My wife has always loved me

Song Zhixing had pocketed over a billion in compensation for nothing, and these past few days, he had even felt more energetic whenever he came to the studio to review audition tapes.

Every actor looked good to him.

He had written the character Xia Cen back in college, a quintessential Eastern beauty.

When he had drawn the character designs back then, he had consulted Xie Yanci to some extent.

An Omega who stood six feet tall, long-haired and proud, with a cool bearing and indisputably stunning looks, but without coming across as vulgar.

Looking at all those requirements now...

They practically described Xu Shi in his audition.

Exactly the same.

"That bastard Xie Yanci actually dared to slip his own agenda into my work!" Just thinking about it infuriated Song Zhixing.

It was a downright desecration of his art.

Even after watching the audition for Xia Cen over and over, Song Zhixing remained torn.

The main reason he had rejected Xu Shi before was that being called a homewrecker sounded bad, and a powerful man's little lover could easily become embroiled in a scandal.

If anything happened, his work would be finished.

But Xu Shi was Xie Yanci's lawful wife...

"Director Song." The young assistant knocked on the door. "Wen Yu is here."

"Come in."

Song Zhixing stood and straightened his suit.

He signaled the young assistant with his eyes to pour some tea. "Sit wherever you like."

Wen Yu nodded obediently and accepted the hot water the assistant handed him. Sitting on the sofa, he said, "Director Song, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes." Song Zhixing handed him a contract. "Take a look and see if you can sign this."

They were both busy with work, and he had no intention of wasting time.

Wen Yu took it and carefully read through a couple of pages, his brows drawing together slightly. "This is the contract for the male lead? You want me to play the lead, Director Song?"

Song Zhixing nodded. "To be honest, I think the male lead suits your looks and bearing better."

Though he was called the male lead, he actually had little screen time and was a very formulaic character.

After all these years, Wen Yu was almost sick of playing such unchallenging, upright protagonists.

His fingers unconsciously tightened around the contract. Looking at Song Zhixing's signature, he bit his lower lip. "Do I really have no chance of competing for the second male lead anymore?"

He knew he lacked that air of arrogance born of beauty, but he could act, and he was willing to try anything.

He looked at Song Zhixing, desperate to fight for a chance.

"..." Song Zhixing opened his mouth, but he simply could not bring himself to give an outright refusal.

He did not know when he had become so indecisive.

He slowly sighed. "For Xia Cen, I actually have someone more suitable in mind, and I also think you're better suited to the male lead."

From a professional director's perspective, he still believed that an actor's fit with a character's soul mattered more.

Poor acting was not a problem. He could coach them.

More importantly, there was something he wanted Xie Yanci's help with.

With things put so plainly, Wen Yu understood what Song Zhixing meant and slowly nodded.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "I heard earlier that Xia Shian had been chosen as the male lead?"

Song Zhixing had heard the rumors about him and Xia Shian. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you so eager to play Xia Cen just because Xia Shian is the male lead?"

"No." Wen Yu quickly shook his head. "I genuinely like Xia Cen's characterization. I believe I can play him well."

As the conversation returned to that topic, Song Zhixing hurried to stop it. "I still hope you'll give this contract some serious thought. Xia Shian did audition for the male lead earlier, but I haven't confirmed him."

"..." Wen Yu nodded.

Without saying anything else, he left the building with the contract.

Xie Corporation.

A meeting had just ended, and the dignified, refined Alpha walked out of the conference room surrounded by a group of elites in sharp suits.

Secretary Zhou quickly caught up with him and said quietly, "President Xie, your wife had someone deliver a meal. It's in the lounge."

Xie Yanci had not fully recovered and still had a persistent low-grade fever.

He had never cared about his health. As long as he did not pass out, he had to come to work, and sometimes he got so busy he even forgot to eat.

During his last follow-up visit to the hospital, Xu Shi had also found a nutritionist for him.

Xie Yanci loosened his tie and steadied his voice. "Where is he?"

Secretary Zhou hesitated. "Your wife still hasn't come."

Xie Yanci: "..."

It had already been several days since his discharge, and he had not seen Xu Shi.

Not only was Xu Shi no longer coming home, he had also stopped buying anything with his supplementary card and had not left him so much as a message.

Xie Yanci lowered his eyes and considered for a few seconds before a single syllable escaped his tightly pressed lips. "Mm."

He had long since grown used to it.

This was how they had lived throughout five years of an arranged marriage. Nothing was different.

Just as Xu Shi had said, there was no need to consider each other's genuine feelings in a business marriage.

"..."

The lounge table was covered with a variety of dishes that Xu Shi had specially ordered for him.

Xie Yanci had only taken a few bites when a commotion suddenly came from outside the door.

"Yanci, your assistant won't let me in!" Song Zhixing's loud, clamorous voice rang out.

Secretary Zhou had not even managed to cover his mouth in time. At a complete loss, he could only let him in.

Song Zhixing gave a light huff. "I don't need to announce myself when I visit my good buddy's company, got it?"

Secretary Zhou: "..."

Song Zhixing swaggered inside.

The VIP lounge was spacious, and the midday sunlight streamed in, falling over the sculpted, cool profile of the Alpha who was focused on his meal.

The ventilation was on, so the greasy smell of food was not too strong.

"Holy shit." Song Zhixing glanced over the table full of nutritious dishes. "You usually eat this well at work?"

"You even have a dedicated chef deliver your meals? President Xie really can't bear to let himself suffer."

As he spoke, he sat down on the sofa without asking and instructed Secretary Zhou beside him, "Get me a pair of chopsticks. I'm eating too."

Only then did Xie Yanci lift his eyes and slowly look at him. "Order your own takeout. Don't touch my things."

His tone carried a clear warning.

Song Zhixing frowned. "That stingy? It's not like I'm eating something your wife cooked."

Despite his grumbling, his body honestly moved farther away, and he did not dare touch a thing.

There was nothing to gain from angering this powerful president.

Xie Yanci paid him no further attention and continued eating at an unhurried pace.

Secretary Zhou quietly reminded him from the side, "Mr. Xu Shi had this specially delivered."

"?" Song Zhixing wondered whether his ears had failed him. "Xu Shi actually sends you meals? Your wife loves you that much?"

Why?

He had always thought someone as cold and pretentious as Xie Yanci would never have love.

Now, not only was he loved, but his wife was such a beautiful, adorable, cheerful little Beta.

Why?

Sensing the intense jealousy radiating from the Alpha beside him, Xie Yanci let out a soft chuckle and cast him a provocative look.

"Has no one ever brought you a meal? Has no one ever loved you?"

Song Zhixing: "..."

Taking in every bit of his disgruntled expression, Xie Yanci spoke slowly.

"Sorry to disappoint you. My wife has always loved me."