The Academic God Becomes an Internet Sensation After Joining a Dating Show - Chapter 74 - Cohabitation

Filming resumed for the Yunnan segment.

After Shen Xuzhi’s “secret crush confession” went viral, Follow Heart broke its all-time viewership record—millions tuned in to the livestream, cheering on his pursuit.

Comments flooded the screen:

[Shen Xuzhi! Move aside—I’ll seduce him myself!]

[Stop hesitating and go for it!]

[Go, Shen Laoshi, go! Start dating already!]

[Flirt harder! Show off that charm! He’s a genius and a beauty—you’d be crazy not to win him over!]

Even beyond the screen, the teasing and encouragement didn’t stop.

Nan Yu and Qiao Weilan kept flaunting their relationship in front of him, saying things like, “Having a partner is amazing—no loneliness, no cold nights, just love and warmth.”

Meanwhile, the mischievous Shang Miaomiao tried guilt-tripping him. “Adults don’t lie, right? So, Shen Xuzhi and Qing Lin are totally getting married someday, huh? If not—you’re lying to a kid! Punishment: a hundred kisses!”

Behind the scenes, Su Mingxuan and Ning Yian kept fanning the flames with playful jabs. “You’re the only one still single, Shen Laoshi. If you don’t find someone soon, you’ll end up in last place—and you’ve never been last before, have you?”

Even the friendly fruit vendor auntie joined in, smiling as she handed them fruit. “You’re both such handsome young men! That one next to you looks like a good match—why not give it a try?”

Shen Xuzhi accepted the fruit with a bright smile. “Thanks, Auntie. I think so too.”

Qing Lin: “…”

What on earth were all these people doing?

Shen Xuzhi’s public confession wasn’t just about baring his heart—it was also his way of protecting Qing Lin, redirecting the tabloids’ nasty rumors and shifting public attention elsewhere. Qing Lin knew that.

Shen Laoshi had thought everything through, all for his sake. And truthfully, Qing Lin’s heart had already been moved long ago.

Now that the investigation into Qing Baihu’s case was finally making progress, the two of them were slowly drawing closer.

But… Qing Lin still hadn’t figured out how to confess.

It was, without a doubt, a big deal.

When Shen Xuzhi had confessed to Qing Lin, he’d been drunk. Ever since then, he couldn’t shake the feeling that it didn’t count—that it hadn’t been proper. He insisted that he owed Qing Lin a formal confession, one made with a clear mind and a steady heart.

But Qing Lin thought differently. In his mind, he was the one who owed Shen Xuzhi—
a confession that was open, passionate, and completely sincere.

The funny thing was, Shen Xuzhi genuinely believed Qing Lin was upset with him.

And honestly, Qing Lin had every right to be. Shen Xuzhi had crossed a line, acting on selfish feelings and taking advantage of a moment he shouldn’t have.

Originally, Qing Lin had planned to explain things to him. But then an idea struck—a perfect marketing opportunity.

This whole “pursuit” narrative? It was gold. Tailor-made to attract ShenLin Qijing CP fans, generate massive attention, and keep the spotlight burning.

Since Shen Laoshi—the ever-loyal client—seemed to enjoy playing up their couple image, Qing Lin decided to go along with it wholeheartedly. He’d fulfill his contractual duties to the very end, flawlessly.

And maybe, just maybe, it would serve as a small punishment for Shen Xuzhi, who had kept their past connection a secret yet insisted on signing a business “couple” deal with him.

Still, Qing Lin knew there would come a time when he needed to sit down with Shen Xuzhi—
to tell him what he knew, what he hadn’t known, and to finally admit that his feelings were real.

____________________________________________________________________________

The Yunnan segment came to an end.

“Goodbye for now, see you next time~”

“See you!”

With cheerful farewells, the cast members returned to their respective cities to begin post-production.

Qing Lin packed his luggage, waiting for Shang Miaomiao’s family to pick him up.

Shang Boze and his husband had arrived in Yunnan not long before. When Qing Lin had briefly returned to Hangzhou to handle matters related to Qing Baihu, they had kindly taken care of Shang Miaomiao for a day.

Now, Shen Xuzhi and Qing Lin stood together, seeing Shang Miaomiao off. Shang Boze and Meng Qiu came down from the car to thank them personally.

Shang Boze was a composed and elegant man—refined, courteous, and the very image of a gentleman.

Beside him stood his spouse, Meng Qiu—a strikingly beautiful man with a delicate, almost frail grace. At first glance, he looked like a gentle soul weakened by illness, the kind who carried an air of quiet melancholy.

No wonder Shang Miaomiao had such polished manners; it seemed his daddy’s health was indeed fragile.

“Thank you both for taking care of Miaomiao these past few days,” Shang Boze said as he helped the boy into the car. He then shook hands with Shen Xuzhi and Qing Lin again in gratitude.

“It was no trouble at all,” Qing Lin replied warmly. “Miaomiao was a delight to be around. I should be the one thanking you—for speaking up for me online back then.”

“You’re very welcome,” Shang Boze said with a nod. His gaze lingered briefly on the two of them before he smiled faintly and added, “We’ll be on our way now.”

Shang Miaomiao poked his head out of the car window one last time, his bright smile as sweet as ever.

“Bye, Linlin! Bye, Xuxu! You two have to invite Miaomiao to your wedding!”

Both Shen Xuzhi and Qing Lin froze for a heartbeat, then exchanged a look—half embarrassed, half amused.

As the car disappeared down the road, Qing Lin tilted his head up toward the endless sky. Wisps of clouds drifted lazily above, and a sigh escaped his lips, long and soft.

And then it hit him—a very real, very immediate problem.

Where was he supposed to live now?

His stay at the university dorm was over. He’d considered renting a place, but the thought of returning to an apartment still haunted by traces of Qing Baihu made his chest tighten.

Reapplying for the dorm would be tedious. Renting somewhere new was out of reach—his bank account couldn’t handle it. And hotels? Out of the question.

That was when Shen Xuzhi spoke.

“Come stay at my place.”

The words were delivered so casually, yet they landed with surprising weight. Shen Xuzhi’s voice was calm, warm even—his tone unhurried but firm, as if he’d already decided.

He looked at Qing Lin with those deep, clear eyes—steady, kind, and unbearably sincere.

And Qing Lin’s heart nearly stopped.

“I live alone,” Shen Xuzhi continued. “There’s a spare room. No rent, no bills. I’ll even handle the meals. You’d just help out with cleaning sometimes.”

He spoke like it was the most reasonable arrangement in the world.

“The media’s still keeping tabs on you. If you stay on campus, they’ll hound you. My place has excellent security—supermarket, café, everything inside the compound. It’s private. Safe.”

That… sounded way too tempting.

Qing Lin swallowed hard.

But wait—didn’t that basically mean… they’d be living together? That thought alone sent a rush of warmth up his neck. His face flushed pink before he could stop it.

What should he do? He was so happy.

He could see Mr. Shen every day. Hear his voice. Have breakfast together.

Without even trying to hide it, Qing Lin agreed on the spot.

After all, who wouldn’t want to live with the person they like?

Shen Xuzhi arranged for a moving company to pack up Qing Lin’s belongings from the rental apartment and bring them to his place. Qing Lin didn’t have much—once everything was sorted, it all fit neatly into just two suitcases.

The drive to Shen Xuzhi’s neighborhood took them through quiet, tree-lined streets. It was an upscale residential complex—discreet, secure, and home to quite a few celebrities.

When they arrived, Qing Lin stood before the sleek front door, a mix of nerves and anticipation fluttering in his chest. He raised a hand and knocked lightly.

The door swung open almost instantly.

Shen Xuzhi stood there, wearing a loose gray long-sleeved shirt that draped effortlessly over his broad shoulders. His expression softened when he saw Qing Lin.

“Welcome,” he said.

Qing Lin stood frozen for a moment, taking it all in.

The place looked like something straight out of a design magazine—modern yet warm, every detail exuding effortless taste.

Shen Xuzhi carried his luggage inside with practiced ease, giving him a quiet tour of the house as they walked.

The living room was spacious, dominated by floor-to-ceiling windows draped with gray blackout curtains. A long, sleek sofa stretched across the room, facing an enormous TV mounted above a minimalist console. To one side was a semi-open smart kitchen that gleamed under soft lighting.

The bathroom was on the first floor. When Qing Lin peeked inside, he was stunned to see everything already prepared—a fresh toothbrush, towel, and even bath products laid out neatly. His gaze lingered on the large bathtub.

Meanwhile, Shen Xuzhi had already carried the suitcases upstairs. He pushed open a door and gestured for Qing Lin to follow.

“This will be your room,” he said.

The room had clearly been cleaned up—neat, orderly, and simply decorated. Qing Lin couldn’t help feeling satisfied.

“You can unpack first,” Shen Xuzhi continued. “I’m right next door. If you need anything, just knock.” He paused, his tone softening a little. “The air conditioning runs a bit cold. You should wear something with long sleeves, so you don’t catch a cold.”

Qing Lin turned toward him, his voice quiet but sincere. “Thank you, Mr. Shen.”

Shen Xuzhi’s gold-rimmed glasses caught the light as he looked at him. Under the warm glow of the ceiling lamp, his features seemed even more defined—sharp yet refined, exuding an understated, almost noble charm.

At Qing Lin’s polite words of thanks, Shen Xuzhi’s lips curved into a smile. Leaning lazily against the doorframe, he teased, “Only a verbal thank you?”

Qing Lin felt his heartbeat stumble out of rhythm.

He met Shen Xuzhi’s gaze for a fleeting moment before lowering his eyes, a faint blush blooming across his cheeks. The line of his neck curved delicately as he bowed his head, the pale skin catching the light and revealing the fine outline of his collarbone.

A flicker of memory crossed Qing Lin’s face. He lifted his head, turning back toward the house, then stepped inside. A minute later, he emerged with a small, unassuming bag plucked from his open suitcase and returned to face Shen Xuzhi.

Naturally handsome, Qing Lin’s eyes now held a brilliant, almost luminous spark.

“Mr. Shen,” Qing Lin began, his voice clear. “Would you mind putting this on for me?”

Shen Xuzhi regarded him with a questioning look, one brow slightly raised.

Accepting the bag, Shen Xuzhi’s hand stilled as he opened it. Inside were a pair of plush wolf ears, a delicate choker collar, and a slender chain.

A sudden flicker of darkness passed through his eyes. He hadn’t expected the young man to possess such… unusual interests.

“I’m planning to start painting again,” Qing Lin explained quickly, unaware of the shift in the air. “This is my first commissioned project—card art concept designs for a game company. They sent these items for reference. Would you be willing to model for me?”

Shen Xuzhi carefully pulled out the choker. The leather was exquisitely crafted, a single, glittering diamond swaying from its center, catching the light as the chain moved.

Observing Qing Lin’s bright, earnest gaze, Shen Xuzhi suddenly realized the youngster seemed entirely oblivious to the necklace’s underlying significance.

Shen Xuzhi looked down, his long lashes shadowing his dark eyes. “Sure,” he replied, the word casual, almost a drawl.

Qing Lin brightened instantly and turned toward the room. “Wait a moment, I’ll grab my iPad—”

But Shen Xuzhi caught his wrist and gently pulled him toward the staircase. “No rush.”

He carried the bag of props downstairs with Qing Lin following behind, then pressed the younger man lightly onto the soft sofa cushions.

Before Qing Lin could fully register the shift in momentum, Shen Xuzhi stood before him, removed his own glasses, and bent at the waist. His hands moved with an almost practiced grace, and with a swift tug, he neatly took off his clothes.

Startled, Qing Lin hurriedly covered his eyes, but even in his embarrassment, he still left a small gap between his fingers to keep peeking at Shen Xuzhi’s body.

Smooth contours, a tantalizing V-line, firm, powerful abdominal muscles, and the perfect sculpture of broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist—the harsh overhead light carved every detail into sharp relief.

Absolutely stunning.

How had he never noticed this before?

Shen Xuzhi pulled a matching top from the bag and slipped it on, then attached the pair of wolf ears. He then turned, a slow, predatory smile curving his lips as he faced the stunned Qing Lin.

Qing Lin’s face flushed a deep crimson. Slowly lowering his hands, he cleared his throat in a poor attempt at feigned composure. He stammered, “What… what are you doing?”

The man tilted his head just slightly, his long lashes fluttering as the corners of his eyes curved upward. The effect was strangely powerful, carrying a palpable air of dominance, even a hint of veiled desire.

The wolf ears suited him perfectly. Those jet-black pupils fixed on Qing Lin, who unconsciously leaned back, sinking deeper into the sofa cushions.

Shen Xuzhi’s expression barely shifted, his mood impossible to gauge, yet his presence pressed down with quiet intensity. He closed the distance between them and suddenly leaned in.

Qing Lin’s heart felt like it was about to burst, as if a faint current of electricity had just flowed through it.

The dim lighting of the living room only deepened the already suggestive atmosphere.

“Qing Laoshi, I am a diligent student. I have carefully studied all the advice everyone gave me on how to pursue someone,” Shen Xuzhi murmured earnestly, leaning forward between Qing Lin’s legs.

“I’m seducing you right now.”