Plagiarism? Are you kidding me? Wasn’t that vlog recorded ages ago? How did it suddenly turn into you plagiarizing someone else?
Fu Zhen’s irritated voice suddenly rang out in the quiet bistro, prompting other patrons to turn their heads and cast curious glances toward the sound.
But in the reality show’s teaser, my video was broadcast second.
Min Zhouzhou calmly turned the page of the wine menu, explaining to Fu Zhen while slowly lifting his head. His gaze happened to collide with the scrutinizing eyes fixed on him.
His movements paused for a split second. Then, he smoothly curved the corners of his eyes, offering a slightly apologetic, gentle smile toward the patrons whose peace had been disturbed.
The onlookers who had been watching the scene unfold froze the moment he lifted his face from the menu. In a high-end establishment like this, there was never a shortage of youthful faces and attractive appearances, but someone as stunningly handsome as Min Zhouzhou was truly a rare sight.
Just from being looked at once, quite a few people felt their faces grow warm. Though they were all seasoned veterans of the social bar scene, every single one of them was unreservedly bewitched by that breeze-like, effortless smile, losing their bearings entirely. By the time the patrons wanted to steal a few more glances, they discovered to their disappointment that Min Zhouzhou had already seamlessly retracted his gaze.
Even so, they can’t just slander you without making heads or tails of the truth!
Fu Zhen slammed his phone onto the glass table with a loud clap. He looked genuinely furious, flailing his arms like a bristling little lion. Look at what people are saying online!
Min Zhouzhou picked up the phone. Sure enough, a string of hot search topics related to him had surged to the top, with #MinZhouzhouPlagiarism being the most prominent, followed by an orange-red HOT tag.
Clicking into the topic, a tidal wave of controversy flooded Min Zhouzhou’s view. The vast majority were posts questioning or berating him, and the super-topic square was the worst hit, an utter landscape of grief and devastating chaos as far as the eye could see.
Min Zhouzhou glanced at the top few posts, then set the phone back down. He curled his lips into a light, airy smile, showing no signs of anger.
The cause of the controversy was a teaser clip for a brand-new parenting reality show: As a regular guest on the show, Min Zhouzhou had been asked by the organizers to record an introductory video with his 5-year-old nephew. The video itself had no issues, but the set design, lighting, and even the introductory contents heavily overlapped with another guest, Ji Subai. Viewers had questioned him for plagiarism, and the topic shot straight up the hot search list that very day.
So what kind of piece of work is that Ji Subai anyway? He just returned to the country and already wants to leech off your hype? How did he curry favor with the show’s director? Why was his intro vlog placed first?
Hearing this, Min Zhouzhou raised an eyebrow and interrupted him: Fu Zhen.
Huh? Fu Zhen’s brows were tightly knitted as his gaze met Min Zhouzhou’s. He adjusted the glasses on the bridge of his nose, which hadn’t been slipping at all, failing to grasp the intended meaning for a moment.
Min Zhouzhou pressed his finger against his own lips. Though his gaze was exceptionally soft, it carried a unique aura that tolerated no refusal.
He looked at Fu Zhen for a few seconds and softly reminded him: Mind your words.
Fu Zhen’s voice hitched, and the boisterous, indignant flames within him were instantly half-doused. Looking somewhat guilty, he glanced around the surroundings with a sullen expression, then reluctantly raised his hand to make a zipping motion across his mouth.
No, but seeing all this, are you really not angry at all? Fu Zhen’s mouth couldn’t stay shut for three seconds before he spoke up again.
They’re just standard industry tricks, nothing interesting. Ji Subai is a talented singer in the overseas Chinese music scene, a rising star in recent years with immense popularity lately… It’s completely expected that the organizers want to use this to generate buzz and boost exposure. However, the production crew definitely won’t be stupid enough to ruin their own brand. Even if they let the incident ferment, it’ll only last a day or two at most.
As Min Zhouzhou explained, he leaned his body back into the sofa chair with an easygoing posture and demeanor. Out of nowhere, he had produced a thin menthol cigarette between his fingers, playing with it without lighting it.
Fu Zhen still couldn’t understand: Even so, they shouldn’t push you out as a scapegoat, right? I heard that parenting show, it’s called ‘Childlike Heart Facing Faraway’, right? Half the cast are celebrities and half are non-celebrities. Any way you slice it, you have the biggest star power… Making a second-tier player clash with the top-tier player, the production team’s logic is truly mind-boggling.
It’s actually not hard to understand. Min Zhouzhou opened his phone, pulled up a close-up photo of an eye, and rested his chin on his hand while asking Fu Zhen, Does it look familiar?
Fu Zhen stared closely at the image for a moment, noticing the tiny red mole near the outer corner of the eye that could almost be considered a signature mark. Perplexed, he asked, Isn’t this your eye? Who does it look like?
This is Ji Subai’s.
Min Zhouzhou pinched his fingers together to shrink the image, transforming the close-up of the eye into a half-body portrait:
A delicate, handsome face appeared on the screen. Aside from those exceptionally striking eyes, the other features on this face were not particularly mind-blowing, but they were harmoniously balanced enough to convey an endearing, youthful boyish charm.
This is Ji Subai? Fu Zhen widened his eyes and stared at the picture repeatedly. My goodness, then these eyes are way too similar… It’s practically a one-to-one replica, even the tear mole at the corner of the eye is identical! Did he get plastic surgery to look like you?
No, Min Zhouzhou shot him a glance, signaling him not to talk nonsense, and explained: Ji Subai debuted overseas two years earlier than I did. Although his fame only blew up recently, there are plenty of old photos of him… I checked. The immediate impression is indeed similar, but it’s likely just a natural coincidence.
Fu Zhen clicked his tongue: No wonder the production crew would compare him to you; he comes with built-in hype… They really hit the jackpot with this windfall! But I still have a question: Ji Subai is popular abroad, but his influence domestically isn’t as big as yours. Why did they throw you out to block the gunfire?
My manager told me…
Min Zhouzhou paused his tone, then slightly tugged at the corner of his lips.
Fu Zhen was no fool. Meeting Min Zhouzhou’s eyes, he instantly understood the unsaid second half of that sentence.
This Ji Subai, who had just returned to the country, likely had someone powerful backing him.
Min Zhouzhou stopped right there, casually glossing over the matter that was causing an absolute storm on the internet without offering any further opinions or comments.
He turned his head to wave over a young bartender nearby, informing the boy that he wanted to order drinks.
The young bartender walked over with a blushing face, softly introducing all the specialty cocktails. He kept his eyes cast down the entire time, seemingly not daring to meet Min Zhouzhou’s eyes directly.
Min Zhouzhou, however, gave him plenty of face, resting his chin on one hand as he patiently listened to the whole breakdown.
The menthol cigarette was still held between his fingers; he casually twirled it twice, randomly picking a few drinks with pleasant-sounding names. Then, with great generosity, he pulled an Ace of Hearts from the deck of playing cards placed by the table and handed it to him, since patrons rarely carried cash on them nowadays, these playing cards served as the customary tips in the bar scene.
Flustered by the favor, the young bartender’s ears turned visibly red. Trying to gauge Min Zhouzhou’s preferences, he asked, Sir, would you like me to make the alcohol content a bit lower for you?
It can be higher, Min Zhouzhou smiled exceedingly charmingly, glancing in Fu Zhen’s direction. My friend just returned to Ningcheng, so this is a welcome-back drink.
Alright, right away. Please wait a moment.
The young bartender hurriedly responded. After marking down the order, he fled quickly, moving his arms and legs in stiff, nervous unison.
Fu Zhen watched the spellbound boy depart, thinking to himself that Min Zhouzhou’s knack for stealing hearts was becoming dangerously fluent. Thus, he dragged out his tone in a half-joking manner:
As expected of you. The legend of Ningcheng’s immortal, top-tier rose is definitely real.
Former, Min Zhouzhou corrected him in all seriousness. I am now as well-behaved and dutiful as can be. Don’t go casually smearing my clean reputation.
True, only your legend remains in the social scene these past few years, Fu Zhen touched his chin, looking up to ask him. Though I say, are you really planning to tie yourself to a single tree for the rest of your life? Isn’t that just a contract…
Hello, handsome. My name is An Shu. Can I get your contact information?
Before Fu Zhen could finish his sentence, he was cut off by a voice chiming in midway. He and Min Zhouzhou looked up simultaneously to see a delicate, fair-featured youth walking toward them.
The youth named An Shu sat down beside Min Zhouzhou with complete composure. He looked about eighteen or nineteen years old, with skin so tender it looked like it could yield water if pinched. Shallow dimples rested on both of his cheeks, making him look exceedingly obedient when he smiled.
Fu Zhen raised an eyebrow, mentally complaining about how formidable this kingdom-toppling demon was, no sooner had one left than another arrived. Picking up a snack from the table, he ate it while casually watching how Min Zhouzhou would handle this unexpected romantic encounter.
Hello, Min Zhouzhou replied politely, though clearly possessing no intent to flirt, rejecting him with utmost decisiveness. No, you may not.
An Shu let out an Ah. The youth, who originally possessed quite a bit of confidence in his appearance, felt a bit deflated by the sudden rejection, pouting as he uttered a soft, Okay then.
His gaze swept across the fingers where Min Zhouzhou held the cigarette, causing his movements and breathing to pause momentarily.
However, the youth quickly returned to his normal demeanor, his eyes still shining brightly as he asked rather obsessively: Brother, you are really so handsome! Are you a celebrity?
I am. Do you want an autograph? Min Zhouzhou’s tone was frivolous and casual, making it impossible to tell whether it was the truth or just offhanded nonsense.
His gaze was gentle, refined, and comforting. Yet, if one looked closely, a hint of annoyance at being bothered flickered across those dark pupils, vanishing in a flash.
An Shu didn’t notice it.
The pretty boy hadn’t given up yet. As if knowing which version of himself was most endearing, he opened his mouth and childishly stuck out his tongue:
Forget it, I’m not interested in autographs, but I am interested in collecting experiences! Brother, my skills are really good, plus I get regular checkups, hold a health certificate, and act as a passive partner, I’m definitely a safe and healthy top choice!
Fu Zhen, who was eating nearby, dropped all the snacks in his hand upon hearing this astonishing declaration. Without bothering to pick them up, he blinked his innocent, clueless eyes several times:
Holding… what certificate?
A health certificate, handsome.
An Shu shot Fu Zhen a glance. Though Fu Zhen was also handsome, he paled in comparison when placed beside Min Zhouzhou. An Shu continued to nag Min Zhouzhou, still not entirely resigned to giving up: Are you really not going to consider me?
Min Zhouzhou’s originally gentle gaze turned somewhat cold. He suddenly let out an enigmatic smile toward An Shu, popped the menthol cigarette he was holding between his lips, and bit down with his teeth, bursting the flavor capsule inside the filter.
A crisp menthol aroma accompanied by a rich, thick tobacco fragrance burst forth into the air, wrapping around An Shu like a floating mist and tantalizing his nostrils ambiguously.
Min Zhouzhou leaned in close to him while holding the cigarette in his mouth. He raised the very hand that had just been holding the cigarette, using a bit of force to press against An Shu’s chin. He was still smiling, yet his aura was extraordinarily frigid:
You saw it just now, didn’t you, kid?
An Shu’s lively, expressive face froze instantly. As this exquisitely beautiful man leaned close, he felt an unexplainable sense of oppression.
The youth couldn’t help swallowing his saliva, his eyeballs unconsciously shifting downward to focus once more on the object he had seen earlier but deliberately ignored,
A ring rested on the ring finger of Min Zhouzhou’s right hand. He was displaying it openly, without the slightest intention of hiding it.
I’m married. Have I made myself clear enough?
Min Zhouzhou turned him down point-blank.
An Shu blinked repeatedly and hurriedly expressed that he understood. His chin hurt slightly from Min Zhouzhou’s grip, his delicate brows furrowing as he put on a pained, pleading expression.
Only then did Min Zhouzhou release the youth with a motion that was nearly gentle. He stubbed the cigarette butt, slightly moistened by his lips and teeth, into the ashtray. In a mere flash of thought, he restored his gentle, refined appearance once more.
It was as if the aggressive side he had revealed just a second ago was merely a momentary hallucination.
Feeling a bit of lingering trepidation, An Shu awkwardly touched his chin and murmured softly: Sorry, brother. I thought you were wearing it just to block unwanted suitors… Are you really married?
Min Zhouzhou glanced at him, saying nothing more.
He is indeed married, an early marriage, Fu Zhen, having enjoyed the drama long enough, stepped in at the right moment to mediate. He sized up the youth, estimating his age, and said, When he got married, you were probably just entering middle school.
An Shu was quite surprised. Just as he wanted to ask more, he suddenly heard the ringing of a telephone. He instinctively felt his own phone, only to realize it wasn’t his.
Min Zhouzhou pulled out his phone and looked down at it, the lazy light in his eyes flickering slightly.
Fu Zhen, observing his expression, leaned over to see who the caller was. The screen displayed a full name: Pei Che. He dragged out a long Whoa and shook his head quite dramatically:
Now that’s a coincidence. What time is it even, and your spouse is already checking up on you?