ABBWW Chapter 21

Chapter 021 The Young Master – “A scheming man uses his online tricks to deceive the innocent young master.” (21/35)

 

The next day’s schedule was packed and grueling, with one segment following another relentlessly. By the end, the guests were so exhausted they could barely stand. To top it off, they were dumped into the fields to work. At first, some viewers worried Shi Jingge wouldn’t handle it, but he never once complained—not even when other guests were wailing for the sake of entertainment.

 

Only when they returned that evening did Wen Xusheng forcefully capture the young master’s hidden hand. Upon prying it open, he saw several abrasions and blisters on his fingertips.

 

“W–What are you doing?!” The young master struggled fiercely to pull his hand back, but it was utterly impossible. All he could manage was a feeble, angry shout.

 

Wen Xusheng pursed his lips. “Does it hurt?”

 

The young master instinctively opened his mouth. “It hurts…” Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he whipped his head away. “…It doesn’t hurt at all! Real men never say if it hurts!”

 

Wen Xusheng looked up at him, his gaze complex, and sighed slowly. “Wait.”

 

With these two words, Wen Xusheng turned and left. Soon, he returned carrying some iodine solution, cotton swabs, saline solution, and other supplies. “Stretch out your hand.”

 

The young master hesitantly extended his hand, watching as Wen Xusheng pulled out a needle. He fidgeted nervously. “What are you doing?”

 

His beautiful eyes widened like a startled kitten. Even frightened, he didn’t pull his hand back. How much did he trust him?

 

Wen Xusheng’s heart softened, tinged with a faint ache. “I’ll lance it and apply medicine. It won’t hurt tomorrow.”

 

The young master shrank his neck and asked softly, “Can we skip that?”

 

Wen Xusheng thought for a moment, then examined the blisters closely. “Alright.”

 

He carefully applied the medicine to Shi Jingge’s hand. “Now take off your shoes. Let me see your feet.”

 

Young Master: !!!!

 

Shi Jingge gaped at Wen Xusheng in shock, then leaped up, bounding three meters away. He shouted, “My feet are perfectly fine! You don’t need to look!!”

 

Wen Xusheng watched his retreating back in bewilderment before chasing after him. “Hiding your injuries and avoiding treatment can lead to serious consequences!”

 

The two dashed into the room, one in front and one behind, leaving the cameraman locked out. Viewers in the livestream chat were frantic.

 

>>Cameraman, what are you doing?! Go! Go!!<<

 

>>Cameraman, it’s all up to you!! Help the kids! They just want to see the room!<<

 

>>I protest! This is a live stream! What’s with these two running off?<<

 

>>Reporting you for slacking off!<<

 

>>Cameraman, go in! I’ll back you up no matter what!<<

 

>>Master, hear the audience’s cries! Follow them!!<<

 

But in the end, the cameraman didn’t go in. Instead, the live stream shut down.

 

Audience in front of the live stream: ???

 

Everyone lingered for a long time, unwilling to leave, vigorously urging for the live stream to be reopened. However, their strong pleas went unanswered. So in the end, no one knew whether Wen Xusheng had seen the young master’s feet.

 

In the blink of an eye, the third day arrived, and the first episode of ‘Starting with Cohabitation’ wrapped up perfectly. Watching the guests bid farewell to everyone in the livestream, the audience felt quite reluctant to let them go.

 

>>The next episode is a whole week away, waaah.<<

 

>>Don’t close the livestream yet! Wait a bit longer!! Just a little longer!<<

 

>>Let me take a couple more screenshots before closing the live stream!<<

 

>>I didn’t even get to see the young master’s feet, waaah.<<

 

>>??? I want to see too! I want to see too!!<<

 

>>I’m different—I don’t care about the young master’s feet. Did Brother Wen get to see?<<

 

>>?? I’m just concerned about the young master’s health! I’m worried he might have blisters on his feet and be too shy to seek treatment!<<

 

>>Exactly! That’s how righteous we are!<<

 

The broadcast rooms went dark one by one, yet most viewers remained, expressing their reluctance to leave.

 

Mr. Troll leaned against the wall, gazing at the chat with melancholy. He lit a cigarette and slowly exhaled a smoke ring.

 

Being a professional was tough. Driving the narrative was even tougher.

 

Just then, Mr. Troll’s phone buzzed. He checked the notification and froze.

 

—[Client demands refund.]

 

Mr. Troll: !!!

 

—[Task completion rate: 0%. 30% compensation required.]

 

—[Transfer the compensation immediately. We’ll forward it to the client.]

 

Mr. Troll: !!!!!!

 

So not only did he fail the job, but he also had to pay out of pocket?

 

Overwhelmed by grief and anger, Mr. Troll felt a pang of indignation.

 

It was clearly the client who provided the wrong information! What about their promised future development? They gave him the incorrect details that had made him fail! He hadn’t even demanded compensation from the client—yet they dared to ask for a refund?!

 

He had worked tirelessly to drive the narrative, staying awake for three straight days!

 

Three days—three days—

 

Did they even know how he fared?

 

They didn’t!

 

All they cared about was getting their money back!

 

They were outrageous!!

 

—Waaah.

 

—From now on, whenever he spots Wen Xusheng or Shi Jingge, he’ll take a detour!!

 

To be fair, throughout this season of ‘Starting with Cohabitation’, the young master’s performance has been genuinely delightful.

 

He could see no trace of arrogance or entitlement in him—just a genuinely silly little cutie. Sure, he was a bit tsundere and awkward, but he was a genuinely good person, practically an angel incarnate.

 

Especially when facing Wen Xusheng—his cuteness knew no bounds!

 

As for Wen Xusheng, well, anyone with eyes could see he treated the young master completely differently from everyone else—his double standards were crystal clear.

 

But wasn’t that exactly what shippers crave when knocking a CP? That feeling of the entire world revolving around just one person?

 

Those two’s obvious mutual attraction, both subtle and not, was utterly satisfying, okay?!

 

In the past three days, ‘Starting with Cohabitation’ had hit the trending charts countless times. The Shengge CP even cracked the popular pairings list, and everyone’s Weibo follower count shot up significantly, especially the young master’s, which skyrocketed at an astonishing rate.

 

With buzz, viewership, and audience engagement all soaring, the numbers for the first episode were already closing in on Season 1’s records. The production team was over the moon, even dropping several big red envelopes in the group chat for everyone to try their luck.

 

Only Wen Xusheng’s luck seems to be running a bit dry.

 

During the last round, the young master flat-out snatched Wen Xusheng’s phone and grabbed the red envelope for him. It was Wen Xusheng’s first time earning the title of “Luckiest Guy.”

 

Meng Yisong grinned as he teased, “Should we say the young master has good luck or that Brother Wen has good luck?”

 

Wen Xusheng and Shi Jingge answered in unison, “Him.”

 

Meng Yisong burst out laughing at this, clapping his hands. “You two never disappoint.”

 

The young master glared at him.

 

Just then, Wei Zhiyun’s voice suddenly carried over. “Brother Wen is the luckiest man alive! Congratulations!”

 

Instantly, Meng Yisong’s brow furrowed.

 

That man… He genuinely couldn’t stand him.

 

Wen Xusheng glanced at him, his tone flat. “Yeah, Xiao Ge’s the one who’s amazing.”

 

Wei Zhiyun’s expression froze.

 

Truthfully, Wen Xusheng’s actions that night had already made his stance abundantly clear, but Wei Zhiyun just couldn’t let it go.

 

Here he was, testing the waters once more, only to get the same answer he never wanted.

 

Wei Zhiyun simply couldn’t believe it. Wen Xusheng was such an outstanding, godlike figure—how could he not see Shi Jingge’s true colors?

 

All these rich second-generation brats—what good character did they have?

 

Every single one of them was trash!

 

Why would Wen Xusheng want to associate with garbage like Shi Jingge?

 

Could it be to latch onto the Shi family’s powerful connections?

 

Wei Zhiyun scoffed quietly. Shao Zechen, sitting beside him, heard the sound and frowned at him.

 

Shao Zechen and Wei Zhiyun had both come from the same boy band. Later, Shao Zechen transitioned directly into variety shows. They’d always gotten along well, and their connection had never truly faded over the years. Back then, Wei Zhiyun had helped Shao Zechen get started; now, Shao Zechen was the one helping Wei Zhiyun.

 

Shao Zechen understood Wei Zhiyun well. He knew that he’d nearly been blacklisted after offending a rich second-generation heir, which was why he’d fallen from being a top-tier star to his current position. Consequently, Wei Zhiyun harbored a certain distaste for the wealthy elite.

 

Perhaps when the young master recently criticized a certain actor’s acting skills on Weibo, Wei Zhiyun couldn’t help but project himself in that situation. After all, Wei Zhiyun’s acting was genuinely mediocre, lacking any real spark. Being criticized was practically a daily occurrence for him. Coupled with Wei Zhiyun’s looks, limited opportunities, and past conflicts that alienated people, many production teams were reluctant to hire him, making it difficult for him to land roles.

 

Wei Zhiyun resorted to variety shows to stay relevant, though he secretly looked down on them. Now with no viable path forward and stuck in an awkward limbo, his resentment toward that wealthy second-generation figure only deepened.

 

But what exactly did Shi Jingge do wrong? He hadn’t done anything.

 

This was merely Wei Zhiyun’s misplaced anger.

 

“Calm down.” Shao Zechen tugged him back. “Wasn’t Wen Xusheng’s warning clear enough? Aren’t you afraid he’ll give you a hard time?”

 

Wei Zhiyun took a deep breath. “I understand.”

 

Shao Zechen shot him a suspicious glance but said nothing. At that moment, he suddenly felt a pang of regret. If he’d known Shi Jingge would be cast in ‘Starting with Cohabitation’, he never would have invited Wei Zhiyun.

 

The group boarded the plane, preparing for their return flight.

 

The young master edged closer, tugging at Wen Xusheng’s sleeve and whispering, “What’s wrong with him?”

 

Wen Xusheng glanced down at the young master’s hand, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Want to know?” he asked, his tone cool.

 

The young master glared at him. “Duh.”

 

Wen Xusheng beckoned him closer, murmuring, “Come a bit nearer.”

 

The young master frowned, hesitating. Wen Xusheng lowered his voice further. “We’re on a plane. People are all around us. If someone overhears…” He trailed off.

 

The young master raised an eyebrow, utterly unconcerned, his arrogance palpable. But soon, as if struck by a thought, his expression twisted in conflict. Finally, he shot Wen Xusheng a fierce glare and leaned closer.

 

Wen Xusheng’s voice faltered for a moment. He regained his composure, though his voice was slightly husky. “Come closer. They can still hear us,” he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

 

In truth, nobody could hear them. Both men spoke softly, and with all the bustle and chatter on the plane, who would notice?

 

But the young master didn’t know that.

 

Hearing Wen Xusheng’s voice grow increasingly hushed, Shi Jingge genuinely believed he feared others might overhear. After a moment of hesitation, he leaned in closer.

 

Wen Xusheng’s breath, warm and soft, brushed against his ear. Shi Jingge couldn’t help but shiver, his ears flushing red. Wen Xusheng’s eyes darkened further.

 

The young master couldn’t help but push Wen Xusheng slightly. “Hurry up and say it!” His tone carried a hint of irritation and embarrassment.

 

Yet, because they were both so close, it came across like a kitten extending its paw, laced with a touch of petulance.

 

What harm could a little kitten possibly do? Kittens were just adorable.

 

“He’s jealous of your good luck,” Wen Xusheng murmured, his tone nonchalant.

 

Shi Jingge’s eyes widened in obvious disbelief.

 

To avoid ruffling the kitten’s fur further, Wen Xusheng decided to change the subject. After a few moments of contemplation, he spoke slowly, his tone carrying an indefinable hint of testing, “I dreamt about you last night.”

 

Shi Jingge froze. “Huh?”

 

Caught off guard by the young master’s reaction, Wen Xusheng paused.

 

Shi Jingge blinked. “Why would you dream about me?”

 

Wen Xusheng: “…” How was he supposed to answer that?

 

Sensing Wen Xusheng’s silence, the young master thought he’d said something wrong and tried to salvage the situation. “Um… What’s wrong?”

 

“…”

 

“Say something.”

 

“…”

 

“Then… I’ll dream about you tonight too?”

 

“Fine,” Wen Xusheng replied quickly. “It’s a deal.”

 

Shi Jingge: “?”

 

This time, it was his turn to be filled with question marks. “Wait… but…”

 

Before the young master could finish, Wen Xusheng cut him off. “Don’t bother trying to back out. I won’t listen.”

 

Young Master: ???

 

Shi Jingge’s eyes widened, seeming unable to believe such a shameless line had come from Wen Xusheng.

 

Wen Xusheng felt rather shameless himself, but… To win over his little boyfriend, he had to swallow his pride.

 

However, his ears were burning slightly. Wen Xusheng said calmly, “I only know that you promised me. The young master has always been a man of his word. You wouldn’t lie to me, right?”

 

Shi JIngge glared at him. “Of course I’m a man of my word, but—”

 

The word ‘but’ barely left his lips before Wen Xusheng cut him off. “See? You just admitted you keep your promises. If that’s the case, you shouldn’t break your own vow.”

 

Young Master: ???

 

Not being allowed to break promises… Was that how it worked?

 

“To ensure you fulfill your promise to me, shouldn’t you invite me to visit the Shi family? That way, I can remind you whenever necessary. If you can always see me, won’t you also dream of me?” Wen Xusheng seized every opportunity to secure benefits for himself.

 

Young Master: ???

 

“Y–You—You want to come to my house?!”

 

Watching the young master’s stunned expression, Wen Xusheng’s eyes gradually dimmed. “…Indeed, I shouldn’t disturb you. I was just joking.” Wen Xusheng ruffled the young master’s hair. ”Don’t take it seriously.“

 

But his expression betrayed his disappointment, sadness, and dejection—hardly the look of someone who was just joking.

 

“I–I–I… You–You–You…” The young master felt his mind spinning. ”My house has plenty of guest rooms.“

 

Wen Xusheng’s eyes lit up.

 

The young master squirmed awkwardly. “You and my brother are still friends. He’d definitely want to see you.”

 

Your brother wouldn’t want to see me at all. But Wen Xusheng wouldn’t voice that thought, of course. He merely nodded hesitantly.

 

“Then you should come.” The young master waved his hand. “If my brother found out I didn’t invite his friend over, he’d be furious. My brother doesn’t have many friends. You’re the only one he’s ever mentioned to me. He must consider you a good brother. I’ll consider it for my brother’s benefit.” The young master spoke with such obvious impatience.

 

Wen Xusheng couldn’t hide the amusement in his eyes.

 

The young master, scheming and scrambling for excuses—how utterly adorable!

 

The rest of their conversation was at a normal volume, though Shi Jingge had only raised his voice slightly in surprise. Meng Yisong, seated just ahead of them, overheard the entire conversation. His mood instantly turned incredibly complicated.

 

The scheming dog man was online, tricking the innocent young master.

 

The young master was still far too naive! Meng Yisong felt heartbroken.

 

After disembarking the plane, all the guests were picked up by their assistants or agents.

 

And Du Yi, naturally, had come to pick up Wen Xusheng.

 

Wen Xusheng pointed at the young master. “I’m going with him today.”

 

Du Yi: ???

 

It’s only been three days, bro! You’ve already progressed to meeting the parents?!

 

Just then, a voice suddenly cut through the air, “Xiao Ge!”

 

It was Shi Rongqing!

 

Shi Rongqing had personally come to pick up his younger brother.

 

Shi Jingge’s eyes lit up. He wanted to rush over, but looking around, he forced himself to hold back. He only strode forward, closing the distance. As he got closer, he couldn’t help but break into a light jog.

 

Shi Rongqing smoothly caught his brother, then immediately spread out Shi Jingge’s hand. Seeing the blisters that hadn’t yet faded in the palm, his eyes filled with distress. “Why isn’t it healed yet?”

 

The young master pulled his hand out and hid it behind his back, awkwardly deflecting the topic.

 

Shi Rongqing reached out to ruffle Shi Jingge’s hair, his voice slightly hoarse. “You’ve lost weight.”

 

The young master felt flustered. Spotting Wen Xusheng, his eyes lit up, and he quickly changed the subject. “Brother, can I invite someone over to our house?”

 

Shi Rongqing replied crisply, “Sure.”

 

At that moment, Shi Rongqing hadn’t even noticed Wen Xusheng, completely immersed in the joy of reuniting with his younger brother.

 

Seeing that his brother had lost weight and had small wounds on his hands, how could he bring himself to refuse his own little one?

 

Then, Shi Jingge turned around and brought Wen Xusheng over.

 

Shi Rongqing: ???

 

—Can I take back that “Sure” I just said?

 

But clearly, it was too late.

 

Wen Xusheng got into the car.

 

Du Yi picked them up only to witness their affection, feeling utterly doomed.

 

—Waaah, he really has fallen out of favor!

 

Throughout the ride, Shi Rongqing deliberately ignored Wen Xusheng, but he couldn’t help it when his little brother was so cozy with that guy!

 

Besides, the two had just participated in a variety show together. Living under the same roof, knowing each other’s daily activities, they could chat about anything and even exchange occasional whispers.

 

When Shi Rongqing sawShi Jingge and Wen Xusheng whispering together once more, his heart felt like it was soaking in a vat of vinegar.

 

No, he had to find a legitimate reason to get rid of Wen Xusheng.

 

But by the time they reached the Shi family villa, he still hadn’t found a legitimate reason.

 

Instead, there was an uninvited guest–Mu Jincheng.

 

“Xiao Ge.” Mu Jincheng looked pale, with dark circles under his eyes, and was utterly disheveled. When he looked at Shi Jingge, his gaze was both pained and tender, laced with deep affection.

 

After three days of grueling work, he’d perfected this look—truly flawless.

 

But by Shi Jingge’s side stood Wen Xusheng.

 

When it came to acting, especially nuanced performances, Mu Jincheng was like an apprentice showing off his mediocre skills in front of a master!

 

And Wen Xusheng was known for his sharp tongue.

 

Wen Xusheng stepped forward, blocking Shi Jingge’s view with a sideways stance—a devastating opening move. “Isn’t this Mr. Mu? Long time no see. Who’d have thought Mr. Mu would be dabbling in performance art now? Quite the consummate professional.”

 

Wen Xusheng didn’t give Mu Jincheng a chance to speak, smoothly steering the conversation elsewhere. “Oh right, seeing you reminds me. Those people who used me as a decoy last time, the ones who had Xiao Ge completely fooled—have you found them yet? Didn’t you say you’d give me an explanation, Mr. Mu? So many days have passed. Where’s that explanation? You have time for performance art, but no time to give us an explanation?”

 

Mu Jincheng: “…”

 

Damn it, he was drowning in his own mess—how could he possibly remember that small issue?

 

Mu Jincheng tried to change the subject, but how could Wen Xusheng let him off the hook?

 

Wen Xusheng spoke slowly and deliberately, “You’ve had time to develop your performance art, but no time to give us an explanation? Seems like Xiao Ge and I don’t hold much weight in Mr. Mu’s mind after all.”

 

Mu Jincheng: “…”

 

Wen Xusheng’s lips curved slightly as he delivered another blow.

 

“Oh, right. Those people who passed Xiao Ge the wrong information back then, preventing him from being able to meet me… I suppose Mr. Mu hasn’t found them either?”

 

—– —– —–

 

Author’s Note:　

 

Mu Jincheng: ?????

 

Mu Jincheng: Can you guys just drop this already?

 

Mu Jincheng: Get out of my face!! I need to see Xiao Ge!! I have to see Xiao Ge!!!!

 

Shi Jingge: Stop, I don’t want to burn my eyes

 

 

---

 

Edit: Krone

Proofread: Choux_choux