“That kind of thing… what’s so hard about it?”
If gege liked him, maybe he’d abandon his cousin and the doctor and choose to be with him instead. But saying something like that out loud would be far from honorable. And if gege ever found out what he was really thinking, he definitely wouldn’t be happy.
Chu Xingxiao scrolled mindlessly through his phone, staring at his chat history with “54349,” when suddenly—a far more important thought struck him.
Chi Zhan had hired him to play his fake boyfriend in real life, specifically to accompany him to meet two people.
Now that all the clues had surfaced, everything finally clicked into place for Chu Xingxiao.
The two people Chi Zhan wanted him to meet were none other than the “boyfriend” cousin and the doctor.
He wanted to use this opportunity to cut ties with them—to break up.
So that’s what it was… That’s what it was!
In that case, he absolutely had to help gege out this time.
Just then, Chi Zhan walked out of the kitchen with a dish in hand and saw Chu Xingxiao curled up on the couch. His expression was blank, brows slightly furrowed. He looked serious, like he was deep in thought—or maybe just zoning out.
“Dinner’s ready,” Chi Zhan called out.
Chu Xingxiao jolted back to reality and suddenly didn’t dare meet Chi Zhan’s eyes.
Chi Zhan blinked.
“…?”
Was he seeing things, or were Chu Xingxiao’s ears turning red?
Was this guy running a fever again? Did it get so bad it spread to his ears?
“You okay? Not feeling well?”
Chi Zhan walked over with a hint of concern. He raised a hand, reaching toward Chu Xingxiao’s forehead.
But Chu Xingxiao flinched like he’d been shocked, scooting back against the couch cushions. His ears turned even redder—and now his face was flushing, too.
“I-I’m fine…” Chu Xingxiao tried to play it cool, but his voice came out stammered. He winced inwardly and fanned himself. “It’s just… a little hot in here.”
No, he couldn’t let his thoughts run wild right now. He needed to look up some professional resources instead.
When Chi Zhan drew his hand back, Chu Xingxiao felt a pang of regret. He shouldn’t have dodged just now.
“You need more nutrients. Eat more meat.” Cen Chi brought out the last dish and turned to Chi Zhan. “You’re way too skinny.”
Why did everyone keep saying that? Did he really look that frail?
“I’ll try to eat more.”
Cen Chi picked up some food and placed it in Chi Zhan’s bowl.
Not to be outdone, Chu Xingxiao did the same.
Cen Chi added more.
Chu Xingxiao moved to do it again when Chi Zhan cut him off.
“Okay, that’s enough. You two eat your own food. Don’t worry about me.”
“……”
Why was gege so biased toward the doctor?!
Chu Xingxiao puffed up like a pufferfish and buried his head in his food. He listened to Cen Chi chatting leisurely with Chi Zhan across the table. They’d laugh from time to time, and he felt like a complete outsider.
He really wasn’t used to this feeling.
He was always the center of attention—whether on stage or at work. Even with sunglasses on, people recognized him, asked for autographs. There were so many who wanted to date him that it was hard to count. Back in first grade, someone had already written him a love letter. By high school, one drawer couldn’t even hold them all.
But all that pride meant nothing in front of Chi Zhan.
In Chi Zhan’s eyes, he was just a younger brother.
Not someone dependable. Not someone he could lean on.
Just a little brother who needed looking after. And honestly, that had been the outcome Chu Xingxiao wanted at the beginning.
He wanted Chi Zhan to care about him, to worry about him—but not to fall for him.
Wasn’t liking him supposed to be natural?
Maybe he’d made himself seem too harmless. Now, when Chi Zhan looked at him, it was no different than how he looked at Dabai. If he liked him, he’d ruffle his hair. If he saw him sick, he’d express concern.
But that wasn’t what Chu Xingxiao wanted.
…Yet he really didn’t know how to be in a relationship.
This was a realm he’d never stepped into before.
Even Qi Song had managed to find a boyfriend—why couldn’t he? Chu Xingxiao clenched his teeth in frustration, gnawing a bone into bits, only to be caught by Chi Zhan.
“You really don’t have a fever?” Chi Zhan asked suspiciously. “Why are you even chewing bones now?”
“Kids have good teeth, and mood swings like this are common in puberty,” Cen Chi said with a light laugh. He met Chu Xingxiao’s gaze, thought for a moment, then added, “If you really can’t control yourself, you can buy edible chew sticks online.”
“……”
Cen Chi turned his gaze away from him and shook his head gently.
Pathetic.
He’d thought Chu Xingxiao might be a formidable rival, but just one small poke revealed his true nature. These childish tricks were laughably shallow.
He looked back at Chi Zhan.
Chi Zhan noticed the look and praised his cooking. Cen Chi smiled softly.
“If you liked it, I’ll make it again for you sometime.”
Chu Xingxiao gave a cold snort.
“Once we’re done eating, go back and get some rest,” Chi Zhan said to Chu Xingxiao. “Your complexion doesn’t look good. Don’t forget to take your medicine.”
Cen Chi chuckled and twisted the knife.
“He’s right—your face looks a little off. With your temper so easily flaring up, it might be an early sign of kidney deficiency.”
“……”
You’re the one with kidney deficiency. Your whole damn family has kidney deficiency!
He didn’t want to leave. If he did, wouldn’t Chi Zhan be left alone with that doctor?
No way. Over his dead body. He’d stay here even if it killed him.
But Cen Chi seemed to read his mind. His gaze shifted to the empty flower vase on the table.
“The roses I gave you last time must’ve wilted by now, huh?”
Chi Zhan sighed.
“I tried keeping them in water the past couple days, but it didn’t help. They dried out and crumbled at a touch.”
“Those kinds of roses don’t last long once they’re cut. Just three days, tops. If you like them, I’ll bring you a fresh bouquet next time,” Cen Chi said with a smile. “They have a unique fragrance. Butterflies are especially drawn to it.”
Chi Zhan looked surprised.
“That explains it. I put them by the window the other day and saw quite a few butterflies.”
“Speaking of which, the tattoo on his wrist is rather special,” Cen Chi said, gesturing toward Chu Xingxiao. “Ah-Zhan, have you seen it? It’s a… very pretty tattoo.”
“What tattoo?” Chi Zhan asked, clearly intrigued, turning to look at Chu Xingxiao.
