Ye Xu rested her chin in her hand and sighed. “My husband does not want me anymore. My son never comes home. I finally like a child and want to recognize him as my godson, but he ignores me too. I am such a miserable empty-nester.”
Qin Sizheng looked at Lu Xianqing in surprise. His parents were divorced?
Lu Xianqing nodded from the side. Ye Xu added fuel to the fire. “On such a nice Mid-Autumn Festival, I spent it alone at the company. I spent so much money buying clothes for two children, and not a single one thanked me.”
The more Qin Sizheng listened, the more guilty he felt. Ye Xu sighed heavily. “Forget it. It is boring. I will not call anymore in the future. You do not want to see me anyway.”
“That is not it, Auntie, that is not what I meant!” Qin Sizheng felt completely turned around. How was she so skilled at twisting things? Now he finally understood where Lu Xianqing’s unreasonable streak came from.
“Then what do you mean? Do you think it is a grievance to be my son?”
Helpless, Qin Sizheng tentatively called toward the camera, “Mommy.”
Ye Xu’s heart nearly melted. She clutched her chest and beamed. “My baby is too adorable. No more calling me Auntie, understood? From today on, you are my godson.”
As she spoke, she suddenly paused and tilted her head toward someone off-screen. “Should I make a will? Split half my assets with him?”
The other person said something. Ye Xu lowered her head again and smiled at Qin Sizheng through the camera. “You must treat your older brother well in the future. No fighting, okay?”
Seeing no end in sight, and noticing Qin Sizheng still had not dared to eat, Lu Xianqing reached over and took the phone. “I am not three years old. What kind of fighting could there be?” he said coolly.
Ye Xu immediately dropped her gentle tone. “Fighting in bed is not fighting? Look at the marks on his neck. For all I know, he is covered in injuries. What kind of person you are, your mother knows perfectly well. His voice is so hoarse. Did you let him feel good?”
“Cough, cough, cough…” Qin Sizheng choked on the side, his face bright red, not daring to lift his head.
Even Lu Xianqing was rare in his silence. After a moment, he tossed out, “He felt very good,” and hung up.
Qin Sizheng looked as if he wanted to die. He had been worried that Ye Xu would make things difficult for him. Instead, she was more excited than the Qing Shan You Si CP fans, practically the head of the ship herself.
“Embarrassed?” Lu Xianqing asked.
Qin Sizheng glared at him. “Why do you tell Auntie everything? What if she thinks I am… that? You do not care about your image, but I still do.”
Lu Xianqing deliberately feigned ignorance. “Thinks you are what?”
Qin Sizheng could not bring himself to say those two words. He gritted his teeth and swallowed a mouthful of porridge.
Still, the heavy stone in his heart finally lifted. Ye Xu was truly a good person. Only someone like her could have raised someone as good as Fourth Brother.
After finishing the meal, Qin Sizheng accompanied Lu Xianqing to the airport. Anning, sensing they needed privacy, pulled down the partition.
Lu Xianqing reached up to adjust his collar, tugging lightly, then pressed his fingers to Qin Sizheng’s collarbone. “Does it still hurt?”
“A little.” Qin Sizheng turned red and looked away, feeling the warmth of his lips on the spot he’d bitten the night before. A sharp little sting made him inhale softly and whisper, “Fourth Brother.”
His voice, usually clear, had grown hoarse after the night’s passionate encounters. Lu Xianqing liked this proof of their indulgence and wanted more.
Biting his lip, Qin Sizheng held his hand in plea. “Fourth Brother, we’re at the airport now.”
“I don’t want to leave.” Lu Xianqing murmured into his neck, like a lazy emperor who wanted nothing more than to stay in the warm comfort of the moment.
Qin Sizheng also felt a pang of reluctance. Having just confessed and being separated again was bearable, but after yesterday’s intense reunion, another parting was hard.
He wrapped his arms around Lu Xianqing, lowering his voice near his ear: “Tonight I’ll call you… and wear your clothes.”
Lu Xianqing grabbed his waist tightly, biting his ear in punishment. “Little flirt.”
Qin Sizheng blushed, covering his mouth to stop him from speaking further. Anning prompted from ahead: “Fourth Brother, a short separation is still like newlyweds, but flights don’t wait—time to go.”
Lu Xianqing “hm”ed, and Qin Sizheng hurriedly put on his hat and mask, watching him walk into the terminal. Even without seeing clearly, he waved.
“Safe travels.”
Wen Li left the show immediately, blocked by fans for hours before escaping. She had been confident in her performance that night, yet checking the trending searches, she wasn’t on them. She bought a post to push herself up, only to be quickly buried again.
It was all Qin Sizheng!
She was furious and messaged Jiang Xi, asking why the post hadn’t gone up. After a while, Jiang Xi replied:
“Sorry. Taking that photo was my fault. Even though he replaced me, it wasn’t public. I couldn’t risk hurting him. I’ll return the money you funded me and won’t work for you again. I used to follow your advice, thinking he was bad, but later I realized he’s actually a good person. I don’t know your grudges with him, but if it’s only about your acting, I don’t think it warrants revenge. That photo—I only know it was from the Jiujian audition.”
Wen Li almost smashed her phone in anger. Why did everyone side with Qin Sizheng?
This blemish could never remain in the entertainment industry—she had to make it disappear.
When Lu Xianqing returned to the set, he hadn’t brought a driver, leaving him behind to escort Qin Sizheng.
“Qin Laoshi, going home now?”
Before Qin Sizheng could answer, his phone rang. It was Xu Zhao, saying the boss had something regarding a contract to discuss and wanted him at the office immediately.
Qin Sizheng told the driver, “Go home first, then to Shengyu.”
Xu Zhao was waiting at the gate, and as soon as he saw him, he warmly patted his shoulder. Qin Sizheng dodged.
“Yesterday I went to your place. Why weren’t you there? Shen Changfeng said you were at a friend’s.”
“Yeah, there were too many fans yesterday. I stayed at You Si’s place to avoid them. You needed me for something?”
After changing into a slightly higher-necked outfit to cover the evidence of last night, Qin Sizheng went with Xu Zhao. Xu Zhao pushed open the office door. Xu Zhiliang, the boss, was on the phone, smiling broadly.
“Of course, supporting such a young star isn’t easy. Tell him to come tonight—I’ll see the potential myself. If he’s good, it’s a done deal.”
“Xu Zong.”
Xu Zhiliang looked up, noticing Qin Sizheng’s clear, handsome appearance. His eyes lit up, and he ended the call after a few casual words.
“Sizheng, come in, have a seat.”
Xu Zhao moved to sit but was immediately stopped. “You go out first.”
He heard the lock click as Xu Zhao left. Qin Sizheng’s gaze returned to Xu Zhiliang. “What contract?”
Xu Zhiliang approached slowly, speaking earnestly: “Sizheng, be honest—have I ever treated you unfairly all these years?”
Qin Sizheng didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Just say what you mean.”
Xu Zhiliang paused, then smiled again, thinking the young man was easily swayed.
“Sizheng, I remember your relationship with Lu Xianqing wasn’t good before. After working together, I saw you two together and quiet about it. Our company has always respected our artists. If you’ve ever felt wronged, tell me.”
He pressed his hand onto Qin Sizheng’s. The touch was smooth, soft as silk. Unable to resist, he squeezed lightly, imagining the rest of him must be just as soft.
Qin Sizheng’s temper and pride were well-known. He had rejected numerous hints at unspoken arrangements, nearly clashing before, yet Xu Zhiliang seemed to have forgotten that incident.
Xu Zhao said Qin Sizheng wanted to adjust the contract—was that really just a tactic? A show of chastity, but really for money?
Xu Zhiliang didn’t care; he could play along. The contract would naturally be negotiable.
“I’ve always cared for you kids, afraid you’d be taken advantage of.”
“I promise, as long as you behave, I’ll make you a star even bigger than Lu Xianqing. Then we’ll crush everyone else under our feet. Talk about the contract all you want—I’ll follow your lead.”
Qin Sizheng finally understood. This wasn’t about negotiating a contract at all—it was a thinly veiled attempt at coercion.
“Crush Lu Xianqing under my feet?”
Seeing Qin Sizheng bite, Xu Zhiliang thought, kids these days are so easily tempted. Two words and he’s hooked. He boldly slid a hand up Qin Sizheng’s thigh, inching toward his groin. “Yes, as long as you behave, I’ll take care of you. What’s Lu Xianqing anyway?”
Qin Sizheng shot up. “No thanks. I’m not interested.”
Xu Zhiliang wasn’t upset. With surveillance in the room and the door locked from outside, even if Qin Sizheng tried to flee, there would be nowhere to escape. When the cameras rolled, he would have to comply.
“Not interested? Was it Ming Feicao who did it to you? Or Lu Xianqing? Oh, it can’t be him. Then who? You say he’s impotent?”
Qin Sizheng glared coldly. “Are you tired of living?”
Xu Zhiliang’s grin twisted. “Don’t pretend. Xu Zhao told me everything—I know your thoughts. Who doesn’t want to be famous? This kind of thing is common in the industry, don’t worry. Ming Fei treats Lu Xianqing so well, maybe they already… you know.”
He moved closer, pretending to kiss Qin Sizheng.
“Baby, I’ll take care of you.”
Qin Sizheng clenched his fists, chest heaving with anger, fighting the urge to punch him in the face. Xu Zhiliang mistook it for shyness, thinking he was blushing, and tried to hold him.
“Follow me, and you’ll get to choose any resources you want. I know you don’t like Si Qianqiu—he was meant to replace you. I’ll remove him from your sight. Just take good care of me.”
That was the last straw. Qin Sizheng punched him square in the face. Xu Zhiliang screamed, stunned.
“Damn it! Pretending to be chaste, but you don’t even know how many men you’ve been with! Ming Fei? Or Lu Xianqing? Yesterday’s trending said you wore couple outfits—I know! You’re not targeting him anymore. Did he… or did you…? I heard he’s never been able to—”
Qin Sizheng’s vision went red with rage. “I warn you, say one more word about him and I’ll end you.”
Xu Zhiliang grew more aroused as he spoke, bitter about Lu Xianqing. “I was just saying—he’s impotent! Maybe he’s been with countless men…”
Qin Sizheng grabbed his wrist, yanking him up and pressing him against the desk. A punch to his abdomen nearly displaced his organs.
“Protecting him so much, do you like him? Pathetic—you’d get used by anyone.”
Xu Zhiliang turned pale, trembling, gasping. “You actually hit me! I’ll ruin your career! Not even Lu Xianqing can save you! From today, you’re finished! You wanted to adjust your contract and now you act all high and mighty?”
Qin Sizheng’s jaw twitched. Suppressing his fury, he grabbed Xu Zhiliang by the collar and delivered a series of punches to his stomach. Xu Zhiliang convulsed in pain, gasping for air.
“Stop! I can’t take it!” Xu Zhiliang felt like he was dying, struggling desperately for mercy.
Qin Sizheng threw him aside. The fat body hit the desk, scattering ornaments everywhere.
Xu Zhiliang cowered, looking at Qin Sizheng, who stood tall, voice icy: “You don’t have to make things difficult for me. I’m leaving the entertainment industry. As long as you exist, I won’t come back.”
“If I hear you speak of him again, I’ll smash your brains out.” Qin Sizheng lowered his head, picking up a folder and slapping it on his face. “Understand?”
Xu Zhiliang had never suffered such humiliation, unable to retaliate.
Qin Sizheng tossed the folder down and left. The door was locked, but he noticed the bruised and beaten Xu Zhiliang still wearing a smug expression and couldn’t help but smirk.
“Idiot.”
He kicked the door several times, destroying the lock. The loud crash drew a crowd. Xu Zhiliang yelled, “Qin Sizheng! You’ll pay for this!”
Qin Sizheng’s expression remained cold. Without looking back, he said, “Whatever.”
Xu Zhao stepped back, avoiding his gaze. Qin Sizheng faced him: “I’ve always respected you, thought you were good to me. But because of a rumor about a contract termination, you tried to push me onto the boss’s bed.”
Xu Zhao paled, waving off the crowd. “I didn’t!”
Qin Sizheng pulled his phone from his pocket. “You taught me: trust no one. So I recorded this. You and Xu Zhiliang better start behaving now.”