“Good job. Let’s eat—today’s got your favorite, stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers.”
Seeing Jian Feiyang off the set, Fan Qing held a water bottle and a lunch box, approaching him.
“Really? The crew lunch quality has improved!”
Jian Feiyang happily took it, settling into a cool spot Fan Qing had claimed and began eating with relish.
He dug in with such enjoyment that his rich background was unnoticeable.
Fan Qing observed him for a moment, sipping from his thermos.
After a couple of sips, Jian Feiyang looked up.
“By the way, Ah Qing, you haven’t eaten lunch with me lately. Have you already eaten?”
His words carried a subtle mix of caution and concern.
Fan Qing quickly read the emotion behind them.
During his third day off, he had gone to the hospital.
Fan Qing’s body, inherited from the previous host, had left him with numerous health issues. The mild hunchback could be corrected with posture effort, and his severe myopia could be aided with glasses.
But beyond that, the previous host had low blood sugar, poor nutrition, and long-term takeout habits had caused gastric problems—Fan Qing had expected the ulcers.
There were also minor insomnia and depression from stress, and bone density issues from insufficient exercise.
Hence, he had to buy kitchen tools early and had been going to the market with elderly neighbors to select fresh ingredients, preparing meals daily to maintain his health.
That’s why he hadn’t joined Jian Feiyang for meals lately—this young man was probably worried about him.
Fan Qing sorted his thoughts and reassured Jian Feiyang.
“I haven’t eaten lunch. Recently, I’ve been learning to cook. Once I get better, I’ll bring meals for you too.”
Jian Feiyang’s worried eyes lit up immediately.
“Really? Great! I’ll wait then. Ah Qing, you’re so smart—your cooking must be delicious! But you don’t have to bring me meals. The crew lunches are good enough for me.”
He gestured at his lunch box, satisfied, and took another bite of eggplant.
After a few more bites, he scratched his head.
“Seriously though, the quality has improved a lot. The food is tasty, and it’s hot! Now that’s lunch—before, it was really…”
He frowned as he ate, devouring his meal as if leaving a bite behind would be a crime.
Fan Qing sipped his stomach-soothing tea, eyes scanning the crowd to a certain figure, narrowing slightly.
It was amusing, really.
When he had picked up the lunch, he’d run into a minor obstacle.
“You’re Jian Feiyang’s assistant? Don’t know you. Fine, here—take these two lunch boxes. If you’re not a VIP, don’t bother giving your name, acting all important. Minor characters should know their place and not add to my workload.”
The logistics staff shoved two crooked lunch boxes toward Fan Qing, muttering complaints under his breath.
Fan Qing watched the man’s movements and swiftly grabbed his wrist with precise force.
“That’s really strange. If you don’t know who I am, these two lunch boxes don’t seem like you wouldn’t recognize them,” he said, casting a meaningful glance at the crooked boxes.
Not only were they badly assembled, but even the box quality was visibly different from the others.
If Fan Qing were blind enough not to notice that, he might as well throw away his eyes.
The logistics staff’s expression darkened instantly, a sneer curling his lips. He let go.
Slap.
The two lunch boxes fell to the ground, cold food and congealed oil spreading across the floor, yellowed vegetable leaves making the whole mess look greasy and disgusting—completely unappetizing.
With a mocking grin, the staff spoke with false cheer.
“You really are something. Why the hands? Look—your lunch boxes are ruined now. Let me clarify, everyone’s lunch is accounted for. Since you ruined them yourself, don’t expect any more meals.”
He cast a glance toward Jian Feiyang, his tone unintentionally gloating.
“Don’t say I’m unfair—blame the fact that the people you follow aren’t high-profile enough. Otherwise, you could have had exotic dishes ordered. But with that acting? Ha!”
Fan Qing studied the arrogance on his face, thinking it over.
Seems like it’s not directed at me. In fact, it’s more about Jian Feiyang.
He considered this briefly and turned to leave.
Seeing him actually walk away, the staff’s smirk widened into full-on ridicule.
“Really think highly of yourself, huh? Acting all high and mighty? Jian Feiyang? He’s nothing—feeding him is already giving him face!”
Someone nearby leaned in.
“You’re brave. Aren’t you worried they’ll make trouble? Isn’t Jian Feiyang supposed to have connections, getting in through the backdoor? I heard he’s the youngest son of the Jian family. You’re not scared?”
The staff burst into laughter.
“You actually believe that gossip? If he had real backing, would he be stuck with someone like Fan Qing? Couldn’t even secure a proper lunch. Those cold meals before? Obedient as dogs. So what backing? He’s just the Jian family’s out-of-town illegitimate son!”
He finished, laughing to himself, twisting his mouth into a grotesque grin.
“Bullshit! Illegitimate son of the Jian family? You wish!”
Just as his words fell, the assistant director’s furious voice thundered from behind him.
He was about to be driven mad by this fool!
The assistant director hadn’t expected someone so blind in the crew.
Earlier, he hadn’t been pleased when Fan Qing approached him.
Even if Fan Qing had leverage, who was he? Being generous once should be enough. Did Fan Qing really think he could use him as a pawn? He deserved that?
But when Fan Qing mentioned it was Jian Feiyang’s issue, the assistant director snapped into action.
Then he heard the logistics staff’s words and nearly fainted on the spot!
Jian Feiyang’s position—he knew well. He’d only dared to intimidate Fan Qing, the assistant. Yet this guy dared target Jian Feiyang directly? Made him eat cold lunch?
Jian Feiyang was the real deal—the youngest son of the wealthy Jian family!
The Jian family had made their fortune in real estate. In wealth, this lowlife couldn’t even dream of competing.
And this guy actually claimed Jian Feiyang was an illegitimate child?
The assistant director’s rage boiled over. He stared coldly at the logistics staff.
“Do you have the right to decide who is in the Jian family? Haven’t you worked in this industry?”
The staff stammered, finally uttering a weak apology.
“I… I was just talking big, didn’t mean it…”
“Whether you meant it or not, I don’t care! Do you know the trouble you could cause if this spreads?”
The assistant director’s glare intensified.
“And where did these lunch boxes come from? Didn’t we sign a contract with Sanyuan to provide the meals? These on the floor—are they theirs?”
Even the dull-witted staff now realized something was off. He glanced at Fan Qing behind the assistant director, gaping fiercely.
So Fan Qing actually had some connection to the assistant director?
Could it be… selling favors…?
Suddenly, an oppressive, suffocating aura bore down on him. Instantly, the logistics staff felt as if a cold blade had cut through him, breaking out in a cold sweat.
He met Fan Qing’s eyes and froze, terrified by the killing intent hidden in those mechanical, unfeeling orbs, staggering back a step.
“Answer me! Don’t play dumb!”
The assistant director slapped him across the face, scolding,
“Also, where did these lunch boxes come from? Did you order them yourself?”
The staff, stung, looked down and admitted weakly,
“…I… I ordered them.”
“Ordered them? For whom?”
The staff choked, barely able to speak.
After a long pause, he stammered,
“No… no one… I ordered them for myself…”
“For yourself? Then why didn’t you eat them?”
Humiliated, he squatted and began picking up the food, shooting resentful glances at Fan Qing and the assistant director, lowering his head further.
Seeing this small compliance, the assistant director turned to Fan Qing, unusually softening his tone just slightly.
“See? This was just a misunderstanding. The lunch box was for himself—he ordered it for himself. Are you and Jian Feiyang about to have lunch? Come on, tell me what flavors he likes, what he doesn’t eat. If it’s not on the list, we’ll add it. Our crew’s lunch arrangements are actually pretty good, don’t you think?”
Fan Qing stood there for a long moment, saying nothing.
He watched the assistant director fumble and try to cover up the matter, half-smiling, half-amused, clearly unconvinced.
“A misunderstanding? Perhaps the assistant director isn’t fully aware. Before these lunch boxes were thrown, they were supposed to be in my hands—for Jian Feiyang and me.”
The assistant director felt a sudden chill in his chest; his expression darkened.
This sly little fox doesn’t seem willing to let it go so easily, huh?
Fan Qing ignored the assistant director’s sour expression and continued calmly.
“Also, maybe the assistant director has a poor memory. Jian Feiyang and I have eaten these lunch boxes in front of you several times before. What, no one else in the crew eats these boxes? That’s odd, isn’t it? We’re just small roles—why would anyone specifically order separate meals for us? Don’t you think so, assistant director?”
Finally catching a small clue, how could he miss the chance to expose the people behind it?
Though he had only known Jian Feiyang a few days, ‘Fan Qing’ owed him plenty.
Moreover, was Fan Qing someone easy to bully?
In Fan Qing’s domain, he would reclaim every bit of respect owed—one by one.