Chapter 70: Softness over Hardness
Chu Yi put his phone down and rubbed his brow. Even if he tried not to pay attention, the overwhelming number of trending search terms and screenshots of CP fans' revelry had already filled his field of vision through various channels.
It wasn't that he was averse to making the relationship public, but the speed and the way it happened - like a flash flood - completely exceeded his expectations as a person used to rigorous planning and gradual progress.
What made him even more annoyed was that it was not until he watched the edited film that he realized that Zhou Ai's eyes and small movements under the camera were so passionate and straightforward.
And I was in the middle of it at that time, and I seemed to be pulled by some invisible magnetic field, and failed to immediately notice the surging love that was almost overflowing from the screen.
Chu Yi turned his head to look at Zhou Ai, who was sitting cross-legged on the carpet beside him, staring intently at the game screen, his fingers operating quickly, with an expression of "it has nothing to do with me".
With her newly dyed fluorescent grey hair, she looked exactly like she did on the show, and the dazzling hair color was particularly eye-catching under the indoor lighting.
Completely unaware that he was in the middle of an entertainment scandal, Chu Yi turned off the screen of his phone and sideways looked at Zhou Ai's smooth profile. His jaw was slightly tense, and he even had a bit of the concentration of a fierce game battle, but with a nonchalant attitude of "I'm like this, what can you do to me?"
Chu Yi took a deep breath, but couldn't help it. He raised his foot and kicked Zhou Ai's calf lightly.
"I've asked you to tone it down a bit."
Zhou Ai's hand trembled, and the game character on the screen fell to the ground.
He uttered an "Ouch!", dropped the controller, and immediately turned around. He stretched out his long arms and hugged Chu Yi's legs before he could retract them. He raised his face, and his peach blossom eyes were instantly covered with a layer of just the right amount of moisture. The corners of his mouth turned down in grievance: "My dear, I have been very restrained. You asked me to cancel the like, and I canceled it."
Zhou Ai was the one who could best capture Chu Yi's heart. In the past, Chu Yi would not be moved by any persuasion.
But now it’s different, now it’s——
Be soft and don't be hard.
What I can't stand the most is his seemingly innocent and somewhat coquettish look.
Sure enough, Chu Yi felt a lump in his chest when he saw him acting like a "villain complaining first" and pretending to be pitiful. He couldn't curse or laugh, and in the end he could only want to pull his leg back in annoyance.
Zhou Ai didn't relent, but instead pressed forward, resting her chin on Chu Yi's knees and blinking, "I'm telling the truth. The camera is there, I can't just ignore you, right? That would be so uncomfortable for me."
He paused, his tone tinged with genuine complaint, "Besides, I really had a fever and a headache at the time. Seeing you made me feel at ease, and I couldn't help but want to get closer. How can this be considered unrestrained?"
Zhou Ai's fallacies and heresies, coupled with his extremely deceptive face, left Chu Yi speechless for a moment.
Just then, Chu Yi's cell phone rang, and the caller ID showed that it was the executive director of "Heart to the Distant Mountains".
Chu Yi glared at Zhou Ai, signaling him to behave himself with his eyes, and then picked up the phone.
Zhou Ai let go of his hand angrily, but still stayed where he was, listening with his ears perked up.
"Hey, Dr. Chu! The premiere has been so well-received! Thank you for your hard work!" The director's voice was filled with excitement. "Well... according to the publicity plan, I'd like to ask you to repost the premiere promotional content from our official Weibo account on Weibo. Just a few words about your feelings will be enough. Sorry to bother you!"
"Okay, Director, you're welcome. I'll forward it right away." Chu Yi agreed.
After hanging up the phone, he logged into the Weibo account that he had applied for temporarily before participating in the variety show. It originally had only a few official followers and a few scattered fans.
When he clicked on it, his phone froze for a few seconds. The red numbers on his message icons, including private messages, comments, and @, had turned into ellipses. His follower count had surpassed 900,000 at a rate he couldn't fathom, and was still rising like crazy.
Chu Yi stared at the string of numbers, slightly stunned. Even though he was mentally prepared, this intuitive, digitized impact still shocked him.
Zhou Ai came over to take a look and raised her eyebrows proudly: "Look, how popular my teacher Chu is."
Chu Yi ignored him and found the latest Weibo post celebrating the premiere of "Heart to the Distant Mountains" released by the official Weibo account and clicked to forward it.
He carefully chose his words, tapping his fingers on the screen. Zhou Ai stopped playing games and tilted her head to watch him type.
A few seconds later, Chu Yi's Weibo was updated:
@储意: Retweet // @心系远山Official Weibo: [#心系远山首播# Mountains and rivers bring us together, and a kind heart warms the world...]
@储意: I'm honored to have been a part of this journey and to witness the power of perseverance. The scenery and people of Yuntou Village, as well as Dr. Li's dedication, have all benefited me immensely. I hope more people will pay attention to rural healthcare and gather their light. All the best, thank you. [heart]
However, less than a minute after this Weibo post was published, the comment section and reposts were instantly flooded.
Top comment: "Doctor Chu!!! You and Zhou Ai met in the emergency room, right?! [Picture]"
The second most popular comment: "Did Dr. Chu watch the show? Do you have anything to say about your own behavior of resisting alcohol? [狗头]"
The third most popular comment: "Hello, doctor brother! Thank you for us, brother Zhou Ai, for the fireflies! (I know how to keep things in check)"
The fourth most popular comment (Zhou Aiwei fans try to control the comments): "Thank you Dr. Chu for your hard work on the program! Pay attention to the program's original intention of public welfare!"
And more CP fans are cautiously testing the waters in the carnival:
"Dr. Chu posted on Weibo! His tone is so official and cute!"
"He mentioned 'everything went well'! Was he responding to Master Zhou's 'not too late'?"
"This [heart]! Rounding it off is a response to Zhou Ai's like!"
"Doctor Chu, next time Zhou Ai doesn't eat well, remember to prescribe him some stomach-strengthening and digestion-promoting tablets!"
"So…that look in the emergency room, you really remember it, right?"
Zhou Ai liked Chu Yi's post almost the second it was published, and quickly commented:
@周霭: Dr. Chu, thank you for your hard work. [Lovely]
The worst thing is that not only did he directly mention "Dr. Chu" in the copy, he also "conveniently" forwarded Chu Yi's promotional Weibo post that couldn't be more official!
CP fans and passersby arrived at the battlefield at the speed of light:
“WTF????????????????” (This post is the most commented on with an absolute advantage)
"What did I see??? Zhou Ai, has your account been hacked???"
"Retweet??? He actually used the word retweet!!! If this isn't a public display of affection, what is this?!!
"I declare that this is the bravest top star in the history of domestic entertainment, bar none!"
"Zhou Ai: I'm going to be honest. I'm not going to pretend anymore. I just want the whole world to know that I have a wife!"
The hot search list ushered in an earthquake again:
#Zhou Ai thanks Dr. Chu# (explosive)
#Zhou Ai forwarded Chu Yi’s Weibo# (explosive)
#LoveCP Official Announcement# (boiling)
#周札稻田照# (hot)
Speaking of the rice field photo, CP fans have already flooded the Weibo post of the rice field photo that Zhou Ai posted for Chu Yi.
@周霭: Thank you Dr. Chu for taking these photos. Your technique is amazing! [心] // @储意【图片】
The accompanying picture shows Zhou Ai half-squatting in front of golden rice ears, holding a dogtail grass in the corner of her mouth, and staring straight at the camera.
Sunshine, fields, uninhibited yet focused expressions... all the elements combined together are full of primitive vitality and an indescribable, almost provocative intimacy.
"This photo...that look...Zhou Ai, who are you trying to woo?! Just give me Dr. Chu's ID number!"
"@Chu Yi Chu Doctor! Look at him! He did it on purpose! Take care of him! (But I love watching it so much)"
"So this amazing picture was taken by Dr. Chu?! Help, what kind of couple's romance is this!"
“‘Excellent technology’… Which technology? [dog head] [dog head] [dog head]”
Chu Yi looked at Zhou Ai's comment that appeared instantly, as well as the even more heated scene under his own Weibo, and closed his eyes helplessly.
He turned to look at the culprit, who was looking at him with an innocent expression as if to say, "I'm a good boy, I didn't say anything."
Chu Yi felt that he might need to redefine what Zhou Ai meant by "convergence".
And this is just the first episode, as for the next shows... he can almost foresee that Xu Yang's public relations plan will never be able to catch up with the speed at which Master Zhou is causing trouble.
Chu Yi couldn't help but pray silently for Xu Yang in his heart.
Xu Yang's phone was flooded with calls again within thirty seconds. He listened to the incoherent report from the public relations team and looked at the "conclusive evidence" Weibo on the screen. He felt a blackout and almost died on the spot.
With trembling hands, he dialed Zhou Ai's number, but all he got was a message saying "The user you dialed is temporarily unavailable" - obviously, Young Master Zhou had turned on the Do Not Disturb mode after doing his evil deeds.
The only thing that can comfort Xu Yang now is the string of cold numbers given by Master Zhou in the bank card, which can comfort his fragile little heart a little.
On the Internet, the legend about the "Love CP" has been completely enshrined because of this "Divine Picture of Rice Fields" which was personally certified by the original owner and photographed by another original owner. It has become a classic Bible that CP fans talk about and chew over and over again.
All previous speculations about "program effects" and "unilateral business" seem pale in comparison to this forwarded Weibo post.
Zhou Ai told everyone in his own way: This is not hype, this is blatant favoritism and possession.
In the next few days, the internet was still noisy, but in the little nest, there was a strange calm and... stickiness.
At first, Zhou Ai reported to Chu Yi's house on time every day, even more punctual than when she went to work. But from one day on, Chu Yi's bottom line was slightly lowered. Zhou Ai simply stayed out all night and moved into Chu Yi's apartment with a clear conscience.
The countdown to Chu Yi's return to the hospital had begun, and the workload of handing over and preparing for the work was gradually piling up. He often sat at his desk, organizing documents on his computer or browsing the latest medical literature, his expression focused, as if the turbulent world outside had nothing to do with him.
And Zhou Ai, the top star who shines brightly on the stage and stirs up a storm on the Internet, has completely transformed into Chu Yi's "large human pendant" in recent days.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he began to follow Chu Yi closely.
When Chu Yi was working in the study, he would sit on the lazy sofa next to him, holding a tablet or game console, and occasionally look up at Chu Yi's profile.
While Chu Yi was preparing a simple meal in the kitchen, he would lean over the sink, chatting idly or trying to engage in some "unhelpful" interactions.
Even when Chu Yi stood up to pour a glass of water, he would follow naturally as if he was attracted by a magnet, put his arms around Chu Yi's waist from behind, rest his chin on his shoulder, and mutter, "Good boy, I want to drink too."
"Zhou Ai, are you free?" Chu Yi tried for the Nth time to pull this piece of "tough candy" off himself, his tone was a little helpless, but more of an indulgence.
"I'm free," Zhou Ai said confidently, tightening her arms. "My schedule hasn't started yet, so now's my legal time to cling to you."
He leaned close to Chu Yi's ear, lowering his voice with a hint of coquettishness, "You'll be back to work in a few days, and those young nurses will definitely be surrounding you again... I have to advance some 'Doctor Chu's exclusive companionship'."
Chu Yi was amused by his twisted logic and wanted to laugh, but he kept a straight face and nudged him lightly with his elbow: "Let go, I haven't finished reading the information yet."
Zhou Ai reluctantly loosened his grip, but remained close to Chu Yi. Looking at the densely packed medical terms on his computer screen, he sighed, "Doctor Chu, you're incredibly calm. Even with the internet going through such a frenzy, you can still focus on reading the literature."
Chu Yi's eyes didn't leave the screen, his fingers sliding across the touchpad. His tone was flat: "What else? Am I going to be like you, holding my phone every day to read the comments, and then hiding under the covers and grinning foolishly?"
Zhou Ai's ears flushed slightly after being exposed, and she stiffened her neck and retorted, "I was just monitoring public opinion! As a public figure, I have a responsibility..."
"Is it your responsibility to personally give thumbs up to the work of CP fans?" Chu Yi finally turned his head, raised his eyebrows and looked at him with a hint of teasing in his eyes.
Zhou Ai: "...that was a slip of the hand!"
Chu Yi snorted softly and ignored him, continuing to focus on his work. His mentality was indeed very stable. On the one hand, it came from his calm and focused personality. On the other hand... perhaps it was because the presence of this person beside him gave him enough sense of security.
No matter how noisy the outside world is, he knows that this seemingly unreliable guy will stand firmly by his side in his own way.
Seeing that Chu Yi no longer paid attention to her, Zhou Ai did not get angry. She just stayed quietly beside him, playing games for a while, browsing her phone for a while (mainly to see the latest output of CP's super topic), and then looked up from time to time to see Chu Yi's profile, which looked particularly handsome and serious under the light.
He looked at Chu Yi's slightly furrowed brows, watched him occasionally bite his lower lip when thinking, watched his slender fingers tapping on the keyboard... a full, warm emotion filled his chest.
This is the life he wants.
There was someone who could help him escape from the hustle and bustle of the entertainment industry and find inner peace. Someone who could make him willingly drop all his halo and disguises and cling to her and make noises like a childish little boy.
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