9 Chapter 9 – I like You

The elevator doors opened to a relatively empty parking lot of the hotel.

Zhao Sean's guys went out first to survey the surroundings and make sure no fans or sishengs caught wind of their escape.

"Everything's clear, laoban. You two can come out now." A muscular and bald guy had said, and Zhao Sean nodded his thanks before gesturing Leo to step out of the elevator with him. Leo bowed to the guy as thanks and they started walking towards the other end of the lot.

Leo then saw her. Looking at Zhao Sean and the others, they didn't stop or do anything and Leo is at a loss–because damn, that's a whole ass woman approaching and they didn't even mind. What if this woman is a sisheng and had somehow slipped past these people? What if they already got caught? Wait, is she even here for Zhao Sean or Leo? Should Leo just make a run for it?

"Laoban," the woman said, bowing. And Leo swears he had almost jumped ten feet in the air and he doesn't really know what to do. He's scared.

Zhao Sean looked at him weirdly before acknowledging the woman.

"Jinnian-jie, thank you so much for coming out here to meet us." Zhao Sean said, smiling. He turned to Leo.

"Wang Leo, this is my manager, Ms. Ju Jinnian. And Jinnian-jie, this is Wang Leo." He introduced.

Even though Leo is unsure, he still nodded and bowed, not speaking. He saw Jinnian handing Zhao Sean a camera. A Canon EOS 5D Mark IV to be exact. Why do they have a camera? Leo wonders.

After a few minutes of talking with Jinnian, Zhao Sean made Leo walk in front and Leo feels so awkward walking. Leo turned around to look at Zhao Sean when he heard a 'click'.

"Ge?!" Leo asked, incredulous. Did Zhao Sean just take a picture of his back?!

"Keep walking, Leo-di." Zhao Sean said, smiling his sunny smile. Leo had the urge to cover his eyes to stop them from being blinded. It feels like even though they are still in the dimly lit parking lot, the brightness from Zhao Sean's smile is still enough to do some damage. Good thing he didn't.

"B–But ge, why are you taking my picture?" Leo asked, and when he still stayed rooted in place, Zhao Sean took him by the arm and they both started walking.

"I'll tell you later, Leo-di." Zhao Sean said, making Leo sigh before reluctantly agreeing and walking again.

When they reached the other end of the parking lot, they entered a door that says "Emergency Exit" on the sign.

Zhao Sean handed Jinnian the camera back before they both boarded a van–Zhao Sean's van–that was parked outside.

When Zhao Sean had settled comfortably on his seat, Leo asked him the question he had been asking earlier but Zhao Sean didn't answer.

"What was that, Sean-ge?" Leo asked.

"What was what?" Zhao Sean asked back, making Leo huff in impatience and frustration.

"What was with the picture and with Jinnian-jie, Ge?" Leo asks again.

"That's your cover story," Zhao Sean said before leaning back in his chair and resting his head on the headrest before stretching his long legs in front where a little seat that can be considered as a footstool is laid in front of Zhao Sean's seat.

When Leo asked him to elaborate, Zhao Sean looked at him before explaining everything to the latter.

"It's for proof. We need to make it look like you just arrived only this morning and didn't stay the night with me, or it'll both cause us some trouble." Zhao Sean explained.

"But ge, you didn't really need to do these things, why are you helping me?" Leo looked so confused. He also looked a little bit suspicious about this whole thing.

To be honest, Zhao Sean really didn't need to go out of his way to help Leo. After all, they are just acquaintances who are familiar with each other only because they often meet at public events. They can also barely even be considered friends as they have no connection with each other at all. Besides, if Zhao Sean wants, he can get out of any sticky situations he was in if he wants to. There was no doubt about the Entertainment Emperor's skills.

And so what if they are in a scandal together? He could easily make that scandal disappear without even bothering to include Leo. He could even leave Leo to fend for himself so why?

"I just want to," Zhao Sean said finally, before closing his eyes, deeming that the conversation is over.

"Mr. Han, please do stop by The Georg. I'm starving." Zhao Sean said after a few moments of silence, to which the driver had agreed.

Leo leaned back to his seat too. He still had a lot of questions to ask of Zhao Sean but chose to remain silent because it looked like Zhao Sean wouldn't answer them even if he asks him about them right now.

"I'll answer your questions later," Zhao Sean said, not even bothering to open his eyes. He must have sensed Leo's hesitation to ask him any more questions.

When they reached the restaurant, Zhao Sean escorted a very hesitant Leo inside. They were greeted by a hostess.

"Welcome to The Georg, Mr. Zhao. Table for how many?" A woman said, bowing.

"Table for two, please. Thank you, Eula." Zhao Sean said, smiling.

They were led to a private part of the restaurant, at the back where the garden is. Leo took a seat from across Zhao Sean.

"A server will be with you shortly, Mr. Zhao." Eula smiled and bowed before leaving them to themselves.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Zhao. Should I prepare the usual?" The server asked, and Zhao Sean shook his head.

The server handed them both a menu, before retreating at the back.

"Is it really okay for me to be here and be seen eating with you, Sean-ge?" Leo asked the moment the server had left.

He was surprised and curious at how Zhao Sean was acting. As if they're not a celebrity and as if no paparazzi would spot them here. He doesn't even look worried that someone might recognize him or both of them.

"It's okay, so relax." Zhao Sean said, scanning the menu he was given by the server.

"It's okay? What do you mean, Ge? It's okay for me to be seen with you, or it's okay to be here?" Leo asked, confusion bleeding to his words and tone.

"It's okay because it's safe. No one will bother us here and no paparazzi would be able to take our pictures. It's one of the many places celebrities like us frequent so you don't have to worry about anything." Zhao Sean explained. Leo's mouth formed an 'O' in understanding.

Leo didn't know such places even existed.

"What, don't tell me you haven't been to such places?" Zhao Sean asked, sounding incredulous. And when Leo nodded, Xiao Zhan's mouth dropped open.

"You mean to tell me, you've never so much as gone out, nor knew about such places where you can relax, forget your status as a celebrity and unwind?" Zhao Sean asked again, and Leo didn't know what to say so he just nodded wordlessly.

He's been busy working his butt off and his management and agent haven't even told him about these places–he's pretty sure they also don't know about these kinds of places too–and besides if he needs to unwind, he'll just stay at home and play video games or build some legos he hasn't even opened yet.

"Maybe I should take you out more often," Zhao Sean mumbled, more to himself rather than let Leo hear.

Maybe. Maybe that's the reason why Leo got caught up with this mess. Because he really doesn't know which places to go yesterday where he can dance to his heart's content and drown in alcohol. Maybe he really does need to take Leo out more often to help him see which places he can loosen up and be himself freely. Zhao Sean thought.

"Are you guys ready to order or do you need a few more minutes?" The server came back and Leo scrambled to scan his menu.

"I'll have the foie gras - endive - pomelo, please. Thank you." Zhao Sean said before closing the menu and turning to look at Leo.

"What would you like, Leo?" Zhao Sean asked, hiding his smile at seeing the cool guy–Wang Leo fumble.

At last, he took pity on the younger and turned to their server.

"He'll have the pork belly - beetroot - caramelized potato please, thank you." Zhao Sean said.

He noticed the tips of Leo's ears turning red. Is he embarrassed at needing help in selecting his meal? How cute!

"Ge," Leo began after clearing his throat. "You didn't answer my question. Why are you going out of your way to help me?"

Zhao Sean looked straight into his eyes, and Leo suddenly became nervous even though he doesn't know why.

"Because I like you," Zhao Sean said casually. Leo's eyes widened and he was grateful that he isn't drinking the water at their table right now as he might have choked on it now.

"You–ge, what?!" Leo sputtered.

Note: Sisheng Fan(s) - An obsessive fan of a celebrity that invades the privacy of their idols; sassaeng fans but in Chinese. Sisheng means "Private life fans" in Chinese.