Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"Listening to You and Me" was a celebrity interview program broadcast on Eagle TV, known for its host's sharp and probing questions. It was said that very few celebrities could get through all the host's inquiries without feeling awkward.

Chu Heng had initially accepted this program because it fit into an opening in his schedule.

The show's appeal was the host's incisive interviewing style and the guests' awkward, helpless reactions when their sore spots were hit. However, in reality, all questions were communicated with the guest's side in advance, and the "embarrassed" reactions the guests appropriately gave were merely to achieve a dramatic effect.

Since he knew the script, the first half of the interview went smoothly. When asked about some "sensitive" topics, Chu Heng used his acting skills, pretending to drink water to mask his "awkwardness."

But later in the interview, the host suddenly changed his tone and said in a teasing manner, "Online comments about Mr. Chu are mixed. I'm curious if you've come across one in particular."

Chu Heng responded with a smile. "Which one?"

The host looked at him and quipped, "They say you're a golden bachelor."

This part wasn't in the script. It was unclear if the host ad-libbed it, but the director didn't intervene, clearly happy to have a topic that would generate buzz. Chu Heng knew this wasn't over, so he just maintained a polite smile without answering.

Sure enough, the host continued, "As the ancients said, one should be established at thirty. Mr. Chu, you are now successful in your career. Have you considered matters on the personal front?"

Chu Heng took a sip of water. Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed two figures appearing at the entrance of the studio—one tall, one short. It was Chen Jinsheng and Wang Yelong.

Chen Jinsheng was still wearing a face mask, staring intently his way. Wang Yelong was frowning and speaking to him, his expression unusually impatient.

The host quickly noticed his distraction and followed his gaze, immediately recognizing the other man from the ambiguous photo. His eyes instantly lit up.

"Or perhaps, Mr. Chu, do you have some particular concerns in this regard?"

Chu Heng put down his water. "Actually, I do."

The host: "Oh?"

The cameraman immediately focused the lens on Chu Heng, zooming in for a close-up, striving not to miss any of his micro-expressions.

Chu Heng said earnestly, "To be honest with you, when I was a child, a fortune teller once told me—"

The host: "Hmm?"

Chu Heng: "That my peach blossom luck would block my wealth luck."

The host was stunned for a moment, then let out a few awkward yet polite laughs. "I didn't take Mr. Chu for a joker."

"Yes," Chu Heng said leisurely. "There are also comments online saying I'm a humorous and witty person. I do admit to that."

He had successfully changed the subject. A faint flicker of disappointment passed through the host's eyes, but due to professionalism, he didn't press further and continued the interview according to the original script.

While answering fluently, Chu Heng stole a glance at the studio entrance.

The two men were already gone.

After the interview ended, Chu Heng returned to the dressing room. As soon as he entered, he saw Chen Jinsheng and Wang Yelong in a standoff. Chen Jinsheng was looking down at his phone, scrolling aimlessly with his fingers, clearly distracted. His brows were furrowed, giving him an unexpectedly fierce look.

Wang Yelong's expression was equally cold as he stared icily at the other man.

The atmosphere in the room was oppressive. The makeup artist, a young woman named Little Mei, was huddled in a corner, her head bowed so low she wished she could disappear on the spot.

Chu Heng's gaze swept between the two men. He closed the door behind him, the sound causing both to look over. He quickly stepped between them, grabbed Chen Jinsheng's wrist, and tried to pull the man behind him.

He didn't budge at first. Chen Jinsheng was momentarily stunned, then relaxed his brow and allowed himself to be pulled behind Chu Heng.

Chu Heng let go and asked, "What's going on?"

His protective stance made Wang Yelong's eyelid twitch, his expression darkening further. He glanced at the man standing silently behind Chu Heng and said to him, "Come out with me. I have something to ask you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Jinsheng moved. He walked to the door, pulled it open, and went out directly, his meaning clear.

The young makeup artist peeked and then quietly followed them out.

In the blink of an eye, only the two of them remained in the dressing room. Chu Heng looked around, then poured a glass of water for Wang Yelong. "Tell me, what did he do to upset you?"

Wang Yelong's expression softened slightly. He didn't answer directly. "Tell me the truth. Where did you find this person, and what's your relationship with him?" Seeing Chu Heng about to speak, he added, "Don't give me the same story you used to fool the netizens. Chu Heng, as your agent, I don't have the right to interfere too much in your private life. But I need to know the general background of the people around you. In case any public opinion storms arise in the future, I can deal with them promptly."

"I'm not blind. I can see your relationship with him is unusual. And don't promise me nothing will go wrong. This photo incident is a perfect example."

He made a valid point, but Chu Heng found it difficult to give an immediate answer.

What could he say?

That Chen Jinsheng was his ex-lover? Or his sugar daddy from his obscure days? That he went in seven years ago and just got out half a month ago?

Any one of those points would be enough to make Wang Yelong explode and order him to stay away from Chen Jinsheng.

Moreover, he had never told anyone about being kept.

Chu Heng sat on the sofa. After a while, he said, "It's a long story. In short, I know his background, and he's trustworthy. He... he's my friend and also my assistant."

He paused, then added, "For now."

After waiting so long, this was all Wang Yelong got: "..."

He realized he wouldn't be able to pry open Chu Heng's mouth tonight, so he simply said, "Fine. Since he's an assistant, has the contract been signed? Send me a copy. I'll have the company complete the registration process."

Chu Heng hesitated. "Is that necessary?"

"..." Wang Yelong was completely out of patience. "My dear ancestor, you're having someone work for you without signing a contract or providing social security and housing fund contributions. We are a legitimate company. Don't you know we can't violate labor laws?"

Chu Heng hesitated again. "Then I'll... ask him later."

Wang Yelong sighed and glanced at the time. "'Hi Action' starts filming tomorrow at 7 a.m. The script has been sent to you. Remember to read it."

"Hi Action" was a competitive reality show, also produced by Eagle TV. The filming location was in City F, sparing Chu Heng from having to fly to another city overnight.

Chu Heng nodded to show he understood, then took out his iPad, opened the document, and began skimming through it.

Wang Yelong went to open the door. Little Mei peeked inside, confirmed their conversation was over, and came in to start packing up the makeup supplies on the table.

The dressing room door was wide open, but there was no movement. Chu Heng couldn't help but look up. "Where is he?"

Little Mei hesitated for a moment. "That big brother?"

"Yes. Call him Brother Chen."

As soon as this surname came out, Wang Yelong was stunned. A flash of insight crossed his mind, but when he tried to think more deeply, he couldn't quite grasp it.

"I don't know. When I went out, I only saw Brother Chen heading toward the elevator," Little Mei said.

Ding-dong.

The elevator doors slid open, and three or five men in suits stepped out.

At the head of the group was a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, wearing frameless glasses and sporting a classic "Mediterranean" hairstyle. His forehead gleamed under the lobby's brilliant lights, forming a stark contrast with the man beside him, who had thick, lush hair.

The man with the receding hairline was none other than the director of Eagle TV. With a beaming smile, he escorted the man beside him to the entrance. "Take care, Director Xiao."

"Director Zheng, you're too kind." Xiao Hongbo gave his hand a brief shake before turning to get into the car. He had already stepped one foot inside when he suddenly caught sight of a man at the other side of the entrance, receiving a bag from a delivery guy.

The man was wearing a black mask. Xiao Hongbo froze, his gaze locking onto the upper half of the man's face. His pupils shrank to pinpoints.

Seeing him frozen, bent over and halfway into the car, Director Zheng couldn't help but ask curiously, "Director Xiao?"

"That person..." Xiao Hongbo murmured absently. Watching the man carry the takeout into the TV station building, he instinctively started to step forward to chase after him.

He straightened up and got back out of the car but met Director Zheng's puzzled gaze.

As if doused with cold water, Xiao Hongbo regained his composure. He smiled and said, "I just remembered I left a document upstairs. Xiao Zhong, go up and get it. Director Zheng, I'd appreciate it."

Director Zheng waved it off. "Don't mention it."

After saying this, he casually pointed to one of his people, instructing him to go up with Xiao Zhong to retrieve it.

The two exchanged a few more casual words before finally parting ways.

Watching Director Zheng and his group enter the building, Xiao Hongbo's eyes darkened. He sat in the passenger seat and said, "Drive to an inconspicuous corner with a clear view of the main entrance."

The driver was confused but complied.

*

Seventh floor of the TV station.

Just as Chu Heng was getting restless and preparing to go out to find Chen Jinsheng, the latter returned.

—Carrying a bag printed with the words "Lucky Wonton."

Chen Jinsheng unpacked the takeout, lifted the lid of the plastic bowl, split apart a pair of disposable chopsticks, and placed them beside it. He said to Chu Heng, "Eat."

Steam rose from the plastic bowl, and the aroma of wontons wafted out. Only then did Chu Heng realize he was somewhat hungry.

He'd been running around all day and had only managed to hastily eat a meal on the plane. Now, with a steaming bowl of fragrant wontons before him, he didn't stand on ceremony. Putting down his iPad, he sat at the table, picked up a wonton, and put it in his mouth. He froze after just one bite.

Century egg and pork filling.

Chen Jinsheng actually still remembered his preferences...

He chewed slowly a few times, swallowed the wonton, and looked up at Chen Jinsheng. He gestured with his chopsticks, "You haven't eaten all day either. Want some?"

Wang Yelong, who was observing from the side, felt a twitch in his temple.

Chen Jinsheng shook his head. "I'm okay."

Chu Heng guessed he probably didn't want to remove his mask here. Figuring he could order some food for him at the hotel later, he quickened his eating pace.

Outside the TV station building, a black luxury car was parked under a poplar tree, completely blending into the shadows.

Xiao Hongbo waited for about half an hour before finally seeing that man again at the main entrance.

He wasn't alone this time. He was walking with a tall, slender man of exceptional bearing. Behind them followed another, ordinary-looking, slightly plump man and a young woman.

The four of them got into a Kodiaq. Xiao Hongbo leaned forward, noticing the man opened the car door for the man in the baseball cap beside him. He even put a protective hand on the door frame, waiting until the man got in before following him inside.

He narrowed his eyes. "Check the license plate of that car."

Xiao Zhong, sitting in the back seat, spoke calmly. "That car is registered to the popular star Chu Heng. He came here tonight to record an interview program called 'Listening to You and Me.'"

He was Xiao Hongbo's trusted assistant. Hearing Xiao Hongbo mention a forgotten document earlier, he knew something was amiss. So, on the pretense of going back to retrieve the file, he chatted with the accompanying man and gleaned some information.

Xiao Zhong turned the laptop on his knees around, facing the screen toward the front seat. It displayed Wang Yelong's Baidu Baike page. He skillfully enlarged the portrait image. "That slightly plump man is Chu Heng's exclusive agent..."

Xiao Hongbo didn't hear the rest clearly. He looked dazed, as if lost in distant memories. "I truly never expected..."

A moment later, he lowered his head, lit up his phone screen, looked at the date, and said in a heavy voice, "Investigate Chu Heng's upcoming schedules."

"All of them," he emphasized.