17 [END]

 Song Yu's expression was a little confused: "What are you looking at?"

The boy's eyes were round and dull, and his expression was pure and innocent. Even if Gu Zeshu wanted to be a hooligan, he would feel embarrassed.

He picked the boy up from the table and only touched his cheek lightly.

The person on the other end of the phone said that he would start filming the next day and would have to pack his things and leave that night. Gu Zeshu had given all his assets to Song Yu. In order to earn money for his wife, he reluctantly went home to pack his luggage.

Song Yu thought he wouldn't see Gu Zeshu for three months, but he didn't expect that Gu Zeshu would come back with his suitcase that night.

When he opened the door, the boy was a little surprised: "What's wrong?"

"There are still some things that haven't been finished." Gu Zeshu said lightly.

Song Yu let him into the house and saw Gu Zeshu take off his coat, put on an apron, go to the kitchen to make dinner, then go to the balcony to collect and fold the clothes, and finally told him that a housekeeper would be coming to cook during this period, so he should prepare three meals a day before leaving.

The house became quiet again.

Gu Zeshu spent only an hour doing all this, coming and leaving in a hurry without even having a sip of water.

009: [Host, he kissed you before he left.]

Song Yu asked in confusion, "Huh?"

[So you could say he got a sip of water.]

"..."

Song Yu's cheeks burned.

He wanted to say something, but after thinking about it, he didn't want to argue with the artificial intelligence.

009: [Host, the progress bar is now at 96%, and Gu Zeshu's blackening value has been successfully eliminated.]

Song Yu was surprised: [Blackening value?]

009: [When you ended your sugar daddy relationship with him, the protagonist developed a 70% blackening value. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would be scared.]

[However, the other party's blackening value increased later, and he wasn't a pervert from the start, so it can increase or decrease under your actions. But some protagonists who are inherently perverted cannot be detected by the system for the time being.]

Song Yu: [Hmm...]

009: [If a pervert appears in the next world, he might not change his personality so easily.] Song

Yu: "..."

The thought of having to wear women's clothes in the next world gave him a headache, yet he was also grateful that he could still live a comfortable life in this world for a while.

Song Yu couldn't understand it.

Would anyone really like to see a boy wearing women's clothes?

*

For the three months that Gu Zeshu joined the crew, Song Yu's days were incredibly peaceful.

The two uncles and nephews from the Bo family didn't bother him. According to 009, the two were fiercely vying for power, although not for Gu Zeshu, but by chance, it overlapped with some of the original plot.

The progress bar just went up to 98%.

Gu Zeshu was very busy, but he would call or text him every now and then. The other party didn't share much about his own life, but instead asked how he was doing.

Song Yu was doing well.

Gradually, Gu Zeshu would also send him some sarcastic messages—the kind of messages that you wouldn't guess would come from this person just by looking at them.

Gu Zeshu: [I miss you.]

Gu Zeshu: [I only brought two of your clothes, and I washed them until they didn't smell anymore.]

Gu Zeshu: [I want to kiss you.] Gu

Zeshu: [Every time I kiss you, you look like you're about to cry.]

Gu Zeshu: [Xiao Yu, you seem very sensitive.]

...

There were even more outrageous things, and Song Yu felt his ears burning just reading them.

But completely ignoring this kind of cold violence would only cause the other person's "darkening value" to rise again, so he could only reply with a perfunctory "hmm".

In short, Song Yu found that his role as the cannon fodder third lead was quite significant. With just a few simple messages, Gu Zeshu's "darkening value" stopped rising again, and his career line continued to improve.

However, staying at home all the time was a bit boring.

He had finished reading all the comics that Gu Zeshu had bought for him online, and Song Yu planned to go on a trip.

He wanted to enjoy himself before the next world arrived.

Song Yu's three meals a day were on time, and his body was much healthier than before. However, when he went out alone, he easily encountered people trying to chat him up.

Most people were normal and stopped bothering him after hearing that he had a girlfriend. But some people were persistent, saying that he was lying and that if he had a girlfriend, he would definitely not let him go out alone.

"..."

Song Yu felt the other person's thought process was a bit strange and didn't intend to waste any more time. However, seeing him about to leave, the man immediately reached out to grab him.

"Ah—"

Song Yu heard a scream and turned around to see Bo Rancen.

The man easily subdued the other party, his expression barely changing.

This aura of superiority frightened the person who had approached him, who apologized and slipped away, not daring to look at Song Yu again.

After the person left, Bo Rancen looked at the boy.

Having probably just finished hiking, Song Yu's face was still rosy, his cheeks and lips red, looking pure and charming.

Bo Rancen hadn't seen him for many days, and seeing him again still stirred his heart.

He withdrew his gaze, his voice low and deep: "Want to get in the car and rest for a while?"

Song Yu pursed his lips.

Actually, he was still somewhat afraid of Bo Rancen, such a tall and aloof man, and considering what the other man had said to scare him when they were alone last time, he hesitated when the other suggested getting in the car.

But Bo Rancen was very strong, and Song Yu was afraid that if he resisted even slightly, the other man would just carry him into the car. That

would be too embarrassing…

Song Yu finally got into the car. As soon as he got in, he felt the man follow closely behind and get in as well. The two sat in the back seat, and the driver got out of the front seat on his own. Song Yu sat somewhat awkwardly in the corner. Noticing the boy's little movements, Bo Rancen chuckled softly: "Letting other men kiss and hug you, and I can't even look at you?" Hearing the words "kiss and hug," Song Yu looked a little embarrassed: "How did you know—" He stopped halfway through his sentence, remembering why the other man knew all this. Although he no longer lived in the apartment, the previous surveillance video should still be saved. Song Yu didn't know how much the other person had seen, how much they knew, or whether they had saved it afterward, so she endured the shame and asked softly, "The surveillance footage...did you delete it?" Bo Rancen replied, "It's on my phone." "..." Song Yu's ears were burning, and her voice was tinged with a helpless sob, "Quick, quick, delete it..." She then whispered, "There's nothing to see." " Not good?" Bo Rancen's Adam's apple bobbed. "I think it's quite beautiful." "You seem unable to stand being kissed; your eyelashes tremble uncontrollably when you're kissed, and your lips become red and soft."

"It must feel really good to kiss him."

Song Yu's thin shoulders trembled slightly.

He turned his face away, not wanting to talk to anyone.

Bo Rancen hadn't seen this kind of reaction in a long time; it was as if all the frustration and boredom that had been building up inside him had suddenly vanished. He didn't know how a man in his thirties could have fallen head over heels for Song Yu.

It was like an old house on fire.

But he was willing to keep burning like that.

No reason was needed; he liked Song Yu, no reason was needed.

He changed the subject appropriately, taking out snacks and drinks from the refrigerator.

Song Yu had just finished hiking and was exhausted and hungry. Seeing that they were all his favorite foods, his expression softened a bit.

Bo Rancen saw that he hadn't moved yet: "Don't you like it?"

Song Yu turned his face away and asked again, "Did you delete the surveillance footage?"

Bo Rancen: "I deleted it a long time ago. I was just kidding you."

Song Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief, slowly moved back, and took the water that Bo Rancen had poured for him.

It was considered a reconciliation.

But he didn't know that Bo Rancen would never delete it.

He couldn't have Song Yu, nor could he win Song Yu's heart. He spent almost every night relying on those images.

Not just images of kissing.

He watched the boy slowly eating at the table, watched the boy, still half-asleep from waking up, curled up on the sofa for a nap, and watched the boy watering the flowers on the balcony.

Ordinary, mundane life.

But he found it incredibly interesting; every minute spent with Song Yu was probably never boring.

The scent of the handkerchief Song Yu had left behind had long since faded.

So, observing Song Yu through security cameras became a daily ritual, and he began to imitate her habits.

He no longer poured all his energy and time into work, and bought a small but cozy apartment, filling the sofa with toys and the balcony with flowerpots.

It was as if by doing these things, he was truly living with Song Yu.

And Song Yu had become his little wife.

The vibration of his phone brought Bo Rancen back to reality.

He saw Song Yu look down and open WeChat.

He didn't even need to guess which man had sent it.

Gu Zeshu: [The director's partner came to visit the set today.]

Gu Zeshu: [That's nice.]

Song Yu: [?]

Gu Zeshu: [Everyone else has a wife.]

Song Yu: "..."

Song Yu noticed that since Gu Zeshu's "darkening" level decreased, his shamelessness had increased considerably.

He pretended not to see it, but then Gu Zeshu sent another photo of his injured hand.

The scar looked quite deep in the photo, already scabbed over, indicating it had been there for some time.

Song Yu remembered the injury Gu Zeshu had sustained for him and immediately called to ask what happened.

Gu Zeshu said he had accidentally injured himself last week.

This part of the original plot didn't include Gu Zeshu's injury, and Song Yu felt guilty and confused, wondering where things had gone wrong that led to Gu Zeshu's injury.

009: [Host, Gu An is also an investor in this drama, and he's also on set recently.]

[Gu Zeshu's injury was intentional.] [

He made a staff member stand under a loosely tied prop, and then cut the rope while Gu Zeshu was present. Gu Zeshu went to rescue him, and his palm was cut.]

Song Yu was stunned.

009: [In the original plot, Gu Zeshu didn't wear his anklet at the banquet. Although Gu An also said some subtle provocative words, he wasn't forced to apologize like that day.]

[After apologizing, Gu An felt he had lost face. Coupled with Gu Zeshu's recent collaboration with a famous director, and even Gu's father intervening to keep him, Gu An felt ignored, which led him to resort to such a dirty trick.]

Song Yu hadn't expected Gu An to do something like this out of jealousy.

He didn't regret helping Gu Zeshu vent his anger that day, but he was still afraid the other party might do something again.

He first had 009 put a protective umbrella on Gu Zeshu, and then sent him a message saying he was going to see him on set.

There were still five days until filming wrapped. If he stayed there, 009 would warn him if Gu An made any more small moves.

Gu Zeshu hadn't expected Song Yu to actually come after he feigned pitifulness.

He immediately sent Song Yu the address.

"Going to see Gu Zeshu?" Bo Rancen, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly asked.

Song Yu was taken aback: "...Yes."

"Address?"

Song Yu obediently gave the address.

"Not far from here, about two hours." Bo Rancen canceled some unimportant meetings to focus on being someone's driver. "Shall we go to the hotel first?"

Song Yu didn't know how Bo Rancen had ended up driving him, but it seemed he couldn't refuse in this situation.

So he really did treat the CEO as his driver.

The place he was hiking to wasn't far, and they arrived at the hotel in ten minutes.

After they returned to their room together, Song Yu started unpacking.

Bo Rancen was probably a bit obsessive-compulsive; seeing that Song Yu hadn't packed his things properly, he unpacked them again for him.

Then he checked to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything.

"I have my ID and phone with me..." Song Yu suddenly felt a little nervous when he saw the man looking at him. "W-what's wrong?"

Bo Rancen: "Remember Wang Xiao?"

Song Yu looked a little confused. After 009 reminded him, he remembered that Wang Xiao was the rich second-generation who secretly took photos of him and Gu Zeshu entering and leaving the hotel.

But now he seems to have disappeared from the entertainment circle.

But why would Bo Rancen suddenly mention him?

Song Yu had a bad feeling and subconsciously took two steps back, only to find his lower back hitting the table.

There was nowhere to retreat.

In the dim light, the man's shadow loomed over him again.

"I really want to know, what was your relationship with Gu Zeshu before?"

"Online dating?"

"Relationship?"

"Or something else."

Song Yu whispered: "Nothing..."

But Bo Rancen didn't seem to accept this explanation. His eyes were fixed on him, as if he would keep him waiting if he didn't tell the truth.

Song Yu suddenly felt that the protagonists in all the worlds he had experienced seemed to have this kind of personality, as if they liked him to keep him waiting.

Helpless, he had no choice but to honestly tell him about his secret relationship with Gu Zeshu.

The man probed further, and Song Yu, being so naive, couldn't possibly outwit this cunning old fox. She inadvertently revealed that she wanted to go to hotels with the lights off and have the other party satisfy her needs.

Bo Rancen's expression was deep and enigmatic. Song Yu glanced at him briefly before immediately looking away.

He didn't know what that look meant, but being stared at like that was a little frightening.

It was like he was about to devour him.

He could only feign pitifulness, his voice soft: "Let's go..."

A "snap"—the

lights suddenly went out, plunging the room into darkness.

Song Yu paused, and the next moment, he felt Bo Rancen's figure loom over him.

"The lights are off now too."

Wh-what?

"You're asking me the same thing you asked Gu Zeshu."

Song Yu's ears burned, his voice trembling as he called the other's name: "Bo...Bo Rancen..."

If he hadn't spoken, Bo Rancen might have let him go, but he insisted on calling his name in that tearful voice, a voice that easily aroused the dirty desires hidden deep within a man's heart.

He was going crazy.

...

It was the off-season for tourism, and the receptionist was slacking off when she heard a very soft voice: "Checking out, thank you."

She stood up and saw the handsome young man who had come alone a couple of days ago. His

name seemed to be...Song Yu.

She took the ID card; yes, that was the name.

However, this time, there was a tall, handsome man next to her at checkout. He had a sharp jawline and a powerful aura. They

must be a couple.

Maybe she was too busy and came to pick up her precious boyfriend, or maybe they had a fight and she was coaxing him back.

The receptionist imagined this while swiping her card.

Coaxing him was the right thing to do; such a handsome young man deserved to be pampered.

There were plenty of others who would.

Even she wanted to coax him.

The receptionist put aside her thoughts and softly said to Song Yu, "Please scan your face at the camera, that's all."

This hotel required facial recognition for checkout, and Song Yu hesitated for a moment: "Do I need to take off my mask?"

"Yes."

She saw the young man lower his eyes, and after a few seconds, he reluctantly took off his mask.

Then she was stunned.

His lips were an unnatural crimson, with a small, glistening patch on his lip, and the corners of his eyes were also a little red.

This was… She glanced at the man next to her and immediately understood.

After scanning her face, Song Yu took her ID card, said thank you, and left. A tall man carrying a suitcase followed closely behind.

Despite the age difference, they looked surprisingly well-matched.

*

Throughout the journey, Song Yu was too lazy to speak, listlessly huddled in the passenger seat.

Compared to Song Yu, Bo Rancen was in a completely different state. Despite having just finished a meeting a few hours prior and not having rested, he was full of energy, his gaze fixed on Song Yu's face while waiting at a traffic light.

The young man was clearly pretending to be asleep, his eyelashes trembling uncontrollably.

Two hours later, they arrived at the film set without incident.

Bo Rancen opened the car door for Song Yu, took the suitcase, and was about to follow him when he was stopped.

"I'll go by myself." Song Yu didn't give him a friendly look, holding out his hand, "Give me the suitcase."

Bo Rancen paused, then chuckled lightly, lifting his eyelids: "You're just using me and then dumping me?"

"..."

Song Yu pretended not to hear, took the suitcase, and turned to leave.

He hadn't checked his phone the whole way, only to realize that Gu Zeshu had called him several times. Just as he

was about to call back, someone blocked his way.

Song Yu looked up.

It was Gu An, with several people standing beside him, who seemed to be his friends.

Song Yu immediately lowered her face, too lazy to pay him any attention.

It seemed the other man was deliberately trying to cause trouble, yet outwardly pretended to be on good terms with her: "Song Yu? You're here to see my brother?"

Song Yu then looked at him: "He's not your brother."

Gu An's expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly masked it: "Gu Zeshu is a bit busy right now, but you seemed to have arrived in President Bo's car, right?"

The people beside her were all from the industry, and upon hearing "President Bo," they knew who he was referring to.

"Is it President Bo Rancen?"

"It's actually him?"

They had heard that Song Yu had been fawning over Bo Chi, often being taken to various banquets by him, but they hadn't expected that Bo Chi was just a stepping stone; the person he truly wanted to curry favor with was Bo Rancen.

This time, their gazes towards Song Yu held a more complex scrutiny.

Indeed, he was quite handsome.

No wonder the uncle and nephew were attracted to each other.

"By the way, why hasn't Young Master Bo Chi taken you around lately? Does he know you went to a hotel with Gu Zeshu and doesn't want you with him anymore?"

Gu An was being direct this time. The people behind him spread rumors quickly in their circle, and he deliberately wanted them to think Song Yu was flirting with men everywhere.

Song Yu was a little tired and his mind was slow. Before he could even match the names Gu An mentioned to the names, a voice sounded behind him—

"Xiao Yu."

Everyone looked at the man, and it was... Bo Ran Cen himself?

This level of intimacy suggested they weren't just seeing each other as lovers, right?

Song Yu turned to look at Bo Ran Cen, who had put his mask inside his coat and straightened his collar. Then, he glanced at Gu An with a calm expression.

This was the first time Gu An had met the head of the Bo Group, whom the Gu family was rumored to be interested in cooperating with. He was so frightened that his legs went weak and his face turned pale.

Although Bo Ran Cen didn't do anything, just a glance from him was enough for him to know that he had offended him.

The

brief hiccup didn't take long; soon, Song Yu was picked up by Gu Zeshu and taken to the hotel prepared by the film crew.

The crew, fearing he wouldn't want to stay, specially booked the night of the wrap party.

Song Yu had nothing to do; he'd come to prevent Gu An from causing trouble, but after he arrived, Gu An never showed up again. It wasn't

until the wrap party on the day he left the crew, when Gu Zeshu wasn't there and everyone was drunk and talking about the Gu family, that Song Yu learned Gu An had been abandoned by them.

"Who told him to offend that person from the Bo family? The Gu family is in dire straits themselves now."

"Didn't Little Gu secretly trip him up and kick Gu An out as producer?"

"Little Gu is really something. I thought he'd fallen from grace after leaving the Gu family, but he's doing better than ever."

"But he's also thanks to that person from the Bo family for help. I heard it was for his sweetheart, a daring act of devotion!"

"I really want to know who that person is."

"Probably looks like a celestial being."

"I don't believe it. We have someone in our crew who looks like a celestial being, but can she be as good-looking as him?"

...

About a month later, the Gu family business was on the verge of collapse. To save the family, Gu An was kicked out of the house. Accustomed to a life of luxury, he had no skills and no company wanted him.

After running out of money, he could only find manual labor, his face gradually showing signs of fatigue, and his hands developing calluses. Every night, he would curl up in his rented room and get drunk.

Four months later, people welcomed the Spring Festival on a sunny day.

Song Yu was putting up the "Fu" character at home. Gu Zeshu had wanted him to do it, but seeing that the boy preferred to do it himself, he let him.

"Here... ah!"

Song Yu exclaimed softly, feeling himself being picked up.

"Go ahead and put it up, this spot is right."

"Hmm..."

But they didn't have to lift him up like that.

Song Yu realized that everyone seemed to like picking him up like that.

The doorbell rang at that moment.

Gu Zeshu put him down: "I'll go open it."

Song Yu finished putting up the "Fu" character but didn't see anyone come in, so he turned around.

He saw Gu Zeshu's extremely sour face.

The Bo family uncle and nephew were standing at the door, whom they hadn't seen for a long time.

Especially Bo Chi, whose features had matured considerably, wearing a black overcoat and with much broader shoulders. However, his true nature remained the same; his ears turned red the moment he saw Song Yu, but his eyes were fixed on her.

Gu Zeshu blocked their view: "Don't you two have a home?"

"You're the one who doesn't have a home," Bo Chi retorted bluntly. "Is this your home? Can I control my people, but can I control my heart? My heart lets me come here."

Song Yu: "..."

Compared to Bo Chi, Bo Rancen remained calm and composed, handing over the New Year's gifts he had brought: "Happy New Year."

Not wanting to be rude, Song Yu replied, "Happy New Year."

Gu Zeshu's face darkened.

Afraid that the group would argue on New Year's Eve, Song Yu immediately pulled Gu Zeshu away and let the other two in.

The three of them didn't do anything outrageous, simply sitting together decorating the room and preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.

At midnight, fireworks sounded.

Song Yu, wearing fluffy slippers, ran to the balcony to watch the fireworks.

The balcony had a full-length window, offering a clear view.

Amidst the fireworks, he vaguely heard a few "Happy New Year" greetings behind him.

*

After the Spring Festival, Gu Zeshu became a trending topic. The movie he helped produce hadn't even premiered yet, but it had already won an award abroad.

Song Yu didn't want to go abroad with him, so he watched the live stream at home.

On the awards stage, the man wore a bespoke suit, mature and elegant.

Song Yu sat in front of him on the sofa and heard Gu Zeshu say, "Actually, I did give up, but there's always someone who can give me a ray of light when I'm in the abyss."

"I love him very much."

"It must have been love at first sight."

Song Yu pursed his lips.

Then, he heard the progress bar rise.

It became 99%.

Finally... am I going to sleep on the streets?

I don't want to sleep on the streets, sob sob.

Song Yu dawdled at home for two days, until Gu Zeshu was about to return to China, before finally wearing a thick coat and carrying a cardboard box, he went to the park late at night.

He looked around and finally chose a bench.

He muttered: [This place seems cleaner, and there aren't many homeless people.] 009

: [Host, we've cleaned up for you. After you've spent the night wandering, we can complete the mission.]

Song Yu didn't say anything more, placed the cardboard box on the bench, and crawled inside.

The cardboard box he prepared was large; even after crawling in, there was still plenty of space. The cardboard was thick, blocking out the cold air and streetlights.

Song Yu actually fell asleep.

He didn't know that the little kitten hiding in the cardboard box was going to be stolen home and kissed awake.

However, Song Yu wasn't kissed awake. When he woke up, it was already dawn, and he found himself still in the cardboard box, only in his own living room.

009 reminded him that the progress bar had reached 100%.

They would be leaving soon.

Song Yu hummed in agreement.

He slept in the cardboard box all night, without feeling cold or sore.

Because Gu Zeshu held him in his arms.

The man's muscles were soft when relaxed. Song Yu was too lazy to get up, so he simply lay down. He stared at Gu Zeshu's face and noticed that the other man's brows were tightly furrowed.

Was he having a nightmare?

Song Yu reached out and slowly pressed down on the small hill with his fingertips.

...

Gu Zeshu found Song Yu on a bench. He was both

amused and exasperated when he found him.

He didn't know what Song Yu was thinking, sleeping in a cardboard box outside like that, but when he found him, the boy was curled up inside the box. He

was as well-behaved as could be.

Gu Zeshu couldn't bear to disturb him, so he carried the box and the boy home.

Then, he crawled inside himself.

Being with Song Yu made even the most absurd things seem interesting. He

didn't sleep well that night.

Perhaps because he was rushing and didn't see Song Yu when he got home, Gu Zeshu had a whole night of dreams.

He dreamed that his mother left, and he was alone in his room; he also dreamed that all the love was given to his younger brother, and he didn't get a single glance in return.

It seemed like everything he did was wrong.

Nobody liked him.

Could someone like him, even just a little bit?

Gu Zeshu felt like he was sinking into endless darkness.

Just as he was about to be completely swallowed up, he felt someone touch his forehead.

Warm.

"Gu Zeshu?"

someone called him.

Gu Zeshu struggled, wanting to escape and find the person who had called him.

"Gu Zeshu, did you have a nightmare?"

A gentle, familiar voice soothed his heart.

Sunlight gradually streamed into the living room, and birds chirped outside the window.

Gu Zeshu opened his eyes.

He met Song Yu's eyes.

[Congratulations on completing the mission. All data in the character's awakening world will be immediately recycled.]

[World level: C; your overall rating: A.]

[Congratulations on gaining 20,000 points.]

[You can pause briefly to enter the next world: the online dating world.]

[You will play the role of—]

[A poor, indebted office worker who cross-dresses to deceive a man into a relationship, only to be exposed.]

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