Living Beyond the Blame Chapter 10

The beautiful notes of the fourth chapter of Schubert's "The Trout" flow in the air of the coffee shop.

The store is decorated in a retro style, with green plants such as vines separating private spaces, the floor paved with small and exquisite pebbles, and gurgling water. The sunlight shines in through the transparent glass ceiling, but is blocked by the flowers and trees.

Rather than a coffee shop, it is more like a garden where people can take a rest in the afternoon.

There weren't many customers in the store, and the clever partitions made it difficult to see the entire lobby.

The bone china spoon stirred slightly in the fragrant brown liquid. The heat emitted had a warm taste. The slender fingers picked up a small piece of sugar and dropped it into the cup.

A current issue of entertainment magazine was spread on the table. Without the sunglasses on his face, Patrick Li now looked like a man enjoying his leisure time. He turned the magazine to the column page introducing the movie.

It looked like he was reading, but Patrick Li's eyes did not stay on the pages.

As if he was bored, he would fiddle with the lighter cap with his left hand from time to time. The sound was very slight and no flame came out.

When the sugar cube in the coffee was half melted, Patrick Li saw a person walking towards the table under the guidance of the waiter.

The music was entering a minor key variation, the sun was shining on the man, his features were blurry, but his temperament was outstanding.

The light-colored shirt and black jacket were not tailored or made with the right materials, and the brand name was not even recognizable. Even when walking here, the owner of the clothes still looked relaxed and at ease, not caring about the speculations and looks from others.

After looking for a long time, Patrick Li closed his eyes subconsciously.

Then he froze and the lighter in his hand slipped onto the table.

When Ethan Jian walked into the coffee shop, he had a bad feeling in his heart.

This is the meeting place that Patrick Li had agreed with him. With Patrick Li's status, there is no need to trick a little substitute. Even if he wants to trick someone, there is no need to choose such a high-end coffee shop. Wouldn't a private club be more suitable?

In addition to the omen of danger, there was also an inexplicable excitement.

With such a strange feeling, Ethan Jian walked through the hollow partition wall decorated with flowers and trees. When he approached the table, his heartbeat suddenly matched the distorted music.

The trout, the trout swimming freely in the stream, was caught and became prey.

---The beast opened its eyes and found its prey.

This unexpected change caught both Ethan Jian and Patrick Li off guard. Despite the incredible changes in their lives, they chose to wait and see rationally and continue with their original plans.

Now that something unexpected has happened, I really don’t know whether I should be frightened or surprised.

"It turned out to be you." Patrick Li and Ethan Jian murmured at the same time.

Another force that appeared in Huaicheng made him very concerned.

"Sir, isn't this the table you are looking for?" the waiter who led the way asked quickly.

"No, this table." Patrick Li smiled and nodded. The waitress was a young girl, whose cheeks immediately blushed. She lowered her head to pull out a chair for Ethan Jian, placed the thick satin order booklet on the table, and left politely.

What Ethan Jian was about to say was completely shattered by this accident.

After sitting down woodenly, Ethan Jian's eyes involuntarily fell on the inside page of the entertainment magazine. The single-page color picture was a still from "The Crow". Unlike the poster, a silhouette was used here.

The general stood by the river, his armor bright and shiny, but his reflection in the river was covered in blood, his robe was torn, and the weapon he held was full of holes. The only thing that was similar was his body, which was still tall and straight.

"The release date of the film was finally moved, and the promotional image was needed urgently. I couldn't spare the time to reshoot it, so they chose a composite one from the edited films---" Patrick Li pointed at the color picture with his finger.

The person on the water surface and the shadow in the water are actually not the same person.

"You are excellent. You are the best stuntman I have ever seen who can grasp the spirit of a character." Patrick Li's tone was like a sugar cube melting in a coffee cup, soft and warm.

This is not the first time they have met.

During the filming of "The Crow", they talked and ate the crew's boxed lunches together.

Apart from Patrick Li having his own makeup artist, they sometimes used exactly the same costumes and props without any distinction. But when the film was finally completed, they, like the rest of the crew, soon went their separate ways.

Just strangers who talked.

What relationship could there be between the best actor and a stuntman?

Patrick Li closed the magazine and pushed it aside. Without the magazine, the distance between them suddenly became empty, and the distant and strange feeling intensified.

"You know why you can't just be a good actor and stand in front of the camera alone?"

"My micro-expressions are not up to standard." Ethan Jian replied coldly.

The look in his eyes, the muscles on his face, the arc of his frown, would unconsciously reveal Ethan Jian's inner thoughts, which he could not control. Ethan Jian could perfectly disguise himself when he lowered his head and did not make eye contact with others, but once his face was exposed, no matter how good his acting skills were, they could not withstand the expression that dragged him down. After years of hard work, he could only maintain a calm face at all times.

Now Ethan Jian's eyes were full of vigilance and his expression was hostile.

Patrick Li controlled his admiring gaze, he didn't want to show a regretful expression.

Regret represents pity to some extent. The entertainment industry is a glamorous place, but it is also an arena that is more cruel than anything else. The most terrifying thing in the world is "no talent".

To a proud person, pity is an insult.

"I heard you haven't been working lately."

Patrick Li was a person who was used to leading the conversation. There was a huge gap between their statuses, so Ethan Jian certainly would not interrupt him and just listened in silence.

"Xingtian Entertainment Media is a good company. It doesn't treat film and television practitioners harshly. You need a job, and I believe that I am your best choice, until five minutes ago..."

Patrick Li changed the subject, and the last few words made the air seem to freeze a little.

Under this pressure, Ethan Jian slowly curled up the corners of his lips. The sunlight shone on his face through the gaps between the vine leaves. His handsome features were originally blurred in the warm light, but suddenly his whole aura became extremely sharp.

---Just like what Patrick Li saw when he closed his eyes.

In that perspective, everyone seemed empty and thin, like a shadow that could be blown away by a gust of wind. He could even see the outlines of bones in people's bodies, which had no strength or weight.

Only the existence of the person in front of him was real. Every texture and line on that face was vivid, and his eyebrows and eyes were clear and deep. This power emanated from it, making even the places Ethan Jian walked by become real and beautiful.

The more Patrick Li wanted to see through this power, the more his heart palpitated.

It was an endless abyss, a rich black color that swallowed up all colors and possessed all reality. It stared at Patrick Li calmly, as if sizing up a favorite prey.

"We are very similar, which is why I designated you in the first place..." Patrick Li suppressed the desire to conquer that emerged in his mind. The power he gained when the Pearl Hotel exploded was stirring, "but I didn't expect that we could be so similar."

Ethan Jian did not hide his words: "You controlled that power?"

Patrick Li suddenly closed his eyes, took a sip of coffee, and shook his head slowly: "I can't say."

This was not something he was happy to accept. Patrick Li's implication was obvious, and this touched Ethan Jian's heart. The telepathic ability came inexplicably, and time stopped one after another. He always felt that something worse would happen later.

The two sat opposite each other in silence, and the tense atmosphere slowly dissipated.

Power will lead to conflict, but a common secret will create a tacit understanding among people.

"I thought...it would at least be a private room?" Ethan Jian looked around. The news about the movie emperor Patrick Li was in full swing on the Internet, but the real actor was sitting here drinking coffee in a dignified manner.

Patrick Li chuckled, put down the cup in his hand, and folded his fingers: "I own this coffee shop."

...

"While we are talking, the waiters will not bring new guests to the tables around us, just like in the private rooms." Patrick Li said, his smile widening, his charm more dazzling than the sun itself, "You can order whatever you want."

Ethan Jian was silent for half a minute, but finally couldn't help but said, "The box is fully booked."

"You discovered all this." Patrick Li smiled happily.

"It costs a lot of money to maintain it every year. Isn't it a loss?" Ethan Jian reached out and touched the leaves of the vine. He was not mistaken, it was a real plant.

"Please don't tell the truth in public in the future, especially the truth about me." Patrick Li patted the back of Ethan Jian's hand. The latter struggled instinctively, but fortunately he held back and didn't pull back.

"It seems that you have no intention of finding another safe stand-in actor without any secrets." Ethan Jian brought the conversation back to the original topic.

Patrick Li's meaning just now was very clear, he was interested in future cooperation.

It is beneficial to Ethan Jian both in public and in private. Eating, making money and staying alive are the top priorities. Ethan Jian looked at the actor inquiringly. He wanted to get clues about the ability of mind from Patrick Li.

"People who have their own problems have no right to be picky about others." Patrick Li nodded. He picked up his phone, turned on the Bluetooth function, and asked Ethan Jian, "What model is your phone?"

After getting the answer, he sent the electronic version of the contract.

Ethan Jian read the entire content carefully and found that the draft was impeccable.

The only requirement is that the contract signer must accompany Patrick Li to participate in filming no matter what the circumstances. He can go out when needed, and can just sit at home and rot if not needed. The contract period is one year and takes effect after signing. If this were put in the circle, such generous treatment would make everyone scramble for it.

"If there is no objection, my assistant will arrive in Huaicheng in half an hour. We can have afternoon tea and chat here while he brings the printed documents to sign the contract directly."

...

What's with this feeling of sympathy for the best actor's assistant?

Patrick Li saw the clue from Ethan Jian's subtle expression change, and smiled happily. He extended his hand to the person across the table: "Then let's get to know each other again. I think we need to understand each other better in various aspects."

Ethan Jian held that hand silently.

"Patrick Li, male, male hobbies." Patrick Li let go of his hand and leaned back comfortably, "I think you know this."

Ethan Jian's eyes twitched, and he suddenly looked up and said in a clear voice: "Ethan Jian, male, I like you."