Roommate Won't Spoil His Pretty Boyfriend? Fine, I'll Do It - Chapter 12

Ye Qinfan brought along a few cups of milk tea, casually greeting the front desk staff as he made his way toward the studio.

The auditions had already begun. A large number of people had turned up, mostly recent college graduates. Those whose height clearly did not meet the requirements were not even given a chance to get on stage and were turned away immediately.

Naturally, Ye Qinfan’s height did not meet the standards either. Yet, who could blame him when his boyfriend was the company boss? He was practically given a free pass.

Standing in front of the monitor, Mu Nian furrowed his brows deeply, looking thoroughly dissatisfied with this round of auditions.

“Sister Su!”

Ye Qinfan called out softly, waving at Su Yi.

Noticing him with Mu Nian’s approval, Su Yi put her things down and walked over. “Qinfan, why are you so late? Things started a while ago.”

“I did it on purpose. I have to make a grand finale entrance, right?” Ye Qinfan handed the milk tea he was holding to Su Yi, asking her to distribute it to the staff.

Su Yi chuckled lightly. “You might as well just say you were preselected. What happened to your face?”

“It’s nothing. Got into a fight with someone, but it’s no big deal. The event is still two months away, plenty of time to recover.”

“True, you’re young and full of spirit. Even with a scratched-up face, you’re still quite handsome.”

“Thanks for the compliment, Sister Su!”

Standing on his tiptoes, Ye Qinfan peered toward the T-stage, secretly observing Mu Nian’s expression.

“Is Niannian unhappy with so many people?”

Su Yi sighed. “Once these auditions start, the gap between professionals and amateurs really shows. Brother Mu has worked with so many top-tier models in the past, so naturally he can’t look at these mediocre ones. He hasn’t smiled all afternoon. Go talk to him and get him to take a break.”

“Alright.”

Ye Qinfan walked over empty-handed and stood behind Mu Nian, giving his shoulders a light squeeze. “Niannian, how is it going? Did you find anyone suitable?”

Picking out two files from the stack, Mu Nian said, “It’s been all afternoon, and these two barely meet the standards. But if we want anyone who truly stands out, it’s going to be difficult.”

Glancing at the ID photos on the files and deciding they were nowhere near as handsome as him, Ye Qinfan felt his confidence grow. “Why don’t you take a break? Look at all this fuss you’re making. If you end up choosing me anyway, wouldn’t you just be wasting your time?”

Mu Nian glanced sideways at him. “Your height doesn’t meet the requirements, and I’ve already bent the rules for you. If you perform poorly, I’ll still replace you.”

“Alright, alright, I get it. I’ll perform well later and won’t embarrass you.”

Soon, it was Ye Qinfan’s turn. With his striking looks and a layer of foundation covering his bruises, he looked fine on camera.

Putting on the hidden-heel shoes and the clothes Mu Nian had designed, he strutted onto the stage with absolute confidence.

Ye Qinfan genuinely performed better than the others. Standing behind Mu Nian, Su Yi whispered in praise, “Brother Mu, your boyfriend is pretty good. Even without the preselection, I’d pick him. With a bit more practice, handling the client will be a breeze.”

Yet Mu Nian’s brow remained tightly knitted.

After stepping off the stage, Ye Qinfan first checked the playback. Finding himself quite satisfied, he puffed out his chest and walked over to Mu Nian, waiting for praise.

“How was it, Niannian? Should it be me?”

With an utterly expressionless gaze, Mu Nian replied, “Not great. Your steps are too floaty, your center of gravity is unstable, and you walked out with the vibe of a local hoodlum. You didn’t pull off the suit either; it looks like a kid sneaking into adult clothes.”

Mu Nian had always been rigorous and ruthless when it came to work, something his subordinates were well accustomed to. However, none of them expected the boss to be so tongue-in-cheek and merciless toward his own boyfriend, prompting everyone to cast sympathetic glances at Ye Qinfan.

Feeling rather awkward, Ye Qinfan was saved by Su Yi stepping in. “Brother Mu, it’s not as bad as you’re making it out to be. I actually think Qinfan is pretty good. He has camera presence and isn’t stage-frightened. His stride can always be practiced.”

Letting out a breath, Mu Nian replayed the footage over and over again, still feeling dissatisfied. He asked, “Is there anyone else?”

The person in charge replied, “Director Mu, that’s everyone. Your boyfriend was the last one.”

Massaging the bridge of his nose, Mu Nian realized that if no one better turned up, he would have no choice but to choose Ye Qinfan.

“Fine.”

Just as he was about to finalize the decision, the heavy iron door of the studio swung open. The front desk staff led Bai Shijin over and called out, “Director Mu, this young man says he knows you and is looking for you. He couldn’t find the way, so I brought him along. I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”

Everyone’s gazes shifted in unison. When they caught sight of Bai Shijin standing there neatly, they were all stunned.

Quickest with her tongue, Su Yi blurted out, “Now that is a walking clothes hanger.”

Hearing Su Yi’s murmur, Ye Qinfan frowned.

Acting as if he hadn’t noticed Ye Qinfan, Bai Shijin walked straight up to Mu Nian and held up a lunchbox. “Brother Mu, thanks for taking me in and letting me stay at your place the other night. Since you liked this dish and I figured you’d be too busy to order takeout, I specially made it and brought it over.”

Everyone in the room instantly picked up on the juicy gossip, halting their work and pricking up their ears.

Stunned, Bai Shijin took a hesitant step back. “Qinfan, why are you here? Sorry, I must have come at a bad time.”

As Bai Shijin turned to leave, Ye Qinfan flew into an even greater rage, his voice doubling in volume. “Stop right there! Explain to me what you mean by staying over the other night! What on earth did the two of you do behind my back?”

Sensing the vast, open space of the studio, it was impossible for anyone not to hear Ye Qinfan’s outburst, and they all stared with wide eyes.

“Ye Qinfan!”

Unable to stand Ye Qinfan making a scene and humiliating him in front of so many people, Mu Nian stepped in front of Bai Shijin and snapped, “What kind of madness are you spouting? What do you mean by what did the two of us do behind your back? That night he couldn’t get back to his dorm, so I let him sleep in the guest room for a few hours. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?”

“You let him sleep in the guest room for a few hours?” Ye Qinfan’s eyes bulged, his eyelids reddening. “Every time I go to your house, you kick me out the moment it gets late and won’t even let me stay overnight. Damn it, you let Bai Shijin sleep in the guest room?”

“How can you compare yourself to Shijin?” Mu Nian said with a weary tone. “Every time you come over, when is the place ever clean? Have you ever cleaned up? Takeout containers and beer bottles are tossed everywhere, and sunflower seed shells cover the space under the sofa. If you put in even half the effort Shijin does to keep things neat and tidy, I wouldn’t have had to do it myself.”

“Mu Nian!” Ye Qinfan gasped for air, struggling to catch his breath. “Who on earth is your boyfriend? You’re defending Bai Shijin like this, and I’m just an eyesore to you, right? Fine, I’m leaving.”

Eyes red with anger, Ye Qinfan stormed off, leaving everyone in the studio frozen in place as if paralyzed.

Massaging his temples with a sigh, Mu Nian barked, “What are you all staring for? Get back to work! Is this a free show to you?”

At that, everyone immediately lowered their heads and resumed their tasks.

Never expecting the wedge-driving plan to progress so smoothly, Bai Shijin felt a surge of secret glee while wearing a look of sincere apology. “I’m sorry, Brother Mu. I did not know Ye Qinfan would be here. Look at my brain, you even told me not to bring up staying at your place. I am so sorry, I will go explain it to him later.”

“It’s fine.” For reasons unknown, Mu Nian couldn’t muster any anger toward Bai Shijin. “It’s just his narrow-mindedness. Let him throw his tantrums.”

Nodding obediently, Bai Shijin lifted the lunchbox once again. “Then this…”

“Hand it over, I’m starving.”

Turning to Su Yi, Mu Nian instructed, “Give everyone a break. Take a headcount, and I’ll treat everyone to coffee.”

Still caught in shock, Su Yi cast a subtle glance at Bai Shijin before agreeing and scurrying off.