OSM Chapter 18: “Aren’t you helping me too? It’s just a favor in return.”

He Zhiqiu accepted the ring and found a thin string to hang it around his neck.

He tried to keep it on as much as possible, only taking it off when work required it. In those cases, he would carefully store it away and put it back on once he was done with the work.

He understood Li Yuze’s intention and knew the ring was just an important token, with no other meaning.

He Zhiqiu had unilaterally drawn a line under the matter between him and Li Yuze.

Even though he still had feelings for him, he knew better than to bring it up again.

As for the favor Li Yuze had asked, He Zhiqiu felt it wouldn’t last long, but he willingly took on the role.

He had assumed that entering and exiting the community daily, occasionally hanging out with Li Yuze downstairs, would quickly be caught on camera.

But unexpectedly, the heat around the question of “Did Li Yuze get married?” quietly died down.

Even the reporter who had been lurking outside for five years disappeared.

He Zhiqiu discussed this with Li Yuze.

Li Yuze, sitting on a dining chair, said, “I’m not sure, maybe it’s a work transfer.”

Whether it was a work transfer or not, the person leaving was a good thing.

He Zhiqiu was going for an audition today, and after breakfast, he quickly stood up.

Their place was a bit far from the audition company, and after He Zhiqiu finished eating, Li Yuze grabbed the car keys and said, “I’ll give you a ride.”

“No need.” He Zhiqiu said, “I checked the routes, both the subway and bus are convenient.”

Li Yuze didn’t hesitate, and by the time He Zhiqiu finished speaking, his shoes were already on.

…

Alright.

He Zhiqiu said “thank you” and followed him to the garage.

In He Zhiqiu’s impression, a popular celebrity should be quite busy, especially someone like Li Yuze, who should be swamped, disappearing for most of the year. Last month alone, the public knew about over ten scheduled events for him, with no private time to speak of.

But ever since he moved in, Li Yuze seemed to be less busy.

He’d spent almost a week staying home.

When He Zhiqiu left, Li Yuze was still sleeping.

When He Zhiqiu returned after his performance class, Li Yuze had just come downstairs.

Today was an exception. When he found out He Zhiqiu was going to an audition far away, he made a special effort to drive him.

He Zhiqiu felt bad about it, sitting in the front passenger seat, saying, “You really don’t need to trouble yourself.”

During the morning rush hour, Li Yuze leaned back in his chair, wearing a loose round-neck sweater, waiting for the red light. Hearing He Zhiqiu’s repeated politeness, he turned to glance at him, “Aren’t you helping me too? It’s just a favor in return.”

“But…”

“No buts. I just happen to have business in that area, so it’s on the way.”

With that, He Zhiqiu didn’t insist on being polite any longer. He said another “Thank you” and pulled out the script to flip through it.

For the entire journey, neither of them spoke.

The once relaxed atmosphere became increasingly tense.

He Zhiqiu stole a glance at Li Yuze twice, noticing that while his face didn’t show it, his hand, which was gripping the steering wheel, kept tapping.

He Zhiqiu remembered that this was a habit of Li Yuze’s. Whenever he was deep in thought, his fingers would tap on the table or anything within reach.

The faster the tapping, the more it indicated that the matter at hand was troubling him, affecting his mood.

He Zhiqiu didn’t know if this habit had changed, nor what had caused his mood to suddenly sour. After a moment of thought, he put down the script and started a conversation with him.

“I saw that the news about Wei Sheng has also quieted down recently.”

“Mm.” Li Yuze’s finger paused before he replied, “That’s how the industry works. Many topics come and go quickly.”

He Zhiqiu said, “But Xu Sui-ge said that it still affected his career. The movie I’m auditioning for today actually replaced him.”

Li Yuze replied, “That’s normal. When negative public opinion reaches a certain level, causing widespread dissatisfaction, it’s highly likely to affect the ratings. The investors are in it for money, they won’t risk a project for someone’s career.”

He Zhiqiu nodded, somewhat understanding, and asked, “Could it be that… someone is purposely trying to take him down at this time?”

Li Yuze: “Mm. If someone can rise to fame, there will definitely be people envious of them. These things happen all the time. You’ll get used to it.”

“What about you?” He Zhiqiu asked. “Would someone try to harm you on purpose?”

“Of course.” Li Yuze turned the wheel and made a turn, noticing He Zhiqiu’s nervous expression. He smiled, saying, “I’m so famous yet so vulnerable, I’ve long been targeted by those with ulterior motives.”

He Zhiqiu didn’t argue about his fame.

Although he said that he was vulnerable. He Zhiqiu still hesitated for a moment.

“What kind of expression is that?” Li Yuze glanced at him quickly when there were no cars ahead.

He Zhiqiu immediately withdrew his slightly skeptical expression, lightly cleared his throat, and said, “So what are you planning to do? Just wait here like this?”

 “Are you in a hurry?” Li Yuze asked.

He Zhiqiu replied, “I’m not in a hurry.”

“Then we’ll talk about the future when it comes. No matter how much we prepare now, we can’t know what the future holds.” Li Yuze glanced at the GPS, drove the car into the underground parking lot of a building, and after parking, he said slowly.

He was right. He Zhiqiu nodded and got out of the car.

The audition was on the eighteenth floor of this building. Li Yuze pressed the car window button to ask He Zhiqiu what time he would be finished, then turned in a different direction and drove to another part of the parking garage.

He had a friend working nearby, so he made a call in advance and took the private elevator.

Not many people in the circle could talk to Li Yuze, and there were only two or three who could be considered his friends.

Gao Kui was one of them.

Another was named Fang Haochuan.

He was the general manager of Bowen Entertainment.

Mr. Fang took Li Yuze’s call and immediately pushed back the next meeting. Just as he asked his secretary to prepare coffee, Li Yuze walked in holding the car keys.

It had been a long time since Fang Haochuan saw him, and he immediately put down his work, saying, “What brings you here?”

Li Yuze was familiar with him and didn’t bother with formalities. He casually placed the car keys on the coffee table in front of the sofa and said, “I’m taking He Zhiqiu to the audition next door.”

Fang Haochuan didn’t hear clearly and asked again casually, “Who are you taking?”

Li Yuze said, “He Zhiqiu.”

“Who!?”

“He Zhiqiu.”

“Damn.” Fang Haochuan, dressed in a suit, blurted out a curse word. He didn’t bother letting Li Yuze sit first. He ran to the office door, locked it, and then, worried about being seen, turned off the only security camera in the office.

Once everything was ready, he came to Li Yuze with a furrowed brow, speaking earnestly, “How could you not resist?” Once everything was ready, he came to Li Yuze with a furrowed brow, speaking earnestly, “How could you not hold back?”

“Are you playing the third wheel?”