Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

Lu Yan contacted a friend from high school.

He wasn’t exactly a friend; he was one of the troublemaking friends Lu Yan had known during his wild high school days, the kind who didn’t care about studying. The reason Lu Yan reached out to him was that this guy had dropped out of high school and dived into the streets. While he hadn’t made a name for himself, he was still capable of messing things up or beating someone up if needed.

Truth be told, Lu Yan had mostly forgotten about his high school classmates and hadn’t kept in touch with any of them. Invitations to class reunions never reached him. He got this guy’s contact info when he was recognized at a bar and the guy insisted on giving it to him.

Who would’ve thought it’d actually be useful.

Zhou Ming’s wedding was set for the afternoon. The guy said it was too last-minute and asked Lu Yan to meet him outside to discuss the payment.

Lu Yan bundled up completely and was about to head out. Just as he reached the door, he hesitated, turned back, and grabbed a small knife from the drawer, placing it in his bag.

The guy wasn’t exactly trustworthy, so it was always good to be prepared.

When he called the elevator, he saw it was stuck on the 28th floor.

The apartment building only had 29 floors, which was Gu Xu’s floor.

Before Lu Yan could process it, the elevator started moving down.

The doors slid open, and Gu Xu stood inside. He wasn’t in a suit today, just a black casual outfit and sneakers, looking laid-back, which made him seem less distant than usual.

Gu Xu looked him over. Usually, Lu Yan’s disguise was just a mask and a hat, but today he was bundled up in long sleeves, completely covered, despite the summer heat.

"Come in," Gu Xu said casually, "Let's go eat."

Lu Yan blinked. Why did Gu Xu always want to take him out to eat every time they met?

"Today, I..."

Before he could say he was tied up, his phone rang. It was the guy. Lu Yan waved his phone, signaling Gu Xu to go on without him, then walked to the stairwell to answer the call.

"Bro Yan, I... I’m in a bit of a bind. I can’t do that thing you asked for."

"What?" Lu Yan frowned, "We agreed..."

"Anyway, it’s off! That’s it, I’m busy, don’t call me again!" The other person hung up in a hurry.

Lu Yan was confused. When they had met at the bar, the guy had been very eager, and last night when they talked, he had sounded almost flattered. Why was he backing out so suddenly?

And his tone just now, it sounded like he was afraid of something.

"Finished?" Gu Xu's voice came from behind. Lu Yan turned around to see him with his hands in his pockets, saying, "Let's go eat."

Lu Yan declined, "No, I have something to take care of."

Gu Xu let out a short laugh, "What, the guy you called bailed, so you're going to do it yourself?"

Lu Yan was silent for a moment, "How did you know?"

Gu Xu didn't answer, just turned and walked away.

By the time they reached the parking lot, Lu Yan had mostly pieced things together. After getting into the car, he said, "You’re the one who got him to back out of my job."

Gu Xu raised an eyebrow, "A job to cause trouble?"

Lu Yan didn't answer him, instead asking, "Why?"

"You're one of our company's artists," Gu Xu said. "The story about you hiring someone to stir up trouble has already been sold to the media. If I hadn’t stopped it, there’d be at least ten cameras waiting for you at the place you were going."

Lu Yan was at a loss for words.

He was already furious yesterday after Zhou Ming went to see Lu Miao, and Lin An’s comments had only made him more upset. He was so caught up in finding someone to stir up trouble that he forgot about this possibility.

Yes, stirring up trouble would only net him a few grand—a drop in the bucket compared to what the media would pay for that kind of scoop.

But hearing Gu Xu’s formal tone, he inexplicably felt annoyed and said coolly, "I didn’t think it through—my bad for causing the company trouble."

After saying that, he reached for the door handle to leave.

Gu Xu reached out and grabbed him: "Where do you think you’re going?"

"I’ve got stuff to do, so I’ll skip lunch." The person he had called was no longer available, so he could go himself.

Gu Xu understood and said, "Still planning to handle it yourself?"

Lu Yan turned his head: "Yes, I’ll make as big a mess as I can. Don’t worry, I’ll disguise myself so well my own mom wouldn’t know it’s me."

Yesterday, when he wanted to return to City B, Gu Xu had booked the ticket for him without asking any questions, and he’d been grateful, even feeling a little flutter in his chest—though he didn’t know why.

But today, when Gu Xu stopped him from causing trouble without asking any questions, he felt down and oddly annoyed.

"Have you considered what happens if you’re recognized?"

"Worst case, I’ll quit acting. I’ll cover the company’s damages in full."

Lu Yan’s tone was downright rude, but Gu Xu didn’t seem angry at all. In fact, the corners of his mouth twitched upward.

He released Lu Yan’s arm.

Without the restraint, Lu Yan opened the door and stepped out—

Gu Xu slammed on the gas. Lu Yan was hit by a blast of wind, startled, and yanked his foot back, slamming the door shut.

He gasped, angry: "What are you doing! I haven’t even gotten out yet!!"

He had actually thought Gu Xu’s driving habits were good before??

Gu Xu repeated with a smile: "Lunch."

"I said, I’ve got stuff to do."

"I won’t let you go. I’ve arranged for people. As soon as you appear in front of that hotel, you’ll be taken away." After saying that, he chuckled lightly, "You can try."

Lu Yan was both angry and amused: "I’m a grown man on the street—you think I’m scared of being dragged off? We live in a society governed by law, boss."

"I said, you can try if you don’t believe me."

"..."

Lu Yan suddenly lost his temper because he felt that nine times out of ten, what Gu Xu said was true.

He just leaned back against the headrest and shut his mouth.

The restaurant they went to this time was completely different from yesterday’s—a Hong Kong-style restaurant. The place wasn’t big, and it was almost full of customers as it was nearing lunchtime. There were several large TVs on the ceiling.

Gu Xu, afraid that Lu Yan would be recognized, chose a secluded spot.

He seemed to be a regular, as the boss lady smiled upon seeing him: "Xiao Xu, long time no see."

Gu Xu also smiled: "I’ve been away on business."

"Is that so? And you brought a friend today?" The boss lady looked surprised at the all covered up Lu Yan. "Is your friend coming down with something? Should I turn up the air conditioning?"

Lu Yan was still preoccupied with Zhou Ming’s mess and didn’t pay close attention. Gu Xu said, "No need, he’s got allergies."

"Oh, what would you like to eat? The usual order?"

"Yes, two of the usual."

Two roast meat combos quickly arrived. Lu Yan snapped out of his thoughts, saw the plates full of meat, checked the prices on the menu, and couldn’t help but say, "Boss lady, with such generous portions, you can’t be making much profit, right?"

"Oh! Shh, keep it down, I hooked you up."

"Ah, thank you."

"Don’t mention it," the boss lady laughed. "Xiao Xu insisted on paying, otherwise I wouldn’t have charged you. Tell me, since when does a student pay their teacher for a meal?"

Lu Yan caught the key point: "Disciple?"

"Yes, haven’t you tried Xiao Xu’s cooking?" The boss lady proudly pointed to the busy chef and boasted, "Xiao Xu cooks really well, learned from my husband."

After the boss lady left, Lu Yan pulled down his mask and dug in.

Since the plan fell through, he could only vent his frustration through eating.

It was delicious, kinda like Gu Xu’s cooking.

He secretly turned on his phone’s location feature and snapped a screenshot of where he was. He hadn’t paid attention to the route on the way here as he was preoccupied.

Their seats were tucked away, but looking up, they could see the large TV overhead.

The TV was showing a variety show, known for its snarky host who wasn’t afraid to call out even the most popular celebrities or sensitive issues, hence the show’s consistently high ratings.

The host’s voice was sharp, with a lingering tone, akin to a top storyteller in ancient times: "Oh my, look at this little girl, she’s got two faces, huh? Let’s see how I deal with you!"

Gu Xu chuckled, watching Lu Yan with interest.

Perhaps accustomed to the spotlight, Lu Yan usually wore a smile, appearing amiable yet aloof.

The sharp-tongued demeanor he showed in the car was something Gu Xu had never seen before.

Like a puppy whose tail had been stepped on.

Feeling the gaze, Lu Yan looked up and met his eyes: "What are you laughing at?"

Gu Xu mimicked the TV host: "Young man, you’ve got two faces."

"...Likewise."

After the meal, he’d mostly cooled off.

It wasn’t that the anger was gone, but since the plan was off, there was no point in being angry.

Gu Xu wiped his mouth and asked, "Where to next?"

"Back to the apartment," Lu Yan replied, playing with his phone without looking up.

Gu Xu's phone rang; he answered with a few brief "hmm"s and then hung up. He stood up and said, "There’s an urgent matter at the company. Take a taxi back on your own."

After speaking, he tugged Lu Yan's mask up a bit: "Be careful. Don’t get recognized."

In the taxi, the driver cheerfully hummed along to the music: "Hey, buddy, why are you dressed so heavily?"

Lu Yan used the excuse Gu Xu had just given him: "Allergies."

Noticing his mood, the driver didn’t say anything else. Lu Yan mindlessly scrolled through Weibo when a message suddenly popped up at the top of the screen.

Shi Qing: Director Chen’s throwing a fit.

Lu Yan: What happened?

Shi Qing: Your junior keeps messing up takes, slowing us down, and today he asked Director Chen for a whole week off. Chen Jing didn’t approve it, so Lin Qing just booked a flight and left today.

Shi Qing: Chen Jing’s livid. She just finished chewing out Lin Qing’s agent and is now yelling at your company’s staff, demanding to replace him.

As soon as he finished reading, Chen Jing called.

"I didn’t approve Lin Qing’s leave, and he just booked a flight and went back!" Her frustration was palpable: "I’m furious! What’s wrong with these newcomers? Not one of them is reliable! I called your company, and they brushed me off, saying the person in charge is busy—busy with what?! What kind of actor just walks out in the middle of filming?! Go ask your company’s person in charge what they’re going to do about this!"

"Fire him."

"What?" Chen Jing was taken aback.

"I said if you’re not happy, replace him."

Chen Jing had thought that since Lin Qing was on a paid set and Lu Yan’s junior, she couldn’t be too harsh. That’s why she called Lu Yan—but she didn’t expect this response.

"...Seriously, replace him?"

Lu Yan’s tone was icy: "You decide. Don’t drag me into Lin Qing’s issues. I’m not close to him. Whether you keep him or not, don’t factor me in."

After hanging up, Lu Yan kept scrolling through Weibo but couldn’t focus on anything.

Did Gu Xu rush off because of Lin Qing?

On set, his attitude towards Lin Qing wasn’t warm.

Were they in a cold war?

Or were they arguing?

Lu Yan threw his phone into his bag, not thinking about it anymore.

Either way, it wasn’t his problem.