Chapter 32

Chapter 32

In the end, Ning Yuyi didn't get to eat the roasted lamb.

Because Zhou Erhe sent him details about the variety show "Hello Actor."

"Here's the script for you. Take a look. I'll drive you to the filming location tomorrow."

"The variety show is probably aiming to create conflicts during filming. You'll have to decide on the roles yourselves. Be wary of others trying to trip you up."

Ning Yuyi typed away, replying,

"Got it, got it. I'll check the script now~"

"Gotta run~"

The script was extracted from a classic television series, with high emotional intensity, demanding a significant level of acting skill.

Ning Yuyi delved deep into the character's emotions and psyche, and before he realized, it was already midnight.

The next day, Zhou Erhe, having nearly finished all his tasks, handed the remaining ones to his sister and drove to Qing'an.

Ning Yuyi was awakened by Zhou Erhe's call, rubbing his groggy eyes, yawning even as he spoke.

"Hello, what's up?"

"I should be asking you." Zhou Erhe leaned against his car door, "I went to your place and it seemed empty. You're in Hai City today, right?"

"Don't tell me you left days ago for some fun and haven't returned yet!"

Ning Yuyi jolted, recalling he had forgotten to inform Zhou Erhe about his move.

"You not responding is making me anxious," Zhou Erhe said, wiping off sweat. The weather was getting warmer as July approached.

"No, no." Ning Yuyi got off the bed, pacing near the window, "I was wondering how to break it to you."

"Did you get into trouble?"

"No."

"Then why hesitate?" Zhou Erhe urged, "Come on, be quick. I'm sweating buckets here."

"Well, I moved."

"Okay, and then?"

"I'm in the villa area behind Qing'an. I've already called the security to let your car in."

"Wait, where are you living now?" Zhou Erhe thought he misheard, "Did I hear that right?"

"Um... how about we meet and talk?"

"Alright, send me the address, and wait for me at the entrance." Zhou Erhe ruffled his hair, "I feel like I was busy for just half a month, and someone has kidnapped you or something."

After hanging up, Zhou Erhe drove straight into the villa area.

Once he reached the location, he got out of his car.

Ning Yuyi, holding Tian Tian, awaited him at the main gate.

Zhou Erhe parked and hurriedly approached, "What do you mean by... whoa, this house looks expensive!"

It is quite expensive... over two hundred million for one.

"Come in first. The maid prepared breakfast. Would you like some?" Ning Yuyi invited Zhou Erhe to dine.

Better have some breakfast so you don't faint from shock and low blood sugar later.

And so, a scene unfolded.

—— A sophisticated dining table, crafted from wood and adorned with marble inlays, with two individuals seated opposite each other.

A variety of breakfast dishes lay before them in small portions, yet neither had touched their food.

"I can't shake the feeling that you're being kept," Zhou Erhe said gravely.

"If I say I'm not, would you believe me?"

"No."

"You don't trust me QAQ."

"…" Zhou Erhe rubbed his temple, indicating a headache. "Just spill it. What's going on?"

"It's like this — I was found by my biological parents."

"What?" Zhou Erhe was momentarily taken aback. "Weren't you raised in an orphanage?"

"Yes," Ning Yuyi rested his chin on his hand, seemingly reminiscing. "The head of the orphanage found me on the side of the road. She initially thought I was abandoned."

"Little did she know I was collateral damage in my family's corporate wars."

A peculiar realization dawned on Zhou Erhe: "So your parents are?"

"Uh, Xie Lou and Lin Yiyue."

Zhou Erhe swallowed hard, attempting to maintain his composure: "Did you get a DNA test?"

"Yes, there's even a report in my room. Want to see it?"

"No, no," Zhou Erhe took a deep breath, "Just give me a moment. I need to process this."

"Alright." Ning Yuyi cast a compassionate look at Zhou Erhe, and seizing the moment while Zhou was still coming to terms with the revelation, he quietly continued his breakfast.

Zhou Erhe tried to clear his thoughts: "So, Xie Yinan is your elder brother, and Xie Yezhou is your second?"

"Seems like it."

"That explains a lot," Zhou Erhe muttered under his breath, "All those resources suddenly pouring into you, I initially thought the company had seen potential in you."

"… Are you implying I lack potential?"

"Of course not! Why else would I have been so persistent in signing you?" Zhou Erhe snatched a meat bun from Ning Yuyi's plate. "But capitalists always prioritize their interests. You know how it is."

Ning Yuyi nodded, though only half-understanding. In a split second, he noticed his meat bun had been stolen: "Give it back!!!"

"Nope!"

After a playful tussle over breakfast, the two collapsed onto a massive sofa in the living room to digest.

"The perks of the rich. This sofa is so comfortable," Zhou Erhe remarked, feeling the plush upholstery.

"Yes, a three-million sofa."

"Damn, you're loaded."

"Indeed, the sins of the bourgeoisie."

"We should get going," Zhou Erhe glanced at his watch, realizing it was almost nine. "The recording starts before noon."

"Alright, I'll just feed Tian Tian first," Ning Yuyi yawned.

"Together, I've yet to see the cats you brought back," Zhou Erhe had been incredibly busy lately. He knew Ning Yuyi had rescued some cats but had never seen them.

"They're upstairs. Let's go."

Upon seeing the designated 'cat room', Zhou Erhe felt envious.

"The cats have a bigger room than I do," he lamented, covering his face.

Ning Yuyi thought of Fan Zhongchuan's entire floor dedicated to cats and figured that would make Zhou even more envious.

After ensuring Tian Tian wouldn't feed the kittens and leaving some nutritional supplements for them, Ning Yuyi went downstairs to notify the housekeeper before leaving with Zhou Erhe.

"Hey, now that you're wealthy, have you considered buying a car? It'd be convenient," Zhou Erhe suddenly suggested.

"A car," Ning Yuyi pondered, "I think there are two in the underground garage."

He hadn't seen them; Xie Yezhou had mentioned them on WeChat, letting him know where the keys were in case he needed to drive.

Zhou Erhe sighed more profoundly, "I wish my father would tell me he's secretly a billionaire."

"Dream now, while it's still light out."

"Can't I even hope a little?"

"Hello Actor" is a variety show funded by BingHuo Investments, filmed in a secluded area of Hai City, away from residential zones.

Joking and laughing, Ning Yuyi and Zhou Erhe made their way to the lounge, where Zhou Erhe would take his leave.

"Call me if there's any issue," Zhou Erhe, concerned, handed some red envelopes to nearby staff as a friendly gesture.

"Understood, mama Zhou."

"Enough with your wisecracks, move it."

Shrugging, Ning Yuyi followed the crew towards the rehearsal room.

Inside, three actors, each holding a script, were engrossed in conversation.

"The last one has arrived." The person facing the door was the first to look up upon hearing the noise.

The other two didn't turn their heads, continuing to study the script in their hands.

"Hello everyone." Ning Yuyi entered the practice room, casually found a spot to sit cross-legged, and began to read the script on his phone.

In reality, he had gone over the script thoroughly the night before. He had pondered each character's role and could now play any part on the spot.

"We're almost all here," said the person who had spoken first. "Let's assign the roles. What does everyone want to play?"

The two who had previously ignored Ning Yuyi immediately looked up at this.

"I'd like to try the role of the younger aunt," said the girl with short hair, taking the initiative.

The girl with curly hair next to her immediately looked displeased. "I want to try that role too."

The curly-haired girl was the lead actress of a recently popular web drama. Her agent had placed her on this show to gain more visibility and strengthen her acting credentials. "This role is a significant challenge for me, and I'm confident I can do it justice," she said.

Ning Yuyi had a deep impression of the role of the younger aunt. A quintessential good character, if portrayed well, it's a role that would undoubtedly tug at the viewers' heartstrings.

"But there's only one role," mused the older woman with straight hair. "I want to play the elder aunt. You two can discuss who gets to be the younger one."

"If we can't decide, we can do a small-scale audition and vote. That seems fair."

Unable to counter this suggestion and neither willing to back down, the two girls agreed to audition and vote once the last person arrived.

Ning Yuyi chose not to get involved in their dispute.

There were only two male roles in the script: the timid and foolish young master who grows up and the main character, the elder master, who returns from studying abroad to join the war.

The minute hand of the wall clock completed another cycle before the last person finally arrived, fashionably late.

"Alright, now that everyone's here, decide between the elder and younger master roles," said the straight-haired woman, taking charge as though she were the team leader.

The eyes of the man who had just arrived lit up. "I want to play the elder master."

He continued, somewhat self-absorbed, "I've mostly memorized the elder master's lines, and my image fits that role better."

Hearing this, Ning Yuyi slowly lifted his head.

Huh?

After getting a clear look at the newcomer, he almost laughed.

Fortunately, he turned his head quickly, and they didn't catch the smile tugging at his lips.

"Let's settle on this: I'll play the elder master," said the man, eager to claim the role before anyone else could.

"I don't mind either way." Ning Yuyi felt the same about both roles. Now that the parts were decided, he began to focus on the younger master's lines.

The last matter to be settled was the casting of the role "Younger Aunt."

The straight-haired woman orchestrated an audition where the two contenders showcased their best performances. The others would vote. Ultimately, the short-haired girl lost to the curly-haired one, settling for the role of a maid by the side of the elder master.

The five began rehearsing together in the practice room.

After their first run-through, Ning Yuyi noticed a change in the way the other four looked at him.

"Damn, are you that good?" The curly-haired girl's eyes shone with admiration. "Can you teach me?"

Ning Yuyi shared his character analysis notes in their temporary group chat. The curly-haired girl happily delved into them.

Meanwhile, both the short-haired girl and the man playing the elder master snorted dismissively, "I don’t need that."

"It was for her," Ning Yuyi motioned towards the curly-haired girl.

"Thanks so much. My name's He Xiaoxiao. I just graduated this year." She saved the notes, "How about I treat you to dinner tonight?"

"Ah, that's not necessary. I have plans with my manager," Ning Yuyi declined politely.

If the paparazzi caught wind of him dining with her, it would be a headache to explain.

After that, He Xiaoxiao didn't bring up dinner again, but she constantly found reasons to be near him.

……

At the end of a day's practice, Ning Yuyi grabbed a wet wipe and was the first to leave the practice room.

"You're back," Zhou Er, who had probably napped for hours in the lounge, remarked. "What's for dinner? I’ll make a reservation."

"I'm in the mood for roast whole lamb. Been craving it since last night," Ning Yuyi said, settling onto the couch.

"Got it. I know an old place that's great. I'll give the owner a heads-up."

"I'd also like some red bean rice wine."

"Sure."

……

After three consecutive days of rehearsals, the production team gave them a day off right before the competition.

Finally, Ning Yuyi had some downtime.

Dragging his tired body, Ning Yuyi approached the villa entrance. As he yawned and fumbled with the door,

Just as he entered the last digit of the code, a familiar voice sounded next to him.

"Ning Ning."

A deep and melodious voice caressed his ears. Ning Yuyi, overwhelmed with joy, spun around and embraced the man, "Bro, you're back?"

"Hmm." Fan Zhongchuan steadied the person who lunged towards him, setting him back on his feet. "Why are you back so late?"

"I've been busy filming a variety show recently," Ning Yuyi replied, standing firmly. He turned and keyed in the final digit of the door code, "Bro, come on in and have a seat."

The child looked up at him with clear, innocent eyes, making his heart melt. He nodded.

"Alright."

The housekeeper, knowing Ning Yuyi had been coming home late recently, always prepared dinner ahead of time.

As Ning Yuyi walked in with a friend, she immediately approached, asking if she should set out an extra pair of dishes and chopsticks.

Ning Yuyi turned to Fan Zhongchuan for his opinion.

Fan Zhongchuan couldn't resist the hopeful look in Ning Yuyi's eyes.

Minutes later, the two sat at the dining table, sharing the evening meal.

After dinner, Ning Yuyi invited Fan Zhongchuan to the spacious balcony on the second floor to stargaze.

"The stars look especially beautiful from here." Ning Yuyi often stargazed from this spot ever since moving to this villa. "The headmistress of my orphanage used to say that when people die, they become stars in the sky, forever watching over their loved ones."

"I searched the skies for a long time but never found the star that belonged to the headmistress," Ning Yuyi said, his lips curling into a bitter smile.

A pang of sympathy gripped Fan Zhongchuan, and he had the strong urge to hold Ning Yuyi close and comfort him.

"But it's all in the past now. The donations my parents make to the orphanage each year ensure the children there grow up well. That way, the headmistress won't have any regrets."

Ning Yuyi, sitting on a tall bar stool and swinging his legs, added, "But my habit of stargazing has remained unchanged."

Ning Yuyi wasn't sure why he'd brought up the topic of stars. Ever since he dreamt of his childhood days, memories from his past seemed to grow more vivid.

It was as if the memories had broken free from some restraints, merging with him.

It felt more and more... as if those memories had always been his.

From behind, Fan Zhongchuan embraced Ning Yuyi, letting him rest against his chest.

"If you want to cry, let it out," Fan Zhongchuan whispered, kissing the top of Ning Yuyi's head. "Ning Ning, you're happy now. You have parents, a brother, and... me."

"You also have the ability to help the orphanage. Everything is moving in a positive direction."

Ning Yuyi knew things were going well. Perhaps he had just been feeling overly sentimental lately.

Wiping away the tears that threatened to spill, Ning Yuyi focused on stargazing.

Fan Zhongchuan stood behind him, half-embracing Ning Yuyi, both looking up at the stars.

The stars twinkled faintly above.

It was as if someone truly agreed with their conversation.

Author's note: Ning is rather obtuse when it comes to matters of the heart. Schools teach knowledge, but many lessons about love or societal nuances are taught by families to their children. But Ning doesn't have a family to teach him these things, hence his obliviousness.

Zhou Er can be considered a secondary romantic interest. However, I won't delve deep into this relationship nor will there be any spin-offs. This secondary pairing mainly serves to teach Ning that men can fall in love with other men.

That's it—just wanted to clarify.

——-——-

Also, a friend recommended a website for detecting typos!

You won't get the chance to spot errors in the future!

Hmph! ╭(╯^╰)╮