The Byoukidere Is Her Sweetie

Chapter 21: 021: Ah Fang’s background (Luo Family relationships, see postscript)

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Zhou Xufang did not set up her stall selling screen protectors today; she went to the TV station to deliver food.

There were fifteen minutes left before the live broadcast began, and the backstage crew was ready. Tang Ying had finished her makeup and sent her assistant away.

“Brother, do you really have to do this?”

Zhou Qingrang was reading a news script. “Yes.”

“The station head—” @@novelbin@@

He put down the script. His fingers, white and slender, slowly buttoned up his suit one by one. “You just cooperate with me. I’ll handle the rest.”

She had never seen him so stubborn.

Tang Ying said no more.

The assistant, Xiao Xing, came and knocked on the door. “Mr. Zhou, there’s a Miss Luo here to see you.”

Before joining the TV station, Zhou Qingrang had been a teacher in the broadcasting department for half a year. Most people at the station called him Mr. Zhou.

Tang Ying glanced at the time. “There are still fifteen minutes until the live broadcast.”

“You go prepare first.”

Zhou Qingrang pushed his wheelchair out of the break room.

The person who had come was the Luo family’s eldest granddaughter, Luo Qinghe.

“Long time no see.” She put down her teacup, stood up from the sofa, and called out, “Uncle.”

Uncle?

The assistant at the door was stunned. Mr. Zhou and the Luo family were relatives?

Click.

Zhou Qingrang closed the door, looked up, his eyes cold and clear. “You used to call me a beggar.”

Luo Qinghe’s smile remained unchanged as she stood up and exhibited perfect junior etiquette. “I was young then, and spoke silly words. I hope Uncle can forgive me.”

“You’re much like your father.” Zhou Qingrang placed his hands on the wheelchair armrests, tightening his grip. “Just as hypocritical.”

The smile on Luo Qinghe’s face faded.

“Zhou Qingrang,” she sat down, the slant of her monolid eyes slightly raised, “I respect you, but why are you refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit?”

Zhou Qingrang ignored her, raising his hand to check the time. “Ten more minutes until seven.”

Seven o’clock, the news broadcast.

His stance was clear—he wasn’t swayed by either hard or soft tactics.

Luo Qinghe smiled, pulling out a lighter. With her red lips and white teeth biting a cigarette, she lit it unhurriedly. “If I were you, I would know when to stop. Fighting against a rock with an egg is foolish.”

Zhou Qingrang lowered his head, arranging the thin blanket on his knees. His crippled legs were stiff and numb. Throughout, he remained calm and composed. “If it were just fighting against a rock with an egg, you wouldn’t be here today.”

Luo Qinghe was not surprised as she arrogantly tipped her chin up. “Are you going to fight our Luo family to the end?”

He neither confirmed nor denied it.

Luo Qinghe stubbed out her barely smoked ladies’ cigarette in the ashtray. “Fine. Let me see how capable Zhou Qingrang really is.”

She stood up, her gaze sweeping over his legs as she passed by him.

Zhou Qingrang looked up, his eyes meeting hers. “Do you know why your Luo family will die out?”

Her expression changed instantly.

Mr. Luo had two sons and one daughter. The second son had died early, leaving behind only a daughter. The eldest son, Luo Changde, was promiscuous and had numerous illegitimate daughters, but not a single son.

He spoke each word forcefully, clearly. “Because your Luo family has done too many things worse than beasts and must face retribution.”

Mr. Luo had a younger sister, named Zhi Ning, who married out while she was young.

Twenty-four years ago, Luo Zhining and her husband died in an accident, leaving behind a son and a daughter. The girl was called Qing Meng, and the boy was called Qing Rang. Both were under eighteen at the time. The next year, the siblings sought refuge with the Luo family in Imperial City. The Luo family welcomed them. At that time, the sister, Zhou Qingmeng, was under sixteen, and the brother, Zhou Qingrang, was just fourteen.

Less than a year later, Zhou Qingmeng died of an unknown illness, with rumors claiming she had an illicit affair and gave birth to a child.

In the same year, Zhou Qingrang lost his legs in a car accident and was hospitalized for many years.

As for whether Zhou Qingmeng’s child really existed and where they were… it was a forbidden topic in the Luo family, never to be mentioned.

“Secretary Han.”

Luo Qinghe sauntered down the corridor. “Is everything ready?”

On the phone, Han Feng replied, “Everything’s ready.”

“Proceed.”

“Understood.”

Luo Qinghe hung up and, rounding the corner, bumped into someone at the other end of the corridor. She held her shoulder, stumbled a few steps back, and looked up to see a pair of black eyes.

The other person was also looking at her.

Those eyes, though unfamiliar, felt vaguely familiar. Luo Qinghe looked a couple times more before recovering her composure and walking away.

Zhou Xufang was still standing there in a daze. Her ears suddenly rang, and jumbled sounds burst forth uncontrollably.

It was a childish voice.

“Get lost! You made my place dirty.”

“My mom said your mom is a fox spirit, and you’re a fool born of a fox spirit.”

“Little mute, get lost.”

“You’re not allowed to eat my family’s food!”

“Stinky beggar! Both you and your uncle are stinky beggars!”

“They said you’re an idiot.”

“Don’t play with him, he’s an idiot.”

“. . .”

Whose voice was that?

Zhou Xufang staggered backward, her head splitting with pain.

A hand supported her arm. “Careful.”

Her body stiffened and she turned her head slowly to see a pair of clear eyes.

“It’s you.”

It was him, the person she’d met once before.

She said, “Thank you.”

Zhou Qingrang rarely smiled, but his lips relaxed slightly, and the coldness in his eyes softened. “No need.”

At quarter past seven, Tianxing Entertainment issued an apology, claiming that it had investigated and found its high-level executives had abused their power to force company artists into sexual transactions, with audio recordings as evidence. All involved executives were publicly named and dismissed. Furthermore, Tianxing Entertainment would take full responsibility for all affected artists, cooperating wholeheartedly with the police investigation without evasion.

At 7:30, the news anchor, Zhou Qingrang, publicly revealed evidence of Tianxing Entertainment’s illegal sexual hospitality.

Back-to-back, the timings were too precise. Whether it was a coincidence or something more, opinions varied. Some said Tianxing’s move was to dump blame on the executives, allowing the Luo family behind the scenes to escape. Others claimed Tianxing’s response and handling were exemplary for the entertainment industry.

Exemplary?

Bullshit!

Xue Baoyi tossed his phone onto the desk. “That Luo Qinghe is really something. She can shift blame and still come out looking good. No wonder my grandpa says she inherited Mr. Luo’s cunning, full of devious tricks.”

Opposite him, Jiang Zhi was hogging his office’s leather sofa, insisting on having a clean blanket laid out before lying down, looking like a beautiful drunk, enticing everyone.

Originally, they were there to discuss a new movie. This guy, complaining that the sofa was dirty, wouldn’t lie down until a new blanket was brought. They were talking about the Luo family’s affairs when the pretty boy interrupted him, “There’s a smell of smoke, open the window.”

Xue Baoyi had smoked a cigarette before Jiang Zhi came, and thought his sense of smell was ridiculous. He opened the window. “Don’t complain about the cold now.”

After opening the window, Xue Baoyi sat back down.

Jiang Zhi kicked his leg again. “Get me another blanket.”

“. . .”

Damn it! Not even his ancestors bossed him around like this.

Fine. Considering he’s beautiful, fragile, and once saved him as a child… Xue Baoyi got another blanket and threw it over Jiang Zhi.

“You don’t seem surprised at all by this Tianxing mess. Did you expect it?”

Jiang Zhi, feeling cold, pulled the blanket tight. “The Luo family won’t fall so easily.”

True.

In Imperial City, the Luo family was among the wealthiest.

But that didn’t stop Xue Baoyi from gloating. “Even if they survive this, they’ll shed a layer of skin.”

In just a few hours, Luo family shares had plummeted, and Tianxing was even worse off. All its artists were caught in the scandal, and Xue Baoyi felt it was time to poach some talent from Tianxing, making the Luo family bleed a little more.

“What do you think happened between Zhou Qingrang and the Luo family? To be so fearless and confront them head-on. Once the Luo family smooths things over, Zhou Qingrang’s good days are numbered.”

Jiang Zhi didn’t respond.

Xue Baoyi knocked on the table. “Talking to you. Why ignore me?”

Jiang Zhi looked up, “Come here.”

What?

Xue Baoyi felt uneasy under his gaze. “What?”

Jiang Zhi shifted his position, lying sideways with his chin propped up, his eyelashes fluttering. “Come here.”

Damn!

This was seduction!

His charming peach blossom eyes were both seductive and innocent. This was definitely a fairy spirit.

Xue Baoyi remained steadfast. “Jiang Zhi, I’m really straight. Don’t ruin me. I need to carry on the family line.”

Jiang Zhi lazily reclined, but the movement made him gasp, his breath quickening. “Ruin your sister! Get over here!”

Tsk, not so cute now that he’s swearing.

Xue Baoyi hesitated but moved over reluctantly.

Jiang Zhi pulled his right hand out from under the blanket, bringing it to Xue Baoyi’s face. “Smell.”

What the hell!

Xue Baoyi was horrified. “You’re so perverted.”

Damn it, idiot! Jiang Zhi was uncomfortable, holding back his temper. “Will you smell?”

Fine.

For the sake of his beauty.

Xue Baoyi leaned in and sniffed.

“Does it smell like milk?”

He sniffed again. “Yes.”

Jiang Zhi put his hand back under the blanket. “Remember this smell. The person Z also has it.”

“Why should I remember?”

Jiang Zhi also had this milky scent, which effectively meant memorizing Jiang Zhi’s body smell. The idea made Xue Baoyi shudder with disgust.

“This brand of milk is unavailable domestically due to its price and origin, limiting its clientele and channels. Investigate and find that person.”

So, it was about finding someone?

Xue Baoyi was unhappy. “You’re asking me to find a needle in a haystack.”

“Will you do it?”

Xue Baoyi spread his hands on the sofa, exuding authority. “Brother Zhi, you’re getting too arrogant.”

Jiang Zhi ignored him, wrapping himself in the blanket and continuing to sleep.