The Love Reality Show's Big Boss and Little Sweetie - Chapter 49

“What do we do now?” Mrs. Xia stared in panic at the two men lying on the floor, terrified they might actually be seriously injured and she’d be held responsible.

Qi Liao said, “They won’t die. At most, they’ll be out cold for four or five hours before waking up.”

“But then…”

“Let’s clean up first. We’ll call an ambulance once everything’s tidied up.”

“…”

Ying Xuan stepped forward to help Mrs. Xia up. “Please, rest first. Leave this to us.”

Mrs. Xia said gratefully, “How can I trouble you like this?”

“It’s no trouble at all.” Ying Xuan reassured her gently. “We’re all quite thirsty. I wonder if you might have any watermelon at home?”

“Yes, yes, of course! I’ll cut some for you right away.” Mrs. Xia hurried into the kitchen, found the cutting board and knife, retrieved the watermelon that had been cooling in the well, and cut it into numerous slices.

Mu Chi was busy gathering a pile of books when Mrs. Xia brought over the watermelon. “Have some watermelon to quench your thirst.”

“Thank you.” As Mu Chi ate the sweet watermelon, the stifling heat seemed to vanish.

It took them two hours to finish cleaning up. By then, night had fully fallen. Without having eaten dinner, the group called an ambulance to send the heavy, comatose Brother Piercings and Green-Hair to the hospital.

Qi Liao covered the examination fees. The diagnosis was minor concussions, requiring hospital observation.

The group left it at that and returned to the courtyard.

“I’m so tired.” Mu Chi had run in the morning, surfed in the afternoon, helped clean the house in the evening, and then accompanied the thugs to the hospital. His physical activity had far exceeded the limit, and he desperately needed rest.

Ying Xuan said, “I ordered takeout; it’ll be here soon. Eat a little before sleeping, or you’ll feel uncomfortable on an empty stomach.”

The takeout was steamed dumplings, so bland they killed any appetite. Mu Chi ate five and gave the rest to Qi Liao.

【I feel exhausted just watching them…】

【They even sent them to the hospital? They’re way too kind.】

【If it were me, I’d let them die.】

【Seriously, they wrecked someone’s house and didn’t even demand compensation!】

What netizens didn’t know was that Xia Yang owed money to the loan sharks, who themselves were backed into a corner, having lost almost everything. That’s why they took their anger out on Xia Yang.

In the end, they vented their anger, but also got beaten up.

After showering, Mu Chi collapsed onto the bed, unable to move, let alone engage in shameless activities with Qi Liao.

“Gege, I want to kiss you, but I have no energy left,” Mu Chi whined pitifully.

Qi Liao leaned down and gave him a mint-lemon flavored kiss.

Satisfied, Mu Chi peacefully drifted off to sleep.

Early the next morning, the police showed up at the door. “Are you the ones who assaulted Wang Tiezhu and Zhao Green-Hair?”

“?”

Qi Liao stepped forward. “I did it. But it was a case of righteous intervention. Afterwards, we even sent them to the hospital.”

Mu Chi was utterly flabbergasted. “They actually dared to report this to the police? Are they afraid their shady business won’t be discovered?”

Police Officer: “What shady business? Tell me.”

“Loan sharking, of course.”

The officer noted it down. “Any evidence?”

Qi Liao: “I have some. Just a moment.” He signaled to his assistant, who understood immediately and called Qi Yuan.

“It’s not convenient to talk here. How about you come down to the station with us?”

“I need to bring a witness, Xia Yang. And a few of his… associates.”

“Fine.”

Half an hour later, everyone met at the police station. A female officer offered Xia Yang a seat and poured him a glass of water, reassuring him, “Don’t be afraid. Just tell us everything you know.”

Xia Yang: “…Okay.”

The camera crew couldn’t enter the police station, leaving netizens and fans anxiously waiting outside.

【Will they be okay?】

【It’s the loan sharks who are in trouble.】

【The loan sharks’ actions are baffling. How dare they call the police?】

【I suspect there’s more to this story.】

【What’s even more infuriating is how some media, for the sake of sensationalism, throw ethics out the window. Headlines like ‘Mu Chi Lands in Jail’ are already popping up.】

【Just a bunch of trolls who can’t afford the dating show stream. Ignore them.】

【LMAO, some are saying Mu Chi and Qi Liao shook the bed until it collapsed and the landlord sued them, that’s why they’re at the station.】

【The world is just one giant chaotic mess; you find all kinds of people.】

【Merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva, please bless the good people and ensure the wicked meet their deserved fate.】

Another hour passed before the group finally emerged from the police station.

Xu Wuxing complained, “I’m starving. I want breakfast.”

Ying Xuan said, “Let’s just grab something at a breakfast place then.”

No one objected. Mu Chi asked Xia Yang, “Will you join us?”

Xia Yang: “No, thanks. I have to get to work.”

“How’s your mother doing?”

“If we can solidify the charges against Brother Piercings, she should feel much more at ease.”

“Definitely.”

“I also need to thank President Qi.” Xia Yang said to Qi Liao, “Please convey my gratitude.”

Qi Liao didn’t refuse, which was a silent acknowledgment.

After Xia Yang left, Xu Wuxing sighed, “He’s had it rough too. He paid back the principal long ago, but there’s still a million in interest. That’s just vicious.”

Qi Liao shook off the camera crew and stepped aside to call Qi Yuan. “Was it brother piercings who did this?”

“You’re well-informed.” Qi Yuan laughed. “Indeed, it was him. Sacrificing a pawn to get back at you—a clever move.”

“Too bad you already have evidence of their crimes.”

“How will you thank me?”

“Thank you.”

“Just a verbal thanks?” Qi Yuan was displeased. “At least call me ‘dearest eldest brother’?”

“…I’m hanging up.”

Qi Liao’s information was indeed swift. Shortly after returning to the courtyard, he learned from his assistant that Brother Piercings and Green-Hair had woken up, only to be immediately taken away by the police. They wouldn’t be released without serving over a decade behind bars.

As for brother Piercings, with his official father, he was harder to touch directly. But he couldn’t cause more trouble either; his parents had confined him, saying they would send him abroad for “rehabilitation” to prevent further scandals at home.

Qi Liao actually laughed when he heard this. Sent abroad? Abroad isn’t a lawless haven—cause trouble there and you’ll still get arrested, and it’s even harder for parents back home to pull strings to get you out.

Qi Liao hired a detective overseas to keep tabs on brother piercings ‘s movements, gathering any and all evidence of criminal activity to hand over to lawyers. Now, it was just a waiting game for the fish to swim into the net. This matter could be considered neatly wrapped up.

In the afternoon, Qi Liao’s phone rang again. The caller said, “Seven, we have a buyer for your car. Are you sure you want to sell? It’s been with you for ten years.”

Qi Liao: “It’s hard to let go, honestly. But it has no more appreciation potential. Selling now is the best timing, otherwise it’ll just depreciate.”

“But it must hold sentimental value. You even let me drive it a few times. I’m really reluctant to see it go.”

“Ash, you’ve driven all my cars, like you’ve slept with everyone else’s wife. I get why you’d be reluctant.”

“…” Ash said, “You still know how to tease. Alright, sign the electronic contract, and the deal is done. I’ll send it over shortly. The same bank account, right?”

“Right.”

Resolving the loan shark issue was a major event for Xia Yang. He felt he had to thank Qi Liao and the others, so he invited them to his shop for barbecue that evening.

Qi Liao agreed.

Some debts of gratitude need to be settled cleanly in one go, otherwise they just get messier the longer they drag on.

Unexpectedly, Xia Yang picked up a can of beer and downed it first as a gesture of respect. His first words were: “Uncle Qi funded my schooling back then, and now President Qi and Qi Liao have solved this loan shark problem for me. I know I’ll always be in the Qi family’s debt.”

Qi Liao: “…Don’t say that.”

“It’s a debt I can’t repay.” Xia Yang said, “If there’s anything you need, within my power, I’ll definitely do it.”

Qi Liao thought for a moment. “Then stay away from Mu Chi.”

Xia Yang: “…”

Mu Chi: “?”

Xia Yang said with difficulty, “Anything but that.”

Qi Liao: “Stay at least three meters away from Mu Chi.”

Xia Yang pondered for a moment, then walked to a spot precisely three meters away from Mu Chi.

Mu Chi was embarrassed: “That’s really not necessary.”

Qi Liao shot him a glance. “If I say it’s necessary, then it’s necessary.”

【Oho-ho, the Demon King is jealous!】
【Xia Yang is so earnest, actually agreeing to that.】
【Why does the Demon King feel so threatened by Xia Yang? Is it because they’re both the cool, silent type?】
【Mu Chi does have a thing for the cool, silent type. Maybe he’s afraid of being replaced.】
【So the Demon King has these petty thoughts too—he’s so in love!】
【Does Xia Yang have feelings for Mu Chi?】
【Looks like it.】
【Another rival joins the Demon King’s harem (of rivals)!】
【Hao Wenrou’s look at Xia Yang, lol, full of low-key provocation.】
【Xu Wuxing is more direct, eyes wide open like saucers.】
【Everyone can see Xia Yang feels differently about Mu Chi, except Mu Chi himself!】
【Ahhh I love a good conflict triangle, give me more!】

The oblivious Mu Chi, completely unaware of the underlying tensions swirling around him, stood in stark contrast to the rest of the group. He initially found Qi Liao’s demand rather baffling, but was quickly won over by the arrival of grilled shrimp, devoting his entire attention to the barbecue.

After the meal, the group left the food street and headed towards the open-air parking lot across the bridge. The bridge itself was lined with vendors selling various handicrafts: beaded bracelets, velvet flowers, hair clips, clay figurines, and paper roses.

Qi Liao bought a single paper rose and handed it to Mu Chi as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “An everlasting flower for you.”

Mu Chi accepted the rose. The blossom was lifelike and even spritzed with perfume. He lowered his head to smell it, breaking into a radiant smile. “Thank you, I love it.”

Xu Wuxing gritted his teeth. “A mere ten-yuan paper rose?! I’ll buy them all!”

The flower-selling girl beamed, her eyes crinkling shut. “Thank you for your patronage!”

The paper roses were bundled into a large bouquet, which Xu Wuxing clutched in his arms. “Brother Mu, these are for you.”

Mu Chi politely declined. “One shouldn’t be too greedy. I’m perfectly content with just this one rose.” As he spoke, his peach-blossom eyes sparkled, shooting a glance filled with palpable affection at Qi Liao.

Qi Liao felt as if struck by a critical hit—a light, wonderful feeling. As their eyes met, the sweetness level skyrocketed.

The others: “…” They’re definitely together.

【Their eyes are doing the pulling threads thing again!!】

【I bet 100 bucks they’re secretly dating!】

【Ahhhh so sweet so sweet! The Fire & Water CP is the sweetest in the world!】

Xu Wuxing roared, “Stop looking at each other!”

Startled, Mu Chi averted his gaze. But Xu Wuxing, already wounded, had run off, scattering the paper roses all over the ground. “Waaah… Sob…”

Thud! He collided with someone, and both of them fell flat on the ground, crying out in pain.

“Xu Wuxing!” Ying Xuan rushed over.

Xu Wuxing staggered to his feet. “Who is it? Don’t you watch where you’re going?”

“You’re the one who isn’t watching!” the other person yelled. “This outfit is brand new, cost twenty thousand! Can you even afford to pay for it?”

The person Xu Wuxing had bumped into was, by an unfortunate twist of fate, none other than Ou Yalu, with whom they’d had a clash just a couple of days prior.

“Ugh! Why did it have to be you?” Xu Wuxing’s disgust was written all over his face.

Ou Yalu glared at him but didn’t have time to engage. Instead, he looked towards Mu Chi, his eyes glistening.

Mu Chi: “?”

Qi Liao’s fists clenched, knuckles cracking audibly.

Not daring to approach, Ou Yalu could only put on a pitiful act. “Brother Xia, they’re all bullying me. Aren’t you going to stand up for me?”

Everyone: “???”

【Huh??？？？？】

【They all know each other?】

【Dogblood drama really does come from real life】

Xia Yang’s expression remained neutral. “A few days ago, you were the one who splashed dirty water all over Mu Chi. And you call them bullying you?”

Ou Yalu’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly before tears started rolling down his cheeks. “No matter what, we used to date. Can’t you even save a little face for me?”

【Huh? HUH? Ahhhh？？？？？】