Meng Chen glanced at the four words and reached to read more but when Jiang Yu’s shoulder moved, he quickly looked ahead, acting like nothing happened. Jiang Yu glanced at Yu Shiqing, stepped back a little, then returned to the screen.
“On your date, show your strengths. Be very attentive to your alpha, letting them feel your gentle care.”
Gentle? Attentive? Jiang Yu frowned and flipped the page.
“Or during the date, create small situations to bring you closer and add strong romantic tension!”
He scrolled more then he heard Yu Shiqing’s voice beside him:
“Jiang Yu, get in the car.”
He realized they had reached the vehicle. Yu Shiqing looked at him: “What are you reading so intently?”
“Nothing.” Jiang Yu turned off the screen and got in first, avoiding Yu Shiqing’s gaze. Yu Shiqing, not curious, got in too and pulled out his script again.
Jiang Yu pocketed his phone and asked, “When are you free?”
“Hm?” Yu Shiqing did not look up.
“To watch a movie.”
“Up to you,” Yu Shiqing replied.
Meng Chen brightened: “Jiang, Yu, I haven’t seen Doomsday Rescue yet. Why don’t we all go, including Ren?”
They’d been on a roadshow trip, jumping between cities and screens, never finding time. Often, they only arrived near the end of the film. With public schedules, they couldn’t stay quietly. Ren and Meng Chen travelled nonstop and never had time.
Now the roadshow was over, and Jiang and Yu had no firm schedules; Ren and Meng Chen were free too. Doomsday Rescue had earned much acclaim Meng Chen had wanted to see it for a while.
“The more, the merrier!” he urged, looking at Jiang Yu.
Ren quickly agreed. But Jiang Yu said, “The more people, the easier to slip up.”
“Uh…” Meng Chen paused, puzzled, but before he could argue:
“You’ve worked hard,” Jiang Yu said, cutting him off. “Take a week off and rest.”
“A week off?!” Meng Chen instantly forgot about the movie idea. “Thank you, Jiang!”
Jiang Yu looked at Yu Shiqing. He then told Ren: “You too. Rest a few days.”
After so long, Ren sighed happily: “Once I get back to New Era tomorrow, I’ll sleep for a full day and night.”
“Me too,” agreed Meng.
Topic closed.
They returned home. When it was just Jiang Yu and Yu Shiqing in the room, Jiang Yu continued:
“Tomorrow you and Ren need to go to New Era. Maybe sleep first?”
“No,” Yu Shiqing said. “I’m not that tired.” They had returned early from the last road show and rested. He’d been through tougher schedules before and was used to it.
Still, Jiang Yu had arranged an early dinner and told him to rest soon. Once Jiang took control, it was hard to resist Yu Shiqing complied, washed up, and returned to the study.
The next morning, just after breakfast, Jiang Yu’s phone rang. He looked at caller ID, raised an eyebrow, glanced at Yu Shiqing, then answered. Across the table, Yu could hear laughter through the speaker.
“Jiang Yu, I’ll cut to the chase. I’d like you on our show.”
“What show?”
“A travel show just go where it takes you.” Jiang Yu knew this; it was made by Royal Sky Entertainment. They had worked together before. The caller skipped formalities, spoke casually:
“Yu Shiqing is your friend, right? You two starred in Doomsday Rescue and he cameoed in your film. Your connection runs deep.”
“True,” Jiang Yu replied.
“Well, Yu Shiqing is one of the guests!” the caller said.
Jiang Yu smirked. “Oh? Has Yu Shiqing signed?”
He laughed. “Not yet, but soon!”
“I know reality shows aren’t your thing, but this is a travel show. You rarely travel, and with a friend take the chance.”
Jiang Yu felt something stir. He looked at Yu Shiqing. The caller added: “Want to meet for coffee this afternoon?”
Yu Shiqing had New Era appointments then too. Jiang Yu accepted.
After the call, he told Yu Shiqing: “That was them calling you.”
“They invited you?” Yu smiled. “Royal Sky really has deep pockets.”
Jiang Yu asked, “Will you go?”
“If nothing comes up,” Yu Shiqing responded.
“Then I’m going too.” He added, “You don’t travel often this is a chance to relax.”
“Sounds good.” Yu Shiqing nodded.
That afternoon, Ren came to pick them up. Jiang Yu got ready and they went.
At New Era, from a distance Yu Shiqing saw Luo Shaoyuan waiting. Ren greeted him, smiling. Luo Shaoyuan also smiled: “Let’s go inside.”
He and Ren had discussed details. In the conference room the deal went smoothly.
“Yu Shiqing, you really don’t like the script?” Luo asked as he handed him the contract.
Yu Shiqing smiled: “The script is good. The right actor will make it shine.”
Luo sighed, accepted that, and said: “We’ll keep looking.”
“Thank you.” Yu Shiqing signed and politely declined lunch with the staff, leaving with Ren.
Downstairs, Ren studied the contract and beamed. “Never thought reality shows pay more than films!”
He asked Yu: “What will you do with that money?”
“Hmm?” Yu Shiqing surprised Ren by answering: “Help Wang Ling get out of her contract.”
Ren froze. Before this, he’d forgotten Wang Ling, and couldn’t imagine Yu would bring her up.
“Have you thought about this before?” Ren asked, ashamed. Wang Ling helped Yu when he was attacked online and gave the truth that exposed Qi Taifu; she paid the price. As her signed artist, she was probably blacklisted by Huaze and out of view. Ren felt guilty for forgetting her.
Yu Shiqing replied: “Wang Ling caused a huge blow to Huaze. They won’t let her go easily. I spoke with a lawyer the Mist film fee isn’t enough to fight the case. But with the show, there’s ample funds.”
Ren’s heart tightened. So that was why Yu accepted the show.
“Yes,” Yu confirmed, calmly. Ren felt tears building. It made sense Yu was never interested in anything but acting. He avoided interviews, and now this show only to help Wang Ling. His quiet kindness remained strong.
Ren wanted to tell Yu to put himself first, but the words died in his throat. Yu had already walked ahead. Ren sighed, caught up, but said nothing.
Back home, Ren ate and left, taking the contract. Jiang Yu didn’t pay attention to it; he watched the time.
He paced from the living room to the balcony, then back, then spoke softly to Yu Shiqing: “Nothing tonight want to see a movie?”
“Sure,” Yu Shiqing said.
Jiang Yu pulled out his phone and booked tickets for the next show. “Let’s go.” A nearby cinema made the walk easy. They each grabbed a mask and headed out.
They used the self-service kiosk. Jiang bought two 3D glasses. Seeing a couple whispering over a snack combo, he leaned toward Yu: “Want popcorn?”
Yu Shiqing replied: “Do you like sweets?”
Jiang frowned: “I’m asking you.”
Yu: “No, thanks.”
Jiang then pointed and asked the staff: “Popcorn for him.”
Staff asked: “A drink too?”
Jiang looked at Yu: “What do you want?”
Yu shrugged: “You decide.”
Jiang snorted: “Cold.”
To the staff: “Hot drink for him; coffee for me.”
With snacks in hand, they entered the full theater. Jiang Yu could only get rear seats. They slid in unnoticed amid the chatter.
Soon the lights dimmed, and safety ads played. Jiang handed his milk tea to Yu, who set it in the cup holder. Jiang glanced but said nothing.
The film began. Yu watched the movie he’d been in but never seen. As the story unfolded, stunning effects triggered audience gasps. You could hear low whispers sharing names like “Jiang Yu” and “Yu Shiqing.” Yu, remembering he’d removed his mask, put it back on. Jiang got briefly distracted too.
Yu Rong’s scene was on screen. Jiang looked at Yu arranging his mask and paused.
Then, a small situation happened.
Jiang picked up his coffee and took a sip. Still looking ahead, he accidentally placed the cup in Yu’s holder. On retrieving it, the cup tilted coffee spilled all over Yu Shiqing.
Yu Shiqing froze. Jiang immediately grabbed tissues and pressed them to Yu’s thigh.
“I’m sorry. Let me clean that for you.”
