Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong

Chapter 77 - Make Trouble, Make Trouble, Make Trouble!

Translated by Eve

Edited by Kara, Serefina

8. Make Trouble, Make Trouble, Make Trouble!

When Jian Zihan returned to the hospital room, Xie He’s wounds had already been treated. He looked at Xie He’s pale, seemingly bloodless face and walked over while feeling greatly distressed for him. He reached out to brush away Xie He’s bangs...but, the other evaded his touch.

Xie He stared at him. There didn’t seem to be any light in his black eyes. He was deathly still for a moment before quietly saying, “You know everything now.”

Jian Zihan felt anguished over the expression in Xie He’s eyes.

Xie He told him, “From now on, you don’t have to come anymore.”

Jian Zihan didn’t dare touch Xie He. He stood before the bed and said, “Yes, I know everything, but that doesn’t matter. The one I like is you. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

Xie He smiled wanly and said, “But...I think that it does concern other people....”

Originally, he had thought that he could bear with it all, that he could continue to endure it. Only today did he realize that he couldn’t....He recalled Yi Ze’s appearance of just itching to kill him. Although he was still alive...he felt like he had already died.

So long as he looked at Jian Zihan, he could not help but think of his suffering in that moment. It was like he was dying over and over again.

At every moment, he was reminded that he was nothing but fake goods worth the same as dust.

Jian Zihan’s face paled. He understood Xie He’s feelings. But because he understood them, his heart only hurt all the more. It was very normal for Xie He to not want to see him....

Jian Zihan was silent for a long time and then said, “Don’t think too much. Rest well. I’ll come see you another day, OK?”

He flashed a gentle and relaxed smile at Xie He, gave Xie He a long, final glance, and then left.

He should give Xie He some time to adjust. He shouldn’t push him too hard. After all, Jian Zihan’s existence was not something that would bring him joy.

Only, he wouldn’t give up so easily. He would wait for the day when Xie He was willing to open up his heart again.

When Wei Zhangqin found out that Jian Zihan had left, he arranged for a female assistant to take care of Xie He. Although Wei Zhangqin was very busy, he would still come visit Xie He every other day or so, chatting with him about the latest news in the entertainment industry.

Xie He’s hospital room regained its peace once more. He very quickly recovered. Only, he still had to rest for a few months. It was a huge hit towards Xie He’s acting career. However, when Xie He asked about this worriedly, Wei Zhangqin’s expression was very relaxed. He said, “President Yi put out a statement. Who would dare say anything now? Just recuperate at ease. Once you’re better, what belongs to you will still belong to you.”

“President Yi?” Xie He looked surprised.

Wei Zhangqin laughed, “Yes, ah. Fortunately, you didn’t listen to me about leaving this supporter of yours. Who would have guessed that this accident would occur? Otherwise, who knows how many people would have come to trample all over you after your injury this time, ne?”

Xie He forced out a smile but remained silent.

Wei Zhangqin made small talk with him for a bit more before leaving. He still had many other things to do.

【444：Yi, Yi Ze was so angry at that time. I thought that he wouldn’t concern himself with you, ne. @[email protected]】

【Xie He：HanHan has definitely told Yi Ze that I had saved him. Now that ZeZe knows that he had wrongfully accused me, he feels guilty, so he would naturally think of a way to compensate me. Smile.JPG】

【444：Then, why doesn’t he come apologize to you?】

【Xie He：Baby, it’s because he hasn’t had the chance to yet.】

【444：......】

【Xie He：Anyway, it’s fine. I’ll teach him how to turn over a new leaf and how to behave with integrity. 】

Yi Ze didn’t go back to the hospital nor did he go looking for Jian Zihan again. Actually, his state of mind was very complicated right now. That was because...he found that he was thinking about Xie He much more than Jian Zihan.

Jian Zihan’s words on that day incessantly replayed in his mind. He couldn’t help but think of what Xie He had been like while at his side all of these years. He had always acted docile, well-behaved, and tactful. He had always looked at him with that baffling, affectionate gaze...Why had he been willing to risk his life to save Jian Zihan after finding out about his identity?

Since he knew about Jian Zihan...he must know why Yi Ze kept him after all this time. It couldn’t be that he didn’t blame him? Or, that he didn’t hate Jian Zihan? Didn’t he realize how unfair this was to himself?

Jian Zihan said that Xie He loved him...How could such a laughable matter be true?

Yi Ze could not control his thoughts. Even when he was working, Xie He’s figure would occasionally pop up in his mind. Every day, his secretary would report to him on Xie He’s condition. He wanted to visit him at the hospital, but he didn’t know how to face the other. It couldn’t be that he had to apologize to Xie He? Yi Ze couldn’t do such a thing.

His way of apologizing was by giving Xie He his support, giving him money, and making sure that his career wasn’t affected.

That was probably&#k2026;enough, ba?

Only, why did he still think of him then? Yi Ze was distraught with anxiety. He was actually being affected by a mere plaything.

&#k3010;Ding, the target, Yi Ze’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 75.&#k3011;

Xie He recuperated in the hospital peacefully. When there was no one around, he browsed the system store and had 444 find him some entertainment. He was extremely pleased. Only, as time went on, he began to feel a bit bored.

A month passed like this. Xie He finally recovered more or less. Although he still couldn’t do any strenuous activity, he could function in everyday life without much difficulty. He wanted to continue filming. The movie had only been half-shot.

Wei Zhangqin tried to persuade Xie He to not be in such a rush. Regardless, Xie He was very determined. Therefore, he returned to the production team. They had wasted so much time. Furthermore, because Xie He was supported by Yi Ze, they couldn’t even change the actor.

Xie He once again threw himself into filming. When he met with Jian Zihan again, they were a bit alienated. They exchanged pleasantries like they were ordinary friends. Jian Zihan felt very hurt, but he didn’t have the heart to force Xie He, so he only quietly paid attention to him.

Once the shooting resumed, everything went by very smoothly. After a bit more than a month, they were finally nearing the end.

Today, Xie He received Yi Ze’s text. It was only two words: Come over. Only, this time, Xie He did not respond. He instead deleted it as if he didn’t see it. He felt like it was time to give Yi Ze the cold-shoulder.

After all, it was time for him to feel discouraged and want to keep away from it all, hehe.

Yi Ze had long known about Xie He’s discharge. However, he couldn’t put down his pride to go see him. After deliberating over things for a few days, he suddenly thought of a clever idea! Why did he have to go see Xie He? Wouldn’t it be fine if he had Xie He come see him? In any case, it was always like this. Xie He had never disobeyed him. Since Xie He hadn’t actually betrayed or deceived him, then they could naturally be as they were.

The more Yi Ze thought like this, the more he believed it. He had misunderstood Xie He, but he had compensated him. They should be even now.

He couldn’t hold back his desire to see Xie He. After not seeing the other for so long, he actually felt rather unaccustomed to it.... Yi Ze held his phone tightly in his hand as he sent Xie He a text. In the past, whenever he sent a text like this, he would throw his phone to one side, and Xie He would come over soon after. However, this time, Yi Ze couldn’t help but lower his head, keeping his eyes on his phone. He wanted to see if Xie He had texted him back yet. In the end, there was no response. Xie He did not come.

The next day, Yi Ze finally couldn’t bear it any more. He thought, It couldn’t be that he was angry at him, so he didn’t come? Yi Ze was a bit irritated, but he was the first to have been in the wrong, after all... Like this, he gave himself a way out of a potentially embarrassing situation. He called Xie He’s number with a cold expression. Result—his call was rejected.

This was enough! Give him an inch, and he’ll want a mile! Yi Ze slowly got up. He wanted to see just what Xie He was up to!

【Xie He：Baby, has ZeZe come yet?】

【444：He’ll be here soon. In about half an hour. O(∩_∩)O~】

【Xie He：I got it. 】

The last scene they were filming today was the farewell between the main character and his patron. It was a kiss scene full of deep love. Originally, the director had said that they could film it by shooting it at an angle and causing an illusion of kissing. After all, this was a kiss between men. It was very common for celebrities to not want to do it. The director didn’t want to force Xie He, because he had misgivings about Xie He’s background. However, Xie He said that he was willing to do the kiss. He wasn’t willing to leave a flaw in the most important scene of the movie.

The director really appreciated Xie He’s earnest attitude. Therefore, they really kissed for this scene. Only, Xie He’s state was not very good at the start. He had NG-ed over and over again. In the end, the actor playing opposite to him had even felt a bit embarrassed.

After wasting some time, Xie He finally seemed to have gotten the feeling.

Xie He looked at the man in front of him. The man was dressed in a black windbreaker with a monochrome, striped scarf around his neck. He was tall and stood up straight. He didn’t look any worse off compared to Yi Ze. He was handsome and cold. It was just that when you got near him, you could tell that he was nowhere as imposing as the other.

Deep love emerged in Xie He’s eyes as if he could see someone else within the other man. The smile on his face was like a blossoming, fiery flower blooming in the bitingly cold winter, carrying a passion that would burn everything down. At the same time, there was a determination in it as if he had met a dead end. They were on the eve of breaking up. From now on, this love of his would be no more.

He reached out to wrap his arms around the other’s neck. He looked up and planted his lips on the other’s mouth.

This was a kiss full of all of his love, but it also contained the hopelessness of goodbye....

He pretended that the other was Yi Ze...Actually, there was no difference in these feelings. Furthermore, he couldn’t even say goodbye to Yi Ze like this, because Yi Ze didn’t care about him at all. He had never loved him.

However, at least in the film, he had obtained a little bit of love that belonged to him solely. He could speak through his character to express his love that he had buried deeply into the depths of his own heart, what no one else knew.

When Yi Ze came over, this was the scene that he saw.

This was his first time coming to see Xie He on set. It was the first time he had taken the initiative to see Xie He.... He came here with a complicated mood, but he had also looked forward to seeing the other. However, what he saw was Xie He kissing another man with deep affection.... Even if he knew that it was all an act, Yi Ze was still so angry that he wanted to kill someone!

An unprecedented anger toppled his rationality. At this moment, there were no other thoughts in Yi Ze’s mind except that he would not allow any other man to touch Xie He! Who let him shoot such a scene?!

He advanced in large strides. After pulling the male actor off of Xie He, he landed a punch on his face!

The actor was stunned from being hit. He looked at Yi Ze in shock.

Xie He was also astonished by this scene. His lips trembled from fury, and he glared while saying, “What are you doing?!”

This was his scene, his movie—why did Yi Ze have to do this!? Hadn’t it been enough for him to tread all over him...Why did he even have to destroy his work?!

A cold aura emanated from all over Yi Ze. It looked like he was going to do something again, so Xie He promptly grabbed hold of his arm and stared at the other stubbornly.

Xie He could not hold down Yi Ze with his strength. But when Yi Ze looked down and met Xie He’s crystalline black eyes, he suddenly relaxed and let himself be dragged away.

Xie He directly pulled Yi Ze into his own room. Only then did he relax. He gazed at Yi Ze with a complex emotion and said hesitatingly, “What...what did you come here to do...?”

Yi Ze stared at Xie He. He didn’t know why this had happened—he had wanted to see Xie He so much, but when he did, he had gotten angry. This kind of emotion...was jealousy. He was jealous that Xie He had kissed another man so gently and with so much emotion.

He hadn’t even been this angry when he had thought that Jian Zihan had a boyfriend.

Xie He was something that belonged to him!

Xie He watched as Yi Ze’s eyes darkened and couldn’t help but step back. Sorrow flashed in his eyes, and he said quietly, “Don’t worry. I haven’t approached Jian Zihan again.”

However, before he had finished speaking, Yi Ze was pushing him against the wall. Yi Ze pressed his thumb against Xie He’s lips. His eyes were dark like an abyss, and his voice was low, “Who let you kiss other people?”

So, this was what he was angry about? Xie He explained at once, “We were just shooting a scene, that’s all.”

How could Yi Ze not know this? Nonetheless, he was still very unhappy. Before, he had never watched any of Xie He’s works nor had he gone to watch Xie He film. He would have only summoned Xie He when he had wanted him. Therefore, he had never seen such a scene. He had thought that he didn’t mind Xie He’s work...But right now, he discovered that he really minded it. When he saw Xie He and Fu Yuan together and when he saw Xie He kiss someone other than him, he really minded it and would become furious!

Furthermore, in the past, when he hadn’t known about this, just how many people had Xie He kissed like this? A dark emotion seemed to grow within the depths of his heart. He wanted to shut the person in front of him away and not let him come into contact with any other person!

He could only be his!

【Ding, the target, Yi Ze’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 80.】

“I’ve said it before. So long as you’re still with me, you better remember your status. Don’t do things you shouldn’t do,” Yi Ze said with a chilly tone, staring into Xie He’s eyes.

Xie He looked back at him. A long time later, exhaustion appeared within his eyes. He slowly said, “Yi ge, I want to leave.”

It was only four trifling words, but it seemed to have taken all of his courage to say. He had previously thought that he would never say these words, but he had ultimately said them.... It wasn’t as painful as he had imagined. On the contrary, he even felt a bit free.

Yes...he loved this person, but just because he loved him didn’t mean that he had to stay by his side. Right now, it was time to leave.

Because if he stayed, he would only make Yi Ze unhappy. If that was the case, what was the point in staying by his side?

From now on...he would rather guard this love in the depths of his heart. He had always known that he would have to leave this person. He had always wondered when he would be thrown away. He had never expected that one day, before the other had chosen to abandon him, he would say these words first.

Yi Ze’s expression froze in that instance. He looked into Xie He’s eyes and saw that he was earnest. Suddenly, he realized—Xie He was serious. Incredulity emerged within Yi Ze’s eyes. Soon after, intense anger followed! This person! This person, who he had never attached any importance to, actually dared to say that he wanted to leave him!

“What, did, you, say?” Yi Ze stared into Xie He’s eyes, biting out each word.

Xie He shut his eyes, covering the hurt within them. He parted his lips, “I said, I want to leave you...I want to end this relationship. Yi ge, the things that had happened before were all my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten close to Jian Zihan. I was wrong. Would you please magnanimously pardon me this once on the basis of the fact that I’ve been with you for so many years...? I swear that I won’t bother you ever again.”

Xie He spoke very calmly. He humbled himself greatly. He had long since understood that reality was cruel. In front of this person, who could kill him off with all sorts of methods, he didn’t act willful at all. He would not cry or make a fuss as he wished. Even when asking to leave, he would still make himself seem so inferior.

He...had always been very clear on his status.

Yi Ze’s hands clenched tightly into fists. His eyes were dark like swirling globes of ink. Not like this...this wasn’t what he wanted....

He wanted Xie He to beg for forgiveness, to beg to stay with him. He didn’t want to hear Xie He say that he wanted to leave. Wasn’t not being wanted by him what he was most afraid of? Why didn’t he beg him once more? Why did he want to leave him?

Did he get together with someone else? Could it have been Fu Yuan?!

Yi Ze was not stupid. Before, he hadn’t cared, so he didn’t think about it. However, after deliberating over this, he was certain that Fu Yuan had a hand in this. Otherwise, with Xie He’s status, how could he have found out about Jian Zihan?! The more he thought about it, the more certain he became. If this wasn’t the case, why would Xie He want to leave him? Did he think that he would be able to maintain his footing in the entertainment industry without him?

“It’s Fu Yuan, isn’t it? What conditions did he give you?” Yi Ze demanded with a glacial voice.

When Xie He heard this, he suddenly smiled. After abandoning all hope, he actually felt a lot more relaxed. That was because so long as there was no hope, there wouldn’t be any despair.

“No one proposed any conditions to me...You don’t have to believe me, and I have no way to prove myself,” Xie He said softly. He smiled and continued, “It is I who is not worthy of staying by your side.”

Yi Ze’s pupils contracted.

He stared at Xie He, face ice-cold. He wanted to say something, but he couldn’t refute the other’s words. Xie He did not fight him nor did he provoke him. Even while requesting to leave, he was still as obedient and humble as ever...However, Yi Ze felt like there was a breath of angry air stuck inside of him that he could neither swallow down nor let out. Even when he had been made fun of by Jian Zihan, he hadn’t felt this unwell! He couldn’t even criticize Xie He, because Xie He hadn’t given him any chances to do so.

A long time later, he slowly retreated. He stared at Xie He with his sharp eyes. “You better not regret this.” After saying this, he left in great strides!

Xie He stared at the sight of Yi Ze’s departing figure. He then slowly turned around, expression changing.

【Xie He：It’s about time.】

【444：For what?】

【Xie He：Baby, let me see those photos I had you take. Smile.JPG】

【444：(⊙v⊙) Mn!】

【Xie He：This one, this one, and this one aren’t bad. Cover up Yi Ze’s face and spread them online.】

【444：Why do you have to do this?】Host dada was exposing his own scandal, ah.

【Xie He：ZeZe couldn’t even say any ruthless words. I love him so much, so I naturally should be considerate and create a chance for him to wait for me to come beg him, ah. I don’t want to waste time by doing this slowly. Moreover, the effect won’t be as good.... After all, I am an efficient person hehe.】

【444：......】

【Xie He：Baby, do it well. It’s time to prove yourself. Have you learned how to hype things up online? 】

【444：I’m already a level four system, ahem!!!】

【Xie He：I believe in you. 】

Whose self-blackening technique was strong? Number 444’s host, President Xie, was strong!

Xie He sent Yi Ze away and then returned to the set. He personally apologized to the actor who had been hit. The actor didn’t dare express dissatisfaction towards Yi Ze’s deterrence. He said that it was fine. However, he inwardly marked this matter down in his heart with hatred. They had just been shooting a scene. If you knew that your patron wouldn’t be happy, why did you ask to do a real kiss? You caused me, an innocent bystander, to be dragged in!

It was fortunate, however, that they had already gotten a perfect shot. The film entered the final editing stage, and Xie He left the set.

A few days later, the first great scandal of the year exploded, immediately taking the headlines of all the media sites.

The popular, newly crowned “Best Actor,” Si Minghui, was actually gay! Moreover, he had been kept by a patron all this time! He acted all noble and virtuous on the outside, but who knew just how filthy he actually was on the inside? Ugly matters cropped up one after another. The fact that Si Minghui had sold his body at the start also emerged.

At once, the internet was full of curses. There were still some of Si Minghui’s die-hard fans trying to defend him, but all sorts of decisive evidence were anonymously released online. There were photographs of Si Minghui entering a mansion and photos of Si Minghui being intimate with a man. There were all kinds of proof, and they were all irrefutable.

Before the scandal, he was already very famous. Therefore, his scandal received even more attention.

People cursed him as viciously as they had used to like him. The situation was so big that Xie He couldn’t even leave his home.

Wei Zhangqin cautiously came over to see him. With great worry, he asked, “What happened? Do you know who blackened you? Who did you offend?”

Xie He was silent. He didn’t utter a sound.

Wei Zhangqin was so anxious that he couldn’t help but stomp about. “Why aren’t you worried? Do you know how serious this is? There have already been quite a number of companies that have sent you legal letters asking you to pay penalty fees!”

“I still have some savings. It should be enough to compensate them,” Xie He said calmly.

Wei Zhangqin was full of anger. “I didn’t mean that. It’s not like this situation is completely irreversible. Go beg President Yi. Ask him to have a word with those people so that they don’t continue to make a fuss. Wait until the matter has cooled down, and then, we’ll think of what to do. First, let’s control how much of an impact this will have on you. After a while, we’ll think about how to wash your reputation clean.”

When Xie He heard “Yi Ze,” his eyes dimmed. “I already have nothing to do with President Yi. He won’t do anything.”

Wei Zhangqin only found out about this just now. He said in shock, “When did you break up?”

Xie He said, “Last week. He came to look for me on set. I already made it clear to him.”

Wei Zhangqin was really worried. It was really a case of the house breaking and having it rain shortly after. He muttered to himself for a while and then said, “Although you’ve broken up...you’ve been together for so long. Go back, say a few good words, and ask him to help you. This isn’t much for him. Perhaps he’ll lend a hand.”

Xie He smiled, “Don’t try to persuade me anymore. Just compensate them. I still have a few properties. Help me find an agent to sell them. We can get together some cash.”

Wei Zhangqin stared at him grimly, “Are you serious?”

The author has something to say:

In the next chapter, it’s going to be a scene of bloody slaughter, la. Come, let President Yi continue to be scum. Let’s have the substitute lover trope show its head once more~ Only after he’s been scum enough will the abuse feel good~~\\(≧▽≦)/

sere: the angst kills me more when i edit than when i read