Chapter 15: Filming a Variety Show

Xiao Yi took his phone out of his pocket and admitted straightforwardly, “Yes. But right now, it really is out of battery.”

Saying that, he placed Ran Xing’s phone in front of the meal.

Ran Xing scooped a mouthful of rice porridge and swallowed before speaking.

“You were afraid I’d see the trending news and lied to me, saying the phone was broken. You’re really intent on protecting me.”

Xiao Yi smiled sheepishly. “Ran, I didn’t want those bad news to affect your mood.”

Bad news? Ran Xing shook her head and smiled warmly.

“To me, it’s good news. She got off easy.”

Xiao Yi shook his head with a meaningful smile.

“Don’t worry, Ran. Her suffering is yet to come.”

After saying this, he suddenly remembered something and asked,

“How did you guess the phone was never sent for repair?”

“The password on the phone is only known to me.”

Xiao Yi smiled knowingly. “No wonder.”

Then Ran Xing suddenly asked,

“What about Yang Likang? Does his wife know too?”

Xiao Yi nodded. “Yes, probably.”

“That’s a problem,” Ran Xing slammed the table, “If Yang Likang loses everything in the divorce, how is he supposed to help me get close to Zhang Tong?”

“Ran, why do you want to get close to Zhang Tong anyway?” Xiao Yi asked, feigning innocence with a grin.

Realizing she had said too much, Ran Xing shook her head and gave a casual excuse.

“Just trying to rely on Zhang Tong to get back to the frontline.”

“Oh—” Xiao Yi didn’t press further and responded with a prolonged “Oh.”

“By the way, when can I be discharged?”

“The doctor said they need to observe for a few more days. Once the tests come back fine, you can leave.”

Ran Xing reached out her hand. “Can I borrow your phone for a bit?”

Xiao Yi readily handed it over and wisely pushed the door open to leave.

Once the door closed, Ran Xing dialed a number with relief.

Outside the door,

Xiao Yi took out another phone and quickly made a call.

“Hello?”

The voice on the other end sounded sleepy and lazy. “What’s up?”

“How’s Yang Likang doing now?”

“After his scandal broke, he quickly paid to pull the trending news. But his wife is demanding a divorce now.”

“Divorce? Hmph,” Xiao Yi clenched his fist and ground his teeth.

“That’s way too easy on him.”

“What’s your plan?”

“I’m not clear on his relationship with Zhang Tong yet, so I’ll keep him for now. But since his wife got sick, the Yang Group will be up for acquisition.”

“Understood.”

“Also, arrange a variety show for me.”

The laughter on the other end nearly burst through the phone. “Did I hear that right? You hate being in the spotlight. If it weren’t for Old Master Lu forcing you to intern at Yang Group three years ago, you wouldn’t have gone, right?”

At the mention of Old Master Lu, Xiao Yi’s mind flashed with his grandfather’s stern face.

He was an illegitimate child; the old master never acknowledged him and his mother and once kicked them out of the Lu family one night. His father had a car accident while looking for them.

Since then, he changed his surname, taking his mother’s.

Over the years, the old master never cared for him, only threatening him with his mother’s life three years ago to force him to intern at Yang Group.

Other than that, they had no connection.

Xiao Yi only harbored hatred for the old master.

Thinking of this, his tone darkened.

“Enough nonsense. Get it arranged within a week.”

“What about the current show? Not filming anymore? Don’t forget, you’re the investor. Aren’t you afraid of losing money?”

“I just want Ran happy. Nothing else matters. As for the show, since I took over, it will be finished.”

“Again, it’s all about Ran. You don’t like acting, but to get close to her, you want to be the lead. So, what kind of show do you want?”

“A program that can quickly build a relationship in a short time.”

The other party snorted and rejected it instantly.

“There’s nothing like that.”

After a pause, he teased, “But we could start a new variety show.”

“Alright, let’s do it your way. But won’t Ran be too tired?” Xiao Yi asked earnestly, a hint of concern in his voice.

“Bro, I’m joking,” Lu Qing said, sulking. “Does Ran even know how extravagant you are?”

“What do you think?”

“Fine, I’ll hang up now.”

After ending the call, Xiao Yi casually slipped the phone into the pocket of his black trench coat.

—

When he returned to the room, Ran Xing was already lying in bed.

Seeing him come back, she motioned to the bedside with a smile.

“Thanks. I left your phone there. By the way, I checked my phone earlier. It won’t charge anymore. Could you help me buy a new one?”

“Sure,” he agreed readily. “But I have to go film now. I’ll get it for you when I come back tonight, and make some chicken soup too.”

“Mm.” Ran Xing yawned, too lazy to get up, and muffled out a one-word reply.

Just as he took a step away, she couldn’t help but sneeze.

Xiao Yi asked worriedly,

“Catch a cold? I’ll get you another blanket.”

Ran Xing waved him off.

“No need.”

Her eyes glanced at Xiao Yi’s trench coat, embarrassed.

“How about you lend me your coat?”

Xiao Yi didn’t refuse; he took it off and spread it over her blanket, reminding,

“Call me if you need anything.”

Ran Xing watched his retreating figure and obediently replied, “Okay.”

Once his footsteps faded, Ran Xing suddenly sat up and quickly pulled the phone from Xiao Yi’s coat pocket.

She had been in the bathroom earlier and had indeed heard the call from Xiao Yi.

But the sound was muffled, so she couldn’t catch the conversation.

Still, she was about to find out.

Thinking this, she pressed the power button.

—

Within thirty seconds, the phone powered on.

To Ran Xing’s surprise, the main screen only had three apps.

One was for making calls.

One was the camera.

The last was the photo gallery.

She opened the gallery, but it was empty.

There wasn’t even a single call log on the phone.

Hesitating briefly, Ran Xing decided to use the phone’s dialer to call the number she had memorized from the other phone earlier.

Within ten seconds, the call connected.

A voice snapped irritatedly,

“Big brother, what now?”

Hearing the male voice on the other end, Ran Xing fell silent.

But soon, she recognized it.

If she recalled correctly, it was the man Xiao Yi had supported home when he was drunk.

The other side, seeing no response, added,

“President Lu, don’t worry. I’ve noted your instructions. I’ve been nearly exhausted investigating the arson case these past days. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”

Then the call ended.

Ran Xing stood frozen.

What had she just heard?

President Lu?

What had Xiao Yi instructed?

And what arson case?

After a moment of thought, Ran Xing dialed again.

This time, she spoke first.

“Hello.”

The other party’s nerves instantly tightened upon hearing a female voice.

“Who is this?”

Ran Xing softened her voice, making it sweet and gentle.

“Sorry to bother you. I found your friend’s phone at the hospital entrance and saw your contact info, so I called. I was about to say something, but you hung up before I could.”

The other party relaxed.

“Oh, I see.”

Indeed, Xiao Yi had mentioned a backup phone with only his own contact saved.

Plus, he knew Xiao Yi never set a password on it.

So it wasn’t surprising the finder could unlock the screen.

He just hadn’t expected such a cautious friend to lose his phone.

“Then I’ll thank you on his behalf.”

“No problem. By the way, I left the phone at the registration desk. Make sure your friend picks it up.”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Ran Xing’s expression grew serious.

“Xiao Yi, how many things are you hiding from me?”