RSDH CH25

With three hours remaining until the secret mission ended, Duan Xingye figured that the picnic cook-off was coming up shortly. Since he and Cheng Duzhou weren’t in the same group, they wouldn’t be able to interact, leaving him with little time.

Duan Xingye planned to complete the challenge before the picnic started. Hence, he had welcomed him with a warm smile, attentive inquiries, and meticulous care. First, he would lower Cheng Duzhou’s mental defenses, shattering the domineering impression he held in Cheng Duzhou’s mind; then, by acting a bit coy and playing cute once the timing and atmosphere were ripe, he would find a way to get Cheng Duzhou to utter the words: “You’re so cute today.”

Duan Xingye knew tens of thousands of viewers were watching, but for the sake of House #1, he could temporarily cast aside his idol baggage. He, who had only ever massaged his grandfather’s shoulders, had even condescended to let Cheng Duzhou enjoy his services for once.

Just like that, Duan Xingye had provided Cheng Duzhou with holistic care from mind to body, believing he had performed impeccably. In return, all he got was the other man’s line: “Don’t torture me like this.”

“?”

In an instant, silence fell all around.

Cheng Duzhou looked up at Duan Xingye.

Duan Xingye looked back at him.

“…”

“…”

The silence was deafening.

Outside the tent, Old Xu and his assistant were trembling with laughter in front of the monitor, drawing more and more crew members over to watch.

Meanwhile, the livestream, enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the situation, was having boundless fun.

“This segment has me dying of laughter! The two of them aren’t even on the same frequency.”

“President Cheng looks like a stray dog with high defenses who suddenly got a home and doesn’t know what to do with himself hahahaha…”

“Cheng Duzhou, you will regret this! Before long, you’ll realize wifey’s special privileges only come once in a lifetime!”

Inside the tent.

“Just how big of an issue do you have with me?” Duan Xingye finally spoke, lightly arching an eyebrow with restraint. “That you’d consider my gentleness a form of torture.”

“…Gentleness?”

Cheng Duzhou was thoroughly astonished. A touch of sullen vexation at being teased surfaced on his faintly flushed, handsome face, his voice dropping two octaves.

“If you’re dissatisfied with something, just say it directly… At least let a man die a quick death.”

“…”

Bullet comments: Ahahahahaha…

Looking down at Cheng Duzhou from above, the light in Duan Xingye’s eyes gradually chilled, making the smirk curving at the corners of his lips drip with mockery.

At this moment, he suddenly felt that winning or losing didn’t matter anymore, and houses didn’t matter either. He had endured from last night until now, pushed to his breaking point by Cheng Duzhou. If he wasn’t allowed to vent his anger right this second, even if he successfully moved into House #1 tonight, he would be too suffocated by grievance to sleep.

Besides, given his and Cheng Duzhou’s chemistry, they would never win anyway.

Time to give up and rot.

Cards on the table.

Duan Xingye ruthlessly yanked his hands back from Cheng Duzhou, turned around, pulled up a chair to sit down, crossed his arms, and swung one long leg over the other, saying coldly: “Do you think I enjoy pouring tea, serving water, and massaging your shoulders and back? Cheng Duzhou, do I not care about my own dignity?”

Hearing this, Cheng Duzhou suddenly picked up on something unusual.

At this moment, Duan Xingye didn’t just have the cold indifference of someone too lazy to keep up an act after being caught; there was also an imperceptible trace of resentment and grievance, giving off the feeling that Cheng Duzhou had let him down.

Cheng Duzhou began reflecting on himself, looking back over Duan Xingye’s series of abnormal actions just now.

Perhaps he hadn’t been putting pressure on him, nor were those words sarcastic retorts born of anger. Duan Xingye had genuinely been trying to be gentle and considerate.

Yet before he could relax, the person before him wiped away all traces of a smile. Carrying an exquisitely proud, handsome face, arms crossed and legs elegantly draped in the dim light beneath the window, he looked distant, like an untouchable idol on an altar.

Even if Duan Xingye was angry over the misunderstanding, he shouldn’t be this distant.

Cheng Duzhou’s mind was in even more disarray than before. Knitting his brows slightly, he couldn’t help asking: “What happened to you? Why did you suddenly become…”

He hesitated, trailing off without finishing the sentence.

Behind the monitor, Old Xu wiped away tears of laughter and let out an emotional sigh: “Looks like Teacher Duan is giving up on the mission early. But that’s about enough; he’s already worked very hard.”

Continuing like this, let alone three hours, even if this couple were given three days, they wouldn’t complete the task.

It wasn’t that Teacher Duan wasn’t cute; it was that President Cheng didn’t dare to even think in that direction.

Although the mission had failed, to the filming crew, Duan Xingye’s performance was an unexpected delight, variety entertainment value maxed out, contributing blazing ratings. As Duan Xingye went viral, he brought waves of traffic to Companionship Along the Way.

Old Xu’s only guilty conscience came from the fact that their mission had sparked a minor spat between the husbands. What followed would likely be an inevitable quarrel.

Sure enough.

“What happened to me?” Duan Xingye raised his voice, losing his temper. “Suddenly become what? Speak clearly and explain yourself!”

Cheng Duzhou lowered his eyes to look at his loosely clasped fingers, the platinum ring on his left ring finger emitting a faint, muted gleam.

The sky outside was overcast. The tent only had a small plastic-sheeted window; by the time the light reached Cheng Duzhou, it had virtually faded away, leaving only dusty grey shadows draped over his sharp, deep features, softening the edges and revealing a hint of dejection.

Duan Xingye’s heart twinged slightly. Disliking the sight of him like this, he averted his gaze, just about to spill the entire motivation behind his actions since last night in one breath.

Cheng Duzhou said softly: “Why did you suddenly stop being cute?”

Duan Xingye was far too sensitive to those two words; his heart thudded violently, and he stared at him: “What?”

Outside the tent.

“Eh?”

Old Xu raised his pitch, leaning close to the monitor, staring intently at the couple with eager anticipation.

There’s a chance!

Viewers were almost hammering their keyboards to pieces!

“Don’t just say ‘not cute,’ say ‘cute’!!!”

“Just a tiny bit left, President Cheng hurry up!”

“I’m so nervous I could die! Are these two going to make up or not?”

The whole world was cheering in excitement, while Cheng Duzhou was probably the only one still immersed in a gloomy funk, a sour, aching swell rising in his chest.

Lowering his head, Cheng Duzhou fiddled with his ring and said, “Last night, you…”

Getting milk on his lips, putting on cat ears, constantly seeking attention like a shamelessly playful little wildcat.

With burning, bright eyes, Duan Xingye stared fixedly at Cheng Duzhou, holding his breath as his heartbeat accelerated wildly.

Cheng Duzhou lightly pressed his lips together and continued, “And this morning too…”

Massaging his numb fingers, hopping and bouncing into his arms when cold, all of it had been extraordinarily bright and vivid.

“Clearly, all of it was very cute.”

The corner of Duan Xingye’s eye twitched.

In an instant, celebratory fireworks exploded in the livestream.

“Ahhhhhhhhhh! He said it!”

“I’m practically crying from excitement!”

“Lu Ye Shu Huai takes first place!”

“Congratulations to President Cheng and Teacher Duan!”

Cheng Duzhou hung his head, his expression obscure and hard to read.

Why had it suddenly stopped?

It felt like going back to the past again, always putting on airs with him, cold as if he could never be warmed up.

He had thought that spending their anniversary together, putting on rings, and receiving a gift from Duan Xingye meant things would be different from before. It seemed so much of it was just wishful thinking on his part.

Right at this moment.

The green light on the walkie-talkie resting on the table flickered.

Old Xu’s voice, clearly choking back laughter, crackled through with static: “Challenge successful.”

Cheng Duzhou froze, turning toward the sound.

Duan Xingye leaned back against the chair, stretching his spine, raising both arms over his head, and clapped his hands together with a sharp crack, no longer able to hold back a radiant, beaming smile.

Having been deeply plagued by this mystery mission since last night, and having already given up hope moments ago, he had succeeded unexpectedly. Now, he felt as if struck by a monumental pleasant surprise, colorful confetti butterflies ready to burst out from his chest. Even when his album won awards, he hadn’t been this ecstatic.

“Cheng Duzhou.”

Still completely out of the loop, Cheng Duzhou asked blankly: “What…”

Duan Xingye had already stood up and walked over, coming exceptionally close until his legs brushed Cheng Duzhou’s knees, bowing his head to look down at him from above.

Unable to read the smile in Duan Xingye’s eyes, Cheng Duzhou sat stiffly on the chair, wanting to ask what the walkie-talkie meant.

Duan Xingye only wanted to celebrate, ecstatic to the point of throwing caution to the wind. Without thinking, he reached out to cup Cheng Duzhou’s face, leaning down to plant a kiss on those thin lips.

“…” Cheng Duzhou’s breathing stopped, though he didn’t forget to cling tightly to his last shred of sanity.

Something is very wrong.

Maintaining his posture, Duan Xingye straddled Cheng Duzhou’s lap, gazing down at him with close, focused intensity. A breathtaking smile rippled through his dark, upturned eyes, his voice softening with gentle warmth:

“You truly are a genius.”

In an instant, Cheng Duzhou’s pupils dilated, his brain crashing to a complete halt.

The bullet comments took it all in clearly, taking screenshots while laughing their heads off.

Thus, not long after, a trending topic blew up:

#LosingYourselfInYourWife’sCompliments#

Once the rush of excitement subsided, Duan Xingye didn’t feel embarrassed. He patted Cheng Duzhou’s shoulders with both hands and said, “Don’t know what place we took, but we definitely won’t have to sleep in a tent.”

Just as he used the leverage to stand up, his lower back tightened.

Cheng Duzhou’s arms clamped around him, pressing him firmly back down.

“…” Heart fluttering from that irresistible force, Duan Xingye only now registered the awkward embarrassment.

He and Cheng Duzhou had never shared such an intimate sitting posture before, let alone with so many people watching in the livestream right now.

Cheng Duzhou, however, felt zero mental burden, looking at him: “What challenge?”

Unable to push him away easily, Duan Xingye feigned composure and confessed: “I had to guide you into saying the phrase ‘You’re so cute today.'”

It didn’t have to be verbatim, as long as Cheng Duzhou expressed that he was cute today. Just now, Cheng Duzhou had said, “Clearly, all of it was very cute” regarding last night and this morning, which the production crew deemed a success.

Cheng Duzhou was silent for a moment: “So last night you were completing the challenge too.”

“What do you think?!”

Bringing that up made Duan Xingye’s anger flare, shoving his shoulder.

Cheng Duzhou, however, buried his face into Duan Xingye’s chest.

“Hey,” Duan Xingye called out to him.

Cheng Duzhou didn’t move.

Just as Duan Xingye was about to tell him to get off, a glance revealed that Cheng Duzhou’s exposed ears had flushed red.

Duan Xingye pursed his lips. That bit of anger instantly melted away, replaced by an airy, fluttering itch in his chest.

—Cheng Duzhou looked deeply deflated.

Well, naturally.

Having argued with him all night over whether he had been seducing him or not, now realizing he was mistaken, that it was all just an illusion born of his own self-indulgent wishful thinking, his dignity had taken quite a hit.

Duan Xingye gently patted the back of Cheng Duzhou’s head, humming smugly: “Alright, it’s just a game. I’m not a sore loser; I’m not blaming you.”

With his face still buried, Cheng Duzhou freed a hand to blindly unclip his own microphone, then lifted his head to unclip Duan Xingye’s.

Bullet comments: Can’t hear anything! What kind of secrets are you two whispering!

Old Xu didn’t intervene. Their production crew wasn’t a surveillance agency; guests had their right to privacy.

Cheng Duzhou switched off both microphones, leaving the connecting wires dangling loosely in mid-air.

Duan Xingye asked, bewildered: “What are you doing?”

Wrapping his arms around his waist, Cheng Duzhou tilted his face up and asked in a low voice: “You’re not mad anymore, right?”

Duan Xingye hadn’t expected Cheng Duzhou to still be hung up on this, blurting out a denial: “I wasn’t mad…”

…Maybe a little bit just now.

Drawing his face closer, Cheng Duzhou’s deep baritone softened slightly: “Don’t treat me like that in the future, okay?”

Duan Xingye subconsciously lowered his voice along with him: “Like what?”

“Being so cold to me.”

Looking at him, Duan Xingye’s heart twitched unexpectedly, his thoughts drifting without anchor.

It wasn’t even that cold…

Those pitch-black eyes of Cheng Duzhou were no longer impassive and unreadable. Gazing at him earnestly, he said: “It felt like the whole sky was turning dark.”

Duan Xingye’s eyelashes fluttered lightly, suddenly dropping down.

What kind of nonsense was he spouting?

As if he actually cared about his attitude.

Give me a break.

Yet with the microphones turned off right now, Cheng Duzhou wasn’t putting on a show for the camera; it was an earnest, private plea, hoping he wouldn’t blow hot and cold on him anymore.

Unable to hear any audio, the livestream could only watch the visuals.

They saw Duan Xingye straddling Cheng Duzhou’s lap, giving a slight nod after a long silence. Then, both of their faces grew increasingly red, driving the viewers’ curiosity wild.

“What did they say!”

“The vibe suddenly turned into pure romance.”

“Blushing like a bunch of teapots! What haven’t you two already done!”

It was almost time to gather for the picnic cook-off.

The two walked out one after the other, heads lowered as they tidied their hanging microphones.

Before the audio reconnected to the livestream, Duan Xingye confirmed once more: “You’ll help me cook in a bit, right?”

Without looking back, Cheng Duzhou said, “Nope.”

“?”

Duan Xingye looked up at him.

You were half-dead a moment ago, and now you’re revived with full HP?

Really shouldn’t have given you any face.

Cheng Duzhou genuinely moved to leave the tent without a care. Duan Xingye hastily caught his arm and yanked him back, his voice cool: “What’s wrong with you? Going back on your word.”

Turning back to face him, Cheng Duzhou said, “You said it yourself, tonight’s housing is already settled.”

“There’s still the points,” Duan Xingye let go of his arm, adding, “You don’t want the points anymore?”

Culinary skills showcased during the picnic were to be graded; no one wanted to look bad lagging behind.

Hearing this, Cheng Duzhou fell quiet, appearing thoughtful. After a moment, he shifted his posture and said, “Unless you agree to a condition of mine, otherwise I don’t care about the points.”

Duan Xingye pursed his lips.

He could tell Cheng Duzhou was doing this on purpose, definitely having prepared a condition in advance waiting for him.

Indulging him, Duan Xingye said: “Speak.”

Cheng Duzhou wouldn’t leave Duan Xingye hanging; during the picnic, this pampered young master was the exact person he worried about most, but he didn’t want to let him off the hook so easily either.

The thought that the adorable Duan Xingye from last night had only been acting for a mission, and that he might never see it again in the future, filled Cheng Duzhou with regret and loss.

He said, “Wear the cat ears for me one more time.”

“…” Duan Xingye blinked languidly, saying, “Don’t even dream about it.”

Cheng Duzhou’s eyes darkened: “You’re a sore loser!”

With that, he turned around and walked off.

“…”

Holding a vegetable basket, Jiang Li headed toward Lu Ye Shu Huai‘s tent to look for Cheng Duzhou.

They were picnic partners and needed to coordinate their ingredients for cooking in a bit.

“Wifey, I’ll help you.” Xiao Jiahui quickened his steps to catch up, reaching out to take the vegetable basket from her.

Jiang Li was clearly a tough, no-nonsense woman, complaining with annoyance: “Aiya! You’re not in my group; go mind your own business.”

“I just wanted to spend a little more time with you,” Xiao Jiahui offered sheepishly.

The follow-up director followed closely behind with the camera raised.

Watching this veteran couple, the livestream chuckled merrily.

The two bickered and pulled at each other all the way to the front of Lu Ye Shu Huai‘s tent.

Suddenly.

—”Wait!”

Duan Xingye’s highly recognizable, melodious voice rang out from behind the flap.

Jiang Li and Xiao Jiahui paused simultaneously, glancing toward the sound.

Inside the tent.

Duan Xingye had caught hold of Cheng Duzhou after all, asking unyieldingly, “Do you have some kind of obsession with cat ears or what?”

Taking two steps closer, Cheng Duzhou let his gaze wander over the faint blush dusting Duan Xingye’s face, lowering his voice:

“I’m sorry for misunderstanding that you were seducing me earlier. But next time, please put on the cat ears and seduce me all over again. Little. Kit. Ten.”

“…” Duan Xingye choked, wondering if this man had some kind of severe illness.

Cheng Duzhou, however, was in high spirits. Reaching out to pinch his fair cheek, he lifted the flap and stepped outside.

Only to come face-to-face with Jiang Li and Xiao Jiahui, who were standing frozen outside with the vegetable basket.

“…………”

“…………”

Duan Xingye spotted the married couple as well, catching sight of the camera pointed right at them from the side.

He stiffly tugged at Cheng Duzhou’s sleeve.

Cheng Duzhou moonwalked backward into the tent and dropped the flap.

__

Author’s Note:

President Cheng: Let’s quit this variety show.