At the Han family villa.
As soon as Han Shao Zhou entered the dining room, he saw the old man sitting at the table, wearing a smoke-gray Zhongshan suit, his face habitually bearing the profound and stern look that comes from decades of high authority.
“Morning.” Han Shao Zhou casually waved at the old man.
Despite being the sole heir of the prestigious Han family in Chuanghai, Han Shao Zhou wasn’t refined in the least. On the contrary, his twenty-seven years had been quite rough. Maybe it was because his parents died early, leaving him with a lack of spiritual growth. No matter how much elite education the old man tried to instill in him, he never developed that kind of dignified nobility that upper-class people have. It’s only in the past few years that he barely shed his unruly nature.
“Still remember to come back, huh?” Han Changzong glared at Han Shao Zhou, “I thought you considered me dead.”
“That’s a bit early.”
“…”
Han Changzong was seventy this year, but his health was still strong. Han Shao Zhou figured he could easily live another thirty years.
After washing his hands, Han Shao Zhou sat down across from the old man, picked up a shrimp dumpling, and stuffed it into his mouth. Speaking with his mouth full, he mumbled, “The filling is bland. Did we change chefs?”
Han Changzong wanted to scold him but held back, taking a deep breath before saying, “No, less salt for health.”
After a pause, he added, “If you want something different, you can ask the kitchen to make it.”
“No need, this is enough.”
Seeing Han Shao Zhou enjoying his meal, the sternness in Han Changzong’s expression softened a bit as he slowly picked up his chopsticks.
“Xiao Chen reported to me that the project in Nanyang is going well,” Han Changzong said slowly, “At least you didn’t embarrass me.”
“Mm.”
“I won’t interfere with the matters of your investment company.”
“Mm.”
Han Changzong stared at Han Shao Zhou’s short, jet-black hair, pondering for a moment before sighing, “Time flies so fast. You’re twenty-seven this year, aren’t you?”
Han Shao Zhou frowned, knowing that the pressure was coming again.
“Your Uncle Zhao’s friend’s son—I met him at a party the other day—he’s a good kid,” Han Changzong said leisurely. “Polite, well-spoken, and only two or three years younger than you.”
Seeing that Han Shao Zhou continued eating without any intention of responding, the old man’s face hardened, “Given your orientation, I don’t expect to have great-grandchildren in my lifetime. But I just hope you can settle down… You think you’re still young, but have you considered me? Do you want me to go to my grave with my eyes open?”
“You’ve got at least another thirty years before that,” Han Shao Zhou looked up, his thick eyebrows arching slightly. “I promise I’ll get married before I’m fifty-seven.”
The old man’s mouth twitched, the usual scolding words stopping at his lips. He felt that if he didn’t live another thirty years, it would definitely be because of this rebellious grandson in front of him.
After mulling it over for a while, Han Changzong sighed again and said, “I know you’ve been single for the past few years because you can’t let go of Wen Ci, right?”
Han Shao Zhou frowned, “Not this again. Can we not talk about it?”
“You’re the one who’s annoyed. Back when you almost emptied my collection trying to please Wen Ci’s parents, you weren’t so unhappy then, were you?”
“…You agreed to it.”
“That’s because you said it was an investment in marriage.”
“Well, I just made a bad investment.”
“You know you failed, so why haven’t you found a new investment target? If you find one, you can have free reign over the museum at home.”
“…”
Han Shao Zhou didn’t think he could out-argue the old man, but seeing the old man puffing his cheeks in frustration, he was worried that the stress might actually shorten his life.
He could understand the old man’s desire to see him settle down…
After all, the old man had endured great hardships to build a vast family empire. In his later years, he should have been enjoying the company of many children and grandchildren, but instead, he suffered the great sorrow of losing both his wife and son. The Han family might be prosperous, but behind closed doors, it was just him and his grandson. The old man didn’t care that his only heir liked men—he just hoped his grandson would start a family, adopt a bunch of great-grandchildren, and not spend every meal staring each other down like this…
But even if he understood, Han Shao Zhou couldn’t muster the energy for romance or marriage. That grand chase in his youth seemed to have drained him of much of his emotional capacity.
“Forget it. Let me tell you something,” Han Changzong said as calmly as he could. “Wen Ci’s family is moving back to Chuanghai.”
Han Shao Zhou was stunned and slowly looked up.
“His parents are planning to return to develop their business and have sought my help through intermediaries,” Han Changzong said. “You know, the Han family and the Wen family had no connection, but when you pursued Wen Ci, you forced a relationship between the two families. After Wen Ci got married, we basically cut ties. Now, you tell me, should I help them or not?”
The soft-boiled egg on Han Shao Zhou’s plate was crushed to pieces by his chopsticks. “Whatever.”
Han Changzong’s expression was complicated. He turned to the maid who was bringing in some pastries and said, “Go out for now, and I’ll call you back in later.”
After the maid left, Han Changzong cleared his throat, his expression turning a bit awkward. “So, Shaoxiu, let me ask you honestly, if Wen Ci weren’t in the picture, would you rather stay single for life?”
“Not this again.”
“Don’t get annoyed. I’ve thought about this a lot lately, and I think I can help you out.”
Han Shao Zhou frowned, “What do you mean?”
“I think Wen Ci is quite filial and would probably listen to his parents. If they’re asking me for help, I could set some conditions, like having Wen Ci divorce and get back with you…”
“Cough, cough, cough…!!”
Han Shao Zhou choked on his soup so hard that his hair practically stood on end, frantically waving his hand at the old man across from him.
“Stop! No way!”
“……”
“What era do you think this is? Forcing someone to divorce and get together with your grandson—how did you even come up with such a crazy idea?”
The old man’s face darkened. “It’s because of your stubbornness! If the alternative is to see you stay single forever, I’d rather lose face over it.”
“I’m way too young to be labeled as single for life.”
“Look at my age. I could fall and not get up again any day now. Have you thought about that?”
“……”
Han Shao Zhou really hadn’t expected the old man’s thoughts to get this extreme.
In the past, the old man would worry about him not settling down and scold him for being unfit for society. Now that he had gotten on the right path, the old man had focused all his firepower on his single status. Han Shao Zhou figured that in another couple of years, the old man would come up with even more underhanded tactics.
“Alright, how about this,” Han Shao Zhou said, putting down his chopsticks and speaking earnestly, “Grandpa, I promise you, within two years, I’ll bring back a well-behaved, sensible husband.”
“One year.”
“Fine, fine, one year it is.” Anything to buy some time.
The old man’s expression finally eased, and his eyes even held a hint of fondness as he looked at his grandson. “So, what do you think? Should I help Wen Ci’s parents or not?”
“You decide. I don’t have any thoughts on it.”
“Then I’ll help,” the old man mused. “Who knows, if Wen Ci really does get divorced, you might still have a chance.”
“……”
The magazine photoshoot ran until almost noon. With the photographer’s shout of “That’s a wrap.” a few beads of sweat trickled down from Mo Ming’s dark sideburns.
Mo Ming was relieved it wasn’t a film shoot, or his body wouldn’t have been able to take it.
He shouldn’t have gone so wild last night…
In the makeup room, Mo Ming leaned back on the sofa chair in front of the makeup mirror to rest. The photographer’s assistant, Fu Qiqi, handed him a cup of coffee, her eyes filled with subtle admiration.
In the past few years, many new actors had emerged in the entertainment industry, but Fu Qiqi had the highest hopes for Mo Ming. In terms of looks and acting skills, Mo Ming was definitely among the top of his generation. After working together, her fondness for him had only grown.
Mo Ming was incredibly cooperative, gentle in temperament, and very easy-going with the staff on set, even the passing cleaners.
Just then, Xiao Song came running in, his face glowing with excitement.
“Brother Ming, huge gossip!”
Xiao Song was Mo Ming’s personal assistant, a small but diligent guy with a good heart. He’d been with Mo Ming for a year and treated him like his own brother.
“Brother Ming, look at this.” Xiao Song shoved his phone in front of Mo Ming, “That Sun Chao…”
Before Xiao Song could finish, another female staff member rushed in, heading straight to Fu Qiqi and exclaiming, “Did you see Weibo? This can’t be real—how could Brother Chao be that kind of person?” She was a fan of Sun Chao, and her face was pale with shock.
Fu Qiqi quickly pulled out her phone.
—Breaking! Actor Sun Chao Caught in a Scandal, Surveillance and Payment Records Confirmed!
This news broke about fifteen minutes ago, spreading like wildfire across entertainment forums. An anonymous netizen leaked it, not only revealing surveillance footage but also posting screenshots of Sun Chao’s payment records at the club…
Sun Chao had been a rising star in recent years, with solid backing from powerful sponsors. But this sudden and explosive scandal hit him right in the Achilles’ heel of being a public figure. Even the strongest PR team could only try to control the narrative by deleting posts.
While Fu Qiqi’s face darkened, Xiao Song looked radiant.
A while ago, Sun Chao had starred in a popular historical drama, filmed and aired simultaneously. Mo Ming had played the second male lead, and the two had some friction during their four-month collaboration.
The minor success of the drama had boosted several actors’ careers, including Mo Ming, who gained recognition among a sea of newcomers.
Now, if the lead actor fell, the benefits Mo Ming reaped from the show would naturally be redistributed among the remaining cast, especially someone as outstanding as Mo Ming… Of course, Xiao Song was happy about that.
Mo Ming glanced at the glaring headline on Xiao Song’s phone, then simply nodded slightly before picking up the coffee on the table.
Xiao Song wanted to say something disparaging about Sun Chao, but Mo Ming stopped him.
“There are Sun Chao fans here,” Mo Ming quietly reminded him, “Don’t hurt their feelings.”
Xiao Song turned to see that the female colleague’s eyes were already red—clearly a devoted fan of Sun Chao. Fu Qiqi, on the other hand, was calm and patted her colleague’s shoulder, “Quit the fandom now. The quicker you leave, the less sadness will catch up to you.”
Unable to find solace, the colleague muttered, “I don’t believe it. I’m going to ask my contacts in the industry,” and then left the makeup room.
Fu Qiqi shrugged and told Xiao Song and Mo Ming, “To be honest, I’m an anti-fan of Sun Chao. If it weren’t for this colleague of mine, I wouldn’t have hidden it.”
Xiao Song laughed, “Why do you dislike Sun Chao, Sister Qiqi?”
“Because I’m a die-hard fan of Zhou Xu.”
Xiao Song was stunned… That singer who passed away three years ago?
Mo Ming lowered his head, blowing on the hot steam rising from his cup, his thick eyelashes falling softly like crow feathers.
“Anyone who smeared my Zhou Ge back then, I hate them all,” Fu Qiqi said, folding her arms as she leaned against a makeup table. “This is what Sun Chao deserves. He stepped on my Zhou Ge to rise to the top, and now he’s being trampled by the masses. Heh, I hope Xia Qing and the others also get their comeuppance. Eating my Zhou Ge’s blood-stained buns, bouncing around on variety shows every day—I just…”
Xiao Song: “…”
Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Fu Qiqi awkwardly laughed, “Haha, I was just joking. I’ll go check on my colleague before she cries herself silly…”
After Fu Qiqi left the makeup room, Xiao Song sighed, “I didn’t expect Zhou Xu to still have fans after three years.”
“Let’s go have lunch.” Mo Ming stood up, “I heard a new Western restaurant opened nearby. Let’s go together.”
“Wow, thanks, Brother Ming.”
In the afternoon, Mo Ming went back to the company. The adventure variety show he had voluntarily signed up for had already been arranged by his manager, Xi Nan. Mo Ming would participate as a guest for one episode.
By evening, he had signed the contract with the production team.
Mo Ming had only officially debuted a year ago when he signed with Xingci Entertainment, making him relatively new to the entertainment industry.
Apart from the manager whom Han Shao Zhou had contacted directly, almost no one knew that Mo Ming had entered Xingci through Han Shao Zhou’s connections. Within Xingci, there was only a rumor that Mo Ming was related to someone high up, which was why he received certain privileges, such as having the right to choose his work.
At six in the evening, Mo Ming opened the door to his apartment.
His waist was still sore; all he wanted was to take a hot bath and then sleep.
As soon as he opened the door, Mo Ming looked up and saw Han Shao Zhou, freshly out of the shower.
Han Shao Zhou had a towel wrapped around his waist, another towel in hand, roughly drying his hair. His tall figure was enveloped in steam, with a few drops of water glistening on his well-toned chest before trailing down along the lines of his sexy V-shaped muscles and disappearing into the towel…
“You’re back.” Han Shao Zhou casually draped the towel over his head and walked up to Mo Ming, habitually ruffling his hair with a smile, “It’s rare that you’re the one who sees me first when you open the door.”
Usually, Mo Ming was the one waiting in the apartment for him…
Looking at the face so close to him, Mo Ming’s gaze seemed to sink deeply into those dark, deep-set eyes.
He loved Han Shao Zhou’s eyes the most. Although they didn’t appear particularly refined on his sharply contoured face, even a fleeting moment of vague affection in those eyes was enough to drown Mo Ming’s heart.
Mo Ming’s eyes softened like a cloud of mist, and he gently cupped Han Shao Zhou’s face, rising slightly on his toes to plant a kiss just below Han Shao Zhou’s eye.
Han Shao Zhou tightened his arms around Mo Ming’s waist, his nose brushing against Mo Ming’s, as he chuckled, “Missed me that much?”
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