Chà Chà Novel

“Is that part of the show’s schedule?” Wei Sinian asked.

Fu Baihan’s lips curved. “You can ask the director.”

Fu Baihan’s impression of Wei Sinian was far from friendly. This was the “senior” from the set that Su Nuo used to talk about every single day, and Fu Baihan had at one point suspected he was the reason his kid had started thinking about dating so young.

He did have a bewitching face, but the title of “best actor” wasn’t nearly enough to impress the Fu family.

Especially now that he had those feelings for the kid, Fu Baihan understood all too well what Wei Sinian’s gaze meant.

Someone was eyeing his treasure. Of course he had to come keep a close watch.

Naturally, the deeper reason was that he’d been too busy lately to spend time with him. He missed his little brother.

Wei Sinian badly wanted to pretend Fu Baihan had never shown up, but he knew all too well the gap between them, not just in their relationships with Su Nuo but in the capital they held.

Wei Sinian stepped aside from the gate. Fu Baihan walked in, brushing past him, and said thanks.

An inexplicable frustration welled up in Wei Sinian’s chest that he couldn’t shake. He could only put it down to worrying about Su Nuo’s future in the industry.

Having backing was a good thing. It spared you many hardships. But it also came with labels that limited your growth. Even if Su Nuo stood on an awards stage someday, people would wonder whether he’d won fair and square.

“Please wait a moment. Nuonuo isn’t up yet. I’ll go wake him.” Once inside, Wei Sinian poured a glass of water, set it on the table, and invited Fu Baihan to sit.

Normally Fu Baihan couldn’t be bothered with little details like this, meant to show off closeness with Su Nuo in front of him. But perhaps because his mindset had changed, now that he saw the kid not only as his brother but as the person he liked, his future partner, his possessiveness and competitiveness were stirred.

“No need. Nuonuo likes to sleep in. Let him rest a bit longer.” Fu Baihan picked up the glass, perfectly at ease, as if he were in his own home. Which, to be fair, it was Fu family property.

Standing to the side, Wei Sinian was suddenly overshadowed, as if he weren’t the guest on the show and Fu Baihan was.

Yan Hongxuan and Yu Er hadn’t returned yet. The only others in the house were a few camera operators who’d started work early. The director had been notified and was on his way. The subtle tension between the two men made the camera crew instinctively shrink back, not daring to get close.

What do we do? They both look so polished and polite, but it feels like they could come to blows any second.

The director’s arrival did nothing to change the atmosphere. Faced with a bigwig like Fu Baihan, never mind that they were renting the house from the Fu family, even if they weren’t, it would be an honor for the show if someone like him wanted to make an appearance.

Free buzz. No loss in riding it!

After the director had welcomed Fu Baihan warmly, Fu Baihan said, “I’d prefer that no one learns about my relationship with Nuonuo once the show airs.”

The director nodded. “Rest assured, all our staff have signed NDAs. We’ll edit as usual.”

“Good. Thank you all for your trouble.” Fu Baihan smiled. “I’ll have the sponsorship contract revised and sent over.”

At first the director didn’t get it. Then it clicked. Right. The show’s sugar daddy sponsor wasn’t the Fu Group itself, but it was a company under the Fu Group, and they all had to answer to this man.

Buzz and money. Everybody wins.

Bigwigs who came bearing money could show up as often as they liked!

Su Nuo knew Wei Sinian had been up for a while, but he didn’t want to move. Apart from days with morning classes, he’d never actually gotten up early. Half asleep, he lectured himself: you’re a working man, you’re on a variety show, how can you possibly sleep?

Hearing some commotion in the living room, Su Nuo washed up, changed, and went out, planning to say hi, grab some breakfast, then happily wrap up and go home. But the moment he walked in, he met Fu Baihan’s eyes.

Su Nuo: “???”

Am I dreaming? What’s Ge doing here?

The director had already talked to the other guests. The moment Su Nuo appeared, their acting snapped into place. Yan Hongxuan waved Su Nuo over. “Nuonuo, come meet Mr. Fu. We’re renting this house from the Fu family.”

Su Nuo found himself pushed in front of Fu Baihan. He shook his hand, dazed. “Hello.”

Pretending not to know his own dog when he arrived, and pretending not to know his brother when he left. Fine. The ultimate acting test.

Fu Baihan squeezed his palm and smiled. “Hello.”

Su Nuo shot him a look. This is workplace harassment, President Fu.

“I really like your work. Could I get your autograph?” Fu Baihan was being playful, teasing the kid on purpose.

Su Nuo cleared his throat. “Of course.”

For those in the know, watching the two of them pretend to be strangers making small talk was honestly pretty funny.

Still, they’d never expected the newcomer they’d invited to have such powerful backing.

The Fu family, of all people!

Su Nuo didn’t know everyone present was acting. He assumed Fu Baihan hadn’t explained their relationship, so he only dared to sneak glances at him and didn’t dare go over to say anything.

A newbie whose film hadn’t even come out yet had no business chatting up a bigwig.

“It seems President Fu takes a keen interest in show business,” Wei Sinian said. “Last time you even asked for my autograph.”

Fu Baihan replied, “My mother enjoys watching classic films. She loves Best Actor Wei’s autograph.”

At his age, still trying to lure away his little treasure. Hmph.

Fu Baihan grumbled inwardly. Even though Wei Sinian was only a year older than him, he couldn’t stand the man.

Su Nuo didn’t know what was going on between the two of them. It seemed like they’d already had a falling-out. Before the air could freeze over, he raised his voice and asked Yu Er, “Teacher Yu, is there any breakfast left?”

“Yes, and none of us has eaten, so I’ll go bring it out.” Yu Er stood up with a smile.

“I’ll go.” Su Nuo couldn’t let a senior serve him, so he quickly took over the job and ran to the kitchen.

Breakfast was simple: thick rice porridge, boiled eggs, and scallion pancakes. As everyone sat down to eat, Yan Hongxuan asked about their schedules. “Sinian and Nuonuo, you both have to leave this morning, right?”

“Yes, I need to head to C City this afternoon,” Wei Sinian answered.

Su Nuo said obediently, “I’m going home this afternoon to visit my grandparents.”

That’s right. Right next door.

Fu Baihan didn’t join the conversation. He listened quietly and took the egg yolk off Su Nuo’s plate. Su Nuo glanced over, and feeling that no one had noticed, lowered his head and kept eating.

Fu Baihan let out a low laugh, charmed by how cute he was.

Pretending not to hear him laughing, Su Nuo kicked him under the table.

Ge, don’t drag down our family’s acting.

“Ahem, Nuonuo, the cameras aren’t rolling right now.” Yu Er was struggling to hold back his laughter. When he’d first learned about Su Nuo and Fu Baihan, he’d been shocked and felt the kid had suddenly become a stranger. But now he realized he really was an adorable little thing.

Su Nuo looked up, not quite following. “…Huh?”

“We all know,” Yan Hongxuan said with a nod toward Fu Baihan. “President Fu came to pick you up.”

Su Nuo looked at them, then at Fu Baihan’s straight face. He puffed up his cheeks and put down his chopsticks. “Ge!”

Wow. You all knew and just sat there watching me act.

Fu Baihan ruffled his hair. “A little surprise for you.”

Su Nuo glared at him, thinking that before long his disguise would be completely see-through. Who would he even put on an act for after that?

“Give me your egg too. Hurry up.” He was fierce in the cutest way.

“Okay.” Fu Baihan made amends by peeling an egg for his little treasure.

The onlookers watched the two of them lean in together, wrapped in an intimacy that shut everyone else out. You could tell this was how close they always were.

Yu Er and Yan Hongxuan quietly glanced at Wei Sinian. Seeing his face as still as dark water, they couldn’t help feeling anxious for him. Why didn’t he seize the chance to make a good impression?

Isn’t this the future brother-in-law?

Wei Sinian: “……”

He knew Fu Baihan was good to Su Nuo, and he was glad that in this life Su Nuo had the Fu family’s protection. But for some reason, he and Fu Baihan just didn’t click, and he could see that Fu Baihan was hostile toward him.

It was a rejection that left no trace, maybe even with a touch of disdain.

Once he knew none of it would air, Su Nuo relaxed. If people in the industry knew, so be it. They’d run into each other eventually. His identity wasn’t some top-secret file. As long as it wasn’t broadcast everywhere, it was fine.

The way he and Fu Baihan acted together astonished the few in the know.

After all, Fu Baihan’s image was untouchable. He was always in the financial pages, with a natural wall between him and people in show business. Yet in front of his little brother, he was a gentle, completely accommodating big brother, and that indulgent affection couldn’t be faked.

Su Nuo was the same. In their eyes, he’d been a sweet, sensible newcomer who knew how to carry himself. In front of Fu Baihan, he had more than a bit of spoiled willfulness.

It wasn’t annoying at all. On the contrary, the way he acted cute was sickeningly sweet.

They finally understood why that wolfdog had come to their door. It was the Fu family’s dog, looking for its little master.

An’an sat in their courtyard, rubbing against Su Nuo’s legs. When Su Nuo reached out to pet it, it licked him all over. A true “simp,” in the most literal, slobbery sense.

“Ge~” Fu Baihan came out carrying his suitcase and was grabbed by Su Nuo, who held his hand up to his nose. “I changed my perfume. Smell.”

Fu Baihan frowned. The scent seemed off.

An’an poked its head over and barked. Fu Baihan understood at once, grabbed the kid’s hand, and pulled him to the tap to rinse it.

“Ge, how could you diss him right in front of An’an?” the kid protested, full of righteous indignation.

“It’s dirty.” Fu Baihan dried his hand, then slipped it into his own coat pocket. “Keep your distance from the dog.”

“Your love for An’an is so fake.” Su Nuo looked at the dog’s eager face. “Poor An’an.”

“Sweetie, do you want to eat An’an’s drool? I’m not sure a rabies shot would help.” Fu Baihan raised an eyebrow.

Su Nuo pushed him. “Ew, ew, ew.”

“Those two are really close.” Yan Hongxuan turned to Wei Sinian. “Sinian, President Fu gives off a vibe a bit like yours. No wonder Nuonuo respects you so much.”