Chapter 31 – Burden
Netizens left a flurry of comments.
“Oh my god, even Director Ruan has spoken up. Suddenly, I’m looking forward to seeing this actor.”
“I agree with the person above. The acting in the GIF looks pretty genuine, not as terrible as people online were saying. Besides, who in the entertainment industry hasn’t paid their way a few times?”
“Director Ruan is a big deal. I trust his judgment!”
“I’ve seen my share of fair-weather fans, but I’ve never seen any switch sides this fast. I’ve had a taste of this Xiao Fang’s acting, and sorry, but I still doubt his abilities!”
“I’ll be an anti-fan of Xiao Fang for life. Just because he has a little money, he thinks he can tarnish such a high-quality production.”
“He’s not even that good-looking. I don’t know where he gets the confidence to be a pretty face.”
“This Ruan Tan is pretty funny, too. Any fool knows not to look at someone else’s payment records. He’s just putting on a high-and-mighty act!”
“I bet he took the money. I’ll bet a bag of spicy chips on it!”
“Can the person above watch their mouth? Just because you’re a scumbag, don’t assume everyone else is like you!”
“There are so many trolls online these days. Ugh!”
***
The online sentiment was now split half-and-half, but the prevailing trend was in support of Ruan Tan and Xiao Fang. For the time being, the online storm had been suppressed.
Xiao Fang stared at his phone. To be honest, more than being cleared of the accusations, he was curious about who was helping him. He had no real connection to Ruan Tan, and from what he knew of the director, he wasn’t the type to go out of his way to help others. Besides Ruan Tan, who else could it be? Xiao Fang considered many possibilities but couldn’t pinpoint who it was.
“Xiao Fang? Xiao Fang?” Wen An’an’s voice pulled him back to reality. Xiao Fang returned the phone to her.
Wen An’an looked at him, puzzled. “Director Ruan did you such a huge favor. Why do you still look a little unhappy?”
Xiao Fang managed a smile. Some things couldn’t be resolved just by discussing them with Wen An’an. “I’m very happy, just a bit surprised is all. I don’t have any scenes this afternoon, and this morning was exhausting, so I’m going to head out. If you need anything, you can message me.”
Wen An’an knew that Xiao Fang had filmed many fight scenes that morning. Although she wanted to chat with him a little longer, she saw the fatigue on his face and relented, telling him to get some good rest.
As soon as Xiao Fang and his assistant arrived at the hotel, Que Jiang went straight to the hotel kitchen as if he owned the place. Xiao Ma had wanted to follow Xiao Fang, but a few words from Xiao Fang sent him to help Que Jiang instead. Xiao Fang had a strong feeling that Director Ruan, or someone else, would be calling him very soon.
Xiao Fang returned to his room, walked over to his mini-fridge out of habit, and pulled out some beef jerky, which he began to chew on with satisfying chomps. After changing into his comfortable slippers, he sat on the sofa and scrolled through Weibo.
The situation online was much better than before. Many people had come out to speak up for him, largely due to Ruan Tan’s influence, and the controversy was gradually dying down.
Xiao Fang’s long fingers swiped quickly through the posts, then suddenly stopped at one comment.
AlsoLovesTheGreenGreenGrasslandsToday: Xiao Fang is super sweet in person! A few months ago, I ran into him at a barbecue stall near my school and asked for his autograph. He even wished me luck on my exams~
“The person above must be part of Xiao Fang’s paid water army. That sounds so fake!”
“Heh, you’re just jealous. Sour grapes~”
“Same as above!”
“What a scumbag!”
AlsoLovesTheGreenGreenGrasslandsToday: Here’s a pic for proof! #Image#
The picture showed Xiao Fang’s signature, with a small line of his handwriting above it: “Good luck on your exams.”
This post won over the neutral netizens. With photographic evidence, the tide of public opinion quickly drowned out the initial malicious comments.
Xiao Fang smiled sincerely. What could reveal true kindness better than receiving help in one’s hour of need? He silently gave the comment a “like.”
Just after he liked it, his phone vibrated. An unfamiliar number was calling. Xiao Fang answered without hesitation and said a polite, “Hello?”
“Is this Xiao Fang?” A somewhat languid voice, tinged with a youthful crispness, sounded in his ear. Xiao Fang knew who it was immediately.
“Hello, Director Ruan. Thank you for helping me out of that situation today,” Xiao Fang said with genuine gratitude. His tone was devoid of any frivolity, respectfully and thankfully presenting his appreciation to Ruan Tan without being obsequious or overbearing.
Hearing this, Ruan Tan’s displeasure lessened. When Zhang Yuanxiao had called him about the bill from their last visit to the Sandalwood Hotel, the price of repayment had been to speak up for a minor supporting actor in his next film. It was something he normally wouldn’t have bothered with, as it would only attract trouble for himself. But the terms were set, so Ruan Tan had reluctantly agreed, feeling vaguely annoyed. As expected, playboys were all the same—fickle and unfaithful!
“It’s nothing. I was just fulfilling a request. This issue is resolved for now, but in the end, you’ll have to rely on your own abilities to solve future problems. I hope you won’t disappoint me.” Ruan Tan’s voice sounded cold, even a little unhappy.
Xiao Fang thought for a moment before quickly agreeing. “Of course, Director Ruan. I’ll work hard. But, may I ask you a question?”
Ruan Tan frowned but didn’t refuse. “Go ahead.”
“Who asked you to help me?” Xiao Fang asked. He needed to have a clear picture of the situation.
Ruan Tan raised an eyebrow. So he still doesn’t know who his backer is? Oh well, whoever Zhang Yuanxiao was messing with had nothing to do with him. “Zhang Yuanxiao.” After saying the name, Ruan Tan added that he was busy and hung up.
Xiao Fang stared at the dial tone on his phone, his mind blanking for a moment before he started searching for the name.
Zhang Yuanxiao. The Sandalwood Hotel. Fei Xiangnan’s childhood friend.
So it was President Fei who had helped him. He never thought Fei Xiangnan would bother with this kind of online issue for him.
Xiao Fang stared at his phone in a daze, his feelings complicated. Was Fei Xiangnan helping him because he was carrying his child, so he didn’t want him to be under any psychological pressure?
After pondering for a while, his stomach started to growl, so he reached for the beef jerky again and began to chew. His cheeks puffed out rhythmically as he chewed, his thumb swiping aimlessly across the dark screen. His heart was a whirlwind of mixed emotions.
Knock, knock, knock. “Young Master Xiao, it’s time to eat,” Que Jiang called from outside the door.
Xiao Fang immediately put down the jerky and got up to open the door.
Having just eaten beef jerky, Xiao Fang faintly smelled of meat, a scent Que Jiang picked up with a single sniff.
“No snacks half an hour before a meal. It’s bad for your digestion.” The words were caring, but the tone was anything but. It was a reprimand.
Xiao Fang grinned and took the lunchbox. “I only had a little bit.”
Que Jiang sighed. Xiao Fang was incredibly difficult to manage. He simply said, “Don’t let it happen again,” and turned to leave. Recently, he and Xiao Ma had been eating in the hotel’s main dining hall, so they no longer had lunch or dinner with Xiao Fang.
“Que Jiang, wait a second,” Xiao Fang called out before he left. “Was it President Fei who helped this time?”
Que Jiang never concealed things. Besides, President Fei was in the middle of pursuing someone; he couldn’t just do good deeds without taking credit. As a god-tier wingman, how could he slow down the progress!
“Yes.”
After getting a firm answer, Xiao Fang deflated like a popped balloon. Even the little tuft of hair on his head seemed to droop. He looked utterly pitiful.
Alarm bells rang in Que Jiang’s mind. “Is there a problem?”
Xiao Fang gave a helpless smile. “It’s nothing. I just feel like I’m troubling President Fei too much over such a small matter.”
Que Jiang didn’t know how to handle this little ancestor. Hadn’t Xiao Fang noticed anything fishy during President Fei’s birthday? Besides, he had given President Fei a son; this was the kind of thing he should be able to ask for. Yet, Xiao Fang was still drawing such a clear line between them. President Fei’s pursuit was proving to be incredibly difficult.
Que Jiang didn’t know what else to say, so he could only offer, “Don’t overthink it. For President Fei, this is just a trivial matter.”
Xiao Fang nodded, but his expression was still heavy with worry as he closed the door.
He ate his lunch distractedly, then stared at his phone for a long time before finally making up his mind.
The call connected, and Fei Xiangnan’s familiar, pleasant voice came through, asking his usual questions about Xiao Fang’s food and lodging. An indescribable feeling washed over Xiao Fang. He knew Fei Xiangnan’s attitude had changed since his birthday. He had become very concerned about him, and even though he had been concerned before, the details were completely different now.
“President Fei,” Xiao Fang began hesitantly, finally bringing up the matter. “Thank you for getting Director Ruan to speak up for me.”
“Que Jiang told you?” Fei Xiangnan mentally praised his subordinate.
“Yes,” Xiao Fang nodded, his eyebrows drooping. “Actually, you don’t need to go to so much trouble for such a small thing. You’re so busy, you don’t need to spend so much effort on me.”
The underlying meaning was that Xiao Fang felt their relationship didn’t require such favors; it was purely a transactional one.
“You celebrated my birthday for me and even caught a cold. This is my return gift, and an apology. You don’t need to feel burdened.” Fei Xiangnan had more or less figured out Xiao Fang’s temperament. This approach was more effective than being direct.
Hearing that it was a return gift, the burden in Xiao Fang’s heart indeed lightened considerably. He was someone who had been alone his whole life, and the one thing he disliked most was owing others.
Fei Xiangnan gripped his phone, his eyes holding an undisguisable craving. An impulse was about to burst forth, but he managed to restrain it just as it reached its limit.
“President Fei, have you been busy with work lately? Are you still working overtime every day?”
Xiao Fang’s concerned voice came through the phone. Fei Xiangnan forcefully pushed aside his growing thoughts and said gently, “I haven’t been as busy recently. I usually get off work on time. By the way, I’ve added some more plants to the rooftop garden, all of which are harmless to pregnant individuals. Your filming is almost done, so you can go up there to sunbathe and trim the plants often.”
At the mention of the rooftop garden, Xiao Fang immediately perked up. “Really? I can plant my own flowers? Are there succulents?”
In his previous world, he had always loved planting these resilient plants. Succulents were not only cute but also propagated easily and didn’t die easily. They were Xiao Fang’s favorite.
Fei Xiangnan was taken aback by the word “succulent,” but his quick thinking allowed him to respond smoothly. “Yes, I bought a few of every variety. The nanny is taking care of them for now, so you can take over easily later.”
“Okay!”
Hearing the excitement in his voice, Fei Xiangnan’s expression softened as much as it possibly could. In reality, there were no succulents in the rooftop garden, only very ornamental flowers like daffodils, magnolias, and crabapples. So, Xiao Fang liked succulents.
After hanging up, Fei Xiangnan specifically looked up succulents. They were small, like little beans—tender, yet strong. They were a lot like Xiao Fang.
“Hello, Assistant Chen. Help me order some succulents online. Yes, a few of every variety.” The image of a heavily pregnant Xiao Fang lovingly tending to his succulents in the future completely erased the bit of disappointment Fei Xiangnan had been feeling.