In the Years When I Was a Father

Chapter 63: Movie Star Dad (1)

“This is a new script sent by Director Eck. It’s a dual-male-lead setup. I’ve inquired — the other lead is the international superstar Jess Bryant. You should take a look,”

Agent Xu Yi said excitedly, his restless hands betraying just how thrilled he was.

Qi Sheng flipped through the script and could easily understand why Xu Yi was so worked up.

Director Eck was a world-renowned filmmaker with countless acclaimed works under his belt. This script was said to be something he had painstakingly refined over three years — a masterpiece to reclaim his glory days. Within the industry, all the top actors were already fighting tooth and nail for the lead roles. Now that Director Eck had personally extended an invitation to Qi Sheng, if the news got out, the public’s praise for him would surely skyrocket. Not to mention, the script itself was truly excellent — once the film was released, it could easily propel Qi Sheng to the ranks of top international stars.

Setting the script down, Qi Sheng shook his head and said to the still-excited Xu Yi, his voice somewhat weary, “Turn it down for me.”

Xu Yi, still caught up in his excitement, didn’t react right away. The smile froze awkwardly on his face like a stuck tape, his wide eyes full of disbelief — it made for a rather comical sight.

Taking a sharp breath, Xu Yi stared at Qi Sheng in shock and couldn’t help but ask, “Did I hear you wrong just now? Or am I hallucinating?”

Qi Sheng shook his head again and said firmly, “You didn’t hear wrong. Help me turn it down.”

Xu Yi couldn’t wrap his head around it, looking utterly baffled as he said, “What’s wrong with you today? You’re acting strange! This is Director Eck we’re talking about — and you’d be the lead! This… this is the perfect opportunity for your career to climb even higher. Is something going on?”

They had worked together for nearly twenty years. Qi Sheng had gone from an unknown acting student to the country’s top movie star, with Xu Yi fighting alongside him every step of the way. Xu Yi himself had risen from a newbie agent to a legendary figure in the industry, all thanks to Qi Sheng’s success. Despite their years of partnership and mutual understanding, Xu Yi still couldn’t figure out what was going through Qi Sheng’s mind.

“I need to go home for a while. If I don’t step in soon, that little rascal might just turn the whole house upside down,”

Qi Sheng said casually, though it left Xu Yi stunned.

He had thought of a thousand reasons just now, but he hadn’t even considered family being the cause.

Qi Sheng patted Xu Yi’s shoulder and said earnestly, “I might be resting for quite a while this time. Sorry about that.”

Qi Sheng did feel a bit guilty about abandoning his long-time partner to focus on his family, but thinking about it, Xu Yi was now also a key figure in their company and had several promising talents under his management — he’d have plenty to keep him busy even without Qi Sheng.

“Wait — are you still shaken by the news from a few days ago? Didn’t Xiaorui already leave? If you’re worried, it’s fine to take a break now. Director Eck’s film won’t start shooting for another two months. I can just cancel your current activities for now.”

Xu Yi still couldn’t understand. Two months was plenty of time — if Qi Sheng wanted a break, that was fine. With his current status, canceling some events wouldn’t matter. Why was he acting like he was stepping away for good today?

Qi Sheng gave a bitter smile. “The kid hasn’t spoken to me for a month already. If I don’t go back now, I’m afraid he’ll never recognize me as his father again.”

Xu Yi sighed deeply with him. Thinking back to the last time, he couldn’t help but say, “I told you to hold your temper when you went back last time, but no — you went straight in and beat Xiaorui. I should’ve pulled you back then. Regretting it now?”

Qi Sheng stayed silent, staring at his phone. His whole posture radiated a sense of defeat and sorrow.

Seeing him like this, Xu Yi didn’t try to persuade him any further. This old partner of his had fought so hard for his career for half a lifetime. Now that he wanted to rest and focus on family, how could he not support him? Still, just as Qi Sheng was about to leave, Xu Yi couldn’t help but ask once more,

“Are you really sure about this?”

Qi Sheng looked at him seriously and nodded.

Rushing back home to Beijing overnight, Qi Sheng arrived to find Qi Rui already fast asleep. Meanwhile, Xia Li, the lady of the house, couldn’t fall asleep. She was flipping through gossip news on her phone, her lips pressed tightly together, clearly in a foul mood.

It wasn’t until she heard someone opening the bedroom door that she sat up in shock.

Who could possibly be coming in at this hour?

Xia Li’s heart jumped to her throat. She immediately suspected that a thief had broken into their home.

Carefully getting out of bed, Xia Li quietly picked up a decorative vase from the nightstand. She tiptoed to the door, ready to strike the moment it opened.

“Xia Li!”

“Qi Sheng?!”

Thankfully, Qi Sheng reacted quickly. Otherwise, that vase would have smashed right into his head.

“Why are you back at this time?”

Xia Li was completely caught off guard. Wasn’t Qi Sheng supposed to still be at the celebration banquet in Haishi?

Qi Sheng didn’t answer her. Looking at his barefoot wife standing on the floor in her nightgown, he took the vase from her hands and scooped her up, gently carrying her back to bed.

“Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Qi Sheng looked at his wife, who was still startled. His heart ached for her. He had rushed back tonight without even calling ahead, thinking it was so late that he didn’t want to disturb her. Now, seeing the phone beside her pillow still lit up, he picked it up — and saw that the screen was filled with gossip news involving him.

Qi Sheng switched off the phone, turned on the bedside lamp, and said softly, “Why are you reading these things? You’re not new to the entertainment industry. Nine out of ten of these rumors are false.”

Xia Li couldn’t help but silently retort: But there’s still that one that might be true!

However, looking at Qi Sheng speaking so gently beside her, Xia Li suppressed the urge to argue. It wasn’t easy for him to come home — if she started a fight over this, it would only lead to another long period of cold war between them.

Qi Sheng lowered his head and kissed his obedient wife gently before saying, “Go to sleep. I’ll come to bed after I shower.”

While Qi Sheng went to shower, Xia Li lay in bed, beginning to doubt if she was dreaming. Staring blankly at the bathroom light, she couldn’t help zoning out.

It wasn’t until the man, smelling faintly of shower gel, lifted the covers and slipped into bed, pulling her into his arms, that Xia Li finally believed — he was truly back.

“Sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow,” he murmured.

Nestled in his embrace, Xia Li had a stomach full of questions she wanted to ask. But maybe it was the warmth and safety of this embrace, or maybe she was just too exhausted — she drifted off within moments.

The next morning, it wasn’t until around eight that Qi Sheng slowly woke up. Looking at his still-sleeping wife in his arms, he carefully slipped his hand free, planning to go check on their son.

But even the slightest movement disturbed Xia Li’s sleep.

“You’re leaving again?”

The soft words made Qi Sheng’s heart ache. He lowered his head and kissed the brows of his still half-asleep beauty, coaxing gently, “I’m not leaving. Go back to sleep. I’m just going to check on our son.”

Hearing his words, Xia Li relaxed and turned over, soon falling back into a deep sleep.

Qi Sheng quietly walked out of the bedroom. Seeing the tightly closed door of the room next door, he knew that his son wasn’t awake yet either.

“You little brat, skipping class again today!”

Qi Sheng knocked on the door, but after waiting a while without getting a response, he had no choice but to take out his key and unlock it. Sure enough, inside he saw his son sleeping soundly, his butt sticking up in the air.

Qi Sheng walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed. Looking at the child’s peaceful sleeping face, he thought of how the boy would be bouncing all over the place once he woke up, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

The laughter successfully woke up Qi Rui, who had already been half-awakened by the knocking. Seeing his gentle-looking father in front of him, Qi Rui reflexively called out obediently, “Dad!”

But as soon as he realized what was happening, he quickly turned over, showing only his backside to Qi Sheng.

Seeing his son’s adorable reaction, Qi Sheng patted his butt and teased him on purpose: “Son, are you offering yourself up voluntarily?”

Only then did Qi Rui realize how convenient this posture was for his dad to take action. Still, he was holding a grudge and stubbornly said, “You’re always pulling this! If you have the guts, go ahead and hit me again. That way I won’t have to go to school at all!”

Qi Sheng pretended to get up and look for a tool. After searching around and not finding anything suitable, he deliberately placed his hand on his belt, slowly starting to unfasten it.

The kid, who had been nervously watching his dad’s every move, couldn’t hold back anymore. He suddenly sat up and shouted at Qi Sheng, “You’re seriously gonna hit me?!”

Then, feeling wronged, he muttered, “What did I ever do to you? You come home and immediately want to hit me…”

Qi Sheng raised his eyebrows, dropped his hand, and purposely put on a stern face as he asked, “What day is it today?”

Only then did the boy remember he still had a perfectly good excuse. He pouted and said nothing.

Qi Sheng’s voice turned colder: “I called you so many times, sent you hundreds of messages. You didn’t reply to a single one. What were you so busy with?”

Qi Rui stayed silent, but in his heart he grumbled, I just didn’t want to deal with you!

However, seeing his dad’s serious face, he didn’t dare make a sound. He slowly pulled the quilt over himself, trying to wrap himself up in it, inwardly sighing that he was probably about to get beaten again.

It’s always like this, Qi Rui thought miserably. Every time he comes home, he only knows how to hit me.

Qi Sheng watched his son’s cute little actions and couldn’t help but want to laugh. Seeing that the boy had been scared enough, he finally softened his expression and voice, saying, “Alright, be good. Get up and come downstairs for breakfast. After that, you and I will have a good talk.”

Qi Rui was surprised. He sneaked a glance at his dad and caught him smiling warmly.

Qi Rui instantly felt a little awkward and a bit annoyed. What if he’s tricking me? What if the moment I get up to change, he grabs me and beats me? So he carefully said, “Why don’t you go out first? I’ll come down after I get dressed.”

Qi Sheng saw through the boy’s concerns and didn’t push. He got up and went downstairs.

Through the crack in the door, Qi Rui peeked to make sure the “stinky old man” had really left, then finally relaxed enough to find clothes to wear.

After washing up and getting ready, Qi Rui arrived at the dining room — and sure enough, there was the “stinky old man” sitting there.

Qi Rui leisurely walked to the opposite side and sat down, burying his head in breakfast without saying a word.

Qi Sheng didn’t want to upset the kid while he was eating, so he didn’t scold him for his attitude. Only after breakfast, when he saw the boy about to sling on his backpack and leave, did he stop him: “Alright, the first period’s almost over anyway. Just stay home this morning. You and I need to have a good talk. After lunch, I’ll take you back to school.”

Qi Rui was secretly thrilled not to have to go to school — but when he thought about being stuck at home with the “stinky old man,” he started to feel that maybe school wasn’t so bad after all.

“Come on, follow me to the study.”

The moment he heard this, Qi Rui tensed up. Knew it! He’s not gonna let me off! That bad man!

Dragging his feet step by step into the study, Qi Rui thought of his mom, still asleep next door, and was tempted to wake her up to come rescue him. Unfortunately, before he could make a move, the “stinky old man” warned: “Don’t even think about asking your mom for help. Sit down. I have something to say to you.”

Qi Rui muttered inwardly, What could you possibly have to say? It’s all the same old stuff — I’m sick of hearing it. Still, he comforted himself with the thought that at least he wasn’t getting beaten right away. So he obediently sat down on the sofa, pretending to be well-behaved.