The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 22

“Zhiyu, stop daydreaming! It’s our turn for our scene together!”

Qiao Zhiyu blinked, his thoughts snapping back to the present. He folded his blanket, set it down, and stepped onto the set as Qi Le’an began his performance.

This was a scene where, after Ruan Yuan’s confinement ended, he and his father entered the palace to seek an audience with the Emperor. It also marked the beginning of their transition from enemies to friends.

[Scenario: Ruan Yuan walked beneath the crimson palace walls. The shadows of the trees swayed around him, and a gentle breeze frequently swept through.

Today was his first day after finishing his “wall-facing reflection.” Before dawn, his father (A-ye) had brought him early to the palace to apologize to the Emperor.

Ruan Yuan didn’t believe he was at fault, but this visit was unavoidable. As his father knelt on the ground and groveled to please him, the Emperor still stripped Ruan Yuan of his status as the Prince’s study companion.

No matter. Chu Mingjue was incredibly foolish; if not for his family, Ruan Yuan wouldn’t bother dealing with such a person.

His father stayed behind for a private talk with the Emperor, while Ruan Yuan was dismissed. He didn’t want to stay in the palace and intended to wait at the gates, but he found himself lost within the labyrinth of palace walls. He felt a belated sense of regret for his impulsiveness, fearing he might offend a noble and implicate his family.

Suddenly, something hit Ruan Yuan on the head it was a bright red fruit. He looked up and saw a beautiful woman in pink sitting atop the wall.

“What are you doing here?”

Ruan Yuan’s brow furrowed, his tone carrying a hint of coldness. “It’s no concern of the Princess.”

“Mmm… let me guess…” Chu Mingxin tapped his chin with a finger and spoke slowly: “Are you here to say sweet words to the Emperor?”

Another fruit was tossed down. Ruan Yuan was truly getting angry now. Chu Mingxin, never one to de-escalate, continued: “You have quite a temper. How did the Emperor manage to strip you of your companion status?”

“That is also thanks to the Princess’s blessing,” Ruan Yuan replied stiffly. “If not for the Princess’s distortion of the truth that day, how would I have been confined?”

Chu Mingxin curled his lip; he had indeed guessed correctly. He stretched and beckoned to Ruan Yuan below. “Come here. Catch this Princess.”

“You!”

“What ‘you’? Get over here and stand under the wall. Otherwise, be careful, or I’ll tell on you.”

The man on the ground was so angry his neck turned red, but eventually, he walked over reluctantly and raised his arms. Chu Mingxin crossed his arms and looked at him. “You say, ‘Princess, please come down.'”

Ruan Yuan was so livid he nearly forgot the hierarchy of status. Just as he was about to snap, the person on the wall jumped straight down. He scrambled in a panic to catch him.

Chu Mingxin landed steadily in his arms. Ignoring the other’s strange expression, he said naturally: “Oh, I suddenly don’t want to be down here anymore. Send this Princess back up.”

“What is the meaning of the Princess toying with me like this?”

“Meaning? This Princess just enjoys herself. But if you ask me, losing that companion position isn’t necessarily a bad thing.” He lowered his voice. “Chu Mingjue is exceptionally stupid, and Consort Xian is overly suspicious, feeling like the whole world is out to get her.”

“Surely a great scholar like you understands the logic of being ‘too clever for one’s own good’? Those two may not be a good path forward.”

Ruan Yuan felt a surge of annoyance and instinctively retorted: “Rather than analyzing things for me, the Princess should think about herself. Is a eunuch really a ‘good path’?”

A crack finally appeared in Chu Mingxin’s composure.

“You’re just a dog to them, called and dismissed at will. What right do you have to judge me? If he truly cared about you, why didn’t he speak up for you before the Emperor that day?”

“I am merely making a living. On the other hand, the Princess mixing with a eunuch is truly improper and an insult to your status!”

“Status? You, the son of a sixth-rank official, dare to point at my nose and speak. What ‘status’ do I even have?”

Chu Mingxin stepped out of Ruan Yuan’s arms, his tone neither mocking nor entirely clear. “We are both just trying to survive. Who is more noble than whom? When you can’t even fill your stomach… what status is there to talk about?”

Ruan Yuan was stunned by these words. When he regained his senses, only the leaves drifting in the wind remained.]

This take was perfect; the two didn’t NG even once.

“Gosh, Zhiyu, you’re so light. I felt almost nothing when I caught you.”

“Stop talking nonsense. I’m a grown man; how could I feel like nothing?”

“But you don’t!” Qi Le’an said, about to prove it to him again, but he was interrupted as someone grabbed him by the collar.

Pei Yuan spoke with a cold face: “The director is calling you over.”

Qi Le’an was like a little chick in his grip, shrinking his neck as he scurried away. His back looked a bit resentful. Qiao Zhiyu withdrew his gaze and asked, “Was the acting okay?”

“Very good. You’re very talented.”

He feigned a look of being flattered. “Such high praise?”

He was happy to be complimented, but it wasn’t talent it was hard work and the accumulation of a past life. The endless classes, the night after night of practice. But all of that had been for nothing because he had thrown it all away himself.

“…”

The following days were spent in a constant cycle of filming. Life was fulfilling yet exhausting. In the blink of an eye, they had been on set for nearly two months.

By now, Qiao Zhiyu had gained a very high level of exposure online, thanks to a “Silk Scarf Immortal” leaked photo and the “Zhiyu-er-An” ship. The “Silk Scarf Immortal” was a photo taken during the Flower Festival shoot where he sat alone by the lake, sunlight filtering through the willow branches to catch a glimpse of his face. Paired with traditional music, it had a fantastic vibe.

The name Qiao Zhiyu was finally known to the public. As for “Zhiyu-er-An”… that was the CP name for him and Pei Yuan. They were now tightly bound together in the public eye, with countless fan creations surfacing. Qiao Zhiyu didn’t want to consume Pei Yuan’s reputation like this, but Pei Yuan himself expressed that he didn’t care.

However, the increasing “greetings” in his private messages still made him feel very guilty. Moreover, since they had slept in the same bed while he was sick, their relationship had moved a step closer… though Qiao Zhiyu couldn’t say exactly how. It felt changed, yet unchanged.

The experiences of his past life were deeply rooted in his heart, and Pei Yuan had those dreams about the hospital. It left his heart… feeling indescribable. Although he desperately wanted to know the content of the dreams, Pei Yuan couldn’t remember them.

If I’d known, I would have chosen a different way to die at least somewhere further away.

What if it left a lasting shadow?

Sigh…

His shoulder was patted from behind. He turned and saw Yu Yuan. Their relationship had skyrocketed lately, and Yu Yuan would proactively chat with him now. It felt like a little four-person clique.

Yu Yuan: “Why the sigh?”

“Nothing.” Qiao Zhiyu smiled and changed the subject. “It’s almost time for your scene. Nervous?”

Yu Yuan nodded solemnly, though his eyes were full of anticipation. “A scene with Movie Star Pei nervous but excited.” After chatting for a bit, he was called away by the director.

The weather was getting colder. It was early autumn when they joined the set, but now it was deep autumn. The plot had progressed to the middle and late stages. Qiao Zhiyu wrapped himself in his fluffy blanket and unknowingly fell asleep. He had pulled an all-nighter a few days ago, leaving early and returning late.

He hoped he could finish work early today…