Chapter 30: Scheming Thoughts

“Guan Yan, are you unemployed? Why do you keep coming to my set lately?” Seeing that Guan Yan ignored him and kept his eyes fixed on the camera, Director Chen continued, “So, what do you think? The actor I found is pretty good, right? I’ve never seen anyone who could perform fight scenes in the water with such grace.”

Through the camera, Tang Qu’s robe was already soaked, outlining his slender figure. His long, wet hair hung obediently in front of his chest, not looking disheveled at all. His delicate hands moved with precision. Due to his character’s identity, most of his actions involved forming a few Mystic Seals with his bare hands, so Tang Qu’s hands were frequently in the frame.

Guan Yan leaned back slightly. “Not bad.”

“Stop pretending to be aloof around me. You’re just a wolf in sheep’s clothing. What are you scheming by coming here so often?”

“Guess?”

Director Chen rolled his eyes. “Even if you don’t say it, I know. Are you scheming for Tang Qu? Let me tell you, save it. He’s such a promising talent; don’t ruin him.”

Guan Yan turned to look at Director Chen. “You’re finally smart for once.”

Director Chen: “…”

“Wait, don’t joke around. Tang Qu is Old Zhang’s student. Be careful, or he’ll skin you alive.”

“Do I look like someone who jokes?”

At that moment, Tang Qu emerged from the water, and Director Chen watched in disbelief as the tall man in front of him picked up a fresh towel and headed straight for Tang Qu’s dressing room.

Director Chen was dumbfounded. What was Guan Yan planning to do with his actor on his own turf? And judging by the situation, he had clearly come prepared!

“Knock! Knock! Knock!”

Tang Qu had just come out of the water. Du Yan wasn’t around, so the dressing room was empty except for him. He was startled when he heard the knocking.

He glanced in the mirror, adjusted his clothes, and went to open the door.

As soon as he opened it, he saw a man wearing a mask. Tang Qu was momentarily stunned but quickly realized—Guan Yan?!

He suddenly had the urge to slam the door shut, but that obviously wouldn’t be wise.

“Senior Guan.”

“Not calling me ‘uncle’ anymore?” Guan Yan’s voice was muffled through the mask.

Tang Qu lowered his head and didn’t respond.

“Not going to let me in? I brought you a towel.”

His body reacted before his mind could catch up. By the time Tang Qu realized what was happening, Guan Yan was already sitting on the stool inside the room.

“Here.” Guan Yan handed the towel to Tang Qu.

“Thank you, Senior Guan.” Tang Qu quickly accepted it.

Tang Qu fidgeted with the towel in his hands. He wasn’t close to Guan Yan, so why had this man come to see him so late at night?

After a moment of hesitation, Tang Qu asked, “Senior Guan, is there something you need, coming here so late?”

Guan Yan tapped the table with his fingers. “No need to be so formal with me. We’re not that far apart in age.” Guan Yan had an abundance of patience when it came to Tang Qu.

Tang Qu also noticed the hint of familiarity in Guan Yan’s tone, which puzzled him. From what he knew, Guan Yan wasn’t exactly an icy person, but he certainly wasn’t the type to act overly familiar either.

However, Tang Qu wasn’t the type to take advantage of such situations. He took a small step back. “You’re still my senior.”

“Do you like acting?” Guan Yan noticed the script on the table, filled with annotations.

Tang Qu nodded.

Suddenly, Guan Yan stood up and walked step by step toward Tang Qu.

Instinctively sensing danger, Tang Qu also stepped back, one step at a time, until his back hit the door—nowhere left to retreat.

Tang Qu could sense a shadow looming before him.

The distance between the two of them was getting closer and closer.

Guan Yan bent down, placing one hand on the door panel: “Tang Qu, I want to discuss something with you.”

“Discussing something is fine, but Senior Guan, don’t you think the distance is a bit too close now?” Tang Qu’s voice carried a hint of embarrassment, his eyes fixed on the ground because if he looked up, he would be directly facing Guan Yan’s thin lips, which was somewhat awkward.

“No, I think it’s just right,” Guan Yan deliberately spoke close to Tang Qu’s ear.

Tang Qu gritted his teeth inwardly, why was this body so short!

Taking a deep breath, he asked, “What does Senior Guan want to discuss?”

Guan Yan didn’t respond immediately but instead stared at Tang Qu’s ear in a daze. Someone had once told him that if he deliberately got close to someone, regardless of gender, that person would definitely blush. However, Tang Qu clearly wasn’t affected by him, his ears still a normal flesh-pink color.

“Senior Guan?”

Hearing Tang Qu’s voice, Guan Yan snapped out of his thoughts, straightened up, and looked down at Tang Qu, then dropped a bombshell: “I want to invite you to join my studio.”

Tang Qu looked up at Guan Yan in surprise, was this person joking? But the seriousness in Guan Yan’s eyes clearly told him that he wasn’t joking.

Even though Tang Qu wasn’t entirely familiar with the world’s dynamics, based on his own common sense, he knew what Guan Yan’s words represented.

Guan Yan’s influence was undeniable, and even top-tier celebrities would compete to sign with his studio. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that signing some super A-listers would be fitting. Now, Guan Yan was personally inviting him, which was like a pie falling from the sky for him.

However, Tang Qu firmly stated, “I refuse.”

Now it was Guan Yan’s turn to be surprised; he had never expected to be rejected.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“I do, and I’m very clear-headed. Thank you for your favor, Senior Guan, but I refuse.”

Guan Yan was only momentarily surprised and quickly regained his composure, speaking in a calm tone, “Do you know what you’re rejecting?”

Tang Qu nodded; he wasn’t a fool, of course, he knew.

Guan Yan stared at Tang Qu, seeing that he wasn’t joking, and took a step back: “Alright. I won’t force you.”

Tang Qu breathed a sigh of relief. Although he didn’t know why Guan Yan wanted to sign him, if Guan Yan really insisted on signing him for some reason, he wouldn’t have any room to resist.

The atmosphere became inexplicably awkward.

At that moment, the door knocked again, and Tang Qu was speechless, why was it so lively tonight?

“Xiao Qu, are you in there?”

Hearing Director Chen’s voice, Tang Qu quickly turned to open the door: “Director Chen.”

“Xiao Qu, is Guan Yan here?” Director Chen glanced behind Tang Qu and saw Guan Yan: “Guan Yan, come out quickly, Jiang Ge is looking for you.”

Guan Yan didn’t say anything, just walked towards the door. Tang Qu quickly stepped aside. As Guan Yan reached the doorway, he paused: “If you regret it, you can find me anytime.”

After they left, Tang Qu leaned against the door panel and let out a sigh of relief, looking at his trembling hands. Signing with Guan Yan’s studio was such a huge temptation, and it would be the fastest way to solve his current predicament. But if he signed, he would be seeing Guan Yan all the time, how could he work normally then!

On the other side, Director Chen, who left with Guan Yan, kept giving Tang Qu a rather peculiar look the entire way. It wasn’t until they got into the car that he finally spoke up, “Guan Yan, you’re not actually developing some improper thoughts about Tang Qu, are you?”