“Is this how you solve things?!”
In the single-person office, Guan Zifan’s voice penetrated through layers of glass, startling the employees at their workstations outside so much that they didn’t dare lift their heads.
Yu Xi sat on the sofa opposite Guan Zifan, clutching a pillow and obediently keeping his head down.
Guan Zifan grew angrier as he spoke.
He had worked tirelessly on a business trip, negotiating partnerships, and Yu Xi had given him this “gift” in return?
He had hung up the phone without explaining clearly, without any details, saying he would handle it himself, and then gone straight live to confront Song Xuan?!
As soon as the advance period ended, Guan Zifan flew back and pinned Yu Xi in the office for a thorough scolding.
“What if Song Xuan and his manager had been smarter and countered your claims?”
“Yes, you have the recording, but what if they claimed it was fabricated and called the police? How would you prove it was real?”
“What if the livestream got shut down for some unexpected reason? What then? Do you want to get yourself in trouble?”
“You’re always so impulsive! It’s easy to fail spectacularly when trying to outsmart someone!”
Yu Xi nodded obediently.
—On the surface.
In reality, Yu Xi used the pillow as cover and quietly surfed the web.
[Geng Shanglou: Did you see the follow-up? Sisters, your belief was right!]
[Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: Of course. Yu Xi is even better than you think!!]
[Geng Shanglou: I know. No one understands him better than I do!]
[Zhen Bu Chi Yumi: Is that so, sister? Trust me, I definitely understand him better than you.]
Yu Xi chatted enthusiastically with this online sister Geng Shanglou for quite a while, while Guan Zifan continued his tirade.
When Guan Zifan was this angry, Yu Xi absolutely could not retort. If he did, Guan Zifan would launch into a debate on every point.
Many times, Yu Xi truly admired Guan Zifan’s eloquence and sincerely hoped it would shine in his work.
—If it wasn’t being used to lecture him.
Yu Xi then clicked into Geng Shanglou’s profile.
He had originally wanted to learn how to curse from this sister, but upon entering her page, he was somewhat surprised.
Geng Shanglou was actually a rich woman?!
She had booked an entire subway line’s worth of ads for his birthday, set up fan support in the mall with the highest foot traffic, and even bought and named a star.
Yu Xi: 0.0
“Don’t you think your behavior deserves some punishment?”
As Yu Xi scrolled through her profile, he picked up a glass of water. “Mm-hmm, yes, whatever you say.”
Guan Zifan said, “Good. The company plans to have you and Yi Chen do some CP promotion. Get ready. I’ll go discuss the contract with their side.”
“Mm-hmm, CP promotion. It’s just CP promotion, it’s not like we haven’t…” Yu Xi paused. His phone froze, and he couldn’t drink his water anymore. “Promote what? With who?!”
“Paired publicity.” Guan Zifan explained, “The first episode’s data was good. Aside from the Song Xuan incident, the highest discussion was your CP with Yi Chen. The show runs for two months, and the higher-ups want you two to do more during this time…”
“Abso!lute!ly! Not!” Yu Xi interrupted Guan Zifan, emphasizing each word.
Yu Xi: “Absolutely impossible!!!!”
Guan Zifan reasoned calmly, “Don’t react so intensely. It’s just a preliminary proposal right now.”
“I won’t cooperate.” Yu Xi said, “Yi Chen and I won’t have any relationship beyond the show’s content.”
Guan Zifan hadn’t expected Yu Xi to resist so fiercely.
Yu Xi never mixed personal feelings too much into work.
Even if he had clashed with someone the day before, he could enthusiastically collaborate with them the next day.
But with Yi Chen, Yu Xi’s emotional control always seemed to fail.
He had only mentioned it casually, and Yu Xi had exploded.
“Um…” The office door cracked open slightly, and Ji Ruiou spoke weakly. “Did I come at a bad time?”
He had actually been there for a bit.
Guan Zifan was lecturing Yu Xi, so he hadn’t dared enter. But now, for some reason, Yu Xi’s tone sounded like he was about to erupt any second. He—he should probably come in and interrupt.
“The door wasn’t locked or closed. Should I go down and come back?” As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Ruiou closed the door. Soon, there was a knock. “Anyone there? I’ll come in if there is.”
Yu Xi: “…”
Guan Zifan rubbed his brow.
Ji Ruiou’s timing was perfect. He and Yu Xi weren’t suited to continue the topic now; they did need someone to break it up.
“Xiao Ou, what brings you here?”
Ji Ruiou had a somewhat baby-faced look, and his smile was sweet and obedient. Though he was a Beta, his speech had a soft, warm tone similar to an Omega’s. “It’s my day off today. I came to find Yu Xi and go out shopping together.”
Yu Xi decisively chose to slip away. “Let’s go, let’s go. I haven’t been out in ages. I’m going stir-crazy.”
Leaving the office building, Yu Xi let out a long breath.
…It was even stuffier outside the office building than inside. No air conditioning, and the air was hot, scorching his lungs.
Ji Ruiou had driven over and rolled down the window. “Are you going to the hospital? Why? Are you sick?”
The night before, upon learning Ji Ruiou had a day off, Yu Xi had immediately invited him to dinner and to accompany him to the hospital.
“I don’t know how to explain it.” Yu Xi covered the back of his neck. “My gland feels weird. It stings now and then. A few days ago, my legs went weak, like I had a fever.”
The gland was an extremely important organ for Alphas and Omegas. Hearing this, Ji Ruiou grew very worried. “Quick, quick, get in the car. Why didn’t you tell Guan Ge? He could cut back on your work.”
“It’s a small issue. Doesn’t affect work.” Yu Xi said.
After getting in the car, the vehicle merged into the street.
It wasn’t the weekend, and it was right during work hours, so traffic was light. Ji Ruiou drove steadily, and Yu Xi relaxed in the passenger seat.
The Song Xuan incident was still being widely discussed.
Posts about spreading rumors and doxxing civilians had been swiftly removed, and many netizens had proactively apologized to the civilian girl.
The implicated civilian girl’s life gradually returned to normal.
Song Xuan, on the other hand, faced scandal after scandal.
First, his illegal activities like running a casino and cross-border gambling were thoroughly exposed.
Then, his affair with his manager was revealed by an anonymous poster. Besides blurred photos of their faces flying everywhere, there were car makeout sessions, car sex, outdoor thrills—every cliché from adult films.
Song Xuan’s wife snapped.
To fight for more marital assets in the divorce, she exposed his group sex parties, drug use, leaking company secrets, and more misdeeds.
That same day, Song Xuan was beaten into the hospital by his wife’s brother and didn’t dare report it.
But even in the hospital, Song Xuan found no peace.
The family of the staff member injured in the car accident plotted by Song Xuan and his manager blocked his ward entrance. They didn’t hit, yell, or cause a scene—they just stared at him with murderous eyes.
There was no bathroom in the ward. Song Xuan was so scared he didn’t dare leave for days, not even to use the toilet. After countless close calls holding it in, he voluntarily switched to adult diapers.
There were too many scandals. Fortunately, kind-hearted netizens compiled a timeline, and Yu Xi devoured every detail without missing a beat.
After finishing the gossip, they arrived at the hospital. Yu Xi put away his phone and stretched lazily. His arm accidentally bumped the car door with a loud thud.
“Where did you hit?” Ji Ruiou turned at the sound and saw the prominent red mark on Yu Xi’s arm. “My god, that hard? Does it hurt?! We’re here anyway—hurry and get some medicine.”
Yu Xi: “?”
It didn’t hurt much. Why did the mark look so severe?
Yu Xi shook his hand, confirming no discomfort at all—just some surface redness on the skin. “It’s fine. Let’s head in first.”
The whole process went smoothly.
Yu Xi underwent various tests and imaging, and finally presented the report to the doctor.
“All indicators are normal. Nothing seems wrong.” The doctor carefully reviewed the lab report. “It does look a bit like symptoms of Secondary Differentiation, though.”
Secondary gender differentiation usually occurred in the teens, bringing varying physical changes.
For example, Alphas became taller and stronger, with deeper voices, robust constitutions, and sturdy builds. Omegas, regardless of male or female, appeared more delicate and cute, with soft voices, slightly weaker constitutions, prone to marks and illness.
The most obvious symptom of differentiation was gland pain, sometimes accompanied by dizziness and weakness.
Yu Xi: “Ah? Secondary Differentiation?”
“Yes.” The doctor patiently explained, “It does happen sometimes. Most cases are Betas undergoing Secondary Differentiation into Alphas or Omegas. But the symptoms resemble Gland Inflammation. Your indicators are fine now. If it doesn’t affect your life, my suggestion is to observe and come in for regular check-ups.”
Yu Xi left the consultation room, somewhat dazed.
Secondary Differentiation?
…Why hadn’t the red mark on his hand faded? Did it used to last this long?
As he pondered the doctor’s words, someone bumped heavily into Yu Xi’s shoulder.
“Sorry.” A hoarse voice came from behind the mask.
The person wore a hat, mask, and sunglasses, covering up completely despite the sweltering heat. He hurried along with rapid steps, scratching his arm nonstop while apologizing to Yu Xi. He scratched so hard that blood trails formed, but he seemed oblivious, scratching even harder each time.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry…”
He didn’t look up or wait for Yu Xi’s response, just barreled ahead with his head down.
A heart-shaped necklace slipped out from his collar.
After leaving the hospital, Yu Xi and Ji Ruiou went to a Chinese restaurant.
This place had excellent privacy, with wooden screens around each booth to prevent onlookers.
Both needed to maintain their figures and watch their diets, so they ordered two plates of exorbitantly priced greens.
They couldn’t eat too much, but at least they could eat with style.
After the vegetable feast, night had fallen. Yu Xi and Ji Ruiou headed back together.
In the car, Yu Xi’s phone buzzed nonstop.
The “Weekend Go Where” production group chat was announcing the next episode’s destination.
K City.
K City’s most famous attraction was Cloud Mist Mountain.
And the first episode of “Weekend Go Where” had been spent at Cloud Mist Mountain.
After skimming the group messages, Yu Xi and Ji Ruiou chatted idly.
Ji Ruiou: “I have to go back to set tomorrow.”
Yu Xi: “So soon? Didn’t you just get back?”
Ji Ruiou opened his current schedule and handed it to Yu Xi. “I want to grind some experience to improve faster.”
Yu Xi was startled.
It was packed, but mostly with obscure small productions.
“Be selective with scripts—better none than a bad one.” Yu Xi said. “Don’t rush too much. If you don’t know how to pick, come ask me or Guan Zifan. We can help.”
“No need, no need.” Ji Ruiou said. “I want to rely on myself. I believe in me.”
“Alright.” Yu Xi knew Ji Ruiou was stubborn. “If you need help, find me anytime.”
“Okay.”
After dropping Yu Xi home, Ji Ruiou left.
He had to be on set at five or six the next morning—he needed to rest early.
After washing up, Yu Xi sat at his desk for a long time.
An empty room was always exceptionally quiet, amplifying tiny thoughts that went unnoticed during the day.
He kind of wanted to browse Yi Chen’s Moments.
Yu Xi lit up the screen, then turned it off, repeating several times before the phone screen settled on the Moments interface.
Yu Xi: …Couldn’t resist.
After dragging Yi Chen out of the blacklist, he hadn’t carefully browsed this account yet.
During the years Yi Chen was gone, he hadn’t blocked any of his updates.
Since he had been forced to unblock Yi Chen, he had the right to patrol his Moments, right?
—Moments didn’t show visitors anyway.
He looked right away.
Yi Chen’s WeChat avatar was annoying, but his Moments were fully public.
After leaving him, Yi Chen’s life was truly carefree.
Skiing through snowfields, soaring in blue skies, witnessing dazzling sunrises by the sea.
Visiting remote towns under the aurora, volcanoes, deserts, countless scenic yet isolated islands.
He attended cultural exchange conferences, discussing with international students. His grades were excellent, his papers published in global journals, and his mentors repeatedly urged him to continue his studies.
He traveled, studied, contemplated life, leaving footprints around the world.
Photos and words were magical—mere snippets and moments could freeze countless enviable, beautiful memories.
There were plenty of Moments from the past few years, and Yu Xi scrolled down little by little.
Then, his finger suddenly paused.
——He saw a woman.
A beautiful woman with a perfect figure.
That woman wore a red dance skirt, and the stage lights along with the camera lenses were all focused on her alone.
Just her alone.
