Early the next morning, Zong Xuan was woken up by a call from Wen Hui, saying she would be over soon.
Normally, unless something special came up, Wen Hui would never disturb his sleep. If she did, then something was definitely wrong. No matter how unwilling Zong Xuan was, he had to get up immediately.
The kitchen was empty. Clearly, Xu Tang was still asleep.
Zong Xuan opened the fridge, wanting to see if there was anything to eat to fill his stomach first. The first thing he saw was that bag of buns.
He remembered there had only been a few left from yesterday, and there should have only been the box—the bag had already been thrown away…
Which meant this wasn’t yesterday’s batch. The cooking auntie wouldn’t have bought these either, so the only possibility was that Xu Tang had bought them.
Just as he was staring blankly at the bag of buns, Xu Tang came downstairs.
Xu Tang hadn’t slept early last night, but he still got up on time. Seeing Zong Xuan already awake, he was a little surprised. Thinking Zong Xuan was looking for something to eat, he asked, “I can make something. What do you want to eat?”
In his mind, Zong Xuan and the kitchen simply did not go together. This kind of oily, smoky atmosphere didn’t suit Zong Xuan at all. The fact that cookware companies had never asked Zong Xuan to endorse their products showed remarkable foresight.
Otherwise, if Zong Xuan said something like, ‘XX Cookware, the essential choice for your life,’ viewers might interpret it as, ‘XX Cookware, something my life absolutely doesn’t need.’
Zong Xuan glanced at Xu Tang’s slightly messy hair and asked, “You like this shop’s buns too?”
Only then did Xu Tang remember the buns he bought yesterday were still in the fridge. “Y-yeah… Do you want to eat them now?”
He didn’t mention that he had bought them specifically for Zong Xuan. No point. It would feel like he was deliberately trying to make Zong Xuan owe him a favor.
“Sure.” Having food he liked immediately improved Zong Xuan’s mood about waking up early.
Xu Tang said nothing more. He walked over, took out the buns, and began heating breakfast.
No frying was needed. The buns only needed to be plated and heated in the steam oven. While doing that, Xu Tang brewed two cups of coffee.
Actually, Xu Tang was a little nervous.
With Zong Xuan sitting at the dining table watching him make breakfast, his heart felt like that of a teenage girl newly in love—excited and nervous, always wanting to present the best version of himself.
At the same time, as a grown man, he couldn’t help but despise his own “pretentiousness.” If Zong Xuan knew what he was thinking right now, he might think he was insane.
Sitting there with his legs crossed, Zong Xuan watched Xu Tang busily move around, looking rather at ease.
After years of acting, Zong Xuan had sharp observation skills. He could tell Xu Tang’s back was slightly stiff. He was clearly nervous.
He just didn’t know why.
Maybe because they weren’t close, and suddenly being together felt awkward?
That was possible.
At the very least, he had barely listened to Xu Tang’s songs. As for his understanding of Xu Tang…
Probably limited to one thing: on their wedding day, when they kissed, he had thought this little thing’s lips were soft and cool. Kissing him had actually felt pretty nice.
The coffee finished brewing, and the buns were heated.
Xu Tang brought everything to the table, and the two began eating breakfast.
There was almost no conversation, creating an atmosphere of mutual silence.
When they were nearly done eating, Wen Hui arrived.
Wen Hui didn’t look good. Her dark circles were heavy, clearly showing a lack of sleep. Even so, she had still meticulously done her makeup, trying to make herself look more energetic.
“Good morning, Sister Wen,” Xu Tang greeted.
His status and worth were far higher than Wen Hui’s, but since she was older, it was naturally proper for him to greet her first.
“Good morning.” The cold expression on Wen Hui’s face finally softened into a smile.
—Look at this little fresh meat. Polite, easy to manage.
Then compare him to her own Best Actor.
Aside from acting skills, she could barely think of a single advantage.
What she didn’t know was that in Kang Duo’s eyes, Xu Tang really was polite, handsome, talented, and obedient.
Too bad.
One flaw ruined everything—he was hopelessly stupid in love.
“This incident has caused you trouble. We’ll handle it properly,” Wen Hui said apologetically.
For now, there weren’t widespread attacks against Xu Tang. Most people were simply concerned about his relationship with Zong Xuan and wanted him to say something.
But in the internet age, public opinion could shift at any moment.
Soon enough, the currently sympathetic Xu Tang could become the target of attacks.
The studio was already guiding public discussion, though results would take time.
If Xu Tang got dragged into the backlash, Kang Duo would definitely explode.
“Mm. If you need any help, just ask,” Xu Tang said.
No matter what his relationship with Zong Xuan actually was, in public, they were a unit.
“Good. This is ultimately Zong Xuan’s fault. Once this is resolved, I’ll make him treat you to dinner.”
Wen Hui felt Xu Tang was the textbook definition of sitting quietly at home while trouble falls from the sky.
Xu Tang smiled.
How could he dare ask Zong Xuan to treat him to dinner?
“It’s okay. We are… in a marital relationship. It’s only right.”
Even if this marriage only felt acknowledged by him alone.
Zong Xuan looked at him and chuckled. “Yo, the little thing’s pretty responsible.”
Xu Tang immediately blushed.
Suddenly, saying the words marital relationship in front of Zong Xuan felt embarrassingly shameless, like he was flattering himself.
“Um… I’m done eating. I’ll head upstairs first.”
Unable to endure Zong Xuan’s gaze, Xu Tang fled upstairs with his coffee.
Wen Hui glared at Zong Xuan unhappily.
“How do you talk to people? Calling him ‘little thing’ is so disrespectful. What, because you’re more famous and he can’t do anything to you?”
“You’d better watch how you talk. Besides, you’re only four years older than him.”
Zong Xuan smiled. “Other than age, everything else about me is bigger too.”
Wen Hui knew exactly what he meant.
Her eye roll nearly reached the ceiling.
“Oh? You’ve seen it?”
As far as she knew, they’d never even shared a bed. What exactly had he seen?
Zong Xuan shrugged. “I can tell by visual estimation.”
“Oh, so your eyes are X-ray scanners now?”
Zong Xuan casually slipped in innuendo like nothing happened, making Wen Hui even more irritated.
“You caused a citywide scandal last night and you’re still not satisfied?”
The amusement faded slightly from Zong Xuan’s face.
“I was the one being harassed, okay?”
“That’s what you get for not being careful!”
Wen Hui was blaming both him and herself.
She had carefully checked who would attend that dinner—everyone seemed trustworthy.
Who knew something would still happen?
Wasn’t this basically a direct insult to her professional competence?
Zong Xuan smiled helplessly and stopped arguing.
“Fine. Go make yourself coffee and sit down. Let’s talk.”
The woman involved in last night’s scandal was named Liao Mei.
She wasn’t an investor, nor someone in the entertainment industry.
But her husband, Mr. Zhao, was an investor.
Ever since marrying him, she frequently attended gatherings like this, even though she had no involvement in the business.
Yesterday, Mr. Zhao had urgent business and left early.
Liao Mei, however, stayed behind, continuing to socialize flamboyantly at the dinner like a social butterfly.
Somehow, news of the dinner leaked to paparazzi.
They camped outside the hotel hoping to catch something.
Zong Xuan didn’t want paparazzi following his car, so instead of having his assistant bring the car to the entrance, he headed directly to the underground parking garage.
Just as he entered the elevator, he realized he had forgotten a pen he carried with him.
He had used it to sign an autograph for an investor’s child and left it on the table.
So he sent his assistant back to retrieve it.
The assistant thought nothing of it and left.
Liao Mei happened to be in the same elevator.
After reaching the parking garage, Liao Mei claimed she was drunk and dizzy and kept leaning against Zong Xuan.
As a man—and because she was an investor’s wife—he couldn’t shove her onto the ground or reject her violently.
But he did push her away and shake her off multiple times.
The paparazzi were simply too good at timing.
Every shot captured the exact moments when she leaned into him.
Painfully unlucky.
And thus, his scandal was born.
Wen Hui had already contacted the hotel overnight and obtained surveillance footage from the underground parking garage.
She and the PR team had reviewed it.
Every time Liao Mei moved close, Zong Xuan clearly pushed her away.
This was crucial evidence.
But they hadn’t released it yet.
They still had to consider Mr. Zhao’s side.
If Mr. Zhao’s wife publicly threw herself at Zong Xuan, on the surface Liao Mei would be embarrassed.
But among insiders, the real humiliation would fall on Mr. Zhao.
Unless absolutely necessary, they didn’t want to offend him.
So the studio contacted Liao Mei and hoped she would voluntarily clarify things.
As long as the explanation sounded believable.
Then the studio could release a statement and include footage showing both parties getting into separate cars.
Everyone would save face.
That was how the entertainment industry worked.
Truth and lies blurred in the gray zones.
Everyone was used to it.
But so far, Liao Mei had given no response.
Wen Hui came over to update Zong Xuan on the emergency meeting’s decision.
“Give that woman three days. If she still refuses to clarify, then we’ll have no choice but to offend President Zhao,” Zong Xuan said coldly.
“Contact President Zhao again too. Make sure he doesn’t think we’re disrespecting him if things turn ugly.”
Wen Hui nodded.
“I’ll arrange it right away. The faster we resolve this, the less damage it does.”
“Since Xu Tang is willing to cooperate, things are easier for us.”
“But we still need to move quickly.”
“If this drags on and Xu Tang gets caught in the backlash, not only will Kang Duo come tear me apart, but we’ll also have trouble explaining things to the Xu family.”
“We’d rather offend President Zhao than offend the Xu family.”
Zong Xuan nodded.
“Handle it according to plan.”
For the next two days, Liao Mei still made no statement.
Wen Hui contacted Mr. Zhao, and he promised to handle things.
But in reality, nothing progressed.
Online discourse exploded due to the silence from all sides.
The comments under Xu Tang’s Weibo became increasingly aggressive.
Many fans began questioning his relationship with Zong Xuan.
TangTang, what’s going on between you and Best Actor Zong? Say something!
TangTang, are you and Zong Xuan getting divorced?
Did Zong Xuan really cheat?
Two days have passed—why haven’t you said a word as his spouse?
In my opinion, both of them are equally bad. They probably divorced ages ago and are each doing their own thing. Right now they’re probably scripting PR responses.
Haters above, get lost!
Telling the truth makes me a hater? You brain-dead fans are unbelievable.
Faced with these comments, Xu Tang read them—but had no idea how to respond.
Kang Duo had already called him.
She warned him not to speak casually and to wait for Wen Hui’s handling.
If things still weren’t resolved after three days, she would personally talk to Wen Hui.
And if Zong Xuan or Wen Hui asked him to issue a statement, he absolutely couldn’t agree immediately.
He had to negotiate conditions.
He couldn’t suffer for nothing.
Xu Tang agreed to everything.
Except that last part.
He had already promised Wen Hui.
No backing out now.
He just hoped Kang Duo never found out.
Otherwise, he’d definitely get scolded.
That afternoon, Xu Tang had rehearsal for a music festival.
After lunch, Yuan Shang and the driver came to pick him up.
The moment he got in the car, Yuan Shang said, “Brother Xu, the community entrance is packed with reporters. They’re all waiting for you two.”
As expected.
Xu Tang told the driver, “Drive slowly. Don’t hit anyone.”
Getting extorted over something like that would be a nightmare.
“Understood.”
“Call Sister Kang and tell her to ask the organizers to arrange more security.”
This music festival would be held outdoors.
Though barriers had been set up, reporters were still allowed inside.
Originally this was meant to help with promotion.
Now it had become a problem.
“Sister Kang already arranged it,” Yuan Shang replied dutifully.
“She also said once rehearsal is over, go straight home. No interviews.”
Xu Tang smiled and nodded.
With Kang Duo around, he really could worry much less.
The car was blocked at the community gate for over ten minutes before security managed to clear a path.
Even on the road, some reporters followed.
But since they weren’t going anywhere secret, they could follow if they wanted.
Their residence wasn’t a secret within the industry.
Most celebrities lived like this.
Moving frequently was unrealistic.
Especially for married couples.
Still, their community had excellent security.
Even if reporters knew the neighborhood, they didn’t know which villa they lived in.
Privacy was still protected.
That was one reason they hadn’t moved.
At the rehearsal venue, all departments were ready.
Reporters were directed to the interview zone and couldn’t get close.
The interview area was far from the stage, so they wouldn’t disturb him.
Since this was only rehearsal, no costume or styling was needed.
After listening to the assistant director explain camera positions, Xu Tang put on his headset, picked up the microphone, and walked onstage.
Music soon played from backstage.
Xu Tang was someone who took rehearsals seriously.
He wouldn’t fake-sing or casually hum.
Standing on stage, he cleared his throat and began singing with the accompaniment.
He hadn’t done vocal warmups today.
His throat still felt tight, but it wasn’t a major issue.
The reporters below furiously snapped photos.
After all, Xu Tang was the headline figure these past two days.
Not just the reporters following him—even those assigned to cover the music festival were here mainly because of him.
When he sang the lyric—
“There’s no need for any explanation between us.”
—he suddenly remembered that night.
The way Zong Xuan had explained himself to him.
Then he zoned out.
Then he forgot the lyrics.
Then—
he stood frozen on stage for a full thirty seconds.
Only when stage lights flashed and hit his eyes did he snap back to reality and continue singing.
Five minutes later, the official Weibo of Star Entertainment Times posted breaking news—
#XuTangLooksDistracted#
Little Song King Xu Tang suddenly forgot his lyrics during rehearsal for a music festival today and appeared visibly distracted and out of sorts. This may be related to Best Actor Zong’s cheating scandal.