Chapter 29: Ranking Men, Zhong Xiyuan Feels Wronged

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Shi Qiu rubbed his eyes, his voice thick with sleepiness as he called out in a deep, hoarse tone, “Zhong Xiyuan?”

“Mm.” Zhong Xiyuan switched on the wall lamp and came to the bedside. He did not ask about the coat on Shi Qiu’s bed but instead explained, “I planned to come see you this morning, but I was too busy. Then Jiang Fengmian said you were already asleep and asked me not to disturb you. I thought you would be awake by now, so I came to check on you.”

“Oh.” Shi Qiu replied softly, unconcerned. “Work is important. Such a small matter should not interrupt it.”

After saying this, his mind caught up.

Lu Chengyan had asked Jiang Fengmian before coming to see him. This meant Jiang Fengmian knew Shi Qiu was still asleep at that time. However, instead of letting Zhong Xiyuan come, he asked Lu Chengyan to check on him.

Huh.

Jiang Fengmian had even ranked these two men in order.

Shi Qiu wanted to laugh but held it back.

After all, Jiang Fengmian did not know that Lu Chengyan was also involved with his younger brother. Trusting Lu Chengyan’s good character and wary of Zhong Xiyuan, Jiang Fengmian had chosen Lu Chengyan to care for his sick brother.

“Are you feeling better?” Zhong Xiyuan touched his forehead, cool to the touch, and asked.

“Mm.” Shi Qiu slowly sat up. He noticed Lu Chengyan’s coat on the bed but did not bring it up since Zhong Xiyuan didn’t.

“I should not have messed around with you in the bathroom for so long last night. I should have gone to bed after your shower,” Zhong Xiyuan said with genuine regret.

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault,” Shi Qiu stretched and reassured him.

It was not really anyone’s fault. He was just not careful and his body was weak.

Seeing that Shi Qiu was fine, Zhong Xiyuan asked, “Did anyone come by this morning?”

He could not help asking.

“Lu Chengyan came,” Shi Qiu answered truthfully.

Zhong Xiyuan was not surprised. He had expected it. Shi Qiu’s circle was simple. Apart from Jiang Fengmian, the only man Zhong Xiyuan could think of was Lu Chengyan.

Still, his heart sank hearing the name.

“He did not do anything to you, right?” Zhong Xiyuan asked, ruffling Shi Qiu’s messy hair.

“No.” Shi Qiu shook his head.

Zhong Xiyuan pressed his forehead to Shi Qiu’s but said nothing.

He was clever. Jiang Fengmian had told him not to disturb Shi Qiu, yet Lu Chengyan came. Clearly, Jiang Fengmian thought Lu Chengyan was trustworthy.

Zhong Xiyuan had no way of revealing that Lu Chengyan was also a schemer.

Even Lu Chengyan had made the first move.

Zhong Xiyuan felt wronged.

But no matter how he felt, neither he nor Lu Chengyan mattered to Shi Qiu compared to Jiang Fengmian.

Zhong Xiyuan pinched Shi Qiu’s soft, freshly awake face, which was smooth and supple, feeling impossibly good to the touch.

Shi Qiu, just waking up, was slow to react, letting him mold his face as he pleased.

Seeing Shi Qiu so soft, Zhong Xiyuan restrained himself from pinching his face further. He secretly pinched the rabbit ear on Shi Qiu’s pajama hood, sat on the bed, and pulled him into his arms. “Do you want something to eat? How about I take you out?”

After eating boxed meals for days, Shi Qiu was tempted. But thinking of Jiang Fengmian coming later, leaving him to follow a stranger for food felt wrong.

“Next time,” Shi Qiu refused reluctantly. “My brother will come see me later.”

Zhong Xiyuan immediately understood and thought, Jiang Fengmian really comes first in Shi Qiu’s heart. He agreed easily. “Alright. Next time, I will take you out to eat.”

“Okay.” Shi Qiu nodded.

His little expression was adorable. Zhong Xiyuan could not resist and kissed his cheek.

Shi Qiu blinked, confused, and rubbed his face.

This reaction was even cuter. Zhong Xiyuan’s smile deepened.

“You cannot kiss me like that suddenly. What if my brother sees?” Shi Qiu pushed him lightly.

Zhong Xiyuan was irritated. Jiang Fengmian, Jiang Fengmian. He had been thinking of him all morning, yet he had not come.

At this time, Jiang Fengmian could not leave either.

“Xiao Jiang, stay here at noon. The young master of Qingxiang will inspect the set. He asked to see you,” Chang Tianhe said quietly. “You know him, Rong Le’an?”

Chang Tianhe asked with uncertainty.

If Jiang Fengmian had a relationship with Rong Le’an, he would not need Yuan Lingzhu to search social media and sign a contract worth 8,000 per episode.

“I do not know him, just heard of him,” Jiang Fengmian answered honestly.

He had planned to visit Shi Qiu at noon, but Rong Le’an’s inspection interrupted him. Jiang frowned. Since Chang Tianhe insisted, he could not refuse. The project belonged to Qingxiang, and Rong Le’an was the heir.

Hearing that Jiang Fengmian could not leave, Shi Qiu called him.

“Hello, ge?” His voice came from the phone.

Jiang Fengmian felt guilty and soft. “Are you still feverish?”

“No, I am fine now.” Shi Qiu’s voice was stronger.

Relieved, Jiang apologized. “Sorry. I planned to see you, but Rong Le’an came to inspect. I cannot leave.”

“It’s okay, ge. Work is important. Should I come to the set too?”

Zhong Xiyuan sat quietly at the bedside. At the words “big boss,” he could not help rolling his eyes.

Rong Le’an was a spoiled, useless rich kid. Just because of his father, he could show off.

“You just got over your fever. Rest today. Do not come over,” Jiang Fengmian instructed. “I will come when I can.”

“Okay,” Shi Qiu obeyed.

After hanging up, he looked at the dissatisfied Zhong Xiyuan. “What is it? Do you know Rong Le’an?”

Zhong Xiyuan scoffed. “Rong Le’an studied abroad, came back talking about inheriting the family business. He is just an idle rich kid.”

Shi Qiu blinked. “Are you close?”

“Somewhat. Our parents have connections, so we know each other.”

Otherwise, he would not be interning at Qingxiang. Zhong Xiyuan’s parents were top directors and actors. He did not want their profession and chose producing.

He was the model student of their circle, looking down on rich second-generation slackers like Rong Le’an.

Seeing Zhong Xiyuan look down on Rong Le’an, Shi Qiu smiled. “Then why are you an intern at his company?”

“Because his family owns a media company.” Zhong Xiyuan touched Shi Qiu’s face. “Jiang Fengmian cannot come, want me to take you out to eat?”

“No. My brother will come. I will wait in my room. You do not need to prepare for the afternoon inspection.” Shi Qiu waved Zhong Xiyuan’s hand away from his face, slightly annoyed.

“No. I will stay with you. What do you want for lunch? I will go buy it.” Zhong Xiyuan knew food would distract him.

Sure enough, Shi Qiu’s attention shifted.

The big bunny hesitated, then confidently said, “I want meat.”

“Okay.” Zhong Xiyuan kissed his soft lips. “I will go buy it.”

“Go.” Shi Qiu waved.

Meanwhile, at the Qingxiang office building.

Rong Le’an stood and smiled at his secretary. “Guess what? The project Long Winter really hides talent. Zhong Xiyuan is interning as a producer.”

The secretary smiled politely. No need to comment further.

“Today we can visit Jiang Fengmian, build relations, and see how Zhong Xiyuan’s internship is going,” Rong Le’an said, pleased at seeing the high-and-mighty intern under him.

Unfortunately, Zhong Xiyuan would never call him ‘Xiao Rong Zong.’

Rong Le’an did not care about the ‘Xiao.’ His father was the true Rong.

He touched his silver-gray hair, adjusted his suit, and took the coat from the secretary. “Let’s go.”

“Yes, Xiao Rong Zong.”

Rong Le’an valued the olive branch from Lu’s side. Xu Zishan represented Lu’s side clearly. Long Winter must air on a channel. Lu’s group would invest over fifteen million more.

This was almost enough for another mid-low budget drama. For comparison, small projects cost a few million.

Since Jiang Fengmian could make Lu Chengyan invest over ten million for a web drama, Rong Le’an would naturally accommodate him.

“Oh, Jiang Fengmian’s contract is 8,000 per episode. Too little. Increase it later,” Rong Le’an instructed, reviewing further info.

“Yes, Xiao Rong Zong.” The secretary noted and prepared to arrange Jiang Fengmian’s pay raise.

Rong Le’an noticed another point. “Although Jiang Fengmian was not paid much, he brought an assistant.”

“The assistant is Jiang Fengmian’s foster brother and manager. The director and screenwriter think highly of him,” the secretary explained.

Rong Le’an nodded, flicking his fingers on the tablet. “Not bad looking either.”

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Translator note: 📌

📍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 😘