Chapter 131 : Chapter 131

Chapter 131: “Those stars seemed to have fallen into his eyes as well.”

The《SUNSET》crew hired a professional catering team to provide daily meal services.

A catering truck was permanently stationed at the filming location, able to prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks according to the crew's needs.

The catering was adjusted according to the dietary needs of the crew members, including vegetarian, gluten-free, allergy-triggering foods, or other dietary restrictions.

Their filming schedule was not long, the director had no experience in livening up the team, and the male and female leads were not on good terms.

The producer tried several times to invite them to a meal together, but could never find a suitable opportunity.

Zhao Zhen asked the catering team for the crew's list of dietary restrictions, and finally decided on New Zealand specialty foods for dinner—lamb chops, green-lipped mussels, and fresh seafood.

Once the news was out, it received an enthusiastic response from the crew.

No one wanted to work with low morale and complaints every day.

Now the person to solve it had arrived, and was even treating them to a meal, how could they refuse?

There were many restaurants in Wellington, the crew did not need to worry about confidentiality.

The only one in this group who could be easily recognized was Wanshu Zu, and even then, the possibility was not high.

The people of New Zealand were pragmatic and friendly, preferring to browse local news or environment-related information online in their daily lives.

This meal was very pleasant.

The two troublemakers had ceased their hostilities, sitting obediently on either side of Wanshu Zu.

Everyone was a colleague in the same circle.

After collaborating once, they might collaborate frequently again.

Even those who had minor disputes on a daily basis could read the atmosphere and did not bring up anything unpleasant at all.

When Wanshu Zu took the initiative to explain Li Yamin's physical discomfort, the assistant director was very savvy, picking up the conversation: “So that's how it is.”

He also said a long stretch of words to smooth things over.

Wanshu Zu nodded while listening, and his phone vibrated.

Marcus, sitting on Nora's other side, sent him a message:

【Seriously, I completely support your career now. Of all the Hollywood cases I've handled, this is the one where they've been most respectful to Asians.】

Nora stepped on her brother's foot and said to Marcus in a whisper: “Don't you two talk across me.”

Marcus found it baffling: “Then why don't you step on him?”

Nora stepped on her brother's foot again.

After doing so, she took a deep breath and said to Li Yamin: “I'm very sorry.”

The dining table instantly fell silent.

“Marcus and I are very close. Whether it was during my studies or at work, he has always been the one supporting and accompanying me. When I first entered the industry, I had no opportunities at all. It was also Marcus who helped me contact a teacher, and only then did I officially start my career.”

“Until two years ago, I couldn't support myself with my work. I asked Marcus, did I simply not have the talent for this, did I really have to persist?”

Nora said, “Marcus told me that Wanshu Zu also only began to distinguish himself in his beloved field in his twenties.”

Li Yamin slightly raised his eyes, his gaze passing over Nora to look at Marcus, who was slightly surprised after suddenly hearing his name.

Marcus shrugged: “Yes, I did say that.”

Actually, Marcus could have also used himself as an example.

It was true that his family fully supported him in becoming a lawyer, but they hoped he would develop his career in the United States.

Before graduating from university, Marcus had been studying common law.

He found his own way and connected with a mainland variety show, which was how he managed to get an internship offer from a domestic red circle firm without any foundation in civil law, and used this to leave his family.

Marcus and Wanshu Zu had two personalities that could very easily clash.

The reason they could maintain their current relationship was largely because they were essentially the same type of person.

At first, it was just for a poor little cat that died.

They secretly made up their minds and began to think about what kind of person they wanted to become.

As their age and experience increased, they saw a wider world.

They had to find their own place in this overly crowded space.

Without needing anyone's encouragement or urging, they were very clear about their goals, and for this, they seized every opportunity they could.

Until at a certain moment, they could clearly see the outline of their ambition, and clearly feel the shape of their dream.

And that was not a period, but a sign that they should continue to climb the steps.

Believing that they could do what they wanted to do and get the results they wanted.

If they didn't, it was only a matter of time.

They would not, and were not willing to, betray their ever-changing and upward ambition.

But Marcus knew that if he used himself as an example, Nora might become even more discouraged.

After all, they were biological siblings born and raised in the same environment, so it was easy for comparisons to arise.

Wanshu Zu was very suitable as an example.

He was not like himself who had a foundation in law since childhood, inexplicably went to study directing, and then inexplicably became an agent—he could become Nora's role model, and Nora had known him since childhood, upgrading the "role model" to a "role model I know."

Nora said to Li Yamin: “I'm really sorry. Because you made some negative comments about Marcus, I acted on impulse and couldn't control my emotions. Can you forgive me?”

Li Yamin could only have one answer, regardless of his mood or attitude.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the young newcomer expressed her apology.

Every word and every sentence carried sincerity, clearly explaining the reason for her actions, hoping for forgiveness.

Nora was more like a "decent adult" than Li Yamin.

Although she would also make a mess out of impulsiveness, she would resolve it as soon as she found an opportunity.

“I also have a problem.”

Li Yamin's soaked and miserable state had been completely cleaned up by Zhao Zhen.

He replied, his gaze falling on the agent's composed face from the corner of his eye.

“I'm also quite familiar with Marcus, I didn't grasp the limit of joking.”

Wanshu Zu had no expression, no response.

Marcus immediately spoke up: “It's all a misunderstanding. Li Yamin used to call me 'Li Goudan' directly.”

They had been communicating in English the whole time. Suddenly, a perfectly enunciated "Li Goudan" popped out.

The foreigners didn't understand, but Zhao Zhen and the others almost couldn't hold back their laughter.

Smiles led to more smiles, and a camera teacher began to ask what "Li Goudan" meant.

Marcus carefully chose his words, trying to explain this simple and unadorned title as grandly as possible.

The matter was considered resolved here.

The director also laughed along with everyone, and even cast a look of gratitude directly at Wanshu Zu.

……

“Nora is a sharp one.”

In the sea of consciousness, Chu Zu commented, “She didn't mention her previous provocations at all. The one who really made Li Yamin have an issue with Goudan was the little essay she made up.”

System: “That's called being smart, Host.”

It said: “Besides, her intention was not to spread rumors. She genuinely felt that you and Goudan had a better relationship. It was just an information gap, with a slight deviation from the truth.”

The little yellow chicken gestured with its little chicken wings, its feathers almost touching: “Just this——little.”

Chu Zu: “Li Yamin isn't stupid either. He didn't mention his own nitpicking of Nora. When Nora brought up Goudan, he also brought up Goudan.”

The system held it in for a long time before squeezing out a sentence: “I... I have no comment! I am a chicken with good manners!”

Chu Zu stroked its head: “From his words alone, Li Yamin did well enough. He can actually handle most complex matters properly, it just depends on whether he wants to or not.”

Little yellow chicken: “But he just doesn't want to! Isn't that more infuriating than a real idiot!”

“Be fair, he's already started to think now.”

Chu Zu said, “This is a good thing. I gave him a week, why don't you wait and see too?”

The system was completely on the host's side.

It didn't think there was a right or wrong in the partnership; didn't both sides get tangible benefits?

Moreover, throughout the entire period, in terms of effort, Wanshu Zu was the one who worked harder.

Li Yamin only needed to nod and insist that he would not change his agent, and then sit back and enjoy the fruits.

The little yellow chicken was a pragmatic little yellow chicken.

Wanshu Zu had worked non-stop to the point of exhausting himself into the hospital.

It was completely fine for him to make a transition for his long-term future plans.

He couldn't just continue to burn himself out until there was nothing left.

But the host seemed to have a different opinion… what could a week decide?

The little yellow chicken couldn't figure it out.

After the heavy rain, the weather in New Zealand was exceptionally good.

After the dinner, the crew returned to their residence.

Nora immediately dragged Marcus to be her coolie.

She had really brought a lot of things, supposedly prepared since Wanshu Zu returned to the country.

Marcus: “Every year she would carefully select your birthday gift, so most of the things don't have much economic value, but they have been carefully preserved until now.”

Marcus emphasized "carefully preserved," hoping his buddy would get his meaning and not treat the items casually just because they were childish.

He would definitely protest.

Wanshu Zu was still on the phone.

After listening, he told Marcus to put the things in his room.

Marcus couldn't move everything in one trip.

For some quiet, Wanshu Zu went directly to the rooftop terrace of the detached building.

After the call ended, as soon as he turned around, the two small heads of Marcus and Nora peeked out from the side of the wall.

The siblings looked somewhat similar, and with one above the other, it was quite comical.

Nora stretched out her hand, holding a bottle of red wine and three glasses: “This is from Mom for you.”

Marcus also stretched out his hand, holding a bottle of lemonade bought from a convenience store: “She meant that glass, not the wine. Mom bought it at a charity auction—you're drinking this tonight.”

Wanshu Zu was amused by the pair of siblings, the corners of his mouth turning up.

The sibling relationship was indeed very close.

After filling their respective drinks, their mouths never stopped.

Marcus was still complaining about Nora's atrocities, earnestly hoping she wouldn't learn the bad habit of violence from Wanshu Zu.

Besides, Wanshu Zu had also washed his hands of it now, only scolding people, not getting physical.

Nora only slightly subsided after hearing the persuasion, but her mouth was still threatening Marcus, saying she would report his crimes to their parents.

How could there be someone in the world whose mind was full of sending his own sister to court?

She just defended her own brother's right to reputation, why was she still being blamed by her own brother.

Marcus couldn't reason with her, so he simply pulled his buddy to be his shield: “He made me do it, the boss has the final say!”

Nora's expression changed extremely quickly.

Her features, which had been flying around in anger, returned to their places, beautiful and reserved.

She changed her attack method: “You're already in your thirties, how come you look like Zu's junior? I feel so ashamed.”

Marcus: “...Can't I just be young at heart?”

He also found a point to attack: “She said you're old, Zu, did you hear that?”

Wanshu Zu raised his lemonade and clinked glasses with him.

In this night overflowing with stars, the man reached out his hand, brushing over the night's silhouette.

He pulled the arguing siblings apart.

The twinkling stars scattered along with his hand, forming a milky way thread between the three of them.

“I didn't hear it.”

Wanshu Zu said with a smile.

……

Nora had always been in the fashion circle, and her main social media platform was INS.

She uploaded a twenty-something-second video tonight.

The filming method was crude, and the phone's light sensitivity was also very bad.

In the dim environment, the rear camera shot everything blurry, forming a sharp contrast with the other exquisite, well-designed high-definition videos on her INS.

But the content was very interesting.

Nora only showed her smooth forehead and smiling, curved eyes in the bottom right corner.

The main subjects of the shot were the two people leaning against the rooftop railing behind her.

The taller one stood in a relaxed posture, his usually meticulously styled hair was tousled by the wind, and a smile hung on his face.

The other curly-haired one was squatting on the ground, a wine bottle in his left hand and a wine glass in his right, complaining loudly: “Who on earth is her brother, I can't take it anymore!”

Hearing no response, the curly-haired one looked up and saw Nora's back as she was secretly filming.

His face, red from being drunk, instantly showed horror, and he took off running towards her.

Nora: “Zu, stop him!”

Before Wanshu Zu could move, the curly-haired one had tripped and fallen flat on his face.

Nora laughed gloatingly.

The camera also shook violently.

When it returned to normal, the curly-haired one already had his back to the camera, hanging on the railing in self-isolation.

Wanshu Zu: “Cheers?”

The high-stemmed glass held by the photographer's other hand appeared in the frame, with a layer of red wine remaining.

Nora: “Cheers!”

The curly-haired one also unwillingly raised his hand, tapping his empty glass against the lemonade in Wanshu Zu's hand.

The video's caption was: "Still the same troublemakers，just with better excuses #GrownUpButNotReally"

(Still those troublemakers, just with upgraded excuses [wine glass][fireworks] #Only grown up on the surface)

Due to the attention it received, this INS post was quickly reposted in the country.

Li Yamin saw it too.

After the video stopped playing, the room was quiet and cold.

He placed his phone face down, turned over and lay on the bed.

His head was dizzy, and he felt cold all over.

He pulled the clean quilt changed by the housekeeping over himself and buried his head in the pillow.

Li Yamin could actually understand most of the things Wanshu Zu said.

The only thing Li Yamin didn't understand was that Wanshu Zu seemed to have a switch on him.

With a click, the button was turned off, and he became another person.

The reason was forced out of him: Wanshu Zu felt that he was not worthy of him.

The two "he"s were placed side by side, and it couldn't be clearer who they represented.

Whatever Wanshu Zu decided, he would never change his mind no matter what others said.

His disappointment was already obvious—but when did he start to be disappointed?

Was it when the scandal that affected Lishou Entertainment broke out?

Was it when he was helping him handle the crew relationships up and down?

Was it when he started cooperating with bigger platforms?

Or was it when he discovered that he was also being lazy and slick in the acting skills he was proud of?

……

Li Yamin had always been the creator of problems, not the solver.

He rarely pondered the answers to problems, and if he couldn't find the answer now, then after a week...

Then what?

Li Yamin's head felt even heavier, and he closed his eyes.

He wanted to think, but he couldn't muster the energy.

And it was so cold, he still felt cold wrapped in the quilt.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but Li Yamin felt a cool touch on his forehead.

Someone helped him up from the bed, put a thick piece of clothing on him, and let him stand up leaning on the other person's shoulder.

Li Yamin groggily opened his eyes, Wanshu Zu's face was right in front of him.

In the video, he was unprecedentedly relaxed, the corners of his mouth were always turned up, and his eyes were also slightly curved.

The entire night sky of New Zealand was shining brightly behind him, and those stars seemed to have fallen into his eyes as well.

Li Yamin wanted to ask: Didn't you not care if I lived or died, and were going to wait a week to deal with me?

And now, Wanshu Zu turned his head to stare at him: “You have a fever, save your strength and don't talk, I'm taking you to the hospital.”

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