owe
The bottle of medicinal liquor left a dark stain on the carpet, and its strong, pungent smell was almost suffocating.
Chu Yiran's mind was buzzing. The words "as lover" were like a red-hot iron, burning his soul. He abruptly pulled his hand back.
Seeing his face turn deathly pale and the horror in his eyes, Su Jing did not back down. Instead, she leaned forward and lowered her voice, which carried a strange sense of desperation: "Didn't you say before... that you had a dream? In the dream, perhaps I did many... very bad things to you."
He paused, his gaze fixed on Chu Yiran, not missing a single change in his emotions. His tone was as light as a sigh, yet as heavy as a thousand pounds: "Perhaps... that wasn't a dream? Chu Yiran, what if it was something I owed you in my past life?"
Chu Yiran seemed to have been stabbed by those words, abruptly interrupting him. His voice was icy cold, every word dripping with a chilling aura: "You are not him! There's no point in saying any of this now."
He tried to sever this absurd entanglement with absolute rationality.
"What if I said I like you?" Su Jing said decisively, his eyes burning with an unsettling intensity. "Not in the past life, but now, right here. I, Su Jing, like you, Chu Yiran!"
Chu Yiran's breath hitched, and her heart felt as if it were being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, both sore and numb.
Su Jing, however, seemed to have opened a floodgate, speaking without restraint. His tone was urgent, even clumsy and earnest, a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor: "You are brave, resilient, and appear aloof, but your heart is softer than anyone else's, more compassionate and righteous than anyone else's... You live with clarity and integrity, the purest and kindest person. I like you, and I can't help but get closer to you. You can't imagine how fatally attractive you are to me..."
These words struck Chu Yiran's most vulnerable spot with pinpoint accuracy.
How long had it been since Chu Yiran had heard Su Jing speak such sweet words? Ever since Su Jing ascended the throne, the two had drifted further and further apart. Even in their closest moments, Su Jing's words always carried a condescending scrutiny and control, as if Chu Yiran was his possession, destined to revolve around him. That attitude left Chu Yiran confused and exhausted for a long time, unable to distinguish whether it was love or just a possessiveness born of habit.
Chu Yiran abruptly closed her eyes, forcing herself to suppress the uncontrollable pounding of her heart and the turbulent emotions surging in her chest. When she opened them again, all she saw was a cold, desolate wasteland.
“You’re crazy.” His voice was hoarse, yet unusually clear, carrying a sense of utter denial.
Before Su Jing could speak again, he almost roughly pulled him up from the sofa and pushed him toward the door without any room for argument.
"go out."
The door slammed shut in front of Su Jing with a bang, making the corridor walls seem to vibrate.
——
From that day on, Chu Yiran always avoided Su Jing.
On set, as soon as the director yelled "cut," he would immediately turn around and leave, never making any eye contact with Su Jing outside of work. He always declined crew dinners and team-building activities, giving the same excuse in every instance—he wasn't feeling well, he was busy, or he had other plans.
The relationship, which had initially eased, plummeted to a freezing point at a visible speed, becoming even more strained and cold than before. Caught in the middle, Lin Wanxing felt her temples throbbing and her head throbbing with pain.
When Zhao Wei returned to the film crew, he almost immediately sensed that something was wrong.
During a break in filming, Su Jing returned to the RV looking exhausted. He sidled up to his boss, handed him an iced Americano, and whispered, "Brother Jing, you and Teacher Chu... you've had another falling out?"
Su Jing was holding the script, but his gaze was unfocused. Hearing this, he lazily lifted his eyelids and said, "No, I didn't."
Zhao Wei: "...?"
Isn't this a collapse?
"Then why does he act like he's seen a ghost whenever he sees you, taking a huge detour?"
Su Jing seemed stumped by the question. After thinking about it seriously, she came to a conclusion that shocked Zhao Wei: "Maybe my confession last time was too direct and scared him."
"puff--"
Zhao Wei couldn't swallow a mouthful of water, so he spat it all out, choking violently and turning his face red.
"W-what?! Confess?!" His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, as if he'd heard the news of a collision between Mars and Earth. "Jing-ge! You confessed to him?! Why?!" He waved his arms frantically. "Didn't you say before that you felt Chu Yiran was hostile towards you, and that you didn't want to spend much time with him, and that keeping your distance was better for everyone? How could this be..."
Su Jing glanced at him disdainfully, took a tissue to wipe the script that had been splashed on him, and said in a tone as indifferent as if she were talking about tomorrow's weather: "What do you know?"
He paused, his gaze falling on Chu Yiran, who was reading the script alone in the distance. His eyes became somewhat deep and empty.
"It's understandable that he hates me."
Zhao Wei was even more confused: "Huh? Why should I? What did you do, brother?"
Su Jing withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes, and unconsciously ran his fingers along the edge of the script. Suddenly, he asked in a low voice, seemingly out of the blue, "Wei Zi, let me ask you, if there were someone whose parents and siblings all died because of this person... what do you think he could do to make amends?"
Zhao Wei was stunned for a moment, then a surge of anger rushed to his head. Without thinking, he slammed his fist on the table in fury: "My parents and brothers are all gone because of him? Then nothing he does matters! Paying compensation? Going to jail? What's the use?! Can the dead be brought back to life?! This bastard deserves to die! Even being torn to pieces wouldn't be enough to satisfy my hatred!"
He roared with genuine emotion and righteous indignation.
Su Jing listened in silence, his face expressionless. He only let out a barely audible sigh, then raised his eyes and looked at Zhao Wei expressionlessly.
"Alright." His tone turned cold. "You can leave now. I need to rest by myself for a while."
Zhao Wei: "...???"
Seeing his boss's face instantly turn icy, he felt a surge of anger and questions stuck in his throat, almost causing him internal injury. In the end, he could only reluctantly say "Oh" and get out of the RV, completely bewildered.
——
The online debate intensified, with Chu Yiran and Su Jing's names acting like ticking time bombs, ready to explode and cause chaos wherever they were thrown. Fans of both sides fought day and night, tearing each other apart from their characters to their achievements, from their looks to their character, constantly trending on social media and generating endless controversy.
This massive surge in popularity unexpectedly benefited Chu Yiran. Brand collaborations poured in, including high-end endorsements, promotions with immense national recognition, and even offers from several top-tier variety shows and TV dramas. Even more remarkably, a major film script was presented to him.
Hong Kong director Zhou Qianjiang's new film, "The Secret of Xuan Yun Temple: The Fake Taoist Priest Goes Up the Mountain".
This is a genre film that blends zombie horror with street comedy, set in western Hunan during the late Qing Dynasty. Chu Yiran is invited to play the male lead, Qingfeng, a character with an outstanding personality. He is a seemingly eccentric and unreliable young Taoist priest who actually possesses extraordinary skills. He is adept at divination and face reading, has a sharp tongue, and can glimpse the secrets of heaven amidst his banter. He is a crucial element and highlight of the film.
The day the news was officially announced, the internet erupted in chaos once again—
[Has Chu Yiran's career skyrocketed? She's even managed to get involved in Director Zhou's production?]
[Is this a case of turning misfortune into blessing? Resources unearthed through conflict?]
Looking forward to Master Qingfeng! Chu Yiran has amazing potential!
...
In stark contrast to Chu Yiran's flourishing success, Su Jing's fan base was in a state of depression and turmoil.
He had already stopped a lot of work when he was injured and hospitalized. During his recovery, he turned down several important jobs and endorsements. His comeback project, "Autumn Wind Chant", was already boycotted by some fans because of his previous conflict with Chu Yiran. Recently, he has been exposed for being rude to fans at the airport and refusing to sign autographs. Although his fan club tried to clarify that he was unwell, his image has already been damaged.
Some extreme fans even started spreading an absurd claim that Chu Yiran stole Su Jing's luck. This statement actually led some people to believe it, and more and more people unfollowed and turned against him.
That day, Chu Yiran was invited to participate in a very popular online live interview program called "Star News Live Room". After finishing his morning scenes, he asked the crew for leave and rushed over.
The process went smoothly, and the host was Yang Li, a female host known for her sharp and lively personality.
The live stream started with a lively atmosphere. People chatted about their recent situations, talked about interesting stories from the filming of "Autumn Wind Chant," and naturally, they also talked about "The Secret Story of Xuanyun Temple: The Fake Taoist Priest Goes Up the Mountain," which is about to start filming.
Chu Yiran handled the situation well until Yang Li announced with a smile, "We have another surprise for us today! We've specially invited an old friend from the live stream! Let's welcome—Chen Chen!"
The live stream chat exploded instantly, with some expressing surprise and others just watching the spectacle.
Chu Yiran's formulaic smile faded almost imperceptibly. The production team hadn't informed him of this "surprise guest" beforehand. He watched Chen Chen walk onto the stage with that familiar, seemingly cheerful but actually arrogant smile, and a hint of displeasure swept through him.
As soon as Chen Chen sat down, after exchanging a few pleasantries, he steered the conversation toward "The Secret Story of Xuanyun Temple: The Fake Taoist Priest Goes Up the Mountain".
“It’s really amazing that Yi Ran was able to get a role in Director Zhou’s film this time,” Chen Chen said with a smile, but there was no warmth in his eyes. “I heard that the opportunity was quite special? I saw an interview with Director Zhou the other day, and he said it was because of the video of you telling Wan Xing’s fortune when we were filming ‘Ambiguous Game’? Director Zhou said that the look in your eyes in the video was very similar to the role he was looking for. What a coincidence.”
Yang Li immediately chimed in, her tone exaggerated: "I remember that video too! Is it real, Teacher Chu? Did you really calculate that?"
Before Chu Yiran could speak, Chen Chen scoffed, his sarcasm almost undisguised: "These days, filming is all about method acting, I didn't expect casting to be so mystical. But then again, sometimes being mysterious can really fool people, it's just a matter of luck."
These words were a blatant provocation, and fans in the live stream chat had already started hurling insults at each other.
Chu Yiran remained expressionless, but his gaze swept lightly over Yang Li's face, which was trying hard to hide but still revealed a hint of meanness and excitement, and then over Chen Chen's face, which was waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
Chu Yiran slowly reached into his jeans pocket and, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, pulled out three old copper coins.
The copper coin has an antique design, with some wear on the edges. Under the live broadcast lights, it has a warm and restrained luster. It is definitely not a prop. It looks like it has been around for a long time and has been handled by many people.
"Actually, I don't know anything about metaphysics, but thanks to Director Zhou's kindness, I did some research after taking on this role..." Chu Yiran began, her voice calm and even, yet clearly suppressing the restlessness in the room. "Since Teacher Chen mentioned metaphysics, and Teacher Yang Li is also curious, why don't we give it a try?"
Yang Li and Chen Chen were both surprised by Chu Yiran's unexpected move. Yang Li's smile was somewhat forced: "How does Teacher Chu want to try it out..."
Chu Yiran looked into Yang Li's eyes, her tone calm yet firm: "You don't need to tell me any information. Just silently think about what you care about most."
Yang Li felt a little uneasy under his gaze, but she was in a difficult position and could only force a smile and nod. She watched as Chu Yiran held his breath and concentrated, holding three copper coins in his palm, loosely grasping them, and gently shaking them a few times, his mind seemingly completely absorbed in the moment. Then, he flicked his wrist and lightly tossed the coins onto the smooth coffee table in front of him.
The crisp sound was particularly clear in the quiet live broadcast room.
“Teacher Yang, the divination is inauspicious,” Chu Yiran clicked his tongue and shook his head. “The divination shows fire overcoming metal, and the ‘Vermilion Bird’ star of gossip is located in the wife and wealth position. This suggests that your recent gains are ill-gotten…” He paused, his gaze sweeping over Yang Li’s suddenly pale face, “It’s likely a case of karmic retribution for a romantic entanglement, not a proper match. Be careful of the backlash, Teacher Yang.”
Yang Li's smile froze instantly, and she instinctively retorted sharply, "Teacher Chu! What nonsense are you spouting! This is a live broadcast!"
The live stream chat went completely crazy!
[Holy crap?! Are we just going to start tearing each other apart?!]
What did Chu Yiran mean? Was he implying that Yang Li was a mistress?
[Speechless! Superstition, get out of the live stream! What is Chu Yiran doing?]
[Does Chu Yiran really know? He spoke with such conviction!]
...
Chu Yiran put away the copper coins, shrugged, and said, "I just read a couple of books and talked nonsense. Teacher Yang, don't worry about it. I don't know anything about metaphysics."
Yang Li reluctantly changed the subject, following Chu Yiran's words, and the live broadcast ended hastily in this extremely strange and chaotic atmosphere.
After Chu Yiran finished the live stream, he started feeling unwell all over. By the time he removed his makeup and went down to the underground parking garage, his face had turned pale.
He felt dizzy and nauseous. His limbs felt drained of all strength, as if he were being crushed by an invisible boulder. Every breath was accompanied by a heavy, dull pain, and cold sweat silently soaked his T-shirt.
Sun Xiaoxiao quickly caught him, her hands touching something cold and damp. Looking at his face, she saw he was deathly pale, and her voice trembled with fright: "Ran-ge, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should I take you to the hospital?"
Chu Yiran closed his eyes and shook his head with difficulty: "No need to go to the hospital... I just need to rest... Let's go."
He was used to the discomfort after each fortune telling session, but this time it was especially intense in front of the camera.
Having finally reached the nanny van, Sun Xiaoxiao was about to open the door when Chu Yiran suddenly felt dizzy and her ears were ringing. The last bit of strength supporting her body was instantly drained, and everything went black before her eyes. She slumped backward.
"Brother Ran!"
Sun Xiaoxiao's gasp caught in her throat.
Because another figure was faster than her, suddenly bursting out from the shadow of a car next to her and catching Chu Yiran steadily.
It's Su Jing.
He was dressed simply in a black hoodie and trousers, his hat pulled low, clearly having waited there on purpose. His arm around Chu Yiran's waist was extremely tight, while his other hand supported Chu Yiran's limp head, letting him rest on his shoulder. Chu Yiran had completely lost consciousness, his pale face pressed against Su Jing's neck, his breathing weak.
"Teacher Su? What are you doing here?" Sun Xiaoxiao was stunned and didn't react for a moment.
Su Jing looked down to check on Chu Yiran's condition, her brows furrowed tightly. When she looked up again, her tone was firm and unwavering: "I'll take care of him. You go back first."
"Huh? This...this isn't a good idea, is it?" Sun Xiaoxiao objected instinctively. "Brother Chu isn't feeling well, I have to go with him..."
“What’s the point of following him? Just to see him suffer?” Su Jing interrupted her, his tone cold and hard, carrying a hint of anxious resentment. “I will take care of him. If you need anything, find Zhao Wei.”
After saying that, he didn't give Sun Xiaoxiao a chance to refute him. He picked up Chu Yiran and strode towards his parking space. Chu Yiran looked unusually thin and fragile in his arms.
"Teacher Su! Teacher Su!" Sun Xiaoxiao chased after her for a couple of steps, both anxious and at a loss.
Su Jing paused, but didn't turn around, only saying, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to him."
The black sedan quickly drove away from the garage, leaving Sun Xiaoxiao standing there alone, her mind a complete mess.
Upon arriving home, Su Jing carefully placed Chu Yiran on the bed in the master bedroom, took off his shoes, and covered him with a blanket. Chu Yiran remained unconscious, but seemed to be trapped in an extremely unsettling nightmare. His brows were furrowed, cold sweat constantly seeped from his forehead, and his lips moved silently, as if resisting some immense pain.
Su Jing wrung out a hot towel and carefully wiped his sweat. Her fingers brushed against his cold skin and furrowed brows. Her heart felt like it was being repeatedly crushed by something, and she felt a sharp, unbearable pain.
Chu Yiran's eyelashes trembled a few times, and then she slowly opened her eyes.
Su Jing leaned down and grasped his icy hand, her voice low and hoarse: "A-Ran, please don't do fortune telling anymore, okay? Please don't touch those things again, alright?"
His face was inches away, distortedly overlapping with the face from his past life. Intense resentment and pain instantly seized Chu Yiran's chaotic mind.
He abruptly shoved Su Jing's hand away, struggling to sit up. His eyes were filled with cold mockery and pain, and his voice was hoarse but clear: "Su Jing... what right do you have to... say such things? Have you forgotten how my father died?"
Su Jing felt as if his heart had been ripped out, the pain almost suffocating him. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Chu Yiran regained some composure and realized his earlier loss of composure. He tried to get out of bed, and Su Jing instinctively went to help him.
He was panting, a sliver of clarity returning to his eyes: "Wasn't I clear enough before? What do you want? Can you just stay away from me?!"
Looking at his swaying yet still stubborn and aloof appearance, Su Jing clenched his fist and said in a low and obstinate voice, "No."
"No matter how you treat me, whether you hate me or despise me, it doesn't matter." He stared into Chu Yiran's eyes and said, word by word, "I will always stay by your side."
Chu Yiran seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. A mocking smile appeared on his pale face. The backlash and the resentment from his past and present lives completely overwhelmed his reason at this moment. He blurted out, "Don't even think about it! Unless—"
"Unless what?" Su Jing pressed, his eyes filled with a terrifying stubbornness.
Chu Yiran stared at him, his eyes filled with uncontrollable hatred and despair. He almost gritted his teeth as he uttered the cruelest answer: "Unless you die."
The air froze instantly.
Su Jing remained silent for a full three seconds.
Then, under Chu Yiran's gaze filled with hatred and disbelief, he suddenly turned around and strode towards the open kitchen counter.
"Whoosh—"
The harsh sound of metal rubbing together.
He pulled out a sharp Western-style kitchen knife, the blade reflecting a cold, piercing light under the overhead light.
He gripped the knife and walked step by step back to Chu Yiran, his face expressionless, only displaying an almost manic calm. He grabbed Chu Yiran's cold, trembling hand, forcefully shoving the icy hilt of the knife into it, and then, pointing the sharp tip at his own abdomen.
“Okay.” Su Jing looked into his eyes, her voice as soft as a sigh, yet as heavy as a thousand pounds, “If this is what you want.”
"Come."
Chu Yiran's pupils suddenly contracted, his consciousness becoming chaotic under the enormous impact. His wrist was gripped tightly by Su Jing, who pulled him with a powerful and irresistible force.
Pfft—
A dull, teeth-grinding sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh.
A warm, viscous liquid gushed out instantly, soaking Su Jing's dark hoodie and staining Chu Yiran's cold fingers red.
The excruciating pain caused Su Jing's body to tense up abruptly. He let out a muffled groan, and a fine layer of cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead. However, his arm remained firmly gripping Chu Yiran's hand, refusing to let go. His gaze remained fixed on Chu Yiran's face, which had suddenly gone blank with terror, and he even tried to force a reassuring smile onto his lips.
"How about... a few more cuts?"
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