At this moment, Lu Guifan brought over two bottles of mineral water, twisted one open and handed it to Jiang Ruotang, and handed the other to Ling Song.

“Thank you,” Ling Song looked at Lu Guifan, startled.

Because the moment Lu Guifan lowered his head, Ling Song recognized his excellent facial features through the black-rimmed glasses, coupled with his tall and slender figure, Ling Song even thought Lu Guifan was an artist being cultivated by some company.

“You didn’t even twist open the water for Ling Song, you’re a failing assistant,” Jiang Ruotang teased.

Lu Guifan’s expression didn’t change much, but his eyes were very gentle, “I only twist bottle caps for people I like.”

“That answer gets you full marks,” Jiang Ruotang’s eyes curved into an even more beautiful smile.

Only then did Ling Song understand the relationship between the two. Did Jiang Ruotang bring Lu Guifan because he wanted to put his boyfriend into his father’s film crew?

This was too common in the entertainment industry, not to mention Jiang Ruotang’s background advantage, and his boyfriend’s conditions were indeed very good.

“Today, Guifan and I will be your assistants for a day. We’ll discuss serious matters in detail after work,” Jiang Ruotang said.

Ling Song paused, assistants for him? What new trick was this?

“No, I don’t need an assistant…”

Jiang Ruotang shook his head helplessly: “You’ve been bullied, and you still say you don’t need an assistant?”

“I’ve been bullied?” Ling Song looked confused.

Jiang Ruotang gestured with his chin in Cheng Man’s direction: “Cheng Man’s agency is a subsidiary of Cefeng Pictures. Has she been unable to keep up with your acting, waiting for you to get angry first? But you only said one sentence, and she burst into tears? If I’m not mistaken, she’s about to send photos of herself crying in front of you to marketing accounts, and tonight you’ll be on entertainment news—’A certain minor celebrity, once the male lead of a big director, started bullying the female lead’.”

Ling Song slowly lowered his head, it seemed he had already realized.

“It’s okay, being slandered and cursed a few times won’t hurt.”

Jiang Ruotang bent down, “It still matters, at least I think a management company is needed to handle these kinds of things.”

“Hmm?” Ling Song turned his face and met Jiang Ruotang’s smile.

The next scene was about to begin, and Ling Song was called away before he could think too much.

Cheng Man’s performance was much better than before, her emotions were in place, and her lines were no longer stuttering. The surrounding staff were whispering.

“Director Jiang’s guidance is really on point. Look how natural Cheng Man’s performance is now?”

“If you ask me… her previous poor performance might have been because she was scared by Ling Song.”

“No way? I think Ling Song has been patient enough. Cheng Man had five or six NGs before, and Ling Song didn’t say anything harsh.”

“You don’t know, do you? Yesterday after work, Cheng Man said she’d treat Ling Song to a late-night snack. Ling Song didn’t want to go, and Cheng Man thought he was being polite, so she enthusiastically invited him a couple more times. But Ling Song not only gave her a cold shoulder but also asked her, ‘If I don’t go eat this late-night snack, can’t we film?’ The atmosphere… scared Cheng Man to tears on the spot!”

Jiang Ruotang stood behind them with Lu Guifan, quietly listening from beginning to end, without making any comments.

After a while, Lu Guifan said, “It seems he really needs a professional management company.”

“Right,” Jiang Ruotang’s gaze deepened as he observed everyone on set’s attitude towards Ling Song.

People like Jiang Huaiyuan and his regular team members were focused on filming, but some staff responsible for trivial matters were more willing to surround Cheng Man. Someone was always tidying her hair, serving her tea and water. As long as she casually mentioned wanting a mint, the staff would start looking everywhere, bringing all kinds of candies for her to choose from.

It’s no wonder the staff were more enthusiastic towards Cheng Man. After all, she had a powerful backer like Cefeng Pictures behind her. Leaving a good impression on her might even lead to working on her next project, unlike Ling Song, who had no resource value.

At this moment, Ling Song finished filming and walked back. Jiang Ruotang immediately went up to him with a parasol.

Ling Song was overwhelmed, it had been a long time since anyone had taken such good care of him on set, let alone the director’s son.

He subconsciously reached out to take the umbrella, but unexpectedly, Lu Guifan took it first.

“Just focus on your script,” Lu Guifan said calmly.

And Jiang Ruotang helped Ling Song tidy his long hair, notified the makeup artist to touch up Ling Song’s makeup, and feeling that Ling Song’s throat was a bit hoarse, Jiang Ruotang went to other staff members to get some pangdahai for Ling Song to drink.

For a moment, Ling Song became the focus of the entire crew. Everyone was guessing what his relationship with the director’s son was.

Cheng Man, who was sipping iced milk tea nearby, looked at the two people next to Ling Song through her assistant’s shoulder, raised her chin, and whispered, “Look at that handsome guy with glasses holding the umbrella for Ling Song. I originally only thought he had a good figure, but looking closely, he’s really handsome!”

The assistant turned and glanced, then whispered into Cheng Man’s ear, “The one tidying Ling Song’s hair behind him is Director Jiang’s son, and the one holding the umbrella is his good friend!”

Cheng Man paused, and after two or three seconds, said, “I haven’t heard before… that Ling Song and Director Jiang’s son are so close?”

Most sons of film company bosses or directors are pampered when they enter a film set. They’ve never seen anyone like Jiang Ruotang, who has no airs and takes care of an actor with no presence.

This also made Cheng Man not dare to be negligent in her next scene. She told her agent about this.

The agent was also a shrewd person: “I heard that Director Jiang is strict on set, but he’s famously dotes on his son. His son is so attentive to Ling Song, it’s probably because he likes this type and is pursuing him. What I heard is that when Young Master Jiang was obsessed with Bai Yingchuan, his methods of boosting various rankings and buying marketing were unmatched by ordinary agents. Now it seems, Bai Yingchuan has lost his charm!”

Although Cheng Man wanted to curry favor with Han Ming, after hearing her agent’s analysis, she also backed off, “Then… don’t send the photos for now, let’s see how things go first!”

While Ling Song knew nothing, the negative press about him was temporarily suppressed.

It was already ten o’clock when the night shoot ended.

Ling Song took off his wig and removed his makeup, and by the time he finished all these miscellaneous tasks, it was eleven o’clock.

He stood up from the chair, and when he turned around, he saw Lu Guifan sitting against the wall, his back still straight, but Jiang Ruotang had already fallen asleep on his shoulder.

Ling Song sighed and said, “You two really didn’t have to wait for me. If there’s anything to discuss, we can wait until tomorrow morning.”

Lu Guifan replied, “I said I’d be your assistant for a day. One hour, one minute, one second less wouldn’t make it a full day.”

This was Lu Guifan imitating the way Jiang Ruotang spoke in his mind.

Ling Song lowered his eyes, “Student, you look quite steady, I didn’t expect you to play along with his games.”

Lu Guifan turned his face and glanced at Jiang Ruotang’s eyebrows and eyes, “He’s a serious person.”

His expression was tender, his voice soft, yet very solemn.

For some reason, Lu Guifan had a trustworthy aura, which also made Ling Song believe that they came to him with something serious to discuss.

“Oh? So you came to be my assistant for a day, to experience life, or to get closer to me?” Ling Song asked.

“I guess, it’s to protect you,” Lu Guifan replied.

“Protect me?” Ling Song’s expression didn’t fluctuate much, but his eyes seemed to say, “Let me hear how you’re going to make things up.”

Lu Guifan said unhurriedly, “You wouldn’t think that Cheng Man crying because of you today was just a coincidence, would you?”

“I know she was acting. After all, her acting skills are pretty mediocre.”

Lu Guifan lowered his eyes and checked the time on his phone, “But even now, there’s no news online about your bad attitude making the actress cry. Isn’t it because we acted as your assistants for a day, making Cheng Man confused about your relationship with the Jiang family, and thus she’s holding back, temporarily observing the situation?”

“Let her slander me if she wants, it’s not the first time I’ve been slandered.” There was a hint of indifference in Ling Song’s eyes.

Having experienced such things too many times, he was almost numb to it.

“Yes, after Ruotang and I leave, that draft will probably be published.” Lu Guifan’s hand still gently covered Jiang Ruotang’s face, shielding him from the light in the dressing room, “But Mr. Ling, do you have to endure all this? Do you have to refuse all protection, resources, and human connections? Or do you feel proud that you can still make a living in this industry by isolating yourself?”

Lu Guifan used the calmest tone to say the most direct and harsh words.

“Ruotang came to you for cooperation. He likes boys, but he has me now, so you’re not his type. So there’s no need to worry that he’ll play some domineering CEO forced love drama like Han Ming. He’s never claimed credit in front of you, but you should know in your heart that you jumped from an eighteenth-tier extra to a male lead. It would have been impossible without Ruotang fighting for you in front of Director Jiang. You need a backer, an ally, a team where everyone has their own responsibilities. You’re responsible for acting, and they’re responsible for liaising, negotiating, finding resources, and maintaining your reputation.”

Ling Song had thought about these things.

But such a team, for Ling Song, was like a mirage, scattering with a touch, only a dream.

“It’s getting late now, shall we talk tomorrow morning?” Lu Guifan said.

“Okay, I also want to hear what plans Jiang Ruotang has.”

“Then ten o’clock. No need to be too early. We also need a good rest.”

Actually, Lu Guifan knew that Jiang Ruotang had been busy all day and definitely wouldn’t wake up before 8 AM.

He turned around, wrapped Jiang Ruotang’s arms around his shoulders, and with a slight effort, carried him on his back out of the dressing room.

“Are you living alone?” Lu Guifan asked at the door.

“Yes,” Ling Song nodded.

This was also the first time he had received such treatment as a male lead.

“Then let’s meet in your room. The areas near the film and television base are very lively, with no privacy to speak of.”

Ling Song was startled for a moment, then nodded, “Okay.”

Lu Guifan carried Jiang Ruotang away like that, heading towards where the electric scooter was parked. Jiang Huaiyuan had already sent an assistant there to wait for them, ready to take them back to the hotel.

The night wind still carried the warmth of summer. Logically, they should have felt hot sticking together, but Jiang Ruotang wanted to stick even closer.

Jiang Ruotang had actually woken up when Ling Song and Lu Guifan were talking, but he was curious about what Lu Guifan would say to the other person, so he kept his eyes closed.

Gradually, Lu Guifan felt something was off.

Because Jiang Ruotang was being mischievous.

At first, he just rubbed his nose against Lu Guifan’s neck, and when Lu Guifan didn’t react, he became bolder and gently nipped with his lips.

Lu Guifan still didn’t say anything, so he sucked several times, thinking of leaving some marks.

“Ruotang.” Lu Guifan stopped. The streetlights shone on their shoulders. At this time, the noisy and lively film and television base had completely quieted down, and those two words were particularly clear, even the helpless affection within them was directly conveyed into Jiang Ruotang’s mind.

“What?” Jiang Ruotang lay on the other’s shoulder, deliberately letting his breath linger on the other’s neck as he spoke.

“You’re making me very itchy.”

After saying that, Lu Guifan continued to walk forward.

Even though the other person couldn’t see, Jiang Ruotang still bared his teeth, then bit down on the slightly reddened spot where he had just kissed.

“How about this? Still itchy?”

As he spoke, Jiang Ruotang also swung his dangling legs like a child.

Lu Guifan replied, “You’re too soft-hearted. If it were me, I’d bite you until you cried.”

Hearing the other person say that, Jiang Ruotang had a bad feeling and immediately stopped playing, obediently lying still.

“Thank you for your opening remarks to Ling Song.”

Jiang Ruotang was still wondering how to bring up the matter of signing Ling Song without making him too resistant.

After all, what Han Ming did was enough to make him overly suspicious.

“It’s nothing. I can’t let you sell your wares and praise yourself at the same time. I’ll do the praising. I don’t have any persuasive skills, but it’s good that Ling Song seems to prefer straightforward communication.”

“Hmm,” Jiang Ruotang said mischievously, “As long as you’re not angry that I’m praising other men.”

“Half the people in this world are men. Unless I lock you in a world with only me, I’ll be angry every moment. And…”

“And what?” Jiang Ruotang leaned forward, wanting to see Lu Guifan’s expression clearly.

He waited for a while, but Lu Guifan didn’t say what came after “and”.

It wasn’t until they arrived at the electric scooter parking lot and Lu Guifan put Jiang Ruotang down that Jiang Ruotang looked at him unhappily, meaning he had to say the second half of the sentence even if he didn’t want to.

Lu Guifan sighed: “And if you change your mind, I’ll feel it.”

“Then remember to keep this handsome face, and the abs I like. You absolutely can’t go bald from staying up late doing research, and you can’t get a potbelly from sitting too much. Then I’ll probably always like you.”

Lu Guifan covered his face with one hand, watching Jiang Ruotang, who was like a little emperor, get on the electric scooter.

Back in the hotel room, the weather was hot today, so both of them took a shower.

Lu Guifan leaned against the headboard, browsing some research reports sent by Professor Yang. Jiang Ruotang walked over, drying his hair. Lu Guifan originally thought he would lie down next to him and was ready to embrace him, but unexpectedly, the boy lifted the blanket and crawled up from the foot of the bed, occasionally rubbing Lu Guifan’s leg through his pajamas, like a fawning fox, just to attract Lu Guifan’s attention.

Lu Guifan deliberately ignored him, suppressing a smile, and continued looking at his phone, waiting to see what tricks Jiang Ruotang wanted to play.