Chapter 22: He Chose Someone Else

Gu Qiuhang glanced at him without speaking, only giving a faint nod.

Jiang Ming pressed his lips together in delight, his peach-blossom eyes shimmering. He always knew when he looked his best—and he never hesitated to show his charm to someone he liked.

He cleverly sat down with just a slight distance between them, drawing resentful glances from several actresses who had just failed.

Jiang Ming tried several times to start a conversation, skillfully choosing topics that Gu Qiuhang might be interested in, his past dream of getting into X University, whether the platform’s original productions would sign actors like him…

But Gu Qiuhang remained indifferent, barely even sparing him a glance, let alone engaging much.

Jiang Ming gradually tried to close the distance. Smiling softly, he leaned closer, his warm breath brushing faintly against Gu Qiuhang’s ear. His voice dropped to a whisper:

“If I wanted to sign under you, Mr. Gu… would you be interested?”

The question was bold, far beyond the literal meaning of “signing.”

His eyes held a mix of teasing, sincerity, and deep admiration, the kind of gaze men found hard to resist.

Gu Qiuhang let out a soft laugh. Who said Jiang Ming couldn’t act?

That smile dazzled Jiang Ming and encouraged him further. He leaned in slowly, about to rest against him.

But Gu Qiuhang stood up.

He disliked overly intimate contact with anyone, especially the idea of carrying someone else’s scent.

He said calmly, “Your boss is still here, yet you’re already talking about switching sides. It makes me question your loyalty.”

In this industry, loyalty itself was almost a joke.

Still, he preferred that artists under him focus on their work during their contracts, not on wandering ambitions.

Jiang Ming’s smile remained unchanged, though his grip on the wine glass tightened slightly.

****

Gu Qiuhang left early.

As soon as he stepped out, he received a message from Lin Baohuan, asking him to wait at the downstairs bar for something “important.”

After drinking quite a bit upstairs, Gu Qiuhang ordered another strong drink and sat quietly in a corner, watching the street at dawn.

A light drizzle began outside. The ground glistened, and aside from the occasional passing car, the streets were nearly empty.

He sipped his drink slowly when, from the corner of his eye, he noticed a couple across the street.

They shared a single umbrella, hands tightly clasped, bodies pressed close together as they walked slowly.

Gu Qiuhang curled his lips slightly.

For the first time, he understood what “romance” meant, in a dim bar, after a few drinks, on a rainy summer night… seen in someone else’s life.

****

Lin Baohuan arrived soon after.

He sat down beside Gu Qiuhang and deliberately leaned toward him, mimicking Jiang Ming.

Gu Qiuhang frowned and pushed him away. “Dirty.”

Lin Baohuan scoffed. “Are you sick? Someone like Jiang Ming and you don’t even look at him?”

His gaze deliberately drifted downward.

Gu Qiuhang ignored him, repeating, “Dirty.”

Lin Baohuan laughed. “I swear, I’m starting to wonder if you’re even capable of having a s*x life.”

Gu Qiuhang shot him a look, the tips of his ears faintly reddening, but said nothing.

Lin Baohuan leaned closer, lowering his voice.

“So tell me, do you like men or women? I’ll even give you first pick if I find someone good.”

Gu Qiuhang was thoroughly annoyed. “What do you want? Say it and leave.”

Lin Baohuan pouted. “I ditched a beauty to come find you, and this is how you treat me?”

Gu Qiuhang narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t you have plans with that actress tonight? Why are you here?”

It was obvious now, there was no “important matter.”

Lin Baohuan grinned lazily. “The way you say that, people might think we’re something… jealous much?”

Gu Qiuhang glared at him, lips twitching despite himself, almost like a normal nineteen-year-old for once.

Lin Baohuan leaned forward again.

“You’ve got something on your mind, don’t you? Haven’t seen you like this in years. Come on, tell me, I’ve seen you wet your pants, remember?”

Gu Qiuhang’s face darkened. After a pause, he quietly said two words, “Tang Xi.”

Lin Baohuan blinked. “Tang Xi? What about him? Oh- wait, I heard he’s been hanging around Su Bei?”

Gu Qiuhang nodded.

Lin Baohuan leaned in eagerly. “Back then I liked him, and you stopped me. Now look, someone else got him. Regret it?”

Gu Qiuhang frowned. “If he had to choose, I’d rather it be Su Bei than you. You know exactly what you’re like. Su Bei’s far better.”

Lin Baohuan choked on that. “Then why are you bothered?”

Gu Qiuhang took another sip, unwilling to say more, and stood up to leave.

But suddenly Lin Baohuan froze, realization hitting him.

“Wait… don’t tell me- you actually like Tang Xi?!”

His voice rose, drawing glances from nearby tables.

Gu Qiuhang looked up calmly.

“But he likes Su Bei.”

That was answer enough.

Lin Baohuan was stunned.

After a moment, he said, “But… Tang Xi used to like you so much.”

Gu Qiuhang gave a self-mocking smile. “You said it yourself, used to.”

He raised his hand to order another drink, but Lin Baohuan stopped him.

“Don’t. Listen, he’s liked you since forever. If you tell him now, he might come back.”

Gu Qiuhang lowered his gaze, long lashes shadowing his eyes.

“He won’t,” he said softly. “He’s going abroad. With Su Bei.”

He let out a faint laugh.

“He’s happy with him. Not like when he was with me, always cautious, always trying too hard, making himself miserable.”

Lin Baohuan sighed and patted his shoulder.

“Are you still blaming yourself… for raising him wrong?”

Gu Qiuhang didn’t answer.

Lin Baohuan grabbed his hand, frowning.

“But you were just a kid too. You barely survived yourself. Don’t you remember when Tong Yuemei had you kidnapped? If you hadn’t been smart, you might not even be alive now. The fact that you raised Tang Xi at all, that’s already incredible.”

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