Chapter 104 – Discovered
The two of them set off separately from home and arrived at the filming location in S City. It was a notoriously impoverished county, and the orphanage’s conditions were even worse than the previous one. The orphanage was built on the outskirts of the city, nestled against a mountain. In addition to purchasing supplies, they also had to gather ingredients from the mountain, making the conditions a bit more arduous.
Xiao Fang and the others first went to a pre-arranged preparation point in the city. After a five-hour drive, the production team had slightly altered the plan. They would first get their costumes and makeup done in the city before heading to the orphanage, where they would stay for one night. At this news, the women in the group rushed to buy mosquito repellent and even new bedsheets from local stores.
Xiao Fang paid no mind to any of this, as he was used to it. As expected, he and Fei Xiangnan were assigned to the same dressing room.
“What a coincidence, we’re in the same dressing room,” President Fei said, feigning surprise. Xiao Fang gave a cold “heh,” long familiar with his man’s insidious methods.
Fei Xiangnan didn’t care. He had come on this show to be lovey-dovey with Xiao Fang anyway, and he understood very well that time is precious.
While the makeup artist was still on the way, his hands unhesitatingly reached for Xiao Fang.
For the first time, Xiao Fang cursed how soft this body’s waist could be. He could be completely bent over the makeup table without it hurting at all. Old Rogue Fei knew this well, so he confidently did as he pleased, his mischievous hands roaming familiarly over Xiao Fang’s body.
“I’m, I’m telling you, this is a dressing room!” Xiao Fang reminded him, his face flushed. Could they not just film the show properly?
“I know,” Fei Xiangnan replied succinctly. That’s what made it extra thrilling! Fei Xiangnan leaned in and captured Xiao Fang’s soft lips. Xiao Fang had initially been in a deeply rebellious mood; after all, he, Xiao Fang, was not a casual person. But, three seconds later…
Xiao Fang’s wavering hands wrapped around Fei Xiangnan’s slender waist. Kissing was just too damn good! Xiao Fang went completely soft, responding to Fei Xiangnan with a blushing face.
“Xiao Fang, do you know where Xiao Ma went?” Clatter!
Sister He pushed open the door, and the water cup in her hand fell to the floor as she finished her sentence. She froze like a stone statue.
Xiao Fang glanced over from the corner of his eye and tried desperately to push Fei Xiangnan away. To his dismay, the man refused to budge. Since she’d already seen them, what was the point in hiding? His wife’s lips were so sweet. Eating that mousse cake this morning was a brilliant choice!
Xiao Fang was about to die of embarrassment. When the old man wouldn’t let go, he had no choice but to bite down. He gave Fei Xiangnan’s tongue a light, but not too heavy, bite. Only then did Fei Xiangnan reluctantly release him, his eyes sweeping over Sister He, his entire aura screaming “annoyed.”
That glance snapped Sister He out of her daze. She immediately came in and shut the door. If anyone else had seen this, it wouldn’t take ten minutes for the Xiao Fang and President Fei ship to break the fourth wall.
Xiao Fang stood up, his face beet red. He knew any explanation would be pointless, so he could only wait obediently for a scolding. If Xiao Fang had ears right now, they would surely be drooping softly, looking especially pitiful.
Sister He wanted to scold him, she really did, but with a certain big shot right there, she didn’t dare. Besides, seeing Xiao Fang looking like this, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh.
After thinking it over, Sister He managed to squeeze out a few words. “You two, you should still pay attention to the location.”
Xiao Fang nodded swiftly and obediently, his attitude of admitting fault excellent. Fei Xiangnan, however, recklessly reached out to play with Xiao Fang’s little cowlick, only to have his hand swatted away by a flustered Xiao.
An attitude of admitting fault? Not a chance!
“Also, um,” Sister He first glanced at Fei Xiangnan. Seeing that his expression wasn’t off, she continued, “Forgive my forwardness, but what is your relationship?”
“We’re legally married,” Fei Xiangnan answered without a hint of doubt.
Xiao Fang glanced at Fei Xiangnan, then at Sister He, and nodded in resignation.
Sister He silently picked up the water cup from the floor, trying hard to suppress the smile that wanted to spread across her face. A legal marriage was just too sweet! In fact, she had recently been secretly shipping Xiao Fang and Fei Xiangnan on Weibo. She never thought she’d be the first to know! How exciting.
After picking up the cup, Sister He reverted to her calm demeanor. She pushed up her glasses to hide her inner excitement and said, “I understand. The company will find a way to keep your relationship under wraps. Although the fans are supportive of your relationship, it’s still not a good time to go public. I hope you can understand.”
At Sister He’s unusually agreeable attitude, Xiao Fang was, of course, a million times in agreement, nodding like a garlic-pounding pestle. At that moment, a certain someone suddenly clicked his tongue in displeasure. Sister He’s body stiffened.
Xiao Fang glared fiercely at the man and then stomped on his foot. To Sister He, this was undoubtedly like plucking a tiger’s whiskers. However, seeing the doting look on President Fei’s face, it seemed it was truly love. No wonder President Fei had so easily agreed to come out and clarify things before. So that was it, that was it!
A flustered uke and a black-bellied seme… I can totally get behind this!
Sister He used her formidable willpower to keep her heart from getting overly excited. She then said, “Actually, Xiao Fang, you’re not the type of celebrity who relies on fleeting popularity. Plus, given the current environment, going public isn’t such a big deal. You don’t need to worry too much. The company’s PR will handle it. Going public won’t be as difficult as you think.”
“I trust your company has the ability to handle this matter,” Fei Xiangnan said, his gaze slowly falling on Sister He. This method of being polite on the surface while applying pressure underneath was truly something only Fei Xiangnan could pull off. Sister He wiped away a cold sweat and forced a smile.
As a member of the ‘caught-in-the-act’ club, she felt utterly humbled.
Watching Sister He close the door for them again and then run off faster than a rabbit, Xiao Fang couldn’t help but inwardly complain about his partner.
In fact, Sister He had gone out to reorganize all the shipping moments she had been collecting.
This time, please make it extra sweet!
***
“How can you use your status to do whatever you want, to be so tyrannical!”
Fei Xiangnan raised an eyebrow. “Otherwise, what’s the point of having this status? To go with my meals?”
The logic was… irrefutable.
Fei Xiangnan had originally wanted to do a few more ‘as-he-pleased’ things, but this time Xiao Fang had lost all spirit of cooperation. He had even buttoned up the last unbuttoned button on his shirt, a clear sign of his determination to prevent any mischief.
But for Fei Xiangnan, every part of Xiao Fang was tempting.
When it came to the drawing lots segment, Fei Xiangnan, as expected, once again used his intellect to get into the same group as Xiao Fang. This time, the two of them finally drew a good lot: cooking. The task also included gathering ingredients from the mountain. Xiao Fang suddenly felt a sense of anticipation for this trip.
After everyone was assigned their tasks, they arrived at the orphanage. They were greeted by the old director, a man nearly sixty years old. He was a former Chinese teacher with the surname Wang. There were fewer children in this orphanage than the last, only about thirty or so. The children’s clothes looked a bit old and worn. When they saw the guests appear in their bright and beautiful attire, their eyes lit up as if they were seeing some great figures.
Although the director had instructed them to be polite beforehand, their emotions changed upon seeing them. They all swarmed forward, and a few of the female guests were almost overwhelmed.
“Children, don’t be so impolite! If you don’t listen, you’ll have to copy the Analects. Quick, line up.” The old director used his usual threat, and sure enough, the children obediently went back. A few mischievous ones took the chance to make funny faces when the director turned his back, causing the newcomers to chuckle.
After they lined up, the director organized the children to sing a nursery rhyme. Their voices were particularly simple and beautiful. The tender, childish voices were filled with hope for the future. When the song finished, everyone applauded.
As soon as they finished singing, Guo Mengyun couldn’t help but go over and hug the children, showing none of the airs of a TV Queen. Xiao Fang also roughly understood the routine of the variety show and was no longer as reserved as last time. Besides, the show was set to officially air after this filming was completed, so he definitely couldn’t mess up.
Xiao Fang took out the snacks prepared by the production team and handed them out one by one. Soon, everyone else joined in. Xiao Fang stood in the middle of the crowd holding the bag, getting jostled from time to time. Although his smile remained as warm as ever, Fei Xiangnan, as his partner, could immediately see his struggle.
His nearly 1.9-meter frame squeezed through the crowd and took the bag from Xiao Fang. Xiao Fang instinctively glanced at Fei Xiangnan, who was also looking at him. He gave him a reassuring little smile and took on the role of bag-carrier. His tall figure stood like an immovable little lighthouse. Xiao Fang let out a chuckle and then started pulling snacks from the bag to give to each child.
“Brother, can I have a little candy?” a little girl who looked to be only five asked with a blush. Her face was round like a little apple. Xiao Fang’s paternal love overflowed, and with a playful mood, he held out two clenched fists.
“Guess which hand the candy is in. If you guess right, brother will give it to you.” If it weren’t for his grandmotherly aura, Xiao Fang would have looked like a rogue teasing a young girl.
The little girl looked at the two hands with a troubled expression. Her large, grape-like eyes darted around for a moment before she stretched out her chubby little hand and pointed to the right one.
Xiao Fang opened his hand with a grin. A strawberry-flavored candy lay in his palm. The little girl’s face lit up with a delighted smile.
“As a reward, brother will also give you the candy in the other hand.” Xiao Fang opened his other hand, and an apple-flavored candy was placed in the little girl’s palm.
“Wow, I love apple flavor!” the little girl exclaimed with a joyful smile.
Just when that part was over, Fei Xiangnan suddenly pulled three more apple candies out of Xiao Fang’s pocket. “Here, this is also a reward from your brother.”
The little girl’s eyes instantly turned into starry orbs.
Xiao Fang shot Fei Xiangnan a reproachful look. Those were his private stash of snacks!
Fei Xiangnan raised an eyebrow: I knew you’d hide some. No more than five a day, or you’ll get cavities.
Xiao Fang had already eaten his five in the car today.
Xiao Fang instantly deflated, even his cowlick unable to stand up straight. What to do with a ruthless old husband! Seeking help online.
Because of Xiao Fang’s down-to-earth and friendly manner, many children flocked to play with him. Xiao Fang finally got a taste of being adored and shot a triumphant look at Fei Xiangnan.
See! Aren’t I amazing!
Fei Xiangnan’s eyes revealed a doting look laced with disdain: Childish!
This interaction was later fantasized about by all sorts of shipping fans after the show aired. They all expressed that this wave of sweetness was too overwhelming, and they were about to get cavities themselves!