The moment Yamada Shu made that incredibly abrupt invitation, Yuan Chuan You instantly felt the atmosphere at the table shift.
Everyone wore different expressions, but no one said a word.
So he thought for a moment and said with a slight smile, "I already have an agency. Thank you for the kind offer, Yamada-san."
"You can't say that. It's natural for people to strive for greater heights. Someone as talented as you, Yuan Chuan-san, would surely advance further in your acting career with the support of a more outstanding agency."
From the rumors he had heard at the audition, Johnny & Associates might be a titan in the entertainment industry, but its reputation was quite poor.
Besides, a bigger agency meant more trouble. The young man was very satisfied with his current situation and naturally had no intention of accepting this sudden invitation.
"I'm very content with my current situation. I'm sorry, but I can't accept your invitation, Yamada-san."
"..."
The smile on Yamada Shu's face instantly froze. After a long moment, he finally said, "Well, that's a real shame…"
After saying this, he stood up decisively, apologized to the director and the other actors, and said he had urgent matters to attend to and had to leave.
Once he had left in a flurry, surrounded by his manager and assistants, the atmosphere at the table felt a bit strange.
"This…"
Yuan Chuan You was a little confused, but at that moment, Director Asano broke the odd atmosphere with a loud laugh.
"Don't mind him."
He leaned in and whispered in the young man's ear, "This is the film set. Nothing will happen even if you refuse him. But I still have to praise your courage, Yuan Chuan-kun. You truly are a young man!"
"Hahaha, Yuan Chuan-kun, that was impressive! You deserve a big drink!"
"Yuan Chuan-kun, let's have another!"
Furuta and Moriyama started trying to get Yuan Chuan You to drink with them again, broad smiles on their faces.
They had witnessed quite a show today. It was unbelievable that someone would dare to so blatantly refuse Johnny & Associates. After all, Johnny & Associates was one of the three giants of the entertainment world, with deep connections to many television networks.
Seeing the young man surrounded by the other men, his expression as calm as ever, Sakurajima Mai finally let out a sigh of relief.
She had always heard various rumors about Johnny & Associates, almost all of them negative. The fact that Yuan Chuan You had just refused them so decisively and without hesitation put her mind at ease for some reason.
Wait… I'll try to talk to him again later.
----------------------------------------------------------
By the time the party ended, it was nearly midnight.
Yuan Chuan You stood at the entrance of the ryotei, holding the novel he had finished writing. The night wind carried a hint of coolness, seeping through his cuffs to his chest.
He stared at the system's light screen, visible only to him. The [Entry Production Station] had actually gained a fair amount of experience.
[Production Queue 1: Burst of Inspiration]
[EXP: 9/100]
It seemed that drinking with industry seniors could indeed serve as material for inspiration. Yuan Chuan You nodded with satisfaction. As long as he experienced more new things, he was sure he could acquire this entry soon.
"Yuan Chuan-san~"
Turning his head, the young man saw the smiling, dark-haired girl. He had just received a message from Sakurajima Mai, which was why he was waiting here for her.
"Here, this is the manuscript you wanted. I just finished it."
Yuan Chuan You handed over the manuscript he was holding. The story wasn't very long, just enough for him to max out the experience points for the [Writing] entry.
"Yuan Chuan-san, I didn't get a chance to talk to you earlier. Are you free now?"
Holding the manuscript, Sakurajima Mai was in no hurry to read it; she wanted to chat with him instead.
"Aren't you going home yet?"
Yuan Chuan You glanced at his phone. She was an underage actress; it wasn't appropriate for him to be with her this late.
"My manager is on her way. I have to wait for her here."
Manager?
The young man immediately thought of her mother. Sakurajima Mai had managed to make a name for herself in the entertainment industry largely due to her mother's efforts. The two of them being together allowed them to share private conversations, making their bond stronger than that of a typical artist and manager.
"Alright, let's talk then. There's a vending machine over there. Would you like a hot drink?"
"Mm-hmm."
The two left the ryotei and walked to a nearby vending machine. Tokyo's night breeze carried a tipsy chill, and distant streetlights cast a faint halo on the asphalt road.
"What would you like to drink?"
Yuan Chuan You scanned the hot drinks. The colorful vending machines sold cold drinks even in winter, catering to all sorts of odd preferences.
"Actually, let me treat you."
Sakurajima Mai suddenly took charge, placing her small hand on the vending machine with a smile. "What do you like to drink, Yuan Chuan-san?"
"I'll have the most expensive one."
"..."
Sakurajima Mai looked Yuan Chuan You's impassive face up and down, her own smile growing even brighter. "Okay, then. The most expensive one it is for Yuan Chuan-san."
The girl bent down and bought two cans of 600-yen coffee, handing one to the young man before her.
"Thanks."
"This is the first time a girl has offered to treat, and the guy said he wanted the most expensive drink." Sakurajima Mai opened her coffee and stared intently at Yuan Chuan You's face. "Aren't you worried people will find it strange if you say things like that, Yuan Chuan-san?"
"Not at all. In fact, I don't care what others think at all." Yuan Chuan You took a sip of coffee. "Because no matter what they think of me, they won't show it directly, right?"
"..."
"Rather than exhaust myself trying to guess what others are thinking, it's better to just not care at all. That's how you live a more relaxed life."
"I see."
Sakurajima Mai nodded, a pensive look on her pretty face.
"More importantly, Sakurajima-san, you wanted to talk to me about what happened at the party, right?" Yuan Chuan You gazed at the distant scenery and said softly, "Were you surprised by what I did?"
"While rejecting Johnny & Associates was a wise decision, they are a behemoth in the entertainment world. Many of their artists have prime-time sponsored programs on television."
Sakurajima Mai sighed softly. "If you plan to continue in the entertainment industry, Yuan Chuan-san, you'll have many opportunities to deal with them, so…"
"Heh, I once read a theory that I think is very fitting for actors. Would you like to hear it, Sakurajima-san?"
The girl paused, looking up at Yuan Chuan You's face with some confusion.
"Go on."
"Actors are like stars in the sky. The brightest spots are the most crowded. As someone who has just entered the industry, the most important thing for me isn't where I shine, but…"
He turned to look at the girl's face, his eyes reflecting the light of the streetlamp, "…whether I can keep shining."
"..."
"Besides acting, I can also write novels. Maybe I'll write songs in the future, too."
A lighthearted smile played on Yuan Chuan You's lips. "Johnny & Associates is formidable, but they have plenty of competitors, don't they?"
"I'm not worried about my future. Johnny & Associates isn't powerful enough to control everything, so I won't put that pressure on myself."
Sakurajima Mai was slightly stunned. In the next second, Yuan Chuan You's earnest gaze made her heart skip a beat, and the words of caution she had mentally prepared were suddenly impossible to say.
"Hmph… well, just look after yourself then!"
Sakurajima Mai suddenly felt a bit flustered, but in the end, she couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from curving into a faint smile.
The captivating night kept the secrets of the girl's soaring heart.
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