Chapter 13 – He’s Indeed Not You

Xiao Qi treated what Zhang Hang said as a joke. He knew better than anyone what level Xiao Fang was at.

During college, he had never attended classes properly, spending his days in debauchery, running wild with a pack of worthless friends. After graduation, he just used the family’s money to buy his way into productions and muddle through life. He hated him, but at the same time, there was a secret delight in his heart.

Xiao Fang was better than him in every way, yet this person was inferior to him. This was the best gift he could have received.

Xiao Qi pulled up a chair and sat down nearby. The actors got ready. Behind the camera, Director Hu suddenly felt immense pressure. It was one thing to film on his own, but now, with such a major figure standing before him, the pressure was more than just a little bit.

“Xiao Qi, are you thirsty? Want some water?” Facing the Film Emperor, Director Hu couldn’t help but be a little attentive.

Xiao Qi didn’t even spare Director Hu a glance, his eyes fixed seriously on the scene ahead. He politely and distantly said, “No, thank you.”

Director Hu gave a sheepish smile and didn’t say any more, focusing on his work.

This scene depicted the moment the conflict between the three characters erupted during a hunt. In truth, Xiao Fang’s role was the easiest to play. The director’s intention was that the prince’s mind was currently filled with thoughts of the princess, and he was utterly disgusted with his crown prince brother’s political machinations. The difficult roles were the crown prince, who still felt a sense of forbearance, and the princess, who was an undercover agent.

After the director yelled “Action,” the three quickly got into character, silently reciting their lines and brewing their emotions.

“You really didn’t listen to me,” Zhang Hang’s face in the drama was transformed—deep, mature, and carrying an air of authority.

He looked at his younger brother with resentment.

“You are the brother I dote on the most!” Zhang Hang roared, his voice filled with admonishment, but even more so with heartache.

Xiao Fang, in turn, looked at his older brother with a more naive gaze, but his eyes held a newfound determination.

“You are also the brother I respect the most. You always have been,” he said, but then took a step back and pulled Wen An’an, who played the princess, closer.

Zhang Hang naturally caught this detail, and the hatred in his eyes intensified. He took a few deep breaths, raised a trembling arm to point at Wen An’an, and questioned, “Is this how you show respect to your brother? Have you ever truly thought about this country? Just because this woman whispered a few words in your ear, you want to revise your brother’s policies?”

Questioning, furious, and with a deep-seated heartache in his tone, the crown prince at this moment had not yet truly resolved to oppose his brother.

Sitting off-set, Xiao Qi raised an eyebrow. As expected, his brother’s full scholarship in school wasn’t for nothing. At this moment, he cast an unreservedly appreciative gaze. In contrast, Xiao Fang’s performance was mediocre. Xiao Qi looked at Xiao Fang, a flash of contempt in his eyes.

Xiao Fang’s eyes darkened, and a mix of complex emotions flickered within them. He just stared at his brother, so intensely that even Zhang Hang felt a little intimidated.

After a long moment, Xiao Fang finally spoke. “Imperial Elder Brother, have you ever thought of the thousands of common people on the border? They, like us, have parents and families. If everything must end through war, how many families will be sacrificed to the slaughter?”

His slightly hoarse voice was exceptionally heavy and firm. He was once a carefree prince, but because of recent events, he had finally pushed aside the clouds to see the world clearly.

“Sacrifice the small family to protect the large one,” Zhang Hang’s eyes were filled with unwavering conviction.

Xiao Fang tightened his grip on Wen An’an’s hand, his eyes red as he looked at his brother, a flash of pain and resolve in them.

At that moment, a torrential downpour suddenly began. The artificial rain soaked the three of them to the bone, but Xiao Fang seemed not to feel it at all. He pulled Wen An’an forward a step, his gaze burning as he looked at Zhang Hang.

“If you can’t even protect the small families, what face do you have to claim it’s for the sake of the larger one!”

In the clamorous rain, only Xiao Fang’s roar could be heard. He didn’t even blink as the rain beat against his eyes, but his eye sockets grew redder and redder, as if tears were about to burst forth. He had no regrets saying those words.

A huge wave of emotion surged in Zhang Hang’s heart. He hadn’t misjudged this person. This level of skill was nothing like what he had heard in the rumors.

Xiao Qi’s hand in his pocket tightened slightly. He wasn’t blind. What Zhang Hang saw, he saw as well. He just didn’t understand why Xiao Fang’s skills had suddenly become so strong.

In front of the camera, Zhang Hang’s face quickly darkened. He gritted his teeth and said, “Incorrigible!”

Xiao Fang met Zhang Hang’s gaze without fear. At this point, the female lead finally stepped forward to speak.

Wen An’an had made great progress these past few days. Because of that earlier setback, she spent nearly every day studying the script, aside from necessary meals and sleep. She would even take the screenwriter out to eat to thoroughly grasp the core of the script.

“You’ve been in a high position for so long, you only know how to play chess, but you don’t know what the pieces are thinking. Someone like you will one day see the board shatter and your own ruin,” Wen An’an’s tone was crisp and direct.

Zhang Hang raised his hand in exasperation, but just as he was about to strike, Wen An’an precisely caught it. She was no damsel in distress who needed help at every turn. The atmosphere between the three dropped to a freezing point.

Zhang Hang looked at Wen An’an, then at Xiao Fang, his expression one of extreme restraint. He no longer had the bright and clear demeanor of a crown prince; his ferocious look made everyone’s heart clench.

“I’ll ask you one last time. Will you help me, or her!”

The rain washed over Xiao Fang’s face. His gaze towards Zhang Hang gradually grew distant, as if the last glimmer of light had vanished from his heart.

“Help her!”

The hoarse voice held not a shred of hesitation. Zhang Hang could no longer control himself and stumbled back a few steps, an irresolvable sorrow in his eyes.

“Cut! That’s a wrap!”

A look of pleasant surprise appeared in the director’s eyes. These three were truly the ones he’d had his eye on. He thought this take would be difficult to get, but he hadn’t expected the hardest one to pass so easily.

The artificial rain stopped. Assistants rushed over with towels to wrap up their young masters. As for Zhang Hang, who had no assistant, it was Xiao Qi who came over with a towel.

Wen An’an cast an undisguised look of envy, but because of the earlier incident, her relationship with Zhang Hang was still a bit awkward, so it wasn’t appropriate to approach him now.

The others were just as envious as Wen An’an. However, they couldn’t change their clothes yet, as there were still a few more scenes that required them to wear the same outfits. Fortunately, the weather was still warm, so it shouldn’t be a problem for the young people to be wrapped in towels.

Zhang Hang paid special attention to Xiao Qi’s expression, which was a mix of complexity and inquiry. He smiled with satisfaction. This was the effect he wanted.

“Young Master Xiao, you should change out of those wet clothes now,” Que Jiang suggested, standing to the side. He felt that Xiao Fang had been acting evasive all day. He certainly hadn’t told him about this part with the rain. If President Fei found out…

Xiao Fang cowardly shrank his neck, not daring to look at Que Jiang, and tried to pretend he hadn’t heard.

“Ah, what’s the rush? A little rain is nothing for a young man. Look, even the young lady hasn’t changed. It’s not like he’s a delicate Third Gender,” Director Hu said, only realizing his slip of the tongue after he said it. He coughed. “Let’s just finish filming quickly, so no one catches a cold.”

The three leads had no objections, and Xiao Fang was especially happy to have another excuse to delay.

He gave Que Jiang an embarrassed look and whispered, “This is just between you and me. If President Fei asks, how about we say we used a stand-in?”

Que Jiang looked at him helplessly. This guy was truly a handful. But since he was already soaked, there was nothing to be done. Finding a solution that worked for both of them was better than both of them suffering.

Seeing that Que Jiang wasn’t pursuing the matter, Xiao Fang happily went off to the next scene.

Director Hu looked at the dispersing crowd, then at Xiao Qi, who was standing there with a somewhat unpleasant expression. He thought he must have misspoken just now and said apologetically, “Xiao Qi, I was just speaking rashly a moment ago. I didn’t mean anything by it. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“It’s fine,” Xiao Qi cut him off quickly. He took the towel in his hand and sat back down in his original spot, but his expression didn’t improve. It wasn’t because of anything else, but because of Xiao Fang’s suddenly refined acting skills.

This Xiao Fang made him feel a sense of crisis. Xiao Qi secretly clenched his fists, his face dark as he looked ahead.

The subsequent scenes were relatively relaxed, but Xiao Qi’s expression hadn’t improved since then. As they were about to wrap up, Xiao Qi got up to go get his car.

As he left, Xiao Qi’s gaze became determined again. So what if he had improved? He had struggled for so many years to get to where he was; he wouldn’t admit defeat!

***

Fei Xiangnan finished his work early and drove out to Lin City to pick up Xiao Fang. He hated fussing over things. Rather than complicated explanations, it was better to just bring the person over directly. He couldn’t guarantee what kind of person he was, but he would absolutely ensure this child was born safely. Of course, he also hoped Xiao Fang wouldn’t disappoint his expectations.

It had been two weeks since they last met. Fei Xiangnan asked Que Jiang for the specific address and hurried over. For some reason, thinking of Xiao Fang’s cheeky smile made even the prospect of going to the main family branch today seem less repulsive.

Xiao Qi had just swapped cars with his assistant when he saw a black Maybach drive over. He frowned. How could such a luxurious car be in a place like this? He couldn’t help but linger for a moment.

The Maybach stopped near him, and out stepped a man he never wanted to see again in his life.

Xiao Qi gritted his teeth in anger. Why was this person here again? Could he be looking for Xiao Fang?

No matter how much he disliked Xiao Fang, he didn’t want Fei Xiangnan to harm him.

Xiao Qi mustered his courage and walked over.

At first, Fei Xiangnan didn’t even notice him. It wasn’t until the man stopped in front of him that he looked up properly.

“Xiao Qi?” a deep voice sounded. Even in such a normal conversation, it carried immense pressure.

Xiao Qi looked at him coldly, not wanting to beat around the bush. Although this man disgusted him, it was better to resolve his own matters himself.

“Why are you doing this?”

Fei Xiangnan raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

Xiao Qi suppressed the anger in his heart and said, “Don’t take me for a fool. Why are you with Xiao Fang?”

Fei Xiangnan found it somewhat laughable. Did he really need to report his preferences to this person?

“Shouldn’t you know very well yourself? You’re the only one who’s spent so much of my money and still dares to shout at me like this,” Fei Xiangnan said without reservation.

Speaking of which, Xiao Qi found it ridiculous and immediately retorted, “Do I need to repeat where you spent all that dirty money? What kind of true feelings can someone like you, who only knows how to solve problems with money, possibly get? Xiao Fang has nothing to do with you, and he’s not your type. When you’re done playing, you should let him go. He’s not me.”

Fei Xiangnan’s eyes darkened as he replied, “Right. He’s indeed not you.”