IOLYF Chapter 26

After filling his stomach, Mo Ming went to soak in the bathtub.

His whole body submerged in the warm water, Mo Ming had a towel on his head and his eyes closed as he lazily leaned against the smooth white bathtub. He felt so relaxed that every pore in his body seemed to stretch open in comfort.

Han Shao Zhou was tidying up the dining table but suddenly grew impatient halfway through. He tossed aside the rag and headed straight for the bathroom.

That vague comment Mo Ming had made still bothered him, like a splinter he couldn’t quite remove. It irritated him that he couldn’t figure out the meaning behind it, leaving him unable to express his frustration clearly.

The bathroom door was abruptly pushed open, startling Mo Ming into opening his eyes.

Seeing Han Shao Zhou’s gloomy face as he approached, Mo Ming felt a bit guilty. He sank deeper into the tub, so that only his eyes peeked out above the water. Through the steam, those eyes shone nervously as they watched Han Shao Zhou.

Han Shao Zhou began to undress while casually saying, “Everything’s a mess. I’ll have the cleaning service come tomorrow.”

Stripped bare, Han Shao Zhou stepped into the tub. Mo Ming turned around, ready to get out, but Han Shao Zhou grabbed him from behind.

Mo Ming’s hands rested on the edge of the tub as he spoke in a pitifully small voice, “Shao Zhou, I can’t tonight…”

“What do you take me for? A beast? You think I’d make a move while you’re still sick?” Han Shao Zhou pressed his broad chest against Mo Ming’s smooth, warm back. The heat radiating from Mo Ming’s body melted away most of the frustration inside him. He held Mo Ming tighter, resting his chin on Mo Ming’s neck. “Let me just hold you for a while. Be good. I’ll keep you warm… or cool you down.”

Mo Ming chuckled softly, “So are you warming me up or cooling me down?”

Han Shao Zhou, teased by the laugh, felt a tickle in his heart. He shifted Mo Ming in the water so that Mo Ming was sitting in his lap, completely enclosed in his arms. This feeling of holding him tightly, of having him fully in his embrace, relaxed him. He let his hands rest lazily on either side of the tub.

Mo Ming leaned back against Han Shao Zhou’s chest, tilting his head up slightly to plant a kiss on Han Shao Zhou’s chin. He asked gently, “Are you still mad at me?”

Han Shao Zhou chuckled, “If you keep trying to charm me like this, not only will I not be mad, I’ll spoil you even more. Understand?”

Mo Ming nodded enthusiastically.

Han Shao Zhou smiled without saying more, leaning down to kiss Mo Ming’s hair.

This little guy had already figured out exactly what he meant…

After a night of rain, the weather turned colder.

Mo Ming sat in the study, clutching a thermos as he stared at his computer screen. He sat there silently for half the afternoon.

The uproar over Xia Qing had mostly died down. The passionate but ruthless online crowd had already grown tired of this story, which had no follow-up, and had moved on to the next round of gossip.

Although Hongyi Media hadn’t made an official statement about Xia Qing’s situation, based on what Mo Ming had gathered, he was almost certain that Hongyi had given up on Xia Qing.

In the entertainment industry, when a company decides to freeze an artist, they usually don’t even bother to issue a formal announcement. The artist simply disappears from the public eye, fading away into obscurity until they are completely forgotten…

Mo Ming bit his finger, his gaze on the computer screen growing colder…

Xia Qing would rather quit the entertainment industry altogether than admit to the public the incident from years ago, where he framed someone else.

The more Xia Qing refused to speak, the more it proved that what happened back then wasn’t simple.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

The person who arrived was polite and cordial, introducing himself as a servant of the Han family. He said he had been sent by Young Master Han to deliver some items.

He simply went about his business without asking anything about Mo Ming’s identity, instead instructing the others to bring in the items—large bags, gift boxes, even wooden crates. It was like ancient times, where tribute was being presented to royalty, leaving Mo Ming stunned.

“Where should we place these items?” the man in charge asked.

Mo Ming quickly led the way.

In the spacious high-end apartment, there were plenty of empty rooms. Mo Ming directed them to leave the items in one of the unused, empty rooms, then stepped aside to call Han Shao Zhou.

“Yeah, I asked them to send it over.” Han Shao Zhou said over the phone, while he flipped through some documents his subordinates had delivered. “Don’t feel pressured by it. Just think of it as helping Grandpa clear out some old stock. He’s been telling me to take those things to boost my health for a while now, but I never bothered. Since you like them, I thought I’d send them over for you.”

“There’s so much. I can’t possibly finish it all.”

“Just pick what you like to eat. No more snacking on junk food. These are gifts from people to Grandpa, so they’re all high-quality stuff.”

At that moment, the man in charge approached Mo Ming.

He explained that some of the items were precious medicinal foods that required special preparation techniques, so they needed to leave behind a chef. He introduced a slightly chubby middle-aged man, one of Han Laoyezi’s private chefs, listing off a series of impressive-sounding titles and achievements.

Han Shao Zhou overheard this part of the conversation on the phone.

“No need.” Han Shao Zhou said to Mo Ming. “Tell him to leave. We don’t need him around. If you ever want something special, just call him over to cook it on the spot.”

Han Shao Zhou had never been particular about food or luxury, and he wasn’t used to people fussing over him. He preferred his private time with his beautiful little lover, and the presence of anyone else in the apartment would only annoy him. That’s why he didn’t even hire a housekeeper, instead opting for a cleaning service to come by periodically.

Mo Ming relayed Han Shao Zhou’s message. The chef handed Mo Ming a business card, promising that he would come at any time with just a phone call.

With that, the group of five or six people left in a hurry. Mo Ming closed the door and realized his call with Han Shao Zhou was still connected. The occasional sound of rustling papers came through the phone.

“Can I open them all, Shao Zhou?” Mo Ming asked, stepping into the room full of “tributes” his eyes sparkling with excitement. He loved unboxing surprises.

“It’s all yours. What do you think?”

“Thanks, Shao Zhou.” Mo Ming said sweetly, his eyes twinkling like a cat surrounded by dried fish. He sat down cross-legged amidst the boxes, joyfully adding, “And thanks to Grandpa too.”

The way Mo Ming casually called him “Grandpa” made Han Shao Zhou feel particularly warm inside. He chuckled and teased, “Who said you could call him Grandpa? What, are you my grandpa’s grandson-in-law now, copying me and calling him that?”

“…”

Hearing the silence on the other end, Han Shao Zhou couldn’t help but think back to Mo Ming’s vague comment from last night. He realized he shouldn’t always say things that crushed any hope or left no room for imagination.

“If you want to become my grandpa’s grandson-in-law, you still have some work to do.” Han Shao Zhou teased, chuckling. “Keep trying.”

The sound of boxes being unwrapped came through the phone, and it was clear that Mo Ming had already gotten busy unboxing his “blind boxes.”

With work still on his plate, Han Shao Zhou didn’t linger on the phone. He quickly ended the call.

As soon as the conversation ended, another call came in on Mo Ming’s phone.

It was Xiao Song.

Mo Ming answered, switching to speakerphone so he could keep unboxing the large package in his hands.

Xiao Song called to inform Mo Ming that the filming for the variety show had been postponed.

The adventure show, which was originally scheduled to film this Saturday, had already been delayed due to Xia Qing’s sudden removal from the cast. Now, because of the availability of a special guest, the show was pushed back even further.

Secret Quest was a hugely popular adventure show among young viewers. The regular cast consisted of five members, with four guest stars featured in each episode. The show had already completed two seasons, with each gaining more popularity. Now, with season three in the works, the guest lineup for the first episode was drawing particular attention. To ensure high ratings and create buzz, the production team had carefully selected the guests and designed the games to stand out…

For the upcoming episode, the production’s main gimmick was a CP pairing of two male actors, both of whom had gained massive popularity from starring in a BL drama. Since both actors were still new to the industry and didn’t have a solid body of work to stand on, their respective companies had agreed to capitalize on their fame through a joint marketing strategy. The show planned to milk the CP for all it was worth. However, now…

Xiao Song suspected the production team had done this on purpose.

“Mo Ge, the production team invited Wen Ci.” Xiao Song said, his tone complicated. “I overheard the assistant director talking to Director Nan’s assistant in the restroom. Mo Ge, did you know? Wen Ci divorced Gao Chen, and now he’s making a comeback. Director Nan and the assistant director personally flew to Y Country to sign him on behalf of Xingci. They said this variety show will be his official comeback.”

“When’s the new date?”

“Huh? They said it’s postponed to mid-month. But, Mo Ge, you need to hear me out. I spoke to Director Nan’s assistant separately, and he secretly told me that Wen Ci didn’t initially want to do this kind of variety show, which trades on an artist’s image. But the production team offered him a hefty fee and promised to portray him in the best possible light. I heard they even wrote up an entire page of promises just for Wen Ci, and that’s why he finally agreed. Just this morning, before Wen Ci even returned to Chuanhai, Director Nan signed the recording contract with the production team on his behalf.”

“Xiao Song, this is someone else’s business arrangement. You’re my assistant.”

“Mo Ge, you’re being too calm about this. Don’t you get what I’m saying? The production team didn’t just invite Wen Ci for his past popularity. They’re deliberately trying to stir up drama between you and Wen Ci. Remember that awful trending topic comparing you to a ‘low-budget version’ of Wen Ci? This variety show will only put you and Wen Ci in the same frame…”

Right now, Xiao Song didn’t even want Mo Ming to participate in this show. The company, having failed to promote Mo Ming successfully, was probably hoping to use him as a stepping stone for Wen Ci’s comeback. The production team wasn’t being fair either. After promising Wen Ci all that preferential treatment, when they filmed scenes with Mo Ming and Wen Ci together, Mo Ming would undoubtedly end up as the show’s punching bag.

Xiao Song was practically on the verge of tears for his Mo Ge. Used as a stand-in for such a powerful figure like Han Shao Zhou, with no career benefits to show for it, and now being reduced to a stepping stone for his rival’s comeback—why was the world being so cruel to his Mo Ge?

“Mo Ge…” Xiao Song said earnestly, “Let’s pull out of this. The production team already pushed back the filming, so we have grounds to protest. It might be a bit of a hassle for Director Nan, but it’s okay, Mo Ge. Just take a little heat from Director Nan. I’m sure she’ll help you…”

“Xiao Song, you’re overreacting. I’m just going to film a variety show, not going to war.” There was no way Mo Ming was going to cause any more trouble for Xi Nan. Over the past year at Xingci, he had already been grateful for all the support she had given him.

Besides, this wasn’t enough reason for him to pull out. Xiao Song’s tone, as if he were preparing for a life-or-death situation, only left Mo Ming feeling puzzled.

On the other end of the line, Xiao Song fell silent for a long while before suddenly speaking with determination. “Mo Ge, hang in there. That adventure show is all about intelligence, not popularity. Mo Ge, I believe you’ll be the MVP of that episode.”

Mo Ming, who had just opened a black-and-gold box, couldn’t help but laugh. “What makes you say that? As long as I complete the filming, that’s enough.”

“Mo Ge, don’t be mad when I say this…” Xiao Song lowered his voice and spoke mysteriously, “You have this aura that makes others around you unlucky. I mean it—every time you’ve worked with another actor, whoever’s the most popular ends up with the worst outcome. I’m serious. Over this past year, I’ve been observing you closely, and Mo Ge, you definitely have that kind of aura…”

“…”

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