Male Sing and His Pet Owner: Chapter 79

The next day, idle Zhan Hang went out to drink and socialize with friends. Zhao Kaile stayed home alone, conceptualizing the complete world map for his new novel.

He lay on the table holding a pencil, scribbling and drawing on paper. After pausing to think for a moment, he erased a boundary line and redrew an irregular shape, then nodded in satisfaction.

A WeChat notification sounded. Zhao Kaile took out his phone and looked. It was Zhou Jiyang. He directly sent over several files, saying they were newly acquired scripts and asking Zhao Kaile to help review them.

Zhao Kaile scratched his head, remembering Bai Li’s words, and replied hesitantly: My judgment might not align with current market trends. Are you sure you want me to look at them?

Zhou Jiyang: I’m very sure. I just returned not long ago and don’t know anyone in this field. Wang Tai, please help me out.

Zhao Kaile: …

Zhao Kaile: Don’t call me that, thank you!!

Zhou Jiyang: Fine fine fine. Help me take a look. I don’t know who to analyze and discuss with when reading alone. I will definitely repay this drop of kindness with a gushing spring in the future.

Zhao Kaile: Oh.

Zhao Kaile: Then can you help me with an idea first?

Zhou Jiyang: What idea?

A moment later, the two were on a phone call. Zhao Kaile briefly explained the situation.

Zhou Jiyang slapped his thigh. “Isn’t this simple? Bai Li looked down on this script but still brought it to Zhan Hang’s attention because of personal connections. Then you just bypass her and go directly to the director, let the director put pressure on her.”

Zhao Kaile was shocked. “You can do that?!”

Zhou Jiyang said, “You can’t persuade her, Zhan Hang can’t persuade her either, then let the director do the talking. Anyway, he was the one who sent the offer first. But if you go like this, if this director lets even a tiny bit slip, you’ll have to walk around with your tail between your legs in front of Bai Li from now on.”

Zhao Kaile deflated. “Yeah, this is so hard.”

“Bai Li is this insistent, and if Zhan Hang keeps going head to head, he’s just gambling.” Zhou Jiyang analyzed. “The script is okay, this team is also okay, but the other casting still needs to be looked at. If the lineup is too weak, it still can’t carry the drama. Most importantly, looking at the current investment level… we can only hope someone will add more investment later. Otherwise it’ll be a thunder drama with five-cent special effects.”

Zhao Kaile: “Like that… what a pity.”

“Take another look.” Zhou Jiyang said. “I see there are still several roles not cast yet. The director doesn’t seem to be in a hurry either. If Zhan Hang really wants to go, try what I said.”

Zhao Kaile said gratefully, “Okay okay, thank you thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for.” Zhou Jiyang said unceremoniously. “Remember to help me review the scripts. I haven’t settled the final payment with them yet.”

“…” Zhao Kaile: “Okay, goodbye.”

After hanging up, Zhao Kaile began honestly helping Zhou Jiyang review scripts.

Among them was a historical fantasy xianxia drama that was truly well written. He got a bit absorbed reading it, continuing until the sun set in the west.

Before dinner, Zhan Hang returned with an exquisitely packaged box, casually placed it in the cabinet, and scanned the room with a vigilant gaze. Zhao Kaile wasn’t there.

“You’re back?” The auntie heard the sound and came out from the kitchen, casually wiping her hands on her apron, her face full of smiles. “Almost ready. Xiaole is upstairs.”

Zhan Hang made a tired sound of agreement, changed his shoes on his own. Zhao Kaile came downstairs closing the door, startled at the sight, and hurried over to help him take off his coat and pour water.

“Brother Hang, did you not have fun today?” Zhao Kaile observed his expression and asked in confusion.

“It’s nothing.” Zhan Hang asked, “What did you do today?”

“I drew a map, but that’s not important…” Zhao Kaile said mysteriously, “Zhou Jiyang came up with an absolutely brilliant idea for you.”

Zhan Hang frowned upon hearing this. “What absolutely brilliant idea? Stop hanging out with him so much, Zhao Kaile. If you keep messing around with him, you’ll end up just like him, playing around and losing your ambition. Understand?”

Zhao Kaile: “It’s not like that! Listen to me!”

Zhan Hang listened to him jabbering on with a blank expression, then said speechlessly, “Unless the production side raises my salary, Bai Li won’t agree.” Zhao Kaile hemmed and hawed, thinking that Sister Li wasn’t refusing because of low pay, but mainly because the genre had a small audience… but he couldn’t say this to Zhan Hang right now. If he said it, he would likely get a flick on the forehead for speaking on Bai Li’s behalf.

In the current state, talking wouldn’t lead anywhere, so Zhan Hang simply stopped thinking about it and got up. “Let’s eat, let’s eat.”

That night, Zhao Kaile opened the window wide and sat at the desk continuing to seriously review scripts for Zhou Jiyang.

Past eleven, Zhan Hang sent a message asking if he was asleep.

Zhao Kaile replied instantly: No! Brother Hang, what do you need!

But after this message was sent, it sank like a stone in the sea. He waited half the day without getting Zhan Hang’s response. Zhao Kaile was baffled and continued reading.

At twelve, Zhan Hang sent another message: What about now?

Zhao Kaile: …

Zhao Kaile: No!!

Zhan Hang: Open the window.

Zhao Kaile: It’s open.

Zhan Hang: Look outside the window.

Zhao Kaile looked out the window in confusion. A hanging basket tied with a rope slowly descended, with an exquisitely packaged gift box inside. He froze, realizing this was for him. He hurriedly got up to take it, then held the box looking up. But Zhan Hang swiftly retracted the basket and closed the window.

The notification sounded again. Zhan Hang sent a transfer of 888 yuan, with the note: Happy Birthday.

Zhao Kaile was a bit dazed, then remembered that today was indeed his birthday.

Zhao Kaile: Brother Hang! How did you know!!

Zhan Hang: (⊙o⊙), it’s on your ID card, you idiot.

Zhao Kaile: #grinning, thank you Brother Hang! Love you!

Zhan Hang didn’t reply again, seemingly preparing to sleep.

Zhao Kaile tossed his phone aside and excitedly went to unwrap the gift. Inside was a complete set of Buzz Lightyear figurines, extremely finely crafted, completely unlike the common knockoff style. They seemed to have been specially customized from somewhere.

Oh my god…

Zhao Kaile was so moved he didn’t quite know what to say. This didn’t seem like something that could be expressed with just a couple of thank yous. He carefully placed several figurines on the desk, his nose slightly stuffy. He thought, Brother Hang treats me too well. Does he treat every assistant this well? He actually remembered I like Buzz Lightyear… Did he watch Toy Story after I recommended it and think Buzz Lightyear is cool… no no no no…

A moment later, several more notifications sounded one after another. They were birthday wishes and red envelopes from Zhao Kaiming and Li Wenyao and others, plus a series of various stereotypical birthday greetings from official public accounts. This slightly added some color to his otherwise ordinary 23rd birthday.

He replied to them one by one, too excited to sleep. He couldn’t help but lean out the window and look toward Zhan Hang’s room. The light in Zhan Hang’s room was indeed still on. A tall figure stood before the window in the light’s glow, a tiny spark of fire flickering bright and dim.

The early spring night was still somewhat freezing. The sky was pitch black, the dark clouds briefly dispersed, the night breeze gently brushing the hair of those still awake, the starry river clear and pure.

Zhao Kaile gazed at Zhan Hang’s silhouette projected on the window. After a moment, he couldn’t help but call out loudly, “Brother Hang!”

Zhan Hang heard the sound, startled, and also leaned his head out, looking down at him. “What are you yelling about? Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Zhao Kaile said, “Stop smoking! Every cigarette you smoke reduces your lifespan by 14 minutes!”

“…” Zhan Hang said angrily, “You just got my gift and now you’re cursing me to death??”

Zhao Kaile laughed heartily. “Thank you!”

“Mm.” Zhan Hang held the cigarette and humphed. “Hurry up and make a wish. Wish that you’ll become smarter in the new year and won’t get deceived by others.”

Hearing this, Zhao Kaile instantly stopped laughing, his face darkening. “…I’m not that stupid.”

Zhan Hang extinguished the tiny spark and asked, “Then what do you want to wish for?”

Zhao Kaile thought for a moment and said, “The same as my New Year’s wish.”

“You can’t have the same one.” Zhan Hang said domineeringly.

Zhao Kaile hummed for a while, propping his chin, looking out the window bored. Looking up to talk was really a bit tiring. He said slowly, “Then I wish my brother saves up money soon and gets his business going, I wish you break out of your circle soon, I wish Brother Yao and his girlfriend get married soon…”

Zhan Hang asked, “What about yourself?”

Zhao Kaile said, “I’m doing great right now. There’s nothing I particularly need.”

Zhan Hang said, “Oh.”

Zhao Kaile: “Oh.”

The two were quiet for a moment.

Zhan Hang’s heart stirred slightly. He really wanted to say something to him, but a gust of cool wind blew past the window, clearing his heated mind considerably.

He asked Zhao Kaile again about that question from that day. “If there was no three-year contract, would you have agreed to Zhou Jiyang on the spot?”

By now, Zhao Kaile finally understood what he had been angry about back then. He immediately loudly declared his loyalty. “No! Brother Hang, I will always be loyal to you!”

Zhan Hang said, “Even if he offers you double the salary, better treatment, you still won’t go?”

Zhao Kaile pinched his own hand and said with difficulty, “No! Go!”

Zhan Hang rested both hands on the window sill, his face still expressionless, but with a trace of a smile in his eyes. “You have to keep your word. I hold grudges.”

Zhao Kaile nodded frantically. Another gust of cool wind blew by and he let out an earth-shattering sneeze, his ears buzzing.

“…” Zhan Hang said, “Close the window, go to sleep. Tomorrow I’ll take you out to play.”

Zhao Kaile had been about to respond, but upon hearing the second half, his sleepiness instantly vanished. “Go out to play?? Where??”

Zhan Hang said coolly, “You’ll know tomorrow. Stop nagging.” Then he snapped the window shut and stopped paying attention to him.

Zhao Kaile cooperatively closed his window, then walked around his room pretending to be calm, finally unable to resist letting out a “Woo-hoo!” and falling onto his bed in a star shape.

Working for Brother Hang is truly too blissful!

He blissfully smacked his lips, rolled over and wrapped himself in the blanket, facing the row of figurines lined up on the desk, and closed his eyes to enter dreamland.