Bonus chapter ♥
The next day, Xia Yang woke up late. Tang Siming had helped him take a break from filming for a couple of days due to his illness. The weather remained gloomy, with cold winds blowing and the sun reluctant to show, as if another snowfall could happen at any moment.
Upon waking, Xia Yang, with a sore neck, started looking around. He had a vague memory of Han Yi visiting last night, giving him medicine, and even letting him make some “easy money.” It felt a bit unreal, and he wasn’t sure if it was a dream.
While searching for confirmation, he heard the sound of running water from the bathroom. Someone was inside.
“Han Yi?” Xia Yang called out towards the bathroom.
Fang Ming emerged from inside.
“Mr. Han had an important meeting this morning and left early. He asked me to come over to take care of you, Young Master Xia,” Fang explained.
“Oh,” Xia Yang raised an eyebrow, muttering to himself, “So it wasn’t a dream. Han Yi really was here last night.”
Fang Ming looked at him, a hint of confusion in his eyes. “Did Young Master Xia not see Mr. Han last night?”
“Uh, I was a bit delirious from the fever. It felt like we did some things, but I’m not sure if it was real,” Xia Yang admitted.
Fang Ming, considering the phrase “did some things,” also let out an “uh…”
It seemed Mr. Han wasn’t as cold and abstinent as he appeared. His worldly desires were quite strong. A few weeks without seeing each other, and he couldn’t wait, even when his partner had a fever…
However, as a professional butler, he knew to keep his thoughts to himself. After a brief silence, he changed the subject back to the main topic. “Mr. Han messaged me at 4 AM.” He pulled out his phone and showed Xia Yang the message.
Xia Yang glanced down and saw the timestamp on the message.
—4:37 AM.
[Mr. Han]: Butler Fang, please arrive at Minghu Garden Hotel at 5:30 AM tomorrow. Xia Yang is ill and needs someone to take care of him. His assistant is too young; I don’t trust him.
[Mr. Han]: [Location]
The small lines of text hooked Xia Yang’s eyes. It felt like a soft kitten had entered his heart, stirring the calm waters with its gentle paws, creating ripples.
So Han Yi had stayed with him all night!
This didn’t seem like a typical “boss.”
More like a dad.
“Is he afraid I’ll burn myself?” Xia Yang muttered, rubbing his nose. “I should give him a banner—’Salute to the Most Beautiful Night Watcher.'”
“That can be arranged,” Fang Ming said earnestly.
Not long after, Butler Fang went out to buy breakfast. As soon as he left, Xia Yang picked up his phone, intending to message Han Yi. He didn’t have anything important to say; he just wanted to talk, even if it was just to send a funny emoji.
As he was thinking this, his phone buzzed in his hand, and a video call invitation popped up on the screen. It was Han Yi.
Wow! The so-called telepathy had precisely connected them both. Xia Yang’s heart raced, and he sprang up from the couch like a spring.
He straightened his hair in the mirror, turned on the beauty filter, and calmly accepted the video call.
As the screen opened, Han Yi’s handsome, chiseled face appeared, wearing a white shirt and black suit, exuding a deep, noble, and cold aura.
So handsome.
If he entered the entertainment industry, he’d definitely give them a run for their money. Xia Yang found himself staring in awe.
“Are you awake? Still have a fever?” Han Yi asked as soon as the call connected.
Xia Yang snapped out of his reverie, grinning. “No more fever. Thanks to the Most Beautiful Night Watcher, your imposing presence scared the illness away!”
Han Yi: “.”
As they talked, Xia Yang noticed a chat effect option at the bottom of the screen. He casually selected a “Thanks, dear,” effect to express his gratitude.
Suddenly, a little character with his avatar flew out, flapping angel wings, and kissed Han Yi’s cheek several times like a woodpecker.
Han Yi: “…”
Xia Yang: “…………….”
Thank you, dear, thank you, dear, and then you really kiss him!
Impressive.
A hint of red crept up his cheeks. The fever he thought had subsided seemed to flare up again. It was strange; with his thick skin, such a small thing shouldn’t have embarrassed him.
And yet, he felt embarrassed.
“Sorry, slipped fingers,” he mumbled, clearing the effect in a fluster.
Han Yi said nothing, simply looking at him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
After a moment of silence, he cleared his throat, his deep voice resonating through the phone.
“I have a meeting to attend. Remember to take your medicine. If you need anything, just let Fang Ming know.”
“Got it, got it,” Xia Yang responded, his thoughts still scattered. “You should take some medicine too.”
Han Yi: “…?”
“Oh, no, I mean, take some preventative medicine so you don’t catch what I had.”
“…Alright.”
After the video call, Xia Yang collapsed back into the sofa, trying to cool down.
Twenty minutes later, Fang Ming returned with breakfast. Xia Yang’s mind had finally settled. Just as he was about to start eating, his phone rang again.
This time, it was his agent, Qi Le.
“Qi Ge?” Xia Yang answered the call.
“How many more scenes do you have before wrapping up? I’m lining up some new roles and variety shows for you,” Qi Le got straight to the point.
“About ten more scenes,” Xia Yang estimated, “should be around the New Year.”
“Okay, I got it. I’ll be around the film city tonight for some business. Are you free? Let’s meet and talk.”
“Sure, see you tonight, Qi Ge,” Xia Yang agreed.
*
After dinner, Xia Yang bundled up and went out. Qi Le had arranged to meet at a café near the hotel.
“Your complexion doesn’t look good. Are you too tired?” Qi Le asked, ordering two coffees and examining Xia Yang.
Xia Yang responded with a series of sneezes.
Qi Le: “…”
“Sorry, Ge,” Xia Yang apologized, speaking with a stuffy nose. “I caught a cold yesterday and haven’t fully recovered.”
Qi Le looked at him, then called over the waiter to switch their coffees to milk. “You drink milk, replenish your protein. Let’s keep it short so you can rest.”
“It’s okay, Ge. Go ahead,” Xia Yang insisted.
Qi Le pulled out his tablet, opened a folder, and showed Xia Yang several project proposals.
“I’ve been in contact with a few directors. The movies are all supporting roles, average scripts. There’s a youth entrepreneurship drama that’s pretty good; I’ll send you the script later.”
“Great,” Xia Yang was interested, “The idea of starting a business and rising from the bottom is exciting. Love it.”
“Yeah, serious dramas aren’t for everyone. We’ll consider idol dramas when a big IP comes along. As for variety shows, I’ve lined up two options,” Qi Le clicked on another folder, showing the details to Xia Yang. “These are currently popular; take a look.”
Xia Yang leaned in to look.
“I recommend the dating show,” Qi Le pointed to the first proposal. “It’ll increase your exposure. What do you think?”
“Uh,” Xia Yang hesitated at the mention of a dating show, “Ge, you may not know, but my family has strict rules. I’m not allowed to date before I’m 25.”
Qi Le: “…”
Is your family living in feudal times?
“Who says a dating show means you have to date? It’s just a show. The main point is to create CPs for the audience to enjoy.”
“Ah, that makes it even worse,” Xia Yang insisted, sticking to his principles. “We should be sincere. Participating in a dating show without the intent to date is like playing games with feelings.”
Qi Le: “…”
Unable to convince him, Qi Le reluctantly moved on to the second show.
“How about ‘Knights and Princesses’? It’s a travel reality show. It involves a month-long overseas shoot. If you play your cards right, it could boost your fan base.”
“Uh,” Xia Yang shook his head, “I’m a bit socially anxious, and it’s almost New Year. My family is expecting me for the holidays.”
Qi Le: “…………”
So many reasons!
“So, you’re not interested in either show?” he asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Sorry, Ge. Maybe I’ll just focus on acting.” Xia Yang felt a bit guilty.
Suppressing his growing frustration, Qi Le decided to give it one last shot, offering a final opportunity.
“Focusing on acting is good, but you need to do variety shows during your rise. Check this out.” Xia Yang looked at the third option on the screen—”First Day at Work: Idols in the Workplace.”
“It’s a workplace experience show. It’s not as popular, but it films locally and lasts a week.”
“Hey, this could work!” Xia Yang slapped his thigh in excitement. “I’ve always wanted to experience the miserable life of a 996 office worker.”
Agent: “…”
This kid has clearly never been beaten down by society.
Fine. Letting the ruthless capitalists toughen him up might be a good thing.
“Alright, we’ll tentatively set it for the workplace show. I’ll let you know when there’s news.”
“Sounds good, Ge.”
Without realizing it, Xia Yang and Qi Le had talked for over an hour. It was now 7 PM, dinnertime. Qi Le suggested they have a quick meal before sending Xia Yang back to rest.
Just as the waiter handed them the menu, Xia Yang’s phone buzzed. He looked down and saw it was “Plastic Husband.”
He hesitated for a moment before swiping the screen and answering the call. “Hmm? What’s up?”
“You’re not in your room,” Han Yi said over the phone.
Hearing his voice, Xia Yang felt his heart leap, as if a spring had been wound inside him. The “Plastic Husband” had suddenly appeared? Was this big boss planning to change careers to a skydiver?
With a mix of unexplainable emotions, Xia Yang hurried back to the table.
“Qi Ge, I can’t join you for dinner,” he said, standing by the table.
“What’s wrong?” Qi Le asked with concern. “Is something the matter?”
“Oh, no, no,” Xia Yang quickly waved his hands, lying earnestly, “My doctor is here. He wants me back at the hotel for a check-up.”
The call was still connected.
On the other end, Han Yi heard everything clearly: “…”
Keep me fueled with caffeine! Support me on Ko-fi! It helps a lot ! Thank you so much ♡(´･ω･)(･ω･`)♡
