Chapter 169: Rick Lee Gets The Role Of Ken Long!

Chapter 169: Rick Lee Gets The Role Of Ken Long!

Click Flash Click!

Currently, Kate, Ana, Logan, Sam, and I are all sitting in five chairs inside a corporate conference room, facing about fifty aggressive reporters and journalists tracking anything to do with show business. Well, after my amazing birthday with my close family, another week had passed, bringing both high school and the university semester to a rapid end.

And with that, the decision according to the agreement of Kate's contract is finally coming into effect, locking me in to play the lead male role of Ken Long, the direct reincarnation of Kris Long.

Sam, however, will still remain on the active film cast, thoroughly demoted to playing one of the prominent antagonist vampires alongside Logan.

Logan is scheduled to play the final big boss of the movie, meaning several of the action scenes in the new script had been heavily altered or added due to our advanced level of fighting ability and the fact that Logan and I will do absolutely all of our own practical stunts and fighting scenes on camera.

Was the part given to me smoothly? No, Pam tried a couple of dirty corporate tricks behind the scenes, but between Lucy and Victoria running defensive interference, all of her feeble attempts either failed completely or slapped her own face. The look of Victoria confidently walking directly into the meeting and handing Pam her official severance package if she kept up her games was absolutely hilarious.

Vicky even threatened to abandon all of the Sun family from the protective Long clan umbrella, making it clear she would allow even lesser nobles to eat them alive and take the exact position the Sun family had, so in total despair, Pam just let the whole matter go.

Click Flash Click!

The meeting had officially started, and with our talent agents standing right behind our chairs, the first female reporter stepped up and directed her opening question straight to the center of the panel where Kate sat as the main star, with me positioned to her left, Ana to her right, Logan next to Ana, and fucking Sam stuck right on my left, forcing me to suppress a heavy sigh.

"Miss Kong, this is your first movie after your music tour, so why do music instead of doing the second film right after the other?" The reporter asked, leaning forward with her pen ready.

Kate sat with her white hair tied back in a high ponytail, looking exceptionally elegant in her flower-print summer dress as she smoothly replied, "I felt that it was too soon to make the movie right after the first. The tragic death of Kris Long was still too fresh for fans, and if we made it too soon, it would feel like Kris did not matter at all. So, for my love of entertainment, I thought a bit of music would brighten the next film, fufu."

Shifting seamlessly into her polished idol mode, Kate offered the room a perfectly timed, cute wink gesture, a move that made me realize after spending months around her that she is definitely not the clueless woman that I and everyone else originally thought she was. No, she does have her genuine airhead moments, but her natural gut feelings are almost always completely on the mark, like when she recently told me she thought if reincarnation existed, I would be one of those ancient souls.

Yeah, my back shook with a sudden shiver at her words because she is incredibly insightful when you least expect it.

Before I could dwell on it, another female reporter specifically pointed out by Sam's manager stood up and projected her voice across the room, asking, "Mr Tang, did you get the main male role due to being the husband of Victoria Long?"

Yeah, it is incredibly petty of Sam to orchestrate that specific angle, but I just leaned back in my chair, owning the situation completely as I shot back, "Yup, I totally got the role because I am her husband. I definitely didn't get it because my acting skills are far above all others that tried and failed for the part. I also did not get it because I do all my own physical stunts. I also am not getting it because it was a deal with the executives of Star Entertainment Group. The only reason I am doing it is because my wife owns absolutely everything."

Before the crowd could even process the blatant sarcasm, I reached over and patted Sam's shoulder with a sharp smile, adding, "And before you ask about Sam Sun, he most definitely also got the role because his mother is the boss of the studio! So he and I are exactly the same, and that's why we are the absolute best of friends."

Click Flash Click!

Sam glared at me, having absolutely no idea I would willingly tie a heavy anchor around both of our necks and sink us into the mud together, but the guy is a complete retard if he thinks I care what the press thinks of me. Fuck no, I am only doing this movie because Kate and Victoria are making me do it, so meh.

The lady, hearing my direct jab at her question, had absolutely no logical follow-up because I readily admitted to the nepotism and then slapped her face with my actual credits of talent, causing her to sit back down with a deep blush of shame coloring her face before a rare male journalist stood up to address Ana Zi.

"Miss Zi, how do you feel about your character, Lilith, becoming more of an antihero antagonist in this next film?" He asked, adjusting his glasses.

Ana looked incredibly sexy in her vibrant red sundress as she crossed her legs and offered a smooth, confident response, saying, "I am very glad to see this change in Lilith. I think even villainous characters just want love. They are hated by the traditional good-guy loving crowd, but without the dark, there is no light, right? So, the intricate love triangle in this second movie makes me really want to see the finished film. Well, both Kate and I have exceptional chemistry with Rick, so it will be easy for us to have that show beautifully on the silver screen."

All four of the agents were taking turns picking reporters out of the dense crowd, and Logan's representative selected a young journalist from some online podcast, which made me instantly nervous when I noticed a rare, playful smirk appear on Logan's face since not much in this world actually makes him smile.

The young podcaster stood up with visible stars in her eyes, looking in my direction as she blurted out, "Mr Tang, I have been a huge fan, and I have followed all of your online antics over the last year. So, I have two questions. The first is, please do my show! The real question is, are you the real reason Miss Kong went into acting?"

This woman looked barely eighteen years old, meaning she must have graduated from Star High to know my personal history so well, so I looked at this mousy blonde and offered a genuine smile to appreciate her enthusiasm, answering, "Miss Alice Ling, for the interview just contact my agent Miss Jia right here. As for your second question, it is a significant part of why Kate went into acting. I do not have time to tell you the whole narrative today, so maybe if I do your show, I can fully expose Kate's deep shame, ha-ha. But in short, it was exactly how Kate and I first met."

As the podcast girl, Alice, looked absolutely thrilled by the response, Kate playfully swatted my forearm in her adorable, shy act, prompting Jean to quickly point out another journalist representing a traditional newspaper print to keep things moving.

"Mr Sun, I have recently found out you had traveled to the China Empire to marry a noble woman to be your wife. My question is, why and how did you fall in love?" The man asked, holding up a small notepad.

Sam had been meticulously coached by his new wife on exactly what to say if anyone asked about her, so he forced a fake smile and acted like he was in deep, genuine love, though the grim reality was that his new bride was a complete control freak who had figuratively put a tight leash right around his neck. No, he most definitely tried to resist her authority at first, but when she calmly told him she possessed a dose of the specific medicine that permanently shriveled his dick and no antidote, he changed his arrogant Sun attitude to a compliant, can-do husband instantly.

Mei told me he even asked her to use that exact medicine on me, but she flatly refused due to needing the supply to keep him under control, which made me feel a bit uneasy that a dangerous medicine like that was actively circulating around the world, even if I felt a tiny bit of pity for him knowing the China Empire effectively poisoned him. The ironic part is that the medicine Lucy used actually came from Mei, who still possesses an antidote, though I currently have no idea about this hidden fact.

Adjusting his collar, Sam spoke into his microphone, saying, "Well, it was because of the nasty rumors going around about me that I was doing things with actresses. Because it was all fake news, I had been a bit afraid to date women in showbiz, so I met Ling Ling online, and we fell in love. So, I had to make her my first wife. She is actually pregnant now, so we are waiting to see if she is having a boy or girl."

As the reporters greedily lapped up his pathetic sob story, I noticed Ana tighten her knuckles a bit while her stiff smile remained frozen on her face, showing she was super bitter about the happy news.

Breaking the brief silence, the next woman in the crowd asked Kate a much more personal question, stating, "So, Miss Kong, it is reported from students who attend your university that you are indeed dating Rick Tang. Is this just for publicity for the film? I ask because you two have not been seen being overly intimate?"

Kate immediately reached over to hold my hand tightly, turning to face the reporter with a brilliant, unbothered smile as she replied, "Rick said we would stay together forever, and Rick has never broken a promise to me. So, he and I are together regardless of a film. As far as intimacy, don't you worry, fufu. I have a lot of sisters, so I do not want to shame my sisters in public, but..."

Kate proudly turned her glowing smartphone screen directly to the mass of cameras, speaking with absolute confidence, "Look, I am one of the twelve maximum harem members on Rick's Harem-Chat account, so do not think we are not a real couple."

Smack!

On live national television, I slapped my palm directly against my face, completely mortified by what Kate had just casually done while she merely looked over at me thoroughly confused, her airhead tendencies entirely defying logic. One alert reporter in the front row read the glowing screen and instantly blurted out one of the explicit names on her Harem-Chat...

"Kim Smith from the Smith and Wesson family is there too!"

Kate's perfect idol smile cracked instantly as the reporter's sharp shout echoed through the room, her eyes widening as she realized she had just made a major boo boo. Leaning closer to her microphone, she offered a sheepish grin, saying, "Oops, pretend you guys did not see that, okay, he-he?"

Watching her try to play it off, I figured that at the end of the summer, everyone would find out about our arrangement anyway, so I simply maintained a professional smile for the flashing lenses. There was absolutely nothing I could do to fix this now, considering not even my godly hacking skills could undo such a public blunder.

Fortunately, the general public didn't really know Kim on a personal level, so the leak wouldn't transform into massive mainstream news, likely just circulating as heavy gossip back at Star University among all those pining boys who had been desperately trying to win her affections.

Breaking the sudden tension, another young woman representing an online news outlet directed her microphone toward me, asking, "Mr Tang, why are you daring to do all of your own stunts along with Mr Chen? Are you not afraid of getting hurt and delaying the movie?"

"I am a fan of movies," I replied smoothly, leaning into the mic while adjusting my jacket. "And I think you, the movie watchers, want to see us put our necks out to prove to you that we truly love our characters. Yes, there is an inherent risk involved, but let's be entirely honest, you all want to know if I actually got whacked or something during a scene. Also, upon my specific request, at the end of the movie, we will release a full bloopers reel to let you, the fans, see exactly what we endured to bring you a realistic movie."

The reporters nodded in approval, prompting the same woman to quickly follow up, asking, "Mr Tang, a second question... How do you feel playing a human surrounded entirely by vampires? Will you be able to bring this feeling to the big screen?"

I paused, turning my head to look slowly at all four of my fellow cast members with a perfectly timed, frightened expression. Turning back to the woman, I let out a sharp gulp, countering, "I do not think I have enough blood to be sitting here safely!"

The entire assembly burst into a loud wave of laughter at my fake reaction, allowing me to smile before finishing, "But seriously, I think the idea of a vampire and a human loving one another is novel. One love is from the afterlife, a creature who needs to live off of her love just to stay in this world. I think if Kate was my vampire wife, I would happily let her drink my blood, because that is a weird, true form of love. So, I think Luna and Ken are a fated pair, oh, and Lilith too, ha-ha."

Glancing to my right, I saw Ana look genuinely pleased that I included her character, Lilith, in the romance dynamic so the fans would know she was vital to the plot. Even so, I caught that unmistakable look of deep longing lingering in her green eyes, though I knew a relationship between us would never happen in this life for sure.

Kate, on the other hand, merely turned her head toward me, giving me a bright, warm smile that practically screamed how much she loved me.

Stepping forward to keep the momentum going, Jean Jia pointed her finger toward a veteran reporter from Entertainment Tonight. The woman stood up, smoothing her skirt before asking Ana, "Miss Zi, if you were Lilith, how would you want the movie to end?"

Ana crossed her smooth legs elegantly, resting her chin on her hand with a thoughtful look as she glanced between Kate and me, replying, "Lilith gains power in this script, so if it were up to me, I would make Luna my servant and make Ken my lover. Then, before he aged too much, I would turn him into a vampire to live for eternity with me. Well, this way, Luna would serve my husband, fufu. This is only if I was Lilith, though."

The room buzzed at the juicy response, and because the rules allowed a follow-up pertaining to the first topic, the reporter quickly pressed, "So, are you saying that Lilith truly loves the new Ken?"

"Oh? That is not even a spoiler," Ana countered, offering a playful shrug that drove the press wild. "Lilith would even sell her soul to be with him, so yes, she is a dark love."

Before the questions could spiral any further, the event host stepped up to the central podium, addressing everyone there, saying, "That was the last question, everyone! Now, just be ready for the making of The Vampire I Fell For 2. The filming will begin in exactly one week, and the final film will be in theaters this fall."

And with that final announcement, we all stood up from our chairs to pose for the official press pictures together. Both Ana and Kate immediately stepped close, each holding onto one of my arms to vividly showcase the love triangle cast to the lenses, while the two antagonists took up positions on our outer sides.

Logan and Sam took turns engaging in a fake, intense glaring contest to show the rivals together for the cameras, though looking at the tight set of his jaw, I was absolutely sure Sam's glaring was entirely real.

Kate and Ana also mirrored the pose, staging a dramatic stare-down to show the two characters' rivalry and deep friendship, perfectly encapsulating the dark and light of the vampire world.

After we had thoroughly wrapped things up and escaped the main room, Mei and Hinata were already waiting patiently by the side exit for us. Mei smiled warmly, stepping forward to hand me a bottle of water as she told me, "Master, good job out there. Even I want to see the movie now."

Hinata stood quietly beside her, her striking red eyes locking onto mine as she offered a subtle nod to agree with Mei's praise. Looking at them, a sudden realization hit me, making me notice for the first time that Kate and Hinata actually share the exact same vibrant eye color.

Their body types are incredibly close as well, with the only main difference between them being the contrast of white versus black hair. Had I seriously not noticed such obvious details before now?

No, I knew exactly why my mind was wandering; it was because of the explicit promise I gave Hinata recently. Soon, on the upcoming anniversary of my very first time, I would finally take her first time.

Because of that binding promise, she had been watching my movements far more intently than she ever had in the past, almost like a loyal pet sitting patiently for a high-value treat. I couldn't shake the heavy feeling in my chest, wondering if she was actively looking forward to my future actions.

Outside by the curb, the heavy idle of the luxury vehicle cut through my thoughts.

"Master, I said let's go?!" Mei's voice snapped me out of my trance as she held the rear door wide open for Jean, Hinata, Kate, and me to climb into the limousine.

Once inside the plush interior, the heavy door clicked shut, and Jean immediately let out a loud burst of laughter that didn't fit her professional age at all, exclaiming, "Hah-aha, great job, Rick! You most definitely caused a massive gossip stir in there, and I absolutely love the whole... I got the part because of Boss Long, hah!"

"I have learned to just roll with it," I countered, leaning back against the leather seat with a tired sigh. "Why get upset or defensive? I just own the situation, plus it is partly true, right?"

Jean nodded in approval, tapping her tablet as she told me, "Good point. Kate and Rick, we need to be on the set at exactly 5:30 am on June 15th for the official start of filming, so just keep studying the script. I will invite Ana over to the estate for the early script readings since the start of the movie focuses heavily on you and her character. Don't look at me like that, Kate, Rick is not into her, so just chill."

I reached over, patting Kate's tense hand gently as I said, "When anything goes on with her during a scene, I will only think of you, how's that?"

"No, then she will be treated well," Kate pouted, crossing her arms defensively. "Think of Jean instead!"

Jean and I looked speechlessly at each other across the cabin, entirely stunned by her childish comments. Breaking the silence, Hinata turned her gaze toward Kate, saying, "Miss Kong, that is no good. He can just imagine his student instead, so no real feelings will be involved, just duty and work."

Kate, completely clueless about what I actually intended to do with my student later on, nodded happily at the suggestion, concluding, "There you go! Rick, just imagine Miss Kyusho while you do your romantic lines with Ana."

I just tiredly shrugged my shoulders, nodding along to the demands of these unreasonable women. I suppose that is the ultimate secret trick to a happy life, just nod your head and say, "Yes, dear!"