The Academic God Becomes an Internet Sensation After Joining a Dating Show - Chapter 62 - City of Stars

Qing Lin gazed down at the temperature-sensing wristband in his hand.

Shen Xuzhi had cared for it meticulously—its surface gleamed with a thin layer of wax, polished to a glossy shine.

“Mr. Shen,” Qing Lin said softly.

Shen Xuzhi looked back at him, eyes sparkling under the glow of the lights.

Qing Lin suddenly clenched his fist, his expression solemn. “I’ll work hard!”

Shen Xuzhi: “…?”

Qing Lin’s gaze swept across the breathtaking scene—the starry city skyline, the towering buildings lit against the night, and the man before him who treated him with such generosity. His sense of duty surged like wildfire. “Thank you, Mr. Shen!”

A job with benefits like this was rare, and Qing Lin resolved to treasure it.

Just as he was about to pledge his loyalty, already rehearsing in his mind how he’d deliver tomorrow’s data findings in perfect detail, Shen Xuzhi suddenly seized his hand.

“No.” Shen Xuzhi’s palm burned hot against his skin. His voice was urgent, almost desperate. “That’s not what I meant.”

Without hesitation, he continued, low and unyielding. “I just want to be good to you.”

“Simply… to be good to you. I—”

Qing Lin froze.

The clasp of their hands seared into him like the glowing tip of a cigarette, or vines bursting suddenly into growth—burning, climbing, tangling through his heart from top to bottom.

“Ah! Shen Xuzhi, there they are!”

A sudden wave of shouts shattered the moment.

Screams rang out below as a group of tourists surged up the mountain, flashlights and cameras raised toward them.

“Ahhhhh! We found them! We found them!”

“Ah Zhi! I’m your fan!”

“The tip was real! He’s even more handsome in person!”

The night exploded in blinding bursts of camera flashes, piercing through the dark like lightning.

Shen Xuzhi moved instantly, shielding Qing Lin with his body, tugging his hat low to cover his face, pulling him tight into his arms.

They had booked the entire venue. These weren’t ordinary tourists—they were stalker fans.

Who knew what extreme things they might attempt next?

Shen Xuzhi’s gaze swept sharply over the crowd, his brow knit tight. Alone, he could have forced a path through. But with Qing Lin by his side, fleeing wasn’t safe.

Just then, the boy in his arms tilted his head up. His eyes were steady, almost unnervingly calm.

He reached for Shen Xuzhi’s hand, holding it firmly, and pulled him as he ran back.

Shen Xuzhi reeled from the impact, only to hear the man whirl around and shout at him,

“What are you standing there for? Run!”

Qing Lin seized his wrist once again and dragged him down the stairs, bursting out the exit.

The lights outside were dim, but the relief was short-lived. Stalker fans swarmed the doorway, phones flashing in their faces, some even reaching to tug at their clothes.

In a heartbeat, Qing Lin tightened his grip on Shen Xuzhi’s hand and broke into a sprint.

“They went that way!”

“Quick, follow them!”

“Aaaaahhh!”

Their footsteps echoed against the stone path as they ran. Shen Xuzhi knew this pace couldn’t last. If they kept running blindly, they’d be caught. They needed cover.

But before he could speak, the figure in front of him veered sharply and plunged into a wall of bushes.

“Qing Lin—!”

The bushes opened onto a steep slope. Gravel crunched underfoot as momentum dragged them down, branches whipping their arms, stinging their skin.

They half-ran, half-fell, sliding on their knees as the slope carried them to the bottom.

Shen Xuzhi lunged forward to catch him—pulling him into his arms as they both lost balance. Together, they tumbled through leaves and dirt, rolling over and over until the ground leveled out beneath them.

When the world finally stilled, Shen Xuzhi opened his eyes to see a canopy of branches overhead, the moon caught between their twigs.

The boy who had just leapt off a mountain with him was sprawled across his chest, breathless and trembling. Their ragged breaths mingled in the night air, body heat seeping through thin layers of summer clothes. Their hearts thudded against each other, fast, wild, impossibly in sync.

This kid is insane.

Qing Lin pushed himself up, planting his hands on either side of Shen Xuzhi’s head. His voice was low, urgent.

“Mr. Shen, are you all right?”

The moonlight spilled across his hair, strands falling loose as he leaned over. Shen Xuzhi’s vision filled with nothing but this boy’s face.

And then, inexplicably, Shen Xuzhi laughed.

Qing Lin startled, his pulse skipping. The laugh sounded almost unhinged. Did he hit his head?

“Don’t scare me like that,” Shen Xuzhi murmured.

Panicked, Qing Lin cupped his face, tilting it this way and that, checking for injuries. “You’re not hurt, are you? This…”

But Shen Xuzhi caught the hand against his cheek, pressing it firmly. He tilted his head just enough to brush a kiss against Qing Lin’s palm before pulling him closer.

“I like you so much.”

The words slipped out in a whisper, so soft they seemed to vanish on the night air.

Qing Lin froze. He thought he’d misheard.

“What did you say?”

Shen Xuzhi pinched Qing Lin lightly under the arm and hoisted him up, his grin bright and unrestrained.

“I’m delighted,” he said.

Qing Lin blinked, unable to understand what exactly he was so happy about. Shen Xuzhi still hadn’t released his hand; his own ears began to burn again.

“Why do you trust me so completely?” he muttered. “You jumped just because I did. If that had been a real cliff instead of a slope, we’d both be dead.”

“Then we’d die,” Shen Xuzhi said simply, his eyes steady on Qing Lin. “And it would be worth every second.”

Qing Lin’s face flushed; his palms had gone damp.

“I’d already scouted the terrain when I came up,” he said quickly, eyes lowering. “Just in case. I checked this path and the slope below beforehand. I never meant to put you in danger.”

Shen Xuzhi’s heart thrilled at the words.

The surprise he’d planned for Qing Lin had been ruined by the chaos, but what he’d gained instead felt like a treasure—unexpected, unintentional, and all the more precious.

With Qing Lin here, everything burst into color; even the night itself seemed alive with possibilities.

He lifted his gaze to the sky beyond the mountains. Dali’s nightscape stretched out below them, a mingling of city lights and wild mountain dark, the horizon blurring into a silent, shimmering dream.

This moment—this hidden place—was theirs alone. No one else knew.

Qing Lin crouched and carefully checked Shen Xuzhi for injuries before straightening. He reached into the bush and pulled out a guitar.

“Just checking if it’s damaged,” Qing Lin said. “I grabbed it on the way down. Lost my grip, and it landed here.”

Shen Xuzhi stared, genuinely astonished. Even in the chaos, Qing Lin had thought to save the guitar he’d left behind.

God, he was going to love him to death.

Shen Xuzhi took the guitar, plucked at the strings, and found it unharmed. Its notes rang crisp and clear, echoing softly through the night.

He turned, cradling the instrument in his arms. “Qing Lin, want to hear a song?”

Both a little mad, and perfectly matched.

Just as Qing Lin knew full well the stalkers hadn’t gone far, and that singing now might risk being discovered.

Just as Shen Xuzhi knew the cliff ahead was real, that a single step too far would kill them both—yet he’d leap with him again without hesitation.

The slender moon and scattered stars spilled their light over them, veiling their bodies in a soft, transparent glow.

“City of stars

Are you shining just for me

City of stars

There’s so much that I can’t see

Who knows

I felt it from the first embrace I shared with you

That now our dreams

They’ve finally come true.”

In that moment, they sat tucked away in the heart of summer, surrounded by wild, untamed green, far from the crowd. Shen Xuzhi strummed the guitar, every note soft and unhurried.

Then he began to sing—quietly at first, his voice rising gently, low and lingering, carrying through the warm night air.

“Cause all that I need is this crazy feeling

A rat-tat-tat on my heart

Think I want it to stay

City of stars

Are you shining just for me

City of stars

You never shined so brightly.”

Two figures sat shoulder to shoulder, their silhouettes merging against the glow of the night. No one knew, and yet everyone knew.

______________________________________________________________________-

Wang Zhan was scared half to death.

He hadn’t received a single call from the two and thought the lovebirds were just tangled up in each other, planning to come back late.

But when he opened Weibo and saw the trending tag #ShenXuzhiSasaengs, he nearly lost his soul on the spot and rushed out to pick up his two troublemakers.

When he finally spotted them, Shen Xuzhi and Qing Lin were both covered in dirt and streaked with dust. Wang Zhan’s face turned pale.

“You… you didn’t actually get into a fight with those people, did you?” he stammered.

“No,” Shen Xuzhi answered calmly. A faint smile tugged at his lips. “We went on an adventure.”

Wang Zhan: “…”

Shen Xuzhi and Qing Lin returned home to find the light in Shang Miaomiao’s room already dimmed—the boy had long since gone to sleep.

When the two adults stepped into their own room, the brightness revealed everything clearly. Shen Xuzhi’s gaze swept Qing Lin from head to toe, finally settling on the faint wound on his ankle.

“You’re hurt.” He immediately pressed Qing Lin down onto the bed and insisted on tending to it.

Qing Lin frowned, dismissive. It was just a scratch, nothing more. But when the sting of alcohol hit, he couldn’t help landing a punch against Shen Xuzhi’s chest.

“And you still claim it’s nothing,” Shen Xuzhi muttered, gently rubbing his ankle. “We’ll redress it tomorrow.”

After taking care of both the big and the small matters, they finally turned in for the night.

The next morning, it was Shang Miaomiao who came to rouse them.

Since being scolded by Shen Xuzhi the other day, the boy had been much more obedient to the production crew. Task card in hand, he knocked on the adults’ door.

[Good morning!]

[Oh my god, I’m cracking up. This is the first time I’ve seen a kid wake up the adults on a reality show, hahaha!]

[It’s a sneak attack, isn’t it? A total sneak attack!]

[Wait, how many rooms are there in this house? Didn’t they say the ShenLin couple share one?]

[Two single rooms? And no nighttime livestream either? Production team, you’re ruthless!]

Miaomiao, a child with strict sleeping habits, was already neatly dressed. Standing at the door, he called out brightly, “Xuxu, Linlin, time to wake up!”

There was no answer for a long while. Miaomiao knocked again, voice firmer. “If you don’t get up, the sun’s gonna burn your butt!”

At last, the doorknob turned.

The door creaked open to reveal Shen Xuzhi, bare-chested, muscles and sharp lines on full display as he brushed his teeth.

Catching sight of the camera aimed at him, he froze, then slammed the door shut in a hurry.

[Ahhhhhhh Shen Laoshi! You’re actually… shirtless!]

[Abs! ABS! That body—Linlin is so blessed!]

[What on earth did you two do last night?!]

[I zoomed in! I swear I saw it! A double bed! Linlin’s still in there—those pale legs! Don’t tell me I’m imagining things!]

“Miaomiao came to wake you up,” the boy reminded through the door, holding up the task card. “Where’s Linlin?”

“He’s still sleeping,” Shen Xuzhi answered calmly. “Let him rest a bit more. You head to the dining room first. I’ll make breakfast in a while.”

Miaomiao had no objection—Linlin deserved a little more sleep. Shen Xuzhi slipped into some clothes and stepped outside.

The Yunnan morning was soft and refreshing. Flowers swayed gently in the courtyard breeze. After giving them a quick watering, Shen Xuzhi brought the ingredients from the production team upstairs and started making breakfast.

[Chef Ah Zhi is in the house!]

[Damn, he’s skilled.]

[QL, QL, are you awake yet?]

Just as the comments scrolled by, the upstairs door opened.

Qing Lin walked in still wearing his pajamas, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His long, pale legs were half-hidden beneath the hem of his shorts, and his feet were tucked into the guesthouse’s bear-print slippers.

After so many days of filming, it was clear he had loosened up. His hair was softly tousled, and his pale eyes rested quietly, carrying a calmness that was effortlessly beautiful.

Miaomiao immediately ran over, seized his hand, and pulled him toward the table. “Good morning, Linlin. You’re gorgeous as always.”

“Up already?” Shen Xuzhi, now wearing an apron, emerged from the kitchen carrying breakfast. He set the plates down before Qing Lin. “Sandwiches and fried eggs.”

“Miaomiao made you milk!” The boy proudly pushed a cup toward him. “It’s still warm—drink it while it is!”

Qing Lin looked at the neatly arranged breakfast spread, his chest swelling with a quiet sense of warmth and gratitude.

[Linlin! Linlin! (weeping noises)]

[Aaaaah, he really looks so well taken care of—total ultimate husband vibes!]

[Damn, that’s so blissful I could die!]

Qing Lin enjoyed one of the most satisfying breakfasts he’d had in a long time.

The sandwiches were just to his taste—nutritious, generously filled, pressed tight enough to hold together when lifted with one hand, yet not so big that a bite was awkward. Mr. Shen’s cooking was, as always, faultless.

The production team hadn’t given them any new filming schedule, and since their family woke up rather early, Qing Lin sat in the small courtyard after breakfast and started reading.

Sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of leaves, dappling the ground in shifting patterns. Dressed simply in a T-shirt and loose pants, the teenager reclined in a rocking chair, fanning himself lazily while reading.

Beside him, a small stand held tea and pastries Shen Xuzhi had prepared.

Qing Lin’s skin was porcelain-fair, his features cut with delicate precision. His eyes were soft yet clear, his nose high and straight. Without any need for embellishment, he carried the air of a refined young scholar.

Inside, Shen Xuzhi was focused on editing a music track, while Shang Miaomiao busied himself with the stack of photos from yesterday’s outing. Once they were developed, he planned to present them proudly to Qing Lin.

“Look at these!” Miaomiao bounded over, thrusting the stack of prints toward him. “Here’s Linlin eating cake—and this one, look! Xuxu driving!”

As he chattered on about each photo, Qing Lin suddenly caught a familiar, faintly citrus scent.

Looking up, he found Shen Xuzhi leaning over, bracing both hands on the arms of his rocking chair, close enough to peer at the photos himself.

“Let me see.” Shen Xuzhi picked one up, studying it with a small smile. “These turned out really well.”

“Right? Right?” Miaomiao beamed. “And look, see how pink the sky still is!”

It was moments like this that showed the charm of a slower-paced variety show—ordinary life captured at a leisurely, unhurried rhythm.

But the peace didn’t last long. Just as the warmth of the morning began to sink in, a new task card arrived.

Cangshan Encounter Mission

Today’s destination: Cangshan Mountain, one of Dali’s most famous scenic sites. Standing as the main peak of southern Yunnan’s mountain range, it overlooks Erhai Lake to the east and the Heihui River to the west. It is celebrated as the most beautiful among Dali’s renowned “Four Scenes of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon.

Parents’ mission: climb Cangshan Mountain to find a Hani girl and collect an item, along with a new task card.

Child’s mission: attend a day of classes at Hope School at the foot of Cangshan Mountain.

“Study?!” Shang Miaomiao shot to his feet the moment Qing Lin finished reading the mission card.

Qing Lin read the task card again before lifting his gaze to Shen Xuzhi. “The production team wants us separated from Miaomiao today.”

Shen Xuzhi gave a small nod.

At once, Shang Miaomiao panicked. “I don’t want to! I don’t want to go to school! I don’t want to!”

“The crew’s reasoning is that Cangshan’s altitude is too high. It’s not suitable for children,” Shen Xuzhi said, holding him steady. “But tell me, Miaomiao, why don’t you want to go to school?”

“Only dumb kids go to school. Miaomiao’s smart. I don’t need it!” The boy stomped and whined, throwing a full tantrum.

When Shen Xuzhi remained completely unmoved, Miaomiao turned pleadingly to Qing Lin. “Linlin, I don’t want to go. I’ll miss you! I don’t want to be apart from you.”

Qing Lin simply handed him a photo of himself. “If you miss me, look at this.”

Miaomiao: “…”

The boy sulked, puffing out his cheeks. “I’m not going! Miaomiao knows everything already—why would I need school? Only dumb kids go! I’m super smart!”

Just as he was about to throw another fit, Qing Lin’s calm voice cut through.
“Then tell me, Miaomiao, why was the sky in the photo you showed me earlier pink?”

The boy froze, blinking.

His little brows knitted together, eyes darting nervously before he glanced back up at the present sky—an expanse of clear, bright blue.

Qing Lin, still composed, explained in a patient, almost teacherly tone.

“The sky sometimes turns pink because of how light scatters in Earth’s atmosphere. Visible light includes short blue-violet wavelengths and longer yellow-orange ones. At noon, when the sun is high, light travels through less of the atmosphere—blue light scatters the most, so the sky appears blue. At dusk, sunlight passes through a thicker layer of air, and the shorter wavelengths scatter away first, leaving the longer orange and red ones. When clouds are present, those warm colors blend and reflect, tinting the sky in soft shades of pink.”

He sipped his tea lightly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead, his voice steady and casual.

“If Miaomiao’s really as smart as he says, shouldn’t he already know that?”