Chapter 49: “You have to take responsibility.”
Just as Xie Shibai guessed, within an hour they were on the trending search.
Clips from the livestream were hung on the hot search list. The framed marriage certificate was zoomed in and processed. Clicking on any related search term, the first image to catch the eye was that framed certificate and Lu Cihengâs figure.
Fortunately, Xie Shibai had realized something was wrong and retreated in time. Lu Ciheng was the only one who achieved the feat of losing face on the trending search.
Although he didn’t have much “face” (dignity) left, at least he saved a little bit.
Similarly, there was a lot of discussion about their marriage certificate. Most people leaned towards the idea that the program team was stirring up trouble, creating a fake marriage certificate to make them seem more realistic.
[If they are together, a real marriage certificate is normal, right?]
[Not really. Wasn’t it rumored before that they actually broke up and only came on the variety show together due to public opinion pressure?]
[Their personalities aren’t like that.]
[LCH feels like the type who would directly say on Weibo that they broke up long ago.]
[He’s also the type who looks like he’d announce a relationship immediately if he was in one. And the result? Didn’t he still hold back a big secret? If the paparazzi hadn’t exposed it, maybe he’d still be hiding it now.]
[This isn’t Director Tanâs first time. Last season there was a trial couple like this. They were clearly already divorced, but Director Tan Photoshopped a wedding photo, wishing to announce it to the world. In the end, no one guessed right last season, and it’s the same this time. Which normal person frames a marriage certificate and puts it in the living room? Unless they have a brain disease.]
[Framing a marriage certificate and putting it in the living room is really too ‘no silver buried here’ (conspicuous).]
[Actually, if it’s LCH, it doesn’t seem that contradictory…]
[LMAO, it really is like that.]
[But XSB hid so fast.]
[Finally someone noticed! Feels like he hid behind the camera a second after seeing the marriage certificate being filmed. It looks like he felt a bit embarrassed.]
[He definitely covered it up more than once, otherwise XSBâs movements wouldn’t be so practiced. Looking at it this way, framing the marriage certificate should be LCHâs doing. XSB knows it’s embarrassing but still indulges him. The little couple is just too in love.]
[Don’t know why so many people still don’t believe it. This reaction is obviously a real marriage certificate. Wasn’t it rumored before that a male artist surnamed L got a license? It must be them.]
[No, who would believe that? I’ll buy your health supplements when I’m old. If you believe something this obvious, you really haven’t been scammed before.]
[Anyway, I don’t believe it. A normal person’s brain wouldn’t frame a marriage certificate and put it in the living room for people to see. The information given is too forced.]
Passerby fans discussed for a long time, with opinions severely polarized. Only the CP fans were howling since the start of this episode’s livestream. Every livestream felt like New Year’s, discovering new candy (sweet moments).
Director Tan announced the new cabin they were about to record in via the work group chat in advance.
Unlike the mountain forest last time, this was a seaside cabinâa German-style wooden villa standing on the coastline.
After Director Tan released the address in advance, he suggested the guests adjust their items according to the local temperature.
Xie Shibai and Lu Ciheng packed their luggage. Just before departure, Lu Ciheng scooped up Potato, who was pouncing on the suitcase wheels.
Their recording time was neither long nor short, about a month or so. Rather than experiencing father-son separation at such a young ageâleaving the puppy at home to be walked by the assistant and becoming a “left-behind puppy”âit was better to bring him to the cabin to run wild.
All kinds of transportation had popularized pet travel, so bringing a small dog on a long trip was simple, convenient, and safe.
After asking the program team, they simply brought Potato along.
When Xie Shibai and Lu Ciheng arrived at the recording site, the other groups had just arrived as well.
Their car was right next to Mu Zhenzhen and Xu Xiangmingâs. Mu Zhenzhen raised her hand to greet them, then immediately noticed Potato. Her eyes lit up as she leaned in. “You actually brought the puppy.”
Potato still remembered the person in front of him. He used to run to the cabin often and was familiar with most of the program guests. Wagging his tail, he rubbed against Mu Zhenzhenâs hand.
Mu Zhenzhen: “So cute.”
She turned her head and said, “Let’s raise one later too.”
Xu Xiangming nodded.
Qiao Jiayi and Mi Qiran got out of their nanny van. The atmosphere between the two seemed eternally lukewarm, always making people uncontrollably guess about their marital status, which didn’t look very good.
Mi Qiran waved in greeting.
Just as Li You moved his luggage off the car, he saw Lu Ciheng and Xie Shibai beside him.
His face fell instantly. Obviously, he had seen the trending search. His thoughts hadn’t changed from beginning to end, but he had been scolded by his agent recently. He hadn’t expected the audio equipment during the camping trip to be so good, leading to him being scolded for so long. His agent told him to build up his reputation and speak less during this period.
No matter what, he had to use his brain before speaking.
Li You thought for a few days and understood what his agent meant.
Su Xingran was quite enthusiastic. He practically took three steps in two, leaning next to Xie Shibai to ask how to raise a puppy, saying he wanted to raise one too.
“I heard puppies are hard to raise. Teacher Xie, what do you usually prepare for him? And what needs to be done daily? Is it hard work?”
Xie Shibai replied faintly, “Just feed him.”
[LMAO, little local dogs are like that, very easy to feed.]
[LCHâs eyes, locking onto the rival in one second hahahaha.]
Su Xingran followed up, “Then if I raise a puppy and encounter problems, can I find Brother Xie for help?”
Xie Shibai recalled that he didn’t have much experience in raising dogs either. Most of the time, it was Lu Ciheng doing itâfeeding, canning, playing. Lu Ciheng rarely let Xie Shibai get his hands dirty; he only had to sit on the soft sofa and pet the puppy’s round head to relax.
Lu Cihengâs brow filled with vigilance against the rival. He spoke first, “If you don’t understand, you can ask the breeder. They will know better.”
Xie Shibai nodded along. “He’s right. If you really want one, you can contact the breeder.”
Su Xingran didn’t get discouraged after the first failed attempt to strike up a conversation. Looking at the puppy, he asked curiously again, “Eh? Did you only bring the little dog this time? Didn’t you say you also raised a big dog?”
Xie Shibai raised his eyes. His gaze swept over Lu Ciheng, then landed on the questioning Su Xingran: “…”
Su Xingran seemed determined to find a common topic. He asked, “I still want to see what the other dog looks like. What breed is it? Is it inconvenient to bring over?”
Lu Ciheng instantly got energized. It was as if an invisible tail was wagging behind him. He naturally hooked Xie Shibaiâs hand, constantly making small affectionate movements. His smiling tone was low. “Teacher Xie, aren’t you going to tell him?”
Xie Shibaiâs hand was touched, and his breath hitched. His originally calmed nerves seemed to become active again because of this tiny touch.
“…”
Su Xingranâs eyelid twitched. He had a bad premonition.
[Right, eh. I thought it was strange before too. Why did we only see the puppy and not the big dog during the premiere livestream?]
[I have a bad feeling…]
[Me too…]
[No way?]
[What riddle are the Lu fans above playing at?]
[They just realized their brother is truly a simp, that’s all.]
Lu Ciheng hid mischief in his eyes, speaking unhurriedly, “Teacher Xieâs two dogs are clearly both hereâ”
Smack.
Xie Shibai suddenly covered Lu Cihengâs mouth. He didn’t hold back his strength, directly blocking the second half of the man’s sentence in his mouth.
Su Xingran stared blankly for a few seconds. “This is…”
Lu Cihengâs mouth felt a bit numb from the sudden force. His nasal cavity was full of the unique clear fragrance on Xie Shibai. He reached out and covered the hand Xie Shibai used to muzzle him. His thin lips pressed against the palm, feeling the temperature. The hot air of his breath made Xie Shibaiâs fingers stain with heat.
Xie Shibai glared at Lu Ciheng. He could feel the temperature on his palm. He bit his lip and replied, “The other dog is not convenient to see.”
Su Xingran glanced carefully at Lu Ciheng. “Oh, oh. If there’s time another day, can I go to Brother Xieâs house to see that big dog?”
Low laughter spilled from Lu Cihengâs throat. He held Xie Shibaiâs hand without letting go; instead, he looked at him with a bit of wicked intent. It made Xie Shibaiâs hand itch to give him a slap.
Xie Shibai: “No need. That dog can’t see people.”
Su Xingran was stunned. He hadn’t reacted yet to what breed of dog couldn’t see people. After reflecting for a while, he finally figured out the flavor.
He had been in the entertainment industry for a long time and had seen everything. A thought crossed his mind almost instantly.
Do they play that big in private?
Putting aside these messy thoughts, he could be a dog for Xie Shibai too! Does Lu Ciheng understand how to be one?
[Does anyone understand?]
[I seem to understand…]
[Why are they speaking in riddles again? Understand what?]
[Never mind, you go watch In the Night Garden.]
[CP fans are excited! This meal is too delicious!]
[So during the livestream at the back of the mountain before, the dog at home that Teacher Xie mentioned was actually Lu Ciheng!]
[I’m going to dig it up!]
[More than that. Before, playing that ‘Taboo Word’ mini-game, Dog Lu rushed to admit he was Teacher Xieâs dog. Turns out he’s really being a dog.]
[How can he enjoy this so much? Huh? Why? Being a dog for a beautiful wifeâI want to do it too!]
[They really are the classic example of ‘one willing to hit, one willing to get hit’.]
Xie Shibai tried to withdraw his hand. Lu Ciheng held tight and didn’t let go, rubbing lightly against his cheek. He didn’t stop until Xie Shibai pinched his face.
“Let go,” Xie Shibai whispered. He originally thought he had good control over his desire for contact, but every touch was refreshing his understanding, making one uncontrollably suspect: Is it really just suppression like Chen Yi said?
And not that there is something inherently wrong with me?
[Good boy, still not letting go.]
[So enjoyable, let me act in two episodes.]
[Teacher Xie pinches cheeks too, eh! Cute!]
[LCH is just short of hanging a sign writing ‘Teacher Xieâs Exclusive Puppy’. He loves him so much.]
Lu Ciheng pressed the tip of his tongue against his cheek. His chest pressed against Xie Shibaiâs shoulder. His tone was slow, close to the ear, sounding like he was disappointed at not being publicly acknowledged, and like his possessiveness was acting up, wanting to declare sovereignty. “Teacher Xie, why not tell him that the other puppy you raise is right before his eyes?”
Xie Shibai glared at Lu Ciheng, as if saying Reign in that perverted scent on you.
Lu Ciheng behaved after being glared at. His mood seemed very good, lips constantly hooked up. Regardless of the method, he liked Xie Shibaiâs gaze to be only on him. Only in this way would those dark thoughts in his heart be briefly alleviated.
Want Xie Shibai to only look at him.
To only have physical contact with him.
He leaned against Xie Shibai and sighed in a low voice, “What to do, Teacher Xie? I seem to have been infected by you. You have to take responsibility for me.”
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