After Marrying My Silly Childhood Friend - Chapter 10
The company leaders took turns giving speeches, and it was almost dinnertime.
The hotel had prepared dinner, and waiters began bringing in dishes one after another as the lights in the room dimmed.
Zuo Nian quietly shifted his chair, scooting closer to Duan Baisui.
The company executives at the same table kept chatting with Duan Baisui.
The topics they discussed went over Zuo Nian’s head, so he naturally couldn’t join in.
He listened quietly. When everyone laughed, he followed suit.
This continued until everyone started eating.
Duan Baisui naturally arranged the utensils for Zuo Nian and even served him food.
Finally, someone couldn’t help but ask, “Young Chairman Duan, this person is…”
At that moment, Zuo Nian was stuffing a cream roll into his mouth. Hearing this, he looked up at Duan Baisui.
He had never appeared with Duan Baisui at any formal events.
To this day, few people knew that Zuo Nian was Duan Baisui’s partner.
Having grown up hearing others call him a “fool,” Zuo Nian began to feel anxious. He feared that Duan Baisui might not want to acknowledge his identity and that he had never been recognized by Duan Baisui from the start.
But to his surprise, Duan Baisui showed no hesitation and said solemnly, “I haven’t introduced him yet. This is my Omega, Zuo Nian. I thought our matching outfits would make it obvious, but it seems they weren’t clear enough.”
He seemed to be in a good mood. His usually stern face even carried a smile as he cracked a joke.
Zuo Nian’s emotions surged.
Holding back the urge to cry, he quickly sat up straight. After swallowing everything in his mouth, he politely greeted, “Hello, everyone.”
“Oh, hello, hello,” everyone responded. “What a perfect match.”
“I heard Mr. Zuo and Young Mr. Duan have known each other for a long time?”
Duan Baisui smiled faintly. “Yes.”
Zuo Nian added, “We’ve known each other since we were five.”
“Childhood sweethearts, hahaha.”
“Mr. Zuo is so handsome, no wonder Young Chairman Duan couldn’t bear to show you off.”
“Look at this. With Mr. Zuo sitting here, all our company’s artists pale in comparison.”
Zuo Nian rarely heard so many compliments from strangers.
Next to Duan Baisui, no one dared to call him a fool or belittle him. Instead, they even sang praises.
Even if they secretly thought the couple’s relationship might not be harmonious. Otherwise, why hadn’t they gone public for so long? What they said aloud was that Young Chairman Duan couldn’t bear to let others see his beloved.
What a sophisticated display of social finesse.
Performances by artists began on stage.
Zuo Nian saw many people he had only ever seen on television.
He wanted to take out his phone to snap some pictures but was afraid of embarrassing Duan Baisui in this setting.
He looked on eagerly, clapping along with the others.
At that moment, a man in a gray suit walked over.
The man had delicate features, wore gold-rimmed glasses with slender chains hanging on either side, and exuded an aura of refined restraint.
Zuo Nian recognized him at a glance, this was Ju Xiao, who had recently been a victim of bullying.
He was now vastly different from before, appearing more composed and confident.
Holding a wine glass, he approached Duan Baisui and said respectfully, “Young Chairman Duan, I am truly grateful for what you did earlier. I haven’t had the chance to thank you in person. It’s an honor to meet you today, and I’d like to toast you.”
Duan Baisui’s expression remained neutral. He raised his glass and clinked it against Ju Xiao’s, saying, “I would have done the same for any artist.”
Ju Xiao said, “I know. You’re a good person. An exceptionally good boss.”
As he spoke, Ju Xiao bowed slightly. “I’m sorry for causing you trouble. Thank you for your care during this time.”
Duan Baisui said, “Handling internal company matters is part of my job. You don’t need to dwell on it. Focus on recovering quickly, and if you have any issues, reach out to your therapist or your agent.”
“Okay, I understand,” Ju Xiao replied.
Ju Xiao finished his drink. Noticing Zuo Nian’s gaze, he turned and gave him a friendly smile, bowing slightly as a greeting.
Zuo Nian beamed brightly and leaned forward slightly to nod in return.
After Ju Xiao left, many other artists came over to toast.
Zuo Nian couldn’t drink alcohol. Whenever someone stood up, he stood as well, holding a glass of juice to join in.
He barely ate anything all evening, spending most of the time drinking and listening to compliments.
As time went on, artists who had work the next day started leaving early.
Finally, as the crowd thinned out, Zuo Nian spotted Lu Li, the lead actor of New Bamboo.
The man sat casually, his long legs crossed naturally, one arm lazily draped over the back of his chair as he fiddled with his phone, seemingly texting someone.
Zuo Nian tugged on Duan Baisui’s sleeve and whispered, “Can I go ask for his autograph?”
Duan Baisui followed his gaze. Lu Li’s table wasn’t far, and most of the people there had already left. He said, “Go ahead.”
Before leaving home today, Zuo Nian had deliberately grabbed some paper and a pen from the store.
When he changed clothes, he put them in his vest pocket.
Now, he took out the small notebook and pen and walked toward Lu Li.
There weren’t many people left at Lu Li’s table. Including him, only four remained.
No one was really interacting. Some were making calls, while others watched the performances.
Zuo Nian approached Lu Li nervously yet politely and said, “He-hello, Mr. Lu Li. Could you give me an autograph?”
Lu Li looked up in surprise, putting away his phone to take a look.
The man had captivating peach blossom eyes that seemed to exude deep emotion even when looking at a dog. With a straight nose, thin lips, and a sharply defined jawline, he had the quintessential look of a playboy.
He smiled and asked, “Are you new here?”
Zuo Nian didn’t quite understand what he meant by “new” and assumed he was asking if it was his first time here.
He nodded and replied, “Mn.”
Lu Li reached out to take the paper and pen, joking, “Your notebook is so small. With my usual signature, I’d have to use one page per letter.”
Zuo Nian replied shyly, “If it were too big, it’d be hard to carry.”
He couldn’t exactly attend the annual meeting with a sketch pad, could he?
Lu Li held up the small notebook and said, “It’s actually pretty cute.”
With that, he flamboyantly signed his name in the notebook.
Then he asked, “What’s your name?”
“Zuo Nian,” Zuo Nian replied earnestly. “The Zuo from ‘left and right’ and the Nian from ‘years upon years.’”
Lu Li said, “Let me give you a personalized signature.”
“Oh,” Zuo Nian exclaimed, grinning broadly. “Thank you so much.”
“Lu Ge, why are you in such a good mood today? Even giving personalized signatures?” Teased a woman sitting closest to Lu Li.
Without looking up, Lu Li replied, “Who knows? We might work together someday.”
Zuo Nian recognized the woman, her name was Huo Lian.
She was the second female lead in New Bamboo.
Her role was highly memorable.
Although she constantly opposed the male and female leads in the early part of the story, often scheming against the heroine and her friends, her later sacrifice for her country—donning the battle flag and standing unyielding as she was pierced by countless arrows—brought everyone to tears.
Zuo Nian nodded to greet the woman. “Hello. Your performance as Princess Tingyue was amazing. Could you also give me an autograph?”
Huo Lian smiled faintly. “I’ve seen so much criticism online that I thought no one liked this character.”
“No, she’s incredibly charming. She’s just… growing,” Zuo Nian said, struggling to express his thoughts.
Huo Lian sighed. “Ah, if only everyone thought like you, little junior. Lately, the criticism has almost made me depressed.”
Being able to talk to actors he admired, Zuo Nian shyly scratched his head.
Lu Li handed the notebook to Huo Lian and said nonchalantly, “Sign one for the little junior?”
Huo Lian took it. “Of course.”
“Little junior, want to take a photo together?” Lu Li asked with a grin.
Zuo Nian was pleasantly surprised. “C-Can I?”
“Of course.” Lu Li said considerately.
Zuo Nian took out his phone and switched the camera. Just as Lu Li leaned in and was about to place his arm around Zuo Nian’s shoulder, Duan Baisui approached.
His expression returned to its usual frosty demeanor. He asked, “Taking a photo?”
“Gege.” Zuo Nian said.
“Gege?” Lu Li repeated.
At this moment, Huo Lian had finished signing her name. She stood up and greeted Duan Baisui, “Young Chairman Duan.”
“Mn.” Duan Baisui nodded slightly.
Huo Lian handed the notebook to Zuo Nian, but it was intercepted mid-air by Duan Baisui.
He casually flipped through it before closing it.
Lu Li remarked, “So this beautiful Omega isn’t our little junior but Young Chairman Duan’s younger brother?”
Duan Baisui smiled faintly. “He’s my partner. We’re married.”
Lu Li: ???
Huo Lian: !!!
“Gege, can you help us take a picture?” Zuo Nian, oblivious to the strange atmosphere, asked.
Duan Baisui glanced at Lu Li and said, “Sure.”
“Huo Laoshi, can we?” Zuo Nian asked Huo Lian.
“Of course.” Huo Lian replied.
Zuo Nian stood in the middle, with Huo Lian and Lu Li on either side of him. Both kept their distance, their poses stiff.
After the photo was taken, Zuo Nian thanked them both. “Thank you so much.”
After Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian left, Lu Li said worriedly, “Will my acting career end today?”
Huo Lian patted him sympathetically on the shoulder. “Who told you to flirt with everyone you meet?”
Lu Li said, “Didn’t they say Young Chairman Duan’s spouse is a fool…”
Huo Lian quickly elbowed him, glancing around nervously and lowering her voice. “Are you crazy? You can’t just say things like that!”
Lu Li immediately shut his mouth.
Upon reflection, Mr. Zuo’s speech had been a bit strained, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as the rumors that claimed he was incapable of managing daily life.
Rather than calling him a fool, it would be more accurate to describe him as a trendy “adorable idiot beauty.”
With his looks and personality, he would be incredibly popular in the entertainment industry.
But… he’d also easily become prey for the wolves.
Someone this naive about the world was better off staying hidden at home.
…
After the annual meeting ended, Duan Baisui took Zuo Nian to the car.
The driver in the front seat, ever professional, automatically lowered the partition to give them some privacy.
Zuo Nian stared at Duan Baisui’s suit pocket and said softly, “Gege, my autographs…”
Duan Baisui glanced at him. “Do you like Lu Li that much?”
Zuo Nian blinked his big eyes and corrected him, “It’s not liking, it’s admiration.”
“Is there a difference?” Duan Baisui’s tone was indifferent as he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes as if to rest.
“Of course.” Zuo Nian explained earnestly.
“Liking means you like everything about them. Your heart beats faster, you want to be near them, you miss them when you can’t see them, and you might even… cry because of them.”
“Admiration is just… simply thinking they’re good in some way. Mm, yes, that’s it.”
“I admire Lu Li’s acting skills. That’s not the same as liking him.”
Zuo Nian rambled on and on, only to look up and see that Duan Baisui had fallen asleep.
Zuo Nian sighed. “Ah, bad Gege.”
Nian Nian hadn’t done anything wrong, but Gege still confiscated his autographs.
He pouted in dissatisfaction.
The Alpha, as if he had eyes on the side of his head, said, “Left pocket. Take it yourself.”
Zuo Nian happily reached into the pocket and pulled out his notebook.
Lu Li had not only signed his name but also written: “To the cutest Xiao Nian Nian.”
Next to it was a drawn heart.
Huo Lian’s signature on the second page was also personalized but not as flamboyant as Lu Li’s.
Zuo Nian said happily, “They both personalized it. They’re so nice and not arrogant at all.”
Duan Baisui didn’t even open his eyes. It was unclear whether he made an “Mm” or a “Hmph,” but it was barely audible.
Zuo Nian guessed he was tired. He carefully put away the notebook, sat upright, and didn’t dare say another word.
He silently thought to himself that he must give Gege a massage when they got home to make him feel better.