After Dumping the Scumbag Top, I Was Relentlessly Chased by a Top-Tier Idol - Chapter 24

In an instant, everyone’s gaze was fixed on Lin Yizhou.

“Oh? Is that so?” Jiang Siyuan’s eyes drifted leisurely toward Lin Yizhou, his expression somewhat complex.

Something seemed to be brewing between the two of them—or perhaps it was just one person’s one-sided imagination.

Lin Yizhou’s reaction was indifferent. “Mm. I used to like it, but I don’t anymore.”

When he spoke the latter half of the sentence, he looked directly into Jiang Siyuan’s eyes, as if responding to what the other had said earlier.

He used to like it because Steamed Red Sea Bream was the first dish Song Chizheng ever made for him while pursuing him.

He didn’t like it anymore—he didn’t like the fish, and he liked the person even less.

In the time it took for the group to exchange these few words, the clouds in the sky shifted drastically. Dark clouds rolled in, usurping the white ones, and a wind rose from nowhere, whipping the clothes and hair of the guests.

A torrential downpour could break at any moment.

Lin Yizhou glanced at the sky and said, “Let’s get back and finish building the wooden shed quickly, otherwise we might be caught in the rain tonight.”

Having said that, he took the lead in walking toward the jungle. As if suddenly remembering something, he turned back and handed the military knife to Jiang Siyuan. “Clean the fish by the shore first.”

Jiang Siyuan did not take the knife. Instead, he handed the fish to Lin, smiling brightly. “I don’t know how to kill a fish. I’ll have to trouble the Captain.”

Seeing that the other didn’t take the fish, he continued, “Or is it… that the Captain doesn’t know how to either?”

“Of course he knows.” Before Lin Yizhou could answer, Shen Xu took the knife, naturally stepping in to resolve the situation. “But the Captain just said we need to go back and build the shed. I’ll clean the fish; I know how to do it too.”

Lin Yizhou frowned as he looked at Shen Xu’s arm, which was hanging in a sling around his neck.

Noticing his gaze, Shen Xu shrugged slightly. “It’s fine. Teacher Jiang can just come along and help.”

Jiang Siyuan declined politely. “I don’t know how to kill fish.”

Shen Xu looked at him with a slight smile, mimicking his way of speaking. “There’s no need for Teacher Jiang to operate. I just need Teacher Jiang to help me hold down the fish in your hand.” After a short pause, he mimicked Jiang Siyuan’s tone from earlier and asked, “Or is it… that even with just this, Teacher Jiang feels he isn’t capable?”

Their gazes locked, and the air seemed to grow inexplicably tense.

Jiang Siyuan paused for a moment, then gave a shallow smile. “How could that be? Mastering a few skills here and there is always good.”

With that, he carried the fish and walked toward the shore first.

Shen Xu looked at Lin Yizhou, the smile on his face refreshing, as if the sun blocked by the dark clouds had transferred to his expression. “Captain, you don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Lin Yizhou nodded and urged, “Be quick. The seaside is dangerous if it starts raining.”

Shen Xu smiled. “Okay.”

The two split up on the spot, one heading for the jungle, the other for the shore.

The last sliver of light in the sky was completely swallowed by dark clouds. The sky grew darker, and the waves surged, creating the atmosphere of an impending storm.

The military knife flipped between his fingers, moving so fast it was a mere blur. Shen Xu walked briskly to catch up with Jiang Siyuan’s pace, asking as if in casual conversation, “I roughly know your purpose for coming here. If you act like this… will you really be okay?”

Jiang Siyuan’s frame stiffened slightly, but after two or three seconds, he returned to normal. He turned around with an easy expression and a slightly raised tone. “Teacher Shen… what do you mean by that?”

“Teacher Jiang is a smart man.” Shen Xu spun the knife handle in his palm once and gripped it, wearing a half-smile. “I know you understand what I mean.”

On the other side, back at the camp, Lin Yizhou didn’t delay. He immediately used tools to start a fire so that when Shen Xu returned, the fish could be grilled immediately.

While he was starting the fire, Pei Yutai continued the straw weaving work from this morning. Seeing she couldn’t help with the fire, Wen Yue went over to assist Pei Yutai.

A moment later, Lin Yizhou got the fire going and walked over. Pei Yutai immediately asked him to teach the new “apprentice” how to weave the straw mats; he had just started himself and couldn’t explain it clearly.

Lin Yizhou gave a personal demonstration just as he had this morning. The new “apprentice” learned it in one go and quickly got the hang of it.

The three worked together efficiently. Lin Yizhou and Wen Yue were both very fast, and Pei Yutai gradually found his rhythm. Soon, one straw mat after another was ready for the wooden shed.

By the time they had completely finished building the shed, the fragrance of grilled fish wafted over from the fire.

Shen Xu called out, “It’s done. Everyone can come and eat. It’s almost ready.”

Pei Yutai hooked his arm around Lin Yizhou’s. “Let’s go, Captain. After all that labor, we should treat ourselves to something good.”

Lin Yizhou pulled his arm away. “You guys go first. I’ll check everything one more time.”

Pei Yutai followed suit easily. “Okay, then hurry up, Captain.”

Jiang Siyuan drifted leisurely to Lin Yizhou’s side and said meaningfully, “You won’t… refuse to eat just because you know, will you?”

The more he thought about it earlier, the more he felt something was off.

Previously, Lin Yizhou had behaved quietly because Song Chizheng hadn’t made any gestures. But this time, Song Chizheng had arranged for fish, and specifically, the fish Lin Yizhou loved most.

And the timing was exactly after Lin Yizhou had been in danger.

Although he didn’t know what Song Chizheng’s exact intentions were, in his eyes, this was a subtle way of showing favor.

As for Lin Yizhou, would he be thinking in the same direction?

If it was as he thought, could Lin Yizhou still be as carefree as when he said, “I don’t like it anymore”?

Since he wanted Song Chizheng to be the designated choice for his future partner, he would not allow anyone else to have designs on him.

Or rather, no one was allowed to affect his position in Song Chizheng’s heart.

If such a person existed, he would have no choice but to make that person disappear…

Lin Yizhou didn’t look at him. He stopped beside him and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, “I won’t.”

He was in the wild and needed energy to survive. Why would he refuse food delivered to his mouth?

Never mind that this fish was arranged by Song Chizheng through the production crew today; even if Song Chizheng had delivered it personally, he would still eat it without hesitation.

He had already been “sentimental” enough regarding Song Chizheng; he would never make things difficult for himself because of that man again.

He intended to leave after speaking, but suddenly remembering something, he stopped, turned his head to meet Jiang Siyuan’s gaze, his eyes steady and his voice cold. “Also, there’s no need for you to test me every chance you get. Thanks to you, I feel nothing but disgust for him now.”

Without waiting for Jiang Siyuan’s reaction, he bypassed him and went to the other side of the shed to carefully inspect the details.

What riddles are these two talking in again? It was the same with Shen Xu and Jiang Siyuan just now. What do they all know? Is there something I, a distinguished VIP10 customer, am not allowed to hear!

There’s definitely something between them… A bold guess: No way, no way, no way… who is whose substitute?

To the person above, if you saw a name like this in a novel, wouldn’t you be wondering if you’d transmigrated into a book…

After checking the shed inside and out and confirming there were no issues, Lin Yizhou finally returned to the campfire.

Seeing him approach, Shen Xu immediately cut a large piece of fish for him.

Lin Yizhou took it, said thanks, and sat down quietly to eat.

Jiang Siyuan watched him. Seeing him swallow, he asked with a smile, “How does the fish taste?”

Lin Yizhou’s chewing slowed for a moment. He believed he had made himself clear enough just now and really couldn’t understand why the other still wanted to act out the drama of a “reformed player deeply in love” in front of him. He slowly raised his eyes and replied with a question of his own, “What is the point of you chasing me with these questions?”

As soon as he said this, the uninformed Pei Yutai and Wen Yue both looked over simultaneously, looking confused.

Any normal person could see that Lin Yizhou’s attitude was one of weariness, but Jiang Siyuan didn’t think so.

He felt that Lin Yizhou was feeling guilty.

Jiang Siyuan curled his lips. “The point is exactly how you look right now.”

It was that same self-righteous act again.

Lin Yizhou pretended to accidentally drop the piece of fish in his hand onto the ground. He carelessly used his foot to step on it and drag it toward himself, looking at Lin Yizhou. “You’re overthinking it.”

Shen Xu chimed in nonchalantly, “Exactly. People start overthinking when they’re hungry. Come, eat more.” As he spoke, he cut a piece of fish and handed it to Jiang Siyuan. This time, the fish was skewered directly on the tip of the knife as it was passed over.

His tone carried a shallow smile, yet it lacked any hint of kindness; it felt more like a warning.

The corners of Jiang Siyuan’s eyes turned upward, but his gaze toward Lin Yizhou was full of suspicion. Nevertheless, he said nothing more and took the fish meat.

Pei Yutai wondered if he was the only one who didn’t know the inside story. His desire for gossip surged. He glanced back and forth between the two “protagonists,” wanting to ask for the full story. However, the atmosphere clearly told him not to ask what shouldn’t be asked, or else Shen Xu’s knife might be at his throat the next second.

Exchanging a look with the equally confused Wen Yue, the two shrugged in unison and continued eating their fish.

Yutai, mommy’s good son, you are mommy’s only connection in the entertainment industry. When did you learn to read the room? If you want to know, you have to ask! Mommy wants to know too!

Seriously, do none of you have any connections? What riddles are they playing?!!! Where is my massive scoop? Someone give me a spoiler, please!

The atmosphere on site fell into a strange silence for a time.

The dark clouds on the horizon grew grayer, the wind rustled through the leaves, and the wood in the fire crackled.

Shen Xu broke the silence. He cut a fresh, tender piece of fish and handed it to Lin Yizhou, smiling. “Captain, you haven’t told me how my grilling is yet.”

Lin Yizhou: “The taste is very good.”

Pei Yutai immediately chimed in, “Brother Xu, I’m not kidding—if you opened a BBQ shop, I’d definitely go every day.”

Shen Xu chuckled and teased him, “I think you’re just starving.”

Pei Yutai wasn’t having it and dragged Lin Yizhou into the fray. “Brother Zhou, you tell him. Would you go or not?”

Lin Yizhou nodded. “I would go.”

“Now do you believe me?” Pei Yutai looked at him with an “I know you best” expression.

Shen Xu said calmly, “I believe the Captain, of course. He’s reliable. You? Not so much.”

Pei Yutai:

Just then, someone called Lin Yizhou’s name from beside him. He looked up to see Nan Qiguang standing before him with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Swallowing the fish in his mouth, Lin Yizhou spoke first. “What’s wrong?”

Nan Qiguang didn’t beat around the bush and stated his purpose. “Captain Lin, after you guys are done eating, could I ask you and your teammates to help us build our shed? It looks like it’s about to rain, and our progress has been a bit slow.”

The words had just left his mouth when a bolt of lightning struck without warning. Lin Yizhou felt his hem tighten, and a figure quickly rushed toward him.

Before Lin Yizhou could react, a flash of orange light crossed his vision. The military knife, reflecting the firelight, hung glaringly between him and Nan Qiguang, separating the distance between them.

The corners of Shen Xu’s lips curled up, but his expression was unfriendly. “What is it, Captain Nan? Trying to take advantage of my Captain?”

Pei Yutai watched the scene, frozen in place. The fish in his hand fell to the ground, and his mind held only one thought: Damn, that’s crazy!

He felt an inexplicable chill on his neck.

Nan Qiguang looked at the knife in front of him and felt an instinctive shiver. His face changed slightly, but his hand was still clutching Lin Yizhou’s hem, looking like a startled little rabbit. “No, I’m just afraid of lightning. Whenever there’s lightning, I subconsciously grab whatever is near me.”

Shen Xu wanted to say more, but the knife was taken from his hand.

Lin Yizhou used the knife to cut a piece of fish.

At the same time, Pei Yutai snapped out of it. He ran over and put his arm around Nan Qiguang, subtly pulling him away from Lin Yizhou. He gallantly patted his own shoulder. “Brother Nan, you’re afraid of lightning? Here, you can lean on my shoulder. I’m not afraid of anything. I can give you a million percent security, no upper limit.”

Lin Yizhou handed the piece of fish to Nan Qiguang, his face calm. “Eat something to calm your nerves.”

Before Nan Qiguang could respond, a torrential rain began to pour down instantly. It extinguished the blazing fire in a second and scattered the gathered crowd.

Wen Yue and Jiang Siyuan exchanged a look. They tacitly each lifted one side of the grill and ran quickly toward the wooden shed.

Pei Yutai grabbed Nan Qiguang with his left arm and Shen Xu’s wrist with his right, rushing into the shed without a word.

Lin Yizhou stood up and shouted to the other guests, “Everyone, come over here to take shelter!” and then quickly ran into the shed himself.

Hearing him, the other guests flocked toward the shed.

Once everyone was inside, Lin Yizhou scanned the space. All ten guests were huddled under the rain shed, and there was still plenty of room.

The blue-haired singer wiped the rain off himself and sighed, “Captain Lin, thank God you guys made the shed so large. This is a lifesaver.”

The other guests chimed in with agreement.

Pei Yutai was proud. “Of course. My Captain always has foresight.”

Lin Yizhou didn’t say much to that. He had made the shed larger only because he wanted his teammates to have more space to move while sleeping, not because of some “foresight.”

Shen Xu stood next to Pei Yutai, looking coldly at the culprit who had forced him to stand furthest from Lin Yizhou and who was now laughing the loudest. His gaze shifted in an instant; soon, as if thinking of something, his eyes suddenly darkened. He clutched his hand and let out a sharp hiss of pain.

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