Jiang Ran froze for a moment, then instinctively said, "Do rich second-generation heirs these days get to do whatever they want just because they have money?"
The smile at the corner of Ye Zexi's lips deepened, making his peach-blossom eyes even more dazzling. He said, "The recording stage for 'Era Idol,' the huge villa where all the staff and contestants live—they're all properties owned by my family. That includes the restroom you're standing in right now."
Jiang Ran's expression stiffened, his eyes widening in disbelief. It wasn't just him; everyone else's eyes were filled with shock as well.
Ye Zexi tossed the tissue into the trash can and smiled freely. "Sorry, but having money really does mean you can do whatever you want."
With that, Ye Zexi turned and left the restroom, leaving everyone staring at one another.
Once he reached somewhere empty, the faint smile on Ye Zexi's face turned into excitement. He first jumped twice on the spot, then started twisting his waist wildly, nearly breaking into a tango right there.
He was thrilled to death!
That show-off act just now had been insanely cool!
So awesome!
As expected of Ye Zexi!
His acting was fucking incredible!
For the first time in his life, Ye Zexi had shown off in reality using his identity as a rich second-generation heir, and he was so excited that he danced with joy.
That was right. This really was Ye Zexi's first time flaunting his rich second-generation status. Before this, all his showing off had been in dramas, and sometimes he couldn't even go all out. It hadn't been satisfying at all.
The reason he could go all out this time was simple: Ye Zexi had transmigrated into a novel.
Just last night, Ye Zexi had discovered that he had transmigrated into a novel, becoming the major villain who shared his name.
Ye Zexi had died on the night of the Best Actor Award ceremony. He had just received the trophy when he fainted before he could even examine it properly. Though his consciousness had been hazy, he could still hear everything around him clearly.
After his manager rushed him to the hospital in a panic, Ye Zexi clearly heard the doctor say that he had suffered sudden death from overwork. They had done everything they could.
Ye Zexi couldn't help grumbling inwardly, After staying awake for three days and three nights, how could I not die suddenly?
When Ye Zexi opened his eyes again, he had become the Ye Zexi in the novel.
Lying in bed, Ye Zexi quickly sorted out his identity.
The original Ye Zexi was twenty years old, the biggest villain in the novel. He fought the male lead over the protagonist, competed with his half-brother for the family fortune, and suppressed anyone he disliked. He was a complete and utter
wealthy-family
playboy.
Those who opposed the protagonist in novels never met a good end, and the original Ye Zexi was no exception. At the end of the story, his company was taken by his half-brother, he was driven out of the house, and everyone abandoned him.
But none of that was what Ye Zexi cared about. There were only two words on his mind—"wealthy family."
The original Ye Zexi was a wealthy-family playboy, a famous young master in the circle, a rich second-generation heir, loaded!
Filthy rich!
Ye Zexi's eyes lit up.
Why the hell should I keep struggling? Why fight the male lead over the protagonist or compete for the family fortune? Wouldn't it be great to just hold onto the shares, stay home, collect dividends, and lie around like a salted fish?
In his original world, he had worked so hard every day to climb upward after becoming famous. Wasn't it all for money?
Now that he had everything he should have, why should he still work hard?
Ye Zexi had been excited all night and planned to get up in the morning to talk to the director about withdrawing from the competition.
But Ye Zexi had searched all morning without seeing any sign of the director. He was probably busy.
Ye Zexi wasn't in a hurry. Since he still didn't know much about this world, he went into the restroom, sat on the toilet, and browsed his phone. By chance, he overheard a group of people talking outside.
A villa large enough to house nearly a hundred people naturally wasn't small. Calling it a castle wouldn't have been an exaggeration. Although the original Ye Zexi had come to participate in the show, his room was a luxurious private suite, separate from the other trainees.
So what happened today really had been an accident.
But so what?
Things were different now. Ye Zexi was no longer the man with no backing who had struggled for ten years before winning the Best Actor Award. Now, he had resources and connections. Was he afraid of offending people?
No way.
Ye Zexi didn't even want to stay in the entertainment industry anymore.
He only wanted to experience the joy of being rich.
After calming down, Ye Zexi reached out to straighten his clothes, put on a delighted smile again, and continued looking for the director.
What Ye Zexi didn't know was that He Jinyun, standing around the corner, had witnessed the entire scene.
Watching Ye Zexi's retreating figure, a faint smile appeared in He Jinyun's eyes.
The voice by his ear continued, "...Were you even listening to me?"
He Jinyun gave a soft acknowledgment. "Something came up just now, so I didn't hear you. Sorry for the trouble—could you say it again?"
The other person choked on his anger, but there was nothing he could do. He could only say, "...Fine! I'm used to it anyway. I've already discussed it with Director Li. You'll be a guest for two episodes. I've sent the detailed contract to your email."
He Jinyun nodded. After chatting for a few more moments, he hung up and headed toward the rehearsal area.
Thinking of Ye Zexi twisting around wildly in the corridor earlier, He Jinyun raised a brow. Maybe he wouldn't even need two episodes to choose someone. He thought Ye Zexi, who had just twisted himself into a pretzel, was pretty good.
Though the chance of being rejected was probably one hundred percent.
Shaking his head lightly, He Jinyun felt that he should take another look.
After searching for the director all morning, Ye Zexi finally found Li Changjian in the rehearsal hall—the chief director of "Era Idol" and also a friend of the original Ye Zexi's father.
Otherwise, there was no way the Ye Family would let the production crew stay in such a huge villa for free. It was all out of respect for Li Changjian.
When Ye Zexi said earlier that even the restroom belonged to the Ye Family, he hadn't been joking.
The Ye Family was enormously wealthy, and the original Ye Zexi really had been born with a golden spoon in his mouth. But because the novel's plot required it, he had grown into a thoroughgoing playboy and ultimately ruined himself.
What Jiang Ran and the others had said in the restroom about the original Ye Zexi joining the talent show to pursue Tang Jing was true. Tang Jing was the protagonist in the novel, and the original Ye Zexi pursuing him was simply what the plot demanded.