Chapter 37: Feeling Wronged

What eased Ji Zhi’s mind was that Jiang Yaolin had fewer collars than Fu Huixu.

However, Jiang Yaolin soon spoke up. “Bro, I’ll check out other designers’ work later too…”

Ji Zhi fell silent.

He had been on edge at first, but then he thought it through. If Jiang Yaolin and Fu Huixu were competing for the same one, it would be better if Jiang Yaolin got it.

After all, he lived with Fu Huixu and saw him every day, which made him far more dangerous.

The anticipation in Jiang Yaolin’s eyes had turned almost tangible, but before he could say anything, Ji Zhi spoke first. He pointed proactively at a display case filled with merchandise of himself and asked Jiang Yaolin how he’d made it all.

Jiang Yaolin’s attention was successfully diverted, if only briefly. He launched into an enthusiastic explanation, rattling off details like prized treasures. “This one’s inspired by your look while streaming Fill Yer Belly…”

“And this one is…”

Ji Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

The mood between them warmed up nicely, as if the earlier incident had been nothing more than Ji Zhi’s dream.

Ji Zhi tried his best to steer the conversation toward safer topics, but he couldn’t stop Jiang Yaolin from suddenly remembering something while introducing a maid outfit doll. His tone lifted with relish. “Bro, your girl outfit looked even better than this doll…”

When Jiang Yaolin had watched Zhi Zhi’s stream before, he’d felt the same way. Back then, though, jealousy had consumed him, and his focus had been on that Top Fan. Now that the envy had faded, as he gazed at the maid doll, he belatedly realized just how stunning Ji Zhi’s cross-dressing had been—

Far better than that edited Ji Zhi game model from the social media post.

But the thought that others had seen Ji Zhi like that made Jiang Yaolin’s heart sink again.

Unfortunately, those stream clips had spread too widely. Even if he contacted people to delete them, he couldn’t guarantee no one had saved them privately…

Realizing his expression was slipping out of control again, Jiang Yaolin forced himself to stop thinking about it. No matter what, he told himself, at least Ji Zhi’s future cross-dressing would be for his eyes only.

He looked at Ji Zhi, wanting to say something, but worried his voice might crack with jealousy like before. In the end, he swallowed his words.

Besides, the atmosphere was good right now, and Jiang Yaolin didn’t want to ruin it.

Ji Zhi had no idea what was going through Jiang Yaolin’s mind. He only knew the other man’s face had suddenly grown serious. Jiang Yaolin stared at him for a long moment but said nothing.

Ji Zhi blinked in confusion.

Puzzled as he was, Ji Zhi didn’t ask. After all, Jiang Yaolin’s silence was a good thing for him.

As night fell, Ji Zhi glanced at the time and prepared to head back to school for dinner under that pretense. But when Jiang Yaolin heard him say he was hungry, the man perked up excitedly. “Bro, I’ll cook for you.”

Ji Zhi paused, remembering that Jiang Yaolin had mentioned he could cook. But he had no idea to what extent.

He found out soon enough.

In just half an hour, Jiang Yaolin had whipped up three dishes and a soup using the kitchen’s basics. It wasn’t master chef level, but the color, aroma, and flavor far exceeded Ji Zhi’s expectations.

Jiang Yaolin explained, “I practiced for a bit before joining a variety show, but I’ve been too busy filming to keep it up. I’ll study it more seriously later.”

Then he shifted gears, asking shyly yet hopefully, “Bro, would you move in with me?”

“I get so lonely living here alone…”

Pretending to look pitiful came effortlessly to him, but it had zero effect on Ji Zhi.

With the Ji Zhi plush on the dining table, Ji Zhi wallpaper on the walls, and a bedroom full of game cartridges, Ji Zhi couldn’t buy Jiang Yaolin’s claim for a second.

Ji Zhi deflected as usual with school and early classes. “It’s too far from my university…”

This time, he meant it. Jiang Yaolin’s place really was a long way from A University. Even with rides to and from, he’d have to leave at six or seven for an 8 a.m. class.

Jiang Yaolin belatedly realized the same thing and felt a pang of disappointment. He’d have to look at other apartments.

But then Ji Zhi remembered something crucial. “That social media post… did you delete it?”

Having calmed Jiang Yaolin down for the moment, Ji Zhi recalled that the post had trended because it hit the hot search square, drawing comments from people who knew Zhi Zhi.

He worried that if the buzz spread further, more people would see it, and his streaming on other platforms might get exposed to his audience.

Jiang Yaolin thought of that shipping post and snorted coldly. “Deleted it. No way was I keeping a post shipping you with someone else.”

Ji Zhi paused.

What? That was the reason?

Well, deleted was good. It would stop the buzz from spreading.

After dinner with Jiang Yaolin, the man finally drove him back to school.

On the way back, though, Ji Zhi soon remembered another important matter—

He still hadn’t re-added Fu Huixu.

When he’d deleted him earlier, Ji Zhi figured Fu Huixu was swamped with work and wouldn’t notice right away. He could just add him back later.

But Jiang Yaolin had been glued to his side then, so Ji Zhi hadn’t dared pull out his phone. Now, with Jiang Yaolin driving, he hurriedly took it out.

But just as Ji Zhi went to re-add him, the screen lit up with an incoming call from Fu Huixu.

Ji Zhi’s heart skipped a beat.

Fu Huixu only called out of the blue once before, about his cousin. Otherwise, he always asked first.

Sensing trouble, Ji Zhi quickly logged into his main WeChat account.

Though both accounts had Fu Huixu added now, Fu Huixu preferred chatting on his alt, so that’s where most of their talks happened.

Logging into the main, Ji Zhi saw Fu Huixu had rarely messaged there. Sure enough, a few minutes earlier:

【Fu Huixu: Baby, what happened?】

【Fu Huixu: [Picture]】

The photo showed Fu Huixu’s message to Ji Zhi’s alt failing to send.

Realizing Fu Huixu had noticed, Ji Zhi’s chest tightened. His mind raced for an explanation.

Jiang Yaolin glanced over. “Bro, your phone’s ringing. Why not pick up?”

Ji Zhi had it on silent for class, but the vibration was loud in the enclosed car, so Jiang Yaolin heard clearly.

His focus was on the road, though, so he didn’t see the caller ID.

Jiang Yaolin’s voice snapped Ji Zhi back. Pretending calm, he said, “Unknown number. Probably a scam.”

With Jiang Yaolin right there, Ji Zhi couldn’t answer without risking him overhearing something suspicious with Fu Huixu.

At the same time, he didn’t dare hang up. Better to let it time out, then make an excuse to Fu Huixu.

Hearing that, Jiang Yaolin didn’t press.

The call finally timed out.

But before Ji Zhi could relax, Fu Huixu called again, relentless.

Ji Zhi panicked.

Luckily, the school gates loomed ahead.

Ji Zhi hurriedly said goodbye to a reluctant Jiang Yaolin and got out, acting like nothing was wrong.

Only after entering campus, sure no sign of the car behind him, did Ji Zhi check his phone. Several missed calls: some from Fu Huixu, others from an unfamiliar number.

He guessed the unknowns were from the butler—Fu Huixu must have tried that phone after his own calls went unanswered, or asked the butler to try.

Realizing Fu Huixu had looped in the butler, Ji Zhi tensed up again.

He’d planned to call back from the dorm, but upon entering the room, he found two figures inside.

One was Fu Huixu. The other, the butler.

Ji Zhi caught only something about installing phone tracking before the butler’s voice cut off as he opened the door.

Seeing Ji Zhi, Fu Huixu shot up from the bed’s edge. Without a word from Fu Huixu, the butler slipped out.

The room fell silent, just the two of them.

Before Fu Huixu could speak, Ji Zhi rushed in. “Sorry, I was biking back to school earlier. I parked the bike and only then saw your calls, so I figured I’d call from the dorm…”

He hadn’t expected Fu Huixu to beat him back.

Fu Huixu asked, “Baby, where were you?”

“Why’d you delete me…?”

His expression hadn’t changed, but his voice carried unmistakable grievance.

Fu Huixu had only meant to message Ji Zhi, only to find a glaring red exclamation mark in the chat.

It put him instantly on edge, unsure what had happened.

Work was mostly done, so he rushed back to the dorm while calling. But the calls went unanswered, met only by cold tones.

If the butler’s phone hadn’t gotten the same treatment, Fu Huixu might’ve thought Ji Zhi had blocked his number too.

That realization didn’t cheer him, though. He replayed yesterday’s chats—no red flags.

The block was so sudden. He could message the main account, but no reply.

By the time Fu Huixu reached the dorm, Ji Zhi was gone.

Glancing at the clock, Fu Huixu noted Ji Zhi should be here by now. If he didn’t show soon, he’d have the butler track his location.

Fu Huixu spoke at breakneck speed, his questions on the verge of tumbling out one after another. Ji Zhi hurriedly cut in, answering them one by one. “I was really craving the food at that restaurant a moment ago, so I hopped on my bike and went there. I just got back to the dorm…”