The knife was already hanging around his neck, and he still had to choose his own long and short knives. (T/N: It means the situation was already dangerous and yet Pei Rong was being asked to make a decision that could further worsen it.)
Pei Rong completely ignored Lu Qin and rested his chin on the
pillow, burying it deeply.
...
Pei Rong remained silent but uncontrollably started sweating.
After taking the medication, he covered himself with the blanket, carefully
turned over, and found Lu Qin frowning at him.
There was a somewhat familiar look in the other’s eyes.
He subconsciously looked back into Lu Qin’s eyes and
squinted, saying, “I’m in pain.”
Lu Qin fell silent for a moment, then opened the bedside
cabinet, putting all the remaining medication inside. “Then rest for a while,
and I’ll call Zhou Hang for you.”
In the evening, Pei Rong did have work to do, but when the
CEO gave an order, even if it meant Zhou Hang would have to pay a hefty penalty
for breaking the contract, he still had to follow what the CEO said.
Pei Rong silently watched him tidy up and, based on his
words, realized that Lu Qin had no intention of taking the medicine away.
Lu Qin had placed the medicine in the most convenient drawer,
where some books and photo albums had been cleared out, as if giving the
medicine a new permanent home.
Pei Rong lowered his eyes, thinking that he would probably
need it again in the future.
It’s best not to take advantage of this capitalist, or it
might just backfire at him.
At this time, it was about two in the afternoon, the perfect
time for a quick nap. Almost the moment Lu Qin finished speaking, Pei Rong felt
the wonderful comfort of the quilt.
Ah, this blanket was really nice, it’s not irritating to the
skin at all. It’s like sinking into a pool of gentle water, serene and soft,
dragging a person into dreamland.
Lu Qin took Pei Rong’s changed clothes downstairs and handed
them to the housekeeper, saying, “Wash these and send them back.”
The housekeeper took a step forward to receive them but then
heard Lu Qin ask, “Where is the laundry soap?”
The housekeeper was taken aback. Did Lu Qin mean to wash the
clothes personally? Since he had too much idle time at work and had watched
countless soap operas in wealthy households, he tactfully came to his senses
and said, “It’s in the washroom on the first floor. Let me unpack a new piece
for you.”
Lu Qin nodded mysteriously, expressing satisfaction.
Because of Pei Rong, Lu Qin postponed his official duties in
the afternoon. As a result, Pei Rong took a nap during that free time, which
ending up with him feeling bored and restless with no outlet. He decided to use
this time to learn a new life skill - doing laundry, with no regard to whose
clothes he washed.
Ten minutes later, Lu Qin finished washing the clothes and
found them somewhat deformed. He wondered why he couldn’t use force when
washing clothes. Then, what was the point of using a washboard?
Reluctant to admit that he couldn’t even wash clothes
properly, Lu Qin called the housekeeper and said, “Buy me another piece exactly
the same as this one.”
The housekeeper considered and replied, “If it’s for Mr. Pei
to wear, there’s another one in the wardrobe that was purchased at the same
time as this one from the hotel, and it’s guaranteed to be exactly the same.”
Lu Qin asked, “This is my shirt?”
The housekeeper answered, “Yes, it’s a custom-made shirt not
available on the market.”
Lu Qin guessed that Pei Rong must have casually taken one of
his shirts in the hotel, but he never expected it to be this one. Pei Rong had
already changed into a turtleneck sweater for a business event, and Lu Qin
couldn’t believe he would wear such an ill-fitting shirt.
The housekeeper asked, “Should I put this one in the dryer?”
Lu Qin replied, “No need, just hang it up to air dry.”
Pei Rong slept through the afternoon without being disturbed
for the first time. He woke up when the sun had already set and found freshly washed
clothes neatly stacked by his bedside. He put them on.
The experienced housekeeper downstairs had washed the clothes
to the point of looking brand new.
Having been constantly scrutinized by the media while
working, Pei Rong preferred to be a carefree and unfettered “salted fish” at
home. He didn’t want any housekeeping staff to disturb his sense of freedom and
ease.
He heard the sound of footsteps.
The wooden door creaked twice, and Lu Qin entered the room.
Seeing Pei Rong awake, he asked, “Shall I bring your dinner up?”
The house had only two and a half floors and no elevator.
Going downstairs required walking a flight of stairs.
This attentive service almost moved Pei Rong, but he still
declined, saying, “I’m much better now. Thanks to President Lu for the
medication. I’ve called Xiao Liu to come and pick me up.”
Lu Qin: “I suggest you take care of your health before you
leave, so I won’t feel indebted to you.”
Pei Rong remained composed: “No worries, you don’t owe me
anything. It’s just that I feel embarrassed to occupy President Lu’s room. I
can’t sleep well unless it’s my own bed at home.”
Lu Qin: You clearly slept like a pig in the afternoon.
Pei Rong: If I looked like I fully recovered, wouldn’t there
be a possibility that we would do that kind of thing again?
They exchanged a momentary glance, refraining from exposing
each other’s nonsense, maintaining the dignity of adults.
Lu Qin made a concession, or rather, he couldn’t bring
himself to persuade the other. Besides, he hadn’t figured out what was left
between him and Pei Rong after settling their debts.
They didn’t share common social or work circles, and their
personalities and life experiences were vastly different. What else could they
do? What other excuses could they have?
An unexpected incident in one night was like a sudden peak on
an electrocardiogram, but in the end, the heart rate had to return to normal,
or else it would require a trip to the hospital after a prolonged period.
Lu Qin didn’t see him off.
Pei Rong stood alone at the entrance, waiting for Xiao Liu.
The temperature difference between early morning and evening in spring was
significant, and a single shirt was not enough.
He was considering whether to endure the cold and run for a
while to warm up when he felt a slight weight on his shoulders, and he found
himself covered with a suit jacket.
Lu Qin: “Wear this.”
Pei Rong glanced down and saw a bag containing bottles and
cans and a thermos.
He reached out and accepted it sincerely: “Thank you.”
Because their initial encounter was too chaotic, Pei Rong
didn’t have a chance to take a good look at Lu Qin.
At night, a gentleman might appear more graceful. At this
moment, Lu Qin, standing by his side, showed no sign of aggression and exuded a
refined demeanor.
A smile appeared on Pei Rong’s lips, and he heard Lu Qin
speaking in a tone as if he was disclosing the year-end financial report: “The
white box contains medicine to be taken three times a day, two tablets each
time. You’re not in bad shape, just take it for one more day. Apply the
ointment for a few more days. The green tube isn’t just for reducing
inflammation; it’s also beneficial for your body. Apply it with a depth of not
less than...”
The night breeze brought the tranquil voice of Lu Qin,
unaffected by the waves. Pei Rong looked around cautiously, fearing someone
might be nearby.
He pretended to be composed and said, “Alright, I got it.”
***
Back home, Pei Rong had the yam and pork bone congee from the
thermos. He hadn’t eaten much of the greasy lunch ordered by his assistant, so
he felt hungry after waking up from his nap. He devoured the whole bucket of
congee.
Feeling his slightly filled belly, he felt a bit guilty, but
then remembered that President Lu had agreed to invest in Jianglu
Entertainment.
Zhou Hang was busy expanding the business, and Luo Qun would
likely be focused on training new talents. Nobody had the time to keep an eye
on him.
After all, he was planning to leave the entertainment circle
soon, so it didn’t matter if he gained a few pounds.
After taking a shower, Pei Rong emptied the bag given by Lu
Qin and found several bottles rolling out. He picked up a green one and felt like
he hadn’t seen it before.
He checked the largest bottle and found it was a body lotion
from a brand he hadn’t seen before.
“What’s this...” Pei Rong murmured, suddenly recalling the
marks on his body. It dawned on him that President Lu’s gifts were always
spot-on. He gladly used the lotion, and within two days, the red marks were
gone.
Approaching his exit from the entertainment industry, he
became busier. The short episode with Lu Zong was soon forgotten.
Jianglu Entertainment provided accommodation for its artists.
Pei Rong had stayed in the company’s dormitory during his early days, but he
rarely went there later on. Recently, when he returned to the company to sign
various advertising termination contracts, he noticed many new faces around.
Under Luo Qun’s management, two new talents were chosen
through auditions, and Zhou Hang had successfully poached a popular idol from a
rival company named Jiang Tian.
Jiang Tian was excellent at singing and dancing, and though
his looks was not as good as Pei Rong, he more than made up for it with his
other qualities, becoming the one to fill Pei Rong’s vacant spot.
With the company’s focus on Jianglu Entertainment, Jiang Tian
was the artist they intended to promote vigorously, and he had the potential to
become a big star.
Zhou Hang was currently preparing to produce an independent
drama for the company. The male lead for the first production had already been
decided as Jiang Tian. They had invested heavily in three acting coaches for
Jiang Tian, who were present at the company every day to offer guidance.
When Pei Rong passed by the training room, he happened to
overhear Jiang Tian complaining that he couldn’t see the magnolia flowers
blooming downstairs from his dormitory. On the other hand, Pei Rong’s room,
which offers a perfect view of the entire magnolia garden, was unoccupied.
Pei Rong chuckled lightly, returned to his dorm, and brought
some personal belongings. He was certain that he would move out of the dorm,
leaving Jiang Tian to enjoy the beauty of spring next year.
“Pei Rong! You’re still here. Let’s discuss your appearance
on a variety show,” Luo Qun rushed over in high heels and handed Pei Rong a
stack of papers. “They’re all invitations to be a guest on different variety
shows. Which one do you prefer?”
Pei Rong glanced at them. The company wanted him to team up
with Jiang Tian as a “brotherly duo” on a variety show to increase the other’s
exposure. Since he was about to retire from the entertainment industry, he
should pass on his popularity to a new talent.
Pei Rong replied, “Any of them will do. The sooner, the
better.”
Luo Qun nodded, “Alright, then I’ll choose for you. By the
way, have you met Jiang Tian? He’s your fan and has always wanted to meet his
idol.”
“Brother Pei!” Jiang Tian hurriedly ran over from the
corridor and bowed to Pei Rong when he was about a meter away. “Please take
care of me, Brother Pei!”
Pei Rong responded with a simple “Hmm.”
Luo Qun said, “You two have met now. You’ll be appearing on a
variety show together soon. Pei Rong, since you’re a senior, please take good
care of Xiao Tian on the shows.”
Pei Rong replied, “I will.”
Luo Qun came up with an idea and took out a piece of paper,
saying, “How about participating in this food variety show? It has the earliest
schedule, and you don’t need much preparation. You can start recording next
week.”
Pei Rong agreed, “Sure.”
After Luo Qun arranged for Jiang Tian to learn acting, she
lowered her voice when the other had left and said to Pei Rong, “Take care of
Jiang Tian more on this variety show.”
Pei Rong assured her, “I will.”
Pei Rong had always been reliable in keeping his promises, so
Luo Qun felt relieved and smiled, saying, “Jiang Tian knows how to cook, and in
this variety show, four people will team up to collect ingredients and complete
a dinner dish. If you’re not good at cooking, just let Jiang Tian handle it.”
Pei Rong knew that Luo Qun’s intention was to let Jiang Tian
show more, to let the camera focus on him. So Pei Rong nodded in agreement.
***
A week later, the variety show “Tasting” began recording. The
production team presented two dishes blindfolded, without disclosing the
ingredients and cooking methods. The celebrities had to rely on the information
from their tasting to find the ingredients and recreate the dish.
The show provided various clues that the celebrities needed
to unlock to progress. The most exciting aspect of the show was seeing how each
group created dishes that had nothing to do with the given theme.
The show was recorded by the seaside, and Pei Rong’s team was
assigned the challenge of a spicy stir-fried sea snail, which was incredibly
spicy. The production team only provided the meat without the shells, leaving
the participants to guess the seafood involved.
Some people loved spicy food, believing that without spice,
nothing would taste good. However, there were individuals like Pei Rong, who
couldn’t handle spicy food at all. Whenever he encountered chili, his mouth and
tongue would only feel the burning sensation of capsaicin, making the dish
inedible to him.
After taking a bite, Pei Rong’s lips turned red from the
spiciness. He restrained himself from gasping on the show and quickly took a
few sips of water with elegance.
Not being able to eat spicy food didn’t match Pei Rong’s
alluring persona, so the company didn’t market this aspect.
Pei Rong suppressed the chili flavor and casually responded
to Jiang Tian’s speculation about the dish being some kind of innards like
chicken gizzards or small intestines.
Jiang Tian scratched his head and asked, “Brother Pei, is it
some kind of organ? Like chicken gizzards or small intestines?”
Pei Rong vaguely nodded. “It’s possible.”
Following that, Jiang Tian embarked on a journey to find
various ingredients, such as different internal organs, from street vendors. He
cooked them with different chili peppers and presented them to Pei Rong,
eagerly waiting for his confirmation of the taste.
Pei Rong said, “I can’t quite tell. What do you think? If
we’re unsure, we can leave it to the production team, and if we get it wrong,
I’ll take the punishment.”
Jiang Tian insisted, “No, that’s too risky. I can’t let
Brother Pei take the punishment. If anyone should face it, it should be me. But
when I was cooking, I kept smelling the meat, and I’m a bit confused. Let me
try again.”
Pei Rong tasted it seriously, holding tightly onto a bottle
of mineral water. He couldn’t identify the exact taste, but he felt the extreme
spiciness and, beyond that, a hint of something unpleasant—fishy odor.
Nevertheless, the dish looked appealing. After all, it was a
mix of red and green bell peppers and tofu, stir-fried to perfection, with an
excellent color combination that was utterly deceptive.
Pei Rong remembered the small family setting that the company
had arranged for Jiang Tian. He couldn’t help but think to himself, “It’s
delicious, but it doesn’t quite taste like the dish from before.”
“Brother Pei, have some more!” Jiang Tian insisted.
Jiang Tian fried around ten dishes and fed them to Pei Rong.
After a while, they realized they were going in the wrong direction. They
searched around and received a hint that it was snail meat.
So, the next challenge was a wave of snail meat.
This time, Pei Rong didn’t cooperate with Jiang Tian’s
cooking setting. After all, they were dealing with something enclosed in a
shell. Jiang Tian’s culinary skills might not have cooked it properly. Pei Rong
firmly declined, “My tongue is numb. I can’t taste it.”
Jiang Tian felt regretful for a moment, and they both decided
to stop relying on their taste buds and focus on deciphering the clues.
Most of the clues were presented in the form of riddles,
requiring a good knowledge of marine gastropods. Jiang Tian relied on his luck
and gradually reasoned out the answers step by step.
Pei Rong also began to recall the taste. They had known the
answer from the very beginning.
That night, both of them felt uncomfortable in their stomachs
and vomited.
Half a month later, the program was broadcasted.
“#WishingToTransmigrateIntoJiangTianFeedingTheBeauty#”
The term quickly rose to the top of the trending searches.
[Beauties should eat chili, it’s beautifying! I’m convinced!]
[Jiang Tian is like a loyal dog, so cute and charming,
skillfully frying dishes! He fried eighteen dishes without a hint of exhaustion.
His charisma is at its max!]
[If I were Jiang Tian, not only would I cook eighteen dishes,
but I would also persist for eighteen years!]
[Sisters, don’t daydream. Wake up!]
[Jiang Tian is so naïve; neither of them has a reliable sense
of taste!]
[Look at Pei Rong’s expression, Jiang Tian must be a great
cook!]
[I can’t stop laughing at these two. Our beauty can’t handle
spicy food, but Jiang Tian, you grew up by the seaside!]
[Some people, relying on being a senior, don’t even bother to
help when someone spills oil. They are picky eaters and always nitpick about
what they eat.]
[Poor Jiang Tian, the junior brother is so miserable. Pei
Rong is heartless!]
There’s another voice saying, [Have you noticed that Pei
Rong’s lips are always wet when he appears on the screen? Maybe he can’t handle
spicy food anymore and has to drink water instead?]
[Damn it! That guy named Jiang keeps adding more and more
chili peppers. I’m angry! Can’t he see that Pei Rong isn’t drinking water? Can
Jiang Tian on the scene not see it either?]
Regardless, Jiang Tian successfully amused the fans of the
show - trying hard in the wrong direction was futile. His popularity soared for
a while.
Luo Qun saw the positive effect and called Pei Rong to invite
him to a variety show.
She had been following some newcomers lately, so her
attention to Pei Rong had decreased. When Pei Rong declined the invitation, she
was stunned.
Pei Rong rarely rejects people when it came to work.
Luo Qun: “Why?”
Pei Rong: “No reason. If there are opinions, let the company
blacklist me.”
Luo Qun: “...”
Luo Qun: “By the way, are you still living in the company
dormitory? If not, I can arrange for someone to help you move.”
Pei Rong: “I don’t need any of those things. Just throw them
away.”
Luo Qun hesitated and hung up the phone, feeling that Pei
Rong’s words were a bit harsh today, although he was still a bit of a salted
fish.
Pei Rong indeed had a bad temper recently, which was rare for
someone usually indifferent, like a lazy fish.
The direct reason was that he hadn’t had a good appetite
lately, and every time he didn’t want to eat, he thought of the disgusting
things he had to eat on the variety show, making his appetite even worse.
He admitted that he might be taking his frustration out on
others, but whenever he saw Jiang Tian now, he’s reminded of the stench and
felt like vomiting.
***
Lu Qin noticed Pei Rong again when he was inspecting an
electronic screen company, and the company’s display was playing an episode of
the food variety show.
The high-definition and soft screen presented the most
mouthwatering and authentic flavors of the delicacies.
Lu Qin paused for a moment, his brow furrowing. “What kind of
dish is this blonde-haired person trying to cook? Even a dog wouldn’t eat it.”
The secretary knew he was more concerned about Pei Rong and
said, “Mr. Pei seems to really enjoy it.”
Lu Qin replied, “No, he hates it.”
An hour later, Zhou Hang, who was engrossed in his work,
received a call from President Lu’s secretary.
“Mr. Zhou, is the 3 billion yuan meant to have Mr. Pei eat
pig food on a variety show?” The secretary repeated Lu Qin’s words verbatim.
Zhou Hang was completely confused. “I need to understand the
situation before I can answer that...”
The secretary said, “The headquarters doubts your ability to
work and will personally devise a transformation plan for Mr. Pei.”
T/N:
Poor salted fish who only wanted to retire. LOL.
