In the minimalist yet elegant President’s Office, Fu Yanli sat in his office chair, his arm casually draped over the black sandalwood desk.
Jade-white lighting spilled across his handsome, chiseled face, giving him an air of aloof detachment.
He heard his assistant’s suggestion but didn’t reply right away. After a moment’s thought, he said, “No need. Let Shixu decide for themselves. Don’t come asking me again.”
A man unwilling to explain his child’s origins wasn’t worth that much attention.
Shixu’s artist evaluation department was already running smoothly without his involvement.
Fu Yanli had no idea yet that he would soon regret this decision bitterly.
The assistant’s mind raced with thoughts: Jiang Shunnian had finally caught their CEO’s eye, but with a kid in tow, no way he’d marry into wealth.
Outwardly, she remained impassive and calm. “Understood, Mr. Fu.”
Back at the hotel, Nono refused to nap and insisted on studying. The room was basic, so the little guy sat on the chair with a pillow propped under him just to reach the desk. His serious little face was utterly heart-melting.
Jiang Shunnian watched for a bit before flopping onto the bed to stare at the ceiling, his heart a mix of anticipation and anxiety. He didn’t know if Lin Yue would sign him, but deep down, he figured it was a no-go.
But he truly couldn’t just come out and say that he’d personally given birth to Nono.
Jiang Shunnian let out a sigh.
That night, he dreamed of four years ago—that night when a man’s scorching palm roamed his body, sending shivers through him. He felt trapped in an unbreakable cage, forced to endure…
When he woke, Jiang Shunnian still felt limp and weak all over.
Nono had been up for ages, obediently nestled in the covers watching his dad sleep. The moment Jiang Shunnian stirred, Nono scooted over for a milky-sweet kiss. “Daddy, good morning!”
“Good morning, little one.” Jiang Shunnian reached to scoop Nono into his arms but suddenly froze mid-motion.
To think a dream had left him like this…
He was a healthy twenty-six-year-old man, after all—reactions like this were normal. But in front of his son? It left Jiang Shunnian mortified.
Meeting Nono’s innocent, bewildered gaze up close, he could clearly see the ink-jade eyes shimmering with faint golden flecks, radiant yet somehow oppressive. Unbidden, a thought struck him: Did that man’s eyes look like this too?
What would it feel like to be stared at by eyes like these in the heat of passion?
He tamped down his erratic heartbeat and soothed his son. “Nono, close your eyes for me, okay?”
Nono trusted him implicitly, shutting his eyes tight and lying still on the bed. Jiang Shunnian bolted out of bed, grabbed fresh underwear, and dashed to the bathroom to change—and take a quick shower.
The hotel breakfast was mediocre, but Nono was an easy kid to please: no pickiness, no waste.
A pang of bitterness hit Jiang Shunnian. Once he earned enough for Nono, he’d take fewer jobs and spend more time with him.
Ran Qing’s pay had been generous—100,000 yuan, plenty left after taxes. Add in the Starlight Bestowed on You fee, and he’d made a tidy sum in just a month.
Time to think about renting a place and settling down here.
Nono was over three now—kindergarten was on the horizon. After wrapping the shoot, he’d scout options.
That afternoon, Lin Yue called. She apologized profusely: after Shixu’s evaluation, they couldn’t move forward with a deal.
The news didn’t surprise Jiang Shunnian. He accepted it calmly.
Shixu had high standards, and he wasn’t being upfront—totally fair they passed.
Lin Yue actually thought it was a shame. Jiang Shunnian’s looks and acting were top-tier for his age, but the flaws were glaring: a kid too young for idol dramas (bye-bye, fanbase), and the birth mother’s mystery spelled trouble. Plus, word from Fu Yanli’s assistant meant no VIP push from the top, so they dropped it.
When Ran Qing heard and offered intros, Jiang Shunnian turned her down. She’d done enough already—couldn’t keep bothering her.
Take it slow.
After that day’s shoot, Yu Yanchen called to grab dinner. The moment Jiang Shunnian entered the private room, Yu Yanchen yanked him into a rant.
“Bro, I can’t believe our crap agency actually got bought out—by some overseas rich kid, no less.” Yu Yanchen pulled Jiang Yunnuo into his lap for comfort. “First thing, he fires all the deadbeats. Now he’s interviewing every artist—fail, and you’re out. I’m up the day after!”
Yu Yanchen had been stuck in web dramas for years, no breakout roles. His acting wasn’t awful, just mediocre, and his luck was flatline. No way he’d pass.
Hearing Jiang Shunnian struck out with Shixu too, he nearly bawled with him.
Why us?
Xiao Ju pulled a long face. “I don’t wanna be jobless, waaah! Bro, you don’t get it—grads are drowning in the job market!”
Jiang Shunnian fretted too.
They all picked at their food. Then Xiao Ju piped up: “Bro, does your new boss like guys or girls? Seduce him! If you land him, me and Jiang-ge can ride your coattails!”
Yu Yanchen clapped hands over Nono’s ears, his own turning pink. “Watch your mouth.”
A 1.85m beefcake like him selling himself? Cringe city!
Xiao Ju slumped in her chair. “Guess we’re at fate’s mercy.”
Yu Yanchen wasn’t one to quit. His record was an open book, so he gussied up his look. Jiang Shunnian, with spot-on taste, joined him post-dinner for new clothes and a fresh style.
He looked brand new.
Jiang Shunnian encouraged him: stay genuine, keep your eyes steady, signed or not.
Interview day, Yu Yanchen took a deep breath and strode through the company doors.
Just a new boss—no renos yet—but something felt off. Cleaner floors, tasteful new decor pieces screaming class.
The semi-open front desk was manned by the boss’s female assistant, Tatiana, in a sharp business suit—tall, slim, stunning, and efficient.
Yu Yanchen heard her intro once and still botched the name.
“Mr. Yu, the boss’s office is occupied. Five-minute wait.”
Tenser now.
Right on cue, the door opened. Out slunk a dejected male actor.
Yu Yanchen knew him—same signing era, same middling career, zombie-tier celebs.
The guy shot him a loaded look, laced with shared doom vibes. You’re next.
Pressure doubled.
Tatiana ushered Yu Yanchen in and shut the door. He looked up nervously—and froze.
Desk, chairs: swapped for luxury custom pieces. Desktop OCD-perfect, handmade rug screaming opulence, inferiority complex bait.
But none topped the man in the office chair: pale gray suit, flawless features. In Yu Yanchen’s eyes, only his bro Jiang Shunnian could compete.
Better yet, otherworldly poise—like a noble heir’s icy elegance. One glance, and your heart skipped.
Yu Yanchen’s pulse stuttered. That aura—insane.
The man sized him up too. Yu Yanchen snapped ramrod straight. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs, gym-honed from pumping iron. Looks were solid, body better—but conservative upbringing meant no skin flicks, just goofy straight-guy selfies. Fans dubbed him “Alas Chen,” biggest of the Sled Dog Three Sillies.
“Take off your shirt,” the man said abruptly.
Yu Yanchen clutched his chest, face flaming like a bullied bride. He squeaked indignantly, “What do you want? I don’t do backroom deals!”
Pei Qingyi: “…”
He pinched his pen, clarifying, “Your roles don’t fit. Let me check your build. Stay? Follow my lead. Leave? Door’s there.”
Yu Yanchen got it, mortified, dropping his hands. “R-right.”
He yanked up his hem and stripped boldly, baring a ripped, tension-packed torso.
Pei Qingyi got male-beef-blinded, eyes flicking away on reflex.
Jiang Shunnian awaited Yu Yanchen’s update. It came quick, thrilled: “Shunnian, I made it! Hahaha!”
“Awesome!” Jiang Shunnian beamed for him.
“Listen, new boss has killer presence, hot as you—total rich vibe. But seems decent. Recommended you! Polish your resume, bring Nono, hit the company this afternoon.”
Yu Yanchen marveled at his own impulse—guy didn’t seem shady.
Four years back, Jiang Shunnian had his back too. He mentioned it casually; boss pulled the file and greenlit.
Jiang Shunnian was stunned, grateful. “Thanks, bro.”
No high hopes, though—Nono’s secret stayed buried.
He had a resume ready for the actors’ guild anyway. Changed into fresh clothes, headed over with Yu Yanchen.
Nono clung shyly in unfamiliar turf but flashed a brave smile at Pei Qingyi to help Dad.
“Hello, I’m actor Jiang Shunnian. Here’s my resume.” He slid it over. “This is my son, Jiang Yunnuo, three years and four months.”
“Boss!” Jiang Yunnuo chirped softly, adorable overload.
Pei Qingyi cracked a smile, drawer’d a lollipop for him.
Jiang Yunnuo eyed Dad for the nod, then took it with a sweet “Thank you, boss!”
“No ‘boss’—call me uncle.” Pei Qingyi turned cool eyes on Jiang Shunnian. “I’ve checked your background. Shixu passed because of the kid issue, but not here. Got a parent-child variety invite—think you can handle it?”
He pushed a file across.
