Back home, Yang Haonan was already there, sitting on the sofa with his ptop.

  "You’re back," Yang Haonan said, standing up and pushing up his gsses with what he thought was a charming smile. "This must be your sister? Just call me Brother Nan."

  Xu Ke gnced at him and blurted out, "Brother Saonan, hi."

  "…" Yang Haonan’s face stiffened as he turned to Xu Nuo. "You taught her that?"

  Xu Nuo held back a ugh. "It’s called instinct."

  "This is Yang Haonan, my college roommate. This is my sister, Xu Ke. She’s here to…" Xu Nuo paused. "Xu Ke, how long are you staying, anyway?"

  "We’ll see. I’m not sure yet," Xu Ke said, wandering around the living room and nodding approvingly. "I thought two guys living together would be a mess, but it’s pretty tidy!"

  Yang Haonan puffed out his chest. "Of course, I’m a clean freak."

  He’d stayed te at work and cleaned up just for this. Both of them liked things neat but weren’t exactly organized.

  Xu Nuo pushed open his bedroom door and flipped on the light. "You’ll stay in my room for now. If you need anything, let me know—I’ll go buy it ter."

  "Got it," Xu Ke said, sizing up the room. "It’s pretty basic. Didn’t you get rich, bro?"

  "It’s just a rental—why fuss over it?" Xu Nuo shrugged, gathering some clothes to change into and taking them to the living room.

  The two-bedroom, one-living-room setup left him no choice. He didn’t trust Xu Ke in a hotel alone, and he didn’t trust Yang Haonan if he stayed elsewhere.

  So, the sofa it was for a few days.

  "Bro, where’s that Dragon King Son-in-Law thing? I wanna see it," Xu Ke called out.

  Xu Nuo frowned. "You’re into that kind of stuff too?"

  "It’s okay. I thought the opening line was kinda cool."

  "Fine, let’s go check it out."

  The three of them huddled around the ptop to watch Dragon King Son-in-Law.

  Yang Haonan was the first to voice doubts. "Xu Nuo, you really think this can take off?"

  "What do you think?"

  "It’s satisfying, sure, but it feels kinda cringe," Yang Haonan said, rubbing his nose awkwardly.

  "It’s all about the satisfaction. Cringe doesn’t matter. You think it’s awkward because you’re not the target audience."

  While Yang Haonan mulled it over, Xu Ke piped up with an insight. "I bet Dad and his friends would like it."

  "Oh? Why’s that?"

  "It’s a middle-aged guy thing, you know? Like, if you changed that line to ‘The three-year term is up—your subordinate respectfully requests Section Chief Xu’s return,’ how would Dad react?"

  Xu Nuo gave her a surprised look. "Not bad. This show’s made for that crowd. Middle-aged people have the most stress—they need something to get them pumped fast. Short dramas are how I’m delivering that."

  "Each episode’s under two minutes, packed with pying the underdog, showing off, and shocking twists—all to max out the thrill."

  Xu Nuo watched it again from start to finish. "This kind of plot gets copied easily, so we need a gimmick. Like, the male lead gets spped every episode, smirks evilly at the end, and the butler kneels the second he shows up. Hammer those traits every time. Eventually, viewers will lock them in their heads—each scene will trigger that memory."

  "Got it," Yang Haonan said, jotting it down. "We’ve shot seven episodes already. The rest are still in editing."

  "Good. Once a week’s worth is ready, push it out everywhere. If it flops, switch scripts fast and keep costs low."

  Xu Ke, listening nearby, was half-confused. "Bro, why are you guys making this?"

  "None of your business, kid," Xu Nuo said, shooing her away and pulling Yang Haonan into his room. "Wash up and go to bed yourself."

  "Hmph, I’m 17—not a kid," Xu Ke huffed, stomping back to the room.

  That night, Xu Nuo slept on the sofa. Halfway through, he woke up groggy to a figure standing over him. Startled, he sat up sharply. "Who’s there?"

  "Bro, were you asleep?"

  Xu Nuo sighed in relief. He’d thought Yang Haonan had gone feral or something.

  "What are you doing up in the middle of the night?"

  "I can’t sleep," Xu Ke said, plopping onto the sofa with her pillow.

  Xu Nuo rubbed his temples, exasperated. "You’re this old and still can’t sleep in a new bed?"

  "Come on, it’s my first night—I’m just not used to it," Xu Ke pouted.

  "So what now?"

  Xu Ke tilted her head, then her eyes lit up. "Bro, sing me a song! I’ll fall asleep after."

  Xu Nuo froze. "I don’t know how to sing!"

  "Please, bro, come on!" Xu Ke grabbed his arm and shook it.

  "Fine, fine, you win," Xu Nuo said, head spinning from the shaking. "What song do you want?"

  "Hmm, something sleepy."

  Xu Nuo thought for a sec and sang her "Departed."

  "Silver boat swaying gently, curved

  Hanging in the fluffy sky

  Your worries, scattered blue

  Resting on my quiet heart

  You say love’s depths leave one alone"

  Moonlight spilled through the window into the living room, lighting Xu Nuo’s face. His warm, magnetic voice carried the tender song, and Xu Ke listened, entranced.

  "Departed, exiled to the edge

  Like stepping into a fifth season

  Day and night lose their peace

  Tides rise and fall at will

  No spring in the dictionary"

  Xu Ke swayed to the rhythm, her eyes sparkling like stars.

  When the song ended, Xu Nuo opened his mouth, and Xu Ke handed him a water bottle, even unscrewing the cap for him.

  "You heard it—can you sleep now?" Xu Nuo gulped down half the cup. He’d first heard this song in a video and learned it on purpose.

  Civil Engineering Css 3’s Chen.

  "Bro, you sang that so well."

  "I love how clueless you are," Xu Nuo said, grinning as he patted her head.

  Xu Ke squirmed, annoyed. "Hey, don’t mess up my hair!"

  "Go to bed already."

  "Bro, did you write this song?"

  "Yup."

  "Bro, debut already—I’ll be your fan!"

  "Pfft, like I care," Xu Nuo scoffed, shooing her back to the room.

  The next morning, Xu Nuo was still half-asleep when kitchen noises woke him. Opening his eyes, he saw a figure there, accompanied by sizzling sounds.

  Had the sun risen in the west? Xu Nuo scratched his head and called out, "Brother Saonan? What’s the occasion—you’re cooking?"

  "Hmph, it’s me!" Xu Ke said, brandishing a spatu and gring at him.

  Xu Nuo flopped back down. He must’ve woken up too fast—dreaming Xu Ke was cooking.

  "Xu Nuo!"

  "What, calling my soul back?" Xu Nuo groaned, dragging himself up.

  "Your arm’s gone off three times. Get up or you’ll be te," Xu Ke said, kicking him.

  Xu Nuo reluctantly shuffled to brush his teeth, peering into the kitchen. "Since when can you cook?"

  "Doesn’t cooking just need hands?" Xu Ke shot him a look. "Step back—your toothpaste’ll sptter everywhere."

  Xu Nuo ate, nodding repeatedly. "Mm, tasty. You’re on cooking duty from now on."

  "Pfft, in your dreams!"

  (End of Chapter)