Chi Zhan had selected the “Minion” voice filter—categorized under the comedic effects. His natural voice was usually gentle and clear, but with the voice changer on, it was completely unrecognizable.
X seemed momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected a voice changer. After a few seconds of silence, he finally asked, “Why this voice?”
“Let’s just chat casually for now. We’ll see how things go.”
X’s voice was magnified through his headphones, every breath amplified with crystal clarity. Chi Zhan hadn’t anticipated that the other man’s voice would sound so good—it practically sent a jolt through his ears.
Low, magnetic, and smooth. And tinged with a faint hint of laughter.
If he had to describe it in one word, it would be: seductive.
“Alright then, let’s chat,” X said, sounding more relaxed. “What do you want to talk about?”
Chi Zhan got straight to the point.
“I want to know—why did you take this job?”
Judging by the records, X hadn’t accepted any gigs in a long while.
Especially not in-person ones.
“I’ve been bored lately. Wanted to find something to do. Honestly, I’m more curious about you—why do you need someone to pretend to be your boyfriend? Dodging a sleazy boss? Taking someone home to meet the parents?”
Sleazy boss?
“I’d prefer not to share the reason. I just need you to accompany me to meet two people. That’s all.”
X sounded taken aback. For a moment, only the sound of his breathing came through the headphones. Then he said, incredulously, “…Two?”
Definitely incredulous.
Chi Zhan considered it. Truthfully, he didn’t run into Cen Chi very often. Even when they did meet, it was in passing. Trying to stage something with an actor on short notice would likely be clunky and obvious. Better to use Song Guang as a shield.
A ready-made, in-game boyfriend, always available on call.
Especially since Cen Chi had terrifying observational skills. If he faked something with X, he’d probably get caught.
With that, Chi Zhan changed his answer.
“One will do.”
“So… right now, two people are pursuing you, and you don’t want either of them. So you’re hiring someone to brush them off?”
Chi Zhan’s tone cooled slightly.
“I don’t want people digging into my private life. Do your services come with a confidentiality agreement?”
“Of course. If you require confidentiality, I’ll draft a contract,” X said with professional composure. “I never leak client information. It’s part of the job.”
“Mm. Introduce yourself, then. Judging by your voice, you sound like you’re thirty. That might be a bit old for me…”
“……”
A long, deep inhale came from the other side.
He sounded like he was trying very hard not to snap at a client. Forcing civility, he said, “Sweetie, you requested the scumbag voice. I never said this was my actual voice.”
Chi Zhan frowned.
“Then how old are you? And what does your real voice sound like?”
“I’m… twenty.”
That was more within range.
Chi Zhan mentally noted it down.
“Forgive me for being blunt, but… have you ever been in a relationship before? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
X responded almost instantly. “No.” Then followed up with, “What about you?”
Chi Zhan frowned slightly.
Why did this whole exchange feel… a little off?
It almost felt like an online matchmaking session.
“For example, the two people you mentioned…” X pressed on, clearly curious. His tone was deliberately casual, like he was just making small talk. “Have you ever dated either of them?”
Chi Zhan took a moment to think.
“Our relationship’s… complicated. But it’s not romantic. You just need to step in at the right time, pretend to be my boyfriend, and not get caught. That’s all. But… are you even up for this?”
He was skeptical.
“Of course I—” Chu Xingxiao blurted out, but quickly realized he was getting worked up. Rubbing his forehead with a frustrated sigh, he composed himself. “Look, even if I’ve never been in the game, I’ve seen how it’s played. If you’re not confident, feel free to test me.”
Test?
How was he supposed to test that?
Chi Zhan honestly had no idea.
But the calm confidence in the man’s voice gave him pause—maybe he really did know what he was doing.
“For instance,” Chu Xingxiao began, his tone animated, “say ‘he’ is right next to you, and I call you out of the blue, pretending to be your boyfriend. How does that sound?”
“Hmm…” Chi Zhan thought for a few seconds. “Alright, let’s try.”
“Hello?”
Chu Xingxiao immediately cut in.
“Wrong. Your phone should already have me saved in your contacts. Just saying ‘hello’ is way too stiff. Obvious red flag—it’ll blow the act.”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Maybe something like… darling, baby, honey?”
X’s tone wavered with uncertainty.
“Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Fine. Just call me Xiaoxiao.”
Chi Zhan had to admit, X made a good point. He took a calming breath and tried again.
“Xiaoxiao, what’s up? Why are you calling?”
“Baby.” X dropped his voice low. “You’re still not off work? I miss you.”
He even added a slight whine at the end.
“We’re out of groceries at home. Let’s hit the supermarket later, okay? Maybe grab that strawberry flavor you like… actually, I don’t even know what flavor you prefer.”
“This is the moment when you ‘accidentally’ leave the call on speaker,” X added commented. “It works like a charm.”
“……”
Why was he suddenly covered in goosebumps?
Was this how young people flirt these days?
“I think… it’s a little too over-the-top. Could you dial it down to something a bit more normal? Also, your voice—if you’re twenty, don’t sound like a twenty-year-old.”
X went silent.
Clearly not expecting such a brutally honest critique.
Chi Zhan called out a few times, but the other end stayed quiet—as if X had emotionally shut down.
Finally, he murmured, “You really didn’t like it?”
“It wasn’t… terrible. But using a voice changer all the time probably isn’t great for your throat, right? Could you use your real voice?”
