Chapter 83

Li Dong had been enjoying gossiping online, but he never expected his artist to drop such a bombshell on him out of the blue.

"He's dating someone..."

Shocked, he stared at Pei Kuang for a good while before asking, "Who...who is it?"

In just those brief dozen or so seconds, Li Dong had already gone through all the women around Pei Kuang, but couldn't find any suspicious individuals.

The main reason was that Pei Kuang basically had no women around him. On set, he tried to keep his distance from all the actresses, and the staff around him were uniformly male.

These past two years, aside from moving between drama sets, he barely had any personal life at all, much less time to meet women.

Wait a minute! Could it be a male artist?

Li Dong thought of something and looked incredulous. "It's not Song Linchuan, is it?!"

Pei Kuang laughed directly at that. "What do you think?"

He then said in a mocking tone, "Would you dare say that again in front of Song Linchuan?"

Li Dong swallowed and honestly shook his head.

He really didn't dare. With Song Linchuan's explosive temper, he'd get beaten up on the spot.

Pei Kuang didn't keep selling it and said directly, "It's An An."

An An?

Li Dong was stunned for a good few seconds before he reacted that An An referred to Song Anan.

"What?!" He jumped up, too shocked to get any words out.

"You're together with Auntie Anan!!!"

Pei Kuang's brow furrowed slightly. "Do you have to react so strongly?"

Li Dong thought, don't you know this already? "It's just, didn't you always treat the girl like a sister before?"

Saying you saw her as a sister, as an auntie, then turning around and seducing her away?

Tsk tsk, what a beast, an animal.

Pei Kuang glanced at him. "You said it yourself, that was before."

Li Dong: "......"

Alright, if you put it that way, it made sense.

But doing this kind of thing really wasn't proper.

Although Li Dong criticized inwardly, he had to admit that his artist really did have good taste.

She was Auntie Anan, after all.

Come to think of it, Li Dong also felt it was strange. He hadn't actually seen Song Anan much these past few years, but he really liked her. Thinking of something, Li Dong suddenly asked, "Are you serious?"

Pei Kuang looked at Li Dong, hearing the subtext in his words, and said, "Rest assured, I've never been more serious in my life."

Li Dong subconsciously relaxed.

But on second thought, considering Pei Kuang's cautious personality, he would only consider it more, not less.

After the shock wore off, Li Dong finally remembered his role as a manager and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Pei Kuang lightly shook his head. "Nothing. I'm just letting you know."

Li Dong was his manager, after all. For things like a relationship, there was no need to hide it from him.

That way, even if they were photographed together in the future, his side could react promptly.

Li Dong understood his meaning. "Alright, I'll get the PR plans ready in advance, just in case."

Actually, aside from his initial shock, Li Dong wasn't too worried about his artist dating.

After all, after the relationship scandal with Xie Yin two years ago, Pei Kuang's fans had already gone through a major reshuffling. Plus, now that he had successfully transformed, even if the relationship went public now, there wouldn't be much impact on his career.

Pei Kuang lightly hmmed in agreement. "Focus the PR plans on protecting An An."

Li Dong tsked. "Considering Auntie Anan's reputation, I bet even your fans will feel like you're the one reaching above your station."

Pei Kuang chuckled and replied unconcernedly, "It was me reaching above my station to begin with."

-

After reaching a consensus, the two continued to discuss work. Li Dong had come today bringing several scripts, wanting him to choose.

Pei Kuang suddenly thought of something. "Oh right, Director Qi contacted me a few days ago wanting me to guest star in a role in his new film."

Li Dong was surprised. "I heard Director Qi confirmed Song Linchuan as the male lead?"

Pei Kuang nodded. "Right. I heard from Linchuan earlier that it was pretty much set. I'll have to keep this time open."

Li Dong replied, "Okay, I'll contact Director Qi later to confirm the filming schedule."

He couldn't help sighing, "I read that script, it's pretty good. The screenwriter and filming team are all Director Qi's old crew, so if Song Linchuan acts it well, he'll have a good shot at awards."

With the previous film under Director Qi, Song Linchuan had won Best Supporting Actor. If he won again this time, it would solidify his transformation from a popular actor to one with real acting chops.

Normally, with Pei Kuang having just won Best Actor, he wouldn't do a supporting role for someone else.

But it was different for Song Linchuan. Although the two had basically the same development path in the entertainment industry, that guy's relationships were truly ironclad, as was commonly acknowledged in the industry.

Plus, now that Pei Kuang was with Song Anan, they were pretty much family. He naturally wouldn't care about stuff like that.

This matter was just an interlude. After settling it, the two continued discussing other work.

The scripts Li Dong brought today were all pretty high quality. Pei Kuang seemed quite interested in one, and had been reading it for a while already. "I think this script is pretty good too, it's just the timing is a bit rushed. Filming starts next month already, so I'm worried your injury can't handle it." Li Dong voiced his concerns.

Pei Kuang waved his hand. "It should be fine. Let me read through them first, leave the scripts for now. I'll contact you after I'm done."

Li Dong nodded. "Okay, contact me as soon as you're done."

Just as the two were about done with their discussion, the sound of the passcode lock at the door was heard.

Li Dong was surprised and looked over at Pei Kuang. "Who's that? They know the passcode to your place?"

Pei Kuang didn't reply, but he had clearly already guessed who it was. He directly got up and went to the door.

He had just gotten to the foyer when Song Anan pushed the door open and walked in.

Seeing Pei Kuang, Song Anan was startled. "Why are you standing here?"

Pei Kuang smiled and said, "To welcome you back."

Song Anan mumbled, "I'm already home, what's there to welcome."

Pei Kuang quirked a brow. "I'd be happy to go downstairs to get you, but you didn't tell me when you'd be back."

Just now when he was chatting with Li Dong, he had also messaged her to ask when she'd be home because he wanted to go to the estate entrance to pick her up, but got rejected outright.

Song Anan wasn't in the greatest mood right now and didn't feel like talking. She directly reached out to Pei Kuang for a hug.

Pei Kuang naturally wouldn't reject her and pulled her into his arms directly.

"What's wrong? You look listless."

Right now, Song Anan's mind was full of Li Sirui and Qi Mushi's words, and she was struggling over how to come clean with Song Linchuan.

"Nothing much, just tired from going out with Mushi today."

Pei Kuang stroked her head. "Then let me massage your legs later to help you relax."

Song Anan mumbled, "No need, I'm not that delicate."

Li Dong really couldn't stand it anymore. Although they weren't doing anything untoward, this sickeningly sweet couple's antics still blinded him.

Just as he was thinking of faking a few coughs to remind them of his presence, Song Anan suddenly looked up.

The two directly locked eyes.

The air froze abruptly.

The next second, Song Anan was so frightened she directly pushed Pei Kuang away.

Li Dong held in his laughter and took the initiative to greet her, "Auntie Anan's here!" Song Anan's face was bright red. She could only hastily greet him back before running off under the guise of needing to wash her hands.

Of course, before leaving, she didn't forget to glare at Pei Kuang.

This person is really something. How could he not tell her that there were people at home? It made her so embarrassed.

Li Dong suddenly thought of something and turned to look at Pei Kuang. He asked, "I'm a little curious, does Song Linchuan know about this?"

Pei Kuang paused for a moment. "I haven't had the chance to tell him yet."

When Li Dong heard this, he was amused.

Hey, if Song Linchuan, that little uncle, knew that his little sister was snatched away by his brother, it would be hilarious!

He said gloatingly, "Tsk, tsk, I think Song Linchuan might beat you to death!"

Pei Kuang just smiled without saying anything.

He was mentally prepared for this.

Song Anan finished washing her hands and had just walked to the door of the bathroom when she overheard Li Dong's words.

"Then let's keep it from him for now," she said.

Pei Kuang was stunned for a moment, looking at Song Anan in puzzlement.

Didn't she just say she would tell Song Linchuan when he came back this time?

Seeing the situation between the two, Li Dong knew it was not appropriate for him to stay any longer.

So he bid them farewell and hurried away.

After Li Dong left, Pei Kuang was not so restrained either.

He directly took Song Anan's hand and asked gently, "Why did you suddenly want to keep it from him? Is it because of what Li Dong just said?"

Song Anan pursed her lips without answering his question. Instead, she asked, "Do you think Linchuan would fight with you?"

Pei Kuang didn't lie to her either. "He probably would, but not as bad as Li Dong said."

He raised his hand to tidy her bangs. "Don't worry, I can handle it. Trust me."

In Luo Yi's words, what he did was really unfair.

Song Linchuan had always trusted him very much and often asked him to take care of Song Anan. But then he went and snatched her away. Anyone would be furious.

But Pei Kuang was not too worried about this. Song Linchuan would be angry, but they could still talk it through once he let off steam.

Pei Kuang patiently persuaded, "Look, we'll have to tell him sooner or later. We can't keep hiding it forever."

Song Anan nodded lightly. "Then later. Let's wait a little longer."

Just as Li Sirui said, they should at least give Song Linchuan some time to mentally prepare. They couldn't just blurt it out like that, or he would definitely explode.

Pei Kuang raised his brows. "Why?"

Song Anan thought for a moment and said very seriously, "I think you can't beat Linchuan right now."

Pei Kuang: "???"

Wait, how did she determine that he couldn't beat Song Linchuan?

Song Anan explained earnestly, "Look, he has eight abs now, and you only have six."

The drama Song Linchuan was filming now had physical requirements, so he had been working out specially. The drama hadn't finished filming yet, so his abs must still be there.

Pei Kuang: "......"

Did this little girl judge who would win a fight based on the number of abs?

"How do you know Song Linchuan has eight abs? Have you seen them?" Pei Kuang narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Song Anan shook her head and mumbled, "How could I possibly want to look at his abs? I'm not a pervert."

Although Song Linchuan was her cousin, they were both adults now. She knew the difference between men and women.

The corners of Pei Kuang's lips curved up. "Then how did you know?"

Song Anan explained, "Of course he told me himself. He said he would keep exercising from now on to protect me."

Pei Kuang let out an "Oh" and put his arm around her waist to pull her into his embrace. "Then tell him later to go protect someone else."

Song Anan exclaimed in confusion as she looked at him puzzledly.

The corners of Pei Kuang's lips curved up slightly, and he said in a low, husky voice, "Because...your boyfriend will protect you."