When Qin Jiran arrived, Kang Zhong had just come out of Su Yanyi's office. Seeing Qin Jiran, Kang Zhong wasn't surprised and asked directly, "Mr. Qin, are you here to see me or President Su? We both have time."
Qin Jiran always felt Kang Zhong's words were like a tease, but he was so accustomed to being expressionless that it was hard for anyone to detect any change in him; he replied indifferently, "I want to see President Su, is she in?"
Qin Jiran had always been clear about how he addressed Su Yanyi. It was only in private or at the Su family home that Qin Jiran would call her by name. At all other times, he referred to her as President Su, maintaining a certain distance even though Kang Zhong knew of their relationship.
"She's in, please come in," Kang Zhong said with a smile and a welcoming gesture.
However, Qin Jiran stood still, insistent, "Please announce me."
This wasn't the first time Qin Jiran had come outside Su Yanyi's office and it wasn't the first time he'd been stopped. Although he was unclear why Kang Zhong let him in so easily this time, he couldn't help but be cautious, lest he make Su Yanyi dislike him even more.
Originally, Kang Zhong intended to refuse, but seeing Qin Jiran's insistence, he said nothing, reentered the office, then quickly came back out to invite Qin Jiran in.
"Mr. Qin, please come in."
Qin Jiran nodded and took a couple of steps before stopping to say, "Brother Kang, you're now my agent. If you don't mind, just call me by my name."
Kang Zhong's attitude towards him had always been distant yet polite, but now that Kang Zhong was his agent, Qin Jiran felt it was somewhat inappropriate. He also couldn't tell if it was just his imagination, but it seemed to him that Kang Zhong's attitude had changed, becoming more respectful, and he wondered why.
"Sure, Jiran, please come in." Kang Zhong did not refuse. However, even though he now used his name, his demeanor was still respectful. Perhaps that was one of the reasons he had become one of Su Yanyi's trusted aides — always knowing his place.
Qin Jiran did not insist further and pushed the door open, entering Su Yanyi's office.
Su Yanyi's office was spacious and brightly colored, simple yet refined. The spot where Su Yanyi sat was touched by a bit of sunlight, which made it difficult to see her face clearly, yet it gave a hazy sense of distance.
Qin Jiran's steps grew lighter as he approached, stopping about two meters from the desk.
Unlike before, Su Yanyi did not keep her head down, reading documents. Instead, she looked up and gestured, signaling Qin Jiran to sit down for a talk.
Qin Jiran was slightly surprised by this treatment, but he sat down steadily. He was somewhat entranced by Su Yanyi and momentarily forgot to speak.
Su Yanyi found it strange and felt a bit uncomfortable, coughing lightly she asked, "Did you want to see me about something?"
The man had come to see her and yet said nothing; could it be that he had something difficult to say outright?
"Cough, both scripts are very good. If possible, I'd like to take on both," he said. The script for "Demon's Fall," which he originally favored, seemed rather lacking compared to these two, and it was difficult for Qin Jiran to choose between them. He thought it'd be best if he could take on both opportunities.
"If you'd like to take both, then do so. Which one would you like to shoot first? Do you have any requests regarding the director, production, or cast? Should I arrange it, or would you like to select personally?" Su Yanyi asked plainly, but she couldn't help but murmur inwardly. Since he liked the scripts, why couldn't he genuinely smile just once? It made her feel quite disappointed.
Was the act of providing scripts not impressive enough? What else should she give?
Su Yanyi felt a bit of a headache. Making someone smile, especially someone like Qin Jiran, seemed quite challenging. Should she devise a plan to cure his facial paralysis before making this man smile?
Yet Qin Jiran was somewhat stunned by Su Yanyi's questions. Did she actually mean what she had said regarding directors, production, and actors?
"Hasn't the crew been established yet? There's nothing? Surely I'm not the only actor, right?" Qin Jiran asked uncertainly. Generally, by the time a script reached him, the director would be confirmed — otherwise, where would the script have come from?
Looking at Qin Jiran, Su Yanyi asked earnestly, "If you find it troublesome, I can have someone prepare the rest. If you're interested, you can do it yourself. Just let Kang Zhong or me know what you need. Acting isn't a long-term prospect; have you thought about branching into other directions?"
Su Yanyi was truly looking out for Qin Jiran's best interests, expressing both support and giving him ample freedom and space.
Qin Jiran looked at Su Yanyi and his expression turned peculiar.
Why was Su Yanyi so good to him? Not only had she personally selected scripts for him, but now she was also saying these things. He was beyond touched and downright confused.
"Why are you doing this?" Qin Jiran felt he wouldn't be able to sleep well until he understood.
"Why what?" Su Yanyi asked, seemingly perplexed by his question as if she truly didn't understand his reasoning. In fact, she didn't quite grasp what Qin Jiran meant. Did needing a reason to be good to someone even matter? Once she knew he cared for her, it only felt natural to reciprocate.
"Why did you pick scripts for me? And why do you support my work so much? You weren't like this before. It's really strange for you to act like this all of a sudden." Qin Jiran felt perhaps it wasn't his place to question, but not asking made him feel stifled.
Throughout three years, Su Yanyi's indifference had left a deep impression on him; even now, the thought sent chills down his spine. They had even come to the verge of divorce. But it seemed as if everything had changed overnight, which he found hard to accept.
Qin Jiran couldn't calmly accept all of this, because he simply couldn't believe that Su Yanyi would be kind to him. He was afraid it might all be wishful thinking. If he believed it now and later found it wasn't true, the disappointment would be even more devastating. There's nothing more despairing than gaining something only to lose it after.
"I am who I am now, and whatever happened in the past is in the past. We must look forward, Jiran. From now on, I will be good to you," Su Yanyi explained, realizing Qin Jiran's concerns. She didn't wish to justify her past self; what mattered to her was the future, and in that future, she intended to be good to Qin Jiran.
Upon hearing her words, Qin Jiran was completely stunned in place, looking at Su Yanyi with disbelief, feeling like his hallucinations were getting worse — how else could he have heard Su Yanyi say she wanted to be good to him!
…