ABOES 16: Do Me a Favor

Not long after Song Jing hung up the phone, his agent called.

The moment he picked up, her excited voice exploded from the other end. “Oh my god! Song Jing, guess who just called me? It was Xie Yi—yes, the Xie Yi! The one who used to manage Xiang Che!”

“She said you’re going on Xiao Yu’s livestream tomorrow with Ye Xinian to sell products! When she told me she was Xie Yi, I thought it was a scam!”

“Song Jing, you’ve really made it! Tell me, how do you even know Xie Yi?”

Song Jing couldn’t hide his own excitement. “I don’t know Xie Yi, but I know Ye Xinian.”

Then he explained his conversation with Ye Xinian exactly as it happened.

The agent was even more stunned after hearing it. “Ye Xinian’s way too good to you. He’s famous now and still remembers you? Why didn’t you ever tell me you two knew each other?”

“He hadn’t debuted yet,” Song Jing said. “Didn’t seem worth mentioning. Besides, he only got popular recently.”

The agent figured that made sense and didn’t press further. Instead, she reminded him, “You better hold onto this friendship. No offense, but just compare. Ye Xinian’s only just started out and already pulled you into a top-tier livestream. And that so-called ‘President Xia’? What has he ever done for you?”

“You’ve been with him for six months, and all he’s given you is a little cash here and there. If you’re serious about this industry, what really matters is exposure and connections. Men? Can’t be relied on.”

If even his agent could see that, of course Song Jing could too.

Touching his still-aching stomach where Xia Huaiming had kicked him, Song Jing felt an icy bitterness rise up again.

“…I’ll think about it,” he said quietly.

His agent, pleased he was finally seeing reason, gave a few more reminders before ending the call.

…

The livestream that was scheduled for that evening was hosted at Xiao Yu’s studio.

Ye Xinian arrived early in the morning to run through the script with her.

Xiao Yu was easygoing and professional. By noon, they had finalized everything.

At 2 p.m., Xiao Yu posted on Weibo, announcing that Ye Xinian would be her guest that night and tagging him.

Ye Xinian had just been trending the day before. Fans were already buzzing, and now his appearance in a livestream sent them into overdrive.

【Did I read that right?】

【Ye Xinian’s going live tonight?!】

【Why am I only finding out now?!】

【YES—another night of staring at this gorgeous man!】

【Crap, I already can’t control my spending, and now he’s gonna pitch me products?! RIP my wallet.】

【So hyped!】

…

Ye Xinian quickly reposted the announcement.

@YeXinian: Tonight at 7, I’ll be appearing with a mystery guest—see you there!

【Mystery guest?】

【Who?! WHO?!】

【Is it Chu Wen? Two hot guys, I’m down either way!】

【Didn’t Chu Wen have another shoot today?】

【Wait… could it be Ye Xinian’s fiancé?!】

The second that comment appeared, fans went wild.

【OH MY GOD IS IT A COUPLE STREAM?!】

【Shut up this better be real I’m screaming】

【How is a livestream giving me relationship goals?】

Ye Xinian scrolled through the comments with a blank face.

But when he saw people guessing the mystery guest might be Xia Huaiming, he gave a soft laugh.

That’s right, people were starting to remember Xia Huaiming’s name.

Exactly what he wanted.

After a moment of thought, Ye Xinian logged out of his main Weibo and into his alt.

It hadn’t even been a full day since he last used it, but to his surprise, the notifications had blown up. 

@ Mentions: 5

Comments: 10

Likes: 69

Even his DMs were full of messages from people who didn’t follow him.

He opened them one by one. All replies to his previous post were asking if this account was really his alt.

He didn’t answer anyone.

Instead, he typed up a new post.

@LovesRiceCake: Kept my promise today. If I say I’ll do something for a friend, I’ll make it happen. Hope the livestream goes smoothly for me and Song Jing tonight!

Just as he posted it, the dressing room door opened.

“Xinian!”

Ye Xinian calmly turned off his screen and looked toward the door.

Song Jing rushed in and threw his arms around him. “It’s been forever since I saw you!”

A flicker of coldness passed through Ye Xinian’s eyes, but he gently pushed Song Jing off with a smile. “Well, you’re seeing me now. Missed me?”

Song Jing’s delicate features and pouty lips always gave him an air of innocence. “Of course I missed you! Ever since you moved out, I haven’t seen you at all.”

Ye Xinian smiled politely. “Should I move back in then?”

Song Jing’s expression faltered.

Ye Xinian smirked inside but showed nothing. He quickly added, “But I can’t really move back, this place is closer to the company. If I moved in again, it would take two hours just to get to work.”

Song Jing gave an awkward laugh. “True…”

Ye Xinian, as if oblivious, smoothly changed the subject. “Oh right, can you do me a favor?”

Song Jing was curious. “Hm? What is it?”

As the makeup artist touched up his face, Ye Xinian closed his eyes. “It’s about Huaiming.”

Even though Song Jing had heard that name countless times by now, every time Ye Xinian brought up Xia Huaiming directly, he felt uneasy.

“Huaiming? Did something happen between you two?” he asked, nervous.

Ye Xinian cracked one eye open, catching every flicker of guilt in the mirror. “Nothing really. I’m just heading out next Friday to film the second episode of Let’s Go Travel.”

Song Jing froze—next Friday was Xia Huaiming’s birthday.

“You mean… you won’t be spending his birthday with him?” Song Jing asked.

Ye Xinian sneered inwardly.

He had only mentioned a date yet Song Jing instantly associated it with Xia Huaiming’s birthday.

“That’s right,” he said calmly. “So I was hoping you could give him my birthday gift.”

Song Jing visibly relaxed. “Of course, no problem at all.”

“Thanks,” Ye Xinian said lightly. “I’ll give it to you beforehand.”

“No worries,” Song Jing smiled.

After a bit more chatting, Song Jing left to get his makeup done.

At 7 p.m. sharp, the livestream began.

The moment Xiao Yu went live, the comment feed exploded.

She exchanged a stunned glance with her assistant. They had clearly underestimated Ye Xinian’s popularity.

“Whoa—I literally just went live!” Xiao Yu laughed. “Could you guys slow the comments down a bit?”

【Pretty lady! Let’s gooo! We wanna see your guest!】

【You’re finally here!】

【WHERE IS XINIAN—I’M BEGGING】

【Omg Xiao Yu you’re gorgeous as always】

Xiao Yu didn’t drag things out. After a quick intro, she got right to it.

“Alright! Let’s welcome Ye Xinian!”

Ye Xinian took a quiet breath, then stepped in front of the camera with a soft smile. “Hello, everyone. I’m Ye Xinian.”

The comment section exploded again.

【XINIANNNN】

【His voice is everything】

【He’s SO good-looking I’m dying】

【That face is unfair. I can’t.】

【Wait, where’s the mystery guest?】

【Yeah! Bring them out!】

【+1】

“Clearly everyone’s excited,” Xiao Yu joked. “Just look at this comment speed!”

Ye Xinian gave a shy smile but didn’t speak.

It was his first time livestreaming, and he was visibly a bit nervous.

Fortunately, Xiao Yu was a seasoned pro and soon got the atmosphere going.

Ye Xinian started loosening up. While Xiao Yu prepped products, he even began chatting with fans in the comments.

Reading aloud, he said, “Is the mystery guest your husband, Xia Huaiming?”

Everyone froze,including Xiao Yu.

Then laughter erupted behind the scenes.

The comment feed surged.

【HAHAHAHA OMG】

【Xinian finally read THAT one】

【Xiao Yu saw it earlier but skipped it, and this adorable fool just blurted it out】

【He’s TOO cute】

【Well? Is it him? Spill!!】

Ye Xinian paused in surprise, then his ears flushed red. He turned away from the camera, clearly flustered.

Xiao Yu quickly jumped in. “Ahem! Our next product is almost ready—let’s…”

“It’s not him,” Ye Xinian said quietly. “The mystery guest is my best friend.”

The feed went wild again.

【AAAAAAAH】

【HE ANSWERED OMG】

Xiao Yu, clearly delighted, couldn’t resist. “If we do another stream in the future… could you bring him too?”

【YESS Xiao Yu you legend】

【LMAO she tried to help and he just WENT for it】

Still blushing, Ye Xinian replied, “I can ask, but he’s really busy with work.”

Xiao Yu made a face like she was stuffed full of gossip and turned back to the camera. “Got it! Anyway, we’ll reveal the mystery guest during the game segment. For now, let’s keep going with the next product!”

The audience was still buzzing, but overall, they were more than satisfied with the stream so far.

The only one not happy?

Chi Xiwen—who was also watching live.

“He’s only just a kid, and that man’s nearly nine years older?! And they’re engaged already?” he snapped, tossing the dossier onto Duan Zhiyan’s lap. “You don’t think Yunxing got tricked, do you?”