Chapter 43
Zong Xuan didn’t have any work scheduled for a while, so he could finally stay home and rest.
From the day they got back, he followed Xu Tang around every day. When Xu Tang wrote songs, he served him tea and water. When Xu Tang went out, he became his chauffeur. He watched over him constantly—making sure he wasn’t thirsty, hungry, hot, or cold. He was practically sprinting down the road to becoming the perfect husband.
Xu Tang had been overflowing with inspiration lately. After reading the story synopsis the production crew had sent over, he quickly finished writing his next song and recorded it. As for the arrangement, however, he left it to someone else. His hand still wasn’t convenient enough, and Zong Xuan felt he should spend more time resting.
The ancient-style song Fang Tan had commissioned was also nearly finished. Xu Tang had already met with him once to make some revisions, but they hadn’t started recording the duet yet. Fang Tan’s opinion was to wait until Xu Tang’s hand had fully recovered. There was no rush.
The episode of Through Love featuring Xu Tang earned exceptionally high ratings and received an overwhelmingly positive response.
Zong Xuan wrapped an arm around Xu Tang and watched the entire episode with complete seriousness. He laughed right along with the audience, making Xu Tang so embarrassed he wanted to disappear.
Zong Xuan even teased him, saying that once the two of them had actually done something, they should go on Mi Jing’s show again. Who needed dignity? They’d push the boundaries so far the program would get pulled off the air just to spite her.
Xu Tang pinched him hard.
Zong Xuan simply hugged him and kissed him, reminding himself while kissing him that he still had to keep himself under control. Scaring Xu Tang away would be the worst outcome.
In the blink of an eye, another month and a half passed. Xu Tang finally had his cast removed. His hand could move freely again, though he was still a little unaccustomed to it at first and didn’t dare use much force.
That afternoon, Kang Duo and Wen Hui came over together for the rare occasion.
Zong Xuan brewed coffee for all four of them, and they chatted over their cups.
Looking at the coffee in front of her, Wen Hui thought to herself, If you want to change a man, it really does take another man.
She had worked with Zong Xuan for years. She couldn’t deny that he had always been a gentleman toward women, but she’d never once had a cup of coffee brewed by him. She knew perfectly well that hers and Kang Duo’s cups were merely incidental. The important one was the cup he’d made for Xu Tang.
Still, the fact that Zong Xuan could now excel both in public and in the kitchen… Xu Tang deserved a great deal of the credit.
Kang Duo knew nothing about that. She simply thought Zong Xuan made pretty good coffee before calmly saying, “Here’s the thing. The Shape of Love wants to invite the two of you to join its third season. Wen Hui and I looked over your schedules, and you’ll both be free during filming. We think it’d be a great opportunity, so we’re here to hear your thoughts.”
If these two weren’t already stars of their current caliber, the two managers would have accepted immediately without asking.
The Shape of Love was a reality show. Its first two seasons had been huge successes. The show’s focus was showcasing romantic love. There were no competitions and no complicated games. Every episode simply gave the guests a theme, and the couples completed activities centered around it. The atmosphere was ordinary, domestic, yet incredibly genuine.
All the guests appeared as couples—some already married, others dating and willing to make their relationships public.
More than anything, the show displayed what celebrities were like in love. It allowed audiences to experience love’s beauty, diversity, conflicts—even arguments…
Because that was exactly what love and marriage looked like.
Although it appeared to be nothing more than a fluffy romance reality show, it had passed government approval with remarkable speed. When submitting it for review, the production team had written:
“This program celebrates the beauty and authenticity of love. It encourages young people to yearn for love, understand love, and inspires them to enter marriage at an earlier stage of life, promoting positive social values.”
Young audiences especially enjoyed watching celebrities’ relationships and married lives. It satisfied their curiosity while also prompting them to reflect on their own relationships—or develop healthier expectations for future ones.
Since celebrities didn’t always present perfect relationships, viewers also got to see the conflicts that could arise in everyday life, learn to face those problems honestly, and choose better ways to resolve them.
For that reason, the show’s ratings had remained consistently high. It had started out only able to invite second- and third-tier celebrity couples. Now it could afford first-tier superstars, demonstrating just how successful the program had become.
Zong Xuan looked at Xu Tang.
“Do you want to do it?”
He intended to follow Xu Tang’s wishes completely.
“I’m fine either way.” Xu Tang admitted it really was an excellent opportunity. “It’s just… I don’t have much experience with this sort of thing. I’m worried I won’t perform very well.”
Kang Duo wasn’t worried.
“The audience wants to see your real life, not acting. As long as the two of you don’t end up getting divorced halfway through filming, anything goes.”
Xu Tang had a good temper, so Kang Duo wasn’t worried they’d have any real fights.
Besides, over the past month and a half she’d watched Zong Xuan awkwardly doing everything he could to please Xu Tang. She’d also seen how attentive he’d become.
Once the show aired, the audience’s impression of Zong Xuan would probably be turned completely upside down.
And that wasn’t a bad thing.
A positive public image was always beneficial.
That was why, after receiving the invitation, she and Wen Hui had discussed it and both agreed it was a great opportunity before coming to ask the two of them.
She also had a selfish motive.
She hoped that through this program, Zong Xuan would come to understand Xu Tang even better and treat him even more lovingly in the future.
“This opportunity is genuinely hard to come by,” Wen Hui added. “I’ve heard several first-tier celebrities had their managers contact the production team first, but they were all turned down. That shows how seriously they’re taking this season. They’re aiming for record-breaking popularity, so both the appearance fees and overall production budget should be excellent. I think it’d be good for you two to participate.”
She had already looked into all of that. Although the full guest lineup remained confidential, it certainly wouldn’t be lacking.
Zong Xuan still deferred entirely to Xu Tang.
“Don’t pressure yourself. If you don’t want to go, then we won’t.”
Xu Tang thought about it.
Zong Xuan had spent much longer in the entertainment industry than he had. He should be much better at handling situations like this.
“It really is a good opportunity. If nothing unexpected comes up, then let’s do it. If I mess something up, you can help smooth things over.”
Zong Xuan chuckled.
“Don’t worry. For the sake of the show’s quality, the production team probably won’t even include the parts where you don’t do well.”
“That’s true.”
Xu Tang nodded.
“Then let’s do it.”
And just like that, their participation in The Shape of Love was settled.
Wen Hui then took an invitation from her handbag.
“This is an invitation from VE. Their first boutique in China is opening at the end of the month. They’re inviting you to attend the grand opening and hope you’ll bring Xu Tang with you.”
VE was a French luxury brand.
Back when Zong Xuan had won Best Actor internationally and was enjoying tremendous overseas popularity, he’d endorsed the brand.
Now that VE was entering the Chinese market, Zong Xuan was once again serving as its spokesperson.
The advertising campaign wouldn’t be revealed until opening day, so inviting him to the ceremony was only natural.
As for wanting him to bring Xu Tang…
VE was considering signing Xu Tang alongside Zong Xuan for the following season’s campaign.
However, since Xu Tang had never worked with VE before, it would have been inappropriate to send him an invitation directly. Having Zong Xuan bring him, then discussing a possible collaboration afterward, was the most reasonable approach.
Zong Xuan glanced at the invitation before asking Xu Tang,
“Want to go?”
“Sure. We’ve got nothing going on lately anyway.”
Zong Xuan turned to Wen Hui.
“Prepare a matching couple’s outfit. Xu Tang and I will wear it to the event.”
“I’m not wearing white,” Xu Tang immediately said.
He felt white made him look a little too much like the bottom—even though, in the public’s eyes, their roles were already pretty obvious…
Trying not to laugh, Wen Hui said,
“All right. Once we’ve selected a few outfits, I’ll send you the photos and you can choose.”
Compared to Zong Xuan, Wen Hui now found herself spoiling Xu Tang much more—especially after learning just how deeply devoted Xu Tang had always been, and just how much of a jerk Zong Xuan had been.
On the day of VE’s grand opening, giant LED screens throughout the downtown plaza continuously played the brand’s promotional advertisements.
Around noon, Xie Shaoqian drove the two of them to the opening banquet.
Both men wore charcoal-gray suits.
Xu Tang paired his with a burgundy dress shirt.
Zong Xuan wore a dark navy one.
Their cufflinks were matching designs as well, except Xu Tang’s featured a diamond while Zong Xuan’s did not.
The moment they walked through the entrance, every eye in the room turned toward them.
The chief designer and the brand director immediately came over to greet them.
The designer even presented them with a matching pair of wristwatches specially designed by VE for same-sex couples.
The collection wouldn’t officially launch until the following month.
After thanking him, the two immediately put the watches on.
Neither of them had worn a watch that day anyway, so there was nothing to remove.
The director also expressed VE’s interest in working with Xu Tang.
Xu Tang graciously thanked him and said he looked forward to discussing it further.
Afterward, the designer and director excused themselves, telling them to make themselves at home.
Zong Xuan and Xu Tang each picked up a glass of champagne and chatted casually with guests who came over to greet them.
They had just finished talking with the editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine when Zong Xuan turned around and saw Teng Yizheng approaching.
Teng Yizheng had pulled countless strings just to obtain an invitation.
He’d come hoping to discuss business opportunities.
He knew Zong Xuan would be there.
He simply hadn’t expected Xu Tang to attend as well.
“Can we talk?”
Teng Yizheng asked in an unusually humble tone.
Zong Xuan immediately took Xu Tang’s hand.
He was afraid Xu Tang might misunderstand, suddenly realizing that when you truly loved someone, you instinctively became cautious, unwilling to let them feel even the slightest discomfort.
Xu Tang was somewhat surprised to see Teng Yizheng.
Compared to before, Teng Yizheng hadn’t lost weight, but he looked noticeably worn down.
Even the pride that had once defined him seemed to have been broken.
Seeing Zong Xuan acting as though he wished he could stay at least six feet away from Teng Yizheng to avoid any misunderstanding amused Xu Tang.
Honestly, he didn’t mind letting them talk alone.
Nothing meaningful could possibly come from it anyway.
“You two talk. I’m going to get something to eat.”
He spoke with remarkable generosity.
A female celebrity had just recommended the desserts.
Zong Xuan originally wanted to stop him and insist Xu Tang stay beside him to prove he had nothing to hide.
But Xu Tang never gave him the chance.
He simply turned and walked away without showing the slightest trace of jealousy or displeasure.
That made Zong Xuan wonder…
Had his charm decreased?
If his face alone could no longer captivate Xu Tang…
Then what did he have left?
His shameless flirting?
“What is it?”
Since this was a public event, Zong Xuan couldn’t make things too awkward.
Even so, he maintained a very obvious, polite distance from Teng Yizheng.
“Are you still angry with me?”
Teng Yizheng softened his tone.
Throughout the New Year holiday, Zong Xuan hadn’t contacted him once.
On Valentine’s Day, Zong Xuan had ignored him completely.
That made Teng Yizheng realize things were far worse than he’d imagined.
“No.”
Zong Xuan genuinely wasn’t angry.
Not because he’d forgiven him.
Because he simply didn’t care anymore.
“I’ve just figured out what’s truly important to me now—what deserves to be treasured. I’ve also realized how I should treat him properly. I don’t want to dwell on the past anymore. But once certain things happen, once certain words are spoken, they can’t be taken back. I think things are better this way—for both of us.”
“Zong Xuan, I know you’re still angry. But I really need your help.”
In Teng Yizheng’s mind, the Zong Xuan he knew wasn’t someone capable of being so heartless.
That was why he’d gone to such lengths to arrange this meeting.
“I can’t really help you.”
Zong Xuan didn’t consider it his responsibility, nor his obligation.
His own abilities were limited.
Given his current relationship with Teng Yizheng, there was even less reason for him to pull favors and owe people countless debts on his behalf.
“Of course you can!”
Teng Yizheng’s voice rose before he realized it.
Several nearby guests turned to look.
The atmosphere became awkward for a brief moment before the surrounding conversations resumed.
In the past, Zong Xuan might have stepped in to ease the embarrassment.
This time, however, he didn’t react at all.
If anything, he almost wanted to mock Teng Yizheng’s certainty.
This wasn’t the Teng Yizheng he remembered.
“What exactly can I do?
“Ask the Zong Corporation to invest? Impossible. My brother has already made his position clear. I won’t undermine his authority. Besides, your project genuinely isn’t worth investing in.
“Introduce you to other companies?
“Honestly, I do have extensive connections within the entertainment industry. People give me face because of my status.
“But in the business world, without relying on my family, I’m actually nobody. Those uncles and aunts have no reason to do me favors.
“So I can’t help there either.
“As for money…
“I already gave you a considerable amount before. I never intended to ask for it back, so you don’t have to repay it.
“But I don’t have any more to lend.
“My family’s finances are now entirely in Tang Tang’s hands. If I want to buy something, I have to ask him for spending money.”
Just thinking about how, five days earlier, he’d practically begged Xu Tang to accept every last bit of his savings—leaving himself with only one credit card and five hundred yuan in cash—filled him with an incredible sense of accomplishment and security.
Every possible path had just been blocked.
Teng Yizheng burned with anger and jealousy.
Yet he couldn’t show any of it.
If he lost control here, his reputation would truly be finished.
“Actually,” Zong Xuan continued, “if starting your own business isn’t working out, you could always help your father-in-law. Eventually everything he owns will belong to you and Lin Ying anyway. You should cherish what you already have.”
He sincerely believed it was Teng Yizheng’s best option.
“The Lin family looks down on me. Why would they ever let me work in their company?”
Teng Yizheng frowned, clearly convinced Zong Xuan was offering meaningless advice.
Zong Xuan looked at him.
“Have you ever actually asked them?”
Teng Yizheng was left speechless.
Zong Xuan felt that Teng Yizheng’s pride was simply too strong.
He always assumed that if others didn’t take the initiative, it meant they looked down on him.
“The Lin family was willing to let their daughter marry you. At the very least, that means they could accept you. Even if they don’t particularly like you, they certainly love their daughter.
“They only have one daughter.
“Everything they own will eventually belong to Lin Ying.
“If they truly cherish their daughter, then naturally they want her to live a happy life.
“They also want to preserve the financial foundation that will support her future.
“If you can successfully manage the family business, why would your father-in-law reject you?”
Zong Xuan understood the situation clearly.
“So is it really the Lin family looking down on you…
“…or you convincing yourself that they do?”
“I’ve already supported your startup as much as I could.
“I truly can’t do anything more.
“You should do what you’re capable of doing.
“And whether it’s your relationship with me or with the Lin family, if things have reached this point, the person who needs to reflect isn’t just me or the Lin family.
“It’s you.”
Looking directly at Teng Yizheng, he finished,
“Do what you should be doing.
“And live your own life well.”
His words sounded caring.
In reality, they were nothing more than the politeness of distance.
Because he no longer cared, he no longer involved himself.
Even his well-wishes were merely surface courtesy.
Whether Teng Yizheng lived well or badly had nothing to do with him anymore.
When Zong Xuan returned to Xu Tang, Xu Tang was tasting a small slice of raspberry cake.
“Is it good?”
Zong Xuan asked with a smile.
Without answering, Xu Tang stuffed the remaining half directly into Zong Xuan’s mouth.
Sharing food like this had become completely natural between them.
The raspberry flavor in the cake was almost nonexistent.
Instead, the filling was soft-serve ice cream.
The unexpected burst of cold made people pay less attention to the cake itself and more to the refreshing chill of the ice cream.
“Finished talking?”
Xu Tang glanced toward where Zong Xuan and Teng Yizheng had been standing.
Teng Yizheng was already gone.
“Yeah. Nothing important.”
“He didn’t look very well.”
“I didn’t notice. How about we go get something to eat after this before heading home?”
“What should we eat?”
“You decide.”
“Pan-fried soup dumplings. I haven’t had them in ages.”
“Sounds good.”
Whatever became of Teng Yizheng was no longer any concern of Zong Xuan’s.
Whether Xu Tang was happy, however…
That had become the highest priority in his life.
Even more important than his own career.
Ah…
There’s a reason people say beauty can turn a ruler into a fool.
His studio employees probably saw him exactly that way.
But he thought it was absolutely worth it.