Liang Han stared at those few emojis. After a few seconds of silence, he replied: 【What do these emojis mean?】
Could he be like that boy from before? Were all those words and the “sob story” from earlier just a ploy to get his contact info and get closer to him?
To use it as a way to harass him?
If so, the acting was far too thorough and quite persistent.
Liang Han should have been very angry, just like last time, but inexplicably, thinking about it actually felt a bit stimulating.
He shook his head. It seemed he had been so busy lately that he was experiencing some physiological discomfort.
Without waiting for Song Yuanxi to reply with more unpleasant words, he added a warning first: 【If you send these to me randomly again, I won’t lend you the money.】
He couldn’t give the other party a chance to talk more nonsense; otherwise, if things went too far, he would end up breaking his promise.
And unless it was absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to be someone who went back on his word.
Shao Dong suddenly couldn’t hear his voice on the other end of the phone: “What’s wrong? Don’t stop talking! Give me a straight answer: is he suitable or not?”
After sending the warning, Liang Han exited the WeChat interface and replied casually: “Not suitable. Didn’t I tell you he wasn’t good enough during the interview?”
Shao Dong sighed: “If you say he’s not suitable, then there are no more candidates. All the resumes we received have been through the audition, and no one else is coming. Unless we go look for an amateur.”
Shao Dong had only realized after seeing Huang Yi in person during the audition that this guy looked somewhat like Song Yuanxi.
Although not as suitable as Song Yuanxi, he would do; he was better than the others, after all.
Plus, with the influence of the previous public opinion, he really did have the intention of letting Huang Yi join the cast. When the official announcement came out, it wouldn’t cause a new heated discussion.
In the end, he was still flatly rejected by Liang Han.
Liang Han’s tone was indifferent: “No need, I’ve already found the person.”
Shao Dong’s breath hitched: “Huh? You found someone? Who?”
Liang Han: “That Song Yuanxi you mentioned before.”
“…Him?” Shao Dong was surprised. “What’s the situation? When I called you last time to persuade you to meet him, you said you wouldn’t. How come a few days have passed and you’ve changed your mind? Have you met him?”
Liang Han went silent for a second: “…Mm, I met him once. I feel that what you said was very right; no one is more suitable than him, so I changed my mind.”
Shao Dong’s logic took over, but he wasn’t that happy. After a moment of silence, he had to remind him: “But he’s being made things difficult for by his company right now. Huanhai probably won’t let him come and act. It’ll be a bit of a hassle if you choose him.”
The other party’s manager had already put it that way, saying he couldn’t act due to “physical discomfort” ; they were clearly not letting him come.
Furthermore, seeing Song Yuanxi’s state that day, it was obvious he couldn’t do anything about it himself.
Liang Han knew the situation better than him: “It’s fine. I’ve already promised to help him terminate his contract. Once it’s terminated, he can come.”
“…Terminate the contract?”
Shao Dong frowned, greatly shocked: “You even promised to help him terminate his contract?”
Liang Han looked speechless: “What’s with all the fuss?”
“What’s with the fuss? You tell me!”
If Shao Dong weren’t across a phone line, he would have wanted to turn the man’s face toward him to look closely at his expression: “When you wanted to retreat behind the scenes, didn’t I tell you we could sign artists to train? What did you say to me? You said you couldn’t deal with those things and had no interest; you said you wouldn’t sign people! If it weren’t for that, would I have left your studio so quickly?”
“Now you’re telling me you want to sign someone? What made you change your mind?”
Shao Dong was indignant!
Liang Han had a headache from his shouting and pressed his brow: “I didn’t say I wanted to sign anyone!”
Shao Dong’s tone stiffened: “What? Not signing him? Then why are you helping him terminate his contract?”
Liang Han walked to the kitchen and poured a glass of water to drink: “I’m just lending him money to help him terminate. What are you thinking?”
Shao Dong was choked up. After a long while, he came to his senses: “Just lending him money? Not signing him?”
“Mm, no.”
Shao Dong breathed a sigh of relief. “So that’s how it is.”
But thinking about it, he still didn’t quite approve: “Helping him terminate the contract is a bit of a hassle, isn’t it? If Huanhai knows you’re helping him like this, they’ll definitely be entangled with you. When the tug-of-war starts, it’ll be a waste of time!”
Liang Han didn’t speak. Since he had promised Song Yuanxi, he wasn’t someone who would break his word. He had already anticipated that Huanhai would make moves.
Shao Dong grumbled and made a suggestion: “Why don’t we find a way to negotiate with Huanhai? No need to terminate; just get them to agree to let Song Yuanxi come and act.”
Liang Han disagreed: “I’ve already promised the person; I can’t go back on my word. I must help him terminate. Besides, if he doesn’t terminate, Huanhai will keep manipulating him because of this, and the filming process later will be more troublesome. Terminating is a permanent solution.”
Shao Dong: “…”
He could hear it; Liang Han had made his decision and there was no way to change it.
Furthermore, the reason seemed relatively justifiable.
Shao Dong was quiet for a few seconds and sighed: “Fine, then I’ll listen to you. How about this: don’t show your face. I’ll find someone to arrange the termination for him. That way, Huanhai won’t know it’s your intention and might not hold on so tight.”
Liang Han hadn’t handled these kinds of things much in the past, so Shao Dong subconsciously wanted to help out.
Liang Han put down the cup, his tone leisurely: “No need, I’ve already found a lawyer for him.”
Shao Dong: “…”
Shao Dong had come to terms with it now and was in the mood to joke: “You suddenly being so understanding and proactive in helping someone really makes me a bit unaccustomed, as if you’ve been possessed. How did you suddenly develop this ‘chivalrous tenderness’?”
Liang Han ignored him, staring at the water glass, thinking to himself: What chivalrous tenderness? It’s just seeing the other party as pitiful and genuinely suitable for the role it’s out of necessity.
“I’m adapting to the role in the drama in advance. Doesn’t the Grand Tutor look after the Heir of Prince Liang from childhood to adulthood?”
Shao Dong laughed, a bit proud: “I told you back then that Song Yuanxi was suitable for the Heir of Prince Liang, but you didn’t believe me. Now look at you, you’re more optimistic about him than I am. You’re already in character.”
Liang Han cleared his throat, not wanting to talk about this with him: “Alright, hanging up.”
Shao Dong hurriedly followed up: “Then I’ll just directly reject Huang Yi’s side.”
“Mm…” Liang Han was about to agree, but his thoughts shifted, and he said, “Don’t reject him so quickly yet. Let’s wait and see the situation with Song Yuanxi’s termination first.”
Shao Dong agreed. He didn’t think much of it, just assuming Liang Han was doing this just in case.
If the termination didn’t go smoothly and dragged on, they might end up having to use this Huang Yi person.
After hanging up the voice call, Liang Han glanced at WeChat, wondering how Song Yuanxi had replied to him.
He had said that just now; the other party should have remembered it, right?
If he continued to send emojis, he would have to block him.
Fortunately, there was indeed a new message in the chat history, and it wasn’t the situation he was worried about.
Song Yuanxi: 【I’m sorry, Teacher Liang Han, I sent those by mistake just now. Please don’t misunderstand! I will definitely pay attention next time and won’t send random emojis again.】
Liang Han: “…”
It wasn’t the reply he wanted to see either.
His perfectly fine mood turned sour.
This meant he often sent these kinds of emojis to others normally?
Things like “Love You,” “Heart Finger,” and “Blow Kiss.”
Who was he going to send them to just now that he sent them to him by mistake?
This person was actually paying court to more than just him alone?
Liang Han took a deep breath, his finger tapping the input method. He really wanted to send a message saying he wouldn’t lend the money anymore.
But after a moment, he withdrew his hand. What did it have to do with him how many people the other party hooked up with?
As long as he didn’t pay attention to these small-talk topics, it would be fine.
Anyway, he was a straight man and wouldn’t like a man; he wasn’t afraid no matter how the boy harassed him.
And isn’t it better if he hooks up with more people? Then he won’t be staring dead-set at him and not letting go.
Liang Han’s chest felt stifled; he took a deep breath: 【Mm, pay attention next time.】
Song Yuanxi saw the reply Liang Han sent back and felt a wave of peace. He knew he had been overthinking.
It was still caused by the psychological shadow left behind before; with Xu Rao’s reminder, he couldn’t help but worry.
Now it was fine. He set his mind at ease and focused on communicating the clauses in the contract with the lawyer.
After sorting it out, he found many details he hadn’t noticed at all before.
After organizing all night, he finally had it mostly ready. The next day, he took the organized materials to the Huanhai office building.
“Why are you here?”
The manager was talking to Huang Yi with a pleasant expression, but after seeing Song Yuanxi come in, his smile vanished.
He seemed to know Song Yuanxi’s purpose for coming like the back of his hand, waving his hand with total disdain: “There are no suitable resources for you lately. If there are, I’ll call you. Go back for now; I have things to do here and can’t attend to you.”
Huang Yi lifted his gaze to scan Song Yuanxi, putting on a face full of “spring breeze” [smug success]: “Brother Wang, the man finally made a trip to the company; you should at least let him stay for a while! Sending him back like this would waste the round-trip fare. Brother Yuanxi has no work now and has to rent a house to live in; he needs to save money.”
Brother Wang looked at Huang Yi and smiled: “Alright. Then I’ll listen to you.”
But having said that, he turned his head to glance at Song Yuanxi and said: “Go sit outside for a while. After I finish talking with Xiao Yi, come back in.”
Huang Yi, however, looked at Song Yuanxi: “This isn’t very good, Brother Wang. I see Brother Yuanxi looks very hurried; why don’t you talk to him first?”
He was very curious about what Song Yuanxi was doing here this time. Could it be that he came to find trouble because he knew about Huang Yi passing the audition for Grand Tutor?
At this thought, he couldn’t help but want to stay and watch the fun.
Brother Wang waved his hand: “What urgent matter could he have? Your matter isn’t finished yet. I’ve already contacted the Grand Tutor film crew.”
He didn’t avoid Song Yuanxi. Nowadays, Song Yuanxi was like a grasshopper in their palms the kind that could be pinched, flattened, or rounded at will without any power to resist.
Furthermore, the higher-ups actually wanted to pressure Song Yuanxi into bowing his head, so the more they discussed these topics, the more they should do it in front of Song Yuanxi to stimulate him.
“Producer Shao Dong’s side has no objections. Once Liang Han’s side replies, you should go for the costume fitting. Don’t worry, this was personally arranged by the boss; Liang Han’s side will also give face. Just wait to join the cast.”
“Okay, Brother Wang, I understand. Then I’ll think about what meeting gifts to send to the crew colleagues when I go back later; I need to establish good relations with them since I’ll be filming for so long.”
As Huang Yi spoke, he glanced at Song Yuanxi again: “After all, it’s my first time participating in such a big production; they’re all seniors.”
Previously, he and Song Yuanxi had submitted resumes to Grand Tutor at around the same time. In the end, Grand Tutor only selected Song Yuanxi to go for an interview.
At that time, he was mocked quite a bit for being inferior to Song Yuanxi.
Now the tables had turned. Song Yuanxi was rejected by Grand Tutor, while he instead got the audition opportunity and even gained the favor of the crew’s producer; it looked like he was about to join the cast.
Naturally, he was extremely proud. Especially seeing Song Yuanxi, he couldn’t help but want to vent his spleen: “Speaking of which, I really have to thank Brother Yuanxi. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity. Brother Yuanxi, don’t worry, I will definitely repay you. Once I’m in the cast, if there are any suitable small roles, I will definitely introduce you!”
Song Yuanxi glanced at him, didn’t speak, but just looked at Brother Wang, not wanting to waste time here at all: “I don’t have time to listen to your nonsense. Manager Wang, I came to discuss the contract termination with you.”
“…”
Huang Yi stared at him, very surprised. He thought Song Yuanxi wouldn’t be able to help but bow his head, but he didn’t expect the other party to be so tough. This was a plan to fight the company to the end.
He had to admit, he felt a bit of admiration in his heart, but also a bit of disdain.
What was the point of being so stubborn with the higher-ups? Making money was what actually mattered.
Manager Wang laughed, not taking Song Yuanxi’s words seriously at all: “Terminate? You still have so many years left on your contract, and you want to terminate? Fine, just pay enough money. But, do you have that much money?”
He was Song Yuanxi’s manager and knew his contract better than anyone. Wanting to terminate without losing a layer of skin was unthinkable.
But he also knew Song Yuanxi’s financial situation very well; he couldn’t afford to terminate at all. He smiled and glanced at Song Yuanxi: “I advise you to be realistic and not get yourself into a dead end.”
“These things are of no concern to you. Manager Wang, you only need to put forward the requirements for the termination.”
Negotiating the termination early meant being able to leave one day sooner.
“Anyway, there’s no benefit for you to keep dragging me along now. It’s better to let me go early.”
Just as Manager Wang was about to speak, his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up, and after who-knows-what was said on the other end, he looked up at Song Yuanxi, and his gaze instantly changed.
He suddenly started laughing: “Yuanxi, I was just joking with you just now. Look at you, you’ve already hooked up with Teacher Liang Han’s side and have such a good way out. Why terminate the contract?”