Amidst the commotion, the door was pushed open, and a whiff of dragon saliva incense wafted in.
“What happened?” Huo Yi Sen’s voice was as cold and indifferent as ever.
Lin Yue Shu glanced at Gui Ge’s hand gripping his collar and swallowed hard, “I… I accidentally broke the earring, I…”
Huo Yi Sen’s gaze lingered on his collar for a long time. The already flimsy, poor-quality shirt now looked even more like a rag.
Without a word, Huo Yi Sen took the earring from Gui Ge’s hand, turned it over to take a look, and then, to everyone’s astonishment, casually tossed it to the ground. His black leather shoe pressed down on it, the toe lightly grinding.
Crunch, crunch.
After a few moments, Huo Yi Sen withdrew his foot and said to the little sister, “Write up a receipt.”
Gui Ge was delighted! Money was coming in!
He nodded and bowed, taking Huo Yi Sen’s card, quickly preparing the receipt, and handed it over for Huo Yi Sen to sign. Meanwhile, he couldn’t help but glance at the onlookers, curious about who would spend money so freely.
As he watched, his smile gradually faded.
Gui Ge rubbed his eyes. If he wasn’t mistaken, those three powerful characters should be…
“Eh? Representative Huo? What a coincidence to meet you here.”
Suddenly, a few men in suits entered from outside. The leader appeared to be in his fifties, with a righteous face. Upon seeing Huo Yi Sen, he hurried over to shake hands and greet him.
Huo Yi Sen briefly shook hands with him, said, “Long time no see, Director Wang,” and then turned to Gui Ge, “Wrap it up.”
Gui Ge was dumbfounded. What day was it today? Not only did Huo Yi Sen, who only lived in others’ words, show up, but even the domestic general agent of Alder Jewelry had come down!
Upon hearing this, Director Wang reached out for the packaging bag, “Where’s the earring?”
Gui Ge’s soul finally returned. He hurried over to pick up the now unrecognizable earring from the ground, then helplessly looked at the other one on Lin Yue Shu’s ear, unsure of what to do, stammering for a long time.
Director Wang frowned, examining the earring, and sternly asked, “What’s going on? Packaging something like this for a customer?”
Gui Ge stammered for a long time, and Huo Yi Sen, seemingly impatient, interrupted, “It has nothing to do with this lady. I stepped on it.”
Gui Ge: “I’m a man…”
Huo Yi Sen glanced at him, “Is that so.”
Director Wang looked around at everyone present, and finally, his gaze fell on Lin Yue Shu’s collar. Although the situation was complicated, he had pieced together most of it.
He waved his hand, signaling Gui Ge to step aside and not be an eyesore. Then, he smiled apologetically at Lin Yue Shu, “Sir, there might be some misunderstanding. How about this, we won’t charge you for this pair of earrings. Tomorrow, I’ll call the headquarters and have them send you a new pair as an apology.”
The apology was certainly not for Lin Yue Shu. If it weren’t for Huo Yi Sen standing next to him, he would definitely have to pay the 800,000.
Lin Yue Shu bowed to Director Wang, “Thank you for your generosity, but it’s only right to compensate for damaged goods. I’ll find a way.”
When he looked up again, a long crystal line dangled from his earlobe, sparkling brilliantly. The lights cast a radiant glow on Lin Yue Shu’s face, creating a play of light and shadow, with his deep pupils hidden under his eyelashes, like a magical vortex.
Director Wang was deeply captivated by this vortex, lost in thought for a long time.
“What do you do for a living?” Director Wang asked, dazed.
Lin Yue Shu smiled, “I’m just an unknown small-time actor.”
Director Wang snapped back to reality, with an expression of excitement as if he had stumbled upon a treasure, “To be honest, our previous spokesperson, Teacher Huo Xiao, had his contract expire and was poached by another company offering a high price. We’re currently looking for a new spokesperson. Would you be interested in auditioning?”
Lin Yue Shu’s smile widened, “Me?”
Director Wang nodded vigorously, shaking Lin Yue Shu’s hand, “Yes, our brand doesn’t seek the best, only the most suitable. You just came to try on the earrings, and you already look like our living signboard. Everyone here wants to buy a pair to try, right?”
Everyone: “Yes, yes, I want to get a pair for my wife right now.”
These people were flattering, but they all knew that Alder had always chosen top-notch spokespersons from the industry. Today, they were willing to consider an unknown small-time actor simply because:
He was indeed beautiful, stunningly so.
And he was standing next to Huo Yi Sen.
Lin Yue Shu looked at Huo Yi Sen, “Can I give it a try?”
Huo Yi Sen averted his gaze, “That’s your business.”
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Director Wang and the others, Huo Yi Sen was about to leave with Lin Yue Shu.
Before leaving, Lin Yue Shu said to Director Wang, “Alder’s position as the king of the jewelry world is not only due to its inherent value but also its excellent service. Your salesgirl’s smile and sincere recommendations made me feel at home.”
Director Wang, upon hearing this, cast an appreciative glance at the little sister. Meanwhile, he mentally cursed Gui Ge’s ancestors for offending Representative Huo. How could he expect to have a good life after that???
Go to hell.
The two of them left, and the little sister followed them out, biting her finger and tearfully watching their backs:
Wuwuwu, Teacher Lin, although I didn’t know you before, from today on, I’m your ten-year-old fan!
In the car.
“I’ll take you back,” Huo Yi Sen started the car.
Lin Yue Shu stood by the car door, holding the jewelry bag, and smiled, “No need, I want to walk by myself.”
Then he added, “I won’t bother you anymore in the future. I wish you a lifetime of peace.”
Huo Yi Sen said nothing, started the car, and drove away.
Lin Yue Shu looked up at the sky. The moon was shrouded in dark clouds, and a heavy rain was about to fall.
But he was in a good mood. The endorsement he couldn’t get from Director Hou was given by Huo Yi Sen.
The planned conflict with the opportunistic Gui Ge, and the planned encounter with Alder’s domestic agent on a secret inspection, all led to him securing an audition for the endorsement, thanks to his looks and Huo Yi Sen as a backdrop.
Lin Yue Shu took out his phone and sent a message to Lu Boxiao:
[President Lu, thank you for the secret itinerary of the jewelry agent. By the way, could you sponsor me two sets of clothes? I’m going for the endorsement audition the day after tomorrow.]
Lu Boxiao, who was busy scolding his own artists, read the message, cursed “damn,” and threw his phone aside, revving up to vent his emotions.
…
A silver snake suddenly flashed across the pitch-black night sky, and a thunderbolt exploded in the open space.
The next second, heavy rain poured down, pounding on the car with a crackling sound.
Huo Yi Sen drove through the thick water, stopping at a red light.
His gaze casually swept over, and he froze. After a moment, he slowly reached over to the passenger seat and picked up a pink Snoopy pendant.
It was something Lin Yue Shu had left behind.
Huo Yi Sen held the Snoopy for a long time, then inexplicably glanced at his watch.
The rain had come suddenly and was pouring heavily.
Huo Yi Sen tossed the Snoopy onto the back seat, and as the red light turned green, he stepped on the gas.
In the pouring rain, pedestrians hurried along, students who had just finished evening classes screamed as they scattered from the school gate, and those with unsteady legs stumbled into the water, causing the surrounding students to burst into laughter.
Huo Yi Sen’s gaze lingered briefly among these students, and seeing the one who fell into the water, he lightly tapped the steering wheel.
Then he drove to the intersection, turned the steering wheel all the way to the left, and the car slowly turned around, heading back the way he came.
In the rainstorm, Huo Yi Sen didn’t drive too fast. The roads were slippery, and visibility was poor.
The Hain Square where they had just eaten, wasn’t there;
The Alder Jewelry store, wasn’t there;
The bus stop, subway station, and various shops along the road, weren’t there.
The wipers rhythmically wiped away the water on the windshield, and the headlights cast two fan-shaped warm lights in the black water.
He drove through every street and alley, but there was no sign of him.
He should have gone home.
Huo Yi Sen took one last look at the empty curb, then turned around and drove straight home on the long road.
Lin Yue Shu had gone home, just before the downpour.
*
The next day.
After the rain, the sky was clear, and the Hain Group building stood like a pristine blue sapphire in the heart of the top business district, overlooking the entire city.
Secretary Jiang sneezed loudly, holding a stack of documents as he knocked on the door of the group representative’s office.
They say the world of the wealthy is a free breeze, but no one is as diligent as Representative Huo, who arrives at the company first every day and starts working.
“Representative Huo, this is the cooperation feedback from Sanye Trading.” Secretary Jiang placed the document beside Huo Yi Sen.
Huo Yi Sen kept his eyes on the computer, giving a low “hmm.”
Just as the secretary was about to leave, Huo Yi Sen suddenly called him back.
Huo Yi Sen was still looking at the computer, casually pushing a pink Snoopy to the edge of the desk, seemingly nonchalant, “Send this to Shangfeng Entertainment, to Lin Yue Shu.”
The secretary was puzzled. Lin Yue Shu? Who’s that?
“Okay, I’ll go right away.” The secretary took the Snoopy, bowing.
The secretary studied the Snoopy pendant all the way, his mind a bit muddled, as if he understood, yet didn’t quite grasp it.
Huo Yi Sen, who held the economic lifeline of the nation, was sending a cheap hotpot restaurant giveaway to an unknown minor actor???
“Oh? Oh—”
“Hmm? Hmm—”
When Secretary Jiang saw Lin Yue Shu in person, his eyes widened like ripples in a lake, expanding in circles.
Wow—Representative Huo has great taste.
This man was like a row of sun-loving, flamboyant, and vigorous freesias, burning brightly, climbing to the peak.
“Teacher Lin, this is from our Representative Huo.” The secretary held the Snoopy with both hands, as if presenting an engagement ring.
Lin Yue Shu glanced at the Snoopy, smiled lightly, took it, and casually asked, “Secretary, have you been busy lately? How’s your health?”
The secretary was taken aback, but when someone asks like that, he habitually answered, “Pretty good, pretty good. How about you, Teacher Lin? What have you been up to?” A habitual polite exchange.
Even though it was their first meeting.
“I have an endorsement audition, came to the company to pick up a couple of outfits.” Lin Yue Shu looked at the secretary’s somewhat pale and sickly face, took out a tissue from his pocket, and handed it over.
The secretary was stunned for a moment, then took the tissue with both hands, turned around, and wiped away the impending snot. Last night’s rain had soaked him to the bone, and he was still feeling dizzy.
“Thank you.” The secretary returned the tissue, “The rain came down hard last night, sorry for the embarrassment. How about you, did you get caught in it?”
Lin Yue Shu gently rubbed his nose, “A bit of a headache, but I took some cold medicine, feeling much better.”
The secretary “ah-ed” for a while, seemingly wanting to say something more, but seeing that Lin Yue Shu seemed a bit unwell, he felt it was inappropriate to disturb him, so he exchanged a few pleasantries and left.
Lin Yue Shu watched the direction the car left, raised the Snoopy, and smiled with curved eyes.
Got him again.
As Lin Yue Shu expected, the secretary returned to the company and started chattering, “Teacher Lin is such a kind person, concerned about my cold and even gave me a tissue. He seemed a bit out of it, probably caught in the rain. I wonder if he’ll make it through the endorsement audition.”
Lin Yue Shu deliberately left the Snoopy in the car, knowing that Huo Yi Sen wouldn’t come personally, but he had his own little calculations, and would definitely send the secretary to handle it officially.
Then, he just needed to set up a topic trap for the secretary. The secretary, who reported everything, would surely organize the sentences beautifully with his professional writing skills.
Huo Yi Sen, you can’t shake me off before I get tired of you.
*
The next day, Huo Yi Sen unexpectedly informed the secretary that he wouldn’t be going to the company today.
Huo Yi Sen got into the car, entered “Alder Jewelry Studio” into the navigation, and started the car.
On the other side.
After many days in the book, Lin Yue Shu finally wore something that met his standards.
The clothes were chosen by Lu Boxiao, a European-style loose shirt paired with high-waisted pants, topped with a drapey coat for warmth.
Soon, Lin Yue Shu would be wearing this outfit, hiding in the studio with the photographer, making him howl.
The pure white silk, a symbol of restraint, was made into a translucent, thin-as-wings fabric, half cold, half sharp. No wonder the photographer complained while cursing, “Why pretend to be noble and cold, wearing something so provocative just to seduce me.”
Lin Yue Shu secretly rejoiced in the back seat.
The photographer was half right, it was indeed to seduce.
The car arrived at the studio, and Lin Yue Shu was early. Only a few staff members were busy setting up the scene.
Seeing Lin Yue Shu, they were slightly amazed, but their life motto: never waste energy on irrelevant people.
They knew:
Having an unknown actor audition might be to please someone. But no one would go against money, and the final choice would still be those top-tier stars, anyone but an unknown actor.
No one paid attention to Lin Yue Shu, so he entertained himself, sitting in a corner, admiring his fingers.
Meanwhile, in the backstage lounge.
Several staff members surrounded a tall, black-haired man, fanning him, serving tea, or just standing there nodding and bowing.
“Teacher Huo, we know your schedule is packed, and we’re sorry to bother you, making you come in person.”
The man said nothing, his gaze moving line by line over the script in his hand.
The staff weren’t flattering; they were speaking the truth.
Huo Xiao, who had been popular for many years and won the Black Dragon Best Actor award for five consecutive years, was the undisputed cyber husband in fans’ hearts.
He should be sitting in a luxurious, big-budget film crew, rehearsing with veteran artists. But Alder Jewelry had sent people to invite him three times, saying:
“Teacher Huo has been our spokesperson for so many years, and now he’s reached new heights. Everyone is both regretful and reluctant. Coincidentally, there’s a newcomer auditioning for the spokesperson today, and we hope Teacher Huo can come and give some guidance, as a proper farewell to Alder Jewelry.”
Now, Huo Xiao’s mood was low. He had been reading scripts until 3 a.m., and now, before the rooster crowed, he was up, his face as cold as the Antarctic permafrost.
His assistant also complained, “Asking Teacher Huo to guide a newcomer, what were they thinking, needing a crane to lift a feather.”
When the assistant learned the auditioning newcomer’s name was Lin Yue Shu:
“What Shu, what Yue? So it’s not a feather, it’s aerogel, huh.”
Author’s Note: