I Became the Koi Actor After Entering the Book

**Chapter 52: I Like Brother Qiao**

Translator: Namizaki

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After the livestream, Chi Zhongqiao treated the three of them to dinner.

Yan Yiyun, who was already close to him, immediately agreed, “Brother Qiao, let’s go to that hotpot place downstairs!”

Chi Zhongqiao chuckled. “Don’t you want to eat something lighter? Isn’t Brother Du monitoring your diet and weight?” Female artists always had it tougher than their male counterparts, especially actresses and idols who debuted in girl groups. Any slight deviation from their ideal figure would be immediately scrutinized and magnified endlessly. As a result, Du Yusheng kept Yan Yiyun’s diet under strict control.

Yan Yiyun grumbled, “Then… then I’ll have the clear broth hotpot and just eat vegetables. Speaking of which, Brother Qiao, it’s so unfair that you can eat whatever you want and still have abs!”

Once, when Yan Yiyun entered the dressing room, she happened to catch Chi Zhongqiao changing his shirt. His sculpted abs and V-line were practically a crime to beheld. Yan Yiyun had no ulterior motives; she was simply consumed by envy—she wanted a body like that too!

Chi Zhongqiao smiled smugly and remained silent, knowing full well that his naturally lean physique was indeed infuriatingly enviable.

Kou Yinyin murmured softly, “We’re troubling you too much, Brother Qiao…”

Chen Zhou, who shared a Manager with Kou Yinyin, quickly pulled her aside. “How can we let Brother Qiao treat us? If he hadn’t saved the day during the live stream, we would have been so embarrassed.”

Kou Yinyin immediately realized that Chi Zhongqiao had repeatedly warmed up the audience for them during the broadcast. It was only right and proper that they treat him to a meal.

Chi Zhongqiao: “There’s no reason for my juniors to treat me. If no one objects, let’s just go downstairs for hot pot? Come on.”

“Downstairs hot pot” was actually the company cafeteria. Only the company’s artists and employees ate there, so there was no risk of being recognized by fans.

Chi Zhongqiao ordered a yin-yang hot pot and found an empty table.

Chen Zhou and Chi Zhongqiao sat on one side, while the two girls sat on the other.

Chen Zhou was visibly nervous. When the hot pot arrived, he eagerly offered to prepare the dipping sauce for Chi Zhongqiao. “Brother Qiao, you just sit back. I’ll take care of it. Do you like spicy food?”

Chi Zhongqiao’s dipping sauce dish was snatched away by Chen Zhou before he could even touch it.

Chi Zhongqiao: “…I just want a little vinegar.”

Chen Zhou: “I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”

He poured a small amount of vinegar and carefully placed the dish in front of Chi Zhongqiao.

Chi Zhongqiao sighed helplessly. “Thank you, but I can handle it myself.”

Chi Zhongqiao couldn’t handle Chen Zhou’s enthusiasm. Although the younger man was merely thanking him for his support during the livestream, Chi Zhongqiao genuinely didn’t need this kind of “consideration.” He had a quirk: He disliked others handling his personal belongings, especially things he ate or used daily.

Chen Zhou had likely been coached by his Manager to be overly attentive, bordering on obsequious.

“Brother Qiao, do you like lamb? I’ll make you some garlic sauce…”

Chen Zhou grabbed a small dish and was about to stand up when a familiar voice came from behind him:

“Brother Qiao doesn’t eat garlic sauce.”

A hand reached out and took the dish from Chen Zhou’s hand.

Who is that?

Chen Zhou turned his head and froze in terror— Holy shit, it’s President Lu! 

Lu Yuzhou glanced at Chen Zhou.

Chen Zhou felt a sudden chill— Why does President Lu’s gaze feel so… off?

Chen Zhou wanted to cry but couldn’t: Did I… did I do something wrong? 

Chi Zhongqiao was delighted and waved Lu Yuzhou over. “Yuzhou, come here.”

Lu Yuzhou sat down beside him.

Chi Zhongqiao smiled warmly. “Have you eaten?”

Lu Yuzhou shook his head. “Just got down here.”

Chi Zhongqiao glanced back. Qi Chuyang and several senior executives were waiting behind them, clearly waiting for Lu Yuzhou.

This looks like they’re about to throw a banquet.

Chi Zhongqiao sighed. “Then you should go ahead. No smoking, and make sure to eat something before drinking to pad your stomach.”

He’d said this countless times, repeating it whenever Lu Yuzhou had to attend a business dinner. Lu Yuzhou never seemed to tire of hearing it.

“I’m off then,” Lu Yuzhou said, straightening Chi Zhongqiao’s cuff to reveal the bodhi seed bracelet on his wrist.

Chi Zhongqiao frowned. “Don’t wear that every day. Doesn’t it get uncomfortable?”

Lu Yuzhou smiled. “I like it.”

Chi Zhongqiao chuckled. “Alright.”

As Lu Yuzhou stood to leave, Chi Zhongqiao suddenly tugged him back. Lu Yuzhou leaned down obligingly.

“I’ll bring you something good when I get back,” Chi Zhongqiao whispered.

Lu Yuzhou smiled. “Okay.”

Standing nearby, Chen Zhou wanted to drag over all those online girls who were clamoring, “ChengChi is real!” and show them what true couple chemistry looked like.

The moment Lu Yuzhou turned his back, the corners of his lips tightened. Qi Chuyang, who had been about to step forward, immediately retreated several steps, calmly watching another executive go up to face the cold.

Qi Chuyang rolled his eyes. What a clueless idiot. Trying to suck up at a time like this is just asking for trouble. He pitied himself, the lowly assistant who would have to endure the President’s icy glare while the executives fawned over him at the dinner.

At that moment, he envied Brother Qiao the most. President Lu was clearly displeased by others fawning over Brother Qiao, yet Brother Qiao remained unscathed. In fact, President Lu treated him with exceptional gentleness and consideration, like a spring breeze nurturing rain.

Heh, President Lu’s double standards are undeniable.

Before leaving, Lu Yuzhou glanced back. Through the large glass window, Chen Zhou said something that made Chi Zhongqiao and the two girls laugh together. Their faces, softened by the rising steam, appeared unusually tender.

Chen Zhou was different from Xu Xingzhou. The latter’s brooding nature made him unlikeable. Even knowing about the CP fans, Lu Yuzhou hadn’t cared, because Chi Zhongqiao disliked Xu Xingzhou.

But Chen Zhou was different—sunny, talkative, and occasionally displaying a charming boyish shyness. Both his looks and personality made him undeniably likable.

After secretly watching Chi Zhongqiao’s livestream and spending half an hour figuring out who Chen Zhou was, Lu Yuzhou expressionlessly glanced at the glass beside him.

Unlike me, cold and sour. As Brother Qiao would say—a frozen lemon.

After finishing his meal, Chi Zhongqiao sent Lu Yuzhou a message, but received no reply for a long time.

Assuming Lu Yuzhou was busy, Chi Zhongqiao asked his driver to take him home first.

Just as Chi Zhongqiao emerged from the shower, Lu Yuzhou’s call came through. However, when he answered, it was Qi Chuyang’s voice on the other end.

“Brother Qiao, President Lu has had a bit too much to drink. Could you come down and get him? We’re downstairs.”

Too much to drink?

Chi Zhongqiao’s heart tightened. “I’ll be right down.”

Downstairs, Lu Yuzhou sat on the car’s hood, his head bowed, his face hidden.

Qi Chuyang greeted Chi Zhongqiao like a savior. “Brother Qiao! I’ve been talking myself hoarse, but President Lu refuses to go upstairs.”

Chi Zhongqiao gave him a quick nod. “He’s just being stubborn when he’s drunk. It’s nothing.”

Lu Yuzhou had always been self-controlled and had never gotten drunk before. Yet here he was, docilely sitting on the car hood, refusing to acknowledge anyone. Qi Chuyang had talked until his lips were peeling, but Lu Yuzhou hadn’t even glanced at him.

Unsure how drunk Lu Yuzhou was, Chi Zhongqiao sat beside him and gently called out, “Yuzhou?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Lu Yuzhou looked up. He recognized Chi Zhongqiao and simply hummed in acknowledgment.

Chi Zhongqiao coaxed him, “Let’s go home, okay?”

Lu Yuzhou silently extended a hand.

Chi Zhongqiao smiled, took his hand, and said to Qi Chuyang, “Alright, he’s being quite obedient. Thanks for your help. Go get some rest.”

Qi Chuyang let out a long sigh of relief. “Brother Qiao always knows how to handle him. I’ll head back now. See you later, Brother Qiao.”

Chi Zhongqiao nodded. “Drive safe… What’s wrong?” He felt Lu Yuzhou tug at his arm and quickly turned around.

Lu Yuzhou pressed his lips together, stepping in front of Chi Zhongqiao to block his view of Qi Chuyang.

Chi Zhongqiao paused, then pinched Lu Yuzhou’s cheek, laughing. “My little jealous one.”

Lu Yuzhou remained silent.

Chi Zhongqiao took his hand. “Alright, my little jealous one, let’s go home now.”

After they entered the house, Chi Zhongqiao stroked Lu Yuzhou’s cheek. “Want to take a shower?”

Lu Yuzhou, sitting on the bed, nodded and took the clothes Chi Zhongqiao offered.

Still a little worried, Chi Zhongqiao waited in Lu Yuzhou’s bedroom until he came out.

Fortunately, though drunk, Lu Yuzhou was surprisingly cooperative and came out safely after his shower.

Chi Zhongqiao touched Lu Yuzhou’s hair—still damp. The soaking-wet President Lu sat on the bed, looking up at Chi Zhongqiao.

Chi Zhongqiao, always soft-hearted toward him, grabbed the hairdryer from the side and started drying Lu Yuzhou’s hair.

Amidst the buzzing of the hairdryer, Chi Zhongqiao asked softly, “Why did you drink so much?”

Lu Yuzhou remained silent.

Chi Zhongqiao sighed helplessly. “You’re usually so talkative, but when you drink, you turn into a little mute.”

After drying Lu Yuzhou’s hair for a while, Chi Zhongqiao felt it was mostly dry and turned off the hairdryer. “Ready to sleep now?”

Lu Yuzhou nodded. “Sleep.”

Chi Zhongqiao smiled, turned off the light, and started to leave, but Lu Yuzhou grabbed his hand.

Chi Zhongqiao turned back. “What is it?”

Lu Yuzhou pressed his cheek against Chi Zhongqiao’s hand, his eyelashes brushing against the back of Chi Zhongqiao’s hand. “I like Brother Qiao.”

Chi Zhongqiao froze in place, momentarily thinking he’d imagined it. After a long pause, he whispered, “Like… who?”

Lu Yuzhou’s eyes shone brightly. “Like Brother Qiao.”

Drunk, Lu Yuzhou had forgotten all his restraint and self-control, leaning in like a child. “Brother Qiao likes someone else, but I like Brother Qiao the most.”

A drunkard’s mind knows no logic. When sober, Lu Yuzhou had only suspected Chi Zhongqiao might like someone else, but now, in his drunken state, he simply erased the word “might.”

Lu Yuzhou wasn’t completely drunk yet, but alcohol has always been an accomplice to mischief.

It was as if a spark of desire, meeting wine, instantly ignited a wildfire. The flames burned through the cage of restraint, releasing a torrent of pent-up emotions.

Lu Yuzhou wrapped his arms around Chi Zhongqiao, his taller frame allowing him to pull Chi Zhongqiao close against his chest.

“Brother Qiao is the most important person to me,” Lu Yuzhou murmured, nuzzling Chi Zhongqiao’s shoulder and neck. “Does Brother Qiao like me?”

Chi Zhongqiao seemed to flinch at the question.

Does he like him?

Chi Zhongqiao lowered his head, Lu Yuzhou’s hand resting on his waist.

If he didn’t like Lu Yuzhou, he would have pushed him away the moment he was embraced, not stood there foolishly.

If he didn’t like him, why would he always defend him?

The question of whether he liked Lu Yuzhou had long lingered vaguely in Chi Zhongqiao’s mind. But he was more reserved than Lu Yuzhou, and if he felt it was inappropriate, he could pretend not to notice.

Yet affection cannot be concealed. His words and actions often crossed the boundaries of familial affection.

Chi Zhongqiao smiled, turned around, and cupped Lu Yuzhou’s face, his affection for the younger man always overflowing.

“Wait until you’ve met more people,” Chi Zhongqiao murmured softly, “before making your choice.”

Perhaps because of his greater age, Chi Zhongqiao always wanted to leave Lu Yuzhou ample room to maneuver, allowing him to advance or retreat with ease at any moment.

As for the true nature of Lu Yuzhou’s feelings for him, even Lu Yuzhou himself might not fully understand them.

In his twenty years, Lu Yuzhou had never encountered anyone else who treated him so well and spent so much time with him. His attachment to Chi Zhongqiao might simply be excessive dependence.

You don’t really like me, Chi Zhongqiao sighed softly.

Cupping Lu Yuzhou’s face, Chi Zhongqiao said, “Alright, go to sleep now.”

Lu Yuzhou persisted, “Brother Qiao, do you like me?”

Chi Zhongqiao paused. “…Yes, I do.”

After coaxing Lu Yuzhou to sleep, Chi Zhongqiao slowly closed the door.

He stood in the doorway for a while, his mind filled with Lu Yuzhou’s words: “I like you.”

Chi Zhongqiao slipped into the bedroom, packed his luggage, and managed only a fitful nap, waking up repeatedly. Before dawn, he was already at the airport.

No matter what, he couldn’t remain indifferent any longer. It was best to hide for now.

At 8:15 AM, Chi Zhongqiao arrived alone at the hotel arranged by the production team of <The Secret to Getting Rich Quick>. After a restless night and a draining flight, he fell asleep almost immediately.

Zhong Yin, who had been waiting to pick him up that morning, panicked when he couldn’t reach Chi Zhongqiao. He frantically called several times before finally waking him up. “Brother Qiao, where are you?”

Chi Zhongqiao stared blankly at the bright sun outside the window, momentarily disoriented. After a long pause, he rubbed his temples and said, “Sorry, I misread the time this morning and went to the airport. Not wanting to wait, I rebooked my flight. I’m already in Xiazhou.”

Zhong Yin’s heart sank back into his chest. “That’s good… Brother Qiao, why didn’t you call me?”

Chi Zhongqiao’s mind had been in complete chaos the night before. The fact that he’d even remembered to run was a miracle; how could he possibly have remembered to bring Zhong Yin along?

“Come over now, then. I’m at the Yuanhe Hotel. No rush—filming doesn’t start until tomorrow.”

The guests were meeting up this afternoon, assistants weren’t necessary.

Zhong Yin: “Okay, Brother Qiao, wait for me!”

He hung up, but hesitated to leave, steeling himself to face Lu Yuzhou.

Lu Yuzhou, who had been listening for some time, was staring blankly in one direction, his expression unreadable.

Zhong Yin followed his gaze and realized Lu Yuzhou was staring at the crystal ball on the table. Anxious to find Chi Zhongqiao, he couldn’t wait for Lu Yuzhou to snap out of his trance. He stammered, “President Lu…”

Lu Yuzhou withdrew his gaze. “Go ahead.”

Zhong Yin felt like he’d been granted a pardon.

As he reached the door, he heard Lu Yuzhou’s voice:

“Book a flight to Xiazhou for this afternoon.”

The person on the other end said something, but Lu Yuzhou cut them off sharply: “Deal with urgent matters now. Cancel anything unnecessary.”

Zhong Yin quietly closed the door, his mind racing: Brother Qiao and President Lu must have had a fight. Is that why Brother Qiao ran away from home?

No, I have to warn Brother Qiao!