Chapter 73.1: Daily Life (2)
“Calm down. The boss does keep snakes, but the snakes he keeps are just like him.”
Hearing her colleague’s reminder, the girl suddenly remembered what kind of snakes the boss kept and immediately deflated: “Oh right, I almost forgot. Those silly, adorable snakes paired with that cold and stern Xiu-baby… ugh…”
She shivered and muttered to herself while shaking her head, “Don’t think about it, don’t think about it. Such a weird combination! It’s like the boss is standing next to Xiu-baby.”
“I get you. It’s kind of like a husky standing next to a wolf. But seriously, their looks are off the charts. They look even better in person than on livestream. Especially Xiu-baby—he’s so tall, and his aura is really intense! I didn’t even dare look him in the eyes just now. I was afraid I’d freeze into a popsicle.”
“Me neither. I only dared to sneak glances when he wasn’t looking. My heart was practically about to jump out of my chest. The moment he looked over, I immediately shifted my gaze to the boss!”
“Shang Yu is so refined. I don’t know why, but when I look at him, all I can think of are the words ‘top finance student.’”
“Jiang Yanxi’s little fang shows when he smiles—it’s so cute…”
…
Upstairs.
After seeing the layout and furnishings of the room, everyone’s expressions changed subtly.
This was a duplex apartment, with high ceilings. The downstairs was the reception area for the dance studio, and the upstairs had a three-bedroom, one-living-room layout.
From the plush toys scattered all over the sofa, to the two articles of clothing hanging on the coat rack, to the shoe cabinet by the stairs, and even the transparent acrylic display case against the wall filled with anime figurines—
All of it was screaming one thing to them:
This was clearly Xiang Yueting’s private space.
Looking at the setup of the room, Shen Xiu felt a sense of warmth—it felt like home.
Sure enough, Xiang Yueting was just as he’d imagined—not only warm and enthusiastic, but someone who genuinely loved life. The entire place was filled with traces of his passion for living.
The rest of the group, almost in unison, had the same thought: Does Xiang Yueting have to be this straightforward?!
Wouldn’t it have been fine to just leave them downstairs in the public area of the studio? Why bring them into his own private space? Didn’t that make him feel awkward?
That fool Xiang Yueting—did he have no concept of personal boundaries or privacy at all?
Xiang Yueting, of course, was completely unaware of their thoughts. He was just being himself, totally relaxed.
“There are slippers in the white shoe cabinet, and disposable insoles too. You can open it and change into them,” he said.
As he spoke, Xiang Yueting casually kicked off his own shoes and slipped into a pair of bunny-eared house slippers, padding off toward the living room.
“Find a seat anywhere. Make yourselves at home—don’t be shy. I’ll get you all some water,” he called, waving them over before heading into the kitchen.
The area at the top of the stairs, which also served as a kind of entryway, wasn’t very spacious.
Shen Xiu was the last one to come up the stairs, and now naturally stood at the back of the group.
Hearing Xiang Yueting’s words, Shen Xiu felt a surprising warmth in his heart.
Ever since his parents had passed away, aside from teachers, this was the first time he’d been genuinely invited to a friend’s home as a guest.
A guest…
As the word crossed his mind, Shen Xiu’s expression changed. His brows furrowed without him realizing.
Crap. This was his first time visiting someone’s home, and he’d come empty-handed without bringing a gift. That was so impolite!
Just as he was kicking himself for not thinking of it earlier, he noticed that no one else had moved either. They were all still standing at the entryway despite Xiang Yueting’s invitation.
In that instant, Shen Xiu realized—
Of course! Everyone else was probably feeling the same way—too embarrassed to enter the living room without having brought a gift!
Xia Wenhao stood slightly ahead and to the side of Shen Xiu. When he turned and caught a glimpse of Shen Xiu’s faintly furrowed brows, he sighed inwardly.
As expected—someone like Shen Xiu, who clearly valued personal space, must be finding Xiang Yueting’s approach a bit too open and honest.
Just then, from the kitchen, everyone at the entryway heard Xiang Yueting’s apologetic voice:
“Sorry, sorry—it’s been a while since I’ve been back here after filming the show. The water in the dispenser has been sitting there forever, I don’t feel comfortable giving that to you, so you’ll have to make do with some drinks from the fridge for now…”
Before he could finish, Xiang Yueting emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray full of bottled drinks. When he saw everyone still standing in the entryway, he stopped mid-sentence.
Looking confused, he asked, “Why are you all still standing there and not changing shoes to come sit down?”
“Can’t find them?”
He started to put the tray down and walk over. “They’re in the white—”
But Shang Yu cut him off after just two steps.
“We see them. Don’t come over—just sit down.”
He was already feeling guilty over how sincere and unguarded Xiang Yueting was being. Now Xiang Yueting was even coming over to help them find slippers? Shang Yu figured he’d be lying in bed tonight, guilt-ridden and sleepless.
As Shang Yu spoke, Xia Wenhao had already opened the white shoe cabinet and chimed in, echoing, “Yeah, we found them. No need to come over.”
Seeing that they’d located the slippers and the entryway was getting a bit crowded, Xiang Yueting didn’t insist on helping.
While everyone was changing shoes, Xiang Yueting didn’t sit still for a moment. He walked over to a large display screen, plugged in the power cable, and started booting it up.
He mumbled non-stop as he moved, “I’ve got tons of movies saved—what do you guys want to watch? Oh, and games too, we can do four-player co-op…”
At the word movies, Shen Xiu’s eyes lit up instantly.
He hadn’t expected Xiang Yueting to share the same hobby as him!
There were a lot of people here, and everyone had different interests. Shen Xiu didn’t feel comfortable voicing his desire to watch a movie, so he simply said, “I’m good with anything.”
As the group finished changing into slippers and walked toward the sofa, they heard Xiang Yueting’s cheerful voice and felt even more guilty.
Hearing Shen Xiu’s easygoing response, they all thought to themselves: Shen Xiu adjusted so quickly—he must be trying not to let Xiang Yueting notice anything’s off, so he won’t get hurt.
One by one, they chimed in, pretending to chat casually.
“Same here.”
“Let’s go with a movie. Only four people can play games, but everyone can watch a movie.”
“Yeah, I vote for a movie too.”
“We’ve been stuck in the training camp for so long—it’s been ages since I watched one. Movie for me too.”
Hearing everyone’s replies, Xiang Yueting’s voice clearly grew more upbeat: “Alrighty then!”
He put on a comedy film, and when he turned around, he saw that everyone was already seated on the sofa—having left the center spot open for him. That gave him a little rush, like he was the “center of attention,” and he happily made his way over.
Watching how easily pleased Xiang Yueting was, the others sitting on the couch couldn’t help thinking: How can anyone be this easy to make happy? And that only deepened their guilt.
The driver remained in the car, and the program crew following them consisted of only two people.
The production staff quietly filmed, carrying or setting up cameras. The group was already well-used to being on livestream from their time at the training camp, so they barely noticed the cameras. They lounged naturally on the sofa, eyes fixed on the movie screen, occasionally reaching for water or a drink from the table when thirsty.
After about ten minutes of watching, Xiang Yueting began sneaking glances at his friends.
No one brought it up. Xiang Yueting started to wonder—‘Hadn’t I made it clear enough during the show?’
He hesitated for a few seconds, then couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Ahem… so, um…”
Trying to sound casual, he said, “I mentioned on the show before that I keep some reptile pets… I even have a reptile room…”
In Xiang Yueting’s mind, he felt he was being very reserved about it.
But in everyone else’s eyes, Xiang Yueting practically had “Come look at my reptile room!” written all over him.
So regardless of whether they truly wanted to see it or not, on the surface, everyone acted very enthusiastic.
“Really?!”
“That’s so cool!”
“Take us to see it! I’ve never known anyone who keeps reptiles before!”
…
Shen Xiu had never owned any pets. He’d heard of people keeping kittens, puppies, turtles, goldfish, and so on… but this was the first time he knew someone who kept snakes.
He was afraid, sure—but also genuinely curious. After Xia Wenhao, who was standing beside him, spoke, Shen Xiu nodded earnestly and said, “I want to see it too!”
Shang Yu: “…”
The power of guilt really was something. Even Shen Xiu’s tone had taken on a dramatic flair.
Xiang Yueting looked toward the only person who hadn’t spoken—Shang Yu—with hopeful eyes. “Do you want to see it?”
Shang Yu smiled, “I’d love to!”
And just like that, he too joined the League of Over-the-Top Enthusiasm.
Xiang Yueting: “!”
They’re actually this excited about my reptiles?!
He jumped to his feet, stepping lightly with visible delight as he led the way. “It’s right this way—come on!”
“Okay~”
Everyone got up and followed behind Xiang Yueting.
One of the program staff asked, “Can we film this?”
From ahead came Xiang Yueting’s cheerful voice: “Go ahead—film whatever you want~”
He pushed open a brown wooden door, revealing a room filled with clear acrylic containers and glass terrariums—plus one entire wall made of transparent acrylic cabinets.
Inside the large glass and acrylic enclosures, snakes of various colors were coiled up.
Seeing people enter, the snakes in the display cases began flicking their tongues and slithering about. Some even assumed an aggressive, defensive posture as if ready to strike.
In the transparent acrylic cabinet lined along the wall—divided into countless small compartments—there were clearly visible leopard geckos with various patterns on their backs, chubby fat-tailed geckos, and small-bodied knob-tailed geckos with enormous eyes.
“Whoa, that’s so cute!”
“Oh my god, it’s smiling at me!”
“Why is it wagging its tail at me? Is it trying to act cute?”
“It’s so round and pudgy…!”
“Ahh, it just stood up! And it’s scratching at the wall with its little claws—even its claws are adorable!”
…
Except for Shang Yu, all seven of the others immediately rushed toward the gecko enclosures, gasping in amazement as they spoke.
Shen Xiu quietly followed behind, staring at the geckos with oversized eyes and curved lips that resembled smiles. His mind could only form two words: So cute!
Xiang Yueting eagerly answered everyone’s questions:
“It’s not really smiling at you—its mouth naturally curves up, and its eyes naturally look like that. ‘Smiling angels’ isn’t just a nickname—they’re born adorable!”
“They’re not just chubby—they feel amazing to touch. But a few of them are temperamental and might bite.”
“And sorry to say, when it wags its tail… that’s actually a warning.”
“Hehe, scratching the cabinet with those tiny claws is cute, but it’s even cuter when they’re climbing around on your fingers~”
After chatting for a while, Xiang Yueting noticed that Shang Yu had been staring at the snake enclosures the entire time. He ran over excitedly: “Pretty, right? Cute, huh?!”
Shang Yu: “…”
The snakes he raised and the snakes Xiang Yueting raised were… very different.
Xiang Yueting’s snakes had vibrant colors and looked downright silly and adorable.
Looking at the large number of corn snakes and hognose snakes in the cabinets, Shang Yu finally understood why Xiang Yueting had once said, “Snakes are cute.”
Shang Yu nodded: “They’re cute.”
As one of only two reptile keepers among the nine of them, Xiang Yueting couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What about yours? What are they like?”
