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Shang Guang didn’t dare to say that it was kinda weird to hang their jackets on the wall in that manner. In the end, he took the jackets down for dry cleaning. When he rehung the jackets onto the wall, the jackets emitted the fresh scent of newly washed clothing.
Shang Guang was feeling faint from the strong smell of detergent.
He was utterly speechless and was silently cursing. ‘Is this the foul smell of love?’
He hadn’t expected this from a contractual marriage.
“You’ve worked hard,” Xi Chengyun said as he took a seat on the sofa and opened a bag of food. “It’s time to give you a pay raise after the New Year’s holidays are over.”
This was music to Shang Guang’s ears.
Shang Guang immediately walked towards the sofa and sat down before whispering, “Thank you, Xi-ge! Also, have you looked through the script that I sent you before the New Year’s? How was it? Should I try to fit it into your schedule?”
“There’s no need for that. My only focus now is to participate in ‘The Perfectly Wedded Pair’. We could discuss the rest later on,” Xi Chengyun said as he paused and looked up at the bedroom door that had just been shut.
Bai Qi had gone to his bedroom to take a bath.
Xi Chengyun then continued, “I don’t mind taking a look at shows that are interested in inviting Bai Qi.”
“Are you suddenly trying to compensate for the lack of appearances on variety shows over the past few years?” Shang Guang asked, looking conflicted.
‘Or was it entirely for Bai Qi?’
‘Fair enough, perhaps it’s for the agreement instead. This is just how Xi-ge is, he doesn’t like being indebted to anyone.’
“I’ve had enough of being in movies and dramas for a while,” Xi Chengyun said with a soft smile.
Xi Chengyun was the only man on earth who was entitled to say that.
His career skyrocketed as soon as he entered the industry; he had worked with countless directors, from most of the award-winning ones to a few that were more or less under the radar.
Excluding the few endorsement projects he did, Xi Chengyun’s first seven years of his career could be summarized in one word: Acting.
He built a solid foundation for himself. Even if he were to leave the industry at this very moment, he’d have enough resources and fame to sustain him for the next 30 years or so.
It was also at this moment where Shang Guang realized that despite being Xi Chengyun’s manager for so many years, it’s unlikely he’ll ever be able to become one of the closest people in Xi Chengyun’s life.
‘If Xi-ge were to decide to leave the entertainment industry, I wouldn’t be able to do anything to stop him.’
Shang Guang carefully phrased himself and asked, “When we receive movie scripts in the future, would you still like me to I forward them to you?”
Just then, the door opened, and Bai Qi walked into the room in an oversized hoodie.
Xi Chengyun looked up for a moment and said, “Let’s talk about that at a later date.”
Shang Guang agreed flatly. He lingered for a while before taking out the trash and leaving.
“Are you alright with starting work right after the holidays are over?” Xi Chengyun passed a pair of chopsticks to Bai Qi and asked.
“Of course, that wouldn’t be an issue at all!” Bai Qi eagerly replied.
‘Now that Peng Wanli is out of the picture, after I receive the appearance fees from the shows
 plus with the amount Xi Chengyun has previously given to me, perhaps
 I’ll be able to repurchase our old house?’
Bai Qi’s grip on the chopsticks tightened. He was suddenly glowing with anticipation.


The two of them stayed in Xi Chengyun’s apartment for two days before going back to the Bai family’s house.
When they arrived, they realized that Papa Bai seemed to have calmed down. The look in Su Meixian’s eyes was as gentle as usual. No signs of negative emotions could be detected. The four of them cooked together. A full table of food was prepared, including saltwater shrimp, braised pork ball in brown sauce, and boiled beef.
Papa Bai took out a bottle of wine, but kept it away soon after. “Forget it. The vocal cords of celebrities are much too precious to be meddled with.”
Instead, he poured two glasses of juice before he raised his glass and said, “Cheers.” He then continued seriously, “First off, I’m truly grateful for the help from Mr. Xi. I’d definitely repay your kindness in the future when there’s a chance. However
 if Mr. Xi doesn’t treat our Qi Qi well, I will
”
Bai Qi kicked him in the shin. “Stop it, come on, let’s eat.”
Papa Bai had no choice but to obey. He obediently took his juice and sat down properly. ‘I can no longer control him.’
However, he definitely saw eye-to-eye with Xi Chengyun right now. Glad they were on the same page.
If Xi didn’t love his son, who on earth would care to help them with all this mess? And Papa Bai was truly touched by this gesture.
Xi Chengyun held the glass of juice in his hand and politely smiled. “You have my word. I will treat Qi Qi well.”
Bai Qi had felt awkward when he attempted to get his dad to shut up by kicking him. Yet, Xi Chengyun chose to continue the conversation.
This wasn’t simply a matter of crossing the line
 The scenario playing out in front of him felt oddly realistic, as if everything was turning from a lie to reality.
He bit his lip and decided it was best if he were to just stuff his face with food.

 No wonder people say that marriage is a sacred act, not to mention the act of bringing your significant other back home to meet your parents.
At this moment, he felt like he couldn’t put up the act any longer.
Bai Qi unknowingly chewed on his chopstick, and Xi Chengyun’s gaze lingered on him before moving away.
Bai Qi had two bowls of rice at one go.