TYMRHBDES Chapter 153

Pei Yu raised an eyebrow, his cold, sharp features radiating a subtle displeasure and oppressive aura.

“When did I ever scold you?”

Zhang Hao, who had just walked over, chimed in, “Someone on the trending topics said you’d been turned gay.”

As if hearing a joke, Pei Yu let out a short, cold laugh, his long lashes casting dark shadows across his cheeks.

“Nonsense.”

Zhang Hao breathed a sigh of relief.

He added, “Last night, during Luo Luo’s livestream, something unexpected happened. A man with a voice like yours said a few words. Someone probably took advantage of the situation and bought a negative trending topic.”

Knowing the streamer was gay, Zhang Hao eagerly asked, “Luo Luo, who was that man last night? Could he be your boyfriend?”

Jiang Luoluo hurriedly shook his head.

A deep, melodious voice interrupted him.

“It was me.”

Zhang Hao startled and turned to see Pei Yu speaking.

The film emperor was spreading peanut butter on a slice of toast, the bones in his wrist flexing gracefully with each movement. His handsome face remained calm and composed.

“I was the man last night,” Pei Yu said. “Why are you making such a fuss?”

Zhang Hao breathed another sigh of relief.

Afraid of causing any misunderstandings, Jiang Luoluo quickly explained, “No, Teacher Pei isn’t my boyfriend. I don’t even have a boyfriend yet!”

As soon as the words left her lips, Pei Yu’s hand froze mid-spread, and he shot Jiang Luoluo a displeased look.

“Why are you explaining so much to him?”

“Do you have a thing for Zhang Hao?”

“Are you hinting for him to chase you?”

Jiang Luoluo: “……”

Zhang Hao: “……”

‘ How could Pei Yu’s mind jump to such conclusions from such a simple statement?’

‘Is this really our brilliant and capable Brother Pei?’

‘What’s gotten into him?’

After his outburst, Pei Yu frowned at Zhang Hao. “You’ve been talking for ages without getting to the point. What exactly did they say to insult him?”

Zhang Hao: “……”

‘ So that’s what Brother Pei wanted to know.’

Zhang Hao cut to the chase: “They said Luo Luo was clout-chasing. It was pretty nasty.”

Pei Yu held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

Zhang Hao had been managing Pei Yu’s personal Weibo account all along.

Zhang Hao handed over the phone. Pei Yu tapped a few times and returned it.

After reading the post, Zhang Hao clicked his tongue.

Curious, Jiang Luoluo opened the phone as well. Pei Yu had posted an update:

He retweeted the Weibo post featuring “Jiang Luoluo” and “Pei Yu” by name, along with an audio comparison, adding only two simple words:

It’s me.

Jiang Luoluo stared blankly at his phone. He clicked on the retweet, about to check the comments, when Pei Yu snatched the phone away and placed it on the table.

“Focus on your breakfast.”

After breakfast, Pei Yu had to go to the film set, while Jiang Luoluo needed to buy ingredients for his evening livestream. They took a ride together, with Pei Yu dropping him off at the nearest supermarket.

Inside the supermarket, Jiang Luoluo pushed a small cart, wearing a black mask as he selected freshly stocked ingredients.

He hadn’t yet decided what to make for tonight’s livestream, so he wandered the aisles, thinking and browsing.

The drinks from his first livestream had been a hit. Many fans had already tried making them and posted their creations, tagging him on the platform.

Tonight, he could make more refreshing summer drinks—cool, delicious, and thirst-quenching.

Just a few steps away, fresh green plums caught his eye. They still seemed to be glistening with morning dew, damp and inviting.

He picked one up, secretly lowered his mask to take a sniff, and suddenly a tall figure appeared beside him.

“You like green plums too?” the person’s voice rang out.

Jiang Luoluo tilted his head, his eyes landing on a young face.

The man looked to be in his mid-twenties, a red headband securing his hair. His features were sharp and handsome.

Dressed in athletic wear, the defined muscles of his arms were clearly visible, reminding Jiang Luoluo of the sports students he used to see on the university track.

When Jiang Luoluo didn’t react, the man seemed momentarily surprised before pulling down his mask, his eyes crinkling into a smile. “You really don’t recognize me?”

Jiang Luoluo shook his head, his watery eyes fixed on the man with earnest focus.

He quietly asked the System, “Have I met him before?”

No, you haven’t.

He’s the male lead of this world, Jiang Wei, a national basketball team player. He’s very popular.

Seeing Jiang Luoluo’s pursed lips and head shake, Jiang Wei extended his hand with a generous smile. “Hello, I’m Jiang Wei. I play basketball.”

Jiang Luoluo reached out, his small hand clasping Jiang Wei’s fingertips in a brief handshake. “Hello, I’m Jiang Luoluo.”

“I know.” Jiang Wei’s smile widened, as if meeting Jiang Luoluo had genuinely delighted him. “I’ve watched your streams.”

Jiang Luoluo blinked slowly, his dark, feathery lashes fluttering, casting dense shadows across his pale cheeks. He hesitated, then let out a soft, uncertain “Ah…”

There was a kind of innocent, bewildered charm about him.

Jiang Luoluo couldn’t tell if Jiang Wei was referring to his food livestream or his earlier, more suggestive broadcasts.

Jiang Wei smiled again, as if sensing his hesitation, and offered a way out: “I tried making the strawberry sago dessert you showed. It was delicious.”

He shrugged. “The tiramisu was a bit too complicated, though. I couldn’t quite get it right.”

Jiang Luoluo pursed his lips and chuckled, pointing at the green plums before them. “Tonight’s recipe is much simpler,” he said, smiling brightly. “It’s—”

“Honey-glazed green plums or green plum wine?” Jiang Wei finished the sentence smoothly.

Jiang Luoluo’s eyes widened in astonishment. “How did you know?”

Jiang Wei leaned closer, smiling down at him. “Maybe we’re just on the same wavelength.”

Realizing that might sound too forward, he quickly added in a teasing tone, “Just a fan and idol thing, you know? I guessed!”

“What time will you be streaming tonight, Idol? I’ll definitely be there on time!”

Jiang Luoluo’s cheeks flushed slightly at being playfully called “Idol.” His voice softened as he replied, “Around nine o’clock, if nothing comes up.”

Jiang Wei nodded, casually picking a green plum for him. “Perfect! By then, I’ll be done with training and will definitely be there on time.”

“By the way, what happened last night? Are you okay?” Jiang Wei asked with concern.

Just as Jiang Luoluo was about to reply, “I’m fine,” a whirlwind of a figure burst into the room:

“Brother Jiang, hurry! That streamer you’ve been following is trending!”

The streamer himself: “……”

Jiang Wei rubbed his index finger against his nose, subtly gesturing for the newcomer to look at the person across from him.

The newcomer turned, his gaze landing on a petite figure.

The person wore fitted white pants that accentuated his long, straight legs, paired with an avocado-green T-shirt that made his exposed skin appear even more snow-white.

His slightly wavy golden hair framed his forehead, and his round, watery eyes tilted upward, gazing at the newcomer like a docile little animal—both delicate and adorable.

The newcomer couldn’t help but exclaim, “Holy shit!” He wasn’t sure if he was addressing Jiang Wei or Jiang Luoluo. “You really look like this in person?!”

“Holy shit! Aren’t all online celebrities supposed to look terrible in real life?!”

“I always thought you only looked like that because of makeup and beauty filters!”

“You’re not wearing makeup, are you?” Gan Ziming suddenly leaned in, his face barely twenty centimeters from Jiang Luoluo’s, staring intently.

Jiang Luoluo shook his head.

Suddenly, a hand yanked Gan Ziming back, Jiang Wei’s voice rising slightly, “Hey, Gan Ziming, show some respect to my idol!”

Gan Ziming stumbled, his eyes still fixed on Jiang Luoluo’s face, exclaiming in astonishment, “You’re so pale!”

Jiang Wei reached out and clamped his hand over Gan Ziming’s mouth again.

Gan Ziming raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

Only then did Jiang Wei release him, continuing, “What’s this trending topic?”

Gan Ziming handed over his phone. Jiang Wei glanced at it, then looked back at his little idol, slightly shocked. “Was that really Pei Yu yesterday?”

Jiang Luoluo nodded.

Gan Ziming let out another familiar “Holy shit! That’s Pei Yu we’re talking about!”

Jiang Wei swallowed hard, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but couldn’t resist asking, “What’s your relationship with him? Is he your boyfriend?”

Jiang Luoluo shook his head. “No, we’re just ordinary friends.”

Jiang Wei sighed in relief, then asked, “So… do you have a boyfriend?”

Gan Ziming seemed to understand something, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he stared at the two of them.

Seeing Jiang Luoluo shake his head, Gan Ziming slapped his thigh in excitement.

“Perfect! Our Brother Jiang—”

Jiang Wei quickly covered Gan Ziming’s mouth with his hand, then smiled at Jiang Luoluo, his handsome face radiating warmth. His genuine happiness was particularly evident in that moment.

“I’ll definitely tune in to your livestream tonight.”

His idol replied with a soft, “Okay!” his voice as gentle and sweet as his demeanor.

“Also, you should mentally prepare yourself for tonight’s broadcast. Pei Yu retweeted your Weibo post today, and a lot of people have noticed you—good, bad, and those just looking for drama. There’ll probably be a huge crowd tonight, and you might hear some unpleasant comments. Don’t let it bother you.”

Jiang Luoluo hummed in acknowledgment.

Jiang Wei proactively packed up the green plums and carried them toward the cashier. “By the way, where do you live? I can give you a ride.”

Jiang Luoluo shook his head. “No need, I can get home myself.”

“Nonsense! Our Brother Jiang has his convertible sports car—it’s super cool! Come on, let’s go!” Gan Ziming chimed in enthusiastically.

Jiang Wei looked at his idol with eager anticipation.

The sincerity on the other man’s face was so genuine that it seemed impossible to refuse. Just as Jiang Luoluo was about to agree, a familiar, crisp voice called out from behind:

“Done shopping?”

Jiang Luoluo turned to see Pei Yu leaning against the car door, his gaze lingering briefly on the two men behind him.

In that fleeting moment, he withdrew his gaze and strode toward Jiang Luoluo.

Black dress pants accentuated his impossibly long legs, rivaling those of a supermodel. His simple white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a face as handsome as a deity’s, yet aloof and indifferent to the world.

He stopped beside Jiang Luoluo, his eyes falling on her empty hands. “Why didn’t you buy anything?”

Jiang Luoluo glanced at Jiang Wei beside him. Gan Ziming eagerly answered, “The stuff’s with us.”

Pei Yu cast a casual glance at the tall boy carrying the shopping bags, unsurprised to see the familiar hostility etched on his face—the kind of rejection and wariness one reserves for a romantic rival.