Zhao Yu’s agency had already bought a trending spot on Weibo.
#Zhao Yu Airport Return Photos
Zhu Li had just finished retouching the photos and submitted them when the hashtag climbed to the seventh spot on the trending list. Fans quickly jumped in to boost the engagement, hoping to push it a couple of places higher. But then, out of nowhere, a new topic took the number one spot.
#Lu Xi Returns with Child
It sat at the top of the trending list, marked with a red “爆” tag [mfn]爆 – “explosive” ; On Weibo, the 爆 (bào) tag next to a hot search/trending topic (热搜, rèsōu) means that the topic has exploded in popularity and is experiencing extremely high engagement, often due to breaking news, major scandals, or viral discussions.[/mfn].
Who is Lu Xi?
Zhao Yu knew better than anyone. Before he entered the entertainment industry as a trainee, he secretly watched Lu Xi’s debut show every day, studying his dance moves, speech mannerisms, micro-expressions, and stage presence. He’s hoping to become the next Lu Xi.
But he was smarter than Lu Xi. He wouldn’t vanish at the peak of his fame.
“I didn’t expect… well, actually, I should’ve known. Lu Xi debuted from a survival show and was insanely popular back then. But it’s been four years. What fans does he even have left? People are just curious. Relax, we’ll deploy some water army[mfn]水军 – a group of users who are paid to post online comments, gossips and disinformation on online platforms, so basically they are internet trolls/bots hired to manipulate public opinion[/mfn] to steer the narrative. With all his scandals, what’s there to be afraid of?”
The manager was annoyed. They spent money on the trending spot, only for Lu Xi to steal all the attention.
Both had returned on the same day, both had airport photos leaked.
And already, marketing accounts were pitting them against each other.
—
SummerKissKick: LU XI IS BACK!!!! My youth has returned! The little cutie on the luggage is adorable. Rumor has it he calls Lu Xi ‘Daddy.’ No idea if it’s real or not. [Pictures] x9.
The twins’ eyes were covered with strawberry stickers in the photos.
—Front row licking the screen! Can’t believe it’s really Lu Xi ahhhhhhh!
—I dug up my old phone gallery. Five years ago, fresh out of debut, XiXi was such a soft little kitten. His airport pics were so aloof back then. His aura’s changed so much.
—Who’s this? A newbie? His face is making me stan.
—Lu Xi has a kid??? No way. Maybe it’s a friend’s child.
SummerKissKick had swiped the photos from a retirement fandom group and posted them out of nostalgia. Several of her mutuals in the promo accounts reposted it. Lu Xi was one of the earliest breakout stars from China’s idol survival shows, exploding in popularity right after debut. He’s a true pioneer of the idol industry.
He vanished at his peak.
Remembering the past. My youth is back.
Marketing accounts quickly set up a poll: Both returned today. Comparing their airport photos, who do you prefer: Zhao Yu or Lu Xi? [Pictures] x2.
—I think Lu Xi’s better.
—As a casual observer, Lu Xi’s visuals are superior. Even without makeup, his face looks natural and untouched.
—Seriously? It’s only been four years, and people already forgot Lu Xi’s scandals? How can anyone still like this trash???
—He acted like a diva, hit people, got sugar-daddied for resources, and bullied others. He quit because he got blacklisted! And now he dares to come back and compare himself to hardworking, honest artists? Shameless.
—I thought everyone remembered. Guess there are too many newbies now. Back then, Lu Xi’s scandals were all over Rabbit Zone[mfn]兔区 – a forum on JJWC where users can post anonymously, known for celebrity gossip and fan discussions.[/mfn] and Group 8[mfn]Douban’s 八组 (“Group 8”), is one of the most infamous and influential gossip forums on China’s internet. [/mfn]. You can go dig them up. Who knows what he’s been doing for money these past four years?
—Those kids? Bet he had them with some sugar mommy who ditched him when she got bored.
—Wait… isn’t Lu Xi male? How come he gave birth to a child for a rich woman?
Truth and lies all mixed together. When it came to scandals, logic was irrelevant. Since when does a water army care about logic?
—
“Sir, Young Master Lu has returned.”
The butler stood at the door, careful not to step too far inside. The rules of the Xie Manor were clear: the master disliked anyone entering the third-floor bedroom or study. Even he could only enter upon request.
Except for one person.
That was five years ago.
Eighteen-year-old Lu Xi had just finished a competition, his hair still dyed mint green, and stage makeup not yet removed. Seeing the butler, he grinned brightly and asked, 「Where’s Zhuhan?」
「Young Master Lu, the master is in the study–」
Before the butler could finish, Lu Xi had darted upstairs like an agile cat, leaving the words ‘The master dislikes others entering the study‘ unspoken.
The butler hurried after him, only to hear the master’s deep voice at the study door: 「Get out.」
He expected Lu Xi to retreat. Instead, the boy replied: 「No. I just finished competing and my blood’s still boiling. Xie Zhuhan, I want to do it. Right here…」[mfn]in the raws, it was written as “谢烛寒我想doi，就在这里”, and ‘doi’ is a Chinese slang meaning “to have sex” (do = 做 ; i = sounds like 爱)[/mfn]
After that, the manor’s doors were never closed to Lu Xi again.
The study was silent now.
The butler pulled himself from the memory and continued respectfully, “His flight arrived at seven in the evening. Young Master Lu returned with two boys. Online rumors claim they are his sons–”
Snap!
The study’s main light turned on.
“They can’t be his children.” Xie Zhuhan said coldly with absolute confidence.
Lu Xi loved him too much, so there was no way he would’ve had children with anyone else.
The butler lowered his head and tactfully changed the subject. “Young Master Lu is trending. We’ve identified several accounts spreading false rumors about him from four years ago. None have mentioned you, sir.”
He stood quietly, awaiting further orders.
Those marketing firms and media outlets wouldn’t dare drag Xie Zhuhan into this, but they had no qualms attacking Lu Xi.
“…Take them down.”
“Understood.”
The butler withdrew.
Xie Zhuhan’s gaze fell on the desk before him.
「Husband, this desk is so big.」
「What a waste if we don’t do it here.[mfn]also used ‘doi’ in the raws[/mfn]」
「I love you so much, Xie Zhuhan.」
The boy, overwhelmed with pleasure, had clung to his neck, breath sweet and scorching against his skin.
—
“…Someone’s deliberately spreading my old scandals. You know what that means? It means I’m hot. In this industry, there’s a term for it: anti-hype[mfn]防爆 – (fángbào) lit. “explosion-proof” — I couldn’t think of a better translation for this, but in this context, it roughly means “prevent something from exploding”. Remember the ‘爆’ hot search tag mentioned earlier? It’s the same ‘explosive’ word. If you have suggestions, please let me know! >⩊< [/mfn]. That’s what they’re doing to your didi. They’re trying to stop me from blowing up again.”
“Just one appearance, and I instantly topped the trends. Who else has this kind of influence?”
Lu Xi wasn’t entirely exaggerating on the phone. He genuinely believed in his own potential. If he set his mind to it, there is nothing he couldn’t do.
“Just focus on recovering in France. I’ve got this.”
“Doubao and Dougao? They’re still awake, splashing around in the bath. Hold on, I’ll let them video-call you later.”
After hanging up, Lu Xi headed to the bathroom. The bathtub was temperature controlled, filled with foamy bubbles and swirling mist. Doubao’s yellow rubber duck, whale, and toy train floated across the surface. On Dougao’s side, not a single toy. Just a cold, blank expression as he watched his brother play.
Completely calm, utterly uninterested.
“Choo-choo! The train’s going to Didi’s side!” Doubao’s hair was damp, a few bubbles still clinging to his head, his cheeks pink from the warmth. “Didi, your turn!”
Dougao deadpanned, “Choo-choo.”
He mimicked his brother’s train noises.
Doubao giggled, flashing his little milky-white baby teeth. “The train’s arriving at the station!”
That marked the end of the game.
Lu Xi waited for Doubao to ‘park’ the train on Dougao’s head, then stepped forward and rubbed their hair. “That’s it for bath time tonight. Time for bed. Daddy will carry you. We’ll call Uncle later and say hi. He misses you two.”
“I miss Pretty Uncle too!” Doubao stood up, and stretched out his pink soaked arms from the water. He put on his little blue whale bathrobe and chirped, “Daddy, carry Didi.”
Hugging the little whale, he toddled off toward the bedroom.
Doubao is sweet, clingy, and talkative. Dougao is cold and reserved. Growing up together, others naturally doted more on Doubao. After all, the squeeky wheel gets the grease[mfn]会哭的孩子有糖吃 – lit. “the child who cries gets to eat the candy” ; Baidu defines it as a metaphor for those who express needs being more likely to gain advantages or receive more care.[/mfn]. But Doubao always looked out for Dougao.
Gege’s pride.
“Daddy, I can walk by myself too.” Dougao’s face was as composed as ever.
Lu Xi kissed his son’s cheek. “But Daddy wants to carry Dougao.”
The little boy reluctantly wrapped his arms around his father’s neck.
“Daddy carries Gege tomorrow.”
“Okay, I’ll do whatever Dougao says.”
Once both boys were in their pajamas and tucked into bed, they video-called their uncle, chatted for a bit, then drifted off to sleep.
After tucking the boys in and turning off the lights, Lu Xi stepped out as his phone rang.
It was Pete calling, informing him that there were water armies deliberately spreading dirt[mfn]黑料 – lit. “black material”[/mfn] about Lu Xi on the hot searches.
“Who’s behind it?” Lu Xi was confident as he repeated the conclusion he’d just discussed with his older brother. “Whoever it is, they’ve got good taste. They know I’m a real threat, so they’re trying to stop me before I blow up again.”
Pete: “…”
“Why aren’t you saying anything? I’ve been gone for four years. Which top-tier celeb is it?”
Peter choked. “Da-ge, you know you’ve been gone for four years, right? Your fans are long gone. The reason you trended today was because some randoms were curious. An ex-top idol returns with two kids? It’s meme material. They’re just here for the spectacle. You have nothing going right now. Tell me, what ‘top-tier celeb’ is trying to ‘anti-hype’ you?”
“Are they ‘anti-hyping’ you from being irrelevant?”
“You don’t even have an agency. What kind of resources can you even land right now?”
“A 23-year-old single dad with two kids wants to go back on stage and sing and dance?”
Elderly Daddy Xiao Lu: “…”
Humbled.
“Pete, did you just call to say I’m old?”
“…No.” Peter sounded pained. “The company had a meeting. We’re willing to sign you.”
He had just roasted Lu Xi for not having an agency. But hearing that delighted “Wahoo!” from the other end felt like a slap to the face.
Pete, now annoyed and embarrassed, barked, “Meeting’s at nine. See you at the office.”
—
The next day, 8 AM.
Doudou and Dougao are three years and two months old, old enough for kindergarten.[mfn]幼儿园 – specifically refers to an education institution for children aged around 3 to 6 years old, preparing them for primary school[/mfn] Though Lu Xi had just returned, his older brother had already taken care of the enrollment procedures for the two.
Fenglin Residences was a school district property, with three kindergartens. The residential complex was massive.
It also has affiliated elementary and middle schools, all private international institutions.
On their first day back, Lu Xi didn’t want to send his sons off to school so soon, preferring to let them adjust first. But he has work, and they hadn’t found a suitable nanny yet, so kindergarten it was.
“Daddy’s going to work. Doubao and Dougao are going to school. I’ll come pick you up this afternoon.” After settling the paperwork, Lu Xi crouched to speak to his two sons.
Doubao clutched his little whale plush backpack, cheeks puffed out nervously. He tried to act brave. “Daddy, I’m not scared. I’m the gege. I’ll take care of didi.”
Lu Xi: …Your daddy’s not buying it.
“Dougao?” Lu Xi turned to his younger son.
The reliable Dougao remained cool and unbothered, stating calmly, “I’ll keep an eye on Doubao.”
“I’m gege!” Doubao leaned his chubby face close to correct him.
Dougao: “…I’ll keep an eye on gege.”
Lu Xi gave both their cheeks a kiss. Under Daddy’s gaze, Doubao happily pulled his brother along, puffing out his tiny chest as they toddled off with the teacher into the classroom.
He wasn’t scared at all!
Gege pride, on full display.
—
Starlight Entertainment is a major company with great reputation, rich in resources, and none of the usual shady business. Rumor has it that a powerful backer supported them, making them a formidable force in the industry.
Five years ago, when Lu Xi debuted at eighteen, he signed with Starlight. Everyone said he was lucky.
“Is that Lu Xi?”
“He’s really back.”
“Damn, I almost didn’t recognize him.”
Employees whispered behind his back, but no one stopped him. Lu Xi has an appointment with Pete and made his way to his office with ease. The assistant at the door said, “Lu… Lu-ge, Pete’s in the big conference room.”
“Got it, thanks.” Lu Xi turned toward the conference room.
Before he reached the door, Peter’s voice boomed from inside: “…Lu Xi has been inactive for four years, but he’s not a total rookie. He shot to the top of the hot searches the moment he returned yesterday. Clearly, there’s still demand. You can’t just offer him a rookie contract. At the very least, it should be a B-tier deal. D-tier is way too low.”
Another man replied impatiently, “The market’s changed, Pete. Don’t let personal feelings cloud your judgment. Topping the hot searches means nothing, and you know it. Right now, he’s just a laughingstock. People are just here for the drama. Tell me, what qualifies him for a B-tier contract?”
“Go take a look at the trainees waiting to debut. We’ve got every type: young, obedient, clean records. You want Lu Xi at twenty-five doing song-and-dance with a rap verse?”
Lu Xi, now two years older and feeling inexplicably attacked: “…”
Peter refused to give up. “It’s not that bad. Just do me this favor–”
“I’ve already done you a favor. If it were anyone else with Lu Xi’s track record, disobedient and covered in scandals, I wouldn’t even glance their way. Right now, he’s only worth a D-tier deal. Tell him: take it or leave it.”
The author has something to say:
The gong is a total 逼King[mfn](or bking/b王) – an internet term that is often used to describe someone who is pretentious, meaning the king of pretentiousness. The word bking can be derogatory or complimentary. Some fans call their favorite idols bking, which actually means that the idols are handsome and cool, and have the aura of a king. (Baidu)[/mfn] in the early stages.
–
He loves me so much, of course he wouldn’t have kids with another woman.【ML’s confidence.
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