The Love Reality Show's Big Boss and Little Sweetie - Chapter 28

[Who is this guy??]

[How dare he insult my male god! /Angry]

[The Demon King did the right thing by hitting him!]

[Correction: Qi Liao didn’t hit anyone. He just threw a wild boar to the ground. Don’t spread rumors.]

[This guy got off easy. Remember how hard that pervert got beaten up before?]

[I’ve been dazzled by how cool the Demon King is.]

[The highlight is Mu Chi’s expression.]

[Who wouldn’t be mesmerized by a Demon King like him? /Drool]

Inside the restaurant, Zhao Jie howled in pain a couple of times before starting to spew threats again: “Qi Liao, just you wait! I’m not finished with you!” After saying this, he staggered to his feet and glared furiously at Mu Chi.

Mu Chi truly had been sitting peacefully in the restaurant when trouble fell from the sky. But he wasn’t someone to be bullied easily. He said indifferently, “My company will file a lawsuit against you. You can wait for that too.”

Zhao Jie: “…That shabby little company of yours dares to oppose me? You really know how to flatter yourself.”

Qi Liao said, “Ritian Entertainment will soon be acquired by the Qi family. If you still think it’s a small company, I don’t mind accompanying you in a lawsuit involving hundreds of millions.”

Zhao Jie was so angry his cheeks puffed out and the fat on his face trembled. “You’ve really turned gay? For him?” He subconsciously started to point a finger again but forcibly retracted it mid-action.

Mu Chi was a bit confused and asked Qi Liao, “What does ‘acquired’ mean?”

Qi Liao explained to him: “There are many types of acquisitions. For Ritian Entertainment, it’s a debt-bearing acquisition. Simply put, Ritian Entertainment loses money every year, has massive debts, and its assets are insufficient to cover them. After the Qi family acquires it, we will assume all debts and creditor’s rights, inject new assets, and restart operations.”

As if afraid Mu Chi would misunderstand, Qi Liao added, “This was arranged before I returned to the country. I only found out a few days ago myself.”

Mu Chi only half-understood: “Your family are truly living Bodhisattvas, using wealth to aid the poor.”

Mu Chi’s naivety made Qi Liao laugh. “We still have to assess Ritian Entertainment’s prospects. The Qi family doesn’t invest blindly.”

A significant reason for the acquisition was precisely because Mu Chi, within this failing company, had managed to reach the top of the entertainment industry for three years based solely on his face and persona, with no one surpassing him.

Zhao Jie, who was being ignored by Qi Liao, was fuming even more. “Qi Liao! I’m talking to you!”

Qi Liao: “Get lost.”

“…”

[Hahahaha the Demon King is as blunt as ever!]

[Calling gay people disgusting, when he himself seems like he can’t have what he wants.]

[Exactly. Homophobia often hides someone in the closet.]

Zhao Jie left in a huff. Based on Mu Chi’s experience reading novels, he guessed this kind of cannon-fodder character who courts death would likely cause more trouble. So he decided to take preemptive action and asked Qi Liao, “What’s Zhao Jie’s background?”

Qi Liao: “A second-generation rich kid in real estate. Nothing special.”

Mu Chi: “Will he hire gangsters to eliminate me?”

Qi Liao: “…His family isn’t involved with that kind of underworld, otherwise they would have been shut down long ago.”

Mu Chi understood. “So he’ll just find some thugs to corner me and force me to sign a slave contract.”

Qi Liao flicked Mu Chi’s forehead with his finger. “Stop imagining things. Your misfortune has bottomed out and prosperity is coming. Nothing will happen. Guanyin is watching over you.”

But Mu Chi preferred being watched over by Qi Liao; the sense of security was overwhelming.

[Oh my god, oh my god! So doting!!!]

[I’m shipping it even harder now!]

[The Demon King’s boyfriend power is off the charts! When did you two start dating?]

[I’m sorry, Wenrou! I’m switching ships, wuwu!]

Meanwhile, Xu Wuxing, right in the middle of it all, seemed completely unaware and was happily enjoying the lavish meal. His fans lamented that their Stage Prince was also a bit of a goofball.

On the way back, full and satisfied, Xu Wuxing asked the question Mu Chi wanted to ask: “Brother Qi, what’s the history between you and that Zhao Jie?”

Qi Liao: “No major history. In elementary school, he lifted a female classmate’s skirt, and I reported him to the teacher, who punished him by making him copy the text three times.”

Xu Wuxing laughed heartily: “He holds a grudge over such a small thing until now? He really has too much free time.”

Wasn’t that the truth? Who would hate someone for over ten years and still keep such close tabs on what they were doing now? Mu Chi started to suspect that Zhao Jie’s hatred for Qi Liao had turned into love.

By the time they returned to the villa, it was already afternoon. Ying Xuan and the others hadn’t finished cleaning the pool yet. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qi Liao went to help. Mu Chi’s energy was completely drained; he slept for an hour before recovering.

By evening, the pool was cleaned and filled. Ying Xuan made a large pot of braised noodles for everyone, though they weren’t as delicious as the ones Qi Liao had made that time.

Dinner ended early, as twilight had just fallen, and the last of the daylight hadn’t completely faded. Mu Chi changed into his one-piece swimsuit, got into the water, and swam a few laps, feeling the day’s fatigue vanish like smoke.

Qi Liao brought two bottles of mineral water and watched the beautiful youth bobbing in the water, somewhat amused.

He had originally thought that after his near-drowning experience, Mu Chi would be afraid to enter the water again. Who knew that as soon as he felt better, he couldn’t wait to go swimming, without a trace of psychological trauma? It was hard to say if he was just broad-minded or thick-skinned.

But, this was good too.

Watching Mu Chi like this made one’s own mood improve.

The camera crew circled the pool like thieves. Qi Liao stopped them. “The broadcast is about to end. Go rest.”

Freed from the encircling cameras, Mu Chi’s swimming became much bolder, his legs kicking like frog legs. After satisfying himself with swimming, he got out of the water and saw the tall, long-legged Qi Liao. Instantly captivated by the beautiful sight, his gaze drifted towards the bulging black-blue swim trunks.

The gaze was pure, without concealment. Qi Liao laughed in exasperation: “See something you like?”

Mu Chi nodded. “I like…” He stopped halfway, like a jammed machine. “I’m joking.”

“Is that so?”

“…Sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Mu Chi covered his eyes. “Do you want me to gouge my eyes out?”

Qi Liao magnanimously let him off. “If you went blind, your fans would surely kill me.” He reached out and took hold of Mu Chi’s snow-white wrist, revealing those captivating peach-blossom eyes. “It would be a pity if these eyes of yours were blind.”

Mu Chi’s pupils were black and bright, dotted with the starlight from the sky. “Are you saying my eyes are beautiful?”

Qi Liao lowered his gaze, his sharp features softened by the moonlight, making his distinct features seem gentler. “More than that.”

“What?”

Qi Liao simply hauled the person directly out of the pool. Water splashed noisily. Though startled, Mu Chi trusted Qi Liao completely. His waist landed in another large, waiting palm, and like a captured mermaid, he was spun halfway around against Qi Liao, his feet landing steadily on the ground.

His heart hammered like a war drum, the vibration buzzing in his eardrums. His mind felt like it had set off a fireworks display.

[？？？？]

[Holy crap! Is this really not special effects??]

[Witnessing once again that the Demon King truly has tremendous strength!]

[What just happened? Mu Chi just got pulled up like that? He even seemed to fly for a moment!]

[An immortal couple!!!]

[So beautiful, get closer!]

The cameraman shot to his feet and sprinted over with his camera.

However, by then, Qi Liao had already let go of Mu Chi. For a moment, neither spoke, then, as if snapping back to reality, Qi Liao picked up the mineral water bottle on the ground and handed one to Mu Chi.

The cap was, as always, already loosened.

Mu Chi drank the bland water, but to him, it tasted as sweet as honey, making his eyes curve into smiles, his joy impossible to hide.

Without a word, the two of them walked into the villa together through the back door and went to their respective rooms to shower.

Under the shower’s rain-like spray, Mu Chi lifted his face and finally allowed himself to laugh aloud. It seemed he had gotten a step closer to Qi Liao.

Fifteen minutes later, Mu Chi went downstairs in his pure cotton pajamas. Qi Liao came down shortly after him, and the cameras focused on them. The stairs were carpeted. Mu Chi, completely unaware of anyone behind him, walked with light, buoyant steps as if treading on clouds.

Until a tall figure half a head taller than him brushed past, the scent of soap mixed with hormones wafting over. Mu Chi’s cool and aloof pose immediately shattered. He stared dumbly as Qi Liao’s two long legs, visible below his bathrobe, reached the bottom of the stairs before him.

Hao Wenrou had prepared a fruit platter. She looked up and smiled at Mu Chi: “Brother Mu, have some fruit.”

Mu Chi snapped out of it and walked to the reading nook. Everyone was sitting nearby or further away on armchairs or the large floor cushions.

Qi Liao was sitting on a floor cushion, holding a plant guide and reading seriously. Mu Chi chose a round stool to sit on and accepted the fruit plate. “Thanks.”

Hao Wenrou then brought the fruit plate to Qi Liao.

Qi Liao took it with one hand, glanced at it, picked out the strawberries, and tossed them into Mu Chi’s plate. “I don’t like these things. You eat them.”

Mu Chi nodded and put a whole strawberry in his mouth. “Mmm, it’s so big.”

“……”

“……”

He hadn’t said anything misleading, right?

Only Xu Wuxing didn’t take it the wrong way and agreed logically: “Strawberries this big must have been injected with growth hormones.”

Lucas: “In my country, we don’t put so many chemicals on vegetables and fruits. Most are pure and natural.”

Xu Wuxing: “I think you’re pure and naturally simple–minded.”

Lucas gave a thin, mocking smile: “Don’t think I didn’t catch you insulting me.”

Seeing the two were about to lock horns again, Mu Chi interrupted: “Scientific research shows that if someone falls asleep while very angry, they might wake up crazy.”

Lucas spread his hands and smiled: “I’m not angry at all, and I won’t get angry. It’s not worth it.”

Xu Wuxing rolled his eyes. “I’m not angry either.”

Then Hao Wenrou chimed in: “How about each of us tells a short bedtime story? Use our brains and cool our tempers?”

Mu Chi: “Okay.”

Ying Xuan laughed lightly: “Alright. I’ll go first.”

The others didn’t agree verbally but didn’t refuse either. Ying Xuan began slowly: “Once upon a time, there was a little girl who had never seen her parents and desperately wanted to find them.”

“One day, she entered a forest and encountered a wolf. She almost became the wolf’s food, and the wolf almost became a tiger’s food. After that, they developed a mutual respect born of adversity and traveled together, searching for the girl’s family…”

This warm story lasted about ten minutes. Ying Xuan continued unhurriedly: “In the end, the little girl learned that the kind couple were not her biological parents. So, she and the wolf continued on their journey.”

It was a tender fairy tale, and the way Ying Xuan told it felt like watching a beautifully melancholic animated film, leaving everyone immersed in the mood for a long time.

Lucas looked thoughtfully at Ying Xuan. “You really are a gentle person.”

Ying Xuan: “…Thank you.”

Lucas clapped his hands. “I’ll tell one too. This is a story from my hometown. An old man lost his spouse. His children wanted to take him to live in the city, but he refused, saying he had to wait for his wife to return. He had forgotten that she had passed away, thinking she had just gone on a trip. This old man would go to the train station every couple of days to wait for his wife. All the station staff knew him.”

Compared to a fairy tale, a story from real life clearly touched people’s hearts more. Mu Chi said: “What a deeply devoted person.”

Lucas smiled: “Actually, I’m very devoted too.”

Everyone: “……” You’re the only one who believes that.

Hao Wenrou told a story about a man and his dog, which earned praise from Qi Liao: “Pretty good.”

Mu Chi racked his brains for a story from his own life: “When I was in high school… there was a male student who was terrible at studying, always ranked last in the grade. Even the teachers had given up on this unmotivated student.”

“But no one expected that in the second semester of our final year, his grades improved by leaps and bounds. Turns out he had fallen in love. And he was dating… another boy. This caused a huge stir in the school.”

“Do you know who he was dating?” Mu Chi pretended to be mysterious.

Qi Liao snorted coldly: “It wasn’t you, was it?”

Mu Chi was shocked: “How could it be! I would never have an early romance!”

“Then who was it?”

“It was the Mathematical Olympiad genius from our province that year. They both went abroad for further studies. I wonder how they are now.” Mu Chi’s face was full of yearning. “They were practically the main characters of a story.”

Qi Liao stuffed a segment of orange into his mouth. The sweet and sour juice burst between his tongue and teeth, stimulating his taste buds. “You’re a main character too.”

Mu Chi: “?”

Qi Liao launched directly into his own story: “One year during a race, my tire was punctured. I was five minutes late, but I overtook everyone on the final bend and took first place.”

Mu Chi looked at him expectantly: “And then?”

Qi Liao: “There is no ‘and then’.”

“……” That story was certainly short.

Xu Wuxing raised his hand. “My turn! I’ll tell a story too.”

Mu Chi transferred his expectant gaze to Xu Wuxing. Xu Wuxing, instantly fired up, said mysteriously: “There was a girl who always dreamed about a very handsome man.”

“The man in the dream told her his name, birthday, and cell phone number. When the girl woke up, she remembered everything and thought it was a destined romance, so she dialed the number.”

“Who knew, the person who answered was a middle-aged man. The girl asked if there was a man named so-and-so there. The man was greatly surprised and said, ‘Miss, this is a crematorium.'”

“…………………………”

[…………………………]

Mu Chi felt a stab of dread in his heart and promptly fainted. Qi Liao, being the closest, caught him in his arms and pressed on his philtrum.

Lucas cried out: “God bless us!”

Hao Wenrou swayed unsteadily, and Ying Xuan, out of politeness, put an arm around her.

Only Xu Wuxing was utterly confused. “Uh, was it that scary?”

The pressure on his philtrum sent a sharp pain through Mu Chi’s nerves, jolting him awake. Having no desire whatsoever to leave the supremely safe embrace, he rubbed his face vigorously against Qi Liao’s bathrobe, pressing against his chest muscles, and said in a weak, helpless, and pitiful voice: “Gege, I’m scared. I’ll sleep with you again tonight.”

Qi Liao: “……” Dare you put some distance between your mouth and my chest?