10 Chapter 10 – As a Fan

"W–What do you mean, ge?!" Leo asked, incredulous. Leo averted his gaze. Maybe Zhao Sean didn't mean that kind of like. Because if it's that what Zhao Sean means then he might need to avoid this person too. He needs to protect his battered and broken heart and he might need to be wary and cautious around the people who say they like him.

Zhao Sean knew. He knew Leo wouldn't believe him or accept his feelings because he's still reeling from the betrayal and heartbreak he was served. He knew because he verified the rumors himself.

So, Zhao Sean rephrased.

"I like you as a fan. I like your works and support you in your career. I also want to be friends, what do you say?" Zhao Sean said, smiling brightly at Leo.

Leo nodded after a while, although Zhao Sean could tell that Leo already had his guard up when Zhao Sean told him he likes him. He has a right to be wary though. It's not easy to trust someone new after having gone through what Leo had gone through. It would take a while even before they could establish that trust, but he'll be damned if he doesn't try.

"Okay, friends. Who wouldn't want to be your friend though, Sean-ge? Haha!" Leo said, smiling. Zhao Sean thinks that this kind of smile doesn't suit Leo. It's so fake and real people shouldn't fake their feelings or anything for that matter, it would hurt.

"Here are your orders, Sir. Enjoy your meal and please tell us if you need anything," Their server said after putting their dishes and drinks in front of them.

Leo and Zhao Sean started eating and the two of them talked about anything they could think of. Leo was surprised, he hadn't expected that the two of them even had something in common, much less something to talk about.

Leo realized that with Zhao Sean like this, it's easy and simple. He can be himself and laugh freely. He didn't have to force a fake smile or laugh, didn't have to pretend to be someone he's not. Zhao Sean also managed to bring out Leo's talkative and gremlin side. Not many people Leo's known can do that, and on their first day being friends too!

Zhao Sean took a sip of his drink before he suddenly remembers something.

"Leo, you might or might not find some traces left of the scandal that involves you, me, and Qin Yuer when you check your phone and surf the net." Zhao Sean said, wincing.

"Huh? What do you mean, ge?" Leo asked. He had almost forgotten the reason why he's having lunch with the Entertainment Emperor and why he drowned himself in alcohol last night.

"OH MY GOD! Ge! Did I do something stupid or embarrassing and I had offended you or your fiancèe?!" Leo exclaimed, and he was starting to panic.

Because holy shit, he did something probably both stupid and embarrassing and he offended Zhao Sean's–the Entertainment Emperor's–fiancèe. What did he do?!

"Well, according to her, you did but don't worry. I already sorted it out." Zhao Sean said, smiling to assure Leo, but the younger is still panicking.

"Ge! What do I do? Should I send her some flowers to apologize? What kind of flower should I send her? Oh no, maybe she wants me to apologize publicly? What should I do, ge?!" Leo rambled on.

Zhao Sean shook his head and shoved some pieces of pork belly in Leo's mouth.

"Asdfghjkl–" Leo glared at Zhao Sean, who was trying not to laugh in amusement at Leo who had his mouth stuffed with pork bellies. He couldn't speak now, so he opted to chew what was in his mouth slowly.

"I said it's fine. I've already taken care of the scandals and rumors online regarding us. Me and Qin Yuer broke up last night when I came to the police station where I also found you, by the way." Zhao Sean said, looking at the faint bruise at the side of Leo's plump lips.

Leo's eyes widened.

Police Station?! Fuck! Why couldn't he remember?!

"Before you make any more fuss again, I'll say it. I took care of everything, you don't have to worry about it anymore. I was partly at fault for it anyway, so the least I could do is help you clear some of those rumors and scandals." Zhao Sean repeated when he saw Leo try and speak again.

Leo nodded, it seems he still has a lot to unpack. But he looked up at Zhao Sean again.

"Why did you break it off with Ms. Qin, ge?" Leo asked. He was curious.

According to the internet and media stations, the two of them seem very much in love and happy. They are a dream team–a perfect couple in this industry. They're both hot topics and most trending hashtag for a couple of months when they confirmed their relationship, so Leo is confused as to why Zhao Sean sounded unaffected and nonchalant about it.

"What do you think I hate the most, Leo?" Zhao Sean asked Leo back. He was still smiling, but there's a different glint in his eyes that Leo couldn't place.

What does Sean-ge hate the most? Leo thought about it for a while. He remembers seeing a magazine where Zhao Sean is featured and remembered reading the contents. Turns out that inside the magazine, Zhao Sean's exclusive interview with them was written.

"Fake people?" Leo answered, tilting his head a little. He was still unsure about that as he couldn't fully remember the exact details that Zhao Sean had answered in that magazine interview.

"Correct. I really hate it when people don't show their true colors, pretending to be someone or something they're not." Zhao Sean said, taking a bite of his foie gras.

Leo nodded. He was relieved that his answer is correct.

"I was called to the police station because according to the Police Officer, my fiancèe and her boyfriend is in their custody," Zhao Sean continued, and Leo's eyes snapped up to him.

He was cheated on by his fiancèe? Was he cheated on like how he was cheated on by Wen-ge? But why does he not look affected or brokenhearted? Leo's heart clenched painfully in his chest.

"So I called our marriage off. I met her boyfriend last night at the police station. Turns out Qin Yuer is just using me for my fame and wealth." Zhao Sean explained.

How could they do this to people like them? They aren't doing anything wrong but instead of repaying their love and kindness with the same love and kindness, they repay them with betrayal and pain.

Leo looked at Zhao Sean silently, sympathizing with the man.

He looked so unaffected and nonchalant about it, but Leo saw how he gritted his teeth and clenched his hands in to fist in anger.

"I really hate fake people. They liked to play with real people's feelings, play the victim, and are so full of shits." Zhao Sean said.

Leo was surprised to hear how harsh Zhao Sean had sounded. The guy was practically a saint and looked like one too so he hadn't expected Zhao Sean to sound even remotely mean much more to curse.

"Wow, Zhan-Zhan! So serious, what are you two talking about?" A guy wearing an expensive suit, a black hair that reached his shoulder, and a friendly smile had said behind Zhao Sean before pulling a seat from one of the nearby tables and plopping down on them to sit between him and Leo.

Note: So I've decided to call Sean "Zhan-Zhan" as a nickname used by the people he's close with as they both sounded the same with Sean the only difference is that Sean's name is in English. So please don't be confused as some Chinese people really can't pronounce "Sean".