Chapter 919 - 918: Just as Suited for Staying Single as Brother Huai

After Cheng Zhirang’s speech ended, the topic naturally shifted to Li Yang, without the director needing to guide it.

"Speaking of love, don’t we have someone here who’s dreaming of being in love? Li Yang, what do you think about relationships now?" Shu Ran asked.

Judging from the previous questions, the topics at this tea gathering have been bold and direct, so asking such an innocuous question isn’t out of line.

Li Yang brushed his wind-dried short hair and hesitated for a moment.

"About relationships... isn’t it normal to want to be in love? When teenagers are sixteen or seventeen, they start having vague feelings. But for me, it’s a bit different when it comes to love. I even consulted Mu Qiu about it."

Everyone turned to look at Mu Qiu.

She thought a bit, "It seems so, where did you ask again?"

"...I messaged you directly!"

"Oh, sorry," she recalled more carefully, "there was indeed such a thing, you asked if it’s normal for you to want a relationship now, right? I said it wasn’t very normal."

He nodded, "I went back and thought about why I wanted to be in love. Because there’s someone I really like and want to be with? Not really. Is there an artist I like and want to develop a relationship with? Nope. Seeing others in a sweet relationship and feeling envious? Doesn’t seem like it. After this analysis, it turns out I actually don’t want to be in love."

"It’s a retaliatory mindset," Shu Ran said, "Someone keeps telling you not to date for the sake of your career, and you know it yourself that fans and the market prefer single male artists. Maybe there’s a typical case showing how severe it is when a popular male idol loses fans because of dating. Under these circumstances, you crave a relationship more."

He nodded eagerly, "Yes, constantly suppressing myself to abide by this unwritten but impactful rule just makes me want to defy it."

Guan Yu said slowly, "Isn’t it just rebellion? The way you say it makes it sound so special."

"...Well, okay, it is pretty much like that."

Mu Qiu teased him, "So you don’t want to date anymore?"

"Just going with the flow," he relaxed, waving his hand, "I don’t have a strong urge anymore, but if I do meet a girl I like, I’ll definitely go for it. I also want to be like Brother Cheng, whose career relies on his own strength, not on selling a single image."

Guan Yu chimed in, "Then you probably won’t be in a relationship for a few years, just like Brother Huai who’s suited for being single with your laid-back attitude."

Li Yang: "......"

Shi Yuhuai: "..." What did he do to deserve this?

Shu Ran laughed beside them, agreeing with her statement.

The two of them couldn’t see eye to eye, and hearing her laugh, Shi Yuhuai immediately turned the topic on her.

"Very funny? Let me think of any rumors about you that need clarification—oh, you’ve got so many rumors I can’t count them all."

Shu Ran’s smile froze, "You could keep quiet."

"Speaking of which, you really don’t have many pressing rumors to explain," Guan Yu said.

Even though quite a few people criticize and mock her.

Shu Ran could probably understand her implied meaning, leaned casually on the sofa, and said:

"After participating in so many shows, I’ve explained all the necessary rumors. I have no secrets or particularly sensational rumors. The hot gossip recently is about Mu Qiu and Brother Cheng, right? Mu Qiu, do you want to talk about it?"

Mu Qiu looked up, "Talk about what?"

Guan Yu was excited, "Talk about your so-called magical love triangle."

She was speechless, "What magical love triangle? That guy is just a writer friend, we’ve only met a few times, and we’re still just online friends and colleagues, okay."

Even if there were rumors, why drag it in?

Shu Ran: "I heard he’s an amazing writer?"

"That’s true," Mu Qiu nodded, agreeing with that, "he is indeed talented, just held a book signing event a few days ago."

"Who’s more amazing, him or Brother Cheng?"

"......What kind of question is that? How can you compare two people from different industries?"

Cheng Zhirang chimed in, "You can compare from aspects where they can be compared."

Mu Qiu paused, looked up at him, and gave him a playful glare.

"No matter how you compare, you’re the best. I don’t like a certain profession, height, or appearance; I just like Cheng Zhirang as a person. Right, Brother Cheng?"

"Yes."

He listened with a pleased expression, cooperating perfectly with her.

Guan Yu and the others began to grimace and criticize the two of them.

"Oh my, oh my, tsk tsk tsk."

"Ugh—I’m sick of this lovey-dovey stuff."

"Showing off so much it’s hard to watch."

"Why does our show always end up pairing you two together? Disgusting couple!"

Mu Qiu spread her hands innocently, "You guys started this topic, I answered sincerely, and now you criticize. Human hearts, like needles at the ocean’s floor."

Everyone rolled their eyes and ignored her.

Watching the situation quiet down again, the director popped up again.

"With the rumors clarified, let’s talk about something else? Like any changes after joining our show, in thoughts, habits, or life. You can also talk about your views on the show and the benefits of participating."

"Any changes?" Li Yang thought and said, "Does liking memes now count?"

Guan Yu was speechless, "You big dummy. Can’t you say you’ve become more mature... never mind, you don’t have that either, let’s talk about memes."

"Sister Guan Yu!!!"

Mu Qiu sat up straight, "Thinking along these lines, some changes are quite apparent. For instance, Brother Huai’s money situation changed, he sent out a few red envelopes."

"A walking red envelope machine, a tycoon, how many red envelopes have you sent in total?" Guan Yu asked.

Shi Yuhuai pondered for two seconds, "I can’t remember."

"So many you can’t keep track?! I only got one, who did you give the rest to?!"

"...I can’t remember, not that I can’t count."

"Just so you know, I only received three!" Mu Qiu raised her hand to explain quickly, "And the three we received were for work, each envelope resolved grudges legitly."

Li Yang raised his hand too, "I only got one."

Shu Ran, "I only got one."

Cheng Zhirang, "I didn’t get any."

Everyone only received one, some even none, does that mean she got the most?

Mu Qiu glanced at Shi Yuhuai, "Brother Huai, I really only received three, and all three were given by you for peacekeeping purposes. Our red envelope dealings have legitimate reasons, you remember, right?"

"No one’s asking you to return them, why explain so much?" Shi Yuhuai said, not in the best of moods.

She shrugged, "Just in case."

——

ps: Afraid narration will be swallowed, so I’m posting here

1. After midnight, when it switches to free status, I’ll start a massive update, 50,000 words, I’ll stop once I reach the word limit.

2. Tomorrow there will be a major promotion, the last and biggest push for this book, so once again, I’m asking everyone to check the Chapters after midnight, comment, vote, and let’s together give this book a perfect ending.

3. After tomorrow, there will be some extras, and then the book will be complete.