Some time ago, the news that Director Wang Jin was planning to leave the industry had shocked quite a few people. After more than a month, the matter had almost faded from public memory. Unexpectedly, over a month later, the official promotion campaign swept in with overwhelming force, instantly refreshing everyone’s impression. The publicity was so aggressive that even people who had never paid attention to this sector were drawn in.
Wang Shilin and Lin Qing, the married couple, joined forces. They were already more accustomed to the overseas style of operation, and with veteran old fox Director Wang Jin backing them up, the three-pronged approach created a momentum rarely seen in years. Almost no one was ignoring their new film. Yu Junqing, as part of the production team, had been running nonstop with them. His identity as the male lead had already been revealed, but the identity of the second male lead remained a mystery. Every time they promoted the film, the official accounts played dumb and refused to disclose who it was, leaving eager fans restless—practically ready to mail razor blades to the studio out of sheer frustration.
Since Yu Junqing was the male lead, many people tried to pry information out of him about the new film. If he could casually reveal even a tiny detail about the second male lead, that would be even better.
But that was wishful thinking.
All the media on site soon discovered that although he looked like the friendly boy next door, with a warm and sweet smile as if he would never refuse anyone… that was complete nonsense.
His mouth was sealed tighter than a vault. He was a master at official-sounding answers, and when that failed, he shamelessly played cute and pretended to be clueless. Reporters shot daggers at him with their eyes, wishing they could pry open his skull to dig out something explosive. Unfortunately, that remained nothing but a fantasy.
After once again enduring the pressure of the entire room and chatting smoothly on stage while pretending to be calm and composed, Yu Junqing finally made it through the event. The moment he stepped backstage, he collapsed, utterly drained.
Lin Qing could not help teasing him. “It is not like you have never seen a big occasion before. Who are you putting on that pathetic act for?”
Yu Junqing did not even bother responding. This guy had been relaxing comfortably backstage—how would he know what it felt like to face all those reporters glaring like knives? Just because he was used to it did not mean the pressure was small. Besides, these two were downright inhumane. Who schedules things this early in the morning? He had specifically asked Rui-ge to wake him up earlier last night just to barely make it out of bed. It was torture. He had not even eaten breakfast—just a small pack of beef Rui-ge had stuffed into his hand. He was starving.
Lin Qing somehow read the green glow in his eyes and silently complained in his heart. What a foodie. The first thing he thought about after stepping off stage was food.
“All right, everyone worked hard. That is a wrap,” Wang Shilin announced.
He had gradually built up a reputation of his own. Setting aside his identity as Director Wang Jin’s son, people now recognized him as a young but capable director in his own right.
Since everyone had started work early, the moment they heard they could wrap up, they packed their things and headed home without delay.
“You busy later? Want to grab a meal with us?” Wang Shilin glanced at Yu Junqing, who was slumped in his chair looking like his soul had left his body. Because of scheduling issues, things had indeed been too tight lately. Ever since filming started, Yu Junqing’s complexion had never really looked good.
Lin Qing did not expose Yu Junqing. He stepped closer to Wang Shilin and spoke intimately with him. The staff nearby were long used to it. Word was that both of them had studied abroad; the more open, affectionate foreign style had become something they learned to ignore. Watching it would not make them go blind anyway.
“Yes!” Yu Junqing snapped back to life instantly and agreed. Then he called Xiao Yitong.
“No need to buy food. We have a sucker treating us today!”
His tone was so buoyant that Lin Qing raised an eyebrow. A sucker?
Wang Shilin, the so-called sucker, did not bother arguing. This guy still had the nerve to call others sharp-tongued—he should listen to himself.
Yu Junqing happily hung up and slipped a piece of carefully packaged beef from his pocket into his mouth.
“I have been meaning to ask—where did you buy this beef? The texture is great, and it tastes amazing,” Lin Qing leaned over and stole a piece, chewing with satisfaction. He had tasted it once before, and ever since, this stingy man had hidden it from him.
Yu Junqing felt robbed and resentfully tucked the bag back into his pocket. He had not known how complicated the process was to make this beef. No wonder Rui-ge did not cook it often; it took far too much time.
“I made it myself.”
“What? You can make this? Give me some too. Do not be so stingy.”
Lin Qing was genuinely shocked. Back in college, Yu Junqing had looked like someone who had never touched household chores. Once, when they tried to cook hot pot in the dorm, he had stood there clueless the entire time and ended up only washing dishes.
Yu Junqing rolled his eyes. Of course he could not make it—but he had a wife who could cook all sorts of delicious food. Did Lin Qing have one?
Receiving a look of contempt out of nowhere, Lin Qing was about to start bickering when Wang Shilin pulled him back. Watching the two of them squabble like children, he sighed. With that demeanor, Lin Qing still had the nerve to brag about being the dominant one every day.
Yu Junqing glanced back just in time to see the way Wang Shilin was looking at Lin Qing. He felt a brief flicker of envy, then stuffed another piece of beef into his mouth. He would not swallow this dog food. He had someone too.
Although Wang Shilin and Lin Qing had studied abroad for years, they clearly still preferred Chinese food. The moment Lin Qing stepped into a Sichuan restaurant, his usual aloof image shattered completely. His eyes practically stuck to the menu as he ordered several dishes that sounded extremely spicy.
Yu Junqing found it strange. Why was Lin Qing so excited about Sichuan food? He had been back in the country for quite some time. Good Sichuan restaurants were everywhere.
After ordering, Lin Qing secretly glanced at Wang Shilin. Seeing no displeasure on his face, he relaxed and turned cheerfully to Yu Junqing. “Go ahead and order whatever you want. Do not be polite.”
Yu Junqing checked the prices. They were not cheap at all.
Lin Qing added, “Shilin is paying. He made quite a bit from stocks recently.”
Yu Junqing immediately latched onto that golden thigh and ordered several more dishes—some extra spicy. At home, Rui-ge would cook spicy food, but never the extremely spicy kind. Rui-ge was like an old man already, obsessed with health. Why could he not eat something so spicy that tears and snot flowed together?
At home, Bo Rui suddenly sneezed. He glanced at the chili peppers in his hand, then sighed. Fine. He tossed them aside and continued preparing food for his precious one.
Unaware of what he had missed, Yu Junqing soon found himself and Lin Qing sweating and crying from the heat while still shoveling food into their mouths. Wang Shilin watched Lin Qing’s undignified state with an unreadable expression. So he liked spicy food. No wonder Western restaurants had never seemed right.
Spicy food might be a bit troublesome.
Wang Shilin calmly put a bright red chili into his mouth, ignoring the envious glances from the other two, his gaze briefly sweeping below Lin Qing’s waist before he looked away.
He would get used to it sooner or later.
After the meal, Yu Junqing even had Xiao Yitong prepare a mini ice pack for his lips. Wang Shilin carried two cartons of milk, handing them to Lin Qing, who was still wiping tears.
Xiao Yitong could only sigh. Did Yu-ge remember he had to appear on camera in the afternoon?
Yu Junqing sniffed. “Can you tell?” he asked.
“…Keep icing it,” Xiao Yitong replied weakly.
In the afternoon, he let the makeup artist apply lip makeup. Thankfully, it looked natural.
His schedule had eased after a “friendly negotiation” with Rui-ge about workload. Afternoons and evenings were now lighter. He could even eat lunch on time.
But his popularity did not drop. After official promotions began, his fame steadily rose again. His fan club grew stronger.
He once glanced at his Weibo comments. His so-called “mom fans” were fierce. Before he could even see what haters wrote, those fans had already buried them under waves of enthusiastic posts.
Honestly… mom fans were not bad. A little crazy, perhaps, but genuinely caring.
Soon it was time to work again. People greeted him warmly—“Teacher Yu,” “Yu-ge”—offering to touch up his makeup or asking if he was tired. He refused politely each time, leaving a good impression.
Xiao Yitong was working when someone handed him a cup of warm coffee. He thanked them and continued reviewing schedules.
Two staff members nearby chatted about how polite Yu Junqing was, unlike certain former artists from Xingyu Entertainment who had acted arrogant before disappearing.
They even joked about their wives calling Yu Junqing “son” online.
Xiao Yitong did not know whether to laugh or cry.
“Are they not adorable?” Yu Junqing suddenly appeared behind them. He had only come to borrow his phone to message Rui-ge and add a dessert request.
“These mom fans are really sweet,” he said with a smile.
Xiao Yitong handed him the phone, resisting the urge to mention the underground gossip fan club run by Huang Qian and Liang Xin.
Yu Junqing typed quickly.
Bo Rui was nearly home when his phone buzzed.
His precious one:
“Tonight I want durian pastries! I heard they are delicious!~”
Bo Rui felt a headache coming on. Where did this menu even come from? At this rate, would he have to learn to cook Stargazy Pie one day?
Meanwhile, Yu Junqing logged into his alternate Weibo account and commented under a food blogger’s post:
“I do not know if it is good, but my wife can make it. I will try it tonight!”