“???”
Tan Shuai was a bit dazed after hearing his words. “What? You want me to help you look up a guy? You don’t even know his name? A guy who worked as a waiter? Specifically a guy who worked as a waiter at the Linhu Club? Buddy, what is the situation with you?”
As if he had discovered a new world, Tan Shuai started firing off questions: “The leaks online aren’t true, are they? I thought people were just spreading rumors. Did you actually go there and sleep with a young boy? Haven’t you been a total straight man for years? You actually turned gay? When did this happen? You didn’t even say a word.”
“No! Stop talking nonsense! I haven’t turned gay! What is all this mess!”
Liang Han denied it firmly, then explained: “I went there for dinner last week and ran into him. I felt his looks fit a character in my new drama perfectly, but I can’t get in touch with him now. So, I want you to help me find out his name and, ideally, get his contact information.”
Hearing this, Tan Shuai lost a bit of interest. “Oh, so that’s it. I thought you’d turned gay. Sigh, how boring.”
But he still had countless questions: “But why did you go there for dinner? Change of personality?”
Although Tan Shuai was tight-lipped to the outside, he really never stopped when it was just between them. Liang Han felt a headache coming on. “Someone else treated me. I didn’t expect it to be there, but I’d already agreed, so I went. Stop asking so many questions and go look him up quickly. My project is only missing this one role.”
Tan Shuai gave a rather bored “Oh.” “That’s simple. Just wait; I’ll find someone to look into it in a bit.”
Liang Han added another instruction: “Don’t say I’m the one asking. It’ll be a hassle if the club finds out.”
If he weren’t worried about the club stirring up trouble, he would have sent his assistant to handle it directly.
Tan Shuai gave an “Mhm.” “Understood. Afraid they’ll start rumors about you? Don’t worry, I know the weight of the situation.”
Liang Han hung up the phone. It seemed the matter was about to be resolved.
He knew Tan Shuai’s capabilities well; he had a big mouth, but he was very reliable when it came to actual work. Leaving this to him wouldn’t result in any mistakes; he would definitely be able to find out the other party’s details clearly. Finding the person would be easy then.
Yet, for some reason, he still felt a bit uneasy.
Shouldn’t he be happy? The expected situation didn’t happen. He didn’t manage to recruit the actor he liked, but the guy hadn’t come to pester him either.
This proved the other party wasn’t “sexual-romance brained” like he thought.
He suspected he was just too busy lately and physically unwell, which was why his mood was suppressed.
Liang Han handled the affairs at the studio with a grim face and prepared to head back to his residence for an early rest.
He opened the door of his office, went downstairs to his car, and just as he turned the corner from the elevator, he saw the young boy he had just asked someone to look up squatting right by his car door, a small bag slung across his shoulder.
Like a stray kitten huddling by his car for warmth on a winter night, he looked very well-behaved and cute.
“…”
In that instant, inexplicably, his mood brightened.
An arc of a smile even unconsciously hung at the corner of his mouth.
Liang Han himself didn’t notice it; he just looked at the person squatting by the car door, unable to help thinking that Shao Dong’s theory wasn’t so unreliable after all the boy really had come to pester him proactively.
Not even going to the audition… he probably wanted to find an opportunity like this to see him alone.
His methods truly were sophisticated, much smarter than those people before.
…
Song Yuanxi had waited at the studio entrance for several days. Since he had nothing to do lately and the company wasn’t arranging work for him, he wasn’t afraid of wasting time. He waited from morning until night every day, and today he finally managed to catch him.
When Liang Han and his assistant drove into the office building, he followed them. Because he didn’t have an access card to enter the elevator, he kept watch on Liang Han’s car.
He didn’t believe Liang Han would walk home, so waiting by the car was the most likely way to corner him.
Hearing the sound of the elevator doors, he looked up toward Liang Han.
His eyes lit up instantly with a surge of joy. He was right! He knew he could wait for Liang Han here!
Song Yuanxi was wearing casual clothes today, a loose white T-shirt and black trousers. The colors were similar to the club uniform he wore that night.
But the style and perception were worlds apart.
That night, he was a sexy kitten in distress, carrying an aura of “pure-desire” fragility. Now, he was an energetic, lazy kitten, looking particularly noble and cute.
However, regardless of which version it was, he had a delicate, pampered look.
The real person was much more vivid than the image in his dreams, especially the eyes full of agility.
Liang Han’s gaze unconsciously lingered on him for a moment longer; his breathing grew slightly heavy.
Upon seeing Liang Han, Song Yuanxi hurriedly stood up, his expression a bit embarrassed and his heart a bit nervous.
Liang Han’s face had looked very bad when he first came out of the elevator; he didn’t know if work was going poorly. He was worried this would affect his next objective.
But he soon let out a sigh of relief because Liang Han’s face quickly softened.
In his heart, he couldn’t help but add another merit to Liang Han: Emotionally stable, processes his temper quickly.
A person like this would be a very reliable boss; he certainly wouldn’t take out his anger on employees for no reason.
Comparing him to the boss at Huanhai, the contrast was glaring.
Song Yuanxi felt increasingly motivated. He gave Liang Han a smile. “Teacher Liang Han, I’ve been waiting for you here for a long time.”
Liang Han lowered his eyes slightly and didn’t speak.
This boy really did look very delicate and pampered when he smiled; he was very good at smiling, and even his casual speech sounded like he was acting spoiled.
It was probably because he was too good at acting spoiled and Liang Han had never encountered someone like this before that he had ended up dreaming about him after going back last time.
After all, this person fit the image of the Prince of Liang perfectly, and he liked that character very much. It was just a case of transference.
Liang Han thought steadfastly, keeping his face expressionless. He couldn’t look too friendly, or it would lead to misunderstandings.
Song Yuanxi didn’t mind his attitude; he just hurriedly stated his purpose: “I just wanted to talk to you about filming. I have some circumstances I want to communicate with you about. Is now a convenient time for you?”
He said it like that, but remembering Liang Han’s attitude last time, he felt he couldn’t give Liang Han a chance to reject him. Otherwise, if the man ran off, he didn’t know how many days he’d have to wait to find him again.
Song Yuanxi hurried closer and added a sentence, clasping his hands together in a plea: “I beg you, Teacher Liang Han. I really need your help.”
Please let it be convenient!
Liang Han raised his eyes to stare at him for a moment, then shifted his gaze away, walking straight to the car to open the door and get in, seemingly intending to ignore him.
Although he had already decided to let this young boy play the role, he didn’t intend to let him succeed so easily. After all, this person was clearly coming for him as a person; acting seemed just to be his excuse.
Otherwise, why wouldn’t he take the audition seriously but instead run all the way to the studio to wait for him?
Song Yuanxi was ignored: “…”
Teacher Liang Han is so serious.
He felt like the man wouldn’t be easy to persuade. Perhaps it was because the impression he left last time wasn’t great being an “irregular” waiter at a club and all.
Song Yuanxi felt a wave of worry. He didn’t dare block Liang Han from getting in the car, but he quickly moved to the car door, grabbing the handle and leaning close to the window to look at Liang Han.
Facing that strikingly handsome face, he didn’t even have time to be starstruck. He just put on a pitiful expression, his eyes turning round like a kitten’s. “Teacher Liang Han, I beg you. Could you please not reject me? When I went to that club last time, I really just wanted to try and find a job. That day was the first time I’d ever set foot in that club. I really didn’t intend to do anything else; you mustn’t misunderstand and think I was looking for a sugar daddy!”
For his future, he was giving it his all, throwing away face and pride. If Liang Han still ignored him, he could only cling to the car door and refuse to let him leave.
Liang Han glanced at him from the side, remaining silent, seemingly unmoved.
Song Yuanxi: “…”
Could it not be because of what happened at the club?
His mind raced, and he suddenly remembered the news he saw in the fan group. An idea popped up.
He hurriedly continued explaining: “That leak online has nothing to do with me either! I wasn’t the one who contacted the marketing accounts. I didn’t want to sell information about you to make money. When I asked you for help that day, I wasn’t setting a trap for you.”
After saying this, he continued to stare at Liang Han expectantly.
This time, Liang Han didn’t remain silent. He turned his head and suddenly asked: “And?”
“…”
And? And what else?
Song Yuanxi was stunned. For a moment, he actually couldn’t think of anything else. He blinked his eyes.
Liang Han stared at him, noticing that the boy’s pupils looked very dark, but his gaze was indeed very clear. It hadn’t been a hallucination that night.
Not speaking? Seems he hasn’t realized the problem at all.
Does he think I’m that easy to fool? That I’ll believe whatever he says?
Liang Han’s expression darkened, but being stared at by those eyes, he couldn’t help but speak after a moment. He asked, “Why didn’t you go to the audition that day?”
Standing him up just to corner him here now wasn’t that a bit foolish? It would have been easier to see him at the audition site.
Or…
“Did you think I was just joking? That I was lying to you? So you didn’t take it seriously?”
As Liang Han spoke, the corners of his mouth were pulled quite tight. He hadn’t been ignored like that before.
Song Yuanxi snapped out of it: “…”
So it wasn’t that he truly didn’t want to talk to me, he was angry because I didn’t go to the audition.
So, was Liang Han really waiting for me to go that day?
No wonder he ignored him just now; he probably thought he was ungrateful.
Looking at it this way, he must have high expectations for him to act! In that case, signing him as an artist had an even better chance!
His mood took a complete 180-degree turn.
Song Yuanxi was delighted and quickly explained: “No! It’s because there was a problem with the water pipes where I live that morning. I had to find someone to fix it, which delayed me. By the time I reached the audition place, it was over. I wanted to go but I didn’t skip on purpose! And I didn’t fail to take your words seriously!”
He stared at Liang Han with a serious face, not even blinking, his expression sincere. “I know that you, Teacher Liang Han, are a man of your word. You certainly wouldn’t lie to me! How could I not take your words seriously? You’ve misunderstood me! I actually cherish and long for the opportunity to act very much! When you told me to come for an audition, I was exceptionally grateful and happy in my heart!”
Since he was angry because of this, and he had explained it so thoroughly, it should be fine now, right?
Liang Han looked at him silently. It was unclear if he believed the explanation, but his tone softened visibly. “So that’s how it was.”
Song Yuanxi nodded firmly. “Yes, that’s exactly how it was! I promise, everything I said is the truth!”
Seeing him promise so earnestly, Liang Han’s expression eased slightly.
Song Yuanxi was still looking at Liang Han expectantly, just like a pitiful little thing.
Liang Han shifted his gaze away and tilted his chin slightly. “Get in the car first.”