Introduce a friend? Single? Handsome? And be a model for Chaochao?!
A strong sense of crisis hit him like a bucket of cold water over his head.
In an instant, all of Pei Jiangmu's concerns about "not exposing himself" and "not fitting his persona" just now were thrown out of the window.
Absolutely not!
Any male creature that attempted to get close to Chaochao must be nipped in the bud.
Moreover, it was a man who sounded like he had good qualities!
Almost the next second, he suddenly spoke up, interrupting Yi Mo who was taking out her phone. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"Wait."
The three of them instantly focused their gazes on him.
They saw Pei Jiangmu quickly put away the impatience and coldness on his face.
Instead, he put on an expression as if he had gone through a difficult struggle and finally bowed to "reality".
He looked at Director Li, his tone tinged with a bit of uncertainty and... "desire" for money?
"Director... You just said that for a five - minute role, you'd really pay 50,000 yuan?"
He seemed to want to confirm the authenticity of this "huge sum" again.
Director Li was taken aback for a moment, then overjoyed and nodded like a bobble - head.
"Really! Absolutely! We can sign a contract right away in black and white! We can even settle in cash!"
Pei Jiangmu took a deep breath, as if he had made a great determination. He looked at Director Li with a "firm" gaze.
"Then... I'll do it."
Director Li immediately beamed with joy. He wanted to pat Pei Jiangmu on the shoulder, but Pei Jiangmu dodged it imperceptibly.
He didn't seem to mind and withdrew his hand.
"Good, so straightforward. I knew I didn't misjudge you!"
"Xiao Liu! Hurry! Take this... Xiao Pei! To get makeup and change clothes! Hurry up!"
Before Pei Jiangmu was surrounded by the staff and left, he looked back deeply at Meng Ruochao, his eyes full of complexity—
There was helplessness, the embarrassment of being "trapped by money", and a hint of determination that only he knew, a determination to go all out.
Meng Ruochao watched his departing back. She was a bit surprised and also felt a bit heart - ache.
He clearly didn't want to do it, but in the face of the "huge sum" of 50,000 yuan, he still gave in.
Alas, he was really a heart - wrenching guy.
She didn't realize at all that her words "it wouldn't hurt to get to know him" were the real catalyst that made this "jealous man" lose his temper and finally give in.
On the side, Yi Mo watched Pei Jiangmu's sudden change in attitude.
Then she looked at Meng Ruochao who was completely oblivious to it. A hint of thoughtful playfulness flashed in her eyes.
This was getting interesting.
Since he had agreed, Pei Jiangmu put away his reluctance and showed his usual focus and efficiency.
While getting his makeup done, he quickly skimmed through the short script.
Then, he was led by the staff to try on the warlord young marshal's costume prepared for him.
The costume was found at the last minute, so the materials and workmanship were naturally not comparable to those of custom - made high - end ones.
Some of the metal fasteners even looked a bit cheap, and the gold threads on the epaulets were a bit uneven.
However, when Pei Jiangmu put on that slightly oversized indigo military uniform of average quality and put on the military cap of the same quality.
When he walked out of the makeshift dressing room, the whole noisy costume room instantly fell silent.
The saying "clothes make the man" was completely overturned at this moment— it was clearly the ordinary costume that became high - end because of him.
The military uniform outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist, and the leather belt emphasized his lean waistline.
His long legs were wrapped in military trousers, paired with knee - high military boots, looking even more straight and slender.
Perhaps it was because of the innate nobility and sense of control in his bones.
Or perhaps it was the steady aura he deliberately brought out when he immersed himself in the role.
The slightly shoddy clothes on him didn't look at all cramped or funny.
Instead, he exuded the aura of a cold, abstinent and extremely authoritative young general.
He slightly raised his chin, his eyes calm and sharp.
It was as if he was really a young commander who held power, shouldered the nation, and walked alone in the troubled times.
That kind of calmness beyond his age and the faint glint of sharpness perfectly matched the young marshal in the script, a stunning and early - fallen white moonlight character.
Everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to him.
Meng Ruochao was organizing a set of bead - embroidered items. Hearing the commotion, she looked up.
The moment her eyes fell on Pei Jiangmu, her breath caught in her throat, and she almost pricked herself with the needle in her hand.
She always knew that Pei Jiangmu was very good - looking, the kind of handsome with a cold charm that was extremely impactful.
But she had never seen him like this.
The military uniform seemed to completely bring out some hidden qualities in him.
It was a complex charm that mixed strength, authority, abstinence and a hint of fragility, so intense that it made one's heart skip a beat.
Uncontrollably, a hint of admiration and stupefaction showed in her eyes. She stared blankly at him, forgetting to react for a moment.
Pei Jiangmu had been keeping an eye on her from the corner of his eye, taking in her momentary loss of composure and admiration.
He felt smug and the corner of his mouth twitched up in a barely noticeable arc of triumph.
Thank goodness! Thank goodness he went all out and took this job.
Otherwise, would this cute, dazed look of hers be shown to that wild man Yi Mo was going to introduce?
Just thinking about it made him jealous to the point of madness.
He quickly suppressed the glint in his eyes. When he looked up again, his face had changed to an expression of slight uneasiness and shyness.
He walked up to Meng Ruochao, tugged at the wrinkled hem of his clothes uncomfortably, and asked in a low voice.
"Sister... Do I look strange? I've never worn clothes like this before..."
Meng Ruochao then suddenly came to her senses. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly shook her head, her tone full of undisguised admiration.
"Not strange at all. You're extremely handsome! Really, you have such great charisma."
The staff around and some other actors who happened to pass by also chimed in.
"My goodness! You're so handsome!"
"Director has such a good eye! This charisma is off the charts!"
"Kid, have you ever thought about entering the entertainment industry? With your looks and figure, you're definitely going to be a top - tier star!"
"Exactly! You're born for this!"
Amidst the sincere praise, Pei Jiangmu just blushed and smiled shyly, but his eyes were always on Meng Ruochao.
It was as if the praise from others didn't matter at all, and only her approval was the most important.
However, when he picked up the script again and carefully studied the few scenes, his brows frowned slightly.
He pointed to a part and looked at Director Li who had just come back from answering a phone call. His tone was tinged with a bit of doubt and barely noticeable displeasure.
"Director, here... The young marshal supports the heroine who almost falls, and this eye - contact... I think it might be a bit inappropriate?"
Director Li was taken aback. Before he could say anything, his assistant spoke up.
"What's inappropriate? A hero saving the beauty is a very classic plot. It can better show the young marshal's gentlemanliness and the heroine's innocent infatuation."