Luo Jiayan was the first to speak, he was stunned for a few seconds, then smiled brightly, complimenting, “It looks quite nice.”

Seeing Xi Leng’s awkward and helpless demeanor, Min Zhi’s mood brightened even further, replying for him, “I think so too.”

Xi Leng: “…”

Qiaoqiao came over and added her sincere praise, “Really, it’s different from your usual style, a very relaxed and casual look. This kind of messy hairstyle is hard to pull off, but it suits you!”

Xi Leng: “…Really?”

As the crowd grew larger, Director Sheng Jiao also said: “Then let’s film with the little flowers, hahaha, the fans will love it.”

Xi Leng was helpless, but he wasn’t one to fuss over details, if he minded a man wearing flowers, he wouldn’t have long hair, he nodded, “Fine.”

By now, Min Zhi had resumed his usual relaxed demeanor, all traces of their previous conflict gone.

Xi Leng’s mood also improved considerably, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

Min Zhi, perceptive, turned around, his eyes narrowing, “Secretly smiling behind my back again, are you?”

Xi Leng composed his expression, instinctively suppressing his smile: “…No.”

Min Zhi looked at his disappearing smile, “Still saying no.”

“Hey, hey, hey, are you two done?”

Jiang Songnan suddenly squeezed in, his annoyed voice interrupting their exchange.

He had finished filming his last drama and had dyed his hair burgundy after wrapping.

He was the only observer present who knew the true nature of their relationship, having gotten Min Zhi to admit “I’m going to marry him,” which he now regretted.

Now, witnessing their flirting firsthand was incredibly irritating.