Chapter 23: Arrogant Big Star

Lin Wu froze stiff, and Ji Xingci said nothing. He simply leaned his feverish thigh and head against Lin Wu’s body.

In the stuffy confines of the cabinet, the only sounds were their breathing for a moment.

No, he was applying ointment. Lin Wu quickly calmed down.

He smeared the ointment in a circle around the area before pulling his hand back out.

Ji Xingci bit his lip again.

This time, the dissatisfaction felt even clearer. Lin Wu could only blame his own idle hands.

He hurriedly kissed the small wound on Ji Xingci’s lip, and Ji Xingci immediately hugged him tight.

In the end, he still helped Ji Xingci properly, just once.

By the time he finally coaxed Ji Xingci out of the cabinet—where the air already felt thin on oxygen—Lin Wu was covered head to toe in the scent of ointment.

Once they got home, Ji Xingci still wouldn’t let anyone else come near him. Instead, he clung only to Lin Wu.

It was as if everyone else might harm him, while Lin Wu had become the most trustworthy person in the world.

Lin Wu had no complaints about that. It just meant he had to apply the ointment again that evening.

This time, though, he skipped that spot entirely and didn’t mention anything about applying it inside.

Ji Xingci tilted his head and said nothing. His ears were bright red, though, and his expression was impossible to read—was he disappointed, or relieved?

After finishing the ointment in Ji Xingci’s familiar, safe bedroom, Lin Wu tentatively placed his hand directly on Ji Xingci’s lower belly. He even examined it closely.

The slight swell wasn’t obvious at all. But on a man with such a taut waist, it stood out as distinctly odd.

Perhaps because they’d talked it out, Ji Xingci only looked a bit embarrassed and didn’t say anything more.

“Actually,” Lin Wu said, “I’ve heard of cases like this before.”

Ji Xingci blinked in surprise. A man pregnant?

“Yeah, there was a neighbor back home who had the same thing. It’s probably not as bad as you think. Just a rare condition.”

As he spoke, Lin Wu showed him some articles and webpages he’d hastily fabricated, all while carefully watching Ji Xingci’s expression.

Right now, Ji Xingci looked like a wild beast that had suddenly been put on a leash—furious on the surface, but truly at a loss underneath.

Of course, a rare disease was far easier to accept than carrying a child. Even a flimsy excuse like this was something Ji Xingci desperately wanted to believe.

Lin Wu naturally seized the chance to gently take hold of that leash, guiding the beast to follow obediently.

“It’s probably just a buildup of fluid inside that can drain out naturally.”

“No surgery needed.”

Lin Wu continued, “We could borrow an ultrasound machine from a hospital sometime to check it out.”

Ji Xingci snorted. “Why borrow? I’ll just buy one.”

It was only a million or two, after all.

Lin Wu hesitated. “…That works too.”

Sure enough, Ji Xingci hadn’t bothered reading the wall of fine print on that webpage. Instead, he kept leaning closer to Lin Wu.

“But do you even know how to use it?”

“I don’t want anyone else looking…”

Ji Xingci’s brows furrowed, but Lin Wu was already hugging him, soothing him.

“I can learn.”

“Give me a few days. Then it’ll just be the two of us—I’ll check it for you, okay?”

Only then did Ji Xingci quiet down. He leaned into Lin Wu’s arms, his muscles finally relaxing, like a large cat that had been fully pacified.

After that, Lin Wu could clearly sense the change.

Ji Xingci’s attitude toward him had improved.

Whenever he felt like losing his temper, he’d hold it back first. Probably afraid of driving Lin Wu away.

Lin Wu almost wanted to laugh. He tried airing a few complaints, and Ji Xingci didn’t fire back with any of his usual infuriating lines like “But you like me anyway.”

Instead, he just nodded reluctantly and agreed, still gripping Lin Wu’s arm.

The first to notice something was off was Yuan Yao.

Normally, when their costume drama aired, her team would hype up a CP with Ji Xingci through a barrage of announcements.

It was standard promo, and Ji Xingci’s team usually turned a blind eye. But this time, not only did they offer no response—they even canceled all their joint appearances. The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant.

Yuan Yao faced a wave of online mockery but didn’t dare make a peep, pretending she knew nothing.

Ji Xingci’s status in the industry was far beyond what she could touch, let alone the power of his family behind him…

Even worse, her brother Yuan Long came running to her in a panic, saying he was finished.

No one was openly fighting him over the rights to that song anymore.

But just as obviously, no one was inviting him to perform it either.

His album was pulled from shelves, endorsements canceled. Gigs and jobs that had seemed locked in suddenly vanished!

Overnight, he’d become toxic waste in the entertainment world—no one dared touch him.

Yuan Long was on the verge of breakdown. “What the hell is going on?”

Yuan Yao wanted nothing more than to kick the idiot out before he dragged her down too.

“Ask yourself that! How the hell did you piss off Ji Xingci?”

“Me? Dare to piss him off?”

Yuan Long froze midway through his sentence.

It was right around then that promo for the movie Jiang Fan Guo Jin officially kicked off.

For some reason, Lin Wu’s promo resources had skyrocketed. Not only was he dragged out for events left and right, but his theme song was playing on every street corner.

Could it be… Lin Wu?

Remembering the last incident, Yuan Long’s face went pale, then flushed with rage. “That damn whore. Ass-selling faggot!”

“What did you just say?” Once Yuan Yao pieced it together, she wanted to slap him.

“You moron. If he’s really hooked up with Ji Xingci, you still dare curse him like that? He’s basically your dad now!”

“…”

By the time Yuan Long realized his sister was right and scrambled to call Lin Wu with an apology, Lin Wu was already busy with the movie’s premiere.

During a break before his turn onstage, he glanced at his phone in surprise.

His randomly created Weibo account—without a single post—had somehow gained a massive surge of followers in a day.

Should he post something?

He opened his photo album looking for a selfie, but came up empty. Not a single one.

Yuan Long’s apology call came in right then. Lin Wu took one look and blocked it.

“Lin Wu.” Ji Xingci called to him.

It was time for the actor to go on.

Lin Wu nodded. He’d gone all out today with a custom-tailored suit that hugged his frame perfectly, accentuating his model-perfect proportions: small head, broad shoulders, a sharply tapered waist, and legs that took up nearly two-thirds of his height. Even standing next to Ji Xingci, he didn’t look the least bit inferior.

By the schedule, Lin Wu was supposed to stand at the very edge.

Ji Xingci couldn’t care less about the arrangement. He simply tugged Lin Wu along, pulling him straight to the center of the stage.

Lin Wu still wasn’t used to it. He tilted his head up into a barrage of flashing lights that nearly blinded him.

Most of the people waiting in the audience had shown up solely because of Ji Xingci. Some fans of other celebrities hadn’t even wanted their idols starring in such a niche film.

But the moment they laid eyes on Lin Wu, the looks-obsessed crowd defected without a second thought.

“Ah? Isn’t he so handsome…”

“I never realized a birthmark could look that good??”

“Oh my god, it’s a totally different vibe from Ji Xingci.”

“Why does this feel kinda shippable?”

A sharp-eyed reporter fired off the first question. “This must be the actor playing Jiang Fan, right?”

In a movie named after Jiang Fan, the second male lead’s importance went without saying.

Even so, the reporters had to glance down at their notes just to confirm Lin Wu’s name.

“Mr. Lin, I heard you were a total amateur before joining the cast—not even from drama school.”

Lin Wu started to nod, but Ji Xingci patted his shoulder.

“Lin Wu’s primary profession is as an exceptional singer. He’s already signed with my company.”

He paused for a beat, turning his head to gaze at Lin Wu, who had frozen in shock at the lavish introduction, then added,

“His debut solo album will be hitting shelves soon, so please keep an eye out and show him some love.”

Lin Wu’s surprise deepened. Hadn’t the plan been to sell the copyrights to Ji Xingci for him to sing? But it was clear now that Ji Xingci had scrapped that idea and intended to put out a full album for Lin Wu instead.

Ji Xingci caught the sudden gleam in Lin Wu’s eyes, along with the way he kept staring even in front of all these reporters, unable to hold back. A secret smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Lin Wu was definitely smitten now.

And truthfully, Lin Wu was moved.

He never would have guessed that this mission—grueling as the process had been—would end on such a high note!

Ji Xingci had come so far. At this rate, they could probably wrap things up and leave soon.

Once the film began to play, the audience sank into the director’s meticulously crafted visuals and atmosphere.

Even the fans who’d come purely to cheer for Ji Xingci found themselves stunned all over again by Lin Wu up on the screen.

How could someone exude such a radically different aura, yet still hold everyone’s gaze captive?

And his acting… it was incredible.

Ji Xingci had no patience for the post-screening Q&A. He grabbed Lin Wu’s hand and slipped out early.

The moment they were in the car, Ji Xingci raised the privacy partition and yanked at his bespoke suit jacket.

“God, I’m drenched in sweat.”

Lin Wu helped him unwind the bandages cinched tight around his midsection.

“You didn’t really need to wrap it that much.”

It wasn’t like he’d actually carried a pregnancy for ten months. Ji Xingci’s belly had never gotten all that big anyway—loose clothes covered it just fine.

Ji Xingci’s ears flushed pink.

“I don’t want any headlines claiming I’ve packed on the pounds.”

Lin Wu eyed the faint red marks left on his skin and asked offhandedly,

“The album thing—is that for real?”

Ji Xingci met his gaze. “Of course. Slipped my mind to mention it sooner. The manager’s already on it.”

Lin Wu watched as Ji Xingci feigned casual indifference, chin tilted up just a touch while sneaking peeks at his reaction.

Perfectly in sync, Lin Wu put on his best “moved to tears” performance.

“Ji Xingci…”

He pulled Ji Xingci into a hug.

Ji Xingci blinked. “Hm?”

Sensing Ji Xingci’s smug anticipation, Lin Wu leaned in for a quick kiss.

It was meant to be light and sweet, but Ji Xingci cupped the back of his head, holding him in place.

“…”

Their lips met again, the kiss deepening.

Wait—why was Ji Xingci pinning him down?

Lin Wu tumbled back onto the seat, his forehead bared, staring up in a daze.

Ji Xingci couldn’t fathom it.

How did Lin Wu manage to look this stunning in formalwear? Even that vivid birthmark splashed across his face evoked the allure of a charm devil.

“Ji Xingci.”

Lin Wu nudged him back. The bandages were soaked.

Ji Xingci’s ears went scarlet.

By now, their morning and evening milk sessions had become routine.

But they were in the car. Lin Wu shot a hesitant glance toward the front.

“Should we wait until we get home?”

Ji Xingci’s ears burned hotter. “No… it’s fine.”

“Just keep it down.”

Ji Xingci had already shrugged off his suit, turning the partitioned space into their own private dining nook.

Lin Wu buried his face in the fabric.

A little while later, Ji Xingci’s hand returned to the nape of his neck, fingers threading through his hair before tightening ever so slightly.

When Lin Wu finally lifted his head, it was the same face—only now thoroughly flushed.

“All done.”

Ji Xingci bit his lip, chest heaving, then swooped in for another kiss. Lin Wu didn’t pull away, but suddenly Ji Xingci’s hand wandered lower, groping his crotch.

“??”

Lin Wu seized his wrist.

Ji Xingci felt the telltale twitch and shift, his own breath growing ragged. He shoved Lin Wu back down onto the cushion and fumbled for his zipper.

Lin Wu broke out in a sweat. “…Ji Xingci!”

Ji Xingci: “How are you… this huge?”

“Wha…?” Lin Wu’s face flamed as he froze.

Ji Xingci sounded almost peeved. “It doesn’t match your face at all.”

What the hell—why the sudden interest?

Lin Wu’s neck burned crimson. Little Xingci was clearly angling for some frottage, so he clamped down hard on that wandering hand.

“…Don’t!”

Ji Xingci bristled. “I’ve noticed—you’re always turning me down!”

“…I’m not.”

Lin Wu flashed a sheepish smile. He’d already gone along with so much.

Sure, this wasn’t his first gig playing someone drawn to the protagonist gong. But in past assignments, the whole point had been keeping the gong and shou from sparking off each other like thunder and lightning.

Why did everything feel so flipped in this world? Ji Xingci fixated on him relentlessly. The tiniest hint of reluctance, and he’d sulk—like right now, positively fuming.

Lin Wu racked his brain, but their relationship was at an all-time high. No more CP hype, the album was a go, no demands to top… just some harmless dick-to-dick contact. What was there even to argue about?

In the end, all he could muster was, “We’re still in the car…”

Ji Xingci huffed, sliding back to his side of the seat to stew in silence.

They arrived back at the villa soon enough. The two of them headed upstairs together, but Ji Xingci kept his expression stony, shooting glares Lin Wu’s way.

He was obviously waiting for Lin Wu to break the ice.

Lin Wu was starting to feel the pressure mounting when the butler approached. “Young Master, the machine you had me order has arrived.”

Relief washed over Lin Wu.

“Perfect,” he said, sidling up to Ji Xingci. “I think I’ve got the hang of reading ultrasounds.”

It had taken a while for the machine to arrive, and Lin Wu had figured Ji Xingci would be hounding them to hurry up.

Instead, when he brought it up, Ji Xingci went rigid—clearly uneasy all over again.

“Oh.”

“Ready to get started?”

“…”

Ji Xingci pressed his lips together, then cleared everyone out of the entire floor.

Lin Wu fiddled with the machine for a while. Everything had seemed to be going smoothly until he stared at the probe in his hand and fell silent.

“…Why is it this kind?”

Ji Xingci shuffled over reluctantly. “What’s wrong? This is the one with the highest resolution on the market.”

Lin Wu swallowed hard.

“It’s true… this type does have a slightly higher accuracy rate.”

But the price of that higher accuracy was that the probe had to be inserted inside, getting as close to the source as possible…

Ji Xingci—the man who bought things by simply picking the most expensive option without reading the details—finally understood. He fell silent.

The two grown men stood around the obstetrics machine for a long time.

A cold wind blew outside the window, rustling the plastic sheeting on the floor.

Lin Wu ventured tentatively, “How about we exchange it and buy another one?”

“What are you talking about?” Ji Xingci clutched his forehead in agony, his ears turning bright red.

“It was such a hassle to get it here. Of course we’re still going to test it.”

Lin Wu hesitated, words on the tip of his tongue. “Then I’ll go grab some more gel…”