Chapter 56

Chapter 56

After the knife-wielding man was subdued and controlled, the crew remembered they needed to help the victim. The scene was noisy and chaotic.

Everyone in the crew knew that Wang Yujian was precious and reluctant to let this popular leading actor perform action scenes. Now he was actually slashed by an assailant who seemed to have come out of nowhere, which was utterly outrageous.

"Oh my god! Are you okay, Mr. Wang?"

"Call the police! Hurry! How did this person get in? Where's security?"

"Mr. Wang is injured! He's bleeding a lot!"

"Call an ambulance! Quick, call an ambulance!"

"Mr. Wang's been stabbed to death!"

"Everyone move aside! Someone tie up this murderer first, and send Mr. Wang to the hospital for bandaging immediately!"

The set was in chaos, but the director got things under control after a while. However, they hadn't locked down the area while filming. News of Wang Yujian's injury spread like wildfire—until eventually it was reported that he had died.

Jiang Yicen's view was blocked by the crowd rushing in; most people rushed to the injured leading actor, while only three men in thin jackets came over to him. The set had every prop you could need—rope was no problem. They quickly bound the knife-wielding man and escorted him to the police station.

With so many people, no one had time to thank Jiang Yicen. He had done a good deed and didn't think much of it, so he quietly slipped away from the crowd.

Meanwhile, Wang Yujian was swarmed by people fussing over him.

He was indeed injured, but not too seriously; it was just that the bleeding looked frightening.

Someone with first‑aid training quickly bandaged him up, and then he was sent to a nearby hospital.

At the hospital emergency room, after Wang Yujian was bandaged, he asked his assistant, "Where is the person who saved me just now?"

"What?" the assistant finally said, catching his breath.

Wang Yujian asked, "The person who saved me—I must thank him. He saved my life. Later, go and get his contact information. I want to thank him properly."

The assistant thought it was a good idea and said, "Sure, Yu Ge, I'll do it right away."

But after the assistant asked around, he found that nobody in the crew knew where that hero had gone. The set staff figured he was some new actor on the crew, while the director thought he was one of Wang Yujian's assistants—since he had several assistants and Wang Yujian was super picky about looks, requiring his assistants to be pleasant-looking.

So now no one knew who the rescuer was.

Wang Yujian said, "Was his face captured on video?"

The assistant shook his head, "No, it was the rest area, and you told them not to film there. We only got his back, not his face."

I shouldn't have told the director to keep people away from my rest area, Wang Yujian thought.

He remembered his face, but where could he even find him? He hadn't even had a chance to exchange a single word.

They had scheduled a meeting with the Nanyuan people in the afternoon. The manager had just gotten off the plane and heard the bad news about Wang Yujian's injury, and quickly rushed to the hospital.

As soon as they met, the manager asked Wang Yujian, "Should we cancel this afternoon's meeting?"

Wang Yujian said, "It's just a minor cut. No big deal. We already made plans—we can't blow them off. Can you help me find the guy who saved me?"

He couldn't forget that profile. He had to thank him properly.

The manager said, "Sure. This is already trending. Why don't you thank him on Weibo and have him contact our company?"

Wang Yujian said, "I want to invite him to dinner."

The manager's heart skipped a beat. "Dinner? Is that necessary? I definitely won't treat him poorly."

Wang Yujian said, "Just find him and get his contact information. We'll talk about the rest later."

The manager thought Wang Yujian's idea was a bit strange, but she also thought it could be a good publicity opportunity.

Thinking in terms of work, the manager said, "Maybe we can orchestrate your dinner? Build your image as a grateful guy."

Wang Yujian refused, "No, not necessary. It's just a simple thank-you."

He thought that kick was seriously badass—it really got to him. Just that side profile made his heart skip.

It'd be perfect if he was gay too.

The manager didn't know what Wang Yujian was thinking, and went to discuss security measures with the crew.

At the same time, they were waiting for the police to verify the identity of the knife-wielding man and find out why he had tried to stab Wang Yujian.

·

Jiang Yicen didn't think much of what happened that morning. He just saw it as a small good deed, no big deal.

He still wasn't in the habit of checking his phone, so he didn't know the matter had already trended online.

After lunch at a local restaurant with Hu Miao, he returned to the hotel.

It turned out that Wang Yujian was staying at another new hotel. Due to his injury, they had agreed to meet in a meeting room at this hotel.

Hu Miao always followed entertainment news. He'd heard about Wang Yujian's injury at noon and was surprised the meeting wasn't canceled.

They got to the meeting room fifteen minutes early. Hu Miao set up the projector and got ready for the presentation. Hu Miao would lead the presentation, with Jiang Yicen chiming in, since Hu Miao would be the contact person from now on—that's what they'd decided.

Right as Hu Miao was about to bring up Wang Yujian's injury, they heard high heels clicking and voices outside.

The first one through the door was a woman in a pink designer suit. She had big waves, glasses, and looked sharp and professional.

She extended her right hand to the two of them and said, "Hello, I'm Zhong Yi, Wang Yujian's manager."

Hu Miao and Jiang Yicen both stood up and shook hands with her across the table.

Hu Miao said, "I'm Hu Miao, the one who's been emailing you. This is my colleague Jiang Yicen, our consultant."

Right after the handshake, a tall guy in a baseball cap walked in from behind Zhong Yi, followed by two staffers who were probably from his studio.

Wang Yujian lists himself as 185 cm, but he's actually about 181—shoes get him to 185. As soon as he walked in, he saw Jiang Yicen and his expression and movements softened a bit. If he wasn't mistaken, the handsome young guy in a beige suit was his morning rescuer!

He asked eagerly, "Hey, were you the one who saved me on set this morning?"

Jiang Yicen brushed it off and nodded, "If it was in the old district, then yeah, that was me."

The guy in the cap looked up, and Jiang Yicen caught his face. It was the lead actor from the morning shoot.

Jiang Yicen smiled and said, "No big deal."

Seeing Jiang Yicen up close, Wang Yujian's heart skipped a beat. He said, "No, I am very grateful. Thank you for saving my life. Please let me treat you to dinner tonight."

Jiang Yicen said, "Don't mention it. Really, it was just a small thing."

Wang Yujian: "I didn't expect someone from Nanyuan to be both cultured and skilled in martial arts."

Who would have thought Jiang Yicen was Wang Yujian's rescuer from that morning? Zhong Yi quickly caught on, and seeing the sparkle in Wang Yujian's eyes, she knew exactly what was going on.

No wonder he insisted on finding that person and treating them to dinner—turns out his rescuer looked like this, good-looking enough to outshine many celebrities.

Zhong Yi naturally wanted to help her own artist: "Oh my god, this is fate! Mr. Jiang, you have to let Yujian repay you."

Zhong Yi was so enthusiastic that Jiang Yicen nodded, thinking it would set a positive tone for their collaboration.

"Then I'll gladly accept. Should we start with the endorsement deal?"

"Great." Wang Yujian's studio served him personally, so endorsements were also his own decision.

He shouldn't mix up the rescuer matter with the Nanyuan deal, but his goodwill toward Nanyuan definitely increased because of Jiang Yicen.

Both sides had prepared. During the meeting, Zhong Yi and Wang Yujian asked many questions; when Hu Miao couldn't answer, Jiang Yicen filled in the gaps. In the end, the result was very satisfying.

Although no contract was signed on the spot, Wang Yujian's side was generally satisfied, especially with the bonus of Jiang Yicen being his rescuer.

After the conversation ended around five in the afternoon, Wang Yujian, who had been in Fucheng for nearly a month and had scoured the area for good food, naturally knew which restaurant was both tasty and suitable for hosting.

The group headed downstairs to the restaurant.

Wang Yujian, dropping his usual aloof demeanor, asked Jiang Yicen enthusiastically: "Mr. Jiang, Fucheng food is usually spicy. Can you handle it? You're from Lincheng, right? I remember Lincheng folks don't eat much spicy food."

Jiang Yicen: "I'm okay with it—I can eat either. We actually tried Fucheng cuisine at lunch."

Wang Yujian: "Neither of you drove, right? Mr. Jiang, you can ride with me."

Jiang Yicen asked another question: "Is your wound okay? You should avoid spicy food if you're injured."

Wang Yujian figured the guy cared about him, which should earn him some points: "How about Green Bamboo? I heard their new dishes are great—tasty and healthy."

Zhong Yi couldn't stand watching her artist be so fawning—he almost looked like a bootlicker. Usually, when asked what to eat, he'd complain about everything, but now everything was great. She subtly steered Hu and Jiang Yicen apart.

"Team Leader Hu, I still have some questions about product promotion. How about you ride with me? We can chat on the way."

"Sure." Hu Miao didn't think much of it, assuming Wang Yujian was just excited about his "rescuer."

·

At the Fucheng branch of Green Bamboo, there weren't as many customers as in Lincheng, but still people were waiting outside. They had booked a large private room in advance, so they didn't need to line up.

Jiang Yicen, knowing he owned half the business and having a restaurant owner's instinct, couldn't help observing the waitstaff's service, the restaurant's hygiene, and customer feedback.

Wang Yujian, eager to please Jiang Yicen, handed him the menu directly: "Mr. Jiang, what do you like to eat?"

Jiang Yicen didn't even look at the menu—he'd approved the new dishes himself.

"I'd recommend the signature chicken soup."

Wang Yujian: "Have you eaten here before?"

Jiang Yicen: "Sort of. I'm pretty familiar with it."

Hu Miao: "Mr. Wang might not know, but Green Bamboo's new menu was revamped by Young Master Nan of Nanyuan. Employees get a 15% discount when dining here."

Zhong Yi: "Then we really have a connection with Nanyuan! The Young Master is Nan Shuyi, right? I didn't expect him to be not only talented in sports but also in business, and so handsome with a great family background—unfortunately, he married young."

Jiang Yicen, the one Nan Shuyi married young, smiled: "Is getting married at twenty-eight considered early?"

Wang Yujian kept his eyes fixed on Jiang Yicen: "Then at what age do you think it's considered early?"

He found talking to Jiang Yicen especially comfortable; Jiang had a special, gentle temperament that felt like a spring breeze. He felt his boyfriend should be exactly like this.

Wang Yujian always had high standards. He knew he was gay but didn't want to date just anyone, especially as a celebrity. He could reveal his partner, but not mess around.

Jiang Yicen smiled and pointed at himself: "How about my age?"

Since his identity was sensitive, he didn't want to mention his marriage. Hu Miao was just a colleague, not close enough to pry; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to focus on learning and adapting to this world.

Hu Miao: "That's too early. Just graduated and haven't even enjoyed life, then straight into marriage."

Zhong Yi: "Yeah, why marry so early? But if you meet the right person, it's fine—as long as you love each other."

Jiang Yicen thought to himself that his situation was different from what they mentioned. People in this new era were really different; everyone agreed that marriage should be based on free love. In his family's traditional education, boys married very early.

The meal covered many social topics. Since arriving in this era, Jiang Yicen had rarely socialized like this, and he found it novel.

Everyone was staying at the same hotel, and they had drunk some wine during the meal. Zhong Yi, a very good drinker, kept urging Jiang Yicen to drink—first thanking him for saving Wang Yujian, then talking about the connection with Nanyuan. In short, she had many reasons to toast. Fortunately, Jiang Yicen could hold his liquor, but they were drinking baijiu, which was high in alcohol content. He barely managed to walk without staggering, but felt a bit dizzy.

Wang Yujian had an injury, so he didn't drink tonight. He noticed Jiang Yicen seemed a bit tipsy, and Zhong Yi nudged him.

Knowing he was interested in Jiang Yicen, she created an opportunity: "Why don't you take the initiative and give him a hand?"

Wang Yujian hesitated. He wasn't sure if Jiang Yicen liked men, but he stepped forward to help out of politeness.

"Are you okay? Are you drunk? Let me take you back to the hotel."

Jiang Yicen felt him getting too close and stepped back, creating some distance: "Thank you, I'm fine."

Seeing this, Wang Yujian thought he had a chance—if the other person weren't gay, he probably wouldn't instinctively avoid him.

They had already paid the bill, and Jiang Yicen decided to go to the restroom.

He felt like he hadn't drunk this much baijiu since coming to this era.

After washing his hands, he headed for the restaurant exit. He was a bit drunk—no problem while sitting, but now he walked unsteadily.

Lost in thought, he passed a private room, someone opened the door. The other person didn't notice him, and they bumped into each other. The tall man gently supported him by the waist.

The tall man spoke: "Mr. Jiang, are you drunk?"

Jiang Yicen sobered up a bit at the sound of the voice. He thought he was mistaken and shook his head.

Reacting clumsily from the alcohol, Jiang Yicen leaned against Nan Shuyi for stability: "I think I'm drunk—I'm hallucinating."

Nan Shuyi wrapped an arm around his waist, supporting him: "Then who am I?"

Jiang Yicen finally confirmed he wasn't hallucinating: "You're... Nan Shuyi."

"Good, you still know who I am."

Nan Shuyi pulled Jiang Yicen into the private room, pressed him against the wall, cupped his face flushed from the alcohol, and kissed him hard.

Jiang Yicen tilted his head back and parted his lips slightly. After a while of kissing, his phone in his pocket kept vibrating.

He whispered, "Bro, my phone's ringing."

Nan Shuyi let him go and let him answer Hu Miao's call. Hu Miao asked why he still hadn't come out.

Jiang Yicen looked at Nan Shuyi, who had his arms around his waist, and said, "Let me see them off."

Nan Shuyi didn't let go of him: "Then do you know who you're going with later?"

Jiang Yicen stared at him wide-eyed, sincere as hell: "You."

Nan Shuyi heard his soft reply, and his heart melted, unable to say a single harsh word.

He lowered his head and kissed Jiang Yicen on the lips: "Go on."