Chapter 29: To go/Not to go - Penalty: Hug me. [Starting remarks]

"Originally, it was to clarify recent events surrounding Tong Jia Qi. However, with He Guan's explanation, my fellow fans, is it possible that He Guan is leading the band?"

"I can't even... Do we even truly know He Guan? Does he ever speak the truth? Other than his handsome face, is there anything commendable?"

"Stop praising him."

"Lol, but his face is really good-looking, truly unique in the current entertainment industry. To be honest, upon closer look, he doesn't really have major scandals."

"He Guan: Thanks for the invite. Married. Retired.jpg"

"Why are we even concerned? If Xingyu dared to appoint him as General Manager, the one we should be worried about is Xingyu — to be blunt, is Xingyu going bankrupt?"

"That's unlikely. Even if it's just a subsidiary of the Lou Corporation, it won't dissolve that easily."

The focus of the public opinion shifted to He Guan's identity, which surprisingly garnered him many new followers.

He Guan raised an eyebrow and clicked into Nolimit's super-topic to check recent updates.

A significant portion of his follower growth came from the recent trends. After Tong Jia Qi clarified matters, many potential fans who wanted to join discovered that Nolimit's debut was uncertain. They then naturally gravitated to He Guan's Weibo.

Although Xingyu Media has its own Weibo, they didn't defend Nolimit. Instead, He Guan posted, suggesting he's closer to Nolimit than the company.

Therefore, guessing that he leads Nolimit is quite reasonable.

"Come to think of it, it seems like He Guan's turning over a new leaf. I'm quite impressed by this move."

[+1. After getting married, not only did he step out of the media spotlight, but he instantly became a general manager. And he clarified matters when he was being criticized the most fiercely. How should I put it? He's quite responsible. My view of him has changed a bit.]

[Indeed.]

[My idol navigates the business world in places unknown to me.]

Fans with juicy gossip, comment below.

[Does anyone know who He Guan's wife is?]

[I'm not sure, she's hidden well. Probably not someone in the entertainment circle, otherwise, we would've known by now.]

[You might be right.]

[He seems like a changed man. His wife must be stunning for him to focus entirely on his career.]

[Just the other day, the wife of that tax evader next door was interviewed. She's even prettier than many celebrities. I guess it varies from person to person.]

[What are you guys on about? Keep this up and I might become a fan too.]

[I'm dying of laughter... Same here, this move really attracts fans.]

[He Guan, show us your wife! Even if you're not active, just show her! Let us admire her beauty!]

[Just a bystander here, but I'm curious what He Guan's wife looks like. Setting everything else aside, he's so handsome that I want to see the person he's chosen.]

[I'll add to that.]

[What? My husband has a wife?]

[Either show us your wife or show yourself! Look at how long it's been since you last posted a selfie!]

[If I can't see both He Guan and his wife, all my admirable qualities, like my appearance, physique, social manners, virtues, personality, and even my soul would be destroyed.]

The conversation took a direction He Guan couldn't control, but he didn't seem to mind. Instead, he lay on the couch, laughing with his phone.

Lou Dongcang is fiddling with the TV remote, getting ready to turn it on: "Found something interesting?"

He Guan: "...My fans want to see what you look like. They're quite articulate."

Lou Dongcang: "What did they say? Read it out to me."

He Guan, a bit parched, reaches for a drink and says, "Why don't you listen on the phone? What they said is... well..."

Lou Dongcang: "Alright."

He Guan hands him the phone, opening Weibo for him to listen. He then gets up from the couch to grab a cup of water, heading to the kitchen to cut some fruit.

As he peels an orange, he wonders what to have for lunch.

Although He Guan has a penchant for Chinese cuisine, occasionally whipping up some Western dishes like cheesy baked potatoes can be delightful. Once prepared, the entire room fills with the enticing aroma of butter and potatoes.

He Guan is swift in his culinary techniques. He shook the water off his knife and swiftly sliced the orange into chunks, followed by dicing pineapples, guavas, and kiwis. Once done, he divided the fruits into three portions, placing each in a funnel-shaped transparent glass bowl.

Having finished cutting, he rummaged in the refrigerator for cherry tomatoes when he heard the person, who was supposed to be listening to comments on the sofa, approaching with their phone.

It wasn't that he had an exceptional sense of hearing; rather, that person's phone volume was quite high, and the comments being played tickled He Guan's funny bone.

[So dashing that he's reached his handsomeness limit.]

[With a face like that, looking in the mirror every morning must be a delight, always waking up to his own charm.]

[Even ants passing by would be stopped in their tracks by his good looks.]

As He Guan listened, he felt something was amiss and asked, "What are you listening to? Are all these comments praising me?"

Standing at the doorway with his phone, Lou Dongcang, hearing He Guan slicing fruits, inquired, "Does your arm still hurt?"

He Guan replied, "It's fine now, really nothing serious. The swelling has gone down. I'll let you feel it after we eat the fruits. Now, tell me."

It was only then that Lou Dongcang said, "Your fans... they've now split into two factions."

He Guan: "What?"

Lou Dongcang: "One faction wants to see photos of you and your wife. That's what you just made me listen to."

He Guan: "Is it interesting?"

Lou Dongcang chuckled lightly: "Very."

Fans who disapproved of his marriage had left after the last controversy. Those remaining were either indifferent or very enthusiastic about shipping couples, even penning mini essays in the comments.

The term "wife" rolled effortlessly off his tongue, yet it made He Guan slightly bashful.

Reading netizens' playful comments or mentioning his own wife was one thing, but hearing Lou Dongcang voice it felt entirely different.

After all, the one voicing it... was indeed his wife.

Continuing, Lou Dongcang said, "The other faction feels the demand for your wife's photos is too high, so they've started showering praises on you, recycling those comments. Like the ones I just played for you."

He Guan chuckled, "They really... I mean, we're all family, what's there to compete about? Aren't you my spouse? It's not like we're chasing celebrities. Are we going to compare ourselves now?"

He lowered his head to continue preparing the fruit, also setting up a plate.

After a moment, Lou Dongcang asked, "Aren't you a straight man? Doesn't it feel strange calling me your wife?"

Tossing the cherry tomatoes into the bowl and handing the transparent glass bowl to him, He Guan responded, "Not at all. I'm quite okay with it. After all, we are married in reality. It's not like we're bonding as siblings. I didn't come to call you 'bro.' I'm here to take care of you."

Lou Dongcang's brow furrowed imperceptibly.

He Guan spoke naturally, treating him entirely as a family member he had to look after.

It seems my progress has been too slow.

He Guan: "Dad's birthday banquet is the day after tomorrow, which is Saturday. Will you attend? Or do you need more time to consider?"

Lou Dongcang: "Are you going?"

He Guan: "Of course, I have to. Actually, this job was secured for me by my father."

He Guan then explained to Lou Dongcang about the shareholders' meeting that day.

Lou Dongcang: "You never discussed this with me before."

He Guan: "Perhaps I've been too busy lately? When I'm swamped, I tend not to chat much."

Lou Dongcang: "In the future, call me when something comes up. Just let me know at home. I have plenty of free time and can always pick up, just like when you got injured this time."

He Guan paused for a moment as he arranged the last few blueberries, then said, "Alright."

For a long time after growing up, he didn't have someone by his side to share things with. Hence, he didn't realize... that these topics could also be discussed with family.

He isn't one to open up easily, but he can slowly learn.

After preparing the fruit platter, He Guan picked up a bowl and said, "The ivy that Uncle Yue was clearing outside, I'll go check on him and offer him some fruits. This is yours, here, catch."

Lou Dongcang raised his hand, misjudging the distance to the bowl. And since He Guan was holding the base of the bowl, Lou Dongcang's hand covered his.

Lou Dongcang: "Why did you only give me your hand?"

He Guan replied with a chuckle, "The bowl's on top. Now where do I go to declare my innocence?"

Lou Dongcang put away his phone, took the bowl with his other hand and grasped He Guan's: "Then... shall we go out and have a look?"

He Guan gazed at him for a few seconds before responding, "...Alright."

He led Lou Dongcang out, knowing that he was already familiar with the first floor. Without delay, he said, "I can't believe I never showed you where we bought the flowers last time."

Without waiting for a reply, He Guan continued, "Mainly because it was the first time you expressed the desire to go out. I was so thrilled that I forgot to guide you around."

Lou Dongcang: "I enjoyed going out with you."

He Guan: "So, will you join me for the banquet this time? It's about time you met my father."

Lou Dongcang: "If you stay by my side throughout, I'll go."

He Guan: "Hmm... holding onto you?"

Lou Dongcang, standing under the sunlight with his eyes wide open, said, "My eyes are very distinctive."

He Guan: "?"

Lou Dongcang: "Not many people know that I'm blind, only that I'm ill and recuperating at home."

He Guan immediately grasped the implication.

Lou Dongcang's eyes are too distinctive, too memorable.

The first thing one notices during an interaction is his eyes. And with such a mesmerizing hue...

Now that he's blind, he keeps them closed most of the time.

It's noticeable.

The banquet will be indoors; glasses won't help.

And if he keeps them open, looking in one direction without moving his gaze...

They might suspect there's something wrong with his eyes.

Lou Dongcang doesn't want everyone to know about his blindness. If he can't accept it himself, he certainly doesn't want to know others' opinions on it.

Lou Dongcang's eyes, shimmering in the sunlight, radiate a captivating azure, reminiscent of a shallow cerulean sea.

"Needing your hand to venture out... I've already become quite vulnerable."

"And it's a birthday banquet."

"Just holding onto you... isn't enough."

"Far from enough."

"If I attend, you'd have to constantly be aware of who's around me, who's coming over, and if they're suspicious of my vision. You'd be making excuses for me, all for the sake of my petty pride."

"Walking, going to the restroom, finding a chair, taking a drink from a waiter – all these simple tasks are immensely challenging for me."

"Taking me there would be like carrying a burden, you know."

"I no longer want to feel weaker, and avoidance seems the best option."

"I don't want to go."

After voicing all these concerns, Lou Dongcang stood silently for a while, aware that He Guan was observing him, before finally asking,

"He Guan, can I opt out?"

This was the most he had spoken since they'd met.

And yet, at the end, he hadn't made a firm decision, instead placing the choice in He Guan's hands.

Such a gentle demeanor was almost vulnerable to exploitation.

After a prolonged silence, He Guan spoke, almost coldly, ... (The sentence is incomplete. I assume it will continue in the next segment.)

"I can't."

The author has a note:

With a steady voice, he tightened his grip on his hand and said, "Luo Dongzang, you're quite conceited to think everyone dances to your tune."

"I don't see it as a hassle. Why do you jump to conclusions, assuming you're a burden to me? As if I've ever been disdainful of you. Have I ever shown any disdain?"

"Aren't I your eyes?"

"Luo Dongzang, don't underestimate me."

He Guan sighed deeply and said, "If I weren't holding onto you, I'd surely stuff fruit into your mouth right now, just to see if you'd still utter such words."

"To think I couldn't even give you a shred of security. I'm truly disappointed in myself."

He released Luo Dongzang, snatched the bowl from his hand, and walked ahead with the fruit, muttering, "You talk about marriage, just empty words, treating me like an outsider."

"I'm angry now, really angry. I'm leaving."

Luo Dongzang took a step forward, wanting to follow but unsure of his direction, hesitating in place.

He Guan stopped a few paces away, under an archway, and said, "Straight ahead. You're on the right path."

"You're five steps away from me."

"Five."

"Four."

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

"I'm holding the fruit; I can't hand any to you."

"Your punishment is to hold me."

The temperature had risen quickly in recent days, gradually warming under the sun.

He Guan squinted, watching him in a white long-sleeve shirt, glowing with spots of sunlight, cautiously reaching out to touch the hem of his own garment.

His hand was cold.

Still, He Guan felt a pang of tenderness.

He took a half step forward, voluntarily stepping into Luo Dongzang's embrace.

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There are too many comments from the fans above; let me add some more content.

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Update for 4#9. Next one at 4.11, 23:59.