Tea

Xie Yibai had just closed his eyes when he heard someone speaking and thought he was dreaming. He forced his heavy eyelids open and gave a groggy "Hmm?" with a questioning lilt.

Sheng Ke regretted opening his mouth again. He didn't actually have a strong prejudice against Xie Yibai; he was just a somewhat sharp-tongued person at heart, with an especially discerning eye.

That didn't mean he regretted rejecting Xie Yibai at the audition. It was simply that, on this particular evening, he had used his keen eye for beauty and his agile, capable brain to discover the charm Xie Yibai might possess on the big screen.

Unlike Zou Yan's desire to cultivate a rare flower, his motives were pure. His camera existed to capture beauty that had yet to be revealed to the world.

It was too early to say anything now. It was only a tiny, insignificant seed, and it needed to wait for the right moment to take root and sprout.

Xie Yibai had distinctly heard Sheng Ke say something, probably something nice, but when he listened closely, Sheng Ke fell silent again. He even pretended he hadn't said anything, ignoring Xie Yibai's puzzled, inquisitive gaze.

Unbelievable. He took it back again!

Xie Yibai dropped the act and gave him an exaggerated eye roll.

He felt a flicker of anger and was determined to pick a fight. Putting on an act, he took out his phone and said cautiously, "Director Ke, I haven't added you on WeChat yet."

Chapter 17: Tea

Asking for someone's WeChat was normal social interaction, but Xie Yibai and Zou Yan were getting along so well. Why would he want to add him? Sheng Ke was adept at finding excuses for himself-he had added Xie Yibai to give him a warning. Although he had taken it back, he had also deleted him.

But why did Xie Yibai want to add him? Was something on his mind?

A flat refusal would make him look guilty. It was only adding someone on WeChat; he could add any random passerby, so why not an actor he had met?

It was perfectly reasonable for a director to add an actor on WeChat. There was no need for further explanation.

"Let's talk after the car stops," Sheng Ke replied.

Xie Yibai switched to his chats, found their conversation from a few months ago, and tapped on the profile picture. He held his phone where Sheng Ke could see it and said, "Director Ke, this is you, right?"

Sheng Ke glanced at it and admitted, "That's me."

"Oh, then I'll send you a friend request. Haha, I wanted to reply to your message last time, but you deleted me right away."

Sheng Ke had no answer. Yes, people really shouldn't act on impulse.

He can keep a straight face even after being called out to his face. That's a big-name director's composure for you. Xie Yibai tapped the button to add him, then said softly, sounding aggrieved, "Please accept it once the car stops. Don't delete me again this time."

Sheng Ke was indeed affected. Unable to maintain his expression, he gave a faint smile.

Xie Yibai noticed that the man smiled a lot. He smiled when he was mocking, when he was contemptuous, and when he was embarrassed; the curve of his lips was slight, but the emotions in his eyes were ever-changing.

What is he smiling at? Is he laughing at me?

Unable to figure him out, Xie Yibai leaned closer with a strange look and asked, "Am I that funny? Why do you smile every time you see me?"

He was sleepy, and both his body and his voice were weary. His words had a languid quality, and his raspiness grated on the ears. Sheng Ke actually felt an itch at the base of his ear. He turned his head slightly in discomfort and said, "Move farther away. Don't get in the way of my driving."

Xie Yibai glared at him in anger. Is he an idiot? Who's getting in the way of his driving? Can't I even say a word?

But he didn't dare say it out loud, so he could only keep it in, his face full of indignation.

Unfortunately, his stamina couldn't keep up with his resentment. After sulking for a while, his eyes grew drier and his head heavier as sleepiness overtook him. His head drooped, and he actually fell asleep.

Sheng Ke was stunned again. He had never met anyone like this. Petty yet carefree, shrewd in some ways yet unguarded in others; he was less like a person than a little white, fluffy spirit creature.

After several encounters and time spent together, he was convinced that Xie Yibai wasn't stupid. He was almost certainly very smart and quick-witted.

So he had been playing dumb.

There was also a small chance he was genuinely innocent.

The kind of innocence that came from knowing the world and navigating human relationships well, yet still believing in something without a doubt.

Sheng Ke found himself torn. Could it be that he was blind to talent, unable to discern a person's inner qualities as accurately as Zou Yan?

Still, thinking about these questions didn't seem to have much point.

Half an hour later, the car pulled over by the roadside. Xie Yibai was awakened, and when he abruptly opened his eyes, he was facing the entrance to his residential complex.

He had not only slept soundly but even dreamed! Xie Yibai scratched the back of his head, his eyes still heavy with sleep, and asked, "Did you put sleeping pills in the air freshener? Why do I fall asleep every time I ride in your car?"

Sheng Ke asked in return, "If I put sleeping pills in it, why didn't I fall asleep?"

"You really have no sense of humor." Xie Yibai had meant to keep the complaint to himself, but accidentally said it aloud and instinctively covered his mouth. He glanced at Sheng Ke, who acted as though he hadn't heard and simply waited for him to get out.

"Thank you, Director Ke. See you around..." Xie Yibai hurriedly unbuckled his seat belt and made a quick escape.

As soon as he left, Sheng Ke remembered the earring again. He grabbed the jewelry box and got out, intending to catch up and return it to him.

Xie Yibai stepped out of the warm luxury car and shivered as the cold predawn wind hit him. He put on his coat and, taking advantage of the deserted late-night streets, ran into the complex without a care for his image.

Sheng Ke saw only his back as he passed through the security gate and disappeared down a path covered by the shadows of trees.

He had forgotten again.

Back in the car, Sheng Ke opened the box. A porcelain-white pony with a purple mane and a silver horn lay on the blue velvet. The clip was gold, like a sun shot down from the sky.

Next time, he thought, though he had no idea when that next time would be.

When Xie Yibai got home, he fed the dog before removing his makeup. He took off his jewelry and put it on the storage tray, leaving it for the housekeeper to sort out the next day.

He had an image to maintain, so he couldn't slack off even if he wanted to. He had to force himself through his entire skincare routine. He also had a magazine shoot the next morning, and showing up in poor condition would be a failure to do his job.

By the time he finally lay down in bed, an hour had passed. Xie Yibai touched his flat stomach and remembered that he hadn't eaten dinner. Haha, I was so busy I forgot. I'll just count going hungry as dieting.

How long has it even been since I went back to work? I already want another vacation!

Zou Yan had been in pain all night in his hospital bed and hadn't slept a wink. The next morning, he complained about the poor hospital food and quickly checked himself out to rest at home.

He had friends everywhere and was on familiar terms with everyone, but being hospitalized after a fight at over twenty years old was hardly something to talk about. So he didn't notify anyone and rested quietly.

Xie Yibai was considerate. As soon as he finished work, he came over to keep him company.

Zou Yan's family had prospered since his grandfather's generation. His father had caught the golden era of the nineties and ridden the wave of a booming economy to build a powerful film business. With vast capital and wealth at their disposal, they were a genuinely affluent family.

Over the years, Xie Yibai had seen mansions of all sizes, but this was his first time stepping into a three-courtyard residence deep in a hutong within the Second Ring Road. Past the outer entrance was an inner gate, and just inside stood a glossy green screen. Behind it was a spacious courtyard. Glass walls surrounded the rooms on all four sides, and inside the crystal-clear shells stood simple, elegant furniture with an antique charm.

A winding covered walkway connected to the inner courtyard. At the very back, the rear quarters had been built into a two-story building. Below it were a rockery, a small bridge and flowing water, as well as a stage with an old-fashioned charm.

Xie Yibai had only visited one- and two-courtyard private residences before. Judging by the scale of Zou Yan's home, in ancient times he would have had to be a prince's heir or a beile, at the very least. He hadn't seen anyone on the way in, so he exclaimed like someone who had never seen the world, "Brother Yan, do you live here all by yourself?"

"No, there are servants. They're all busy." With his arm in a splint and slung across his chest, Zou Yan led him on a tour of his home. "My grandfather used to live here. He's getting on in years and didn't like how dry and cold it is up north, so he moved to Kunming for his retirement and gave me the house. I'm just one person, so I can't use all these rooms. I wanted to rent it out, but my dad insisted the feng shui here was good and wouldn't let me move."

"Oh..." Xie Yibai felt a pang of envy. Can people with such good fortune please shut up? I'm going to start hating the rich!

After showing him the courtyard residence and its landscaping, Zou Yan took him to the sitting room, treated him to tea and pastries, and poured him water using only his right hand.

Embarrassed, Xie Yibai said, "I came to see you. How did it turn into you taking care of me?"

"I'm the host and you're the guest. Of course I have to take care of you," Zou Yan said heartily. "Besides, who's that delicate? I've got a fracture, not a severed hand. Pouring a guest a cup of tea is only natural."

"I am that delicate..." Xie Yibai muttered.

He had spoken very quietly, but Zou Yan heard him clearly and laughed. "Hahaha, you're different. Who could bear to order you around?"

Xie Yibai was taken aback. He looked at Zou Yan with a little curiosity and a great deal of surprise and asked, "Then, Brother Yan, what can I do for you?"

He had actually come prepared to ask after his well-being and serve him tea and water today. After all, that was what he ought to do. Although Zou Yan had said he was helping and supporting him because he wanted to pursue him, their relationship wasn't quite so one-sided.

Xie Yibai was deeply wary when powerful people, whether men or women, showed him favor, because accepting or rejecting them could both come at a price.

He had accepted Zou Yan's kindness because he couldn't afford to offend him and felt the deal was fairly worthwhile.

If he relied on having a few assets to boss people around and order them about, that would be failing to appreciate the favor shown to him. As Xie Yibai saw it, there had to be a benefit to be gained before someone pursued it. Zou Yan treated him so well and had even suffered an undeserved misfortune because of him. Surely he wanted something in return?

"Hmm..." Zou Yan pondered, turning over the implication of his words. After grasping some of it, he explained, "Xiaobai, you've got the wrong idea. That's not what I meant. Just because I'm always joking around doesn't mean you should think I'm that shallow."

Xie Yibai said, only half understanding, "Huh?"

"Didn't you ask me the other day? If I wanted to pursue you, why hadn't I done it earlier? Why did I only bring it up after several months?" Zou Yan gathered his thoughts. "That was because I was negotiating the adaptation rights with the original screenwriter, finding someone to rewrite the script, preparing a project proposal, and bringing investors on board. I went to all that trouble because I recognized your value as a rare commodity, but I'm not giving you this opportunity in exchange for anything. Selecting scripts and actors and supervising film and television productions is my everyday work. You're an actor I have my eye on, so you're my first choice for this script. We're not making a deal; we're working together. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not the kind of person you think I am."