FLME Ch88

When they got home, Yu Wen grabbed Xie Heyu and took a few well-lit photos of their hands. It wasn’t about showing off their relationship—it just felt like a meaningful memory to capture.

Not long after they walked in, Xi Su arrived with his camera in tow.

Yu Wen said, “Mr. Xie doesn’t allow cameras in the house. Says it’s an invasion of privacy.”

He sounded a little gleeful as he said this. Serves Xi Su right for teasing him in front of the fans! That wasn’t deflecting blame; it was called strategic attribution.

Xi Su said, “It’s all my fault, every bit of it. I had the audacity to speak nonsense and edit your cooking skills into something terrible! Truly unforgivable—”

His tone was sincere, and his attitude seemed genuinely repentant. Yu Wen, satisfied, thought that perhaps he could magnanimously give him another chance. So, he turned and ran to find Xie Heyu.

“Didn’t he give up before?” Xie Heyu asked in surprise. “Why’s he suddenly so persistent?”

Now that he mentioned it, Yu Wen found it odd too.

Xi Su might sometimes be a bit scatterbrained, but he wasn’t particularly stubborn. If one project failed, he’d immediately pivot to a new venture. In that regard, his mindset was far ahead of the curve—he never wasted energy dwelling on things.

For now, Yu Wen set his doubts aside and went to the door to let Xi Su in.

Curious about what Xi Su was up to, Yu Wen followed him around like a little tail as he installed the cameras, peeking over his shoulder at every turn.

Xi Su asked, “What, don’t you trust me?”

Yu Wen replied in surprise, “It’d be weird if I did.”

Xi Su thought about it and conceded, “Fair enough.”

“But this time, you can trust me,” Xi Su said. “I promise to edit your wedding footage so sweetly that even passing dogs will get a sugar rush.”

Wedding… what?

Yu Wen was completely baffled.

Xi Su, with an air of confidence, patted Yu Wen on the shoulder and said, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this under control.”

Downstairs, Yu Wen told Xie Heyu, “Xi Su’s been under a lot of stress lately. I think it’s affecting his brain.”

He said it offhandedly, but Xie Heyu nodded seriously, “He does seem pretty far gone.”

Just earlier, Xi Su had randomly drifted into the kitchen to chat. After a few nonsensical exchanges, he casually scooped a big spoonful of the steamed egg custard Xie Heyu had just made and commented, “This dish is good. Add it to the banquet menu.”

“What?!” Yu Wen only caught the first part and was instantly furious. “He took my egg custard?! I’m going to execute him!”

Rolling up his sleeves, Yu Wen stormed off to confront Xi Su.

By now, both Yu Wen and Xie Heyu had grown accustomed to Xi Su’s antics. However, when Xi Su and Chu Han came over for dinner that evening, Chu Han wore the same enigmatic expression as Xi Su.

Something was definitely off. Very off.

“From now on, every word you say will be used as evidence in court. And you have no right to remain silent!” Judge Yu slammed the gavel (well, an ashtray), declaring sternly, “Confess your conspiracy at once!”

Chu Han and Xi Su exchanged glances. Xie Heyu silently moved the ashtray out of Yu Wen’s reach and handed him a small plush keychain instead.

Yu Wen complained that it didn’t make a loud enough sound.

Xie Heyu said, “I’ll provide the sound effects.”

So, every time Yu Wen slammed the “gavel,” Xie Heyu tapped the ashtray for him.

Under Yu Wen’s “severe interrogation,” Xi Su finally confessed the whole story.

“My fans sent you private messages saying we’re getting married, so you came to film our wedding video?” Yu Wen sighed. “What an obscure narrative.”

“Don’t dismiss it so quickly,” Chu Han said. “A fan saw your proposal.”

Xi Su opened his private messages to show Yu Wen. The first message included a photo: the two of them standing by the mall escalator, with Xie Heyu solemnly putting a ring on Yu Wen’s finger. Their expressions were so happy, the scene was just missing a bouquet and someone kneeling on one knee.

Yu Wen stared at the photo. The location looked awfully familiar, as did their outfits. Even the bag he was holding looked familiar.

Xie Heyu: “…That was this morning.”

Yu Wen suddenly remembered the girl who couldn’t stop obsessing over her 200 bucks.

He clicked into her profile, which included selfies. Sure enough, it was that girl.

Her private message exchange with Xi Su was brimming with emotion and went something like this:

[I didn’t expect this, really, sobbing.jpg. I never thought I’d live to see the day when I could witness Xiao Yu being proposed to with my own eyes. I hope they’ll be happy, truly…]

[If possible, I hope to receive a wedding invitation. Of course, I’m just saying I hope. If there’s no invitation, I won’t be upset. I’ve always been a strong fan and won’t cry easily, haha, hahaha…]

[But maybe still send me one.]

[They chose a sparsely populated mall on a weekday to propose. There must be a reason behind it. Don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone else. Mr. Xi Su, I’ve only told you. This is our little secret.]

[I have a once-in-a-lifetime request: how about recording a wedding video? It’s a great business opportunity.]

Sure enough, the words “business opportunity” struck a chord with Xi Su.

*

“…We’re not getting married.” After reading through the conversation, Yu Wen felt like he’d been brainwashed. He could almost see himself standing in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau, about to step into the hall of matrimony. It took a lot of effort to snap out of it, and he finally clarified, “I just bought a pair of couple rings.”

Chu Han was even more shocked. “If you’re not getting married, why buy matching rings?”

Yu Wen: “…A little fun between couples.”

Chu Han frowned. “That doesn’t seem fun at all.”

Yu Wen told him to shut up.

Xi Su looked disappointed and repeatedly asked if they really didn’t have any plans to get married. After receiving a firm answer, he stubbornly insisted that if they ever did plan to marry, they must let him know. As the guardian of their love story, he had to give the fans a wedding video.

Yu Wen promptly kicked him out.

After the two freeloading light bulbs left, Yu Wen leaned against the door and looked at Xie Heyu.

He asked, “If we got married someday, would you want to have a wedding?”

He had thought about this before. In his view, getting a marriage certificate was fine, but a wedding wasn’t necessary. As public figures constantly in the spotlight, holding a wedding would inevitably attract unwanted noise and scrutiny.

He didn’t like being criticized or judged.

But he also considered Xie Heyu. Based on Xie’s tendency to feel insecure in their relationship, he might prefer having a wedding. If Xie Heyu wanted one, Yu Wen was willing to indulge him.

Xie Heyu got up from the sofa, leaned on its edge, and tilted his head leisurely.

“I think you probably wouldn’t like it,” he said.

Yu Wen: “I’m asking about your opinion.”

Xie Heyu chuckled softly, walked over to hug him, and snuggled for a bit. Then he said, “I don’t mind.”

Yu Wen: “Hah, men and their stubbornness.”

Just as Yu Wen was about to throw out a few more cheesy lines, Xie Heyu said, “You gave me a ring.”

Yu Wen: “…What does the ring have to do with this? We’re talking about marriage.”

Xie Heyu: “I know, but you gave me a ring.”

Yu Wen: “That’s a separate matter.”

Xie Heyu: “Mm, but you gave me a ring.”

Yu Wen decided to stay silent.

After a while, Yu Wen sighed heavily and said, “Xie Heyu, you look so cheap right now.”

“Mm.”

Xie Heyu wasn’t offended. He affectionately nuzzled Yu Wen’s cheek.

“The ring being valuable is what matters.”

Yu Wen: “…”

*

Xi Su had come in high spirits and left in disappointment. Yu Wen didn’t want to get married, and Xi Su couldn’t force him. Still, he felt a little sorry for the fan who had gone out of her way to share the “good news.”

So after returning to his dorm, he sent the girl a message to deliver the bad news.

Fan: [What?! No plans to get married?!]

[Unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable! I’ve already picked out my dress for the wedding!]

Xi Su admitted defeat.

Yu Wen’s fans were truly in a league of their own.

Their determination outstripped even his.

Although it was a pity that he couldn’t film any wedding preparations, Xi Su’s camera had already found a home in the little couple’s apartment. And with Yu Wen’s birthday coming up in December, he figured he could pull off something big.

The company began preparing for Yu Wen’s birthday party early on. Star Media, which usually operated like a ramshackle outfit, unexpectedly demonstrated its competence this time, starting preparations over two months in advance. Fans signed up early, and every detail of the event—the venue decorations, small gifts for fans, the schedule, and the screening of every attendee—was meticulously planned.

To be honest, Yu Wen had almost forgotten about his birthday.

In this unfamiliar world with no family or friends, he often subconsciously avoided thinking about anything that belonged to the “past,” including his birthday, to prevent himself from sinking into melancholy. When others asked, he would brush it off vaguely. Remembering his birthday inevitably reminded him of the loved ones he might never see again.

In the absence of any way to change this, such thoughts were a significant emotional drain.

The company had his information, so even if he didn’t mention it, they knew his birthday. But strangely, when Xie Jiamao discussed the event schedule with him, Yu Wen found that he wasn’t as downcast as he had anticipated. On the contrary, his chest swelled with emotion.

Perhaps it was the sudden realization that, without knowing it, he had also become someone else’s indispensable and cherished family or friend.

Fans began releasing birthday support projects a month in advance.

On the day of his birthday, Yu Wen was eager to go out and visit the support displays. For safety reasons, Xie Heyu, for the first time, ruthlessly refused his request.

After three failed attempts to get permission, Yu Wen snuck out through the back door.

On his first escape attempt, Xie Heyu caught him within half an hour. Yu Wen, visibly frustrated, exclaimed, “Xie Heyu! I’m not playing some imprisonment roleplay with you. Let me out!”

Xi Su, watching the scene, felt indignant on Xie Heyu’s behalf, but Xie Heyu didn’t get angry at all. He simply said, “This kind of play, I can do it unilaterally. You don’t need to agree.”

Yu Wen gritted his teeth in fury.

Yu Wen was determined to be rebellious today.

By noon, he had attempted to escape four times. Starting with the second attempt, Xi Su sensed the makings of a mini reality show and grabbed a sports camera to follow Xie Heyu.

Yu Wen was caught right at the community gate.

Like a protagonist from an old melodrama, he looked devastated, on the verge of tears, and said to Xie Heyu, “Don’t force me to hate you.”

Xie Heyu played along, delivering the standard scumbag line: “In life, you’re my person. In death, you’re my ghost.”

And with that, Yu Wen was carried home by Xie Heyu.

On the way, Yu Wen tried to negotiate coquettishly, employing a beauty trap: “Xie Heyu~ I won’t go far. I just want to see the nearby bus stop. It’s my birthday support display, and I want to take a picture~”

Xie Heyu: “Can you promise not to go beyond a one-kilometer radius?”

Yu Wen: “I can—”

Xie Heyu: “Liars have to wear maid outfits.”

Yu Wen: “…”

After being caught three times, Yu Wen finally succeeded on his fourth attempt, this time enlisting cameraman Xi’s help.

“If you dare not help me, I’ll wear a mask every time I see your camera,” Yu Wen threatened.

Xi Su: … That won’t do, Your Majesty!

Xi Su’s betrayal came easily. He solemnly said, “Your Majesty, I’ve scouted the path. This way, it’s safe.”

Yu Wen claimed he would only look around nearby, but as soon as he left the community, he hailed a cab straight to the city center.

No wonder Xie Heyu had refused to let him go—the most concentrated support displays were in the city center. On his birthday, if he showed up, he’d undoubtedly be mobbed.

Yu Wen had only done minimal disguise—a hat and a mask—and brought along a completely useless bodyguard: the incompetent Xi Su. Together, they headed to the city center.

By some stroke of luck, he wandered several streets without being recognized. While waiting at a crosswalk to watch a big screen display, he even overheard fans nearby expressing their love.

“I got a ticket for tonight’s birthday party! When I see Xiao Yu, I’m going to perform a Thomas 360-degree spinning explosion, wave my hands like a spiral, do a headstand, and finish with a drunken butterfly dance. I’m so cool; I’ll definitely leave a deep impression on him.”

Yu Wen: “…”

Such talent.

Just listening made him break into a sweat.

He visited several major support sites without being recognized, which made Yu Wen feel emboldened. When he saw a bus featuring his birthday display, he completely forgot Xie Heyu’s warnings and dashed toward it.

Of course, this was when Xie Heyu arrived.

Before he could board the bus, Xie Heyu grabbed him by the collar and dragged him behind the bus stop. Yu Wen didn’t dare make a sound, afraid of being recognized by fans. Once the bus drove off, he turned around and threw himself into Xie Heyu’s arms, deploying his ultimate weapon.

“I know I was wrong~ Let me go have some fun. I want to ride the bus. I want to ride, I want to ride…”