Chapter 33: Stunt Double’s Brutal Training

Su Xuan’s gaze viciously settled on a photo of Du Mu standing on a cliff, topless, enjoying the breeze—why don’t you get blown right off the cliff!

Shen Chao’s eyes shifted slightly; he caught sight of Su Xuan’s phone screen. His finger curled faintly over the untouched book page, and he asked, “…Is it good-looking?”

Su Xuan replied listlessly, “…Eh, it’s okay.” Why did he have to look so decent? A guy like this should be downright ugly!

Shen Chao’s eyelids drooped slightly. He closed his book, turned over, and lay on his own bed. “You should go. I need to rest.” With that, he shut his eyes.

Su Xuan thought Shen Chao found him distracting. He scratched his head sheepishly. “Alright, get some good rest. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Shen Chao’s hand slowly curled into a fist. He kept his eyes closed. “Mm.”

Once Su Xuan left and the door clicked shut, Shen Chao turned over and swiftly reached for his phone, which he hadn’t touched all day. He opened the interface, found the photo of that person, and ignored the online war of words about himself completely. Instead, he stared at the half-naked photo for a full minute before putting the phone down.

Shen Chao closed his eyes, then slowly turned and buried his face in the pillow. His voice came out muffled: “Su Xuan…”

After Su Xuan returned to the set, Song Xiao came over to inform him: “Su Xuan, you don’t need to accompany Shen Chao tomorrow.”

“I don’t need to go?” Su Xuan was stunned. “Then who’ll take care of Shen Chao? Even though we hired a nurse…”

But Shen Chao hardly bothered the nurse with anything… Su Xuan had to be attentive and help him out. Shen Chao even went to the bathroom on his own, seemingly very thin-skinned. He’d blush when Su Xuan opened the bathroom door for him and would earnestly thank him, but still insist he didn’t need the door opened.

Song Xiao wore a strange expression. “Well, Su Xuan, Shen Chao’s mother was abroad before, but she’s back now and will take care of him. And I’m telling you, you shouldn’t meet his mother.”

Su Xuan broke out in a cold sweat. Did everyone know he liked Shen Chao? Then Song Xiao spoke with a bewildered look: “His mother is a… very strange woman. You might get a shock if you meet her.”

A question mark popped over Su Xuan’s head. “Very strange?”

Song Xiao glanced around, adopted a gossiping expression, and crooked her finger at Su Xuan. He leaned in knowingly. She lowered her voice: “Shen Chao’s parents have an open marriage… the kind where both can seek other partners with each other’s knowledge, aside from their legal spouses.”

Su Xuan: “…”

He shared the same bewildered look as Song Xiao. “…Huh?”

Song Xiao, relieved to finally have someone understand, grabbed a small stool and pulled Su Xuan into a corner to vent. “Let me tell you, his mom is really open! Open in marriage and in life!

“When Shen Chao and I were filming, she visited once. At that time, there were rumors about Shen Chao and me. She asked if we were in a relationship.

“I told her I had a boyfriend. Then guess what she said?”

“What?”

Song Xiao’s expression nearly cracked. “She said, ‘That doesn’t conflict with you and Shen Chao having a relationship!'”

Su Xuan: “…”

Su Xuan: “That’s too…”

Song Xiao continued, “And it didn’t end there. She said since I played such a genuine romantic role with Shen Chao in the drama, why was I so opposed to dating him in real life? I told her those were two different things. The feelings on set were all acted out. But she insisted that Shen Chao isn’t someone who can fake love, and asked if I’d be willing to try an ambiguous relationship with Shen Chao outside of my boyfriend.”

Su Xuan: “…”

Song Xiao: “I said my boyfriend wouldn’t agree, but she laughed and said Shen Chao’s dad didn’t agree to an open marriage at first either, but he was eventually convinced, and she offered to convince my boyfriend!!!”

Song Xiao was near collapse. “I only spent a few minutes with her, and I felt like my brain was being washed!”

She glanced at Su Xuan, who seemed dazed after hearing all this. “Shen Chao’s mom seems terrified that he won’t date. She’ll try to persuade anyone who plays a love interest with him on screen to try a real relationship off-screen.

“Before, only I had a decent relationship with Shen Chao, but now with you here, I think she’ll come talk to you.”

Song Xiao silently thought that if Shen Chao’s mom learned he really liked Su Xuan, Su Xuan would be in big trouble—brainwashed into a little fool.

Su Xuan’s smile stiffened. “But I’m a guy?!”

Song Xiao let out a deep sigh. “You think she cares about that? She’d even accept him having a fetish for objects. You’re human, so you’re already better than she expected.”

Su Xuan: “…”

In genuine confusion, he asked, “But Shen Chao’s only 22, and he’s so handsome… Why would she worry about that?”

Song Xiao rested her chin on her hands. “Auntie has strange views. Shen Chao is the complete opposite; he’s very repulsed by these things.”

She looked at Su Xuan, twirling her hair around her finger in thought. “As for Shen Chao, he’s a bit averse. Maybe it’s because of his family. Even if he really likes someone, he…”

Su Xuan paused.

Song Xiao shook her head, then said honestly, “I don’t know. Shen Chao said it’s for… for the good of the person he likes.”

Close call, Song Xiao patted her chest, almost letting it slip.

Shen Chao’s mother had such an open view of relationships that she’d try anything if she liked it. But Shen Chao was the opposite, very closed off. She told Song Xiao that before entering the entertainment industry, Shen Chao’s contact list had been empty for a long time.

Empty, not a single person, not even his parents’ numbers.

Song Xiao didn’t know much about Shen Chao’s family situation. He rarely talked about it, but his mother had chatted with her. Whenever they talked about Shen Chao’s blank romantic history, the woman’s expression would become sorrowful. She said she was afraid Shen Chao would stay like this forever.

Song Xiao asked, “Like what?”

Shen Chao’s mother looked at her and said, “Like he’s already dead, and doesn’t need to inform anyone.”

The “NineStreams” crew had come to film several crucial scenes, many involving Song Xiao. Some would be used as flashbacks in later episodes. Hua Wei had been on edge knowing Song Xiao was pregnant; he was more nervous than anyone during wire stunts. Often, he’d shout “Cut” before Song Xiao even started.

Song Xiao sighed, “Director Hua, you don’t need to be so nervous. Nothing will happen.”

Hua Wei paced frantically in place. “But this is my first time filming with a pregnant woman! How can I not be nervous!”

Song Xiao said, “It’s my first pregnancy too, and I’m not nervous. I’m the one pregnant, not you, Director. Relax, okay?”

Hua Wei’s eyes welled up. “If I were pregnant, I’d be less nervous!! Song Xiao, you speak so lightly because you’re not the one standing!”

Song Xiao: “…”

Hua Wei grabbed his hair in despair. “Ahhh!! I’d rather be pregnant myself! I’d willingly carry twins to replace you!!”

Hua Wei was in his early thirties, a first-time director who’d never handled such a star-studded production. Without Shen Chao, he’d struggle to keep control. Now with all these problems, he was already panicking, and Song Xiao’s pregnancy only made him worse. He slumped onto a small stool, his eyes rimmed with tears. “If only Shen Chao were here…”

Song Xiao sighed deeply, “Shen Chao can’t make you pregnant either, give it up…”

Su Xuan, who had been eating his melon on the sidelines, burst out laughing. “Haha!”

Song Xiao and Hua Wei both rested their chins on their hands and sighed in sync. Song Xiao was especially maudlin. “Director Hua, you can’t just cut whenever I go up on a wire. My bra is going to fall off because of you. A man shouting ‘can’t do’…”

She stretched her shoulders while speaking, then told Hua Wei impatiently, “It’s nothing, relax, okay? I won’t let the baby get hurt.”

Hua Wei’s eyes were teary. He accused Song Xiao, “Then what about that time in the mountains?!”

“That was an accident!!” Song Xiao’s head was about to explode. “I swear it won’t happen again, okay?”

Hua Wei shook his head. “I’m not listening! If you don’t protect the baby, you’re letting me down! What if you miscarry?” Then he got up and left, but not before casting a resentful look at Song Xiao’s belly.

Su Xuan: “…”

Song Xiao: “…”

Song Xiao said with mixed emotions, “Su Xuan, you know what? Sometimes I wonder if I’m the one pregnant, or Director Hua. Maybe I’m just the jerk who knocked him up…”

Su Xuan slowly added, “…Do you think Director Hua’s pregnant with twins?”

Song Xiao: “…”

Damn!

…

Hua Wei treated Song Xiao as if she were made of glass—”fragile” personified. As a result, many scenes were delayed. He channeled all his pent-up frustration and early-pregnancy mood swings onto Su Xuan.

Su Xuan felt like the helpless husband of an irritable, pregnant wife carrying twins. Every day, Hua Wei scolded him until he couldn’t even unscrew a bottle cap, his hands trembling.

Today’s training with Shen Chao’s stunt double left Su Xuan’s hands shaking like he had Parkinson’s. He huddled in a corner and pitifully asked Song Xiao to open his water bottle. “Director Hua wasn’t like this before. He’s been so fierce lately…”

Song Xiao twisted the cap off and handed it back, comforting him, “Cut him some slack. I’m pregnant, so it’s only natural he’s a bit irritable.”

Su Xuan: “…”

Su Xuan: “What’s the logical connection between those two?”

Song Xiao dismissed him with a casual explanation, “Maybe he wants to get pregnant too, so he’s jealous of me and feels irritable.”

Su Xuan: “…”

He took a sip of water. “You’re pretty resentful yourself.”

“How could I not be? He’s holding me back from filming!” Song Xiao felt wronged. “Ugh, this is exactly why I didn’t tell him earlier.”

“Hua is a rookie director. Compared to a seasoned director, he’s more prone to panic. If I’d told him, it would make him overly cautious, like now. He already struggles to control the actors; he relies on Shen Chao’s presence. But now with Shen Chao gone and me like this, he’s getting flustered.”

Song Xiao let out a long sigh. “I was going to tell him, but his father, Director Hua Wei, called and insisted I must not tell Hua about my pregnancy, saying it would scare him so much he’d be unable to film. I didn’t believe it, but… eh.”

Song Xiao propped her chin in both hands, feeling downcast.

It’s common for pregnant actresses to keep filming in the industry. Song Xiao thought it was fine as long as safety measures were in place. The main issue was her guilt for delaying production—”NineStreams” was at a critical point, and every crew member depended on it. It was important for her, Su Xuan, Shen Chao, and Hua Wei. The longer the delay, the bigger the problem.

She regretted agreeing to film for Hua Wei… Song Xiao sighed gloomily. She hadn’t initially planned to join, but Hua Wei had kept after her until she gave in.

“‘NineStreams’ has a broad vision. If it’s filmed too narrowly, it’ll look ridiculous and lose its impact. If Hua can’t get back into the right mindset, he might get replaced.”

Su Xuan was startled. “Replaced?!”

Swapping actors mid-production was common enough, but changing directors halfway was rare.

Song Xiao seemed to recall something unpleasant. Annoyed, she said, “Someone told me they want to replace Hua. The investors are being pressured, using the big accident as an excuse to fire him for negligence. So his stress has been insane—he’s afraid to let loose, scared of making mistakes.”

Su Xuan remembered the online clamor to replace Shen Chao and clear “NineStreams” of his influence. He frowned. “Is it UK?”

Song Xiao shot him a look. “Easy to guess, right?”

Su Xuan asked, confused, “I don’t get why they’d want to replace Hua, what’s in it for them?”

“Su Xuan, what do you think UK wants?” Song Xiao questioned.

Su Xuan: “To push that Du Mu guy?”

Song Xiao: “Partly yes, partly no.”

Her gaze turned sorrowful and angry. “Their main goal is to take down Shen Chao, and then let Du Mu step over him to rise. After Hua is replaced, they’ll bring in a crappy director. ‘NineStreams’ will tank, and if Shen Chao stays, he’ll take the blame for that mess.”

Su Xuan countered, “What if Shen Chao leaves? They don’t really know Shen Chao; they can’t be sure he’ll stay. What if he just walks away? Then they’d have wasted their efforts.”

Song Xiao slowly shook her head. “They’ll swap Du Mu in.”

Su Xuan looked puzzled. “In a ruined show, why would Du Mu join? To eat shit?”

Song Xiao: “…Though I’m also in the shit pile with you, I love your phrasing, Su Xuan. But he’s not coming to eat shit. You know there’s a tactic in the industry called ‘sacrificing the entire show to boost an actor’?”

Su Xuan had a vague, uneasy feeling.

Song Xiao continued, word by word: “That means the whole show revolves around one person. They can arbitrarily rewrite scripts and demand other actors to underperform, acting like idiots. The final product is garbage, but it gains insane buzz. Within that famously hot but terrible show, only that one actor stands out with decent acting—a breath of fresh air. Heard of it?”

Su Xuan felt extremely conflicted. “…I’ve experienced something like that. I drove a tractor in one such show…”

Song Xiao wanted to laugh, but the smile faded halfway, leaving her powerless. “…So if Shen Chao stays, he might have to sacrifice himself.”

Su Xuan paused, his expression shifting. “…If he leaves, he might sacrifice the whole crew…”

He instinctively objected, “But isn’t that impossible? If Shen Chao leaves, Du Mu couldn’t force you to lower your performance for him! And there are so many other great actors here.”

Song Xiao cut him off, staring straight at him. “Are any of them as good as Shen Chao?”

Su Xuan froze. Song Xiao turned her head away and continued, “If they can replace Shen Chao, they can replace anyone else. If they can’t, they’ll find ways to make them comply. Look at Hua, look at me—UK is a company that… doesn’t play fair, but they’re powerful. Wang Muzhe had to leave that company even after winning Best Actor there.”

Song Xiao took a deep breath. “I can’t even imagine these things. Right now, it seems UK’s next target is to go all out against Shen Chao.

“I don’t want to watch Shen Chao get taken down without doing anything. So I want to film faster. Once the first episode airs, things should be better for ‘NineStreams.’ Hua also doesn’t want Shen Chao to get hurt, so he’s trying to hold on.” Song Xiao rubbed her forehead. “But he also doesn’t want me to get hurt. He thinks I’m rushing too much and wants me to slow down.”

As she spoke, she got irritable again. “But he’s too slow! How can a man be so naggy? What’s wrong with letting me film a little?! It’s not like I’ll get pregnant again!”

Su Xuan: “…”

He thought that if you swapped “man” with “woman” and “film” with something else, Song Xiao’s words really sounded like a scumbag guy’s line.

Su Xuan: “…”

Song Xiao continued to complain, “How can a director be like this? I’m eager to film, but he won’t let me. Keeping actors waiting is a sign of directorial incompetence…”

Su Xuan coughed violently, his eyes rolling backward. Song Xiao turned and saw “…” as well.

Hua Wei stood there, seeming to want to speak, but finally gave a bitter smile, his eyes reddening. “I’m incompetent? Lady Song has a real nerve.”

Song Xiao shot up. “Director Hua! Director Hua! I didn’t mean it that way! I was just speaking offhand…”

She chased after Hua Wei all the way, apologizing. Hua kept shaking off her hand, muttering, “Go away!” “You go!” “Go find another director!” “I’m that incompetent!”

Song Xiao wished she could bow down to him. “No, no! It’s my fault! I spoke nonsense! Director Hua! Great Director Hua!”

After the scumbag actress finally soothed the red-eyed director, Song Xiao returned and plopped down in front of Su Xuan. She opened her mouth to speak, then glanced back to make sure Hua was still some distance away before slumping in exhaustion. “You know, Su Xuan, sometimes I can’t tell if the pregnant woman in our crew is named Hua or Song.”

Su Xuan glanced at Hua, still sulking in the distance. “…I think it should be Hua…”

Song Xiao looked at him. “Why aren’t you worried at all? What if Du Mu joins and forces you to play dumb?”

“I used to be good at that,” Su Xuan scratched his head, laughing. “But not anymore.”

Song Xiao teased him, “Why not? You haven’t faced UK’s methods. They’ll use all kinds of threats. How can you be sure you won’t give in?”

Su Xuan blurted out, “Because they’ve already threatened me with the most effective leverage they could.”

Song Xiao was puzzled. “…What? When were you threatened?”

Su Xuan snapped out of his thoughts, blushed, and waved his hand hastily. “Nothing. I’m going to film.”

He couldn’t think of anything left to threaten him with. He’d already gone through three or four of those humiliating experiences Song Xiao described. He didn’t care.

His biggest weakness had already been threatened: Shen Chao, now injured and lying in the hospital. But Shen Chao was far stronger than him—resilient, steady, holding up. So Su Xuan wasn’t afraid of anything. Worst case, he’d lose everything and start over with Shen Chao, just like when they filmed “Siheyuan” together.

Under Song Xiao’s suspicious gaze, Su Xuan jogged over. “Director Hua, let’s begin!”

Hua Wei waved his hand. “Go practice with Shen Chao’s stunt double!”

The double had joined the crew and was training with Su Xuan for fight scenes.

Su Xuan’s hands went numb when sparring with this double, whose back view was almost identical to Shen Chao’s. The double’s strength was less measured than Shen Chao’s, and Su Xuan, physically weak, couldn’t handle it. Every clang of their swords rattled his brains.

Where Shen Chao’s moves were sharp, this double’s were ferocious.

Su Xuan didn’t know where Hua Wei had found him—the guy seemed to have a personal grudge. Rather than practicing, it felt like he was single-handedly beating Su Xuan up.

A loose sword flew and slapped Su Xuan across the face. He yelped, “Ow!” and covered his cheek. When he pulled his hand away, it was bloody.

Su Xuan wiped the nosebleed, complaining, “Bro, hold your sword steady.”

The man replied bluntly, “I did it on purpose. You were spacing out, so I decided to snap you out of it with a slap. Daydreaming while sparring with me is dangerous.”

Su Xuan: “…”

He looked at the blood on his hand. “…It really is dangerous.”

The man walked over, flicked his toe to pick up the sword, and turned to face Su Xuan sternly. “Again!”

Su Xuan shouted in horror, “Bro, wait!! At least let me wipe off the blood first! How can I fight like this?”

The man raised his sword and attacked, his voice cold: “You don’t fight with your face. No need to wipe the blood.” Before he finished, he struck Su Xuan’s face again. “Anyway, you’re going to get hit by me.”

Su Xuan numbly wiped another handful of blood from his face.

The man seemed to realize he’d gone too far. He lowered his sword and stood for a moment. “…I didn’t expect you to be this weak. Didn’t you spar with Shen Chao before? Didn’t he teach you not to keep protecting your face when fighting me?”

Su Xuan couldn’t help asking, “Why?”

The stunt double drawled, “Because I’m used to targeting the head. The more you protect it, the more I want to hit it.”

Su Xuan: “…”

Damn!

Su Xuan: “Why?”

The double said, “Occupational hazard. The roles I used to play always aimed for the head.”

Su Xuan asked, “What roles?” He couldn’t recall the man’s face from any production.

The stunt double: “Executioner.”

Su Xuan: “…………….”

No wonder the guy kept measuring his neck—he’d thought it was an attack stance… but it actually was, like “High Noon” or something…

The double added, “And you keep putting your sword on your back. Makes you look like… I really want to cut off your head.”

Su Xuan silently took the sword from behind his neck—his neck had felt cold all along, and he’d thought it was the blade’s chill. Now he realized it might be due to the murderous aura…

He never imagined Shen Chao’s stunt double used to play executioners. No wonder he was so ruthless—no blood (from the nose), he wouldn’t sheathe his sword.

Su Xuan went to grab a wet wipe and sat on the steps, cleaning the blood and sweat off his face. He was truly earning his pay with blood and sweat now. The stunt double sat beside him, clutching his sword, staring intently as if waiting for him to finish cleaning so he could beat him bloody again.

Su Xuan: “…”

He might die here today.

Were all of Shen Chao’s stunt doubles this terrifying? Then again, only Shen Chao could handle such a beast…

Su Xuan couldn’t take it anymore. “Bro, how about we take a break?”

He expected the man to say something like, “You’re just the one getting beat up. I’m the one doing the beating, and I’m not tired. Why should you be?” To his surprise, the man merely nodded and set his sword down. “Fine, rest. Tell me when you’re ready. I’ll rest too, so I’ll have more energy to spar with you later.”

To Su Xuan’s ears, that meant “I’ll have more strength to beat you up later.” Suddenly, he didn’t want to rest, but his arms and legs were sore and weak. He felt light-headed, maybe from blood loss. So he gave in and sat down, making casual conversation with the double.

Su Xuan asked, “Bro, how long have you been doing this?”

The double: “…”

Su Xuan clarified, “I don’t mean executioner. I mean as a stunt double. Have you always been Shen Chao’s double? Exclusive?”

The double thought for a few seconds. “No. When Shen Chao needs me, I take the job. When he doesn’t, I work for others. I also take cameo roles, like executioners.”

“Bro, I think you’re pretty handsome. Ever thought about entering showbiz?” Su Xuan encouraged. “You fight so well. You might become a martial arts star.”

The double cast a glance at him and flatly rejected the idea. “No way. Martial arts star? I can only beat up stars. But among the ones I’ve beaten up, you’re not a star yet.”

Su Xuan: “…”

He felt insulted.

Seeing Su Xuan’s face full of unspoken words, the double seemed amused, a faint smile curling his handsome features. He patted Su Xuan’s head. “But seeing you take this beating without running to complain to the director shows you have the potential to be a star.”

Su Xuan asked incredulously, “I could have gone to the director and chickened out?!”

The double: “…”

Su Xuan failed to escape and spent the rest of the afternoon getting pummeled by the double, who often grabbed him by the collar. By evening, his brain was rattled. When he returned to the hotel, Song Xiao was surprised to see him collapsed on the bed, eyes nearly rolling back. She poked him. “Wow, not bad, Su Xuan. You survived Brother Gang’s hands.”

Su Xuan moved his eyes slightly. “Brother Gang? Is that his name? I asked him several times, but he never told me.”

Song Xiao plopped down on his bed, in a good mood after coaxing Hua Wei into letting her shoot a dialogue scene. “His name is Yan Gang. We all call him Brother Gang.”

Su Xuan lamented, “Brother Gang is too ‘gang.’ I feel like I’ve been reamed…”

“Be grateful!” Song Xiao patted his shoulder. “Shen Chao ended up in the hospital after training with Brother Gang. He was gentle with you.”

Su Xuan was baffled. “Isn’t Brother Gang Shen Chao’s double? How could he beat Shen Chao into the hospital? He’d be beating himself?!”

Song Xiao spread her hands. “At first, yes. But then Shen Chao didn’t want to use a double, so he asked Brother Gang to teach him. You’ve seen Brother Gang’s teaching style—pretty ‘gang,’ right? That’s also why Yan Gang never became a fight choreographer.”

Su Xuan smacked his lips. “But Brother Gang is good-looking. Why can’t he debut?”

Song Xiao nodded. “Brother Gang does have the looks. Tall too, around 190 cm, I think. He’s a few cm taller than Shen Chao. But he never trained in acting, so dialogue scenes are a no-go. He can only do action scenes. But in this day and age, can a pure action star get popular?”

Su Xuan was stunned. Song Xiao poked his forehead with her index finger. “Besides, Brother Gang hates the showbiz world. He just wants a legal place to fight. His family ran a martial arts school, but it went under, so he entered the industry to make a living. He also worked as a bodyguard, even for Shen Chao, but he quit because it was too annoying.”

Su Xuan asked, “Why annoying?”

Song Xiao said, “Because they were all young girls. He couldn’t fight them, but they pestered him endlessly.”

Su Xuan recalled the frenzy at Shen Chao’s airport receptions and shuddered. “I know Shen Chao explicitly forbids any fans from greeting him at the airport or following his schedule, but they still show up.”

“It’s way beyond ‘showing up.’ Brother Gang worked as a bodyguard for many stars, but none had fans as obsessive as Shen Chao’s. And think about it—most of them are young girls, which is super unsafe. One time, Shen Chao had a flight at dawn, and a particularly crazy fan followed him all the way. He pulled over, grabbed the girl, and called her parents, warning that any repeat behavior would result in a call to her parents.”

Song Xiao smiled at the memory. “Then the next batch of fans who stayed up all night to greet him didn’t even have time to run—Shen Chao had airport security detain them all, demanding their parents come to pick them up one by one. A few girls had sneaked out, scared to tears and trembling.”

Su Xuan laughed along, raising his hand. “Right, right, I remember that day’s trending topic: #ShenChaoTheDrillInstructor.”

They shared a smile, but Su Xuan rolled over, his smile fading. “…What topics is Shen Chao trending on now?”

Song Xiao stayed silent, and Su Xuan understood. They couldn’t be good topics, or Song Xiao wouldn’t have that expression.

Song Xiao bit her lip. “You know, Star Culture doesn’t spend much on buying trending topics for Shen Chao. They spend on removing them. When he collaborated with me before, they spent a lot to remove trending topics about our fake romance. He’s always on the hot search; everyone sees him and thinks he’s hot and popular.”

“But looking at it,” she said softly, “I just feel cold.”

After Song Xiao left to rest, Su Xuan stayed alone in his hotel room, scrolling through various apps on his phone. Every one seemed to bear traces of Shen Chao—opening this, you’d see a splash ad of him; opening that, you’d see his endorsed product; this one had his trending topic.

And this one gave him exclusive news about Shen Chao.

Because Brother Gang was too intense, Su Xuan hadn’t had time to visit Shen Chao today. His chin resting on the pillow, he stared blankly at the chat window.

It was already past eleven at night.

His thumb hovered over the keyboard for a moment. He knew Shen Chao would reply, but he slowly lowered his hand—it was too late. Shen Chao, with his regular schedule, must be asleep.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Could It Be That I’m Actually the Strongest Final Boss?

ComedyFantasyFemale Protagonist

Read Now →
Not interested