Feng Yiqian stood there looking miserable, complaining to Feng Ze. Suddenly, something flashed a few times above his head, and a line of text appeared: [From top star to utterly irrelevant: the ultimate cuckold virgin who went public for love and raised his buddy's child.]
???
This was the first time Tao Zhiyan had ever seen so many words pop up over someone's head! Shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, they sprang out one by one above Feng Yiqian.
And there was so much information packed into them!
From top star to utterly irrelevant-did that mean he had been framed?
Going public for love and raising his buddy's child-another hopeless romantic?
The virgin part needed no explanation. It meant exactly what it said. The kid was still innocent.
Tao Zhiyan pondered this. So did this Third Young Master have the entertainment-industry villain's script?
"Big brother, why aren't you saying anything?" Feng Yiqian sniffled, his eyes red. "You don't doubt me, do you?"
Feng Ze looked at the house in complete chaos and struggled to suppress his anger. "You have three seconds. Explain."
"Oh..."
So harsh.
Feng Yiqian straightened up and obediently explained to Feng Ze, "Well, a few days ago, someone started a rumor online that I'd been sleeping with fans..."
At this point, Feng Yiqian grew a little agitated.
His hair was dyed a flamboyant shade of bright red. He had fair skin and a beauty mark at the corner of his eye, and the flush on his face only made him look more alluring. "Ahem! But you know me, big brother. I'd never do something like that! My fans are all my family. I treat my family with respect and sincerity, and I give them my whole heart. Besides, I-!"
The more Feng Yiqian talked, the further he strayed from the point. Feng Ze interrupted impatiently. "Get to the point."
"The point is... well... I don't know what happened either." Feng Yiqian irritably raked a hand through his red hair. "Those gossip accounts posted voice messages of me arranging hookups with fans, and photos of me sleeping naked in a hotel."
"I listened to the recording. That really is my voice, and the photos really are of me, but I never arranged any hookups! And I definitely never slept with fans!!"
Growing emotional, Feng Yiqian stepped closer and reached out to grab Feng Ze.
Feng Ze immediately stepped back half a pace and turned aside, avoiding him with undisguised distaste.
Feng Yiqian looked a little hurt. His eyes lowered, and even his voice began to tremble. "Big brother, you don't doubt me, do you?"
Looking at his pitiful expression, then at the word "virgin" above his head, Tao Zhiyan inexplicably felt like laughing.
Who would have thought a guy with such seductive looks and such a flamboyant personality was still a blank slate?
"What's this about drugs?" Feng Ze asked. "All these police officers came to search the house?"
"I have no idea about the drugs." Feng Yiqian had been rehearsing for a music festival that day when the police suddenly contacted him. Someone had filed a report under their real name, accusing him of possessing and using drugs, and the police needed to search his residence.
"Apparently someone reported me under their real name, but I really haven't done any of that! I'm a law-abiding citizen! You have to believe me, big brother!"
As he spoke, Feng Yiqian excitedly tried to grab Feng Ze's hand again, only for Feng Ze to dodge him once more.
Feng Ze rubbed between his brows. "Butler Tao."
Tao Zhiyan snapped out of his thoughts. "Yes."
"Contact Assistant Wang and have him find a legal team." With that, Feng Ze turned and went upstairs.
The moment Feng Yiqian heard this, his worries vanished. He blew enthusiastic kisses at Feng Ze's retreating figure. "Big brother! Love you, love you! Love you to death!! From now on, I'm your most loyal dog! Mwah!!!"
Tao Zhiyan moved a little further away and explained the situation to Assistant Wang, who immediately began contacting a legal team.
Feng Yiqian had been falsely accused, so naturally, the police found nothing. As they packed up to leave, an officer specifically pointed at him and instructed, "Come to the station tomorrow morning for a urine test. Don't drink too much water."
Feng Yiqian nodded. "You got it, officer! I'll be there right on time!"
Tao Zhiyan stepped forward to open the door and bowed slightly. "Thank you for your hard work. Sorry for the trouble."
The officer nodded politely.
Tao Zhiyan and Feng Yiqian escorted the police out.
Once the police cordon was removed, the reporters became even more brazen. They surged forward and blocked the entrance, preventing Tao Zhiyan and Feng Yiqian from going back inside.
A microphone nearly jabbed Feng Yiqian in the face as camera flashes and shutter clicks went off nonstop.
"Mr. Feng, is it true that you've been taking drugs?"
"Mr. Feng, your career is on the rise. Did you consider what would happen to your future when you started taking drugs?"
"Mr. Feng, how can you face the fans who love you?"
"Mr. Feng! Mr. Feng, please answer!"
"..."
"..."
There were too many reporters for either of them to get away.
Feng Yiqian sighed, tidied his hair a little, and snatched a microphone. "Hold on, everyone. I'll answer, but don't film me from that angle. I look really ugly from there!"
Tao Zhiyan glanced at Feng Yiqian. "..."
Is this really the time to worry about that? We can't even get back into the house, buddy!
Tao Zhiyan took out his phone, considering whether to message the Eldest Young Master and ask him to come rescue them.
"Yes, yes, back up a little. Great!" Feng Yiqian's eyes lit up as he pointed at one reporter. "Use his angle! All of you, film me like that!!"
Watching Feng Yiqian direct the crowd, Tao Zhiyan felt utterly helpless.
He had once thought the Second Young Master, Feng Yan, was the most unhinged. Only after meeting the Third Young Master, Feng Yiqian, did he realize there was always someone even more unhinged!
The reporters took their positions as Feng Yiqian instructed. "Mr. Feng, can you answer our questions now?"
"Sure. What was the question again?" Feng Yiqian thought for a moment. "Whether I've been taking drugs, right? Of course not."
"Look at my skin. Isn't it delicate, silky smooth, crystal clear, rosy, and glowing?"
"I put so much effort into skincare every day that I don't even dare eat chili peppers! And you think I'd take drugs?" Facing the camera, Feng Yiqian posed a soul-searching question. "What addict has skin as good as mine?"
Tao Zhiyan: "..."
Excellent. The explanation is ridiculous, but very convincing.
"Also, who just said my career was on the rise?" Feng Yiqian seemed extremely unhappy with this question. He raised a finger and wagged it. "That question is so lame. I'm already irrelevant! Haven't you noticed how long it's been since I joined a production? And this, this..."
As he spoke, Feng Yiqian tugged at the red hair on top of his head. "I've even dyed my hair. That means I can't appear on television anymore, understand?"
"Now I can only scrape a living by performing at music festivals," Feng Yiqian declared loudly. "My career is already going downhill!"
That round of self-deprecation landed with maximum impact.
Every reporter was speechless.
In all their decades of life, this was the first time they had seen a celebrity announce so sincerely that his career was going downhill...
You really did live and learn...
They had to admit, Feng Yiqian's mental state was truly something to behold.
Tao Zhiyan quietly closed the chat window with the Eldest Young Master, deciding to watch a little longer.
"And to my fans," Feng Yiqian said, "you really don't need to feel sad for me. I may be irrelevant, but I have loads of haters! People spread rumors about me every day. You still have time to follow other celebrities, unlike me. I'm already finished!"
Hearing this, the reporters' brains overheated and crashed.
???
What kind of career-suicide statement is that?
It's just... although... actually, it's also... anyway, there's really no need, man?
Seeing the bewilderment and fear on everyone's faces, Tao Zhiyan finally lost the battle and covered his mouth to hide his laughter.
This was hilarious. For a moment, he couldn't tell who the real hater was!
The reporters had intended to dig up some dirt and generate buzz. Instead, Feng Yiqian had done their job for them, leaving them with nowhere to go.
Finally, the reporters set their sights on Tao Zhiyan.
Surely asking the butler can't go wrong?
"Hello... are you the Feng Family's butler? What do you know about this incident?"
"Have you heard anything about Feng Yiqian screwing his fans?"
Several cameras were suddenly thrust into Tao Zhiyan's face, and the other reporters quickly followed suit.
His refined features suddenly appeared on camera. The young man instinctively ducked aside, his long lashes fluttering, looking a little dazed.
Damn!
Even these reporters, who were used to seeing stunning beauties, caught their breath when that face appeared on their camera screens. They couldn't resist taking a few extra shots.
He was far too good-looking. He seemed even prettier than the idols in the industry!
The beauty on camera pressed his lips together, then tilted his head. "The Third Young Master hasn't slept with any fans."
As though something amusing had occurred to him, he looked into the camera with a smile. "Actually, our Third Young Master is still brand-new, factory-sealed."
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