Pretending Not to Love You [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 48

Chapter 48

The next morning, Xiao Baijun, Zuo Qiu, and Guo Chen boarded a plane back to B City.

Before leaving, Zuo Qiu asked Dai Ni if she wanted to return with them, but Dai Ni shook her head, saying she was going on a trip with Zhu Mao.

“I heard Dai Ni say her father strongly opposes her relationship with Zhu Mao.” Zuo Qiu guessed that Dai Ni traveling with Zhu Mao under these circumstances was actually a silent protest against her father.

Xiao Baijun didn’t speak. He usually wasn’t interested in other people’s affairs, but her words made him worry that Zuo Qiu might overthink things, so he stated his own position.

“If my father doesn’t approve of us, I’ll take you and we’ll elope.”

Zuo Qiu, who was deep in thought, laughed upon hearing this. “I’m not planning to elope with you.”

Xiao Baijun secretly took Zuo Qiu’s hand and held it tightly. “Then what do you want to do?”

Zuo Qiu didn’t get annoyed by Xiao Baijun’s firm grip and replied with a smile, “I want to bring you home and ‘keep you in a lavish house.'”

Xiao Baijun teased, “Why keep me hidden? So you can have a go whenever you want?”

Zuo Qiu’s smile grew wider. “Of course, it’s so you can entertain clients!”

“You’re asking for it!” Xiao Baijun’s free hand immediately moved to Zuo Qiu’s lower back. Zuo Qiu was very sensitive there; a touch on that spot in bed would turn him into a puddle of water, allowing Xiao Baijun to have his way.

Zuo Qiu laughed while pushing away Xiao Baijun’s wandering hand. “I was wrong, let go.”

In public, Xiao Baijun didn’t want to draw attention, so he didn’t push too hard, but he wasn’t going to let the “compensation for emotional distress” slide.

“Twice tonight.”

Under duress, Zuo Qiu reluctantly agreed but already had a plan in mind.

…

After getting off the plane, the three pushed their luggage toward the exit.

Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun were both wearing glasses—Xiao Baijun’s black, Zuo Qiu’s red. Their tall, handsome figures made them stand out in the crowded airport.

“Z.X is here!”

As someone shouted, a large crowd rushed toward Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun. People reached out, some wanting to shake hands with their idols, others holding notebooks for autographs.

Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun were mentally prepared for this. They accepted the fans’ notebooks and smiled as they signed autographs. Zhao Zhixian had informed them yesterday that he would leak their flight information. Now that they had a movie and a TV series about to be released, they needed more exposure.

While the two were signing and taking photos with fans, Guo Chen dutifully protected them, ensuring they weren’t jostled by the crowd. After about ten minutes, the fans gradually dispersed, and the three continued walking with their luggage.

Zhao Zhixian’s car was parked nearby. He stood outside, watching the two young men walk toward him, a smile involuntarily appearing on his lips. Two months ago, when he drove them to the set of Fledgling Eagle, the newly famous duo were overwhelmed and didn’t know how to handle the fans blocking them at the airport. Now, two months later, they could manage their relationship with the fans well, even calming them down enough not to disrupt the airport’s normal flow. Their progress was significant.

…

After the three got into the car, Zhao Zhixian, sitting in the passenger seat, checked the rearview mirror and asked Xiao Baijun, “Reporters are following the car. Young Master, are you going back to the old apartment or the new one?”

Zhao Zhixian had announced their itinerary online, so if fans came to meet them, it was not at all surprising that paparazzi would follow for news.

Xiao Baijun: “Give me the keys to the new apartment. We’ll go back to the Xiao residence first.”

He would go home for lunch first. After eating, he would have someone from the family drive them to the new apartment. The paparazzi probably hadn’t recorded the Xiao family car license plate yet, so avoiding them should be possible.

Zhao Zhixian immediately understood Xiao Baijun’s intention and agreed.

“Brother Zhao, please take the trouble to drive Guo Chen home later,” Zuo Qiu said to Zhao Zhixian. After spending time together, Zuo Qiu felt Guo Chen was an excellent work partner—thoughtful and meticulous. She didn’t like to talk much, but she knew more crew gossip than he did, which was a skill in itself.

Zhao Zhixian said he would.

…

Xiao Baijun going straight home for lunch made Yin Qiushui and He Can very happy. They prepared a table full of food, still worried the two wouldn’t eat enough.

“Grandma, my bowl can’t hold any more,” Zuo Qiu said. Since it was a weekday, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Bailin weren’t home. Yin Qiushui kept piling food onto their bowls.

“Alright, alright, no more serving. You can serve yourselves when you finish.”

Xiao Baijun placed a piece of steamed fish in Yin Qiushui’s bowl. “Grandma, you need to eat more too, and don’t get sick again.”

A few days ago, Yin Qiushui had been sick with a fever and stayed in the hospital for several days, delaying her planned visit to M City.

Yin Qiushui looked at the tender white fish in her bowl, touched. This was the first time her grandson had served her food in his entire life!

Xiao Baijun saw his mother, He Can, looking at him eagerly, so he placed a piece of Dongpo pork in her bowl. “Mom, you love this the most. Eat more.”

He Can was nearly in tears. Her son actually remembered what she liked to eat! He had truly grown up!

Xiao Baijun saw that such a simple action had brought two elders to tears. He glanced at Zuo Qiu, a look of helplessness on his face. Serving food to his grandmother and mother was actually Zuo Qiu’s suggestion. Since getting together with Zuo Qiu, he had started learning to be considerate and take care of his loved one, and serving him food was the least of it.

That day, Zuo Qiu casually asked him, “Do you know what your grandmother and mother like to eat?” After thinking for a minute, Xiao Baijun gave the answer. “Then serve them some food next time we eat.”

Xiao Baijun always listened to what Zuo Qiu said, especially since this suggestion was crucial for gaining goodwill. Thus, today’s scene unfolded. What Xiao Baijun didn’t expect was how touched his grandmother and mother would be. At this moment, Xiao Baijun began to reflect on whether he had been too inconsiderate in the past.

It must be said that a good romantic partner truly becomes a mentor in your life. They teach you to grow and influence your behavior and actions. You willingly become more mature and perfect because of the person you love.

…

After lunch, Zuo Qiu clearly felt that Xiao Baijun’s grandmother and mother were even more affectionate toward him. Yin Qiushui even lamented, “If Xiao Qiu were a girl, how wonderful that would be! You and Jun Jun would make a perfect pair!”

Zuo Qiu heard this and lowered his head, too embarrassed to speak. If Grandma knew that he, a male, was already a pair with her grandson, he wondered if she would faint from a spike in blood pressure.

“We are a pair now,” Xiao Baijun said seriously.

As soon as he spoke, Yin Qiushui and He Can laughed. They clearly didn’t take him seriously, assuming Xiao Baijun meant they were a duo, and didn’t think anything more of it.

Xiao Baijun saw his grandmother and mother didn’t believe him and repeated, “We really are a couple!”

Looking at Xiao Baijun, who was making a serious joke, Yin Qiushui and He Can burst into laughter, echoing, “Yes, yes, you are a pair, a match made in heaven!”

Xiao Baijun looked at Zuo Qiu with a wry smile: Why doesn’t anyone believe the truth!

Zuo Qiu gave him a reassuring smile, signaling him not to rush things.

…

Only when Yin Qiushui yawned, ready for her afternoon nap, did Zuo Qiu and Xiao Baijun get into the Xiao family car and head to the new apartment.

The new apartment was in a new development, a property under Xiao Bailin’s name. It was also a three-bedroom, two-living-room unit. The decoration was exquisite, with no unpleasant smell, suggesting good ventilation after renovation. Furniture and appliances were all provided, making it ready to move in.

Xiao Baijun was very satisfied with this unlived-in apartment. After touring the unit, he immediately chose the largest suite as their bedroom.

Both of their suitcases had been brought up, so they weren’t worried about not having clothes to change into. Zuo Qiu took his change of clothes from the suitcase and went into the bathroom to shower.

As soon as Zuo Qiu entered the bathroom, Xiao Baijun started rummaging through the suitcase. Zuo Qiu was looking for clothes, but Xiao Baijun was looking for “raincoats.” He grabbed a few packs and tucked them under the pillow.

After Zuo Qiu came out, Xiao Baijun went in to shower. When Zuo Qiu lay down, intending to take a nap, he unexpectedly found the condoms hidden under the pillow. He guessed Xiao Baijun’s intention, put the condoms back in place, and forced himself to fall asleep quickly. Flying was exhausting. That matter could wait until he was fully rested!

Xiao Baijun thoroughly washed himself, inside and out. When he came out and saw Zuo Qiu was asleep, he was a little disappointed. He comforted himself: This person is right here in my bed. When he wakes up, won’t he be at my ‘disposal’?

…

Zuo Qiu woke up at six in the evening. He got out of bed and followed the scent to the dining room, where Xiao Baijun had already bought food and set it out.

“Come and eat.”

Zuo Qiu walked over as instructed, sat down, and started eating from the small bowl. The food tasted good, and Zuo Qiu gave Xiao Baijun a thumbs-up as encouragement.

When Zuo Qiu finished eating and put down his bowl, Xiao Baijun asked, “Are you full?”

Zuo Qiu rubbed his stomach contentedly. “Yes, I’m full.”

“But I’m not full yet,” Xiao Baijun’s eyes glowed green.

Zuo Qiu instantly understood. This person always seemed to be in such a hurry.

“Let me put away these dishes first. You shouldn’t do strenuous exercise right after eating.” He thought they should wait at least an hour. Besides, Zuo Qiu hadn’t planned on going for two rounds; otherwise, he would definitely be tired tomorrow.

As he spoke, Zuo Qiu carried the bowls and plates into the kitchen, turned on the hot water, and started washing the dishes.

Xiao Baijun leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching Zuo Qiu’s back. He was wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts. The clothes were loose and didn’t reveal his figure, but Zuo Qiu had put on an apron to wash dishes. Xiao Baijun watched the thin apron strings outline his slender waist, his eyes narrowing. Just looking at him, he felt he could sense the pliability of that waist.

As Zuo Qiu finished tidying the kitchen and turned to leave, a warm body pressed against his back. The person seemed impatient, his hot kisses lingering on Zuo Qiu’s neck, and his large hands eagerly roaming over his body…

“The kitchen seems pretty good too. I want to try it.”

Without waiting for his consent, the man had already started pulling down his pants.