Chapter 14: Secrets

That evening, when Jiang Xingxing returned home, she found the place empty—no one was there.

Where did that guy run off to again?

After circling the house, she spotted a sticky note on the fridge with a line of neat, strong handwriting:

“Your good friend asked me to help out at the theater. Come find me at the Red House.”

Jiang Xingxing: …

Who gave him permission to agree without asking her first?

In a rush, Jiang Xingxing hurried to the Candlelight Theater in Central Park. The theater troupe used to have over a hundred actors, and it was always bustling with activity. Every night, elderly grandparents and young children would gather to watch the actors rehearse.

But now, most of the people were gone. Under the heavy night sky, the old Red House seemed even lonelier and more desolate than it had been ten years ago, a shadow of its former glory.

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Jiang Xingxing simply shook her head. “No way. He’s not a professional actor.”

“I’m not a professional actor either, and neither is Lu Wuque. We all came from unconventional paths. Who’s looking down on whom?”

That wasn’t the same. While Ming Jin might not have had formal training, at least she had plenty of stage experience. Shang Jie, on the other hand, was just doing this for fun.

“My dear, did you see his performance as Prince Alec just now? That role was practically made for him!”

Jiang Xingxing asked, “What about Wen Yang? Isn’t he the leading man?”

“He had something to deal with today and asked for time off, so your little wolf cub came to fill in. But who would’ve thought he’d be so naturally talented? Compared to him, Wen Yang’s chubby Prince Alec is downright unbearable.”

But no matter how much Ming Jin praised Shang Jie, Jiang Xingxing still refused to let him replace Wen Yang as Prince Alec. It would draw too much attention. Shang Jie had come to her house to hide, and if he went on stage, it would be like announcing to the world that the missing heir of the Shang family was with her.

Shang Jie noticed Jiang Xingxing arriving and jumped down from the stage, walking straight toward her with the sunny smile typical of a young man. “You’re here. Did you see my performance? After rehearsing with you so much, I picked it up pretty well.”

Jiang Xingxing, pretending to be stern, pointed out, “You’re still far from good.”

“But your good friend praised me for being talented.”

“Ming Jin? She praises anyone who’s handsome.”

Shang Jie laughed heartily, clearly in a good mood. “I think I might come here more often and help them out.”

“Definitely not,” Jiang Xingxing warned him immediately. “Are you trying to get yourself exposed faster?”

“They wouldn’t recognize me. It wouldn’t even cross their minds.”

“Still, no way.”

Shang Jie sat beside her, gazing at the European-style castle set on stage. He said, “The Shang Group has many subsidiaries. One of them is Shang Media, a talent agency that my brother has been managing for years. He’s very knowledgeable about acting and entertainment.”

“I know that company!” Jiang Xingxing said. “It’s huge! They represent award-winning actors and actresses, along with many skilled newcomers!”

Shang Jie caught the hint of admiration in her eyes and said, “If you want, I can talk to my brother and have you signed.”

“Yeah, right,” Jiang Xingxing replied. “I’ve been hiding you for so long—if your brother finds out, he’d probably blacklist me for life!”

At the thought, Jiang Xingxing shuddered and patted Shang Jie on the shoulder. “I’ll have to rely on you in the future. You better have my back.”

“No problem. I’ll have your back for life.”

“But seriously, if Ming Jin tries to get you to help out again, you can refuse. They’re not even paying you, so there’s no need to be at their beck and call.”

“It’s fine,” Shang Jie shrugged nonchalantly. “I want to come.”

“Is staying at home that boring?”

Shang Jie playfully flicked her forehead. “You’re the one who said this place is where you grew up, that it’s important to you.”

Jiang Xingxing turned her head, confused, and looked at him. “Why does it matter to you that it’s important to me?”

“Because I like you, duh.”

Jiang Xingxing: …

The man in front of her lowered his gaze, and his teasing eyes seemed to carry a hint of sincerity.

At that moment, a little girl with pigtails timidly approached, hiding behind Jiang Xingxing, her big, bright black eyes staring directly at Shang Jie.

“Xiaoyu,” Jiang Xingxing said, lifting her onto her lap. “Have you been listening to Brother Lu Wuque and studying well?”

“Yes.”

The little girl, about six or seven years old, had fair skin and bright red lips, and she was exceptionally adorable. She blinked her large eyes and studied Shang Jie, then leaned in close to Jiang Xingxing’s ear and whispered something, before shyly hugging her neck.

Shang Jie asked Jiang Xingxing, “What did she whisper?”

“She said you look really handsome.”

Shang Jie smiled faintly, like a gentle breeze after the rain.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” Xiaoyu said to Shang Jie. “The one who really saved you wasn’t the princess—it was the little mermaid.”

Shang Jie pretended to be shocked. “Really?”

Xiaoyu nodded eagerly, her face serious. “Yes, really!”

“Thank you. You’ve helped me a lot. Now I know the little mermaid is my true love. I will never love that lying princess again.”

Xiaoyu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Great! Now I’m at ease.”

“So Xiaoyu is truly a kind-hearted child.”

Xiaoyu blushed and lowered her head, clearly shy about the compliment.

Jiang Xingxing watched the little girl gaze at Shang Jie with admiration and affection, realizing how effortlessly this man could charm people of all ages.

Like a magician, Shang Jie pulled a strawberry-flavored lollipop from his bag and handed it to Xiaoyu. In return, Xiaoyu beckoned Shang Jie closer. “Then I’ll tell you a secret about Sister Xingxing.”

Shang Jie raised an eyebrow. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

Jiang Xingxing: …

So, was she really sold out for a lollipop?

After Xiaoyu happily hopped away, Jiang Xingxing asked Shang Jie, “What did she say to you?”

Shang Jie pretended to be mysterious. “A big secret about you!”

Jiang Xingxing’s curiosity was immediately piqued. “Tell me now!”

“Come closer,” Shang Jie beckoned her with a finger.

“Acting all mysterious,” Jiang Xingxing muttered, but leaned her ear towards him.

“She said, Sister Xingxing’s ears turn red very easily, just like this…”

Before Jiang Xingxing could react, Shang Jie suddenly took her earlobe into his mouth, and his warm, moist tongue touched her cold ear. Jiang Xingxing felt a shiver run down her spine, straight to her head.

Not just her ears, her entire face burned with heat.

She quickly pushed Shang Jie away, her words stumbling. “You… you’re indecent!”

Shang Jie tugged at his tie and laughed like a charming rogue. “Is this your first time realizing that?”

Jiang Xingxing does not want to deal with him so she stood up and walked out. But before long, she rushed back in a panic, dragging Shang Jie towards the third floor.

“Oh no, oh no, people from the Shang Group are here—several cars full. Someone will definitely recognize you. Hurry, go hide in my brother’s office.”

She led him to the farthest office on the third floor, instructing him to stay hidden inside no matter what happened.

After Jiang Xingxing left, Shang Jie walked over to the window, lifted the beige curtains, and looked down. Several vans had pulled into the courtyard, and a group of men in work clothes were getting out. They didn’t seem friendly. Leading them was a black Audi, and the person who stepped out was someone Shang Jie recognized: Qin Huai, the manager of a subsidiary of the Shang Group.

Several of the main actors from the theater troupe, still in their costumes, rushed out to greet them.

When Qin Huai saw them, a sneer appeared on his face, as if he were looking at a ridiculous bunch of freaks.

Jiang Zhi, the troupe leader, was the first to greet him. “Mr. Qin, you’re here again.”

“Director Jiang, still rehearsing?” Qin Huai drawled. “You’re all working so hard. How much money can you really make these days? Does anyone even watch theater anymore?”

“That’s none of your concern,” Jiang Zhi replied, his face darkening. “What are you here for with so many people?”

“I certainly didn’t bring them to watch your play.” Qin Huai spread his hands. “I’ve been more than fair to you—I’ve said everything I can, but you still refuse to move. What am I supposed to do? I had to bring people over to personally ‘help’ you relocate.”

Ming Jin, still smiling, approached him. “Mr. Qin, we already discussed this—please give us a little more time. You see, our theater troupe has both old and young members. Moving isn’t easy; we need to find a suitable place first.”

“That’s not my problem,” Qin Huai said coldly. “All I know is if you don’t move out now, when my boss returns, I’ll be the one who has to leave.”

“Please, Mr. Qin, give us a little more time to pack and prepare.”

“Fine, pack up. I’ll wait right here. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll go. But if you’re not packed by today, my boys here might have to ‘help’ you pack. They’re not exactly careful, so if anything gets damaged, I won’t be held responsible.”

Jiang Xingxing glanced at the burly men getting out of the vans, all of whom looked like trouble.

“Mr. Qin, be careful. We can handle damaged things, but if one of our elderly or children gets hurt, you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”

Qin Huai stared at Jiang Xingxing. “Are you threatening me? I don’t fall for that. Boys, go in and ‘help’ them move. If you can’t move something, just smash it!”

“You can’t do this!” Jiang Xingxing stood in front of the theater entrance. “Does your boss know you’re doing this? Who’s going to take responsibility if something happens?”

“I don’t know what my boss thinks. All I know is if I don’t get you out today, I’ll be the one getting kicked out!”

With that, a dozen men charged into the theater. Jiang Zhi, Lu Wuque, and a few others tried to stop them, but they were outnumbered. Lu Wuque even took a hard punch to the face.

“Damn it! Are you guys thugs? What you’re doing is illegal!”

“Don’t break that! It’s mine!” Ming Jue shouted. “Don’t break my collectibles—they’re expensive!”

Just as she finished, her Rem and Ram figurines were smashed to the ground, their heads rolling off.

Ming Jue screamed, tears in her eyes, and tried to confront the man who did it, but Jiang Xingxing pulled her back. “Don’t go.”

The men were about to charge further when a deep voice suddenly echoed through the room—

“Stop.”

The moment Qin Huai heard that voice, he froze. He quickly ordered his men, “Stop! All of you, stop breaking things!”

At the top of the stairs stood a man slowly making his way down.

He had taken off his tailcoat and was now wearing a simple light-colored shirt and black trousers, the shirt casually tucked in, showing off his long legs.

As he walked down the dim staircase, his figure was tall and straight.

When Qin Huai saw his face, all the arrogance drained from him, and he began trembling like a frightened chick.

His subordinates looked confused, not understanding why this man had terrified Qin Huai so much.

“Who is this guy, Qin?”

“President Shang…” Qin Huai’s voice quivered, his face pale as if he were about to cry. “President Shang, what are you doing here…?”

Shang Jie’s profile was cast in shadow by the ceiling light, making his features appear even more striking. His entire demeanor had shifted, to the point where even Jiang Xingxing barely recognized him.

Lifting his chin, his voice came out in a low tone—

“Qin Huai, the more I’m gone, the more reckless you get, huh?”

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