After the first round of the game ended, even though Su Yayi was still excited, Wei Yuanju suggested wrapping it up. Maybe because he was the oldest among the guests, he really couldn’t handle the kind of thrill that felt like a roller coaster ride for the heart.
Plus, since this was already the 10th episode of A Trip on a Whim, even though Jiang Yu could come off as sharp and dominant, after knowing him for a while, Wei Yuanju understood that he wasn’t truly cold or unfeeling. In fact, everyone had been getting along quite well during all ten episodes.
That was why he had wanted to stop this round of “truth or dare” in time especially since even Jiang Yu himself didn’t seem to take it seriously.
The younger guests like Su Yayi still thought of it as fun, but Wei Yuanju knew very well that the two questions Jiang Yu had just answered weren’t something that could just be brushed off as part of a game.
As a top-tier celebrity singer, Jiang Yu was never short of paparazzi in his life, yet his love life had always been completely blank so mysterious it made people curious.
Now Jiang Yu had someone he liked?
Just that alone, as part of the final livestream, was enough to become a hot topic.
But now, Jiang Yu had revealed that he was in a relationship? Not only was this his first time revealing his romantic status, but he had done so actively and confirmed it clearly.
You didn’t have to guess to know that, right at this moment, countless people were already discussing it.
Only in front of the camera, everything still looked calm.
Until the final livestream ended.
The guests said goodbye at a small farewell party that the production crew had carefully prepared in advance.
Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu didn’t stay behind. After parting with the others, they got in a car and left.
Surprisingly, Ren Bai didn’t come to pick them up.
When they arrived at the building of Yufeng Scenic Residence, Yu Shiqing got out of the car and saw Ren Bai sitting beside the flower bed at the entrance.
When he heard footsteps, he looked up at their faces against the moonlight from below and said in despair, “Guys, please stop messing around.”
In the elevator.
“Do you two know you were on a livestream show? Let me explain what a livestream is. It’s not post-edited, okay? It means the audience could see everything you were doing and saying in real time!”
At the entrance.
“Right now the headlines, trending searches, short videos, literally everywhere you can think of, they’re all talking about this! Yu Shiqing, my dear big brother, I’ve had my phone on airplane mode and I still don’t dare turn it off!!”
In the living room.
“Why would you admit you’re dating on a livestream? Why would you kiss during a livestream? Why?? Why??”
Yu Shiqing stopped and turned to look at him.
Meeting his gaze, Ren Bai immediately froze.
Yu Shiqing said calmly, “Calm down.”
Ren Bai took two deep breaths, forced himself to settle, and continued, “Before you two go public, shouldn’t we talk it over first? A sudden reveal like that neither Jiang Yu’s studio nor New Era had time to react at all.”
God knows how he survived watching that livestream.
Jiang Yu said, “We haven’t gone public yet.”
Ren Bai: “…”
He opened his phone and tapped on the trending topics.
Number one: #JiangYuDating
Number two: #JiangYuYuShiqingTenSecondKiss
“It’s been a whole day and the rankings haven’t changed at all,” Ren Bai looked defeated. “The media can make up fake news from nothing. Now that there’s actual proof, do you think they’ll just let this go?”
Jiang Yu took the phone, tapped on the second topic.
Ren Bai thought he was checking the details. “No need to look. It’s just the clip of you and Yu Shiqing in the show.”
But before he finished, he saw Jiang Yu save the video, open WeChat, choose a contact named “Jiang Yu,” and sent the clip to himself.
Whoosh—
Ding—
The notification sounds rang almost at the same time.
Ren Bai: “…”
He opened his mouth, then again but no words came out.
Jiang Yu handed back the phone. Seeing his stunned expression, he raised a brow. “What?”
“…Nothing,” Ren Bai answered numbly. He turned to Yu Shiqing. “So, neither of you think this is serious? What are you going to say when the media ask about it in interviews?”
Jiang Yu was playing the video again. Hearing the question, he glanced up. “Go with the flow.”
“Go with the—” Ren Bai’s mouth twitched. “Fine, I won’t argue. But from now on, if you’re going to mention this, you have to discuss it with us first. That’s fair, right?”
Jiang Yu looked at Yu Shiqing.
Yu Shiqing said, “Sure.”
Finally, Ren Bai could breathe.
Luckily, Jiang Yu was the only one who revealed the relationship on camera, and the kiss with Yu Shiqing was part of a game. No matter how the media or netizens speculated, they couldn’t confirm anything for sure.
Jiang Yu might face heavy criticism.
But he had his own way of dealing with media backlash no need to worry.
What Ren Bai was really worried about was the movie roadshow seven days later.
Mist was Yu Shiqing’s next major film after the explosive Rescue at Doomsday, and his first lead role since his comeback. This film meant everything to Yu Shiqing.
Using box office numbers to judge an actor may be shallow, but these days, everyone was shallow.
Rescue at Doomsday had performed insanely well, breaking one record after another. If Mist didn’t do as well, the media would jump on it and predators like Huaze and Du Han were surely watching closely.
He had full faith in Yu Shiqing’s script-choosing skills, but he was still very sensitive to any potentially negative news, worried that public opinion might affect ticket sales.
He wasn’t asking for much.
Rescue at Doomsday was a commercial film with action and special effects that suited current tastes. Mist was more of a lighthearted mystery comedy. It didn’t have to match Doomsday’s box office half of it would be enough to set a new record in its genre.
As for these two and their relationship…
Ren Bai turned to look at Yu Shiqing.
But Yu Shiqing’s view was blocked by the phone Jiang Yu held in front of his face.
The video playing on the phone had background music that was unmistakably from the same clip trending second on the charts.
Ren Bai didn’t even need to watch it. He just sighed and said nothing.
Forget it.
Life means learning to be strong.
Seven days later.
Baolan Hotel.
Inside the banquet hall, the cast and crew of Mist gradually gathered.
When Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu walked in together, director Shi Zhefing came up with a beaming smile.
The first day of previews had just begun, and the box office had already exceeded expectations. Prime-time shows were nearly all sold out, and even tickets for the next few days were hard to get. This was the best opening any film could hope for.
Ren Bai followed behind them, refreshing websites constantly.
After what happened to Yu Shiqing during previews of Rescue at Doomsday, he had been checking online constantly to catch problems early and avoid the same disaster.
But no matter how often he refreshed, everything online was peaceful.
The forums on Mist were filled only with normal discussion and excitement.
Had Huaze finally backed off?
Ren Bai thought about it. No, it was probably that their last attempt had failed, and they realized minor smear campaigns couldn’t hurt a film with real strength. Otherwise, with how much Huaze’s executives hated Yu Shiqing, they wouldn’t have given up.
Also, Dawn, even without previews, was scheduled to be released around the same time. They were probably too busy with that to bother attacking Yu Shiqing again.
That was a good thing.
And by now, even if they tried something it’d be too late.
With that, Ren Bai finally put away his phone and listened to Shi Zhefing speak.
“It’s all thanks to you and Jiang Yu,” the director said to Yu Shiqing with a smile. “Actually, I think I’m riding on the success of Rescue at Doomsday.”
He had good reason to say that. After Rescue at Doomsday, fans were excited to see Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu team up again in Mist. Online, there were lots of comments from viewers saying they came just for the two of them and expectations were sky high.
Now was the time when the goodwill from Rescue was finally paying off.
“I just hope this movie is good enough to live up to your fans’ expectations,” Shi Zhefing finished, then glanced at the entrance and smiled again. “An Jin is here too.”
Yu Shiqing looked over.
Lin Anjin had just walked in. Seeing Shi Zhefing waving, he took a step forward then saw Yu Shiqing.
When their eyes met, Lin Anjin’s smile tightened a little.
“Shiqing.” He greeted first, then turned to the director. “Director Shi.”
“Your new film’s wrapped up?” Shi Zhefing asked with a smile.
“Last week.”
Someone came to call the director away. “You two haven’t seen each other in a while. You should catch up.”
As soon as he left, the atmosphere turned awkward.
Ren Bai looked around and realized Jiang Yu had disappeared.
Lin Anjin asked, “How have you been lately?”
Yu Shiqing replied, “Fine.”
“I’ve been watching your show with Teacher Jiang,” Lin Anjin said. The strange look from before had faded, but his eyes still held a trace of sadness. “I didn’t get to see many live episodes. I heard you got hurt, but you were probably healed by then, so I didn’t want to bother you.”
Yu Shiqing said, “Thanks. It wasn’t serious.”
His polite and distant tone made Lin Anjin’s smile falter.
Then he asked, “By the way, where’s Teacher Jiang?”
Ren Bai added, “Yeah, where is he?”
“You don’t know either?” Lin Anjin stepped forward slightly. “I heard Teacher Jiang is dating someone. Is that why?”
“Uh…” Ren Bai didn’t know how to respond.
Lin Anjin turned to Yu Shiqing, a flicker of hope in his warm gaze. “If—”
“What are you talking about?”
A familiar cool voice interrupted him. Lin Anjin instinctively pulled back that small step.
Ren Bai said, “We were just wondering where you went.”
“Oh?” Jiang Yu handed a warm drink to Yu Shiqing, his sharp gaze falling on Lin Anjin. “What a coincidence. You’re here too, Teacher Lin.”
Lin Anjin couldn’t help but look away. “Teacher Jiang.” Then turned to Yu Shiqing again. “Shiqing—”
At that moment, Jiang Yu raised his cup, faked a small cough, and blocked his mouth.
Yu Shiqing turned slightly but didn’t look at Jiang Yu yet a smile had already begun to appear on his lips.
Lin Anjin froze.
He had never seen that expression on Yu Shiqing’s face before.
Then he heard Yu Shiqing speak.
“Sorry,” Yu Shiqing said. “My lover doesn’t like me getting too close to other men.”
“…Lover?” Lin Anjin repeated blankly.
Jiang Yu took a sip of coffee.
The bitter taste slid down his tongue but all he could taste was sweetness.
He forced down the corners of his mouth that wanted to rise.
But the moment he lowered his cup and met Yu Shiqing’s eyes he couldn’t hold back the smile already blooming in his gaze.
