BPTCMW : Chapter 23

 

Han Yi’s T-shirt was a sporty V-neck style, and the fresh bite mark was just above his collarbone, near his neck.

 

Under the light, it was quite noticeable, red and slightly glossy, with a bit of transparent liquid.

 

Xia Yang’s deer-like eyes were filled with guilt as he looked at the man he had marked. Carefully, he asked, “What should we do now?”

 

“Should we see a doctor? Apply some medicine? Or if you’re upset, you can mark me back, that’s okay too…”

 

“Ha,” Han Yi exhaled heavily, “none of that, just schedule a rabies vaccine for me.”

 

Xia Yang: “…”

 

Xia Yang: “………………”

 

A rabies vaccine was out of the question. After thinking for a moment, he fetched the family first-aid kit and took out some cotton swabs and iodine.

 

“Use this to disinfect. Do you want to do it yourself or should I help you?” he asked, shaking the bottle.

 

Han Yi didn’t respond, just extended his hand. Xia Yang understood and handed him the items.

 

There was no mirror in the rehabilitation room. Watching Han Yi try to apply the iodine by feel, missing the spot twice, Xia Yang saw the brownish liquid run down his neck, leaving a shallow streak. He shook his head and grabbed some tissues to gently wipe the excess.

 

“You don’t need to bear everything alone,” Xia Yang said while wiping. “Everyone has low points. Getting through them will make you stronger, but this period might be long and heavy. You need to unload some burdens to move forward. The more you stand in the shadows, the more you shouldn’t reject the sunlight trying to reach you…”

 

He looked up, meeting Han Yi’s gaze. There was a faint glimmer in his obsidian-like eyes.

 

“Is this chicken soup for the soul?” Han Yi asked after a moment of silence.

 

“Yes, brewed especially for you,” Xia Yang laughed and took a fresh cotton swab from the box in Han Yi’s hand.

 

Dipping it lightly in iodine, he gently dabbed the bite mark on Han Yi’s neck. After a few dabs, he noticed a bit of blood seeping from the wound.

 

Wow, he really marked him hard…

 

If Grandma saw this, who knows what she would think.

 

He remembered how she had given their unfortunate husband some kind advice after their manual hickey last time.

 

“Um… How should we explain this to Grandma tomorrow?” Xia Yang scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. “Maybe we could say a mouse bit you.”

 

Han Yi: “…Saying a dog bit me would be more believable than a mouse.”

 

Xia Yang: “.” He felt slightly offended.

 

* * *

 

The next morning, Xia Yang went downstairs after washing up to wait for Han Yi with Mrs. Tang in the dining room for breakfast.

 

Today, Han Yi was later than usual. It was almost 8 AM and he still hadn’t appeared.

 

Mrs. Tang glanced at the clock on the wall, a hint of concern in her eyes. “Did Xiao Yi sleep late yesterday?”

 

“I—” Xia Yang started to say “I don’t know,” but swallowed the words.

 

He had to keep their separate sleeping arrangements a secret.

 

“…We were a bit tired last night, slept later than usual. When I got up, Xiao Yi was still sleeping.”

 

“Oh, I see.” Mrs. Tang’s smile was meaningful. “Let’s eat first then. Let him rest and regain his strength.”

 

Just as she finished speaking, there was a sound from the stairs. Han Yi was coming down in his wheelchair.

 

He was wearing a white shirt and black trousers, looking as handsome and neat as ever. However, today he had buttoned his shirt up to the first button below the collar.

 

It was obvious he was trying to hide the bite mark from yesterday.

 

Xia Yang saw this and wanted to laugh but had to hold it in. His plastic husband was much more conservative than he was, not willing to show even a trace of “love marks.”

 

Mrs. Tang also noticed the tightly buttoned shirt. “Xiao Yi, you don’t need to be so formal at home. Isn’t it hot wearing your shirt buttoned up like that?”

 

Han Yi lowered his eyes and said, “I’m not hot, I have a cold constitution.”

 

Tsk, that fits the big ice block’s persona… Xia Yang thought to himself.

 

However, Mrs. Tang, unaware of the real reason, was shocked.

 

“Oh my, you’re not even 30 and you have a cold constitution. This can lead to a series of health problems! Kidney deficiency, kidney weakness, back and knee pain…” Grandma listed a bunch of issues on her fingers. “No, no, tomorrow the cook must prepare some nourishing meals to help you recover.”

 

“No need, I’m fine.” Han Yi pinched his brow.

 

“Physical health is the foundation of everything. Even if you don’t think of yourself, you should think of Xia Yang.” Mrs. Tang was determined, casting a conspiratorial glance at Xia Yang.

 

Xia Yang caught on and couldn’t disagree, so he went along with her. “I agree. I don’t want to face a Mr. Cold shivering under the covers every day.”

 

Han Yi: “…………”

 

After breakfast, Mrs. Tang eagerly went to find a nutritionist, while Xia Yang returned to his room to wait for the call from the “Chocolate Jump Beans” producer.

 

The scheduled meeting to sign the contract was supposed to be this week, but from Monday to Friday, there was no news. He couldn’t help but send a WeChat message to the person in charge, who replied briefly: [I’ll reach out next Monday when I have time.]

 

Today was Monday.

 

Near noon, his phone finally vibrated with a call from the show.

 

“Hello,” Xia Yang answered.

 

“Hello, Mr. Xia. Sorry for the delay in contacting you.”

 

Xia Yang could tell this wasn’t the same person he had spoken to before. This was a younger-sounding man who introduced himself as the artist coordination manager.

 

“Our company has been very busy. We’ve had several meetings about the guest list for this episode. Director Li has been in back-to-back meetings, so I’m reaching out on his behalf.”

 

Xia Yang sensed something amiss from his tone. “No problem, I understand. When can we meet to discuss further?”

 

There was a brief silence on the other end.

 

“…Well, Mr. Xia,” the manager’s voice became vague, “there’s been a change in our plans. We’ve exceeded the number of guests for the next couple of episodes. And, uh, there’s been some directive from above, so… You might have to wait for a few more episodes. We’ll contact you if an opportunity arises.”

 

Xia Yang understood this meant he wasn’t going to be on the show.

 

“Alright, I understand. Thank you for letting me know. Goodbye.”

 

He hung up the phone, feeling that the show was a lost cause.

 

Everything had seemed fine initially, and then suddenly they were overbooked. It was strange.

 

But it wasn’t a big deal.

 

When he was bored, he looked up news about the show and found many posts discussing how it often suppressed new guests.

 

Moreover, some of the sports projects were dangerous, and several artists had been injured during filming in the past three years.

 

A blessing in disguise, perhaps. Losing this opportunity was no loss. A rich layabout could afford to be indifferent. Xia Yang quickly moved on, until that evening when he stumbled upon the “Chocolate Jump Beans” official announcement of their latest guest list.

 

Among the long list of tagged artists, he saw a familiar name: Jin Yang. His face even appeared on the latest poster, albeit in a corner.

 

When he checked Jin Yang’s profile, he saw a newly updated Weibo post—

 

@ModelJinYang: This Sunday at 8 PM, join us for “Chocolate Jump Beans”!

 

…Huh, Xia Yang couldn’t help but feel suspicious. When he first spoke to the show, there was no mention of Jin Yang. And now, just as he was dropped, Jin Yang appeared.

 

Chocolate isn’t usually this coincidental.

 

As he pondered, his phone buzzed again with a text message.

 

It was from an unknown number, but a quick glance made him guess who it was.

 

[Hey, heard you lost your variety show gig? Is it Mercury retrograde, or just bad luck? My agent got me a job, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s the one you lost. What a coincidence! So unbelievable! I’m recording tomorrow, while you’re stuck at home. Imagine having no company, no agent, and losing your gig. How tragic, o(╥﹏╥)o]

 

Familiar tone, familiar tea scent, Xia Yang knew Jin Yang was trying to provoke him.

 

Getting a bargain and acting superior—classic Jin Yang.

 

Respecting species diversity, Xia Yang typed a quick reply.

 

[Yes, I have no company, no agent, no gigs, just a husband. Do you have one? [beckoning][tongue sticking out]]

 

My husband is the man you long for day and night but can’t have. Eat your heart out!

 

After sending the message, there was no reply for a long time. Xia Yang imagined Jin Yang on the other end, fuming like a frog in a frying pan.

 

After a while, Xia Yang had another thought and quickly sent another message—

 

[By the way, I looked up news about this show. It’s pretty weird. Last season, a guest threw a javelin and accidentally hit another guest in the butt. Be careful, little brother. Don’t make your brother and sister-in-law worry~]

 

…

 

At 9 PM, the housemaid prepared the usual traditional medicine. Xia Yang, looking for a snack, decided to take it upstairs.

 

Opening the study door, Han Yi had just finished a video conference.

 

“

 

Mr. Han, you’ve worked hard. How about some medicinal soup to boost your energy?” Xia Yang teased, pushing the bowl towards him.

 

“Why are you bringing it?” Han Yi glanced at him.

 

“I’m a doer. Family care isn’t just talk~”

 

Han Yi: “.”

 

After finishing the medicine, Xia Yang picked up the bowl, ready to leave, but a document on the corner of the desk caught his eye.

 

—”Yunzhou Cruise Creative Advertising Campaign Proposal (Review Draft V3)”

 

Hmm? An ad shoot?

 

Curious, he pointed at the proposal. “Can I take a look at this?”

 

Han Yi glanced at it and pushed it towards him.

 

Xia Yang quickly skimmed through the text, stopping at the budget section, letting out a gasp.

 

The total budget was 5.5 million, with 600,000 allocated for actor fees!

 

What the heck! Insane!

 

Why hire an actor when the boss’s wife is right here and willing to work for him!

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Author’s Note:

How to use the boss’s wife?

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