Early Birds Get the Gossip

Wen Chengze lay in bed with his eyes still open, not the slightest bit sleepy.

He did not believe a single word Zhong Mohan had said tonight.

Movie Emperor Zhong's public persona in the entertainment industry was hardly that of an approachable star. Instead, he gave people a sense of distance. He was not exactly lofty and untouchable, but he definitely did not have a good temper.

As for his other identity, he had remained in the Zhong Household and smoothly risen to the position of its head. Even if Wen Chengze were beaten to death, he would not believe Zhong Mohan's heart was pure.

All in all, he did not think Zhong Mohan was helping the Wen Household out of kindness in the slightest. As for the compensation he mentioned, Wen Chengze found it even more laughable.

It was just that he truly could not figure out Zhong Mohan's game. He had known the man for too short a time, and his personality did not entirely match what the files said.

He turned over and sighed.

What a headache.

Forget it. He should just tell his father to be more careful. As for everything else, they could only play it by ear. He only hoped the head of the Zhong Household could truly act like a gentleman for once.

At that moment, Zhong Mohan's bedroom was empty, with only the sound of rushing water coming from the bathroom.

Fine streams of water sprayed from the showerhead, but only when they hit his body did one realize that the water was cold.

Long fingers swept back his hair.

Even after standing under cold water for so long, the heat in his body showed no sign of fading.

Zhong Mohan held out for a long time before finally giving up.

One hand braced against the wall while the other slid downward, somewhat unwillingly.

Such a beautiful person was right next door, yet he had to take care of himself in here. If he had known, he should have simply gone with the flow earlier.

Thinking of that person sitting on his lap just now, breathing warm against him, Zhong Mohan grew hotter the more he thought about it.

After a long while, a low growl came from the silent bathroom.

A moment later, Movie Emperor Zhong squeezed out a curse utterly unbefitting his status. "Fuck!"

After taking who knew how many showers that night, Zhong Mohan felt more and more stifled when he finally came out.

He should have felt woozy after drinking, but perhaps because of the person next door, Zhong Mohan's mind was now exceptionally clear.

Zhong Mohan got up, left his bedroom, and poured himself a glass of water. Seeing that the room next door was already dark, he ultimately did not go disturb him.

Back in his room, Zhong Mohan sat on the sofa, unable to stop himself from thinking about Wen Chengze again.

Naturally, he had investigated everything about Wen Chengze.

Born into the Wen Household, he was a genuine wealthy young master. He had lived in the country until he was ten, then gone abroad to study. His life had followed the utterly ordinary path of a rich family's young master.

He had loving parents above him and an older brother who doted on him deeply. Someone like that should have developed a spoiled temperament. Even if not, he ought to have been a proud little young master. Yet the Wen Chengze Zhong Mohan had met did not have the slightest trace of a young master's temper.

He treated people and things with cool indifference, showing a slight difference only in front of the Wen Household. He usually appeared obedient, but Zhong Mohan could see the lack of concern in his eyes.

No matter what happened before him, he did not care. He could calmly assess the situation and weigh the pros and cons, then make the choice best suited to himself under the circumstances.

Like at that gathering. He had clearly been unwilling at the time, yet afterward, his emotions had not changed in the slightest. And with what happened today, Zhong Mohan had dragged him upstairs to play along. He had not resisted and had even blended in quickly.

That was not the personality a pampered young master from a wealthy family should have.

Xiao Ze, what exactly have you been through?

The more Zhong Mohan thought about it, the stranger he found himself. Why was he devoting so much thought to this person?

This seemed to be the first time he had encountered something like this.

In the past, whenever he met someone, he would only analyze what benefits that person could bring him. He would not care what emotions that person had. But this time seemed different.

He checked the time. He had wanted to call a friend, but on second thought, decided against it. Tomorrow, then.

Zhong Mohan lay in bed. Before he fell asleep, the image still in his mind was Wen Chengze taking the initiative to sit on his lap on the sofa that evening.

The next day, Zhong Mohan slept in unusually late.

He did not wake until sunlight had filled the room, his long fingers feeling around for his phone.

Eight thirty? It was already this late?

Zhong Mohan hurriedly got up. After washing up quickly, he went next door.

After knocking several times with no response, Zhong Mohan frowned and opened the door. The bed had already been made, showing no sign that anyone had slept there last night, and there was no sound from the bathroom either.

Zhong Mohan left the bedroom and glanced toward the entryway. Sure enough, that person's shoes were gone. He had already left?

When had he left? Why had he not said a word to him?

An indescribable emotion surged up again. Just as Zhong Mohan was feeling uncomfortable, he suddenly heard sounds coming from the kitchen.

Xiao Ze was in the kitchen?

Right! It was so late. Xiao Ze had to be hungry. He must be making something to eat!

Even Zhong Mohan himself did not notice that his mood had turned from gloomy to bright in an instant.

But when he saw the person in the kitchen, the corners of his mouth sank uncontrollably.

"Well, well, Brother Zhong finally decided to wake up." Lu Wen wore an apron and skillfully made breakfast.

"Why are you in my house?"

Lu Wen did not dare say he had come early in the morning to catch some gossip. He did not want the movie emperor to skin him alive.

"I figured you drank yesterday, so you might not be able to get up today. And since you brought someone back, as your brother, I thought I'd make myself useful and come make breakfast for you two."

"Did you see Xiao Ze?"

"Oh, him? He left a while ago. He left you a note."

Early birds got the gossip. He had originally come to dig up romantic gossip, but the moment he arrived, he saw Wen Chengze leave after setting down a note.

He had keenly caught the scent of gossip and decisively stayed to continue watching the drama unfold.

Sure enough, Zhong Mohan's series of actions after waking up made it clear: this was definitely huge gossip!

Zhong Mohan walked over to the dining table and picked up the sticky note: I went home.

Just four simple words, signed by Wen Chengze.

Including the name and punctuation, there were only eight characters in total!

Would it kill him to write one more word? Was it that hard to wait until he woke up and say goodbye? He had just left on his own!

Heartless.

"So, what exactly is going on between you and that kid?" Lu Wen blinked repeatedly, practically having the words gossip written across his face.

"He's the Wen Household's second young master. Call him Young Master Wen." What kid? That was completely disrespectful.

Lu Wen raised his brows. "Movie Emperor Zhong, the sun didn't rise in the west today, did it? Why do you care what I call him? Wait, your attitude is off. You two aren't dating, are you?!"

Zhong Mohan: ...

"Do you think love has anything to do with me?"