The Cold and Ruthless Supporting Male Lead

This wasn’t the first time she had done something like this. When she first met Haiku Shilan, Mu Xiaoya had, for various reasons, already given him gifts.

However, when she realized that every gift she sent was either returned or reciprocated with an equivalent gift, Mu Xiaoya began to have other ideas.

Since the gifts she sent were always returned, she figured she might as well opt for cash-on-delivery. After all, it was still a token of her sentiment.

She was a girl, after all, and her taste in clothing was far better than Haiku Shilan’s.

Humming a tune, Mu Xiaoya felt much better after placing her order.

Having been friends with Haiku Shilan for so long, she had already figured out his personality; stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside. Even though he had rejected her many times, she knew that with a bit of pleading, he would eventually relent and help her.

Besides, he was a person with a strong sense of responsibility, which reassured Mu Xiaoya even more.

To ensure she could get Haiku Shilan’s help as quickly as possible, she chose a local clothing store when placing her order, ensuring the gift would arrive by the next afternoon at the latest.

Eagerly, she sent him a message, her tone brimming with smugness.

[Mu Xiaoya: I’ve prepared a super big gift for you~]

[Haiku Shilan: ……]

[Mu Xiaoya: You’re definitely going to like it. I spent a long time picking it out. Once you receive the gift, if you like it, can you please help me~]

[Haiku Shilan: I’ve already made it clear; this is something you need to handle on your own. I don’t want my reputation ruined because of you. With your amateur gaming skills, I really can’t carry you…]

Hai Ku felt that his words were already very clear, but for some reason, Mu Xiaoya always thought he was joking.

Although friendships and close bonds sometimes included this kind of banter, Hai Ku genuinely didn’t understand why Mu Xiaoya was so confident that he saw her as a close friend.

[Mu Xiaoya: If you keep saying things like that, I’m going to get mad! I’m already a signed game streamer, okay? You’re seriously underestimating me. Humph ╭(╯^╰)╮]

Her tone was entirely coquettish, and Mu Xiaoya completely failed to notice that Hai Ku’s way of speaking to her was completely different from before.

Perhaps it was because she had never paid much attention to Hai Ku before that she didn’t realize a different soul now resided in his body.

Hai Ku couldn’t be bothered to explain further and rolled his eyes dramatically before turning to his computer.

He had only streamed for 2 hours earlier today, leaving another 2 hours to make up. He needed to get those hours done quickly.

After collaborating with Zhuoye Xingchen yesterday, Hai Ku noticed that his stream attracted a significant number of new fans, most of whom had come from Zhuoye Xingchen’s channel.

Hai Ku was now a direct beneficiary of this collaboration. Without saying much, he naturally started his game stream. Whether or not Mu Xiaoya messaged him again afterward, he couldn’t care less.

***

It seemed that yesterday’s collaboration had a great effect. After ending his stream, Hai Ku received a message from Zhuoye Xingchen.

[Zhuoye Xingchen: What do you think about us recording the next few levels together? It’ll only take a few hours daily, just enough to fulfill the 4-hour stream requirement.]

[Haiku Shilan: Sounds good to me. With your big, strong thighs, I’m more than happy to cling to them.]

[Zhuoye Xingchen: Hmm? Are you free right now?]

[Haiku Shilan: Yeah, I just finished streaming. I’m lying down, relaxing.]

Before Hai Ku could guess what he wanted, Zhuoye Xingchen sent over a voice call request.

Perhaps typing each word out felt inconvenient, so Zhuoye Xingchen opted for the quicker method of voice chatting.

Finding a rare companion to team up with seemed to put Zhuoye Xingchen in a good mood. He discarded all airs of being a bigshot. When the call connected, his tone could only be described as “kind and approachable,” like a shady uncle trying to coax a child.

“Hai Ku, my man~”

Hai Ku: “Please, bigshot, don’t tease me…”

“Oh…” Zhuoye Xingchen suddenly became serious and immediately launched into a tirade. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this day! Those lazy bums I usually ask to team up with either ignore me or flat-out refuse. And that big group chat? None of them believe me! It’s so frustrating…”

It was understandable. Zhuoye Xingchen’s number of fans and level of skill were plainly evident.

People of similar skill didn’t want to compete with him, while those much less skilled didn’t dare. Only Hai Ku, a fearless newcomer unafraid of stirring up trouble, had the courage to accept the challenge.

Though he hadn’t expected it, Hai Ku was pleasantly surprised by Zhuoye Xingchen’s personality, which was quite different from what he had imagined. It wasn’t hard to see why Zhuoye Xingchen was so respected in the community.

“My intentions couldn’t be more obvious,” Hai Ku joked after listening to Zhuoye Xingchen praise him for a while. “Once I’ve latched onto your golden thigh, I’m sure to rise to the top! I—”

Thud!

Before he could finish his boast, the world around him plunged into darkness. Looking at his phone, he felt a wave of frustration and had no choice but to turn on his mobile data.

[Hai Ku: My neighborhood’s power just went out.]

[Zhuoye Xingchen: Hmm? The building across the way?]

[Hai Ku: ??? What building across the way?]

[Zhuoye Xingchen: (Location pin)]

Confused, Hai Ku clicked on the location pin Zhuoye Xingchen had sent. To his surprise, it turned out to be in the building directly across from his own.

Hai Ku: “…”

This was bizarre. Zhuoye Xingchen’s location should have been in the neighboring province. Could it be a glitch? Or had I end up in the wrong place somehow?

[Hai Ku: Isn’t this just a line inspection? We had a power outage here yesterday, too. Power came back around 10 P.M., though. Pretty lucky timing. Got time to grab a bite?]

[Zhuoye Xingchen: Sure thing. But I thought you listed your address as City XX?]

[Hai Ku: I did, but my hometown is City XX. I just happen to have several properties. I live wherever I feel like.]

The unmistakable aura of wealth emanated from those words, making Hai Ku feel a surge of envy and bitterness.

[Zhuoye Xingchen: Oh, by the way, a little fan sent me a private message yesterday. She claimed to be your close friend. I noticed she’s a signed streamer, so I checked her profile but didn’t reply. Do you know her? (Screenshot attached)]

Opening the screenshot, Hai Ku immediately recognized Mu Xiaoya’s profile. He couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. Those stories about overly persistent female leads weren’t just fiction; they existed in real life too.

And what were the odds? Of the countless messages Zhuoye Xingchen must receive, it was hers he happened to see.

In a typical romance, Hai Ku might have chalked this up to destiny. But this wasn’t a love story, and he could only interpret it as sheer bad luck.

[Hai Ku: I know her, but we’re not close. Don’t bother responding. She’s been driving me crazy lately.]

[Zhuoye Xingchen: Oh? What’s been bothering you? Come on, share it and cheer me up!]

[Hai Ku: …]

It turned out the usually aloof Zhuoye Xingchen had a cheeky side. Hai Ku actually found they got along pretty well. With his mobile data turned on, the two of them spent a while discussing their next co-op session. Only when Hai Ku’s phone battery was about to die did they end the call.

Hai Ku was in a great mood. After all, the male lead was now firmly on his side, and Mu Xiaoya didn’t seem capable of stirring up much trouble. That night, he went to bed overjoyed, sleeping soundly.

But his good mood was shattered the next morning when, after finishing breakfast, he received a delivery.

***

“Cash on delivery?” Hai Ku stared blankly at the courier. “I didn’t order anything.”

“But the address, phone number, and details all match yours. Could you double-check?” The deliveryman, just as puzzled, handed over the package.

Looking at the information, Hai Ku had to admit it was his. “It’s my info, but I’m certain I didn’t order this.”

After debating for a while, Hai Ku decided not to open the package and opted to reject it instead. At the same time, he filed a complaint about it.

Even after the deliveryman left, Hai Ku was still baffled. When he logged into his game and mentioned the incident to Zhuoye Xingchen, they laughed it off. But before the teasing could go far, Mu Xiaoya’s call came through.

Hai Ku hadn’t planned on answering, as he was already discussing streaming plans with Zhuoye Xingchen over voice chat. But his eyes must have betrayed him because he accidentally tapped “accept.”

“Hai Ku! Why didn’t you accept the package I sent you?” Mu Xiaoya’s sharp voice startled both Hai Ku and Zhuoye Xingchen.

“But it was cash on delivery…” Hai Ku stammered, still confused. Is something you had to pay for even considered a gift?

“So what if it’s cash on delivery? You accepted one before, didn’t you?” Mu Xiaoya was practically fuming after the hit to her credit score. “Last time you took my cash-on-delivery package just fine. Why not this time? And do you know what I sent you? It was a super cute dress! You’re the one who loves crossdressing the most, aren’t you? It’s your loss for not accepting it!”

“Enough!” Hai Ku frowned, feeling that Mu Xiaoya had said far too much. However, if he ended the voice chat with Zhuoye Xingchen now, it would feel like he was guilty of something. Left with no better option, he decided to deal with Mu Xiaoya first.

“What I like is my business, and I’ve never heard of anyone giving a gift as cash on delivery.”

“Aren’t we best friends? I was just helping you pick out a beautiful dress. So what if it’s cash on delivery?” Mu Xiaoya, still furious, had completely lost control of her words. She was speaking in a loud, almost shouting tone, her anger clouding her judgment. “You’re a man—can your taste possibly be better than mine, a girl’s? I even told you yesterday that I’d send you a big gift, but you clearly weren’t paying attention!”

Hai Ku: “…”

Seeing that he had gone silent, Mu Xiaoya finally calmed down a little. “No matter what, I’m still your best friend. I don’t even mind you wearing dresses. As friends, we should help and support each other. How about this; if you ask Zhuoye Xingchen to mentor me, we’ll let this go. Deal?”