Author: 反舌鸟 / Mockingbird

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

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Chapter 42

Jiang Yu received another piece of good news: the first TV drama he participated in as Long Xingyu was about to air, much sooner than he had expected. This was one of the advantages of web dramas—despite the current complex review process, they were still quicker to release compared to TV dramas.

“It’s a modern drama with no special effects, and post-production was done concurrently,” Yu Ruoyun explained to Jiang Yu. “Initially, they wanted to air it during the summer break, but I said there was no need. Middle school students, even on vacation, wouldn’t want to watch this kind of drama. It’s better to air it sooner to avoid potential problems from delaying.”

“Really?” Jiang Yu, sipping milk tea and biting on the straw, joked with Yu Ruoyun. “I thought you just wanted to quickly get rid of this flawed project.”

“The initial decision was somewhat impulsive.” Yu Ruoyun didn’t avoid the issue. “But later I thought it could be a way to explore a new field. Acting is great, but what if someday no one wants to cast me? I need to know how to finance my own projects without losing money.”

Jiang Yu’s reaction was understandable. For a celebrated actor like Yu Ruoyun to star in a web drama seemed unthinkable. When Jiang Yu first heard the news, he nearly fainted. Later, when he found a way to secure a supporting role, his bandmates were envious, thinking he was lucky. Jiang Yu silently cursed, feeling he was enduring humiliation for Yu Ruoyun. If not for Yu Ruoyun, he wouldn’t have looked twice at this project.

Although he later realized many actors, some quite famous, were also guest-starring in the drama, which slightly reassured him. He comforted himself, thinking at least Yu Ruoyun was starring in a crime investigation drama. If it had been anything else, he might have considered sneaking into the set to kill Yu Ruoyun, dying together with him.

He recounted his initial thoughts to Yu Ruoyun, who smiled and brushed Jiang Yu’s bangs aside. “How can you, as a gay man, be prejudiced against the sexual orientations portrayed in TV dramas?”

“I’m really sorry, but that’s just how I am,” Jiang Yu retorted. “It will air, get popular, and then quickly be taken down. Actors who rise to fame because of the drama won’t mention it again.”

“That’s an issue with the industry, not the individual,” Yu Ruoyun replied. “Brief fame comes with labels that hinder career growth. Twenty years ago, gay films could win awards. Now it’s harder to make them, not just because of censorship but because actors themselves might think it’s not worth it.”

Yu Ruoyun’s argument was flawless, but Jiang Yu didn’t want to admit he was right, so he decided to stop arguing. With the new drama about to air, Jiang Yu decided to celebrate by opening a bottle of Yu Ruoyun’s red wine.

Jiang Yu struggled with the wine bottle at the table while Yu Ruoyun went to the kitchen to defrost and cook steaks. Jiang Yu, his back to Yu Ruoyun, joked, “When you’re completely washed up, you can go on a cooking show.”

Yu Ruoyun turned off the stove, sprinkled sea salt and sauce on the steaks, and brought them to the table. “Washing up doesn’t need time. It can happen suddenly.”

Jiang Yu still couldn’t open the wine, leaving wood chips all over the table. Yu Ruoyun sighed and opened it for him.

“This wine is expensive,” Yu Ruoyun said. “You almost ruined it.”

“Sorry,” Jiang Yu apologized insincerely. Yu Ruoyun bent down to kiss him, and the bottle, knocked by Jiang Yu’s hand, spilled some wine on the expensive table. Jiang Yu thought, ‘I’m doomed. I can’t afford this.’ He was a poor man now. He decided to kiss Yu Ruoyun more deeply, hoping he would forget about it and not ask for compensation.

Yu Ruoyun could cook, keep the house clean, remind Jiang Yu to dry his hair after washing it, and not drink cold water at night. Everyone who worked with Yu Ruoyun praised him highly; he had never been in a bad film. Yu Ruoyun was genuinely a normal person.

In novels and movies, there was always a twist. Jiang Yu had seen many people with hidden sides, but Yu Ruoyun’s biggest twist was that he had none. He was exactly the same as the person Jiang Yu first saw. If Yu Ruoyun had any hidden darkness, Jiang Yu was that darkness—the evidence that could ruin Yu Ruoyun if exposed.

Jiang Yu had wanted to withdraw before, but not anymore.

He had been busy lately. He had planned to study diligently, but his workload increased instead. When he was about to protest, his agent excitedly told them some good news—their unreliable entertainment company had received an investment.

Jiang Yu thought, ‘What does that have to do with me? I need rest. I need to prepare for college entrance exams.’

“Have you heard of Xu Ye’s company? She’s Yu Ruoyun’s agent, the one who made him famous,” the agent said.

Jiang Yu couldn’t help but retort, “Yu Ruoyun was famous first, then he hired her as his agent.”

“That’s not important.” The agent waved it off. “Now we have money and more resources. Seize the opportunity. XX Video recently added a stage for song promotions, perfect for promoting the new EP’s title track…”

The agent, not much older than them, spoke incessantly, as if they were destined for success.

Jiang Yu negotiated, saying he could accept more work in the next two months but needed the last two months off to study.

“But two months from now is the drama’s premiere, a prime opportunity,” the agent said. “The group’s activities can pause, but will you stop your solo work too? You might miss many opportunities.”

She seemed genuinely concerned for him.

“Two months later, Zhong Mo might debut in another group,” Jiang Yu said. “You should pay more attention to his votes. Has the company bought any spots? If he misses out, his fans might come to the company’s door to protest.”

“We haven’t bought any,” the agent said straightforwardly. “No money, and it’s not worth it. Not all debut spots are fixed. A few are still open. I think he has a good chance. His rankings have been high.”

Watching the show was the most the agent could do, besides posting a few of their pre-recorded videos to maintain some heat.

“……” Jiang Yu remembered the company’s official account was still recruiting new trainees and wanted to use his premium Weibo membership to edit the recruitment post he was asked to repost.

Change “Welcome to Yunteng Entertainment” to “Run away, don’t come.”

Finally, he got a promise to focus on studying. Jiang Yu was still worried. Even with low exam requirements, he hadn’t touched a textbook in years. Although his memory was decent, the few months were too rushed.

Moreover, the agent’s concerns were valid. As a supporting actor in the new drama, not seizing the opportunity to market himself would be unfair to Yu Ruoyun for giving him extra scenes. Staying still during a major release wasn’t Jiang Yu’s style.

He wanted to buy a trending topic like “#WatchedForYuRuoyunButFellForLongXingyu” so people would ask, “Who the hell is this? How is the Film Emperor so unlucky that he’s now overshadowed by a D-lister?”

But this had nothing to do with Lu Zheming, who was calmly slacking off. During Jiang Yu’s negotiation with the agent, he picked up a magazine and started reading.

“Hey.” Lu Zheming nudged Jiang Yu with his elbow, showing him an open magazine page, and whispered, “There’s an exclusive interview with your boyfriend.”

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