Chapter 19 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 19

"In two hours, there’s an opening ceremony at Nancheng Square..."

"Tomorrow morning, a cover shoot for WM Magazine at the Global Building..."

"The evening is booked with Director Liu to review a new script..."

In the back of a moving luxury van, Ji Xiu leaned back with his eyes closed, resting. His manager, Brother Wang, sat beside him, cross-checking the upcoming week’s schedule.

His schedule was always packed like this—back-to-back rotations with no time for rest. In truth, aside from essential magazine shoots, ad endorsements, and non-negotiable variety show appearances, Brother Wang had already declined most invitations for him. But there was no helping it; Ji Xiu was an acting addict. Starring in three movies a year wasn't enough; he also took on cameos. He spent eleven months of the year on set, and the remaining month was spent on promotional tours and earning money to fulfill his corporate contracts.

To complete his company tasks as efficiently as possible, he was always this busy when not on set. Had he not worked this hard, he wouldn't have become a Best Actor winner at the three major international film festivals by the age of thirty-two.

As a Triple Gold Film Emperor—a unique honor in the country—there was always a price to pay. He hadn't slept well for a week.

Finishing the list, Brother Wang looked at Ji Xiu’s fatigued face and said with a hint of pity, "Director Liu’s movie isn't strictly dependent on you. Won't you really take a break?"

Ji Xiu opened his eyes. His deep, misty gaze held a trace of exhaustion. He seemed tired to the extreme; the suggestion was tempting.

Brother Wang continued, "There are always movies to film, but you only have one body. Don't ruin your health while you're young. Besides..." He lowered his voice, glancing at the driver in the front seat, careful not to be overheard. "You’ve been married to Xu Yun for three years, and Ji Xiaocong is already three. You’re always away. They must miss you. Spend some time with your wife and son."

Ji Xiu froze, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "You’re right. I’ve been so busy these years; I truly haven't been there for them."

Brother Wang was surprised by Ji Xiu’s reasonableness. Usually, whenever this topic came up, Ji Xiu would look displeased and tell him to stop talking so he could focus on his next role. This time felt different.

Striking while the iron was hot, Wang urged, "If you know you've done wrong, then accompany them. I'll push Director Liu’s meeting. You go home tomorrow night."

Ji Xiu shook his head. "No."

Wang felt a surge of frustration. "Why 'no' again?"

Ji Xiu smiled faintly, looking unusually relaxed. "I’ll contact Director Liu myself. Having you push the meeting is disrespectful; it might offend him."

"Whatever you say," Wang laughed, sighing in relief. "If you don't rest, I’m truly afraid you'll drop dead from overwork."

Ji Xiu smiled internally. Wasn't that exactly how the original owner died? …

Hearing that Ji Xiu intended to rest, Brother Wang cleared most of his schedule. After two busy days finishing essential tasks, he drove Ji Xiu home.

Ji Xiu’s home was in a high-end complex in the city center. The management fees were high, but the security was top-notch—a favorite for celebrities seeking privacy.

Ji Xiu entered the house. The "ding" of the private elevator opening startled a little kid playing in the living room. The toddler, wearing trendy "Tuzki" overalls and a soft white T-shirt, clutched a plush toy and sat on the floor, staring with big, dark eyes.

"Who are you?"

Ji Xiu raised an eyebrow and called out the boy's nickname: "Ji Xiaocong?"

The toddler blinked his grape-like eyes and put a finger in his mouth, looking confused. "How do you know Congcong's name?"

Ji Xiu knelt and beckoned him over. "Come here."

Xiaocong tilted his head, studying him with the fearlessness of a newborn calf. He walked over slowly. Once in front of Ji Xiu, he asked in a milky voice, "Why are you calling Congcong?"

"Where’s Mommy?"

Xiaocong pointed proudly toward the kitchen. "Making food for Congcong."

Through the frosted glass, Ji Xiu saw a figure moving. He changed into indoor slippers, scooped Xiaocong up, and headed for the kitchen.

It was the first time the boy had been held by this "stranger." He struggled in a panic. "Let go of Congcong! Mommy says strangers aren't allowed to hold me!"

Ji Xiu almost dropped him. He held on tight and gave the boy's bottom a light pat. "Don't squirm, or you'll fall."

Xiaocong, startled, hugged Ji Xiu’s neck. "Congcong is scared."

Ji Xiu chuckled, the low vibration of his chest making the boy look up. He adjusted the boy so he was sitting on his arm. "Not scared anymore?"

"What's 'scared'?" Xu Yun walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands. Her gentle smile froze the moment she saw Ji Xiu. Her eyes filled with shock, then wild joy. "Ji Xiu!"

Ji Xiu nodded. "Good evening. Are you preparing dinner?"

Xu Yun was so stunned her brain had short-circuited. She followed his lead mechanically. "Yes."

Ji Xiu offered an elegant, effortless smile. "Could you prepare a portion for me as well?"

The man was exceptionally handsome, and as a superstar, he possessed an innate aura. Even a slight smile was dazzling. Xu Yun looked at him with a trace of infatuation before quickly snapping back to reality. She hurried back into the kitchen to hide her flushed cheeks.

Ji Xiu watched her retreating back. There was no doubt she was deeply in love with him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have retired at the height of her fame to marry him in secret and bear his son.

Unfortunately, in the previous life, her sacrifice never won the original owner’s affection. Married for four years, the original owner maintained the facade of being single. He also disliked Ji Xiaocong because the boy possessed zero acting talent.

The original owner was a "thespian addict." A child without acting talent was less important to him than a talented child actor on a film set. That talented child actor was the protagonist of this world—Zhong Yuchen.

In the original timeline, the original owner would collapse from exhaustion next month. The company would force him to take a leave, during which he’d join a "slow life" variety show. There, he would meet Zhong Yuchen, find the boy’s talent soulful, and take him under his wing. He would teach him, bring him onto sets, and find him resources—all in hopes of training a genius who could win the Triple Gold awards before age thirty.

As for his wife and son? In the heart of an acting addict, they were nothing; he couldn't even remember their names. This neglect turned Ji Xiaocong into a person desperately starved for love. As an adult, he entered the industry to seek his father's approval. He grew jealous of Zhong Yuchen, targeted him, and ultimately ruined his own reputation by clashing with the "blessed" protagonist.

Finally, having wasted ten years, lost his mother to early death, and faced his father's coldness, Xiaocong immolated himself in front of his father. Zhong Yuchen tried to save him, but both died in the fire.

Ji Xiu: "..."

Quite absurd, but that's how it went.

In the original setting, Xiaocong was just a small villain who eventually became friends with the protagonist. But the neglect had made him too fragile. To prevent this, the original owner’s treatment of his family had to change.

…

A few days later, Ji Xiu was sitting on the sofa watching Xiaocong play with blocks on the floor. Xu Yun sat tentatively beside him. "Congcong hasn't seen you in a long time, so he's a bit afraid. Don't take it to heart; I'll teach him."

Earlier, Ji Xiu had tried to join the block-building, but the boy had turned his back on him. Xu Yun, fearing Ji Xiu would be angry, rushed to comfort him.

Xiaocong’s ears twitched. He turned and saw his "Daddy" and "Mommy" whispering together. His eyes filled with tears, and he wailed in grievance. He grabbed Xu Yun’s clothes, his dark lashes wet. "Mommy has to love Congcong! Daddy is a grown-up; Mommy shouldn't care about him!"

Xu Yun didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Just then, Ji Xiu’s phone rang. It was Director Wang from Mango TV, a friend of his. "I heard you’re on leave? You know I started a new show last year, Dad and Me? We’re filming season two soon. This season, we want to add a new element: a single male star paired with a non-celebrity child. Since you're resting, want to join?"

In the previous life, the original owner joined this show and was paired with the protagonist, Zhong Yuchen. This time, Ji Xiu decided to avoid that trigger. He looked at the sulky, adorable Xiaocong on the floor and a "mischievous" idea popped into his head.

"Director Wang, I’m afraid that won't work," Ji Xiu said. "I have my own child. Why would I bring someone else's? If you're short on guests, I can bring my son on the show..."

Director Wang: "..."

Xu Yun: "..."

Both were stunned. Xu Yun looked at him in disbelief; she couldn't believe he was willing to expose their marriage.

On the other end of the line, Director Wang stammered, "You... you're married? You have a child?! If this gets out, won't your fans explode?!"