Chapter 14

His dad might not hit him, but his brother definitely would!

He knocked on the Study door.

"Come in."

Xie Zhiyu put down his book and pointed to the seat across from him. "Sit."

Xie Tingsi wanted to bolt, but reason held him back.

Years of experience getting beaten had taught him that running now would only earn him a harder beating.

"Brother~" He smiled ingratiatingly. "What did you want to see me about?"

Xie Zhiyu found it amusing. "Sit down first."

"I won't hit you."

His younger brother wore every emotion on his face. He was easy to read.

"Oh." Hearing that he wouldn't be hit, Xie Tingsi quickly sat down, chest out and back straight, his hands resting neatly on his thighs like a model elementary school student.

"Brother, I'm sitting."

Xie Zhiyu sat up straight. "Tell me about the movie you want to invest in. I read the script. It's not bad."

Xie Tingsi stared at him in disbelief. "Brother!"

He was so moved he could almost cry.

Xie Zhiyu cut off the emotional moment. "You have thirty minutes to convince me to invest in this movie."

Xie Tingsi immediately began. "This fantasy movie is different. The domestic market right now..."

Xie Tingsi had prepared thoroughly. He genuinely loved the movie and firmly believed it had a future.

He had tried to discuss it with the old man yesterday, but his father had cut him off almost as soon as he started, accused him of neglecting serious work, and ended up arguing with him.

Nothing he did ever satisfied the old man.

Unable to get funding from his father, Xie Tingsi had no intention of giving up. He planned to secretly sell some assets in his name. Together with what he had earned in the entertainment industry over the past few years, it should just about be enough to make the movie.

He wouldn't take a fee, either. He would trade it for an investment stake and make his money back from the movie's profits.

Xie Tingsi spoke with growing excitement, covering the genre, director, casting, market share, and more until his mouth was dry.

He looked at his brother expectantly. "What do you think?"

Xie Zhiyu nodded. "Not bad."

Xie Tingsi ventured, "Then..."

"I'll invest," Xie Zhiyu said. "Contact my assistant. He'll settle the contract details with you, including the equity stake, profit sharing, and investment ratio."

Xie Tingsi sprang to his feet. "That's great!!!"

"Brother, you're my dad!!!"

Xie Zhiyu, abruptly promoted a generation, said coldly, "Get lost."

Xie Tingsi was long used to his brother's icy expression. "Dad... No, Brother. I'm going."

"You've really got an eye for this."

Xie Zhiyu frowned. "Three, two..."

Sensing danger, Xie Tingsi darted away.

He fled the room, slipped through the doorway, and shut the door behind him in one smooth motion.

Outside, Xie Tingsi patted his chest, his heart still pounding. He had almost gotten himself hit.

He returned to his room and went straight to the walk-in closet. After spending an hour putting together an outfit, he headed out happily.

At the villa entrance, he ran straight into Shen Baili.

"Little Pear Blossom, Second Brother's heading out," Xie Tingsi greeted her warmly.

"Don't I look handsome in this outfit?"

Shen Baili looked at him. "Uh..."

Xie Tingsi knew how to dress, especially when it came to mixing styles.

Today's outfit was another mix of styles. On anyone else, it would have been a disaster, but paired with his devastatingly handsome face, it looked fashionable.

Looks made or broke a fashion statement, and Xie Tingsi was living proof.

Seeing her stare, Xie Tingsi was in high spirits. "I look ridiculously handsome."

Shen Baili couldn't bring herself to say otherwise. "You do."

[Like a peacock showing off its feathers.]

"Hm? What peacock?" Xie Tingsi misheard her. "You want to keep a peacock?"

Shen Baili admired how quickly his mind jumped from one thing to another. "No, I don't."

"Second Brother, don't keep your friend waiting." She decided to end the conversation there.

Xie Tingsi glanced at his watch. "I'm going to be late!"

"Little Pear Blossom, can't talk anymore. Bye!" He sprinted toward the garage.

Shen Baili watched him go. "He runs fast."

... That evening, the two newly joined families gathered for dinner a second time, and the dining room was lively. Butler Lin had put a lot of thought into the meal. Everyone's favorite dishes were on the table.

Xie Chengyue sat at the head of the table, with Shen Wan to his right. Shen Baili sat beside her mother, quietly focused on eating and determined not to draw attention to herself.

The two Xie brothers sat to Xie Chengyue's left and ate without speaking.

There were no arguments, just a warm family dinner.

Xie Chengyue was pleased. Nothing mattered more than family harmony.

"Cheng Yue, Old Master He's birthday is in two months. He mentioned your fiancée."

Xie Zhiyu understood what he meant. "I know. I'll ask Sang Ya what she thinks."

He did not agree on his fiancée's behalf, though from what he knew of her, she would very likely refuse.

Xie Chengyue did not press him. He trusted his eldest son. Then he turned to Xie Tingsi. "I heard you asked your brother to invest in your... movie?"

Xie Tingsi muttered a pointed reply. "My brother has good judgment."

Xie Chengyue agreed. "Your brother certainly does."

"I won't interfere in what you two decide. Since you've made up your minds, go ahead and do it."

He paused, but in the end, he could not bring himself to say the words of encouragement.

Shen Wan put a few pieces of fish on her daughter's plate. Shen Baili smiled at her, ate them all, then served her mother some of the beef she liked.

"I know," Xie Tingsi said quietly.

"I trust my judgment," Xie Zhiyu said.

Xie Tingsi broke into a grin, suddenly full of energy.

My brother trusts his judgment, which means he trusts me!

Xie Chengyue looked at Xie Tingsi's face, where every feeling showed, and the corners of his mouth lifted.

After dinner, Shen Wan and Shen Baili went out for their usual walk. The father and sons rested a while, then went to the gym together.