Chapter 97: High-Profile Enough
Huo Qingyan took out the documents from the bag, laid them flat, and carefully examined them.
After a while, he finished reading.
They were indeed useless.
Seeing Huo Qingyan lost in thought, Zhou Fu said, “Mr. Huo, you haven’t been sleeping well lately. Should you see a doctor for some sleeping pills?”
Huo Qingyan turned his head and coldly asked, “What do you mean?”
Zhou Fu weakly whispered, “I think you’re overthinking things…”
Seeing Huo Qingyan’s expression unchanged, Zhou Fu continued, “If Bai Mu really had some amazing scheme, he wouldn’t have experienced those things. Maybe he just genuinely likes Mr. Jiang. Isn’t he a fan of Mr. Jiang’s…?”
Before this, he had already given Mr. Huo a file on Bai Mu.
Bai Mu grew up in an orphanage, and later became a model because of his good looks, then naturally took the art exam.
However, his experiences in the entertainment industry were even more difficult than his background.
Zhou Fu had met Bai Mu several times. Bai Mu seemed quite cheerful, making it hard to imagine he had such a complicated and difficult past.
Mr. Huo had seen Bai Mu’s file without any reaction, only instructing him to investigate Bai Mu’s life before entering the orphanage.
Zhou Fu’s words didn’t dispel Huo Qingyan’s suspicion of Bai Mu.
“Have someone keep an eye on Bai Mu.”
Zhou Fu felt this wasn’t appropriate: “If Mr. Jiang finds out…”
“Then don’t let him find out.” Huo Qingyan impatiently interrupted Zhou Fu.
Zhou Fu whispered, “But Mr. Jiang and Bai Mu might be filming in the same crew…”
Huo Qingyan frowned: “What’s going on?”
“This morning, Mr. Jiang and Bai Mu both went to audition for the drama ‘Crime and Punishment’.” Zhou Fu found this out while investigating Bai Mu.
Huo Qingyan sneered: “They’re quick.”
Zhou Fu: “…” He truly suspected Mr. Huo had a suspicious nature, but he didn’t dare say it.
“Mr. Huo, ‘Crime and Punishment’ is a novel adaptation. The original novel is excellent, and the production team has a great reputation in the industry. Many people auditioned as soon as the news was released; it’s normal.”
Zhou Fu tried to explain to Huo Qingyan that this was just a coincidence.
Mr. Huo slowly said: “Have you read this novel?”
“Yes.” Wasn’t Mr. Huo’s focus a bit off?
Wait…
Zhou Fu asked uncertainly: “Mr. Huo, do you want to read it too?”
Huo Qingyan: “Yes.”
Zhou Fu almost couldn’t help but laugh.
He clearly wanted to see what kind of drama Mr. Jiang was going to film, but was too embarrassed to say it directly.
“I’ll go buy it now.”
Zhou Fu quickly retracted his foot. “Should we still have someone watch Bai Mu?”
Huo Qingyan: “No.”
…
Jiang Su received the crew’s reply that day.
Jiang Su now had popularity, excellent innate conditions and acting skills, and the director had no reason not to use him.
The main issue was the pay.
Xu Mochun helped Jiang Su negotiate the contract.
Although Jiang Su didn’t lack money, his pay couldn’t be lower than the market price.
The price Xu Mochun offered was accepted by the director without a word.
Both sides quickly finalized the contract.
“Crime and Punishment” was positioned as a web drama.
Web dramas have shorter production cycles and faster broadcast times.
The production team wanted to broadcast it during the summer vacation. The script was already polished, and the roles were filled through the open audition.
Therefore, the program team quickly sent Jiang Su a notification for a script reading.
The time was set for Friday.
Upon arriving at the destination, Xu Mochun got out of the car first.
When Jiang Su got out of the back seat, Xu Mochun pointed to a car and said to Jiang Su: “Look, Su Su, that car is the same limited edition as Huo Qingyan’s. I wonder whose it is. It’s quite high-profile.”
Many people in the entertainment industry could afford a limited edition Rolls Royce, but this car couldn’t be bought with just money.
Then, after seeing the person getting out of the car, the teasing expression on Xu Mochun’s face disappeared in a second.
“Sure enough, the people who drive this car aren’t ordinary…”
If it were Huo Qingyan, it wouldn’t be considered high-profile.
Jiang Su held the car door and frowned: “What is Huo Qingyan doing here?”
“I don’t know.” Xu Mochun hadn’t heard anything before this.
Jiang Su thought of Huo Qingyan’s sudden appearance on the show, and murmured: “Is he going to act?”
“Uh…” Xu Mochun choked: “It shouldn’t… be that absurd… right?”
“Mr. Jiang!” Zhou Fu saw Jiang Su and quickly waved to him.
Jiang Su perfunctorily waved back.
The program team members came out and respectfully welcomed Huo Qingyan in.
“Mr. Huo! This way, please.”
Huo Qingyan didn’t move, but turned to look at Jiang Su.
“Mr. Jiang is here too!” Another staff member looked at Jiang Su excitedly.
Few young people in the new era don’t surf the internet.
Those in the industry are even more enthusiastic about gossip. Jiang Su and Huo Qingyan, two handsome men who have known each other for ten years but have a love-hate relationship, are incredibly popular.
Jiang Su was enthusiastically ushered inside.
Once inside, he learned that the person who had looked at him with such excitement was the screenwriter.
Huo Qingyan was talking to the director.
Jiang Su still suspected that Huo Qingyan was there to act.
He quietly asked the screenwriter, “Why is Huo Qingyan here?”
The screenwriter looked surprised, “Didn’t Mr. Huo tell you? He’s invested in this project! He’s our sugar daddy!”
Jiang Su’s face was full of question marks: ??
He’d forgotten that Huo Qingyan had more money than he knew what to do with.
Oh well, it was better than acting opposite Huo Qingyan.
Just thinking about it made his scalp tingle.
“You really didn’t know?” The screenwriter asked, then chuckled, a look of “I ship it” on her face.
—Secretly investing in your new drama without letting you know… such a sweet trope!
Jiang Su: “…”
People who create art… might be a little different.
Jiang Su suspected that everyone on this crew had watched “After Divorce, Are You Happy?”.
Because he found that his seat was next to Huo Qingyan’s.
Unable to refuse the kind offer, Jiang Su sat down.
As soon as he sat down, Bai Mu arrived.
“Sorry, there was some traffic.”
The screenwriter pointed to the seat next to Jiang Su, her face full of excitement, her voice barely maintaining composure: “Mr. Bai, please sit here.”
Jiang Su: ??
He didn’t need to doubt it; he was now certain that everyone in this crew had watched “After Divorce, Are You Happy?”.
Even Zhou Fu, who was sitting in the nearby rest area cracking seeds, was stunned.
They’re playing hardball…
Really playing hardball.
Earlier, Mr. Huo said he didn’t need to keep an eye on Bai Mu, and he thought Mr. Huo had dropped his suspicions.
But…
Mr. Huo planned to do it himself.
In this situation, plus a bunch of onlookers who love to watch the drama…
Zhou Fu felt his workload was about to increase.
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Chapter 98: You Don’t Want Me To Go?
One of the stages of the script reading was actor rehearsal and auditioning.
Jiang Su’s role was an undercover agent, and Bai Mu’s was a villain with all sorts of vices. They had many scenes together.
Especially in the early stages, they were like brothers, frequently putting their arms around each other’s shoulders and going for massages together.
The part they were rehearsing was from a time when their brotherhood was at its peak.
They simply exchanged a fist bump, and several staff members nearby showed aunt smiles.
The screenwriter even covered her mouth, almost screaming.
The director showed a satisfied expression: “Very good.”
Then he turned to Huo Qingyan: “Mr. Huo, what do you think?”
Huo Qingyan’s expression was indifferent: “You’re the professional in this aspect. If you say it’s good, then it’s naturally good.”
The director felt happy inside.
Who doesn’t like this kind of sugar daddy who respects professional skills, doesn’t make unreasonable demands, and doesn’t insert strange people?
The director tentatively asked: “Mr. Huo, are you interested in mythology-themed television projects?”
If he could get this sugar daddy who only gives money and doesn’t cause trouble to invest in a few more projects, it would be great.
Huo Qingyan didn’t hesitate: “I’m only interested in projects that Jiang Su participates in.”
The director: Uh?
Huo Qingyan’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just normal volume. Basically everyone around them heard him.
The screenwriter, who had been looking at Bai Mu and Jiang Su with an aunt smile, suddenly turned to look at Huo Qingyan.
Mr. Huo said he was only interested in projects with Jiang Su!
Ahhhhh, so domineering, she loves it!
She didn’t know whether to support Bai Mu or Huo Qingyan.
Jiang Su and Bai Mu also came over.
After sitting down, Jiang Su noticed that not only was the screenwriter looking at him with overly enthusiastic eyes, but other staff members were also looking at him strangely.
Jiang Su was puzzled, feeling doubtful but not asking, instead speaking about the script.
“Mr. Jiang, I have some questions about the role…”
The screenwriter’s name was Jiang Ning.
Speaking of the script, Jiang Ning became serious, took out a small notebook, and asked, “What aspects?”
“The part where Song Xun is suspected of betrayal feels a bit stiff…” Song Xun was the name of the undercover agent Jiang Su was playing.
Upon hearing this, the director explained, “This point does need some adjustments.”
Bai Mu suddenly spoke, “Song Xun and Xiao Ji lived together for three years. Is there no possibility of him being swayed?”
Xiao Ji was the villain Bai Mu was playing.
A low male voice answered Bai Mu.
“No.”
Jiang Su turned his head and saw Huo Qingyan looking at Bai Mu coldly.
Why did Huo Qingyan have to interfere when they were discussing the script?
“You…” Jiang Su lowered his voice, wanting Huo Qingyan to stop interfering.
But Bai Mu picked up Huo Qingyan’s words, “Is that so? Why not?”
It would be strange if Huo Qingyan knew why; he hadn’t read the script.
Jiang Su was ready to watch Huo Qingyan make a fool of himself.
“Song Xun is a man of faith, who would rather die than surrender, and is even less likely to be swayed.” Huo Qingyan finished and glanced at Jiang Su.
Jiang Su: …
He felt like Huo Qingyan had seen through his thoughts.
Failed to watch him make a fool of himself.
However, how did Huo Qingyan know Song Xun’s character design?
“Mr. Huo has read the script?” Jiang Ning asked the question everyone was wondering.
Huo Qingyan said indifferently, “I’ve read the original novel.”
Although the script had been modified, the core content and main character designs wouldn’t change much.
“When did you read it?” Based on Jiang Su’s understanding of Huo Qingyan, Huo Qingyan didn’t have a hobby of reading novels.
Huo Qingyan paused, “It was boring in the hospital, so I was killing time.”
Jiang Su “oh”-ed, “You happened to read ‘Crime and Punishment’.”
Huo Qingyan looked at him, his dark eyes even more profound when focused, “It wasn’t by chance. I wanted to read it.”
Jiang Su’s expression faltered slightly, and he didn’t speak again.
…
By the time the script reading ended, it was evening.
As dusk fell, streetlights lit up one after another.
Xu Mochun got into the driver’s seat and, finding Jiang Su hadn’t gotten in, stuck his head out the window and asked, “Su Su, get in the car.”
Jiang Su replied, “Just a moment.”
He glanced towards the entrance and saw Huo Qingyan and Zhou Fu coming out one after the other.
Zhou Fu saw Jiang Su first, took two steps forward, and whispered to Huo Qingyan, “Mr. Jiang hasn’t left yet…”
Huo Qingyan looked up, paused for a moment, then walked towards Jiang Su.
His injured arm was still in a cast. His whole demeanor was serious and reserved, his steps quickening.
As if he was afraid Jiang Su would suddenly get in the car and leave.
Huo Qingyan’s steps were hurried, but when he got closer, he only softly asked, “Haven’t left yet?”
“You’re not acting like yourself.” Huo Qingyan clearly sensed that Jiang Su might be waiting for him, but didn’t dare ask, so he only said something irrelevant.
The light was dim. Huo Qingyan stood against the light, his expression unclear, seemingly smiling.
“Were you waiting for me?”
Jiang Su nodded, “Tomorrow is Saturday, the recording of the third episode. Are you still going?”
A look of understanding flashed in Huo Qingyan’s eyes, “You don’t want me to go?”
“I just hope that when others mention me in the future, they’ll first think of my work, not who my ex-husband is.”
In the last episode, if he hadn’t faked a faint, Huo Qingyan might have successfully revealed his identity.
He had only recently made a comeback, still carrying the label of being “love-brained”.
He didn’t want to add the label of “Huo Qingyan’s ex-husband,” attracting constant attention.
Huo Qingyan’s expression suddenly changed: “I’m sorry, I didn’t think it through.”
He had originally planned to reveal his identity as Jiang Su’s ex-husband, not caring about online criticism, but he hadn’t considered this from Jiang Su’s perspective.
“I’ll contact Shen Xiumo and tell him I’m withdrawing from the show.” He had originally wanted an excuse to see Jiang Su, but unexpectedly, he had caused Jiang Su trouble.
“Thank you,” Jiang Su thanked him calmly.
When Xu Mochun saw Huo Qingyan come over, he was about to get out of the car, but suddenly received a phone call.
By the time he hung up, Jiang Su had already gotten in the car.
“Su Su, what did you talk about with Huo Qingyan?”
“He said he’s quitting the show.”
Jiang Su’s voice came from the back.
Xu Mochun looked surprised, “Really?”
“Otherwise?” Huo Qingyan naturally kept his word.
Xu Mochun chuckled, “Let’s go, let’s go eat.”
Jiang Su and Xu Mochun drove away, and Huo Qingyan also got into his car.
Zhou Fu started the car and asked Huo Qingyan, “Mr. Huo, where to?”
Huo Qingyan didn’t answer, and softly asked, “Do you think acting is difficult?”
Zhou Fu: ??
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