Chapter 31: Reality: Hot Pot

Chapter 31: Reality: Hot Pot

The man who had arrived was robust, with thick, bushy eyebrows that seemed fake, prominently attached to his forehead.

His round, large eyes and broad nose were well-suited for his square face. On his upper lip, he sported a small mustache, while a stubble graced his chin, giving off an impression of someone articulate and shrewd.

"Tai Ge is here," Tuan Mi, seated at the outer edge, promptly stood up, making room inside. "We've just placed our order, the pot hasn't been lit yet. Please take a look if there's anything else you'd like."

"No need, no need," Ding Tai pulled out a chair and sat down, positioning himself right next to Yan Qiling. "I'll just eat whatever you guys have. I accompanied them on set this afternoon, didn't even have time to drink water. I'm starving."

Ming Yiyang, seated to Yan Qiling's left, had been studying the wine list when he sensed an unfamiliar gaze sweeping over him. The man called "Brother Tai" was sipping his water while peering at him with round eyes.

This man's gaze was different from Director Zhang's or Director Wang's; he felt as if he had become a living cash cow, shimmering in plain sight for all to see.

"..." Why were Yan Qiling's colleagues so peculiar?

Ding Tai finished the water in his glass with a glug and shifted his gaze to greet Chi Zihe first, "President Chi, you've timed your visit perfectly. If it were a couple of days later, Teacher Yan and I might not be in Guang City anymore. Teacher Yan has been doing quite well lately, with several high-end luxury brands inviting him to shoot product ads."

Chi Zihe chuckled, "That's wonderful. We're about to have a big star on our table. Let me toast to Teacher Yan and President Ding in advance."

Ming Yiyang expected Yan Qiling to substitute alcohol with tea.

As predicted, that was exactly what Yan Qiling did, but Chi Zihe and Ding Tai seemed accustomed to it and didn't comment. They each took a couple of sips before engaging in animated conversation, as if they regretted not meeting earlier and couldn't help but lean in closer to each other.

"Ai, President Chi, you have no idea. If Teacher Yan were to show just a little leniency and agree to appear on a variety show, tsk, not only would he make waves within the industry, his face alone would guarantee him stardom!"

Ding Tai slapped his thigh loudly, an expression of deep regret on his face.

"Endorsements and scripts would flood in until his hands hurt. Earning a million annually would be peanuts; with good fortune, he could easily surpass that figure."

"You must be drooling over that prospect then."

Chi Zihe stroked the tassel on his left ear, leaning on his elbow on the table as he cleverly shifted the conversation's direction.

"Based on the profit sharing, if he earns a million a year, you'd at least get tens of thousands, right? So, is the business not doing well lately?"

Ding Tai glanced at Tuan Mi, who was pretending to be deaf, and without any hesitation, he passed the question back to the subject:

"There's no need for Teacher Yan to worry about market trends! Any trend can flourish with Teacher Yan around. He's a money tree, but unfortunately, it's not for anyone else to shake."

Yan Qiling used the public chopsticks to pick a piece of meat for him, smiling as he said, "President Ding, you're exaggerating. If I were a money tree, I'd be the first one shaking it. Nobody else would have to urge me."

Everyone burst into laughter for a moment, but after the amusement subsided, Ding Tai couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment:

"Mr. Yan, you see, our relationship is like this piece of meat. I can only have a taste if you choose to pick it up... How about reconsidering that non-celebrity reality show I mentioned earlier?"

"You've seen the offer they made, it's quite attractive. There's no rush in terms of schedule, and it's not one of those competitive shows. It's just a group of young people exploring relationships."

"The director is my senior, someone I trust. He really wants you to give it a shot – he's called me over a dozen times."

At the mention of young people dating, Chi Zihe's gossip radar lit up:

"You want Mr. Yan to join a dating reality show?! Impressive, CEO Ding."

"How could I?!"

Ding Tai hastily refuted:

"I'm suggesting that Mr. Yan be a mentor on the show, giving feedback on the participants' interactions in their relationships. Mr. Yan has a wealth of experience, speaks eloquently, and looks great. If he agrees to participate, he'll definitely become a sensation."

Yan Qiling chuckled.

"Ding Tai, I really can't do that."

"You can, you just don't want the money."

Ding Tai was displeased with Yan Qiling's refusal and resumed eating his meat, his tone sulky:

"Am I just a tool for providing opportunities? My senior has introduced me to several gigs before. You can't always make me owe people favors without ever repaying them, right?"

However, he knew that Yan Qiling's background wasn't so straightforward. If he became popular and something was dug up, it could lead to big trouble. Thus, he didn't dare press the issue too hard.

But the thought of letting such a lucrative opportunity slip through his fingers left him feeling uneasy.

Surprisingly, Yan Qiling looked at him thoughtfully and softened his stance gently:

"Since you put it that way, if they need me, I can appear as a guest without taking any pay."

Ding Tai looked up in surprise and immediately replied:

"How could you not take pay? Even close brothers keep accounts. What's yours is yours, and if you're willing to go, that's all that matters."

"Well then, carry on with your negotiation. Once you've settled it, deal with the aftermath as you see fit."

The man nonchalantly placed his long chopsticks by the side of his bowl. Even a down-to-earth dish like hotpot seemed to exude an ethereal quality under his touch.

"People's favors should always be repaid in kind. If I were to take money, it wouldn't be considered returning the favor. Ding Tai, you've helped me a lot, and I won't let you be in a difficult position."

Ding Tai was momentarily at a loss for words. He stared at him for a moment before patting his back and saying, "Good brother, I didn't misjudge you."

Ming Yiyang was somewhat surprised.

He had initially thought that understanding Yan Qiling's profession would at least give him some insight into the man's background.

However, from their conversation with the agent, he sensed a subtle ambiguity.

Yan Qiling was just an unknown model for a print magazine. Logically speaking, no matter how strikingly handsome he might be, if all his resources were controlled by his agent, he should still be at the mercy of others.

But now, it seemed as if the agent was the one pleading with him.

But how much profit could such pleading generate? From their conversation, it seemed Yan Qiling's annual income was far from a million, possibly not even reaching six figures.

His fingers involuntarily reached for the soft cigarette in his inner pocket, then hesitated slightly.

When faced with something he couldn't comprehend, he had the habit of lighting up a cigarette. But Yan Qiling was right here.

Not wanting to make a scene in front of outsiders, he quietly withdrew his hand.

What he had initially thought was clear had now become blurred.

Yan Qiling was like a mist that alternated between near and far. The closer Ding Tai got, the more he saw, and the more he realized how vast and unfathomable this fog truly was.

Having settled a significant matter, Ding Tai finally had the chance to once again study the silver-haired youth who had remained silent all along.

This man had high brows and deep features; he was so handsome that the term "handsome" didn't do him justice – "unparalleled beauty" was a more fitting description.

If he were to act in a drama, with just his face alone, and some proper promotion, he would undoubtedly secure the lead roles without a doubt.

Ding Tai wondered about the man's age. If he wasn't too old...

Before he could gather the courage to speak, Chi Zihe interrupted his thoughts with a smile:

"CEO Ding, have you taken a liking to my company's top employee?"