Chapter Ninety-One: Truly In Love

The scene instantly erupted, the atmosphere reaching its peak.

Jiang Hu walked onstage from backstage, smiling as he greeted everyone. “Hello, everyone, I’m Jiang Hu.”

“Ahhh!! Brother!!”

“Brother is even more handsome than on TV!!”

The Central Television interview program was different from others; it mainly focused on recent development plans and the progress of upcoming dramas.

Previously, the show had been lukewarm, but after Jiang Hu appeared, viewership surged dramatically.

For a time, it even topped the ratings among similar programs.

It was well known that Central Television’s programs didn’t use filters, and few could withstand the scrutiny of its cameras.

Jiang Hu was absolutely one of the best among them.

Those hands, that collarbone, that Adam’s apple, that face—flawless from every angle.

The online comments flooded with “Brother, I’m yours!”

The host asked some routine questions and, nearing the end, put away her script and smiled at Jiang Hu. “The program is coming to a close. Jiang Hu, could you talk about your ideal type?”

The comment section instantly exploded, with fans clamoring, “Me! Me! Me!”

Jiang Hu paused briefly, then smiled. “Since I met her, she has become my ideal in every way.”

“I’m dead! Brother is so charming! Ahhh!”

“Don’t do this, I’ll get angry; Brother will have to comfort me.”

“If only the person upstairs hadn’t eaten that extra peanut, they wouldn’t be so drunk—Brother’s right here beside me, you know?”

“The person upstairs has lost their mind, confirmed.”

The host smiled gently. “It seems Jiang Hu is truly devoted. We wish you find your ideal.”

Just as the host was about to close, Jiang Hu suddenly spoke. “I already have. She’s wonderful, and I like her very much.”

[!!! Crazy? Brother has a girlfriend?]

[This can’t be true; I refuse to believe it!]

[Brother, explain clearly! What do you mean by having someone you like?]

[Everyone calm down; no matter what, we will always support Brother.]

[He just admitted it himself; there’s nothing left to debate. Unfollowing him now.]

The comment section erupted in chaos. The host was momentarily stunned, but with her experience, she quickly responded, “Who hasn’t had a crush or two in their youth? Let’s wish Jiang Hu all the best.”

Calmly, she finished the closing remarks, ending the interview.

She didn’t even need to look to know the online uproar.

Though Jiang Hu had recently been transitioning his career—with apparent success—many of his fans were either attracted to his looks or were hopeful “girlfriend fans.”

Such fans hated the idea of their idol having a girlfriend.

Losing fans was minor compared to the backlash.

Jiang Hu’s career was skyrocketing; if he maintained this, he would surely have a place on the international stage.

No one expected such news to break during his rise.

“I really admire you,” the host sincerely complimented.

The light in Jiang Hu’s eyes brightened. “She deserves the best. I don’t want to wrong her.”

Even if Nian Nian still didn’t like him, he was willing.

The host’s gaze softened. “That girl is very lucky.”

“I’m the lucky one.”

He had long grown weary of this world; wearing the mask of gentle hypocrisy for so long, he was nearly forgetting his original self.

That suffocating weight enveloped him constantly, shrouding his soul.

Living or dying—it made no difference.

Not that he wished to die, but he couldn’t find meaning in living.

He often wondered when he would finally break, dragging those villains down with him.

He silently awaited that moment.

***

Until Mo Nian Nian burst in—that was when he gained emotions, preferences, and something worth holding on to.

Even if Mo Nian Nian was constantly deceiving him.

He wished he hadn’t noticed, that he could live forever in an illusion.

***

Mo Nian Nian was awakened by the incessant maliciousness alerts.

She was in a foul mood. “What now?”

The system grew increasingly timid the longer it stayed with her. “Well… the male lead’s maliciousness value changed just a tiny bit.”

“How much now?”

“Fifty.”

Mo Nian Nian lay back down. “That’s fine. No need to panic.”

No sooner had she closed her eyes than her phone rang again. She angrily answered without even checking the caller ID. “You better have an emergency.”

Her words overlapped with a scream from the other end.

Ah, it was definitely her screeching bestie.

“Ahhh! Nian Nian, did you see Brother’s interview? Brother has someone he likes! Ahhh!”

“Jiang Hu has someone he likes?” Mo Nian Nian jolted awake.

“Yes! Nian Nian, you’ve changed. You never miss any of Brother’s shows before.”

“Get to the point.”

“Wuwu, I sent you a WeChat message. Check it yourself.”

Her bestie hung up, and a WeChat message popped up with a clip of the interview.

Mo Nian Nian rubbed her chin. [Jiang Hu has someone he likes? I haven’t seen anyone close to him recently.]

Who Jiang Hu liked was the big question.

Mo Nian Nian reviewed everyone but couldn’t figure out who it could be.

After eliminating all impossibilities, the remaining candidate—no matter how unlikely—must be the truth.

She began to panic.

Did Jiang Hu dislike her?

Those expressions couldn’t be faked; he resisted her closeness.

And the rising maliciousness value after contact—all of it must be real.

Mo Nian Nian tried to comfort herself.

Yet the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt, especially with the way Jiang Hu looked at her lately.

And the scenes they shared in the drama—Jiang Hu wasn’t the type to sacrifice himself for the role.

“System, something feels off.”

“Unfortunately, host must continue the mission.”

The system couldn’t change its bad habit: cowardly yet always stirring trouble.

It received a full mute punishment with honor.

Mo Nian Nian desperately hoped she was just overthinking. She paid special attention to her scenes with Jiang Hu.

He behaved normally, showing no sign of hating her.

She refused to believe otherwise and, following the script, deliberately got close, casually touching his hand.

Jiang Hu glanced over; Mo Nian Nian gave him an innocent look.

Jiang Hu smiled—a low, captivating sound.

He showed no other reaction.

She didn’t believe it, waiting until Jiang Hu went to the restroom.

She had observed many times that Jiang Hu hid a deep obsession with cleanliness.

Although he showed no reaction to contact with others, privately he would wash repeatedly.

The first time she caught him doing this, she noticed his hands would redden slightly after excessive washing when she deliberately grossed him out.

Mo Nian Nian waited more than half an hour, but Jiang Hu showed no sign of leaving.

She grew anxious and stood. “I’m going to the restroom.”

Surely this time, Jiang Hu would follow.

“Perfect, I’m going too,” Jiang Hu rose with her.

Mo Nian Nian’s heart leapt. “Great, Brother.”

See? She had tried so hard to disgust Jiang Hu; how could he still like her?

Her voice was so cutesy it gave her goosebumps—she even found it unbearable.

After washing her hands, Mo Nian Nian waited outside the door to see for herself.

“Yo, waiting for someone?” Director Wang emerged with a teasing grin.

Mo Nian Nian absentmindedly answered.

Director Wang patted her shoulder. “This won’t do. Let me help—you know, I just got some inspiration.”

Mo Nian Nian looked at him, puzzled.

“You know how much I admire your and Jiang Hu’s improvisation—every scene is classic.”

Mo Nian Nian recalled those ‘improvised’ scenes and rolled her eyes.

Director Wang continued, “Young lady, this isn’t good—following someone to the restroom? Believe me, no man likes that.”

Mo Nian Nian’s eye roll deepened. “Jiang Hu and I—”

“Alright, Nian Nian, let’s go,” Jiang Hu appeared, interrupting her.

He gently steered her out. “Come on, we haven’t finished this scene yet.”

After a brief nod to Director Wang, Jiang Hu led Mo Nian Nian away.

Director Wang watched them, laughing softly. “These two… even going to the restroom together.”

He sighed. “Youth is wonderful.”

Mo Nian Nian glanced at Jiang Hu several times.

The restroom was cramped; Jiang Hu’s hands were wet, showing signs of washing but not excessive scrubbing.

She refused to believe it and suddenly excitedly grabbed Jiang Hu’s hand. “Brother, I just realized my scenes are almost done. I won’t get to act with you anymore.”

“Do you like it, Nian Nian?” Jiang Hu pondered slightly.

Mo Nian Nian nearly blurted out “No.”

She twisted her words. “It’s not that... I just want to see Brother.”

She swore she used the most nauseating voice—so sickening even she wanted to throw up—and acted extremely coy.

Yet Jiang Hu’s eyes showed no change—in fact, they softened.

A very gentle look, unlike his usual mask.

“If you like it, Nian Nian, anytime is fine. I’ll be waiting.”

Mo Nian Nian’s heart trembled. This was bad.

She shakily asked, “Brother, do you really like me?”

“Mm, I do.”

Stars flickered in his eyes, sinking into a dark ocean.

His gaze on Mo Nian Nian was earnest and deliberate.

Mo Nian Nian felt utterly hopeless.

How did things get to this point?

She never imagined it would be like this.

She had worked so hard to make Jiang Hu dislike her—so where had she gone wrong?

She gave a dry little laugh. “Suddenly remembered something—I have to go.”

“Nian Nian—”

She ran off quickly, vanishing from Jiang Hu’s sight.

His expression darkened.