Chapter 20 – Pairing Wanderings

When the afternoon livestream began, even more viewers flooded into the stream than in the morning. Although Cheng Yichi was just an actor who didn’t rely on fans for his livelihood, some fans still felt upset, disappointed, and chose to unfollow. Yet despite posting their unfollowing announcements on Weibo, they still poured into the livestream when it started in the afternoon, watching with an indescribable mood: “Let’s see who ends up with Cheng Yichi.”

Cheng Yichi wasn’t in the livestream at first, and the viewer count immediately dropped significantly. Those who remained started discussing in the chat:

Emm… so this is the place? Why is no one here?

They’re coming out now! Damn, he’s so handsome!

In the kitchen, Li Yi walked in carrying a bag of groceries.

With two additional guests—Duan Qingsi and Qi Jing, neither of whom could cook—the responsibility once again fell on Fang Yunshi, Li Yi, and Bai Ruyu. Today was Li Yi’s turn. He had picked some simple home-style dishes and specifically bought tofu, having heard Cheng Yichi mention the day before that he really wanted to eat tofu meatballs. When he returned, the house was still empty. He checked his watch—it was already 6 PM, and the livestream had begun.

Li Yi ignored the livestream entirely. He placed the firm tofu in a bowl, mashed it with a spoon, and set it aside. Then he diced all the side ingredients, neatly arranging them on a plate.

“Hey.” Bai Ruyu was the second to return to the house. After greeting Li Yi, he asked, “You’re making tofu meatballs today?”

“Yeah.” Li Yi didn’t pause his movements.

“Then you need to watch the flour ratio. Too little and they won’t hold shape; too much and the texture will be off.”

Li Yi nodded with a smile. “Got it.”

Bai Ruyu asked, “Anything else you need help with?”

Wifey and hubby, hehe, hehe, I’m shipping them a little.

The vibe isn’t quite there yet, but they’re both so good-looking! Beauty is justice—just ship it!

It was true—Bai Ruyu and Li Yi standing together was a pleasing sight, but the audience felt something was missing, that spark that made a pairing truly shippable.

Until Cheng Yichi walked in—

“You’re all back so early.” Cheng Yichi naturally put on an apron and tilted his head at Li Yi. “What should I do now?” He looked entirely ready to follow Li Yi’s lead.

Li Yi smiled. “Ge, can you help me tie my apron?”

…Am I seeing things?

What was missing before? Now it was here in full force!

Tying an apron was no big deal to Cheng Yichi. Besides, Xiao Li was working hard to shape the meatballs for him and couldn’t free his hands. Cheng Yichi took the apron, tilted his chin up slightly, and said, “Arms up.”

Li Yi obediently raised his arms.

Cheng Yichi slipped the apron over his neck. Li Yi was about ten centimeters taller, so Cheng Yichi had to rise slightly on his toes. From the side, it almost looked like he was leaning into Li Yi’s embrace. They stood so close that Li Yi could catch the faint floral scent on Cheng Yichi. He lowered his gaze, not daring to make any sudden moves.

“Done.” Cheng Yichi took a step back and tied a neat bow at Li Yi’s back. “Perfect.”

Seriously, Teacher Cheng’s whole routine just now was like a little temptress throwing himself into someone’s arms! They were so close that if Li Yi had just lowered his head, he could’ve kissed him! How could he not do anything?!

I also want Teacher Cheng to tie my apron prprpr, drooling.

Bai Ruyu, who had been watching from the side, coughed twice.

Cheng Yichi glanced at him. “Ruyu, are you hungry?”

“A little,” Bai Ruyu said. “I just came to see if there was anything to eat in the kitchen.”

“You should’ve said so earlier!” Cheng Yichi brought out what he had—chocolates, cookies, jelly, a whole pile of snacks kids love. Bai Ruyu picked through them and took a protein bar, asking Cheng Yichi, “Yichi, why did you suddenly buy so many snacks? Does your manager allow this?”

“I got them for Qi Jing. He asked me last night to bring him some snacks.” Cheng Yichi shook the half-opened white chocolate cookie in his hand and asked Li Yi, “Want some?”

Qi Jing… Li Yi didn’t respond, simply lowering his head to take the cookie directly from Cheng Yichi’s hand with his mouth. “Thanks.”

Cheng Yichi froze for a moment, staring blankly as Li Yi bent down to take the cookie from his fingers, his hair fluffy and soft, looking obedient, like a little animal being fed.

The gesture was too sudden, too intimate. Cheng Yichi had only meant for Li Yi to take it himself, not to feed him, but his earlier action had clearly been misleading.

Younger… younger love interest?

With my years of romance drama experience, I can guarantee this kid’s gaze isn’t simple!

Qi Jing!!! Is Qi Jing on this show?! Damn, isn’t that guy supposed to be focusing on esports? How dare he show up here now?! What about the tournament? What about the championship?!

Clearly, a die-hard Qi Jing fan.

His looks-focused fans couldn’t stay silent either, immediately jumping in:

It’s the off-season right now. Qi Jing can do whatever he wants. The show only airs in the mornings and evenings—it’s not like he’s skipping practice. Why are you all so controlling?

Several threads popped up in esports forums speculating who Qi Jing had come here for.

Finally, someone concluded: Screw it, who cares who he’s here for? If he loses next season, Qi Jing better be ready for the backlash!

—

Bai Ruyu left the kitchen with a glass of water.

Li Yi let the cookie melt in his mouth, still maintaining his aloof demeanor, but his tone shifted. “Why would you bring snacks for Qi Jing?”

“Ah… no reason,” Cheng Yichi withdrew his hand, thinking for a moment. “His club is on break these days. He said he gamed all day yesterday and was too tired to go out today, so he asked me to bring him some snacks.”

“And you just agreed?” Li Yi paused what he was doing and looked at him.

“Yeah.” Cheng Yichi thought: Is helping someone buy snacks really that strange? But for some reason, though he’d agreed without hesitation last night, recounting it to Li Yi now made him feel oddly guilty.

Li Yi nodded. “Then, could you do me a favor next time and bring me something too?”

Cheng Yichi asked, “Sure, what do you want?”

“Roses.”

Cheng Yichi was stunned.

Li Yi smiled slightly. “Anything. Just pick whichever bouquet catches your eye on your way back from work.”

“—Just bring me the one you think is the most beautiful.”

—

Cheng Yichi agreed, and then Li Yi shooed him out of the room. His reasoning? “I’m about to fry meatballs, and the oil fumes will be strong. Go sit outside for a bit—it’ll be ready soon, okay?”

Cheng Yichi thought: Why add that “okay”? Like he’s coaxing a child.

Just yesterday, he’d still seen Li Yi as the kid. Now, Cheng Yichi was melancholic: Turns out, he was the child all along.

In the living room sat Jiang Heng and Wei Buyan.

Jiang Heng grinned. “Yichi-ge, are you coming to watch my match at school tomorrow?”

“Basketball?”

“Mm!” Jiang Heng must have just come back from playing basketball and taking a shower. His face was flushed, radiating warmth, with water droplets clinging to his hair, damp strands sticking to his forehead—yet it only made him look even more youthful.

Wei Buyan flipped a page of his magazine and spoke slowly, “What, only inviting Yichi? Not us?”

Jiang Heng quickly replied, “Of course, everyone’s invited!”

But what he really thought was: Going out alone with Yichi-ge would count as a date. If you all come to watch me play basketball, wouldn’t it seem like the two of you are the ones on a date?

Wei Buyan nodded. “The others might not have time. Yichi, are you going?”

His gaze was laden with hooks, tenderly fixed on Cheng Yichi. Cheng Yichi, completely unaffected and unbothered, responded to Jiang Heng’s invitation, “Sure, I’ll go cheer you on!”

“Then I’ll go too.”

Jiang Heng had been happy at first, but hearing Wei Buyan say that soured his mood. He was still too young—every emotion was written plainly on his face. Even while reading, Wei Buyan could practically feel the murderous aura radiating off him.

But Wei Buyan thought to himself: Who told you not to invite him alone? If you created this chance for me and Teacher Cheng to be alone together, is that my fault?

Bai Ruyu came downstairs, and Jiang Heng asked him too, hoping he’d come. But Bai Ruyu just shook his head. “Sorry, Jiang Heng. I have a meeting tomorrow. If I can make it in time, I’ll definitely come, but…”

His expression was apologetic, and Jiang Heng understood immediately, laughing it off. “No worries, Ruyu-ge, you go handle your business.”

No, Jiang Heng thought. I need to find more people to keep Yichi-ge and Wei Buyan apart.

But even Gu Zichen had returned, and he still hadn’t found anyone. Coincidentally, everyone else was busy tomorrow.

Duan Qingsi walked in.

Cheng Yichi greeted him with a smile. “Qingsi-ge.”

Oh? A new guest enters!

Damn… he’s so handsome, drools…

How can someone look so refined and noble with glasses on? The charm of a mature man!

When others wear thumb rings, I think: Tacky. When he wears one, I think: Forget the ring, play with me instead!

This season’s guests are unreal—each one has a completely different vibe. Absolutely insane.

Duan Qingsi gave a faint nod.

Damn, someone actually immune to Cheng Yichi’s charm, lol.

The next moment, a clear, aristocratic voice spoke up. “Xiao Chi, I wanted to ask—do you have time tomorrow?”

The man idly rubbed his jade thumb ring, practically spelling out his desire for a date on his face.

Cheng Yichi shook his head apologetically. “Sorry, Qingsi-ge. I already promised Xiao Heng I’d go watch his basketball game.”

Duan Qingsi didn’t seem disappointed. “There’s an oil painting exhibition opening tomorrow. I thought you might like it.”

Cheng Yichi’s eyes lit up—he did like it!

Duan Qingsi continued, “No problem. We can go the day after instead.”

The others: ??? How did he just secure a date for the day after too?

Though the show would organize one-on-one dates, they didn’t discourage the guests from arranging private outings. After all, this was essentially a matchmaking setup—they couldn’t impose too many restrictions. If any of the guests actually hit it off, it would only boost the show’s reputation in the long run.

Jiang Heng said, “So Qingsi-ge, you can’t come to my game either?”

“Mm. Sorry, Jiang Heng. I need to attend the exhibition tomorrow, so I probably won’t make it.”

Cheng Yichi gave him a puzzled look.

Duan Qingsi smiled. “I’m the one hosting it.”

Cheng Yichi: !!!

“Is that a private exhibition? Must have cost a fortune to organize.

“Wait, the show just released the info! This guy’s a lawyer…”

“Hold up? He founded Synth Law Firm?! Damn impressive!”

So rich. Cheng Yichi, who suddenly felt very poor, wilted again.

“Why are you all in the living room?”

“Ahhh! My baby Jingjing finally woke up and came downstairs! He looks even hotter now!”

“Ugh, treating an esports player like a son? Disgusting. Let’s see if His Highness can actually win a championship this time.”

“Morning, bro.” Qi Jing, fully recharged after sleeping all day, casually grabbed some cookies from the snacks Cheng Yichi had brought him.

“It’s not morning anymore.” Cheng Yichi handed him milk. Qi Jing refused, insisting on drinking Rio instead.

“Here.” Chewing on a cookie, Qi Jing took a sip of his drink. “Overslept. Lost track of time.”

Most people would go to bed early and wake up early on a variety show to make a good impression, but Qi Jing was different. As an esports player, he knew everyone was familiar with his lifestyle and didn’t bother changing it.

“Bro, you’re the best. You actually brought me snacks.” Qi Jing rolled a candy on his tongue, then smirked challengingly at the others.

Cheng Yichi sighed. Yesterday, this kid had thrown a tantrum, threatening to cry if he didn’t bring snacks.

He pushed the rest of the snacks toward Qi Jing. “I’ll check the kitchen. Dinner should be ready soon. Don’t spoil your appetite.”

“Mhm!” Qi Jing nodded obediently. But the moment Cheng Yichi disappeared into the kitchen, his cheerful expression vanished. Slouching on the couch, he chewed gum with a bored, aloof look, exuding an air of indifference.

“Holy shit, this is the real Qi Jing! That act of acting cute earlier had me thinking he got possessed!”