Chapter 63
After fixing the lightbulb, Shi Ye continued his push-and-pull act, thinking Xia Fengsheng would, like when he was drunk, be unable to resist getting close to him.
But Xia Fengsheng had “chicken-catching trauma” stored in his brain. To avoid doing anything impulsive and ridiculous again, he kept moving farther and farther away from Shi Ye.
Nowadays, even when they ran into each other in the elevator, he wouldn’t greet him anymore.
Shi Ye: “:(”
This couldn’t go on.
On the weekend, Shi Ye went back to his parents’ house. His mother, Bie Yinan, was currently on leave, enjoying a half-month break to recover from work fatigue.
On a leisurely afternoon, mother and son sat on the sofa watching TV.
Bie Yinan held the remote, flipping through channels to find something interesting. As the channels kept changing, she landed on a Thai BL drama.
She asked Shi Ye, “Want to watch?”
At first, she couldn’t accept that Shi Ye liked men. But after seven years, she had long since become immune.
If he liked men, then so be it. It didn’t mean he stopped being her child.
From initial resistance to complete acceptance, Bie Yinan had already laid flat.
What could she do if she didn’t accept it? It’s not like she could beat him to death.
Besides, in this new era, many countries had legalized same-sex marriage. Old-fashioned views clashing with modern values—outdated thinking had no place anymore. Whether he liked men or women was the same. Forcing Shi Ye to like women and marry would only harm some innocent girl.
After seeing all kinds of bizarre international news, Bie Yinan’s mental tolerance had improved significantly. Whether he liked men or women didn’t matter—as long as he liked a human. After all, there were even people abroad marrying spaghetti.
Shi Ye had no interest in BL dramas—he was only interested in his own love life. “Not watching.”
His mind was full of how to get back together with Xia Fengsheng.
Why did the push-and-pull trick only work once and then stop working?
Shi Ye: Psyduck clutching head in pain.
Bie Yinan switched channels again and finally stopped at a cliché CEO romance drama.
It had no substance, but it was oddly addictive—ridiculous, yet you couldn’t stop watching.
She made Shi Ye watch with her so they could discuss the plot together.
On screen, the protagonist was holding a résumé on the way to a job interview. On the way, he encountered an old man whose bag had broken, spilling fruit all over the ground.
The protagonist kindly went to help. After picking everything up, he discovered the old man had injured his leg and couldn’t go home alone. Without hesitation, the protagonist threw aside all rational thought—forget the job interview—and insisted on escorting the old man home.
After going through all kinds of hardships—earthquakes, car accidents—they finally managed to get the old man home.
Only then did the protagonist discover: the old man was actually the grandfather of the CEO of the company he was applying to!
The CEO invited the protagonist to stay for dinner, and the two began to develop feelings.
Bie Yinan felt like her brain was being collectively assaulted by the absurd plot. She complained, “How are these clichés still a thing?”
“Don’t you think so, Xiao Ye?” she turned to ask.
But what met her was Shi Ye’s shining eyes.
Staring at the cliché drama on TV, Shi Ye declared:
“I will imitate this.”
Bie Yinan: ???
—
At the Bie family residence.
A trusted assistant brought new information to Old Master Bie.
Assistant: “The young master has started investigating the matter of his breakup with that boy back then.”
Old Master Bie was sitting at the tea table, rinsing cups with hot water. Hearing this, he accidentally burned his hand.
His surprise wasn’t that Shi Ye was investigating the past—it was the implication in the words.
Old Master Bie: “He got back together with that boy he dated before?”
The assistant hesitated, looking like he wanted to speak but didn’t dare.
Old Master Bie frowned. “Why are you stammering?”
Assistant: “No… The young master wants to get back together, but the other party doesn’t.”
Old Master Bie: …
His vision went black.
Better if you had just stammered.
Back when they first broke up, Shi Ye had secretly hired a private investigator. But all the information had been tightly suppressed by Old Master Bie—he couldn’t obtain anything.
Assistant: “Should we add some obstacles?”
Old Master Bie waved his hand. “No need. Since he wants to investigate, let him. Let him find out that back then, that boy took two million and kicked him away without hesitation.”
—
Meanwhile, a black Lincoln stopped along the only route to Shi Ye’s apartment.
The tinted windows reflected the green trees along the street, completely blocking any view from outside.
Inside the car sat Shi Ye and Bie Yinan. On the armrest lay a kraft paper bag filled with large, plump oranges.
They had bought them fresh from a fruit shop on the way—juicy and fragrant.
Investigating the true reason for Xia Fengsheng’s breakup back then would take time. Before the results came out, Shi Ye couldn’t just sit idle—he had to do everything possible to close the distance between them.
Now, aside from his stubborn old grandfather, no one in his family opposed his orientation anymore.
He wanted to bring Xia Fengsheng to meet his parents. Once they met, maybe it would ease some of Xia Fengsheng’s insecurities.
Xia Fengsheng was like a stray cat who grew up relying only on himself—without a sense of safety, he wouldn’t extend his soft paw pads.
Of course, dragging him directly to meet them would be too abrupt. They were currently broken up—it required some “coincidental encounters.”
Bie Yinan sat in the car touching up her makeup. Today, she had dressed up carefully—a black Hong Kong-style dress, with big wavy curls styled by a hairstylist who came to the house in the morning.
Shi Ye liked that child. As his mother, she wanted to leave a good impression on Xia Fengsheng.
When Shi Ye proposed using a cliché drama setup to attract Xia Fengsheng’s attention and asked her to help, Bie Yinan agreed without hesitation.
As a government official, Bie Yinan had seen too many cases where high-ranking officials were brought down by their children’s reckless actions—forced relationships, illegal acts, keeping multiple mistresses, embezzling public funds…
Please—Shi Ye just wanted to imitate a cliché plot. It wasn’t illegal.
Their family had been officials for generations. They had never taken bribes, nor would they betray the people or the working class. Their wealth came from family heritage—and also because she earned well, and her husband was extremely, extremely rich.
Holding a bag of oranges and pretending it had split open to act out a scene—it was embarrassing and ridiculous, but also… kind of fun.
It felt like going back to when Shi Ye was little, participating in parent-child sports days at kindergarten. From childhood to now, she and her husband had attended every one of his activities—no matter how busy they were, they would make time, never missing his growth.
Now, it felt the same as accompanying him in games back then.
Because of her child, even in her forties, she felt young again.
From the moment she brought Shi Ye into this world, she had already thought countless times—he must live a happy and fulfilling life.
Back when Shi Ye first revealed he liked men, she hadn’t supported him. Now her thinking had changed—whether he liked men or women, as long as he liked them, it was enough.
Soon, Xia Fengsheng appeared at the street corner.
Through the car window, Shi Ye introduced seriously, “Mom, that’s him. His name is Xia Fengsheng.”
Bie Yinan looked over nervously. Even in the face of major storms at work, she rarely showed such an expression.
She saw a man in a tailored suit—elegant and upright, broad-shouldered, long-legged, with a refined and composed aura. His features were delicate yet sharply defined, especially his eyes, uniquely shaped. He was the kind of person who wouldn’t be drowned out in a crowd.
He clearly had a good education—an intellectual air radiated from him. His expression was cool and solemn, his skin fair, carrying an almost untouchable sense of purity. In a deep blue suit, his posture was straight and proud, drawing frequent glances from passersby.
Bie Yinan: O.O
At first sight, her instinctive thought was—
Shi Ye really had good taste.
She swallowed, suddenly feeling a sense of crisis. “This child must be very popular, right?”
With looks like that, there must be plenty of people trying to get close to him.
Shi Ye pressed his lips together and nodded, recalling some damn memories—there had never been a shortage of people pursuing Xia Fengsheng.
He handed the heavy bag of oranges to his mother. “Mom, in a moment when we get ahead, pretend the oranges fall all over the ground. He’ll definitely come help you pick them up.”
Back in high school, Shi Ye had once been to Xia Fengsheng’s house.
On the wall of Xia Fengsheng’s room, he saw an award certificate from kindergarten:
“Little Pioneer of Helping Others.”
The car stopped about two hundred meters ahead of Xia Fengsheng. Shi Ye got out with Bie Yinan and hid at a distance. Before leaving, he reminded her, “Mom, don’t forget your lines. After thanking him, ask him to escort you home.”
Bie Yinan signaled OK.
When Mom handles things, you can rest assured.
Seven years had passed, and Shi Ye still couldn’t forget this boy—he must truly be outstanding.
In Shi Ye’s life, there was no such thing as settling. Choosing someone else because of unrequited love was not an option.
Seeing Xia Fengsheng appear at the street corner, Shi Ye quickly hid behind a large tree. The driver followed him over as well.
As Xia Fengsheng got closer, Bie Yinan seized the moment and tore open the bottom of the paper bag. Nearly a dozen oranges rolled out onto the ground.
“Oh! My oranges!”
She crouched down in a fluster, acting very convincingly.
Sure enough, someone quickly came to help pick them up.
Looking at the hand holding an orange extended toward her, Bie Yinan was just about to smile and thank Xia Fengsheng—
The next second, another hand holding an orange appeared.
Bie Yinan: ???
Then four, five, six more hands followed.
Bie Yinan: ???
“Your oranges.”
“Ma’am, your bag is broken.”
“Ma’am, let me help you.”
Bie Yinan looked up. Too many people were helping her pick up the oranges. Before Xia Fengsheng could even approach, he was blocked outside by the crowd.
Seeing that others were already helping, Xia Fengsheng decided to leave.
Bie Yinan watched helplessly as Xia Fengsheng walked past from outside the crowd.
No!!!
Meanwhile, Shi Xing couldn’t reach his wife or son and ended up calling the driver.
He had gotten off work early today—wanted the three of them to have dinner together.
But no matter how he tried, he couldn’t reach Bie Yinan or Shi Ye.
Shi Xing: “What is Shi Ye doing?”
The driver looked at Shi Ye, then at Madam Bie surrounded by a group of handsome men.
Driver: …Looking for a new dad.
This time, the plan failed. But Shi Ye and Bie Yinan were not discouraged—they had clearly been underestimated in their persistence.
If the first try failed, then try a second time. If the second failed, then a third—until success.
And so, along Xia Fengsheng’s route home, Bie Yinan “dropped” oranges for half a month straight. For those two weeks, the house was full of oranges every day—Shi Yuan realized they couldn’t finish them no matter how much they ate.
Shi Xing: middle-aged Psyduck clutching head.
One morning at breakfast, seeing that oranges were once again the main fruit—
Shi Xing: …
The family needed to consult a master.
After half a month of dropping oranges, Bie Yinan’s vacation was almost over—and still, Xia Fengsheng hadn’t picked up her oranges even once.
Tomorrow was the last day of her leave. This time, the orange-dropping mission had to succeed—failure was not an option!
During these days, Shi Yuan slept with his wife every night. Over half a month, Bie Yinan had come home carrying all kinds of men’s cologne scents—from the people who helped her pick oranges.
Shi Xing: can’t sleep.jpg
During this period, Shi Ye hadn’t been idle either—he studied various ways to interact with someone he liked, beyond just simple contact.
While scrolling videos, he came across a scene of Noble Consort Qi wrapping herself like a spring roll to serve the emperor.
Shi Ye: I will learn this.
The next day, before Bie Yinan went out, she told Shi Ye to stay home instead of following.
She promised she would definitely bring the person back.
His mother had never broken a promise to him. Shi Ye waited at home full of anticipation, making preparations.
First, he had someone tidy up a guest room, then went to the bathroom and washed himself thoroughly from head to toe.
His old room was on the third floor. Today, he would stay in the guest room.
—
Bie Yinan arrived by car at Xia Fengsheng’s usual route home. This time, she had the driver go a bit further ahead.
After getting out, she stood directly downstairs at Xia Fengsheng’s apartment building, waiting.
This time, when she saw Xia Fengsheng, she acted with even more realism to create the “chance encounter.”
“Oh! My oranges!”
She crouched down in panic and started picking them up. This time, in front of her appeared a pair of expensive handmade leather shoes.
Hard work pays off—she did it!
Xia Fengsheng bent down, bringing with him a light breeze.
Bie Yinan: smells so good!
A pair of long, elegant hands picked up the oranges one by one.
“Ma’am,” his voice was like a clear mountain spring, “your oranges fell again.”
That “again” carried a lot of meaning.
Bie Yinan raised her bright face and blinked. “Child, do you know me?”
Xia Fengsheng nodded, holding the oranges. “Yesterday, the day before yesterday, the day before that, the day before that before that…”
The “before that” had no end.
Bie Yinan: O.O
Bie Yinan: “Sounds like someone talking in their sleep.”
Xia Fengsheng: “The… day before yesterday, you also dropped oranges.”
Bie Yinan scratched her head awkwardly and smiled. “Sorry, the kraft paper bags at my house aren’t very sturdy.”
Just as she was about to thank him and invite him to her home—
Xia Fengsheng spoke first.
“You’re Shi Ye’s mother, right?”
Bie Yinan froze.
Xia Fengsheng took the oranges from her hands and held them properly. “I’ll walk you home.”
—
Meanwhile, Shi Ye—who had wrapped himself like a spring roll in the guest room following Noble Consort Qi—received a call from his mother.
Bie Yinan: “The child is escorting me home.”
Shi Ye sat up from the bed. “Really? Why haven’t I seen you come back?”
Bie Yinan, sitting in Shi Ye’s apartment: “We came to your place.”
Shi Ye: ???
Originally, Bie Yinan had planned for Xia Fengsheng to take her back to the main residence. But since he recognized her, he brought her straight to Shi Ye’s apartment.
On the elevator ride, she asked the question in her heart, “May I ask how you knew I was Shi Ye’s mother?”
Did they look that alike?
Xia Fengsheng smiled politely. “I’ve seen you before.”
Bie Yinan: ?
Seen me before?
But in her memory, this was their first meeting. Back in high school, when Shi Ye got into a fight, her husband Shi Yuan had gone to Shenzhen ahead of her and met Xia Fengsheng once. If not for that, the one dropping oranges for half a month would have been Shi Xing instead.
Before she could ask when they had met, the elevator arrived. Xia Fengsheng stepped out first, then skillfully took a key from under the doormat at Shi Ye’s door and placed it into Bie Yinan’s hand.
“Have a pleasant afternoon.”
The password lock of the neighboring door clicked open, and Xia Fengsheng returned home.
Bie Yinan watched his departing figure.
Truly a refined, elegant young man—graceful like jade, with a noble and gentlemanly bearing that made one unable to look away.
No wonder Xiao Ye liked him so much.
Even among well-born young masters, few carried themselves with such temperament as Xia Fengsheng.
So… a question mark popped up in Bie Yinan’s mind—
When exactly had they met before?
“Hahahahahahaha—so you’re saying you and Auntie copied a TV drama to create a ‘chance encounter’ and invite Xia Fengsheng home for dinner, but in the end Xia Fengsheng escorted Auntie… back to your own house?” Chen Jiyan laughed so hard he bent forward and backward.
How could something this ridiculous even happen? For a moment, he almost laughed his jaw off.
Shi Ye’s face was ashen.
Chen Jiyan wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes. “Too interesting. Next time there’s this kind of activity, definitely call me. Xia Fengsheng and I haven’t met.”
Chen Jiyan was a producer in the entertainment industry. Although he wasn’t an actor, he watched actors perform every day—he could at least imitate a bit.
He felt his acting would definitely be better than Auntie’s.
Shi Ye’s brain automatically filtered out his mockery and decided from now on to call him Chen “Mute.”
He took out his phone and checked the message from the private investigator. The report would be ready by tomorrow night.
The two originally had a banquet to attend the next day, but Shi Ye was in a bad mood, his mind entirely occupied with how to get closer to Xia Fengsheng without losing his composure—so he skipped the banquet.
The next evening, Chen Jiyan attended the banquet. Beside him was Ding Qizhen.
After these two days, Ding Qizhen would return overseas to continue his studies, so he came to have some fun today.
At the banquet, Ding Qizhen spotted Xia Fengsheng at a glance, being led into the hall by a doorman, alongside Qin Buming.
“Isn’t that Brother Xia?!”
Chen Jiyan had just taken a glass of champagne from his assistant. Hearing the name “Xia Fengsheng,” his ears perked up. “Where?”
He had only seen Xia Fengsheng’s photos, never the real person—he was extremely curious.
Ding Qizhen pointed him out.
Following the direction, even though the gesture was vague, Chen Jiyan recognized Xia Fengsheng instantly.
Handsome, composed, standing out like a crane among chickens. The moment he appeared, people gathered around him to strike up conversations.
Chen Jiyan’s first impression—
Not photogenic.
In person, he looked at least ten times better than in photos. That cold, proud gaze couldn’t be captured at all.
Thinking of Auntie and Shi Ye’s earlier plan, Chen Jiyan decided to help Shi Ye now that he had run into Xia Fengsheng.
He would approach Xia Fengsheng, start a conversation under the pretext of work, get his contact information, then invite him out for a meal. During the meal, he would say another friend was coming—then Shi Ye would appear and say “what a coincidence.”
As expected of him—a genius producer.
Chen Jiyan was deeply enamored with himself.
Shi Ye, this is the happy ending I’m writing for you.
Without delay, he took action. To avoid suspicion, Ding Qizhen quietly hid himself so Xia Fengsheng wouldn’t notice that Chen Jiyan knew Shi Ye.
Meanwhile, Xia Fengsheng was surrounded by men and women chatting.
“Mr. Xia, I heard there’s a dance segment tonight. Do you have a partner?”
Someone else chimed in, “You’re too sly—I was just about to invite Mr. Xia myself.”
“Mr. Xia, I’m Li Taoli’s friend—we met at the last banquet. Do you remember me?”
“Mr. Xia…”
For a moment, “Mr. Xia” echoed one after another. Young men and women in their early twenties had no resistance to Xia Fengsheng’s mysterious, alluring, slightly gloomy charm—like a melancholic count from an ancient castle.
The beauty mark at the corner of his lips made him look even more elegant and seductive.
Chen Jiyan approached with his assistant and spoke calmly and politely.
“Mr. Xia.”
Xia Fengsheng turned his head and saw a young man with a charming, somewhat flamboyant appearance walking toward him.
With a warm smile, Chen Jiyan said, “Mr. Xia’s abilities are outstanding. I’ve heard of you for some time—today I finally get to meet you.”
Holding a glass of champagne, Xia Fengsheng shifted his gaze onto him.
Chen Jiyan continued, “I haven’t introduced myself—I’m Chen Jiyan.”
“Xia Fengsheng,” he replied politely.
“Would it be convenient to exchange contact information?” Chen Jiyan said. “I’ve long wanted to collaborate with Mr. Xia, but never had the opportunity.”
At that moment, Qin Buming sensed something off. Though Xia Fengsheng wasn’t familiar with Chen Jiyan, Qin Buming had some understanding of him—they had crossed paths at business gatherings before.
Chen Jiyan worked in entertainment—films, TV, variety shows. While he also dabbled in investments, his work had little overlap with theirs.
There was no real “collaboration” between him and Xia Fengsheng.
Qin Buming stepped forward slightly, shielding Xia Fengsheng behind him, eyes filled with caution. “What kind of collaboration?”
For a moment, two composed and elegant faces stood one before the other—visually striking.
Since their studio had gained recognition in the industry, many competitors had tried to set traps for them. Over the past few months, they had encountered quite a few, but thanks to vigilance, they avoided them all—and gained experience.
Chen Jiyan froze. “Well, this…”
“Collaboration” was just an excuse to get contact information. Now, he truly couldn’t come up with anything.
Seeing his boss speechless, the assistant quickly stepped in.
“Our boss has a dating reality show.”
