Chapter 36.1

“Thanks a lot, Nephew.”

　　“You once mentioned that one could do without love but not thrive without it. Look, there is one right here.”

　　Due to System’s uncertainty about Jing Xi’s stance on ordinary love, it feared he might inadvertently cause pain to the other, leading the wounded supporting character to seek comfort from Hu Xiao. With that in mind, it advised, “That is fantastic! It shows that your charisma is far greater than that of the male lead. Anyway, I understand your heart belongs to Duan Chi, so feel free to reject what needs rejecting. Just be cautious not to get entangled in any extraneous matters.”

　　Jing Xi retorted, “… Who told you my heart belongs to him?”
　　System responded matter-of-factly, “Hmm… No one.”

　　Attuned to the needs of its host, System recognized the need to prioritize his happiness above all else. “Ah, my mistake. I must have misinterpreted your feelings.”

　　Jing Xi paid no mind to Artificial Stupidity and unlocked his phone to add the supporting character as a friend.

　　After all, Shuang Yeliang only showed a faint glimmer of interest. Without any confession or passionate pursuit on his part, Jing Xi saw no compelling reason to reject him outright.

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　　Members of the Obsidian Vulpine Clan possessed ears of an immaculate black color, adorned with a luxuriously dense and velvety fur that evoked a sensation akin to touching soft and smooth silk.

　　His delicate and refined features, paired with an impeccably groomed sense of style, painted a captivating picture. And amidst it all, it was his fox-like eyes that held a magical sway, captivating anyone who dared to lock eyes with him. Now with his ears, he slightly tilted his head in line with the script. However, the third female lead found herself momentarily taken aback and unable to recite her lines in time.

　　“Cut!” The director’s booming voice cut through the air and jolted the third female lead back to reality.

　　With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she apologized to the director and playfully clutched her chest. “I can’t handle it! It’s too much!”

　　Laughter rippled through the set, and it was not until they had to resume filming that everyone regained their composure.

　　The exuberant assistant turned to the rabbit and took this chance to flatter him. “With a face like Hu Xiao’s, it’s unjust if he doesn’t become famous.”

　　Jing Xi’s lips curved into a smile as he subtly sized up the male supporting character, intrigued to see his reaction.

　　Shuang Yeliang’s response was straightforward as he turned to Jing Xi and inquired, “What do your ears look like when they appear?”

　　‘Brilliant, he’s heading straight for me’
　　Jing Xi stated, “Just like that. You can look it up online.”

　　However, Shuang Yeliang had no interest in searching for it, as he wanted to witness the transformation firsthand.

　　The two assistants were intrigued by what they heard and eagerly joined in.

　　Jing Xi firmly stated, “Rabbits’ ears are not to be touched.”
　　The others responded in unison, “We’ll only look and not touch.”
　　However, Jing Xi rejected, “No can do. It’ll tarnish my image as a formidable mercenary.”

　　The group burst into peals of laughter, delightfully entertained by Jing Xi’s witty remarks. With just a few words from Jing Xi, the conversation swiftly veered off in a different direction.

　　Meanwhile, Shuang Yeliang tactfully refrained from mentioning it. However, from that moment on, he began to make conscious efforts to win everyone’s favor. For instance, he would make a point of joining them for a chat whenever he was free, actively share interesting happenings from the entertainment industry, surprise everyone with occasional treats, accompany everyone back to the hotel at the end of each workday, and more.

　　 After a grueling week, Hu Xiao eyed the paltry greens on his plate, then cast a wistful glance at the lavish spread of delectable dishes placed before him. At that moment, something in him had just snapped.

　　He noted seriously, “I think Shuang Yeliang is pursuing you, Second Uncle.”
　　Jing Xi countered, “You can’t blame me just because you’re on a diet and can’t enjoy this.”
　　Hu Xiao reiterated, “No, he’s genuinely interested in you. Why else would he always spoil you with treats?”
　　Jing Xi clarified, “I’m not the only one who received them. Others get them, too!”
　　Hu Xiao remarked, “And they all happen to be your favorite snacks?”
　　Jing Xi insisted, “It’s just a coincidence.”

　　Even so, Hu Xiao was no fool. After spending a considerable amount of time with him, Hu Xiao gained a good understanding of his temperament. As he observed Shuang Yeliang’s composed demeanor at that moment, his insatiable curiosity for gossip was immediately ignited. “Oh my! It’s really true!? He’s really pursuing you?”

　　Jing Xi asserted, “No.”
　　Hu Xiao quipped, “Don’t be so stubborn.”
　　As he deftly picked up food from the plate across the table, he persuaded, “You know, you should give it some thought. I mean, he’s not only good-looking, but he’s also got a great personality. Plus, you’ve once mentioned that CEO Duan likes Yi Zhou, so it won’t do you any good to be caught in the middle. You deserve to find your own happiness…”

　　Without waiting for him to finish, Jing Xi swatted his hand away.

　　Hu Xiao fixed him with an intense and longing gaze. “I’ll just have one bite.”

　　With that, Jing Xi pushed the plate slightly forward. 

　　Since Hu Xiao wielded such an astonishing level of self-control, it confined him to savor just a single bite. Once his taste buds were appeased, he effortlessly steered the conversation back to its previous course.

　　Jing Xi’s eyes sparked with a subtle curiosity. “If he consistently shares his experiences with you, guides you in acting, takes good care of you on set, and then starts pursuing you, would you be swayed?”

　　“What are you on about, Second Uncle?” Hu Xiao shot back with a straight face as if the words “marriage is just a game” had never escaped his lips. “I’m a married man, so how can I possibly be involved with another man?”

　　Jing Xi was also aware that this hypothetical question held no significance, so he chose not to delve any further.

　　The very next morning, Hu Xiao and Shuang Yeliang found themselves thrown into the spotlight of Weibo’s trending topics.

　　The reason behind it was that someone managed to capture an unexpected act on camera — After wrapping up work last night, Hu Xiao glanced at Second Uncle and Shuang Yeliang on either side and intended to give them space. Unaware of the steps at the hotel, he inadvertently lost his balance and fell backward. Being near each other, Shuang Yeliang reacted swiftly by extending his arm and pulling Hu Xiao, resulting in him tilting forward and almost falling into his embrace. 

　　Furthermore, there were instances on the film set where these two individuals were deeply engrossed in conversation and frequently seen heading back to the hotel together. This ignited a wildfire of speculation, leaving everyone pondering whether they were in a romantic relationship.

　　When the TV series was officially announced, Hu Xiao managed to garner a small fanbase, but he remained relatively unknown in the industry. On the contrary, Shuang Yeliang was already a rising star and gained immense popularity, causing the topic to gain traction rapidly. Immediately right after, marketing accounts¹ 营销号: It is often abbreviated as YXH and refers to a sort of self-media or mini-tabloids that exist on social media platforms such as WeChat and Weibo. They build large followings and tend to spread false information (mostly rumors) to attract attention or generate income.

Often paid to spread gossip, these YXH would share particularly malicious rumors aimed at damaging the reputations of public figures, such as idols in the entertainment industry. Even so, their content is often untrue and unreliable, negatively influencing public opinion. stepped in and began shaping public opinion by suggesting that these events could be a fabrication and insinuating Hu Xiao was cashing in on Shuang Yeliang’s popularity.