Work Text:
Click, click, click! In front of the photographer’s lens, Zhou Zekai shifted between poses naturally.
It was a solo shoot for the detective drama Zhou Zekai was currently filming. Dressed in a dark suit vest and long overcoat, framed by dramatic lighting, he looked every bit the tortured protagonist he was aiming to portray.
The camera captured close-ups of his handsome visage.
His expression said: fierce, dark, melancholy, beauty.
In his head: reruns of his favorite streamer, Doubtful Demon (real name: Fang Rui), absolutely losing it over an edit of that one clip of Huang Shaotian getting hit by a tree, remixed to a popular meme song.
It was a good thing Zhou Zekai had masterful control of his expressions, otherwise he would have ruined the dark and mysterious atmosphere with his nonstop giggling.
Man, last night’s stream had been fun. Doubtful Demon did a try-not-to-laugh challenge with memes submitted by the community. “I will donate 100 RMB to charity each time I laugh,” Fang Rui had proclaimed. Needless to say, the streamer could not keep from busting his guts and had ended up donating a sizable chunk of his earnings to a children’s mental health foundation.
Zhou Zekai tilted his head and subtly caught Jiang Botao’s eye. His longtime manager silently held up two fingers, then four, then five. Two more outfits, forty five minutes each.
Zhou Zekai rested his head on the wall of the set, staring dead-eyed into the camera. Aahhh. He just wanted to go home, curl up on his couch in his pajamas, and watch Doubtful Demon’s stream on his phone.
“Beautiful!” The photographer exclaimed at his listless expression. “Let’s do a few more like that.”
The camera shutter clicked away.
***
Zhou Zekai was an actor, model, and celebrity, most known for being really freakin’ handsome. Though he loved his work, he was often busy, and also stressed. So as a way to unwind, when he had a free moment, he opened up Billibilli and watched different livestreams.
He watched a lot of different stuff. Streams about animals, streams about travel, streams about music, or history, or games. Even chopping wood in the middle of nowhere. He enjoyed learning about all different things, and it also helped with his acting work, researching different people and voices and perspectives. He never really had a favorite channel.... until one day, the algorithm pushed him some gaming content.
Live: 63 viewers【Playing Glory - helping my viewers get to the heavenly domain】- Doubtful Demon
Glory. He felt a wave of nostalgia seeing that name. He’d been a young teenager when the game first came out, but he didn’t try it until a few years later. It had been a fun hobby until he ultimately got too busy with his acting and modeling career. Zhou Zekai clicked on the stream, curious.
“Hey, we have a new viewer! Welcome to the stream!” Doubtful Demon said cheerfully when Zhou Zekai entered. He looked about Zhou Zekai’s age, had cute scruffy hair, and exuded the spry energy of a rookie streamer.
Though he didn’t have many viewers, the chat was pretty lively, and Doubtful Demon had good banter. He knew how to amp up viewers with excitement and shut down trolls with witty remarks and utter skill.
And skilled Doubtful Demon was. Zhou Zekai watched as Doubtful Demon maneuvered around, using accounts that were not even his own to beat opponents in the arena. He had a bit of a dirty playstyle, often using the opponent’s expectations against them to slide in a sneaky attack.
When those attacks were successful, the chat would explode with excitement.
“Damn bro, that attack came out of nowhere!”
“Hahaha the other guy didn’t expect THAT”
“My oshi’s got game!”
The community generally seemed pretty positive, so Zhou Zekai typed out a question.
Cloudpiercer (first time chatter!): Enjoying the stream! I played a little Glory in the past but fell out of it. Can someone explain what heavenly domain is?
It was a small community, but Zhou Zekai didn’t expect that Doubtful Demon would personally respond to his message.
“Hi Cloudpiercer, glad you’re enjoying the stream! Should I tell you a little about the award-winning expansion of critically acclaimed MMORPG, Rongyao, also known as Glory?” Doubtful Demon grinned.
The streamer launched into an explanation of Glory’s Heavenly Domain expansion and how players needed to pass several tests to ascend to this new realm. The information was quietly filed away in Zhou Zekai’s mind. Doubtful Demon’s narration was clear, informative, and engaging, showing how much of a natural he was at streaming. But the one thing Zhou Zekai couldn’t forget was the way Doubtful Demon’s impish grin inexplicably made Zhou Zekai’s heart pound.
Oh. Zhou Zekai may have just become a fan.
***
Zhou Zekai soon became a regular viewer of Doubtful Demon’s streams. While he wasn’t always able to catch things live due to his work schedule, he always made sure to watch the archived streams later, leaving a comment on each one.
Through consistently watching streams, Zhou Zekai collected little tidbits about Doubtful Demon. Things like his name (Fang Rui), favorite colors (red and purple), that he likes his coffee hot with peppermint cream, and little stories. Did you know that Fang Rui was good enough to join a Glory training camp run by a pro team and that he knew its star player before he became famous? No? Well, let Zhou Zekai tell you...
Doubtful Demon was just such a fun character, Zhou Zekai couldn't help but like him.
As an actor, Zhou Zekai knew that the person you see on camera was rarely someone’s true personality—in fact, for streamers it was probably even more important to keep parts of yourself separate from your public image—but still, he wondered if the Fang Rui behind the Doubtful Demon persona would be just as fun and cute and funny.
It was a silly little fantasy: What would it be like if they ever met in real life? Maybe they’d bump into each other at a coffeeshop downtown? Or maybe at one of Zhou Zekai’s film screenings? It would be funny if Fang Rui was also a fan of Zhou Zekai’s.
If Fang Rui were to ask for an autograph, Zhou Zekai would sign it with a flourish, hand it back, then cooly ask for Fang Rui’s own... Haha, what a fantastical life that would be. It was a good thing the chances of meeting Doubtful Demon in real life were zero-to-none, otherwise he’d start spinning more fairytales...
***
Zhou Zekai burst out the door, sprinting across the street and ducking into a dark alley. He hid behind some trash cans, crouching low. One hand closed around his gun, ready to pull it out at a moment’s notice.
His heart raced. Peering through the gap between two trashcans, he breathed, waiting in tense silence.
Across the street, the door squeaked open. A flood of light from lit up the doorway. A dark silhouette stepped out.
“Detective, are you there?” the figure called out.
Zhou Zekai remained silent, slowly pulling his gun out of its holster.
“Detective, you can’t run. If you run, we have no choice but to consider you the prime suspect of your wife and child’s murder,” the figure said smugly. “You know what they say, ‘the husband always did it.’”
BANG!
Sun Xiang jumped away, Zhou Zekai’s bullet narrowly missing him.
Sun Xiang smirked. “Oh my, firing your service weapon at a fellow officer of the law? You’ve truly gone off the deep end, old friend.”
Zhou Zekai stood, gun pointed at Sun Xiang.
“I trusted you!” Zhou Zekai yelled, shaking with pain and rage and betrayal. This was his friend and partner of five years. The one who’d been at his side during those horrible first months after his wife and son were killed. The one who’d been the killer all along.
Sun Xiang was unperturbed by the accusation. “Turn yourself in, Detective. If you do so peacefully, you may still receive mercy. If you don’t... well, I’ll enjoy hunting you down like a criminal.”
Zhou Zekai grit his teeth. The culprit who'd killed his wife and child was right in front of him, but despite all the evidence he’d gathered, it still wasn’t enough. Keeping his weapon pointed at the other officer, he inched his way out of the alley. Once he reached the sidewalk, he threw his gun to the ground and took off running into the night.
“CUT!” the director yelled. “Good work, everyone! Let’s take 15.”
The set instantly became noisy as staff began to clean up and attend to the actors.
Zhou Zekai made his way to his chair, still breathing heavily from all the running. Ah, what an intense scene. He could still feel the heaviness of his character hanging over him. If only the break were longer, he could have watched one of Doubtful Demon’s shorter videos to unwind. Instead, he settled for staring at the custom phone case he’d designed himself with Doubtful Demon’s favorite colors. It was a subtle declaration of fandom, but it made Zhou Zekai happy.
As Zhou Zekai was busy staring at the phone case, his co-star, Sun Xiang, came up to him.
“That last scene was passable,” the junior actor sniffed, which was basically a compliment in Sun Xiang’s book. It made Zhou Zekai want to tear up a little. His same-agency junior, who’d been a bit of a troublemaker, learning how to be nice! That new manager of his must really be a really good influence on him.
“You did well too,” Zhou Zekai said with a smile. “Very murderous. Good acting.”
Sun Xiang coughed a bit. “Yeah, okay. Thanks, I guess. Anyway. That’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m holding a Christmas party at my place. You can bring your manager too, if you want.”
Zhou Zekai thought about his upcoming schedule. It was relatively light in the next few weeks. “Okay. I’ll come,” he said.
“Qiao Yifan!” Sun Xiang yelled.
“Yes, Mr. Sun?” Sun Xiang’s new manager zipped over.
Sun Xiang gestured at Zhou Zekai. “Send Senior and his manager the details for the party.”
“Understood,” said Qiao Yifan. “Mr. Zhou, I will send you and Mr. Jiang the invitation by text and additionally by email so you can put it in your calendar. Please remember to RSVP!” he said with a chipper voice. “Also...” the young manager looked up at Sun Xiang.
Sun Xiang caught his eye and sighed. “Oh yeah, I have this... friend who will be at the party. He’s your fan, so give him your autograph, will you?”
Zhou Zekai blinked. “Sure,” he said. “Name?”
Sun Xiang rolled his eyes. “Fang Rui. He’s a bit annoying, so Qiao Yifan, you tell him. I’m going to grab a drink.”
Qiao Yifan started explaining what he knew about Sun Xiang’s friend, but Zhou Zekai was too stunned to hear most of it. F-Fang Rui? Could it be his Fang Rui? Doubtful Demon Fang Rui? No, probably not. But maybe...? Zhou Zekai could feel his heart beating. What if it was really Fang Rui? He tried concentrating more on the conversation.
“...actually very personable and friendly. The only reason why Mr. Sun says he is annoying is because he’s a big fan of yours...”
Oh no. Fang Rui was a fan of his. All of his silly fantasies were suddenly coming true. What next? They’d go to a house party, get drunk, and somehow come out more than friends?
“When you meet him at the party...”
Oh no, Sun Xiang’s party would definitely have alcohol, wouldn’t it?
“...you two will probably be able to have some great conversations!” Qiao Yifan finished.
As Qiao Yifan scampered off back to Sun Xiang, Zhou Zekai hung his head in his hands.
Oh god. He never meant to be this delusional. And he never meant for his delusions to become real! Please let this be some other Fang Rui and not his Doubtful Demon!
When Jiang Botao, hot thermos in hand, found him like that, he raised an eyebrow. “What happened here?” he asked.
Zhou Zekai groaned. “I need to buy new clothes.”
***
Zhou Zekai and Jiang Botao turned up to Sun Xiang’s gated apartment complex right on time for the party—which meant they were early. Qiao Yifan guided them from the door to the living room while Sun Xiang got them set up with a glass.
Sun Xiang evidently had a nice set up going on. Red and green paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, velvet silver bows hung up on the walls, fake candles on the many snack and drink tables, a large Christmas tree in the corner.
They sipped and made small talk on the couch while waiting for more people to arrive. It was quite nice actually. Outside of work, in the comfort of his own home, Sun Xiang was a lot less prickly than usual. Apparently the party had been Qiao Yifan’s idea. Zhou Zekai caught the young manager looking very proud as Sun Xiang showed his colleague around his home. Maybe the party was also a chance to show off Sun Xiang’s good side, huh? Dressed in a nice tux and with a proud smile on his face as he showed Zhou Zekai his electric fireplace, Sun Xiang certainly seemed like a different person than the rumors went.
Zhou Zekai himself was looking spiffy in a new velvet blazer and festive bowtie covered in tiny penguins holding up colored string lights. As more people trickled in, he received many compliments on his look. But with each compliment he got, he became more and more nervous.
When was Fang Rui going to arrive? Would it really be Doubtful Demon? What should Zhou Zekai say when he approached?
He went to get another drink, hoping the alcohol would help ease the nerves. He sipped and made small talk with other showbiz people, all the while rehearsing lines in his head. ‘Thank you for liking my work. I’m also a fan of your work. Can we swap autographs?’
At two hours in, Zhou Zekai may have become a little tipsy. He'd drank a little before people started coming and then everyone kept wanting to pour him a drink to network and celebrate Zhou Zekai and Sun Xiang's drama and...maybe he drank a bit more than he should have.
Zhou Zekai blinked as he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was the party host, Sun Xiang.
“Senior Zhou, this is the person I wanted to introduce to you. He’s... kind of like an online friend that I’ve known for a long time. This is Fang Rui.”
A head popped out from behind Sun Xiang. “Hi, I’m Fang Rui. I work in design and do a bit of influencer stuff. I’m a big fan of your acting, Zhou-Laoshi!”
And goddamnit, it really was Doubtful Demon! Zhou Zekai wanted to cover his eyes. Why was Doubtful Demon so much more good-looking in person than through a screen?!
Sun Xiang patted his friend on the back, rolling his eyes. “I have to greet other people. Have fun, I guess.”
And then they were left alone together. Ahh. Zhou Zekai’s mouth was going dry. He reached for his memorized lines.
“Thank you, I like work too. I’m your sign, please give me your fan!”
There was a beat of silence as they both tried to figure out what he just said.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. How could he stumble his words like this??? Zhou Zekai hid his face in his hands.
Fang Rui started to rub his shoulder. “Are you okay? Do you need some fresh air?” he asked. He began fanning Zhou Zekai with his other hand.
Zhou Zekai wanted to cry. His oshi was so nice....
“Should I grab you some water?” Fang Rui asked.
Zhou Zekai shook his head. He needed to salvage the situation somehow. He held out a hand. “Can I. Borrow your phone?”
“My phone?” Fang Rui was confused but handed the actor his smartphone. Maybe he needed to call his manager?
Zhou Zekai took the phone and brought out a silver marker he had stashed in his pocket. Relying on muscle memory because the room was spinning, he signed his autograph on Fang Rui’s phone case.
Fang Rui’s eyes were wide. “Thank you so much! You’re literally my favorite actor!”
When Zhou Zekai handed the streamer back his phone, he also handed him the pen.
“Please sign. I’m fan. Cloud Piercer. Sorry drunk.”
He unlocked his phone and blearily showed Fang Rui the inside screen. It was a Doubtful Demon wallpaper that Fang Rui had designed himself.
Seeing Fang Rui’s surprised and ecstatic face was the last thing Zhou Zekai remembered before his memory blacked out.
***
When Zhou Zekai woke up the next morning he may have done a little happy dance when he found a text message from a new contact and a silver signature on the back of his phone.
Your support means the world to me!
- Doubtful Demon ↜(𓄼 .̀ ̮.́)Ψ