Chapter 24: Teacher Shi Really Is… He’s So in Love

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Hong Xinxue’s assistant called over the crew to hand out milk tea, then personally brought a cup of hot chocolate to Shi Qiu.

“Teacher Shi, here’s your hot chocolate. Let me know if it suits your taste,” she said politely.

“Thank you.” Shi Qiu took a sip. The hot chocolate was sweet and rich, warming his stomach instantly. He squinted contentedly, like a big white cat being gently stroked, and his smile turned adorably soft.

“It’s really good.”

The assistant smiled too and handed him another drink.

“This one’s for Teacher Jiang. Unsweetened pure tea.”

“Thanks again.” Shi Qiu took it and tucked it into his backpack to keep it warm.

“You’re very welcome.” With her task complete, the assistant politely stepped away.

Once she left, Yuan Lingtong slurped her milk tea and leaned over with a teasing grin.

“Shi Qiu, you don’t look like an assistant at all. Jiang Fengmian’s status isn’t even as high as yours.”

“Come on, Sister Yuan,” Shi Qiu replied sweetly, his voice sounding like he was playfully pouting. “I helped Teacher Hong out. Her assistant bought me a drink. That’s fair, right?”

“Fair, fair,” Yuan Lingtong waved her hand quickly. “Just don’t act cute with me. I can’t handle it.”

“I’m not acting cute,” Shi Qiu laughed, still sounding soft.

Yuan Lingtong hissed and scooted away. No one could resist that.

Director Chang finished the current scene, took a sip of his milk tea, and sighed.

“If the crew had more money, I’d hire Shi Qiu as a consultant.”

“I wouldn’t take the job,” Shi Qiu said, sipping his hot chocolate with his legs crossed.

“Why not?” Director Chang looked surprised. “I meant if we had the budget, we wouldn’t be paying so little.”

“Even with money, I wouldn’t do it,” Shi Qiu muttered. “Too exhausting. I just want to be my brother’s assistant.”

He knew how these people operated. When they weren’t paying, they were all polite and flattering. But once they paid, they’d treat you like a workhorse. He had no interest in being tied down.

“No ambition!” Director Chang slapped his thigh in mock disappointment.

Shi Qiu hummed proudly, sipping his hot chocolate without a care.

He had no intention of working himself to the bone in this life. No amount of money could tempt him unless he was truly interested.

In his past life, he had worked nonstop from sixteen to twenty-eight, achieved fame, and then got hit by a car and died.

This time, he just wanted to be a pampered freeloader. Jiang Fengmian would definitely earn big money. He’d wait to be taken care of.

When Jiang Fengmian finished filming and came over to rest, Shi Qiu eagerly pulled out the still-warm tea from his backpack and handed it to him.

“Brother, want some tea?”

Jiang Fengmian took it and sat beside him.

“Did Teacher Hong come to you for help again?”

“Yeah, she asked me a few questions,” Shi Qiu nodded obediently.

Jiang Fengmian took a sip of tea, warming his hands with the cup.

“I don’t know what Hong Xinxue is like in private… but don’t feel obligated to be nice just because of me.”

Helping her once was fine, but twice? He had to say something. He didn’t want his little brother being taken advantage of.

“Teacher Hong is very kind.” Shi Qiu showed him the transfer record on his phone and smiled. “See? I helped her a bit yesterday, and she sent me a thank-you fee. She even treated everyone to milk tea just now.”

Jiang Fengmian saw the 8,800 yuan transfer and nodded. That was generous enough.

“As long as you’re not putting yourself out,” he said, patting Shi Qiu’s head.

“Of course not.” Shi Qiu held his hand and noticed how cold it was, like ice. He pulled out a heat patch from his bag. Even though he had said earlier he didn’t need it, Hong Xinxue’s assistant had tucked a whole pack into his bag when delivering the hot chocolate.

He had to admit, both Hong Xinxue and her team were very thoughtful.

Shi Qiu pressed the warm patch into Jiang Fengmian’s hand, then took off his own white suede gloves and helped him put them on.

“Brother, why are your hands so cold? Is your coat too thin? Didn’t I already stick a heat patch inside it?” Shi Qiu asked, concerned, as he helped him with the gloves.

“My hands were exposed during the scene. They got cold,” Jiang Fengmian said, using his gloved hand to pinch Shi Qiu’s cheek.

“Once we finish the outdoor scenes and move indoors, it’ll be warmer,” Shi Qiu said with a sweet smile. “Until then, you’ll have to tough it out.”

While they chatted, Hong Xinxue sat in her chair, scribbling notes. After a while, she exhaled deeply and looked up, instinctively glancing toward Shi Qiu and Jiang Fengmian.

Her assistant whispered beside her, “The brothers are flirting again.”

Hong Xinxue watched them pinch cheeks and pat heads, clicking her tongue.

“Teacher Shi really is…”

She could tell Shi Qiu wasn’t easy to approach. If someone wasn’t useful to him, he probably wouldn’t even smile. Everyone in the crew treated her with polite flattery, but Shi Qiu spoke to her like a senior mentor, making her feel like she was facing someone of much higher status.

But when he was with Jiang Fengmian, his smile was so soft it was almost ridiculous. He was incredibly attentive.

She didn’t know how far their relationship had gone, but it was obvious that Shi Qiu was head over heels for Jiang Fengmian.

“Hong Jie, if we end up promoting a CP with Jiang Fengmian when the drama airs, do you think Teacher Shi will be upset?” the assistant asked.

Hong Xinxue’s smile faltered. She scratched her head and said quietly, “Promoting a CP would help Jiang Fengmian’s career. I don’t think Shi Qiu would object.”

“Teacher Shi really is… he’s so in love,” the assistant murmured.

They continued gossiping quietly, unaware that Zhong Xiyuan, sitting nearby, was watching with a dark expression.

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Translator note: 📌

📍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 🤗

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