PHWM Chapter 105 Extra 2

Mr. Liang, steaming hot, had just regained human form when the “Tea Time” program team called to prepare for the remote interview.

 

The program team, having mistakenly boarded a pirate ship, couldn’t withdraw and re-edit in time. They stubbornly released the first episode titled “Unfamiliar” despite the guests’ official announcement at the press conference.

 

They inadvertently set a viewing record for the entire season.

 

“Through this episode.”

 

Yin Chi, weathered by experience, reported to the investor over the phone: “The audience clearly experienced the power of editing and understood the truth of post-production. They gained a significant understanding of variety shows’ techniques in tampering with facts and grafting…”

 

Liang Xiao had just arrived when he heard the last sentence. He choked on his cola mid-drink, forming a patch of small ice chips.

 

President Huo, having managed a film and television company for a long time, remained calm as ever. He caught Mr. Liang, who had slid over, and placed him on the sofa: “It’s alright, Xingguan has already explained truthfully.”

 

Yin Chi was surprised: “How was it truthfully explained?”

 

President Huo: “The investor required the variety show team to graft and tamper with facts through editing and post-production.”

 

…

 

There was silence on the other end of the phone. Liang Xiao couldn’t suppress his laughter, turned away, coughed a couple of times, and gulped down the cola in his hand.

 

In recent years, the gossip industry had developed rapidly. Management companies had to find ways to respond, and concealing the truth while exposing falsehoods had become a default industry rule.

 

It was rare to encounter someone as excessively honest as President Huo, and it would take some time for both those inside and outside the circle to adapt.

 

“Is it alright?” Yin Chi came back to his senses, half happy and half worried. “Won’t it affect your and Xingguan’s reputation?”

 

“Today’s audiences are much smarter than before, they’re familiar with all the routines, and they can guess even without being told.”

 

Pei Guang, attending as a representative of the crew, interjected with a smile: “Rather than hiding things, it’s better to be straightforward.”

 

President Huo nodded slightly: “If there’s public opinion turbulence, Xingguan will be responsible.”

 

Yin Chi was overjoyed by the sudden turn of events. He immediately pressed the phone and went back to give new instructions to the program team’s publicity department.

 

With the phone idle, Liang Xiao took out his phone and opened Weibo to take a look.

 

Since being released from Long Tao’s subordination, his Weibo had mostly been managed by Xingguan. He hadn’t posted much himself, and the last post was still a formal photo for attending a banquet, required by the crew to adjust his public image.

 

Xingguan hadn’t deliberately controlled the comments, and the pinned Weibo’s comment section had already been flooded by gossip-hungry netizens.

 

[What happened? What happened?? Was the press conference a real official announcement? Not just hype?!]

 

[Using a rising star artist and a CEO for hype, has Xingguan gone crazy?]

 

[Ahhhh if it’s not hype, then it’s real?!]

 

[Is there gossip! Is there sugar! I’m a wild boar jumping up and down in the melon field!]

 

[What’s going on, last night I was still battling those haters who were talking about being kept for 300 rounds for our umbrella-selling guy, and today he’s really being kept?!?!]

 

[I didn’t catch the press conference, urgently requesting the truth Q_Q Liang Xiao can’t be this kind of person!!]

 

[Feeling bad… I finally became a fan of someone with some real ability, if this kind of thing really breaks out, I’ll have to turn into a hater.]

 

[I agree, wanting fame is human nature, but there should be a bottom line, right?]

 

[It’s not being kept! It’s not!! Eat the whole melon!! Forget it, I guess if you don’t eat the whole thing, Xingguan will officially announce it soon…]

 

[Replying to above, your umbrella-selling guy has kept the Xingguan CEO.]

 

[???]

 

…

 

Liang Xiao had exploded in popularity because of Yun Lian, and his heat was at its peak. The “being kept” storm from earlier had been quite tumultuous. Fans had originally accepted the explanation of a “cold pheromone transaction,” but they were still unprepared for the new changes, and there was almost a sense of panic.

 

After all, not everyone had watched the entire live broadcast. Many people had only seen headlines on various marketing accounts, and with rumors multiplying, the content had already been spread in particularly outrageous ways.

 

Liang Xiao was used to being discussed and felt nothing when seeing these speculative comments that believed every rumor. Sensing the warmth enveloping his shoulders and back, he casually locked his phone screen: “Finished with the call?”

 

President Huo responded and went to take his phone.

 

“No need to worry about it,” Liang Xiao smiled, casually pushing the phone away. “They’ve discussed it with me, and the timing really wasn’t appropriate before.”

 

Xingguan was currently the target of criticism. Even though President Huo had spoken clearly enough at the press conference, the spread was still far from sufficient.

 

Rather than clarifying each wave of rumors as they emerged, it was better to simply let all these fishing-in-troubled-waters news explode in a buzz, and then respond with a unified official announcement.

 

Calculating the time, it should be about time for Xingguan’s counterattack.

 

Liang Xiao made room for President Huo on the sofa and leaned back comfortably: “Still sleepy?”

 

President Huo shook his head.

 

Their President Huo had always been reticent, and he spoke even less when something was on his mind. Liang Xiao could roughly guess what President Huo was thinking and tugged at his sleeve: “It’s alright, who hasn’t been criticized a few times…”

 

Liang Xiao suddenly became curious: “By the way, when you first took over Xingguan, were you ever criticized?”

 

President Huo handed over his sleeve fabric to him and held Liang Xiao’s hand: “Yes.”

 

“Really?” Liang Xiao really couldn’t imagine what flaws could have been found in President Huo at that time. “What did they say?”

 

President Huo was quiet for a while and shook his head slightly: “It wasn’t accurate.”

 

Liang Xiao: “…”

 

President Huo opened Liang Xiao’s palm and drew a question mark on it.

 

“Yes,” Liang Xiao pressed his forehead. “That definitely wasn’t accurate.”

 

Both had been fighting for their lives, and he wasn’t there during President Huo’s most difficult period. Whenever Liang Xiao thought back, he still couldn’t help but feel regret, always thinking about standing up for him.

 

But with their President Huo’s attitude… Liang Xiao almost suspected that when young Huo Lan first took over Xingguan and was attacked and slandered, he might have even methodically reasoned with those marketing accounts point by point.

 

And when reasoning didn’t work, who knows if he would have silently made it snow.

 

The more Liang Xiao thought about it, the more his heart softened. He grabbed President Huo’s arm, pulled him close, and patted him reassuringly: “It’s all right now, I’m here from now on.”

 

President Huo laughed softly, lowered his head to kiss his eyes, and responded.

 

The kiss that fell was cool and gentle. Liang Xiao closed his eyes and smiled, about to speak when he suddenly felt an itch at the corner of his eye. He reached up to rub it a few times.

 

President Huo looked down at him: “Uncomfortable?”

 

“It’s nothing, just an eyelash fell,” Liang Xiao casually blamed President Huo, picked out the eyelash. “Quick, make a wish.”

 

President Huo was slightly taken aback: “Wish for what?”

 

“Anything, it’s a rare opportunity.”

 

Liang Xiao enthusiastically urged him: “Haven’t you heard? Wishing on an eyelash is especially effective, limited in number, first come, first served.”

 

“I’ll share this one with you,” Liang Xiao said generously. “What do you want?”

 

Liang Xiao always spoke with a convincing tone when saying these things. From his youth, President Huo had often been bewildered by these folk remedies and legends he heard from who knows where. Now he could discern them but still didn’t want to burst his bubble. He smiled along: “I don’t want anything.”

 

Liang Xiao was surprised: “You can’t think of even one?”

 

President Huo nodded.

 

Liang Xiao hadn’t expected him to be so content with his lot. After lamenting for a while, he seized the opportunity to wish for Xingguan’s prosperity and abundant wealth. With a clap, he pressed his hands together, transferring the eyelash from his left palm to his right palm.

 

President Huo quietly watched him make a serious fuss, his lips curving upward, slightly relaxing his chest and shoulders to adjust to a force that would make Liang Xiao more comfortable when leaning on him.

 

Liang Xiao finished his superstitious activity, satisfied, blew a breath into his palm, curled back into his arms, and yawned.

 

President Huo protected him and asked softly: “Sleepy?”

 

“Just idle,” Liang Xiao sighed. “People shouldn’t be too comfortable; once comfortable, it’s easy to get drowsy…”

 

President Huo hadn’t paid attention initially, but hearing his conclusion, he recalled his own experience during today’s nap, and his heart suddenly stirred.

 

Liang Xiao noticed: “What’s wrong?”

 

“I regret it,” President Huo said softly. “I have a wish—”

 

Liang Xiao casually plucked an eyelash from his eye: “Here.”

 

President Huo: “…”

 

Liang Xiao couldn’t hold back first and laughed, clapping his hands: “It will definitely be especially effective, feel free to wish.”

 

Liang Xiao enthusiastically interviewed him: “What do you want?”

 

President Huo: “I want you to always be drowsy.”

 

Liang Xiao opened his mouth, his ears unexpectedly warming, unable to make a sound.

 

President Huo stroked his hair, his palm gently massaging the back of his neck, his touch light, steady, and meticulous, carefully relieving and relaxing Liang Xiao’s neck and shoulder muscles.

 

Liang Xiao was still recovering his health. The hardships from his youth, the years of rushing about and accumulated labor, the hidden injuries and old ailments were all concealed in places almost imperceptible.

 

President Huo held him in his arms, relaxed his shoulders to let Liang Xiao bury himself in, and his warm palm, through the cool aura, gradually kneaded and pressed along the gaps in his tendons and bones.

 

Liang Xiao let out a muffled groan and buried himself deeper into President Huo’s neck.

 

The more it truly hurt, the less Liang Xiao wanted others to know. President Huo didn’t expose him, only gently patting his back, waiting until Liang Xiao had recovered from that bout before continuing particularly cautiously downward.

 

Liang Xiao’s phone was teetering on the edge of the sofa armrest. President Huo didn’t unlock it but took it and placed it aside.

 

Liang Xiao was right; anyone who steps into the public eye will be criticized at least a few times.

 

President Huo wasn’t very accustomed to reminiscing about the past, but he could still vaguely recall the almost overwhelming accusations of “disowning all relatives” and “being ungrateful” when he first took over Xingguan.

 

Various parties went all out to badmouth Xingguan. The branch family had suffered great losses in Xingguan’s restructuring, and they had almost portrayed him as a typical example of being harsh, ungrateful, cold, and heartless, certain that he would eventually be abandoned by all, and finally unable to manage alone.

 

…

 

It wasn’t accurate.

 

He had never been just one person.

 

After the unbearable soreness dissipated, the relieved muscles and bones would experience a rare comfort and relaxation. Liang Xiao obligingly became drowsy, let out a soft sigh, gripped President Huo’s pajamas to pull himself up, and his eyelashes drooped.

 

President Huo was worried that he might be uncomfortable curled up and wanted to carry Liang Xiao to the bed to sleep, but was bitten on the neck. Knowing his mistake, he sat back down and held him protectively in his arms.

 

Having napped too soundly and peacefully, President Huo couldn’t yet feel tired. He simply took a book, spread it open on Liang Xiao’s knees, and began to read.

 

Drowsy in spring, listless in autumn, dozing in summer, unable to wake up in the three winter months.

 

When it wasn’t suitable for hot springs and auroras, and there were temporarily no conditions for skiing or beaches, they rested at home with nothing to do, and it was just right to hold Mr. Liang and read a few leisure books to him.

 

–

 

Liang Xiao took a nap and still felt somewhat reluctant when he woke up.

 

The two hadn’t brought assistants home and had to be self-reliant in solving their meals. The sun outside had almost set, and it was time to prepare dinner. President Huo was in the kitchen measuring potatoes with a ruler.

 

Liang Xiao was still too comfortable to move immediately and didn’t go over to help right away. Yawning, he flipped through his phone.

 

Whether for explanation or official announcement, new Weibo posts had to be coordinated with Xingguan’s arrangements. Liang Xiao roughly flipped through the comment section, didn’t look further, and casually saved a few high-definition screenshots of President Huo from the live broadcast.

 

Just as he was about to exit Weibo, the program team’s remote video request also sounded in the kitchen.

 

The first step in Xingguan’s arrangement was to do a small interview with “Tea Time’s” live broadcast room. President Huo had been notified in advance and peeked out from the kitchen with half his shoulder: “Answer now?”

 

“Alright,” Liang Xiao was comparing the subtle differences in angles between two screenshots and nodded instinctively. Raising his gaze, he suddenly realized something was wrong, “No no no wait wait wait—”

 

President Huo had just connected the video and was taken aback when he heard this.

 

After all, those who had watched the press conference live were limited. Countless enthusiastic gossip-hungry viewers flooded into “Tea Time’s” fixed interview live broadcast room, staring as the guest’s image appeared.

 

The always cold and solemn Xingguan CEO stood at the cutting board.

 

President Huo held the phone in one hand, and in the other were two potatoes that had just been marked with lines.

 

He wasn’t wearing a suit but rather particularly comfortable and relaxed home pajamas. On his face was a particularly conspicuous marker pen line. He looked up toward the camera.

 

The next second, the rising young artist swooped down with two wet wipes, thoroughly blocking the camera, wiping their CEO’s face with afterimages.

 

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