Help! My Fanservice Partner is Looking at Me Differently Lately - Chapter 3

“You better not get any ideas about him,” Gu Nan said, immediately becoming tense. “In private, he is actually very resistant to ‘selling the rot.’ He forces the performance every time. It is lucky he has that ‘iceberg’ persona; otherwise, he would have slipped up long ago.”

On the screen, Fang Jin maintained a cold expression as he watched the intimate interaction between Xie Weishui and Zhou Yang across from him.

Gu Nan added, “I also have some inside information saying that Xie Weishui has wanted to stop the act with him for a long time as well, which is why he sought out Zhou Yang.”

Chi Li was not interested and switched the channel.

Once Gu Nan finished introducing the trainees in the Nurture House one by one, Li Ming’s call finally came through.

“Come to my office.”

“Xiao Li, what made you change your mind?” Li Ming personally poured a cup of tea for Chi Li, asking with a beaming smile. “Weren’t you ready to die before you would submit?”

As the general manager for a large group of trainees, Li Ming naturally knew which “sprouts” would yield the best results if sent to the Nurture House. With a face like Chi Li’s, even if he did not intentionally act out a romance, simply placing him in the Nurture House as a mascot would be a powerful weapon for attracting fans.

Li Ming had wanted to send him there two months ago. However, the kid was stubborn. He refused to take the shortcut of the Nurture House, insisting on waiting for a proper stage debut. But now that survival shows were banned, where in the domestic entertainment industry could one find a high-profile stage?

Despite all his persuasion, he had not been able to make the stubborn young man budge. Fearing that forcing him might lead to something uncontrollable, Li Ming had temporarily set the idea aside. Who would have thought that after only two months, he would actually change his tune and offer to market a “CP” (Couple Pairing) on his own initiative?

Li Ming really wanted to buy two strings of firecrackers to celebrate immediately.

“I suddenly realized I was being too pretentious before,” Chi Li gave Li Ming an innocent, harmless smile.

Chi Li would rather die than admit the truth: he had refused the opportunity because Zhou Yang despised queer-baiting, and as his boyfriend at the time, Chi Li had not wanted to be associated with anything his partner hated.

“Well, you do not have to put it that way,” Li Ming looked at Chi Li with affection. “However, your biggest problem right now is that you do not have a suitable partner to pair up with.”

“I do not care. I want to start the marketing as soon as possible,” Chi Li said with a stony face, being completely unreasonable.

Li Ming sifted through the candidates in his head but still could not find a match. “Or you could just get on good terms with the people inside and market a ‘friendship’ angle. That works too.”

“I want to do a romantic pairing,” Chi Li insisted firmly.

Li Ming was silent. This kid looked as if he were possessed. But since Chi Li rarely had such a strong demand, Li Ming was determined to satisfy him.

“Then wait a few days. I will go scout other companies for you.”

Chi Li replied, “Fine. Make it fast.”

Ever since the “Queer-Baiting House” trend took off, the company had opened its doors for business. Consequently, the Nurture House often hosted “exchange students” from other companies. Gu Nan had explained this to him before.

“Understood, my lord.”

Leaving Li Ming’s office, Chi Li walked to the elevator and pressed the down button. He planned to return to the lounge to continue watching the Nurture House livestream and get to know his future colleagues in advance.

After a moment, the elevator doors slowly opened. Chi Li instinctively looked inside. Only one stranger was standing there.

The man had a classic actor’s look, with high brow bones, a straight bridge of the nose, and a sharp, clean jawline. He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, perfect pectorals, and a lean waistline. One look told you this body had undergone long-term training. Every inch of him radiated a restrained sense of power.

A top-tier “Alpha” type, Chi Li thought.

These words flashed uncontrollably through Chi Li’s mind, and his Adam’s apple rolled involuntarily.

“Are you not coming in?”

Shen Xunye pressed the button to keep the doors from closing automatically, arching an eyebrow at the slightly dazed Chi Li outside.

“Ah, yes,” Chi Li cursed himself inwardly and quickly slipped into the elevator.

His aesthetic standards had been so warped by that bastard Zhou Yang that he had lost his composure upon seeing a real handsome guy. He would add this to the list and settle the score with Zhou Yang later.

“Which floor? Or are you going to the first floor like me?” Shen Xunye suddenly spoke.

“Uh, the third floor.”

It was embarrassing again. He made another mental note against Zhou Yang.

A slender finger pressed the button for the third floor. The elevator fell into silence. Chi Li stood diagonally behind Shen Xunye, staring at his broad back and tightly tapered waist.

A handsome guy like this is a rare sight; surely he will not catch me staring from this angle? Chi Li thought. What a perfect body. I really want to reach out and touch it. Wait, why did he still have to look up? If even he, at 181.6 centimeters, had to look up, just how tall was this guy?

The elevator smoothly reached the third floor. Though he felt regretful and reluctant to leave, he was determined not to lose face a third time. He lowered his head and stepped out.

In the next second, a hand landed on his shoulder. A gentle but irresistible force pulled him back into the elevator car. Chi Li turned instinctively, nearly crashing into Shen Xunye’s chest.

“Do you not have anything to say to me?” A teasing voice sounded as Shen Xunye leaned down slightly, his warm breath brushing against Chi Li’s ear.

Chi Li leaned his head back, creating distance between them. What should he say? What was there to say to a stranger? Was he supposed to apologize for looking at him a few extra times?

This guy’s vanity is a bit much; he will not even let people look, Chi Li thought. What a nutcase. He should just scold him and be done with it. But then, a spark suddenly flashed in Chi Li’s mind. He actually did have something to say!

Chi Li reached out and grabbed Shen Xunye’s hand, his eyes filled with eager anticipation. “Perhaps, would you be willing to market a romantic pairing with me?”

“What is ‘marketing a pairing’?” The smile on Shen Xunye’s face froze for a second before relaxing again. “But if it is with you, I think I would be willing.”

He has total playboy vibes, Chi Li noted.

But with that kind of attitude, he really would be a great partner for a fake romance. Chi Li made his decision. “Follow me to the 15th floor.”

Returning to Li Ming’s office, Chi Li presented Shen Xunye to him. “He agreed to work with me. Set it up.”

Li Ming looked at the man standing before him, his eyes nearly popping out of his head in shock. He grabbed his phone, frantically messaging his superior while speaking distractedly. “Xiao, uh, classmate, are you doing this with him voluntarily?”

Through Chi Li’s fragmented explanation on the way up, Shen Xunye had gathered the meaning of the arrangement. He shrugged with an air of indifference. “Of course.”

“Would I lie to you?” Chi Li was anxious to finalize it. “Hurry up and file the report. I cannot wait to start this marketing.”

Shen Xunye asked, “You want it that badly?”

“Uh,” Li Ming started. Having not yet received a reply from his boss, he did not dare make the call himself. “Do not rush. You go down and rest first. I need to talk to this gentleman about the compensation package.”

“Fine.”

Chi Li knew that outside help like this required a separate contract, so he did not argue. He poked Shen Xunye’s waist and pulled up his contact code. “Add me first. Message me when you are done talking.”

Shen Xunye complied. “My name is Shen Xunye.”

“Chi Li.”