“I’ll Be There in Ten Minutes.”

Maybe it was because of the phone, but Huo Yao’s voice, though familiar, sounded a bit distorted. 

So, Nan Pei tried to recall where he’d heard it before but eventually gave up. 

The film crew watched as Huo Yao decisively gave up the lead role, and suddenly, their view of Nan Pei changed. 

At first, everyone thought Nan Pei was just a nouveau riche, but this call suggested he had some intricate ties with Huo Yao. 

“Sorry, Nan Ge,” the producer said with a big smile, trying to please Nan Pei, “We failed to communicate with President Huo in advance, that’s our mistake.”

Nan Pei looked at him, his tone firm: “The male lead for this drama can only be Lu Bairan.”

The producer quickly agreed, “Yes, yes, of course…”

Lu Bairan stood to the side, feeling a bit complicated. 

He disdained Nan Pei’s way of using money to get resources. 

Especially now, with Nan Pei using his investor status to forcefully secure Lu Bairan’s lead role, it felt insulting to him. 

He just wanted to act quietly, without getting involved in the dirty deals of the entertainment industry. 

“Xiao Ran,” Nan Pei looked at Lu Bairan, his tone softening, “Just focus on studying the script. I’ve hired an acting coach and a physical trainer for you, and found you a top-notch agent and assistant…”

His words carried a hint of seeking approval.

Lu Bairan pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

Nan Pei looked into his eyes and said, “Xiao Ran, you have to become famous.”

His tone was filled with eager anticipation, his gaze full of certainty.

It was like looking at a dusty gem, convinced it would shine brightly in the future.

Although Lu Bairan despised Nan Pei’s ideas and actions, not wanting to act in idol dramas or become famous, he didn’t feel as strongly against Nan Pei as before.

Because at this moment, Lu Bairan felt something—

No matter what happened, Nan Pei would firmly stand by his side.

This contradictory feeling made Lu Bairan’s gaze complex.

“…Hmm.” Lu Bairan looked at Nan Pei, his usually gentle eyes carrying some unfathomable emotion. After a moment, he smiled slightly and said calmly, “I understand.”

Nan Pei didn’t notice Lu Bairan’s change in mood.

He just felt like he was playing a star-raising game, with Lu Bairan as his character, needing more encouragement to help him complete the task smoothly.

After dealing with the film crew, Nan Pei thought about the difficult process of transitioning between different novels, making him even more eager to get the house from Huo Yao.

He asked the system, “Do you think if I ask Huo Yao to buy or rent the house face-to-face, he’d agree?”

“I can’t predict the thoughts of characters in the data redundancy zone,” the system replied mechanically, “But you can try. After all, you wore the wrong undershirt while rushing today, which was dangerous.”

Nan Pei had worn the wrong shirt under his suit, but luckily the outerwear matched the nouveau riche style, so he didn’t get caught.

The system’s words strengthened Nan Pei’s resolve.

So, he asked the producer for Huo Yao’s phone number.

Looking at the string of numbers, Nan Pei felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

He didn’t know why, since he’d never met Huo Yao.

This sense of familiarity had appeared before, like the first time he met the Nan family parents or the male college student at the bar…

Nan Pei saved the number and sent Huo Yao a text.

In the message, Nan Pei introduced himself, briefly expressed his gratitude to Huo Yao, and politely requested a meeting.

Huo Yao didn’t reply immediately.

Nan Pei looked at his phone, feeling a bit disappointed.

He thought Huo Yao would probably ask him to schedule through a secretary or simply ignore him.

However, just as he was about to put his phone away, a message popped up:

[You want to meet me?]

Seeing this message, Nan Pei was stunned.

He thought those four words felt odd.

Would presidents say “You want to meet me” when arranging meetings?

Nan Pei didn’t know.

He wasn’t a president in his past life.

After thinking seriously, Nan Pei replied, “Yes.”

After sending it, the conversation seemed even stranger.

It didn’t feel like a business conversation, more like a chat between close acquaintances.

Huo Yao didn’t reply for a while.

Could he be feeling awkward?

Nan Pei stared at the message content, thought carefully, and started typing slowly in the chat box: President Huo, this request might be a bit presumptuous, but…

Before he could finish, Huo Yao’s reply popped up:

[I do too.]

Nan Pei stared at those three words, a strange feeling flashing through his mind.

But soon, he was overwhelmed with joy.

Being able to arrange a meeting with Huo Yao meant he was one step closer to that villa!

Just then, Huo Yao sent another message:

[Set a time.]

His messages were always concise, never more than four words, but Nan Pei felt that Huo Yao’s attitude towards him seemed quite good.

“He’s a good president,” Nan Pei couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “Much better than that Song guy…”

Lu Bairan, seeing Nan Pei staring at his phone and muttering, frowned and asked, “What did you say?”

Nan Pei was startled and quickly said, “Ah, I said… do you want to eat now?”

It was already mealtime, and Lu Bairan was hungry, so he nodded.

“Great, let’s find a place to have lunch together,” Nan Pei said while thinking, “I’ll also call the agent I found for you, so you can get to know each other. Your schedule will be quite busy from now on…”

In the entertainment novel, the agent Nan Pei found for Lu Bairan was very capable, almost like a cheat, helping him navigate crisis after crisis on his path to fame.

Moreover, through this agent, Lu Bairan would meet the main character.

In other words, this agent was an indispensable part of both the emotional and career lines in the entertainment novel.

“The biggest mall in Lujin City is nearby, and there’s a Thai restaurant called ‘Ren Tai Duo,'” Nan Pei checked the map and said, “The food there is quite good, I’ve been a few times before.”

Lu Bairan remembered this restaurant—Nan Pei seemed to have posted about it on social media once.

The plot only mentioned Nan Pei introducing the agent to Lu Bairan during a meal, but didn’t specify which restaurant, so Nan Pei chose one he liked.

Before leaving, Nan Pei and Huo Yao added each other on WeChat.

Nan Pei was very cautious when using WeChat, carefully grouping everyone.

People from the south were in the “Overbearing CEO Group,” the east and west were the “E-sports Group” and “Entertainment Group,” respectively.

He thought for a moment and gave Huo Yao a separate group named “Big Shot.”

To Nan Pei, he urgently needed to cling to Huo Yao, hoping he’d let him live in the house.

Nan Pei sent Huo Yao a message: “Pick a time and place, let’s have a meal together.”

Nan Pei thought Huo Yao would check his schedule before replying, but unexpectedly, he replied instantly:

[Okay.]

[I’ll let you know when I decide.]

Seeing this reply, Nan Pei smiled, feeling very happy.

He thought Huo Yao was the best person he’d met since crossing over.

Although he held a high position, he wasn’t arrogant, was kind, and most importantly—

He could feel that Huo Yao was sincere.

Sincerity is the most important thing in human relationships.

Lu Bairan sat in the passenger seat, buckled up, but the car didn’t start.

He turned to see Nan Pei grinning at his phone, his eyes filled with confusion.

After a moment, he gently reminded Nan Pei:

“I’m hungry.”

Nan Pei noticed Lu Bairan’s gaze, quickly put his phone away, and cleared his throat: “Sorry, I was chatting with a real estate developer.”

“Anyone would think you’re a real estate agent,” Lu Bairan glanced at him, his tone lazy, the tear mole at the corner of his eye alluring, “smiling so happily.”

“My bad, I’ll take you to eat right away.”

This meal with Lu Bairan was still very important.

Twenty minutes later, Nan Pei took Lu Bairan to the largest mall in Lujin City and entered the “Ren Tai Duo” restaurant.

The restaurant’s decor was very upscale, and the rich aroma of Thai cuisine greeted them as they entered.

This was one of the few places Nan Pei liked after crossing over.

Not only was the food delicious, but it was also close to all three task locations, a rare comfort for Nan Pei amidst his three jobs.

Unfortunately, he was too busy to visit often.

“Welcome.” As they entered, the waiter warmly greeted Nan Pei and said, “Sir, we have a new discount promotion.”

Handing Nan Pei a discount coupon, the waiter continued, “With this coupon, the first payment gets a 10% discount, the second 30%, the third 50%, and the fourth 70%.”

Nan Pei took the coupon, and the waiter added, “The coupon is valid for three days.”

Nan Pei frowned, muttering softly, “Who has the time to come here four times in three days?”

So insincere.

Still, a discount was nice, so Nan Pei accepted the coupon.

Nan Pei and Lu Bairan entered a private room where the agent was already waiting.

The agent, named Chen Zixiao, nicknamed “Xiao Chen,” was a young agent who looked honest but was very capable, poached by Nan Pei at a high price from another company.

After ordering, Nan Pei introduced Lu Bairan to Xiao Chen and said, “From now on, you’re in the same boat, and achieving the dream of being at the top depends on you.”

Xiao Chen knew Nan Pei had been pursuing Lu Bairan, and given Lu Bairan’s potential, he treated him very well.

Although Lu Bairan didn’t like this slightly flattering attitude, he understood the agent’s impressive skills after a few words, so he accepted him on the surface.

“Nan Ge, rest assured,” Xiao Chen said to Nan Pei, “The three of us together will definitely shake up the entertainment industry.”

Seeing Xiao Chen’s ambition, Nan Pei felt reassured.

It was like seeing a reliable NPC teammate join his character in a raising game, making the task much simpler.

Meanwhile, changes on the system panel confirmed Nan Pei’s thoughts: Lu Bairan’s career progress advanced significantly, reaching 15%.

Everything was moving in a positive direction, and Nan Pei, in a good mood, found the Thai food even more delicious, eating a lot.

Midway, he picked up his phone and, while browsing WeChat messages, suddenly noticed several messages from Duan Heng that he hadn’t opened.

Two hours ago: [Duan Heng: Where are you?]

An hour ago: [Duan Heng: Busy?]

Half an hour ago: [Duan Heng: What’s up?]

Ten minutes ago: [Duan Heng: …]

Nan Pei had been busy dealing with Lu Bairan’s matters and contacting Huo Yao all morning, so he overlooked Duan Heng’s messages.

But it wasn’t entirely his fault.

Because…

He never expected Duan Heng to message him.

Looking back at the message history, Duan Heng had never replied to him before.

Sending four messages today was quite surprising.

“System, is there any unexpected situation with Duan Heng?” Nan Pei asked, frowning.

The system checked the plot and then replied, “Currently, the newly formed TKT team is showing advantages, and Duan Heng has new plans for the team’s future. Maybe he’s reaching out to discuss this.”

Just then, Duan Heng sent a new message, finally exceeding three words:

[Where are you exactly?]

In the restaurant.

Nan Pei received Duan Heng’s reply after a long time, and seeing the question, he instinctively wanted to reply that there were three people.

But the system’s voice promptly reminded him, “Host, please don’t let the male leads become aware of each other’s existence.”

Nan Pei quickly realized.

Answering three people might risk exposing Lu Bairan’s presence.

So, Nan Pei replied: [Yeah, just me.]

On the first floor.

Duan Heng looked at Nan Pei’s reply, took a deep breath, and made a decision even he hadn’t expected.

“I’m not going,” Duan Heng told his teammates, “You guys go ahead.”

After speaking, he walked briskly towards the elevator.

Everyone exchanged puzzled looks, not understanding why Duan Heng was in such a hurry.

At this moment.

Nan Pei’s phone received a message from Duan Heng.

A short six-word message that instantly widened his eyes—

[I’ll be there in ten minutes.]

“Ding—”

The elevator doors on the first floor opened.

Duan Heng stepped inside, the signal cut off.

He put away his phone, not receiving the string of messages Nan Pei sent.

Author’s Note:

Nan Pei: Don’t come over.jpg