Chà Chà Novel

Seeing Wei Sinian come back alone, regular guest Yu Er looked puzzled. “Sinian, wasn’t someone knocking?”

“Yes, Nuonuo’s here,” Wei Sinian replied. “A wolfdog followed him to the door. I’m going with him to take the dog back.”

“A wolfdog?” Yu Er stood up. “It might be the landlord’s. The production team said the landlord keeps a Czechoslovakian wolfdog.”

“I’ve heard of that breed. They look really wild.” Another regular guest, Yan Hongxuan, was interested too. “Come on, let’s go take a look.”

Su Nuo had wanted to coax the dog home himself, but since Wei Sinian had said that, he couldn’t pointedly refuse on camera. He could only wait. He hadn’t expected Wei Sinian to bring two more people out with him.

Su Nuo kept a firm hold on the dog, not daring to let go, and greeted them with a smile. “Teacher Yu, Teacher Yan, hello. I’m Su Nuo.”

“Nuonuo, welcome to our show.” Yan Hongxuan and Yu Er were highly respected veterans of the industry. In both age and experience, they looked at Su Nuo the way they’d look at a kid.

At their level, people tended to cherish talent, especially when it came to a good-looking, well-behaved young one.

And with Wei Sinian’s indirect influence, they were naturally warmer than at an ordinary first meeting, calling him “Nuonuo” right away.

“Whoa, this dog looks fierce.” Yu Er took a look but didn’t dare step closer.

“He’s not fierce!” Su Nuo hurried to defend his dog. “He’s really well-behaved. He doesn’t bite.”

“Little animals sure love Nuonuo.” Yan Hongxuan was bolder. Seeing the dog held in check by Su Nuo, he quickly reached out and gave it a pat.

An’an: “……Woof?”

Little master was here, so apparently it couldn’t lose its temper at humans. Fine. It would endure.

“Nuonuo, go with Sinian to ask the landlord. It’s probably their dog.” Yan Hongxuan pointed in one direction. “Follow this road a short way and there’s a courtyard like an estate. All the land around here belongs to them.”

“Sinian came this way this morning, didn’t he? Take Nuonuo for a little walk around, and when you’re back we’ll make you some tea,” Yu Er said with a smile.

Wei Sinian held out his hand. “Let’s go.”

Su Nuo, half crouching, thought for a moment, then tweaked the dog’s ear. “No scaring people. Be good.” Only then did he let Wei Sinian help him up.

An’an’s tail swayed as it followed close at his heel, step for step. Rather than Su Nuo walking the dog, it looked more like the dog was matching his pace.

Su Nuo hadn’t gone far when he saw the butler. The butler hurried over. Remembering the young master was filming a show, he didn’t address him directly on camera and only thanked them. “I didn’t watch him properly on our walk. Sorry for the trouble. An’an, come on, home. No more running off.”

An’an looked at the butler, then at Su Nuo, and lay flat on the spot, its refusal crystal clear.

Not going. It wanted to play with its sweet-smelling, soft little master.

The butler pulled out a leash. “He was on a lead. He’s been naughty lately and learned to slip his harness. He can chew through this kind of leash too, sigh.”

An’an: “Awoo.”

What harm could a doggo possibly mean? It was just too smart, that’s all.

Case solved. It wasn’t that he’d walked the dog without a leash. The leash simply couldn’t hold it.

“A couple of days ago he even went up the mountain, caught a wild rabbit, and brought it back to eat. Gave the old master quite a fright, this little rascal…” The butler looked at the dog with helpless fondness and couldn’t resist grumbling a bit more to the young master.

“I’m glad he’s found.” Su Nuo gave the dog a nudge. “His name’s An’an?”

Hearing its name, An’an wagged its tail even harder, round eyes fixed on Su Nuo, and leaned in to lick his fingertips.

The butler held back a laugh, thinking that the young master had chosen the name himself, and now had to pretend he didn’t know it.

“Yes, An’an. He loves good-looking people most of all. Maybe he ran off just to see you.” The butler winked at the young master.

“We live just over there.” Having finally gotten the dog back on its leash, the butler offered an invitation. “Thank you for helping me find him. Why don’t you come over for hot pot at lunch?”

The old man would be delighted. As he got older, he’d come to enjoy a lively house.

Seeing that Su Nuo looked a bit awkward, Wei Sinian declined on his behalf. “It was nothing. There’s no need to go to any trouble.”

In the end, at the butler’s warm insistence, they came away with two bags of fresh vegetables and carried them back to the courtyard.

Yu Er opened the door for them. “You’re back? What took so long? Couldn’t find the owner?”

Wei Sinian lifted the vegetables to show him. “Found him. The owner gave us a thank-you gift.”

“Wow, fantastic! Lunch is sorted. The production team is heartless, making us do tasks for food the moment we moved in.” Yu Er looked at the two bags of vegetables with delight, as if greeting old friends.

They knew Wei Sinian fairly well and knew he’d go along with the production team’s plans. But if they could get out of working and just enjoy chatting together, why let the production team’s sinister scheme succeed?

“Nuonuo and Sinian played a ruler and his subject in the film?” Once they’d sat down inside, Yan Hongxuan brought steaming tea and tossed out a topic to give them a chance to promote it.

Wei Sinian didn’t speak. He looked at Su Nuo, clearly wanting to give Su Nuo more screen time. The kid had never done a variety show, and Wei Sinian was worried he wouldn’t loosen up.

Seeing Wei Sinian wasn’t picking it up, and not wanting the two veterans to be left hanging, Su Nuo quickly said, “Yes. I learned a lot working with Best Actor Wei. I hope I didn’t drag the film down. I’m really looking forward to He Yun’s release.”

Wei Sinian looked a little helpless. “Nuonuo, don’t be nervous.”

Su Nuo knew Wei Sinian was acting, pretending on camera that they were close. He couldn’t quite figure out what Wei Sinian was after. Surely he wasn’t eyeing the CP buzz too?

Please don’t. I refuse to fake a ship with you.

Su Nuo smiled, his face full of the vitality and shyness unique to the young. “I really am a bit nervous in front of my seniors.”

“I heard from Old Wang that you weren’t one bit worse than Sinian in the film,” Yu Er said, talking him up.

“I’m far behind Best Actor Wei. The director was just encouraging me because I’m young,” Su Nuo answered.

“Listen to this kid, still calling Sinian ‘Best Actor Wei’?” Yan Hongxuan clapped Wei Sinian on the shoulder. “Sinian, be honest. Did you put on airs and bully the little one on set?”

Wei Sinian shook his head. “How would I dare? If I bullied Nuonuo, the crew would give me the worst boxed lunch.”

Everyone laughed. Su Nuo had to admit that when Wei Sinian set out to get close to someone, he really was impeccably considerate in every way.

“Nuonuo just started university, right?” Yan Hongxuan studied Su Nuo’s face, then looked at Wei Sinian, and teased, “You really don’t look like the same generation. Sinian’s a veteran artist now.”

“Teacher Yan, if you put it like that, we can’t be friends anymore.” Wei Sinian’s eyes were smiling. He seemed the picture of good nature, as if his coldness at the start had never existed.

“Hahaha, Nuonuo, quick, comfort the veteran artist.” Yan Hongxuan waved Su Nuo over. “Don’t be so formal with him. Calling him ‘Best Actor Wei’ will go to his head. Let’s just call him by his name.”

“Exactly. We’ve had plenty of best actors come through here. Sinian, don’t expect special treatment,” Yu Er joined in.

Su Nuo knew they were joking to close the distance with him, but he couldn’t go along with it. He played obedient. “I wouldn’t dare. I’ll stick with ‘senior.’”

“Look, you’ve scared the kid,” Yu Er said to Wei Sinian. “After lunch, take Nuonuo out to the yard to chop some firewood and build a bit of comradeship.”

“You just want us to do the grunt work, don’t you?”

“You’d be idle anyway. Might as well get the chores done while you’re here, right, Nuonuo?” Yu Er wore the face of someone tricking a child.

Su Nuo nodded. “Mm.”

Everyone loves a good kid. Yu Er and Yan Hongxuan’s attitude could practically be called “grandfatherly.” After chatting for a while and reminiscing about the old days in show business, they worried Su Nuo might be bored and sent Wei Sinian off. “We forgot earlier. Sinian, take Nuonuo to see the room. You two got here first, so you can pick first.”

Wei Sinian stood. “Sure.”

Su Nuo followed him to the bedroom in the back. Wei Sinian opened the door. “Do you want the inside or the outside?”

Su Nuo: “Huh?”

“This room is ours. You pick first.” Wei Sinian led him in.

How was he sharing a room with Wei Sinian?!

Couldn’t the production team arrange a few more rooms!

Su Nuo didn’t even want to take another step. Thinking about how the CP fandom would explode once this aired, he felt his polite distance couldn’t possibly turn the tide.

“The side by the wall will be warmer. You take the inside, okay?” Wei Sinian asked.

Su Nuo steeled himself. “Either is fine.”

Two guys sharing a room was nothing to make a fuss about. Making demands would only seem weird. Better to be open and casual about it.

I hope Ge doesn’t watch this show. Sob.

After putting away their luggage, Su Nuo and Wei Sinian went to help in the kitchen. Yan Hongxuan was famous in the industry for his cooking and had taken charge of the kitchen. When they came in, he didn’t stand on ceremony and put them both to work.

Su Nuo sat on a little stool picking through vegetables, while Wei Sinian washed the pots, bowls, and chopsticks beside him. The kitchen was small, and with everyone crammed in, it was crowded, but also unexpectedly harmonious and cozy.

After the meal, Su Nuo offered to help clear the table. Wei Sinian took the stack of plates and bowls from his hands. “Go wipe the table.”

“Let me do the dishes…” Su Nuo said quietly.

“No need.” Wei Sinian lowered his head, his tone gentle. “Go on. We’ve got work this afternoon.”

Yu Er and Yan Hongxuan, chatting outside after lunch, exchanged a look. It wasn’t their imagination. Wei Sinian really was unusually affectionate toward Su Nuo.

After clearing the table, Su Nuo carried a little stool to the doorway and took out his phone to call Fu Baihan. The secretary answered. “Young master, the president is in a meeting. It should be wrapping up soon. Please hold on a moment.”

“Okay. Is my brother really busy? Has he eaten?” Su Nuo asked with concern.

“Not lunch yet. Are you coming to the office today?” The secretary assumed the young master wanted to bring a loving homemade lunch.

“I can’t make it today. I’m working,” Su Nuo said. “If my brother’s busy, he doesn’t need to call me back. Please remind him to eat, and I’ll get in touch with him tonight.”

“Of course, I’ll pass that along.” The secretary was elated. With the young master’s words to invoke, there was no fear of the president not listening.

The workaholic in him would always lose to the brother-obsessed instinct. Tsk.