Chapter 38 - Skipping Dinner

Secretary: ...

After speaking, Lin Qiong didn't forget his own persona, "How is he now? Is he okay? Does he need to go to the hospital? Is he still breathing?"

The secretary was momentarily speechless, "No, Mr. Lin, President Fu is just skipping dinner."

Lin Qiong sounded anxious, "Yes, how could this happen? He was fine when I left."

"Hunger in his body, pain in my heart. I really want to go back and eat for him."

...

The secretary suddenly felt unsure how to organize words in the conversation with Mr. Lin. Then, wiping the sweat from his forehead, he said, "Mr. Lin, all you need to do now is tell me what President Fu likes to eat. I can take care of the rest, so you don't have to worry."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qiong pouted, "Really? That would be so kind of you."

"Not at all, it's my duty."

"He likes congee," Lin Qiong's tone was as if he had just discovered his son had an internet addiction, "I've known about this preference of his for a long time."

The secretary was about to speak, but in the next moment, Lin Qiong whispered, "Please don't tell him that I told you."

"..." Secretary: "Alright, Mr. Lin."

After thinking for a moment, Lin Qiong added, "Just add a bit more water when cooking."

Secretary: "May I ask what else President Fu likes to eat?"

Lin Qiong fell silent for a moment before speaking, "He really likes to eat vegetables."

The secretary, sounding somewhat puzzled, asked, "Really?"

"Of course. What did you bring for him yesterday?"

"Mostly meat and fish," replied the secretary.

"So, that's why he refused to eat yesterday," Lin Qiong said.

The secretary suddenly realized, "I see."

"Is there anything else?" Lin Qiong asked.

"Nothing more. Sorry to bother you, Mr. Lin."

"It's okay."

Then, as if Lin Qiong remembered something, he said, "Can you do me a favor and pass a message to Xingyun?"

The secretary, seeing this as a good opportunity for brownie points, didn't hesitate, "Of course, I can."

Lin Qiong smiled shyly, "On the first day you were not here, I missed you~"

The young man's tone carried a hint of weariness, like the tail of a small animal brushing away an itch on its body. The secretary felt a tingling sensation in his ears just listening to it.

In an instant, he understood why there were some changes in various aspects after the boss got married – he was exceptionally good at being cute.

The secretary regained his enthusiasm, "I will definitely convey this to Mr. Lin."

After hanging up the phone, the secretary quickly ordered someone to change the dishes, then went upstairs and knocked on the door of the study.

"Boss, come out and eat."

No response from inside.

"Boss, today's dishes are specially ordered."

Still no response.

Seeing that the flattery didn't work, the secretary instantly recalled Lin Qiong's words – not to mention that the boss likes to eat congee. He knocked on the door and said, "All the dishes were ordered by Mr. Lin for you."

The door opened, and Fu Xingyun looked at the secretary, "Why did he order the food?"

The secretary swallowed nervously, "I just contacted Mr. Lin, and he knows that you don't eat dinner."

Fu Xingyun's tone became severe, "Mind your own business."

The secretary trembled and lowered his head.

"What did he say?"

The secretary instantly lifted his head, his spirits somewhat revived. He said, "Mr. Lin felt sorry for you after hearing about it and told me what you like to eat."

Fu Xingyun became somewhat suspicious, "Really?"

The secretary nodded, "Absolutely true."

As he spoke, the secretary took out his phone and showed the call logs to Fu Xingyun.

Fu Xingyun said indifferently, "I wasn't talking about the phone."

The secretary asked, "Then what?"

Fu Xingyun replied, "His words."

"..."

The secretary chuckled, "Of course, Mr. Lin loves you so much. He was really concerned when he heard you weren't eating dinner."

Fu Xingyun cast another skeptical glance, "Really?"

"He really said that!" The secretary's tone was affirmative. "After hearing about it, Mr. Lin even asked about your health."

Fu Xingyun asked, "How did he ask?"

The secretary put it delicately, "He asked if you were still well."

"..."

Fu Xingyun's hand, resting on the wheelchair, stiffened for a moment. Suddenly, he started to believe it a bit.

Fu Xingyun took a deep breath, "What else did he say?"

The secretary, looking serious, replied, "On the first day you weren't there, he missed you."

Fu Xingyun frowned upon hearing this, and his gaze towards the secretary became heavy. "Did he really say that to you?"

The secretary, suddenly enlightened by the boss's skepticism, completely missed the meaning in his eyes. Then, with a sudden change in tone, he said, "On the first day you weren't here, missed you~"

Fu Xingyun: ...

Fu Xingyun closed his eyes and pressed his temples. "We may go."

The secretary quickly pushed him towards the elevator.

Inside the elevator, Fu Xingyun suddenly spoke, "How long have you been with me?"

The secretary respectfully replied, "It's been six years, boss."

"You handle things well." Fu Xingyun contemplated for a moment. "It's time for a salary raise."

The secretary, instantly delighted, said, "Thank you, boss."

Even though his salary at the company was already substantial, who in this world would refuse more money?

They arrived at the restaurant, and when the food container was opened, a vibrant green scene unfolded.

Fu Xingyun: ...

"Did he tell you I like to eat these?"

The secretary nodded.

For some reason, only a sigh from the man was heard before he reluctantly said, "Set the table."

In the next moment, while eating the greens, Fu Xingyun said, "Have you ever been on a special project trip?"

The secretary humbly replied, "I've only accompanied you on a foreign trip once, boss."

Fu Xingyun said, "There's an inspection for a project in Africa recently."

The man's words abruptly stopped, and then he glanced at the secretary.

Secretary: ???

Why is he thinking differently from me?

The next morning, when Lin Qiong arrived at the film set, the crew was still setting up.

Wang Cheng went to buy breakfast, and Lin Qiong politely greeted each member of the crew.

"Good morning."

"The next-door gege is here early, good morning to you too."

"Morning."

Lin Qiong understood the crew's curious address and then looked towards the muscular photographer not far away.

The muscular photographer, upon seeing Lin Qiong, happily waved his hand. His muscle-bound arm fluttered like seaweed in the ocean, "Brother!!!"

With a standard smile on his face, Lin Qiong also waved at the person. After all, he was used to it.

With a sun-like smile on his face, Lin Qiong walked and greeted people. Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him.

Lin Qiong instantly put on a fake smile, "Good morning, or not, it's okay."

Qin Weichu: ...

Then, looking down his nose at Lin Qiong, he said, "You treat people differently."

Lin Qiong replied, "No, I greeted everyone equally."

Qin Weichu crossed his arms and looked at him, "Then why didn't you smile when you saw me?"

Lin Qiong, with a heartwarming expression, said, "Because you're the most special one."

"..." Qin Weichu was momentarily stunned, then questioned, "So, you admit to treating me differently."

"I've treated you differently from everyone else."

Qin Weichu: "I didn't see that."

Lin Qiong: "I only asked others, 'Good morning,' but with you, I inquired about everything."

After dropping that remark, Lin Qiong quickly slipped away. Wang Cheng returned with breakfast and saw Lin Qiong sitting on a small stool, having his head styled by a hairstylist.

"Here are your buns."

Lin Qiong reached out and took them, saying, "Thanks."

Then, looking at the bag of white and plump steaming meat buns, he asked, "Aren't you going to take yours?"

Wang Cheng looked at him in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Lin Qiong:?

"All of those are yours."

"...," Lin Qiong said, "When did I order so many?"

Wang Cheng replied, "Just now."

Since there were so many buns and they couldn't go to waste, Lin Qiong, with his head still being styled, started eating the buns like crazy.

"What filling is it? Smells delicious."

Lin Qiong glanced at the hairstylist, then took a bite of the bun in his hand, freeing up his hand to pull out another one from the bag. "Here, for you."

The hairstylist felt a bit embarrassed for a moment but still accepted it, saying, "Thanks. I'll make sure the hairstyle I do for you today fits your persona better."

In the next moment, Lin Qiong felt his head sway as the hairstylist raised his hand and vigorously styled his hair a few more times.

Lin Qiong: ...

Bai Ying, entering the room, witnessed this scene. She approached and asked, "What are you eating?"

Lin Qiong waved the bag in his hand, "Meat buns. Want one?"

Bai Ying looked at the plump meat buns and shook her head, "No, I never eat breakfast."

Three minutes later...

Bai Ying: "Can I have one more?"

"..."

Lin Qiong generously gave her another one.

Qin Weichu, watching from nearby, frowned. When Lin Qiong walked by, he complained, "How come you didn't give me a bun?"

Lin Qiong looked at him in confusion:?

Qin Weichu crossed his arms, "Weren't you just distributing buns? Why didn't you give me one?"

Lin Qiong: "I know you disdain food that commoners eat."

"..."

Qin Weichu, discontented, walked away.

Bai Ying approached, "Did he bother you?"

Lin Qiong: "He bothered me for a bun."

"..." Bai Ying patted his shoulder, "Don't pay him too much attention; let's get to work."

Lin Qiong nodded. Today's shoot was a scene where the next-door brother watches the female lead go to school from his bedroom window.

It was because of this scene that the female lead realized her crush was not just an elusive falling leaf but a gentle breeze guiding her.

Lin Qiong finally understood why the hairstylist had styled his hair so vigorously today – it was because the character Mu Bai was absent due to illness and had to wake up early just to watch the female lead go to school.

The young man's hair was slightly messy, his gaze fixed in one direction. Then, his plain expression lit up with interest as he watched the girl running from her home.

"Little cat."

That was a special term of endearment for the young man. The young girl, who had been running, paused, then turned around to see the young man leaning against the window, smiling at her.

The girl's heart fluttered, "Brother Mu Bai, why aren't you going to school?"

"I caught a cold."

Hearing this, the girl hurriedly said, "Then you should rest quickly, don't stay by the window and catch a cold."

Seeing Mu Bai not moving, the girl suddenly asked, "Brother Mu Bai, are you waiting for me?"

The young man's smile was radiant, and the affection in his eyes reached the girl's ears with the gentle breeze, "Yes."

"Cut! That's a wrap."

After the director's call, the makeup artist and stylist immediately approached.

Seeing the stylist, who had been pushed to the back due to slow movements, Lin Qiong spoke up, "I can do it myself."

With that, he skillfully styled his own hair a few times.

Stylist: ...