The Patron Didn't Pay for His Free Ride??

Water still dripped from his hair as he glanced at the front door. "Brother, who was that just now?"

Duan Xun turned around, his long legs crossed. "My assistant." Then he added, "Come here."

"Oh."

Song Mingzhou walked over and sat on the low stool in front of Duan Xun, looking up at him. He perfectly fit the image of an obedient little canary.

Duan Xun found it both amusing and irritating.

The little thing really knew how to put on an act.

Then he would play along.

Duan Xun looked at him and leaned back with a half-smile. "Isn't there anything you want to tell me?"

Huh?

Was he asking about last night? Was he waiting for me to confess first?

Didn't something this trivial already blow up online last night? What else was there for me to say? Was I supposed to say I'd known all along, so I played along?

If it weren't for those stupid missions, I could've played the victim and released the video I recorded.

Forget it.

Song Mingzhou blinked. "There is, Brother. Do you want to hear it now?"

Duan Xun raised a brow. "Let's hear it."

"Well..." Song Mingzhou considered his words before saying, "Cheng Xin made a deal with me, and I agreed."

He briefly explained what happened afterward, only deliberately leaving out the details of how he had tipped off Gu Yanting.

Once he finished—

The silence in the living room was so complete it was almost palpable.

Just as Song Mingzhou was trying to guess what Duan Xun was thinking, Duan Xun finally spoke thoughtfully. "So you're short on money?"

Song Mingzhou nodded. "Yeah. I ran into some trouble, so I'm a little short on money. But that isn't the main reason."

"What's the main reason?"

"?"

Why was he asking so much? Was Duan Xun this idle in the original plot too? Did he really have time to care about the personal affairs of his little lover?

Little 7, do you think his character setting has collapsed? Is he worried about Shen Qing, or is he worried about me?

Neither seems likely. Was he just being nosy?

"Ahem." Song Mingzhou composed himself and explained, "I don't like Shen Qing, so when someone wanted to plot against him, I agreed."

After saying that, he carefully watched Duan Xun's eyes and expression. Only after confirming that he saw no anger or displeasure there did he relax.

Good.

His character setting really had collapsed a little.

Even when his beloved Qingqing was being bullied by his own little canary, he neither got angry nor lost his temper.

"Brother."

"Hmm?" Duan Xun stared at him, then suddenly frowned for some reason.

"?? What are you thinking about, Brother?"

"Nothing." Duan Xun stood up somewhat irritably, then raised a hand to ruffle his hair. Absentmindedly brushing him off, he said, "I have something to take care of. I'm leaving first. Call me if you need anything."

Song Mingzhou was completely baffled. "Okay."

Duan Xun had only taken a few steps when he stopped again. Turning around, he wore an expression that was hard to describe, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Do you have something to say to me, Brother?"

"Mm..." Duan Xun said, "I'll handle what happened last night for you. Don't be scared. If anything happens when you get to the set, come to me."

Song Mingzhou froze for a moment, then nodded blankly. "Okay."

"Be good. I'm leaving."

Song Mingzhou watched Duan Xun leave like the wind, and his mind still had not caught up. What was going on?

He ran off after asking that?

Was he going to comfort Shen Qing? Or handle Shen Qing's negative news?

A few sour bubbles rose in Song Mingzhou's heart.

"Lin Cheng, arrange a black card." Sitting in the car, Duan Xun furrowed his brow tightly, looking regretful one moment and irritated the next.

Lin Cheng's expression did not change. "Yes."

He thought, What kind of development is this? He came downstairs without getting it on first thing in the morning? That shouldn't be right. I was only gone for a little while.

Did they have a fight?

That shouldn't be right either. How could Mr. Song argue with President Duan? He didn't seem to have the nerve.

Duan Xun rubbed his aching brow and sighed. "Tell me, what does a patron need to do?"

Lin Cheng: ...

So he did not know how to keep a little lover?

Lin Cheng answered, "Give money or resources. Use money or resources in exchange for the little lover's companionship and obedience. In short, it's like keeping a bird. You feed it, and the bird provides emotional value to its patron."

He paused, then silently added, "Usually, physical value."

"..."

Duan Xun's expression cracked bit by bit. His memory was a little hazy—had he given Song Mingzhou any money?

Why was he so short on money?

Had he given him resources!?

Apparently not.

Then wasn't he a patron in name only? Not only was he woefully unqualified, he had slept with him again and again for free.

Tsk.

Duan Xun's teeth hurt a little, and he felt somewhat annoyed. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Why didn't he tell me either? I've slept with him so many times, yet he never once mentioned money or resources. Then what exactly am I keeping him for?"

Just sleeping with him?

He had slept with him, sure, but he had not given him the proper compensation. Would the little guy think he was stingy and cheap?

Lin Cheng remained utterly unfazed. "Then would President Duan like to give Mr. Song money or resources? Or both?"

Duan Xun pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly. "Money first. His drama still has a while to go. Give him a black card, then transfer another two million to him. I'll look into resources later. Oh, and show me the results of your investigation."

"Yes."

Lin Cheng pulled up the documents and handed them over.

They contained a more detailed account of what happened to Song Mingzhou last night, including the exact reason he was short on money.

Duan Xun stared at one of the men in the photographs. "Who's this?"

"Mr. Song's father."

"What was his manager's name again?"

"Lu Fenghai."

"Oh." Duan Xun casually made the final call. "Send word. Give this Lu Fenghai a warning."

Lin Cheng's usually unshakable expression finally changed a little. After hesitating for a moment, he asked uncertainly, "Should we reveal your relationship with Mr. Song?"

This...

Duan Xun shook his head. "Just hint to his manager that he shouldn't let him be bullied."

"Yes."

Duan Xun turned his head to watch the shifting lights and traffic retreat outside the window. A faint warmth slowly rose in his previously still heart.

The corners of his lips curved unconsciously as well.

Originally, visiting the set had only been something he said casually. He did not know why he had said it—perhaps he had been influenced by that mission?

In any case, he had said it. He had not actually intended to visit the set; he had merely wanted to tease Song Mingzhou. But now...

He closed his eyes.

He truly wanted to visit the set.

They had only been apart for a little while, yet he already missed him. He missed his doe-like eyes, missed the way he acted obedient while mocking him in his heart, missed the uncontrollable look on his face when desire took hold.

Every part of him.

Fascinated him.

Lin Cheng handed over a bottle of water. "President Duan, water."

Duan Xun: ...What, did he look that thirsty?

Lin Cheng turned his head away and did not look at him, but his hand still remained extended with the bottle. Duan Xun was speechless for a moment before taking it anyway.

He chugged down half the bottle before setting it aside.

Meanwhile—

The moment Song Mingzhou arrived on set, he was met with countless stares. The crew members and other actors all turned their eyes toward him.

Gossip was human nature.

Qin Xiao was the first to run over. He usually spent a lot of time with Song Mingzhou, and now that something this huge had exploded online, he did not care about everyone else's stares as he eagerly ran over to ask,