E-Scum Gong Chapter 50 (Part 1)
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 50 (1/2)
The debut of Mheart on the variety show went fairly well. While it didn't sweep across the internet, it did attract a portion of fans. The addition of various cps also helped them gain some buzz.
Among them, Yan Yang, the team leader, was particularly popular due to his sense of responsibility. His chemistry with several teammates were well-received, and his popularity soared. His fan base grew quickly, and his super topic became very lively.
However, in the small, quiet gay group, life went on as usual. The members chatted about their usual gossip, unaffected by the recent hype.
The 0s, who were originally quite interested in Yan Yang, immediately sobered up after watching last night's variety show. They thought, "Whoever wants to be a simp can be one."
"Yesterday, I was actually quite envious of Zoe's partner. But now, looking back, I realize I was being foolish. He has stepped into the limelight as a star, so all his messy romantic entanglements must be cleared up. No wonder only Zoe left the group. There really are no good men in our circle. They're all the same."
"How do you know they broke up? They might have just gone underground. Breakups are determined by the parties involved… Of course, they wouldn't let the audience know."
"Well, let's just assume they didn't break up. But Zoe's partner is still quite pitiful. He has to watch his boyfriend and teammates be so affectionate with each other every day while their real relationship remains a secret."
"In that case, what’s the use of having a celebrity boyfriend if you can't even show off? Who knows when they might break up."
The mood in the group quickly shifted. After all, most 0s were sensitive and valued loyalty, except for a few who enjoyed casual flings.
Zhao Tao hadn't expected things to turn out this way. He originally thought he would gain face, but now he'd become the pitiful one?
Zhao Tao was well aware of the internal hype surrounding the cps in the boy group. After all, it was all part of the marketing. As a businessman, he naturally agreed to a strategy that could maximize exposure with minimal cost.
Besides, Yan Yang always made it clear to him in private that it was all just for show. Zhao Tao had no concerns about it becoming genuine since he was, after all, Yan Yang's boss.
Yet, he found himself stifled and frustrated. He couldn't reveal his true identity or the real situation in the group, but even being mocked by netizens was frustrating.
“I've figured it out. Those experienced 1s are all cunning and manipulative. They're all scumbags. Young boys are better. At least my Lin Xu-didi is the best.”
“Speaking of which, the group admin posted an explosive update last night! That photo must be of his young fresh meat boyfriend. Although we can't see his face, he looks really sexy. I'm so envious.”
“Waaah, I want to bite on my boyfriend’s neck too!”
“LOL, don’t even think about it. You’re a forever mutai 0.” (T/N: mutai solo = single since birth)
“No wonder he's a young fresh meat. He looks so young and tender. Just one bite and he's all red, ahhhh!”
“...Everyone, has anyone noticed something off?”
Sure enough, Sherlock Holmes soon appeared. They originally wanted to find fault, but the more they looked, the more something felt off.
“What’s off? A fake photo?”
“No, I noticed a black suit collar at the edge of the picture. It looks like it was taken at some event.”
“So what? Didn’t someone mention yesterday that the group admin’s boyfriend is also suspected of being a graduate of the affiliated high school?”
“Look again. The mole on his earlobe and his jawline seem very familiar.”
“...Wait a minute, I have a troubling thought.” The group member with the display name "Lin Xu-didi's offline boyfriend" quickly went back to scroll through his image library.
There weren’t many side-profile photos of Lin Xu, but there were some videos. He scrutinized them repeatedly, his face frozen in disbelief.
“My didi also has a mole like that on his earlobe, and the suit collar he wore last night was similar... Could it really be... Please don’t scare me…”
“Do you remember when the group admin once forbade us from discussing Lin Xu in the group? He supposedly knew him... If he made a point of saying ‘just friends,’ it might actually be his boyfriend... And he used to boast about his young boyfriend. Thinking about it, if it’s someone like our didi, it’s indeed worth boasting about…”
“This has suddenly turned into a horror story... My didi just graduated. He should be a straight guy... How could he be involved with a weirdo like Zhizhi Mangmang?” Seeing this possibility, and looking at Gu Jinzhi’s Moments, a certain group member’s jealousy led to indiscreet remarks.
“Wasn’t Zhizhi Mangmang paired with Amour not long ago? How could he switch so quickly?!”
“Is my didi a lovesick fool? No! Zhizhi Mangmang isn’t a good person. My didi, don’t be deceived!”
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the group was as if an idol had suffered a major scandal — one that was particularly heart-wrenching. Everyone seemed eager for this cp to break up as soon as possible.
Many people directly tagged Gu Jinzhi, demanding an explanation and denying their suspicions. They wanted him to clarify that he wasn’t involved with Lin Xu. After all, Gu Jinzhi had been so devoted to Amour before. It seemed too cruel to turn around and deceive someone like Lin Xu!
Gu Jinzhi, the target of the group’s outrage, smirked, hiding all his achievements and fame, his heart blooming with joy.
Finally, Gu Jinzhi was able to incite such anger online without lifting a finger, and yet there was nothing they could do.
“Heh, who told you to mess with me and gossip about my boyfriend?” Gu Jinzhi closed his phone with satisfaction, leaving them to argue among themselves. After all, the group was full of people who loved to stir up trouble and had nothing better to do at work. Now they finally had something to entertain themselves with.
As for Gu Jinzhi himself, he planned to lead his boyfriend into more mischievous activities. After all, with his boyfriend about to enter college, his teenage years were coming to an end.
Originally, Gu Jinzhi intended to take Lin Xu to a gay bar to have some fun. However, as soon as they arrived at the entrance, he was turned off and ended up stopping Lin Xu from going in.
Back when he was still single, Gu Jinzhi had been to all sorts of wild places without a second thought, but now he found them boring. He had thought it would be more fun to go with his boyfriend, but now he couldn't bear the thought of letting Lin Xu experience it. Watching those guys dancing provocatively made him want to vomit.
So, Gu Jinzhi pulled Lin Xu away and turned around to leave. Lin Xu, who wasn’t particularly fond of such places to begin with, had prepared himself mentally to accompany Gu Jinzhi. Of course, he was more than happy to leave.
In the end, the wild rich second-generation Gu Jinzhi and his young boyfriend ended up in a quiet bar, listening to soft music and sipping on drinks.
“Take a sip,” Gu Jinzhi coaxed Lin Xu with a look of mischief, eager to see his innocent boyfriend’s face flush from the alcohol.
He didn’t know why, but he particularly enjoyed teasing Lin Xu. He wanted to see the expression changes of this serious person.
He saw Lin Xu as a child, unaware that Lin Xu considered him the same way. He felt helpless, as if he was being teased by a mischievous elementary school student. But Lin Xu’s good temper made it hard for him to get angry, especially with Gu Jinzhi.
With a resigned sigh, Lin Xu lowered his head and took a small sip.
He didn’t drink often because he felt it was more harmful than beneficial and had never had a need for such an atmosphere. However, since being with Gu Jinzhi, Lin Xu felt like he was careening down a different path, indulging in things he never used to do.
“So, how is it? Does it taste good? The alcohol content is very low!”
Lin Xu’s face reddened slightly from the drink, but he didn’t feel drunk. As for the taste, he didn’t find it particularly remarkable, so he shook his head.
Gu Jinzhi, watching Lin Xu’s flushed neck, felt his thoughts wandering. He licked his lips, though he was too shy to engage in such antics every day.