The surroundings fell into brief silence.
Although such occurrences are not uncommon in the entertainment circle, it is rare for the president’s side to take the initiative in such matters, especially with an air of straightforwardness and openness.
“Nowadays… this is how things are.”
The middle-aged actor nodded slightly, maintaining composure as he explained to the veteran actor: “This is the new generation’s way of dating.”
The veteran actor sighed in relief: “No wonder.”
The middle-aged actor recited: “‘Green sleeves, my beloved; long shall I pine for thee. Holding your hand, dining with thee.’”
The veteran actor nodded, “Makes sense.”
The middle-aged actor explained, “There’s a game now called ‘Chicken Dinner’ (PUBG), and that’s basically what it’s about.”
The veteran actor earnestly noted, “Got it…”
—
Liang Xiao chewed on a piece of chicken absentmindedly before swallowing. He shivered as he touched himself, startled by the heat. Perhaps the butler had instilled some strange ideas into President Huo again.
Feeling uneasy, Liang Xiao raised his head, intending to ask something. However, just as he opened his mouth, a cooled piece of potato was stuffed inside.
Liang Xiao: “…”
He closed his mouth, chewed the potato slowly, and calmed down, clearing his thoughts. President Huo, dressed sharply in a suit as usual, appeared immaculate except for a tiny walnut crumb on his cuff—barely noticeable unless up close.
The walnut crumb indicated that President Huo had inexplicably entered his susceptibility period again. During this time, he became particularly rigid and obstinate in his logic.
Liang Xiao chewed the soft potato soaked in broth 30 times before reaching out to discreetly brush the crumb off President Huo’s sleeve. Observing Huo Lan’s serious expression, Liang Xiao carefully concluded:
During President Huo’s susceptibility period, he might not realize that not every open mouth needs to be filled with food. Sometimes, people open their mouths simply to speak.
As few people had noticed this yet, the middle-aged and veteran actors were still trying to convince themselves otherwise. Liang Xiao decided to maintain President Huo’s authoritative image as Xingguan’s president and quickly said, “President Huo—”
Huo Lan handed him the chopsticks instead.
Liang Xiao held them and swallowed his words: “…?”
Huo Lan frowned slightly. “We’re outside.”
Now that he and Mr. Liang were family and closer than before, certain things could be done that were previously unthinkable—but with limits. While Huo Lan understood Liang Xiao well, others in the crew might not. Overdoing such actions could make Liang Xiao seem spoiled in others’ eyes, as if he couldn’t even eat properly on his own.
Afraid of upsetting him, Huo Lan softly advised, “Eat by yourself for now.”
Liang Xiao: “…”
Huo Lan looked up and quietly added with difficulty, “When we’re home… we’ll eat together.”
Liang Xiao’s hand trembled as he held the chopsticks. Taking a deep breath, he clutched his chest to steady himself. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to blindfold his manager and sprint three laps around the set before running straight home.
After weighing his options carefully, Liang Xiao realized he couldn’t outwit his manager and reluctantly abandoned the plan with a sigh. Lowering his head, he grabbed a wet wipe to clean his hands meticulously before opening the lunchbox.
The steel lunchbox was simple in layout—just rice and a homely dish of chicken stewed with potatoes. It featured free-range chicken thighs paired with high-quality organic potatoes.
Trying to match the dish with President Huo’s status, Liang Xiao renamed it in his mind before hesitating with his chopsticks for a long time. Reluctant to eat it, he asked tentatively, “President Huo, can I take this home?”
Huo Lan hadn’t expected him to be so difficult about eating and frowned slightly before confirming softly: “Do you need—”
Liang Xiao interrupted quickly: “No need to feed me.”
Cut off mid-sentence, Huo Lan fell silent.
Resolving himself internally, Liang Xiao carefully tried to pick an unattractive piece of potato but found it impossible: “Why… do all these potatoes look identical?”
The butler happened to pass by and sighed at this remark. “Because President Huo—”
Huo Lan shot him a sharp look before he could finish.
The butler swallowed back the words “measured each piece meticulously with a ruler while cutting them” and fell silent.
Although left unsaid by the butler, Liang Xiao caught on quickly and stared at President Huo in astonishment.
In public settings like this one, President Huo exuded an aloof demeanor with sharp features and an imposing presence. His tailored suit accentuated his rigid posture and cold air of authority. No matter how hard Liang Xiao tried, he couldn’t picture this composed figure rolling up his sleeves in the kitchen to prepare such a homely dish.
Evidently unwilling to imagine it either, Huo Lan gave the butler another stern look before commanding curtly: “Eat properly.”
Liang Xiao whispered softly: “President Huo.”
Huo Lan’s shoulders tensed slightly at the sound.
The butler sighed again and threw caution to the wind: “It could’ve been ready two days ago if not for extra time spent repairing one of the kitchens.”
Unable to resist anymore, Liang Xiao brushed off some frost from President Huo’s hair with the back of his hand. “Doesn’t your villa have four kitchens?”
The butler corrected himself: “We selected one of the less damaged kitchens out of four and repaired it for use.”
Huo Lan: “…”
Liang Xiao: “…”
Currently overseeing renovations at the villa was their head bodyguard. Meanwhile, the household staff—including chefs and butlers—were brainstorming solutions remotely for kitchen repairs.
The butler bowed hurriedly before leaving under a layer of frost.
Huo Lan rarely encountered situations outside his expertise but didn’t want Liang Xiao to know this. Frustration surged uncontrollably as he frowned deeply.
Sensing this unease, Liang Xiao scooted closer while holding the lunchbox. “President Huo.”
After a pause, Huo Lan replied firmly: “I didn’t.”
Liang Xiao blinked in confusion. “Didn’t what?”
…Didn’t intentionally ruin the kitchen.
Since they’d eventually live together in a house purchased by Mr. Liang himself, Huo Lan didn’t want him thinking he had destructive tendencies in kitchens. Yet unable to explain further, he finally muttered after some silence: “It’s fine now.”
Even if Huo Lan had never cooked before, he could still replicate a dish by following a process similar to a chemistry experiment. However, President Huo’s pheromones were unstable, alternating between hot and cold, causing sudden temperature changes that could lead to unexpected dangers.
During his susceptibility period, Huo Lan’s emotions were volatile. Unable to suppress his frustration, he closed his eyes and prepared to leave, not wanting to affect Liang Xiao: “Take your time eating.”
“Huo Lan,” Liang Xiao called.
Huo Lan paused.
Huo Lan looked down at Liang Xiao’s hand on his wrist. After a few seconds, his irritation dissipated.
“Are you hurt?” Liang Xiao asked.
Huo Lan shook his head.
Liang Xiao, still holding his hand, asked: “Have you eaten yourself?”
Huo Lan, enclosed by Liang Xiao’s touch, instinctively wanted to hold back. His arm moved slightly as he shook his head.
Liang Xiao understood. He glanced at Duan Ming, then quickly surveyed the surroundings.
No one was paying attention.
The manager, understanding the situation, pulled the still-confused assistant over to completely block others’ view.
Liang Xiao turned, using his body as cover, and gripped the chopsticks. His ears turned red first.
Liang Xiao took a breath: “Open your mouth…”
Huo Lan was stunned: “What?”
“My dear President Huo,” Liang Xiao smiled, “this isn’t how you eat.”
Liang Xiao carefully mashed the soft, stewed potato, poured it with the broth over the rice, added a piece of meat, and shakily lifted a full bite with the chopsticks.
The set was chaotic, with people busy conducting interviews and arranging work. No one paid attention to the corner of the rest area.
Liang Xiao and Huo Lan, who had rushed over just to bring him a meal, huddled together in a corner that was sheltered from both wind and prying eyes.
Flushed and heated, Liang Xiao fed President Huo a bite of the meal he had personally prepared.
—
After strictly supervising Mr. Liang’s meal, Huo Lan took the lunchbox and left the set.
The manager, who had been waiting all afternoon, rushed over, leaving the assistant behind: “What happened? President Huo—”
Liang Xiao, slumped against the wall and breathless, said: “I can’t eat another bite.”
“…” Duan Ming patted his back absently: “Did President Huo say anything to you?”
Liang Xiao slowly turned his head: “President Huo said… he wasn’t satisfied.”
Duan Ming’s heart skipped a beat: “Unsatisfied with what?”
“It was a bit cold.”
Liang Xiao hadn’t noticed himself, but knowing President Huo’s high standards, he thought hard and added: “The salt was a bit much, the soup was too thick, and the rice wasn’t grainy or plump enough…”
Duan Ming had a headache and lowered his voice: “What about important matters?”
Liang Xiao snapped back to attention.
Duan Ming: “Longtao has been causing trouble these past two days. Did he have something to discuss with you? Any company or set issues?”
President Huo personally delivering a meal was certainly something to be happy about, but if there was a task to be assigned, they couldn’t delay.
Duan Ming pulled the assistant aside and analyzed the situation for half an hour, even considering the possibility of Liang Xiao going undercover at Longtao.
Eating the ruler’s food and working for the ruler’s concerns, Duan Ming could hardly believe that their President Huo had simply come to deliver a meal to Liang Xiao. He had prepared for all possibilities.
“Don’t worry,” Duan Ming said softly, “If there’s anything we need to do, I still have some connections at Longtao.”
Duan Ming: “It might be difficult with higher-ups, but gathering information or sensing the mood shouldn’t be a problem.”
Liang Xiao was stunned. He sat up and carefully recalled everything.
Duan Ming saw his silence: “He didn’t say anything?”
Liang Xiao shook his head.
Duan Ming stared at him for a long time: “He just told you to eat well?”
Liang Xiao: “And to sleep well.”
Duan Ming: “…”
Duan Ming had his contact list ready, but this unexpected turn left him reeling. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, pressing his forehead.
Liang Xiao reached out, carefully waving his hand in front of Duan Ming: “Brother Duan?”
Duan Ming looked at him and patted his shoulder.
Liang Xiao drew a small question mark for him.
“…Seducing the country to ruin.” Duan Ming sighed, “Never mind, go get your makeup done.”
—
For period dramas, the art design comes first. The scenes had been meticulously crafted for over half a year, and it wasn’t until last month that the details of costumes and props were finalized.
After a busy week, the custom-made costumes were finally all in place. The production manager had spent the entire morning running around with the crew to get everything settled.
As soon as Liang Xiao arrived on set, he was intercepted by the assistant director and pulled into the makeup room.
“The young marquis has arrived.”
The art director saw him and greeted him with a smile: “Come and take a look.”
Liang Xiao politely greeted back: “Teacher Chen.”
The art director’s surname was Chen, Chen Hongwen. He had overseen many internationally award-winning film art productions and was well-renowned in the industry.
This time, the set designs and adjustments to several main palace structures for “Cloud Banner” were all under his direction. Even before airing, it had already garnered significant attention on Weibo.
Chen Hongwen was older now, with a good temperament. He nodded at Liang Xiao with a smile.
“These sets are mainly for the youth scenes, covering about ten episodes.”
The assistant director in charge came over to help introduce: “Mainly bright colors, two sets of pure white robes with gold-pressed cloud and thunder patterns, one set of navy training clothes, one set of chain mail, one set of bright armor, and one set of regular clothes according to his rank, which is the same style as the other actors’.”
Since his debut, Liang Xiao had played many roles, but he had never experienced such a wardrobe treatment.
Duan Ming was shocked and politely said in a low voice: “This is too extravagant…”
“Not at all,” the screenwriter said, resting his chin on his hand. “For the remaining twenty episodes, he’ll be wearing tattered linen clothes.”
Duan Ming: “…”
“The teacher is joking,” the assistant director quickly explained, fearing Liang Xiao might overthink it. “We have several very nice linen outfits.”
Liang Xiao’s voice was slightly hoarse as he nodded: “Okay.”
