Chapter 17: Illness

Lead-gray clouds covered the sky, gloomy and dark, as if it were about to rain at any moment.

Ji Chenxuan lowered his eyes and thought for a moment before slowly shaking his head: “Not yet. We should maintain a bit of mystery before debuting. It helps keep the hype alive.”

Zhou Tong clicked his tongue, his expression growing more and more subtle. His boss had never paid this much attention to any small celebrity before.

Soon, he realized he had still underestimated the extent of Ji Chenxuan’s “concern.”

“Don’t go to the company for now. Go to the address I sent you.” Ji Chenxuan instructed.

Zhou Tong opened the navigation app in confusion, then suddenly widened his eyes: “The one who goes by ^[1]“Sanshui” “Three Waters” (三水) can symbolize balance or harmony, as water represents flow and adaptability in Chinese culture. The number three often signifies completeness, so … Continue reading’Sanshui,’ Liu Bang? President Ji, are you sure you didn’t send the wrong address? Isn’t this the famous top manager who left Huanyi to go solo two years ago?”

Ji Chenxuan twisted the cap off his thermos and took a few sips. The dryness in his throat didn’t ease, instead, it became even more uncomfortable. He pinched the bridge of his nose: “I didn’t send the wrong address. Just go, I’m looking for him.”

Zhou Tong’s expression became increasingly strange. The car started, and they slowly made their way through the traffic. He glanced at his boss’s face in the rearview mirror, which, under the blue light of the projection screen, looked even more austere.

Carefully, he asked: “I’ve heard Liu Sanshui has a famously bad temper. Wasn’t it because of a falling out with Huanyi’s higher-ups that he left in a huff?”

Ji Chenxuan closed his eyes, leaning back in the seat, and hummed in response: “You know quite a bit.”

Zhou Tong chuckled awkwardly: “Then why go looking for him?”

Ji Chenxuan replied lightly: “Invite him to come back to Huanyi.”

“I knew it!”

Zhou Tong hesitated for a moment before gently advising: “Our company has quite a few managers. Why go after one who left? And honestly, you don’t have to go in person. How about I go for you?”

If he was rejected, it would spare Ji Chenxuan the embarrassment!

“You?” Ji Chenxuan opened his eyes, shaking his head with a faint smile, “Liu Bang wouldn’t pay any attention to you.”

Zhou Tong was left speechless by his boss’s harsh dismissal.

—

The flying car stopped in front of a detached villa on the outskirts of the southern district. As they got out, light rain began to fall. Zhou Tong opened an umbrella and went ahead to ring the doorbell.

The one who came to greet them was a smart robot dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit. The courtyard had a small garden, carefully planted with clusters of rose bushes, their branches lush and green.

Passing through the garden, the robot maid led the way into the house, but as the door closed with a loud slam, Zhou Tong stood frozen for a moment, only to realize that they had been locked outside.

He rang the doorbell again, but no one answered.

“What’s Liu Sanshui playing at? Is this how he treats guests?”

Zhou Tong was so angry he exhaled heavily through his nose, suppressing his frustration as he turned to Ji Chenxuan. “President Ji, this guy is deliberately ignoring us. I  don’t think he’ll come back to Huanyi. Let’s just go back. Why bother enduring this nonsense here?”

Ji Chenxuan let out a faint, enigmatic chuckle and shook his head. “He’s giving us an attitude on purpose, but if he were truly determined, he wouldn’t have let us in at all. Since we’re already here, let’s wait. A little more time won’t hurt.”

Zhou Tong had no choice but to step forward, pressing the intercom and lowering his tone to politely persuade, but there was no response.

Time slipped by. The light drizzle outside turned into a downpour, accompanied by a biting cold wind that howled through the garden, leaving the roses battered and scattered.

Ji Chenxuan covered his mouth with a handkerchief as he sneezed several times, his nose red from the chill. Zhou Tong frowned and advised, “President Ji, the wind is strong here. Why don’t you wait in the car, or we can come back another day?”

Ji Chenxuan patted Zhou Tong on the shoulder, signaling him to remain patient.

He walked straight to the intercom, which displayed a green light, and spoke calmly, “Liu Bing, this is Ji Chenxuan. I know you’ve been watching us through the surveillance cameras. I understand your grievances with Huanyi. Since I’m here, it’s with sincerity. If you truly don’t want to see me, I’ll leave immediately and won’t disturb you again.”

Another long silence followed, so long that Zhou Tong was on the verge of cursing when the green light finally flickered, and a lazy, mocking laugh came through.

“President Ji, still as confident as ever. Come on in.”

The gate opened automatically, and a smart maid was already waiting on the other side to escort them to the study, where she served them hot tea.

The study’s shelves were filled with countless photos, most featuring Liu Bing with artists he had mentored. Zhou Tong glanced at them and recognized nearly all as top-tier celebrities—household names he could identify without hesitation.

Seeing Ji Chenxuan coughing softly, Zhou Tong, seething with anger, forced a fake smile and addressed the man in the leather chair opposite. “Mr. Liu, you certainly have quite the presence to keep our President Ji waiting this long. You’re the first to dare.”

The black leather chair swiveled around, revealing a handsome face with sharp features. If it weren’t for the faintly mocking smile on his lips, Liu Bing’s mixed-heritage looks, inherited from his mother, would have left Zhou Tong in awe.

Despite being in his thirties, Liu Bing looked like someone in his early twenties. Dressed in a blue knit sweater, his skin was alarmingly fair. Hearing Zhou Tong’s veiled complaint, Liu Bing showed no hint of apology. He sat with one leg crossed over the other, his amber eyes fixed intently on Ji Chenxuan.

“How could I compare to President Ji’s presence? Back then, I begged you repeatedly over Xie Ting’s matter, but you wouldn’t even meet me. And now, the tables have turned?”

Ji Chenxuan, seated on the sofa across from him, smiled faintly at this remark, taking a sip of tea before replying indifferently. “Back then, it was the board’s decision to put Xie Ting on ice. In the end, he struck someone in public first. The company had to take a stance and give the public an explanation. Besides, the person he hit was Huanyi’s former Vice President.”

“That filthy scumbag Vice President of yours deserved worse! He got off easy with just a beating!” Liu Bing’s face darkened at the mention, and he slammed his teacup onto the table with a thud.

“Freezing him out wasn’t the same as banning him. It was to de-escalate the conflict. Later, didn’t he end up taking the top spot in the global popularity ranking?”

Liu Bang sneered coldly. “That’s because I helped him gather resources, and he put in the effort. Are you claiming credit for that?”

Ji Chenxuan smiled faintly. “That’s true. This is why I’ve always trusted your abilities. Back then, when you left Huanyi because of your artists’ grievances, I was quite regretful.”

Liu Bang wasn’t interested in hearing this and twirled an old-fashioned quill pen in his fingers. “Stop wasting time, President Ji. You didn’t come here to reminisce about old times, right?”

Ji Chenxuan signaled to Zhou Tong, handing over a file folder. “A while ago, Vice President Wan was found guilty of embezzling public funds. He no longer holds any position and is facing jail time. He also confessed that the reason Xie Ting beat him was that he had been using his position to blackmail him.”

Liu Bang silently flipped through the folder. When he looked up at Ji Chenxuan, his eyes were cold and sharp. “Is this President Ji’s doing?”

Ji Chenxuan calmly shook his head. “It’s his own doing. It has nothing to do with me.”

Liu Bang studied Ji Chenxuan’s expression carefully, not missing a single detail. But Ji Chenxuan sat quietly, drinking his tea, with not a hint of a flaw to be found.

Liu Bang didn’t press the issue any further, changing the subject. “I hear President Ji wants to invite me back? Has Huanyi really run out of managers?”

Ji Chenxuan smiled lightly, his expression as calm as a breeze: “Huanyi certainly has many talented managers, but someone like Mr. Sanshui is unique. There’s no one else like him. Of course, I’m eager to recruit talent. Besides, if you’re willing to come back, King Xie Tian will be very happy.”

Liu Bang squinted his eyes and stared at him for a while.

“Don’t try to flatter me. Speak frankly. Who are you trying to promote? I’m not in the habit of taking in just any useless pretty face.”

—

Because Ji Chenxuan had spent so much time with Liu Bang, he returned to the company to handle business, attending two urgent meetings in quick succession. By the time he got home, it was already late at night.

The spring cold in the early morning felt like it was cutting through his bones.

Xiao Chi, holding a cushion, was asleep on the living room sofa. He was roused by Ji Chenxuan’s footsteps, yawning sleepily. “Why are you so late tonight?”

Ji Chenxuan rubbed his temples, his face showing signs of fatigue as he frowned. “What are you doing sleeping here?”

“I’ve been waiting for you. I sent you a message, but you didn’t reply.” Xiao Chi suddenly moved closer to him. “Why’s your face so red?”

Without warning, his palm pressed against Ji Chenxuan’s smooth forehead. His eyes widened slightly. “Hey, you’re running a fever.”

“…” Ji Chenxuan froze at the sudden touch, his face stiffening. He quickly stepped back, putting some distance between them. “It’s nothing serious. I’ll be fine after a rest.”

Xiao Chi eyed him suspiciously. “Are you sure? You seem even redder.”

Ji Chenxuan turned his face away and coughed a couple of times. “Go back to your room and rest. I’ve found you a manager. You’ll meet soon, so don’t embarrass me.”

“Okay,” Xiao Chi nodded obediently.

Ji Chenxuan hadn’t seen him all day and wanted to say a few more things, but suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. It felt as if the whole world had turned upside down. The harsh white light in the living room made his head spin, and he felt light-headed.

“Ji Chenxuan!” Xiao Chi rushed to catch him as he collapsed. Ji Chenxuan’s head landed against his neck, and the skin where they touched felt abnormally hot.

Xiao Chi quickly touched his forehead, and it was burning with fever.

Ji Chenxuan wobbled, trying to straighten up. “I’m fine…”

“You’re running a fever,” Xiao Chi said, supporting him. “Do you want me to call your personal doctor?”

“No need, it’s so late, it’s just a little fever. I’ll be fine after a sleep…”

Xiao Chi shook his head, sighed, and looked at him helplessly. “You’re really stubborn. Looks like I’ll have to play doctor for you, at least for now.”

“?” Ji Chenxuan’s head felt heavy, and he didn’t immediately process what was happening.

Before he could react, Xiao Chi suddenly lifted him off the ground. His vision spun as Xiao Chi, with one arm around his waist, swiftly carried him upstairs to the bedroom.

Ji Chenxuan startled, instinctively tightening his grip on Xiao Chi’s shoulder. “What are you doing? Put me down, I can walk on my own!”

Xiao Chi firmly denied, “No, your legs are like jelly. Right now, I’m your doctor, and you need to listen to me.”

Ji Chenxuan was speechless. “When did you become a doctor?”

Xiao Chi, unashamed, responded, “I’ve acted as one before.”

“…” Ji Chenxuan’s lips twitched. “Can you not carry me like this under your arm?”

—

Author’s Note:

Little Scene:

Ji: Can’t you pick a better position?

Xiao: Want me to carry you like a sack?

Ji: …