Luo Yingbai had originally planned to say a few casual words, but since Xia Zheng was fixated on his relationship with Xia Xianning, they might as well be more straightforward.
With Xia Xianning being so cooperative in teasing Feng Zhengyang, it became an incredibly entertaining thing, almost irresistible.
Luo Yingbai cleared his throat, grabbing Xia Xianning’s arm: “No, then people will say I’m riding your coattails.”
Xia Xianning looked at him and smiled, saying, “No, I want to spend money on you. I’m just afraid spending too much might make you unhappy.”
They were clearly joking, taking turns teasing Feng Zhengyang and Xia Zheng. But when Xia Xianning said this with a smile, Luo Yingbai was suddenly touched.
Not because Xia Xianning was good at lying, but because he said these words so sincerely.
Luo Yingbai suddenly felt that the eyes looking at him were filled with countless emotions of love and indulgence.
Xia Xianning’s eye corners and long eyelashes were all so heartwarming.
Luo Yingbai lowered his eyelids. Someone he had known since childhood now made him almost unable to continue looking.
Xia Xianning was also looking at Luo Yingbai. When talking to his senior brother, he especially liked to look directly at the other person.
Because he was always afraid that inadvertent glances might reveal his feelings, Xia Xianning didn’t want to waste any opportunity to openly gaze at Luo Yingbai.
Now he no longer needed to hide anything.
He vaguely felt that Luo Yingbai was somewhat embarrassed, and this realization brought a strange sense of pleasure to Xia Xianning. They stopped mid-conversation, gazing at each other deeply, leaving listeners completely bewildered.
During their earlier conversation, people were shocked and envious, discovering that this young actor could actually receive special attention from Director Xia. But now, as they stopped talking, the atmosphere was even more unusual.
What was previously indulgence now seemed more like love.
Xia Xianning couldn’t help but lightly tap Luo Yingbai’s head. Luo Yingbai came back to his senses, saying, “Ah, no, no. I heard I could have a separate role. I’m, I’m so happy.”
Xia Xianning said casually, “Don’t overthink it. You act so well, more people should see it.”
Though they were seemingly mocking Feng Zhengyang, every sentence was actually related to Xia Zheng. Xia Zheng, who was already jealous of Xia Xianning, couldn’t bear it anymore. He tried to speak in a calm tone: “Big brother, let me explain. Recently, because of this person, you’ve had too many rumors, affecting our family’s reputation. I’m even considering our brotherhood by not reporting to grandpa. How could our Xia family possibly allow such a thing…
“Xia Zheng usually feared Xia Xianning, but now he probably felt that Xia Xianning was involved with a man in an ambiguous relationship, so he had some courage to stand up and speak like this.
Feng Zhengyang was almost ready to kneel before this big brother.
Seeing Xia Xianning’s expression growing increasingly ugly, Feng Zhengyang worried that if Xia Xianning revealed Luo Yingbai’s identity before him, given Xia Zheng’s petty and irritable temper, he would definitely want to devour him after learning he knew the truth but didn’t tell him.
Unable to approach himself, he signaled to Assistant Jiang.
Assistant Jiang gritted her teeth, mustering courage to step forward again. She quickly weighed the most tactful explanation and steeled herself to tell Xia Zheng: “Young Master Xia, you’ve mistaken the person.”
Her words left everyone confused. Xia Zheng rolled his eyes, about to speak, but Assistant Jiang continued: “This isn’t the celebrity rumored to be involved with Director Xia. This is Director Luo’s son.”
Xia Zheng: “…What? What are you talking about? What Director Luo’s son? Which… which Director Luo?”
Assistant Jiang tried to lower her voice, speaking firmly: “Young Master, Director Luo is Luo Jiao.”
The person in front of you is his only son…”
She continued speaking, but Xia Zheng didn’t hear anything else, staring directly at Luo Yingbai, shocked and unable to react.
No wonder Xia Xianning was so close to him!
He had been watching rehearsals at the film set, while Xia Xianning had been investigating cases at the special investigation unit. Neither of them had received the latest news. They looked at each other for a second, and Xia Xianning said, “Today, the teachers are having a meeting…”
Luo Yingbai suddenly realized, and hurriedly pulled out his phone. When he lit up the screen, he saw dozens of missed calls and text messages. Before he could read the content, Xia Xianning’s phone also started ringing noisily.
Xia Xianning knew what was happening without even answering the call.
Luo Yingbai was so anxious that his forehead was burning. He quickly browsed through the messages. He realized that compared to the previous rumors about him and Xia Xianning, his father was the real news killer!
Just two or three hours earlier, numerous forums and websites seemed to have coordinated, displaying bold, red news headlines. This time, in addition to Luo Yingbai, who already had a reputation for attracting controversy, two shocking new figures were added.
“Mysterious Official Spotted Late at Night, How Many Powerful Backers Does Luo Yingbai Have?
“Luo Yingbai Suspected to Be Xia Xianning’s True Love, Openly Displaying Affection” “Deeply Entangled in Homosexual Rumors, Luo Yingbai Allegedly Juggling Multiple Relationships.”
To attract attention, each headline was more sensational than the last, and the news content was even more exaggerated. While previous reports had been somewhat restrained out of consideration for Xia Xianning’s status, this time they were completely uninhibited.
However, looking at the media outlets reporting the news created a subtle feeling. While entertainment news was in full swing, mainstream media was unanimously silent. None of the outlets reporting these stories were considered legitimate or authoritative. The reports were mainly concentrated on non-physical entertainment forums and websites.
Various websites were competing to break the most shocking news.
Ordinary people wouldn’t overthink it, merely excited by this sudden drama. Many uninformed fans were even cheering because of the phrase “Xia Xianning’s True Love.” After quickly browsing, people gradually realized something was off.
The news content was truly explosive.
This wave wasn’t the usual media speculation or a publicity stunt by an actor’s crew, but backed by substantial evidence. Each article was accompanied by numerous photos and videos: Xia Xianning and Luo Yingbai walking side by side on the street, Luo Yingbai tapping Xia Xianning’s forehead, Xia Xianning smiling at him…
They even had comprehensive photos of Luo Yingbai entering and leaving the special investigation unit, sometimes staying overnight. The time span was extensive, and the locations diverse – something ordinary media could never achieve.
Additionally, there were materials showing Luo Yingbai getting into a car with another man and entering a luxurious mansion. The photos weren’t very clear, but people could vaguely see the man was much older and definitely not Xia Xianning. Other details were hard to discern.
Even so, it was already shocking. Who knew Xia Xianning could smile? Who knew he would let someone tap his forehead?
Of course, many believed this was just normal friend interaction, arguing that close friends living together or sharing a meal wasn’t a big deal. Others countered this view, pointing out that besides Xia Xianning, Luo Yingbai also appeared intimate with an older man driving a luxury car and living in a luxurious mansion.
One photo showed them in a car, with Luo Yingbai leaning on the man’s shoulder, seemingly acting coquettish.
