The kickoff banquet for “Thunderstruck” was held at Jiaye Manor Hotel over the weekend, with a multitude of media reporters present. After interviews with the director and the main cast, the director delivered his speech on stage and then proceeded to raise toasts to several investors before the formal dinner began.
The seating arrangement for this kickoff banquet was also meticulously organized, following the order of characters. As if it had become a habit over time, the male lead, Le Huo, sat on the director’s right-hand side, followed by Lang Cen, the male second lead, and then Chu Yan, the male third lead.
After a round of toasting and drinking, the director’s expression became more relaxed, and he occasionally exchanged words with Le Huo by his side.
It seemed that he was quite satisfied with the choice of the male lead. On the other hand, Lang Cen, who was seated nearby, had a less favorable expression. He remained quiet throughout, drinking heavily and barely touching the food.
Due to the large number of people at the table, Chu Yan only took a sip of wine at the beginning and refrained from drinking more as the evening went on.
He’s not sure what they talked about, but suddenly, Le Huo picked up his glass and stood up from his seat, smiling as he said, “Honestly, I never thought I’d have the chance to be in Director Zhao’s film. I was so happy that night, couldn’t even sleep. I feel truly honored and grateful for this precious opportunity. Thank you, Director, for believing in me.”
Director Zhao listened with a smile and then turned his head to look at the person sitting next to him, Xu Linshen. He playfully pointed his index finger at Le Huo, a hint of teasing in his eyes, “Mr. Xu, take a look at young Huo here…”
Xu Linshen also smiled, raising his glass and clinking it with the director’s, “Kids tend to speak straightforwardly.”
Director Zhao’s smile deepened, “The more straightforward, the more sincere. It’s a rare childlike innocence.”
The few investors who were aware of the situation exchanged puzzled glances for a moment, and couldn’t help but cast a few more glances at Le Huo.
These new talents nowadays are really quite cunning and calculating. The current Le Huo managed to outshine Chu Yan, who had followed Xu Linshen for a year, and climb onto the bed of Jiaxin’s CEO, Xu Linshen. From now on, it’s likely that he’ll be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, capable of influencing situations.
Thinking this, they couldn’t help but glance at Chu Yan, who was seated at the end of the table. They thought to themselves that Xu Linshen was indeed ruthless; he completely disregarded his former partner, who was still present, and unceremoniously slapped their faces.
Lang Cen sneered with disdain, “Shameless thing, always thinking about selling your body for such trivial matters.”
His voice was deliberately kept low amidst the surrounding noise. Le Huo was still engaged in conversation with the director, so apart from Chu Yan sitting beside him, most others couldn’t hear clearly.
Chu Yan, who was taking a sip of water, choked slightly upon hearing his words, thinking that Lang Cen had quite a venomous tongue.
Sensing the commotion, Lang Cen turned his head to look at Chu Yan beside him and remarked, “Zhong Yu, can’t believe you can still manage to eat?”
If it were him, he probably would have been sulking by now!
After listening, Chu Yan appreciated his tooth-grinding expression for a moment and leaned back in his chair, saying, “Why can’t I eat?”
Lang Cen glanced at him and scornfully remarked, “Don’t pretend. Many people in the entertainment industry know about the affair between you and Xu Linshen. It’s just that everyone understands it without saying it.”
Chu Yan pondered for a moment, then looked at Lang Cen and asked in return, “So, do you think we had true love, or… do you think he and Le Huo have true love?”
Lang Cen gave a scoff after hearing this, “How could that be possible?”
Chu Yan chuckled in response to his words, “So you see, there’s nothing I can’t eat.”
Lang Cen, upon hearing Chu Yan’s words, paused for a moment and then looked towards the direction of Xu Linshen. To his surprise, Xu Linshen’s gaze was also directed towards him, more specifically, towards Chu Yan by his side.
Xu Linshen’s gaze was intense and penetrating, as if trying to see through him. Lang Cen felt his breath catch under that look and instinctively looked away.
As the evening banquet came to an end, many people at the table were quite tipsy, but Chu Yan hadn’t drunk much, so he just felt a bit lightheaded. He went to the restroom to splash some water on his face. As he was about to leave, a slender shadow cast on the sink caught his attention.
“Ugh…” Le Huo propped himself against the sink and retched for a while, finally feeling a bit more sober.
Chu Yan stood by, watching him for a while without saying a word. He placed his hands under the hand dryer and let the warm air blow on them. The surroundings grew quiet, and all that could be heard was the sound of the dryer operating.
Le Huo turned on the tap and rinsed away the residue in the sink. Then, in a low voice, he said, “Zhong Yu, actually, the relationship between Mr. Xu and me isn’t quite what you think…”
Chu Yan arched an eyebrow and nonchalantly adjusted his collar while looking at the mirror. He casually remarked, “Not what I think? So, how would you describe it then?”
Le Huo fell silent for a moment. “While Mr. Xu does treat me well and takes care of me, I always feel…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Chu Yan interrupted him with a slightly mocking tone, “Le Huo, are you… showing off to me?”
Le Huo was momentarily taken aback, his mind processing slowly. A surge of intense embarrassment rushed from his brain to his nerves. He explained in a hoarse voice, “I’m not… I didn’t mean that.”
“Ha…”
Chu Yan let out a cold snort, didn’t spare him another glance, and turned to leave the room.
The corridor stretched out, long and quiet, with wall lights on both sides casting a dim, yellowish light overhead. Chu Yan leaned against the wall for a moment, rubbing his throbbing temples.
He checked his watch and estimated that it was about time.
Straightening his posture, he was about to retrace his steps when he lifted his gaze and saw someone approaching from the opposite direction.
The wheelchair rolled over the smooth, hard marble floor, emitting a faint sound. Despite sitting in the chair, he exuded an air of unwavering composure. His facial features were sharp, thin lips pressed together, and his eyes held an unfathomable depth, like a cold abyss.
While Chu Yan observed Xu Linshen, Xu Linshen was also taking in Chu Yan’s appearance. However, as he looked, an uncontrollable surge of intense, almost sinister emotions washed over him—a desire to witness Chu Yan’s regret, his suffering.
This agony permeated his very being like venom, his internal organs awash with its poison. Since you’ve callously trampled upon the effort and sincerity I offered you, I’ll make sure you understand that all the glory and radiance you possess, I can grant, and just as naturally, I can take away.
Xu Linshen looked meaningfully at Chu Yan and asked, “Why did the great celebrity Zhong come here alone?”
Chu Yan leaned against the wall with one shoulder, furrowing his brows instinctively at Xu Linshen’s words. He straightened up, locked eyes with Xu Linshen, and went straight to the point, “You want to promote Le Huo?”
Xu Linshen smiled noncommittally, “Correct.”
Chu Yan stared at Xu Linshen for a moment, then a mocking curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, “I can understand why you’d want to promote him…”
Pausing for a moment, Chu Yan hesitated before growing somewhat irritated, “Originally, who you wanted to promote was your prerogative, Mr. Xu. But choosing to promote Le Huo is clearly an intentional provocation against me, blocking my path, isn’t it?”
Hearing his words, Xu Linshen smiled and countered, “Zhong Yu, let me ask you, what do you think our relationship is now?”
Chu Yan snorted, lowered his head, and used the toe of his shoe to nudge the edge of the carpet. “What relationship… well… probably former flings?”
Xu Linshen wasn’t surprised by his response, though his heart still tightened uncontrollably. He gave a cold laugh, saying, “Can’t handle it at this level? When you were doing those things with Yu Fei back then, did you ever think you’d end up like this?”
Chu Yan suddenly looked up at him, gritting his teeth. After a moment, he managed to force out a few words through his clenched teeth, “Xu Linshen, you’re just unwilling, aren’t you?”
“Unwilling, aren’t you, Xu Linshen, the illustrious young master of Jiaxin, actually being dumped by me, Zhong Yu…”
Xu Linshen appreciated the humiliation evident on his face, deriving an infinite sense of revengeful pleasure. Yet, amidst this pleasure, a layer of pain began to spread within his heart, fine and dense like needles pricking. The punctures seemed to be saturated with venom, causing his heart to deteriorate from the inside out.
“Unwilling? Probably.” How could he be willing? Over the past year, he had believed in their mutual affection, poured out the purest sincerity he had ever felt, and had even been willing to give up his own life for him, envisioning a lifetime spent together as lovers.
But in his eyes, what had he seen himself as?
A fling…
Apart from Yu Fei, how many more of these “flings” did he have? And himself, what was he other than just one of those people?
He had been wishful thinking, offering up a genuine heart.
Zhong Yu fixed his gaze on Xu Linshen for a moment, then curved his lips, a trace of pain flickering in his eyes. “Alright, so you’ve made up your mind to lift up Le Huo… You won’t leave any face for me, right? Well, I suppose everyone knows that Mr. Xu has always been generous with his little favorites. How can I not acknowledge that my current situation owes a lot to your generosity? I should be content, shouldn’t I?”
Xu Linshen narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist, suppressing the nameless anger welling up from within. He furrowed his brow coldly and asked, “What do you mean by that, Zhong Yu?”
Zhong Yu’s gaze passed beyond him, landing on Le Huo standing behind him. He raised an eyebrow and smiled, though his eyes remained icy. “Your little lover has arrived.”
Having said this, Le Huo hesitated in his spot for a moment before finally taking a step towards them.
“Mr. Xu.” Then he turned his gaze back to Zhong Yu, his expression complex. “Senior Zhong.”
Zhong Yu stood by with his arms crossed, coldly watching for a while. He didn’t bother with Le Huo, and after a moment, he turned and strode away without saying a word.
Le Huo watched Zhong Yu’s departing figure and let out a faint sigh. For some reason, he felt a bit uneasy in his heart.
It wasn’t until he noticed that the person beside him was breathing heavily that he snapped back to reality. He realized that Xu Linshen had slumped back in the chair, looking flustered. Le Huo hurriedly moved to assist him, saying, “Mr. Xu, are you okay?”
Xu Linshen gestured for him to stop, a bitter and sardonic smile tugging at his lips. “Let’s go.”
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