He Yu looked down at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Xiaobao?”
Xie Xiaobao let out a timid “mm” in response, recalling how he’d bragged to Song Kewen that they’d never be found out, only to be proven wrong so quickly.
“Oh my,” Grandma Li glanced between Xie Xiaobao and He Yu, noting their odd expressions. “What’s this? Don’t you recognize each other? You two used to play so well together as kids.”
“I remember when Xiaobao went abroad, Xiaoyu, you were moping for quite a while, weren’t you?” Grandma Li asked He Yu with a smile.
He Yu slipped one hand into his pocket, chuckling helplessly.
“Grandma, that was ages ago. Only you still remember it so clearly.”
Grandma Li’s face crinkled with laughter, her wrinkles piling up. “Of course! And not long after that, you went abroad too. If I hadn’t kept nagging, would you even be back now?”
He Yu gave a soft tsk, glancing at Xie Xiaobao, who was frowning as if trying to recall something. “Don’t remember?”
Xie Xiaobao felt a bit awkward. His childhood memories were fuzzy at best, so he mumbled vaguely, “Uh… I kind of remember something.”
He Yu raised an eyebrow, teasing him deliberately. “Then what did you used to call me? Let’s hear it.”
Xie Xiaobao furrowed his brow, struggling to recall. After a long moment, he could only stammer pleadingly, “President He…”
Seeing his pitiful expression, He Yu knew the little chubby cat definitely didn’t remember him. He curled his lips, deciding not to tease him too much, and offered an out. “Calling me President He is too formal. Just call me He Yu from now on.”
“Oh.”
Relieved to escape further questioning about the past, Xie Xiaobao obediently called out He Yu’s name.
Seeing them chatting happily, Grandma Li let them go, urging them to talk on their own while she pulled Qu Yanning aside for a conversation.
“Let’s sit over there.” He Yu pointed to a small sofa nearby.
Xie Xiaobao wanted to refuse but felt too timid. He followed He Yu, looking like a soggy kitten caught in the rain. If he were in his cat form, his tail would surely be drooping listlessly.
They sat down, and He Yu had a servant bring over some pastries and milk tea.
The He family’s pastries were exquisitely made, mostly crafted from recipes Grandma Li and Qu Yanning had developed together and taught to the chefs.
Xie Xiaobao eyed the sweet-smelling milk tea and the delicate, beautiful pastries, his eyes sparkling, but he sat obediently without touching them.
“Try some,” He Yu said, placing the milk tea in front of him and pushing the pastry plate closer. “If you don’t like them, we can have them bring something else.”
Xie Xiaobao softly said thanks, picked up a piece of mousse cake closest to him, and forked a small bite into his mouth.
He Yu sat across from him, leaning back relaxedly into the sofa, watching with interest as Xie Xiaobao nibbled at the cake.
“You’re not eating?” Xie Xiaobao looked up belatedly, asking him.
He Yu’s lips curved slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. “You eat. I don’t like sweets.”
“Oh.” Xie Xiaobao nodded, thinking for a moment. Unsure how to make conversation with President He, he quietly continued eating his cake.
One ate, the other watched, and neither spoke, the atmosphere carrying an odd sort of harmony.
After the birthday banquet, Grandma Li retired to rest, her age making her energy less robust than before.
With the guest of honor gone, only He family relatives and close friends remained. Qu Yanning, not too familiar with them, took Xie Xiaobao and left early.
As they were leaving, a servant hurried over with a small box. “This is from Young Master Yu for you.”
“For me? Thank you.” Xie Xiaobao took the box, still a bit dazed.
Qu Yanning laughed beside him.
“When you were little, every time you came over, you’d eat your fill and still take a box of pastries home to savor slowly. Young Master He’s thoughtful.”
Xie Xiaobao’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he mumbled defensively, “That’s because I was young and didn’t know better…”
Qu Yanning patted his head. “Alright, alright, let’s go home.”
After returning, Xie Xiaobao stayed at Cuiyuan for four days before Old Wang called. On the phone, Old Wang said the company’s new policies were about to be finalized, and he should prepare and come back to the company.
Xie Xiaobao was a bit downcast at the news. Qu Yanning drove him to the company. “Why so glum?”
Xie Xiaobao explained that the company had a new boss, and his department might be merged.
Qu Yanning thought about the company Xie Xiaobao worked for—He’s Entertainment, wasn’t it?
After moving out, Xie Xiaobao had found work on his own, stumbling into livestreaming and signing with He’s Entertainment.
Though the Xie family hadn’t interfered, they’d quietly looked into it.
“He’s Entertainment’s new boss is He Yu, right? Should I put in a word with him?” Qu Yanning offered.
“No need,” Xie Xiaobao hurriedly shook his head at the mention of He Yu. “No need to trouble President He. I’ve got a fanbase now, and I can stream from home. I’m just reluctant to part with my two friends.”
Seeing his nervous reaction, Qu Yanning backed off. “Alright, if it comes to it, you can always join your big brother’s company.”
Xie Xiaobao nodded, saying earnestly that he’d make his own plans.
Qu Yanning dropped him off at He’s Entertainment, ruffled his hair, and said, “Keep at it. If you run into trouble, tell the family.”
Xie Xiaobao nodded vigorously, waved at him, and jogged into the building.
The online artist training department’s office was on the fifth floor, in the most run-down room at the end of the hall, a reflection of its low priority.
When Xie Xiaobao arrived, Old Wang and Song Kewen were already there.
The office was filled with a faint smell of smoke. Song Kewen was sprawled in a chair, feet up, playing a game, while Old Wang sat with a deep frown, clearly in a bad mood.
Xie Xiaobao closed the door, opened the window to let in some air, and sat in the empty chair. “Has the company made a decision so soon?”
Old Wang tossed his cigarette butt into the ashtray and sighed.
“Yeah, I heard the documents are ready, just not officially announced yet. The online artist training department will be dissolved. I’ll be transferred back to my old department to manage new talent, and all the streamers… they might get a payout and be let go.”
“Getting some money before leaving isn’t bad,” Song Kewen said, putting down his phone with a shrug and a laugh. “Looks like the new President He is more decent than the last one.”
***
Meanwhile, He Yu sat at his desk as his assistant reported the new company policies point by point.
“Wait, let me see the documents.”
The assistant handed over the draft. He Yu flipped through a couple of pages, spotting the name Xie Xi on the termination list, with a note in parentheses: stage name, Xie Xiaobao.
He Yu tapped his fingers on the desk, then said after a moment, “Everything else is fine. You can send out the official notice. But hold off on the online artist training department until I give the word.”