Such an important major project, being assigned to lead the future boss naturally meant that Xu’s father wanted him to showcase his outstanding abilities in front of the future boss, laying the foundation for becoming the boss’s right-hand man in the future.
Frankly speaking, Chu Yan was very grateful for the opportunity and trust Xu’s father had given him.
Moreover, with someone like Xu Yi’an—who perfectly matched his aesthetic preferences and made his heart race—by his side, how could Chu Yan possibly refuse?
Seeing Xu Yi’an flash him a bright, sunny smile, Chu Yan remained outwardly composed, though internally, his heart was pounding so hard he felt like he might faint from blood loss. Then, in a daze, Chu Yan found himself being taken by Xu Yi’an to have lunch together, followed by afternoon tea at this milk tea shop.
This kind of leisurely break during work hours was something utterly unimaginable for a workaholic like Chu Yan, who was always diligent and responsible. Initially, Chu Yan hadn’t intended to accept Xu Yi’an’s invitation, but somehow (perhaps bewitched by charm), he ended up agreeing and sitting in this somewhat famous milk tea shop with Xu Yi’an, sipping on milk tea.
Or rather, Chu Yan was the one drinking while Xu Yi’an watched, since Xu Yi’an wasn’t particularly fond of sweet treats like sugary milk tea. Chu Yan, on the other hand, loved all kinds of sweet things. However, due to his usual aloof and refined persona, he rarely indulged in such girlish preferences in public, always restraining himself when eating. He had no idea how Xu Yi’an had discovered this little secret of his.
Though Chu Yan felt a bit embarrassed and shy about having this small, hidden hobby exposed by Xu Yi’an, he also couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction and happiness. Honestly, this feeling wasn’t bad at all.
Originally, the atmosphere between the two was harmonious with a hint of ambiguity—nothing could have been better. But now, Xu Yi’an was staring absentmindedly at another man right in front of him!
Chu Yan maintained a calm exterior, but inside, his heart was already drowning in tears.
Xu Yi’an studied the familiar figure for a while before snapping back to reality and noticing Chu Yan’s foul mood. Though nothing showed on the surface, Xu Yi’an inexplicably knew that Chu Yan was unhappy—and that he was the reason.
After recalling what had just happened, Xu Yi’an quickly figured out why Chu Yan was upset. Not wanting to tease him, Xu Yi’an decided to be straightforward. Pointing at the figure, he said, “Yanyan, that person looks a lot like an old friend of mine who ran away from home. I might need to check on him. Wait here for me—I’ll be right back.”
That said, Xu Yi’an still had to consider Chu Yan’s feelings. After all, although this old friend had technically “run away,” his family wasn’t completely in the dark about his whereabouts. It was more of an unspoken understanding, and Xu Yi’an didn’t want to disrupt that balance.
Missing this familiar figure now wouldn’t be the end of the world—there’d be other chances to find him later. But if Chu Yan was upset, that would be a real problem, especially since Xu Yi’an was trying to pursue him. Though he had no prior experience with romance or courtship, he understood the basics.
If he recklessly chased after another man in front of the person he was pursuing, that would pretty much spell the end of things. Xu Yi’an wasn’t that foolish.
Hearing Xu Yi’an’s explanation and seeing how carefully he was handling his emotions, Chu Yan’s little tantrum quickly dissipated. After all, Chu Yan was a rational and mature adult—he wasn’t about to throw a childish fit like some lovestruck teenager.
“It’s fine. I’ll wait here for you,” Chu Yan said, suddenly feeling inexplicably shy, his gaze flickering as his ears and cheeks turned slightly red.
Only after confirming that Chu Yan wasn’t just saying one thing while secretly feeling another did Xu Yi’an finally relax. Pushing open the milk tea shop’s door, he went after the disheveled man dragging a suitcase, looking lost and helpless on the street.
Honestly, if it weren’t for their families being close and the two having played together often as kids, making Xu Yi’an familiar with him, he might not have recognized the man at all.
Upon getting closer and seeing those familiar features, Xu Yi’an sighed. “Brother Li, long time no see.”
Hearing the voice—deeper and more mature but still recognizable—Li Hui looked up, his vision slightly blurred. Though his stature and features had matured, Li Hui still recognized this childhood friend, despite being younger than him. He forced a weak smile. “Yi’an, it’s you. Long time no see.”
After reconnecting, Li Hui, Xu Yi’an, and Chu Yan found a bench in a small park to sit and catch up. Of course, the conversation was mostly between Li Hui and Xu Yi’an, with the naturally reserved and unfamiliar Chu Yan playing the role of listener.
Perhaps because he’d been bottling things up for too long, Li Hui—now face-to-face with an old friend—found his eyes growing moist as he poured out everything weighing on his heart. By the end, even Chu Yan, who had just met Li Hui, couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him.
Despite the age gap, the fact that Li Hui and Xu Yi’an had been childhood friends spoke volumes about Li Hui’s background. Though not the direct heir of the Li family, his father was the younger brother of the current family head. Li Hui’s parents were artists at heart, devoted to their craft and indifferent to power struggles. With no conflicts of interest, the family atmosphere remained harmonious, and Li Hui’s status within the family was far from low.
Growing up surrounded by art and music, Li Hui developed into a gentle and kind-hearted gentleman. Later, he discovered a passion for acting and threw himself into it wholeheartedly.
Once the Li family head and Li Hui’s parents confirmed his genuine love for acting, they fully supported and encouraged his pursuit, becoming his steadfast backers.
With the Li family’s backing, Li Hui’s path was smooth, granting him access to mentorship from industry veterans. Talented, hardworking, and passionate, he soon achieved modest success.
Had things continued this way, Li Hui would have steadily risen, eventually portraying one iconic role after another. With the Li family’s protection, he’d never have to worry about unfair treatment or exploitation. But then, Han Siyu appeared.
Li Hui had studied acting at the nation’s top institution, receiving formal training and guidance from masters arranged by his family. He’d also gained extensive experience in stage and theater, even dabbling in traditional opera. Han Siyu, on the other hand, had a neglectful father and a stepmother who made life difficult. After barely graduating high school and performing poorly on college entrance exams, she’d started working as an extra in various productions at a young age.
As Han Siyu grew into her looks, her striking appearance opened doors but also invited bullying and suppression.
In this industry, a beautiful rising star was a formidable competitor, and petty rivals wasted no time in undermining her. Meanwhile, powerful lechers saw an easy target in a stunning young woman with no connections or backing.
Li Hui first met Han Siyu while playing a minor role in a large production to gain experience. By chance, he stumbled upon her being harassed by a group of thugs and stepped in to rescue her.
Unlike Han Siyu, Li Hui—though pleasant-looking and charismatic—wasn’t exceptionally handsome. His kindness, professionalism, and acting skills, combined with the Li family’s influence, allowed him to thrive in the industry without facing the same oppression.
After rescuing Han Siyu, Li Hui’s assistants and bodyguards (arranged by his family) naturally conducted a background check on her. They soon uncovered the reason behind the harassment: a newly wealthy individual who had received a substantial demolition compensation had taken a fancy to Han Siyu and hired thugs to orchestrate a “heroic rescue.” Ironically, Li Hui had unwittingly thwarted the scheme.
With the Li family’s intervention, Han Siyu was spared further trouble, and the two gradually grew closer, eventually starting a relationship. At the time, Li Hui was deliberately keeping a low profile to hone his craft, so his family connections remained hidden. Han Siyu had no idea about his background.
As for the Li family, they adopted a laissez-faire attitude toward the relationship. The family head imposed no restrictions, and Li Hui’s artist parents—believers in romantic love—had no intention of playing the villain. Thus, Li Hui and Han Siyu’s early days together were peaceful.
But as time passed, Li Hui approached graduation. With his family’s support, he was on the verge of signing with a top agency, securing an excellent manager and premium resources for a meteoric rise. Meanwhile, Han Siyu remained stuck in bit parts.
While Han Siyu was undeniably attractive, the entertainment industry overflowed with beautiful actresses and models. At best, her looks ranked above average—not extraordinary. Without education, skills, connections, or resources, fame remained elusive.
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