Zhang Chaohe, still with his eyes closed, frantically pressed buttons on the screen in a daze, yelling in annoyance, "Change the channel! Change the channel!!"
Driver: After taking them to their destination, the driver floored the gas pedal and sped off in a straight line, driving like a dog was chasing him.
This duplex apartment was developed by Hengxiang's real estate company specifically for young people and some businesses. Its selling point is a new way of living, and it is probably the most down-to-earth house under Zhang Chaohe's name.
Cheng Jixue entered the house using the password given by Assistant Jiang. Zhang Chaohe even knew to take off his shoes. He casually swung his foot, and the hard sole of his handmade leather shoes clattered against the shoe cabinet by the door. Then he walked quietly to the sofa, suddenly slumped down, and buried his face in the sofa, remaining motionless.
Cheng Jixue coldly watched his headfirst fall, her usually smiling face devoid of any expression. The always impeccably dressed CEO Zhang was stuck there in an odd, pitiful position, but Cheng Jixue glanced up at the second-floor bedroom of the duplex apartment and coldly decided to make him fall for her that very night.
He was about to push the door open to leave when he suddenly heard Zhang Chaohe shout loudly, "I want a rice bowl!"
Cheng Jixue paused for a moment on the doorknob—only for a split second—before opening the door and turning to leave without hesitation.
When Zhang Chaohe woke up in the morning, his neck felt as if it had been trampled by a thousand horses; it was so stiff that he could hear his joints cracking. His suit was crumpled like a rag, and the watch he hadn't taken off all night had even left a fairly complete red mark on his handsome face.
He sat blankly on the thick, soft, long-haired carpet, trying to recall the previous night, only to discover with despair that not only was he a poor drinker, but he had also blacked out!
Zhang Chaohe covered his face in frustration, hoping he hadn't done anything shameful that would damage his reputation. This house was entirely the product of the original owner's curiosity about apartment layouts, and he didn't even have a change of clothes. He had to call Assistant Jiang to arrange for someone to send some clothes over.
Assistant Jiang hesitated on the phone, then asked, "How was last night?"
Zhang Chaohe asked in surprise, "What do you mean, how are you? I'm alright, it's just that my neck hurts a little."
She gasped, unsure what Jiang's assistant was imagining, and hesitantly advised him, "Well... perhaps you should report this to Chairman Zhang."
Zhang Chaohe was greatly puzzled: "I can live wherever I want, why do I need to report to him?"
When Assistant Jiang saw that he was avoiding the topic, he immediately understood and considerately changed the subject: "There is a filming schedule for 'Dream Training Camp' this afternoon. You should rest well this morning, and I will have Lao Liu pick you up this afternoon."
When the driver, Lao Liu, was mentioned, Zhang Chaohe immediately complained, "Lao Liu threw me on the sofa as soon as he brought me back yesterday. I almost caught a cold from the cold, but luckily I'm physically strong."
He had no recollection of being drunk and thought it was Lao Liu who brought it back to him.
Assistant Jiang was silent for two seconds, then gave a dry "Oh," secretly relieved that she wasn't talkative. To prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings from happening to Mr. Zhang later, Assistant Jiang decided to tell him the truth: "Yesterday, Lao Liu took Li Yimao and Mei Jinghan away, but Mr. Cheng took you there."
Zhang Chaohe closed his eyes peacefully and said softly, "How about we just take the funeral portrait this afternoon?"
A note from the author:
Assistant Jiang [lamenting his incompetence]: You've been given such a great opportunity, and you've failed at it!
Jump with confidence, kids! We have plenty of material saved up!
Chapter 8
The publicity surrounding the "funeral portrait" was extremely sensational.
In the past, most of the CEOs who appeared on the show were nearing forty, and they usually relied on layers of skin-smoothing filters to barely maintain a similar style to the challengers behind them. However, in this episode's poster, CEO Zhang is strikingly handsome, even more eye-catching than the challengers behind him—the most amazing thing is the pair of gold-rimmed glasses that the photographer insisted CEO Zhang wear. The intention was to try to suppress some of his aggressive temperament, but the gold-rimmed glasses actually blended with CEO Zhang's strong and distinctive features to create a unique, ascetic beauty.
Zhang Chaohe has once again become a trending topic because of his face.
[Mom! The male lead in those domineering CEO novels has finally gotten his hands on something!!]
[Help! How can a CEO be so handsome?! Is this an idol drama come to life?!]
[Mr. Zhang, why don't you debut yourself and save the effeminate and ugly male entertainment industry?!]
Some people questioned, "Did he get plastic surgery? Isn't it normal for rich people to get cosmetic surgery? Is it worth making such a fuss about?"
Immediately, someone posted photos of Chairman Zhang and General Manager Zhang, dug up from a financial forum: "Look at the good looks of General Manager Zhang's father and older brother! It's obvious the Zhang family has strong genes, okay? Chairman Zhang is almost sixty; he can't possibly be getting cosmetic surgery now, can he? (grinning face)"
In addition to the aura of CEO Zhang attracting netizens' attention, Cheng Jixue, standing on the far left of the promotional poster, also garnered attention due to her exceptionally outstanding appearance.
[Who's that handsome guy to the left of CEO Zhang? Is he a newcomer?]
He's so handsome! So elegantly and strikingly handsome!
Why is he a guest performer? Does Jiasheng have any high-quality new talent in its pipeline?
The title of "guest performer" was added at Jiasheng's request, since Cheng Jixue was indeed inexperienced on boy group stages that required creating a lively atmosphere. However, with a solo stage spot in hand, Li Yimao and Mei Jinghan were happy to help carry their own personal touches.
The popularity of "Little Zhang" suddenly surged, but netizens quickly discovered that posts about Chairman Zhang and General Manager Zhang were swiftly taken down. It seems that the group intervened in public relations, determined to firmly maintain the serious image of the two "Big Zhang" general managers, except for the "Little Zhang" who was completely let loose.
Even sitting in his office, Zhang Chaohe could feel the teasing glances cast his way by his assistants. He had originally wanted to go down and check on Cheng Jixue and the others' rehearsal—he had heard that to make the music more authentic, Li Yimao had not only listened to his partners' opinions and made major revisions to the melody, but had also invited a professional drummer and pianist to record the accompaniment.
However, considering that he might have acted out under the influence of alcohol last night, Zhang Chaohe really couldn't figure out how to face Cheng Jixue, so he simply stayed in the office.
On the other hand, Cheng Xuelan immediately threw herself into work after Zhang Yinshan resolved the dispute over the Best Actress award. Recently, a movie by a well-known commercial film director is in preparation, and Cheng Xuelan wants to try to get Cheng Jixue the third male lead role. However, it is said that the director already has a preferred candidate, and she will probably have to use all sorts of tricks to get a newcomer who can't even be found on Baidu Baike.
Everything was on track, and Zhang Chaohe was satisfied. He thought that when Master Ji met his destined lover at the banquet a year later, he would thank Zhang Bole for his discerning eye, and the Zhang family group would be safe and sound.
He was destined to be accompanied by cold, hard money, and to die alone.
Just thinking about it makes Zhang Chaohe feel like he'll wake up laughing in his dreams; he's never even dared to dream of something this big before!
Then Assistant Jiang pushed open the door and coldly reminded him that tonight was the night he needed to go home and have dinner with Chairman Zhang, and that he should prepare in advance.
Zhang Chaohe suddenly woke up and began to recall the original owner's family structure. The original owner's mother was weak after childbirth and passed away when he was very young. Chairman Zhang Fulin was an extremely responsible person in terms of both family and work. He did not marry his second wife until Zhang Chaohe was almost an adult.
Stepmother Zhao Jinying is kind and optimistic by nature. She treats her two sons with the understanding and respect of friends, and therefore her two sons also respect their stepmother very much.
The fact that the Zhang family has none of the scheming and backstabbing typical of wealthy families is also closely related to the fact that Zhang Fulin provided his two children with a healthy environment to grow up in.
In short, before meeting the main characters, the original owner was perfectly normal, a model young man with a harmonious family and aspirations; but after meeting Cheng Jixue, the original owner's intelligence rapidly declined, and he became an unfortunate tool for shaping the main character's beautiful, strong, and tragic persona.
Zhang Chaohe: If murder weren't illegal, I'd love to just make Cheng Jixue disappear.
After get off work, Zhang Chaohe returned to the Zhang family home on time to prepare for his bi-weekly visit to the elderly. Zhang Yinshan also turned down all his social engagements. The two brothers met at the garage entrance and walked home together.
To be fair, although Zhang Chaohe is cool and stylish, you can still see the naivety and vigor unique to young people; while Zhang Yinshan has been working hard for many years and his temperament has become calm and reserved. When the two brothers walk together, Zhang Chaohe's coldness is greatly weakened, making him look like a more mature and handsome older brother next door.
In reality, Zhang Chaohe was extremely nervous. He lost his parents shortly after starting university and had lived a carefree life ever since, even developing a serious stomach ailment due to excessive stress and irregular sleep patterns. The original owner of this body was healthy and had living relatives—a scene that had long existed only in his dreams. Therefore, Zhang Chaohe was both expectant and anxious.
Although Zhang Yinshan spoke casually, his tone clearly revealed his doting affection for his younger brother. He tirelessly nagged Zhang Chaohe to protect himself in the entertainment industry and to ask for help from the family if anything happened, assuring him that his older brother and father would unconditionally support him. Zhang Chaohe thought to himself, "As long as Cheng Jixue isn't around, I won't have any trouble. I..."
A young man leading a large golden retriever out of the woods suddenly came into Zhang Chaohe's view. He was wearing an ordinary white hoodie and hazy blue trousers. He stared at Zhang Chaohe in surprise. The setting sun cast dappled shadows, and the large golden retriever's long fur shone like molten gold.
Zhang Chaohe: Why are you everywhere?!
Zhang Yinshan noticed his stiffness and subtly sized up the young man in front of him—Cheng Jixue's information had long been on his desk, an ordinary resume of a good student. It was Zhang Chaohe's favor that made the busy president of Shengjing remember this young man.
However, Zhang Yinshan thought again, how could Cheng Jixue afford a house here? Yipin Huading is full of celebrities and tycoons. Did Cheng Jixue come here just to walk her dog?
Or did he have ulterior motives and deliberately stage a "chance encounter"?
Zhang Yinshan squinted at him coldly, while Zhang Chaohe was much more direct, blurting out, "What are you doing here?"
Cheng Jixue ignored Zhang Yinshan's expression, casually wrapped the dog leash around his hand twice, and put on his signature sincere smile: "My mentor lives here. I came to visit him today and also took the opportunity to walk the dog. Guapi, say hello to President Zhang?"
He tugged at the rope, and the golden retriever looked up at him with a dazed expression, its tail swishing like a propeller. Cheng Jixue gently nudged it with his shinbone, and it slowly walked towards the two Zhang brothers, circled around twice, and rubbed against Zhang Chaohe's leg.
Zhang Chaohe has always loved small animals, and by extension, he also loves people who are friendly towards animals. Half a minute ago, he was thinking, "Why is he everywhere? Isn't he annoying?" Half a minute later, he was squatting on the ground and starting to rub the golden retriever's long face!
Forgive me! Forgive me completely! What bad intentions could a young man who loves animals possibly have?
Zhang Yinshan loved his younger brother deeply. Seeing his brother's attitude completely change after being deceived by a dog, he felt even more that Cheng Jixue was cunning. After Zhang Chaohe and Jinmao bid each other a reluctant farewell, he lectured him even more, advising him to keep his eyes open and stay away from people with ulterior motives.
Zhang Chaohe: Come on, I'm already burning incense for good luck if I don't have any ulterior motives.
The two entered the house one after the other. Ms. Zhao Jinying stood up to greet them. She was only forty years old, but because of her leisurely life and relaxed and cheerful attitude, she looked only about thirty, very young and beautiful. She looked happily at her two adopted sons, first making a perfunctory inquiry about her eldest son's career, and then naturally turning to her younger son and showering him with praise: "Dian Dian, do you know, so many aunties came to talk to me about you today! Are you going to be on a TV show?! Aunties will definitely support you and help boost your ratings!"
On the other side, Zhang Fulin also appeared in the restaurant. He looked at the natural and harmonious atmosphere between his two sons and stepmother, a secret smile of satisfaction on his face, and quietly pulled out a chair and sat down.
Zhang Chaohe greeted his father and then began to focus on the enthusiastic Ms. Zhao. It was clear that his stepmother genuinely cared about him. She radiated pride whenever the other wives praised him, and she eagerly encouraged him to become "the face of the Zhang family."
He had initially assumed that a dinner party at the Zhang family's top-tier socialite would be rife with intrigue and drama, but it turned out he was overthinking it. The Zhang family's dinner was just like any ordinary family meal: the father discussed business with his successful eldest son, while the mother chatted about interesting gossip with her favored youngest son. His grip on his chopsticks loosened unconsciously, and he calmly began telling Ms. Zhao the entertainment gossip he had heard.
As she was talking, Ms. Zhao suddenly asked, "So, does that Cheng guy you're with have any TV dramas airing lately?" She then casually placed a piece of bamboo shoot on Zhang Chaohe's plate, adding, "He's so handsome!"
As soon as he finished speaking, an unusually tense atmosphere appeared at the dining table.
Zhang Chaohe wondered why he was being brought up again even after he got home; Zhang Yinshan wondered what made this person so special that even Ms. Zhao knew about him; while Zhang Fulin's mood was very simple—handsome? Who's handsome?
Seeing that things were going badly, Ms. Zhao quickly used her eyes to coerce Zhang Chaohe into resolving the situation immediately. Zhang Chaohe cleared his throat and said, "Um... he's someone I just signed, and he doesn't have any works yet."
Seeing Zhang Yinshan frown, Zhang Chaohe immediately added, "But his agent has already arranged scripts for him. Look, just one photo is enough to arouse public curiosity. He's sure to be a successful money-making machine in the future!"
Zhang Fulin took a bite of his meal without making a sound. Zhang Chaohe glanced at Zhang Yinshan out of the corner of his eye, watching him warily, and prayed that the topic would pass quickly. As if hearing his thoughts, Ms. Zhao changed the subject: "Your Aunt Xu asked me to inquire about your love life today. Diandian doesn't have a girlfriend yet, right?"
Zhang Chaohe coughed up three liters of blood—we might as well continue discussing the future development of artists under Jiasheng!
A note from the author:
Many years later, when an entertainment reporter interviewed Mr. Cheng, he asked how Mr. Zhang had won over the young CEO.
Cheng Jixue (sorrowfully): Maybe it's because I raised a good dog?
Chapter 9
Aside from the occasional discussion about relationships, the meal was relaxed and enjoyable. Since both Zhang Yinshan and Zhang Chaohe were still single, Zhang Fulin issued a similar threat: "Watch your step or I'll break your legs."
Before leaving, the aunt packed a lot of home-style dishes and pickled snacks for the two brothers. Zhang Chaohe neatly stacked the takeout boxes on the back seat. Just as he was about to drive off, he inexplicably thought of Cheng Jixue.
It's already dark, I don't know if he's gone back yet... It's not easy to get a taxi here, and it's quite a long walk to the main road, and Cheng Jixue doesn't look like he has a car.
He hesitated for a moment, then convinced himself that it was just to repay Cheng Jixue for taking him home yesterday, but he honestly dialed the other party's number.
Good evening, Mr. Zhang?
"Are you home yet? I just came out of my house. If you haven't left, I can give you a ride." Zhang Chaohe twisted the tassel on his car key with his free hand.
Cheng Jixue, who was lying in bed on the other end of the phone thinking about the lyrics she had practiced that day, fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.
Two seconds later, he thanked him in a normal tone: "Thank you, Mr. Zhang, I'll be right down."
Cheng Jixue hung up the phone and, unusually, spaced out for a moment. He thought that perhaps it was to enrich the character of "Cheng Jixue" that he did such a foolish thing. He quickly changed into the clothes he had worn while walking the dog that day. Guapi came over and sniffed him, thinking that its owner was going to take it out for a walk, and happily wagged its tail.
He definitely wouldn't be coming back tonight. Cheng Jixue called the housekeeper to have someone take care of it, and picked up her file folder to leave. Guapi lay dejectedly at the door, watching him leave. Looking at it, Cheng Jixue couldn't help but think of the way Zhang Chaohe petted it—contrary to his usual cold and aloof demeanor, he looked a little dazed.
He rubbed the melon rind, turned around and went out.
Zhang Chaohe didn't have to wait long before Cheng Jixue arrived. He gently knocked on the car window, and Zhang Chaohe unlocked it.
As soon as Cheng Jixue got into the car, he smelled a faint sweet scent of white peaches. Zhang Chaohe, with a calm expression, entered the address Cheng Jixue had given him into the navigation system, and then said thank you: "Thank you for yesterday. Did I cause you any trouble because I was drunk?"
Cheng Jixue suppressed a laugh: "No, you have excellent drinking manners; you've been sleeping the whole time."
Although taxi drivers may not think that way.
Traffic was light that night. Zhang Chaohe was driving the G63, and he was incredibly arrogant when passing other cars. While waiting at a red light with his left hand on the steering wheel, he thought he looked incredibly cool, secretly glancing at the rearview mirror as if it were his mirror. Cheng Jixue, however, found his smugness amusing and subconsciously curled the corners of her lips into a smile.