Chapter 65: The Hypocritical Senior 07 Part 2

“He specifically told me to message him as soon as you woke up,” the assistant added. “You’re way too dedicated. Your face was so pale when you fainted, it scared the hell out of everyone—even Brother Sui’s hand was shaking.”

He went on emphatically. “Brother Sui stayed at the hospital for quite a while. If he didn’t have work, he wouldn’t have left at all.”

The assistant, who often helped Yu Sui polish his public image, smoothly spun the tale of a senior’s care for his junior.

Two spots of red bloomed on Li Xia’s cheeks.

Yu Sui…

It seemed like Yu Sui…

He grabbed the phone from the bedside table, unlocked it, and sent a message to the man.

[Thanks.]

No reply came.

Li Xia’s eyes dimmed.

The assistant glanced at him spacing out and quietly left to buy some food.

Li Xia held his phone up, his arm growing stiff, until finally a reply came through.

[We’re just colleagues. No need to thank me.]

Those words chilled Li Xia’s heart again. So that was all it was…

The assistant happened to walk back in and saw his utterly dejected expression. “Li Xia, are you okay? Do you feel unwell? Should I call the doctor?”

“No need,” Li Xia said, stopping him. “Is the senior this nice to every junior?”

The assistant paused at his tone. “He’s friendly to all his juniors.”

“But he’s especially good to you.”

Li Xia clenched his fingers. “Really?”

“He might’ve been considerate to juniors before, but he’s never had me stick around to take care of anyone like this,” the assistant said.

That much was true.

Though the assistant figured Yu Sui had arranged it because he’d sensed Li Xia wasn’t just anyone.

“Only to me?” Li Xia licked his lips. “Could you help me sit up? I’m hungry.”

“Sure thing.”

After sending the message, Yu Sui clocked out and headed home.

Su Shan stared at his back, frowning slightly.

Li Xia’s plan had worked—Yu Sui had softened.

No good. He had to sabotage it.

Perhaps thanks to his improved mood, Li Xia felt much better the next day. His complexion wasn’t as pallid anymore.

He left the hospital with light steps.

Back at the company.

He spotted Yu Sui and gave him a reserved greeting and thanks, without clinging like he used to.

Yu Sui’s lips twitched. He nodded. “Take care of your health.”

Su Shan watched the two of them, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes as he pretended to be loading props.

He cursed Li Xia inwardly and pushed the props cart right between them.

Li Xia nearly got hit. Yu Sui quickly grabbed his arm. “You okay?”

“Thanks, Senior.” Li Xia shook his head, then looked at the staff member who was bowing his head and mumbling, “Sorry.”

He recognized Su Shan’s voice and grew wary. “Why weren’t you watching where you were going?”

“Sorry,” Su Shan apologized.

Yu Sui released the young man’s arm and stepped back, watching their exchange.

Li Xia hadn’t recognized his brother?

Their scrutinizing gazes made both men uneasy, though neither showed it on their faces.

Li Xia didn’t press the staff member’s fault, just told him to be more careful.

“He…”

“What is it?” Yu Sui prompted, seeing Li Xia hesitate.

“He kinda looks like my brother,” Li Xia whispered, furrowing his brow. “But there’s no way my brother would come to my company, let alone bow and scrape as some gofer.”

“Oh?” Yu Sui raised an eyebrow.

“He’s got a bad temper. I’m always cleaning up his messes,” Li Xia sighed. “Though I deserve it. I owe him.”

He gave a bitter tug at his lips and walked away.

Yu Sui watched his retreating figure. “He hasn’t figured it out?”

[After all, the contrast is huge,] the System said.

Yu Sui said nothing and got back to work.

After two idle days, today brought an even more intense scene.

Neither wore a fully buttoned shirt. The younger brother was bound hand and foot with red ropes, his eyes blindfolded.

Even with clothes on, his struggling limbs sparked all sorts of imaginations.

Yu Sui felt a bit awkward. He was glad Li Xia’s eyes were covered—otherwise, he couldn’t have performed.

To set the mood, the director cleared out the extras, leaving only a few like Minmin behind.

Seeing this sister, Yu Sui thought, We’re doomed.

Sure enough, Minmin’s pointers on the details made it even more embarrassing.

Li Xia was also relieved he couldn’t see—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to control his gaze.

He imagined what he’d do if it were the senior tied up.

First, he’d kiss his ankles, press their palms together, interlace their fingers, stare into the man’s face, and kiss his eyes, then his lips.

The fantasy made his body tense.

With the two of them pressed together, things could easily go wrong.

Yu Sui kept his mind blank, inwardly cursing up a storm, but then the young man…

His body stiffened, his expression turning ugly.

But speaking up would do him no favors. Admit that his junior had gotten aroused because of him?

“What’s wrong?” the director asked, seeing him freeze. “Reshoot?”

Yu Sui’s heart sank. “No need.”

He tried to keep his distance, but damn it—this guy caught colds left and right, looked sickly as hell, yet down there he was raring to go.

Was that even fair?

He gritted his teeth. No one could see his face anyway.

They somehow wrapped the grueling scene.

Yu Sui didn’t dare leave right away, or Li Xia’s slip-up would be obvious—and he’d be lumped in with whatever was going on.

That wouldn’t be good for him.

He shifted to the side, grabbed a blanket, and draped it over Li Xia. “You’re still not better. Don’t catch a chill.”

No one would misunderstand that excuse.

Barefoot, Yu Sui went to confer with the director over the footage.

Li Xia’s body went rigid, his face flushing hot.

The ropes came off his hands and feet, and light returned to his eyes. He slowly sat up, gazing at the man discussing with the director, then let out a sneeze.

He naturally wrapped the blanket around himself and headed to the bathroom.

He locked the door behind him, set the blanket aside, hung his head, pressed his lips tight—but his eyes held a smile.

Yu Sui had covered for him.

He had to take care of this situation.

Knowing Yu Sui was right outside made him feel guilty like a thief, but also thrilled.

Yu Sui glanced at the bathroom door, his face dark.

He’d confirmed there were no flaws in the footage and felt relieved. No reason to linger.

“I’m heading out.”

The others left too.

When Li Xia emerged, everyone else was gone. The corners of his mouth lifted. Had the senior sent them away?

Yu Sui went to take a shower, wash his hands, scrub his face.

His expression was stormy.

[You… I thought you weren’t that afraid of…] The System sounded shocked.

“One thing at a time,” Yu Sui said, his hands red from scrubbing before he stopped. “I feel like he’s reignited. And not just a little.”

[Must be your assistant singing your praises,] the System said.

Yu Sui paused. “How’d I forget about him.”

The guy was his, always helping with the image-building.

He frowned slightly, a bit troubled.

[Anyway, once he finds out you’re behind the threats and intimidation, he’ll hate you even more,] the System said. [He might even think you’re some scheming straight guy toying with his feelings.]

“You’re right,” Yu Sui said, his eyes lighting up.

He still had that card to play.

After wrapping the day’s work, Yu Sui resumed his long-absent tailing.

Li Xia noticed.

He couldn’t fathom Yu Sui’s actions—hating him yet covering for him. If he truly loathed him, why not expose the harassment now?

That would get him kicked off the set for sure.

Wasn’t that Yu Sui’s goal?

Yes, he knew what Yu Sui wanted.

He had the looks, good audience appeal. If this drama blew up, the two of them could be shipped together forever.

But Yu Sui was homophobic, hated yaoi, so he planned to nip that possibility in the bud.

Yet he hadn’t.

For his image?

Li Xia’s eyes darkened. Time to test him.

He turned the corner, veering away from home toward the overpass, wandering aimlessly.

He stared down at the water below, the wind tousling his hair.

Yu Sui followed at a distance, frowning at his behavior, puzzled.

Li Xia took a detour, slowly descending from the other side, looking for all the world like he was about to end it all.

Yu Sui watched his back, holding back from intervening.

Li Xia showed no hesitation, reaching the water’s edge before pausing.

Just then, his phone rang.

He pulled it out and saw it was Su Shan. Disappointment flickered in his heart.

“Why are you calling me?”

“You’re pulling a sob story to win sympathy,” Su Shan exposed him. “I won’t let you succeed.”

“What do you want?” Li Xia frowned.

“Me,” Su Shan said, his tone cheerful. “What if he finds out about the things you did before? I’ve already sent them to him anonymously. If you’re not back in fifteen minutes… sorry about that.”

“Su Shan!” Li Xia gnashed his teeth, lowering his voice. “What the hell do you want?”

“A body swap,” Su Shan replied.

“Don’t do anything to him in my name,” Li Xia said.

“Nothing major—just getting a queer guy expelled for harassing straight dudes,” Su Shan said casually.

Li Xia fell silent.

“Countdown starting—”

“I agree,” Li Xia said through gritted teeth. “You’d better not do it, or we’ll both go down together.”

“Sure,” Su Shan replied agreeably. “But fifteen minutes…”

Li Xia felt a suffocating frustration.

He grabbed his phone and turned to leave, but the ground was slick with moisture. The steep slope was covered in weeds and mud, making his shoes slip even more.

He tried to scramble up, but his foot slid out from under him.

Splash!

Li Xia plunged into the water, his mind screaming, Shit!

Panic seized him, and he began to thrash about.

Yu Sui had seen him answer the call and start heading back up. The frown on his face eased, and he turned to leave.

Just as he did, a massive splash echoed behind him.

The water was surrounded by thick mud, and Li Xia was sinking deeper with every moment.

Yu Sui frowned. It was dark now, and there were hardly any passersby around.

He set his jacket, hat, and mask on the bank, then hurried down the slope.

Yu Sui didn’t panic. His steps were steady as he descended.

“Li Xia!”

He called out. “Calm down. Don’t panic.”

Li Xia, who had been struggling, froze at the sound.

He looked up at the man on the shore. “Sen… Senior…”

“What are you spacing out for? You’re sinking!” Yu Sui reminded him with a frown.

He had told Li Xia not to panic, but that didn’t mean he should give up on himself.

Li Xia’s face flushed red as he forced himself to stay calm.

Yu Sui extended his hand. “Give me your hand.”

Li Xia paddled desperately toward him. “I… I won’t drag you down with me, will I?”

The mud nearby was the real danger; the water itself was secondary.

“Give it to me,” Yu Sui said again.

The commanding tone in Yu Sui’s voice made Li Xia’s heart race even faster.

He reached out, placing his filthy hand in the man’s palm.

The scorching heat of that touch jolted Li Xia, who had been shivering in the cold water.

The senior… the senior was saving him, even at the risk of his own life.