Day: August 5, 2020

Besides the paper bag containing clothes, Xin Zimai also gave An Xumo a clean towel. After briefly wiping the damp marks on his chest, An Xumo put on the brand-new shirt and pants. These clothes seemed to be casual wear, much more comfortable than the formal shirt he had worn earlier. However, due to the size difference, they were noticeably loose on him.

When asked for his address, An Xumo was in the middle of folding the two damp garments. No one had ever taught him how to fold clothes, so even though he had been living independently for a while, his movements were still somewhat clumsy. After hearing Xin Zimai’s question, An Xumo paused, looking up at him in disbelief. “But… I live on the top floor ah?”

Xin Zimai turned the wheel and started driving the RV. “You live in the last row of the company dormitories?”

An Xumo nodded blankly, “Yes.”

Xin Zimai asked, “Then have you seen the building across the street?”

An Xumo thought for a moment, “That high-rise villa?”

He lived in an eight-person dormitory, the worst accommodation available, which was why he had been placed in a remote corner, far from the building in front. However, that area was not the only residential complex. Across the fence and the roadway was another housing district.

Xin Zimai coughed lightly, “How do you know that the villa is across the street?”

An Xumo replied, “You can see them from the hallway windows. The rooftops there are open-air gardens.”

Xin Zimai nodded. “That’s right. But do you know that your own building also has an open-air garden on the rooftop?”

An Xumo was taken aback. “…Yi?”

The RV exited through a side gate. Since the necessary registration had been completed in advance, there was no obstruction as they left. While driving, Xin Zimai explained, “Your building is the farthest one if you enter from the main entrance of the employee district. But if you go through the central avenue of the residential area, it’s actually in the best location. That area has a total of 20-30 buildings, and the top floors are all high-rise villas. These were specially reserved by Jin Dian as benefits for executives and artists.”

The artists he referred to were, of course, not just ordinary signed contracted stars. Jin Dian has produced 3-4 top-tier superstars that are labeled as “First Brother,” “First Sister.” Even in terms of seniority alone, there were plenty of notable names.

Xin Zimai continued, “But many seniors prefer more private spaces. Mr. Zhou only acquired that property because of work needs. He’s currently staying there. If you want to go over, you can ask him first.”

The impact of this offer was a bit too strong—almost like suddenly winning a 30-day buffet pass. An Xumo didn’t react immediately and dazedly asked, “But… our floor doesn’t seem to have any way to go further up?”

Xin Zimai chuckled. “The entrance to the high-rise villas isn’t the same as the units below. You also need to go through identity verification before entering. So, you’d have to ask Mr. Zhou first. He can take you there.”

An Xumo was little afraid to accept this buffet pass, afraid that indulging in it would make the boss dislike him. “Thank you, but I might trouble Mr. Zhou… I’ll wait for another opportunity to talk about it.”

Xin Zimai didn’t let his polite refusal end the conversation. “If we’re talking about trouble, tonight has already caused you quite a bit of inconvenience.”

Through the rearview mirror, he looked at An Xumo. “You’re signed with Jin Dian, right? Who are you currently working with?”

An Xumo mentioned Tang Tang’s name. Xin Zimai nodded but didn’t say more. “If you’re tired, get some rest. You can recline the seat by pressing the button on the side. It’s still over two hours to Jin Dian—I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

An Xumo softly thanked him and placed his folded clothes on the back seat. He knew it wasn’t the most polite thing to fall asleep while alone with someone, but the intense training of the past few days, combined with today’s series of shocks, had left him physically and mentally exhausted.

After the seat was reclined, Xin Zimai turned on the car’s audio system. The song playing was one of Zhou Jinchen’s previously released singles. The familiar, deep, and soothing male voice carried a calming charm. Completely drained, An Xumo finally couldn’t hold on any longer and drifted off into sleep.

The RV had ample space, a comfortable temperature, and thanks to its smooth performance, there were no major jolts along the way. An Xumo slept deeply, only beginning to regain consciousness when faint noises reached his ears.

A hazy grayness surrounded him. The lights inside the vehicle had been dimmed to a night mode. An Xumo drowsily opened his eyes, only to see an unexpected silhouette in front of him.

He stared in a daze for a moment. Even though his eyes were open, he felt like he was still dreaming.

The figure quickly moved away, and the lights inside the vehicle brightened. The sudden brightness stung An Xumo’s eyes, making him instinctively shut them. As he heard the sound of the car door opening beside him, he raised a hand to shield his eyes and sat up, only to see Xin Zimai poking his head in. “Awake?”

An Xumo figured he must have been mistaken earlier and nodded at Xin Zimai.

Xin Zimai said, “We’re here, come down.”

An Xumo followed him out of the car. Though it was already summer, the night breeze was still cool. The temperature outside was a bit low, and wearing only a short-sleeved shirt, he couldn’t help but shiver. The lingering drowsiness in his mind vanished completely.

He was wearing Zhou Jinchen’s clothes, but since their body sizes were different, the tailored outfit looked rather loose on him. The movement of stepping out of the car was quite large, and the loosely hanging pants around his waist felt cumbersome. Worried that he might step on the fabric, An Xumo moved with extra caution.

Just as he set foot on the ground, before he even had the chance to adjust his borrowed pants, a deep voice beside him asked, “Are you injured?”

An Xumo froze and looked up blankly. Zhou Jinchen stood about a meter away from the car door, frowning as he looked at him.

“Huh?” Xin Zimai, who had been closing the car door, looked up at the question. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Only then did An Xumo find his voice. He quickly shook his head. “No, no, I’m fine. I’m not injured.”

Xin Zimai almost laughed at the three consecutive denials.

He cleared his throat and glanced at Zhou Jinchen, only to see that the man’s expression hadn’t relaxed much. Zhou Jinchen’s gaze swept over An Xumo’s legs before he asked again, “Did I step on you during the collision?”

It took An Xumo a moment to realize that the other party was referring to the accident at the birthday banquet. He quickly replied, “No, you didn’t step on me. I’m really fine.”

He wanted to explain, but the real reason was somewhat embarrassing to talk about. Speaking in front of the two of them, his voice involuntarily lowered. “It’s because of the pants… The waistband is a bit thick, and I was afraid they’d fall down…”

Xin Zimai really couldn’t hold it in this time—he leaned against the car door and burst out laughing. An Xumo looked at him in confusion, and Xin Zimai quickly waved a hand. “Sorry, sorry.”

But even as he apologized, his laughter didn’t stop.

Zhou Jinchen shot him a sideways glance and reached for a paper bag from the car roof. He handed it to An Xumo, who took it and realized it contained the clothes they had bought together that afternoon.

Behind him, Xin Zimai was still grinning. “Jinchen, do you need to increase your workout plan tomorrow?”

After all, he had just been personally criticized by his younger brother for having a thick waist.

Zhou Jinchen glanced at him indifferently. “Sure. The extra training costs will be deducted from your salary.”

Xin Zimai’s smile froze instantly.

Ignoring him, Zhou Jinchen gestured to An Xumo. “Turn right and walk straight for two hundred meters. The main entrance of the complex is there. Go back first—I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

An Xumo quickly nodded and carefully bid farewell to both of them seriously. His slightly oversized clothes hung loosely on his frame, the wide neckline revealing the smooth lines of his shoulders and collarbone. His fair skin, bathed in the moonlight and street lamps, was hard to look away from.

He had completely forgotten Xin Zimai’s earlier suggestion about going to the rooftop villa. Hugging the paper bag obediently, he turned and left.

An Xumo often felt hungry, but when it came to Zhou Jinchen, his appetite seemed to shrink. Just catching a few glimpses of him in person was enough to fill both his heart and stomach to the brim.

* * *

Two days later, backstage at Green City TV, Han Ming had just finished recording an episode and was about to leave when he ran into a surprising figure in the elevator.

“Brother Mai!” Han Ming greeted him with a smile and glanced toward the entrance. “What a coincidence! Did Brother Jinchen come with you?”

Xin Zimai smiled, “I came alone.”

Han Ming didn’t show any sign of disappointment. “Brother Mai, are you here for the next episode of <Sunny Weekend>?”

Xin Zimai nodded. “Next episode’s guest is Jinchen.”

Han Ming’s eyes lit up. Even though he had long known that Zhou Jinchen would be participating in the <Weekend with a Sunny Day>¹This is the full title of the program. The author just switch between this and the shortcut one which is Sunny Weekend. hearing the confirmation still brought him undiminished excitement. “Then we’ll get to record the next episode together. I’ve always looked forward to working with Brother Jinchen.”

After exchanging a few more polite words with him, Xin Zimai left as soon as the elevator doors opened. Meanwhile, Han Ming, who had been stopped by his manager, was still lost in his excitement, not fully registering what was being said to him.

It wasn’t until his manager repeated it that Han Ming snapped out of it. “What? A last-minute guest addition?”

His manager nodded. “Yes, aside from Zhou Jinchen, another guest will be joining the next episode.”

Han Ming frowned, “Who is it?”

“The director only mentioned adding someone but hasn’t confirmed the details yet,” the manager explained. “It’s probably similar to that unexpected guest from season one—someone arranged by a sponsor.”

Han Ming was puzzled. “Which sponsor has that much influence… to get someone placed in the same episode as Brother Jinchen?”

His manager wasn’t sure either and reassured him, “The temporary guest’s identity hasn’t been confirmed yet. But since you’re a regular cast member, just focus on performing well. The newcomer won’t be familiar with the team, so the final result will definitely be affected.”

“Besides, isn’t Zhou Jinchen known for disliking being constrained? He probably won’t go out of his way to accommodate this last-minute addition,” the manager added. “Next episode’s key focus will definitely be on Zhou Jinchen. Just interact with him more, and as for that temporary guest… whether they even get screen time is another story.”

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The author has something to say:

Sorry for being late!!

An Xiao Mo’s triple denial: It wasn’t me, I didn’t, I’m not hurt.

Zhou Jinchen: Mm.

An Xiao Mo (softly): I didn’t say your waist was thick either.

Zhou Jinchen: …

Zhou Jinchen: Let me measure just how thin your waist is.

Ten years ago, Zhou Jinchen was only 12 years old when he fell gravely ill and hovered on the brink of death. If not for the intervention of the long-retired Mr. Old Yu, he would never have survived his first zodiac year. Even after recovering, Zhou Jinchen had to spend half of each year deep in the mountains under Mr. Old Yu’s care to rid his body of lingering ailments. It wasn’t until five years later that he fully recovered.

Having barely snatched his life back from the jaws of death, the Zhou Family no longer imposed any expectations on Zhou Jinchen, only hoping he could live safely and peacefully. So when, at 17, he announced his decision to enter the entertainment industry as an artist, the Zhou Family raised no objections. Instead, they paved the way for him in advance, investing an astronomical sum into Jin Dian—enough to leave people astonished.

At the time, the entertainment industry was still dominated by grassroots success stories, with artists often relying on tragic narratives to gain public sympathy. Wealthy elites and business tycoons looked down on celebrities, and it was common for them to be openly priced at social gatherings. When Zhou Jinchen debuted, the Zhou Family faced immense public scrutiny. It wasn’t until the tides shifted and the entertainment industry became so lucrative that everyone wanted a share that these rumors gradually turned into envy.

By then, leveraging Zhou Jinchen’s status, the Zhou Family had already reaped great rewards from the murky waters of the industry.

Everything stemmed from that grave illness, yet the latest intelligence revealed that the person responsible for nearly taking Zhou Jinchen’s life was someone else entirely.

The young man discreetly surveyed their surroundings. After confirming that no one was paying attention to them, he lowered his voice and said, “So far, we’ve only confirmed He Wenbin’s identity. The full truth behind that accident still requires deeper investigation. But Jinchen, you should understand—whoever targeted you couldn’t have completely bypassed the Zhou Family. Be cautious about the equity distribution at today’s birthday banquet.”

Zhou Jinchen glanced across the room at An Xumo, who was quietly holding his food in a corner, and felt a complex mix of emotions. Not wanting to draw attention to An Xumo, he quickly retracted his gaze. “So the family called him back today because of the equity?”

The young man nodded. “He has no direct ties to Zhou Corporation’s shares, but before your uncle passed away, he left behind Yangfan Group. Once An Xumo comes of age, those shares will rightfully be his. Yangfan’s shares don’t mean much to Zhou Corporation, but the Zhou Family refuses to swallow this grievance—they’ll definitely try to take those shares from him.”

Equity transfers were no trivial matter. Forcing someone to sign a voluntary waiver in a highly public setting, with all eyes watching—Zhou Family never hesitated to employ such tactics. Despite being favored all his life, Zhou Jinchen had never doubted this fact.

The once-clear web of grudges and debts had suddenly become a tangled mess, and it was highly likely that An Xumo had been caught up in it without cause. The thought that he was the one who had personally brought An Xumo here made Zhou Jinchen even more uneasy. He stood up, intending to head in An Xumo’s direction, but the young man beside him immediately grabbed his arm.

“Where are you going?”

Zhou Jinchen frowned. “To get him out of here.”

The young man shook his head slightly and said in a low voice, “There are bodyguards. He won’t be able to leave.”

Zhou Jinchen’s gaze darkened as he scanned the room. After withdrawing his gaze, he turned to the young man and said, “Zimai, do me a favor.”

An Xumo briefly met their eyes but felt confused about what was happening. Zhou Jinchen and the young man quickly looked away and resumed their conversation. Thinking the eye contact was just a coincidence, An Xumo didn’t dwell on it. He was satisfied as long as he could catch a few glimpses of Zhou Jinchen—he had no other expectations.

His decision to enter the entertainment industry was largely because of this. Although Zhou Jinchen had ample resources and never lacked screen time, his personal schedule was extremely low-profile. He rarely appeared in public outside of work and had never even opened a Weibo account. Wanting to see more of the older brother he once had, An Xumo had mustered up the courage to step into this world.

But he didn’t have to wait long before a waiter approached him and said that the Third Young Master had summoned him. Among his generation, the third in line was Zhou Jinchen. An Xumo was surprised but still followed the waiter.

The young man beside Zhou Jinchen was still there, engaged in a conversation with another guest. As An Xumo got closer, he found the man increasingly familiar. However, having never been involved in the Zhou Family’s social circles, he knew very few people and couldn’t recall where he might have seen this person before.

When he reached Zhou Jinchen’s side, the latter didn’t acknowledge him. It wasn’t until the young man gave him a reminder that Zhou Jinchen finally turned his gaze, as if he had only just noticed An Xumo.

An Xumo was slightly taken aback—he could clearly see displeasure on Zhou Jinchen’s face. He was usually insensitive to other people’s emotions; otherwise, he wouldn’t have stood in the banquet hall completely unaware of being scrutinized like a spectacle. But when it came to Zhou Jinchen, he was keenly perceptive. The man obviously didn’t want to acknowledge him. He barely spared An Xumo a glance before turning away again to continue his conversation with the others.

This Zhou Jinchen was completely different from the one An Xumo had interacted with that afternoon. And since it was Zhou Jinchen who had called him over in the first place, An Xumo couldn’t understand what had changed, leaving him feeling at a loss.

Standing there all alone, he looked rather pitiful. In the end, it seemed the young man couldn’t bear to watch any longer and took the initiative to speak. “Mr. An, right? Would you like to have a drink with Jinchen?”

A nearby waiter promptly brought over wine glasses and a bottle. An Xumo had never drunk alcohol before and had no intention of doing so now. But in this tense and awkward situation, the young man had naturally helped him out of his predicament. With no other way to respond, An Xumo could only follow along and, feeling both cautious and uneasy, nodded slightly.

“…Okay.”

Zhou Jinchen still showed no reaction. His wine glass was already empty, and as the waiter busied himself refilling it, the young man picked up another glass from the tray and handed it to An Xumo.

Just as An Xumo reached out to take it, Zhou Jinchen suddenly stepped back, bumping into him. The unexpected impact caused An Xumo’s arm to shake, and he failed to grasp the glass properly, spilling the entire drink down the front of his own chest.

“Tsk…” The waiter had just finished pouring the wine and stepped aside, so no one else noticed Zhou Jinchen’s movement. Showing no awareness that he had bumped into An Xumo, he instead spoke impatiently, “You can’t even hold a glass properly?”

Spilling wine at such an event wasn’t a trivial matter. With the young man repeatedly apologizing and Zhou Jinchen’s tone carrying obvious displeasure, many people around them took notice. In recent years, Zhou Jinchen hadn’t attended many of Zhou Family’s banquets, and most of those present only knew him through his fame in the entertainment industry. Seeing him speak this way, they simply assumed he disdained An Xumo—after all, in the eyes of outsiders, An Xumo had taken Zhou Jinchen’s parents from him.

An Xumo lowered his gaze and softly murmured an apology. He forced a smile at the young man, waving a hand to indicate it was fine.

It’s just that the suit he just bought was scrapped, wasting a bit too much money. He thought to himself that the cost of this suit could have bought plenty of those white T-shirts that had been discarded earlier in the afternoon—that was why he felt so regretful. The softest, most vulnerable part of his heart was being prodded over and over, the pain making it hard to breathe.

The young man seemed to have said a few words to persuade Zhou Jinchen, but An Xumo didn’t catch them. Then Zhou Jinchen told him to go change his clothes. With an apologetic expression, the young man offered to accompany him. Zhou Jinchen frowned, waved them off, and let the two of them leave.

An Xumo was led toward a side exit of the banquet hall, the wine stain on his chest still dripping intermittently as he walked. In such a grand setting, his appearance made him seem even more out of place.

But clothes were just objects—no matter how disheveled they were, they could never look more pathetic than the person wearing them.

He wandered forward in a daze, only realizing something was off after they had taken several winding turns outside. Just as he was about to ask the young man leading the way, the other gestured for him to stay silent. The path ahead grew increasingly complicated until a gray van appeared before them, and the young man finally stopped.

Once An Xumo was ushered into the van, his confusion deepened. The young man, who had also boarded, didn’t offer any immediate explanation. Instead, he retrieved a bag from the back seat and handed it over.

“These are your brother’s clothes—just delivered, still unopened. Make do with them for now.”

An Xumo held the paper bag in his arms, momentarily unable to react. Seeing this, the young man patted his shoulder and said, “Did I scare you? Sorry, your brother wanted to get you out of the banquet.”

He introduced himself, “I’m Xin Zimai, Mr. Zhou’s manager and assistant.”

Only then did An Xumo realize why the other party seemed familiar—he had been looking in the wrong direction. He hadn’t expected the young man to be someone from the industry.

Even so, his wariness barely subsided. “I’m An Xumo… Sorry, but I’d like to leave.”

Xin Zimai gave a slightly apologetic, wry smile. “I’m really sorry about earlier. Let me explain everything first, alright?”

An Xumo’s chest was still damp, but he had no intention of changing clothes here. Remaining somewhat guarded, he nodded slightly. “Go ahead.”

Xin Zimai explained, “At tonight’s birthday banquet, Old Master Zhou will be announcing the distribution of Zhou Corporation’s shares. They called you back to make you relinquish any shares under your name.”

An Xumo frowned, “I don’t have that…”

Xin Zimai said, “I just saw Mr. Zhou Yunshan’s lawyer at the banquet—he’s here specifically for this matter. Before his passing, Mr. Zhou Yunshan independently founded a business group called Yangfan. Yangfan has no financial ties to the Zhou Family, and its shares will legally transfer to you once you reach adulthood. The only way for them to take it is if you willingly sign away your rights.”

An Xumo had never heard of this before. He had been fostered in Zhou Jinchen’s home from a young age and had very little memory of Zhou Yunshan.

Xin Zimai continued, “Mr. Zhou wasn’t initially aware that you had been removed from the family registry. He only started investigating after meeting you this afternoon. Since he was the one who brought you here, he wanted to ensure you got out safely.”

An Xumo looked at him cautiously. “If I’m not there, will my brother… will Mr. Zhou be affected?”

Xin Zimai smiled. “No need to worry about that. Technically speaking, even if the Zhou Family reclaims Yangfan’s shares, they would only end up under Mr. Zhou’s name. He doesn’t care about them, so there won’t be any major obstacles.”

An Xumo was stunned again. If that was the case, then by sending him away, Zhou Jinchen was actually giving up his own interests.

“As for tonight’s incident, Mr. Zhou said he’ll personally apologize to you,” Xin Zimai added. “For now, just change into something more comfortable.”

An Xumo gave a sluggish response. Xin Zimai then stepped out of the van and moved to the driver’s seat, giving him space while also starting the engine.

“Mr. Zhou asked me to take you home first,” Xin Zimai asked. “Where are you staying now?”

An Xumo provided an address. Acting as the driver, Xin Zimai was momentarily stunned. He then asked for a more specific location. Although An Xumo didn’t understand why, he obediently gave the details.

This time, Xin Zimai’s tone became even more peculiar.

“So… you live right below your brother?”

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The author has something to say:

One chapter to settle the rich family drama; hands on hips (…

Starting next chapter, we’ll shift to the entertainment industry la. Our poor An Xumo will be attending classes and landing his first resource~

And the male gods chasing after his brother will begin to make their appearances one by one~

Dingjin Center is a famous luxury goods shopping mall in S City, where the number of customers is often fewer than the salespeople. The environment is elegant, and the atmosphere is superb. It has long been a place that many celebrities are keen to patronize. With only a few hours left before the birthday banquet, it wasn’t realistic to have something custom-made, so Zhou Jinchen brought the person here, intending to pick out a formal suit temporarily.

An Xumo had been to places like this before, but he had never come dressed like this. Walking alongside Zhou Jinchen, who was wearing a high-end bespoke suit, An Xumo quickly became the subject of admiring gazes mixed with curiosity. It wasn’t just about the clothes—Zhou Jinchen, who had been famous for five years, had a completely different aura from ordinary people. No matter how one looked at it, the two of them didn’t seem to belong in the same world.

Zhou Jinchen was already accustomed to ignoring the attention, and An Xumo, too, paid no mind to the curious glances around them. The two entered one of the brand-name stores, where a salesperson quickly approached them. At Zhou Jinchen’s nod, she began selecting clothes for An Xumo.

There weren’t many customers in the store, and another salesperson came over. She glanced at Zhou Jinchen, who was wearing sunglasses, and couldn’t help but speak up. “Sir, you look familiar. Are you one of our Gold Card members?”

An Xumo, who was being fitted by the other salesperson, looked up and silently noticed the large vertical advertisement taking up half the wall in the store.

For top international brands like this, new product launches usually feature professional supermodels or top international celebrities. When Zhou Jinchen became the spokesperson for this brand at just over twenty, the news sent shockwaves through the domestic entertainment industry.

When An Xumo looked up, the salesperson who had spoken to Zhou Jinchen quickly realized who he was. Her gaze shifted between Zhou Jinchen and the advertisement twice, before she swiftly suppressed her surprise, working hard to maintain her professionalism.

Zhou Jinchen only nodded, then gestured for An Xumo to go change. The salesperson selected three suits for him, but Zhou Jinchen didn’t even glance at them, simply telling An Xumo to take all three into the fitting room.

An Xumo had a good figure and natural good looks, and when he wore the suits, it wasn’t that the clothes flattered him, but rather that he made the clothes look even better. The salesperson, who was used to dealing with high-end clients, couldn’t hide her expression of surprise. She started to praise him wholeheartedly, framing every ordinary critique as a compliment.

She picked out three light-colored suits for him, paired with pure white shirts and several ties. An Xumo only wanted to choose one set, but the salesperson was so enthusiastic that after trying on all three, he couldn’t decide which one was the best. He hesitated, wondering if he should ask for the other man’s opinion, but when he turned to look at Zhou Jinchen, he froze on the spot.

Zhou Jinchen held a white T-shirt in his hand, inspecting the tag at the collar. Beside him was a pair of black shorts—the same ones An Xumo had just changed out of in the fitting room.

Noticing An Xumo looking over, Zhou Jinchen lifted the T-shirt with one hand and, his voice was faint, no emotion could be heard, “Where did you buy this?”

An Xumo instinctively adjusted the bowtie the salesperson had helped him put on and honestly replied, “Online.”

Zhou Jinchen asked, “How much?”

An Xumo spoke softly, “9.99 yuan.”

An awkward silence fell over the large store. The two salespeople, each holding shirts priced in the five digits and ties in the four digits, exchanged glances.

Zhou Jinchen set the T-shirt down. “What about the pants?”

An Xumo’s voice became even softer. “19 yuan.”

Zhou Jinchen took off his sunglasses and looked at him. “Does it come with free shipping too?”

Without the sunglasses to block him, Zhou Jinchen’s appearance and gaze placed even more pressure on An Xumo. An Xumo felt his tongue go numb, but Zhou Jinchen didn’t wait for him to answer. He casually placed the two items back on the sofa and gestured to the salespeople. “Please cut the tags off for him.”

The salesperson quickly caught on. “Understood, sir. You’ve decided on this set, correct?”

Zhou Jinchen nodded. “All three sets. Two ties, one striped and one houndstooth. Also, grab another shirt.”

The salesperson hurried to fetch the clothing boxes and paper bags. An Xumo stood there, stunned, letting another salesperson cut the tags off his clothes. He finally managed to find his voice. “Sorry, I,I might not have enough money…”

Zhou Jinchen, who had been fiddling with his sunglasses, froze for a moment. His gaze, now without the shield of the glasses, seemed loaded with unspoken meaning. He appeared to want to say something but ultimately remained silent, simply taking out a card from his wallet and handing it to the busy salesperson.

After paying with the card, Zhou Jinchen asked the salesperson to place the two bargain items that An Xumo had tried on into the store’s miscellaneous collection basket. He turned to An Xumo and said, “The generic brands from online, throw them away when we get back.”

An Xumo, still somewhat at a loss, hadn’t fully processed Zhou Jinchen’s action of completing the payment. Zhou Jinchen glanced at him, his voice calm but firm. “Cheap clothes affect your body and your image. If you want to make a living from this industry, you have no right to be reckless.”

What should have been a simple clothing purchase was now being turned into a lecture on artist training. If a fan of Zhou Jinchen had been present, they would no doubt see him through the lens of professionalism and growing admiration. If there were black fans, it would’ve rendered as bullying and condescending. But for An Xumo, who didn’t belong to either group, he stood there, awkwardly accepting the heavy bags from the salesperson. After gathering his courage, he finally managed to thank Zhou Jinchen.

Zhou Jinchen took the card from the salesperson without responding. It was only when he put his sunglasses back on that he heard the faint second thank-you.

“Thank you, brother.”

Zhou Jinchen turned to look at the following An Xumo, his voice still devoid of emotion. “Let’s go upstairs and get shoes.”

Even in such a high-end, luxury store with few customers, there were people who recognized Zhou Jinchen. After their shopping trip, An Xumo also ended up being photographed by three separate groups with their phones. Fortunately, the security at Dingjin was tight, and nothing major happened.

The black Bentley started again. With just two hours remaining until the birthday banquet, they made another stop. An Xumo received a simple makeover. Zhou Jinchen was already prepared, but An Xumo’s hairstyle was still from the previous concert and wasn’t quite suitable for the birthday banquet.

The birthday banquet, while officially a celebration for Old Master Zhou, was also a gathering for the Zhou Family’s business dealings. It wasn’t just Zhou Family members who were invited, but many of their business partners as well.

By the time they arrived at the main residence, it was evening. The expansive garden had rows of lights illuminating it. The completely opened grand main gate had been decorated with great flair, and the attendants were methodically guiding the many luxury cars. The reception process was well-organized, with the subtle details reflecting the Zhou Family’s deep legacy.

The Bentley stopped in an open space in front of the lawn, and An Xumo followed Zhou Jinchen out of the car. The attendant who came forward to greet them was slightly stunned upon seeing An Xumo but quickly regained his composure. With impeccable politeness, he invited the two of them into the bright main residence.

The lobby on the first floor had been arranged as the venue for the banquet. The splendid lights illuminated the lavish furnishings. There were already quite a few people inside, and and as far as the eye could see, the scene was filled with the scent of perfume, the rustle of attire, and clinking glasses. Anyone who stumbled in might mistake it for a grand party. In reality, for the Zhou Family’s financial power, this kind of gathering was hardly considered extravagant.

As soon as Zhou Jinchen and An Xumo entered, they attracted many curious glances from around the room. One was dressed entirely in black, tall and upright, while the other was dressed in light white, slim and graceful. Though their temperaments were different, both were striking figures. However, the gazes directed at them carried entirely different emotions.

After all, one was the promising heir, while the other was the illegitimate son who had been recently kicked out.

Just like the attendant who had greeted them, many people were surprised when they saw An Xumo. There was no privacy in the mansion. The Zhou Family’s scandals were common knowledge, and no one had expected An Xumo to even appear at tonight’s birthday banquet.

An Xumo himself didn’t know the reason. He had asked Zhou Jinchen in the car, but Zhou Jinchen had only said it was a family order and that the specifics were unclear.

An Xumo was indeed uneasy, but this was the only opportunity he had had in a while to spend time with Zhou Jinchen. Plus, he could take advantage of the chance to get a good meal, which was why he was standing there.

Once inside the hall, several people came forward to greet Zhou Jinchen, which soon separated the two. An Xumo wasn’t concerned about that. The long white table was already filled with sumptuous dishes, so he helped himself to a plate of food and found an inconspicuous corner to sit down.

The Zhou Family had their own pastry chef, and the presentation and taste of the treats were top-notch. An Xumo was probably the only one in the banquet hall who was quietly eating. No one would bother him anyway. It was just that in the eyes of this only attentive diner, these carefully crafted meals weren’t very tasty either.

This luxury family birthday banquet was grand to the extreme, yet the attention on An Xumo was subtle, with whispered comments and unabashed malice. The guest of honor, who was the subject of their gossip, didn’t notice the atmosphere around him. He sat quietly in the corner, slowly nibbling on a cookie.

The sweet taste he loved turned into a faint, flavorless dryness on his lips. An Xumo silently filled his stomach, but in his mind, he felt that this plate of carefully baked dessert wasn’t as tasty as the chicken breast he had for lunch.

Everywhere felt cold, even the translucent shrimp dumplings that were steaming had bits of ice on them. A bite would cool his stomach completely.

An Xumo stopped eating after a while. He didn’t look back at the increasingly direct stares, instead, he searched the room for the familiar figure in pure black. Zhou Jinchen’s appearance made it impossible for him to blend into the crowd, and even in a banquet where everyone was carefully dressed, An Xumo spotted him at once.

However, Zhou Jinchen, who had just been talking with family and friends, was now standing in a rather secluded corner. He was speaking in a low voice with a youth who looked hurried, his expression somewhat cold and stern. An Xumo glanced curiously at the young man, feeling that he had seen him somewhere before.

He had only glanced a few times when both people suddenly raised their heads and turned their gaze toward him.

Coldly meeting one another’s eyes, An Xumo couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.

But in fact, the one who was more surprised was Zhou Jinchen.

“Are you sure the person who died 15 years ago was his biological father?” Zhou Jinchen’s voice was very low, his grip on his wine glass tight. The rounded bottom of the glass dug into his palm, causing him pain.

“Since his father jumped to his death long ago, who was the one who drugged me ten years ago?”

A brief silence arose on the other end of the phone. After a while, Zhou Jinchen’s voice slowly came through: “Are you at Jin Dian?”

“Yes…”

It seemed that Zhou Jinchen said something to the driver, and after a moment of fuzziness, his voice became clear again: “200 meters away from the road sign is the location I sent you.”

A brief buzzing vibration came from the phone, and soon, the call ended.

The overheated phone burned his palm. A bit of sweat from the side of his face had slid onto the smooth screen. An Xumo quickly wiped the screen with a tissue, stood up, and went to the bathroom to wash his face.

Clear water droplets slowly slid down his delicate features, and his fair skin appeared even more translucent after getting wet. An Xumo didn’t have the habit of wearing makeup during practice, as his conditions were excellent. His whole demeanor exuded the pure charm unique to youth. Although his temperament was different from Zhou Jinchen’s, there was no doubt that both of them unconsciously emitted an irresistible charm to those around them.

But when An Xumo looked up at himself in the mirror, he couldn’t help but feel a lack of confidence or peace of mind.

He had thought he would change back into his dance practice clothes in the afternoon, so he had just casually thrown on a plain white T-shirt and black shorts. This outfit had looked poor even when he was in high school, let alone when meeting his brother.

While editing a message to ask Tang Tang for time off, An Xumo absentmindedly chewed on the tip of his tongue, thinking about the time they hadn’t seen each other. When he was anxious, he had the habit of biting his tongue, a trick he had originally used to stave off hunger.

In fact, An Xumo didn’t need to think much. He had been keeping track of the cumulative days—he had last seen Zhou Jinchen a year ago. 370 days had passed, and now this date could finally reset, starting again from scratch.

Tang Tang directly called him. An Xumo’s tongue felt a little numb, but he apologized as best as he could: “I’m really sorry, there’s something important at home. I’ll make up for the practice when I get back.”

Fortunately, he had just started working with a new agent, and his schedule hadn’t been finalized yet. After giving a few instructions, Tang Tang relaxed. An Xumo didn’t dare delay further, tugged at the hem of his T-shirt, and hurriedly left the company.

The black Bentley stopped in front of the bank. An Xumo glanced at it and immediately recognized it as the family car. He hurried over, and a middle-aged man with a slicked-back hairstyle opened the car door. An Xumo softly thanked him, taking a deep breath to calm his hurried breathing before bending down to sit in the backseat.

The driver and the butler sat in the front, and naturally, the man who had been counted to 370 was sitting in the back. The car was spacious, with a refined atmosphere. There was even a soundproof partition between the front and back seats. An Xumo was afraid his voice might sound impolite, so he did his best to suppress his rapid breathing.

But the other party’s first words easily shattered the calm he had tried to maintain.

“Why aren’t you going to school?”

Before An Xumo could decide whether to mention his contract with Jin Dian, the man’s question caught him off guard. Zhou Jinchen flipped over the tablet he was holding, the cold light from the screen stabbing into An Xumo’s eyes.

It was the contract he had signed with Jin Dian.

Clearly, Zhou Jinchen had found more than just that contract. With a swipe of his long fingers, An Xumo saw several thumbnail images of his personal files. His performance videos, vocal range analysis, class schedules—everything was there.

His appearance certainly gave Zhou Jinchen’s career a boost, but the reason he had landed such amazing resources right after debuting was because of the investment the Zhou Family had slammed into the Jin Dian Group.

Within just a few minutes, Zhou Jinchen had obtained all of An Xumo’s information.

The screen froze, and a formal yet celebratory admission letter was enlarged. The emblem of a top university was prominently displayed at the top, and the next line began with An Xumo’s name.

The man’s voice remained low and alluring, despite only containing a word: “Explain.”

An Xumo pinched the seam of his pants, his voice slightly muddled: “I want… to be a star.”

Zhou Jinchen’s voice revealed no emotion: “Why didn’t you tell the family?”

An Xumo murmured, “There’s no need to trouble them with this…”

Before he could finish his sentence, the tablet was thrown with a sharp “thud” between them.

An Xumo looked down and saw the display showing all his expenses for the month—training, food and accommodation, clothing… and even energy drinks.

All in all, aside from the essentials, everything else was the lowest option available, totaling less than 3,000.

For an average student, 3,000 might cover one or two months of living expenses, but for the Zhou Family, that amount was less than what they would pay for a day’s cleaning service.

An Xumo could no longer stay defiant; the truth was glaringly obvious in front of both of them.

He had been kicked out of the Zhou Family.

The Zhou Family had been in business for three generations, and under Old Master Zhou, the family had become even more prosperous, with four sons. An Xumo had originally been raised by the youngest, Zhou Yunshan. After Zhou Yunshan passed away, when he was just three years old, An Xumo was fostered by Zhou Yunshan’s second eldest brother, Zhou Yunlin—Zhou Jinchen’s family.

Although he was being raised there, the Zhou Family had never hidden their rejection of An Xumo.

Zhou Yunshan had been intelligent since he was a child and was greatly loved with a natural talent for business that made him even more admirable. He was perfect in every way, but he fell short when it came to love.

When Zhou Yunshan brought An Xumo back, the Zhou Family nearly exploded—no one expected the prestigious Zhou Family, with their successful Young Master Zhou, to stubbornly insist on raising another man’s child for his fiancée.

An Xumo wasn’t even Zhou Yunshan’s biological son. His existence was a shame to the Zhou Family. But Zhou Yunshan refused to break off his engagement, and even when he lay on his deathbed, he never forgot to entrust An Xumo to his second brother, who had only one child.

After Zhou Yunshan’s death, the Zhou Family changed An Xumo’s surname back to his mother’s. They considered their duty fulfilled after nearly 18 years of raising a child of another family. The day An Xumo received his university admission letter, all contact with him was officially severed. Zhou Jinchen, busy with filming and engagements, might not return home once in a year, and no one had informed him, so he naturally knew nothing of this matter.

When An Xumo left the Zhou Family residence, all he had left was the phone Zhou Jinchen had given him for his birthday and the inheritance left to him by Zhou Yunshan before his death. He was still underage, so Zhou Yunshan’s estate only allowed him to withdraw 2,000 a month. The Zhou Family had paid for his university tuition, but An Xumo no longer wanted to continue studying.

No matter how well he did or how obedient he was, no one would change their attitude toward him. To the Zhou Family, An Xumo had been a disgrace from the moment he was born.

The problems didn’t stop there. The Zhou Family didn’t care about An Xumo signing the contract on his own, but Zhou Jinchen, who also worked in the entertainment industry, couldn’t remain indifferent. The man’s voice, calm yet forceful, landed near An Xumo’s ear with the same oppressive effect as his appearance.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Zhou Jinchen’s imposing presence had always been intimidating, and with An Xumo, who had always been afraid of him, the questioning threw him off balance. His face turned even paler as he stammered, “I was afraid I’d cause trouble to brother…”

Zhou Jinchen faintly cut him off, “If you don’t want to cause trouble, then don’t call me ‘brother’ in front of others.”

The color drained from An Xumo’s face in an instant.

He understood this logic completely—Zhou Jinchen had his own considerations. The entertainment industry was full of both good and bad, and the media would dig up anything they could. Zhou Jinchen had always disliked his privacy being exposed, and naturally, he wouldn’t make their relationship public. That was why An Xumo had never mentioned Zhou Jinchen to anyone during his time with Jin Dian, not even to Tang Tang.

What truly left An Xumo feeling helpless was the undeniable truth in front of him—Zhou Family had completely severed ties with him, even transferring his guardianship. So now, he no longer had the right to call him that.

Zhou Jinchen glanced at the slender boy in front of him, his eyes briefly stopping on the pale hand where veins showed faintly, before quickly moving away. He pressed the intercom button and spoke to the driver, giving a new destination. The direction shifted, and the luxury car’s shock absorption system worked so smoothly that An Xumo couldn’t feel any bumps during the turn.

When Zhou Jinchen released the button, he heard the usual light tone from the other side, but this time it was slightly hoarse, “I understand. I will try my best. I won’t disturb you, senior.”

Zhou Jinchen raised an eyebrow in response, his handsome face carrying a mysterious expression. He had planned to say something, but when he saw An Xumo’s face, he froze.

An Xumo was staring down at the dimming tablet when a slender hand reached out with a wet wipe. He hurriedly looked up, and the man holding the wipe said, “The corner of your mouth.”

An Xumo instinctively wiped with the back of his hand, only to smear a large patch of blood across his fair skin.

It was then that he realized he had bitten his tongue. After quickly thanking the man, An Xumo took the wet wipe from him and carefully cleaned up the blood.

The car fell into a brief silence. Just as An Xumo was about to ask a very important question, he heard the man’s usual deep, captivating voice, “Off-camera, you can call me whatever you like.”

An Xumo looked up in confusion. The light outlined Zhou Jinchen’s perfect profile, and at such a close distance, it was enough to soothe all of his hunger.

“Senior will do,” Zhou Jinchen said indifferently. “But you haven’t debuted yet.”

An Xumo had initially wanted to ask why he was still allowed to attend the birthday banquet, but Zhou Jinchen’s words completely threw him off. He sat there dazed, feeling as though his ears were ringing, or perhaps he had misunderstood.

The smoothly driving Bentley came to a stop. Zhou Jinchen opened the car door and stepped out first. The butler opened the door on An Xumo’s side. In a daze, An Xumo stepped out of the car and looked ahead.

What stood before him was not the cold, imposing main gate of the mansion, but a magnificent, refined, tall commercial building. Several famous luxury brand logos stood out on large signs, and the bright windows displayed small but expensive new arrivals.

Zhou Jinchen, wearing sunglasses, passed by him and tilted his head slightly, signaling to An Xumo, who was dressed in cheap clothes.

“Keep up.”

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The author has something to say:

The very poor and hungry An Xiao Mo is about to be taken out shopping for clothes =v=.

Click to bookmark this story, and you’ll get a stable daily update (≧▽≦)/!

The phone screen had already locked, but denying it now would only make it seem a little too much. An Xumo responded as naturally as possible, both in expression and tone, “Mm, senior is my idol.”

Tang Tang didn’t find it strange that her own artist was chasing after a star. The name Zhou Jinchen had been well-known in the circle in recent years—he was the ideal model for anyone dreaming of overnight fame. While An Xumo had exceptional potential, he was still just an unknown trainee. It was only natural for him to admire Zhou Jinchen.

However, admiration was one thing; necessary warnings couldn’t be omitted. As she packed up the meal boxes, Tang Tang said, “Xiao Mo, there’s nothing wrong with chasing stars, but you have to remember your own identity. Once you officially debut, the company will arrange various materials for you. You need to be mindful of boundaries, or who knows how others might spin things if they catch wind of it.”

Tang Tang’s words were blunt, but they served as a very timely reminder. In the entertainment industry, there was no such thing as privacy—an artist’s preferences were all exploitable elements. Having an idol could be a small matter or a big one, but An Xumo had no leverage at the moment. If he wasn’t careful, he could easily be labeled as someone clout-chasing.

“Brother Zhou’ team is the top-tier setup in our company, and his fanbase is particularly loyal. He’s on the actor track, yet his stats are no less than those of top traffic stars.” After finishing her initial reminder, Tang Tang softened her tone, half comforting and half advising, “We don’t need to rush things. Just keep working hard, and you’ll definitely have the chance to collaborate with him in the future.”

An Xumo responded quietly, showing no signs of discomfort. Tang Tang assumed he had taken her words to heart, unaware that, for An Xumo, her advice was completely unnecessary.

He had been hiding his emotions for over ten years—far longer than any other fan of Zhou Jinchen—and he understood better than anyone how to suppress them.

After lunch, the trainees had an hour of break time. An Xumo had long since gotten used to using this time for extra practice. He was about to head to the dance studio when Tang Tang called him back.

“Right. Han Ming, the one who arranged for you all to appear at the concert, is coming over. He’s selecting a few dancers for his new single. Go wait for him in the lobby first. Make a good first impression—it’ll make it easier to stay in touch later.”

An Xumo hesitated for a moment, only nodding after Tang Tang called his name again.

Tang Tang had other matters to attend to. After a few more reminders, she let An Xumo go. During the lunch break, the corridor was quiet. An Xumo walked alone for a long time until he reached the railing on the second floor. Looking down, he finally saw some figures moving through the lobby on the first floor.

Jin Dian was a massive company with a very luxurious interior. The spacious lobby was bright and pristine, with floors polished enough to reflect one’s image. People occasionally passed through, and a few trainees sat in the booth-style sofas to the side, seemingly casual but clearly keeping an eye on the entrance.

Surrounded by emptiness, standing atop this stage of fame and fortune adorned with heavy makeup and pretense, An Xumo found himself standing in this high-class building countless people dreamed of reaching. The windows were spotless, the lighting was warm, yet hunger swept over him like a gust of wind through an open hall, sudden and overwhelming.

The staircase was easy to find. When An Xumo descended to the first-floor lobby, the trainees immediately noticed him. An Xumo didn’t notice the unfriendly gazes directed his way, simply finding a quiet corner behind the stairs to sit alone.

The lobby was vast, so much so that its daily cleaning was divided between two separate teams. An Xumo sat in an inconspicuous spot where he could clearly see those entering through the doors, but others would find it difficult to notice him.

The wait wasn’t long. Before long, Han Ming’s figure appeared at the entrance. Han Ming was a prime example of a successful solo debut after leaving a group. His appearance was striking, and after securing opportunities, he made the most of them. After skyrocketing to fame through a variety show, he hadn’t neglected his core skills in singing and dancing. Now, he was capable of holding solo concerts in China, with VIP seats being resold at triple the original price.

Despite having debuted only three years ago and not yet having solidified his foundation, to these trainees who had yet to debut, Han Ming was already a senior star beyond reach. They waited here eagerly, hoping for a chance to strike up a conversation with this senior.

However, when Han Ming finally stepped inside, everyone’s attention was instantly stolen by someone else.

Accompanying Han Ming into the lobby was a young man nearly 1.9 meters tall. Both had long legs and tall statures, yet standing together, their differences were strikingly clear. The man who drew all eyes had an imposing presence and an exceptionally outstanding appearance. In terms of looking at his appearance alone, he was even more stunning than Han Ming, who had debuted as an idol.

This was no exaggeration. Setting aside everything else, the media was always eager to use the largest headlines and the most captivating descriptions to praise this man’s looks, knowing they would guarantee surging readership every time. Yet, even with all the flowery words, no retelling could fully capture his allure without losing some part of it.

Despite debuting as an actor, he held two records: the highest solo magazine sales and the fastest sellout of limited-edition issues. Over the years, his refined temperament had only enhanced his appearance, making him more breathtaking and awe-inspiring with each passing year.

—The man walking into the lobby alongside Han Ming was none other than Zhou Jinchen.

Only the trainees seeking opportunities from Han Ming had been keeping an eye on him, but the moment Zhou Jinchen appeared, all attention was instantly drawn to him instead.

Jin Dian was an established entertainment conglomerate, with countless celebrities coming and going daily. Any random star from the company was enough to capture public attention. Even so, the people present were momentarily stunned by the sheer impact of his presence. It took a while before they could regain their composure.

Once they snapped out of it, they realized that Han Ming was engaged in conversation with Zhou Jinchen. The latter was dressed in a custom-tailored black suit, which not only made him look even more striking but also indicated something else—he was likely on his way to attend a highly formal event.

Compared to the surrounding onlookers’ reaction, Han Ming’s demeanor remained calm and composed. He was undoubtedly good-looking himself, though he paled slightly in comparison to Zhou Jinchen. However, his poised manner of speaking still made him an appealing presence.

The lobby was spacious, and those nearby couldn’t make out the details of their conversation. They could only see Han Ming chatting enthusiastically, while the usually reserved Zhou Jinchen didn’t seem entirely uninterested either. He said something brief, and Han Ming immediately broke into a pleased smile. The atmosphere between them that moment let the bystanders hesitate to interrupt.

However, after just a few steps, a few unfamiliar young men approached to greet them. Whether due to the unexpected turn of events or the overwhelming aura Zhou Jinchen exuded, they rushed forward so clumsily that they couldn’t even introduce themselves properly.

Han Ming, who had been casually joking earlier, immediately adjusted his expression. He didn’t react much, simply glancing at the name tags on their chests before giving them a polite nod and moving on without lingering.

Seeing the trainees gathering around Han Ming, An Xumo, who had been sitting in the distance, suddenly remembered his own task. He was supposed to greet Han Ming as well. But with that person there, there was no way he could go up and start a conversation now.

Left with no other choice, An Xumo could only apologize to Tang Tang in his heart.

Compared to An Xumo, it was the other trainees who were truly filled with regret. But at this moment, Han Ming and Zhou Jinchen had already entered the elevator, leaving them no chance to salvage the situation. What was meant to be an opportunity to leave a good impression had instead turned into a disaster. Worse still, they had made a rash and discourteous impression in front of Zhou Jinchen. First impressions were crucial, and now, they would have to work ten times harder to make up for it.

Meanwhile, An Xumo, who hadn’t stepped forward at all, was ironically the most at ease. Even the hunger he had felt earlier had mostly subsided. With half an hour of lunch break remaining and Han Ming already gone, he had no other tasks left. He initially planned to resume extra training but then recalled Tang Tang mentioning adjustments to his new training schedule. Pausing his steps toward the upper floor, he took out the company-issued trainee phone and sent Tang Tang a message.

Training and debuting newcomers in groups was a standard cost-cutting and risk-reducing strategy for the company. However, An Xumo had already proven his value in the competitive environment at the bottom tier, which meant the company was bound to make new considerations for him. The original group training was no longer suitable for his current situation, and now that he had a manager, he needed to start a new training plan.

Tang Tang was still busy, so she only replied with a short WeChat message telling him to wait a little. Since the manager wasn’t available, An Xumo couldn’t go directly to the second-floor offices, so he simply stayed in the lobby, waiting for her response.

Not long after, just as the lobby had settled into calm again, small commotion arose. Snapped out of his thoughts, An Xumo looked up—only to be startled by a familiar figure.

Just ten meters away, coming down the stairs, was none other than Zhou Jinchen, the very person who had been occupying his mind moments ago. This time, he was alone—Han Ming was nowhere to be seen.

Unlike the others in the lobby, who were all subtly trying to attract Zhou Jinchen’s attention, An Xumo’s heart was racing wildly, and even his stomach tightened with a mix of sweet and sour nervousness. He didn’t dare make a sound, holding his breath as if staying perfectly still would keep him from being noticed.

Fortunately, Zhou Jinchen didn’t seem to pay attention to his surroundings. He was never the type to engage in casual socializing, nor did he need to build connections through small talk. Without stopping in the lobby, he quickly exited the Jin Dian building.

An Xumo had yet to recover from his nervousness when his phone suddenly vibrated against his leg, making him jump again. When he finally calmed down enough to check, he saw a message from Tang Tang. She was arranging his new training plan and told him not to rush—he could rest for now.

Tang Tang understood An Xumo’s personality well, so she never pressured him to over-train. Instead, she tried to help him balance work and rest. An Xumo sent her a quick thank-you message but soon found himself troubled over where to go next.

Staying in the lobby was out of the question—who knew who else he might run into? But aside from the dance studio and the vocal practice room, he didn’t really have anywhere else to go.

As he was thinking, his leg suddenly vibrated again. He assumed it was another notification from Tang Tang and instinctively reached for his phone, only to realize that the company phone was still in his right hand.

If it wasn’t the company phone…

An Xumo’s back stiffened once more.

He hurriedly fished out his personal phone from his other pocket. As the screen lit up automatically, the name displayed on it was the only person he dared not even think about.

Taking a deep breath, An Xumo felt more nervous now than he had ever been while waiting backstage before a performance. His palm was slick with sweat, and it took two tries before his fingers managed to answer the call.

“…Hello… Brother?”

The person on the other end didn’t seem to notice his nerves. A deep, magnetic voice resonated through the phone, sending a tremor down the back of An Xumo’s pale ears. Zhou Jinchen’s low voice was as famous as his looks, and An Xumo had to dig his nails into his palm just to focus on what was being said.

“Grandfather’s birthday banquet tonight. Come to the main house.”

An Xumo’s lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something, but after opening and closing his mouth a few times, no words came out.

He knew about the banquet, but attending had never been part of his plans. No one wanted him there on a joyous occasion, and he never expected Zhou Jinchen to call him back for it.

This was completely outside of An Xumo’s expectations. He had every reason to refuse. No one in that house wanted to see him, and he himself still had classes to attend—dance practice, lessons, workouts, rest…

His schedule was packed with classes, yet none of those reasons were enough to change his decision.

—An Xumo had no way to refuse an opportunity to meet Zhou Jinchen.

Just like the fleeting glimpse he had stolen earlier—he had been terrified, yet he indulged in it willingly. His empty stomach felt as if it had been filled with cheese and honey, soft and sweet, warming him from the inside out.

As An Xumo remained silent, the voice on the other end spoke again. The sound of a car door opening and closing accompanied the deep male voice: “Turn on your location. The driver will pick you up.”

His personal phone had a security system, and An Xumo had forgotten to disable location tracking earlier. He had never given it much thought—because no one had ever come looking for him.

So now, just as Zhou Jinchen finished speaking, a soft “beep” sounded—a notification indicating an active location ping. The faint chime seemed to explode across the signal between them.

A sweet, mechanical female voice announced on the other end, “Destination reached.”

An Xumo swallowed with difficulty, his voice as dry as his parched lips. Quietly, he said, “Brother… I’m at the place you just left.”

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The author has something to say:

Daily stable updates, please bookmark -3-!

The gong and shou aren’t biologically related. This is an alternate universe where same-sex marriage is legal. Their names are derived from a Chinese idiom: 望尘莫及 (wàng chén mò jí), meaning “far beyond reach.” It signifies both an unattainable crush and the idea of longing for “Chen” while “Mo” remains out of reach~

The spacious and well-lit dance studio had a brand-new floor-to-ceiling mirror spanning an entire wall. Eleven young men with broad shoulders, long legs, and similar heights were practicing the same dance routine. The highly dynamic rhythm demanded both physical endurance and solid dance skills. Even in the temperature-controlled room, beads of sweat were visible on their foreheads and the backs of their necks.

It wasn’t until the clock struck the hour that the trainees, who had been rehearsing for two hours straight, finally got a ten-minute break. The music switched to a light, relaxing tune, and as they stretched their sore limbs, they gradually took their seats on a row of long benches against the wall.

These young men were trainees handpicked for intensive training under Jin Dian Entertainment’s new annual program. Before being selected, they had undergone thirteen rounds of auditions and evaluations. Each of them was exceptionally talented, but among the eleven, there was one whose appearance was unanimously recognized as the most outstanding.

An Xumo—who was also the youngest among them.

Transparent sweat droplets rolled down his well-defined jawline. Slightly panting, An Xumo picked up a dark green sports drink, his fair and flexible lower back flashing briefly as he moved. He wiped his forehead with a towel while taking a seat at the very edge of the bench.

With the choreographer absent, the atmosphere in the studio was noticeably more relaxed. When An Xumo sat down, the trainee beside him, Lu Yingtou, was turned slightly, chatting with someone next to him. Four people sat on the long bench, yet only one remained silent the entire time. Lu Yingtou’s back seemed to form an invisible barrier, distinctly dividing the space between them.

The group was discussing their first public performance, which had taken place a week ago at fellow company artist Han Ming’s solo concert. Lu Yingtou said, “It’s only been three years since senior debuted and he was able to hold his solo concert. Not to mention in Jin Dian, it’s pretty rare in the entire industry.

The boy next to him agreed, “Yeah, I heard that senior is about to start recording the second season of <Sunny Weekend>. This time, he’s a regular guest—signed on for six whole episodes.”

Another boy with brown hair lowered his voice, saying, “Didn’t Sister Chen mention yesterday that he’s coming to the company around noon? We should hang out in the lobby during lunch break.” While speaking, he seemed wary of An Xumo overhearing. Even though he had already lowered his voice, his eyes kept darting in An Xumo’s direction. Only when he saw An Xumo tilt his head back and drink his sports drink without any reaction did he finally relax and look away.

To cover up his actions, the brown-haired boy also twisted open his green bottle and took a sip. It was a specialized drink provided by the company—low in sugar, low in calories, and rich in nutrients. For trainees like them, however, they had to pay for it themselves.

But an expensive price didn’t necessarily mean a good taste. Caught off guard, the brown-haired boy was immediately overwhelmed by the sour bitterness as soon as he took a sip. Though he forced himself to swallow instead of spitting it out, his expression twisted uncontrollably.

Lu Yingtou laughed at him. “You’ve been drinking this for so long, and you still get choked by bitter melon water? Impressive.”

Of course, the sports drink didn’t actually contain bitter melon—it even had a high-end official name. But its strange taste and color had earned it the nickname bitter melon water among the trainees. The brown-haired boy chuckled awkwardly and continued chatting, yet his gaze couldn’t help but sneak back to the farthest corner where An Xumo was sitting.

To his surprise, An Xumo’s bottle of bitter melon water was already empty.

An Xumo, having finished the entire bottle, paid no attention to the conversation around him. He screwed the cap back onto the now-spotless bottle and placed it into the drink crate in the corner. However, his empty stomach still let out a small protest of hunger.

Sports drinks were different from regular beverages—a single bottle was enough to sustain someone through hours of intense exercise. But for An Xumo, who was still underage, it wasn’t enough to fill his stomach. He rubbed his abdomen, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn’t reach for a second bottle.

He didn’t have enough money to cover the extra cost, and besides, lunch was only two hours away. To be honest, An Xumo didn’t particularly like the taste of the sports drink either. Thinking about the hot meal waiting for him at noon, he decided he could hold out a little longer.

The ten-minute break passed in a flash, and the studio was once again filled with the pounding rhythm of their endlessly repeated choreography.

Jin Dian Entertainment had dominated the film industry for decades and was now making a bold move into the music scene—an achievement inseparable from the company’s highly efficient and rigorous training system. For these trainees, who had yet to make their debut, practicing over ten hours a day was the norm.

Two hours later, the morning session finally came to an end. Just as the trainees were dismissed, the choreographer, Brother Li, suddenly called out to An Xumo at the back of the group.

“Oh, right—Xiao Mo, Xiao Tang asked me to let you know that you don’t have to go to the cafeteria for lunch. Head straight to Room 213, she’s waiting for you there.”

An Xumo was momentarily stunned before nodding in acknowledgment, surrounded by various unreadable gazes. His expression remained respectful but not overly eager. “Thank you, Brother Li.”

Brother Li chuckled and patted An Xumo’s shoulder. “No need to be so polite. You’re the first among this new batch to get a manager—there’s still a long road ahead, so keep working hard.”

Jin Dian Entertainment had sent the eleven-member trainee group to perform as an opening act for Han Ming’s concert, but in the end, only An Xumo stood out. This kid’s appearance and stage presence were beyond reproach. Having worked with many trainees over the years, Brother Li had a sharp eye—there weren’t many people in the company who could earn his words of encouragement.

Everyone else in the room naturally understood Brother Li’s personality. As soon as he finished speaking, the other ten trainees looked even worse than their sweat-soaked training uniforms. They didn’t dare let Brother Li notice their reactions, so instead, they directed their glares at An Xumo, who was facing them. But An Xumo remained as clueless as ever, merely thanking Brother Li once more before turning to leave the dance studio.

The cafeteria was where the trainees usually ate, but since An Xumo had been called away by his new manager, he would be having lunch in her office instead.

The person assigned to An Xumo was Tang Tang. Though she was referred to as a manager, she had never independently managed an artist before—she was a newcomer, just like him. Along with An Xumo, she was also responsible for a few other newly signed artists. The reason An Xumo was the only one given the privilege of dining in her office was due to friendship between them before they both joined the company.

When An Xumo knocked and entered, Tang Tang was just taking out lunch. She carefully lifted the lid of the insulated container, revealing a spread of crisp, pale-colored food.

Tang Tang beamed. “Xiao Mo, come here. This is a special meal I had customized just for you. The company’s nutritionist highly recommended it.”

The moment An Xumo saw what was inside the lunchbox, a wave of sourness surged up his throat and settled in his stomach. He had just taken a shower, leaving a faint, fresh scent lingering on him—but no matter how pleasant he smelled, he couldn’t possibly compare to the sheer freshness of the meal before him.

What Tang Tang had prepared for him was a precisely portioned, meticulously seasoned chicken breast—accompanied by a large plate of boiled broccoli that didn’t have the slightest bit of oil or fishy smell.

The cafeteria meals, though also strictly portioned, at least had some richness to them. But the plate in front of An Xumo now—forget about oil, even the egg was stingily halved and sliced into four thin pieces.

An Xumo sniffed lightly, then finally took the knife and fork Tang Tang handed him. She continued her lecture, “Xiao Mo, if you want to be an idol, you have to maintain your figure. I already thought you had potential when I was an exchange in junior high, but you still have to stick to the discipline. Even if the heavens bless us with talent, we have to be able to carry it.”

An Xumo had attended a prestigious private school for junior high, where extracurricular activities were abundant. Tang Tang, two years his senior, had been an exchange student there. The two had met during a month-long exchange program through school events. No one could have predicted that their brief acquaintance would continue right outside the gates of the entertainment industry.

Tang Tang was chatty, but she genuinely cared for him. Even though An Xumo felt miserable, he had no intention of arguing back. He simply tore into the chicken breast, forcing himself to swallow the paper-like texture.

Before long, Tang Tang received a work call. She told An Xumo to stay in the office and finish his meal properly, assuring him she would be back soon. An Xumo nodded and saw her off. Returning to the empty desk, he took out his phone from his pocket.

The trainees all used discounted sponsor-provided phones, but the one An Xumo pulled out was his private device. He opened a hidden album and found a live photo, carefully propping up his phone beside his meal. As he continued eating his unappetizing nutritional meal, he kept his gaze fixed on the photo.

In recent years, mukbang videos had become popular, offering comfort to those on diets or with dietary restrictions. But An Xumo’s chosen photo wasn’t of a famous food vlogger, nor was it of the sweet-and-sour ribs he had long craved. Instead, it was a candid shot of a man.

The man in the picture had a cold and strikingly handsome face. He was dressed in a tailored deep gray suit that outlined a perfect physique, making his straight shoulders and back even more prominent. The image was slightly distorted from being zoomed in too much, but even through the softened pixels, the man’s unparalleled beauty and distant demeanor were evident.

The short live photo captured the moment he stood up. His seated posture was already elegant and upright, but when he rose, his impossibly long legs became the undeniable highlight. In just a few seconds, the brief clip showcased his extraordinary aura and flawless appearance—anyone who saw it couldn’t help but be awed from the depths of their heart.

An Xumo’s reaction was even more straightforward—once the photo was placed in front of him, his eating speed noticeably improved. The plain-boiled broccoli now carried a fresh, sweet vegetable aroma, and the previously dry, paper-like chicken breast suddenly seemed much more tender. Even though he had been looking at this photo for nearly half a year, the man’s allure hadn’t diminished in the slightest despite the monotony of the overly familiar image.

The once unappetizing lunch was quickly finished, with even the decorative carrot slices being carefully nibbled away. After downing the last bit of sugar-free yogurt, An Xumo was just about to put his phone away when a curious voice sounded from behind him. “Xiao Mo, what are you looking at?”

His fingers instinctively tensed, crushing the yogurt carton in his grip. An Xumo hurriedly stood up as Tang Tang had already circled around from behind him. Spotting the spotless, emptied lunchbox, her tone immediately lightened. “I was worried you wouldn’t be able to eat much, but it looks like this meal was pretty good.”

An Xu nodded to show a clear conscience. “Mm.”

He was about to steer the conversation away, but Tang Tang quickly brought it back. “Right, was that a photo of Brother Zhou you were just looking at?”