Chapter 12
Only after the final stroke did Lu Shenxing let him go. Ji Wei lifted his wrist. Lu Shenxing’s handwriting was bold and unrestrained, the black ink looking as if it were carved into his pale skin. It was beautiful, but…
He struggled internally for a moment before he couldn’t resist asking, “Why did you sign it on my hand?”
The man glanced at the open copy of Appreciation of Classical Oil Painting on the sofa, then turned his head to look at him. In a perfectly natural tone, he coaxed, “I couldn’t very well sign your textbook, could I?”
Ji Wei was about to nod when he suddenly came to his senses. He strode into the study, brought out three cardstock sheets, and presented them to Lu Shenxing, saying earnestly, “You could have signed on paper.”
A rare trace of helplessness appeared on Lu Shenxing’s handsome face. He quickly composed himself, lowered his dark eyes, and replied calmly, “I just woke up. I forgot.”
Ji Wei was at a loss for words. …You can forget something like that?
It seemed his idol was working too hard to support his family.
During lunch, he deliberately served Lu Shenxing a lot of fish and other foods that were good for memory. Lu Shenxing gave him a complicated look but silently ate it all. So, Ji Wei served him even more diligently.
After the meal, Lu Shenxing prepared to leave. Ji’s Father had Ji Wei see him to the elevator. “Xiao Lu, come again next time! Whatever you like, Uncle will make it for you.”
Lu Shenxing bowed slightly. “Thank you, Uncle Ji.”
Ji Wei walked out with Lu Shenxing. The door was left ajar.
Ji Wei waited for the elevator with Lu Shenxing. Watching the numbers change on the display, he asked with concern, “Mr. Lu, will it be convenient for you to go to the airport by yourself? Should I call a car for you?”
He thought he was being very considerate. He didn’t expect Lu Shenxing to stare at him for a moment before saying slowly, “I’m not that old. I’m only eight years older than you. There’s no need for all the formal ‘you’s.”
It seemed that no matter if they were men or women, everyone was sensitive about their age.
Ji Wei quickly corrected himself. “Then, Lu Shenxing, will it be convenient for you to go to the airport by yourself? Should I call a car for you?”
As he took out his phone to call a car, he heard the man’s lazy voice by his ear, tinged with a slight laugh. “Why call me Mr. Lu? Call me gege.”
Ji Wei froze.
Just then, the elevator arrived. Lu Shenxing stepped inside. As the doors were about to close, he looked at Ji Wei and spoke with great seriousness.
Ji Wei thought he was about to say something important, but the man slowly drawled, “Next time, don’t give gege so much fish.”
Ji Wei was speechless.
The elevator doors closed completely.
Ji Wei turned around, feeling hesitant. The term “gege”… he just couldn’t bring himself to say it. Although calling someone “gege” was common in fandom circles, online was one thing, and offline was another. Besides, Lu Shenxing’s aura was so powerful that he couldn’t help but address him formally.
As he was struggling with this, he suddenly got a notification from World Destroyer.
[World Destroyer] Holy crap, Ji Wei, you’ve been called out!
[Ji Wei Who Plays Games] Called out for what? I never cheat when I play games.
[World Destroyer] …Not about games. Someone called you out on the game forums. The thread is huge. I’ll send you the link.
Ji Wei clicked the link.
Gossiping About a Certain Standalone Game Streamer’s Disgusting Behavior
[Original Poster] Do you guys really believe someone would stream unpopular standalone games out of pure passion? Gentlemen, you’ve all been deceived by this disgusting streamer. First, he shipped himself with God Wen, and after God Wen announced his relationship, he played the victim to gain sympathy. Is he planning to leech off God Wen for the rest of his life?
[1F] I get who this is about instantly.
[2F] I didn’t expect the Bilibili streamer circle to be so… hard to describe. It’s just like a fandom. Unfollowing this disgusting streamer.
…
[103F] Supporting the OP. God Wen and Wen Zimu are such a perfect match. What right does a monster like him have to object?
Monster Ji Wei was speechless. …What did I object to?
The post was long, complete with pictures and text, almost like a short thesis. It was clearly a premeditated attack. It detailed his “numerous crimes” over the past year as a streamer and even accused him of using a voice changer. The OP’s original words were, “He must be using a voice changer. How else could his voice sound so good?”
Finally, the OP ended the post with a warning.
[Original Poster] To a certain streamer with the surname Ji, I advise you to remember that karma is watching. Stop following people around. He plays FPS games, you follow. He goes on a variety show, you go on a variety show too. Did you really think “Esports Youth” would invite you? Can’t a flop walk on his own two feet?
Reading this, Ji Wei understood. It was probably related to him accidentally revealing that he was going on a variety show, making people think he was still clinging to Wen Zheng.
[World Destroyer] Back then, it was Wen Zheng who asked you to play games with him every day. How did that turn into you ‘following him around’ in the OP’s words? I’m fucking speechless. It would be a waste of talent if this OP didn’t write novels!
[Ji Wei Who Plays Games] It’s probably one of Wen Zheng’s fans.
Thanks to his appearance on Esports Youth, Wen Zheng had gained a huge number of fans with his outstanding looks and incredible reaction speed, showing signs of becoming Bilibili’s top streamer.
He opened Bilibili and looked at his own streamer page. He only had a little over 100,000 fans. In comparison, calling him a “flop” wasn’t really an insult, but an objective assessment.
Let them say what they want. A streamer relies on fans to make a living, not forums.
Ji Wei didn’t care at all. Just as he was about to close Bilibili, he noticed his fan count seemed to change in an instant. Wait, did the number of fans just drop?
Ji Wei remained calm. The webpage must be lagging…
When he closed and reopened the page, he found that it wasn’t lagging. He was really… losing followers, and at an astonishing rate! In just half an hour, it had dropped to ninety thousand.
Ji Wei was speechless. This is too real.
He felt it was necessary to have a talk with Wen Zheng!
He sent a message to Wen Zheng.
***
Yancheng, a river-view villa.
Wen Zheng was looking at a business proposal when he suddenly received a message. It was from Ji Wei. He hadn’t talked to Ji Wei in a long time. To be honest, Ji Wei had a great voice and a good personality, making him an excellent choice for a boyfriend.
At least he wouldn’t be like Wen Zimu, who often threw tantrums that gave him a headache. He had been moved back then, pursuing someone for the first time in his life. As for whether Ji Wei would like him back, he had never considered it. He was well aware of his own charm.
But Ji Wei had refused to video chat with him or even send a photo. Guessing that Ji Wei wasn’t good-looking, his interest gradually faded. His family owned a jewelry company, so he had never been short of money and was always surrounded by handsome men and beautiful women. He really couldn’t bring himself to be with someone of average appearance, let alone feel any sexual attraction.
So he had backed off.
Wen Zheng opened the message.
[Ji Wei Who Plays Games] God Wen, how have you been lately? If you have time, could you help clarify the contents of this post? I’d be really grateful if you could.
After reading the message, for some reason, Wen Zheng felt a sense of loss. Ji Wei’s tone was no different from that of a regular friend.
He clicked on the link to the post. After reading the main text, he knew it was Wen Zimu’s tone. He called Wen Zimu. “Have you had enough of your ranting?”
Wen Zimu sounded flustered. “Who am I ranting about?”
Wen Zheng rubbed his temples. “I know you posted that. Ji Wei has never said a single word to you. How did he offend you?”
At the mention of the name “Ji Wei,” the young man on the phone suddenly became righteous. “He tattled on me to you, didn’t he? What, does your heart ache for him? I knew you still had feelings for him.”
Wen Zheng’s headache worsened. “Ji Wei is different from us.”
He and Wen Zimu were just streaming for fun, but from Ji Wei’s usual words and the model of his computer, he could tell that Ji Wei’s family was very ordinary. He needed to stream to earn a living. He understood Ji Wei; he was usually indifferent about everything. He wouldn’t have come to him if he had any other choice.
“Different? How is he different? Is he better at playing pitiful or at playing the victim? He’s trying to steal my boyfriend, what’s wrong with me cursing him out a bit?” Wen Zimu’s tone grew more intense. “If you can’t stand it, let’s break up. Let’s break up today!”
The shouting was giving him a headache.
Wen Zheng hung up the phone. A moment later, he sent a message to Ji Wei.
[Wen Zheng] Sorry, I can’t help you.
***
Ji Wei was a bit surprised when he received Wen Zheng’s reply. The Wen Zheng he remembered wasn’t such a cold person. While he was waiting for Wen Zheng’s response, the post on the game forum grew hotter, quickly reaching the front page. People on Weibo even started discussing it.
[1285F] It’s a shame about this streamer. I used to watch his streams and thought he was hardworking and serious, sure to become a big streamer in the standalone games section. I didn’t expect him to pull so many stunts.
[1286F] Let me just say I don’t discriminate against homosexuals, but I find this kind of pushy homosexual really disgusting.
[1287F] The streamer with the surname Ji should come out and apologize. Aren’t you ashamed of leeching off God Wen’s popularity? You probably got your tens of thousands of fans by clout-chasing, right?
…
Ji Wei browsed the post, wondering how to clarify the situation. If Wen Zheng wouldn’t help, he would have to do it himself. As he scrolled to the end of the thread, a reply caught his attention.
[1290F] Sisters! Look what I found! The streamer I like seems to be the same person as the amateur guy from “National Style”!
This reply seemed to be a trigger. More and more girls from Weibo flooded into this niche, male-dominated game forum, their numbers completely overwhelming.
[1301F] I saw this on Weibo. The voice is identical, the name is identical, it really is the little brother!
[1302F] I’m speechless at this OP. What do you mean “Esports Youth” wouldn’t want the little brother? He’s on “National Style.” The two shows aren’t even in the same league. This is punching way above your weight.
[1303F] Hahahahahahaha I’m dying of laughter. A voice changer? I’ll take that as you complimenting how good the little brother’s voice is.
[1304F] This OP is full of holes, clearly just hating for the sake of hating, yet so many people are genuinely supporting the post. I’m impressed. You’re just bullying him because he doesn’t have fans, right?
…
So many strangers were speaking up for him across the internet. Ji Wei was very touched. He quickly wrote a long clarification post and sent it, ending with the sentence: Thank you, thank you all so much, from all corners of the country.
[2058F] It’s okay, looking forward to seeing you next week, little brother. You have to smile more, you look so handsome when you smile.
[2059F] Sob sob sob, no need to thank us. The little brother is so gentle even in his clarification. How could anyone have the heart to hate on him?
[2060F] I’m a fan now. When are you streaming? I want to watch the little brother play games.
[2061F] Lu-Wei CP fan reporting in! I was digging through the little brother’s Weibo, and he’s a fan of Film Emperor Lu! His excessive praise was even reposted by Film Emperor Lu. Don’t stop me, everyone! This CP fan is dying from sweetness!
…
At first, the OP came out to reply, but as more and more people questioned the post, and someone even suggested checking the IP address, the OP never appeared again, presumably abandoning the thread.
Ji Wei breathed a sigh of relief. He opened his phone, intending to check how many followers he had lost, but was surprised to find his Bilibili fan count continuously rising.
72,346 people…
81,269 people…
92,669 people…
The number climbed dramatically, finally reaching a staggering 215,000 before the growth rate finally slowed down.
That evening, when he returned to school for self-study, everyone was discussing that the grades for Introduction to Aesthetics were probably coming out. Ji Wei’s heart sank. The pass rate for this course was notoriously the lowest in the academy. Even though Ji Wei had attended every class and studied diligently, he still felt a little panicked and joined everyone in reposting koi fish for good luck on his social media.
[Ji Wei] I hope luck is on my side this once. Just once is enough.
After self-study, he received a WeChat message.
[Lu Shenxing] You can fill this out. There’s a prize draw at the end.
His idol had sent him a survey about the impact of an actor’s line delivery on the movie-watching experience. It was most likely… a mass message.
However, because it was from his idol, Ji Wei patiently filled out his name, phone number, address, and other information. He carefully considered every option in the questionnaire, taking a full half-hour to complete it. He had just submitted the survey when his idol sent another message.
[Lu Shenxing] Congratulations, you’ve won.
Ji Wei was speechless. …That was fast.
He quickly scrolled to the end of the survey to see the prize. He had expected something small, but it was an Alienware Computer! He had been reluctant to buy one because of the price. Ji Wei sighed deeply. Hmm… the great koi fish deity really was useful.