Chapter 70: Unconcerned

When Xin Gan took the phone, she turned off the speaker. Jiang Tang showed no restraint, making a clear, biting remark. Xin Gan wasn't angered, her tone calm, "If Cheng Jiu isn't available to take the call right now, I'll wait and call again when he's free."

Jiang Tang's grip on the phone tightened, and she forced a laugh. "Miss Xin, you're quite something. If it were me, and my boyfriend's phone was answered by another woman, I'd be furious. Yet you remain so composed, so magnanimous?"

Xin Gan replied, "Miss Jiang, I'm not here to argue, nor do I have the time. If Cheng Jiu isn't available, I'll call back later."

"He won't answer even if you call again later."

"Why not?"

"I can't share that with you—it's our work," Jiang Tang said, full of confidence. "I can't break the rules and tell you. During an assignment, Cheng Jiu can't turn his phone on, to avoid compromising the mission. Miss Xin, I suggest you stop calling."

Clearly, Cheng Jiu was unreachable for now.

Xin Gan’s expression stayed cool, though not pleasant. She understood Jiang Tang was doing this on purpose—after all, with the phone in her hand, and no way to reach Cheng Jiu, whatever Jiang Tang said was the truth for now.

"I see. Thank you for letting me know, Miss Jiang." Xin Gan ended the call. She told Cheng Hui, "He's busy, can't be reached at the moment."

Cheng Hui understood her brother’s job—when he was busy, he was often unreachable. But why was his phone with another woman? Even if secrecy was needed, he would just have turned it off.

Xin Gan took a sip of her drink and said, "If you really want to repeat a year, you can discuss it with your mom and the others. Later, we’ll see how to arrange things."

Cheng Hui nodded, then asked, "Xin Xin, do you know that woman just now?"

"More or less. She’s your brother’s comrade and colleague."

"I’ve never heard my brother mention any women in his unit."

Xin Gan smiled faintly, saying nothing.

"Xin Xin, are you angry?" Cheng Hui prodded, annoyed that her brother’s phone was in another woman’s hands, and she even took the liberty of answering.

Xin Gan shook her head. "No, I'm just curious how his phone ended up with someone else."

"It must be a misunderstanding. Don’t worry, when my brother is free, I’ll interrogate him for you and make him give you a proper explanation. Otherwise, he’ll be in trouble."

Xin Gan chuckled softly and said nothing more.

Cheng Hui, feeling better now, thought that a breakup wasn’t such a big deal after all. She hadn’t gotten into her chosen school, but at worst she’d repeat a year. Embarrassing, yes, but not the end of the world.

…

Meanwhile, Jiang Tang stood at the conference room door holding Cheng Jiu’s phone. Inside, the team was in a meeting that would likely last all night. Cheng Jiu had left his phone on his desk outside in his rush to get inside.

Passing by, she’d heard the ringtone, saw it was his phone, and hesitated only a moment before picking up. She hadn’t expected the call to be from Cheng Jiu’s sister. She’d never met his family; he rarely spoke of them. She knew he had a sister, but not her name or age.

After the meeting, Jiang Tang returned Cheng Jiu’s phone. "You left this behind. Your sister called earlier, and I answered, thinking it might be urgent. Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude."

Cheng Jiu was indifferent, taking the phone without checking the call log. "I know."

"She seemed to have something to discuss. If you have time, you should return her call."

He simply murmured acknowledgment. "It’s late. You should get some rest." With that, he left.

Jiang Tang didn’t follow. After he left, her mood slowly slid into a deep gloom.

At that moment, Commander Meng came out of the conference room. Seeing her standing there, he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Commander Meng."

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Tang shook her head. "Nothing, really. I’ll head back now."

"Wait." Commander Meng stopped her, speaking with meaning, "You applied for a transfer earlier. There’s no news yet, it’ll take a while."

"I understand. Sorry for the trouble, Commander."

"No need for that. What matters is that you've thought it through."

Whether she truly had, only Jiang Tang herself knew.

…

He Chuan came to pick up Cheng Hui from Xin Gan’s house the next day.

Xin Gan sent Cheng Hui out. The girl was no longer upset; after a night, her eyes were still a bit red, giving her a delicate, pitiful look. She said her goodbyes, "Xin Xin, sorry for troubling you."

"No trouble, silly girl. Let me know when you get home."

"Okay, I’m off then."

"Take care."

He Chuan nodded politely to Xin Gan.

On the way back, Cheng Hui checked herself in the mirror for a long time. "I’m doomed. If my mom sees me like this, she’ll scold me for sure."

He Chuan smiled wryly. "Regretting it now?"

"Don’t tell my mom, please. Keep it a secret. I’m begging you."

He Chuan replied, "If you’re asking for help, act like it." He’d thought she’d be sad for a while, but she’d recovered quickly—youth really had its advantages. He added, "You’re still young. The next one will be better. Don’t waste your feelings on someone who doesn’t deserve it."

Cheng Hui didn’t think he was really comforting her. She sighed deeply, "I want to repeat a year, but I don’t have the courage."

"Then don’t. Your brother will support you anyway. If you turn out a bit useless, it’s fine."

He Chuan spoke with conviction—after all, his own brother did nothing, living off the family name without lifting a finger.

Cheng Hui looked at him, puzzled. "Why do I feel offended? Are you implying He Cheng? I’m not like him. I never cause trouble for my brother. By the way, speaking of my brother, do you know if he’s close to any women up north?"

"What women?"

Cheng Hui described the events of the previous night. "I asked Xin Xin if she was upset. She said no. But how could she not be? If my boyfriend’s phone was with another woman, I’d blow up on the spot."

He Chuan only smiled, making no comment.

Cheng Hui pressed him to say something.

He finally said, "Maybe Xin Gan doesn’t care about your brother at all."

Cheng Hui was astonished, "How could that be?!"

"Why not?" He Chuan countered. "If she cared, she wouldn’t be so unmoved. Any normal woman would react, unless—she doesn’t like him."

"Doesn’t like him, so she’s indifferent."

Back home, Cheng Hui kept mulling over He Chuan’s words. The more she thought, the more sense it made. If that was the case, then her brother was truly pitiable.

She thought it over for a long time and decided not to repeat the year after all. She’d wait and see if the school she’d applied to would accept her. If yes, she’d enroll; if not, she’d repeat. Even if it was embarrassing.

…

Returning home, He Chuan found He Cheng playing video games in his room, a suitcase by the door—clearly about to move out.

"Going somewhere?" he asked.

"Yeah." He Cheng didn’t look up, still playing.

"Moving out?"

"Yeah."

He Chuan grinned, "Really sure about this?"

He Cheng looked up, "You already know?"

"Mom called me, asked me to check if the company you signed with was legitimate."

He Cheng sneered, "As if I were three years old."

He Chuan said, "You’re an adult. Do what you want, I won’t interfere. Just one condition: don’t use the family name for trouble, and if you really enter that field, you’ll have to rely entirely on yourself. I won’t help."

He Cheng scoffed. If he’d wanted to use his family background to get ahead in showbiz, he wouldn’t have kept it from Tan Yazhuo. But if she wanted to investigate, she’d easily find out.

"Tan Yazhuo will investigate me."

"Don’t worry about that, I’ll handle it."

He Cheng paused. "He Chuan, you really are ruthless, leaving me no way out."

If Tan Yazhuo learned he had no background, he’d be debuting as an unknown, with no resources or connections. Without a powerful backer, he’d struggle to make it.

If he had the family name behind him, resources would be no problem; his future assured. But He Chuan made sure to keep his identity hidden, not allowing anyone to know he was a He family member.

"You should have thought of that when you signed the contract," He Chuan said.

He Cheng’s game ended just then. The girl he’d been chatting with sent an invite to team up. He declined, suddenly in no mood. "You’re right. Compared to you, I’m still too naïve. You have the deeper schemes, He Chuan."

He Cheng wasn’t that young anymore—twenty-four. Besides modeling, he’d missed the prime time for other paths, like singing or boy bands. As for modeling, he’d had no formal training, just a good face for the camera.

He Chuan had him figured out long ago. "If you stop pestering Xin Gan, I’d turn a blind eye to whatever you do."

He’d even thought, when his mood improved, he’d teach He Cheng how to manage a company—so when their mother wasn’t around, he could survive.

Mentioning Xin Gan, He Cheng’s expression soured, his pain obvious. "You don’t understand. When Xin Gan and I were together, where was Cheng Jiu? Where was he then?"

He Chuan’s gaze cooled. "You really do have the face for stardom."

But He Chuan truly didn’t believe Xin Gan had ever been with He Cheng in that way. She avoided him enough as it was. If anything had happened, rumors would have spread.

The only explanation left was that He Cheng was deliberately misleading, sowing seeds of doubt for Cheng Jiu through him.

He Chuan glanced at him lazily, saying nothing.

"I’m leaving," He Cheng said.

He Chuan didn’t stop him, stepping aside.

He Cheng carried his suitcase to the stairs. Without looking back, he called out snidely, "You seem pretty close with Cheng Hui."

He Chuan didn’t react, ignoring him.

He Cheng left, but left a mess for He Chuan to clean up.

The next morning, He Wei was heading out to fish when He Chuan stopped him. Packing his gear, he asked, "What’s He Cheng done now?"

Madam He sat quietly by, visibly distressed.

He Chuan said, "He Cheng signed with an entertainment company. He’s going to be a model."

He Wei didn’t get angry, just snorted coldly. Madam He’s eyelids fluttered, and she was about to defend He Cheng when He Chuan cut her off.

"I told him not to use the family name. The company will investigate, but I’ve made sure they’ll find nothing. Unless He Cheng tells them himself, of course."

He Wei’s face turned cold as he looked at Madam He. "You raised a fine son—spoiled him rotten since he was a child."

She didn’t dare argue. It was true; she’d spoiled He Cheng, never scolding or punishing him, giving him whatever he wanted.

He Chuan, on the other hand, was raised by the old master, free of those bad habits, though he had his own flaws.

Having finished admonishing Madam He, He Wei patted He Chuan on the shoulder. "You’re the one who reassures me most. Handle these matters; the family will be yours in the future."

The weight of that last sentence was clear—even Madam He looked at He Chuan anew.

He Chuan smiled, but without sincerity.

He Wei, remembering something, added, "You’re old enough now. It’s time to settle your personal affairs. If you find a suitable girl, take the step."

He Chuan gave a perfunctory answer. "Mm, I know."

"And keep an eye on He Cheng. The entertainment industry is full of pitfalls. Don’t let him make any more trouble."

"Understood."

…

Xin Gan took a day off, choosing to rest at home rather than face Xiao Han at the office.

Coincidentally, Shen Ruxin came to the company that day. Her university friend was the HR director there and knew Xin Gan’s background, as well as the recent rumors. The director told Shen Ruxin everything.

After learning the situation, Shen Ruxin visited the company, bringing Keke with her.

Song Chen seemed to know why she’d come, but said nothing. The boss’s wife showing up with a child was a sure sign of intrigue.

Xiao Han, gossiping with her close friends, said, "She’s probably here to catch someone in the act. Don’t you think it’s suspicious that Xin Gan isn’t here today?"

"It’s not like she could have known the boss’s wife would come, right?"

"Who knows? Maybe she’s just guilty. The boss’s wife rarely comes to the office, and today she even brought her child."

"Honestly, I saw the boss’s wife earlier—she’s beautiful, still has an amazing figure after childbirth. President Song holding the child—what a picture, a warm family of three."

"Exactly, a real family. But Xin Gan insists on being the third wheel."

Xiao Han had never seen what Shen Ruxin looked like, but hearing this, she became curious. She found an excuse to walk past Song Chen’s office and glimpsed the elegantly dressed woman inside, holding a child—clearly the boss’s wife.

As she came closer, Xiao Han realized the child looked familiar. Wasn’t that the same child Xin Gan had been carrying at the mall that day?

What was going on?

Xiao Han hurried back to her desk. Her supervisor saw her flustered return and asked, "Xiao Han, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing," she replied, sitting down, her back breaking out in a cold sweat. She was lost in thought for a long time, oblivious to everything the supervisor said.

…

That evening, the weather changed suddenly and it began to rain.

Xin Gan was working on her sketches when she heard the rain and quickly shut the window.

Her phone, lying on the desk, kept ringing.

The screen showed an unfamiliar number.

It was only on the second call that Xin Gan answered. As soon as she picked up, she recognized He Cheng’s voice. She wanted to hang up, but he guessed her intent and quickly said, "Can you guess where I am?"

It was noisy on his end, obviously outdoors.

"It’s raining. Go home, don’t stay out," Xin Gan said.

"See? You still care about me."

"No," she replied, "I’d say the same to anyone."

He Cheng laughed. "You’re so kind-hearted. Why can’t you forgive me?"

"Are you drunk?" Xin Gan asked, thinking he was talking nonsense.

"No, I’m out driving."

"This isn’t the weather for that," she advised. "Wait for better weather to drive around."

"See? You care about me."

Xin Gan didn’t bother explaining. She wanted to hang up, as Cheng Jiu was calling on the other line.

But He Cheng didn’t hang up, rambling on as if drunk.

He spoke of his regret, how he’d been foolish and hurt her, that he knew he was wrong and asked her forgiveness.

"I forgave you a long time ago," Xin Gan said.

"What about that competition…"

"He Cheng, as long as you stop bothering me, I won’t give you any trouble."

He Cheng was obviously relieved. "Alright, you said it."

His tone shifted, but Xin Gan didn’t understand why.

"I won’t bother you again. Just keep your word—don’t come looking for me, Xin Gan. I’m letting you go."

Xin Gan was only too happy to agree. "Fine."

It wasn’t until later that Xin Gan understood why He Cheng had called.

The heavy rain lasted several days, turning into a deluge. The city suffered severe flooding, with constant news of submerged streets; even commuting became difficult.

Her mother worried, "Why not skip work and stay home? The streets around your office are flooded."

But the company hadn’t declared a holiday, and she couldn’t justify taking leave, so she went in.

Xiao Han was absent for several days. The proposal she’d secured was reassigned; her design was scrapped, and they were all asked to submit new proposals.

Xin Gan submitted a backup design she’d prepared, waiting for the results.

…

Xiao Shi was still recuperating in the hospital. Broken bones take a hundred days to heal, and he’d need at least half a year before he’d recover enough to return to action. For now, he was out of commission. When Jiang Yang visited, Xiao Shi asked about recent cases, but Jiang Yang refused to discuss work, urging him to rest and not worry.

His medical bills were all covered by Cheng Jiu. When Cheng Jiu visited, he brought up the subject, embarrassed. "Brother Jiu, I’ll repay you after I’m discharged."

"It’s nothing," Cheng Jiu said. "Just focus on getting better."

Unlike Cheng Jiu, Xiao Shi came from a humble background. His parents didn’t even know he’d been hospitalized in an accident—thankfully, they barely used their phones and rarely called, so there was little chance they’d find out.

"Any news on Yutou’s men?" Xiao Shi asked.

"No, the trail has gone cold."

That wasn’t good. With no leads, they were back to square one—and who knew how long they’d be stuck there.

Yutou remained in custody, having confessed to his crimes. But his men wouldn’t give themselves up so easily; they’d stay hidden, waiting for the heat to die down before resurfacing.

Xiao Shi was frustrated—lying in a hospital bed, unable to help, and his medical bills covered by Cheng Jiu. The more he thought, the more guilty he felt.

Cheng Jiu patted his shoulder. "Don’t overthink it. Stay positive and get well soon. Everyone’s waiting for you."

Xiao Shi nodded firmly.

…

A month later, while searching for information online, Xin Gan stumbled upon an entertainment news headline. The top story featured candid photos of He Cheng.

She clicked out of curiosity and found nine edited, officially posted photos of He Cheng, already with millions of views.

That’s when Xin Gan realized—He Cheng had entered the entertainment industry.