The Stunning General Finds Himself in a Shura Field on a Dating Show ABO - Chapter 18

Ye Zhi looked up, puzzled. What’s trending? Where can I see it?

Seeing the boy’s innocent expression, Qin Siran’s words suddenly twisted in his throat, and he swallowed them back down.

Almost against his will, he shook his head. It’s nothing. Don’t look at it.

The netizens’ comments were far too extreme he worried the boy wouldn’t be able to handle them.

Oh, okay, Ye Zhi replied, not particularly concerned.

Gazing at the boy’s striking features, Qin Siran suddenly asked, You and Xu Shengyuan… you’re just friends, right?

What else would we be? Ye Zhi thought, puzzled. Yeah, why?

Qin Siran shook his head, saying nothing more. He stared at the photo of the two of them on Weibo, zooming in again and again.

In the photo, Ye Zhi was dressed in red ancient-style robes, looking like the young master of a wealthy family.

For some reason, the image felt strangely familiar.

Had he met Ye Zhi before? Qin Siran wondered involuntarily.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Qin Siran, being closest to the door, opened it without thinking.

Ye Zhi peered curiously through the doorway and saw Xu Shengyuan standing there.

Brother Xu? What brings you here?

Xu Shengyuan nodded. I came to talk to you about something.

He paused, glancing at Ye Zhi’s damp hair. Why didn’t you dry your hair? You’ll catch a cold like that.

Ye Zhi brushed his wet hair back, smiling nonchalantly. It’s fine. I’m always healthy I won’t catch a cold.

Xu Shengyuan simply asked, Is it because you don’t know how to use a hairdryer?

He… he figured it out?

Ye Zhi’s smile froze instantly. After a long moment, he nodded sheepishly.

Xu Shengyuan chuckled at the boy’s reaction, his own gloomy mood lightening. Come to the bathroom. I’ll dry it for you.

The reason for going to the bathroom was because the hairdryer was kept there.

Without giving Ye Zhi a chance to refuse, Xu Shengyuan turned and left the room.

Helpless, Ye Zhi followed, shooting Qin Siran an awkward smile before leaving.

I’m going to dry my hair now, Brother Qin. Can you open the door for me later?

Qin Siran smiled faintly in response.

As he watched the boy’s retreating figure, he pondered inwardly

Are Ye Zhi and Xu Shengyuan really just friends?

What kind of friend would be so attentive as to help dry someone’s hair?

In the bathroom, Xu Shengyuan was teaching Ye Zhi how to use the hairdryer.

As he spoke, his gaze kept drifting to the boy’s figure.

The boy’s short-sleeved shirt was far too loose. The moment he lowered his head slightly, his delicate collarbones became visible, and lower still, a hint of pale pink could be glimpsed.

The scene before him was too alluring. The notorious playboy, rumored to be a heartbreaker, felt a suspicious blush creeping up his cheeks.

Xu Shengyuan dared not look any longer. He straightened his posture, moved behind the boy, and continued, Let me demonstrate.

The moment he switched on the hairdryer, the sudden roar startled Ye Zhi, who flinched and tried to move away.

Xu Shengyuan quickly gripped the boy’s shoulders, leaned close to his ear, and reassured him, Don’t be afraid. It’s okay.

Hearing Xu Shengyuan’s words, Ye Zhicai finally calmed down.

Okay, I won’t be afraid next time.

Xu Shengyuan found it strange that Ye Zhi seemed particularly afraid of unexpected sounds or objects.

This fear was akin to a primitive man’s first encounter with fire—a mixture of surprise and extreme vigilance.

The former could be attributed to amnesia, causing him to react with wonder to anything novel. But the latter seemed more like a deeply ingrained habit, forged by prolonged exposure to unpredictable environments and the constant need for heightened alertness.

As Xu Shengyuan watched the obediently standing young man, he wondered

What kind of life did Ye Zhi live before?

How did he develop such a guarded nature?

Ye Zhi’s hair was long, and it took half an hour to dry completely.

The young man’s hair was jet-black and lustrous, smooth and silky to the touch—remarkably pleasant to handle.

Xu Shengyuan reluctantly let go, withdrawing his hand.

All done, he said, switching off the hairdryer.

As the noise subsided, the room fell silent again. Ye Zhi turned to Xu Shengyuan and thanked him.

Thank you for your trouble. I know how to dry my hair now, so I won’t need to bother you next time.

Xu Shengyuan shook his head, inwardly regretting

If only I hadn’t taught Xiao Ye how to use the hairdryer. Then I could have dried his hair for him next time.

Seeing Ye Zhi about to return to his room, Xu Shengyuan quickly stopped him.

Wait a minute, I need to talk to you.

Xu Shengyuan led Ye Zhi to the spacious terrace on the third floor. The Production Team had set up a table and chairs there, providing the perfect setting for their conversation.

What’s up, Brother Xu? Why did you suddenly call me here? Ye Zhi asked.

Xu Shengyuan pulled out his phone and, without hesitation, opened the trending topics page. It was flooded with negative comments about Ye Zhi.

He handed the phone to Ye Zhi. Take a look at these.

The online criticism was indeed harsh. Ye Zhi read through the endless stream of fox spirit, nepotism hire, and get off the show comments, yet his expression remained unchanged.

You were secretly filmed on my set. I should clarify things for you, Xu Shengyuan paused before continuing, But this is also a good opportunity to boost the show’s publicity. The director wants me to hold off on clarifying for a few days and let the controversy build…

If you don’t clarify, it’ll help you, right, Brother Xu?

Ye Zhi cut Xu Shengyuan off.

Xu Shengyuan stopped mid-sentence and nodded.

Then there’s no need to clarify. Let them say what they want. I don’t care, Ye Zhi said with a smile.

He genuinely didn’t care much about the rumors online.

After all, even before he became a general in his previous life, he had been notorious in the capital as a playboy. There had been endless gossip and countless scandalous affairs.

He had even heard an absurd rumor claiming he had seduced the young emperor.

It was utterly ridiculous.

That child was a year younger than him!

Hearing Ye Zhi’s response, Xu Shengyuan remained silent for a long moment.

The young man’s smiling eyes were clear and bright, like a gentle spring under the soft moonlight—pure, untainted, and deeply humbling.

Xu Shengyuan lowered his gaze, his thin lips pressed into a tight line.

Ye Zhi’s decision was exactly what he had expected.

The boy was always so sincere, cherishing even the smallest kindness and constantly seeking ways to repay it.

Yet Xu Shengyuan was about to exploit this rare sincerity, using it to advance his own selfish interests without a shred of guilt.

Seeing Xu Shengyuan’s expression, Ye Zhi assumed he was worried about him and reassured him

Brother Xu, you don’t need to worry about me. I really don’t mind.

The scales in Xu Shengyuan’s heart wavered endlessly. After what felt like an eternity, he finally made his choice

Xiao Ye, I’m sorry to ask you to endure this for a few days. I’ll clear things up after that.

He didn’t really need the money from the traffic boost, but he couldn’t afford to offend Liu Yi.

Liu Yi held something Xu Shengyuan desperately wanted.