PMWAIAAPM Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Kidding? Am I Clingy? A Tale of Fantasy

In the city center, skyscrapers stand tall, and the layered ring road spirals like a heavenly dragon.

A large crowd gathered outside the Huaxing Mall, making it impossible for photographers carrying massive cameras to squeeze in. The first floor was packed, with people three layers deep inside and outside, leading to police officers managing the order along the entire commercial street.

“Who is it that’s come? Why are there so many people on the commercial street today?”

“Tan Zhiyu! Tan Zhiyu! The actor who played the killer in 【Death Trap】, Tan Zhiyu!! Super handsome!”

The girl pointed at the massive screen on the building, saying, “That’s him! He’s here!”

The alpha, dressed in a bandaged desert wasteland style, has a stunning face that remains handsome even on the exaggerated advertising screen, without a hint of distortion. His glowing white skin contrasts with his deep green eyes, resembling a divine child cursed with beauty by the ancestors of Egyptian pharaohs.

The older sister took out her phone, curious, and followed the crowd inside. The downtown commercial street had never been this congested; she also wanted to see if he really looked this handsome in person.

“Even if we get in, we can only take photos outside with the billboard. The ticket prices inside have skyrocketed, and we can’t buy any!”

“Is it really that crazy?”

“Of course! That’s Tan Zhiyu!”

–

Ding dong—

The staff’s elevator reached the fourth floor. Secretary Song quietly entered with a bucket of popcorn behind General Xing: “General Xing, would you like some?”

The sea of people outside startled Song Tian. After they drove into the mall’s garage, Song Tian knew that General Xing must be incredibly capable, as despite the crowd trying to squeeze in outside, there was still a parking space left for them.

He followed General Xing directly up to the fifth floor, where Li Yue personally came to greet them, and the security quickly let them in.

The movie premiere inside hadn’t finished yet, and Xing Yang had bought a bucket of popcorn.

As they took their seats, Song Tian passed a piece of popcorn over: “Would you like to try?”

“I don’t like sweet things,” Xing Yang smiled, letting him eat. The two spoke in low voices, seated in the first row’s interaction area.

The entire movie theater is the largest in the capital, occupying most of the mall’s floor. The ceiling simulated a starry sky, and the projection screen was from imports, boasting excellent clarity. Song Tian sheepishly asked, “Since you don’t like sweet things, why did you buy popcorn?”

Xing Yang chuckled and glanced at him: “Someone likes to eat it.”

At that moment, the smile lines at the corners of the man’s eyes became crescent-shaped, illuminated by the light from the movie screen, making Song Tian feel an inexplicable flutter in his heart. He quickly cast his eyes down, his voice a bit floaty: “Oh…”

Usually, Song Tian worked in the president’s office, and there were very few office workers on that floor. Most of the drinks in the pantry were coffee beans purchased according to General Xing’s taste. He only occasionally drank sweet osmanthus honey tea. Did General Xing notice… that he liked sweets?

Bringing him this far without Secretary Wang…

Song Tian felt increasingly nervous, holding the popcorn bucket in one hand, his other hand inadvertently brushing against General Xing’s pinky finger, feeling hot and shy.

He knew this wasn’t right.

General Xing was many years older than him, and he was also the benefactor who saved his family’s hard plight. Moreover, they shared the same secondary gender, both being omegas…

But somehow, whenever he thought of General Xing being such a gentleman, gentle, and well-built, he couldn’t help but imagine that like him, he too was tortured by his heat cycle every month, and thoughts of procreation instinctively jumped into his mind. Song Tian found it difficult to suppress this excitement.

It seemed that he and General Xing shared the same secondary gender, and imagining General Xing during his heat made it feel like he had peered into something extraordinary.

Was this a commonality between them? When Xing Yang was in heat, would he prefer softer omegas like himself to embrace, or would he like something more vigorous?

Song Tian gazed at the man beside him, who was earnestly watching the movie, his profile sleek and sharp, impeccably dressed in a suit; no one would not be captivated by such a man.

“Is this Tan Zhiyu’s offline premiere?”

Xing Yang nodded: “Yes.”

It was normal for General Xing to invest in Tan Zhiyu’s movie and come to see it on-site.

“I didn’t expect so many people outside.” Xing Yang had always known he was popular but didn’t anticipate it would reach this level. “It seems beauty can sometimes genuinely be a weapon.”

Song Tian bit his lip and took a bite of popcorn, the caramel flavor melting in his mouth. He said hesitantly, “But I think General Xing is more handsome.”

“Eat some popcorn, and your mouth gets sweeter?” Xing Yang chuckled softly.

They arrived a bit late, and as the movie approached its end, the large screen came to a close, and the lights in the hall brightened. Fans in the back row stood up, ready to take photos.

As the main production team all came in, the venue erupted with screams.

Tan Zhiyu, clad in a light blue suit with a European collar design, resembled a royal prince who leaped straight out of the movie before his character turned dark.

Sitting in the front row, they were very close to the production team.

Tan Zhiyu’s gaze swept across the venue, smiling kindly as the host walked to the front to start the questioning process about the audience’s impressions of the film.

Suddenly,

Song Tian noticed Tan Zhiyu’s gaze lingered on him, or more accurately, on them.

The alpha’s eyes flickered between the two of them before finally resting on the bucket of popcorn. Song Tian blinked, nervously refraining from reaching out to grab more, intently chewing what was already in his mouth.

“So, Zhiyu, while filming, did you come across any interesting incidents?” The host asked twice: “Zhiyu?”

“Uh?” Tan Zhiyu came back to his senses: “Sorry, what did you say?”

“Why is Zhiyu staring so blankly? Fixated on the popcorn. Are you hungry? It seems like backstage you’ve been keeping in shape and enduring hunger for the fans,” the host chuckled, smoothing things over.

The on-site meeting was live-streamed across all platforms online.

“Actually, the question that fans and netizens are most interested in is, how do you view true love, Zhiyu? Would you go to any lengths to seek true love like our film’s protagonist? Or do you take a more laid-back approach?”

“In everyone’s eyes, Tan Zhiyu is mostly described as someone who is quiet, dedicated, polite, and handsome. What about privately? In the future, what attitude will you take towards your partner?”

The microphone was passed to Tan Zhiyu, who shrugged: “I’m an alpha, and to be honest, I may disappoint fans when it comes to emotions and love. I am not sensitive when it comes to emotional needs.”

The host gasped: “Looks like we got a big scoop! Zhiyu seems to rarely share details about his private life on social platforms, so when you do have someone in the future, will you be the proactive or clingy type? Or more like the protagonist in our film?”

Tan Zhiyu: “I’m not very clingy, and to be honest, I don’t have much need for emotional matters. Many fans like me, and I’m quite satisfied.”

A wave of disappointment ran through the crowd.

The alpha’s appearance was exceptionally cool, making him seem truly unapproachable, and the comments on the live stream flooded the screen.

[Shit, I knew my husband was a high-altitude flower!]

[Help, he looks both polite and aloof? He has already glanced a few times at the omega in the front row! Does he prefer that kind of soft and delicate type?]

[Zhiyu is so dominant, he must like that type! Can’t imagine who could sleep with my husband; can you please share your feelings online in the future? We can’t even get in on-site, my Zhiyu is exploding worldwide!!]

[Kiss kiss kiss, that man in a suit in the first row looks really familiar. What is he laughing about?]

[Seems like he’s the investment boss rumored to be linked with Jiang Cheng, why is he here too? Is he actually interested in my Zhiyu? No, no, no!!]

The host promptly screenshot the barrage of comments to present to the creative team.

Most questions revolved around Tan Zhiyu.

“Has Zhiyu ever been in a relationship? What are you like in a relationship?” the host asked a palatable question.

A relationship?

He had one, and his husband was sitting in the front row.

Currently sharing popcorn with some little fairy—if it weren’t for a harmonious society, he’d want to dump that bucket of popcorn on Xing Yang’s head!

You said you’d comfort me, why are you sharing it with someone else?

Let you eat! Let you eat! Eat until you burst—ugh, not to burst, get chubby—!!

“I’ve been in one, but this person wasn’t great, always cheating. I forgave again and again, but it just didn’t work out in the end…,” Tan Zhiyu half-smiled, “Perhaps I’m not very clingy in relationships. That’s why it turned out this way.”

He looked hurt, anyone seeing him would feel pity.

Xing Yang had initially been laughing at Tan Zhiyu saying he wasn’t clingy.

But after hearing that line, his smile faltered. Why did it feel like he’d been insulted?

“General Xing, you…” Song Tian leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Are you and Tan Zhiyu very familiar?”

“What’s the matter, do you want an autograph?” Xing Yang asked.

Song Tian shook his head: “It’s just that Mr. Tan keeps looking in our direction. I’m a bit scared; I thought he and General Xing were close…”

Xing Yang chuckled: “Not really that familiar.”

Just a matter of going home together at night and sharing kisses in bed.

The on-site questioning then randomly selected an audience in the front row: “General Xing, may I ask you have invested in Tan Zhiyu’s next project. What do you think after watching this film?”

Xing Yang stood up gracefully, his lips slightly curving: “I believe this was the best decision I’ve ever made. No matter how much I invest in him, it’s worth it.”

Tan Zhiyu shot him a glance, not even bothering to take the microphone, even turning his back coldly.

“Zhiyu… Um, General Xing thinks very highly of you; what do you think?” The host sensed something was off with his mood.

Tan Zhiyu’s gaze assessed Xing Yang and then turned to Song Tian, his expression instantly cold: “Oh, thank you.”

An awkward silence enveloped the venue.

[Is he giving that CEO a cold shoulder?]

[Tan Zhiyu has a real personality; he treats investors like this, and that investor clearly seems like a shrewd man. Is he secretly thinking of some underhanded deal? Tan Zhiyu actually dislikes him this much?]

[Goodness, that boss was rumored to be dating Jiang Cheng just days ago; they were said to be getting engaged. Now he’s at Zhiyu’s event—ah, ah, ah—don’t tell me he’s actually eyeing my little fish!!]

[Heard this type of investment boss plays super rough, if you don’t comply, you’ll get blacklisted!]

[Is my little Zhiyu scared of him? Zhiyu’s background is something he can’t provoke. It’s rumored that they don’t get along on set, Tan Zhiyu probably regrets ever accepting his investment for the project and will continue to be harassed….]

Harassed?

It could be considered that way.

After the interview ended and everyone left, Tan Zhiyu’s manager called him to go downstairs to send him back. There were still many fans waiting outside for him to come out.

As he left the dressing room, Tan Zhiyu passed through the safety passage, where someone suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside.

The next moment, he was enveloped by a warm wooden scent.

The warm, woodsy aroma penetrated every pore of his skin. Tan Zhiyu’s Adam’s apple slid slightly as he was pinned against the wall, the caramel scent of the popcorn exchanged between their mouths.

His mouth felt hot and moist. As their lips touched, Xing Yang held his hand, making Tan Zhiyu feel the protruding bones and tendons on the back of his hand.

This sensation wrapped around him, as if the sound of their kiss magnified infinitely in the corridor…

“Ancestor, still mad?”

Tan Zhiyu was pressed against the wall, his originally smooth and pristine suit now slightly wrinkled at the collar. His gaze was deep, not allowing him to speak before Xing Yang immediately kissed him back like a wild wolf.

He whispered, “I’ll bite you dead—”

In the quiet corridor, only the words “Safety Passage” glowed softly green.

Everyone on this floor had already been cleared out, preparing for Tan Zhiyu’s downstairs fan meeting to establish order.

And at the end of the fire escape, a small gap opened as Xing Yang entered.

His view was blocked by the intense return kiss, heavy and hot.

“Lightly bite…” Xing Yang frowned slightly.

In that tiny gap, Tan Zhiyu squinted one eye, spotting Song Tian standing in place, locking eyes with him through the slit.

He still held the sweet popcorn in his hand.

General Xing said he didn’t like sweet things.

But someone did.

The corner of Tan Zhiyu’s lips curled upward, his expression momentarily radiating pride.

He pressed the man into the corner and disappeared into that gap, his gaze returned to Xing Yang, the door to the safety passage slowly closing, the sounds of their movements exceedingly subtle.

Song Tian stood frozen in place, hugging that bucket of popcorn tightly.

This bucket of popcorn’s sweetness wasn’t prepared for him by General Xing.