A Star Who Can Do Everything Except Filming (1): 

Chu Feng glanced at Si Qi and said coldly: “The one he likes isn’t me. Even if we get married, it’s useless.”

Not only could he not heal his spiritual power, but he would also be wasting the other person’s second half of life.

Si Qi slowly let out a word: “…Huh?”

The one I like isn’t you? You’d better explain that clearly!!!

The surrounding crowd all showed awkward expressions at his words. Obviously, they understood what Chu Feng meant. Each of them lowered their eyes, avoiding the topic, not daring to bring it up, and just kept trying to persuade Chu Feng not to give up on treatment (?).

Si Qi had read the original novel, but this scene didn’t exist in it at all, so he could only say: [Xiu Xiu]

Xiu Xiu [eh]’d, quickly flipping through the data transmitted by the world’s consciousness, then said speechlessly: [Master, you are the original novel’s official partner of the protagonist! Everyone here knows you’re supposed to like the protagonist!]

Si Qi was dumbfounded: […What?]

Xiu Xiu hurried to explain: [But after the “Daughter of the World” transmigrated here, she changed the storyline, broke you and the protagonist apart, and got engaged to the protagonist herself! You were left pining after the protagonist, making trouble because you couldn’t have him. At the same time, the protagonist’s elder brother, Imperial General Chu Feng, had a spiritual power outburst and urgently needed a spouse to stabilize him—and the one with the highest compatibility with the Lord God is you!]

Si Qi was speechless after hearing this: [Good grief, is this some kind of sister-in-law literature?]

Xiu Xiu: [Not only that, there’s also household drama! In the original story, the protagonist is Chu Father’s illegitimate son raised outside. In the original plot, he stepped on the corpse of the legitimate son (Chu Feng) to rise in status. But now, with the Daughter of the World’s reminder, he found out about his true identity early, knows the Lord God is in critical condition, and since you’re the only one who can save him, he rushed over to tell you that he’s always loved you, hoping you won’t marry the Lord God or help him. He wants to wait until Chu Feng dies, so when he becomes General, he’ll have the confidence to dump the Daughter of the World, who’s the Duke’s daughter, and marry you instead.]

Si Qi was utterly speechless: […So this protagonist first betrays the original owner’s feelings, then shamelessly asks the original owner to indirectly help him kill someone. To say all this so righteously—what a thick skin.]

Xiu Xiu: [Exactly!]

Si Qi rubbed his forehead: [So, in novel terms, I’m in a “marriage-before-love” and “chasing-husband crematorium” plotline now? Chu Feng couldn’t possibly not know about the protagonist’s conversation with the original owner. To him, I probably still look like a guy trying to kill him for the sake of a lover, right?]

[Pretty much] Xiu Xiu said awkwardly. [But when you say marriage-before-love, does that mean you’re planning to get married now?]

Si Qi: [This marriage has to happen sooner or later. And with Chu Feng’s current situation, there’s no time to delay.]

Xiu Xiu thought it over and agreed: [Then Master, good luck!]

[Of course]

Si Qi raised his head, looking straight into Chu Feng’s eyes, and said with absolute sincerity: “You’re the Empire’s hero, the shield protecting everyone. I could never just sit by and watch you die.”

Chu Feng’s expression didn’t change: “From the moment I put on this uniform, I was prepared to sacrifice for the Empire. But you’re a citizen of the Empire. It’s my duty to protect you with my life. You have no obligation to sacrifice your future happiness to save me.”

The loyal subordinates nearby were moved to tears, terrified that Chu Feng would really stubbornly refuse marriage and then die from a spiritual power outburst.

Si Qi: […That was such a tactful rejection, I can’t even tell if he’s trying to protect me or keep me at a distance.]

[If not for the protagonist, the Lord God should really be looking forward to being with you. He absolutely does like you] Xiu Xiu said regretfully.

Si Qi thought that might be true, and raised his head to ask Chu Feng: “So what do you think? I want to hear your true thoughts.”

The man across from him had deep eyes and a calm voice: “What thoughts?”

Si Qi: “Did you come to me because you wanted to live? Or because you like me, so you submitted the marriage request? If you were determined not to let me ‘sacrifice,’ then why did you come to my house and make this request? Deep down, you must have had at least a little thought of your own, right?”

Chu Feng remained silent, but his subordinates’ eyes lit up at Si Qi’s words.

Only then did they realize—their General must have felt at least a little moved!

They all started urging him again, noisily, almost like a quarrel.

Chu Feng knocked on the table with his knuckles and said, “Quiet.” The crowd immediately fell silent, their eyes burning as they stared at Si Qi, treating him as their last hope.

Si Qi said: “Why not give it a try?”

Chu Feng looked at him with a complicated gaze. After a long pause, he said softly: “Then… let’s marry.”

Perhaps this was the one final selfish gamble of a man who had given his entire life to the Empire.

After signing the marriage application, Chu Feng didn’t look happy. His expression was deep, cold.

Si Qi wasn’t in a rush. He said to Chu Feng: “Since we’re married, let’s move in today.”

Chu Feng: “Move in?”

Si Qi raised an eyebrow: “What, we’re married but still living separately?”

Chu Feng was silent for a while, then said: “Live at my place.”

“Alright, your place is better. That way I won’t have to worry about paparazzi taking secret photos.” Si Qi smiled naturally. “Come help me pack.”

Si Qi’s identity at this point was the protagonist’s official partner, who happened to also be a hugely popular rising star. He hadn’t been in the industry long, but almost everyone knew his name—after all, with good looks and luck, he was a true “chosen one” of the author.

Since he became the protagonist’s official partner, following the original plot was now nearly impossible. Luckily, as long as both protagonists stayed alive until the story ended, the world wouldn’t collapse, and Si Qi’s mission would succeed.

Chu Feng followed after hearing Si Qi’s call. The soldiers behind him exchanged glances—this newly appointed General’s spouse was certainly something else. While others would be nervous in front of the General, not knowing what to say, he not only wasn’t nervous but ordered him around with ease.

The soldiers naturally pitched in, helping pack under Si Qi’s direction.

There was a lot of stuff, but with a group of well-trained soldiers, everything was packed quickly and neatly, like a perfectionist’s dream.

Si Qi had Chu Feng handle his closet: “My clothes are all here, pack them into the boxes.”

Chu Feng answered with an “Alright,” and began folding clothes.

He moved quickly, soon finishing the hanging clothes. Then he squatted down and opened a drawer, finding neatly folded undergarments inside. Subconsciously, he glanced at Si Qi, feeling these weren’t something he should casually touch.

Seeing Si Qi’s puzzled look, Si Qi asked: “What’s wrong?”

Chu Feng pointed at the drawer: “This…”

Si Qi was still confused: “What about it?”

Chu Feng: “…”

How was he supposed to say it?

No matter how he put it, it would sound inappropriate.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chu Feng shook his head and said it was nothing, then quickly packed away the soft, delicate fabric.

Even though he let go of the clothes, the smooth sensation lingering on his fingertips and the unsteady emotions they stirred stayed with him, replaying in his mind.

It made him slightly uneasy, as if he’d done something wrong.

Once the luggage was brought downstairs, Si Qi handed a big bunch of car keys to a soldier: “Later, drive all these cars over to Chu Feng’s place.”

The soldier took two whole seconds to connect the name “Chu Feng” with the General—since no one usually dared to call him by name—then nodded obediently: “Yes, Madam.”

Si Qi almost thought he misheard: “What did you call me??”

The soldier quickly corrected himself: “Yes, Mr. Si.”

Si Qi: “…”

Alright then, let’s leave it at that.

The group boarded the hover car, and Si Qi sat down in the seat next to Chu Feng.

The flickering light and shadow from outside the window fell across Si Qi’s face. Si Qi closed his eyes, sifting through the original host’s memories that Xiu Xiu had transmitted to him. Out of the corner of his eye, Chu Feng glanced at the young man beside him, resting with his eyes shut, his gaze deep and unreadable.

According to the investigation reports, Si Qi had deeply loved Fang Huai. Even after Fang Huai got engaged to Zheng Shi, he still stubbornly followed Fang Huai, hoping Fang Huai would change his mind.

So why would he suddenly agree to marry him…

If Si Qi really wanted to follow Fang Huai’s plan and conspire to kill him, then refusing marriage would be a more reasonable and efficient choice. Yet Si Qi hadn’t done that.

Was it for revenge against Fang Huai? To make Fang Huai regret his decision?

Just as he was thinking this, Si Qi suddenly turned his head toward him and said: “Do you really think I’d resort to marrying someone else just to get revenge? You must think way too little of me.”

Chu Feng: “…” Did he say that out loud?

Si Qi smirked smugly: “You think I wouldn’t notice that little thought of yours?”

Chu Feng: “…”

Si Qi gave a short hum. “Let me make this clear: I don’t like Fang Huai anymore. That guy first betrayed me by suddenly getting engaged to another woman. Then he tried to make me his knife, to clear obstacles out of his way. I’m completely disappointed in him.”

“You’re right. He doesn’t deserve your feelings,” Chu Feng looked steadily at Si Qi. “But that’s not a reason for you to marry me. We just met for the first time.”

Si Qi rolled his eyes. “Oh, give it a rest. You got a bargain here, so don’t act coy. You should just be glad you’re marrying me instead of demanding I come up with some convincing reason. What do you want me to say—that it was love at first sight?”

Chu Feng had never been spoken to in such a blunt tone before, much less with the words being a confession. For a moment, he actually felt pressured by Si Qi’s presence and softly replied: “…Then I won’t ask.”

The soldier sitting in the front seat twitched at the mouth, struggling to hold back a laugh, his expression strained and awkward.

They never expected their iron-blooded General to turn out to be henpecked. Barely two hours into marriage, and already his authority as husband was crumbling.

Si Qi said: “Your spiritual power is unstable right now. Don’t go on missions for the time being. You should stay with me, so I can stabilize you if anything happens.”

Chu Feng thought for a moment, then agreed: “I’ll try.”

Si Qi didn’t press him further and added: “But I’m busy most of the time, with lots of work events. You’ll need to cooperate with my schedule.”

Hearing Si Qi’s blunt demands, with everything framed as if Chu Feng had to adapt to him, Chu Feng found himself blurting: “You weren’t like this with Fang Huai.”

Si Qi: “…???”

What? How was that his fault—he wasn’t the original host!

Si Qi shot back righteously: “Did Fang Huai also have a spiritual power outburst that I had to stabilize?!”

Chu Feng instantly regretted what he’d said and muttered, “Oh.”

So he was jealous… Si Qi almost laughed. He said to Chu Feng: “Have you ever thought about what would have happened if I’d followed Fang Huai’s plan?”

Chu Feng had never seriously considered that. After all, in that scenario, he would already be dead.

Now, as he thought it over more carefully, his brows furrowed.

Si Qi gave a cold laugh. “It’s obvious if you just think about it.”

In that future timeline, Chu Feng died. The government released a public statement of mourning.

In this world, soldiers and warriors held very high status. News of his death already hit people hard, but learning that it was due to a spiritual power collapse on the battlefield, with no timely treatment, made the public furious. They bombarded officials with questions—why hadn’t they found him a compatible marriage partner sooner, why let the Empire’s hero die helplessly like that?

The government, to protect citizens’ privacy, didn’t reveal the original host’s involvement. But the Daughter of the World seized the chance, feeding the media the truth about what the original host had done.

When people learned the original host had stood by and let the General die, their grief and admiration for Chu Feng turned into anger at the original host.

Though the original host was a beloved celebrity, what was a star compared to national affairs? In fact, being a public figure made him an even bigger target.

He was instantly condemned by all, bullied online, and lost all his jobs overnight. From dazzling celebrity, he fell into utter ruin.

Life became unbearable, filled with pain and harassment.

Already weighed down by guilt, he crumbled under the constant abuse. Soon he wasted away, skin and bones.

His only emotional support was Fang Huai, who had promised him that once Chu Feng died, he would come marry him.

But it was all a lie.

“When did I ever tell you to kill General Chu? You’re insane, doing anything just to have me. Are you trying to frame me? Or are you recording this conversation, trying to drag me down with you? Si Qi, you’re vicious. I regret ever knowing you!”

The original host trembled, clutching the table edge just to keep from collapsing, his voice breaking: “But, but it was you… I didn’t want this, I didn’t do anything. All I said was that I liked you, that I couldn’t accept General Chu. When he heard that, he didn’t force me—he just left. That’s all I did, I just loved you…”

“And your love cost a man his life? That’s disgusting!” Fang Huai’s voice dripped with disdain. “Don’t come to me again. I’ve finally returned to the Chu family, preparing to inherit. If anyone knew I was associated with you, they’d think I conspired with you to kill Chu Feng for his inheritance!”

Tears poured down the original host’s cheeks. He went cold all over, pounded the table in despair, sobbing: “But it was you… it was you!!”

“You sound like a lunatic, slandering me without reason. Why would I abandon a Duke’s daughter to marry you, some cheap star who sells his looks? What do you have besides your face? And worse, you’re vile enough to let General Chu die just to be with me. I’m done with you.”

The call was cut off. When he tried again, it was blocked. Fang Huai had blacklisted him.

That severed call was like severing his lifeline. With no hope left, the original host broke down, cried alone in the dark for a long time, and finally found a rope in the closet to end his life.

The last message he left behind was on his public account, filled with insults.

Only three words: “I’m sorry.”

The torrent of online abuse stopped abruptly. At his funeral, aside from a few troublemakers, fans came of their own accord, bringing white flowers.

“Si Qi wasn’t obligated to marry someone he didn’t know, even if that person was a General.” Only then did people belatedly realize something so obvious.

Inside the rushing hover car, Si Qi said to Chu Feng: “That bastard Fang Huai was a beast in human skin. He never intended to keep his word. Even if he did, I wouldn’t be with him. His character is too vile.”

Chu Feng’s expression was complicated. “I hadn’t thought about it that way before.”

Si Qi rolled his eyes. “Please. Even dead, you’re worrying about someone who wouldn’t lift a finger to save you.”

And besides, who could have guessed that apart from the officials, someone else would know about his high compatibility with Chu Feng? It was the Daughter of the World who deliberately leaked it to ruin him, and that’s why the original host was condemned.

“It’s not exactly that he wouldn’t save me…” Chu Feng began, but under Si Qi’s sharp warning gaze, his voice trailed off until it vanished.

Si Qi’s personality was exactly the same as what Chu Feng had seen in online videos—proud, willful, reckless.

With his strikingly beautiful face, he carried himself with the conviction that everyone should like him and indulge him. His domineering, flamboyant behavior was unmasked, so blunt it was almost endearing.

After receiving the official compatibility report, Chu Feng had reviewed the files on Si Qi. He had some fondness for the youth shining at the center of public attention and wasn’t unwilling to try a relationship. But marriage at first sight? That bordered on moral coercion and abuse of authority. He felt he couldn’t force Si Qi and had to respect his choice.

Given Si Qi’s popularity, there were countless people in the Empire eager to date him. He deserved someone better—certainly not Fang Huai.

As Chu Feng hesitated about whether to badmouth Si Qi’s ex in front of him, Si Qi beat him to it: “You don’t want to die only to have Fang Huai take your place, right?”

Chu Feng nodded. “Right.”

Si Qi snapped his fingers. “Then that’s it. You’re a General, I’m a superstar. Fang Huai? He’s nothing. Just like his dad, a live-in son-in-law! Who cares about him?”

Chu Feng noticed something. “You knew my father married into my mother’s family?”

Si Qi replied matter-of-factly: “You said Fang Huai’s your brother, but you don’t share the same surname. One of you had to take your mother’s. Since Fang Huai’s a bastard son his father raised in secret, it’s impossible he’d take his mother’s surname. Bastards don’t take their mistress’s name. So the answer is obvious—you took your mother’s surname. That usually means the man married into the wife’s family.”

Chu Feng nodded slightly. “You’re right. The legion was passed down from my maternal grandfather’s side.”

His grandfather had only one daughter—his mother—who hated the military and the bloodshed. So his grandfather brought in a man she liked as a son-in-law. Together, they had a child to inherit the Chu family’s legion.

From birth, Chu Feng had been destined to carry the family burden, to serve the Empire in his mother’s place. His cold, stoic demeanor came from growing up in the military environment.

It was agreed that if his mother later had another child, that one might take the Fang surname. But tragically, she died soon after giving birth to him.

Thus, his father lost any chance to continue the Fang bloodline, and unwilling to leave the Chu family, he went behind their backs and had the illegitimate Fang Huai.

His grandfather, kind at heart, didn’t harm the child but refused to acknowledge him into the Chu family—after all, Fang Huai had no Chu blood, only a father who had married in.

Later, when his grandfather passed away, Chu Feng and his father lived together awkwardly for a few years.

His father repeatedly asked to bring Fang Huai into the household, but each time, Chu Feng coldly refused, leading to heated clashes.

“I’m your father, and he’s your brother! You think this house is only yours? It’s ours too!”

“You’re just like your grandfather, cold and selfish! No wonder you turned out like your mother!”

Bang.

“You dare strike me, you unfilial beast!”

“….”

Snapping back from his thoughts, Chu Feng said: “Don’t worry about them. In the Chu family, only my word matters.”

Si Qi couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Ha! You’re worried I’d be bullied by your father? Please. If I’m not afraid of you, why would I be afraid of him?”

Chu Feng thought about it and nodded. “True.”

Hearing that, Si Qi chuckled secretly.

Up front, the soldier driving the car resigned himself: General, do you realize your brand-new spouse is openly declaring, “I’m the head of this household now”?

Well, even if you noticed, you probably wouldn’t mind.