Chapter 110:
Jiang Yunjian returned to the set and was scolded by Bo Zhen.
Bo Zhen had been scolding him more in the past few weeks than he had in the previous years combined.
“What exactly were you thinking?” Bo Zhen rushed to the set early in the morning, with a small suitcase by his side. “Do you even realize where you are right now? You’re on set! This movie has such a big production team, and even before shooting, it’s already drawing a lot of attention! Open the curtains and take a look. How many media outlets are outside waiting for you?! And yet, you dared to sneak out in the middle of the night to meet with President Cheng…”
The more Bo Zhen spoke, the more frustrated he became. He figured he wouldn’t get a good night’s sleep for the next two weeks, constantly dreading a call from the media asking if he wanted to pay to block a story.
“It’s fine. I climbed out through the window,” Jiang Yunjian coughed lightly as he spoke.
Bo Zhen felt even worse: “…If you had walked out openly and gotten photographed, I could spin it as an inspiring brotherhood. But you climbed out the window. How am I supposed to explain that?”
Jiang Yunjian, having spent years in front of the camera, knew he hadn’t been photographed the previous night. However, he didn’t want to argue further with Bo Zhen and simply nodded, “I know I was wrong.”
“You’ll do it again next time, won’t you?” Bo Zhen asked.
Jiang Yunjian paused before responding, “Yeah.”
“…”
Because of this incident, Bo Zhen decided to stay on set for a few more days. He couldn’t persuade Jiang Yunjian, but he could physically stop him. He refused to believe that with his assistant’s help, they couldn’t keep Jiang Yunjian in check.
However, Bo Zhen’s concerns were unnecessary. For the entire week, Jiang Yunjian showed no intention of leaving the set.
Jiang Yunjian was more dedicated to acting than anyone else. Since his debut, he never took on multiple roles simultaneously and avoided any magazine shoots or interviews during filming. Once he entered the set, he essentially disappeared from the public eye. This was why Bo Zhen felt comfortable leaving him there in the first place.
“There are two scenes to shoot tomorrow morning. After that, there’s a half-day break. Have you thought about what you want to do?” Bo Zhen asked during dinner.
“Brother Jiang, Brother Bo,” the assistant chimed in hesitantly, “Can I go back to the city tomorrow afternoon? It’s my mom’s birthday…”
Without hesitation, Jiang Yunjian replied, “You should head back tonight. I don’t have much going on. Just return the day after tomorrow.”
The assistant was taken aback. “Ah, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
“It’s fine. He’s giving you the time off, so just go,” Bo Zhen added. “I’ll send you some money later. You can buy a scarf or something as a gift for your mom and say it’s from the company.”
The two started discussing gift ideas, while Jiang Yunjian stayed out of the conversation. He put down his chopsticks and began fiddling with his phone under the table.
[Jiang Yunjian: President Cheng, I’ll have a break starting tomorrow noon.]
After sending the message, Jiang Yunjian felt slightly embarrassed. Did this come off as too eager? Should he have been more subtle?
Scrolling through their chat history, he realized all their messages were rather explicit. Either he was telling Cheng Peng when he was free, or Cheng Peng was asking him to bring certain items upstairs. Their text exchanges were straightforward, filled with commas and periods, barely reflecting the nature of their conversations.
He thought for a moment, then raised his finger to delete the message, but the system informed him that it was past the two-minute mark and couldn’t be recalled. After hesitating briefly, he sent an emoji.
“Xiao Jian, Xiao Jian!”
Jiang Yunjian looked up suddenly. “What’s up?”
“I’ve been talking to you for ages, and you weren’t listening,” Bo Zhen said. “I told you to eat more. Don’t lose any more weight. You’ve got a commercial shoot in two weeks.”
Jiang Yunjian responded with a vague “Mm,” shoved a meatball into his mouth, then stopped eating.
“…” Bo Zhen couldn’t bear to watch. He clicked his tongue, “Forget it. I have something serious to discuss.”
Jiang Yunjian nodded, “Go ahead.”
Bo Zhen hesitated but eventually said, “Well, a few days ago, Yu Luo’s manager came to see me.” Yu Luo was the leading actress currently filming the movie with Jiang Yunjian.
Jiang Yunjian asked, “What did they say?”
“Same old story,” Bo Zhen replied. “They want you two to stir up some rumors.”
Jiang Yunjian frowned and said firmly, “No. I’ve never done that, and you know it.”
Of course, Bo Zhen knew. Neither he nor Jiang Yunjian liked fabricating gossip. Stirring up rumors was easy, but quelling them was hard, often leading to a bad reputation. Moreover, they never knew what drama the other party might stir up. Jiang Yunjian’s career was doing well, so there was no need for unnecessary risks.
Bo Zhen lowered his voice. “The situation is different now. If you and President Cheng are ever caught by the media, we could use Yu Luo as a cover. Plus, her current image is quite positive, so she won’t get much backlash. When things end between you and President Cheng, it will be easy to clarify everything with Yu Luo.”
Jiang Yunjian felt a pang of discomfort. After a moment, he said, “I won’t do it. Please refuse for me.”
Bo Zhen’s perfect plan, which he had thought over for a week, was rejected just like that.
“You’re really…” On the way back, Bo Zhen grew increasingly upset. “I’m begging you—can’t you leave yourself a way out? Why insist on charging forward like a fool? If something happens, all your efforts over the years will be for nothing. Are you worried President Cheng will have an issue with it? Don’t worry. He seems easy to talk to. If you agree, I’ll discuss it with him, and he won’t mind.”
“It has nothing to do with him,” Jiang Yunjian interrupted. “It’s my decision.”
Bo Zhen was about to say something, but Jiang Yunjian cut him off. “Brother Bo, we can talk about anything else, but not this. Please.”
It wasn’t until evening that Jiang Yunjian received a reply.
[Cheng Peng: Okay, take a good rest.]
Jiang Yunjian removed his coat, contemplating various shameless and clingy responses.
[Jiang Yunjian: Thank you. You too.]
He closed the window as the weather grew colder, signaling the onset of winter. It wouldn’t be long before it snowed.
Jiang Yunjian had a special fondness for the first snowfall. After showering, he checked the predicted snowfall date on his phone. Although it might not be accurate, it gave him a sense of anticipation so he wouldn’t miss it.
Upon seeing the forecasted date, Jiang Yunjian was slightly stunned, then smiled.
This date was etched in his memory; there was no need to add it to his reminders.
He locked his phone and picked up the script to review his lines for the next morning. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Standing at the door was Yu Luo, holding two takeout bags.
Bo Zhen’s suggestion about stirring up rumors with Yu Luo wasn’t baseless. Though it was her first time acting in a film, Yu Luo was already a well-known actress in TV dramas. Three years older than Jiang Yunjian, she could easily pass for a teenager with her pigtails and had built a positive image as a wealthy, pampered girl, making her popular with audiences.
Seeing Yu Luo, Jiang Yunjian frowned slightly.
There was a saying popular in the industry—if you don’t want to make the news, don’t knock on doors late at night. It was already eleven o’clock, a delicate time. One click of the shutter, and he’d be trending by morning.
He doubted Yu Luo didn’t understand this, but out of courtesy, he still opened the door.
Yu Luo lowered her head, smiling sheepishly. “Thank you for helping me with that scene today. I bought some food to thank you. Hope I’m not disturbing you?”
“No,” Jiang Yunjian said politely. “But I’m not planning to eat anything, so I won’t accept it.”
“Please, if you don’t take it, I’ll feel bad asking for your help.” Yu Luo wavered the script in her hand. “Could you help me rehearse? I’m worried I’ll mess up again tomorrow and get scolded by Director Wu.”
Yu Luo’s hint was clear—no actress would visit a male co-star alone late at night just to rehearse.
“No,” Jiang Yunjian refused. “I’m about to rest. If you need, we can come to the set early tomorrow, and I’ll rehearse with you.”
____
Cheng Peng saw his business partner off at the airport and finally felt a bit relieved.
This deal had dragged on for more than half a year. It wasn’t easy to secure. If not for the goal of expanding into the overseas market, he wouldn’t have bothered with it.
Back in the car, the assistant turned to him and asked, “Should I take you home now?”
Cheng Peng was about to respond when his phone buzzed with a notification. Yue Wenwen had shared a Weibo post with him.
The content wasn’t much—just a couple of popular actors who had been caught reading scripts under dim lights a few nights ago. The photos were grainy due to the clandestine nature of the shots, but Jiang Yunjian’s striking features still made him recognizable.
Not getting a reply, the assistant asked again, “President Cheng?”
Cheng Peng stayed silent for a moment, then put down his phone. He suddenly asked, “Is his set far from here?”
Cheng Peng couldn’t quite explain why he decided to go. It wasn’t because of the news; he just felt like seeing Jiang Yunjian. As for what he would say or do when they met, he hadn’t figured that out yet.
As one of the film’s investors, it was perfectly reasonable for him to visit the set occasionally. When he arrived, he left the assistant in the car and went in alone.
The director’s assistant recognized him and quickly opened the door to let him in.
As soon as Cheng Peng entered the studio, he saw Jiang Yunjian dressed simply in red tattered clothes, standing in front of a green screen, gripping a long sword, and confidently confronting someone.
Cheng Peng hadn’t read the script and didn’t know what kind of film it was. But after hearing a couple of lines from Jiang Yunjian, he could tell what type of character he was playing—a bold, carefree youth of the martial world, with a playful smile and an air of arrogance that completely overshadowed the female lead standing opposite him.
Cheng Peng stood among the crew behind the camera. With the bright lights shining in his eyes, Jiang Yunjian couldn’t see him. After the take, Jiang Yunjian walked over to Director Wu and started discussing changes for the next scene.
Director Wu, surprised, laughed and asked, “You’re asking me to change the script?”
Jiang Yunjian nodded. “Yes.”
Director Wu bluntly replied, “You’re the first one in years to ask me to change the script.”
“I just feel this scene is somewhat redundant, even a bit cumbersome,” Jiang Yunjian persisted without fear. “Director Wu, this is my character, and of course, I want him to be presented in the best possible way. Please take another look at the transition between these two scenes. It’s quite unnatural and slightly awkward.”
Director Wu frowned and stared at the script for a long time. “How do you want to change it?”
Jiang Yunjian then shared his ideas, practically rewriting that entire section.
Director Wu’s expression grew increasingly displeased, and the surrounding crew grew tense. Yet, Jiang Yunjian remained calm and continued sharing his thoughts.
Cheng Peng listened and couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.
How many different faces did this person have? Every time Cheng Peng saw him, it felt like meeting a different person. He was so obedient in front of Cheng Peng, yet bold enough to challenge Director Wu on set.
The debate reached a conclusion, and Jiang Yunjian nodded in satisfaction before heading backstage. Throughout the entire process, aside from his lines during filming, he didn’t say a single extra word to the female lead or spare her another glance.
After Jiang Yunjian left, Cheng Peng stepped forward to greet Director Wu.
“What brings you here?” Director Wu gestured for someone nearby, “Hey, get a chair.”
“No need,” Cheng Peng smiled. “How’s the filming going? That kid of mine hasn’t caused you any trouble, has he?”
“A little trouble, yes. He and Yu Luo got caught by the paparazzi, and now the media’s doubled over the past two days. It’s a headache. But other than that, everything’s fine,” Director Wu said. Then he asked curiously, “You’re not that much older than Jiang Yunjian. Why do you talk about him like he’s your kid? Are you relatives?”
Cheng Peng brushed off the question and, after asking where Jiang Yunjian’s dressing room was, took his leave.
The door to the dressing room was open. Jiang Yunjian was sitting with his eyes closed, taking a brief nap while getting his makeup done.
The makeup artist finished touching up Jiang Yunjian’s makeup and turned to leave, only to bump into Cheng Peng. The makeup artist paused, startled, and asked, “You are…?”
Cheng Peng: “Shh.”
Bo Zhen, who had just returned with a cup of water, initially frowned upon seeing Cheng Peng but quickly understood the situation—given Jiang Yunjian’s recent scandal with Yu Luo, Cheng Peng visiting repeatedly was no issue.
With a whispered greeting to Cheng Peng, Bo Zhen led the makeup artist out of the room.
Cheng Peng locked the door behind them and took a seat beside Jiang Yunjian, observing him with interest.
Jiang Yunjian didn’t sleep well, his head tilted back, mouth slightly open, giving him a somewhat silly look that made Cheng Peng feel like pinching his cheek.
As Cheng Peng debated whether to act on the impulse, Jiang Yunjian’s head slowly drooped forward, eventually losing control and dropping sharply.
Quickly, Cheng Peng reached out to steady his chin.
Jiang Yunjian, who had stayed up late reading scripts, couldn’t help but doze off today. Feeling the warmth on his chin, he assumed it was the makeup artist. “Sorry…”
Groggily opening his eyes, he was momentarily stunned upon recognizing Cheng Peng.
After a pause, Jiang Yunjian asked, “… Am I still dreaming?”
Cheng Peng raised an eyebrow. “Maybe.”
Fully awake now, Jiang Yunjian exclaimed, “Why are you here?” He wiped at his mouth, concerned there might be something there.
Cheng Peng chuckled at the sight. This guy must be exhausted—arguing with the director one moment, then sleeping deeply the next. “I was passing by, came to see Director Wu, and decided to check on you.”
Jiang Yunjian couldn’t care less about the casual pretense. Cheng Peng specifically coming to the makeup room to find him was enough to make him secretly happy for a long time.
“Thanks,” Jiang Yunjian said.
Cheng Peng laughed. “What are you being thankful for?”
“Thanking Director Wu,” Jiang Yunjian explained, pressing his lips together, “for getting you to come here.”
“….” Cheng Peng didn’t tease him further, instead placing a hand on Jiang Yunjian’s head and giving it a gentle rub. “I came to see you. It had nothing to do with Director Wu.”
Jiang Yunjian’s heart raced, his fatigue suddenly vanished. “…. To see me?”
“Yeah,” Cheng Peng replied. “How’s it going here? Getting used to it?”
Jiang Yunjian, who had shot many films in the studio before, wasn’t fazed. “It’s fine. What about you? Been busy lately?”
“I’ve just wrapped up a busy period.”
Jiang Yunjian nodded. “I’ve got two more scenes left, should be done in about an hour… Maybe you should head back first, and I’ll come find you later?”
Cheng Peng chuckled and asked, “With all the media outside, you still dare to come looking for me?”
“I’ll sneak out through the window; no one will notice,” Jiang Yunjian whispered, lowering his voice as if committing a mischievous act.
Cheng Peng raised an eyebrow and slowly questioned, “The last time you came to find me, you also snuck out through the window?”
Jiang Yunjian nodded. “The window isn’t high, easy to climb through.”
Cheng Peng initially came just to see him briefly, already stressed enough from dealing with a troublesome business partner and not wanting to think about anything else.
But seeing Jiang Yunjian like this, his mind was flooded with various thoughts.
After a moment, Cheng Peng said, “Don’t come anymore.”
Jiang Yunjian was startled and anxiously asked, “…. Why? Is it inconvenient for you? Or do you need to rest? I can come tomorrow instead.”
Cheng Peng chuckled and held out his hand. “Give me your hotel room key.”
Jiang Yunjian froze, not moving.
Cheng Peng mimicked him and asked, “What’s wrong? Inconvenient?”
Jiang Yunjian took a deep breath, quickly rummaged through his assistant’s bag for the room key, and placed it in Cheng Peng’s hand. “It’s convenient… very convenient.”
There were two knocks on the door from outside—it was the crew reminding him to go shoot the next scene.
“Alright, I won’t keep you from work,” Cheng Peng said as he stood up.
“Okay.” Jiang Yunjian stood up as well. “I’ll finish as quickly as I can and head back. Wait for me.”
Cheng Peng laughed softly. “No rush. I’m not going to run off with your room key. Focus on your shoot.”
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
Hehehe