Upon hearing that Mr. Wen would be attending the celebration banquet, Director Li excitedly called Old Zhang, stating they absolutely had to arrange a suitable venue.
Old Zhang immediately canceled the previously booked barbecue joint, revised the guest list, and changed the reservation to a high-end restaurant, sending the address to Director Li.
Meanwhile, Gou Zhe, already en route in his van towards the original destination – the barbecue restaurant – received the notification of the address change.
"The address has changed, go here," Gou Zhe's agent, Jiang Yue, instructed the driver from the passenger seat, looking at her phone.
Gou Zhe, who had been resting with his eyes closed in the back, on the verge of sleep, casually asked, "Why the sudden change of venue? Wasn't it barbecue? I thought I'd get to eat some grilled meat today; I haven't had any in half a year."
"I heard that Mr. Wen will be attending, which is why they changed the venue at the last minute," Gou Zhe's agent replied, adding a reminder, "You need to maintain your professionalism as a big star. Your fans will be disappointed if you gain weight."
So, all those words of love and admiration were merely for his appearance.
Gou Zhe chuckled, "He'll be attending this kind of event too."
Gou Zhe only learned of Wen Bai's true identity later.
He couldn't quite understand why wealthy individuals like them would still engage in advertising, and now attending such events – was it because their lives were too smooth and boring?
Gou Zhe mused idly, watching the rapidly passing neon lights and colorful cityscape outside the window.
Agent Jiang Yue, a bit uneasy, spoke directly, "Don't provoke him. It wasn't easy for you to reach your current status; don't mess with people you shouldn't, people we can't afford to offend."
Gou Zhe rested his arm on the car window, propping up his chin. As he spoke, his arm swayed slightly, "Sister Jiang, you don't think I actually like men, do you? No, perhaps you don't think I'll actually fall for anyone? Liking someone is the most unreliable thing in this world."
Jiang Yue's expression was complex, and she didn't reply.
While relationships between men weren't unheard of, and Gou Zhe had seen men together, even married, their unions were generally very low-key.
For someone of Mr. Wen's stature to announce an engagement so openly, making it public knowledge, was indeed something he had never witnessed.
This must be the legendary true love, he thought.
Unsure of what he was thinking about, Gou Zhe let out a soft laugh. His gaze out the window held a hint of coldness.
Where in this world could true love exist?
-
After Wen Bai changed his clothes.
575 drove his master's favorite black sports car, adorned with subtle wing patterns, out of the garage and towards their destination.
As the black supercar pulled away, a car lurking outside the villa complex immediately followed at a distance.
The venue for the evening's celebration banquet was a high-end hotel. Old Zhang had inquired and knew Mr. Wen had a preference for Chinese cuisine, so he changed the venue from the barbecue joint to a Chinese restaurant.
The Chinese food served here was indeed top-tier.
Upon alighting from the car, Wen Bai, as usual, waited at the hotel entrance for 575 to hand the car keys to the valet.
Only after 575 caught up did they enter the hotel together.
By this time, Old Zhang and Director Li were already waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Wen Bai, they courteously escorted him upstairs, directly to a private room.
Most of the guests in the private room had already arrived.
Old Zhang, being cautious, deliberately seated Mr. Wen and the big star Gou Zhe far apart.
They sat on opposite sides of a large round table, with a significant distance between them.
Although it was a celebration banquet, Old Zhang's rearrangement meant the attendees now primarily consisted of Wen Bai, the protagonist of the advertisement, Gou Zhe, some key executives, and other investors.
These main figures perfectly filled one table.
Wen Bai was naturally seated at the head of the table.
As the meal began, everyone was quite reserved.
Initially, they engaged in polite introductions, primarily directed at Mr. Wen, hoping for potential collaborations.
Wen Bai, however, was merely there to observe the impending runaway robot; he paid no mind to any non-essential individuals not related to his mission, and thus remembered no one.
Midway through the meal, some guests began to drink heavily.
Once people are intoxicated, their conversation naturally becomes less inhibited.
The glass in front of Wen Bai contained plain water, a discreet arrangement made by Director Li.
His self-assigned role was to take good care of Mr. Wen and prevent any hint of displeasure from him.
He handled everything from serving dishes with shared chopsticks to refilling drinks and even blocking toasts on Mr. Wen's behalf.
Although few people dared to truly force Mr. Wen to drink, Director Li essentially performed all the tasks that 575 usually handled.
The tall robot stood behind Wen Bai, watching the man in front of him continuously pour water and serve dishes to his master.
The robot's azure eyes flickered, and then his hand moved towards Director Li's chair.
As if noticing something, he retracted his hand.
Though the movement was subtle, it was still observed by the person across the table.
Gou Zhe had been fixated on Wen Bai from the moment he entered.
He had been meticulously observing the every move of Wen Bai and the robot who stayed by his side, inseparable.
His seating position directly opposite Wen Bai today made it even easier for him to observe closely.
As everyone else became tipsy, it seemed only Wen Bai, who didn't drink, and the male lead Gou Zhe, who appeared immune to intoxication, remained sober in the private room.
Gou Zhe openly stared at the robot behind Wen Bai.
Wen Bai, naturally, couldn't ignore his gaze.
However, with so many people present, Wen Bai reasoned that despite Gou Zhe's desire to do something, he wouldn't be able to do anything to 575 at this moment, given his status as a major celebrity.
After being toasted several times, Director Li also became increasingly boisterous.
At this moment, someone approached to toast Wen Bai.
Director Li, as a matter of course, rose again to shield his Mr. Wen from the drink.
However, the person approaching this time wouldn't be deterred.
Gou Zhe smiled and said, "Mr. Wen, we've worked together before. Surely you can have a drink?"