My manager is a total grandpa but he can kick some ass? [ ZhongChi Modern AU ]

chapter 2

Ajax is still unsure how he exactly feels about his manager– since he still radiates that "I know it all" energy. Don't get him wrong, though– there are no complaints when it comes to his manager's work ethic. Zhongli completes his job meticulously. He is never late to work, picks and drops Ajax on time, and gets healthily balanced home-cooked meals for him (yes- his manager apparently wakes up at an ungodly hour to cook him nutritious food for the day because he cannot trust convenience store foods).

"Pray tell, why are you cooking me meals? When you can order something," he says while looking up from his phone.

Zhongli clears his throat and observes Ajax taking hold of the pair of chopsticks while opening up the lunchbox to reveal steaming rice. "As an idol, you are required to keep your body in peak condition, which means eating healthy and balanced meals."

He fumbles with the utensils, trying to place his fingers correctly, but eventually gives up and holds it in a stabbing gesture. To which Zhongli widens his eyes.

"Now please– don't–"

Mid-sentence and Ajax has already pierced through the fluffy bed of rice with his chopsticks and proceeded to spoon the grains out.

"–Stab your.... chopsticks into your rice..." Zhongli falters, frowning at the action.

"... Oops? Too late," Ajax says while trying to take a bite of whatever he caught.

With a heavy and exaggerated sigh, Zhongli grumbles, "Please refrain from doing that. It's considered to be a rude and an insulting act in Liyuen culture."

How was he supposed to know something like that? Ajax feels like scratching his head about why the brunet even brought him chopsticks instead of a pair of spoon and fork instead, which he asks for after apologising for his cultural faux pas.

But gets immediately rejected.

"One needs to fully appreciate Liyue's food with appropriate utensils. Then and only will it taste flavourful," says his manager, with a quirk of his brows, and observes Ajax, who makes a mess of his food. So he keeps suffering throughout the lunch, barely able to enjoy any spoon– err– bite– ahh he doesn't know. He couldn't enjoy his lunch. Case closed. Of course, his devilish Mr. Zhongli still didn't get him a spoon and fork.

.

It had been a long day of work. Ajax feels incredibly tired, not to mention the unpleasantness of the wet clothes sticking to his skin since he is drenched from head to toe with water.

He thanks one of the crew members who handed him a clean towel to dry himself.

Today was another shooting of the romance drama that he had gotten a role in. The directors called it the "Scandalous and Explosive Triangle". He's not a fan. It sounds like some trashy clickbait type of drama with no actual plot. But he has no say in this, so he prays that one of the crew members is clear-headed enough to suggest a better name.

The scene they were filming today was a confrontation between the two love interests of the female lead. The primary love interest, basically the main lead, would warn Ajax ( who is playing as the role of the second love interest) to stay away from the love of his life. Ajax's job was to act like the crazy and obsessive freak who couldn't get over the girl who showed him the bare minimum of kindness. While, his colleague was supposed to act possessive and protective over his girl.

By the decision of the set director, this scene was being filmed at night, in a park. They also wanted to create a somewhat intense scene so the crew brought in rain towers. Which is why he is completely wet alongside the main lead.

However, the directors of the show felt like something was missing in the scene and they couldn't pinpoint it. So they would have to redo the scene once more. Which was not that much of a big deal, but all the actors involved in the scene would have to dry themselves, wear new clothes, and redo their makeup and hair. Fix anything else that needs fixing. Thankfully, it was dinner break time, so everyone had a couple of hours to spare.