After Redeeming the Paranoid Villain [Transmigration] - Chapter 18

His unhappiness was not directed at Su Yu, but at himself. Currently, he lacked any real capability. Even though he knew Su Yu wanted to make a name for himself in the world, Gu Chen could not provide a gentle harbor. He could only say, with a sense of powerlessness, “Come back if you fail.”

If only things were as they were before.

Gu Chen’s hands gripped the leather armrests of his wheelchair so tightly that his fingerprints sank deep into the material, though he remained unaware of it. The elevator chimed, and Gu Chen opened his eyes. His light brown pupils betrayed a hint of fragility that he quickly masked, but beneath that vulnerability, a new look of determination emerged. He wanted to try to accept his imperfections. He wanted to step out of the shadows.

In the past, he would have remained in a state of decadence after suffering such a setback. Gu Chen understood his own personality. His childhood experiences had instilled in him an extreme, almost morbid perfectionism. He could not tolerate any flaws in his life and would do anything to remove them, especially a physical disability.

Consequently, when he first woke up and realized he was paralyzed, he locked himself in his room for three days without food or water. Later, he fainted and was only saved when the housekeeper broke down the door and rushed him to the hospital. When he opened his eyes, the first person he saw was Su Yu. It was then he learned that during his coma, his capable younger brother had somehow arranged for Su Yu to become his fiancé.

Initially, he could not accept this fact. The sudden impact of the news caused his weakened body to be overstimulated, and he fainted again in the hospital bed.

The next time he saw Su Yu was at his villa. He watched coldly from above as Su Yu stood downstairs with a suitcase, looking curiously at the house. At that time, Gu Chen’s heart was filled with resentment. His mind was occupied with thoughts of how to eliminate Su Yu quietly. He never allowed imperfections to exist; if they did, they had to be removed.

However, while Gu Chen was planning everything, the foolish Su Yu actually took a blanket and covered Gu Chen’s legs. His injured legs, which he never allowed anyone to touch, were covered by Su Yu before he even noticed. In that moment, he felt surprise followed by a flush of angry humiliation. At that time, Gu Chen had not yet moved past the shadow of his injury. He neurotically felt that Su Yu’s gesture was a way of mocking his paralyzed legs.

But then Su Yu said, “The weather is getting cold. Do not neglect your health. If you do not protect yourself properly, you might end up with chronic pain.”

Gu Chen remembered those words to this day. It was the first time since his paralysis that someone had spoken to him not with irony or mockery, but with genuine heartache. Gu Chen considered himself an excellent judge of character. Although Su Yu usually put up a good front, Gu Chen could tell at a glance that Su Yu was essentially a profligate son, no different from the disgusting, hypocritical people he usually encountered.

He assumed these caring words were merely a disguise. Yet, when he looked up into Su Yu’s eyes, they were incredibly clear. He saw his own reflection in Su Yu’s pupils along with a look of deep concern. In that instant, Gu Chen realized he suddenly could not see through Su Yu at all.

Perhaps the blanket on his legs was too warm, or perhaps the concern in Su Yu’s eyes caught him off guard. Gu Chen reminded himself not to fall into a gentle trap so easily. He threw the blanket back at Su Yu and said stiffly, “Take your ugly duckling back. You are acting like a child.”

But Gu Chen knew that it was that ugly duckling blanket that had silently warmed his cold heart on that freezing night. He always suspected Su Yu had an ulterior motive for getting close to him, and he was happy to play along. However, he now realized he seemed unable to escape. Su Yu had planted a seed of tenderness in his heart, which had taken root and sprouted without him noticing. It left him like someone drinking poison to quench a thirst; he was drinking the venom yet found it sweet.

Gu Chen felt he was going mad. Otherwise, why would he indulge in something he knew was a mistake?

Su Yu thought about it for a long time and finally decided to give it a try. After all, being a rice worm at home made him feel like he was losing his purpose in life. Besides, it would give him something to do.

When Su Yu called Li Wen to explain his intent, Li Wen sounded remarkably calm on the other end of the line. “I knew you would agree.” Although Su Yu wondered why Li Wen was so certain, he did not voice his doubts.

Su Yu arrived at the address Li Wen sent him. He looked up at the building. Before coming, he had researched Huaxing Entertainment. The company was large and had a promising future with excellent resources. The only reason it was not the absolute leader in the industry was because of a massive mountain standing in its way: Zhou Corporation Entertainment.

Zhou Corporation Entertainment practically monopolized more than half of the entertainment industry. Its roster included many award-winning actors and actresses. It stood as an immovable hegemon. This dominant entity happened to have a close connection to Su Yu. To put it simply, it was part of the Zhou family industry owned by his mother, Zhou Chuyao. It was precisely for this reason that Su Yu had not told her he wanted to try his hand at the entertainment world.

If he had mentioned it, knowing Zhou Chuyao’s personality, she would have acted like an indulgent ruler and diverted all of the company’s resources to him. If that happened, the fans of those famous actors would drown him in criticism.

After composing himself, Su Yu walked through the doors of Huaxing Entertainment. Li Wen was waiting for him at the front desk. His eyes lit up when he saw Su Yu. “You finally arrived. I thought you were going to run away.”

“Why would you think that?” Su Yu asked, puzzled.

“Just a feeling,” Li Wen replied, glancing at him. “Let us go. The auditions are happening right now. You timed your arrival perfectly.”

Su Yu was practically dragged by Li Wen into the audition room. Just then, a man walked out of the room. He froze for a moment upon seeing Su Yu. After looking Su Yu up and down, he gave a meaningful smile and turned to Li Wen. “Brother Wen, you have a good eye. This one looks like the type the judges will love.”

Li Wen looked at the newcomer and said flatly, “Everything is still uncertain.”

Ji Yanli took a step forward, closing the distance between himself and Li Wen. He raised an eyebrow and smiled nonchalantly. “Brother Wen’s eye has always been good. Is that not how you scouted me back then?”

Li Wen took a step back and replied coldly, “If that is the case, you should be grateful for the opportunity I gave you.”

“I am being grateful, but you do not seem to like it very much,” Ji Yanli said. His thin lips curled slightly. Because of his peach blossom eyes, he seemed to look at everyone with a hint of deep affection.

“Ji Yanli, the gratitude I want is for you to repay my kindness, not for you to oppose me at every turn like you do now,” Li Wen said. He pulled Su Yu along and brushed past Ji Yanli, leaving those words behind.

Only after hearing the man’s name did Su Yu realize why he felt so familiar. Ji Yanli had won the Best Newcomer award in his debut year and became a Film Emperor at the age of twenty-four. He was a man who had broken records in the entertainment industry and existed like a legend. When he won his title at twenty-four, everyone expected him to climb even higher. Unexpectedly, that was the year he terminated his contract with his old agency and established his own studio. He also bought a portion of Huaxing’s shares, becoming a shareholder himself.

Su Yu was smart enough to see the undercurrents between Li Wen and Ji Yanli, but he was never one to gossip. Li Wen watched Su Yu’s quiet demeanor and nodded in appreciation. In the entertainment industry, the most valuable people are those who know how to hold their tongues. Su Yu clearly met that requirement.

“In the future, when you see him, just give a polite greeting. Do not get too close to him,” Li Wen advised. Although he did not mention a name, Su Yu knew Li Wen was referring to Ji Yanli. Su Yu nodded to show he understood and did not ask further questions.

Looking at Su Yu’s behavior, Li Wen’s eyes were full of praise. He had a premonition that if Su Yu entered the industry, his development would be limitless, perhaps even surpassing Ji Yanli.

Li Wen had great confidence in his judgment. If he could train one Ji Yanli, he could train a second. However, Li Wen’s confidence collapsed the moment he saw Su Yu’s acting. He sat at the judges’ table, watching Su Yu’s clumsy acting and stiff delivery of lines. Li Wen, who rarely showed much expression, was now the picture of utter astonishment.

How on earth could someone be so beautiful yet have acting skills that were like complete garbage? No, calling it garbage would be an insult to the word. God was indeed fair. After opening a door for Su Yu, He had slammed the window shut and sealed it tight.

Ji Yanli, who had arrived late but saw the end of the performance, folded his arms and let out a light chuckle. His laughter held undisguised irony as he turned to Li Wen.

“Brother Wen, he seems to be just a vase. What should we do?” Ji Yanli’s tone was playful and mocking. He watched Li Wen, who had frozen beside him. He then leaned in slightly, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear. “If you beg me, Brother Wen, I might consider talking to the other shareholders. Huaxing is not short of money; we can afford to keep a vase around.”

Li Wen turned his head away to avoid Ji Yanli’s breath and said coldly, “I am only giving him an opportunity. Whether he passes depends entirely on him.”

Ji Yanli scoffed at Li Wen’s words and looked at Su Yu with eyes full of sarcasm.

Su Yu’s acting could no longer be described as just bad. During his performance, it was as if he wore his internal struggle on his face. With his stiff expressions and awkward lines, every part of him told the judges that he was acting. The judges looked at Su Yu and shook their heads helplessly. It was a pity that someone so handsome had such terrible acting skills.

Just as the judges were about to ask Su Yu to leave, a man in a black suit and glasses at the judges’ table curled his lips into a smile. He spoke up, “Wait a moment.”