She had told him that he was coming to the company to take a look⌠And he truly was taking a look. Just a few minutes after Xiao Jiashu sat down, his mother sent him out, and a secretary took him around to tour every floor. While he was walking along the corridor, many people craned their necks to look at him, all of them lamenting inside that their old chief had once again discovered another newcomer with maximum potential. With those looks, that temperament, his popularity would skyrocket with just one light push.
Xiao Jiashu was after all, a member of the Xiao Family and had attended in many big social occasions in the past. This small amount of attention was nothing to him. He continued along without a side glance. Meanwhile, Xue Miao took out a box of cigarettes and asked, âWant one?â
Xiu Changyu readily accepted a cigarette. While he smoked, he exclaimed, âI thought you quit a long time ago.â
âAn unhappy person canât quit smoking.â Xue Miao lowered her eyes slightly to prevent the fumes from going into her eyes. She held a cigarette holder between her slender fingers, her bearing graceful but revealing a sense of melancholy. Her days had been unhappy. She could hide that fact from other people, but couldnât hide it from Xiu Changyu. Thus, she calmly confessed. Besides, there was nothing that they couldnât say to each other. After a moment of silence, she continued, âJust then, I told you to help arrange a position for Xiao Shu. Donât take those words seriously. I donât want him to become a nine to five office worker.â
âYou mean youâre?â Xiu Changyu realised something, and couldnât help but feel stunned.
âThatâs right. I want him to act.â Xue Miao slowly released a mouth of smoke, her tender and luscious lips shrouded within the fog. âHelp me casually arrange a position for him first, have him stay with the cast and crew for a period of time. When heâs become familiar with the process, then help him find a suitable character to play.â
âDonât you think youâre deciding too much on your own? Arenât you going to ask Xiao if heâs willing or not? Heâs the young master of the Xiao Clan, yet youâre letting him enter the entertainment circle. Wonât his father and grandfather in a fit of anger strip him of inheritance rights? Youâre endured for so many years, is it really worth it?â Xiu Changyu earnestly dissuaded.
However, his well-meaning advice was not gratefully received. In front of Xiu Changyu, Xue Miao was a completely different person, intense like fire, mighty with no equal: this was her original self. âFor myself, I can endure, but for the sake of my son, I cannot endure any longer. Do you know how hard he worked, and how outstanding he is? But in the end those so-called close-relatives are all forcing him to conceal his own radiance, and become a mediocre piece of rubbish drifting along waiting for death. For the past few months, he locked himself inside his room every day playing games, not eating, not sleeping, not bathing. A person who loves to shamelessly flaunt his looks as much as him, had actually turned himself into less than a ghost. Seeing him like that, it hurt as if someone had dug out my heart! In your peopleâs eyes, he is indeed wealthy, without even working, he has enough money to waste for his entire lifetime, but who actually knows what he truly wants?â
âHow do you know that he wants to act? An actor isnât something you can just become. You should understand clearer than me how difficult it is.â Xiu Changyu urged again.
âI gave birth to him, how could I not know? Do you still remember? When he was three, your company was preparing to invest and film a child fantasy drama and wanted to find a suitable child actor. I read out the script to him like a bedtime story. He was instantly able to imitate the plot, one moment acting out a grandpa tortoise leaning against a crutch to walk. Even if you hadnât read the script you would still be able to feel as if he was truly carrying a heavy big tortoise shell on his back. The next moment, acting out a little dragon boy, hugging me bawling, crying out, Mummy, mummy, donât die, the emotions abundant and genuine. He practically became whatever he was acting. He was born to act. If a servant hadnât disclosed my plans of taking him to the audition to the Old Master, the child who later rose to fame due to that drama would definitely have been my son instead. I sent you a video at that time. Even you were praising him, saying that he had inherited my genes. He also said to me, âMummy, acting is very interesting. When I grow up Iâm going to become a big star just like you!â When Xue Miao said those words, her face finally showed a look of joy, but it quickly fell again. âBut the Old Master looks down on me, and in turn looks down on Xiao Shu. As soon as he heard Xiao Shu say those words, he beat Xiao Shu up with his cane. Mercilessly scolding him, saying that heâs good-for-nothing. As time passed, Xiao Shu became more and more taciturn. He stopped imitating little animals, little old men, little old ladiesâŚ.. And stopped watching TV. After he grew up, even he forgot his original self. Thatâs how they forcibly killed a childâs innocence, and now they even want to cut off his future.â
Xue Miao vigorously put out her cigarette. With red eyes, she said, âChangyu, Iâm not forcefully making decisions on my own, nor am I meddling unreasonably, I am simply seeking a way out for my own son. Look at him, he is destined to shine, not become a family reject. They want to cripple him, then I must save him!â
âItâs natural for people to have all sorts of dreams when theyâre a kid, but how many have actually achieved those dreams after growing up? Miaomiao, I understand how you feel, but you need to give Xiao Shu the right to choose.â If another person had asked him for this favour, Xiu Changyu would have long agreed. Wasnât this just promoting a newcomer? With Xiao Shuâs assets, there was nothing easier. But if he agreed, it could cause a riff in Miaomiao and Xiao Shuâs relationship and that was something he could not allow to happen. If Xiao Shu enters the entertainment circle and ends up being disowned, wonât he hate Miaomiao to death? That sort of heartless act is definitely something that Old Master Xiao is capable of!
âI know what youâre concerned about. Donât worry. I gave birth to Xiao Shu, I understand the way he thinks better than anyone. No one and nothing can undermine our love for each other.â Staking all in one throw, Xue Miao gently said, âHow about this, you help find a suitable character for him, let him have a try. If he really doesnât have those cells in him, and isnât interested in acting, then Iâll think of another way.â
Xiu Changyu deliberated for a moment, and then nodded, âFine.â
âThen please look after Xiao Shu for me.â Xue Miao let out a long breath.
âHeâs your son, which means heâs also myâŚâŚ nephew. Of course Iâll take good care of him.â Xiu Changyu thought for a moment, âHow about I get him to be Ji Mianâs assistant for a short while. Then when I find the suitable role, Iâll get him to try it out.â
âJi Mian?â Xue Miao was not a stranger to this grand slam[1] film emperor. He had a gentle character, was accommodating, good-natured and friendly, hence, she agreed. âOkay, working under Ji Mian is just the place that can help broaden his horizons. I heard that Ji Mianâs intending to retire from acting?â
âYou wouldnât really call it retiring. He just wonât be accepting that many acting roles anymore. You should know, heâs also a major stockholder of Crown Age. He also has a lot of external investment ventures, all large business money earners. My temple is a little small, thereâs isnât enough to offer an esteemed Buddha. If not for the fact that I helped rescue him back to China that year, he wouldnât have stayed at Crown Age for so many years. He is a faithful and loyal person with a strong sense of camaraderie and understands the importance of repaying kindness and gratitude. You have nothing to worry leaving Xiao Shu in his hands.â Xiu Changyu brought out his phone. âShould I tell him to come up to have a talk with you?â
âNo need. Let Xiao Shu take care of these relationships himself. I can help pave the road for him, and even help him choose the road, but I wonât hold him by the hand and teach him how to walk.â Xue Miao put away the metal cigarette box, put on her sunglasses, waved her hand and left. Xiu Changyu sent her off at the underground parking lot, and only after her car had driven off to the distance, did he finally return to his office.
Xiao Jiashu had gone around the company once. When he heard that his mother had just abandoned him and left, he was a bit unhappy. He walked into the elevator with a stony face. Upon discovering that the elevator already had people inside, he reflexively shot a glance in their direction, and then indifferently moved away his gaze. Inside, however, he was secretly cursing, âShit! Thereâs actually someone whoâs better looking than me!â
It was really rare for Little Young Master Xiao to encounter a person more handsome than him. He felt even more uncomfortable inside, and nudged himself a little further away. He shoved both hands into his jean pockets, and leaned against the wall; he looked quite arrogant and contemptuous. The man he had stubbed also cast him a glance, and then nodded and smiled. He was over 190cm, taller than the 183cm Young Master Xiao by half a head. Dark unfathomable[2] eyes, long defined eyebrows extending to his temples[3], high and straight nose. His temperament was even more outstanding; a tall, straight and powerful body wrapped by an expensive and elegant black suit, giving people an oppressive feeling. A young man stood at his side; his looks were average, his build was also average, but his eyes were especially bright, and had a crafty look to them.
There were only three people in the elevator so there was a lot of space but Xiao Jiashu still felt extremely cramped. His unhappiness was clearly written all over his face. The young man glanced at him and then sent a message to the man beside him. âWhich familyâs spoilt rich kid is this? Look at those black bags and that sickly body, I bet he spends all day playing around with girls and has serious kidney problems!â Only a young master of a rich and powerful family would dare to use this sort of attitude towards Ji Mian.
Ji Mian glanced at his phone, and did not reply. After the elevator door opened, he moved back a few steps and extended his hand to make a âYou firstâ gesture. He had grown up in England since he was a child, being a gentleman was practically ingrained in his bones.
Xiao Jiashu finally felt at ease. He gave a small nod and walked out of the elevator. Not only was this person handsome, he also had a very elegant demeanour.
Seeing the three walk into his office one after the other, Xiu Changyu looked a bit surprised. âYou guys met? Perfect, let me introduce. Xiao Shu, this is Ji Mian. From today onwards, you will be his assistant. He is the eldest brother[4] of Crown Age, and this countryâs one and only grand slam film emperor. You can learn a lot from him. This is his manager Fang Kun. He is a second to none gold medal manager, with abundant resources. Ji Mian, Fang Kun, this is Xiao Jiashu. Heâs a son of a close friend. Heâs been studying overseas for the past few years, and just recently came back. Iâll be troubling you to look after him for me.â
Oh? Heâs actually my boss? Xiao Jiashuâs face was a bit stiff. He swept a glance at the other person at lightning speed and nodded. He didnât care in the least whether his job position was high or low, as long as he had work to do. After heâs accumulated enough experience, and has a deeper understanding of the entertainment industry, heâll slowly climb up. He had never been an overly ambitious person, and furthermore, wasnât a rich kid who couldnât handle the slightest bit of hardship.
Ji Mian smiled and nodded. âDonât worry, Xiu-Ge, Iâll definitely take good care of Jiashu.â He then extended at hand to the young man, and gently said, âIf you have any problems, donât hesitate to find me. If I donât have time, go look for Xiao Fang[5], donât worry about disturbing us.
âThank you. Please look out for me in the future, Ji-ge, Kun-ge[6].â Xiao Jiashu promptly shook his hand. His face looked really aloof but inside he was secretly gasping in admiration: So heâs a grand slam film emperor, no wonder he has such a strong presence! Xiao Jiashu had been abroad for a long time and was never one to watch mainland films or dramas, so he naturally didnât recognise Ji Mian.
After they finished greeting each other, they went out for a meal. Seeing Xiu Changyu take Xiao Jiashu away afterwards with an earnest attitude like he was taking around his own child, Ji Mianâs manager, Fang Kun, said with suspicion, âWho is this person? He wouldnât be Xiu Changyuâs illegitimate child, could he?â
[1] Not too sure what it means to be a âGrand Slamâ actor but Iâm guessing it must mean that heâs won lots of awards and is recognised internationally.
[2] çźç¸ćˇąé Abstruse/profound/deep eyes â eyes that are difficult to read