Chapter 23 – The Calm Before the Storm

“Of course!” Xiao Ma said with conviction.

Que Jiang was all too familiar with that voice. In an act of self-preservation, he decisively stomped on Xiao Ma’s foot.

“Ow! What was that for?” Xiao Ma yelped in pain. Que Jiang clamped a large hand over Xiao Ma’s head and turned around.

“Boss,” Que Jiang said respectfully. One look at Fei Xiangnan’s face was enough to tell he was not in a good mood.

Fei Xiangnan grunted in acknowledgment, his gaze fixed on the scene before him.

The director yelled “Cut!” and Xiao Fang snapped out of character. He instinctively tried to push the man off him, but Zhang Hang just hugged him tighter. “Little Fangfang, I’ve wrapped filming!”

Xiao Fang gave the shameless man a speechless look. Just as he was about to push him away again, the crew swarmed in, congratulating Zhang Hang on finishing his scenes. With so many people watching, Xiao Fang felt it would be rude to reject him too forcefully.

“It’s my treat. You can eat whatever you want,” Xiao Fang said magnanimously. How could the son of a nouveau riche be short on cash?

“Mmm~ But I want more than just dinner,” Zhang Hang cooed, clinging to Xiao Fang. Some of the young women in the crew were already starting to squeal.

Xiao Fang fought the urge to kick him into next week. “In that case, maybe you shouldn’t eat at all.”

“Don’t say that!” Zhang Hang immediately let go. It was clear he’d been planning to get a free meal out of him for a while. “Little Fangfang~” he called out again.

Xiao Fang shot him a dark look. “What?”

The word had barely left his lips when Zhang Hang’s face swooped in and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Ahhhhhh!” The surrounding girls completely lost it.

Xiao Fang was utterly stunned. It had all happened so fast, he didn’t even have a chance to react.

Que Jiang felt a headache coming on. Xiao Fang was well and truly done for this time.

“Boss, they’re just playing around. It’s never been like this before,” Que Jiang attempted to explain.

“What do you need to explain?” Fei Xiangnan said with surprising calmness. He strode forward, his demeanor perfectly normal.

Xiao Ma finally realized what a blunder he’d made earlier. After that last display, he tugged on Que Jiang’s sleeve from behind. “With Brother Xiao acting like that, his boyfriend must be furious.”

Que Jiang looked at his boss uncertainly. “He’s not the type to get angry easily.”

This answer earned him a scornful look from Xiao Ma. “Hmph, what do you know? This is the calm before the storm.”

Que Jiang’s uncertainty grew. To be honest, he wasn’t feeling very confident himself.

“Xiao Fang.” A familiar voice sounded from above. Xiao Fang looked up and instantly froze.

“P-P-P-President Fei, when did you get here?” Xiao Fang pushed Zhang Hang away and sat up ramrod straight, looking as docile as a kindergartener.

Fei Xiangnan looked at him placidly, his eyes betraying no emotion, but his expression was perfectly amicable. “I told you I’d come see you today.”

Xiao Fang felt his brain jolt. He had almost forgotten. But he had already agreed to the wrap party, which put him in a difficult position.

“You must be Xiao Fang’s cousin. We’re about to go out for dinner, why don’t you join us?” the director said, laboriously maneuvering his portly frame to the front.

Having been in the industry for so many years, the director knew how to read people. Based on Fei Xiangnan’s aura, he was either rich or powerful. Even if he couldn’t pinpoint his exact identity, it was best to treat him well. As for why he had misjudged Zhang Hang, it could only be attributed to his youth; he lacked the seasoned presence of someone like Fei Xiangnan. This was an aura forged by years at the pinnacle of power, something an ordinary person simply didn’t possess.

Xiao Fang’s mind was in turmoil as he looked at Fei Xiangnan. He knew there was no way Fei Xiangnan would easily agree to have dinner with his “friends.” In Fei Xiangnan’s eyes, his identity was insignificant to begin with.

“I can,” Fei Xiangnan agreed almost without hesitation.

Both Xiao Fang and Que Jiang looked over in surprise.

Fei Xiangnan’s expression showed no sign of anything being amiss, yet Xiao Fang couldn’t shake the feeling that the man before him was a complete stranger.

“Get ready. I’ll wait for you.”

Gulp. Xiao Fang swallowed hard.

***

In the dressing room, Xiao Fang changed back into his own clothes and sat in front of the mirror, removing his makeup. Now, only he and Fei Xiangnan were in the room. Que Jiang had tactfully dragged Xiao Ma out with him.

Xiao Fang’s heart was pounding. “President Fei, did you come straight in just now?”

“Mm,” Fei Xiangnan replied casually, his eyes on his phone.

Did you see anything? Xiao Fang wanted to ask, but he didn’t have the courage. He resigned himself to the situation. Since Fei Xiangnan was acting like nothing had happened, it was better not to stir up trouble.

“President Fei, they’re going to get pretty wild later. If you’re not used to that kind of scene, I can just come find you after I’m done eating.”

The hand swiping across Fei Xiangnan’s screen paused for a second. “No, I’ll eat with you. I don’t want the hassle of finding another restaurant.”

Xiao Fang nodded, a sense of unease still lingering as he meticulously removed his makeup.

Knowing this couldn’t continue, Xiao Fang thought for a moment and tried a new topic. “President Fei, Da Bao has grown up. Would you like to feel?”

Fei Xiangnan’s eyes shifted. He changed his posture and went back to looking at his phone. “No. Hurry up and finish your makeup. They’re waiting outside.”

Completely unmoved.

Xiao Fang fell silent. This was Fei Xiangnan’s normal state, but he still found it strange. Could it be that Fei Xiangnan was still thinking about Xiao Qi and was getting annoyed with the baby?

The moment the thought appeared, Xiao Fang mentally scolded himself. What was with these resentful housewife thoughts? He had promised not to bother Xiao Qi. Even if the two of them really did get together in the future, he wouldn’t have any responsibility. But what about the child then? Would he give it to Xiao Qi to raise?

No, given Xiao Qi’s attitude, his child would definitely have a hard life. After all, the original Xiao Fang had bullied him so much.

Xiao Fang kept trying to be more open-minded, but he couldn’t escape this vicious cycle of thoughts. He remained distracted all the way through dinner.

“Are you Xiao Fang’s cousin?” Zhang Hang, never one to be idle, started questioning Fei Xiangnan as soon as they sat down at the table.

Fei Xiangnan had little appetite and was just picking at some light dishes. He shot a cold glance at the young man next to him. Although he didn’t want to talk to him, he couldn’t abandon basic courtesy. He gave a cold “mm” and said nothing more.

Zhang Hang studied the man. He knew in his heart that this was definitely more than just a cousin. Even Xiao Fang’s arrogant assistant was all meek and subservient around him, which showed his power. And there was a kind of gravitational pull between him and Xiao Fang. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it made him feel a little uncomfortable.

“Don’t be so formal. Have a drink,” Zhang Hang said, handing him a glass of wine.

“I’m driving. I don’t drink,” Fei Xiangnan deflected effortlessly.

Zhang Hang was inevitably a little embarrassed, but he didn’t stop there. He turned his attention to the perpetually distracted Xiao Fang.

“Xiao Fang, you’re not driving, are you? Come on, I wrapped filming today. You have to have this drink!” Zhang Hang deliberately raised his voice, and quite a few people turned to look at them.

“Yeah, Xiao Fang, drink up!” others chimed in.

On a normal day, it would have been fine. Que Jiang, being familiar with him now, wouldn’t be so strict. But today was different. The great Buddha himself was sitting right next to him, expressionlessly peeling a shrimp. If he drank this, he’d be the one getting peeled next.

“I have a physical exam later, so it’s not convenient for me to drink. Sorry,” Xiao Fang offered a reasonable excuse.

Zhang Hang frowned. “Where are you not feeling well that you need an exam?”

Xiao Fang smiled. “It’s just my annual check-up. My cousin and I are going together. Can I toast with tea instead?”

With that excuse, Zhang Hang couldn’t press the issue much further. He reluctantly agreed, a feeling of resentment toward Xiao Fang and Fei Xiangnan sitting together beginning to fester.

After dinner, Xiao Fang used his legitimate reason to decline the subsequent KTV outing, and he and Fei Xiangnan set off for the private hospital.

After all the various tests, the last item was the ultrasound. Lying on the bed, Xiao Fang tilted his head and saw the baby on the screen, already having a basic shape. It was so tiny. Xiao Fang couldn’t help but feel a surge of parental love.

“The baby is very healthy. Pay attention to your diet, and you should have a full-term delivery,” the doctor said with a smile.

Fei Xiangnan stood to the side, watching in silence. This time, he wasn’t just looking at the baby. After a moment, his gaze shifted to Xiao Fang on the bed, who was staring intently at the screen.

He suddenly felt his breathing tremble. This child was theirs, but soon it would be his alone. Where would Xiao Fang go afterward?

Would he find another man he liked and have a child with him? When they went to the hospital for a check-up, would his talkative self chatter endlessly with his partner, instead of being like this, bottling up all his words in a smile, never sharing them with him?

Fei Xiangnan didn’t know what was wrong with him. He shouldn’t be in this state. He had clearly told him he would come to see him, but it had ended up being so perfunctory. They had barely exchanged a few proper sentences.

“Have you had any morning sickness lately? Any issues with your diet?” Fei Xiangnan suddenly couldn’t help but ask.

Xiao Fang turned his head to look at him, his eyes sparkling like two little crescent moons. “No, Que Jiang’s cooking is delicious.”

Fei Xiangnan suppressed the fluttering in his heart and said coolly, “That’s good. If there’s anything you want to eat, just have Que Jiang make it. He’s a certified chef.”

Xiao Fang nodded obediently.

Fei Xiangnan froze. Was it only when this person was with him that he was so well-behaved? Then he remembered what he had seen.

He had seen him swatting at Zhang Hang’s head in annoyance. Although his words were harsh, they were heartfelt. And that kiss… even if Xiao Fang couldn’t see it, he could sense that Zhang Hang wasn’t just joking around.

Of course, he knew his current relationship with Xiao Fang was just an act, a transaction where both parties got what they wanted.

The final check-up was over quickly. Xiao Fang happily carried the bag of ultrasound pictures; he wanted to keep a collection of the baby’s photos from every stage.

Seeing that the baby had grown, Xiao Fang’s mood improved considerably, and he was able to talk to Fei Xiangnan normally again.

“President Fei, this is Da Bao’s three-month photo. I’ll save the four-month one too, and keep collecting them until the birth. When Da Bao grows up, I’ll make these into a photo album for him. Do you think Da Bao will be shy or openly happy about it?”

Fei Xiangnan looked at the happy man, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “It depends on the person, I suppose,” he said.

Xiao Fang nodded. He was really looking forward to it!

As the two of them left the hospital, a three-year-old child suddenly darted out and bumped right into Xiao Fang’s arms. Xiao Fang was startled at first, but then he steadily caught him.

“Be careful, little one,” Xiao Fang said gently.

The child immediately stood up straight, his eyes welling with tears as he said in a tiny, sweet voice, “I’m sorry, big brother.”

That “big brother” melted half of Xiao Fang’s heart.

“It’s okay. Why are you here all by yourself? Where’s your mommy?”

The little boy’s voice still had a hint of a sob in it. Being looked at directly by Xiao Fang made him blush a little. “Mommy has a cold, she’s in the hospital. Me, and my brother, are back there.”

Xiao Fang’s heart was truly about to melt. The little boy was wearing a light-colored denim jumpsuit over a small t-shirt with a cow print. He couldn’t have been cuter.

Xiao Fang fumbled in his pocket, pulled out a pack of candy, and offered it to him. “Here, candy. Want some?”

Fei Xiangnan glanced at Xiao Fang. It looked suspiciously like he was trying to trick a child.

The little boy looked at it hesitantly, his small hands fidgeting with the straps of his jumpsuit, unsure of what to do.

Suddenly, another small, sweet voice called a name from a distance.

“My brother is calling me,” the little boy said, but his eyes were still reluctantly fixed on the candy.

Xiao Fang understood. He tore open the package and popped one into his own mouth. “See, big brother didn’t get poisoned. Take it and eat. Hurry up and find your mommy. It’s getting late, don’t play outside.”

The little boy hesitantly took the candy, then bowed to Xiao Fang and said in his tiny voice, “Thank you, big brother.”

Xiao Fang was now completely enveloped in a halo of parental love, practically wagging his tail.

“When I have a child in the future, I’m going to dress him just like that. So cute. And dresses, we have to get dresses too. I should have two, otherwise one will be lonely. I won’t have much time to spend with him because of work. Let’s get a dog, and a cat, then he won’t be lonely,” Xiao Fang said with a grin, planning out his future family.

The only ones not included in this plan were the baby in his belly and Fei Xiangnan.

“So the child you’re carrying now isn’t your child? Are you already planning what you’ll do after you leave me?” Fei Xiangnan, who had been silent in the background, spoke up, his face dark. To be honest, he had been holding it in all afternoon and all evening.

He hadn’t come here to listen to Xiao Fang’s plans for his future life.