Report to the CEO: Your "White Moonlight" has Run Off with Your Body Double! - Chapter 12

Since that day, Yan Mingyue felt that the atmosphere in the dormitory had become a bit strange. Whenever he hovered around Gu Yuebai with concern, Jin Xi would pop out from some unknown corner and stare at him thoughtfully, making his skin crawl.

Being somewhat socially dense, Yan Mingyue simply found it baffling.

Gu Yuebai, who now believed he understood Yan Mingyue’s feelings, naturally could not accept his constant care with a clear conscience. Consequently, the two of them began performing a classic Chinese New Year ritual every day: the polite struggle over a red envelope.

Gu Yuebai would offer money: “Take it! Please! Otherwise, I will feel too guilty to accept your kindness!”

Yan Mingyue’s eyes would sparkle with longing, yet he would push Gu Yuebai’s hand back with all his might: “No! I really cannot!”

Gu Yuebai would pretend to be angry, forcing the red envelope into Yan Mingyue’s hand: “I said take it. If you keep this up, I will actually be upset.”

Yan Mingyue would then sigh theatrically and accept the envelope with a look of feigned helplessness, while in reality, his heart was blooming with joy.

While the two main characters felt nothing was amiss, Jin Xi, who had to watch this performance daily, could only pat their shoulders weakly. “My dear Emperor and Empress, can you two not just use your phones to send digital red envelopes? Do you have to push and pull like this every day? I thought it was already New Year. I am starting to feel homesick.”

Gu Yuebai caught the underlying sarcasm and threw an arm around Jin Xi’s shoulder like a brother, smiling at him. “I really appreciate the reminder.”

Yan Mingyue, who had been feeling that something was off, suddenly realized the problem. He had never actually added Gu Yuebai on WeChat. After a quick mental check to ensure his account did not contain anything scandalous, he confidently pulled out his phone and displayed his QR code.

“That is true! Gu Yuebai, we have not added each other yet. Why do we not do it now?”

Gu Yuebai considered it. Their current daily interactions did look a bit suspicious to outsiders, as if they were involved in some strange transaction.

“Sure.”

Gu Yuebai nodded and opened his QR code for Yan Mingyue.

Jin Xi looked relieved that the red envelope drama was finally ending and craned his neck to peek at Gu Yuebai’s screen. When he saw Yan Mingyue’s WeChat nickname, both his and Gu Yuebai’s expressions froze simultaneously. They looked up at a confused Yan Mingyue with sheer bewilderment.

It was only then that Yan Mingyue remembered his nickname was “Private Otaku Steamed in Oil is Real.” He rubbed his nose awkwardly, closed his phone, and started babbling nonsense to save face. “Actually, that is just a specialty dish from my hometown. It is quite delicious, so I keep thinking about it. I changed my name to that as a reminder.”

“Oh,” Jin Xi said with a look of feigned realization, though his next words made Yan Mingyue feel like a cold corpse. “I think I have heard of that specialty. Does it not usually need to be served with goods and merch? Hehe, you might want to tone down that otaku scent of yours.”

Jin Xi gave him a look that said he was enjoying the act.

Yan Mingyue remained silent, but his perfectly composed expression began to crack.

Bro, let us not talk about it anymore. This is similar to a friend of mine, though I personally do not care and feel nothing.

I do not break down easily, but a friend of mine might be sweating a bit after hearing that. He feels unwell and wants to go to sleep.

Of course, I am not talking about myself! I am always fine! From a bystander’s perspective, it is not worth a breakdown. I just want to look out for my friend’s feelings. He is a bit crushed, so I suggest an apology! Of course, whether you apologize is up to you because I feel nothing; I am just seeking justice for my friend!

As if he had lost the will to live, Yan Mingyue slowly closed his eyes, put his phone away, and turned to leave. A man can die, but he cannot suffer social death, especially not in front of his future benefactor. How could he cling to Gu Yuebai’s leg after this? What if Gu Yuebai thought he had a middle schooler’s delusions?

He looked up at the sunlight streaming onto the balcony. It was warm, making his corpse feel quite cozy.

Yan Mingyue walked to the balcony with a determined stride and attempted to climb the railing using both hands and feet. As he climbed, he wailed affectedly, “Ugh, I am broken. I do not want to live anymore. Do not try to stop me!”

Truthfully, the acting was terrible. It was all thunder and no rain, and it was not even as convincing as Gu Yuebai’s younger cousin in high school.

Gu Yuebai leaned back lazily in his chair and gestured for Jin Xi not to bother stopping him.

Jin Xi immediately understood that Yan Mingyue was just putting on a show. He pitched his voice high, mimicking an emperor’s chief eunuch. “Your Majesty! Does the servant really not need to attend to the Empress?”

Hearing the titles Jin Xi used for them, Gu Yuebai rolled his eyes, grabbed a notebook from the table, and smacked Jin Xi on the head.

The force was just right: enough to startle him without causing actual pain.

Yan Mingyue continued his act for a while longer. Realizing that absolutely no one was coming to pull him back, he had to climb down from the balcony silently. He looked at Gu Yuebai with a resentful gaze.

Fine. Was he just a joke to them?