“Achoo.”
Jin Si sneezed.
His gloved fingers moved slightly.
Was he catching a cold?
Should he call a doctor over to take a look?
Or…
The thought had barely formed when Jin Si calmly dialed someone’s number.
“…What is it?”
Helplessness—helplessness tinged with indulgence.
Those emotions overflowed in the assistant’s voice when he picked up the call.
He wasn’t particularly surprised to receive a call from this person during work hours.
It was just—what was wrong now?
Jin Si said, “I sneezed.”
He said it lightly, lazily, with a languid tone.
A sneeze?
The assistant paused, brows knitting slightly.
“I’ll send someone over to check on you.”
After saying that, he still felt uneasy.
“Are you wearing too little? What about the company’s heating?”
Was it because the snow came early this year, and so heavily, that he caught a chill?
It wasn’t impossible.
“Worried about me? Then when are you planning to come back?”
Jin Si spoke slowly, waving his long, slender fingers.
“If you’re not personally keeping an eye on me, can you really rest easy?”
He paused, then let out a soft sigh.
“My fingers are so cold.”
Another pause.
“There’s someone heartless who left for days on end. Even when my fingers are cold, no one cares.”
This man really loved acting spoiled.
The assistant sighed. “Didn’t I already buy you new gloves? Why aren’t you wearing them?”
“Too troublesome.”
Why he wasn’t wearing them—didn’t that person know perfectly well?
Jin Si spoke pointedly. “Some people are far too heartless, thinking a pair of gloves is enough to brush me off.”
He let out a long sigh.
“Times have changed. In the past, someone used to warm my hands for me, even help me put on my gloves. Now there isn’t even anyone to ask how I’m doing.”
“You can have all of that—if you promise to behave and listen to me when you sleep every day.”
At those words, the tenderness in the assistant’s eyes instantly vanished.
If this man didn’t have absolutely no sense of restraint, always thinking up new tricks day after day, would he really have had to run over to Second Young Master Jin’s side?
Thinking of that, the assistant suddenly stopped feeling sorry for him.
Some people deserved it.
They weren’t worth pitying at all.
Jin Si was momentarily at a loss for words, but quickly made a decisive refusal.
Even a little self-righteous.
“That’s not going to happen. You can’t take away the benefits I’m supposed to enjoy as a boyfriend.”
Sleeping with one’s boyfriend was a matter of course—what’s wrong with doing it every day?
Jin Si looked serious as he thought this through.
“…I’ll have the doctor come check on you. The rest we’ll deal with tonight. This is also part of the indulgence a boyfriend is allowed, right?”
The assistant calmly hung up.
Some people, truly, can’t be indulged.
Jin Si: …
Today was another failed day. Tsk.
After Fan Qing stopped teasing Nie Luo, things moved along much more smoothly.
Although Yuan Jing was still inexperienced, he happened to fit the requirements of the movie role.
The only issue…
Fan Qing reminded the director.
“Yuan Jing and Jing Yuan look a bit alike. I don’t know if you’re concerned about that?”
“Jing Yuan? Who’s Jing Yuan?”
The director paused, instinctively looking toward Nie Luo.
“A minor celebrity with a history of bad conduct.”
Nie Luo’s explanation was concise.
“But he’s been shelved.”
“I see.”
The director thought for a moment. Normally, he might have been more cautious.
After all, it’s better to avoid trouble.
But since Nie Luo didn’t mind, and the actor belonged to Fan Qing, and his performance was satisfactory, it wasn’t really a big deal.
After all, this was only a minor fourth male role—not enough to cause much of a stir.
He thought for a moment and nodded.
“No problem. These are all minor issues.”
“Then let’s sign the contract.”
Fan Qing was also satisfied with the director’s decisiveness, and everyone quickly agreed.
Yuan Jing, who had been a little anxious, froze.
Was that it?
Just… a single sentence?
The director really wasn’t worried that this might bring any bad reputation to the movie?
Before Yuan Jing arrived, he was indeed concerned.
Even though he trusted Fan Qing’s ability, he couldn’t ignore the consequences of Yuan Jing looking too similar to Jing Yuan.
After all, he had already experienced it on a talent show.
He had been looked down upon, accused of cosmetic surgery, accused of riding on others’ popularity.
Some even mocked openly or subtly, saying that with his already declining looks, he would never have any future prospects.
Yuan Jing hadn’t said any of this aloud, but he remembered everything in his heart.
Still… was it really okay?
Before he could ponder further, a light smack landed on the back of his head.
Yuan Jing spun around sharply.
If not Fan Qing, then who?
“Fan Qing?”
“What are you standing there for? Follow the director and Nie-ge. Today, get familiar with the set.”
Fan Qing gave him a push.
Yuan Jing froze.
What?
The next second, he heard the director chuckle.
“Well, then I’ll take him with me. Let him get familiar with things first.”
Yuan Jing’s pupils jolted.
What? That… so fast?
But he still had things he wanted to say…
Fan Qing gave the director a faint smile.
“Then it’s your responsibility, director. If there’s anything he can help with, have him run errands. Young people should do more and think less about trivial things.”
The last remark was clearly aimed at Yuan Jing.
Even Yuan Jing could sense Fan Qing’s implied meaning.
He froze for a moment, then was quickly led away by the director.
Kids do have a lot on their minds.
Fan Qing thought this over and glanced at Nie Luo.
Nie Luo was looking back at him.
They shared a long look, then, with tacit understanding, both turned to leave.
Finish work quickly, and they could get home sooner.
Then, they could see each other sooner.
That’s what they were thinking.
Over on Yuan Jing’s side, things were going very smoothly.
Fan Qing had also received plenty of information from Nie Luo.
For example, although Yuan Jing initially made a lot of mistakes, the kid was diligent, eager to learn, and could endure hardship. In just two days, the number of mistakes had already dropped significantly.
After learning this, Fan Qing arranged for Yuan Jing to withdraw from Shining.
The show’s popularity had already declined significantly.
After Jing Yuan’s situation was exposed, and Nie Luo’s involvement was revealed, the show’s ratings took a massive hit.
Among the talented participants of Tenghuang, only Hua Er and Yuan Jing were still performing well. Fan Qing had long planned to have them withdraw at the right time.
Now, the opportunity presented itself.
Hua Er, however, didn’t agree.
Fan Qing was a little surprised.
“You’re not going to withdraw? Are you sure?”
Hua Er stood in his office, taking a deep breath.
Then he smiled wryly.
“Actually… I’m not completely sure.”
Fan Qing: ?
Kid, what’s on your mind?
Hua Er was a little nervous.
“But for now, I suppose it’s still a chance for exposure, isn’t it?”
Fan Qing put down the pen in his hand.
“Indeed.”
That was undeniable.
Even though Shining’s reputation had suffered after a series of scandals, the show itself was still decent.
There was no disputing that.
“Then I’ll continue competing.”
Hua Er exhaled deeply.
“Yuan Jing doesn’t matter, but Shining is my only current resource, right? Since it’s an opportunity, I’ll make the most of it.”
He seemed to have gained some clarity.
Fan Qing was starting to genuinely appreciate him a little.
“Since that’s the case, I’ll let you continue competing.”
“…Alright.”
Hua Er had made his decision, and it didn’t make him feel particularly lighthearted, but it wasn’t unbearably heavy either.
He stood there for a moment, then suddenly remembered something.
“Oh right, Fan Qing, there’s something I think you might want to know.”
Fan Qing: “What is it?”
“It’s about Yuan Jing, I guess.”
Hua Er scratched his head.
“Actually… I overheard it by accident.”
Oh?
Fan Qing’s interest piqued immediately.
Hua Er didn’t hold back and explained everything.
As previously mentioned, aside from the open auditions, Shining had also received new trainees pushed in by various entertainment companies.
Among them was a newcomer, Shang Gaoyun—the original fourth male role that Yuan Jing replaced.
That newcomer had a big mouth and tended to spill everything.
Coincidentally, yesterday’s competition wasn’t held at the studio’s usual location, but on an outdoor set.
The only downside to the outdoor location was that they had to use the public restroom.
Hua Er hadn’t thought much of it at the time, just went into one because he had urgent needs.
Unexpectedly, he overheard Shang Gaoyun talking to someone.
Fan Qing: …Well, it’s true what they say about dramas—apparently you can learn things in the bathroom you’re not supposed to know.
Hua Er felt a little embarrassed mentioning he was in a bathroom, but he quickly brushed aside the awkwardness.
“Actually, I wasn’t listening at first, but he mentioned Yuan Jing’s name.”
Hearing the familiar name, Hua Er paid attention.
The next moment, he caught the newcomer saying a few sentences:
“He said Shang Gaoyun was furious after learning Yuan Jing had taken over his role and threw a fit at his agent.”
“And then he said Shang Gaoyun threatened to do something to Yuan Jing.”
Hua Er sighed. “I just overheard it… not sure if it’s actually true.”
Logically, he shouldn’t be overly alarmed.
Still, Yuan Jing was someone he got along with, so after thinking it over, he decided it was best to tell Fan Qing.
“I see.”
Shang Gaoyun, huh?
Fan Qing wrote the name down on a piece of paper.
“I got it. I’ll keep an eye on it.”
Hua Er exhaled in relief and nodded.
“Thanks, Fan Qing.”
After Hua Er left, Fan Qing looked up some information on Shang Gaoyun.
He was also a newcomer; there wasn’t much to find.
But he did find a recent news item—Shang Gaoyun had just started filming a web drama as the lead.
Fan Qing was momentarily stunned.
A web drama? He wasn’t filming a movie but chose a web drama instead?
Even as the lead, the value was nothing compared to the fourth male in a movie.
Especially considering this was a movie featuring Nie Luo.
What was Shang Gaoyun thinking?
Fan Qing was puzzled.
He didn’t have to wait long to find out. That evening, he finally got to enjoy the dinner Nie Luo had prepared.
Nie Luo mentioned it, and only then did he explain.
“Because earlier, I asked the director not to tell anyone I was the lead.”
“Huh?”
Fan Qing was slightly puzzled.
“The director actually agreed to listen to you?”
Nie Luo looked at him, hesitated a little, and spoke in a cautiously careful tone.
“…Didn’t I tell you?”
Tell him what?
Fan Qing tilted his head.
Nie Luo cleared his throat softly.
“I’m the investor for this movie.”
Fan Qing blinked.
He couldn’t help blurting out:
“But didn’t you already hand in your payroll card?”
The air froze for a moment.