Chapter 2: Reunion with Meng Chengxiao

After six months, Yun Xingcan finally left the hospital.

The online controversy had long subsided, and he had returned to being an unnoticed presence on the universally critical internet.

It had also been six months since Yun Xingcan last saw Meng Chengxiao.

During this period, Yun Xingcan had done nothing but research how to make Meng Chengxiao like him again.

The ultimate answer boiled down to: clear up misunderstandings and work hard!

Lying in bed, Yun Xingcan revisited every moment of his past interactions with Meng Chengxiao.

He suddenly realized that while he was alone working diligently, memorizing lines, improving his acting skills, learning dance, and honing his singing Meng Chengxiao had always been quietly admiring him from behind.

During those times, Meng Chengxiao was always following him, steadfastly.

There was none of his usual arrogance, nor the feigned affection he showed toward some temporary fling partners.

Instead, it was more about appreciation like admiring a flower he had personally nurtured as it grew strong and vibrant.

In the office, several large posters adorned the walls.

They featured the company’s recent rising star, the most likely candidate to become a top-tier celebrity: Lin Ming.

He was also the person Yun Xingcan would never forget the one who had set him up and caused his death. His so-called friend!

“President Meng.”

Yun Xingcan called out softly. He had wanted to say “Chengxiao,” but he held back.

“Showing up for work after six months do you have any idea how much the company has lost because of you?”

Meng Chengxiao’s voice was icy. He didn’t even look up, as if utterly disgusted by the person before him.

Yun Xingcan couldn’t help but tremble slightly. It wasn’t out of fear, just a conditioned reflex.

“I know.”

“You know? Good that you know. Tomorrow, you’ll join a variety show.”

Meng Chengxiao tossed a document onto the table dismissively. Yun Xingcan picked it up and found it was for a recently popular food and travel program.

Yun Xingcan felt a surge of joy inwardly, though his expression remained cool and composed.

It seemed Meng Chengxiao still cared about him; otherwise, why would he offer such a valuable opportunity?

Yun Xingcan opened the file carefully, cherishing it, when a name immediately caught his attention.

Lin Ming.

“President Meng, is Lin Ming participating too?”

Yun Xingcan asked casually. Without looking up, Meng Chengxiao pointed at the poster on the wall.

“He’s been much more promising than you.”

Yun Xingcan felt no inner turmoil. When it came to professional skills, Lin Ming was at least his equal, if not better.

But he was just too eager for quick success.

“President Meng, are you his agent as well?”

Yun Xingcan probed cautiously. He really didn’t want to share Meng Chengxiao as an agent with Lin Ming.

“Yes.”

Unfortunately, Meng Chengxiao’s answer was never to his liking.

“I’ll work hard.”

Yun Xingcan’s voice, much like his appearance, was clear and cool reminiscent of a noble young master, inherently dignified.

For some reason, Meng Chengxiao felt a wave of irritation and promptly shooed him out of the office.

Inside the office, cigarette smoke curled upward.

Meng Chengxiao rarely smoked. He only did so when he was overly exhausted or extremely agitated, to calm himself down.

Besides, in the past, there was always someone who hated the smell of smoke, so he had naturally quit.

Today, he had truly lost his composure.

Though he didn’t show it outwardly, he couldn’t deceive his own heart.

On the poster, Lin Ming’s portrait smiled cheerfully at whoever was viewing it.

Before this, his office had only ever displayed posters of Yun Xingcan.

“Disgusting.”

The two words from half a year ago remained vivid in Meng Chengxiao’s memory, as if it had happened just yesterday.

The person he hadn’t seen in a long time had grown thinner. Though his complexion had improved since his hospitalization, it remained pale, making him appear even more aloof. Only those slightly narrow eyes still shone with brightness whenever they looked at him.

The office door was knocked at that moment, and Lin Ming peeked in from outside.

“President Meng.”

“Come in.”

As the saying goes, success nourishes a person, and Lin Ming was indeed vastly different from before.

Someone already arrogant now looked at others with his nostrils flared.

Of course, he wouldn’t dare behave that way in front of Meng Chengxiao.

“President Meng, what did you call me here for?”

Lin Ming naturally sat opposite Meng Chengxiao. Though his words carried respect, his body language showed more casualness.

After all, with his posters covering the entire office, who wouldn’t feel emboldened?

“Take a look.”

Meng Chengxiao extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray and handed Lin Ming a document.

It was similar to Yun Xingcan’s, except the former was a guest appearance while Lin Ming would be a permanent cast member.

“Three Meals, Four Seasons During Travel? I remember this is a popular variety show produced by our own company.”

“Mm. I recall you and Yun Xingcan were previously in the same group. Take care of him during this program you must help him gain audience favor!”

Meng Chengxiao massaged his temples as he issued the order. Even if Lin Ming was deeply dissatisfied internally, he didn’t dare show it.

“Yes, President Meng. But… this still depends on Starry Splendor himself. Some things can’t be achieved just because we want them to be.”

Lin Ming’s hidden meaning was extremely obvious.

Meng Chengxiao irritably rubbed his temples.

Lin Ming stood up and moved behind Meng Chengxiao. “President Meng, is your headache acting up again? Let me massage it for you.”

As he spoke, Lin Ming’s hands moved toward Meng Chengxiao’s temples.

“Smack!”

A sharp sound echoed through the quiet office.

“Lin Ming, I believe I’ve warned you before. Get out.”

The smile stiffened on Lin Ming’s face before quickly returning to normal. Acting as if nothing had happened, he took the document and left the office.

“My apologies, President Meng. I overstepped.”

After Lin Ming left, Meng Chengxiao immediately had the recently hung posters taken down.

His purpose had been achieved there was no need to keep displaying someone so unpleasant.

After leaving the company, Yun Xingcan encountered a dilemma: where would he stay tonight?

Since signing with This Evening Media, he had initially lived in the dormitory before moving directly into Meng Chengxiao’s home.

Now, there was certainly no place for him in the dormitory.

As for Meng Chengxiao’s home…

After much internal struggle, with two conflicting voices battling inside him, Yun Xingcan finally decided to call Meng Chengxiao.

If he wanted to win the person back now, the first thing he needed was more contact.

Perhaps with one phone call, he could move back into Meng Chengxiao’s apartment.

The phone rang for a long time. Just as Yun Xingcan was losing hope that the other would answer, Meng Chengxiao’s cold voice came through the receiver.

“Yes?”

“Men Meng Chengxiao.”

Yun Xingcan hurriedly responded, his anxious mouth blurting out Meng Chengxiao’s full name. Even through the phone, Yun Xingcan nervously pressed his lips together.

“Mm… What is it?”

“Ah, well… I have nowhere to stay tonight. Can I still stay at your apartment?”

After a long silence, a very soft “mm” came from the other end before the call disconnected.

Yun Xingcan stood at the foot of the company building, momentarily stunned. As his awareness gradually returned, he felt so elated he could have broken into an impromptu dance.

In the midst of his excitement, his phone rang. Picking it up, he saw it was his assistant, Guo Meng.

“Brother Yun! You’re finally back! I’ve missed you so much! Where are you now? President Meng just called and told me to pick you up.”

Hearing that Meng Chengxiao had sent Guo Meng to fetch him made Yun Xingcan even happier, his voice tinged with laughter.

“I’m at the company entrance. Come over.”

“Got it! I’m in the parking lot, I’ll be right there.”

Yun Xingcan remained where he was, lifting his gaze toward the direction of Meng Chengxiao’s office.

“Starry Splendor!”

A familiar voice called out from behind Yun Xingcan it wasn’t Guo Meng, but Lin Ming.

Yun Xingcan had no intention of responding. Just then, he spotted Guo Meng driving over, so he opened the car door and got in directly.

Lin Ming stood at the company entrance with a look of disappointment, watching Yun Xingcan drive away.

Yun Xingcan couldn’t fathom how this person had the audacity to act as if nothing had happened after attempting murder, right in front of the victim himself.

But holding grudges was something Yun Xingcan excelled at.

“Brother Yun, how are you feeling now?”

Guo Meng had only visited Yun Xingcan once during his hospital stay. After that, Meng Chengxiao had assigned him to be Lin Ming’s assistant.

That period had been the darkest experience of his life. Fortunately, after pleading with Meng Chengxiao for a long time, the temperamental man finally agreed to let him switch to another artist.

Even so, he was still swamped with work.

“I’m fine.”

“That’s good, that’s good. Where are we heading now…”

Guo Meng was aware of Yun Xingcan’s status with Meng Chengxiao. As for whether the beauty’s standing had risen or fallen now, he, as just an assistant, dared not speculate.

Of course, Guo Meng didn’t want Yun Xingcan to fall out of favor in the slightest.

“Back to President Meng’s apartment.”

“Got it!”