With the new designs settled, Fan Qing’s mood improved considerably.
And with what had happened before, he now had a perfectly legitimate reason to visit the set—though, of course, he was visiting Yuan Jing’s team.
He didn’t bring any food or drinks. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he was there for Yuan Jing.
Although Yuan Jing was the fourth male lead, he was still the smallest role on the set and shouldn’t be the center of attention.
Fan Qing felt a twinge of regret.
If he could openly visit Nie Luo’s team, he would definitely bring milk tea and flowers.
Unfortunately, now was not the right time.
Yuan Jing was both surprised and delighted to see Fan Qing.
He practically ran over to greet him as soon as his scene ended.
“Manager Fan! You came to see me? I’ve been doing fine on set lately, nothing happened.”
Yuan Jing’s face was a little thin, but his eyes were round and lively.
He smiled and chuckled as he spoke.
“And the bodyguard is here too, so I’m perfectly safe.”
He glanced around, then fixed his gaze on a particular direction.
Hmm?
Fan Qing followed his line of sight.
A figure in the crowd was trying hard to hide, even looking slightly flustered.
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
He glanced at Yuan Jing, who was still chuckling foolishly.
“…So how did you find him?”
Fan Qing couldn’t help but be curious. The few people Jin Si had sent over were really professional—so much so that even Fan Qing sometimes overlooked their presence.
When it came to staying inconspicuous, these bodyguards were top-notch.
So how did Yuan Jing manage it?
Yuan Jing, when asked, actually displayed that mischievous, childlike grin of someone who knows a little secret.
He leaned closer and whispered,
“Actually, it’s a little trick. I’ve been paying attention for a while, and I noticed that every time I don’t look somewhere, the bodyguard is usually right there! Once I got used to it, it became super easy to spot him!”
Fan Qing: …I didn’t expect this kid to have this function.
Maybe he could even star in a cop drama someday.
“I mean, you and Manager Fan seem pretty close?”
The director glanced at Fan Qing and Yuan Jing, curiosity flickering across his face.
“Why not just go over and chat with him?”
Nie Luo held a bottle of water and shook his head.
“Not really appropriate.”
Director: “?”
Chatting… what’s inappropriate about that?
Just a friendly hello, right?
Then he thought for a moment and sort of understood.
Nie Luo’s identity was different—maybe they were avoiding some unwanted rumor. He vaguely remembered that Nie Luo and Fan Qing might have had some past gossip; maybe that’s why.
The director didn’t dwell on it and went back to focusing on the camera.
Nie Luo stood beside him, but his gaze kept drifting, intentionally or not, toward Fan Qing.
Of course he wanted to go over and talk. Even hug, maybe… even kiss.
But he couldn’t.
He glanced again and slowly withdrew his eyes.
He wasn’t in a hurry.
Though it might seem a little mischievous, he knew Fan Qing would be more impatient than him.
He just needed to wait for Fan Qing to surprise him.
It was a bit different from the usual way of dating, but… sweeter.
Nie Luo thought that, curling a small smile.
Yuan Jing, talking to Fan Qing, accidentally noticed and paused slightly.
Huh?
That expression Nie Ge just made… it looks familiar somehow?
He instinctively glanced at Fan Qing.
Fan Qing, looking deeply thoughtful, had the same curve on his lips. Not exactly identical, but perfectly aligned.
Yuan Jing’s excitement from the visit suddenly cooled.
Only then did he slowly realize—could it be that Manager Fan’s visit wasn’t really just to check on him?
Ugh… reality really is cruel… full of dog food flavor!
Things on Yuan Jing’s end weren’t too bad.
After the visit, Fan Qing got info on another bodyguard for surveillance.
After Shang Gaoyun’s last move, Fan Qing had someone give him a little “warning.”
Maybe it was Jin Si’s influence, but while Shang Gaoyun’s intelligence said he was privately furious, publicly he had at least calmed down.
Fan Qing thought for a bit and decided to keep that bodyguard on the set.
Even if Yuan Jing didn’t need him, having someone around Nie Luo was a bonus.
With Yuan Jing’s problem handled, things with Teng Huang were also looking up.
After winning third place, Fan Qing had spoken with Hua Er. Hua Er ultimately declined the company’s suggestion to debut as a duo with another artist, choosing to go solo.
Fan Qing wasn’t surprised.
Although Hua Er wasn’t under his management, most of the company’s talents were overseen by him, so he knew a little about Hua Er’s situation.
Yuan Jing and Hua Er seemed to know each other before joining the company, and their relationship was fairly good.
During the competition for Shining, Hua Er often looked out for Yuan Jing, especially when Yuan Jing was attacked by online trolls—Hua Er was always there cheering him on.
The problem was, they weren’t the only ones competing.
Besides them, there were two other company trainees.
Since Hua Er cared for Yuan Jing, he couldn’t spare attention for others.
And Hua Er performed well, which unintentionally made him the one being edged out.
Fan Qing knew this, but he had no intention of intervening.
If Hua Er wanted to grow, he needed to learn to handle such matters himself.
Besides, Fan Qing thought Hua Er going solo wasn’t a bad choice.
Though not as visually striking as Hua Zi, Hua Er’s stage presence was remarkable.
Once seen live, you couldn’t help but watch a video of him again.
After discussing with Hua Er, Fan Qing decided he would follow a singer’s path. Hua Er agreed, and lately, he was being rigorously trained by his vocal coach.
After handling these matters, Fan Qing suddenly realized:
He had free time.
He really did.
Even with the company idle, Nie Luo was filming an outdoor scene for three days.
For some reason, Fan Qing felt a little bored.
That shouldn’t happen, right?
How could he suddenly have nothing to do?
“How… so you came here just to entertain me?”
Jin Si’s tone rose slightly, his eyes narrowing. He looked exactly like the villain in a movie selling arms.
But those who knew him well understood the real meaning: Jin Si was in a good mood.
It seemed that he was pleased with the gift as well.
Fan Qing sat openly and confidently, even taking out a packet of Jin Si’s tea to brew.
“Big bro, it’s nothing—just a bit of free time, so I came to pay my respects.”
Jin Si’s eyes flicked toward him.
“Paying your respects with my tea?”
“Borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha—the sentiment’s the same.”
Fan Qing, thick-skinned as a fortress, really poured a cup for Jin Si.
Jin Si couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Brat, just this once. Next time, bring some decent tea yourself.”
This Fan Qing really was starting to resemble him a bit.
As for that other brat, Jin Yi… who knew what he did wrong when he was born? Clumsy as ever.
But watching the show was quite entertaining.
Jin Si took a sip of tea.
“Can’t bring any, tight on cash lately.”
Fan Qing didn’t comment.
He was indeed tight on cash. Nie Luo had plenty in his account, but men… sometimes had that inexplicable mindset—like buying clothes, watches, shoes, cars, houses for their own man with their own hands.
Basically, everything should be bought personally.
Like a hunter marking his own prey, Fan Qing was no exception.
“…Aren’t you getting money from Teng Huang? Isn’t that enough?”
Jin Si looked at him with amusement.
“Normally, it would be, but who told me I was dating the world’s number one boyfriend?”
Fan Qing’s words were audacious.
His corners of the mouth tugged upward in prideful delight.
Jin Si pressed his lips down.
“World’s number one?”
Fan Qing caught himself.
Though…?
He exchanged a slightly awkward look with Jin Si.
“…Although Cheng-ge is excellent, Nie Luo is clearly number one, right? He’s the No.1 in the hearts of millions of fans—that’s an objective fact.”
Jin Si scoffed.
“You talk about objectivity with me?”
When it came to the word “boyfriend,” he refused to lose.
He straightened a bit.
Fan Qing, who had been slouched, also sat up.
The two stared at each other for three seconds, then simultaneously spoke:
Fan Qing: “Nie Ge can sing—singing, he’s the best in the world.”
Jin Si: “A-Cheng can massage—skills, best in the world.”
Zzzzt.
Like a spark of electricity flashed between their gazes.
Fan Qing: “Nie Ge can act—already won Best Actor.”
Jin Si: “A-Cheng’s work ability is world-class, you’ve surely felt it.”
Heh.
Hmph.
Fan Qing: “Nie Ge’s appearance is number one—you can’t deny that, big bro.”
Jin Si snorted. “In my eyes, A-Cheng is the most handsome.”
Damn!
Tch.
Fan Qing let out a cold laugh. “Nie Ge’s 22.”
Jin Si: ?
He smiled coldly. “A-Cheng can last two hours.”
He paused, then added, “On top.”
Fan Qing: ?
Wait… what does that even mean?
Jin Si met his gaze, expressionless.
He just liked it when A-Cheng took the initiative—so what?
They fell silent, staring at each other.
Half a minute later.
Fan Qing finished the last sip of tea and stood.
“I’m leaving.”
Jin Si finished his cup and lay back down.
“Don’t come again unless necessary.”
The moment Fan Qing stepped out, both of their minds had the same thought:
Fan Qing: Nie Ge really is the best.
Jin Si: A-Cheng is the best.
Elsewhere.
Yao Ge put down the clothes he’d worked on overnight and rubbed his eyes.
Finally, they were done!
He let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Looking at the finished garments, he took out his phone and sent Fan Qing a message.
He decided to go to that reunion.
He’d heard that one of his teachers would attend.
Yao Ge wasn’t particularly interested in classmates’ reunions, but he respected this professor from university.
This teacher had helped him a lot on his design path, and he wanted to pay his respects.
Fan Qing read the message and raised an eyebrow.
Yao Ge?
A class reunion?
This kid might really be missing some common sense.
How would he even introduce himself there?
“As the guy who custom-makes lingerie for others?”
Yikes.
Fan Qing felt a sudden surge of amusement.
Not that he minded—he was genuinely curious to see it.