Qi Yunrou was seething with anger but had to maintain her composure to preserve her image. She couldn’t afford to let her expression become too twisted with rage.

Director Li glanced at Qi Yunrou. Knowing the nature of the relationship between Qi Yunrou and Fu Yushen, he quickly surmised that she had most likely misunderstood the situation.

He immediately began to explain, “Miss Qi, Manager Fu is not the president. The president hasn’t been at the company recently.”

However, Qi Yunrou had already convinced herself that Fu Yushen was lying. To her, Director Li’s explanation was just an attempt to cover for him. But for the sake of appearances, she couldn’t let her true feelings show. Maintaining a polite smile, she pretended to believe his words.

“I understand. I trust that Ah Shen wouldn’t do anything inappropriate.”

After speaking, Qi Yunrou couldn’t help but glance at Yuan Xi a few more times before turning to Director Li. “Since Ah Shen isn’t here, I’ll take my leave. Filming has been exhausting lately. I’ll come back to catch up with my junior colleagues when I have more time.”

With that, Qi Yunrou left with Anna in tow.

Regardless of Qi Yunrou’s current standing as a rising star in their entertainment company or her relationship with Fu Yushen, Director Li couldn’t say much. So after her remarks, he simply smiled and saw her off.

Only after Qi Yunrou’s figure disappeared from sight did Director Li turn his attention to Yuan Xi.

Watching Yuan Xi furtively studying, Director Li couldn’t help but sigh.

Yuan Xi’s appearance and aptitude made his a top-tier candidate, someone who could easily shine as a trainee. With enough time and resources, debuting in the entertainment industry would have been a matter of course. However, his current role as the assistant to their supervisor meant his prospects in the entertainment world were bleak at best.

After sighing, Director Li quietly left, careful not to disturb Yuan Xi, who was secretly observing and learning.

Unbeknownst to him, Yuan Xi’s first encounter with the female lead passed by quietly, without any fanfare or drama.

Meanwhile, Fu Yunzhou’s fitness journey had been put on the agenda. Previously, due to his busy schedule and other factors, his body, while free of excess fat, lacked visible muscle tone.

With clothes on, there wasn’t much to notice, but without them, his frame looked rather bony. Overall, his physique leaned towards the thin side.

Determined to make a change, Fu Yunzhou didn’t treat his resolution as empty talk.

He enlisted a professional trainer to create a tailored fitness plan and began following it diligently.

Initially, he avoided overexerting himself. For someone not accustomed to regular exercise, the early stages could feel unfamiliar and even uncomfortable. Furthermore, for those inclined toward laziness, self-discipline was critical to sustaining a training regimen.

But self-discipline was never a concern for Fu Yunzhou.

At the same time, under his watchful observation, Fu Yunzhou noticed Yuan Xi’s strong interest in acting as a profession. What puzzled him, however, was her contradictory behavior. Despite his apparent passion for acting, he had repeatedly refused and avoided Chen Yang’s efforts to recruit him.

Fu Yunzhou found Yuan Xi’s behavior puzzling. If he truly liked acting, it made no sense for him to avoid and reject Chen Yang’s proposal to sign him. Yet now, after joining the entertainment company, he would secretly observe the training sessions of the other trainees.

This contradictory attitude left Fu Yunzhou confused and curious. If he had such a passion, why hadn’t he agreed back then?

….

Although Shen Xiyun had been persuaded to hold back, his curiosity about Yuan Xi hadn’t diminished.

Having resolved to improve his fitness, Fu Yunzhou would drop Yuan Xi off at the main residence after work and then leave on his own. Yuan Xi was curious about where he went, but every time he met Fu Yunzhou’s amused gaze, his courage melted away.

After watching his car drive off, Yuan Xi turned and entered the house.

As he pushed the door open, he paused at the entryway, hearing voices from inside. The conversation was too quiet for him to make out the words, but he could tell someone was there.

“Aunt Zhang, do we have guests?”

Walking softly toward the living room, Yuan Xi saw a stylishly dressed woman, probably in her thirties, sitting on the sofa. Her clothing and accessories were sophisticated and modern, beside her stood Aunt Zhang, head bowed respectfully. The voices Yuan Xi had heard earlier must have been their conversation.

Yuan Xi’s question drew the attention of both women. The woman on the sofa turned her head to look at him…

Scrutinizing him from head to toe before nodding in apparent satisfaction.

“This must be Yuan Xi. So adorable,” Shen Xiyun remarked, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw Yuan Xi.

Under Shen Xiyun’s intense gaze, Yuan Xi couldn’t help but feel like he was being closely scrutinized, almost as though he were prey. Instinctively, he shrank back a little.

Aunt Zhang’s tone softened noticeably as she gestured for Yuan Xi to come closer. “Xiao Xi, come here. This is Madam Shen—well, Mrs. Shen—Yunzou’s mother.”

Yuan Xi had initially planned to head straight upstairs, but hearing Shen Xiyun’s identity made his eyes brighten ever so slightly. Quietly, he followed Aunt Zhang’s cue and approached, sitting obediently nearby.

He sat there looking every bit the well-behaved and respectful young man. However, his large, bright eyes gave away the small thoughts flitting through his mind, making his curiosity obvious.

Far from being annoyed, Shen Xiyun found this endearing.

Yuan Xi carried a charm rarely found in those already entrenched in the grind of society. Despite not knowing him well, his presence had a way of making other feel at ease.

From the moment Yuan Xi sat down, Shen Xiyun’s eyes began to appraise him thoroughly.

Her gaze as intense as a mother-in-law evaluating a prospective daughter-in-law, and the more she looked the more satisfied she became.

Yuan Xi for his part had his own agenda. Since this was his male god’s mother, he was determined to leave a stellar impression. No matter what he couldn’t afford to let her think poorly of him.

Shen Xiyun pretended not to notice Yuan Xi’s careful efforts. After studying him for a while, she finally asked. “Xiao Xi, is it true that Yunzhou has been drinking the porridge you make for him every night?”

Yuan Xi’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly began to reflect on whether he’d done something wrong. Had there been an issue with the porridge? Was there something he’d overlooked? After a rapid mental review, he found no faults and nodded cautiously.

Shen Xiyun turned to glance at Aunt Zhang who also nodded affirmatively. Shen Xiyun’s expression suddenly grew animated, and seeing her excitement made Yuan Xi off guard.

Startled by her reaction, Yuan Xi instinctively straightened his posture and looked at her nervously. “Auntie, did I do something wrong? If there’s anything I need to fix, please let me know—I’ll change it right away!”

Shen Xiyuan stared at Yuan Xi for a moment, her gaze so intense it made him feel increasingly uneasy. Just as Yuan Xi began to panic, she suddenly grabbed both of his hands.

“Xiao Xi, you’re incredible! Yunzhou has been so stubborn since he was a child—he never shares his thoughts and is always busy working late into the night. His schedule is a mess, and he neglects his health, which is why he’s already dealing with so many problems at such young age.”

Yuan Xi: ??? So she’s not here to scold him after all?

Before Yuan Xi could let out a breath of relief, he saw Shen Xiyun clutching his hands, tears welling up in her eyes.

“You don’t understand,” she began, dabbing at her tears. “Yunzhou has always been different from other children. Other kids were all soft and cuddly, but Yunzhou was stiff as a board from the start. Though, I must admit, his serious little face was adorably stern. But as he grew older, it’s like he turned… I don’t know, lifeless or something. He just kept getting less and less cute!”

The more Shen Xiyun rambled, the further off-track she went, leaving Yuan Xi looking increasingly perplexed.

Standing nearby, Aunt Zhang coughed gently to bring her back on topic. Only then did Shen Xiyun realize how far she’d wandered, quickly covering her mouth with her hand to stifle a cough and compose herself. Adjusting her expression, she turned back to Yuan Xi and resumed speaking.

“Is Yunzou coming back for dinner tonight? What time? It’s been ages since we’ve eaten together. Aunt Zhang, go prepare something delicious!”

Aunt Zhang nodded and was about to head to the kitchen when Yuan Xi stood up swiftly. Setting his backpack on the sofa, he stopped her. “I’ll handle it, Aunt Zhang. You should keep Auntie Shen company. I’ll make some porridge too, so there’s something warm to drink after we eat.”

Aunt Zhang hesitated, glancing at him silently before staying put.

Shen Xiyun opened her mouth to protest, but when she noticed Aunt Zhang subtly signaling her to hold back, she closed it again. Instead, she curiously turned her gaze toward the kitchen, wondering what kind of dishes Yuan Xi would prepare.

When Fu Yunzhou returned home, his clothes were slightly disheveled. His hair was still damp, and his lips, no longer pale, carried a healthy hint of color.

When Fu Yunzhou stepped through the door, he paused at the sight of Shen Xiyun crouched by the kitchen doorway, sneakily peeking inside.

“Mom, what are you doing here?”

Fu Yunzhou’s voice snapped Shen Xiyun back into her usual composed, elegant demeanor. She straightened up, turned to look at him, and considered feigning nonchalance. However, the moment she noticed the flush on his face, she hurried over to him, concern written all over her face.

“Yunzhou, what’s wrong? Why is your face so red? Are you running a fever?”

Fu Yunzhou awkwardly dodged her touch. “Mom, I’m fine. I just did some exercise earlier, so I’m feeling a bit warm.”

As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward the kitchen. The rich aroma wafting out caught his attention, and he quickly seized the opportunity to change the subject. “Xiao Xi’s food smells amazing. Let’s eat first, and we can talk over dinner.”

Shen Xiyun seemed like she wanted to press further, but before she could, Fu Yunzhou strode off, helping to bring the dishes out of the kitchen. His efficiency left her no chance to continue the conversation.

“You two start without me. I’ll head upstairs to change and be right back.”

=^_^=

Author has something to say: Yuan Xi: I wasn’t ready for this surprise ‘meet the parents’ moments

Fu Yunzhou: …At least Mom has a good taste

Shen Xiyun: Why is my son so hopelessly awkward!