Chapter 22
Zong Mo had no works worthy of attention, and his connection to the film emperor was mostly based on rumors. The popularity dissipated in a few days, and everything returned to calm.
Before the New Year, Ruan Chi was busier than in the previous months, leaving early and returning late every day.
He would eat breakfast with Zong Mo in the morning, and in the evening, he would tell him his arrival time in advance so he could prepare a hot dinner.
Sometimes it was too late. Zong Mo would leave the dinner there and go to sleep, and Ruan Chi wouldn’t drag him out of bed.
Most of the time, they ate two meals a day together. But Zong Mo had no work during this period, and the long days were spent alone at home.
He had also tried the various entertainment facilities in the basement, but it was always boring alone.
No wonder Ruan Chi had kept a dog when he was living alone. At least he now had someone to eat two meals with. A few years ago, who knew if Ruan Chi even ate.
Zong Mo felt he had been reduced to a healthy but lonely golden canary.
Lonely… lonely my ass!
He refused. Ruan Chi hadn’t restricted his personal freedom, but he didn’t know where he could go.
His social circle was pitifully small. Just his manager, his assistant, and his sponsor.
Actually, it wasn’t much different from before he transmigrated. Back then, it was his landlord and his editor.
Lu Bo was finally free. Only then did he send Zong Mo a WeChat message, continuing the promise from the wrap party.
[I’m back in City A. Want to come out and chat?]
Is it about Ruan Chi…?
Zong Mo couldn’t contain his curiosity and furtively went out to meet him.
This time, they chose a small private room in a high-end restaurant, very secluded.
Regarding his past with Ruan Chi, Lu Bo only briefly mentioned, “We were quite close when we were kids. After we grew up, we rarely contacted each other.”
Then, he put the vague feeling that Zong Mo had already had into clear and explicit words, “Do you know that Ruan Chi treats you like a toy?”
Zong Mo: …
Could he admit that? Sell a sob story to the film emperor? No! Admit that in Ruan Chi’s eyes, he wasn’t even a person? Also impossible!
Zong Mo tightened his grip on the glass cup in his hand and said with his eyes lowered, “CEO Ruan is very good to me.”
Lu Bo only asked him, “Have you ever kept a pet?”
Zong Mo: …
So annoying. He understood instantly.
He was silent for a long while before speaking again, asking, “Teacher Lu, what do you see me as then?”
Lu Bo pondered for a moment and said in a gentle voice, “An interesting junior whom I want to promote.”
Full marks for the scheme.
Zong Mo took a taxi home, his feelings complicated all the way. When he first discovered he had transmigrated, he had completely treated the characters in the novel as paper-thin figures, the kind that didn’t need much respect.
If not for that, he wouldn’t have so easily had a relationship with someone he had no feelings for.
Of course, CEO Ruan being too lewd was another topic!
Anyway, he gradually discovered that these people he had thought were paper-thin figures.
It seemed that, surprisingly, none of them treated him as a person.
On New Year’s Eve, Ruan Chi still had to go out, saying it was a family gathering.
On New Year’s Eve, of course, An Lan and Little Wan had the day off. CEO Ruan’s exploitation wasn’t so outrageous as to be insane.
Today, Zong Mo didn’t need to cook. Even the cleaning auntie didn’t need to come.
Wuwu, emo.
Only after dark did he gradually receive various blessings.
From An Lan, Director Yang, Yin Qiao, and other actors from the same crew.
Although they were simple blessings, they all included Zong Mo’s name, not perfunctory mass-sent messages.
Zong Mo also included their names and replied to each blessing earnestly.
Lu Bo’s message came the earliest. At noon, he asked him: [Where are you spending the New Year?]
Zong Mo pondered. Lu Bo might have checked his background and found out he was an orphan, which was why he sent such a vague message. To avoid directly hurting his pride, while also containing a hint of concern.
But Zong Mo could only fudge it, replying: [At home.]
He didn’t have a home. But Lu Bo didn’t question his words and continued to ask: [With whom?]
Zong Mo hesitated for a long time before finally typing out the three short words: [With CEO Ruan.]
Lu Bo said he knew Ruan Chi, and they were cousins. Maybe Lu Bo knew where Ruan Chi was now. Maybe they were even spending the New Year together.
Zong Mo’s lie was very clumsy. Lu Bo didn’t expose it, but asked: [Is that so?]
Zong Mo felt a wave of discomfort, put down his phone. After a while, the phone screen lit up. He quickly picked it up.
It was another message from Lu Bo, two in a row.
[Happy New Year’s Eve, Little Mo.]
[Want to come out for dinner?]
Zong Mo: …
Asking him out for dinner on New Year’s Eve?
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t go on this date. If CEO Ruan found out or if he was photographed by paparazzi, it would be a huge trouble.
Zong Mo replied: [No need, Teacher Lu. I wish you a happy New Year’s Eve too. As for dinner tonight, you should have it with your family.]
At nine o’clock at night, the villa was quiet. Zong Mo went to bed. When he was pulled awake in the dark room, not only was he not annoyed at having his sleep disturbed, but he even felt a faint sense of anticipation.
So pathetic!
His just-awoken voice was slightly hoarse, “CEO Ruan?”
“Mm.” Ruan Chi pulled him regardless of his sleepiness and ordered irresistibly, “Get up. Come out.”
Zong Mo thought he had to provide that kind of service again. After all, today was special. But it was just to go downstairs. New Year’s Eve, for Chinese people, was much more important than December 31st.
Following behind Ruan Chi, Zong Mo had long smelled the alcohol and smoke on him. It wasn’t until they were in the living room that he asked, “CEO Ruan, did you go home for New Year’s Eve dinner?”
Ruan Chi frowned and repeated unhappily, “Home?”
He seemed a little drunk.
After a while, he continued, “I had New Year’s Eve dinner outside.”
After saying that, he got up. Zong Mo didn’t know why, but he saw him bring over some wine.
“Still drinking, CEO Ruan?”
“Mm. It’s the New Year,” Ruan Chi said.
Zong Mo: …He had thought CEO Ruan didn’t celebrate the New Year.
“Then, are we watching the Spring Festival Gala, CEO Ruan?”
“Mm, turn on the TV.”
Zong Mo turned on the TV, but the house was quiet, and the Spring Festival Gala was too lively, which seemed a bit strange. So he turned down the volume and used it as background music.
Anyway, no one was watching it seriously.
Ruan Chi poured two glasses of wine and placed them on the coffee table, then took out his wallet from his pocket.
Although it was now the information age, an overbearing CEO definitely had to carry a wallet, convenient for throwing cash in people’s faces anytime, anywhere.
Ruan Chi didn’t even count, just pulled out all the red banknotes. It was so thick it couldn’t be folded, only barely held flat in his hand.
Zong Mo: ? Was he going to receive his payment for sex?
The money was right in front of him, but he didn’t dare to take it, waiting for Ruan Chi to speak.
“New Year’s money. Are you happy?”
Zong Mo: “…New Year’s money?”
“Mm.”
“CEO Ruan, I’m almost twenty-two.”
“Take it,” Ruan Chi said. “Otherwise, you won’t be able to in a few years.”
Zong Mo: …
“Are you drunk?”
Ruan Chi let out a “mm,” his tone calm but unusually firm. “Why aren’t you taking it?”
Zong Mo: “…I’ll take it.”
He reached for it, but Ruan Chi pulled back the hand holding the money and said, “Drink first.”
Zong Mo: ?
“CEO Ruan, do you also force kids to drink when you give them New Year’s money?”
“Are you a kid?”
Zong Mo: …Fine, he’ll drink.
He got tipsy after just a few sips, turning from passive to active. Afraid that Ruan Chi would drink too much and hurt his stomach, he even snatched the wine glass several times, and ended up drinking twice as much.
He had no self-awareness of his alcohol tolerance. In the end, his hands were shaking so much he couldn’t hold the thick stack of money, and it scattered all over Ruan Chi.
He, Zong Mo, the most promising golden canary in history, actually had a day where he threw money at his sponsor.
Promising!
The house was heated, and he had drunk a lot. Ruan Chi had long taken off his suit jacket and unbuttoned a few buttons of his shirt.
From the corners of his eyes to his cheeks, to his neck and collarbones, it was all flushed red.
The Spring Festival Gala, serving as background music, had long ended. In the huge living room, only the clinking of glassware and Ruan Chi’s voice remained.
“Pick up the money.”
Zong Mo: …
Listen to that! He was just treating him like a toy, that’s right!
But his body was faster than his brain. When he came to his senses, he had already picked up all the money on the floor.
So angry.
When he got to Ruan Chi’s side, Zong Mo was too angry to bear it. He raised his hands high, then let go.
Ruan Chi, who was unexpectedly showered with banknotes: …
“Zong, Mo?”
“I-I couldn’t hold on.”
Because he was kneeling on the soft sofa and had raised his arms to throw the money, Zong Mo lost his balance and suddenly fell onto Ruan Chi.
He barely propped himself up, but he had no strength. Most of his body was still pressing down on his sponsor.
The face so close to him was really red, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
His throat was also faster than his brain. Zong Mo blurted out, “CEO Ruan, you’re so lewd.”
Ruan Chi: ?
“CEO Ruan, you’re so handsome.”
Ruan Chi was stunned. He realized they had been pressed so tightly together for a while, and Zong Mo still hadn’t reacted.
Tsk, he’s really drunk.
The person before him was enveloped in a warm halo of light, his eyes moist and watery, the two black pupils like ink spreading in clear water.
“You’re so cute,” Ruan Chi also replied.
“…Cute?” Zong Mo was puzzled. “Are you praising me, CEO Ruan?”
“Mm.”
“Not cute!” Zong Mo said solemnly, word by word, “I, am a Big Fierce 1.”
Ruan Chi was silent for a moment, then took out his phone and started recording. His movements were smooth, without any drunken sluggishness.
“Say that again?”
“I am a Big Fierce 1!” Zong Mo said even louder, and even pointed at Ruan Chi’s nose, pushing his luck. “CEO Ruan, you, are self-righteously 1.”
Author’s Note:
Thinks he’s a Big Fierce 1, but is actually a Kawaii 1.
