Damn It! The Main Shou Turned Me Gay! (Showbiz) - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Coming Out So Suddenly

Not only did he know, he even exposed it and lectured him on the spot!

Now Little Chu was the reformed and reborn version of himself!

If he’d waited for Fang Ruxu to bring it up, he might’ve had a whole grave covered in tall weeds by then!

Fang Ruxu was clearly thrown off by his nephew’s self-assured attitude. He frowned and muttered dryly, “As long as you know what you’re doing.”

Qi Wenyan puffed up his chest proudly.

Knowing what he’s doing? That’s literally his specialty!

Maybe it was the frustration getting to him, but Fang Ruxu felt a sharp ache pulsing in the center of his forehead. He pinched the bridge of his nose and said seriously, “Your mom’s picked out a few people for you to meet. She’s planning to introduce them to you during your birthday next month.”

“Blind dates?” Qi Wenyan frowned. He hadn’t even figured out the mess in his head yet—wouldn’t dating someone now just be ruining some poor girl’s life?

But to Fang Ruxu, his tone didn’t sound like rejection.

Fang Ruxu gave a smug, gleeful smile. “Even though your mom still can’t quite accept you coming out, this time she included a few… quality male candidates along with some eligible ladies from our circle.”

“???”

This time, Qi Wenyan truly lost it. “Coming out?!!”

Sure, maybe he wasn’t looking for a girlfriend at the moment—but that didn’t mean he was gay! Did the Qi Wenyan he replaced actually come out of the closet?!

Time to flee. Fast.

Qi Wenyan immediately pulled a distressed face. “Uncle… actually, I’ve just taken on another script and—”

“Don’t even start.”

Fang Ruxu raised a hand sharply, cutting him off coldly. “I’m just the messenger. Your mom’s already booked her return flight. She’s bringing friends and family back with her to celebrate your birthday. If you flake and make her lose face…”

He trailed off, but his gleeful expression made it clear he was already imagining the chaos.

Qi Wenyan frowned.

Now that he’d taken over Qi Wenyan’s life, he couldn’t just cut ties with his family forever.

But he knew nothing about the original Qi Wenyan. It was easy enough to fake it with coworkers, but he’d eventually slip up in front of his actual parents.

He could go to the party—but there’s no way he was sticking around afterward.

Determined, a spark of inspiration hit him.

If it’s a blind date they want—why not nip the problem at the root?

Before he even spoke, Fang Ruxu narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “What scheme are you cooking up this time?”

Qi Wenyan offered a polite, insincere smile. “Why so cynical, Uncle? Can’t you have a little faith in the world?”

Fang Ruxu checked the time and grunted. “I’ve got a flight to catch. I’ll have my assistant send you the birthday dinner details later. I’m going to trust you. One last time.”

Qi Wenyan nodded sweetly, looking for all the world like an obedient new actor.

As Fang Ruxu left, Qi Wenyan even pulled out a tissue and waved dramatically. “Bye, Uncle~”

Fang Ruxu stumbled on his way out, casting one last horrified glance over his shoulder before quickly vanishing.

Qi Wenyan let out a low chuckle, then folded the tissue neatly and tossed it into the trash.

He told Fang Ruxu to trust the world—what did that have to do with him, Qi Wenyan?

—

After sending off the walking disaster that was Fang Ruxu, the film set finally settled into a brief stretch of peace.

And during that time, the official cast photos for Lonely Reliance were finally released!

Almost at the same time, a gossip blogger quietly dropped a major bomb:

@LittleSproutEatsMelonsV: Remember that whole scandal with Li Tao a while ago? I did some digging and noticed something fishy—those marketing accounts that started the rumors about QWY and CZY? Turns out they all posted ads for artists under Baihua Entertainment…

The post stirred discussion in a niche circle.

But half an hour later—the real show began.

@LittleSproutEatsMelonsV: Buckle up. A source just risked their life to leak screenshots—chat logs between a C-list washed-up celeb and a screenwriter from a certain drama crew. Word is, this “three-character” celeb was originally the investor’s pick for male lead.

That post skyrocketed with no paid promotion, shooting straight onto the trending list. The previously quiet scandal roared back to life.

Li An was practically trembling with excitement as he watched the cast photo post blow up online. He reached out to hug Qi Wenyan, who was responsible for the marketing captions—only to be smoothly blocked by Chu Zhiyu.

Chu Zhiyu smiled, calm and composed. “Qi-ge is wearing his costume. If you need something, I’ll get it for him.”

Qi Wenyan, busy brushing out his long wig, completely missed Li An’s aborted hug. He lazily flopped back into a folding chair and raised a hand like a king giving orders.

“Disciple, fetch me my phone! I must witness the trending topic I built with my own hands!”

Chu Zhiyu stood up obediently. “Yes, Master.”

Qi Wenyan scratched his ear sheepishly. He was just joking—but the kid actually responded that way?

Li An downed a gulp of mung bean soup and said with feeling, “Our production’s finally turning around. Yesterday I even saw leaked paparazzi shots of Little Chu!”

Chu Zhiyu stayed humble. “Director Li’s worked with many seniors—you must be used to this sort of buzz, right?”

Li An straightened up and thumped his soup down. “I’ve seen a lot, but a production this messy, with a lead actor who had no fanbase when we started? This is a first.”

If he ever left Qi Wenyan’s orbit, Li An figured he’d discover the world was actually pretty peaceful.

Still, despite all the chaos that surrounded him, the outcomes always turned out great—so he couldn’t complain.

It just took a bit more… mental fortitude.

Qi Wenyan clinked his soup cup with him, one hand in wide blue robes, the other guy in T-shirt and shorts—two completely different aesthetics, casually toasting like it was fine wine.

The icy mung bean soup slid down his throat—absolutely perfect on a sweltering summer day.

Qi Wenyan squinted contentedly. “Ah, the joy of grooming a star, right, Director?”

Li An thumped his chest. “Good thing I snatched your script before anyone else could!”

Qi Wenyan offered him another toast.

“Oh, right,” Li An added suddenly, raising a hand. “Frost will be doing a guest performance on a talent show next week. Took a couple days off in advance. If either of you have upcoming gigs, let me know early, okay?”

Chu Zhiyu shook his head. “My agent told me to focus on filming. No outside gigs.”

Li An nodded approvingly, then turned to Qi Wenyan. “You good too, Qi-bian?”

Even though Qi Wenyan was a hotshot screenwriter, writers didn’t usually have much of an on-camera presence.

But this time, he hesitated.

Li An sat up dramatically. “Oh? Something going on?”

Before Qi Wenyan could answer, Chu Zhiyu quietly spoke up.

“Next month… it’s Qi-ge’s birthday, right?”

Qi Wenyan looked up, surprised. “How do you know?”

Of course he knew…

Their family had only moved to Lin City later, and back then, he hadn’t known any local kids.

But that super popular Qi Wenyan—every year, upon learning their birthdays were just a day apart—would always skip his own party to bring him cake.

He’d done that for eight years straight.

Chu Zhiyu lowered his gaze. Something in his heart refused to let go of those memories. But if Qi-ge had forgotten… then maybe those moments meant nothing.

Meeting Qi Wenyan’s curious eyes, Chu Zhiyu smiled gently. “I saw it online once.”

Qi Wenyan didn’t question it. He sat up and leaned toward Chu Zhiyu with a playful look. “When’s your birthday then, Little Chu?”

Chu Zhiyu blinked, then blurted without thinking: “June 22nd.”

Qi Wenyan spat out his straw, eyes lighting up. “Whoa! What a coincidence!”

From what his dear uncle had said, his birthday was June 21st!

Li An chimed in, amazed: “Well I’ll be! You handpicked the male lead, and he ends up having a birthday just one day after yours!”

Chu Zhiyu licked his lips, tasting bitterness—but all he showed was a bright smile. “It means we’re fated, Qi-ge.”

Qi Wenyan blinked. Something about this felt… off.

And June 22nd… why did that date sound so familiar?

Just like when he’d first heard the name Chu Zhiyu.

Weird.

But Qi Wenyan was all about living in the moment—if he couldn’t figure it out now, he’d think about it later.

Sipping his soup, he said lazily, “Uncle Fang says my mom’s flying back for my birthday—and she’s bringing blind date candidates. I’ll probably need a day or two off.”

Crack.

Chu Zhiyu’s eyes widened. He clenched his water bottle tightly.

Trying to steady his tone, he looked at Qi Wenyan, eyes slightly misty. “Qi-ge, you’re still young. Why the rush to start dating?”

Qi Wenyan immediately gave him a kindred-spirit expression. “Right? I’m in my prime career-wise—who has time for love?”

Hearing that, Chu Zhiyu’s grip loosened slightly.

Qi Wenyan rubbed his chin. “So I’m thinking… I’ll just find someone to pose as my partner and trick my mom for a bit. From the sound of it, Uncle Fang’s mom won’t stay in the country long anyway.”

Li An nodded seriously. “Makes sense. But choosing the right friend is key—too familiar, and your parents might see through it.”

He paused, thinking, then smacked his thigh. “Hey! I know someone! She was second female lead in my last drama. Just posted that her parents are nagging her to get married. Want me to hook you two up?”

Before Qi Wenyan could answer, Chu Zhiyu jumped in. “If Auntie’s flying in from abroad just for this, I doubt she’ll be easily fooled.”

Qi Wenyan sighed, resting his chin in his hands. “Little Chu’s right. Better not drag that girl into it. My family already thinks I’m into guys because of a misunderstanding.”

Li An: “!”

Chu Zhiyu: “!!”

Chu Zhiyu’s eyes suddenly lit up. He coughed lightly and changed his tune.

“Actually, asking a friend to pose as your partner could work. Qi-ge… how about me?”