Fu Tianle’s second uncle had caused trouble for Yuan Mian. By the time Zhang Su’an learned of it, a full month had passed.
His profession demanded it, traveling across the world, reporting, writing biographies, sometimes disappearing for weeks in grasslands or dense forests, cut off from family and friends. Information often lagged behind, it was simply normal.
Who was Zhang Su’an?
Some called him Reporter Zhang; others, Writer Zhang.
But when it came to Yuan Mian, he had only one role: he was Yuan Mian’s sole, lifelong friend, the one who had known him since childhood and had never been lost along the way.
Back then, the only person who knew that Yuan Mian had once harbored a secret crush on the heir of the Hu family was him.
At the same time, he and Fu Tianle were related as distant cousins, twice removed.
Among wealthy families and powerful clans, relationships often appeared unrelated on the surface but once examined closely, nine out of ten households were entangled within five degrees of kinship through intricate marriage ties.
Because of this web of connections, he had unintentionally brought Yuan Mian and Fu Tianle together.
And also because of this, on this very day, before the dust of travel had even settled on him, having just gotten off a plane, he was dragged by his elders into some unknown family’s hosted banquet. There, he overheard a piece of gossip involving Yuan Mian.
The one spreading it was none other than Fu family’s Second Uncle himself, speaking with an air of arrogance:
“Everyone knows that the surname Yuan only got where he is today by riding on the Fu family’s reputation. Without the Fu family, what is he supposed to be? Still putting on airs in front of me, doesn’t even know how much he actually weighs.”
Then, with smug satisfaction, he went on about recent events:
“Tianle spoiled him rotten. He doesn’t know his own place anymore and even dares to act like a big shot in the circle. The moment I left, he stirred up several messes, clashing with one person after another. You think I’d tolerate that? I immediately let it be known that anything related to him has nothing to do with the Fu family. Others can do whatever they want with him. Handle him however they like. The Fu family will absolutely not step in or back him up.”
“I asked around a few days ago. The projects on him have all collapsed, collapsed or gone yellow. His company’s about to terminate his contract. Just watch. A perfectly good man refuses to be one, chooses to be another man’s kept lover. Trash like that, once he leaves the Fu family, he’s nothing. Not even worth a fart.”
Zhang Su’an hadn’t combed his hair or washed his face yet. He hadn’t even caught up on his parents’ messages, let alone known anything about Yuan Mian’s recent situation.
He was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. By the time he reacted, he had already splashed half a bottle of wine straight over Fu Second Uncle’s head.
With that, the scene naturally descended into chaos.
Many people had no idea why he suddenly erupted like this but considering that Zhang Su’an was now successful and his future looked bright, not many tried to restrain him. Instead, they turned around and held Fu Second Uncle back.
The details need not be elaborated. In the end, the gathering broke up on bad terms.
The moment it was over, Zhang Su’an called Yuan Mian.
Yuan Mian didn’t pick up.
He went online and searched for news about Yuan Mian.
There was no confirmed information online about Yuan Mian terminating his contract with his company but a drama that was supposed to start filming last month had indeed suddenly replaced its lead. Several of Yuan Mian’s accounts, accounts he had diligently and conscientiously maintained, had all stopped updating entirely. In the fan groups, there was a faint, turbulent sense of stagnation, as if Yuan Mian truly was about to withdraw from the industry.
What on earth had happened? Zhang Su’an genuinely couldn’t understand.
Just as his anxiety peaked, Yuan Mian’s call came through on its own.
The moment he spoke, his voice was unexpectedly light and cheerful. “Out of prison?”
Zhang Su’an said, “Someone’s messing with you?”
“Huh?”
“Otherwise why did you stop working?”
For all these years, Yuan Mian had been a tireless workhorse, his level of effort was enough to leave anyone speechless.
Yuan Mian didn’t answer his question. Instead, he asked, “Where are you?”
Zhang Su’an replied, “On the road. I’ll be home soon.”
Yuan Mian said he’d come find him. Zhang Su’an had wanted to see him anyway. After hanging up, he headed straight home. When he reached the front gate, he didn’t go inside but instead sat down by the fountain pool outside the large garden.
He hadn’t waited long when the roar of a noisy engine reached his ears. Turning around, he saw a custom-modified motorcycle, painted blazing red, speeding toward him.
It was Yuan Mian.
He was wearing a tight-fitting riding suit, a red helmet on his head, his entire presence refined and striking.
But something was different.
After getting off the bike neatly, he removed his helmet, revealing a mess of tousled hair. His skin was a bit darker than before, clearly tanned. There was a smile at the corner of his mouth and in his eyes was something Zhang Su’an hadn’t seen in a very long time,
So long, in fact, that Zhang Su’an froze for a moment before finding the right word for it.
Vitality.
Zhang Su’an’s words faltered, caught on that familiar yet unfamiliar sense of contradiction.
Yuan Mian, meanwhile, pulled out a warm, freshly roasted sweet potato from his jacket and handed it to him, urging, “Grown at home.”
“Since when do you have land to grow sweet potatoes?” Zhang Su’an thought he was joking but he ate it anyway.
While he ate, Yuan Mian told him he’d be participating in a motorcycle race in a few days.
Seeing his changed appearance, Zhang Su’an had already anticipated the answer and asked, “You’re really not acting anymore?”
“Yeah.”
“Just taking a break for now?”
“No. Forever. I’ve completely parted ways with the company. The contract’s already fully settled.”
As he spoke, Yuan Mian seemed to think of something and smiled, adding, “Don’t worry. I didn’t suffer a loss.”
Looking back on Yuan Mian’s acting career, the outcome could undoubtedly be called smooth.
But the process had been anything but, filled with hardship, never once easy or pleasant.
Fu Tianle had brought him into the industry and opened doors for him. To outsiders, that sounded enviable but how much real help it provided and how much invisible obstruction it caused for Yuan Mian, who desperately wanted to prove he could stand on his own, only Yuan Mian himself knew.
It was hard to deny that Yuan Mian’s success had something to do with Fu Tianle but compared to the slow, slicing torment he endured, that bit of borrowed light wasn’t even on the same scale.
Those who fawned over him because of his connection to Fu Tianle mocked him behind his back. Those unmoved by the Fu family’s name looked down on him openly. He swallowed contempt from all directions alone, studying and working relentlessly day and night, doing work he didn’t even like and in the end, when people spoke of him, what they still said was that he knew how to latch onto someone powerful.
“It was my own choice,” Yuan Mian said. “Feels damn good.”
Zhang Su’an laughed along with him. “You should’ve said so earlier!”
Then he added, “That’s good. That’s really good.”
The two of them sat together, meeting each other’s eyes, laughing until the moment grew quiet.
After a short pause, Yuan Mian’s expression grew more serious. He spoke up: “Su’an, there’s something I need to tell you.”
The words were about to leave his mouth,
When an unexpected visitor interrupted the dusky calm of the setting sun.
That Second Elder of the Fu family had chased all the way to the Zhang residence, intending to teach Zhang Su’an a lesson.
Originally, he’d come for Zhang Su’an but upon unexpectedly seeing Yuan Mian standing together with him, his target shifted immediately.
“So that’s how it is!”
He spoke as realization dawned on him, all while pointing an accusatory finger straight at Yuan Mian’s face.
His mouth was just about to spew filthy words,
When Yuan Mian suddenly kicked him straight into the fountain pool.
The incident happened so abruptly that Zhang Su’an had no time to react. He was utterly shocked. For one, Yuan Mian had long since ceased to be this kind of person. For another, considering Fu Second Uncle’s status, anything involving Fu Tianle had always been met by Yuan Mian with restraint and silence, time and time again.
“Perfect timing. I almost forgot about you.”
Zhang Su’an heard Yuan Mian say this. His mind was still spinning when Yuan Mian had already tossed aside his helmet, stepped into the pool, flipped Fu Second Uncle over onto all fours and mounted his back.
The water in the pool wasn’t deep, no matter the position, no one would drown but being ridden like a turtle, face-down in a fountain, one still had to crane their neck to avoid gulping water.
In that state, Fu Second Uncle’s face flushed red as he flailed wildly, screaming like a madman:
“Get off! Let go of me! Are you insane?!”
“Let go! Damn it! Help! Call the police!”
Fu Second Uncle had a few companions with him but unfortunately, several middle-aged men combined were no match for a young, strong, six-packed, 180-centimeter-tall Yuan Mian. By the time Fu Second Uncle managed to stand up again, two or three minutes had passed.
The time was short but more than enough for him to lose all dignity. His blood pressure nearly burst, his eyes rolling back as if he were about to pass out on the spot. Even when he shouted, his voice was hoarse and strained:
“Yuan Mian! You’re finished! You’re finished! I’m getting an injury assessment! I’m suing you!”
That night, Zhang Su’an finished the remaining half of the sweet potato at the police station. He deliberately stayed close, wanting to accompany Yuan Mian but circumstances didn’t allow it. He could only wait in the lobby outside.
That, at least, gave him the space to zone out, slipping uncontrollably into a daze.
In his haze, he thought: Yuan Mian… Yuan Mian has really changed.
That reckless look he’d had while beating Fu Second Uncle into submission, there was something almost boyish about it.
The daze only deepened.
As Zhang Su’an strained to figure out what could possibly have happened during the time he’d been away, another new visitor stepped into the police station.
A young man, dressed in light colors, exuding an air of wealth and refinement at first glance.
There was something rare about his bearing, just looking at him felt refreshing. His looks were easily on par with Yuan Mian’s. Zhang Su’an recognized him immediately.
Hu Guangtong.
Why would Hu Guangtong be here?
Zhang Su’an wasn’t afraid of Fu Second Uncle at all, nor was he worried about Yuan Mian having hit him. He even felt that if Fu Tianle proved useless, he himself might still be able to shield Yuan Mian but the moment his gaze met Hu Guangtong’s, he instinctively avoided eye contact, unwilling to have anything to do with him.
He didn’t know what kind of person Hu Guangtong was. Precisely because he didn’t know, he preferred not to take even the slightest risk.
That was the Hu family for you.
Don’t come over. Don’t talk to me.
But fate seemed determined to go against him, the more he wanted to avoid something, the more it came straight at him.
Zhang Su’an watched as Hu Guangtong finished a brief conversation with the officer on duty and then walked directly toward him. His head already started to ache. On the surface, however, he forced himself to greet him first, polite and cordial:
“Hello?”
“You’re Mr. Zhang Su’an, correct?”
Zhang Su’an smiled. “That’s me. You know me?”
Hu Guangtong extended his hand to him and smiled as well. “Mianmian has mentioned you before. He said he’s received a lot of care from you since childhood.”
Then he introduced himself: “Hello. I’m Yuan Mian’s fiancé.”
The introduction made me giggle like crazy!
✦ ✧ ✦
Fleurveil
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
You read the chapter. They wrestled with the words. Seems fair, no? (￣▽￣)
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Why don’t you go and keep him company?Chapter 2 · He opened the door and left without looking backChapter 3 · Why Hu Guangtong of all people?Chapter 4 · Have you broken up with Fu Tianle?Chapter 5 · Hello, I am Yuan Mian’s fiancé.Chapter 6 · You liked Hu Guangtong from the beginningChapter 7 · I want to spend the rest of my life with you.Chapter 8 · Have you seen Yuan Mian recently?Chapter 9 · Yuan Mian has already started talking to someone elseChapter 10 · He wasn’t Yuan Mian’s first love?Chapter 11 · Are you comparable to Hu Guangtong?Chapter 12 · Yuan Mian would certainly love Hu GuangtongChapter 13 · They’re going home together for dinnerChapter 14 · Extra 1Chapter 15 · Extra 2Chapter 16 · Extra 3