Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Jiang Yicen and Hu Miao were going to meet a currently popular celebrity.

The male star was named Wang Yujian, twenty-four years old, formally trained, and had begun starring in web dramas at eighteen. Later, he filmed several period romance and crime dramas. This year, he acted in a female-centric drama, where his dark and brooding character was very popular with audiences. He is now the first choice for high-profile IP dramas, spending 364 out of 365 days a year on set.

This time, Nanyuan had launched a new fruit-and-milk dairy product, and they wanted to use the celebrity’s momentum to gain popularity, so they chose Wang Yujian. However, Wang Yujian was constantly on set and had his own agency. Whether he would endorse Nanyuan’s product required his personal approval.

Even though Wang Yujian had no time, Hu Miao believed he was very suitable for the new product endorsement and was willing to accommodate his schedule by proactively going to the set to discuss cooperation with Wang Yujian.

On the high-speed train, Hu Miao told Jiang Yicen, “Wang Yujian actually values his personal image a lot. His life from eighteen until now has been quite clean; he hasn’t even been rumored to have a girlfriend.”

Jiang Yicen didn’t know much about the entertainment industry these days. Before agreeing to this business trip, he hadn’t even heard of Wang Yujian, so naturally he didn’t know the guy’s situation. Fortunately, Hu Miao had done a background check.

He remembered what Nan Shuyi had taught him—that today’s stars are not as glamorous as they appear; there are many unsavory things behind the scenes, which was why they had previously dropped the candy spokesperson.

Jiang Yicen asked, “Is the background check on stars very strict now?”

Hu Miao knew Jiang Yicen had been abroad for a long time and thought he might not be clear about the domestic situation regarding celebrity images, so he explained patiently.

“Mainly because many stars become popular from a specific opportunity. Over ninety percent of stars aren’t highly educated; they left school very early to train in singing and dancing as trainees, entering the entertainment industry ahead of time. If a star doesn’t maintain a good image, once their image collapses, the products they endorse also get into trouble.”

“I understand. Stars are public figures, so they have more responsibility.” Jiang Yicen could understand. The internet is a powerful means of publicity; anyone can watch, so naturally the promotional impact is greater. The greater the influence, the greater the responsibility, and the more emphasis is placed on the star’s character.

“Exactly.”

They arrived in Fucheng at 9 PM, and it was around ten by the time they got to the hotel. Jiang Yicen was tired.

Last time he took the high-speed train with Nan Shuyi, he was excited, the trip was short, and they chose business class, so he didn’t feel exhausted. But today it was a business trip, and they bought tickets late, so they could only get second-class seats. After four hours, his butt was numb.

From the high-speed train station to the hotel nearest the set, it took another hour by cab.

Hu Miao had originally planned to travel with Dabing, and they had booked two rooms. Since Jiang Yicen joined them, he naturally didn’t need to book another.

After washing up, he turned on his laptop and started reviewing the new product details. Hu Miao had only been added to the new product project after Nan Shuyi became the director, so he wasn’t as familiar with the product details as Dabing. But Jiang Yicen felt he didn’t have a deep understanding either, so he needed to do more homework. Most importantly, he needed to learn about Wang Yujian. He couldn’t meet him tomorrow without even knowing what dramas he had acted in.

After just half an hour of reading, Jiang Yicen’s phone rang. This time the phone was fully charged, and it buzzed loudly on the desk.

It was a video call from Nan Shuyi.

Jiang Yicen answered without hesitation: “Brother Shuyi.”

Nan Shuyi had just returned home and seen the note he had left at home. He’d been in a bad mood since the afternoon, and it was only getting worse. He’d originally planned to spend the weekend together and had even made plans to go learn driving and enjoy a spring outing.

His sarcastic tone crept in: “Going on a business trip without a word. There are so many people in the company who could go. Why you specifically? I recall the project you’re working on doesn’t need a trip to Fucheng.”

He was Jiang Yicen’s direct supervisor now. Didn’t he know exactly what projects Jiang Yicen was working on?

Jiang Yicen explained: “It’s because one of our female colleagues wasn’t feeling well, so I’m filling in for her. Team Leader Hu just joined and isn’t as familiar with this new product as I am, so I’m taking the trip for her.”

Nan Shuyi said sourly, “What a saint you are.”

Jiang Yicen propped up his phone and smiled. “Just a small favor. I couldn’t let a woman who wasn’t feeling well travel so far on a business trip. If something happened to her on the way, it would be more trouble than it’s worth.”

Nan Shuyi: “You’re such a warm guy, huh? Anyone would think you’re the young master of Nanyuan instead.”

Jiang Yicen rested his chin on one hand and asked Nan Shuyi, “Then am I the young master’s partner? Helping a colleague is also helping the young master.”

This was something Nan Shuyi had said himself when introducing Jiang Yicen to his racing teammates, so Jiang Yicen just borrowed it.

“Can’t outtalk you.” Nan Shuyi looked at the room behind Jiang Yicen. The space seemed particularly cramped, with outdated furnishings and decor. “This hotel doesn’t look great. Why are you staying somewhere so cheap?”

Jiang Yicen: “We’re not in the city. Team Leader Hu said this is the best hotel nearby—an older five-star hotel, not expensive.”

Nan Shuyi’s heart tightened. “What kind of godforsaken place did you go to?”

Jiang Yicen: “It’s a hotel near a film set. The star we’re meeting tomorrow is filming nearby.”

Nan Shuyi’s displeasure peaked. “What star is it that you have to wait for? Others are begging to endorse Nanyuan.”

Jiang Yicen chuckled lightly. “But right now, we’re the ones asking for a favor.”

Nan Shuyi: “What’s the star’s name? This team is so cocky.”

Jiang Yicen: “Wang Yujian.”

Nan Shuyi: “A popular celebrity.”

Jiang Yicen: “Have you met him?”

Nan Shuyi: “I know of him, seen him at some banquets, but I’m not familiar with him.”

Jiang Yicen: “I was going to ask if he’s easy to get along with.”

Nan Shuyi: “Zhou Yi’s family has ties to the entertainment industry. I’ll ask.”

He started typing while Jiang Yicen kept searching for info on Wang Yujian online.

Young, handsome, with soulful eyes. Eyes that could easily capture someone’s heart.

Back in their day, stars weren’t so distant. Sometimes you could hear them sing live. For female stars, you might catch them singing at parties. Stars back then weren’t like today; few put on airs, because most of them had backers behind them, and their status wasn’t actually that high. It was a relatively difficult profession.

However, compared to pop songs, he preferred the delicate singing of traditional opera.

Soon, Nan Shuyi received Zhou Yi’s reply.

“Zhou Yi: Wang Yujian is quite self-disciplined, with a relatively clean background. His parents are well-off; he’s a rich kid. He’s quite arrogant and not easy to get along with.”

“Zhou Yi: Why are you asking?”

“Nan Shuyi: We’re considering a cooperation. Just checking.”

Nan Shuyi was starting to feel relieved, but Zhou Yi added another sentence.

“Zhou Yi: But there’s an open secret in the industry: he’s gay.”

Nan Shuyi’s expression changed abruptly. Seems the notion that there are many gay people in the entertainment industry isn’t unfounded.

He composed himself a bit and shared some general information with Jiang Yicen, but decided to keep the fact that Wang Yujian is gay to himself.

He said, “This guy is quite arrogant. His behavior is alright. If the negotiation doesn’t go well, just come back. Don’t push it. We don’t necessarily have to have him as our spokesperson.”

Jiang Yicen was still focused on his computer and didn’t notice Nan Shuyi’s strange expression. He insisted, “We definitely need to reach an agreement. I didn’t come all this way for nothing.”

Nan Shuyi: “If he gives you a hard time, just give up. No one will blame you. Hu Miao is the one responsible anyway.”

Jiang Yicen found him a bit odd; he'd never normally say something like 'How can we give up so easily?'

Nan Shuyi thought to himself that Jiang Yicen always spoke in such a refined manner, and he was nearly used to it: "Just don't take any crap."

Jiang Yicen looked up at him. The video was very realistic, but after all, there was a screen between them, and Jiang Yicen didn't really feel it was real—he was, after all, a man from the Republic of China who had just gotten used to video calls.

He studied Nan Shuyi's expression and said, "I won't. I won't let myself be wronged."

Nan Shuyi didn't want to bring up that celebrity anymore: "Still looking at materials this late?"

Jiang Yicen: "Today's business trip is quite sudden. I'll go over it again. If Team Leader Hu runs into trouble, I can fill in for him on site."

Nan Shuyi: "Do you need to get up early tomorrow?"

Jiang Yicen: "No need. We've arranged to meet at two in the afternoon."

Nan Shuyi rubbed his sore neck: "Alright, I'll go take a shower. Keep the video on; don't hang up."

Jiang Yicen had never tried this before. The way they were now felt like he was still at home: "Okay."

He was indeed uncomfortable staying alone in an unfamiliar hotel, but with Nan Shuyi's video on, it felt like they were in the same space, and that sense of emptiness and unease lessened considerably.

After Nan Shuyi went to shower, the video showed Nan Shuyi's bedroom. The "double happiness" symbol still pasted on the wall above the headboard caught his eye, and he froze.

He hadn't noticed it last time when he called Nan Shuyi to wake up; it turned out the symbol was still up.

He knew they hadn't known each other long, and Nan Shuyi wasn't yet fully familiar with him or trusted him completely. He could only take things slow.

Jiang Yicen sighed and continued staring at the computer.

When Nan Shuyi came out, Jiang Yicen had already closed the laptop and was ready to rest. It was his bedtime; he wasn't used to staring at the computer for too long, as his eyes would tire easily.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up, only to see Nan Shuyi walking toward the screen while drying his hair, his upper body completely bare.

The fatigue and drowsiness in Jiang Yicen's eyes suddenly vanished. He became alert, his heart pounding.

Nan Shuyi's pectoral muscles were clearly defined, his muscles firm. He knew that Nan Shuyi's skin was very smooth.

Jiang Yicen swallowed involuntarily. He felt like a creep at that moment, actually wanting to touch Nan Shuyi's chest.

Nan Shuyi asked him, "Tired?"

Jiang Yicen composed himself, not daring to look directly at the screen: "A little. I'm about to sleep. What about you?"

Nan Shuyi: "Go to sleep soon. Don't stay up late."

Jiang Yicen: "Then I'll hang up. Don't forget to put on a shirt; it gets a bit chilly in Lincheng at night."

Nan Shuyi let out a low chuckle: "Good night." His flirtatious look was wasted on a blind man.

Jiang Yicen hung up the video first, feeling as though his fingers were poking Nan Shuyi's body, his fingertips felt hot.

On the other end, Nan Shuyi, whose video had been ended, looked down to check out his own body and then went to the full-length mirror to flex his biceps.

Had he been slacking off on his workouts recently? Was he not attractive enough?

What kind of man did Jiang Yicen actually like?

It was impossible that Jiang Yicen didn't like him, but Nan Shuyi really had no confidence, since every kiss had been initiated by him.

While Nan Shuyi was feeling insecure, Jiang Yicen's head was filled with the image of his muscles. Clearly, the other guy had the same body parts as he did, yet it turned out like this. So this was what it meant to like someone?

He had never been interested in either men or women before, but Nan Shuyi was different to him.

Since they were already married, he would just take things as they came. And things were developing in a good direction.

Jiang Yicen spent a night at the old five-star hotel. He didn't sleep as soundly as at home, and he woke up early.

He went to the restaurant for breakfast. Seeing that Hu Miao still hadn't contacted him, he went for a walk around the hotel.

Nan Shuyi hadn't sent him any messages; maybe he hadn't woken up, but at least he didn't disturb him.

Nowadays, young people work too hard during the week and choose to sleep in on weekends. Nan Shuyi had been very busy recently, and he hoped he could rest well.

He walked down the road from the hotel. After half an hour, he came across an old street with many people, many walking around in clothes he recognized.

This street was more familiar than he had imagined. Since coming to this era, he had never seen a streetcar again; they were almost extinct in modern times. Suddenly seeing a familiar scene here, his eyes went wide.

He looked left and right, thinking he had returned to the Republic of China era. On one side were modern skyscrapers, on the other side was a streetcar, and the whole street was hung with signs he recognized.

But a roar woke him up.

A man in a hat and a multi-pocketed vest shouted through a megaphone: "Those over there, stop talking! Actors, get into character! Action right now!"

"Quiet, everyone, quiet!"

The women in cheongsams, the rickshaw puller with a towel over his shoulder, and the students in their octagonal caps all stopped and looked toward the man with the megaphone.

Jiang Yicen saw a lot of camera equipment and seemed to realize what this place was—probably a film set.

Fucheng was a city with many Republic of China-style buildings, and many crews shooting Republic of China dramas gathered here all year round.

Today, Jiang Yicen happened to encounter one here.

He was curious about how modern TV dramas were filmed, so he walked into a café on this street.

He ordered a cup of coffee and went up to the second-floor balcony.

Probably because there were many crews around and the street still had local residents, the crew wasn't allowed to cordon off the filming area completely, otherwise it would affect the normal life of the surrounding residents.

Jiang Yicen sat in the café, watching the extras quiet down. Then a man in a tight police uniform rushed out from the corner and collided with a woman in a white lace dress. Not only did they collide, but the man also wrapped his arm around the woman's waist, they spun around twice, and then kissed.

Jiang Yicen was baffled and a bit shocked: '...'

No matter how he thought about it, the collision just didn't make sense—it was completely illogical.

This scene, which Jiang Yicen found hard to comprehend, took nearly half an hour to shoot, and he watched for half an hour.

So modern times also had such awful, illogical TV dramas. He decided to head back to the hotel and stop watching.

However, at that moment, a man suddenly dashed into the filming area, running straight toward the lead actors.

Jiang Yicen's intuition told him that man was problematic. He was wearing a black cap and a black mask, with something silver glinting in his hand.

He left the café, circled around the filming area, and hurried over.

At that moment, the male lead finished his scene and walked toward his assistant. But just as he was about to take the water bottle from his assistant, someone behind him shouted his name!

"Wang Yujian, drop dead!"

Wang Yujian reacted quickly, stepping back, but still couldn't dodge the knife swung at him; the blade slashed his arm.

Someone nearby screamed in shock: "Ah!"

Before anyone could react, just as the knife-wielding man was about to strike a second time, he was suddenly kicked down by a long leg, landing face-first. The owner of the leg then stepped forward, twisted the man's arm behind his back, and with the knife still in the attacker's hand, dislocated his arm with a sharp crack.

Amid the knife-wielder's screams of pain, the knife clattered to the ground.

The crowd, too stunned to react, could only stare in silence.