Chapter 33

Chapter 33

With less than a day of filming left, Lu Tingchao was thoroughly annoyed and wanted nothing to do with Fei Xiuqi.

Unfortunately, Fei Xiuqi had a thick skin; even with Lu Tingchao’s cold shoulder, he always found an excuse to tag along—to the utter astonishment of the other guests and the director.

The head producer had initially intended to remind Lu Tingchao that Fei Xiuqi came from an esteemed family and shouldn't be offended so openly.

But then, considering Lu Tingchao had even managed to ditch Zhuang Ji, treating Fei Xiuqi coldly seemed almost par for the course.

This continued until the filming wrapped.

Su Ningyu helped Lu Tingchao pack his luggage, carrying several bags downstairs from the bedroom to the small living room, where Lu Tingchao was sipping hand-squeezed juice.

Lu Tingchao had developed a discerning palate; he never drank machine-made juice. Back home, Zhuang Ji always hand-squeezed it for him.

So, this glass of hand-squeezed juice was also prepared by Fei Xiuqi—a blend of orange and kiwi, garnished with two mint leaves and a slice of candied persimmon.

Lu Tingchao took small sips through the straw, still unsatisfied, and critiqued Fei Xiuqi: "Too much orange, not enough kiwi. It’s sour."

"When you come to Hong Kong with me, I’ll take you to the orchard behind the hills to pick fruits."

Fei Xiuqi remained exceptionally good-natured. "There are strawberries and lemons too. If there’s anything you like, we can have the maid replant them."

Lu Tingchao put down the glass, stood up, and patted his backside. "Not going. Your Mandarin is terrible. My husband doesn’t want me hanging out with you."

Lu Tingchao declared, "I’m going home. Bye."

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

Lu Tingchao walked away without looking back, leaving Fei Xiuqi with nothing but a dismissive back.

Fei Xiuqi stared at the bouncing figure walking away until, after a moment, Su Ningyu blocked his view.

In contrast to Lu Tingchao’s carefree vivacity, Su Ningyu was always quiet. Perhaps due to his family background, he carried an air of gloom and dullness; even his eyes seemed perpetually dim.

Su Ningyu glanced back at Fei Xiuqi, curled his lips into a faint smile, and asked softly, "Young Master Fei, does your father know you’re such a sycophant?"

The male college student had never met Fei Yuncheng and knew even less about the specifics of the Fei family.

He was merely attempting to provoke.

Fei Xiuqi gave a faint smile. "At least my sycophancy annoys him. What about you? What are you?"

Fei Xiuqi continued, "A stray dog picked up off the streets?"

Su Ningyu’s face darkened, and he said nothing.

After a long pause, he smirked. "I truly envy your optimism, Young Master Fei. May you enjoy this good fortune for many years to come."

"My good fortune today is dating Chao Chao. Chao Chao wears the haute couture I bought him, drinks the juice I squeezed for him, and eats the meals I personally cooked."

Fei Xiuqi’s tone carried a subtle yet smug undertone. "What about you, moving guy?"

Su Ningyu: "..."

Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, Lu Tingchao, who had already reached the door, turned his head: "Brother, why aren’t you catching up?"

Su Ningyu gave Fei Xiuqi a chilling smile: "Coming right away, Teacher Lu. Mr. Fei just said I’m stinky and broke, telling me to stay away from people like you."

Fei Xiuqi: "???"

Su Ningyu paused, as if hesitant: "I couldn’t hold back my anger and argued with Mr. Fei for a moment. Sorry for the delay."

Fei Xiuqi, who had never experienced Su Ningyu’s manipulative tactics before, was stunned: "No, Chao Chao, I didn’t—"

Su Ningyu: "I’m sorry, Teacher Lu."

Lu Tingchao had already marched over, reaching out to take Su Ningyu’s arm: "He’s talking nonsense, no manners at all. Don’t pay him any mind!"

Fei Xiuqi laughed in amused exasperation: "Chao Chao, how am I classless? I—"

"Look, he can’t even speak proper Mandarin; he’s simply not up to par."

Lu Tingchao fully comforted Su Ningyu, "You’re such a well-educated, top-university student—don’t stoop to his level. Come on, I’ll take you shopping for clothes."

Su Ningyu casually averted his eyes from Fei Xiuqi, his fingertips subtly brushing over Lu Tingchao’s hand before sliding down to hold Lu Tingchao’s fingers.

"I can’t spend Teacher Lu’s money. You and Mr. Fei already work so hard earning from your photo shoots together."

Su Ningyu’s dig was smooth and practiced, "I’ll make your favorite dessert for you when we get back tonight."

Lu Tingchao happily agreed.

The two walked farther away. Su Ningyu was quite a bit taller than Lu Tingchao, and the sea breeze lifted his white shirt, faintly carrying a youthful, spirited aura.

Fei Xiuqi narrowed his eyes and looked down at the latest message on his phone.

"All information is scheduled to release at 10 p.m. Rest assured, Mr. Fei."

Fei Xiuqi closed the page, thought for a moment, and replied: "Arrange a flight back to Hong Kong for me. I’m taking Chao Chao back on the private jet."

He paused.

Fei Xiuqi added lightly: "Also inform Devin that his son is bringing his daughter-in-law back for his approval."