Chapter 19: Doctor Bottom x Celebrity Top

A week had passed since the surgery concluded smoothly. Time flew by like running water, and Jing Chi’s final two episodes of the show slipped away just like that.

He unsurprisingly claimed the ultimate championship.

Standing on the stage at the production team’s award ceremony, he wore a smile on his lips as fans below shouted his name.

He, who had once envied Ye Shumo from the audience seats, had finally become the one in the spotlight.

“Congratulations.” Ye Shumo’s face still held that gentle smile as he handed over the trophy engraved with the words “Best Actor.”

Jing Chi bowed slightly to accept it, saying politely, “Thank you for looking after me all this time, Teacher Ye.”

“Alright, now let’s have Film Emperor Ye and Jing Chi pose for a photo together.” The host smiled and gestured from the side.

With a sharp click, the show finally drew to a perfect close.

~~~

At the celebration banquet.

Jing Chi clutched his phone, whining to Feng Qinghan. “Brother, this place is so boring. I wanna go home.”

On the other end of the line, Feng Qinghan stared at his screen, easily picturing Jing Chi’s pouty expression. Amusement flickered in his eyes. “Want me to come pick you up?”

It was exactly what Jing Chi had been hoping for. “Yes! In half an hour, Brother—wait for me at the entrance, okay?”

Just then, someone called Jing Chi’s name from nearby. With great reluctance, he ended the call. “Brother, gotta hang up now.”

“Mm. Go handle it.”

Jing Chi pocketed his phone and headed toward the director.

“Jing Chi, let me introduce you. This is the lead director for the upcoming drama Long Song Thousand Crossings, Mu Yongshou—Director Mu.”

Jing Chi offered a perfectly measured smile and extended his hand. “Hello, Director Mu.”

The man had a stern, square-jawed face. He sized Jing Chi up and down with a critical eye, but satisfaction soon crept into his gaze. He gave Jing Chi’s hand a brief shake. “Hello.”

After a pause, he added, “Jing Chi, right? I hope you can bring the same level of acting you showed in the variety show to my set. I’m looking forward to some surprises from you.”

Jing Chi smiled and rubbed the tip of his nose in mild embarrassment. “I’m honored you’d consider me, Director Mu. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”

The two of them chatted amiably.

Meanwhile, Bai Yusheng slunk over to a server and, when no one was looking, slipped a few drops of some mysterious liquid into one of the glasses.

Face impassive, he picked up the tainted glass and sauntered over, wedging himself between Jing Chi and the director with a beaming smile.

“Director Mu, what a pleasure running into you here. Mind if I buy you a drink?” His smile was all warmth and goodwill.

One didn’t refuse a friendly face, so Mu Yongshou raised his glass and clinked it against Bai Yusheng’s.

Once they’d both drunk, Bai Yusheng turned his gaze to Jing Chi. “Teacher Jing Chi’s about to work with Director Mu. Doesn’t that call for a toast?”

With feigned casualness, he held out his other glass—the doctored one—toward Jing Chi.

Jing Chi eyed the stranger who’d popped up out of nowhere, his attention fixed on the proffered drink. Only an idiot wouldn’t realize the guy was up to no good.

“System, what’d this creep spike the wine with?”

The system replied sheepishly, “Aphrodisiac.”

Jing Chi wasn’t surprised. He just found the trope tired and outdated—like something straight out of a trashy novel. Apparently, reality wasn’t much better.

Bai Yusheng startled at Jing Chi’s knowing half-smile, wondering if he’d been made. But no—he’d done it completely alone.

Feigning hurt feelings, he wheedled, “What’s wrong? Does Teacher Jing Chi think he’s too good for me? After all, I’m just a nobody.”

He let out a dramatic sigh.

Sure enough, Director Mu frowned at the words.

Jing Chi, however, just chuckled easily. “Not at all. I only stared because the color looked a little off.”

Those words sent Bai Yusheng’s heart into his throat. He forced an awkward laugh. “No way—it’s just regular red wine.”

Jing Chi said nothing more. He simply accepted the glass and took a small sip.

Bai Yusheng exhaled in relief as Jing Chi drank. Triumph gleamed in his eyes. By morning, Jing Chi’s scandal would dominate the hot search lists.

“I won’t keep Teacher Jing Chi and Director Mu from talking.”

The moment Bai Yusheng slipped away, Jing Chi made his own excuse to leave.

“Host, you knew the wine was spiked. Why drink it?” The system sounded baffled.

Jing Chi lowered his gaze, a shadow of something profound flickering in his eyes. “Not for him, of course. For someone else.”

Jing Chi absolutely would not let anyone who plotted against him get away with it.

He pretended to feel dizzy and “accidentally” bumped into Bai Yusheng, smoothly pocketing the drug.

Bai Yusheng, however, assumed it was the drug taking effect on him and didn’t harbor a shred of suspicion.

Jing Chi then repaid the favor in kind. He asked a server for a glass of wine, spiked it, and had it sent over to Bai Yusheng.

The man was in high spirits and accepted the drink without a second thought, downing the laced alcohol in one go.

With his goal accomplished, Jing Chi knew it was time to make his exit. After bidding farewell to the director, he pulled out his phone and called Feng Qinghan.

Jing Chi tugged at his collar as a faint heat began to stir within him—but it was just a little, after all, he’d only taken a small sip. He deliberately let his voice come out husky. “Brother, I’m so hot.”

Feng Qinghan had just stepped out of his car. “What’s wrong?”

“Brother, my head’s spinning, and it feels like there’s a fire burning inside me,” he murmured.

In reality, Jing Chi was perfectly clear-headed on his end and even had time to take another sip of wine.

There was no way Feng Qinghan could misunderstand—after all, he’d experienced it firsthand himself. His heart leaped into his throat as he commanded, “Jing Chi, stay right where you are in a visible spot. I’m on my way. Don’t hang up.”

Feng Qinghan immediately quickened his pace.

Meanwhile, Jing Chi drained the rest of the wine in his glass and settled onto the sofa closest to the door. He covered his eyes with one hand, feigning deep discomfort.

When Feng Qinghan entered the banquet hall, his gaze landed on Jing Chi at once.

The young man was dressed in a sharp black suit, his long legs crossed idly on the floor in front of him. He’d styled his hair with gel today, fully exposing his strikingly handsome features. He looked far more mature like this, drawing the eyes of everyone around.

Feng Qinghan’s eyes darkened slightly. He strode over at once, crouching down beside him. “Jing Chi, I’m here. How are you feeling?”

Jing Chi lowered his hand and struggled to open his eyes. Upon seeing the familiar face, a smile tugged at his lips, and he promptly collapsed into Feng Qinghan’s arms.

Seeing that he was alright, Feng Qinghan let out a breath of relief and gently ruffled Jing Chi’s hair. But then his body went rigid.

Something warm and wet was lightly licking at the skin of his neck, making him tense up instantly as heat crept into his face.

“Let’s go home.”

Feng Qinghan murmured into Jing Chi’s ear, his voice tinged with unease. He helped Jing Chi up from the sofa first, then the two of them headed for the exit.

Once they stepped out of the banquet hall, the clamor faded into sudden quiet.

But then, someone called out from behind them. “Brother Qinghan.”

Gu Bai hadn’t expected to run into Feng Qinghan here. It had been so long since their last meeting—practically a lifetime, in his mind.

He had only caught a glimpse of the familiar silhouette from afar and hurried over to confirm it was indeed him.

Feng Qinghan frowned at the sound of his voice but didn’t break stride.

Someone else, however, lacked the sense to read the room. Gu Bai hurried forward and planted himself squarely in their path, blocking the way.

“It’s him.”

The moment Gu Bai laid eyes on Jing Chi’s face, all the past events came flooding back, and his expression soured.

“Mr. Gu, we have urgent business. Please step aside,” Feng Qinghan said, impatience flickering in his eyes.

Gu Bai didn’t budge, his gaze fixed intently on Feng Qinghan, laced with sorrow. “Brother Qinghan, when did we get so distant?”

“I believe I made myself perfectly clear before,” Feng Qinghan replied coldly.

“I know, but I just can’t help liking you,” Gu Bai said, his voice pitiful and forlorn as he gazed at Feng Qinghan with eyes brimming with affection.

The sarcasm in Feng Qinghan’s eyes intensified. “Then pray tell, why are you here?”

After all, someone of Gu Bai’s current status had no business at this banquet—unless he’d tagged along with someone else.

Sure enough, a flash of embarrassment crossed Gu Bai’s face. “I… I came with Lu Shichen.”

Feng Qinghan let out a cold laugh. “Heh, so that’s your idea of ‘liking’ someone? Sorry, I can’t afford the honor.”

“Brother Qinghan, hear me out,” Gu Bai pleaded, reaching out to grab Feng Qinghan’s arm. But in the next instant, his wrist was seized in a firm grip.

Jing Chi couldn’t hold back any longer. Flirting with his man right in front of him—what kind of nonsense was this?

He flung Gu Bai’s hand away. Under Feng Qinghan’s startled gaze, Jing Chi planted a loud, possessive kiss on the man’s thin lips and boldly declared his claim.