Chapter 030 The Young Master – “Do you understand?” (30/35)
After Wei Zhiyun’s livestream went offline, it never turned back on.
But with the uproar on the trending topics, word quickly spread among the show’s production staff.
Many staff members felt sorry for Shi Jingge.
This wasn’t the first time Wei Zhiyun had tried to stir up trouble for the young master. Even if it was just a case of grasping at straws, couldn’t he find a better target?
“He already tried to mess with the young master last episode during the fishing segment. He was pretty convincing,” whispered one staff member. “If he put that acting talent into his roles, people wouldn’t criticize his skills so much.”
“Right?” Another crew member nodded in agreement. “The young master is the one who really suffers. He genuinely has no ulterior motives. That fierce demeanor is all for show. Deep down, he’s adorable. He came straight to us to confirm the rules. Even at night, he was thinking about how to dodge the rules and give the fish to Wei Zhiyun. His character really shines through.”
“Exactly,” the staffer murmured. “What’s most heartbreaking is how Wei Zhiyun clearly schemed against the young master, yet the young master mistook his tricks for kindness, even for help, and held it all in his heart. It’s just so sad.”
“Sigh, it’s really unfair to the young master.”
Most staff members’ impressions of Wei Zhiyun had soured considerably.
And Mr. Troll, who had just started shipping his CP with great enthusiasm, was beyond furious.
He swore on his professional integrity and expertise that Wei Zhiyun had ulterior motives—that Wei Zhiyun must’ve thought the young master was throwing a tantrum or something, and deliberately came to sow discord!
Trying to set the young master up? Did he even ask?
Mr. Troll rushed to Weibo and laid out all his observations.
Each analysis was accompanied by screenshots of Wei Zhiyun’s expressions captured from the video. To boost credibility, he even tagged the exact timestamps down to the seconds.
The entire piece was well-reasoned and convincing.
He wasn’t the only one who had noticed something amiss. Many had pointed it out before, but no one had compiled such thorough evidence.
The more Mr. Troll thought about it, the angrier he got. He recalled how he’d once helped Wei Zhiyun spread rumors to smear Shi Jingge, and the memory nearly gave him a heart attack.
So he dug up that old article about the fishing incident.
He rolled up his sleeves, ready for a showdown, when a friend messaged him.
Friend: [Still working on Shi Jingge?]
Friend: [Need more hands? Hook a bro up. Been out of gigs lately—survived on instant noodles for days.]
Mr. Troll: “…” …If I said I’m just defending my idol Shi Jingge because I’m a fan, would you believe me?
Half an hour later, Mr. Troll replied: [Well, I’m quitting this line of work. I’m going to find a factory job tomorrow.]
Friend: [????]
But the one truly boiling with rage, so furious his head was spinning, was actually Shao Zechen.
If Wei Zhiyun hadn’t locked himself in his room the moment he returned, Shao Zechen would’ve stormed over to confront him.
He’d warned Wei Zhiyun not to cross the young master. He hadn’t done anything to deserve this. Yet Wei Zhiyun still made such a mess, even dragging him down with him.
Shao Zechen seethed inwardly, but he knew anger wouldn’t solve anything now. He had to give the young master an explanation. At least clear his own name. Otherwise, wouldn’t Wei Zhiyun drag him down for good?
Resolved, Shao Zechen stepped out the door.
Meanwhile, Wen Xusheng and Shi Jingge were both in their respective rooms.
Wen Xusheng stared at his phone, which was displaying the chat screen with the young master. He wanted to talk to him, but couldn’t find the right words.
At that moment, Wen Xusheng suddenly resented his usual reticence.
But the next second, a message popped up on Wen Xusheng’s phone. It was from his older brother.
Wen Chenyu: [Heard you’re living with someone?]
Wen Xusheng: [.]
Wen Chenyu: [Oh, sorry. Not living together. Participating in some reality show about cohabitation.]
Wen Chenyu: [You haven’t even won the person over yet. Where would you live together?]
Wen Chenyu: [My bad, I didn’t phrase that clearly. Don’t take it to heart.]
Wen Xusheng: [Oh.]
Seeing his brother’s reply, Wen Chenyu raised an eyebrow. His mood seemed off.
He’d been teasing him relentlessly yet Wen Xusheng responded so coldly. Something was clearly wrong.
Wen Chenyu’s wife chuckled. “What are you up to with that sly grin on your face?”
“Just chatting with Ah-sheng,” Wen Chenyu replied with a smile.
“You’re always teasing him!” His wife rolled her eyes. “If I were Ah-sheng, I’d block you right now.”
“Ah-Sheng wouldn’t dare block me.” Wen Chenyu typed with a grin. “I’m teaching him how to chase someone.”
Wen Chenyu: [Why so cold?]
Wen Chenyu: [You wouldn’t be this cold to your little master, would you?]
Wen Chenyu: [You expect to win them over like this?]
Wen Chenyu: [Any normal person would not stay with you!]
Wen Xusheng didn’t reply. Wen Chenyu raised an eyebrow: [Ah-Sheng, think carefully. Besides me, everyone around you is a single dog.]
[If you don’t learn from me, you’ll be groping around in the dark.]
[Would you dare use the experiences of other single dogs?]
[You’ve seen how sweet and loving things are between me and your sister-in-law.]
Twenty seconds later, Wen Xusheng answered with a red envelope.
Wen Chenyu chuckled and scolded, “That little brat.”
“He hasn’t even won him over yet, and his heart’s already set on his future boyfriend!”
But despite his teasing, Wen Chenyu genuinely felt happy for him and proceeded to impart all his dating wisdom to Wen Xusheng.
[You need to be gentler. Drop that icy demeanor. Send little gifts every now and then. Make sure he knows how you feel.]
[Figure out what he likes. Find common ground to chat about. Talk more each day. Don’t be as silent as a clam.]
[Also, when chatting, soften your language. Use cute emojis and emoticons—don’t be so cold. If you don’t treat them specially, how will they know you like them?]
[If they don’t know you like them, how could they fall for you?]
Wen Xusheng nodded in deep agreement, then sent Wen Chenyu two red envelopes.
He turned and opened the chat window with the young master.
Wen Xusheng: [Are you there? [Cute little bear.jpg]]
Shi Jingge: [?]
Wen Xusheng: [Nothing, just wondering what you’re up to.]
Before sending it, Wen Xusheng added a cute emoticon and another sticker. Then the young master ignored him.
Wen Xusheng: “?”
The next second, a knock sounded on the door.
“Wen Xusheng! Wen Xusheng, are you there? Open the door!!”
The young master’s voice echoed outside. Wen Xusheng’s heart leapt with joy.
Was the effect really this immediate?
He rushed to open the door, but before he could speak, the young master demanded, “Did someone hack your account?”
Wen Xusheng: “?”
“Where’s your phone? Where did you put it? Do you even realize your WeChat account got hacked? You’re an actor. Can’t you protect something as private as your phone and WeChat?” The young master was frantic. “Where’s your phone?”
Wen Xusheng blinked, his mind a jumbled mess. He handed his phone to the young master in a daze.
…This wasn’t how he’d pictured it.
Wen Xusheng’s phone screen was still on. The young master glanced down and saw their chat history.
Young Master: “…”
The young master shoved the phone back into Wen Xusheng’s hand. “…I’m leaving!”
Wen Xusheng grabbed the collar of his shirt. The young master felt a chill run down his spine.
Then he heard Wen Xusheng chuckle softly. “Are you worried about me?”
The young master forced himself to say, “N–No way!”
Wen Xusheng silently marked Wen Chenyu with a mental ‘X’. He was more trouble than he was worth. He was already heartbroken over that six hundred yuan red envelope!
“Perfect timing. Let’s talk,” Wen Xusheng said, pushing the young master into the room and closing the door behind them.
Shi Jingge shifted uncomfortably. “Talk about what?”
“Your plan,” Wen Xusheng said casually. “You’ve been thinking about it for so long, you must have some ideas by now.”
The young master blinked, a glint of light in his eyes. It was a mix of smugness and shyness. He looked like a kitten about to do something big, tail perked up, both anticipating praise and awkwardly refusing to admit it.
“A little,” the young master said, holding up one finger. “Just a little bit.”
A hint of amusement flickered in Wen Xusheng’s eyes. “Care to share and tell me about it?”
The young master hesitated. “Alright. It’s something like… a charitable foundation. We’d provide support to all victims in need. But I don’t really understand the specifics of how it would work. I’ll need to consult my brother once I get back.
“My brother says the government has always prioritized this area. New policies are being pushed to help and protect these victims. He said before that as long as we follow the government’s direction, things will definitely get better!”
The young master spoke with radiant enthusiasm, his eyes sparkling. “And Hua Mingyi and Li Zhuoyun also want to change things and contribute their strength. They mentioned receiving many private messages with people comforting them, encouraging them, and expressing their willingness to make a difference and contribute. Actually, the number of people who want to change this situation is far greater than what we see, right?”
“Right.” Wen Xusheng nodded.
The young master smiled, scratching the back of his head shyly. “My brother said they’ve already gathered evidence and will resolve this through legal means. He told me that each person’s strength is limited. Bad people seem more powerful because they destroy—and destruction is far easier than protection. Building a city takes decades or even centuries, but tearing it down can happen in an instant.
“Is it that the bad guys are more powerful? No, it’s just that they’re doing evil things. But as long as we stand together, unite our strength, and act as one, we possess greater power. Because the power of the collective is boundless. Everything will get better. Right?”
His eyes shone brightly, radiating youthful vigor—unafraid of darkness, unafraid of the road ahead, open and honest, charging forward without hesitation.
Wen Xusheng raised his hand and placed it on Shi Jingge’s head, replying in a deep voice, “Right.”
Because countless people work together. Individually, they may seem fragile, but when they unite, they form a wall.
A wall that never retreats, forever resilient, never collapsing.
It confronts the darkness lurking ahead, shielding those who follow. And one day, those who follow will become part of this wall, inheriting the legacy of those before them to protect those who come after.
Generation after generation, age after age.
Until one day, this world will become a better place.
The young master spoke at length, his eyes growing brighter and brighter. Finally, he turned his head and whispered softly, “Um… I don’t want to be a spoiled playboy anymore.”
Wen Xusheng frowned in confusion. “You’re…a playboy?”
The young master glared at him. “What else would you call someone like me—lazy, useless, good for nothing except cursing? What else but a playboy?”
Wen Xusheng shook his head. “You’re not a playboy.”
The young master rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue, and eagerly shared his plans instead. “I’ve thought it through. I never studied properly growing up, and starting over now would be too late. Better to start in a field I know. I know two things: showbiz and gaming. With my talent, age, and skills, pro gaming’s out of the question. So I want to go into entertainment.”
“Forget being a star or artist—with my temper, I’d just frustrate fans. But I can become an agent!”
Wen Xusheng: “?”
The young master took a deep breath and analyzed earnestly, “I know the entertainment industry well, and because of my friends…” He glossed over the details. “…I’ll definitely have motivation to study hard. And in showbiz, idols who’ve been through what Hua Mingyi did aren’t exactly rare. I… I can protect them! As soon as I get back, I’ll study up on being a manager. Then I’ll protect all the adorable idols!
“These idols will be under my protection. I’ll be shameless—the whole world will know how shameless I can be! I might be useless at everything else, but I’m number one at online feuds! Anyone who dares lay a finger on my idols, I’ll drag them from online battles to real-life confrontations! I’ll make them lose every shred of dignity and face!
“I’ve got no shame, but they’ve got to care about theirs, right? That way, those people won’t dare touch my idols, right?” The young master’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Wen Xusheng. Wen Xusheng didn’t quite grasp the logic behind it, but seeing the young master’s hopeful gaze, he could only nod in agreement.
Shi Jingge beamed even wider. “Then I’ll go tell my brother right now! He’ll be so happy! He always thought I was useless, wasting my life with no plans, and destined to regret it later. But now, I have a plan! I won’t be a playboy anymore! I’ll work, I’ll earn money, and I’ll protect everyone I want to protect!”
After his bold declaration, the young master turned to leave, eager to tell Shi Rongqing everything.
Before Wen Xusheng could process it, his hand instinctively grabbed the young master’s wrist. The young master took two steps before halting, turning to look at Wen Xusheng.
Complex emotions swirled in Wen Xusheng’s eyes. He drew a deep breath, aware of how utterly irrational he was being, how this jealousy made no sense whatsoever. But…
…he simply couldn’t control it.
In the young master’s life plans, there was no place for him.
This made Wen Xusheng feel both pained and unsettled deep within.
“What about me?” Wen Xusheng asked softly, his gaze fixed on the young master, a stubbornness shining in his eyes.
I’m your idol, aren’t I? Didn’t you say I was your star? So in your life plans, there’s no room for your star?
“Huh?” The young master stared blankly at Wen Xusheng.
Wen Xusheng repeated, “What about me?”
The young master clearly struggled with the question. After a long moment, he cautiously asked, “…You want to switch managers?”
Wen Xusheng: “?”
Though he knew the young master’s thought processes differed from his own, Wen Xusheng was genuinely stunned at that moment.
W–What…?
“Du Yi might be mediocre, but I’m even worse,” the young master insisted earnestly. “I’m still a rookie! Having me manage you would be irresponsible toward your career!”
Wen Xusheng: ???
“If I end up holding you back”–the young master frowned in frustration–“wouldn’t that be a huge sin on my part?”
Wen Xusheng: ???
What the hell was this nonsense?
“I-I-I… I’ll find you an amazing agent… How about that?”
Wen Xusheng: “…”
“But… the most renowned agent in the country right now is Du Yi…” The young master rubbed his temples in distress, cautiously suggesting, “Or should I look internationally for an amazing agent for you?”
Wen Xusheng: “?”
“Or tell me which agent you want to switch to, and I’ll handle it!” The young master patted his chest. “Trust me, I guarantee I can get it done!”
Wen Xusheng’s throat was dry and hoarse as he said, “…Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Then…” The young master rubbed his temples in frustration, unsure what to do. “Did Du Yi do something wrong lately, and you feel awkward scolding him? No problem, leave it to me. Just tell me and I’ll go find him.”
Wen Xusheng watched his slightly parted lips, a ring of dewy luster glistening on them, drawing the gaze. His eyes darkened bit by bit.
The young master’s lips moved, likely speaking, but to Wen Xusheng, the words drifted by like a gentle breeze, stirring countless ripples at the tip of his heart.
His eyes and mind held only those crimson lips.
Wen Xusheng lowered his head, inch by inch, drawing closer to the young master’s lips.
Just as their lips were about to meet—
In the blink of an eye, countless thoughts flashed through Wen Xusheng’s mind.
Would Xiao Ge think he was being rash? Would he feel disrespected? Would he think Wen Xusheng was being presumptuous? Would he decide such presumption made him unfit as a boyfriend?
Wen Xusheng didn’t know what kind of willpower it took, but in the final second, he restrained himself from kissing him.
Shi Jingge stared at him blankly.
They were pressed extremely close together now, almost touching. A gentle breeze swept through the space between them, carrying tender ripples.
Wen Xusheng drew a deep breath, then kissed his own finger. Slowly, under Shi Jingge’s stunned gaze, he pressed the finger against the other’s lips.
Time seemed to stand still, yet it also seemed to flow on.
In that instant, Wen Xusheng heard his own heart pounding violently.
He gazed steadily at Shi Jingge, his eyes seeming to hold a thousand stars, then asked slowly, his voice hoarse, “Do you understand now?”
Just then, a knock sounded at the outer door.
Shao Zechen called out loudly, “Young Master, Brother Wen, are you there?”
~~~~ ~~~~ ~~
Author’s Note: Wen Xusheng: Interrupting romance will get you struck by lightning 🙂
Shao Zechen: QAAAAAQ[mfn]ust want to remind that this is like a ‘crying screaming’ emoticon the Q’s are the crying eyes while the A’s are the mouth….[/mfn]
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
