After I Started Dating the Scum Gong Substitute, the White Moonlight Returned - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

“Who did you learn this from?” Jiang Yan’s voice dropped an octave. He strode over; the tips of Cheng Jianyu’s hair were damp, and a small patch of fabric on his shoulder was wet—signs of having been out in the rain. Cheng Jianyu stared blankly at Jiang Yan, blinking slightly a few times without saying a word, looking somewhat pitiable.

Restraining his anger, Jiang Yan patted his face with moderate force, enunciating every word: “Being sensible is your only highlight. Don’t lose that highlight, understand?”

Having finished, he grabbed his jacket from the hanger, slammed the door shut, and walked away without looking back.

Only when he was sitting in the driver’s seat did Jiang Yan tug down on the collar of his T-shirt to breathe. His face in the rearview mirror was violent and cold, like a volcano on the brink of eruption. He took a deep breath, the pulse behind his ear throbbing from rage, and clenched his fist to punch the steering wheel several times.

Damn it, that last sentence was too harsh.

Bringing Cheng Jianyu to this show was proof that he took this relationship seriously, but Cheng Jianyu had actually used such a vulgar method to scare and balance him, completely failing to see his sincerity.

Jiang Yan flexed the muscles in his hand. The windshield wipers swayed back and forth. He opened the mobile map navigation with one hand and located a bar in the local Chinatown.

It was opened by a friend who had retired from a band. The storefront was fashionably decorated, and the light sign sparkled in the rainy night. Because of the heavy rain, business at the bar was dismal tonight.

He pushed the door open. A scattering of guests sat in the booths. A bald man in a leather jacket was wiping glasses. Hearing the movement, he looked up. “Ah! A rare guest!”

Jiang Yan ignored him, sat on a high stool with his long legs spread, and tapped the bar counter. “Guantou, alcohol.”

“I thought you stopped drinking?” Even as he spoke, Guantou poured a glass of pale blue liquid and handed it over. “Try it, my new creation.”

“Is this mouthwash?” Jiang Yan frowned and set down the glass.

Guantou looked at him with a mix of exasperation and amusement. “Don’t take your temper out on me. Who offended Young Master Jiang? Let me guess… Jiang Shan?”

“No, Jiang Shan isn’t in South Island either.” Guantou scratched his hair and asked casually, “It couldn’t be…”

Jiang Yan turned his face and stared at him unblinkingly. Guantou was intimidated by this gaze, his skin crawling, yet his curiosity got the better of him. He emboldened himself and said, “Xiao Yu wouldn’t dare make you angry. He follows your lead in everything. Don’t fail to appreciate the blessing you have.”

Jiang Yan tilted his chin up, his gaze cold. “You talk too much.”

“Didn’t you come to find me just to listen to me talk?” Guantou smiled and jerked his chin toward Jiang Yan’s back. “A little beauty has come looking for you.”

Kong Xuesong sat on the high stool beside Jiang Yan. To hold a place in the fractured entertainment industry, no one was unattractive. Under the dim light of the ceiling, his refined features gained a bit more charm. He ordered a drink and looked at Jiang Yan with a smile. “I’ve been wanting to apologize for mentioning you on other shows. Today I finally have the chance.”

Jiang Yan glanced at him, turned his head to slowly size him up, and said indifferently, “How did you get here?”

“I was here last night too.” Kong Xuesong smiled at Guantou, inserted a straw into his drink, and took a sip. “I didn’t expect to run into Young Master Jiang tonight. Why didn’t Brother Jianyu come?”

Jiang Yan retracted his gaze, lacking interest.

“Brother Jianyu looks like he has a high tolerance for alcohol. I’d like to have a drink with you both if there’s a chance,” Kong Xuesong said to himself, resting his elbow on the bar to close the distance between them. He smiled and added, “But my tolerance isn’t very good; I go down after one glass.”

Jiang Yan fixed his eyes on him for three seconds. “If you can’t drink, why come to a bar?”

“I like the atmosphere of a bar.” Kong Xuesong gave a dry laugh and said half-joking, “Young Master Jiang’s speech is still so heartless. I’ve remembered for three years that you said I wasn’t suited for the singing career!”

Jiang Yan gave a perfunctory “Mm” and fished his phone out of his pocket. He operated it with one hand to open WeChat. Half an hour had passed since he left, yet Cheng Jianyu hadn’t sent a single fawning message.

This was not normal.

“Actually, I think you were quite right. My vocal conditions aren’t good; I really wasn’t suited for singing. It’s quite good to follow the acting route now.”

Kong Xuesong let out a sentimental sigh, his expression dejected as he lowered his head. “My parents weren’t around since I was a child; I grew up all alone. I’m particularly lacking in a sense of security, which is why I took your criticism so much to heart…”

“You’re lacking what?” Jiang Yan’s gaze moved to his face. He suddenly remembered that Cheng Jianyu’s parents also hadn’t been around since he was a child; he grew up with his grandmother.

“I lack a sense of security.” Seeing that he had piqued interest, Kong Xuesong said softly, “I hope to find someone who can give me security. Teacher Yan is very good to me, but the two of us aren’t a couple; we can only be friends.”

“I really envy Brother Yu for being so confident. He’s so attractive. I could never be confident like him…” He looked at Jiang Yan intentionally or otherwise. Sure enough, the man’s cold jawline tensed and his thin lips pursed—there was a hint of pity there.

It was indeed pity.

But the pity was for Cheng Jianyu.

Jiang Yan had never considered the issue of Cheng Jianyu lacking security. Cheng Jianyu had grown up alone and helpless. After meeting him, he had surrendered both body and soul. No wonder he was prone to gains and losses, trying every means to test how much love there was.

Thinking of it this way, Cheng Jianyu was truly pitiable. He was merely deeply in love—what fault was there in that?

The irritable emotions accumulated in his chest suddenly vanished, and his mood cleared up. Jiang Yan stood up, resting his elbow lazily on the bar, and beckoned to Guantou. “Come, you have business.”

Kong Xuesong was stunned, watching with curiosity.

Guantou’s eyes lit up, and he asked with a grin, “What business?”

“He lacks a sense of security. Set him up with a few more of your travel insurance policies.” After speaking, Jiang Yan neatly pulled up the hood of his sports jacket with one hand and looked at Kong Xuesong with a half-smile. “The drink is on me. No need to thank me.”

Kong Xuesong’s face turned a kaleidoscope of colors—it was quite a sight.

…

Jiang Yan turned and left, returning once more to the hotel. Pushing the car door open, he stretched, his steps light.

He still didn’t like Cheng Jianyu’s method, but thinking carefully, it was true that he hadn’t given Cheng Jianyu enough security. A “status” wasn’t enough to settle Cheng Jianyu’s heart; it seemed psychological compensation was also needed.

Revealing an intimate state in front of the camera was, in Jiang Yan’s view, a form of disguised hype. He had always disliked such vulgar marketing. However, if it could give Cheng Jianyu peace of mind, he was willing to do such a vulgar thing.

Jiang Yan called Cheng Jianyu’s phone, but no one answered. He walked straight to the restaurant. The staff at the door saw Jiang Yan and said happily, “Teacher Yan and Mr. Cheng are eating inside. We’re filming some behind-the-scenes footage.”

He frowned, stuffed his hands nonchalantly into his pants pockets, and walked into the restaurant. Yan Rong was wearing a flashy three-piece suit, his jacket open to reveal the “dressed-up beast” waistcoat inside, with a “man-disguised-as-dog” bowtie at his neck. Cheng Jianyu and Yan Rong sat opposite each other. The table was laden with rich dishes, and two staff members had their cameras pointed at the dining table.

Cheng Jianyu’s profile was elegant and dignified, with his usual indifferent and calm expression. He looked as if he never got close to anyone. Jiang Yan had grown tired of this face, yet today it inspired different thoughts.

Faced with him, Cheng Jianyu was always pleasant, loved to act spoiled, and said bittersweet romantic things. But when he turned his face toward others, he was like the perennial snow on an unscalable mountain—to be observed from afar but not trifled with.

He had always known about this obvious preferential treatment, but he realized once again with clarity: he was unique to Cheng Jianyu.

Jiang Yan suddenly regretted what he had said that afternoon once more.

Cheng Jianyu’s highlights certainly didn’t stop at being sensible.

Yan Rong was very good at conversation. Even if Cheng Jianyu only chimed in occasionally, the atmosphere at the table didn’t become awkward because of his presence. As he poured tea, he said with a smile, “Many tourists come here to eat Rose Dumplings. Actually, it’s a case of ‘exported goods sold back domestically.’ The place of origin is a city in Guangzhou, China. The ones there are the most authentic.”

“Try one. You can try the authentic ones when you have a chance to return home.”

Cheng Jianyu picked up a fork to spear one. Just as he was about to taste it, his wrist was caught by a warm hand. Jiang Yan leaned over slightly, and without regard for others, ate the Rose Dumpling from his hand. He stared straight at him, his voice slow: “Jianyu, it’s too sweet.”

Combined with that look, the plain words sounded extremely ambiguous.

The cameraman, who had intended to capture some extra material, almost burst out laughing. In a second, he had already thought of a title for the video.

Jiang Yan was very supportive of the camera and editing work. He sat down composedly, naturally hooking his arm around Cheng Jianyu’s shoulder. He casually picked up the chopsticks Cheng Jianyu had used and tasted a bite of the food on Cheng Jianyu’s plate. “You guys continue chatting. Don’t mind me.”

Looking at Jiang Yan’s posture of declaring sovereignty, Yan Rong felt as if he were seeing a tyrant and a refined scholar. He didn’t want to say a single word.

Cheng Jianyu looked down at the cup for a few seconds, then turned his head and said softly, “Brother Chao said we can’t be like this on camera.”

“Are you listening to him or to me?” Jiang Yan poured a glass of juice, set it in front of him, and gave a low scoff. “I’ll show off my wife however I want.”

Cheng Jianyu pursed his lips, unable to tell if he was disappointed or happy. “You aren’t angry anymore?”

The hand Jiang Yan had on his shoulder suddenly shifted to stroke the light brown mole on the back of his neck, his palm feeling itchy. “Who’s angry?”

After speaking, he looked at the tabletop, his thumb slowly grinding a circle around that alluring mole. “If there is a next time…”

Jiang Yan leaned close to his ear and said nonchalantly in a voice only the two of them could hear: “I won’t want you anymore.”

Cheng Jianyu gave an “Mm” and said seriously, “There won’t be a next time.”

There wouldn’t be a next time.