Yu Rong was very self-aware. As soon as Jiang Yu opened his mouth, he quickly took a few boxes of cut fruit from his assistant and handed them to Jiang Yu and Yan Hongyun.
“These are from fans and the cinema. Jiang Yu, Director Yan, perfect for quenching your thirst.”
Yan Hongyun reached out to take them. “Oh, you’re so thoughtful.”
The topic shifted, and Yu Rong breathed a sigh of relief. He took a step back and walked behind Yu Shiqing.
Yan Hongyun soon repeated the update about the screening schedule to the two of them and then said to Yu Shiqing, “You and Jiang Yu were right. Even if someone is playing tricks behind our backs, there’s no need to worry too much. It’s only been two days of pre-screenings, and the rumors have already fallen apart. In the end, it all comes down to having a strong product. The truth is, Doomsday Rescue doesn’t need to fear being slandered!”
Now that public opinion had flipped, his joy was clear on his face. He was no longer down like yesterday and became much more talkative.
“Of course, your contribution to all this wasn’t small either.” Yan Hongyun winked at Yu Shiqing. “At first, we thought it was a disaster. But later, our team analyzed the traffic data, and just the discussions about you in the past two days were very impressive. After the screening, audiences turned into loyal supporters. They not only defended you everywhere but also made many video recommendations for Doomsday Rescue. Because the buzz was so big, we gained exposure on all platforms. We don’t even know how much we saved on marketing!”
Yu Shiqing smiled.
This was the power of word of mouth.
A good movie never relies on fan traffic it relies on the movie itself. A strong production is the foundation for a comeback. And when regular viewers are convinced and approve of the film, that’s the true ticket to box office success.
Doomsday Rescue wasn’t one of those “bad films” he had done before. Backed by strong funding, it not only had a smooth, well-written script and top-tier special effects, but also Director Yan Hongyun despite lacking experience on the big screen had a unique eye for camera work and had done ample preparation in advance. The film’s pacing was on par with that of top directors.
Yu Shiqing had expected the film to succeed.
After joining the crew, the script had gone through several revisions. Each version had better logic, and throughout filming from costumes to set design you could see the dedication from everyone involved.
Still, he hadn’t expected such a strong reaction in just two days.
The online trolls had disappeared, theaters were reconsidering, and good news kept coming. It seemed things were moving in the best direction.
Yan Hongyun continued to list the good news. “Once the theater slots are confirmed, we don’t need to worry about the box office anymore!”
Hearing this, Yu Shiqing looked at Jiang Yu. Although he didn’t say anything, there was a smile in his eyes.
Jiang Yu appeared calm and lightly pressed his lips together.
He understood that look from Yu Shiqing. It was a reply to his comment earlier that he was “worried about not earning back the investment.”
He also knew Yu Shiqing didn’t mention this in front of others because he was being considerate of his feelings and didn’t want people to know that he had once been “worried.”
Yu Shiqing was always thinking of him.
The thought flashed through Jiang Yu’s mind, and the irritation that had built up earlier because of Yu Rong slowly faded.
“Let’s eat first,” Jiang Yu said.
Yu Rong raised his hand. “You guys go ahead. Senior and I already ate on the way here!”
Jiang Yu froze in the middle of turning around.
The flame he had just put out flared up again.
He glanced at Yu Shiqing, then at Yu Rong, and suddenly smiled. “Great.”
It would’ve been better if he hadn’t smiled.
The moment he did, Yu Rong felt a chill go up his spine, triggering a shiver.
Luckily, after speaking, Jiang Yu turned and walked to the food counter without stopping.
Yu Rong let out a breath and was about to say something to Yu Shiqing when he saw him also walking away, showing only his back.
Jiang Yu soon heard footsteps behind him.
“Didn’t you already eat?” he asked.
Yu Shiqing replied, “I came to get a glass of water.”
So, he didn’t come to find him just for water.
Jiang Yu’s face darkened. He roughly scooped some spaghetti onto his plate and turned to leave.
“Still worried?” Yu Shiqing asked.
Jiang Yu didn’t look back. “It has nothing to do with you.”
His emotions were written all over his face. Yu Shiqing could tell he was angry.
“Something went wrong with the roadshow?” he asked.
“No.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
Jiang Yu placed his tray on the table. Hearing that, he finally turned around. But his eyes skipped past Yu Shiqing and landed on Yu Rong, who was peeking in their direction. His face showed no sign of softening.
Yan Hongyun had already finished getting his food. When he saw them, he walked over to sit with them.
“Why are you both standing? Sit down.”
Jiang Yu sat down immediately, avoiding eye contact with Yu Shiqing.
Seeing he didn’t want to talk, Yu Shiqing said, “The screening results these past two days were great. Once the official release starts, the box office will do even better. You won’t just get your investment back you’ll make a big profit and be able to buy your house back.”
Jiang Yu had sold his house to increase his investment in Doomsday Rescue. This was no secret in the industry. There was no need to hide it.
Yu Shiqing only said that to give Jiang Yu a boost.
Yan Hongyun was just about to respond.
“Buy the house back?”
Hearing that, Jiang Yu’s eyes turned to Yu Shiqing’s face.
“So, after all that, this is what you really think. You think I’ve stayed in your house too long. Fine. I’ll move out right away.”
Yan Hongyun was surprised. “You two live together?”
He had only known they were close, but not that close.
After all, if they weren’t close, even if Jiang Yu had hit rock bottom, he wouldn’t have stayed at someone else’s house.
But at that moment, no one answered his useless question.
Yu Shiqing was slightly helpless. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
Jiang Yu looked away. “I don’t know what Teacher Yu meant.”
“I mean you don’t have to move out.”
“I don’t understand what Teacher Yu means.”
“As long as you want, you can live there as long as you like,” Yu Shiqing said. “Does that satisfy you, Mr. Jiang?”
Jiang Yu leaned his elbow on the armrest, resting his fingers on his cheek, blocking half his face. His voice was still cold. “The house is yours. What does it matter if I’m satisfied or not?”
Yu Shiqing smiled. “Let’s eat. Weren’t you hungry?”
Jiang Yu had just picked up his fork when he heard Yan Hongyun laugh.
Both of them looked at him.
Yan Hongyun had been holding back his laughter the whole time. He only laughed after their conversation ended.
Meeting their eyes, he smiled. “You two talk like a married couple.”
Jiang Yu’s hand holding the fork tightened.
Yu Shiqing paused mid-sip.
“It’s just a joke,” Yan Hongyun said quickly. “But Teacher Yu is right. After the profit sharing, you can buy your house back and even make a surplus. That’s much more convincing when it comes to showing results.”
He didn’t know what the two had talked about earlier, thinking they were just discussing profits.
Yu Shiqing didn’t correct him and chatted a bit more.
After dinner, seeing it was about time, Yan Hongyun said, “We should get going.”
They had another event tomorrow and needed to leave tonight.
Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu also got up from the table.
Yan Hongyun waved to Yu Rong not far away.
Jiang Yu didn’t plan to travel with Yu Rong, so he left first.
Seeing this, Yu Shiqing said goodbye to Yan Hongyun and followed Jiang Yu outside.
Only then did he ask, “Is it because of Yu Rong?”
Jiang Yu suddenly remembered that after meeting Lin Anjin for the first time, Yu Shiqing had asked him a similar question.
Back then, he hadn’t given a clear answer.
But today, his reply was very clear. “Yes,” he said. “It’s because of Yu Rong.”
Yu Shiqing looked at him.
“I don’t like him,” Jiang Yu said. “It’s not that he did anything wrong. I just don’t like him.”
Yu Shiqing let him finish. “Got it.”
“You got it?” Jiang Yu turned to him. “I told you what I think because you asked not to force you to choose, and not to make you distance yourself from your friend.”
Yu Shiqing chuckled softly.
Jiang Yu frowned. “What are you laughing at?”
“Yu Rong is just a colleague,” Yu Shiqing looked at him, speaking with his usual calm voice. “You are my friend.”
Jiang Yu looked at him and suddenly felt his fingertips tremble.
The tremble spread through his veins, hitting his chest and disturbing the rhythm of his heartbeat.
Yu Shiqing looked ahead again.
Ren Bai was waving excitedly by the car.
“Let’s go,” Yu Shiqing said just as Jiang Yu stepped past him and got into the car first.
Meng Chen was already inside, sitting in the back and organizing things. When he saw his boss get in, he greeted him.
“Hey, Jiang.”
“Mm.”
Jiang Yu pulled out his phone and ignored him.
Soon, Yu Shiqing and Ren Bai also got into the car.
Ren Bai joined Meng Chen in the back to help sort things.
The car started, and silence filled the space.
Meng Chen stretched after working for a while. He glanced at Jiang Yu, who was still holding his phone. The screen was full of text, which surprised him.
Reading a novel?
Other than Tan Yanfei, who was now facing legal consequences, Meng Chen had been with Jiang Yu the longest. Jiang Yu had never shown much interest in phones, and his hobbies were very highbrow. A novel Jiang Yu would actually read? He was very curious.
He peeked closer.
Huh? Not a novel.
That was his first thought.
His second thought: Jiang Yu is reading this kind of garbage push content?
“That’s all for ‘Tips on Chasing an Alpha’! If you’re interested, follow us for more Alpha-chasing tricks!”
Tips on Chasing an Alpha? What the hell is this?
Was Jiang Yu trying to prepare for someone chasing him by researching in advance?
That didn’t seem right. It wasn’t Jiang Yu’s style.
But then again, reading this crap was even less his style.
While Meng Chen was still questioning life, he saw Jiang Yu’s thumb move.
Was he going to close the page?
Meng Chen thought so.
Then he saw Jiang Yu click on “Next Article.”
Meng Chen: “…”
He’s possessed. That’s the only explanation.
“Is it good?” The voice sounded like it came from far away.
Meng Chen dumbly shook his head. “No.”
Then he realized what he had just said and turned to meet Jiang Yu’s sharp eyes. He immediately pulled his head back and looked down to keep working.
Jiang Yu looked away. When he noticed Yu Shiqing glancing over, he quickly turned the phone face-down on the armrest.
Yu Shiqing asked, “What are you reading?”
“Nothing.”
Then realizing his reply was too fast, Jiang Yu paused and added, “Something online. Pretty boring.”
Since he didn’t want to say more, Yu Shiqing didn’t ask again.
When Jiang Yu saw him turn back, he picked up his phone again and shifted his sitting position so that Yu Shiqing wouldn’t see his screen, then continued reading.
Meng Chen took a quick peek.
“How to Make an Alpha Chase You: 3 Steps to Fulfill Your Dream!”
Meng Chen: “…………”
