Sickly Bigshot CH 08 Reunion
Translated by The BL Muse (ko-fi)
Shi Zhou was inexplicably stuffed into a pink dress, just like on the night he transmigrated. Tied to a chair again, he endured the ordeal of being groomed and made up.
"Hey, I won’t struggle—can you not tie me up?" Shi Zhou asked with a grin.
It wasn’t that he was calm or fearless, but he knew he was completely helpless here. Any resistance would be futile.
The makeup artist styled Shi Zhou’s hair into twin tails, meticulously applying cosmetics. Shi Zhou was forced to "open your eyes," "look down," "close your eyes." As he caught sight of the pink dress he was wearing, only one thought crossed his mind:
Is it true that cross-dressing is either zero times or countless times? But what kind of curse is this, forcing him into a dress again? It looks like they’re dolling me up to gift me to someone—what kind of freak has such bizarre tastes?!
Shi Zhou forced another awkward laugh. "Quite the grand occasion, huh?"
The male makeup artist, pinky raised, giggled. "Oh, we’re all jealous you get this chance! You’re such a cutie—I like you. Here, take some ‘little raincoats of love.’"
With that, he stuffed five or six condoms into the pastel pink handbag meant to match Shi Zhou’s dress.
Shi Zhou feigned indifference, but internally, he was screaming. My first time in two lifetimes, and it’s going to be forced on me like this?! It seemed his only option was to wait and see how things played out.
Five to six burly men stood guard by the door. Escape was impossible.
Might as well seriously consider—if he bashed his head hard enough, could he transmigrate back?
A three-car pileup caused a traffic jam that lasted nearly half an hour.
Zheng Qi checked his watch anxiously. Luckily, he’d left early, intending to arrive half an hour ahead. Now, it looked like he’d barely make it on time.
By the time he entered the private room, most guests had already arrived—mostly CEOs of film and talent agencies. The major investors of Jinshui Film Studio hadn’t shown up yet.
The seat of honor remained empty, reserved for the studio’s largest shareholder.
Zheng Qi’s talent agency was looking to expand into film production. Though the night’s main players hadn’t arrived, there were still plenty of connections to be made.
Zhang Zhenqing waved. "Ol’ Zheng, over here."
Zheng Qi acknowledged him, then froze mid-step when his gaze landed on—
Shi Zhou, clad in a frilly pink dress, his twin tails tied with bright pink bows, standing obediently as the makeup artist did final touch-ups before leading him to a side room.
Zheng Qi immediately grabbed Shi Zhou’s wrist, stopping him. He turned to Zhang Zhenqing.
"Why is he here?"
"Owes me money. Paying off debts," Zhang Zhenqing shrugged, unfazed. He didn’t understand Zheng Qi’s strong reaction.
"Zhang Zhenqing, you know he and I—"
"Ah, didn’t you already kick him out? Yesterday, you confirmed it yourself. And today, he said the same thing. Enough chatter—let’s get him prettied up and sent over. Once President Qin arrives—"
"President Qin... You’re giving him to Qin Yancheng?! Wait—Qin Yancheng is coming?!"
Zheng Qi’s mind went blank, as if struck by lightning. His recent paranoia and anxiety had blinded him to such crucial news?!
Zhang Zhenqing, unaware of Zheng Qi’s twisted thoughts about Qin Yancheng—or why Shi Zhou had stayed by Zheng Qi’s side for two years—looked at him like he was an alien. "You just found out President Qin is Jinshui’s major shareholder?"
Then, realization dawned. "My bad. President Qin dislikes publicity—this was insider info. I forgot to mention it. But you run a talent agency. You’re not completely out of the loop—how’d you miss this?"
Zheng Qi opened his mouth to respond—
The door swung open. A server pulled out the seat of honor.
The man who entered wore a tailored beige suit, his handsome features and tall frame exuding an intimidating aura even before he spoke. The room instantly quieted.
Everyone rose to greet him enthusiastically. Zhang Zhenqing, delayed by Zheng Qi’s outburst, hadn’t had time to hide Shi Zhou away for a grand reveal later. Now, they were stuck in this awkward situation.
Qin Yancheng’s gaze immediately landed on the room’s most eye-catching figure—Shi Zhou, glowing pink under the lights. His eyes narrowed slightly.
But he said nothing, nodding in acknowledgment before taking his seat at the head of the table.
Only then did the others sit.
Zheng Qi had no choice but to retreat to his seat, embarrassed.
His mind had been so scattered lately that he’d forgotten to ask about this. Seeing Qin Yancheng after Shi Zhou’s recent stunt was nerve-wracking enough—but now Shi Zhou was here too.
Qin Yancheng glanced at Shi Zhou. "Why is he here?"
Zheng Qi’s heart sank. They really do know each other. Shi Zhou hadn’t lied. And Qin Yancheng’s first question tonight was actually about Shi Zhou.
This wasn’t part of Zhang Zhenqing’s plan. Presenting a "gift" to Qin Yancheng in public was already awkward—but doing so in front of everyone, like some crude pimp?
Luckily, Zhang Zhenqing was no stranger to scandals. With practiced ease, he smiled. "I helped him out of a tight spot. Then I heard you had some... interest in Shi Zhou, so I brought him along."
Qin Yancheng’s expression darkened slightly. He knew this was Zhang Zhenqing’s attempt to curry favor. Such underhanded dealings were rampant in the industry—an unspoken rule.
But no one liked having their every move scrutinized. He’d only wanted to investigate this person who bore such a striking resemblance to his younger self.
A few extra glances, a few extra questions—and now the rumors had spread, with people rushing to offer him "gifts."
Shi Zhou, meanwhile, blinked desperately at Qin Yancheng, eyes nearly twitching from the effort. Did he get my SOS signal?
"Bring another chair. He’ll sit beside me," Qin Yancheng finally said.
Shi Zhou had pieced it together now. What a grand offering—and the offering is me. Qin Yancheng clearly had no idea.
The novel Shi Zhou transmigrated into was a brainless, toxic romance—meaning its legal system was conveniently lax to allow the scumbag male lead’s antics.
Caught between money and power, danger lurked everywhere. Right now, Qin Yancheng seemed like the only safe haven.
The moment Shi Zhou saw it was Qin Yancheng, his tense nerves relaxed.
Qin Yancheng wasn’t arrogant despite the flattery surrounding him. Instead, he appeared calm, even wearing a faint smile—
Except that smile didn’t reach his cold, distant eyes. His mere presence seemed to lower the room’s air pressure.
Thanks to their one-night stay together and the novel’s descriptions, Shi Zhou knew Qin Yancheng wasn’t malicious, just eccentric. So he wasn’t afraid, sitting boldly beside him.
Throughout the dinner, many stole glances their way, clearly trying to determine Shi Zhou’s gender.
He had a slender, youthful build but stood at 180 cm. With delicate makeup, his features were androgynously beautiful. But he was definitely male... right?
But what shocked everyone more was why Qin Yancheng—known for his indifference to such things—had suddenly taken an interest in this tranny.
Under the table, Shi Zhou gently nudged Qin Yancheng’s knee with his own. Time to swallow his pride!
He whispered sweetly, "President Qin, take me with you later, okay?"
Qin Yancheng turned, studying Shi Zhou as if seeing him for the first time. His eyes remained deep and unreadable, but the corner of his lips quirked with faint amusement.
"Changed your tune today? No more ‘beauty’?"
Shi Zhou knew when to bend. Immediately, he gushed, "President Qin, I was blind before! Look at this table—you’re the handsomest by far. I really admire sir's bearing. I’m... I’m your biggest fan! Really!"
He almost laughed at his own words, quickly gulping water to hide it.
Qin Yancheng glanced at Shi Zhou’s swaying twin tails but said nothing. Then his gaze lifted, landing squarely on Zheng Qi.