RSDH CH22

Tang Ning arrived at the correct floor as he wished. Looking around, a secret delight filled his brows and eyes. Things had gone much smoother than he imagined.

He was prepared for Cheng Duzhou to turn him away, but the man let him in without a word.

Tang Ning adjusted his hair, which was wet from the rain, before knocking on the door with a restrained rhythm.

The door opened. Cheng Duzhou’s tall figure blocked the doorway. His handsome face carried no emotion, and a single glance from his pitch-black eyes was enough to instill fear.

Tang Ning’s inflated confidence deflated instantly, his voice shrinking. “Senior Brother… sorry to disturb you so late.”

“Who gave you the address?” Cheng Duzhou got straight to the point. In his deep voice, even the usual thirty percent politeness reserved for outsiders was withdrawn, leaving only distance.

Tang Ning suddenly felt uneasy, unable to gauge Cheng Duzhou’s meaning.

He was willing to let him in, so why be so fierce, looking like he didn’t welcome him?

But no matter how scary Cheng Duzhou was, he wasn’t as savage as Duan Xingye.

Tang Ning regained his confidence.

“Sorry, I can’t say.” He revealed stubbornness within his apology, employing acting skills worthy of a 3.8-rated ancient idol drama. “I really have something to discuss with you. If I weren’t desperate, I wouldn’t…”

— Click.

The bedroom door deep in the hallway opened.

Tang Ning’s heart skipped a beat. Forgetting etiquette, his gaze looked directly past Cheng Duzhou into the room.

Someone is here?

Who?

He saw Duan Xingye get into the car with his own eyes this afternoon.

Cheng Duzhou is cheating at home!

But immediately after, Tang Ning’s eyes widened.

Cheng Duzhou turned around at the sound.

He saw Duan Xingye had come out, leaning against the wall at the master bedroom door. He had changed clothes into a pine-green silk bathrobe. The low-saturation hue couldn’t suppress his icy, jade-like skin; instead, it made his skin look fair and glowing. The amber-like lighting projected into his upturned eyes, revealing a cat-like laziness.

Cheng Duzhou’s gaze traced from that bright, beautiful face down to the extending neck. The crossed collar of the bathrobe was loose, slightly skewed casually, revealing exquisite collarbones. Further down was a narrow waist cinch by a belt, then long, straight calves, and finely sculpted ankle bones—one foot tip was padded inside a slipper, the heel lifted, gently tapping against the ankle.

— Gulp.

The sound of Cheng Duzhou swallowing saliva was so loud that even Tang Ning gave him a suspicious look. “…”

Duan Xingye didn’t spare a glance for Cheng Duzhou, tilting his head to look at Tang Ning. “You have business?”

Tang Ning’s brain heated up until steam practically rose from his wet hair, like a dry-burned CPU.

Seeing Duan Xingye, he already felt guilty. Unable to come up with a better reason, he could only downplay the fact that he came to find Cheng Duzhou late at night and bite the bullet: “Hello Teacher Duan, I want to participate in Singer-Songwriter 101.”

“Oh,” Duan Xingye said. “I asked if you have business with him?”

His mouth said “him,” but his eyes didn’t look at Cheng Duzhou.

Tang Ning’s face paled. Forced by Duan Xingye’s seemingly lazy but actually tough questioning attitude, he wished he could flee. He nodded with difficulty. “Yes…”

Duan Xingye continued asking, “What business can’t wait until tomorrow?”

Tang Ning stammered, “I… I just happened to pass by…”

“Do you know what time it is? If it’s not urgent, make an appointment to chat another time.” Duan Xingye stepped down with his suspended heel, dismissing him in a few words. “Cheng Duzhou, see your junior brother downstairs.”

Tang Ning’s plan was thwarted, and he was anxious. He had already walked into the line of fire. He didn’t believe Duan Xingye wouldn’t overthink this and would definitely retaliate later. So he steeled his heart and said, “Teacher Duan, please don’t be angry! I didn’t know you were home tonight. If I knew, I wouldn’t have come. Now I’ve really caused a misunderstanding. It’s all my fault, don’t blame Senior Brother. But there really is nothing between us!”

Cheng Duzhou’s breath tightened. He lowered his eyes, his suppressed voice very deep. “Let’s go…”

“What could there be?” Duan Xingye interrupted, asking Tang Ning, “Or are you hoping I suspect there is something?”

Tang Ning choked. “I…”

“I speak rather bluntly, don’t take it to heart.” Duan Xingye’s scrutinizing gaze swept from head to toe, finally returning to Tang Ning’s face. “His appetite was spoiled by me. Even if he starved to death, he wouldn’t look for coarse grains to eat.”

Tang Ning’s face exploded with a shameful red.

Cheng Duzhou finally managed to exhale a long breath, feeling like a heavy grievance had been cleared.

“Cheng Duzhou?”

Duan Xingye’s tone rose at the end, urging him with almost cheerful lightness, glancing at Tang Ning.

Cheng Duzhou’s gaze fell straight onto the slender, lustrous white calves below the bathrobe, lingering for two rounds. Saying nothing, he turned to go out. Go early, return early.

— “Cheng Duzhou.”

Tang Ning had already walked toward the elevator in despair. Cheng Duzhou was about to close the door when Duan Xingye suddenly called him.

Cheng Duzhou pulled the door open again, looked at him, his tone somewhat soft. “What?”

Duan Xingye walked to the door, reached out, and tossed Cheng Duzhou’s phone into his pajama pocket.

Cheng Duzhou glanced at the heavy pocket, then looked up.

Duan Xingye held the door frame with one hand and the door handle with the other. Looking down, he pulled the door shut. “You don’t need to come back later either.”

Cheng Duzhou: “…”

Exiting the building, the rain outside had stopped.

In the low temperatures of February, the desolate wind meeting cold rain was enough to chill one to the bone.

Cheng Duzhou stood on the steps, letting the damp air fill his lungs. Looking at the dim landscape belt ahead, he asked again, “Who gave you the address?”

Tang Ning stood in a corner far away from the man and squeezed out a name.

Cheng Duzhou didn’t speak again, but the oppressive pressure on the surroundings didn’t decrease in the slightest.

“Senior Brother, I caused you trouble, but I didn’t mean to.” Tang Ning’s eyes reddened, choking up. “I really came to you for business. Previously, Teacher Duan said I had plastic surgery in the livestream. Since then, I’ve lost a lot of job opportunities. Teacher Duan misunderstood me at the time; I don’t blame him. And the matter has passed, nothing more to say. But I can’t miss this music variety show. I hope to clear up the misunderstanding with Teacher Duan. Otherwise, with one sentence, he can make me quit the show. I was afraid he wouldn’t agree, so… Senior Brother, could you put in a good word for me?”

Everyone in Shengxing knew that Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye usually avoided each other like kings not seeing kings. Although they started doing business together recently, Tang Ning always felt their relationship couldn’t improve that fast.

As long as Cheng Duzhou didn’t stand on Duan Xingye’s side, his pity play would work. With Cheng Duzhou’s gentlemanly character, he couldn’t possibly leave a junior from the same company to die. So why should he beg Duan Xingye?

“Why should I help you?”

Cheng Duzhou’s plain voice betrayed no emotion.

Tang Ning paused and probed in a whisper, “Senior Brother, I’ll do anything you ask…”

Cheng Duzhou glanced at Tang Ning. That look held a coldness from high above, a mockery that saw through everything, but absolutely no kindness or benevolence.

Tang Ning understood instantly. That wasn’t a question just now; it was a statement. His face flushed with blood.

“You’re afraid Duan Xingye can make you quit the variety show with one sentence, but you aren’t afraid I can make you quit the entertainment industry with one sentence? What gave you the illusion that I have a good temper?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t target you. You don’t count as anything to me or Duan Xingye. Your apology is equally worthless to us.”

“Your behavior today constitutes harassment. The company will handle it according to regulations. You can go. Behave yourself in the future.”

…

As Tang Ning left, he was still thinking that Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye were actually very alike.

Their arrogance, their certainty about themselves and each other—it was all so similar.

…

Cheng Duzhou sent away the uninvited guest, and the problem finally fell back onto himself.

He stood downstairs calling Jian Mingming.

Shengxing’s second-largest shareholder, a rich second generation who only had to lie down and count money all day.

“President Cheng?” Jian Mingming was surprised. “So late, why aren’t you asleep?”

Cheng Duzhou put one hand in his pocket, his voice deep. “A small celebrity from the company ran to my house at night and was caught by my husband.”

“Cough!” Jian Mingming choked and woke up. “I’ll investigate this clearly and give you an explanation as soon as possible. Just sleep peacefully tonight.”

Cheng Duzhou articulated elegantly, “Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep your…”

The last two words were too offensive to the ears, so Jian Mingming had to move the phone away for a moment.

Cheng Duzhou was the only person who could curse at Shengxing’s major shareholder like a shrew; even the boss couldn’t.

Cheng Duzhou could leave Shengxing and still thrive, but if Shengxing lost him, half the sky would collapse.

Jian Mingming put the phone back to his ear.

He heard Cheng Duzhou:

“Control the perverts in your upper management who like little boys. Can you respect personal privacy?”

“Don’t use my name to prop up rookies. I don’t have any junior brothers or sisters. Don’t let any random person come to claim kinship. Issue a statement to clarify this for me.”

“Do you know tomorrow is my wedding anniversary? But my husband is very irritable right now. Is this how you destroy other people’s families?”

“…”

Feels like you are the more irritable one right now.

Bombarded into silence, Jian Mingming sincerely begged for mercy, admitting management negligence and promising to apologize to Duan Xingye personally.

“Useless.” Cheng Duzhou’s voice turned cold. If listened to carefully, it was a kind of disheartened coldness.

Jian Mingming comforted, “Don’t be like that, President Cheng.”

Cheng Duzhou felt Jian Mingming wouldn’t understand and hung up directly.

…

Only five minutes later.

Shengxing Entertainment’s official Weibo account released a stamped statement.

[Mr. Cheng Duzhou has never acknowledged having any junior brothers or sisters. Please do not use this as a gimmick for marketing or bundled hype.]

Although netizens didn’t know the whole story, because All the Way With You had exploded in popularity recently, mentioning Cheng Duzhou made the audience associate him with Duan Xingye.

“Even the company came down to stamp the official couple.”

” Lü Ye Shu Huai is too stable. Even when not on the romance show, they continue to distribute sugar!”

“Tang Ning markets the hardest; he practically made ‘Junior Brother’ his label.”

“This statement is for Tang Ning to see, right? For fame, he doesn’t even want face. Glad he crashed.”

“Should @DuanXingyeSeen here.”

Posting a statement in the middle of the night for who to see?

Not interested.

Duan Xingye exited Weibo.

Cheng Duzhou returned upstairs. The sounds of opening and closing the door were kept very light. Even his footsteps on the floor were much more cautious than usual.

The lights were still on in the master bedroom.

Duan Xingye was leaning against the headboard reading a book, wearing black-framed glasses on the bridge of his nose. His already palm-sized face looked even smaller. When silent, he looked refined and gentle.

He had showered, but he had changed into his usual cotton pajamas.

Cheng Duzhou lowered his eyes.

He still missed that pine-green silk bathrobe a little.

Duan Xingye didn’t seem to notice someone had entered the room.

Cheng Duzhou thought for a moment, walked over as naturally as possible, lifted the quilt, and got into bed as if nothing had happened. “Sleeping?”

Rustle.

Duan Xingye turned a page.

Cheng Duzhou looked at him, pursed his lips, stopped talking, lay down, and turned his back to Duan Xingye.

Everything was as usual, except the quilt was wrapped a bit tightly.

There was no sound in the room for a long time.

“I know you’re angry,” Cheng Duzhou suddenly said in a low voice. “If it were me, I’d be angry too.”

Duan Xingye lazily lifted his eyelids and glanced sideways at Cheng Duzhou.

Novelty. Not only not lecturing him with logic, but also learned to put himself in others’ shoes.

Duan Xingye didn’t say it, but Cheng Duzhou knew.

Duan Xingye wasn’t jealous. He hated his space being transgressed and his status provoked. In the past, they lived separate lives and had no scandals, so they were at peace. But starting from the annual gala, sharing the stage with the so-called junior brother challenged Duan Xingye’s boundaries.

Cheng Duzhou hadn’t taken measures before, not only because those rumors didn’t dance in front of him but mainly because he felt he hadn’t wronged Duan Xingye. He had always done his duty, strictly observing the distance of a contract husband, nothing more—unless Duan Xingye requested it.

Tonight, Tang Ning suddenly barging in turned rumors into substance. Having the company issue a specific statement seemed like making a big fuss over nothing, and Duan Xingye might not even appreciate it, but he owed Duan Xingye an explanation.

“Sorry.” Cheng Duzhou’s voice was even lower. “If I knew it would become like this, I should have clarified it at the annual gala.”

Duan Xingye looked at Cheng Duzhou for a moment, withdrew his gaze, and stared at a word in the book.

If Cheng Duzhou had clarified, there would have been no romance variety show later.

With Cheng Duzhou’s status, unless it was a rumor raging across the entire internet, there was no need to clarify. Paying attention to it would only raise the other person’s status.

Tang Ning’s antics were just petty noise. A year ago, Duan Xingye would have considered giving him a glance beneath his dignity. But now, it exploded just a few months before the divorce. Duan Xingye refused to let everyone add embellishments to the reason for his divorce. For his own reputation and face, he had to care.

Cheng Duzhou didn’t need to apologize for the gala.

But making him apologize for tonight wasn’t unjust.

Duan Xingye still didn’t speak, turning another page.

“This isn’t a case of ‘it takes two to clap’.” Not getting a response for a long time, Cheng Duzhou felt discouraged and frowned slightly. “I didn’t call him here. I haven’t even spoken to him.”

— Rustle.

Cheng Duzhou turned over uncomfortably, buried his face in the pillow, bent his knees, and scooched forward, sprawling on the bed like an ostrich. The quilt by Duan Xingye’s hand was pushed high up. “…”

“I didn’t, I didn’t—” Cheng Duzhou clutched the pillow and muffled his shout. His suppressed deep voice had long lost its usual composure.

Duan Xingye stared at him unblinkingly: “…”

Who are you acting spoiled with?

“You can’t always be like this.” Cheng Duzhou’s exposed ear was bright red as he complained. “I can’t be the only one making an effort.”

“?”

“What’s the use of me issuing a statement alone?” The pillow covered half of Cheng Duzhou’s face, revealing his lips pressing into a straight line. “Even if I act deeply in love with you, if you don’t declare sovereignty to the outside world, won’t others still think they can take advantage of the void? As the other half on the certificate, have you provided me with protection? Have you ever given me the sense of security of a married person?”

“…”

Although Cheng Duzhou’s official announcement had been on Weibo for two years, everyone defaulted to assuming his marriage existed in name only because Duan Xingye never accompanied him to public events as a spouse, nor interacted with him.

Tang Ning being so blatant was precisely because he saw through the emptiness of their marriage. Even if he went too far, netizens wouldn’t scold him because the official couple was weak, and no one would substitute themselves into it emotionally.

And people like Tang Ning were not few in the entertainment industry. You could stick to your principles in the fame arena, but don’t expect everyone around you to be moral. With wild bees and butterflies dancing around, treating his protective shield like paper, Cheng Duzhou indeed couldn’t feel secure.

…

…

Wait, no!

Snap!

Duan Xingye closed the book. “Cheng Duzhou, stop blurring the focus. You handled things sloppily and still want me to provide protection? I gave you too much face, didn’t I? Marriage isn’t for blocking your rotten peach blossoms (bad romance luck). Security is given by oneself. Do you see me asking you for security?”

“…”

Cheng Duzhou’s jaw muscles clenched.

After a long while, he said.

“Then forget the past. Now that we are both participating in the romance variety show and everyone admits we are a couple, shouldn’t the interaction be reciprocal?”

That sounded more human.

Duan Xingye lengthened the corner of his eye, picked up his phone to open Weibo, too lazy to argue with him. “So what do you want?”

Just want me to repost the statement, right?

Cheng Duzhou’s voice suddenly became weak: “Circle me…” (Trap/Mark/Ring me)

“…” Duan Xingye paused, looking to the side.

Cheng Duzhou kept his face-buried posture unchanged, but the red on his ears spread outward. His clearly defined jaw blushed a faint pink. His sharp Adam’s apple moved up and down as he repeated with difficulty: “Circle me.”

Duan Xingye opened his mouth but didn’t make a sound.

What does that mean?

Though the meaning wasn’t clear yet, a wind had already risen on the flat ground, blowing the wild grass in his heart into disorder again.

Cheng Duzhou pressed his head against the pillow, freeing a hand to reach into his pajama pocket, fumbling.

Duan Xingye’s eyelid twitched. He seemed to understand, his breath quietly becoming chaotic in the strong wind.

Cheng Duzhou took his hand out, switched to the other hand, the other pocket.

“Eh? Fuck!”

Under Duan Xingye’s gaze, Cheng Duzhou suddenly knelt up straight, pulling the pocket linings out to search, truly panicking.

“Where’s my ring, fuck.”

“…………”

Idiot.

11:00 PM.

Two people weren’t sleeping, wandering around the landscape belt downstairs.

Cheng Duzhou stepped into the bushes to look for the ring.

Duan Xingye stood in the sheltered spot on the steps, using his phone flashlight to light the way for him.

The cold wind whistled past.

Duan Xingye was wrapped in a thick down jacket over his pajamas, yet still cold enough to stomp his feet. He suddenly thought that not long ago, Cheng Duzhou was wearing thin pajamas when he gave him a phone and locked him out.

Now that Duan Xingye experienced the outdoor temperature, he realized how inhumane that was.

He should have given Cheng Duzhou an extra jacket.

His conscience warmed slightly. He raised the light higher, but his voice remained lazy: “Haven’t found it yet? Maybe you should stop looking.”

Cheng Duzhou straightened up with his back to him, looking around, not accepting it. “You have money, you’re amazing.”

Duan Xingye laughed silently, lowering his eyes, the tip of his tongue pressing against the corner of his lips.

Looking is still necessary, he was just teasing him.

Duan Xingye assumed the second-anniversary gift was the super-large rose bouquet; he didn’t expect Cheng Duzhou to have prepared rings too.

After recording the first episode of All the Way With You, he also observed that among the four groups of guests, the other three wore wedding rings. Only their hands were bare.

Just as Cheng Duzhou said, now that the internet admitted they were a couple, the interaction should be reciprocal.

Rings were for declaring sovereignty over each other.

But for them, it was just a prop for participating in the romance variety show.

Right at this moment.

Cheng Duzhou stepped out of the bushes and walked back, fiddling with a velvet box in his hand.

Duan Xingye was leaning against a pillar. Seeing this, he stood up. His gaze slid over Cheng Duzhou’s cold white fingers, which were stained with wet mud and leaves, very conspicuous. But he didn’t feel it was dirty.

Cheng Duzhou walked up the steps and opened the velvet box lid. “Just like this.”

On the velvet pad sat two platinum couple rings. Even in the dim outdoor environment, their brilliant luster was visible. The design was simple and elegant; even the circle of inlaid diamonds appeared low-key.

“Pretty good.”

Duan Xingye evaluated.

Such rings wouldn’t steal the thunder and would match any outfit.

Cheng Duzhou let out an almost imperceptible breath of relief.

Duan Xingye reached out and took the slightly smaller ring, asking, “Is this mine?”

Cheng Duzhou gave a mn.

The next second.

Duan Xingye slipped the ring onto the ring finger of his left hand.

Cheng Duzhou’s eye twitched.

“…”

Putting it on yourself.

Are you polite?

Duan Xingye didn’t notice Cheng Duzhou’s face tightening for a moment. He spread his five fingers. The ring size was just right, and the more he looked at it, the more pleasing it was.

As expected of him, he looked good wearing anything.

Next, Duan Xingye took the other ring, lifted Cheng Duzhou’s left hand, and naturally brushed the dead leaves off his fingers.

Before Cheng Duzhou could experience the specific state of mind, he saw Duan Xingye holding his hand and pushing the metal band straight to the bottom.

“…”

Cheng Duzhou’s heart chambers expanded but struggled to contract, trembling violently in resistance.

Duan Xingye looked up. His face was backlit, floating light sweeping across his dark pupils, his eyebrow slightly raised.

“I’ve circled you, Cheng Duzhou.”

After returning home, Duan Xingye hurriedly turned the central air conditioning in the room up by two degrees.

Cheng Duzhou had gone deep into the bushes to find the ring, getting a lot of rain on his clothes and pants, and mud on his body. Feeling dirty, he prepared to take a shower.

He went into the walk-in closet to find clothes.

But a moment later, he opened a crack in the door and poked his head out. “Duan Xingye, come here for a sec.”

Duan Xingye stared at him for two seconds, put down the lifted quilt, and walked over. “What?”

Cheng Duzhou looked back at something and said, “Close your eyes.”

Duan Xingye had already guessed it. His heart itched with the urge to laugh, but he forcibly kept a straight face and cooperated by closing his eyes.

Sure enough, accompanied by rustling sounds, a rich rose scent mixed with the sweet smell of Opium hit him.

Duan Xingye opened his eyes. A massive bouquet of roses was spread out in front of him.

Cheng Duzhou lifted his chin and said calmly, “You probably don’t remember. Tomorrow is the second wedding anniversary.”

Duan Xingye reached out and hugged the flowers with difficulty, his gaze patrolling over them once, then looked up. “Oh.”

Just this?

Cheng Duzhou put his hands on his hips, holding back the urge to sigh.

Duan Xingye’s reaction was very discouraging to one’s enthusiasm.

The end of allergy to romance might be indifference.

But given their plastic relationship, it wasn’t surprising at all.

Cheng Duzhou walked toward the bathroom. “I’m going to shower.”

Duan Xingye leaned back against the wall, counting.

First time receiving so many flowers, curious how many there actually were.

Cheng Duzhou stopped at the bathroom door, turned his head to look at him, and asked casually, “Do you want to wash?”

Touching Duan Xingye’s hand just now, it was cold. Having been blown by the wind downstairs, if he didn’t mind the trouble, a hot bath would be comfortable.

Duan Xingye looked at the roses and nodded.

Cheng Duzhou was perhaps surprised by his agreement. He paused, thought for a moment, “Bubble bath?”

Duan Xingye: “Mn.”

“I’ll run the water.”

Cheng Duzhou rolled up his sleeves and entered the bathroom.

But soon he came back.

In front of Duan Xingye, he pulled three flowers from the huge bouquet of roses and took them into the bathroom.

“…”

Duan Xingye’s scalp tingled.

Rose petal bath.

Stop being so tacky!

…

At the end of that night, wet fingers intertwined, glossy couple rings pressing against each other.

The next morning, Cheng Duzhou had to go to the neighboring city to attend the opening press conference for a new drama. He slept for less than three hours before crawling up again.

The lights in the walk-in closet were on. In the early morning before dawn, the white light was a bit dazzling.

Cheng Duzhou, in a crisp suit, stood by the central glass counter, tying his bowtie with a heavy head.

Duan Xingye suddenly pushed the door open like a wandering spirit. Squinting against the light, he glimpsed Cheng Duzhou’s fingers moving deftly and lightly through the dark tie. The ring on his ring finger was elegant and high-class.

Cheng Duzhou was surprised. “Up so early?”

“Going back to sleep in a bit.” Duan Xingye’s voice was hoarse. He shuffled in slippers to his own rack, felt the pocket of the jacket he wore yesterday, and took out a jewelry box.

Duan Xingye walked back, passing opposite the glass counter.

Slap. The box landed on the countertop.

“Happy second anniversary.”

Duan Xingye squinted his eyes that wouldn’t open, left a light sentence, and departed.

“…”

Cheng Duzhou stood silently for a moment, withdrew his gaze from the door, picked up the jewelry box, and opened it.

Inside revealed a pair of diamond platinum cufflinks, shining with brilliant, blinding light.

On Friday, Singer-Songwriter 101 closed the voting channel for nostalgic golden oldies. The three classic old songs most liked by the audience were determined, which would also be the songs the three mentors would perform on their solo stages.

Ranked first was Dawn, the theme song of the same name from an 80s family drama, carrying the childhood memories of a generation. It had fully double the votes of the second place.

When the results were announced, Tao Ziyi quickly reserved the second-ranked song in the group chat and recommended that Dawn should be sung by Duan Xingye, citing suitable timbre as the reason.

Jin Zimi sent a laughing emoji, indicating she was fine with whatever.

Originally, the production team was worried the mentors would argue over the songs. Seeing everyone so harmonious, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Sister Yu, however, felt that when things went contrary to the norm, there must be a demon. “Why didn’t Tao Ziyi fight for it?”

Although the mentor solo stage was a performance show, it was also a contest of mentor strength. With Tao Ziyi’s strong desire to win and his habit of opposing Duan Xingye everywhere, how could he hand over the most popular song to Duan Xingye?

Duan Xingye twirled a strand of hair with his finger. With the movement, the platinum ring shimmered slightly. He said lazily, “Because Tao Ziyi knows he can’t sing as well as me. Consider it self-awareness.”

Sister Yu: “…”

Little Ancestor, be a bit more carefree why don’t you.

Tao Ziyi clapped his hands when he saw Duan Xingye reply “Confirmed” in the group chat.

“Don’t you want to sing Dawn?” his manager asked strangely. “The audience favorability is there. Singing this song makes it easier to stand out among the mentors.”

“Why wouldn’t I want to?” Tao Ziyi laughed. “But one must be able to sing it first.”

The manager was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

” Dawn is Elder Zheng’s song. Elder Zheng stopped authorizing all songs a year ago; the old man just wants to retire in peace.” Tao Ziyi raised an eyebrow. “But ordinary people don’t know this yet. After all, few pay attention to golden oldies from the 80s. I also learned through an acquaintance that the Heavenly King wanted to cover Elder Zheng’s classic works at his recent concert but was refused.”

Hearing this, the manager sighed with emotion. “Zheng Qiuhua can be said to have led the singers of an era. Many TV dramas in those years used his songs, especially the writer Kan Dashan. Every work of his brought to the screen had lyrics and music by Zheng Qiuhua. The drama Dawn was the peak of their cooperation. Sigh… such a legendary combination never appeared again. But for Elder Zheng to refuse authorization even at the cost of offending people, he really doesn’t want to be disturbed by the outside world at all.”

“Exactly.” Tao Ziyi raised his eyebrows. “If even the Heavenly King couldn’t move him, can a web variety show move him? Without copyright, it can’t be sung publicly. Duan Xingye will definitely have to change songs later. Changing then not only delays rehearsal time but also leaves him picking from the leftovers.”

The manager gave a thumbs up. “You are strong. Congratulations in advance on your successful debut show.”

Tao Ziyi smiled.

Music was the main battlefield between him and Duan Xingye. He definitely had to win back this round in Singer-Songwriter.

Come Friday night, All the Way With You, which netizens had been anticipating for a week, was finally about to start.

With a few minutes left, the [Lü Ye Shu Huai] livestream lit up. Just playing an empty shot caused bullet comments to flood in crazily.

“I’m here! I’m here! Holding high the flag of Lü Ye Shu Huai!”

“Missed you to death TAT. In days without seeing President Cheng and Teacher Duan, I can only find sugar in the Super Topic.”

“With Lü Ye Shu Huai’s blessing, the happiness of getting off work on Friday has increased!”

9:00 PM sharp.

The screen switched.

Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye appeared under the lens together.

Looking at the background behind them, the location of this livestream was in front of the sofa. They sat side by side on the floor, instantly pulling the distance closer to the audience, like friends chatting by the stove. A familiar dolphin toy was also in the frame behind them.

The scrolling speed of the bullet comments was dazzling.

As the saying goes, strangers at first meeting, friends at the second. Duan Xingye knew the nature of these CP fans. His first sentence was: “Whoever makes dirty jokes gets out.”

The speed of the bullet comments visibly buffered for a moment.

Cheng Duzhou held back a laugh.

“Anniversary?” Duan Xingye read viewer comments. “Spent it together… Details? Who’s revealing details to you? Get out.”

The bullet comments were full of Hahaha; everyone was happy even being scolded.

Duan Xingye appeared very calm in this livestream interaction, not running away in anger like the first time.

The production team came on time, handing over a mission card.

When the two opened the envelope, their hands entered the frame.

“It’s wedding rings!”

“Always curious what Lü Ye Shu Huai’s wedding rings looked like. Finally saw them, beautiful!”

“With these two’s hands, even wearing foxtail grass would look good.”

“Great! Before, President Cheng and Teacher Duan were overly low-key, really talked about as if fake. Now they look more and more like a couple!”

This envelope had some thickness.

Duan Xingye took out the mission card first and read:

“House Showcase.”

“Tomorrow, we are about to embark on a new journey, heading to a traditional southern village to get close to nature. The place to stay tomorrow night is ready. Please share the photos with the audience. The houses will ultimately be allocated based on the speed at which each group of guests completes the challenge.”

Bullet comments:

“The pace is getting faster. Racing before even setting off.”

“What challenge?”

“Is the theme of this episode going to the countryside? Haha can’t imagine Teacher Duan’s rural life.”

While everyone discussed heatedly, Duan Xingye took out the photos from the envelope.

He cared about housing conditions away from home to begin with. He looked at one photo, handed one to Cheng Duzhou, and Cheng Duzhou flipped it to show the audience.

House No. 1 was a courtyard house with white tiles and black walls. The yard was full of Chinese roses, looking like a popular internet-famous B&B. Even without seeing the interior decoration, one knew it was enjoyment-type housing.

House No. 2 was an ordinary household, with a wall-mounted air conditioner in the room.

Starting from here, the situation gradually went wrong.

House No. 3 had a yard overgrown with wild grass, and the two windows on the house were dark holes.

As for House No. 4, the photo only showed a duffel bag.

Bullet comments: The program team is too wicked! Fourth place pitches a tent!

Duan Xingye’s acceptance level only went as far as House No. 1; the rest were not considered.

A bullet comment slid by:

“What if Teacher Duan picks up the No. 4 tent?”

Duan Xingye: “Shut up.”

Bullet comments: Hahahahaha!

Duan Xingye put the photos away. “Must take first place this time.”

Cheng Duzhou left room for leeway. “I’ll try my best.”

Duan Xingye corrected: “Not try your best, it’s a must.”

Cheng Duzhou was helpless. “What if it doesn’t work?”

“Then you just wait.”

“…”

Watching one being domineering and the other speechless, the laughter in the bullet comments almost overflowed the screen!

Because the gap in housing conditions was too large and competition fierce, Duan Xingye was very concerned about what the challenge to decide housing allocation was.

But the production team had no intention of revealing it, instead asking guests to pack luggage first.

This time, it was packing their own luggage.

Duan Xingye first took a skincare set from the storage cabinet, then went into the bathroom to hug a pile of towels, and then went to the kitchen to get a thermos cup.

Cheng Duzhou leaned against the wall, watching him walk back and forth, and suddenly said, “You take quite good care of yourself.”

Duan Xingye stuffed things into the suitcase and replied grumpily, “This is called learning from a fall.”

He wasn’t stupid, just inexperienced in this regard. Last time, he noted down in his memo everything Cheng Duzhou brought for him.

Cheng Duzhou stood watching for a while longer. Confirming Duan Xingye had no issues, he turned to pack his own.

Right at this moment.

The phone vibrated.

Duan Xingye picked it up to check.

In the filming team group chat, someone tagged him.

Follow Director: [@Seen Teacher Duan, come out to confirm identity information.]

Duan Xingye paused his packing work and went out with his phone.

Before every trip, the filming team had to collect information to buy insurance for the guests.

Duan Xingye thought there was a problem, but when he got to the outer hallway, follow director Old Xu gave a mysterious “Shh.”

Duan Xingye was invited to sit at a temporary table.

Old Xu handed a handheld card to Duan Xingye and smiled with squinted eyes. “As long as you make President Cheng say this sentence to you, the challenge is successful.”

Duan Xingye flipped open the card and saw written on it:

[You are really cute today.]

“…”

Powerless to roast the program team’s taste.

Duan Xingye looked up and asked, “Just need Cheng Duzhou to say it?”

Too simple.

“Yes.” Old Xu’s eyes curved even more. “But the premise is you cannot let President Cheng know this is your mission. You cannot mention the word ‘cute’ during the mission process, in any language or dialect. The only thing you can do is guide President Cheng to say the correct phrase, and it cannot appear deliberate.”

“…” Duan Xingye looked indifferent. “Just say you want to make Cheng Duzhou think I’m cute and exclaim it from the bottom of his heart, and be done with it.”

Old Xu laughed pfft.

He seemed to have foreseen that this wouldn’t be an easy task for Duan Xingye.

…

Before leaving, Duan Xingye confirmed a few final details.

He said, “Can you change the sentence for me?”

Old Xu held back laughter and waved his hand. “No.”

Duan Xingye asked, “What if I can’t complete it today?”

Old Xu replied, “The deadline is before checking in tomorrow evening.”

Meaning this task spanned today and tomorrow.

Duan Xingye raised an eyebrow. “What if I leak the question to Cheng Duzhou after going off-air tonight?”

“Guests please consciously abide by the rules. The production team will judge whether there is cheating based on whether your performance is natural. Once discovered, disqualification from the challenge, move directly into House No. 4,” Old Xu said. “Besides, if you fail to make President Cheng say this sentence before going off-air today, the production team will change the phrase for you tomorrow. Revealing it to President Cheng won’t help.”

“…”

The production team had thousands of tricks; they wouldn’t let guests exploit loopholes.

Duan Xingye accepted the secret mission and returned home.

Cheng Duzhou asked, “Info confirmed?”

Duan Xingye nodded, absent-minded. “Mn.”

Tonight, guests and audience had a chance to interact face-to-face, so Duan Xingye’s mission was also kept secret from the audience to prevent bullet comments from tipping off Cheng Duzhou.

Duan Xingye returned to the room to continue packing, his mind full of the word “cute.”

When he was small, adults took him out, and countless sisters and aunties would surround him saying he was cute.

But after growing up, getting along with people depended on personality. He had never been a cute person.

Recalling the past, Cheng Duzhou had never used those two words to describe him.

In Cheng Duzhou’s eyes, he definitely had nothing to do with cute.

Duan Xingye realized belatedly.

The production team was deliberately messing with him.

Even as a couple, one man wouldn’t just say “cute” to another man.

The audience kept watching Duan Xingye and clearly noticed his state changed before and after going out.

“What’s wrong with Teacher Duan?”

“Feels like he encountered trouble.”

“Don’t tell me there’s a problem with luggage again?”

While Duan Xingye was pondering, a cup of steaming hot milk was handed in front of him.

He looked up.

Cheng Duzhou held the cup. “There was some milk left in the fridge.”

He saw it when he went into the kitchen just now. They were going out for two days; the milk would expire by the time they came back, so Cheng Duzhou just boiled it.

The bullet comments saw it: President Cheng is a domestic type of man~

Duan Xingye held the cup in his palms, sitting cross-legged by the bed. Resting for a while.

Cheng Duzhou glanced at Duan Xingye’s suitcase. The thick jacket hadn’t been put in yet, but it already felt like it couldn’t fit anything more.

Although Duan Xingye knew to bring daily necessities, he didn’t know how to fold clothes, wasting a lot of space in the box.

Cheng Duzhou squatted down, picked up his clothes, and said, “I’ll fold them for you.”

Duan Xingye glanced at the box, gave an “oh,” and lifted the cup to sip milk.

“Cute” was generally used to describe girls. What did a cute boy look like?

How to appear cute?

And what kind of cute was cute in Cheng Duzhou’s eyes?

Duan Xingye frowned in thought. Lowering his eyes, a light layer of foam floated on the surface of the milk.

As his thick long lashes fluttered, suddenly, a plan came to mind.

Duan Xingye sipped the milk again. This time, he deliberately let the upper lip brush against the white foam, forming a milk mustache.

Duan Xingye put the cup aside, turned over, and knelt on all fours on the floor. “Cheng Duzhou, look at me.”

Cheng Duzhou looked up at Duan Xingye. He didn’t pay attention at first glance, then quickly looked again.

Because Duan Xingye was looking up, his dark upturned eyes were half-closed, and there was an extra layer of milky white foam on his lips. That bright and beautiful face inexplicably gained a childish innocence.

The audience couldn’t hold back anymore, rolling around crazily in the livestream room.

“Can’t take it! Too cute!”

“Teacher Duan is so moe!”

“Screenshot for new profile pic!”

Cheng Duzhou, however, merely lowered his gaze, landing on the rose-colored lips beneath the milk mustache. The shape of the lower lip was full, looking soft and kissable. At this moment, the corners of the lips were slightly upturned.

Because of Duan Xingye’s prostrate posture, the collar hung down, revealing fine white collarbones. His waist collapsed slightly, appearing very soft under the clearly wrinkled shirt.

As Cheng Duzhou watched, his eyes darkened.

Duan Xingye held back the urge to lick off the foam, tilted his face up further, and asked, “How is it?”

Cheng Duzhou said nothing, finally leaning forward.

The bullet comments were about to scream:

“Head-pressing squad! Quick! Kiss him!”

“Trouble President Cheng to lick Teacher Duan clean.”

“Is it the scene I’m expecting!”

Cheng Duzhou stopped. Curving his finger, he wiped the milk foam off Duan Xingye’s lip one by one, his eyes cool. “Don’t be silly.”

“…………”

Duan Xingye put away his ingratiating smile and looked at him coldly.

Cheng Duzhou, you just wait.

Plan failed. Duan Xingye sat back to drink milk.

Cheng Duzhou packed clothes for a couple of seconds, then suddenly stood up, walked into the bathroom, and closed the door.

A moment later, the door opened again.

“Duan Xingye,” Cheng Duzhou called him. “Help me find something.”

Duan Xingye glanced at him, stood up reluctantly, and followed him in.

“Find what?”

Who expected that as soon as he entered, he was pushed against the wall by Cheng Duzhou.

“?”

Cheng Duzhou’s powerful arms imprisoned him, pressing tight. Scorching breath sprayed by his ear, whispering vindictively:

“Why act so slutty.”

“Seducing me with so many people watching.”

“I’ll do you, okay?”

Duan Xingye: “???”

He didn’t understand.

But he was greatly shocked by Cheng Duzhou’s brain circuit.

__

Author’s Note:

Teacher Duan: I was acting cute (selling moe), not acting slutty.