After Dumping the Scumbag Top, I Was Relentlessly Chased by a Top-Tier Idol - Chapter 12

Lin Yizhou was the fourth to appear. Shen Xu had originally wanted to follow immediately after, but after consulting with the production team, they insisted on saving the “mystery” for the very end. Consequently, he could only watch the live stream from his phone inside the car.

The live stream interface was flexible, allowing viewers to choose between individual focus cams or the group shot.

From the start, Shen Xu opened only Lin Yizhou’s exclusive feed. He watched as Lin Yizhou initially stood right in the center, but as each subsequent guest arrived, he yielded his spot to others. Eventually, the formation turned into an arc, and Lin Yizhou had retreated to the very end of the line.

With the arc-shaped formation, every time a new person entered, he could move one step further away from the ocean.

As expected, even though the suicide attempt by jumping into the river at age sixteen happened twelve years ago, the truth was that it had never truly passed…

Shen Xu had thought that Lin Yizhou’s decisive agreement to join the show was because he had seen a psychologist over the years. Looking at it now, he was simply forcing himself to endure it.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Xu opened the car door, leaned out toward the staff, and asked, “How much longer until I go on?”

The staff member looked troubled: “Apologies, Teacher Shen. I’ll notify you as soon as it’s time.”

Shen Xu frowned slightly: “Please tell the director to hurry up.”

The staff member relayed the message to the director exactly as told.

Not wanting to make things difficult for the crew, Shen Xu sat back in the car after his nudge and continued watching the stream. As he saw Jiang Siyuan repeatedly entering Lin Yizhou’s frame, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

Having investigated Song Chizheng in the past, he naturally knew about this “first love” who was famous for his playboy reputation.

He didn’t find it strange that the two knew each other, but it was very strange that Jiang Siyuan was acting so familiar.

He stared at the arrogant, smiling face on the screen. His index finger unconsciously tapped the edge of his tablet. Suddenly, realizing something, his pale blue eyes dimmed, radiating a dangerous aura.

A moment later, Director Tu finally let the final guest enter: “Let us welcome our final guest!”

As the words fell, a black nanny van slowly drove into view.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Shen Xu slid open the door, his long legs hitting the ground as he leaned out of the car.

He wore a sun hat and sunglasses, dressed in a golden-toned floral shirt. Around his neck was a pale gold hollowed-out sunflower choker with a sun pattern, paired with golden summer shorts. He looked unruly yet brimming with youthful energy, like a blazing sun in the sky.

His left hand, covered by a sleeve, waved to the crowd as he strode toward the other guests.

Shen Xu? Holy crap, am I seeing things?

You’re not seeing things, it’s Shen Xu. The official account posted the announcement the moment he stepped out.

You can tell he’s excited—he’s literally running over.

I just watched an old interview of his yesterday where he said he’d never join a reality show unless it was an absolute necessity. So what kind of ‘necessity’ is this!?

This Shen Xu is so handsome!! But why is he wearing arm sleeves and a choker?

No one knows the exact reason. He’s worn them since his debut—various sleeves, bandages, and chokers related to boats, sunflowers, or the sun.

Huh? Does he wear them while acting too? My curiosity is peaking!

He doesn’t wear them when acting, but his hands and neck are always bare then. Maybe they use makeup to cover things up? (Thinking face)

Hahaha, am I the only one worried if he’s hot?

Hahaha, I used to wonder that too, but I saw an interview where he said they’re made of a special material that stays cool in summer and warm in winter~

Lin Yizhou was slightly stunned to see him. He had also seen that interview, but he felt it had nothing to do with him. Once he snapped out of it, he stopped looking in that direction, simply yielding his spot as he had for the others when Shen Xu approached.

Shen Xu whispered a thank you and inconspicuously stood even further away from the group, pushing the “arc” to bend even more.

Seeing everyone had finally arrived, the director shouted into a megaphone: “Now that everyone is here, let’s have everyone introduce themselves and get to know each other.”

As the guests took turns introducing themselves, fans screamed in the comments.

While the introductions were ongoing, Shen Xu took off his sun hat, feigned fanning himself, and then naturally tied the hat around his right wrist.

He casually moved closer to Lin Yizhou and grabbed his wrist, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear: “I’ve got you.”

Don’t worry.

His wrist suddenly being grabbed made Lin Yizhou instinctively look down. The wide brim of the sun hat completely concealed their two linked hands.

It was like being back in school, hiding from a teacher’s gaze by secretly holding hands under a desk; as long as there wasn’t much movement, no one would notice.

Lin Yizhou frowned slightly and tried to pull his hand away. The moment he moved, the grip tightened, and he heard Shen Xu’s pitiful voice: “Teacher Lin, just let me hold it for a bit. The sound of the waves back there is so loud… I’m a little scared…”

Lin Yizhou:

His expression wavered.

“Brother Lin,” Shen Xu’s pleading voice drifted through the sea breeze, audible only to Lin Yizhou. “We’re from the same company. We should look out for each other, right?”

Lin Yizhou, who was about to pull away again:

He stopped moving.

Fine, he would just pretend it wasn’t happening.

However… it was impossible to ignore.

Lin Yizhou’s hands were icy year-round, like a cold-blooded animal stuck in eternal winter. But Shen Xu’s hand was warm, even scorching, like the sun hanging directly overhead. It felt like a constant source of thermal energy that simply couldn’t be overlooked.

In fact, his instinctive thought earlier hadn’t been to break free, but rather to grip back tightly.

When Shen Xu grabbed him, his heart—which had been surging like the waves behind him—gradually calmed down. It was as if a drowning man had caught hold of a piece of driftwood.

But finding a sense of security in another person was, in itself, a dangerous thing.

At least for him, it was no different from the deep sea behind him.

If he pulled away… it would be like facing the abyss alone.

A drowning man needs driftwood.

He didn’t want to drown, and he couldn’t afford to; his mother and sister still needed him.

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but the hand holding him seemed to tighten further.

He tilted his head to look. Shen Xu was currently introducing himself, looking radiant, his words full of youthful composure and confidence.

The midday sun spilled over him; he truly looked as if he were glowing.

Lin Yizhou lowered his gaze. After Shen Xu finished, he followed with a brief, concise introduction: “Hello everyone, my name is Lin Yizhou. Please look after me.”

As soon as he finished, a scornful sneer erupted from the group, followed by a voice dripping with arrogant youthfulness: “Every single day, all you can say is ‘please look after me.’ As expected of someone who didn’t even graduate high school.”

To this, Lin Yizhou only looked up at the speaker once, showing no intention of arguing back.

Suddenly, his palm was tickled.

Lin Yizhou looked over, confused. Shen Xu was smiling at him, saying: “Teacher Lin, do you remember our company’s motto?”

If no one provokes me, we coexist in harmony. If someone provokes me, I pay them back twofold.

Lin Yizhou remembered it very clearly.

Shen Xu stared at the culprit, the corners of his mouth curving upward in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, faintly radiating a dangerous aura. “If you’re too embarrassed to do it, I’ll do it for you.”

Lin Yizhou: “???!”

Memories of Shen Xu’s ruthless methods in the hospital garden flashed through his mind. If he actually let Shen Xu step in, there was no telling how chaotic the scene would become.

Seeing that Shen Xu was genuinely about to move, Lin Yizhou slid his hand into Shen Xu’s palm and gave it a firm squeeze, signaling him not to be impulsive.

Shen Xu’s half-opened mouth snapped shut obediently. He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow, as if saying: Fine, you do it yourself.

Lin Yizhou frowned slightly, his mind racing.

He looked toward the source of the voice. The person had platinum-blonde hair and wore a white shirt with a skull print paired with black cargo shorts—he exuded the reckless arrogance unique to teenagers.

Sensing Lin Yizhou’s gaze, the boy didn’t flinch. Instead, he tilted his chin up defiantly, his expression saying: I just don’t like you, so what!

Lin Yizhou recalled the boy’s self-introduction; he had performed a rap. To summarize: his name was Pei Yutai, eighteen years old, a soon-to-be college student, and a rapper with “attitude” whose dream was to take domestic hip-hop to the world stage.

Lin Yizhou was certain he had never crossed paths with Pei Yutai before, and based on their career paths, they wouldn’t have any resource conflicts in the future. He truly didn’t understand why the boy harbored such intense malice toward him.

However, what the boy likely didn’t know was that, for Lin Yizhou, his educational background wasn’t something that could trigger him. In every interview, whenever a host asked about his education, he gave the same answer: I dropped out in the second year of high school; I never finished.

He spoke calmly: “Little brother, you just finished your college entrance exams, so you should still be very familiar with your high school Chinese textbooks, right? How about we both recite ‘The Rhapsody on Epang Palace’?”

The reason he chose this specific classical text was that he had once stumbled upon an article stating that high school students generally considered ‘The Rhapsody on Epang Palace’ to be the most difficult text to memorize in the curriculum.

Pei Yutai was momentarily speechless. His teachers had told him it was important, and it wasn’t that he hadn’t tried to memorize it, but he just couldn’t make it stick. Not just that one—he hadn’t managed to memorize any of the long classical texts.

His thoughts were practically written on his face. Lin Yizhou watched him and asked nonchalantly, “You can’t? Or would you like to pick a different one?”

Pei Yutai didn’t want to admit his inability. Instead, he bit back: “You think you can just say ‘recite’ and I have to do it? Who knows if you just remember the title and are trying to bluff me.”

Lin Yizhou didn’t waste words on him. He turned directly to the director: “Director Tu, can you give me five minutes?”

The director was delighted to see such a meaningful “spontaneous event” and quickly agreed.

Lin Yizhou asked for five minutes, but he only used two and a half to recite the entirety of ‘The Rhapsody on Epang Palace’ perfectly.

Guys, God knows I was following along with the textbook—not a single word wrong!!! His speed was fast but clear, and he even had the right cadence. If I didn’t know he was twenty-eight, I’d think he just graduated high school this year too. Sobbing… as a rising senior, I feel personally attacked. I don’t care, I’m a fan now!

Once the recitation was finished, Shen Xu gave him a thumbs-up. The other guests clapped for him as well, except for Pei Yutai, who remained stubborn: “Who knows if that’s the only one you know.”

Lin Yizhou’s tone remained flat: “Then you pick one. Anything from primary school to high school, your choice.”

“We could also compare other subjects, but we might need to schedule a separate time for that stream.”

Damn, is his memory really that god-tier?

Am I the only one who wants to know… if he’s this good at studying, why did he drop out in high school?

Pei Yutai’s face turned various shades of blue and white, but he still kept his neck stiff: “Who wants to compete with you? I don’t have that kind of international time. I’m very busy.”

Hearing this, Lin Yizhou just glanced at him, intending to let the matter drop without further confrontation.

However, the person beside him spoke up. Shen Xu’s tone was casual, yet carried an undeniable deterrent force: “In that case, shouldn’t you apologize to Teacher Lin?”

“In terms of seniority, he is your senior. In terms of age, he is your elder. No matter how you look at it, weren’t your words just now quite rude?”

Pei Yutai wanted to argue back, but looking into those eyes hidden behind the large dark-framed sunglasses, he inexplicably shrunk his shoulders and muttered reluctantly, “I’m sorry, okay?”

Seeing that Shen Xu wanted to say more, Lin Yizhou squeezed his hand again, signaling that it was enough.

Director Tu saw the opening and quickly jumped in to continue the schedule: “Before we officially set off, let’s play a little game—Truth or Dare.”

“Please come to me one by one, and by the way, bring all your luggage. We need to inspect them for ‘survival contraband’.”

The game followed the order of the previous introductions, starting from the far right.

When it was Pei Yutai’s turn, he cried out: “Huh? Boys can only bring one change of clothes? Nothing else is allowed?”

“That’s right. Of course, small personal items you’re currently wearing are permitted. That’s the rule,” Director Tu said with a grin, pointing in a direction. “Please pick out one outfit, and then go over there to play the game.”

Staff: “Would you like Truth or Dare?”

Pei Yutai said without thinking: “Truth.”

Staff: “The drawing for ‘Truth’ is in this box. Please draw your own question.”

Pei Yutai pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to the staff. Simultaneously, the staff placed a lie detector on the table.

“I have to wear this to answer?” Pei Yutai was shocked. “This thing won’t electrocute me to death, will it?”

The staff member gave a kind smile: “It won’t. It’ll just make your whole body feel… refreshed. And as long as you answer honestly, nothing will happen.”

“Question: What is your height?”

“182 (cm)!” Pei Yutai answered without hesitation, his tone quite proud. “My official height and actual height are the same!”

With a ding, the lie detector lit up green. No lie.

Pei Yutai turned around and happened to see Lin Yizhou standing in the distance. He gave a very disdainful huff.

Lin Yizhou didn’t pay him any mind. Seeing that most of the guests had moved on, he whispered: “You can let go of me now. I’m going to get my luggage. Thank you.”

Shen Xu replied in an equally low voice, a reckless smile on his face: “Alright. But remember, my eyes will be on you the whole time.”

“So, remember to fight back. You don’t need to be afraid.”

He let go of his hand as promised, but unexpectedly, the other person didn’t release him immediately.

Shen Xu tried hard to suppress the corners of his mouth that were fighting to curl upward. He leaned in a little closer: “What? Are you starting to feel a little something for me?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Lin Yizhou instantly released his hand. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off: “If you’re going to say something to reject me, I think you might as well save it. No matter what you say, I won’t give up.”

Lin Yizhou looked at him for a moment, swallowed the words he originally intended to say, and simply said: “Thank you.”

Shen Xu finally couldn’t suppress his grin, though he tried his best to keep his expression from being too obvious. His peach-blossom eyes were filled with the reflection of the sunlight. “Instead of ‘thank you,’ I’d much rather hear a more affirmative answer.”

What is Shen Xu smiling about? What is he talking to Lin Yizhou about???! Director!!! Are you that poor? Where are the individual lapel mics!

What a move. So Yongxing sent them both here to play up a CP and help white-wash Lin Yizhou?

To the person above, Shen Xu said Lin Yizhou doesn’t need white-washing! It’s normal for Shen Xu, as a senior in the company, to look after a newly signed junior.

Shen Xu is following him! My CP brain is tingling!

Standing in place, Jiang Siyuan watched the two of them walk away one after the other. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he felt a bit of a headache. The prey he had set his sights on always seemed to be surrounded by quite a few bees.

Based on his observations today, Shen Xu was definitely not the only one in this group with designs on Lin Yizhou.

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