Chapter 29: An Indirect Kiss!

Chapter 29: An Indirect Kiss!

Lately, Ying Tao had been obsessed with Number. She'd watched all videos related to them. Occasionally, the camera would capture the manager, and seeing him often made him familiar. But why would Number's manager visit the hospital? She must've been mistaken.

She hung her head, sighing internally, thinking her illness had clouded her judgment.

However, as soon as she finished her thought, Zhang Shaoling looked at her in surprise, "Little sister, you recognize me?"

Ying Tao looked up sharply, "Is it really him?!"

Now she was genuinely stunned, and the other two girls were equally flabbergasted.

Li Sitong blinked rapidly, regaining her composure. "Are you the manager of Number? Did I hear that right?"

"Indeed, I am Number's manager." Zhang Shaoling's face creased into a broad smile.

"Ahhhh!"

"Oh my God!"

The two young girls covered their mouths in excitement, gripping each other's hands and shaking uncontrollably, their thrill evident.

Seeing them almost lost for words in their excitement, Zhang Shaoling chuckled and asked, "Are you fans of Number?"

Li Sitong clenched her fists nervously and said, "Yes, yes, yes! Number is so handsome! I absolutely adore them! I even bought their new album!"

Huang Leyun chimed in, "We even voted for them at the Music Awards! And we've been following their reality show!"

Zhang Shaoling looked at them with a warm smile. "Thank you for your support. They would definitely be delighted to hear this."

A bit shy, Huang Leyun hesitated before asking, "Sir... could we possibly get their autographs?"

Zhang Shaoling readily agreed, "Of course! I'll bring them to you the next time I come. I also have their postcards here. Would you like them?"

The two girls exclaimed ecstatically, "Yes, yes, YES!"

On the side, Ying Li's eyes widened in shock, her face a picture of astonishment. She couldn't believe they had recognized Zhang Shaoling.

Glancing between her brother and the beaming Zhang Shaoling, Ying Tao seemed to only just realize. She sat up abruptly from her bed, her lips regaining their color, and asked in confusion, "Bro, what's going on? How do you know them?"

Zhang Shaoling had arrived with Ying Li, and Ying Tao's intuition told her the two shared a deep connection.

Ying Li hadn't planned on keeping the secret for long. Ying Tao would frequently change her favorite artists, liking one group today and another boy band tomorrow. He thought he'd wait for her initial enthusiasm for Number to fade before revealing, but now he admitted, "Didn't I tell you I got an internship? Working as a nanny."

Ying Tao's mouth dropped open, struggling to find words, "So... you... are a nanny for Number?"

Her brother, a nanny for a top boy band? It sounded like something out of a novel.

Was she dreaming?

Pinching her own thigh, she then saw Ying Li nod slightly, "Yes."

Ying Tao's eyes widened in shock. If it hadn't been for her mother restraining her, she would've leapt straight out of bed. Taking a moment to calm her racing heart, she exclaimed, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Ying Li replied with a touch of exasperation, "And if I had told you? Would you have pestered me for their autographs or photos?"

Ying Tao had gone overboard with her fandom in the past, amassing a hoard of celebrity merchandise at home. She even once contemplated skipping school to attend a concert, prompting her parents to confiscate her phone.

"I wouldn’t! I have no intentions of being an obsessive fan," Ying Tao pouted and settled back onto her bed, with her mother placing a cushion behind her for support.

Not too long ago, Ying Li had been hustling, searching for a job. When he finally landed one, even if Ying Tao was smitten with Number and sometimes immature, she knew better than to overstep her bounds. The actions of those overly obsessed fans were not for her.

The two siblings locked eyes in a stare-down. Considering Ying Tao's health, it was Ying Li who relented first, gently saying, "I shouldn’t have kept it from you. I apologize, alright?"

Having been used to their playful bickering since childhood, Ying Tao found this sincere apology from Ying Li awkward. She mumbled while fidgeting with her pillow, "It's not like I'm mad at you..."

"A nanny?"

Li Sitong and Huang Leyun, overjoyed with the postcards, exchanged puzzled glances.

Huang Leyun, surprised and curious, asked Ying Li, "Did you say you're Number's nanny?"

Li Sitong chimed in, "At the concert, was that you playing the guitar as if it were a pipa?"

Huang Leyun, in sheer astonishment, stomped her foot, exclaiming, "It must've been him!"

The hospital room was filled with another round of squeals. Luckily, Ying Tao was the only patient in this room; otherwise, they would've surely faced complaints.

A baffled Ying Tao stared at them, "What on earth are you talking about?"

Li Sitong explained, "It's that trending topic I mentioned to you before!"

Ying Tao had been offline for days and was clueless. Li Sitong played the video for her, animatedly narrating just how impressive Ying Li had been.

Skeptically, Ying Tao took the phone. The video quality was crisp, showing a stage elevator rising and revealing a young man holding a guitar.

Although he wore a mask and had his eyes covered, a distinctive birthmark unequivocally told her that it was her brother.

Ying Tao couldn't pinpoint her feelings as she watched the video. Throughout, her heart raced as if she'd been injected with adrenaline.

The staggering view count and the torrent of comments highlighted just how viral the video had gone.

The surprise guest who played the guitar as though it was a pipa was her very own brother! He had become an overnight sensation! Practically a semi-celebrity now!

Moreover, Zhang Shaoling mentioned that her brother was soon to make a TV appearance alongside Number. It was unbelievable how such dramatic events were unfolding right beside her.

Ying Tao felt the need to take a moment. She retreated back into her bedcovers, pulling them up to her chin and blinked at everyone in the room.

"Would you like to meet them?" Seeing her like this, Zhang Shaoling felt a pang of pity. Such a beautiful young girl, struck by this illness, stirred a deep sense of regret in him.

Ying Tao's eyes sparkled like a fawn's, filled with the anticipation of meeting her idol. But something crossed her mind, and she looked downcast, shaking her head, her eyes losing their gleam, "No, I look terrible now."

The doctor informed her that she'd be starting chemotherapy tomorrow, meaning all her hair would be shaved off, making her feel far from beautiful.

Zhang Shaoling felt even more sympathetic, softening his tone, "Once you're better, I promise to introduce you to them. Is that okay?"

Ying Tao smiled again, "Thank you, uncle."

Ying Tao's mother was deeply grateful to Zhang Shaoling. She walked him to the hospital entrance. Ying Li had to return to Bi Shui Bay tonight to prepare for tomorrow's live broadcast, otherwise, he'd be late.

Since hailing a cab was tough at night, Zhang Shaoling offered to drive him.

At this hour, only a few cars roamed the streets. The sleek black sedan smoothly weaved through the city, unhindered.

Soft music played in the car, and Ying Li relaxed, sinking into the plush seat.

"Tired? You can take a nap if you want, I'll wake you up when we arrive," Zhang Shaoling glanced at him. Given the family's recent crisis, the young man must've been sleep-deprived.

Ying Li was indeed exhausted. However, napping in the car might seem impolite. He shook his head, "I'm alright. Thank you for today, Mr. Zhang. I've taken up much of your time."

Zhang Shaoling replied, "You're too courteous."

Being a businessman, Zhang Shaoling always sought profit. Accompanying Ying Li to the hospital was part of a calculated plan. Given Ying Li's initial reluctance, it was unlikely he would make any further commitments after the variety show.

Zhang Shaoling wasn't willing to let go of this rising star. As the saying goes, if one can't win someone over, try winning over those around them.

Judging from the day's outcomes, Zhang Shaoling felt more convinced that his trip to the hospital was a wise move. It'd be ideal if Ying Li eventually signed with his company...

Both men were lost in their thoughts.

Recalling the evening's events in the hospital room, Ying Li felt the need to clarify, "Mr. Zhang, when I applied for the job, I had no idea my sister was a fan of Number. That doesn't breach our contract, does it?"

He recalled that the contract explicitly stated that applicants couldn't be fanatics or have any affiliations with fan groups.

He was quite puzzled as to why Zhang Shaoling agreed to hire a college student with no prior nanny experience to care for them.

Zhang Shaoling glanced at him and remarked with a teasing smile, “That job post had been online for over half a month, and you were the only one who came to chastise me for it.”

The job listing was glaringly noticeable. Having previously encountered similar scam cases, Yinglyi clicked on it without a second thought.

Remembering how he earnestly warned someone about potential scams, Yinglyi blushed deeply, "I'm sorry. I genuinely believed it was a scam. My apologies."

“Why apologize? What you did was right. What if I had been a scammer? You would've saved not only a life but a family,” Zhang Shaoling said gently. “Furthermore, what does your sister being a fan of Number have to do with you? You can cook, do laundry, and excel at every task. You fit our requirements perfectly.”

His straightforwardness, lack of guile, and especially his sense of justice were truly rare qualities.

As Zhang Shaoling drove with focus, he casually inquired, "You don’t like them now either?"

At the traffic light, as the car came to a smooth stop, Yinglyi replied, “I admire them. They’re outstanding. It's hard not to grow fond of them after meeting them.”

After speaking, Yinglyi felt a pang of regret. Did he now qualify as a fan of Number? Would Zhang Shaoling fire him?

He bit his lip and added, “Didn’t the previous housekeeper also adore them? Xie Wen always mentioned how Aunt Mei treated them like her own sons.”

There are various types of affection - like the love between friends or lovers. His admiration for Number was purely professional, devoid of any personal attachment.

Zhang Shaoling, apparently not overthinking it, cheerily asked, “Who’s your favorite?”

Yinglyi smiled and said, "I like all of them."

Shen Yao is generous and righteous; Song Jimo is gentle and considerate; Xie Wen is lively and cheerful; Bian Qiao is humble and polite; while Qi Xie might seem a bit gruff, he’s probably the most thoughtful of them all. It's impossible to play favorites when each one has their charm.

Zhang Shaoling tapped the steering wheel, “It's good that you like them. I was worried you might not. When you appreciate them, you'll be more dedicated to your job. We were primarily concerned about hiring an extreme fan.”

Yinglyi heaved a sigh of relief, only to hear Zhang Shaoling continue, "I just sent you tomorrow's schedule. Take a look when you get home tonight.”

Following their concert, Number's popularity skyrocketed, and the last episode of their group variety show set a new record for viewership. The upcoming episode will primarily promote local tourist attractions in collaboration with the Nan City government.

Yinglyi quickly skimmed the itinerary and noticed that tomorrow was fully booked.

"I must remind you,” began Zhang Shaoling with a hint of concern, “Once the show airs, there will be various opinions online - praise, criticism, nitpicking. Can you handle it?”

"Certainly."

Though he was still camera-shy, instinctively tensing up when faced with unfamiliar situations, this time he had nowhere to hide. By the time he returned to Azure Bay, it was deep into the night. The moonlight was bleak, with only a few scattered stars remaining in the sky.

Ying Li had dozed off in the car. When he was awakened, his limbs felt numb. He fought off drowsiness to bid Zhang Shaoling farewell.

The bright tail lights of the car disappeared into the darkness. Looking at the towering mansion shrouded in blackness, Ying Li felt utterly exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to sleep, but his energy seemed sapped, his legs refusing to move. So, he simply sat on the front steps for a while.

The wind whistled past, rustling the dried, yellow leaves on the ground. Burying his head into the crook of his knees, he held himself tight, his back tense as he listened silently to his heartbeat, thinking of nothing.

Autumn had arrived, causing the nighttime temperatures to plummet. He wore only a thin shirt, its pristine white fabric hugging his body, making the protrusion of his spine distinctly visible.

The cool night breeze seemed intent on penetrating his body.

It's a bit chilly.

Just as Ying Li took a deep breath and prepared to stand up, a piece of clothing was draped over him, shielding him from the coldness of the night.

For a moment, Ying Li was stunned. Lifting his fuzzy head, the clothing slid onto his shoulders.

Their eyes met. Qi Xie towered over him, looking down.

In the silvery mist of moonlight, Qi Xie stood beside him, tall and slender. Between his graceful fingers, he held a cigarette, its ember flickering intermittently. In his deep, abyss-like eyes, Ying Li's reflection was captured.

"Not crying, I see," Qi Xie remarked, pinching the cigarette lightly, the ember swaying.

The clothing still retained a hint of warmth, probably just taken off. Underneath, Qi Xie wore only a tank top. His muscles weren't as bulky as Shen Yao's. Ying Li had seen him without a shirt before; the definition of his abs and the toned legs were even more exquisite than the perfectly proportioned sculptures in art museums.

Ying Li glanced at him, slowly stood up, and handed back the clothing, "Thank you, but I'm not cold."

Qi Xie didn't accept it. The glowing ember between his fingers flickered, his arm muscles contracting smoothly with every drag of his cigarette.

"Do you smoke?"

The cigarette was offered to Ying Li's lips. Qi Xie's voice was deep and husky. His austere face, intermittently obscured by the smoke, seemed ethereal and elusive.

Ying Li initially wanted to say he didn't smoke. However, nicotine was said to momentarily numb one's nerves. Lately, his nerves felt as taut as a strung bow, seemingly on the brink of snapping at the slightest touch. He moistened his parched lips and, on a whim, took a drag.

Qi Xie paused, surprised.

The cigarette felt damp and hot. Not knowing how to smoke, Ying Li didn't dare to inhale deeply. Yet even with a gentle drag, he found himself choking.

The unfamiliar spicy taste irritated his mouth. Pushing away Qi Xie's hand, he turned his head and began to cough violently. He coughed so hard that his eyes reddened, a misty layer forming at their base.

With a furrowed brow, Qi Xie remarked, "Why try if you don't know how?"

"It's quite sharp," Ying Li replied with a slight cough, his tone gentle and docile, "I don't recall ever seeing you smoke before."

Qi Xie shot him a brief glance, retracted his gaze, and after a moment, replied, "Yeah, it's my first time."

Ying Li queried, "Hm?"

With a deep voice, Qi Xie clarified, "First time smoking."

Was it the first time smoking in front of him or the first time smoking ever?

The statement was somewhat ambiguous. However, Ying Li didn't probe further, noting, "The taste isn't particularly pleasant, right? You should smoke less; it's not good for your health."

Qi Xie looked at him with slightly furrowed brows, "No one has ever tried to advise me."

"Your body is your own," Ying Li responded, "Only you feel its pains. You should cherish it. I don't mean to preach."

Raising his hand, Qi Xie took a deep drag from his cigarette and then snuffed it out. When he spoke again, his voice had a grainy texture, "Noted."

"Zhang Shaoling mentioned your sister is ill."

On this breeze-caressed evening that seemed to invite vulnerability, Ying Li nodded somberly, "Yes, leukemia."

Without any discernible emotion, Qi Xie stated, "Qi Zhengyang is an expert in leukemia treatment."

Having come across that name online just yesterday, Ying Li recognized the prestigious figure, "Didn't Dr. Qi go abroad for an exchange? Besides, isn't it tough to secure an appointment with him?"

Qi Xie looked down at him, "He's already back in the country."

As their eyes met, Ying Li couldn't help but ask, "How do you know?"

Holding the extinguished cigarette loosely between slender fingers, Qi Xie revealed, "He's my uncle."

Ying Li expressed mild surprise, then realization dawned upon him. They both had the surname 'Qi', but he hadn't connected the dots about their relationship before.

But what did Qi Xie mean by revealing this now? Ying Li had no influential background or connections; he probably couldn't even get a meeting with Dr. Qi.

Before he could speak, he heard Qi Xie continue, "I've already reached out to him. He's agreed to be your sister's primary physician."

Ying Li lifted his deep, lustrous eyes, "Really?!"

Qi Xie gave a confirming hum.

With an expert taking charge, Ying Li felt as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

For the first time in days, he broke into a genuine smile, bowing deeply toward Qi Xie and earnestly saying, "Thank you!"

"Just 'thank you'? Is that all?" Qi Xie fixed him with an inscrutable gaze, a glint visible in his deep, ink-black eyes, his tone somewhat ambiguous.

Qi Xie had done him a significant favor. A simple 'thank you' wouldn't suffice. Yet currently penniless, Ying Li had nothing valuable to offer in return.

Racking his brain, Ying Li struggled to think of a way to repay him and finally promised, "Whatever you desire, as long as it's within my power to give, I will."

Qi Xie's face remained inscrutable, "Everything?"

With firm conviction, Ying Li affirmed, "Yes."

Qi Xie's gaze, intense and direct, stayed fixed on Ying Li's face.

Ying Li met his stare without flinching, but suddenly felt a cold sensation at his waist.

Qi Xie lifted the hem of his shirt.

Ying Li froze.

A large hand slid up his smooth waist, and Qi Xie continued to stare intently into his eyes, as though he intended to strip him bare.

"How about compensating with your body?"

Author's Note:

Things are getting spicy; I couldn't hold back!