Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Zhou Tuesday arrived in Greece the next morning, after greeting his parents, Ning Yuyi went to the airport to pick him up.

"Did you come alone?" Zhou Tuesday asked while pushing his luggage.

"I had a driver." Ning Yuyi tried to help with the luggage but Zhou Tuesday avoided him.

"Nevermind, I got it." Zhou Tuesday followed Ning Yuyi out of the airport, and the first thing they saw was a luxury car.

The driver helped with the luggage, and Zhou Tuesday and Ning Yuyi sat in the back seat.

"This car is worth more than my net worth," Zhou Tuesday said, looking at the handmade leather seats, "Does the Xie family have a driver in Greece? You didn't bring him along for your vacation, did you?"

"What are you thinking? Didn't you see the driver is local?" Ning Yuyi rolled his eyes.

Arriving at the villa, Zhou Tuesday immediately saw his boss.

"Hello, Mr. Xie." Zhou Tuesday instinctively let go of his suitcase and greeted.

"Mhm." Xie Yinan glanced at Zhou Tuesday, "It's alright, we're all here for leisure. No need for formalities."

"Yes, Mr. Xie."

Lin Yiyue and Xie Lou were just descending the stairs when they saw Zhou Tuesday. Upon seeing him, Lin Yiyue quickened her pace.

"You must be Ningning's manager," Lin Yiyue approached Zhou Tuesday and gave him a warm smile. "Thank you so much for looking after Ningning all this time."

Zhou Tuesday was the one who signed Ning Yuyi to Fenghua Entertainment and had always been fiercely protective of him. Lin Yiyue was aware of this and was deeply grateful for Zhou Tuesday's care for Ning Yuyi.

The entertainment industry is a harsh and chaotic place. Without Zhou Tuesday, Ning Yuyi wouldn't have come this far.

"It's nothing, really." Lin Yiyue's gesture eased Zhou Tuesday considerably.

Ning Yuyi led Zhou Tuesday to the room prepared for him. After setting down their luggage, the two headed to the beach to enjoy the sea breeze.

Learning from previous experience, Ning Yuyi wore beach sandals, feeling the sand rub against the soles of his feet.

Ning Yuyi broke the silence, "So, what's going on between you and Ying Jin?"

Zhou Tuesday remained silent.

"Didn't you say the reason you two were together was that he liked you and you happened to like him too?"

"So, why are you considering breaking up?"

"Is it because he doesn't love you anymore?"

Zhou Tuesday finally lifted his head, letting out a faint sigh.

"I still love him, and he still loves me."

"But I've realized that love isn't just about mutual affection. Our personalities... they don't seem to mesh well."

"You two are a great match," Ning Yuyi said, puzzled. "He's whimsical, and you're grounded."

Zhou Tuesday: "Being with him, I feel like I've lost myself."

"Last time, I saw him teaching a new employee. She's a young and cute girl who openly confessed her feelings to Ying Jin in the office, so..."

Ning Yuyi: "..."

Seagulls skimmed over the water's surface. A wave crashed near Ning Yuyi's feet, making him pause.

After a long silence, Ning Yuyi finally said, "So, you got jealous?"

Zhou Tuesday: ...

！！！

Releasing a heavy sigh from deep within, Zhou Tuesday managed a strained smile, "Am I not allowed to be jealous?"

"He was the one who got close to another girl first!"

"I've never been so close to a girl before!"

Ning Yuyi coolly remarked, "You've been in the entertainment industry for a while now, have you ever considered the phenomenon of misplacement? And there's also something called a candid coincidence."

Zhou Erhe suddenly hesitated.

"Ask him for the specifics when the time comes. You've been quite restless lately," Ning Yuyi continued walking. "The last Weibo incident happened too quickly, and Ho XiaoXiao’s fans manipulated the narrative, so it's understandable that you couldn't respond in time. Don’t be too hard on yourself."

The sea breeze blew across my face, carrying a salty scent.

Zhou Erhe looked down at the waves lapping at his feet, reflecting on whether he had been too impulsive last time.

"But since you're out here having fun, try not to overthink," Ning Yuyi spread his arms to embrace the sea breeze, "Such a beautiful view shouldn't be wasted on worries."

Indeed, such a beautiful view shouldn't be wasted on worries.

Zhou Erhe finally showed a smile, but it froze as a thought crossed his mind.

"Ning Yuyi, did you apply sunscreen?"

Zhou Erhe asked with uncertainty.

"I did, I did."

"When the hell did you? We came out together!" Zhou Erhe was almost at his wit's end, "For God's sake, you're a celebrity whose livelihood depends on their looks! Let’s go back and apply sunscreen immediately."

"Alright, alright, don't rush, the sun isn’t that strong today."

"Did you apply it yesterday?"

"Yes, I did! I swear I did, my second brother handed me the sunscreen."

……

That evening, Zhou Erhe went to Ning Yuyi's room and showed him a photo.

It was a candid shot from when they were at the beach during the day. With the vast sea as the backdrop, Ning Yuyi looked stunning under the natural light, with no filters.

"I'm thinking of posting this on Weibo. Your fans have been eagerly waiting for your updates. But since you haven't been in the best light recently, let me reassure them on your behalf."

Ning Yuyi told him to do as he pleased and asked Zhou Erhe to send a copy of the photo to him. After receiving it, he forwarded the photo to Fan Zhongchuan.

Upon seeing the photo, Fan Zhongchuan smiled slightly, saving it and setting it as his screensaver.

In the silent conference room, a sea of individuals in suits sat uniformly, all staring in one direction, their faces as if they had seen a ghost.

Under pressure, the assistant cautiously called out to Fan Zhongchuan, who unexpectedly took out his phone in the middle of the meeting and even rarer, smiled.

"Mr. Fan, Mr. Fan?"

Fan Zhongchuan put away his phone, reverting to his previously stern demeanor.

"Let's continue the meeting."

……

Zhou Erhe's Weibo profile identifies him as Ning Yuyi's agent, hence many of Ning Yuyi's fans follow him.

Fans couldn't help but scream in excitement when they came across the photo.

[Where is this seaside? I don’t recognize it?]

Zhou Erhe replied, [It's the Xie family's private coastline, not open to the public.]

[When I became a fan of Ning Zai, I thought he was like a precious young master. Now, he truly has become the young master of the Xie family!]

[I've saved this as my screensaver. It’s such a great candid shot! Did Brother Zhou take it?]

Zhou Erhe replied, [Yes, elite photographer and part-time agent, Zhou Erhe.]

[Ning Zai seems so happy. I'm envious of a life like that!]

Zhou Erhe responded, [This wage-slave gets food, accommodation, and trips included.]

Reply to Zhou Erhe: [Even more envious now!]

……

After a three-day seaside excursion in Greece, they headed to their final destination—Rome.

Upon arriving in Rome, they checked into a hotel with distinct Roman architecture and charm.

As soon as he entered the hotel, Ning Yuyi collapsed.

"If you sleep now, you won't be able to sleep tonight," An Xier earnestly advised.

Struggling to separate himself from the sofa, Ning Yuyi squinted and murmured, "You're so annoying."

Before leaving, An Xier's father bundled him onto the plane, saying he had an in-depth knowledge of Roman culture and could serve as a complimentary guide.

Xie Yezhou entered and asked, "Why are you in Ningning's room?"

With an innocent tone, An Xier replied, "His door was open, so I thought I'd drop in. Isn't that how you got in?"

Xie Yezhou clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed, "Ningning, let's take a walk. The streets of Rome are worth exploring."

Ning Yuyi, being dragged away from the sofa by Xie Yezhou, protested, "Big bro, I'm so tired."

"Be a good boy; you can sleep later tonight."

。

Ning Yuyi sat at a street-side café, in front of him a cup of coffee with sugar.

—— Forced upon him by Zhou Erhe.

Ning Yuyi took a small sip but found it unbearably bitter.

Under An Xier's guidance, Xie Yezhou and Zhou Erhe went to visit a nearby museum. Lacking interest, Ning Yuyi made an excuse and slipped out.

With nothing else to do, Ning Yuyi sipped the coffee again, grimacing at its bitterness.

"Ningning."

A deep, pleasant voice sounded from behind, and Ning Yuyi, without setting down his coffee, turned around.

"Fan Zhongchuan!"

"How did you get here?"

In his excitement, Ning Yuyi nearly spilled the coffee on himself.

"Careful." Fan Zhongchuan grasped Ning Yuyi's wrist, steadying the cup.

Ning Yuyi quickly set the coffee down, turning to embrace Fan Zhongchuan, "You haven't told me why you're here. Did you resolve the issue?"

"Yes." Fan Zhongchuan had to return because a subsidiary factory under the Fan Group faced complications.

A day apart feels like three seasons; Ning Yuyi mused inwardly.

Ah, it has been over five days since he last saw Fan Zhongchuan!

"Missed me?" Fan Zhongchuan planted a practiced kiss on Ning Yuyi's forehead, asking him.

Ning Yuyi was taken aback.

He reflected on the recent days full of fun and food, and it seemed...

"I did!" To prove he really had thought about it, Ning Yuyi stood upright and nodded vigorously, as if this gesture would make his words more credible.

"Little liar." Fan Zhongchuan could easily discern the guilt behind Ning Yuyi's words, so he teased by pinching his nose with amusement.

"I truly did think of you," Ning Yuyi said sheepishly.

Fan Zhongchuan pulled Ning Yuyi into a secluded alley, where they embraced, sighing contentedly.

"But I've missed Ningning a lot." Fan Zhongchuan supported Ning Yuyi's back with one hand and cradled his head with the other.

Ning Yuyi blushed and tiptoed to peck the corner of Fan Zhongchuan's mouth.

Seizing the initiative, Fan Zhongchuan turned and captured Ning Yuyi's lips, kissing him passionately.

"Mmm..." Overwhelmed by the intensity of the kiss, Ning Yuyi's legs went weak, and he relied on Fan Zhongchuan to remain upright.

The kiss ended.

Ning Yuyi panted heavily, his eyes misty.

"Why were you so aggressive this time?" Ning Yuyi complained with a pout.

Fan Zhongchuan chuckled softly, not replying.

Just as Ning Yuyi was about to say more, he heard an anxious call.

"Ningning?"

"Oh no, my older brother must think I've disappeared." Ning Yuyi left his phone at the coffee shop table next to a spilled cup of coffee. The scene looked as if he had been abducted.

Ning Yuyi quickly called back, and Xie Yuezhou, hearing his voice, jogged over.

"Are you okay?" An Xier and Xie Yuezhou ran side by side. On recognizing the man beside Ning Yuyi, Xie Yuezhou halted, while An Xier, unfamiliar with Fan Zhongchuan, shielded Ning Yuyi and asked, "Who are you? Are you Chinese?"

Fan Zhongchuan's expression darkened as he noticed An Xier gripping Ning Yuyi's wrist.

Zhou Tuesday, a bit behind because of his shorter legs, caught up and took in the chaotic scene. Recalling how he had once "caught" Ying Jin in a similar situation, he pondered.

It seemed his expression at that time was somewhat... similar to Mr. Fan's current look.

Author's Note: Giving another shoutout to my friend's story! I sent her back for revisions because her synopsis wasn't quite right. If you like drama-filled protagonists, give it a read!

"Rumors Say Someone's Playing My Role" by Ya Chenzhi – Synopsis:

From an innocent child star to a powerful financial tycoon, the drama king × An apparent perfect student but secretly a cunning drama king.

Jing Sui made his debut at twelve. By high school, he barely made it as an 18th-tier celebrity. Then, despite his mediocre popularity and just scraping by, all his opportunities were snatched away by a rival.

Moreover, out of sheer compassion, he took on Yao Yicheng, whose situation seemed even more pitiable—

Broken leg.

Terrible relatives.

A mind off-kilter.

The last one was Jing Sui's own assumption.

Yao Yicheng: "I pick up trash to support you! Trash is only worth a penny a pound now!!"

However, Jing Sui gradually discovered:

Yao Yicheng is fragile, prone to tears, and inherently kind.

Correspondingly, Jing Sui's own career soared, the rival disappeared, and the enemy company went bankrupt.

Jing Sui: ?

*

Yao Yicheng is a financial tycoon. Without any physical businesses, his speculative moves alone could shake the international financial scene.

But from a certain day, his bodyguards noticed something amiss with the boss.

He's disabled? He's faking it.

He's crying? He pinched himself.

He's getting married? This time it's for real.

Yao Yicheng: "I enrolled in an acting class. Let's all learn together."

*

Recently, Jing Sui has been noting some peculiarities about pitiable Yao:

He seems quite strong when you try to restrain him.

His gaze turns eerily cold towards others.

He's profoundly silent when genuinely upset.

Also, every time you get close, it feels like he might bite.

Jing Sui: "Little pitiable one can't be out of character. See? Fix it accordingly."

Yao Yicheng: "...?? I was wrong, genuinely."