Su Huaiming had just been about to crawl under the covers when he suddenly stopped and looked up at Fu Jingfan. "Aren't you going out?"
"Can't you sleep with me watching?"
"I can. I can sleep under any circumstances." Su Huaiming's expression was perfectly open, without a trace of embarrassment or awkwardness. "But I'm used to sleeping without my pants on."
"..."
"You don't want me to watch?" Anyone else who heard that would probably have left in embarrassment, but Fu Jingfan's expression remained unchanged, and he even asked Su Huaiming a question in return.
Su Huaiming clicked his tongue a couple of times inwardly. Fu Jingfan really was a man destined for great things; his skin was as thick as a city wall.
Although he had no desire to do great things, his skin was just as thick as Fu Jingfan's.
"Not really. I just think it's a bit uncivilized," Su Huaiming said with utmost sincerity.
Fu Jingfan paused, seemingly caught off guard by the answer, or perhaps surprised that Su Huaiming even understood what being civilized meant. He nodded slightly and finally took the hint. "All right, I'll go out first. Get some rest."
Su Huaiming nodded. After seeing Fu Jingfan out, he immediately settled comfortably under the covers.
He gazed at the ceiling, recalling how Fu Jingfan had acted just now, and frowned slightly.
Why did Fu Jingfan seem so relaxed, like he'd come here to rest and unwind? It also felt like he'd deliberately said those things to see my reaction.
Was he... treating me like a gas station?
Su Huaiming thought the idea was too absurd, not something Fu Jingfan would do. He quickly put it out of his mind, turned over, and fell asleep in just half a minute.
Su Huaiming was the only one sleeping in the bed, but netizens imagined some indescribable things that absolutely couldn't be posted on Jinjiang.
The earlier livestream footage was also edited into a video and posted on Weibo, where it was reposted more than ten thousand times within minutes.
Fu Jingfan had only shown his hands and half his face from beginning to end and had barely said a few words, yet somehow, people could sense that he felt something inexplicable for Su Huaiming.
Before this, Fu Jingfan's public image had been cold, powerful, and mysterious. People had placed him on a pedestal and naturally stripped him of human emotions, but his appearance this time overturned everyone's long-held impression of him.
The greater the contrast, the more endearing people found it.
The related topic immediately exploded on the trending list.
[I'm going to throw money at this right now. What could there possibly be that a distinguished VIP like me can't watch?!]
[Thanks for the invite. I'm under the bed. Things are very intense—they went at it so hard the bed collapsed. Doge.jpg]
[That video is ridiculous. How could Fu Jingfan possibly have left Su Huaiming behind? I suspect he was crying in the car because his heart ached for him!]
[They're like this, and Su Huaiming still says they aren't close.]
[Could it be that the aloof CEO is chasing his wife, while his beautiful wife is still playing hard to get?]
[Thanks, I'm shipping it.]
In truth, Su Huaiming's persona was supposed to be in love with Fu Jingfan unrequitedly, while Fu Jingfan had no feelings for him. Yet the version circulating online had Fu Jingfan pining for Su Huaiming.
All sorts of little essays sprang up, and Su Huaiming and Fu Jingfan even got their own CP super topic.
The chocolate brand that had ended its partnership with him also quickly backpedaled.
The brand posted an apology online, acknowledging its mistake and promising compensation.
Most importantly, it chose to terminate its contract with Ning Lei as well. Rather than offend Su Huaiming and bring trouble upon itself, it preferred to have no brand ambassador at all.
The chocolate brand had set a trap in the contract: if Su Huaiming's private affairs or personal image damaged the brand's reputation, it could terminate the contract unconditionally and had the right to demand compensation from him.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so confident and decisive when it changed brand ambassadors back then.
But now, even with the contract as a fallback, the brand still admitted it was at fault and paid Su Huaiming a large sum in compensation according to the contract.
Su Huaiming was quite surprised and delighted when he received the payment.
He hadn't done a thing, yet such a large sum had suddenly fallen into his lap.
There was such a good deal?!
That wasn't all. A famous domestic jewelry brand officially announced Su Huaiming as its ambassador and said it would design a pair of lovers' rings for him. Afterward, there would be a photo shoot and advertisements for a Qixi-specific promotion.
This jewelry brand had a long history of three hundred years. Many famous figures had worn the jewelry and diamonds it designed, and it had now become the leader of the domestic jewelry industry. Its designs mainly featured traditional Chinese and aesthetic styles, and its reputation had always been excellent. With the glamour that came with a jewelry brand, it was in a completely different league from the chocolate brand.
The news caused another sensation.
[All I can say is, Su Huaiming won big this time.]
[I was angry on Su Huaiming's behalf before, but now that I think about it, what the hell is chocolate compared to jewelry?!]
[Su Huaiming's so lucky to have caught the jewelry brand's eye.]
[Do you think a century-old brand is stupid? Its Weibo post specifically emphasized that it would design lovers' rings for Su Huaiming. Isn't that a perfect way to capitalize on the buzz? They're helping each other out—a win-win.]
The discussions online didn't disturb Su Huaiming.
He was taking Fu Xiaoxiao to film the variety show the next day. At the thought of seeing his two friends again, Fu Xiaoxiao was so happy that he ran all over the house, wishing he could take all his treasures and give them to Xuanxuan and Youyou.
Su Huaiming didn't stop Fu Xiaoxiao from taking a few extra suitcases.
Last time, Fu Xiaoxiao had simply been too fussy, but this time he meant well, so a few extra suitcases didn't matter.
Su Huaiming also prepared gifts for the two children. After briefly packing the clothes he needed, he zipped up his suitcase.
Since they were leaving to film the variety show tomorrow, Su Huaiming thought he should let Fu Jingfan know, so he took a late-night snack to Fu Jingfan's study.
Su Huaiming knocked gently, but before he could speak, he heard Fu Jingfan's voice from inside. "Come in."
Su Huaiming pushed the door open and sat down on the small sofa nearby as though he knew the place well, eager to try tonight's snack.
The chef had simmered the pigeon soup for several hours. The broth was clear and rich, without the slightest unwanted or gamey taste. It also contained various nourishing ingredients, and the meat was perfectly tender.
Because he had been seriously ill in the past, Su Huaiming paid close attention to his health. How could he pass up pigeon soup that was both delicious and nourishing?
Su Huaiming stared at the bowl of pigeon soup, his eyes lighting up. He was just about to pick up the spoon when his hand suddenly stopped.
Although Fu Jingfan wouldn't have any, he still had to go through the motions.
Su Huaiming looked up at Fu Jingfan and said, "You've been working too hard. Have a bowl of pigeon soup to nourish yourself."
After spending several days together, Fu Jingfan had already grown used to Su Huaiming's presence.
He casually removed the gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, stood up, and walked over.
At home, Fu Jingfan carried himself more casually. He wore dark loungewear made of soft fabric, but when he stood up, his presence was still imposing. Standing in front of Su Huaiming, he could completely envelop him in shadow.
It was an oppressive, aggressive gesture, and anyone else probably would have felt uncomfortable. But Su Huaiming's attention was entirely on the bowl of pigeon soup, so he felt nothing. He looked eagerly at Fu Jingfan and asked again, "Do you want some soup?"
Instead of answering, Fu Jingfan sat down casually beside him and asked, "You're leaving to film the variety show tomorrow?"
Su Huaiming nodded. "Yes, we're leaving at eight tomorrow morning."
He thoughtfully added, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Xiao Xiao."
But he could only guarantee that Xiao Xiao would come back in one piece.
Fu Jingfan murmured an acknowledgment and asked, "How many days will you be filming this time?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, seven days again, I think."
"Where are you filming?"
"I don't know. The production team is being very mysterious. Sun Siyuan said in the group chat that this is a standard variety-show trick, meant to create a sense of surprise."
"Who's Sun Siyuan?"
"Sun Siyuan is..." Su Huaiming had intended to explain, but that was about all he knew of Sun Siyuan, and he got stuck for a moment. "Sun Siyuan is Sun Siyuan. He's a person too—no, he's a celebrity too. He's fairly good-looking, and his personality isn't bad enough to get him beaten to death. It's just... you know who he is now, right?"
Fu Jingfan: "..." As if I could.
There was a trace of helplessness in Fu Jingfan's tone. He didn't dwell on the question, asking instead, "Are you close to him?"
Su Huaiming thought for a moment and gave an answer that left no way to continue the conversation. "We probably wouldn't come to blows."
Fu Jingfan: "..."
Fu Jingfan had only been silent for a few seconds when Su Huaiming grew impatient and asked, "Aren't you going to have some soup? Pigeon soup won't taste good once it gets cold."
Su Huaiming looked eagerly at Fu Jingfan and said again, very deliberately, "If you don't want any, don't force yourself."
Fu Jingfan looked at Su Huaiming's shining eyes, a teasing glint flashing in his own. "I do."
"Okay, then I'll help you..."
Huh?
??? What? Fu Jingfan said he wanted some?!
Su Huaiming was completely dumbfounded.
He had brought Fu Jingfan late-night snacks several times before, and Fu Jingfan had refused them all. The snacks had ended up in Su Huaiming's stomach, so he had assumed Fu Jingfan didn't eat late-night snacks.
He had said all that just to go through the motions, not because he really wanted to persuade Fu Jingfan to have a late-night snack!
While Su Huaiming sat there looking shocked and foolish, Fu Jingfan reached out a slender hand and brought the pigeon soup in front of him. He picked up the spoon gracefully and slowly put it in his mouth.
Su Huaiming stared fixedly at Fu Jingfan's hand, his pupils gradually contracting.
Fu Jingfan took a sip of pigeon soup, then unexpectedly looked up and saw Su Huaiming's expression with satisfaction.
Su Huaiming's Adam's apple bobbed, and he unconsciously pressed his lips together. They were moist, probably because he had been licking them a lot in anticipation.
There was grief and a trace of anger in Su Huaiming's gaze. He looked just like a spineless husband whose wife had been snatched away: furious, yet afraid to rush forward. He was already at the height of sorrow, just short of beating his chest and stamping his feet.
Su Huaiming really was...
Greedy and protective of his food.
Fu Jingfan had never seen such a vivid expression on anyone else's face. He admired it while leisurely drinking the pigeon soup.
The pigeon soup gradually dwindled until it had all gone into his stomach.
Su Huaiming: "..."
He stared at the empty bottom of the bowl for more than ten seconds, still unable to process it.
After wiping his hands, Fu Jingfan deliberately asked, "Are you all right?"
Su Huaiming looked up at him, his eyes vacant. He seemed to have lost all his vitality, as though he had turned black and white. "I-I'm fine."
I'm fine, I'm doing great, but my pigeon soup is gone!