Having worked in the entertainment industry for so many years, Yang Hao instinctively knew who could be offended and who couldn’t.
Pei Qingjian, for example, seemed simple. After checking him out, she hadn’t thought much of him.
—If Pei Qingjian had backing, would he have sat through almost a year on the bench?
But the person in front of her? Better not offend him.
Not only did he radiate undeniable value in every aspect, but his aura was formidable—a clear sense of privilege, a presence that carried the weight of someone accustomed to rising to the top.
Yang Hao didn’t refuse and smiled as she nodded. “Alright.”
“How should I address you?” she asked proactively.
“Lan Xingchen.”
Yang Hao nodded, about to ask his full name, but he was already striding to one side, so she had no choice but to follow.
It was afternoon, the weather warm. Artists waiting for their scenes were in vans with air conditioning. The set only had staff and actors currently filming, along with their assistants and managers.
Lan Xingchen didn’t go far, choosing a secluded spot under a tree.
Yang Hao followed and stood in front of him.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing much,” Lan Xingchen said in a calm tone. “Just wanted to ask—did you receive the emails?”
Yang Hao’s eyes widened. “It was you?!”
She had spent days trying to trace the emails, reviewing everyone she’d offended since entering the industry. She had never imagined it could be this unknown, unfamiliar person.
Lan Xingchen met her astonished gaze and nodded.
Yang Hao realized slowly.
“Because of Pei Qingjian?” she asked.
“Yes.”
His straightforward answer left her momentarily stunned.
She studied him, wondering—is it really just for Pei Qingjian?
“What’s your relationship with him?” she asked. “You care about him so much… you two aren’t just ordinary friends, are you?”
Lan Xingchen smiled. “You ask too many questions.”
Yang Hao froze, saying nothing further.
He waited for her silence before speaking at his own pace.
“Honestly, I don’t like these methods. I’ve never cared for them.”
“The constant anxiety, waking every day worried about new emails and unexpected trouble—it’s unpleasant, right? Disgusting even.”
“But that’s exactly what you’ve brought Pei Qingjian to experience, so naturally, you should feel it too.”
Yang Hao hadn’t expected this. A man like him—clearly exceptional—could have dozens of ways to deal with her, yet he chose this one.
So that was it.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of exposing anything, nor selling to paparazzi. You can relax a little,” Lan Xingchen said seriously.
“What’s your condition?” Yang Hao asked.
He chuckled lightly. “What condition? You think I’m doing… what? Kidnapping? Extortion?”
He shook his head. “I’m not that kind of outlaw.”
“I’m just a friend. I don’t want my friend to suffer. So as long as he’s fine, I won’t act. But if he’s unhappy, I’ll be unhappy too—and then what I might do… is uncertain.”
Yang Hao: ……
She stared into his eyes, struggling. “You care about him so much… you’re more than friends, aren’t you?”
He smiled faintly, feigning indifference. “Pei Qingjian sat on the bench for nearly a year, yet never gave up acting. He must really love acting, and want to continue in this industry, right?”
“And what are you implying?”
“What am I implying?” Yang Hao’s smile brightened. “He works so hard, wants recognition so badly, wants everyone to notice him. Now, if I revealed your relationship—told everyone he has a ‘good friend’ like you—how do you think they’d react? And how would he react?”
Lan Xingchen: ???
He found her rather amusing.
Did she really think he was clueless about the entertainment industry and panicking blindly?
He admitted he wasn’t fully familiar, but a few days ago, he might have worried. Now wasn’t that time.
Yang Hao pressed on, feigning calm, trying to negotiate leverage. “You know how the industry reacts when a celebrity’s relationship is revealed? Even top idols can’t handle it—fans care, they might unfollow. How could Pei Qingjian manage?”
“Especially since you clearly aren’t on the same level as him. Everyone would speculate, say things about you and him. Can you guess? And could he handle it?”
“I think he could,” Lan Xingchen said. “It would actually be good for him, wouldn’t it?”
Yang Hao: ……
Her expression reflected shock beyond her expectations.
She was about to ask if he no longer cared for Pei Qingjian, when he said leisurely:
“Top idols can’t handle it because of their fans—they care, they might leave. But Pei Qingjian? A minor, eighteen-line actor, just playing supporting roles for your two main artists? No one online even knows who he is. Why would they care about his gossip?”
“But if you’re willing to help buy a trending topic and promote it heavily, that’s a different story,” he said. “He’s young and good-looking, I’m handsome too. If we appear together in the trending list, fans might see how compatible we are and start shipping us. If you can keep it trending for a whole day, his follower count could easily multiply tenfold.”
“This kind of follower boost? I support you.”
Yang Hao: …
Yang Hao fell silent. She had initially thought that since Lan Xingchen wasn’t in the industry and cared about Pei Qingjian, she could use this as leverage.
Yet, ironically, thanks to her own scheming, Lan Xingchen realized on the second day why she altered the script, cutting Pei Qingjian’s scenes and lines—because of the CP.
As Zhou Pengyue had said, “Fans nowadays have their own minds. It’s no longer just about what CPs you promote. If your promotion is good, fine. If it’s bad, they’ll just ship someone else.”
“Qingjian is so good-looking. Put him with Song Ye, and who even watches Song Ye and Zhou Bin? This doesn’t interfere with her at all.”
Lan Xingchen smiled. “Of course, but this can’t go public now. If Pei Qingjian blows up too early, it’ll be difficult for you to do anything later.”
“And it can’t wait until after the show airs. Then when our faces appear, who will even notice your Zhou Bin? All your effort will have been wasted. Not acceptable.”
He seemed slightly troubled. “So when exactly should it go public? Manager Yang, I don’t know much about the entertainment industry. Could you advise me when would be appropriate?”
Yang Hao: …
She had never imagined a day like this, losing so thoroughly, speechless, with no way to retaliate. She had been angry, struggled, and tried her best—but in the end, she had still lost.
“I lost,” she admitted. “I give up. I won’t do anything against Pei Qingjian anymore.”
Lan Xingchen nodded. “Good.”
“I’ve also read his script and know which scenes he has. When this show airs, I’ll watch carefully, frame by frame. Miss a frame, and we’ll meet on the trending list.”
Yang Hao: …
Gritting her teeth, Yang Hao said, “I understand.”
“This is the first and last time,” Lan Xingchen said calmly. “Next time, no matter who you target, don’t let me know. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to send your files to someone else.”
Yang Hao: !!!
She glared at Lan Xingchen, shouting, “This isn’t fair!”
“Do you think it’s fair to pick on others?” he asked lightly.
“There’s no such thing as fairness,” Lan Xingchen chuckled. “If you want fairness, do you think others won’t want it too?”
“In the future, you can discuss fairness with him yourself.”
“You…” Yang Hao glared at him, teeth clenched.
“Of course, don’t think you can use others to target Pei Qingjian. If I can track this, I can track anything else. If I can send your files to you, I can send them to others too.”
“Walk your own narrow bridge and don’t block his sunny road. Otherwise, his path won’t collapse, but your bridge certainly will.”
Having warned her, Lan Xingchen ignored her and turned toward Pei Qingjian.
Yang Hao watched his retreating figure, unwilling yet powerless. Just as she could easily overshadow Pei Qingjian, Lan Xingchen could easily overshadow her.
She didn’t care about Pei Qingjian, and Lan Xingchen didn’t care about her.
Turning her head, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Lan Xingchen walked over to Zhou Pengyue and sat down.
Zhou Pengyue bent slightly. “Resolved?”
“Yes,” Lan Xingchen replied casually.
He was leaving tomorrow, so naturally, it had to be settled today.
Alas, happy times always seemed short. He realized this was already his fifth day visiting Pei Qingjian! Time really flew by!
Lan Xingchen felt a twinge of reluctance.
“When will your show wrap?” he asked Zhou Pengyue.
Zhou Pengyue: ???
“We’ve only been filming for less than half a month!”
“And him? When will his shoot end?”
Zhou Pengyue: …
“At the earliest, fifty-plus days, I guess.”
“Fifty-plus days?!” Lan Xingchen couldn’t believe it. “Isn’t he a supporting actor? He has very few scenes!”
“Yes,” Zhou Pengyue said helplessly. “Since he has fewer scenes, his shoot finishes in two months, while the others take three!”
Lan Xingchen: …
Zhou Pengyue tried to reassure him. “Actually, it’ll pass quickly—just like that.”
Lan Xingchen squinted at him.
Zhou Pengyue: …
“Then maybe you could come by more often?” Zhou Pengyue suggested. “You’ve been here five days. If you come ten more times…”
“Then I could practically set up an office here.”
Zhou Pengyue: …
Lan Xingchen sighed. “So why bother being an actor at all?”
Zhou Pengyue glanced at him, as if the script didn’t owe anything to the fact that he was visiting—otherwise, Pei Qingjian would still be stuck on the sidelines! Some people are upright only in words.
Zhou Pengyue nodded. Truly, a good friend indeed.