Chapter 41 – Selling Out a Teammate

Xiao Qi unblocked the number he had previously blacklisted and, after a moment’s hesitation, made the call.

The other party seemed to have anticipated his call, as it connected instantly. The moment Xiao Qi heard that familiar voice, his stomach full of anger churned.

“Fei Xiangnan, what gives you the right to do this?” Xiao Qi’s voice trembled with rage as he spoke.

At that moment, Fei Xiangnan truly wondered how he had ever fallen for this malicious pretty boy. He had to ask such a simple question. “You bullied my legal spouse. Shouldn’t I retaliate? Or do you think losing a few endorsements is no big deal and want me to get a few more mouths to spread the word online?”

Xiao Qi’s breath caught in his throat. Compared to that, this was indeed a minor scratch. He knew that being forceful was useless, so his tone inevitably softened.

“Fei Xiangnan, was everything you said about liking me before a lie? Wasn’t Xiao Fang always just your substitute? If you think this is your revenge on me, even if you have me, I will never forgive you.” Xiao Qi’s voice grew choked with emotion toward the end. Most people would have softened upon hearing such a wronged tone.

However, Fei Xiangnan let out a shameless laugh. “I’ve already had my eyes treated. No need for you to trouble yourself with checking them.”

Xiao Qi froze for a second, then foolishly asked, “What do you mean?”

“I was blind before. Xiao Fang specially cured my eye disease. There’s no need for me to gouge out my own eyes again for you, is there?”

This time, Xiao Qi was too furious to utter a single word. In Fei Xiangnan’s eyes, he had become worthless, not even comparable to that loser Xiao Fang.

Fei Xiangnan didn’t wait for him to think, continuing, “Do you know what would happen to you if Xiao Fang’s child was really lost in the Xiao Family Residence?”

Xiao Qi’s hand holding the phone was trembling.

“I would post your sex tapes, in high-definition and uncensored, online. Then I’d pay a water army to trample you until you’re worthless, and then I’d destroy the entire Yan Family. Right before the Yan Family collapses, I’d kindly inform the person in power that the one who destroyed everything was none other than you, the Yan Family’s future good ‘husband,’ Xiao Qi. Tell me, do you think Yan Yunyang would still like a troublemaker like you?” Fei Xiangnan’s method of threatening people had always been so standard.

Now, Xiao Qi was completely speechless. A woman’s words echoed in his mind: Go ahead and do it, I’ll clean up after you. What was this situation now? Where was the so-called cleanup?

“As for,” the demon’s voice sounded again, “who told you… I naturally have my ways of knowing. But I am the head of the Fei Family. Even if she promised to protect you, and even if it were true, it would be impossible to realize. Xiao Qi, it’s not easy to get to this position. Don’t force me to push you down myself. You’ve made too many little moves. Don’t provoke me to the point where I’m truly displeased!”

Xiao Qi didn’t even remember when the call ended. His entire body went limp, and he collapsed to the floor, unable to stand. This couldn’t be his life, could it? Why was he suffering such a backlash? What had he done wrong? What was wrong with taking revenge on the brother who had always bullied him? No, he hadn’t done anything wrong, not a single thing! At this moment, he desperately wanted to drag Xiao Fang down and give him a taste of hell, but… but!

Xiao Qi’s eyes were shrouded in resentment, yet he was completely helpless.

Xiao Fang woke up very early in the morning, probably because he had officially gotten together with Fei Xiangnan last night. In his second lifetime, he had welcomed his very first boyfriend. This feeling was different from any day before. Overly excited, Xiao Fang could only channel his energy by cooking.

This morning, he planned to make a flavorful vermicelli dish. Que Jiang had bought the noodles yesterday, and they had been soaked the night before, so they were already soft. He didn’t see Fei Xiangnan around; it was the weekend, so he was probably still working in the study. Xiao Fang couldn’t help but hum a little tune as he began to work.

“Meow~” A fluffy ball suddenly rubbed against his leg. Seeing Nuomici looking full and content, Xiao Fang knew it wanted to play. Most kittens are very clingy, and Nuomici was an especially clingy little charmer.

Xiao Fang picked it up and skillfully petted it in his arms. Nuomici let out a comfortable purr. Xiao Fang then lifted Nuomici and gave it a big kiss.

“Daddy has to make breakfast. You can play up here, but don’t move around too much,” Xiao Fang instructed sternly.

“Meow~” Nuomici meowed as if it half-understood. Its soft, adorable sound nearly melted Xiao Fang on the spot. He carefully placed it on the marble countertop and began preparing the breakfast ingredients with gusto.

He shredded the washed wood ear mushrooms, pork, and green peppers, adding minced scallions and garlic. The whole set of nimble knife skills left Nuomici staring in a daze. It couldn’t resist reaching out a paw to bat at the pork on the table.

Xiao Fang pretended to be angry and tapped its paw. He then turned around, took a bowl of sliced beef from the fridge, and fed a tiny piece to Nuomici. Nuomici opened its mouth and ate with relish, no longer interested in the pork on Xiao Fang’s cutting board.

Fei Xiangnan, who had just come out of the study, witnessed this scene, and his heart instantly filled with joy.

When Xiao Fang saw him, he said naturally, “It’s the weekend, President Fei. Aren’t you going to sleep in a little?”

Still President Fei! I’m angry!

Fei Xiangnan’s expression remained unchanged as he walked over. “I had a few things to take care of,” he said, his face beaming with a proud smile. A successful husband should always be teaching a lesson to those who make his spouse uncomfortable.

Xiao Fang didn’t pry into work matters and continued preparing breakfast. He heated the wok, poured in the oil, and then slowly added the vegetables to stir-fry. At that moment, Fei Xiangnan hugged Xiao Fang’s waist from behind.

Xiao Fang’s face instantly turned red, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

“You… you should go out first. You’re affecting my cooking,” Xiao Fang stammered.

“Hmm?” Fei Xiangnan, who believed he had just done something highly praiseworthy, was very uncooperative with Xiao Fang’s instructions. He even nuzzled his chin against the slender, exposed part of Xiao Fang’s neck. His warm breath on Xiao Fang’s skin instantly turned him into a steamed shrimp, red from his face to his neck.

“President Fei, you should go out first,” Xiao Fang commanded, turning his head with a blushing face.

How could Fei Xiangnan let him go looking like this? Last night had been officially certified; today’s President Fei was no longer the Fei the Coward of the past! He leaned in and kissed those cherry-colored lips.

“Mmph.”

Xiao Fang had initially wanted to resist, but Fei Xiangnan’s presence instantly threw him into disarray. All he could do was reach back to turn off the stove and then let Fei Xiangnan lead him helplessly. At that moment, Xiao Fang could hear both of their heartbeats, thumping together in a chaotic rhythm.

“Meow~” Nuomici tilted its head, watching its two daddies perform “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.” Can cooking also lead to breathing difficulties?

And so, breakfast that day was naturally eaten late.

In the afternoon, Xiao Fang fled the battlefield with a book in his arms. Couples in the honeymoon phase shouldn’t be so inseparable; it’s not good for the heart!

Xiao Fang held the book in one hand and Nuomici in the other, lazily sunbathing on the rooftop. However, his dream wasn’t realized. Less than three minutes later, Fei Xiangnan sat down beside him with his laptop to handle business matters. The distance between them was no more than two meters.

Xiao Fang blushed, and the abstruse book instantly lost its appeal. He could only stroke Nuomici dryly.

When working, Fei Xiangnan was as serene as a piece of cold jade, reserved and unshowy, yet impossible to ignore. His fingers were long, and the way they tapped on the keyboard was as elegant as playing the piano. With his glasses on, he lost a bit of his sharpness and gained a scholarly air. Even a simple set of loungewear seemed to have an extra touch of design on him. In short, this person was truly handsome!!!

“Have you had your fill of looking?” Fei Xiangnan asked dotingly, his gaze never leaving the screen.

Xiao Fang coughed. “President Fei is dashing and handsome.”

Fei Xiangnan chuckled and looked at him. “Who did you learn this bootlicking skill from?”

“Naturally, it was inspired by the sight of you, President Fei. Whose boyfriend is as handsome as mine?” Xiao Fang said with conviction.

Fei Xiangnan nodded as if he understood, then uttered the words that delighted him, “That’s right. You’re mine.”

Boom!

Another wave of heat rushed through Xiao Fang. What do I do when my boyfriend is always teasing me!!!

Just then, his phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Xiao Ma.

[Brother Xiao, why haven’t you reported to the company recently? I see that agent’s face is black every day, hahaha, it’s hilarious!]

Xiao Fang had reported his leave of absence directly to the higher-ups. Hadn’t they informed his agent?

[I took some time off. I’m resting at home lately. I told the higher-ups. What, none of you knew?]

[Oh, so that’s it. I was wondering why the great Agent Chen has been wearing a sour face every day without giving a reason. He probably thinks you’re disrespecting him. I say, you did the right thing. That guy, he usually seems so polite to you, but who knows how much trash he talks about you behind your back.]

Xiao Fang understood this agent well. He was a typical two-faced opportunist who jumped on any bandwagon. He couldn’t be left out of good things, but he also couldn’t be too involved in bad things. Just like last time when Xiao Fang was being slandered online, he didn’t make a peep. For a nouveau riche like him, his position was actually the most awkward. He had money, but he wasn’t the richest. He had power, but that was completely out of the question. Usually, some minor figures would be polite to him on the surface, but it was a different story behind his back.

[Sigh, don’t mind him. You know what kind of person he is. Are you just my assistant? Why are you at the company when you have nothing to do?] Logically, if Xiao Fang was on leave, Xiao Ma should have nothing to do, as he wasn’t a full-time technician.

[Uh, I have some things to do.]

Xiao Ma’s reply was vague, and Xiao Fang frowned strangely.

[By the way, Brother Xiao, the company is off tomorrow. Can I come over to your place to hang out?] Xiao Ma and Xiao Fang had become better than just ordinary friends during this time, so Xiao Fang had no reason to refuse. It was just that, here…

Xiao Fang propped himself up and said, “President Fei, is it okay if my assistant comes over to visit?”

Fei Xiangnan tapped the enter key, then turned his head to look at him seriously. “It’s a problem.”

Huh? Xiao Fang immediately felt awkward. That’s right, he and Fei Xiangnan were still in a secret relationship. Had he gotten too carried away?

Seeing Xiao Fang fall silent, Fei Xiangnan immediately knew this little fool had gotten the wrong idea. He stood up, walked over, and sat on the edge of the lounge chair, tapping Xiao Fang’s forehead with his finger. “What are you thinking?” he said helplessly.

“It’s true that it’s better if not too many people know about our relationship,” Xiao Fang said seriously.

Fei Xiangnan was about to laugh in exasperation at this little fool. He picked up Nuomici by the scruff of its neck and placed it on another lounge chair.

Nuomici, suddenly deprived of its father’s love: Who am I? Where am I???

Fei Xiangnan reached out and hugged Xiao Fang. “What are you thinking? Sigh, is it so hard to just play along with my jokes once in a while? Is it so hard to beg me? Hmm?”

Xiao Fang’s mind worked in mysterious ways and immediately jumped to a conclusion. “You’re messing with me!!”

“No, there really is a problem.”

“What problem?”

“Call me by my name, and I’ll tell you.”

The person who suddenly understood the truth… “President Fei, you don’t just want me to call you by your name, do you?”

Fei Xiangnan quickly pecked Xiao Fang on the lips and said shamelessly, “Clever!”

Xiao Fang, whose face had quickly turned bright red.

President Fei played the well-practiced emotion card. “I want the most important person in my life to call me by my name.”

… …

“…Fei Xiangnan,” a certain Xiao mumbled.

“Drop the surname,” President Fei guided with great purpose.

“Don’t push your luck!” Xiao Fang protested.

Suddenly, Fei Xiangnan’s presence enveloped him. Thirty seconds later, a lightheaded Xiao Fang suddenly remembered what had happened on the lounge chair last time. Last time it was a sneak attack; this time it was out in the open.

Five minutes later.

“Mmph, Xiang… Xiangnan.”

Fei Xiangnan smiled with satisfaction. “You passed. By the way, why don’t we invite Que Jiang over tomorrow? He happens to be free during this time. Didn’t you say he gets along well with your little assistant? It shouldn’t be awkward for them to hang out together, right?”

“Of course it won’t be awkward. You have no idea, those two are great buddies. Sometimes I feel like I can’t even fit in,” Xiao Fang said, speaking his true feelings.

At that moment, Xiao Ma, who had no idea he had just been sold out, let out a big sneeze in the office.

“Who’s talking bad about me?”