Author: 反舌鸟 / Mockingbird

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Editor: Eli

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Chapter 37

Jiang Yu could barely remember what Zhu Xiao looked like.

He only remembered she was a very beautiful woman, but he wasn’t interested in women. Zhu Xiao had an even worse temper than Jiang Yu, and their collaboration was fraught with friction. Later, Zhu Xiao suddenly demanded that, although Jiang Yu was clearly the lead actor per the contract, all promotional materials should feature her first. Otherwise, she wouldn’t cooperate with the promotions. This caused conflicts not only among the teams but also between the male and female leads.

Once, while filming a kissing scene, Zhu Xiao refused to do it for real and insisted on using a stand-in. For the subsequent bed scene, which only showed her back, she also refused and demanded it be cut entirely. The director actually agreed. Jiang Yu was furious and exploded, “Do you think anyone is desperate to take advantage of you? If you can’t handle it, just go home and let a man take care of you. Shoot or don’t shoot, whatever.”

He was extremely angry and spoke harshly, then sat aside, ignoring everyone. The atmosphere on set was dismal. After a while, Jiang Yu quietly asked his assistant, “Why is she crying?”

The assistant replied, “Didn’t you make her cry?!”

“How is that my fault?” Jiang Yu was exasperated. He thought it was clearly Zhu Xiao who started the trouble.

“She’s been dealing with rumors of being kept as a mistress, and you just had to hit her sore spot,” the assistant said.

Jiang Yu recalled hearing such rumors but always forgot about them, as they were irrelevant to him. In his anger, he hadn’t considered this. Catching a glimpse of Zhu Xiao still crying made him uncomfortable.

He later agreed to use a stand-in for the kissing scene and to completely replace the bed scene. Zhu Xiao told him it was because her family was strict. Jiang Yu just listened, not arguing further. But just before shooting started, he told Zhu Xiao, “I think people should take control of their own fate.”

It was like a line from an inspirational drama, and Zhu Xiao stared at him in surprise.

“No matter what your family or other mess, you can’t live like this forever.” Jiang Yu tried to be as tactful as he could.

Zhu Xiao didn’t even thank him, running to the camera like she was fleeing.

Jiang Yu’s recollection ended. “I haven’t seen her since that show. She suddenly announced her marriage and retirement. That night, she called me out of the blue, just crying without saying why. In the end, I only comforted her a bit. Are people afraid she might reveal something? Damn it, what does this have to do with me?”

He felt frustrated and went to pour himself a glass of ice water.

As he raised his head, Yu Ruoyun took the glass away.

“Always like this,” Yu Ruoyun said. “As soon as you feel better, you stop taking care of yourself. Eat less cold stuff.”

Jiang Yu stood there looking at Yu Ruoyun, then reached for his hand. Yu Ruoyun moved the glass further away, but Jiang Yu wasn’t after the glass. He put it on the nearby cabinet and held Yu Ruoyun’s fingers.

“Your hand is so cold.” Jiang Yu had noticed this when he touched him earlier. “I’m still young. You don’t need to worry about my health and should pay attention to yours. You can catch a cold from just a breeze.”

Yu Ruoyun smiled, but he didn’t seem happy.

Jiang Yu blew on Yu Ruoyun’s palm, carefully asking, “Are you mad?”

“Mad?” Yu Ruoyun repeated. “No.”

“Then let’s make a deal,” Jiang Yu, feeling apprehensive, suggested, “Can we stop thinking about this?”

“Let’s just pretend I didn’t say anything tonight.” Jiang Yu’s voice was soft, as if afraid of waking Yu Ruoyun.

Yu Ruoyun’s hand remained cold, never warming up, and Jiang Yu didn’t let go. After several long minutes, Yu Ruoyun finally said, “Why?”

“It’s dangerous, isn’t it?” Jiang Yu said. “If Jiang Yu accidentally offended someone, he’s already paid the price. If you get involved, it’ll be very dangerous.”

“You didn’t used to be like this,” Yu Ruoyun said. “You used to… never forgive a slight.”

Yu Ruoyun was right. Jiang Yu was never a forgiving person, but now he had more to lose.

If the rumors about Zhu Xiao were true, if she had a powerful backer and was really a mistress of a high-ranking official, Jiang Yu felt guilty for not recognizing her call for help. But now, he couldn’t fix it. He was just a minor actor who couldn’t even protect himself. He just wanted Yu Ruoyun to stay away from the bomb.

“There’s something I haven’t told you,” Jiang Yu said, resigned. “You can scold me more. But it’s all in the past, so just don’t…”

He wanted to tell Yu Ruoyun not to be too upset for him but couldn’t say it out loud.

“That day, I wanted to see you. I forgot you were abroad until I almost reached your door,” Jiang Yu said. “My mind was a mess. I hadn’t slept the night before, and the medication had side effects. I wasn’t in a good state. So, when you asked if I ran the red light or why the car was speeding, I really couldn’t remember.”

“I only remember thinking, if I could see you one last time, I’d go back, fill the bathtub with hot water, and finally get a good sleep.”

For Jiang Yu, death was inevitable. He couldn’t deny that he was ill, tormenting his mind and body. His only act of free will was to see Yu Ruoyun one last time. His death was suspicious, but if not for such a sinister coincidence, he might not have had the chance to see Yu Ruoyun or live again.

“I’m sorry.” He owed Yu Ruoyun many apologies. “I’ll tell you everything from now on.”

The one who brought pain to Yu Ruoyun wasn’t a conspirator but Jiang Yu himself, because of his dishonesty and selfish desire to leave the world.

Yu Ruoyun’s thumb brushed Jiang Yu’s eyes, and he realized his tears had fallen again, wetting Yu Ruoyun’s clothes.

“Sleep,” Yu Ruoyun said. “It’s almost dawn. Let’s not cry anymore.”

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