Chapter 68: The Hypocritical Senior 10 Part 1

Hearing this, Su Shan paused before flashing a teasing grin. “What are you afraid of?”

“What are you afraid of?” Li Xia shot back, advancing on him step by step.

Su Shan frowned.

“Switch back,” Li Xia said firmly.

Yu Sui was reviewing the footage the director had just shot, studying it intently with one eyebrow slightly arched.

He suddenly recalled a rehearsal they’d done once—the young man’s reaction.

Was that acting too?

As he pondered, Li Xia returned.

The look Li Xia gave Yu Sui turned greedy, but he quickly reined it in, his expression cooling back to indifference.

“Sorry to keep you all waiting,” he said politely, his attitude earnest.

The director said nothing.

Li Xia lay down on the bed and closed his eyes, but his heart pounded uncontrollably.

He felt the brush of Yu Sui’s fingertip.

Along his brows, the tip of his nose, and finally…

The man’s thumb pressed gently, turning those pale pink lips a vivid red.

Yu Sui had no lines in this scene—it was all conveyed through his eyes.

The camera captured the raw possessiveness there, along with a love he could scarcely contain.

His little brother slept soundly, innocent as a lamb, and the stark contrast sent a chill through the air.

Especially since the little brother had passed out stone-cold right after drinking that milk. Had something been slipped in?

It wasn’t stated outright, but the implication hung heavy, stirring the imagination.

Yu Sui withdrew his hand and rose slowly, turning to leave.

The scene wrapped.

Next came a cozy brotherly moment.

The two of them playing video games together.

Yu Sui had traded his suit for a simple white shirt and black pants, looking far more boyish and approachable.

He glanced over at his little brother, lost in the game, his gaze softening with affection and indulgence.

“Bro, you’re going easy on me again,” the little brother grumbled after one round, turning to pout at the man.

“If I got serious, you wouldn’t stand a chance,” Yu Sui replied.

“We’ll see about that.” Li Xia lifted his chin defiantly. “Let’s play for real.”

Su Shan, watching from the crowd, furrowed his brow, a surge of irritation twisting inside him.

Once the scene ended, everyone dispersed.

Yu Sui showered and changed as usual.

After Li Xia finished changing, his mind drifted back to Yu Sui’s gaze during the take, and his heart raced despite his efforts to stay calm.

But…

Doubt gnawed at him.

What exactly had those two talked about? Why wasn’t Yu Sui repelled by him anymore?

Li Xia smoothed his clothes and headed to Yu Sui’s room.

He’d meant to clear the air and leave, but Su Shan had derailed that plan by impersonating him and stirring up trouble.

He didn’t dare call out Su Shan’s disguise—not with his own past hanging over him like a shadow…

Knock knock knock.

Yu Sui was on the phone when the knock came. He arched a brow. “Hold that thought—gotta go.”

After hanging up, he glanced at the door. “Come in.”

Li Xia felt a flicker of nerves but forced himself to stay composed as he pushed the door open. “Senior.”

At the word “senior,” Yu Sui’s eyes narrowed.

What was this Li Xia playing at?

“Something on your mind?” Yu Sui asked, gripping his phone a little tighter.

“How do you think I did in that scene, Senior?” Li Xia tested the waters.

“Your acting makes it impossible to tell what’s real,” Yu Sui replied pointedly.

Li Xia’s lips parted slightly. “Really? You can’t tell at all?”

A pang of disappointment hit him all the same.

“So, what do you want from me?” Yu Sui pressed.

“Nothing.” Li Xia shook his head. “Goodbye, Senior.”

He turned and walked out.

Yu Sui stared at his retreating back, a strange feeling settling over him.

Online, the backlash had been quashed. Netizens were calling themselves fools, mere pawns in the game’s bigger play.

[Damn it.]

[That took guts—way too risky.]

[Did I just play the fool?]

[Never jumping on the bandwagon again.]

[Erased from my internet history.]

Before he knew it, the weekend had arrived.

Yu Sui hadn’t risen early. His phone jolted him awake.

“Hello?”

“Xiao Sui, don’t tell me you’re still in bed.”

At the sound of the woman’s voice, Yu Sui sat up. “Sis.”

“Come pick me up,” she said without ceremony.

“Got it.” Yu Sui stifled a yawn.

After freshening up, he threw on some clothes and headed to the underground garage.

He owned a car but rarely drove it—didn’t want to carpool with company folks.

At the airport.

He’d waited half an hour when a sharp-dressed woman with long hair emerged, dragging her suitcase.

“Xiao Sui!” Spotting him, she quickened her pace. “It’s been too long.”

She slipped off her sunglasses and gave him an appraising look. “Getting even more handsome, huh?”

“You said ‘right away’—where’s that?” Yu Sui teased back.

“I’m starving.”

“Fine, food first.” Yu Sui didn’t push further.

She slid into the back seat, checking her phone. “Take me to that restaurant.”

Yu Sui punched it into the GPS.

“What made you decide to come back all of a sudden, Cousin?”

“Ugh, don’t ask.” She groaned at the question. “You have no idea about my boyfriend. He wants to get married now.”

“Huh?” Yu Sui blinked, confused.

“We agreed: dating only.” She massaged her temples. “So I dumped him.”

Yu Sui nodded, staying neutral.

They pulled up to the restaurant.

The pair made a beeline for a private room upstairs.

As they entered, two figures off in the distance locked eyes.

“Huh…” Su Shan murmured in surprise. “He really does have a girlfriend?”

Li Xia watched their backs disappear. The senior seemed right at home with that woman.

They looked perfect together, even just from behind.

“The target’s here,” Su Shan said.

Li Xia’s eyes glinted coldly. “Mm-hm.”

He strode into the restaurant.

Su Shan hung back.

He slipped back to his car instead, pulling out his laptop to tap away furiously.

Li Xia took his time entering. His contact had only just finished checking in at the front desk.

“Li Xia!” The man’s face lit up in shock, then delight. “Perfect timing—I literally just got here.”

“Yeah.” Li Xia smiled warmly.

“Come on, let’s head upstairs and talk.”

They climbed the stairs together.

In the private room, the door clicked shut, and both smiles vanished.

“What’s the deal with your company?” the man demanded, eyes narrowing.

“Young Master Song, that’s none of your concern,” Li Xia said coolly.

“You…” Young Master Song ground his teeth. “Do you remember what you promised me? I helped you out—we were square. And now this?”

“It’s handled, isn’t it?” Li Xia replied arrogantly.

“Do you have any idea how much cash I shelled out to clean that mess up?”

“Pocket change for you,” Li Xia said, leaning forward with his hands clasped on the table.

“I regret it so much. So much,” Young Master Song lamented.

“You thought you’d swoop in like some hero to take me down.” Li Xia poured tea. “But I nailed you with your own dirty secrets. Call it karma.”

Young Master Song fell silent.

His family had deep pockets, so he dabbled in investments.

At Li Xia’s old company, Li Xia had been one of his employees—clashed with another staffer over something trivial.

Young Master Song rarely visited the office. One trip, the underling dropped hints.

He hadn’t said no.

But she wasn’t a girlfriend or anything—just a fun distraction.

Still, when he heard his guy was getting picked on, Young Master Song stepped in. A quick lesson, one firing. Easy.

He never imagined he’d poke a demon.

Li Xia unearthed piles of dirt on him—felony-level stuff.

Young Master Song figured he’d intimidate the kid quiet, then throw money at it.

Starting soft with cash might invite a bigger ask.

But Li Xia didn’t flinch. Worse, the thugs Young Master Song sent to rough him up nearly didn’t make it back.

While he fumed, Young Master Song got kidnapped.

Li Xia…

The guy made him look like an amateur lawless maniac.

No choice but to cave: pay up, hook him up with a new gig.

Young Master Song’s mind drifted to that firm in City A.

“Just head to City A. I won’t roll out the red carpet, but keep your nose clean—it’s an influencer agency. One slip, and it’s all over the net.”

He figured that would rein the kid in.

But how long had it been? Already this massive headache.

And dragging his company’s cash cow into it.

No way.

Young Master Song couldn’t afford all-out war, so he’d just bend a little for the Top Star.

Today’s meetup? A warning to play nice.

“You…” Young Master Song choked on the words, regret burning inside.

“How much do you know about Yu Sui?” Li Xia asked next.

“What are you scheming?” Young Master Song tensed. “He’s my agency’s hottest star. Having him carry your scenes, boost your profile—that’s me going above and beyond. I’m not ditching him for you.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Li Xia clarified.

Young Master Song wasn’t buying it. “Whatever. Don’t even think about replacing him.”

He had no leash on Li Xia, so why toss the Top Star to prop him up?

Li Xia dropped it, too bored to bother explaining.

Halfway through the meal, he excused himself to the restroom.

Yu Sui had been listening to his cousin vent, feeling like he’d swallowed a huge helping of dog food. Exhausted, he said, “Be right back—bathroom.”

He pushed open the door and froze at the sight of the young man by the sinks. Li Xia turned at the sound, equally startled. “Senior.”

His face lit up with delight.

Yu Sui wondered if it was deliberate, but he kept his smile easy. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Li Xia’s expression warmed further. “Yeah, total surprise running into you, Senior.”

“I’ll head back in.” Yu Sui cut the chat short.

Watching the man’s back retreat, Li Xia’s throat bobbed.

Ding dong—

Li Xia heard his phone buzz and glanced down at the message. It was from Su Shan.

[How’s the talk going?]

[Not yet.]

[Loser.]

He ignored Su Shan’s taunt.

Twisting around, he left the bathroom and returned to the private room.

Young Master Song was busy texting his little fling.

“I have something to tell you,” Li Xia said as he sat back down.

“What?” Young Master Song met his gaze without a hint of surprise.

“Five percent of the shares.” Li Xia held up a single finger, then unlocked his phone.

Young Master Song’s eyes lit up as he peered at the screen. “What’s this?”

“Some assets from your brother’s company…”

“Shares in Stellar Entertainment? Deal.” Young Master Song agreed without hesitation.

The company was one of his cash cows, but what Li Xia was showing him was worth several times more than a mere five percent.

That made it an easy sacrifice.

“Wait for the contract,” Li Xia replied. “I’ll send you the details.”

“I’ll get someone on it right now.” Young Master Song brushed off his little fling and started making calls.