Chapter 64: Shouldn’t I at least give it a try?

Chapter 64: Shouldn't I at least give it a try?

The three people in the sickroom were all looking at Rong Xiao, enveloped in a moment of silence.

It felt like centuries had passed before Yun Zi'an realized he should be the one to speak up, "Rong..."

Rong Xiao spoke with unparalleled confidence shadowing his figure, "All your chases and gunfights are child's play in my eyes."

Zong Ziren stared unblinkingly at Rong Xiao, considering his physical suitability for the role of Meng Hai.

Just as he said, the action scenes and stunts that ordinary actors found challenging and needed doubles for, were indeed child's play for Rong Xiao, a CYO.

"But..." Zong Ziren was caught in a fierce struggle, "You have no acting experience..."

"I've read the script. Meng Hai is gay," Rong Xiao's gaze was calm and straightforward, "And I happen to be gay too."

At these words, Zong Ziren and Chong Guan's eyes simultaneously turned to Yun Zi'an, seemingly certain of some special relationship between them.

Yun Zi'an, feeling their stares, broke out in a cold sweat and said to Rong Xiao with a stiff upper lip, "Hey, this is not some game..."

"Meng Hai grew up amidst turmoil, witnessed what real hell on earth is, which led him to seek justice in ways contrary to righteousness, and thus he embarked on a no-return path," Rong Xiao, ignoring Yun Zi'an's words, continued to fix his gaze on Zong Ziren with an overwhelming presence, "Director, throughout the entire entertainment industry, I doubt there's an actor who has actually killed someone, right?"

"Can they truly comprehend the struggle between rationality and animalistic desire in a moment of life and death?"

"Murder is actually an unparalleled art form. War, as the highest expression of conflict, contains an aesthetic that is..."

"Acting isn't like this!" Yun Zi'an was almost restraining his own anger, not understanding what Rong Xiao was really thinking, "Stop it, Rong Xiao!"

Perhaps art and beauty are the eternal pursuits of every director. Art is the vessel for emotions, and beauty is the means to infuse those emotions into people's hearts.

Zong Ziren seemed almost drawn, standing up from his chair, looking up directly into Rong Xiao's eyes, his voice trembling, "You..."

In that moment, Rong Xiao appeared like a fallen, arrogant Satan, leading to either destruction or rebirth, the curve of his lips intriguing, "Isn’t it wonderful? To mold a newcomer like me, who has never acted, into the character of Meng Hai..."

He stared at Zong Ziren like a hunter, speaking deliberately, word by word—

"I am Meng Hai, and Meng Hai is me."

Yun Zi'an closed his eyes, sighing deeply. Once those words were spoken, he knew the outcome.

"Good..." Zong Ziren was so excited he was at a loss for words, just holding Rong Xiao's hand tightly, his eyes shining with fervor, "This is just too good..."

Watching their perfect harmony, Yun Zi'an touched his own neck and averted his gaze, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Why exactly did Rong Xiao want to get involved in acting? What was he really thinking...

He's truly enigmatic...

"Let me show you what a man's revenge looks like," Rong Xiao said, moving to the bedside, looking down at Chong Guan, "It’s not about going to one's death weeping, but rather—"

"Climbing a mountain higher than his, then destroying everything he relies on." The corners of Rong Xiao's mouth lifted slightly, "That Gong Tai is so arrogant, right? Then you should publicly step on his head, pour all the red wine on his face, and show him what true arrogance looks like."

Chong Guan seemed to take his words as preaching, flipping off the blanket in anger, "You think just because you—"

Just because of what?

"Identity?"

"Status?"

"Or capability?"

However, before he could voice his question, Rong Xiao firmly pressed his head down, pinning him to the sickbed with a mocking tone, "What? Don’t have the courage to climb higher than Gong Tai? Feel you don’t have the ability?"

"Those without ability, even in death, fade into obscurity," Rong Xiao said, looking down at him with a scornful smile, "That's why there’s a difference between being as heavy as Mount Tai and as light as a feather."

Expecting Chong Guan to resist as usual, surprisingly, under Rong Xiao’s palm, he remained unexpectedly docile, his pupils trembling, lips tightly pressed together.

Rong Xiao flicked his forehead and chuckled, "Live well."

With those words, what happens next was up to him. Rong Xiao turned to face Zong Ziren, "Director, let's go out and talk about the movie investment."

"Okay..." Few could say no in the face of Rong Xiao's imposing aura. Zong Ziren hesitated, glancing at Yun Zi'an and Chong Guan, "You two..."

Leaning against the wall, Yun Zi'an casually waved his hand, "We won’t start a fight."

Reassured, Zong Ziren nodded and followed Rong Xiao out.

The sickroom fell silent instantly. Yun Zi'an didn’t look at Chong Guan, simply enjoying the view outside the window, occasionally overhearing snippets of Rong Xiao and Zong Ziren’s conversation in the corridor.

"The film's target positioning is like this..."

"We've also assessed the future market trends..."

Jiao Caramel Hall...

Rong Xiao's voice, for some reason, was very low, making it hard to discern his words. Yun Zi'an even grew curious, wondering what exactly he was saying to Zong Ziren.

"To clarify the true nature of their relationship?"

"To reveal his position as an executive director?"

"Or... to continue weaving lies with more lies?"

With too many questions crowding his mind, Yun Zi'an wasn't paying much attention to outside sounds. Absorbed in thought, he suddenly felt someone approaching from behind and instinctively turned around to block—

Chong Guan, caught off guard, was struck on the nose. Holding the painful spot, he stumbled backward a few steps, bending his back and trembling, "Uh..."

"Sorry..." Yun Zi'an immediately stepped forward, but his outstretched hand froze mid-air, "..."

Chong Guan lifted his eyes, tears of pain in his eyes, making his gaze seem less fierce, "I'm saying sorry to you, can't you hear?!"

"Huh?" Yun Zi'an was momentarily stunned, "What?"

"I'm sorry!" Chong Guan, even in apology, didn't bow his head submissively, "It was my fault for dragging you into this!"

In front of Yun Zi'an, he closed his eyes, "Hit me then."

They weren't children, where a mistake meant a beating. At this moment, Yun Zi'an saw a childlike innocence in Chong Guan, and his dislike for him lessened, "Forget it."

"No." Chong Guan grabbed his wrist, his eyes stubborn, "Then I'll have to think you don't want to forgive me."

"Well..." Yun Zi'an eyed him for a moment, then suddenly struck out like lightning, causing Chong Guan to instinctively close his eyes.

A fierce palm wind lifted towards him, but the anticipated pain didn’t follow. Instead, there was a 'thud' as his forehead was flicked.

Yun Zi'an still held the flicking pose, smiling, "Let it be then."

In Chong Guan's astonished gaze, Yun Zi'an turned and walked away, arms crossed. He casually took the cigarette box from the bedside table, and just before leaving the room, he waved his hand, "Cover for me."

After a long while, Chong Guan, with one hand on his forehead and the other covering his mouth, slowly squatted down, his cheeks flushing more than ever before...

Rong Xiao stood in the corridor, watching Zong Ziren leave. After a few seconds of contemplation, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed Meng Wen's contact number, seeking his help to handle some international official matters.

"Beep—"

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable..."

Amidst the mechanical female voice repeating in both Chinese and English, Rong Xiao's expression turned to surprise. He looked down at his phone screen, double-checking the time. It was only eight in the evening in China, and yet Meng Wen's phone was unreachable?

Instantly, Yan Si's cunning, fox-like smile and the sharp glint reflected off his glasses flashed through his mind.

This was bad news!

Meanwhile, back in China:

Yan Si led the way, and as he walked through the spacious flat, lights flickered on, illuminating the neat and clean home decor.

Meng Wen followed silently behind him, scrutinizing the entire space.

"Make yourself at home," Yan Si said as he lounged in a bar stool, spreading his arms with a smile, "Welcome to my place."

As Meng Wen stepped forward, he suddenly felt something unusual under his feet. Looking down, he saw the edge of a condom package peeking out from a crevice in the carpet, a line of frustration crossing his forehead, "..."

"Oh, right, work requires a uniform," Yan Si suddenly remembered something, approached Meng Wen, and covered his chest with his hand, giving it a squeeze, "Feels nice."

Caught off guard by the inappropriate touch, Meng Wen wondered if he should respond politely. While he was contemplating, he heard Yan Si say, "Then strip down."

This statement made Meng Wen suddenly lift his head, his gaze even tainted with malice. He saw Yan Si playfully lifting a pair of men's risqué underwear with his little finger, smirking mischievously, "In my house, you can only wear this."

The underwear was barely there, held up by black straps, and if one were well-endowed, it would probably be revealing.

The gaze between Meng Wen and Yan Si was like a deadly chess match, enveloped in a deathly silence that seemed to last forever. Ultimately, it was Meng Wen who admitted defeat.

He silently began unbuttoning his suit vest, then proceeded to strip off his clothes, one piece at a time.

"Oh right," Yan Si, true to his sly nature, suddenly acted as if he remembered something, "Before official work, there's an internship."

He sat on the sofa, smiling at Meng Wen. His legs, wrapped in suit pants, spread apart. His fingers caressed his lower abdomen and slid downwards, "I need to test your 'abilities' for the job, right?"