Chapter 44

Qian Xingzhi’s slender fingers pushed the tablet away.

Shen Li’s breath caught slightly. Face darkening, he turned his eyes toward the red card on Qian Xingzhi’s iPad.

Sure enough.

Pretty quick.

Whether by design or accident, Qian Xingzhi had gone straight for the one that would light up the chat.

Shen Li’s fingertips felt a touch cool. His expression remained impassive as he calmly shifted his gaze, subtly turning his head away from the camera.

Perhaps due to the innate shame surrounding “sexual issues,” Shen Li did resist the idea of this red card being exposed so bluntly to the public.

But there it was, under the cold glow of the LCD screen—

A scarlet cursor throbbed on Qian Xingzhi’s tablet interface. Just five words:

【Sexual Life Disharmony】

The system’s plain Song typeface stood squarely on the red card.

The five blocky characters looked upright and mild, like lead type printed on a diagnosis sheet.

Yet Shen Li’s heart felt as if a massive boulder had crashed into it, instantly stirring up raging waves.

In that instant, the card’s explosive content ignited a frenzy online:

【Holy shit?! That’s wild! Who wrote this?? Can they even air this?!】

【Why not? Sexual life disharmony is a huge issue for tons of couples. It’s just our traditions like to bottle it up and not talk about it.】

【So it’s Kris? That foreigner who wrote it?】

【What kinda logic is that? This card was in Qian Xingzhi’s pick of 6 out of 38, so it has to be one of them who wrote it, right?】

【I’m just saying, no way my bro didn’t think this one was interesting and just wanted to show it to Shen Li?】

Right then.

Ke Jiujiu’s sweet voice rang out in the cottage like an explosion: “Hahaha, I drew ‘Sexual Life Disharmony’! Oh my god! So explosive!”

Everyone turned toward the sound.

They saw Ke Jiujiu eagerly displaying her iPad to Li Weiwei and Zhao Yunzhi, even waving Yang Zhiqi over. “Whoa, Brother Yang, hahahahaha—did you write this?”

Yang Zhiqi craned his neck, leaning over halfway. “What? What’s disharmonious?”

“Sexual life disharmony! No way it’s really you, Brother Yang. Nobody else here would write this, hahahaha!”

Ke Jiujiu’s laughter was incredibly infectious. Half the room had their lips twitching upward in eager curiosity, all itching to know who had penned this card.

Yang Zhiqi bellowed in response: “No way, me? Little Zhao and I are totally in sync.”

Zhao Yunzhi said nothing, just instinctively leaned toward Li Weiwei with a look of annoyance on her face.

“Really? For real?” Ke Jiujiu squinted skeptically.

Yang Zhiqi threw up his hands, eager to prove himself. “Tch, of course it’s real—don’t believe me? Ask Little Zhao. Right, Little Zhao?”

Little Zhao stayed silent for five seconds, then finally nodded perfunctorily, as if family laundry shouldn’t be aired. It was purely to prop up Yang Zhiqi’s male pride.

【Little Zhao… what a classy lady.】

【Some are watching the drama, some are seeing themselves in the mirror [shattered] Same as the convos with my hubby [shattered]】

【Guys like that are always the worst performers but the quickest to show off in front of others.】

【No way Little Zhao wrote this, right?】

【I don’t think so. She’s so reserved; she wouldn’t write something like this.】

【Then who?!】

【Shen Li?】

On screen, Shen Li pondered for a long moment.

He did remember Qian Xingzhi’s two “reasons for divorce” from the questionnaire vividly. Over the past few days, they had replayed in his mind unbidden, along with Xiao Chen the director’s expression when she’d mentioned them.

Just like back in school, when a teacher called you out publicly—you felt nothing at the time, but for the next few days, you’d keep mulling over those words without realizing it.

Not by choice, but impossible to ignore.

Thus, a chain of facts had played out countless times in Shen Li’s conscious and subconscious over the days, piecing together the most logical cause and effect.

By Shen Li’s original reasoning, Qian Xingzhi’s divorce reasons were exactly those two he’d written:

Root cause: “Not on the Same Path.”

That bred resentment, letting years of exhaustion widen the rift between them.

Direct cause: “Sexual Life Disharmony.”

That medical report might have been the spark that made Qian Xingzhi want out.

The whole thought process felt to Shen Li like tackling a liberal arts analysis question.

But even after arriving at an answer, there was no relief of finishing the “exam,” no urge to relax.

Shen Li cared too much.

So much that it manifested physically these past few days—like a lump stuffed in his chest.

“…I think it can be fixed.”

Shen Li finally spoke, his voice low and tone flat, but his eyes deep and serious as he addressed Qian Xingzhi directly. “I hear Chinese medicine can help regulate it.”

Qian Xingzhi: .

【Aaaah??!! Huh???!】

【Does this mean… the three-minute thing is real…?】

【See? There’s no smoke without fire. Those marketing accounts aren’t pulling stuff out of thin air lol】

【Noooo don’t! I don’t want my bro to be a three-minuter aaaah QAQ I can’t accept this QAQ】

【Can I hold out hope…? Maybe they just thought the topic was fun and discussed it? They only said two lines total! Shen Li just said “Chinese medicine can regulate it,” no direct jab at my bro! He didn’t even respond, just frowned like he wanted to kill someone. If it’s about them…】

【Maybe he’s mad at Shen Li for writing it?】

【Nah, that’s a stretch. Look how hyped Yang Zhiqi got. Maybe he’s the desperate one forcing Little Zhao to deny.】

【…Could it be Li Weiwei? [thinking] Her face looks off too…?】

The next second.

Qian Xingzhi suddenly leaned in, his long neck tensing into sharp lines. His broad shoulders cast an oppressively imposing silhouette on camera, as if he were about to kiss Shen Li’s ear!

From the camera’s view, it looked just like a sudden smooch!

Shen Li startled too, his body stiffening as he instinctively tried to pull his head away.

But Qian Xingzhi didn’t actually touch him. He just pressed his voice low by Shen Li’s ear:

“The ‘Not on the Same Path’ I wrote—someone messed with it, swapped my card for this one.”

Shen Li’s brows snapped together. He felt Qian Xingzhi’s lips brush his earlobe, then even lower:

“I messaged Li Weiwei. She’ll play along in a bit.”

“Hm?”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry.”

Shen Li: “…”

Shen Li’s gaze fixed quietly on a point, wondering if Qian Xingzhi and Li Weiwei had discussed Jiang Nan and the WCC thing in depth before the show even started.

But the Qian Xingzhi he’d expected to pull back instead really did brush the lightest kiss against his earlobe—so faint it was like a graze, reminiscent of those nights they’d shared a bed…

Memories flashed through his mind. Shen Li closed his eyes impassively, refusing to dwell.

Physical habits were scarier than any other kind.

So Shen Li just…

Instinctively stayed still. Only the spot that was touched flushed instantly, making it look on camera like he was letting Qian Xingzhi kiss him freely.

The gossip crowd exploded again:

【Wtf, you Nan Tong fans’ kisses are always this sudden?!?!】

【Wahhh Little Li looks so obedient, like he’s just letting himself get manhandled QAQ Heartbreaking. I can picture him in bed with that old dog now QAQ】

【Wow, you can imagine that and you’re still sad…? Let me pitch a tent in your brain [smirk]】

“—Hey!” Ke Jiujiu’s sweet voice yelped from nearby. “Not me and Brother Xu, not Brother Yang and Little Zhao—so who wrote this bombshell? No way Mr. Qian’s group…?”

Her words hung in the air.

Her little cluster turned their eyes this way.

Yang Zhiqi clapped a hand over his mouth, muttering to Lin Xu: “Whoa, right? How’d we forget the big stars! No way it’s Mr. Qian’s crew?”

But everyone heard.

The next moment, Li Weiwei slapped the table—not too hard, just a sharp smack. Her long ponytail whipped as she shot Yang Zhiqi a glare:

“—Are you bored or what? Who wrote it matter so much? Worry about yourself.”

“Hey? Little miss, you’ve got a temper,” Yang Zhiqi said inexplicably. “Like a tigress. No wonder Little Jiang divorced you.”

Li Weiwei sneered. “Hmph, get it straight—I dumped him. Short fuse, thinks he’s hot stuff, performance in bed’s trash and he still expects girls to baby him. Hilarious.”

“Hiss, throwing shade at who?”

“You, obviously. Problem?”

【Holy crap!!! They’re fighting?!?!】

【Aaaah sis slay!!! So badass!!!】

【But why’s Li Weiwei so riled? Did she write it?】

“No relation to you?” Yang Zhiqi dialed back his volume seeing her fire, trying reason. “Come on, let’s all judge fairly. I was just chatting with Little Ke about who wrote the card, and you come at me barking. That’s not right. Manners?”

Li Weiwei: “Don’t you get anonymous submissions? Digging into people’s privacy like this—polite of you?”

Yang Zhiqi choked, licking his lips as he groped for words.

Ke Jiujiu blinked her big eyes, interrupting softly: “Um, no way… you wrote it, Sister Wei?”

Li Weiwei shot her a fierce look. “Yeah, I did. So?”

【…】

【Wahhh sis is so cool! Sis, gender restrictions flexible? QAQ I’m way more self-aware than guys, and I can sweet-talk you happy every day [blush]】

【Lmao, no wonder with Jiang Nan gone today. Zero pressure spilling the tea.】

【Damn, no class divorcing and then trashing his bedroom skills while he’s out.】

【Knew it from the 0-second mark: dude commenter [rose] Probably sucks too [rose]】

【Sis is badass but I’m lowkey sad [bawling] Thought it was Shen Li so I sliced the melon ready to feast, now it’s not… Waaah no Qian old dog roast, I’m crying buckets [bawling][bawling]】

【Aren’t you guys too mean? Are there really this many people hoping Qian Xingzhi lasts three minutes??】

【Yeah, what could be funnier than a male celeb lasting three minutes? (Unless you’re his fan.)】

【LMAO, I’m clicking.】

Shen Li let out a silent sigh of relief, his furrowed brow gradually easing.

His beautiful, narrow eyes held a distant chill as he coldly glanced at the camera.

No matter what, it was a relief not to have to discuss such an intensely private topic with Qian Xingzhi on camera for the time being.

But once they got back, he would still need to have a serious talk with Qian Xingzhi about it…

Shen Li turned a cold gaze toward him, about to say something.

Then Qian Xingzhi’s cool, detached voice cut in faintly.

“…Oh, it’s Jiang Nan. That’s normal, then.”

Everyone in the room: ?

Shen Li glanced at him too.

Qian Xingzhi’s expression was perfectly serious, but his sharply aggressive bone structure, with those eyes that should have been full of charm now narrowed coldly, slanted toward the camera as he continued midway through his sentence.

“That’s just how his circle is. Not surprising at all. Sorry you had to deal with it, Miss Li.”

Shen Li: …Nice one.

The others: Huh?

Bullet comments and netizen replies:

【Whoa, what’s going on?】

【Qian Xingzhi must’ve looked into Jiang Nan. As an investor, it’d be weird if he didn’t know about his social circles…】

【But what does he mean by that? Feels kinda shady orz】

【I’m a bit confused. What’s Jiang Nan’s circle got to do with erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation? They all like that?】

【Holy crap! I get it! Is Qian Xingzhi implying their crowd loves playing around outside? Too much playtime leads to burnout down there?】

【Poor sis for real [sobbing]】

【What the hell?! Qian Three-Minutes spreading rumors about others now?】

【Upstairs black fan, get outta here!】

Shen Li thought to himself that after all these years apart, Qian Xingzhi’s brain had gotten sharper. He had turned the tables quite smoothly. The only question was how that “voting coefficient” would play out later—would someone tamper with it again…

As he pondered this.

Qian Xingzhi casually drew another red card—this time, someone else’s.

It felt like he had everything under control, so he turned to Shen Li. “Alright, for the last one, we’ll go with ‘Drink Chinese Medicine to Regulate.’ Sound good?”

Shen Li nodded expressionlessly, no objections.

“Next question.” Qian Xingzhi picked up someone else’s “Conflict Card,” read it aloud, and asked Shen Li’s thoughts.

Just like with the “Sexual Life Disharmony” card earlier, it muddied the waters perfectly.

Meanwhile.

In the live stream observation room.

Zhen Tian was scratching his head in frustration, beside himself with anxiety.

It was the fourth day of the show’s process, and the second day of the “Ex-Husband Bro Voting” for the cabin.

Logically, since the second ex-husband hadn’t been “voted in” yet, today’s “Ex-Husband Bro Voting” should have been as lively as yesterday’s. The voting portal was open, but it had zero buzz—almost all the viewers were glued to the cabin activities.

The deadline was fast approaching, but the number of votes was only a thirtieth of yesterday’s turnout. Even after begging Yao Shuang to plug it multiple times and urging everyone to join today’s “ex voting,” it barely budged.

It was like some celebrities—no matter how much money their company threw at them, they just couldn’t get popular.

Zhen Tian felt like a has-been no one cared about anymore. He’d been hawking it all afternoon, and he was still in third place. First was Yao Shuang, second Qin Zhao?!

Wasn’t that ridiculous?

When people get really desperate, inspiration strikes.

Zhen Tian grabbed some scrap paper from somewhere and slapped it over his name tag. In an unnoticed corner, he renamed himself:

“Zhen Ji”

Five minutes later, viewers finally noticed.

The guy, red-faced and frantic, insisted he was truly desperate and straight-up claimed Kris was his ex. But hardly anyone believed the bullet comments:

【No way, that girl’s got a PhD in engineering. What’s your education?】

【She’s a total beauty. Take a look in the mirror.】

【Foreign beauty standards are kinda different from ours, though…】

【No need to pick someone shorter than you. Nope, I don’t approve of this match. He’s no powerhouse singer—his voice is worse than mine.】

【Even if they were real, vote Yao Sis or Qin Bro in instead. I wanna see beauties paired with hotties [smile]】

【Clear soup dude! Vote now! Help the beauty marry the beauty, pleeease!】

“Isn’t this the worst defamation Zhen Ji’s ever gotten?” Zhen Tian scrolled through the comments, getting more pissed off by the second. He was itching to argue back. “Let me tell you, my chances with Kris are way higher than Brother Qian’s with his ex. Believe me, please?”

Yao Shuang shot him a disgusted glance and sneered. “Oh? Says who?”

Zhen Tian was grasping at straws now, pointing at the screen to make his case. “Look at Brother Qian and his ex! Aren’t you curious how long they’ve been divorced? Kris and I split less than a seventh of their time—we’ve got way more spark!”

【OMG, what nonsense is he spouting? Can’t even use fractions right?】

【Whatever, not the point… One-seventh? Holy shit, does that mean Qian-Shen have been divorced for like ten years???】

Zhen Tian kept spilling. “And Brother Qian’s never had a single scandal. If they really lived together, how’s there zero signs? Kris and I got papped tons of times—”

“—Haha, someone’s really desperate now. Forgive him, everyone,” Yao Shuang cut him off ruthlessly. “Babies, observation room time for a quick ad break.”

With that.

The chaotic observation room cut to a sales segment.

Bullet comments and replies exploded into disorder.

Zhen Tian had hit a nerve, stirring up a thousand waves with one stone. His outburst finally sparked unprecedented heat.

But most viewers drawn by the “observation room scoop” who switched back to Qian Xingzhi and Shen Li’s feed found Qian Xingzhi gone. Only Shen Li remained on camera.

Shen Li sat before the lens, the cool overhead light tracing down his brow bone. Half his face hovered at the edge of shadow and light, the faint cast of his eyelashes serene and distant.

【Where the hell did Qian go?! An hour away? If he doesn’t come back, I’m stealing his Little Li Cat Cat [angry]】

【Whatever, I’m happy just watching Shen Li QAQ Correction: Not his Little Li Cat Cat—everyone’s!】

【But what did Zhen Tian mean exactly? Didn’t fully get it.】

【1. Qian-Shen divorced ages ago; 2. Even married, they barely saw each other.】

【WTF?! Qian Xingzhi, you had a wife like that and didn’t go home?!】

【Maybe Qian Xingzhi was too busy and neglected Shen Li.】

【Couldn’t Shen Li just follow and keep him company? If I were my bro’s wife, I’d become his assistant or manager somehow.】

【That’s you. Our Little Li doesn’t wanna be a caged bird. Why not make Qian Xingzhi quit and tag along to Little Li’s job?】

【Shen Cat Cat was the perfect student type in school! His job’s gotta be top-tier too! Look at him grinding… Answering each question with like 300 words, mini essays! Super clear logic, blazing fast!!】

Shen Li finished six “questions” alone, meticulously filling out “Conflict Cards” as if determined to complete all thirty-eight Qian Xingzhi had drawn.

The next one was the red card he himself had submitted:

“Long-Distance Separation”

The camera caught it clearly, and the pale blue veins on the back of Shen Li’s hand tensed instantly.

He was no longer so smoothly composing answers.

His pen hovered for a long moment, his hand unmoving.

Five minutes later, after much deliberation, Shen Li finally wrote:

“Next year, I won’t schedule overly busy work. At least eight months free to serve as a life assistant.”

Bullet comments:

【…Little Li, next time don’t make mommy eat her words so fast [smile]】

【Shen Li, don’t love too hard. Love-brained folks don’t get insurance [smile]】

【Fuck, I’m fuming. Little Li seems so desperate now.】

【What job leaves eight months open? Hiring?】

Shen Li set the “Conflict Card” aside and moved to the next one.

At the same time.

On the live stream forum, an anonymous user posted a thread.

It blew up instantly with replies and upvotes, hitting [HOT] status in under three minutes.

13-Year-Old Tabloid: Qian Xingzhi with a Wild Model—Photos, Solid Proof!#

Anonymous OP (1L):

Took me four days digging! Found it this morning! Ancient history, super hard to track down!

Some say it’s fake black PR, so I upscaled the quality first. 100% Qian Xingzhi!

Look, his hand’s on her ass!! Totally that kind of relationship!!

[Image1].JPG

[Image2].JPG

Let me see who’s burning up (2L): Holy shit! First pic is obvious—his hand’s practically in her pants. Shameless?! I’m done [angry][angry]

Dizzy Veggies (3L): Wild model?? OH NO! Instant turn-off.

Good Little Bunny (4L): That wild model’s so young and fresh! Kinda blurry, but she’s gorgeous!!!

Pretty Baby (5L): Wait, doesn’t she kinda look like a young Shen Li?! Pics too grainy to tell!

Soul Contract (6L): Damn, yeah like Shen Li! Was Shen Li a kept man? Can’t believe it… [cracking up]

The Whole World Kisses Back (7L): Too blurry, nah [smile] Qian Xingzhi’s trash, Shen Li stands alone beautiful [smile] Remarry and I lose respect for you [smile]

…

Anonymous OP (1119L): Comrades! Found that video too—13 seconds, explosive! Circulated online for like 15 mins before deletion! Watch and savor—they scrub fast, save quick!

[Video File].AVI

Geng Qiuqiu huddled under her blankets, heart pounding wildly. With trembling hands, she clicked play on the video.

The video quality was indeed abysmal, so blurry it looked like it had been shot inside a cave—though in truth, it seemed to be splashed across the wall of a narrow alleyway.

The central figure’s face came through with striking clarity amid the fuzz: smooth and three-dimensional, the sharp lines running from high cheekbones to jawline unmistakable. It was unquestionably Qian Xingzhi. Nestled in his arms was a slender young man, and Qian Xingzhi’s hand had slipped familiarly beneath the hem of the fellow’s shirt, the motion natural and practiced.

And that strikingly handsome man, pushing back ever so gently…

His features evoked an ink-wash painting,

his bone structure divinely chiseled.

A few seconds later.

In the instant his gaze flicked sensitively toward the camera—

eyes sharp as blades, brows arched like swords.

It was Shen Li.