After Getting Involved In A Love Triangle With My Mortal Enemy From A Past Life, All I Want To Do Is Lie Down And Relax - Chapter 18

As soon as the directors disconnected the video call, the other guests went about their own business. Qin Yibing and Chu Yuqing left for a date. Looking at them, it was obvious they were now a couple, or at least very close to becoming one. Generally, Fridays were free time, but the production team requested that guests not stray too far; should anything unexpected happen, it would be difficult to manage. However, since those two had a previous reward allowing them to date at any time without restrictions, they were the exception. To protect their privacy, the crew did not send a cameraman to follow them.

While they departed, the rest of the guests stayed behind, lounging in the living room and mingling with those they found interesting. Chen Jing sat to Sang Luo’s left, seizing every opportunity to strike up a conversation. To Sang Luo’s right sat An Yushu. He nervously attempted to speak but found himself unable to find the words, looking somewhat disappointed. Chen Jing watched this with a disdainful curl of his lip, then continued chatting with the others as if An Yushu were invisible.

Sang Luo remained characteristically detached, offering only brief, simple responses.

“Sang Luo, would you like to discuss acting?” Bai Chen spoke up at an opportune moment. “I believe I can be of help to you.”

Sang Luo thought for a moment before agreeing. “Thank you.”

“Then come sit over here.”

Under the reluctant gazes of the two beside him, Sang Luo walked across and sat in a single sofa chair. Bai Chen looked at Huo Xun and gave a seemingly casual smile. The latter’s face darkened slightly, but he offered no other reaction.

“Is there anything you did not understand about the scene you played yesterday?” Bai Chen asked.

Sang Luo pondered. “The emotions.”

“Specifically where?” Bai Chen rested one hand on the sofa’s armrest. Even without a specific expression, he gave off a refined and elegant vibe, especially with the faint, lingering smile in his eyes.

“He committed suicide by jumping off the cliff because the world no longer held any meaning for him. But I do not understand his action of looking at the jade pendant,” Sang Luo explained. He knew emotions were complex; sometimes he could perform them, but he could not truly understand them.

“What do you think the General felt for the Assassin?”

“Likability, but more so guilt and nostalgia.”

Bai Chen arched an eyebrow. “That is how you interpreted it?”

Sang Luo’s cool gaze shifted. “Yes. The General’s first impression of the Assassin was also rooted in a sense of familiarity.”

“That is correct. Your insight is quite unique,” Bai Chen said, stroking his chin. “You do not understand why he looked at the pendant because his emotions at that moment were complex and contradictory.”

“It was closure,” Huo Xun interjected, his dark eyes like cold stars. “A sense of relief.”

“It seems CEO Huo has his own views as well,” Bai Chen remarked, leaning back against the sofa. “I, however, see it as an alternative expression of emotion, helplessness, perhaps.”

“Our views are indeed different, and not just on this matter,” Huo Xun replied, retracting his gaze. His aura was formidable, causing an instinctive sense of dread.

Bai Chen refused to back down. “It seems neither of us can convince the other.”

Invisible sparks flew through the air as the atmosphere grew tense.

“Perhaps it was bewilderment,” Sang Luo said suddenly, letting out a soft laugh. “Just like me, I do not understand certain actions of the General.”

His smile was breathtaking, like snow suddenly melting or a hundred flowers blooming in a wasteland. His peach-blossom eyes curved slightly, and his clear gaze was captivating.

“I think both CEO Huo and Movie King Bai have good points. After all, your strength speaks for itself,” Liu Zhiya forced herself into the conversation, pointedly ignoring Sang Luo. However, no one responded to her. She was incredibly embarrassed and could only glare resentfully at Sang Luo.

By chance, the young man turned his head slightly. His features were cold and sharp, and the darkness in his eyes was like a frozen weapon. Liu Zhiya stiffened and then looked away as if nothing had happened.

“Everyone’s perspective is based on their own understanding of the performance. There is no absolute right or wrong, even for a director,” Huo Xun said composedly, his words carrying a natural weight of authority.

Sang Luo nodded. Just then, his phone buzzed. He checked it and signaled to the others that he was heading upstairs.

Back in his room, Sang Luo searched for information on Suhua Media. After a few glances, he directly declined their message. Indeed, many entertainment companies had messaged him lately, and he had refused them all. Sang Luo was ambitious and knew he could do better, so he was demanding about the company he chose. This was a major decision; any oversight could lead to trouble later. Almost all the companies inviting him were small and ordinary; the major ones had not yet made a move.

Sang Luo knew their concerns, which were essentially unstable factors at play. But he had principles; if a company was this hesitant, there was no point in signing with them.

About half an hour later, Imperial Entertainment sent Sang Luo a message, outlining their benefits in clear, simple terms. Imperial Entertainment was no ordinary company; it was established by Bai Chen himself. Bai Chen was a wealthy second-generation heir, and his company was on par with Huo Xun’s Star Media. The terms offered by Imperial were excellent, unprecedented for someone of Sang Luo’s current standing.

He instinctively thought of Bai Chen’s somewhat artificial smile and could not help but frown. He had not yet figured out the truth about Bai Chen, so he could not let his guard down.

Coincidentally, Huo Xun also sent him a message. It was a contract. Star Media was offering a signing tier of S2. Before the dating show, Huo Xun’s offer had been an S tier. This was not a simple doubling of benefits. The gap between S and S1 was immense, as was the gap between S1 and S2. This level of treatment was comparable to that of a Movie King or Queen.

Most shocking of all, the contract granted Sang Luo a 2% stake in Star Media. It might be hard to imagine, but even 1% was worth dozens of times more than what a wealthy family might possess.

Sang Luo stared at the contract for a long time without reaction. He did not know if this stake was unique to him or if it was standard for the S2 tier. As if anticipating his response, Huo Xun did not rush him. Instead, he silently sent over two other S2 contracts. The signees were different, but both included a 2% stake.

Sang Luo rested his forehead on one hand, his innate powerful aura filling the room. He looked at the messages from other companies again, then closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, his fingers habitually tapping the armrest. When he opened his eyes again, they were clear. He had made his decision. The most advantageous path before him was Star Media.

Friday evening arrived, and all the guests prepared to leave. Before departing, they created a group chat for easier communication. As soon as Sang Luo was invited, several people immediately added him as a friend, and he accepted them all.

After saying goodbye to the others, Sang Luo was the first to leave. He had intended to take a taxi back, but a man called out to him.

“Mr. Sang, CEO Huo asked me to drive you back to discuss the signing of the contract.”

Sang Luo nodded without hesitation. “Thank you for the trouble.”

“You are welcome. It is my duty.”

[THE END]