Chapter Forty-Three: Mutual Harm

Bai Chenxi and Lin Yue first made a trip to the supermarket for a major shopping spree. Although their arrival, accompanied by a cameraman, drew frequent glances from the other shoppers, no one came forward to disturb them. Their shopping went smoothly; both of them, with perfect tacit understanding, picked out their favorite foods.

When it came time to pay, Lin Yue generously offered to settle the bill and, like a gentleman, took the bags from Bai Chenxi’s hands. Fans watching the livestream were bubbling with pink hearts, exclaiming about how sweet the two were.

"Oh my god, this is just too sweet!"
"Am I watching a romance drama?"
"If someone treated me like that, I'd marry him in a heartbeat."
"Hold up, the main prerequisite is that he’s handsome, right?"
"Everyone, look up at the sky—stop daydreaming."
"Who would believe that I, freshly heartbroken, am grinning like an aunt watching these two?"
"When will I ever have a sweet romance?"
"Who needs romance? Is the idol not handsome enough, or is the ship not sweet?"
"I can be single, but my favorite ship must be together!"

The audience was utterly charmed, but Bai Chenxi herself felt nothing inside and was even a little amused. Hmph! Did she not know what kind of person Lin Yue was? He would haggle with her over everything, but as soon as the camera was rolling, he put on the gentleman act. She could guarantee that if the cameras were off right now, he’d immediately hand all the bags back to her.

Looking at the considerate "nice guy" ahead of her, Bai Chenxi put on her own "professional fake smile." Acting? Who wasn’t a professional?

"Hey, long time no see—your acting’s really improved!" In the car, Bai Chenxi leaned closer to Lin Yue and whispered.

Lin Yue raised his brows proudly, "Of course! But you, your acting... tsk tsk tsk, it’s getting worse. Even your fake smile is less convincing than—"

Just as Lin Yue was getting carried away, a sharp pain shot through his back. "Ouch! Bai Chenxi, what was that for?"

Bai Chenxi shot him a threatening look. "Say one more word and see what happens."

Lin Yue glanced at the camera, "It's all being filmed, you know. Keep your hands to yourself—it’ll damage my reputation if word gets out!"

"Reputation?" Bai Chenxi looked at him in disbelief. "You actually have something like that? How surprising!"

"Bai Chenxi, well done. Haven’t seen you in a few days and your roasting skills have leveled up!" Lin Yue teased, "You’ve really picked up bad habits from Chu Muyun!"

Bai Chenxi replied uncomfortably, "What’s it got to do with Chu Muyun? I’ve always been formidable."

Lin Yue leaned in, "Oh, formidable lady, did you know you blush every time you mention Chu Muyun?"

His words made Bai Chenxi’s face flush even deeper. She couldn’t believe it as she covered her cheeks—they felt hot. She opened her phone’s camera for just a second and immediately covered her face again.

Lin Yue, even more pleased, continued, "What’s wrong, embarrassed? Who’d have thought our emotionally clueless little fool had a side like this?"

Bai Chenxi glared at him angrily, "Who are you calling a fool? Say it again!"

"Whoever answers is who I’m talking about."

Bai Chenxi’s fists clenched and unclenched; her face was still red, but now it was from anger. If not for the camera, she would have fought Lin Yue right then and there. The culprit, meanwhile, was lying back comfortably, leaving Bai Chenxi to stew alone.

"Oh my god, what did Lin Yue say to make Bai Chenxi blush like that?"
"It’s nothing—my girl just blushes easily."
"Bai Chenxi is watching Lin Yue sleep, look! kdl"
"Do you think Bai Chenxi secretly likes Lin Yue?"
"Don’t be ridiculous, Bai Chenxi’s with Chu Muyun, isn’t she?"
"Have you ever seen someone roast their girlfriend like that?"
"I agree—Bai Chenxi and Lin Yue interact more like a couple. All those blushes!"
"Exactly. It’s so natural with Chu Muyun, more like close 'bro friends.'"
"Unbelievable! Chu Muyun, associated with the term 'male bestie.'"
"Now that you mention it, it is pretty surreal."
"Yeah, saying they’re 'brothers' sounds more plausible."
"Does anyone still not know about Chu Muyun’s eternal singlehood?"
"Weren’t people saying just days ago that Chu Muyun and Bai Chenxi were sweet together?"
"What’s happening in this world?"
"Haha, as long as I switch ships quickly enough, heartbreak can’t catch me."
"Same here."
"Same here +1."
"Same here +10086."
"Everyone’s a big pig’s foot (dog head)."

Hearing Bai Chenxi and Lin Yue enter, Caesar lazily lifted his head, glanced over, and then lay back down to rest.

Lin Yue, upon entering and spotting the dog, exclaimed dramatically, "No way, Bai Chenxi, you have a dog? You actually have a dog?"

He repeated it, unable to believe his eyes. Hmm, something seemed off, but whatever—what was in front of him was more important.

Bai Chenxi explained, "This is Chu Muyun’s dog. He’s out on business, so I’m looking after it for a few days."

Lin Yue breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, it’s Chu Muyun’s. You scared me—I thought the sun had risen in the west! I mean, you can barely take care of yourself, now you’re responsible for a dog?"

Bai Chenxi retorted, "What do you mean, I can’t take care of myself? Am I incapable of living on my own or something?"

"As someone who gets lost as soon as you leave the house, are you sure you won’t get lost walking the dog?"

"You’re always muddle-headed and love sleeping in—are you sure you won’t forget to feed it?"

"If something happens, who’ll take care of whom, you or the dog?"

Lin Yue grew more and more enthusiastic, settling onto the sofa as he spoke, munching an apple.

"Why do I feel like Lin Yue has changed since he walked in?"
"Uh, he’s always been like this. He keeps claiming to be mature and steady—we just don’t want to burst his bubble."
"(Covering face) Didn’t expect him to burst it himself."
Bai Chenxi looked at Lin Yue, so angry she laughed, "So we’re playing mutual destruction now? Who’s afraid of whom!"

"Claiming an IQ of 250, yet insisting you’re mature and steady."

"Always yelling:—"

Before Bai Chenxi could finish, Lin Yue covered her mouth.

He whispered in her ear, "Please, I admit defeat."

She signaled with her eyes for him to let go, and he gingerly released her.

"If you know you’re wrong, shouldn’t you get to work?"

"Alright, alright, I’m on it." Lin Yue hurried off to busy himself.

"Really want to know what Lin Yue said."
"I can see it now—Lin Yue isn’t too bright."
"Oh! My silly boy can’t hide it anymore!"
"I think there’s real affection between them!"
"Agreed, they clearly know each other so well."
"Exactly, it’s different from Chu Muyun. These two have that bickering couple vibe."
"Don’t bring up my idol—long live the Lingxi ship!"
And thus, another storm of comments swept through, overwhelming the screen. Amidst the flood, other voices of protest were barely audible.