SGSHE95

Hearing his eldest son’s definitive words and observing his impassive face, mother Qu felt a sudden sinking sensation in her heart.

She asked anxiously, “Xing’an hasn’t been mistreated because of his relationship, has he?”

Father Qu grew tense as well: “Who is Xing’an seeing? Is it a university classmate?”

Luan Xing’an had stopped attending classes before joining the show, as he was in the ‘free roam’ phase of his senior year. Since he hadn’t graduated or started a formal internship yet, the people he interacted with were naturally mostly from university.

Qu Jialiang paused for a moment before replying, “It is a university classmate.”

A senior counts as a university classmate, after all.

“Who exactly is it?” Mother Qu asked impatiently.

Qu Jialiang looked at his parents and stated three words first: “It’s a man.”

Father Qu was stunned.

Mother Qu was taken aback too, but upon seeing father Qu’s expression, she gave him a light slap. “What kind of look is that?”

“I’m surprised,” Father Qu explained earnestly. “People are free to love whom they choose. Height, weight, or gender, none of that matters. What counts is a person’s character.”

Five years ago, same-sex marriage had been legalized in this world.

In earlier years, father Qu would never have imagined such a thing happening.

However, having seen many same-sex couples while traveling over the past two years, he felt it was no different from any other relationship and found it perfectly acceptable.

It was just that hearing his own child was gay had come as a bit of a surprise.

Mother Qu recalled the #XingGuangCP# hashtag she had seen online recently and muttered, “It wouldn’t happen to be Jing Heguang, would it? Xing’an is close with him, there’s even a ‘ship’ name for them online!”

Qu Jialiang: …

“Mom, what exactly have you been looking at online?”

“Just answer me, is it him?” Mother Qu asked, looking at her eldest son.

Qu Jialiang gave a slight nod.

Father Qu remembered the first episode of the show. He had watched Jing Heguang sing on TV and had formed a favorable initial impression of him. But thinking back to the song Luan Xing’an sang today, father Qu furrowed his brow again: “Did the two of them have a fall out while working together on the show?”

Mother Qu sighed repeatedly: “Judging by those final lyrics, they’ve made up, sure, but Xing’an lacks a sense of security.”

Qu Jialiang offered a perspective: “I’ve heard that Jing Heguang is extremely driven in his career.”

Qu Jialiang felt certain there were no major issues with their relationship, after all, his younger brother’s true background hadn’t been exposed yet. Currently, Jing Heguang was the one with the superior status and resources, investing his own time and energy into training Qu youngest son.

It was evident that Jing Heguang had put in a tremendous amount of effort, personally joining the show to mentor him, and Qu Jialiang fully acknowledged that dedication.

If there was a problem between them, it wasn’t romantic, it was likely career-related.

According to the details Qu Jialiang had gathered, Jing Heguang used to be incredibly aggressive about his schedule, attending various events and rushing from one engagement to the next before joining the show.

However, since joining the program, he had poured himself entirely into it, causing his external activities and media exposure to plummet.

After discussing the matter, the three of them quickly reached a decision: continue the indirect strategy of getting closer to Jing Heguang, but step up their efforts.

***

And so, the next day.

After taking several calls throughout the morning, Xiao Chen felt like he might still be dreaming.

He cast aside his boss’s standing order, don’t call unless it’s an emergency, and dialed the number in a daze.

Only after the call started connecting did Xiao Chen think: Surely, what’s happening today counts as emergency, right?

An endorsement deal with COLL!

A Qu’s Aviation endorsement that comes with a private jet!!

An invitation from an A-list actor (winner of the ‘double gold’ awards) and a top-tier director!!!

It was like a windfall from the heavens, all dropping into their studio on a single day. With so many amazing things happening, surely even a boss who had gone ‘lovestruck’ would consider this important?

Xiao Chen took a deep breath to steel himself. His boss would surely be overjoyed, perhaps this would even reignite his ambition for his career.

After all, being obsessed with love all day long was bound to affect one’s career. Xiao Chen felt he was the employee who truly had the boss’s best interests at heart, earning peanuts while putting in an effort that offered the ultimate bang for the buck.

***

When Xiao Chen called, Jing Heguang was in the middle of a coaching session with some trainees.

These sessions were essentially extra classes, a favor Jing Heguang provided out of the kindness of his heart.

When the call came through, Jing Heguang apologized and stepped outside to a quiet spot to answer it.

On the other end of the line, Xiao Chen sounded incredibly excited.

“Boss!”

Jing Heguang held the phone a bit further away from his ear. “What is it? Is there an emergency? Get to the point.”

“Boss, COLL wants to discuss a global ambassadorship with you!”

At the mention of COLL, Jing Heguang immediately thought of Qu Liuguang. Since Qu Liuguang was finished, this endorsement offer was undoubtedly coming from the Qu family.

Aware of the underlying connections, Jing Heguang responded calmly, “Mm, got it.”

***

Xiao Chen: …

Xiao Chen couldn’t accept that reaction. This was COLL! A top-tier luxury brand!

Boss, wake up! Snap out of it and have some ambition!

Xiao Chen continued in a high-pitched, excited tone, “Boss! Qu’s Aviation also reached out today about an endorsement deal. They’re offering a private jet, and they’re even willing to negotiate free maintenance!”

Flying around in a massive jet whenever you want, doesn’t that sound amazing?!

Xiao Chen didn’t believe there was a single man who could resist the allure of owning a plane and soaring freely through the blue skies.

***

Jing Heguang flexed his slightly stiff right shoulder, remaining unruffled. “Mm, I’m aware of that too.”

As for the jet, that was surely being offered for free solely for Xingbao’s sake.

Jing Heguang didn’t know how Luan Xing’an would handle his relationship with the Qu family once he learned the truth about his own background, so he had no intention of accepting any perks the Qu family dangled in front of him.

***

Xiao Chen: …Damn, that’s hardcore!

It wasn’t that Xiao Chen lacked vocabulary, he simply felt those two words were the most fitting description.

His boss’s lovestruck state had surely reached an extreme level. Upon hearing such shocking news, his tone remained completely unruffled!

If Xiao Chen had to use one more phrase to describe it, it would be ‘terrifyingly unfazed’.

Clutching his chest, Xiao Chen revealed the final pie, the last big opportunity: “Director Huang Chunhua and Film Emperor Qu have sent a casting offer. They say the role of the second male lead in their new movie is perfect for you to play in person.”

Xiao Chen was mentally prepared and wasn’t surprised by his boss’s lukewarm reaction.

But he hadn’t expected Jing Heguang to simply say, “That? Just turn it down.”

Xiao Chen: ???

Did this news not even warrant a simple ‘got it’?

Xiao Chen felt his composure cracking: “Boss, I think the COLL endorsement, the airline deal, and even this movie offer could take your career to the next level!”

“You’ve got A-list popularity and high name recognition right now, but opportunities to ascend to the ‘super A-list’ are rare.”

As he tried to persuade his boss, Xiao Chen clenched his fists, thinking: Listen to me, seize the chance! You could be the next super A-lister.

Jing Heguang asked, “Are these ‘pies’ really that delicious? What if they’re laced with poison? You only see the good parts, go do some digging first, then get back to me.”

Jing Heguang’s displeased tone made Xiao Chen realize he’d been too excited and hadn’t done his due diligence.

Xiao Chen admitted his mistake and began looking into the details.

It was obvious that of the three ‘pie’ today, the latter two were directly linked to one name: Qu.

Xiao Chen looked up the Qu family and found gossip about the close relationship between the Qu family matriarch and the head of COLL, suddenly, it all clicked.

The Qu family was rushing to hand over these benefits, with Film Emperor Qu acting as the intermediary, what could be the reason? What could they possibly want from his boss?

Nine times out of ten, they were simply coveting his boss himself. But who would have guessed his boss was so hopelessly lovestruck? Even the gift of a private jet didn’t work. His boss adamantly refused to two-time his partner or switch to a new one.

His boss was a real man, through and through!

***

Jing Heguang hung up the phone, dismissing the matter entirely.

However, news this sensational, once it started circulating, inevitably caught people’s attention.

COLL had originally been looking for an asian regional ambassador, only for word to suddenly break that they had selected a global ambassador, a title they had never awarded before.

With a global ambassador secured, who needed a regional one?

Those who missed out were gutted. After some digging and a fair bit of effort, they finally discovered the chosen candidate: Jing Heguang, who was currently serving as a mentor on a smash hit talent show.

They racked their brains trying to find a way to lobby for the role, only to realize that COLL had actually initiated contact with Jing Heguang directly!

What was Jing Heguang’s background, anyway? Huaxing Entertainment’s fashion connections were notoriously mediocre.

The whole situation could be summed up in one word: bizarre.

Naturally, the oddity piqued curiosity. Unlike airline deals or private invitations from film directors, which are often shrouded in secrecy, information about COLL was obtainable. Rumors pointed to a connection with a certain wealthy, powerful family.

Digging a little deeper brought the Qu family into the spotlight.

Coincidentally, news leaked from the film industry as well, implicating Qu Wenyuan.

Then, someone came forward with proof: photos showing Qu Wenyuan attending a recording of Voice of Heaven.

It was a sensation, the smoking gun. Amidst the rumors, Jing Heguang was suddenly linked as a couple with the low-profile, ‘Double Golden’ award-winning actor Qu Wenyuan.

Industry insiders gossiped and shared the news, and by the next day, the hashtag #JingHeguangRealBoyfriend# was trending.

***

Early the next morning, Qu Wenyuan received a call from his agent. “Wenyuan, have you really started dating Jing Heguang?!”

Qu Wenyuan’s agent knew about his family background. Seeing the gossip circulating so vividly and with such convincing, specific details. he wondered if Qu Wenyuan had actually found a partner.

Qu Wenyuan: ???

“What? What are you talking about?!”

Qu Wenyuan was baffled. How on earth did he end up dating Jing Heguang?! Wasn’t Jing Heguang his younger brother’s boyfriend?!

His agent said, “Look at the trending topics, Jing Heguang’s Real Boyfriend. The rumors sound so credible…” I even believed them.

Qu Wenyuan checked the trending topics and clicked on the story, his jaw practically hit the floor.

He had only visited Green Channel studio once, secretly accompanying his parents to see his youngest brother, yet somehow, someone had snapped a photo of him.

After realizing what was going on, Qu Wenyuan told his agent, “Bro, you need to issue a denial immediately! I am not dating him!”

“Then how do you explain your visit to Green Channel?”

“Just watch my Weibo.”

Qu Wenyuan used one phone for the call and the other to post on Weibo.

@Qu Wenyuan: Not dating, not dating, not dating. I went there to support a rising star. Thanks for the concern, everyone. Here is the ‘little brother’ I’m rooting for, everyone, take a look: @Luan Xing’an [Heart]

Shortly after Qu Wenyuan posted, an official denial statement was released as well.

Netizens were bewildered by the drama, only to discover that the ‘little brother’ Qu Wenyuan was promoting was actually under Jing Heguang’s management.

After piecing together the relationships, many people hounded Qu Wenyuan with questions: “@Qu Wenyuan, are you dating the ‘little brother’? Did you trade resources with Jing Heguang to get opportunities for him?”

Qu Wenyuan was absolutely fuming.

Thanks for asking! The idea that I could make a trade like that is hilarious.

***

Meanwhile.

Just as the story was blowing up on social media, Jing Heguang was busy giving his sweet little brother some extra vocal coaching.

Luan Xing’an was still a bit groggy from waking up early. His eyes held a soft, sluggish look that made Jing Heguang unable to resist planting a couple of kisses on him.

Just as he was about to go in for a third kiss, an urgent call came in from Xiao Chen.

“Boss, check the number one trending topic!”

So, Jing Heguang checked the trending list.

Luan Xing’an, who was right beside him and worried about brother Jing, instantly shook off his drowsiness and took a close look at the top trending topic himself.

Seeing Qu Wenyuan’s name, Luan Xing’an pressed his lips into a tight line, a hint of sullen frustration surfacing in his large eyes.

First Qu Jialiang, and now Qu Wenyuan…

What is wrong with the men in the Qu family?!

T/N:

Xingxing: first Qu Jialiang, now a Qu Wenyuan popped up. His ‘love rivals’ are all from the Qu family! (눈_눈)