Very Perfunctory

Affected by this, every company that had intended to invest in Nangong Xu terminated negotiations. Black Star Technology's valuation plummeted, and Ambition Studio's cash flow also ran into trouble.

Fang Huiwang was pushed to the end of his rope.

"Xie Ran." Fang Huiwang gave a soft snort, unable to say what he was feeling.

Xie Ran was the person he hated most right now, but if he wanted to turn things around, the fastest way was to rely on Xie Ran.

In recent years, the public opinion climate had become more relaxed. Many artists had shot to fame by hyping up CPs, but none of those CPs had ever reached the heights Wangran had achieved back then.

Wangran had die-hard fans and the rose-colored filter of nostalgia. As long as it was handled properly, there was no need to worry about his popularity rising again.

The traffic he and Xie Ran had brought in by appearing together on New Year's Eve was proof enough. If Xie Ran hadn't suddenly gone crazy, things never would have turned out like this.

When he had previously wanted to reconcile with Xie Ran, it wasn't just because he couldn't let go of their past. He had also considered this angle to some extent. Back then, he had only intended to go with the flow, but now it was an urgent necessity.

While he was lost in thought, the van arrived beneath Xie Ran's apartment building. Fang Huiwang got out and familiarly led the staff inside. "This way."

The staff member said perceptively, "As expected of old friends, Brother Wang knows Xiao Ran's place so well."

"I've been here a few times," Fang Huiwang said casually.

As they chatted along the way, Fang Huiwang recalled with some emotion, "Back when we were on Tomorrow's Star, Xiao Ran and I shared a dorm. He loved sleeping in but was afraid of being late for training, so he'd bribe me with snacks and ask me to wake him up every day. But whenever I woke him, he'd still be unhappy about it... I really didn't know what to do with him."

"Exactly," the staff member teased. "Who knows if Xiao Ran's awake yet? If he's still sleeping, we'll have to let you wake him up."

Fang Huiwang smiled. "What's the problem with that?"

As their conversation continued, the Wangran Girls in the comments finally went completely wild.

[Who said they hadn't interacted in ten years? Brother knows Xiao Ran's home so well!!!]

[Brother Wang remembers everything! He still remembers things from ten years ago so clearly!]

[I remember too. Back on Tomorrow's Star, Brother Wang woke Xiao Ran up every day. Sometimes when he really couldn't wake him, he'd even go to the cafeteria first and bring food back for Xiao Ran. 5555, now they can live together again. This is so wonderful.]

[With Brother Wang around this time, Xiao Ran definitely won't be late!]

[Go, Brother Wang! Wake Xiao Ran up! All the Wangran Girls are cheering for you!]

On camera, Fang Huiwang and the staff arrived at Xie Ran's apartment door. Before they could ring the bell, the door opened with a click. Xie Ran stood neatly dressed in the doorway, glanced at his watch, and said expressionlessly, "You're ten minutes late."

Everyone: "..."

For some reason, they suddenly felt the pressure of being lectured by their boss.

"Xiao Ran got up so early today..." the staff member hurriedly laughed it off.

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Ran had already pulled his suitcase out, casually shut the door behind him, and said decisively, "Let's go."

The staff were completely dumbfounded and exchanged looks. They had come to film behind-the-scenes preparation footage. They hadn't even started yet, so how was it already over?

But Xie Ran's presence had suddenly become inexplicably imposing, and for a moment, none of them dared raise an objection.

"Since Xiao Ran is ready, let's head out." Fang Huiwang was still the one to break the deadlock. After speaking, he glanced at Xie Ran with a gentle expression. "Xiao Ran, do you need me to carry your luggage?"

Xie Ran gave him a sidelong look, then pushed the suitcase toward him. "Sure."

Fang Huiwang, who had expected him to politely refuse: "..."

After pushing the suitcase over, Xie Ran ignored him. He merely swept a casual glance over the staff, and they instinctively hurriedly made way for him.

One hand in his pocket, Xie Ran strode through the crowd toward the elevators with a straight posture. With his long limbs, he naturally exuded an untouchable aura as he walked. The others hurried after him, yet unconsciously trailed behind him.

Fang Huiwang froze for a moment before belatedly grabbing the suitcase and following in small steps.

In the livestream, the comments that had been bursting with excitement moments ago all turned into ellipses:

[...]

[Holy shit, Xiao Ran is so badass.]

[Emmmm, this plot seems a little different from what I imagined...]

[To be fair, Fang Huiwang does seem very good to Xie Ran, but don't you think he looks more like Xie Ran's lackey?]

[I wanted to say this at the press conference. Xie Ran's presence is so powerful now. He doesn't look like a celebrity at all, more like a domineering CEO. Fang Huiwang is totally like a little brother in front of him...]

Author's note: Xiao Ran: Xiao Ran? Everyone: President Xie! Mark: Fang Huiwang, you're just a little brother.

Very Perfunctory

In the livestream, Xie Ran stood silently before the elevator doors. He wore nothing more than a simple long down jacket, yet he looked tall and impeccably put together. He was completely unlike his usual warm and easygoing self, naturally radiating the lofty superiority of someone in power.

All the staff instinctively stepped back, and no one found anything strange about it.

Fang Huiwang did move a little farther ahead thanks to the others yielding to him, but he was dragging a suitcase and had to maintain a gentle appearance. Set against Xie Ran, he really did... look like an assistant.

Off-camera, not only had the Wangran CP fans fallen into an awkward silence, but Kuang Youfang, who had been confidently preparing promotional copy and making final arrangements with the paid commenters, was also dumbfounded.

They had originally prepared two plans. If Xie Ran actively interacted with Fang Huiwang on camera, that would be best. They could directly hype up the Wangran CP's close personal relationship and their rekindled romance.

Even if Xie Ran completely refused to cooperate, it wouldn't matter. They could paint him as cold, heartless, and rude to highlight Fang Huiwang's gentleness and refinement, giving Fang Huiwang the image of a deeply devoted man who endured in silence.

They never expected Xie Ran to completely ignore the script. There was interaction, all right, and it wasn't exactly rude either, but with his sheer presence alone, he turned Fang Huiwang into a little brother.