Chapter 22: Hiding in the Closet. Brother Will Earn Money to Support You.

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Hong Xinxue finished her scenes for the day without issue. As soon as filming wrapped, several people who had been hoping to cozy up to Shi Qiu and ask for acting tips didn’t even get the chance. Hong Xinxue had already blocked them out.

“Teacher Shi, are you free for dinner tonight?” she asked enthusiastically, trailing behind him. “We could invite Teacher Jiang too.”

Shi Qiu was busy reviewing the flood of friend requests on his phone. One glance at Hong Xinxue told him exactly what she was thinking. Clearly, she had benefited from his advice and wanted more.

He used her as a shield to get to the hotel entrance before saying, “You can’t always rely on shortcuts in acting, Teacher Hong. If you want to improve, you’ll need to interpret the character yourself.”

Hong Xinxue stopped walking, her expression thoughtful.

Back in his room, Shi Qiu tossed his phone aside and sprawled on the bed.

He didn’t know most of those people. Aside from Hong Xinxue, he didn’t feel like giving anyone face. And even with her, it was only because he didn’t want her dragging Jiang Fengmian down.

He lay there pretending to be dead for a while until a knock at the door roused him.

Wearing his fuzzy slippers, he shuffled over and asked, “Who is it?”

As soon as he opened the door, Zhong Xiyuan’s smiling face appeared.

Shi Qiu immediately wanted to shut the door.

Too late. Zhong Xiyuan had already slipped inside, closed the door, and wrapped his arms around Shi Qiu.

Shi Qiu had taken off his down jacket and was only wearing a soft white turtleneck sweater.

“Give me a kiss?” Zhong Xiyuan pulled him close, one hand slipping under the hem of his sweater to stroke his smooth skin.

Shi Qiu struggled symbolically, but when he couldn’t break free, he let it happen.

It had been several days since Zhong Xiyuan last had his way with him. Relaxing once in a while wasn’t a big deal.

Zhong Xiyuan’s hand lingered on his waist. He kissed Shi Qiu’s lips, gently at first, then eagerly tried to part them with his tongue.

After a while, Shi Qiu heard him mumble, “What were you doing with Hong Xinxue today?”

Shi Qiu gave a soft hum. Zhong Xiyuan’s hands were getting bolder.

“Are you jealous?” Shi Qiu chuckled. “What are you jealous of, President Zhong?”

Zhong Xiyuan didn’t answer. He pushed Shi Qiu onto the bed and knelt down, unzipping his pants.

Shi Qiu was mocking him for having no right to be jealous. He wasn’t anything special.

But if he couldn’t be jealous, he could still indulge in other things.

Shi Qiu narrowed his eyes, tugging at Zhong Xiyuan’s hair with growing impatience.

This time, Zhong Xiyuan didn’t waste a single moment. He took care of everything thoroughly.

“You pervert,” Shi Qiu muttered, his eyes shimmering as he glared at him.

Zhong Xiyuan cleaned him up and was about to ask for a little reward in return when the door knocked again.

Both of them froze.

Shi Qiu sat up and called out, “Who is it?”

Jiang Fengmian’s voice came from outside. “It’s me.”

Zhong Xiyuan tensed immediately.

Shi Qiu panicked too. Seeing Zhong Xiyuan still kneeling beside the bed, he quickly pulled him up, glanced around, and opened the closet.

“Don’t let my brother find you,” he whispered urgently.

Zhong Xiyuan nodded and hid inside.

Shi Qiu messed up the bed to make it look natural, then went to open the door.

“Brother,” he said, surprised. “What brings you here?”

Jiang Fengmian stepped inside and tugged at Shi Qiu’s slightly rumpled sweater.

“What, I can’t come see you?”

Shi Qiu smiled and closed the door. “Of course you can. I’m just surprised. Did something happen?”

“Nothing happened.” Jiang Fengmian patted his head and looked at the messy bed. “Were you already asleep? Why didn’t you change?”

“I wasn’t sleeping,” Shi Qiu explained quickly. “I was just being lazy, lying down for a bit.”

“Good.” Jiang Fengmian sat down and looked him in the eye. “I came to talk to you about something.”

Inside the closet, Zhong Xiyuan peered through the narrow gap between the doors. He could vaguely see the two of them sitting across from each other. When Jiang Fengmian said he wanted to talk, Zhong Xiyuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Shi Qiu sat down with a sweet, obedient smile.

“Go ahead, Brother.”

Jiang Fengmian hesitated, then asked, “Tell me honestly. Why don’t you want to debut?”

Shi Qiu froze.

“If it’s because of me, then there’s no need,” Jiang Fengmian said. Clearly, he had heard the rumors circulating in the crew. “If you want to, I’ll support you.”

Shi Qiu’s talent was undeniable. Jiang Fengmian didn’t want him to waste it over something as trivial as love.

Shi Qiu quickly shook his head and smiled.

“Don’t listen to those people. I don’t want to be an actor simply because I don’t want to. It’s exhausting. You have to diet, skip good food, shoot scenes over and over, get yelled at, and lose all privacy.”

“I really can’t handle that kind of hardship. You wouldn’t want me to suffer, right?” Shi Qiu looked at him earnestly. “Being your assistant is so much easier. When you become famous, you can earn big money and support me.”

“Really?” Jiang Fengmian was starting to believe him. He knew Shi Qiu’s personality—spoiled and sensitive. He couldn’t handle discomfort. Acting was tough, and getting scolded by directors was routine.

“Of course it’s true. You won’t abandon me once you’re rich, right? I’m counting on you to take care of me.” Shi Qiu smiled sweetly, clinging to him.

Jiang Fengmian reached out and ruffled his hair, his voice softening.

“Alright. Brother will earn money to support you.”

“Hehe.” Shi Qiu squinted with a grin, like a playful white cat.

Jiang Fengmian pinched his cheek, hesitating.

He had originally planned to bring up Zhong Xiyuan. Over the past few days, he had noticed Shi Qiu’s lunch was different from the standard crew meals. The two of them always ate together, but Zhong Xiyuan never came over. He always had someone deliver Shi Qiu’s food.

Jiang Fengmian had started to suspect something between them. After all, back when Shi Qiu was just waiting in the student council office, Zhong Xiyuan had already made a move. Now that he was in the crew, it was hard to believe he wouldn’t try something again.

But tonight’s conversation had already touched on sensitive topics. Jiang Fengmian usually avoided discussing their relationship. If not for Shi Qiu’s future, he wouldn’t have come at all. Now he worried that mentioning Zhong Xiyuan might provoke a confession from Shi Qiu, which would be awkward. Better to save it for another time.

So in the end, Jiang Fengmian said nothing. He just patted Shi Qiu’s head again.

“I’m heading out.”

“Good night, Brother,” Shi Qiu said sweetly, walking him to the door.

“Mm.”

Once Jiang Fengmian left, Shi Qiu let out a sigh of relief and opened the closet to let Zhong Xiyuan out.

“Wait a bit before you leave. If my brother sees you, it’ll be bad,” Shi Qiu warned.

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Translator note: 📌

Thank you for reading 💖 see you again in the next chapter, my lovely cherries 😘

📍Note: I’m pretty free lately, so I will be posting 3  to 4 chapters a day. Enjoy 🤭

📍Note: i got a new job so i will be busy. I wont be able to update everyday like before. 🥲 but, i will make sure to post 2 or 3 chapters every two days 🤗