Min Zhuozhou was blasted awake the next morning by a phone call from his manager.
His manager, Tang Liu, had been his classmate in the university’s Drama and Performance Department. She was a whirlwind of a person, her eloquence far surpassing her acting skills. She had pivoted to the entertainment industry mid-career to become a talent manager. Thanks to her silver tongue, ambition, and keen eye, her career had been skyrocketing over the past few years, and she had always maintained a good relationship with Min Zhuozhou.
“Min Zhuozhou! You’re not being a good bro! When did you get together with Pei Che? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Tang Liu’s booming voice crackled through the phone, her excitement so palpable it seemed ready to crawl out of the screen. The sudden, high-decibel outburst jolted Min Zhuozhou’s ears as he was still shaking off sleep. He silently moved the phone further away, burying most of his body under the covers, feeling an ache in every single muscle.
Tang Liu had called him via video. Seeing his exhausted, haggard state, she lowered her voice slightly. She tentatively asked a question she’d been agonizing over all night, digging deep into the recesses of her memory:
“Five years ago, you asked me if it was okay for an actor to get married privately. Was that… was that because of Pei Che?”
“My dear, your reaction time is just so slow…” Min Zhuozhou didn’t argue, merely sighing. “But didn’t you say you were the greatest open-minded agent of the new era, and that you’d never be interested in my outdated, arranged marriage?”
“I’m naturally not interested in a marriage of convenience without any real feelings, but… that’s Pei Che we’re talking about! Do you understand the sheer value of being the sole heir to the Pei family? If you’d told me sooner, would I have put up with that little vixen Ji Subai strutting all over us recently?!”
On the other end of the phone, Tang Liu’s eyes flashed with fury. She stamped her feet in frustration, feeling as though she had missed out on a hundred million yuan over the past five years.
“Careful, Tangtang…” Min Zhuozhou’s gaze drifted lazily around the bedroom. Only after confirming Pei Che had left did he speak softly, “Ji Subai is just Ji Subai. You can call him whatever you want.”
“What else do you call a sudden star who steps on others to climb the ladder? A little vixen, that’s what!” Tang Liu was clearly still fuming from the recent events, her voice laced with lingering resentment. “Just you wait. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind right now. After all, if the sky falls, we’ve still got Daddy Pei to hold it up!”
Min Zhuozhou couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. He knew all too well that Pei Che would never jeopardize his relationship with Ji Subai for his sake. Shaking off his drowsiness, he cleared his head and spoke with a newfound seriousness. “You absolutely cannot go. Pei Che and I… our agreement is about to expire. It’s basically like the divorce cooling-off period in a normal marriage. If anything goes wrong, there will be absolutely no one to back us up.”
“So what have you been doing for the past five years?” Tang Liu’s voice crackled over the phone, her gestures, though unseen, practically painting a picture of a missed opportunity. Her tone was thick with exasperation. “You’ve had a 24-karat gold, towering tree of a man right there, yet you haven’t let a single leaf touch you! What a waste!”
“I’ve made it this far without relying on him,” Min Zhuozhou said, his voice cool. The last thing he wanted to hear right now was Pei Che’s name. He smoothly changed the subject. “Did news of Ailin’s scene yesterday spread?”
“Pretty much. It’s definitely made the rounds within the manager circles; otherwise, how else would I have heard about it so quickly? But the online buzz seems to have been deliberately suppressed. Probably the Pei family’s doing. Your family’s company has a division specializing in cutting-edge tech for this kind of thing; most PR firms can’t even touch their speed. This is why science and technology are the primary productive forces… Guo Ailin’s plans to make headlines have completely backfired.”
Min Zhuozhou corrected her deliberately. “The Pei family isn’t my family.”
“Why are you being so pedantic? At first, I didn’t think much of the idea of a contract marriage… But thinking about it now, if someone gave me one million a month, I’d wake up laughing in my dreams. But that’s not my story! Still, I’ve been reflecting on this… After all, I’m as beautiful as a flower and exquisitely shaped. Why hasn’t anyone offered to keep me?”
Min Zhuozhou just smiled without saying a word. He knew Tang Liu was only joking. If anyone were foolish enough to try and “keep” her, they’d likely end up in the ICU permanently after a combination punch. There would be no good outcome.
“But that sister of yours is really something. Why do you spoil her so much? She’s just a young girl, but she’s already learned all the bad habits. Last time you sent her to me for an internship, she ran off before three days were even up. And she allegedly slept with three of my male models in those three days… I sincerely think you’re pretty unlucky to have a sister like her.”
“She… in three days…” Min Zhuozhou’s brow furrowed slightly at this point. He hesitated before choosing a more tactful word. “Met three?”
“God knows if she slept with three different guys in three days or what. Anyway, I found some stuff on their phones,” Tang Liu muttered under her breath, holding back from cursing out loud since she was talking to Min Zhuozhou’s half-sister. “It’s fine, I’ve already taken care of it. I’m planning to make some money off those gorgeous young men, so we can’t let any rumors get out… But you can’t ever foist her on me again, okay? I’m not serving as her maid.”
Min Zhuozhou had asked Tang Liu to take Guo Ailin in so she could learn from her, but the girl was a hopeless case in everything except spending money. After just a few days with Tang Liu, she’d run back home, refusing to return no matter what.
Min Zhuozhou knew this had been a real hassle for Tang Liu. He said softly, “I know. I still owe you a meal for this. I haven’t forgotten.”
Tang Liu didn’t hold back. Her eyes lit up instantly. “You’d better not! I’ve already picked out the restaurant and asked the chef to save the black gold abalone and king crab for me. I’m going to fleece you for a fortune when the time comes.”
On the other end of the screen, Min Zhuozhou watched her rest her chin in her hands, her mind clearly already at the restaurant. He couldn’t help but chuckle. “If you’re that impatient, how about I treat you today?”
“No need,” Tang Liu shook her head, then winked mischievously, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “I heard Xiao Qi is coming back soon. How about we all get together then?”
“Xiao Qi?” Min Zhuozhou frowned slightly, puzzled. “Isn’t he staying abroad as a playwright?”
“Who knows? Maybe he has someone or something back in the motherland that’s haunting his dreams,” Tang Liu said, her eyes curving into a smile as she gazed at the screen, her words heavy with insinuation.
Min Zhuozhou’s expression remained neutral, completely unfazed. “But I’m married.”
“Dear,” Tang Liu tilted her head, resting her chin on her hand as she offered a gentle reminder, “you just said five minutes ago that you’ve entered the divorce cooling-off period.”
Min Zhuozhou’s lips parted slightly as he looked at Tang Liu with a hint of helplessness. He knew perfectly well why she had come running over so early in the morning, beating around the bush; she was simply trying to probe the current state of his relationship with Pei Che.
Tang Liu, having sniffed out the scent of a scandal just as she’d hoped, lowered her voice mysteriously. Whether her nose for gossip was exceptionally keen or she was just looking for a laugh, she said, “You don’t harbor any… unspeakable thoughts about the legendary only son of the Pei family, do you? Come on, spill it, give me something to enjoy!”
“No thoughts,” Min Zhuozhou said, his eyes narrowing slightly. Recalling Pei Che’s words and actions from the day before, he couldn’t help but let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Does wanting to get away from him count?”
“Oh, I see…” Tang Liu wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or disappointed. She puffed out her cheeks, her tone steadying as she dropped most of her teasing. “Actually, when I heard about this yesterday, my first thought was that you’ve managed to maintain a stable relationship with Pei Che for five whole years… I know growing fond of someone over time makes sense, but people of his caliber always give off that cold, ruthless ‘B-king’ vibe. It’s fine to play around, but whatever you do, don’t take him seriously, okay?”
As if a string in his heart had been suddenly plucked, Min Zhuozhou’s expression froze. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, letting out a silent breath. He quickly regained his composure and replied, “I know, Tangtang.”
“But then again,” Tang Liu’s tone shifted. She scanned Min Zhuozhou from head to toe through the narrow frame of her phone screen, stroking her chin thoughtfully. “If someone like you can’t make him fall for you, then I’d say Pei Che is blind.”
“Alright, you’re always the one worrying so much,” Min Zhuozhou said, wanting to change the subject. He asked gently, “Do you have any other instructions for me?”
“Nothing else,” Tang Liu thought for a moment, then added, “Oh right, don’t forget to participate in the first episode of the baby variety show. I’m still waiting to see that little brat Min Hua.”
Min Zhuozhou smiled and agreed. After chatting with Tang Liu for a few more minutes, they both hung up.
Just as he finished the call, the smile still lingering on his lips, he heard the bedroom door open and saw Pei Che enter.
Pei Che walked in without a word. His eyes narrowed slightly when he saw Min Zhuozhou’s expression instantly fade. He placed the breakfast and the bag of clothes he was holding on the bedside table, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out to press his palm against Min Zhuozhou’s forehead.
Min Zhuozhou didn’t pull away. He let Pei Che’s palm rest on his feverish skin. His eyes even curved into a smile, but his pupils shone brightly, and there was no trace of joy in his gaze.
Pei Che brushed the slightly damp hair away from Min Zhuozhou’s forehead. He still couldn’t help but lean down and kiss Min Zhuozhou’s brow. Seeing that Min Zhuozhou still didn’t pull away, he called out in a hoarse voice, “Zhuozhou.”
Min Zhuozhou tilted his head back slightly to study Pei Che. The morning light illuminated his side profile, framing the cold, hard-edged man with a soft, warm glow. He was rarely seen without his usual suit and tie; now, in casual loungewear, he exuded a youthful vibe, looking like a completely different person from the man who had tossed and turned like a mad dog all night.
After all, it was just one reluctant night, Min Zhuozhou thought. He didn’t feel he was being dramatic enough to cause a scene. He kept his eyes fixed on Pei Che for a moment before finally responding, “Mr. Pei.”
Hearing Min Zhuozhou’s reply, the tension in Pei Che’s nerves momentarily eased. He gazed at Min Zhuozhou with a deep, heavy look, his eyes still holding a trace of the night’s lingering coldness, which concealed the stunned helplessness and guilt beneath.
He had woken up early today. When he instinctively reached out to pull the person beside him close, he felt a thin layer of sweat and an unnaturally high body temperature. His heart sank. He threw off the covers and carefully inspected Min Zhuozhou from head to toe. Seeing the scattered red and purple bruises on Min Zhuozhou’s skin, he felt guilty for pushing him too far. But then he recalled Min Zhuozhou’s clear and resolute words, “Let’s end this on good terms”, and a wave of baseless annoyance rose in his chest.
Pei Che frowned slightly, sensing his emotions were off, yet unable to pinpoint why. He started to speak, then stopped, finally saying only, “I bought you breakfast and medicine.”
“Thank you.”
Min Zhuozhou didn’t refuse. After all, he really was hungry. Opening the bag, he saw steaming-hot red bean buns and oat milk inside. Not wanting to get out of bed, he simply picked up a bun and took a bite. Seeing Pei Che still standing silently by the bed, watching him, he lifted the elegant curve of his eye to glance at the man. “Mr. Pei, is there anything else?”
Pei Che felt as if he were sinking into a mass of cotton, his floating emotions finding no foothold. No matter how well he’d prepared for a direct or indirect approach, he was met with a soft, yielding resistance that pushed him back. He lowered his gaze, raised his fingers, and gently wiped away a grain of red bean paste from the corner of Min Zhuozhou’s lip.
“Don’t you have anything to say to me?” he asked softly.
Beneath his long lashes, Min Zhuozhou’s moist eyes gazed at Pei Che with a clean, guileless intensity. He thought seriously for a moment before a few words softly rolled past his snow-white teeth: “What do you want to hear?”
Before Pei Che could answer, Min Zhuozhou quietly rose, kneeling on the bed with his legs slightly apart, his head tilted up to face Pei Che like a sculpture of exquisite lines.
The upward curve of his neck flowed down to his collarbone, forming a smooth guiding line that lured the gaze to the vast expanse of snow-white skin, where the owner of the body had deliberately displayed the crisscrossing, ambiguous marks.
A needle-sharp sarcasm was hidden within Min Zhuozhou’s faint smile. “Mr. Pei, how well did I cooperate last night? Was it enough to sate your appetite?”