After Yu Junqing hung up the phone, the atmosphere in the room instantly turned awkward.
Bo Rui had sharp ears; he had heard every word on the call clearly. Yu Junqing hadn’t tried to hide anything, and Bo Rui immediately pieced the situation together.
“Your manager… the one who exposed your address behind the scenes?” Bo Rui remembered the man’s name—Xu Zong.
“Mm.” Yu Junqing slowly swallowed half a lion’s head meatball. Honestly, knowing it was Xu Zong behind it made him feel less suffocated, strangely enough.
Director Wang had been effective; not much time had passed, yet he had already caught the mastermind. But the director also remembered clearly: after the shoot, only Yu Junqing and Wang had seen that footage. No one else had access, so anyone who obtained it must have known exactly what they were doing.
It wasn’t for anything personal. The man had been motivated by money. He claimed that Yu Junqing’s manager had worried the video might be used against him, so he offered a high price to buy a copy for safekeeping. He had liked Yu Junqing, and with Xu Zong paying well, he went through with it.
Unexpectedly, it was used against Yu Junqing. He panicked at the time, which is why Director Wang quickly caught him. Feeling guilty toward Yu Junqing, he confessed everything honestly when asked.
“So your popularity isn’t bad… your manager might even have it out for you.” Bo Rui finished a bowl of rice quickly, slowing down afterward.
He wasn’t very patient with hunger—he needed a base first. At least make sure his guest, Yu Junqing, was well fed.
Yu Junqing abandoned his usual refined dining etiquette and mimicked Bo Rui, scooping large bites of food with rice. Before long, he’d eaten half a bowl. Considering Bo Rui’s question, he pondered carefully, still unsure.
“To be honest… probably not? When I joined, the company assigned me to Xu Zong. But he never liked me from the start.” Yu Junqing was genuinely puzzled. Did he have a grudge against Xu Zong? Not really—at most, he had refused some improper requests, but could that constitute a feud?
“Let me ask you straight—your manager tried to make someone sleep with you, and you refused?” Bo Rui asked, stroking his stubble, eyes unblinking.
Yu Junqing nearly choked on the meatball he was biting.
“C-cough… Rui Ge…” He thumped his chest twice, face flushing. Seeing this, Bo Rui reached over and slapped him on the back.
“I-I’m fine… cough, cough…” Bo Rui’s strength wasn’t ordinary; the slap nearly knocked the wind out of him. Yu Junqing dodged and coughed a few more times before recovering.
“Okay, my bad. If it’s inconvenient to talk about, don’t. But your manager clearly dislikes you.” Bo Rui realized he’d been too blunt.
“It’s nothing inconvenient. My manager does like making money this way, but I didn’t agree.” Yu Junqing said lightly, as if decades of grievances had vanished into thin air.
“Good you understand. So, what’s your plan now?” Bo Rui pushed the water toward him. Yu Junqing took a few sips, calming down.
“I’ve already cut ties with Xu Zong.” Yu Junqing thought for a moment and spoke plainly.
He briefly explained the incident where Xu Zong had sent people to sabotage his apartment. When he bought it, he wanted a place of his own. After that event, he no longer wished to return; it left a lingering sense of disgust, as if something cherished had been violated.
“Then sell it. Get some cash and buy a better place.” Bo Rui suggested. If Xu Zong and Yu Junqing couldn’t stand each other, the apartment was a liability; better to start fresh.
Yu Junqing sighed lightly. The apartment held deep significance—years of work and savings at Star Entertainment had gone into its purchase. Thinking about it brought a twinge of sadness; it was his only home, with no second place.
Seeing the hesitation on his face, Bo Rui seemed to understand.
He recalled the last time he’d found Yu Junqing—helplessly lying in a dark alley. No one came for him. If Bo Rui hadn’t intervened, he might have lain there all night. The next day, someone passing by could have discovered his identity, and rumors could have ensued.
Bo Rui remembered Yu Junqing’s cautious demeanor that night. They had been strangers, yet Yu Junqing now asked to stay at his place for a while. He clearly had no trustworthy friends or safe places to go.
Bo Rui also recalled the Weibo post exposing Yu Junqing’s address. A pang of sympathy struck him.
An actor, exploited by his company and undermined by his manager—life was cruel enough already.
Looking at the man sitting properly in front of him, Bo Rui noticed the lingering sorrow in Yu Junqing’s expression. He remembered how spirited Yu Junqing had been during that film. Comparing the two, Bo Rui thought Yu Junqing looked better as his former confident self.
“If you trust me, I can help you get a new apartment.” Bo Rui said suddenly.
Yu Junqing, just swallowing a bite of rice, looked up sharply.
Bo Rui was serious. Yu Junqing realized Rui Ge wanted to help him. He was stunned.
He had never imagined that Bo Rui would help him.
Bo Rui’s wealth was apparent; even if the apartment was older, its design and décor were clearly beyond ordinary taste. Yu Junqing had looked into it when buying a place himself. Bo Rui’s apartment had clearly been designed and furnished professionally. High-end furniture, appliances, and the wardrobe’s designer brands were all evident.
Rui Ge wasn’t just a fan—he appreciated Yu Junqing as a person, not blindly. Rational admiration.
“Rui Ge… thank you…” Yu Junqing murmured, feeling that perhaps Xu Zong’s actions inadvertently led him to meet Rui Ge—possibly the greatest blessing of his life.
Bo Rui saw his expression and panicked inwardly.
Why is he about to cry from gratitude? I just helped a bit! If he cries, I won’t know how to comfort him!
He quickly shoved a lion’s head meatball into Yu Junqing’s mouth. “Eat first, talk later.” Its enormous size barely fit Yu Junqing’s mouth.
Yu Junqing, touched for a moment, almost choked. Truly—truly choked. Such a giant meatball! For anyone with a bigger mouth, it might have gotten stuck. He thought this fleetingly…
But Bo Rui’s interruption erased the sadness instantly, restoring his lighthearted mood.
“Let’s eat first. Then, Rui Ge, you can tell me later. Honestly, I can’t think of anyone else who could help now.” Yu Junqing smiled faintly, lowering his head to continue eating.
Xiao Yitong couldn’t help, the company couldn’t intervene, and Xu Zong wasn’t adding more trouble. Now that Rui Ge was willing to assist, it was perfect.
Yu Junqing never considered Rui Ge a liar; what kind of con artist had such a kind heart? Besides, selling him out wouldn’t earn as much as Bo Rui’s usual income.
They ate quietly. Bo Rui’s dishes tasted excellent; Yu Junqing enjoyed every bite.
Bo Rui had truly fulfilled his promise to treat him, making every dish according to Yu Junqing’s tastes. The online research had been accurate. Naturally, he ate with great satisfaction.
To top it off, after the meal, Rui Ge served fruit—apples carved into little bunny shapes!
Yu Junqing bit half a bunny, watching Bo Rui toss dishes into the dishwasher. He marveled at how much better Rui Ge was at life; he could never make cute apple bunnies, at best peeling apples neatly.
Cleaning up, Bo Rui glanced at Yu Junqing happily eating the bunny, and couldn’t help smiling.
He had always thought Yu Junqing’s soft, gentle personality reminded him of an animal. Now, it was clear: a little bunny, easily bullied and with endearing red eyes.
Inside and outside the kitchen, their thoughts differed, but both secretly found amusement in each other—a strange, subtle harmony.
Once tidied, Yu Junqing, with a slightly full stomach, followed Bo Rui to sit on the wooden sofa in the living room. He hadn’t sat on such a sofa in ages—it felt stiff under him.
Bo Rui didn’t notice. Big, tall, and solid, he sank into the leather without issue. The wooden sofa was deliberately chosen for Yu Junqing’s comfort.
“Since you trust me, I’ll explain a bit.” Bo Rui sat down and brewed some tea, preparing to give Yu Junqing a simple rundown.