Chapter 259: Brief Warmth

Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was already 5 PM. Fang Zhou initially planned to go out and buy some groceries to cook dinner.

However, Qiao Sisi clung to his arm, refusing to let him take even a single step outside, afraid that if he left, he might not come back.

Left with no other choice, Fang Zhou ordered from a reliable-looking takeout service.

Qiao Sisi, wary to the point of paranoia, insisted on personally collecting the delivery, not giving Fang Zhou the chance to step out the door.

Watching her return with several takeout bags in her slender hands, Fang Zhou couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Miss Qiao, you need to eat more; otherwise, you won’t have the strength to beat me up.”

Qiao Sisi closed and locked the door, then pouted and gave him a playful glare. “In a few days, I’ll sign up for a Taekwondo class. Let’s see if you still dare to talk big then!”

Laughing, Fang Zhou walked over, took the bags from her hands, and placed them on the dining table.

He then pulled Qiao Sisi to sit down and thoughtfully massaged her wrists.

“Alright, alright, you should definitely get a black belt in Taekwondo. That way, you won’t have to worry about sasaeng fans when you go out.” (tln : sasaeng fans is toxic fans)

Hidden within his casual words were many underlying messages, which made Qiao Sisi pause for a moment.

For instance, how did he know she had been stalked by sasaeng fans?

She raised her gaze, her eyes fixing on Fang Zhou’s handsome face, scanning his dark pupils, and asked softly, “Have you been following my news?”

As a popular actress in recent years, any news about Qiao Sisi, big or small, would trend.

From the dresses she wore on the red carpet to the CP (couple pairing) from her latest dramas, to discussions about her acting skills—everything was a hot topic in this age of information. It was hard for Fang Zhou not to notice.

He remembered that a few years ago, Qiao Sisi starred in a drama that skyrocketed her fame, making her the dream goddess of many.

But during a fan meet, she was followed home by a sasaeng fan and forced to accept a bouquet of flowers.

Fortunately, the person didn’t do anything excessive, but it still scared Qiao Sisi. Her agency promptly issued a legal warning.

After that incident, Qiao Sisi’s public appearances became more low-key.

She stopped following the typical path of her peers and shifted her focus to honing her acting skills, patiently waiting for the right opportunities.

This led to her current reputation as a talented actress.

Faced with Qiao Sisi’s probing question, Fang Zhou nodded lightly, admitting that he had been following her news.

“I know a little about it. I bet you were scared out of your wits.”

Qiao Sisi’s gaze softened, and she leaned her head on Fang Zhou’s shoulder, responding, “Yeah, it almost scared me to death.”

Out of Fang Zhou’s sight, the seemingly gentle actress’s eyes turned cold and vicious.

If it weren’t for her manager being present, she might have taken that person down.

Qiao Sisi had always lacked a sense of security, and being stalked only exacerbated her inner darkness.

However, Fang Zhou’s quiet attention warmed her heart, dispelling much of the gloom.

Her previously mediocre mood improved considerably.

“Fang Zhou, I’m hungry.”

Qiao Sisi looked up at him lazily, openly expressing her need.

“Then let’s eat.”

Fang Zhou stood up and began unwrapping the takeout, handing her a pair of chopsticks.

“The pickled fish has no chilies; you can eat it without worry.”

Qiao Sisi nodded, starting to fill her hungry stomach. A day of emotional battles had drained her energy.

Fang Zhou was also hungry, quickly finishing a bowl of rice. Just as he was about to start his second bowl, his phone rang.

“Crossing the vast mountains, crossing the endless seas…”

The melody of “Lady Shexiang” played in Qiao Sisi’s mind, prompting her to give Fang Zhou a questioning look, as if to say, “You listen to such old songs now?”

Fang Zhou laughed as he got up to answer the call, explaining, “Can’t help it, you awaken certain skills at a certain age.”

Like listening to Phoenix Legend’s songs.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Brother Zhou? This is the assistant from XX Household Products. We talked on WeChat before, do you remember?”

Fang Zhou furrowed his brows, trying to recall but failing.

“Who is this? I don’t quite remember. What’s your WeChat name?”

He needed to check his chat history to remember.

“We discussed the collaboration with Little Umbrella before.”

At that, Fang Zhou instantly remembered the matter. Indeed, there had been such a discussion.

When he first appeared on the show, his fan count skyrocketed, and someone approached him for a collaboration.

However, with ongoing show recordings and fewer live broadcasts, the advertisers didn’t follow up, and he gradually forgot about it.

Unexpectedly, they called again today.

“I’m sorry, Brother Zhou, for contacting you so late. I was held up by personal health issues and am now back on track.”

“Do you have time to discuss it now?”

Fang Zhou slapped his thigh excitedly, answering, “Of course I have time!”

A sponsor offering money? He’d agree to that in a heartbeat!

Was it 80,000 or 100,000 yuan? He’d happily take it!

So, Fang Zhou sat on the sofa, talking on the phone for nearly half an hour. Meanwhile, Qiao Sisi had long finished her meal and even took a call to discuss her work for the next day.

After hanging up, she noticed Fang Zhou was still on the phone, and the person on the other end was clearly a woman, which made her a bit jealous.

She snuggled into Fang Zhou’s lap, starting to cause some mischief.

Her nimble fingers wandered over his abs, sometimes lightly pinching.

Fang Zhou winced, sucking in a breath, prompting the caller to ask, “Are you alright? If you’re not feeling well, there’s no need to stream tonight.”

Fang Zhou used his free hand to pin down the mischief-maker, quickly replying, “I’m fine, just remembered something.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t miss tonight’s live stream! With 520 coming up, I’ll definitely promote this ad for you!”

After promising confidently, he hurriedly ended the call.

Seeing Fang Zhou finished with his call and ready to confront her, Qiao Sisi tried to make a quick escape.

“Uh, I’m going to take out the trash.”

“I’m not done eating yet; what trash?”

Fang Zhou grabbed her hand, pulling her back into his lap, playfully punishing her.

Eventually, Qiao Sisi, giggling and claiming a stomach ache, ended their playful tussle.

This was the warmth she had longed for.