Zhou Chong gritted his teeth, nearly driven to madness by this realization.
It didn’t matter. He’d make his move later.
If he didn’t teach him a proper lesson in bed, his surname wasn’t Zhou!
It didn’t matter that Qingshan baobao didn’t recognize him right now.
This wife, he was claiming unilaterally!
Zhou Chong reached out and put on a spontaneous performance. “My name is Zhou Chong. I’m here to film a variety show. I heard there was a local around my age, so I thought I’d come say hello.”
“Shan Qingshan.”
That was it.
Just as cold as before.
Zhou Chong was stunned.
Was Qingshan baobao already this icy?
“Young Master Zhou! We’re about to start filming!”
Someone called out.
Zhou Chong grabbed Shan Qingshan’s wrist. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not attending the opening ceremony.”
“I know. I’m staying with you. You’ll take me away from that courtyard later.”
Shan Qingshan frowned. “Have you seen my house?”
His home wasn’t nice.
He also didn’t like strangers staying at his place, bossing him around, disrupting his and Grandma’s life.
He’d refused at first.
But the director had offered too much money.
Zhou Chong smiled.
He thought to himself: I don’t care what your house looks like, nothing can stop me. I’m definitely sleeping with you!
“No, I haven’t. Like I said, we’re about the same age, and I feel a connection with you. Let’s go.”
Zhou Chong dragged Shan Qingshan to the set.
The livestream began, and fans from various camps flooded into the chat.
Zhou Chong was a rich young master who had never been on a show and had no fans, but anyone who entered his livestream couldn’t leave.
Why?
Too handsome.
Tall with long legs, lounging lazily in his seat, with a rebellious youthful air in his brow.
[Where did the production team find this guy! So handsome! Look at me!]
[They can’t see the chat comments, I think]
[This guy should debut! I’m a fan! I want to be his fan!]
…
After a brief opening from the director, photos of several accommodation options were posted.
Zhou Chong spotted the shabbiest one at a glance.
He had a feeling that might be Qingshan baobao’s house.
Zhou Chong had always known that Qingshan baobao had lived a hard life before, but Qingshan baobao almost never mentioned it, so Zhou Chong didn’t know the details.
Poverty could limit one’s imagination, but so could wealth.
Zhou Chong looked at that house, his heart aching terribly.
With conditions like that, Qingshan baobao had still managed to score high marks and make it out of the mountains.
Zhou Chong couldn’t bear to imagine how much effort Qingshan baobao had put in behind all of that.
Zhuozhuo pointed at the photos and shouted, “Are these places fit for people? Especially that one—it looks like a pigpen! No wait, even pigpens aren’t like that anymore, right? Everything’s mechanized and automated now.”
Zhou Chong immediately looked at Shan Qingshan.
His expression was calm, as if he was used to it.
That reaction made Zhou Chong’s heart ache even more, made him want to cry.
His grief turned into a sharp blade, striking at Zhuozhuo. “Shut up. Don’t even think about it. Not even fit for dogs.”
Zhuozhuo’s face turned pale, and he looked at Zhou Chong.
Zhou Chong had casually thrown down thirty million, radiating arrogance and defiance—the kind of effortless, expensive nonchalance that only came from a family with deep enough pockets.
No one knew his background.
No one dared to talk back.
The director said, “To start, we’ll play a simple game. Fold down your fingers. The person with the fewest fingers folded gets first pick of housing. We’ll start with Teacher Fang.”
Fang Rong said, “I’m married, and I have two kids.”
The moment those words left his mouth, the whole place burst into laughter.
It was an undeniable victory.
Not folding meant courting career destruction and becoming the internet’s gossip fodder.
The other guests silently folded down one finger each.
Only Zhou Chong remained standing tall.
Everyone looked at him.
Pan Yingzhe: “Director, someone’s cheating.”
Zhou Chong looked the youngest of the group—whether he was even an adult was up for debate. How could he possibly have kids?
Zhou Chong raised an eyebrow. “He didn’t specify where the marriage took place, nor what kind of kids they were. That’s a loophole in his wording. I’ve been married for three years in Dreamy Jianghu, with two kids and four grandchildren. If you don’t believe me, I can log into my game account and show you.”
The director’s team: “…”
The other guests: “…”
No one could argue with that.
Director: “Fair point. No need to fold.”
The game continued.
Dong Hailan: “I own two villas in the capital and three companies under my name—all real assets.”
Suddenly, it turned into a flex of wealth.
The guests silently folded their fingers.
Zhuozhuo looked envious. “Teacher Dong, you’re so rich.”
Zhou Chong remained unmoved.
Dong Hailan said this not so much to win, but to probe Zhou Chong. She ran companies in the capital and had heard of the Zhou surname—she wasn’t sure if this Zhou was the same family she knew of, the one whose villas covered half of Silver Screen Mountain. Now, it seemed all but certain.
Finally, it was Zhou Chong’s turn.
“I’m gay.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it landed like a hammer.
For a moment, the air went still.
Zhou Chong’s livestream exploded.
[What? What did I just hear?]
[His gaze is as resolute as if he’s swearing into the party, but what he said is unbelievable!]
[Bro, you don’t need to be this competitive in a game. Listen, take that back! Don’t lose your mind!]
[One second: December boyfriend! Next second: he’s gay]
[Who is this guy? When Dong Hailan was flaunting her wealth, he didn’t even fold his finger. Rich, and gay—why is he on this show?]
…
Zhou Chong secretly glanced at Shan Qingshan, watching for his reaction.
If he reacted badly, he’d quietly tell him he was lying.
If he could accept it—
Perfect!
Fall in love!
Get married!
Ninety-nine tables at the wedding banquet!
Shan Qingshan’s expression didn’t change.
Zhou Chong was secretly thrilled.
The game ended, and Zhou Chong won.
He stood up happily, looking at Shan Qingshan. “Qingshan baby, which one is your house?”
All the guests followed Zhou Chong’s gaze and saw the young man standing behind the crowd, his expression slightly dazed.
His features were delicate yet not contrived, as if he were a spirit born from these picturesque mountains. He wore a padded cotton jacket washed to a faded, dusty gray, his nose and ears red from the cold—none of it could mask his cool, aloof aura.
Fang Rong: “Which actor is that?”
The director said, “He’s not a celebrity.”
Pan Yingzhe: “That can’t be right?”
That face was too striking—this wasn’t heaven chasing him with a meal; this was heaven smashing a full banquet into the young man’s face.
Gasps of admiration rose from the crew around them.
“He’s really handsome.”
“Even dressed like that, he can’t hide it. If he got styled up, I can’t imagine how stunning he’d be.”
…
The murmurs didn’t stop, but Shan Qingshan remained unfazed. He looked at Zhou Chong.
He had only one question in his mind.
He won—just to pick his house?
Shouldn’t the winner pick the best one?
Even if he wanted to pick his house, there was no need to win.
Anyone with half a brain wouldn’t choose his place.
“The fourth one.”
The one Zhou Chong had guessed.
Zhou Chong walked over, yanked it down without hesitation, and strode to stand in front of him. The camera followed Zhou Chong’s movements, pulling Shan Qingshan into the frame.
The barrage froze for a split second.
Then it went wild.
【Three minutes! I want every piece of contact info for this person!】
【Shan Qingshan baby? Oh~ baby, baby, you’re such a pretty baby】
【This one isn’t gay too, is he? They look like they know each other】
【They’re not a couple, are they?!】
…
Shan Qingshan was completely unaware of the online commotion. He looked at the photo in Zhou Chong’s hand.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I think we’d get along well. I want to live with you.”
Shan Qingshan looked at him without saying a word.
The director took the opportunity to introduce Shan Qingshan.
A regular civilian.
A stream of “I don’t believe it” floated across the live chat.
When the game ended, the guests each headed to their accommodations to settle in, with dinner left to their own devices.
Zhou Chong had a lot of luggage, so he borrowed a handcart.
After they’d walked a short distance, Shan Qingshan suddenly asked, “What did you mean by ‘gay’ earlier?”