APCF – Chapter 123 Alternate Account

Bo Ye hadn’t seen Qi Xingchen in so long that it was like he wanted to pour all his energy into him. They messed around for nearly two hours before he finally let him go.

When they returned, it wasn’t even 6 p.m., but now it was close to 8. Qi Xingchen lay sprawled on the bed, his voice hoarse and unrecognizable: “Brother Ye, are you hungry?”

Bo Ye: “I’m okay.”

“Then let’s not cook tonight. Let’s go out to eat something. You came all this way—it hasn’t been easy—I should treat you properly.”

Sensing his little boyfriend’s desperate will to live, Bo Ye held back a laugh, giving him a sideways glance: “Aren’t you already treating me well?”

“…That doesn’t count,” Qi Xingchen muttered, trembling as he climbed off the bed.

“There’s tons of local specialties around here. Let me take you to try them all, how about it?”

Bo Ye gave a deliberately reluctant nod.

Qi Xingchen breathed a sigh of relief and bolted off like the wind in his slippers.

After a quick cleanup to rid his legs and body of any remaining mess, Qi Xingchen borrowed a private car from Director Zheng. He pulled Bo Ye and Allen into the vehicle and stealthily drove off. There were too many paparazzi staking out the film studio, so he didn’t dare wander nearby. He nudged Bo Ye on the shoulder: “Brother Ye, anything you’re craving?”

Bo Ye’s heart stirred. He didn’t particularly want anything to eat—but he really did want to take a walk with his little fanboy, like a normal couple. After thinking for a bit, he asked: “Is there a night market that’s not too crowded?”

“There is. You want night market food?”

Bo Ye responded with a quiet “Mm.”

“We can stroll a bit while we’re at it.”

Qi Xingchen gave an address—near a university town where the population was thinner than the city center. It was said to have a massive night market with a wide variety of street food.

As public figures, they obviously couldn’t just go walking around openly. Once they arrived, they put on hats, masks, and sunglasses, dressed casually in T-shirts and jeans—looking for all the world like typical campus heartthrobs.

“We won’t be recognized, right?” Qi Xingchen still sounded worried.

“Maybe we should just pick a nicer restaurant?”

“It’s fine,” Bo Ye shook his head.

“If we get recognized, we get recognized—as long as it doesn’t cause trouble, it’s okay.”

Seeing how relaxed Bo Ye was, Qi Xingchen’s nerves eased too.

Ever since arriving in this world, he’d been eating high-end cuisine if not actual delicacies. With Chen Noah’s instructions, he hadn’t even touched the crew’s boxed meals.

Honestly, he kinda missed those unrefined little street snacks.

His mind conjured up all sorts of junk food, and his mouth began to water. He couldn’t help but swallow a bit. Bo Ye saw his pitiful expression and chuckled, telling Allen to prepare plenty of small change.

Allen nodded and did as told.

What followed was this series of scenes:

—The “boss” and his “boss lady” sharing one savory pancake.

—The boss and boss lady sipping the same milk tea.

—The boss and boss lady slurping down a bowl of hot and sour noodles.

—The boss and boss lady buying ten grilled skewers, giving Allen three, then each taking half of the remaining seven.

“You get three skewers, Xingxing gets four—what’s wrong with that split?” Allen asked, eyes brimming with tears.

Bo Ye raised a finger and wagged it: “Nope. That’s not fair.”

“Then just buy more! It’s not like you’re short on money!”

Bo Ye frowned: “Are you saying you don’t want to eat skewers anymore?”

And so, Allen chose silence.

The essence of a night market lies in taking your time—walking slowly, eating slowly. As Qi Xingchen munched, his eyes roamed greedily over the other food stalls. As they walked, he suddenly felt something brush the back of his hand.

Before he could react, Bo Ye’s left hand slid between his fingers, lacing them together.

Qi Xingchen immediately tried to block their interlocked hands with his body. He shook his arm to pull free, but couldn’t, and grew anxious: “Let go! What if someone sees?”

“I’m not afraid. Let them look,” Bo Ye said casually, raising an eyebrow.

“Two guys holding hands in public—we’ll definitely get cursed out.”

He couldn’t stand seeing Bo Ye being gossiped about or criticized.

“No one has the right to strip us of the same rights ordinary couples have just because we’re both men.” Bo Ye pulled him forward.

“Come on. I want to have a proper date with you.”

When he heard the word “date,” Qi Xingchen was momentarily stunned. Thinking back on all their moments together—Bo Ye’s confession, their kisses and caresses, his public declaration of their relationship in front of hundreds of millions of viewers, the intimacy they shared in private…

Yet somehow, they had never actually gone on a real date.

Because of their identities, every public outing was rushed and cautious.

Moved by Bo Ye’s words, Qi Xingchen didn’t care anymore about being criticized. He reversed their grip and held Bo Ye’s hand tightly, continuing to walk boldly side by side. Allen followed behind, equal parts jealous and anxious.

At 9 p.m., the night market wasn’t too crowded. Students who had just finished evening classes or basketball games gathered in small groups, laughing and chatting. With Bo Ye’s tall frame, he easily drew the students’ attention—they glanced over curiously.

Naturally, they noticed the two holding hands.

“Two guys? Did I see that right? Damn… are they gay?”

“Wow! The top is so tall and dominant, and the bottom is tiny and cute—I’m dying from the cuteness!”

“Why is it that all the handsome guys end up with other handsome guys? Can’t they spare a few for us single folks?”

“They’re so bundled up, how can you tell they’re handsome?”

“From their outfits and vibes! A hottie’s hotness seeps from their pores and even their hair… Wait… why do they look so familiar?”

The three girls scanned them from head to toe, whispered among themselves, then suddenly shrieked in unison and bolted up to them.

“Ahhh! You’re Bo Ye, right?! I love you so much!”

“Did you come here just to hang out? Oh my god, your faces are so small! You’re both so gorgeous I’m gonna faint!”

“You look good together in photos, but in real life you’re even more perfect! Please, please stay together forever!”

“Yes, yes! All my fantasies about love started because of you two—ahhh you’re such a heavenly couple! Please keep loving each other!”

He’d expected ridicule after being recognized, but to his surprise, aside from the fans, even the bystanders’ reactions were supportive. Qi Xingchen was taken aback.

When it came to their relationship, except for that New Year’s livestream, he had always kept a low profile. Most of the time he used his alt account on Weibo, only logging into his main account to repost official brand or production announcements. He never brought up their relationship on his own, and never talked to others about Bo Ye.

Subconsciously, he wanted people to keep seeing Bo Ye as that clean, pure young man—not someone tagged with labels like “gay,” “homosexual,” or “pervert who likes men.”

He was his god.

And he would not allow even the faintest speck of dust to stain his god.

After signing autographs for the three girls and bidding them goodbye, Qi Xingchen’s nose tingled with emotion as he continued to be led forward by Bo Ye, strolling aimlessly. Just like any ordinary couple, they chatted about how tasty or not a certain snack was, or whether two yuan for a skewer was too expensive. Passing the edge of a football field, they argued over which footballer had the best shot. When they reached a quiet corner, under the soft glow of a streetlamp, they kissed—the one they loved most standing right before them.

After touring the night market and the campus, just before leaving, Qi Xingchen looked down at their shadows on the ground and tugged on Bo Ye’s sleeve, reluctant to part.

“Brother Ye, let’s take a photo together—to commemorate our date.”

Bo Ye naturally agreed. “Sure.”

Qi Xingchen didn’t take a selfie, nor did he ask Allen to help. Instead, he raised their tightly clasped hands, aimed the camera at them and the two shadows intertwined on the ground, and took a single shot.

The most beautiful memory of their first date was forever captured in that photo.

Since they had filming early the next morning and couldn’t stay up too late, the two quickly returned to the hotel. They played rock-paper-scissors to decide who got to shower first. Qi Xingchen won, tossed his phone onto the bed, proudly waved his pajamas, and cheerfully strutted into the bathroom.

He stripped in no time—but then, suddenly remembered something.

Since the public didn’t seem that hostile toward them, maybe… he could try posting something about Bo Ye too. After all, Bo Ye always shared his posts. If he didn’t post anything in return, it made him seem a bit distant.

Besides, Starlight (his fanbase) cared deeply about his relationship. They often asked whether Bo Ye treated him well or if he was happy. A post could help put them at ease.

Determined, and with a fresh photo on hand, he pulled open the door and dashed out of the bathroom.

He grabbed his phone from the bed, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Bo Ye’s expression had changed.

That’s when he realized—

He had run out completely naked.

Facing Bo Ye like this… was like tightrope walking between skyscrapers. One slip, and he was done for.

Qi Xingchen tensed up immediately, entering full alert mode. He kept a close eye on Bo Ye while quickly launching Weibo, selecting an emoji, adding the photo, and hitting Post all in one go.

Then he tossed the phone down again and dove back into the bathroom—naked as the day he was born.

Twenty minutes later, he emerged, feeling refreshed, and waved Bo Ye in with a grin: “Brother Ye, your turn—the water’s still hot!”

Bo Ye remained seated, tone calm but firm.

“Your Weibo exploded.”

“Did it make the trending list?” Qi Xingchen took the phone from his hand. “I was just trying to sneak in a little PDA, no need to make a fuss.”

“It did trend,” Bo Ye said. “But not because of the PDA—it’s because you used your alt account to do it.”

Qi Xingchen: “…”

Qi Xingchen: “…Huh?”