Page 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 chair opposite him. "Sit."

Xie Tingsi wanted to turn and run, but reason held him back.

Years of experience getting beaten up told him that running now would only earn him a worse beating.

"Bro~" he said with a fawning smile. "What did you want to see me about?"

Xie Zhiyu found his reaction amusing. "Sit down first."

"I'm not going to 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 sat down at once, back straight and hands obediently on his knees, like a model elementary school student.

"Bro, I'm sitting."

Xie Zhiyu sat up straight. "Tell me about the film you want to invest in. I read the script. It's pretty good."

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

He was so moved he could almost cry.

Xie Zhiyu cut off that outpouring of emotion. "You have thirty minutes to convince me to invest in this film."

Xie Tingsi launched right in. "This fantasy film is different. The domestic market right now..."

Xie Tingsi had prepared thoroughly. He genuinely loved this film and firmly believed it had a future.

He had been discussing it with the old man yesterday, but he'd barely started when the old man interrupted, accused him of wasting his time, and started an argument.

Nothing he did ever satisfied the old man.

Unable to get an investment from him, Xie Tingsi had no intention of giving up. He planned to secretly sell some assets in his name. Combined with what he'd earned in show business over the past few years, it should just about cover the production if he watched every penny.

He wouldn't take a fee, either. He'd exchange it for an ownership stake and earn the money back when the film paid dividends.

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

He looked at his brother expectantly. "Bro, what do you think?"

Xie Zhiyu nodded. "Not bad."

Xie Tingsi ventured, "Then..."

"I'm in," Xie Zhiyu said. "Contact my assistant. He'll settle the contract details with you, including the stake, dividends, and investment terms."

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

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

Having been promoted a generation without warning, Xie Zhiyu said coldly, "Get lost."

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

"You really know a good investment when you see one."

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

Sensing danger, Xie Tingsi fled at top speed.

He bolted through the doorway and shut the door behind him in one smooth motion.

Outside, he patted his chest, his heart still pounding. He'd almost gotten hit.

He went back to his room and straight into his walk-in closet. After spending an hour putting together an outfit, he headed out in high spirits.

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

"Little Pear Blossom, your second brother's heading out." Xie Tingsi greeted her warmly.

"Do 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 eclectic mix. On anyone else, those clothes would have been a disaster, but his devastatingly handsome face made them look fashionable.

A look depended on the face wearing it, and Xie Tingsi was living proof.

Seeing her stare, Xie Tingsi grew even more pleased. "I really do look incredible."

Shen Baili couldn't honestly say otherwise. "You do look handsome."

[Like a peacock showing off its tail.]

"Hm? What peacock?" Xie Tingsi had only caught part of what she'd said. "You want to raise a peacock?"

Shen Baili marveled at the leap. "No, I don't."

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

Xie Tingsi checked 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's fast."

That evening, the two families came together for dinner for the second time, and the dining room was lively. Butler Lin had put thought into the meal: everyone had a favorite dish on the table.

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

The two Xie brothers sat to Xie Chengyue's left, eating in silence.

There were no arguments, just a warm family dinner.

Xie Chengyue was pleased. Nothing mattered more than harmony at home.

"Chengyue, the He Family's patriarch has a birthday coming up in two months. He mentioned your fiancée."

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

He didn't agree on his fiancée's behalf, though from what he knew of her, she would most likely refuse.

Xie Chengyue didn't press him. He trusted his eldest son. Then he turned to Xie Tingsi. "I heard you asked your brother to invest in your... film?"

Xie Tingsi answered vaguely, with a jab at his dad. "My brother has good judgment."

Xie Chengyue agreed. "Your brother certainly does."

"I won't interfere in what you two decide. Now that you've made up your minds, give it your best."

He paused, but in the end, the words of encouragement he wanted to add went unsaid.

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.

His brother trusted his own judgment—that meant his brother believed in him!

Watching Xie Tingsi's every feeling play across his face, Xie Chengyue let the corners of his mouth lift.

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

Rankings

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Transmigration into a Book

Wish Fulfillment

Rich CEO

Female Supporting Character Story

Transmigration and Rebirth Romance

Pumpkin Vine

Mind Reading

Everyone's Darling