The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 37

The two of them walked a full circle around the village, and not only did they trade their vegetables for meat, but they were also force-fed extra goods by the generous villagers. They returned carrying large bags, looking more like they had just finished a wholesale shopping spree than a barter.

Amidst the impressed murmurs of the group, Qiao Zhiyu set his things down and headed into the house. A little boy had accidentally bumped into him earlier, causing some vegetables to fall and staining his clothes with dirt. He intended to change and wash his face.

As he approached the bathroom, he heard a hushed, deliberate voice from within.

“I told you, the agreement has been sent to you. You just need to sign.” “Don’t talk to me about this, okay?” “Heartless? I don’t think so. The truly heartless person is you. You’ve never been satisfied.” “I have no more patience left to waste… sign the agreement as soon as possible. Let’s have a clean break…”

As the words fell, the door was pushed open. Qiao Zhiyu and the person inside practically bumped into each other, staring face-to-face.

“Sister Shuihan, what a coincidence.”

She nodded with a strained smile, clutched her phone, and left without a word. Qiao Zhiyu stood there for a moment before entering the bathroom.

Later that night, he ran into her again. It was the middle of the night, and because he hadn’t fully adjusted to the new environment, he was sleeping fitfully. Waking up again with all sleepiness gone, he decided to step outside for some fresh air and stargazing.

There, by the door, he encountered Chu Shuihan, who was also wide awake. She gave him a faint glance, then looked back at the sky in silence. Qiao Zhiyu could feel her bad mood likely due to that phone call at noon. He quietly squatted beside her, propping his head on his hands to look at the stars.

The stars were exceptionally bright tonight, and the temperature was just right. After a while, Chu Shuihan spoke first.

“Can’t sleep?” “Mhm… not used to it yet. I’m a light sleeper.” “I see…”

One looked at the sky, the other at the ground. After a long pause, Qiao Zhiyu asked, “What about you, Sister Shuihan? You look like you have a lot on your mind.” “Do I? You look like you do, too.”

He smiled, and the topic ended there. A slight night breeze brushed over them, strands of hair sweeping across his eyes. Qiao Zhiyu dazed off, thinking he should probably get a haircut soon…

“Are you and Little Pei in a relationship?”

That single sentence made him snap awake instantly. He hadn’t expected to hear Pei Yuan’s name here. His calm face immediately flushed a deep crimson.

“Sister Shuihan, you’ve misunderstood. We aren’t that kind of relationship…”

Chu Shuihan managed a rare smile, teasing him: “I was just asking. Why are you blushing?” She began to murmur to herself, “It’s good to be young… to have so many chances to choose…”

Qiao Zhiyu froze, understanding what she was lamenting. He saw himself in her, smelling the same scent of shared sorrow. He grew bold and asked, “The person on the phone at noon… was that your partner?”

Silence followed. Just as Qiao Zhiyu thought he wouldn’t get a reply, she spoke.

“Not anymore. He cheated. We’re getting a divorce.” Even though he hadn’t signed yet, in her heart, the relationship was over. “Friends who know the situation all advise me: ‘Shuihan, you’re almost fifty, what are you making a fuss about?'”

She took a deep breath and looked at Qiao Zhiyu. “But I don’t think this is ‘making a fuss.’ I know exactly what I’m doing and what the consequences will be. I am not at fault; my conscience is clear. After all these years, I’m exhausted… this divorce is a gift I’m giving myself.”

“A gift, and a new life.”

Chu Shuihan finally showed a genuine smile, nodding in agreement with Qiao Zhiyu’s words. “Yes, a new life. A new life for 48-year-old Chu Shuihan.”

Qiao Zhiyu thought these few days would be difficult, but by the final day, he felt time had flown by. After a simple breakfast, the group began their first task: helping villagers sell items at the market.

Each guest drew a different item. Qiao Zhiyu got “Strawberries.” The others got “Mangoes,” “Vegetables,” “Men’s Clothing,” “Women’s Clothing,” “Daily Necessities,” and “Accessories.”

He borrowed some plastic wrap from the crew to seal the strawberries and sat quietly at his stall. He didn’t know how to start shouting… his “sometimes extroverted, mostly introverted” persona was currently shattering into pieces.

He suddenly thought of Pei Yuan, thinking that the man would surely handle this with ease. But he couldn’t just sit there. He borrowed a pen and tape, wrote on a piece of cardboard, and stuck it on the strawberry crate:

[The cheapest strawberries in the whole market. Big and sweet. They might not be sweet, but they definitely won’t be sour… If you don’t believe me, buy two pounds and try them :-|]

After setting it up, he sat back and began to holler in a serious tone. He was still a bit shy, his voice not very loud. “Selling strawberries… fresh, juicy strawberries… you won’t lose money, you won’t be scammed…”

Even with such casual shouting, many people stopped by. Some just tried the samples and left, while others bought quite a bit. Business was surprisingly booming.

An old woman asked him why such a young man was out selling strawberries instead of finding a regular job. Qiao Zhiyu gave an uncomfortable smile and started talking nonsense.

He put on a sad face and said, “We’re too poor, I never went to school. I was working in the city, but my wife got seriously ill and needs someone around. Then trouble hit the family, so I had no choice but to come back. My poor child… hasn’t even been weaned yet…”

“Oh, you poor thing! What a tragedy! Don’t just give me two pounds give me five!”

“Forget it, Grandma. Strawberries aren’t cheap. Thank you for your kindness, but don’t waste your money.”

Seeing Qiao Zhiyu wouldn’t bag them, the woman did it herself and weighed them. She left with five pounds of strawberries and a sense of moral victory. Word must have spread, because more and more people came, and the strawberries vanished at a visible speed.

Qiao Zhiyu felt guilty; his made-up excuse had drawn in so many well-meaning people. As soon as the strawberries were gone, he bolted. Passing the other guests’ stalls, they asked where he was going. When they heard he had sold out, they collectively lost their minds.

Zhao Yunxiao: “Why can’t I sell anything? Is it because I’m not handsome enough?”

That evening, everyone gathered for dinner provided by the production team, who had secretly asked for everyone’s favorites. To be honest, these three days had been very happy. Song Yuanjia’s presence had affected him, but only at the very beginning.

They chatted about funny incidents and their takeaways from the trip.

Bai Di said, “By the way, I still haven’t used my mission reward! What a waste! Can I save it for next time?” The director gave a cold refusal. “Fine… feels like I just lost a million…” “Use it now then,” Zhao Yunxiao suggested. “The crew said as long as it’s about the show and reasonable, it’s fine.”

He picked up a pair of disposable chopsticks and placed them in the center of the table. “I request to change my reward into a game of Truth or Dare. Whoever the chopsticks point to has to answer my question. How about it? Reasonable, right?”

Leave it to a comedian to have the most devious ideas. The crew agreed instantly—this was prime material for the show. The chopsticks spun rapidly, finally slowing down and stopping directly in front of Qiao Zhiyu.

“Wow! It’s Zhiyu! Brother Zhao, give me the chance! I have questions!” “Get out of here, you little girl! Don’t you try anything!”

Zhao Yunxiao gave a strange smile and said, “Zhiyu, open your WeChat in front of everyone and call the first person on your list. Tell them you’re trapped in the middle of nowhere and only they can save you. Ask if they can fly a helicopter to pick you up.”

“…” What kind of question is that?

The comedian continued, “The person must answer something like ‘Yes’ or ‘No problem’—any clear affirmation. If they don’t answer or refuse, you move to the second person, and so on, until someone agrees!”

The crowd erupted in cheers. “What a rotten idea! You’d have to be a genius to come up with this.” “That’s why he’s a comedian. Born for it.” “Zhiyu, hurry! Take out your phone!”

Under pressure, Qiao Zhiyu opened his WeChat… From top to bottom, the list was:

1. [Sister Jiao] (Pinned)
2. [The genius is on the left, the madman is on the right, I am…] (Group chat)
3. [Yue Yan Little Baby] (Note: Yue Yan insisted on this nickname)
4. [Don’t Mess With Me, My Butt’s On Fire] (Pei Yuan)

Qiao Zhiyu was suddenly nervous, his palms sweating. Yuanzi leaned in. “Who’s this pinned person?” “My manager. For work convenience.” Seeing his own profile picture far down the list, Song Yuanjia silently ate a piece of food.

Hong Yu said, “That won’t do, calling the manager is a sure thing. The group chat won’t work either. Let’s start with this ‘Yue Yan Little Baby’?”

Qiao Zhiyu looked around, saw no one objected, and gave a helpless look. Fine, he thought. I hope Yue Yan doesn’t drop the ball.

After a few rings, the call connected. “Calling so late, what can I do for you, baby?~” Yuanzi grabbed Qiao’s arm, shaking with excitement.

Qiao Zhiyu cleared his throat. It was awkward, but he was also struggling to hold back a laugh. He said, “Xiao Yan, I’m trapped in the middle of nowhere. Only you picked up. Can you save me? Can you fly a helicopter to get me?”

Silence followed. Yue Yan hesitated. “Zhiyu, you aren’t messing with me, are you?” “No, I’m really in danger. I think there are wolves nearby… I just heard one…” Zhao Yunxiao cooperated perfectly with a howl in the background.

The others were stifling laughs, but Yue Yan believed it and panicked. “What do I do?! [Expletive]… I don’t have a helicopter! Let me check with the bosses, tell them the brand spokesperson is in mortal danger maybe they can rent one? Or I’ll rent one myself? It’s so late, I don’t have a clue! I don’t know anyone in that business! Aren’t you recording a farming show? How did you get trapped?! Who’s in charge?! Give me their number, I’ll contact them! What do I do? Should I call the police?!!!”

Hearing the howling on the other end, Qiao Zhiyu couldn’t bear it anymore. He softened his voice. “Xiao Yan, don’t worry. I’m not trapped. I’m fine.”

“What? …Then you’re…?” Yue Yan’s brain caught up, and he exploded. “Qiao Zhiyu! You lied to me?! I was so worried and you lied! Where are you? Confess everything right now!”

Qiao Zhiyu told him the truth while fighting back laughter. After hanging up, the group was rolling on the floor—especially the culprit, Zhao Yunxiao, who was clapping his hands. Of course, he wasn’t done.

“Even though that friend of yours was great for the show, he didn’t have a helicopter. Onto the next one!” “Can I… can I forfeit? Or take a penalty?” Qiao Zhiyu asked. Pei Yuan was usually so busy; he really didn’t want to bother him with a pointless prank.

The others didn’t understand why he wanted to forfeit now. Chu Shuihan took a sip of water, her lips curving up. “Maybe this one is special.”

With no other choice, Qiao Zhiyu made the call. At first, it wasn’t picked up and timed out. Qiao Zhiyu breathed a sigh of relief but before he could finish the breath, the phone rang back.

[Don’t Mess With Me, My Butt’s On Fire invites you to a video call]

A colorful phrase exploded in Qiao Zhiyu’s mind… He froze, so Yuanzi reached over and pressed ‘Accept’ for him, then gave him a quick apologetic bow with her hands together.