The Academic God Becomes an Internet Sensation After Joining a Dating Show - C43 - Open the Door (First Part)

The comments beneath the post blew up instantly.

[Mommy! Thank you for feeding us, mommy!]

[Feels like they’re about to doi the next second. Help, I’m dying!]

[Aaaaah it’s really Orphic!!]

[A god has descended to earth!]

[ShenLin Qijing is truly blessed to have you… [tearfully moved.JPG]]

Staring at the endless flood of red notifications, Qing Lin could already picture Qing Yejie’s expression shifting from pale, to flushed, to pitch black.

He hadn’t even intended to post this one. When he first finished it, he thought it was far too suggestive. That was why he redrew the ice cream version instead.

But since Qing Yejie had been so pushy, Qing Lin couldn’t resist teasing him a little. Consider it a small lesson.

In the Ou Fans Support Club (@^▽^@), chaos broke out again.

[Volcano: Ta-ta! This drawing is amazing. Did you just rush this one out?]

[Ou’s Little Sweetheart: Ta-ta, didn’t you say you don’t ship them?]

[Wind in May: Yeah, why post again so soon? (But it’s gorgeous, though)]

A moment later, Orphic himself replied.

[Orphic: Guess I’m just eating my own words.]

[Ou’s Little Sweetheart: That was fast…]

[Orphic: Feelings can change in an instant.]

Qing Lin thought his younger brother had really grown. At least his skin had thickened.

[Ou’s Little Sweetheart: I get the feeling you don’t even know you just posted on Weibo. Are you really Ou-ta?]

Leaning back, Qing Lin watched with amusement. He had expected suspicion to grow, but instead, the fans rallied to defend him.

[Volcano: ?]

[Small Balloon: Who even are you?]

[Wind in May: @Ou’s Little Sweetheart What’s wrong with Ta-ta posting more? Why are you nitpicking here?]

[Ou’s Little Sweetheart: …I was just saying]

[Wind in May: 6]

[HuaHua: Weren’t you also the one complaining Ta’s line art was regressing a few days ago?]

[Dao Yu: Exactly, that’s her. Acting high and mighty, even wanting to “revise” Ou’s art.]

[Big Flyer: And she dares call herself Ou’s Little Sweetheart… how shameless.]

[May Wind: With that attitude? Calling herself Little Sweetheart… don’t be too extra.]

[CP Overlord: Can’t believe someone like this snuck into the fan group. Little Sweetheart? More like Little Hater.]

[Small Balloon: Kick her out.]

[May in Wind: +1]

[NotChangingMyNameUntilILose100Pounds:: +1]

[GachaEgg: +1]

…

A minute later—

[[Ou’s Little Sweetheart] has been removed from [Ou’s Fans Support Group (@^▽^@)]]

Qing Lin watched the whole process and couldn’t help but sigh.

Strange.

What kind of nonsense fan-circle culture was this.

He didn’t understand it, and since it was already late, he logged out of his Q/Q alt, grabbed a towel, and headed for the shower.

Closing the bathroom door behind him, he prepared to relax in the hot water. Steam quickly blurred the glass partition, the sound of running water rustling in his ears.

To be honest, Qing Lin couldn’t figure out why anyone would impersonate Orphic to start a fan group. And that “anyone” turned out to be his younger brother.

What was the point of doing this? Could Qing Yejie know that he was Orphic?

No, very unlikely.

He had only found out about Qing Lin’s YouTube streams much later. And for Qing Yejie, the only thing he really cared about was painting.

Even after finishing his shower, Qing Lin couldn’t come up with a reasonable explanation.

Giving up, he dried off with a towel, put on his pajamas and underwear, and then realized he had forgotten his pajama pants. Then he realized he seemed to have forgotten his pajama pants.

Such carelessness was rare for him. It must have been the shock from the fan group earlier that made him slip up.

Lowering his head, droplets slid from his wet hair down his two bare white legs.

He hesitated.

Should he just walk out like this?

His pajama pants should still be in the suitcase.

Since it was his own room and no one else was around, stepping out to grab them shouldn’t be a problem.

With that thought, he opened the bathroom door and stepped out.

After all, there was no way someone could suddenly appear in his room—

The next moment, Qing Lin looked up and met Shen Xuzhi’s slightly startled gaze.

Qing Lin: “……”

Shen Xuzhi: “……”

Shen Xuzhi stood at the door, dressed in a suit with a camel wool coat draped over it, his tie loosened halfway, a suitcase in hand, staring at Qing Lin in surprise. And his eyes were fixed entirely on those slim, straight, pale legs.

Qing Lin froze, his face flushing red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

At the moment, he was only wearing a dark blue long-sleeved V-neck pajama top. It was long, but not quite long enough, and the hem faintly revealed the sleep shorts beneath.

Why on earth was Mr. Shen here? Wasn’t this supposed to be his room?!

Qing Lin immediately turned around, about to retreat into the bathroom, when his eyes landed on his iPad, lying openly on the bed.

The screen was still on, Procreate running, displaying the CP fanart of “ShenLin Qijing” he had just been refining, the ambiguous version.

Qing Lin’s breath hitched instantly.

There was no way he could let Shen Xuzhi see that.

In that instant, wearing pants didn’t matter. Instinct took over. Protecting his secret identity was the priority.

Qing Lin lunged onto the bed in one big motion, grabbed the iPad, and quickly turned off the screen. Unfortunately, the action lifted his pajama top, giving Shen Xuzhi a clear view of his round buttocks.

Qing Lin scrambled under the blanket immediately after, curling himself up inside with only his head poking out, his pale eyes glaring at Shen Xuzhi with extreme wariness.

The room fell into suffocating silence, time seeming to freeze.

Qing Lin: “…………”

Shen Xuzhi: “…………”

The silence dragged on until Qing Lin nearly lost his mind, his face burning. “Mr. Shen, could you… leave for a moment…”

“……”

His voice grew softer, his head burrowing into the blanket until only a sliver remained visible. “And about what you just saw… pretend you didn’t see anything, alright?”

“……”

Shen Xuzhi was the one losing his mind now. His ears burned scarlet, his thoughts looping again and again over Qing Lin’s beautiful legs and beautiful buttocks.

He can’t take it anymore

Barely holding himself together, Shen Xuzhi quickly agreed, stepped out of the bedroom, closed the door, and leaned heavily against it, breathing hard.

He really hadn’t known Qing Lin was in this room.

…So the little one actually doesn’t like wearing pants when he sleeps…

Trying to steady himself, Shen Xuzhi immediately called Wang Zhan.

“Hey, Xu-ge! You in the room yet? How’s the surprise?” Wang Zhan sounded lively.

Shen Xuzhi rubbed his face. “You arranged this room?”

“Yeah! I wanted you and Linlin to stay together. How’s my assist?”

“……”

Shen Xuzhi recalled that this room only had one bedroom and one bed.

Wang Zhan, oh Wang Zhan.

You’re really something.

Speechless, Shen Xuzhi ran a hand through his hair.

“…Book me another room.”

“Huh? You’re not sharing with Linlin?”

“Cut the nonsense. Hurry up.”

“…Alright.”

Hanging up, Shen Xuzhi let out a long breath.

At that moment, the bedroom door opened again. Qing Lin peeked out, now properly wearing pajama pants, leaning against the doorframe. “Mr. Shen.”

Shen Xuzhi quickly averted his eyes. “Ah… sorry.”

“Wang Zhan gave me the wrong room card. I didn’t know you were here… my apologies.” He added.

Qing Lin, trying to keep his composure, said firmly, “It’s fine, Mr. Shen. As long as you don’t mention it and I don’t mention it, then this little awkward moment never happened.”

Shen Xuzhi: “…”

So laid-back.

So unmistakably Qing Lin.

The less he showed any concern, the deeper the emptiness grew inside Shen Xuzhi.

And he still did not like him.

At that moment, Shen Xuzhi thought of Jiang Liao.

Turning back to Qing Lin, he said, “I have a few friends who happen to be in Argentina. If you’re free tomorrow, would you like to meet and have a meal together?”

Qing Lin thought for a moment before agreeing. “Alright.”

Shen Xuzhi hadn’t expected him to agree so quickly. “Don’t feel obligated.”

Qing Lin answered lightly, “I’m not. I told you. I want to get to know Mr. Shen.”

The words caught him off guard. Fortunately, Wang Zhan called just then to say the room was ready. Shen Xuzhi seized the chance to end the conversation. “Alright, I’ll head back first. You should rest early.”

Qing Lin answered, “You too. Good night.”

Moonlight spread across the ground, the night deep and quiet, the foreign land steeped in silence.

Shen Xuzhi felt that, like the restless moon above, he too would find it difficult to sleep tonight.

—

Glasses clinked, the air heavy with alcohol and nicotine. Liquor poured into crystal-clear glasses, ice cubes rising and sinking within.

The Argentine bar was uniquely styled, with a black-and-white checkered floor and rows of tall tables where men and women gathered in lively chatter.

When Shen Xuzhi arrived at the address, he had the sudden urge to strangle Jiang Liao.

Wasn’t this supposed to be dinner?

Dinner at a bar?

“Hey, Ah Zhi, over here!”

Jiang Liao’s voice cut through the crowd. Shen Xuzhi looked over, bringing Qing Lin along.

After receiving Shen Xuzhi’s call, Jiang Liao had immediately made arrangements and booked a small private room.

Jiang Liao and Qi Youhuai were already seated, waving them over.

Shen Xuzhi, face cold, led Qing Lin to sit down. Jiang Liao hurried forward with a grin. “It’s not easy to get you here, big star.”

Then he turned his head toward Qing Lin sitting beside him. “Hello, little beauty~ I’m Jiang Liao, Ah Zhi’s friend.”

Though unsure why he was being called “little beauty,” Qing Lin still nodded politely. “Hello.”

“Introduce him properly, Ah Zhi,” Jiang Liao said.

Shen Xuzhi replied, “This is Qing Lin, my… partner on the show.”

Qing Lin greeted everyone again.

Jiang Liao looked at the quiet young man with interest. Despite the noisy, even chaotic setting, Qing Lin showed not the slightest unease or discomfort. It was as if he was long familiar with and accustomed to such dim, dazzling places.

“I’ve heard so much about you. Your CP with Ah Zhi is insanely popular, I’m hooked on it myself.” Jiang Liao gestured toward the man seated beside him.

“Let me introduce him too. This is Qi Youhuai.”

Qing Lin turned toward him. Truthfully, he had noticed the man as soon as he entered.

Qi Youhuai wore a sharply tailored suit, composed and restrained. The dark colors made him seem especially cold, almost stern. He didn’t look like he was here for a bar outing, but rather for a negotiation.

He sat casually, smoking a cigar, but when his gaze swept over, it carried the chill of falling snow.

Hearing his name mentioned, Qi Youhuai lifted his eyes.

When Qing Lin met his gaze, he realized the man’s irises were unusually light, almost amber under the light.

Just like his own.

Qi Youhuai looked at him for a moment, then stubbed out his cigar.

“Qi Youhuai,” he said, his voice cool and low. Taking a card from his pocket, he handed it to Qing Lin. “My business card.”

Qing Lin quickly accepted it. “Thank you.”

Glancing down, he saw the print: Qi Youhuai, President of Chengqi Group.

“Seriously, Lao Qi? Handing out business cards here?” Jiang Liao looked shocked. “This is a bar, not your office. You’re here to have fun, not conduct business. Why so formal? Hahaha.”

Qing Lin thought that was the end of it, but the man across from him suddenly spoke again.

“What’s your name?” Qi Youhuai asked.

Qing Lin was taken aback, but answered, “Qing Lin.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-one this year.”

“Where are you from?”

“Hangzhou.”

“Still in school?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“Zhejiang University. Junior year.”

“Lao Qi, are you running a household registration check?” Jiang Liao chuckled.

“No,” Qi Youhuai poured himself a glass of liquor. “The kid’s quite well-behaved.”

Qing Lin found this rather puzzling but then heard Jiang Liao laugh. “Hahaha, that’s just how Lao Qi is. People call him the cold-blooded demon king, but he’s actually easy to get along with.”

“Come on, let’s drink! The liquor here is the real deal, give it a taste!” As the group’s mood-setter, Jiang Liao was doing his job enthusiastically.

Shen Xuzhi, sitting beside Qing Lin, found Jiang Liao unbearably noisy and couldn’t help but worry that Qing Lin might be startled.

Luckily, Qing Lin showed no sign of discomfort and didn’t seem to find these friends unusual.

When Jiang Liao urged them to drink, Shen Xuzhi called for a waiter, intending to order Qing Lin a non-alcoholic drink. But before he could finish speaking, a glass was slid in front of Qing Lin.

Qi Youhuai, seated across, reached out with slender fingers. He drew away the glass of wine in front of Qing Lin and replaced it with a non-alcoholic mojito.

Qing Lin blinked in slight surprise.

The man’s amber-like eyes met his, and a low voice rumbled steadily from his chest.

“Children should not drink alcohol.”