Chapter 65: The Hypocritical Senior 07 Part 1

Neither of them had landed any blows on each other’s faces, but the bruises mottling their bodies were frightening enough.

Li Xia lay on the floor, his eyes dark and menacing in a way that sent chills down the spine.

Beside him, Su Shan was still laughing, his expression full of mockery.

Li Xia’s illness worsened, and he took another two days off.

When Yu Sui heard the news, he couldn’t help feeling a pang of guilt.

Being sick was a vulnerable time, and he had gone and scared the young man…

He hadn’t sent any messages on his own initiative over those two days. But now, Yu Sui hesitated.

[Just send it if you want to. It’s only normal for colleagues to check in on each other.]

Hearing the System say that, Yu Sui closed his phone. “Just in case.”

[You…] The System felt it shouldn’t have said anything.

Things hadn’t been resolved between Li Xia and Su Shan. Su Shan had left without a word, heading off who knew where, but Li Xia had no mind to think about it—his illness had flared up again.

He stared at Yu Sui’s profile picture. No messages at all. He could even receive threats from a stranger’s account.

How heartless.

His eyes were dry and bloodshot. He blinked, and tears streamed down.

Li Xia started biting his lip again, a habit when he was anxious.

The scabbed-over lip split open once more.

He tasted the metallic tang of blood as his gaze slowly shifted.

Su Shan hadn’t rashly impersonated the young man. He didn’t want to get exposed too easily, so he planned to devise a scheme first.

His work uniform hid the injuries on his body. Over these two days, he searched the company for signs of Yu Sui.

The man showed no reaction to Li Xia’s absence, as if dealing with a complete stranger.

Li Xia would probably be furious.

On the third day, Li Xia returned.

He still looked unwell, his chin sharper than before. His state matched the little brother’s condition in the later parts of the script.

And so, the crew got back to work.

In the living room, the young man in the white shirt appeared much thinner. His face was pale, and he sat dazed on the floor, hugging his knees with his back against the sofa leg.

The door creaked open.

At the sound, his body tensed like a startled animal, his breathing quickening.

Yu Sui walked in, a faint smile curving his lips as he held up a container of soup. “Brother made this for you—your favorite pork rib soup.”

He set the thermos on the table, then tugged at his suit pants and squatted down in front of the young man.

Reaching out to stroke his hair, Yu Sui watched as the young man instinctively flinched away.

Li Xia realized he still couldn’t face him calmly.

Staring into those eyes brimming with possessiveness and intense, obsessive love, he wanted to drown in them.

“Is Bai Bai so scared of Brother?” Yu Sui reached out again, stroking his hair. “Brother’s heartbroken.”

At those words, Li Xia pressed his lips together. “When… when will you let me go?”

Li Xia looked at Yu Sui. He was supposed to feel disgust, but how could he bear to?

After a single glance, he turned away and closed his eyes, as if he couldn’t even bear to give him that.

The director watched the scene unfold without calling cut, letting them continue.

“Bai Bai, when you’re willing to marry Brother, that’s when Brother will let you out.” Yu Sui’s tone was gentle. One hand took hold of his, the other cupping his face to turn it toward him.

“Didn’t Bai Bai used to say he liked Brother the most? Why do you want to leave me now?” The man’s voice was aggrieved, the corners of his eyes reddening.

Hearing this, feeling Yu Sui’s touch, Li Xia’s body went rigid. He stared blankly at the man, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

He knew these were just lines from the script, that Yu Sui could never actually like him—but his ear tips still flushed red.

He froze, the line catching in his throat.

“Cut. Is Little Xia not feeling well?” The director asked with concern. After all, the young man hadn’t fully recovered yet, so he was being lenient.

Yu Sui released him. “If you’re not feeling well, you should go to the hospital.”

“No need.” Li Xia’s throat bobbed, his eyes darkening. “Let’s keep going. I don’t want to hold up the senior.”

Those words didn’t sit right with Yu Sui.

He pressed his lips together but said nothing.

This time, it went smoothly.

Forced to meet his gaze, Li Xia simply closed his eyes. “What I feel for you isn’t that kind of emotion. I’d rather not have a brother like you.”

The words shattered the man’s composure. He grabbed the young man, yanking him to his feet and shoving him onto the sofa. Looming over him, he pinned him in place. “Bai Bai’s so heartless, always saying things that hurt Brother.”

His chest heaved dramatically, his annoyed features twisting slightly.

So close, Li Xia could feel his breath, his body heat—it left him breathless.

He turned his head away with a frown, reaching out to push the man off.

Yu Sui seized his hands, interlocking their fingers and pinning them above his head.

The man leaned down slowly. From the camera’s angle, it looked like they were kissing.

Following the script, Li Xia twisted away as if dodging.

Yu Sui pursued.

In the crowd, Su Shan watched with a slight frown. He hadn’t expected Yu Sui to be so dedicated—even for a body double shot, their faces would inevitably brush close.

And indeed, Yu Sui was careful, but Li Xia’s struggles felt all too real. His lips grazed the young man’s cheek near the corner of his mouth.

Li Xia’s back stiffened. He instinctively wanted to bolt upright but remembered that leaving now would mean reshooting from the top.

Yu Sui blinked, gripping his hands tighter, veins bulging in his neck.

Li Xia’s struggles grew weaker. He felt the warmth on his cheek and couldn’t help but daze out.

“Cut. That’s a wrap.”

The director was thoroughly pleased.

Yu Sui immediately released him, straightening his clothes. He kept his head down, lips pressed into a thin line.

Seeing his poor mood, Li Xia felt the sweetness from their earlier contact turn bitterly sour.

He bit the tip of his tongue and coughed again, head bowed.

Yu Sui paused, looking at the young man.

Li Xia’s face was bloodless, his coughing wracking his entire body.

Su Shan watched from the crowd, suspecting the young man was pulling a pity play.

His assistant quickly poured hot water and handed it over, but Li Xia waved it off.

He slid off the sofa, wrapped himself in his jacket, nodded to the others, and shuffled out of the room in his slippers.

“What’s up with Li Xia?”

“He seems really down. Did something happen at home?”

“He looks just like a friend of mine from before. If this keeps up…”

At that, Yu Sui pushed aside his disgust at the incidental contact and asked the staff member, “Your friend?”

“Love-struck fool who couldn’t get over a breakup…” The staffer couldn’t comprehend it. “Is it really worth dying over one person?”

Yu Sui silently agreed.

But then he remembered Li Xia had taken a double blow, both from him.

Yu Sui walked to the table, picked up the thermos, and headed out.

Su Shan watched his retreating back, brow furrowed.

Back in the dressing room, Li Xia had just pulled on his hoodie and sat on the sofa, picking at his fingers.

His palms were covered in crescent marks from his nails.

He was thinking about Yu Sui.

Would he go puke in the bathroom? Then send a message expressing his disgust?

His stomach burned, but he couldn’t be bothered to care.

The door creaked open, but Li Xia didn’t look up. He was lost in his own world.

“Li Xia.”

At that voice, his body went rigid. He raised his head.

The man was still in his costume, holding out the thermos. “Drink some water.”

“Thanks, Senior, but no need.” Li Xia shook his head.

Yu Sui was surprised by the refusal, his eyes widening slightly. “You…”

He suddenly didn’t know what to say.

“I…” Li Xia’s lips moved as he stood.

The next second, dizziness hit him like a wave, and he swayed.

Almost on instinct, Yu Sui reached out and caught him around the waist. “Li Xia?”

“Senior…” Li Xia’s voice was barely a whisper.

Before Yu Sui could respond, the young man fainted completely.

His expression darkened.

Scooping him up, Yu Sui headed out. “Call 120! Quick!”

Passersby jumped in alarm and hurriedly dialed.

At the hospital.

Yu Sui didn’t leave. He waited outside with the rest of the crew.

Sitting on a bench, head lowered, he murmured, “System, he’s…”

[What?] The System was surprised the Host wasn’t being so coldhearted this time, but it didn’t dare say more.

“Why does he like me so much?” Yu Sui couldn’t understand it.

[Love-struck brain, probably.] The System didn’t get human emotions either. [Plenty of people go crazy over someone totally unworthy, and you’re excellent and gentle.]

“That’s fake.” Yu Sui said. “He’ll find out eventually.”

[But he doesn’t know that yet.]

Yu Sui sighed.

Su Shan hadn’t gone to the hospital with the crew. He suspected Li Xia was faking it—or if not, doing it on purpose.

Trying to get attention by hurting himself.

A classic Li Xia move.

He had a sweet mouth and a charming smile that won people over, but he was greedy for exclusive attention.

So when the object of his obsession treated him equally with others, he’d pull every trick to claim that singular focus.

Whether by self-harm or framing someone else.

Yu Sui didn’t stay long. He left soon after but instructed his assistant to message him when the young man woke up.

Back at the company, he showered and changed in the lounge.

Only after washing his face and brushing his teeth did his brows finally relax.

The System hadn’t expected him to remember this.

Yu Sui blow-dried his hair to half-dry and sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the screen.

Li Xia didn’t wake until six in the afternoon.

His mind was foggy. He blinked, then tried to sit up.

The assistant who’d stayed to watch him quickly stopped him. “Rest properly. Don’t move around.”

Seeing Yu Sui’s assistant, Li Xia froze for a moment. “You…”

“Great, you’re finally awake,” the assistant said with a sigh. “Don’t move. I’ll go get the doctor.”

He hurried out of the room.

Li Xia’s eyes flickered. He remembered that just before passing out, Yu Sui had held him in his arms.

His limbs felt ice-cold, but his heart was beating faster and faster.

The doctor came in and jumped at the sight of the heart monitor beside the bed. “You… where do you feel unwell?”

The assistant slipped out of the room and sent a message to Yu Sui.

Yu Sui was in the middle of filming when his phone buzzed.

He made a pausing gesture, pulled out his phone to check the message, but didn’t reply.

“Let’s continue,” he said.

Li Xia didn’t have anything seriously wrong. The doctor instructed him to eat well, rest up, and not overthink things.

After the doctor left, the assistant returned to the room. “Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?”

“You… why are you here?” Li Xia’s voice was hoarse.

“Brother Sui told me to look after you,” the assistant replied.

“He…” Li Xia’s eyes flickered. “He… he…”