One wore a stern and unhappy expression, while the other had a shy, bashful smile as they gazed at each other. Finally, they both burst into laughter, sharing a moment of mutual amusement.
Over there, Lu Hanling watched Li Yao and Li Hui getting along so well, feeling a pang of sourness in his heart. He decided to intervene, as he had a legitimate reason to approach Li Hui anyway. Recently, he had acquired a promising script and planned to film it. There was a minor role in it—not too much screen time, but a pivotal character connected to the main storyline, with some scenes that would test an actor’s skills. He thought it would be a good fit for Li Hui and wanted to offer him the opportunity.
After mentally preparing his pitch, Lu Hanling picked up a wine glass and headed toward Li Yao and Li Hui. However, before he could take more than a few steps, he was intercepted by an unfamiliar woman.
Though annoyed by the interruption, Lu Hanling wasn’t one to show his emotions easily. He tilted his head slightly and asked, “Miss, may I ask who you are?” Aside from Li Hui, whom Li Yao had brought along, he was at least somewhat familiar with everyone else at the party. But this woman was a complete stranger to him.
Han Siyu, who had managed to sneak into the event, pouted slightly, adopting a pitiful yet demure expression. “I heard that Brother Ling—I mean, Director Lu—is about to start filming a new movie. What do you think… what do you think about me playing the female lead?” She then batted her large, bright eyes at him, gazing at Lu Hanling as if he were some grand hero.
Han Siyu was brimming with confidence. She knew exactly what kind of woman Lu Hanling liked. Having dated Li Hui for a long time and later having a brief history with Lu Hanling, she was well-versed in how to present herself to catch his attention. Even if she couldn’t make him fall for her outright, she was sure she could at least stir his interest.
As long as he showed even the slightest interest, Han Siyu believed she could easily win him over and make him her devoted admirer.
Lu Hanling rolled his eyes internally.
Had he not met Li Hui first, he might have actually been somewhat intrigued by this woman. But now, with a gem like Li Hui in front of him, how could he possibly settle for a cheap imitation? Besides, while he had a reputation for being a bit of a playboy, he wasn’t the type to juggle multiple relationships. Now that he had set his sights on Li Hui, he wouldn’t pursue anyone else while trying to win Li Hui over.
Lu Hanling put on his most polished, diplomatic smile. “I’m sorry, miss, but the female lead has already been cast. If you’re interested in the role, please follow the standard audition process.”
Originally, the female lead role had been open, but he had just finalized an agreement with Li Yao for a talented actress—not a huge name, but someone with solid acting skills. Lu Hanling had high hopes for her.
As for the woman in front of him? If she had no connections or references, she’d have to go through the proper channels like everyone else.
If her acting skills were truly outstanding, she might still land a decent role, even if not the lead. Lu Hanling was always willing to give promising actors a chance—just as he had with Li Hui. As a former award-winning actor himself, he had a soft spot for those who took their craft seriously.
Back in the day, Lu Hanling had climbed his way up from the bottom, honing his skills step by step until he earned the title of Best Actor. That was why he admired actors like Li Hui, who were willing to start small, work hard, and steadily improve. On top of that, Li Hui’s understated yet refined looks and demeanor were exactly to Lu Hanling’s taste, which was why he had developed an interest in him.
Now that Lu Hanling had his sights set on Li Hui, he certainly wasn’t going to be swayed by a knockoff version.
But Han Siyu couldn’t accept Lu Hanling’s indifference. In her mind, her beloved “Brother Ling” should have taken one look at her and immediately offered her the most glamorous, dazzling role in his film. He should have flirted with her in that low, teasing voice of his, sparking a sweet, ambiguous tension between them. Why was he treating her so coldly?
Still, after dealing with Xu Yi’an and Chu Yan’s unexpected defiance of her plans, Han Siyu had learned to steel herself. Though her heart ached, she refused to give up and clung to the hope of securing the female lead role in Lu Hanling’s film.
A leading role in a Lu Hanling production was an incredible opportunity—one that even A-list actresses would fight for, let alone a has-been like Han Siyu, who had long fallen from grace.
Unfortunately for her, Lu Hanling was far more skilled at verbal maneuvering than Li Hui. Though inwardly annoyed, he expertly deflected her advances and smoothly sent her on her way.
With a polite smile, he raised his glass in a mock toast as she left. Watching her retreating figure, Lu Hanling sought out the head of security responsible for guest verification. “Captain Zhang, we’ve worked together many times, and I’ve always trusted your judgment. So, how exactly did an uninvited woman slip in tonight?”
Captain Zhang hurriedly explained, “My apologies, Director Lu. She arrived with President Wang, and our team assumed she was his plus-one, so we didn’t stop her…”
Lu Hanling understood immediately. President Wang was notorious for his womanizing ways. If not for his wealthy family background, he wouldn’t even have been invited to such an event. Wang had a habit of flouting rules, often bringing his flings to inappropriate gatherings. Trying to stop him would only lead to a scene, which security wanted to avoid.
If she had come with President Wang, it was no wonder she’d gotten in.
The thought made Lu Hanling chuckle. That woman really had no brains—tagging along with President Wang while openly trying to seduce him.
Not that Lu Hanling cared about someone’s past relationships, but President Wang certainly wouldn’t take kindly to his “plaything” ditching him for a better prospect. To Wang, that would be a slap in the face—an outright insult to his pride.
Though Lu Hanling wasn’t afraid of Wang or his family’s influence, he wasn’t about to pick a fight over some random woman. Stealing another man’s companion would be breaking the unspoken rules of their social circle, and Lu Hanling wasn’t foolish enough to do that.
Honestly, President Wang’s habit of bringing his flings to high-profile events had already lowered the tone of their gatherings. While no one said it outright, everyone privately disapproved. And now, this woman had the audacity to try and flirt with him right under Wang’s nose? It was practically an insult to Lu Hanling’s own standards!
Shaking his head, he dismissed the woman from his thoughts and cheerfully made his way to Li Hui. When he arrived, however, he found a visibly upset Li Hui being comforted by a seething but restrained Li Yao.
Lu Hanling blinked in confusion. “Li Yao, Ah Hui, what’s going on? Did something happen?”
Under normal circumstances, Li Yao—fully aware of Lu Hanling’s true nature—would have immediately protested the overly familiar nickname and demanded he stay away from his younger brother. After all, this was their first meeting—what right did Lu Hanling have to act so chummy? He was clearly up to no good! But right now, Li Yao had no energy to fend off this wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Taking a deep breath, Li Yao suppressed his anger and continued soothing Li Hui. “Look, you’ve already broken up. It’s better to see her true colors now than later. Listen to me—my little brother is amazing. You’ll find someone a hundred times better than her! Why waste time pining over that rotten tree?”
As he comforted Li Hui, Li Yao mentally reviewed the backgrounds of eligible young ladies from respectable families. Maybe if he introduced his brother to a truly outstanding girl, he could help him move on from this heartbreak. Surrounding him with refined, accomplished women would surely make him forget that awful ex.
After listening for a while, Lu Hanling finally pieced it together: So… his adorable Ah Hui had once dated that scheming woman from earlier?
Rubbing his chin, Lu Hanling felt a twinge of sympathy. It seemed his little cutie had questionable taste in the past. If it were him, he’d never have taken someone like that seriously—maybe a fling at most, but never a real relationship. Pouring genuine feelings into someone like her just wasn’t worth it.
Though Li Hui was upset, enough time had passed since the breakup that his emotions had cooled. It was just the shock of seeing his ex brazenly throwing herself at another man that had momentarily unsettled him.
After a few more words of reassurance from Li Yao, Li Hui took a deep breath and steadied himself. Turning to his brother, he said, “Don’t worry, Ge. I’m fine—I’ve already moved on.” From the moment he walked out of that rented apartment, Li Hui had known there was no future left between him and Han Siyu.
Seeing that Li Hui had genuinely let go of the past, Li Yao sighed in relief. “Good. My brother is incredible—of course you’ll find someone worthy of you!”
If only his brother weren’t so absorbed in acting, work, and research—if only he were better at socializing—he wouldn’t have been so easily fooled by that manipulative woman in the first place.
Thanks to reader 32193547 for the support! Mwah~ \(≧▽≦)/~
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