Standing behind Yan Hongyun, Yu Rong secretly glanced at Yu Shiqing. He thought about what Yu Shiqing had said earlier and had a complicated expression.
He’s just a washed-up actor. Was it really worth working this hard?
“That’s it for today,” Yan Hongyun said, handing the latest script to Yu Shiqing. “The character setting is mostly the same. Take a look. We’ll finalize it during the group reading.”
Yu Shiqing raised his hand to take it. “Thank you.”
After greeting the others, he and Jiang Yu got into the car and returned to the hotel.
When they got out, Jiang Yu watched Yu Shiqing pick up his water cup, grab his backpack, and hold the script under one arm, ready to close the door.
Once again, he stepped forward and picked up the phone Yu Shiqing had left behind on the seat—who knows how many times this had happened already.
Yu Shiqing said the same thing he always did: “Thank you.”
Jiang Yu said with a blank face, “When will you understand that I’m not your assistant?”
Yu Shiqing said, “I’ll remember next time.”
Jiang Yu held back his frustration for two seconds to stay calm. “You said that last time too.”
Yu Shiqing paused and suggested, “Then next time don’t help me. Teach me a lesson.”
Jiang Yu: “…”
He said directly, “Can’t you just hire an assistant?”
Yu Shiqing stopped walking, as if seriously thinking about it. Then he said, “No.”
Jiang Yu: “…………”
Behind them, Jiang Yu’s assistant held back laughter.
He had to admit, after watching Jiang Yu roast people all the time, seeing him get flustered was kind of fun.
After sitting down in the restaurant, not long after, Ren Bai arrived.
As he approached, he heard Jiang Yu talking.
“If you really love acting so much, why not seriously consider what I suggested last night?”
Ren Bai asked curiously, “What suggestion?”
When he saw him, Jiang Yu said, “I can help Yu Shiqing terminate his contract with Huaze.”
Ren Bai froze mid-sit, his face full of surprise. “You’re serious?!”
Jiang Yu said, “Of course I’m serious.”
Just then, Tan Yanfei walked over quickly. His expression was stiff as he said to Jiang Yu, “Can I talk to you outside for a moment? I have something to discuss.”
Seeing his expression, Yu Shiqing guessed it had to do with the script changes Jiang Yu had asked for.
Jiang Yu simply nodded to both of them and left the restaurant with Tan Yanfei.
“Jiang Yu wants to help you. Maybe you really have a chance!” Ren Bai quickly looked around, then leaned closer to Yu Shiqing and said quietly.
Yu Shiqing didn’t comment.
Ren Bai knew him well. When he didn’t get a response, he was stunned. “Wait, you’re not going to say yes?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Mm.”
Ren Bai didn’t understand. “Why not?!”
Yu Shiqing looked at him.
Ren Bai felt a bit uneasy, remembering the past, but still said, “Qi Taihua was unreliable to begin with, but Jiang Yu is different! These few days, I think he’s a pretty good person. He’s famous and has influence. It’s not like back then!”
Yu Shiqing said, “Maybe it’s different, but the result is the same.”
Ren Bai was getting anxious. “At least try! How would you know if you don’t try?”
Yu Shiqing asked, “I’ve only known Jiang Yu for less than a week. Do you really think he’ll accept Huaze’s penalty terms?”
Ren Bai went silent.
Yu Shiqing said, “Jiang Yu is a good person, but he’s not a fool.”
Ren Bai still wanted to hope. “Maybe he can find another way?”
This time, Yu Shiqing just smiled and said nothing.
Ren Bai knew he was being unrealistic. He sighed and looked toward the door.
Outside.
Jiang Yu and Tan Yanfei had walked out of the restaurant and didn’t stop until they reached the hotel entrance.
Tan Yanfei said, “I heard what happened this afternoon. Jiang Yu, Yu Rong is Qingyuan’s top talent right now. Even if your contract with them is ending, they’re still your old company. You’ll still have business with them. Can’t you give them some face?”
“Mm.” Jiang Yu wasn’t interested and gave a vague answer. Then he asked what he really wanted to know. “Do you know what happened between Yu Shiqing and Huaze?”
“Yu Shiqing?” Hearing the name again, Tan Yanfei took a deep breath. “Jiang Yu, don’t you think you’re a little too focused on Yu Shiqing?”
Jiang Yu just said, “Answer me.”
Tan Yanfei paused. Knowing Jiang Yu wouldn’t listen to advice, he swallowed his complaints and answered, “Yu Shiqing and Huaze had issues from the start.”
Jiang Yu asked, “What do you mean?”
Tan Yanfei said, “Back then, Yu Shiqing won several big awards and became really famous. He could’ve signed with any company. There was no need to rush. But not long after, it was suddenly announced that he signed with Huaze. The industry rumors said Huaze used some shady methods. Their goal was to bind him and use him to boost their own artists. But Yu Shiqing refused to cooperate and wouldn’t act in anything. Their whole plan collapsed, and they got mad and shelved him.”
Jiang Yu’s eyes turned sharp. “Shady methods? What kind?”
“I’m not sure,” Tan Yanfei said. “People guessed it had something to do with Du Han. He and Yu Shiqing were college roommates and seemed really close. The film that won Du Han Best New Actor was one Yu Shiqing recommended. But after Yu Shiqing signed with Huaze, they never talked again. There was also Qi Taihua.”
Jiang Yu was surprised. “Qi Taihua was Yu Shiqing’s assistant? That Best Actor?”
Tan Yanfei nodded. “After Yu Shiqing had no work, he probably had free time. Qi Taihua was trained by him. When he debuted, he even said he was thankful to Yu Shiqing. But later he also signed with Huaze and became close with Du Han.”
Jiang Yu suddenly turned back and looked toward the restaurant, even though they were separated by several walls.
He thought of last night.
So this was why Yu Shiqing wouldn’t accept help?
Tan Yanfei thought of something and added, “Maybe because of the contract, Huaze still let him film two movies a year. But they were all trash films that probably couldn’t even make it to theaters. It was worse than being shelved. Anyone else would’ve gone begging, but it’s been four years. He hasn’t made a single move. Have you ever seen him angry? He really seems not to care. After a year, he even went to do theater. He’s doing well. I heard some famous directors have gone to watch him.”
Jiang Yu’s voice was low and carried unconscious anger. “With his talent back then, no company wanted to take him?”
Tan Yanfei noticed something in Jiang Yu’s tone and looked at him closely before answering, “Of course they did. Even Qingyuan approached Huaze. But do you know what the penalty was?”
Jiang Yu frowned. “How much?”
“4.8 billion yuan.”
