PHM chapter 8

This episode of Entertainment, Life was packed with highlights. Aside from Pei Yuxing’s participation, NEVER, led by Yan Xi, was also a pleasant surprise. Their head-to-head battle with VIC was thrilling and brought the audience a visual feast.

The most obvious result was that Yan Xi’s Weibo followers increased by twenty thousand, while their debut title track, NEVER, quietly climbed onto the music charts as one of the latest hit songs.

The results after the episode aired far exceeded expectations. After his initial excitement, Brother Feng became a little worried.

“VIC’s fans won’t say you’re riding on their popularity, will they?”

However, his concern was completely unnecessary. VIC’s leader, Ren Xiao, followed Yan Xi on Weibo and tagged him when reposting the promotional post for Entertainment, Life.

@VIC-RenXiao: We haven’t had enough yet. If we get the chance, I’d like to continue the PK offline. The other guys on our team aren’t convinced by you guys either. [laughing] @NEVER-Yan Xi

In the comments, the other members of VIC responded with a few grumbles, telling him not to stir up trouble between them and their new friends. They were very quick to act familiar.

Brother Feng was dumbfounded.

“Is Pei Yuxing really this lenient with his artists? They dare to say anything.”

He sucked in a breath.

“Last month, IMLOVE’s visual replied to a fan in the comments, and he got accused of privately contacting fans. It even made the hot searches.”

Nowadays, many companies completely controlled their artists’ private lives to ensure they remained “obedient.” Simply taking control of their social media accounts was considered mild. Yan Xi knew that a girl group that had debuted two years ago had to report to their company every time a member met someone, let alone being allowed to say whatever they wanted online.

Yan Xi said, “They’re not an idol group. The company probably doesn’t control them that much.”

Besides, it made them feel more like real people and occasionally led to unexpected results.

Pei Yuxing had always invested in and nurtured younger artists. Ultimately, he wanted to see the industry flourish rather than treating them all as tools for making money.

Yan Xi followed Ren Xiao back and reposted the post that had tagged him.

@NEVER-YanXi: Pick a date, then. As for how the rankings turn out next time, that’s hard to say. //@VIC-Ren Xiao:

Naturally, the comments were occupied by VIC’s fans. Their fans were extremely active, and little jokes kept popping up one after another. Yan Xi read them with great interest, the smile never leaving his lips.

Pei Yuxing came home slightly tipsy, his brows lifting slightly.

“What are you so happy about?”

Yan Xi simply handed him his phone. After looking at the screen, Pei Yuxing didn’t comment on it. He only asked, “Are you hot? Auntie made some sour plum juice.”

Yan Xi shook his head and reached for his hand. His palm was burning hot, making Yan Xi frown.

“You drank that much?”

“There were some elders there today, so it was hard to refuse,” Pei Yuxing explained. “It wasn’t enough to get me drunk.”

“You still shouldn’t drink that much.”

Seeing his husband’s unhappy expression, Pei Yuxing paused for two seconds before sighing.

“Got it.”

He didn’t drink much anymore. Unless it was necessary for social engagements, he had completely returned to a health-conscious lifestyle. Occasionally, he would have a little red wine to relax, but he drank so little that he looked like the type who would get drunk from a single glass. No wonder Yan Xi was worried.

Pei Yuxing didn’t mention what it had been like when he was struggling in his younger years.

His family had been completely against him entering the entertainment industry, so his relationship with his parents had become somewhat strained. With no support from behind him, he had no choice but to raise glasses and drink with people if he wanted to continue his acting career.

By the time the directors and producers had begun slurring their words and talking nonsense, Pei Yuxing was still perfectly sober. His clothes remained neat and orderly, and unlike the calm and reserved man he was now, his younger self had been more arrogant and uninhibited, always able to handle himself with ease.

Aside from the few directors and colleagues who had worked with him in his early years, there weren’t many people left who knew how much he could drink.

While washing up, Pei Yuxing asked if he wanted to shower together.

Yan Xi glared at him, rolled over to the other side of the bed, and made his refusal perfectly clear.

Of course, taking a shower together in the bathroom couldn’t possibly be as simple as just showering. Through the hazy steam, the man’s excellent physique was completely on display—strong, firm thighs, enticing abs, and broad, solid back muscles.

Hot water flowed over his skin, tracing the ridges and valleys of his muscles.

Just one glance was enough to make Yan Xi’s face flush and his heart race. It was almost too much to bear.

He carefully reached out to touch him, but the heat made his fingertips immediately recoil. Even so, he couldn’t help looking up at the man, a little excited and captivated.

The man’s gaze was gentle as he called him by his nickname.

“A-Yan.”

“……”

Yan Xi turned sideways and closed his eyes. After a while, he opened them again and silently scrolled through the news on his phone.

Pei Yuxing tugged at the corner of his lips and went inside by himself. By the time he had finished, Yan Xi finally put down his phone, picked up his pajamas, and slipped into the bathroom.

Pei Yuxing was drying the water from his hair with a towel when his phone vibrated on the bed. He reached out and tapped it open.

It was a Weibo private message.

【VIC-RenXiao: Hi, bro. Want to add each other on WeChat? It’ll be more convenient to keep in touch later.

【VIC-RenXiao: Give us a chance! We really like you guys. [laughing]】

The man lowered his eyes, only then realizing that the phone wasn’t his.

He and Yan Xi had the same model of phone, and both cases were plain black with almost no decorations.

Pei Yuxing’s expression remained indifferent as he stared at the two messages. After a while, he expressionlessly put the phone back.

Then he sent a message to his assistant.

Not long afterward, VIC went offline for two months due to an intensive training schedule. If it weren’t for their studio occasionally posting updates, people might have thought the group had already left the industry.

But that was a story for later. Yan Xi knew nothing about it.

After coming out of the bathroom, he didn’t immediately return to the bedroom. Instead, he turned around and went back out. Two minutes later, he returned with a cup of honey water.

“Drinking alcohol hurts your stomach, and you drank so much,” Yan Xi complained. “Honey water can help you sleep.”

Pei Yuxing smiled faintly. His hair was still damp, and he sat on the edge of the bed looking up at him, seeming strangely dependent.

He really did look drunk.

Thinking he didn’t want to drink it, Yan Xi became serious.

“You have to finish it.”

Pei Yuxing broke into a smile and, still sitting down, pulled him into his arms. He buried his head against Yan Xi’s chest as though resting.

After being exhausted all day, he finally had somewhere to lean on.

Yan Xi didn’t dare move at all. With his free hand, he stroked the man’s damp hair.

“You can’t drink this much again.”

“Mm.”

Pei Yuxing straightened up, took the cup from him, and, for once, posted something on his WeChat Moments.

【Pei: Drinking harms the body. I shall remember this lesson. [HoneyWater.jpg]】

Their marriage had not been publicly announced, but it wasn’t a secret within their social circle.

There weren’t many media friends on Pei Yuxing’s WeChat, and the few he had were people he trusted deeply. They knew what could be said and what couldn’t.

This post was obviously a subtle display of affection.

It was clearly a complaint, yet it was filled with an ordinary kind of happiness.

Even the great Pei Yuxing would be scolded by his lover for drinking and obediently lower his head to admit his mistake.

The comments section was lively. Most people chimed in with a few words of agreement, while those who were closer to him dared to tease him a little. Pei Yuxing was clearly in a good mood and politely replied to everyone.

His friend Wan Zhirong posted several question marks.

A few months ago, Wan Zhirong had complained to his friend about how strict his wife was. She wouldn’t allow him to drink or smoke, and even looking at another female actress for too long would earn him a lecture. He felt like most of the fun in life had been taken away.

What had Pei Yuxing said back then?

Pei: If you can’t live with it, get a divorce.

Wan Zhirong: ……

Mr. Wan sincerely wondered why he had ever gone to complain about marriage to someone who would never get married in his entire life.

Yet less than three months after saying those words, Pei Yuxing invited him out for drinks.

If someone is being unusually kind for no reason, they must be up to no good.

Wan Zhirong was extremely cautious. He carefully thought over his company’s recent operations and whether any of his artists had offended Pei Yuxing, making sure he had covered every possible angle where he might be schemed against.

Confidently, he went to the meeting.

Then, beside his friend, he saw a young man in his early twenties. His bearing and appearance were both outstanding, and there was an indescribable quality about him. At first glance, it was obvious that he was highly educated.

When the young man saw him, he smiled slightly.

Wan Zhirong couldn’t think of the right words to describe him. He only felt as though the young man had descended from the heavens.

Suppressing his surprise, he asked Pei Yuxing, “How come you suddenly have time to invite me for drinks? Before we start drinking, tell me what kind of drink this is.”

Pei Yuxing said, “Wedding wine.”

Wan Zhirong thought there must be something wrong with his ears.

He stared at his friend for a long while before asking hoarsely, “Whose?”

“Mine.”

“Yours?”

“Mine.”

Clatter—

Wan Zhirong fell straight off his chair.

And now, the world had truly gone to hell.

Wan Zhirong stood on the balcony and lit a cigarette with the weariness of a man who had seen through the ways of the world. But before he could take a single puff, there was a click.

He had been locked outside.

His wife’s furious face was clearly visible through the glass door.

“You’re looking for death, aren’t you? Has that cold from before even completely recovered? And you’re smoking again? If you want to smoke, go smoke outside the hospital. At least if you suddenly drop dead, they’ll still have time to save you! If you want to smoke, stay out there and smoke to your heart’s content!”

Wan Zhirong: “……”

Thinking about his friend’s honey water post, he couldn’t help wondering—

They’re both married. How can the difference be this huge?

Wan Zhirong angrily crushed out the cigarette and shouted toward his wife’s retreating figure,

“Wife, I was wrong! Let me back in!”

Pei Yuxing’s mother, Madam Yin Shanglan, showed absolutely no mercy in mocking him. She said he deserved it and then began counting all the hair she had lost because of this son when he was younger, which had forced her to spend even more effort taking care of her appearance now.

Her resentment soared into the heavens.

Still, she was ultimately worried about her son. Their parent-child relationship had only been repaired less than two years ago, and she treasured him dearly, asking him to bring Yan Xi home to stay for a few days whenever he had time.

Madam Yin Shanglan had been a model in her youth. After getting married and having a child, she stopped appearing on the runway and instead worked hard to study fashion design. After several years of further study abroad, she returned home and founded her own women’s fashion brand, making a name for herself in the luxury industry. Within their circle, she was considered an inspirational and formidable figure.

However impressive she was, she still couldn’t withstand her only son publicly declaring to the media that he would never enter into marriage.

The moment Madam Yin Shanglan saw that interview, she snapped the manicure she had just finished and called him, bombarding him with questions.

Her son’s voice was calm yet unequivocal.

“I won’t get married.”

Madam Yin Shanglan’s vision went dark. She launched into a furious tirade, making their already fractured mother-son relationship even worse.

Madam Yin Shanglan’s reaction could already be considered restrained compared with the rest of the Pei family.

The current head of the Pei family was Pei Yuxing’s grandfather, Old Mr. Pei Huahou. His life’s achievements could be described as legendary, though the details couldn’t be found online.

The old master had quite a ruthless streak. After seeing the news, he had his son prepare the car and personally brought people along to drag his disobedient grandson home.

Pei Yuxing was the most outstanding among the grandchildren. Although Old Mr. Pei never showed it openly, he was actually quite biased in his favor.

Unfortunately, the grandson he had placed his greatest hopes in had entered the entertainment industry, which the Pei family held in the highest contempt. He had even said something as shocking as that he would never get married.

His grandson knelt in the ancestral hall. Even after Old Mr. Pei broke two rattan whips, he still couldn’t change his mind. Furious, he declared on the spot that he was cutting ties with him.

After that, Pei Yuxing went two years without contacting anyone in his family.

No one could stop him from making his own decision.

Unfortunately, the old man wasn’t very good with social media. If he saw the way his grandson was posting now, looking completely content and grateful for his marriage, he would probably roll his eyes so far back they’d reach the heavens.

Those two excellent rattan whips would have gone to waste.

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