My Former Colleague Wants to Fake a BL Comeback Again - Chapter 1

#Long Time No See Officially Announces Final Guest Lineup#

#Gaoshan Jingxing Remarries#

Looking at these two high-ranking trending topics on Hot Search, Cen Jing tightened his grip on his phone. The light from the screen reflected off his face, illuminating his tightly pursed lips and slightly trembling eyelashes.

He took a deep breath. With a shaking hand, he clicked into the second hashtag first.

【#Gaoshan Jingxing Remarries# When I saw the first four words, I felt dazed. I subconsciously wanted to ask the person next to me: What year is it?! When I saw the last two words, my eyes went wide and I literally performed a ‘carp leap’ out of bed. Grandma!! The ultra-ultra-long-term fanservice for the CP you shipped back in the day is finally here!】

【#Gaoshan Jingxing Remarries# My god, this is truly a ‘once in a lifetime’ moment. It’s been seven years since these two fell out, hasn’t it? Time flies…】

【#Gaoshan Jingxing Remarries# Just as expected. [Cool face]】

【#Gaoshan Jingxing Remarries# Can the videos saved on my cloud drive finally see the light of day again? First, let me present the famous ‘defining moment’ of our ‘Jingxing’ ship. [A-Chu’s Video]】

Before Cen Jing could prepare himself, the pre-loaded video started playing on its own. On the screen, two heads were leaned very close together.

“Brother, everyone in our group is asleep. Can you stay and practice with me a bit longer?”

“You should go to sleep too. Overextending yourself isn’t good. Practice more tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Practice is inefficient right now. Do you want your legs to go weak during the evaluation again?”

“I don’t… fine, I’ll be honest. I don’t want to practice dancing. I just want to stay alone with you for a while.”

“…”

The video had been edited with a hazy pink filter. Combined with the deliberately slowed-down gazes and movements, along with the heavily speculative captions, the two people in the video did indeed share an indescribable… ambiguity.

In the past, Cen Jing would have blushed at such man-made tension. Now… he didn’t care anymore. It was nothing more than the fans’ fantasies and over-interpretations.

Just as the video was about to loop for a second time, a notification popped up at the top of the screen. Cen Jing clicked it. It was from his current manager, Li Nan.

[Repost the official announcement from the program’s Weibo.]

[This show has massive hype. It’s a great chance for you to make a comeback. Make sure to seize it; don’t mess up.]

Cen Jing stared blankly at the word “comeback” for two seconds. He mechanically replied with a [Okay], then switched back to Weibo, found the official post for Long Time No See, and clicked ‘Repost.’

…

Long Time No See was a new experimental reality show launched by Banana TV this year. The production team invited “former friends” from the entertainment industry who were once inseparable in the public eye but had since parted ways and ceased all interaction.

During the casting phase, they teased almost every “ended friendship” in the industry, successfully garnering massive public attention and expectations. Most people believed that the A-list names on the rumored list would never actually show up; they expected the final cast to be obscure, eighteenth-tier celebrities.

However, amidst the public skepticism, the production team pulled a major power move.

The first group of guests announced was the “Golden Screenwriter” Lin Shen and his “Muse,” the Triple Crown Best Actor, Ye Hancheng. Before the earthquake caused by this announcement could settle, the show announced the second pair.

From the e-sports world: the “Genius AD” Jiang Xun and “All-around Support” Chen Shu. They had fought together from internet cafes to city tournaments, all the way to the World Championship, where they lifted the trophy together. Yet, in their second year—at the peak of their glory—they both left the team and made the other’s name a “forbidden word” in interviews and livestreams.

Finally, there was Cen Jing and Chu Xingyun.

They were the “it-pair” from the most popular survival show of their year, shamelessly showing their preference for each other to everyone. Even their debut rankings were intertwined. The “Gaoshan Jingxing” super-topic topped the CP charts for over a year.

It wasn’t until the day their limited group disbanded that they said goodbye to the audience and exited the stage as usual only to unfollow each other with perfect synchronization ten minutes after leaving the stage.

Netizens had witnessed these three pairs go from their “honeymoon phase” to their “breakup phase.” Despite countless theories, no one knew the real reason they had cut ties so completely. Now that there was a chance to glimpse the truth, the public was naturally… beyond excited.

After reminiscing about their own favorites, viewers were enthusiastically “archaeology-ing” the other two pairs. The entire internet was buzzing.

…

“Are you really going to participate in that Long Time No See?” Yu Yan asked while biting the straw of his milk tea, slumped on the sofa. He looked at Cen Jing, who was sitting on the other side reading a script. “Have you moved on?”

Cen Jing spared him a glance and gave a low “Mm.”

“What are you thinking?” As a former teammate from the limited group, Yu Yan knew some insider details that others didn’t. He found Cen Jing’s decision exceptionally strange.

“The show has a lot of eyes on it.” Cen Jing closed the script and paused for two seconds before continuing. “Nan-ge said it’s a good chance for me to make a comeback.”

“Comeback?” Yu Yan scoffed. “Stop joking. Don’t I know you better than that?”

If he had said this a few years ago, Yu Yan might have believed him. But now that Cen Jing had shed his “idol” identity and successfully transitioned into an actor, he didn’t believe it for a second.

Cen Jing didn’t explain, only adding: “The pay is very high.”

“Are you that short on work?” Yu Yan paused, then asked curiously, “…How much are they giving?”

Cen Jing held up his fingers to show a number.

Yu Yan’s eyes widened, and he hissed. “…They have that much capital?”

“Yeah.” Cen Jing stood up to stretch his arms, chuckling softly. “If it were you, could you refuse?”

“I definitely wouldn’t refuse… that’s almost my entire year’s income…” Yu Yan pursed his lips and looked at the ceiling. “Why didn’t I grab someone to hype a CP with back then?”

Cen Jing smiled but didn’t respond. He leaned over to pick up his phone from the coffee table. As he scrolled through work messages, Yu Yan still stunned by the massive figure suddenly sprang up from the sofa. He tossed his milk tea aside and narrowed his eyes, circling Cen Jing.

“Wait, something’s not right. You don’t seem like the type to bow down for money.” Yu Yan’s tone was suspicious. “Back when we were at our peak, didn’t you turn down several lucrative endorsements just because they looked like they were ‘harvesting’ the fans? You didn’t bow for money when you were poor, but now that you have financial freedom, you’re suddenly worried about it?”

“People change,” Cen Jing said steadily.

“Heh… stop lying to me.” Yu Yan looked at Cen Jing with disappointment. “Tell me the truth. Have you still not let that guy go?”

Both of them knew exactly who “that guy” referred to.

“It’s been seven years.” Cen Jing didn’t answer directly, only stating the number calmly.

“Yeah, seven years… if you can’t see past it at this age, you’ve really lived for nothing…” Yu Yan ran a hand through his hair, the confusion in his eyes deepening. “Then why do you have to participate in this variety show?”

Cen Jing was about to speak when Yu Yan quickly added, “If you lie to me again, our friendship is over.”

Realizing he couldn’t bluff his way out, Cen Jing swallowed the excuse he had prepared. A few seconds later, he spoke with what sounded like a sigh. “The production team contacted me and said he was the one who proactively signed up for the show.”

“Wait…” Yu Yan looked furious. “Where does he get the nerve? Didn’t he leach off you enough back then? Now he’s doing it again? Is he that desperate for fame?”

“No—” After his indignant outburst, Yu Yan gritted his teeth. “He can sign up all he wants, but why are you cooperating?”

Cen Jing went silent for two seconds, his expression frank. “A few days ago, I saw a post that compiled the current status of everyone who debuted in our survival show.”

“Who is bored enough to track that… wait, was my miserable life put on display for everyone?” Yu Yan muttered, then raised his voice again. “What does that have to do with my question?”

Cen Jing: “He hasn’t had any public activities for over half a year.”

Yu Yan: “…”

This is a disaster.

He closed his eyes. “…Whether he has activities or not, what does that have to do with you?”

Cen Jing: “I just feel he shouldn’t be this destitute.”

Yu Yan said weakly, “Destitute my ass… even without public activities, he’s living more comfortably than most people, okay?”

“It’s just helping out an old colleague.” Cen Jing saved the guest profiles Li Nan had sent over. “If it were anyone else from the group, I would have cooperated too.”

Yu Yan bit his lip, thinking for a moment before concluding: “So, he wants the appearance fee and a comeback, and based on a shred of pity for a former colleague, you decided to play along. Is my understanding correct?”

Cen Jing corrected him: “I don’t actually know if he wants that.”

Perhaps it was just his own overthinking, or perhaps… there was another reason? A hint of confusion flickered in Cen Jing’s eyes.

“Hey… you!” Yu Yan was frustrated at his friend’s lack of resolve. He wanted to say something to persuade him but eventually gave up with a sigh. “…Since things have come to this, I won’t say anything else. I just hope… you don’t trip in the same place twice.”

“Don’t worry. It’s just work,” Cen Jing said softly.

…

Soon, amidst massive anticipation, Long Time No See began its first recording. Cen Jing sat in the van, fixed his hair in the mirror, and pushed the door open.

【The first guest is here! Everyone, wake up!】

【Ahhh, it’s our multi-talented gentleman, Cen Jing! Everyone, please show him lots of love! [Starry eyes]】

【Original fan from the survival show days checking in. My youth is truly back. [Crying]】

【Sluuurp Mature Cen Jing is here!】

“Hello, Teacher Cen,” the PD greeted Cen Jing from behind the camera. “You’re the first guest to arrive. Please say hello to the viewers on the screen.”

Cen Jing looked at the lens and gave a standard professional smile. “Hello everyone, I’m Cen Jing. I’m very happy to be participating in this recording.”

To avoid malicious editing and to pursue absolute reality, most modern reality shows were now livestreamed. Cen Jing was used to interacting with the audience through a camera.

“I believe this will be an enjoyable recording.” The PD led Cen Jing inside. “Before we reach the site, we need to do a quick interview with Teacher Cen.”

Cen Jing nodded slightly. “You can just call me Cen Jing.”

“Then we won’t stand on ceremony.” The PD’s tone went up a notch. “The first question, which is something many netizens are concerned about. When you received the invitation for our show, what was your first reaction?”

Cen Jing gave his answer instantly. “To reject it.”

“Then why did you agree later?” the PD pressed.

Cen Jing’s expression didn’t change. “My manager agreed to it.”