“WeChat?” Xu Qichen only now remembered.
“O right, WeChat, I forgot…”
The person beside him laughed and moved away. “You didn’t think it was fake ba?”
Xu Qichen stared at his phone screen: “No, I really forgot, I happened to be on the phone then.”
Lin Ran tilted his head and looked at Xu Qichen’s profile. His tone was slow when he spoke, “I’m joking, you’re very serious ah.”
Added.
Xu Qichen shook his phone at Lin Ran who nodded, then finished his drink as though nothing had happened.
“Xiao Ji, don’t just eat, come come come, have a few more drinks with us. I’m not just boasting ah, this is really a drink you can’t get normally.”
Seeing President Sheng stand up, Xu Qichen hurriedly stood up as well, and emptied his glass with him.
Director Chen looked at him and suddenly asked: “Has Xiao Ji been working a lot lately?”
Xu Qichen nearly choked being cued by the director abruptly like this.
But before he could answer, Li Yun said: “Aside from the concert tour, he hasn’t picked up other work. Of course, he can also temporarily be absent from the concert tour.”
President Sheng poured another glass for himself. “Aiyah, you’re so protective of Xiao Ji, let him speak for himself. There aren’t any outsiders here, he can say whatever he wants!”
This President Sheng, after drinking his personality becomes more obvious.
Li Yun quickly understood President Sheng’s meaning and an awkward look flashed across her face. But she soon laughed and said: “If I knew President Sheng was such an open person, I wouldn’t have held him back. Blame me, blame me. President Sheng, I’ll drink one as punishment.” With that, she stood up and downed her drink in one go.
“Good! This is the kind of frank personality I like!”
After this exchange, the people at the table became more familiar, and the drinking also became more unscrupulous.
Although Xu Qichen is someone who can drink, it’s been a few years since he drank so fiercely. His stomach felt empty and hot. He could only try to eat more between drinks to avoid feeling dizzy later.
Director Chen: “Lin Ran, didn’t you say you were busy today?”
Lin Ran smiled: “There was an event, but I refused it. It’s just standing on the stage and smiling, it’ll be fine even if I don’t go.”
Qu Qing joined the conversation: “It’s your company’s celebration ba! For better or for worse, you’re one of the pillars of the company. Can you simply just not go?”
Sheng Huafeng: “Yoh, you really gave me face. You even refused that?”
Lin Ran clinked his glass with President Sheng’s. “Of course.”
“Come come come, fill up Xiao Ji’s glass as well, let’s toast another one.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Xu Qichen’s mouth was stuffed full. Hearing this, his heart jumped a little. He could only hurriedly swallow and clink his glass with President Sheng’s, then empty it in one gulp.
“Xbbv! Wljb Al sbe’gf ubbv, cba vlrjqqblcalcu ja jii.”
Ugfrlvfca Vtfcu’r ojmf kjr gfv, atf fjgilfg ufcaifwjcis vfwfjcbg kjr fcalgfis ubcf. Rbk tf rqbxf ilxf atf yjcvla ifjvfgr lc KN vgjwjr ktb jaf jcv vgjcx wfrrlis. Snfc tlr cbgatfgc jmmfca mbeiv cb ibcufg gfwjlc tlvvfc.
“Last time, I ate with another crew, also because I invested. That young actor was about the same age as Xiao Ji ba, he was such a drag! Asking him to have a sip of wine was like asking for his life! Before it even touched his lips, he was shaking his head like a rattle and shouting that he’s drunk. That kind of unwillingness ah, just looking at it is annoying. Just think about it, we’re all big men, what’s the problem? If they’re ladies I won’t drink with them, it’s not good for young ladies to drink. But it’s improper for big men to have a meal without a drink ma!”
Ycmf tf rajgafv ajixlcu jybea atlr, Ugfrlvfca Vtfcu yfmjwf ilxf j wjmtlcf uec. Ktf wbgf tf rjlv atf wbgf julajafv tf yfmjwf. Kbkjgvr atf fcv tf rlwqis vbkcfv jcbatfg uijrr.
Xu Qichen felt like laughing after hearing this. But the moment he laughed, it felt like the alcohol’s effect all came out, making him cough uncomfortably. Wanting to drink some water to suppress it, he panickedly grabbed a glass and took a gulp.
“That’s my cup.”
Xu Qichen’s eyes widened as he stared at the glass in his hand. The shock made him cough even harder.
Lin Ran patted his back while holding in his laughter, but Xu Qichen subconsciously moved away. He stood up awkwardly and spilled the drink on himself.
Li Yun hurriedly mediated: “You can’t praise this child, his skin is too thin.”
President Sheng laughed heartily. “Xiao Ji, go to the washroom and settle it ba.”
Xu Qichen nodded and left, all the while coughing while covering his mouth.
The aftereffects of the alcohol were really too strong.
Xu Qichen felt his legs trembling after only standing up and walking to the door. He could only use his hand to hold himself up against the wall and make his way towards the washroom while stumbling. Once inside, he took out the sobering drug from his pocket, broke open the bottle seal, and directly poured the contents into his mouth.
After waiting for a few minutes while leaning against the wall, the feeling of weightlessness and dizziness from drinking too much alcohol was visibly improved.
The washroom of the private clubhouse was very grand. There were towels, cotton swabs, even aromatic oils, and candles by the basin.
Xu Qichen looked at himself in the mirror. There wasn’t much drink spilled on the suit, he won’t wipe it after all. So he simply lowered his head and washed his face.
When the ice-cold water touched his skin, Xu Qichen felt much more clear-headed.
When he raised his head and looked in the mirror again, he got a shock.
“You- why are you here?”
Lin Ran handed Xu Qichen a towel with a laugh: “Are you the only one who can be here?”
Seeing Xu Qichen in a daze and not taking the towel, Lin Ran softly threw it onto his face, then turned to wash his hands.
Since it’s already on his face, Xu Qichen simply used it to wipe it.
He doesn’t know why, but whenever he sees this person, he subconsciously flinches.
“You really want to act with me so badly?”
Xu Qichen: “Ah?”
Lin Ran shook the water off his hands and tilted his head to smile at him: “Otherwise why did you drink so rigorously?”
Xu Qichen: … I really admire this person’s confidence.
After wiping his hands, Lin Ran did not leave but continued to stare at Xu Qichen.
Xu Qichen: “What is it?”
Lin Ran shook his head: “Aren’t you eating candies today?”
Xu Qichen: “En?”
Lin Ran smiled harmlessly.
“I can help you open the bottle ah.”
…
Xu Qichen guiltily waved his hands with a smile. “No need, I’m not eating today. We should go back.”
Hearing the ‘we’, Lin Ran felt an inexplicable joy and obediently followed him back to the box.
The moment he entered, Xu Qichen’s eyes met Qu Qing’s. The other party’s smile made him a little uncomfortable. As someone who has never understood girls, he could only ask 0901 for help.
Xu Qichen: “What’s with Qu Qing’s smile? It’s weird.”
0901: “Mr. Xu, this is an aunt’s smile.”
Xu Qichen: “… Aunt’s smile? Why is she giving me an aunt’s smile?”
0901: “This is probably a CP fan’s heartfelt joy.”
When he took a seat, President Sheng and Director Chen were chatting merrily. The two middle-aged men’s faces were completely red from drinking and were already on their last shred of sobriety.
“It’s been two years since Director Chen’s last film, right? Aiyoh, I’m bitter from waiting. You can ask the people in my company, I say it all the time, as long as it’s Director Chen, I’m willing to invest in any film!” Sheng Huafeng raised his glass excitedly.
Xu Qichen listened expressionlessly. Only after drinking so much was the topic of the film finally brought up.
Although the effects of alcohol could still be seen on his face, Director Chen was much calmer than President Sheng. “President Sheng really trusts me. I also want to make a few more films, especially while I’m still not that old.”
Li Yun laughingly said, “Director Chen you’re too young to complain about age.”
Qu Qing also laughed. “Director Chen is like that, he’s always asking me to take care of my health.”
Director Chen waved his hands. “It’s really not a joke, I’m not as fit as before. I want to challenge myself with new styles while I still have the energy. That’s why I was attracted to Xiao Qu’s new script.”
Chen Anping’s every word was understated, but just choosing the actors took him two months. With how often he tried new actors, the importance he placed on the new film was evident.
Qu Qing: “I’m finally working with Director Chen again, it’s been about three or four years ba.”
Li Yun glanced at Qu Qing and tried, “I heard the script this time was tailor-made for Lin Ran.”
Lin Ran laughed: “This rumour is getting crazier. Everyone thinks too highly of me ba.”
Qu Qing: “Lin Ran is still embarrassed. At that time I saw a video of Lin Ran — I think he was only 18 at that time? — in the film academy, and I instantly found inspiration. I wanted to write a script with the theme of ‘youth’. But the youth films nowadays are all so banal, confused for the sake of confusion, so I wanted to focus on something different. I wrote for over a year to produce this script, then coincidently met with Director Chen who was wanting to change styles. I’m just really lucky.”
Sheng Huafeng poured another cup for himself. “That’s good ah, the theme of youth is popular right now. I can trust Lin Ran, but the other character… looked and looked, dragged and dragged. We agreed to start filming in March, but two months have already passed, and it’s still not confirmed. Time is gold ah.”
After off-topic chatting for half a day, they’ve finally arrived at the main point.
Sheng Huafeng: “From what I see, Director Chen, there’s no need to hesitate anymore. Quickly decide on Yu Ning’s actor ba. If we keep dragging on, this film would not be able to catch next year’s XX Film Festival.”
Xu Qichen pondered President Sheng’s meaning.
But Director Chen did not continue this topic, the two continued drinking together.
The rest of the meal was eaten in this unsettled environment. No one said anything clearly, and the gathering was wrapped up with President Sheng’s blacking out.
On the way back to his hostel, Xu Qichen didn’t continue thinking about this. Since he was invited, he went. There was nothing more to it. So he should just settle down.
On the other hand, Li Yun was not very calm. It couldn’t be helped. It had been so difficult to secure a meal, but the matter of the role was still not settled. It’s really not easy for one not to feel panicked at this time.
A WeChat notification rang.
“You should thank me.”
It’s from Lin Ran.
Xu Qichen didn’t really understand, so he frankly asked, “Why?”
After replying he thought back, is it because he helped him open the candy bottle last time?
But he had already thanked him ah.
Lin Ran: Because I ate with you today ah.
Xu Qichen: With me? Didn’t you come to socialise?
After texting, Xu Qichen felt even more strongly that Lin Ran was an unreasonable person. He was beginning to doubt if this person was still the character he created.
After quite a while Lin Ran replied, “In a few days you’ll know, I’ll be waiting for you to thank me.”
TN: Hihi, someone asked about the update schedule. I’ll update at least once on Thursdays, and at least once more per week. For now, I try to update three times a week but I’m not entirely sure if that’s sustainable;;
Tysm for the chapter!! Don’t worry ning-laoshi, we don’t mind update frequency. Some novels only update once every couple months, you’re absolutely spoiling us xD
Yasss, you’re spoiling us 😂 so don’t worry too much about the frequency Ning-sama. Don’t push yourself to hard kayy XD also thank you for your great translation!!
I totally agree. Don’t worry too much about the frequency. We’re very happy you’re taking the time to translate. 😘
I know Lin Ran in the book within the book, but why is he already after our MC? o.o
thanks for the chapter! <3
+1 You’re spoiling us! So no need to think too much ning-laoshi! Please take care of your health and don’t push yourself too hard!~
Lin Ran is definitely after our Qichen!~
Thanks for the chapter<3
Damn..Is Lin Ran really Narcissistic?
Thank you for the chapter and
+2 Don’t worry about the updates laoshi, this is already very frequent and this is just spoiling. Take your time and take care.
Don’t worry ning-sama… Two chapters a week can already be considered a lot !!! <(￣︶￣)>
Why do I feel like ML is just a bit narcissistic
Thank you for the chapter!!! ❤️❤️
Thanks for the chapter! ^^)❤
The ml is a bit of a narcissist 😅 but that’s alright. He seems nice
Thank you for the chapter 🙇💕💕💕💕
…Lin ran has a screw loose…
Thanks for the chapter~
Thank you so much for translating! <3
Thank you for the chapter (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و~♡
yess another update tomorrow
I got around to reading this as it was the most eye-catching thing in my “Plan to Read” list, and let me tell you, 8 chapters just isn’t enough!
Thanks for the chapters! ~♡
Ning-sama thank you so much for feeding us 💚✨ I absolutely love this novel and I can’t wait to read more hehe
En serio, ¿por qué en toda novela china que leo obligan a la otra parte a emborracharse en las cenas de “negocio” o celebración?, lo digo de este lado del charco, nunca me ha pasado eso… ¿no se supone que muchos asiáticos son alérgicos al alcohol?uhm… acaso nuestro seme salvó a su uke?
💜💜💜
My goshh. The ML’s attraction to the MC is a bit early but it just feels natural. I also think our mc is very cute
i love him. this is soothing my heart after an infuriating dog blood novel i was just reading. i thought i would throw up blood.
Xiao Xi Xi, I bet you can’t recognise the ML because it’s not the Lin Ran you wrote at all…