His older brother was always quiet and reticent, with a somewhat cold exterior. Lou Nuonuo had never seen what his brother looked like when acting, so he was still unsure and asked, “Really?”
Lou Lan raised his hand and rubbed Lou Nuonuo’s head. Compared to his usual way of pressing his head, this time the force was significantly lighter. Hidden in the depths of his eyes was an imperceptible sense of helplessness; he curled his lips into a light smile and looked at Qian Xu: “Qian Xu, I advise you to better consider changing partners. Zhuang Qingyuan sings wildly off-key.”
Su Yi saw that Lou Lan had started to bite back; this was because he had been pierced by Zhuang Qingyuan’s words, and he was flustered.
Fearing that Su Yi would really replace him, Zhuang Qingyuan immediately said, “Don’t listen to his nonsense! I’ve practiced, I don’t sing off-key anymore!”
Su Yi: “???” Looks like he really does sing off-key!
Speaking of which, why does a big boss have nothing better to do than practice singing? To show off at the annual performance?
Su Yi didn’t respond. He knew very well that he was just a small shrimp right now and had no say in the matter. Even if he spoke up, it would be useless—who could replace Zhuang Qingyuan?
Seeing Su Yi not saying a word, Zhuang Qingyuan thought Su Yi didn’t believe him, to the point where he became a bit eager to try. He had to let Su Yi see the results of his past bitter practice in singing.
Su Yi sings well; he must be perfectly worthy of Su Yi. How could he sing off-key? No, absolutely not!
Fu Yan listened from the side, his heart drumming. He was extremely worried about how this episode would be filmed; it seemed like it would all rely on post-production.
So, he braced himself and handed the program flow to the two big bosses: “This episode of the program features an acting competition and a singing duel. After it airs, the audience will vote to give scores.”
“Boss Zhuang and Boss Lou can take a look. If you feel anything is inappropriate, you can adjust it at any time.”
Zhuang Qingyuan waved his large hand, full of domineering aura: “No need, just follow your arrangements. I’m fine with anything!”
Lou Lan stood with his hands in his pockets, his posture lazy, and said indifferently: “If Zhuang Qingyuan is fine, then I have no problem!”
Fu Yan: “……”
He had heard these two ancestors bickering clearly just now. One couldn’t do anything, the other sang off-key, and now these two were clearly still competing against each other.
Forget it, forget it. Since the capital (the investors) had no problem, he could only have no problem. He would just have to brace himself and go for it.
The program officially began recording. Zhuang Qingyuan and Lou Lan were introduced as special guests with a long list of titles, afraid that the audience wouldn’t know these two were the capital, the ancestors, and even amateurs. Everyone should just look at their faces; if the performance wasn’t good later, don’t be too critical.
When it came to scoring, one still had to give some face-saving points.
As for Qian Xu, because he had no work, he was just briefly mentioned as a challenger.
When introducing Qian Xu, Fu Yan kept staring at Zhuang Qingyuan’s reaction, seeing that the man remained expressionless and seemed not to care.
Fu Yan had a sense of it in his heart: look, so what if he is a high-profile “pet” (golden canary)? The patron is just playing with him casually and doesn’t actually take him to heart.
That short sentence of introduction was intentional on Fu Yan’s part.
It was to test how much Zhuang Qingyuan cared about Qian Xu, as this concerned how much of Qian Xu’s footage would be kept in the post-production.
Moreover, Zhuang Qingyuan couldn’t find much fault with this sentence, as it was a fact that Qian Xu had no work.
Of course, titles aren’t impossible to fabricate; it mainly depends on the person and whether they are worth the production team’s effort.
After the introduction, Zhuang Qingyuan and Su Yi went to sit in the chairs nearby. As for why he didn’t mind that brief, heartless introduction of Qian Xu, it was because Zhuang Qingyuan knew clearly that his Su Yi was impeccable in both acting and singing. His ability was there; he didn’t need extra, fabricated titles for packaging.
The host went on stage and announced that this episode would change from the previous individual duels to drawing lots for team formation.
After fair drawing of lots and the under-the-table swapping of lots, Zhuang Qingyuan and Qian Xu were in a group, and Lou Lan and Lou Nuonuo were in a group.
Han Yan had originally drawn to be in a group with Lou Lan and hadn’t had time to be happy before the directing team swapped the lots in his hand the next second.
Although he knew early on that this was a game decided by the investors, Han Yan still held a fluke mentality: what if, just what if, he could be closer to the big shot?
Su Yuyan, who had drawn Lou Nuonuo, also had his lot swapped and walked to Han Yan’s side: “No way, after all, they are the ones with the money.”
Han Yan looked at Qian Xu: “Aren’t you also the younger brother of Film Emperor Su? Are you willing to be suppressed by that little transparent person?”
Su Yuyan sneered: “Didn’t you hear the introduction just now? An eighteenth-tier person with no work—what kind of singing or acting could he have? Just wait to see how he embarrasses himself.”
“You’re right. Since he dared to come up here, he should be prepared to make a fool of himself.”
Thinking of that introduction just now, Han Yan wanted to giggle. It could be called the shortest introduction in history; for someone with no achievements to dare to come out and fish for money, it really is a disgraceful thing.
During the acting competition segment, the program team provided themes, and each group improvised. There were no restrictions; after all, with two big bosses present, any rules would be inappropriate.
The program team had already decided to “lay flat” (give up on control). Now they only hoped the two would have fun.
As for the scoring, that was for the next episode when the audience voted after airing. Two people busy with countless matters probably wouldn’t watch.
The theme drawn by Zhuang Qingyuan and Su Yi was “Warm Confession.”
The theme drawn by Lou Lan and Lou Nuonuo was “Sour Unrequited Love.”
Su Yuyan and Han Yan got “Passionate Love.”
Looking at the words “Sour Unrequited Love,” Lou Lan raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at the directing team. This program team knows how to pick themes!
The director met Lou Lan’s gaze, immediately got up, ran over, leaned over, and asked: “Boss Lou, is there a problem?”
As soon as the director finished speaking and saw the big four words “Sour Unrequited Love,” this… it’s not very appropriate for brothers to interpret this theme: “Should I change the theme for you, Boss Lou?”
“No need, it’s just acting!” Lou Lan’s voice was calm, sounding indifferent, but it also seemed to carry a hint of a smile.
The director couldn’t gauge what the big shot meant, only nodding blindly.
Lou Nuonuo: “Brother, I’ll act. I have a crush on you; you just need to act like your usual self who ignores people.”
“Oh, this… sounds simple enough, but you can’t say that outside. How could brother ignore you? Don’t let others hear it and think we brothers are at odds!” Lou Lan looked at Lou Nuonuo with deep eyes.
Lou Nuonuo felt a tremble in his heart when he met his brother’s eyes. His brother’s gaze was so terrifying, like he wanted to eat him. So, was he angry?
Lou Nuonuo lowered his head and said dully: “……Brother, we’re just acting.”
Lou Lan chuckled softly, pressed down on Lou Nuonuo’s head, and a glimmer of expectation flashed in his eyes: “Good, let me see your acting later.”
The director standing to the side felt a sudden cold sweat. He really wanted to disappear; he shouldn’t have listened.
Seeing that things were fine here, he walked over to Zhuang Qingyuan: “Boss Zhuang, are you satisfied with ‘Warm Confession’?”
Zhuang Qingyuan had just heard Lou Lan’s smug laughter and asked: “What did Lou Lan draw?”
Director: “Sour Unrequited Love.”
No wonder he was so smug, Zhuang Qingyuan muttered in his heart and waved his hand at the director: “No problem for now.”
Seeing “Warm Confession,” Su Yi knew this was a theme specifically tailored by the program team for Zhuang Qingyuan.
With Zhuang Qingyuan’s actions today, he was undoubtedly Su Yi’s “little lover” in everyone’s eyes.
Zhuang Qingyuan leaned in and whispered to Su Yi: “I’ll confess to you later. You can accept or reject it. Act however you want, and I’ll cooperate with you, okay?”
Su Yi suddenly thought of that confession in Zhuang Qingyuan’s lounge!
“No, this time I will confess to you.” Su Yi’s eyes curved, and he smiled gently at Zhuang Qingyuan.
There was no reason to let Zhuang Qingyuan confess twice in one day. It’s just acting; he’s good at it. This time, it’s his turn.
Zhuang Qingyuan looked at the smile in Su Yi’s eyes—Su Yi smiled at him!
He obsessively stared at those expressive eyes; the upturned corners of his eyes were like little hooks, plucking at his heartstrings, making his heart beat change frequency in an instant.
As long as Su Yi is willing to smile at him, he would do anything.
In a fleeting moment, the stunned Zhuang Qingyuan suddenly came to his senses. What did Su Yi just say? Zhuang Qingyuan sat up straight and confirmed: “You said… you want to confess to me?”
Su Yi looked at Zhuang Qingyuan’s dazed and silly expression and found it interesting. Did Zhuang Qingyuan know that his expression just now wasn’t very “big boss” at all? He was cute as hell!
Su Yi: “Boss Zhuang, it’s just acting!”
The title “Boss Zhuang” made the floating Zhuang Qingyuan instantly fall back to the cold ground!
“Acting, yeah, just acting… I’m also very happy!” Zhuang Qingyuan was a bit restless, adjusting his cuffs, checking his watch, acting very busy. “I’m looking forward to it, really!”
Su Yi’s upturned eyes curved even more. He thought Zhuang Qingyuan was actually kind of cute!
The acting competition began, with Zhuang Qingyuan and Qian Xu as the first group.
The two tall, slender figures walked onto the stage. Zhuang Qingyuan’s eyes were deep, and his features were rugged. Although he had a pair of gentle and amorous peach-blossom eyes, his long tenure in a high position gave him a low,沉重 air pressure.
Especially when he didn’t smile, a sense of awe-inspiring power that decided life and death shone from his eyes, a sense of oppression that came rushing toward people, making them afraid to look directly.
And standing beside him, Qian Xu, his sharp features looked even more cutting under the stage lights.
Previously, Qian Xu’s personality was relatively gentle and patient, so his sharpness wasn’t obvious.
Now, with the soul changed to Su Yi, every movement of his body exuded an effortless, unrestrained boldness. Especially those pitch-black eyes, deep as a dark abyss, capturing souls. An inadvertent glance from the upturned corners of his eyes carried an inviolable, domineering, and evil charm!
The two people on stage—one aloof and noble, the other flamboyant and uninhibited—were simply a painting that people couldn’t take their eyes off of.
Han Yan stood below, looking at the shining Qian Xu on stage. He began to doubt how such a flamboyant and sharp person could be willing to be arranged into drink parties time and time again by Zhou Bopi.
After the host announced the theme for both, Su Yi lowered his head and moved a few steps to the left, pulling away from Zhuang Qingyuan, composed and calm.
Within these few steps, the sharpness in Su Yi gradually dissipated, and his temperament softened visibly.
When he raised his eyes to look at Zhuang Qingyuan again, they had become amorous and gentle, filled with a bewitching charm.
Meeting Su Yi’s soft gaze, Zhuang Qingyuan froze. Su Yi loved him!
He had watched all of Su Yi’s movies and didn’t know how many times he had seen them, so he knew exactly what every expression and every look in Su Yi’s eyes meant.
This was the look Su Yi had when looking at a lover, soft and lingering.
Seeing Zhuang Qingyuan distracted—very good, he’s starting to get into character!
Su Yi smiled lightly at Zhuang Qingyuan. This light smile was like an electric current hitting the tip of Zhuang Qingyuan’s heart, making him feel numb all over, and the look in his eyes when he watched Su Yi became filled with longing!
A “Warm Confession” is not unrequited love; it must be a two-way journey. Su Yi needed Zhuang Qingyuan to make appropriate reactions.
Su Yi’s gaze remained fixed on Zhuang Qingyuan’s eyes, step by step, slowly approaching.
Zhuang Qingyuan’s heartbeat was thumping wildly with Su Yi’s footsteps, as if it would jump out of his chest the next moment.
Looking at Su Yi, Zhuang Qingyuan subconsciously leaned closer, but Su Yi raised his hand to press against his chest, stopping him.
The moment he was touched by Su Yi, Zhuang Qingyuan’s breathing instantly became heavy.
“Zhuang Qingyuan, I think I’ve fallen a little bit in love with you. What should I do!”
Su Yi’s tone was slow, even a little calm, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, carrying a trace of a self-assured smile, and his eyes were filled with deep love.
Zhuang Qingyuan’s heart trembled again and again. Su Yi really loved him!
“I…” Zhuang Qingyuan opened his mouth, only to find his voice hoarse, and coughed lightly to clear his throat.
Zhuang Qingyuan was about to speak again when Su Yi placed a finger against his lips.
“Shh!”
Zhuang Qingyuan subconsciously reached out to catch Su Yi’s hand at his lips.
But Su Yi had already withdrawn it, and Zhuang Qingyuan grabbed empty air, touching only his own lips. A faint sensation still lingered on his lips, like being brushed by a feather, and the itchy feeling reached his limbs and bones.
Zhuang Qingyuan felt inexplicably thirsty and couldn’t help but swallow his Adam’s apple.
Su Yi saw the infatuation and love in Zhuang Qingyuan’s eyes. He didn’t expect Zhuang Qingyuan to provide such a delicate response. Worried that Zhuang Qingyuan would remain immersed in it, Su Yi decided not to continue and brought the improvisation to a timely end.
“Boss Zhuang, how was my confession just now?” The tenderness in Su Yi’s eyes vanished completely, leaving only coldness and sharpness, his tone carrying obvious distance.
Zhuang Qingyuan was chilled by those cold eyes and woke up. Looking at those eyes where the love had disappeared, a surging feeling of loneliness rushed in, and his heart ached, feeling blocked!
Covering the microphone with his hand, Zhuang Qingyuan looked at Su Yi and muttered: “The dream was beautiful… it would have been good if I hadn’t woken up.”
This sentence was very quiet, but because they were close, Su Yi heard it.
Listening to the choking sound mixed in his voice, ripples appeared in the depths of Su Yi’s calm heart!