Trying to Make Me Give In?

Jian Ran pulled free of Lu Yanting's embrace, his face flushed scarlet, and said, avoiding his gaze, "Bro, it's the thought that counts."

"Thanks for the support!"

He added that just before leaving.

As though deliberately trying to distance himself.

These days, even brothers had to keep their accounts straight.

Let alone a relationship like theirs, built on a financial foundation.

No matter how gorgeous you were, you still had to pay.

Jian Ran breezed away. Li Yuan surveyed the three-way standoff, then slipped into his room, offering the fine excuse, "I'll contact the director about the pay. You guys keep chatting."

And so, as the door closed, the atmosphere in the hallway turned hostile.

"Rumor has it Emperor Lu can't stand physical contact and never takes roles with too many romantic scenes. Looks like you're cured now?" Ji Yuanming said snidely.

Expressionless, Lu Yanting tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Some conditions can be cured. Others can't. Being brain-dead, for instance."

"Who are you calling brain-dead?!" Ji Yuanming demanded angrily. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Yu Fengyi pressing his lips together to suppress a laugh and reined in his anger.

"Emperor Lu, do you really not know what kind of person Jian Ran is?" Yu Fengyi's expression was unreadable, his tone somewhat suggestive. "He flits back and forth and can't stay faithful. Ji Yuanming and I aren't the only people he's led on. You actually like a promiscuous piece of trash like that?"

Lu Yanting's gaze sharpened for an instant, and he scoffed. "So you knew about each other? And you could still peacefully hang around Jian Ran? He's quite something, isn't he? Does that cherished love studying abroad know? That you couldn't stand the loneliness and found comfort in the same person?"

His sore spot exposed, Yu Fengyi's face immediately darkened.

The same went for Ji Yuanming, who demanded heatedly, "You investigated us?!"

Lu Yanting's lips curled in disdain. "I don't have time to bother with a bunch of nobodies."

He had simply picked up their information while investigating Jian Ran.

With that, he left, giving neither of them a chance to respond.

Ji Yuanming shouted at his retreating back, "Who are you calling nobodies?! Does being a member of the Lu Family make you so great?! Who are you trying to impress?!"

The tall, straight-backed figure suddenly turned, his lips delivering crisp, cold words. "That's right. The Lu Family really is that great. Crushing you would be like crushing a bunch of ants."

"Even the Yu Corporation would take no more than a crook of a finger."

Yu Fengyi frowned, his expression grave, and said nothing.

Lu Yanting curled his lip contemptuously, then turned and continued straight back to his room.

"He's so arrogant!"

Ji Yuanming wasn't part of those financial dynasty circles and had grown up abroad. He didn't really understand what the Lu Family represented; he had only heard a few things through the grapevine. "I refuse to believe their Lu Family can control everything!"

Yu Fengyi remained silent.

Ji Yuanming glanced sideways at him, his lips curling mockingly. "Don't tell me he scared you? The CEO of the Yu Corporation, and that's all the nerve you have?"

"You don't know shit!"

Yu Fengyi rolled his eyes at him, then strode away, leaving Ji Yuanming standing there, speechless at the retort.

Jian Ran lay on the bed and began analyzing Lu Yanting's unusual behavior.

Honestly, there were quite a few people who had succumbed to his charm, then become utterly devoted and full of admiration.

Who wouldn't want a powerful person to rely on in a world rife with supernatural incidents?

Jian Ran completely understood.

Lu Yanting might be one of them, but...

Why were some of his actions so strange?!

Like getting unnecessarily close.

And...

What the hell was with breathing on my face?

Sure, his breath smelled fresh and enticing.

But no.

The first prohibition at our Taoist Temple University was lust!

Was Lu Yanting seriously trying to make me give in?!

I had to stay away from him!

Having made up his mind, Jian Ran rolled over.

Fortunately, the system had gone off on a mixer vacation. Otherwise, if it saw him coldly turning his back on the male leads while getting so close to the book's biggest villain...

Wouldn't it be furious enough to die?!

Half an hour later, a knock sounded at Jian Ran's door, right on time.

He lazily went to open it and found Li Yuan beaming at him. "Jian Ran, the director said any amount is fine. You'll be paid the standard actor's rate. As long as you keep all the Guests safe, the money will be transferred as soon as season one wraps!"

Jian Ran didn't rush to answer. He leaned against the doorframe. "How much is the standard actor's rate?"

"One hundred thousand per season."

Jian Ran's expression darkened. "Are you trying to pull one over on me?"

"Two hundred thousand?" Li Yuan held up a V sign.

Jian Ran considered it for a moment. "At least two hundred and fifty thousand."

Li Yuan immediately nodded. "Deal!"

Meanwhile, Lu Yanting's phone rang in his room. He lowered his gaze to the screen and found an unfamiliar number.

Lu Yanting's phone number was never shared publicly, and its internal system had been professionally secured. Scam calls couldn't get through at all.

So this call could only be from someone he knew.

After a moment's thought, Lu Yanting answered. "Who is it?"

"Me."

A deep, resonant voice came through. Lu Yanting frowned. "Second Uncle?"

"You can still recognize my voice, kid. What a rarity," Lu Zhendong said stiffly.

Not wanting to exchange pleasantries, Lu Yanting asked directly, "What is it, Second Uncle?"

"You're filming a variety show?"

"Yes."

"There's a Guest called Jian Ran. How well do you know him?"

Lu Yanting raised an eyebrow. "Since when did my endlessly busy second uncle start watching variety shows?"

"It's for work," Lu Zhendong said sternly. "Answer my question."

"Not well," Lu Yanting said after a moment's thought.

He had never liked following the family's rules, much less having things arranged for him, so he instinctively distanced himself.

Lu Zhendong paused. "Then find a way to get to know him, because he-"

Before he could finish, Lu Yanting cut him off with a cold laugh. "What, are you lobbying for Grandpa too? Are you that determined to make me get involved with someone surnamed Jian?"

"Get involved?" Lu Zhendong froze. "Isn't Jian Ran a man? Your grandpa's into that too?"

Lu Yanting was speechless. Apparently, Second Uncle knew nothing.

"Why do I need to get to know him?" Lu Yanting asked, changing tack.

Lu Zhendong said, "Because he's talented."

"You need his protection."

"Stay with him as much as possible during filming."

"...Second Uncle, exactly what department do you work for?" Lu Yanting asked.

"You don't need to worry about that. I'll contact you again."

With that, Lu Zhendong hung up.

Lu Yanting lowered the phone from his ear. A sharp glint flashed through his dark eyes, and his thin lips slowly parted. "Second Uncle, even without you telling me..."

"Jian Ran and I will..."

"Get to know each other very well."