When Xu Tang suddenly walked in, Zheng Xun looked as though he’d suffered a tremendous injustice. Tugging at his collar, he bolted out of the trailer.
Xu Tang turned to watch Zheng Xun run off into the distance before looking back at Zong Xuan, whose face was covered in frost.
Running a hand through his hair, Zong Xuan said anxiously, “Tangtang, let me explain.”
Xu Tang remained surprisingly calm and smiled.
“You don’t have to explain.”
“No, listen to me.” Xu Tang’s calmness only made Zong Xuan panic more.
Xu Tang chuckled.
“Come on, it’s fine. I understand.”
He Xin had already given him a heads-up beforehand, so he more or less knew what had happened.
Zong Xuan still couldn’t tell whether Xu Tang was being sincere or sarcastic. Tentatively, he reached out to take Xu Tang’s hand.
Xu Tang neither pulled away nor resisted.
Only then did Zong Xuan finally believe that Xu Tang wasn’t angry.
Leading him over to the chairs, Zong Xuan sat down with him and smiled.
“You trust me that much?”
A faint blush crept over Xu Tang’s ears.
“When you’re actually turned on… you don’t wear that expression.”
Zong Xuan burst into laughter.
He leaned over and kissed him.
“See? Having sex more often has its benefits. At least now you can judge right from wrong just by reading my expressions.”
Xu Tang lightly kicked him.
“What ‘right from wrong’? Stop making excuses.”
Ever since they’d become sexually intimate, they’d been doing it fairly often.
Every time, though, Xu Tang was always the first to beg for mercy.
Zong Xuan never forced him.
Just then, Yuan Shang walked in carrying lunchboxes.
He hadn’t seen Zheng Xun getting out of the trailer and hadn’t noticed anything unusual, so as usual he handed Xu Tang his lunch before taking his own to eat with several assistant friends.
Opening the lunchboxes, Xu Tang split apart his disposable chopsticks and asked,
“So what exactly happened?”
Zong Xuan picked several shrimp from his own meal and placed them into Xu Tang’s lunchbox.
“He came to act as someone’s messenger.”
“But that messenger had his own agenda.”
“Hm?”
Xu Tang didn’t understand.
While eating, Zong Xuan explained,
“He said something got into his eye and asked if he could borrow some water to rinse it out.”
“One of his eyes was pretty red, so I believed him and let him onto the trailer.”
“I only turned around to open my lunch.”
“When he came back after washing his eye, he’d already undone several buttons on his shirt.”
“Then he started delivering his message.”
“But honestly, he wasn’t very dedicated.”
“He said fewer than five sentences.”
“After that, he started moving closer to me.”
“And that’s when you came in.”
“But he acted like I’d just forced myself on him.”
“I’m honestly speechless.”
If he were ever going to play the hooligan and take advantage of someone…
He’d only ever take advantage of Xu Tang.
Instead, some random person he’d never even touched suddenly acted as if the two of them had some scandalous history.
He felt like he’d stepped in dog crap.
“Who was he speaking for?”
Zong Xuan’s expression darkened.
“Teng Yizheng.”
“How did Zheng Xun end up connected with Teng Yizheng?”
Xu Tang frowned.
“The world really is small.”
“It’s through Teng Yizheng’s father-in-law.”
Zong Xuan’s tone was full of contempt.
“Oh.”
Xu Tang hadn’t paid any attention to what happened after Teng Yizheng’s poisoning incident.
“What happened with him afterward?”
“Was he dealt with?”
Zong Xuan looked displeased.
“Wenhui told me yesterday.”
“Teng Yizheng’s father-in-law spent a lot of money and pulled a lot of strings.”
“He wasn’t sentenced.”
“He only had to pay compensation.”
Xu Tang didn’t want to comment.
“Just stay away from him from now on.”
“He won’t be able to hurt you anymore.”
“Mhm.”
Zong Xuan nodded.
“Enough about him.”
“He’s not worth wasting time on.”
“I just didn’t expect Zheng Xun to be so… open-minded.”
Xu Tang smiled and repeated everything He Xin had told him.
Then he added,
“If he really wanted someone to sleep with him in exchange for opportunities…”
“…shouldn’t Director Xin have been the better choice?”
Zong Xuan clicked his tongue.
“So you’re looking down on my charm now?”
He pinched Xu Tang’s neck.
“I’m an investor too.”
“But I’m here.”
Xu Tang looked at him.
“You’d behave yourself at least a little with me around.”
“So targeting you wasn’t a very smart move.”
“The way you say that…”
Zong Xuan laughed.
“…makes it sound like I’d stop behaving myself whenever you’re not around.”
“I’m very faithful.”
“I’m just making a realistic analysis.”
Xu Tang smiled.
“I wasn’t testing you.”
“And I wasn’t asking you to prove your loyalty.”
“As I’ve always said…”
“I trust you.”
“Please stop analyzing things.”
Zong Xuan sighed dramatically.
“Your analysis is making me nervous.”
Xu Tang only smiled without replying.
Later that evening, Zong Xuan went to speak with Director Xin.
The next day…
No one saw Zheng Xun on set again.
Three days later, a new actor arrived to replace him.
Rumors immediately spread throughout the production.
Some claimed the newcomer had powerful backing and had forced Zheng Xun out.
Others insisted Zheng Xun had offended Director Xin.
Still others said Zheng Xun had joined the production with promised investment money that never materialized, so he’d been kicked off the project.
Only Zong Xuan and Xu Tang knew the real reason.
Even Xu Tang hadn’t expected Zong Xuan to leave Zheng Xun absolutely no room for negotiation.
Fortunately, the replacement actor performed exceptionally well.
Filming went smoothly despite the reshoots.
Director Xin’s lingering worries finally disappeared, and the previously tense atmosphere gradually relaxed.
The location shoot concluded on schedule.
The production returned to the capital.
After three days’ rest, filming would continue at the film studio.
Since Xu Tang didn’t have many scenes there, he could simply stay home whenever he wasn’t scheduled to shoot.
After dinner, Xu Tang was about to pick a movie to watch when his phone rang.
It was a message from Kang Duo.
Check Weibo.
But don’t say anything.
Seeing the message, Xu Tang’s eyelid twitched.
Opening Weibo, he immediately saw a trending topic involving himself.
#XuTangBulliedZhengXun#
He tapped into it.
The original post came from an entertainment reporter.
According to the post, the reporter had visited the Return of the Monarch set but hadn’t seen Zheng Xun.
After asking around, the reporter supposedly learned that Zheng Xun had been removed because his acting surpassed Xu Tang’s.
Xu Tang had allegedly feared being overshadowed, so he’d used various connections to pressure the production into replacing Zheng Xun.
An unnamed insider also claimed Xu Tang had relied on extensive connections just to secure the role in the first place.
The role had supposedly belonged to Zheng Xun originally.
The post went on to say that Xu Tang wanted to transition into acting.
Since Zong Xuan was the film’s other lead, he would naturally help carry the project to success.
Unfortunately…
Poor acting couldn’t be saved even by an award-winning actor.
The audience wasn’t blind.
The comments exploded.
Fans defended Xu Tang.
Casual readers watched the drama.
Zheng Xun’s fans lashed out.
Antis fueled the fire.
It was complete chaos.
Before leaving the location shoot, the production had indeed accepted interviews from multiple media outlets.
The magazine employing this reporter had also been officially invited.
As for the mysterious “crew member” and “inside source”…
Xu Tang had no idea who they were.
Perhaps nobody did.
He simply replied to Kang Duo, letting her know he’d seen everything.
Then he picked a movie and stopped paying attention.
He’d seen this sort of thing far too many times.
That evening, Zong Xuan had dinner with Yue Yan.
He only saw the news afterward.
While he was still considering which connections to use…
Xu Zhou called.
“You don’t need to worry about this.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Just stay with Tangtang.”
Xu Zhou’s voice was as cold as ever.
He’d already called Xu Tang.
Only after hearing his brother’s calm voice had he finally relaxed.
His little brother was filming his first movie.
Someone dared slander him like this.
If they didn’t want to keep working in the industry…
They could’ve just said so directly.
“No problem, Brother.”
“I’ll leave it to you.”
Zong Xuan agreed.
Xu Zhou hung up without another word.
Yue Yan had also seen the news.
After Zong Xuan finished the call, he asked,
“Need any help?”
This wasn’t just affecting Xu Tang.
It affected the entire production.
As producer, he couldn’t simply ignore it.
“It’s fine.”
Zong Xuan smiled.
“Xu Tang’s older brother is taking care of it.”
“Good.”
Yue Yan visibly relaxed.
With Xu Zhou handling things, there wasn’t much to worry about.
When it came to connections…
Even he couldn’t compare.
Sometimes he wondered what these people were thinking.
Perhaps Xu Tang’s low profile and spotless professional reputation had made everyone forget…
Behind him stood the Xu family.
And inside that family…
Was an older brother who quietly adored and fiercely protected his younger sibling.
By the time Zong Xuan got home…
Xu Tang had already picked another movie.
“You okay?”
Zong Xuan wrapped his arms around him.
Xu Tang smiled.
“I’m fine.”
“Let’s just leave it to my brother.”
“Mhm.”
Zong Xuan nodded.
“We should investigate who bribed that reporter.”
“The timing feels strange.”
Coverage of the Return of the Monarch set visit had already been published the previous day.
The reporter’s own magazine had released its article the very afternoon of the interviews.
Since they’d already published one report…
Why would the same reporter suddenly release another article contradicting the first?
It didn’t make sense.
“Who cares?”
Xu Tang shrugged.
“I don’t have any scenes for the next few days anyway.”
“As long as filming isn’t delayed, it’s fine.”
“I’ll just take the chance to relax at home.”
“And sleep in.”
He knew that if he was upset…
Zong Xuan would be even more upset.
Xu Tang himself could tolerate a certain amount.
Zong Xuan, however…
Wasn’t known for his patience.
Since his older brother was already protecting him…
There was no reason to drag the man he loved into feeling miserable too.
He’d simply wait for the matter to be resolved.
Although neither Xu Tang nor Zong Xuan made any public statement…
The film’s screenwriter, Xin Yun, couldn’t stay silent.
Early the next morning, she posted on Weibo.
As a CP fan, I can responsibly say that Return of the Monarch was written specifically for Zong Xuan and Xu Tang!
If they weren’t playing the leads, I’d rather shelve the script forever than let anyone else film it!
So this nonsense about Xu Tang stealing someone else’s role is complete garbage.
If it weren’t for Zong Xuan, Xu Tang wouldn’t even have accepted the role.
He was nervous the entire time, worried he wouldn’t perform well.
But after watching filming for a while, I can confidently say—he’s absolutely amazing!
Xu Tang is the best!
Once the screenwriter spoke up…
Zheng Xun’s fans suddenly quieted down.
The antis, however, kept attacking.
They insisted Xin Yun had accepted money from Xu Tang and therefore couldn’t admit he’d stolen someone else’s role.
Their accusations were quickly demolished by Xu Tang’s fans.
Xin Yun’s Weibo account contained years’ worth of posts supporting both Xu Tang and Zong Xuan.
Some dated back three years.
She was clearly a genuine fan.
Xu Tang also saw her post.
He found her incredibly loyal and decided that once everything settled down, he’d invite her out for dinner.
Just as public opinion finally began shifting in Xu Tang’s favor…
That evening, the gossip account See You Monday posted another bombshell.
#ZongXuanXuTangPoliticalMarriage#
The seemingly loving couple, Zong Xuan and Xu Tang, were actually married as part of a business alliance between the Zong and Xu families—not because they were truly in love.
I wonder how all the CP fans and devoted fans feel after this shocking revelation?
Attached was a photograph.
A prenuptial agreement.
It bore both Xu Tang’s and Zong Xuan’s signatures.
The moment they saw it…
Both of them froze.
“Where’s your copy?”
Xu Tang asked.
They really had signed a prenuptial agreement before marriage.
It simply dealt with property division.
“The moment we got together…”
Zong Xuan said,
“…I tore mine up and threw it away.”
“What about yours?”
“I ran it through the shredder as soon as I got home after signing.”
Xu Tang shrugged.
“Then where did this come from?”
Zong Xuan carefully examined the photographed agreement.
It really was their original contract.
But only the two of them had copies.
After thinking for a moment, Xu Tang asked,
“Besides our families…”
“…did anyone else ever see it?”
Their families would never leak it.
So then…
Zong Xuan pointed at the table beneath the contract in the photograph.
“I think…”
“…that’s the desk I used to have.”
“Huh?”
Xu Tang blinked.
“It couldn’t have been you who photographed it…”
Zong Xuan thought carefully before replying,
“I’m not completely certain.”
“But that desk should be the one from my old apartment.”
“See that little red corner?”
“That should be the coffee mug I used back then.”
“It just happened to get caught in the photo.”
“During that period…”
“…the only people who came to my apartment besides Wenhui and Shaoqian…”
“…were Teng Yizheng.”
After Zong Xuan got married, Teng Yizheng had given him a set of cups as a wedding gift.
The design was unusual.
The strange mixed colors had left a deep impression.
Zong Xuan had never wanted to use them.
They’d remained in his old apartment until he moved.
“Besides…”
“I left the agreement sitting on that desk after we signed it.”
“I didn’t even put it away until I moved.”
“I see…”
Xu Tang sighed.
“Then Teng Yizheng probably photographed it.”
He didn’t blame Zong Xuan.
Who would think someone would secretly photograph a legal agreement…
And keep it for years?
“It had to be him.”
Zong Xuan said firmly.
“If all anyone had was the agreement itself…”
“…people would only conclude we signed a prenup.”
“Or that we entered a contractual marriage.”
“They wouldn’t immediately jump to calling it a political marriage.”
Because almost no outsiders knew the truth.
Only a few close friends did.
And Teng Yizheng had been one of them.
“Let’s ignore it for now.”
Xu Tang patted him.
“The worst that happens is we deny it.”
“We’ll see.”
Zong Xuan rubbed his aching forehead.
He had never imagined Teng Yizheng would stoop this low.
It was downright creepy.
Like some disgusting stalker.
Nor did he have any intention of contacting him.
There was nothing worth saying to someone like that.
Xu Tang looked through the comments.
Sure enough…
The criticism was overwhelming.
Oddly enough, he didn’t feel particularly upset.
His relationship with Zong Xuan was genuine now.
The agreement had never mentioned love.
That meant there was still plenty of room to turn public opinion around.
For now…
It was more important to resolve the situation surrounding Return of the Monarch first.
Meanwhile, Zong Xuan pinched the bridge of his nose.
The report accusing Xu Tang of bullying Zheng Xun…
Zheng Xun serving as Teng Yizheng’s messenger…
Now the sudden leak of the prenuptial agreement…
If someone claimed Teng Yizheng had nothing to do with any of this…
Zong Xuan wouldn’t believe a word of it.
Otherwise…
Why expose the agreement at precisely this moment?
Teng Yizheng…
If you insist on making this public…
Fine.
I’ll play along.