Chapter 76: Did They Really Treat Him as Cannon Fodder?

The message was from Cao Siyuan.

“Hey, brother, where are you working these days?”

Thinking of how much Cao Siyuan had helped him—driving away the Xu and Fang families—Lin Feng decided to answer honestly. “Just lazing around at the Hill Hotel.”

“Still slacking off?”

Cao Siyuan replied almost instantly, accompanied by an exasperated emoji.

Lin Feng: “Yeah, in times like these, what job could possibly be more comfortable than doing nothing?”

“There’s some truth to that,” Cao Siyuan replied. “But, brother, it’s easy to enjoy idling when you’ve got cash, but if you’re broke for too long, that anxiety creeps in…”

Lin Feng frowned slightly, sensing Cao Siyuan was about to bring something up.

He decided to be direct. “Old Cao, just say what’s on your mind. No need for all this beating around the bush between us.”

Cao Siyuan answered right away. “To tell you the truth, your appearance on my last stream was a huge hit. Several agents have reached out to me, saying they’d like you to come do a bit part—a small role, just a background extra.”

Before Lin Feng could reply, another message followed. “Since you’re at the Hill Hotel, there’s a film crew nearby. You’ve got nothing going on, so why not drop by and earn a little pocket money?”

“Last time I sent you that transfer, you didn’t accept it. I’ve been feeling bad about it, brother. Anyway, you’re just lazing around, and they said themselves, it’s mainly your looks they’re after. They just want you to make a brief appearance…”

Seeing Cao Siyuan’s lengthy messages, Lin Feng raised his eyebrows in surprise. He hadn’t expected Cao Siyuan to still be thinking about this.

Last time, Cao Siyuan had tried to transfer him over fifty thousand yuan. Since he’d only worked five days, and they were friends, Lin Feng hadn’t felt right accepting it. Apparently, Cao Siyuan had been left feeling guilty about it too.

Now, both of them were stuck in this awkward sense of indebtedness.

Lin Feng couldn’t help but smile, a warm feeling blooming in his chest.

As for what Old Cao proposed, it actually sounded like a good idea!

He didn’t have a job at the moment, only about sixty thousand left. After the banquet the day after tomorrow, picking up some odd work for extra cash seemed just right.

But the entertainment industry was a treacherous place. Even as a background extra, he’d never set foot in that world before. If he got caught up in some scheme, that could be trouble.

Lin Feng pondered, then replied, “Is it reliable?”

“Would I recommend it to you if it weren’t?” Cao Siyuan replied. “One of them actually graduated from the same university as you. From the notes, looks like his name is Zheng Bochao…”

Zheng Bochao?

Lin Feng frowned slightly. The name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.

Still, since it was Cao Siyuan’s recommendation, he had no cause for worry. He replied, “Alright, just let him know. I’ll finish up what I have on hand and head over the day after tomorrow, right on time!”

Cao Siyuan replied with an “OK” gesture.

Just then, his food delivery arrived. Lin Feng put his phone down, brought the food inside, and took a few quick bites.

He wasn’t sure if he’d been too starved these past few days, but his appetite seemed to have grown. Even after all he’d eaten at Chu Lingshuang’s place, he was hungry again after just a short ride.

Still, he didn’t finish the takeout. Instead, he sprawled out on the bed and soon drifted off to sleep.

The past couple of days, he hadn’t gone out at all. He’d order food when hungry, and in the afternoons, the cleaning staff would come by to tidy up.

Time passed, and soon it was the third afternoon.

At exactly five o’clock, he received a message from Liu Tianhan.

“Sir, please send me your address. I’ll come pick you up now.”

Lin Feng didn’t hesitate, sending over his location. All he could hope was that tonight’s business would be over quickly and he’d be free.

At five thirty, Liu Tianhan knocked at the door, bringing a set of clothes along.

Without much conversation, Lin Feng changed in the bathroom. After checking out, he got into Liu Tianhan’s car, heading for the Intercontinental Hotel.

“The banquet hall is on the top floor. Miss instructed that I’ll take you up. Later, when Miss needs to dine, you’ll have to taste the dishes first. You’re required to stay by her side at all times to ensure her safety.”

On the way, Liu Tianhan rattled off the duties of a personal bodyguard.

Lin Feng’s lips twitched. Wasn’t this just like one of those eunuchs attending the emperor in olden times, having to taste the food first?

Were they really treating him as cannon fodder?

Still, that was the only real trouble. After tonight, he’d be free again, so it was no big deal.

The car sped along, reaching its destination quickly.

Once parked, Lin Feng glanced at the magnificent hotel building before him, but showed little surprise.

He’d been to this Intercontinental Hotel before. It had eight floors, its interiors dripping with luxury. Even the beachfront scenery next door drove the room rates up to 180,000 yuan per night.

The rooms were equally lavish, all outfitted with high-end brands. It was ranked among the top three hotels in the country.

Liu Tianhan got out as well. A security guard immediately approached, and Liu Tianhan casually handed over the keys before striding inside.

Lin Feng followed. As soon as he stepped through the outer doors and into the garden, he saw a red carpet stretching from inside the building to the exterior.

Surrounding it were expensive floral arrangements, and dozens of security guards stood by. Clearly, tonight’s event would welcome exceptionally distinguished guests.

Following Liu Tianhan, Lin Feng stepped onto the red carpet and into the hotel lobby.

While waiting for the elevator, a young man in a suit approached with a beaming smile.

“Hello, Miss Liu. I’m Sun Xiaoyu from the Sun Group. Pleased to meet you.”

Sun Xiaoyu smiled as he extended a business card.

Hearing the name, Lin Feng paused for a moment. Sun Xiaoyu? Wasn’t this the “Young Master Yu” Fang Ziyue had mentioned?

He looked Sun Xiaoyu up and down, noting the roguish grin—a typical pampered, idle heir.

Just Fang Ziyue’s type.

For once, Lin Feng found himself at the center of his own gossip.

Beside him, Liu Tianhan didn’t even turn her head. As soon as the elevator doors opened, she led the way inside.

Lin Feng was about to follow when Sun Xiaoyu blocked him, flashing a sycophantic smile. “Bro, could you pass my card to Miss Liu? Thanks a bunch.”

If Liu Tianhan wouldn’t accept it, why should he?

Lin Feng clicked his tongue and ignored him, heading straight into the elevator.

As the doors closed, he caught sight of Fang Ziyue approaching in a white evening gown, moving with elegant poise and smiling in their direction.

But just as the elevator doors were about to shut, he saw her smile freeze, her eyes filling with astonishment.

“He… How is he here?!”

Fang Ziyue stammered, unable to finish her sentence.

Beside her, Sun Xiaoyu—having just been rebuffed twice—showed no annoyance. Instead, he eagerly grabbed her shoulder. “Yuanyuan, you know them?!”

Fang Ziyue’s face was taut with nerves as she looked at Sun Xiaoyu. She bit her lip and quickly made up an excuse. “That guy just now… he was my college classmate…”