Even the best of tempers couldn’t withstand such a roller-coaster ride. Ye Nanqi remained silent for a moment before suppressing his anger. His tone was fairly calm as he asked, “What happened?”
Wen Chen was worried he’d get so angry that he’d make himself sick, so he spoke cautiously. “They called this morning and said the contract was ready. Director Xu had already made the final decision and wanted you. Who would’ve thought that by tonight, they’d suddenly say they were sorry, that they’d called the wrong person, and that the role had been given to someone else?” As he spoke, his own anger flared. He slammed his hand on the table, thoroughly furious. “Are they treating us like monkeys?!”
Ye Nanqi pinched the bridge of his nose, forcing himself to calm down. “Who is it?”
Wen Chen had already found out and immediately replied, “It’s that young pretty-boy star you ran into when you went for the audition that day. His name’s Li Sui. His acting is terrible. Director Xu must be blind to have chosen him.”
Ye Nanqi had encountered plenty of cases of having roles stolen from him before, but this was the first time someone had swooped in at the very last moment, just when success was within reach. It felt no different from spending ages building a tower out of blocks, only to have someone give it a gentle push just as it was nearly finished, bringing the whole thing crashing down.
His expression darkened. It was truly difficult to swallow this insult.
Besides, he had no reason to put up with it in silence.
Wen Chen had dug up quite a bit of information. It was Li Sui’s agent who had pulled the strings. Apparently, that agent had used various connections to arrange a dinner with the investors. No one knew what he’d said, but he’d somehow persuaded them to agree to replace the actor.
Though it wasn’t exactly a replacement, since the final decision hadn’t officially been made yet. Even if Director Xu was unwilling, he had no choice but to bow to the demands of capital. And taking it one step further, it was only the third male lead, after all. After making a fuss for a while, he’d eventually agreed.
Ye Nanqi thought for a moment before slowly saying, “We can invite the investors to dinner too, can’t we? Businessmen value profit. The quality of the third male lead also has a considerable impact on the film, especially for a character like Cui Hao. My value as a product is greater than Li Sui’s.”
“I’ll do my best.” Wen Chen thought it over, then changed his mind. “No. Just wait. I’ll get this dinner arranged soon. Damn it, how dare they steal your role!”
Only Wen Chen knew how much sweat Ye Nanqi had put into preparing for the audition. That’s why, when he’d called to tell him the news, he’d almost felt too guilty to break it to him.
Thankfully, Ye Nanqi was holding up.
Wen Chen mobilized every connection he’d built up in the entertainment industry over the years. He acted quickly, and by the next day, he had already informed Ye Nanqi of the dinner’s time and location.
Ye Nanqi had prepared what he wanted to say in advance, but still felt it wasn’t enough. He took out paper and a pen and wrote out a lengthy comparison of his strengths and weaknesses against Li Sui’s. He was perfectly clear about how celebrities were positioned in the entertainment industry. He genuinely treated himself and that young pretty-boy star as products and wrote accordingly. After finishing, he crossed out and edited various parts, then read it over and over. After thinking for a moment, he simply crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it away.
After all, plans never kept up with changes. The other party might not be interested in listening to him deliver a grand speech.
The dinner was scheduled for seven that evening. Ye Nanqi changed his clothes and headed over early. Wen Chen was even more nervous than he was.
“I heard the investor is a rich second-generation kid. He’s just playing around with his family’s money, and apparently has a bit of a strange temper. What if he doesn’t play by the rules?”
Ye Nanqi thought for a moment and asked, “What’s his sexual orientation?”
“…” Wen Chen’s expression was indescribable. “Are you planning to sacrifice yourself for the sake of a third male lead role?”
Ye Nanqi looked serious. “I think I look pretty good.”
And he was far more than just good-looking. His features were exceptionally beautiful, his skin pale and luminous, his brows and eyes refined. Simply sitting quietly to one side with a faint smile was enough to make it difficult for people to look away. To put it in an almost sickeningly flowery way, he was “like an ink painting come to life.”
When he’d first debuted, he’d landed a bit part with only two shots and a single line. Some appearance-focused viewers had noticed him, and he’d quickly gained a little popularity. That was how he’d caught his company’s attention and gradually worked his way up.
Clearly, both ancient and modern people were susceptible to beauty. This tradition had a long history and would continue for countless generations.
Wen Chen said, “…Did your husband make you angry? Or did something happen to upset you?”
“Upset me? No.” Ye Nanqi ignored the first part of his question. “Actually, when I think about it carefully, being kept by someone wouldn’t be so bad. Who in this industry doesn’t have a few real or fake scandals? I’ve had so many rumors about me already. If I don’t make one or two of them true, it almost feels like a waste. Besides, there are plenty of benefits to making them real.”
Wen Chen was speechless.
Seeing that he had nothing to say, Ye Nanqi finally raised his brows and smiled, as though he’d successfully played a prank. “I’m joking. Why are you so nervous? Other agents practically wish they could wash their artists clean and deliver them straight to their sugar daddies. Why do you look so miserable?”
Wen Chen rolled his eyes at him. “It’s because you’ve spent all these years making your way up cleanly. I can’t bear to watch you, my delicate little daffodil, jump into a pit of filth all by yourself.”
Ye Nanqi merely smiled without replying.
There was a bit of traffic on the way. By the time they reached the hotel where the dinner was being held, there were still ten minutes before seven. Ye Nanqi felt that leaving early had been a wise decision. He bumped fists with Wen Chen before entering the private dining room first.
For tonight’s dinner, Ye Nanqi had gritted his teeth and opened several bottles of liquor, each costing nearly five figures, planning to get the other party drunk first so they’d be easier to talk to.
As he chatted with Wen Chen, an inexplicable jolt ran through his heart. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.
How bad could it be?
At worst, the other party would turn around and walk out, or agree only to change his mind later. Either way, it would simply mean being rejected. Ye Nanqi hadn’t been certain he’d succeed in the first place, and he’d already prepared himself for the worst.
And yet his heart kept pounding anxiously. He was so unsettled that he could barely sit still.
At seven sharp, someone knocked on the private room door.
Ye Nanqi steadied himself, walked over to open it, and put on a courteous smile. “Mr. Zhao…”
He hadn’t finished speaking when he saw the other person standing behind the door. His smile nearly cracked. He choked for a moment before managing to finish his sentence.
The investor’s surname was Zhao and his given name was Sheng. He was indeed a young rich second-generation heir, with handsome brows and bright eyes. He seemed rather carefree and didn’t notice Ye Nanqi’s discomfort. He casually waved his hand and looked Ye Nanqi over with considerable interest.
“You’re here pretty early. Shen Du, let me introduce you. This is Ye Nanqi, a big star.”
Asking someone for a favor wasn’t embarrassing. Asking someone for a favor while running into your romantic rival was a whole different level of humiliation.
Shen Du stood beside Zhao Sheng, arms folded, watching Ye Nanqi perform with an unhurried, leisurely expression. He was dressed in a suit, his figure tall and straight, his features strikingly handsome and sharply defined. He didn’t even need to deliberately lower his gaze to give off the impression that he was looking down on everyone.
Ye Nanqi smiled until his face nearly stiffened, doing his best to maintain a natural expression. Pretending Shen Du was a complete stranger, he smiled and said, “Mr. Zhao, you’re too kind. I’m not really a big star. Coming early is simply part of showing that I’m here to ask for a favor.”
His direct admission of his purpose left Zhao Sheng momentarily stunned. He laughed awkwardly and led Shen Du inside to sit down. Only then did he point at Shen Du.
“You don’t mind, do you? He’s my buddy. We happened to run into each other, so he came along for dinner.”
After hearing the introduction, Ye Nanqi exchanged a glance with Shen Du. Both could see the dislike in the other’s eyes.
Wen Chen vaguely sensed that something was off between Ye Nanqi and Shen Du, but didn’t think too much of it. He simply came over with a big smile.
Ye Nanqi had originally prepared a whole stomachful of shameless, utterly embarrassing lines to say. But the moment he saw Shen Du, every single one of them died before leaving his mouth. He decided to skip the roundabout approach. After toasting Zhao Sheng twice, he went straight to the purpose of his visit.
Zhao Sheng tapped the table and said lightly, “Well… that might not be very appropriate. The production team has already decided to use Li Sui. I’m just the one putting up the money. I don’t understand any of this, so it wouldn’t be right for me to interfere.”
Ye Nanqi and Wen Chen were immediately astonished by the sheer thickness of his skin.
Wen Chen smiled ingratiatingly. “Oh, well, actually, we’re not here to ask Master Zhao to make things difficult for the production team. We just want another chance. Director Xu himself said Nanqi was very suitable for the role…”
That title, “Master Zhao,” clearly pleased Zhao Sheng. However, he maintained his lukewarm attitude and showed no sign of relenting.
Ye Nanqi had barely eaten anything and had spent most of the time drinking. His stomach was feeling rather uncomfortable. He drew a light breath and said, “Excuse me. I’m going to the restroom.”
Wen Chen looked at him with concern. Ye Nanqi smiled, stood up, and went to the restroom. He retched a few times, but nothing came up. He massaged his temples and splashed cold water on his face.
He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, pondering how he could get Zhao Sheng to change his mind. His profile was as cold and pale as jade, his thin lips pressed tightly together.
Someone who smiled often could seem rather melancholy when that smile disappeared.
Ye Nanqi wiped his face, not noticing that the restroom door, which had been open just moments ago, was now half-closed.
When he returned to the private room, Wen Chen was still going back and forth with Zhao Sheng, smiling as they exchanged polite but pointed remarks.
Ye Nanqi exchanged a glance with Wen Chen. Neither of them had expected the supposedly brainless investor to be so difficult to deal with. After they had been at an impasse for a while, Shen Du, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines, suddenly spoke.
“Hadn’t it already been decided that Ye Nanqi would get the role? They changed their minds at the last minute?”
Zhao Sheng looked at him in surprise.
Ye Nanqi’s mind was a little muddled. He couldn’t figure out what Shen Du was trying to say. He was quite confident in his drinking capacity and had planned to get Zhao Sheng drunk so they’d have an easier time talking. Who would have thought that Zhao Sheng could hold his liquor so well? Ye Nanqi was already slightly tipsy, while the other man was still chatting and laughing as though nothing had happened.
Wen Chen picked up the conversation. “The production team hasn’t finalized the casting yet. Haha.”
Ye Nanqi thought, Brother Wen, do you know that ‘haha’ is basically calling someone an idiot?
Even so, he still wanted to say, Well played.
Shen Du glanced at Ye Nanqi. He hadn’t expected that being dragged to this dinner by his childhood friend would lead him to encounter his legal “wife.” Seeing Ye Nanqi’s cheeks flushed from drinking, he couldn’t help frowning.
Zhao Sheng’s family had a wine cellar stocked entirely with fine liquor. He’d practically grown up rolling around in wine jars. He was a genuine thousand-cup drinker. Even if Ye Nanqi drank himself to death, he wouldn’t be able to outdrink him.
After thinking for a moment, Shen Du leaned over and whispered a few words into Zhao Sheng’s ear. Zhao Sheng had already been surprised and puzzled by his sudden intervention. After hearing what he said, he nearly spat his drink all over Shen Du’s face, as though he needed to exorcise his childhood friend for suddenly changing his ways.
He somehow managed to suppress his shock. Zhao Sheng quickly caught on, rolled his eyes, and clinked glasses with Ye Nanqi again with an exaggeratedly false air. Pretending to be drunk, he slapped the table.
“Hey, I actually think you’re more suitable too. I’ll call Director Xu later and discuss this. I put money into this film. We can’t afford to lose out!”
Ye Nanqi’s feelings were complicated.
Just a few days ago, he’d been so righteous and adamant that he didn’t need anyone’s help. Now his face really was stinging. Although he hadn’t been the one to beg Shen Du for help, those few casual words from Shen Du had indeed helped him in a way he couldn’t refuse.
He smiled and thanked him sincerely. Zhao Sheng’s acting was terrible. Perhaps he was used to seeing his drinking buddies collapse after a few drinks, so he simply slumped over and pretended to pass out. And just like that, the dinner came to an end.
Wen Chen’s drinking capacity was even worse than Ye Nanqi’s. He’d thrown himself into drinking with all his might and was already completely out of it. Yet he could still walk steadily and speak clearly. He was truly a remarkable specimen.
Ye Nanqi supported him and helped him into the car. Once the alcohol began to hit him properly, he too started swaying unsteadily. Fortunately, he was still conscious enough to hear Wen Chen mumbling drunkenly.
“So that’s it? Did that Shen Du guy say something to Zhao Sheng… hic…? Does that Shen Du guy have a thing for you? He looks pretty good, and he seems to have quite a bit of money too… hic…”
Ye Nanqi reacted quickly and grabbed Wen Chen by the chin, forcing his head up.
“Don’t throw up in the car. Have a thing for me, my ass.”
Wen Chen said earnestly, “You shouldn’t talk about yourself like that…”
Ye Nanqi let go. Wen Chen’s head immediately knocked against the seat in front of him, sobering him up considerably. He hissed, “You little brat, are you trying to murder me? Huh? What was I saying just now? Oh, right! I think he really does have a thing for you. Otherwise, why would he speak up for you out of nowhere? It’s not like we’re capable of making it snow in June just by complaining, right?”
Ye Nanqi said, “Then maybe he really does have a thing for me.”
Wen Chen hadn’t even had time to respond when Ye Nanqi added solemnly, “He’s fallen for my talent.”
Wen Chen: “Ugh!”