But if he were not a demon, after his master was reincarnated, and his identity remained unknown, would his master like Luo Cheng’an or Lu Zhixing more?
Lu Zhixing found the thought somewhat laughable. He hated this demonic bloodline more than anything, yet now he had to rely on it to attract all of his master’s attention.
But regardless, things had already come to this point.
Since Huai Xi wanted to manipulate public opinion and make his master suspicious of him, then it was only natural for him to go along with it.
Xi Yu was extremely annoyed and failed to notice the flash of murderous intent in Lu Zhixing’s eyes. He shook his head and said, “The thing inside you needs offerings from your fans. Now that you’ve retired from the entertainment industry, and after this incident, you’ve lost so many fans. I’m worried your spiritual power won’t remain stable enough to suppress the demonic aura.”
After thinking about it, Xi Yu added, “I’ll make a post on Weibo. I’ll say we’re just good friends.”
Lu Zhixing’s eyes flickered. He reassured Xi Yu, “There’s no need. I don’t act in many productions to begin with. My fans are very loyal, so I won’t lose too many just because I’m semi-retired. As for the online rumors, just ignore them. The attention will die down in a few days. If you speak up now, you’ll only make the situation bigger.”
Xi Yu didn’t understand these things, but Lu Zhixing’s explanation sounded reasonable to him.
He thought about how Lu Zhixing had originally only acted in one production a year, and most of them were films. Yet even so, his fanbase was enormous. His fans really were extremely loyal.
Since Lu Zhixing said things would be fine in a few days, Xi Yu felt somewhat reassured.
Footsteps sounded from the doorway, hurried and rapid, accompanied by Luo Cheng’an’s approaching giggle.
Xi Yu patted Lu Zhixing. “Go back first.”
Lu Zhixing nodded and headed toward the balcony.
Xi Yu didn’t teleport him back. Even though there was very little power within Lu Zhixing that Xi Yu could command, crossing a balcony was hardly difficult.
Xi Yu snapped his fingers, and the door opened.
Luo Cheng’an couldn’t stop his push in time and stumbled, almost falling over. He looked up, his gaze landing on the balcony, where he saw Lu Zhixing’s back.
As if sensing something, Lu Zhixing turned his head toward Luo Cheng’an and smiled casually, his expression full of mockery and provocation.
Xi Yu followed Luo Cheng’an’s gaze, but Lu Zhixing had already returned.
Xi Yu asked, “What are you looking at?”
Luo Cheng’an ran to the balcony and shut the floor-to-ceiling window before turning back and grinning foolishly at Xi Yu. “Why do you have the air conditioning on with the window open?”
Xi Yu hadn’t noticed. Ever since he learned that Lu Zhixing lived next door, he had left his floor-to-ceiling window open the whole time.
Luo Cheng’an closed the window and then pulled the curtains shut.
Xi Yu didn’t stop him. He couldn’t exactly say, Don’t close them. Lu Zhixing is coming over.
Xi Yu teased him, “You were giggling away for so long, and you came here just to close my window?”
Luo Cheng’an checked that not even a sliver of light could get through the curtains. Only then did he clap his hands and lean close to Xi Yu, speaking mysteriously. “Bro, the Shen family’s charity gala in a few days sent you a separate invitation.”
As he spoke, Luo Cheng’an pulled a black invitation embossed with gold lettering from behind his back. After opening it, the two characters “Xi Yu” were especially conspicuous.
There was no need to guess. There must certainly be another invitation for Shen Qing and Luo Yuan.
Guests could bring family members to the charity gala, so Luo Cheng’an and Xi Yu could have simply gone together.
Sending this additional invitation was completely unnecessary.
Xi Yu held the invitation between his fingers, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Shen Linchuan really seemed afraid that he wouldn’t go, so he had specifically sent him an invitation.
He had deliberately kept his distance from Xi Yu on the variety show, yet now he wasn’t afraid anymore.
Xi Yu sensed something unusual.
Luo Cheng’an leaned against Xi Yu and asked, “Bro, are you going?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
If he didn’t go, how would Shen Linchuan be able to put on his little show?
Xi Yu was very curious to see exactly what Shen Linchuan was planning.
Luo Cheng’an plopped down on the sofa. Seeing the half-eaten spiritual fruit on the table, he said, “Where did this fruit come from? It looks delicious.”
As he spoke, he was about to put it into his mouth.
Xi Yu snatched it away and smacked him on the forehead. “All you know how to do is eat! Do you even know what kind of trouble you caused with the things you posted on Weibo?”
“Ow! That hurt!” Luo Cheng’an covered his forehead, his eyes darting around guiltily. He explained in a small voice, “I was just documenting my wonderful life. How was I supposed to know it would coincide with Brother Lu’s retirement announcement? Now everyone online is calling me a green tea bitch…”
As he spoke, Luo Cheng’an suddenly smiled, looking rather pleased with himself. “But it kind of feels like they’re complimenting me. People used to call me a violent psycho and a jerk. Now they’re insulting me with such sophisticated vocabulary. I feel like my status has gone up.”
“Green tea~” Luo Cheng’an looked fascinated. “It sounds like such a smart term.”
Xi Yu: “…”
Just let the world end.
Never mind. It was his fault.
He was the one who had said it, after all. Luo Cheng’an… forget it.
He had traded brains for a body overflowing with merit.
He should be a little more tolerant toward people who weren’t very bright.
Xi Yu sighed. “Things are different now. You’re not the scandal-ridden celebrity you used to be. You’re a popular star now, which means you need to think carefully before posting anything on Weibo.”
Luo Cheng’an had offerings, so even without them, his own fortune wouldn’t change.
But Lu Zhixing was different.
There couldn’t be the slightest mistake.
Still, Xi Yu didn’t blame Luo Cheng’an for affecting Lu Zhixing. Ultimately, it was his own fault.
If he hadn’t said those words, Luo Cheng’an wouldn’t have had anything to post.
Next time, he should just keep those kinds of comments to himself.
Xi Yu didn’t blame Luo Cheng’an, but Luo Cheng’an lowered his head, looking somewhat dejected. “When I was infamous, even when people hated me, it never had this much impact. Sigh… it’s so troublesome.”
“I even dragged Brother Lu into it. I should go apologize to him. He retired and still got attacked because of me.”
“I’m used to being insulted, so honestly, I don’t think it’s a big deal.” Luo Cheng’an scratched his head awkwardly. “Brother Lu has always had an excellent reputation ever since that one drama made him famous, and I ended up dragging him into this.”
Xi Yu blinked, then smiled.
Suddenly, he stood up and vigorously ruffled Luo Cheng’an’s hair.
Merit +1—
Merit +2—
…
Merit +10,086—
Xi Yu ruffled Luo Cheng’an like he was petting a cat.
“Bro, bro, bro!” Luo Cheng’an called out but didn’t resist. His head was pressed against the sofa, and his voice was full of laughter. “Are you treating me like a puppy?!”
“Of course.” Xi Yu finally had his fill and lay back down contentedly. “A golden retriever.”
Such pure gold.
He had been astonished by the merit surrounding Luo Cheng’an the very first time they met.
There was simply too much of it.
It was probably merit accumulated over several lifetimes.
The kind of merit one could only obtain by doing countless good deeds in every single life.
A few strokes of his hair, and the aura around him would be surrounded by merit.
The main point was that simply being near him brought good luck.
Luo Cheng’an giggled, his gaze imperceptibly sweeping toward the balcony hidden behind the curtains. A hint of satisfaction flashed through his heart.
They were this close together. Surely everything happening here could be heard clearly next door.
That lowly spirit beast, relying on the fact that Lanxing kept it by his side, had actually developed such rebellious thoughts. Using despicable methods, it had coaxed Lanxing into staying behind closed doors and had even caused him to distance himself from Luo Cheng’an.
It should take a good look at what it even was.
But it was also his own fault. He had always thought Lanxing was cold and indifferent, and that he should take things slowly. He hadn’t made his feelings clear, which had given that beast Zhiyi the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
Still, he had to thank Zhiyi for showing him what kind of person Lanxing liked.
This current appearance might be foolish, but it was undeniably useful.
Didn’t Zhiyi win Lanxing over simply by acting shamelessly and throwing tantrums, relying on Lanxing’s cold exterior but warm heart?
Then he could do the same.
Chen Yu was difficult to find, but Zhuohua—
The smile at the corners of Luo Cheng’an’s lips widened. He hooked his arm around Xi Yu’s. “Bro, let’s go downstairs for dinner~”
“Bro, you said you’d protect me for the rest of my life. I’m really happy.”
Luo Cheng’an clung to Xi Yu and acted spoiled. “I love Big Brother the most~ Big Brother loves me the most too~”
Xi Yu pulled his arm free, rolled his eyes in annoyance, and kept his distance from him.
But Lu Zhixing couldn’t see any of that.
Standing on the balcony, Lu Zhixing waited, but Xi Yu never refuted Luo Cheng’an’s words. All he heard were their footsteps gradually moving farther away.
The hand resting on the railing suddenly clenched tight. It felt as though a beast had torn a huge hole in his chest, leaving cold wind pouring endlessly into it.
Fine, dense pain spread through his veins.
He was so afraid.
He was so sad.
Why didn’t he deny it?
Why was he laughing and fooling around with Luo Cheng’an?
Didn’t he used to show this side of himself only to him?
Even when Huai Xi was his closest friend, Master had never crossed that line with him.
Why was he so good to Luo Cheng’an?
Why did he touch him?
Why did he say Luo Cheng’an was his puppy?
He had clearly said that he would only ever have one pet.
Did he really like Luo Cheng’an that much?
But that’s him!
That’s him—the version Huai Xi imitated!
Black veins became clearly visible beneath his skin, tracing terrifying lines across his body.
The demonic aura surged wildly. Lu Zhixing gritted his teeth and forced it back down, the pain almost rendering him numb.
What should he do? He was so afraid.
He was beginning to doubt it, too.
Did his master truly like him?
Or did he simply like that pure, almost foolish personality?
Was it only Zhiyi who could stay by his side?
Or could anyone with that kind of personality do it?
Lu Zhixing turned around. Black lines wound upward from his forearm. Terrifying veins covered one side of his neck. The corners of his eyes were crimson, and his violet pupils were filled with glistening tears.
In a small voice, he called out,
“Master—”
Clatter.
The utensils slipped from Xi Yu’s hand and fell to the floor.
Luo Cheng’an hurriedly asked, “What’s wrong, Bro?”
Shen Qing had a servant bring Xi Yu a new pair of chopsticks.
Luo Yuan also asked what had happened.
Several pairs of eyes stared directly at him. Xi Yu waved his hand. “Nothing.”
It was just a hallucination.
He had heard that little brat calling for him.
Such a small voice, carrying a hint of a sob, as though he had suffered countless grievances and hardships.
Xi Yu accepted the new chopsticks, but he had completely lost his appetite.
For some inexplicable reason, his heart was pounding with unease.