Aki Apricot Juvenile - Chapter 13

“Have you ever thought about what would happen if the media found out about you and Jiang Ji? You might not care, but if his career gets ruined because of you, what will you do to make up for it? You should know that for a celebrity, falling in love is already a dangerous thing and he has to go and like you, a man? Do yourself a favor and get out of his life before you drag him down with you. Besides, even if you insist on staying, I doubt this kind of relationship will last long. He’s just playing around with you.”

Five years ago, those harsh words and the slap that followed them shattered all of Qiu Xingyou’s hopes. He’d thought he could hold on, thought he could endure. But when he saw Jiang Ji, trophy in hand, embracing Yan Yue onstage after winning the music award, he finally understood he had always been the extra one.

Five years later, history repeated itself. The relationship between Qiu Xingyou and Jiang Ji was exposed once again. The same reporter who had first discovered their secret could no longer keep quiet. After capturing recent intimate photos of the two, the story exploded on TV, in the papers, across the internet.

“Qiu Xingyou, are you insane? Why did you have to come back, you jinx?”
Slap! Another blow landed, sharp and merciless, just like five years ago Yan Yue’s trademark aggression. And once again, Jiang Ji wasn’t there.

Qiu Xingyou almost laughed at the irony. Why was it that every time he needed Jiang Ji most, he was nowhere to be found?

At that moment, Meng Li, standing nearby, finally lost his patience. He yanked Qiu Xingyou behind him and shoved Yan Yue back. “You crazy woman!” he snapped.

Yan Yue’s face turned crimson with rage, and she stormed out without another word. But she didn’t leave things at that. The very next day, Jiang Ji’s studio rushed to release an official statement claiming that he and Qiu Xingyou were merely collaborating on a BL-themed photo shoot and that their so-called “romance” was nothing more than malicious gossip fabricated by unethical paparazzi.

Qiu Xingyou laughed bitterly. He had once believed the world could be kind to people like them. But who would’ve thought it would turn out like this? Just a short while ago, they were the adored “it” couple idolized and envied. Yet the moment people learned that their love was real, all the affection turned to scorn. Hatred, mockery, contempt, waves upon waves of online abuse.

The world was always like this mercilessly beautiful on the surface, rotten underneath. Humans were too good at pretending; they kept luring people into the same traps, again and again. It was absurd.

To keep up Yan Yue’s lie, Qiu Xingyou and Jiang Ji had no choice but to play along. They picked a day, dressed in the same clothes they’d been wearing when the “scandal” photo was taken, and returned to the same location to recreate the scene.

…During the shoot…

“Qiu Xingyou.”

Jiang Ji pressed him down suddenly, a low grunt escaping his throat.

“What are you doing?” Qiu Xingyou tried to push him off, but Jiang Ji held him firm.

“If we don’t show a little passion, our CP fans will think we’ve lost our spark,” Jiang Ji teased, his lips quirking. “Besides, aren’t you used to being under me by now? What’s there to be shy about, hm?”

Before he could finish, Qiu Xingyou twisted, taking advantage of Jiang Ji’s distraction. In one smooth motion, he flipped them over, pinning Jiang Ji beneath him. He leaned close, voice low and teasing by his ear.

“Is that so? Funny, I don’t remember you ever being on top, sweetheart.”

Jiang Ji chuckled softly, amusement glinting in his eyes. “You really are something else.”

A pointed cough broke the tension.

Both turned toward the sound Meng Li stood there, face awkwardly stiff, camera still rolling as if nothing had happened. “Alright, that’s enough. We’ve got what we need. You can wrap it up now.”

He lowered the camera, reviewing the footage with a straight face. “Not bad. You both look very natural.” Then, realizing how that sounded, he muttered something under his breath and hurried out.

Qiu Xingyou quickly stood, pulling Jiang Ji up with him. He dusted off his shoulders and was about to leave when Jiang Ji caught his wrist and pinned him back against the wall.

“Silly boy,” Jiang Ji murmured, his eyes dark with mischief. “Why don’t we test it now see who’s really on top?”