TSSRWAB Chapter 17

Lu Xi spent two days relaxing at home, enjoying the comfortable life.

 

He had almost forgotten his original purpose of chasing his dreams and making a comeback in the entertainment industry.

 

Every morning, Lu Xi would leave the house to find his two well-behaved sons and a table full of delicious breakfast, each day offering something new.

 

When Lu Xi first became a father, breakfast was simple: fried eggs, milk, and toast. Doubao and Dougao were good boys who never complained about their dad’s cooking, and they could always grab a little more to eat at kindergarten afterward. But now, the table was laden with chicken soup wontons, light side dishes, pan-fried small fish, and sweet milk buns.

 

What did they eat yesterday again?

 

Soup dumplings, shrimp-filled ones, and those beautifully rolled golden flower buns Dahl had made.

 

Lu Xi surrendered utterly to the feast on the table and never again brought up the idea of sending Dahl away.

 

But the whole succubus servant thing was still a no-go.

 

“Good morning, Master.”

 

“Good morning, Dahl. Good morning, my two little buns.” Lu Xi sat down and planted a kiss on each of his sweet-smelling sons.

 

Dahl’s blue eyes gazed openly at his master.

 

I want one too.

 

Lu Xi: …

 

He averted his eyes and changed the subject.

 

“Dahl, it’s your first time in China, and your first time in Jinjiang City. You should go out and explore a bit.”

 

“I want to take care of Master,” Dahl said pitifully.

 

Lu Xi: “You’re already doing a great job.”

 

Dahl has a phone but no Chinese SIM card. Lu Xi sorted that out for him a couple of days ago, even transferring him 20,000 yuan for groceries and such. The car keys were in the entryway drawer, and Dahl has an international driver’s license, so he could drive if needed.

 

Lu Xi wanted Dahl to go out and enjoy himself. There was no need for him to be tied down here as a housekeeper.

 

Even though Dahl’s care had turned him into a blissfully lazy creature.

 

Still, Lu Xi hoped Dahl could find his own aspirations in modern human society.

 

Rather than living solely for his parents.

 

“I can do even better. Master, can I warm your bed?” Dahl smiled when he was praised and asked cautiously.

 

Lu Xi: …Headache.

 

“Let’s just eat.”

 

Dahl was not discouraged and ate happily. His master was so kind to him. One day, he would become an excellent servant.

 

After breakfast, Father Xiao Lu sent his two sons off to school.

 

The father-and-sons trio strolled over, enjoying the fresh morning air. Doubao bounced along cheerfully the whole way.

 

“Do you like Uncle Dahl?”

 

“Uncle Dahl’s cooking is yummy!” Doubao nodded happily.

 

Dougao, his little face cool and composed, glanced at his dad and said, “If Daddy likes him, then I like him too.”

 

“Such a little schemer.” Lu Xi ruffled Dougao’s hair. This kid was clearly hinting at something else.

 

Like the idea of Uncle Dahl becoming another dad.

 

“Daddy’s not thinking about that right now.”

 

Then Lu Xi thought of his career.

 

It wasn’t as if no one had called him these past two days. Aside from Director Wang from Actor, there had been invitations from other variety shows, all of which Lu Xi had turned down.

 

But not a single film had reached out to him.

 

Watching Doubao skip ahead, pulling his little brother through the kindergarten gates, Lu Xi turned back home when his phone rang. It was Pete.

 

“Lu Xi, are you free today? Let’s meet up and talk.”

 

“…” Lu Xi thought of Dahl at home. “Sure.”

 

He headed back first. The dining table was already cleared. Dahl was wearing his butler uniform, though it seemed like there was less fabric than before? Wait, no, the amount of fabric was the same. Dahl had just undone two more buttons, revealing his firm, well-defined pectorals.

 

Lu Xi: “…”

 

So the whole “restraint” aesthetic was out the window now?

 

“Dahl, don’t bother with this. Find a part-time housekeeper to clean and tidy up the house.”

 

“Does Master dislike me now?” Dahl asked pitifully.

 

Lu Xi: … He was already used to Dahl’s pitiful act. His face remained clam, the very picture of a scumbag, as he said, “I just feel bad for you. Save the time you’d spend cleaning and do something else with it.”

 

For a brief moment, Dahl looked lost. “Like what?”

 

Lu Xi had no idea, either.

 

He heard from his eldest brother that Dahl’s parents were the “old-fashioned” type and were very stubborn. The succubus clan had been blending into human society for over a century now, and some customs had slowly faded. His elder brother, who led the succubi, wasn’t conservative at all. On the contrary, he was ambitious.

 

The succubus clansmen who came with them all sent their children to school to receive an education. However, due to their “outsider” status, they never felt deeply attached to this world at heart. Whether they became top researchers in academics or achieved great success in their careers, they still harbored a natural reverence and submission toward the royal succubus lineage.

 

Dahl’s parents are very conservative. After Dahl finished high school, he was ordered to study at home. Later, his eldest brother saw that it was not working, so he asked Dahl to work as a helper for Cecil.

 

As everyone knew, Cecil is the most outstanding succubus servant.

 

He is the King’s succubus servant and took impeccable care of His Majesty.

 

“If you want, you can either stay with me for now or go out and explore on your own,” Lu Xi offered him a choice.

 

Of course, Dahl chose to stick close and protect his master.

 

“Then go change your clothes.” If they went out with him dressed like that, people would stare at them strangely.

 

Dahl reluctantly touched his butler uniform but obediently changed into casual clothes.

 

They arranged to meet at a café.

 

At nine in the morning, the second floor of the café was completely empty.

 

The moment Lu Xi came upstairs, Pete couldn’t tear his eyes away from Dahl. Hiding his gulp behind a sip of coffee, he whispered sneakily, “Who’s this, Xi-ge?”

 

Xiao Lu when things were casual, Xi-ge when he wanted something.

 

“A friend,” Lu Xi replied, already well aware of Pete’s old habits resurfacing.

 

Pete was gay. Anytime a tall, handsome man walked by, he couldn’t tear his eyes away. But it was all talk, no action.

 

“I’m all alone, drifting without anyone to rely on. As expected of Xi-ge, you’ve got people flocking to you left and right.”

 

Lu Xi: …

 

“Yeah, who can blame me for being beautiful and kind-hearted? That’s just my charm.” Lu Xi said with a smile. Pete looked sour and couldn’t take it anymore, so he cut to the chase: “I’ve got a resource for you., it’s a web drama adapted from an IP. The author’s a friend of mine, and I recommended you. If you’re interested, you can audition.”

 

Lu Xi: “!!!”

 

“Male lead.” Pete crossed his legs smugly, practically vibrating with pride.

 

Lu Xi hadn’t expected Pete to come through like this. After lying low for so long, he finally had a chance to join a production and as the male lead, no less.

 

Who cares if it’s a web series or not? As long as he gets to act, that’s all that matters.

 

“What’s the title?”

 

Pete’s leg stopped bouncing. “Kiss Me Little Fox Spirit.”

 

Lu Xi: “Kiss… what?”

 

*”Don’t judge it by the title! The story’s actually decent. Back in the day, it had decent traction online. Not a massive IP, but not tiny either.” Pete straightened up defensively.

 

Lu Xi caught the key phrase. “Back in the day?”

 

“The novel was written ten years ago.” Pete scratched his head awkwardly.

 

Lu Xi: … “Just tell me the truth.”

 

“C’mon, don’t be like that.” Pete staid stubbornly. “The author won the lottery. After writing for ten years without selling any adaptation rights, she decided to produce it herself. She doesn’t have much, just about two million to spare.”

 

Lu Xi’s mood was like a roller coaster, going up and down.

 

After Pete’s relentless persuasion, Lu Xi stopped Dahl from throwing a punch and agreed to read the novel first. Finally, wiping sweat from his brow, Pete sat properly and asked, “Xi-ge, do you have an agent right now? If not… maybe I could work with you again?”

 

“??? Why do I feel like you’re trying to take advantage of me today?” Lu Xi’s gaze was sharp.

 

Pete fidgeted. hen he arrived, he had already thought it through: first, he would appease Lu Xi with some resources before making his request. But now the tables had turned, and he was the one at Xi-ge’s mercy.

 

“No, that’s not, ah, screw it, I’ll be honest. Executive Xu doesn’t like me. The two artists I painstakingly built up were transferred to Wang Qing’s team. I mean, Wang Qing already has Jian Huai, a top-tier star! Why’s she snatching my barely-third-tier artists too?”

 

Since Lu Xi’s contract termination, Pete had taken on three artists. One quit the industry for behind-the-scenes work, while the other two have steadily progressed and are showing promising signs of success. This year, they gained some traction, and next year, they are poised to break into the second tier. However, all of them have been transferred to Wang Qing’s management.

 

Executive Xu assigned him two new trainees and asked him to train them from scratch.

 

Was Pete supposed to just take that?

 

After an argument, Executive Xu said, “If you can do it, do it. If you can’t, get out.”

 

Pete knew that the company was trying to get rid of him.

 

He decided to find a way out for himself in advance. He didn’t have any connections, and he wasn’t a particularly powerful agent. Switching companies would mean starting over and dealing with all the petty office politics. Going independent sounded better. And that’s when he thought of Lu Xi.

 

“Xi-ge? You’re flying solo right now and short on manpower. Why not take me in?”

 

Lu Xi raised a brow, amused. “Kiss Me Little Fox Spirit?”

 

This is Pete’s pledge of allegiance.

 

Even Pete felt his face burn.

 

“We’ll talk about working together after I finish reading,” Lu Xi said, deciding not to tease him further. “If you’ve made up your mind, then quit.”

 

Pete immediately brightened. “Great! From now on, I’m following Xi-ge!” His eyes then wandered to Dahl’s big pectoral muscles.

 

Free eye candy!

 

Pete might’ve seemed slick-tongued and lecherous, but he was competent at his job and had principles. He never forced anyone into shady deals. If his artists wanted to cozy up to sponsors, he’d even advise them to think twice.

 

He laid out the pros and cons clearly.

 

Lu Xi thought back to five years ago, when he signed with Starlight and landed under Pete.

 

Back then, he and Xie Zhuhan had been together for a month. Xie Zhuhan was rigid, expressionless, and indifferent to everything. Although the two were officially together, they had done nothing but kiss.

 

And even that was initiated by Lu Xi.

 

Xie Zhuhan would hold his waist, gaze down at him with a cold and indifferent expression, utterly devoid of desire.

 

And Lu Xi would fume

 

*What the hell! We’re together! He refused to believe that Xie Zhuhan doesn’t want to be intimate with him.

 

Wasn’t love supposed to mean constantly thinking about the other person and craving physical closeness whenever you were together?

 

After the first stage of the competition ended, they had a two-day break.

 

Lu Xi and Xie Zhuhan had a falling out, and it was one-sided.

 

When he returned, the kitchen had prepared his favorite noodles. The butler said, “The Master noticed you liked them, so he had them ready in advance.”

 

Lu Xi was overjoyed.

 

He rushed straight to Xie Zhuhan’s bedroom.

 

Xie Zhuhan’s face was cold as ever, but Lu Xi didn’t care, he was used to it. He flung himself into Xie Zhuhan’s arms.

 

“Get down.”

 

“No,” Lu Xi pouted, “I’m not mad at you anymore. Let’s make up.”

 

The boy’s lips are pink with beautiful Cupid’s bow, which are very tempting.

 

Xie Zhuhan leaned down and captured them.

 

Lu Xi was breathless from the kiss, his cheeks flushed red, his face as rosy as a peach blossom. A misty haze lingered in his eyes as he gazed at the man before him, his heart pounding wildly. His legs felt weak and trembling, and he felt as though he might slip out of Xie Zhuhan’s embrace.

 

“Ah, I’m gonna fall!”

Xie Zhuhan steadied him, his hands brushing against softness. For a second, he stiffened, then slowly shifted his grip to Lu Xi’s waist.

 

A startling realization hit Lu Xi.

 

Could Xie Zhuhan… be a virgin?

 

He deliberately leaned close to Xie Zhuhan’s ear, his breath carrying a faint fragrance, and said in a soft, coquettish voice, “What should I do, Xie Zhuhan? My waist is weak. Touch it.”

 

“Lu Xi, you’re still young.”

 

Xie Zhuhan’s eyes were deep and bottomless, as if he was suppressing something, or perhaps nothing at all.

 

The two still didn’t do it. Xie Zhuhan let go of Lu Xi and went to the bathroom for a long time.

 

Lu Xi leaned against the bathroom door, smiling to himself.

 

Xie Zhuhan did want him.

 

He was going to make it happen tonight!

 

No one could stop him!

 

Home run, home run!

 

—

 

The author has something to say:
Today’s Xie Zhuhan appears in Lu Xi’s memories and at the end of the chapter.

 

Tomorrow’s Xie Zhuhan will appear at the start of the chapter!

 

Xie Zhuhan: Cold and detached 【Hurry up[mfn]written as “gkd” in the raws, abbreviation for 搞快点 (gǎo kuài diǎn), meaning “Hurry up!”[/mfn]

 

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