The two went back to the training room, looking like good bros with their arms around each other’s shoulder once again.
Wang Chao didn’t have a nasty expression plastered on at all times as well . He obediently followed Xie Zhuxing as he learned the choreography of the main song. Although progress was slow, it seemed that he was at least seriously paying attention.
Ji Jie and the other teachers were sitting on the side, resting, and drinking water. They quietly gave Xie Zhuxing a thumbs up.
Xie Zhuxing returned a smile hurriedly.
Wang Chao was twisting his crotch in an awkward position when he saw their interaction. “What are you laughing at? Am I dancing wrong again?” he asked.
“No, you’re doing well. I’m smiling because I’m happy for you.”
In the afternoon, they went to the company’s cafeteria for lunch. When they sat down, Duan Yikun also came over with a plate in his hands.
Other than Wang Chao, everyone else wanted to stand up to greet him, but Duan Yikun waved his hand. “Sit, sit. There’s no need to be so formal in the future either.”
He sat down on the side and asked about their morning practice. He then said, “I’ve already scheduled an appointment for your promotional photos and videos for this weekend. You’ll be recording next Tuesday and shooting the MV for the main song next Wednesday. You guys have to face these tasks with all of your energy. Work hard, practice hard.”
Everybody nodded, showing that they’ll give it their all.
Duan Yikun suddenly said, “Wang Chao, I heard that you’re close with Liang Xi?”
Who’s Liang Xi? He was a senior within the entertainment circle who has a high reputation doing reality shows. So when the members heard Duan Yikun, they all looked at Wang Chao with a surprised expression.
“…What about it?” Wang Chao said.
“He just signed a contract for a new program and the first broadcast time is coincidentally the day after the drop of your main song. I contacted the TV station and the guests have already been finalized. You guys are newcomers, so it’s hard to place you guys in. I don’t think it’ll be able to pass through the officials, so perhaps you can contact him privately. Even if it’s just mentioning the group name or your guys’ song, the effect will be much greater than our ordinary publicity,” Duan Yikun said.
Wang Chao was a bit hesitant and said, “If we can’t get into his program then we’ll just go on another one. Why do we have to bother him?”
Duan Yikun said, “The summer period is about to end, meaning that the guaranteed ratings for reality shows are also coming to an end. September and October is the off-season for variety shows. It’s not too big of a topic, and Liang Xi is very popular, so whatever topic he brings up will also carry some popularity. Of course, if you don’t want to bother him, then just pretend like I didn’t say anything.”
Wang Chao didn’t answer him.
Duan Yikun smiled. “Then you guys hurry up and eat. I’ll go over there since it’s hard to enjoy your food with me here.”
He picked up his tray and walked over to his colleagues.
The members all looked at each other.
Gao Siyuan spoke up first. “Wang Chao, you really know Liang Xi?”
Wang Chao took a look at Gao Siyuan. Amongst these people, he didn’t like Ji Jie because of a misunderstanding when they met, but the one he actually didn’t like was Gao Siyuan. This person’s utilitarianism was plastered all over his expression, and he’s asked about his family background several times. He was obviously a snob, so Wang Chao didn’t want to interact with this type of person.
Gao Siyuan was a bit embarrassed. Yang Xiaomu, who was the closest to him, tried to resolve the dispute by saying, “Siyuan didn’t mean anything more than those words. Kun-ge is right, knowing someone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re super close. It’s not good to bother him. After all, he’s a big shot.”
Although he was trying to soothe the waters, once these words landed in Wang Chao’s ears, there was no difference from being passive aggressive.
“I just don’t want to annoy my close friend. What do you mean our relationship isn’t that solid? I’m super close with him…just like me and Xiao Xie,” Wang Chao said.
Xie Zhuxing, “…” Why did he use him to compare? What does this have to do with him?
Everyone else was also silent.
Wang Chao wasn’t pleased. “You don’t believe me? Wait.”
He took out his phone and called Liang Xi.
…And Liang Xi didn’t pick up.
The atmosphere became very awkward for a bit.
Cheng Yao said, “I’m a bit thirsty. I’m gonna go buy a bottle of water. What do you guys want?”
“I’ll go with you,” Ji Jie cut in.
Yang Xiao Mu also said, “Me and Siyuan will also come along. Siyuan, let’s go.”
The group quickly walked away.
Wang Chao was still trying to dial Liang Xi, not giving up.
“….Do you want water?” Xie Zhuxing said.
Wang Chao replied angrily, “Just you try walking away!”
Xie Zhuxing could only say, “Maybe he’s busy and can’t get to the phone right now. Call him back a bit later.”
Wang Chao threw his phone on the table. It slipped and fell to the ground, but he didn’t pick it up. He sat there angrily while huffing.
Xie Zhuxing picked it up for him and put it on the table, not saying anything as he lowered his head, continuing to eat.
Wang Chao was angry for a while. Then he said, “I’m not bragging. I’ve known Liang Xi since I was a kid.”
Wang Chao said again, “He’s best friends with my second brother. His mom is also close friends with my mom.”
Wang Chao got angry again and said, “Are you even listening to me? What are you ‘hmm mhmm’-ing for? Are you moaning?”
He put his chopsticks down and said, “I’m doubting you but nor do I really want to know about you two’s relationship. If you want to talk about it then I’ll listen, if you don’t want to talk about it then I won’t listen. Are you gonna eat or not?”
The two continued to eat their food.
As Wang Chao ate, he suddenly reached out a hand and touched Xie Zhuxing’s face.
Wang Chao’s mouth was stuffed with rice as he grinned at him.
Xie Zhuxing felt that he really was both annoying and despicable. He also reached a hand over and pinched his cheek; he only let go when Wang Chao winked at him.
The Wang Chao whose face had been pinched was very happy….Xiao Xie was so good to him.
They continued to practice the choreography in the afternoon.
Wang Chao followed along with Xie Zhuxing’s steps several times, but there was a little hip movement within the chorus that he couldn’t get right. After the third time, he twisted himself in front of the mirror and said, “How are you doing that so well? When I do it, I can’t even compare to Hazhi.”
In order to not block his view of himself in the mirror, he stood behind him. He placed one hand on the left side of his hip bone and another on his waist. He said, “Make the angle bigger. If you want to thrust out the hip, then you have to meet my hand in order to reach the position. Your waist has to move with it. Move your waist, that’s right, continue.”
After Wang Chao moved according to his directions a few times, Xie Zhuxing complimented him. “Very good. Now remember: your waist cannot relax and lean forward; your hips and thighs have to be tight.”
Wang Chao muttered, “It is tightened.”
Xie Zhuxing told him to try again, leading him to the side. “Tighten, tighten! Your butt can’t be against me, use your thighs! Hold it tight!”
“I am holding it tight! My legs are sore!”
Xie Zhuxing touched his thighs, and realized that his thigh muscles were in fact being strained.
Wang Chao looked back and said, “I told you I was doing it.”
Xie Zhuxing looked down and found the issue. He slapped his butt and said, “Seems like all the fat on your body went here.”
Wang Chao wasn’t mad. In fact he was pleased as he said, “Do you know what the theory of evolution is? This is called evolution. My butt has been beat ever since I was young so it grew more meat. The more meat it grows, the less it hurts, hehehe.”
Xie Zhuxing was speechless. Other people evolve their brains, but you evolved your ass. Amazing.
At 6pm, the members were ready to go home after a whole day of training and dancing.
Wang Chao stopped them and said, “I’ll invite you guys out tonight. Do you wanna go?”
Ji Jie was the first one to reject. “I’m not going.”
The others weren’t particularly enthusiastic either.
Wang Chao said with a snug face, “I’m telling Liang Xi to come along. I told him I was going to introduce my group members to him. If you guys don’t want to come, then I’ll just bring Xiao Xie along.”
Of course in the end they all went. Not for Wang Chao, but for Liang Xi.
Wang Chao’s car was a two seater. Gao Siyuan had brought his car today, so Wang Chao and Xie Zhuxing drove behind the four.
They didn’t go to a nightclub, but rather, a spa club.
“Don’t be nervous, Liang-ge is a nice person.” After they walked in a bit more, he stood on the steps with his hands behind his back and said, “His attitude’s fine, but he doesn’t have any boundaries. You guys should just be natural. Don’t embarrass me.”
Everyone, “…” It’s more embarrassing to be lectured by you standing here.
After they walked in, Wang Chao said the room number and the receptionist let them in. Once they arrived at the door, he dismissed the receptionist, then knocked on the door loudly. “Ge! I’m here!”
A voice inside said, “Come in.”
Everyone else aside from him was very nervous.
Wang Chao pushed the door open, and the members followed him in.
There was no one outside the suite, Wang Chao walked in himself. There was an indoor hot spring bath and Liang Xi was naked, staring at the TV in front of him, not sparing even one glance at him. “You’re here?”
“What are you watching?” he asked.
He took a look at the screen. It was an old campus film from about ten years ago, with the theme of youth. The young male lead for the movie at the time was now a film emperor.
The members stood outside, waiting. They didn’t want to sit down or make any movement.
Wang Chao came from the inside and closed the door, his expression weird. “Sit down first.”
Cheng Yao asked in a low voice, “Is Mr. Liang doing a spa?”
“…Sort of…,” Wang Chao said.
A little while later, everyone found out what Liang Xi was doing.
They were all men. Who hasn’t called out once or twice when masturbating?
Wang Chao felt extremely awkward as he yelled, “Ge! Be quiet!”
Liang Xi’s voice came from the inside, cursing at him, “Just cover your fucking ears! Who’s telling you to fucking listen?”
Wang Chao didn’t cover his ears. He said to the others, “You guys, cover your ears.”
After a while, Liang Xi finally finished. He put on a purple bathrobe and walked out as he tightened the stash. He scolded, “You looking for a beating? What are you screaming for? Almost made me go soft…shit, what the fuck!”
He was frightened, he didn’t think that there would be this many people outside.
Wang Chao, “….This is Liang-ge.”
And so the others said, “Hello, Liang-ge.”
The situation was way too awkward. Liang Xi pretended to say hello to everyone, but after not even three minutes, he went to change his clothes as he made an excuse, “I’m preparing to move tomorrow. I have to go home and pack. I’m not gonna accompany you today. Let’s meet up next time. It’s on me.”
Wang Chao didn’t notice and still asked, “Ge, where are you moving to? Do you need me to help?”
“What can you help with? Stop giving me trouble.”
He said his goodbyes, then walked out without even looking back.
Wang Chao suddenly remembered what Duan Yikun had told him. He rushed up to his side and talked to him as his arms hung around his shoulders.
Everyone looked at each other.
Cheng Yao’s face was red as he asked worriedly, “What if Mr. Liang doesn’t want to meet with us in the future?”
However, Gao Siyuan said excitedly on the side, “I don’t think it’ll be a problem. Wang Chao really is close with him. Xiao Xie-ge, have you ever heard anything from Wang Chao? What’s their relationship?”
Xie Zhuxing acted dumb and said, “Nothing. He usually doesn’t talk about his private matters.”
Gao Siyuan looked at the door and said in a low voice, “I heard that Liang Xi likes guys.”
I LOVE LIANG XI SO SO SO SO MUCH. He also has his own story and it’s my favorite out of the series next to Mr. Yuan! If anyone is curious, his husband (yes they’re married! They even adopt a kid!!) is Bai Tu from Mr. Yuan! It’s untranslated as of yet, but I do have future plans to pick it up. Here’s the raw link if anyone is interested.
http://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=2139990
Also, their adopted kid dates Wang Chao’s second brother, Wang Jin (the doctor who treated Yuan Rui’s balls when the skin got scraped). Their story is translated and can be read here:
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-have-everything-you-like/
Basically, everyone in the series (there’s 5 books) is connected in one way or another by Wang Chao hahaha.