IOLYF Chapter 8

Shen Xixi quickly added, “I mean Wen Ci, you should know him, right?”

“I’ve seen him online.”

“Well, my cousin was pretty much top-tier in his day. There wasn’t a young actor who could compare with him back then, and even in the past three years since he left the industry, there hasn’t been anyone who could match his level.”

“Mm.”

“…”

Seeing that Mo Ming didn’t have much of a reaction, Shen Xixi quickened her pace, positioning herself in front of him and walking backward to face him.

“Mo Ge, I looked up your work online on the way to the hospital. It seems you’ve only been in two dramas, both as the second male lead. The first drama was shelved because the main actor was exposed for faking his education, and Director Cai’s drama was good, but again, you were the second lead. If Sun Chao hadn’t gotten into trouble, you wouldn’t have gained much attention from that show either. And I noticed that your company barely promotes you. It’s like they don’t care about you at all. They’re not treating you like a priority artist.”

As they exited the hospital, Mo Ming didn’t want to go far and noticed a small restaurant just across the street.

He still felt the alcohol in his system, making him dizzy and sleepy.

“Miss Shen,” Mo Ming gently reminded her, “It’s not safe to walk backward across the street.”

Shen Xixi paused, gave an awkward smile, and turned around to walk beside him. She waited a few seconds, noticing that Mo Ming didn’t respond to her previous remarks.

“But even if the resources at Xingci are competitive, they should at least give you some priority out of respect for Han Ge, right?” Shen Xixi said, sounding as if she was defending Mo Ming. Then she hesitated as if something just occurred to her. “Oh, right, the outside world doesn’t know about your relationship with Han Ge, do they? That’s really on Han Ge. If he cared even a little, he wouldn’t treat you like some secret canary, something to be discarded at any time.”

Mo Ming nodded slightly, showing he was listening. He focused on the small restaurant’s sign ahead, contemplating what to order.

“It makes me angry on your behalf. You’ve been together for three years, after all,” Shen Xixi continued, looking at Mo Ming. “When Han Ge was chasing after my cousin Wen Wen, the whole thing was so high-profile. It was on the front pages of gossip magazines, and the resources he offered were overwhelming. But now, with you, he’s so half-hearted. I can’t help but wonder—does Han Ge see you as a stand-in for my cousin?”

The air suddenly grew still for three seconds. Shen Xixi covered her mouth, seemingly realizing her faux pas. “Ah, I’m sorry, Mo Ge. I didn’t mean to say that. Even though you do look a lot like my cousin, I really don’t think Han Ge is with you just because of your face.”

“It’s okay.”

Mo Ming remained calm, now at the restaurant’s door. He answered briefly and walked inside.

Shen Xixi’s expression darkened. She had been so blunt; she couldn’t believe this guy didn’t catch on.

Just as she was about to follow him in, her boyfriend called.

Thinking it might be good news about her career, she quickly asked Yang Guan to pick her up at the restaurant. She then waved to Mo Ming as she left.

“Just between us,” Shen Xixi whispered in Mo Ming’s ear before leaving, smiling brightly. “My cousin is planning a comeback.”

Mo Ming wasn’t used to people getting so close, and he instinctively leaned away, frowning slightly.

Satisfied with his reaction, Shen Xixi smiled cheerfully and waved as she left.

But as soon as she got into her boyfriend’s car and heard that Han Shao Zhou wasn’t willing to help, her good mood evaporated.

“Don’t be upset, baby. I’ll talk to Han Ge again later…” Yang Guan tried to soothe her.

Shen Xixi didn’t even bother responding. As a spoiled rich girl, she wouldn’t have paid any attention to someone as shallow as Yang Guan if it weren’t for the connections he could offer to Han Shao Zhou’s circle, which could make her rise in the entertainment industry easier.

“Why don’t you ask your cousin Wen Ci to help?” Yang Guan suggested. “He definitely has more influence with Han Ge than I do.”

“Forget about it. Let’s just go eat,” Shen Xixi replied moodily.

She had already sought Wen Ci’s help first, but he had declined, saying it wasn’t convenient. Though he didn’t elaborate, Shen Xixi could sense that her cousin was proud and valued his reputation. As someone Han Shao Zhou had once pursued in vain, it would be hard for him to lower himself to ask Han for a favor now.

But she wasn’t in a rush. Once Wen Ci returned to the entertainment industry, even the leftover resources Han Shao Zhou threw his way would be enough to propel her to stardom.

Mo Ming bought a vegetarian meal and some winter melon and pork rib soup from the small restaurant. When he returned to the VIP hospital room that Han Shao Zhou had messaged him about, Han Shao Zhou was standing by the window, talking on the phone.

The VIP room in the private hospital was furnished like a small hotel suite. Mo Ming placed the insulated bag with the food on the small dining table.

Han Shao Zhou finished his call and walked over, sitting down at the table and ruffling Mo Ming’s hair. “Zhao Cheng and Qin You didn’t give you a hard time tonight, did they?”

Mo Ming instantly relaxed like a petted cat, smiling softly. “No, Qin and the others were very nice to me.”

“There’ll be more gatherings in the future. You’ll have plenty of chances.”

“Mm.”

Mo Ming then pulled out a small, delicate cupcake from another paper bag, which he had bought from a dessert shop near the restaurant.

“Han Ge, this is for you…” Mo Ming said softly.

Han Shao Zhou looked at the small cupcake, decorated with half a strawberry on top, and couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, I guess this counts as your birthday celebration.”

Mo Ming sat by the table, propping his chin on his hands, watching Han Shao Zhou eat the cupcake with a gentle and quiet expression.

When Han Shao Zhou glanced up, he met Mo Ming’s deep, dark eyes. His cheeks were flushed, and he looked a bit dazed.

“Did they make you drink tonight?”

Mo Ming shook his head, holding up a finger. “I drank a little, just a tiny bit…”

Han Shao Zhou watched the finger swaying left and right, as if as dazed as its owner, and couldn’t help but smile again. He reached out and pinched Mo Ming’s cheek.

“You look tired. Go wash up and sleep here tonight.”

By the time Han Shao Zhou got into bed, Mo Ming was already asleep, wrapped in the blankets. When Han Shao Zhou pulled him into his arms, Mo Ming stirred, half-opening his eyes and sleepily looking up at him, then snuggled closer.

“Happy… birthday…”

“I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it…” Han Shao Zhou chuckled and kissed the person in his arms firmly. “Happy birthday.”

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