The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 28

Although Pei Yuan’s fans had followed the wrong itinerary, they did manage to see their idol in the end.

“We drank Teacher Qiao’s milk tea, so we should say it, right?” The girls spoke in unison: “Thank you, Teacher Qiao!”

Qiao Zhiyu was stunned for a second, then lowered his head with a light chuckle. “You’re very welcome.”

After sending off Pei Yuan’s fans, Qiao Zhiyu took photos and chatted with his own fans for a while. He recognized a few faces from the last time he had seen them. Although he wanted to stay longer, it was simply too cold. It wouldn’t be worth it if they got sick just to see a star.

Before leaving, he lowered the car window and asked, “About the travel expenses remember to contact me when you get home. If I don’t reply, just send the message a few more times.”

Unexpectedly, the girls waved him off casually. “No need for the travel expenses! We’re all locals. But ‘Wife,’ can you start a fan group?”

A fan group… Qiao Zhiyu smiled and nodded in agreement.

The car soon pulled away from the movie studio and onto the winding highway. “Sorry for taking up everyone’s time,” he said to the others.

In the back seat, Qi Le’an was happily sipping his milk tea. “It’s no trouble. I didn’t have anything to do anyway.” Yu Yuan also nodded in agreement. “Thanks for letting us hitch a ride.”

Qiao Zhiyu sat in the front, looking down at the glowing screen of his phone.

Don’t Mess With Me, My Butt’s On Fire: [I had something to do so I hung up first. Thanks to Teacher Qiao for taking care of them. Stay safe on the road.]

Zz: [You’re welcome.jpg]

Gu Jiao stole a glance out of the corner of her eye before looking back at the road. Because they detoured to drop off Qi Le’an and Yu Yuan, it was very late by the time they reached the apartment. The car came to a steady stop at the entrance, but the occupants didn’t get out immediately.

“A lot of resources have come knocking lately. I’ve selected a few for you, but I haven’t completely shut the door on the others. I’ll come over again tomorrow to discuss the details.”

“Okay. Stay safe on the road.”

As soon as he opened his front door, two small heads looked over in unison. The kittens gazed at him curiously, as if they had forgotten their own owner. Qiao Zhiyu was exhausted; he didn’t have the energy to rebuild their bond right then. After a hurried wash, he fell straight into bed.

In a half-dreaming state, he remembered the fan group. Drowsily, he created the group and posted a notice on Weibo.

Gu Jiao arrived at noon the next day, thoughtfully bringing lunch. Qiao Zhiyu ate while listening to his manager analyze the pros and cons of the available opportunities.

“This brand is unstable. I investigated and found they frequently delay salary payments.” “This brand is average. It fits your current status, but their products feel dated. They want to break into the youth market but won’t change their style; netizens likely won’t buy in.”

Qiao Zhiyu listened quietly. He wasn’t being inattentive; he simply felt Gu Jiao’s judgment was sound. Ultimately, they narrowed it down to four decent options: a new endorsement for a niche streetwear brand, a guest spot on a variety show, a lipstick endorsement, and a promising script.

However, the script was quickly passed over. Since Qiao Zhiyu had just finished a project, entering another set immediately would mean less public exposure. His current popularity was rising fast, but if he didn’t seize the momentum, it would fade just as quickly.

Once they decided, Gu Jiao immediately started making calls to negotiate. In the end, the most likely success was the streetwear brand, and the client requested an in-person meeting to verify his “vibe.”

Watching Gu Jiao strive so hard to secure benefits for him made Qiao Zhiyu’s heart ache with a sour, heavy feeling. Gu Jiao was an extremely responsible manager. In her eight years, though she hadn’t managed any mega-stars, her professional skills were polished to perfection. Doing everything personally was her norm.

In his past life, not long after he retreated behind the scenes, Gu Jiao had quit being a manager. Perhaps he had broken her heart…

With the itinerary set, Gu Jiao prepared to leave. Qiao Zhiyu stood up to see her out, but his eyes were caught by the date on a screen on the table. A long-buried memory suddenly surfaced.

In a while, there would be a popular variety show looking for a last-minute guest due to a cast member change. Although his status wasn’t quite there yet, his current heat was decent. If he tried for it, it might be a great opportunity. He told Gu Jiao his thoughts and asked her to help fight for it.

Gu Jiao was hesitant but agreed. She knew the show; its ratings were good, and as a resource, it was indeed better than the others. “Alright. If there’s any news, I’ll definitely fight for you.”

As they reached the door, she noticed the dried flowers on the shoe cabinet. “When did you buy these?” She inspected them for a moment before offering her critique: “A bit ugly. Did you get scammed?”

Qiao Zhiyu: “…”

He tried his best to act natural, making up a lie that a fan had given them to him. Gu Jiao’s attitude did a 180-degree turn. “Then your fan has good taste.”

I give up.

For the next two days, Qiao Zhiyu stayed home. The two cats slowly began to remember him. He lay on the sofa with a face mask on, the TV buzzing in his ear and the cats playing nearby. It was quiet and cozy.

A notification pinged on his phone someone was tagging him in a WeChat group.

Top-Tier Hottie: [@Yu Yuan @Zz, Bestie, Bestie, do you want to play Identity V with me? Meow meow meow~]

Yu Yuan quickly replied: [No. That game isn’t for me.]

Top-Tier Hottie: [Why not?]

Yu Yuan: [My mental health is too stable.]

The “Top-Tier Hottie” (Qi Le’an) went silent for a moment before replying: [The prejudice in a person’s heart is a mountain. (Don’t talk if you don’t understand!.jpg)] Yu Yuan: [I said it and you’re unhappy again.jpg]

It had been three days since he officially wrapped up his scenes. Qi Le’an had started this group, which currently only included him, Qi, and Yu Yuan. He had wanted to invite Pei Yuan, but… well… so he hadn’t.

Seeing no reply from him, Qi Le’an messaged him privately.

Top-Tier Hottie: [Zhiyu, do you play Identity V? I desperately need a teammate to share my pain!]

Qi Le’an had dragged Qiao Zhiyu into that game once before. Although he hadn’t uninstalled it, he rarely played. It was too frustrating. As Yu Yuan put it: play a match before bed, and you think you’ve fallen asleep, but you’ve actually just fainted from anger.

Zz: [I’m only Tier 1, I can’t play with you.]

The other side sent a dejected emoji: [Right, I forgot.] [By the way, Zhiyu, you’re close with Movie Star Pei. Can you invite him to the group?] [I don’t mean anything by it! It’s just that everyone got along so well while filming, it feels like a waste not to stay in touch.] [Is it convenient? Is it convenient?]

After a string of messages, Qiao Zhiyu stared at the screen for a while before replying: [I’ll ask.]

With a ding of a notification, Qiao Zhiyu clicked into the chat box that had been silent for several days. He thought left and right but didn’t know how to start. Finally, he just sent a simple greeting.

Zz: [What are you doing?]

He waited a while, but no new message appeared. He suddenly stood up, pulled out a wet wipe, and cleaned the table. Then he scooped the cat litter. After chasing the two cats around for two laps, a WeChat message finally arrived.

Don’t Mess With Me, My Butt’s On Fire: [Working. What’s up?]

Qiao Zhiyu replied instantly: [Am I disturbing you?]

He thought for a bit and sent a meme over.

Zz: [I’m sorry.jpg]

He felt something was off after sending it. The meme said “I’m sorry,” but it looked weird no matter how he viewed it. However, Pei Yuan didn’t give him a chance to unsend it.

Don’t Mess With Me, My Butt’s On Fire: [You sending a message isn’t a disturbance.]

Oh… Qiao Zhiyu felt the words were burning his hands, making him unable to type.

Zz: [Then work is more important…]

He changed the subject immediately: [Le’an started a group. Xiao Yuan and I are both in it. Do you want to join, Yuan?]

Pei Yuan: [Sure.]