Chapter 8

Chapter 8

These days, many people offer hotel wake-up services—room attendants, hotel managers, agents.

And, of course, there’s always the possibility of Jiang Rong.

Anyway.

When Lu Tingchao, sporting a wild bedhead, haphazardly pulled on one of Zhuang Ji’s long T-shirts, pushed open the bedroom door barefoot and makeup-free, letting out a rather uncouth yawn—

And then discovered Jiang Rong and Zhuang Ji, both impeccably dressed, rehearsing their lines.

Even someone as thick-skinned as Lu Tingchao felt a fleeting second of awkwardness.

"Ah."

Lu Tingchao opened his mouth, felt entirely superfluous, and closed it again.

"Brother Ji, Brother Jiang."

Lin Cheng entered from the outer hall with breakfast, a plate in each hand—clearly for the two busy individuals. "Breakfast…"

Lin Cheng and the messy-haired Lu Tingchao stared at each other.

Lin Cheng: "Ah."

If the setting weren't so inappropriate, Lu Tingchao would have loved to capture this picturesque and vibrant morning scene of "Ji and Your Morning Glory" with a camera.

The joy of lost earnings is something others will never comprehend.

Lu Tingchao, feeling indignant, prepared to retreat back into the room.

But Zhuang Ji looked up from his thick script: "Go put on shoes."

Lu Tingchao: "?"

Lu Tingchao: "Huh?"

Zhuang Ji set down the script: "Every time you walk barefoot on the wooden floor, you end up with a fever at night. Go back to the bedroom, put on your shoes, and then come eat."

Lu Tingchao: "Oh…"

Since he wasn’t making any money, he might as well grab a free meal.

Mainly because he’d just spotted his favorite crystal shrimp dumplings on the plate.

Lu Tingchao shuffled back to the bedroom, put on his slippers, brushed his teeth, washed up, and then plopped down next to Zhuang Ji, a few stray hairs swaying on top of his head: "I couldn’t find a comb."

Zhuang Ji: "Eat first."

Lin Cheng quickly interjected, "Brother Ji, I’ll have another portion sent up. It’ll be quick."

"No need."

Zhuang Ji picked up the iced Americano on the table, drank half of it, and reached out to press down the stray hairs on Lu Tingchao’s head. "He won’t eat much in the morning. I’ll finish whatever’s left."

A few words, a long silence.

Only Lu Tingchao seemed completely unfazed, picking through the plate for his favorites and eating them. Then he wiped his mouth and pushed the plate away: "I’m done. Full."

Zhuang Ji: "Mm."

Jiang Rong: "…"

Lin Cheng: "…"

Having worked by Zhuang Ji’s side for three years, this was the first time Lin Cheng had witnessed such a dynamic.

After hesitating for a while, he felt it was best not to linger and tentatively asked, "Brother Ji, should I take the things and wait for you in the car?"

Zhuang Ji nodded, then asked Lu Tingchao: "I have time today. Do you want to come visit the set?"

"Huh?"

Lu Tingchao thought for a moment. "No, it’s too hot and exhausting."

"Got it."

Zhuang Ji’s dining manners carried on his family’s tradition. It’s said that from Patriarch Zhuang’s generation, the Zhuang family followed the rule of "no talking during meals or in bed."

The "no talking in bed" rule had been thoroughly broken by Lu Tingchao, but the "no speaking during meals" rule was still upheld. Lu Tingchao quite enjoyed watching Zhuang Ji eat—it was the kind of elegance that was always camera-ready.

The slightly spacious living room was quiet except for the occasional clink of dishes.

Jiang Rong, who had set down his chopsticks at some point, mentioned offhand: "By the way, Chao Chao, that dating reality show you asked me about—your agent has already sent the contract to the director. The director has confirmed the schedule and location. You can start recording in a couple of days."

Lu Tingchao: "…"

Before he could say anything.

Zhuang Ji had already frowned: "What dating reality show?"

"You didn’t know?"

Jiang Rong raised an eyebrow. "Chao Chao has been asking his agent to help him find suitable work lately. I happened to hear about it, and a director I know is developing a new dating reality show that seems promising. I thought it could be a hit, so I recommended it to Chao Chao."

Zhuang Ji turned to look at Lu Tingchao and set down his chopsticks.

The metal chopsticks landed on the tempered glass table with a sharp clink.

"Chao Chao agreed right away. Chao Chao, you didn’t tell Brother Ji about this?"

Jiang Rong acted surprised. "Oh, did I overstep…"

Zhuang Ji: "You’re going on a dating reality show?"

Lu Tingchao: "…"

Lu Tingchao reached up and touched the stray hairs on his head, dodging the question: "Well, it’s just work… All work is work, no job is beneath anyone…"

Zhuang Ji: "Do you know what a dating reality show is?"

Lu Tingchao: "…"

Lu Tingchao lowered his head: "Ah."

Zhuang Ji’s expression had already darkened: "What kind of contract did you sign? As an observer? Will you have interaction with other guests?"

Lu Tingchao fidgeted with his fingers: "I don’t know."

"Brother Ji, you're just too old-fashioned."

Jiang Rong laughed, "Dating reality shows don't have observers anymore these days. They're all just platforms for minor actors, influencers, and regular folks. Don’t worry, all the couples on the show are just acting."

Zhuang Ji's voice turned cold, "Did you sign on as a guest participant?"

Lu Tingchao cautiously looked up, his expression confused, "...Maybe?"

Zhuang Ji paused for a long moment, took a deep breath, and said, "Later, have your agent send the contract and the director’s WeChat to Lin Cheng. I’ll cover the breach penalty directly. Go home and wait for me—I’ll finish up my scenes in the next few days."

Lu Tingchao said nothing.

Zhuang Ji continued, "Once I’m done, I’ll take you on a trip. Didn’t you want to go to Rome last time?"

He said, "Or we could go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. This time, we can stay longer."

Lu Tingchao looked dejected and hesitated for a while, "Really can’t I go? Anyway, Jiang Rong said it too... it’s all scripted."

Zhuang Ji said, "Listen to me."

Lu Tingchao reluctantly agreed, "Then can I go see Guo Guo? You won’t be home for the next few days anyway."

Zhuang Ji replied, "You can have Chi Guo come over to keep you company. The luxury store will be delivering the new season’s haute couture in a couple of days. You can also take a short trip nearby."

Lu Tingchao said, "Oh."

Zhuang Ji asked, "Do you have enough money?"

"I guess so."

Lu Tingchao hesitated, then said, "Zhuang Ji... um, I wanted to say..."

Zhuang Ji responded, "Hmm?"

Jiang Rong’s phone vibrated a few times. He glanced at the screen and smiled, saying, "Brother Ji, the director is calling. Should we head out now?"

The clock on the wall showed the time.

Zhuang Ji withdrew his gaze and said, "Let’s go."

The man’s tall figure walked out swiftly, disappearing out the door.

Jiang Rong stood up and followed, but after a few steps, he turned around suddenly, "Lu Tingchao, you’ve got a kind of interesting personality."

Lu Tingchao peeked out, "...Huh?"

Jiang Rong asked, "Are you really going to skip the dating show like you promised Brother Ji?"

Lu Tingchao didn’t answer, the few strands of his hair swaying slightly.

Jiang Rong continued, "You hid your job search from Brother Ji, you hid the dating show from him—what else are you hiding?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Jiang Rong: "You’re not hiding an affair, are you?"

Lu Tingchao: "!!!???"

Lu Tingchao fidgeted with the edge of the sofa, "That’s nothing compared to you two shipping a CP."

"I’ll admit, I want Brother Ji. Are you jealous?"

Jiang Rong thought for a moment, "No, you’re not jealous. You just don’t care at all."

Jiang Rong said, "I can see it, but he can’t. Lu Tingchao, you’re really good at pretending."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Jiang Rong: "But you’re not good enough for him."

"Lu Tingchao, you should split up with Brother Ji sooner rather than later."

The living room, which had felt crowded just moments before, suddenly felt empty except for Lu Tingchao.

He lay there on the sofa, thinking things over, and thought Jiang Rong had a point. So he texted Chi Guo: "Guo Guo, do you know any divorce lawyers?"

Chi Guo wrote back immediately: "!!!"

"No!!! Anyone richer than Zhuang Ji is an old man!!!"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao typed earnestly: "I think Zhuang Ji shipping a CP during our marriage has seriously hurt my feelings, damaged our relationship, and broken our trust. I want a divorce."

Chi Guo: "..."

Lu Tingchao sent screenshots from fan forums, photos of Zhuang Ji and Jiang Rong together, and fan comments: "A marriage without blessings won’t end well QAQ I want a bigger share of the assets."

Chi Guo: "..."

"You’re really sure about this?"

Lu Tingchao: "Yes."

"Does my brother know? Did he agree?"

Lu Tingchao: "Yes."

"...Then let me ask around for you. I have a classmate at a law firm. But what about Dou Dou? By the way, should I come see Dou Dou tonight?"

Lu Tingchao: "Mo Lingnan is looking after him for me today. I just asked him to help get Dou Dou into kindergarten. Zhuang Ji... anyway, he doesn’t know. Forget it."

Chi Guo was stunned for a long time: "He... agreed to that?"

Lu Tingchao: "I begged him really hard!"

Chi Guo: "...Lots of people beg him every day... how’d you manage that?"

Just as Lu Tingchao was about to answer, a video call popped up on WeChat. He quickly told Chi Guo and answered the call.

...It was Mo Lingnan.

To be precise.

It was Mo Lingnan, fresh out of the shower, wearing dark black loungewear.

He was sitting at the dining table. The neckline of his loungewear was a deep V, revealing well-defined abs.

And an old scar running diagonally across his chest from left to right.

The scene cuts.

Lu Doudou sits across the table, earnestly eating the wontons in his bowl with a small soup spoon, then looks up seriously: "Chao Chao, this uncle cooks very well. He's good."

It seems Lu Doudou really likes Mo Lingnan, having already given two approvals.

Lu Tingchao rubs his temples: "Be polite, this is Uncle Mo."

Lu Doudou: "Not 'Uncle Mo,' it's 'Daddy'."

Lu Tingchao: "Huh???"

Lu Doudou says with a serious little face: "Daddy said 'Uncle Mo' is your special name for him."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Mo Lingnan ruffles Lu Doudou's head, then he gets up and walks to the balcony: "That kindergarten is strict with hukou. I registered Lu Doudou under my name."

Lu Doudou was born in Hong Kong, and his hukou has always been separate, so it was easy to transfer.

Lu Tingchao: "Oh..."

Mo Lingnan says calmly: "I put you in the spouse column."

Lu Tingchao: "Oh... Huh??? Then what about my..."

And what about Zhuang Ji? (T_T)

Lu Tingchao doesn't know, and he's too afraid to ask.

Mo Lingnan: "What?"

Lu Tingchao: "Nothing..."

Mo Lingnan: "Break things off with Zhuang Ji soon."

Lu Tingchao: "???!!!"

Mo Lingnan's usually cold tone finally carried a slight shift, with a hint of amusement: "Lu Tingchao, this is the first time I’ve been the other man."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Mo Lingnan: "Keeping this secret isn’t really my style. Make me feel better."

Mo Lingnan’s home, visible through the camera, must be a penthouse too. From the lens, the bustling CBD can be seen in the distance.

The morning breeze blows against the collar of his house clothes, making that scar appear even more pronounced.

Lu Tingchao presses his lips together: "...Why didn't you go to work?"

Mo Lingnan: "I swapped my day off today."

Lu Tingchao: "Then... does that chest wound hurt?"

"It hurts."

Mo Lingnan says, "It's from almost ten years ago. I almost died back then. Lu Tingchao, is that all you can say?"

Lu Tingchao: "Then, what do you want to hear?"

Mo Lingnan: "Call me 'Uncle Mo'."

Lu Tingchao: "."

Lu Tingchao: "Uncle Mo."

Mo Lingnan looks intently into the camera, for what feels like a long time, then sighs softly: "Lu Tingchao, when will you come be with me?"