Chapter 33
When Meng Xueyuan heard Lu Xiao answer a netizen with, “The wedding venue hasn’t been decided yet. Any place we like will do—we can even hold several ceremonies,” he finally couldn’t take it anymore and snatched the tablet from his hands.
He had always thought Lu Xiao was steady and reserved, at most saying a few flirtatious lines in bed. He hadn’t expected such a drastic personality shift—this man could even talk dirty straight into the camera.
Meng Xueyuan shot a glance at Lu Xiao’s perfectly composed face. Seeing that he wasn’t blushing or out of breath in the slightest, Meng Xueyuan blushed on his behalf. “You should… talk less.”
Lu Xiao looked innocent. Wasn’t it his wife who stuffed the tablet into his hands in the first place?
He’d said they shouldn’t hold a press conference.
Meng Xueyuan handed the tablet back to the director and, by accident, caught sight of the netizens’ comments.
[Ask about his career and he dodges; ask about his wife and he’s all fired up.]
[That’s it? Brother Lu, let’s also chat about school-district housing.]
[Uh-oh, Lu Xiao seems to have been diagnosed with severe wife-control syndrome.]
Meng Xueyuan pretended not to see anything and maintained the cool, aloof persona his agent had set for him.
—No wife-control syndrome, okay? He didn’t really control Lu Xiao that much, did he?
A hand reached behind him and turned off his mic.
Meng Xueyuan turned his head and looked at Lu Xiao’s outstretched hand. “What are you doing?”
Lu Xiao still hadn’t had his fill of showing off his wife. Since he couldn’t do it publicly, talking to his wife in private was fine, right?
“Chu Hao’s wedding banquet is tomorrow night. Let’s go together.”
Meng Xueyuan nodded. “Okay.”
It was the first time Lu Xiao could legitimately take his wife to a banquet. In his mind, he’d already matched up their outfits. “Mm. When the time comes, we can take a look at his wedding and think about ours—”
“Forget it,” Lu Xiao vetoed himself. “His is a business marriage with no feelings involved. Not worth referencing.”
Anyone could tell it was the kind where everything was handed over to the wedding planners and the couple just showed up. Chu Hao had only returned from abroad yesterday.
His and Meng Xueyuan’s wedding should be carefully designed, filled with elements Meng Xueyuan liked.
Lu Xiao said, “I’ve prepared the clothes. We’ll wear couple outfits.”
Meng Xueyuan looked puzzled. “You’ve been friends with Chu Hao for over ten years—aren’t you going to be the best man?”
If Lin Xilan, Bai He, Li Fei, or any of his other close friends were getting married and asked him to be a best man, Meng Xueyuan would agree.
Lu Xiao stared at him.
Meng Xueyuan was baffled by the look. Had he said something wrong?
Lu Xiao said, “Mr. Meng, please be mindful of your married status.”
So saying this felt this good. Married for two years, and he’d finally dared to say this to his wife—without fearing he’d get divorced the moment it left his mouth, without fearing Meng Xueyuan would feel constrained.
Meng Xueyuan froze, then realized—right, married people can’t be best men.
Lu Xiao urged, “We need to hurry up and hold our wedding, before Li Fei and Ouyang beat us to it.”
For a moment, Meng Xueyuan actually felt that made sense. Wait—no, that’s not right… When you’re “together” and get tired of it, you can still break up. After holding a wedding, the only word left is “divorce.”
Breaking up is just a sentence; divorce sounds bone-breaking.
Meng Xueyuan sobered up and said to Lu Xiao, “Isn’t this a bit rushed? I see most people date for two years before getting married. Those seniors who suddenly get married are usually shotgun weddings. Us being this fast feels kind of strange.”
“Alright. You need to remember that when you said this, it was May 18. So May, two years from now,” Lu Xiao said, nitpicking.
Two years later was fine. By then, his career would be even more successful, and he could give his wife a higher-end wedding. If they did it now, he’d inevitably still have to watch his brother’s expression.
After the beach trash-picking segment ended, the director told everyone to go back and cook.
Jiang Weina and her husband Wang Dalin had been scraping by on meals for four days. As a female celebrity who often dieted, she was okay with it—she just felt the food was bland. But the easygoing, big-hearted Wang Dalin felt like the sky was falling. Last time Lu Xiao made braised pork, the smell drifted to their place; Wang Dalin had nearly wanted to turn into a dog on the spot.
Ouyang Lai was also dissatisfied. Instant noodles tasted fine, but eating them every day was too heaty. To counter it, he could only alternate with vegetable porridge. Thinking back to their esports base—where there was an auntie cooking for them, and they could order crayfish whenever they wanted, especially in this prime season—made it worse.
Jiang Xunbai was even more tortured. For the first three days, he could still swallow the meals by pairing them with the “pies” Wang Changyi had drawn. But with Lu Xiao as a comparison, those pies felt even farther away, and the imagined flavors no longer tasted sweet. He had no mood to show affection with Wang Changyi anymore; he just wanted to leave the island as soon as possible and order a whole table of beef-tallow hotpot. Oh right—he’d eat alone.
Zhang Jinhe and his wife had gone through hard times when they were young, so their mindset was steady—an old married couple, slow and enduring.
Before everyone rebelled, the director struck first. “Anyone feel like this life is unbearable? Even with your partner by your side? Raise your hand!”
Everyone: “……” What a sinister director—switching concepts. Of course they’d eat chaff and swallow vegetables as long as it was with their partner.
The director spoke earnestly. “When you’re materially well-off, there’s no need to be meticulous. You’re only just entering this stage now.”
Everyone looked green around the gills. Only Meng Xueyuan’s complexion kept getting better.
Jiang Weina stared at Meng Xueyuan for three seconds. Jealous tears flowed from the corners of her mouth. She shamelessly said, “I’m going to your place to freeload a meal. I don’t eat much—Wang Dalin doesn’t have to come.”
Wang Dalin immediately reported, “We bought steak and froze it in the fridge but haven’t eaten it yet. We’ll give it to you—let me freeload too.”
Jiang Weina had only bought one steak. Without a frying pan, she couldn’t cook it and was afraid of ruining it, so it had been sitting there. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Fine. Let my husband eat one meal too.”
Meng Xueyuan looked at Lu Xiao. “What should we do?”
Lu Xiao said, “There’s steak—take it.”
The others also jumped in, throwing out their “gold coins,” hoping to catch Chef Lu’s favor.
“Let’s make a big pot of braised rice for lunch.”
Meng Xueyuan had the illusion of hosting guests at home. He accepted the “gifts” they brought, while Lu Xiao tied on an apron and took charge in the kitchen.
This time it was wood-fire rice, in a big iron pot.
While the rice was stewing, Lu Xiao said, “Yuan-yuan, bring the steak over.”
Jiang Weina said, “What, you have to inspect it too?”
Lu Xiao said, “No.”
The earthen stove had two pots—one in front and one in back. Firewood was set under the big pot; the smaller pot at the back had lower heat, perfect for frying steak.
Meng Xueyuan handed the steak to Lu Xiao for inspection. After watching for a moment, he finally realized—Lu Xiao was giving him special treatment.
“I’ll just eat the same as everyone else.”
Lu Xiao said, “No.”
The wood-fire rice Lu Xiao made had pork belly and cabbage. The rice was glossy, with a layer of fragrant, crispy scorched rice at the bottom.
The doneness of that scorched rice was so perfect it made even the director drool.
Meng Xueyuan split half the steak with Jiang Weina, then shared the rest with Lu Xiao.
Halfway through the meal, while everyone was present, the director spoke up. “Among you, there is one fake couple.”
Everyone looked left and right, eyes gleaming with gossip. Who? Which one is fake?
Li Fei secretly cast his gaze at Jiang Xunbai. Oh my god—did this pair break up in private? No wonder they hadn’t spoken today.
The director said, “Before the show began, there was one ‘trainee couple.’”
Everyone: It’s Lu Xiao and Meng Xueyuan—indifferent.jpg
The director continued, “Meng Xueyuan and Lu Xiao’s two-episode variety journey is coming to an end. Congratulations on their successful graduation. As per tradition, we’ll score this trainee couple.”
The director handed out whiteboards for everyone to write their scores and flip them over together.
With mouths softened by food, among a sea of perfect 100s, Mrs. Zhang’s 99 and Wang Changyi’s 90 stood out sharply. The director invited these two to speak.
Mrs. Zhang, always gentle, said, “I believe your feelings are a full score. The remaining one point I give to time. I hope you walk hand in hand, grow old together, and earn a hundred points.”
Meng Xueyuan pressed his lips together. Mrs. Zhang truly lived up to her experience—she’d seen the essence of marriage. He hoped things would be as she said.
Lu Xiao pressed Meng Xueyuan’s hand and said to Mrs. Zhang, “We definitely will.”
Wang Changyi clearly hadn’t expected everyone to be so polite—he was actually the lowest. He hurriedly echoed Mrs. Zhang’s view. “My reason is similar to Mrs. Zhang’s. You haven’t been together long, so there are still ten observation points.”
Lu Xiao said cheerfully, “Then observe carefully.”
[I suspect what you really want to say is ‘then study hard.’]
[Show opening: one fake couple. Show ending: still one fake couple.]
[Seriously, I suspect Jiang–Wang already broke up and are just finishing their work. Jiang Baibai waiting to clock out looks just like me.]
[Lu Xiao, you’re truly committing sins—chased your own wife and casually broke up someone else’s couple.]
[LMAO, the first marriage variety show where a couple breaks up after filming.]
…
The last two days were when the production team pinched pennies the hardest, but Meng Xueyuan and Lu Xiao passed through unscathed. On the fifth day, the director didn’t assign tasks anymore and told everyone to pack their luggage and restore the houses they’d lived in for five days.
Amid the blaring, sentimental farewell music, people packed and said their goodbyes.
Li Fei ran over to Meng Xueyuan and told him to remember to play games together when he had time. “We only signed for two episodes—we’re not coming next time. We have to go back to training. Have we added each other as game friends?”
Meng Xueyuan said, “We’ve added each other. I’ll find you when I want to play.”
Li Fei said, “Good, good. I’ll go pack.”
Wang Dalin came to invite Meng Xueyuan to collaborate in the future.
Lu Xiao cut in, “Only if the script has no kissing scenes.”
Wang Dalin said, “I know, I know. I know all too well.”
Lu Xiao had Meng Xueyuan stand at the door. “You stay here to receive people. Don’t run up and down.”
This home should be like this—he’d handle the hands-on work; his wife would handle the talking.
Meng Xueyuan sat on the chair Lu Xiao brought over, guarding the doorway, thinking no one else would come.
After a while, Zhang Jinhe and his wife came too, to thank them for the help over the past few days—Lu Xiao had had Meng Xueyuan send them quite a bit of food.
“If you come to North City, come visit our home.”
“Okay.” Meng Xueyuan walked them part of the way and unexpectedly saw Jiang Xunbai.
Jiang Xunbai looked around, saw that Lu Xiao wasn’t nearby, and inexplicably felt a bit wary of him. “We’ve also terminated our contract for the next episode. Thanks to you.”
Meng Xueyuan froze. He secretly browsed the forums—everyone was saying Jiang and Wang had broken up. Could it be true? And the tone of Jiang Xunbai’s words…
Jiang Xunbai said, “Thank you. I’ve finally seen some things clearly.” He’d actually caught Wang Changyi flirting with a female assistant once before. At the time, Wang Changyi argued that he always talked like that and didn’t mean to flirt. Jiang Xunbai had been in the throes of love, and since their couple marketing did boost popularity, he’d let it slide once.
Jiang Xunbai had thought that if he liked Wang Changyi’s sweet talk, he had to accept the flaws that came with it—after all, that was Wang Changyi’s usual style.
But over these past few days, he realized he didn’t actually like hearing it that much anymore—he even found it irritating. Next time, he’d find a mute.
However, his and Wang Changyi’s careers were too deeply tied together; they couldn’t break up immediately. Things needed to be handled first.
Jiang Xunbai didn’t say much more. “Men who are slick-tongued aren’t worth it. I’m leaving.”
Meng Xueyuan said, “Then… take care.”
Lu Xiao finished packing and brought along the four straw hats they’d made. “Let’s go, wife.”
The cruise ship docked at the pier and took away the ten guests of this episode.
There was no more livestream on the cruise ship. All that was left for the audience were the white wakes the ship cut through, filmed from the shore.
The bullet comments were filled with wails of reluctance.
[These five days felt like watching friends live their lives, and then it suddenly ended.]
[Swallow! Lu Xiao! How am I supposed to live without you! Chasing-the-car.jpg]
[Day one of Lu Xiao quitting the industry. Miss him.]
Meng Xueyuan opened his own Weibo and found his follower count had surged by a million. Clicking in, they were either “Night Watchmen” or alt accounts.
The alts were probably Night Watchmen too, just too embarrassed to use their main accounts.
Meng Xueyuan knew why these fans had come—to keep following Lu Xiao through him.
Fans needed comfort, but he wasn’t very good at it… No, wait—he was.
He raised his phone and took a photo of Lu Xiao reading. “Can I post this?”
Lu Xiao didn’t even look up. “What’s there that can’t be posted?”
Meng Xueyuan said, “I mean, the document in your hands is in the photo.”
Lu Xiao glanced sideways. Only the two words on the cover were visible. His wife was too cautious. “You can post it.”
The fans skewed young. After thinking for a bit, Meng Xueyuan paired it with a motivational caption.
“Brother Lu says: learning has no end.”
But the direction of the comments was—
[I zoomed in with a magnifying glass—Lu Xiao is reading a bidding document.]
[Why does my bro reek of office vibes the moment he quits the industry? I’m out.]
They said they were leaving, but Meng Xueyuan’s follower count kept climbing, egging him on to post more.
[Show me more photos of your husband, please.]
Meng Xueyuan only wanted to post one photo to comfort fans. More was naturally impossible. He turned off his phone and leaned against Lu Xiao to look at the sea.
By the time they flew back to Nan Cheng, it was already three in the afternoon. Lu Xiao urgently took Meng Xueyuan to his own home to show off his once-hidden walk-in closet.
“They’re all matching suits. Which set do you like?”
Meng Xueyuan was amazed. “When did you buy all these?”
Lu Xiao said, “Saw them and bought them. Forgot.”
With over a hundred sets of clothes, who could remember when each was bought?
Meng Xueyuan chose a relatively plain set so as not to steal the groom’s thunder. After changing into the well-fitted outfit, he sat on the sofa in a daze.
What Lu Xiao said—that he’d been unilaterally pursuing him for a long time—was that really true?
Why didn’t he believe it? Lu Xiao had clearly… guarded him like Fort Knox!
“Of course it’s true!” Lu Xiao put an arm around Meng Xueyuan and took him to the garage to get the car. Pointing at the dust-covered Ferrari, he said, “The seats were taken from my award-winning race car. You haven’t sat in it many times, right? Every year, I’m the one who takes it in for maintenance.”
Meng Xueyuan suddenly understood. Back then, the company had told him he only had usage rights to the car, so he hadn’t paid it much mind, thinking it was some executive’s idle vehicle that would be taken back if he stopped being popular.
“You’re the one who took it for maintenance?”
“Yes. I don’t trust anyone else.”
Meng Xueyuan had never once run into him. He thought Lu Xiao would make a very successful spy.
So when Lu Xiao left the racing world, he hadn’t left empty-handed—he took the sports car with him and gave it to his next circle’s beloved.
Did that mean he was the only true love Lu Xiao took out of the entertainment industry?
Hidden so deep—was he supposed to do reading comprehension?
Meng Xueyuan said faintly, “You should really talk more.”
Lu Xiao said, “You don’t like sports cars?”
Meng Xueyuan took a deep breath and looked at Lu Xiao with bright eyes. “I like them—but I like sitting in the passenger seat more.”
Lu Xiao immediately got it. “Wait here.”
He dashed upstairs to get the car keys. Before the elevator doors even opened downstairs, the Ferrari’s lights flashed.
Meng Xueyuan walked over to the passenger side, eyes curved in a smile.
With his wife in the car, driving to a friend’s wedding, Lu Xiao felt like he’d reached the peak of life. His glory and his beloved rode together. The feeling at this very moment was enough to be etched into his heart as a powerful inner force against all storms.
They arrived outside the grand hotel hosting the wedding banquet and parked the sports car in the plaza. Amid a sea of luxury cars, the red Ferrari was still dazzling.
The two devastatingly handsome men who got out of it added priceless glory to the car—an advertisement unto itself.
Two of the entertainment industry’s top visual anchors—one of them was hanging the car keys on his belt.
His wife liked his sports car! A medal of merit! Hang it up!
Meng Xueyuan hesitated. “Do you have to do that? Maybe put it in my pocket instead?” It seemed rare for people to hang keys on their belt these days.
He looked closely—and saw that there was even a delicate nail clipper attached to the keychain.
Lu Xiao didn’t care at all. “Wife, this is your entertainment industry’s prejudice.”
You guys… the entertainment industry…
Lu Xiao continued, “You fashion folks are particular. We outsiders aren’t. Hanging it like this won’t get it lost.” From his observations, carrying a big, complicated bunch of keys was standard equipment for a good family man—unfortunately, their home was all fingerprint locks now.
We… outsiders…
Meng Xueyuan was left speechless.
