PTBC chapter 40

At two in the morning, Xia Yan left with a pile of his own videos and discussion threads.

Zong Yi’s problem remained unresolved, leaving him just as distressed as before.

Xia Yan couldn’t think of any constructive advice for Zong Yi.

Standing in the hallway, leaning against the wall, he spoke seriously for once. “If you really want to solve this, just clarify things with Zhao Ye as soon as possible. There’s no point in dragging it out. You’re not going to suddenly fall for him. Hurting him sooner or later—it’s all the same. Dragging it out just turns a definite sentence into a life sentence. What’s the point?”

“But if…”

Xia Yan hesitated briefly.

“If you can’t bear to hurt him and maybe feel a little moved, then dating isn’t the end of the world. The sky won’t fall. What’s wrong with two Alphas dating? My dads are still deeply in love after all these years. Back then, the marriage law didn’t even protect them, and they still ran away together.”

Zong Yi froze, his eyelashes trembling slightly as a look of hesitation appeared on his face.

But before he could feel touched, Xia Yan’s next words shattered everything.

Xia Yan smiled faintly, completing his thought: “Besides, whether you date or not, your group looks like it’s falling apart anyway. Why not live a little? The day your group disbands, I’ll buy 3,000 firecrackers and set them off outside your company for a full 24 hours.”

“…”

Zong Yi couldn’t hold back and kicked Xia Yan.

“Keep dreaming,” he spat bitterly.

But after Xia Yan finally left, Zong Yi closed the door. Thinking about Xia Yan’s words and his dads’ unwavering love, he couldn’t help but feel thoughtful.

…

When Xia Yan returned to his room, he took a shower. But maybe because he had talked to Zong Yi for so long, or perhaps because he had drunk a little alcohol and eaten a few overly sour dried lemons, he couldn’t fall asleep.

Late-night insomnia often leads to impulsive decisions.

Xia Yan had initially been scrolling through entertainment gossip, but eventually, his mind wandered back to the dozens of links Zong Yi had sent him.

I want to see for myself.

Xia Yan thought to himself.

What exactly is this guy Zong Yi researching in his free time?

With a sly grin, Xia Yan secretly speculated that maybe Zong Yi was trying to learn how he and Xu Cong naturally displayed their “brotherly bond”—silent but powerful—hoping to surpass them in one go.

No way, that wouldn’t happen. He was determined to see what the fans were obsessing over and make sure he could better “serve the public” next time.

With this in mind, he reopened his chat with Zong Yi. The chat box was filled with countless images of him and Xu Cong, triggering his mild trypophobia.

He casually clicked on the first video, titled: [“Xu Cong’s 100 Heart Fluttering Moments—His Eyes Only See You, Captain. Please Look Back at the One Behind You.”]

When Xia Yan clicked on the video, he scoffed.

Please, what hasn’t he seen in the entertainment industry?

This sentimental title, paired with Xu Cong’s poker face? Ridiculous.

He chuckled disdainfully and hit play without hesitation.

But after 15 minutes—after the flawless, emotion-packed video ended, Xia Yan found himself sitting in an awkward silence.

“Must be the lighting,” he mumbled to himself. “Besides, Xu Cong looks at dogs with that level of affection. He looks at everyone like he’s been in love with them for 300 years. What’s wrong with him looking at me a little more intently?”

Despite trying to brush it off, he clicked on the second video.

This one was titled: [“Childhood Friends or Fated Lovers? From 18 to 22, This Time, Don’t Let Go.”]

Twenty minutes later, Xia Yan’s face had turned an unsightly shade.

He clicked on a third video…

And a fourth…

And a fifth…

An hour later, Xia Yan’s expression was darker than the bottom of a burnt pot.

No way.

Was he too easily swayed, or were these videos simply too convincing?

Why, after watching these clips, did he feel even a moment of doubt?

Those countless lingering gazes from Xu Cong, those fleeting smiles, the way Xu Cong adjusted his cap for him, knelt to pick up fallen petals from his shoe, shielded him from the summer sun while remaining motionless himself, and in winter warmed his hands before handing him a cup of milk tea…

The editing also included Xu Cong’s description of his ideal type: [“Outgoing, resilient, responsible, hardworking like a workhorse but with a soft heart, willing to shoulder burdens alone. Gender doesn’t matter—Alpha is fine too.”]

When asked if he believed more in love at first sight or love developed over time, Xu Cong chose the latter without hesitation.

His favorite scent?

Xu Cong replied: “Rose.”

…

These little moments.

If the protagonist wasn’t him, Xia Yan would’ve thought Xu Cong was madly in love and would have slapped some sense into him for being a hopeless romantic.

Hiss—

The mere possibility sent chills down Xia Yan’s spine. Though he was snuggled in his warm bed, he suddenly felt like he’d been exiled to Siberia, freezing to his core.

But—

“Impossible.”

Xia Yan firmly shook off the thought.

Let others spread rumors; how could he believe it himself? This was probably a scheme by Zong Yi to sow discord between him and Xu Cong’s brotherly bond.

They were D.A, not that messy Forest group where even their captain couldn’t escape being a target.

It must be the overly compelling editing.

Xia Yan was sure of it.

These out-of-context clips spliced together could make even two random strangers from the entertainment industry seem like star-crossed lovers.

He had been in the industry long enough to know the power of misleading editing.

Calming himself, Xia Yan placed his phone on the bedside table.

He closed his eyes, preparing to sleep.

Even though he didn’t need to wake up early the next day, he had a shoot in the afternoon and couldn’t afford dark circles—he’d be roasted alive by the director.

Lying motionless in bed, the room fell silent.

But just ten minutes later, like a zombie hand emerging from the grave, one of Xia Yan’s hands shot out from under the covers, grabbing the innocent phone.

Nope, he couldn’t sleep.

His eyes widened in disbelief and curiosity.

No way Xu Cong liked him—that would defy human logic more than Zhao Ye liking Zong Yi.

He refused to be brainwashed.

One of Xia Yan’s redeeming qualities since childhood was his resilience. The more he was knocked down, the more determined he became. He wasn’t one to give up easily.

Watching more videos was out of the question—they were far too misleading.

The text version, however, should be harmless.

That night, he was determined to dispel the notion that Xu Cong liked him.

Fueled by the spirit of skepticism and the desire to debunk rumors firsthand, Xia Yan opened a certain gossip group infamous for harboring the entertainment industry’s most ardent haters. D.A was particularly unpopular there; even Xiao Ning’s dog would get spat on just for passing through.

He decided to scour the forum for posts questioning the authenticity of his and Xu Cong’s relationship.

Among the chaos of titles, one caught his eye:

[“Has anyone noticed how clingy Xu Cong is to his captain? I’ve never seen such fake brotherly love. This industry is doomed if such phoniness can sell.”]

Xia Yan’s eyes gleamed. This was it!

He clicked without hesitation.

….

1st post:

As the title says, did anyone catch the Golden Disc Awards live stream? Xu Cong was glued to Xia Yan like glue. Xia Yan was just greeting someone, yet Xu Cong had to hover by his side.

Can’t Xia Yan hold a mic? Does he have muscle weakness or something? Xu Cong had to hold it for him the entire backstage interview—what’s that about?

….

2nd post:

I’ve always suspected that Xia Yan has some leverage on Xu Cong. Otherwise, it really can’t explain why Xu Cong has been so diligent in serving his captain all these years.

If you ask me, Xu Cong is really adaptable. Since the day I saw him shove away another teammate and cross through a crowd just to drape a coat on Xia Yan, I knew this guy would do anything for fame.

3rd post:

Inside news: Xia Yan might really have some leverage on Xu Cong. My cousin works at their company, and originally, D.A’s debut didn’t include Xu Cong, but Xia Yan fought hard to keep him in.

4th post:

Is the info in the 3rd post reliable? Even though we’re a trashy forum, we can’t just make up random stories.

5th post:

It’s reliable. My cousin told me that at the time, Xia Yan even slammed the table in front of the higher-ups. Relying on being an S-class Alpha, he insisted on keeping Xu Cong, saying if Xu Cong left, he would too. At the time, Xu Cong didn’t know there was a problem, but he didn’t meet the company’s standards, and yet Xia Yan managed to keep him.

Actually, a lot of people know about this. If you go out and ask around, you’ll find that this is one of his dirty secrets. After all, he got promoted through backdoor deals. How shameless.

6th post:

If that’s the case, I really ship them. Even though Xu Cong always looks like he’s owed 800 million by someone, and he’s full of red flags, CPs are just better when they’re dark and twisted.

Maybe Xu Cong had to submit to Xia Yan because of a favor owed years ago, so he’s been working hard to sell fan service with Xia Yan for all these years.

Late at night, he might want to break free, end this miserable life, but Xia Yan shuts the door and throws a stack of nude photos at him…

7th post:

Wake up. Want me to show you some pictures to remind you? Xu Cong’s face turns from icy to warm spring as soon as he sees his captain?

And you still dare to say he’s being forced?

Xu Cong was waiting out of boredom, but when he saw Xia Yan’s suddenly gentle look, [jpg]

Xu Cong was pressured by the paparazzi and his face showed anger, but when Xia Yan put a hand on his shoulder, his expression immediately softened. [Gif]

See?!

Xu Cong is clearly voluntarily doing it!

He’s totally into it!

8th post:

(No, I don’t actually ship them)

But for so many years, I’ve always had a question: Xu Cong, a rich young master, with a well-known family background, everyone in his family is a notable figure in some industry, why is he so obsessed with selling fan service with Xia Yan?

He’s not the script of a rich second-generation fighting against his family’s opposition to pursue dreams in the entertainment industry. His family is practically feeding him resources, and they’ve pushed him from a nobody to a rising star.

Why is he so determined to be tied to Xia Yan? Doesn’t he consider going solo in the future?

Most importantly, why is such a rich young master so good at serving others?

Xu Cong helps Xia Yan fix his hair. [jpg]

Xia Yan sings on stage, Xu Cong smiles affectionately from below. [gif]

Xia Yan is surrounded by paparazzi, and Xu Cong pulls him into his arms, coldly glaring at the surroundings. [gif]

Can someone give me an accurate answer? Is Xu Cong into BDSM? Is he tired of being worshiped by everyone and just wants to feel what it’s like to be bossed around by Xia Yan?

17th post:

Sorry, I’m just a passerby and accidentally stumbled into this discussion group, but I really don’t get it. You’ve listed so many sweet moments between Xu Cong and Xia Yan, so why do you still believe they’re just faking a relationship?

Why can’t this just be a beautiful love story?

Are you sure this is an anti-group?

I really feel like you guys are secretly shipping them but just won’t admit it.

…

At this point, Xia Yan had stopped paying attention to the discussion.

Because the 17th post had set the whole discussion group on fire, and now there was a war of words beneath.

[“Who would want to ship such an obviously fake, sweet relationship without a single conflict or love-hate dynamic? It’s so fake! Real love could never be this sweet! It must just be a commercial act!”]

Tui!

[“I’d rather starve than ship this!”]

But Xia Yan couldn’t care less about whether these people were telling the truth or lying. He placed his phone on his chest, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Where did the supposed anti-fan discussion group go?

Why did he feel even more confused after reading all of that?

“It can’t be this unlucky,” Xia Yan muttered to himself, “According to fanfic logic, there’s usually only one pair for a certain type of relationship. Since Forest had already claimed the captain × teammate pairing, that slot should be theirs. There’s no way two of these can exist at the same time.”

Xia Yan thought it through, trying to convince himself.

But it didn’t help.

He stared at the ceiling without blinking, and almost instinctively, his hand reached up to touch the back of his neck.

Xu Cong had already left, and several days had passed since that temporary mark, but the feeling of Xu Cong’s canine teeth biting into his neck was still fresh in his mind.

He had tried his best to push it out of his mind.

But now, a bunch of sweet video clips and discussion posts had brought the memories he was trying to bury back to the surface.

More than half a month ago, on the first day of the shoot, Xu Cong had helped him add another temporary mark.

But after the marking was done, to his surprise, Xu Cong kissed the back of his neck.

This was clearly illogical.

Who would want to kiss their bro’s neck?

The reality of this felt like a light feather pressing down on Xia Yan’s already unstable nerves.

Far more unsettling than a hundred edited videos.

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  Author’s note:
  
  Xia Yan, the team leader, probably hasn’t read enough fanfiction. Although their setup with Forest group is the same—captain × teammate— their character setups are different, so it’s not the same pairing