When the games were finally over, Jupiter could no longer look condescendingly at them and was especially hostile towards Bai Liang. But they were still idols and could only maintain a cordial front between rivals for the cameras.
Zhan Sheng and Chang Liu never felt so satisfied. Seeing the consternation on Jupiter's face, especially Xavi's, relieved almost all their resentment.
They performed their newest song at the closing of the show and bid their farewell to the audience as they returned backstage with everyone else. The hosts congratulated them for their win once again before they all went to their respective waiting rooms to change.
Qin Ning happily congratulated them as well. Zhan Sheng suggested that they celebrate using the reward money.
"Oh, but Xiao Yan has to go after this," Xu Rong reminded.
Zhan Sheng only then remembered. "Alright. Let's do it tomorrow then. How can we celebrate without our main star?"
Everybody agreed and was about to change their clothes to prepare for their leave when knocks came to their door. Qin Ning opened it and froze to see it was none other than Han Yi-Shen.
"Hello, Miss Qin." Han Yi-Shen flashed a handsome smile. "I'm here for Xiao Yan."
Qin Ning nodded like a chicken and hurriedly stepped aside. "Yes, of course! Please, come in, Mr. Han! Thank you very much for coming all this way to support our Xiao Yan!"
Zhan Sheng and the others didn't think they would be blessed enough to ever meet the film emperor face-to-face in their life. They all wiped their damp hands to ask for a shake and Han Yi-Shen patiently catered to them. He gave them his autograph, encouraged them to keep working hard, and told them they had his support.
After taking pictures, Han Yi-Shen finally approached Bai Liang and rubbed his soft hair, finding it completely dry even after the physical activity. "Xiao Yan, you were amazing back there."
"Since Shen-ge is watching, I did my best," Bai Liang replied. "Shen-ge doesn't have any shoot today?"
"My only schedule today is to watch you and pick you up for dinner. There's still enough time, so you can take a quick shower after this before we leave. I've prepared your clothes in my hotel."
"Okay." Bai Liang zipped down his jersey. "I'll go get changed–"
Han Yi-Shen abruptly grabbed his hands and stopped him from opening his jersey. His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Xiao Yan, do you always change in front of people like this?"
Bai Liang, "…"
He obediently went behind the folding screen.
Han Yi-Shen ensured there was no spy camera there before letting him change. He then posted the pictures he had taken with EFEX earlier and grabbed Bai Liang's bag to help tidy his things. His eyes flashed a ruthless glint for a split second before he turned to Qin Ning, his voice as gentle as usual. "Miss Qin, if I'm not mistaken, Xiao Yan always entrusts his phone to you when he works, doesn't he?"
"Yes, Mr. Han. For reassurance, all the members entrust their phones to me when they work."
"May I?" Han Yi-Shen reached out his hand.
"Huh? That…" Qin Ning hesitated. Even if it was Han Yi-Shen, it was still Bai Liang's private phone.
"It's alright, Ning-jie," Bai Liang spoke from behind the screen.
Having Bai Liang's approval, Qin Ning pulled out Bai Liang's phone from her bag and gave it to Han Yi-Shen. She couldn't help but wonder just how close Bai Liang and Han Yi-Shen were. Ever since their shoot together for «Haunted List», Han Yi-Shen always posted his support for EFEX, Bai Liang in particular, for each of their official schedules. Had they been in close contact ever since?
Han Yi-Shen inspected it for a while and to everyone's surprise, he unlocked Bai Liang's phone with his own fingerprint. He opened Bai Liang's messaging account only to halt when he saw the name Bai Liang used for his contact. His murderous intent was defused slightly, but at the same time, his eyes turned all the more vicious. When he caught this dog, he would make sure they wouldn't die a peaceful death.
Bai Liang finished changing and saw Han Yi-Shen was checking his chatrooms. He deliberately asked, "What's wrong, Shen-ge?"
"Nothing." Han Yi-Shen locked the phone back and picked up Bai Liang's bag. "Are you ready?"
"Mn." Bai Liang turned to Qin Ning and the others. "I'm leaving first."
"Yeah…be careful, Xiao Yan."
Qin Ning was still somewhat perplexed by what she just saw. Now seeing Han Yi-Shen wrap his arm around Bai Liang's shoulders and pull him close on their leave, she couldn't help but have an ominous suspicion.
"Ning-jie…" Zhan Sheng gave Qin Ning a hesitant glance, sharing the same thought.
Qin Ning nervously laughed. "That's impossible…right?"
Xu Rong and Chang Liu looked at each other with equal confusion.
In the car, Han Yi-Shen reeled Bai Liang onto his lap to sit facing him. Huang Chen and the driver immediately reduced their existence as the car drove away and focused all their senses on the road ahead.
"Who's threatening you?" Han Yi-Shen solemnly asked.
"I thought you said you could find out yourself." Bai Liang tilted his head.
"They're skilled, leaving no trace behind. It'll take too much time for me to find them myself. I want to obliterate them now." Han Yi-Shen's voice lowered. "Don't play around. Who is it?"
"I don't know either," Bai Liang simply said.
"Su Yan." Han Yi-Shen narrowed his eyes.
"I'm serious," Bai Liang kissed the corner of Han Yi-Shen's eyes in appeasement. "Why would they expose their identity to me?"
"…" Han Yi-Shen studied Bai Liang's expression in silence.
Bai Liang feigned innocence and glanced at his phone in Han Yi-Shen's hand. "Did they contact you?"
"The message is already deleted."
"Yi Nian?"
"No. Yi Nian is under my constant surveillance. She wouldn't make any move. I'll take care of her after this dinner."
"She's invited?" Bai Liang raised his eyebrows.
Every show and brand Yi Nian was involved with directly received backlash from her scandal. «Haunted List» was affected as well which forced the show to cut all her parts from it and rerelease the episode. They also made an official statement that Luo Kang and any of the crew weren't involved with Yi Nian.
"She's obsessed with Jiang Wei and wants nothing more than to get rid of Shen Qing-Mei. She'll come even if she's uninvited. It's her last chance." Han Yi-Shen stared at Bai Liang's ear and didn't stop himself from giving it a kiss.
Xue Liang notified Bai Liang that Shen Qing-Mei was out of danger and the culprit had been caught. Bai Liang hummed and caressed Han Yi-Shen's hair in thought.
He should get rid of her tonight.
After a round of frolicking in bed, Bai Liang and Han Yi-Shen took a shower together before dressing up for the get-together. Bai Liang wasn't surprised that his clothes matched in colour and had a similar design to Han Yi-Shen's which was a fusion of traditional tang suit and modern design.
He picked up his phone to see a lot of notifications from Weibo and guessed it must be because of Han Yi-Shen's appearance in the game show. He opened Han Yi-Shen's newest post.
[Han Yi-Shen v: My turn to be the good luck charm. I discovered a new spell for Xiao Yan's smile. Thank you to everyone who gave their support to Xiao Yan and @EFEXofficial. [Picture 1] [Picture 2] [Picture 3]]
The comments on his post were like wildfire. EFEX fans who didn't watch the live broadcast were surprised that he was there while his own fans 'scolded' him for ditching his movie shoot for fanboying. The CP fans thanked him for the meal and gushed over how cute they looked together, picking every bone in the details. Those who watched it live also commented on Jupiter's attitude which resulted in them receiving minor criticism.
"Are you planning to make us public?" Bai Liang helplessly asked while replying to Han Yi-Shen's post.
"I know it'll be difficult for you since you're an idol. I'll be patient." Han Yi-Shen kissed Bai Liang's forehead. "But I can't help but want to show you off. I'm just a fan."
Bai Liang felt a tickle in his heart and tugged Han Yi-Shen down to kiss the correct place. They almost got swept away to have another round when Huang Chen knocked on the door to remind them that it was almost time to leave. They tidied each other up with lingering regret before leaving the hotel to head to the venue, a high-class oriental restaurant with a luxurious ancient ambience.
"You like traditional food?" Bai Liang's eyes softened.
Seeing Bai Liang liked it as well, Han Yi-Shen smiled in satisfaction. "It's my favourite."