Chapter 35: Mug

After Qu Ling’er left, his game ended promptly as well but he did not feel like playing further. Bai Lang had always mocked him for not playing the game well, and he was too lazy to retort. He felt that work was already very tiring—he played games to relax—there was no need to be so serious. He was about to take a nap on the sofa when the doorbell suddenly rang.

He went and locked the study—put Qu Ling’er’s shoes in the shoe cabinet—before opening the door. As expected, it was Assistant Liu and Bai Lang.

Assistant Liu complained, “Yichen, you should set up my fingerprints again. You are too slow in answering the door.”

Luo Yichen did not look at them. He returned to the living room—sat on the sofa—and said grumpily, “I already said that I wanted to rest today. Why did you have to disturb me?”

Bai Lang changed his shoes and sat beside Luo Yichen. He looked at Luo Yichen and asked casually, “Assistant Liu said that you’ve had lunch for a few days?”

Luo Yichen sat up straight and looked at Bai Lang. “So, you guys are here to pick on me today?”

Bai Lang smiled and said, “No, I just want to talk to you. Yichen, do you feel that you’ve… changed quite a lot recently?”

“How many times have you seen me recently? Three times?” Luo Yichen asked. They had only met once or twice—where did the huge change come from?

Bai Lang must have heard it from Assistant Liu who said that Luo Yichen did not use his cell phone much in the past. But now, his cell phone is glued to him every day, But Assistant Liu did not dare to invade Luo Yichen’s privacy by looking at his cell phone.

Bai Lang turned to look at Assistant Liu. “Assistant Liu, get me a cup of water.”

“Okay.” Assistant Liu nodded and quickly went to get a cup of water for Bai Lang.

Luo Yichen glanced at the tea cabinet—Qu Ling’er’s mug was still there. Assistant Liu walked over and picked up Qu Ling’er’s mug.

“Wait a minute!” Luo Yichen said when he saw that Assistant Liu was about to touch Qu Ling’er’s mug. He swiftly stood up—walked over—and put Qu Ling’er’s mug away.

Assistant Liu was astonished. “It’s just a mug. Do you have to do that?”

Luo Yichen found a new cup and handed it to Assistant Liu. “It’s not just a mug—it’s mine!”

Assistant Liu helplessly took the new cup to wash in the kitchen.

Bai Lang noted the whole exchange. When Luo Yichen sat down, he asked with a poker face, “The mug just now looked more like a girl’s mug. Yichen, are you hiding something from me?”

Luo Yichen looked at Bai Lang without saying a word.

Bai Lang could not take it anymore—sighed—and said, “Forget it, let’s get down to business. Director Steven’s new movie is casting for a Chinese male lead. I’ve secured an audition for you. We’ll fly to America at the end of the month.”

“What’s the theme? I’m not playing any role that vilifies the Chinese!” Luo Yichen was not interested in foreign movies.

Bai Lang’s face darkened as he said, “Am I that unpatriotic to you? If it’s really a character that tarnishes the Chinese, I won’t accept it at all. I’ve already asked around—this movie is about Chinese Kung Fu. It’s a big-budget action movie.”

“Alright. I’ll leave you to arrange it.” Luo Yichen nodded and no longer had any objections after hearing Bai Lang’s explanation.

Bai Lang had been afraid that Luo Yichen would not agree. After all, his family background and looks were outstanding—he entered the entertainment industry purely on impulse—and might quit at any time.

“By the way, has the copyright for ‘Hidden Pupil’ been negotiated?” Luo Yichen suddenly asked.

Bai Lang frowned. “I’ve asked around—this novel is still serialized. The author is always pulling a disappearing act, and the website can’t find him for the time being. I think the author doesn’t want to sell the film adaptation copyright now. The website says that they’re still contacting him.”

Luo Yichen nodded and whipped out his cell phone to play games.

Perplexed, Bai Lang asked, “Speaking of which, why did you take a fancy to the book ‘Hidden Pupil’? It’s a suspense novel—rather unpopular. A film adaptation will most likely be a flop.”

“Because I’m binge-reading it. I think it’s not bad,” Luo Yichen replied lazily.

Bai Lang: “…”

How wilful! He wanted to buy the copyright after binge-reading the novel.

Bai Lang continued to ask, “What do you plan to do next? Are you not going to take on any more acting jobs?”

“School starts in September,” Luo Yichen said. “If everything goes well, I can graduate next year.”

Bai Lang sighed and said, “Alright, studies are important. But you can’t neglect your career too much either. Try to balance both, okay?”

Just then, Assistant Liu came out of the kitchen after washing the cup. “Yichen, did you cook noodles for lunch today? There are a lot of things in your kitchen.”