Chapter 25 – Is It Because He Doesn’t Have Enough Homework?

An Zao’s public reveal of his identity attracted enormous attention—after all, the concept of an undercover CEO was highly newsworthy.

Attentive viewers began rewatching An Zao’s scenes from earlier episodes with microscopes metaphorically in hand. Because of An Zao’s own request, he had very little screen time, only a few minutes per episode. His standout moment was during Bai Lisu’s team meeting, when she invited him to speak and his proposal was incisive and insightful. Those few minutes were clipped and reposted all over the internet:

⤷ As an MBA, I knew Yan Zao wasn’t ordinary when I saw this scene. Turns out I was right…

⤷ Your superior is still your superior. How could a chairman’s proposal be bad?

⤷ Am I the only one focused on how weak Bai Lisu is? An Zao practically pointed out the path for her, and she still messed it up…

⤷ If Hong Xiaohua hadn’t kept yapping, would it really have failed?

⤷ Can Bai Lisu and Hong Xiaohua fan wars go somewhere else? You’re interrupting our appreciation of hubby’s heroic appearance.

Although many people claimed the title of “An Zao’s wife,” another group of fans had different priorities. Rather than becoming An Zao’s wife themselves, they preferred finding him a wife—otherwise known as shipping fans.

These eagle-eyed shippers quickly became obsessed with the “Zao-Yan CP”:

⤷ Have you noticed that An Zao and Yan Dun are assigned together for every task?

⤷ Yan Dun and An Zao look perfect together!

⤷ An Zao always looks at Yan Dun so indulgently!

⤷ So sweet, so sweet!

⤷ I’m dead from sweetness!

Yan Dun himself possessed the protagonist’s “universal heartthrob” filter, so he had gained plenty of fans as well. Naturally, many fans shipped him with An Zao.

Before long, the An Zao × Yan Dun pairing became hugely popular.

Yan Dun was stunned.

Although he personally did harbor some feelings toward An Zao, objectively speaking, hadn’t they barely done anything together on the show? Why was everyone shipping them?

Yan Dun wasn’t a celebrity and wasn’t comfortable in front of cameras. Plus, he was careful to maintain a professional superior-subordinate relationship in public. In the few minutes of footage they received each episode, they always kept a respectable distance.

He genuinely couldn’t understand why netizens had already created fan communities dedicated to their pairing.

Customer Service answered:

In the world of shipping fans, none of that matters. If the pairing suits their taste, they can even ship Voldemort and the Buddha, Dear Customer. Plus, this is their logic, Customer.

• If two people don’t talk, it’s because their love is hard to express.
• If they do talk, it’s sweet interaction.
• If they look at each other, it’s affectionate gazing.
• If they don’t look at each other, they’re shy and avoiding eye contact.

…

During a filming break, Chen Jiangchen came to Yan Dun’s dressing room and proposed:

“If you don’t mind participating in a CP marketing campaign, why don’t you do it with me?”

As he spoke, he flashed his trademark sweet smile with the adorable dimples.

Such a beautiful young man was hard to resist. Few people could reject that kind of affection.

Unfortunately, Chen Jiangchen forgot one thing:

Yan Dun didn’t have the dressing room to himself.

An Zao was there too.

Before Yan Dun could answer, An Zao cut in:

“Jiangchen, that’s not a good idea. First, it wouldn’t benefit you. Your popularity is already high enough, and CP marketing would do more harm than good. Second, it would benefit Yan even less. He isn’t planning to debut as an entertainer. It would only bring him unnecessary trouble.”

An Zao’s expression was serious, and there was a hint of intimidation in his gaze, as though Chen Jiangchen hadn’t proposed a publicity strategy but had applied for permission to flirt with his future sister-in-law.

“But…” Chen Jiangchen tried to argue despite An Zao’s chilly stare.

An Zao repeated the same question.

“Have you finished your homework?”

Chen Jiangchen obediently answered,

“I have.”

To be fair, Chen Jiangchen really was a smart kid. According to the setting, he possessed exceptional intelligence.

An Zao tested him and found that he’d memorized his vocabulary very well. He’d also worked hard to improve in other subjects.

Honestly, An Zao was rather pleased.

My kid is really smart.

But when he remembered that all this intelligence was being used on Yan Dun, his expression darkened again.

He asked:

“Do you feel confident about getting into X University?”

Although Chen Jiangchen was intelligent and had been studying hard recently, admission to X University was still far from guaranteed.

So he replied,

“Second Cousin said… he’d donate a library to X University.”

An Zao became even more displeased.

“If donating a library is enough, then even an idiot could get into X University.”

At that moment, his parental authority was at maximum power. It wasn’t entirely because of Yan Dun anymore. Hearing a child treat “donating a library” as a backup plan simply didn’t sit well with him.

Chen Jiangchen lowered his head guiltily.

“Yes…”

The disappointed look on the teenager’s face made Yan Dun feel sympathetic.

So Yan Dun tried to mediate.

“Don’t be so strict with the kid. Look how frightened he is…”

When Chen Jiangchen heard himself referred to as a “kid,” he looked slightly unconvinced. However, with An Zao standing right there, he didn’t dare argue.

Meanwhile, An Zao felt somewhat reassured that Yan Dun still viewed Chen Jiangchen as a child. His expression softened.

“Jiangchen, is it because you don’t have enough homework? Is that why you have so many unnecessary thoughts, like wanting to do CP marketing?”

For any student, “Do you not have enough homework?” was a terrifying sentence.

Chen Jiangchen hurriedly shook his head.

“No, Cousin. I just…”

An Zao nodded.

“In that case, since you have free time, why don’t you start studying for the SAT?”

Chen Jiangchen was horrified.

Does Cousin not love me anymore?

Now he had to prepare for China’s college entrance examination, grind through practice tests, study for the SAT and TOEFL, and continue appearing on the reality show.

His schedule instantly became overwhelming, consuming every trace of romantic enthusiasm he once possessed.

Dating?

What dating?

With a stack of exam-prep books beside you, nobody is lovable.

Math problems have no solution.

And so does love.

SAT practice exams provided a comprehensive experience of unattainable longing and painful separation.

Chen Jiangchen’s time became completely packed. Besides filming and promotional appearances, he attended countless tutoring classes.

After all, he was someone preparing simultaneously for both the Chinese Gaokao and the SAT.

Even with the family’s genetically inherited high IQ, this workload was brutal.

Watching Chen Jiangchen stay up late studying until he looked half-dead from exhaustion, even Old Madam An grew concerned.

She asked:

“Why is the child studying so late every night?”

Chen Jiangchen answered,

“Because Cousin thinks I’m not working hard enough.”

Old Madam An looked at his schedule, frowned, and felt something wasn’t quite right.

So she called Xiao Qi.

“Secretary Qi, has Jiangchen done something recently that angered An Zao?”

Xiao Qi replied,

“As far as I know, no. Chairman An cares greatly about Young Master Jiangchen and personally oversees his studies.”

Old Madam An thought for a moment before asking:

“Then what’s going on with that Yan Dun? I’ve heard people say he’s doing CP marketing with An Zao.”

The moment Xiao Qi heard this, he immediately seized the chance to attack his rival.

“This Yan Dun has questionable intentions. He’s extremely good at flattering people. Staying by Young Master Chi’s side wasn’t enough for him—now he’s trying to attach himself to Young Master Zao as well.”

Old Madam An asked,

“And Xiao Chi and Xiao Zao can tolerate someone like that?”

Xiao Qi answered,

“Yan Dun is very good at ingratiating himself. He’s completely won over both Young Master Chi and Young Master Zao.”

Old Madam An gasped in admiration.

“Amazing!”

“…”

Xiao Qi: Damn it, I’m so angry.