I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

The three main actors of "The Warlords" were confirmed in a short time.

The final pay that was negotiated was lower than Xia Yuze's normal level.

Of course, Xu Kong did not really lower his pay to a particularly low level.

Mainly, this is not necessary.

Besides, Xia Yuze agreed so readily, there would be no need to play any tricks in this regard.

Although Xu Kong did not negotiate the remuneration himself, the final range was indeed given by him.

……

"Director Xu, I really think you must be here!"

I don’t know if it’s because Guo Jiayu knew Xu Kong was relatively free recently, so he simply pulled Xu Kong along.

They tried every means to involve him in various matters in the early stage of project establishment.

This includes selecting locations and auditioning actors for supporting roles.

Xu Kong's attitude is actually not to be in a hurry at this moment.

"Operation Red Sea" is still in the normal release stage.

Guo Jiayu couldn't wait to start filming "The Warlords".

This is really frustrating.

Logically speaking, after finally finishing filming a movie, you should at least take a break for a while.

Even though Xu Kong is always so busy, he always maintains this basic standard.

But Guo Jiayu, who got the script, obviously had no intention of taking a rest.

Even after the box office of "Operation Red Sea" stabilized, he simply didn't bother to pay attention to it anymore and focused all his attention on the new work "The Warlords".

……

"Okay, if I'm really needed, I'll be there."

"Besides, you are the director!"

Xu Kong spoke.

Although he knew that Guo Jiayu actually didn't have any intention of being lazy.

I simply think that if he is around, everything will feel safer and more confident.

After all, this movie has a lineup of three movie emperors and the investment is not small. Although Guo Jiayu had just experienced the success of "Operation Red Sea", she still couldn't help feeling a little scared.

However, Xu Kong believed that he could not change his previous plan.

It would be enough for him to be the leader, screenwriter and executive producer.

Control the quality of the final output.

But it's impossible to really watch it all the time.

First of all, time and energy do not allow this. Apart from that, the most crucial thing is that directors like Guo Jiayu cannot have no improvement at all.

Otherwise, what's the difference between that and him directing it himself?

……

"understood……"

Guo Jiayu could only say this with some embarrassment.

In fact, in terms of age, he is almost two generations older than Xu Kong.

However, Guo Jiayu certainly could not treat Xu Kong as an ordinary young junior in the so-called general circle.

On the contrary, after the filming of "Operation Red Sea", he had already regarded Xu Kong's words as the standard answer.

That's why he relies so much on Xu Kong's guidance.

It's the same this time. If Xu Kong participates in the performance, he certainly can't be just an ordinary actor in the crew.

He could have been more confident about the film.

……

After Guo Jiayu left, Xu Kong looked at the time.

Started packing up in advance.

There was actually nothing to pack.

However, although he has more free time recently, he still spends most of his time in the company.

But Su Zhi is coming back.

The other party has been on vacation for more than half a year and this time he plans to come back and officially start work.

Of course Xu Kong had to go to the airport to pick someone up.

I even found an excuse for Youyou to avoid any time conflicts.

……

The airport in Beijing is overcrowded.

When Xu Kong drove into the parking lot, he had to wait in line for quite a long time.

This is mainly because more people have returned to work after the Chinese New Year, which naturally leads to airports and high-speed rail stations becoming more crowded than usual.

Fortunately, Xu Kong stayed in the car the whole time, so he didn't worry about being recognized.

His cars were actually arranged by Fengge, and the license plate was different every time.

I'm not too worried about being discovered because of issues like license plate or model.

"here."

From a distance, Xu Kong saw Su Zhi looking around.

The other person was wearing a pair of sunglasses and a black sweater today.

The scale is already exaggerated, and because black naturally makes people look bigger, it looks even more outrageous.

……

"Too many people!"

Su Zhi was obviously relieved after getting in the car.

"Recognized?"

Xu Kong asked.

Su Zhi shook her head.

"Not really, almost."

“But I still feel a little nervous because there are so many people.”

Because I went back to my hometown alone to celebrate the New Year this time, and I didn’t bring any assistant with me.

If someone recognized me, it would probably not be easy to escape.

The key point is that it is impossible for Xu Kong to help.

Otherwise, once he shows up, the situation might become even more chaotic.

And by then, related rumors will probably be flying all over the place.

……

"By the way, I heard that you went to Youyou's house for the New Year this year?"

After Su Zhi got into the car and took off her black sunglasses, she asked as if nothing had happened.

Xu Kong was stunned for a moment, but remained calm.

"How did you know?"

He asked back.

Su Zhi: "Youyou let it slip when we were chatting a few days ago."

"You can see that she is quite flustered."

"But I think that after all, you are Feng Ge's boss now, so it's normal for her father to invite you to celebrate the New Year."

……

Xu Kong felt helpless.

I always feel from what Su Zhi said that the other party is treating Youyou like a child.

"When did you get so close to her?"

Xu Kong couldn't help but ask.

Su Zhi still had no expression on her face, but there was a hint of playfulness in her tone:
"Are you afraid?"

Xu Kong's expression was natural.

Although I was a little panicked inside, I would never show it.

"Don't worry, nothing much has changed. I'm still the same person as before."

"If a different situation arises, I will let you know."

After Su Zhi comforted her, she spoke again:
"Besides, we are best friends now. We can talk about anything."

"We'll talk about everything except you."

After hearing Su Zhi's answer, Xu Kong had to admit that he did break out in a cold sweat.

The main reason was that he really couldn't figure out Su Zhi's thoughts.

Depending on the other person's personality, they may simply find it interesting, or even be helping with risk management in order to avoid trouble.

But if something unexpected happens one day, it would really feel like the end of me.

……

"Do you want me to keep my distance from her in the future?"

Su Zhi asked sincerely.

Xu Kong looked straight ahead and answered in a tone that didn't seem to care much:
"how come!"

"As long as you are happy, I have no objection..."

If it were someone else, even if they just smiled a little, Xu Kong would feel that the atmosphere would be a little more relaxed.

But Su Zhi still had that cold face that never smiled and never changed over the years.

This made Xu Kong feel that his pressure suddenly increased.

……

"How about I go and ask for you, maybe Youyou would like the three of us to go together..."

“This is probably the dream of most men.”

After hearing this, Xu Kong was sure that Su Zhi was teasing him on purpose. So he smiled and answered:
"It's not impossible."

"It just so happens that you alone are no match for me..."

"I wouldn't mind having a helper to help."

After Xu Kong finished speaking, seeing that Su Zhi didn't respond, he couldn't help but look in the other direction.

I was immediately startled.

I couldn't help but ask:
“Who are you messaging?”

"You're not really going to ask her?"

……

Su Zhi nodded to herself.

"Isn't that what you asked for?"

Xu Kong: ...

Su Zhi continued to type a few more words on her phone before she raised her head and spoke:
"Drive well."

"It's my agent, asking me about the subsequent studio opening."

Although Xu Kong felt that Su Zhi always made a big splash.

But it won’t really come to this.

However, after hearing her tell the truth at this time, I finally felt a little relieved.

……

"By the way, a music variety show on Tomato TV invited me to be a mentor."

"I heard that they seemed to have invited you as well?"

Su Zhi suddenly thought of something and asked.

Xu Kong nodded.

"I was indeed invited, but I declined."

"Those news were also released by Tomato TV itself, probably for popularity and publicity."

"Didn't they cooperate with the Spring Festival Gala before? I didn't go to refute the rumor immediately."

Su Zhi was not surprised at all when she heard it.

She knew that for Xu Kong at the moment, it would be difficult to actually participate in that kind of variety show.

Apart from the high appearance fee, the actual effect is limited.

What Xu Kong lacks least now is traffic.

Participating in this kind of variety show will actually increase the popularity of the show.

……

"Are you going to participate?"

Xu Kong asked.

After all, Su Zhi has returned to work now.

For singers, besides some normal performances.

In fact, there is no need to reject all similar music variety shows.

It is said that the investment in this variety show on Tomato Channel is quite huge.

"Well, Sister Nan has already signed the contract for me."

"I was thinking that if you came too, we could go together..."

Su Zhi answered casually.

"But I also feel that you are unlikely to go."

……

The two chatted idly along the way.

We soon arrived at the residential area.

Of course, he didn't go to Xu Kong's house, but went directly to Su Zhi's residence.

Although it was already dark, Su Zhi started cleaning after arriving home.

The main reason is that I haven’t been back for a long time.

Su Zhi gave herself and her studio a half-year vacation.

Except for the initial period, I haven't stayed in Beijing for much time.

Xu Kong would come over from time to time to help Su Zhi clean up.

So since the house was still relatively tidy, Su Zhi just cleaned it for a while and then had dinner with Xu Kong.

……

This time we didn’t make any hotpot or anything like that for dinner.

Xu Kong specially ordered a few dishes which were quite sumptuous.

It's enough for two people to eat together.

Because Xu Kong’s popularity is getting higher and higher, the previous behavior of going out to eat is not impossible.

But it takes time to disguise, which is still a bit troublesome.

Su Zhi had just sat back down, so she was too lazy to go out to eat.

……

"By the way, my parents asked why you didn't come home this year."

Xu Kong was halfway through his meal when he was stunned.

"I……"

Before he could explain, Su Zhi responded normally:
"I said you've been busy lately."

“They also said they understood.”

Xu Kong does have the contact information of Su Zhi’s parents.

During the Chinese New Year, I sent a special message to wish you a happy new year.

Of course, since we were at Youyou's house at the time, it was impossible for us to video chat or anything like that.

……

"What about you, what do you think?"

Xu Kong asked with some curiosity.

Su Zhi was stunned for a moment.

"what?"

Xu Kong then said:
"Are you feeling a little mad because I didn't go to your house this year?"

Xu Kong asked jokingly.

But it is obvious that Su Zhi is still the same Su Zhi.

With an expression of incomprehension, he asked back:
"Why should I be angry?"

Then he analyzed:
"Even if it were normal, you went to my house last year, so you should have gone to Song Youyou's house this year."

Xu Kong: ...

……

However, even though Su Zhi said this, Xu Kong could still feel it.

Compared to before, at least Su Zhi now cares more about these things.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have faced the problem of eliminating Song Youyou's suspicion at the beginning, and after completing this task, she could still maintain a close relationship with Youyou.

After eating, the two of them curled up on the sofa and watched TV together.

Maybe it was because of the vacation, but Xu Kong discovered that Su Zhi had started watching TV series, which was unusual for her.

Before, Su Zhi would watch some of the film and television works he directed or starred in.

But other than that, she didn't have much interest.

Most of the time is spent on music.

After this vacation, it seems that because she has more time, Su Zhi has also found many new ways to pass the time.

What made Xu Kong feel helpless was that Su Zhi actually liked to watch the Korean romance dramas.

The reviews are still not very high, as the lines sound a bit shocking.

……

"Do you think this kind of drama is boring?"

Xu Kong was already dozing off and almost fell asleep.

I was suddenly awakened by Su Zhi's words.

"No...no."

Although he said so, Xu Kong's sleepy look was obviously not convincing.

"Although I know these dramas are not very nutritious, they are really relaxing and de-stressing."

Su Zhi explained casually.

Then she took the initiative to move closer to Xu Kong's arms.

"Why don't you find something to do yourself?"

"To keep from getting bored."

……

As she spoke, Su Zhi naturally took Xu Kong's hand and guided him in.

It is still that familiar softness, still that familiar feeling that cannot be controlled by one hand.

If this were to happen, Xu Kong would no longer feel sleepy.

Su Zhi didn't care and was still watching TV seriously.

Allowing Xu Kong to explore freely.

But given her physique that would shake at the slightest touch, even with the TV to divert her attention, she still couldn't completely ignore it.

...(End of chapter)