That night, Jiang Ruotang watched the audition videos on his laptop in his room.

Jiang Huaiyuan’s reputation was well-known. As soon as news of his auditions was released, dozens of actors showed up that day.

There were newcomers being heavily promoted by small companies, and there were also exquisitely beautiful online celebrities. But the entire audition was like a chaotic dance of demons, with exaggerated expressions and flying facial features, mixed with poetry recitations and performances where even Mandarin wasn’t clearly spoken. Jiang Ruotang couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

After laughing, Jiang Ruotang could also understand his father’s headache—the entertainment industry was so vast, yet none of the auditioners were usable.

Jiang Ruotang rubbed his eyes, went to the downstairs refrigerator, and got a can of iced cola. Opening the can with one hand, he looked up and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar person appear in the video.

The moment Jiang Ruotang met the man’s gaze in the video, he was caught off guard and choked on his cola, spraying it all over the screen. He quickly grabbed a tissue and wiped the cola clean.

The man in the video had a slender figure, over 1.85 meters tall. Although he wore a loose short-sleeved T-shirt for the audition, his shoulders were flat, and the T-shirt’s hem was tucked into faded jeans, making his waist appear narrow and sharp.

His face was frosty, his features sharp, his jawline like a blade sheathed. His eyes were deep, like a lake reflecting rime ice.

He was strikingly handsome.

He began to speak the male lead’s lines, and it was immediately clear that he was on a completely different level than the other auditioners, completely overwhelming them.

Jiang Ruotang’s throat moved. “Oh my god—isn’t that Ling Song?”

Ten years later, Ling Song was a powerhouse actor. Because he had never signed with an agency and worked independently, despite having a leading man’s face, he could only ever get supporting roles.

In his previous life, Jiang Ruotang remembered how he drank until his stomach hurt, almost spitting blood, trying to secure a role for Bai Yingchuan in a certain movie. When he almost fainted in the restroom, it was Ling Song who held him up.

Legend had it that Ling Song was aloof and didn’t interact much with people, but that day he looked into Jiang Ruotang’s eyes and said, “You’re a very hardworking agent, but unfortunately, you’re using your effort in the wrong place. Come join my team, I won’t waste the roles you negotiate.”

At that time, Jiang Ruotang could only look up to Ling Song; the other party was already a recognized acting talent. Jiang Ruotang had to respectfully call him Teacher Ling.

Jiang Ruotang was touched that his abilities were recognized and affirmed by Ling Song, but at that time, his heart and mind were completely focused on Bai Yingchuan, so he could only politely decline Ling Song.

Ling Song at that time was probably thirty-six years old…

So, the one in the audition video was twenty-six-year-old Ling Song?

This… this was truly a destined reunion!

Jiang Ruotang excitedly got up, knocked on Jiang Huaiyuan’s study door. At that moment, his father was frowning and on the phone, and by his expression, the conversation wasn’t very pleasant.

After exchanging glances with his son, Jiang Huaiyuan said he had something to attend to and hung up the phone.

“Dad, who were you talking to?” Jiang Ruotang sat down opposite his father, casually opening his father’s teacup lid to look.

Oh, the tea was full and cold. He was so busy he hadn’t even taken a sip.

Jiang Huaiyuan shook his head helplessly, “It’s from Qilin Video. They want to push an actor to play the male lead in Drunken Immortal Stage.”

“Ah, if I’m not mistaken, they also promised that once Drunken Immortal Stage is finished, they’ll have priority in purchasing the platform broadcasting rights?”

“Yes. And the actor they’re recommending is a popular male celebrity from Country K, the one they’ve been collaborating closely with recently.”

Jiang Ruotang lowered his eyelids and smiled. “Dad, you don’t want to use him, do you?”

“Right, of course, I don’t want to use him. How can an actor from another country portray the essence of our xianxia drama? He can’t even understand the script, doesn’t know what expression each line should have, and can’t give proper responses to his scene partners…”

Jiang Ruotang propped his cheek, looking at his father’s earnest expression.

No matter what storms he had weathered, his father’s original intention remained unchanged.

Jiang Ruotang nodded, “And if you use an actor from Country K, it might be hard to sell the drama once it’s finished, and business negotiations won’t go well.”

Jiang Huaiyuan found his son’s perspective very interesting and further asked, “Why do you think so?”

“Currently, the purchasing power of major video streaming sites for dramas hasn’t surpassed that of TV stations. Dad, after this drama is made, your primary goal is to sell it to TV stations, right?”

Jiang Huaiyuan nodded. Indeed, several TV station executives were already interested in his project.

“If you use a Country K actor as the lead, TV stations will have to consider policy risks and image issues. In terms of attracting investment, you’ll also lose support from many traditional brands. For example, those traditional Chinese medicine daily care brands that have been spending a lot on advertising in the past two years, they won’t invest in this drama for their own image. And domestic car brands, domestic skincare products, and so on.”

The more he listened to his son’s analysis, the more Jiang Huaiyuan solidified his decision not to use an overseas actor as the male lead.

“I watched the audition video. That actor named Ling Song is very good, from his looks to his lines. Why not choose him? Is it because you think twenty-six years old is too old to play a teenager, Dad?”

Jiang Huaiyuan nodded, “Yes, that’s what makes me most conflicted. He’s the most outstanding auditionee I’ve seen so far, but he lacks a bit of youthful innocence… Twenty-six isn’t old, actually. His maturity might be related to his life experiences. Early on, before graduating from drama school, he auditioned for and appeared in a TV series. His looks and physique were top-notch, and by chance, he was noticed by the vice president of Cefeng Pictures.”

“Ah, the vice president of Cefeng Pictures…” Jiang Ruotang ran it through his mind. “That man in his forties named Han?”

He seemed to be quite good-looking, with sharp, three-dimensional features. Compared to other bald and pot-bellied executives, Han maintained his physique quite well, a black suit accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist, truly possessing the demeanor of a high-ranking big shot.

Isn’t this a common trope in entertainment industry web novels?

Jian Sha was quite obsessed with this kind of character plot for a while, like rich patrons doting on newly debuted nobodies…

Of course, in reality, it’s not so pleasant.

Jiang Huaiyuan sighed, “Cefeng Pictures is deeply rooted in the industry.”

“Huh? Haven’t the movies and TV series they invested in consecutively bombed twice? Plus, senior executives were involved with Lin Chengdong… still deeply rooted? Shouldn’t they be full of holes?” Jiang Ruotang showed a disgusted expression.

“I was talking about a few years ago.”

“Okay, Dad, keep going.”

Jiang Ruotang had also heard about Ling Song’s early experiences, but his father’s information should be firsthand, probably different from the rumors he heard when he was an agent in his previous life.

Jiang Huaiyuan considered how to describe those unsavory transactions in the industry in a more elegant way: “CEO Han wanted to… to… well, essentially take Ling Song under his wing. Ling Song, however, is very proud and has a stubborn temper; he refused.”

Jiang Ruotang sneered inwardly. Heh heh, when these two alphas meet, there’s no beautiful ending of “one must submit.” It’s only a lose-lose situation.

And… Ling Song didn’t seem to have any scandals, he was a very self-respecting person, so he might not accept men.

“Then CEO Han found all sorts of ways to suppress him, put him on ice. Whenever he auditioned for a project, CEO Han would push his own actors. Ling Song wasted five years like that. Despite his excellent qualities, he didn’t film any decent projects, nor did he sign with an agency. He just took small, extra roles in the film studio.”

“I see, Dad. You’re worried that after all he’s been through, he’s too cynical to portray the male lead’s initial pure and desireless innocence. The later cold-faced demon role would suit him quite well, though.”

Jiang Huaiyuan immediately nodded.

Jiang Ruotang shook his father’s shoulder. “Dad, wake up! There are no perfect actors in this world. Actors rely on their acting skills. If you drag this project on, the financial losses will only increase.”

“Then… I’ll choose Ling Song? But I still feel like I need to understand him better.”

Jiang Ruotang understood. “You want to test his temper and patience. You’re worried that if his personality is extreme, he’ll clash with others on set? Then… hand him over to me, and let me try?”

“Tangtang, you… you didn’t fall for him, did you?” Jiang Huaiyuan gasped.

Jiang Ruotang was utterly confused. “Huh? Why would I fall for him?”

He had standards, he didn’t just go for any handsome face.

Only Lu Guifan was his type!

“Just because he’s a handsome guy in the same style as Xiao Lu—at first glance, his features are three-dimensional, and then you notice his eyes and nose are beautiful… their personalities appear cold and unapproachable on the surface, the type where you have to be warm to them when they’re cold, but Xiao Lu’s heart is warm and soft. I don’t know about Ling Song…”

“Dad, what are you thinking?” Jiang Ruotang’s eyes widened.

“I’m thinking, if your pursuit of Xiao Lu fails, you’ll shift your target…”

Jiang Ruotang’s ears immediately turned red. “I… I never pursued Lu Guifan…”

Was it because he was always eager to be good to Lu Guifan? But Jiang Ruotang never thought about getting anything in return from Lu Guifan!

Jiang Huaiyuan nodded, “Others might not understand, but I’m your father.”

“Who else did you tell?” Jiang Ruotang was a bit anxious. He was still thinking of slow-boiling the frog. If his dad exposed him like this, his frog, which he had been boiling for almost a year, would hop away.

“No one, I just watched silently.”

Jiang Ruotang exhaled. “What are you watching silently? Watching my humiliation, your son’s joke?”

“Watching when you can’t hold it in anymore and go confess!”

Jiang Ruotang looked up. I can’t even see Lu Guifan right now, let alone confess? Confess my grandmother’s leg!

However… at least Jiang Huaiyuan wasn’t against it? He even seemed quite pleased?

“Alright, alright, we’re not talking about Lu Guifan right now, but Ling Song. Dad, if you don’t mind, let me have a chat with this Ling Song?”

Looking at Jiang Ruotang’s expression, Jiang Huaiyuan knew his son had more ideas than he imagined. His “chat” certainly wouldn’t involve any unspoken rules like CEO Han.

And… his son had very high taste. He didn’t like unspoken rules; he liked to cultivate a high-and-mighty flower and then silently admire it.

But he didn’t know that his son was also being “cultivated” by others, such as Mu Xianqing, a big shot in the art collection world and owner of Deep Blue Gallery. As soon as he heard that Jiang Ruotang had completed a painting, even though he had just attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a friend’s gallery in the industry, he immediately found an excuse to leave and drove to the Jiang family’s home.

Sister Juan led him to the art studio upstairs, knocked on the door, and Jiang Ruotang answered “Come in.” The door opened, revealing the elegantly dressed Mu Xianqing, in a well-tailored suit, standing at the doorway. His medium-length hair was neatly combed back and tied into an artistic braid. He smiled slightly at Jiang Ruotang.

“Great artist, may I come in and take a look?”

If it were a fine arts college student, they would probably be standing up nervously to greet him.

But Jiang Ruotang simply loved painting and didn’t have such a strong desire for fame. Spiritually, he was completely equal to Mu Xianqing.

“Come in,” Jiang Ruotang leaned back in his chair, eyes crinkling in a hearty laugh.

Mu Xianqing looked at the painting in progress and paused. “This one’s quite good. Aren’t you submitting it to that Asian New Star Art Exhibition?”

“I’m exhibiting another one.”

“Which one?”

“It’s against the wall.”

With that, Jiang Ruotang refocused on refining the painting in front of him.

Mu Xianqing walked to the wall and found two paintings there, both covered with cloth.

His interest piqued. He hadn’t expected Jiang Ruotang’s creative urge to explode so soon after the college entrance exam, less than two weeks later. It seemed the gallery would soon be able to set up a dedicated exhibition area for him.

Mu Xianqing had just unveiled the canvas when his gaze was sharply pulled, experiencing a sense of weightlessness, both emotionally and perceptually.

The painting depicted a young man lounging on a sofa, holding a hardcover book. His black-rimmed glasses were like Pandora’s box, sealing away his handsomeness and sex appeal, yet every detail—from the delicate contours of his eyes behind the lenses to the slight curve of his lips, or the lines of his neck and the interplay of light and shadow—exuded a sense of love.

Behind that pure love lay desire, making one want to kiss him, to shatter his gentleness and rationality, to break those old-fashioned black-rimmed glasses, leaving no barrier between him and the world, and thus fiercely and completely possess him.

Mu Xianqing’s throat moved. He couldn’t believe there was such a handsome man in the world. No, no, no… Mu Xianqing meant that kind of handsome with a sense of distance, yet possessing a pure sex appeal.

There was nothing explicit about it, yet it evoked desire.

But this desire was not vulgar; it held the unblemished love of youth, directed solely at one person.

Mu Xianqing coughed. “Your beloved… is as beautiful and sexy as ever. Are you dedicated to making the whole world fall in love with him?”

Jiang Ruotang turned around, looking puzzled, saw the painting, and hastily got up. “No! Not that one!”

“Ah?”

“This is one I painted for myself…”

Jiang Ruotang took the cloth and covered it again.

Mu Xianqing paused. “But this painting would be incredibly popular in the art world. If you entered it into the exhibition, you’d definitely be a sensation! The skill is profound, and the emotional impact is very strong…”

Jiang Ruotang quickly moved the painting away, thinking, That’s exactly why its strong emotional impact is a problem… If Lu Guifan searched online and saw the comments on this painting, wouldn’t he know that every joke and every test he gave him was “with ulterior motives”?

Mu Xianqing looked at Jiang Ruotang’s guarded expression and sighed, “My God, the college entrance exam is over, you don’t have to worry about affecting his future anymore. Haven’t you just gone all out and slept with him?”