The scariest thing is when the air suddenly goes quiet.
For the first time, Nie Luo truly understood what that meant.
He froze for a full five seconds, then stammered slightly.
“That was money I had already invested earlier, so…”
Handing over the payroll card came afterward!
His honesty was amusing in its own way.
Fan Qing propped his chin on his hand, smiling softly.
“It’s okay, Ge. I just wanted to ask—do you still have enough money? If not, I can give you some pocket money.”
Pocket money.
Nie Luo, who had just been flustered, felt a sudden buoyancy, like floating on bubbles.
He handed his payroll card to Fan Qing.
And now Fan Qing was offering to give him pocket money.
Could it be that they were about to become a family?
Thinking this, Nie Luo’s voice even sounded a little dreamy.
“Okay.”
Fan Qing: Hmm?
He’s really going to give it?
Could it be that Nie Luo really didn’t have enough money?
The next second, he more or less realized the truth.
It wasn’t about lacking money.
It was… something else entirely.
Fan Qing’s tone lifted along with his mood.
“Alright, then I’ll send Ge some pocket money.”
His wonderful mood lingered all the way until he called Jin Si.
Who was Jin Si?
The moment Fan Qing spoke, Jin Si could tell immediately.
“So happy? Because of Nie Luo?”
Jin Si almost came to a conclusion instantly.
“Nie弟弟 is that charming?”
“Of course.”
Fan Qing wasn’t surprised that Jin Si could tell.
He even felt a little proud.
“He’s very likeable to me.”
“Is that so?”
Jin Si countered, then suddenly sighed.
“Then you really are a little heartless.”
Fan Qing: …?
“What?”
Why was he suddenly heartless?
Wasn’t that accusation a little abrupt?
“Not admitting it, huh?”
Jin Si said with implication, “You and Nie弟弟 are all lovey-dovey every day, while poor big brother is left alone. And you called me, it’s probably to get help, right? See, isn’t that being a little heartless?”
Ah…
Fan Qing found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
Although, well… yes, he did have something he needed Jin Si’s help with.
“Why don’t we send Er Shao back so Ning can play with him for a few days?”
Fan Qing quickly chose to throw his teammate under the bus, especially the teammate who hadn’t been much help recently.
Jin Si gave a faint smile.
“Are you sure it’s to play for a few days? Or am I supposed to clean up after him?”
Fan Qing showed no guilt.
“I think Ning actually enjoys cleaning up after Er Shao.”
Otherwise, how could Er Shao have been spoiled into the way he was now?
Jin Si bore at least eighty percent of that responsibility.
“Still pretending not to be a little heartless.”
Jin Si laughed and scolded.
“Alright, tell me—what happened recently?”
“Nothing major, but I think your people are a bit more useful.”
Fan Qing praised him briefly and then efficiently laid out the matter.
Jin Si listened and couldn’t help laughing in frustration.
“You came to me for something this small?”
He started seriously reflecting on whether Fan Qing’s earlier words were sincere.
Could it be that he really looked this idle?
“Do you know how much work I have every day, hmm? And you come to disturb me with this little thing?”
Fan Qing: “Really? That’s strange. Just now Sheng told me he wanted to leave early today, I thought it was to go home and accompany you, big brother?”
Calm, completely calm.
Jin Si was momentarily speechless.
The feeling of being betrayed by the one next to you…
was strangely delightful.
“He really said that?”
Fan Qing glanced at the time.
“About two hours, twenty-nine minutes, and thirty-six seconds ago.”
He even muttered in admiration—precise.
Such exact timing must give a sense of security, right?
“Alright, got it.”
So some people, though verbally stubborn, already want to go home the moment they hang up.
Jin Si laughed with glee, his tone rising a little.
“Learn to be clever. You have a few people around you, right? Let them do things for you—they were trained on my side. Do you think they’d be useless?”
This younger brother was smart, but still a bit clumsy.
Fan Qing turned off the speaker calmly, then nodded.
“Okay, I understand. Thanks, big brother.”
The bodyguards in the office exchanged glances, then immediately got it.
Clearly, this was intentionally meant for them to overhear.
After Fan Qing hung up, the lead bodyguard stepped forward and said quietly:
“Mr. Fan, at least one of us should stay by your side to ensure your safety.”
“I know.”
Fan Qing wasn’t about to waste such capable bodyguards.
But using them to handle other tasks wasn’t bad either.
He gave brief instructions, and the bodyguard nodded and spoke a few words to a quieter subordinate.
That bodyguard then left directly.
The remaining two resumed their usual low-profile presence, guarding the doorway.
Jin Si’s people were indeed very useful.
Fan Qing couldn’t help but marvel after a couple of days.
He had obtained Shang Gaoyun’s information.
Not too much—two pages—but everything he wanted was there.
For example, Shang Gaoyun actually had some status.
His father was a coal tycoon, fairly wealthy.
But like many wealthy men, he had the common flaw—Shang Gaoyun was just one of many sons.
However, Shang Gaoyun was slightly better off; he was the legitimate son.
And his mother doted on him, worried he’d be disadvantaged, so she personally became his agent.
That web drama role was found by his mother.
…Truly a devoted mother.
Truly, choosing sesame seeds over watermelons.
Perhaps outsiders thought the lead role was better than fourth male.
And Nie Luo had hidden that he was the lead in the movie.
Fan Qing set the file aside.
In that case, there wasn’t much need to worry.
The next day, when Yuan Jing was about to go to the set, he opened the dorm door and was startled.
Someone was silently standing at the doorway!
He was about to bolt when he received a message from Fan Qing.
After reading it, Yuan Jing was speechless.
…Fan Qing, couldn’t you have told me earlier?
And did he secretly watch him get startled before sending the message?
“No, no, no.”
Just as Yuan Jing’s thought flickered, he shook his head sharply.
How could he think like that about Manager Fan?
Manager Fan had even arranged a bodyguard for him and warned him about Shang Gaoyun—surely it was all just a coincidence!
…But still, he had been startled.
Yuan Jing quietly exhaled.
Maybe he was just too timid.
And…
He couldn’t help stealing a glance at the person in front of him.
How should he even greet this person?
Clumsy.
“Mr. Yuan, we should be heading out.”
The person in front suddenly spoke.
Yuan Jing jumped.
He nodded in a fluster.
“Y-Yes, okay… l-let’s go.”
He practically shuffled out, all limbs moving at once.
…Embarrassing!
So embarrassing!
The bodyguard trailing behind didn’t think much—he silently followed Yuan Jing.
When they arrived at the set, Yuan Jing froze.
Wait…
Had Manager Fan even greeted the crew?
Could he just bring someone in like this?
Or was there some protocol?
“Mr. Nie.”
Suddenly, a voice called from behind.
Yuan Jing instinctively looked forward.
Wasn’t the person in front Nie Luo?
“Nie Ge.”
Yuan Jing quickly greeted him.
“Mm.”
Nie Luo nodded, then looked at the bodyguard.
“Here’s your work pass.”
The bodyguard took it.
“I’ll get to work then.”
Having said that, he darted into the set, disappearing within moments.
Yuan Jing was stunned.
Huh?
Wasn’t the bodyguard supposed to…?
“Not coming in?”
Nie Luo walked a few steps, then glanced back at him.
This kid… was a little slow, wasn’t he?
“Oh, oh, coming.”
Yuan Jing hurriedly followed, still confused.
Is this how bodyguards are supposed to operate?
A little… eye-opening?
Yuan Jing’s mind remained blank, but filming quickly swept him away from other thoughts.
As a newcomer, getting multiple NGs was normal; soon, he was fully absorbed in the whirlwind of shooting, forgetting all about that other person.
A week after shooting officially started, the official social media account finally made an appearance.
The post didn’t even bother with heavy promotion—just released the first official look of Nie Luo, and immediately sent his fans into a frenzy.
Countless fans flooded Weibo, generating an incredible surge in traffic.
At the same time, “Shining” was reaching its finale.
Although Huaer had tried hard, he only managed third place.
Huaer didn’t feel discouraged; instead, he grew slightly anxious watching Weibo.
What would the fans think when they saw Yuan Jing’s official look?
Would they ignore him, dislike him, or, like some contestants before, spew insults simply to vent their inner frustrations?
The official looks weren’t released all at once—they would come out gradually, scene by scene.
Huaer, waiting to catch a glimpse of Yuan Jing as the fourth male, squatted outside the company’s training room, refusing to leave.
Not for any other reason—the dorm’s internet was too slow.
He wanted to see as soon as possible; maybe if he saw it early, he could do something?
With that thought, Huaer stayed put.
Soon, it was nearly Yuan Jing’s turn.
“…What are you doing here?”
A puzzled voice suddenly spoke.
Huaer jumped.
He looked up and hurriedly stood straight.
“Manager Fan.”
“Mm.”
Fan Qing nodded, acknowledging him, then repeated himself.
“What are you doing here? If I’m not mistaken, didn’t you take third place? Aren’t you supposed to be celebrating with your friends?”
Huaer froze.
Manager Fan had noticed his result?
On second thought… he supposed it made sense.
Still…
A faint bitterness crossed Huaer’s face.
“Celebration’s not necessary… it’s just third place.”
“Insincere words.”
Fan Qing saw right through him at a glance.
“Don’t take it the wrong way, but as the company’s future asset, I’ll repeat this for the third time.”
His tone softened.
“So late, and you’re still here. Why?”
!
He had made Manager Fan repeat the question three times!
Huaer suddenly realized.
He felt both flustered and oddly happy.
“I-I was just using the company’s network… wanted to check if Yuan Jing’s official look was good.”
“Oh?”
Fan Qing’s tone lifted, then he stated matter-of-factly.
“You wanted to see if anyone was insulting him, right? Give me your phone.”
“Huh? Uh…”
Being seen through didn’t surprise Huaer; he obediently handed over his phone.
Within seconds, he cautiously asked,
“If someone really insults him, will the company’s PR handle it?”
“Quite the worrier, huh?”
Kids nowadays think of everything.
Fan Qing’s fingers scrolled quickly across the screen; his tone was calm as he countered.
“And do you think the company would care? Will PR even bother?”
“…Will… maybe?”
Why had the question circled back to him?
Huaer looked confused, uncertain as he answered.
Yuan Jing was off filming a movie now; surely that would be more valuable for the company, right?
“Then… the company should protect him, right?”
“You might have a bit of a misunderstanding about your positions.”
Fan Qing flipped a page, then handed the phone back.
“Here.”
He gestured for Huaer to look at the screen.
“Misunderstanding about positions? What do you mean…”
Huaer froze when he saw the image.
The person in the photo… was Yuan Jing?
It was definitely Yuan Jing.
But… why did he suddenly feel that Yuan Jing didn’t resemble Jing Yuan at all?
Huaer looked up sharply at Fan Qing.
Fan Qing glanced at him from the corner of his eye, then turned casually, waving a hand.
“You’re the company’s assets, the future cash cows. What misunderstanding? Let Yuan Jing celebrate with you later; go get some sleep. Kids like you shouldn’t be worrying about all these things. Those are the company’s concerns.”