“Am I bragging, Director Wu? You’ll find out if you try,” Lu Youze blocked Wu Liyi’s way. Even though his current situation was a mess, when his handsome face showed confidence, it still had an undeniable charm. “I think I can surpass my father and reignite your interest in creation.”

Lu Youze looked nothing like his other father, Wan Renni, and it would be hard to connect the two unless explicitly mentioned. Wu Liyi, even more so, could not make that connection. After all, Lu Youze’s face resembled the face he detested. However, just a moment ago, the way Lu Youze stared at him and the aura he carried unintentionally reminded him of the first time he met Renni.

Wu Liyi was an outstanding individual in both appearance and background, with an unparalleled talent for film creation, praised as a rare genius. People like him often had eccentric personalities, and Wu Liyi was no exception. Proud and dismissive of those around him, he even looked down on the stars in the entertainment industry. He criticized popular young actors for lacking acting skills and those with good acting skills for their low looks.

Despite this, many film companies initially sought him out due to his “fame” and “talent,” but after repeatedly being turned down, no company dared to try again. Of course, some newcomers in the industry used “special” methods to gain his attention, employing tricks to “seduce” him, but the results were disastrous. Despite this, every so often, someone would try the same old tactics again, which annoyed Wu Liyi. Coupled with his failure to find an actor or work that would excite him, his disappointment with the industry grew, and the depletion of his artistic inspiration made him irritable. At one point, he even considered abandoning his passion for art and returning to his family business.

It was in such a state that Wan Renni came to see Wu Liyi. Wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, Renni looked exceptionally youthful and flawless, drawing attention from everyone around. Even a picky person like Wu Liyi had to admit that Renni’s face was perfect, and it was a shame that such a face had come to him at this time, likely with ulterior motives.

“Get out.” Wu Liyi didn’t give Renni a pleasant look and coldly said, “Don’t dirty my floor.”

Renni glanced at his shoes, smiled, and said, “Director Wu, these shoes are brand new today; they shouldn’t dirty your floor.”

Before Wu Liyi could react, Renni hurriedly stood up and apologized, “I’m really sorry, I got so excited to meet the legendary director that I forgot to change into indoor slippers. Director Wu, you can remind me next time, no need to be so indirect.”

Wu Liyi: ????

Many stars who had tried to “seduce” him after his sarcastic remarks would angrily “blacklist” him in public, though it wasn’t really “black” since he was blunt and lacked tact, saying whatever came to his mind. One classmate, who had once been “insulted” by him, had even said, “If your family wasn’t rich, someone like you would have been beaten countless times.”

Haha… Wu Liyi didn’t mind and continued living according to his own nature. In reality, he was like everyone else, including his so-called friends; they couldn’t have a normal conversation for more than five sentences, and eventually, things would always end in discord.

Wu Liyi looked at Renni, who was smiling foolishly at him, thinking that if this person wasn’t a fool, then he must be scheming, pretending not to understand his words. This piqued Wu Liyi’s interest; after all, it was better than the typical people who arrived, immediately trying to flirt or pretend to be pitiful, or worse, seeking him out when in heat. At least Renni intrigued him about what he would do next.

Renni gave Wu Liyi an awkward smile and then walked to the shoe rack to change into the indoor slippers provided for guests.

“I’m really sorry.” Renni apologized again to Wu Liyi, then sat on the opposite couch. “Director Wu, I came here to discuss a collaboration. I have a new movie I want to shoot, and I’ve seen your previous graduation work. I believe this movie matches your style perfectly.”

“You’ve seen my graduation work?” Wu Liyi was a bit surprised. Although his graduation work had won countless awards, it wasn’t widely known in the entertainment industry, and many who sought him out were after his family’s money, which he was well aware of.

Renni looked at Wu Liyi in confusion. “Director Wu, if your work hadn’t touched me, I wouldn’t be sitting here.”

That sounded nice.

“Well then, tell me, what are your thoughts after watching my graduation work?”

Then Renni began to share his insights after watching Wu Liyi’s work. His expression was animated, and with a few gestures, he seemed to articulate everything Wu Liyi wanted to express through his work, almost as if he could see into the heart of this eccentric genius.

That afternoon, Wu Liyi couldn’t take his eyes off Renni. Of course, that wasn’t enough to make him compromise.

“You know I have very high standards for actors and scripts. Up to now, nothing has satisfied me. Why should I agree to collaborate with you?”

Upon hearing this, Renni pointed to himself. In that instant, his demeanor seemed to change completely. He smiled and said, “Because I, Wan Renni, am the lead actor in this movie.”

“Heh, anyone can talk big. You’re still young and full of arrogance, thinking that just because you’re good-looking, you can do whatever you want.”

“Don’t look down on the young and poor,” Renni’s face always seemed to carry a smile. “Director Wu, we’re about the same age, right? But what you said is true—hearing is believing, seeing is believing. I’ve also heard that when you pick actors, you look at their appearance first and then their acting skills. I’m not being narcissistic, but I think my looks should meet your standards. As for my acting skills, why don’t you assess them on the spot? I’m confident that once you see my performance, you’ll want to sign a contract with me immediately.”

Is this a field assessment? If it were a usual situation, Wu Liyi would definitely respond with, “Why should I give you this opportunity?” But the image of Wan Renni from just now kept lingering in his mind.

“Well then…” Wu Liyi leaned back in his office chair, gazing at Wan Renni with an expression that even he couldn’t fully understand. “Here, entice me and make me feel something for you.”

Once the words left his mouth, both of them were stunned.

Looking into Wan Renni’s straightforward eyes, Wu Liyi momentarily felt like a bad director trying to coerce an Omega into an unspoken rule. He shifted his gaze nervously, but then reminded himself that he was simply testing the actor’s skills in an unorthodox way, so there was no need to feel guilty.

“Director Wu, is this sexual harassment?”

“I’m not interested in you at all,” Wu Liyi replied, his words not quite convincing. “Do you know what my requirements for actors are? It’s to make sure they can portray their characters as authentically as possible, in any situation, so that the audience can’t even tell that they’re acting. Now, I just need you to act as if you’re trying to seduce your boss to achieve your goal. I’m that boss, and if your performance can’t even make me feel something, how do you expect the audience to believe that scene?”

Although it was a weak argument, he delivered it with such confidence that it almost seemed reasonable—perhaps this is what they call genius.

“Fine.” Wan Renni accepted the challenge, confident in his abilities. “I’ll show you my acting skills.”

Wan Renni’s expression became serious, and in the next second, he immersed himself in the role. The person standing in front of Wu Liyi was no longer the candid beauty, but an office employee trying to seduce her boss to achieve her goal… Wu Liyi had to admit that Wan Renni’s acting was indeed excellent, perfectly portraying the employee’s internal struggle, helplessness, and last-ditch effort.

He had dug a pit for himself, and now he was falling deeper into it, unable to forget Wan Renni.

“What right do I have to give you this opportunity?” Wu Liyi snapped back to reality, looking at Lu Youze, coldly asking. Thanks to Wan Renni, his personality had improved a lot compared to before, and now he at least considered the situation before reacting.

Lu Youze was taken aback. He didn’t expect the sudden question. Just as he was about to respond, Gu Xuanzhe, who had been silent, spoke up.

“Director Wu, I wonder if Chef Fang’s dish could exchange for this opportunity?”

“Are you talking about Chef Fang Xiaowu?” Wu Liyi showed a surprised expression. “Wasn’t he off the radar after retiring? I’ve been searching for him for a long time. How did he end up with you?”

“He owes our butler a favor,” Gu Xuanzhe casually replied. “Since I know you love Chef Fang’s special dish, I specifically invited him here. I wonder if this can secure the opportunity?”

“Hmph.” Wu Liyi scoffed loudly. “Gu family’s kid, you’re just as calculating as your old man. Do you think a mere dish can entice me?”

When Gu Xuanzhe mentioned his father, his expression changed for a brief moment, but it was so quick that no one noticed.

“Since Director Wu won’t give us the opportunity, there’s nothing more we can do.” Gu Xuanzhe said with a regretful expression, standing up and turning to Lu Youze. “Mr. Lu, it seems we won’t get a chance with Director Wu. Let’s go.”

Lu Youze naturally wanted to collaborate with Wu Liyi, as he was an excellent director. However, he immediately understood Gu Xuanzhe’s intentions and cooperated by following along with the act.

“Yes, you’re the boss, you decide. Director Wu, it’s a shame we can’t work together this time, but I think it’s not only my loss but also yours.”

Though he knew that Gu family’s kid was just acting, Wu Liyi found himself nostalgic for the dish, which contained many memories of him and Renni.

“Wait, who said I disagree?” Wu Liyi sat back down, crossed his legs, and looked at Gu Xuanzhe. “I’ll give Lu Youze the opportunity just for the sake of that dish.”

Hmph, Gu family’s kid, if you’re trying to calculate me, I won’t let you have it easy either.

“Lu Youze, now act like an Omega in heat trying to seduce the Alpha you’ve had a crush on for years. Gu family’s kid, you’ll just be the background, playing the object of the crush. Don’t worry, the crush doesn’t have any lines. You just need to sit there. So, what do you say? Are you in or not?”

Lu Youze didn’t hesitate for long. An actor should be able to portray any role in any situation.

“I’m okay, Director Wu. I promise you won’t regret giving me this chance.”

Gu Xuanzhe didn’t expect to be outplayed. He looked at Lu Youze—this wasn’t a test of his acting at all; it was a test of his self-control.

“If there are no lines, I’m fine with that too.”