Making a Wish

Seeing that he said nothing, Zou Yan continued, "At the same time, I like you on a personal level. If you like me too, I'd feel very lucky and happy. But I hope that liking is based on your appreciation of who I am. If you only liked me because I'm a producer, I wouldn't be happy."

Xie Yibai was beginning to admire Zou Yan. His heartfelt confession was sincere and airtight, displaying his wisdom in dealing with people and handling affairs to the fullest: I genuinely admire you and value your talent, which is why I'm directing resources your way. I have no dirty ulterior desires whatsoever.

If Xie Yibai hadn't been hardened by the fickleness of the world, he might have believed him.

No matter how nice Zou Yan made it sound, Xie Yibai could guarantee that if he threw himself into the man's arms, Zou Yan would never turn him down.

Men with power and influence were like that. With abundant sexual options at their disposal, keeping themselves above such things was a matter of style. They didn't need you in particular, but if you offered yourself up, why not take a bite?

Still, Xie Yibai appreciated that Zou Yan was willing to talk about pure love with him. Perhaps it was because he had met too many self-righteous bastards. Occasionally encountering someone who sought a meeting of minds was like seeing the sun rise in the west: nothing would be different, yet everything was different.

Xie Yibai answered tactfully, "Thank you, Brother Yan. No one's ever said anything like that to me before."

A so-called talent scout loved hearing people praise his eye for talent. Xie Yibai's flattery had passed test after test. Otherwise, with beauties a dime a dozen in the entertainment industry, why would anyone choose to promote him instead of someone else?

Zou Yan's face, head, and hand all hurt, and he had said so much to reassure Xie Yibai while his heart burned. But the moment he saw the dimples that appeared when Xie Yibai smiled, he was willing again.

In the world of fame and fortune, beauties were everywhere, yet this was the only one who made his heart yearn.

Xie Yibai looked around at the furnishings and spotted a photograph on a cabinet, set in a natural wood frame. It showed two boys in matching school uniforms, sitting on a lawn.

Zou Yan kept a constant eye on whatever caught his attention. "That's Sheng Ke and me. I think it was taken in our second year of high school. More than ten years have gone by in the blink of an eye."

"You were high school classmates?" Xie Yibai asked.

Zou Yan said, "More than that. We've been classmates since kindergarten. Elementary school, middle school, high school, university-and then going into the industry and working. We've never been apart."

Xie Yibai summed it up aptly. "Your families are old friends?"

"Yeah. We used to be neighbors a long time ago. Then his parents separated, and he started staying at my place a lot."

"Then why don't you live together now?"

"Because we grew up," Zou Yan said. "Besides, he likes high-rise apartments, not houses with courtyards."

The thought belatedly struck Xie Yibai. "You went to university together... Hey, Brother Yan, did you major in directing too?"

"That's right." Zou Yan knew what he wanted to ask and teased, "Only after studying directing do you realize it's not something you can learn."

"Director Ke's talent is obvious to everyone, but an outstanding producer is important too. No matter how good a director is, he can't conjure up a production crew out of thin air," Xie Yibai said, choosing his compliments carefully. "I really admire you, Brother Yan. The investors must put up their money because they trust you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zou Yan's phone rang.

Xie Yibai fell silent and drank his tea while he waited for Zou Yan to answer.

Zou Yan saw the caller ID and smiled confidently. Rather than answering right away, he showed Xie Yibai the name saved on the screen: President Xing.

Xie Yibai's first thought was Xing Zhanyun, but it was more likely Xing Zhanyun's father.

"See? An investor's calling to send money our way for our new show," Zou Yan said with confidence. "After the fight Young Master Xing started, it's time his dad paid through the nose. Just watch me, Xiaobai. There's no way I'll let you play the male lead in a shabby production."

Xie Yibai was impressed, utterly and completely!

This man really knew how to scheme.

Chapter 18: Making a Wish

Times had changed. The overall climate was poor, money was hard to make, and investors weren't as generous as they used to be.

Zou Yan had no shortage of people willing to invest, but when it came to money, more was always better. Making film and television productions was no different from burning cash. Tight finances and insufficient budgets were problems every production crew faced.

He was in charge of the accounts, responsible for planning every expense involved in carrying out a project, so naturally, his brain cells revolved around money.

Xing Zhanyun's punch had caught him off guard. In any case, he had already been hit, and he wasn't going to let the beating go to waste. Not only would he leave the other party black and blue, he would tear off a bloody chunk of flesh as well. That was how you taught someone a lesson. That was his style.

President Xing had called, intending to host a meal and apologize to him. It was the same old line: they were all old acquaintances who saw one another all the time. If they made a huge mess of things, nobody would benefit, and they'd only give others something to laugh at.

When the son made a mess, the father paid for it. That was a common way for fathers and sons in wealthy families to get along.

Zou Yan wasn't bragging, but even in the capital, where wealthy and influential people were everywhere, accomplished young men like him and Sheng Ke were uncommon.

He didn't take Xing Zhanyun seriously at all. What business did a little brat who couldn't even support himself have dating? Xie Yibai had been wise and farsighted to dump that stupid kid!

"Xiaobai, why don't you come with me?" Zou Yan invited him. "That way, the kid can give you a proper apology too."

Xie Yibai wanted to decline politely. He didn't want to see Xing Zhanyun again. If he really counted up their old grievances, Xing Zhanyun hadn't particularly wronged him. They owed each other nothing, and neither needed to apologize.

But Zou Yan immediately added, "Think about it. If his dad invests in our show, you'll have more chances to see him in the future. Don't hide from him. Let him look! What can he do to you?"

Whenever Xie Yibai ran into circumstances beyond his control, he responded by dragging his feet. He really wanted to copy Little Biscuit, roll around on the floor and throw a tantrum, shouting, "I'm not going! I'm not going!" Then he wouldn't have to go.

But he wore a beautiful human skin and couldn't do anything so undignified, so he could only put on a miserable face and keep quiet.

Zou Yan noticed his mood and, not wanting him to feel resistant, tried another way to coax him. "Then tell me, what would make you willing to go? If I gave you a gift, would that make you a little happier?"

"Nothing would make me willing..." Xie Yibai lowered his head, avoiding the conversation.

"All right, then I'll go by myself." Zou Yan stopped pressing him. "You do your thing. Don't overthink it."

Xie Yibai was still conflicted. He was easily swayed and indecisive, and he liked being coaxed. If he was forced, he wouldn't go, but if he wasn't asked to go, he felt he could still struggle with the decision a little longer.

"It's fine. If you don't want to go, don't. It's your choice. No one can force you."

Zou Yan had gauze taped to his temple, a bruise at the corner of his mouth, and a bandage wrapped around his left hand. He looked somewhat comical speaking so seriously, and Xie Yibai was easily amused. The longer he looked, the more he wanted to laugh.

Zou Yan saw the almost-smile on his face. In terms of age, Zou Yan was only two or three years older than him, and he couldn't help feeling embarrassed. Touching his ear, he warned, "Don't you dare actually laugh. Think about who I did this for."

Xie Yibai really did laugh, his lips red and his teeth white, his smile bright and carefree. He asked, "Brother Yan, what if... could the two of us be friends?"

Zou Yan's face fell at once. "Don't say something so hurtful to me just yet."

Xie Yibai stopped laughing and blinked.

His superpower was making people's hearts soften. Zou Yan added, "We are friends."

Xie Yibai took another look at that battered face. "If we're friends... you've already taken a knife in the ribs for me, so I should go through fire and water for you too. Come pick me up on the day of the dinner, then."

This time, it was Zou Yan's turn to smile.

"Xiaobai," Zou Yan said, lightly touching his shoulder, "you're kindhearted and a very good person, but if you want to climb higher, you need to learn to harden your heart."

Before Xie Yibai could grasp the deeper meaning of his words, Zou Yan changed the subject. "Stay for dinner later. My family's cook is exceptional."

Xie Yibai had expected northern cuisine, but Zou Yan's cook prepared a table of authentic Jiangnan home-style dishes: four dishes and a soup-sea bass with scallion oil, pork braised with dried mustard greens, oil-braised spring bamboo shoots, water chestnuts with shelled fava beans, and crucian carp and tofu soup.

The dishes suited Xie Yibai's taste, and he ate plenty again. It felt wonderful to have a satisfying meal.

After dinner, he received a call from Yin Ran. She said she had reached an agreement with his boss and was about to sign the contract, and had called to let him know.

The change to the management contract of the company's leading artist was a matter of the utmost importance. Even Hao Jun had worked late for several nights over it. The little temple couldn't house the great Buddha, and reluctant as he was to let him go, he had to.

Hao Jun really couldn't understand how Xie Yibai, a web drama actor who relied on popularity for his livelihood, had gotten involved with this group of ruthless young masters and big sisters.

Who on earth had brought them together? What a sin!

Tasting the bitter consequences of failing to keep his subordinate in check, Hao Jun signed a joint management agreement with Yin Ran. From then on, Xie Yibai's film and television work would be managed jointly by his personal studio and Yin Ran, an independent third-party agent. The condition was that the company would still take a percentage from certain projects.

Yin Ran worked swiftly and decisively. On the very day she signed the contract, she arranged a new day-to-day manager for Xie Yibai: A Chu.

A Chu was a dark-skinned young woman who stood 175 centimeters in her bare feet. Tall, slender, and graceful, she dressed like a hot girl, and in high heels she looked like a supermodel fresh from fashion week.

Yin Ran said, "From now on, A Chu will be with you. Don't be fooled by how young and carefree she looks. She's actually very attentive. I had her take over the work from your previous manager, so she can start whenever you need her. Just tell her what to do."

One look at A Chu's smoky eye makeup told Xie Yibai this girl was no ordinary person. Day-to-day management was exhausting, with never more than five hours of sleep a night year-round, yet she still managed to put on a full face of makeup. Her energy and stamina were extraordinary.

"To be honest, I'm a fan of celebrities. I used to run a fansite full-time," A Chu said, introducing herself. "Tracking schedules, taking and editing photos, cutting videos and writing copy, chasing payments and defending rights, contacting big fans and steering the conversation... If you can think of it, I can do it."

Xie Yibai gave her a thumbs-up. "Impressive."

"You have a few sasaeng fans who are pretty out of control. I'll coordinate with them." A Chu shook his hand. "I look forward to working with you, Teacher Xiaobai."

Xie Yibai appreciated her proactive attitude toward work. "Nice to meet you. I have a personal engagement, so make a note of it first and make sure it doesn't conflict with my other activities."