The grand opening of the pet hospital concluded with the "disappearance of the receptionist."
Jin Yan, thoughtfully choosing not to disturb them, set off with Zhou Shu and Jiang Rong to inspect the Animal Protection Association.
Distressed by how busy Jin Yan had been all day, Zhou Shu took the initiative to act as the driver. Jin Yan tried to stop him, but a single sharp look from his "older brother" forced him to back down.
And so, on the road, Jiang Rong sat in the back, his small hands restlessly gripping the back of the driver’s seat as he peered forward.
"What are you fidgeting for?" Jin Yan asked, finding Jiang Rong’s internal excitement amusing.
"Oh man, I still feel like I’m dreaming!" Jiang Rong pinched himself and hissed in pain. "But it’s real! The Movie King is actually, right now, *at this moment*, my driver!"
The two in the front couldn't help but chuckle at Jiang Rong’s antics. He gave a silly grin and continued to ramble, "The Movie King is clearly so nice and approachable. I really don't know why those people outside talk so much nonsense!"
Zhou Shu smiled. "It’s fine. I don’t mind."
"And another thing! Your studio already issued an official clarification, so why are people still obsessively shipping you with others? I mean, whatever, some people just ship for their own fun. But the problem is those people who took secret photos and started rumors later! It makes me so mad! I feel so bad for you and Senior Brother!"
Jiang Rong clenched his small fists and indignantly thumped the seat twice.
"I thought you said you were just a casual fan?" Jin Yan spoke up from the front, his tone suggesting he was in a fairly good mood.
"Senior Brother! Give me some face..." He whimpered pathetically and sighed. "Actually, I only started seriously scrolling through Senior Sister-in-law’s old trending topics these past few days. Some were okay, but some were enough to make a person explode with rage!"
"There's no need to be angry. In this industry, everyone stands at the center of the storm," Zhou Shu said calmly, his gaze soft. "Sit back properly. Be careful not to hit the seat if I have to brake suddenly."
Jiang Rong’s nose crinkled at Zhou Shu’s gentleness. "Sigh, Movie King... no, Senior Sister-in-law! You’re way too nice. You’re nothing like how you seem on the surface. I really want to start an alt account just to argue with those trolls! It makes me so mad just looking at it!"
"Don't waste your time on those people," Zhou Shu comforted him instead. "Just let nature take its course."
"Wow..." Jiang Rong had officially become Zhou Shu’s number one fan. He peeked half his face out from behind the seat and marveled, "You two are a perfect match with how chill and carefree you both are!"
Jin Yan, the "carefree" half of the perfect match, tilted his head slightly and let a secret smile curl his lips. "I get angry too. I want to start an alt account as well."
Jiang Rong: "?"
*Huh? What’s wrong with our boss? Has he been possessed?*
The cute little Omega in the back rubbed his ears, wondering if he was hallucinating.
Then he heard the "driver" in the front seat chuckle softly, his voice laced with indulgence. "That’s enough. You’re teasing me again."
"I’m clearly just worried about you." The words should have sounded like flirting, but the speaker’s tone was so steady and calm that it sounded as if he were saying, "I just took an aspirin."
Then, while waiting at a red light, the person in the driver’s seat cast a casual glance sideways.
Jiang Rong saw it—they were having a silent, meaningful exchange of looks!
Feeling mentally exhausted, he tore open a piece of chocolate and stuffed it into his mouth with a loud *nom*.
As he chewed vigorously, bitter tears of "sourness" fell.
*Heavens! What did I do wrong to be fed dog food by my Enigma boss and a top-tier Alpha Movie King?!*
*And it’s two servings of dog food in one day! I just had a bowl back at the hospital...*
Jiang Rong sighed helplessly in his heart. By the time he snapped out of it, they had arrived at the Animal Protection Association.
He hopped out of the car with his short legs, desperate to get away from the PDA, and was the first to dash through the gates of the association.
Following him was Jin Yan, walking with a composed stride in his metal-rimmed glasses, and the Movie King, who was bundled up in a mask and sunglasses.
As the three approached the main entrance, the President—who had spoken with Goofy on the phone yesterday—met them at the door.
She enthusiastically introduced the responsibilities of the association and their facilities, especially the adoption system. They had a strict vetting process; only when an adopter met the criteria could they apply, and a certificate would be issued upon a successful adoption. As for the animals that weren't adopted, they were well-cared for here. The government and foundations covered all costs, and they frequently received donations from kind-hearted people across the country.
After a thorough briefing, Jin Yan reached an agreement with the President. In the future, stray animals received by the hospital would be sent here, and the pet hospital would provide full vaccinations and hygienic care.
Everything went smoothly. After Jin Yan expressed his thanks, the three prepared to leave. It was only then that the President noticed the dark figure who had been trying to remain inconspicuous.
"Wait! Are you... are you Zhou Shu?!" the President suddenly lunged forward with a scream.
The three of them were stunned.
Judging by her level of excitement, she was almost certainly a fan. Zhou Shu hadn't expected to run into a "true love" fan here, so his smile carried a hint of awkwardness.
"Hello. Yes, I am."
"AHHH!!!"
Another scream. Jiang Rong, standing nearby, jumped in fright.
Fortunately, the other staff members of the association had already finished work; otherwise, this might have turned into an impromptu fan meeting.
"Movie King! I... I really like you so much!" The President was incoherent with excitement. "Oh my god, I actually met the Movie King in Haicheng! And in our association!"
After a moment of solitary excitement, a thought occurred to her, and her gaze drifted toward Jin Yan.
Jin Yan, sensing the situation and wanting to avoid unnecessary trouble, took the initiative to explain, "Zhou Shu is my brother."
"AHHH!!!"
Yet another scream. Jiang Rong was getting used to it.
Beside him, Zhou Shu turned his head, his eyes behind the sunglasses looking at Jin Yan with a playful, teasing glint.
Jin Yan pressed his lips together, deliberately avoiding his gaze, and simply helped him out. "President, we’ll be troubling you a lot in the future. We’ll be heading out now."
"Wait!" She grew anxious and hurried to stop them. "Um... Movie King, could I trouble you for an autograph? No need for a photo! Just an autograph is fine..."
Seeing the fan’s pleading tone, Zhou Shu nodded.
The President immediately "zoomed" off to get paper and a pen. Jin Yan raised an eyebrow slightly at him, though his outward appearance remained that of a steady, abstinent professional, his expression unchanging.
The beauty mark under Zhou Shu’s lip twitched imperceptibly before his fan’s spirit summoned him back to reality.
"Movie King! Please!!!" The President tremblingly handed over the paper and pen. Jin Yan silently turned around, facing the door.
Zhou Shu nodded and took them, seriously signing his name. The President took it back excitedly, her eyes refusing to look away from him.
"Ahem, ahem..." Jiang Rong coughed twice to help her snap out of it.
"Ah! Sorry, I’m just too excited. The Movie King is even more handsome in person! And so nice!" She remained restless for a moment before cautiously taking a step forward. "Um... Movie King, can I ask you a question?"
Zhou Shu took half a step back and nodded to her.
"Ah, it’s... it’s..." The fan’s tone was hesitant. Zhou Shu looked puzzled. After muttering for a long time, she squeezed out a question as if she were facing death itself. "I want to know... are you and Duan Xingyi really a thing?!"
"..."
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!!!" Jiang Rong was shocked. He couldn't listen anymore; he nearly coughed up blood.
He glanced to the side and saw that Jin Yan was standing with his back to them, facing the door, his expression hidden.
Zhou Shu’s eyes flickered for a split second before he cleared his throat unnaturally. "No, we are just friends." He paused, then added, "I already have a lover."
As soon as those words were spoken, both the President and Jiang Rong’s eyes widened to the size of saucers.
The President was utterly shocked. As a "Rouge Girl," not only had her ship "sunk," but she had just stumbled upon a massive scoop directly from the Movie King! Was this the legendary "double holiday" where New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day fell on the same day?!
Jiang Rong, on the other hand, couldn't believe that anyone still used the term "lover" these days. He looked at Zhou Shu’s "lover" and let out a small sigh, hoping that there wouldn't be a bloodbath when they got back to the car. A cute little Omega like him wouldn't be able to handle it.
Fortunately, the President was a rational fan. She digested the official announcement in a short time, offered her blessings, and stated she would continue to support him.
Zhou Shu thanked her gratefully and walked out of the association’s doors ahead of the others at top speed. His pace and silhouette had the air of a "deliberately composed" escape.
Jin Yan felt as if the breeze from Zhou Shu’s departure had tickled his heart. He pressed down a smile and politely bid the President goodbye.
After getting into the car, the atmosphere in the cabin was stagnant for a few seconds.
But after those few seconds, a soft chuckle broke the silence.
Zhou Shu narrowed his eyes and looked sideways. Jin Yan coughed twice on purpose.
Considering Jiang Rong was still in the car, Jin Yan couldn't settle old scores immediately. He had to give his "older brother" enough face in public.
And so, the two remained silent, but they continued to confront each other with their eyes and lip-reading.
Jin Yan: *Friends.*
Zhou Shu poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue.
Jin Yan: *Lover.*
Zhou Shu pressed his lips together and squinted at him.
"Ahem!" Someone in the back seat broke the tension. "Um... Senior Brother, Senior Sister-in-law, I really don't want to interrupt your flirting, but... I’m a little hungry. I just wanted to ask, are we going to eat together before going back?"
The two in the front finally restrained themselves. Zhou Shu coughed awkwardly, while a soft laugh escaped Jin Yan’s nose.
"What do you think? Shall we go eat, *lover*?"
Zhou Shu took a sharp breath and said coldly, "We’ll settle this when we get home."
Then, he asked Jiang Rong where he wanted to eat and started the car.
Jiang Rong gave a random answer and then patted his racing heart in lingering fear.
*Sigh, too scary. It looks like tonight will be another bloodbath for these two.*
*I hope Boss remembers to wear a turtleneck when he comes to work tomorrow...*
***
