I have no excuse why this is late.
Pei Yan’s mind was filled with thoughts of returning to bed with Qi Feng. He didn’t think carefully about the name of the caller.
Annoyed, he said, “Who the hell are you? Let Cheng Yu take the call.”
Su Qiao was taken aback. Already nervous, his words came out jumbled, “It’s, it’s me. I’m Su Qiao. Pei Yan, don’t you…remember me?”
When he uttered the last sentence, there was a slight tremor of nervousness in his voice.
“Su Qiao.”
Pei Yan’s expression froze for a moment as he tried to remember who this person was. But his first reaction was to look back at Qi Feng in the bedroom to see if the boy had noticed anything.
He lowered his voice and asked, “Why is it you? Where’s Cheng Yu?”
“He’s next to me. Pei Yan, all these years…how have you been?”
Su Qiao’s voice flowed smoothly and calmly like a creek.
Worried that Qi Feng would wake up and see his connection with Su Qiao, Pei Yan impatiently interrupted him, “Just so-so. Let Cheng Yu take the call.”
The righteous need not fear ghosts knocking at their door. He had nothing to do with Su Qiao anymore. If it wasn’t for Song Zhe bringing it up, he would have forgotten all about it himself.
Yet for some reason, he was especially afraid of Qi Feng hearing about this matter.
On the other end of the line, Su Qiao’s face turned pale as he held the phone.
Finally, he pursed his lips and handed the phone to the man next to him.
Cheng Yu looked at Su Qiao’s expression and lazily laughed into the phone, “Pei Yan, long time no see.”
Pei Yan clicked his tongue in annoyance. “Don’t go giving out my number to other people.”
Other people?
Cheng Yu glanced at Su Qiao’s unhappy face, and made a guess about what was going on. Meaningfully, he said, “I thought I was doing you a favor.”
Pei Yan felt inexplicably uneasy and looked back at the sleeping Qi Feng in the other room for the third time. Lowering his voice, he cursed, “Bullshit. Doing me a favor. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up now. I’m going back to sleep!”
Cheng Yu responded, “Alright, see you when we get back to the country.”
After hanging up, Cheng Yu looked at the unhappy Su Qiao and smiled gently, “What’s wrong? Feeling disappointed?”
Su Qiao gave a self-deprecating, soft scoff. “Looks like not everyone is as sentimental as I am. Pei Yan has probably forgotten all about me.”
“Don’t rush to conclusions just yet.”
Cheng Yu stroked his finger over the mole under Qi Feng’s lips in the photo and said meaningfully, “Whether he remembers or forgets, we’ll find out when we see each other face to face when we get back.”
—
After Ning Yufei sent the photos to the tabloid reporters through Zhang Peng, he started obsessively checking his phone, wanting to see Qi Feng get cursed out all over the internet.
But nothing happened all night.
Another day passed, and still no news online about Qi Feng and Pei Yan. The photos were like stones sinking into the sea, calm and quiet.
On the contrary, more and more positive comments about Qi Feng kept emerging.
For example:
【Have you noticed how beautiful Qi Feng’s hands look when he plays the guzheng?】
【Ahhhhh finally someone noticed how gorgeous Qi Feng’s hands are!! That shoot he did last year for his first time modeling for Yipin Men’s Wear, his hands were amazing then too. Just his hands alone, I could love him forever.】
【The main thing is that his face is too good-looking, it’s easy to overlook his hands.】
【I heard Qi Feng will be doing a livestream soon for Gourmet Boutique, I’m definitely going to pay close attention to his hands this time!】
【I can’t wait already!】
…
The more Ning Yufei read, the more jealous he became. He whispered angrily to Zhang Peng, “Did you really send those photos to the reporters? How come there’s been no news after two days!”
Zhang Peng didn’t dare meet his eyes and mumbled, “Maybe the media company has connections with President Pei, so they handled it privately. After all, someone like President Pei must have wide connections…”
That was a possibility.
Ning Yufei suddenly became frightened and grabbed Zhang Peng’s sleeve, asking sharply, “Did you expose who you are?”
Zhang Peng avoided his gaze. “No, I didn’t.”
Too agitated and angry, Ning Yufei failed to notice anything off about Zhang Peng’s response.
“As long as you didn’t reveal yourself, that’s fine.”
He gripped his coffee cup tightly and sneered coldly, “Qi Feng, you’ve really cozied up to someone powerful now, huh. Forget it…I’ll look for another chance in the future.”
Zhang Peng secretly felt the voice recorder in his pocket and said, “I just received a notice from the company saying the spokesperson for Donghai Investments has been confirmed. It’s…Qi Feng. Today, the two sides will sign a contract at the company.”
With a swoosh, Ning Yufei crushed the paper coffee cup in his hand. Scalding hot coffee splashed all over his hand and clothes.
Zhang Peng hurriedly grabbed him and said anxiously, “Yufei-ge, did you burn yourself? Come over here quick and rinse it under cold water.”
The burn stung Ning Yufei’s hand, and he could no longer contain the fiery anger inside him.
He forcefully pushed Zhang Peng away and yelled, “Damn you! Do you even know how to make coffee properly, making it so hot like this! There’s something wrong with you!”
Zhang Peng stammered, “S-sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
Ning Yufei threw the crushed coffee cup at him.
The remaining coffee inside splashed onto Zhang Peng’s newly bought pants, immediately creating a large dark wet stain.
The scalding heat penetrated the thin fabric, painfully searing his thigh.
Zhang Peng’s face turned ashen.
He bent down to pick up the paper cup, concealing the humiliation in his eyes, and said, “Sorry, I’ll grab you a change of clothes and an ice pack.”
Ning Yufei felt the stinging pain on his burnt hand. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed as he said, “My hand? Wait, you…where did you make that coffee just now?”
—
After all, Qi Feng’s advertisement contract with Donghai Investments was a major project worth 10 million.
Yifan Entertainment attached great importance to it and specially set up a contract signing ceremony in the company auditorium.
On Yifan’s side, they first held a banquet with the company’s hottest celebrities and Donghai Investment’s advertising representative to entertain the other party. Only after that would be the official contract signing.
Pei Yan didn’t come.
But the senior management responsible for external promotions did. In addition, there was another important figure present—the newly appointed head of the advertising department, Cheng Yu.
Cheng Yu was the son of Donghai Group’s Vice Chairman, Cheng Anming.
If Cheng Anming was second only to Pei Donghai, then Cheng Yu’s status and reputation at Donghai Investments was second only to Pei Yan. Both were considered the second generation elite and the future controllers of Donghai Investments.
Moreover, because their fathers were good friends, Pei Yan and Cheng Yu had grown up together since childhood. Their relationship was like brothers.
Yifan Entertainment’s senior management and artists all wished they could suck up to Cheng Yu immediately.
As a result, although this was Qi Feng’s contract signing ceremony with Donghai Investments, Yifan’s celebrities and agents were all busy fawning over Cheng Yu instead.
Cheng Yu had an easy-going temperament and treated everyone patiently. Combined with his looks, height, temperament—not inferior to any of the male celebrities present—he instantly won over everyone’s favor.
Several female celebrities could barely conceal their eagerness to impress Cheng Yu in front of him, constantly striking elegant and charming poses.
On the other hand, today’s main character Qi Feng was squeezed to the outer edge, silently waiting for the official signing ceremony.
If he hadn’t kept his head down flipping through Donghai Investment’s previous spokesperson’s photobooks, he would have noticed Cheng Yu glancing his way several times while chatting and laughing with others, secretly sizing him up.
Ever since entering the venue, the first person Cheng Yu saw was Qi Feng.
He was outstanding and used to being doted on and looked up to since childhood. Just like now, everyone wanted to curry favor with him.
But that boy showed no interest in him. Hidden behind the crowd, the boy didn’t even look his way.
Of course, Qi Feng already had Pei Yan.
Why would he look twice at someone inferior to Pei Yan like him?
Cheng Yu smiled at everyone while hiding his jealousy in his eyes.
He gently said to the two female celebrities who kept hovering around him, “I’d like to chat with our company’s spokesperson for a bit. Do you mind giving us some space?”
His tone made it seem like he was asking for their permission—polite and refined.
The two female celebrities flushed and reluctantly made way, saying, “Mr. Cheng, please go ahead.”
At the same time, they looked at Qi Feng in the corner with envy and jealousy.
Qi Feng was fully absorbed in the photobook and was suddenly startled to hear a gentle, scholarly voice ask him, “Mr. Spokesperson, may I disturb you for a moment?”
He looked up to see a tall, gentle and refined man standing elegantly in front of him.
Qi Feng knew this was Donghai Investment’s Cheng Yu from the advertising department.
For a fleeting moment, he felt Cheng Yu looked somewhat familiar, but couldn’t remember where he had seen him before. He closed the photobook and politely said, “Hello, Mr. Cheng.”
Cheng Yu asked curiously, “Were you looking at previous spokespeople’s promotional materials from our company?”
Qi Feng answered truthfully, “Yes. I wanted to first understand the endorsement style of your esteemed company.”
Cheng Yu couldn’t help but praise, “As expected of someone our Chairman has an eye for. You’re so diligent about the endorsement, Donghai Investments is honored. As for the shooting style, everyone has their own unique flair. I’m certain Mr. Qi will be able to produce his own dazzling brilliance. ”
No one dislikes being praised by others.
Especially by someone like Cheng Yu.
His status was second only to Pei Yan. He was someone everyone present wished they could get close to. Yet he was speaking to Qi Feng with such humility and courtesy, causing Qi Feng to gain some goodwill towards him.
He reciprocated the courtesy and remained just as humble and refined, “Thank you for your high regard, Mr. Cheng. I will do my best to endorse your esteemed company well.”
The boy was as humble and refined as him, but his eyes were pure.
Like the clear waters of a creek, still transparent and unadulterated even after passing through countless dangerous rapids and rocks.
Cheng Yu was momentarily transfixed.
Just then, a girl holding a coffee cup walked over looking pale and nervous. As she passed by Qi Feng, she suddenly cried out “Ah!” and her body stumbled towards them.
She was holding a thick paper cup known for its excellent heat retention. Steam was rising steadily from the brim. It flew unerringly right at Qi Feng.
Everything happened too suddenly. Qi Feng had no time to react at all.
Just as the cup of coffee was about to splash onto him, Cheng Yu swiftly pulled Qi Feng towards himself and shouted, “Watch out!”
He didn’t even have time to pull Qi Feng away. Extremely quickly, he stretched out a hand to block the cup about to hit Qi Feng’s body.
With a swoosh, the freshly brewed scalding coffee spilled all over Cheng Yu’s hand.
Though able to endure pain, even he couldn’t help letting out a muffled groan as his brows knotted in agony.
Qi Feng was completely unharmed. Coming to his senses that Cheng Yu had saved him, he anxiously grabbed Cheng Yu’s burnt hand and cried out, “Mr. Cheng, you, you’ve been scalded!”
Cheng Yu’s expensive suit sleeve was stained a conspicuous brown. His slender yet strong hand was visibly turning red and swollen.
He clenched his teeth with knitted brows, looking at the girl who had fallen to the ground with a dark expression.
The girl’s face was ghastly pale as she looked at the injured man in fright, stammering fearfully, “M-Mr. Cheng? I, I didn’t mean it, I really didn’t…”
At the same time, the people at the banquet all crowded over:
“Mr. Cheng! Mr. Cheng!”
“Oh god, Mr. Cheng is burnt! Hurry, get some ice!”
…
Chaos ensued in the banquet hall.
Luckily, Yifan had a doctor on staff at all times.
The doctor rushed over to disinfect Cheng Yu’s wound, applied a layer of burn cream, then wrapped it securely under thick gauze. His wet clothes were also changed into a T-shirt with the Yifan Workshop logo.
Even though it was just a female Yifan employee scalding Cheng Yu’s hand with coffee, this was absolutely a terrifying matter that shook everyone at Yifan.
Yifan’s senior management, agents, celebrities, etc. were all busy profusely apologizing to Cheng Yu.
Some female celebrities were even dabbing at tears in front of Cheng Yu, expressing their heartache and distress.
Yet amidst the crowds, Cheng Yu was looking for Qi Feng’s figure.
When he saw the boy squeezed at the edge, peering worriedly at him through the people, Cheng Yu smiled.
At least he wasn’t ignoring him like before.
He called out over the crowd, “Qi Feng, are you alright? Did you get burnt?”
Everyone looked at Qi Feng in shock.
This young master actually still cared about the well-being of an unknown little celebrity even after being scalded??
Moreover, he got injured trying to save Qi Feng in the first place!!
Just what was so special about Qi Feng?!!
Qi Feng was also surprised. “I’m fine.”
Cheng Yu breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. If hands as beautiful as yours got burnt, your fans who love watching you play guzheng would definitely be heartbroken.”
“Oh, I forgot to mention earlier—”
Cheng Yu smiled, “I’m actually also your fan. I love listening to your guzheng music.”
The moment he said this, everyone present looked at Qi Feng enviously.
Especially those female celebrities from earlier. Their envious eyes were practically bulging out. They wished they could immediately learn to play the guzheng elegantly to impress Cheng Yu.
Qi Feng was pleasantly surprised, then relaxed.
“Thank you for shielding me earlier. I owe you a favor this time. I’ll repay you in the future.”
“Being owed a favor by my idol, I’m even more honored now.”
Cheng Yu tilted his head to look at the boy. “We’re short on time, let’s go sign the contract. We’ll be cooperating from now on, remember to repay me.”
His excellent demeanor made him seem like a big brother with a very good temper, warm and gentle.
Qi Feng couldn’t help smiling along with him. “Yes, of course.”
Next was going through the contract signing process.
The lawyers and representatives from both sides sat on opposite sides of the table. They read out the contract terms and details on profit distribution, confirming there were no objections from both parties before stamping and signing.
After it ended, they shook hands and applauded.
Just as Cheng Yu and Qi Feng were about to shake hands, Cheng Yu’s phone suddenly rang.
He apologetically explained to those around him, “Sorry, it’s a call from an acquaintance. I have to take this first.”
Since the contract was already signed, Yifan’s senior management didn’t dare disturb Cheng Yu’s personal matters and tactfully gave him space.
Qi Feng had just turned to leave when he heard Cheng Yu say into the phone:
“Su Qiao, what do you need from me?”
“You’re looking for Pei Yan? I already gave you his address, didn’t I?”
Pei Yan?
Hearing Pei Yan’s name, Qi Feng’s footsteps halted involuntarily.
Cheng Yu continued smiling into the phone, “Anyway, we’ll be seeing Pei Yan a lot in the future. What’s the hurry? We’re old classmates, there’ll inevitably be gatherings and whatnot.”
“I’m busy now, let’s talk another time.”
After hanging up, Cheng Yu apologized again to Qi Feng. He also helplessly sighed, “I just started at the company, yet I have to deal with relationship troubles for our President Pei already. It can’t be helped.”
Relationship troubles?
Qi Feng’s heart thudded violently.
Cheng Yu went on, still smiling, “You probably don’t know our little President Pei yet, but working together in the future, you’ll get a chance to meet the guy. He has a bad temper, so speak cautiously when you see him.”
He and Pei Yan’s relationship was known by very few people.
The Cheng Yu before him didn’t know either.
Qi Feng nodded and suppressed his urge to ask questions.
But Cheng Yu’s next words still spoke the answer he was wondering about.
He said, “The caller just now is named Su Qiao. He was someone Pei Yan liked in his youth. I wonder how their reunion after all these years will go.”
Qi Feng’s expression changed, his body swaying slightly.
Cheng Yu had been watching the boy’s reactions the entire time. When the boy swayed, he swiftly reached out to steady his arm and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you tired?”
Gentle, polite, refined.
Even when holding the boy’s arm, he maintained a proper, non-intrusive distance, easy to let one’s guard down around.
Especially with one hand wrapped in bandages.
“It’s nothing.”
Qi Feng swiftly composed himself and said, “Sorry, I’m fine now. Thank you.”
Cheng Yu was still full of concern. “You seem a bit tired. Should I have someone drive you home?”
Qi Feng calmly shook his head. “My assistant will drive me. Thank you for your kind intentions, Mr. Cheng.”
“I see.”
Cheng Yu gave Qi Feng his business card and said gently, “This is my personal card. If you need help with anything, please come find me. I’d be honored to help my idol in any way.”
When leaving, Cheng Yu was still reluctant. “I really enjoyed today and look forward to working with you in the future. Qi Feng, until we meet again.”
Qi Feng’s lips finally curved into a faint smile. “Until we meet again.”
—
Outside in the hallway, Fang Cheng had already heard about Cheng Yu scalding his hand on coffee during the banquet.
He anxiously waited and upon seeing Qi Feng, hurried over and asked, “Xiao Feng, are you okay? You didn’t get burnt, did you?”
“I’m fine.”
Qi Feng looked in the direction of the crowd ushering Cheng Yu away and said, “Mr. Cheng shielded me. He was the one burnt.”
Fang Cheng exclaimed, “I heard about that too! Thank goodness he blocked it for you. Mr. Cheng is so kind, working together in the future will be smooth sailing for sure.”
“Yes, thank goodness…”
Qi Feng looked at his unharmed hand and said, “But now I owe him a favor.”
Fang Cheng said unconcernedly, “Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of chances to repay him when collaborating with Donghai Investments in the future. More importantly now…”
Fang Cheng stealthily leaned in by Qi Feng’s ear and whispered, “The employee who scalded Mr. Cheng is Xu Qi. I went to the lounge to get you water that day, and only she was in there. Could she be…”
“I know.”
Qi Feng laughed coldly, “I was the target to begin with.”
“I knew it!”
Fang Cheng was so angry his teeth itched. He stamped his foot, about to go confront Xu Qi.
Qi Feng said, “Don’t go. Don’t alert the snake in the grass. She has someone else behind her.”
Fang Cheng cried out in shock, “Someone else? What person wants to harm you?”
Before being completely certain he could handle a matter well, Qi Feng would not easily divulge it to others. Ning Yufei’s situation was something Pei Yan was helping him deal with originally, and he hadn’t told Fang Cheng anything. Fang Cheng knew nothing.
But Pei Yan…
Thinking of Cheng Yu’s phone call and the things he said— “someone he liked in the past”, “reunion after many years”.
His usually calm self now had such chaotic emotions that even he couldn’t make sense of it all. Anger, suppression, irritation, not wanting to see Pei Yan, yet also wanting to know if he would…
Unable to settle these feelings, Qi Feng turned and walked away, as if wanting to escape. “You’ll know in the future. I’m tired, going home first.”
He emphasized again to Fang Cheng, “My home.”
Fang Cheng hurriedly asked, “You’re not going to President Pei’s place? He said he wanted to celebrate your Donghai Investments contract signing with you tonight!”
With his back to him, Qi Feng’s voice was cold and detached, “I told you, I’m tired.”
Author’s note:
Pei Yan: F**k this plot against me!
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you want to show your support, you can buy me a coffee. It would make my day! For every five coffees I get, I will release a bonus chapter.
