Seeing Xie Xiaobao’s pitiful look, Xie Yan’s eyes softened with a smile. “Good to know where you went wrong.”
Xie Xiaobao fidgeted, then said, “I’ll tell Brother Wang I won’t care what they say online.”
“You could clarify,” Xie Yan suggested. “Even saying you’re Fengsheng’s president’s brother wouldn’t hurt.”
Xie Xiaobao considered it seriously but shook his head.
He had a three-year contract with He’s Entertainment, with two years left. Though naive, he knew being Fengsheng’s president’s brother while signed to He’s could complicate things, even without bad intentions, possibly troubling He Yu and others.
“No need,” Xie Xiaobao said. “A few online comments won’t hurt me. I don’t mind.”
“If you’re unhappy, stay with me or your second brother to unwind,” Xie Yan said, watching his expression. Seeing no forced cheer, he relaxed. “Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Xie Xiaobao nodded obediently. He was content—work was light, and he’d made new friends. This small setback wouldn’t faze him. “Got it. I’ll handle it.”
Xie Yan asked a few more caring questions until his secretary entered, signaling a meeting. They ended the call.
“Tell Hu Yiqing’s broker to repost Hu Jiuli’s latest Weibo,” Xie Yan instructed his secretary, heading to the meeting room.
Though Xie Xiaobao wouldn’t join Fengsheng, Xie Yan couldn’t treat him like a rival’s artist.
Among his three siblings, Xie Xiaobao was the most innocent, always guileless, even less cunning than younger Xie Meili.
The secretary noted the task calmly, but inwardly reeled. Xie Yan, never swayed by romance, was now pulling Fengsheng’s top star to boost a He’s streamer, seemingly using Hu Yiqing to prop up Xie Xiaobao. Imagining Hu Yiqing’s unrequited feelings for Xie Yan, the secretary spun a melodramatic love triangle in her head.
Sympathy aside, she dutifully passed the message to Hu Yiqing’s broker.
The broker, fuming, could barely speak. “This is too much! You’ve loved him for years, stayed at Fengsheng for him, and he treats you like this?”
Hu Yiqing, surprisingly unbothered, seemed cheerful. “I’m not mad. Why are you?”
The broker, red-faced, snapped, “Only you’d wait years without a response, never planning a way out.”
Hu Yiqing handed her a watermelon slice, grinning. “Who says I haven’t gotten a response?”
The broker eyed her suspiciously. “What don’t I know?”
Hu Yiqing flicked her hair, winking. “You think he’d use Fengsheng’s top star, a grand actress, to boost a streamer?”
“Then why…?”
“Because Hu Jiuli’s my brother,” Hu Yiqing laughed, “and Xie Xiaobao’s his little brother.”
“What?” The broker’s jaw dropped, stunned. “How’d you know?”
“I have my ways,” Hu Yiqing said, patting her shoulder with a charming smile. Centuries-old fox spirits didn’t chase someone without knowing their background.
“I’ll post it myself. Don’t worry,” Hu Yiqing said, grabbing her phone and typing swiftly.
[Hu Yiqing: So cute, @Hu Jiuli introduce us next time. //Repost]
Soon after, Hu Jiuli reposted and replied: [Will do.]
The post stirred a storm. The actress’s involvement amplified the buzz, her playful exchange with Hu Jiuli confirming their sibling bond. Fans of both grew chummy, and dual fans cheered, shifting focus from Xie Xiaobao.
Amid the Weibo “family reunion,” He Yu, just back from abroad, prepared to watch Xie Xiaobao’s video.
He’d been at an overseas conference, returning to reports from Wang Si and Fang Huaiyue. After handling urgent tasks, he finally viewed the video.
On the high-definition computer screen, Xie Xiaobao moved gracefully to soft music, the deep green skirt-pants revealing flashes of pale skin. His innocent gaze, untouched by seduction, evoked a naive elf new to the world.
After the hour-and-a-half video, He Yu sipped water, saved it to a computer folder, and called Wang Si.
Knowing He Yu’s return, Old Wang waited at the company, rushing to the top floor when summoned.
He Yu leaned back, legs crossed, Xie Xiaobao’s face flashing in his mind. He chuckled, rubbed his brow, and saved the video locally.
Old Wang knocked and entered, standing across from him. “Mr. He.”
He Yu nodded, gesturing for him to sit and report.
Old Wang organized his thoughts, detailing recent events.
“…That’s about it. Everything was under control, but Fengsheng’s sudden involvement caught us off guard.” After Xie Yan and Hu Yiqing’s reposts, half of Fengsheng’s artists followed, keeping the topic atop Weibo’s hot search with unrelenting buzz.
Old Wang didn’t know Xie Xiaobao’s background, but He Yu did. Thinking of Xie Yan’s stern demeanor, he shook his head, amused. Even Xie Yan got emotional for his brother.
“I’ll handle Fengsheng,” He Yu said. “There’s been negativity. How’s Xiaobao holding up?”
Old Wang shook his head. “He’s fine. He’s handling it well.” Ignoring trolls and charming fans, Xie Xiaobao adapted faster than expected.
Relieved, He Yu listened as Old Wang reviewed the period’s work, then hesitated. “Mr. He, I’ve gotten ad and filming offers recently.”
He Yu frowned. “Didn’t we say Xiaobao won’t take those?”
“Not for him,” Old Wang said, half-laughing. “For his orange cat.”
Xie Xiaobao firmly declined ad scripts, and savvy folks backed off, realizing he wasn’t playing hard to get. But some, failing to sway him, targeted his cat.
“Cat?” He Yu raised a brow, picturing the chubby orange cat from Xie Xiaobao’s Weibo. “Which brands?”
Old Wang counted: two cat food brands, a pet hospital, and a stray animal shelter’s public service ad.
He Yu pondered. “Ask Xiaobao first. If he’s okay, negotiate. If not, don’t push.”
“Got it.” Old Wang handed over the work reports and left.
Meanwhile, Xie Xiaobao was dodging Hu Jiuli’s pestering.
Hu Jiuli wanted to dine out, but Xie Xiaobao, still miffed about the tail scare, hemmed and hawed, refusing.
Hu Jiuli had never met anyone trickier than himself. Xie Xiaobao was stubborn, unbending once decided, but Hu Jiuli feared Hu Yiqing might skin him if he failed. He kept nagging.
“Pick anything to eat,” Hu Jiuli urged.
Xie Xiaobao replied honestly, “I’m dieting. Can’t eat much.”
“Eat light, then,” Hu Jiuli said. “I’ll take you somewhere fun. Ever been to a nightclub? The girls there are pretty and sweet.”
Xie Xiaobao’s eyes widened, scolding, “Second Brother says be loyal to your partner, not fool around.”
“We’re all single!” Hu Jiuli, exasperated by this naive kitten, gritted his teeth, forcing a smile. “My sister, Fengsheng’s actress Hu Yiqing, wants to meet you. She loves cute boys like you.”