On the first day of “living together” with Jiang Yu, Yu Shiqing realized the difference between himself and a popular celebrity.
It was still dark outside when Jiang Yu knocked on his door to tell him they had to leave for a schedule. Yu Shiqing had no choice but to get up and wash up.
“It’s time to go.”
“Coming.”
Hearing Jiang Yu’s voice again outside the room, Yu Shiqing put on his shoes and got out of bed.
When he opened the door, he saw that not only was Jiang Yu standing in the living room, but also his manager Tan Yanfei and several assistants. Everyone was busy getting ready to leave.
Tan Yanfei looked puzzled and asked Jiang Yu, “Who were you talking to just now?”
Hearing the door open, he instinctively looked to the side—and froze.
Jiang Yu finally said, “Yu Shiqing.”
Tan Yanfei snapped out of it, in disbelief. “Why is Yu Shiqing in your room?”
“We were going over the script,” Jiang Yu replied casually. Then, seeing Yu Shiqing walk over, he said impatiently, “Can you ever wear your clothes properly?”
Yu Shiqing raised his wrist and tapped his watch. “It’s only 6:20 in the morning. If you had a schedule, you should’ve told me in advance.”
Tan Yanfei looked confused. “Why should Jiang Yu inform you about his schedule?”
Jiang Yu answered for him, “Because he’s coming with me today.”
Tan Yanfei was stunned again. “Why?”
“Script reading,” Jiang Yu repeated. Then he looked at Yu Shiqing. His face was expressionless, but his tone was serious. “Sorry, this time it was my fault.”
Yu Shiqing said, “It’s fine. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Jiang Yu’s jaw suddenly tightened. What he said was perfectly normal, but coming from Yu Shiqing’s calm and casual voice, it made his irritation spike.
“Your clothes,” he gritted out.
“What about them?” Yu Shiqing asked.
Jiang Yu couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped forward and fixed the hood of Yu Shiqing’s jacket, which was flipped outward.
Tan Yanfei’s attention was also drawn to the clothes. Suddenly, he looked uncertain. “Wait, Jiang Yu… isn’t that your jacket?”
“Yeah,” Jiang Yu replied offhandedly. Then he looked at Yu Shiqing’s face again and frowned. “No, you can’t go out with me like this.”
It was best to minimize their public contact. If the paparazzi spotted them together, who knew what kind of rumors would start.
Yu Shiqing guessed what he was thinking. “So, what do you want to do?”
Jiang Yu thought for a moment and grabbed a new face mask from the table. “Put this on.”
Yu Shiqing did as he was told.
Jiang Yu stared at him. Half his face was now hidden under the black mask, but his sharp brows and deep, calm eyes became even more striking under the crystal chandelier lights, glowing faintly.
Jiang Yu froze for a moment.
Yu Shiqing raised an eyebrow slightly. “Something wrong?”
Jiang Yu’s fingers twitched. He turned and grabbed a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap from the table. “Just in case. Don’t show your face.”
Tan Yanfei grew annoyed. “Jiang Yu, you and Mr. Yu were just trending two days ago. Now you’re doing this? Aren’t you worried about new rumors?”
It might’ve been an accident before, but now they were living together, wearing the same clothes even he was starting to overthink.
He warned, “If a gay rumor starts, good roles in the industry will never go to you again.”
“I know,” Jiang Yu said calmly. Then he turned to Yu Shiqing. “Ready?”
Yu Shiqing had already put everything on and rolled up the script, placing it in his coat pocket. “Let’s go.”
He didn’t ask what Jiang Yu’s schedule was. He understood Jiang Yu’s concerns, so during the entire trip he silently reviewed the script, keeping his distance after boarding and even after landing.
They left at dawn and returned after dark.
“I’ll go eat something at the restaurant before heading up. You hungry?” Yu Shiqing asked Jiang Yu after taking a call from Ren Bai as they returned to the hotel.
“Let’s eat together.”
“Alright,” Yu Shiqing said, lifting his phone. “I’ll take this call first.”
Tan Yanfei had been watching Yu Shiqing closely. Once he walked away, he finally said, “Jiang Yu, why are you so close to Yu Shiqing? He’s not someone to take lightly. Just look at yesterday’s script change. Isn’t it obvious he was targeting you?”
“I read the new version. It’s much better,” Jiang Yu said.
Tan Yanfei growled, “Yeah, but now he’s the positive character. He stands out more and steals the spotlight from you, the lead!”
“Enough.” Jiang Yu frowned. “Yu Shiqing is not the kind of person you think he is. Don’t bring this up again.”
Tan Yanfei stopped walking and glared at Jiang Yu with growing resentment.
There it was again. Jiang Yu never listened to him.
Even if Yu Shiqing wasn’t a bad person, he still ruined their plans. Jiang Yu was too stubborn to see it. Maybe it was time to teach him a lesson so he’d understand his good intentions.
—
Since it looked like Jiang Yu and Tan Yanfei had something to talk about, Yu Shiqing greeted them and headed to the hotel restaurant first.
Ren Bai was already waiting inside and had saved them a table after hearing that Jiang Yu was coming too.
Seeing Yu Shiqing approach, Ren Bai glanced behind him. “Where is he?”
“At the door.”
Ren Bai lowered his voice. “Bro, why are you getting involved with Jiang Yu? You left me and spent the whole day out with him! Did you forget the trending news from before?”
“I know what I’m doing,” Yu Shiqing replied.
Ren Bai snorted. “Yeah, right.”
He then noticed something. “Where did you get that outfit?”
“Jiang Yu’s.”
“Jiang— cough!!”
Ren Bai nearly choked on his drink. After a long coughing fit, he stared at him in disbelief. “You’re wearing his clothes?!”
“Why not?” Yu Shiqing asked back.
Ren Bai’s voice turned hoarse. “Yu Shiqing, something’s wrong with you.”
Before Yu Shiqing could answer, someone walked in from the entrance, and Ren Bai’s expression changed instantly.
At the same time, Yu Shiqing heard voices and laughter coming closer.
Jiang Yu walked over with someone and introduced him, “He’s also a film actor. You probably know—”
Before he finished, Ren Bai shot up and slammed his fist on the table. “Du Han, stay away from Yu Shiqing!”
Every time he saw the one who betrayed and hurt Yu Shiqing, he could barely hold back his rage.
Jiang Yu was surprised. He didn’t know Yu Shiqing had a grudge with Du Han.
For even his manager to lose his temper like this—it had to be serious.
Du Han had debuted as Best New Actor. Though not particularly handsome, his acting was solid, and he was signed by the wealthy Huaze Media. With strong backing and quality projects, he won several awards and had rising box office success. He became Huaze’s star actor.
And Huaze also happened to be Yu Shiqing’s agency.
They signed in the same year. Du Han’s career soared, while the more talented Yu Shiqing faded from the spotlight.
Was there more to this story?
Jiang Yu looked at Du Han.
Du Han was known for being polite and well-mannered. He had a graceful presence, the kind of alpha that fans adored—especially omega fans who loved his gentle personality.
Running into Yu Shiqing here clearly shocked him too. But after hearing Ren Bai’s words, his gentle face twisted for a moment—then quickly returned to normal.
“Ren Bai, I’m only here because I saw Jiang Yu. No need to overreact,” Du Han said.
“I don’t care why you’re here. Just stay away from Yu Shiqing,” Ren Bai snapped.
“You’re being unreasonable.”
Yu Shiqing stood up slowly and stopped Ren Bai from arguing further. He looked at Du Han.
Jiang Yu noticed Du Han’s slight hesitation, but he didn’t look away.
Du Han smiled. “Shiqing, I heard about your family. Your theater income isn’t nearly enough. Let me help.”
Ren Bai scoffed. “Save your fake concern.”
Du Han shook his head. “Things have gotten this bad. Why pretend to be strong?”
Yu Shiqing had already guessed his reason for coming. “So Dawn was given to you.”
“What?!” Ren Bai looked furious.
Du Han smiled. “The company and Director Shi both preferred me. I couldn’t do anything about it. I came today to talk to Director Shi about the script.”
Just then, another familiar figure arrived—the director of Dawn.
He greeted Du Han with a nod. “Xiao Du, you’re here.”
Then he saw Jiang Yu and was about to greet him too, but caught a glimpse of Yu Shiqing. He immediately stepped forward.
“Yu Shiqing!”
“Director Shi. Long-time no see,” Yu Shiqing replied.
They had worked together on Tomorrow Is Sunny years ago.
“It’s really been a while.” Director Shi smiled warmly—completely different from before. Then he asked, “Why are you here?”
“I’m preparing for Doomsday Rescue,” Yu Shiqing said.
Director Shi blinked. “So that’s why you dropped out of my film?”
Ren Bai looked confused. “Doomsday Rescue?”
Du Han had been ignored for a while now. He tried to steer the conversation. “Director Shi, since they’re eating, let’s look at the script first.”
At the word script, Director Shi sighed and patted Yu Shiqing’s shoulder. “I was hoping to talk to you about mine yesterday, but you didn’t have time. I’ve been waiting two films for you.”
He then glanced at Du Han and added, “Of course, Xiao Du is great too.”
It was clearly just polite talk.
Du Han’s forced smile faded.
After the small talk, Director Shi left with a hint of regret on his face. It made Du Han’s eyes burn with jealousy.
He turned to Yu Shiqing. “Don’t get cocky. Leads and side roles aren’t the same.”
Ren Bai laughed. “You’re right. That’s why Yu Shiqing is Best Actor, and you’re just Best Newcomer.”
“You—!” Du Han clenched his fists but forced a smile. “Still pretending? Fine. Let’s see if you can turn your luck around with Doomsday Rescue.”
“Thanks for the blessing,” Yu Shiqing replied calmly.
“Fake as always!” Du Han hated Yu Shiqing’s natural calm the most. It made everyone else look cheap.
Ren Bai smirked. “Shouldn’t you go review your script now? Looks like Director Shi doesn’t like you as much as you thought.”
Humiliated in front of Jiang Yu, Du Han turned red and green with rage. Unable to say another word, he clenched his fists and left.
Jiang Yu had been watching. Based on their talk, Yu Shiqing didn’t have an easy time at Huaze.
So why had he signed with them at his peak—and why hadn’t he left?
Yu Shiqing met his gaze. “Is there something on my face?”
Jiang Yu understood he didn’t want to talk about it and changed the subject. “Come with me after dinner.”
“For what?”
“To buy you pajamas.”
Ren Bai, who had been eavesdropping, was caught off guard. “?”
“I don’t need them,” Yu Shiqing said.
“You do. From now on, you’re not allowed to leave without pajamas.”
Ren Bai: “……???”
What were these wild lines? Aren’t they supposed to be filming a movie?!
