Chapter 59: The Hypocritical Senior 01 Part 2

Yu Sui’s fingers paused.

“I…” Li Xia hurried over with his phone in hand. Water and soap suds dripped from his hair, gradually blurring his vision.

He fumbled for his own phone, intending to answer it or do something, but he accidentally switched it to speaker mode.

Panting breaths emanated from the device. Yu Sui’s body went rigid as he turned to look at Li Xia.

“I… I…” The young man’s eyes narrowed, his entire body turning to stone.

Yu Sui frowned and walked over to take the phone from him, meaning to turn it off. But then he spotted a notification.

It was from a platform he had heard of before.

“You… you like guys?” He hit pause, handed the phone back to the young man, and silently stepped away.

“Senior, I…” Li Xia opened his mouth. “Yes…”

He felt a twinge of anxiety.

“I respect everyone’s preferences,” Yu Sui said in his usual gentle tone. “I won’t tell anyone.”

With that, he headed to the bathroom to wash his hands.

In the mirror, his reflection stared back—his face slightly distorted with disgust.

He scrubbed his hands vigorously several times before straightening his clothes and leaving first.

Li Xia stood there for a moment, letting out a long breath. He set his phone on the table and quickly finished rinsing off.

“You’ve really screwed me over,” he said into the phone as he called his prankster friend, his tone laced with complaint.

“What happened?” the friend asked, puzzled.

“My company senior overheard it. Talk about social suicide.” Li Xia sighed. “At least the senior didn’t discriminate against me.”

“Whoa? That dramatic?” His friend sounded shocked.

Meanwhile, Yu Sui left the hotel, his steps quickening.

He had this image that seemed to attract a lot of unwanted attention from gay guys. He often got bombarded with explicit private messages, some even with pictures. It was impossible to guard against, and downright terrifying.

That was why he had no fondness for guys like that.

Back at the company, he sought out his manager, who happened to be chatting with the director about a new element to add to the project.

Spotting him, the director waved him over. “Perfect timing. I’ve got a new idea—want to hear it?”

“Replace him,” Yu Sui said flatly.

“What?” The director blinked in surprise. “Sure, he’s not quite matching your intensity, but as a newbie, he’s doing great. And his looks fit the role perfectly.”

“He’s… he’s…” Yu Sui struggled to say it. “Anyway, I don’t want to work with him.”

The director knew Yu Sui had been harassed before, but he didn’t think all gay guys were like that. Besides, Li Xia really matched his vision of the character.

He shot the manager a look and then stood up to leave.

“Xiao Yu,” the manager said earnestly, “you’re an actor first and foremost. You get what I mean, right?”

“Why does it have to be him?” Yu Sui asked, confused.

“It’s the company’s decision.” The manager patted his shoulder. “If you don’t like him, just keep it professional. No job’s perfect.”

Someone pulling strings behind the scenes?

Yu Sui immediately thought of the casting couch rumors, and his opinion of Li Xia soured even further.

He said nothing, his face cold as he walked out.

Mask and hat on, he slipped into a car and returned to his neighborhood.

Once inside his apartment, Yu Sui smashed things around the room, venting his rage.

[What’s… what’s wrong with you?] The System found the Host utterly unrecognizable. [Is it because of the synchronized plot?]

Yu Sui didn’t respond. He sank onto the sofa, pulled out his phone, and looked up Li Xia.

A newcomer who’d only recently gone viral online, with fan numbers that weren’t even a fraction of his own—but plenty of people were hyping him up.

Must be nice having a sugar daddy.

Malice bubbled in his thoughts. When he saw posts comparing the two of them, Yu Sui lost control and hurled his phone across the room.

A newbie stepping on him to climb up? Infuriating.

His face twisted. He wanted to ruin him.

He called his assistant to come clean up and casually asked, “Any dirt on Li Xia’s background?”

“Brother Sui, no idea,” the assistant replied, shaking his head. “But parachuting into our company and straight into a project with you? He’s got connections, that’s for sure.”

“Do you think Li Xia’s on my level?” Yu Sui probed.

“In my book, he doesn’t even measure up to a finger of yours.” The assistant knew his boss was petty and played along seamlessly.

Yu Sui’s mood lifted a bit, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Exactly. Who does he think he is, comparing himself to me?”

Once the assistant finished cleaning and left, Yu Sui lounged on the sofa. An idea took shape in his mind.

If there’s a sugar daddy, there must be meetings. And since he’s gay, maybe he has a boyfriend or fuck buddy. His eyes narrowed.

He’d catch evidence and destroy him.

The next day, they filmed a heated argument scene followed by a family dinner.

Under the table, the long leg clad in suit pants brushed against the one in jeans, black leather shoes pressing against white sneakers—one dodging, the other advancing relentlessly.

Yet on the surface, they had to play it cool, answering the parents’ questions as if nothing was amiss.

Li Xia pressed his lips together, his body tense. The suit pants were thin; he could feel the heat. Lifting his gaze, he met the man’s eyes, raw aggression and desire unmasked. His throat bobbed, and the food from his chopsticks slipped onto the table.

“What’s wrong?” the mother asked.

“Nothing.” He shook his head quickly, ducking it again. The tips of his ears burned red beneath his dark hair.

They nailed it in one take.

The director was thrilled, and the crew buzzed about the scene’s tension long after wrap.

Li Xia exhaled in relief, his rigid posture easing as he stood to splash water on his face.

Yu Sui picked up the script, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and pored over it intently.

From a pile of staff in the distance, Su Shan watched the sharply dressed man, eyes narrowing with a spark of excitement.

His peripheral glance drifted toward the bathroom, malice stirring. What would his detestable little brother do if touched by someone he liked?

Li Xia bit his lip, patted his cheeks, and stepped out.

Seeing Yu Sui’s familiar profile lit up his eyes. “Senior.”

“Hm?” Yu Sui looked up.

“You were amazing.” Li Xia’s gaze brimmed with admiration. “Could I pick your brain on some acting tips?”

Yu Sui checked his watch. “Busy today. Some other time.”

“How about we add each other on socials?” Li Xia seized the chance.

Yu Sui didn’t refuse.

Mission accomplished, he had no desire to linger. “Message me if you’re stuck. Videos work too.”

“Thanks, Senior.” Li Xia beamed with gratitude.

Yu Sui smiled at him, his eyes so gentle they could drown a man. “You’ve got real potential. I like that.”

Li Xia’s pupils contracted at the words. His body tensed, discomfort flooding him. “I… I…”

But Yu Sui’s heart sank. Was this guy into him?

Disgusting.

Nausea rose, and he hurried away.

Li Xia watched his retreating back, gripping his phone, a smile curving his lips.

Yu Sui’s mood plummeted as he replayed Li Xia’s shy unease.

Maybe the guy was thrilled about the intimate contact during filming.

The thought gave him goosebumps.

Back at the company, he washed his hands repeatedly before doing makeup and changing for a video shoot.

As an influencer, he had to keep the momentum going with regular updates.

He worked diligently at it.

Being the top star wasn’t easy, which only fueled his hatred for the parachuted-in Li Xia.

That evening, fresh from a shower, he got a text from Li Xia.

A voice message, all polite “Brother Sui”s, humble and courteous.

But Yu Sui, now wearing tinted glasses, saw it as fake posturing.

Still, he upheld his persona with polite replies.

For a full week, Yu Sui filmed by day and patiently answered his junior’s questions by night—a model senior.

On the weekend, Li Xia invited him over. Yu Sui agreed.

He’d scoped out the address and unit number, even pocketed a spare key from the young man’s place. Satisfied, he left.

The director was delighted to see them getting along, and the manager praised his maturity.

No one knew his true intentions.

Another rainy day.

Yu Sui wore a camel coat, duckbill cap, mask, and carried a clear umbrella as he wove through the crowd.

Near Li Xia’s neighborhood, he peered through a convenience store window at the complex, recalling the plot.

The protagonist shou really had talent. They were constantly compared, and some even said Yu Sui fell short. Li Xia’s humble act made him sickeningly fake.

His stalking had turned up no sugar daddy traces, and sneaking into the apartment yielded no dirt.

So he grew more extreme.

Stalking, secret photos, harassing texts…

Li Xia emerged.

Yu Sui pulled himself together.

The young man sported a black coat over a casual hoodie set—outfit that should’ve looked bulky, but his height and build made it sharp.

As Li Xia headed this way, Yu Sui frowned slightly, averted his eyes, and looked down.

Li Xia entered the store, grabbed some snacks, wandered a bit, then came over here.

From the corner of his eye, Yu Sui saw him crouch to pick chips or something, raising an eyebrow.

Then the young man stood, swaying a little. He stepped back two paces and bumped right into Yu Sui.

“S-sorry…” Li Xia paled, turning to apologize. He froze. “S-Senior?”

Surprise lit his eyes, brightening them instantly.

Yu Sui stiffened. He hadn’t expected to be recognized.

“Are you alright?” His voice carried a note of worry as he removed his mask.

“I just skipped breakfast this morning, so…” Li Xia shook his head. “What are you doing here? Did you come looking for me?”

He looked expectant.

“Yeah.” Yu Sui’s eyes reflected his face. “Your voice sounded like you had a cold while filming yesterday, so I got worried.”

“Why didn’t you come inside the complex, then?” Li Xia grabbed his arm. “Come have lunch at my place.”

“I showed up out of the blue and forgot to check if you were home or had any plans. I was just about to text you.”

Yu Sui gently pulled his hand away and showed him the phone screen.

It was their chat interface.

“What a coincidence?” Li Xia’s cheeks flushed slightly. “I was thinking about dropping by to visit you this afternoon.”

Don’t you dare come.

Yu Sui grumbled inwardly, though his face still wore a smile. “Did you finish buying what you needed?”

“Yeah.” Li Xia went to the front desk to pay, with Yu Sui following behind him.

The two of them walked back toward the complex, Yu Sui holding an umbrella over him as they went. “You’re sick and you still head out without an umbrella.”

“But I have you here now, Senior.” He glanced up at Yu Sui, his voice softening a little.

Yu Sui just smiled without replying.

At Li Xia’s home.

Yu Sui set down the umbrella and hung up his coat. “By the way, what was that textbook you mentioned reading last time?”

“It’s that one…” Li Xia placed his things on the table and headed to the bedroom.

Yu Sui didn’t follow.

After all, that would be too forward—not to mention unreasonable.

Li Xia emerged carrying a book. “But I’m having trouble understanding it.”

“We’re not exactly trained in this field, after all.” Yu Sui consoled him.

“But you’re amazing, Senior.” Li Xia gazed at him worshipfully. “Acting opposite you, I almost believed it was real.”

Yu Sui’s expression froze at those words.

He felt like the kid was blurting out the truth under the guise of a joke.