Chapter 21
On the day Fu Xiuning’s class was divided, he met Xing Shi for the first time. Witnessing the other boy sprint headlong into a wall and then sing so off-key it felt like half the room’s souls had left their bodies, Fu Xiuning knew immediately that Xing Shi wasn’t going to be easy to deal with.
Their interactions later only confirmed this. So, when Xing Shi started stirring things up the moment he moved in, Fu Xiuning wasn’t surprised.
He picked up his beer bottle and clinked it against Xing Shi’s.
The beer came in dark green bottles, condensation lightly coating the surface.
Xing Shi took a sip and noticed Fu Xiuning drinking as well. His gaze paused slightly.
He wasn’t sure how many people had seen Fu Xiuning drink straight from the bottle, but this was his first time witnessing it. The usually detached and refined nobleman suddenly seemed more grounded, touched by a bit of the mundane world, making him appear more real.
But the moment Fu Xiuning put the bottle down, the illusion disappeared. He was still the calm, levelheaded big boss.
Xing Shi’s face lit up with curiosity, innocent and harmless. “Boss, why did you suddenly want me to move in?”
Fu Xiuning replied, “I don’t know.”
Xing Shi was puzzled. “Huh?”
Fu Xiuning’s tone made it sound plausible. “Last night, when I heard you all talking about moving, I noticed that none of the options seemed very good. I suggested it on impulse.”
He returned the question. “What about you? You agreed without knowing why I invited you?”
Without hesitation, Xing Shi said, “I’ve mentioned it before.”
Fu Xiuning quickly recalled a specific moment.
The next second, Xing Shi continued, “The first time I met you, I thought you’d make a great older brother. Of course I’d want to live with you!”
Fu Xiuning had expected this response. He sincerely complimented him, “Not bad.”
Xing Shi accepted the praise without a second thought and leaned forward slightly. “So… if you had to think about your real reason for taking me in now, what would it be?”
Fu Xiuning obligingly pondered for a moment. “Maybe I felt like we got along and wanted to make a friend?”
Xing Shi thought, Your first step to making friends is to invite them to live with you? Do you think I’d believe that?
He exclaimed in surprise, “Oh, really?”
Fu Xiuning responded with a calm, “Mm.”
The two exchanged a glance across the table.
Xing Shi raised his beer bottle in a gesture, and Fu Xiuning picked up his again.
A soft clink echoed as they toasted once more.
Fu Xiuning swallowed another mouthful of beer, a rare sense of amusement rising within him.
He had been too hasty this time.
His original plan was to leave a good impression on Director He and wait for him to ask him to look after Xing Shi before departing. Using Director He and Qi Changyi’s connection as an excuse, Fu Xiuning could check on Xing Shi occasionally, gradually closing the distance between them. Eventually, he could keep Xing Shi under his watch while uncovering the secrets behind him.
But plans couldn’t keep up with changes, and now they were in this situation.
Their relationship was lukewarm, yet both had reasons to get closer to the other.
Both harbored ulterior motives: one knowingly extended an invitation despite expecting suspicion, and the other knowingly accepted despite seeing through the ploy.
It was the first time Fu Xiuning had gotten into such a situation with a host.
After chatting for a bit, Xing Shi realized he wouldn’t get anything useful out of Fu Xiuning for now. He focused on eating instead and casually asked, “Boss, now that I’ve just moved in, are there any house rules I should know about?”
Fu Xiuning decided to improve their relationship starting today. “Aren’t I your older brother?”
Without hesitation, Xing Shi cheerfully called out, “Brother!”
Fu Xiuning acknowledged the title and said, “The master bedroom and study are off-limits. You’re free to use the rest of the place. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone get you a desk for studying and reading.”
Xing Shi replied, “Got it. Thanks, brother.”
“Anything else you need?” Fu Xiuning asked.
Xing Shi said, “Nothing else.”
“Let me know if you need anything later,” Fu Xiuning offered.
Xing Shi smiled and agreed, raising his beer bottle toward him.
He had bought ten bottles of beer, thinking five each would be enough to knock this pampered young master out.
In the end, he was too naive. By the third bottle, he was already feeling lightheaded and stopped drinking. Years of staying on high alert had conditioned him to keep his mind clear.
Fu Xiuning, still composed and elegant, asked mildly, “Done drinking?”
Xing Shi maintained a calm expression. “Yeah, I’m a bit full.”
Fu Xiuning pulled out a napkin to wipe his mouth. “Perfect timing. I don’t want to drink anymore either.”
Hearing this, Xing Shi perked up and scrutinized Fu Xiuning’s face. Seeing no sign of inebriation, he suspected Fu Xiuning might be baiting him but also knew some people could hide their drunkenness well.
After a moment’s hesitation, he couldn’t resist extending his hand. “Why don’t we finish this bit to avoid wasting it?”
Fu Xiuning nodded. “Sure.”
Still uncertain if he was being played, Xing Shi took a few more sips and felt another wave of dizziness. Thinking that even if Fu Xiuning were genuinely drunk, he wouldn’t drink anymore himself, Xing Shi said, “It’s not like we have to finish the bottle.”
Fu Xiuning smirked faintly. “But wasn’t the point to not waste it?”
Xing Shi countered, “But health is more important.”
Fu Xiuning looked at him and asked, “Drunk already?”
Xing Shi’s mind remained clear.
After considering for a moment, he decided to test the waters and see how Fu Xiuning would react if he thought Xing Shi was drunk. So, he obediently said, “Mm, I feel dizzy.”
Fu Xiuning felt a twinge of regret. If the system weren’t present, this would’ve been the perfect time to probe him for information.
Fu Xiuning stood up and said, “Go to bed early. Don’t worry about the table; the auntie will clean up tomorrow.”
After taking a few steps, he thought of Lin Kecheng and stopped to turn back.
Although he knew Xing Shi was likely aware, he still gave a reminder: “There’s something I overlooked and just remembered.”
Xing Shi looked up at him.
Fu Xiuning said, “I’d really like to be your older brother, but you should still think it over. You’ve just moved in, and you still have the chance to reconsider.”
“My constitution is rather unusual. I often attract people with extreme personalities. If they find out you’re living with me, they might try to get close to me through you.” He spoke calmly, providing examples, “This could include flattery, pursuing you romantically, setting you up, or even deliberate harm.”
Xing Shi instinctively thought of the reports he’d read.
These were all incidents Fu Xiuning had personally experienced over the past five years. He spoke of them with a natural, detached tone, as though they were commonplace.
Xing Shi chuckled. “It’s fine, brother. I’m not afraid.”
Then he quickly began asking questions, “Are there people like that around you now? Who are they? Have I met them?”
His curiosity was laced with genuine concern, though the slight intoxication caused him to overplay it.
The subtle ambition and sharpness in his gaze, paired with his brilliant smile, were all captured in Fu Xiuning’s eyes.
?Ding Ding?
?Current Favorability: -4?
Xing Shi sat up slightly straighter.
Fu Xiuning averted his gaze and said, “Not at the moment.”
After all, he had already sent them off to make money, keeping them too busy to act out.
Xing Shi pressed on. “Are there people in the company or school pursuing you?”
“Yes,” Fu Xiuning replied.
Xing Shi’s eyes lit up. “Who?”
“Plenty,” Fu Xiuning answered.
Xing Shi figured that made sense. With Fu Xiuning’s looks and status, he was bound to attract attention.
He continued, “Is there anyone who wouldn’t give up even if you turned them down? I should keep an eye out.”
Fu Xiuning pretended to think for a moment before offering an answer. “Yes, Yu Shu, one of the company’s artists.”
Satisfied, Xing Shi said, “Got it.”
Fu Xiuning nodded and said, “Go to bed early.”
Xing Shi remained seated.
He called out to his system. “The other hosts will find out Fu Xiuning has a new roommate soon, won’t they?”
The system replied, “Not necessarily.”
It explained that while systems were capable of accessing extensive information online, doing so consumed energy and only happened when a host had a specific need.
Moreover, systems weren’t designed for frivolous use. For example, using them as search engines was fine occasionally, but overuse would lead to refusal. Similarly, if a host in another city asked about Fu Xiuning’s location, the system might help once or twice. However, repeated requests with no practical purpose—like when the host couldn’t even reach him immediately—would also be denied.
It added, “A location ping is just that—a pinpoint. It doesn’t reveal who’s with him. Unless a host happens to be in Z City and actively wants to know what he’s doing, and their system uses nearby cameras—like the ones on your phones—to spot you in his house, your presence won’t be discovered.”
The system tried to reassure him. “Even if they find out about you, they won’t suspect you’re a host.”
Xing Shi was puzzled. “Why not?”
The system replied, “If they learn you’re living in Fu Xiuning’s house, their first reaction would be to investigate your background. The system would then uncover your connections to Director He and Qi Changyi, which would dispel any doubts. Hosts’ backgrounds are usually simple and unrelated to Fu Xiuning.”
Xing Shi asked, “Why am I different?”
At this point, Fu Xiuning had nearly exited the dining room but stopped in his tracks upon hearing the question.
He was curious about the answer too. Turning back naturally, he asked, “Dizzy and can’t walk?”
Xing Shi said, “No, I just wanted to sit for a bit.”
Fu Xiuning said nothing and stepped into the kitchen to prepare a glass of honey water. Meanwhile, the system, in a giddy tone, said, “I don’t know! I only got your information after being bound to you. Later, we discovered your connections to Qi Changyi and Director He. Plus, your face happens to be Fu Xiuning’s type! It’s like hitting the jackpot!”
Xing Shi: “…”
Fu Xiuning: “…”
Judging by its tone, the system clearly wasn’t going to be of much help.
Xing Shi briefly considered asking it to query the main system but worried that doing so might draw attention to himself, potentially exposing his energy siphoning. He chose to remain silent.
The system earnestly added, “So you really need to protect yourself!”
Xing Shi decided to give it a task. “Go look up Yu Shu’s information.”
The system chirped, “Got it!”
Fu Xiuning returned with the honey water and set it on the table.
After wrapping up his mental exchange with the system, Xing Shi felt even dizzier, possibly from the effort. It took him two seconds to focus on Fu Xiuning before smiling and thanking him.
Fu Xiuning observed his state. “Are you sure you can make it back to your room?”
Xing Shi had just answered “Yes” when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen—it was Director He calling.
Director He, having just wrapped up an interview after the roadshow, had found some free time.
He was leaving Z City tomorrow and wanted to spend more time with his son. “Suisui, have you finished moving? Are you with Xiuning?”
Xing Shi replied, “Yes.”
Director He said, “We’ve got some late-night snacks. How about we come over and eat together?”
Xing Shi, not wanting to hold the phone, put the call on speaker.
Fu Xiuning, overhearing the offer, thought it would be a good chance for Director He to see the living arrangements and feel reassured.
However, Xing Shi rubbed his forehead and declined. “No, I’m going to bed soon. Maybe another time.”
He casually tapped the screen and hung up.
Fu Xiuning: “…”
On the other end, Director He was also on speakerphone, with only Qi Changyi in the car.
Since Qi Changyi had earned some favor last night, his timely interjections could potentially increase the chances of success.
Now, looking at the abruptly disconnected call, they glanced at the time on the screen: 8:33 PM.
Two energetic young men, claiming they were going to sleep at this hour…
Director He, knowing his son was a night owl, turned to Qi Changyi. “Your friend… is he an early sleeper? Such a healthy routine.”
Qi Changyi: “…”
Not at all!
