Chapter 118 – A Family of Five
Fei Xiangnan had known all along that Xiao Fang couldn’t be hard-hearted, let alone talk to the child about choices. So he stepped forward and, in a normal tone, stated a crucial choice.
“Xiao Xu, do you want to go home with grandpa or stay here?”
Xiao Xu looked at his teary-eyed grandfather, whose body was already halfway to the grave, then at Xiao Fang, whose face was full of suppressed emotions, and quietly clenched his fists.
Elder Liu knew the child might not be able to accept it right away, but he had waited for this day for far too long. Now, no one could separate him and his grandson.
“Xiao Fang, I’m truly grateful that you adopted my grandson in this way and gave him the warmth of a family. I believe his reduced autism is also due to your family’s influence. But I’ve already lost my most important son and daughter-in-law in this lifetime. I really want the child to go back now and kowtow to his parents. I’ve waited for this day for too long.” Elder Liu wiped his tears, placing this weight on Xiao Fang’s shoulders.
Of course, Xiao Fang couldn’t bear to disappoint the old man. After all, Xiao Xu was his biological grandson. What reason did he have to refuse? Xiao Fang knelt down in discomfort, bringing himself to the same height as Xiao Xu, and then gently hugged the child.
“Xiao Xu, do you want to go home, or…?” Xiao Fang’s throat had become somewhat dry.
“Go home, brother. I’ll go home.” So don’t make it so difficult. Xiao Xu doesn’t want his brother to be in a difficult position. Xiao Xu’s clear eyes reflected Xiao Fang, gradually clouding over with a layer of gray.
Just as Xiao Fang was about to say something, Xiao Xu had already broken free from his embrace and taken Elder Liu’s hand. The old man also held Xiao Xu’s hand tightly.
Xiao Fang looked at Elder Liu’s grateful expression and couldn’t utter a single word of opposition.
Xiao Fang had inadvertently accomplished such a great deed. It would be a lie to say the Fei Family didn’t benefit at all. Although Elder Liu had already sided with them before, this time it had completely solidified the Fei Family’s position. Fei Xiangnan would no longer be reduced to cannon fodder under the protagonist’s feet. But, Xiao Fang wasn’t happy at all.
Elder Liu didn’t stay for long, as he was now more anxious to go back and settle his grandson.
Xiao Fang didn’t say much throughout the entire process. Just as they were about to leave, he suddenly stood up. “In the future…” Before he could finish his sentence, Fei Xiangnan pulled him back.
Fei Xiangnan finally stroked Xiao Xu’s head. “You can come to brother’s house anytime in the future, you know?” This had much less destructive power than what Xiao Fang was about to say. Xiao Xu nodded absentmindedly, his final gaze still on Xiao Fang.
The door finally closed. Xiao Fang stood motionless on the spot, his face devoid of expression. Fei Xiangnan looked at his beloved with a pained heart. He was also reluctant to let him go, but it was nothing compared to Xiao Fang’s feelings.
No amount of comfort could be heard now, because he just couldn’t bear it. Fei Xiangnan gently hugged Xiao Fang. Anyone could leave this person, but he wouldn’t. This was the reason he had always dared to do so.
Xiao Xu’s departure wasn’t to suffer; it was to find his real family. Xiao Fang had always understood this. To get rid of the lingering sense of loss in his heart, he chose to focus his mind on work. Not far away, because of that interview, Xiao Fang played a newly added small role in Zhang Hang’s current drama.
This matter also became a small topic of conversation in the crew. They said, why is a Film Emperor a Film Emperor? Just when you think he can reach the pinnacle of his life with one work after another, he can turn around and play a supporting role in a drama. How many people have this kind of integrity? Only a weirdo like Xiao Fang.
And even if a weirdo plays a supporting role, he can still shine. This gave the screenwriter a headache. At first, he didn’t think much of the supporting role, but the problem was that the big-shot Film Emperor brought him to life. What could he do? Add more scenes, of course!
During the lunch break, Zhang Hang and Xiao Fang squatted in a corner of the set, eating box lunches together. He couldn’t help but laugh at Xiao Fang for a bit, but it was more with emotion.
“Sigh, when we were filming before, I just thought you were capable. I never thought you could become a Film Emperor in two years with your own acting skills. I’m impressed!” Zhang Hang said with sincere admiration.
Xiao Fang smiled casually. This was all thanks to his accumulation from his previous life. “You’re not bad either. If you take it slow with the company these few years, you’ll definitely make it.”
Zhang Hang also smiled, then his gaze fell on Xiao Fang’s serious side profile as he ate. He had changed. Two years ago, how should he put it? He was cheeky. Even if he was hiding his skills, it was five parts acting and five parts real. But the current Xiao Fang had calmed down, so calm that he seemed indifferent to fame and fortune, walking a path more ethereal than anyone else. His eyes also had a more otherworldly charm. To Zhang Hang, he had more charm. Truly, Xiao Fang at any time was worth savoring.
“Xiao Fang, how are things with your man now?” Zhang Hang’s words were very direct. He was a clear-headed person who knew when something was impossible and that he should let go appropriately. Otherwise, life would be too tiring.
Xiao Fang took a bite of a meatball and paused for a moment, then bumped Zhang Hang’s shoulder. “I thought you were a sharp one before. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely invite you to the wedding. Don’t forget the gift money.”
“The best man has to give gift money?” Zhang Hang looked over with a sidelong glance, full of contempt.
Xiao Fang smiled subtly. “When the time comes, don’t you dare pretend in front of me. If you dare to give it, I’ll definitely take it.”
Zhang Hang looked at Xiao Fang and couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He hadn’t had time before, but now the time had come. It was time to tell himself to let go. “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t be a fool and hand over money.”
“By the way, my cousin and Xiao Qi should have broken up,” Zhang Hang mentioned another matter. This was big news. After all, this kind of thing was still taboo in the circle, and Xiao Fang hadn’t deliberately tried to find out anything.
“Is that so?” Xiao Fang frowned. Thinking back, Xiao Qi had been through a lot recently. The box office had plummeted midway, there was the matter of his father’s debt, and finally, his own movie came out. With his personality, could he handle it? And now this had happened.
Xiao Fang wasn’t some naive saint. He just thought about it. These things were all his own doing and had nothing to do with him. It was just that after understanding Xiao Qi’s nature, he had to be more on guard.
Unbeknownst to Xiao Fang, Zhang Hang had given up all his thoughts about Xiao Fang during this simple box lunch.
In the afternoon, Xiao Fang’s scenes finished first. He removed his makeup, packed his things, and prepared to leave.
“Hey, you kid, how did you sneak in again? Hurry back. You don’t seem to know anyone here. Why do you come to the set every day?” The prop master’s thick northeastern accent rang out from outside. His voice alone was loud. Xiao Fang poked his head out to see the situation, and was frozen by the sight.
Wasn’t that Xiao Xu standing there? He had his head down, so his expression was unclear, but he just stood there without moving. The prop master had said the same few things over and over again, and finally, his anger dissipated. He patiently asked Xiao Xu who he was looking for.
“No, not looking for anyone. Just… looking,” Xiao Xu now spoke with a slight stutter, but he was much bolder than before.
“I say, do you like a certain actor? Why don’t you tell me, and I’ll help you get an autograph? It’s not right for you to come every day. Your parents must be worried,” the prop master persuaded.
But Xiao Xu just shook his head, clutching the corner of his clothes and refusing to say anything else. This child…
Xiao Fang walked out with his bag. Xiao Xu looked up and saw him. He first opened his mouth slightly, then turned and ran.
“Hey, why did the kid run away again? Brother Xiao, are you done for the day? Do you want to take the crew’s car back?” the prop master asked politely.
Xiao Fang had no mind to care about these things now. He mumbled a few words and chased after him with his bag.
“Why is the Film Emperor in such a hurry today too? Is it going to rain? Strange.” The thick-skinned prop master scratched his head.
Xiao Fang hurriedly chased outside, looking around anxiously. In his peripheral vision, he saw Xiao Xu duck into a Lincoln. This wouldn’t do! Xiao Fang grabbed his bag and sprinted over. Ma Rui, who was waiting by the roadside, thought Xiao Fang was getting into a car and opened the door, only to see Xiao Fang duck into a Lincoln. This didn’t look like President Fei’s car. President Fei would usually tell him in advance when he came to pick someone up. As sharp as Ma Rui was, he immediately called Que Jiang.
“I’m on a mission,” the voice on the other end of the phone was full of helplessness.
“Go, go, how urgent can training bodyguards be? This is serious. Brother Xiao got into a strange Lincoln. I’ve sent you the license plate number. Contact President Fei quickly.” Ma Rui usually didn’t dare to contact this king of hell directly, in case he got him angry and he was eliminated.
Que Jiang sighed, looked at the gossipy eyes of the newcomers, and immediately gave up on reminding Ma Rui to buy groceries before going back. He hung up the phone and immediately changed his expression.
“Did I tell you to stop? Add another hundred.”
“Ah!” The newcomers wailed collectively in their hearts.
Just as the Lincoln’s door was about to close, Xiao Fang slipped in. It was fast, ruthless, and precise. The driver was about to do something, but when he saw Xiao Fang’s face, he immediately shut up and drove as usual.
“You’ve gotten bold, haven’t you? Running to the set all by yourself? For how many days!” Xiao Fang didn’t even have time to catch his breath before he started scolding him. This was the first time Xiao Fang had formally scolded Xiao Xu. Xiao Xu didn’t say a word, just kept his head down.
“Not talking, are you? You think you can make your own decisions after leaving me? How old are you? If the driver wasn’t paying attention for a second, you’d be counting money for someone else again!” Xiao Fang continued to scold with a cold face.
The driver in the front seat: Actually, he’s not the only one watching the young master, but it’s better not to say anything at this time.
Xiao Xu still didn’t speak. Xiao Fang’s eyes gradually reddened with anger. He was both angry and disappointed. “Fine, fine, I can’t control you anymore, can I? Fine, don’t come to my set anymore. I don’t care where you go. You can treat my words like farts too. Driver, stop the car!”
Xiao Fang leaned over. Before the driver could stop, Xiao Xu threw himself over, hugged Xiao Fang, and cried softly. He cried with extreme suppression, with a lot of things hidden in his heart, crying like an adult. Xiao Fang’s heart ached abnormally as he listened.
“Weren’t you ignoring me? Don’t come in the future either. It’ll save the whole family from worrying,” Xiao Fang continued to say things he didn’t mean.
“No, no, I want Xiao Xiao, I want brother. I don’t want, I don’t want to be outside. I want, to go, want to go, home, I always have,” Xiao Xu said intermittently, his small hands tightly clutching Xiao Fang’s clothes.
Xiao Fang’s heart trembled as he listened. He had treated Xiao Xu as his own son since he brought him home. Now, his heart ached more than he could say. He even had a selfish thought these past few days: what if Elder Liu had never come to his house?
“Can’t… sleep. Without… Xiao Xiao… telling stories.” Xiao Xu hugged the person dearest to him, unable to hold back any of his words.
The driver in front couldn’t help but sigh. The young master who had returned home was like a block of ice. Apart from accompanying Elder Liu, he was always talking about seeing Xiao Fang. He had never seen him cry like this.
Xiao Fang frowned, his heart hurting more than anyone else’s. He spanked Xiao Xu’s bottom. It wasn’t heavy, but it wasn’t light either. “Do you dare to run out alone like this again next time?”
“Brother, it hurts. I want brother,” Xiao Xu’s cries grew louder.
“If you want brother, you can’t be so reckless. Otherwise, you won’t have a brother anymore.”
Xiao Xu’s head, buried in Xiao Fang’s arms, shook vigorously. “No, I won’t dare again. I want… brother. Brother, don’t abandon me.”
Xiao Fang’s heart ached. He held Xiao Xu tightly in his arms. Xiao Xu cried until he had no strength left and fell asleep in Xiao Fang’s arms, all within five minutes. It was clear he hadn’t slept well these past few days.
“Driver, please take me to the Liu family’s house. I have something to say to grandpa.”
“No need,” the driver suddenly said. “Elder Liu had already guessed this would happen. He specifically asked me to tell you something. He said that what a child needs most is a complete family. He can’t just be with an old man like him. Otherwise, you’ve worked so hard to bring the child out of his autism, and it would be so sad if he became autistic again by his grandfather’s side. You’re already the grandson Elder Liu has acknowledged. What he’s doing is just placing the younger brother in the older brother’s home. In the future, when you’re officially married, he’ll move near your house. When you go to work, he’ll be responsible for taking care of his grandson. There’s no need to be so forced now, forcing two children. That would be his fault as a grandfather. Young Master Xiao, Elder Liu has actually always been considerate of you. He just wanted to test that possibility. Now the old man has seen the light and wants you not to overthink it. From now on, you’re all one family.”
Xiao Fang was so moved he was about to bubble over. He also knew how difficult this kind of separation was. His eyes couldn’t help but sting. “Then I’ll go and thank grandpa now.”
“No need. Elder Fei invited Elder Liu to his house for tea today. Elder Liu doesn’t have many friends here. It’s best that he can chat with Elder Fei. He won’t be so idle then.”
Xiao Fang nodded, his heart filled with warmth. It was because of these lovely relatives and friends around him who had always helped him that he was so happy.
Xiao Xu could go home again.
Lang Lang, who hadn’t seen Xiao Xu for several days, refused to let go when he saw Xiao Xu come home. He just clung to Xiao Xu and wouldn’t get down. Xiao Fang was both sour and happy. Fortunately, the daddy-loving Nuomici gave him a bit of comfort. Fei Xiangnan, who had just finished cooking dinner, called Xiao Fang and Xiao Xu to eat. They were all small dishes he had slowly learned from Xiao Fang. He would cook a few of the ones he knew. Xiao Fang thought this was very good.
“Come, Xiao Xu, try the scrambled eggs with tomato that brother just learned to make.”
“Mmm, just right. After dinner, come to the study and review the reports I told you about before.”
“You dare?!! You must only watch cartoons tonight!”
“…Okay.” Fei, the domineering president, Xiangnan chose to compromise.