Chapter 78 IF / Dating Within the Group
Jiang Shulu didn’t probe deeper into Tang Yue’s question.
But in the days that followed, he intentionally started to desensitize Tang Yue.
From sleeping with him every day to every other day, and finally to once a week.
From Tang Yue fumbling into his room in the dark to Jiang Shulu going to Tang Yue’s room.
Compared to Tang Yue’s guilty conscience, Jiang Shulu was very open when Liu Xichao bumped into him one day.
Liu Xichao didn’t say anything at the time, but privately said to Yao Lixin, “Is he plotting something against our Xiao Yue?”
Yao Lixin: “Isn’t the Captain straight?”
He knew Liu Xichao occasionally flirted online under a pseudonym and worried about it, fearing Liu Xichao would suddenly get doxxed and take the whole group down.
Liu Xichao: “What makes you say that?”
Yao Lixin: “He doesn’t have that gay vibe like you.”
Liu Xichao: “Then what about Tang Yue?”
Yao Lixin was silent for a long time. “I don’t know.”
Tang Yue’s temperament carried a flavor of frigidity. Nowadays, when packaging overtly used tension as a gimmick, this detached aloofness was prone to collapse.
Several stars had completely ruined their reputations due to sexual relationships behind the scenes, and were still being insulted by fans in turn.
Yao Lixin: “I feel like if he were with a girl, she’d have to be older than him, otherwise it would look like elementary school puppy love.”
Liu Xichao: “Have you never considered the Captain?”
Yao Lixin: “I don’t want dating within the group. I’m afraid I couldn’t control my mouth from leaking the news.”
Liu Xichao: “You just said Jiang Shulu is straight.”
Yao Lixin: “He used to seem frigid too, but with Tang Yue…”
The long-haired idol pondered for a moment. “Two negatives make a positive, I guess.”
Liu Xichao: “…”
That term felt a bit beyond imagination.
Away debuted smoothly, becoming an overnight sensation almost as predicted.
The schedule was extremely tight, with no fixed time in S City. During this period, Tang Yue either practiced or did homework.
Education on Planet 9787 was completely different from Earth.
Although Tang Yue’s language wasn’t a problem, his English was absolute rubbish, perfectly matching the resume of his current identity.
Often, in fan photos, Tang Yue was doing practice problems even at the airport.
— Tang Yue and the Captain have such a good relationship. But I feel he’s working quite hard, still having to take the Gaokao (college entrance exam). — Why does he only ask Jiang Shulu questions? Didn’t the other two get into university too? — After all, there’s only one top scholar! — Watching Tang Yue do problems makes me see myself. The company makes him livestream for at least two hours a week, and millions of people just watch Jiang Shulu tutor him. — But Jiang Shulu is really good at explaining. Even my little brother came to Tang Yue’s stream to learn. — Shocking! The reason top boy group’s maknae transformed into a study blogger is actually—Captain’s personal tutoring. — If Away disbands, they can open an educational institution. Feel like the brand name is already established hahahaha.
When visiting a new city for events, Tang Yue still wanted to sleep with Jiang Shulu when rooms were assigned.
The manager knew they occasionally stayed together, and the reason was quite legitimate.
Tutoring went too late, Tang Yue fell asleep. They were brothers; sleeping together meant nothing.
Although same-sex marriage wasn’t legal then, it wasn’t illegal either.
There were openly gay couples in the circle, but idols were relatively more restrained.
However, Tang Yue’s dependency was hard to completely hide even if he tried to tone it down.
Fans’ eyes were truly sharp; they even made a compilation of Tang Yue’s gaze before every stage appearance—always looking at Jiang Shulu.
If that gaze wasn’t returned, they could even edit it into unrequited love.
Unfortunately, Jiang Shulu always responded.
Under the spotlight, every move being over-interpreted was common.
But Tang Yue was exactly that “over.” Every time he didn’t know what to say in an interview, he habitually shifted the topic to Jiang Shulu.
Like a gourd popping its lid, his uncontrollable liking for Jiang Shulu bubbled out.
He looked so pure that “like” became a high-frequency word.
Liked the title track this time. Liked Second Brother’s long hair, very pretty. Liked Third Brother’s new hair color. Liked the Captain’s styling this time; the chorus was also very good. What, you ask my opinion on the fans’ evaluation? Oh, they are right. The Captain is the most amazing, I like him super much.
During interviews, facing various cameras.
Flashlights were almost blinding. When the microphone fell to Tang Yue, reporters loved to ask a few more questions.
The popularity of this youngest member was unprecedentedly high. His “scandals” also seemed unique—all hilarious live recordings.
For example, while teasing a cat on the roadside, he was caught by fans and ran away holding the stray cat. The stray cat’s terrified eyes successfully made the trending topics.
Since then, the kitten became Chengkong’s mascot, often appearing in videos posted by the official Weibo.
Precisely because Tang Yue mentioned Jiang Shulu too many times, saying “like” very honestly every time, many fans felt it had nothing to do with that aspect—it was just a child’s adoration.
Various compilations didn’t touch on romance at all; they were all “Group Pet” oriented.
Even when Yao Lixin revealed that Tang Yue occasionally hugged a pillow to find Jiang Shulu to sleep, no one thought in that direction.
Comments were all: So cute, Such a clingy kitten, Captain is too fatherly, etc.
Yao Lixin: “…”
Liu Xichao sighed, comforting Yao Lixin, “They aren’t even dating yet, and it’s already like this. I feel like even if we fan the flames, people will just think it’s a publicity stunt.”
It was unreasonable. He and Yao Lixin were watched for romance at the slightest movement.
Only Jiang Shulu and Tang Yue… even if Tang Yue sat on Jiang Shulu’s lap, it was considered a father-son relationship.
Do you guys know that some people also call ‘Daddy’ in that context?!
This caused Yao Lixin and Liu Xichao to choke up for a long time when answering fan questions in some interviews.
You don’t ship the real ambiguous couple, but insist Liu Xichao and I are innocent? One gay, one straight, how is that possible!
Tang Yue grew to like this life more and more.
Every time the stage lights poured down, Jiang Shulu’s figure was in his peripheral vision, giving him immense security.
That bit of affection became increasingly uncontrollable. Every time he wanted to confess, he hesitated.
Afraid of breaking the current balance, breaking the group’s atmosphere, afraid of being scolded by the manager, afraid of disappointing the fans.
This was another form of “idol disqualification.”
But did seniors have moments like this?
UL, who debuted a year earlier than Away, was also very active. The two groups often met on various occasions.
Online fans fought heaven and earth over these two groups, voting battles raging until even actors who didn’t follow idols knew about it.
UL wasn’t a limited group, but rumors of solo careers had surfaced early.
Tang Yue had also scrolled past many rumors about UL members dating privately. Photos of Captain Miu Shuhuai kissing a male friend on the street late at night had even made headlines.
Later, it was debunked with the excuse of “borrowing a lighter.”
Some people believed it, like Tang Yue.
Yao Lixin was close friends with a few UL members personally. When chatting with Tang Yue back at the dorm, he said it was true.
Privately in the dorm, they had their arms around each other. Yao Lixin was addicted to this kind of closeness, very familiar with everyone, which was why he was considered gay to this day.
Even his family dropped hints, telling him that even if he was gay, he should keep himself clean and not mess around.
Yao Lixin explained many times to no avail and simply gave up struggling.
Yao Lixin hooked his arm around Tang Yue’s shoulder to gossip.
Tang Yue: “So Brother Miu’s boyfriend is really that web series actor?”
Yao Lixin: “They had already broken up when it was released.”
Tang Yue gave an “Oh.” “Will it affect his popularity greatly?”
Yao Lixin: “However, they lean more towards being a band, so actually it’s not a big problem. Plus everyone knows they will go solo.”
Tang Yue: “Then Second Brother, if you were photographed dating, would it have a big impact?”
Yao Lixin: “I don’t have a partner. If I had someone I liked, I’d be very devoted.”
Tang Yue: “Then if Third Brother was photographed dating someone, would it…”
He thought he was being subtle, but it was too clumsy. Yao Lixin wanted to laugh.
Thinking Tang Yue’s hesitation was truly cute; no wonder the Captain liked to tease him.
Yao Lixin: “Are you afraid you and the Captain will be discovered?”
Tang Yue let out an “Ah” and almost bounced out of Yao Lixin’s arms. Yao Lixin laughed uncontrollably and asked, “Are you two together?”
Tang Yue: “No!”
Two seconds later, Tang Yue: “I haven’t with the Captain…”
Yao Lixin: “Don’t you go around saying you like him?”
Tang Yue was speechless, his ears turning red.
This day was the holiday after Away’s first anniversary.
A precious three days. Soon, Yao Lixin would go home to celebrate his sister’s birthday.
After debut, Liu Xichao brought his younger brother to S City and didn’t plan to stay in the dorm for the holiday.
Also, according to Tang Yue’s observation, Liu Xichao had a regular flirting partner. Once when they sat together in the car, Tang Yue saw Liu Xichao sending explicit messages.
It caused Tang Yue almost to have insomnia. When hugging his pillow to find Jiang Shulu to sleep, he mentioned this.
Jiang Shulu was quite calm: “He has always had someone he likes.”
Tang Yue: “Who is it?”
Jiang Shulu: “You’ll know later.”
Tang Yue was a bit apprehensive. He thought of the back view of Jiang Shulu and Liu Xichao going to the stairwell together at the Chengkong building.
He asked in a small voice, “Could it be the Captain?”
Jiang Shulu was a bit surprised. “How could it be me?”
Tang Yue hesitated to speak.
Jiang Shulu: “What did you misunderstand? Can you tell me directly?”
They were truly too familiar, having slept together countless times in a year.
In the car, Tang Yue subconsciously sat next to Jiang Shulu. Liu Xichao and Yao Lixin were tactful and would avoid that spot.
Not to mention amidst the screams during airport pickups and drop-offs, Jiang Shulu never shied away from holding Tang Yue’s hand, protecting him as they walked.
He even had to inspect the gifts fans gave Tang Yue first, making people feel even more that he was raising Tang Yue as a son.
In most people’s eyes, because Jiang Shulu and Tang Yue didn’t avoid suspicion and said “like” too frequently, they lost the desire to ship them as a couple.
But a small portion of people lived for this— Among ten thousand people, I only look at you, irreplaceable.
The CP fansites produced photos with excellent atmosphere, often retweeted by passersby thinking they were stills from a drama.
On such a late night, it was the customary embrace Tang Yue was used to as they slept.
He felt his nose had grown accustomed to Jiang Shulu’s scent.
He wanted to go deeper, to let this scent entwine within his body, never to leave.
Seeing Tang Yue silent, Jiang Shulu said, “Can’t say?”
The night was silent. Jiang Shulu’s voice carried the intimacy of proximity, making Tang Yue go weak in the limbs, easily pulled into the other’s embrace.
Tang Yue: “Last week I saw you and Third Brother go to the fire escape stairs together.”
Jiang Shulu: “The day we went to record?”
Tang Yue hummed.
Jiang Shulu took his phone and opened his call log in the dark.
“If it was during that time, I should have been discussing matters with my secretary.”
Tang Yue looked at the time, a bit confused.
Jiang Shulu’s voice was a bit sad. “Can’t Xiao Yue tell me apart?”
Tang Yue uttered an “Uh.” “You were wearing the same suit.”
There was no dress code that day, just a recording session.
Jiang Shulu had returned from some occasion, looking sharp in a suit—a charm distinct from the stage, feeling fresh.
Jiang Shulu: “Who you saw should have been my uncle.”
Tang Yue was surprised. “Uncle… is the Boss?”
Jiang Shulu nodded. Tang Yue burrowed into his arms. The little alien didn’t sleep very well and didn’t realize he was particularly clingy.
His legs were too good at intertwining, forcing Jiang Shulu to overcome a lot to sleep calmly.
Tang Yue: “Are Third Brother and the Boss close?”
Jiang Shulu leaned into Tang Yue’s ear. It was already their private time, yet he wanted to be even more intimate.
Breath sprayed on Tang Yue’s ear, causing Tang Yue to not listen properly to the information in the sentence. He only felt so hot, wanted to…
He took a bite of Jiang Shulu’s collarbone. Jiang Shulu hissed in pain.
Then subconsciously, he pursed his lips against it, like a young beast licking, causing Jiang Shulu’s hand to almost uncontrollably grip Tang Yue’s waist.
The culprit was very apologetic.
For some reason, Jiang Shulu suddenly felt Tang Yue was a bit cunning.
Jiang Shulu: “Why did you bite me?”
Tang Yue: “I originally just wanted to…”
Jiang Shulu: “Wanted to what?”
Tang Yue: “Kiss it.”
His voice sounded like he was about to cry. “Didn’t control it well.”
Jiang Shulu: “Why did you want to kiss?”
Tang Yue: “Why can’t I?”
A confession should have followed, but that day it was truly too late to elaborate on liking or not.
Or perhaps there was no need to say it.
Tang Yue and Jiang Shulu could both feel what “like” was.
Does this person like me?
A year was short, but for people who spent day and night together and shared a pillow almost every night, it was too long.
Long enough for Jiang Shulu to think about how to extract himself from the Jiang family, long enough for Tang Yue not to think about Planet 9787.
He wanted to be the Tang Yue by Jiang Shulu’s side.
But once that step was taken, would it be hard to end?
He had originally decided not to cross the line for now.
Seeing Tang Yue’s face red enough to explode, a desolate feeling of “watching a cabbage get rooted up by a pig” surged in Yao Lixin’s heart.
But he couldn’t call Jiang Shulu a pig.
It seemed like a premeditated “grooming” happening right before his eyes.
Tang Yue had amnesia!
The Captain was taking advantage of this kid being like a blank sheet of paper!
But Jiang Shulu wasn’t a bad person, so Yao Lixin was instantly torn.
At this moment, Tang Yue lowered his voice and said to Yao Lixin, “At least wait until disbandment.”
Yao Lixin subconsciously said, “Then wouldn’t the Captain suffocate to death?”
Tang Yue uttered an “Uh,” thinking of that encounter.
He pursed his lips. “Should… should be no problem.”
Yao Lixin thought: What I’m afraid of is Jiang Shulu not being able to endure it and disbanding the group early!
On the surface, he put on the face of a kind big brother and said gently to Tang Yue—
“Then you guys restrain yourselves a bit. We have to be responsible to the fans.”
“Dating within the group… if discovered, we’re done for.”
Tang Yue gave an “Oh.”
Then asked, “But the Captain and I aren’t dating yet.”
Yao Lixin rolled his eyes, thinking you two are practically an old married couple.
“Dating” seemed too childish for them.
Yao Lixin: “Better to have no title. It’s safer.”
The next day, Tang Yue said to Jiang Shulu, “Then starting today, we are friends with benefits (sex partners).”
Jiang Shulu: ?
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