He is Too Stingy, This Sand Sculpture Cannon Fodder

It’s getting dark, and Shu You followed the production team to have dinner.

They didn’t leave the hotel and went to the hotel’s restaurant, where a large private room was arranged.

The group of people entered one after another, and Shu You quickly grabbed an abalone.

…Then he was stopped by Duan Siqi’s manager.

“Um…”

The manager’s expression became more polite. “Mr. Shu, regarding what you heard by the pool this afternoon…”

Shu You had a serious look on his face. “Excuse me, do I know you?”

Manager: …?

He was a bit confused. “Didn’t we just meet this afternoon? You were by the pool…”

Shu You said seriously, “You’ve mistaken me for someone else. That wasn’t me; it was my half-brother, a fraternal twin.”

Manager: …

He seemed to understand something and tentatively asked, “And your twin brother…”

Shu You nodded. “He’s already gone.”

Manager: …Wow, no evidence to prove otherwise.

He couldn’t help but look subtly, but the next moment, Shu You blinked and whispered, “Don’t worry, he’s a deaf-mute.”

“And he only has a three-second memory.”

Even less than a goldfish!

…Although it’s said that goldfish have more than seven seconds.

The manager instantly understood, and his expression became much more natural. He laughed and extended his hand. “Oh, Mr. Shu, you’re such a good person… By the way, our Duan Siqi is about the same age as you. You can be friends.”

Shu You coughed, “Sure, sure. After all, I’m his fan.”

Manager: …He wonders if Shu You’s manager can come quickly.

After resolving this little incident, Shu You floated to the table. The production team invited several guests this time, along with the staff, totaling dozens of people.

Shu You picked a few dishes that looked delicious and found seafood here. He immediately served himself some and sat down by the wall next to the sofa.

As soon as he sat down, Duan Siqi floated over like a ghost, his body stiff, and his tone elusive. “Do you think I still have a chance?”

“What?”

Shu You bit the lotus root box and looked up. “Who are you talking about?”

“Me…”

Duan Siqi, experiencing his first heartbreak, felt like his world was collapsing. He answered in a frustrated tone, “Me and Sisi.”

He couldn’t find anyone else to confide in; his friends weren’t here, and his manager would only advise him to let it go.

After searching, Shu You was the only half-informed person available.

Shu You suspiciously paused for a moment, blinked, and said, “I think it’s still possible.”

Because theoretically, there was a nonzero chance for him to be in a relationship with his childhood idol.

It’s just extremely small.

However, when Duan Siqi heard this, it was like encountering a kindred spirit in a vast world. He immediately felt somewhat uplifted. “Are you serious?”

“…I’m serious.”

Shu You said sincerely, “Believe me, Chinese people don’t deceive Chinese people.”

Unexpectedly, Duan Siqi was startled, “I’m a Chinese overseas. Is it okay if I don’t have a household registration?”

Shu You hesitated for a second, “Well… the verification should mainly depend on bloodline.”

Duan Siqi wished he could immediately go home and look at the family genealogy.

Once there was hope, he started fantasizing again, “Sisi is really cute. I really like her.”

“Mhmm.”

Shu You was busy eating grilled squid skewers, devouring each tentacle.

“I’ve known her for many years, and both sets of parents are acquainted. We can be considered childhood sweethearts.”

“Mhmm.”

Shu You put a few skewers of lamb and quail eggs on the plate, a mix of land and sea.

“I’ve confessed to her many times, but she always rejects me. Could it be that she really dislikes me that much?”

“Mhmm.”

Finally feeling satisfied, Shu You cleared his mouth and said to Duan Siqi, “It doesn’t necessarily mean she dislikes you.”

“People don’t only have to like or dislike someone.”

“But,” Duan Siqi despondently said, “If she doesn’t dislike me, why won’t she give me a chance?”

“Well, it’s like this.”

Shu You finally picked up a tissue and wiped his mouth, speaking seriously, “Because girls have the right to reject anyone, no matter who they are.”

“…”

Duan Siqi was stunned, then murmured after a while, “You make a valid point.”

He suddenly stood up, as if he had made a decision, and said, “I’m going to find her, one last time, and make things clear.”

Shu You was also taken aback, “Now?”

“I can’t wait.”

Duan Siqi said he would leave immediately, without any hesitation. Shu You anxiously glanced at his manager not far away, trying to persuade him, “Why not wait until the program is finished shooting?”

“It’s okay.”

Duan Siqi said, “As long as I can make it back tomorrow.”

“If it really doesn’t work, my family is a sponsor of this program. I can have them add my scenes later and pay double overtime.”

Shu You: “…”

He began to wonder why rich people couldn’t include him as an extra.

“Oh, by the way.”

“I’ll talk to Brother Luo myself,” Duan Siqi remained loyal, “You can pretend we never had this conversation today, and I won’t mention you to Brother Luo either.”

Brother Luo is Duan Siqi’s manager.

Before Shu You could stop him, he shivered and quickly intercepted him. “Wait.”

Duan Siqi stared at him intently. “I really can’t wait.”

“Even if you can’t wait, you have to wait.”

“Why?”

Shu You blinked desperately, hinting at him. “Because you can’t go.”

“I can.”

Duan Siqi stubbornly persisted, “I just checked. The last flight hasn’t taken off yet.”

“…That’s not it.”

Shu You could only point behind him and said, “Brother Luo is right behind you.”

Duan Siqi: “…”

Brother Luo immediately dragged him back to the room, saying that he would sleep on the sofa tonight, and anyone who tried to leave would have their legs broken.

Shu You couldn’t help but think, “Fortunately, Wu Youzhe isn’t like this!”

After eating and drinking his fill, he returned to his own room.

…Because he ate too much, Shu You lay on the bed and soon felt drowsy.

As he closed his eyes in a daze, a thought floated through his mind.

What did he forget?

Ah, he really forgot something.

Just then, his phone buzzed, and with his eyes closed, Shu You fumbled to answer. “Hello?”

Wu Youzhe’s voice came through. “Shu You, how was your day?”

“It was pretty good.”

Shu You mumbled, half asleep. “I didn’t do much today, just had a meeting and a meal. The filming starts tomorrow.”

“…That’s good, that’s good.”

Wu Youzhe was just showing concern over the phone. “You didn’t say anything during the meeting, right?”

“No.”

Shu You proudly said, “I nodded and approved everything they said without saying a word.”

Wu Youzhe felt that something was off. “…What did you approve?”

“Well…”

Shu You tried hard to recall, but only fragments remained in his mind. “I called for world peace?”

Wu Youzhe: “…”

He knew it.

After hanging up that call, Shu You quickly dialed another number.

“Buzz…”

The phone rang for a while before connecting. Shu You excitedly said, “Lin Mingxu, are you asleep?”

Lin Mingxu was still in the office, and it was only 9 o’clock in the evening. “…”

The building was already empty, with only the security guards on duty. On Lin Mingxu’s floor, only his office was lit.

It was quiet around him, very quiet. The man paused for a moment and casually asked, “Not yet.”

“Oh, oh…”

Shu You knew he had been busy lately, so he didn’t say much. He chuckled and said, “I’m about to sleep, can you say goodnight to me?”

Lin Mingxu raised an eyebrow. “Sleeping so early?”

“Yeah.”

Shu You couldn’t help but yawn. “I ate too much for dinner.”

Lin Mingxu:… For some reason, he wasn’t surprised.

As Shu You waited for the enchantment to take effect, he noticed that Lin Mingxu suddenly fell silent on the other end. He immediately felt a little guilty. “Um… should I go for a run?”

Lin Mingxu furrowed his brow. “Why would you run around in an unfamiliar place?”

“It’s not far.”

Shu You didn’t hesitate. “There’s a street full of barbecue just 800 meters away from the hotel.”

Lin Mingxu:…

He took a deep breath and casually asked, “You sent me a photo, who is that?”

“It’s a celebrity I met.”

Shu You hadn’t seen Lin Mingxu’s message yet, but he remembered what he had sent. He explained, “His name is Duan Siqi, he’s quite interesting…”

He couldn’t help but giggle as he recounted the process of meeting Duan Siqi. As he spoke, he became less sleepy, and his eyes lit up. “I really didn’t expect to be on a variety show with him. His manager, Brother Luo, had such a sour expression…”

Shu You was skilled at storytelling, and his narrative was like a stand-up comedy routine. After finishing, he couldn’t help but feel excited. “It was so much fun, I think filming tomorrow will be great too.”

After listening, Lin Mingxu tapped his fingers on the desk, and suddenly asked, “Which hotel are you in at Bin Hai City?”

“Lijing Hotel, room 8018… It’s about three kilometers from the beach, and the production team said we’ll go to the seaside.”

“It’s been so long since I’ve been to the beach! Let me tell you, the winter sea is different from the summer sea…”

Shu You nodded in agreement, as in his previous life he was from a coastal city and had a special fondness for the sea, as well as a love for seafood.

Lin Mingxu made a sound of agreement, with several thoughts passing through his mind. At the same time, his gaze fell on an invitation letter on his desk.

The back of the invitation letter had an address in Bin Hai City.

It invited him to attend a business conference in Bin Hai City, happening in the next few days.

Previously, he thought the business conference was of relatively low importance, and he could choose to attend or not.

But now…

He neatly put away the invitation letter and looked at the neon lights outside the window. In the silent office, Lin Mingxu listened to the gradually fading voice on the phone, turning into quiet breathing, and whispered softly.

“Good night.”

The next morning, Shu You was awakened by a knocking sound on the door.

“Shu You!”

“Open the door, Shu You!”

“If you don’t hurry, the production team’s car will leave!”

Shu You: ???

He groggily got up and struggled to open the door. Outside, Wu Youzhe’s greasy middle-aged face squeezed in, shaking him desperately. “Shu You! Wake up! It’s already past nine!”

Nine o’clock?

Shu You instantly woke up. “Is it really nine o’clock?”

When he woke up in the morning, he looked at the time and it was only six, right?

Oh no, he must have time-traveled again.

Wu Youzhe had already squeezed in and looked around anxiously. “Where are your clothes? Hurry up and change…”

A few minutes later, Shu You hadn’t even combed his hair when Wu Youzhe dragged him onto the production team’s SUV.

As soon as he entered, he instantly met a pair of dark circles under someone’s eyes. He was stunned for a moment before he recognized the person as Duan Siqi.

Duan Siqi looked absent-minded and didn’t even have the strength to speak when he saw Shu You coming in.

Shu You couldn’t help but ask, “What happened to you yesterday…”

Duan Siqi, feeling hopeless, weakly said, “I didn’t sleep all night.”

Shu You couldn’t help but look at the seats in front and behind him and asked in a low voice, “And Luo Ge…”

Duan Siqi’s expression became even more frustrated. “He didn’t sleep all night either!”

Shu You was confused. “…Then isn’t it even?”

“What do you mean even?”

Duan Siqi hoarsely said, “He can make up for sleep during the day, can I?”

Thinking that this program was sponsored by his own company, he felt even more miserable. It meant he was paying, suffering, and not even getting any benefits?

He leaned weakly against the seat, and suddenly thought of something, grasping at a straw of hope. He said to Shu You, “Can you help me?”

“…How?”

“I want to escape from this annoying daily life, I want to break free from this miserable existence!” Duan Siqi passionately declared, “I want to courageously pursue freedom and love!”

Shu You’s gaze wandered, and he once again pointed behind him. “Luo Ge is still behind you.”

Duan Siqi: “…”

This was unbearable.

The car drove for over an hour and arrived at the shooting location, which was indeed by the seaside.

Shu You felt ecstatic when he saw the sea, but today the wind at the beach was particularly strong, almost freezing his face. According to the production team’s request, he ran on the beach for a while but soon couldn’t bear it. As soon as the director called for a break, Shu You quickly jumped into the car and exchanged glances with Wu Youzhe.

Wu Youzhe felt that he wasn’t a qualified manager. “…How about I buy you a hot water bottle?”

Shu You regained a glimmer of hope in life and asked, “Do you have hand warmers?”

“…Let me check. How many do you want?”

Shu You thought for a moment. “Let’s start with a hundred?”

Wu Youzhe: “…I’ll go buy them.”

Lunch was also eaten by the seaside, and the only consolation was that the nearby restaurants were delicious. After finishing the meal, the production team said it was the perfect time for a solo interview. Shu You

sat in front of the camera with his messy hair, half of his body still frozen, looking like an eighty-year-old lady standing by Lake Baikal.

His face was pale, and the staff members couldn’t bear to see it. “Mr. Shu, would you like to take a break?”

“No need.”

Shu You straightened his back and said firmly, “I’ll rest after the recording.” He was a dedicated person.

So the staff members quickly began, “Um… Shu You, how did you come to participate in this program?”

Shu You’s messy hair swayed, and he honestly said, “Because you guys paid, and other programs didn’t invite me.”

“…Then what are your thoughts on this program?”

“I have some.” Shu You’s expression was leisurely, with a hint of reminiscence. “The big mahi-mahi fish at the hotel was delicious.”

“…”

The solo interview ended very quickly.

Faster than the other guests.

The following day followed a similar routine. In the evening, the director announced that the shoot went smoothly, and they could go to the next location, Luo Hai City, ahead of schedule.

… In the afternoon of the second day, Lin Mingxu and his assistant Tang Le walked out of Bin Hai City Airport.

As a qualified elite assistant, Tang Le had already arranged the hotel and transportation. He was about to make a call when he casually heard Lin Mingxu ask, “Which hotel did you book?”

“According to your instructions, it’s the seaside Lijing Hotel, a business standard room, four-star rated.”

The company had standards for business travel accommodation, and Lin Mingxu was the one who strictly followed them.

He made a sound of acknowledgment, and then said casually, “Shu You should also be shooting around here.”

Tang Le didn’t know and was surprised. “Mr. Shu is also here?”

Without hesitation, he suggested, “Should I give Mr. Shu a call?”

“No need.”

Lin Mingxu strode onto the car with his long legs and looked out the window. “I’ll go find him directly.”

A thought floated in Tang Le’s mind: CEO Lin is quite skilled.

The two quickly arrived at the hotel. Lin Mingxu asked Tang Le to take care of the luggage and went into the elevator, heading to the eighth floor.

Room 8018 was easy to find, just around the corner. Lin Mingxu stood outside the door, suddenly hesitating.

… How should he say it?

How should he say it… so that Shu You would think it’s just a coincidence?

Or should he come here in the evening to create a simple encounter?

At that moment, the hotel cleaner’s cart was parked next to him, and a staff member swiped the card, opened the door, and hung the “cleaning in progress” sign in one smooth motion.

The door opened, and there was no one inside.

Lin Mingxu: ?????