Chapter Twenty-Two: Just as the feelings were coming, you interrupted me?
After dinner, Chen Fang and Pang Tong wandered aimlessly outside for quite some time.
“Fatty, you go home first,” Chen Fang said.
Pang Tong paused for a moment, “You got something to do?”
“Yeah, I need to meet someone. I’ll be back late, maybe not at all tonight.” Chen Fang worried Pang Tong might feel left out, so he didn’t say who he was meeting.
Pang Tong didn’t think much of it. Either way, whether Chen Fang was home or not, it made no difference to him—he’d just spend the evening scrolling through short videos.
After Pang Tong left, Chen Fang made his way back to the competition venue, arriving just as the event was wrapping up.
Tonight, there were thirty contestants in total. Twelve would advance, eighteen would be eliminated.
Ji Mei had explained the selection process: there were three rounds in total. The first round was the public audition, whittling down thousands of applicants to a manageable group. The second round would select the best among the thirty remaining. The third and final round would determine which five contestants would enter the official show.
So, among the twelve who advanced tonight, seven more would have to be eliminated. The process was brutal.
Chen Fang didn’t enter the venue. Inside, he could hear the host delivering the closing remarks, and the audience slowly began to leave their seats.
He waited a while longer, then called Ji Mei, “I’m outside waiting for you. How much longer will you be?”
“I’ll need a little while yet,” Ji Mei responded, her voice gentle. “Go to my place first, the door code is 932571.”
So trusting? Then from now on, your home might as well be mine!
Chen Fang agreed, reminded Ji Mei to take care of herself and not overwork, then hailed a ride to her place.
Arriving at Ji Mei’s apartment, he considered, “Should I make her something to eat?”
Ji Mei had been busy all evening; she definitely hadn’t eaten. But next moment, Chen Fang could only shrug helplessly. He knew nothing about cooking—better not wreak havoc in the kitchen.
After all, Ji Mei had worked all day; expecting her to cook now seemed hardly fair.
After some thought, Chen Fang ordered a pile of takeout.
He didn’t know how much time passed. The food arrived long ago, and had even cooled off, before the door finally unlocked. Ji Mei entered, weary, slipping off her heels, a few strands of hair falling loosely across her face.
Something stirred in Chen Fang—a pang of concern.
“Haven’t eaten yet? I’ll make something for you,” Ji Mei said, thinking Chen Fang hadn’t had dinner and heading toward the kitchen.
Chen Fang stepped forward, took her hand, and led her to the dining table, speaking softly, “I’ve already eaten. You should eat while it’s still good.”
Ji Mei looked at the spread on the table. Though it wasn’t steaming hot, she was still delighted, “Did you make these?”
Chen Fang: …
“Ahem, I ordered them,” he answered truthfully.
With other women, Chen Fang might have claimed credit for the cooking—after all, a scoundrel never misses a chance to boost favor. But Ji Mei was different.
He didn’t want to lie to her.
Ji Mei wasn’t disappointed; her smile remained bright, “Thank you.”
Chen Fang gazed at Ji Mei, his eyes gentle. Oh no, he might actually be falling for this woman.
Something wasn’t right.
After years of drifting among flowers, Chen Fang was actually entertaining thoughts of settling down.
Ji Mei ate very little, and since Chen Fang had ordered so much, most of the food went uneaten and into the fridge.
“I’m going to shower,” Ji Mei said, her eyes limpid as water, leaning in to kiss Chen Fang lightly on the cheek.
“You sang well tonight. That’s your reward.”
After saying so, Ji Mei hopped toward the bathroom.
Chen Fang chuckled softly. Though he was five years younger than her, it felt as if their roles were reversed: he was the adult, Ji Mei the child.
No—wait.
Chen Fang shook his head. Minor’s rights! He couldn’t think of Ji Mei as a child, or else it felt too wicked.
Midnight was approaching. Truth be told, tonight’s program had run unusually long. With only thirty contestants, it should have taken four or five hours at most, yet when Ji Mei finally returned home, it was already past eleven.
The sound of water drifted from the bathroom. Chen Fang fetched a bottle of wine and two glasses from the cabinet.
A few minutes later, midnight struck.
Chen Fang sat on the sofa, sipping red wine, and said in his mind, “System, open the box.”
“Opening the box.”
“Congratulations, host, you have received one bottle of Strengthening Elixir.”
Chen Fang paused, taken aback.
Well, well! Looks like tonight is going to be wild.
The effects of two bottles claimed ‘never tire.’ Chen Fang looked at the tiny vial in his hand, “System, if I drink two bottles, will I really never tire?”
“No,” the system replied.
Chen Fang: ?
That’s false advertising!
He was about to scold the system, when it spoke up, “Rest assured, host. While some effects are exaggerated, one thing is true: you will never suffer from kidney weakness.”
Chen Fang’s rebuke caught in his throat.
After a moment, he spoke, “I’ll let it slide this time. Next time, be more careful.”
Gulp!
He drank it down in one go. As always, it was tasteless.
Suddenly, Chen Fang thought of something.
“System.”
“If someone else drinks this, will they experience the same effect?”
“The effect is identical. However, the host can use the item unlimited times, while others may use it only three times.”
Nice!
A host’s privilege—Chen Fang felt it keenly.
Next time he received a Strengthening Elixir, he could give one to Ji Mei.
The effects would take time to manifest.
This time, Chen Fang felt his body changing.
His height seemed to increase again.
His muscles became more defined and prominent.
At this point, Chen Fang’s physique could easily qualify him as a gym trainer.
“System, open the attribute panel.”
【Host: Chen Fang】
【Identity: Short Video Influencer】
【Appearance: 98】
【Charisma: 92】
【Physique: 94】
【Daily treasure box already dispatched】
【Items: None】
【Overall evaluation: An internet singer eager to never suffer kidney weakness】
Everything seemed normal except for the overall evaluation.
“What’s with that comment? That’s slander!” Chen Fang protested.
“Are you a singer?” the system asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you an influencer?”
“...Yes.”
“Do you wish to suffer kidney weakness?”
“...No.”
“So, host, my evaluation is entirely accurate.”
Fine!
You win!
Chen Fang decided to let it go.
At that moment, the bathroom door opened.
He expected Ji Mei to emerge in a bathrobe, but she was still in her professional outfit, even wearing the same stockings.
“Why didn’t you change into a bathrobe?” Chen Fang stood up.
Ji Mei blushed, “Didn’t you say you liked this look?”
Chen Fang was stunned. He’d only joked about it, but Ji Mei had remembered.
He walked over, looked her up and down, gently drew her into his arms, and whispered into her burning ear, “No matter what you wear, I like it.”
Of course.
Not wearing anything is best.
In an instant, Ji Mei became soft and pliant, pressing close to Chen Fang’s chest.
The living room’s lighting was dim, set for a moody atmosphere. Their eyes met, the air thickening with heat. Looking down at Ji Mei’s flushed lips, Chen Fang felt parched—it had been so long since he’d touched a woman, he could barely contain himself.
Ji Mei, too, slid her arms around his neck, the softness of her chest pressing against him, making his composure crumble.
Just as the volcano was about to erupt, Chen Fang’s phone rang in his pocket.
The moment froze.
Ji Mei snapped back to herself, cheeks blazing, and whispered, “You should answer.”
Chen Fang gently stroked her hair, then took out his phone. His features hardened as he glanced at the caller ID. He pressed the answer button forcefully, “Fatty, if you don’t give me a good explanation today, tomorrow I’ll put you on a strict diet.”
The mood had soared, only to be interrupted.
It was like watching a video, reaching the critical moment, and the stream starts buffering—what’s the difference?!