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Chapter 432 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – Passing Smoothly (15)

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Bai Tang had originally planned to get their marriage certificate first. The plane tickets were already bought—he just needed to head out. But in the end, he still couldn’t leave.

An intentional injury case was a serious matter. Until the results were out, he was not allowed to leave the city.

Hearing this news, Bai Tang wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, completely dispirited and unable to muster any energy.

Seeing his dejection, Heng Xingjian, who had been following the case’s progress, comforted him. “It’s okay. We just need to wait another day or two.” In truth, he was anxious as well—only by settling things as soon as possible could he truly feel at ease.

In Country Z, marriage isn’t just about two people—it’s also about two families.

After receiving Heng Xingjian’s message abroad, the two elders of the Heng family immediately dropped their ongoing business expansion plans, booked flights overnight, and rushed back.

Nothing was more important than their child getting married. They only had two sons: the elder was fully devoted to his career, while the younger showed no interest in women. In fact, he rarely even spared a glance at men. Now that this child had finally opened his heart, they absolutely had to see what kind of person could break through their second son’s stubborn, stone-like nature.

When they returned home, they were quite surprised. The gray-white walls had been repainted into a warm beige, and greenery could be seen everywhere, adding life and vitality to the house. It looked incredibly comfortable.

Neither Heng Xingjian nor Heng Xingzhou liked making changes, so the only person who could have brought about such transformation must be the soon-to-be second daughter-in-law—whom they hadn’t yet met.

The Heng parents nodded, their anticipation for meeting this “daughter-in-law” growing even stronger.

At that moment, Heng Xingjian had Bai Tang pressed against the door of the study, kissing him. Bai Tang’s legs went weak, and his arms hung limply around Heng Xingjian’s neck. “Don’t… your parents… they’ll be back soon…”

His soft, sweet voice, tinged with emotion, was even more alluring. If the timing weren’t so wrong, Heng Xingjian would have wanted to take the young man right there. But he couldn’t—he neither wanted nor would do anything against Tang Tang’s will.

“It’s our parents,” Heng Xingjian corrected in a low voice. As he helped straighten Bai Tang’s clothes, he leaned in to kiss his nose again. That flushed little face paired with those watery eyes made his lower body tense uncontrollably. He could only pull Bai Tang closer, as if breathing in his scent might calm his physical reaction.

“Um… maybe you two should continue this in your room?”

The two of them looked up, only to see Father Heng and Mother Heng standing by the staircase, wearing awkward expressions after accidentally interrupting their son’s intimate moment.

Bai Tang buried his head into Heng Xingjian’s chest like a little squirrel, refusing to come out no matter how he was coaxed.

This was too embarrassing. Being caught by elders like this—how could he possibly continue living under the same roof in the future?

In contrast, Heng Xingjian remained completely unfazed. There wasn’t the slightest hint of panic at being caught by his parents. So what if he and Tang Tang had gotten a little intimate in the heat of the moment? It wasn’t like they were putting on an R-rated show. Besides, this was his own home—there was nothing illegal about it.

Bai Tang was escorted back to his room by Heng Xingjian, after which Heng Xingjian was called away by Father Heng. What followed was time for a conversation between men.

Mother Heng wanted to get to know Bai Tang better, but the earlier awkwardness hadn’t quite faded. So instead, she decided to start with the people in the household—the butler and the servants.

“Madam, you mean Bai Tang? He’s a good child,” the butler said with a beaming smile, his unusually expressive face catching Mother Heng’s attention.

“Mr. Bai? He’s very easy to get along with—never makes things difficult for others,” one of the maids said.

“Oh, Bai Tang? The Second Young Master likes him a lot. I heard he even saved the Second Young Master’s life,” another maid added.

“Thanks to Bai Tang, the Second Young Master’s daily routine has become much more regular,” said a kitchen helper.

Mother Heng was startled. So there was even a life-saving favor between them?

If that was the case, she couldn’t help but wonder—could it be that Bai Tang liked her younger son and was using that favor to pressure him into marriage?

She ordered someone to investigate. For the time being, she also put aside the idea of speaking with Bai Tang directly. She had even planned to tell him more about Heng Xingjian’s preferences and hobbies, but it would be better to wait until the investigation results came back.

The conversation between the men was far more rational. After discussing future plans, Father Heng no longer interfered with Heng Xingjian. The child had grown up and now had his own path to follow.

What had happened on “Wild Extreme” was no secret. During dinner, Mother Heng kept placing food onto Bai Tang’s plate. Bai Tang was flattered and a little overwhelmed, quickly thanking her. Seeing that he remained humble and composed, neither arrogant nor impatient, Mother Heng grew even more fond of him.

Soon after, Bai Tang dressed up, put on sunglasses, and went to the hospital to bring his parents out.

When both families met face-to-face, Bai Tang’s parents were so shocked upon learning that their “daughter-in-law” had turned into a “son-in-law” that they nearly had a heart attack.

Father Bai had been in business before—anyone in the business world had heard of the Heng family. Apart from an entertainment company still based domestically, most of the Heng family’s industries had gradually shifted overseas. They had long-term vision and great ambition, far beyond what his own small company could ever compare to. Not to mention that now his family had fallen into poverty. Becoming in-laws with such a family left them lacking confidence—if Bai Tang were ever mistreated in the future, what could they possibly rely on to stand up for him?

To be honest, Bai Tang’s parents were not very satisfied with this marriage. The main reason was simple—they felt they were not of equal standing.

Heng Xingjian understood their concerns. Asking him to give up Bai Tang was absolutely impossible. The only solution was to convince them.

“Uncle, Auntie, my feelings for Tang Tang are sincere.”

“I know your feelings are sincere, but marriage is something two people commit to for a lifetime. You’ve only known Tang Tang for half a year—do you really understand each other? The passion of a new relationship hasn’t even faded yet. Isn’t it too early to start talking about the future?”

“If that’s your concern, Uncle, you can rest assured.” Heng Xingjian took Bai Tang’s hand. “What matters most in a marriage? Feelings and assets. I’ve already discussed this with my father—I will transfer all the shares and property under my name to Tang Tang. If there are ever problems in our relationship in the future, I will leave with nothing. I will never let Tang Tang suffer any loss.”

In any case, he had no intention of ever divorcing Tang Tang. Whether it meant transferring assets or signing a prenuptial agreement, none of it mattered—as long as he could marry him.

“That’s right, in-laws, we would never mistreat Tang Tang. Please don’t worry,” Mother Heng said. She shot Heng Xingjian a glare for making such a major decision without consulting them first, but as his mother, she understood her son well. Money could always be earned again—but if the person who moved his heart was gone, who knew when her younger son would ever fall in love and get married? Between her two sons, neither gave her any peace of mind.

“Well…” Father Bai hesitated. The other side had already laid everything out so firmly, and every condition favored their son. What argument could he possibly make now?

Bai Tang looked at his parents expectantly. “Dad, Mom…”

Mother Bai, soft-hearted toward her child, tugged gently at Father Bai’s sleeve. The Heng family had shown sincere intentions, and their child truly liked him. There was no real disadvantage—perhaps it was better to grant their blessing. After all, children would find their own happiness.

With that, both families reached an agreement. Once the police released the investigation results, they would choose an auspicious date for the wedding.

Only then did Heng Xingjian finally let out a sigh of relief. Gaining the approval of his future in-laws had not been easy.

With persistent reporters still lurking outside, and Bai Tang’s newly purchased house not yet renovated, Bai Tang’s parents accepted the warm invitation from the Heng family to stay temporarily. Heng Xingzhou was also called back home from the company by his parents. The house suddenly became lively, filled with warmth and the feeling of a true home.

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Chapter 431 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – Nothing Is More Important Than Business (14)

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Li Manpei is a trending young celebrity. Although her performance in “Extreme Wilderness” was less than ideal and didn’t match the persona she had built, she was still a human life. Netizens from all sides kept a close eye on both the production team and the hospital, hoping to get updates as soon as possible.

Fortunately, the production team had taken extra precautions. After emergency treatment, Li Manpei was transferred to a better-equipped central city hospital. By the third day, she regained consciousness.

However, the very first sentence she spoke after waking caused a huge uproar.

“Senior Brother Bai, why did you push me?”

Her once-beautiful face was now thin and pale, without a trace of color, making her look fragile and pitiful.

People tend to sympathize with the weak. As a result, many forgot Li Manpei’s earlier manipulative “green tea” behavior and instead took her side, united in anger.

Netizen 1: [I didn’t expect this—Bai Tang is that jealous? Even harming his junior sister from the same sect?]

Netizen 2: [Li Manpei is stirring up trouble again. Her senior brother is already down on his luck with fewer resources than her, and she still won’t let him go. When Bai Tang had his accident before, she didn’t hold back from stepping on him either.]

Netizen 3: [Only an idiot would risk their own life just to frame someone. Li Manpei may be a bit of a schemer, but she’s not brainless.]

Netizen 4: [They should call the police. If Bai Tang really pushed her, that’s intentional assault.]

The internet buzzed with endless arguments. Bai Tang currently had no agency, and he himself was still sleeping soundly at Heng Xingjian’s house, so he couldn’t respond immediately or handle the crisis. This caused some of his supporters to lose confidence.

Why hasn’t Bai Tang responded yet? Could it actually be true?

They couldn’t believe that the cheerful boy from the livestream—the one who often flirted sweetly with the Best Actor Heng and treated the production team considerately—could be a would-be murderer.

By the time Bai Tang woke up and learned about the situation, the internet was already in chaos.

“Qiu’er, what’s going on?” Bai Tang was still confused. Did those people have any evidence that he pushed Li Manpei? Why were they making such a big deal out of it?

As Tang Tang’s number one die-hard fan, Qiu’er had already registered an account while Bai Tang was still asleep and had been arguing with netizens for five hours straight.

Qiu’er got angry just looking at the comments. “It’s all that Li Manpei making things up and slandering Tang Tang! Even in the hospital she won’t behave. People are worried about her, and the first thing she says is, ‘Why did Senior Brother Bai push me’…”

If it weren’t for Li Manpei’s dramatic accusation, netizens wouldn’t have believed her so quickly. After all, she was the victim—surviving a near-death experience and wanting justice seemed natural.

“She used to be in the same agency as Tang Tang. She must know he doesn’t have any backing now, so she dares to act so recklessly.”

“I have every reason to suspect that there’s something wrong with Li Manpei’s brain. Back on the mountain, she should have seen how the male lead protected the host. Anyone with a brain wouldn’t keep targeting the host after that. The male lead’s background and power in the entertainment industry aren’t exactly a secret,” Xiao A said, holding a diagram of the human brain as if it were Li Manpei’s, trying to spot some flaw in it.

No matter what, a clarification still had to be made.

Bai Tang logged into his account and posted a clarification on Weibo.

Although it was a bit late, for the fans who supported Bai Tang, it was undoubtedly reassuring. As for those who still didn’t believe him and continued to insult him online—he was going to take action.

Call the police.

The best solution.

“If you’re in trouble, go to the police. That’s something we learned in kindergarten—didn’t you all go to kindergarten?” Bai Tang calmly replied to the netizens who were insulting him in private messages, even posting screenshots of those messages.

“Thank you to all the fans who support me for your concern. If I didn’t do something, then I didn’t do it. My conscience is clear. If there’s a problem, go to the police—I believe in justice. For those who don’t believe my explanation, please stop insulting me. Let’s speak with facts instead. (Screenshots of private messages) @Z City Police”

When celebrities encounter situations like this, they usually just issue warnings or lawyer’s letters and leave it at that. Who would have expected Bai Tang to be so direct—reporting it to the police on the spot and even posting his follow-up conversations with them? His open and straightforward attitude, with nothing to hide, won over quite a few people. Even some haters began to wonder if they had misunderstood him.

After finishing everything, Bai Tang went to find Heng Xingjian in the study and threw himself into his arms. “A Jian, you have to take me in—I have nowhere else to go.”

Although the matter had been reported to the police, before any official conclusion was reached, there was no stopping the mouths of netizens. Having experienced online harassment and even stalking before, Bai Tang didn’t dare to underestimate anyone now. Who knew—maybe one of Li Manpei’s die-hard fans was secretly planning how to ambush him with a sack.

Heng Xingjian wished for nothing more than for the boy to grow closer to him—but not like this, forced into staying indoors.

He stroked Bai Tang’s soft black hair. Thinking of Li Manpei spouting nonsense in front of the media, a trace of sharpness appeared in his usually gentle eyes.

“Tang Tang can stay as long as he wants. This is our home.”

“Hm?”

The boy’s questioning tone was misunderstood by Heng Xingjian as reluctance. Having already come up with a perfect plan to ruin Li Manpei completely, Heng Xingjian panicked. Had he been too forward and scared Tang Tang?!

“Tang Tang, I’ve already decided that you’re the one for me in this lifetime. Would you be willing to give me a chance—with marriage as the goal—to see if I’m suitable to be your partner for the rest of your life?”

Bai Tang’s eyes curved with happiness as he was about to agree, when Xiao A suddenly interrupted:

“Host, you need to be reserved. Qiu’er’s handbook says that if something is obtained too easily, it won’t be cherished. This is a husband-training manual Qiu’er wrote based on the male lead’s personality—ah~”

Xiao A was caught off guard when Qiu’er twisted him. What grudge was this?! The male lead had already spoken—if they just got married on the spot, there’d be no role left for the female lead. What was the point of any “test”? Wasn’t Xiao A supposed to be on the female lead’s side?

Xiao A felt wronged. He had clearly followed the method written in Qiu’er’s notebook. And hadn’t Qiu’er always been reluctant to see the host and the male lead get together so quickly? Sigh… a wife’s thoughts were truly hard to understand.

In the past, Bai Tang might have listened to Xiao A. But after going through so many lifetimes, he no longer wanted to test the male lead based on some unfounded fear that he might change his heart, wasting both of their time.

Smiling brightly, the young man stood on tiptoe and kissed the man’s thin lips. “Let’s pick an auspicious day to register our marriage.”

Heng Xingjian was both surprised and delighted. Just as he was about to confirm it, Bai Tang’s next sentence stopped him in his tracks.

“You’re not even focusing when you kiss. You can sleep in the study from now on.”

Heng Xingjian: “!!!”

Whether it was the “benefits” now or those in the future, Heng Xingjian couldn’t afford to miss out. Besides, the person was already in his arms—there was no way he could run away.

A wonderful life began. With no elders at home, the only one who could be considered an elder was the housekeeper. Nicknamed the “Elder Slayer,” the little squirrel managed, in less than two days, to make the usually expressionless housekeeper beam with smiles. Every day, he happily busied himself in the kitchen, saying he wanted to cook nourishing meals for Bai Tang.

Bai Tang, meanwhile, lived quite leisurely—sleeping, browsing the internet, and snacking in Heng Xingjian’s room. Life couldn’t have been more pleasant.

It wasn’t that reporters hadn’t tried to find Bai Tang—they simply couldn’t.

They turned their attention to Bai Tang’s parents and went to the hospital. But a hospital is a place for treating patients—how could it be surrounded by reporters? How would ambulances get in and out?

The reporters couldn’t even get through the hospital’s main entrance. Even if some tried to sneak in disguised as patients, they still couldn’t access the inpatient ward. After speaking with Bai Tang on the phone and understanding the seriousness of the situation, his parents, though worried, chose to avoid causing him trouble. They even stopped their daily walks downstairs.

The people staying with Bai Tang’s parents were all patients of similar age. They weren’t interested in entertainment industry gossip—unless it made the national news, they wouldn’t pay attention to which celebrity got married, divorced, or filmed a drama.

Though it was called a hospital ward, it felt more like a retirement home. Bai Tang’s father played chess with fellow patients, while his mother watched TV dramas with other female patients. Their days were simple but fulfilling. Most importantly, Bai Tang had said that once this matter was resolved, he would leave the entertainment industry, bring his parents home, and have the family live together.

Having their child by their side—that was all they wished for.

The two elders were in great spirits, cheerful all day long. From time to time, they would chat with fellow patients, happily imagining a future surrounded by children and grandchildren.

Li Manpei became famous—half for her popularity, half for the controversy. Numerous endorsements and appearances lined up, waiting for her to choose once she was discharged from the hospital.

She wasn’t worried at all about Bai Tang calling the police to investigate the scene. At the time, there had been a chaotic crowd, and everything happened in an instant. Even the cameramen had put down their equipment to rescue people—what evidence could possibly have been left behind? As for witnesses, perhaps Heng Xingjian, who had been nearby, might have noticed something. But everyone knew he was on Bai Tang’s side, so his testimony wouldn’t count as reliable evidence.

News in the entertainment industry moves quickly. Within a few days, the incident lost its heat, replaced by stories of Li Manpei’s “rebirth from the ashes” and her return after recovering her health.

Just as Li Manpei had expected, collecting evidence proved extremely difficult—but not entirely fruitless. In the early stages, both parties’ statements were consistent. The disagreement arose after Bai Tang was pulled back up: one claimed that Bai Tang had pushed her, while the other insisted he had not.

When questioning the witnesses, one of the cameramen suddenly slapped his thigh. “That’s right—there might be evidence! Maybe that camera caught it.”

To capture either clever or embarrassing moments from the guests, the production team had installed a miniature camera beneath the broken bridge. That camera might have recorded the moment Bai Tang was pulled up.

The police and the production staff quickly retrieved the footage, loaded it onto a computer, and located the time of the incident. Sure enough, everyone involved was in frame. When Li Manpei fell, they slowed the footage down several times. Her facial expression was twisted, and her hand was extended outward—not in a pulling motion, but clearly in a pushing one. Bai Tang, firmly held by Heng Xingjian, had shifted slightly to the side. Unable to pull her hand back in time, Li Manpei lost her balance and fell.

This was crucial evidence. The production team cooperated fully, submitting the footage and promising not to disclose anything before the final result was announced.

Meanwhile, Li Manpei was discharged from the hospital and took on several endorsements, riding a strong wave of momentum.

However, this was also the last stretch of time she could enjoy her success. Heng Xingjian and Bai Tang didn’t deal with her immediately—not because they couldn’t, but because they were busy planning their honeymoon route. Whatever needed to be handled could wait until after they finished their “important business.”

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Chapter 430 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – The Tea Withered (13)

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Bai Tang’s silence was taken by Li Manpei as a sign of yielding. Encouraged, she became even more proactive, even deliberately edging Bai Tang aside.

Bai Tang refused to let go. The two of them exerted force in secret. Beneath their feet was loose soil—one moment of carelessness, and it gave way. Terrified, Li Manpei instinctively grabbed onto Bai Tang.

Seeing that all three of them were about to fall, Bai Tang used the momentum to pivot, pushing Heng Xingjian upward while he himself lost balance and dropped off the cliff.

“Tang Tang—!”

Gravel tumbled down the slope. Bai Tang was caught by Heng Xingjian and left hanging in midair. More than half of Heng Xingjian’s body dangled over the edge—only then was he barely able to hold onto Bai Tang.

The cameraman, frightened, dropped his camera and rushed to grab Heng Xingjian. The others did the same. They shoved aside the stunned Li Manpei and ran to the cliff to help.

“Don’t let go, Tang Tang—hold onto me!”

The soil was still collapsing, and Heng Xingjian didn’t dare loosen his grip.

Veins bulged clearly across his forehead as his arms suddenly strained with force. He couldn’t think of anything else—there was only one thought in his mind: Tangtang must not fall.

Bai Tang glanced downward. The height meant little to him, but for an ordinary human, it would mean either death or crippling injury. He tightened his grip on Heng Xingjian’s hand. Even if it was just to reassure A Jian, he couldn’t let go.

People tend to sweat when they’re nervous. Before long, Heng Xingjian was drenched in sweat.

Bai Tang’s grip kept slipping lower along Heng Xingjian’s arm. “A Jian, let go. I’ll be fine.” If this continued, A Jian’s arm would be dislocated—how could he bear that?

Bai Tang couldn’t bear it, but Heng Xingjian could bear it even less. Rather than watching Tang Tang fall right before his eyes, he would rather die himself.

“Senior Brother Bai, don’t worry—we’ll definitely pull you up!”

While the others were pulling Heng Xingjian, Li Manpei ran to the edge, leaned out, and tried to encourage Bai Tang with her words.

Whether it was the lingering emotions of the original host or Bai Tang’s own dislike of her, the moment he saw Li Manpei, anger surged within him. “Go stand somewhere cooler and stay there.”

“I…” Li Manpei’s outstretched hand froze midair. She didn’t know whether to withdraw it or continue helping Heng Xingjian pull Bai Tang up.

“Miss Li, please step aside.” Heng Xingjian’s voice was icy, so cold that Li Manpei slowly withdrew her hand, her eyes gradually reddening.

“I’m sorry… I just wanted to help.”

With everyone’s combined effort, Bai Tang was gradually pulled back up.

Heng Xingjian tightened his grip a little more, slowly guiding Bai Tang. “Tang Tang, don’t panic. Hold onto my hand and climb up slowly.”

Bai Tang was no longer completely suspended in midair. His body pressed partially against the cliff face. Stepping on protruding rocks, he used the leverage to push himself upward.

Again… just like this. Everyone only ever paid attention to Bai Tang.

Just as Bai Tang was about to be pulled up, a vicious thought rose in Li Manpei’s heart. A bright smile bloomed on her face, as if she were celebrating Bai Tang’s narrow escape. Yet as she turned around, she “accidentally” slipped and shoved Bai Tang outward.

“Ah—!”

A terrified scream pierced the sky.

Heng Xingjian held Bai Tang tightly in his arms, one arm gently stroking his back—whether to comfort Bai Tang or himself, it was unclear. “It’s okay… it’s okay…”

Qiu’er and Xiao A stood where Li Manpei had originally been. Taking advantage of everyone’s distraction, they quietly stepped back a few paces, hiding their contribution without a trace.

Trying to harm Tang Tang? Didn’t she know who was backing him?

Li Manpei’s attempt to harm others backfired. Not only did she fail to push Bai Tang off, she ended up falling off the cliff herself.

Of course, heaven cherishes all life. Qiu’er and Xiao A weren’t that heartless. Besides, Bai Tang couldn’t bear to see someone die in front of him. So the systems gave Li Manpei a small “benefit”—at the very least, her life wouldn’t be in danger. As for the rest of her body, however, they couldn’t guarantee it would remain intact.

The production team had set up safety measures for this segment. As Li Manpei fell, a net deployed and caught her. However, because her falling position was off, she rolled several times across the net and then tumbled off the edge with a thud, hitting the ground.

Just hearing the sound made it seem painful. But thanks to the production team’s cushioning setup and Qiu’er and Xiao A’s “friendly assistance,” Li Manpei’s injuries were far less severe than everyone had expected.

With an accident like this, the show couldn’t continue. Even a delay of just a few minutes in the livestream was enough to stir up the audience.

Their idol was in danger—who the hell would still watch a variety show?

The production team looked utterly miserable. This situation had blown up.

The director’s phone was practically ringing off the hook. Though it might not be very moral to think so, he couldn’t help but feel relieved—it was fortunate that Heng Xingjian hadn’t fallen. If the second young master of Xingyu Entertainment had been injured on their show, Xingyu would have torn him apart.

The program was forced to halt, and everyone gathered at the foot of the mountain.

Li Manpei lay on a stretcher provided by the infirmary. Heng Xingjian held onto Bai Tang, not allowing him to go forward.

Did she really think that just because things had been chaotic, he wouldn’t notice why she had fallen?

Bai Tang was soft-hearted and possessed special abilities—he might very well pity Li Manpei and try to save her.

Everything in this world comes at an equivalent price. Heng Xingjian didn’t believe Bai Tang’s powers could be used without cost. Asking him to pay a price to save someone who had tried to harm Tang Tang—Heng Xingjian would never agree.

“Tang Tang, are you okay? You scared me to death.” Liu Lingfan had heard about Bai Tang from the cameraman and was so frightened she felt like her soul had left her body. If anything had happened to Bai Tang, how heartbroken his parents would have been… She had promised the two elders she would take good care of him.

“I’m fine, Sister Xiaofan, don’t worry.” To stop the heroine from bombarding him with a series of questions, Bai Tang resorted to a “handsome-man tactic.” He shoved Qiu’er and Xiao A into her arms. “Qiu’er and Xiao A are terrified—they need a pretty big sister’s hug to feel better.”

Qiu’er & Xiao A: “???”

Before the two dogs could even react, Liu Lingfan had already started enthusiastically petting them.

“Good boys, don’t be scared.” She tried her best to comfort the two “trembling” dogs.

Qiu’er: I’m not scared—I’m being manhandled by the heroine! Woman, don’t touch me!

The barren mountain was in a remote area. It would take three hours just to drive into the city, so there was no way an ambulance from town could arrive in time.

The production team didn’t dare delay. They quickly transferred the unconscious Li Manpei to the local clinic—at least it had some medical facilities.

Gu Xinrong, the number one “bootlicker,” heard that Li Manpei had fallen off the cliff because of Bai Tang. Already blinded by her beauty, he refused to listen to any explanation and angrily swung his fist at Bai Tang.

“Ah—!” Liu Lingfan, standing nearby, cried out in shock at Gu Xinrong’s sudden attack.

Everyone turned to look, only to see Heng Xingjian catching Gu Xinrong’s punch. His expression was like solid ice, carrying the ominous sense of an approaching storm.

Both men were fighting for the one they loved—the clash between them began immediately.

Gu Xinrong had a martial arts background, each punch heavy and forceful. But Heng Xingjian was no pushover either. Ever since being introduced into high society by his family, he had trained his combat skills. Anyone thinking of kidnapping him would have to think twice. Now, he held nothing back.

The two exchanged blows, neither willing to yield. The sound of fists and kicks colliding made everyone present wince.

Didn’t they feel pain? Just listening to it hurt.

In the end, Heng Xingjian came out on top. With a shoulder throw, he neutralized Gu Xinrong’s strength and subdued him.

“A Jian, you’re hurt.” Bai Tang hurried to his side, but Heng Xingjian pressed down on his hand.

“It’s just a superficial injury. It’s nothing serious.” There were too many people around—he couldn’t let Tang Tang reveal his abilities.

Bai Tang seemed to understand. He glanced around, then lowered his head and gave a quiet “Mm.”

By the time they returned to the city, it was already late at night.

Feeling guilty, the production team arranged a hotel for them.

Heng Xingjian declined the production team’s offer and instead called the family driver, taking Bai Tang home with him.

The Heng family’s villa was located halfway up the mountain, with beautiful scenery. Heng Xingjian’s parents were both overseas expanding the company, while Xingyu Entertainment in the country was managed by the eldest son, Heng Xingzhou. He rarely returned home, having bought a place near the company for convenience.

The villa was luxurious. The paintings on the walls were priceless, and the exquisite chandeliers cast a cold white light that matched the gray-white walls, giving the place a lifeless chill. If not for the housekeeper and a few servants, the villa would have felt completely devoid of human warmth.

The housekeeper said respectfully, “Second Young Master, Doctor Shen has been waiting for quite some time.”

Heng Xingjian gave a slight nod. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Doctor Shen was the Heng family’s personal physician. After examining Bai Tang, he pulled Heng Xingjian aside. “You Xiao Heng—this is the one you’ve been making such a fuss over lately? That rumored partner of yours?”

Don’t be mistaken—this old man, already past fifty, really was a highly skilled doctor. But doctors can be gossipy too, okay? He had watched Heng Xingjian grow up—when had he ever cared about anyone like this? In the past, some people had even tried to throw themselves at him—one had stripped naked and run into his room, and he had still thrown them out expressionlessly. The Heng family had more than once suspected their second son might have… certain issues, even asking Doctor Shen to examine him repeatedly. After confirming over and over that Heng Xingjian was perfectly healthy, that whole “physical concern” finally died down.

“Not a rumored partner,” Heng Xingjian said, his gaze soft as he looked at the boy dozing with his head propped on the table. “My partner.”

Doctor Shen followed his gaze. The boy’s head bobbed sleepily; after nodding a few times, his cheek slipped off his palm. He opened his eyes, looking dazed and confused, as if unsure where he was.

“A Jian~” Bai Tang pouted at Heng Xingjian. “When can we go to sleep?”

The little squirrel was sleepy and wanted to curl up in his lover’s arms to sleep.

“Coming.” Heng Xingjian stepped past Doctor Shen and gently supported the boy. “Tang Tang, are you hungry? Do you want to eat something before sleeping?”

“I’m not hungry. No need to trouble the housekeeper. I just want to sleep with you right now~”

As the two passed by Doctor Shen, the boy yawned. His almond-shaped eyes, misted with moisture, looked at the doctor as he spoke softly, “Doctor Shen, thank you for your hard work. Good night.”

“Good night,” Doctor Shen replied.

Watching their retreating figures as they left the room, a sense of inevitability rose in his heart. A boy like that… it was only natural for people to like him. It wasn’t surprising at all that he had caught Heng Xingjian’s special attention.

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Chapter 429 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – Jasmine Green Tea (12)

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Heng Xingjian, Bai Tang, and the two little dogs all wore straw hats. From a distance, the first impression they gave was that of a family. Their relaxed demeanor didn’t look like they were challenging the wilderness at all—instead, it felt more like a spring outing. If they were carrying a basket, it would’ve looked even more so.

Since this was supposed to be an extreme challenge, they couldn’t stay together the whole time. With both teams gathered, all the attention was stolen by Heng Xingjian and Bai Tang, leaving the others with nothing worth watching.

Not long after the two teams split up, Bai Tang mysteriously took out two small flags. Unwilling to remain in the background any longer, Li Manpei spoke up, “Wasn’t there only one?”

Bai Tang replied, “I found this one in the grass.”

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Does it make any difference if I say it now? Anyway, I’m on the same team as Heng Xingjian.”

Bai Tang clearly didn’t include Li Manpei as part of his group. The latter bit her lower lip, putting on an expression of grievance that she seemed forced to endure.

[“Look, Li Manpei is at it again.”]

[“Now that Gu Xinrong, that fool, isn’t here, who’s going to stand up for her? Don’t tell me she’s expecting Heng Xingjian?”]

[“Bai Tang’s words clearly show he doesn’t see her as one of them. Isn’t she allowed to feel upset?”]

[“No way… does anyone seriously think Li Manpei is naturally delicate and fragile?”]

[“A truly considerate and delicate girl would know her physical condition isn’t good enough and wouldn’t even join this kind of activity. Not causing trouble for others—that’s real thoughtfulness.”]

Li Manpei watched as Heng Xingjian affectionately patted Bai Tang’s head in praise, then said in a soft, fragile voice, “Senior Brother Bai is really amazing. Unlike me… I can’t do anything.”

If it were a modest man, he might have comforted the insecure and self-deprecating Li Manpei. But Heng Xingjian was clearly not someone with a normal way of thinking. He very cooperatively nodded, agreeing with her.

“Indeed, Tang Tang is really amazing.” Whether it was producing a blanket out of thin air or possessing special abilities, these were things ordinary people couldn’t compare to. Of course, even if Tang Tang couldn’t do anything, he would still be the best in his eyes.

Li Manpei choked on her words, then continued, “No wonder the Best Actor Heng has taken a liking to Senior Brother Bai. He’s really much better than me.”

Bai Tang said, “Yes, A Jian really does have good taste.”

Li Manpei: “…”

Bai Tang gave Heng Xingjian a sweet smile, and the man adjusted the boy’s straw hat for him.

Still unwilling to give up, Li Manpei pointed at something red in the distance and said, “Is that a small flag?”

Bai Tang looked over in that direction and shook his head. “Just a red garbage bag.”

Li Manpei’s face turned a shade paler. What does Bai Tang mean? He didn’t even go over to look—how does he already know it’s not a small flag? Is he implying I’m blind?

Although Bai Tang said it was just a trash bag, he still walked toward it. Just as Li Manpei thought he was about to embarrass himself in front of the audience, Bai Tang picked up the bag and handed it to the production team.

“I don’t know who littered in the mountains—this really pollutes the environment. We’ve got food in our backpacks, so we can’t put it together with trash. I’ll have to trouble the cameraman to help find something to store it in.”

The camera filming Bai Tang tilted up and down a few times, as if nodding in agreement with the boy.

The livestream audience nearly burst out laughing.

[“Tang Tang is way too cute—he even remembers to protect the environment when he’s out.”]

[“Did you see Li Manpei’s expression? Poor thing. Too bad there’s no sucker here to stand up for her.”]

[“Tang Tang shutting her down like that felt so satisfying, hahaha.”]

Just as the comments said, no one was trying to please Li Manpei now, so she could only rely on herself.

“Since it’s not a small flag, we should hurry and find one. Otherwise, if the other team gets it first, we’ll lose.”

Finding flags was the main objective, so they continued according to plan. Bai Tang and Heng Xingjian were still leisurely holding hands, while the production crew following behind them secretly felt troubled. The two little dogs were like navigation devices—guiding the way so well that all the traps set by the crew were avoided. They even smoothly found the third flag. If things kept going like this, what would be left to watch?

Fortunately, luck was on their side. The two dogs led them straight to the broken bridge mechanism that had been set up. This was the hardest obstacle in the entire show—watching Bai Tang and Heng Xingjian rack their brains to get the flag would definitely be entertaining.

As for why no one was looking forward to Li Manpei’s performance—well, sorry. Her “well-behaved top student” persona had already collapsed. The “well-behaved” part had turned into “scheming green tea,” and the “top student” into someone practically illiterate. The staff couldn’t say much, but the audience had eyes. It would already be good enough if she didn’t hold them back—no one was expecting anything from her anymore.

When they arrived at the broken bridge, a small red flag was planted on the other side. Its surface fluttered in the wind, eye-catching and impossible to miss.

“Woof, woof, woof…” One of the dogs barked a few times, startling Li Manpei out of her thoughts.

The camera shifted to her. She gave a soft, delicate smile and put on a troubled expression.

“The bridge is broken, but the flag is on the other side… what should we do?”

If one ignored her previous behavior and only looked at her now, she really could stir up a man’s protective instincts—making one not want her to frown, willing to go through fire and water just to see her smile again.

But still, the same problem remained—unfortunately, her devoted simp wasn’t on this team.

Bai Tang stared at the opposite side, deep in thought. If he were alone, he could easily get the flag. But with cameras around—and with A Jian there—there was no way he could just turn back into a little squirrel to retrieve it.

Heng Xingjian walked to the edge to examine the situation. The broken bridge was made of wood and had long fallen into disrepair. It had snapped in the middle, and the remaining planks were extremely fragile. With just a light press, a finger-width crack split open in the wood. Repairing the bridge was clearly not an option.

The drop beneath the bridge wasn’t very high, but it wasn’t low either. Climbing down and then back up from the other side to get the flag was possible—but it would take a lot of time and energy.

Heng Xingjian was calculating his chances of climbing across to retrieve the flag. If he ran out of strength halfway and fell, even if he didn’t die, he’d be seriously injured. That was the real difficulty of this challenge.

Seeing all three of them lost in thought—and even the two little dogs standing at the edge, staring into the distance—the production team couldn’t have been happier. A highlight moment for the show was finally in sight. If they edited together footage of the Best Actor and Bai Tang struggling and discussing solutions, then spliced it into a scene showing disagreement or even an argument, it would definitely draw in viewers. After all, there had been too much sweetness between them lately—this was supposed to be a survival challenge show, not a romance program.

Unexpectedly, the filming that followed went very smoothly. Bai Tang proposed the same plan Heng Xingjian had in mind: he would climb down, then climb up the other side to retrieve the flag. Li Manpei agreed, while Heng Xingjian opposed it.

“Tang Tang’s body is weak. I’ll go,” Heng Xingjian said. He hadn’t forgotten that the first time he met Bai Tang, the boy’s foot had been injured. It takes a hundred days to recover from muscle and bone injuries—although half a year had passed, he still couldn’t allow Bai Tang to face even the slightest danger.

“I can do it,” Bai Tang insisted. “I could climb the tree just now—my stamina is actually very good.”

Heng Xingjian replied firmly, “If I say no, then it’s no. Tang Tang, be good.”

Bai Tang said, “If I don’t go, are we supposed to let a girl do it?” He pointed at Li Manpei.

Li Manpei put on a shocked expression, then lowered her head in distress. “It’s all my fault… If only I were stronger, you wouldn’t be put in such a difficult position.”

Qiu’er: “Hey, Xiao A, look at this green tea b*tch.”

Xiao A: “I see it. Be good—we’re not learning from her.”

Bai Tang: “See? Other than me, there’s no one else who can go.”

Heng Xingjian said, “I can.”

“You can’t.” Bai Tang took off his backpack and grabbed Heng Xingjian’s hand, gently swaying it. “A Jian, you’ve been carrying me the whole way, and you’ve been making the fire and grilling meat—you’re already exhausted. But I’ve had plenty of rest, so let me go, okay~”

Heng Xingjian lowered his gaze slightly. Bai Tang intensified his acting cute, but his usually unbeatable trump card didn’t work this time. Heng Xingjian still firmly rejected his proposal.

For the first time in this world, Heng Xingjian took a hard stance with Bai Tang. “Tang Tang, you’re not allowed to go.”

Bai Tang wanted to keep persuading him, but when he looked into the man’s eyes, he saw pain and pleading. It made him freeze for a moment.

“I don’t want to lose you again.” Heng Xingjian pulled the boy into his arms, his whisper by Bai Tang’s ear filled with helplessness and unease.

Qiu’er added, “The male lead’s soul has always traveled together with Tang Tang through each world, and he’s always been conscious. It’s just that every time they transmigrate, his memories and awareness get sealed away. In the last few worlds, though, his consciousness has started to show signs of awakening.”

That also explained why the male lead had almost fallen into darkness in some worlds—his original power was something the laws of the Three Thousand Worlds couldn’t withstand.

“Then we’ll think of another way.” Bai Tang recalled how he had once accidentally triggered his lover and nearly caused him to lose control. His heart ached—Heng Xingjian always put him first.

Bai Tang’s nose stung. He hugged Heng Xingjian back, his voice slightly muffled with a nasal tone. “I’m sorry… I always make you worry~”

Heng Xingjian pinched the boy’s delicate nose. “I’m willing to.”

The cameraman captured this moment—these two lovebirds having a brief spat and then quickly making up—and couldn’t help but admire them inwardly.

As expected of a Best Actor Heng—he calmed his lover down so quickly. And Bai Tang was no less impressive; he had managed to win over the Best Actor Heng not long after meeting him.

Climbing over to get the flag became the last resort. Bai Tang came up with a new idea—he asked Heng Xingjian to gather some relatively straight branches, while he went to collect flexible vines to bind them together, making an extra-long pole. They could use it to hook the flag from the other side, then climb down to retrieve it, greatly reducing the risk.

The production team had already anticipated this method. Even after collecting all the usable branches nearby and tying them together, the pole still couldn’t quite reach the other side.

“Just need to stretch a bit more.” Bai Tang held up the pole and aimed at the opposite side, preparing to hook the flag. Before it could reach, however, Heng Xingjian snatched the pole from his hands.

“I’ll do it.” Heng Xingjian pushed Bai Tang behind him. He couldn’t stand the sight of Tang Tang leaning halfway over the edge, looking as if he might be blown off by the wind at any moment.

“Then be careful.” Bai Tang was also afraid Heng Xingjian might fall, so he held onto him tightly.

“I’ll help too.” Wanting to assert her presence, Li Manpei hurried over and grabbed onto Heng Xingjian as well.

Knowing Li Manpei wasn’t a good person, how could Bai Tang let her touch Heng Xingjian? He said, “No need. You’re not very strong—just rest over there.”

Unwilling to give up, Li Manpei saw this as the perfect chance to show teamwork and win Heng Xingjian’s favor. She blinked playfully and said, “I can’t just keep letting you take care of me. Don’t underestimate me, Senior Brother Bai.”

“Really, there’s no need.”

One insisted on helping, the other refused her help. It had rained the night before, and the soil by the cliff was still soft. As they moved, Heng Xingjian’s footing suddenly slipped a little, scaring Bai Tang so much that he didn’t dare argue with Li Manpei anymore.

Forget it. If she wants to help, then let her help—as long as she’s not trying to harm anyone. Bai Tang chose to think the best of it.

Seeing that Bai Tang no longer objected, Li Manpei became even more eager to show her attentiveness. She kept expressing concern for Heng Xingjian, “Be careful, take it slow. I’m holding onto you—you don’t need to be afraid…”

---

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Chapter 428 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – Jasmine Green Tea (11)

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Beads of sweat the size of beans formed on Heng Xingjian’s forehead as he struggled to endure the pain in his arms.

Bai Tang scrambled to his feet in a panic. Most people’s attention had been drawn to Li Manpei, so there weren’t many gathered under the tree.

“A Jian, A Jian, I’m sorry…” The boy’s eyes were filled with moisture, and with a blink, tears streamed down.

“It’s okay. As long as Tang Tang is fine.” Heng Xingjian’s handsome face was pale. Half-embracing the boy, his bloodless lips gently kissed away the tears at the corners of his eyes. “Don’t cry, I’m fine.”

The boy sniffled softly. Seeing he couldn’t help much, Liu Lingfan ran to the luggage they had left not far away and began searching for the medical kit. Each person could only bring three items, and one of hers was a small first-aid kit.

Bai Tang glanced at the camera filming them. He had Qiu’er and Xiao A create a distraction, then took the opportunity to pull Heng Xingjian behind a nearby tree.

Once he was sure no one could see them, Bai Tang used his healing ability to slowly repair the injury in Heng Xingjian’s arm.

His control over his powers had grown more refined—the healing light was contained within a small range, with no leakage at all.

“A Jian, I lied just now. There wasn’t any snake in the tree. That Li Manpei is just too annoying, so I wanted to scare her a bit,” the boy confessed honestly, apologizing for his behavior.

His tears had already stopped, but his voice still sounded muffled.

“No matter what, I’ll stay by Tang Tang’s side.” It was a simple sentence, yet it carried Heng Xingjian’s deepest promise.

“A Jian~” Bai Tang buried himself in his chest, his heart burning with emotion at such deep affection.

“Tang Tang…” Heng Xingjian hugged him tightly, as if he wanted to press the boy into his very bones.

I love you—from the very first moment I saw you outside the hospital.

“Tang Tang, Heng Xingjian, where are you?” Liu Lingfan had found the first-aid kit, but in the chaos, she couldn’t spot the two people she most wanted to see.

What had attacked Li Manpei wasn’t the “green snake” everyone thought—it was just a vine that looked like one.

Li Manpei stopped wailing. The abrasions on her face throbbed faintly, but they were nothing compared to the anxiety of having mistaken a vine for a snake.

When she came back to her senses and realized that the scene just now had likely been seen by all her fans, her face burned with embarrassment.

What should she do? Her image…

Li Manpei lowered her head and said nothing. To her devoted admirer, Gu Xinrong, it looked like she had been frightened and injured, too embarrassed to face anyone.

He glanced around and spotted Liu Lingfan standing in the open with the first-aid kit. He quickly walked over, leaned in, and said softly, “Let me borrow that, thanks.”

Gu Xinrong was in a hurry and quite strong. When he grabbed the first-aid kit, Liu Lingfan didn’t have time to let go and was pulled forward, stumbling and nearly falling.

“Hey, I never agreed to lend it to you!”

Even the most easygoing person has their limits. The first-aid kit had been snatched away—what about Tang Tang and Heng Xingjian?!

Liu Lingfan pushed her way into the crowd, trying to get the kit back, but Gu Xinrong was faster. The kit had already been opened, and the accompanying doctor was carefully treating Li Manpei’s wounds.

Liu Lingfan was furious, but she couldn’t exactly snatch it back midway through treatment.

“Woof, woof, woof…”

The sound of two small dogs barking came from nearby. Liu Lingfan felt something tugging at her pant leg. Looking down, she saw a little husky biting onto her pants, seemingly trying to lead her somewhere.

Dogs protect their owners—these two must know where Bai Tang was.

Liu Lingfan bent down, grabbed some disinfectant and gauze from the first-aid kit, and followed the two puppies to the tree where Bai Tang and Heng Xingjian were.

“Tang Tang, are you hurt?” Liu Lingfan pulled him out of Heng Xingjian’s arms and lifted his chin—no injuries on his face, good; she rolled up his sleeves—his arms were smooth, also fine; she started to roll up his pant legs…

“Hm?”

Her movements were suddenly stopped by Heng Xingjian. She looked up and met his deep, stormy gaze, and her body froze as if she had been immobilized.

“Sorry to make you worry, Xiao Fan. I’m not hurt~”

The boy’s voice broke the frozen tension, and the atmosphere warmed again. Liu Lingfan also realized she had been too rash. She gave an awkward smile and let go of Bai Tang’s pant leg.

“It’s good that you’re not hurt… really good…” Liu Lingfan held the disinfectant awkwardly, not knowing what to do. Heng Xingjian’s presence was too overwhelming—just standing there made her unsure of herself.

Bai Tang let go of Heng Xingjian and instead looped his arm through Liu Lingfan’s. “How is it over there?”

With someone changing the subject, Liu Lingfan was more than happy to escape the awkwardness.

She glanced toward the crowd and curled her lips. “Tsk, making a fuss over nothing.” Clearly, even the “female lead” didn’t think much of that troublesome supporting character.

After treating Li Manpei’s minor scrape, everyone sat down quietly in a circle.

Bai Tang stuffed the small red flag into Heng Xingjian’s hand. “Ours.” If anyone wanted to snatch it, they’d have to get past Ah Jian first.

Xuan Xiuxian weighed the difference in strength between himself and Heng Xingjian, then reluctantly withdrew his gaze.

So far, their team hadn’t obtained a single flag—and now they even had two injured members.

He looked at the group that had split into two factions and sighed inwardly. Three days… and only one had passed so far. This was going to be tough.

The production team had clearly thought of this as well. Several of them stepped aside and huddled together, seemingly discussing something. Just as Bai Tang and Heng Xingjian finished packing and were about to set off, the cameraman—who had previously shared a “roast chicken” connection with Bai Tang—spoke up.

“Bai Tang, you’ve seen the situation. There’s conflict between Li Manpei and Yi Haoguang. If they stay together, things might escalate even further. So… would it be possible…”

The cameraman awkwardly expressed the production team’s request to swap team members. Creating drama was one thing—but they definitely didn’t want things to spiral into something serious.

After a day of observation, the staff had already figured out Bai Tang’s position within the team. As long as he agreed, Heng Xingjian and Liu Lingfan wouldn’t object.

Being able to get away from that “green tea,” Yi Haoguang couldn’t ask for more.

With bruises still covering his face, he moved closer to Bai Tang. “Look at this injury on my face…”

Bai Tang: “!!!”

Ke Lianggong explained, “He got it from a fight with Gu Xinrong. Just a small conflict.”

Ke Lianggong tried to downplay the situation. Deep down, he also wanted to separate Yi Haoguang and Li Manpei—once they were apart, there would be far fewer problems.

Even without hearing the full truth, Bai Tang could already guess what had happened.

Qiu’er and Xiao A were even commenting on Li Manpei’s acting skills.

“‘Innocent girl’? Please, don’t insult actual innocent girls. She’s more like a cup of jasmine green tea.”

“This is the worst slander jasmine green tea has ever suffered.”

The viewers in the livestream also found something off about Li Manpei.

[“The more I watch her, the more something feels wrong. That “green tea” vibe is really strong.”]

[“No bias here—Li Manpei is just a delicate girl. Her clothes were soaked, and a man suddenly barged in. Wouldn’t you scream too?”]

[“She’s not a bad person. She’s been blaming herself for leading everyone the wrong way, and she even kindly warned them about a snake in the tree.”]

[“Give me a break—“kindly”? How is she any different from those “Don’t argue, it’s all my fault, I’ve always wanted to get along with my sister” green tea girls? Only straight guys can’t see through it.”]

[“It’s not that straight guys can’t tell—they just want to have it both ways.”]

Just then, Liu Lingfan, who had been firmly against swapping team members, was still refusing. Their group only had three people—who would leave, and who would join?

Maintaining her soft and fragile demeanor, Li Manpei walked up to Bai Tang. “Senior Bai, please don’t argue because of me. It’s all my fault. I’ve always wanted to do something for everyone, but I keep messing things up.” She turned to Yi Haoguang. “Yi Haoguang, I’ve always wanted to get along with you peacefully, but you misunderstood me…”

Xiao A: “See? What did I tell you.”

Qiu’er: “Impressive. I’ve learned something.”

Female viewers: [“That’s next-level.”]

Male viewers: [“Something feels off, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”]

People of the same kind are especially sensitive to each other. While Ke Lianggong was talking to Bai Tang, Yi Haoguang had been subtly on guard against him all along. It wasn’t obvious, but it was definitely there.

Bai Tang’s eyes flicked back and forth between them. He pulled Heng Xingjian aside, and the two whispered about something. Then Bai Tang jogged over to Liu Lingfan. She cast a strange glance at Ke Lianggong and the others—then agreed to the team swap.

She agreed!!!

Yi Haoguang’s eyes widened. He jumped up in excitement, only to pull at his injuries again and cry out in pain.

“You, be careful.” Ke Lianggong rubbed Yi Haoguang’s arm, a hint of indulgent affection on his face that even he himself didn’t notice.

It was an equal exchange—female for female. Not only did it separate Li Manpei and Yi Haoguang, it also kept things relatively fair for both teams.

As everyone packed up, Gu Xinrong still felt uneasy, worried that Bai Tang and Heng Xingjian might bully Li Manpei, so the two teams ended up traveling together.

Along the way, everyone finally got to witness what it meant to be doted on by an award-winning actor.

For example, right now—

“Tang Tang, the path ahead is slippery. I’ll carry you across.”

“Okay~”

The man crouched down, and the boy shyly climbed onto his back, hiding half his face against the man’s shoulder.

“We’ve passed it already. Put me down—I’m heavy.”

“You’re not heavy, Tang Tang. I could carry you for a lifetime.”

“A Jian, are you hungry? These chestnuts are really good—I’ll feed you.”

“Open your mouth, ah—”

“Ah—”

The two of them led the way at the front, leaving no room for anyone else to join in.

Li Manpei bit her lower lip, glanced ahead, then lowered her gaze in silence.

Under the blazing sun, everyone was sweating profusely. When they stopped to rest at noon, Bai Tang quietly sat to the side, weaving grass. Gu Xinrong watched for a while, found it boring, and turned away to chat with Li Manpei.

Heng Xingjian started a fire. At some point, the husky and the golden retriever—who had disappeared earlier—came running back, one carrying a chicken in its mouth, the other a fish. They dropped them beside Heng Xingjian and barked, “Woof, woof…”

“Good dogs. Go see what Tang Tang is doing.” Afraid the fire might burn them, Heng Xingjian shooed them off to Bai Tang.

“Woof…” The black-and-white husky and the golden retriever trotted over and nudged Bai Tang.

“Come here—try these on and see if they look good.”

Bai Tang had woven several grass hats. Two smaller ones were clearly meant for the little ones.

Qiu’er wore the grass hat Bai Tang had specially made for him and strutted over to Li Manpei and the others, showing off proudly.

Hmph, a bunch of mortals—do you have love-filled grass hats personally woven by my Tang Tang?

With the hats on, they no longer had to worry about the sun pounding on their heads. Everyone looked on enviously, and Qiu’er grew even more smug.

Heng Xingjian stepped up to Bai Tang. “Tang Tang, where’s mine?”

“Of course I made one for you.” Bai Tang pulled out a hidden grass hat from behind him. “Come on, try it—see if it fits.”

The boy placed the hat on Heng Xingjian’s head. A few stray blades of grass stuck out, but instead of ruining his looks, they gave him a more down-to-earth charm.

“So handsome!” The boy’s eyes curved into a smile.

“It’s because Tang Tang is so skilled.” The man’s lips curved upward, and in his brown eyes, only one person was reflected.

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Chapter 427 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – Where Are the Snakes (10)

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Yi Haoguang had recovered a bit of his strength and could no longer tolerate those ambiguous, judgmental looks. If he didn’t explain things clearly, who knew what the audience would think of him.

He looked around at everyone inside the tent and noticed that only Ke Lianggong seemed genuinely worried about him. The production crew didn’t know the full story, but their gazes were relatively neutral, without much bias.

He then glanced at Li Manpei, who was standing to the side with her arms wrapped around herself, trembling. A cold smile tugged at the corner of his lips, but it accidentally pulled at his wound, making him hiss in pain and ruining the expression.

Although his attempt to look cool failed, it didn’t stop him from defending his innocence. “Miss, please—just with your figure? Even if you stripped naked, you’d look like a washboard. You’re not even as well-built as Liang-ge’s gym-trained chest. What would I even want to peek at? And what you’ve got on your face—is that foundation or gold dust…?”

Everyone turned to look at Li Manpei. Her semi-transparent clothes clung faintly to her skin—there wasn’t much left to misunderstand.

So, it was just a misunderstanding.

Li Manpei’s face turned pale. What did Yi Haoguang mean? Was he looking down on her?

Catching her expression, Yi Haoguang let out a scoff, but it pulled at the cut on his lip again, making him cry out in pain.

“You’re injured, and you’re still not being careful,” Ke Lianggong said, bringing over cotton pads and disinfectant. The two had fought—Gu Xinrong was mostly fine, but Yi Haoguang had been hurt quite badly. After being examined by the accompanying doctor, fortunately, they were all just external injuries.

Even so, Ke Lianggong was still worried. While applying medicine to Yi Haoguang’s wounds, he leaned in and whispered, “The show isn’t as important as your life. How about going to the hospital for a check-up?”

Although the situation had already blown up, if he withdrew halfway, who knew what the netizens would say? This was his first time on a variety show—far from successfully transitioning his image, it had instead been damaged by Li Manpei. Yi Haoguang was unwilling to accept that. “I’m not leaving. It’s just some superficial injuries. Tomorrow I can work with everyone and look for the flags. I won’t hold anyone back.”

They were all adults—he should know what he was doing. Since Yi Haoguang insisted, Ke Lianggong couldn’t say much more. He just made a mental note to keep a closer eye on him and report to the production team immediately if anything seemed wrong, so he could be sent to the hospital.

After treating Yi Haoguang’s wounds, Ke Lianggong changed his clothes and came back. Li Manpei was still crying, repeatedly saying things like “I’m sorry, everyone.”

Feeling at fault, Gu Xinrong no longer spoke harshly to Yi Haoguang and instead stayed by Li Manpei’s side, comforting her.

The incident ended as a farce. Even though Yi Haoguang still felt frustrated, it wasn’t appropriate for him to say anything more. After all, he still had to maintain his image in front of the camera—persistently targeting a girl wouldn’t look good either.

The guests couldn’t stay in the production team’s tent forever. Ke Lianggong led Yi Haoguang back to the tent they had set up. Gu Xinrong and Xuan Xiuxian went to another tent, while Li Manpei, still frightened, chose to spend the night in the production team’s tent.

Before leaving, Yi Haoguang shot her a cold glance. Ke Lianggong shook his head helplessly, picked up their backpacks, and pulled him away.

Li Manpei forced a smile at the production staff. “Sorry for causing you trouble.”

The staff waved it off, indicating it was fine—but what they really thought was anyone’s guess.

The sky was turning pale with the first light of dawn. The rain had just stopped, and although the air still carried a chill, it felt much clearer.

The bruises on Yi Haoguang’s face stood out even more in the daylight.

This was the second day of the wilderness survival challenge. All the guests had the task of finding five small red flags and handing them over to the production team by 5 p.m. on the third day in order to win the game.

Ke Lianggong’s team had split apart, and their relationship had dropped to freezing point—they ignored each other completely.

They silently finished their now-stale bread, packed up their tent, and continued on their way, only to run into another team halfway through.

From a distance, they could already hear Bai Tang and Heng Xingjian laughing. When they finally met face to face, the harmonious atmosphere among the three of them stood in stark contrast to the stiff tension among the five.

Bai Tang paused for a moment, then greeted Ke Lianggong, who was walking in front. “What a coincidence, Brother Liang.”

“What a coincidence.” As always, Ke Lianggong was gentle and polite. He returned Bai Tang’s greeting warmly, which drew a sideways glance from Yi Haoguang.

There was a reason Bai Tang had become a top-tier rising star. The young man had striking looks, and ever since he arrived, his presence had seemed even more refined and otherworldly, naturally drawing attention wherever he stood.

Even though Yi Haoguang knew Ke Lianggong treated everyone the same, that simple greeting still made his chest tighten.

A sour feeling welled up inside him, leaving him in a rather bad mood.

The others had always ignored Bai Tang, and Bai Tang didn’t mind. To him, those people were insignificant anyway.

“It rained heavily last night. Are you all okay?” Ke Lianggong asked.

“We’re pretty good. A Jian and I set up a tent, and we even exchanged for blankets with the production team—we didn’t feel cold at all.”

Li Manpei looked at the three of them. Not only did they not look disheveled, they appeared refreshed and in high spirits—it was obvious they had been doing quite well.

She bit her lower lip and lowered her head slightly, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

“A Jian, help me hold this.”

Suddenly, Bai Tang handed the bottled water and his backpack to Heng Xingjian. Before anyone could react, he dashed toward a nearby tree and climbed it in a few swift moves, almost reaching the top. From within the dense leaves, he pulled out a small red flag.

“I got it~”

The boy’s excited voice came from the top of the tree. Heng Xingjian quickly set down the luggage and rushed beneath it. Seeing the branch Bai Tang was holding swaying as if it might snap at any moment, his heart seemed to sway along with it.

“Tang Tang, come down slowly—follow the branches,” Heng Xingjian said anxiously, his usually steady voice carrying a barely noticeable tremor.

The camera zoomed in on Bai Tang’s fair, delicate face.

The boy wasn’t afraid at all; he even waved the flag in his hand.

“I’m really good at climbing trees, don’t worry.” Bai Tang glanced downward and realized he had nowhere to put the flag. If he threw it down, the other team might pick it up—he wasn’t about to do something that would benefit others at his own expense.

So the audience watched as the boy clamped the flag between his teeth and carefully climbed down, gripping the fragile branches layer by layer.

If even one of those branches broke, a fall from that height would leave him seriously injured—if not worse.

Everyone present held their breath, afraid that any disturbance might startle him and cause an accident.

Among them, Heng Xingjian was the most nervous. He even spread his arms, ready to catch the boy if he jumped.

Inside, Li Manpei felt deeply unbalanced. Bai Tang had already fallen from his pedestal—so why did he still receive Heng Xingjian’s attention? Meanwhile, she could only trail behind Bai Tang as an unnoticed follower. Whether in the past or now, it was always the same: as long as Bai Tang was there, everyone’s attention would fall on him.

The tree, growing wild in the forest, was extremely tall. No one knew what the production team had been thinking, hiding the flag at the very top.

Li Manpei lowered her gaze slightly. Her body began to tremble as she slowly stepped backward, stopping only when she bumped into Gu Xinrong.

As her devoted admirer, Gu Xinrong did not disappoint her “favor” and immediately shifted his attention back to her.

“Peipei, what’s wrong? Why are you shaking?”

At his question, Li Manpei put on a frightened expression. Her finger trembled as she pointed toward the leaves, her voice not too loud but perfectly audible to everyone.

“Th-there’s… a snake…”

“A snake? Where?”

Everyone was shocked and followed her gaze, but all they saw was greenery—no sign of any snake.

“Tang Tang, don’t move,” Heng Xingjian said. He couldn’t spot the snake either. The foliage was too dense, and what he feared most were small, well-hidden venomous snakes that might bite Bai Tang when he wasn’t paying attention.

Snakes tend to attack moving targets. Bai Tang froze, yet he didn’t sense any danger.

Animals are far more alert than humans; seeking advantage and avoiding harm was already an instinct for survival—especially for a little squirrel like him.

He didn’t sense any danger at all. Worried that his instincts might have dulled in human form, he contacted Qiu’er and Xiao A in his mind.

“Tang Tang, that Li Manpei is lying to you. There’s no snake in the tree at all,” Qiu’er reported honestly after running a scan.

“Based on psychological analysis, Li Manpei wants the host to panic after hearing there’s a snake and fall from the tree,” Xiao A said. Reading people was her specialty—within seconds, she had completely analyzed Li Manpei’s intentions.

Not only that, Li Manpei had also played a part in how badly the original host had been bullied.

Bai Tang narrowed his eyes and stared at Li Manpei, who was trembling as she leaned against Gu Xinrong. He found her extremely unpleasant.

Since she wanted to harm him, she couldn’t blame him for not holding back.

Bai Tang’s body began to tremble in fear, causing the branches to shake as well. Leftover rainwater and fallen leaves scattered down all at once.

“A s-snake… where is it? I’m so scared…”

Bai Tang had worked as both an actor and a voice actor before—he was quite confident in his acting skills.

Although no one could clearly see his face, just hearing his trembling, almost tearful, soft voice was enough for everyone to know how frightened he seemed.

Heng Xingjian’s breath hitched, and even his heart ached.

“Tang Tang, don’t be afraid. I’m coming to get you.” With that, he took off his shoes and coat and actually started climbing the tree to bring Bai Tang down.

“Are you crazy? We don’t even know where the snake is. Climbing up recklessly will just make you another target!” Liu Lingfan quickly grabbed him. If one couldn’t be saved, they might end up losing another as well.

“I can’t worry about that right now. Tang Tang is scared.”

Heng Xingjian’s voice was unusually calm, his gaze steady—he didn’t look like he was joking at all.

Before he could climb up, Bai Tang’s voice rang out again. “A Jian, don’t! Don’t come up! If you come up, I’ll jump down!”

The tree itself wasn’t dangerous, but the trunk was slippery—what if he fell? Heng Xingjian taking off his shoes and climbing up to rescue him without alerting the snake was practically risking his life.

Li Manpei sneered inwardly. The “trembling” Bai Tang in the tree shook even harder, sending leaves rustling down.

Taking advantage of the moment, a small hidden vine lashed toward Li Manpei.

Just as Li Manpei lifted her head, intending to watch Bai Tang make a fool of himself, a curved green strip suddenly shot toward her face.

It moved so quickly that, combined with everyone already believing there was a “snake,” someone immediately shouted, “It’s a snake! The snake got shaken down!”

“Ah—!”

Li Manpei screamed, her piercing voice almost like a kettle shrieking at full boil.

Watching her roll around on the ground, Bai Tang couldn’t help covering his mouth to stifle a laugh. Serves you right—this is what you get for trying to harm others.

“I’ve been bitten! I’ve been bitten…” The lie had been told too convincingly, and the atmosphere had been built up so well that even Li Manpei herself believed that the green “snake” that flew down had bitten her.

Everyone crowded around to check on Li Manpei. Bai Tang was laughing happily—until joy turned into misfortune.

The tree trunk had been soaked by the rain. As Bai Tang tried to climb down, his foot slipped, and he fell straight from the branch.

The vine, acting instinctively to protect its master, slowed his fall. When he dropped, Heng Xingjian managed to catch him just in time.

The powerful impact nearly broke Heng Xingjian’s arms. He endured the pain and refused to let go. In the end, the two of them fell together, with Heng Xingjian cushioning Bai Tang beneath him.

---

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Chapter 426 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – A Stark Contrast (09)

---

“But I can hammer it in even without a hammer~” the boy said aggrievedly. He had special abilities, so he wouldn’t get hurt. Even if he did, he could heal himself quickly and wouldn’t feel pain. A-Jian was just being overly cautious.

Heng Xingjian couldn’t hear what Bai Tang was thinking. To him, the boy’s words sounded far too unbelievable. Not wanting to upset him, he simply went along with it. “The human body is made of flesh and blood. Even if you can fight steel with your bare hands, it’s still dangerous. Don’t do that again.”

Bai Tang put his foot down and stood up. “You still don’t believe me. Fine, I’ll show you.”

As he spoke, the boy lifted his foot again, aiming at the ground stake to step on it once more. Just as before, Heng Xingjian grabbed him and repeated the same princess-carry spin from earlier.

[“HAHAHAHA I’m dying of laughter, what kind of god-tier duo is this…”]

[“Do you guys still remember Liu Lingfan by the campfire?”]

[“Please debut in the comedy scene already, hahaha…”]

[“If you don’t vote, and I don’t vote, when will “Picking Candy” ever make it big?”]

[“One vote from you, one vote from me—“Picking Candy” debuts tonight!”]

[“They’ve already debuted though…”]

Putting aside that little interruption, the livestream here was genuinely entertaining.

The considerate puppy-like boy, the super bright “third wheel” Liu Lingfan, the sweet-and-salty adorable Bai Tang, and Heng Xingjian with his IQ occasionally dropping offline—what a strange yet harmonious combination.

Bai Tang didn’t know how to explain things in a way that would make Heng Xingjian believe him. Since hearing was unreliable, he decided to let him see for himself.

He pulled the man over to a corner and pointed at the ground stake embedded deep in the earth. “See? I didn’t lie to you.”

Heng Xingjian fell silent. A few seconds later, he let out a helpless laugh and ruffled Bai Tang’s hair. “Tang Tang is amazing.”

“Right? Right? So let me go step in the rest of the stakes!” Bai Tang marched forward energetically—only to be scooped back by the man, slung over his shoulder, and carried to the campfire.

The upside-down little squirrel looked completely bewildered: Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?

“A-Jian, put me down! What if a typhoon comes in the middle of the night?”

“Eat first. We’ll deal with it after.”

When it came to strength, when had Bai Tang ever been a match for Heng Xingjian? He could only sit obediently on a rock, waiting as Heng Xingjian picked up the roast chicken and started dividing it.

Thankfully, Heng Xingjian hadn’t gone so far as to see only Bai Tang and treat everyone else as invisible.

Bai Tang got the first drumstick, Liu Lingfan the second. The group was harmonious and friendly, without the noisy quarrels from the neighboring team, making it much more pleasant for the audience to watch.

After all, when people gather together, there will inevitably be some conflicts. Viewers prefer watching idols display high emotional intelligence and intelligence—resolving problems quickly and perfectly—rather than shirking responsibility or constantly arguing. Compared to that, Li Manpei from the other group kept harping on her own “mistake” over and over again, which was honestly quite irritating.

Heng Xingjian tore off a drumstick and handed it to Bai Tang. After watching him finish it, he tore off another piece of chicken.

Bai Tang scrunched up his delicate features. “No more, I’m full.”

Even a kitten had a better appetite than Bai Tang.

That was what everyone was thinking at that moment.

“Just one drumstick is enough?” Heng Xingjian looked at the boy as he waved his hands repeatedly in refusal, clearly unconvinced that he was actually full. Still, he didn’t want to force him. Fortunately, they had plenty of snacks in their bags—if Bai Tang got hungry in the middle of the night, at least there would be something to fill his stomach.

When the system caught chickens, it never missed. But since it was in a puppy form, it handled prey rather roughly. By the time the chickens were released after being caught, they were already on the verge of dying.

With no other choice, Bai Tang roasted them all. After the three of them and the two dogs had eaten their fill, there was still one whole chicken left. Not wanting to waste it, Bai Tang took it to exchange with the production team.

“Hello, do you have any extra blankets?” Bai Tang asked. Judging from the sky and the moisture in the air, he had a feeling it might rain in the middle of the night.

With a tent, rain wasn’t a big concern—but if the wind picked up, it would get cold.

The production team was well-prepared; they did have blankets.

“One chicken for one blanket.”

Even when trading with the production team, it had to be an equal exchange. Bai Tang carried the blanket over to the smaller tent.

“It might rain tonight. Sister Xiaofan is a girl—getting cold wouldn’t be good.” Bai Tang said seriously, his little face tense as if this were a very important matter.

The female lead treated him well, so naturally, he would treat her well too.

There were only two tents. The smaller one was for Liu Lingfan, while the bigger one was shared by Bai Tang and Heng Xingjian.

Heng Xingjian was very satisfied with this arrangement. After putting out the campfire, he pulled Bai Tang into the tent.

Originally, cameras were supposed to be set up even when the guests rested. However, the celebrities present were all too high-profile—the production team didn’t dare insist, and the guests themselves were unwilling to be filmed while sleeping. After all, who knew what kind of unflattering sleeping positions might be captured?

After saying goodnight to the production team and Liu Lingfan, Bai Tang pulled Heng Xingjian back into the tent and mysteriously told him to close his eyes.

Heng Xingjian did as told. A few seconds later, when he opened his eyes, a high-quality silk quilt had appeared beside him, along with two soft pillows. The boy stood there with a proud expression, clearly waiting for praise—as if he wanted to be told how amazing he was.

Heng Xingjian was inwardly shaken. He was certain that Bai Tang hadn’t gone out, and that quilt hadn’t been there before he closed his eyes.

So… where had it come from?

A fleeting thought flashed through Heng Xingjian’s mind—so fast that he couldn’t grasp it—yet it left behind a faint sense of inevitability.

“Tang Tang, don’t do things like that again in the future,” Heng Xingjian said. He didn’t ask further. Since it was Tang Tang’s secret, then it could remain a secret forever.

Bai Tang didn’t receive the praise he had been expecting, and a trace of disappointment appeared on his face. “I only told you…”

Hearing the boy’s soft mutter, a sense of satisfaction rose from the depths of Heng Xingjian’s heart. Tang Tang only shared his secret with him—so that meant he was the one Tang Tang trusted the most, right?

Just as Bai Tang had predicted, the wind picked up at three in the morning.

At first, Liu Lingfan didn’t think much of it and pushed the blanket aside. But after being woken up by the cold, she unzipped the tent and realized it was raining—and quite heavily, judging by the intensity.

Shivering, she returned to the tent, spread out the blanket, and went back to sleep. Her last thought before drifting off was, ‘Tang Tang is amazing—he really got it right.’

Heng Xingjian was the first to notice the rain. He informed the production team to be cautious about the weather. When he returned, he saw the boy curled up due to the lack of a “body pillow.”

His cool body slipped under the covers, instantly waking Bai Tang.

“Where did you go?” The boy’s soft, slightly hoarse voice carried the drowsiness of sleep and an unguarded intimacy.

“It’s raining. I went out to inform the production team.”

“Mmm~” Without even opening his eyes, Bai Tang instinctively rolled into the man’s arms with practiced familiarity.

“It’s a bit cold… hug me~” The boy nuzzled against his chest, wrapping his limbs tightly around him like a koala.

Heng Xingjian let out a silent chuckle. Even he didn’t realize that at this moment, his expression had softened like never before, affection brimming in his eyes.

He held Bai Tang as the boy acted spoiled, and Bai Tang let out a contented little purring sound.

Outside, the sound of rain gradually grew louder, while inside the tent, everyone rested peacefully.

Qiu’er and Xiao A slept near the entrance of the tent, where Bai Tang had made a small temporary nest for them using a jacket.

Hearing the noise outside, Qiu’er groggily lifted his head. The next moment, a fluffy paw pressed down, pulling him into an embrace. “Go to sleep.”

“Mhm.”

Qiu’er turned over, snuggling closer to Xiao A as he drifted back to sleep.

Where there is joy, there is also worry.

While Bai Tang’s side was well-prepared, things weren’t going as smoothly for Li Manpei’s group.

Because they had taken the wrong path, the ground where they set up camp wasn’t suitable for pitching a tent. The soil was too soft, and the stakes couldn’t hold the tent in place at all.— If you want, I can make it more romantic/intimate or closer to a literal translation depending on your style preference.

When it started raining, they worked through the night to set up the tents. With strong winds and heavy rain, it took great effort to finally get them up. However, disagreements arose when it came to assigning the tents.

Gu Xinrong believed that since Li Manpei was a girl, she should be the first to enter the tent and take shelter from the rain.

As the only female in the group, the others all agreed.

Yi Haoguang wasn’t in great health to begin with. While standing in the rain, he sneezed several times. Ke Liangong told him to go into the tent as well to get out of the rain, while the three of them could finish setting up the remaining tents.

Unexpectedly, Li Manpei’s clothes became see-through when wet. The moment Yi Haoguang stepped inside, she crossed her arms over her chest and screamed.

Before anyone could figure out what was happening, Gu Xinrong rushed into the tent, grabbed Yi Haoguang, and threw a punch.

Yi Haoguang was knocked to the ground. The already soft soil had turned muddy from the rain.

His white T-shirt was completely ruined. When he lightly touched his face, a sharp pain shot through him, and anger surged up. You could hit him anywhere—but not his face. At this stage, his looks were his livelihood.

He spat out a mouthful of blood-tinged saliva. “D*mn it, you hit my face.”

Argue all you want—but touching his face was crossing the line.

Gu Xinrong was still asking Li Manpei what had happened when Yi Haoguang suddenly lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Gu Xinrong’s waist and slamming him hard into a tree.

“And you think you can take me on, you weak pretty boy?”

Gu Xinrong had formal martial arts training—most people were no match for him.

It didn’t take long for Yi Haoguang to fall into a disadvantage, reduced to taking blows.

Earlier, the two had been fighting too fiercely for anyone to intervene. Now that it had turned into a one-sided beating, it was much easier to step in and break it up.

Yi Haoguang was pinned to the ground by Gu Xinrong. The mud blurred his vision, and he could vaguely see a fist about to come down on his face.

This is the end for me.

He closed his eyes, waiting for his “disfigurement.”

“That’s enough! Are you trying to kill him?!”

It was Ke Liangong’s voice. Usually gentle and refined, his tone now carried unmistakable anger. “Attacking someone without even figuring out what happened—well done.”

Well-mannered as he was, Ke Liangong couldn’t bring himself to use crude language. He pulled the exhausted Yi Haoguang to his feet, and everyone retreated into the large tent set up by the production team.

“Now, let’s talk about what exactly happened between Li Manpei and Yi Haoguang.”

Ke Liangong’s voice was cold. Someone who was usually gentle and refined becoming angry like this truly stunned everyone into silence.

Li Manpei sobbed, speaking in broken fragments. “It’s… it’s all my fault… blame me… it’s my fault…”

She kept blaming herself, but couldn’t clearly explain what had actually happened.

Gu Xinrong felt heartbroken. He pulled out some tissues provided by the production team and gently wiped away Li Manpei’s tears.

The production staff exchanged puzzled looks. They didn’t know what had happened inside the small tent either—how the two of them had suddenly ended up fighting. Still, that didn’t stop them from filming the entire scene.

---

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Chapter 425 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – Does Your Foot Hurt? (08)

---

“Fine. For Brother Liang’s sake, I won’t argue with her,” Yi Haoguang said. He wasn’t a bad person by nature—he was just used to everything going his way and didn’t easily admit his mistakes.

“Alright, I gathered some firewood and traded it with the production team for a pot and some bowls and chopsticks. Later we can boil some hot water and eat instant noodles.”

As entertainers, foods like instant noodles—considered lacking in nutrition—were usually off-limits. They weren’t even allowed to eat snacks.

Yi Haoguang hadn’t seen snacks or instant noodles in a long time. The moment he heard that, his eyes lit up.

“Brother Liang, I want the braised beef flavor.”

“Alright.”

To Ke Liangong, Yi Haoguang still had a childlike temperament and was easy to coax.

While they were eating, Li Manpei also wanted the braised beef flavor. But there was only one pack of that flavor, and since Ke Liangong had already promised it to Yi Haoguang, he wasn’t going to go back on his word.

Under Gu Xinrong’s murderous glare, Yi Haoguang slurped his noodles happily. He felt incredibly satisfied—this flavor was delicious. When he got back, he planned to secretly stock up on a whole box behind his manager’s back.

Li Manpei tugged at Gu Xinrong’s sleeve. “Brother Rong, it’s fine. It’s my fault for making Brother Guang angry. Let him have it.”

Her soft, gentle voice made Yi Haoguang pause mid-bite. The anger he had just suppressed flared up again.

Listen to that tone, that attitude—like he had done something terrible to her, as if she were the one making a sacrifice.

Gu Xinrong said to Li Manpei, “You’re just too kind. Not everyone has manners.” He shot Yi Haoguang a cold snort.

Yi Haoguang slammed his chopsticks down, anger surging as he prepared to stand up and lash out. Suddenly, a hand reached out from beside him and grabbed him, successfully stopping him.

“How careless of you—you even dropped your chopsticks. Go wash them,” Ke Liangong said gently, his voice like warm spring water, instantly dousing Yi Haoguang’s rising temper.

Remembering what Ke Liangong had told him—“a future Best Actor needs to be magnanimous”—Yi Haoguang deflated and sat back down. Soon, a pair of chopsticks, still cool with water, was handed to him.

“They’re clean now.”

Ke Liangong smiled faintly. Yi “Little Princess” Haoguang looked utterly aggrieved.

“Brother Liang…”

“Hm? Not enough to eat? Want another bowl? I remember you need to maintain your figure, but since we’re surviving in the wild, you need enough energy. It’s fine to eat a bit more—but food is precious, so don’t waste it.”

“No, I’ve had enough. Thank you, Brother Liang.” Yi Haoguang buried his face in his bowl, eating his noodles, not letting anyone see the emotion on his face.

The viewers watching this side of the livestream spammed [666,] thrilled that someone could finally keep the “little princess” in check.

Some fans also found Li Manpei extremely annoying. What kind of person is she? She was clearly the one who did something wrong—what’s the big deal about being criticized a little? Yet she acted all aggrieved and even got Gu Xinrong to stand up for her.

Fine, you could say both sides were at fault—Yi Haoguang did make a few unnecessary remarks at first. But later, when they were eating, Yi Haoguang was quietly minding his own business, just eating his noodles. Then she started acting up again. If not for Actor Liang stepping in to smooth things over, they might have actually gotten into a fight.

And there’s no way Yi Haoguang could beat Gu Xinrong, who has a martial arts background and a much bigger build. If Yi Haoguang ever left the show, wouldn’t the whole team just stop opposing her and simply dote on her?

…

[“Actor Liang is really so gentle. He’s probably the only one who can keep our Haoguang’s temper in check.”]

[“Haoguang looks like he’s blushing—ahhh, a once-in-a-millennium sight!”]

[“Good thing Brother Liang is on Haoguang’s side, otherwise who knows how wronged he’d feel.”]

[“Am I the only one who thinks Li Manpei is fake and manipulative? “Sweet top student,” my foot. Compared to Bai Tang next door, that’s what a real top student looks like.”]

[“Wait, really? Bai Tang is a top student?”]

[“Seriously! Go check it out—you’ll see. Even my mom told me to learn from him. Imagine watching a variety show and still getting compared to someone else’s kid… I’m crying…”]

…

The casual viewers in the livestream, half-skeptical, switched over to the adjacent split-screen stream. The moment they entered, the comment section was in complete chaos—people wailing dramatically and shouting about wanting to [“have Bai Tang’s babies.”]

The casual viewers: Did we enter the wrong livestream?!

…

By the campfire, Liu Lingfan sat beside Bai Tang with a look of admiration. She stared intently at the chicken roasting and dripping with oil, her nose filled with the rich aroma. It only made her feel even hungrier.

“Tang Tang is amazing…” Liu Lingfan reached out, but the boy pulled her hand back.

“It’s not ready yet—wait a bit longer.”

“But it smells so good! Tang Tang, you’re incredible. You even managed to catch the domestic chickens released by the production team.”

Bai Tang smiled shyly. “It’s not me—it’s Qiu’er and Xiao A who are amazing.”

Liu Lingfan immediately grabbed Qiu’er and started petting him vigorously. “Yes, yes, Qiu’er is super nice!”

“Woof—!” Xiao A, save me! Qiu’er’s face was squished out of shape as he sent out a silent cry for help.

“Woof woof…” Let go of my Qiu’er.

Xiao A barked around Liu Lingfan’s feet, but ended up being picked up and cuddled along with Qiu’er.

“Alright, alright—no one gets left out. Big sis loves you all,” Liu Lingfan said, completely smitten with the two dogs. With them around, they could avoid danger and wouldn’t have to worry about food either.

Qiu’er wore a completely lifeless expression. I got pet by the female lead… it’s over, there’s no love left…

Xiao A, whose fur was longer, drew most of Liu Lingfan’s attention. He struggled his way over to Qiu’er, climbed on top of him, then lay down, shielding him with his body.

“Woof~” Qiu’er, don’t be scared. She can’t reach you.

“Woof woof woof~” Xiao A is the best.

Puppies were already adorable to begin with, and Liu Lingfan’s sudden enthusiastic petting made the animal-loving viewers in the livestream completely melt.

Waaah, we want to pet the puppies too…

…

Bai Tang placed the roasted chicken over the fire, stood up, dusted off his hands, and ran toward Heng Xingjian, who was setting up a tent not far away.

“The roast chicken’s almost ready—A Jian, come quick!”

Everyone’s backpack had the same capacity, so they could only carry limited supplies. Aside from water, they could only fit two tents in that space.

Heng Xingjian was in the middle of setting up the second tent. Pitching a tent was physical work, and he couldn’t bear to let Bai Tang do it.

Smiling, he tried to shoo Bai Tang back. “This will be done soon. If you’re hungry, Tang Tang, go ahead and eat first—no need to wait for me.”

Large tents were already difficult to set up. Even for a grown man like Heng Xingjian, his arms felt sore after putting one up.

“Xiao Fan is watching over there. I’ll help you.”

The boy ran over with quick steps and stood opposite him. “A Jian, pull here—let’s spread the tent out.”

Working together, with a bang, the tent popped open. All that was left was to secure the ropes.

Because it was a large tent, the stakes used to secure it were quite long. Bai Tang noticed that more than half of a stake was still sticking out of the ground. Always putting safety first, he started overthinking—what if it rained? What if strong winds came? Would the tent get blown away?

With that in mind, he grabbed a stone and tried to hammer the stake further into the ground, not realizing it didn’t need to be driven in all the way.

At this point, the stakes were already firmly secured by Heng Xingjian—there was no risk of the tent collapsing. But Bai Tang didn’t understand that.

…

On camera, the boy pursed his lips, holding a stone as he knocked repeatedly at the ground.

Since it was dark and he was far away, the viewers couldn’t tell what Bai Tang was doing. The cameraman, as expected, carried the camera over. Before he even got close, he saw the boy suddenly jump up in place, grumbling:

“Go in already, hurry up! I’m warning you—don’t push your luck…”

The cameraman moved closer and pointed the lens at the ground by Bai Tang’s feet.

Turns out Bai Tang couldn’t drive the stake in and was throwing a little tantrum, stubbornly squaring off against this unyielding tent stake.

Watching the boy’s childlike, indignant expression—his lips pouted high—the fans were thoroughly amused.

…

[“Is that you, three-year-old Tang Tang…”]

[“The way Tang Tang is stomping around—doesn’t it look like a kid throwing a tantrum when they can’t get what they want at the store?”]

[“Jian Jian, come take your Tang Tang away…”]

[“Tang Tang is too cute! If Best Actor Heng won’t pick him up, I will!”]

[“Let’s go—let’s pick up some “Tang”!”] (“Tang” is a pun on his name and “candy”)

Although Bai Tang looked small, he was actually quite strong. With his abilities, compared to others, he could be considered someone who hid his true strength well.

Just as everyone was laughing and waiting for Bai Tang to tear up and complain that his “jio” (foot) hurt, a miracle happened—the tent stake, which normally required a hammer to drive in, was pressed straight into the ground by Bai Tang’s bare foot.

The stake sank in, the ground became level, and Bai Tang felt satisfied. He clapped his hands, then smiled at the camera.
“The weather in the mountains changes a lot—this way we won’t have to worry about wind or rain in the middle of the night~”

…

[“666…”] (Chinese slang for “awesome”)

[“I don’t even know how to describe Tang Tang anymore—childishly adorable.”]

[“I just want to know the psychological trauma area of the Best Actor Heng tomorrow when he takes the tent down…”]

…

After stepping on one stake, Bai Tang had no idea his actions had earned him another wave of fans. He only thought that there was more than one stake to deal with, so he trotted over to Heng Xingjian and lifted his foot, aiming at another half-exposed stake, ready to step on it.

Heng Xingjian: “!!!”

“Tang Tang, what are you doing?!”

The boy’s action nearly scared him to death. The stakes were sharp—if he stepped on one, the stake might be fine, but his foot would definitely get hurt.

At the critical moment, the man bent down, slipped his arm behind the boy’s knees, and lifted him up in one swift motion—spinning him around midair.

The boy’s soft hair fluttered as he spun, and his expression froze in confusion at Heng Xingjian’s sudden action.

…

[“Hahaha, Tang Tang’s confused face is so cute.”]

[“Bai Tang: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?”]

[“Best Actor Heng: That scared me to death.”]

…

The viewers spun countless little imagined scenarios from their expressions, and without realizing it, became fans of the pair as a CP (couple).

Heng Xingjian was still shaken. Looking down at Bai Tang, who was still wearing a dazed expression, he wanted to scold him for his dangerous behavior—but when the words reached his lips, he couldn’t bring himself to say them.

“What were you trying to do, Tang Tang? The stake is sharp—you can’t step on it with your foot.”

The boy looked wronged. His fair little face flushed slightly from the fright. “You’re scolding me… but I stepped on it like that just now too, and nothing happened…”

Heng Xingjian froze when he heard that. He did it just now too? That wouldn’t do.

He carried Bai Tang to the side and set him down, then held his slender ankle and took off his shoe.

His fair, smooth foot was exposed to the slightly cool air. His five small toes curled slightly as the boy shyly tried to pull back—but Heng Xingjian held him firmly, leaving him no way to escape.

“A Jian, I’m really fine~”

At this moment, Bai Tang’s mind was filled with all kinds of inappropriate memories of his own lover from the past. A mix of shyness and alluring charm spread across his face. Luckily, Heng Xingjian was blocking him—otherwise, the camera would have captured his expression clearly.

Heng Xingjian took a deep breath, calming the boy’s shy, slightly trembling state. “It’s good that you’re alright.”

He lowered Bai Tang’s foot and gently helped him put his shoe back on. “You can’t step on tent stakes with your foot. If you need to drive them in, you have to use a hammer, understand?”

Even Heng Xingjian himself couldn’t explain why that accidental first meeting had made him care so much about the boy. But once his heart was moved, it was moved. He wasn’t a coward—he had the ability to protect the boy under his wings.

---

Author’s Note:

It’s here, it’s here—the update is here! The “Picking Candy” (JianTang) CP is back online again.

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Chapter 424 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – Disagreement (07)

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This time, they were heading to a remote mountainous area. The car rattled violently as it drove over the uneven, muddy road, swaying as if it might overturn at any moment.

The driver struggled to keep control, and the guests were no more comfortable. Amid the jolts, they kept bumping their heads and bodies. Liu Lingfan was knocked sideways; after finally steadying herself, she looked up—only to see in the rearview mirror that Heng Xingjian was holding Bai Tang tightly, shielding him firmly in his arms.

Bai Tang opened his eyes uncomfortably, his face pale with a bluish tint. “A-Jian~”

“It’s okay. Once we get past this stretch of road, it’ll be fine.” Heng Xingjian rolled down the window, letting fresh air circulate and dispel the stifling heat inside the car.

Breathing in the fresh air, Bai Tang’s complexion improved somewhat, though it still wasn’t healthy.

There was nothing they could do about it—this road was just like this. Wilderness Extreme always went to desolate, uninhabited places.

Unconsciously, Bai Tang tightened his grip on Heng Xingjian’s clothes. The latter didn’t mind his clothes getting wrinkled at all and even freed one hand to take out some preserved plums from his bag.

Something was suddenly placed into Bai Tang’s mouth—sour and sweet, easing the discomfort in his stomach.

The young man blinked his round eyes, as if he had just encountered something incredible.

He met Heng Xingjian’s deep gaze. The latter used a tissue to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. “Feeling better?”

“Much better.” Bai Tang pressed his cheek against his boyfriend’s chest. The steady, powerful sound of his heartbeat reached his ears, calming him without him even realizing it.

After passing the muddy road, their destination lay just ahead.

When it was finally time to get out of the car, the guests practically jumped out in a hurry. Li Manpei even started vomiting the moment she got off—it had been too unbearable. Having never suffered like this before, she wished she could turn around and go home immediately, giving up on this variety show.

But since they had already come this far and reached the destination, turning back now would only mean enduring the bumpy ride all over again.

After a short rest, everyone’s complexion improved, and their energy returned.

The cameramen raised their cameras toward them, and the guests had no choice but to pull themselves together and present their best sides.

The host pointed at the entrance of the barren mountain. “This is the location for this episode of Wilderness Extreme. The challenge will last for three days. During these three days, the production team will follow and film you, but generally won’t provide assistance. Of course, if you need supplies, you can exchange them with other materials. There are seven small red flags hidden in the mountain—teams that find five of them and hand them over when they exit will win.”

As the host blew the whistle, the guests hoisted their packs and set off into the mountains.

Heng Xingjian held Bai Tang’s hand, reminding him of things step by step. Liu Lingfan, who was on the same team, fell far behind. Fortunately, the husky and the golden retriever stayed by her side, preventing her from getting lost.

“Slow down—I can’t keep up!” Liu Lingfan called out to the dogs bouncing ahead of her.

After walking only a short distance, Liu Lingfan could already feel her stamina starting to give out.

She no longer expected Heng Xingjian to slow down and wait for her. She had already seen through that man—he clearly wanted to lure Tang Tang away, ditch her, and enjoy some private time together to build their relationship. As if it would be that easy.

Thinking of how kind Bai Tang’s parents had always been to her, Liu Lingfan felt even more determined not to let Bai Tang fall into Heng Xingjian’s clutches.

She knew the principle of striking while the iron is hot—hesitate, and your strength will falter. So she didn’t dare stop, trailing far behind them the whole time. As long as they didn’t leave her line of sight, she believed she could catch up sooner or later.

On camera, Liu Lingfan appeared tenacious and unyielding. Her beautiful face was filled with determination, drawing the attention of countless viewers.

[“I like Sister Xiaofan—she’s amazing.”]

[“The Best Actor Heng only has our Tang Tang in his eyes now. He’s completely forgotten what it means to “cherish the fairer sex.”“]

[“Look at the way Liu Lingfan is staring at the Best Actor Heng’s back—doesn’t it look like a father-in-law judging his son-in-law more and more harshly?”]

[“Haha, you’re right! Didn’t notice it before, but now it really does!”]

[“I heard Liu Lingfan and Bai Tang used to be neighbors…”]

[“That explains it—childhood sweethearts, and suddenly someone cuts in. Anyone would feel uncomfortable.”]

Bai Tang grew up close to nature and was most familiar with natural environments. The other guests, who had grown up in big cities and never experienced hardship, couldn’t compare at all. His adaptability was incredibly strong—so much so that even the cameraman, who carried equipment year-round and prided himself on his physical fitness, could barely keep up with him and Heng Xingjian.

“Let’s take a break,” Bai Tang said, his earlier enthusiasm cooling as he noticed how hard the production staff were working. He took the initiative to pull Heng Xingjian to a stop.

“Tang Tang, are you tired?” Heng Xingjian asked, already setting down his backpack and taking out a bottle of water.

Bai Tang shook his head. “Sister Xiaofan hasn’t caught up yet.”

With Qiu’er and Xiao A accompanying Liu Lingfan, Bai Tang wasn’t worried that anything might happen to her.

He unscrewed the cap of a bottle of mineral water and handed it to the cameraman behind them, who had been filming tirelessly. “You’ve worked hard—take a break. We still have mountain roads to walk later.”

Compared to Li Manpei, who only talked in front of the camera about preparing water for the guests, Bai Tang’s actions were far more likable. He put things into practice instead of just talking.

Whether Bai Tang was acting or being sincere, the production crew couldn’t accept water from the guests—it was a vital resource for them, not something they could waste casually.

The camera shook from side to side, signaling that they wouldn’t drink it.

Bai Tang didn’t take offense. After finishing the water himself, he put the bottle back into his bag.

Liu Lingfan soon caught up. “It’s getting late. I think we should find a place to stay for the night.”

Heng Xingjian raised his wrist to check the time—it was already past four in the afternoon. Since it was autumn and night fell early, it was indeed time to look for a place to rest.

Bai Tang turned in place, scanning the surroundings before locking onto a spot. “Let’s go over there. The view is open, and the ground is relatively flat. Even if we start a fire, it won’t easily spread to the trees.”

The cameraman shifted the lens to the place Bai Tang had pointed out. Sure enough, just as he said, it was an excellent spot to “set up camp.”

With everyone in agreement, they headed toward the small slope. They set up tents, gathered firewood, and even the two little dogs helped pick mushrooms. Everyone worked together, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Meanwhile, things weren’t going so smoothly for the team centered around Li Manpei.

First of all, while walking through the barren mountains, they chose the wrong route, and the path became increasingly rugged and difficult. Li Manpei even fell twice, smudging her carefully applied makeup. The production crew simply followed silently behind them, offering no guidance—they weren’t allowed to give any hints. After a teammate asked, “Did you take the wrong way?”, her “well-behaved top student” persona nearly fell apart.

She was supposed to be the academic star—there was no way she wouldn’t even understand basic outdoor navigation, right? Everyone had trusted her, which was why they followed her lead.

“No… no, it’s not the wrong way. If we go this way, we should reach the river. Then we can catch fish.”

The idea sounded great, but reality was harsh. Following Li Manpei’s directions, they not only failed to find the river—they ended up at the edge of a cliff.

Everyone: …

Production team: Hold it in. Don’t laugh. If we laugh, we’ll break character. The whole country is watching.

The others began to look at Li Manpei with suspicion. She lowered her head halfway, looking aggrieved as she said, “I don’t know why this happened either… I clearly… I’m sorry. It’s all my fault—I dragged everyone down.”

Now that the person involved had already apologized, a group of grown men couldn’t exactly make things difficult for a young woman.

In the end, it was the most experienced member, Ke Liangong, who stepped in to take charge.

He glanced at the darkening sky and said, “It’s too dangerous by the cliff. Let’s head back and see if we can find a suitable place to stay for the night.”

Ke Liangong’s calm and steady presence gave everyone a strong sense of reassurance. Even Li Manpei found herself nodding along unconsciously.

They retraced their steps, picking up fallen branches along the way.

By the time night fell, they had lit a campfire. With light, the darkness didn’t seem so frightening anymore.

When people finally had time to relax, their minds began to wander.

Yi Haoguang, a rising young idol who had gained popularity in both acting and singing in recent years, had perhaps let his rapid success get to his head.

Sitting by the fire, he muttered, “If we hadn’t wasted so much time, we might’ve found the chickens and ducks the production team released. At least we wouldn’t be going hungry now.”

Yi Haoguang had only been venting a bit out of frustration, just complaining verbally. Who would’ve thought Li Manpei would take it so seriously?

“It’s all my fault… I messed up. If I hadn’t led everyone the wrong way, things wouldn’t have turned out like this.”

It would’ve been better if Li Manpei had stayed silent. But once she spoke, lowering her posture and letting out soft sobs, Gu Xinrong and Xuan Xiuxian began looking at Yi Haoguang with reproach.

“Alright, alright. She’s already apologized—don’t keep pressing the issue,” Gu Xinrong said. With his martial arts background, he carried an imposing presence that felt naturally intimidating.

Ever since Yi Haoguang rose to fame, his company, manager, and fans had all been doting on him. When had he ever been spoken to like this? “Did I say anything wrong? Cry, cry, cry—that’s all you do. You’re making it seem like I bullied you. Even a punching bag wouldn’t cry as much as you do.”

At that, Li Manpei really did start crying.

Xuan Xiuxian stepped in to smooth things over. “Alright, alright. We’re all teammates. This was just a mistake—Peipei didn’t mean it, and Haoguang, try to say less.”

Gu Xinrong hated seeing women cry the most—especially when it looked like they were being bullied by a man. Hearing Li Manpei’s sobs, his temper flared immediately. “You’ve got quite the mouth on you, huh? What kind of man bullies a woman? If you’ve got the guts, argue with me instead.” As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing his solid biceps.

Yi Haoguang clearly couldn’t beat Gu Xinrong. Seeing the other man’s “come fight me if you dare” expression, his face turned green. He snorted. “Only brutes resort to violence.”

“I am a brute—I like using my fists.” Gu Xinrong simply couldn’t stand Yi Haoguang’s delicate, pretty-boy act. What was the point of pretending to be refined? If you can’t fight, you can’t fight.

“Brother Rong, don’t be like this. I don’t want you fighting because of me. It’s my fault… Haoguang, I apologize. I made things harder for you. I really wanted to do something for everyone—I never thought I’d mess it up and cause you all to argue. Maybe… I should just quit the show…”

Gu Xinrong pulled Li Manpei back. “No need. If anyone’s leaving, it won’t be you. A grown man talking this much—like a gossiping woman. No backbone at all.”

“Who are you calling like a woman?” Yi Haoguang snapped. His temper flared, and he shot to his feet, ready to throw a punch.

“What are you arguing about?” Ke Liangong, who had gone to gather firewood, returned just in time to stop the conflict before it turned physical. “Watch your image. Everything you say and do is being watched by the audience.”

Gu Xinrong let out a cold snort and went to sit beside Li Manpei. Ke Liangong looked at the still-indignant Yi Haoguang and felt a headache coming on.

After understanding the situation, Ke Liangong couldn’t help rubbing his forehead. Young people who had never experienced hardship and rose to fame too quickly—everyone tended to indulge them. It was only natural they couldn’t accept being contradicted.

Speaking as someone experienced, he quietly advised Yi Haoguang, “Alright. Why get worked up over a girl? When you’re on a show, anything can happen. We’re here to gain fans, not lose them. A Best Actor shouldn’t have such little tolerance.”

Yi Haoguang had always wanted to transition into a more serious acting career, aiming to become a Best Actor known for his skill. Now, after being advised by Ke Liangong—who had actually won a Best Actor award himself—and seeing that he was the only one standing on his side and speaking up for him, Yi Haoguang’s eyes reddened slightly.

“They were the ones who wouldn’t let it go first. I was just saying a few things.”

Ke Liangong sighed, then smiled gently. “Alright, don’t be upset. I’ll take the lead from here. If you have any thoughts, you can talk to me in private. Blaming a girl isn’t something a future Best Actor should do.”

---

Author’s Note:

Can you spot the CP (pairing)? Anyway, I’m calling it first—I ship the side couple Weijing.

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Chapter 423 – The Movie Emperor’s Beloved Neighbor – Sweet to the Point of Overload (06)

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“Sure~” Being able to spend time openly with his boyfriend—there was no reason to push him away. Bai Tang readily agreed, the excitement on his face impossible to hide.

“Me too, I want to team up with Tang Tang.” As the saying goes, it’s better to work with someone you know than a stranger. Liu Lingfan didn’t care about Bai Tang’s reputation in the entertainment industry. She knew what kind of person he was—she understood him well. It would save time compared to getting used to new teammates, and it could also reduce potential conflicts.

Bai Tang hesitated a little. It wasn’t that teaming up with the female lead was a problem—but if the male and female leads stayed together, would they develop feelings for each other?!

Before Bai Tang could speak, Li Manpei had already adjusted her expression and jumped in unwilling to back down. “Sister Fanfan, we should respect first come, first served. I was the one who first said I wanted to team up with the Best Actor Heng~”

“I didn’t want to team up with the Best Actor Heng. I wanted to team up with Tang Tang.” Liu Lingfan spoke very directly. She genuinely didn’t want to team up with Heng Xingjian. She wasn’t particularly ambitious—she had entered the entertainment industry somewhat by chance. The Best Actor Heng had a huge fanbase; if even a slight scandal came out, his fans would tear her apart. Liu Lingfan was also one of Heng Xingjian’s fans, so she understood their mentality. She admired him, but she didn’t want to become a target of online abuse.

Li Manpei seemed angered by Liu Lingfan, her eyes starting to redden. “How can you say that about the Best Actor Heng?”

Liu Lingfan: “???” What did she even do? Why was this girl suddenly crying?

Not only Liu Lingfan, but everyone present was drawn to Li Manpei’s sudden emotional outburst.

“Brother Heng has always been my idol. I entered the entertainment industry just to see Heng Xingjian up close—how can you look down on him like this…!” Li Manpei spoke passionately, as if Liu Lingfan had committed some unforgivable crime.

Liu Lingfan: “I didn’t do anything though…”

“You did! Heng Xingjian is so amazing, and you don’t even want to team up with him—doesn’t that mean you look down on him? I won’t allow you to insult my idol!”

Liu Lingfan: Huh?

Li Manpei was extremely emotional, but the fans in the livestream could understand her. She had publicly expressed her admiration for Heng Xingjian more than once, so Liu Lingfan appearing to “look down on” him naturally triggered such a strong reaction.

[“Peipei, don’t cry—seeing you cry makes my heart ache.”]

[“You made Peipei cry, Liu Lingfan, go die!”]

[“As a passerby, I don’t think Liu Lingfan said anything wrong. The host said teaming up is free choice—what’s wrong with her wanting to team up with Bai Tang?”]

[“Is Li Manpei being too dramatic? Crying over this? No one insulted anyone or laid a hand on her—what is she even crying for?”]

[“Heh, if your idol were ignored and disrespected, wouldn’t you be angry?”]

The argument in the livestream chat was even fiercer than the one on set. The show’s effect had kicked in, and the audience began taking sides.

Li Manpei was beautiful, and once she started crying, several of the men present couldn’t help but step forward to comfort her—except for Heng Xingjian and Bai Tang.

Bai Tang: “Qiu’er, do you think there’s really nothing wrong with this girl’s brain? I honestly can’t see what the female lead did wrong.”

Standing by Bai Tang’s feet, Qiu’er replied through spiritual sense, “Probably? Do you want me to scan her brain?”

Xiao A: “I feel like this is strangely familiar… Found it. In past records, this type of character setting is called a ‘green tea bitch.’”

The scene split into two camps: one group gathered around Li Manpei to comfort her, while the other consisted of Bai Tang and Liu Lingfan exchanging glances. Behind them stood Heng Xingjian, the center of the controversy.

As the supposed culprit of the situation, Heng Xingjian showed absolutely no awareness that he should comfort the girl he had made cry.

He picked up his bag and placed it in front of the host. “This is the luggage I’m bringing. Please register it.” With his cool and handsome face, it was as if the commotion beside him had nothing to do with him.

The host glanced toward Li Manpei’s side, then began checking Heng Xingjian’s luggage.

“Pinecone snacks, milk, sugar-roasted chestnuts, emmm…” The host looked a bit dumbfounded at the items taken out of the bag. He looked up at Heng Xingjian. “Best Actor Heng, did you take the wrong bag?”

“No. I’m only bringing these three things.” Heng Xingjian’s expression didn’t change at all, offering no explanation despite how mismatched the items were with his usual image.

[“Umm… how should I put this? I’m so used to the Best Actor’s tough-guy image that seeing him bring snacks now feels kind of cute.”]

[“Cute +1. Tough on the outside, little princess on the inside. I’m in love, hahaha…”]

[“Did the Best Actor Heng just break his persona today?”]

No one knew why Heng Xingjian brought those items, but Bai Tang did—they were all his favorite foods.

Bai Tang stepped forward and placed his own bag on the table. “These are my belongings.” After speaking, he bent down and also placed two small dogs on top.

[“Hahaha, no way, is Bai Tang an airheaded sweetheart? Do dogs count as belongings?”]

[“The love of a pet owner—bringing their adorable dogs everywhere. So cute, I want to pet them…”]

[“You guys can have the dogs, I’ll go pet Bai Tang first.”]

The three adorable creatures stared at the host with the same innocent, expectant eyes, making him feel a lot of pressure. Why hadn’t Bai Tang forgotten about this?

The host said there was no precedent for this and that he needed to consult the production team.

The director waved his hand decisively—for the sake of ratings, it was approved. However, dogs are living beings. The two dogs would count as two teammates.

It’s said that dogs are humanity’s most loyal companions, and animals are often more perceptive than humans. Bringing dogs along could be considered a kind of “cheat advantage” for Bai Tang. However, there were downsides too—dogs can’t speak human language. There are things humans can do that dogs simply can’t.

Bai Tang was overjoyed, his clear eyes shining like flawless crystals, making people unable to resist wanting to follow him.

[“I don’t care—official reports already said Bai Tang wasn’t involved in that incident. I trust the authorities, not the haters. I’m definitely becoming his fan.”]

[“I’m definitely becoming a fan + phone number! Tang Tang is mine—you guys can go chase Li Manpei instead.”]

[“No thanks. That crybaby started crying over nothing. I’ll pass.”]

The cheerful smile of the “all-ages-friendly little squirrel” instantly captured the hearts of countless looks-based fans. Protect the cutest Bai Tang in the world—charge!

Bai Tang’s team, counting Heng Xingjian, Qiu’er, and Xiao A, already had four members. There were five guests left, which couldn’t be evenly divided, so Bai Tang’s side needed to add one more person.

If he had to bring in one more teammate, choosing the female lead was better than picking someone else. Without hesitation, Bai Tang agreed to Liu Lingfan joining them. With that, the team was finalized, and the remaining five people were forced to group together.

Li Manpei had just managed to calm down, but when she saw that the team lists were already finalized, it looked like her tears were about to fall again.

Heng Xingjian didn’t even glance sideways. He put the two small dogs into the bag, took Bai Tang’s hand, and led him toward the parking lot.

Liu Lingfan hurried to follow. In order to capture every team member on camera, the back seat was already occupied by Bai Tang, Heng Xingjian, and the cameraman, leaving no extra space. Liu Lingfan could only sit in the front passenger seat.

While waiting for the other team to finish checking their supplies, Heng Xingjian tore open a bag of sugar-roasted chestnuts. “Tang Tang, want some? It’s a two-hour drive to the destination—eat something first to fill your stomach.”

Bai Tang smiled brightly and eagerly opened the bag. He picked up a chestnut and was just about to bite into it when his hand suddenly felt empty—his white teeth bit into nothing.

“???”

“It still has the shell. You can’t eat the shell.”

Heng Xingjian squeezed the chestnut, and with a “crack,” the shell split open. In a few quick motions, he removed the shell. “Ah—open your mouth.”

“Ah—”

For the male lead, feeding his little squirrel was a daily routine, so Bai Tang didn’t find it strange at all. But the others didn’t know that. The cameraman was stunned, and this warm, intimate moment was broadcast through the lens, causing an uproar in the livestream.

[“Oh my god—if you say the Best Actor Heng and Bai Tang don’t have something going on, I absolutely don’t believe it.”]

[“So doting! I’m calling my boyfriend right now.”]

[“Did you see that? The Best Actor Heng only has eyes for Bai Tang, and Bai Tang’s gaze toward him is full of light.”]

[“I think the “light” in Bai Tang’s eyes is for the sugar-roasted chestnuts.”]

[“Oh… poor Best Actor…”]

Bai Tang popped the chestnut into his mouth, feeling his cheeks puff up with satisfaction—he was content.

“Want more, Tang Tang? There’s plenty.” Heng Xingjian’s entire backpack was filled with Bai Tang’s snacks—more than enough to keep him full.

“You eat too~” As Heng Xingjian handed one over, Bai Tang instead brought it to his mouth. “Isn’t it sweet?”

“Very sweet.”

If Bai Tang liked something, Heng Xingjian would be happy.

He reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair. The latter took the initiative to nuzzle into his palm, making the livestream audience collectively squeal at how adorable it was.

If Liu Lingfan still couldn’t see Heng Xingjian’s special treatment toward Bai Tang at this point, then she’d truly be an idiot.

“Tang Tang, are you hungry? I still have some bread here—want some?” Liu Lingfan took out a square loaf of bread. With her idol filter gone, she no longer felt as infatuated with Heng Xingjian as before.

Tang Tang was so innocent—Heng Xingjian’s behavior was practically shameless. He was clearly trying to lure Tang Tang.

“Woof~” Tang Tang, I want some too.

Right on cue, Qiu’er poked its head out of the bag, staring longingly at the chestnuts.

Bai Tang fed a few to Qiu’er and Xiao A. The two little dogs, completely satisfied, curled back into the bag—there were no dogs more human-like than them.

“I remember Tang Tang gets carsick. Tang Tang, you should sit in the front—the passenger seat is less likely to make you sick.” Looking at the pretty and innocent Tang Tang, Liu Lingfan felt it was her duty to protect her childhood friend. She couldn’t let some casting couch scheme fail only for Heng Xingjian to succeed instead.

After entering the entertainment industry, Liu Lingfan had learned a lot more about its hidden side. She had every reason to suspect that Heng Xingjian had taken a fancy to Tang Tang’s looks and was trying to take advantage of him.

Hearing Liu Lingfan’s words, Bai Tang froze for a moment, alarm bells ringing in his head. He waved his hand. “It’s fine—Sister Xiao Fan gets carsick easily too. Ladies first, I’ll just sit in the back.”

The fist Heng Xingjian had clenched loosened quietly. He still looked at Bai Tang with a doting expression. “If you fall asleep, you won’t get carsick. Tang Tang, lean on me and take a nap.”

He patted his shoulder and gently pulled the boy against him.

Bai Tang found the most comfortable position and leaned on him, wrapping his arms around Heng Xingjian’s waist. “A-Jian is the best~”

The corners of Heng Xingjian’s lips lifted slightly. Sensing the probing gaze from the front, he raised his head—his eyes instantly turning cold.

When Liu Lingfan met his gaze, she shivered. But when she looked again, he had already lowered his head, adjusting Bai Tang’s collar.

She glanced at the cameraman beside her. In public, he probably wouldn’t dare do anything inappropriate.

Just as she thought that, the other team finished preparing. The convoy slowly started moving forward.

Fans: [This is so sweet it’s overwhelming!]

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Author’s Note:

Good news—I managed to snag a new keyboard!

There will be extra updates—once the keyboard arrives, I’ll start posting more right away. Muah~

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