In the end, Mr. Wu still gave the endorsement to Jian Feiyang.
In his words—he had always had his eye on Jian Feiyang; now he was just making it official.
As for the person in charge?
Why should he care?
If a subordinate messes up, is he supposed to take the blame?
Once Mr. Wu made his decision, he even apologized to Kong Ming.
After all, he was a businessman—and businessmen like to keep things smooth for mutual profit.
He even suggested having a meal with Kong Ming beforehand, but Kong Ming declined.
His expression wasn’t great.
Fan Qing, standing leisurely on the side, swore silently.
He even read Kong Ming’s face clearly—three parts displeasure, three parts resentment, four parts annoyance.
Truly expressive and intense.
Fan Qing could tell, and Mr. Wu surely could too.
He just felt a little regretful, then promptly forgot the matter.
Every year, new stars emerge in the industry. Kong Ming wasn’t exactly a top-tier celebrity—why waste time dwelling on him when he could enjoy a meal with Jian Feishuo and strengthen their bond?
Plus, he could consult Jian Feishuo a bit about real estate matters.
Entertainment makes money, yes—but who wouldn’t want to make more?
Jian Feishuo agreed to the meal.
Even dragging along the exhausted Jian Feiyang.
Hmph.
Arranging resources might be new to him, but handling business with Mr. Wu? He was perfectly capable.
Today, he would show Ah Yang exactly how a big brother should behave!
Jian Feiyang was completely bewildered.
He flailed helplessly, sending a pleading look at Fan Qing.
Fan Qing calmly turned away.
No saving him now. Best to let it go.
Besides, if he didn’t give Mr. Jian a little motivation…
How else would he ever manipulate him later?
Blessings to Jian Feiyang, then.
And as for the precious time that had been interrupted earlier—he would return to enjoy it in full!
Fan Qing suddenly remembered something very useful.
He quickly rummaged through his backpack—perfect, it was still there.
After a moment, he called his assistant.
“Go buy me something.”
The assistant, still working overtime, glanced at the wall clock—almost 7 p.m.
He saved his work and closed the computer.
“Sure. What do you need me to get?”
Fan Qing quickly told him the name of the item.
The assistant froze mid-motion.
“…This might be a bit hard to get. If Mr. Fan really needs it, I actually have a spare one here. If you don’t mind, that could work.”
Fan Qing, still rummaging through his bag, paused for a moment.
“What? You have a spare?”
He raised an eyebrow slowly.
Now that he thought about it, it wasn’t entirely surprising—his assistant always looked so neat and proper…
Tsk.
A sudden mental flash of the words “dressed-up scoundrel” made him chuckle inwardly.
“Mr. Fan?”
A puzzled voice came from the phone.
“Mm-hm.”
Fan Qing found what he wanted and placed it on top of his bag.
“Then I’ll trouble you with that.”
“No trouble at all. Where should I deliver it? To you and Mr. Nie’s new place?”
The atmosphere turned suddenly awkward.
The assistant immediately realized he’d misspoken.
Fan Qing slowly rubbed his forehead.
He and Nie Luo had only just started living together—how could this assistant know…?
Never mind.
It was easy to figure out that it had something to do with the big brother he trusted.
Fan Qing thought for a moment and decided to give Mr. Jian some credit.
Jian Feishuo was actually pretty decent—a simple, reliable big brother.
Fan Qing: “No need. Wait for me downstairs at the company—I’ll come get it.”
He hung up the phone.
Now, the assistant wondered, he’s really coming over?
Glancing at the closed computer, he sighed… oh well.
Overtime on secondhand errands wasn’t really his thing anyway.
The assistant found the item Fan Qing needed and stood downstairs, idly passing the time.
Hmm, the weather’s been pretty nice lately. Snow looks beautiful—just a little cold.
As his gaze wandered, a hand suddenly waved in front of him.
“What are you doing standing here? Don’t tell me you already know I’m about to surprise you?”
The assistant snapped back to reality.
Who else would speak like that besides Jin Si?
His mind was a little slow, and his speech even slower.
“No, you said it’s a surprise, how would I know?”
“Not necessarily. After you came here, that bunch of dogs all said I’m hard to handle.”
Jin Si habitually reached out his hand.
As soon as he touched it, the assistant hissed.
“How long have you been standing here? Your hands are so cold.”
“Not long. Wait, Fan Qing should be here soon.”
The assistant hesitated as Jin Si removed one of his gloves and slid it onto his hand.
A bit helplessly, he muttered,
“You can’t handle the cold—so you want to shove your hand in my glove?”
Before he could finish, a hand pushed in—naturally, Jin Si’s hands were bigger, so it was a tight fit.
So cramped? Really not proper.
Still, he instinctively held the hand, letting it settle into the glove.
Jin Si looked on, lips curling with the satisfied grin of a plan succeeded.
“See? Nothing wrong now, right?”
The assistant thought: you win this round.
Jin Si lingered a bit, softly clearing his throat.
The assistant stirred slightly.
“Cold?”
Jin Si asked while stepping toward the car.
But the assistant was immediately pulled back by the unrelenting hand.
“Not going to the car?”
Jin Si was casual.
“Waiting for Fan Qing. Once he’s here, we’ll go back to the car.”
“…I can wait by myself, it’s no big deal—just delivering something to him.”
He tried pulling again—failed.
The assistant sighed, moving closer to Jin Si—at least to shield him from the wind.
“Deliver something?”
Jin Si took an interest in that, not resisting the action.
“To Fan Qing? Tell me, what does he want?”
The assistant hesitated, typing out a question mark.
“…You want to know?”
“Of course.”
Jin Si was self-assured.
“Fan Qing even calls me ‘big brother’ just so he won’t owe anyone favors—why would he ask you for something? What could it be?”
It wasn’t anything else.
Mainly, he, as the older brother, wanted to check on his younger brother’s life.
That’s not too much, right?
Words half-spoken, half-withheld.
The assistant understood.
“…Curiosity like that is better donated to someone who actually needs it.”
Jin Si: ?
He didn’t even agree?
Now he wanted to know even more.
So when Fan Qing arrived, he couldn’t help but rub his eyes.
Broad daylight, clear and bright.
What on earth were these two doing at the company entrance???
Fan Qing got out of the car and looked at Jin Si’s missing glove.
Then at the assistant’s disheveled coat and collar.
Fan Qing: “…I’ll just grab the item and leave. Don’t want to disturb you two.”
“Such a sensible and considerate little brother.”
Jin Si gave him a strong nod of approval.
The assistant tidied his coat and collar, a look of helplessness on his face.
“I hope the older brother can be a little more sensible and tactful too.”
Jin Si narrowed his eyes slightly.
“…Not impossible,” he said.
He turned and got back into the car, pulling out a tightly wrapped package and tossing it to Fan Qing.
“Take it.”
Fan Qing instinctively held it.
“What’s this?”
“For a sensible and tactful older brother to give you.”
Jin Si nonchalantly returned to the assistant’s side, slipping his fingers naturally into that warm pocket.
Fan Qing: …
Forget it. Better not to ask.
Why waste time here?
Nearby, the assistant handed Fan Qing what he needed.
After a quick check, Fan Qing drove off swiftly from this sugar-overloaded scene.
“…That box—is it the one I was thinking of?”
The assistant, watching Fan Qing’s car disappear, finally spoke, still a little in disbelief.
What on earth is Jin Si thinking???
“It’s the one—your favorite kind. Just had it delivered today.”
Jin Si led him to the car.
Assistant: “…You gave that to Fan Qing? What are you thinking?”
Jin Si’s face was open and honest.
“He asked for it—aren’t you just like how you were back then?”
He nudged closer, their thighs pressing together intimately.
“I think they’re going to need it soon. Didn’t you ask me to be a sensible and tactful older brother?”
True, but not entirely.
The assistant was speechless.
After a long moment, he tapped Jin Si’s thigh.
“You gave it to them… then what about us?”
Jin Si slid his fingers slowly between his own, entwined with the assistant’s.
“No need for those. We can still…”
Fan Qing arrived at his place and quickly prepared in the car.
As the car drove back to the complex, he looked up and saw the porch light Nie Luo had deliberately left on for him.
But… why were the lights multi-colored?
Fan Qing opened the door, and a rich aroma wafted from the kitchen.
Just as he was about to bend down to change his shoes, he paused.
“You’re back.”
Nie Luo’s voice floated from the kitchen.
“You’re cooking?”
Fan Qing raised his voice.
“Mm, tomorrow’s New Year’s Day. Want to celebrate tonight together?”
Nie Luo set the last dish on the table.
Fan Qing’s crisp shoe steps echoed as he entered.
Four dishes and a soup—well-presented, delicious-looking. Quite a surprise.
“All made by you?”
Nie Luo nodded.
He removed the oven mitts, revealing his strong, well-defined chest, with a blue-and-white apron draped across it.
“Boyfriend, you can’t even tie a tie, yet you had time to learn cooking?”
Fan Qing walked over and kissed Nie Luo—pleasantly surprised, genuinely impressed.
Nie Luo returned the kiss, then lowered his eyes.
“Because it’s the holiday… I’ve been learning recently… Why haven’t you changed your shoes?”
He knelt slightly, reaching out a hand.
“Brother? What are you doing?”
Fan Qing’s eyes flickered.
Nie Luo’s fingers grasped the polished shoes as he looked up.
“Can’t wear shoes indoors.”
Confused, he thought—can’t Fan Qing see?
Of course he’s taking off his shoes for him.
Innocent expression, submissive gesture.
Fan Qing’s eyes sparkled even more.
He tugged at his tie, deftly undoing three buttons at his collar.
“Ah Qing?”
Nie Luo’s fingers still resting on the shoes, his ears flushed slightly.
Fan Qing’s lips curved subtly as he lifted his knee.
The polished shoes pressed gently onto Nie Luo’s kneeling legs, the fitted trousers stretching smoothly over his muscles.
Fan Qing pulled a small knife from his pocket.
What is Ah Qing planning?
Nie Luo’s heart raced inexplicably.
The next second, a sharp tearing sound echoed in the room.
Instinctively, he looked over—revealing the shirt he had meant to keep covered.
Fan Qing’s scarlet tongue licked the blade, then withdrew.
A kiss landed on Nie Luo’s closed eyes.
“Brother, do you want to eat first, or…”