Taming The Tiger

41. Miscommunication

Busted...

The word was tinkling in Hu Jing Yao's mind as he got himself ready for the highly possible outburst.

"Did you really give him money?!" Yu Hua buried his face into his palms bashfully.

"That money is-"

Yu Hua jumped on his feet angrily, "you don't understand! He will lose that money too!"

Hu Jing Yao also rose to his feet and grabbed the nervous man's arms, "he will pay the debt and won't involve you again, I assure you," he said confidently, making the actor frown.

"I am not sure how you can be so confident, but even if it is true, hopefully, I still have to pay the debt. So, how much did you give to him?"

As the CEO didn't expect Yu Hua to be that calm and recollected without kicking a rumpus, he was astonished. He looked at the younger man with apparent appreciation for handling the situation smartly, and said "it is okay."

Yu Hua gently saved himself from the CEO's grip and slumped on the sofa with a sigh, "no, it is not okay, you have been already receiving less from our deal and now this... so I will pay it back to you."

"Whatever you say," Hu Jing Yao replied with a hint of pity and pulled the actor back to his feet. "You need to get some sleep," he said and dragged him towards the bed.

He doesn't like you, he just pities you, Yu Hua repeated his mantra for his heart to learn, but that stupid thing refused to listen. Therefore, the poor actor lied next to the CEO in the dark room and tried to regulate his heartbeat with steady breaths.

Even your family doesn't like you, how can he?

The nasty thought appeared again, encouraged by the darkness and Yu Hua's hands clenched onto the quilt.

Suddenly something warm covered his cold hand and Hu Jing Yao's elegant fingers forced his hand to be unclenched.

"It is okay, you have no fault," the CEO said softly as he patted the actor's hand reassuringly.

"Are you this nice to all your paid partners?" Yu Hua asked with a low voice, trying to get rid of the pious hope in his heart.

"I try to be," Hu Jing Yao answered cunningly, wondering why he asked such a thing out of the blue.

Yu Hua sighed next to him, "you are a really nice man," he said appreciatively, then asked "do you know all your actors' birthdays?" What the hell I blurted out?!!!

Okay, now the conversation was getting weirder. The confused man thought for a second. He of course didn't memorise the birthdays of his actors, but his secretary had an agenda for that. Well, he could have said it to Yu Hua, but he opted not to and rather said "as much as I can, why asking? Did I forget yours?"

"No, but you forgot Lu Mei's although you remembered Na Na's. Is it because she is your new choice?" Yu Hua asked, trying not to sound hostile or jealous. As he already started, why not finish it? Although he dreaded the answer, he actually had to hear it from the CEO so that he could pin it into his stupid heart.

Hu Jing Yao retracted his hand, "just sleep, aren't you tired?" he said evasively although he had no intention to make a move on annoying Na Na.

So, it is a yes, Yu Hua thought and panicked seized his existence. Even though he knew one day it was bound to happen, he didn't want the CEO to discard him so soon. He wanted to cling on him shamelessly until he could stand on his feet again.

However, apparently the CEO selected his next partner...

"Will you ignore me like in the hotpot restaurant when our deal is over?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? Just sleep," Hu Jing Yao snorted, but inside, he felt regretful for his previous action.

So, he will avoid me, Yu Hua's pessimistic mind deduced and his heart ached. Unwittingly, he propped on his elbow and leaned on the CEO before capturing his lips with his. He started kissing him fervently as if to show him that he was still worth keeping.

Although Hu Jing Yao was shocked with the unexpected move, he melted into the kiss and responded well. However, when Yu Hua started to climb on him with an obvious intention, he grabbed his thin arms, stopping him.

"You should sleep, it is late already," he said, holding himself barely from devouring the distressed man. Damn it, why did he have to be a gentleman?

"I- I am sorry," Yu Hua mumbled with abashment and curled up on the other side of the bed immediately. As the CEO didn't even want him to perform his end of the deal, it meant he already decided to discard him.

It is okay, just another kick on your ass... nothing unusual...

While the same thought made circles around his mind, Yu Hua gave into the tiredness and fell into an uncomfortable sleep.

When the CEO was sure that the actor was deep in sleep under the quilt, he left the bed and sat on the sofa with his tablet. He checked the actors' files and saw Yu Hua was right, his secretary really missed Lu Mei's birthday. Silly, just because of this simple matter, Yu Hua thought Na Na was his next target...

Hu Jing Yao put the tablet aside, but then grabbed it again to check Yu Hua's file. As the young actor was quite sensitive, he wanted to be sure not to miss his birthday.

What?!

The file said it was March, twenty six.

"Today," Hu Jing Yao murmured silently as his eyes shifted towards the sleeping figure. He threw the tablet on the sofa and returned to the bed. Slowly he pulled Yu Hua into his arms and seeing him frowning, he rubbed the area between his eyebrows to lull him into a better sleep.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked the actor, but there was of course no answer.