Some Things Cannot Be Hidden

Dreams, what are they worth?

To some, they're worthless. To others, priceless.

Long Ziqiang looked like a top enforcer for a criminal gang, but inside, he was actually an artsy type.

After a few drinks, he wasn't shy at all. He borrowed a guitar from the bar's singer and performed on the spot.

He sang really well. The bar patrons didn't hold back their applause, and even the owner sent him a free drink.

He felt so proud!

Long Ziqiang wasn't intentionally showing off, but in that situation, it was hard not to.

Back at his seat, he rubbed his bald head and grinned, showing his teeth, "Director, how was that?"

"You sing well, but from today on, you're not allowed to touch your head, and don't smile like that."

"Huh? Why?"

Old Zhou chimed in, "To get into character, you've seen the script, right?"

"So strict. Being an actor really isn't easy money," Long Ziqiang sighed.

"You're wrong there. It's mainly your looks that hold you back. If you were exceptionally handsome, with that voice, whether you became an actor or an idol singer, making money would be incredibly simple."

That brutally honest statement struck a nerve with Long Ziqiang.

People who are lacking in the looks department often deliberately ignore the benefits and advantages that good looks bring in this world.

They tend to blame their failures on not working hard enough or on bad luck, which makes them feel better.

After all, saying "You're not good enough because you're ugly" is quite damaging to one's self-esteem.

Long Ziqiang couldn't quite hold back and instinctively blurted out, "It's not that exaggerated, is it?"

But then he looked at Bai Youlou and suddenly realized that a vivid example was right in front of him. This "senior" director was an idol!

Damn handsome guy!

This world is just a giant popularity contest based on looks.

Long Ziqiang had actually heard Bai Youlou's previous songs. The songs were mediocre, his voice was decent, and he lacked technique, but he couldn't stop his female fans from screaming and boosting his rankings and buying digital albums. Mediocre songs were somehow made into hits.

However, all that had vanished like smoke after he slept with the wrong person.

But he didn't use this to mock Bai Youlou. Instead, with a look of regret, he raised his glass, "Then it's a real shame for you, Director."

At almost thirty, he could still shamelessly apply to the film academy and managed to do quite well in mixed places like bars. When it came to navigating social situations, Long Ziqiang was actually quite adept.

Giving someone a compliment wouldn't cost him anything, and it might even earn him money.

He wouldn't turn around and mock someone even if he got paid ten thousand yuan. The entertainment industry has its ways, and small players have their own survival strategies.

Small players are still people, after all.

But the following events made Long Ziqiang feel like things were starting to fall apart.

After drinking at the bar, it was still early. They had gone for drinks around four, and it was not even eight o'clock yet.

With nothing else to do, they decided to sort through the filming props they had borrowed that day.

These "props" were actually various borrowed musical instruments.

Long Ziqiang, being someone who enjoyed playing, immediately felt a pang of envy. He picked up a guitar, tested its tuning, and exclaimed, "This is great!"

"Be gentle, they're borrowed, don't break them." Old Zhou, after giving the instruction, frowned while looking at the list, "Why are there so many unnecessary instruments? Our movie is about a jazz band."

Old Zhou didn't understand musical instruments and couldn't even identify most of them, but he could read the names.

There were a bunch of guitars, electric pianos, and the like, which were completely unnecessary.

Besides the drums the protagonist needed to play, the main instruments required were some orchestral instruments.

"I added them. I'll need them for the background music and theme song later. Once they're done, I'll go to the recording studio. It'll save money," Bai Youlou replied while moving things.

"What are you talking about?"

"Arranging music, don't you understand?"

"What I mean is..."

Old Zhou looked utterly confused, thinking he was hallucinating.

His confusion was obvious, and Bai Youlou had his own way of answering.

As it happened, all the instruments here needed to be tested.

The first one was the guitar Long Ziqiang had just played.

He picked it up and strummed it lightly. A pleasant rhythm seemed to flow out.

Even as an amateur, Old Zhou could tell that Bai Youlou's skill was even higher than Long Ziqiang's.

As for how much higher, judging by Long Ziqiang's current astonished expression, it was already several stories up.

This is bad!

Bai Youlou had only intended to test it briefly, but as he played more smoothly and gradually regained his feel, he couldn't help himself.

"I once dreamed of traveling the world with a sword in hand."

"To see the prosperity of the world."

"A young heart is always a bit wild."

"Now you call the four seas home."

"."

"Nothing can stop your yearning for freedom~"

"."

"I have crossed mountains and seas."

"And passed through crowds of people."

"."

The only audience members present were Old Zhou and Long Ziqiang, but Bai Youlou became increasingly inspired.

Showing off was something he had already planned; if not today, then tomorrow.

"That's right, my name is Xia Luo!"

Some things just can't be hidden.

It's like liking someone; even if you hide them under the bed, in the closet, behind the curtains, or even on the outdoor air conditioning unit, you'll still be discovered.

It's impossible to hide, absolutely impossible to hide.

Bai Youlou's goal was to PUA Long Ziqiang, that older, artistic young man.

People with dreams are the easiest to fool.

It's like hanging a carrot in front of a donkey.

A nuclear-powered donkey, at that.

But perhaps it was because he had a bit to drink, or maybe because the moonlight tonight was particularly enchanting.

Without realizing it, he forgot the main purpose of his "performance" on the spot. He didn't even glance at Long Ziqiang, becoming somewhat lost in his own world.

However, even so, the impact he had on Long Ziqiang didn't diminish in the slightest.

After Bai Youlou sang two songs on the guitar, he switched to the electric piano.

This made Long Ziqiang question his life.

Bai Youlou, whom he had assumed only relied on his looks, had just put on a spectacular show.

Long Ziqiang himself only played the guitar casually, but Bai Youlou was already about to switch to his third instrument.

He wasn't like Old Zhou; he was half an expert. Bai Youlou's skill and proficiency were almost enough to make him crack on the spot.

Oh, no, not just three.

The male protagonist in the script played the drums.

Before, Long Ziqiang had thought Bai Youlou would definitely need a stand-in. But now... it would be strange if he didn't know how to play.

Long Ziqiang started to feel inexplicably dry-mouthed. He couldn't help but ask Old Zhou, "Is the entertainment industry that hard to navigate?! Is someone like him just an idol?"

Old Zhou didn't answer the question. Instead, he responded with a stunned silence, conveying his attitude: "How the hell should I know?!"

This was unbelievable.

What skills did Bai Youlou have that he, as his agent, wouldn't know?

No self-respecting artist would keep their own specialties a secret from their agent, right?

Yet reality slapped Old Zhou in the face. Not only was it possible, but it was with the artist he had previously managed.

They spent at least 300 out of 365 days together, and what was the result?

It turned out that besides knowing Bai Youlou's specialty, he had no idea about his actual talents.

You know so many instruments, why the hell were you hiding it?!

No!

Damn it!

He can even write songs?!