Chapter 2: The Price of Desire

As Ji Xiao walked, he pulled off his tie, tossing it onto the bedside table before settling onto the bed. He then calmly addressed the tense young man, “Come here.”

Fine beads of sweat dotted the young man’s nose, yet he obediently approached the bed. “Director Xiao…” he whispered.

“Since you didn’t refuse me, there’s no need to act so put-upon.”

Standing before him, the young man appeared flustered. “I didn’t… Director Xiao…”

“Bring a stool and sit.”

“Mhm.”

He obediently pulled a chair over, seating himself by the bed.

Ji Xiao: “What’s your name?”

Yes.

Xiao Chi didn’t even know the young man’s name.

He had simply spotted an attractive artist he rather liked at the company.

He booked a room at the hotel, then provided the room number and time.

And the young man came.

“Ye Sheng. Ye as in ‘leaf,’ Sheng as in ‘sound.'”

Ji Xiao observed that the young man was still visibly nervous. His breathing had grown shallow, and his hands were subtly clutching his trousers in a gesture of unease.

“Speak. What do you want?”

Ye Sheng hadn’t refused Xiao Chi’s invitation to come here.

He undoubtedly had something he sought.

Whether it was money, fame, or something else entirely.

There was always something he desired.

For that, even sacrificing his body seemed inconsequential.

However, he was still undeniably unpracticed, having never done such a thing before, which made him exceptionally tense.

Ye Sheng lowered his eyes, his voice barely a whisper. “I want money.”

Ye Sheng’s family was far from wealthy.

His mother had passed away from illness when he was in elementary school.

His father, lacking any particular skill, had previously worked in the village, moving bricks and constructing houses for others.

Later, when Ye Sheng was in junior high, his father was introduced to a construction site in the city, where he continued to move bricks.

Ye Sheng was remarkably sensible, always dedicating himself to his studies.

He yearned to repay his father when he grew up, to spare him such arduous labor.

Then, the day before his college entrance exam, his father suffered an accident at the construction site. He fell from a great height, landing amidst steel bars and other debris.

He didn’t die, but he became a persistent vegetative state.

The chances of him waking were slim.

The accident occurred because his father had climbed to a high platform without permission, falling due to a moment of mental disorientation.

His father’s responsibility was ground-level transportation work.

However, he had taken money from a fellow worker, helping him after completing his own tasks.

That worker was supposed to be on the high platform.

He had a slight fever but was reluctant to take leave.

Having worked together for so long, he knew of Ye Sheng’s father’s dedication, so he discussed it with him.

Ye Sheng’s father agreed to help with the other worker’s task, in exchange for half of that day’s wages.

Ye Sheng’s father agreed.

“I was about to take my college entrance exam. My dad wanted me to go to university; he wanted to save more money for me…”

As he spoke, Ye Sheng’s voice grew slightly hoarse, and his eyes reddened. “But he had never worked on a high platform before. Although his coworker told him the steps, it was still different from actual operation…”

Ye Sheng’s father believed that as long as he was willing to work, it wouldn’t be difficult.

He memorized all the steps.

However, he had never been to such a height before.

Looking down, his vision blurred completely.

He cautiously followed the steps, but still fell…

Ji Xiao watched as Ye Sheng recounted everything without reservation.

It was somewhat amusing.

He wondered if Ye Sheng was simply too naive, or if he was trying to gain his sympathy with these stories.

“The construction site didn’t abandon my dad; they paid a large sum in compensation. However, my dad is in a persistent vegetative state, and he needs money every single day. We don’t know when he’ll wake up…”

Ye Sheng took a deep breath.

“I didn’t go to university. I wanted to find a job, and then I heard that being a celebrity could earn a lot of money… so I tried out at Star Ocean.”

He was handsome, but he couldn’t act, couldn’t sing, and had no special talents.

He had spent all his time studying before.

When asked about his strengths, he pondered for a long time, only able to say that his physics, chemistry, and math were excellent.

When asked about his education, he hadn’t even participated in the college entrance exam.

Naturally, he failed.

Star Ocean didn’t sign him.

As he was about to leave the company, Xiao Chi approached him and gave him a hotel room number and time.

He stared blankly at the man’s retreating back, hearing everyone greet him, calling him Director Xiao.

[Weiss Hotel, Room 8820, 8 PM. Give them my number.]

Clutching the business card tightly, he went to the hospital to see his father.

He arrived at the hotel punctually, waiting.

Only after Ye Sheng finished his narration did Ji Xiao speak. “I merely asked what you wanted, and you’ve spilled your entire life story to me.”

Ye Sheng was startled, his awareness returning, and he gripped his trousers tightly: “I’m sorry, Director Xiao, I just…”

He had been under immense pressure recently.

When Ji Xiao asked him what he wanted, that expression…

It was as if whatever he said, Ji Xiao could provide.

He couldn’t help but voice the matters that had been weighing on his heart.

These things had been unbearable, pressing down on him.

“Spoken so much, are you thirsty? Go pour yourself a glass of water,” Ji Xiao said lazily, lying flat. “There are new cups in the cabinet next to the TV.”

“…Thank you, Director Xiao.”

Ye Sheng rose to pour water, wiping away the tears that welled in his eyes.

When he returned to sit by the bed, Ji Xiao’s eyes were still closed.

He hesitated slightly. “Director Xiao…”

Ji Xiao didn’t open his eyes, merely stating:

“Aren’t you good at physics, chemistry, and math? Recite formulas for me. Stop when I fall asleep.”

Ye Sheng looked somewhat bewildered. “Recite formulas?”

“Yes. Don’t leave until I wake up. Start reciting.”

“…Alright, Director Xiao.”

Ye Sheng mechanically began reciting formulas.

As he recited, he thought of the college entrance exam he had missed half a month ago.

It had only been half a month, he realized.

****

The sky was just beginning to lighten when Ji Xiao awoke.

He picked up his phone and glanced at the time: 6:18 AM.

Ye Sheng was already asleep, curled up on the sofa.

Ji Xiao yawned and entered the bathroom to wash up.

When he emerged again, Ye Sheng had already woken.

He sat upright on the sofa, looking at Ji Xiao with some apprehension. “Di-Director Xiao.”

When he had arrived at this hotel with the business card.

Ye Sheng had considered what might happen.

But he had only recited formulas for a long time, then fallen asleep on the sofa.

Now it was daylight.

He hadn’t done anything.

Would Xiao Chi still give him money?

“Since you’re awake, go wash up. There are ingredients in the kitchen’s refrigerator; make breakfast after you’re done.”

After speaking, Ji Xiao walked past him towards the bedside.

He picked up his phone and lit a cigarette.

Ye Sheng paused for a moment before heading to the bathroom.

Ji Xiao sat on the bed with his legs crossed, smoking while opening WeChat.

There were several unread messages.

At the very top was Pei Yu, who had been pinned.

[Tomorrow is the last scene. If all goes well, I’ll be back tomorrow night.]

[Asleep? Goodnight then.]

At this time, Ji Xiao and Pei Yu had only recently married.

Before they could even enjoy their honeymoon period, Pei Yu had rushed into filming, which lasted for several months.

Xiao Chi had intended to visit the set.

But Pei Yu didn’t allow it.

Pei Yu now had a large fanbase and widespread recognition.

Even though he was an artist under Xiao Chi’s company.

Xiao Chi had never visited anyone’s set before; if he suddenly visited Pei Yu’s, Pei Yu feared it would spark gossip.

Having just married the beauty, Xiao Chi, in his good nature, indulged him.

While thinking of Pei Yu, he still occasionally invited attractive artists he saw.

In the original plot, after Xiao Chi and Ye Sheng slept together, knowing Ye Sheng hadn’t been signed by Star Ocean, Xiao Chi made a call, arranging for his secretary to assign Ye Sheng an agent and sign him into the company.

He also gave him a check.

Ye Sheng accepted it with reddened eyes, beginning his struggle in the entertainment industry.

****

“Director Xiao, breakfast is ready.”

Ji Xiao responded with a sound and walked towards the dining table.

Ye Sheng had made two sandwiches.

“Director Xiao, would you like milk or juice?”

“Squeeze me an orange juice.”

“Okay.”

Ye Sheng quickly brought over two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice.

He sat opposite Ji Xiao.

Ji Xiao picked up a sandwich and took a bite, a hint of a smile gracing his otherwise indifferent eyes. “Your cooking is quite good.”

Ye Sheng’s face flushed slightly. “It doesn’t require much skill.”

In truth, he had just searched for sandwich recipes on Baidu in the kitchen.

“Whose artist are you under?”

“…No one’s. I wasn’t selected.”

“Mhm. Leave your phone number; I’ll arrange one for you.”

Ji Xiao handed his phone to Ye Sheng.

Ye Sheng didn’t refuse, quickly inputting his number and dialing.

He was overjoyed to be able to enter Star Ocean and have a job.

It made him happier than if Ji Xiao had simply given him money.

As long as he became an artist, with a bit of effort, he could earn more money.

Sustained income, rather than a one-time payment.

“Are you an adult?”

Upon hearing Ji Xiao’s question, Ye Sheng immediately replied, “Yes, I’m an adult. I’ll be nineteen in a few months.”

Could it be… because he mentioned the college entrance exam, Director Xiao thought he wasn’t an adult, which was why he hadn’t…?

“Do you have a bank card?”

“Yes.”

“Give me the card number.”

Ye Sheng put down the sandwich he was eating:

“Director Xiao, I’m already incredibly grateful that you’re giving me a job. I haven’t done anything for you, I…”

“Give me the card number.”

“…”

Meeting Ji Xiao’s unquestionable gaze, Ye Sheng quietly recited the card number.

Ji Xiao swallowed the last bite of his sandwich, then took two sips of orange juice.

He rose to put his cigarettes and lighter into his pocket from the bedside table, then, holding his tie, walked out.

“Leave directly after you finish eating; no need to clean up.”

“…Okay.”

Once Ji Xiao left the hotel and drove to the company, the black cat couldn’t hold back.

“Why didn’t you, you know, with him?”

“What, what?”

“Just, you know!”

Ji Xiao gripped the steering wheel, feigning confusion. “Which ‘you know’?”

Black Cat: “…”

Now it understood.

This host was deliberately provoking it.

Its milky voice was filled with grievance: “You clearly know what I’m talking about, boohoo.”

“Tsk,” Ji Xiao said irritably. “Why are you crying? You dragged me into this pit out of nowhere, and now I’m not allowed to tease you a little?”

“But, but I gave you a new life.”

“Did you ask if I even wanted it?”

It asked cautiously, “Then, do you want it?”

Ji Xiao laughed aloud. “Of course I want it.”

Since he could live, why would he choose to die?

Black Cat breathed a sigh of relief. “Since you want to live, then Host, you must complete your tasks well.”

“Alright, I’ll do them well.”

He emphasized the words “do them well.”

“Then you need to maintain Xiao Chi’s dissolute persona.”

“Don’t worry, I can maintain it.”

“Alright then, I won’t bother Host anymore. Call me if you need anything! Good luck!”

Perhaps, it was simply because the host didn’t particularly like this Ye Sheng.

With so many attractive celebrities in the company, there would surely be types the host liked.

A dissolute persona was the easiest to maintain.

The black cat decided to observe patiently.