A laid-back guy paired with a dominant partner who pampers him

Chapter 4

The remaining four were all watching to see who they’d be sharing a room with, but I stood calmly, eyes forward.

“Well, let’s congratulate Senior Zhang Xiao for becoming the manager. From now on, Zhang Xiao will be responsible for managing the five of us during our stay.”

Huh? What?

I was stunned. That’s not right—it was supposed to be Jiang Wanwan!

The plot... changed?

I quickly looked up at the remaining four holding their number balls. Jiang Wanwan and Su Yunyi, the two girls, were sharing a room, and I... was paired with Zhai Chen.

I quickly composed myself. It didn’t really matter who I shared a room with, as long as it wasn’t Su Yunyi.

After the room assignments were announced, night had already fallen, and the day’s filming was over. We all prepared to drag our luggage to our rooms and rest.

Just as I was about to leave, I felt a tug on my sleeve.

Turning around, I was met with Su Yunyi’s tearful eyes, which made me feel sick.

“Xingli, not only did you refuse to help me today... but could you let me stay with Zhai Chen?”

Zhai Chen, who was already halfway up the stairs, paused and looked back when he noticed I wasn’t following.

“First of all, I’m not obligated to help you. Second, this room assignment was decided by drawing lots—it’s fair and impartial. If we just switch rooms, what’s the point?”

“But... Xingli, you’re so mean today... I just wanted to switch rooms with you...”

In the past, whenever Su Yunyi gave me this look, I would’ve given her whatever she wanted. But now, I just felt disgusted.

How was such an unlikable female lead even written?

I scratched my head in annoyance. She was really irritating. “No.”

I shook off her hand that was clutching my sleeve and dragged my luggage up the stairs.

“Xingli, you’ve changed! You weren’t like this before!” Su Yunyi shouted at me as I climbed the stairs.

“Su Yunyi, don’t push me. What, now that your simp is gone, you’re throwing a tantrum? Have some shame.”

I was really fed up. Just because I hadn’t snapped before, did she think I was some pushover?

Su Yunyi froze, as if I’d struck a nerve.

Then, with a pitiful expression, she turned to Zhai Chen, who had been watching silently the entire time. “Brother Zhai Chen, look, he’s bullying me...”

Zhai Chen furrowed his brows slightly at the sight of Su Yunyi’s tear-streaked face.

Crap! I forgot Zhai Chen was still waiting on the stairs.

I didn’t know what kind of feelings Zhai Chen had for Su Yunyi, but I did know they’d acted together in a drama, and their fans were already shipping them as a couple.

I was screwed. If there were even a little bit of mutual interest between them, I was definitely making myself the bad guy here.

But then...

“Oh, what does that have to do with me? Xingli, let’s head to our room.”

“Huh... Oh, right, coming.”

Zhai Chen’s cold voice brought me back to reality. I was so relieved that he didn’t seem to have any particular feelings for Su Yunyi.

We entered the room, and it was a single king-sized bed.

I felt a bit awkward, but then thought, we’re two grown men—what’s the big deal?

As if he could read my mind, Zhai Chen sat down on the bed and patted the spot beside him. “What? Are you afraid of it being awkward with just two guys? Or do you have some inappropriate thoughts about me...?”

His smile was somehow both teasing and enticing.

Wait... wasn’t Zhai Chen supposed to be the cold, distant film emperor? The type who keeps everyone at arm’s length, except for being gentle toward the female lead?

And isn’t he supposed to be refined and mild-mannered in private? What’s with this flirty remark?

But honestly, he did look pretty handsome while saying it...

I tried to keep my cool as I sat down beside him, but my reddening ears probably gave me away.

“Teacher Zhai Chen, please take care of me this next month...”

“Xingli, don’t you remember me?”

“What?”

Did I know Zhai Chen from before? That wasn’t in the script.

Seeing my confusion, Zhai Chen shook his head. “Never mind, just pretend you didn’t hear that.”

He got up and went to take a shower, leaving me lying on the bed, thinking about what he had said.

In the story, Zhai Chen is the eldest son of the Zhai family. He got lost once and was sent to an orphanage by a kind stranger. Su Yunyi, who had been an orphan from a young age, became his close friend there. When Zhai Chen was 14, his family found him, and he was separated from Su Yunyi. Later, when he returned to look for her, Su Yunyi had already been adopted, and they lost touch until they reunited years later when Zhai Chen entered the entertainment industry.

But what does any of that have to do with me?

The year Zhai Chen was found, I was attending business events with my dad.

When I was 15, the CEO of an entertainment company noticed me and begged me to try acting. Since I didn’t want to follow in my dad’s business footsteps, I agreed.

So, logically, I should’ve met Zhai Chen after entering the industry.

No matter how hard I thought, I couldn’t figure out how we might’ve crossed paths before. Exhausted from the day’s events, I drifted off to the sound of the shower running.

Half-asleep, I felt a cool hand touch my cheek and gently pat my head.

The night passed without dreams.

**7**

The next morning, Zhang Xiao, our manager, snuck into the room with a cameraman to wake us up.

He sneakily plugged in a speaker, and “Good Luck” started blaring as he switched on the lights.

The moment the lights came on, Zhang Xiao froze, and so did the livestream chat.

I’m a restless sleeper, and I need something to hug to fall asleep. Since my pillow was confiscated when we arrived on the island, I grabbed the nearest thing.

[What the hell! Why is Xingli draped all over Zhai Chen?!] 
[Ugh, I wish I could switch places with Xingli!] 
[Little Xingli looks so cute when he just wakes up! I want to kiss him!] 
[Are you sure you still want to after remembering he’s Su Yunyi’s simp?]