The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 34

Pei Yuan returned to the second floor, just as he bumped into the birthday boy himself.

“Where on earth did you disappear to? The waiter assigned to you has practically searched the entire building!”

“Director Zhang.” Pei Yuan stepped forward and greeted him respectfully.

“What’s there to host in a place like this? I could find my way around with my eyes closed.”

Zhang Zhifeng feigned anger. “Only you would be so special! Why are you coming down from upstairs?”

“I ran into a friend.”

As they spoke, they walked toward the center of the banquet hall.

“A friend? Then why didn’t you bring them over? Instead, you hid them upstairs—is this friend of yours unfit to be seen?”

Pei Yuan: “…”

He was somewhat speechless and explained, “There are too many people; I was afraid of startling him.”

Director Zhang looked at him with a very strange expression, testing the waters as he spoke: “It wouldn’t happen to be that youngster named Qiao Zhiyu, would it?”

“…”

As everyone knows, silence is an admission of guilt.

Director Zhang’s expression became increasingly peculiar. I never thought you’d turn out to be a ‘licking dog’ (hopeless romantic).

“You… then you should have brought him down even more. So many influential figures are here today; it’s a perfect opportunity to expand his network.”

Pei Yuan looked straight ahead, occasionally nodding to guests who passed by to exchange pleasantries.

“No need for introductions. One day, he will walk in here through the front door, relying on his own strength.”

This was a lesson he had learned. Qiao Zhiyu didn’t need excessive help because he could do it himself.

Director Zhang’s mouth twitched, feeling that Pei Yuan was far too gone. “Who do you think you are, an overbearing CEO? For all you know, he’s up there feeling heartbroken right now, resolving to leave you out of disappointment!”

Pei Yuan didn’t offer an explanation; he simply suggested the Director delete the novel apps on his phone.

“I don’t bicker with juniors! Just hurry up and pull in some more investment for me later, or I’ll make Qiao Zhiyu leave you!”

I give up.

By the time the banquet ended, it was 11:00 PM. Pei Yuan regretted his decision slightly; being alone must have been boring. He admitted his own selfishness had played a part.

He turned the doorknob and found it wasn’t locked. He simply pushed the door open. The person inside was leaning against the bay window, letting the breeze blow over him. There were clear signs that the refreshments on the table had been touched Pei Yuan had asked a waiter to send them up.

Qiao Zhiyu turned around and smiled the moment he saw him.

“Yuan, you’re back.”

He stood up and walked to Pei Yuan’s side, looking up at him without blinking. Pei Yuan was momentarily dazed but quickly regained his composure.

“Sorry, I didn’t think it would end this late. Was the wait boring?”

“No… I played on my phone.”

The person before him kept staring at him with bright, dazed eyes. It was very cute. If it were before, he might have reached out to pat him, but now he could only think about it.

“Yuan… thank you for today, and for the Iw endorsement. Because orders exploded, my signing fee was doubled. It’s all thanks to you…”

“I’ve said it before. No need to thank me; you could have done it anyway.”

“Mhm…”

He knew that, but he just wanted to say something… Qiao Zhiyu felt that the incident from the other day had planted a thorn in their hearts. Because of him.

If only time could go backward. But on second thought, maybe it really could. He had been reborn, after all…

Normally, they should have gotten into a car and left, yet neither proactively brought it up. Gu Jiao’s words surfaced in his mind. Qiao Zhiyu felt he should explain things properly.

He mustered his courage and said, “Yuan… the reason I was unhappy the other day wasn’t that I felt burdened by you helping my sales. It was because…”

“Because I’ve been in a relationship before…” Qiao Zhiyu looked at him seriously. “I know this might sound a bit disjointed, but will you let me finish?”

“Go ahead…” Pei Yuan’s mind was now entirely filled with: [I’ve been in a relationship before… relationship… love…] Who on earth was that lucky?

Qiao Zhiyu continued, “We were together for a long time, but he cheated… it was a big blow to me… so my attitude toward feelings is a bit…”

Avoidant…

I’m afraid you like me, and that you’ll stay for me like in my past life. But I’m afraid to face it; I can only run away.

But having said that much, it felt wrong again. Pei Yuan had never explicitly stated that he liked him. It was just his own feeling though he felt he wasn’t wrong…

His inner conflict was plain to Pei Yuan, who proactively took over the conversation.

“Then he had quite poor taste, to be honest.”

“Huh?”

“Is that not the case? You’re an excellent person. If he would cheat while with you, it just shows that’s the kind of person he is. That’s why I say he has poor taste.” He looked at the silent man and asked with feigned casualness, “Do you still like him?”

Qiao Zhiyu denied it instantly. “No, that’s all in the past. I don’t care about it anymore…”

From the moment he saw Pei Yuan again today, that relationship was officially over.

“Yuan, do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

He was a bit nervous; his words had no real structure, and he’d cut out so much of the beginning and end… He felt the more he explained, the less clear it became.

Pei Yuan’s hand, hanging at his side, finally found its way to the fluffy head of hair as he had wished. He smoothed it gently and curled his lips. “I understand.”

“Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

“Where’s Bai Chao?”

“It’s too late. He’s off the clock.”

The variety show matter was settled. Qiao Zhiyu would participate in the next recording as a guest. Gu Jiao remarked that he was like a fortune teller.

Sister Jiao: [Recording starts next Wednesday. I’ve already booked your flight.] Sister Jiao: [Also, perhaps because of Iw, the company plans to assign you an assistant. Any requirements for the person?]

Qiao Zhiyu thought for a bit and replied: [Anyone is fine, as long as they are sensible.]

Gu Jiao replied with an ‘OK’.

In his past life, Qiao Zhiyu wasn’t given an assistant until after the drama finished airing, but that person left shortly after starting. Even though they had gotten along well, the assistant suddenly resigned for unknown reasons. Later, he had a few other assistants, but they were all temporary. Gradually, he got used to being alone.

Qiao Zhiyu didn’t understand. He wasn’t strict or unkind, so why couldn’t he keep people? Was it just a clash of fates…?

For the next few days, Qiao Zhiyu slowly packed his bags, waiting for the upcoming shoot.

At 6:00 AM on Wednesday, Qiao Zhiyu arrived at the airport on time. This time, it wasn’t just him and Gu Jiao; there was also a young woman with delicate features. This was the assistant Gu Jiao had chosen for him, named Qiaoqiao.

It was a cute name, and a “coincidence” indeed.

Gu Jiao wouldn’t be coming along this time since it was an out-of-province trip. She walked them to the security checkpoint, her mouth never stopping for a second.

“Qiaoqiao, it’s your first time working, so don’t be nervous. Zhiyu is easy to look after; just treat him like a friend. When the artist is recording, you need to wait nearby. Don’t wander off.” Gu Jiao took off the backpack she was wearing and shoved it into the girl’s hands. “There’s sunscreen in here, a sun hat, and a small fan. Even though it’s cold here, the recording location is very hot. You and Zhiyu must be careful to avoid heatstroke, okay?”

Qiaoqiao nodded repeatedly, hugging the backpack tightly. “Don’t worry, Sister Jiao! I’ll definitely take good care of Brother Zhiyu and myself!”

Gu Jiao looked at her with relief, then turned to Qiao Zhiyu. “It’s your first time recording a variety show, so it’s natural to be nervous. I don’t expect you to be a superstar on the show; just don’t make mistakes. Remember you’re a junior talk less and do more.”

Qiao Zhiyu smiled helplessly and comforted her, “I know. Don’t be too nervous, Sister Jiao. I’m recording a variety show, not going to a battlefield. Relax. Besides, I have Qiaoqiao with me.”

Gu Jiao knew that, of course, but how could she not worry about the “child” she had raised personally going on a long trip? She glanced at the approaching security gate and suppressed the half-full stomach of words she still had left.

“Good luck, Big and Little Qiao. I’m waiting to get rich.”