08

 The surrounding area was a lounge, some doors were still slightly ajar.

Song Yu was afraid of being overheard, so he immediately covered Bo Chi's mouth in shame.

The man was a head taller than him, and he had to stand on tiptoe to touch him. Song Yu looked up, his eyes red: "You're not allowed to say that again!"

So soft.

Bo Chi's nostrils were enveloped by the soft touch, and he completely forgot what he had just said. He could only smell Song Yu's fragrance.

[Host, OOC 20%, please pay attention!] 009 reminded him at all times.

Song Yu was afraid of being punished, so he immediately pulled his hand back.

He was afraid that Bo Chi would bring this up again, so he immediately grabbed the other's clothes and changed to a flattering tone: "Brother Chi, I'm hungry."

Bo Chi was stunned for two seconds before speaking: "...Let's go."

Song Yu breathed a sigh of relief and silently followed behind Bo Chi.

In fact, if you observe carefully, you will notice that Bo Chi's chest was rising and falling, and his expression was also very serious.

-- He always has this expression when he is conflicted.

The thing that made him conflicted was very simple.

Did Song Yu like him? Otherwise, why would she call him "Brother Chi" every day, and just now she even had physical contact with him? Why did she specifically ask him to bring up their online romance?

Maybe she doesn't even have an online boyfriend; she's just trying to make him jealous.

Why go through all this trouble? If she likes him… it's not a bad thing. Bo Chi thought to himself, as long as he's not too clingy.

Both of them were lost in their own thoughts, and neither noticed Gu Zeshu in the corner.

*

The dressing room on this set is for staff and artists, but as soon as Bo Chi arrived, the director immediately had a room prepared for temporary rest.

When the two arrived, the staff had just finished tidying up, and some miscellaneous items hadn't been put away yet.

Although Bo Chi was a young master, he knew what was important and didn't complain.

He had Song Yu sit on the sofa, then went outside to get a cup of hot water and placed it on the table in front of Song Yu: "Lunch has been ordered; I'll go get it. You stay here for a while."

Song Yu nodded.

After Bo Chi left, he saw that the staff next to him hadn't finished tidying up, so he got up and went over to ask if he needed help.

"No need, no need, it'll be done soon! Thank you, little brother." Seeing how handsome the young man was, the other person couldn't help but ask, "Are you related to Young Master Bo? What's your name?"

Song Yu shook his head: "I'm Brother Chi's follower."

?

What kind of follower rests while the young master goes to buy food?

It looks more like he's serving a lover.

But then he thought, no one wants such a pretty, delicate person doing their work; it's fine as long as he sits there cleanly.

Soon, the staff carried the packed items out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

The room instantly became quiet. Song Yu was a little bored being alone, so he chatted with 009 about some things.

He rarely talked about his past, but this room reminded him of a storage room in his childhood home—short, dark, and cluttered, but he longed to go back.

009 was calculating his points with him.

[The host has successfully maintained and reclaimed three small worlds. Including the points earned from main and side quests, half of the goal has been achieved.]

Song Yu's goal is to go home.

When the system bound itself to him, the boy had already lost his family and was on the verge of death, lying in a hospital bed like a withered rose.

The points required for rebirth were unattainable for Song Yu when he earned 500 points in two worlds as cannon fodder, but now, after only three worlds, he had already accumulated half.

Song Yu was very grateful to have met 009: [Thank you.]

009's body was hot, and it automatically rolled into the boy's arms as a small fur ball.

Song Yu rubbed his face against its fluffy body: [If I come back, will I be able to see you again?]

009 was silent for a moment: [Yes, host. The system will have its own points, which can give it a physical form in the real world.]

There are regulations in the bureau that it cannot show its face in the human world at will.

But it doesn't matter.

It has already helped the main god collect soul fragments, and if it can't even meet this requirement, then it will just go on strike and go find the host.

Song Yu was very happy that he could meet 009 in the real world again in the future. He hugged the small fur ball in his arms and stroked its fur like he was petting a dog.

Unfortunately, there was movement at the door soon after.

009 reluctantly returned to the space: [Host, someone's here.]

Song Yu looked up, just as the door opened.

Upon seeing the cold, aloof face, he was surprised: "...Gu Zeshu?"

Gu Zeshu's brows relaxed slightly: "A friend is here, I came to help him."

The other party's attitude was neither warm nor cold, very much in line with their relationship of only meeting two or three times. But Song Yu was very reserved.

It was fine to run into him by chance, but he had just done something very bad to Gu Zeshu last night.

"Um..." Song Yu mumbled, not knowing what to say.

Instead, Gu Zeshu walked up to him and suddenly asked: "How's your tongue?"

Song Yu's alabaster face instantly turned red, thinking of the shameful things that happened at the hotel last night, and he couldn't even speak properly: "Tongue, tongue isn't sore anymore!"

Gu Zeshu narrowed his eyes: "Sour? Didn't you say the tip of your tongue was sore last time? How is it now?"

Song Yu almost exploded.

He forgot... in Gu Zeshu's view, the last time the two of them met was when he was discharged from the hospital.

“I meant it doesn’t hurt anymore.” Song Yu finished speaking, then cautiously glanced at the man’s expression.

Gu Zeshu didn’t notice his mistake at all, and instead nodded, “That’s good.”

Whew.

Luckily, he reacted quickly.

“Did you come with Bo Chi?”

Song Yu nodded.

Gu Zeshu’s question reminded him that although the main characters had planned a marriage alliance, their first meeting wasn’t particularly early.

At least not in the current storyline.

Thinking of Bo Chi, who would be back soon with food, Song Yu was afraid that their early encounter would affect the plot, so he hurriedly asked, “Are you looking for something for a friend? What is it? I’ll help you.”

The boy’s desire to get him to leave quickly was too obvious, and Gu Zeshu’s brows furrowed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: “It should be a chain, hanging on a piece of clothing.”

“Then I’ll help you find it.”

Song Yu was very eager.

The staff had taken a lot of clothes out earlier, and it might have fallen on the ground.

He was bent over, and his collar was loose, revealing a patch of snow-white skin.

Gu Zeshu stared for a while, then looked away.

Song Yu searched for several minutes without finding it, then 009 alerted him: "[Host, Bo Chi is almost back, about 100 meters from the room.]"

Song Yu's shoulders trembled in shock.

What to do?

He'd finally gotten a normal plot point, was it going to be messed up again?

Song Yu anxiously bit his lip, which quickly turned bright red.

Fortunately, 009 checked the entire room in time: "[Host, the mirror opposite you leads to a small fitting room.]"

As soon as 009 finished speaking, Song Yu heard footsteps at the door.

He was so frightened he didn't have time to explain, opened the fitting room door, grabbed Gu Zeshu's clothes, and scurried inside.

Gu Zeshu didn't resist at all, obediently letting him push him in.

The moment the mirror door closed, Song Yu was surprised to find that it was a two-way mirror; he could see out from inside.

Then, he heard the door open.

Bo Chi came to the sofa carrying a large box of food.

It was cramped and stuffy inside; Song Yu could barely breathe. His back was pressed against the wall, his fingers still entwined around Gu Zeshu's clothes, but he didn't notice at all. He

also didn't notice the darkening gaze in the eyes of the man opposite him, who was practically pulling him into his arms.

His phone rang, and Song Yu's heart pounded. He opened his mouth and breathed heavily.

Thankfully, he hadn't brought his phone in.

Bo Chi, standing near the sofa, noticed Song Yu's phone on it and muttered to himself, "He hasn't even eaten, where did he get the energy to go out?"

It seemed he was planning to go out and look for him. Song Yu breathed a

sigh of relief.

However, Bo Chi took two steps, then returned, picked up a disposable paper cup from the table, and drank a few sips of water.

Song Yu was still silently chanting "Go out quickly" when he felt a damp, itchy breath on his ear.

Gu Zeshu's voice was low, almost whispering in his ear, much quieter than usual.

"He's drinking your water."

W-what?

Song Yu froze, his eyes widening as he looked across at the man opposite him.

He then realized that he and Gu Zeshu were very close, their heads almost touching, their arms pressed tightly together.

His back was already against the wall, and he couldn't move any further.

Song Yu bit his lower lip.

Gu Zeshu then asked, "Is your boyfriend very controlling?"

Song Yu finally realized what was happening and desperately tried to salvage his image in front of Gu Zeshu: "He's not."

"Is that so..."

Gu Zeshu's tone was very soft.

Outside, Bo Chi hadn't left yet, seemingly examining the disposable paper cup. Song Yu's cheeks were flushed an unnatural red from difficulty breathing, his mouth was wide open again, and his misty eyes were a little unfocused.

The door finally closed.

Song Yu breathed a sigh of relief, but the next second, his waist was pulled tightly, and his vision became blurry.

When he landed again, Gu Zeshu had carried him outside the fitting room.

Song Yu took a few breaths of fresh air before realizing that the situation had been a bit strange. Fortunately, Gu Zeshu didn't ask any further questions, only apologizing, "I was abrupt earlier."

"No..."

"You have a hickey on your neck. I thought Bo Chi was your boyfriend."

Song Yu immediately covered his neck.

"On your left side."

"..." He immediately covered it with his left hand.

So cute.

It's just that the mark is fading.

Next time, I'll kiss him deeper.

Song Yu had no idea what the seemingly cold and aloof man opposite him was thinking, and was still lying, "It was a bug bite."

Gu Zeshu nodded, taking out a portable wet wipe from his pocket, "Your forehead is sweaty."

Song Yu took it.

Until he left, Gu Zeshu didn't ask why he had avoided Bo Chi earlier.

He checked the progress bar.

Despite his efforts, it hadn't regressed.

Five

minutes later, Bo Chi returned. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Song Yu safely in the room, then questioned, "Where did you run off to? I've been looking for you for ages."

"I went to the bathroom," Song Yu replied, feeling his lying skills had improved considerably. Afraid Bo Chi would ask more questions, he waved to him, "Brother Chi, I'm so hungry."

Bo Chi didn't say anything more, walked over and sat next to Song Yu, deftly unpacking the plastic bag and box. Only when he was handing over the chopsticks did he realize that Song Yu's actions resembled beckoning a dog.

He flicked his wrist, retracting the chopsticks, and raised an eyebrow: "You think I'm a dog?"

Song Yu's expression was a little dazed.

This blank look made Bo Chi unable to resist pinching his cheek.

The soft, smooth touch lingered on his fingertips.

"No…" Song Yu thought the other was upset, so he didn't dare dodge, and whispered ingratiatingly, "Are you hungry, Brother Chi?"

Bo Chi felt more satisfied than if he'd eaten ten pounds of honey, withdrew his hand, and handed over the chopsticks.

The two ate lunch quietly before leaving.

The music video was already being filmed, and Bo Chi planned to go to the set with Song Yu. However, he received a last-minute call from home, saying he needed to go to the old house.

Bo Chi didn't dare to be careless about meeting elders, but he also didn't want to spoil Song Yu's fun. Just as he was hesitating, Song Yu proactively asked, "Brother Chi, do you have other things to do?"

"Yes."

"Then you go ahead and do your work. "

This way, he could add Lu Peixi on WeChat.

If he wasn't worried about affecting the plot, he would have directly arranged for Gu Zeshu and Lu Peixi to meet, eliminating the need for him as a middleman.

Bo Chi hesitated for a moment, then finally agreed: "I'll have a driver pick you up. He'll call you when he arrives."

Song Yu nodded.

"If anyone bullies you, just say you're one of my people." After saying this, Bo Chi noticed Song Yu's surprised expression and explained again, "My people means friends."

Is that right?

Song Yu nodded: "Thank you, Brother Chi."

Bo Chi didn't say anything more.

Song Yu went to the filming location alone. Lu Peixi was still filming; he planned to add her contact information after it was over.

The on-set filming was completely different from the final cut, which Song Yu found fascinating, watching with great interest.

The director, knowing Song Yu was Bo Chi's friend, didn't neglect him, having his assistant bring him a chair.

But as soon as he sat down, 009's warning sounded: [Host! Danger! Above your head!]

Song Yu reacted a little slowly, and before he could even look up, he was pulled into a protective embrace.

Then, he heard the sound of something hitting flesh.

A dull thud, sounding very painful.

"Holy crap!"

"How did this light fall down?"

"Are you alright?"

...

The director, forgetting about filming, and the others rushed over, creating chaos.

Song Yu immediately turned around to look at the other person. Gu Zeshu's forehead was covered in sweat, his face pale, and he was also looking at him: "How are you?"

He was injured like this himself, yet he was still concerned about him. Song Yu's face also turned pale, his heart stopped: "I'm fine, you... how are you?"

Gu Zeshu's voice was calm: "I'm okay."

Song Yu didn't dare to delay and, along with several staff members, took the man to a nearby hospital.

An X-ray showed no fractures, just some superficial injuries. There was a bruise on his back and a bloody mark on his arm.

Gu Zeshu's expression didn't even crease from beginning to end.

It was unclear whether he was used to enduring pain or for some other reason.

But Song Yu knew it hurt a lot; he heard the dull thud when the light fell.

He stared at the blood-stained cotton ball the nurse had used to treat the man's wound, his vision blurring, and his nose stung.

The next second, he felt someone touch his cheek with their palm.

"Don't cry." Gu Zeshu wiped his tears with his other, uninjured hand. "It really doesn't hurt."

Song Yu hadn't meant to cry, and he didn't want to affect Gu Zeshu's mood, so he sniffed and pursed his lips without saying a word.

The nurse next to him comforted him, "It's okay, your boyfriend's injury isn't serious, he'll be fine in three or four days."

"He..." Song Yu wanted to say he wasn't his boyfriend, but felt it was a bit strange to care about that in this situation, so he changed his words, "That's good."

Seeing that he wasn't seriously injured, the staff went back to their work.

After the wound was treated, Song Yu took the prescription from Gu Zeshu: "I'll help you with the process."

Gu Zeshu subconsciously wanted to refuse this kindness, but the other person pressed him into a chair: "I'm going now, you sit here and wait for me."

Gu Zeshu paused.

He hadn't heard such words for many years.

At least since his mother's death, no one had said them to him again.

The boy wasn't very strong, but he still complied. This was the first time he had accepted someone's kindness without any unease or expectation of reciprocation.

The Gu family always told him, "You've been raised like this, you should be grateful."

"Brother, you're so capable, you shouldn't need my help, right?"

"You're Gu An's brother, you should learn to be considerate of him."

Gu Zeshu gradually stripped these memories away. His back was straight, his face pale and gloomy, yet not fragile.

His gaze fell on the slender figure in the group, and suddenly he reached out, curling his fingers to completely envelop Song Yu.

There was only enough room for the small Song Yu.

When he saw Song Yu in danger, all his actions were instinctive. Now he was somewhat grateful for this injury, allowing them to spend more time together.

As Gu Zeshu thought about it, he became greedy.

If this injury hadn't been because of Song Yu, and the other person had stayed with him like this, worried about him, that would have been wonderful.

*

After picking up the medicine, Song Yu asked Gu Zeshu about his plans, and his expression relaxed a little after learning that the other person had finished their work.

He handed him a bag of medicine, told him to rest well, and helped him call a taxi.

After finishing all that, Song Yu had no desire to return to the film set. He immediately called Bo Chi's driver and told him he would take a taxi home. It

was already dark when he got home. After dinner and a short rest, Song Yu was still worried.

After all, Gu Zeshu had injured his back, and applying the medicine himself wouldn't be convenient.

So he took out his phone, intending to send him a message. After

typing "good news," Song Yu remembered that he had already added Gu Zeshu on WeChat as a sugar daddy, but the sugar daddy probably didn't know this.

Song Yu put down his phone and used his points to buy a universal ointment from 009.

009: [Host, it's already been used on Gu Zeshu. To avoid arousing suspicion, the ointment is only 85% effective, almost healed, but the surface bruises remain temporarily.]

Song Yu was relieved.

After washing up and coming out of the bathroom, he took his phone and crawled into bed.

He opened WeChat and found several messages from Gu Zeshu.

Gu Zeshu: [Photo.jpg.]

Gu Zeshu: [It hurts.] Song

Yu: "?"

009 immediately declared: [Host, the medicine has been taken, and its effects will take effect immediately.]

Song Yu knew this, after all, he had used it too.

It shouldn't hurt anymore.

009 checked the photo Gu Zeshu had sent.

It was a photo of a bare back, a selfie in front of a mirror, showing broad shoulders and a narrow waist, more like displaying well-defined muscles than a small bruise.

If AI had expressions, it would probably be sneering and disdainful.

It was used to the same tricks many times.

It also analyzed for the host: [Host, the medicine has been taken. There are only two possibilities for him feeling pain: first, his physical condition is poor and he can't tolerate the pain; second, he's lying to you, trying to gain your sympathy.]

Song Yu was silent for a few seconds.

Of the two possibilities, he leaned more towards the first, but either way, the other person had been injured for him.

A feeling of guilt welled up, and Song Yu didn't think about anything else: [Are you home?]

Gu Zeshu quickly replied: [Are you coming to see me?]

Two seconds later, he sent a second message: [I'll turn off the lights.] *

Song

Yu already knew Gu Zeshu's new home address; it was a half-hour drive away.

Upon arriving at the door, Song Yu knocked, and the other person quickly opened it. It was pitch black inside.

This was the second time the two had met without being able to see each other, and Song Yu felt the atmosphere was much more normal than when they went to the hotel.

In the dim moonlight, Gu Zeshu saw that small dark figure bump into his chest.

"Ugh..."

Song Yu covered his sore nose, his voice muffled as he asked, "How are you? Still in pain?"

Gu Zeshu's lying skills were far superior to Song Yu's: "A little."

Song Yu wanted to say something more, but felt himself being pushed forward by his shoulders. He couldn't see either, and was pushed to the vicinity of the sofa.

Gradually, Song Yu could see some outlines and groped his way to sit on the sofa.

Just as he sat down, he felt his ankle being pinched, and he recoiled in fright, but didn't struggle free.

"I'll help you change your shoes."

It was cool tonight, so Gu Zeshu had prepared a pair of soft cotton slippers for Song Yu.

After putting them on, Song Yu felt that the instep was a bit heavy, so she stretched out her feet and wiggled them from side to side.

If the light were on, you could see the rabbit ears dangling from it.

"Do you have any medicine?" The setup without the light on was incredibly difficult; doing anything was nearly impossible.

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Yu felt someone grasp his hand, and then something was placed in his palm.

He squeezed it; it was cylindrical, probably ointment.

He said, "I'll apply the ointment for you."

The man's smile was hidden in the darkness. He then stood up and lifted the hem of his shirt.

Song Yu felt his movements and could hear the rustling of fabric, but he didn't know what he was doing.

Soon, Gu Zeshu turned around and sat on the carpet nearby.

To make applying the ointment easier, Song Yu kicked off his slippers, lifted his slender legs onto the sofa, and bent over slightly.

He unscrewed the cap of the ointment, recalled the location of the bruises from earlier that day, and reached out with his other hand to locate the man's shoulder. He

then touched solid muscle.

Startled by the burning skin, Song Yu immediately pulled his hand back.

Why was he taking off his clothes?

Perhaps it was the heat emanating from the other person, but Song Yu's cheeks felt hot. However, remembering he couldn't see anything, he said nothing.

Squeezing ointment onto his fingers, Song Yu carefully placed his hand on the other's shoulder again, slowly spreading the ointment over the bruise.

Gu Zeshu's body temperature was very high; some of the ointment remaining on the boy's fingers melted and dripped down between his fingers.

Song Yu felt a little itchy.

He quickly finished applying the ointment and said, "Wait until it dries before you put your clothes on."

Gu Zeshu: "Okay."

Song Yu was then thankful the lights were off, otherwise it would have been a little awkward.

The room suddenly became quiet. The man's usually cool scent was mixed with the smell of Chinese medicine, yet it didn't seem strange at all.

Just then, his phone vibrated.

Song Yu saw a glint in his pants, hesitated whether to take it out, and then glanced at Gu Zeshu.

The other person seemed to know what he was thinking: "I won't turn around."

Only then did Song Yu take out his phone; it was a call from Bo Chi.

He immediately turned off the screen after answering, turned his back, and spoke almost in a whisper, "Hello."

Bo Chi: "You're not even calling me Brother Chi anymore?"

Thinking that Gu Zeshu was still here, Song Yu didn't want the other person to know his identity: "...Brother."

Bo Chi's eyelids twitched on the other end.

He paused for several seconds before responding.

His voice sounded much lighter.

"What are you doing?" After returning home that evening, Bo Chi heard from the driver that Song Yu had taken a taxi home by himself. "You went home very early this afternoon?"

"Yeah."

Song Yu didn't want to chat with him and wanted to make up an excuse to hang up, but the other person said again, "Then should I come to your house to find you?"

Song Yu nervously replied, "No, no need."

"I'm a little tired and want to go to sleep early."

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Yu felt a heat source pressing against his back.

Then, a warm breath brushed against his earlobe. The

next second, Gu Zeshu's low, husky voice came in: "Can I get dressed now?"

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