Chapter 78 – Fierce Crybaby Roar

The day before Wei Lai’s birthday, Chu Yin lay in bed and made a WeChat call to Wei Lai.

“Madam Wei.” After some casual chatting, Chu Yin pretended to speak nonchalantly, “I suddenly remembered, tomorrow seems to be your birthday.”

Wei Lai had been in a daze these past few days. Only when Chu Yin mentioned it did he realize his birthday was approaching—he was getting older again.

Chu Yin said, “My filming schedule is packed, so I can’t celebrate your birthday with you. Don’t be sad.”

Wei Lai replied, “…I won’t be. It’s no big deal. Adults shouldn’t fuss over birthdays—having someone to spend the night with is what really matters.”

Wei Lai meant every word. When he was a child, his mother would force his father to come home for his birthday, trying to create a warm family atmosphere. But things never went as planned. The day of his birth seemed cursed—every time, his parents would end up in a screaming match, turning the whole neighborhood upside down. Under the cold lighting, his parents would argue heatedly while he, reduced to an insignificant backdrop, sat silently doing homework in front of an elaborately decorated cake. So, he really wasn’t fond of celebrating birthdays.

Chu Yin was displeased. “Why aren’t you sad? Don’t you want me to celebrate with you?”

Wei Lai quickly backtracked, “No, no, I’m devastated! A birthday without the great star Chu Yin is the definition of meaningless!”

“Hmph. So, what are your plans for tomorrow?”

Wei Lai said, “The life of a madam—clock in at nine, clock out at five. A meaningless birthday without my crybaby.”

Chu Yin, now mollified, hummed and wiggled his feet. “I bought you a gift. It’ll arrive tomorrow. Don’t forget to pick it up.”

Wei Lai chuckled. “What did you get me?”

Chu Yin froze mid-wiggle. The receiver pressed against his ear, Wei Lai’s laughter was low and soft, like a fluffy cotton ball swirling inside his ear canal.

“I’m not telling you! I’m hanging up! Annoying!”

Chu Yin threw his phone away as if electrocuted, vigorously rubbing the ear that had been against the receiver until the earlobe turned red, only then feeling the itch subside.

Annoying.

Chu Yin pulled a black leather box from under his pillow and opened it. Inside lay a Patek Philippe mechanical watch—retro, luxurious, with a black strap and white dial.

For a birthday gift, a watch—a white one at that—symbolizing a smooth journey to becoming the top!

That’s right, the top!

If Wei Lai could be his boyfriend, it wouldn’t be entirely impossible for him to be the 1 the first time… as long as… as long as Wei Lai could hold him in his arms, kiss him, touch him, and let him tremble. Thinking this, Chu Yin bashfully buried his face deep into a pillow, his ears perking up, the one that hadn’t been rubbed red now turning pink.

So annoying.

Chu Yin hugged the pillow and rolled around the bed. Wei Lai is so infuriating, whimper!

On Wei Lai’s birthday, a light drizzle fell. Chu Yin checked the pet monitor to confirm Wei Lai wasn’t home.

Nervously, Chu Yin set up everything a birthday party should have—flowers, balloons, cake, wine…

After finishing, Chu Yin stood at the door, rehearsing anxiously: “Wei Lai! Happy birthday!”

The words hung in the air. Chu Yin felt awkward first, thinking the opening line was stupid, lacking the grandeur befitting a top-tier celebrity.

After much deliberation and glancing around, Chu Yin locked eyes with a giant, goofy-looking teddy bear on the sofa.

The bear was two meters long—even taller than him.

A flash of inspiration struck.

Next, Chu Yin hollowed out the teddy bear, dumping all the white stuffing into the closet before crawling inside the bear himself.

Sweating profusely from the effort, Chu Yin saw Big Orange looking up at him with confusion, meowing.

Chu Yin said, “Don’t look at me—you’ll give me away!”

Big Orange couldn’t comprehend the human world, but that didn’t stop it from eating. With a meow and a flick of its tail, it buried its head in its food, chomping away.

Chu Yin confirmed everything was ready. Finally, the last step—using a voice changer to call Wei Lai and inform him to come pick up the “delivery.”

Chu Yin’s nerves peaked, his words stumbling. Thankfully, Wei Lai noticed nothing amiss.

After hanging up, Chu Yin fully retreated into the bear. He waited so long he nearly fell asleep before the sound of keys turning at the door broke the silence.

In the dim darkness, Chu Yin heard the voice he least wanted to hear.

“Wei, it’s your birthday today?! Ah, I totally forgot!”

Yao… Yao Chaowu!

Chu Yin nearly bolted upright from the sofa, but shock rendered him immobile. His heart pounded violently as he listened to the commotion outside the fabric.

Wei Lai scanned the living room: silver fairy lights twinkled around flowers and balloons, a cold platter, red wine, and a cake sat on the dining table.

This was bad! Wei Lai was both stunned and panicked. Instinctively, he tried to push Yao Chaowu out. “You need to leave. Chu Yin might be home.”

Yao Chaowu, terrified of the sasaeng fan, had been clinging to Wei Lai since leaving the hospital, claiming he could only sleep soundly with Wei Lai around.

Wei Lai had spent most of the day trying to find bodyguards for Yao Chaowu, but Yao Chaowu refused them all. Left with no choice, Wei Lai had brought Yao Chaowu back to pick up Chu Yin’s gift.

Wei Lai never expected Chu Yin to return to celebrate with him, delivering a massive shock from afar. If Chu Yin and Yao Chaowu confronted each other, Wei Lai couldn’t even imagine the scene. Even though he hadn’t done anything wrong, he felt inexplicably guilty—more so than the guy banging the neighborhood wives.

Yao Chaowu said, “I’m sorry, Wei. I forgot it was your birthday. Let me treat you and Chu Yin to dinner. We’ll celebrate together.”

“No.” Wei Lai shoved his car keys at Yao Chaowu. “Just go. We’ll talk on the phone if anything comes up.”

Yao Chaowu, intent on stirring trouble, plopped onto the sofa. “Why are you so scared of Chu Yin? Does he treat you badly? You’re so restricted.”

Wei Lai couldn’t just drag Yao Chaowu out. Just as he was about to call Chu Yin to salvage the situation, a bloodcurdling scream erupted.

“AHHHHH!!! HOLY SHIT!!!”

Yao Chaowu tumbled off the sofa, scrambling to cling to Wei Lai’s leg. “That bear just kicked me!!!”

No sooner had he spoken than the teddy bear stood up from the sofa. Its two-meter frame blocked part of the light, casting a massive shadow.

Wei Lai: “!!!”

Chu Yin felt as if fate had cruelly mocked him.

The first time Chu Yin discovered Chen Meixian’s infidelity was also on Chen Meixian’s birthday. After staying up for three nights to free up some time, Chu Yin rushed home only to find Chen Meixian fucking a boy dressed like a birthday cake on the sofa, the boy wailing like a banshee.

What had he done back then?

Chu Yin thought hazily—he had run. He ran to the neighborhood entrance, leaned against a tree, and vomited violently. For years afterward, just like that escape, he cowardly avoided confronting it, remaining entangled with Chen Meixian in a relationship that left him bloodied with every frayed thread.

History seemed poised to repeat itself.

But he truly wanted a new life. He couldn’t run away again.

Wei Lai: “Chu Yin…?”

The next second, two hands tore open the teddy bear’s belly. Chu Yin’s head popped out, his eyes blazing as he glared at Wei Lai.

A chill shot from Wei Lai’s crown to his soles. “Chu Yin! I just came back with Yao Chaowu to get the delivery.”

Chu Yin’s voice trembled. “You lied to me.”

Wei Lai said, “I’m sorry! I was afraid you’d get mad! He was hospitalized—I just went to check on him.”

“Then why is he in my home!!!” Chu Yin pointed at Yao Chaowu and roared, “Why did you bring him back?! To fuck him?! Did this cheap bottom finally get his wish?! Then go get a hotel room! You could’ve just told me you were coming back to fuck him—why lie?! Why bring him into my territory?! Can’t you afford it?!”

Wei Lai: “…”

“If you can’t afford it, I’ll pay for you!” The small box containing the watch had been nestled against Chu Yin’s chest for so long it carried a faint warmth. With red-rimmed eyes, Chu Yin hurled it at Wei Lai’s chest. “Here’s a mechanical watch! Take your green tea bitch and G-ET OUT!!!!”

The watch struck Wei Lai’s chest painfully. He tried to approach Chu Yin. “Calm down, Chu Yin. Don’t make it sound like you’re catching me cheating. I lied, and that’s my fault. I’m sorry. But I wasn’t planning anything. My crush was just a fart—gone after it’s out.”

“I can’t calm down! Calm down my ass! You fucking idiot who deserves to be fucked!” Chu Yin’s roar made his head buzz. His stomach burned with pain again. He shook his head, muttering to himself, “No, I’m the idiot. From start to finish, it’s always been me. You’re so kind-hearted, Wei Lai—a brother here, a sister there. You were just casually doing charity, and I was stupid enough to take it seriously. Afraid I’d get mad? Went through all that trouble to lie? Don’t bother. No need. You’re just a temporary manager—so pitiful, so unfree. Get out. Triple salary, wired tomorrow. Don’t disgust me by staying here.”

Chu Yin made to leave. Wei Lai grabbed him desperately, his composure shattering. “What did you say?! Chu Yin, is that really what you think of me?! That managing you was charity? That I’m so shameless I’d bring a straight man home to fuck? That I’m disgusting and after your money?! Do I fucking need your triple salary?! You won’t even give me a chance to explain, just keep telling me to leave! Do you even have a conscience???”

“I don’t!” Chu Yin snatched the cake from the table and smashed it into Wei Lai’s face, grinding it in forcefully. “I don’t want you anymore, Wei Lai. I’ll never talk to you again. I never want to like anyone ever again!”

Wei Lai, covered in cream from head to toe, could barely open his eyes. Wiping his face, he once again deeply felt that his birthday was cursed. Every year, if there was a cake involved, chaos ensued.

“Chu Yin!” Yao Chaowu reached out to stop Chu Yin. “You’ve got it all wrong! I was the coward clinging to Wei Lai. Don’t be mad. Wei Lai didn’t plan to come back as my manager. What you said to him was too much.”

“Who are you to say I’m being too much?! Haven’t you used him enough?! Only a saintly, absolute idiot like Wei Lai would fall for your tricks!” Chu Yin, furious, kicked Yao Chaowu away, grabbed Big Orange, and ran.

Wei Lai moved to chase after him, but Yao Chaowu groaned in pain. “It hurts… damn… it hurts so much… Wei Lai… don’t go…”