OSM Chapter 19: “I’m really only thinking of Gao Kui’s best interests.”

Li Yuze gave him a cold glance.

He had wanted to explain, but now, he no longer felt like saying anything.

But he couldn’t stop Senior Fang from worrying endlessly, constantly trying to pull him back onto the right path, saying things like, “Why keep hanging on to the same tree? You can’t just throw away your face just because you like someone. You’re still a young master. Even if you lose love, you still have money. That person is from an ordinary family—how can you be the homewrecker?”

Li Yuze couldn’t take it anymore, sitting on the sofa, he took a sip of coffee and interrupted, “He Zhiqiu is not married.”

“What?” Fang Haochuan was taken aback and asked, sitting across from him, “Did he divorce?”

Li Yuze said, “He’s never been married.”

Fang Haochuan said, “Impossible. Didn’t you see…”

Li Yuze replied, “I did see him talking about marriage with a woman. But why he didn’t marry, I don’t know.”

“Then ask him.”

“I won’t.”

“Why not?”

“What’s the point of asking? Isn’t it enough to know he’s still single?” Li Yuze avoided the topic, his expression somewhat uncomfortable.

If Li Yuze had only met Gao Kui after university, then Fang Haochuan had been his good friend since childhood.

Of course, the title of “good friend” was self-appointed by Senior Fang, because Li Yuze had never liked those children who sought to please him for the sake of benefit, under the direction of adults.

The only reason Senior Fang made it onto Li Yuze’s list of friends was that his parents were a bit naïve, running a family-owned entertainment company and not trying to climb higher.

As for Li Yuze, he also valued this fact.

So, it could be said that this person had always been selective with friends—nothing pure about him.

Fang Haochuan often wondered whether someone as sharp-minded as Li Yuze could truly unconditionally and purely accept or like someone.

Then that person really appeared—He Zhiqiu.

Though their formal meeting was a bit laughable, their separation was indeed sorrowful.

“What are you thinking?” Li Yuze asked when he noticed Fang Haochuan hadn’t said anything for a while, putting down his coffee.

“Nothing,” Fang Haochuan smiled and said, “Just suddenly thinking of the time when you and He Zhiqiu first met.”

Li Yuze paused and then, after a moment, smiled lightly.

At that time, Li Yuze had just transferred schools, and because of his outstanding looks and grades, rumors about him spread like wildfire.

The so-called “genius transfer student” who could outscore everyone without even looking at books.

The so-called “sports prodigy,” whose basketball skills were top-notch, reaching international standards.

Coupled with his solitary nature and reluctance to actively make friends, Li Yuze became an enigma to his peers.

Gradually, his public image took shape.

As long as he glanced at the books during class, all eyes in the class would turn to him.

When playing basketball, even a slight ankle twist would make the crowd believe that an international basketball organization’s star had fallen.

So, Li Yuze stopped studying and playing basketball. Instead, he would wear headphones and lie on his desk to nap, yet his grades remained excellent.

At the age of sixteen and seventeen, which teenager doesn’t like being complimented? Even someone like Li Yuze, walking through the campus and receiving worshipful gazes from others, couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased.

So, he didn’t explain—it was just that after school, he endured a bit more, staying up late until about two in the morning, afraid that a few missed points in the mock exam would shatter his “genius” persona.

That Saturday.

Li Yuze had invited around eight tutors to his house for extra lessons. Fang Haochuan was also there, sitting in as an observer. But unlike Li Yuze, Fang Haochuan lacked patience. He soon lost focus and started to eat. Since Li Yuze’s house didn’t have a maid, Fang Haochuan had to ask him what he wanted to eat, ordering a few takeouts.

By sheer coincidence, the delivery person that day was He Zhiqiu, who was working part-time during the holidays.

He was dressed in a gray-blue work uniform, with a matching cap. Since Fang Haochuan had ordered too much, and one person couldn’t carry it all, he asked He Zhiqiu to bring it in.

The scene was quite awkward.

Li Yuze was chewing on his pen, deep in thought.

He Zhiqiu didn’t speak but had an “Oh” expression on his face, as if to say “I see now.”

He was about to leave after placing the takeouts, but Li Yuze coldly called out to him.

“Make a request.”

“What would it take for you to keep this secret?”

He Zhiqiu was silent for a few seconds before suddenly grinning and pulling out a business card from his pocket, handing it to Li Yuze. “If you keep ordering takeout from my place, I won’t tell anyone that you’re not really a genius.”

Fang Haochuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud when he thought of Li Yuze’s constipated expression. After that, they ate takeout from He Zhiqiu for a long time, and naturally, He Zhiqiu grew closer to Li Yuze.

But later on, He Zhiqiu disappeared.

Fang Haochuan asked Li Yuze how they had reunited and what kind of person He Zhiqiu had become.

Li Yuze started by saying nothing had changed, but after a few seconds, he admitted that He Zhiqiu had changed.

He had grown distant and polite.

He no longer chattered endlessly with him about performances, he had matured a lot and had become more reserved.

After all, no one could remain carefree and youthful after such a significant event happening in their life.

So, Li Yuze was eager to bring him closer but wasn’t rushing him to change.

“By the way,” Li Yuze said, “I came here to ask you something.”

Fang Haochuan said, “What’s that?”

Li Yuze asked, “Has the production team of Pingsha contacted you?”

“Pingsha?” Fang Haochuan said, “Yes, they contacted me. Didn’t they just replace Wei Cheng? They called me the other day, trying to get in touch with Gao Kui, but I turned them down.”

“Why turn them down?”

Fang Haochuan replied, “Gao Kui’s been working non-stop for over half a year. He told me last month that he’s taking a break after finishing this drama. Even if they asked him, he wouldn’t accept it.”

Li Yuze said, “But the script for this drama is really good.”

Fang Haochuan stared at him for a while. “It’s rare to hear you praise a script.”

“Could it be… that you want to act in it?” Fang Haochuan suddenly realized. “Isn’t this the drama that He Zhiqiu auditioned for? Could it be Pingsha?”

Li Yuze nodded but then said, “It’s not that I want to act in it. You know I don’t like long-term projects.”

“Then…?” Even though they had known each other since childhood, Fang Haochuan still couldn’t figure out what Li Yuze was thinking.

Li Yuze glanced at the time—He Zhiqiu’s work was about to finish. He stood up and patted Senior Fang’s shoulder: “I suggest you let Gao Kui take this role. If you turn it down for him, you’re denying him an award.”

“But…”

“You don’t believe Gao Kui could win an award for this drama?”

“Of course not.” Fang Haochuan said, “I believe in Gao Kui’s talent, but I don’t believe you would suddenly be so kind-hearted.”

He looked at Li Yuze suspiciously. “Could it be because He Zhiqiu might join the cast? You want to have Gao Kui take the role to help take care of him?”

Li Yuze grabbed his car keys and was about to leave. Before going out, he said, “Why would I not just act myself?”

“I’m really only thinking of Gao Kui’s best interests.”