Chapter 39

Chapter 39

In the subsequent days, Xie Yezhou visited Ning Yuyi's villa daily, taking him to record the revised lines for "Jiandao".

Day after day, Ning Yuyi was genuinely as busy as he had once falsely claimed to Fan Zhongchuan.

Once the recording for "Jiandao" was finally completed, Zhou Tuesday handed him next week's schedule.

Glancing at the jam-packed schedule, Ning Yuyi gave Zhou Tuesday a pleading look.

"Looking at me won't help. This is all promotional work for 'Jiandao'. Do you want to tell Zhang Xueyong you're not attending?" Zhou Tuesday shrugged, passing the buck to Zhang Xueyong.

Ning Yuyi, deflated, returned home with the schedule in hand, nearly in tears.

Zhou Tuesday dropped him off at the entrance of the Qing'an Villa complex.

"I've got a date, so I won't escort you in." Zhou Tuesday, grinning smugly, responded to Ning Yuyi's incredulous look, "Go on inside."

"You're so fickle, choosing love over responsibilities," Ning Yuyi commented as he got out of the car.

"Hey, romancing is far more entertaining than babysitting," Zhou Tuesday blew a playful kiss to Ning Yuyi outside the passenger window, "Off I go. Goodnight in advance."

"Just leave already," Ning Yuyi rolled his eyes, then solemnly made his way into the villa complex.

As he approached his home's entrance, he paused, narrowing his eyes. There seemed to be someone standing there.

Honestly, that silhouette looked quite familiar.

An exasperated Ning Yuyi quickened his pace, and sure enough, found Fan Zhongchuan leaning against his gate.

"Why's a CEO like you always lurking around? Aren't you afraid someone might snap a photo? Your massive female fanbase will have a meltdown," Ning Yuyi commented dryly.

"I'm waiting for someone I cherish. What do they matter?" Fan Zhongchuan draped an arm around Ning Yuyi's shoulders, "It's getting cooler. Why aren't you wearing a jacket?"

"It was warm during the day," Ning Yuyi replied, shivering slightly from the evening chill.

Fan Zhongchuan frowned, pulling Ning Yuyi closer into his embrace.

Immediately, Ning Yuyi felt warmer. Leaning against Fan Zhongchuan, he tilted his head to admire the man's chiseled chin and jawline.

Ning Yuyi, a sucker for good looks and voices, found his heart racing.

Fan Zhongchuan led Ning Yuyi into the yard and opened the door.

The housemaid, having been informed earlier by Ning Yuyi, had already retired for the night.

The spacious villa was eerily silent, so much so that Ning Yuyi could hear the palpable thump of his own heart.

Fan Zhongchuan, furrowing his brows, inquired, "Why is your heart beating so fast? Are you unwell?"

Caught off guard by the question, Ning Yuyi opened his mouth to speak, but instead buried his face in Fan Zhongchuan's chest.

Ning Yuyi: "..."

He felt like looking up and exclaiming, "Seriously?!"

Perhaps it was Ning Yuyi's reaction that made Fan Zhongchuan realize he misspoke. He paused, taken aback, then suddenly wondered why Ning Yuyi's heartbeat was so fast.

Hearing Fan Zhongchuan's soft chuckle, Ning Yuyi tried to pinch the flesh around his waist. After groping around without success, he asked, "What's so funny?"

"What's the joke?"

The smile on Fan Zhongchuan's face deepened. He pressed Ning Yuyi close, gently stroking his back, saying, "Sorry, that was my mistake."

Ning Yuyi tried to push him away, but as his hand reached Fan Zhongchuan's chest, it was suddenly grasped from behind the neck.

Shortly after, he heard Fan Zhongchuan whisper in his ear, "That's why your heartbeat is racing, Ning Ning."

"Do you... like me too?"

"Do you also have feelings for me?"

As if he was jolted awake, Ning Yuyi, not caring about the grip on his neck, shoved Fan Zhongchuan away.

"Could you be any more shameless?!"

"Shame?" Fan Zhongchuan, using the momentum of Ning Yuyi's push to lean against the wall, replied, "When it comes to pursuing the one you love, is there room for shame?"

A blush rose to Ning Yuyi's face. Feeling a mix of embarrassment and irritation, he turned away to regain his composure.

Fan Zhongchuan decided not to tease him further, "Have you had dinner?"

Without turning back, Ning Yuyi nodded in affirmation.

With Xie Yezhou taking care of him, every meal seemed like an effort to feed him an extra bowl of rice.

Even though he felt he'd eaten more than enough.

"Get some rest early." Fan Zhongchuan could see the fatigue in Ning Yuyi when he returned. Knowing he'd eaten, Fan Zhongchuan felt a bit relieved and patted his head, urging him to rest.

"Alright." Ning Yuyi had been exhausted these past days, only perking up upon seeing Fan Zhongchuan.

Watching the figure ascend the stairs to his room, Fan Zhongchuan finally turned and left.

The next morning, Ning Yuyi was roused by the human alarm clock known as Zhou Erhe. He yawned as he went to brush his teeth and wash up, then descended the stairs in his pajamas.

As he approached the bend in the staircase, he spotted Fan Zhongchuan seated at their dining table.

In front of Fan Zhongchuan was an open laptop. From his vantage point on the stairs, Ning Yuyi could clearly see the person on the video call.

Perhaps catching a glimpse of Ning Yuyi, the person in the video suddenly halted mid-sentence.

Fan Zhongchuan glanced over, "Awake already?"

Dodging the camera's view, Ning Yuyi reached the kitchen, grabbing some freshly baked bread prepared by the housekeeper and drizzling it with cheese.

Then, leaning against the kitchen doorway, he inquired, "What are you doing here?"

"Came to have breakfast with you," Fan Zhongchuan responded, ending the video call. "And then, to drive you to work."

"?" Ning Yuyi advanced a couple of steps, settling opposite Fan Zhongchuan. "Where's my manager and my brother?"

"Couldn't reach your manager, and your brother has other commitments today," Fan Zhongchuan slid a glass of warm milk toward him, "Drink up."

Only then did Ning Yuyi notice the milk next to Fan Zhongchuan. Recalling the time he was forced to drink milk on the "Jiandao" set, he firmly declined, "I don't drink milk."

Fan Zhongchuan closed the laptop, "You have to."

"I won't!"

After a three-second staredown with Fan Zhongchuan, Ning Yuyi caved, reluctantly taking several sips of the milk.

He then set the glass down in front of Fan Zhongchuan, tilting his chin up, as if seeking approval.

Like a prideful, petulant little kitten.

A sudden urge overcame Fan Zhongchuan to smooth down the ruffled fur of the "kitten" before him.

But evidently, there were more pressing matters at hand.

"Go change. I'll take you to the airport," Fan Zhongchuan glanced at the time.

Today, they're off to the capital of the neighboring province to promote "The Way of the Sword".

At the thought, Ning Yuyi visibly deflated, even the single strand of hair that always stood upright on his head drooped noticeably.

Ning Yuyi went back to his room to change his clothes, then dragged out the suitcase he'd packed two nights ago, ready to leave.

Fan Zhongchuan had somehow already made his way upstairs, and was now waiting by the staircase.

Upon seeing him emerge, Fan stepped forward, took the suitcase, and began to head out.

Ning Yuyi followed behind. As he was about to leave, an auntie handed him a box of freshly cut fruits in a disposable plastic container.

Once outside, Ning Yuyi noticed Fan Zhongchuan placing his suitcase in the car trunk.

Still miffed about the milk incident in the morning, Ning Yuyi intentionally avoided the front seat, opting for the back instead.

But upon settling down, he realized there was already a driver in the front.

Then, Fan Zhongchuan slid into the backseat next to him.

"Mr. Fan," greeted the driver.

"Mm, to the airport," Fan Zhongchuan responded, then turned his gaze to Ning Yuyi, "What's the matter?"

Ning Yuyi silently shifted his gaze out of the window.

Fan Zhongchuan straightened the collar that was slightly askew for him, then buckled his seatbelt.

It's a bit of a distance from Qing'an to the airport.

At first, Ning Yuyi was determined not to look at Fan Zhongchuan. Yet, in less than half an hour, he had dozed off in his chair.

As the car approached a traffic light and braked suddenly to avoid pedestrians, Ning Yuyi ended up in Fan Zhongchuan's arms.

……

By the time they neared the airport, Ning Yuyi finally woke up.

Rubbing his eyes and sitting up, he realized he had somehow ended up resting in Fan Zhongchuan's embrace, covered by a small blanket.

"We'll be at the airport in ten minutes," Fan Zhongchuan said, setting the blanket aside. "Are you still sleepy?"

Stretching lazily, Ning Yuyi, feeling more alert, shook his head.

Upon reaching the airport, the driver got out first to retrieve the luggage.

The three of them entered the airport together. Once seated in the VIP lounge, Ning Yuyi noticed that Fan Zhongchuan showed no signs of leaving.

"Don't you have to work?" Ning Yuyi asked, looking up at Fan Zhongchuan from his seat.

"I'm here for you."

"Aren't you afraid of being late and getting your pay docked?"

"I'm the boss."

"Tsk, the sins of a capitalist."

"Mhm."

Xie Yezhou arrived swiftly, likely in a rush. He walked briskly, with slightly damp hair behind his ears.

Bored, Ning Yuyi played with his phone. Recalling Fan Zhongchuan's comment about not being able to contact Zhou Erhe that morning, fearing something might've happened, he sent Zhou a WeChat nudge.

Zhou Erhe—?

Ning Yuyi—Fan told me he couldn't reach you this morning. Just checking if you're okay.

Zhou Erhe—I'm fine. My butt's in perfect condition.

Zhou Erhe has retracted a message.

Although Zhou Erhe withdrew the message swiftly, Ning Yuyi had seen its content.

Ning Yuyi—???

Ning Yuyi—So, you're the bottom, huh? LOL

Zhou Erhe—What are you laughing at? If you were with Fan Zhongchuan, wouldn't you be the bottom too?

Ning Yuyi—? Are you doubting my prowess?

Zhou Erhe—Or do you doubt Fan Zhongchuan's prowess?

Well, that escalated.

Ning Yuyi sneaked a glance at Fan Zhongchuan, seeming to agree with Zhou Erhe's statement.

Zhou Erhe—Didn't you notice? When I called you the bottom, your immediate reaction wasn't the possibility of being with Fan Zhongchuan, but to deny being the bottom.

Zhou Erhe—It's common knowledge; only those who are at the bottom will vehemently deny it.

Zhou Erhe—Deep down, you don't seem to resist the idea of being with Fan Zhongchuan.

Zhou Erhe's messages flooded Ning Yuyi's screen one after another.

He locked his phone, pondering over Zhou Erhe's words.

Deep inside, he genuinely didn't oppose the idea of being with Fan Zhongchuan.

"What's going on?" Xie Yezhou finally caught up, now on the same flight as Ning Yuyi.

Yet, upon entering, he found his younger brother engrossed in his phone, as if he hadn't seen him.

"Ah, big bro," Ning Yuyi exclaimed, startled by Xie Yezhou's call and gripped his phone tighter, "Just reading some news and pondering over it."

"What news?" Xie Yezhou looked skeptical.

"…" Ning Yuyi decided to bring up Zhou Erhe, "Actually, I was thinking about Zhou Erhe. He didn't come home last night because he's dating."

"He's dating?" Xie Yezhou inquired, "With Ying Jin?"

"How did you know?" Ning Yuyi wanted to keep it a secret for Zhou Erhe, but Xie Yezhou guessed it right away.

"Well, Ying Jin has been wearing his heart on his sleeve. It's almost like he wanted to declare his love for Zhou Erhe at the company's entrance."

So, practically the entire company knew of Ying Jin's feelings for Zhou Erhe.

Ning Yuyi mentally wished Zhou Erhe the best.

May the Lord bless you, amen.

Author's note: Here's the second update!