The Overbearing, Awkward Big Pig Trotter

Guo Lantai slept deeply and soundly. In the end, Uncle Meng's knocking startled him awake. Still groggy, he only caught the words "dinner time" and climbed out of bed before even opening his eyes.

He rubbed his stomach. He really was hungry. Shaking his head to wake himself up, he decided that nothing in heaven or earth mattered more than eating, then staggered downstairs as usual.

He had assumed he had overslept and nearly missed dinner, but he had just checked—it was still more than ten minutes before the usual mealtime. Why had Uncle Meng been in such a hurry to call him down?

Where was dinner?

When he reached the dining room, he found that the table had not even been fully set. There was no sign of the Big Pig Trotter in his seat, much less Song Anning, who was even more punctual about meals than he was.

He scratched the tip of his nose in confusion. "Huh? It's not ready yet? Did I come down too early?"

Uncle Meng felt a little embarrassed too. Their young master had told him to fetch Guo Lantai immediately. How could he dare delay? He had turned around and gone straight up to the third floor.

He had thought Guo Lantai was still busy livestreaming in his room, singing and playing the piano. Afraid that Guo Lantai might not hear him through his headphones, he had knocked a little loudly. But he had not expected him to be fast asleep instead, and he had ended up disturbing his rest.

But since things had already come to this, Uncle Meng could only carry out his task to the end. He asked Guo Lantai to hurry downstairs for dinner, then rushed back to urge the kitchen to serve immediately.

Still, the boy was obedient and loved to eat. The moment he heard dinner was ready, he had followed him downstairs with barely any delay. Uncle Meng had taken a close look—Guo Lantai had not changed clothes, and his fluffy hair had not been tidied. He looked completely dazed, as though he had not fully woken up.

It felt like he had sleepwalked downstairs.

Uncle Meng could not help sighing inwardly. Kid, at least tidy yourself up a little before coming down. That would have killed some time, and by the time you were done, dinner would have been ready.

"It'll be ready in a moment. Please take a seat first!"

Since he was the one who had hurried Guo Lantai downstairs, he had to treat him properly. As Uncle Meng spoke, he moved to pull out a chair for him.

"It's fine. I'll wait on the sofa. Oh, right, has Mr. Cen returned?"

"Oh, the young master is already back. He went upstairs to change clothes. He was worried you would get too hungry waiting, so he told me to call you down. He should be coming down any moment now!"

After hearing Uncle Meng, Guo Lantai could not help clicking his tongue inwardly. Uncle Meng, you really know how to tell lies for your young master. How could that man possibly be so kind? If he were worried about me starving, the sun would rise in the west!

He was probably afraid Song Anning would go hungry!

Remembering something, he asked, "Has Song Anning come back?"

Uncle Meng shook his head. "No. Mr. Song has not returned since going out at noon. The young master said he would go upstairs and call to ask. Mr. Song should be out socializing, so he may not return so soon."

"Alright, I understand. Please get back to your work."

After hearing that, Guo Lantai finally felt completely at ease. The fact that Song Anning had gone out and still had not returned could only mean that his purpose for the trip had been achieved. The collaboration with Lehong Entertainment had most likely been settled.

No matter what method Wu Tianyong had used to persuade him to stay at Lehong Entertainment, he must have catered to Song Anning's wishes first. An interview did not need to take that long. Wu Tianyong had probably used the opportunity to properly show him Lehong Entertainment's impressive strength, specifically emphasizing the things that interested him and helping him make up his mind to stay.

That was excellent. It was a good beginning. Guo Lantai believed that once Song Anning entered the great dye vat that was Lehong Entertainment, it would not be easy for him to get out clean.

With that thought, Guo Lantai happily curled up on the sofa and turned on the television. The program playing happened to be an entertainment show he liked—Entertainment Rising Star Show.

It was a reality talent competition that had only begun airing that summer. Most of the contestants were newcomers from all walks of life. Tens of thousands competed for a place in the auditions, then fought their way through the auditions and into the elimination rounds. Only those who successfully broke through the elimination rounds had the chance to participate in the actual filming.

Of course, anyone who wanted to become famous overnight had to show real ability. Singing, dancing, playing instruments, and every kind of talent were all tested through several rounds of assessments. The requirements were extremely demanding.

The production team had also spent a fortune. The guest judges they invited were all highly influential figures in the industry, with sharp eyes and even sharper critiques. If contestants did not have strong enough minds, they could easily break down in tears or even regretfully withdraw from the competition. Men and women alike received no special treatment.

It was precisely because of this that Entertainment Rising Star Show kept rising amid mixed praise and criticism. Only three episodes after its premiere, it had already claimed first place in ratings!

Naturally, a show like this was the dream launching pad for newcomers hoping to enter the entertainment industry. Those who had missed the first track scrambled to catch the last train on the second. The first season had only just begun, yet calls to arrange a second season were already pouring in. Expectations were incredibly high.

The reason Guo Lantai followed this show was because he clearly remembered that Song Anning in the original novel had been a newcomer who suddenly parachuted into the competition during the latter half of the program.

For such a demanding program to allow a newcomer to parachute in, one could imagine how powerful the forces behind it had to be.

That was right. With the powerful support of the big boss Cen Muxiao, Song Anning in the original novel had become a dazzling new star from the moment he appeared.

At the time, Jiahua Media had been the biggest investor to join later on. To support Song Anning, Cen Muxiao, the wealthy patron, had casually thrown in one hundred million. That was not even counting the additional investment later on and the film and television projects tailor-made for him.

That had also been a crucial opportunity for Song Anning to catch the eye of that internationally renowned director.

To make Song Anning's wishes come true, Cen Muxiao had spared no expense, effort, or thought. With that kind of lavish backing, it would have been difficult for Song Anning not to become a top star!

"Are you not eating? Can watching this fill your stomach?"

Just as Guo Lantai was mulling things over, a voice suddenly urged him from behind.

Guo Lantai jumped in fright and hurriedly turned around. Cen Muxiao had somehow appeared behind him and was looking down at him with a pair of cool, aloof eyes.

Guo Lantai could not help grumbling inwardly. Does this man not make any sound when he walks? He should at least make some noise coming down the stairs!

"How could I eat first before you came, sir? Oh, dinner's ready already!"

He replied to Cen Muxiao with a grin, then shifted his gaze toward the dining table. Under Uncle Meng's rapid arrangements, it was already covered with every kind of dish.

When Uncle Meng said it would be ready in a moment, he had truly meant immediately. Guo Lantai had barely warmed the sofa before steaming dishes were already laid out. That efficiency was something else.

Cen Muxiao stared at his fluffy head for a moment. Then, before Guo Lantai's incredulous eyes, he snatched the remote from his hand and decisively pressed the power button.

"Eat."

The proud and tsundere man left behind those two unquestionable words and turned toward the dining table.

Guo Lantai's eyes widened involuntarily. Had something gone wrong with this man's brain? Whether he ate or what he watched to fill his stomach, did any of that affect Cen Muxiao?

Why was he being so overbearing?

His eyes shifted slightly, and Guo Lantai suddenly sprang up from the sofa. His tone might have been a little harsh and his attitude a little domineering, but it still counted as concern!

This man was so awkward that he did not even realize it!

"Coming, sir! A world for just the two of us is so rare—I can hardly wait!"

Guo Lantai shamelessly shouted as he darted after him. But the Big Pig Trotter who heard him nearly stepped into the wrong place. What world for just the two of them?

How did this man have the nerve to say that aloud?