Chapter 138 - Young Master Li Yuan God Sent Talent

Sitting at the table, Li Luxian's attitude displayed one eighty-degree shift from the last time.

For example, the gloomy clouds of depression that hovered above his head finally seemed to have dispersed replaced with rainbows and sunshine.

Even Li Yuan mused to himself. "I mean I have always been aware I am good. But was my strategy that effective?" Observing his brother and sister-in-law chatting like normal couples, he had a hard time believing in reality. Finally confirming that it was not his eyes that had gone bad, he almost slapped his thigh in triumph. "Who am I undermining? Of course, it's me! It was my perfect, well-thought-out strategy that came to fruition. I should treat myself to something good. I need to stop doubting my abilities" He gleefully gave his Mother a thumbs up under the table.

'Mother, see? Things are going in the right direction.' 

For once, Li Shanguaan ignored her younger son's exaggerated eccentricities. Despite the makeup, her complexion looked better: the moment her eyes had picked out the necklace by Chen Yi's neck, nothing could conceal her happiness. 

As they engaged in casual chatter alongside dinner, Chen Yi brain ruminated everything Li Luxian said in the room.

Her eyes hazed for a second. 

Mother was... not really sick? This was... all an act?

When she had found Li Shanguaan in the kitchen with an unusual healthy complexion, Chen Yi did get an odd feeling. But that was just this. To even go as far as to fake one's sickness to keep her here... Chen Yi could never have thought this out. Even after Li Luxian's confirmation, she was finding it somewhat hard to believe. 

"It's right time I revealed my surprise for Yi'er." Just as they arrived at the end of the dinner, Li Shanguaan wiped her face and announced. 

"Surprise?" Chen Yi's smile froze, the grip on the fork tightened somewhat. She recalled the conversation with Li Shanguaan this morning. 

No, this can't be good.

"Mother, why not first enjoy the dessert?"

"The dessert can wait" Li Shanguaan waved her hand. Her eyes gleamed, she continued with enthusiasm. "Both of your jobs must take away a lot of your time. This is not good. As newlyweds, you should spend more time together."

"Actually, Li Luxian shoulders such hard responsibilities—"

"That's about it! Something needs to be done. Don't you worry Yi'er. Mother got your back." Li Shanguaan winked at Chen Yi then asked her husband. "Li Guang, what do you think of my idea?"

The two of his sons and his wife suddenly looked at Li Guang. The silent, decent Li Guang put on the spot replied with what sat well with the situation. "They should indeed spend more time together."

With permission from the family patriarch, weight was added to this suggestion.

"So you should be able to hold the office without your son for a few days, wouldn't you?" Li Shanguaan had a big smile on.

Chen Yi didn't like where this was going.

"Nothing important going on nowadays. The office won't miss his absence." Li Guang shrugged.

"That's settled then!" Li Shanguaan clapped her hands. "Your father has no objection. He would handle the office matters for you. Oh, right, Li Luxian you wouldn't have any objections, right?"

"Up to Yi'er." He smiled before silent sipping wine.

Up to Yi'er your ass! Head all the guns in my direction, you know very well I can't deny! Why go through this pretence! Just say I want to go, Chen Yi's consent doesn't matter!

Chen Yi suppressed am urge to stab him with the fork. "Mother, to arrange something like this while your health—"

"Oh, don't worry about that. I have already made the bookings long ago." Li Shanguaan looked at Chen Yi with expectant eyes. 

Chen Yi's lips twitched. 

Right. 

Since you have already dug the grave for me, just shove me in and put back the mud. Nice and clean. What is the point in asking me?

With a sigh, she said. "Since Mother has already prepared everything, why would I have any objections? We would go as Mother planned."

Li Shanguaan beamed like a flower in spring. Her smile, contagious, made Chen Yi smile herself. She steadied her heart, shooting a glare at the devil by her side.

Li Luxian felt a piercing chill at the side of his face. Curious, he looked in Chen Yi's direction. Finding her seething fire and smoke out of her nose and ears, he merely smiled at her. 

Blood poured out into Chen Yi's mouth.

God, she was so angry.

Li Luxian was doing everything on purpose, wasn't he?

Well then, she would have to show him she wasn't some cowardly lamb who would herself offer her on a platter either!

...

Chen Yi was certain Li Luxian would be waiting with a mouthful of words to taunt and tease her, push her to limits and gloat over his victory. She refused to enter the room and walked away.

Outside, on the balcony, she turned on her phone and dialled Gu Chiantao. 

When she placed the phone by her ear, Gu Chinatao charged questions in quick succession. "Why was your phone going off? Nothing bad happened, right? How did the audition go?" 

"Gu family Young Lady, why do I feel you are worried sick for me?" Chen Yi's lips quirked up.

"Absurd! Who's worried about you? I'm worried about my face! I just wanted to make certain you didn't ruin my efforts. Where would my reputation go if word got out an artiste styled by Gu Chinatao was not selected?" Gu Chinatao grumbled.

Chen laughed. "Of course, Miss Gu's style was duly praised by the Director."

"So should I consider the role yours?" 

"Not so quick," Chen Yi's smile receded. "It just so happens the production might have received a hefty sponsorship."

"Sponsorship?" Gu Chinatao frowned. Then in a tone raised a few notes higher, she questioned. "But who could have sponsored the project. Last I checked no one was interest—Wait... There is someone! You mean to say Chen Ying put money into the film? So as to force the team not to get you in the cast?!"

"Spot on!"

"But... wouldn't that be problematic? Why do you sound so happy?"

"Why would I not be happy? The more sponsorship the movie receives, the better are the chances of success. Since I'm the one who is ultimately going to be selected, it's all best for me. What's more, it's my cousin's own money that would see me to success."

Confused, Gu Chinatao was silent for a second before she almost broke into a scream "Yi'er y-you shrewd woman! That was why you stopped me before when I wanted to sponsor the production. You were waiting for Chen Ying to make the first move, weren't you? How the heck would you have predicted she would definitely put her money?!" 

Chen Yi shrugged. "Blood is thicker than water!"

"Thicker my ass." Gu Chinatao chortled. "I can't wait to see her face when she learns what happened. Right, I need to make a call. Not gonna let this opportunity slip. Gotta sponsor you before Director Song. Will call you right back." The call line was put out.

Chen Yi put away the phone. Her eyes gleamed under the night. A not so gentle smile on her lips.

Even before Gu Chinatao had given the movie name to Chen Yi, Gu Chiantao intended to invest her funds in the production. Chen Yi wasn't the only one who recognized the movie value; Gu Chinatao was a seasoned investor. She had long had her eyes on this Production. But Chen Yi had stopped her saying she had the means to double the sponsorship. 

Of course, Gu Chinatao didn't believe it back then.