Chapter 61: I Was Bitten Last Night

The guests entered the castle one after another. Mu Si, pushing the handsome man in the wheelchair, strolled along at a leisurely pace at the very end. “Mu Si.”

“Yes.”

As if aware of what was about to be said, Mu Si took the initiative to explain, “I interrupted them just now. Otherwise, knowing Young Master’s temperament, he really might have kissed you in front of everyone…”

A slender, pale hand was raised slightly, stopping him.

“What right did you have?”

The full moon cast its silvery light across the sky, gently illuminating the man’s cultured and gentle profile. His voice was elegant and composed. “Go back and accept your punishment. Three hours.”

The confinement room was equipped with endurance punishment devices; three hours would be enough for him to emerge covered in blood.

Mu Si’s eyes lowered slightly, and he replied calmly, “Yes.”

He pushed the man along the black stone path embraced by roses, the fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose as the lights of the distant castle flickered on one by one.

Mu Si asked, “Sir, what is our purpose for this visit?”

The man extended his hand, letting the roses brush past his fingertips. The sharp thorns grazed his pale skin, leaving a thin line of blood.

“There is no purpose.”

“I simply want to know what he’s doing.”

The man looked toward the castle entrance, where a nouveau riche with blue hair had already opened the door and was waiting, holding it for Shen Jixing.

“I discovered something interesting,” Bo Yu said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “The mastermind behind the smear campaign that turned the entire internet against him did indeed come from our company, but I can’t find that person.”

Mu Si’s eyebrows flickered slightly.

A traitor had emerged within his own business empire, yet he still couldn’t uncover the culprit’s identity.

“Do you think it could be him?” Bo Yu’s gaze settled on the man who was lazily following Shen Jixing with long strides.

A few unruly tufts of blue hair stood up atop his head, as wild and unrestrained as the man himself.

“I think…” Mu Si answered honestly, “He doesn’t have the brains for it.”

“Appearances can be deceiving.” Bo Yu seemed amused as he patted Mu Si’s hand. “You can’t judge people by what’s on the surface. Otherwise, why would A Xing be so taken with him?”

So taken with him.

Mu Si pondered those four words.

He felt his master still didn’t understand love.

Perhaps it was precisely because Young Master Shen was so clever and perfect that he favored that brash, adorably foolish upstart.

“Hey, Moonlight in White.”

Shen Jixing had just taken his seat when someone appeared beside him.

Before he could speak, Zhou Yili casually tossed an apple at the newcomer, his tone carrying a lazy warning: “Think carefully and say that again.”

Si Kongxiu caught the apple, elegantly slicing off a piece with a knife and fork before slowly putting it in his mouth.

He spoke again, “Hey, Zhou Yili’s Moonlight in White.”

Shen Jixing: “If you have something to say, say it.”

Ah, so cold and aloof.

“It’s nothing important—just wanted to say hello.”

Zhou Yili’s circle of wild friends were much like him; the moment they opened their mouths, it was with the effortless familiarity of extroverted socialites.

“Today was supposed to be the official start of my MV, but unfortunately, my two leading men both ran off.”

“And then you ran off too?” Shen Jixing glanced at him.

Si Kongxiu smiled faintly. “Something like that. Mainly, I really like this variety show.”

Shen Jixing had never imagined anyone could actually enjoy a show directed by You Dao.

Si Kongxiu’s foxlike eyes curved. “I’m a devoted fan of Happy Eliminate.”

“….”

He seemed just as crazy as Zhou Yili.

Shen Jixing replied with a few polite, perfunctory words and then fell silent. Si Kongxiu rubbed his nose, turned to Zhou Yili, and raised his eyebrows slowly.

The meaning was clear: How did you ever manage to win over this ice-cold beauty?

He had the same doubts as Sheng Que.

You two really dated???

Zhou Yili sat on the sofa with his long legs folded, clearly enjoying watching everyone hit a wall in front of Shen Jixing.

Only he, on Shen Jixing’s first day at his home, had watched him with reddened eyes, looking so fragile that one just wanted to coax and comfort him.

“That was just for you.” Zhou Yili silently curled his lips, tapping meaningfully at the side of his neck. “He’s actually very passionate with me.”

Shen Jixing shot him a cold look.

Si Kongxiu understood immediately; so shamelessness was the key.

“Is this—did Film Emperor Shen draw this for you?” The boy blinked his big eyes, curiously looking at Zhou Yili.

Zhou Yili: “?”

Where did this idiot come from?

He swept his gaze over, seeing a vaguely familiar face.

The boy accidentally met his eyes, his cheeks turning red bit by bit.

Shen Jixing calmly glanced at the two, casually picking up a grape and eating it slowly.

“No,” Zhou Yili replied lazily.

“Oh, oh.” Yun Yichen stared at Zhou Yili’s neck, praising, “Then the makeup artist did a great job. It looks so real, and it suits you perfectly.”

The words “real” and “suits you” seemed to please the young master.

Zhou Yili’s lips curled meaningfully, curious to see Shen Jixing’s reaction. Shen Jixing was chewing his grape and looking for a trash bin to spit out the seed.

Zhou Yili extended his hand. “Spit.”

Shen Jixing paused slightly, looking at the hand held out beneath his chin.

“Over here,” Zhou Yili said lazily.

Yun Yichen hesitated for two seconds, about to hand over the trash bin, when he glimpsed Shen Jixing lowering his gaze and spitting a green grape seed from his thin lips.

Zhou Yili’s expression didn’t change as he tossed it aside.

“Tissue,” Yun Yichen offered.

Zhou Yili paused, pulled out a tissue, and held it in his palm. “Thanks.”

Shen Jixing’s expression remained unchanged as he continued to pick out the sweetest grape with his eyes.

For some reason, Zhou Yili smiled, just about to pick one for him when a soft voice sounded at his ear: “If you want to wash your hands, the restroom is right behind me…”

Zhou Yili clicked his tongue lightly.

He turned, his eyes lazy, and looked at the boy. “I’m not blind. I can see where the tissues and the restroom are.”

The implication: if he wanted to go, he would—no need for reminders.

Zhou Yili had always been blunt, and his politeness was seldom used more than once.

Yun Yichen looked down, his voice small. “Alright, I thought you didn’t know and just wanted to remind you. I was being too talkative…”

Shen Jixing suddenly chuckled softly.

Both Zhou Yili and Yun Yichen looked at him; Zhou Yili saw that he was eating that grape. “What are you laughing at?”

Do sweet grapes make you laugh too? Childish star.

“It’s nothing,” Shen Jixing looked at him. “Go wash your hands.”

Zhou Yili plucked the grape seed from his lips and got up to head to the restroom.

Yun Yichen’s gaze followed him, then returned to Shen Jixing.

Sensing something, Shen Jixing looked up at him.

Yun Yichen’s expression shifted to one of surprise before he smiled at him cutely.

…

Once all the guests had arrived, the director announced the first segment: “As usual, the player who wins the first round will have an advantage. Our first game is—Bending Fingers.”

Each person has seven fingers. State something you have done that others haven’t; whoever has the most fingers left at the end wins.

“My favorite showing-off segment is here!”

“Time for everyone to show their skills!”

“Star: I’ve won Best Actor, the Golden Statue Award, the Golden Rooster Award, the Golden Deer Award, the Asian Film Awards—five fingers gone right there.”

“…Oh my, Grand Slam Best Actor Shen Jixing.”

Unfortunately, it wasn’t Shen Jixing’s turn yet, but he was already on the verge of elimination.

These kids really didn’t play by the rules.

Cen Susu: “I once danced girl group routines for seventy-six hours straight.”

Everyone out.

Sheng Que: “I have thirty-six sports cars!”

Everyone out, except Zhou Yili.

Zhou Yili asked in confusion, “Only thirty-six sports cars? Don’t you all have that?”

“…”

If looks could kill, he’d be riddled with holes by now.

Next was Si Kongxiu.

Si Kongxiu smiled slightly. “I’m not all that accomplished, but my last work won Best Director.”

Everyone out.

“Best Director, Si Kong is showing off too.”

“Star’s wife, haven’t seen you for a while and you’ve already been eliminated three times.”

Zhou Yili: “Oh, I was bitten last night.”

“…”

As soon as he finished, Shen Jixing calmly closed his eyes and bent down a finger.

“I was bitten by my kitten last night, does that count?” Cen Susu asked.

Qi Yan laughed, “A person.”

Cen Susu shrugged, “Alright then.”

In a blink, Shen Jixing was down to three fingers, and his turn was far down the line.

He might be eliminated before it even got to him.

Next was Yun Yichen.

His innocent eyes turned slightly as he said with an embarrassed, smiling tone, “This year, I received an admission offer from Venus Royal Academy.”