18. Stay At Mine Tonight

What made Qi Le An feel grateful was Wei Chang Feng didn’t pester him for more information about Mr. Li and the slapping. Qi Le An just felt so humiliated, he would be too embarrassed to explain it, ‘My teacher slapped me in a hotel lobby because I came back late when they were expecting me to open the door for them.’

Qi Le An found that too humiliating to say.

Qi Le An tried so hard to not think about Mr. Li and Yan Lang, he knew the fact that he left in a huff must have infuriated Mr. Li even more, but he didn’t want to deal with that at the moment. He was just so grateful that Wei Chang Feng had taken him in, saving him from Mr. Li’s further humiliation.

Qi Le An was utterly exhausted at this point, he had been calculating and scheming about every step he took and every decision he made since his rebirth, poor boy had never let him guard down. More often than not, he had a hard time accepting someone’s kindness, he would weigh it time and again in his heart, trying to decide whether that person harbor any ulterior motives.

But he was so relaxed, finally he was in front of someone who could trust with heart and soul.

Wei Chang Feng now was preparing Qi Le An a fruit salad in the kitchen, it looked like Wei Chang Feng indeed loved cooking. Soon a bowl of fruit salad was served, it looked so pretty and colorful with strawberries, kiwi fruit, bananas, apples, and blueberries, the rainbow placemat matched the salad so well, it looked so mouth-watering.

“Have some please.”

Qi Le An nodded, he removed the ice bag and took a fork, Wei Chang Feng joined him too, he made a face and said in an exaggerated way, “This apple is so sour!”

Qi Le An smiled, he knew Wei Chang Feng was just trying to cheer him up by saying that.

“Would you like to watch TV or something?”

Qi Le An preferred spending time with him to watching TV, so he shook his head gently.

Wei Chang Feng put down the remoter and walked to the balcony, it was a perfect place to watch the sunset, Wei Chang Feng smiled and thought fir sure Qi Le An would feel better while watching the sunset.

“Come here, An.” Wei Chang Feng beckoned Qi Le An over with a welcoming wave, with that Wei Chang Feng slumped down in a recliner. Qi Le An walked to the balcony, he was glad that he would be surrounded by green plants, warm sunlight and of course Wei Chang Feng.

Qi Le An also took refuge in a recliner by the bookshelf, what came to his sight was the glistening sunshine pouring down to the lake, all the plants seemed to be glowing, everything was so healing.

Qi Le An closed his eyes, savoring every moment, but soon he fell asleep like a lost puppy who had finally found home. He found a blanket on him when he woke up, it was getting dark with only a touch of sunlight tantalizing the lake.

Qi Le An rubbed his eyes and walked back to the living room. The kitchen door was closed, but Qi Le An could see Wei Chang Feng who wore a pink apron was busy like a bee through the glazed door, he was multitasking with at least three dishes and a soup.

But everything was under control, Wei Chang Feng would check the soup after he set an alarm for the oven, he would stir fry the veggies after he simmered the meat.

Qi Le An was surprised to see this side of the Film Emperor, he knew Wei Chang Feng was nice and approachable, but he always struck people as a rich kid in an influential family. Seeing him cooking like a professional was genuinely mind-blowing to Qi Le An.

Wei Chang Feng now was done with the veggies, he turned around to check the rice and he saw Qi Le An who was standing outside. He pushed open the door and said, “Hey, An, good nap? Make yourself at home, I’ll be done in just a few minutes.”

“Can I help?” Qi Le An came to his senses now.

Wei Chang Feng smiled, “That’s all right, I’m finishing soon, there’s some flower tea on the table, try it.”

Qi Le An knew there was no need to stand on ceremony with Wei Chang Feng, so he did what he was told. He folded the blanket and sat by the table where he poured himself a cup of tea, he watched the bulb expanding and unfurling in a process that emulating a blooming flower and the flowers inside emerging as the centerpiece in the cup like a piece of artwork.

Qi Le An sipped the tea and watched Wei Chang Feng who was still busy in the kitchen. Qi Le An sighed gently, sweet protection, sunset, home, kitchen, home-made dinner, he had experienced that for the first time in his two lives. He shook his head before tears started to well up in his eyes.

“Done!” Wei Chang Feng exclaimed in the kitchen, Qi Le An jumped from the sofa and strode to the kitchen to help serving the dishes. Wei Chang Feng was almost done, but he didn’t have the heart to dampen Qi Le An’s enthusiasm so he just asked Qi Le An to serve the rice.

Soon the two were seated by the dining table, there were four dishes and one soup on the table, Salt and Pepper Tofu, Pork and Mushroom Potstickers, Stewed Beef Brisket with Tomato, Chicken with Chestnuts, and Corn Soup.

Qi Le An stared at the table with disbelief, he couldn’t believe Wei Chang Feng had made this happen.

“Here, let me know you like it or not.” with that Wei Chang Feng poured Qi Le An some orange juice.

“I haven’t had any home-made food for so long... ...”

Wei Chang Feng was dumbstruck for a second, then he said, “Feel free to come to mine and I will cook for you.”

“Really? Just don’t act like you don’t know me when I knock on the door.”

Wei Chang Feng was amused by Qi Le An, “Great, I’m glad now you are making fun of me.”

Someone unlocked the door when Qi Le An was about to get his chopsticks, the two turned around only to see a tall and handsome man walking in, Wei Chang Feng asked, “Didn’t you tell me that you are not coming home for dinner?”

Qi Le An now had recognized the man, it was the man who he had met in the cafe. The man took his shoes off and put on the other pair of slippers, “I changed my mind, missing your cooking is such a great loss.”

Wei Chang Feng smiled and rose to his feet, “An, meet Mr. Sheng, he is older than you, just call him Sheng Ge.” (T/N: Ge means older brother in Chinese.)

Then Wei Chang Feng turned to Sheng Chang'an, “This is my little friend, you’ve met him this morning.”

‘Mr. Sheng? Sheng Ge? Is that Sheng Chang'an?’ A complex knot of emotions formed inside Qi Le An.

Sheng Chang'an took off his jacket and walked to them, he nodded at Qi Le An with a faint smile on the face, Qi Le An nodded and called ‘Sheng Ge’ nervously.

Sheng Chang'an then walked to the kitchen and served him a bowl of rice.

Qi Le An became ill at ease in Sheng Chang'an’s presence, but Wei Chang Feng was still the same, he served Qi Le An a piece of chicken with the serving chopsticks, “Try it.”

Tears brimmed in Qi Le An’s eyes, no one had cooked for him or served him a piece of meat since his parents passed away. He kept his head down in case Wei Chang Feng or Sheng Chang'an noticed that. Wei Chang Feng’s cooking was indeed great, the way he cooked had kept the flavor of the food instead of relying on seasoning.

Wei Chang Feng and Sheng Chang'an talked casually, Wei Chang Feng would serve Qi Le An some food occasionally. Sheng Chang'an did the dishes after dinner while Wei Chang Feng put the rest of the food in the fridge.

Qi Le An was kind of jealous to see how natural everything seemed to them, he searched his memory, Wei Chang Feng didn’t have any love affairs in the last life, but there were some coverage saying Wei Chang Feng and Sheng Chang'an were intimate friends. Qi Le An looked at them and he felt probably they were not just intimate friends.

Qi Le An got so sad when he recalled that there was coverage about Sheng Chang'an’s engagement before he died in the last life, ‘Was it Wei Chang Feng that he was engaged to?’

“An, when are you going back to Hai City?” Wei Chang Feng asked.

“Tomorrow afternoon.”

Wei Chang Feng nodded, “Stay at my place tonight, I will ask my driver to drive you back to your hotel tomorrow morning.”

“Is... is that all right?”

“Of course it is.” Wei Chang Feng comforted Qi Le An, “Just make yourself at home and rest well.”

Qi Le An was so flattered, he couldn’t believe Wei Chang Feng just asked him to stay for the night! But no way was he ready to go back to the hotel and face Mr. Li, so staying at Wei Chang Feng’s was the best option.

Sheng Chang'an walked to the study after he watered the plants on the balcony, Wei Chang Feng and Qi Le An chatted for a little while and Wei Chang Feng soon picked a screenplay from the pile mounted on the tea table.

Qi Le An didn’t have the luxury to pick screenplays yet, but Wei Chang Feng had always been the ‘Best Actor’ in the industry since his debut, of course he could pick what he liked the best from the numerous screenplays sent to him.

Wei Chang Feng would write down comments and highlight some lines as he read the scripts, Qi Le An gave Wei Chang Feng a thumbs-up in the heart, he was impressed by Wei Chang Feng’s work ethic.

Wei Chang Feng read a few pages and rubbed his forehead, then he checked the time, “An, feel like doing some exercise?”

Qi Le An nodded happily.

Together then went downstairs, Wei Chang Feng did some stretches and joined the joggers who were jogging by the lake. Qi Le An had been short of exercise, he started panting after one lap, while Wei Chang Feng was still jogging effortlessly, “An, you need to work out more.”

Wei Chang Feng slowed down and took Qi Le An to sit on a bench, “I mean it, An, a good physique is a must in this business.”

“I will work out more!” Qi Le An replied promptly.

“Do you enjoy this industry?”

Qi Le An asked himself, ‘Do I like this industry? Uncle sold me to Glory, but I did take every lesson attentively and the more I learned, the more have I grew fond of singing and acting.’

“Wei Sama, this is the first time that anyone has ever asked me do I like the industry, the answer is positive! I think I grew fond of acting as I learned, I enjoy being part of a story and unfolding the story in my own way.”

Wei Chang Feng listened carefully and encouraged Qi Le An, “Great, remember, persevere and you'll succeed.”

Qi Le An nodded.

The two went upstairs after they took a short walk, they were both drenched in sweats when they got home, Wei Chang Feng handed Qi Le An a T-shirt, “This is for you to change.”

Qi Le An took the T-shirt, and Wei Chang Feng stamped on his foot gently like he had realized something, “I need to find you some pants as well! Follow me!”

With that Qi Le An followed Wei Chang Feng to his bedroom, it was the master bedroom with a huge build-in wardrobe and a bathroom. But the first thing Qi Le An had noticed was there was only one set of pillows and blankets in the bed!

‘They don’t sleep in the same room?’

Wei Chang Feng who was in the built-in wardrobe now said to Qi Le An, “I don’t usually live here, I can’t even find some spare pajamas, please excuse me for a moment.”

With that he walked to the study to ask Sheng Chang'an for help.

Then he rummaged a drawer in the other bedroom and soon he found a gift box, Wei Chang Feng opened the box and exclaimed, “Ha, thank God, your Sheng Ge has some spare ones, here you go... ...”

Qi Le An didn’t care about the pajamas at all, all he could think now was ‘they are sleeping in separate rooms, so they ARE just friends?’