Bai Mao refused to pick up any call from an unfamiliar number.
Bai Jing’s voice was cold as he slid the newly bought SIM card out of the phone, “…Then what should we do?”
Bian Xiu frowned slightly and reached out to hold Bai Sheng’s hand beside her.
Bai Sheng’s fingers were icy cold, so cold they made her heart ache. Just thinking of him being wronged filled her with anger.
“I knew it,” she said, “Bai Mao grew up outside all those years, he definitely didn’t learn anything good. And now, look at him before we even went to him, he’s already gotten jealous of Bai Sheng. He must’ve whispered in Yu Xiangchen’s ear, stirring trouble and stealing Bai Sheng’s role… Heaven, our ShengSheng really has such a miserable life.”
Bai Jing paused, glancing at Bai Sheng.
He remembered clearly how Bai Sheng had once come to him, acting spoiled and pleading to join the entertainment industry, just to play a role.
Bai Jing couldn’t refuse his little brother and had personally contacted the director, so he knew exactly how things had really gone.
That drama
Bai Sheng noticed Bai Jing’s gaze. He hesitated, face pale, and whispered, “Mom, please don’t blame the second brother. This isn’t really his fault, it’s because of me…”
“Why are you still defending him?”
Bian Xiu immediately cut him off, shaking her head in disappointment. “ShengSheng, you always look at people through those kind, naive eyes of yours. You don’t understand. Besides, he’s not even part of the Bai family anymore! You don’t need to call him second brother.”
In her mind, although they hadn’t consulted Bai Mao before trying to match him with Yu Wantian, it had been for the good of the entire Bai family.
Yes, it was cruel to sacrifice a son, even a tiger wouldn’t eat its cubs, they’d done it out of necessity, not malice.
And besides, Yu Wantian wasn’t entirely worthless.
Following him meant food and clothes for life, a much better life than wandering alone all those years as an orphan.
What right did Bai Mao have to be dissatisfied?
And if he were really as innocent and upright as he claimed, he wouldn’t have clung to Yu Xiangchen’s thigh, nor would he be scheming like this, whispering into Yu Xiangchen’s ear.
That day after Bai Mao left, the Bai family had held a meeting to discuss what to do next.
Yu Xiangchen was too powerful. The entire Bai family wanted to curry favor with him, not oppose him.
Now that Bai Mao was with him, he was like a ticking time bomb planted inside the Bai family. Who knew when he might use Yu Xiangchen’s influence to retaliate?
After all, Bai Mao was the kind of person who could even hit his own brother, how much could he care about family ties?
So, the Bai family had stayed quiet these past few days, pretending nothing happened. They decided to act as if Bai Mao didn’t exist anymore.
They never imagined
That Bai Mao would actually use Yu Xiangchen’s backing to strike at Bai Sheng!
Bai Sheng was the child Bian Xiu had raised like a delicate treasure. She’d always been afraid he might melt in her hands or fall if she breathed too hard. And now he was being bullied?
It was simply unbearable.
“Mom, actually, about that drama…” Bai Sheng tried to explain again.
But before he could finish a sentence, Bian Xiu interrupted him once more.
“ShenSsheng,” she said, “How about this, Yu Wantian has always gotten along well with Yu Xiangchen, and he clearly likes you. Why don’t you talk to him about it? This role really suits you, and we can’t just let Bai Mao have his way. If we give in once or twice, he’ll think he can keep walking all over us. Are we Bai family members supposed to be bullied like this?”
Bai Sheng bit his lip.
A faint trace of irritation flashed through his eyes. “That doesn’t seem very appropriate…”
Yu Wantian? That spoiled young man? He didn’t want to get too close to him.
Just remembering the way he had looked at him during Old Master Yu’s birthday banquet made him uncomfortable.
He turned to Bai Jing with pleading eyes, the rims of his eyes growing moist. “Brother, what do you think I should do?”
“Forget it,” Bai Jing said softly, lowering his gaze, “I’ll find another big project for Shengsheng as compensation.”
Bai Sheng exhaled in relief, his expression softening. “That’s wonderful, thank you, brother.”
He stood up and gave a polite bow. “I really appreciate it.”
What… just happened?
Bai Mao was completely dumbfounded.
That role everyone had been fighting over, the one that was sure to make waves, had actually fallen back into his lap?
So that meant Bai Sheng, who had snatched the part away, wasn’t getting it after all?
Well, not that Bai Mao cared. With his protagonist aura, Bai Sheng would surely land an even better opportunity somewhere else. He didn’t need to worry about him.
Could this be the legendary “protectiveness” of a domineering CEO? So protective he’d even crush the white moonlight?
Holy sh… he loved it!
Bai Mao slapped palms with Xu Dongming excitedly.
Xu rubbed his hands together, grinning from ear to ear. “I don’t know what happened with that investor, but the director said they pulled their funding. Anyway, the role’s ours now! Haha!”
Bai Mao’s eyes curved into crescents. “Exactly!”
Xu suddenly frowned. “You didn’t go to find Mr. Yu, did you?”
Bai Mao blinked innocently, “Huh?”
Xu immediately filled in the blanks himself. “Of course not, of course not. Haha! I knew it! After all these years, our luck’s finally turning around! Aunt Wang! What’s for dinner tonight?”
Aunt Wang beamed, “Seeing you both so happy, I’ll make a big meal tonight!”
“Yay! let me help!” Xu shouted, rushing into the kitchen.
Bai Mao smiled to himself and headed to his bedroom to grab his phone.
He opened his chat with Yu Xiangchen and typed:
“Mr. Yu, I’ve got great news! The role that was stolen from me before, it’s been given back!”
He paused dramatically for two seconds before adding another line.
“Was it you who helped me?”
Yu Xiangchen was probably busy; there was no reply.
Bai Mao wasn’t in a hurry. He wandered back to the living room, joking and chatting with Xu Dongming and Aunt Wang until dinner was done.
After the noisy meal, he saw them off, and just then his phone buzzed.
Yu Xiangchen had replied: “Focus on acting.”
Huh.
That reply was… exceptionally proper.
Bai Mao pressed down on the voice message button and spoke, his voice trembling slightly.
“Mr. Yu, actually, after I vented to you that day, I regretted it immediately. I only managed to keep going because I was under your protection. I shouldn’t have asked for more. That drama was Bai Sheng’s role, after all. You’ve already done me such a huge favor, yet I have nothing to give back.
I’ve been thinking… if in this relationship I keep talking without giving anything in return, I’ll always feel uneasy. I’ll keep worrying you’ll leave me one day, and I won’t dare accept any more of your kindness.”
He paused, voice dropping even lower.
“I never deleted the part of our agreement about four times a week. So… maybe you could agree to it? It’d make me feel more at ease treating you as my support.”
A soft breath.
“Please.”
When the message was sent, Bai Mao grinned smugly. “All those acting lessons finally paid off.”
In the conference room, not everyone had arrived yet.
Yu Xiangchen walked to the head seat and had just sat down when three new WeChat messages popped up on his phone.
All voice messages.
He didn’t have his earphones with him, but he didn’t think Bai Mao would say anything inappropriate. So he tapped on the shortest one first.
And instantly, a breathy voice filled with a trembling plea echoed through the entire conference room:
“Please.”
Yu Xiangchen: “…”
The staff members sitting around, quietly organizing their materials, froze mid-action and turned to stare at him in unison.
What… was that?
Who was that voice?
Someone was… begging their boss?
And that voice..
Oh, wow.
Yu Xiangchen’s face remained unreadable.
The sound had… certain implications, but it didn’t prove anything.
He lowered his gaze, expression steady, and tapped the next message.
Bai Mao’s tone was naturally bright and clear, but in the recording he sounded fragile, almost heartbreakingly so. It triggered a dangerous urge to protect.
“About that four times a week agreement… ”
Yu Xiangchen’s eyebrows twitched sharply. He immediately tapped the screen to stop playback.
Silence.
The entire conference room went dead still.
Expression dark, Yu Xiangchen rose abruptly and strode out. His polished leather shoes struck the floor with clipped, rhythmic steps, each one faster than the last.
When the door closed behind him, muffling his footsteps, the team members finally exhaled collectively.
“Holy crap.”
“Did I just hear that right?”
“Who was that voice? Who’s sending those messages to the boss”
The room erupted into hushed chaos.
“Four times a week! Four times a week!” someone mouthed in disbelief.
Moments later, the door opened again without warning.
Yu Xiangchen stood there, eyes cool as a blade, scanning the room.
“Are you all that free?” he asked, voice low.
The entire team stiffened.
Everyone instantly ducked their heads, pretending to be deeply absorbed in their documents, not daring to breathe too loudly.
The meeting room once again became a picture of perfect peace as if absolutely nothing had happened.
Yu Xiangchen: “I don’t ever want to hear you mention things like ‘four times a week’ again. Focus entirely on your acting. I’ll support you in everything else, you don’t need to worry about anything.”
Bai Mao reread the message several times.
All men had certain needs. Unless
Bai Mao’s face fell.
Could it be that Yu Xiangchen, that impossibly handsome man who finally suited his taste, was still clinging to that pure, untouchable Bai Sheng?
What kind of twisted fate was this?
Was this what they called the “main character’s halo”?
Good grief, did this mean he was destined to have wealth, but never love?
Why did life have to be so unfair?
Bai Mao sighed dramatically.
Since Yu Xiangchen had made himself so clear, Bai Mao wasn’t going to throw himself at him again.
Over the next few days, the two low-budget productions Bai Mao had joined both started filming.
He sent Yu Xiangchen his schedule updates, then devoted himself entirely to work.
Time flew by. Three months passed in a blur, and by the end of the year, both shows had wrapped filming.
At the beginning of the month.
At two in the morning, Bai Mao took a red-eye flight back to Beicheng.
Dragging his suitcase, he headed straight for the Canary’s Cage residence.
When the car stopped downstairs, he yawned and said to Xu Dongming, “Brother, it’s so late. Go home already, your wife must be waiting for you.”
Xu hesitated.
Bai Mao waved him off. “Aunt Wang’s upstairs waiting for me.”
“Alright then.”
They were already at the door, what could possibly happen?
Relieved, Xu left.
The moment Bai Mao entered the apartment, he threw himself onto the big, soft bed, hugging a pillow and wailing, “Ugh, Aunt Wang, you have no idea what kind of torture I’ve been through these past three months! The hotel bed was so soft, I swear my back’s been killing me!”
Having heard he’d be home tonight, Aunt Wang had stayed up waiting. She clucked her tongue in sympathy, bringing him a tray of hot supper.
“My poor young master Bai,” she said, smiling, “three whole months of hardship! After you eat, I’ll give your shoulders a good massage before I go.”
“Okay, okay!” Bai Mao agreed immediately.
He was just about to get up and eat when his phone suddenly buzzed.
He glanced at the screen.
Yu Xiangchen: “Tiansheng Hotel. Presidential Suite 10022. Come.”
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Cresvynia
[Translator]
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ChaptersChapter 1 · A Nightmare or Reality?Chapter 2 · Yu family’s BanquetChapter 3 · I know your Secret..Chapter 4 · Becoming A Stand-InChapter 5 · Real IntentionChapter 6 · Yu XiangchenChapter 7 · Moved into new houseChapter 8 · Why he’s so perfect?!Chapter 9 · Role stolenChapter 10 · Four Times a WeekChapter 11 · Wrong Message?Chapter 12 · Flower protectorChapter 13 · Study MaterialChapter 14 Part 1 · I don’t have that kind of worldly desireChapter 14 Part 2 · I don’t have that kind of worldly desireChapter 15 · Four thousand yuan has arrived in AlipayChapter 16 · In the River?Chapter 17 · Boss like him, People would ready to do OvertimeChapter 18 · Does Mr. Yu have two faces?!Chapter 19 · Now we can begin to express our gratitude.Chapter 20 · Split Personality!Chapter 21 · Mr. Yu is busy and may not have time to comeChapter 22 · Call duration: 0:12Chapter 23 · He’s not Worth itChapter 24 · Mr Yu on film setChapter 25 · You can consider me if you decided to leave Mr. YuChapter 26 · Big Sister has unique hobbyChapter 27 · Really? I’m actually the young master of the Bai family?Chapter 28 · Bai Sheng is Pitiful?Chapter 29 · Someone took a picture of themChapter 30 · Your little one is hereChapter 31 · Mr. Yu asked me if I had a stiff neckChapter 32 · The little lucky butterfly’s wings flutteredChapter 33 · Mr. Yu, you came here just once at the beginningChapter 34 · The door wasn’t lockedChapter 35 · You’re an adult nowChapter 36 · Are rooms still available by scrambling?Chapter 37 · I’m definitely going to watch this variety show!Chapter 38 · Who asked Bai Sheng for money to support Bai Mao?Chapter 39 · How many zeros are there?Chapter 40 · You have to be careful with your methodsChapter 41 · Let’s get MarriedChapter 42 · I’m obviously just coveting your body!Chapter 43 · Does what we’re doing count as Sneaking?Chapter 44 · You want to change rooms?Chapter 45 · Isn’t Bai Sheng’s scheming way too deep?Chapter 46 · Mr. Yu in front of me has become calm and composedChapter 47 · You care a lot about Yu Yutian?Chapter 48 · Bai Sheng has found someoneChapter 49 · How to fall in loveChapter 50 · Uncle Long LegsChapter 51 · Bai Mao, I’m a little scaredChapter 52 · I simply told them the truthChapter 53 · That was far too mercilessChapter 54 · Your fans mention it in your fan forumChapter 55 · In your dreamsChapter 56 · Hello, UncleChapter 57 · Verified account had repliedChapter 58 · Maomao, you don’t need to be afraid of themChapter 59 · What a headacheChapter 60 · It’s a bit… tragicChapter 61 · I’m waiting for you at homeChapter 62 · That’s just too much!Chapter 63 · Is this watch really that expensive?Chapter 64 · Tian CityChapter 65 · They’re easy to get along with.Chapter 66 · Want to have a relationship with marriage in mind?Chapter 67 · Is this the joy of being someone’s “little uncle”?Chapter 68 · Has the protagonist finally figured it out?Chapter 69 · I miss youChapter 70 · That whole family is something else.Chapter 71 · Then comfort meChapter 72 · What about sincerity?Chapter 73 · There’s also 10% of the company’s sharesChapter 74 · So called conservativeChapter 75 · I thought you’d be walking with a limpChapter 76 · They’ve been brainwashedChapter 77 · We got marriedChapter 78 · CongratulationsChapter 79 · You already knew it was me?Chapter 80 · You look very good in a shirtChapter 81 · Did you used to like Bai Sheng?Chapter 82 · I never liked himChapter 83 · Uncle is super niceChapter 84 · Extra 1Chapter 85 · Extra 2Chapter 86 · Extra 3