Chapter 452 - 451: What-If Arc: Did the Big Shot Vie for Favor Today? 20

Chapter 452: Chapter 451: What-If Arc: Did the Big Shot Vie for Favor Today? 20

Zhang Chen had been skeptical, but Yan Huoshui’s words only strengthened his conviction.

Master Ming was a nationally certified, top-tier master. He didn’t just perform divinations for anyone, so his words carried weight.

’He was right,’ Zhang Chen thought. ’This little ancestor’s tongue is getting more venomous by the day. He can usually manage to fake it when we’re out, but at this rate, it feels like he’s about to lose it completely.’

People in the entertainment industry generally took an "it’s better to be safe than sorry" approach to metaphysics. Zhang Chen wanted to keep earning good money, and figuring it was just a matter of making time to raise a cat, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright. Don’t you worry about it. I’ll take care of it for you."

With that said, he hurried out of the car, afraid the cat would wander off.

Shi Lan had been about to leave, but after just two steps, she was once again lifted by the scruff of her neck.

She strained to look up and saw it was the same man from before.

Zhang Chen glanced down at the filthy white cat. A bit repulsed, he held it at arm’s length rather than cradling it. He smiled faintly. "Little one, I think we’re fated to meet. Since that’s the case, why don’t you stick with me from now on?"

Shi Lan’s sapphire-blue cat eyes brightened. ’Great! I’ve found my meal ticket.’

With that in mind, she ignored the uncomfortable position and let out another cute, coquettish meow.

Zhang Chen usually kept his distance from pets. He was too busy with work to pay much attention to small animals, but at this moment, hearing the cat’s cry, his heart inexplicably softened.

’I’ve decided,’ he thought. ’Even if the little ancestor doesn’t want it later, I’ll raise this cat myself. Whether it’s fated to be with him or not, at least *I* like the look of it.’

Zhang Chen brought the cat to the car. It was so filthy that to keep the car clean, he took off his jacket and spread it over the passenger seat before placing the cat on top.

Yan Huoshui was dozing with his eyes closed. He noticed the car hadn’t moved in a while, but the door kept opening and closing, raising a racket. He couldn’t stop himself from snapping, "Zhang Chen, what the hell are you doing? It’s noisy as hell! If you don’t want to be my agent anymore, just say so. I’ll have you replaced by tomorrow."

Shi Lan hadn’t realized someone else was in the car. Hearing the voice, she felt a vague sense of familiarity, but she couldn’t quite place where she’d heard it before.

Curious, she turned her head to look toward the back seat.

Zhang Chen gave her little head a pat, urging her to behave. The little ancestor was in a terrible mood, and Zhang Chen was terrified the cat would inadvertently cross a line and prompt him to toss it out. If that happened, there would be nothing he could do.

Shi Lan immediately sat still.

Once Zhang Chen was sure the cat had settled down, he said in a placating tone, "Brother Yan, don’t be angry. We’re leaving right now."

"As long as you’re in this business, I’m your agent. I’m not going anywhere."

Yan Huoshui snorted. "Enough with the crap. Just drive."

’He was used to his agent, after all. It would be a pain to get rid of him and find a new one.’

Yan Huoshui had always hated hassle. It wasn’t that he couldn’t solve problems, but he was often too lazy to waste his breath on idiots. That was why he usually managed to restrain his temper in public—it saved him trouble.

"You got it."

Having been Yan Huoshui’s agent for a year, Zhang Chen had a decent grasp of his personality. Knowing his anger had subsided for the time being, he let out a silent sigh of relief.

The car started up. Zhang Chen glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Yan Huoshui dozing again with his eyes closed, so he did his best to maintain a smooth, steady speed.

When they finally reached their destination, he opened the rear door and said softly, "Brother Yan, we’re at the hotel."

They had come to Z City to film a period drama and were staying at a five-star hotel arranged by the production crew. The hotel staff had been briefed in advance and were under strict orders not to leak the celebrities’ whereabouts.

Yan Huoshui blearily opened his eyes. He gave a light yawn, and a single, glistening tear formed at the corner of his eye. His normally sharp, fox-like eyes seemed to hold a hint of softness.

If his fans could see him now, they would probably go wild.

Even Zhang Chen, who was used to the sight, was momentarily stunned. He had sighed countless times over the fact that Yan Huoshui was simply born for the spotlight.

It was precisely those looks that had convinced him Yan Huoshui was destined for greatness, prompting him to fight tooth and nail for the position of his agent. And though he had endured plenty of scoldings from Yan Huoshui in private over the years, he had to admit that following him had made him a fortune. People who once looked down on him now had to kiss up to him.

For that reason alone, Zhang Chen would never leave of his own accord.

Yan Huoshui put on a face mask and got out. Only then did Shi Lan get a chance to see him through the car window.

But since he was wearing a mask, she still couldn’t tell who he was. Seeing his short, slightly curly hair with a few dyed red streaks, she thought to herself with a sigh: ’Probably another pretty boy.’

’My luck with handsome men has really improved since I became a cat.’

’But this one has a terrible temper. I’d better keep my distance.’

Shi Lan retracted her curious gaze. Yan Huoshui tilted his head, his eyes sweeping over the passenger seat. Perhaps from being hounded by paparazzi, he was always highly sensitive to the feeling of being watched.

He frowned. "Zhang Chen, did you really bring that cat?"

Zhang Chen nodded. "Yeah, Brother Yan. You don’t have to worry about a thing. I’ll take care of it for you."

"Tsk. I hate trouble. You don’t need to raise a troublesome thing like that for me. If you’re interested, you can keep it for yourself."

With that, he strode into the hotel without a backward glance.

Zhang Chen stood in silence for a moment before grabbing the room key and following him, leaving the cat locked in the car for the time being.

It was four in the morning. Aside from the front desk clerk, the hotel lobby was empty.

The clerk recognized the masked Yan Huoshui at a glance. The hotel staff had already been paid off and signed NDAs. She didn’t dare reveal anything, but seeing the man in person, she couldn’t contain her excitement.

Yan Huoshui paid her no mind, walking straight toward the elevators without a glance in her direction.

The clerk reined in her excitement and said, "Hello, sir. You’ll need to check in."

Zhang Chen, following close behind, immediately cut in, "Miss, I can handle the check-in."

’The little ancestor had a late shoot today and was already holding in a bellyful of anger. He had zero patience right now.’ Zhang Chen was genuinely worried he might snap at an innocent bystander.

He was in charge of Yan Huoshui’s identification. Zhang Chen dutifully completed the registration, but by the time he was done, the little ancestor was nowhere in sight.

He was bewildered. ’The room key is still with me. How does Brother Yan know which room to go to?’

Zhang Chen hurried to the elevators and found one with its doors held open. Yan Huoshui’s long, slender fingers were pressed against the ’Door Open’ button.

Yan Huoshui glanced up, his expression one of bored impatience. "Are you getting in or not?" he urged.

"Coming, coming!"

Zhang Chen breathed a sigh of relief, stepped inside, and pressed the button for their floor. After escorting Yan Huoshui to his room, he went over the schedule. "You have a shoot tomorrow afternoon. At noon, I’ll have Xiao Li bring you a change of clothes. The hotel will deliver your lunch at the same time. You need to be on set by one for makeup and styling."

"Mm."

Yan Huoshui was exhausted and gave a noncommittal grunt before closing the door in his face.

Zhang Chen stood outside the closed door, rubbing his nose and shaking his head in resignation.

’It’s not the first time I’ve had a door slammed in my face. At least Brother Yan can still put on a front for outsiders.’

’It’s just... Brother Yan’s temper seems to be getting worse and worse lately.’ For the first time, he began to doubt Master Ming’s divination. ’Can one little cat really make that much of a difference?’