PHWM Chapter 108 Extra 5

On the third Mid-Autumn Festival after they got together, President Huo was brought back to the home Mr. Liang had earned.

 

Top floor, with windows facing both north and south.

 

They didn’t bring the Husky that Teacher Jiang had given them.

 

“It’s indeed inconvenient,” the butler, responsible for receiving and seeing off guests, apologetically explained to Jiang Pingchao and Chi Che who had come for the housewarming: “The villa has more space, which is better for its development.”

 

Jiang Pingchao frowned in confusion: “Development of what?”

 

“Exploration, dismantling, and reconstruction of the Huo residence.”

 

The butler answered the question according to Mr. Liang’s instructions, and sighed: “In the blink of an eye, three years have passed. Now, only 302 keys remain for doors that can still be opened…”

 

Chi Che: “…”

 

Jiang Pingchao had practiced his social skills with President Huo quite a bit over the past two years and had made significant progress. He wanted to ask where the remaining doors had gone, but before he could speak, he was pulled back by Chi Che.

 

…

 

The gift of the pet dog happened when Jiang Pingchao and Chi Che had just gone public.

 

Unlike Liang Xiao, Jiang Pingchao’s starting point in his debut wasn’t low, but he had followed a development path that was half traffic-driven and half film and television. He had been listed among the Most Charming Alpha rankings for several consecutive years, and naturally maintained a single status image to the public.

 

The more traffic-oriented one was, the greater the negative impact a public relationship could have. The outside world targeted Jiang Pingchao with exposés, fans were in a state of panic, and things had exploded more than once or twice.

 

Chi Che had made up his mind to resign to settle the matter. His first move was to contact the studio to send a resignation letter, but Jiang Pingchao’s second move was to post on Weibo.

 

No one knows how long he had planned it or who had helped him come up with the idea. Fans flocked to Weibo in droves, but before they could make a fuss, they watched as Jiang Pingchao flooded his Weibo with one post after another, publishing a handwritten ten-thousand-word essay.

 

Exactly ten thousand words, with no literary style or wording to speak of, a stream of consciousness from the first day he got his manager until the day before going public.

 

…Even battle-hardened marketing gossip accounts couldn’t successfully find a focal point to exploit within half an hour.

 

Jiang Pingchao silently returned to his parents’ home to be scolded, and the studio, without leadership, fell into complete chaos. Fortunately, Xingguan was making an official announcement for their CEO and Mr. Liang, and they righteously provided support, helping to hold out until the manager hurriedly returned from the airport.

 

Chi Che arrived with his luggage and a head full of problems, tore up the plane ticket and resignation letter, and led the team to urgently handle public opinion, working day and night for two days.

 

Jiang Pingchao was made to stand outside the door as punishment for reflection. He was assigned a task by his manager: to give a gift to Xingguan, a pet dog that “matched the temperament of President Huo and Mr. Liang.”

 

…

 

“President Huo’s pheromones can make it snow.”

 

Jiang Pingchao had indeed given it serious thought and analyzed it softly to Chi Che: “And Mr. Liang has a lively personality.”

 

Chi Che looked at him, took a deep breath, and rubbed his forehead forcefully.

 

Jiang Pingchao added: “Huskies also look very majestic…”

 

Chi Che really couldn’t listen anymore. He pushed him back into the corner, nodded to Duan Ming who was walking over, and handed him a well-organized set of materials.

 

Liang Xiao’s studio had been established for a relatively short time, and in its operation, they often had to learn from Jiang Pingchao’s studio. Duan Ming and Chi Che had communicated a lot and had become much more familiar than before. He smiled and greeted him: “Thank you.”

 

“It’s nothing,” Chi Che noticed the dog hair on Duan Ming’s cuff and tried hard to suppress thoughts about the Husky. “Teacher Liang’s workload is a bit heavy this year. Considering his condition, he can reserve one to two months for rest, no need to schedule things too tightly.”

 

“I’ve tried to persuade him, but the director of ‘Cloud Banner’ really can’t be postponed.”

 

Duan Ming smiled helplessly, rubbing his forehead: “It’s fine, his health has improved, he can handle it.”

 

Once “Cloud Banner” was broadcast, the ratings soared across the board. Liang Xiao, as the lead actor, maintained high popularity, dominating the editing section of video websites for a time, and almost sweeping all the television drama-related awards.

 

In a virtuous cycle, popularity and resources complemented each other, and Liang Xiao had actually begun to gradually transition to the big screen.

 

Originally, the workload wasn’t this heavy, but this time, Director Jin’s new film urgently needed a lead actor. Liang Xiao had just wrapped up one film and rushed back to save the day, then spent half a year flying on wires on the rooftops of the film city.

 

Duan Ming was originally worried too, but after hearing that Liang Xiao’s executive manager had also joined the crew, he felt somewhat relieved.

 

“The film he wrapped up, is it a movie?” Chi Che thought for a moment. “I haven’t seen it released domestically. Is there a problem with the review? Do you need help?”

 

“No problem,” Duan Ming waved his hand. “We want to try for awards first… it’s Director Song’s film, produced together with European and American teams.”

 

Duan Ming roughly knew what was going on and smiled: “President Huo promised it as a surprise for him. Unexpectedly, the polishing took more than a year, and it was delayed until last year before filming started.”

 

Chi Che was slightly surprised and looked at him for a while: “‘Rescuer’?”

 

Jiang Pingchao’s elders were in the film industry, and his studio had much more inside information. Chi Che still remembered: “This film has been nominated for three awards, including Best Actor. The invitation to the film festival should arrive in a few days.”

 

Duan Ming had made full preparations, but upon hearing this, he still couldn’t hide his delight: “Really?”

 

“Really,” Jiang Pingchao nodded. “That film has been screened within the industry, and it’s well-deserved.”

 

Duan Ming could hardly suppress his joy. Eager to go back and discuss with Liang Xiao, he quickly thanked the two and hurried back to the room.

 

Liang Xiao had good relationships in the industry, and for this house move, there were particularly many people who came to help with the housewarming. Jiang Pingchao and Chi Che had only been standing at the door for a short while when they saw the butler smilingly welcoming four of the most excellent directors Mr. Liang had ever met.

 

Su Man and Meng Feibai had collaborated on another drama and came together from the set. After flipping through the guest list, Su Man left Actor Meng behind and headed straight for the bar corner, taking Yu Zhi to the viewing balcony.

 

“Do you regret losing traffic?”

 

Meng Feibai, unable to find someone to chat with, came over with a smile, half-jokingly teasing Jiang Pingchao: “If Liang Xiao wins Best Actor before you, Director Jiang might get angry enough to beat you up again.”

 

Jiang Pingchao shook his head: “His talent is better than mine, and he works harder.”

 

“If he hadn’t been held back by Long Tao, he might have won this award a few years earlier.”

 

Meng Feibai also agreed with this and nodded: “Filming in two years what others film in three, racing against heaven for food.”

 

“Teacher Meng.”

 

Chi Che had originally not planned to interject, but hearing this, he still spoke up, “Mr. Liang isn’t doing it for this.”

 

“I know,” Meng Feibai smiled. “Xingguan’s Plan A back then was to wait until he became a Best Actor, then openly announce his relationship with President Huo.”

 

Liang Xiao had hardly rested these two years. After “Tea Time,” he hadn’t appeared on any variety shows, and he took on few endorsements. Out of twelve months in a year, he wished there were thirteen to spend in film crews, with works coming out one after another like a gusher.

 

People who didn’t know the details speculated that he had been suppressed and shelved severely in previous years. Among the public opinion, some admired his dedication, some questioned if he was just grabbing money, some were concerned whether his body could handle such continuous work, but undeniably, excellent works were being delivered one after another, and Liang Xiao’s path was indeed becoming increasingly stable.

 

The voices questioning President Huo’s show of affection and Xingguan’s hype and promotion gradually disappeared without a trace.

 

Liang Xiao had never changed his plans because of President Huo’s official announcement. He steadily followed one path to the end, step by step, walking stubbornly and resolutely.

 

“Be stricter with Teacher Jiang in the second half of the year, and strive for some breakthroughs.”

 

Meng Feibai, who routinely chatted with people, knew that Liang Xiao was both a teacher and a friend to Chi Che. With a smile, he used Liang Xiao as an example and gave advice to Chi Che: “Let their old man see that falling in love with someone has never been a reason to affect one’s future and development…”

 

Jiang Pingchao strongly agreed with this statement, took out his notebook to write it down, and prepared to tell his father: “What is?”

 

Meng Feibai looked at Jiang Pingchao, patted his shoulders with both hands, and said with deep meaning: “Laziness.”

 

Jiang Pingchao: “…”

 

Chi Che’s ears were a bit hot. He cleared his throat, thanked him softly, and turned to double Jiang Pingchao’s workload for the fourth quarter.

 

–

 

After being lectured by the four most excellent directors, Liang Xiao finally escaped. By then, everyone had already found something to do and was enjoying themselves.

 

Su Man was busy coaxing the young girl and had no time to pay much attention to him. She waved her hand and tossed over a pair of custom cufflinks as a housewarming gift.

 

Jiang Pingchao was still discussing the fourth quarter’s work with Chi Che, stubbornly wanting to reserve Christmas time for a vacation together, but was being criticized by his career-driven omega manager to the point of blushing and speechlessness.

 

Meng Feibai was watching the excitement from the side. Seeing Liang Xiao approach, he smiled and greeted him, also giving a pair of limited handmade series watches.

 

Liang Xiao didn’t disturb the two who were arguing until they argued out a coriander scent. He reminded Jiang Pingchao’s assistant to prepare suppressants for Teacher Jiang, thanked everyone one by one, and just caught President Huo hurriedly entering the door after returning from a business trip.

 

President Huo had just gotten off the plane and was orally dictating the upcoming arrangements to the person beside him, still retaining some clearly sharp and cold aura.

 

When he looked up and met Liang Xiao’s gaze, the ice melted and the snow dissolved.

 

The assistant secretary following President Huo took his suit jacket and promptly fell silent, exiting with the bodyguard and disappearing.

 

“Everything went smoothly?”

 

Liang Xiao smiled, put down the housewarming gifts he had been holding, and handed him a mooncake. “It’s mostly tidied up. See if there’s anything you want to change, and we can slowly fix it later…”

 

President Huo raised his arms and embraced him fully.

 

The two hadn’t seen each other for nearly a month. As their chests suddenly came infinitely close, Liang Xiao opened his mouth, listened to the heartbeat, and lifted the corners of his mouth slightly.

 

Liang Xiao tightened his arms and stroked President Huo’s back a couple of times: “Did you rush your work?”

 

“It’s fine,” President Huo said softly. “Not tiring.”

 

Liang Xiao looked down and examined him carefully, confirming that his complexion was still good, and nodded with satisfaction: “Let’s go, back home.”

 

Huo Corporation’s recent focus had been on Feiyang Pharmaceuticals. President Huo had strongly advocated for making the Valu series of specialized suppressants more affordable. He had gone on several business trips for this, and this time’s negotiation meeting had finally basically determined the dosage form and price.

 

Liang Xiao had thought he wouldn’t be back for Mid-Autumn Festival this year and had arranged to poetically recite “Who will share this lonely light on Mid-Autumn” with his still-single manager. Holding President Huo’s hand as they went upstairs, he met his manager’s shocked and pained gaze, coughed lightly, casually took President Huo’s sunglasses, and heartlessly put them on his own face.

 

The newly purchased duplex was spacious. Everyone was enjoying themselves, and no one had time to care about the hosts’ whereabouts. Liang Xiao didn’t encounter anyone to talk to along the way and took the opportunity to drag President Huo back to the bedroom.

 

In the three years they had been together, Liang Xiao had spent two years helping President Huo during his susceptible periods understand that “being together forever” didn’t actually mean they had to be together every day, and that whoever needed to go out should apologize to the other.

 

But in their President Huo’s particularly stubborn concept, Mid-Autumn Festival, a holiday for family reunions, still couldn’t be included.

 

Liang Xiao was afraid he would exhaust himself and had repeatedly instructed him not to rush work and tire himself, but still couldn’t control him.

 

“I had a dream a few days ago.”

 

Liang Xiao pulled President Huo to sit down and helped him change into comfortable home clothes: “I dreamed that I had a sudden inspiration back then, not only didn’t run away, but also told you everything.”

 

He casually mentioned this, not noticing President Huo looking up as he picked out a set from the clothes he usually hugged while sleeping: “Then I stood on the windowsill, righteously threatening death, making you go to the hospital…”

 

President Huo was taken aback and held Liang Xiao’s hand that was reaching for his collar.

 

“What are you thinking? Just changing clothes,” Liang Xiao laughed. “No one has time to pay attention to us right now, let’s rest first.”

 

Flying halfway around the globe was tiring, no matter what class. Liang Xiao was already very skilled at this job, smoothly unbuttoning his clothes, finding the acupressure points on his shoulder, and pressing a couple of times: “Sore?”

 

President Huo shook his head: “Then what?”

 

“What then?” Liang Xiao’s thinking was more jumpy than his. He was taken aback, then remembered the previous topic. “The dream? I don’t know either. In my dream, we were already in university.”

 

“Very coincidentally, still our original schools.”

 

Liang Xiao: “As soon as my class ended, I would bike to find you, freeloading in your cafeteria. During my performance class, you would come help me move props. When we had no classes, we would go watch plays, or you would go to the library, and I would accompany you while you did your homework.”

 

Liang Xiao found it interesting just thinking about it and smiled, shaking his head: “Not doing anything all day, I don’t know how we could be so idle…”

 

President Huo gazed at him for a while, stroked Liang Xiao’s hair, and pulled him to sit down.

 

Liang Xiao was curious: “What are you thinking about?”

 

“Thinking about you in university,” President Huo looked at him. “How many jobs you would have to work, how many part-time positions you would take.”

 

“That’s called social practice, from the masses, to the masses.”

 

Liang Xiao didn’t mind and waved his hand: “But being leisurely also has its benefits. We rented a place near the school, lived together at home, could do anything.”

 

Liang Xiao had dreamed from a third-person perspective and was even shocked by his own mental agility in the dream: “I also borrowed a drawing board from a classmate in the Fine Arts department, tricked you saying I needed to practice figure drawing, but couldn’t afford a nude model…”

 

President Huo: “…”

 

“That’s too mischievous,” Liang Xiao reflected deeply, his gaze uncontrollably scanning President Huo’s open collar. “Can I still learn oil painting now?”

 

President Huo’s voice was slightly hoarse as he pulled Liang Xiao’s shoulders into his embrace and kissed his lips.

 

Liang Xiao’s ears involuntarily heated up, and he coughed: “Learn sketching…”

 

President Huo could now translate most of Mr. Liang’s free-flowing thoughts. He tightened his embrace, held him in his arms, and bent down to seriously give enough kisses to pay for a nude model.

 

Liang Xiao was satisfied, feeling dizzy: “No more learning.”

 

This was the first time Liang Xiao had such a dream, and he even vaguely felt it was unusually real. He tugged at President Huo, musing: “Do you think there’s a possibility that we grew up like that?”

 

President Huo was silent for a moment, holding his hand: “If—”

 

Liang Xiao didn’t think: “No ifs.”

 

President Huo was slightly taken aback.

 

“The ones who grew up safely and peacefully are the safe and peaceful versions of us.”

 

Liang Xiao smiled, very serious: “The one sitting on your lap now is your Mr. Liang.”

 

President Huo gazed at him for a while, the corners of his lips lifting slightly as he tightened his arms, his chest and shoulders overlapping with Liang Xiao’s.

 

“No need for regrets,” Liang Xiao comfortably rested on his neck. “The path we’ve walked, unless we’re summarizing experiences and learning lessons, we don’t need to look back.”

 

The road had already been traveled, and it was precisely because they had walked those paths that they became who they are.

 

Countless forks in the road, countless choices.

 

No need to look back.

 

Liang Xiao opened the window, and the cool night breeze rushed in. Sparse stars, the moonlight sifted through thin clouds casting hazy shadows, falling on the quiet windowsill and carpet.

 

President Huo held his breath slightly and withdrew his gaze.

 

“Huo Lan,” Liang Xiao nudged him. “Shall we go?”

 

President Huo held his hand: “Where to?”

 

“The future,” Liang Xiao said. “Our future.”

 

“I want to be with you,” Liang Xiao smiled. “To see the infinite possibilities ahead.”

 

President Huo looked up, meeting the clear moonlight in Liang Xiao’s eyes.

 

He closed his eyes, smiled slightly, and firmly gripped Liang Xiao’s hand.

 

##

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T/N : Thank you all for reading!

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My other translations here ~