I Rely on My Versatility to Reach the Top of the Entertainment Industry [Ancient Times to Modern] - Chapter 20

Under Jing Yi’s sparkling gaze, Lu Yuzhi couldn’t resist reaching out to ruffle the messy wig on his head.

“I have fitness equipment at my place. You can temporarily move in with me.”

“Okay!” Jing Yi nodded obediently. “Should I move tonight then?”

He was extremely eager to build a stronger physique.

Hearing this, Lu Yuzhi sighed inwardly. How could Jing Yi be… so naive? This only made him seem even more unreasonable.

Though he thought this, Lu Yuzhi still agreed verbally: “Yeah, moving tonight works too.”

His tone sounded appropriately reluctant.

“If it’s inconvenient, I can take a taxi tomorrow morning instead?” Jing Yi keenly sensed the oddness in Lu Yuzhi’s tone and changed his mind.

Lu Yuzhi smiled, continuing his act: “Actually it’s fine. You can ride with me tonight – it’s settled then.”

After their agreement was made, Gu Guochang eyed Lu Yuzhi suspiciously, feeling something was off but unable to pinpoint what exactly.

The acquainted group sat chatting for a while longer at the stone tables and chairs in the zoo.

Jing Yi didn’t participate, instead playing with Lu Yi nearby.

As the sun began to set, Lu Yuzhi approached Jing Yi.

Bathed in warm orange sunset glow, the clean-faced, handsome young man lay resting against the tiger’s soft belly with closed eyes. Both human and tiger were enveloped in a halo of light, creating an incredibly heartwarming scene.

“Jing Yi, time to go.” Lu Yuzhi called out softly.

Jing Yi rubbed his eyes and sat up.

After taking some time to bid farewell to the affectionate big cat, they got in the car. Lu Yuzhi asked: “Where’s your place?”

Jing Yi provided his apartment address, adding apologetically: “It’s a bit far.”

The assistant driving upfront didn’t comment, simply driving to the apartment building according to the address.

Jing Yi opened the car door, leaving behind an energetic: “Please wait a moment, I’ll be right back!”

Before the words faded, he was already running up the apartment stairs.

Lu Yuzhi felt like laughing again.

Just how eager was this little thing to work out? If only he’d be this enthusiastic about coming to his house for other reasons…

Jing Yi packed three sets of clothes, put daily necessities like toothbrush and towel into a storage bag, and brought his charger. Before leaving, he lit another incense stick before two memorial tablets.

Back in the car, they set off again.

This time, their destination was the downtown villa area.

Lu Yuzhi’s villa featured a minimalist black-and-white decor spanning three floors. Every room had its own bathroom, making it very convenient.

Entering the house, Jing Yi followed Lu Yuzhi obediently with his backpack to his room and put away his things.

“Take a shower first. I’ll prepare dinner.”

As he spoke, Lu Yuzhi removed his mask but kept his hat on. After recently playing Liao Chen, his hair hadn’t fully grown back. While he needed wigs for formal occasions, today being private time, he went without.

“Okay.” Jing Yi, however, openly took off his hat, revealing his smooth, bald head.

“Your hair hasn’t grown back yet?” Lu Yuzhi stared at the shining “light bulb.”

Jing Yi tilted his head: “It grew, but I wasn’t used to it, so I shaved it again.”

The makeup artist had asked him about it today, but stopped questioning when he mentioned he’d just finished playing a monk.

Lu Yuzhi gave another glance at Jing Yi’s well-shaped head, raised an eyebrow slightly without further comment, and turned toward the kitchen.

After bathing, Jing Yi changed into clean clothes, washed his laundry with the detergent he brought, wrung them dry, then went to ask Lu Yuzhi where he could hang them to dry.

Lu Yuzhi pointed out the balcony and clothes rack locations. Jing Yi carried his clothes out to dry.

When he returned, the dining table was already set with food.

“If you need more rice, there’s extra,” Lu Yuzhi said kindly.

Noticing the table was filled with vegetarian dishes, Jing Yi expressed gratitude: “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Lu Yuzhi responded.

They finished dinner quietly. Lu Yuzhi then took out paper and pen, proactively suggesting they create a fitness plan.

Jing Yi, unfamiliar with such matters, obediently nodded at everything Lu Yuzhi said. When asked about his sleep schedule, Jing Yi replied: “Usually 9:30 PM to 5:00 AM.”

Lu Yuzhi paused in surprise – young people these days kept such regular hours?

He recorded Jing Yi’s schedule into the plan, silently wondering whether he, a 29-year-old veteran, could wake up that early tomorrow.

The fitness plan also included dietary arrangements. Knowing Jing Yi avoided meat, Lu Yuzhi substituted protein powder instead.

After finalizing the plan, Lu Yuzhi checked the time: “It’s 8 PM now – what do you usually do at this hour?”

Jing Yi pressed his palms together: “Evening prayers.”

“Oh? You still do evening prayers?” Lu Yuzhi found this strange. “The monk role has ended, so why…?”

“It’s become habit,” Jing Yi said, rising to avoid revealing secrets. “Good night, Mr. Lu. I’ll go do my prayers.”

His eagerness only fueled Lu Yuzhi’s curiosity.

After some hesitation, Lu Yuzhi spoke: “Could I join you? While preparing for the Liao Chen role, I researched monastic practices. Evening prayers are part of Buddhist routine, though they weren’t in ‘Seduce the Monk’ script. I’ve always wanted to experience it.”

Jing Yi looked astonished: “So Mr. Lu is interested in monastic evening prayers?”

“Yes,” Lu Yuzhi admitted without blinking, while secretly adding: Though more interested in you.

Unaware of Lu Yuzhi’s true thoughts, Jing Yi pressed his palms together in ceremonial greeting: “Excellent. Then may this benefactor join this humble monk.”

Facing someone genuinely interested in his practices, Jing Yi felt only his authentic demeanor could show proper respect.

Seeing Lu Yuzhi return the gesture, Jing Yi smiled. Being able to be himself with new friends was truly joyful.

However, having just eaten, they needed to perform slow shadowboxing first to aid digestion.

Jing Yi assumed stance in the living room, beginning slow movements. Lu Yuzhi followed alongside, mimicking the motions quite decently.

Next came meditation, requiring dim lighting.

With Lu Yuzhi’s permission, Jing Yi turned off the living room lights, leaving only kitchen lighting for visibility: “Meditation requires clear mind and steady breathing to achieve focus. Since it’s your first time, we’ll omit chanting.”

Lu Yuzhi nodded.

Jing Yi settled on the floor mat, watching Lu Yuzhi sit opposite before closing his eyes.

Lu Yuzhi followed suit.

Time became immeasurable in the profound silence until suddenly, Lu Yuzhi recalled that afternoon scene of Jing Yi under the spray.

Jing Yi’s frame wasn’t actually frail – his abdomen showed defined muscle lines, just without bulging prominence. Perhaps his fair complexion created that delicate impression.

Especially his waist, seemingly small enough to…

Lu Yuzhi’s breath hitched momentarily, his eyes snapping open. In the dim light, his amber eyes swirled with unmistakable emotion.

He carefully gazed at Jing Yi’s serene and transcendent features, his heart racing uncontrollably in his chest.

“Patron, if you keep staring at this humble monk, how can I calm my mind?”

Hearing Jing Yi’s sudden remark, Lu Yuzhi hurriedly closed his eyes.

When Jing Yi fell silent again, he cautiously reopened them.

Still sensing Lu Yuzhi’s persistent gaze after the reminder, Jing Yi sighed helplessly. “If Mr. Lu dislikes the evening meditation, perhaps you should give it up?”

He opened his eyes, his tranquil, limpid dark pupils meeting Lu Yuzhi’s gaze.

Lu Yuzhi hastily concealed the lingering intensity in his eyes, forcing a stern expression. “I can manage. I was watching you because… I’ve never seen this before. Shall we continue?”

“Very well. In truth, seated evening meditation is simply like this. There’s no need for such curiosity, Mr. Lu.” Jing Yi pressed his palms together. “Amitabha, let us proceed.”

This time, Lu Yuzhi dared not be presumptuous.

He closed his eyes and silently counted sheep.

No longer feeling Lu Yuzhi’s gaze and noticing his breathing gradually steadying, Jing Yi curved the corners of his lips. Patron Lu Yuzhi truly possesses remarkable insight. Tomorrow, I must recommend some Buddhist scriptures to him.