Chapter 8

“Boss, what’s wrong with you?” Bai Zhu grabbed Fang Si Ting’s wrist and swiftly pulled his hand down just as the elevator doors were about to close on it.

Fang Si Ting looked at his reflection in the elevator doors, then turned and headed to the restaurant for dinner.

The program crew and guests were all staying at this hotel. Starting tomorrow, the first episode’s seven-day live broadcast would begin. The pursuit team would film their casework at the official office in United Building during the day and rest here at night. The criminals weren’t so lucky—they were about to start their lives on the run, dodging and hiding. This might be the most comfortable night they’d have.

“Has everyone arrived? Inspector Fang, over here.” The director cheerfully waved the pursuit team members over.

The criminals who had been caught earlier were already waiting for the feast to start. The atmosphere was very cheerful until they saw Fang Si Ting approaching—then they all shrank back like mice seeing a cat, standing up awkwardly to greet him.

Ou Yu looked around and asked, “Where’s Xiao Fen?”

“The guy sold you out, and you’re still counting money for him,” a regular guest said. The eliminated guests had already taken a liking to the live stream.

“What happened?” Ou Yu asked blankly.

Tang Shen had no choice but to explain the whole story to him.

“Xiao Fen is that impressive?” Ou Yu was shocked.

His impression of the man was still stuck on those few words they’d exchanged while blowing wind on the balcony by the restaurant earlier—introverted and shy, completely out of place in the entertainment industry vibe.

“Teacher Xiao brought in nearly three million in traffic for the program today alone,” the director said. Otherwise, the latter half would’ve had zero views. Today, Old Master Lu had finally breathed a sigh of relief, though he’d followed it up with a torrent of curses.

Fortunately, Xiao Fen had done some guiding during the program, so Bureau Chief Wu hadn’t said anything in the end. Otherwise, the first episode wouldn’t have aired.

“Teacher Xiao was pretty active today and got tired out. He went back to his room to rest first. I’ll bring him dinner later,” Wang Ze said.

“I’ll go.” Ou Yu stood up to pack some food.

Wang Ze hurriedly stood as well. “How can we let Teacher Ou do that?”

“It’s fine,” Ou Yu said. “After what happened today, there’s definitely a ton of scolding him online. He’s probably in a bad mood. I’ll go chat with him.”

“Wang Ze, just let Movie Emperor Ou do it. Otherwise, he won’t be able to sleep tonight from guilt,” the director said with a chuckle. “Movie Emperor Ou has always been approachable.”

When people were in high spirits from happy events, their energy soared. Before the broadcast, this show had looked like a total flop, but a simple warm-up activity had drawn over seven million views. Online discussions were still sky-high, with the top eight trending topics all related to the No Escape variety show. He respectfully toasted Fang Si Ting a glass.

“Inspector Fang, we really have to thank you and Xiao Fen for today’s program.”

The director’s face stiffened from smiling, but he couldn’t read any joy or anger on Fang Si Ting’s face. He could only drink the toast himself and make small talk. “The internet is blowing up with news about you and Xiao Fen right now. I have an idea—why not stir up a CP between you two?”

He caught the chill in Fang Si Ting’s eyes and quickly explained, “Right before the live stream ended, you and Xiao Fen bumped into each other at the elevator. Netizens screenshotted that moment, and the topic shot straight to number one on Weibo trends, overtaking even #Lu Jin and Ou Yu’s Underground Romance#. It boosted the program’s attention too. …If we try to suppress it, it might hurt promotion. Better to just ride the wave…”

Fang Si Ting opened Weibo and tapped straight into the top trend. It was all screenshots and videos of that elevator encounter.

His distinct knuckles casually clicked into one, zooming in. Xiao Fen’s bright, provocative smile filled the screen.

“Inspector Fang? Inspector Fang?” The director called out cautiously several times before Fang Si Ting finally looked up.

Dazzling fireworks exploded outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, blooming into brilliant flowers across the deep blue night sky.

The guests dining in the restaurant were all stunned by the stunning fireworks show.

While everyone’s attention was off the table, Ou Yu stood up, rolled up his sleeves, and packed the dishes from the table into takeout boxes.

This one I like, this one’s tasty—rounding it off, they were all things Xiao Fen would like.

“Wow, Movie Emperor Ou, someone’s confessing to you.”

“Huh?” Ou Yu looked up blankly from the sweet-and-sour pork.

Under the starry sky, a massive “Yu” character was surrounded by red rose fireworks, framed on the outside by layers of golden tassel fireworks. It was breathtaking.

“Half of City A can see this fireworks show tonight. So romantic.”

Lu Jin, dressed in a suit, had somehow appeared beside Ou Yu.

“Mr. Ou,” he said, holding out a bouquet of roses. “Today is the premiere of No Escape. I wish you a stellar performance in the program.”

“Thank you. I hope we get more chances to work together in the future.” A mild, polite smile appeared on Ou Yu’s face. “No Escape is also a program personally planned by Young Master Lu. On its premiere, I’ll borrow these flowers to offer Buddha my wishes: May all the guests shine in the program, and may Young Master Lu and the program crew make this variety show better and better, turning it into an ace program.”

Amid a round of applause, he solemnly handed the roses to the director, picked up the takeout boxes, and left the restaurant.

Lu Jin stared at Ou Yu’s retreating back until it was gone, then turned to see Fang Si Ting with his legs crossed, leaning back in his chair, casually sipping tea.

“Inspector Fang, why did photos of Ou Yu and his schedule suddenly appear on my phone?”

“The pursuit team handles cases by the book,” Fang Si Ting said leisurely, looking up. “You should ask the person who set up the crime scene.”

A fierce glint flashed across Lu Jin’s face. He crooked a finger.

The director sidled up with an obsequious smile, only to be immediately pulled under an arm around his shoulders. His body bent, back hunched, groveling low.

Lu Jin leaned down and whispered a few words in his ear.

++

When Ou Yu knocked on Xiao Fen’s door, blasting rock music was thundering from inside.

“Movie Emperor Ou, what’s up?” Xiao Fen held a phone to his ear. Seeing the visitor, he hung up on his manager’s frantic yelling.

He wasn’t wearing his black-rimmed glasses, and his hair was a messy bird’s nest. It had grown a bit long since his last trim, hanging over his eyes. He blew it away in one breath, only for it to fall back down.

Ou Yu couldn’t help laughing. “I heard you didn’t eat dinner, so I brought some.”

“Thanks, Movie Emperor Ou.”

“Just call me Ou Yu.”

Xiao Fen shrugged indifferently, took the takeout boxes, and turned—only to realize he’d forgotten to close the door. Ou Yu had already let himself in and shut it behind him.

“Eat some together?”

“Sure.” Ou Yu sat down.

Xiao Fen: “…” He’d only been polite.

He opened the boxes and grabbed four ice-cold beers from the fridge, kicking the clothes and shoes scattered along the way behind the sofa.

“It’s a bit messy.” He met Ou Yu’s frank gaze and felt a little embarrassed.

“I heard about the live stream today—watched some later too. It was brilliant. Your acting fooled even me.”

Their beer bottles clinked. Xiao Fen slapped the cap off one and offered it, but got refused. He downed half a bottle himself in one go, moistening his dry throat, then drawled lazily, “Here to chew me out?”

“It’s just a variety show. No need to take it so seriously.” Ou Yu met his slightly drunken gaze. “But how did you know Lu Jin has a crush on me?”

Even he, the person involved, hadn’t noticed until today.

“I’m an artist under Boss Lu’s company. I hear some rumors.” Xiao Fen propped one foot up, wrist draped over his knee, the beer bottle dangling precariously from his fingertips.

Ou Yu’s curiosity piqued. He leaned across the coffee table. “What’s he like?”

Xiao Fen arched a brow, a sly glint flickering in his fox-like eyes. “You like him?”

It was the first time Ou Yu had seen him like this—exactly like the highlight clips online.

He blinked. “We only met for the first time today. My manager wanted to network and collaborate before, but it fell through.”

“What if he came specifically for you this time?”

Ou Yu slowly chewed and swallowed a bite of food, then revealed a faint smile. “What makes me worthy.”

Lu Jin was the infamous crown prince of City A’s business scene—spoiled from childhood, domineering and overbearing, with hardly anyone daring to cross him.

For a guy who got whatever he wanted, to set up this whole program just for him. Standing before him, all that wild arrogance tucked away, shy and awkward like a green rookie, eyes full of cautious affection.

Love or not—it was obvious.

Who wouldn’t be moved by that kind of love?

Xiao Fen leaned close to his ear, the wet, malty scent of beer wafting into it. “Whether you like him or not, I can help.”

His voice was impossibly soft, laced with a hint of drunkenness—half real, half fake. Ou Yu couldn’t tell.

“How?” The question slipped out before he realized.

“If you like him, I’ll play matchmaker. If not, I’ll make him back off.” Xiao Fen patted his chest like an old hand, smug. “I’ve got experience.”

“Why help me?”

“I accidentally spilled the boss’s little secret today. Won’t be pretty for me later. If you two end up together, I’m the hero. If not, I’ve still cozied up to the film emperor’s thigh—won’t end up too badly off.”

Ou Yu chuckled. “For that line alone, I’ll take you as my little brother today. Come to me anytime.”

Xiao Fen clinked glasses with him, downed his two beers, picked at a few bites of food to half-full—and the table was already nearly empty.

“Aren’t you bringing me dinner?”

How’d he eat it all?

Sated, Ou Yu lazed against the arm of the single sofa, a sleepy, satisfied look on his face. “You were just drinking, no eating. Seemed like a waste.”

“The great film emperor afraid of wasting a bit of food?”

“Fine, my manager won’t let me eat much. He’s gone, but the program crew’s still watching me. Don’t want me overeating.” Ou Yu burped, embarrassed as he confessed. “Haven’t eaten this full in ages.”

Xiao Fen was torn between laughter and tears. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll snitch to your manager?”

“Nah.” Ou Yu thought for a bit. “Consider it compensation for framing me as the killer today. Keep it secret for me.”

“No can do. I still need to scrounge some food.” Xiao Fen shuffled to the fridge, rummaged, found nothing edible, and called room service.

By the time he hung up, Ou Yu had cleared the coffee table of leftovers, bagged them, and set the bag by the door. Now he was picking up the pile of dirty clothes from the floor.

Xiao Fen jumped up from the floor. “Hey, don’t touch that. I’ll do it.”

He couldn’t lose face like that.

Ou Yu shook out the clothes in his hand. “This your security uniform from that last elevator appearance? It went viral.”

“Viral how?”

“You haven’t checked Weibo?” Ou Yu laughed. “You and Inspector Fang from the pursuit team are a CP now.”

“With that cold-faced freak? Who’s he supposed to be?” Xiao Fen looked utterly done, but he opened his phone and sure enough—the top three trends were all him and Fang Si Ting.

“Thanks to my good little brother blocking the way,” Ou Yu said, poking his head over the back of the couch to look at the phone together. “The buzz on me and Lu Jin died down a bit.”

Xiao Fen tapped Ou Yu’s trend. It was a bloodbath: some calling Lu Jin’s secret crush romantic, others saying he wanted to sleep his way to the film emperor, still others accusing Ou Yu of using the show to hook up with City A’s crown prince. Every take imaginable.

Naturally, he got the worst of the scolding—practically every program-related trend had hate for him. Ou Yu’s fans had infamous combat power in the industry. With his mere fifty thousand fans, mostly chill types, he was no match.

Xiao Fen checked his profile—up to 290,000 now.

Black-hot was still hot, after all.

Little Young Master earned more fans in one day than the original had in over two years.

Ou Yu shoved the phone between them and snapped a photo.

Soon, Xiao Fen saw Ou Yu’s post—and that he’d followed him.

“Taught my little brother a lesson. He says he’ll do it again next time. What now?”

The attached pic was the one they’d just taken.

In the dim room, Ou Yu’s jade-like fingers threaded through Xiao Fen’s tousled black hair, tugging his head up to face the camera. That smug, roguish grin hadn’t faded yet. Ou Yu’s chin rested on his shoulder from behind the sofa, his refined profile to the shot, eyes brimming with indulgent affection as he looked at him.

Film emperor through and through—even looking at a dog that deeply.

Wait, how’d he drag himself into the curse?

“Hot as hell.” Xiao Fen uncomfortably shoved away the person stuck to his back and tugged his askew collar back up over his shoulder.

He hadn’t bothered to wear his clothes properly. He’d only just sprawled on the sofa playing with his phone when he casually shifted position. The hem rode up, exposing his tight, slender waist. It twisted occasionally beneath the oversized black T-shirt, its fairness so dazzling it shook the heart.

His spine dipped slightly, forming a subtle valley of pale shadows that drew the eye along the undulating lines of his waist and back, ultimately flowing into the cleft between the prominent curves of his buttocks beneath the jeans.

Ou Yu’s mild gaze gradually took on a predatory edge.