Chapter 81
The weather gradually cooled down, and after recovering from his injury, Xiao Ziyu began to gradually resume his work in the entertainment industry, and officially took on the role of chairman of the Homecoming Foundation.
For a time, public opinion was in an uproar. There are quite a few celebrities who do charity work, but not many of them can invest their income into foundations on a long-term basis. The issue of trafficking in women has once again attracted attention, and "Mute" has already gained widespread expectations before it is even scheduled for screening.
Fans have seen Xiao Ziyu in various poses in front of the camera many times, but this is the first time they have seen him in the news wearing a suit and tie, a snow-white shirt, and attending a meeting with a group of directors. There was a slight chill on his cheeks and he spoke with confidence. Some people made a comparison and said that he had a bit of the style of Yuan Heng back then.
After the meeting, Xiao Ziyu sent the media away, took the elevator directly to the president's office, and went to Courtyard by Marriott with Yuan Heng after get off work.
Today is the first day of Yuan Ye’s photography exhibition, which uses the skylight plaza on the rooftop of Marriott. All proceeds from the auction will be used for charity.
Yuan Heng was approving the financial director's spending plan. Xiao Ziyu was sitting on the sofa, waiting for him to finish before going over to him and stamping the used pen and putting it away.
"So attentive," Yuan Heng chuckled, "It seems that Mr. Xiao is very satisfied with the Homecoming Fund."
Xiao Ziyu was exposed, but he refused to admit it: "No matter what, the fund will be launched. I did it for other reasons."
Yuan Heng raised his eyebrows: "What?"
Xiao Ziyu came closer and leaned over his desk: "Of course, Mr. Yuan performed well last night, so I want to encourage him."
Yuan Heng's breathing stagnated, and he thought to himself that the world was really going downhill, and even a dignified king had learned to tease people.
He stretched out his hand to block Xiao Ziyu's way. As expected, he was the first to blush because of a teasing remark: "You are not good enough. I didn't even feel any pain, so why did you throw away your weapons?"
The original working time was delayed by half an hour. Qi Huai was carrying lunch back to the secretary's office when he ran into the two bosses. After greeting them, they passed each other. After taking a few steps, he was puzzled as to why Mr. Xiao's face seemed a little redder than usual.
There was no one in the elevator. Xiao Ziyu suppressed his heartbeat and complained, "Who told you to put it so high? The collar can't even cover it."
Yuan Heng remained calm: "You can also find me a similar position. I promise to keep my collar open today."
The word "pervert" lingered on his lips. The elevator stopped halfway and the financial director walked in. Yuan Heng nodded majestically and turned back into the cold, abstinent and somewhat scary company president.
Wan Yi started decorating from the lobby, hanging all kinds of photos taken by Yuan Ye and his friends. Several flower baskets were placed on both sides of the door. The largest one was sent by Yuan Heng and Xiao Ziyu, and it was not signed.
This photography exhibition was well prepared. Yuan Ye invited teachers and classmates from his school, as well as many professional artists and critics. Many industry leaders also came to attend the event for Yuantai's sake. For a time, the exhibition hall became a rare social gathering place for celebrities.
This is what Yuan Heng really wants him to get in touch with, to expand his circle through hobbies, get to know more people, and achieve some results, instead of just talking about dreams and being a rich second generation who is brave but not wise.
The two stepped into the exhibition hall. Yuan Ye, wearing a shirt and vest with an artistic feel and a bow tie instead of a necktie, was introducing his works. When he was in college, he traveled to many places alone, and there was almost a story behind every photo, which even Yuan Heng found unexpected.
"He can actually do very well." Xiao Ziyu said softly.
Yuan Heng nodded without comment. Yuan Ye, who was not far away, seemed to be inspired by something and turned around: "Brother, Brother Xiao!"
For a moment, the impressive professional image faded away, and when he strode over, he still looked like a silly husky in a bow tie.
Everyone looked over, and Yuan Heng said with a tight smile: "Not bad."
Yuan Ye smiled and said, "Brother, which one do you like? I'll have someone pack it up first. The VIP price is 12% off. The more you buy, the more discounts you get."
"Since we're here, why don't you buy one for Brother Xiao?"
Yuan Heng: "..."
The dome of the Skydome Plaza is transparent, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, and the sun-proof paint softens the light, making it feel like walking through the clouds. Yuan Heng did not publicize his visit and was not considered the protagonist of the exhibition. He and Xiao Ziyu took some time to visit and admire each creation.
Yuan Ye’s photography skills are indeed excellent, capturing both natural wonders and various aspects of human life. Xiao Ziyu stopped and looked at the photo in front of him. It showed a pair of female lovers. They were both wearing wedding dresses, holding each other's arms and kissing. The sunlight shone through the top of the sculpture, casting a faint halo on their faces.
The title of the work is: "Two White Wedding Dresses".
"Hilo Park, in Hawaii," a voice came from the side at the right time, "there are gay people who can get married there."
Xiao Ziyu didn't need to glance sideways, he could catch a glimpse of Yuan Heng's figure from the corner of his eye. He nodded thoughtfully: "Really?"
In his previous life, it was against ethics for him to enter the East Palace as a man. Yuan Heng used power to suppress all objections and gave him the title of prince, which was not as embarrassing as calling him the prince's male consort.
Now, he has accepted many frameworks of modern society and is satisfied enough. He does not ask for too much and says calmly, "Let's go."
Yuan Heng, however, held his hand amidst the guests and whispered, "If you want, we can get married."
Xiao Ziyu, whose fingers were hooked by him, also lowered his voice: "But I heard that modern society emphasizes free love, and proposals are required before marriage."
It was quite ceremonial. Yuan Heng chuckled: "Then I'll propose to you, will you agree?"
How could he ask for the answer in advance? Xiao Ziyu couldn't help but smile: "Of course I'll know after I ask."
Yuan Heng pulled his arm to stop him from leaving, and said forcefully: "I am a businessman. I will only do projects with a success rate of more than 90%. I strive to reduce consumables and hit the target with one shot."
Xiao Ziyu raised his eyebrows: "What about the 10% risk?"
"When doing a project, it's about cutting losses in time and reflecting on the situation," Yuan Heng said. "If it's about proposing, I'll try again and again until you say yes."
Xiao Ziyu was stunned. He didn't expect Yuan Heng to say such sarcastic words in public. Looking at the two happy girls in the photo, he felt his ears getting hot.
He whispered, "Tell Yuan Ye that I want this painting."
The whole afternoon was for exhibitions, and there would be a party in the evening. It was Yuan Ye's first time organizing it, so it was inevitable that he would be unfamiliar with some aspects. Yuan Heng was in charge at the Courtyard by Marriott the whole time, and when he was tired, he and Xiao Ziyu would go to the suite to rest.
Every Courtyard by Marriott reserves suites for high-level VIPs all year round. Xiao Ziyu still remembers the first time he stayed in a suite on the 30th floor of Courtyard by Marriott. He didn't even know how to use the bathtub and made a fool of himself.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed, and he punched the person next to him: "Since the first time we met, you have been watching me make a fool of myself."
Clouds passed by the sky, dyed orange by the setting sun. Yuan Heng hugged him from behind and said calmly under the setting sun: "Do you know what it feels like to lose and then regain?"
Xiao Ziyu shook his head, and the ends of his hair brushed against his chin, causing a slight itch.
"It's not joy or relief," Yuan Heng said slowly, "it's fear."
"I'm worried about losing it again, so I don't dare to get close. I have to confirm it again and again before I can reach out. I'm also afraid that you won't like it..."
Before he could finish his words, Xiao Ziyu turned over and hugged him, wrapping his slender arms around his broad back, and even their hearts beat together through their chests, until it was impossible to tell you from me.
"Not again," he promised quietly.
The exhibition went smoothly as planned, and most of the works were auctioned off. Yuan Heng bought the rest at the original price and donated them directly to the Homecoming Foundation.
The evening party was Yuan Ye's home turf. When the two were about to leave, they didn't know who leaked the news to the media.
Entertainment reporters surrounded and intercepted them downstairs of the Marriott Hotel and took photos of them appearing in the hotel at the same time.
The topic topped the trending searches that night, and the two had quarreled more than once or twice, and even their fans tacitly acknowledged that their relationship was more than that of ordinary friends. Some media even daringly speculated that since the two disappeared for such a long time at the same time, there was a high probability that they went abroad to get their marriage certificate.
This time, Xiao Ziyu did not publicly deny it, but posted a seemingly ambiguous explanation on Weibo: "I went to the hotel to attend my brother's photography exhibition and gained a lot."
At the same time, Yuan Heng also updated a message: "The revolution has not yet succeeded, and we still need to work hard."
Both of them are actors, and most of their fans are just watching the show. They even started to speculate whether Mr. Yuan failed to win her heart or his proposal was rejected. Some were bold enough to go directly to Yuan Heng's Weibo and ask, "When did you get together?"
Fan groups have been forming teams and coming up with ideas on how to propose in a more touching way.
The harmonious voices drowned out the occasional question or two. Yuan Heng picked up the comment "When did you get together" and replied: In the previous life.
There was no subject or object, so fans treated it as a hipster joke and took the opportunity when Yuan Heng was online to ask when he would shoot a new movie and whether he would appear on the show.
Yuan Heng was in a good mood and was about to reply to a few more comments when he heard the bathroom door being opened. Xiao Ziyu came to question him with wet hair that he had not had time to wipe.
He had no intention of resisting and let the phone be snatched away. Xiao Ziyu said angrily: "You are too obvious."
The body that had just taken a shower was steaming with water vapor, and it was soft in the bathrobe. Yuan Heng pulled him to lie on top of him, and took a towel to wipe his hair: "Let me take a dose of vaccination first. If something is photographed by the media one day, it was me who pursued you first. This is a normal relationship for us."
Xiao Ziyu loved and hated it, but his scalp was massaged so comfortably that he gradually lost his energy. He raised his hand and poked Yuan Heng's chest, wanting to say something harsh, but someone held his fingertips. Yuan Heng said in a low and hoarse voice: "If you poke me again, I'll feel something."
Xiao Ziyu was stunned, and blurted out in shame and anger: "Believe it or not, I will poke a hole in you here in this life."
Yuan Heng thought it was just a scratch from a cat, and he easily caught the paw pad that did the evil, and squeezed it leisurely: "It's an honor."
After saying that, Xiao Ziyu couldn't react and directly used his strength to press the man under him.
Xiao Ziyu came out in a hurry and only wrapped himself in a bathrobe. At this moment, he was completely defenseless and bit Yuan Heng's shoulder impatiently.
The stinging pain aroused his arrogant nature. Yuan Heng used his arms to lift the person up and hold him against the bed. It was unclear whether he was warning or comforting him: "Don't cry later."
The previous abrasions on his body had formed scars, and each one was like a fresh coordinate that had been kissed by Yuan Heng. A slight gnawing sensation came from his chest. Xiao Ziyu stood on tiptoe, but still could not escape from this small confinement.
Xiao Ziyu didn't like to beg for mercy, but he really couldn't get away. He grabbed the bed sheet and cried, but even his tears were swallowed.
The moon was hanging high in the sky, and he fell into a deep sleep in the crook of Yuan Heng's neck. His hand was half clenched into a fist, grabbing one of Yuan Heng's fingers.
In the early morning, Yuan Heng was the first to open his eyes. He was shirtless, with his home pants hanging loosely on his hips, and went to clean up the mess on the floor. Otherwise Xiao Ziyu would get angry with him again when he wakes up and sees it.
As soon as he left, Xiao Ziyu lost his support and fell limply on the bed. Unable to feel the warm cushion of flesh, he also woke up.
Yuan Heng happened to return to his room, and saw shocking red marks on his back, each of which had a deep origin. Ruifeng's eyes widened slightly, and Xiao Ziyu collapsed and said, "Put on your clothes."
Yuan Heng always responded positively afterward, so he put on his bathrobe and applied the ointment to the man.
Xiao Ziyu felt a chill on his chest and felt a little uncomfortable. He diverted his attention and picked up his phone. Last night's incident was gradually over, and the online discussions became more friendly. The expected bloody scene did not come. Perhaps Yuan Heng was right. He should desensitize the fans first so that it would not be too shocking if it was made public.
Not only that, an old variety show also noticed their popularity and sent Yuantai an invitation for cooperation early in the morning.
"What is this?" Xiao Ziyu leaned against Yuan Heng to read the email and read the title, "Tripper?"
"It's a foreign travel variety show," Yuan Heng reminded, "recruiting guests from all over the world. Chen Churan participated in this before."
It looked quite novel. Xiao Ziyu scrolled down the email to confirm: "Did you invite both of us?"
Yuan Heng nodded and said, "We will go to Hawaii this time."
"What?" Xiao Ziyu didn't react.
"Shiloh Church, the filming location of Two White Wedding Dresses." Yuan Heng pinched his earlobe, "Don't you want to go and see it?"
The main text will be finished tomorrow.
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