Pang Zai: "No, no, that's not what I meant. My sexual orientation is normal!"
Ou Yunchen: "You almost scared me to death."
A Cai: "Look at you, you coward! Brother, he likes a female artist from your company!"
Pang Zai's face turned even redder, and he chuckled foolishly, scratching his head.
Pang Zai: "I mean, when I saw you that day, I recognized you."
Ou Yunchen: "You like an artist from my company, but you recognized me?"
Pang Zai: "Yes, you even had a scandal with her."
Ou Yunchen: "Who?"
Pang Zai: "Xiya. Didn't you forget that you publicly said she was your girlfriend?"
Ou Yunchen had indeed completely forgotten about it.
Pang Zai: "I liked Xiya when she was still an intern!"
"Her successful debut was my biggest wish. I was jealous for a long time when you two were a couple, but later I found out it was to help Xiya debut successfully and avoid criticism. That's when I started to have a good impression of you."
Ou Yunchen: "Hmm?"
Pang Zai: "Ah, no, no! I mean, I'm very grateful to you. Our Xiya is so successful now, and it's partly thanks to you!"
A Cai slapped his forehead. Pang Zai really didn't know how to talk. Who would say their boss was responsible for someone else's success...
Pang Zai: "Brother, can you help me get Xiya's autograph?"
After speaking, Pang Zai lifted a large box of items from his feet onto the table, startling Ou Yunchen with a bang.
A Cai: "Why did you bring so much stuff! Brother, I swear, I didn't know he had all these things for autographs..."
Ou Yunchen watched as Pang Zai took out items one by one for display. They were all Xiya's merchandise. He could only conclude that Pang Zai was truly a die-hard fan!
Ou Yunchen: "Put them away first. I'm in intensive training right now and can't leave..."
Pang Zai looked somewhat disappointed.
Ou Yunchen: "How about this, would you like to meet Xiya in person?"
Pang Zai: "Can I?"
Ou Yunchen: "Xiya was injured a while ago during a variety show, so she's in the hospital..."
Pang Zai was so nervous he was about to cry. His goddess was injured? Hospitalized? Pang Zai acted as if the sky was falling.
Ou Yunchen: "It's not serious, just a few days of rest."
Pang Zai: "Can I go see her?"
Ou Yunchen: "I'll give you the address. When you get there, say I sent you to visit."
Pang Zai's eyes were moist with excitement, while A Cai felt incredibly embarrassed.
A Cai: "Brother, we've disturbed your rest."
Ou Yunchen: "It's alright, I'm happy to see you too."
Ou Yunchen escorted them out of the hotel. Pang Zai, however, slipped away from A Cai and ran back, firmly grabbing Ou Yunchen's hand.
Pang Zai: "Brother, I don't know what grudges you have with the Education Center, but I can tell you want to use me to investigate them."
"But I've already told you, my mother personally withdrew the list. It's definitely meant to protect this enterprise."
"I didn't have many friends growing up, and my mom always said I was a bit slow. But A Cai is my only good friend."
"He never minded that I'm not smart. When I was a child, others used to bully me and hit me, and A Cai always stood up for me."
"So, if he asks me to help you, I will definitely help. But I hope that one day you'll remember I helped you, and don't let my mother get implicated..."
After speaking, Pang Zai panted and ran back to the car, not giving Ou Yunchen a chance to say goodbye.
However, this internal monologue was enough to prove his resolve to Ou Yunchen and to make it clear that his help came with conditions – protecting his mother.
Indeed, these children raised in power, how could they be truly foolish?
They understood human relationships and social dynamics far better than ordinary people, and they saw the world's injustices and human wickedness much earlier!