Chapter 225: Drinking the Wedding Cup

The car entered Liu Tianxian's Villa, and the two got out.

On the Villa's terrace, Fang Hong saw Liu Xiaoli and Shuchang sitting opposite each other, chatting.

On the bamboo table between them were placed melons and fruits.

Shuchang knew Liu Tianxian was returning today and came over specially to see her—good friends, after all.

"Mom, Changchang." Liu Tianxian called out cheerfully, hurrying to them like a bird returning home.

"Oh my, you're back."

Liu Xiaoli stood up, smiling broadly at her daughter—she hadn't seen her in a while.

"Auntie," Fang Hong greeted from behind.

Liu Xiaoli nodded slightly in response, offering no further words; she understood everything clearly.

Shuchang came up to them: "You two came back together?"

"No, he picked me up at the airport."

Liu Tianxian replied, gesturing: "You two chat first—I'll take my luggage inside and change clothes; it was sweltering on the way."

She had sweated a lot coming from afar.

"Let me help you," Fang Hong said.

"No need, I'll be out soon."

Liu Tianxian patted his arm, signaling him to stay and chat with her mother and Shuchang, then walked into the house.

After she left, Fang Hong sat with Liu Xiaoli and Shuchang on either side; the three stared at each other, unsure what to say, as if they had nothing to say.

Mainly because Fang Hong didn't know Shuchang well, and he always felt some distance from Liu Xiaoli.

Fang Hong spoke first: "Auntie, what have you been busy with lately?"

"Nothing. I'm just idle."

Liu Xiaoli's one sentence left Fang Hong speechless.

Indeed, she used to follow her daughter around constantly; now that she didn't, she had nothing to do.

Still, she managed her daughter's talent agency affairs and hadn't fully let go.

"I notice you rarely appear in public—do you usually stay at the company?" Liu Xiaoli began proactively seeking topics.

She had noticed this boy rarely showed up in public media or attended events, as if indifferent to fame and fortune, and was curious.

Usually, someone so young would want to show their face, make themselves known—out of vanity.

"Yes, I have no entertainment activities; I'm either filming or working," Fang Hong replied.

He used to have some entertainment with Yu Xian, but after Yu Xian left, it stopped.

Others couldn't connect with him.

"I see!"

Liu Xiaoli murmured—his lifestyle was disciplined and proper, which was good.

Listening to their conversation, Shuchang asked: "Principal, have you been filming anything lately?"

"No!"

Fang Hong awkwardly followed up: "Have you been acting?"

"Not yet, but there's a drama called 'Fenghuo Marie Claire'—they're discussing a possible role," Shuchang said.

Fang Hong nodded but said nothing.

He had starred in a movie that grossed big, yet his resources hadn't improved—his situation was hard to describe.

Liu Xiaoli looked at the two and said to Fang Hong: "If you have any suitable roles or projects, you can recommend them to Changchang."

"Sure, I will if anything comes up," Fang Hong nodded.

Liu Xiaoli was quite enthusiastic about this; Liu Tianxian never once offered to introduce resources to her friends.

In the years Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian had known each other, the only time Liu Tianxian ever introduced anyone was for 'Lost in Love 33 Days'—after that, never again.

That abortion movie was found by Yutu herself—unrelated to Liu Tianxian.

Moreover, Liu Tianxian rarely interfered in Fang Hong's business affairs; he often asked her for help, and she would help.

She rarely gave advice—she let Fang Hong develop freely.

The three chatted intermittently; Liu Xiaoli's attitude had softened from last year's coldness.

After all, so much time had passed—it was time for a change.

Soon Liu Tianxian walked out, still in a short-sleeved ripped jeans outfit, but much fresher—she must have showered.

"Oh my, such a pretty little beauty—wonder who'll get lucky?" Shuchang joked.

"How about you get lucky?"

Liu Tianxian grinned, bending over to wrap her arms around Shuchang's neck, acting very affectionate.

"I don't want you!" Shuchang pushed her away.

"I want you!" Liu Tianxian acted like a female predator, "Mwah!"—she kissed Shuchang's cheek.

"Hey, your boyfriend's right here—can't you be more reserved, act like a lady? What if he doesn't like you?" Shuchang teased.

"I don't care what he likes!" Liu Tianxian was stubbornly proud.

"Principal, won't you do something?" Shuchang laughed.

"I dare not even speak," Fang Hong feigned helplessness.

"See? I have real status," Liu Tianxian plopped down on the armrest of Fang Hong's chair, draping her arm over his shoulder.

"Sit properly," Liu Xiaoli reached out and slapped her.

"Heh, my mom's jealous—just a kiss!" Liu Tianxian leaned forward, puckering her lips toward her mother.

That puckered expression was hard to describe.

"You little devil, never serious."

Liu Xiaoli dodged away, utterly exasperated.

Liu Tianxian was always like this—lively, unreserved with those close to her, completely at ease.

Like a quirky goddess, nothing like her professional persona.

Fang Hong smiled but said little; since they were close, it was natural to joke around.

Liu Tianxian didn't get to kiss him, so she pulled out an empty chair and sat back down.

The four sat one on each side.

But as soon as Liu Tianxian arrived, the atmosphere completely changed—became lively. When she wasn't here, Fang Hong and the others just exchanged awkward small talk.

Liu Tianxian asked: "What were you just talking about?"

"Just ordinary stuff," Fang Hong said.

"Oh!" Liu Tianxian turned to Shuchang: "Hey, how's it going with your boyfriend?"

"We're dating," Shuchang smiled sweetly.

Previously, Shuchang had publicly announced her relationship on Weibo, but didn't reveal the man's name or face.

Fang Hong didn't know who it was—he just listened to the gossip.

He knew Shuchang hadn't married by 2024, and something had happened in between, around 2015, two or three years ago.

He didn't know how to warn her; they were relatives, and his words as an outsider might sound like meddling.

Respect others' destinies, let go of the urge to fix them! Maybe if I flap my wings, I'll alter someone's fate—hard to say.

After all, in 2015, he had already climbed two more rungs; any move he made in the entertainment industry could change many people's destinies.

But then again, if it's true love, even if that thing happened, they should understand each other and open their hearts.

Compromise when needed, tolerate when needed—not abandon, not break up. That kind of love is too fragile.

"Then date well. When you're ready, we'll come drink your wedding wine," Liu Tianxian patted Shuchang's leg.

She truly cared about her friend's lifelong happiness.

"Sure, you all come—Auntie, you have to come too," Shuchang kept smiling.

"Of course I'll come when you marry!" Liu Xiaoli smiled warmly; she'd watched this girl grow up, treated her like a daughter.

She reminded her: "But be careful—look closely at his character."

"Yes, I know."

Shuchang smirked at Liu Tianxian: "So when's your wedding wine?"

She glanced at Fang Hong—obvious meaning.

"Whenever you host, I'll host—we'll do it together. At our weddings, we'll drink the wedding cup together, how's that?"

Liu Tianxian didn't hide it, laughing "giggly-giggly."

"Great idea," Shuchang laughed too.

"Nonsense," Liu Xiaoli scolded playfully.

These two women chattered away with laughter—she dared speak, she dared listen.

Fang Hong just smiled, saying nothing—he knew they were joking.

By the time they drank Shuchang's wedding wine, their hair would turn white! Around afternoon, Liu Xiaoli stood up: "You chat, I'll cook. Shuchang, stay for dinner."

"Okay, Auntie," Shuchang said.

Fang Hong sighed inwardly—he and Liu Tianxian had reached this point, yet he still couldn't even get a meal out of it. How pathetic.

"I'll go now," he stood up.

"Hey," Liu Tianxian stopped him.

Liu Xiaoli took two steps, turned back, and asked: "Aren't you staying for dinner?"

Fang Hong blinked, cautiously asked: "Should I eat or not?"

"You silly kid—if you want to eat, eat! If you don't, I won't take your rice. Why ask me?" Liu Xiaoli spoke casually.

"I want to eat," Fang Hong nodded.

"Then sit here a bit. I'll call you when it's ready," Liu Xiaoli waved him down, signaling him to sit.

Then she walked toward the kitchen inside.

Fang Hong looked at Liu Tianxian; she smiled, took his hand: "Call your mom. Tell her you're eating here tonight—don't let her worry."

"Okay!" Fang Hong went to the side to make the call.

Shuchang watched their interaction—this kind of rapport was truly comfortable.

"You've met the parents?" Shuchang leaned in, whispering.

"Not officially—just treating his mom like a friend," Liu Tianxian whispered back.

"That still counts. I'm jealous—you've been getting along so well for years," Shuchang said, feeling a pang of sadness.

She remembered her own man was always nitpicking.

"We've had plenty of conflicts, but more tolerance, more communication helps. Don't obsess over everything—I listen when he speaks, he listens when I speak. We slowly adapt," Liu Tianxian shared her insight.

Shuchang nodded, taking it to heart.

The two whispered quietly; Fang Hong didn't know what they were saying. When he returned, they were already seated, changed the topic.

"Did your mom say anything?" Liu Tianxian asked.

"Nothing much—just told me to behave myself at your place," Fang Hong said.

"No problem, be casual—it's not a formal occasion," Liu Tianxian patted his leg.

Fang Hong nodded. He said so, but inside he was still uneasy—it was his first time eating at Liu Tianxian's home, and with the mother-in-law present.

The two women kept chatting about women's topics. Liu Xiaoli cooked quickly and soon called them to eat.

The three arrived by the dining table, and Shuchang looked at the abundant dishes on it: "Wow, it's been so long since I last ate Auntie's cooking—I really miss it."

She seemed more relaxed.

"Then today you must eat plenty." Liu Xiaoli pulled out three pairs of chopsticks: "Sit down and eat!"

Liu Tianxian took two pairs and handed one to Fang Hong.

The four sat in two pairs facing each other, with Liu Tianxian and Fang Hong seated together.

"Xiao Fang, do you cook for yourself at home?" Liu Xiaoli picked up her bowl and asked casually.

"Not me—my mom cooks," Fang Hong said.

"Then tell me, is mine better, or your mom's?" Liu Xiaoli smiled at him, clearly asking on purpose.

This question was to test Fang Hong's emotional intelligence—if he said his mom's was better, he'd offend Liu Xiaoli.

If he said Liu Xiaoli's was better, he'd be sucking up.

Both women turned to Fang Hong, smiling as they waited to see how he'd answer.

"At your house, yours is better; at my house, my mom's is better," Fang Hong said.

"Hahaha!"

"."

The three burst into laughter—it was too clever, said without a moment's thought.

He offended no one and defused the situation effortlessly.

"If it's good, eat more," Liu Xiaoli gestured.

Liu Tianxian used her own chopsticks to place a dish into Fang Hong's bowl, urging him to eat.

"Principal, now that you're the boss, do you have a lot of social obligations? Do lots of people invite you to meals—or try to gain something from you?" Shuchang said while eating.

It was about whether he could resist the unwritten rules, whether he could withstand temptation.

This question was asked on behalf of Liu Xiaoli and Liu Tianxian—to gauge Fang Hong's character.

"These things definitely happen, and they're common—but I personally hate them."

Fang Hong acknowledged he'd faced many temptations before—Fan Xiaopang had tempted him, Jiang Jianzhu had tempted him too.

But he never responded.

He paused, then said: "Even though the entertainment industry is full of temptations, I can't say I'm immune—but I avoid encountering temptation altogether, denying others the chance."

"If you can't control yourself, how can you love those around you? That's harming them."

This made sense—Liu Xiaoli and Shuchang nodded in agreement, though they weren't deeply moved; Liu Tianxian, however, felt it deeply and noticed.

Indeed, this man lived a quiet life, rarely interacting with people or things, focusing solely on his own work—something she greatly admired.

"Whether it's the unwritten rules or exchange of favors, it's all treating people like objects: 'I sleep with you, so you give me benefits.' Isn't that reducing a person to an object? I don't know about others, but I dislike this."

He had risen from the bottom and understood this helplessness well—many girls had no choice.

But he refused to do it, showing at least basic respect.

"To have this awareness and still refuse to join the corruption—that's rare," Liu Xiaoli nodded.

This circle was like this, and Fang Hong stood at its top—he could, if he wished, enjoy all the conveniences it offered.

He could sleep with any female star, or any beautiful newcomer desperate for fame—not even needing to gesture, just hinting would bring countless women to his bed, with no cost to him.

Because he could easily quit being a star.

But he didn't. He chose not to touch, not to engage—that was truly precious.

"I agree with Fang Hong. Though we're in this circle, we don't have to become part of its corruption—if we do, what's the difference between us and them?"

Liu Tianxian agreed with Fang Hong's viewpoint.

From the beginning until now, no matter how he fought, Fang Hong never targeted those at the bottom, never used his power to oppress—he only targeted those of his own level.

He never targeted Jiang Jianzhu or Liu Sisi.

He didn't target Zeng Yike either—only spoke harsh words to her as precaution.

The meal was eaten while chatting; Fang Hong was somewhat stiff, like when he met An Shaokang before, but better than that time.

After all, Fang Hong had met Liu Xiaoli many times—he'd grown familiar with her.

(End of chapter)