DP Chapter 30

Chapter 30

According to online information, Lin Xiao is 23 years old this year, only two or three years older than Xiang Yiye, but he knows that her real age should be 26.

It is too common for celebrities to change their age. If someone pays attention, they can find that as time goes by, some celebrities become younger and younger, at least in terms of numbers.

Lin Xiao herself doesn’t have many thoughts and is straightforward. She doesn’t avoid close friends much. She revealed information such as her age herself during a chat.

Like Xiang Yiye, she is not from a formal academic background. She stood out in a talent show six or seven years ago. She initially played supporting roles, but her performance was outstanding. She signed with Xinghui and has been there ever since.

In terms of appearance, there are countless sweet girls in the entertainment industry. She may not be one of the best, but her lively and genuine personality is unique.

She would be happy all day long because she secretly ate a piece of chocolate behind He Jingming’s back, and she would uncontrollably open her mic to confront people who scolded her for playing a vicious female supporting role, even escalating to personal attacks.

More often, she would fall into anxiety because of her mediocre career development.

Once, Xiang Yiye heard her having age anxiety: “I’m already 26, almost 30 if you round it up. When can I get to the first tier? I really want to act in blockbusters and win awards! God, please open your eyes and let me be popular, let me be very popular!”

Sometimes her mentality collapses and she wants to give up: “Or should I just find an old man to marry? While I’m still young and beautiful, wouldn’t it be nice to be a rich wife and count money at home every day…”

But it’s just talk. When she really encounters some drinking parties, she pushes them away if she can. She is either on set or on the way to the set. Every step she takes is on solid ground, and every role she plays is earned through her own hard work.

Precisely because they are both actors, harboring the same dream, and empathizing with how difficult it is to realize it, and precisely because he knows what a good person Lin Xiao is, Xiang Yiye knows that he cannot block her path.

Xiang Yiye explained the situation to the vice president of Xinghui. They talked for almost two hours. He didn’t feel anything while talking, but when he came out and thought about it, it seemed like he said everything, but it also seemed like he didn’t say anything. The vice president seemed to respond to every sentence, but in reality, he was just talking official jargon.

Xiang Yiye then went to Du Luocheng. The latter felt strange about his request. Who would try to change their mind after getting an opportunity? But Du Luocheng didn’t beat around the bush and clearly told him that, in principle, it couldn’t be changed anymore and told him to continue acting.

In principle, it cannot be changed, which means there is a possibility for discussion. Xiang Yiye realized that he who tied the bell must untie it. After hesitating again and again, he sent a message to Xu Chuo.

Xu Chuo replied at night: “What I promised you, there is no reason to take it back.”

Xiang Yiye: “I don’t want it anymore. Can you still force it on me? All I wanted in the beginning was an audition opportunity.”

Xu Chuo called back, his voice a bit lazy and low: “Xiang Yiye, Lin Xiao’s matter has nothing to do with you. Xinghui’s higher-ups have their own plans.”

The same rhetoric. Xiang Yiye said: “How is it possible that it has nothing to do with me? Sister He clearly said before that the female lead was her.”

Xu Chuo: “Lin Xiao won’t mind. If you don’t believe me, call her yourself.”

Xiang Yiye: “The problem lies with me, how can I pass it on to others? I mind if she doesn’t mind. People have to be true to their conscience.”

There was a crisp sound of glass colliding on the other end of the phone, followed by the sound of leather being compressed. Xu Chuo was probably sitting on a leather sofa, leaning back.

Xu Chuo changed to a more comfortable sitting position and switched the phone to the other side: “You always make people feel surprised… It’s not clear over the phone, I’ll explain it to you in person.”

“Just say it like this,” Xiang Yiye said. Once he faces him, he will be bewitched and softened again.

“Then there’s nothing to say,” Xu Chuo said, “You won’t even show your face, but you want people to do things for you?”

“Do you think this is interesting? Do you have to make it so that it can’t be resolved in the end, and we can’t even be friends?”

“It’s interesting. Watching others run around for your words is also a way to gain a sense of value,” Xu Chuo seemed to be drinking.

He should have drunk a lot before making this call. His tone was frivolous and superficial, and he was also more tough and aggressive than usual.

Xu Chuo swallowed the wine in his mouth and said, “Blue Bar 1908, come or not, it’s up to you. Either way, you won’t lose out.” The phone then hung up.

Blue Bar’s decoration is in a vintage style, and the lights are dim and hazy at night. In room 1908, a bottle of wine, a wine glass, and an ashtray were placed on the marble table.

The young man put down the cigar cutter, turned the cigar in his hand, slowly lit it, and handed it to Xu Chuo.

Xu Chuo took it and casually placed it on the edge of the ashtray, but his eyes were fixed on the young man. Seeing that he was about to leave, he pulled the man’s arm and dragged him directly into his arms.

The young man struggled a few times, sat on Xu Chuo’s lap and said with a smile: “Tsk, what are you doing? There are people here.” Judging from his clothes and decorations, he didn’t look like a waiter in the bar, but more like the bar’s owner.

Xiang Yiye was sitting on the right side, silently clenching his fists. Even if the light was dim, he could see Xu Chuo and that man pressed tightly together.

The smoke from the cigar was like a barrier. Xu Chuo seemed to be separated on the other side. He leisurely said: “You are so active for Lin Xiao’s matter. According to her personality, she will probably cry with emotion.”

“Isn’t she also your friend? Are you just watching coldly and stabbing her in the back?” Xiang Yiye stared at Xu Chuo’s eyes, still unable to stop the peripheral vision from capturing the details. He hated that Xu Chuo had one hand around the man’s waist and the other on the man’s thigh.

The man heard Lin Xiao’s name and said, “Lin Xiao? It’s been so many years, does she still miss you…”

“Shh—” Xu Chuo put his thumb against his lips and said to Xiang Yiye, “Do you believe that even without you, Lin Xiao wouldn’t be able to play the female lead in this drama?”

“What do you mean? Explain clearly.” Xiang Yiye tightened his face, his nails digging deeply into his palms.

Xu Chuo freed a hand, took out his phone and dialed a number, and turned on the speakerphone: “Hello, Xiao, what are you doing?”

“What are you doing? Why are you suddenly caring about me in the middle of the night? Are you lacking someone to flirt with?” Lin Xiao’s voice came over, “I have a night scene later, I’m so sleepy, don’t mess with me, I will equally harm everyone who is enjoying a beautiful night.”

“Someone cares about you, but it’s not me. I’m asking you, did you finally take the script for ‘Si Yan Hua’?”

“No, how could they let me take it?” Lin Xiao said, “Didn’t I say a long time ago that I wanted to terminate the contract? The contract expires at the end of this year, and I don’t plan to renew it. I asked Sister Mingming to keep it a secret for me first, but some of it still leaked out. How could those old foxes at Xinghui arrange a good job for me when they know I’m leaving? You’re being weird today…”

Xiang Yiye stopped. He really didn’t know these things. He had only been at Xinghui for three months and didn’t know many people. Besides necessary work exchanges, he didn’t like to gather with colleagues to chat.

“Aren’t you sad?” Xu Chuo continued to ask.

“A long pain is worse than a short pain. If I can leave Xinghui, I won’t have to worry about not getting good roles in the future,” Lin Xiao said, “I can’t do it anymore, I have to go on stage. Tell me quickly, what are you planning?”

“I’m asking for Xiang Yiye,” Xu Chuo said with a smile, “He thought he stole your position and ran over to me in a hurry, saying he wanted to return your role to you.”

“That silly boy, Sister Mingming told me this afternoon, and I was planning to call him tomorrow to talk about it,” Lin Xiao said, “Then you tell him for me, let him act with peace of mind, your Sister Lin is willing to cut off her wrist!”

“I will, good night.” Xu Chuo waited for the other party to hang up.

“Good night your head, everyone get up and go to work!” Lin Xiao cursed before hanging up.

Xu Chuo threw the phone aside and said, “Is it clear enough?”

A trace of shame flashed in Xiang Yiye’s heart, and he said: “I didn’t understand the whole situation clearly.”

Xu Chuo admired Xiang Yiye’s expression at this moment with an almost intoxicating feeling.

He had already discovered that Xiang Yiye had a strong sense of shame, so he was prone to feeling ashamed and blushing easily.

At this time, the changes in Xiang Yiye’s skin color were not clear in the dim light, but Xu Chuo could imagine the blush spreading to the back of his ears and the tips of his ears.

Whenever this happened, Xu Chuo felt itchy in his heart, wanting to see what was hidden under those shames, whether it was the ultimate rebellion against forbearance and restraint? Could it be that he was actually very crazy in his bones?

Xiang Yiye lowered his head and looked at the ground, and said: “Sorry, I disturbed you, I…”

Xu Chuo interrupted: “Pass me the glass.”

The man in his arms moved upon hearing the sound, but was stuck in Xu Chuo’s arms. Xu Chuo looked at Xiang Yiye and said, “I’m talking about him.”

Xiang Yiye twitched his eyebrows and got up to leave.

Xu Chuo was aggressive: “Where’s your politeness? Xiang Yiye, after disturbing others, is saying sorry enough?”

Xiang Yiye froze, gritted his teeth and walked to the table, picked up the wine glass with one hand, and handed it over.

Xu Chuo hugged someone else in his arms, but grabbed Xiang Yiye’s wrist, and with his hand, drank the wine in the glass.

“Is that enough, Young Master Xu?” Xiang Yiye shook off his hand, his face as cold as ice.

“Not enough, watch carefully.” Xu Chuo tightened the person in his arms.

The man was a little resistant at first, but slowly became submissive.

Xu Chuo groped the man’s chin, his lips approaching the other person, but his eyes were looking at Xiang Yiye.

In the second before the two people’s lips were about to touch, the string in Xiang Yiye’s brain snapped instantly, it was the limit of endurance.

He went over and grabbed the man’s collar, tearing the person open like tearing tape, and threw him aside. Then he turned back and pressed against Xu Chuo, snatching that kiss.

Vigorous and brutal, Xu Chuo’s temples throbbed, feeling that all the blood in his body was about to be burned.

The young man was stunned for a moment, thinking about it, thinking that today was going to be a different game, and stretched out his hand to Xiang Yiye.

As soon as his hand touched Xiang Yiye’s arm, he was slapped away by Xu Chuo.

“Go away.” Xu Chuo turned his head slightly, his expression dangerous, like a wildcat with open fangs, his eyes full of warning.

“Xu Chuo, are you drunk?” The man frowned.

Xu Chuo was usually gentle and easy-going, and had never been so out of control like today.

“Yes, he’s drunk, I’m going to take him away.” Xiang Yiye propped up Xu Chuo, “Where do I pay the bill?”

After the people in the room left and the wine cooled, the bar owner realized belatedly that he was a cannon fodder for the two of them tonight.

Xiang Yiye couldn’t help but grab Xu Chuo’s car keys and drove the person back to his residence.

Xu Chuo leaned against the passenger seat and asked: “Did you come here today really for Lin Xiao’s matter, or did you want to see me?”

Xiang Yiye didn’t follow his train of thought and said: “That person just now, are you really interested, or are you deliberately doing it for me to see?”

Xu Chuo chuckled: “You answer me first, and then I’ll tell you my answer.”