Chapter 19

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Qi Changyi was not seeing Xing Shi for the first time; he had seen him from a distance twice before. But even before meeting him, Qi Changyi had already heard about Xing Shi. He was known for having a bad temper and being very stubborn. At his young age, being overly tough often backfires, but Xing Shi was different—he was sharp and clever, capable of all sorts of tricky maneuvers. Director He had spent two years trying to handle him carefully, with little success.

Over those two years, many people offered advice to Director He, and Qi Changyi also tried to come up with solutions, but none worked. Yet it wasn’t that Xing Shi was completely impervious. At least, he had no conflict with Qi’s aunt. When she returned from abroad with Director He to meet Xing Shi and informed him that they were dating and considering marriage, Xing Shi's reluctance was directed solely at Director He.

After nearly half a year of interaction, Xing Shi and Qi’s aunt had become ordinary friends, occasionally going out together for shopping or meals—provided Director He was not around, and she didn’t speak up for him. Later, when they registered their marriage, Xing Shi didn’t object. Director He thought he had finally won him over, but that wasn’t the case. Xing Shi simply did not mind Qi’s aunt but still held a grudge against his biological father.

Qi Changyi had been unaware of all this until one day he happened to overhear his aunt discussing the father and son with his mother, full of worry. He thought, how difficult could it be to deal with a teenager? So he began helping Director He with ideas, only to witness those ideas being shot down one after another. That was when he first gained a clear understanding of Xing Shi.

Since then, while busy, Qi Changyi gradually learned more about Xing Shi until today’s formal meeting. He knew Xing Shi was hard to approach and had imagined how their first encounter might unfold: perhaps the boy would wear a cold expression and respond indifferently; perhaps he would react neutrally knowing Qi’s relation to his aunt; or maybe, having heard his songs or seen his works, he might be willing to chat a little more.

But he never imagined the boy would greet him with a calm, peaceful “Hello, cousin.”

Qi Changyi looked at him. “You know who I am?”

Xing Shi replied, “I found out by chance.”

Curious about how long the boy had known, Qi Changyi asked, “When?”

“Forgot,” Xing Shi answered.

Qi Changyi tried again, “Before joining the company, or after?”

“Confidential,” came the two-word reply.

Qi Changyi’s charming peach-blossom eyes curved into a smile. “Well then…”

He didn’t finish. To curry favor, he had deliberately removed his mask, causing Xing Shi to recognize him. The VIP entrance was lightly crowded, but news could spread quickly, so they hurriedly left.

Halfway, Fu Xiuning suddenly heard Lin Kecheng’s voice.

“…Ning, you’re here too!” Lin Kecheng said. “If he sees us, he’ll know my intentions aren’t good.”

The system said, “Quick, hide, don’t let him…”

The voice faded but the meaning was clear.

Lin Kecheng didn’t even bother to glance up and followed Director He and the others into the parking lot.

The assistants looked back to confirm no one was following and relaxed.

Director He looked at his son, still feeling as if dreaming. Tentatively, he asked, “Are you settling in well at the company?”

Xing Shi responded with a “Hmm.”

Fu Xiuning said gently, “The teachers all praise him, say he’s talented.”

Everyone looked at him simultaneously.

They already knew who he was, as Qi Changyi had mentioned upon disembarking. The boss of June Culture, only son of the Fu family—he turned out to be so outstanding in looks and bearing.

Director He glanced at Xing Shi, seeing no change in expression, and couldn’t help but probe, “Did they say anything else?”

Fu Xiuning replied, “That he trains very seriously… Oh, did you see the trending topic a few days ago?”

Director He immediately said, “Watched it several times, he danced really well!”

Fu Xiuning explained, “He came up with the dance concept.”

He briefly recounted, “We both study at Z University; I’m his senior. I originally just asked him to perform at the school anniversary, but he wanted to give everyone a chance to showcase themselves.”

Director He was moved. “Really?”

Fu Xiuning nodded.

Xing Shi glanced at him silently.

Fu Xiuning’s temperament was sharp; he probably brought Xing Shi along mostly for the spectacle.

What was going on? Could it be that Fu Xiuning had heard about him from Qi Changyi and wanted to ease the awkward atmosphere? Was he really that kind?

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They arrived at a fork in the road.

Qi Changyi had arranged for a nanny car in advance, parked separately from Fu Xiuning’s vehicle.

Without hesitation, Xing Shi went to Fu Xiuning’s side. Director He and Qi Changyi naturally took that route, while the others took the nanny car.

Xing Shi, as usual, sat in the front passenger seat.

He listened quietly as Fu Xiuning chatted occasionally about matters at the company and school, while observing him silently.

Director He and Qi Changyi talked with Fu Xiuning while glancing ahead at a certain figure, sensing that the boy was unusually calm today.

Qi Changyi offered his phone: “Can I add you as a friend?”

Xing Shi glanced sideways and added him.

Qi Changyi looked at his WeChat; the username was “Struggling is no match for eating,” with a profile picture that appeared to be… roasted sweet potato?

He laughed and put the phone away.

The two cars arrived at Linlanyuan one after the other.

Not long after they entered, Lin Kecheng arrived nearby by car.

He and the system had thought out a strategy.

Step one: get Qi Changyi’s attention and leave a good impression, then leave.

Step two: pique his curiosity again, keep baiting him.

Step three: make formal contact.

He looked confidently at the nearby Chinese-style garden.

With Fu Xiuning around, there was no problem—they would surely be dining in a private room. If Qi Changyi stepped out for a moment, that would be his chance.

He pulled out his phone to call some friends, asking, “What’s the average per person here?”

The system had only checked Qi Changyi’s navigation and noted the destination was a restaurant, not a private residence, so it followed along.

It began searching for detailed information, returning a number.

Lin Kecheng winced at the price, but since linking with the system, he had earned quite a bit of extra money and could afford it.

Suddenly, the system said, “Wait, this is a membership-only restaurant.”

Lin Kecheng said, “Then I’ll get a membership.”

The system reluctantly said, “It has certain entry requirements. You, as an ordinary person, can get in, but some dining areas won’t be accessible to you. Qi Changyi and the others are in that area.”

Lin Kecheng: “…”

The night wind wrapped in a chill.

Both silently felt a sense of collapse.

Xing Shi was unaware that his ally outside was going crazy, eagerly awaiting the meal.

He and Fu Xiuning had been to Linlanyuan once before, just the two of them, with few dishes ordered. This time, however, they ordered a whole table!

The private room was larger than last time, with a round table. Xing Shi sat next to Fu Xiuning, beside him was Qi Changyi, then Director He, with three assistants and the male supporting actor from the movie filling the rest of the seats.

The male supporting actor quickly found tonight’s focus: “Director He’s son is really handsome.”

Director He smiled, “Of course.”

He introduced the man to his son.

Xing Shi called out, “Brother Zhang.”

The male supporting actor responded, “Hey, I saw the trending topic too. Are you officially debuting now?”

Xing Shi said, “I’m a trainee.”

Qi Changyi looked at him, “Any favorite variety shows? I’ll take you to visit.”

Xing Shi said, “I don’t watch much variety.”

Qi Changyi said, “Then I’ll pick a few good ones for you to choose from.”

Xing Shi replied, “I still have classes and training.”

Qi Changyi understood he didn’t want to go and asked, “Interested in acting?”

Xing Shi said, “Still learning.”

Qi Changyi offered, “What you learn on set is more practical. I’ll find you some scripts and take you personally.”

Director He tried to interject, “I have plenty too, pick whatever you want.”

The male supporting actor was stunned, but Xing Shi just wanted to slack off: “I’ll study a bit longer first.”

Surprisingly, Director He wasn’t rejected and said, “Okay, I always have scripts here.”

Xing Shi chatted with them for a while, then finally the food arrived.

He immediately perked up, picked up his chopsticks, and ate diligently, occasionally replying to their comments.

Director He watched as he ate, tentatively offering some food. Seeing his son accept it, he quietly sighed.

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He was completely certain now—something was wrong with his son.

Some small habits and gestures hadn’t changed; he was indeed his son, not switched.

His expression was clear, behavior normal, replies fluent. No signs of possession or black magic.

But it wasn’t right.

When they last met, Xing Shi had been proud and defiant, even sitting quietly with a hint of arrogance.

Not calm and composed like now.

This demeanor made him feel… his son must have suffered in ways he didn’t know.

Suffered a great deal.

But how could that be?

Usually, when he messaged, his son was indifferent, but his parents and Xing Shi had been in contact, with no sign of trouble. Besides, his son was never the one to lose out—others usually had the bad luck.

And their last meeting wasn’t that long ago. Why the change?

Director He frowned.

Qi Changyi also observed Xing Shi, puzzled.

The boy’s reactions made him feel that the person he saw was not the same one he’d heard about for over half a year.

The system was nervous: “Stop eating! Your dad and Qi Changyi are watching you; they must be suspicious!”

Xing Shi swallowed, lifted his head, and met both their gazes. “Is there a word written on my face?”

Director He reflexively shook his head.

Qi Changyi smiled and explained, “I’ve never seen anyone eat with such relish, so I glanced a few more times.”

Xing Shi said, “Eating.”

Director He and Qi Changyi withdrew their gaze.

Xing Shi was satisfied.

He finished the meal with enjoyment, then slumped into his chair, feeling too tired to move.

Fu Xiuning, having already noticed his habits, waited for this moment and looked at him sideways. “Tired?”

Xing Shi said, “Okay.”

Fu Xiuning showed concern: “Go to bed early tonight, and sleep in more tomorrow morning. I heard you get up very early every day.”

Director He’s heart tightened. He felt something was wrong with his son and asked, “Insomnia?”

Xing Shi said, “No.”

Director He said, “Really? You used to sleep until almost noon.”

The system nearly froze hearing this. Xing Shi looked calm and gave an excuse: “Everyone else gets up early, so I started too. It became a habit.”

Knowing trainees’ training was harsh, Director He frowned again. “Don’t stay in the dorm anymore. I’ll buy you a place near the company.”

Qi Changyi interrupted, “After buying a place you need to renovate. Stay at my place first. It’s a high-end community, quiet, and I’m usually not there.”

“You live a bit far,” Fu Xiuning said gently, “Reporters camp outside from time to time; it’s easy to get photographed.”

Qi Changyi: “?”

Which side are you on?

Fu Xiuning had played the good boss and good senior all night but was not here to be a peacemaker.

Director He’s roadshow ended tomorrow, and he had to move on quickly. He originally wanted to leave a good impression—normally, when facing his child’s boss, parents would say something like “Please take care of him” before leaving.

With this, his subsequent plans would be easier.

But he didn’t expect that as soon as he laid the groundwork, they immediately brought up moving.

Too fast a development.

Fu Xiuning thought Xing Shi was smart, but this was too rash.

Still… seize the opportunity.

They could find a way to make up for it later.

“My place is close to both school and company, big enough so we won’t disturb each other,” he looked at Xing Shi. “How about… living at my place?”

Xing Shi: “?”

System: “!!!”