I’m Keeping the Overbearing CEO After He Went Bankrupt [Rebirth] 28

Chapter 28: Qingbao is Confessed To

Wang Shiwei and the other staff members had rarely seen this side of Chu Qing, and they were all scared silly.

So… Chu Qing had this side to him?

Although Chu Qing had splashed Yuan Xiaoge with juice before, that was when he had lost control of his emotions. This time… it was different. This time, Chu Qing was clearly calm, yet he still confronted Yuan Xiaoge head-on, a complete contrast to his usual gentle image.

Yuan Xiaoge leaned against the railing, sobbing, a truly pitiful sight.

Then, the other contestants arrived, and the filming began. After Yuan Xiaoge complained to the other contestants for a bit, she didn’t continue to fight with Chu Qing. So the camera only captured Yuan Xiaoge’s one-sided story and her pitiful appearance, and Yuan Xiaoge’s fans exploded.

XXX: Chu Qing went too far! He went too far! Do you know how important bags and lipsticks are to a girl! Who would feel good after saving up to buy a bag they like, only to have it thrown away like that?! Is Chu Qing sick in the head?! I’m so angry!!! Sisters, let’s report him together! Let’s go to his account and teach him how to be a person! Psycho! Bullying our sister, bullying a girl, he’s not a man!

XXX: Chu Qing was never a man to begin with, so sissy. Maybe he’s doing it with his bodyguard every night. I hope his rotten chrysanthemum prolapses soon!

XXX: I hope the bed-climbing Chu Qing dies in bed!

XXX: Yuan Xiaoge’s fans, did your mom not teach you how to speak properly and have the right values?! What? It’s right for Yuan Xiaoge to throw away Teacher Chu’s more-important-than-life Rubik’s Cube, but it’s wrong for Teacher Chu to throw away Yuan Xiaoge’s money-bought bag? A real eye-opener

XXX: Sisters, Yuan Xiaoge’s fans have no class. Let’s report them

Then, during the dinner party, the host led the contestants in a chat and a small board game. Throughout, Yuan Xiaoge was listless, her dispirited appearance making her fans’ hearts ache.

However, after the dinner party, a big V entertainment account suddenly exposed a story about Yuan Xiaoge.

@BigEntertainer: The female star who recently had a dispute with Chu Qing is suspected of having been a third party in someone else’s relationship? Yuan Xiaoge’s fans are angrily cursing Chu Qing for bed-climbing, but they didn’t expect their own idol to be a mistress? Here’s the solid proof!
[Image][Image][Image]

A nine-square grid of pictures, each one more damning than the last, with chat records, photos, and even a short video.

XXX: Hahahahaha woc so exciting, tagging Yuan Xiaoge’s fans here. I heard your little sister is pure and kind, lively and cute?

XXX: Tsk tsk, I knew Yuan Xiaoge’s rapid rise this year must have been thanks to a sponsor daddy. It really is a “loved by all” script, a real “ridden by all”… huh? Did I say something wrong? [doge face]

XXX: Mistresses are shameless! Mistresses, get out of the entertainment industry!

Yuan Xiaoge’s fans and her studio were also in chaos. After all, her messy past relationship had really happened, and the proof was too solid to be washed away. Even her company was furious. The new little flower they had worked so hard to promote had gotten involved with a male A-lister from the same company.

Now, everyone was boycotting Yuan Xiaoge’s works and endorsements, angrily cursing her for being shameless.

Yuan Xiaoge’s fans had originally planned to go and cause trouble on Chu Qing’s side, but now their own backyard was on fire, and they were too busy to care.

Yuan Xiaoge was originally supposed to leave the show after the dinner party the next night, but her team negotiated with the production team to arrange a car for her to leave early the next day, not participating in the recording anymore.

At the same time, Starry Sky Company saw that the time was right and had the production team release the full video of the dispute between Chu Qing and Yuan Xiaoge. Only then did everyone know that it was Yuan Xiaoge who had provoked Chu Qing’s bodyguard first. Because of this, Chu Qing gained a wave of fans.

XXX: I always thought Chu Qing was an indecisive sissy, but he can be so A-list and so handsome? He got fierce for his little bodyguard. A beauty’s rage for her blue-eyed boy, I’m here for it!

XXX: Person above, little… bodyguard? I think Teacher Chu is clearly fiercely cute. Awww, the way he tries so hard to protect the big bodyguard is so silly and cute!! Mommy will protect you, Qingqing!! I’ll always love Qingqing! [extra loud]

XXX: I can ship this! I really can! Fanfic writers, please see me

Chu Qing’s fans set off firecrackers to celebrate, as if it were the New Year. After all, they had witnessed a performance of karmic retribution from the other side.

XXX: Seriously, you should leave a way out for others so you can meet again in the future. Be a little kinder. If Yuan Xiaoge hadn’t insisted on pestering and fighting with Teacher Chu, the backlash wouldn’t have been so severe, tsk tsk

XXX: Wow, is this really karma? Yuan Xiaoge’s fans were cursing Teacher Chu for bed-climbing and being shameless before, but now… ugh, all the things her fans said before have now become weapons for the outside world to use against her

…

The internet was buzzing, but Chu Qing knew nothing about it. At this moment, he was trying to move his body to the video on his phone, trying to learn to dance.

It was already late at night. In the empty practice room, there was only the soft, slow music coming from the phone.

“Qingbao?” Huo Li said, pushing the door open with a thermos and a late-night snack. He saw Chu Qing sitting on the floor in a very unnatural position.

“Ah… dizzy,” Chu Qing said with a frown. “I’m practicing the waltz.”

Huo Li: “…”

Huo Li: “You spun yourself dizzy?”

“…”

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Huo Li walked over, pulled him up, and said, “Come on, eat something. I’ll teach you later.”

“…??” Chu Qing looked very surprised.

“…” Huo Li said helplessly, “Do you have some misunderstanding about me?”

Chu Qing thought about it and understood.

Right, although Huo Li was in the underworld in the US, he was still a member of the upper class. He also had his public schedule and couldn’t be fighting and killing like in the movies every day.

“Thank you…” Chu Qing paused. “Won’t it be troublesome…?”

The dance teacher wouldn’t be able to come until tomorrow, and he could only teach during the day. If Huo Li could teach him, that would be great, but…

With red ears, Chu Qing said, “I… I should probably just practice on my own…”

“Shh.”

Huo Li handed the late-night snack—a plate of pastries—to Chu Qing. “Eat first. After you rest for a while, I’ll teach you.”

“Oh…”

“Look at you, you don’t look like the person who was so fierce on the balcony at all,” Huo Li said, pinching his ear. “Teacher Chu just now was particularly impressive, particularly handsome. My legs even went weak.”

“Don’t laugh at me…” Chu Qing was still a little embarrassed.

Huo Li smiled. “I’m very happy.”

It’s true that it was the first time someone had provoked him like that, Huo Li thought, but… it was also the first time someone had said they would protect him.

Oh, wait, the second time.

It was just that both times, it was the same person.

Huo Li lowered his gaze.

Three years ago, he had returned to the country once. But that time… maybe Chu Qing had forgotten.

And at this moment, hearing Huo Li’s words, Chu Qing couldn’t help but be stunned.

Huo Li repeated, “I’m very happy. Thank you, Qingbao.”

Chu Qing lowered his head. “Mmm, I… I should…”

But the corners of his mouth also turned up uncontrollably.

A moment later.

The music continued. Two figures held each other, dancing in the small practice room.

One of their hands was clasped together, Chu Qing’s hand on Huo Li’s shoulder, and Huo Li’s on his waist.

“One, two, one… turn,” Huo Li said with a smile. “Don’t be nervous.”

“Mmm, mmm…”

Chu Qing’s reactions were a bit slow, but when he couldn’t turn, Huo Li would use his strength to lead him, helping him get used to the rhythm.

The difference in their strength was too great. Being led and pulled along, Chu Qing found it much easier, and he didn’t feel anything when he occasionally stepped on Huo Li’s foot.

“Mr. Huo is so amazing.”

“Of course,” Huo Li said with a smile. He looked down and saw that Chu Qing’s expression was serious but a little panicked, and he kept looking down.

“Qingbao, look up.”

“I can’t…”

“It’s okay,” Huo Li said, squeezing his hand. “I’ll lead you.”

Moonlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling window, and their two shadows intertwined on the floor.

Chu Qing stared blankly up at Huo Li.

His features were strong and deep, with a coldness whether he was smiling or not. His eyes were as if they had been stained with a murderous aura, unfathomable.

At this moment, Huo Li was like a nobleman on the dance floor, his every move exuding a nobility that was carved into his bones. But it wasn’t just nobility; there was also a majestic and arrogant aura that was hard to look at directly.

Huo Li raised an eyebrow. “Is brother that good-looking?”

Chu Qing was stunned and lowered his head, his face red.

“I said not to look down,” Huo Li said, his hand moving up to gently lift Chu Qing’s chin.

Chu Qing’s whole body stiffened, his voice hoarse. “Okay.”

He thought, The gap between us is too big. He couldn’t help but ask, “What was Mr. Huo’s life like before?”

Huo Li was stunned. He hadn’t expected Chu Qing to ask that.

He thought for a moment and replied, “It was a life where I couldn’t sleep well at night.”

“Why?”

“Because there was no absolutely safe place for me to sleep well,” Huo Li said lightly. “There were many hungry wolves lurking outside.”

Chu Qing said with concern, “What about now?”

“Not anymore,” Huo Li said, touching Chu Qing’s palm with his finger, teasing him. “With Sponsor Daddy by my side, I sleep very well every night. Of course, if my sponsor could use your authority to bully me a little, I could sleep even better.”

Chu Qing: “…”

The tall and mighty man with eight-pack abs was saying very terrible lines in a tone comparable to Siri and Google Assistant.

And… and he was talking about bullying…

Chu Qing muttered, “You’re clearly the one bullying me…”

“Oh? Be specific. How am I bullying you?” Huo Li’s hand on his waist moved up and down, satisfied to see the person in his arms blush again.

“N-No…”

Chu Qing tried not to be sidetracked by Huo Li’s rambling and continued to ask, “What about now? Are those hungry wolves still there? Is Mr. Huo okay now?”

Huo Li sighed. This little one is getting harder and harder to fool.

“I took care of it before I came back. Qingbao, don’t forget, I’m bankrupt,” Huo Li said, winking with a smile. “I’ve washed my hands of it.”

This sentence was half-true, half-false.

But he thought, I’m not exactly lying. I am going to wash my hands of it, but things have to be done step by step. I can’t just get out of it all at once.

At least now, he was no longer in the vortex, and he could be by Chu Qing’s side, slowly settling down.

“Oh… so Mr. Huo is safe now?”

“Safe, very safe,” Huo Li said, pinching his ear. “You little one who gets to the bottom of things, I have to ask you too. You haven’t answered me yet. Is brother that good-looking?”

“…”

“Hmm?”

Chu Qing stammered, “I think…”

He paused for a long moment before saying in a small voice, “I think you’re like a star that fell from the sky.”

Huo Li was stunned, then smiled. “Did you pluck me down?”

Chu Qing turned his head away.

“Oh my, Qingbao, why did you pluck me down? You have to take responsibility. You have to support me from now on.”

Chu Qing suppressed his rapidly beating heart and said, “Focus on dancing…”

…

The next day, after washing up, Chu Qing had originally wanted to go to the practice room, but the thought of having to face the other contestants, especially that troublesome Jiao Changxu, made him change his mind.

He had originally wanted to get along well with others, but yesterday’s experience was not pleasant, so he gave up the idea of going out.

He huddled in his bed, writing a song with his guitar. His hand hadn’t fully healed, but he could still gently strum it with his gloves on to get a feel for it.

The cameraman, after getting the okay from Huo Li, came to film him.

After a few performances, Chu Qing’s fame had skyrocketed, and his buzz was even comparable to Jiao Changxu’s. The production team naturally wanted to film more for the livestream.

XXX: 155551 Qingbao is really no different from a sunny flower boy who walked out of a manga! So good-looking. As expected, a good-looking boy playing the guitar is really deadly!

XXX: Go, Qingbao!! We’re rooting for you!

XXX: Tsk… Chu Qing was just lucky in the past few rounds. The first round was rehashing old stuff, and the second round, he happened to draw a difficult song that was easy to perform well. He won’t be so lucky this time

XXX: I don’t think Chu Qing’s musical talent is that great. It’s just exaggerated by those star-chasing girls in the industry who haven’t seen the world and haven’t seen real musicians perform. The world is so big, you should go and see [doge face]

XXX: The few anti-fans above, are you sick?! This is Qingqing’s livestream room. If you’re not going to watch, get out! Don’t come here to pick fights!

In any case, Chu Qing’s dark spots of being kept and his personality were there, deeply rooted, and there was never a shortage of anti-fans. But what was different now was that there were people speaking up for him.

And at this moment, Chu Qing was concentrating on writing down rows of notes in his notebook, so serious that it was as if he had lost his perception of the outside world.

In fact, he really didn’t have any feeling for the outside world; he was immersed in his own little world.

Because when Jiao Changxu and An Yize came in, he didn’t even pay attention to them.

Jiao Changxu paused, thinking that Chu Qing was still angry, so he carefully sat down in the chair by the bed and said with a grin, “Good afternoon, Teacher Chu.”

“…”

“Teacher Chu?”

“…”

Jiao Changxu awkwardly and tactically leaned back.

An Yize was already used to it. He sat down on the side and played with his guitar. Seeing that Jiao Changxu was really awkward, he helplessly struck up a conversation with him. “Teacher Jiao, I’m stuck on a transition. Can you help me with it?”

Jiao Changxu gratefully turned around to chat with him.

After that, Jiao Changxu would occasionally try to talk to Chu Qing, but he never replied, at most just giving him a puzzled glance.

Chu Qing was currently overflowing with inspiration. He had an idea. He wanted to integrate classical music, to make a better and more interesting song.

He rarely had such fighting spirit, but this time, he wanted to do it well.

The demo was slowly coming out now. The melody was steady and restrained, even a little obscure.

Not only did he want to challenge a dance he had never tried before, but he also wanted to challenge a different musical style. That is—a melody with almost no ups and downs, steady, calm… even dull. In other words, he had to sing a dull song and melody with meaning.

This mood was very much in line with his fantasy of a love that couldn’t be waited for.

XXX: …What the hell, Chu Qing is going too far, isn’t he? It’s the first time I’ve seen such a rude person. Does he think he’s the best in the world just because he knows a little about the five-line staff?

XXX: What are Jiao Changxu’s fans so dissatisfied about??! I’m not even dissatisfied for Teacher Chu yet. Why do they always have to come and kneel and lick and annoy our Teacher Chu! Can you give the kid some creative space! Tsk tsk tsk, don’t tell me Jiao Changxu has really fallen for Teacher Chu?

XXX: Brother Xu is kind and friendly, he’s like this with everyone, ok? Brother Xu only went to talk to Chu Qing because he felt sorry for him. I didn’t expect him to be ignored. His kindness was bitten by a dog. Those of you who are calling him a licking dog, open your eyes. Brother Xu came in with An Yize! What does it have to do with Chu Qing? Why don’t you say An Yize is a licking dog too!

XXX: ?? Confused statement. Isn’t An Yize just going back to his own room?

XXX: Directing you to the Weibo of “Vatican’s Big Flower,” a detailed analysis of Chu Qing’s motive for playing hard to get! He’s just a b*tch!

XXX: Are you sick?? I’ll direct you too. Come and see how your Brother Xu kneels and licks and leeches. The link is here→

In any case, Jiao Changxu’s and Chu Qing’s fans had been cursing each other since the show started, both thinking the other’s idol was a licking dog, and their interactions were infinitely magnified.

After all, the two of them had not colluded to push a ship, there was no control, and Chu Qing was even more merciless to Jiao Changxu, so the fighting between the two sides of fans was getting more and more fierce.

Jiao Changxu naturally knew about this situation, so after the recording ended, seeing that An Yize had gone to take a shower, he patted Chu Qing’s shoulder. “Teacher Chu, shall we talk?”

“Ah…?”

Chu Qing put down his pen and looked at him.

Jiao Changxu got straight to the point. “Has Teacher Chu ever thought about creating a ship with someone on the show to increase your fame?”

“…?”

“Our fans are fighting very seriously now. They think you don’t like me,” he said.

“Ah… I don’t dislike you,” Chu Qing thought. It’s not that bad.

“Mmm-hmm, if you don’t dislike me, can we be a little more intimate in front of the camera?” Jiao Changxu said with a smile. “There’s no harm in it.”

“Um…” No matter how slow Chu Qing was, he understood. He frowned and asked, “Does Teacher Jiao want to create a ship with me?”

Jiao Changxu nodded.

Chu Qing shook his head. “No.”

“…”

Jiao Changxu was gradually getting used to this overly direct refusal. He quickly recovered and said, “Teacher Chu… I, I like you.”

Chu Qing was stunned.

It was the first time he had heard someone, someone he was not very familiar with, say they liked him twice.

Because he had no experience at all, and had always received more malice than goodwill, he still didn’t think of it in that way at all at this moment. He just suddenly realized that Jiao Changxu wanted to create a ship with him to increase his fame.

He said nothing.

“Will Teacher Chu consider it?” Jiao Changxu said with a smile. “At least… accept my gift first?”

He handed him a keychain.

It was a cute white rabbit.

Chu Qing frowned and said stubbornly, “No ships.”

“Just accept it. It has nothing to do with creating a ship,” Jiao Changxu said. It wasn’t the first time he had pursued someone, and he had never failed. He was very confident; it was just a matter of time.

“Teacher Chu, it’s just a small gift. Let’s be friends? I’ve always wanted to be friends with you. I especially like your music.”

“Your music is amazing. I have a lot of resonance with it. We can exchange ideas together.”

Chu Qing was stunned and, after a pause, said in a small voice, “Does Teacher Jiao want to be friends with me?”

“Mmm, yes,” Jiao Changxu said with a grin. “Sincerely, I’m definitely not lying to you.”

Chu Qing confirmed again, “Not because of creating a ship?”

“No, being friends with you is not for profit. I’m serious.”

“Okay…!” Chu Qing carefully took the little rabbit. “Thank you.”

“This is a good place for it.”

Jiao Changxu pointed to his pencil case with a smile. “You can hang it on your pencil case.”

As he spoke, he took it and helped him hang it.

“Can I call you Qingqing?” he said with a smile.

“Um…” Only Huo Li and Yu Weixi called him by his nickname. Chu Qing paused, frowning slightly.

“I see your fans call you that too. I’m your fan now, and also your friend. Is that okay?”

Chu Qing said hesitantly, “I guess, it’s okay…”

“Good, Qingqing,” Jiao Changxu said, patting his shoulder. “Then I’ll go first. See you tonight.”

Phew…

Chu Qing let out a sigh of relief.

Mmm, it seems I can still do it.

He had made a friend, achieving his goal of getting along well with others.

He stood up and went to take a shower too.

But Chu Qing was originally resistant to the outside world. Even though Jiao Changxu had chatted with him, he still didn’t pay much attention to him at the dinner party afterward.

Little did he know that this attitude of his had instead aroused more of a desire for conquest in Jiao Changxu, and his desire to get closer to him grew even stronger.

After the dinner party, Chu Qing went to the practice room as usual.

Huo Li also came a moment later and noticed the new ornament on his pencil case.

“Did An Yize give it to you? It’s quite cute.”

It really looks like Chu Qing, he thought.

“No, it’s from Teacher Jiao,” Chu Qing said, standing up with a smile. “Mr. Huo, I made a…”

“Take it off,” Huo Li’s face immediately darkened.

“…?” Chu Qing froze in place.

“I said, take it off,” Huo Li said coldly. “Throw it away.”

How could he not be angry? When he wasn’t around, the other person had successfully given a gift.

Chu Qing never accepted gifts from outsiders.

“???” Chu Qing didn’t know how to respond for a moment.

Seeing that he didn’t react, Huo Li went over and took the keychain off directly.

Chu Qing had always been obedient and didn’t stop him, just watched him silently.

Seeing that Huo Li had confiscated the keychain, Chu Qing paused, said nothing, and turned to leave the practice room.

“Qingbao…”

Bang.

The door was closed.

Huo Li stared blankly at the closed door.

…

…?

Was he… too fierce?

Huo Li was filled with regret and quickly chased after him.