He Actually Managed to Gross Me Out

Yu Xiuyuan looked him over for two seconds, speechless.

This guy? The original owner fell for this piece of work? And chased him relentlessly?

Lu Jinming walked over, his tone full of condescending impatience. "You actually followed me all the way to my company?"

Yu Xiuyuan rolled his eyes. "Don't flatter yourself."

Lu Jinming frowned, deeply displeased with his attitude.

Whenever Yu Xiuyuan had seen him before, he had always been eager to please, either blushing as he offered gifts or stumbling over his words as he tried to strike up a conversation.

"Stop pretending. You came here to see me, didn't you?" Lu Jinming looked him up and down, then frowned and scolded him. "Yu Xiuyuan, I'm warning you. Stop framing Wen Lin because of me. You've already forced him to leave the show. What more do you want?"

"I framed him because of you?" Yu Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow. Were all people with inflated egos like this these days?

"Of course. You framed him because you're jealous that I like him, didn't you?"

"Has your brain never developed? Can't you understand the evidence?" Yu Xiuyuan stepped back, putting some distance between himself and Lu Jinming, not out of fear, but mostly out of disgust. "You're seriously overthinking this. I lost interest in trash like you a long time ago."

Lu Jinming didn't believe him and continued his condescending lecture. "Stop pretending. I wondered how long you could last without pestering me, but it's only been a few days, and you've already come running after me to my company."

He put both hands in his pockets. "If you want me to keep giving you the time of day, go clear Wen Lin's name like a good boy. Tell everyone you framed him for all of it. Otherwise, I won't speak to you."

Damn, this guy was a pro.

He actually managed to gross me out.

Yu Xiuyuan flipped him off, grabbed Li Man, and turned to leave.

As he walked, he said, "Hurry. This guy's stupidity is too powerful. If we don't get away fast enough, I'm afraid it'll be contagious."

The two of them hurried away, leaving Lu Jinming standing alone in the corridor, his face alternating between livid and pale.

Only after they had put some distance behind them did Li Man explain, "Actually, I heard yesterday that he'd be here today. I figured that even though he and Lin Xi were at the same company, we couldn't be unlucky enough to run straight into him. Who knew we really would?"

Yu Xiuyuan saw through her excuse. "No need to explain, Sister Man. I know you wanted to see how I'd react, too. After all, I pretty much lost my mind chasing that bastard before. Don't worry. I've come to my senses now."

Li Man finally relaxed. "All right, I believe you now. Sorry. I won't test you again."

Lin Xi's studio was at the end of the corridor. She had already opened the door and was waiting to welcome him. "You're here? Come in and have a seat."

After a few pleasantries, Lin Xi got straight to the point. "Have you decided on my song yet? What style will it be, and roughly when can you have it ready?"

Yu Xiuyuan had prepared it the night before.

Lin Xi had an excellent voice. Her lower and middle registers were rich and textured, while her upper register was clear without sounding shrill. Songs that combined power with delicacy suited her best.

"I can give it to you now. The style's a little different from what you've sung before," Yu Xiuyuan said. "It's more upbeat, with some electronic pop elements."

Lin Xi raised an eyebrow. "Tell me more."

Yu Xiuyuan handed her the lyrics and music he had written out. "No need. Take a look for yourself."

"Green Light?" Lin Xi read the title aloud without thinking.

"That's right." Yu Xiuyuan's tone was calm, but his words were cocky. "This song is amazing. It's great for the charts and live performances. With you singing it, there's no reason it wouldn't be a hit."

Lin Xi held the sheet of paper and read it several times, her eyes slowly lighting up.

A little over ten minutes later, she looked up at Yu Xiuyuan.

"That might sound a bit like bragging, but I agree with you. There's no reason this song wouldn't be a hit."

She leaned a little closer and asked quietly, "Just how much have you got stored in that head of yours? You've already produced five songs in such a short time."

Seeing that Yu Xiuyuan kept wearing his mysterious smile, she raised her eyebrows and asked, "Got any more?"

Yu Xiuyuan kept smiling and didn't answer.

He couldn't exactly say that his head contained an entire library of pop hits from another world.

After that, their managers talked for nearly an hour and finalized the contract.

When he was leaving, Lin Xi walked him to the elevator. She hesitated, then spoke anyway.

"My manager happened to overhear that business with Lu Jinming earlier." Lin Xi's expression was a little odd. "You really aren't interested in him anymore?"

Yu Xiuyuan pressed the elevator button and gave her an embarrassed glare. "No more questions. Don't hit a guy where it hurts. Bring up my embarrassing past again and I'll take the song back."

Lin Xi burst out laughing, certain now that he really didn't like that man anymore.

When they left the office building, the car was already waiting by the curb.

Yu Xiuyuan opened the door and climbed in, collapsing into the seat with a long sigh.

Sister Man laughed at his antics, then grew serious again. "Let's talk business. A music variety show wants to invite you as a guest mentor for one episode. It's called Super Sound Hero. The ratings are decent, and it's pretty well known. Filming would fall between next week's Dating Reality Show sessions, so there won't be a conflict. Their offer is pretty good, but I'm still negotiating."

The music show's name sounded familiar to Yu Xiuyuan. Thinking it over, he realized it was the very show Wen Lin had lied about back then, claiming Su Ziming had stolen his opportunity.

In the end, neither of them had gone. Who had gotten that opportunity back then?

He opened one eye to look at Sister Man. "Can I say no?"

"Of course." Sister Man smiled. "When have I ever forced you to do something you didn't want to?"

Yu Xiuyuan fell silent for a few seconds. He honestly did want to say no. What slacker who had already saved enough money would enjoy working?

But Sister Man and the company had genuinely treated the original owner well. He still needed to repay that kindness.

"There's only a little over a month left," Yu Xiuyuan said, closing his eyes again, his tone carrying a reckless resignation. "Handle the negotiations however you see fit, Sister Man. If the price is right, I'll go. Earn the company a little more money and save up a little more for myself."

Sister Man glanced at him, looking as though she wanted to say something. In the end, she said nothing and turned back to scrolling through her phone.

She actually wanted to persuade Yu Xiuyuan to renew his contract. His follower count had been rising rapidly lately and had already passed seven million. His reputation had also improved.

But she didn't know how to bring it up. She could tell that the current Yu Xiuyuan genuinely had no ambition or desire to get ahead. He was completely different from before.

The filming date for the third episode of the Dating Reality Show arrived sooner than expected.

Yu Xiuyuan swore he had only blinked, and two days had gone by.

There was magic in this world.

Days off went by ridiculously fast.

The filming location had changed this time. They were at a guesthouse at the foot of a mountain on the outskirts, with lovely scenery.

Yu Xiuyuan wheeled his suitcase into the quaint courtyard and found that the production team had already arranged tables, chairs, and decorations there. It had quite a nice atmosphere.

Li Rou and Su Ziming had already arrived.

Yu Xiuyuan lifted his chin in greeting without saying anything, then slumped straight onto the stool between them.

Li Rou leaned over animatedly and nudged his little suitcase with her foot. "What, not a rugged guy this time? Finally willing to use a suitcase?"

"Yep. I even brought cosmetics this time. I'm a refined young man." Yu Xiuyuan cracked a joke, but remained utterly languid.

Su Ziming could see that he clearly wasn't wearing makeup and knew he was exaggerating, but didn't call him out. Hearing how listless he sounded, he asked, "Why are you so low on energy?"

"I have a bad feeling. There's definitely going to be some nonsense this episode."

"Aren't you the biggest source of nonsense?" Li Rou offered her opinion.

The three chatted idly, and before long, Lin Xi, Fang Yi, and Yun Chuan arrived as well.

Then Director Liu came out to announce, "Due to scheduling conflicts, Best Actress Lin and Wen Lin won't be able to join us for the rest of filming, so this episode, we have two new guests joining you!"

Yu Xiuyuan was a little surprised to hear that Lin Qingnuan wouldn't be there. He glanced at Yun Chuan, who showed no reaction.

Just what you'd expect from a rich heir. He said Lin Qingnuan wouldn't be here this episode, and she really wasn't. Even being a best actress couldn't help her.

With the troublemaker gone, his mood improved considerably.

Just then, there was a noise at the entrance. Yu Xiuyuan asked curiously, "Who are the new guests?"

Then he heard Fang Yi stifling a laugh. That sound alone told him the man was up to no good. "See for yourself."

Yu Xiuyuan turned toward the entrance, then froze on the spot.