Chapter 14 – The Break

Zhou Yi’s song remained highly popular. As a complete newcomer, his first song quickly climbed to the top of the quarterly new song chart. The company, capitalizing on his success, released several more songs he had recorded, making him a minor celebrity.

Xiang Ning’s video, which had been a top trending topic for a day, quietly dropped down. He was now rubbing his eyes, sitting up, and picking up the two kittens that were perched on his pillow, carrying them out.

“Good morning.” He Rong was straightening his clothes and turned to greet him when he heard the commotion. Xiang Ning put down the kittens and walked over, frowning at He Rong’s tie, which he couldn’t seem to straighten. Unable to resist, he took over.

He stood on tiptoe, and He Rong bent down, bringing them very close together. Their breaths mingled, warming the air between them. Xiang Ning focused on tying the tie and let out a small sigh of relief.

Suddenly, he was gently pulled into a hug, and two warm lips lightly touched his forehead, leaving before he could react. He stood there, dazed, and He Rong let him go, smiling as if nothing had happened. He straightened his clothes and said, “I’m leaving.”

The door closed softly, letting in a wave of warmth that quickly dissipated into the cool air. Xiang Ning, realizing what had happened, touched his forehead. The skin there became sensitive, and the heat spread to his palm, making his face turn red. He was brought back to reality by his phone vibrating in his pocket and quickly refocused his attention.

Zhou Yi: [Teacher Xiang, you also participated in the National Youth Singing Competition!]

Zhou Yi: [I did too! I was your fan!]

Xiang Ning chuckled. He was only eleven or twelve at the time, so how could he have fans?

Before he could reply, Zhou Yi sent another message: [Really, Teacher Xiang! I even took a photo with you back then!]

[I was the first in the Northwest region and made it to the top six.]

[Do you remember me?]

Xiang Ning furrowed his brow and slowly sat down on the sofa, petting a kitten. The kitten’s fur bristled, and it angrily bit him and ran away.

There was such a memory… He struggled to recall a scene from long ago. He had just finished the final round and was holding the trophy, looking for his parents when a group of officials and judges surrounded him, taking turns to take photos with him. At the end, a seven- or eight-year-old boy with a melon-head haircut timidly approached and asked if they could take a photo together.

Zhou Yi’s photo arrived. He was holding a trophy and a bouquet of flowers, forcing a smile. The boy, who was a head shorter, was shyly holding the edge of his clothes, clearly very happy.

What a coincidence. Xiang Ning smiled and replied to Zhou Yi.

Xiang Ning: [So that was you.]

Zhou Yi: [Yes, Teacher Xiang! I really liked your voice back then!]

Zhou Yi: [I wanted to get your phone number, but my brother called me away, and I didn’t get the chance. I really liked you!]

Xiang Ning felt a bit embarrassed. He never imagined he would have fans back then. He thought for a moment and carefully typed: [Your voice is also very good. I’m your fan too.]

Zhou Yi, like a teenager, immediately replied: [Your voice is better!]

… [That was many years ago…]

Zhou Yi hesitated for a while before sending a message: [Can we be friends?]

[Of course.] Xiang Ning smiled to himself, chatted a bit more with his new friend, and then went to the kitchen to make lunch.

The kittens followed him, clinging to his legs and climbing up his pants. Xiang Ning, wincing, pulled them off one by one and put them in a cage.

He cooked the meal but then hesitated. After a long while, he sent a message to He Rong: [Are you coming back for lunch?]

Three minutes later, he received a reply: [Sorry, I’m busy. Eat first.]

Xiang Ning sighed, took out some leftovers from the fridge, and noticed a lunch box at the back.

He took out the lunch box, which was empty but had been sitting in the fridge unnoticed.

He habitually bit his nails and typed a message: [I made it. Do you want me to bring it over?]

He Rong’s phone buzzed. He frowned, looked at it, and his expression softened. He happily replied: [Sure.]

As soon as he reached the ground floor, Xiang Ning saw Xiao Ye. Xiao Ye smiled and greeted him, “Sir…”

He noticed Xiang Ning’s look and corrected himself, “Mr. Xiang.”

Xiang Ning breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

They took the private elevator up.

Xiao Ye led him to the president’s office and left. Xiang Ning knocked on the door and heard, “Come in.”

He gently pushed the door open and peeked in. He Rong looked up from his seat, and the irritation in his eyes vanished. He gestured for Xiang Ning to come in, “Come in quickly.”

Xiang Ning pursed his lips, closed the door, and walked over.

He placed the lunch boxes on the table, which looked quite abundant. He Rong glanced at the full plate of braised pork and smiled, “Did you put the whole dish in?”

Xiang Ning smiled sheepishly and took a book to the sofa.

The high-rise’s large windows filtered in soft sunlight, casting a gentle glow on half the sofa. Xiang Ning, shielded by a monstera plant, slowly munched on a cookie from the coffee table.

The silence was broken by a sudden crash.

Father He burst in, cane trembling, and pointed at He Rong, “You ungrateful son!”

He Rong’s eyes flashed with annoyance, but he put down his chopsticks and asked, “What do you mean, Father?”

“You know what you’ve done!” He Mingde’s cane clattered, and he threw some cards at He Rong, shaking his hand, “You actually froze my cards!”

Xiang Ning stood up, looking at He Rong uncertainly. He Rong shook his head and sneered at Father He, “I just don’t want you to spend recklessly.”

Father He, speechless, pounded the table. He Rong glanced at the braised pork on the floor, his eyes sharp, and said slowly, “If you and Aunt Hui keep secretly taking company shares, you won’t need that card at all.”

Father He looked guilty for a moment but quickly regained his composure, “I’m your father! How could I harm you?”

“I’m your son, and I won’t harm you either,” He Rong sneered, picked up the phone, and said, “Have Mr. He escorted out.”

Father He, unwilling to lose face, huffed and stormed out.

Xiang Ning looked at him worriedly. He Rong sat down, rubbed his head, and stared at the scattered braised pork on the floor. He gestured for Xiang Ning to come over, and the young man hesitantly hugged his head, gently patting his back.

He Rong mumbled, “The meat fell.”

He pulled Xiang Ning onto his lap, and Xiang Ning, startled, grabbed his collar, staring at him. He Rong squinted, tentatively caressed his face, and finally touched his lips.

Xiang Ning’s heart raced, and he closed his eyes in resignation.

Sunlight danced on his long eyelashes, casting a golden glow. He Rong smiled, rubbed his cheek, and slowly found his lips.

A warm, restrained kiss.