“Qin, the teacher is here. Everyone, get ready.”
Today’s ad targeted high-end clientele—maximizing a cold, detached, elite aura. Qin Sizheng changed into a lead-gray suit, more suited for the restrained elegance the shoot demanded.
Cufflinks were sapphire, with a matching tie pin. The makeup artist ran back with a pair of glasses similar to Lu Xianqing’s and placed them on him.
“Your state is good. Let’s aim for one-take shots.”
“Okay.” Qin Sizheng inhaled deeply and glanced back. Lu Xianqing gestured with his hand, “Go ahead. I’m watching.”
Guided in the makeup room, Qin Sizheng’s sensitivity to the camera had improved greatly. He naturally controlled the tilt of his head, the intensity of his gaze, and the rhythm of his glances—everything was precise.
Lu Xianqing crossed his arms, watching from the side. The little boy had grown. Someday, he might soar even higher than him.
Thankfully, the kite’s string remained firmly in Lu Xianqing’s hand.
The director behind the camera was also impressed by Qin Sizheng. At first, when the endorsement was offered, he had doubted whether someone so youthful-looking could embody a high-end, elite product.
Now, there was no one more fitting than Qin Sizheng for this perfume!
On the top floor, the full-length windows reflected the clear blue sky without obstruction. Qin Sizheng sat behind a large black desk, fingers lightly flipping through a project proposal.
The silver-rimmed glasses partially hid his sharp eyebrows, adding a layer of distance and icy sophistication.
He set down his pen and rubbed the corners of his eyes to ease fatigue. The director was skilled at capturing this kind of shot; although the sunlight streaming through the windows was soft, under his camera work it seemed like no warmth could touch the room.
A sense of solitude washed over the scene, until those elegant hands slowly untied a ribbon, revealing the black perfume bottle inside—minimalist to the extreme.
Even through the screen, one could feel the extreme chill of the fragrance, carrying a pure yet romantic bitterness. It repelled yet subtly invited closeness, seemingly invincible yet quietly alluring.
Lu Xianqing couldn’t help thinking he had to give him a role like this someday.
The set was utterly silent. The director had said aiming for a one-take shot was just a hopeful wish, but they actually finished it in a single take. No one dared make a sound until Lu Xianqing clapped. “Next take will cost extra.”
The director blinked, embarrassed, then scratched his nose. “Got carried away. Qin, that was amazing. That’s a wrap.”
Qin Sizheng finally relaxed his tense expression and came over to watch the playback. The director praised his camera presence and performance without holding back.
“I guarantee this perfume will sell out.”
Qin Sizheng smiled. “Even if just one bottle sells, that’s enough. If no one buys it, that would be awkward.”
Seeing the shoot go so smoothly, the director relaxed, joking with him for a while before letting him rest and touch up for the next take.
Lu Xianqing handed him a cup with a straw. The director laughed. “You’ve basically become his assistant. Qin, you might just be the most respected person in the entertainment world.”
Qin Sizheng blushed, taking a sip discreetly. Lu Xianqing let out a soft chuckle. “This isn’t about entertainment world respect—it’s about being the most respected person in the world. Who else dares look down on anyone?”
The director glanced at the sky, conceding. “All right, Qin, once you’re rested, let’s shoot the next scene.”
“Okay.”
Although the shoot proceeded smoothly, by the time it ended, it was nearly seven in the evening. Lu Xianqing looked at the time and wanted to take Qin Sizheng to eat before heading home.
Qin Sizheng hesitated. Earlier, Ye Xu had called, saying that their grandfather was happy to hear they were back and wanted to have dinner together.
Lu Xianqing said, “It’s late. By the time we get home, they might have already eaten.”
“That’s fine. If they haven’t eaten, they’ll wait for us. If they have, I’ll make dinner myself. I won’t let you go hungry. Let’s go home first.”
Lu Xianqing understood his nervousness—he worried that his family might have a bad impression of him and was willing to go hungry just to make things right.
“They like you more than you think. They won’t blame you.”
“No! Have we brought all the gifts for Grandfather? Anning, check if anything’s missing.” Qin Sizheng said, insisting on checking again himself.
Lu Xianqing held his hand. “You’ve checked a dozen times already.”
“I don’t want to miss anything.”
Lu Xianqing softened. Growing up in such a family, he had never lacked love, but it was never purely given, and seldom unconditional. Qin Sizheng, like a sunflower, tried to radiate kindness to everyone.
He stopped him by the shoulder, pulling him close. “All right, rest a bit. I’ll call you when we get home.”
Qin Sizheng still wanted to double-check the gifts, but Lu Xianqing glared and finally made him rest against his chest. Likely from the shoot’s exhaustion, he soon fell asleep.
Anning adjusted the air conditioning slightly lower. Lu Xianqing pulled a thin blanket over him, resting his head against Qin Sizheng’s, eyes closed.
“Brother, we’re home.”
Lu Xianqing opened his eyes first and tapped Qin Sizheng’s face. “We’re home.”
Qin Sizheng yawned, still groggy. Lu Xianqing teased, “Drooling?”
He wiped his mouth absentmindedly, realized nothing was there, and laughed. Only then did he fully wake, eyes widening as he glimpsed the serene courtyard through the window, instantly nervous.
“Grandfather’s waiting for dinner. Let’s go in.”
Lu Xianqing tried to take his hand but missed, so Qin Sizheng went ahead, carrying a huge pile of gifts, almost burying himself. Anning offered to help, but he refused.
“Let him carry it himself. You rest in the guest room. We leave the morning after tomorrow.”
Lu Xianqing opened the door, and cheerful laughter poured out.
“Uncle!”
“Oh, let’s see if you’ve grown fatter.” Lu Xianqing scooped up a little one-handed, weighed him, then put him down, eliciting a playful frown.
He then wrapped an arm around Qin Sizheng’s waist, approaching the elderly man. “Grandfather, I’ve brought him back to celebrate your birthday.”
“Sizheng, call me Grandfather.”
Qin Sizheng poked his head out of a gift box, and the next moment dropped everything in his arms, eyes wide, pointing at the old man. “You… you’re not…”
Hu Xianzhi cleared his throat. “Little one, whatever wish you have, I can grant it.”
Qin Sizheng didn’t know where to put his hands or feet. This grandfather was the man he and You Si had saved at the boxing match! And he had met him so long ago!
And… Zhou Ruomei!
“How did they all…” Qin Sizheng glanced at Lu Xianqing. That calm, collected hand during the earlier incident—the promotional video for the game—was also Lu Xianqing’s doing.
No wonder he appeared on set—looking back at everything, how much has Lu Xianqing helped him along the way!
Lu Xianqing lowered his head and said briefly, “Save the gratitude for later tonight. First, give your gifts to them.”
Qin Sizheng snapped back to attention and picked up the gift boxes one by one. “Grandfather, this is for you. Aunt, this is for you. Second aunt, this is for you. Little aunt, cousin…”
He finished distributing them all, holding the last box out to Ye Xu. “Mommy, this one’s for you.”
Ye Xu exclaimed, “Oh my, even I get one!”
The little one, seeing that everyone else had gifts, hopped around impatiently. “Me too! Where’s my gift?”
Of course, Qin Sizheng hadn’t forgotten him. He knelt down, dug a small box from his pocket, and handed it over. “For you, little one. See if you like it.”
The child opened it, eyes wide with delight. Lu Xianqing gently tapped the top of his head. “Manners, remember to say thank you to your uncle.”
The little one was quick to follow instructions, planting a sweet kiss on Qin Sizheng’s cheek. “Thank you, little uncle!”
Qin Sizheng’s manners were impeccable. He prepared gifts according to everyone’s preferences, clearly recognized each family member, and charmed them all into smiles. Two younger cousins liked him so much that they even filmed a short video asking if it could be posted on social media.
Surrounded by family, Qin Sizheng, though nervous, answered questions patiently and attentively. Especially with the elderly grandfather, he discussed all kinds of boxing topics, forming a cross-generational bond.
After dinner, the conversation continued. The younger family members left, but Hu Xianzhi still wasn’t done. He waved for tea, clearly planning an all-night chat.
Lu Xianqing, who had been ignored all evening, was not pleased.
“Hey, hey, hey, I’ve been monopolized all night! Time to return me, right?”
The grandfather, engrossed in conversation, shot him a frown. “Do you have no respect for elders? Trying to steal him from me? Let me borrow him for one night; you get him back tomorrow.”
Lu Xianqing grabbed Qin Sizheng’s shoulder and pulled him into his arms. “No!” He covered his eyes with a hand. “He’s tired. Filmed all day. Whatever you want to say, do it tomorrow. Goodnight.”
Before Qin Sizheng could protest, he was dragged upstairs, leaving the old man grumbling “little rascal!” Lu Xianqing closed the door behind them, shutting out all sound.
“Why are you mad at Grandfather?”
Pouting, Lu Xianqing said, “You spent all evening with them and didn’t look at me once. Give me a minute to be pampered.”
Qin Sizheng cupped his face gently. “I just want your family to like me.”
Lu Xianqing snorted. “They already like you plenty. Enough, okay? Still trying to steal me?”
“Why are you even jealous of Grandfather?”
“I…” Lu Xianqing’s words were cut off by a knock at the door. Hu Xianzhi appeared. “Little Kite, I had a room prepared for you. Come see if you like it.”
Lu Xianqing was confused. “Prepared a room? Why?”
Hu Xianzhi gave him a sharp look. “Otherwise, you stay with him?”
“That… otherwise?” Lu Xianqing was fuming. What was this old man playing at—keeping his wife in the guest room in the middle of the night for no reason?
Hu Xianzhi ignored him and looked kindly at Qin Sizheng. “Little Kite, are you coming with Grandfather?”
Lu Xianqing ground his teeth as he watched Qin Sizheng obediently follow Hu Xianzhi to the guest room, complaining loudly behind him, “What the hell! Can a person even live?”
Hu Xianzhi paid him no mind. Lu Xianqing slammed the door and went to shower, fuming.
The old man was in high spirits, chatting energetically late into the night. Qin Sizheng couldn’t keep up. Exhausted from the previous night and another full day of shooting, he drifted off, eventually falling asleep completely.
Hu Xianzhi looked at him, smiled knowingly, and left the room. Passing Lu Xianqing’s door, he patted him on the shoulder. “He’s asleep on the sofa. Carry him to bed.”
The next morning, Qin Sizheng woke in Lu Xianqing’s arms, stunned for a moment.
“Why are you here?”
“Sleeping a bit more.”
Qin Sizheng reached under the pillow for his phone. “Don’t sleep anymore, it’s past nine!”
Reluctantly, Lu Xianqing was pulled up, muttering, “The birthday banquet is tonight. Even if we go out now, you’ll be with them playing. I’ll be bored alone, so I’m not getting up.”
Qin Sizheng, having never attended a birthday banquet, was shocked when he went downstairs.
The manor was decorated completely differently from yesterday. A hand-embroidered “longevity” character, exquisitely framed, leaned against a wall. Guests had been arriving steadily since noon—political and business figures of high status.
Qin Sizheng didn’t recognize anyone, sticking close to Lu Xianqing, occasionally hearing brief explanations to get a rough understanding of Hu Xianzhi’s influence.
“Grandfather is amazing,” he whispered.
Lu Xianqing smiled, greeting the guests, and glanced at Qin Sizheng. “Am I not amazing?”
Qin Sizheng felt there was something subtly playful in his question. Accepting gifts from the guests, he quickly said, “I don’t know,” and Lu Xianqing pinched his waist.
The two laughed and nearly knocked over a vase.
Ming Fei approached behind the spry old man, whistling carelessly. “Already playing at the front gate? You’ve corrupted the village youth.”
Lu Xianqing greeted the elder politely. “Master Ming.”
Master Ming stood upright, scanning Qin Sizheng like a security camera. “So this is the kid Old Hu was showing off? Looks good, but not miraculous.”
During Qin Sizheng’s brief confusion, Master Ming moved on. Ming Fei sighed, patting Lu Xianqing on the shoulder. “Poor doorman.”
Lu Xianqing waved him off with a smirk. “Poor single guy.”
Ming Fei winced. “Get back to greeting guests, then!”
The birthday banquet began in the evening. Because of their special statuses, the two of them were occasionally teased and asked for photos or autographs. Lu Xianqing worried that Qin Sizheng would get tired, so he suggested that Sizheng rest first while he stayed behind.
“No, I’ll stay with you,” Qin Sizheng said, glancing around before lightly squeezing Lu Xianqing’s hand and then letting go. Lu Xianqing caught it again. “Do it openly. We’ve made it public already.”
Qin Sizheng lowered his head to look at their intertwined hands, then looked up at him and smiled.
Wen Li arrived just as the banquet was about to start. After Jiang Zhen emigrated abroad for medical treatment, she had grown suspicious and had not wanted much contact with Lu Xianqing, unsure of what he was plotting. To avoid giving him the impression she was timid, she came anyway. She presented her gift and gracefully found a corner to sit in.
Ming Fei brought over a glass of wine. “Hey,” he said, leaning closer. “Where’s your little kite?”
Lu Xianqing replied, “Grandfather took him to greet the guests.”
Ming Fei sighed, wondering about his own luck. Even though his grandfather didn’t pay much attention to him, if he ended up like Lu Xianqing, he feared he’d be completely overpowered.
“Hey, what are you looking at?” Ming Fei said after a while of no response. Following his gaze, he saw Wen Li sitting in the corner, lost in thought.
“That’s not like her, hiding quietly like she’s afraid of people.”
Lu Xianqing didn’t answer; he just tilted his chin and pointed. “Look who that is.”
Ming Fei squinted, feeling the face was somewhat familiar. “A little like Xi Ling. A relative? His father? Does your family have ties to the Xi family?”
“Just a little.”
Han Yu saw Wen Li in the corner and seemed momentarily stunned.
In recent years, Han Yu had been too ill to appear in public. If it weren’t for Hu Xianzhi’s birthday banquet, he likely wouldn’t have come at all. Ming Fei, puzzled, clicked his tongue and walked off.
Seeing Han Yu, Wen Li’s fingers clenched the leather of her purse, leaving an indentation.
“It’s you!”
Han Yu, long thinned by illness, looked almost unrecognizable compared to the wealthy playboy he had once been with a glamorous partner. Yet Wen Li recognized him immediately.
Her face went pale as she stood to leave, but Han Yu called out, “Are you alright?”
“I don’t know you! Sir, you have the wrong person!”
Han Yu cleared his throat, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to cover his mouth as he coughed. “Xiao Wen, all these years I’ve never had a chance to say I’m sorry. I didn’t know that after all these years you’d still hate me this much.”
“I said you have the wrong person!” Wen Li glared at him, desperately trying to distance herself.
“Xiao Wen, I just want to talk. Nothing else.” Han Yu stepped back, speaking softly. “She… died in childbirth. The child also passed away at eleven. I was diagnosed with liver cancer. Maybe it’s because of all the wrongs I’ve done—retribution just keeps coming.”
“Ah Zhang said I have a son. It’s Qin Sizheng, right?”