After Getting Pregnant, I’m Divorcing My Alpha - Chapter 40

“Here.” Cheng Youyi placed the freshly brewed tea in front of Shen Xiao, then poured a separate cup of hot milk for An Xiangdi.

“What did you call me here for today?” Shen Xiao got straight to the point.

“Jumping right into work? Aren’t you worried your wife will get bored?” Cheng Youyi shot several meaningful glances at An Xiangdi.

“It’s fine. I’m actually quite interested in what you two talk about,” An Xiangdi propped his chin on one hand. “Unless it’s something I shouldn’t hear?”

“Of course not! If Brother Shen dared to drag me into discussing something off-limits, I’d be the first to cut him off” Cheng Youyi glanced at Shen Xiao’s expression and quickly reconsidered his words, “I’d be the first to sew my mouth shut!”

An Xiangdi chuckled inwardly: That’s about all he’s capable of.

“I’ll take a stroll while you two chat.” With that, he stood up, deciding to leave the space to the two who needed to discuss work, and wandered around the villa.

“There’s a music room on the third floor,” Shen Xiao stopped him. “If you get tired”

“Wife, feel free to use any guest room! They’re all clean. If you want to sleep in the master bedroom, I ” Cheng Youyi caught Shen Xiao’s sharp glare and immediately corrected himself, “The master bedroom is locked. And don’t go into that room it’s the pet room. Not good for your health.”

Following the direction he pointed, An Xiangdi saw a blue door not far away, decorated with cat and dog stickers. “Got it.”

As he climbed the stairs to the second floor, the voices from the living room gradually faded. An Xiangdi glanced briefly at a few rooms before settling comfortably in the spacious study.

Cheng Youyi’s study occupied the space of two guest rooms, with an extensive collection of books ranging from history and poetry to novels and miscellaneous notes. The study faced south and featured a large bay window, thickly carpeted and furnished with an air-conditioned blanket and pillow.

It felt less like a place for reading and more like a cozy nook for lazing and napping.

Pulling out a random poetry collection, An Xiangdi sat on the bay window, propped a cushion behind his back, and stared blankly at the scenery outside.

Cheng Youyi’s villa stood at the very back of the residential area, with a large pond behind it. The water in the pond was clear enough to see the bottom, filled with numerous koi fish, and beyond it lay a dense grove of trees and an elegantly landscaped park.

From where he sat, An Xiangdi could see a few scattered figures in the park.

After sitting for just a short while, he understood why Cheng Youyi had chosen to lay out a rug here instead of placing a desk. Though the August sun was warm, the central air conditioning balanced it perfectly, and soon a deep drowsiness washed over him.

Pulling the pillow close and wrapping himself in the blanket, An Xiangdi soon drifted into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Cheng Youyi and Shen Xiao were deep in discussion over the contract demands of Ying Chong and Wei Yi.

“Ying Chong’s case is manageable. He’s a film emperor, so his value is naturally high. But the additional terms Wei Yi’s agent proposed are a bit unreasonable.” Cheng Youyi’s computer screen glowed, displaying the draft contracts submitted by the talent department, one of which included a supplementary agreement requested by Wei Yi’s agent.

Shen Xiao carefully read through the contents of the supplementary agreement. Yisheng Entertainment had offered Wei Yi a 40-60 split for event earnings, with Wei Yi taking 40% and Yisheng Entertainment 60%. Shen Xiao’s previous contract with Yiguang Entertainment had also been a 40-60 split, which was considered a decent deal in the industry.

However, Wei Yi’s agent had proposed a 50-50 split, citing Wei Yi’s skyrocketing commercial value and rising market worth. Especially after the recording of the reality show Survival, Wei Yi had made leaps in all aspects and even expanded his acting range.

At the sight of “Survival,” Shen Xiao narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

Cheng Youyi muttered to himself, “I haven’t met this Wei Yi yet. I only know he used to do crosstalk?”

“Before his debut, he performed crosstalk. After his debut, he became a regular on comedy variety shows,” Shen Xiao added.

“You know him well?” Cheng Youyi suddenly grew curious.

“Dizi knows him well,” Shen Xiao replied, thinking about how to change the subject.

Cheng Youyi looked Shen Xiao up and down, noticing his odd expression, and suddenly understood. “Oho! First love?”

“First love?” Shen Xiao’s expression darkened.

Cheng Youyi rubbed his nose and backed down. “Alright, alright. I know your wife’s first love was you.”

“Wei Yi is an Alpha. He helped Dizi out back in the day. They debuted around the same time and are pretty good friends,” Shen Xiao said, feeling an urge to just lay it all out. “I was the one who recommended him to the director of Survival.”

Cheng Youyi’s hand, holding a teacup, trembled. He raised his voice, “You recommended him? And now lookhe’s using it as leverage against us! Bargaining with us! The money we’re losing because of this”

“Because he’s afraid of bugs,” Shen Xiao said gloomily, his thoughts unreadable. “I wanted him to toughen up.”

Cheng Youyi mulled it over internally: Toughen up, my foot. More like you couldn’t stand the sight of him and tossed him into a pit of bugs to get him out of your hair.

“Shen-ge,” he ventured boldly, “I keep feeling like there’s a weird smell in my house.”

Shen Xiao didn’t respond, waiting to see what nonsense he’d spout next.

“Smells sour. Really pungent,” Cheng Youyi seized this rare chance to tease Shen Xiao, risking life and limb to get the words out.

“Cheng Youyi, seriously,” Shen Xiao smirked, a hint of malice in his expression. “No one would mistake you for mute if you shut up. And that mix of stupidity and asking for a beating? It’s exactly like that kid Wei Yi.”

Instantly cowed, Cheng Youyi fell silent.

The living room plunged into quiet. Shen Xiao had no intention of breaking it, and Cheng Youyi didn’t dare.

After a long while, Cheng Youyi couldn’t hold back anymore. “Shen-ge, so are we signing Wei Yi or not? If it’s really not working, should we just let him find another agency?”

“Do you really not know? Do you need me to spell it out for you?” Shen Xiao stood up abruptly.

Cheng Youyi ruffled his spiky red hair. “Got it, we’ll sign him. Didn’t you say he could make money? I’ll just add a minimum annual earnings clause to the contract. If he doesn’t meet it, he can pack up and leave.”

This time, Shen Xiao didn’t respond. He picked up the now-cold glass of milk and walked into the kitchen.

By the time he came out, Cheng Youyi had already annotated the contract revisions and sent them to the agency department. His mind buzzed with calculations, already picturing how much profit Yisheng Entertainment would rake in once Ying Chong and Wei Yi joined.

Shen Xiao carried a glass of milk upstairs and followed the sweet scent of pheromones into the study, where he found An Xiangdi fast asleep.

Setting the warm milk aside on the coffee table, Shen Xiao gently rubbed the furrow between An Xiangdi’s brows, deciding to wait until he woke up before taking him home.

But before he could stand up, the sleeping man opened his eyes.

Seeing his Alpha and breathing in the familiar scent of brandy pheromones, An Xiangdi couldn’t help but reach out and tug at the hem of Shen Xiao’s shirt. “Are you done talking?”

“Probably.” Shen Xiao had a feeling Cheng Youyi hadn’t called him over just to discuss the contract.

“Oh.” An Xiangdi rubbed his eyes, his body stiff from lying on his back for so long. He placed a hand over his lower abdomen. “I was half-asleep and had a dream.”

“What did you dream about?” Shen Xiao laid his hand over An Xiangdi’s, intertwining their fingers tightly.

“I forgot.” An Xiangdi didn’t really want to talk about it.

The dream had been chaotic and fragmented he truly couldn’t remember most of it. The only thing that lingered in his mind was the face he’d seen earlier that day at the TV station.

Shen Xiao didn’t press further. “Rest a little longer. I’ll go downstairs and ask if there’s anything else. If not, we’ll head back to the hotel.”

“Mm.” An Xiangdi nodded, watching as Shen Xiao went downstairs. After a moment of dazed silence, he slipped on his shoes and followed.

“Is there anything else?” An Xiangdi heard Shen Xiao ask as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

Cheng Youyi, lounging on the sofa, stretched lazily. “Yeah.”

“Go on.”

“The main family is holding a business banquet on August 30th. They want me to bring you along.”

“Speak plainly.” The way he said it made it sound like there was something shady going on between him and Cheng Youyi.

“Grandpa’s curious about you wondering who bought up so many shares of Yisheng Entertainment.” Cheng Youyi raised an eyebrow. “Even I wouldn’t spend that much money ”

“Relax, it’s just a business meeting. You’re practically the most prominent major shareholder of the Pingbei Jiang family, even without any blood ties.”

“Got it.” Shen Xiao agreed. There was no harm in networking, especially with the head of the Pingbei Jiang family.

“One more thing.” Cheng Youyi pointed at the calendar on his computer. “There’s a shareholders’ meeting on the 19th. You missed the last one don’t skip this time”

Before Cheng Youyi could finish, Shen Xiao cut him off. “The 19th this month? I’m not going.”

“Why not again?” Cheng Youyi scratched his red hair irritably, unsure how to respond.

“I have plans.”

Hearing this, An Xiangdi slowly descended the stairs and stood beside Shen Xiao. “We have plans that day, so don’t even think about it.”

“Sis-in-law” Cheng Youyi stared at the two of them, then waved a hand in defeat. “Fine, just make sure you come on the 30th. I’ll figure something out for the 19th.”

“Anything else?”

“Nope.” Cheng Youyi had considered inviting them to stay for dinner, but judging by Shen Xiao’s demeanor, he probably wanted to take An Xiangdi out alone. He grinned obsequiously. “Hope you and Sis-in-law have a pleasant evening.”

“Thanks.” Shen Xiao took An Xiangdi’s hand and led him out of Cheng Youyi’s house.

On the way back, Shen Xiao said, “The contract negotiations between Yisheng Entertainment, Ying Chong, and Wei Yi are almost settled.”

“How many years?”

“Five years. Same split fifty-fifty.”

“Wei Yi is also fifty-fifty?”

“Mm.”

“That guy’s really worth something now.” An Xiangdi couldn’t help but sigh.

“His agent used the follow-up effects of ‘Survival’ to negotiate terms with us.” Shen Xiao said, turning the steering wheel as he rounded a corner.

“Wasn’t this gig recommended by you?”

“Let’s not talk about that.” Shen Xiao didn’t want to bring up the foolish thing he had done back then.

An Xiangdi covered his mouth, trying hard not to laugh. “Ah speaking of which, what flowers should we buy for the 19th? Red roses again?”

“Mm, I’ll order them in advance.”

An Xiangdi stared intently at Shen Xiao’s profile firm and mature, as if he had suddenly been transported back to that night over twenty years ago.