Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The director of "Zhouyang Emperor" organized a dinner party, intending to gather everyone and give the actors a chance to get to know each other.

Ning Yuyi learned about this from Lin Chijing, as the director didn't have Ning Yuyi's contact information...

Most of Ning Yuyi's affairs were managed by Xie Yinan and Xie Yezhou. The smaller details were typically handled by Zhou Erhe. Ning Yuyi usually just waited for Zhou Erhe or Xie Yezhou to pick him up; it was rare for someone to contact him directly.

Of course, this doesn't include merchants on social media platforms who contact him for advertising deals.

Ning Yuyi gave his housekeeper the day off and attended the dinner.

The reserved dining room was already full when Ning Yuyi and Lin Chijing were the last to enter.

"Ah, here they are." The director, facing the entrance of the private room, was the first to spot Ning Yuyi and Lin Chijing's arrival. "Come in, have a seat."

Scanning the room, Ning Yuyi noticed that Xie Yezhou, the lead actor, was missing.

"He's preoccupied and isn't in Haimarket," Lin Chijing explained to his younger cousin.

Ning Yuyi nodded in understanding, then found an empty spot to sit down with Lin Chijing.

Once seated, Ning Yuyi took a moment to observe the other actors. To his surprise, he recognized two faces.

They were Ji Xiaoning and He Xiaoxiao, whom he had met during the "Hello Actor" competition.

Lin Chijing, a renowned author in the JJ Literary City and the original creator of "Zhouyang Emperor," was involved in the script adaptation. Consequently, the director treated him with great respect, taking the time to introduce each selected actor to him.

"Our lead actress couldn't make it today," the director mentioned, "I'll introduce you to her next time."

Lin Chijing nodded, "Alright."

"We meet again." He Xiaoxiao, sitting diagonally opposite Ning Yuyi, winked playfully. "Long time no see."

"You two know each other?" The director, ever the conversationalist, chimed in, "That's good. Xiaoxiao plays the third lead, and she's smitten with your character."

Ning Yuyi gave He Xiaoxiao a courteous reply but soon shifted his attention away.

Lin Chijing, however, spared her several discreet glances, pondering whether to adjust the script's romantic storyline.

At a film crew's dinner, alcohol flowed freely. The director went from one drink to the next, combining both red and white, yet remained sober. He occasionally reached out to hold Ji Xiaoning's hand.

"Xiaoning has a lot of potential. If she performs well in this show, it will solidify her popularity," the director, quite openly fondling Ji Xiaoning's hand, remarked. Ning Yuyi caught a glimpse and quickly looked away.

Lin Chijing even wondered why he brought Ning Yuyi to this dinner in the first place.

Wouldn't it be better to have a private meal with his cousin?

Ning Yuyi had heard rumors about this director: brilliant with historical dramas but equally notorious for his lecherous behavior.

Usually, after ensuring an actor's capabilities, minor roles were secured through... questionable means.

Ning Yuyi's role was initially promised to Yu Sihan, but then came Ning Yuyi, a star actor with major financial backing for the project, snatching away the role of the second male lead.

Ji Xiaoning, now visibly familiar with the director's advances, leaned in, giggling.

A stark contrast from her haughty demeanor during the "Hello Actor" competition.

Disinclined to join in the table's conversation, Ning Yuyi quietly savored his bowl of Eight-Treasure Lotus Seed Soup.

The table's conversation shifted towards the script and character designs.

Ning Yuyi overheard He Xiaoxiao saying that both her role and the second lead female role, though rivals on the surface, were tragic characters in the story.

"Tragic? I don't see it that way." Ji Xiaoning scoffed, "The second lead comes from a privileged background. While her ending may be tragic, she's hardly a character to be pitied."

"What do you think, Director?"

"Well, everyone has their own interpretation of a character. Isn't that why we say there are as many faces as there are people?" The director neither sides with Ji Xiaoning nor undermines her, striking a perfect balance.

Ning Yuyi felt a stifling sensation in her chest. Glancing outside the private room, she decided to step out for some fresh air.

"I'm heading to the restroom," Ning Yuyi whispered to Lin Chijing as she maneuvered around the group to exit the room.

Once outside, the oppressive feeling didn't lessen much. Shouts and loud chatter filled her ears.

Overwhelmed, Ning Yuyi decided to wash her face in the restroom.

As she passed a slightly ajar door, a quick sideways glance revealed Yu Sihan inside.

He sat beside a scruffy, stout man, a drink forced into his hand, offering a toast to a bald man across the table.

Perhaps Ning Yuyi's gaze lingered a touch too long; Yu Sihan felt a piercing stare. Turning, he locked eyes with Ning Yuyi standing outside.

In that moment, jealousy surged in Yu Sihan's chest as if it could burst forth.

Their eyes met, and Ning Yuyi quickly averted her gaze, feeling guilty.

It felt as if she was spying. She hurried away from that doorway.

The restroom was mostly empty. Ning Yuyi freshened up, washing her face in the mirror.

Back in the private room, despite Ji Xiaoning's deliberate attempts to belittle her, He Xiaoxiao remained cheerful, offering a toast to the director.

"Director, I'm stepping out to the restroom," He Xiaoxiao said as she stood.

"Sure, you know where it is, right?"

"Yes, thank you, Director." He Xiaoxiao smiled at everyone before leaving.

As Ning Yuyi exited the restroom, she ran into He Xiaoxiao.

"Wait a moment! It's been so long since we last met, and here we are again. Aren't you going to greet me?" He Xiaoxiao called out, "How about catching up later tonight? I wanted to discuss some script details with you."

"I can't, it's not convenient," Ning Yuyi politely declined. "My manager advised against late-night outings."

"Alright then," He Xiaoxiao responded gracefully, even after being turned down. "Let's make plans another time."

He Xiaoxiao proceeded into the ladies' room. Ning Yuyi was about to leave when she saw Yu Sihan approaching.

"I have something to say to you," Yu Sihan said, grabbing Ning Yuyi's arm.

"Right here is fine," Ning Yuyi replied, shaking off his hand as if it were tainted.

"This isn't the place," Yu Sihan scanned the surroundings, "Both of us are always in the spotlight. I'm sure neither of us wants to be caught on camera in this situation."

After pondering for a moment, Ning Yuyi decided to return to the restroom.

The two stood facing each other against the wall.

"What is it?" Ning Yuyi wasn't inclined to meet Yu Sihan's gaze, choosing instead to fixate on the floor tiles, counting their intricate patterns.

"So, after cozying up to the Xie family, you've decided to act aloof with me?" Yu Sihan frowned, his eyes dark and malicious. "Ning Yuyi, remember we come from the same background."

"Cozying up to the Xie family?" Ning Yuyi scoffed. "Am I involved with the Xie family or a particular member of the Xie family? Aren't you already well-aware?"

"When you specifically returned to the orphanage back then, was it merely to advise me against working in Haishi?"

"You might sound sincere, but you knew back then that I was the missing son of the Xie family, didn’t you? All for the sake of your so-called pride."

"Yu Sihan, your heart had turned black even back then."

Every word from Ning Yuyi hit Yu Sihan sharply, causing his pupils to constrict suddenly: "How do you know all this?"

How do I know all this?

Ning Yuyi decided to feign deeper knowledge to further intimidate Yu Sihan.

But then Yu Sihan uttered another line.

"Did you also reincarnate?"

Reincarnate?

Ning Yuyi swallowed the words he was about to say, furrowing his brows.

"I knew it! I knew there was a reason behind your smooth path." Yu Sihan began laughing somewhat hysterically. "Do you know that our world is merely a story in a book?"

"I am the protagonist of this book, while you? You're just a minor character whose name doesn’t even appear more than ten times." Yu Sihan's voice grew softer, "Yes, that's it. I am the protagonist."

Has he lost his mind?

Ning Yuyi took a step back to ensure his safety.

He never imagined Yu Sihan had reincarnated, which explained why he seemed different.

"Ning Yuyi, I am the protagonist of this book. Even if I'm down and out now, I will rise again." Yu Sihan stepped closer to Ning Yuyi.

"Protagonist?" Something clicked in Ning Yuyi's mind, and he chuckled, "It's just an unfinished novel without an ending. How can you be so sure you're the protagonist when the story's trajectory is uncertain?"

Ning Yuyi continued, "With no definitive ending, the story is open-ended. I can totally change the outcome."

He remembered reading reviews of this book later on. Due to the protagonist's uninspiring character, there were countless negative comments, leading the original author to disappear. The story halted just as Yu Sihan and the Yu family entered high society.

As for why Yu Sihan's life seemed so miserable in this life...

Could Ning Yuyi's entrance into this world have stripped away Yu Sihan's protagonist's aura?

"Impossible." Yu Sihan vehemently waved his hand, covering his ears, refusing to listen.

"When you orchestrated that car accident in the previous life that crippled your elder brother, did you ever think of this moment?" Ning Yuyi felt an uncommon sense of satisfaction, "When you stepped over my life to rise to the top of the entertainment industry, did you foresee this?"

"How...how do you know?" Yu Sihan's eyes darted around evasively, avoiding Ning Yuyi's gaze.

"The way you found out is the same way I did."

Just then, footsteps echoed from outside the restroom.

Ning Yuyi clicked his tongue, not wanting to be a spectacle or make headlines. He walked past Yu Sihan and exited.

"What took you so long?" The one who had come to the restroom was Lin Chijing, looking for Ning Yuyi.

After He Xiaoxiao returned from the restroom and noticed Ning Yuyi hadn't, she asked Lin Chijing about it.

That led to the moment Ning Yuyi met Lin Chijing at the restroom entrance.

"Ah, ran into an old adversary."

"Adversary?" Lin Chijing craned his neck, curious to know who it was, "Did they give you any trouble?"

"No," Ning Yuyi exhaled, dispelling his unease, "Let's go."

"Alright."

The two walked side by side back to their private room, leaving Yu Sihan alone, huddled in a corner, still lost in his 'I am the protagonist' fantasy.

However, that dream had been ruthlessly shattered by Ning Yuyi, exposing its raw, bleeding core.

In his past life, he had successfully facilitated a business partnership between the Yu family and the Fan family. Then what?

Their family wealth skyrocketed, solidifying their position among the elite. Everything seemed perfect, until one day the Fan family cut off all business ties, and suddenly, every deal the Yu family pursued seemed maliciously obstructed.

It takes a long time to ascend from hell to heaven, but plummeting from heaven to hell? Just a few seconds.

It wasn't long before the Yu family declared bankruptcy.

When he discovered the reason behind their financial ruin, he could've collapsed in bitter irony.

Ning Yuyi was actually the younger son of the Xie family.

He had initially used Ning Yuyi, who had a similar physique, as a stand-in to boost his own fame, resulting in Ning Yuyi's accidental death. After the Xie family investigated and grieved, they directed all their rage towards him.

Why was it my fault?

It was the Xie family who lost Ning Yuyi. Why did they blame me just because Ning Yuyi died while being my stand-in?

Why, just why...

……

Yu Sihan returned to the private room, his spirit shattered, only to find that just the director and the producer remained.

The stout man, seeing Yu Sihan approach, suddenly kicked him to the ground.

Caught off guard by the unexpected blow, Yu Sihan was unable to react in time. All he felt was a sharp pain in his thigh as he collapsed onto the floor.

"You were gone for over half an hour for a bathroom break. Are you trying to play games with me?" The stout man crouched down, grabbed Yu Sihan's hair, forcing him to look up. "So many have had their way with you, why do you care about chastity now?"

"Damn whore, ruining my plans." The man harshly tugged Yu Sihan's hair, followed by another kick, eliciting a muffled groan from Yu Sihan.

"Let's go," the producer coldly remarked, feigning ignorance, "We should find another actor for the third male lead."

"That young idol from last time was good," the stout man commented with a sleazy smile as he draped his arm around the producer. "Much cleaner than this whore."

"As long as they're obedient," The producer, clearly intoxicated, exited the private room.

Passing by Yu Sihan, he carelessly stepped on Yu's fingers.

After everyone had left, silence enveloped the empty private room. Yu Sihan sat on the floor, clutching his fingers, belatedly realizing he had lost his last remaining resource.

Everything was... gone.

Not long after Ning Yuyi returned to the private room, Xie Yezhou, who had been out of town, finally arrived.

"Weren't you out of town?" Ning Yuyi whispered, leaning close to Xie Yezhou's ear.

"Just got back and came straight here," Xie Yezhou immediately headed to this location upon his airport arrival. "Lin Chijing mentioned they might force drinks on you."

Ning Yuyi: "They didn't force me."

Ning Yuyi's assumption was off. By the time he returned from the restroom, the director and the producer were already quite drunk and began encouraging everyone to drink.

Being the lead actors, Ning Yuyi and Xie Yezhou bore the brunt of the toasting.

Both Xie Yezhou and Lin Chijing intercepted drinks intended for Ning Yuyi.

Fearing a hangover for the two, Ning Yuyi tried to snatch away a drink from Xie Yezhou but didn't succeed.

By the end of the meal, both men were intoxicated, each leaning on one of Ning Yuyi's shoulders.

Burdened with the weight of the two men, Ning Yuyi leaned against the wall, struggling to retrieve his phone, hoping to call for help.

Fortunately, both men were well-behaved drunks, leaning on Ning Yuyi without causing much trouble.

Ning Yuyi successfully dialed the number of his recently acquired boyfriend.

"Ning Ning?"

"Fan Zhongchuan! Hey, big bro, don't grab my phone..."

"What's wrong?" Fan Zhongchuan rose from his chair, walking over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing down at the densely-packed buildings below.

As soon as Xie Yezhou heard Fan Zhongchuan's name, he tried snatching Ning Yuyi's phone, murmuring that the younger brother was his and shouldn't be taken away.

It took a lot of effort for Ning Yuyi to calm him down, retrieving her phone to relay the address to Fan Zhongchuan.

"Come, come, pick us up. If you don't, I think these two will be the death of me," Ning Yuyi strained to say, "Hey, cousin, hold it in. Don't puke on the sidewalk."

"..." Fan Zhongchuan quickly made his way out of the office, "I'll be right there."

After ending the call, Ning Yuyi hastily knelt to pat Lin Chijing's back, trying to comfort him.

Fortunately, the restaurant was not far from Fan Zhongchuan's office. He arrived quickly and helped Ning Yuyi by lifting Lin Chijing.

After pushing both of them into the back seat, Ning Yuyi flopped down in the passenger seat, shaking off her sore arm.

"In pain?" Fan Zhongchuan leaned over to massage her arm, "How's that feel?"

"Much better," Ning Yuyi sighed contentedly, leaning into the seat, "Let's go home."

"Okay."

Once home, Ning Yuyi and Fan Zhongchuan helped the two up to the guest room, ensuring they were tucked in before heading downstairs.

Fan Zhongchuan, aware of the situation Ning Yuyi had been in earlier, beckoned her to sit beside him on the couch.

"Did the director push you to drink?"

Ning Yuyi snuggled against Fan Zhongchuan, feeling no discomfort from the warmth, "Yes, but he was a bit drunk when he did. He's quite nice to me when he's sober."

Ning Yuyi intended to somewhat defend the director, but even after her explanation, the furrow in Fan Zhongchuan's brow remained.

Internally, Fan Zhongchuan noted down a new rule: "No alcohol." He planned to visit the film set later, under the pretext of inspection, and discuss the matter with the director.

"So exhausting. I ran into a lunatic today. He was so mean to me when we were kids," Ning Yuyi mentioned Yu Sihan, "But he's got his comeuppance now."

"Yu Sihan?" Fan Zhongchuan had researched much about Ning Yuyi's childhood.

Ning Yuyi responded, "Yes, that's him."

Fan Zhongchuan asked, "Are you happy now that he got his due?"

Ning Yuyi replied, "It's alright. He got what was coming to him. Why should I be happy about it?"

Then, wrapping her arms around Fan Zhongchuan's neck and planting a kiss on his chin, she added, "Seeing you makes me happy."

Fan Zhongchuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he held Ning Yuyi's face, leaning in for a deeper kiss.

Their lips and tongues intertwined, the air between them slowly dissipating.

After the kiss, Ning Yuyi lay on Fan Zhongchuan, unwilling to move. Through her hair, one could faintly see the tips of her ears, which had turned a deep shade of red.

Having had her fill, Ning Yuyi turned and leaned against Fan Zhongchuan, basking in the sunlight.

In the plum rain season, such warm sunlight was a rarity.

The two remained silent on the couch, simply savoring their shared moments.

……

The next day.

When Xie Yezhou woke up, his temples throbbed with pain.

The room felt both strange and familiar, and it took Xie Yezhou a moment to realize he was in Ning Yuyi's house in Qing'an.

The guest room's wardrobe always stored unopened pajamas. Xie Yezhou chose a dark grey set and grabbed a towel for a shower.

Wearing the pajamas and descending the stairs, he caught a glimpse of a couple at the dining table, lost in a playful flirtation.

Xie Yezhou cleared his throat softly, signaling his brother to be more discreet.

"Big bro," Ning Yuyi set down her spoon, "You're awake. I'll make some porridge for you."

"Where's Lin Chijing?"

"Cousin is still asleep. He drank more than you. He'll probably wake up around noon."

Xie Yezhou nodded in acknowledgment, proceeded downstairs, and sat next to Ning Yuyi.

Ning Yuyi went to the kitchen, served a bowl of porridge for her brother, then took two cups from the rack and filled them with milk.

As Xie Yezhou locked eyes with Fan Zhongchuan—mostly glaring at him—the sound of footsteps from the kitchen made him quickly mask his cold expression.

Ning Yuyi placed a tray on the dining table, pushing the milk towards the two.

"Here, milk. One for each of you."

"No skipping it."

Author's note: Yu Si** is now offline.

Also, there might be another update later tonight.