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Chapter 150: According to the routine, it’ll probably be you who’ll me.
“Sure, if the director dares to use me, I dare to act,” Huo Niansheng said while asking Ye Ran, “What kind of themes are popular lately?”
“Director Zhao has a script on hand.” Ye Ran smiled and said, “It’s about the Republic of China era. I think Mr. Huo fits well with the aura of that warlord character.”
“What kind of warlord? He sounds like an antagonist.”
“He starts off as an antagonist, but the character is well-rounded, charismatic, a sharpshooter, and skilled in archery. Initially, he’s arrogant and reckless, living lavishly, but this warlord has his own principles. Eventually, he has a change of heart and is willing to sacrifice for the greater good.”
After finishing, Ye Ran chuckled, “Mr. Chen also fits into a role in it, as a modern-minded student returning from overseas.”
“Do they know each other?”
“This student embraces new ideologies, and to rescue his arrested classmates, he disguises himself as a performer and confronts the warlord alone. Surprisingly, he succeeds. He’s brave and resourceful, a very likable character.”
“And then what happens between these two?”
Ye Ran smiled and shook his head, “This is just what I heard from Director Zhao verbally, so the details aren’t clear. But it’s probably a relationship of mutual admiration, love, and hate, a storyline that should be popular with the audience—though also quite heart-wrenching.”
Huo Niansheng patted Chen Wengang’s head, saying, “Following the storyline, you must be the one who ends my life.”
Chen Wengang chuckled, “Naive, who said Director Zhao agreed to let you play?”
Ye Ran pondered for a moment and said, “I remember now that, in the end, one of them personally kills the other — it’s painful, yet they have no choice but to do it themselves. It’s definitely a tear-jerking scene, but I really can’t remember who kills who.”
Huo Niansheng laughed heartily, “Finally got it. Will you help convince Director Zhao to invest? If I can’t resist, I might go ask him about the ending, and maybe have a drink and discuss investment too.”
Ye Ran also laughed, “You’re the investor; I wouldn’t dare to deceive you.”
After chatting for a while, lights lit up in the distance on the sea, and the rescue boat braved the waves, arriving earlier than expected.
The group exited the cabin and put on life jackets on the deck.
Li Hongqiong went down first, followed by the foreign guests. Among the remaining people, Ye Ran felt he should give up his spot.
Chen Wengang tried to push Huo Niansheng’s hand, but before he could yield, Huo Niansheng grabbed his shoulder, saying, “No need to be afraid, go ahead.”
Chen Wengang smiled helplessly, as if wanting to argue that he wasn’t afraid, but Huo Niansheng was already assisting him, helping him cross the ship’s railing.
Ye Ran watched from behind. Huo Niansheng’s grip was strong, and Chen Wengang moved swiftly, smoothly boarding the rescue boat.
Then Huo Niansheng glanced at Ye Ran, who continued to defer, “Mr. Huo, I’ll go next, I’ll wait behind you.”
He didn’t decline either and, in a few swift movements, jumped over.
When it was Ye Ran’s turn, he stopped smiling. The staff also supported him, but he couldn’t help but think of Huo Niansheng from a moment ago.
That gentle voice and protective gestures didn’t seem to fit his identity. In fact, if he were just a playboy who didn’t care about anyone, he would be even more charming. Walking through a crowd of admirers without bending to anyone, only enjoying the admiration of others. With that in mind, some of the expectations Ye Ran had before coming might not be shattered. Director Zhao was right, in this day and age, investors who only put money in without interfering with the creative process are hard to find. Most would at least sleep with a few male and female stars on the set. And this Mr. Huo was even more exceptional, rarely requiring anything in return, not even the stars.
This made Ye Ran consider a desperate move. After all, he was approaching thirty — for an ordinary person, it was still a fairly young age, but for a celebrity, it was an awkward age. How long can one act in idol dramas? To continue, one would inevitably have to transition. The competition in this circle was too fierce; without connections and resources, the path ahead was indeed difficult.
Although someone poured cold water on him, saying that it seemed like there was someone by the other’s side, he only believed half of it.
After all, rumors are just rumors. Who would know if it was true, and even if it wasn’t, who would know if it was a facade?
Back on land, just one night apart, Halley clung to Huo Niansheng as if his life depended on it.
Everyone was in high spirits, chatting in the lobby for a while and recounting the adventures of the night. Halley kept circling around Chen Wengang.
The next morning, Ye Ran went downstairs to the restaurant for breakfast. He was a bit late today and only saw Li Hongqiong carrying a tray. As they passed by the lobby, they could hear the piano through the glass.
The two looked through the carved glass window and saw a grand piano under the high arch, played by Chen Wengang, with Huo Niansheng beside him, smiling as he listened. He propped himself up with his elbows and flipped a page of sheet music for him.
Chen Wengang paused, looked at the sheet music intently, and said a few words.
He made room on the piano bench, and Huo Niansheng sat down beside him. They played together, their hands dancing on the black-and-white keys.
Although Ye Ran had released albums, he didn’t quite understand classical piano pieces. He couldn’t discern the skill level, but the melody seemed like a naturally dreamy love song, resonating with the entire world, perfectly harmonized.
They brought along the German Shepherd, who lay beneath a potted green plant, pawing at its face. Someone had attached a small flower to its ear.
Li Hongqiong remembered something and smiled knowingly: “I almost forgot; I guess this place might be someone’s love nest.”
Ye Ran was stunned and asked with a smile, “Love nest?”
She nodded, took out her phone to secretly record a short video, posted it on her social media, and waved her hand, “It’s a long story… I’ll leave you guys to relive old dreams.”
Later, Li Hongqiong sent Ye Ran and the others back separately in a car.
Huo Niansheng had his own driver, and they headed home from the yacht club. Chen Wengang fell asleep, leaning on his shoulder for a while, and when he woke up, they were already at the intersection of Jiangchao Street. Halley was wagging his tail by the window like a flower.
Its thoughts were as easy to understand as a child’s. It was so happy, not just because it was back home but also because it passed by the pet park near home. And Chen Wengang, being obliging, shouted to stop the car, saying they could take a walk there on the way.
Huo Niansheng handed the house keys to the driver and asked him to go back and help with the luggage.
When they arrived at the park, Chen Wengang loosened the leash, and Halley cheered with a bark, rushing inside on all fours.
When they arrived, Lu Chenlong happened to be taking his little brother for a walk there. “Hey, handsome~”
Chen Wengang was dressed a bit more elegantly than usual and jokingly scolded him, “What’s the big deal!”
Xiao Bao glanced at Chen Wengang and completed his usual greeting ritual, “Hello, Dage.”
Chen Wengang smiled and ruffled his hair. He then looked up at Huo Niansheng, who had his hands in his pockets and was looking down at him.
This time, Xiao Bao seemed to hesitate for a long time before saying, “Hello, uncle.”
“What kind of uncle?” Lu Chenlong picked him up and said, “My brother, you should call him Dage too.”
“It shows our baby doesn’t understand fake politeness and can seriously distinguish between young and old.” Chen Wengang joked and nudged Huo Niansheng with his elbow, “You’re over ten years older than him and still called Dage. Can’t blame the kid for mistaking you, right?”
“Just call me uncle.” Huo Niansheng didn’t mind, but he leaned closer to Chen Wengang’s ear and said with a meaningful tone that only the two of them could hear, “And you? How should we classify our relationship?”
Chen Wengang’s lips still curled upward, but he didn’t respond.
Huo Niansheng repeated in a low voice, “Just call me uncle.”
Chen Wengang secretly smiled and tried to pat him, but Huo Niansheng grabbed his hand and kissed his fingertips.
As it was approaching evening, more and more residents were taking post-dinner walks, and Halley’s group of little friends kept growing, almost forgetting to leave.
They played for a while, until the sunset slanted and smoke rose from all around. Chen Wengang held Xiao Bao’s hand, teaching him to boldly stroke Halley, when they encountered Cheng Bo and his wife walking their Teddy in the pet park.
Chen Wengang glanced at him for a moment, and his first reaction was to smile, “Old classmate, you seem different today?”
Chen Wengang smiled politely and denied it.
Cheng Bo squinted his eyes, looked at him for a while, and seemed to finally notice the source of this discrepancy when he saw Huo Niansheng’s watch. Before he could speak, noticing Cheng Bo’s gaze, Huo Niansheng himself looked down and burst into laughter, “Fake, A-grade.”
Cheng Bo believed him, his expression relaxing a bit, “Actually, A-grade isn’t necessarily cheap! And if you can’t afford it, my advice would be to save up and buy a real Rolex. Even the cheapest ones are only tens of thousands of yuan, but anyway, it’s better to have a real one than a fake one.”
Huo Niansheng sincerely expressed his gratitude, “Okay.”
Lu Chenlong suppressed a laugh, his mouth twisted, and his face red with embarrassment. Seeing him, Cheng Bo joined in their conversation.
Cheng Bo’s usual business talk never ceased, mentioning a project he and his partners were currently working on and boasting about a return rate of up to 10%. He was always aiming high, but he couldn’t come up with anything reliable to say. This time, it was the turn of the two classmates to nod along.
Cheng Bo’s wife also let their own dog join in the fun, but Teddy loved barking, was timid and small, and before long, somehow provoked other big dogs, and several dogs suddenly started barking at each other.
His wife’s face changed, and then she pushed Cheng Bo forward to stop the fight.
After they left, Lu Chenlong approached and quietly discussed with Chen Wengang and Halley in his arms, “Next time their little Teddy comes over, can we call out a few times in advance to give your owner and me some time to escape?”
Chen Wengang chuckled, and Halley obediently wagged his tail.
Xiao Bao overcame his fear of furry things and petted Halley several times in a row, then suddenly turned and pounced into Huo Niansheng’s arms.
Huo Niansheng raised his arms and didn’t resist, letting him play with his fingers.
Lu Chenlong was startled, amused, and helpless, and he quickly pulled his brother back. Xiao Bao was having fun but wouldn’t let go of Huo Niansheng’s hand. Lu Chenlong apologized repeatedly, but Huo Niansheng just smiled lightly.
He glanced at Chen Wengang and said magnanimously, “It’s okay, he’s just a kid.”
A while later, they encountered Grandma Zhou, who came out to enjoy the cool breeze. Grandma Zhou walked unsteadily, supported by Yu Shanding, who came to visit her. With her legs not in good condition, the dessert shop has now hired a clerk to watch over it. A group of familiar faces went to her shop to eat dessert together.
The Lu brothers ordered sesame paste and walnut paste, Yu Shanding ordered sweet potato dessert, and Chen Wengang ordered lotus seed and lily dessert.
After looking at the menu for a while, Huo Niansheng ordered a sugar-frosted pear. When Chen Wengang’s dessert arrived, he specifically went to snatch it from him.
Grandma Zhou was in a good mood today, bustling in and out, busy everywhere. Yu Shanding followed behind her, unable to grab anything, and as a result, his pants got caught on a nail. Suddenly, there was a tearing sound, and when he realized it, Lu Chenlong laughed the most exaggeratedly, showing no mercy at all.
Huo Niansheng just curled his lips and didn’t say anything. Chen Wengang couldn’t help but cover his mouth and laugh while facing the wall for a while. Only Xiao Bao inexplicably raised his head to glance at the adults, holding the spoon and eating with his head down. Halley sat under the table, sitting on his feet.
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