Reality Show

Sunlight streamed in through the bright floor-to-ceiling windows. Xuan Zhe sat with his back to it, shadows outlining his cold, stern features, as though he had been cut off from the brightness around him, making him seem somewhat grim and somber.

The old residence had just called, asking him to make time this weekend to come home for a meal.

What was there to eat? The sight of that woman's face was enough to ruin his appetite. Especially when she lowered her eyes obediently and waited on the old master, Xuan Zhe had to muster every ounce of his self-restraint to keep from mocking her. Back then, she had been arrogant and brash, every bit the crude street shrew. Yet after becoming the mistress of the house, she seemed to have awakened some innate elegance. Every smile and frown imitated his mother.

One look at her was enough to bring him bad luck for ages.

The internal phone rang. Xuan Zhe quickly pressed at his brow and answered. "What is it?"

Cao Nanyu said softly, "President Xuan, Wen Shuang is here."

Xuan Zhe was somewhat puzzled. "Didn't he come back to report yesterday afternoon?"

Thinking of it, Xuan Zhe was still somewhat surprised. According to the script—at least, according to Wen Shuang's old script—he should have spent three full days pretending to be weak, then another three days crying about his frailty. He would not have left the hospital until everyone knew about it and pitied him. But he had not. Wen Shuang was like he had a tiny motor installed in him; the moment he had recovered a little energy, he came back to work. After Xuan Zhe left the hospital that day, he never returned. His curiosity and patience could only be maintained at a certain level. Once it passed, they were gone.

"Can you do it or not?" someone urged quietly over the phone.

Xuan Zhe had been in an exceptionally foul mood just moments ago, but for some reason, hearing that sentence made him picture Wen Shuang's expectant eyes and little-quail appearance. His interest was inexplicably piqued. Why had this man come to see him instead of working properly?

"Mm. Let him in," Xuan Zhe said in a low voice.

The office door was gently pushed open. Wen Shuang carried a lunchbox in his hand, looking so cautious that he truly resembled a quail huddled in a corner. All it would take was one cold glance from Xuan Zhe, and he would immediately flutter away in pitiful retreat.

"Planning to eat here with me?" Xuan Zhe asked.

"No!" Wen Shuang stepped forward in two quick strides, placed the lunchbox on the desk, and even pushed it slightly closer. "I guessed you hadn't eaten yet. I came to bring you lunch."

Xuan Zhe finally understood something from Wen Shuang's slightly ingratiating expression. "To show your gratitude?"

Wen Shuang clapped his hands. "Exactly!"

Xuan Zhe stared at the lunchbox for several seconds. Wen Shuang continued chattering beside him. "I just bought this lunchbox. It was sterilized at high temperatures and washed more than a dozen times. It's very clean! The ingredients are all the freshest too—" Before he could finish, Xuan Zhe lifted his eyes slightly. The little quail immediately shrank his neck and stepped aside without another word.

Xuan Zhe happened to be too lazy to go downstairs. The cafeteria food never quite suited his taste, and now the breakfast from that morning came back to him, forcing him to acknowledge Wen Shuang's cooking skills. The upper layer of the lunchbox held several pieces of salmon sushi, wrapped around the edges with bright golden roe. The lower layer had a warming function. The moment he opened it, the rich scent of meat rushed out. There was braised pork, stir-fried lily bulbs, and cold cucumber salad. Nothing fancy, just ordinary home-cooked food, yet Xuan Zhe rarely found himself with such an appetite.

The moment Wen Shuang saw Xuan Zhe pick up his chopsticks, he knew there was hope! His efforts had not been in vain—not the landlord's resentful glare as he obtained the key that had been locked inside the house, nor getting up at six in the morning to prepare everything.

"Then, President Xuan, enjoy your meal. I'll head back first." Wen Shuang understood better than anyone when to stop.

But Xuan Zhe looked over without much emotion. "That's it?"

Wen Shuang blinked. "Huh?"

"I saved your life, and one meal is all I get?"

"Then... two meals?"

"Bring meals for the rest of this week first. We'll discuss the rest later." Xuan Zhe picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it over his rice, wearing an expression that said, "You may now withdraw." Wen Shuang rolled his eyes hard inside, but outwardly remained utterly obliging. "Sure! Whatever you say, President Xuan. Take your time eating."

When he left the office, Wen Shuang looked up and saw Cao Nanyu wearing an unfathomable expression.

Impressive... He knew that to capture a man's heart, he first had to capture his stomach. He had skills!

Wen Shuang felt that he and Assistant Cao could never get on the same wavelength, so he did not bother communicating. Otherwise, the other man might say something shocking and leave him half-dead from the shock. Before he entered the elevator, someone came rushing out of it at breakneck speed. If he had not noticed the pair of black high heels, Wen Shuang would have suspected she was riding on flaming wheels. The woman took several steps away, then seemed to notice something and immediately turned back. Without even the slightest courtesy of making way, she stared directly at Wen Shuang. Just as the stare made his skin crawl and he was about to say something, the woman revealed a strange smile and "flew" toward Xuan Zhe's office.

Wen Shuang: "..."

The woman was Zhu Lian, Feng Tao's top talent agent. She had produced both a Best Actor and a Best Actress, and the newcomers she had trained also showed great promise. She had abundant resources and connections, loved work more than life itself, and had recently seen the massive forum thread about President Xuan and that little translator. Wen Shuang's photos had long been dug up. Entertainment companies were only more efficient at such things. Zhu Lian's first impression of Wen Shuang was quite good—he was pleasing to the eye. Especially those brows and eyes in his ID photo, which possessed a cleanliness rarely seen in the entertainment industry.

Although Zhu Lian worked under Feng Tao, she held considerable prestige within the company. She could report certain decisions concerning the company's cash cows directly to Xuan Zhe, which showed just how capable she was.

Zhu Lian had come to see Xuan Zhe this time partly to discuss Best Actor Bai Ji's plans to study abroad, but mainly because of a newly launched variety show. This show differed from the company's previous programs. Although it had invited a crowd of major stars, it also included some fresh elements, such as inviting ordinary people onto the stage. Of course, these so-called "ordinary people" still had countless capital ties behind them. After all, the show was produced by Power One. If someone became popular after appearing on camera, soaring to success was entirely possible.

As a "godmaker," Zhu Lian had long become immune to the messy image-building tricks within the industry. She did not care about people forcibly inserted from outside, but Chen Zong, who worked under her, would also be appearing on this show. As a promising new talent under Zhu Lian, the ordinary person selected by the company was particularly important. He had to have a clean background, with no troublesome baggage. He only needed to go onstage briefly, then step down, serving as a proper foil for Chen Zong and escorting him safely along the way.

Thinking of that forum thread, Zhu Lian gritted her teeth and still voiced her true thoughts.

"You want Wen Shuang to go on the show?" Xuan Zhe was somewhat surprised. "Why?"

"He's from our company, has never entered the entertainment industry, looks good enough, and suits my taste." Zhu Lian said the last four words with particular shameless confidence, while secretly watching Xuan Zhe's expression. It felt as though a giant sword hung over her head, and it all depended on whether President Xuan was willing to lend him out. If he agreed, wonderful. If not, she would at worst be harshly scolded. But getting to witness gossip up close would still make it worthwhile!

More importantly, she wanted to see President Xuan rage for the sake of his beloved. Eek—he would definitely look handsome! He was usually so icy and detached, untouched by emotion and above worldly desires. And now, he had finally met someone...

"Fine. Handle it as you see fit," Xuan Zhe said in a low voice.

Zhu Lian's imagination came to an abrupt halt. It was like having her ship interrupted halfway through shipping it. Her mouth turned bitter, and her fists clenched.

Zhu Lian took a deep breath. "All right."

Damn... Could the information have been wrong? Perhaps President Xuan did not care that much about Wen Shuang after all?

With that doubt in mind, Zhu Lian left the office and, unusually, exchanged a few words with Cao Nanyu. The two did not interact much normally, but theirs was the friendship of gentlemen, light as water. They appreciated each other, and if one needed help, the other would not mind lending a hand.

After hearing Zhu Lian's account, Cao Nanyu's expression became even more inscrutable. He glanced at the office and lowered his voice. "Did you see the lunchbox on President Xuan's desk when you went in?"

Zhu Lian recalled it. "Ah, I saw it."

"Wen Shuang brought President Xuan lunch, and President Xuan ate it." Cao Nanyu spoke slowly, one word at a time, with the air of someone who had uncovered a tremendous secret.

Zhu Lian immediately covered her mouth.

Cao Nanyu continued the devastating blow. "President Xuan also told Wen Shuang to keep bringing meals..."

Zhu Lian said, "They've hidden it so well..."

For the time being, Wen Shuang had no idea how deep anything was. That afternoon, Fang Su took him to meet Zhu Lian. After hearing the reason for the meeting, Wen Shuang was a little dazed. They wanted him to go on a show?

"Yes, you'll just make an appearance. Stand beside Chen Zong and keep him company. Ideally, you can help create some atmosphere for the show," Zhu Lian said with a smile.

Wen Shuang asked, "Atmosphere? What kind of atmosphere?"

Zhu Lian said, "A cheerful, lighthearted atmosphere that can make the audience laugh out loud."

Fang Su frowned. Why did that sound so much like being a comic relief character? Besides, was Chen Zong really that important? They wanted the translator at President Xuan's side to serve as his foil.

Wen Shuang really wanted to refuse. He did not have that much time. He only wanted to earn money properly, and if he went on the show, he would lose his perfect attendance bonus for the month...

But Zhu Lian had made a smarter move. She had already investigated Wen Shuang's current circumstances and threw out an enormous temptation. "There's money in it."

Wen Shuang's eyes immediately lit up. "How much?!"

Zhu Lian gestured a number. Wen Shuang took a shallow breath, and his gaze instantly became firm, as though he had just seen a comrade-in-arms in a life-or-death battle. "I'm in!"