Meanwhile, Lu Xianqing.
During a break in filming, An Ning handed him a phone. “Sister Xingxing.”
Lu Xianqing took it. He Ho said, “I spoke with Xu Zhao over the phone. That idiot refuses to act and won’t let Qin Sizheng go. Sticking to the contract, telling me not to be arrogant. Screw him!”
“Talk to their boss.”
He Ho’s anger rose further. “Don’t even mention Xu Zhiliang. No wonder he and Xu Zhao go way back. He asked whether the person was for Mingfei or for you. I nearly choked. I said Mingfei thinks he’s great—if the collaboration goes well, future work is easier. Anyone could get that, right? Guess what he said next…”
Lu Xianqing thought for a moment and said, “Qin Sizheng is a treasure—why would I let him go?”
He Ho fell silent. Sure enough, only a lunatic could understand a lunatic; every word was exactly as expected.
“No way they’ll let him go. Right now, Qin Sizheng is a cash cow. If they let him go, it’d be a miracle. I think your best chance was a strict one-for-one exchange, and even that’s slim.”
Lu Xianqing sneered arrogantly. “Exchange with me? Xu Zhiliang got cocky?”
He Ho asked earnestly, “Then how do you propose we solve this? I can’t exactly storm Shengyu, tie up Xu Zhao and Xu Zhiliang, and hold them at knifepoint to make them release him, right?”
Lu Xianqing replied, “Shengyu last year and this year seems to have invested in two films, two dramas, and a talent show coming up. With their strict reviews now, who knows if there’s still a chance to meet anyone?”
He Ho immediately understood. “All this trouble for Qin Sizheng—really necessary?”
Lu Xianqing feigned innocence. “Serving the people. Isn’t it only right to strictly review works that aren’t harmonious? I’m just thinking of the public’s mental health. Why do you accuse me?”
He hadn’t lost his temper in a long time, and He Ho almost forgot—this man was never an easy person.
For him, dealing with a company without leaving a scratch for the sake of Qin Sizheng wasn’t even considered extreme.
“Alright, I understand.” He Ho fell silent for a long moment, only her breath audible.
Lu Xianqing knew she had something to say but didn’t hang up. He waited patiently, several minutes passing before he lost his patience. “If you don’t speak, forget your year-end bonus.”
He Ho immediately blurted, “No!”
“Speak.”
She took a deep breath, calling him earnestly “Fourth Brother,” hearing a reluctant “hiss” on the other end. She spoke quickly, “I need you to answer me honestly. No lies, even if you refuse to say something—don’t lie, okay?”
“Mm.”
“You really like Qin Sizheng, don’t you?”
“Mm.”
“If one day, you find out Qin Sizheng doesn’t love you the way you imagine, that he’s just using you, or that he wants to leave… what would you do?”
Silence stretched over the line.
He Ho’s heart raced. Shen Qing had warned her before: Qin Sizheng was like an addictive drug. For Lu Xianqing, the harm outweighed the benefit.
Someone accustomed to walking in darkness can gradually accept the loneliness of the night, but once they’ve glimpsed the light, they won’t return to the dark—and it’s even harder to endure.
Lu Xianqing’s mental state was fragile. If abandoned, he could truly lose himself.
He Ho had never felt it so concretely, but seeing him now, she realized Shen Qing was right: Qin Sizheng was a slow poison to him.
She wanted to drag them both to the civil affairs office, marry them, and then tear up the marriage certificate—but neither would ever step foot there in this lifetime.
After a long pause, Lu Xianqing said, “I don’t know.”
He Ho, both worried and afraid, gritted her teeth. “Fourth Brother, I don’t care about the fan diamond rewards. But if one day—hypothetically, if one day—please don’t hurt him, and don’t hurt yourself, okay?”
Lu Xianqing lowered his eyes and smiled. “No chance. He wouldn’t dare leave me.”
He Ho was struck again by his shamelessness. Before hanging up, she remembered something. “Oh right, I told Zhou Changjiang about you going to the Mid-Autumn Gala. Are you that childish? Why not tell him in advance?”
“You don’t understand—it’s called romance. Go find someone else, really pitiful.”
He Ho slammed the phone down. After a moment, she sent another message:
【No overnight stays! Keep kisses and hugs away from people; absolutely no bed allowed!】
Lu Xianqing glanced at the screen, smirking. So if not in bed, it wouldn’t happen? What a joke.
She probably realized it too and sent another message:
【Fine, stay one night at home, but next morning head straight back to the crew. After the gala, tons of people will be lurking—don’t get photographed going home together! Split up! Then figure out a way to meet up, or I’ll hang myself and show you!】
Lu Xianqing tapped back: 【Understood.】
The Mid-Autumn Gala was approaching. That day included a red carpet segment—twenty seconds per person for photos and autographs.
Shen Changfeng called Xu Zhao to ask about Qin Sizheng’s attire, but after three unanswered calls, he realized something. Was Qin Sizheng in a dispute with him?
Qin Sizheng didn’t hide anything. “Yeah, had a fight over the contract.”
Shen Changfeng watched Xu Zhao, who seemed reasonable on the surface, yet stubborn underneath. He doubted Xu Zhao would go running to apologize.
“Then I’ll ask Emperor Xu if you can borrow something to wear. He likes you, and you’ve helped him before—he should be willing. Or ask Fourth Brother? Don’t hide it from me; I can tell when he dotes on you. He’d definitely prepare something for you.”
Qin Sizheng froze for a moment, then slumped back onto the desk. “…Yesterday, Fourth Brother asked. I said I have something to wear. He still has to stay on set for two months, doesn’t want to worry about anything.”
Shen Changfeng poked him on the forehead. “You’re stubborn as a mule! If you have nothing to wear, just wear your white shirt and jeans. Might even gain fans for being unique and hit the trending searches. Pain in the neck.”
Qin Sizheng lifted his head. “You’re right.”
Shen Changfeng yelled, “I’m mocking you and you agree! Just to annoy me!”
Qin Sizheng smiled faintly. “Well, can’t be helped. Can’t go naked; otherwise, it’d be a social news scandal.”
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Shen Changfeng went to open it. A man in a sharp suit stood there, holding an intricately carved wooden box. White gloves, black suit, formal to the point of eeriness.
“Uh… may I help you?”
“Is this Qin Sizheng’s residence?” the man asked.
Shen Changfeng, unsure of his identity, didn’t answer directly. For safety, he asked, “May I know your business? And your name?”
The man handed the box to him. “Someone asked me to deliver this to Mr. Qin Sizheng. Please sign for it.”
Shen Changfeng eyed it warily. Could there be a bomb or a dead rat inside? “May I ask who sent it? If it’s a fan of Mr. Qin, we should thank them.”
The man’s expression didn’t change, as cold and mechanical as an AI, his tone equally neutral.
“Rest assured, there is nothing dangerous inside. As for who sent it, I cannot tell you now. When the time comes, Mr. Qin will meet her himself.”
With that, the man bowed and departed.
Shen Changfeng closed the door and carefully set the box on the table, staring at it. Qin Sizheng peeked over. “Did you buy this? Why not open it?”
“I didn’t. Could be a gift from one of your fans. Using such a vintage wooden box—someone who cares. But the man at the door holding it like it was a casket really spooked me.”
Shen Changfeng muttered, holding the latch and lifting the lid. Inside, he froze. “Who sent you this?”
Qin Sizheng couldn’t make out the details, but Shen Changfeng immediately recognized it.
The suit was designed by Yalusi. The only other Chinese person who had worn her design was Lu Xianqing. A single piece was worth a fortune; back then, even Xu Jinhan couldn’t borrow it for one night.
“Could it be someone trying to embarrass you with a fake?” Shen Changfeng asked.
Qin Sizheng propped his chin on his hand, staring at it. “I doubt it. I admit I used to be annoying, but would someone go to such lengths? Much easier to just trash me online for fun.”