Chapter 61 – The Scumbag Showdown

Chen Meixian didn’t actually want to strangle Yao Chaowu. He had strong control issues and couldn’t tolerate situations slipping beyond his grasp. In a fit of rage, he lashed out, as if by gripping Yao Chaowu’s neck, he could seize control of his fate.

But Yao Chaowu didn’t see it that way. Terrified by Chen Meixian’s twisted expression, he grabbed the car’s perfume bottle and smashed it against Chen’s head like he was cracking a walnut.

Dizziness and delayed pain followed. Chen Meixian loosened his grip, and once freed, Yao Chaowu lunged forward, unlocked the car, and yanked out the keys. But instead of immediately fleeing, he clutched the inkstone-like perfume bottle defensively, watching Chen warily. Chen Meixian turned his head to glare at Yao Chaowu.

A faint metallic scent of blood spread through the car, mingling with the perfume into a sickly-sweet aroma. Hot blood trickled from Chen Meixian’s forehead, dripping onto his pants.

Chen Meixian was furious but also bewildered. He enjoyed tormenting people, but those he tormented usually didn’t fight back. His bed partners had something to gain from him, so even if it hurt like hell, they had to force a smile. And Chu Yin, who was madly in love with him, would never hit him hard no matter how angry he got—he’d just hide and cry alone.

Chen Meixian: “…You—you actually dared to hit me?”

Seeing that Chen Meixian could still speak, Yao Chaowu’s panic about having killed someone slowly faded. Trembling, he said, “You—you were the one who choked me first! Chen Meixian, you fucking S&M freak—you think you can pull that shit on me? Did you become my manager just to get your hands on me?”

Chen Meixian’s forehead gushed blood as he roared, “Who the hell wants to touch you?! If it weren’t for dealing with Wei Lai, I wouldn’t even glance your way!”

Yao Chaowu: “You better mean that.”

Chen Meixian: Blood gushes furiously.

Yao Chaowu grabbed a thick wad of tissues and pressed them against Chen Meixian’s forehead. “Hmph, Wei Lai doesn’t care about me anymore. Staying by my side won’t do you any good.”

Chen Meixian: “You had so many years together. Can’t you swallow your pride and win that bitch back?”

“You think I haven’t tried?” Yao Chaowu snapped. “If it weren’t for that seductive fox spirit Chu Yin dangling Wei Lai around, I wouldn’t even need you as my manager.”

Chen Meixian scoffed. “You’re the one who asked the company to assign me to you in the first place.”

Yao Chaowu curled his lip, thinking, Who knew you were this kind of person?

Chen Meixian: “Find a way to get Wei Lai back.”

Yao Chaowu: “You think Wei Lai’s a brick you can just move around? When he’s not being emotional, he’s sharp as hell. I can’t just summon him. Why don’t you go after Chu Yin?”

Chen Meixian: “Let’s make a deal. You get Wei Lai to leave Chu Yin.”

Yao Chaowu: “And what’s in it for me?”

The green glow of the parking garage’s emergency exit sign reflected in Chen Meixian’s eyes as he slowly wiped the blood from his face. “From then on, there’ll be no more Chu Yin in the entertainment industry.”

Yao Chaowu’s spine stiffened. “What do you mean?”

Chen Meixian: “I made Chu Yin who he is. Even if he ran away, I can drag him back—and this time, he’ll never escape again.”

Yao Chaowu was completely baffled, thinking, Is Chen Meixian insane? Did he get brainwashed by domineering CEO novels? Still, losing Chu Yin as a rival would be a blessing. So, he nodded. “I’ll try.”

Chen Meixian: “Not ‘try.’ You will. Now take me to the hospital.”

Chen Meixian is definitely insane, Yao Chaowu reaffirmed to himself. He opened the car door, hopped out, tossed the keys back inside, and said, “You want a top-tier idol to take you to the hospital? Be a man and go yourself.” Then he bolted like he was fleeing a ghost.

Chen Meixian: Blood spurts from his head in rage.

After returning from the hospital, Chu Yin kept his face mask on the whole time. Once they were in the room, Wei Lai neatly organized the medications and said, “Take off the mask. Don’t suffocate yourself.”

Chu Yin: “I’ll take it off if you leave.”

Wei Lai: “I’ve seen your bare face before. I’ll stay and make sure you apply the ointment, then I’ll go.”

Chu Yin muttered, “It’s ugly. Not pretty.”

Wei Lai: “Then recite the order of the medications. If you can, I’ll leave.”

Chu Yin: “……” I wasn’t even listening at the doctor’s.

Wei Lai: “See? I knew you didn’t pay attention!”

Wei Lai moved to pull off Chu Yin’s mask to check his skin condition. Chu Yin reacted as if Wei Lai were trying to strip his pants off and force him to top, springing onto the bed and declaring fiercely, “No looking! I’ll call security to drag you out! Madam Wei, why do you have to see everything?”

“Go ahead, call them,” Wei Lai spread his arms and flopped onto the bed. “Go on, scream all you want—no one’s coming to save you, heehee.”

Chu Yin headbutted Wei Lai’s stomach, trying to shove him off. Undeterred, Wei Lai held his ground, ruffling Chu Yin’s hair and tugging at his reddened ears before finally yanking down the black mask. (It’s just a mask! Nothing below the neck! And it’s just for checking allergies! Why lock this, mods? WHY?! Open your eyes, censors!)

Chu Yin: “Madam Wei! You’re so annoying!”

Chu Yin frantically grabbed the blanket and burrowed under it, hiding his face while his feet stuck out, toes curling nervously.

In that moment, Wei Lai was hit with a sudden memory.

As someone who’d dabbled in relationships before figuring out his sexuality, Wei Lai had naturally had girlfriends before. Pulling off Chu Yin’s mask reminded him of the first time he’d unhooked a girlfriend’s bra.

In a way, masks and bras were oddly similar.

Wei Lai’s cheeks warmed unexpectedly, an uncharacteristic blush rising. Coughing awkwardly to cover it up, he said, “Then remember to apply the medicine yourself. I’ll write the order on the boxes.”

Chu Yin: “…Got it.”

Wei Lai: “Do you still want me to sleep with you?”

From within the cocoon of white blankets came Chu Yin’s voice: “No. Once my face is better, then you can sleep with me again.”

Wei Lai: “Understood, Master. I’ll take my leave now, eagerly awaiting the day you turn over my nameplate¹A historical practice where emperors would select which concubine to spend the night with by flipping over her nameplate from a tray.~”

Chu Yin tucked his feet fully under the blanket, peeking out through a tiny gap to watch Wei Lai. “Goodnight, Madam Wei. Thank you.”

Wei Lai smiled. “Goodnight.”

• 1
  A historical practice where emperors would select which concubine to spend the night with by flipping over her nameplate from a tray.