TSBDRA 53: Can I Sit Inside?

……

Before filming the variety show began, at Dr. Xu’s request, Xu Xishuang went with Yan Yushan to get another check-up at Dr. Xu’s clinic.

Holding the test results, Dr. Xu looked serious as he asked the pale Xu Xishuang, who was lying on the examination bed, “How have you been feeling lately? Any better?”

There were more tests done this time compared to before. Xu Xishuang had several vials of blood drawn and felt a little lightheaded. He blinked slowly and replied, “I feel fine.”

Dr. Xu said, “No, you’re not.”

“Based on what you told me last time, your spontaneous internal bleeding should have been gradually improving,” he said, glancing at the trash can full of blood-soaked tissues, his brow deeply furrowed. “But that’s clearly not the case. You just vomited blood again.”

He tapped the test sheet with a pen, trying to get Xu Xishuang’s attention. “Also, Mr. Yan just told me you’ve been experiencing severe morning sickness. Based on how far along you are, that’s not normal.”

“You’ve lost about two jin in one week because of nausea and poor appetite. While it’s not dramatic weight loss, for someone with your condition, if this continues…”

Looking at Xu Xishuang, curled up slightly with a face as pale as paper, Dr. Xu felt he resembled a fragile porcelain figure that was already cracked and on the verge of shattering beyond repair.

Dr. Xu sighed silently and fell into thoughtful silence.

Xu Xishuang’s condition was too unusual. Spontaneous internal bleeding and pregnancy—two unheard-of things—were somehow happening to him at the same time. Dr. Xu deeply respected Xu Xishuang’s psychological resilience. If he weren’t so strong, he probably would have collapsed by now.

If this went on without an effective treatment, Xu Xishuang’s condition might regress to how it was—or even worse.

Xu Xishuang understood what Dr. Xu had left unsaid. He closed his eyes again, almost as if trying to run away from it all, thinking to himself, So I really can’t escape the plot, huh.

Dr. Xu continued, “Given your current physical condition, I don’t recommend you continue working. You should step back from the public eye for a while and focus on proper rest…”

“No,” Xu Xishuang opened his eyes. “I can’t leave the industry just yet.”

To avoid repeating what happened in the original novel—where he disappeared from the spotlight and gradually declined in health until he died unnoticed—Xu Xishuang had been working nonstop ever since he found out he was pregnant. He couldn’t let everything fall apart now.

Dr. Xu didn’t understand why Xu Xishuang was so insistent, but he knew he couldn’t change his mind. He took a step back. “I respect your decision, but you have to promise me that at least one month before your due date, you’ll come back here and stay put to prepare for delivery. We can’t afford any risks in that final month.”

Xu Xishuang thought about the filming schedule for the travel show and figured he could make it back in time. He nodded to Dr. Xu. “I promise.”

Dr. Xu finally relaxed a bit and shared some good news. “My mentor, Professor Fred, just finished his closed-door research. He and a colleague have studied the theory of male pregnancy. Mr. Yan has already reached out to him. If Professor Fred agrees to join your C-section team, your chances of a successful operation will increase.”

Xu Xishuang gave a polite smile, but he wasn’t holding out much hope.

“Alright, I won’t disturb you anymore,” Dr. Xu had just stood up to leave when something else occurred to him. “By the way, the variety show you’re joining—is it called A Trip on a Whim? I saw online it’s a live-streamed show. Are you sure you can hide any unusual signs in front of the viewers?”

Yes, the show Xu Xishuang and Yan Yushan were joining was indeed called A Trip on a Whim. The director was someone they knew. It was the assistant director from the dating show Can I Like You, named Fei Yuan.

Fei Yuan had boldly decided to live-stream the show. Since it was a slow-paced lifestyle variety show, they needed the live element for buzz. Otherwise, even with three big-name celebrities, the ratings might flop. Beyond the fans, the general audience wouldn’t tune in.

“It’s not 24/7 live,” Xu Xishuang replied. “The show gives the guests privacy. This travel show is pretty chill. It won’t be too hard on my body.”

Dr. Xu thought that made sense. Plus, everyone already knew Xu Xishuang had health issues. If anything happened on the show, with Yan Yushan there to cover for him, people would just assume it was illness and not something as absurd as pregnancy.

After Dr. Xu left, Xu Xishuang closed his eyes and drifted into a light sleep. Before falling asleep, he thought that maybe the live-streaming isn’t such a bad thing. At least with cameras around, Yan Yushan probably wouldn’t get too close… probably.

The next day was the first day of filming A Trip on a Whim. Xu Xishuang and Yan Yushan left home one after the other, heading to the designated meeting point.

Since it was a relaxed travel show, the production team wouldn’t pull stunts like forcing guests to earn money for food, sleep in rundown places, or other gimmicks. Xu Xishuang packed light, planning to buy anything else he might need later.

After saying goodbye to Xiao Wang, Xu Xishuang stepped off the car with his suitcase. The cameraman immediately followed him, and the livestream had already begun.

Waving at the camera, Xu Xishuang said, “Hi everyone, I’m Xu Xishuang. I’m happy to be on this show and I look forward to enjoying a relaxing trip with all of you.”

【Waaah baby, I’m here!】

【Xishuang baby, have you lost weight? It’s so cold—wear another scarf, please.】

【He looks like a gust of wind could blow him away. So pale.】

【He’s nothing like the rumors. Xu Xishuang seems gentle, not cold at all.】

【Where’s your hubby Yan Yushan?】

【Ugh, CP fans are so annoying. Can you not ruin the vibe? They’re just friends, okay? Friends!】

Xu Xishuang couldn’t see the comments. After his greeting, he stayed quiet and loaded his luggage onto the van with the crew’s help.

There were already two people in the van, and Xu Xishuang quickly greeted them. “Hello, Senior Shen. Hello, Senior Xiang.”

The two were veteran actors. Shen Youlian, a classic actress who had retired over a decade ago after marrying, and Xiang Yao, a film emperor and Yan Yushan’s mentor. Having them on the show brought in huge attention.

With both age and experience on their side, Xu Xishuang respectfully called them “Senior.”

Back in the day, Shen Youlian was known as the goddess of purity. Even in her forties, her face was still full of collagen—you would think she was a high schooler just by looking at her. Smiling brightly, she said to Xu Xishuang, “Just call me jiejie, okay? Can I call you Shuangshuang? I really loved your portrayal of Yu Xiang.”

“Sure,” Xu Xishuang replied, slightly taken aback.

【Goddess Shen’s kid is already in college, and she’s still so gorgeous!】

【Please, stop being so charming! How is Shuangshuang supposed to resist?!】

【Nah, I think she sees him like a son. Her gaze is too kind—it’s hilarious】

【Wait, has Bitter Summer been released already? Anyone seen it yet?】

【It’s amazing! Go watch it—it’s beautiful and romantic!】

Xiang Yao was less expressive. He simply nodded at Xu Xishuang and shook his hand. “Just call me Xiang-ge.”

【Don’t misunderstand—Xiang-ge always looks like that. He’s not mad, doesn’t hate juniors, and isn’t acting superior】

【LOL the survival instinct is real】

After greetings were exchanged, Xu Xishuang looked for a seat.

The van had twelve seats, four double seats and a four-seat back row. The back row was already filled with the crew’s black bags so there’s no room there.

Shen Youlian and Xiang Yao each took a side of a double seat. Since it was Xu Xishuang’s first time meeting them, it didn’t feel right to squeeze in. That left only two other double seats.

Without hesitation, Xu Xishuang took the outer seat behind Xiang Yao and sat down quietly, waiting for the others.

【Math quiz time! There are six guests, and only one double seat left. So at least two people will have to share. Who will they be?】

【I bet Xu Xishuang sits with Yan Yushan, and Yan Yao with Yu Shudie. They’re all friends.】

【LMAO, you still think Yan Yao and Yu Shudie are real friends?】

【Honestly, I want to see those two pretending to be close on camera.】

【Why did the show invite them? Isn’t this supposed to be a relaxing trip?】

Director Fei Yuan saw this comment and sighed silently. He hadn’t wanted to invite them either. Originally, he had invited a girl group idol, but she had an accident and fell down the stairs. He couldn’t ask her to film a travel show in a wheelchair, so he had to go with the investor Yan Yushan’s suggestion and bring in Yan Yao instead.

He hadn’t planned to invite Xu Xishuang either. He originally wanted Liang Feng, but Liang Feng owed fans a concert due to a previous accident, and the dates clashed. Plus, Yan Yushan had pulled strings to get Xu Xishuang a spot.

After filming Can I Like You, Fei Yuan no longer believed there was “nothing” between Yan Yushan and Xu Xishuang.

Sure enough, the next person to arrive was Yu Shudie.

She had striking looks and was part of the new generation of starlets. After greeting Xiang Yao, she glanced at Xu Xishuang and rolled her eyes subtly before saying half-heartedly, “Hi, I’m Yu Shudie.”

Xu Xishuang sensed her hostility, found it a little amusing, and pretended not to notice as he shook her hand.

After the greeting, Yu Shudie didn’t go to the last open double seat. Instead, she sat next to Shen Youlian and called sweetly, “Auntie.”

【??? So the rumors were true—Yu Shudie really is Shen Youlian’s niece!】

【Today’s trending topic secured】

【Ah, so Shen Youlian joined the show to clean up her niece’s mess, huh?】

【Yu Shudie is such a rich girl. This trip is going to be chaotic.】

【Jealousy much? Xiao Die is a rich heiress, deal with it.】

Just as Yu Shudie’s fans were about to start fighting other viewers in the comments, the next guest arrived.

Yan Yao got on the van, greeted everyone, then hesitantly took the outer seat of the only remaining double seat. She didn’t dare touch her phone, worried the camera might catch her alternate Weibo account and ruin her. She silently cried inside.

Why was she here?! Her CP had already divorced! What did she do to deserve this? Was Yan Yushan forcing her to watch her ship sink in real-time—again and again—just to break her heart?

No one expected it, but punctual-to-a-fault Yan Yushan was the last to arrive. The livestream was buzzing with speculation. Xu Xishuang grew uneasy. Yan Yushan had left earlier than him so why wasn’t he here yet?

Xu Xishuang was already reaching for his phone when Yan Yushan finally showed up.

“Sorry I’m late,” Yan Yushan said, stepping onto the van. “Something happened on the way.”

【Ugh, not that excuse again. Just admit you’re acting like a diva.】

【Your dad’s a diva, not him! Check the news—there was an accident on the road. If the driver hadn’t braked in time…】

【I’m scared now. Yan-ge, maybe rest a bit? You just finished filming.】

Yan Yushan had a massive fanbase. Any haters were quickly silenced, and even the earlier arguments about Yu Shudie vanished.

He greeted his past collaborators, Xiang Yao and Shen Youlian, casually calling them Xiang-ge and Shen-jie. He shook hands with Yu Shudie, then gave a distant nod to Yan Yao and Xu Xishuang.

Seeing this, Xu Xishuang relaxed slightly. At least on camera, Yan Yushan didn’t act overly familiar.

【That was cold. Aren’t they supposed to be friends?】

【They just finished filming a show together—being overly friendly would be weirder. This is fine.】

【Okay but real question: who is Yan-ge sitting next to?】

【He obviously won’t sit next to a girl. That leaves Xiang Yao or Xu Xishuang.】

【Actually, if he wants to avoid rumors, he shouldn’t sit next to Xu Xishuang. Xiang Yao is married—a safe bet.】

【My guess: Xiang Yao.】

Everyone expected Yan Yushan to sit beside Xiang Yao. Yu Shudie even subtly shifted outward, eyeing the empty seat across from her. If he sat there, she could chat with him.

But under everyone’s gaze, Yan Yushan stepped past that empty seat and stopped in front of Xu Xishuang, who was seated on the outer side.

In a casual tone, he asked, “Can I sit inside?”

Xu Xishuang: …?

Everyone else: ?!!

【???】

【“Can I sit inside”—I’m sorry, my brain went somewhere else. I’ll go toast their wedding.】

【AHHH BRO DID YOU GO TO THE WRONG SEAT?! Xiang Yao has a spot right there!!】

【Forget it. This is today’s trending headline.】