“Hot pot,” Jian Yang swallowed and instinctively sensed danger.

“Did he invite you?” Guan Ciyan asked.

“No, I invited him. The contract was hanging with his company, so… I just wanted to thank him,” Jian Yang no longer had the courage to meet Guan Ciyan’s gaze. He lowered his head, poking the cake with his fork.

The beautiful, pure white cream cake was poked by Jian Yang, leaving a dense array of small holes. Guan Ciyan lowered his eyes to look at the cake, lifted his eyelids, and his gaze seemed to have weight. “I’m afraid it’s not just this, is it?”

“Huh?” Jian Yang didn’t quite understand. “Yes, well, when I was kicked out of the Jian family, it was Wei Wei who gave me my first job. If he hadn’t let me play that background dead man role, you wouldn’t have let me star in the Wenye film, right? Haha.”

Jian Yang laughed alone. Tears flowed inside.

Guan Ciyan was too oppressive. If he didn’t agree, then he didn’t agree. Why make it so serious?

“Of course,” Guan Ciyan smiled along with him, but the smile was chilling.

Yes, he had kept Jian Yang by his side, coaxing him down from his repeated runaway attempts, giving him a company, teaching him how to handle things. But in the end, it was just Wei Wei who gave him that first job.

To have him team up with Wei Wei to beg for favors here and still try to hide it.

Was he that clueless to fall for these cheap tricks? Did he really think he was as foolish as Jian Yang? Trying to make money by arranging connections? A rising director like Wei Wei still needed someone to make connections for him? Does Fuyu Sheng Tang’s investment department need a go-between for a new director?

What’s in it for his company? No public credit, no significant money.

“Sir, if you don’t think it’s appropriate, then forget it,” Jian Yang mustered the courage to give up.

He had gotten a little carried away, asking for everything. Was Guan Ciyan the kind of person who’d take the loss? A man who doesn’t let go without results, could he be fooled? Jian Yang regretted it, he had been careless.

Guan Ciyan reached out to grab Jian Yang’s hand on the table, and Jian Yang raised his hand to tap his own head. Guan Ciyan silently placed his hand back on the table.

“Okay.”

“Huh?” Jian Yang thought he misheard.

“Tomorrow, I’ll talk to the people in the investment department and have them get an understanding,” Guan Ciyan stood up, took away the cake that Jian Yang had poked full of holes, and threw it in the trash. “If you can’t eat it, don’t force yourself.”

Clink—

The door clicked shut.

Leaving Jian Yang alone, holding a spoon, sitting at the table, stunned.

What just happened???

“Oh?” Jian Yang spread his hands, “Is this damn thing angry again?”

“If you don’t agree, then don’t, why throw a tantrum? Throw a tantrum and then agree.”

“Wow, still calling me childish? Who’s more childish now?”

Jian Yang walked back and forth in the room, talking to himself, “I didn’t do anything wrong, right? He’s the one who threw the tantrum first.”

“I didn’t force him to agree.”

“Who could force him?”

Jian Yang scratched his head, feeling deflated as he sat on the bed. “Ah—”

“How annoying.”

Jian Yang lay down on the bed and rolled over, noticing the half-cut cake. It was his favorite flavor, and it would take a long time to get one. He got up, wrapped the cake, and put it in the fridge.

He really couldn’t understand Guan Ciyan.

Guan Ciyan lit another incense, the scent filling the air. His chaotic emotions were slowly suppressed.

The words Jian Yang had said to him today, two months ago, Jian Yang could never have said. At the start, he would feel uneasy for deceiving Director Xu. Now, he could lie to him without a word.

Whose fault was that? It was because he taught him well, and Jian Yang learned quickly.

He was smarter than he thought.

Guan Ciyan pinched his brow and then felt like he shouldn’t have been so harsh. He seemed to have scared Jian Yang. When Jian Yang had looked at him at the end, he had forgotten to blink. It was his fault; he had let Jian Yang believe he liked him, then pushed him to work every day, making his heart drift towards Wei Wei.

From another perspective, Jian Yang’s actions weren’t bad. Wei Wei was a good director, and there would definitely be times when he would be useful. Jian Yang also needed to expand his own network. The fact that he thought of this meant he had the qualities to survive in the entertainment industry.

As the incense burned out, the tension inside Guan Ciyan eased.

He was ten years older than Jian Yang. Why bother arguing with a child?

Guan Ciyan went downstairs, where Zhang Bo was getting ready to sleep. “Sir, do you need anything?”

“You go ahead.”

Guan Ciyan found a small milk pot, heated a cup of milk, and brought it to Jian Yang’s room, knocking on the door.

Jian Yang: I really can’t eat another bite.

“Sir, how come you…”

“Drink some milk to sleep better,” Guan Ciyan said.

Jian Yang: “Do I really need milk for better sleep?”

…

“Not letting me in?”

“Oh, okay.” Jian Yang moved aside.

The small dining area had already been cleaned up, and the half-eaten cake on the large table was gone. Guan Ciyan’s gaze darkened slightly. “I should have known you overate outside.”

“Yeah.” Jian Yang sighed regretfully. “I should’ve opened it tomorrow, now half a cake is wasted. It’s such a shame.”

Guan Ciyan looked down at his face, seeing the genuine regret, and surprisingly felt a bit more at ease.

“It’s fine. I saved the other half. You can have it tomorrow.”

“You saved it?” Guan Ciyan had thought he threw it away.

“Why would I throw it away?” Jian Yang looked at him with a bit of reproach. “That’s such a waste.”

Guan Ciyan softened his expression and patted Jian Yang’s head. “Sorry, I was impatient earlier.”

“Exactly,” Jian Yang chimed in. “You can be mad at me, but why throw away the cake?”

Guan Ciyan chuckled. That was what he meant.

However, it seemed that Jian Yang hadn’t held onto the little friction earlier, which was good.

“Tomorrow, have Jiang Ke prepare an investment quote for you. You take a look, and if it’s fine, give it to me. If I think it’s good, I’ll transfer the funds to your company’s account. You can decide how you want to proceed with the collaboration with Wei Wei.”

Jian Yang: Is he dreaming?

“You’re being foolish again.” Guan Ciyan pinched Jian Yang’s face.

Jian Yang touched where he was pinched. “Thank, thank you, sir.”

“Don’t be so polite.”

Jian Yang really didn’t understand. In just an hour, Guan Ciyan’s attitude had changed drastically.

“But, can we really just transfer the money like this?”

“After all, I’m the legal representative of your company, and I have shares in it.”

“Oh.” Jian Yang thought about it and couldn’t help but ask, “I have another question, sir.”

“Go ahead.”

“Did you get mad at me earlier?”

Guan Ciyan fell silent, thinking he should have just avoided this question.

“No.” Guan Ciyan rubbed Jian Yang’s head. “I was wrong earlier. You don’t need to worry about it. If you want to say something to me in the future, just say it directly.”

Guan Ciyan was clearly avoiding the topic, but Jian Yang didn’t have the courage to press further. “Can I skip the milk now? Old Su wouldn’t let me eat anything these past few days, so I ate everything I wanted this afternoon… I really can’t eat anymore.”

“Then you should rest early. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to meet someone.” Guan Ciyan was about to leave with the milk, but Jian Yang stopped him.

“It’s not good to waste food, sir. How about you drink it instead?” Jian Yang must have been a little confused, otherwise, he wouldn’t have said such a thing.

At that moment, he took the milk he had just drunk and brought it to Guan Ciyan’s lips.

Guan Ciyan looked down at him. “I drink it?”

“Mm.” Jian Yang nodded.

Guan Ciyan held Jian Yang’s hand, lifted the cup, and drank a sip. Jian Yang pressed the cup into his hand. “Sir, you, drink slowly.”

This gave Guan Ciyan the opportunity to grab Jian Yang’s hand, using it as leverage to finish the milk. “Good night.”

Guan Ciyan closed the door, placed the cup in the kitchen, and felt quite pleased.

The next day, as soon as Jian Yang woke up, Jiang Ke sent him a message saying the shoot would begin in a month, allowing everyone to have the Chinese New Year break. They would also interview other actors.

Jian Yang was just about to find his groove, observing films prior to “Wen Ye,” but he already felt like there wasn’t enough time. He asked Jiang Ke not to arrange any other work and printed the script to prepare for careful study.

Zhang Bo was considerate, even preparing a laser printer and stationery for him. Guan Ciyan really spared no expense…

Wait, didn’t Guan Ciyan say he was going out with him today? Jian Yang hurriedly changed clothes, grabbed some casual wear, then thought that Guan Ciyan probably wouldn’t just let him meet anyone, so he carefully chose an outfit—fresh, Japanese-style, layered striped sweater, corduroy pants, and low-key sneakers, with his hair slightly messy to enhance his youthful look and highlight his appearance.

The bangs were a bit long, covering his eyes, making his pupils less eye-catching.

“Ugh, I’m doomed,” Jian Yang muttered, realizing he had slept in until after ten, then printed the script and packed everything, almost missing noon. He rushed downstairs.

“Sir… where’s the sir?”

Guan Ciyan came down the stairs behind him, looking like he had just finished working out. His sportswear clung to his fit physique, with sleeves rolled up to his forearms, muscles bulging, exuding a strong male energy.

“Sorry, sir. I woke up late,” Jian Yang said, his eyebrows drooping.

“When have you ever gotten up early?” Guan Ciyan stepped down the stairs and stood in front of Jian Yang. “You could sleep as long as you wanted if I hadn’t called you.”

“It’s fine,” Jian Yang patted his chest. “I thought I was late. Are we leaving now?”

“Go change your clothes.” Guan Ciyan looked Jian Yang up and down and shook his head lightly.

Jian Yang raised his hand. “Isn’t it good-looking?”

No one could question his taste!!!

This is so stylish!!!

Jian Yang even spun around, his almond-shaped eyes wide open with seriousness, “Is it really not good-looking?”

Fresh, elegant, and refined, the slightly long white sweater draped over his waist, hiding the lines and making him appear slimmer. Guan Ciyan regarded him like an artwork. “Turn around again.”

Jian Yang turned his body, but his gaze remained fixed on Guan Ciyan’s face. His fluffy head turned left and right, his eyes desperate for Guan Ciyan to give an answer. “Not good-looking?”

Guan Ciyan almost wished he could lock him at home and be the only one to see him, hoping Jian Yang would always dress like this just for him, waiting for a compliment from him.

The desire for possession began to stir inside him. Guan Ciyan suddenly closed his eyes, the blood of the Guan family running through his veins, with its dark genes waiting to be awakened.

“Sir?”

“It’s very good-looking,” Guan Ciyan opened his eyes and said objectively. “It’s a pity only entertainers can dress like this, but Mr. Jian, you can’t.”

“When have you ever gotten up early?” Guan Ciyan stepped down the stairs and stood in front of Jian Yang. “You could sleep as long as you wanted if I hadn’t called you.”

“It’s fine,” Jian Yang patted his chest. “I thought I was late. Are we leaving now?”

“Go change your clothes.” Guan Ciyan looked Jian Yang up and down and shook his head lightly.

Jian Yang raised his hand. “Isn’t it good-looking?”

No one could question his taste!!!

This is so stylish!!!

Jian Yang even spun around, his almond-shaped eyes wide open with seriousness, “Is it really not good-looking?”

Fresh, elegant, and refined, the slightly long white sweater draped over his waist, hiding the lines and making him appear slimmer. Guan Ciyan regarded him like an artwork. “Turn around again.”

Jian Yang turned his body, but his gaze remained fixed on Guan Ciyan’s face. His fluffy head turned left and right, his eyes desperate for Guan Ciyan to give an answer. “Not good-looking?”

Guan Ciyan almost wished he could lock him at home and be the only one to see him, hoping Jian Yang would always dress like this just for him, waiting for a compliment from him.

The desire for possession began to stir inside him. Guan Ciyan suddenly closed his eyes, the blood of the Guan family running through his veins, with its dark genes waiting to be awakened.

“Sir?”

“It’s very good-looking,” Guan Ciyan opened his eyes and said objectively. “It’s a pity only entertainers can dress like this, but Mr. Jian, you can’t.”