"Is this how you write it? Is my method correct, kid?"
Under the shade of a tree, a smiling Xu Jing'an held a little girl with pigtails and placed her on his lap.
Summer clothes are mostly light and airy, with fluffy skirts falling down to reveal legs. The little girl's chubby arms are draped over Xu Jing'an's hands, her round face showing a look of bewilderment.
She didn't really want to be hugged by a stranger, but she didn't dare to struggle either, her expression timid.
Xu Jing'an smiled and pulled her into his arms, then leaned in and kissed her cheek repeatedly.
"What grade are you in, kid?"
Have you seen Uncle's movies?
The little girl's grandmother was taking pictures nearby, showing off as she did so.
"Look, everyone! The man holding our little girl is none other than the big star Xu Jing'an!"
Amidst the joyful atmosphere, a tall figure suddenly appeared, lifted the little girl from Xu Jing'an's arms, and placed her behind him.
I gave her another lollipop.
Xu Jing'an, abruptly interrupted, rebuked him with a dark expression:
" Nan Qing, you've gone too far!"
Whispers arose from those around them, and even the little girl's grandmother came forward, muttering to herself.
"I haven't finished filming yet, how can you be like this..."
The little girl hid behind Nan Qing, clutching the hem of his light-colored shirt, and timidly held the lollipop in her hand.
Nan Qing coldly scanned his surroundings with an overly refined face. The little girl's grandmother was startled by his gaze and shut her mouth, somewhat resentful.
Xu Jing'an had been acting arrogantly due to his age, finally calmed down and started asking others for advice. However, he would sigh from time to time, as if he had been bullied by the younger generation.
"I'm speechless. Nan Qing's targeting is way too obvious."
"Wasn't Nan Qing already abandoned by the Bai Family? So which investment firm is supporting him?"
"Maybe I'm being too sensitive, but I always feel that Xu Jing'an's movements are a bit strange."
"You're being insensitive, upstairs. My daughter never lets strange men hold her except for family members."
"I'm speechless. Are all the people in this livestream room super sensitive? They can analyze anything and everything. Xu Jing'an is a veteran artist; he wouldn't be preaching to the audience, would he?"
"Oh my god, this little girl is so well-behaved! She doesn't fuss even when she's nestled against Nan Qing's shoulder, she's practically a fairy Baby!"
" Nan Qing may be a bit impulsive, but he didn't mean any harm, right? The children clearly like him more; you can tell from their body language that they trust him."
"What do kids know? They'll follow whoever feeds them, they'll fawn over anyone for a lollipop, and you think you can justify that with something like that?"
The live stream was in complete chaos.
Under the shade of the tree, Xi Juan, who had completed his studies and returned home, walked over carrying a straw horse. He stretched out a hand to Nan Qing in the bright sunlight.
The large, well-defined hand basked in the sunlight, the straw pony was illuminated by the light, and a group of people in the live stream cheered.
"Is this the charm of a movie star? It feels like an old movie! This scene is so atmospheric!"
"I'm Brother Wall-Crasher's about to unleash his peacock-like display again!"
"Don't do that, Brother Xi, stop being so provocative, it's scary!"
"Hilarious! Is the Brother Wall-Crasher going to say he wants to be Nan Qing's Prince Charming in the next second?!"
"Never mind him, the Brother Wall-Crasher has his own rhythm."
In the scene, the boy, who was struggling to walk along the grassy path, looked up and met Xi Juan's bright smile.
" Teacher Xi, what do you mean?"
Xi Juan squatted down to be at eye level with him, and held up what he was holding to show the little girl next to him.
"Little friend, let me test you. What is this?"
The little girl said in a childish voice, "Little horse--"
Xi Juan's smile widened. He turned his horse around again and handed it to Nan Qing, his tone sincere.
" My Qingqing, I'm giving you this horse. Do you understand my feelings?"
Nan Qing's lips twitched. "I don't understand."
Xi Juan lowered his voice, his tone carrying a romantic elegance.
" Qingqing, what I mean is, you can keep your options open while looking for something better."
"And I really hope I'll have the honor of being the horse you choose."
Nan Qing's pupils dilated in shock.
Off-camera, Xi Juan's manager pounded his head violently, "He's gone mad! He's gone mad! Ahhhhh!"
"No way! The movie star is serious!!!"
"That Brother Wall-Crasher has started openly poaching people from other men. Aren't you afraid of Nan Qing's brother-in-law?"
"Speechless. Even if they're trying to create a romantic pairing, this is going too far! Do they really think the audience is stupid?"
"It's good to be cultured; even being a backup option can be described with a four-character idiom..."
Nan Qing's head started buzzing again.
He knew something was wrong from the moment he saw Xi Juan in the first half of the episode; he never expected Xi Juan to be even more mischievous than before.
He tried his best to keep his expression calm, and even his voice was completely flat.
"You won't even get a turn in line, give up."
The venue was completely silent, save for Xi Juan's chuckle after being rejected; his peach blossom eyes sparkled with pleasure.
" Qingqing, it's been years, how can you still be so heartless!"
"You're still only cold to me; what is this if not favoritism?"
"What should I do? I think I love it even more!"
Nan Qing: "..."
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Nan Qing suddenly stood up.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
He removed the microphone from his lapel and placed it on the basket, then touched the little girl's pigtails and strode outside.
Xi Juan squatted lazily on the ground, picking up pebbles for the little girl to play with, while calling out in Nan Qing's direction.
" Qingqing, I've got my love number! I'm waiting for you!"
The figure that had been hurrying away stumbled, then ran even faster.
-
The production team rented an unused courtyard in the village. A water tap extended from the wall, and a rustic water trough, carved with the marks of history, caught the gurgling water.
Nan Qing turned on the tap to wash his hands, but a figure walked up to him and turned on the tap as well.
"Where can you hide now, you little brat? You're still too green to mess with me!"
Xu Jing'an scoffed coldly.
"Believe it or not, you're already trending on social media right now. You've given your seniors the cold shoulder several times, showing absolutely no manners. Who do you think you are, and who do I think I am? If I were to say a word, do you think this industry would still tolerate you?"
Nan Qing paused in washing his hands, and said in a muffled voice:
"You scum deserve to be torn to pieces."
Seeing his helpless and cowardly appearance, Xu Jing'an hummed a little tune, his voice affected and pretentious.
"I'm scum? How many decent people are there in this industry? What are you pretending for, you little brat? Didn't you also take that advertising deal? Dare you say you didn't sleep with him?"
I am innocent and have a clear conscience. It's you who—
Nan Qing turned around to look at him.
"Rape and molestation of junior colleagues, bullying men and women, causing their family's small barbecue restaurant to go out of business, forcing them into a mental hospital and having to bear the stigma... Xu Jing'an, don't you have nightmares at night? Your fans know that the veteran artist they idolize is a despicable scumbag like you. Aren't you afraid of being kicked and beaten up on the street?"
Xu Jing'an hummed a song, swaying his head, and looked at the indignant Nan Qing, becoming increasingly smug.
"So what if I did it? You can go tell everyone!"
Do you think anyone believes you?
"Let me tell you, if you utter even one more word, my company's lawyers will sue you for defamation and send you to jail."
"If you know what's good for you, kneel down and apologize to me, then spend a few days with me, and I'll be magnanimous and let you make a living in this industry. Otherwise, you won't have a good life in the future..."
As these smug words fell, Nan Qing, who had been maintaining a subdued expression, suddenly chuckled softly.
His eyes curved into a smile, like a little wolf cub baring its fangs.
"Really? But this time, it seems you'll be the one apologizing."
"But an apology won't help --"
Nan Qing slowly pulled a microphone from his sleeve and waved it in the sunlight.
The blinding sunlight fell on the microphone, and the reflected light shone directly into Xu Jing'an's eyes.
Xu Jing'an's expression froze, and he subconsciously retorted:
"Impossible! I clearly saw you drop the microphone!"
"You tricked me on purpose! You fucking used dirty tricks on me!"
Xu Jing'an's eyes were bloodshot as he swung his fist at Nan Qing.
"You little brat! I'll kill you!!!"