Chapter 23 What Kind of Nonsense? The Kind with Grenades in Your Pants?

Chapter 23 What Kind of Nonsense? The Kind with Grenades in Your Pants?

Lu Yuanhang was truly furious.

Was he someone who could be bullied so easily?

How dare a mere cameraman get above himself?!

"I see you don't want to work anymore!"

Lu Yuanhang gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with venom, as if ready to tear someone apart.

The cameraman was also getting irritated. "Why don't you request a different cameraman?"

Lu Yuanhang's smile was forced and menacing. "You seem eager to die."

The cameraman had no interest in engaging further with such threats.

The outburst wasn't sudden.

After all, they had been putting up with this for a while since the filming began.

In front of the camera, Lu Yuanhang could still put on an act, appearing gentle and kind to gain public sympathy.

But once off-camera, he became domineering and demanding,

complaining constantly and showing no respect to the staff.

Behind the scenes, everyone in the production team was thoroughly fed up with this troublesome diva with rare blood type.

If not for Lu Siqi's superpowers, he probably wouldn't survive this season of the show!

The cameraman didn't bother with him anymore, practicing indifference and emotional detachment,

knowing that netizens would vent their anger on his behalf...

After another ten minutes, Lu Yuanhang found it boring and pushed open the classroom door, returning to his seat.

His departure and return went unnoticed, like a ripple in the air.

Soon, class ended, and the guests temporarily named the Vendetta Squad left the classroom.

While jogging at the training field and waiting for dinner, Jian Li's phone rang.

The production team was quite relaxed, allowing calls anytime except during training.

He answered without hesitation. "Lao Li, what's up?"

"There is, and it's big news!" Li Lin's voice was excited. "A web series wants you as the lead, fifty thousand per episode, thirty episodes total, fifteen million altogether. If you pass the audition, they'll pay half upfront!"

Compared to his agent's elation, Jian Li remained calm. "What kind of series? That much money?"

"Two male leads! It's a popular BL IP with a huge fan base. I've read the script; it's very faithful to the source material. With some luck, you'll become an overnight sensation!" Li Lin sounded desperate, as if he wanted to bring the contract right now to have Jian Li sign it on the island.

"No thanks." Jian Li responded instantly, succinctly.

Li Lin was taken aback. "Why?!"

"Why should I, a straight guy, do a gay drama?" Jian Li smiled wryly. "Find me some war dramas instead; I love defending my country amidst gunfire."

Li Lin, "..."

What kind of nonsense?

The kind with grenades in your pants?

Are you out of your mind? Those are only popular with middle-aged and elderly people who enjoy over-the-top dramas!

"Alright, gotta go." Jian Li hung up before his agent could react.

Li Lin stared at the screen, speechless.

Is this kid not short on money anymore?!

—

Tucking his phone back into his pocket, Jian Li heard his stomach growl.

No help for it; his recent increased exercise had made his appetite soar,

as if trying to make up for years of deprivation. Food seemed to disappear into a bottomless pit.

Typical case of never feeling full, a hyperthyroidism candidate.

Just as he was about to head to the kitchen for a snack, his phone beeped again.

Glancing at it, Jian Li sneered.

"Time to pay the interest on your father's gambling debt, isn't it? You signed the IOU, so hiding won't help. Even the court will rule against you!"

After a quick look, he typed, "Then sue me; I'll wait for the summons."

These days, are loan sharks so law-abiding?

Talking about IOUs?

Isn't exceeding the bank's interest rate just for show?

Not to mention illegal gambling?

Jian Li couldn't stop smiling.

"Kid, don't refuse the wine and opt for the beating instead. Watch out, or we'll come after you and cripple you! Don't forget you were in the hospital for half a month last time!"

Jian Li laughed again. "Oh, I'm so scared. I'll welcome you anytime, but not these two days—I'm filming a variety show."

"Even though the pay is good, I won't pay it back."

Seeing this text message, the debt collector immediately lost his composure and looked at his boss for help. "Isn't Jian Li being too much? Who did he learn to be so sharp-tongued from?!"

The boss walked over and glanced at the chat history. "He's just putting up a front! Every time we visited, didn't he cry in fear?!"

The subordinate suddenly hesitated. "Boss, have you been following 'The Lone Hero'? I feel like Jian Li has changed a bit? He's pretty impressive in the show!"

The boss dismissed it. "How impressive can someone that skinny be? Don't you know those shows are scripted?!"

"But..." The subordinate wanted to say more.

The boss waved him off. "Find Jian Li's father first. This guy deserves a beating; if we hit him hard enough, he'll turn to his son!"

"Alright." The subordinate nodded.

———

Jian Li hadn't even put away his phone when someone leaned over,

"Who was it? Still chasing debts?" Yuan Feng stared curiously at the screen.

Jian Li glanced at him. "Do you enjoy prying into others' privacy?"

"Sorry."

Undercover job habit!

Yuan Feng realized his mistake and quickly withdrew his gaze. In the next second, he kindly asked, "It doesn't look like a legitimate loan company. How did you get involved with..."

"It's because of his gambling-addicted dad," Lu Yuanhang interjected impatiently. "He even borrowed quite a lot from my brother!"

Luo Xiaohong, who had just arrived, frowned. "Why are you always sticking your nose in? Are you asking for trouble?"

"I..." Lu Yuanhang was taken aback by her rebuke. "I was just stating the facts."

"That's true," Jian Li said nonchalantly with a smile. "My scumbag dad is a compulsive gambler who owes money and forces me to write IOUs."

Shi Huayi and Zhou Nan gave him sympathetic looks and casually asked, "What's the name of the company he owes money to?"

"Let me think," Jian Li scratched his head. "Juyuanbao?"

As soon as he said this, he felt a piercing gaze on him.

Looking instinctively, he saw Huo Xiao standing nearby, his jaw clenched and lips pressed together, silent.

Upon hearing the name of the debt collection company, the guests fell into silence.

The surrounding atmosphere became strangely eerie.

Yuan Feng: Could it be the same capital firm my team is investigating?!

Shi Huayi: Is this the company suspected of money laundering?!

Zhou Nan: The one with close ties to foreign institutions seems to be called something 'Bao'!

Luo Xiaohong: Is this the company I sent my disciple to infiltrate and dismantle?!

Huo Xiao: It's getting cold; Juyuanbao should go bankrupt.

Jian Li: ...

What the hell are those faces about?!

Could it be they also owe money to this company?!