Chapter 26.1
Editor: Jodi
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“Dad…” Once his emotions broke through, Mu Nan couldn’t stop anymore. He clutched the phone, crying so hard he couldn’t catch his breath, barely able to hear what Mu Le Tian was saying on the other end.
He cried for a full ten minutes, letting everything out, and only then did he gradually calm down, though he was still hiccupping from the sobbing.
“Dad, hic.” Mu Nan asked, “What made you, hic, think about starting a Weibo account?”
“Your old man works in tech too, so I can’t be too outdated, you know.” Mu Le Tian didn’t mention the fact that he did it to speak up for Mu Nan. He just said he felt like starting one, so he did.
But Mu Nan still whispered softly, “Thanks, Dad.”
“Sigh, what’s the point of thanking me? As long as you’re doing well, that’s what matters.” Mu Le Tian said. “I used to hope you’d get tired of playing around and come back to the company, but I’ve figured it out now. Doing what you love is the most important thing. Your sister’s at the company, and everything’s fine.”
Mu Nan sniffled. “Mm, send my regards to Sis.”
“Okay.” Mu Le Tian said, “Also, if you and Cheng Han aren’t happy together, just separate. We elders didn’t consider things thoroughly and overlooked your feelings.”
“Dad, do you know something?” Mu Nan asked.
It seemed like they were getting to the point, because Mu Le Tian’s tone turned serious. “I’ve looked into Cheng Han’s recent matters. He’s remarkable. At his age, having such determination and vision is rare. I even asked if he needed help, but he refused.”
Mu Nan grunted twice because he had to admit that Cheng Han’s determination and methods were rare in the entertainment industry. Even if he weren’t an artist and had chosen a business path, or followed his original plan to finish law school and become a lawyer, he would’ve been successful.
“I’ll ask him about it.” Mu Nan said.
After hanging up, in just over ten minutes, the online narrative had completely flipped.
[Hahaha, those who said Mu Nan had a sugar daddy, come out and slap yourselves. He’s the crown prince of Shuimu Group. He could be the sugar daddy for the entire entertainment industry.]
[This is the juiciest gossip of the year. It’s too wild. I remember when Mu Nan first debuted, people guessed it because of his surname. Why didn’t anyone confirm it back then?]
[Because everyone knew Mu Le Tian has a super accomplished daughter working as an executive at Shuimu, and he never mentioned having a son.]
[This reversal is too thrilling. I wonder if the people who were smearing Mu Nan are coughing up blood now. They worked so hard only to hit an iron wall.]
*
Xi Qing hadn’t coughed up blood yet, but he was close. He vented all his anger on his agent: “How did you investigate? You didn’t even find out that Mu Nan is Mu Le Tian’s son?”
“Who’s Mu Le Tian, and who are we? If he doesn’t want something found, who could possibly dig it up?” His agent said. “I suggest you stop scheming and just finish this drama properly. If you cause any more trouble, I promise you won’t get another role for the rest of your life.”
“You’re threatening me?” Xi Qing stared at him in disbelief. “You’re ordering me? Who the hell do you think you are?”
Smack! The agent slapped Xi Qing hard across the face, making his head snap to the side.
“You hit me?” He stared at his agent in shock. “You actually hit me?”
“I hit you, so what? Who do you think you are? Let me tell you, you’re far from irreplaceable. Replacing you would be as easy as snapping my fingers.”
“You….. you actually…..”
His agent sneered coldly. “Go keep President Meng company tonight. Don’t forget.”
“I’m not going!” Xi Qing shouted. “He’s a freak! You don’t know the twisted things he does to people.”
Then seeing his agent remain unmoved, he lowered his stance and begged him. “I was wrong. My attitude was bad just now. Please don’t make me go, okay?”
“Heh.” His agent shoved him away roughly. “You’re not going? Then where are you going to make up for the missing part of your pay? Let me tell you, you brought this on yourself. Don’t blame me for being heartless.”
“No, please, I was wrong! Don’t make me go. I’ll make money for you, I’m begging you…”
His agent pushed him away forcefully and walked off. Xi Qing, in a fit of frustration, smashed a glass on the table to the floor.
Shards of glass scattered everywhere, and his eyes burned red with fury.
*
“This is amazing, absolutely amazing!” Xiao Jin grinned so wide his gums showed. “President Mu really came through for us. We don’t have to worry anymore!”
Mu Nan wiped the tear stains off his face. “Yes, all those rumors just collapsed on their own.”
“Let’s go home. Forget about everyone else, let’s just enjoy today.”
Mu Nan tried calling Cheng Han again, and this time, to his surprise, the call went through.
“You actually picked up?” Mu Nan asked, shocked.
“You called.” Came the slightly hoarse and very tired voice from the other end.
Mu Nan felt a little awkward. “Have you handled everything?“
“It’s been handled.” Cheng Han said. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Oh.” Mu Nan replied subconsciously, then realized what he’d said. “Who’s worried about you!”
Cheng Han, who was on the other end chuckled lightly. “I’ll be home tonight. I heard your two sons have been fighting every day. If I don’t step in, it’ll get out of hand.”
“Then I’ll go back too.” Mu Nan hadn’t cuddled the rabbits in a while and was starting to miss them.
This time going home, Mu Nan felt completely at ease.
The heavy weight on his shoulders was gone, leaving only a sense of comfort.
As soon as he stepped inside, Papaya and Orange came bounding over.
After a few days apart, they’d gotten noticeably chubbier. Mu Nan picked them up, one in each arm, and almost threw his back out when he stood up.
“I heard you two have been fighting? That’s not okay. You’re brothers, you need to get along.”
But as soon as he put them down, the two rabbits started throwing punches again. Then after a few hits, Orange suddenly pinned Papaya to the ground and then…
……started rubbing furiously.
Mu Nan’s eyes widened as his worldview slowly crumbled.
“You guys, you…”
“What’s wrong?” Cheng Han came up from the garage and was greeted by the sight of the two rabbits engaged in an unspeakable act.
But he wasn’t fazed. “Oh, they’re rabbits. That’s normal.”
“But they’re… both male?”
Cheng Han gave him a strange look. “You could also call them male if you wanted.”