Vase cannon fodder is pampered by the group again

Chapter 83.2

After all of Shen Ci’s invited guests arrived, the livestream began on schedule. Staff busied themselves preparing soup bases for each table.

The livestream viewership was extraordinarily high, quickly breaking twenty million viewers with bullet comments and gifts flooding the screen.

It wasn’t a wonder, because tonight’s broadcast featured entertainment industry bigshots: from movie emperor Shao Jinhuan to singing god Yang Ning to top internet celebrity Wei Shuo… Even solo streams could easily reach several million viewers, let alone all together.

The livestream camera was set up in the center of the shop, capturing all the occupied tables. Comments and gifts exploded, making the entire broadcast chaotic.

Shen Ci smiled as he picked up the streaming phone, making rounds table by table to introduce his friends to the audience.

Wei Shuo and Yang Ning sat at the same table, bickering while eating. Shen Ci could hear Wei Shuo scolding him from far away: “Can’t handle spicy food but still trying to show off.” Their assistants trembled nearby.

“Let’s check on your Brother Shuo and Yang Ning.” Shen Ci turned the camera toward them, and Wei Shuo immediately switched expressions.

“Good evening, everyone.” He flashed a devilish smile at the camera, but his slightly visible little fangs ruined the effect, instantly transforming him from a wild CEO into a fierce little kitten.

The audience squealed with delight as yachts and ships bombarded the screen.

“Let Brother Ning sing a song for everyone! What would you like to hear?” Shen Ci leaned next to Yang Ning, holding up the camera high.

Yang Ning had just cooked some fish balls and smiled as he offered them to Shen Ci: “Idol! Ahhhh—”

Shen Ci dodged in disgust: “Plain and tasteless, I don’t want it!”

Yang Ning immediately struck a pose like Xi Shi holding her heart, coughed lightly, and sang mournfully: “Are you serious about stepping back~ Such a small movement but the hurt is so big~”

The bullet comments turned into a sea of “hahahaha.” Shen Ci didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and had to open his mouth to eat it.

Before he finished chewing, Wei Shuo offered him a piece of meat covered in red oil and sauce. Shen Ci’s eyes lit up as he happily chomped it down.

Wei Shuo looked smugly at Yang Ning: “Xiao Ci’s preferences, a random person like you obviously wouldn’t know. I understand, so don’t be sad.”

“Tch.” Yang Ning wasn’t to be outdone and began competing with Wei Shuo to feed him.

Shen Ci was forced to eat a whole bunch, his mouth too stuffed to fit more. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly escaped.

But when Shen Ci visited other tables, he received the same treatment. After making the rounds, his belly was completely round.

“Everyone’s being way too enthusiastic…”

He helplessly burped at the camera, handed the phone to his streaming assistant, and sat down leaning against Shen Bie.

“I cooked all this for you and you haven’t eaten any of it. Had quite a feast out there, huh?”

Shen Bie vindictively patted Shen Ci’s belly. Shen Ci nearly threw up and quickly begged for mercy.

“Coward…” Shen Bie laughed out loud, generously letting his little brother lie on his lap while gently massaging his stomach.

The streaming assistant ran around with the phone while the atmosphere remained hot both in the livestream and the shop, with constant interaction.

After about an hour and a half, the hotpot banquet finally neared its end. Shen Ci breathed a sigh of relief.

Taking back the phone, Shen Ci stood in the center of the shop, trying to get all the guests in frame as they said goodbye to the audience together.

“Today’s livestream is almost over! Remember to go to the official Weibo to participate in the reservation event! Grand opening day after tomorrow at 10 AM sharp! Goodbye everyone!”

Shen Ci mustered his last bit of energy to make a heart and wink at the camera while his friends cooperatively waved behind him—livestream ended.

“Phew, finally finished broadcasting.” Shen Ci immediately relaxed and hung onto Shen Bie.

The shop was still noisy. After a hotpot meal, the atmosphere had heated up long ago, and even previously unfamiliar people had become fast friends.

Wei Shuo shouted loudly: “We haven’t had enough fun yet. Let’s go to KTV, Xiao Ci!”

Immediately others joined in, urging Shen Ci to go.

Shen Ci scratched his hair in difficulty. If they went, it would probably be an all-nighter, and Lu Xiao would be angry…

But refusing would seem antisocial… As Shen Ci struggled with this dilemma, a familiar voice came from behind.

“He has plans tonight.”

Plans this late? Everyone immediately perked up their ears with gossip-hungry excitement, staring wide-eyed at the drama.

Behind Shen Ci stood a tall, handsome man with a cold smile playing on his lips, looking down at Shen Ci.

Shen Ci jumped in surprise. Just as he was about to turn around, he felt dizzy as Lu Xiao directly lifted him up.

The friends in the shop immediately let out exaggerated “woah” sounds. Before Shen Ci could react, Lu Xiao carried him as he turned and left without so much as a greeting.

Wei Shuo sighed deeply: “Ah well, single dogs, let’s disperse. Someone’s family member came to pick him up!”

Hearing “single dogs”, Shen Bie’s eyebrow twitched hard. His expression inexplicably darkening, he grabbed his keys and left as well.

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From getting in the car to returning to the small apartment, Shen Ci was carried the entire way by Lu Xiao, his struggles futile.

Lu Xiao seemed somewhat aroused, his movements impatient and urgent. As soon as they entered, he threw Shen Ci onto the soft sofa and leaned over him, bracing himself on either side to kiss him.

Shen Ci tilted his head back, forced to endure the plundering. His arms wrapped around Lu Xiao’s neck, and when the kiss grew intense, Lu Xiao lifted him up again.

He could only cling to Lu Xiao with his limbs, his whole body burning hot, consciousness stirred into mush, struggling to think about why Lu Xiao was going crazy again tonight.

When finally released, Shen Ci’s fair face was completely flushed. He gasped heavily, his dewy eyes staring at Lu Xiao.

Lu Xiao pinched his chin and said leisurely: “Baby isn’t sweet anymore.”

Shen Ci looked confused: “Huh?”

Lu Xiao’s fingertip brushed Shen Ci’s lips. His lips were swollen and red from the spice, still soft and squishy when pressed.

Lu Xiao: “Turned into hotpot flavor.”

The romantic atmosphere just created was instantly doused with cold water. The light flush on Shen Ci’s face deepened as he curled his toes in embarrassment.

Getting a hotpot-flavored kiss… Lu Xiao really had it tough.

“Then I’ll… I’ll go wash up.”

Shen Ci jumped down from him and quickly fled.

In the washroom, Shen Ci frantically brushed his teeth three times. Even after breathing out, he still felt there was a hotpot smell, making him pout in frustration.

His waist was gently encircled—Lu Xiao was hugging him from behind.

Resting his chin in the hollow of Shen Ci’s neck, he ambiguously bit Shen Ci’s soft earlobe, drawing soft circles on his ear.

“I didn’t finish earlier—it’s still delicious.”

Shen Ci was stunned: “What’s delicious…”

Lu Xiao gently pecked his ear: “You.”

Shen Ci slowly covered his face. Faced with the usual irresistible flirting tactics, his heart felt surprisingly unmoved.

Lu Xiao had destroyed the atmosphere too thoroughly just now, causing him to imagine himself as hotpot, bubbling away with fragrant, sweet, and spicy flavors. How could he be in the mood for romance…

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The weather was turning cooler, but the trees on G City’s streets still had lush green leaves under bright sunshine.

At the end of November, Brother Zhang took Shen Ci and Lu An to Yunxiao to record the movie’s end credits song and complete Lu An’s contract signing.

Like good brothers, Shen Ci had his arm around Lu An’s shoulders. After happily completing the contract signing, he held the documents in his left hand and pulled Lu An with his right, cheerfully heading to Yang Ning’s studio.

The end credits song was written by Yang Ning, so their recording had to be completed under Yang Ning’s guidance.

“Brother Ning! I have a junior now too!” Shen Ci was overjoyed.

“Ah, it’s Xiao Ci. Here to record the end credits song? I’ll make you coffee.”

Yang Ning seemed busy with sound mixing but still got up to go to the coffee machine, chatting cheerfully.

“What’s this?” Shen Ci glimpsed a document on Yang Ning’s desk that looked like an invitation, reading aloud: “White Gardenia Best TV Drama Insert Song Nomination—Holy crap, Brother Ning, you actually got nominated for a White Gardenia Award! That’s amazing!”

“Hmm? Nomination?” Yang Ning looked over holding his coffee cup: “You have one too anyway, why are you making such a big deal?”

Shen Ci’s eyes widened: “…I have one too?“