Chapter 34
The bullet comments in the livestream room surged like floodwaters spilling from the heavens, rushing past in a crashing torrent as the comments rolled upward nonstop.
Too fast. Before he could even finish reading one, it had already been pushed out of sight. The speed was so fast it was impossible to keep up.
Xia Fengsheng leaned in closer to the screen, looking at the suddenly frenzied barrage of comments, trying to figure out what had everyone going crazy.
The comments:
“Who is that! Who is that! What’s his relationship to you?”
“Streamer, is the guy who came in really your boyfriend?”
“Who is he?!”
“Hurry up and say it, I’m dying here!!!”
Xia Fengsheng turned to look at Shi Ye.
Today Shi Ye had dressed exceptionally youthfully. His style changed depending on the setting, and since they were at school today, he had dressed with that bright, youthful energy. His face was handsome like a sculpture, and the fluffy earmuffs made him look even more heart-stealing.
Were the comments asking about him?
Xia Fengsheng pointed at Shi Ye through the screen with one finger. “You mean him?”
The comments:
“Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!!!!”
“Right right right right right right right right right right!!!!”
With an ordinary expression, Xia Fengsheng explained, “He’s my boyfriend. He just brought me food.”
He had skipped lunch, so he had made Shi Ye bring food over. Free labor was free labor. Might as well use it, and it would also deepen Shi Ye’s bad impression of him.
The comments:
“No way! Your boyfriend really is S!”
“Damn it all, so he really wasn’t lying. The guy in the fuzzy pajama pants really is dating a handsome man.”
“You and your boyfriend are both so visually satisfying.”
Shi Ye had rushed all the way over. It was lightly snowing outside today, and the snowflakes that drifted into the warm room had melted into tiny droplets. He still carried the sharp scent of cold winter air on him.
Seeing Xia Fengsheng and Qin Buming both in fleece pajama pants, and seeing Xia Fengsheng talking to his phone, Shi Ye walked in and asked, “Are you livestreaming?”
Xia Fengsheng straightened up. “Yeah. Selling stuff.”
Selling stuff?
Selling what?
Shi Ye looked Xia Fengsheng and Qin Buming up and down, and his pupils shook.
These ugly pants?
The comments:
“It really is S!”
“Who’s S?”
“The streamer’s boyfriend. He’s a pretty famous producer overseas.”
“S used to be a ballet dancer. He hasn’t danced in years, but you can still find videos online.”
“Holy shit, up close he’s even more handsome!”
“I thought the streamer was already tall enough, but the boyfriend is even bigger. That size difference, hnnngh!”
“Who understands me? I just watched S’s livestream the other day, and now today I scroll right into his boyfriend.”
The number of people in the livestream room instantly skyrocketed, jumping from a few dozen to nearly a thousand.
“Wait, brought food?”
“So the streamer skipped lunch, and the boyfriend came over to bring him food?”
Even though Xia Fengsheng had never livestreamed before, he did everything professionally. The patrons came first. Even with Shi Ye bringing food over, most of his attention remained on the livestream, chatting with viewers at all times.
Xia Fengsheng said, “Yeah, I didn’t eat lunch, so he brought me food.”
The comments:
“Hahahahahahaha, S literally said in his own livestream before that he would never bring food to someone.”
“He even told girls to break up if their boyfriend asked them to bring food in winter because it was too cold.”
“He made you bring him food in weather that cold?”
“Break up.”
“I would never bring food to someone in weather that cold. Break up with him. He doesn’t love you.”
Seeing how intently Xia Fengsheng was reading the comments, Shi Ye got curious and leaned in to look too.
What Shi Ye saw in the comments: ……
Swallows returning, just like old times.
Seeing his own past comments getting dragged out and splashed across the screen, Shi Ye felt his face heat up a little.
What did they know.
This was all part of his plan. That was why he brought food for Xia Fengsheng.
Once Xia Fengsheng couldn’t live without him anymore, then he would dump him hard.
Keeping himself out of the frame, Shi Ye set the barbecue down on the side table. That place was still packed even in snowy weather; he had waited in line outside for half an hour before it was his turn.
When he opened the insulated bag, the fragrance of the food instantly spread everywhere.
Qin Buming smelled it and swallowed.
Oh wow, it smells so good~
Shi Ye called both of them over to eat.
Qin Buming had been hungry all day. He went over and picked up a skewer, stuffing it into his mouth.
He gave Shi Ye a thumbs-up. “This is amazing. Good thing you came, otherwise the two of us would’ve starved to death today.”
All for the glory of three orders in one day.
Xiaosheng’s boyfriend really hadn’t been for nothing. He’d even come through snow to bring them good food.
Qin Buming had already started filling his stomach, but Xia Fengsheng still had not come over. He remained in front of the camera, continuing to model the fleece pajama pants for the livestream.
His sense of purpose and execution was strong, so until he reached his goal, he would not stop.
Shi Ye walked over to him, staying out of frame. Without speaking, he pointed toward the barbecue, trying to tell him to go eat.
Xia Fengsheng did not move.
Busy.
Because he was selling something, the smile he wore for the livestream was especially beautiful. The glow from the screen reflected in his eyes like stars.
Normally he also had a standard social smile for dealing with people, but today his smile was exceptionally warm, all for the startup capital of their studio.
His eyes were long and seductive. When he smiled, he looked like a graceful, enchanting fox. Paired with lips as red as overripe berries on the verge of rotting, he looked strangely beautiful on camera.
Like a beautiful thing laced with danger, endlessly tempting you to take the bait.
On him, there was the shadow of the youthful Xia Fengsheng from high school, blended together with the mature seductive charm of the current Xia Fengsheng.
It was just…
Shi Ye frowned.
Why wasn’t he eating?
Shi Ye was very dissatisfied with Xia Fengsheng ignoring him. He reached out and tapped him on the shoulder.
Xia Fengsheng looked up, and the visual impact of those dense lifted lashes was even more startling. “What?”
Shi Ye pointed toward the barbecue again.
Xia Fengsheng said, “Wait a bit.”
Shi Ye frowned.
Wait until when? Hadn’t he gone all day without eating?
The comments:
“What’s going on?”
“What are they talking about?”
Xia Fengsheng said, “Nothing. Let’s keep looking at the pants.”
Shi Ye: “:(”
The moment Xia Fengsheng completely ignored him, Shi Ye’s sharply defined features darkened and took on a frightening aura.
Off to the side, Qin Buming was eating heartily. He planned to hurry up, finish, then switch out with Xia Fengsheng so Xia Fengsheng could come eat.
But he didn’t even need to. Shi Ye strode over, grabbed a bunch of skewers, and marched back toward Xia Fengsheng.
Qin Buming: ?
Qin Buming looked at the barbecue: there was still plenty left. Continue eating.
Still staying out of frame, Shi Ye stood beside Xia Fengsheng and, while Xia Fengsheng continued presenting the pants, held a skewer out toward him.
Deeply focused on work, Xia Fengsheng pushed the skewer away. “I’ll eat in a bit.”
Shi Ye’s stubborn streak kicked in. He held the skewer out again.
Xia Fengsheng clicked his tongue at him.
The comments:
“Aaaaaaaah, the way he clicked his tongue felt so good.”
“Master, with one little click of your tongue, I’ve already put the collar on.”
“Wuwuwu, Master, it’s me, don’t you remember me? I’m your M.”
“So the streamer’s boyfriend is trying to make him eat?”
Shi Ye remained utterly unfazed by the tongue-click. Holding up the barbecue, he said, “Eat now. If you wait any longer, it’ll get cold and won’t taste good.”
Xia Fengsheng held firm against him. “I want to eat later.”
For once, Shi Ye actually showed him some attitude. “Why don’t you just wait until you starve yourself to death before eating?”
Xia Fengsheng turned his head away. “Not eating.”
The comments:
“Are they about to fight?”
“I’m so nervous.”
“I don’t dare talk anymore.”
Everyone thought the two were about to erupt into a fierce argument.
Instead, the moment Shi Ye heard Xia Fengsheng say he wouldn’t eat, his voice immediately softened.
“Just have one bite, okay? You haven’t eaten all day. I bought it specially.”
“It’s really cold outside, and I stood in line for it. I queued for an hour and a half.”
The comments:
“S, is that really you, S? You never told me you acted like a simp outside.”
“Hahahahahahaha, I’m dying.”
“S, you’re so split apart I can’t even recognize you anymore.”
“Didn’t you say before that if your partner doesn’t eat, then let them starve? Why are you coaxing him now?”
“Fake S: If your partner won’t eat, just let them starve.
Real S: Just take one bite, okay? I bought it specially.”
Snow drifted outside the window. Looking at the barbecue in Shi Ye’s hand, Xia Fengsheng finally took it and started eating.
Shi Ye: “:D”
Seeing him take it, Shi Ye turned around and went back to grab another handful.
Then he dragged over a stool, sat beside Xia Fengsheng out of frame, and watched him livestream.
“How many orders have you sold?”
Xia Fengsheng took a glance. Because he was wearing fleece pajama pants and really did have a handsome boyfriend, the total order count had jumped from three all the way to ninety-nine in a flash.
If he wanted enough for startup capital, he would need at least a thousand orders.
While eating the barbecue, Xia Fengsheng said, “A little salty.”
Shi Ye got up and poured him a cup of water.
Xia Fengsheng held the thermos mug Shi Ye handed him: ……
He still hadn’t forgotten the shock that thermos mug had given him the first time they met after seven years apart.
How had he dug it back out? Xia Fengsheng clearly remembered he’d shoved it into a corner.
Simply eating on camera was a bit boring, so Xia Fengsheng paired it with the comments, which also kept the livestream patrons from being neglected.
One comment asked:
“Your boyfriend’s outfits on his account are all super stylish. If you wear fleece pajama pants, won’t he break up with you?”
Looking to the side in the camera, Xia Fengsheng asked, “If I wear fleece pajama pants, will you break up with me?”
Still looking down at his phone, Shi Ye said, “No.”
He would only break up with Xia Fengsheng after Xia Fengsheng loved him to the point of being unable to let go.
Xia Fengsheng answered the question, “No. And he even gives me gifts. The thermos mug in my hand is from him.”
He lifted the thermos mug slightly toward the camera to show everyone.
To help sell the pants, Xia Fengsheng added more fuel to the fire. “And after I wore fleece pajama pants to see him, he got even more enthusiastic.”
“He took me abroad on vacation and brought me to a VVIP seat at a baseball game.”
“He also bought me a lot of clothes and luxury goods.”
The instant those words landed, another hundred orders flew in at once.
Watching the order count jump nonstop, Xia Fengsheng turned his power fully on. He kicked Shi Ye’s chair.
Shi Ye looked up from his phone. “What?”
Xia Fengsheng said, “Can you be on camera?”
Livestream together?
Originally Shi Ye had no intention of it, but after thinking it over, right now he was Xia Fengsheng’s boyfriend. If he appeared on camera, even more people would know they were in a relationship.
Then everyone would know Xia Fengsheng had a boyfriend, and nobody else would try to hook up with him.
That would greatly reduce the chance of Xia Fengsheng stepping on multiple boats.
Shi Ye agreed very readily. “Sure.”
Then he moved his chair into the camera frame.
Xia Fengsheng didn’t need him to do anything. Just sitting there as a mascot was enough.
Under the fleece pajama pants, Xia Fengsheng was actually wearing a pair of normal gray casual pants. He pulled the pajama pants off.
“I am currently in a non-fleece-pajama-pants state.” As he said this, he circled around Shi Ye and rested a hand on Shi Ye’s shoulder.
Shi Ye glanced at him but said nothing.
Xia Fengsheng said, “When I’m not wearing them, he’s not very enthusiastic.”
Then he went and pulled the pajama pants back on again, returning once more to the livestream. “Okay, now I’m wearing them again. Everyone, look carefully.”
Standing behind Shi Ye, Xia Fengsheng’s hand, which had only been resting on his shoulder, grew bolder and slid to the side of his neck, pale glossy fingertips lightly brushing against his Adam’s apple.
“You see? I’m touching him and he doesn’t even dodge.” He pinched his neck lightly twice, and as he spoke, he bent down from behind and wrapped his arms around Shi Ye, pressing his cheek directly to Shi Ye’s cheek.
Before the soft touch on his face even registered, Xia Fengsheng’s scent had already arrived first, like a gauzy veil he couldn’t see wrapping itself around him.
Scent and body heat came at the same time. The cheek against his felt so soft. Shi Ye instantly sat straighter, his whole body tensing.
His hands unconsciously clenched into fists. Xia Fengsheng’s face didn’t look like it had much flesh on it, so why did it still feel so soft pressed against him?
Xia Fengsheng rubbed his cheek lightly against Shi Ye’s. On the screen, the two of them were stuck close together.
Xia Fengsheng said, “See? He doesn’t dodge at all.”
His voice was right next to Shi Ye’s ear, vibrating against the eardrum, so close it almost felt like the words were coming from inside his own mouth.
Then Xia Fengsheng gently rubbed his cheek against him again, and from behind he wrapped both arms across Shi Ye’s chest.
“He likes it when I wear fleece pajama pants.”
Turning his face slightly, Xia Fengsheng let Shi Ye see on the screen that the mole at the corner of his mouth was pressed right against Shi Ye’s lip.
Back when they had dated before, Shi Ye would always unconsciously stare at the mole at the corner of Xia Fengsheng’s mouth. He’d thought that mole had grown in an unbelievably good place, making Xia Fengsheng look even prettier.
He had wanted to kiss it too, wanted to know what it would feel like, but in their youth he had been far too shy, and that bold little thought had never been realized.
That mole was like an unattainable fixation from his youth.
And now that small dark mole—back then, the one he had always wanted to kiss but had been too embarrassed to—was now brushing so lightly, almost imperceptibly, against the corner of his own mouth.
Whoosh—
The person in the frame instantly turned bright red.
The comments:
“You can tell, he really likes it.”
“Feels like S is being played in the palm of his hand.”
“S, looks like you’re eating real good.”
“S’s eyes are already going unfocused.”
“Aaaaaaaaaah, streamer, you’re so charming, streamer I love you.”
“Ordering ordering ordering!”
“I’m buying one too.”
“Poor S, utterly toyed with [Tom Cat being toyed with.jpg]”
Xia Fengsheng lifted one hand and pinched Shi Ye’s cheek.
“As long as you buy the pants, you can make your boyfriend obedient.”
Shi Ye’s heated red face was being lightly pinched by those snow-pale fingers, and even the space between those fingers smelled good.
The comments:
“Didn’t S say before that if someone pinched his cheek, he’d break up with them?”
“Does he look like someone who’s about to break up?”
“If this guy said right now he wanted to see bungee jumping, S would leap off a building the next second without a cord.”
“S, this isn’t your few-days-ago self telling people to break up.”
“S, I always thought you were super cold. Who knew you acted like a puppy for someone outside.”
“Hahahahahahaha, S is killing me, how are you this obedient?”
On the internet, Shi Ye’s image had always been cool and aloof, that sort of sharp handsome guy. Nobody had expected that in private, around the person he was dating, he’d be this obedient—whatever he was told to do, he did, not one complaint.
The total number of orders in the livestream instantly reached a peak of seven hundred.
Only another three hundred to go.
Xia Fengsheng had no intention of doing this twice. Best to sell everything today and earn the startup fund in one shot.
Shi Ye had gone so red with heat he was on the verge of being cooked.
Shi Ye said, “I want some water.”
He found a random excuse and left the camera frame.
He moved quickly. After throwing out that excuse, he vanished from the shot within seconds and went straight to the bathroom, planning to splash water on his face.
At just that moment, Qin Buming had finished eating and came back to livestream with Xia Fengsheng.
Seeing how many fleece pajama pants had already sold, he was deeply shocked. In the time it had taken him just to eat a meal, they had sold that many.
If it had been just him and Xia Fengsheng from earlier in the morning, they wouldn’t have sold that many in a week.
A comment asked:
“How many total orders does the streamer need to sell?”
Qin Buming said, “A thousand orders.”
If they sold a thousand, then he could add a little more money himself and they’d just barely be able to rent a studio for a month. After that, once Boss Zhao’s funds came through, they wouldn’t have to keep running so tight.
A comment asked:
“If you hit a thousand orders, is there any special bonus?”
“What’s the reward? Curious. If it’s good, I’ll place an order.”
“Reward?” Qin Buming didn’t quite understand, so he asked the viewers, “A reward for you?”
“Yes?”
“That’s right, that’s right. If you hit one thousand orders, what will the two streamers do?”
“Dance! Want to see them dance! They suit it so well—one looks like a husband, the other looks like a master.”
Dance?
If it meant selling a thousand orders, then what was a little dance?
Xia Fengsheng was perfectly accommodating. He agreed right away. “Sure.”
They were only two or three hundred orders short now. Trading a dance for another two or three hundred orders was practically free.
As he spoke, he took out his phone and started looking with Qin Buming for a relatively simple dance.
Xia Fengsheng had a uniquely terrible natural disadvantage when it came to dancing. Anything too difficult was out of the question. Ideally, they needed something simple, with only one or two moves.
If the dance was simple, they could perform it well, and the big spenders buying the fleece pajama pants would enjoy watching too. Maybe they’d even place more orders.
In finance, after all, they specialized in customer satisfaction.
Xia Fengsheng and Qin Buming lowered their heads and searched hard.
“Xiaosheng, what about this one?” Qin Buming held his phone up in front of Xia Fengsheng.
Xia Fengsheng said, “Wiping glass?”
He gave it a quick look and found that the dance was simple, and the music could drive people’s mood too.
The two settled on that one, then stepped out of the frame to practice.
Shi Ye had a dance background, and they’d originally wanted him to teach them a bit, but he’d said he needed to wash his face and wasn’t here now.
The dance itself wasn’t hard. Just one or two moves.
Even with Xia Fengsheng’s hands and feet always fighting each other, he managed to learn it in a short time.
When they returned to the livestream again, the total number of fleece pajama pants sold had already reached one thousand and one.
Xia Fengsheng dimmed the lighting in the dorm room. Qin Buming instantly switched into an almost husband-like praising expression, rolled up his sleeves, and looked down into the screen. “Well now, someone’s got real strength here.”
The comments:
“Aaaaaaaaaah! Yes, this is the feeling!”
“Laogong, I bought several!”
“Laogong, please smack me hard with those big hands!”
“Start already! I can’t wait!”
“Wait a second, I need to screen record this!”
“Can you call me princess? I placed an order.”
Xia Fengsheng unbuttoned two buttons. “Guaranteed to satisfy princess.”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
“I’m dead!”
“One is the husband, one is the lover!”
“The three of us living a good life together is better than anything!”
Xia Fengsheng said, “Get ready. We’re starting now.”
The music began. Xia Fengsheng and Qin Buming stood one in front of the other, showing as much neck and arm as they could, knowing exactly what people liked to look at. They were bold and extremely professional.
If they’d gone into host club work, they could’ve made it to the very top too.
“Ladies, now raise your right hands to your chests with me, and let us together…”
The comments:
“WIPE THE GLASS!!!!!!”
“WIPE IT!!!!!!”
“Aaaaaaaaaah, laogong!!!”
“Didn’t eat enough? Put more force into that hip swing!!!”
Xia Fengsheng and Qin Buming were highly professional, and instantly turned up the intensity.
For a time, the entire livestream was drowning in decadence and intoxication, with gift sports cars pouring in nonstop.
And just when Shi Ye came back, what he saw was Xia Fengsheng wiping glass.
