On a rainy autumn night, Nan Qing had a rare good dream.
Huo Yuzhou's embrace was warm, and his even breathing filled the room.
In his dream, the tall man was kneeling beside him, gently cupping his face in his hands, his voice very low.
"Don't rush to love me, Baby."
He held his finger, showering his fingertips with kisses.
We have a very, very long time.
"My husband will wait patiently; after all, we have a long life ahead of us."
-
The torrential rain lasted for three days, turning the entire S City into a muddy mess.
The damp autumn rain caused the temperature to drop sharply again. Overnight, pedestrians on the street put on coats, and some elderly people who couldn't stand the cold wore thick sweaters and then wrapped themselves in down jackets.
Nan Qing loves to look pretty.
He wore a thin gray trench coat, and a fine silk shirt accentuated his excessively handsome face. Long, narrow jeans were tucked into dark military boots, and as he walked, the hem of his coat fluttered, revealing glimpses of his slender, supple waist. He was so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.
He was dressed beautifully, Zhou Guangliang kept calling him "ancestor" and insisted that he wear another layer.
"It's not like we're walking the red carpet this time, is it really necessary, darling?"
Nan Qing put his hands in his pockets, looked at himself in the mirror again and again, and was extremely satisfied.
"I'm not cold!"
"It's not cold inside, of course, but it's cold outside."
"If you come with me on this trip and come back with a cold and a runny nose, that guy surnamed Huo will be scathing at me again."
Nan Qing was overjoyed and turned her head to look at him.
"Brother Zhou, how much money did he give you?"
Zhou Guangliang chuckled and rubbed his hands together.
" Mr. Huo's offer is certainly extremely generous."
This event is an annual gala, and many big-name artists will be attending. Huading is currently facing a talent shortage and it's rare to find artists with high profiles and good reputations. Therefore, they want to use this event to have Nan Qing mentor the company's young artists.
Nan Qing was not a petty person. Moreover, since Zhou Guangliang had been involved, Huading Entertainment had always been very cooperative with his work. In return, Nan Qing did not make things difficult for the other party.
The crystal chandeliers were still dazzling and magnificent, the red carpet stretched as far as the eye could see, reporters thronged both sides, and the flashes of camera lights pierced the eyes.
Nan Qing's position was a bit further forward than at the last event, next to a currently popular male singer and a popular female celebrity in a formal dress.
After exchanging friendly greetings with several people, Nan Qing received a message.
Big-Head Yu: Young Master, wanna eat some melon?
Nan Qing turned around, and Yu Xingyan was in the third row behind him, was winking at him.
The camera panned over, Yu Xingyan immediately sat up straight. Nan Qing smiled, turned around, and replied to a message.
What melon?
Big-Head Yu: Lin Tang called me yesterday, asking me to introduce him to a big shot, promising to split the profits with me.
" Chin-in-the-Air Young Master: Huh? What's wrong with him?"
Big-Head Yu: You didn't know? He was recently exposed for being kept by a sugar daddy, and he also had tax problems. He's been blacklisted.
" Big-Head Yu: Maybe it's because the movie star has been making too much noise lately, and the commotion this nobody is causing is simply not worth mentioning."
" Big-Head Yu: LOL. When he was in the industry, he was always outshone in acting and photography. Now that he's retired, the little bit of news he manages to generate doesn't even make a ripple. He's such a clown."
Big-Head Yu: But you didn't know? Isn't it rumored in the industry that he offended you, which is why your backer is taking care of him?
" Big-Head Yu: Brother Nan Qing, I was wrong! I was blind before. Please tell that big shot behind you to watch out, or he might kick me out too! /crying"
Nan Qing replied with an emoji to reassure the other party.
Yu Xingyan quickly sent over a few more emojis, expressing her gratitude in a cheeky manner.
The host's voice drifted from the stage, mingling with the music in a somewhat ethereal tone.
Nan Qing could clearly feel the increased number of cameras focused on him. Even the most popular young actresses and male singers around him exchanged contact information with him, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
In addition to film and television stars, this year's annual gala also featured some industry leaders and sponsors.
People were whispering nearby. Nan Qing vaguely caught a word and frowned slightly.
"Can't they part amicably after breaking up? Xi Juan, isn't Xi Juan dating Bai Ruanruan from the Bai Family? Why would he want to retaliate against the Qin Family?"
" Bai Ruanruan's backer is her older brother, Qin Mubai. Why do you think she's taking revenge on the Qin Family?"
"His adopted older brother?"
A faint laugh came from the side, carrying a hint of malice, and Nan Qing clenched her fingers.
"His older brother took his mother's surname."
"So the Xi Juan's name is the Xi Family that makes precision instruments. I knew he must have powerful connections to climb the ladder so quickly. Turns out he's a capitalist's son who got into the business."
"Tsk, what a show... Tell me again, how exactly did Xi Juan and Bai Ruanruan talk? Don't you know the inside story?"
Subtle gazes fell upon him, and the voices grew softer and softer.
They thought Nan Qing couldn't hear them, and they tried their best to keep their voices down, but sometimes the lower the voice, the more noise it would make that was impossible to ignore.
Nan Qing stood up expressionlessly and followed the staff's directions to the restroom.
The air pressure in S City was very low after the continuous heavy rain, creating a calm atmosphere reminiscent of the calm before a storm.
The commotion between Xi Juan and Bai Ruanruan was too big, and given his entanglement with the two of them, Nan Qing could clearly sense that many people wanted to take pictures of him secretly.
He didn't go to the balcony for some fresh air; he just stood silently in front of the sink for a while, then took out his pocket, poured out a gummy candy from the small box, and popped it into his mouth.
Huo Yuzhou seemed to prefer feeding him berry-flavored gummies.
The darker color painted the tip of his tongue red, making it look like he'd been kissed hard—a wicked sense of humor just like Huo Yuzhou's inner thoughts.
Nan Qing suddenly smiled, her mood improving considerably.
"Hidden away again, like a rat crossing the street?"
A familiar voice came from behind, and Nan Qing knew who it was without even looking.
Sure enough, Bai Ruanruan's reflection was seen in the spacious, transparent glass of the restroom.
Online reports claim that his injuries from domestic violence have healed. He was wearing light makeup and an expensive bespoke suit. As he crossed his arms, the ring on his index finger sparkled under the lights.
"I'm tired of Xi Juan, Nan Qing, why don't you go pick up some trash?"
"He's so injured right now, and just like you, everyone hates him. You two are actually a good match; maybe you can find solace in each other!"
Bai Ruanruan spoke casually, but the hatred and jealousy in her eyes almost burst out of their sockets.
Nan Qing glanced at the camera not far away, then turned to leave.
Bai Ruanruan continued to block his way.
"What? Pretending to be mute?"
"But the way you pretend to be mute is very similar to someone else. No wonder you were raised by him; even your disgusting behavior is exactly the same!"
To protect privacy, cameras in such situations will not record sound.
Bai Ruanruan found a great angle; from this angle, you couldn't even see his face in the photo.
"Hey, Nan Qing, why aren't you saying anything?"
"Actually, I wasn't wrong, was I? You're not a native of this world. You must have some kind of mission, right? Like stealing my favor, stealing my life, or stealing my man, stealing my celebrity aura?"
"But you're destined to be disappointed."
"Haven't you noticed? You're a jinx; anyone who gets close to you is doomed."
" Xi Juan confessed his feelings to you, which is why he fell from his high position and ended up being despised and vilified."
" Qin Mubai was there for you as you grew up, but now he's overwhelmed with his own problems, and besides..."
Bai Ruanruan suddenly smiled and closed the distance between them.
"I don't intend to let Qin Mubai get away with this either."
"Do you think Qin Mubai might turn into Xi Juan, the guy who was my dog a few days ago?"