Zong Xuan’s sudden clapback sent Xu Tang’s fans into excitement, and Zong Xuan’s fans were thrilled too.
But Kang Duo and Xu Tang were thoroughly shocked.
Wen Hui hadn’t informed Kang Duo beforehand, which meant this response was entirely Zong Xuan’s personal decision.
And that was exactly why it felt so abnormal.
Kang Duo felt like her chest had practically shrunk from the scare.
What kind of move was this?!
Unable to figure it out, Kang Duo quickly called Xu Tang.
Xu Tang was equally confused.
Although he hadn’t been pleased with that article, he hadn’t felt the need to respond. Otherwise, it would make him look petty.
But Zong Xuan stepping in on his behalf was a completely different matter.
From the public’s perspective, Xu Tang could choose not to argue with Entertainment Daily Watch, but as Xu Tang’s man, Zong Xuan being unhappy and stepping up to fight back made perfect sense.
That way, Xu Tang wouldn’t look small-minded, and Zong Xuan would also gain the image of someone fiercely protective of the person he loved.
Still—even if it was a move that killed two birds with one stone—Xu Tang didn’t think this was something Zong Xuan would normally do.
At least, he hadn’t done this before.
Back during Yu Lun’s incident, Zong Xuan had spoken up because he should have.
But this time, he could have completely ignored it.
“I really didn’t know he’d go after Entertainment Daily Watch…” Xu Tang didn’t even know what to say.
“Even though Film Emperor Zong’s clapback felt incredibly satisfying, Yu Lun’s fans are definitely going to come after you next,” Kang Duo said.
This whole mess started because of Xu Tang. As long as Yu Lun’s fans had even a little common sense, they’d know better than to attack Zong Xuan.
Targeting Xu Tang would be much easier.
“Mm. Contact PR and tell them to prepare.”
Xu Tang didn’t doubt Yu Lun’s fans would come for him.
Still, he held the moral high ground in this matter.
As long as things didn’t escalate into overly aggressive arguments, it would be manageable.
“Alright, I’ll handle it. Go to sleep early.”
If not for Zong Xuan’s repost, Kang Duo wouldn’t have called this late.
“Okay. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Xu Tang had just gotten into bed and hadn’t even begun feeling sleepy when his phone rang again.
This time, it was Zong Xuan.
Since the “blocked incident,” this was their first contact.
“Hello?” Xu Tang answered.
Zong Xuan’s lazy, roguish voice came through the phone.
“What’s this? Your big brother stood up for you, and you’re not even going to show a little appreciation?”
Xu Tang fell silent for a moment before asking,
“…Are you in a bad mood?”
Zong Xuan raised an eyebrow.
The frustration he’d been carrying seemed to instantly lighten.
He was in a bad mood today.
He’d been stuck in the filming set this whole time.
Honestly, it was pretty boring.
But because there was basically nothing to do besides filming, he’d had plenty of time to think.
And he’d realized something.
Over these past two months, the number of times he thought about Xu Tang had multiplied dramatically.
What was Xu Tang doing?
Had someone bullied him?
Was he staying at home?
Had he gained any weight?
Random thoughts like that constantly squeezed into every corner of his life.
It wasn’t until yesterday, when Teng Yizheng called him, that Zong Xuan suddenly realized—
He hadn’t thought about Teng Yizheng in a very long time.
Teng Yizheng said he knew Zong Xuan was filming in Shanfeng City.
Coincidentally, he was coming there for business and wanted to meet for a meal.
Zong Xuan had daytime shoots these past few days, so he was free by afternoon.
He was also sick of the set meals.
Since Teng Yizheng was here, it seemed like a good chance to get out and treat himself to decent food.
So he agreed without much thought.
That afternoon, Zong Xuan dressed himself up to perfection and went to the meeting.
After not seeing each other for a long time, Teng Yizheng hadn’t changed much.
But there seemed to be a trace of melancholy in his eyes.
“Filming’s been hard, huh?”
Teng Yizheng smiled and opened his arms as if to hug him, just like before.
Zong Xuan smiled and instead grabbed Teng Yizheng’s arm.
“What cologne are you wearing today? Smells nice.”
Teng Yizheng froze awkwardly.
“Oh… I just bought it.”
Actually, it had been a gift from his wife.
Before this business trip, she’d packed it into his luggage.
And it was the only bottle he’d brought.
“Nice. You should try more scents.”
Zong Xuan smiled, smoothly dodging the hug.
Soon the dishes arrived, and they ate while chatting.
“How’s the production treating you?” Teng Yizheng asked.
“Same as every production.”
“The accommodations are fine. The food…” Zong Xuan shrugged.
“The first couple days feel fresh. After that, food is food.”
Given Zong Xuan’s status, the production had already arranged the best boxed meals available in that remote filming location.
And to maintain his figure, Xie Shaoqian wouldn’t let him eat extra meals.
Only when Wen Hui visited did he get decent food.
“Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“It hasn’t been that long since your last movie wrapped.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to rest more?” Teng Yizheng said, placing food into Zong Xuan’s bowl.
“Mm. After this one wraps, I’ll take a proper break.”
For the past two or three years, Zong Xuan had barely given himself time off.
One reason was that staying home felt meaningless.
He didn’t truly need married life, and he also had family matters to consider.
The second reason was simple: there were always good scripts and directors seeking him out.
So the time he spent at home had been pitifully small.
But after this movie wrapped, he planned to take three to six months off.
First, get Xu Tang back home.
Then try properly living married life.
Spend time with Xu Tang and see how things developed.
“Mm. Go on vacation.”
“Find somewhere quiet where nobody bothers you,” Teng Yizheng said with a smile.
“Or… do you want to stay home with Xu Tang?”
There was clearly a test hidden in that question.
He was worried about how things were progressing between Zong Xuan and Xu Tang.
If Zong Xuan truly started falling for Xu Tang—
Then what would happen to him?
Zong Xuan smiled.
“Haven’t decided yet. We’ll see.”
Teng Yizheng’s smile stiffened for a second before recovering.
“If I’m free then, I can come with you.”
Zong Xuan didn’t answer directly.
Instead, he asked, “How’s your app project going?”
In the past, Zong Xuan might have agreed immediately.
But now…
He didn’t want to travel with Teng Yizheng.
Teng Yizheng poured himself soup.
“More troublesome than I expected.”
“Running into problems?”
Zong Xuan picked up food for himself and ignored the food Teng Yizheng had placed into his bowl.
Strangely, he felt uncomfortable eating food Teng Yizheng picked for him without using serving chopsticks.
Before, he wouldn’t have cared.
Now he did.
Teng Yizheng smiled helplessly.
“The early-stage costs exceeded my budget. Cash flow’s a bit tight.”
“Your father-in-law didn’t invest?” Zong Xuan asked.
Teng Yizheng’s father-in-law ran a successful company with strong connections.
Helping Teng Yizheng wouldn’t have been difficult.
Logically, he shouldn’t have ignored him.
“No.”
Teng Yizheng sighed.
“You know my family background is ordinary. The Lin family never thought highly of me.”
“Even after I came back with my education, my father-in-law had no intention of investing.”
“Lin Ying doesn’t understand business and can’t help.”
“So I have to find another way.”
Zong Xuan had no interest in commenting.
After a moment, Teng Yizheng looked at him.
“I need some capital for turnover right now.”
“Can you… lend me some money?”
Helping a friend in trouble was normal if you had the ability.
But something about it bothered Zong Xuan.
It wasn’t about the money.
It was just—
This meeting now felt like borrowing money had been Teng Yizheng’s real purpose all along.
That significantly dampened the pleasant feeling of seeing him.
Still, Zong Xuan said,
“How much?”
“You’re back in the country starting a business. I can’t help much.”
“If you’re short on funds, helping you is only natural.”
No matter what, he had to help Teng Yizheng.
Even if he no longer had romantic feelings, they were still old friends.
He couldn’t just stand by.
Teng Yizheng studied Zong Xuan’s face.
Seeing no mockery or contempt there, he finally said:
“Ten million.”
“Fine.”
“I’ll have Wen Hui transfer it to you.”
For Zong Xuan, that wasn’t much money.
Over the years, he’d earned plenty and spent little.
Mostly cars.
Most of his homes had been gifts from his older brothers or from developers through endorsement deals.
The place he lived now was one he bought himself.
But the property owner was Xu Tang.
He had gifted it as part of the wedding dowry.
He had no right to dispose of it.
“Thank you.”
Teng Yizheng smiled.
“I’ll repay you as soon as possible.”
Zong Xuan smiled.
“It’s fine if you don’t.”
“Consider it my support for your career.”
Truthfully, he never expected that money back.
Years of friendship, plus former feelings—
That alone made ten million worth it.
And there weren’t many ways left for him to help Teng Yizheng.
Probably even fewer in the future.
This money was simply a gesture.
“That won’t do.”
Teng Yizheng’s smile deepened.
“One thing is one thing.”
“Then pay it back whenever you’re in a better position.”
Zong Xuan nodded.
After finishing his soup, he asked,
“Found a spokesperson yet?”
Teng Yizheng shrugged.
“Before, we didn’t have money for one.”
“Now that you’ve invested, I can finally consider it.”
He said that deliberately.
He hoped Zong Xuan would offer himself as spokesperson out of sympathy.
That way, pricing would become much easier.
But Zong Xuan didn’t take the bait.
“Mm. Study the market carefully and find someone suitable.”
Teng Yizheng’s eyes shifted.
Then he smiled.
“What if I ask Xu Tang to be our spokesperson? Think he’d give me a discount?”
Zong Xuan froze briefly, then laughed.
“He won’t work. Not suitable.”
“Why not?”
That smile pierced Teng Yizheng like a needle.
There was too much in it.
Too much warmth.
Too much familiarity.
It unsettled him.
“He’s still young.”
“His market value is high enough, but he doesn’t need luxury branding to elevate his image.”
“What he already has was either given by family or gifted by brands.”
“He’d fit food endorsements or younger fashion brands.”
“But a shopping app? Not ideal.”
“Your app will definitely involve luxury products.”
“You need someone slightly older—someone whose consumer image naturally fits that market.”
Zong Xuan wasn’t trying to stop collaboration.
It genuinely wasn’t suitable.
Besides—
With Xu Tang’s current market value, ten million wouldn’t even be enough.
Teng Yizheng still smiled.
But his eyes turned colder.
“So… you know him pretty well.”
“No need to specifically study him.”
“I just know.”
After years in the industry and countless endorsements, Zong Xuan understood market positioning extremely well.
It wasn’t always about fame or money.
Sometimes image alone determined suitability.
Teng Yizheng’s smile became strained.
He said nothing more.
After dinner, they parted ways.
Back at the hotel, Zong Xuan called Wen Hui and told her to transfer the money tomorrow.
After hanging up, his thoughts were a mess.
He knew Teng Yizheng desperately wanted success.
Seeing him work so hard yet receive zero support or recognition from his father-in-law’s family was pitiful.
And what about himself?
He gave money to help Teng Yizheng.
Yet he wasn’t even a shareholder.
If Teng Yizheng’s company became successful, Zong Xuan wouldn’t benefit at all.
He was basically just an interest-free lender.
Pretty stupid.
So, feeling annoyed, Zong Xuan browsed online for a while.
Then he saw Entertainment Daily Watch’s trending post.
And immediately roasted them.
After posting, he felt a bit better.
Then—
After calling Xu Tang with the intention of claiming credit—
His mood completely cleared up.