Chapter 19

"Ahhh..." Watching Chen Mo's utterly unruffled expression, Lin Xia gritted her teeth in fury. In the end, she yanked down Chen Mo's arm, snatched the phone away, and swiftly tapped delete. Only then did she say with relief, "I really didn't misjudge you. You're such a bastard. You look decent enough, so why do you never do anything decent? People online are even calling you some Piano Prince. Pah! They should see your true face. I guarantee every single fan would turn into an anti. A scumbag like you should be condemned by every netizen..."

Chen Mo calmly watched Lin Xia tear into him, then said with a smile, "Go ahead, curse all you want. I already uploaded that video to my email. Deleting it from the phone won't help."

Lin Xia froze abruptly. Her whole body went stiff. She stared at Chen Mo as though she had seen a ghost, her expression shifting unpredictably as she wondered whether to believe him. In the end, she forced herself to say, "I don't believe you—"

Before she could finish, Chen Mo had already pulled his phone from her hand. He fiddled with it for a moment, then sent Lin Xia a video. Lin Xia took out her own phone and opened WeChat, instantly bristling.

She first watched the video carefully in disbelief, then raised a brow and cursed, "Are you a virgin or something? How are your hands so damn fast?"

The moment those words came out, everyone in the private room except Chen Mo burst out laughing.

Chen Mo was not angry either. He merely gave Lin Xia a smiling glance, then waved his phone.

Lin Xia shuddered in alarm at the thought of her embarrassing history being in Chen Mo's hands. She immediately changed her attitude, helping Chen Mo sit down with a fawning smile. She served him tea, poured him drinks, handed him fruit, and even massaged his shoulders with the face of a devoted servant. In a cautious tone, she said, "This servant deserves death. This servant offended Young Master Chen. Please, Young Master Chen, be magnanimous and spare this lowly one..."

Chen Mo gave an exaggerated hum of enjoyment. Half-closing his eyes, he drawled smugly, "Bring me another piece of watermelon."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Lin Xia curtsied with an ingratiating smile, then promptly and deftly forked a piece of watermelon for Chen Mo.

Seeing the two of them clown around, everyone laughed even harder. Huang Lixin looked at them somewhat enviously and said, "Xiao Mo got along best with Lin Xia on set. I didn't expect it to be the same outside the set too."

As he spoke, Chen Mo deleted the video he had uploaded to his email right in front of Lin Xia—it had only been meant as a joke, nothing more.

Lin Xia immediately shot Huang Lixin a look of utter disbelief. Her eyes widened as she said, "Fuck, are you blind? Where the hell did you see me getting along with this bastard?"

Seeing this, Fei Yuchen muttered from the side, "Fuck, now this is what you call turning your back on someone the second things change! So this is your style. I'm only seeing it clearly today."

Before he could finish, everyone broke into laughter again.

Sun Yun, who was sitting nearby, watched Chen Mo, Lin Xia, Huang Lixin, and Fei Yuchen mingling so warmly. Thinking of what someone had told her before coming here, she narrowed her eyes unconsciously.

Chapter 19

Whenever young people went bar-hopping and sang karaoke together, they always liked to compete over drinks. Most of the actors in the Young Emperor production were in their early twenties, so naturally they could not go against their "nature." Besides, they truly had a perfectly legitimate reason to celebrate today—Chen Mo had become famous overnight. To celebrate his success, they had to down the first three drinks, right?

Chen Mo had been a veteran drinker in his previous life, so three weak drinks were nothing to him. He did not even need anyone to urge him. He chugged an entire bottle straight away, then turned it upside down and gave it a shake. His clean, decisive move drew a thunderous cheer from everyone. Huang Lixin quickly handed Chen Mo a piece of watermelon to settle the alcohol. Chen Mo accepted it with a grin and set it aside, then picked up another bottle for himself.

Sun Yun, seated across from Chen Mo, also picked up a bottle and clinked its neck against his. Smiling, she said, "Xiao Mo, you really became famous overnight. Yuan, the Heavenly King actually invited you to be a guest performer at his concert. And that piano piece of yours was incredible. I saw the video online. If it hadn't been a live concert broadcast, I wouldn't have believed it. When you have time someday, why don't you perform for us too?"

With a beauty offering him a drink, Chen Mo naturally welcomed it. He smiled and drank half the bottle, only to hear Sun Yun continue, "Actually, I'm also a fan of Yuan, the Heavenly King. I've listened to all his songs. It's just a shame we aren't with the same agency, so we can't really be considered colleagues. We never had a chance to meet before. Since you know Yuan, the Heavenly King, I want to ask you for a favor. Could you get me an autographed photo from him?"

Naturally, Chen Mo would not refuse such a small favor. He said with a smile, "That's no problem at all. If Yuan, the Heavenly King knew he had such a beautiful fan, he'd definitely be happy."

Sun Yun smiled. "You really know how to sweet-talk people. He's Yuan, the Heavenly King—why would he pay attention to a third-rate little artist like me? Still, hearing you say that makes me happy. Come on, let's have another one."

With that, she clinked bottles with Chen Mo again, and the two drained them in one go.

Lin Xia sat back against the sofa with her arms folded, coldly watching Sun Yun coax Chen Mo into drinking two bottles in just a few sentences. She suddenly said, "We've worked together on several dramas. How come I never knew you liked Yuan, the Heavenly King? Looks like you've been hiding things deeply, Sun Yun."

Sun Yun glanced at Lin Xia and deliberately pretended not to catch the double meaning. Smiling, she said, "Of course. I like to keep work and private matters separate. I never like talking too much about personal business on set."

Lin Xia's expression changed slightly. She knew Sun Yun was mocking her for always having her sponsor, Young Master Gu, visit the set whenever she joined a production.

With a bang, Lin Xia slammed the crystal glass in her hand onto the coffee table. Staring directly into Sun Yun's eyes, she sneered, "That's because I'm open and aboveboard. I never scheme behind people's backs, so I'm not afraid of others seeing or hearing about my private matters. Unlike some people—walk the night road often enough, and sooner or later, you'll run into ghosts."

Sun Yun gave a derisive laugh and simply stopped talking. Wearing an expression that said she could not be bothered with Lin Xia, she turned to urge Chen Mo to drink again.

Lin Xia's face darkened with anger. She reached out and tugged Chen Mo, saying stiffly, "You're not allowed to drink any more. You're only seventeen and still in high school. If you get completely drunk and stumble outside, aren't you afraid those gossip-hungry paparazzi will write whatever nonsense they want?"

After saying that, she shot Sun Yun another glare and added pointedly, "Some people are used to being loose themselves, so don't assume everyone else is as loose as you."

That was practically a curse aimed right at Sun Yun's face. Even though Sun Yun considered herself well-mannered, she could not endure being insulted like that. She heavily set her bottle on the table and asked directly, "Lin Xia, what do you mean—"

Before she could finish, Director Zhang stepped in to smooth things over. He looked at Lin Xia, then at Sun Yun, shaking his head with an amused smile. "You two girls fought so fiercely in the drama that it was a complete mess, and now you're doing the same thing at a gathering. Did you act so much that you got too deep into your roles and can't get out?"

Sun Yun was a few years older than Lin Xia. She had not attended a formal acting school. She had been a model in her early years, then entered the entertainment industry after being noticed through several print ads. Having seen more of the complicated world around her, she was naturally more tactful and polished in both temperament and methods. Seeing that Director Zhang was somewhat unhappy, she immediately smiled. "It's nothing serious. We just got carried away in the heat of the moment."

Then she picked up another bottle and jokingly said to Lin Xia, "Fine. Let's say it was my fault. Let's clink one and stop tearing each other apart for people to laugh at."

Lin Xia gave a cold laugh, turned her face away, and ignored Sun Yun completely.

Sun Yun was not annoyed. Turning to Huang Lixin, she said with a smile, "Since your Empress Wei won't give this deposed empress any face, then as the emperor, you can drink in her place."

The moment she said that, it really did sound like she had gotten too deep into character. Huang Lixin smiled and drank the wine, then added, "Your Majesty the Empress, please see clearly—this has nothing to do with me. It was all the director's and screenwriter's idea."

The two traded a few lines, and the matter was considered settled. After that, everyone went back to choosing songs, chatting, or playing on their phones.

Director Zhang pulled Chen Mo over to sit on the sofa and asked about his upcoming schedule, including whether he could participate in promotional activities.

Chen Mo thought about it and answered uncertainly, "Weekends should be fine. Other days probably won't work. I'm in my final year of high school now, and I have the college entrance exams next year."

Director Zhang nodded, understanding immediately. He turned the wineglass in his hand and pondered for a moment before saying with a smile, "Some of the cast will be appearing on variety shows to promote the drama. You've only just debuted and you're still a newcomer. If you can appear on those shows, it'll benefit you too."

Then he added with a smile, "You don't need to worry about it. I'll discuss it with your agent when the time comes. I'll try to arrange it for the weekend."

Chen Mo nodded, just about to speak when Director Zhang's phone suddenly rang. Director Zhang took out his phone and glanced at the caller ID, then went outside with a frown to take the call. When he returned, he said he had something to do and needed to leave first. Everyone immediately stood to see him off. Director Zhang waved off most of them, singling out Chen Mo. "Let Xiao Mo walk me out. You young people stay and have fun for a while longer."

Chen Mo escorted Director Zhang out of the nightclub. In the parking lot, Director Zhang brought up another matter. "Do you know Director Wang Chusheng?"

Chen Mo looked at Director Zhang with some confusion. Director Zhang smiled and answered for himself, "Of course not. Young people like you these days don't enjoy arthouse films, so naturally you don't know Director Wang. But Xiao Mo, now that you've entered the industry, there are some things you need to know. Go back and do some research."

Chen Mo nodded again.

Director Zhang continued, "Director Wang is preparing to make a Three Kingdoms film. There's a role in it that I think suits you well, so I recommended you to him. His assistant should contact your agent soon to set up an audition. I can't tell you too much about the specifics. Go look up some information on Sun Ce. Don't show up at the audition unprepared, botch the role, and embarrass me."

Chen Mo had not expected Director Zhang to support him so much. He could not help but stare blankly.

Director Zhang smiled and patted Chen Mo on the shoulder. "Young people with talent need to work hard!"

As he spoke, he took out his keys and opened the car door, smiling. "Good thing I didn't drink just now, or I wouldn't be able to drive. Go back in. Remember not to drink too much, and don't let any negative news get out."

Chen Mo watched until Director Zhang drove away, then turned and went back into the nightclub. All the while, his mind was occupied with what Director Zhang had said about making films. He walked down the hallway in a daze and ran headlong into a man whose face was flushed red from drink and who was obviously dead drunk.

Chen Mo wrinkled his nose in disgust and held his breath as he passed the man. Unexpectedly, the man suddenly grabbed Chen Mo's arm, lurched closer drunkenly, and stared at him with a fixed gaze. "You're new here, right? You're so pretty. How much for one night?"

As he spoke, he unsteadily reached out to touch Chen Mo's face. The sour stench of alcohol hit him head-on, making Chen Mo nearly vomit.

Chapter 20

"Get the hell away from me—ahhhhh!" Even without a germ phobia, Chen Mo could not possibly tolerate this treatment. He blocked the man's hand, spun around, and kicked out with his long leg. The drunken man leaning against him was sent flying more than two meters away, slamming into the wall across the corridor with a loud crash before slowly sliding down.

The people coming and going through the hallway had not expected a fight to break out ahead of them, and they could not help screaming.