Work Text:
Xiao Zhan cannot be thankful enough that the C-Ent lives by a pre-recorded show. The circumstance that he was in had halted all his future projects. A little 5 months ago, he thought he was dying when he cannot stop throwing up. Instead he received a shocking news that he was expecting.
He always knew he had the ability and had been incredibly careful of it, in fear he would gotten pregnant and his career will take the hit. Well not only his but also his partner. But then his worst nightmare come true. He had several options and were really considering it. But Yibo had made him think carefully.
Xiao Zhan had always wanted a child of his own, but never was this early. But after much consideration, he decided to keep it. He believes he had made the right decision. Yibo's face had light up with the news, Xiao Zhan believe Yibo's excitement and happiness could light up the entire world. Yibo was estatic.
They then had to rearrange a lot of stuff. Xiao Zhan had notified his crew a week after he receive the diagnosis. Everyone had been incredibly supportive. They decide, Xiao Zhan will continue working as usual until he hit the 2nd trimester when he starts showing.
Yibo and Xiao Zhan had rushed to register their marriage. Xiao Zhan had loved all the moments. They had gone to the registry counter around few more minutes before its closing hours, hoping they were not many people. Indeed, the counter was empty.
The day goes by the same except that Xiao Zhan now had to deal with all the common symptoms that pregnant person experienced. He really hated the puking part. He had curse Yibo's dick more times than he can count. When he starts showing, Xiao Zhan had started going semi-hiatus. The fans had questioned it.
Fans were served with various recorded programs, drama, show and ads so they do not complain much. Honestly other than the ever presence and troublesome pregnancy symptom, Xiao Zhan were loving this. Everyone had said there were glow to his look, he also got the chance to finally work on his hobby. He no longer had to work long hours and stay up late.
Most importantly, pregnancy had made him mellower than usual. It must be the hormone, but he was starting to appreciate things more, he kind of bonded more with his mother and mother-in-law. His relationship with Yibo had also continuously to improve. Before this, fighting with each other had been a daily occurrence, they fight as much as they love. The post-fight sex had been awesome. Xiao Zhan harden just by thinking. With the arrival of their child, they had learned to be more tolerant, responsible and work harder to provide their child with the environment they wish their child to live in.
In short it had been fun and dandy except the hormone and puking.
Xiao Zhan believes, that was why when the rumour of Yibo dating his co-star Cheng Xiao had made Xiao Zhan seething in his seat at home. And staying at home with nothing to do to distract him was not helping.
When the news broke out, he had ignored it. It was normal. This happened. It brings traffic. And Yibo-Official will deny it faster than the lightning and Yibo will call him to deny and explain it.
So, Xiao Zhan waited.
But in less than an hour, the rumour had gone into a hot search and slowly gaining places. It is now on the 3rd rank.
Curiosity kills the cat they say.
Sighing, Xiao Zhan check on the hot search.
He was not expecting anything than the usual where people quoting rumour from shady account that was all bark no bite.
Well he thought wrong.
There were picturea of his husband holding the hand of his female co-star on a step of an incredibly famous restaurant close to their filming site.
In just 30 mins later the hot search has reached the number one spot.
Xiao Zhan seeing red. He was about to hit the call button to his husband when the phone rang.
"Explain" Xiao Zhan had immediately said as he waddled to the living room with glass of warm water. His throat is parched or rather he is wetting his throat preparing it for the incoming onslaught of nags to Yibo. But Yibo had calmly explained to him. The whole crew had gone out to eat that time. His co-star tripped on the step thus he helped her, but people were manipulating it.
"Then why haven’t you denied it.”
Xiao Zhan asked, voice cold.
"As we speak, they are issuing it now”.
"Good" Xiao Zhan said as he placed the used cup into the sink.
"The hot search has brought lot of attention." Yibo was not sure what he was supposedly to feel.
"Really? You should let me know baobao if you or they need it. You will get all the attention you need.”
Yibo had nervously laugh.
“I’m not a fan of it.” He somehow, he has a bad premonition is he agrees to Xiao Zhan offer. So, they cut the talk short and Yibo promise to get home soon and send Xiao Zhan, a selfie of his bare face with short text of asking him to take it easy so their baby can grow healthily.
After he got off from the phone call, Xiao Zhan immediately logs back into Weibo, and true enough Yibo-Official has issued a statement. Denying the rumour.
Feeling satisfied Xiao Zhan decide to log off and when about his day.
He cleaned, he cooked, he watered the plants, played with Jiangguo and settle the last few designs and ideas to be forwarded to his studio as well as Yibo’s.
Yibo had promised that he is coming home today since his schedule will be in Beijing. Xiao Zhan is giddy to finally be reunited with his husband after so long not seeing the man.
It took him several hours, but he gets it done despite waddling and having constant back pain and swollen ankle. After he was done, Xiao Zhan waddled to the living room with a plate of fresh kiwi in his hand.
Grabbing his phone, he notices that there are at least 5 missed call from Yibo and a handful from Yibo-Official and Xiao Zhan Studio. Several concern messages from fellow close friends and few from his parents as well as in laws. The content of the messages from the notification bar were all the same, are you alright? What happen? Is it true?
That is weird.
Xiao Zhan was about to call Yibo when another he received another message from the said man.
“I'll get it fix.”
Without immediately replying the message, Xiao Zhan instead log into Weibo. There is no better place to check on what was happening in the industry other than Weibo.
Now he knows why his phone are bursting with notification.
Apparently, there are Melon account, the Dispatch of C-Ent had released a photo of Yibo on a date with Cheng Xiao. Xiao Zhan try to recall the breathing technique that he was taught in his private Lamaze class.
He taps on the hot search, number of pixelated pictures come into view. People were accusing Yibo and Yibo-Official to be lying. Claiming that Yibo had dated his co-star for sometimes. Dating scandal were not that new to them. It was a normal occurrence. Usually it stopped after they issue a statement denying it. This was the first time the scandal had went out of control and people were putting narrative to a blurry picture that was totally different from what had happened during that time.
Xiao Zhan huff and chuckled reading the updates.
Allegedly, Yibo had dated his co-star for quite sometimes, stating that the sparks have started way back given that Cheng Xiao is Yibo’s labelmate. They even gave timeline which they start get to know one another in more intimate nature. Some had even speculated that they got some help from close friend.
Xiao Zhan just had to rub his temple. What a bullshit. They only share a blurry picture of Yibo and the actress and had speculates things, saying they were on a romantic dinner.
Romantic dinner bullshit Xiao Zhan thought to himself.
Xiao Zhan was there during which the picture was taken. They were celebrating Yibo's birthday. In fact, their friends were there too – the selected few who are close with them. She was in town and had called Xiao Zhan to talk about their future collaboration. Xiao Zhan being the soft hearted and polite person that he is had invited her too. She is a dear friend to them and are the selected few who are aware of his marriage to Yibo.
Exiting the apps, Xiao Zhan simply text Yibo.
"Get it fixed. Or someone is getting fired”.
On the other side of the town, Yibo shivers reading the text and forwarded it to his assistant who will be responsible forwarding it to the rest. If asked which boss is the no nonsense and strict one, everyone would point it to Yibo. However, if asked who is the scariest one, it would be non-other but Xiao Zhan. Xiao Zhan is the most understanding boss, very empathetic and always ready to teach and allow his employee to learn and grow, due to that his expectation is remarkably high. He does not like repeating himself. While Yibo tends to give chances again and again, Xiao Zhan only gave you once, you screwed it up, you screw big time.
While Yibo the type to scold with words Xiao Zhan is the type to scold with his eyes, the fear run down your spine you probably down with fever the next day. Upon receiving the text everyone immediately gets to work. Their studio come up with yet another statement denying the claim and says that, they were there with others rather than alone and were celebrating Yibo’s birthday in private.
However, within 10 mins after the statement people were still questioning the claim - coming up with various speculations thus the hot search is still up. Many had claimed that Yibo-Official had merely issuing the statement as cover up.
Then what did they expect? Yibo confirming? Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes and huff.
Many of the posts were highlighting, none of Yibo’s close friend had posted anything related to that day which was a Yibo’s birthday celebration, taking note of Yibo’s casual way of dressing, analysing his schedule for the day – Xiao Zhan believed these people should become their assistant, how the hell they memorized everything from months back? They even speculate she might be the secret partner of Yibo. For years people had speculated Yibo was dating seeing how the young man rarely ever indulge in any CP promotion with his co-stars with many Supertopics were shut down.
Xiao Zhan slam the cup he was holding. He has enough of this and will not tolerate it any longer.
They dare to drag his husband.
Between the two of them, Xiao Zhan has always been the more rational. He tended to listen and ignore when people speculate things or put words into his mouth. Not much a fan of correcting people who will not learn and listen. The opposite of Yibo. The man would not take bullshit, not from anyone. He rather addresses it heads on rather than simply ignoring them.
But not this time.
As Xiao Zhan continues to put fresh Kiwis into his mouth, another text has come in – it is from Yibo.
“They have gone loony. Just give it a time. Sooner or later they will forget it.”
“You think so? They might take this as confirmation from your side.” Xiao Zhan replied as he rubs on his belly.
“Cheng Xiao’s team has also issued a similar statement denying it” Came the second text.
“Similar? Now they will say the studios are dating. You know like how our girls like to say it, studios are dating.” Xiao Zhan eyebrows furrowed as he sends his text.
“Zhan-ge, do not put much thought into it. Wouldn’t want your blood pressure rise. See you at home, on our way now” Xiao Zhan cooed at the text He really has gone mad to cooed at texts.
“No worries. I’ll handle it. Just get back home soon, I miss you”.
-
Yibo stares at his phone, confusion palpable on his face. He turns to Lele as the other guy starts to put Yibo’s luggage into the back of the car. Yibo’s has just completed with his schedule for the day and were on his way home.
“Ge, what do you think Zhan-ge meant by I’ll handle it?” Yibo turns his head to look at the man who are still busy with the luggage. Lele look at Yibo and shrug.
“Maybe he meant to say he’s fine?”
Yibo nod his head and agrees with the other man. Zhan-ge probably meant that. Yibo shut the phone screen and placed it on his lap. However not even a minute pass, his phone was immediately bombarded by lot of notifications. Similarly, with his crew that was in the car and were on their way home. Before he even got the chance to check on the notification, he heard Lele and his assistant gasp.
“Boss you better check on your phone. I think it will take more than just Yibo-Official, Xiao Zhan studios and Yuehwa PR team combined to deal with this.”
Hearing those, Yibo just knew it. There is no way Xiao Zhan had meant he was fine. His mind flashes to the words he just read minutes ago.
“No worries. I’ll handle it. Just get back home soon, I miss you”.
-
Just seconds after Xiao Zhan text Yibo, he thought – fuck it.
Didn’t get to post anything last time. Happy Birthday love, you keep getting sexier every year. Lord help me. Nice look you have there Baobao you could fit another baby Wang in me. (p.s can you get pregnant from pictures when you are expecting?)
Re-reading for the umpteenth time and making sure it was the picture from the night where they celebrate Yibo’s birthday with their friends month ago and the picture that was circulated on the net, Xiao Zhan simply press the update button, be done with it and switch off his phone.
My hormone is probably not stable. He thought one last time before he walked to the kitchen to prepare the food he had cooked earlier.
-
The app crashes.
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END