AAMIBBSBY 20

During dinner, the program crew was talking and laughing. Although many people were still full of curiosity about Xia Zhi’s mysterious husband, they didn’t press about the matter. After all, it is someone’s privacy.

If his circumstances were just average, would he be this inhumanly extravagant? Sigh, it’s also not something they should worry about.

There were still many fruits and desserts left. Xia Zhi carried some and headed to the place where Xiao Pang and the others were playing extras, which was separated from here by about a few palaces.

The good friends he met from playing extras in the past saw Xia Zhi had returned, and enthusiastically gathered around him to ask about his recent situation. Everyone had naturally heard about the gossip news from the past few days. While comforting Xia Zhi, they couldn’t help but roast Xia Mingxuan a bit.

Evil has its retribution. During filming, the extras were frequently tormented by Xia Mingxuan.

Seeing Xiao Pang eating with relish, Xia Zhi sat on a small stool and mysteriously asked, “Pang’er¹Literally Fatty. Pang’er uses the Northern Mandarin suffix -er (儿), which adds familiarity and an affectionate, informal tone. It functions as a nickname rather than a literal meaning, reflecting closeness and regional speech flavor., let me ask you something.”

Xiao Pang: “Yeah, ask away.”

Xia Zhi: “My friend, he fell in love with someone, but that person keeps thinking about his ex-boyfriend in his heart. What do you think my friend should do?”

Xiao Pang chewed on a sparerib and naively smiled. 

Seeing through it but not exposing it—his heart was like a clear mirror.

“Did the person your friend likes break up with their first love?”

“They should be broken up… the first love abandoned him for several years already.”

“Then just pursue them?” Xiao Pang analyzed. “The man is unmarried and the woman is not given in marriage—both are single. On what grounds can’t they be pursued? Don’t tell me they must just helplessly wait for the first love to turn back?”

Xia Zhi pondered it carefully. “Right, my friend also thinks this way. I will go and encourage him more, let him just go for it.”

“That’s right.” Xiao Pang smiled vaguely, and handed Xia Zhi a mango.

This time when Xia Zhi came back, there was also another matter. Yesterday, his manager told him that he would arrange a personal assistant for him. For better or worse he is considered to have debuted, not having an assistant is not very convenient.

Personal assistants have a close relationship with celebrities. Xia Zhi wanted to ask Xiao Pang if he was willing to take on this job. He heard from the manager that the salary and benefits were quite high.

After Xiao Pang finished listening, his face beamed with joy, his eyes narrowed into a slit, and he nodded crazily.

Being able to be a celebrity assistant, isn’t that much better than playing an extra!

The two discussed and agreed. Xia Zhi bid him farewell, and returned to the program crew to continue doing pickup shots for the remaining scenes.

He was busy until 9 PM, before officially wrapping up work.

In the car going home, Xia Zhi put all his things to the side, only leaving that bouquet of white roses on his lap, carefully holding it.

He really liked this bouquet of roses!

Although he also received a bouquet last time, he was even happier today!

However, what should he say to Shen Shixiao after returning home?

Xiao, I’m so cold tonight, why am I cold? A cold heart from not having your hugs.

Xiao, I’m so sour today, why sour? The sour heart of not being able to have you.

Hehehe. Xia Zhi tilted his head and smiled foolishly, his finger pads gently stroking the petals, his brows and eyes gentle.

It was almost ten o’clock when he got home. Xia Zhi asked the servant to help prepare some vases to be placed in his own room.

There were six vases in total. If he puts some in every corner, then it would be entirely the fragrance of roses!

Standing on the balcony and secretly looking over, the lights in Shen Shixiao’s room next door were still on. Xia Zhi, holding a vase, knocked on Shen Shixiao’s bedroom door.

“Come in.”

Shen Shixiao was working. Seeing Xia Zhi had returned, the exhaustion between his brows disappeared quite a bit, and he gently said, “You’re back.”

“Yeah.” Xia Zhi walked towards Shen Shixiao, carrying the vase, he said, “Thank you for the flowers and dinner, the program crew has been thanking me constantly.”

“It’s nothing, I should have.” Shen Shixiao opened a drawer. He quietly looked at the box inside and then took it out and handed it to Xia Zhi.

“I bought it for you passing by the mall, it should look good when you wear it.”

Xia Zhi held the rose vase and blinked. “Bought for me?” After speaking, he eagerly trotted over, opened that box, and discovered it was a blue diamond watch.

The dial was very dreamy. It was dotted with small crushed diamonds, like a summer’s starry sky, dazzling and gorgeous.

He recognized this brand—it’s super expensive, wuwu.

“It’s not a holiday or festival, why are you suddenly giving me something?” Even though he said this, Xia Zhi still followed his heart and put it in his pocket, deeply afraid that Shen Shixiao would go back on his word and take it back.

He liked it so much wuwu.

Once given to him, don’t even think about taking it away!

“Is it because of what happened last night?” Xia Zhi muttered, “I saw your card, I’m not angry. I know you are doing it for my own good.”

Shen Shixiao didn’t expect Xia Zhi to puncture this matter. Casually holding a fountain pen, he responded, “As long as you are not angry, it’s fine.”

Time quietly slipped by, and the room was dead silent.

Xia Zhi remembered the matter of the vases and said, “I put the roses you gave me into vases. They smell quite nice, so I’m giving you one.”

Your bedroom and my bedroom are spreading the same fragrance.

Wuwu, so romantic.

Shen Shixiao saw the white roses in the vase and chuckled lightly. “They have left their roots and are hard to keep alive. Even if cared for with a lot of nutrient solution, they will ultimately wither anyway.”

Xia Zhi lowered his eyes, looking thoughtful.

Was this referring to their contract marriage? Even if maintained with a lot of feelings, after three years, it will ultimately still be broken up.

Shen Shixiao noticed Xia Zhi’s gradually dimming gaze. He couldn’t help but nervously purse his thin lips, reflecting on whether he had said the wrong thing and made Xia Zhi unhappy.

Just as he was feeling anxious, Xia Zhi suddenly raised his head and smiled sweetly. “Do you know a lot about raising flowers?”

Shen Shixiao paused for a moment. “Yeah, I can raise some.”

A clear, bright light burst forth in Xia Zhi’s eyes.

“Can you help me save them?”

Shen Shixiao’s reason told him that this bouquet of roses basically couldn’t be saved, but facing Xia Zhi’s anticipation, he couldn’t say words of refusal.

Finally, he said with certainty, “Okay.”

After getting Shen Shixiao’s promise, Xia Zhi’s mood turned from cloudy to sunny.

Right, right! Human effort can achieve anything!

If the roses don’t wither, who can say for sure what will happen in three years?

Maybe by that time, he will be Shen Shixiao’s precious darling!²Literally “heart and liver big treasure.” The heart and liver represent the most vital internal organs, so calling someone this means they are incredibly cherished and vital to your life.

Seeing him this happy, Shen Shixiao’s mood also improved a lot. He pointed to the chair beside him to signal him to sit down, then he opened the PPT on his desktop.

“Our company has newly opened a home furnishings line under its banner, and it’s missing a spokesperson. Do you want to give it a try?”

The products in the PPT had a minimalist style, and avant-garde design, very suitable for the tastes and preferences of current young people.

Xia Zhi looked at the brand logo of “Shiming Home Furnishings” and joked, “President Shen, does this count as going through the back door?”

Shen Shixiao thought about it seriously. “It counts and it doesn’t. This home furnishings line is a brand new brand—it needs a spokesperson with a gentle and excellent appearance and temperament. Choosing you is a win-win for our company.”

Xia Zhi smiled so much his eyes curved.

Shen Shixiao is too good at talking!

If you know how to talk, talk some more!

The two chatted about the spokesperson matter for a while, and it was considered officially finalized.

Xia Zhi glanced at the time. It was already twelve o’clock.

After returning to his own room, he took out the watch like a treasure, stood in front of the mirror, and tried wearing it.

In the mirror, a pair of eyes were excited and joyful. Xia Zhi hadn’t seen this kind of himself in a long time.

In a flash, a few days passed. He suddenly found that a new planting area was set up indoors, where the temperature could be adjusted at any time.

When Shen Shixiao was inside caring for those white roses, he would hold the kitten and sit there playing.

To his surprise, not even two days later, an extra swing appeared inside the planting area, enough for him to take the kittens and play on it.

Sitting on the swing swaying back and forth, Xia Zhi’s little heart thumped wildly.

On this day, the Shiming brand side notified him to go film.

After picking and choosing carefully, he slipped on a loose white sweater, put on the watch Shen Shixiao newly bought for him, and set off.

The filming location for Shiming Home Furnishings was located behind the Shen Group headquarters. It was a functional filming building specially built by the Shen Group. When not used by their own company, it usually would be rented out to advertising companies.

In the makeup room, the stylist was applying makeup on Xia Zhi, and at the same time continuously praising his good skin and delicate facial features.

Xia Zhi was also not being polite. “Thank you, I am quite good-looking.”

At this time, a sneer suddenly came from behind. He observed through the mirror. The sound was made by the person behind.

This makeup room accommodated many people doing makeup at the same time. Besides Xia Zhi, the other people were all supporting actors for the commercial.

This person’s stage name is Luoluo, also a newcomer at Shen’s Entertainment. He was not very convinced on what grounds did he sign with the company earlier than Xia Zhi, and have a bit more Weibo fans, yet it just so happened that the Shiming endorsement fell onto Xia Zhi’s head?

Therefore, from the early stage of filming, he was not very cooperative, carelessly playing games. It was until he heard Xia Zhi’s boast that he laughed out loud, his eyes teasing.

Xia Zhi only exchanged a glance with him, then withdrew his gaze.

Sigh, it’s not worth getting angry with this person.

Filming began, and the actors now stood in advance in front of the prepared sets, letting the photography crew adjust the positions of the lights.

Behind them were all Shiming’s home furnishings. The lamps, chairs, and tables were all Nordic minimalist white, looking very comfortable.

According to the action design, Xia Zhi was originally supposed to just sit on the chair and read a book, but he felt this was too rigid. Therefore, he propped up his elbows, his head gently leaned, then he raised his legs and curled up on the chair.

His skeletal frame was very small so the width of the chair was just right.

The loose white shirt paired with the wooden white table and chairs added a touch of laziness and casualness.

This was the atmosphere of home.

The chief photographer secretly cheered in his heart, and hurriedly took snapshots. The apprentice he brought saw such a well-conditioned newcomer for the first time, very photogenic, with a high-class temperament—no wonder such a strict master showed a smile of approval.

Xia Zhi’s neck lines were superior, moving from his slender wrists to his delicate jawline. It was completely a pleasing oil painting.

Photographer: This temperament is absolutely amazing!

Filming finished, and the promotional images and rough cuts of the final film came out. Everyone gathered together to watch.

Luoluo’s expression changed slightly when he noticed his own photos. Obviously, his facial features were very pretty in private but in front of the camera, they became flat and plain. Looking at Xia Zhi on the contrary, he looked even better in the camera.

He rubbed his nose. When he raised his head, he happened to lock eyes with Xia Zhi. Although Xia Zhi only smiled relaxedly, in his eyes there was a bit more thought-provoking meaning.

It was as if saying, take a look, laozi³Literally Your daddy. An arrogant, slang way to refer to oneself. It literally translates to “father” or “grandfather.” When a man uses it, he is putting himself in a position of superiority over the listener.is simply better looking than you!

Luoluo shivered: Scared, scared.

Everything went very smoothly. Before Xia Zhi left, the advertisers specially gifted him a small cake from Black Swan.

A piece of cake was five figures—Xia Zhi’s flesh ached⁴A slang phrase meaning to feel the sting of spending a lot of money or wasting something highly valuable. It implies a physical, visceral pain over the cost.. He thanked them and left.

Walking in the Shen Group’s area, Xia Zhi, upholding the principle that good things must be shared, eagerly trotted toward the office building where Shen Shixiao was located.

Stepping into the president’s office area was very easy. Although he didn’t have an access card, he remembered the elevator access password from last time.

Standing outside, he knocked softly on the door. A strange voice sounded from inside.

“Come in.”

Pushing the door open, he saw a young man in his twenties was sitting on the sofa. Looking at his clothing and dress, his status wasn’t bad.

The man raised his eyes and lazily glanced at him. “Who are you looking for?”

Xia Zhi looked around, and replied, “I am looking for President Shen.”

The man crossed his legs. “Shixiao-ge will be back immediately.”

This form of address made Xia Zhi’s eyes pay a bit more attention, staring at him he asked, “Excuse me, are you President Shen’s guest?”

The man scoffed a laugh. “What nonsense—why should I tell you the relationship between me and Xiao-ge?”

Xia Zhi held the cake box, his brain spinning rapidly, mentally filling in a dog blood wealthy-family drama of the original wife battling the little green tea.

Wuwu, Shixiao, you have ultimately betrayed me!

After finishing his internal mental drama, he prepared to put the cake on the table, so as not to let such an expensive thing drop and break.

Just as he took a step forward, the office door behind him opened. The man softly called out, “Shixiao-ge.”

“Plop!”

Xia Zhi’s foot tripped over the raised carpet, and his knees kneeled to the ground.

Tripping on flat ground, he really is clumsy!

Looking forward, he paused. Suddenly, he laid on top of it and started whimpering and crying.

When the door completely opened, Shen Shixiao unexpectedly heard Xia Zhi’s crying.

How come Xia Zhi is here?

Taking quick steps over and squatting down, Shen Shixiao didn’t know what had happened in the room. He coldly stared at that man, making the man’s spine feel bursts of cold.⁵An idiom used to describe a sudden, intense feeling of fear or intimidation, equivalent to the English phrase “sending chills down one’s spine.”

The man hastily waved his hands. “He fell by himself, I didn’t do anything!”

Shen Shixiao didn’t want to pay attention to him. His arm supported Xia Zhi’s shoulder and he anxiously asked, “Where does it hurt?”

Xia Zhi sobbed softly. He raised those red eyes and hooked his trembling hands around Shen Shixiao’s neck.

After a long while, he sullenly buried himself against his chest. “It doesn’t hurt.”

“Then why are you crying so hard?”

“The cake fell on the ground.”

• 1
  Literally Fatty. Pang’er uses the Northern Mandarin suffix -er (儿), which adds familiarity and an affectionate, informal tone. It functions as a nickname rather than a literal meaning, reflecting closeness and regional speech flavor.
• 2
  Literally “heart and liver big treasure.” The heart and liver represent the most vital internal organs, so calling someone this means they are incredibly cherished and vital to your life.
• 3
  Literally Your daddy. An arrogant, slang way to refer to oneself. It literally translates to “father” or “grandfather.” When a man uses it, he is putting himself in a position of superiority over the listener.
• 4
  A slang phrase meaning to feel the sting of spending a lot of money or wasting something highly valuable. It implies a physical, visceral pain over the cost.
• 5
  An idiom used to describe a sudden, intense feeling of fear or intimidation, equivalent to the English phrase “sending chills down one’s spine.”