There wasn’t a single scent in the world that obsessed him like this one.
Chu Xingxiao’s fingers curled into the scarf, though he didn’t dare pull too hard for fear of ruining it. He just kept rubbing his cheek against the thick fabric. It calmed him. It made him drowsy. But his mind wouldn’t stop spinning, thoughts tumbling over each other.
What was really going on?
From what he knew, Chi Zhan had a close relationship with Zhou Yanxing. Back at the masquerade ball, he’d even shown up as Zhou Yanxing’s date…
But what if—what if he’d been wrong?
A sudden possibility flashed through Chu Xingxiao’s mind.
If he had misidentified the person… then everything he’d planned had been misaligned from the start.
His intent to get revenge on Zhou Yanxing, to find a scandal-worthy partner to escape the company’s endless control— It all hinged on the wrong person.
In other words, Chi Zhan was never supposed to be the target. He should’ve gone after Zhou Yanxing’s real lover if he wanted to strike back where it hurt.
Frustrated, Chu Xingxiao felt his headache intensify. On one side was Chi Zhan’s gentle smile, on the other, his own unwillingness to give up. If he were to walk away now, he’d have to move out—he never should’ve been living here in the first place.
Just then, his phone vibrated. Chu Xingxiao cracked his eyes open and, still dazed, unlocked it, assuming it was a work message.
54349: I finished filling out the profile. Take a look.
It took him a few seconds to recall—this was the account from that “virtual boyfriend” service.
54349: What about yours? Shouldn’t I get to know you too? Just in case something goes wrong.
Chu Xingxiao opened the file. It was impressively thorough—clearly, the other person had taken it seriously. Though when it came to questions like “preferred positions,” there was only a simple dash.
Even the dash was kind of cute.
Chu Xingxiao couldn’t help but laugh. He imagined the expression Chi Zhan must’ve made while reading that question. Pity he hadn’t been there to witness it.
His mood improved a bit. Some things also started to click into place.
The plan to retaliate against Zhou Yanxing could wait for now. He’d find another opportunity. But he did need a scandal-worthy boyfriend.
So what if Chi Zhan was his cousin’s lover? If Chi Zhan had reached out to him, it meant that so-called boyfriend wasn’t doing a great job. A breakup might just be a matter of time.
He still had a chance.
Paid time off was nice and all, but clearly, Secretary Chi was bored out of his mind. It wasn’t even late, and he was already scrolling through his phone. Spotting the form X had sent, he took a few minutes to fill it out and sent it back.
As the saying goes, luck favors the prepared. Better to communicate in advance—just in case.
Still, Chi Zhan had a gut feeling things weren’t going to go as smoothly as he hoped. Zhou Yanxing hadn’t seen the supposed boyfriend yet—he might not give up that easily.
President Zhou was always a pragmatic man. He only believed what he saw.
X: So have you really made up your mind? You really want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?
Chi Zhan frowned at the message. Was X trying to back out?
54349: Why? Is there a problem?
X: Nope. Just asking—what if your real boyfriend shows up and tries to beat me up? My face is valuable, you know.
54349: …
Chi Zhan hadn’t pegged him for the narcissistic type.
He didn’t want to give too much away to a stranger. Besides, something about this guy had felt off from the start. He seemed way too interested in him—constantly probing. It was strange. The customer service rep had initially said X didn’t take real-world jobs, but then suddenly reversed that decision. And X’s most popular voice online? A total playboy tone…
Was he being catfished?
Chi Zhan remembered all those horror stories in the news and grew suspicious.
54349: You still haven’t sent me a photo. Everyone else has.
X: Gege, I can’t go around sending photos online—it could cause trouble. You shouldn’t send me yours either. I don’t fall in love based on looks.
54349: Who said anything about falling in love?
X: Even fake boyfriends are still boyfriends, aren’t they?
54349: …
X: So, will your boyfriend mind?
54349: How do you know I even have a boyfriend?
X: Oh? You don’t? That’s great news.
Chi Zhan withdrew the file he’d sent earlier.
X didn’t reply immediately. A moment later, he initiated a voice call. Chi Zhan declined it. X called again. Chi Zhan declined once more. X called again.
Chi Zhan promptly blocked him.
Just a few days ago, Chi Zhan had seen a news story: some guy fell for a voice streamer online. The streamer was constantly flirting, never sent a photo, never gave a real name—just used that mesmerizing voice to string the guy along, until he lost everything. In the end, the streamer vanished without a trace. The money was gone, never recovered.
The story matched his current situation a little too well.
A bit later, customer service messaged him.
Customer Support: Dearie~ what didn’t you like about X? He’s open to adjustments!
54349: I suspect you’re running a scam.
Pengpeng nearly choked laughing when he saw that message.
Customer Support: Dearie, please don’t misunderstand! We’re a legitimate business with an official license!
Customer Support: [image.jpg]
Customer Support: [sweating profusely.jpg]
Customer Support: Dearie, we’ve been operating for years—an honest, trustworthy store! We’d never do anything shady!
54349: But X won’t send me a photo.
Customer Support: X is just a little shy. He’s actually super handsome in real life, which makes him more cautious online.
54349: Can I ask why he accepted my order?
Customer Support: Uh… X said he took it because he’s short on cash.
Customer Support: Dearie, if there’s a misunderstanding, you two can meet in person and clear it up! Don’t worry—we’re definitely a legit shop!
Chi Zhan grudgingly relaxed a little and removed X from the block list.
X: Incoming voice call—Answer?
Yes / No
Chi Zhan hesitated for a second… then tapped Yes.
The moment the call connected, before he could say a word, a voice came through—lower and raspier than before, laced with a hint of grievance:
“You even blocked me? What did I do to upset you?”
