FLME Ch12: Loose Lips

Yu Wen glanced at the screen and quickly figured out the rules of “Mountain Courtyard.”

The show features five regular members and occasionally invites guests. This type of show was demanding yet unappreciated, lacking in popularity and buzz, so guests were not always available, and when they were, they tended to be relatively unknown. Someone like Xi Su, who gained popularity through a talent show, was exactly what the program lacked.

To show respect for the guests, each guest was allowed to make one new request the night before arriving, which the program must unconditionally fulfill within one day.

Previous guests usually made requests to make tasks easier, and the program would find loopholes to increase the difficulty. In other words, the program crew has always played the villain.

Although Xi Su was a regular member, he joined midway and was given the same privilege as a guest.

He made a request that was completely out of sync with the program’s usual style: the members would form pairs and be assigned tasks. The time taken to complete the tasks would be the primary criterion, with the fastest team earning double points and the slowest team losing all their points.

Points are the most important virtual currency in the program, redeemable for a large amount of supplies.

This setup not only ensured that one member would be left alone but also created a strong sense of competition, which was completely at odds with the program’s usual tone.

In the released interview footage, he joked, “Motivation? It was a sudden whim. I thought it would be fun.”

Jian Heng explained, “After this episode aired, he got heavily criticized, trending on social media, but in the next episode, he completely changed the audience’s perception…”

In the sixth episode, Xi Su’s second appearance on the show, there was a clip of him secretly taking allergy medicine in his room after eating the scrambled eggs made by Chu Han. Fans later revealed that he had a mild egg allergy, which he never mentioned, and coincidentally, there were plenty of eggs at that time, with scrambled eggs at every meal.

When the program crew asked about it later, he scratched his blue hair, his defiant features showing a hint of unease, and said, “I just arrived and wanted to get to know the older members quickly. Brother Chu Han made the scrambled eggs, and he gets very happy whenever someone praises his cooking…”

This is not a troublemaker; this is clearly an awkward puppy who doesn’t understand social norms.

He eventually admitted, under repeated questioning by the program crew, “I thought sharing hardships might help me build a bond with the seniors in my group. I saw other programs do it this way…”

An earnest friend who easily messes things up—an awkward puppy.

In just one week, public opinion online shifted like this.

After a week of criticism, he earned widespread guilt.

If Yu Wen hadn’t seen another side of him in the café, he might have been fooled too.

But now.

“His acting is better than mine…” Yu Wen genuinely praised.

Jian Heng’s eyes widened, “He’s acting? It’s a script? How do you know?”

Yu Wen took a sip from his thermos, “I’m guessing.”

“I think you’re right.” Jian Heng said it seriously. As a fellow artist, he couldn’t criticize Xi Su for mastering the flow of online trends, but having worked with Xi Su, he knew that in private, he was nothing like an awkward puppy.

Jian Heng said, “I remember he debuted through a talent show. For this type of singer-dancer, retaining fans and transitioning are the most important things. Without solid work to back him up, the more popular he gets, the easier it is for backlash to follow. He’s a bit impatient…”

“Maybe.” Yu Wen sipped his hot water leisurely, “Maybe he’s eager to show some results to his dad and his brother.”

Jian Heng nodded in agreement, then suddenly realized.

“How do you know about his thoughts?”

He quickly searched online and confirmed that there was no mention of Xi Su’s family anywhere.

But Yu Wen didn’t even use the vague term “family” but specifically mentioned “father” and “brother.”

Jian Heng looked up at him.

The two of them stared at each other.

Jian Heng: “…Xiao Yu, do you know something?”

Yu Wen blinked innocently, “I know nothing; I’m just a passerby.”

–

Jian Heng couldn’t figure it out, but Yu Wen felt a subtle tension because Chu Han and Xi Su were on the same show.

During his break, he repeatedly watched the interactions between Chu Han and Xi Su, then turned to message Chu Han: [Be careful of Xi Su.]

How to put it, the emotional aspect of “Rise! Movie Emperor” was a bit melodramatic, which Yu Wen didn’t like, but he couldn’t deny that the protagonist of the book, Chu Han, was an extremely sincere person. Moreover, Chu Han lowered his status, cutting his live broadcast exposure by half to give it to him, which led to the subsequent contract renewal and variety show. No matter what, Yu Wen owed him a favor.

Chu Han didn’t reply. Yu Wen remembered that he didn’t surf the internet much. He was probably working.

When he finished a scene and came back, he saw Chu Han’s reply from a few minutes ago.

Chu Han: [What?]

Yu Wen: [Xi Su seems a bit off; be careful.]

Judging from how skillfully Xi Su manipulated public opinion, even Feng Chengzhou would be left in the dust.

He had recently been studying Xi Su’s debut journey and noticed a pattern: creating CP (couple pairings) rumors, breaking them up, stirring up drama, and then playing the victim—an endlessly successful strategy.

The current trend on the show was already showing signs.

Chu Han: [He’s quite nice. Do you guys have some misunderstanding?]

Yu Wen: [You think he’s nice?]

Chu Han: [Yeah.]

Yu Wen: [He’s Feng Chengzhou’s brother.]

Chu Han: […]

A killer move.

Chu Han was currently in a cold war with Feng Chengzhou, refusing to agree to the live broadcast renewal. Anyone related to Feng Chengzhou would be viewed with suspicion.

Yu Wen watched the typing indicator above the chat box, estimating that Chu Han wouldn’t easily warm up to Xi Su now, so he relaxed and put down his phone.

The crew called for him to prepare for the next scene. Yu Wen put his phone back in his pocket, missing the message Chu Han sent after his initial shock and careful consideration.

[How do you know?]

–

“How do you know?!”

During the break, Jian Heng floated behind him like a ghost, whispering devilishly, “Tell me, tell me, tell me…”

Yu Wen hugged his thermos, looking at him like a mischievous grandson, sighing helplessly, “Xiao Jian, focus on your acting and stop obsessing over gossip.”

“This isn’t just gossip! This is a world-shaking secret! If I don’t know, the world will lose a warrior against evil! The world will be in chaos, and the Earth will be destroyed!”

Jian Heng suddenly thought of something and bent down, his eyes shining with excitement. “Did you find out during the last live stream? You were there in person, so you must have heard more unknown secrets. Tell me, is the young master sincere? When did they meet? How far have they progressed?”

Yu Wen said, “He’s sincere, but unfortunately, the young master is a bit clueless. They had a falling out; they probably met in the past six months, but I don’t know the exact date. They’ve progressed to living together, even taking each other’s clothes in the bathroom…”

Yu Wen stopped himself just in time.

Jian Heng analyzed each word, “So it’s not just a stunt. The young master really had a connection with him? They’ve known each other for over six months… The young master doesn’t go on shows, so how did they meet? They’ve progressed to living together… Wait.”

“Progressed to living together.” His eyes widened as he tried to appear more innocent.

Jian Heng remained unmoved, his expression quickly shifting from shock to disbelief, to caution, and then to a state of alertness, “What were they doing in the bathroom? How do you know…?”

He looked at Yu Wen as if he were a criminal with a voyeuristic habit.

Yu Wen: “…I don’t know; you misheard.”

Jian Heng: “Still trying to lie.”

Yu Wen: “Why are you dialing 110?”

Jian Heng: “I suspect you installed cameras in their house. I’m doing the right thing and calling the police to have you arrested.”

Yu Wen: “…”

He smiled politely and stopped Jian Heng’s hand, which was about to dial the emergency number. “Mr. Jian, I just accidentally, accidentally learned some things. I didn’t witness them firsthand.”

He emphasized “accidentally” twice.

Jian Heng: “What kind of accident?”

Yu Wen: “I accidentally… overheard a conversation between Chu Han and Feng Chengzhou.”

Jian Heng believed him about seventy percent and calmly put his phone away. “So you’re not a criminal?”

Yu Wen: “Do I look like one?”

Jian Heng scrutinized him.

After a moment, a strange smile slowly formed on his lips.

Yu Wen: “Whoever you are, leave Mr. Jian’s body immediately.”

Jian Heng: “I’m not possessed by a ghost.”

Yu Wen: “Ghosts never admit they’re ghosts.”

Jian Heng slowly grabbed his hand.

Yu Wen’s expression turned blank, “Sorry, I’m homophobic.”

“Hey, what’s with that? Friendship knows no boundaries.” Jian Heng patted him disapprovingly, his mouth curling up to his temples. “We are purely friends. It’s normal for good friends to hold hands and gossip.”

Yu Wen understood.

He withdrew his hand, “If we gossip while holding hands, it would be a bit ambiguous.”

“Then we won’t hold hands.” Jian Heng waved his hand grandly, “Talking with just our mouths is fine.”

“Now, tell me all the gossip you know.” Jian Heng’s eyes were burning with curiosity. He added, “You don’t want others to know that you know so much, right?”

–

A crew member called for the lead actor, saving Yu Wen from the hot water.

Before leaving, Jian Heng gave Yu Wen an ambiguous wink and said, “Remember our agreement.”

Yu Wen: “…”

He sighed and sat down on a small stool in front of the monitor to watch the lead actors’ scene.

The scene was the last encounter between the male and female leads. When Pu Yangxi arrived, Jiang Qiuyue was leaning against the stone pillar beside the mountain gate, covered in blood. Her cheeks were as clean and pale as ever. She leaned there as if she were just sleeping.

“You’re going to die,” Pu Yangxi whispered.

In the end, he never revealed anything about the sacred artifact, whether out of rationality or out of respect for Jiang Qiuyue’s will, it was hard to say. He always prioritized the latter.

Yu Wen always thought that Pu Yangxi and Jiang Qiuyue were two extremes.

Pu Yangxi was warm on the outside but cold inside. At first glance, he seemed like a lush field, exuding vitality, but underneath, it was all barren. He was gloomy and paranoid, always fearing the worst in his relationships.

But Jiang Qiuyue was the complete opposite.

Senior Sister was cold on the outside but warm inside, with a childlike purity and sensitivity yet an unshakable soul. If Pu Yangxi was a paper tiger, appearing fierce but incredibly fragile, then Jiang Qiuyue was a cluster of bamboo by the roadside, observing the joys and sorrows of the world without swaying in the wind.

They were naturally compatible and destined for each other.

“I told you, with your character, you’d end up dead someday.” Pu Yangxi meticulously wiped her fingertips. His longsword fell powerless beside him; its owner no longer had the strength to pick it up.

The sunlight grew bright, and a blazing sun rose. At this hopeful moment of dawn, Jiang Qiuyue’s last breath disappeared into the morning breeze.

Pu Yangxi tidied her appearance, and a tattered storybook fell from her small pouch.

The pages were soaked with blood, the ink smudged, but Pu Yangxi could still recognize it with a few words. It was the tacky storybook he had once recommended to her on purpose to tease her.

“Awful.” That was her first comment after reading it.

Pu Yangxi feigned a heartbroken expression, “Really? It seems our tastes differ. After all, how could a mortal’s taste compare to the moon in the sky…”

Jiang Qiuyue stared at him for a moment, then took the book back and told him to get lost.

After reading it a second time, she firmly told him, “Awful!”

Her usually cold voice even carried a hint of irritation.

Pu Yangxi scratched his head, “Alright, if you don’t like it, I won’t insist. I must have offended you somehow. I haven’t read many books, but I found it thrilling and engaging…”

Jiang Qiuyue, stunned by his words, “thrilling and engaging,” took the book back and reluctantly read it two or three more times.

Pu Yangxi thought that if she could speak, her last words would definitely be “Awful!”

With this in mind, he flipped through the book and accidentally found the last page. On the blank page was a forcefully written word: “Awful!”

Turning another page, he saw Jiang Qiuyue’s delicate handwriting: “The plot is cliché, utterly lacking in novelty, beyond words to describe—truly awful!”

Pu Yangxi laughed silently.

After laughing, sorrow filled his chest, spreading through his limbs, finally welling up in his eyes. Warm tears flowed endlessly with the sadness.

He held Jiang Qiuyue’s hand, his forehead touching the back of her hand, and his suppressed sobs stuck in his throat.

There was no Jiang Qiuyue in the world anymore.

Just thinking about it made him despair.

…

The emotions were spot on, and they nailed it in one take. After the director called “cut,” Jian Heng was still immersed in sadness, unable to stop his tears.

Out of kindness, Yu Wen went over to check on him, but Jian Heng grabbed his arm and said, “Xiao Yu, waaaah…”

Yu Wen patted his shoulder and said, “Xiao Yu is here.”

Jian Heng: “Waaaah, I want to change the script. I want to die with you guys…”

Yu Wen persuaded him, “If everyone dies, it would be a happy ending.”

Jian Heng: “…Do I have to bear this tragic ending?”

Yu Wen: “Heaven gives great responsibility to you, so it first breaks your will and spirit.”

Jian Heng: “Master, is there any hope for me?”

Yu Wen: “Scan the code for 998, and a good luck charm will be delivered to your home.”

Jian Heng: “You damn profiteer.”