Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Yating spent the next few days reading the entire script like he would do with a draft and completely absorbed it in his system. He was still skeptical of how much contribution he would be able to provide with the film-making process but that wasn't any reason to stop him from giving his best

"Well learning something new is always great," he smiled, leaning back with his tab in between his palms.

He heard his phone ring and stretched his hand to pick it up, not leaving his attention off his script.

"Hello?"

There was a pause followed by a question. "How are you doing?"

Yating heard his father's voice and stopped his movement. He slowly kept the tab aside. "Dad."

Ever since the Authors' Summit and their heated confrontation of Yating's blame on him that he interfered with the results and wanted Guiying to win, the father-son pair hadn't talked. Though through Chyou's help, which Gu Rong suggested it himself, was proved that he had nothing to do with the judging corruption, the ice between them still remained.

Yating was indeed looking for a chance to apologize to him for unjustly accusing him, but that day somehow never arrived. Now he felt extra guilty that it was Gu Rong who ended up contacting him first.

"I am doing well," he hummed and asked back, "How are you?"

"How would I be with my own son not talking to me?"

"We haven't been talking for years."

"I am not dead."

Yating pulled his brows together. "I have been occupied with things."

"So much that you didn't even have the courtesy to apologize to your father and take responsibility," he sharply countered.

Yating narrowed his eyes. "I didn't hear an apology from you either for hiding the fact that you technically own Dream High because you wanted to spy on your son and make the corporate ladder climbing easier for me that I didn't ask for. Guess that equals the score."

There was silence at the other end after which he said, "I wasn't spying or making things easy for you. I just want you back in the Gu Corps. That's where you belong."

"I am twenty-eight now, Dad. I think I am fairly old to understand where I belong."

"How much does the Chief Editor job pays you?"

"I am not here for the money, Dad."

"You should be because everything revolves around money."

Yating felt a headache coming. "Did you call me because you were too bored so you thought that 'Hey, arguing with my son and having the same old conversations on the phone will be nice.'"

He heard somebody clear his throat in the distance, which he knew for sure was Butler Mo. He was Gu Rong's loyal assistant and aid and he grew up with him as if he was his second father.

Gu Rong said after some wait, "I want you to have dinner with me tomorrow."

Yating frowned with the sudden ask - no demand thrown at him. "Dinner?"

"Why, am I so hateful that you cannot spare an evening with the father who raised you?"

He closed his eyes. "Why do you always take an offensive meaning to anything I say?"

"Well as you said so yourself, we haven't been talking for years."

"That doesn't mean I will unjustly ignore you. You just have to ask nicely."

Gu Rong sounded slightly rattled. "Why do I need your nice permission? As my son, you should be doing what I tell you anyway."

"Do you want me to end this phone call right now?"

There was yet another strong throat clearing signal from Butler Mo, clearly laced with frustration and resentment.

Gu Rong finally yielded and asked nicely, "Will you be free for dinner tomorrow…" In the end, he still couldn't stop himself from dropping a little sarcasm, "and bestow some kindness on your aging father?"

"*Ahem!*"

Butler Mo was now openly vocal about his contempt and dissatisfaction. Clearly, he wasn't on the sidelines anymore.

Yating smiled. "Well, that's the most polite request I could get from you, right? I am honored. I will be home tomorrow evening."

"It's not at home. I will text you the hotel's address."

He shrugged. "Cool. Also, spare Uncle Mo from raising his blood pressure."

"You insolent son! How am I raising his blood pressure!?" He exclaimed.

"Hm, just keep going like that and soon you will have to call for an ambulance. Bye."

Yating threw his phone aside. He felt it was like he stepped back into that time of his phase when he was in his early-twenties and things had started to go sour between the father and son. Yating's dreams clashed with Gu Rong's expectations which always came to a stormy end. The small conversation right now felt draining just like the old times.

He released a sigh.

"I need some beer."

—

Yating reached the hotel's entrance at the exact time he was supposed to come. He stepped out of his car and looked for Gu Rong. He didn't find him and so checked at the reception for a booking.

"Yes, Sir. Please go straight and turn left. That's the suite booked," the receptionist said with a hospitable smile.

"Thanks."

He followed the directions and found the suite. He turned the doorknob but felt some murmurs coming from inside, making him frown.

Shouldn't he be alone?

He stepped inside and first saw his father's figure seated in front of him and as the door opened wider, he froze seeing two other people opposite Gu Rong.

Zhu Xiaosi, the CEO of S3 tech company and his daughter, Zhu Chyou, the Queen of the Entertainment industry.

Yating gave a blank look and struggled to process the two additional members as a part of the dinner that was supposed to be private between a father and son.

"Yating!" Chyou raised her arm up and merrily chirped. "Dot on time~"

Yating pulled his lips together in a smile with great hardship. "Punctuality and chivalry is what makes a man…" he squinted his eyes at Gu Rong and added, "and so does truthfulness."

Gu Rong naturally felt his pointed and accusing gaze and didn't reply.

Yating inwardly gritted his teeth.

What the hell!? Don't tell me this is just an excuse for another marriage meeting? I already told him it's impossible between Chyou and me! For God's sake, she is already dating!

Xiaosi smiled at him and asked, "You okay, Gu Yating? I hope my daughter is not bullying you on the set."

Chyou frowned. "I don't bully anyone. I am a very nice person."

Gu Rong was confused. "On the set?"

"Yeah! Yating is helping Director Murong with the filming, you know? It's so exciting. He is so talented with stories. Clearly, his Chief Editor experience and talent shines very bright~ You must be proud of him, right?"

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