Vase cannon fodder is pampered by the group again

Chapter 61.3

Editor: Princess

To apply the medicine properly, Lu Xiao had lifted one of Shen Ci’s slender legs over his shoulder, while his other hand gripped the other ankle to keep it raised. When he heard Shen Ci call him, he lowered his hands and gently massaged his waist. “What is it? Does your waist hurt?”

Shen Ci shook his head and reached out as if asking for a hug. Lu Xiao didn’t quite get it, but he leaned down anyway.

Shen Ci wrapped his arms around Lu Xiao’s neck and, without warning, kissed him on the lips. His movements were clumsy, awkwardly trying to imitate the way Lu Xiao usually kissed him.

“Little Uncle, thank you…”

“……” His fair, soft little sweetheart was lying beneath him, even taking the initiative to kiss him as a thank-you. It was impossible for Lu Xiao not to react.

But he closed his eyes, forcing himself to stay calm. A vein throbbed on his forehead as he waited for Shen Ci to tire out and end the kiss. Then, without a word, he resumed applying medicine and massaging him before turning away in a bit of a mess and heading straight to the bathroom.

By the time he finished his cold shower and came back, Shen Ci was already fast asleep. He had grabbed a pillow to hug, his pale skin tinged with a soft pink, completely exposed without a care. His small face was flushed, lips slightly parted and glistening.

Lu Xiao: “……”

He tucked Shen Ci under the blanket, then went for another cold shower. When he came back, he made sure to stay far away, lying right at the edge of the bed.

But Shen Ci moved closer subconsciously.

And still half-asleep, he wrapped his arms around Lu Xiao’s neck. His soft lips brushed along Lu Xiao’s sharp jawline, a faint scent of sweet grapefruit clinging to his breath. Completely unaware of what he was doing, he nuzzled closer and left light, aimless kisses.

They used the same toothpaste, but somehow, Shen Ci’s breath always carried this ridiculously sweet fragrance. Lu Xiao’s breathing turned uneven again.

Shen Ci mumbled something near his ear—it sounded like sleep talk.

“Little Uncle… I really like you…”

Lu Xiao’s heart clenched. He turned sharply to stare at Shen Ci, his eyes turning red at the corners.

He wanted to shake Shen Ci awake, make him say it again, clearly and consciously. But he was afraid, afraid that it was just some random dream talk, something meaningless that shouldn’t be taken seriously.

This little guy wasn’t an angel. He was definitely a little devil sent by the heavens just to torture him…

---

The next morning, Shen Ci woke up feeling well-rested and groggy, only to see Lu Xiao’s eyes filled with bloodshot veins. He was startled.

“Little Uncle, did you stay up late working last night?” Shen Culprit Ci asked, full of concern.

Lu Xiao: “……Mm.”

He couldn’t keep letting this little devil torment him.

*

On the way there, Shen Ci was doing some last-minute cramming, seriously going over his script one more time.

Lu Xiao asked what he was doing, and Shen Ci was baffled.

“You didn’t get the script?”

Lu Xiao frowned slightly. “I did.”

Shen Ci suddenly had a bad feeling. “Then… you didn’t memorize it?”

Lu Xiao’s expression remained calm. “No need to waste time on that. I can just improvise.”

Shen Ci sighed helplessly. “……Alright then.” Fine. You’re the expert, you win.

By the time the two of them arrived at the variety show set, a lot of people were already there.

Qin Yun, Wei Shuo, and Yang Ning all happily came over to greet them and chat. Even Shao Jinhuan had taken time off to show up, though he just sent a glance their way and didn’t join the conversation.

The recording started soon after. Guo Ruoruo seemed to really like Shen Ci, because she kept circling back to ask him questions.

For the unscripted questions, Shen Ci kept his answers short and safe, making sure not to say anything that would give the PR team extra work.

Every now and then, a question directed at Shen Ci would get intercepted by Lu Xiao or someone else, breaking away from the scripted responses and making the conversation feel more natural and entertaining.

After Lu Xiao helped answer another question for him, Shen Ci gave him a soft, sweet smile in thanks.

Guo Ruoruo, watching from a distance, was so charmed that her heart trembled. She said with a laugh, “You two have such a great relationship. Your chemistry in the drama is already amazing, but in real life, you actually seem like a real couple too.”

Lu Xiao replied casually, “Yeah.”

Not only did Shen Ci turn to Lu Xiao in shock, the entire studio froze, staring at him in disbelief.

Guo Ruoruo: “……”

The script clearly said that Lu Xiao was supposed to give a sly, mysterious smile and say, “I just really appreciate this junior of mine”, to keep the CP buzz vague and ambiguous.

But what the hell was this?! He just straight-up confirmed it?!

She tried wiggling her eyebrows and signaling at him, but it was obvious that Lu Xiao was not on the same wavelength.

Lu Xiao’s gaze slowly drifted back to Shen Ci, filled with deep, lingering affection. His voice was low and magnetic.

“But we’re not dating yet. I’m the one chasing him.”

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