Mr. Lu Was Devastated After I Left - Chapter 13

After picking up the flowers, Xu Zhuoyang also bought a necktie and a delicate greeting card. He drove to the company building and waited. Because his identity was sensitive, being seen looking for Lu Beiye would surely invite gossip, and Lu Beiye certainly would not appreciate him showing up unannounced. Therefore, he stayed in the car, ready to rush out with the flowers the moment he saw Lu Beiye exit.

He sat in the car for a long time. Many departments had finished their day, but Lu Beiye had yet to emerge. Just as he was feeling frustrated, a familiar figure entered his field of vision.

Mu Yuan? What was he doing here?

Mu Yuan did not know someone was watching him intently. He only knew he had to see Lu Beiye quickly to tell him that everyone on set was bullying him. The makeup artist made him look like a fool, the director scolded him, other minor actors ignored him, and Xu Zhuoyang did not even lift a finger to help. Everyone was picking on him.

The front desk already knew him, so they did not stop him and let him pass. With reddened eyes, he ran into Lu Beiye’s office. Lu Beiye was about to snap at the sound of the door being pushed open, but seeing Mu Yuan’s tear stained face, his anger vanished instantly. He set aside his documents and came over to console him.

“Little Yi, what is wrong? Who bullied you?”

Mu Yuan cried even more pitifully. “Brother Lu, I do not want to act anymore.”

He told Lu Beiye everything that had happened on set. Lu Beiye frowned as he listened, calling Director Li Sheng right in front of him. Mu Yuan listened, his tears gradually drying, a smile reappearing on his face.

After Lu Beiye doted on him for a while longer, Mu Yuan finally felt better. Lu Beiye had finished his work, so the two decided to leave the company to get dinner. It was dusk, and Xu Zhuoyang had been waiting until he was nodding off. Just as he was wondering if he had missed Lu Beiye, he saw the two of them approaching, hand in hand.

Even in the dim light, he could clearly identify them. It was Lu Beiye, and the person with him was Mu Yuan.

He sat frozen, stunned, his mind going blank.

Mu Yuan was a new artist, so obscure he likely did not even rank as an eighteenth tier celebrity. Yet, he had attended the acting audition, not the initial casting call. Shadow auditions were reserved for professional actors, or at least those with some experience. How could an unknown like Mu Yuan get an invitation from Director Li Sheng? Furthermore, his performance today was poor and completely inconsistent with the general standards. This could only mean Mu Yuan had a powerful backer. Lu Beiye was an investor in Shadow and had a say in casting.

Xu Zhuoyang had once drank until he ended up in the hospital just to secure a role, yet Lu Beiye had never lifted a finger to help him. Meanwhile, Mu Yuan had just arrived at his side and already held such significant resources.

Lu Beiye, you truly are something else.

It took him a long time to regain his senses, the rage in his chest almost stifling his breathing. He opened the door, got out, and walked toward them. Before he could demand an explanation, Lu Beiye shoved him. “Stay away from him.”

He was referring to Mu Yuan.

What? Are you afraid I might hurt him?

Mu Yuan hid behind Lu Beiye like a frightened rabbit, and Lu Beiye’s protective posture pierced Xu Zhuoyang’s eyes.

He made a move to pull Mu Yuan out. “Do not act like a coward. If you have the guts, stand out and let us talk face to face.”

Lu Beiye pushed him away without mercy. “Stop biting like a mad dog. If you have something to say, talk to me.”

He had not expected Xu Zhuoyang to be here.

Xu Zhuoyang’s chest heaved. “I am a mad dog? You look more like a dog in heat to me. Lu Beiye, what is the meaning of this?”

Lu Beiye did not want to talk, and Xu Zhuoyang was clearly not in a state to have a rational conversation. “We will talk over the phone. The security guards have not clocked out yet. Making a scene will look bad, and it will not be good for you. You do not want your photo on tomorrow’s trending searches, do you?”

Mu Yuan tugged on his shirt from behind. “Brother, I am scared. Let us go home.”

These words infuriated Xu Zhuoyang further. “Home? You are going home? You two are already living together.” He looked up at Lu Beiye. “The reason you have not been home for days is because…”

Lu Beiye quickly cut him off. “If you do not leave, I will call security. I will give you a satisfactory explanation later. I do not want you making a scene here. You should weigh for yourself what is more important: your acting career or this mess.”

Xu Zhuoyang gnashed his teeth in hatred. “Fine. I will go. I will go. You two go and enjoy yourselves. I will not bother you.”

He got into his car, consumed by spite, and drove away from them.

Lu Beiye watched the departing car with a touch of regret.

I had intended to hold out a little longer.

Mu Yuan emerged slowly from behind him. “Brother, were you and Senior Xu…”

Lu Beiye patted his head. “Do not overthink it. It was just some work related issues.”

The first thing Xu Zhuoyang did when he reached the ground floor was toss the beautiful bouquet of roses into the trash can.

“Screw you, you heartless old dog.”