When he woke up the next day, Chi Zhao examined the two faint dark circles around his eyes in the mirror with a bitter expression. After a while, he quickly covered his face and said shyly, "Even if there are dark circles on my face, I'm still so handsome."
System: "...…"
Chi Zhao got up late but Qi Yuyang as usual got up early. In the beginning of the original plot, Qi Yuyang didn't dare let Xue Qing find out about his circumstances, so he never behaved very reliant on him and just used various excuses to approach him.
At night, because he couldn't use any excuses to get close to him, he would secretly open the door to the room next door every now and then to take a look at Xue Qing's sleeping appearance in order to calm himself down.
Because of this, Chi Zhao deliberately didn't lock the door so that it was easier for Qi Yuyang to come and peek.
How considerate.
...….
Breakfast was already laid out on the table. Chi Zhao indifferently walked to the table and unceremoniously started to eat.
When Qi Yuyang saw him coming, the pounding headache finally eased away. He lowered his head and also started to eat.
Qi Yuyang ate much faster that Chi Zhao. After eating, he wiped his mouth and paused for a moment before uttering a sentence he had been brewing over for a long time, "Thank you for last night."
Chi Zhao wasn't surprised. Qi Yuyang would naturally find the coat over him after waking up so thanking him for it was normal. Chi Zhao glanced at him indifferently and then moved his gaze back to his food.
It was only after looking away did he remember that in addition to being cold and aloof, he also had to be greedy. After all, the reason the original owner approached Qi Yuyang was because of his money and resources.
The cogs in his mind turned a few times. He lowered his spoon and looked at Qi Yuyang proudly, "Want to thank me? Then give me the protagonist role in 'Dream Whisperer'."
'Dream Whisperer' was Jiayu Culture's major project for the second half of the year. It was still in the beginning stages and the actors have not yet been found. With Xue Qing's current level, taking the protagonist role was too much for him. After all, he only had his popularity and didn't have any reputable works under his belt. Even in the only movie he had acted in, he only played the third male lead.
But Qi Yuyang was only slightly stunned before readily agreeing to his request.
"Alright."
At the same time, he felt a little happy inside.
He had originally felt a little sorry for Xue Qing. After all, he had semi-forced Xue Qing who basically had no relations with him into living under the same roof as him and he would always interrupt his schedule to make him stay at home. The prime time for actors are only these few years and if this chance was missed, there was basically no chance in becoming popular in the future.
Now that Xue Qing was willing to ask him for something, he felt a little less guilty inside. This was good. He can give Xue Qing resources others can't get and Xue Qing can stay with him to help him with his headaches and insomnia. The two of them can benefit from each other.
Qi Yuyang was very satisfied, Chi Zhao was very satisfied and even the system was very satisfied. The host didn't say anything unnecessary to the protagonist and he didn't even give him an extra look. Very good. It seems that this world should be safe.
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One shouldn't count their chickens before they hatch. Unfortunately, the system was just a bunch of data, so it wasn't aware of this saying.
.....
They would first live together for two years and then get together. After a year of being together, Qi Yuyang would meet the psychiatrist. Another year later, at Xue Qing's birthday, Qi Yuyang would suddenly unleash his attack and send Xue Qing to prison. Only after living in prison for three or four hellish years would he die and leave the world.
This mission was set to go for about seven or eight years, and it was rather short compared to most. Moreover, the plot points were so pitifully few, it was less than the last world. The first plot point was set to be two years later when he and Qi Yuyang both got drunk and slept together. The process of getting together was quite logical.
...…
In other words, Chi Zhao had nothing to do right now. All he had to do was to properly act out the role of an actor and occasionally request something from Qi Yuyang. This wasn't a problem for Chi Zhao. Qi Yuyang's business was flourishing and he wasn't short of such a small amount of money. As for resources, they were originally prepared for actors, so it didn't matter who acted.
As long as it didn't hurt nature or his sense of reason, Chi Zhao would not hold back.
The original owner didn't care about Qi Yuyang and would only think of him when he needs him for something. Following this character set up, Chi Zhao also didn't pay much attention to the protagonist and only focused on acting. Xue Qing's acting skills were actually rather mediocre but with just his face which left everyone behind in the dust, it was hard for him not to become popular.
Reasonably speaking, Chi Zhao should receive offers left and right but because Qi Yuyang was controlling it behind the scenes, the offers he received became very few. Usually he would have one or two schedules in a day and sometimes none at all. His days overall were spent quite leisurely.
Today he had left to shoot an advertisement. During the break, his manager couldn't help but be curious. He walked over to Chi Zhao and asked quietly, "Xiao Qing, tell this brother the truth. What kind of relationship do you have with President Qi?"
Chi Zhao subconsciously glanced at the back of the studio. Qi Yuyang was sitting there like a grand master with his secretary standing next to him talking to the assistant director who smiled very flatteringly. At this moment they appeared to be discussing something about the contents of the documents they had in their hands.
Chi Zhao retracted his gaze and said indifferently, "Friend."
His manager fell silent. What nonsense. What kind of friend would accompany another friend to work everyday and leave behind his own work? That one there is President Qi. What kind of friend can make him do something like that?!
Rather than a friend, I think it's boyfriend!
The manager felt that he had reached the truth. He just smiled knowingly and didn't say anything. Xue Qing was still in the prime of his career so he naturally wouldn't want others to know about his sexuality. As Xue Qing's manager, he should protect his artists privacy. After all, how his future would be like also depended on how well Xue Qing performed.
After the shoot, Chi Zhao went to attend a dinner party which was also a gathering of the staff involved in the production of 'Dream Whisperer'. Just as Chi Zhao stood up preparing to leave, Qi Yuyang came over with a frown, "Something came up at work. I have to go back to back to sort it out."
Chi Zhao looked at him and replied indifferently, "Oh, then you should go."
There was no expression on his face and all that was missing were the words 'what does it have to do with me' written on it. Qi Yuyang couldn't speak. He had originally wanted to say 'come with me' but he swallowed it back down.
He secretly took a deep breath.
It's okay. It's just a few hours apart. If he can't endure even that much, how would he be able to live his life in the future?
The other party was indifferent and Qi Yuyang himself also wasn't someone to insist. Since he had nothing else to say, Qi Yuyang swiftly turned around and walked out. Chi Zhao also started walking but before he could take more than two steps, Qi Yuyang turned around, seeming to have thought of something.
"Don't drink too much. Don't force yourself if you don't like it. If someone asks you to drink, don't pay attention to them."
Chi Zhao was taken aback but before he could react, Qi Yuyang had already turned back around and left.
Chi Zhao stood there blinking his eyes in confusion for a moment. He didn't understand why Qi Yuyang felt that he didn't like to drink. The original owner was an alcohol lover and he loved to drink all kinds of alcohol.
Was it because he had returned from the celebration party early and he inferred it from that?
That's pretty amazing.
Chi Zhao happily tossed that matter to the back of his mind and didn't think much of it. Qi Yuyang who was walking out was also confused. Does Xue Qing not like drinking? He doesn't seem to like it but how did he know this?
He thought about it for a long time but couldn't reach an answer. He then remembered the mishap at work and his expression darkened. He quickened his pace as he strode over to his car.
Chi Zhao was the male lead so when he arrived at the private room where the party was held, he was naturally the object of attention of many people. Even if he wanted to keep a low presence, it wasn't possible. They had only just started the meal when some of them tried to get him to drink. Chi Zhao pushed it off with the excuse that he was diagnosed with gastritis yesterday and was told not to drink. The others only expressed disappointment when they heard this but they didn't insist and let him off.
These people were all very reasonable but there was one person who wasn't like this.
This movie was a joint investment. Jiayu Culture was the main investor while there were several other smaller investors also sitting at the table. Among them was a middle-aged man who had invested second only to Jiayu's amount. He had originally wanted another actor from Jiayu to play the male lead but as soon as he proposed this, it was quickly shot down. Instead, this little white face who only had good looks working for him was signed.
After drinking for three rounds, the middle-aged man's distaste for Chi Zhao grew. He felt that Chi Zhao was not as good as the other actor and only his face was not bad.
Chi Zhao didn't drink and had long discovered that the middle-aged man was looking at him. He however didn't pay it any attention. This continued until the look in his eyes started to change. Chi Zhao raised his head unhappily and sent him a look of warning.
But just this one look seemed to have lit that middle-aged man's fuse.
Bah! The thing he cannot stand the most is this kind of fake bitch. He was only able to get the role of the protagonist because he slept with Qi Yuyang! As long as anyone gives him enough money, he would be willing to climb into anyone's bed!
The middle-aged man placed down his glass and looked at Chi Zhao with narrowed eyes, "Xue Qing, you shouldn't be like this. Everyone's drinking and only you're not drinking. If you're so uncooperative right now, what is it going to be like when it's time to film?"
Chi Zhao smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, it's not that I don't want to drink but my body doesn't allow it. How about this? Next time. Next time, I'll definitely accompany you for a drink."
Chi Zhao didn't rudely cut him down and wanted to give the other party a chance to back off but unfortunately the middle-aged man didn't take the hint. The middle-aged man's expression suddenly turned meaningful. He had been waiting for those words.
"You're the one who said it. It's not that you don't want to drink. Here." The middle-aged man poured a glass of baijiu (KKnotes: Chinese clear liquor, it's pretty strong) and slammed it onto the table in front of Chi Zhao, "Drink it. Take it as giving me face. Didn't you say that you had gastritis yesterday? If you drink this, it will show your sincerity and I can guarantee our cooperation. How about it?"
Hearing him say that, a few of them quickly stood up to stop him but the middle-aged man seemed to have drunk too much. He turned a deaf ear to the other people's coaxing and continued to look at Chi Zhao while Chi Zhao looked down at the glass. While he remained expressionless externally, he asked the system with absolute seriousness, "Can I beat him up?"
System: "...."
The system also considered it seriously before answering with some difficulty.
Please read this from kk translates
[That will ruin your character set up. Why don't you lure him out, put a sack over his head and beat him half to death? I can help you find a good spot. The bathroom here is pretty good but there is surveillance by the door. Ah, how about the back door? There is an alley there and it's not monitored. It's a good place to beat someone up!]
Chi Zhao was only just saying it though. Although he really wanted to beat this guy up, Chi Zhao had now lived for many years so his attitude towards life had changed. He had become more peaceful and is no longer the inexperienced youngster who would lash out in response to any provocation.
Hearing Chi Zhao's calmness and indifference, the system expressed admiration.
[Host, you're amazing.]
Chi Zhao smiled. Just as he wanted to boast a little more, he heard the middle-aged man next to him continue speaking, "Why? Not willing to drink? Okay, okay, I won't force you lest the others say that I'm bullying you. Let's do this. You come here and serve me drinks."
The rest of the people: "...." Is he seeking death right now? He even dares to do that to Qi Yuyang's person!
Chi Zhao: "...." Dammit, don't stop me. I'm going to beat him up right now!
System: "...….." What did you say about being more peaceful?
Chi Zhao shot up. He was the type who liked to take action as soon as he thought of something but before he could roll up his sleeves, a dark figure suddenly flew past him, punching the middle-aged man in the nose. The middle-aged man let out a cry of agony and looked up with anger only to be met with Qi Yuyang's face. The middle-aged man froze.
Qi Yuyang's chest rose and fell and he looked furious. Before the midde-aged man could beg for mercy, he was slammed with another punch. By the time the others could pry them apart, the middle-aged man's face had become swollen to the point that it resembled a pig's head.
Chi Zhao stared at this scene, dumbfounded. This dumbfounded look however was only expressed internally and, in order to maintain his character, he didn't show any obvious changes on his face apart from slight surprise. He didn't expect Qi Yuyang to suddenly appear and give that man a beating.
Qi Yuyang wasn't someone to curse. He believed in the principle of speaking less and doing more so he just glanced coldly at the middle-aged man before turning and walking out. He didn't call Chi Zhao but Chi Zhao reacted quickly and ran out after him.
This farce ended very quickly. The rest of the people looked at each other and then at the unconscious pig head on the ground before shaking their heads sympathetically.
He may have had his fun just now but tomorrow, he will suffer. Although he wouldn't die, the middle-aged man would definitely experience big misfortune.
Qi Yuyang went straight out to the parking lot and slammed the door shut with a loud bang after getting in. Chi Zhao who was a few steps behind stood outside the car for a moment. He couldn't help but furrow his brows before getting in as well.
The air in the car was very quiet with only Qi Yuyang's breathing which had not yet calmed down. Chi Zhao who sat on the other side was like he was completely invisible. Even his breathing couldn't be heard. If you closed your eyes, you wouldn't realise that there was a second person there.
After an unknown amount of time passed, Qi Yuyang raised his eyes and glanced at him, "Why didn't you respond when he said something like that to you?"
I did respond. If it wasn't for you suddenly appearing, the one beating him up would've been me.
Chi Zhao answered inside and then slowly raised his eyes and answered with another question, "He was only speaking nonsense. Why did you hit him? And you did it in front of so many people. You're really unafraid of the law?"
Qi Yuyang turned his head away and didn't speak.
The matters at work had already left him in a bad mood and after not seeing Xue Qing for three consecutive hours, he felt like his head was about to explode. He had come here to find Xue Qing to relieve him of this pain only to overhear that old pervert say something like that. When he heard it, anger immediately rose inside him and, without any second thought, he had already thrown out a punch.
Right now, he had calmed down considerably but he also didn't regret his actions. Instead, he felt that he should've hit him more.
Seeing that Xue Qing was still looking at him, clearly waiting for him to answer, Qi Yuyang stewed over it for a while before muttering, "Because he's disgusting."
Chi Zhao who heard this lowered his eyes. He said slowly, "Don't do this in the future, this is my own business."
Qi Yuyang frowned even more deeply. But he thought about it. Xue Qing was right. Men all like to save face. After being spoken to like that by that old pervert, Xue Qing would naturally get angry. Perhaps his decision to stand up for him just now conversely made him feel like he had lost even more face.
Qi Yuyang pursed his lips and was silent for a while. He changed the subject, "After high school, have you had a girlfriend?"
Qi Yuyang had asked this with no other hidden intentions. He just wanted to know about his old classmate's life better but the moment that question was asked, he started to feel a little nervous, as if the answer was very important to him.
Qi Yuyang blinked a few times. He didn't understand why he felt this but before he could have the chance to think about it, he heard Chi Zhao say, "No. What about you?"
Qi Yuyang smiled, "Neither."
With his current state, not becoming a serial killer was already a good enough so don't expect anything like dating.
But now, with Xue Qing here, perhaps he could find someone he likes and experience what love was like.
For a while, the two didn't speak. Suddenly there was a laugh. This laugh came too suddenly. Chi Zhao looked over with confusion, "What are you laughing at?"
Qi Yuyang laughed while shaking his head, "Don't you find it ironic? The two of us were school heartthrobs in high school but six years have passed and everyone else has escaped single life except for us school heartthrobs."
This statement was indeed very amusing and, with the addition of Qi Yuyang's laugh which was gentle and infectious, Chi Zhao also couldn't help but smile. His smile was very light and humble but it instantly attracted Qi Yuyang's attention, making it difficult for him to look away.
If Xue Qing smiled more, that would be great.
This thought suddenly appeared in his mind. Qi Yuyang lowered his eyes to hide those thoughts of his and after a few seconds, he looked up again, "Are you full?"
Chi Zhao shook his head. The food today was only good in appearance, but it didn't taste great and the people around him were too noisy, making him lose his appetite.
Qi Yuyang started the car, "It just so happened that I haven't eaten either. Let's go find a place to eat. What do you want?"
Qi Yuyang was looking back while reversing and didn't pay attention to Chi Zhao, so he didn't see the latter's eyes light up, "Skewers!"
Qi Yuyang looked over with surprise. Chi Zhao's face stiffened, and he quickly returned to the original owner's paralysed face. He said calmly, "I mean, let's have barbeque. Haven't had it in a while so it wouldn't be bad having some."
Qi Yuyang: "....."