Lin Zihui was awestruck by this unexpected turn of events that had just unfolded before him. The elation that he felt was indescribable, a swirl of emotions and joy that bubbled up within him. Despite his overwhelming feelings, he managed to compose himself in front of the others present, ensuring his composure and carried out the necessary tasks with smooth efficiency. It was only after the others had left that the full weight of the moment hit him like a tidal wave, sending a surge of pure joy coursing through his veins. 

In a spontaneous moment of unrestrained happiness, he instinctively reached out and grasped Qiao Wen’s shoulders, unable to contain the excitement that flooded his voice as he reflected on the incredible stroke of luck that had befallen them.

“Xiao Wen, why do you think we are so lucky?” he exclaimed. “Just when we were looking for Li Xingchen to advertise, you and your big brother saved him. For someone as popular as him, offering a hundred thousand yuan in advertising fees would truly be considered a passing favor.”

The possibility of working with Li Xingchen filled him with anticipation, and he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm for what the future might hold.

Qiao Wen nodded his head appreciatively: “Indeed we’re really lucky.”

Lin Zihui said again: “But where did you get another big brother? Anan said you only have one brother.”

Qiao Wen said: “He’s the eldest brother, that Brother Nan and I share.”

Lin Zihui nodded: “That’s pretty much the same, otherwise if you went to recognize someone else as your brother, Anan would definitely not agree with it.”

Hearing this Qiao Wen laughed, but indeed it’s very likely of him. If he seriously wanted to recognize a brother again, Chen Jianan would definitely not agree. He was a domineering guy.

Lin Zihui thought of something again, said: “Speaking of which, I am quiet surprised. I feel that Li Xingchen is completely different from what I imagined.”

He was not the only one who felt it, Qiao Wen also deeply felt that Li Xingchen was completely different from the magazine interviews on TV. In the TV series, he was a dashing and charming young man, and in the newspapers and magazines, he was a popular niche who thrive for his ambition. However, in reality, Li Xingchen was a quiet and introspective young man with a bit of melancholy in his eyes.

However, actors were inherently multi-faceted, and what they show to the public was just what they want to see.

All in all, Qiao Wen and Lin Zihui were rejoicing about signing a big star in the office. 

Meanwhile, the big star Li Xingchen was attacked by his cousin Li Xinghai’s chain of frothing stars in a leaving car .

“You are the most popular person in Hong Kong right now. One hundred thousand yuan is just what you’d get for attending a meal.”

Along the way, Li Xinghai kept complaining that the price he asked for was too cheap, finally Li Xingchen opened his mouth, “If someone else saves us, we have to return the favor in a reasonable manner.”

Saying that, Li Xingchen laughed self mockingly: “Brother, in addition to filming for these two years, I have attended various dinner parties and the reception under your arrangement without even getting break. Isn’t the money I earned for our family is enough? Is it that as long as there is money, do you think I should do anything? Just like the young master Wang yesterday, if he offers a full price, you can send me to his bed and sell my ass?”

Li Xinghai expression changed and said with a flattering smile quickly pacified him: “Chen Zi, what are you talking about? We are a family, how could I harm you? I’m just thinking for your own good. We’ve been poor for so many years, only now we’ve turned over a new leaf, so we have to seize the opportunity to make more money. This world is realistic, you’re red(popular) now, everyone is holding you up, but when you’re replaced one day, who will remember you?”

Li Xingchen expressionlessly looked at the scenery outside the window, didn’t speak again, and fell into the usual silence again.

— — 

After successfully signing Li Xingchen, Qiao Wen was really happy, the stone in his heart dropped down. Finishing work early that afternoon, he went to Causeway Bay with his freshly deposited paycheck, to indulge in a shopping spree for himself and his grandmother.

Despite Hong Kong City being a tropical paradise, it occasionally embraced a brief respite from the heat, offering a refreshing coolness in the crisp December air. 

Even as he browsed through racks of clothing, his mind was thoughtful enough to select a suitable suit for Chen Jianan.

Laden with shopping bags filled with new purchases, he exited the mall feeling content with his successful day. However, as he made his way to hit the car, a commotion from across the street diverted his attention. Peering through the growing crowd, he noticed a group of individuals engaged in a heated altercation.

Having lived in the Kowloon Walled City for half a year, this kind of fighting has long been a rarity for him. Unfazed, his mind already shifting towards hailing a taxi, but a flash of recognition caught his eye as he glimpsed a familiar figure among the two groups.

His raised hand paused in mid-air, his gaze intensifying as he stared across the street. It was evident that two rival groups of gang members were in a fierce clash.

He was no stranger to Chen Jianan’s fights. After all, he had seen him single-handedly pick off Qin Yunfei and seven or eight of his pawns, but that was self-preservation as a last resort.

Yet, the current display of aggression was different. The punches thrown by Chen Jianan were not merely acts of self-preservation but appeared as savage and merciless as those of the most ferocious gang members. 

It was a stark transformation that left him unsettled and concerned about the escalating situation before him.

Recalling Jiang Yufeng’s cautionary words of Chen Jianan had indeed stepped on a dangerous line, he realized the gravity of the situation. 

The skirmish had already claimed casualties, prompting the sound of approaching sirens in the nick of time. Amidst the chaos, a voice rang out, “Brother Nan, the cops are coming!” dispersing the crowd like a flock of startled birds.

As Chen Jianan sought in a nearby van, a sudden realization dawned upon him, he turned his swiftly to met Qiao Wen’s intense stare from across the street. 

Before he could process this unexpected encounter, he found himself forcefully guided into the van by one of his allies. The van accelerated away, leaving behind a swirl of exhaust fumes for the oncoming police, along with the sight of injured individuals lying in pools of blood.

Qiao Wen, with a sigh beckoned to stop a taxi, and got in the car to go home.

In the walled city.

Granny Qiao was filled with a myriad of emotions upon receiving the thoughtful gift from her grandson. She was taken aback by the surprise of his gesture, then felt a pang of melancholy as she reflected on how her grandson had suddenly grown up before her eyes. Yet, amidst these feelings, a sense of happiness enveloped her heart.

Her grandson, whom she had always cared for and watched over, had now taken the initiative to express his gratitude and love in a significant manner. It was a moment that exceeded her expectations, as all she had ever wished for him was to be healthy and self-sufficient. 

Even though Granny Qiao had a sufficient amount of clothes, this was the first time her grandson had purchased clothing for her with the money he had diligently earned. The gesture brought tears to her eyes, even the fabric of the garment was of exceptional quality, exemplifying the care and thoughtfulness put into the gift.

Upon donning the new attire, Granny Qiao found herself reluctant to part with it. The delight that filled her heart spurred her to engage in a heartfelt conversation with Qiao Wen, dispelling any lingering sleepiness from her being. Time seemed to slip away unnoticed as they conversed, until her grandson gently reminded her of the late hour past 10’o clock, prompting her reluctant goodbye as she retreated to her room for some much-needed rest. 

After a long day, Qiao Wen retired to bed with a hearty yawn. The absence of a TV in the house nurtured a positive routine for him, encouraging a healthy pattern of going to bed early and rising with the first light of dawn. 

As soon as his back touched the bed, the big human-shaped bat that hasn’t appeared in the window for ten days finally sneaks in.

“Xiao Qiao—” Chen Jianan whispered, “Are you asleep?”

“Not yet.”

Chen Jianan crept up on the long-lost wooden bed. He had just took a shower, so he smelled of fresh soap.

Qiao Wen moved inward to make room for him: “Why are you here?”

“I miss you.” Chen Jianan lay down beside him and sighed: “It’s still Xiao Qiao that your bed is comfortable.”

Qiao Wen chuckled lightly.

Chen Jianan turned his head and looked at him through the moon light: “Really, although the new bed that Haozi and I share is a bit more spacious, it is not comfortable at all, Haozi is not honest in sleeping, kicking me every day.”

Qiao Wen stretched out his hand to turn off the light, and said: “You don’t need to say these nice words, it’s not like I don’t know that you fight outside every day, I won’t be angry with you just because I bumped into you.”

It was indeed because Qiao Wen caught him fighting this evening that Chen Jianan took the risk that he might not be able to resist doing bad things to others at night and went downstairs to sleep with him.

Hearing his word he let out a long sigh of relief: “Don’t you think I’m a bad person?”

Qiao Wen chuckled: “Frankly speaking, you were not a good person to begin with.” 

Chen Jianan was choked, and listened to his serious words, “Brother Nan, now we can’t compete with the Lord Leopard, he will never let you just help him fight, you must be careful not to get involved in his inextricable activities.”

“I see.”

“And…” Qiao Wen said again, “Although you are good with your hands, you must pay attention to your safety and don’t let yourself get hurt..”

“I’m not hurt, or you can check it.” He subconsciously grabbed Qiao Wen’s hand and stuffed it into his loose vest, only yo be regretted in next second.

As soon as Qiao Wen’s hand come into contact with his skin, his heart jumped wildly, his whole body softened, and a wave of hotness ran wildly and chaotically, and in the end, it uniformly raced towards the bottom.

The bias of Qiao Wen was oblivious to him, he smiling went along with him touching him up and down, performing the so-called “examination”. Suddenly he let out a sigh: “Are you feeling hot? Why are you sweating suddenly?”

“No, no.” Before his abnormality was exposed, Chen Jianan quickly turned around and puckered up his butt, “So sleepy, sleep.”

This night, Chen Jianan naturally had such dreams all night.

Waking up in the dawn his back-to-back posture last night changed into tight hugging of hands and feet mixed in.

Before Qiao Wen woke up, he cursed himself for being a beast with grief and anger, while gently stepping out of bed. Although there were no tears on his face, he ran to the rooftop sobbing in his heart.

As for what de did on the rooftop, let’s not show it for the time being.

The author has something to say: Nan Zi: I can’t hold it anymore~