Chapter 59: A Kiss That Changed Everything

His entire being was completely dazed.

He had never expected Xie Wuyu to suddenly kiss him.

The lips were slightly cool, very soft, unbelievably soft.

It felt very comfortable to be kissed.

After an unknown amount of time, Pei Liu finally snapped out of it, struggling to back away, his expression flustered.

Worse still, he actually happened to lock eyes with Qin Wu, who was sitting by the wall.

As soon as Qin Wu opened his eyes and saw the god he worshipped kissing his beloved, he was completely stunned, his mouth hanging wide enough to swallow an egg. The moment his eyes met Pei Liu’s, he immediately shut his eyes and played dead, looking as if he had seen absolutely nothing.

But even so, Pei Liu was still embarrassed to the point where his scalp went numb, and he turned on his heel to flee. Fortunately, Xie Wuyu didn’t stop him, but walked out with him. Furthermore, he appeared to be in a very good mood. Of course, Xie Wuyu didn’t forget to deal with the ghost that had hurt Pei Liu, having the black mist capture it, preparing to let Pei Liu devour it.

Pei Liu’s mind was in a mess, his ears bright red, and he didn’t dare ask Xie Wuyu what he meant by that action, instinctively wanting to pretend nothing had happened.

Unbothered, as if everything was normal.

…Or so he thought.

But after kissing him once, it was as if a seal had been broken for Xie Wuyu. He became even more fond of physical contact; where before they had only held each other while sleeping, now he loved kissing him—his eye corners, his cheeks, his earlobes, and his lips…

At this point, no matter what, Pei Liu couldn’t possibly think the other just treated him as emergency rations.

Pei Liu was a bit panicked. He had never been in a relationship before, and in the past, he couldn’t even imagine what his love life would look like. Perhaps it would be like anyone else’s—having a cute girlfriend, going shopping and watching movies together, exchanging gifts on holidays, and so on. But he had absolutely never thought he would end up with an entity. At the very least, his partner should be human!

That kiss with Xie Wuyu was his first kiss—very green, with their lips merely pressed together, not knowing how to move. Surprisingly, Xie Wuyu was the same.

But afterward, Xie Wuyu seemed to master it on his own, his kissing technique improving rapidly.

Pei Liu was somewhat resistant at first, unused to such intimate contact. But Xie Wuyu would gently coax him, slowly getting him to relax, and once the kisses became comfortable, Pei Liu couldn’t help but lose himself in them.

He didn’t dislike kissing Xie Wuyu.

Sometimes, Pei Liu didn’t even understand what their situation was. Did it count as being together? But Xie Wuyu had never told him he liked him or anything of the sort. Was it because there was no need to say too much between adults, that they understood each other, having a tacit understanding that flowed naturally and fell into place?

However, Pei Liu didn’t say anything either. Because he couldn’t even distinguish whether he actually liked him or not. Xie Wuyu held a place in his heart, but to say it was so important that it was etched into his soul—it hadn’t reached that point.

***

Before they knew it, the TV drama they filmed began to air.

Because of the tight plot, distinct characters, great acting, and excellent costumes and sets, it quickly gained popularity. Major social media platforms were flooded with clips of the drama, as if everyone in the world were watching.

When the promotional photos were first released, netizens were immediately slain by Shen Jin’s silver hair and blue eyes—a face as deep and handsome as an elf. Yet, this was a completely new newcomer. They suspected his looks were heavily edited in post-production, sarcastically asking how much money was spent, and wondering if he was a heavily pushed industry plant. They were convinced this newcomer would completely ruin the main villain’s role.

And Pei Liu also carried the title of a “vase” with terrible acting. Although his popularity had surged recently due to the variety show, everyone had witnessed his past acting record, so no one dared hold any expectations. Some even predicted beforehand that this drama would feature two of the worst villains in history, telling everyone to prepare eye drops to wash their eyes.

But once the drama actually aired, it was practically a continuous slap to the face.

The major and minor villains became the most eye-catching, stunning characters in the entire drama.

As a Best Actor, Qin Wu’s acting was naturally beyond reproach. But nowadays, the audience was somewhat tired of righteous good guys, preferring characters with flaws and distinct personalities who dared to love and hate. Therefore, many dramas featured villains who left a deeper impression on the audience than the protagonists.

Clearly, Shen Wenrui and Yu Chu were in this category.

Shen Wenrui was a flower shop owner, outstandingly handsome, appearing to be a gentle gentleman, but behind his back, he was a cold-blooded, psychopathic serial killer. The sharp contrast easily stimulated the senses, making viewers find it incredibly thrilling.

Yu Chu was a pitiful, bullied pushover. His darkening from weak to strong, and his killing of the bullies who had once cast a shadow over him, gave the character layers and made it easy for the audience to empathize.

Since this was Pei Liu’s first time acting, he naturally cared about others’ evaluations of him, unable to resist watching the drama, checking the bullet comments, and browsing Weibo.

Seeing many people praise his acting and its astonishing improvement made him happy. But he hadn’t expected that there would actually be people shipping Yu Chu and Shen Wenrui.

“…???”

What kind of cult ship is this?

In the bullet comments.

When Yu Chu was stalked, Shen Wenrui protected him; they squealed.

When Yu Chu stayed the night, Shen Wenrui looked at him gently; they squealed.

When Shen Wenrui held his face to put on a headband; they squealed.

Even when Shen Wenrui killed his senior, they still squealed.

Pei Liu couldn’t comprehend it and was deeply shocked.

The bullet comments were dense.

“He’s protecting Chu-chu! If this isn’t love, then what is?!”
“Damn! So twisted, but I love it so much!”
“They look so good together, wuwuwu!”

The CP shippers grew larger and larger, the super topic gaining an astronomical number of followers, and they were exceptionally active, even producing plenty of fan fiction and fan art.

As the plot reached the middle stage, Yu Chu killed someone for the first time, running in the rain, with Shen Wenrui following behind step-by-step. The CP shippers found sweet moments again.

“I am behind you, silently guarding you.”
“Heartache for Chu-chu, he’s so cold he’s shivering, why doesn’t psycho Shen hurry up and hug him.”
“I feel like they only have each other, leaning on each other for warmth.”

When Yu Chu’s emotions erupted, engaging in a fierce argument with Shen Wenrui and smashing a vase.

“Is the angst starting? Please don’t!”
“Even though I know they definitely won’t have a good ending, I still can’t help but feel heartbroken.”
“Psycho Shen isn’t even angry after being hit by the vase, and actually laughs so happily; he really is a wife-doting madman.”

Pei Liu had grown numb watching this, and was even slightly brainwashed, almost actually seeing love for Yu Chu in Shen Wenrui’s eyes. Crazy, he’s a psychopath; even if there is love, it’s just love for his creation, where would there be romantic feelings.

Until the final ending aired, the internet practically exploded with widespread discussion, people both crying and laughing.

“Yu Chu killed Shen Wenrui, my heart is shattered. The CP I ship has gone BE (bad ending).”
“I finally saw psycho Shen confess. He said, ‘You are my most beloved creation, I love you.'”
“The snow scene is too beautiful; any random screenshot is a wallpaper. Wuwuwu, another day of weeping for beautiful love.”
“I don’t care, in my heart they are married, it’s an HE (happy ending).”

Yu Chu and Shen Wenrui were the villains in the drama. With the CP being so popular, there were naturally those who liked them and those who disliked them.

Some netizens said: I really don’t understand how you guys can like such cruel and psychopathic villains. Is there a hole in your brain? Do you want a killer to be your boyfriend? Don’t end up not even knowing how you died.

The CP fans replied matter-of-factly: Who can’t distinguish between reality and TV dramas? Paper characters are thrilling, but in reality, of course, you call the police and run fast.

My liking Shen Wenrui and wanting him dead don’t contradict each other.

It could be said they were highly realistic.

In the CP super topic, there were many beautiful pictures of them dying in the snow.

The paper characters they liked died, yet they only felt it was a perfect BE, a great ending—truly a rare kind of unique CP fans.

With the CP of Shen Wenrui and Yu Chu finished, quite a few people began shipping Pei Liu and Shen Jin.

Real people, god-tier looks, a perfect match, and they were mentally healthy, single gods—how could that not be appealing?

Fan fiction, edited videos, cute fan art—there was a dazzling array of content.

The group was so massive and attractive that even the former “Inadvertently Planting Willows” CP fans couldn’t resist, jumping ship one after another.

It’s not that they weren’t firm; it’s all because Shen Jin’s looks were too high, the silver hair was too foul play, and the enemy was too cunning!

Pei Liu even saw netizens cheering, urging Shen Jin to defeat Qin Wu and take his wife home.

“…”

Pei Liu was speechless, wanting to back out, but his hand slipped, and he actually liked a post.

Pei Liu’s eyes widened, and the moment he realized, he immediately unliked it.

But the internet has a memory, let alone a celebrity under much attention. In just a few seconds, someone had actually screenshotted it.

Pei Liu liking the post triggered a frenzy among the CP fans, squealing with excitement that this was official certification.

Sister Yu soon found out about this too, calling him and saying: “Xiao Liu, if you plan to announce your relationship, give me a heads-up first. Don’t scare me; I need to prepare public relations.”

Pei Liu: “…My hand slipped when I liked the post.”

And it was an alt account. How could he have imagined his fans knew his alt account so well?

Sister Yu: “Are you sure you’re not announcing a relationship?”

Pei Liu sighed: “To be precise, I don’t even have a relationship.”

Sister Yu looked like she understood: “You haven’t chosen yet, right? Keep it up, I give you my moral support.”

Pei Liu: “…”

Speechless. Finally, they discussed a few work matters and hung up.

Pei Liu could only be thankful that Xie Wuyu didn’t like browsing Weibo, otherwise he would definitely be embarrassed to the point of curling his toes.

Just as he thought this, Xie Wuyu walked out of the kitchen. Noticing his somewhat strange expression, he asked: “What’s wrong?”

Pei Liu shook his head decisively: “Nothing.”

Denying it too quickly only made him look more guilty, as if he had secretly done something shameful.

Xie Wuyu narrowed his eyes slightly.

Pei Liu changed the subject, mentioning that Sister Yu had just called to say a commercial endorsement had approached them. It was a luxury menswear brand, having taken a liking to their image, which matched the style of their newly released series.

This endorsement was very good, and Sister Yu naturally wanted Pei Liu to accept it. Pei Liu had also heard of this brand; its reputation was indeed excellent, so he also agreed without hesitation.

After signing the contract, Pei Liu and Xie Wuyu headed to the photoshoot according to the agreed time and place.

This new series leaned toward an English retro style.

Pei Liu and Xie Wuyu went to change into their clothes, get their makeup and hair done, and when they finally stepped out, the brand’s person-in-charge looked awestruck, because the actual effect was even better than he had imagined.

The director was very enthusiastic: “Pei Liu, sit on the sofa, and Shen Jin, stand behind him in a somewhat casual posture. Place your hand like this, yes! Exactly like that, don’t move.”

Within the lens, Pei Liu sat on the mahogany sofa carved with intricate patterns, dressed in a plaid suit. The excellent tailoring and fit perfectly outlined his lean waist and long legs. Below the trouser cuffs, a section of ankle wrapped in black socks was revealed, and he wore brogue leather shoes with exquisite perforated floral patterns on the toe.

He looked like a born young master of the nobility—lofty, elegant, and composed.

Xie Wuyu stood behind him, wearing a swallowtail suit. His vest waist was adorned with double-breasted metal buttons, and a delicately carved watch chain hung below the third metal button, with the pocket watch placed in the vest pocket. His long, slender fingers wore light, white gloves. His expression was indifferent, his eyes lowered, his gaze resting on Pei Liu.

With his slightly leaning movement, his silver-white long hair cascaded down like liquid silver, reflecting a beautiful luster. A few strands of hair happened to rest on Pei Liu’s shoulder.

Xie Wuyu also held an ebony cane in his hand, his aura noble.

Later, they changed postures.

The cane was handed to Pei Liu, and Xie Wuyu rested his hands on the back of the sofa, leaning his body slightly forward, exuding an imposing sense of pressure, like a beast of prey attacking. Pei Liu was his bound-to-be-captured prey.

Without the sofa separating them in the middle, it would look even more like he was embracing Pei Liu from behind.

The shoot was extremely successful, and the brand was highly satisfied in the end, even gifting them suits and woolen overcoats from the new series.

Pei Liu thanked them with a smile. Being recognized by others naturally put him in a good mood.

Because it was already late, they didn’t go back to cook, but directly ate dinner outside.

Before going home, Pei Liu went straight to the bathroom to take a comfortable bath, relieving the day’s fatigue.

However, if he knew what Xie Wuyu was looking at outside, he absolutely wouldn’t be able to relax like that.

On the living room sofa, Xie Wuyu held his phone, browsing Weibo, and happened to find fan fiction and videos of him and Pei Liu.

The videos were all cut from the drama, but these fans had spliced them together very well, and the music they paired them with was also extremely seductive. They had forcefully edited a suspense drama into an indescribable 18+ non-consensual romance, making one unable to control their imagination and blush while watching.

The bullet comments in the video were practically going crazy with excitement, densely packed with so sexy hiss hiss, tears of joy flowing from the mouth, slurp slurp, panties flying, tripped by sisters’ pants as soon as I entered…

There were even comments like: I like your wife, remember to lock your room.

Fortunately, the moment Xie Wuyu opened the video, he found the bullet comments annoying and closed them directly, only watching the ambiguous fan-edit clips of the two of them.

Finally, the lens focused on the snow scene, where Pei Liu sat on his waist, his cheeks flushed, panting, right before killing him.

The footage had been meticulously color-graded, the speed deliberately slowed down, and paired with a lingering, alluring tune, that tense atmosphere of mutual hostility was completely wiped away, and it actually looked like they were doing something else.

Watching this, Xie Wuyu’s eyes were deep and dark.