The Scummy Top Desperately Tries to Win Back His Ex After the Breakup - Chapter 16

Kevin leaving was a cause for universal celebration. With him gone, the professional skills of the actors in the crew were all up to standard. By working extra hours to reshoot the previous scenes, the progress actually became faster and more perfect than before.

Jiang Zui took some time to meet with Xu Xizhe to discuss his new role in the movie. This film was a costume fantasy genre that Xu Xizhe had been conceptualizing and planning for several years. It told a story set during the X Dynasty, a time when demons ran rampant and the people lived in misery. The emperor was weak and incompetent, leading to frequent bloody cases within the palace. An exorcist entered the palace to investigate and subsequently discovered that the culprit behind it all was an unfavored prince. Because the prince craved power and status, he had made a deal with a thousand year old fox demon, causing human lives in the palace to be treated like grass.

This fox demon had been suppressed under a mountain by the national teacher during the founding years of the dynasty and had harbored resentment for hundreds of years. Having been accidentally freed from the seal by the prince, the demon intended to use him to throw the country into chaos. Later, the prince discovered the true face of the fox demon. However, no one expected that during their time together, he had already fallen in love with this beautiful and sinister creature. In the end, it was a tragic story of him being forced to kill the demon with his own hands for the sake of the country and its altars.

The movie contained elements of same sex love. Therefore, Xu Xizhe did not intend to use this film to compete for domestic box office records. Instead, he planned to target international film awards. After all, foreigners enjoyed watching such unconventional stories.

Jiang Zui had never taken on such a role before. He felt it was a challenge for himself and thus agreed without any objection. While signing the contract, he chatted with Xu Xizhe about their understanding of the script and characters, and the atmosphere between the two was quite harmonious.

Xu Xizhe looked at the man across from him. Jiang Zui was noticeably thinner, yet as time passed, he no longer possessed the same decadence he had at the beginning. Xu Xizhe felt a sense of relief and a strange touch of softness in his heart. Consequently, he spoke somewhat tentatively. “How have you been lately?”

Jiang Zui was startled. He looked up at the other man and knew exactly why Xu Xizhe was asking him this. He then gave a bitter smile. “How else could I be?”

The human heart is made of flesh. It was impossible for him to move on so quickly. Jiang Zui had once read a quote stating that if matters of the heart could be controlled, there would not be so many brokenhearted people in the world. This emotional wound would take a long time to heal slowly. Regardless, he never wanted the other person to appear in his life again. Therefore, he did not want to discuss such painful topics with Xu Xizhe anymore. He stiffly shifted the conversation back to the movie. Xu Xizhe naturally noticed his deliberate avoidance and knew that Jiang Zui had not completely let go. However, he was not discouraged. He thought that although Jiang Zui and Pei Youting were finished, there was still plenty of time ahead.

Thus, Xu Xizhe followed the lead of Jiang Zui. They discussed details in the script and the unconfirmed male lead, specifically the heavenly master commissioned to investigate the case.

“I plan to use a newcomer this time,” Xu Xizhe said slowly as he took a sip of coffee. “A fresh face with spiritual energy. However, after picking several in a row, I was not satisfied with any of them. Either their acting was stiff and unfamiliar, making the lines sound like they were reciting a textbook, or they lacked any intuition. Even after explaining things several times, they could not meet my expectations,” Xu Xizhe complained with some dissatisfaction.

Jiang Zui smiled. “Newcomers always need polishing. Besides, one certainly cannot settle when it comes to the lead actor.”

Xu Xizhe shrugged and was about to agree when the phone on the table rang. He gave an impatient click of his tongue but still made an apologetic gesture to Jiang Zui and went to a quiet spot to answer the call. A minute later, he returned to his seat. For some reason, his gaze toward Jiang Zui was mixed with a hint of pity.

“It seems I do not need to worry myself anymore,” Xu Xizhe sneered. “Someone has helped me send the lead actor in.”

It was a second tier star who had been moderately successful named Su Leyan.

It was not until a week later that Yan Wenhe saw Pei Youting, who had broken up with Jiang Zui. He was truly shocked when he saw the face of the other man, which had not yet fully healed. He immediately uttered a curse. “Did you get into a f***ing car accident?”

Aside from that, he really could not think of anyone who could make someone with the surname Pei look like this. Pei Youting did not even bother to look at him. A low pressure atmosphere of an impending storm surrounded him, and his expression was so terrifying that it seemed he might kill someone. Yan Wenhe could not help but shiver.

Consequently, he grumbled with some dissatisfaction. “I am telling you, who are you showing that long face to every day? It is fine for me, but if your sweetheart saw you, he would be scared away.”

It would have been better if he had not mentioned it. The comment hit the bullseye, and the expression of Pei Youting became even uglier than before. He looked at Yan Wenhe and spoke through gritted teeth. “Can you shut up?”

His appearance was quite terrifying, but Yan Wenhe had grown up with him and was not afraid. After being stunned for a few seconds, he pointed at the man and laughed loudly. “No way. Did you actually break up with him?”

Nothing was as funny as seeing a brother turn into a clown. Young Master Yan suddenly became interested and leaned in nosily. “Why? Does he not love you very much? Did you get caught sleeping with another little lover?”

Yan Wenhe was indeed a longtime friend of Pei Youting, as he hit the mark with one shot. Pei Youting simply slammed the documents in his hand onto the desk. “If you say one more word, I will send you to the grave today.”

He was clearly angry from embarrassment. The eyes of Yan Wenhe darted around as he glanced at the face of Pei Youting again. It seemed the injury on his face was also the work of that kid Jiang Zui.

I truly could not tell he was so reckless, Yan Wenhe thought to himself. He felt that Jiang Zui was quite a remarkable individual. Although the animalistic behavior of Pei Youting came first, the fact that he did not retaliate after being beaten was truly unlike his usual temper. Yan Wenhe was a playboy who did not care for the complexities of love. As a standard fair weather friend, he put his arm around the back of Pei Youting. “Why keep such a grim face? If it is over, it is over. The next one will be better and more obedient. Do you not like the flirtatious ones? The second older brother of Song Zeji opened a new club recently. The people there are all top quality and not inferior to that kid,” Yan Wenhe said indifferently.

There was never any genuine sincerity among this group of elite socialites. Pei Youting also felt that he was thinking about Jiang Zui too much. Perhaps it was because he did not have anyone pleasing by his side. Thinking this, he accepted the invitation of Yan Wenhe.

The place operated on an invitation only basis, and one could not enter without a recommendation. Knowing that this was a place where noble people gathered and expectations were high, the people selected were all top tier in terms of temperament and appearance. A row of handsome men and beautiful women stood in a line, yet Pei Youting could not muster any interest. He only felt that the scent of perfume around him made him want to vomit.

He felt his heart was terribly blocked. For several days, the face of Jiang Zui, red from crying and filled with hatred, had been swirling in his mind. This made Pei Youting feel irritable and even less inclined to stay. He wanted to go out for some fresh air. It was at this moment that there was a commotion outside the private booth.

“I am sorry, I am sorry I am late. I did not know that it would end so late today.”

The floor manager scolded him ruthlessly. “If you want to work, then work. If not, then get out. Who do you think you are serving? If you do not come, there are plenty of people who want to replace you.”

The person apologized profusely. Perhaps because his attitude was good, the manager relented and let him in. It was at the moment he entered that Pei Youting had the idea of staying upon seeing him. He was not exceptionally outstanding, possessing a look common in the entertainment industry. However, his build and overall temperament felt familiar. He reminded Pei Youting of Jiang Zui, who had made him toss and turn these past days and nights.

His gaze stayed on Su Leyan. Yan Wenhe glanced at him and knew he was interested. He immediately beckoned the man over. “What are you standing there for? The seat next to Young Master Pei is empty. Come here and pour him a couple of glasses.”

Su Leyan looked at Pei Youting, and for some reason, his eyes lit up. A flush appeared on his cheeks as he sat down beside Pei Youting somewhat bashfully and poured him a drink. Pei Youting stared at the hands holding the wine glass for a brief moment, then lowered his eyes and took the glass. Seeing this, Su Leyan became even happier. He only drank and did not speak, yet Su Leyan seemed excited. After being quiet for a while, he spoke somewhat tentatively. “That, Master Pei, I, I.”

Pei Youting frowned with some impatience. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Su Leyan stole a careful glance at him before gathering the courage to speak. “I, you might not remember. I have met you before at a banquet. I was being forced to drink, and it was you who stepped in for me. I have always wanted to thank you, but I never found the chance.”

Pei Youting was busy with many affairs every day, so how could he remember such a small matter? He felt that this person was very annoying for speaking hesitantly. Even the interest sparked by the slight resemblance to Jiang Zui vanished. He looked up, intending to tell the man to get lost, but accidentally met the gaze of Su Leyan. It was a gaze full of trust, admiration, and warmth. He had seen all of this in the eyes of another person. Seeing it again today made his wandering heart settle down temporarily.

It would not be impossible to keep him, Pei Youting thought. So, he simply gave a grunt of acknowledgment and did not say any more cutting words. After a long time, when he had drunk enough, the atmosphere in the room became sensual. The young masters all took their lovers out for the night, leaving only Yan Wenhe drooling on the sofa and the motionless Pei Youting.

Su Leyan kept looking at him, his fingers fidgeting unconsciously. He secretly hoped in his heart, yet Pei Youting did not touch him in the end.

A week later, the secretary of Pei Youting sent a document to Su Leyan. Just like that, Su Leyan became the lover of Pei Youting. As compensation, Pei Youting gave him a villa, an Aston Martin, and placed the little-known actor into the lead role of the new movie by Xu Xizhe.

There is no better benefactor than Pei Youting, Su Leyan thought. If possible, he truly wanted to occupy this man forever, holding onto his wealth and fame without letting go. This was despite the fact that during these days following Pei Youting, the other man had not touched him once.

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