"Look at you! So handsome, and your kung fu is amazing!"
There's no reason not to like you, right?
Gavin Yu looked at Evan Lin, his face full of excitement, and launched straight into a barrage of flattery.
Everyone around was startled again by this.
Usually, it's actors flattering the director—when have you ever seen Gavin Yu flatter someone else?
And the person being flattered was just a teenager—basically a newcomer.
No, not even a newcomer.
He was just a random bystander!
"She can participate, on the premise that the script is good."
Evan looked at Gavin Yu, meeting his eager gaze. When he spoke, Gavin finally relaxed completely.
He was full of gratitude: "The script will definitely be suitable, definitely!"
Gavin Yu still didn't quite understand why Serena Tong would let this teenager decide whether she would act in a movie.
But he couldn't be bothered to worry about it.
As long as Serena Tong was willing to take the role, and as long as this teenager agreed, Gavin Yu's long-held dream might finally come true.
He believed that when this movie was released, it would leave Gavin Yu's mark on film history.
"But, I do have a few conditions."
Evan Lin picked up a dessert, sitting there leisurely as he spoke.
Conditions?
"Go ahead."
Gavin Yu was straightforward. He looked at Evan Lin, his face sincere: "No matter what your conditions are, just say the word."
"As long as it's within my power, I'll make sure you're satisfied!"
Gavin Yu promised with conviction.
"Hey, that's enough, kid. Don't push your luck!"
Standing nearby, Lily Tan frowned, still weighing the teenager's actual relationship with Serena Tong.
Beside her, Kevin Zhou, young and hot-blooded, was already getting impatient.
He, Kevin Zhou, had worked hard for years. Though his career wasn't stellar, it had improved a lot compared to before.
He was just about to take his career to the next level—and never expected to run into a teenager like this.
Even Gavin Yu, whom Kevin Zhou could barely curry favor with, was bowing to this kid.
Kevin Zhou felt indignant. The more he looked at Evan Lin, the more he disliked him.
"What? You got a problem with that?"
Queenie Tong and Yvette Locke sat on either side of Evan Lin.
Both girls had their full attention on Evan Lin.
They watched his expressions as he talked, occasionally giggling to themselves.
Even when Evan Lin used Serena Tong as a bargaining chip with Gavin Yu, Queenie Tong didn't object at all.
If anyone else tried to use Serena Tong as leverage, Queenie Tong would have chewed them out long ago.
But this was Evan Lin. He openly used Queenie Tong as a condition in the negotiations, and not only did Queenie show zero anger—she was genuinely happy for herself and her big sister.
At least this way, she and her sister were finally of some use.
Evan Lin had saved both Queenie Tong and Serena Tong's lives before. Just that favor alone had left them thinking for ages, not knowing how to repay him.
Now, with this opportunity, Queenie Tong was naturally delighted.
If Serena Tong knew, she wouldn't be any different.
Hearing Kevin Zhou raise an objection, Queenie Tong immediately felt annoyed.
She glared at Kevin Zhou, looking fierce.
"You're Kevin Zhou, right?"
"If you've got a problem, bring it to me. Come on, let's hear it."
As she spoke, Queenie Tong rolled up her sleeves and stood up.
Her petite frame stood beside Evan Lin, looking like she was ready to defend him.
"Queenie, that's not what I meant," Kevin Zhou said.
Kevin Zhou was startled by Queenie's sudden stance.
He quickly explained, "Serena is sacred to us."
"How can we let this kid use her as a bargaining chip?"
"Besides, I have to stand up for Director Yu."
At that, Kevin Zhou quickly shifted the topic back to Gavin Yu.
He felt Gavin Yu's gaze was starting to show some displeasure as well.
He figured Gavin Yu was worried Kevin's words might make Evan Lin change his mind and refuse Serena Tong's participation.
If that happened, it'd be a huge loss.
"Standing up for me?"
Gavin Yu asked curiously, looking at Kevin Zhou.
"Of course."
Kevin Zhou nodded quickly: "Everyone knows Director Yu pours his heart and soul into filmmaking, striving for perfection."
"And Director Yu's attitude toward movies is unmatched."
"You want so badly to present a great film to the audience, to invite Serena to elevate her image. In this situation, it's really unfair for someone to use your dream as leverage and demand even more from you."
Kevin Zhou spoke earnestly, looking sincere.
Especially when he mentioned dreams, his face showed deep admiration, and even his tone changed several times.
His eyes were a little red—it really looked like he was standing up for Gavin Yu.
Ironically, it made Evan Lin, the one making demands, look petty.
No wonder he's an actor.
"I think Kevin Zhou makes a good point."
Victor Wu, who had just recovered from his daze, nodded.
He smiled and looked at Evan Lin: "Friend, please respect the director, respect his work, respect his dream."
"Film is Director Yu's dream, it's his life's passion."
"So please don't push your luck—let Serena go. Be kind, don't make things difficult for Director Yu."
Victor Wu's string of remarks was full of hidden meaning.
Every word was like a knife.
Yara Song listened but didn't plan to speak up.
Instead, she looked at Evan Lin, curious how he'd handle the situation.
Would he just use force?
Win with his fists?
That might work—but it'd seem awfully petty.
"What are you really trying to say?"
Queenie Tong stood beside Evan Lin, her brows furrowed.
She wanted to say something in Evan's defense, but the other two spoke so flawlessly.
For a moment, Queenie Tong didn't know what to say.
After all, both of them were speaking from Director Yu's perspective.
Deep down, Queenie Tong respected Gavin Yu as well.
Responsible directors like him were rare.
If it were anyone else making demands like Evan Lin, Queenie Tong probably would have looked down on them.
But since it was Evan Lin, things were different.
She didn't feel contempt at all—in fact, she wanted to cheer him on.
Whatever demands he had, Queenie Tong hoped he'd voice them.
The atmosphere grew tense.
But it was Gavin Yu, moved by Kevin Zhou and Victor Wu's words, who broke the stalemate.
He cleared his throat.
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me."
"Thank you."
Gavin Yu spoke sincerely, appearing deeply moved.
"Director Yu, it's fine! If this kid asks for anything outrageous, we've got your back!" Kevin Zhou was excited by Gavin Yu's thanks.
"That's right. If he wants a lot of money, I'll chip in too—just to satisfy his unreasonable demands," Victor Wu nodded.
Beside them, Yara Song was calm. She neither spoke nor objected.
She watched Evan Lin, observing his quiet, composed expression.
She assumed Evan Lin had been cornered by Kevin Zhou and Victor Wu's words, unsure how to respond.
Just as she had that thought—
She saw the boy sitting there smile.