ASLSODS 6

Jiang Siheng wasn’t on the third floor. He was on the rooftop and taking a call from his manager.

The rooftop had been converted by the production team into a small garden for relaxation. Jiang Siheng had turned off the mic hidden at his collar and was now lounging in a woven hanging chair. His fans in the livestream could still see him, but they couldn’t hear a word he said.

Over the phone, his manager Zhou Ge was practically howling: “Do you even know what you just did?! Huh?! Are you trying to send me to an early grave so that Chubby¹Xiao Du from chapter 2 can take my job? Let me tell you now—don’t even think about it!”

Jiang Siheng: “…”

Once Zhou Ge finished losing his mind, he calmed down and spoke in a tone of deep concern. “You probably haven’t checked your phone yet, but you and Wen Chi already have a CP fan base. They’ve even created a supertopic for the two of you. With a ship name and everything.”

“What’s the name?” Jiang Siheng actually sounded intrigued.

“HengWen²Translates to Constant Temperature. CP’…” Zhou Ge paused, then suddenly snapped back to reality. “Wait a sec. You’re not actually into Wen Chi, are you?”

Just as Jiang Siheng was about to reply, he caught a glimpse of someone approaching. When he saw who it was, his eyebrows lifted, and he said into the phone, “No. Don’t overthink it. I’ve gotta go.”

“Wait, don’t you hang up on me—” Zhou Ge was cut off. He stared at the disconnected line and sighed helplessly.

Jiang Siheng pocketed his phone. When the person reached him, he pointed at his collar.

Qin Xiyu froze briefly, then quickly reached up and turned off his own mic.

Jiang Siheng’s livestream:

[Can someone tell me why the mic is off?! AHHHH]

[I’m a V8 subscriber ³means they are a top-tier vip member. What am I paying for if I can’t even hear him talk?!]

[He’s smiling on the phone! Who is it?! I’m going insane.]

[Please, please, can we unmute the mic already??]

[Wait… is that President Qin coming onto the roof too?]

[OMFG… are they really…]

[DOUBLE-A CP FANS, ROLL OUT!!!]

Qin Xiyu’s livestream:

[Wow. Boss looks so good in natural light.]

[This is my first time staring at President Qin so openly.]

[He seems unapproachable, but actually—]

[Actually, what? Why’d you stop?]

[I accidentally hit send. I meant: he really is unapproachable.]

[LOL is your company secretly a comedy troupe?]

Now that their mics were off, Jiang Siheng finally spoke: “Looking for me?”

Qin Xiyu nodded. “Just curious why you agreed to do a dating show like this.”

Jiang Siheng replied, “Funny. I was just about to ask you the same thing. Family pressuring you to get married?”

Qin Xiyu’s usual icy expression shifted into one of reluctant resignation. “My mom made me come.”

Jiang Siheng chuckled. “Thought so.”

If their mics had been on, the fans would’ve been shocked—these two clearly knew each other well. Not at all like strangers meeting for the first time.

They actually weren’t strangers. Their families had a long-standing business relationship. They weren’t just acquaintances; they were close enough to be considered friends. So when they each saw the other appear on this show, they were both taken aback.

Qin Xiyu gave him a side glance. “So what about you?”

Jiang Siheng’s smile faded. “Owed someone a favor.”

Qin Xiyu noticed the change in his tone but didn’t press further.

They went on chatting about other things. Meanwhile, fans were still spamming the livestream asking the staff to turn their mics back on. Just as a crew member was about to call them, a fluffy head peeked out from behind the rooftop door.

Wen Chi popped his head in. “Teacher Jiang, President Qin—time for lunch.”

Jiang Siheng looked at the curious little head and smiled. He walked over and ruffled his hair before Wen Chi could react. “Why didn’t you just call?”

Caught off guard by the sudden hair-ruffle, Wen Chi froze for a second before answering, “The crew asked me to come up and get you… and told me to remind you to turn your mics back on.”

Qin Xiyu, who’d just walked over, paused and quietly switched his mic back on.

Both livestreams:

[THANK THE HEAVENS. We can finally hear again.]

Jiang Siheng said “Got it,” and turned his mic back on as well. Then he casually placed a hand on Wen Chi’s lower back and gently steered him toward the stairs.

Qin Xiyu’s brow twitched as he watched them.

The long rectangular dining table had a hotpot set up in the middle, surrounded by various ingredients and—of course—the sponsor’s lemon soda.

It was the first meal the six guests had shared in the house. With Tian Yang around, the mood was always lively. Even Qin Xiyu chimed in from time to time.

After the meal, Jiang Siheng and Qin Xiyu—who hadn’t helped cook—volunteered to clean up. Zhou Yunbai offered to help, but Qin Xiyu turned her down.

“If you cooked, you don’t have to clean,” he said, as calmly as ever.

That was the unspoken rule: cook or clean—never both.

Even so, Zhou Yunbai’s ears turned a little red. She quietly folded her hands behind her back and hummed in response.

The two tall men stood at the sink, forced to hunch more than usual thanks to their height. Between the piles of plates, bowls, and a hotpot slick with chili oil, it was almost 2 p.m. by the time they were done.

Everyone else had returned to their rooms to rest up—there was a game scheduled for later in the afternoon.

Qin Xiyu didn’t usually nap. He decided to head up to the study and catch up on some work. As for Jiang Siheng, no one knew where he wandered off to.

He found Wen Chi in the courtyard. The younger man was watering the flowers with a tiny watering can. After he finished, he couldn’t help but poke one of the petals for fun.

Jiang Siheng: “…”

Wen Chi turned to head back inside—and almost screamed. He hadn’t realized Jiang Siheng was right behind him. Startled, he tripped over his own feet and landed flat on his butt.

The watering can clattered to the ground as Wen Chi sat stunned with a dazed look on his face from the sharp pain in his tailbone while his legs splayed.

Three seconds later, his face scrunched in agony.

Now, it’s considered bad to laugh when someone falls, but—

“Pfft.”

Wen Chi whipped his head around. He saw Jiang Siheng laughing and snapped, “Teacher Jiang! You’re laughing at me!”

There was even a hint of grievance in his tone.

Jiang Siheng walked over and helped him up, letting Wen Chi lean on him. He patted the younger man’s back. “Where does it hurt?”

Wen Chi gave him a long look. “…Where do you think?”

Jiang Siheng cleared his throat. “Sorry. I didn’t think I’d startle you.”

Wen Chi could tell he meant it, so he waved it off. “It’s fine. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Livestream chat:

[Shouldn’t Teacher Jiang be massaging that poor butt now?]

[HELP what kind of cursed take is this?!]

[I’m dead]

[Maaaaassage eyyy 😏]

Wen Chi reached down and rubbed the still hurting and sore spot—only for the pain to double.

Jiang Siheng noticed. He paused for a moment, then said, “I’ll help you back to your room. We should check if it’s bruised.”

“?!” Wen Chi recoiled, horrified. “Teacher Jiang, are you saying you want to look at my butt?!”

He wasn’t loud—but just loud enough for a third party to hear.

Qin Xiyu, who just came outside to discuss a business matter with Jiang Siheng, paused. “…”

He raised a brow, and his gaze flicked from Jiang Siheng’s lowered hand to Wen Chi’s backside—which the latter was now protectively shielding with both hands.

Before Qin Xiyu could get a better look, Jiang Siheng quickly pulled Wen Chi close, blocking his view.

Qin Xiyu wasn’t a pervert. He turned without a word and walked away, as if he’d only stepped out for fresh air.

Wen Chi, still clutching his butt and now pressed against Jiang Siheng’s chest, mumbled, “Wh-what was that?”

Jiang Siheng looked down at the boy who had no idea what had just happened. After a moment’s thought, he decided not to explain. No need to socially murder the poor kid.

“Nothing. Come on, back to your room. I’ll ask the production if they’ve got ointment.”

Wen Chi nodded and let himself be led upstairs. They passed Zhou Yunbai on the way.

She blinked and noticed Wen Chi’s odd gaitA person’s manner of walking.. “Xiao Chi, are you okay?”

Jiang Siheng was just about to cover for him with something vague like “bumped his leg,” but Wen Chi beat him to it: “Fell on my butt.”

Jiang Siheng: “…”

Zhou Yunbai: “?”

Chat:

[HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA]

[Not even Teacher Jiang could save him from himself]

[This kid is way too honest]

[Look at Jiang Siheng’s face LMAO]

Jiang Siheng gave up and nodded at Zhou Yunbai, then continued upstairs with Wen Chi.

Halfway down the stairs, Zhou Yunbai overheard this from above:

“I swear my butt cracked in half.”

And then—

“No, it’s still in one piece.”

Zhou Yunbai: “???”

Back in his room, Wen Chi flopped face-down onto the bed. Even just walking that short distance had nearly killed him.

Jiang Siheng pulled over a chair and asked, “Want me to take a look?”

That came out sounding very wrong.

Wen Chi turned his head and silently stared at him.

Jiang Siheng looked away, hiding his smirk. “I won’t.”

“But you’ll still hear something,” Wen Chi said gloomily.

“Hear what?”

“The sound of me taking off my pants.”

Jiang Siheng: “…”

He sighed in defeat. “Fine. I’ll wait outside. Call me when you’re done.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Siheng stepped out and closed the door, leaning against the wall with one leg bent. He looked like a knight standing guard for his princess.

That’s when the door next to him opened, and Tian Yang came out. He blinked at the sight. “Teacher Jiang? Why are you just standing there?”

Before Jiang Siheng could answer, a horrifying realization hit him.

“…Shit.”

He’d forgotten they were still filming. The cameras in the rooms stayed on during the day.

He didn’t know if Wen Chi remembered either—but based on what that kid had just said, Jiang Siheng figured there was a very real chance he’d strip down right in front of the camera.

He shoved the door open. “Wen Chi, cover the—”

He stopped dead.

Wen Chi, still half-dressed, was on all fours, holding up a mirror and trying to check out his own butt.

He hadn’t expected the door to burst open, let alone for that guy who promised to wait to barge in.

Two round, pale cheeks filled Jiang Siheng’s view.

Wen Chi froze. Eyes wide. Absolutely horrified.

• 1
  Xiao Du from chapter 2
• 2
  Translates to Constant Temperature.
• 3
  means they are a top-tier vip member