Chapter 6 – A Strange Trait
“Young Master Xiao, I’m just a bodyguard,” Que Jiang said, taking a few steps back. Despite his inner surprise, he couldn’t cross the line on the surface.
“Don’t be such a stranger,” Xiao Fang said with a sycophantic smile, pushing the chair a little closer to Que Jiang.
“It’s really not about being a stranger, Young Master Xiao. No, you should be Madam Fei now. This is my job,” Que Jiang said calmly, taking another step back.
“Don’t be like that, Brother Que, sit. Everyone knows you’re President Fei’s right-hand man. I admire President Fei, and I admire your first-class work ethic even more. Please allow me to express my admiration,” Xiao Fang said, laying it on even thicker.
Que Jiang couldn’t help but get goosebumps.
“In front of outsiders, I can only suppress the surging admiration in my heart, but let’s not hide it when we’re in private.” Xiao Fang considerately placed the chair behind Que Jiang.
Que Jiang’s eyelids twitched violently. If he had such a pretentious subordinate, he would have kicked them away long ago. But this person was a third gender, and a third gender carrying President Fei’s child at that.
Que Jiang suddenly grabbed the chair from Xiao Fang’s hands. “Young Master Xiao, you’re carrying the Fei family’s child. You should rest more. I’ll be outside.”
After saying that, Que Jiang left as if he were fleeing.
Xiao Fang sighed as he watched his retreating back. His endurance was still too poor. President Fei’s ability to accept things was much stronger.
Xiao Fang didn’t push his luck. After a good rest at noon, he threw himself into his work in the afternoon. The director planned to finish filming Wen An’an’s scenes before moving on to his and Zhang Hang’s. So, Xiao Fang sat on a folding chair on the side, taking a short nap.
Que Jiang looked at Xiao Fang, who was feigning sleep with his eyes closed, and dialed Fei Xiangnan’s number.
“How is he?” Fei Xiangnan didn’t like to waste time and got straight to the point.
“He’s in good condition. There’s an actress in the crew who doesn’t like him, but he pretty much handled it himself. It’s just…” Que Jiang didn’t know how to describe it.
“Too pretentious and fawning?” Fei Xiangnan hit the nail on the head.
Que Jiang managed a difficult “yes.” When the young master was born, he would be the first to object to Xiao Fang teaching the child. He was worried the young master would learn to light cigarettes for the crew members. It would be too embarrassing.
“Just let him be. The more you go against him, the more he’ll act up,” Fei Xiangnan said with an understanding look, then added, “He’s not as simple as he seems on the inside. As long as he doesn’t do anything too out of line, just let him be. Report to me if anything happens, and remember to keep an eye on him and don’t let him eat junk food.”
“Understood.” After hanging up, Que Jiang looked at Xiao Fang thoughtfully. What kind of magic did this person possess to make the boss go to such lengths? He wasn’t even half as good-looking as his brother, and he lacked the proper arrogance. His most outstanding quality was being a coward.
As if sensing the gaze from afar, Xiao Fang opened his eyes and happened to meet Que Jiang’s. Xiao Fang naturally revealed a smile.
Que Jiang’s heart skipped a beat, but he just nodded politely on the surface.
This person… what was he really like on the inside?
“Cut!” This was the nth time the director had called a stop. He thought Wen An’an had performed well, but the little princess herself was not satisfied. He looked apologetically at Xiao Fang, who was sitting on the side.
“Sorry, Young Master Xiao, this might take a while. Why don’t you go back to the hotel and rest for a bit?”
Xiao Fang shook his head. He had been watching Wen An’an’s scene the whole time. Over a dozen takes, she had tried several different acting methods, incorporating various emotions. It reminded him of his time in university. A professor had given them an assignment, but no one could grasp the emotion the professor wanted. He refused to give up and practiced in front of a mirror in the performance room all night, but he was still a little off.
The professor admired his effort and kept him behind to teach him the most important emotion. He performed it again, and finally saw a satisfied expression on the professor’s face. That lesson was something he would never forget.
Xiao Fang sighed, stood up from his chair, and walked towards Wen An’an.
Wen An’an looked at him warily. “What, you want to mock me again?”
“Have you ever really thought about what kind of person the princess is?” Xiao Fang’s face showed a rare seriousness.
“Huh?” Wen An’an was a bit slow to react.
“A prosperous country for many years, yet the monarch has only one daughter. He trains her like a man every day, teaching her how to bring peace and prosperity to the nation, how to be a good ruler, how to balance political power. She lost the things other princesses love, but she gained a far more important treasure: herself. She has an independent mind, immense power. She came to the empire to unify the government. She has great ability. Such a strong person would never let a few hooligans disturb her emotions. She is here to rule a country, not save one,” Xiao Fang said, word by word.
“That’s why… a woman who is so strong and confident is the one I would fall for without reservation.” When Xiao Fang said the last sentence, he smiled again. That overflowing affection was the very thing that had crushed her this morning.
Wen An’an couldn’t curse anymore. She even felt a little excited.
“Director, one more take, the last one!” Wen An’an said.
Director Hu looked at Xiao Fang in surprise. He had only said a few words and had already persuaded this little princess. Young Master Xiao’s methods were impressive.
Xiao Fang sat back down. This time, he focused his gaze seriously on Wen An’an.
It was the same group of hooligans. Wen An’an stood in the same spot, but her eyes had lost some of their girlish weakness and gained a heroic air. She curled her lips into a smile, but it held a new, intimidating quality.
“How dare you all do such disgraceful things in the middle of the street?”
“Who… who do you think you are, meddling in my business? If you know what’s good for you, then… then get lost!” For some reason, the extra delivering the same lines had lost his earlier confidence. The delicate young lady in front of him had suddenly changed her aura.
The princess raised her fist and declared boldly, “It’s time to let scum like you see what this young lady is capable of.”
The princess’s eyes shone with the determination to win. The formidable enemy before her seemed not even worthy of her attention. “Peace and prosperity are the people’s wish. How can a few of you be allowed to ruin the atmosphere?”
Strong, confident, beautiful.
When the director, in an amazed tone, called “Cut!”, Wen An’an’s gaze fell on Xiao Fang. That person was still smiling. This time, he was smiling at her.
It seemed like it had been a long time since she had seen such an affirming smile.
“Mmph,” Wen An’an covered her nose.
“An’an, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?” her assistant immediately went over.
“It’s nothing!” Wen An’an pulled away from everyone. “I’m tired. I don’t have any more scenes. I’m going to rest now.”
Only then did everyone relax.
“Then let’s start with Young Master Xiao and Zhang Hang,” the director said.
Xiao Fang stood up and followed everyone to the next scene. Que Jiang remembered that the lunchbox was still in the dressing room and turned to get it. When he reached the hallway, he heard loud sobbing. He immediately looked over cautiously.
A person was leaning there, crying her eyes out with a tissue in hand. Her assistant stood by, at a loss for what to do.
But from this angle, Que Jiang saw the corners of her mouth turn up.
It was Wen An’an.
Que Jiang suddenly felt that his madam was not useless. Not only was she not useless, she was even stronger than most people.
The afternoon scene with Zhang Hang went very smoothly. Zhang Hang’s professional skills truly amazed Xiao Fang. He didn’t seem like someone who had just graduated from the film academy at all. His technique was skilled, and he knew how to create appropriate dramatic moments. Xiao Fang couldn’t help but marvel at the new generation of talent.
By the time they wrapped up, the director was full of praise for him, probably ecstatic on the inside. A drama he had no hopes for was now being taken more seriously by the director because of the three main actors. He had to win an award this time, no matter what.
“Is everyone free later? My cousin is visiting me today. He’s booked a few tables at the Sandalwood Hotel. Anyone who’s free can come and join,” Zhang Hang dropped a bombshell just as they were about to finish.
The Sandalwood Hotel? That was a five-star hotel in the area. Countless people couldn’t even get a reservation. And this guy had booked several tables at once.
Director Hu was already starting to regret it. This was probably another big shot with a powerful background. Why hadn’t he made it clear before?
With the Sandalwood Hotel on the table, who could refuse?
Based on the principle of not offending anyone, Xiao Fang naturally chose to go. He repeatedly assured Que Jiang that he would not eat any greasy food, and only then did Que Jiang reluctantly agree. And so, the group went to the Sandalwood Hotel in a grand procession.
While in the car, Que Jiang finally figured out who was unhappy with him.
“Xiao Ma, my assistant. He’s a good person. You two should get along,” Xiao Fang introduced them naturally.
Que Jiang impolitely extended his hand. “Please take care of me.”
Xiao Ma sized up Que Jiang for a good while before finally extending his small, fair hand. They shook for no more than three seconds before he let go.
“Please take care of me,” the reply was stiff.
Que Jiang deliberately ignored this hostility. After all, there was always some tension between colleagues. But this kid’s hand was quite soft. He wondered if he was even an adult yet.
Xiao Fang clearly saw Xiao Ma’s displeasure. He cleared his throat to break the awkwardness in the RV. “Xiao Ma, pour me a glass of… uh, pear juice.” Catching Que Jiang’s gaze, Xiao Fang changed the word “wine” that was on the tip of his tongue.
Xiao Ma happily took out freshly squeezed pear juice from the small fridge and poured it for Xiao Fang, giving Que Jiang a triumphant look to let him know who held the highest position in Brother Xiao’s heart.
Que Jiang’s expression said: I don’t want to play along with these two idiots.
“By the way, Brother Xiao, I didn’t know Zhang Hang was so rich. What’s his cousin’s background?”
“I don’t know. His family must be quite rich,” Xiao Fang said. He really didn’t know anything more. After all, the original owner’s part in the story ended when he kidnapped Xiao Qi. He could only guess at the relationships of the characters who appeared later.
“But no matter what rich second generation he is, it has nothing to do with us. Just don’t offend him,” Xiao Fang maintained his attitude of not offending anyone.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated. Xiao Fang opened it and saw a reply from Fei Xiangnan.
Don’t be so polite to everyone. I’m your only master.
Oh my god, why was this sentence so thrilling? As Xiao Fang reveled in the thrill, he fell into deep thought. Was he developing some kind of strange trait?