Chapter 23: Why Are You in My Bed?

On the other end of the line, Pang Tong was stunned. It was the first time he’d seen Chen Fang so angry; his voice became cautious. “Chen Fang, someone’s looking for you.”

“Who is it?” Chen Fang barked. “Calling me at midnight! Are they insane?”

Pang Tong was at a loss for words. Chen Fang continued impatiently, “Tell them I’m asleep. Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow.”

Just as Chen Fang was about to hang up, a cold yet melodious female voice came through the phone: “Chen Fang, I’m Xi…”

“I don’t care if you’re the Emperor himself, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow,” Chen Fang interrupted rudely.

The woman’s voice turned icy. “I’m Xi Yuanyuan. I’m here to discuss your contract. I represent Future Stardom Entertainment, and I’m inviting you to join us. We’re offering you a Grade B contract as a sign of our sincerity.”

Xi Yuanyuan? Chen Fang paused, then remembered. He’d been considering approaching Future Stardom Entertainment himself if Xi Yuanyuan didn’t come to him first. He hadn’t expected her to show up at his home in the middle of the night.

He glanced at Ji Mei, who was sitting on the sofa, and covered the phone. “It’s from Future Stardom. Just rest here for a bit.”

Other calls could be ignored, but a call from Future Stardom Entertainment was not one he could hang up on.

Ji Mei had no objection; she sat on the sofa, imagining what was about to happen, fanning herself with her small hand to cool down while steadily drinking.

Chen Fang walked out onto the balcony and said, “Ms. Xi Yuanyuan, you could have easily come tomorrow during the day. There’s no need for such urgency.”

Who calls at midnight, anyway? Chen Fang was caught off guard and uncomfortable.

“I can’t wait,” Xi Yuanyuan replied.

You can’t wait? Well, neither can I! Chen Fang groused inwardly.

Xi Yuanyuan was worried that if she didn’t act quickly, Chen Fang would be snatched up by another entertainment company. While the others hadn’t yet discovered his address, she had to strike.

“Chen Fang, I’m showing great sincerity. No newcomer has ever received a Grade B contract. I fought long and hard to secure this for you. If you come now, we can discuss it face to face.”

Come back now? Come back for what?! Chen Fang took a deep breath. “I’m busy right now. I won’t be able to come until tomorrow.”

Xi Yuanyuan assumed Chen Fang didn’t understand the value of a Grade B contract, so she explained in detail, her voice chirping away.

Chen Fang didn’t react, but Pang Tong was already stunned. The Grade B contract offered many concessions: fifty-fifty split on song revenue, company resources preferentially allocated, priority for popular time slots, and utmost respect for the artist’s personal wishes. Most crucially, artists with a Grade B contract received an annual bonus of one to two million from the company—a salary, essentially.

So even if Chen Fang did nothing all year after joining Future Stardom, he would still pocket over a million at year’s end.

If Future Stardom wanted to terminate the contract early, they’d have to pay a hefty penalty. Of course, if the company went bankrupt, that would be another matter.

The Grade B contract was generous, unprecedented for a newcomer; even An Tinghan had started with Grade C.

Pang Tong was frantic, wishing he could accept on Chen Fang’s behalf.

Chen Fang was also surprised. He hadn’t expected Future Stardom to be so willing to invest.

However, unlike Pang Tong, Chen Fang wasn’t overly excited. He understood that Future Stardom’s willingness to offer a Grade B contract stemmed from two factors: first, the company’s poor reputation, requiring them to pay extra to attract new talent—so-called premium recruitment; second, Chen Fang’s potential, which promised limitless growth.

The combination resulted in this Grade B contract.

“I’m very satisfied with the terms,” Chen Fang said.

Xi Yuanyuan breathed a sigh of relief. “So, would you like to sign the contract now?”

For his own sake, Chen Fang should have gone back immediately. But for the sake of his “little brother,” tonight was out of the question.

He couldn’t bear to sacrifice his “little brother” for anyone.

“I really can’t come back tonight,” Chen Fang sighed.

Xi Yuanyuan heard the resignation in his tone and considered before asking, “When will you be able to come tomorrow?”

That was a tricky question. After all, Chen Fang had no idea how late tonight’s battle would last. If things got too wild, he might not be able to get up the next day.

He gave a vague answer, “Around noon tomorrow, I’ll be back.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for you,” Xi Yuanyuan said resolutely.

The girl was quite tenacious.

Chen Fang didn’t dwell on it, exchanged a few words, and hung up.

Looks like he’d have to take it easy tonight. Otherwise, being unable to get up the next day would be awkward.

With that thought, Chen Fang felt a surge of excitement. He walked into the living room and saw the empty bottles on the coffee table, a sense of foreboding rising within him.

“Ji Mei?”

“Director Ji?”

He looked at Ji Mei, deeply asleep, and was left speechless.

Little brother, you’ll have to endure again!

Chen Fang sighed, picked Ji Mei up, and carried her to the bedroom.

The first time is unfamiliar, the second time becomes routine.

Undressing Ji Mei for the second time, Chen Fang was much more adept.

He gazed at Ji Mei curled in his arms, muttering in her sleep, and stroked her brows. This woman must be exhausted, burdened by the pressures of life and work, leaving her afraid to make mistakes.

“Sleep,” Chen Fang murmured, holding her tight.

Ji Mei instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.

……

The next day.

Chen Fang wasn’t sure how he’d fallen asleep the night before, but he knew he hadn’t slept well.

At nine in the morning, he got up and washed quickly before getting dressed. Ji Mei was still fast asleep, utterly worn out from the past few days.

Originally, Chen Fang had planned to buy breakfast. But seeing how deeply Ji Mei slept, he figured she wouldn’t wake up anytime soon; buying food would only let it go cold, so he abandoned the idea.

After leaving Ji Mei’s home, Chen Fang leisurely returned to his own rented apartment.

“Ah, this is miserable!” he groaned, pushing open the door to his bedroom.

He hadn’t slept well all night; his mind was full of various positions, not a single one used, his frustration bottled up until now.

He didn’t bother waking Pang Tong. At this hour, that fat oaf was surely still asleep.

Chen Fang flopped onto his bed, feeling another wave of drowsiness.

“My own blanket, nothing beats it,” he sighed, cuddling his quilt with satisfaction.

Eyes closed, he fumbled around and sensed something off.

His quilt… felt much rounder than usual.

The next second, his hand found something soft.

Very soft! But not large. Like a bun, fitting comfortably in one hand.

“What are you doing!” A cold voice snapped.

Chen Fang’s mind went fuzzy.

Had his blanket come alive? It could talk now?

In the next instant, a flash of white accompanied by a gust of wind landed beside him.

Chen Fang snapped awake.

What was happening? Did his blanket just slap him?

He opened his eyes wide and saw a familiar, exquisitely featured face.

The air hung silent for a long moment.

“Why are you in my bed?”

Chen Fang was dumbfounded.

This was his room—why was Xi Yuanyuan in his bed?