After Ren Bai’s surprise, he was about to ask more only to see Yu Shiqing slip his phone back into his pocket. After getting into the car, Yu also took the script from Ren Bai’s hand and began flipping through it. Ren Bai paused; he realized Yu didn’t like to be disturbed right now, so he kept his mouth shut. It was just one text message likely about work, no big deal.
They still had business to finish today. Even though Xinshi Film offered good terms and top-tier resources from director Shi Zhefing Ren Bai felt they still had to check out old powerhouse Chijing Media. The morning plans of finishing early and resting well fell apart; they ended up visiting all the remaining studios that afternoon. As expected, none matched the sincerity of Xinshi Film. And Yu Shiqing was very interested in Shi Zhefing’s script. Like “The Dawn”, his new work was a suspense movie not the same story, but just as thrilling. Yu had no regrets about missing “The Dawn” what mattered was getting a good script now. Ren hoped the new film could rival “The Dawn” and show Du Han how it’s done. But it was still too early to talk about that.
Next day, Ren Bai got up early and headed to a law office. After being burned by Huaze once, he was now obsessed with contracts. But when he returned home, his face was bright with excitement. Walking into the living room, he asked Yu Shiqing, “No issues with the contract? Shall we sign it this afternoon?”
As he spoke, he noticed Yu resting on the sofa arm, with one elbow up and rubbing his nose. Fine lines had appeared between his brows. His lips, already pale, now seemed even paler, and his face looked tired.
“Shiqing?” Ren placed his things down. “Are you okay?”
Yu opened his eyes and asked calmly, “You’re back. What did the lawyer say?” He reached for a cup on the table and sipped as if Ren’s thrill had been just an illusion.
Ren answered, “The contract is fine.” He felt uneasy that Yu asked again. Recalling Yu’s condition yesterday morning, he asked, “Your cold hasn’t healed yet?” He opened a drawer, placed medicine and a spoon on the table. “Three times a day. Take it on time.”
Yu replied: “It’s not as serious as you think.”
Ren warned: “You’re usually healthy. When you do get sick, it hits hard. Don’t ignore it.” After all, Yu hadn’t been sick for years Ren almost forgot he was human too.
Yu changed the subject: “Once the contract’s signed, book your ticket home.”
Ren brightened: “Finally, a good new year.” Breaking the contract at year-end made him feel like laughing in his sleep. Yu smiled too.
“I have more good news,” Ren said with a grin. “That guy Qi Taihua has been completely blacklisted.” On his way to the law office, he checked Weibo: Qi had long preyed on new omega cast members, abusing them when filming. The victims came forward, and soon public disgust followed. State media joined in, calling for boycotts of bad actors and speaking against workplace harassment. Qi was officially labeled a ‘bad actor.’ Huaze received a notice to fix its TV drama, and the show was delayed indefinitely. The industry had withdrawn Qi, but Huaze had to either edit him out or reshoot. Chaos ruled their office. Investors plummeted, they had to pivot to promoting “The Dawn” instead. With a heavy PR push and sympathy-driven marketing, Huaze regained some goodwill. Netizens supported the company’s remorse and intended to support “The Dawn.”
Everything was going well until that morning, when netizens dug up new scandal details. One commentator asked: if Yu hadn’t attacked anyone. Well, except Qi why did Huaze rush to terminate Yu’s contract too? They suspected foul play. Within a day, social media buzzed:
“First Huaze called it a misunderstanding, not defending Yu. Now they deny contract renewal. Why?”
“Huaze’s tone is so obvious they’re hiding something.”
“Ha! Who cares about Yu? How can he compare to Qi??”
“Huaze is done!! If the accuser hadn’t told all, Yu would’ve taken the blame! They even cut him loose to save a rapist.”
Redditors were furious. The hashtag #HuazeCoverup exploded.
Ren Bai saw this trending while in route to Xinshi. He couldn’t help but laugh. He knew Huaze couldn’t defend themselves without a convincing lie, they’d be overwhelmed by online backlash. They deserve it! This was the karma for letting netizens attack Yu before. Yet Ren didn’t tell Yu this.
In the car, he saw Yu answering a phone call. Curious, Ren asked: “Who’s that? Jiang Yu?”
“Mm.” came the reply.
Ren felt oddly used to it. He didn’t pry into their connection. Since the filming of “Doomsday Rescue”, Jiang Yu had helped Yu a lot especially with this contract. Ren was grateful to Jiang and happy Yu had someone he could trust. So, he leaned in and into the phone said: “Jiang Yu, I fly out early tomorrow to visit family. Yu forgets his meds when he’s sick can you remind him?”
Yu shot him a glance. Ren awkwardly dodged his gaze and slid back. From the phone came Jiang Yu’s voice:
“Your condition still not better?”
“Almost.”
“If it’s bad, go to the hospital.”
“It’s not that serious.”
“Your attitude will turn a small illness into a big one.”
“It won’t,” Yu replied with a smile.
“Won’t? Really? I’m returning tomorrow and will come see you.”
Then: “You said you’re signing with Xinshi?”
Yu looked at the Xinshi logo. “Mm.”
Jiang paused, then offered: “Maybe it’s late now, but if you want, you can work with me, start your own studio.”
Yu smiled softly: “I know.”
Jiang pressed on: “But you won’t agree.”
Yu gave a small smile: “No.”
Jiang asked: “Why?”
Yu gave a gentle smile and said: “You know why.”
Jiang Yu’s studio was fully set up and successful. Soon, his contract with Qingyuan would end and he would become the boss. He had the right to partner but his studio was his life’s work: reputation, connections, success built over four years. Yu didn’t want to use Jiang’s effort for himself. Jiang understood and quietly fell silent.
Then Ren Bai’s voice came through: “Yu Shiqing, your appointment time is almost here. Let’s go up, okay?”
Yu said goodbye to Jiang, hung up, and stepped into Xinshi’s building.
Since they had agreed details yesterday, signing was easy. Director Shi Zhefing stood by Vice President Wu Zhe and watched Yu sign, finally breathing a sigh of relief. Wu Zhe rose, saying: “Mr. Yu, I believe this is a new start for your comeback!”
Ren nearly jumped with excitement. Yu just smiled faintly: “Thank you.”
Wu invited them to stay for dinner, but Ren, still concerned about Yu’s health, politely declined. Still, Yu’s health didn’t dull their good mood. Back in the car, Ren hummed happily he was clearly thrilled.
At home, Ren opened his phone to see Yu Shiqing trending on Weibo. #YuShiqingContractExpired#
Ren stared Huaze shamelessly twisted it: calling a termination a contract expiration. They claimed they’d tried to keep him but Yu refused. Then hired trolls to smear him: that Yu had lost ambition after winning Best Actor, starred only in bad movies, brought no profit and all not related to Qi Taihua. They secretly claimed they’d stuck with Yu for four years, but he still left; the claim that Yu was “box-office poison” and would find no new company. Trolls sobbed fake sincerity and convinced many netizens.
But then Xinshi Film posted two explosive messages:
“Xinshi Film successfully signs five-time Best Actor Yu Shiqing. We look forward to working with Mr. Yu!”
“Our new film is in production finally! Director Shi Zhefing exclusive insider news: we have Mr. Yu Shiqing joining. This is confidential, so don’t share!”
Netizens erupted:
“What? I thought this was going to be sad? This doesn’t match the rumors.”
“Xinshi? Shi Zhefing? I believed Huaze’s nonsense but Yu Shiqing has struck gold!”
