After returning from E country and finishing the shoot, Zhou Chenxi carried his luggage home.
Sure enough, his older brother was waiting for him in the living room.
Zhou Mingxuan already had ample experience in staking out Zhou Chenxi, and this time he caught him red-handed.
Unable to avoid it, Zhou Chenxi walked over and said, “Brother, you’re not sleeping again.”
Zhou Mingxuan pointed to the seat beside him, “Sit.”
Nervously, Zhou Chenxi sat down next to him.
Zhou Mingxuan, with a stern face, said, “You’re a big star now. Your wings are hard, and you think you can do whatever you want?”
Zhou Chenxi weakly replied, “Brother, why do you say that? I haven’t done anything.”
“Look at the previous hot searches,” Zhou Mingxuan gestured towards the phone placed nearby.
Zhou Chenxi drooped his brows and ears, saying, “I just want to marry Lu Ji.”
Zhou Mingxuan almost choked, “You finally have a career, just starting to rise, and you cause such a stir. What if fans only liked you for your looks, and after learning about this, they decide to unfollow you?”
Zhou Chenxi said, “It’s only you who might unfollow me, brother. Everyone is queuing up under your Weibo.”
Zhou Mingxuan was left speechless.
Zhou Chenxi cautiously continued, “And which fan doesn’t like me because of my looks?”
Zhou Mingxuan: “…”
Seeing Zhou Mingxuan’s displeased expression, Zhou Chenxi spoke with a drooping expression, “Actually, I did consider other options, like secretly marrying Lu Ji, and then I focus on my career, and he focuses on his work. But it’s so unfair, I have no status, neither does Lu Ji, we have to sneak around even for dates, afraid of being seen, intentionally deceiving the fans, which is not good.”
The big brother Zhou Mingxuan said, “What’s wrong with that? I think it’s quite good.” After all, this was most advantageous for Zhou Chenxi.
“So, brother, you’re that kind of person,” Zhou Chenxi said with annoyance, “Before, when Mom and Dad were pushing me to find a partner, it turns out you were planning for me to find a straightforward girl, then secretly marry her, making me a woman hidden from public view. Do you want to let a good girl endure such injustice?”
“When did I say that…” Zhou Mingxuan was speechless.
“Isn’t that what you’re thinking? Lu Ji is a good person too. He shouldn’t suffer such injustice!” Zhou Chenxi said, “He’s not young anymore. What if his family secretly pressures him to find a partner? He might feel that being with me offers no prospects and run off with someone else?”
Zhou Mingxuan raised his eyebrows, “Dare he?” Indeed, he was a domineering CEO.
“So,” Zhou Chenxi cheerfully said, “I am determined to lock Lu Ji down!” He extended two index fingers, making a gesture of “locking.”
“… ” Zhou Mingxuan felt like he needed a bottle of antihypertensive medication.
After a while, Zhou Mingxuan changed his perspective and said, “Your career has just begun…”
“My career isn’t just starting, brother,” Zhou Chenxi said seriously, “I haven’t just entered the industry, right? Many young actors in the industry now call me ‘senior’ or ‘brother.'”
The more Zhou Chenxi thought about it, the more he felt heartache. He had been reborn, and he was already a mature man. “In any case, fans will find out sooner or later. Let them know earlier. Since I entered the industry, my dream has always been acting, right? If fans stop liking me for reasons other than my work, don’t you think I would be a bit miserable?”
Of course, excluding those who liked him for his looks.
Also, others didn’t know how difficult Zhou Chenxi’s journey had been, but Zhou Mingxuan, being his brother, knew. That’s why he didn’t want Zhou Chenxi to be delayed just as his career was taking off.
The thoughts of someone accustomed to being an elder were always very contradictory.
In fact, what Zhou Chenxi was most afraid of was Lu Ji suddenly feeling that he was getting older and couldn’t wait any longer. He might abandon Zhou Chenxi and find someone willing to marry and show off their affection immediately. The thought of that made Zhou Chenxi feel so wronged that the background music of Little White Cabbage started playing in his mind.
It’s really not impossible!
Lu Ji had been reborn twice, making him a standard rich man. Regardless of whether others valued him, Zhou Chenxi valued him greatly. Without firmly locking him down, how could it work?
Zhou Mingxuan was momentarily speechless.
“Don’t worry, brother,” Zhou Chenxi patted him on the back with earnestness, “Works, works speak! Look at which actor nowadays hasn’t done any work because of falling in love. Unless they ruin themselves, fans aren’t like old stubborn people. At most, there will be a batch of fans who won’t accept it, and when I have good works in the future, naturally, more people will like me.”
Zhou Mingxuan disapproved and said, “You’re just relying on having me as your brother.”
Zhou Chenxi, surprised and exaggerated, said, “Isn’t that natural?!”
Zhou Mingxuan: “…”
“Before, I had misunderstandings with my family. Now that I have a brother and Mom and Dad, I’m so happy,” Zhou Chenxi hugged Zhou Mingxuan and said, “Without a brother, I would be all alone. Now that I have a brother supporting me, I’m not afraid at all!”
Although it was like this, Zhou Mingxuan didn’t know why he felt so relieved hearing these words. Indeed, his brother still depended on him.
“Brother is still my good brother,” Zhou Chenxi leaned his head on his shoulder and said, “Knowing that I have a brother behind me, I’m not afraid at all!”
Zhou Mingxuan sighed and patted his shoulder.
Thinking about the soft and gentle younger brother from the past, he had grown up in the blink of an eye. Zhou Mingxuan was a CEO who yielded to softness rather than toughness. Every time Zhou Chenxi talked to him like this, no matter what request Zhou Chenxi made, he couldn’t help but say, “Okay, okay, okay.”
Zhou Mingxuan restrained himself, barely maintaining the image of a domineering CEO, and said, “Ask Lu Ji to come and talk to me.”
He knew that today’s matter must not be Lu Ji’s idea alone, so he asked Zhou Chenxi to talk to him. After all, Lu Ji was somewhat of a businessman, not so reckless as to reach this point. He needed to have a good conversation with Lu Ji.
A few days later, the three of them arranged to meet at a high-end restaurant downstairs from Zhou Mingxuan’s company.
Although Zhou Mingxuan could have chosen a better place, he still arranged to meet Lu Ji right downstairs from his own company. It was a mentality of “letting the boyfriend of the little brother get a glimpse of the color from the elder.” Zhou Chenxi also understood what Zhou Mingxuan was thinking. He had a shoot today but deliberately postponed it to accompany Lu Ji to meet Zhou Mingxuan.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Zhou Chenxi and Lu Ji opened the door to the private room, seeing Zhou Mingxuan already seated there.
Zhou Chenxi hurriedly said, “Sorry, brother, traffic on the road, Lu Ji came to pick me up, so we’re a bit late.”
A reason had already been found for Lu Ji.
Zhou Mingxuan did not express any opinion, only saying, “Sit.”
Zhou Chenxi sat beside him, and Lu Ji sat across from Zhou Mingxuan, saying, “General Zhou.”
“President Lu,” Zhou Mingxuan said with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, “No need to be polite. What do you want to eat? Order for yourself.”
How could that be? Lu Ji didn’t know what Zhou Mingxuan liked to eat. Zhou Chenxi hurriedly took charge, “I’ll order! I’ll order!” He took the menu.
While Zhou Chenxi was ordering, he kept muttering, “This is what brother likes, this is what Lu Ji likes, this is what I like,” ticking the items on the menu, and said, “Lu Ji, the sturgeon dumplings here are exceptional. Sometimes, Brother would specially have the secretary order takeout. Do you want to try them?”
Lu Ji raised an eyebrow and said, “Sure.”
Zhou Mingxuan coughed, “Ahem, ahem!”
Zhou Chenxi said coldly, “If brother’s throat is uncomfortable, drink more water.”
While Lu Ji went to wash his hands, Zhou Chenxi leaned over and quietly said to Zhou Mingxuan, “Stop undermining my position. Brother, don’t you love the sturgeon dumplings the most? I recommend good food to Lu Ji to let him try it. It’s not favoritism; be good!” He patted Zhou Mingxuan.
Zhou Mingxuan: “…”
Zhou Chenxi was busy being the water-serving master and felt that he could lose several pounds today after finishing the meal.
Lu Ji quickly returned after washing his hands, and the dishes began to be served gradually. Zhou Mingxuan took a sip of tea and asked Lu Ji, “How’s things going with your company lately?”
This was a calm and peaceful chat.
Lu Ji started discussing business matters with him.
Zhou Chenxi was unfamiliar with the business operations, so he busied himself on the side, helping them with the dishes.
“Brother, eat!” Zhou Chenxi put the leg meat that Zhou Mingxuan liked into his bowl.
“Lu Ji, eat!” Zhou Chenxi also put the beef brisket that Lu Ji liked into his bowl.
Zhou Mingxuan paused and spoke, eating his food.
Lu Ji paused and ate as well.
Having successfully fed two domineering CEOs, Zhou Chenxi was very satisfied.
It wasn’t until they had almost finished eating that Zhou Mingxuan wiped his mouth and said to Lu Ji, “What are your plans for the coming year?”
Lu Ji said, “Take back the remaining shares of Lu’s from outside. After all, it is the hard work of several generations of the Lu family, and we can’t let them ruin it.”
Zhou Mingxuan said, “I wasn’t talking about that.”
Lu Ji paused, exchanged a glance with Zhou Chenxi.
Zhou Chenxi happily said, “Brother, I…”
“Don’t speak. Did I ask you?”
Zhou Chenxi had to shut up, making a motion as if closing a zipper: “Oh.”
Lu Ji said, “I plan to get married,” his expression very serious. “I will take responsibility for Chenxi. Since we’ve already made it public, it shows that I am ready to take on whatever may happen. Mr. Zhou, do you remember what I said to you?”
What did he say?
Zhou Chenxi was full of question marks.
Zhou Mingxuan didn’t answer immediately. He said, “Chenxi mentioned to me earlier that he wanted to ask me for money to go to your house for the betrothal gifts.”
Zhou Chenxi: “Pfft—cough, cough, cough!”
He almost choked to death on the tea.
Lu Ji quickly reached out to pat his back. “Drink slowly.”
Zhou Mingxuan ignored him and continued, “I took out some money from what he has with me and helped him acquire Tianwang Entertainment. The price and everything have been settled. It can be finalized in a while. Honestly, I am not as knowledgeable as you in running an entertainment company, and Chenxi doesn’t understand it either. He probably only knows how to act. You’re an expert, and I hope you can help Chenxi. However, you must ensure that Tianwang Entertainment belongs solely to Chenxi.”
Lu Ji nodded, “Naturally.”
“You also have to ensure that Chenxi will have a worry-free life in the future.”
Lu Ji nodded again, “Alright.”
Zhou Mingxuan then handed a piece of paper to Zhou Chenxi, gesturing with his eyes as if to say, “Look at your demeanor.”
Zhou Chenxi wiped away the tears and snot he coughed out.
After finishing the meal, the three of them walked out of the restaurant. Zhou Mingxuan had to go back to work, and Lu Ji also had work to do. They parted ways under the Zhouxin Company building.
Zhou Mingxuan turned back and said to Lu Ji, “When you plan the wedding, remember to discuss all matters with me in advance.”
Lu Ji said, “Of course, Mr. Zhou, please rest assured.”
Zhou Mingxuan left.
Zhou Chenxi happily sat in Lu Ji’s car. He had to go back to the company for a while; there was still work in the afternoon.
Sitting in the passenger seat, he said to Lu Ji, “See, I told you my brother is easy to talk to.”
Zhou Chenxi felt like a double agent, praising Lu Ji in front of his brother and praising his brother in front of Lu Ji. It wasn’t easy.
Lu Ji, of course, agreed with whatever he said, indulgently saying, “Hmm, you’re right.”
After a while, Lu Ji’s phone rang. He took it out and found a WeChat message from Zhou Mingxuan.
【Zhou Mingxuan: There’s an auction next week, and I recall that you are also participating. It’s a good opportunity for us to discuss collaboration. Rest assured, I’ve always been fair in business.】
Zhou Mingxuan is a shrewd and outstanding businessman, and Lu Ji has never doubted his capabilities in this regard. While waiting at a red light, Lu Ji casually replied: 【Alright.】
Zhou Mingxuan quickly responded: 【Hehe.】
Lu Ji: “…”
This elder brother was not bad. It would be even better if he didn’t use such an ambiguous tone particle like “hehe” when chatting on WeChat.
Author’s note:
Bro: I don’t know what “hehe” means… I’m just pretending, so what?
Thanks to “某琥” for the landmine!
Thanks to “喬木向南” “松鼠lisa” “獨眼鷹” “錢錢” “半夜沒事看看文” “神秘路人” for the nutrients!
1TL: YSIAD “You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you ❤️”
