MCFEM C42

Chapter 42 – Truly, One Cannot Judge by Appearances

The Qi family’s banquet tonight was not a large one. Director Qi Ming’s recent film, which he both invested in and directed, had achieved great success in both reputation and box office. His mood was naturally good, so he invited several acquaintances to liven things up.

Gu Yuhui was still at the company, saying he would come once he finished work. Gu Qingxu had matters to attend to and could not make it, so he sent Gu Yang, who was in the same class as Qi Lecheng, to attend first.

Once He Ming’an knew, he had his driver turn back to pick up Gu Yang at the Gu residence, so the two could arrive together.

Qi Ming greeted them warmly, but since they were juniors, there wasn’t much to chat about. After a few pleasantries, he asked his son to come down and play host.

After answering a call, Qi Lecheng’s face briefly lit with a smile. “Gu Yang’s here. I need to go down to greet him.”

He wanted to rush down immediately, but there was still something to deal with here.

Ye Chen’s mouth was never still, buzzing like a fly all day long.

He truly despised him.

And now, this person had seen these things.

Last time, Gu Yang hadn’t shown much care, and had even thought about their future together.

And when he had finished thinking, his face hadn’t shown rejection.

As expected, Gu Yang was different. Different from everyone else.

Ye Chen finally stood, pounding his numb legs, then looked at the person before him.

He had sorted out his thoughts.

So what if he had seen this pile of photos? What could Qi Lecheng do—kill him?

It should be Qi Lecheng who was worried. Such a massive handle had fallen into his hands.

“Qi Lecheng.” Ye Chen’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. He had already hidden several photos in his pocket as evidence. “You wouldn’t want Gu Yang to know about your little spying habit, would you?”

Thinking of what Qi Lecheng would do to Gu Yang in the future, he added, “Besides, Gu Yang already knows what you’ll try on him. He’ll definitely guard against you. If you want to act, it’ll be hard. Why don’t we work together instead…”

Qi Lecheng’s eyes fell on him, his expression a little dazed.

“Don’t worry. After all, we’re classmates. I won’t do anything to him.”

—

After waiting several minutes without anyone coming down, He Ming’an suggested they go up themselves.

Qi Ming didn’t know what was keeping his son, so he had a servant lead them upstairs.

“It’s been years since I last visited. I see the place has been remodeled. The style has changed greatly, though these paintings remain.”

He Ming’an looked at the paintings on the wall.

“These were all personally chosen by the former madam,” the servant explained. “Whenever she traveled for filming and saw a painting she liked, she would buy it and send it back here to be hung. Director Qi is a man of deep feeling. After the renovations, he restored them all to their original places.”

Gu Yang suddenly said, “It looks jarring. Doesn’t match at all.”

The paintings were gentle, airy watercolors, completely at odds with the avant-garde décor.

The servant lowered his head.

He Ming’an, seeing his discomfort, waved him away, saying they could manage on their own.

“Whether the styles match or not doesn’t matter. It’s just about remembering someone through things.” He Ming’an smiled. “Time really is a useful thing. Clearly, he was the one at fault first. But by putting on a little show afterward, he could earn the title of being deeply devoted.”

Gu Yang had also heard about this matter.

There had once been a lady of the house. Many years ago, she had tagged Qi Ming directly on Weibo, attaching evidence of his repeated infidelity during her pregnancy.

That lady had been an actress, beloved for many classic roles, even called the nation’s first love. At the time, public opinion was in an uproar.

Qi Ming hadn’t spoken up or tried to salvage it. His silence enraged the masses. Coincidentally, one of his films had just been released, and it was boycotted until he lost everything.

It was only then that he came forward to apologize. But his wife hadn’t been waiting for his repentance. Her sole aim was to win that public battle. She divorced him decisively and walked away.

“And so, though she was the victim, to this day there are still those who call her ungrateful,” He Ming’an said.

“What’s so worth holding onto in unfaithful love?” Gu Yang asked, his face unusually colored with emotion.

He Ming’an’s smile faded, and he stared at Gu Yang.

“But speaking of it, Uncle Qi managed quite the comeback within a few years. Now he’s a celebrated director once more,” Ye Chen said, coming around the corner and sliding naturally into the conversation. “And he still has a revolving door of female companions.”

“Who knows if he’s hiding a bastard child somewhere too.” His words were clearly pointed, but He Ming’an’s expression remained indifferent, not rising to the bait.

Qi Lecheng came out from just a step behind, having obviously heard everything. He pressed his lips together, but his expression didn’t change.

They didn’t linger there. Speaking ill of the host in his own house was improper. He Ming’an, not wanting to hear more from Ye Chen, broke it off and had everyone disperse.

Qi Lecheng showed them the guest rooms, and He Ming’an took Gu Yang to rest. They only came out again when it was nearly time for the banquet.

By then, most of the guests had already arrived.

Gu Yang spotted Gu Yuhui in the center of the hall, chatting and laughing with Qi Ming over wine. When Gu Yuhui noticed him, he raised his glass slightly in greeting.

The food and desserts on the tables looked excellent, but Gu Yang ate little. His appetite had always been low. He only ever ate enough to stay alive, thanks to the Gu family’s housekeeper cooking regularly.

Surrounded by chatter and laughter, Gu Yang quickly grew restless.

He hadn’t realized until this moment just how many banquets he had attended this month.

They certainly didn’t need him here. He tugged on He Ming’an’s sleeve, murmuring that he was going back to the guest room to rest.

He Ming’an, in the middle of polite conversation, paused and turned his head. “Shall I come with you?” he asked softly.

Gu Yang refused outright. He wasn’t so helpless he couldn’t find the way back.

He Ming’an glanced at Qi Lecheng, who was stuck in the web of socializing and couldn’t escape, then said no more.

Gu Yang had just reached for the door when it opened from the other side, nearly making him collide with someone head-on.

A boy stepped in. He looked seventeen or eighteen, dressed in a charcoal-gray casual suit. His posture was poised, his figure tall and lean, exuding a precocious air that set him apart from his peers.

Hands in his pockets, he looked down at Gu Yang from his height. “Long time no see, Gu Yang.”

Gu Yang replied perfunctorily, “Long time no see,” and tried to walk past. But the boy shifted to block him.

He tried the other side, and was blocked again.

Gu Yang paused, then finally raised his eyes to look directly at him. His voice was cool. “Do you want something?”

“Didn’t expect Starlet Cheng to be here today too.” From nearby, Ye Chen spotted the situation and waved mockingly. “So many classmates in this room, yet you only see Gu Yang? That’s hardly fair.”

Cheng Zishi gave him a sidelong glance, half-smile, half-sneer. “Can’t be helped. I’m allergic to strays that don’t know their place and bark at everything.”

Ye Chen’s grin froze instantly.

After tossing off that remark, Cheng Zishi turned back to Gu Yang, quietly taking his measure.

He had been away filming these past days, but he habitually checked the group chat, so he hadn’t missed any of the drama.

Still, watching it on a screen was nothing like seeing it live.

Running into Gu Yang the moment he arrived—of course he wouldn’t let him slip away.

They hadn’t interacted much, but he knew the other boy was willful, always skipping group activities. If he let him go, who knew where he’d hide, never to return.

Spotting him, Qi Ming hurried over, beaming. “You kept us waiting, Zishi! What took you so long?”

“Sorry, my flight was delayed,” Cheng Zishi said, quickly returning to the matter at hand.

“So young, yet later than all of us. Shouldn’t you punish yourself with a drink?” Qi Ming teased, pointing at him.

“Well, seeing as you’re still in school, forget the spirits. Just have a glass of red.”

Cheng Zishi loathed these drinking rituals. Every time someone pushed alcohol at him, he wanted to fling it in their face.

Drink, drink, drink—drink your damned fill!

But Director Qi had helped him. Without him, he’d still be a struggling model with unstable work.

As a server went to fetch the wine, Qi Ming introduced him to Gu Yuhui. “This is the male second lead from my latest film. Only eighteen, but his acting is sharp. His future’s bright. President Gu, please look after him.”

Gu Yuhui didn’t take the bait. He only smiled. “Mr. Qi, you and this young actor seem close. You’re like a doting father.”

Qi Ming, tipsy now, waved a hand with a silly grin.

Back when his ex-wife had exposed him, his career had plummeted. No investor would touch him. The only work left was low-budget web dramas. He, who was used to big productions and smooth sailing, couldn’t endure such humiliation.

Desperate, he had sought out a Daoist, who eventually introduced him to a young model said to bring good fortune.

Sure enough, once he cast him, his luck turned.

Since then, he had included Cheng Zishi in every film—not just for fortune, but to soothe his own mind.

So much so that rumors of an illegitimate child had even spread.

When the wine arrived, Qi Ming handed Cheng Zishi a glass, clapping him on the shoulder. “Go on, toast your Uncle Gu. Let him look after your career.”

Cheng Zishi raised the glass to Gu Yuhui, then took a sip.

At that moment, a voice pierced his ears.

【Qi Ming may still look like a decent man for now, but later—no one knows what set him off—he wouldn’t be satisfied with women anymore. He set his sights on Cheng Zishi, trying again and again to make him submit.】

【Oh, and he was the bottom.】

【Truly, one cannot judge by appearances.】

The words echoed in his mind, and the wine in Cheng Zishi’s mouth sprayed out in a burst—right onto Qi Ming’s face.