Chapter 16

During the time when they were on the brink of breaking up, things had gotten ugly between them.

Perhaps it was just Yu Xi who had made it ugly, unilaterally.

He frantically avoided Yi Chen, wanting to push him away, yet he clung to Yi Chen like a drowning person desperately grasping a floating piece of driftwood, begging, “Don’t go, don’t go abroad, don’t leave. Stay with me, okay…?”

But what greeted him was Yi Chen’s bewildered gaze.

“Why? I’m just going to school, only for a few years. I’ll come back every summer and winter break. We can video call every day. I won’t leave you.” He cupped Yu Xi’s face. “A-Yu, what’s wrong with you lately?”

Yi Chen kissed Yu Xi.

But Yu Xi remained completely still in front of him, so Yi Chen pulled back slightly.

He looked into Yu Xi’s eyes—eyes he had always loved to gaze into.

But that day, Yi Chen saw hatred in those eyes.

His gaze was like piercing cold ice crashing down in the midst of winter, bone-chillingly frigid.

In the days that followed, Yu Xi never returned home. Yi Chen called countless times, but he was always met with a busy tone.

It wasn’t until three in the morning a few days later that Yu Xi suddenly called.

He said nothing. All that came through the receiver was slightly trembling breaths.

Silence.

After a long silence, Yi Chen asked, “A-Yu, am I about to lose you?”

Still no answer. A few seconds later, the call ended.

When they finally met again, it was at the airport, just as Yi Chen was about to go through security. Yu Xi appeared, and Yi Chen rushed toward him, embracing him tightly.

But as he wrapped his arms around that familiar warmth once more, Yu Xi gave no response, no movement. He merely said coldly by Yi Chen’s ear, “Let’s break up.”

Yi Chen froze on the spot.

“Why?”

He kept asking, but all he got in response were repeated phrases of “Let’s break up.”

The airport was chaotic, crowds surging, boarding time drawing ever closer. Announcements blared overhead, voices and footsteps and all sorts of noises piling up around his ears. Yi Chen felt an unprecedented irritability building inside him. Another cold “Let’s break up,” and he could barely contain his rage. In a fit of venting fury, he bit down viciously on the back of Yu Xi’s neck, so hard that he smelled the thick scent of blood.

He lifted his head and wiped the blood from his lips harshly. “Like hell that’s happening!!! Damn it!!!”

He knew he was throwing a tantrum. He knew he should press for the reason right then. But he couldn’t hold back. He boarded the plane without looking back. He was waiting for this inexplicable mute who had brought up breaking up to call out to him, to beg for reconciliation, waiting for Yu Xi to come find him, to tell him the reason, the truth.

But a mute was a mute—full of blood in his belly and still wouldn’t utter a single word.

“You’ve crossed the line,” Yu Xi said.

“How did I cross the line?” Yi Chen didn’t open his eyes. “Have I not touched every part of you?”

Yu Xi took a deep breath, yanked his stiff hand free, turned sideways, lifted his foot, and kicked toward Yi Chen. “I said you crossed the line!!”

Yu Xi’s kick was pure brute force. Yi Chen rolled straight off the bed, landing butt-first with a resounding, plump thud. He instantly sobered up. “What are you doing? I was just fooling myself, wasn’t I?”

“Immature much?” Yu Xi grabbed the thin blanket, turned to face the other direction, and ignored him.

The pain from his butt quickly restored Yi Chen’s fighting spirit. “I’m immature? Even kindergarteners know mouths are for talking. You? You open your mouth and say nothing. Who’s the immature one here?”

“Heh.” Yu Xi pulled the thin blanket over his head and didn’t respond.

“Tch.” Yi Chen climbed back onto his side of the bed and wrapped himself tightly in his blanket too. The two lay back-to-back, with that precise-to-the-millimeter dividing line standing solitarily between them.

A nap that was too long only made his brain feel foggy. Yu Xi had deliberately set an early alarm.

Perhaps because he wasn’t fully awake yet, or maybe purely out of spite, pretending to sleep, Yi Chen didn’t move a muscle when Yu Xi got out of bed.

Yu Xi didn’t want to deal with him. He got up and left the room.

There was a public sink outside the room. Yu Xi scooped up some water and washed his face.

His head felt groggy, and the back of his neck ached faintly. When he touched it, it felt a bit hot, and a bit of gardenia pheromone scent leaked out.

Fortunately, there were no Omegas around, so it wouldn’t cause any issues.

Yu Xi pulled out a Pheromone Blocker Patch and applied a new one. The gardenia scent was instantly suppressed. Just as he was about to leave, voices suddenly came from one of the nearby public sink stalls.

It was Wu Zhiqi’s voice; she was on the phone with someone.

“Mhm, mhm, Dad, Mom, I’m doing great! Don’t worry, the show’s appearance fee hasn’t hit my account yet. I’ll let you know when it does!”

Yu Xi: “…”

Lately, he kept accidentally overhearing people on calls.

Without thinking, he turned to leave, but the next second, Wu Zhiqi said, “You don’t need to worry! All the money I earn belongs to my little brother!”

Yu Xi paused.

This sister complex of Wu Zhiqi’s seemed a bit over the top…

“Huh? What trouble did my brother get into this time… Does he need money? How much…?”

“So much…”

“But I already sent all the money in my card to him before. He must’ve spent it all…”

“Yes, yes, I know. I should take good care of my brother! But the situation is special right now, Mom. How about this—you guys cover a bit first. I’ll see if I can get an advance on the appearance fee to give to him. Okay?”

The call didn’t last long. Wu Zhiqi soon hung up.

She took a deep breath and walked out of the stall, but as soon as she opened the door, someone blocked her.

Yu Xi stood to the side. “Sorry, I overheard your call.”

Wu Zhiqi: “So what if you did?”

Most people would just walk away and pretend they hadn’t heard. Why wait here and specifically tell her?

“Um… your brother… your family doesn’t seem easy to get along with…” Yu Xi thought for a moment and decided to speak up anyway. “I think… maybe you need some help?”

Wu Zhiqi blinked, then burst into laughter—genuinely delighted laughter. Her long lashes curved into two little crescent moons. “We’re not that close, are we, Teacher Yu Xi?”

“What does closeness have to do with it?” Yu Xi said matter-of-factly. “You’re talented professionally and a good person. If I can help you, I’d be happy too.”

Wu Zhiqi’s smile was beautiful. “No wonder so many people like you.”

Yu Xi: “?”

“Teacher Yu Xi! You’re the first one to care about me!”

Wu Zhiqi was truly thrilled.

To play the “brother-obsessed sister” role in front of her parents, she’d said similar things to different people in different situations. Others either scoffed or stayed silent. Yu Xi was the first to straight-up ask if she needed help.

“It’s fine, don’t worry!” Wu Zhiqi laughed. “I can handle it myself.”

Soon, the afternoon schedule began.

Before the livestream started, the director had the guests vote for the day’s team leader.

“What does the team leader do?” Fu Le asked.

Wu Zhiqi: “Leads the group, takes care of everyone, acts as a nanny, answers all questions, handles every tiny detail of the itinerary, food, and lodging. Do it well, and no one notices. Mess up, and the whole internet comes for you.”

Yu Xi didn’t hesitate. “I vote for Yi Chen!”

Yi Chen fired back immediately. “I vote for Yu Xi.”

Wu Zhiqi: “Please have mercy, everyone. I really can’t be team leader. Just don’t vote for me. I abstain.”

Fang Peng: “This old guy’s out of the young folks’ competition. Don’t worry—no matter who the leader is, I’ll follow orders.”

Wen Yimeng: “Whatever works. No opinion from me. I won’t vote.”

The director tallied the votes. “One for Yu Xi, one for Yi Chen. Fang Peng, Wu Zhiqi, and Wen Yimeng abstain. Fu Le, who do you vote for?”

Several pairs of eyes turned to Fu Le.

Fu Le laughed inwardly.

Finally, a chance to deal with Yu Xi. Who else would take this thankless job if not him?!

If not for Yu Xi meddling, how could he still not have gotten close to Yi Chen by now?

If he could really latch onto Yi Chen, with Yi Chen’s family background, the benefits and resources would be endless!

On the surface, Fu Le still looked hesitant. “I don’t know who to vote for… How about… I vote for Brother Yu Xi…”

Yu Xi’s expression changed.

Before Yu Xi could speak, the director announced, “Alright, Yu Xi has two votes and is elected today’s team leader. Everyone, get ready. Livestream starts in ten minutes. Captain Yu, good luck!”

Yu Xi: “…”

Ten minutes later, the livestream officially began. Per the schedule, the afternoon stream would run from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

【Hehehe, eight hours straight!!!】

【Worth it!!!】

【Babies, suffer for my happiness!!!】

【Finally starting again! What’s the afternoon plan?】

【Heard they picked a team leader? Who who who?】

Yu Xi stepped forward and greeted the camera. “Hello, everyone. I’m today’s team leader. I’ll be arranging today’s itinerary.”

Yi Chen: “Be more enthusiastic. Being team leader is a blessing!”

Yu Xi: “Want this blessing? It’s yours if you do.”

Yi Chen: “Getting Teacher Yu Xi elected as team leader is blessing enough for me.”

Yu Xi: “Great. You’ll follow the team leader’s arrangements today, right? Just you wait.”

【Hahahahahaha, bickering already before it even starts.】

【My favorite segment! Never gets old!】

【Yu Xi and Yi Chen, fight bravely. Chenxi CP forever!】

The host announced: “This afternoon, we’re heading to White Cloud Peak to hike and check out the mountaintop night market. Now, let’s follow Captain Yu and set off!”

White Cloud Peak wasn’t too far from the guesthouse—a twenty-minute walk to the entrance. At 4 p.m., the sun hadn’t fully set, and the road was still warm. Just as they neared the base of the mountain, Fu Le suddenly stumbled, pitching forward. Luckily, Fang Peng reacted quickly and steadied him, so Fu Le barely avoided falling.

“Lele, what’s wrong?” Wu Zhiqi asked worriedly.

“It’s nothing…” Fu Le looked up, showing a pale face to the camera. “Just a bit dizzy. It’s so hot, and we’ve walked so long. It’s fine. I’ll rest a bit and be okay…”

【Such hot weather, and team leader Yu Xi didn’t even arrange a car? Just forcing them to walk?】

【Our Lele’s so delicate. One sun exposure and he’s heatstroking!】

【Poor Lele. Yu Xi’s so irresponsible. With proper planning, Lele wouldn’t have overheated!】

【What are you waiting for? Help our Lele to the shade to rest!】

【Feels like Yu Xi’s targeting Lele. In the morning stream, he seemed to dislike Lele too, wouldn’t even let Yi Chen talk to him!】

Fu Le laughed inwardly.

Of course he knew the chat was now blasting Yu Xi for poor planning. He just needed to stagger weakly a few times on camera, shed a few tears, faint dramatically a bit.

Yu Xi couldn’t not know he was faking it. With Yu Xi’s personality, he’d either ignore him or call him out on stream, exposing the act.

But the livestream audience wouldn’t believe it.

Omegas were naturally delicate and fragile!

This was perfect for milking some sympathy and attention, while smearing Yu Xi—slap him with the label of “bad at planning, doesn’t care for Omegas,” tank his public favor.

On the surface, Fu Le still looked weak. “I just need to rest a few minutes. Won’t delay everyone!”

Fu Le glanced up provocatively at Yu Xi.

He really wanted to see Yu Xi’s expression now. Was he hesitating on whether to expose him? Or figuring out how to play along?

But what met his gaze was a pair of delighted eyes.

The delight in them was quickly overshadowed by intense concern.

“Oh no! That won’t do, Lele!” Yu Xi’s overly caring voice came from the side. “How can you just rest here? I’ll take you to the hospital!”

Fu Le: “?”

He looked up and met Yu Xi’s expression that screamed, “I fucking knew you’d fake being sick. I’m ready for you.”

Yu Xi said to the group, “You all go ahead up the mountain. I’ll take Lele to get checked out and catch up soon.”

Fu Le: “No need. I’ll be fine soon…”

Yu Xi cut him off. “Don’t say ‘rest and I’ll be fine’ again. Lele, we’re all worried about you!”

“Yeah!” Wu Zhiqi chimed in. “With Teacher Yu Xi taking you to the hospital, we’ll feel better too.”

“If you’re not feeling well, it’s better to go to the hospital and get checked out,” Fang Peng added.

And so, Fu Le—who wasn’t actually sick—was forcibly dragged by Yu Xi to the scenic area’s hospital, where he was hooked up to two bags of IV fluids.

“It’s just a mild case of heatstroke. You can’t leave until these are done, and don’t move around carelessly in the meantime,” the nurse instructed. “Oh, and by the way, you’ll need to move the livestream camera a bit. We all understand, but please don’t disturb the other patients.”

The camera hadn’t been turned off yet, so Fu Le didn’t dare admit outright that he was faking it. He could only ask cautiously, “How long will it take to finish these…?”

“Three or four hours, probably.”

Fu Le: “…”

Damn, three or four hours?! That means he’d miss half his screen time!

“Actually, actually, I’m fine, Captain Yu! I can go back and rejoin everyone!”

Yu Xi shook his head. “No can do, Lele. You’re a patient now, so just stay here and rest easy at the hospital. Don’t worry about holding us back—you won’t.”

Fu Le: “…”

So he’s beating around the bush, saying I’m faking it and dragging everyone down, huh?!

“I’m your team leader, after all—you have to listen to me and rest properly!” Yu Xi said. “Now, I need to head back first. There’ll be staff here to keep you company, and I bought you some snacks too. No need to worry—if you need anything, just call me, and I’ll rush right back!”

Fu Le: “…”

Once outside the hospital, Yu Xi took a deep breath. No green tea stench—the muggy air even felt fresh.

Thank fuck he’d guessed early that the little green tea bitch would try to stir up trouble.

If Fu Le had stayed quiet, Yu Xi would’ve let him ham it up for the cameras all he wanted, and they’d have gotten along just fine.

But if he insisted on tripping him up and causing chaos, well, Yu Xi had no choice—he could only repay him with a four-hour IV drip special.

Now he could relax.

Yu Xi’s steps felt exceptionally light.

Four green tea-free hours were bound to pass in perfect peace!!