The next day, Xu Tang happened to have some inspiration, so he sat in front of the piano and began composing. He was completely immersed in it and felt extremely good.
Last night, Zong Xuan reposted a Weibo post saying that he would definitely perform well in the future and strive to end the separation period as soon as possible. In Xu Tang’s view, that sounded somewhat like a double meaning, but he didn’t bother thinking too much about it. As long as the clarification work was done, that was enough. After things got lively online for a while, by this morning it had already died down. After all, there wasn’t anything more to dig into, so the topic naturally cooled.
A new song was completed in one go. Xu Tang was very satisfied and happily picked up his phone to text Yuan Shang to order food, planning to reward himself with a good meal. But before the message was even sent, he received a call from Xu Zhou.
“Big brother.” Xu Tang answered.
“Mm. I’ve already heard from Kang Duo about you and Zong Xuan delaying things for another half a year. Thinking more about this is right. In this circle, there are plenty of people waiting for you and Zong Xuan to fall. You two can have your issues, but don’t let others take advantage. It’s not worth it.” Xu Zhou’s tone was very serious, but full of concern. He knew more about the dirty side of this industry than Xu Tang did, and he was very clear how many people were waiting for Xu Tang to fall from grace. The more something like this happened, the more careful they needed to be. It wasn’t that the company couldn’t handle it—it was just that if there was a better way, there was no need to take risks.
“Mm, I understand.” Xu Tang replied, then asked, “How are you and Second Brother doing? Did you talk to him?”
Xu Zhou chuckled. “You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Don’t say that. Tell me.”
“I already talked to him last night. We’re having dinner together tonight.”
“So you made up?”
“Mm.”
“That’s good. Oh right, Big Brother.” Since that matter was settled, Xu Tang thought of something else he should ask. “About Shi Duo’s situation, you should already know, right?”
“I know.” Xu Zhou said. The company had reported it to him first thing.
“Even though my and Zong Xuan’s separation news suppressed Shi Duo’s trending topic, the company’s response this time was really not fast enough. Shi Duo was used as a decoy to reduce heat for Yu Lun’s news. The company should have been able to see this kind of operation, but did nothing. That would chill the artists under the company.” Xu Tang said. He didn’t manage the company, but some things still needed to be said—some mistakes shouldn’t happen.
Xu Zhou sounded somewhat helpless. “It’s not that the company didn’t want to handle it. It’s that Zong Huang said he would handle it.”
“Huh?” Xu Tang was a bit confused. How did this suddenly involve the eldest of the Zong family?
“That guy Zong Huang is so tight-lipped I sometimes don’t even bother with him. Shi Duo didn’t actually accept any ‘unspoken rules’. That photo somehow got pinned on him. But Shi Duo is Zong Huang’s partner—they’ve been together almost a year.”
Xu Tang was stunned. “Big Brother really kept it hidden well.”
“No choice. If people knew Shi Duo was dating Zong Huang, it would dominate the headlines for a week.” Xu Zhou said. “Shi Duo has always been very motivated and hardworking. All those film and TV opportunities were earned through auditions. There was no favoritism. The reason they didn’t go public was because Zong Huang didn’t want Shi Duo’s efforts to end up being attributed to him. I don’t know exactly how Zong Huang plans to resolve this, but judging from Shi Duo’s condition, they’ve probably already coordinated. Your and Zong Xuan’s situation this time also helped suppress Shi Duo’s issue. In any case, in this fast-moving entertainment era, once the heat passes, even without clarification, things get treated as fake—as long as there’s no solid evidence.”
“Alright, I understand.” Since even his elder brother had no objections, Xu Tang naturally wouldn’t say more.
“Zong Huang can handle it. You don’t need to worry.” Xu Zhou said.
“Okay.”
“Also, the Zong family anniversary banquet is this weekend. Father received an invitation. We’re all invited. Are you going?” If it were before, Xu Tang, as Zong Xuan’s partner, should have attended. But now both families already knew about their situation, so attendance was up to him.
After thinking for a while, Xu Tang said, “I’m not going.” If he went, he would inevitably see Zong Xuan, and maybe even Teng Yizheng. There was no need.
“Alright. Call me if anything comes up.” Xu Zhou said.
“Got it.”
After hanging up, Xu Tang continued texting Yuan Shang, thinking about finding time to formally meet Shi Duo. Regardless of his situation with Zong Xuan, he still admired Shi Duo’s integrity and was willing to befriend him.
—
On the weekend evening, Zong Xuan changed his clothes and had the driver take him to the hotel where the anniversary celebration was being held.
Last night he called his second brother, asking him to help sound out Xu Zhou about whether Xu Tang would come. His second brother very directly told him—no.
Even the reason was straightforward: he didn’t want to see you.
Zong Xuan felt helpless, and his enthusiasm for attending the banquet dropped significantly. But as a member of the Zong family, he had to show up.
These past few days he had called and texted Xu Tang, but everything was like a stone sinking into the sea. He even suspected Xu Tang had switched phones, but calls went straight to shutdown.
The truth was obvious—Xu Tang didn’t want to contact him.
That reason was truly suffocating, but he couldn’t blame anyone but himself.
He was also troubled—he couldn’t even reach him, so how was he supposed to pursue him?
Today’s guests were mostly relatives and business figures. The Zong family didn’t hold this kind of anniversary banquet every year, but whenever they did, everyone attended.
When Zong Xuan arrived, some guests had already come. Seeing him, they showed admiration or fondness. Some young ladies even gathered together whispering about taking photos with him, and whether Xu Tang would come later.
“Dad, Mom.” Zong Xuan greeted his parents first.
Zong Shi nodded without much expression.
Jiang Jie glanced at him and didn’t know what to say. She loved her son, of course, but thinking about what he had done made her angry.
Seeing her gaze, Zong Xuan said helplessly, “Mom, I know I was wrong. Don’t look at me like that. I’m trying to fix things and won’t let down Xu Tang again.”
“Has Xu Tang forgiven you?” Jiang Jie asked.
“No.”
“Then what’s the point of telling me this?”
“……”
Zong Shi patted his shoulder. “Go and take care of the Xu family. Improve their impression of you. That’s your only chance. If even they look down on you, you might as well give up.”
Zong Xuan felt like both his parents were ganging up on him.
He took a glass of champagne and moved around greeting people. Though he didn’t manage the company, he had endorsed the brand before and was well-known in the circle.
After some small talk, a refined young man approached.
“Are you recovered?” he asked politely.
“I’m fine, thank you.” Zong Xuan replied.
This was Wu Hao, a familiar second-generation rich heir.
“Is the Xu young master not coming?” Wu Hao asked.
“He’s busy with work today,” Zong Xuan answered.
“And Teng the boss?” Wu Hao continued.
Zong Xuan’s brow tightened slightly. “You mean Yizheng?”
“Yes.”
“Are you close with him?” Zong Xuan asked.
Wu Hao shook his head. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? Aren’t you close friends?”
“We’re just friends from middle school.”
“Are you planning to connect him with the Zong family?”
“I don’t handle company matters. Why would I do that?”
Wu Hao hesitated, then said carefully, “I’ll just tell you something. Don’t take it the wrong way.”
“Go ahead.”
“Teng the boss has been using your name outside to attract investment. He tells people you’re helping him connect with the Zong family, and that his ‘You Nian’ app will definitely grow because of your support. Some investors have already put in money.”
“He also uses your hospitalization incident and your Weibo post saying you’re friends as proof. Many believe he has your backing.”
Zong Xuan frowned deeply.
“Thank you. I really didn’t know about this.”
“Not a problem.”
Soon after, Zong Huang interrupted and called Wu Hao away.
Left alone, Zong Huang looked at him and said calmly, “You know about Teng Yizheng, right?”
“I just found out,” Zong Xuan replied.
“He’s going to be dealt with. You don’t need to interfere. If he comes to you complaining, think about how to respond.”
“I understand.”
—
Not long after, the Xu family arrived.
Both families exchanged greetings.
Although Xu family members still had complicated feelings, they maintained basic courtesy.
At the same time, Xu Tang’s siblings were clearly cold toward Zong Xuan.
He could only endure it and accompany them as instructed.
Inside, he sighed.
If he and Xu Tang had been fine from the start, he wouldn’t be standing here enduring cold stares.
He had made his own cause—now he could only bear its consequences.