Hua Er felt as though something inside him had suddenly collapsed.
He could not quite describe what it was.
But the crisp, shattering sound ringing in his ears was far too distinct.
So distinct that he could not maintain his expression at all.
Second Young Master… what exactly was he talking about?
Fan Qing: Hm?
What was going on with those two over there?
He glanced instinctively at Hua Er.
Then he looked at the Second Young Master standing beside him.
…He had a vague feeling he could guess what had happened.
For example, that the Second Young Master had once again said something he should not have, and his inexperienced new assistant had overheard it.
Tsk. Should he intervene?
Fan Qing considered it for two seconds, then calmly gave up.
Why bother?
He had brought Hua Er here precisely so he could broaden his horizons.
And the Second Young Master, in a way, was also part of that “horizon.”
Was he not?
Hua Er felt he was growing at an astonishing speed.
Among that growth, the Second Young Master’s contribution was truly immeasurable.
In less than ten minutes, he had already mastered the ability to maintain a perfectly polite smile without revealing even the slightest trace of his true thoughts.
He was grateful to the Second Young Master for accelerating his personal development.
Now, he could very calmly clarify his identity.
“You must be joking, Second Young Master. You may not be aware, but I am now President Fan’s assistant. My status as an artist no longer exists.”
What?
靳奕 froze, the words slipping out before he could stop them.
“When there is work, you are the assistant. When there is no work, the assistant does the work?”
“…Please watch your words, Second Young Master.”
It was fortunate Fan Qing had come over, he thought.
If he had not, his reputation in the Second Young Master’s mind would probably be beyond repair.
Although… where exactly had the Second Young Master picked up ideas like that—
Fan Qing fell into a strange silence.
A possibility suddenly occurred to him.
Was it not because Jin Si and Sheng Ge were—
“Ahem. I was just joking. Just joking.”
What the—?
Had Fan Qing not been over there just a second ago?
How had he flown over so quickly?
Jin Yi broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly composed himself.
Tsk. He had originally planned to tease the little assistant a bit more.
This banquet was so boring. No wonder his older brother had not come himself. Turns out it was this dull.
“You are sure it is fine to let the Second Young Master wander around?”
Tang Sheng bit down on his tie, occasionally indulging in the rare pleasure of not having to exert himself.
Except that both sides of his waist were aching somewhat.
Someone’s health was clearly not great, so how did he still manage to maintain the same overwhelming strength year after year, to the point of nearly crushing his waist?
“Ah Sheng, are you certain this is the time to bring that up?”
The usual softness in Jin Si’s expression had turned into restraint and endurance.
Blue veins stood out sharply along his overly pale arms.
Ah Sheng had only just returned—why bring up such a topic in the car?
Was he not trying hard enough?
As the thought crossed his mind, Jin Si’s brow furrowed, and the pressure of his grip increased.
How could Ah Sheng still be thinking about others at a time like this?
“Hiss—!”
Did this man not understand moderation?
Tang Sheng could not help kicking him.
The moment he did, he regretted it.
In this position, exerting force with his foot was practically the same as delivering himself straight into the tiger’s jaws.
Whatever thoughts he had been clinging to a moment ago were now dissolving into incoherence.
“Still not focusing, Ah Sheng?”
Jin Si lowered himself slightly and captured his lips.
If he knew Ah Sheng could not focus, then all he had to do was help him clear his mind.
Tang Sheng cursed inwardly but bit back fiercely in response.
After exchanging a kiss that was far too intense—yet intimately familiar to them both—Jin Si finally wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Perspiration slid from his temples down along his cheeks, tracing the line of his neck.
It gathered against his gleaming chest, which was covered in a fine sheen of sweat.
“It is merely the Yuan family’s engagement banquet. I am certain Fan Qing will give them face and attend. With Fan Qing there, are you still worried Jin Yi will cause trouble?”
Every move of his younger brother was well within his control.
Tang Sheng understood.
He wiped away the sweat at his abdomen and finally let out a breath.
“That is good. I do not have the time to clean up his mess tonight.”
Jin Si’s eyes lit up.
“Ah Sheng, do you mean—?”
Could tonight finally be the long-awaited lifting of restrictions?
Tang Sheng let out a soft snort, hooking his foot lightly.
“What? After taking a break for over half a year, do not tell me you really cannot manage anymore?”
He was a man in the prime of his life, after all.
For Jin Si’s health, he had forced himself to abstain for more than half a year—only occasionally tasting the lightest of fare, and even that under strict self-restraint.
He was thoroughly tired of such days.
With that thought, he pressed his foot slightly harder.
“With Fan Qing keeping watch, we do not need to worry tonight. Just focus on keeping me company…”
The last syllables disappeared into the laughter shining in Jin Si’s eyes.
Just before Tang Sheng closed his eyes, he caught that faint, almost perverse glint in Jin Si’s gaze.
What trick is he planning now…
Forget it.
Let him play whatever game he wants.
Tang Sheng shut his eyes and completely let go, leaving everything to Jin Si.
—
Back at the engagement banquet.
Fan Qing had just exchanged a few words with Jin Yi when he sensed a gaze from a certain direction.
He looked over instinctively.
Two women.
Probably here for the Second Young Master.
Fan Qing casually patted Jin Yi on the shoulder.
“Second Young Master, your admirers?”
“My admirers?”
Jin Yi turned his head in surprise.
He stared for a moment, then slowly turned back.
“I was about to say, why does it feel like they are looking at you?”
Fan Qing: …?
Hua Er also glanced over.
After three seconds, he decisively withdrew his gaze.
“President Fan, they are definitely looking at you. And… they are coming this way.”
Jin Yi: Meow meow meow?
What do you mean they are coming this way?
Fan Qing saw it too.
The smile on his face faded, and a distant, unapproachable air suddenly radiated from him.
The two women who had been about to approach hesitated mid-step.
“Did he notice?”
“Obviously. We were heading straight for him.”
“With that expression on his face, should we still go over?”
They fell silent for a second.
The next moment, a female voice that did not belong to either of them suddenly rang out from behind.
“What are you two whispering about? Why did you not wait for me?”
Both women jumped in fright!
They turned around, faces pale.
Who else could it be but Miss Yuan, now changed into her new outfit?
Miss Yuan’s smile was radiant. In reality, if human malice could take physical form, she would already have stabbed the two of them to death with it.
She knew they were planning to stir up trouble with Fan Qing!
Fortunately, she had been clever enough to finish changing quickly and intercept them in time.
There was no way she would allow any rumors linking Fan Qing with someone else to spread!
Especially not with her own name attached.
Fan Qing and Nie Luo were meant to be locked together forever. She would personally swallow the key if she had to—she absolutely could!
Although—
This outfit was stunning. She had put in so much thought and effort. And because of these two women, she had not even managed to time her entrance perfectly. Infuriating. Truly infuriating. She was definitely making a big note of this in her little black book.
For a brief second, the expression on Miss Yuan’s face turned oddly fierce.
The two women had been startled by her. But in the next second, their gazes were irresistibly drawn to the dress she was wearing.
It was breathtaking.
The thought flashed through their minds almost simultaneously.
They were not the only ones thinking so.
Many guests were experiencing the same silent exclamation.
Including the Second Young Master.
“Hey, hey—is this the dress Yao Ge designed for her? Our people designed it, right?”
He could not help glancing at Fan Qing.
Seriously though, where did Fan Qing keep finding all these talents?
Fan Qing: ?
He lowered his eyes slightly to look at the Second Young Master.
Was he misunderstanding something?
Fan Qing slowly shook his head.
Jin Yi froze.
“Not ours?”
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow faintly.
“What I meant is that Yao Ge cannot exactly be considered ‘our’ person. To be precise, he is a talent that I and my elder brother discovered.”
Discovered by him; funded by the eldest brother.
Jin Yi: ???
“You shook your head just for that?”
Was that really the key point here?
“What else?”
Fan Qing countered.
The two stared at each other.
Then, in perfect tacit understanding, looked away.
Jin Yi: Forget it. Thinking is exhausting.
Fan Qing: Whatever. Let the Second Young Master think what he likes.
While the two of them bickered lightly, Hua Er at the side was deeply shaken.
He had heard of Designer Yao’s reputation on trending searches before and knew that he had been discovered by President Fan.
But this was the first time he had personally witnessed the impact of Designer Yao’s work.
Leaving aside the two men beside him, Hua Er had already noticed—
The moment Miss Yuan stepped out in that dress, the entire banquet hall had fallen silent for a heartbeat.
After that, the number of gazes falling upon her was like stars scattered across the sky.
There were even low murmurs that barely maintained decorum. When Hua Er occasionally glanced at some of the female guests, their eyes were filled with astonishment.
Only then did he truly realize.
Designer Yao’s creations were equally dazzling and exceptional in the eyes of high society.
And such a designer had been discovered by President Fan.
Suddenly, a strange surge of strength and impulse rose within Hua Er.
He wanted it too.
He wanted to become someone like President Fan.
Miss Yuan also began to notice.
Everyone seemed to be looking at her?
She instinctively followed a few of the most intense gazes.
Hm?
She reacted quickly.
Were those not the same “acquaintances” who had competed with her on Weibo for a custom design from Designer Yao?
In that instant, she understood.
Perhaps her entrance had not been perfectly timed for maximum shock value—but true elegance did not need theatrics.
For a moment, she could not help drawing in her stomach, lifting her chin, and smiling gracefully.
Then, suddenly, a realization struck her.
This was an incredible opportunity!
Miss Yuan’s gaze immediately shifted toward Fan Qing.
If not now, then when?
For no apparent reason, he received a look from Miss Yuan. Fan Qing slowly typed a question mark in his mind.
What exactly had that look meant?
Before he could think it through, Miss Yuan, now on stage, gave him the answer.
“Thank you, everyone… In addition, I especially want to thank President Fan. I believe quite a few of you are a little jealous that I was lucky enough to secure this slot from him, right? Thank you, President Fan—and thank you to Designer Yao as well. I am extremely satisfied with today’s outfit…”
As Miss Yuan’s voice gradually faded from the stage, Fan Qing’s expression slowly stiffened.
He had a premonition that history was about to repeat itself.
But this was not how his script was supposed to go!
He had come to expand his network—not to let these people squeeze Yao Ge’s time even tighter!
It had already been quite a while since Yao Ge had come up with any new ideas for him!