Before Song Yuanxi could figure out how to open his mouth, he saw Liang Han’s expression, one clearly indicating he didn’t want to be pestered as he turned to leave.
“…”
There’s no need to avoid me like the plague, is there?
But looking at it this way, Liang Han truly wasn’t interested in his “type”; it didn’t seem like an act.
That’s even better!
Song Yuanxi was increasingly unwilling to miss this opportunity and hurriedly spoke up: “Um, Teacher Liang Han, wait a moment.”
Just as he expected, the other party wanted to linger. Liang Han had intended to quicken his pace, but hearing those words, he uncontrollably came to a halt.
What if he had misunderstood?
He turned his head to stare at Song Yuanxi, his face slightly darkened as he said, “Is there something else?”
Song Yuanxi was momentarily dazed by that fierce gaze, unsure of how to phrase his thoughts.
Liang Han, however, seemed to think of something. He suddenly changed his attitude and said, “You go first. I’ll stand right here and watch. Even if Shen Yu comes over, he won’t be able to do anything to you.”
Help a person all the way; escort the Buddha to the West.
He had already brought the boy this far; if he failed at the last hurdle, wouldn’t it all be for nothing?
Liang Han found an excellent excuse.
It perfectly explained his action of staying behind instead of leaving immediately.
Song Yuanxi’s train of thought was interrupted. He stared fixedly at Liang Han for a moment, his heart deeply moved: “Teacher Liang Han, you’re a truly good person!”
In the entertainment industry for so long, aside from his good friend Xu Rao, this was the first time he had encountered someone who helped him like this without any demands.
Especially since the other party was a powerful, long-famous big star.
In the past, he had only heard about how excellent yet cold Liang Han was; only now did he discover the man was also very helpful.
And very attentive he had just forgotten the fact that Shen Yu might follow him.
“Thank you so much. You’re even more noble than the rumors suggest! I’ve never seen a better idol than you!”
Song Yuanxi offered his thanks earnestly and solemnly. His eyes were rounded slightly, sparkling as if they held stars.
As he praised him, a faint tooth mark the result of biting his lip hard earlier still lingered at the corner of his mouth.
Liang Han stared into his eyes for a few moments, then averted his gaze, involuntarily glancing at that corner of the mouth: “You don’t need to thank me too much. It was just a casual favor.”
An inexplicable thought popped into his mind again: How can a boy look so sweet and cute? His lips look so soft and easy to leave marks on like they’d be very easy to bite.
Not “hard man” at all. Too delicate and easy to bully; no wonder Shen Yu set his sights on him.
However…
Looking at it this way, he fit the character of the Prince of Liang even better.
An image of weakness, daintiness, and simple-mindedness that invited people to deceive him.
Though, he was quite good at flattery when praising people.
Liang Han felt inexplicably worried. He was usually cold-hearted and detached, but he couldn’t help himself this time and cautioned again: “Don’t come back to places like this to work after you return. One who often walks by the riverside will eventually get their shoes wet. Next time you encounter this, I won’t be here to help you. It will be very hard to escape then; the people here play very ‘wildly’.”
Song Yuanxi felt even more that he was a good person. He nodded seriously, pursing his lips into a smile: “Mm, I won’t come back ever again.”
If it weren’t to find a boss, he truly wouldn’t have come.
At this moment, he looked very well-behaved.
Liang Han remained silent: “…”
Thinking of finding a boss, Song Yuanxi turned his gaze back to Liang Han.
Someone like Liang Han was clearly the best choice: powerful, strong, and a straight man.
After a few seconds of hesitation, Song Yuanxi took a step closer and asked softly, “Teacher Liang Han, may I have your contact information?”
He didn’t choose to directly tell Liang Han about wanting to switch companies and sign with him.
Although Song Yuanxi wanted to resolve his predicament as soon as possible, he had only just escaped Shen Yu’s sight. This place had complicated people, and it wasn’t suitable after all.
Besides, this matter was so troublesome that it couldn’t be explained in just a few sentences. Liang Han surely had business here today and shouldn’t be delayed. It couldn’t be rushed; it was better to get contact info first and find an opportunity to communicate later.
“I have something I want to tell you.”
Liang Han stared at him, coming back to his senses, not at all surprised.
He knew the other party would want his WeChat or phone number. People were always asking for his contact info; at first, he hadn’t thought much of it and added them.
Then those people would send him lewd photos upon returning, polluting his eyes.
Although this young boy didn’t look that “eager,” he still couldn’t give it. If he did, he would surely be pestered.
He shook his head in refusal: “It’s not very convenient.”
He then added a sentence: “I only helped you because I didn’t want a decent person to go astray. I have no other intentions. Don’t overthink it.”
Song Yuanxi glanced at him and saw the wariness on his face. He understood his current identity wasn’t “clean” yet. Although he had explained earlier, the other party still misunderstood.
Once Song Yuanxi understood, he didn’t continue to push, lest he ruin things: “I understand. I’ve taken up your time. Thank you for helping me today! I won’t disturb you further. I’m leaving.”
After thanking him, he turned and walked toward the lounge.
Although he hadn’t obtained Liang Han’s contact information, his mood was much better than when he arrived.
Even though he had added the trouble of Shen Yu, he had gained a much better target.
And judging from the current situation, the possibility of moving this target was much higher than with Shen Yu.
He planned to take his clothes, leave the club immediately, and go back to research how to move Liang Han to sign him as an artist!
Liang Han was momentarily dazed by the boy’s action of turning and leaving. He felt an inexplicable sense of fluster.
Is the other party angry?
He stared at Song Yuanxi’s retreating back, and suddenly froze for a second.
He realized that the back he had seen at the club entrance earlier was this very boy. The walking posture was still the same that resilient and upright gait that seemed so at ease.
It was like he was walking through someone’s heart with his own BGM, very rhythmic.
It tapped against his heart, making his heartbeat follow along thump, thump, thump.
“Wait a moment.”
Liang Han’s brain stalled. Before he could think clearly, he had subconsciously called out.
Song Yuanxi paused and turned his head to look back at Liang Han: “?”
He didn’t know what else Liang Han had to say, but his impression of Liang Han was very high right now; he figured it wouldn’t be anything bad.
Perhaps even…
Liang Han was going to agree to give him his contact info?
Thinking this, his gaze became full of expectation.
“…”
Song Yuanxi’s reaction made Liang Han’s heart skip a beat. Why did it seem like the boy was certain he was going to say something?
He suddenly felt his behavior was a bit much and might cause a misunderstanding. If the other party took advantage of the opening to cling to him, it would be another mess.
As Liang Han thought this, his tone lowered again. Reason returned slightly, and he wanted to stop there, yet felt it would be a pity not to speak.
His gaze landed on Song Yuanxi’s face.
Song Yuanxi blinked, puzzled.
What did it mean for Liang Han to call him back and then say nothing?
Was he not going to give him his contact info?
Then what was he going to say?
He walked back a few steps: “What’s wrong?”
His expression at this moment was like that of a purely innocent passerby slightly confused, and even starting to bite the right side of his lower lip again.
The tooth mark that hadn’t fully dissipated was deepened once more.
One could see that his teeth were very white and his lips were very rosy.
After a moment, Liang Han withdrew his gaze and finally spoke his thought: “You actually look quite good. If you aren’t in a rush to earn money, you could try acting.”
Song Yuanxi: “…”
The classmate who had suggested he apply for drama school back then had said something very similar.
Coincidentally, he also liked acting, so he entered the circle.
Later, his manager said the same, so he signed with the company.
If it weren’t for signing with the company, he wouldn’t be in his current predicament.
Song Yuanxi sighed in his heart. Releasing his lip, he still acted very grateful and said, “Alright, thank you for the suggestion. I will go.”
It seemed Liang Han didn’t know he was an actor who had auditioned, and likely didn’t know who he was.
So Liang Han and his company probably hadn’t had contact at least, they hadn’t discussed him.
The decision to reject him was entirely the company’s idea.
Song Yuanxi fell into thought. His reaction didn’t look very eager, at least not as happy as Liang Han had imagined.
Liang Han thought the boy didn’t take his words seriously and was just being perfunctory. After two seconds of silence, he gave him a location: “There are auditions there next week. You can go and try.”
The place Liang Han mentioned was the very location where Song Yuanxi had previously auditioned for the third male lead in The Prime Minister.
Shao Dong planned to arrange for Huang Yi to audition that day; it was a good chance to give this young boy an opportunity as well.
Song Yuanxi snapped out of it, his eyes widening: “Auditions?”
Liang Han gave an “Mhm.” Fearing the boy would overthink it, he emphasized: “I just feel your image is truly suitable. It would be a bit of a pity not to try.”
Since he had spoken up, he naturally had to offer proper advice.
Fearing the other party wouldn’t go because they lacked “connections,” Liang Han added a word of comfort: “It’s my project. There won’t be any ‘unspoken rules’ (casting couch). You don’t need to worry.”
Song Yuanxi blinked, truly surprised. He hadn’t expected Liang Han to say such a thing.
To actually offer him a job opportunity.
This was too good!
Why hadn’t he thought of looking for Liang Han when he was signing with a company!
Then there wouldn’t be all this trouble!
Song Yuanxi smiled at Liang Han. This time, the expression looked truly sweet and genuinely happy: “Thank you, Teacher Liang Han!”
In Liang Han’s eyes, he was probably just a stranger. The man not only helped him escape Shen Yu but also gave him guidance and a job opportunity.
That feeling of being cared for was like a fire lit in his heart, or a warm current being injected.
Song Yuanxi’s face turned a bit red under the lights, and his eyes were startlingly bright. His eyelashes blinked like they were carrying electricity.
One look and sparks would crackle across.
Liang Han caught the change in his expression, blinked, and sensing something was amiss, averted his gaze to avoid eye contact.
Song Yuanxi, however, thought that going to the audition again would just be a waste of effort. He had passed the audition before, but if the company refused to let him go, he couldn’t join the crew.
He stared at Liang Han, more concerned with another question: “Then… will you be there at that time?”
If Liang Han wasn’t there, going would be a waste of time. If Liang Han was there, he could take the opportunity to talk to him.
“…”
Liang Han’s eyelids twitched slightly. He worried his behavior had given the other party too many ideas.
What if he went there, didn’t audition properly, and pestered him instead?
He didn’t answer the question, but instead gave a warning: “You should get rid of your ‘sexual-romance brain’ in the future. Stop overthinking things.”
Song Yuanxi tilted his head, the corners of his eyes still curved: “?”
What is a sexual-romance brain?
Liang Han didn’t say anything more. He turned his head to scan the corridor behind them, confirming Shen Yu wouldn’t reappear, then waved his hand: “Go back quickly. If you don’t want to be pestered, don’t come to places like this in the future. Next time I won’t be here to help you.”
Having finished, Liang Han turned and walked toward the private room.
This time, he did not look back.