Chapter 127: Fei Ge’s shirt is missing
This was the first time An Jing heard An QingYan talk about his past.
Since returning to the An family, his brother had always been cheerful and optimistic, never complaining about his past.
He knew An QingYan had a hard time. Those selfish parents wouldn’t treat a non-biological child well. Living together for so many years, they hadn’t even noticed their “son” didn’t feel pain.
If not for good luck, if YanYan had had an accident, they might never have seen him again.
Just thinking about it made An Jing shudder.
“YanYan…” An Jing didn’t know what to say. His nose was sour, his throat tight.
Perhaps having opened up, An QingYan smiled, sharing something he’d kept to himself. His voice was light, his tone calm, like he was telling someone else’s story:
“You know, when I was in my third year of high school, I came to the An family once, about two or three years ago.”
His eyes slightly reddened, but he smiled again, “I… An NanYi was my classmate in high school. At the time, I felt he was my only friend.”
“That day was his seventeenth birthday, he had a grand party at home, inviting the whole class. I went too.”
“Actually… that day was also my birthday.”
“You’ve probably forgotten, or never noticed me. I didn’t dare get close to anyone; I couldn’t even afford a decent gift.”
“I just hid in a corner, watching him from afar, surrounded by classmates, friends, and family, like a little prince… At that time, I thought, if only one day I could be like him.”
“Now, my wish has come true.”
“I feel very lucky, so you don’t need to feel sorry for me. It’s not your fault; you were victims too.”
An Jing listened silently, his heart aching. He looked up at the sky, forcing back the tears welling up, but in the end, he choked, “I’m sorry, YanYan…”
He remembered that birthday party.
That day, he had noticed a boy hiding in a corner watching everyone. He was far away, and he couldn’t see the boy’s face clearly. He only remembered the child sitting alone on the steps in front of the lawn, looking very lonely.
But he hadn’t gone over to ask. He was busy celebrating his brother’s birthday. When the party was almost over, he remembered the child again, but when he went back to look, he was gone.
If… if he hadn’t chosen to ignore him that day, would things have been different?
No one knew.
Having said all this, An QingYan felt much lighter. When he looked at An Jing’s face, he saw that his brother’s eyes were wet, tears welling up.
He proactively opened his arms and gave An Jing a comforting hug, “Big Brother, it’s okay.”
It’s not okay, it’s so embarrassing!
Crying in front of his brother was so embarrassing!!
——
Late at night.
Gu Fei, sweat-drenched, came out of the gym. After showering, he lay in bed.
He didn’t sleep, holding the wooden rabbit. He absentmindedly caressed the smooth wooden head, his thoughts wandering.
He was still puzzled about An QingYan playing the piano. It wasn’t just the piano; it was also singing, dancing, and acting.
Regarding the part-time job at the music store mentioned on the phone, Gu Fei knew he was lying.
He knew An QingYan too well.
Gu Fei had investigated him long ago. The boy had never had the opportunity to learn these things. Besides studying, he had part-time jobs in school. After dropping out, he was busy earning money to support his family and had no time or conditions to learn these things.
The only plausible explanation was that the boy was naturally talented in music, dance, and acting, performing excellently even without professional training – a natural talent.
Gu Fei frowned slightly, still feeling something was wrong.
But he couldn’t pinpoint it.
He couldn’t find another reason to explain it.
Meanwhile, at the An family villa.
An QingYan rolled around on the comfortable, soft bed in his new room, unable to sleep after a long time. He was used to sleeping with Gu Fei, and now he felt empty.
Unable to fall asleep, he finally sat up, turned on the light, got out of bed, and went to the walk-in closet in slippers.
He’d already packed his luggage; his clothes were neatly arranged. He opened the bottom drawer, revealing a neatly folded white shirt.
A moment later, the boy lay back on the bed, but this time with the shirt he’d just found. He hugged it, perhaps due to the placebo effect, a faint woody cedar scent seemed to linger in his nostrils.
It was Gu Fei’s scent, a reassuring scent.
He closed his eyes in the darkness and slowly fell asleep.
——
The next day, the sun was warm and bright.
Duan Ci’s mood was not so sunny. A pile of bottles and jars lay scattered on the floor next to him, some shattered, the cosmetics spilling out.
His anger again affected the innocent cosmetics on the table. The makeup artist didn’t need her assistant’s reminder; she turned and left, thoughtfully closing the door to the makeup room.
“How could it be Lin QingYan!” Duan Ci’s anger hadn’t subsided. He kicked the table leg hard, not even noticing the pain, gritting his teeth, “Didn’t Mr. Wu say this role was mine?!”
He’d just heard from the Jiu Zhou Chuan crew that the male lead was finally cast, and he was furious. Something that was a sure thing was ruined by Lin QingYan!
The assistant weakly corrected, “Brother Duan, it’s An QingYan, not Lin…”
“I know, damn it! Is that important?! Is it important?!” Duan Ci wanted to slap him, “The most important thing is that I lost my role, it was snatched by that Lin!”
It’s An… the assistant muttered in his heart, then cautiously said, “Brother Duan, I heard gossip from the crew that the investor changed, Mr. Wu withdrew his investment.”
“I heard the director and Mr. Wu had a falling out.”
“What?! Why would the investment be withdrawn? Are they playing games?!” Duan Ci widened his eyes in disbelief, immediately calling Mr. Wu.
“Brother Wu, I heard you withdrew your investment? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to, I can withdraw if I want to, do I need your permission?” Mr. Wu was also filled with anger, venting it on Duan Ci, “Damn it! Bad luck!”
Duan Ci: “What do you mean, Mr. Wu?!”
“What do you mean by calling me unlucky?”
“Don’t let me see you again!”
Because of this role, he even dared to sarcastically scold that director. He angrily threatened to withdraw the investment. Who knew Wu Weiguang had found a new investor so quickly!
It was Gu’s Corporation. Who was so stubborn as to oppose Gu’s? It was like an egg hitting a stone. He absolutely couldn’t afford to offend them; now, whether he wanted to withdraw the investment or not, he had to.
Opposing Gu’s for a small star, that was absolutely insane.
This time, Duan Ci angrily smashed his phone. He thought the role was his. He’d not only threatened An QingYan but also paid for marketing, releasing news online in advance.
Many fans and netizens knew he would play Shen Tinghan. Now that the role was suddenly replaced, wasn’t this slapping him in the face? Would he still have the face to show himself?
He coldly asked, “Do you know who the new investor is?”
The assistant: “It seems to be… Gu’s Corporation?”
“Gu’s Corporation?” Duan Ci knew the famous Gu’s, but he didn’t understand why such a large corporation would suddenly interfere… The male lead became An QingYan.
Could it be that Gu’s had a connection with An QingYan?
Impossible!
Even though An QingYan had become a young master of the An family, how could he be connected with Gu’s? It would make sense if An’s Corporation suddenly intervened.
He had seen Gu Fei, the head of Gu’s, once at a banquet. He only saw him from afar; the man exuded a forbidding aura, and he hadn’t dared approach.
It was rumored that Gu Fei was asexual, not interested in men or women. Many in the circle, unconvinced, used their looks to approach Gu Fei, but none had a good outcome.
Duan Ci quite liked Gu Fei’s face and figure, that cold, abstinent look, particularly appealing. Conquering him would be something to boast about for a lifetime.
But he hadn’t found an opportunity.
People like him, living in the clouds, were unreachable.
…
Time passed neither quickly nor slowly. An QingYan stayed at the An family for several days, experiencing the feeling of being cherished by his family.
Especially after they learned he didn’t feel pain. Even a sneeze or cough made them nervous and worried, particularly Song Shuman, who wanted to rush him to the hospital.
An QingYan gradually adapted to life back at the An family. The Jiu Zhou Chuan script had arrived, and he spent his days reading the script or studying, going to the practice room to dance and relax when tired.
However, he missed Gu Fei.
Even though they chatted and called every day, he still missed him, wanting to see him, but afraid of disturbing his work. It had only been a few days…
An QingYan felt troubled.
At that moment, Gu Fei called him.
After some casual conversation, An QingYan hesitated and asked, “Fei Ge? Are you working on the weekend?” If not, I’ll go see you.
Gu Fei: “Mm, overtime.”
He was a little disappointed, “Mm… then you should rest.”
Gu Fei: “YanYan, Fei Ge can’t find a white shirt.”