Chapter 9: Hiring. As a director, He Guan can start his duties tomorrow.

By the time both had changed clothes after the bath, it was already midnight.

Having lost too much blood, Lou Dongzang's face was as pale as paper, no longer displaying the earlier gloom. His eyes remained shut, recovering.

He Guan helped him to the bed, asking, "Did you eat breakfast? I saw the plate delivered to your room was broken."

Lou Dongzang, leaning against the bed with faint breath, replied, "Mmm, after eating, I used it to hit my elder brother."

He Guan tucked him in, "Don't sleep now. We'll eat soon, then you can rest."

Lou Dongzang's brows furrowed, "I'm not dying that easily. It's just a wrist injury; a little sleep won't hurt."

Pausing for a moment, he uncommonly added, "You saw it yourself just now. Don't worry."

He Guan responded dismissively, "Oh, come off it. I don't want to be dealing with your corpse. If you could see yourself, you'd know you look paler than a three-day-old corpse. Buying a coffin is one thing; handling your body is another. You can't exploit the only working hand in our house. Expect me to carry your coffin? No way."

Lou Dongzang: "..."

He Guan: "Just stay put and stay awake. Once the meal's ready, you can sleep. I'll hurry up."

Like cajoling a child.

Lou Dongzang: "...Alright."

After He Guan left, Lou Dongzang sat on the bed...

He opened his eyes.

These eyes, like any other human's, had a strikingly clear shade of blue, especially luminescent.

Lou Dongzang had often gazed at his eyes in the mirror, questioning how he possessed such an oddly magnificent iris color when both his parents had black eyes.

Yet, he still saw nothing.

Lou Dongzang knew he was a considerable burden; that's why, earlier in the bathroom, murderous intentions arose in him.

To die by my own hand.

Dying by my hand would eliminate any thoughts of saving me.

No one would naively believe they could save me. No one would be rooted in place, their heart racing, trembling as if they were electrified, clutching him.

But he refrained.

The warmth of the embrace was too enticing. It had been so long since he'd interacted with a 'normal' person that a simple tight hold made him instinctively want to cling.

The warmth... of a living being.

Who doesn't flee.

Who even initiates the embrace.

How could anyone stay by his side, knowing his peculiar character and volatile emotions?

How could they?

How is it possible?

Yet, it happened.

Earlier, when he was carried out to change clothes, his hand brushed lightly against He Guan's shoulder. He sensed He Guan's slight shiver, who quickly evaded his touch and remarked pointedly, "Lou Dongzang, you touched me. Your hand."

From this... it seems... He Guan might...

Not be very interested in him.

Lou Dongzang tapped the bedsheet with his uninjured left fingers, closing his eyes in confusion.

It doesn't make sense.

With Uncle Yue's help, He Guan quickly prepared the meal. He set aside a portion and was about to head back upstairs.

Ren Ning: "?"

Ren Ning asked in surprise, "Is your wife legless that you have to carry her food upstairs?"

He Guan frowned, clearly displeased by the overreach, "It's my choice. Can you keep your comments to yourself in my house? Have you forgotten about not biting the hand that feeds you?"

Turning his back, he headed upstairs.

Ren Ning, taken aback by the scolding, turned to Uncle Yue, "Uncle, have you always been taking care of him by his side? Haven't you found him odd? He used to be the world's top in wealth, but now he seems like he's under some love spell."

Uncle Yue, after swallowing a bite of lettuce, replied with a puzzled expression, "Hasn't the young master always been like this?"

Stumped, Ren Ning said, "Really?"

Uncle Yue resumed eating, "Yes."

Ren Ning mused, "Maybe I got it wrong... It's possible I remembered incorrectly... but he's never dated before... which is, I guess, normal..."

Delivering the meal to Lou Dongzang's side, He Guan sighed, "Respond to me, even if it's just a grunt. If you keep startling me, you'll give me a heart attack. With your eyes closed, I can't tell if you're awake."

Lou Dongzang, who had been awake all along, tightened his grip, "Mm."

He Guan: "If you can't use your hands, open your mouth, okay?"

Lou Dongzang: "Mm."

Originally leaning against the headboard, Lou Dongzang now inclined slightly forward, shadows of fatigue evident beneath his eyes.

Even in this state, his well-toned physique was evident. His neck, muscular and well-defined, became even more prominent as he leaned in.

Like a tormented beast, though emaciated, he still possessed a powerful skeletal frame.

The force with which he was fed was just right.

Lou Dongzang had been sick before, cared for by the nanny who poisoned him. Being new then, she would often hit his teeth with the spoon.

But He Guan was different. He gauged the distance perfectly, holding the spoon just right against the lips and would also remind him of the dish being served.

"Stewed chicken, it's got bones. Spit them into the spoon."

He occasionally pondered about his cooking.

"I forgot to buy lettuce, so I used iceberg. It's simply blanched with a touch of oil. Why does it look so glossy? How does it taste? Too oily?"

Lou Dongzang: "No, it's delicious."

He Guan nodded to himself: "That's good then."

And so, He Guan meticulously fed him until the meal was done.

After the last bite, he pulled back and asked, "Will Lou Yi visit again?"

To make a great show of effort, the book mentioned that Lou Yi almost sought Lou Dongzang thrice at his humble abode, only to be rebuffed each time.

Lou Dongzang paused for a moment, "Perhaps."

He Guan said, "I'm free these few days. I'll stay with you at home and wait for him."

Lou Dongzang asked, "Do you know what he discussed with me?"

Lou Dongzang never mentioned it.

He Guan smoothly chimed in, "I am the star of the galaxy. I only resigned when I heard rumors of the company's downfall from within. Naturally, I'm aware. It's obvious he's come to seek your help for the company."

He picked up the chopsticks and finished off the tiny lettuce bits left in his bowl, crunching as he chewed, "Are you planning to involve me? Did he cause that injury of yours?"

Lou Dongzang replied, "No, it was an assistant who did it intentionally after my elder brother left. My elder brother is a bit of a... dunce."

He Guan remarked, "…quite apt."

Seeing Lou Dongzang wasn't forthcoming, He Guan showed no disappointment, picked up his belongings, and left.

In his original plan, it was quite normal for Lou Dongzang to decline his offer to join the negotiations. He'd find another time to deal with Lou Yi.

Agree to join the negotiations with him?

From the start, He Guan never really expected an affirmative.

To be fair, would He Guan trust a nominal spouse he'd only known for two days?

He wouldn't.

He left swiftly, but unexpectedly, someone called out to him at the door.

Lou Dongzang said, "...He Guan."

It was the first time he had addressed He Guan by his name.

He Guan turned around, puzzled, "What's up? Need to brush your teeth after lunch? Use your left hand for the toothbrush, wait for me a bit. I haven’t eaten yet."

Lou Dongzang replied, "Alright."

The response was so faint that He Guan didn't catch it and asked bewilderedly, "What did you say? I didn't hear clearly."

Lou Dongzang reiterated, "I said alright."

He Guan mumbled, "Alright, then I'll head down to eat."

Even heading down to eat requires an acknowledgment?

Such manners...

Lou Dongzang said, "Not in response to that remark."

His way of speaking was circuitous. He Guan, having become accustomed to directness these past days, was momentarily caught off guard, "...Then which one?"

Lou Dongzang clarified, "The one about meeting my elder brother together."

He Guan: "..."

It took He Guan a full minute to grasp what he was implying. His first reaction was sheer elation.

My goodness! If he could confront Lou Yi directly, He Guan could potentially take control of the galaxy from him. And with Lou Dongzang vouching for him, it would surely save a lot of trouble!

He placed his plate on the floor and lunged to the side of the bed to embrace him, his voice dripping with the joy of newfound trust, asking, "Really?!"

The sudden surge of happiness made him want to kiss Lou Dongzang, to ascertain if what he said was genuine.

Recalling Lou Dongzang's aversion to physical touch, he quickly released him.

Lou Dongzang was taken aback by the sudden embrace.

Being exposed to warmth twice in one day unsettled him. Yet, due to an unprecedented sensitivity, he could distinctly feel He Guan's accelerated breath from the surprise, the rhythmic thudding of his chest pressed against his own...

Now, devoid of moisture, all he felt was warmth, as if the points of contact were covered by spring water.

As if he was genuinely cherished by someone.

The young man, perhaps sensing he had overstepped, promptly let go.

The hands that had been gripping Lou Dongzang's back with excitement also retracted.

Lou Dongzang murmured, "...Yes."

Unaware of Lou Dongzang's inner turmoil, and still elated, He Guan hummed a tune and released him, "No worries. I've nothing planned for the next few days. I'll stay home with you, so you're not alone."

Lou Dongzang replied, "Alright."

After speaking, He Guan quickly left and closed the door behind him.

Lou Dongzang sat alone, staring at his hands, consumed by a deep unease.

What had he just agreed to?

How could he have so unguardedly... consented?

Yet he felt... elated.

*

When He Guan descended the stairs, Ren Ning and Uncle Yue had already eaten. After being rebuffed, Ren Ning promptly took his bowl to the kitchen, leaving only He Guan's portion.

Uncle Yue, upon seeing He Guan come down, placed the remaining food into the microwave.

He Guan paused at the top of the staircase.

Everything, even the care shown towards him, remained unchanged. Had it not been for the outlandish transmigration of someone else, he might've believed Uncle Yue had traveled through time with him.

Approaching the table, He Guan asked Ren Ning, engrossed in his phone, "What are you looking at?"

Ren Ning handed him the phone, "See for yourself. The internet is exploding."

He Guan pulled a chair beside him and began scrolling through the trending topics.

#HeGuanLeavesGroup# Ranked 2nd

#IsNolimitDisbandingOverMyDeadBody# Ranked 5th

#GanQingExpression# Ranked 11th

#NoMemberGivesInterview# Ranked 23rd

#SuchASurrealWorld# Ranked 27th

#RationalFandom# Ranked 36th

He Guan clicked on each trend, and as expected, he found real-time passionate insults and personal attacks directed at him.

[Speechless, fam. We voted for thin air. He just up and leaves.]

[Unfollowed. His marriage is a huge letdown.]

[As a casual observer, I don’t get it. With so many unfollowing, why hasn’t He Guan’s fan count dropped? Seems like the fans are lacking, huh?]

[Stop pretending. What casual observer? My grandma can't climb stairs without knowing that many in He Guan's fanbase are just trolls. He barely has 10,000 real fans; any more is just for show.]

[Bad luck!]

He Guan remained unfazed, unbothered.

From the day he transmigrated, he had braced himself for public scrutiny. These ripples of controversy were inconsequential to him.

On the contrary, this surge in attention slightly exhilarated He Guan.

Nolimit truly was a sensation, which would aid his next plan.

He checked his own account using Ren Ning’s Weibo login: over three million followers and dropping consistently. Every click saw a decline of a thousand or two.

The most recent group photo posted was inundated with heated comments.

Ren Ning used to promote He Guan frequently, almost once every three days.

Now, three days had passed, and He Guan hadn't posted a new update, leading some fans to sarcastically remark about him playing dead and avoiding a response.

[Straight up leaving the group without an apology? How long are you going to play dead? Think you deserve the idol status? Come out and respond!!!]

He Guan scrolled further.

Honestly, he had no plans to continue as an idol.

[Not to point fingers, but as an old fan, He Guan, do you regard others' hard work as nothing? Casually leaving the group, how will you handle the contracts? Are you planning on breaching them all?]

Ren Ning hadn't signed any variety show contracts for He Guan.

Primarily because there weren't any.

The original's temperament was akin to a dormant volcano; variety show producers hesitated to involve him. Afraid a single misstep might set him off and ruin the show. Thus, commercial activities and announcements seldom invited him.

Realistically speaking, there were none.

He Guan rummaged through his contracts in the dormitory, only to find one...

A divorce agreement with Lou Dongzang.

It was already printed, with the date left blank. It seemed the intention to divorce and split assets had been set early on, likely for a quick cash grab.

He Guan shredded the document, taking only his ID and household registration.

He skimmed past the comment, "How much longer will you act dead? Planning to delete your account and disappear? Happy that you've ruined the group?" He pondered for a moment and then liked the comment from a fan profile that had cropped him out of a group photo.

Group fans are something else.

Ren Ning exclaimed, "Have you lost your mind?! She can see who liked her post! By liking with my account, aren't you confirming the accusations about your disappearance and leaving the group?"

He Guan brushed off his concerns, "It's the truth, why hide it? I need the situation to escalate. The more explosive, the better. Any discussion, whether it's criticism or praise, equates to attention. You've been in the entertainment industry for years, ever seen such a dominant narrative? I haven't."

Ren Ning was left speechless.

He Guan continued monitoring public opinion.

He needed the discussion to intensify, paving the way for Nolimit's future endeavors.

Having gotten a favorable response from Lou Dongzang earlier, he was confident that his plans to counter Lou Yi and Lou Jun would soon come to fruition. He just had to wait for Lou Yi himself.

He Guan returned the phone to Ren Ning. Under Ren Ning's glaring gaze, he cheerfully picked up his chopsticks to eat.

After finishing and placing the dishes into the dishwasher, He Guan spoke, "You can rest in the side room by the sixth entrance. The furniture's clean, hardly used. Tidy up a bit, and you can sleep. I have some things to handle."

Ren Ning retorted with a deadpan expression, "Knowing that my company is about to go bankrupt, nothing fazes me now. I'll sleep it off."

Uncle Yue cast him a glance without a word.

The two departed together.

He Guan, not bothered by Ren Ning's theatrics, picked up his phone, and in WeChat, accepted a new contact request.

There's a drenched puppy here in need of soothing; we're about to gather, better get prepared soon.

The person had a single remark:

Hello, sir. I'm Chu Li!

The other person seemed glued to their phone, and upon seeing the friend request accepted, immediately began typing.

He Guan sent a message while the other was still typing.

Kai: Good afternoon. Have you seen the trending news?

Bu Li Mao (Impolite): I did, forgive my dullness, sir, are you referring to...?

Kai: He Guan has left the group, and you'll replace him. As planned, you all will debut. The fans of the remaining four will be grateful to you.

Bu Li Mao (Impolite): ...Sir, you've done so much for me. I'm at a loss for how to thank you!

Texts don't express emotions as clearly as face-to-face conversations. He Guan raised an eyebrow reading this.

Kai: No, I'm a businessman. As long as you're here, I won't be at a loss.

Bu Li Mao (Impolite): [Bows_like_a_fat_goose.jpg]

Kai: That's all. Focus on your physical training lately. It's going to be exhausting after the debut, not just the various appearances but the practice room is where you should be. If you're not feeling well, visit a traditional medicine clinic in the next few days to get tuned up.

Bu Li Mao (Impolite): Understood, sir. Thank you!

After He Guan saw the message, he was about to switch apps when he noticed "The other person is typing...". So he patiently waited, but unexpectedly waited for five minutes.

He thought Chu Li was about to send a long message, but in the end, he only received:

Bu Li Mao (Impolite): I will!

How could he forget? Chu Li has social anxiety.

He Guan chuckled and didn't respond.

Unexpectedly, in the afternoon, Lou Dong Zang's older brother, Lou Yi, made another visit.

It seems the father and son duo can't hold back their ambitions for the star domain any longer.

Lou Yi had changed to a luxurious car in the afternoon, different from the Aston Martin from the morning.

From just seeing the key, He Guan recognized it as a Mercedes-Benz EQS580—a rather stunning model.

The car key and a paper contract were slammed on the coffee table, creating a thunderous noise, as if attempting to awaken Lou Dong Zang.

Ren Ning, who had just woken up and was about to walk in from the side room, was swept away by He Guan's look. Wanting to enjoy the drama, in the end, she didn't dare.

The man, in his forties, spread his arms and leaned back against the sofa, his laughter creating creases across his face. "You're He Guan, right? Where's Lou Dong Zang? Go and tell him his elder brother's here to see him and his sister."

He Guan pointed at himself, "Sister?"

Lou Yi chuckled, "Stop playing dumb. If it weren't for my assistant introducing you to that job, would you be here today? Listen, little Guan, fetch Lou Dong Zang for me. I have urgent business with him."

Footsteps echoed from the staircase behind them. The man discussed in their conversation appeared, holding onto the banister, his tone chilly, "Big brother."

He Guan stiffened involuntarily.

In his original memory, the person who had introduced him to this 50-million-valued "job" was a locksmith he frequently contacted. But in Lou Yi's words, it was his assistant. It seemed the locksmith had some ties with the Lou family.

Moreover, the way Lou Yi put it, it felt as though He Guan owed him, giving him the uneasy feeling of being caught in some deception behind Lou Dong Zang's back.

Lou Yi, nonchalant, waved him over, "Little brother's here. Sister, help him over."

He Guan disregarded the title and stood up to assist Lou Dong Zang.

Both called each other 'wife', alright then.

After all, in Ren Ning's words, Lou Dong Zang had been described rather peculiarly too.

Walking alongside Lou Dong Zang, He Guan didn’t assist him physically. Instead, he was ready to tap Lou Dong Zang's shoe if he veered off course, signaling him to move left or right.

Of all the things, he remembered this detail the most clearly.

Lou Dong Zang highly disliked physical contact.

The unexpected situation in the bathroom earlier, where He Guan had to embrace him, had been a stretch. They had shared another embrace before dinner, and to touch him again now...

He Guan feared Lou Dong Zang would get distressed.

Lou Dong Zang halted, "Aren't you going to help me?"

He Guan was taken aback, "I thought you..."

Lou Dong Zang cut in, "Give me your hand."

He Guan extended his left hand, and Lou Dong Zang grasped his wrist.

His hand was still cold. It felt to He Guan as though he was being entwined by a snake. Suppressing the urge to pull away, he reminded himself,

He's just like a human crutch, just a human crutch...

With He Guan's assistance, Lou Dong Zang quickly seated himself on the sofa, releasing his grip.

Lou Yi mused, "Little brother, are you sure you don't want a cane? It might be more convenient..."

He Guan responded first, "He's said many times he doesn't want it. Drop it."

Why would Lou Dong Zang want to don sunglasses and walk around tapping a cane?

His blindness is the deepest wound of his heart.

He resists identifying further with the blind community, yet he's forced to confront his own reality of being blind.

In the past, only madmen would dare suggest to Lou Dong Zang to use a walking stick. But now, this elder brother flippantly brings it up under the guise of concern.

Lou Yi, a bit taken aback but maintaining his poise, claps in amusement, "...Indeed, the youth! Didn't expect the little sister to have such a temper."

His assistant had described him as a simpleton driven solely by money. To see this spark of defiance was unexpected.

But just like Lou Dong Zang, he's blind in judgment.

Falling for someone like Lou Dong Zang who clearly lacks prospects.

Unfortunate, indeed.

Truly unfortunate.

Sitting closely to Lou Dong Zang, He Guan leans back slightly, a hint of disdain inadvertently showing, "Let's get to the point."

Lou Yi: "It's amazing how people change in just a short time. Seems I've underestimated you..."

Lou Dong Zang interrupts directly, "Lou Yi, let's stick to the matter at hand."

Lou Yi, slightly startled by the use of his full name, says, "Alright, alright. It's still about this morning's proposal. Have you given it more thought? This matter is quite urgent. I had to discuss it further with you."

"You know how it is. If it wasn't for your guidance earlier, our venture might have crumbled. Now I'm left with no choice but to come to you for help. What if you've found a solution? It could be our lifeline."

He Guan turns his gaze to gauge Lou Dong Zang's reaction.

Lou Dong Zang's expression remains mostly unchanged.

His eyes are closed. The blood loss from this morning still affects him, his complexion ghostly pale, always seemingly annoyed.

Lou Dong Zang: "My decision stands. I can't take over the venture anymore. Big brother, please leave."

Lou Yi's face bursts into a smile, "Come on, little brother. I know you're upset about this morning. I've already dealt with that assistant who upset you. Look, I've brought bird's nest soup and some tonics to help with your blood loss. Please don't find it too modest."

A tense silence fills the room. Lou Yi casts a commanding glance at He Guan, urging him to persuade Lou Dong Zang.

What are you waiting for? Act! Didn't I bring you here for a reason? You think you can take the 50 million and slack off? Think again!

So clueless!

These words seemed to flash explicitly in Lou Yi's eyes as He Guan looked into them.

And then, in an unexpected move, Lou Yi collapses to his knees.

The plush carpet muffled any sound, but the weight of his genuflection was palpable.

Not until Lou Dong Zang was drawn to the noise, slightly lifting his head, did the middle-aged man commence his performance.

He Guan observed every detail.

As Lou Yi slapped himself, he lamented, "Little brother, it's not that I want to threaten you. I truly have no other options. What can I do in this situation? You know how useless my own son is compared to you. It's desperation that drove me to this. If our venture collapses, I'll be looked down upon at home..."

He Guan's gaze grew colder with every word.

Indeed, with just a bit of guidance from Lou Dong Zang, the venture was saved from the brink of financial ruin.

Yet, Lou Yi and his ilk would love nothing more than to exploit Lou Dong Zang to the fullest, using his sacrifices to pave a brighter future for themselves.

So, choosing him as the sacrifice just because he helped you the most?

He Guan leaned in, shielding his face, and whispered into Lou Dong Zang's ear.

Coming so close, his warm breath brushed against Lou Dong Zang's ear, causing a slight frown.

But Lou Dong Zang didn't pull away.

He Guan murmured, "Hey, Lou Dong Zang, you're really set on not taking over the venture, right?"

Even in a whisper, with the help of bone conduction, it sounded clear. To Lou Dong Zang, it felt like He Guan was intimately close, speaking in soft, caressing tones.

If one didn't focus on the content, it would sound almost like a romantic whisper.

Lou Dong Zang straightened up slightly, "Yes."

He Guan pressed on, "So, what if someone else wanted to step in at this point? What would you think?"

Lou Dong Zang was puzzled by his tone. Why did He Guan sound so gleeful and excited, like... like a child first stepping into Disneyland?

After a moment's reflection, he inquired, "How would they take over?"

Seeing the two engage in conversation, Lou Yi stopped his feigned crying, got up dejectedly from the carpet, and settled back into the sofa.

He Guan grinned, "Just a sudden idea I had, maybe launching a boy band. I guarantee we won't incur losses."

Lou Dong Zang, quick on the uptake, immediately grasped He Guan's intentions. He lightly smirked, "Even if we do suffer losses, I can cover them."

He Guan's eyes sparkled with delight, "Great, that puts my mind at ease."

He Guan kept his voice low, so Lou Yi couldn't catch everything, but he did hear Lou Dong Zang's "Even if we do suffer losses".

That perked up Lou Yi's spirits. Rubbing his hands, he queried, "What's it gonna be, little brother? Have you changed your mind?"

He Guan, eyes twinkling like crescent moons, answered on behalf of Lou Dong Zang, "Yes, he's had a change of heart."

Picking up the employment document that Lou Yi had brought, He Guan flipped to the last page. And before Lou Yi could even react...

He signed it with a flourish.

Write the characters "He Guan".

Lou Yi became frantic, "Why did you sign it?! Wait, do you even understand?! This is a contract! Once signed, it becomes effective! Can you bear the consequences if something goes wrong?! Be smart and return it to me now! Destroy it and I won't pursue it!"

Lou Dongcang sat on the sofa, speaking gravely, "With me here, how could he not afford it?"

He gently tapped the armrest of the sofa, "Weren't we looking for someone to take over Xingyu? Given my blindness, I'm clearly not the first choice. He Guan is more suitable than me."

Having already signed the contract and pushed it back, He Guan laughed genuinely. In his bright eyes reflected Lou Yi's incredulous and devastated expression.

Lou Dongcang couldn’t see, but even if he could, he probably wouldn’t react, his tone indifferent, "Taking on a director's position... it might be too hasty."

He spoke with nonchalance, as if he was simply commenting on what he had eaten today, sealing the statement, "So, for the time being, until Xingyu stabilizes..."

"I will guarantee him with my 20% share in Xingyu. Unlike me, He Guan, as a director, can take office tomorrow."

"Elder brother, trust that he can help you."

"I'm also looking forward to his performance."

His words were flawless and well-presented. Lou Yi opened his mouth, unable to retort, glaring at the contract in He Guan's hand as if it were a terrifying ghost note.

This deadlock, which would have left Lou Dongcang with neither fame nor benefit, because of He Guan's involvement...

Was broken.

Author's note:

I've almost finished the word count for this week's leaderboard. Depending on the situation, I might update next Wednesday. There won't be updates in the following days, so don't wait.