Chapter 36 – Omen
Yan Yunyang had a rare day off, so he made a special trip to Lin City to pick up Xiao Qi. His original plan was for the two of them to spend a wonderful weekend together, but one look at Xiao Qi’s expression told him things had changed.
Xiao Qi got into the car with a cold face, slamming the door shut without even acknowledging the assistant behind him. His handsome face had lost its usual radiance due to his expression.
Yan Yunyang drove for a short distance before asking, “What’s wrong?”
Xiao Qi took a deep breath. He didn’t bother hiding much from Yan Yunyang. Yan Yunyang was the person who understood him best, and he, in turn, understood Yan Yunyang best.
“Xiao Fang was cast as a supporting character in Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Spicy.”
Yan Yunyang hummed in acknowledgment. The matter had been trending online, so it was impossible for him not to know. But since Xiao Fang had helped him, he naturally wasn’t going to get involved.
Seeing Yan Yunyang’s reaction, Xiao Qi grew even more annoyed. “You know that with his skill level, he absolutely couldn’t have gotten in, right?”
Yan Yunyang and Xiao Fang had attended the same university; his lack of talent was known throughout the entire department.
“Are you saying he got in through connections?”
Talking to a smart person always saved time. Xiao Qi’s brow relaxed slightly, but his resentment surged. “I’ve worked hard since college to finally have the honor of acting in Director Ruan’s film, and yet Xiao Fang gets in through connections again. I can’t accept this!” As he spoke, Xiao Qi’s eyes reddened.
Seeing this, Yan Yunyang’s heart softened. He knew how hard Xiao Qi worked. It just so happened they were at a red light, so he leaned over and kissed Xiao Qi. “I know you work hard. You’re the lead, he’s a supporting character. What are you afraid of? Just perform to the best of your ability. Don’t forget, my Xiao Qi is the youngest third-gender Film Emperor to date.”
Hearing Yan Yunyang’s praise, Xiao Qi’s mood finally improved. He started talking about Xiao Fang’s financial backer. “Do you know who got Director Ruan to speak up for him? It was Fei Xiangnan. I warned Xiao Fang not to provoke Fei Xiangnan before, but now they’re actually together. He has no idea how terrifying a person Fei Xiangnan is, thinking he’s landed some amazing sponsor just because he got a supporting role.”
Xiao Qi had been prepared for Fei Xiangnan’s name to cause a huge reaction, but the man himself merely nodded, his expression unchanging.
“Aren’t you surprised?” Xiao Qi asked, astonished.
Yan Yunyang just glanced at him, and Xiao Qi understood. He gritted his teeth and said, “You knew all along, didn’t you?”
Yan Yunyang looked at him, completely unfazed. “You knew too, didn’t you? Did you tell me?”
A lump of anger got stuck in Xiao Qi’s throat.
Yan Yunyang liked Xiao Qi, but not to the point of indulging his every whim. They were just dating; he hadn’t adopted Xiao Qi as his father. Even if he had run away from home, he was still the most precious heir of the Yan Family. Naturally, he hadn’t learned how to coddle someone at every turn, which was why the two of them could get into arguments over the slightest disagreement.
“You’re just going to let this happen?” Xiao Qi fought to keep his tone from becoming too aggressive.
Yan Yunyang looked at the road ahead. “In this matter, it’s not just Xiao Fang; we benefited too. If Fei Xiangnan were to target us now, we wouldn’t be able to resist. So, in this matter, Xiao Fang did indeed help us. In the future, as long as his affairs don’t involve us, stay out of it.”
“Heh,” Xiao Qi laughed self-deprecatingly, the hatred in his eyes impossible to hide. “Stay out of it? How am I inferior to him? We’re both Father’s children, yet I’m targeted by him every day. Every one of his good friends at school bullied me. When we got to university, he tried every trick to steal my boyfriend and spread rumors about me. I’ve endured it for over a decade, Yan Yunyang, and now you’re telling me to stay out of it? Does he think getting together with Fei Xiangnan is some great accomplishment? He gets resources so easily. What about me? Which one of my achievements didn’t I earn myself!” Xiao Qi had been suppressing his feelings since childhood, wanting nothing more than to drag this self-righteous brother of his down to hell.
Screech!
Yan Yunyang’s car came to a sudden halt. He said in an extremely sarcastic tone, “So you’re saying you regret being with me? That you get no resources, and you’d be better off with Fei Xiangnan?”
Tears immediately streamed down Xiao Qi’s face. He, who always appeared before others as a cold and aloof character, couldn’t help but cry in front of Yan Yunyang.
“You think I’m that kind of person?”
Only then did Yan Yunyang snap out of his anger, but he remained silent.
“I’ve been set on you since university, and you think of me like this?” The hatred in Xiao Qi’s eyes was palpable. He clenched his fists, his breathing hitched. “Fine, then. Let’s break up. Just consider me blind.” Xiao Qi was about to open the car door when Yan Yunyang pulled him into an embrace.
“Xiao Qi, you know I didn’t mean that. I hate him too, but now is really not the time. When I’m strong enough, I will definitely get back all the grievances you’ve suffered over the years, okay?” Yan Yunyang’s pleasant voice made a promise that brought Xiao Qi immense peace of mind.
Xiao Qi clutched Yan Yunyang’s clothes tightly, the sense of crisis repeatedly testing his limits.
“I know what to do. I definitely won’t interfere with your career, don’t worry.”
A strange feeling rose in Yan Yunyang’s heart, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.
***
Today, Xiao Fang’s home welcomed two guests he never would have expected. When he opened the door, he was wearing the Minions onesie Fei Xiangnan had bought for him, looking as childish as could be. There was even a milk mustache on his upper lip, giving him a dazed and cute appearance.
“Pfft.” Zhang Yuanxiao couldn’t hold back his laughter and turned his face away. Ruan Tan, on the other hand, just stared blankly. At first, when Zhang Yuanxiao had told him, he hadn’t believed it at all. But seeing him in person, he had to accept that it was true.
“Director… Director Ruan? What are you doing here?” Xiao Fang couldn’t process the situation.
Zhang Yuanxiao threw an arm around Ruan Tan. “My wife. Hello, sister-in-law.”
Ruan Tan shoved him away in disgust, but Zhang Yuanxiao shamelessly stuck to him again.
Xiao Fang’s brain short-circuited.
“Xiao Fang, who is it?” Fei Xiangnan, dressed in gray loungewear, came from behind. Seeing these two, his expression immediately soured. He shielded Xiao Fang behind him like a mother hen protecting her chick.
“What are you doing here?” His tone was full of the intention to drive them away.
Zhang Yuanxiao smiled, completely unbothered. “Isn’t it because my partner here doesn’t believe in my innocence? I came to prove it.”
From behind Fei Xiangnan, Xiao Fang cast a gossipy glance at Ruan Tan.
Ruan Tan stood up straight. “I’m not! I didn’t!”
Xiao Fang more or less understood Ruan Tan’s tsundere nature.
“Since you’re here, come in. I just made afternoon tea,” Xiao Fang invited warmly.
Zhang Yuanxiao pulled Ruan Tan along and shamelessly slipped inside, leaving behind a Fei Xiangnan who was about to puff up like an angry pufferfish.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at you. Didn’t I tell you a long time ago to get rid of this broken staircase? The upstairs is in such a state. This isn’t like you at all!” Zhang Yuanxiao said, sitting down on the sofa very naturally and looking at the spiral staircase in the middle of the room.
Fei Xiangnan drank his coffee, his expression unchanging, and said something that would infuriate anyone to death, “You must have lost your mind and can’t think straight. The upstairs is like spring all year round, same as always.”
“Heh, you’re the one who’s lost his mind.” Before Zhang Yuanxiao could counter, Ruan Tan’s sharp tongue delivered another blow.
Xiao Fang looked at Zhang Yuanxiao sympathetically.
Zhang Yuanxiao: …I don’t need your sympathy! Ahhh!
Clutching his wounded little heart, Zhang Yuanxiao said, “Well, then, let me go up and see if the design is as good as the rooftop restaurant at the Sandalwood.”
“Sorry, there’s no room for you.” Fei Xiangnan rejected his friend’s suggestion with great disdain. The rooftop was his and Xiao Fang’s prime dating spot.
“It’s just two chairs short, right? No problem, I’ll move two up. President Fei, you bring the afternoon tea. The sunlight up there is perfect right now, and the view is great.” Xiao Fang deftly picked up two chairs and, despite his four-month belly, attempted to go upstairs. This was, of course, intercepted by Fei Xiangnan, who, with a dark face, carried the two chairs upstairs himself.
Zhang Yuanxiao had never seen Fei Xiangnan so flustered before. He immediately put on what he considered to be his most beautiful smile, walked up, and took Xiao Fang’s hand, saying sincerely, “Sister-in-law, you really know how to handle your man!”
Xiao Fang: Huh? What? I don’t! Don’t talk nonsense!!!
Although Zhang Yuanxiao seemed like a player on the surface, he was fortunately solid on the inside. Upholding his gentlemanly code, he personally brought the afternoon tea upstairs, along with four cups of coffee.
“Mm, this design is not bad,” Ruan Tan praised sincerely after looking around.
Fei Xiangnan took a business card out of his pocket. “This is a discount only top-floor users can enjoy. If you combine the two floors, you’ll get an even bigger discount. If Director Ruan is interested, you can contact the manager for this area. I’ll give you a discount on top of the discount.”
Ruan Tan took it with interest. People like them, who were in the arts, loved these kinds of exquisite environments. It was like an oasis in the city.
Zhang Yuanxiao watched from the side, grinding his teeth. Why was it that when he offered to give Ruan Tan an entire hotel, Ruan Tan had looked completely uninterested!
Xiao Fang quietly ate his cake on the side, not wanting to interrupt President Fei’s business talk. When he felt a bit dry, he reached for the coffee next to him, but his hand was gently slapped by Fei Xiangnan.
“That’s coffee. I’ll get you milk instead.” Fei Xiangnan picked up the coffee cup.
Zhang Yuanxiao, seeing his friend acting like a model stay-at-home husband, couldn’t stand it. “He’s not a growing child, why does he need to drink milk? Right, sister-in-law?”
“Um,” Xiao Fang didn’t know if he should say it or not.
“He’s pregnant. He can’t drink this stuff,” Fei Xiangnan said directly, his tone carrying a hint of pride.
If he hadn’t been reminded, Zhang Yuanxiao would have almost forgotten. This was a father-to-be. But seriously, was it really okay to show off like this?
Ruan Tan, however, was completely stunned. Zhang Yuanxiao hadn’t told him about this part. Pregnancies weren’t uncommon these days, but this was the first time he had seen a pregnant third-gender person. He himself was a third-gender, but right now, he was not at all ready to be a father.
Being stared at by Ruan Tan like that, Xiao Fang felt a little shy. When Fei Xiangnan went downstairs, he felt even shyer. Was it really okay for such a famous director to be staring at his belly?
“Can I touch it?” Ruan Tan asked, looking at the slightly protruding belly with great curiosity.
“You can,” Xiao Fang said softly. As they were both third-gender, Xiao Fang didn’t feel much aversion.
Ruan Tan slowly placed his hand on Xiao Fang’s belly, feeling a novel sensation he had never experienced before.
“How many months is it?”
“A little over four months,” Xiao Fang said, looking at his belly happily.
A thought flashed through Ruan Tan’s mind. “Didn’t you just finish filming a historical drama? You filmed it while pregnant?” He knew that children of the third gender were extremely precious.
“Yes, since I was two months along.” At the time, both Fei Xiangnan and Xiao Fang had been very careless—one wasn’t concerned, and the other was just clueless. And so, the baby was forced to work along with its father.
Ruan Tan’s respect for Xiao Fang grew instantly. Combined with Xiao Fang’s excellent performance during the audition, he felt more and more confident in this actor.
“Due to a scheduling conflict with the second male lead, the filming of our movie has been postponed long enough for you to give birth. You can rest and take care of your pregnancy without worry.” Ruan Tan’s definite news was a relief to Xiao Fang. In his original plan, he could have handled playing the supporting role while pregnant.
“Here, drink your milk.” At that moment, Fei Xiangnan came back up with the warmed milk. Xiao Fang took the milk and started drinking. The slightly sweet milk felt warm in his stomach.
Fei Xiangnan indulgently patted Xiao Fang’s head. Their interaction made Ruan Tan feel a pang of envy.
“Darling, don’t be envious. You still have me. If you want a child, we can have one right away,” Zhang Yuanxiao said, wrapping an arm around Ruan Tan’s shoulder and whispering sweet nothings.
Ruan Tan pushed him away with a backhand, his eyes filled with undisguised disgust.
At this moment, Xiao Fang felt a bit of sympathy for Ruan Tan. If it were him, he would also flip out at this kind of greasy interaction. President Fei was much better. Receiving Xiao Fang’s sparkling gaze, Fei Xiangnan chuckled and ruffled his head. The entire afternoon was spent in pleasant and greasy conversation.
***
Meanwhile, in the Fei Family Old Residence, Zhang Yuliu hung up the phone with the private investigator, a vicious smile playing on her lips. She put down the phone. She needed to plan this big show properly.
“Sister-in-law, I have something interesting to tell you. Do you want to hear it?” Zhang Yuliu handed a slice of blood orange to her sister-in-law, who was watching TV.
Liu Qian looked at this sister-in-law with impure intentions. As long as they had a common enemy, they weren’t enemies. “Let’s hear it.”