Chapter 456
After a long silence, she blurted out: “Have you lost your mind?”
Shi Yao was genuinely infuriated by Alarieka. These words had taken him ages to muster courage for—his heart nearly exploded from pounding, palms sweating with nerves. To hide his vulnerability, he’d even rested his head on her shoulder while rehearsing the confession internally. And after such sincerity… Alarieka accused him of losing his mind?!
Shi Yao laughed bitterly: “I’m serious. Don’t brush it off.”
Alarieka tapped her phone keyboard: “Aren’t you just working for me this month? Why the drama?”
Damn this clueless straight girl. Should’ve known better than getting sentimental with her. Wasted effort! Totally wasted! Shi Yao screamed internally.
He sat upright abruptly, turning with a stern face: “Listen. Your Bunny Gang project lacks a launch theme. Since Black–White Rabbit fell through, I can recommend an alternative.”
At the mention of work, Alarieka finally glanced his way. “You have connections? Go on.”
Shi Yao snorted: “Know that Game City movie overseas?”
Alarieka pondered: “The one with rabbits as masterminds?”
“Right.”
She frowned: “Forget it. The director never licensed anything. Impossible.”
“Tsk.” Shi Yao clicked his tongue. “Giving up without trying?”
Alarieka had tried. Bold and ambitious, she’d targeted that cinematic collab from the start. She’d emailed the production company repeatedly—no replies ever came. She even flew overseas to visit their headquarters… only to face rejection. Hence settling for lesser brands.
“Easy for you to say,” Alarieka muttered. “They ignored me completely.”
Shi Yao lifted his chin: “Which is why I said—maybe lean on me sometimes.”
Her eyes sharpened: “You have a lead?”
He leaned closer, gaze deepening as his voice softened: “Give me a kiss, and I’ll tell you.”
Alarieka’s brain short-circuited: “Huh?”
Smirking, Shi Yao tilted his cheek and tapped it, his tone husky: “Right here’s enough.”
He shut his eyes expectantly, drifting toward her lips until mere centimeters apart. Alarieka replayed his words, waiting for comprehension to fully register. His cheek hovered dangerously close—her heartbeat stuttered. Suddenly remembering, she snapped her gaze to the rearview mirror. The driver’s gossip-hungry eyes met hers before darting away, feigning nonchalance.
Alarieka didn’t answer after Shi Yao waited for what felt like ages. Moments later, her light breath brushed against his ear as she whispered: “Believe it or not, I’ll slap you?”
A soft smack—Alarieka’s palm barely touched Shi Yao’s cheek.
“Get lost,” she said.
Shi Yao straightened up, cupping his cheek with theatrical pouting. But in his mind: Damn, that felt good.
Shi Yao’s eyes lit up playfully as he nudged his cheek closer. “Hit me again?”
Alarieka Huston smiled. “I misspoke earlier. Forget work—you should get your head examined first.”
Unfazed by her sarcasm, Shi Yao leaned in further. “Seriously, give me another slap.”
That earlier strike had felt inexplicably electric—like lightning meeting dry tinder, a pagoda taming river demons, mushrooms stewed with chicken… His whole body tingled, cheeks buzzing. He craved a repeat.
Alarieka replied to a work message before pausing. “Little master, settle down.”
After a brief silence, Shi Yao suddenly whispered, “Rio’s in town. Right here in this city.”
Alarieka stiffened. “He came to China?”
Shi Yao crossed his arms, lazily eyeing her. “Now you’ll listen?”
Setting her phone down, Alarieka adopted a serious expression. “Go on.”
Seeing her attentive pose, Shi Yao couldn’t resist pinching her cheek.
“Tch.” He instantly withdrew his hand. “Since learning you visited the Argent family for game rights, I’ve tracked Game City’s movements. Rio’s scouting Chinese actors here. My friend’s on his crew—I can get his schedule if you’re interested.”
“Why didn’t you mention this sooner?” Alarieka’s gaze turned complex. “Shi Yao, what exactly do you do?”