Xiao Yi played the guitar whilst whistling, just one person can actually perform like a duet. He had a smile on his face as he looked at Luzhou.
Luzhou did not look at him out of uncomfort, till Xiao Yi finished his song and the room turned silent.
"The song is good." Luzhou said, "The lyrics could use some tweaking. Your lyrics are ruining the tune, is this a confession from a fan?"
Xiao Yi: "Haha yes it is, I am uncultured."
Luzhou said: "What is the title of the song?"
"Solo Musical." Xiao Yi answered, placing the guitar by his side and said: "I thought about it, Yan Bin's mood may be like this. Love is hard to convey, you wouldn't dare to confess and wouldn't dare to expect either; it's humble yet helpess..... it's ordinary, a straight-laced romance.
"It's okay." Luzhou frivolously said, and then asked, "What about the other song?"
"Forgot." Xiao Yi helplessly said.
Luzhou: "How come you don't ever forget to eat!"
Xiao Yi: "........"
As the heavy rain stopped, the weather gradually turned warmed up. Xiao Yi started busying around, he accompanied Luzhou everyday for filming, when they reached home he was so tired there were dark, dark eye circles. Fortunately, the busy times flew past. Between the two dramas, 《The Era of Leftover Men》was the first to finish. Luzhou could now devote his time to《Floating with the Wind》to accept Guo Tang's torture, and also had time to shoot a magazine cover.
Finally Guo Tang's drama was also completed. Everyone was relieved, and Luzhou stayed at home and slept for three whole days. The exhaustive Xiao Yi had to meet the band and liaise, exchange tunes and amend the lyrics.
When the editors were in the last few stages of editing, everyone gathered in the filming company for a meeting. Xiao Yi first demonstrated the piano version of his song, then a mixed version. This is the first time that someone other than Luzhou heard his creation.
In the beginning Xiao Yi thought it sounded great, but slowly he began to lose confidence, to the point where he wanted to run away during the audition. In the end, Luzhou kicked him into the audition room.
"Very good." Ju Hua's big boss was surprised and asked, "What's your name?"
"Xiao Yi." Xiao Yi said, "I am Mr Luzhou's assistant."
Ju Hua's big boss thought for a while and said: "This song might just be the next big thing, it's quite meaningful, appealing to the public and while singing it connects to the people's hearts. Let us find a singer to perform it."
Luzhou said: "Just let Xiao Yi perform it."
Xiao Yi was shocked. "No need, no need."
Luzhou's face sank and he looked at Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi really wanted to give Luzhou a good slap to the face. In his heart he was thinking, brother you don't even understand my situation, your little brother here hasn't recorded any songs for many years, my voice has already turned hoarse. If you let me record I can only die for you.
Ju Hua's big boss understood that Luzhou was trying to help Xiao Yi, but he was not willing to agree right on the spot. He glanced at Dumei, Dumei then looked at Luzhou and said, "How about we head back to discuss about it?"
Luzhou didn't answer, he simply gave a snort and stood up. When everyone else left the company, Dumei asked with a smile: "On one end you want to help Xiao Yi, on the other end you want him to be your assistant, what do you actually wish to do?"
"I'm happy." Luzhou answered.
Xiao Yi hurriedly said: "Zhou ge*1, how about you sing it."
Luzhou said: "No, your song is too cheap, I don't need to stoop to singing about love to provide for myself."
Xiao Yi thought, could it be because he dislikes that the song brings out the bitterness of an old man that he didn't want to invest too much in it? Luzhou unexpectedly revealed a sly look and said to Xiao Yi: "This song is obviously more suitable for you, I am a male god, neither poor nor frustrated, I am free."
Xiao Yi: "......."
Luzhou wore his sunglasses and walked out of the building into the bright spring outside. Xiao Yi went to drive the car up front and chauffeur him home.
When May arrives, the entire Beijing started to heat up. Xiao Yi remembered Luzhou's birthday was in July, so he set a N number of reminders, lest he forgets. Dumei actually wanted Luzhou to take on a few dramas, but Luzhou rejected them immediately.
"I just finished two dramas!" said Luzhou, "Spare me!"
Dumei said: "Aren't you resting now? I'm not asking you to film immediately."
Luzhou said: "I've only rested for a week, I haven't recuperated yet, and haven't attended any physical training. I need to adjust myself, this half of the year I really can't film anymore, I can't find the state to."
"How do you want to adjust?" Dumei said, "Like this? This easy lifestyle? How about you film a family drama while on your rest?"
Luzhou waved his hand to signal a no and said, "No, President Du I really have to take a break. If I continue filming my health is going to take a toll. I am not like before, when in my 20s, I could easily take on three dramas consecutively. Now I am already in my 30s."
Dumei sighed, but it was apparent he had not given up in his attempt to convince Luzhou. "Where do you want to go for a holiday?"
Xiao Yi was on the side daydreaming about the possible locations Luzhou would take him to explore. The sunny beach and waves of Hawaii or the Maldives? Or is it the magnificent fountain in Rome? Or is it the green lands of Kanagawa in Japan?
Luzhou said: "Not going on a holiday, I will just rest at home."
Xiao Yi's daydreams came to an abrupt end.
Dumei: "Then how about letting Xiao Yi help out in the company? I wanted to let him groom a newbie...."
Xiao Yi felt like making Dumei kneel down, and in his heart he was frantically thinking - Luzhou you better not give me to him ahhhh!
Luzhou answered without a second thought: "No way!"
Dumei looked over at Xiao Yi, this guy was smiling then frowning, then smiling again, he really had to give it up for these two. He could only say: "You know my plans for the year, Luzhou, how can things be done like this? Are you making me rely on Wu Heng Gu? Or are you angry because I signed Wu Heng Gu on without informing you first?"
"Whatever you say." Luzhou didn't know whether to laugh or to cry, "How is it my business who you sign with? I am not so petty, and did I say I would stop filming at all? I only wish to take a break, take some physical training and to recuperate."
"How many months?" Dumei questioned.
"Three months." Luzhou said, "All the way till the August heat ends, I don't wish to film in summer. What if I accepted a film and have to film in forty Celsius weather for two consecutive months in Hengdian?"
Dumei said: "Two months. After your birthday you must come back to work, nothing more than that."
Luzhou thought about it, and said: "Alright."
Notes:
1. Same thing again. 哥, pronounced as 'Ge', is a chinese word used to describe an older brother, or someone who is generally an older male that is close to you.