Everyone works in the information age and swims in the same internet. So, who doesn’t know New Era Entertainment? In recent years, many well-known and capable actors, along with hit dramas and films, have come from New Era. It’s famous for its abundant resources. For example, the renowned and award-winning director Shi Zhefing many actors dream of working with him. Unexpectedly, right after Yu Shiqing ended her contract with Huaze, she signed with New Era, and soon after joined Shi Zhefing’s crew. The news exploded online. Just a minute ago, everyone wondered what Yu Shiqing would do after leaving Huaze, and a moment later, she had already jumped over the dragon gate, ready to soar!
Then they revisited Huaze’s termination announcement. Whew! Jealousy soared. “She didn’t want to renew, who would? After four years of trashy films, as soon as her contract ends, she lands a golden deal? How weird!” People couldn’t help but think more.
New Era moved fast. Right after signing Yu Shiqing, they removed all negative trending topics tied to her name, leaving only the hashtag #YuShiqingSignsWithNewEra#. Soon after, Ren Bai’s phone beeped:
- Luo Shaoyuan: “@Yu teacher Yu Shiqing, the company wants to set up a Weibo account for you would you mind?”
- Luo Shaoyuan: “Or should Manager Ren handle it?”
Ren Bai showed it to Yu Shiqing. “What do you think?”
Yu said, “You decide.”
Knowing Yu didn’t mind small things, Ren Bai replied quickly: “@Luo Shaoyuan, okay, I’ll handle it, thanks!”
When he got the account, they were asked to post a signing update. Ren Bai obviously agreed. He gave the phone to Yu: “Here’s your first post go ahead.”
Yu, reviewing a script, typed, and handed back the phone. Ren Bai looked doubtful: “You’re not gonna add anything?”
Then he read it:
Yu Shiqing: “New Era. New beginning. New journey!”
Ren Bai thought: Are you that lazy? Copy New Era’s slogan? But okay, he didn’t expect more care from Yu. Still, one line felt too perfunctory. He took a quick photo of Yu and posted it.
Post went live! Soon New Era Entertainment reposted:
New Era Entertainment V: “Teacher Yu just registered on Weibo!”
Yu Shiqing: ….
The hashtag stayed trending, and netizens rushed in:
“Wow! Shocked she’s not viral, unfair!”
“Yu Shiqing eat off your looks! If movies don’t work, be an idol!”
The photo showed Yu leaning on a sofa, sitting casually on the rug between the coffee table one elbow on his bent knee, holding a script roll. Backlit by sunset through the balcony’s floor-to-ceiling window, a golden-red halo framed his side. Half his face was softly lit; as he sensed the camera, he turned his head slightly. His deep dark-star eyes stared at the lens, his brows and expression cold and distant.
“WOW, soul-melting gaze!”
“Please show up more often!”
Ren Bai was pleased with his work. The hashtag was full of friendly comments; the few sarcastic ones were quickly suppressed clearly New Era’s doing. As he read more, Ren Bai felt emotional: at last, a team was truly helping Yu.
Meanwhile, Huaze’s PR-free fallout kept Qi Taihua trending high. This scandal had so much content, and with the year’s end approaching, idle people were everywhere online, insulting Qi Taihua and Huaze. It wasn’t going to die down anytime soon.
After Wang Lingzhi and other victims stepped forward, Ren Bai understood why Huaze, upon seeing the video from Jiang Yu, felt its military shaken so badly that they would rather cancel Yu’s contract than let it spread. They already knew what would happen: once exposed, it would snowball into the impossible. But by then, Huaze was too drained to handle it.
Then New Era reposted Yu’s Weibo again, and Shi Zhefing reposted. After Shi reposted, things snowballed: director names like Shi Zhefing, Yan Hongyun, Zeng Tu, Pang Hong—all huge names kept reposting Yu’s post, usually with “Congratulations!”
What? Until Jiang Yu also went online:
Jiang Yu V: “Congratulations on the contract termination @YuShiqing…”
Not “Congratulations on signing,” but “on termination”! Immediately that pushed Yu and Huaze into the center of attention.
Seeing those four words, then comparing what the directors said, people smelled something deeper. These directors had no ties with New Era not by itself reason enough for them to react so strongly to a signing, unless… the big move was for Yu Shiqing. Jiang Yu’s cryptic “congratulations” triggered the nerves of active netizens. Combined with everything else, if there was no hidden motive behind Yu-Huaze termination… it’d be insane.
Seeing the tide turning, Huaze went silent. No matter how much mocking came their way, no one defended. Only one reminder remained on their homepage, hinting at Yu Shiqing as ungrateful so ironic. But Ren Bai didn’t feel angry anymore. Things were going in the right direction, and every moment felt peaceful. As Yu said: Look forward!
After settling the contract, Ren Bai felt a huge weight lift and bought early morning plane tickets for the next day. Since he’d need to leave early, he didn’t wake Yu, but before leaving, he made him the last breakfast before the New Year, a special care for the sick patient.
Time passed. He barely closed the door behind him when Yu woke up. He looked out the window, expecting Ren returning, and tried to get up but the headache hit him hard again.
There was a knock. Yu, frowning and hoarse: “Come in.”
Jiang Yu entered, looking disheveled and cold from the outdoors, probably just from the airport. He stood at the door; coat still on.
“How’s your health?” he asked.
“Much better.” Yu propped himself up, but failed to stand; he spoke with a dry throat and coughed twice.
Jiang frowned: “Much better?!” He tossed his cold coat onto the sofa and approached Yu’s bedside. “Have you taken medicine?”
Before Yu could reply, he touched his forehead.
“It’s hot.”
“No wonder I feel warm.”
“Feel warm?!” Jiang said, exasperated. “You have a fever! You’re getting worse. I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“No, it’s not that bad. I’ll rest and be fine.”
Without another word, Jiang left the room. Soon he returned carrying Yu’s coat.
“I’ll give you one minute.”
Silence. After one minute, Yu sat up, not even allowed to change clothes. After a quick wash, Jiang forced him downstairs and into the nanny van. Assistant Meng Chen was chatting in the front when suddenly their boss and a coat-wrapped man got in she was shocked, then heard:
“In the shortest time, take him to the nearest hospital.” The driver floored the gas.
Meng, surprised, asked: “Teacher Yu?”
Yu pulled off his mask: “It’s me.”
Jiang coldly: “With how sick you are, you’re still smiling?”
Meng recoiled. Sent home to avoid trouble.
At the hospital, after tests and half-day observation, around 2 pm the van returned to Yu’s residence. After getting out, Jiang told Meng: “Your holiday starts now go home for New Year.”
Driver brightened: “Thanks, boss!”
Meng asked: “But Jiang brother, if we leave, how will you get home tonight?”
Jiang: “Who said I’m going home?”
Yu looked. Jiang ignored him. Meng froze: “Huh? You’re staying?”
Jiang glared: “Do you mind?”
“No, no!” Meng shook her head. Jiang ignored her, followed by Yu upstairs.
Once inside, Yu said: “No need to trouble you to stay and look after me.”
Jiang saw the breakfast and pills on the table. “If you had known to take care of yourself, you wouldn’t need me.”
Yu hadn’t expected his illness to worsen. He followed Jiang’s gaze and said: “I’ll heat up the porridge. You sit.”
“Microwave again?” Jiang expressionless. “Save it. Lie down.”
Yu obeyed. Soon Jiang brought hot porridge in a bowl set on a plate because it was too hot. Yu said: “I can wait for you to eat.”
Jiang didn’t eat lunch at the hospital. He said: “Be careful, it’s hot.” He didn’t know how to care for someone after placing the porridge, he looked around and poured hot water on the nightstand in case Yu was thirsty. When he lifted his eyes, he caught Yu’s gaze; he paused.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” The rare focused look made him look away naturally; face impassive. “Moved?”
Yu said: “You made me think of someone.”
Jiang frowned briefly: “Who?”
Yu: “My mother.”
Jiang tightened his fist. He glanced at a pillow, and for a moment felt a sudden urge to silence that mouth permanently.
“Just kidding.” But sensing danger, Yu held back Jiang’s twitching hand, then said: “It’s just no one’s ever cared for me like this, besides her.”
Jiang slowly unclenched his fist, looked back at Yu, his heart tightening.
Yu smiled softly at him. Today, his face was pale, but he seemed calmer than usual.
“I’ve been thinking about how to repay you.”
Yu looked at Jiang; his eyes were soft, no mask of falsehood only tenderness.
“But I keep repaying one thing, and owing another.”
Jiang said firmly: “I help you not to be repaid.”
“I know.”
Yu: “I just want to thank you.”
“A simple thank you isn’t enough.” Jiang looked at Yu’s hand, looked up, tone confident and strong: “Since you said that, sooner or later, you’ll have to repay everything you owe me.”
