After Marrying My Silly Childhood Friend - Chapter 4

The next day began with a morning meeting.

They discussed how to handle Hu Chun and whether to disband the TR boy band.

The other company executives believed that Ju Xiao was the least prominent member of the group, whereas Rong Jin, being the young master of Rongchuang Group, had the highest popularity and commercial value.

They felt it wasn’t worth ruining relations with Rong Jin for Ju Xiao’s sake.

Duan Baisui asked, “So what are you suggesting?”

“We can kick Ju Xiao out of the TR boy band and put him on ice for now. Once the controversy dies down…”

Duan Baisui interrupted, “Once the controversy dies down, he’ll disappear completely. You’re all well aware of how realistic this industry is.”

The talent management director said, “But if we terminate our contract with Rong Jin, the company will suffer significant losses. He has numerous endorsements, and his fans are the ones most willing to spend money.”

Duan Baisui replied, “An artist’s commercial value doesn’t represent their character. Someone lacking in morals doesn’t deserve to be an idol.”

At this point, everyone realized that Duan Baisui was determined to blacklist Rong Jin.

The art director said, “Young Mr. Duan, I think we shouldn’t act impulsively. Ju Xiao’s situation is indeed sympathetic, but who in this industry hasn’t faced hardships? Besides, if Ju Xiao is willing to settle privately, Rongchuang will likely compensate him generously.”

“If he’s willing to stay in the TR boy band, the PR department can handle this. If not, he can go solo.”

Duan Baisui didn’t say a word, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop—a clear sign of his impatience.

“If this matter escalates, it could also affect the company’s reputation.”

“Young Mr. Duan, I think we should take the long view. What artist doesn’t have some dirt on them? Rong Jin’s issue is minor in comparison, and besides, maybe this really is something Ju Xiao staged himself. If Chairman Duan were here…”

The group’s chatter gave Duan Baisui a headache.

Duan Baisui interrupted coldly, “If my father were here, he wouldn’t waste this much time on you.”

After the meeting, Duan Baisui received a call from Qin Li.

The bl00d test results were out, indicating that Ju Xiao may have been injected with a banned substance in an attempt to forcibly change his secondary gender.

Although Ju Xiao hadn’t developed glands yet, he reported experiencing symptoms similar to an Omega in heat.

If all of this was Rong Jin’s doing, it wasn’t just morally reprehensible but also illegal.

According to the AO Regulatory Bureau, changing one’s secondary gender requires psychological evaluation by a professional institution, and the results determine whether the change is permissible.

Moreover, gender-altering drugs carry significant risks and potential dependency, so their misuse by non-professionals is strictly prohibited.

In fact, many such drugs are classified as contraband.

If Rong Jin disregarded someone’s consent and forcibly used banned substances on them, sufficient evidence could immediately lead to charges against him.

“Did Ju Xiao say anything?” Duan Baisui asked.

“The psychologist is still talking to him.” Qin Li replied. “Oh, by the way, it’s your wife’s father.”

That’s right—Ason was one of the top psychologists in the city. He had previously provided counseling for many artists, and given his close ties to the Duan family, it was only natural for Luo Yin to reach out to him.

“Mn, I’ll head over immediately.”

When Duan Baisui arrived at the hospital, Ason was in the hallway talking to Qin Li.

The man was tall, his striking blond hair standing out.

He was of mixed Chinese and American heritage, with delicate Asian-like features and eyes as blue as the ocean.

Well-maintained and with elegant manners, he stood out wherever he went, rivaling even the top celebrities of the moment.

“Dad.” Duan Baisui greeted.

The man turned around, his smile wide and welcoming. “Sui Sui, you’re here!”

When Duan Baisui was young, Ason and Zuo Jun often took him out to play.

At that time, they hadn’t yet adopted Zuo Nian and treated Duan Baisui like their own son, especially Ason, who would practically try to bring the whole mall back for him whenever they went out.

Of course, they knew Duan Baisui didn’t lack anything, but they just couldn’t help wanting to give him the best.

Even after adopting Zuo Nian, their love for Duan Baisui didn’t diminish, which is why he had such a close relationship with Zuo Jun and Ason.

“Thank you for taking the trouble to come.” Duan Baisui said.

Ason replied, “Don’t mention it, it’s my job.”

Having lived in the country for over twenty years, Ason’s Chinese was now very fluent.

“Alright, you two talk. I’ll head back to the office.” Qin Li interjected.

Duan Baisui nodded. “Alright, thank you.”

After Qin Li left, Duan Baisui and Ason moved to a different spot to talk.

Duan Baisui asked, “Dad, did Ju Xiao say anything?”

“He seems to be very afraid of that person.” Ason began. “They isolated him, intentionally made him redo scenes during filming, kicked him into water multiple times, barged into his room at night, forbade him from sleeping on the bed, and handcuffed him to the toilet. If he dared to call for help, they would shove crushed bread into his mouth.”

Duan Baisui listened quietly, able to imagine Ju Xiao’s helplessness and despair.

“But he said he could endure all of that,” Ason added, “until Rong Jin said he was going to turn him into an Omega and often threatened him, saying that once he really differentiated, they’d gamble on something big.”

“Gamble on what?” Duan Baisui pressed.

“On a child.” Ason said, looking at Duan Baisui. “Do you know what that means?”

Duan Baisui did know.

He had heard that certain circles of wealthy heirs often played this game.

Several people would have relations with one person, causing them to become pregnant. Ten months later, they would test to see who the father was—just to see whose “swimmer” was the fastest.

It was utterly absurd.

“Ju Xiao lived in constant fear until he experienced a false heat. That day, he was almost assaulted by a teammate. The trauma from that incident caused him to mentally collapse, leading to hallucinations where he saw glands growing on his wrists, which drove him to self-harm.”

Typically, Alpha and Omega glands are located on the back of the neck, but when forced by drugs, glands might grow elsewhere.

Some might grow on the inner thighs, while others might appear on the wrists.

Duan Baisui was silent for a moment before asking, “Is he willing to press charges against Rong Jin now?”

“He’s always been willing, but his former manager threatened him, so he kept quiet.” Ason explained.

“Thank you, Dad. With him willing to speak up, it will be much easier to resolve the issue.” Duan Baisui said.

Ason smiled. “No need to thank me. It’s my job, and besides, that child is truly pitiful.”

“I’ll have Assistant Luo talk to him later. No matter what, the company won’t cover this up.” Duan Baisui said firmly.

Ason nodded, then glanced at his watch and said, “It’s getting late. Want to grab lunch together?”

Duan Baisui had been thinking the same and replied, “Sure.”

The restaurant they reserved was near New Era Plaza, so the two decided to pick up Zuo Nian on the way.

They called on the way, but no one answered. Ason worriedly said, “Could his phone have been stolen again?”

Since opening his shop, some people had noticed Zuo Nian’s differences from others and often took advantage of his slow reactions to steal things from his store.

His most frequently stolen item was his phone.

Installing surveillance cameras didn’t help; the thieves wore hats and masks, making their faces unidentifiable.

They came periodically, always different people, making it nearly impossible for Zuo Nian to guard against them.

Duan Baisui parked the car and said to Ason, “Dad, please wait in the car. I’ll go get him.”

“Alright.”

When he arrived at the alley on the first floor, Duan Baisui spotted Zuo Nian squatting by the shop entrance, seemingly busy with something.

As he got closer, he saw that Zuo Nian was breaking pieces of sausage into a small plastic tray.

Hearing footsteps, Zuo Nian looked up, his expression shifting from confusion to delight, and he called out crisply, “Gege!”

“What are you doing?” Duan Baisui asked.

“The little cat doesn’t have a mom and is hungry. It came to Nian Nian for help earlier, but the customers scared it away. Nian Nian couldn’t find it, so I thought if it came back later, it’d have something to eat.” Zuo Nian explained earnestly.

On such a cold day, who knew if the cat would return?

Duan Baisui didn’t voice the cruel possibility. Instead, he said, “Alright. Close the shop, we’re going out to eat.”

“Okay~” Zuo Nian ran back into the shop to grab the keys and lock up.

When he came out carrying his small bag, he looked at his phone in surprise and said, “Huh? Pretty Dad called Nian Nian so many times…”

Just as he was about to call back, Duan Baisui said, “No need. Dad is waiting for us in the car. You should keep your phone with you.”

Zuo Nian pouted slightly and said, “When I put it in my pocket, it always falls out. When I hang it around my neck, it falls too. So, Nian Nian locked it in the drawer. This way, no one can steal it.”

For Zuo Nian, this was probably the best anti-theft method.

Duan Baisui didn’t comment further and simply said, “Let’s go.”

The two arrived at the parking lot, where Ason had already stepped out of the back seat and was looking in their direction.

Zuo Nian ran over and threw himself into Ason’s arms, happily calling out, “Dad!”

Ason patted his head affectionately, his face full of doting love. “Baby, oh dear, let me see. You’ve gained weight.”

Zuo Nian pinched his belly and said, “Nian Nian have gained weight! Gege bought so much candy to keep at home, and the housekeeper keeps making late-night snacks for Nian Nian. Nian Nian gained eight pounds!”

As he said this, he seemed to make a firm resolution and declared, “Need to lose weight!”

“Lose what? You’re still young and growing.” Ason said lovingly.

Zuo Nian frowned and said, “Dad is trying to fool me again. I read online that at twenty-five, you stop growing and only gain fat.”

Ason laughed at him, and even Duan Baisui couldn’t help but smile.

The family got into the car, and Ason said, “Sui Sui, your dad and the others are coming back next week. Let’s have dinner together.”

Not long ago, Xu Yi was diagnosed with glandular obstruction syndrome.

Although it wasn’t a life-threatening illness, the treatment process was particularly lengthy and very taxing for an Omega.

Duan Yan had been so anxious he couldn’t sleep at night. Eventually, he left the company behind and took Xu Yi abroad for treatment.

“Alright,” Duan Baisui agreed.

Zuo Nian chimed in, “I had a video call with Xu Dad this morning. Both Xu Dad and Duan Dad have lost weight. When they come back, Nian Nian will make lots of delicious food for them, and for Fat Dad and Pretty Dad, too.”

Ason pinched Zuo Nian’s cheek and said, “What a sweet baby.”

Zuo Nian ate very little at lunch and skipped dinner entirely.

When Duan Baisui returned home from work, he saw that Zuo Nian had put away all the snacks and was using the treadmill.

Zuo Nian rarely exercised, so after this session, he was completely exhausted, lying motionless on the bed.

Duan Baisui was impressed, thinking that Zuo Nian had such strong willpower.

After all, Zuo Nian loved snacks the most.

But when the lights were off and the bedroom plunged into darkness, he heard Zuo Nian murmur, “Gege, isn’t a rabbit as big as Xiao Sui usually ready to be cooked i

nto a dry pot rabbit dish?”

Duan Baisui got up, turned on the light, and asked, “Want some instant noodles?”

Zuo Nian shook his head and lifted his pillow, revealing a stash of snacks hidden underneath.

“Gege, do you mind if I eat a little cookie in bed?”