Jin Yi instinctively looked at the driver.
The driver remained calm.
“Er-shao, I already warned you before, but you seemed distracted.”
So he couldn’t be blamed.
Jin Yi choked.
He was annoyed.
If he’d been distracted, why didn’t the guy just call out a couple more times? Flexibility, damn it!
As if reading his mind, the driver quickly added:
“I already called you three times, Er-shao. Too late now.”
He gestured firmly for Jin Yi to face the car window.
Jin Yi slowly turned and met Fan Qing’s gaze.
Confirmed—Fan Qing meant business.
Jin Yi felt guilty instantly.
If he tried to tell Fan Qing he had just accidentally ended up here, would Fan Qing believe such a lie?
“Jin Er-shao joking?”
Fan Qing’s expression said, you’re kidding me, radiating a familiar shark-like aura.
Jin Yi choked.
He didn’t dare speak.
Damn it, gossip is fun in the moment, but afterwards, it’s a minefield!
He was wrong—wrong for being distracted!
Distractedness betrayed him!
“Tell me, Er-shao, why are you following me? And yesterday as well… you were hiding behind the bodyguards. Were you eavesdropping?”
Fan Qing finally remembered yesterday.
Seeing such a large Er-shao hiding in his office had felt… odd.
He had initially thought Jin Yi was just bored, looking for some weird amusement.
Jin Yi froze.
Then he couldn’t believe it.
“You… saw me yesterday?”
Shit.
He had thought Fan Qing hadn’t noticed.
Hadn’t he?
Jin Yi was baffled.
Stepping out of the car, he wore a completely bewildered expression.
“How could you see me? Usually, I can’t even see where the bodyguards are standing.”
Why are Fan Qing’s eyes so sharp???
Fan Qing tilted his head.
“Well, if it were the bodyguards standing there, I wouldn’t notice either. But did you consider your size?”
That massive figure hiding behind the bodyguards—anyone with eyes would notice.
Especially him, with eyes like that.
Jin Yi: ???
Shouldn’t it be different?
Even if he were large, he should at most match the bodyguards, right? He should be tiny, mini, cute… not this massive!
Fan Qing blinked, confused.
Did Jin Er-shao have a misperception about his own size?
Where exactly was he tiny or cute or mini?
The two stared at each other for a while before Fan Qing sneered.
“Jin Er-shao, don’t try to change the subject.”
This guy definitely followed him—otherwise, why would he end up in a place like this?
“Uh… well…”
Jin Yi cursed silently.
Fan Qing hadn’t been fooled. Damn it.
After a tense moment, Jin Yi tried again to divert the topic.
“Well… Jian Fei Yang’s in your car too. Why don’t we all have lunch together? I haven’t seen him in ages, and since we’re all here…”
“Er-shao.”
Fan Qing’s smile turned subtly cold.
Jin Yi stole a glance.
Tsk—no escape now.
There was nothing else to do.
Jin Yi steeled himself, lifted his chin, and braced for it.
“That’s not it! I just wanted to check on you, see how you’re doing. Is that so wrong?”
Honestly… there was no way he could tell the truth. Not in this lifetime!
Fan Qing stared at him for a long moment before finally looking away.
“Since you came all this way, Er-shao, you might as well join in.”
With Jin Er-shao’s little glances, Fan Qing could read his thoughts with his toes if he wanted.
But since Er-shao was so free, it was the perfect time to give him a bit of work.
Like with Wazi, he might as well have Er-shao try taking charge a bit.
If anything went wrong, Er-shao could go apologize to Jin Si and fix the mess himself.
One move, three wins.
Fan Qing calmly thought this through.
Fan Qing doesn’t care?
Jin Yi looked again, heart leaping.
He had survived—escaped unscathed!
Yes!
“Let’s go.”
Fan Qing turned and brought Jian Fei Yang along.
Jin Yi immediately scurried after them.
Gossip! Gossip! I’m coming!
Five minutes later.
Under Fan Qing’s instructions, Jin Yi knocked on the door.
The moment it opened, he was launched into a hug.
The next second, he felt a soft measuring tape wrap around his chest!
Jin Yi: ?!
Should he scream “assault”? Call the police?
“Yao Ge, not him.”
Fan Qing’s amused voice came from behind Jin Yi.
Still a little dazed, Yao Ge let go of the tape.
“Ah? Not him?”
Fan Qing smiled faintly.
Satisfied, he nodded, then pushed the completely oblivious Jian Fei Yang forward.
“It’s him. Take a look.”
“Oh, okay!”
Yao Ge studied Jian Fei Yang, eyes suddenly lighting up.
“I know you! You’re the celebrity that Fan Qing brought! Your name’s Jian Fei Yang, right?”
So this is who Fan Qing had meant.
Yao Ge felt a rush of joy.
He’d seen Jian Fei Yang on variety shows—nice figure!
He’d look great in clothes, surely.
And such a unique, rare aura… Yao Ge’s mind sparked with inspiration!
Delighted, he led Jian Fei Yang inside.
Meanwhile, Jin Yi caught on.
He turned to Fan Qing accusingly.
“You did this on purpose!”
Fan Qing had deliberately sent him to knock on the door!
Unbelievable! How could anyone be this identical to his big brother in mischief?
Ridiculous!
Doesn’t one Jin Si suffice?
Jin Yi’s mind buzzed.
Fan Qing was in a very good mood.
“I thought you knew. Otherwise, who would knock on a stranger’s door?”
Jin Yi’s gaze froze.
Hm… true, actually.
Why else would he knock on a door?
He pondered.
But…
Jin Yi peeked quietly.
So Fan Qing had come here for this?
This person makes clothes?
But what’s so funny about that?
Why did Fan Qing always laugh secretly on the phone? He didn’t understand!
Jin Yi was thinking this when the curly-haired boy who had hugged him walked over.
Eyes sparkling with excitement, he looked at Fan Qing.
“Fan Jing, I’ve finished measuring!”
Holiday!
Holiday! Holiday!
Yao Ge’s face radiated anticipation.
Fan Qing’s lips curved slightly.
Look! That smile!
Jin Yi’s eyes went wide.
Next moment, Fan Qing spoke.
“Coincidentally, I’m free today. Why don’t we discuss your new designs?”
Yao Ge’s bright, expectant smile froze instantly.
Wha… what?
Blank expression.
Hadn’t Fan Qing just said he could have a day off? Right?
“Pft.”
Fan Qing quietly turned, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
Jian Fei Yang was confused.
Jin Yi, however, understood immediately.
He glanced at the clearly distressed Yao Ge, then at Fan Qing’s unmistakable smirk.
…Damn!
So that’s what was going on!
He got it.
Jin Yi made a triumphant “I understand!” sound and, with a pang of pity, looked at Yao Ge.
Poor kid, so naive.
Though he had no clue what Yao Ge expected from Fan Qing, Jin Yi silently lit a candle for him in his mind.
No wonder he thought Fan Qing’s smile had something off about it.
Now he realized—it was the same expression his brother made whenever watching a scene play out!
…Tsk.
Understanding clicked.
Fan Qing turned and saw Jin Yi’s expression.
He raised an eyebrow and dragged Jin Yi over to Yao Ge.
“Measure him too, Er-shao. And you’ll pay for your own deposit. While you’re at it, settle Jian Fei Yang’s bill as well.”
Jin Yi’s eyes went wide.
“What? Why me?”
His money didn’t grow on trees…
Oh wait. It did—all from his big brother, and what Fan Qing helped him earn.
Ah, this…
After a moment’s thought, Jin Yi agreed readily.
At worst, Fan Qing and his brother would just keep earning for him!
He waved his hand and even settled the previous bills.
After all, it was all money earned for him—by his brother and Fan Qing.
Oh, and Jian Fei Yang too.
With that in mind, Jin Yi was completely unbothered.
Small money, small money!
Receiving a new batch of income, Yao Ge reluctantly rallied his spirits.
“Come on, Yao Ge! You’ve got this! You can do it!”
It’s just a couple more orders, right?
Go go go!
Fan Qing noticed Yao Ge’s determination and found it even more admirable.
Not bad—he handles pressure well. With time, he’d definitely withstand Fan Qing’s relentless follow-ups.
A promising talent.
Jin Yi, seeing Fan Qing’s approving gaze, couldn’t help but sigh.
Poor kid… really poor.
No matter who this little brother was, he silently wished him well.
Fan Qing was pleasantly surprised by Yao Ge’s “endurance” in the end.
Perhaps fueled by determination, the final design sketches Yao Ge presented left Fan Qing quite excited.
Even Jin Yi clicked his tongue, signaling that he was starting to look forward to that set.
Yao Ge, noticing their approval, quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Phew… made it through!
Fan Qing glanced at him, then stood up.
“All right, let’s head back.”
He led the way, and Yao Ge trailed behind like a dutiful little spouse seeing guests off.
At the door, Fan Qing waved him off.
Yao Ge didn’t move, didn’t head back.
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow.
“Not going back to rest? Starting tomorrow, you’ll have to work hard again.”
Rest?
What rest…
Yao Ge’s round eyes suddenly widened, a spark lighting up like a switch had been flipped.
He could rest? Really?
Fan Qing lightly hummed, waved, and left with the others, making it seem like he’d squeezed Yao Ge dry—tsk.
He hadn’t been harsh at all; it was just preparation for what was coming.
Back at the office, Fan Qing carried a few of Yao Ge’s designs to Jin Si.
After a while, Jin Si finally let him in.
“Didn’t I tell you not to come around if there’s nothing?”
The moment he heard Fan Qing’s footsteps, Jin Si complained, clearly annoyed.
“So obviously there’s something, huh? Here.”
Fan Qing handed him a paper bag.
“Nothing comes for free, huh? You’re even more troublesome than Jin Yi.”
Jin Si clicked his tongue, took it, and peeked inside.
Inside was the “small outfit” they’d briefly discussed before.
No fabric—just a few strips of leather, simple and minimal.
Yet Jin Si’s face revealed satisfaction.
“He made this?”
“Who else?”
Jin Si looked pleased.
Looks like the next steps would be smooth.
Fan Qing, meanwhile, grew curious.
If Jin Si wanted this, surely he wasn’t going to wear it himself, right?
So… it must be for Sheng Ge?
“Your eye for talent is impressive. This kid’s worth cultivating.”
Jin Si placed the bag on the desk, a rare genuine smile crossing his face.
Indeed, he was worth developing.
Fan Qing agreed.
“True. But he’s got a few little issues too.”
Jin Si’s expression shifted slightly. Half-smile, half-skeptical.
“Nothing comes for free, huh? You’ve got me doing something again?”
Fan Qing smiled faintly, feigning ignorance.
“No rush. I’ve made preparations. Can’t rely on you for everything, or I’d be useless.”
“Really?”
Jin Si didn’t buy it.
The guy who’d shamelessly freeloaded help from his big brother, now talking about self-reliance? He didn’t believe it.
Fan Qing ignored the doubt in Jin Si’s eyes and continued,
“But if something happens that I can’t handle, I’ll come to you for help. Surely you wouldn’t refuse, right?”
Jin Si stared at him for a long while.
After a moment, he cursed and chuckled.
“Help you, sure. But next time, don’t bring anyone else. Seeing you’s already annoying enough.”
Like seeing a mini-version of himself.
He felt a sudden sense of relief.
Jin Yi may be dumb, but he’s fun!
Fan Qing smiled faintly.
“Thanks in advance, big brother.”
Still, he didn’t necessarily need Jin Si’s help.
Fan Qing stayed cautious—and indeed, he didn’t keep him waiting too long.
In the designer circles and among alumni from Yao Ge’s school, whispers about him began to emerge.