Chapter 61: Still Not Dead?

Chapter 61: How Is He Still Alive?

After lunch, Jian Ye first called Director Wu, who showed great concern for him, checking in on him over the phone.

"Director Wu, I’ll post on Weibo later to explain everything. No need to worry—I’m totally fine... Really, no injuries at all. Just lock in the dates—I can join the crew anytime. Thanks for your concern... Sure, feel free to call me anytime. See you on set."

After hanging up, Jian Ye let out a relieved sigh. An arm hooked around him, pulling the boy into an embrace. "Done with the call? Feeling better now?"

Jian Ye hugged the man’s firm body back, nuzzling into him like a clingy pup. "Yeah, at least I’ve covered my bases. For the sake of the drama and the fans... When I record the video later, can you step out? Quit watching me."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Shy around your own husband now?"

Jian Ye complained silently—it wasn’t about shyness, but about keeping his composure. If fans knew someone else was in the hotel room, they’d definitely ask questions, and he couldn’t deal with the hassle.

After all, they’d just been intimate that morning. Right now, Jian Ye truly couldn’t handle the man’s intense gaze—being stared at made him squirm.

With a flirtatious pout, the boy teased, "You’re too damn charming. What if you accidentally appear in the video and fans fall for you? I’d get jealous."

Yi Siyu: "..."

This little thing was getting more and more spoiled. Once the boy finished filming this drama, he’d have to properly discipline this spoiled, bratty pup.

Half an hour later, a video dropped on Jian Ye’s Weibo.

"Jian Ye JY": Sorry for worrying everyone. [Video]

In the video, Jian Ye wore a plain white T-shirt and greeted everyone with a smile.

He first explained that he had survived thanks to a kind-hearted rescuer and was completely unharmed.

Next, he thanked everyone online for their concern, joking, "Maybe your prayers did the trick"—he was lucky to be alive.

He also emphasized that it wasn’t anyone’s fault and urged fans not to blast the crew or Director Wu on social media. Director Wu was his mentor and had been looking out for him throughout the ordeal.

Lastly, Jian Ye expressed deep gratitude to the firefighters who risked their lives to save him, arriving at the scene immediately and charging into the water without hesitation.

Jian Ye spoke calmly and thoroughly, touching on everything with clear logic and sincerity.

The video’s views blew up, and entertainment accounts quickly reposted it across other platforms.

Soon, the hashtag #JianYeIsSafe blew up on Weibo.

Fans and curious netizens flooded his page, pouring out their emotions.

"OMG! My boy’s actually okay! I was about to light a long-life lamp for him at the temple last night!"

"Hey, careful with your wording, sis! ‘Alive’? He was never in danger—just missing! Didn’t you hear him say a kind stranger saved him?"

"Waaah! Thank you, kind stranger! This believer will go meatless for a month to pray for your lifelong safety!"

"Jian Ye clearly doesn’t want to expose the rescuer, so let’s not dig into it. They must’ve thanked them privately already!"

"Good deeds really do get rewarded. Yesterday, I was mourning such a beautiful, talented kid—how could the heavens be so blind? My bad, heavens, you’re still wise after all."

"This guy’s so dedicated! He should take more time off. We can wait. Even though he looks fine in the video, something this traumatic must’ve messed with him—it was a close call!"

"Sorry, maybe my eyes are playing tricks, but I think I see a reddish mark under Jian Ye’s collar. I know it can’t be a hickey... He probably just didn’t want fans to worry, so he said he’s unharmed."

"Surviving a rushing current is no small feat! No way he walked away untouched? Having some injuries is normal. The crew should really give him more time off."

"Wasn’t Luo Ying’s role supposed to have fewer scenes? Then just film Jian Ye’s scenes last!"

"I have to say, Jian Ye is truly amazing. Not even an acting major, yet on his first-ever set visit, he ends up saving a real life—not to mention being lucky enough to be rescued by a kind soul himself. Jian Ye is practically the male lead of a real-life idol drama!"

"I’m officially a fan! A real-life hero who put his life on the line for others—he deserves a big thumbs-up from the authorities. The entertainment biz is such a mess these days; it's rare to see such a positive influence like him!"

Jian Ye skimmed the comments and nervously adjusted his collar.

Do his fans have super-vision or what? How did they even notice that?

That mark was indeed a hickey, not a scratch from the river.

Classic case of hiding in plain sight—even if it was spotted, no one suspected a thing.

After Jian Ye’s safe return, everyone was more focused on his well-being and praising his heroic act. No one even considered the alternative.

Next time he’s on camera, he better cover up...

Soon after, the S City Public Security Bureau and local government officially commended Jian Ye, awarding him a bravery medal. Major state media outlets also gave him praise.

A guy who first blew up for his dancing suddenly became a national sensation after appearing in social news.

With today’s rapid information flow, news spreads fast, and Jian Ye quickly became known to even more people. Overnight, he went from a niche online celeb to a household name.

A rookie blowing up before even breaking into the industry—how enviable for all the struggling small-time stars out there.

Some folks are just born under a lucky star, destined for fame even before stepping into the industry. Not everyone’s blessed with that kind of charm.

Plus, with Director Wu in his corner—there’s no doubt he’ll have plenty of acting opportunities in the future. Breaking into the A-list is only a matter of time.

With Jian Ye’s innate advantages, he’s already miles ahead of his peers. Some agencies are already plotting to snatch him up.

Cheating death and still thriving, and even bringing luck to Director Wu’s production—what kind of golden luck is this?

Maybe he’ll bring them some luck too? That’s the wishful thinking of many superstitious executives.

...

Meanwhile, upon seeing the news, Xiao Chun hurled his phone across the room again.

"Why? How is he still alive?"

Is Jian Ye made of some indestructible material?

Xiao Chun seethed, muttering curses, his face twisted in disbelief.

He’d bet everything Jian Ye was a goner and was even preparing to audition for Luo Ying’s role. But now the guy’s just casually posting online that he was "lucky" enough to be saved by some do-gooder?

Who the hell butted in? Unbelievable!

Xiao Chun simmered for two whole hours before finally calling Director Fei from the production team.

"You mentioned there were still some minor roles left—like the bullies who pick on Luo Ying, right? Can you squeeze me in?"

Director Fei chuckled. "You passed on those roles before. They’re booked solid now."

"What? Filled? You said these bit parts were easy to fill! Are you lying to me again?"

"Hey, hold on—I never lied. You missed your chance. What can I do? Listen, kid, here’s some advice: don’t be so arrogant and picky. Hesitation gets you nowhere."

The call ended, and Xiao Chun's eyes burned with malice and fury.

No, he had to get into the crew—no matter what it took.

Xiao Chun refused to accept that all his previous efforts had gone to waste. This time, once he joined the production, he would dig up dirt on Jian Ye.

Even though Jian Ye was now being praised for his heroic act, people in the spotlight were easily toppled by the waves. The higher they climbed, the harder they fell. Toppling someone’s reputation wasn’t impossible—there were always ways.

Last time, he had been careless and nearly got burned. This time, he would be extra cautious.

And he would never cooperate with that idiot Yu Wei again! He had thought he could gain something from that fool, but in the end, Yu Wei had only been a deadweight.

Meanwhile, the said idiot was being beaten to a pulp in a dark corner.

...

After Jian Ye's incident, Yu Wei had been hiding at home—anxious both about the police coming for him and genuinely concerned that Jian Ye might never return.

That little bitch he met at the bar had hired trolls using his name, but this time, the trolls backfired. Not only did they fail to achieve the intended effect, but they also sparked backlash.

Yu Wei was strong-armed into paying to settle the mess.

Because of the trolls' comments, he was now dragged into the mud as well. Before, only people at his school called him a scumbag, but now the scandal had spread to other schools.

He didn’t dare return to campus for now and planned to lay low at home for a while.

Today, when he saw the news on Weibo that Jian Ye was unharmed, Yu Wei finally felt relieved.

With everyone online discussing Jian Ye, the attention on him naturally faded.

Some of his old hoodlum buddies invited him out for drinks tonight, and in his excitement, he agreed—partly to celebrate Jian Ye’s safety.

But just after the drinks, as the gathering disbanded, someone yanked a sack over Yu Wei's head.

The attacker kicked him hard in the stomach, and the pain nearly made him puke his guts up.

"Fuck! Who the hell dares mess with me? You’re asking for—AHHHH!!! IT HURTS!!! STOP!!!"

The assailant didn’t speak, only punching him relentlessly. At first, Yu Wei cursed and resisted, but soon he was reduced to begging for mercy.

"Boss, I was wrong! Boss, please stop! You’ll cripple me! I’ll kneel for you, okay?"

Only when Yu Wei lay slumped against a dumpster like a pile of mud did the beating stop.

Dizzy and gasping for air, Yu Wei heard a cold chuckle beside his ear.

The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn’t place it right away.

"Filth like you doesn’t deserve his forgiveness. Coward." The icy voice sent chills down his spine. "If I ever catch you harassing him again, I’ll end you."

Yu Wei shivered, his foggy brain struggling to figure out who "he" referred to.

But considering the only thing he’d done recently was spread Jian Ye’s old photos and hire trolls to smear him, Yu Wei suddenly realized—this attacker was here because of Jian Ye.

It probably wasn’t Jian Ye’s family—Jian Ye had mentioned his relatives didn’t care for him.

Was it one of Jian Ye’s fans? Or maybe...

Someone who liked Jian Ye? Or perhaps...

Jian Ye got a new boyfriend and had his current boyfriend beat up his ex?

Yu Wei's mind was filled with frantic speculation, but the pain all over his body kept him from getting up. He felt utterly wronged—ever since being rejected last time, he hadn’t harassed Jian Ye since, nor had he actually intended to harm her.

This whole mess was just an accident, all because he listened to some jerk's bad advice and acted recklessly.

By the time Yu Wei managed to yank the burlap sack off his head, the other person was already long gone. The bruised and battered young man only caught a glimpse of the guy’s flashy racing shoes.

A/N:

Netizen: Blessings to the good Samaritan—health and happiness!

Qin Fei (aka the 'good Samaritan'): ?

————

One day, two new patients were admitted to the hospital.

Attending Physician: What are their conditions?

Nurse: The patient surnamed Xiao has a persecution complex and raging jealousy. The one surnamed Yu has bruises and soft tissue damage all over his body… and a broken leg.