The Delicate Cannon Fodder Is Coveted By Her Ex-Husband In The Love Show Chapter 14
byChapter 14 The New Male Guest
Chapter Fourteen
Inside the villa.
Pei Huaixue lay on the soft sofa in the living room, his pair of straight, slender legs occupying most of the long couch. He wasn’t wearing socks, and his fair, delicate toes were slightly curled, swaying gently in the air.
There was a distinct red mark on his tender right ankle—the trace left from when he sprained his foot on the beach earlier.
“Brother Chen, are you done?”
Pei Huaixue frowned slightly. He wondered why it was taking Gu Yanchen so long to fetch the medicine upstairs.
A soft, lazy hum escaped his throat, intermittent and alluring, scratching at people’s hearts like a kitten’s paw.
Netizens in the live stream couldn’t handle the sound.
-Why is he sighing again? Gu Yanchen isn’t even here. Who is he sighing for?
-He hasn’t even applied the medicine yet, and he’s already making those indecent noises. If he actually applies it, won’t the live stream get banned?
-But I have to admit, he’s got me hooked. I’m going to record this and set it as my alarm!
-I’m so annoyed by him, clinging to Gu Yanchen again!
After what felt like an eternity, just as Pei Huaixue was waiting listlessly, movement finally sounded behind him.
Footsteps approached, coming closer.
Was Gu Yanchen back?
Pei Huaixue seized the opportunity and weakly lifted his right foot. “Brother Chen, please help me apply the medicine. I don’t have the strength.”
He had just sent a message to Su Jin, who should be returning soon.
“Alright, I’ll help you apply the medicine.”
Pei Huaixue had expected to put in some effort before Gu Yanchen agreed, so he was stunned that the person consented so easily. Suddenly, he felt something was wrong—that voice… it wasn’t Gu Yanchen!
He abruptly sat up and turned to look at the person approaching him.
He saw Zhou Jingyuan staring at him with a look of infatuation, his hands reaching out toward Pei Huaixue’s legs. A wave of disgust washed over Pei Huaixue. He quickly pulled his legs back and prepared to stand up and leave.
Zhou Jingyuan blocked his path. “Pei Huaixue, didn’t you ask me to help you apply the medicine?”
“I never asked for your help. Get lost.” Pei Huaixue’s face turned cold. He joined the dating show to complete his mission, not to let irrelevant people take advantage of him.
Zhou Jingyuan wasn’t annoyed; he reached out to grab Pei Huaixue’s sleeve.
“I know you’re angry about this morning, right? You like me, and you even texted me last night. I know all this, so don’t be mad. I apologize for this morning, but you really shouldn’t be so lazy. If you marry into our Zhou family later, you’ll have to do all the chores. Anyway, as a servant’s son, you should be quite handy with this sort of thing…”
Pei Huaixue quickly dodged him, his face flushing red with anger upon hearing those words.
“Who texted you? Can you stop being so self-absorbed? And when did I ever say I was going to marry you?”
The more he spoke, the more ridiculous Pei Huaixue found this. What puzzled him most was how Zhou Jingyuan knew about his family situation.
Since his mother became a maid at the Gu family when Pei Huaixue was six, he had lived with her at the Gu Family Estate.
Everyone in the Gu family treated him well, especially Gu Minghe.
They attended elementary, middle, high school, and university together, never separating. Every day, he rode the Gu family car to school with Gu Minghe. The surrounding classmates all thought he was a young master from some wealthy family; no one knew he was actually the son of a maid. Everyone was friendly to him, and with Gu Minghe around, no one dared to bully him.
Gradually, he forgot his origins, feeling as if he was born a pampered, delicate young master, until this moment, when he suddenly heard the contemptuous phrase “servant’s son” from Zhou Jingyuan.
He trembled uncontrollably with rage.
His eyes red, he glared at Zhou Jingyuan. “So what if I’m a servant’s son? I haven’t committed any crimes. My mother earned money honestly to raise me. I never felt my background made me ashamed to face people. You don’t need to act superior in front of me. Who do you think you are?”
In everyone’s eyes, Pei Huaixue had always been a delicate, soft, harmless little rabbit. Yet, at this moment, he rarely dropped his fragile disguise, sharply retorting against Zhou Jingyuan. Zhou Jingyuan’s face fell, and just as he was about to lash out, Xia Mu’s voice came from behind.
“What are you two doing?”
Xia Mu looked at Zhou Jingyuan’s hand, which was trying to grab Pei Huaixue’s wrist, and a look of hurt flashed in his eyes. “Brother Zhou, so you two… then I won’t interrupt…”
With that, he suddenly burst into tears, turned, and ran away.
Zhou Jingyuan froze for a second.
He actually shoved Pei Huaixue aside and sprinted after Xia Mu.
“Mumu…”
A gust of wind swept past Pei Huaixue. A ridiculous emotion rose in his heart. What just happened?
Is Zhou Jingyuan insane?!
The live stream audience was also dumbfounded by this scene.
-What’s going on? Is this a love triangle between Zhou Jingyuan, Pei Huaixue, and Xia Mu?
-Was the text message Zhou Jingyuan got last night really from Pei Huaixue? Judging by Pei Huaixue’s reaction, I don’t think so.
-Haha, Pei Huaixue’s attempt to hook a man backfired! He didn’t hook Gu Yanchen, but he hooked Zhou Jingyuan! I’m dying of laughter!
-Zhou Jingyuan is so condescending! Is this scripted or his real personality? Where did the production team find such a traditional, patronizing man?
-So Xia Mu likes Zhou Jingyuan.
-I have to say, what Pei Huaixue just said was quite right. What’s wrong with being a maid’s child? Why should we mock his background? We aren’t rich either; we’re just cogs in society!
-We’re never mocking his background; we’re mocking him for pretending to be rich! He lies and deceives people. Why should someone like that be admired by the public?!
-Exactly! He lies without batting an eye. He’s clearly a manipulative boy. Was he deliberately saying those things in front of the camera to gain sympathy? He’s such a green tea; how can Su Jin compete with him?
Thus, the comments cycled back to criticizing Pei Huaixue.
Even those who spoke up for him were quickly drowned out by the overwhelming volume of opposing comments.
A netizen in the live stream with the ID “Mrs. Gu” replied: The Gu family hasn’t looked down on Pei Huaixue, so who are you to look down on him here? How do you know Pei Huaixue won’t marry into the Gu family? Wealthy Families aren’t as harsh as you imagine!
However, this comment was quickly submerged in the flood of comments, disappearing without a trace.
Zhong Manzhu was so angry watching the live stream comments that she felt like spitting blood.
Why do these netizens always target and scold Xiao Xue?
Are they jealous that her daughter-in-law is too beautiful?
Or is it because Xiao Xue is too close to Yanchen that he’s attracting criticism?
But they are relatives, after all. It’s only right for Yanchen, as the Elder Brother, to look after Xiao Xue while they are on the same show. As long as they don’t go too far, Zhong Manzhu can accept it.
“I don’t know what Yanchen is doing, taking so long to get the medicine. Xiao Xue was almost bullied by that Zhou Jingyuan. That guy, surnamed Zhou, is so ordinary yet so confident! How did the production team choose people?” Zhong Manzhu complained indignantly.
Not long after Zhou Jingyuan chased after Xia Mu, Gu Yanchen finally arrived, belatedly.
“Sorry, it took a long time to find this medicine.” Gu Yanchen walked up to Pei Huaixue and frowned when he saw him standing blankly instead of sitting on the sofa. “Didn’t you hurt your foot? Why aren’t you sitting down and resting properly?”
Pei Huaixue snapped back to reality. Remembering his unfinished mission, he had no choice but to suppress the hurt in his heart.
Gu Yanchen wasn’t Gu Minghe. There was no need to show his grievances and sadness to others, because he knew only Gu Minghe would truly care for him.
Gu Yanchen handed him the medicine. “Take it and apply it.”
Pei Huaixue held the medicine in his hand, his peripheral vision catching Su Jin’s figure about to appear at the doorway. He said pitifully to Gu Yanchen, “Brother Chen, could you help me apply the medicine?”
Gu Yanchen shook his head. “You hurt your foot, not your hand. Just apply it yourself.”
He glanced at his wristwatch. “They should be almost done with volleyball. I’ll go pick up Su Jin.”
As he turned to leave, Pei Huaixue seized the moment and leaned into Gu Yanchen. Gu Yanchen instinctively reached out to steady him, and this exact scene was witnessed by Su Jin, who had just walked in.
Seeing Su Jin’s stunned expression, a smile curved on Pei Huaixue’s lips.
This was the person he wanted to manipulate, not those two fools, Zhou Jingyuan and Xia Mu.
Gu Yanchen saw Su Jin and quickly let go of Pei Huaixue.
Pei Huaixue, losing his balance, tumbled back onto the sofa.
Su Jin, however, didn’t run away like Xia Mu. Instead, he walked forward and asked about Pei Huaixue’s injury with concern.
If it weren’t for the constant Points notifications ringing in his mind, Pei Huaixue might have actually believed Su Jin didn’t care.
His face flushed, he said coyly, “I’m fine. With Brother Chen taking care of me, how could I be hurt?”
Su Jin’s concerned expression stiffened, and the smile on his lips almost faltered.
“That’s good. It’s good that you’re okay.”
Gu Yanchen, however, pulled Su Jin closer to himself, dissatisfied. “Why don’t you ever worry about me?”
Su Jin looked slightly bewildered.
“Wasn’t Xiao Xue the one who got hurt? Are you hurt too?”
Gu Yanchen smiled. “Do I have to be hurt to get your attention?”
He gazed at Su Jin, and Su Jin gazed back at Gu Yanchen. An atmosphere of ambiguity flowed between them, and they clearly forgot about Pei Huaixue’s existence.
Having completed his mission, Pei Huaixue didn’t bother them. He quietly took the ointment and limped upstairs, leaving the space to the two protagonists.
The Shippers in the live stream all expressed how much they loved the interaction, and the comments were filled with pink hearts.
No one cared whether Pei Huaixue’s foot injury was actually better.
That evening before dinner, everyone sat in the living room to discuss the division of household chores for the month.
It was decided by drawing lots: two people per group, with each group taking turns for one day to handle the cleaning and cooking.
The drawing results were perfectly in line with the laws of the novel world: the two protagonists always drew the same group.
Xia Mu was paired with Zhou Jingyuan, and Jiang Leran with Shen Zhimian.
Only Pei Huaixue was left out.
Xia Mu lightly coughed. “Well, there’s no helping it. Pei Huaixue, you’ll have to do the chores alone. But that should be easy for you, right?”
Pei Huaixue bit his lip.
When he went back to his room to apply the medicine that afternoon, he finally had time to check the Trending Search. Only then did he realize his background had been exposed online, and he was being mocked by a crowd of people.
Everyone laughed at him for being a liar, for pretending to be rich, and called him a “poser.”
Pei Huaixue watched until tears streamed down his face.
He wiped his eyes, thinking that he wasn’t pretending. He might not have money, but his Husband did. Why shouldn’t he spend his Husband’s money?
He wasn’t a liar.
Hearing Xia Mu’s veiled sarcasm now, he didn’t want to show weakness. He flashed a dazzlingly beautiful smile. “Fine, it’s quieter alone anyway.”
Su Jin leaned close to Pei Huaixue and whispered, “Don’t worry, Yanchen and I will help you then.”
Pei Huaixue’s heart softened, and he almost wanted to cry again.
“Brother Su Jin, you’re so kind to me.”
Wuwu.
I’m sorry, you treat me so well, but I still have to hurt you.
According to the division of labor, Jiang Leran and Shen Zhimian were responsible for cooking that night.
During dinner, Xia Mu and Zhou Jingyuan exchanged meaningful glances, clearly indicating that the afternoon’s incident had caused their relationship to advance rapidly.
In the live stream that followed the two of them, the video had a playback.
After catching up to Xia Mu, Zhou Jingyuan explained that Pei Huaixue was deliberately seducing him, and he had sternly rejected him, but the other party kept clinging to him. He angrily denounced Pei Huaixue as a seductive vixen, but claimed he was a true gentleman and was not misled by Pei Huaixue’s beauty.
Only after hearing this did Xia Mu stop crying and told Zhou Jingyuan that he was the one who sent the text message last night.
Zhou Jingyuan’s face instantly froze.
Soon after, he held Xia Mu’s hand, looking deeply moved.
Netizens in the live stream were once again thrilled by the pairing.
-Zhou Jingyuan has seen the light and knows who truly likes him!
-Xia Mu has it so tough. Last night, he sent the text but waited endlessly for a reply. I felt bad seeing how dejected he was. Thankfully, Zhou Jingyuan finally noticed him!
-Pei Huaixue must be dumbfounded. His devoted follower was snatched away by Xia Mu, hahaha.
-Pei Huaixue is always deliberately seducing men. Gu Yanchen isn’t enough; he won’t even spare Zhou Jingyuan and Jiang Leran. Luckily, they aren’t blind.
-It’s no wonder Zhou Jingyuan blamed Pei Huaixue for everything just now. Who told him to expose his legs and sigh non-stop? What is that if not seduction? Don’t blame Zhou Jingyuan!
-Su Jin is so good to Pei Huaixue, yet Pei Huaixue is always competing with him. This afternoon, he even threw himself into Gu Yanchen’s arms right in front of Su Jin. I saw Su Jin’s face change!
-Does he think he can manipulate everyone? I can’t wait to see his embarrassed face when he doesn’t receive a single text message!
That night, just as the netizens predicted, Pei Huaixue did not receive a single text message.
For the next few days, no one voted for Pei Huaixue.
Pei Huaixue didn’t seem to mind, focusing only on sending text messages to Gu Yanchen every day.
Netizens, seeing that no one was voting for him, expressed their delight and mocked Pei Huaixue for pretending to be strong and putting on an act again.
As the show gained popularity, the criticism against Pei Huaixue online continued unabated, even extending to people associated with him.
Xu Ran, Pei Huaixue’s mutual follower on the Douyin platform, belonged to the same MCN Agency. They often interacted on Douyin and posted collaborative videos.
In the past few days, as Pei Huaixue became more popular, people constantly went to Xu Ran’s Douyin account to curse him.
They claimed that since he associated with Pei Huaixue, he must also be a green tea.
Xu Ran lost countless followers in those few days.
Finally, he couldn’t hold back and posted a Douyin video clarifying: “Pei Huaixue and I are just ordinary colleagues. Since we belong to the same company, we post collaborative videos as required by our manager, but that doesn’t mean we are good friends. Pei Huaixue’s values do not represent mine. Please don’t compare me to him, thank you!”
Afterward, he unfollowed Pei Huaixue.
He quickly posted a video interacting with a major influencer from Xingyue Agency.
This major influencer was named Dai Xiaotao, and she and Pei Huaixue were usually at odds, often exchanging sharp words when they met at the company.
Now, Xu Ran and Dai Xiaotao had become good friends.
Seeing Xu Ran abandon the dark side and embrace the light, people stopped their online attacks. Xu Ran leveraged this wave of traffic, not only recovering his lost followers but gaining even more than before.
Just as the online debate surrounding Pei Huaixue was raging, the production team of “Let’s Fall in Love!” released a new update.
It announced that a new male guest would soon join the Heartbeat Cabin. Everyone was invited to guess who it was.
They provided three keywords: “Top Star,” “Aloof,” and “Brother and Sister-in-law.”