On New Year’s Eve, Lu Lianning couldn’t finish a single game. He sat cross-legged on the living room floor, feeling restless.
Despite the loud game sound effects, he could still hear Chen Miao chopping vegetables in the kitchen.
The noise was irritating.
When the blood-red “Game Over” flashed across the screen again, he lost all patience and exited the game entirely.
As soon as he closed it, the massive screen switched to the Spring Festival Gala, which was airing on every channel. Everything was bathed in festive, bustling red as the hosts delivered New Year’s greetings.
Lu Lianning glanced behind him and saw Chen Miao emerging with a pot of soup, some flour smudged on the apron he wore.
The hand he had raised to turn off the TV hesitated, and instead, he stood up and moved to sit at the dining table.
Chen Miao quickly returned to the kitchen, brought out two bowls, and filled one to the brim for Lu Lianning, placing it in front of him.
The white porcelain pot was filled with plump dumplings floating on the surface. For once, Lu Lianning didn’t offer any critical remarks.
The TV in the living room had switched to a large-scale song and dance performance, and the two of them ate their dumplings in silence.
It was an odd atmosphere—both lonely and festive.
Lu Lianning’s eyes subtly wandered to Chen Miao’s face. He thought to himself that this plain, utterly ordinary Beta was crafty.
He was only 22 years old, yet this man was trying to create the illusion of a “warm home” to deceive him. As if he could ever be fooled by such a facade!
Lu Lianning scoffed inwardly, then raised his empty bowl, having finished every dumpling, and commanded, “Another bowl.”
Even though the soup pot was right in front of him, closer to him than to Chen Miao, he still insisted on being served.
Chen Miao didn’t say a word, simply complying and filling his bowl once more.
After dinner, Lu Lianning grew bored and insisted that Chen Miao play a game with him. Chen Miao, not skilled at gaming, lost several rounds, but at least Lu Lianning seemed to be in a better mood.
It was late when Chen Miao cautiously reached for his coat hanging by the door as if trying not to draw attention. But just as he grabbed it and turned around, he found Lu Lianning staring directly at him.
Chen Miao gave a helpless smile and slowly set the thick down jacket back. “Lu-ge, I won’t take it. If you’re worried, you can throw it away.”
He wore only a thin sweater with frayed cuffs. After bending down to pick up the two trash bags, he made his way to the door.
He had barely taken two steps when Lu Lianning called out. Standing up, Lu Lianning tossed the jacket back at him. “This is the last time! You want to go out like that and freeze yourself sick just so you can take a day off tomorrow!”
Chen Miao quickly caught the jacket and put it on, flashing a big toothy smile. “Thank you, Lu-ge.”
Lu Lianning waved him off impatiently. “Get out of here.”
Chen Miao walked to the gate, threw the trash into the large bin, and stuffed his hands into his pockets as he headed back to his shabby rented apartment. Halfway there, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He pulled it out and saw a message from Lu Lianning, reminding him not to forget to come over and cook the next day.
Despite rarely attending events outside of rehearsals, Lu Lianning occasionally promoted his shows when in a good mood.
After the New Year, Chen Miao traveled with him to a few places. During that time, Lu Lianning didn’t accept any new scripts, and Gu Chen barely contacted him. Nevertheless, his salary continued to arrive on time each month.
In mid-May, promotions for “Floating Jade” began, drawing a large crowd of Ye He’s fans. On stage, Lu Lianning stood beside him, responding to the host’s questions nonchalantly.
After the event ended that evening, Chen Miao waited for Lu Lianning in the dressing room. When the door finally opened, Chen Miao looked up, only to see Ye He, not Lu Lianning.
Recently, Ye He had been appearing on several variety shows, including some outdoor ones. He looked a bit thinner, and many fans online expressed their concern, urging his company to reduce his schedule so he could rest.
Chen Miao didn’t have a good impression of Ye He. Despite Ye He’s attractive appearance and impeccable manners, Chen Miao found it hard to like him after their last encounter—even if Ye He always appeared friendly and wore an approachable smile.
Chen Miao straightened slightly and said, “Lu-ge hasn’t come back yet.”
Ye He smiled at that. “I’m not here for him. Chen Miao, I’m here to see you.”
It was rare for Ye He to remember his name, leaving Chen Miao uncertain about his intentions.
“Is there something you need?”
Ye He’s smile deepened. “After tasting your cooking last time, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Lu Lianning is notorious in the circle for being difficult. Why not come work for me instead, Xiao Miao?1Xiao as in “little””
Xiao Miao? When did it become Xiao Miao?
A chill ran down Chen Miao’s spine. Something felt off about Ye He. He knew his own cooking skills, and for someone like Ye He to claim he couldn’t forget it was laughable.
It wasn’t unusual for Ye He to joke around, but why was he targeting him?
Seeing Chen Miao’s silence, Ye He remained composed. “I know you might have some misunderstandings about me, but I genuinely want you to work for me. I’m not as demanding as Lu Lianning, and I can offer you a higher salary.”
At that moment, Chen Miao raised his eyes slightly and asked, “How much higher?”
Ye He’s eyes lit up, sensing an opportunity. But just as he was about to answer, he was interrupted.
“What are you doing here!?” Lu Lianning burst into the room, glaring at Ye He as if he were an irritating pest.
Ye He seemed momentarily stung by the disdain in Lu Lianning’s gaze but maintained his composure, suppressing his smile as he deliberately said, “I was just talking to Xiao Miao about something.”
Xiao Miao!?
The way Ye He addressed Chen Miao disgusted Lu Lianning. His expression immediately turned cold, the displeasure in his eyes unmistakable. “Get out.”
Despite Lu Lianning’s harsh treatment, the newly awarded Best Actor, who had been gaining popularity and praise in the industry, didn’t get angry. Without a word, he turned and left.
However, the door slammed shut with considerable force.
As soon as the door closed, Lu Lianning loosened his tie and strode toward Chen Miao. Chen Miao stood up from the couch, feeling like a student caught skipping class by the dean.
“Why did you ask him to call you Xiao Miao?”
“I didn’t ask him to call me Xiao Miao,” Chen Miao replied earnestly.
“Then why did he call you that!?” Lu Lianning frowned. “Are you two in contact privately?”
Chen Miao shook his head. “No, no.”
Lu Lianning still cast an unfriendly glare at Chen Miao and added, “You better not be!”
Under that piercing gaze, Chen Miao felt like prey caught in the sights of a falcon. He tried to explain, “Really, I didn’t. I don’t know why he came in all of a sudden.”
Suddenly, Lu Lianning recalled what had happened before, and his expression grew even darker. It seemed he was ready to settle both old and new scores at once. “Why did you go to his tent when he called for you last time?”
“Back then, Lu-ge… you wouldn’t let me sleep with you…”
“Isn’t the reason I wouldn’t let you sleep with me because you’re too lewd and casual! Someone calls you, and you just go running to their tent!”
Chen Miao had no idea why this was being brought up again, and his scalp tingled with anxiety. He also felt humiliated by Lu Lianning’s words, his face flushing as he stammered in protest, “I didn’t…”
But Lu Lianning was already lost in his own accusations.
Chen Miao noticed the increasingly hostile look in his eyes and silently hoped he wouldn’t bring up that meal incident too.
Sure enough, Lu Lianning continued, “And you even went out of your way to bring him breakfast. Are you that idle? I pay you, and you’re cooking some crap for someone else!”
“I think you’re not busy enough!”
“Why didn’t he ask someone else’s assistant? Why you!?”
“And ‘Xiao Miao!’ How disgusting!”
As he repeated his accusations, his emotions escalated. He shook Chen Miao by the shoulders and interrogated, “Doesn’t it disgust you? Do you like it when he calls you that!?”
It wasn’t just a question; he wanted Chen Miao to agree with him.
Chen Miao, on the verge of breaking down, with sweaty palms, nodded frantically like a chicken pecking at rice. “Disgusting, it’s disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.”
