【You have been kicked from the livestream by the host.】
Pei Yan stared at the cold, heartless message for a good while, then burst out laughing as he slumped over his desk. Qi Feng had really kicked him out. He’d never seen someone so happy to reject money before – only Qi Feng would dare treat him like this. …..He was clearly enjoying it. Pei Yan laughed for a while, his mind filled with images of the boy pressing his lips together and calmly dragging his account out of the stream.
It was adorable. He wanted to go comfort him.
Banned viewers couldn’t immediately rejoin a stream, but that was alright. He quickly switched login methods and entered the stream again.
The boy was playing the guqin, eyes lowered in tranquil concentration. Pei Yan watched him silently, unwilling to disturb him. He couldn’t resist using his fingers to trace the image of the boy on the screen.
There was a knock at his office door.
Pei Yan’s finger paused. He muted the stream audio and resumed his usual cold demeanor. “Come in.”
His secretary entered holding a model portfolio. “President Pei, the advertising department wants to know which outfits you want to select for our company’s spokesperson.”
Pei Yan was curt. “Leave decisions like that to the advertising department.”
Intimidated by his aura, the secretary spoke cautiously. “It was Advertising Director Cheng who insisted I bring this to you. He said they’ve chosen designer Danna Su’s work for spokesperson Qi Feng, and ask that you select a collection suiting our company image from these options.”
“Once you’ve decided on a style, Mr. Su will come to discuss specific designs with the department tomorrow afternoon.”
Pei Yan didn’t know who Danna Su was. He only thought, “Shouldn’t the spokesperson himself come to choose what suits him best?”
“But….” The secretary hesitated. “We’ve always just selected outfits and notified spokespeople directly in the past.”
Pei Yan said, “What if our choice doesn’t satisfy him?”
Secretary: ???
With an endorsement fee of 10 million a year, what’s there to be unsatisfied about!?
“That’s settled then.” Pei Yan flipped through Danna Su’s portfolio. “Contact Yifan Entertainment and ask when the spokesperson is available to come select outfits with us.”
Secretary: ???
Check his schedule? As if he’s the president!
—
Qi Feng soon received notice to come to Donghai Investments’ advertising department to select endorsement outfits. They had scheduled it for five pm the next day, in accordance with his availability.
Fang Cheng came to pick him up. He was elated, gesturing excitedly. “They used to just send over pre-selected clothes. Now they’re setting aside time for you to choose personally. It shows how much Donghai values us – this is great!”
Qi Feng knew Pei Yan must have arranged it behind the scenes, but didn’t say anything.
Yet for some reason, he felt strangely nervous about going to Donghai Investments. He was worried about encountering Uncle Pei again. No one knew of his relationship with Pei Yan. It wouldn’t last forever – something would eventually end it. But in the meantime, if Uncle Pei found out he was secretly seeing Pei Yan, what would he do? Would Uncle Pei be very angry? Would he be disappointed in him?
Qi Feng clenched his fists, remaining silent for a long time.
Fang Cheng urged him, “Xiao Feng, there’ll be traffic. We should set off early.”
Ah well, he’d deal with it when the time came, Qi Feng thought, resigning himself to fate.
At Donghai Investments, the receptionist’s eyes shone when she saw him. In a hushed voice she gushed, “Wow, you’re Qi Feng! You’re even more handsome in person – I’m such a big fan!”
Qi Feng smiled at her from behind his mask, curving his pretty peach blossom eyes.
So handsome! So gorgeous!
The receptionist’s face immediately flushed red. But since it was work hours, she didn’t dare ask for an autograph. Barely maintaining the proper etiquette of a front desk employee, she said, “Please wait here – there aren’t many people around. I’ll notify the advertising department right away.”
Qi Feng nodded. “Thank you for your trouble.”
His voice was so nice too!
The receptionist was over the moon. She hurried off to make an intercom call.
Qi Feng had arrived earlier than expected. Pei Yan, Director Cheng, and designer Danna Su were not in the office yet. The receptionist served Qi Feng some refreshments and coffee to have while he waited in the lobby.
She finally met her favorite celebrity and was reluctant to leave. She enthusiastically stayed with Qi Feng and introduced him to what kind of spokespersons they had in the past.
Just then, several employees came rushing into the lobby and lined up at the entrance, ready to receive a big shot.
The receptionist whispered to Qi Feng, “It’s the Chairman and President Pei returning.”
Uncle Pei.
Qi Feng was suddenly alarmed. He glanced towards the lobby entrance.
At a glance, he saw the tall, imposing figure of Pei Junhai, followed by the equally cold-faced Pei Yan.
Qi Feng inexplicably began to panic.
He hadn’t felt this nervous upon last seeing Pei Junhai. But now, after all these days with Pei Yan, their hazy, unclear relationship… He didn’t dare let Uncle Pei find out about him and Pei Yan.
They shouldn’t have maintained such an ambiguous connection in the first place.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Pei Yan looking his way, gaze fixed on him as if unable to look away, dark and smoldering.
Qi Feng grew more anxious. He turned around and lifted his coffee cup to block their line of sight.
But he hadn’t expected Pei Junhai to notice him from so far away.
The cold-faced man paused, looking towards the slender figure on the sofa in surprise. He asked those with him, “Who’s that over there?”
Luckily the front desk employee was also present. She quickly explained, “Chairman Pei, that’s Qi Feng. He’s here today to discuss endorsement outfits with President Pei and Director Cheng.”
“Qi Feng.” Pei Junhai murmured the name, recalling the refined boy he’d met in the elevator. A rare gentleness crossed his stern face. “It’s him, is it? I’ll go over and chat with him.”
He also instructed his entourage, “He’s just a kid coming to endorse for us. Don’t neglect him.”
Those around him were shocked.
The Chairman really shouldn’t trouble himself over such minor reception matters. Even President Pei didn’t need to be involved – the advertising department could have just handled it directly.
Yet not only had President Pei specially set aside time from his busy schedule to receive Qi Feng, but now the Chairman wanted to speak with him too after just a glance.
Just what kind of background did this little star have?
They kept silent and stood in place, waiting for their superiors. Only Pei Yan’s eyes darkened as he watched his father’s suddenly affectionate behavior. He strode after Pei Junhai towards Qi Feng.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, Qi Feng grew increasingly apprehensive.
“Qi Feng?” Pei Junhai called gently from behind him.
Qi Feng’s cup shook, the coffee nearly spilling. He hastily stood and turned around. “C-Chairman Pei, hello.”
Flustered, avoiding Pei Yan’s gaze.
Like a child caught doing wrong, not daring to let his father know the truth.
“Did I startle you?” Pei Junhai chuckled good-naturedly. “Don’t be nervous. I just came by to see you. Why are you waiting here alone? Were my people negligent towards you?”
The receptionist panicked at once. She was responsible for reception – one complaint of ‘negligence’ and she’d be fired!
Of course, she hadn’t neglected Qi Feng. Not only had she brought him to the VIP lounge like any important client, but she’d indulgently served him the premium refreshments meant only for President Pei and the Chairman! If this didn’t qualify as proper service, was she supposed to have brought Qi Feng directly to President Pei’s office?
She looked pleadingly at Qi Feng for help.
“No, they’ve all been very responsible and treated me well,” Qi Feng explained on her behalf. “I had arranged with Director Cheng to meet at five pm. I’m early, that’s why I’m waiting here.”
His tone was calm and polite, his appearance gentle and agreeable. The more Pei Junhai looked at him, the fonder he felt.
“Good child. If you need anything….” Pei Junhai’s voice overflowed with affection.
He glanced back at the black-faced Pei Yan and turned away in distaste. Pointing instead to his secretary, he said, “Go to him if you have any requests – he’ll make the arrangements.”
The secretary understood Qi Feng’s position in the Chairman’s heart ever since he’d singled him out to be the spokesperson. Humbly offering Qi Feng his business card with both hands, he said, “Mr. Qi, please take my card. Let me know if you need anything – I’ll support your endorsement work at Donghai however I can.”
Qi Feng accepted the card, suppressing the complicated emotions inside him. He wanted to say thank you, but the two words were far from enough to repay Pei Junhai’s kindness.
Pei Junhai patted the boy on the shoulder again and said, “Do a good job, and all the endorsements of our Donghai Investment will be given to you in the future.”
The chairman’s words carry the weight of his words.
In other words, the endorsement of 10 million a year will always belong to Qi Feng in the future. Qi Feng no longer has to worry about anything in his life.
Fang Cheng almost jumped up with excitement. While bowing to thank him, he kept hinting at Qi Feng with his eyes.
Because Qi Feng didn’t say much since just now.
He was worried to death, for fear that Pei Dong would think he was ignorant and change his mind.
“Thank you…..”
“Uncle Pei….” The form of address slipped out before Qi Feng realized his mistake. Flustered, he looked to Pei Junhai. “I’m sorry, I….”
Pei Junhai was surprised into silence for a long moment. In the end, he found it especially endearing to be called ‘Uncle Pei’ by him, as if that was the natural way. His mood improved further. Laughing cheerfully, he said, “No problem, just call me that from now on.”
Pei Yan on the side saw his abnormal father, his face was so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip from his face.
He followed Pei Junhai into the elevator. In the enclosed, private space without other employees, he stood before Pei Junhai. Eyes clouded with frigid menace, he enunciated word-by-word in a low tone, “Dad, don’t tell me your sudden awakening in old age is because you saw a pretty boy you fancied.”
It took Pei Junhai a long time to grasp his son’s implication. Furious, he punched Pei Yan’s shoulder. “Pei Yan! You’re looking for a beating again! Watch that foul mouth!”
Pei Yan lightly patted where his father had struck. Voice cold with a warning, “You’d better not be.”
Pei Junhai was furious and punched him again.
Author's Notes:
Dog Yan, you’re crazy that you even get jealous of and fight with your father.
Next chapter, Qi Feng and Green Moonlight[mfn]Green Tea + White Moonlight lol[/mfn] meet, and drama ensues. Countdown to Qi Feng leaving.
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.
