The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 38

“Why the sudden call?”

Pei Yuan was wearing glasses and a light grey crew-neck knit sweater. He tilted his head, gazing at Qiao Zhiyu through the screen.

The group of people around Qiao, who had been grinning ear-to-ear a second ago, instantly fell silent. Yuanzi, in particular, had her mouth hanging wide open. What kind of high-and-mighty Movie Star uses a social media nickname like “Don’t Mess With Me, My Butt’s On Fire”?!

Zhao Yunxiao, sensing the atmosphere, looked up and saw the director in the distance giving him a thumbs-up. Good kid, way to deliver! He twitched his mouth wordlessly and gestured frantically to Qiao Zhiyu, urging him to say his lines.

Qiao Zhiyu’s heart felt like it was going to leap out of his chest. Since the birthday banquet, the two had fallen back into a quiet lull. However, he felt the misunderstandings had likely been cleared up.

Cough, actually, they weren’t really misunderstandings; it was mostly just him being overly concerned.

The man on the screen pushed his glasses up. “Why aren’t you talking? Are you having fun recording the show?”

“I’m… having fun.”

Zhao Yunxiao and the others were scratching their heads in anxiety, wishing they could jump in and speak for him.

“Yuan…” “Mhm?”

Qiao Zhiyu pursed his lips and continued, “The production team left me behind, and I’m lost in the middle of nowhere… I only managed to get in touch with you.”

“Can you… fly a helicopter to pick me up and take me home?”

His heart pounded; he felt the guilt of doing something naughty, yet he was also strangely excited. The guests all held their breath, waiting for the answer from the other side of the line.

“You only managed to get in touch with me?” “…Yes.”

Pei Yuan looked down and laughed. When he looked back up, the cold light of the screen reflected off his lenses. “Wait for me.”

The group watched as Pei Yuan picked up another phone beside him and made a call. “Prepare a helicopter on the roof. I’m going out.”

“Wait, wait, wait!!!”

Pei Yuan shifted his gaze back, looking curiously at Zhao Yunxiao, who had suddenly appeared in the frame. “Brother Zhao, what a coincidence. Are you also trapped in the middle of nowhere? Do you need a ride back? Or is someone else flying a helicopter to get you too?”

Zhao Yunxiao gave an awkward laugh. Darn it, who knew you’d actually call someone?! You really seized the chance to show off…

“Hahaha, just a joke. I wouldn’t dare ride in Young Master Pei’s aircraft.”

Pei Yuan leaned back against his chair, legs crossed, hands folded over his stomach. “It seems this ‘good idea’ was also suggested by Brother Zhao.”

Zhao Yunxiao laughed out of frustration. “That’s not necessarily true. Maybe this idea came from Zhiyu himself?”

Qiao Zhiyu sat quietly on a small stool, the surrounding voices automatically fading into the background of his mind. He looks so handsome today… Why is he wearing glasses? Is he nearsighted? I haven’t heard about that before…

Did I just not notice? But he looks so good like this… very casual and lazy…

A hand patted his shoulder. It was Song Yuanjia. The man said, “This orange is very sweet, try some.”

Qiao Zhiyu was slightly annoyed by the interruption of his thoughts, but he still took the orange, intending to take a symbolic bite. Just then, Zhao Yunxiao called his name, giving him a perfect excuse not to eat it.

“Zhiyu, say something! Tell Little Pei, did you choose to call him yourself? Was anyone here forcing you?”

Yuanzi and the others silently shrunk back.

“Ah…” Qiao Zhiyu’s eyes flickered, and he blinked gently. “If Brother Zhao says so, then let it be.”

Zhao Yunxiao: “?!” “Zhiyu! I usually treat you so well, I practically want to keep you tied to my belt, and you’re selling me out?!”

Qiao Zhiyu tilted his head innocently, playing dumb. “Impossible, because Brother Zhao isn’t even wearing a belt.”

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

The whole courtyard exploded in laughter. Pei Yuan let out a snort-laugh and raised an eyebrow at Zhao Yunxiao, wearing a “you lost” expression.

“As everyone knows, Zhiyu is very well-behaved and doesn’t know how to lie. Brother Zhao, just admit it. Don’t let the netizens call you an ‘Old Naughty Boy’ when the show airs.”

“Old Naughty Boy?! I’m only thirty-nine!”

Amidst the laughter, only the tips of Qiao Zhiyu’s ears, hidden by his hair, were burning red. Chu Shuihan looked at him and then at Pei Yuan on the screen, thinking to herself that she had likely guessed right about their relationship.

Afterward, the rewards for Bai Di and Song Yuanjia were also converted into Truth or Dare, leading to many more laughs.

After the recording ended, Yuanzi suggested taking a group photo to post on Weibo. No one refused just because the cameras were off; everyone cooperated for the shot. Before bed, he received a message from Yuanzi.

Yuan-Yuanzi: [Image] Yuan-Yuanzi: [I touched up my own look slightly. Otherwise, the contrast with you would be too tragic!] Yuan-Yuanzi: [I didn’t Photoshop you though, because you’re already so good-looking, I honestly didn’t know where to start. 💅] Yuan-Yuanzi: [Or you can edit it yourself~]

Qiao Zhiyu clicked the photo. He didn’t think the contrast was as exaggerated as she said. He saved the image and replied: [No need, it’s fine like this. Thanks, Yuanzi.]

Yuanzi replied with a shy emoji.

The three-day recording ended in a flash. Qiao Zhiyu discussed the follow-up schedule with Gu Jiao. After confirming he had no work for the next few days, he gave Qiaoqiao a holiday. After dropping him off at the apartment, the girl left happily.

The day after the recording finished, Qiao Zhiyu received a call from the director. The man told him that the TV drama was scheduled to premiere in mid-January. Promotions would start very soon.

Qiao Zhiyu was shocked. He hadn’t expected the drama to air so quickly after his rebirth. In his past life, it took over eight months from the start of filming to the release date. He remembered clearly that it was a month after the Lunar New Year. Although that wasn’t a long time, in this life, it was being released in less than six months…

“Director, isn’t that a bit rushed? Did the approval go through that fast?”

The director sighed. “I didn’t expect it either; I figured it would be after the Lunar New Year. But don’t worry, we were editing as we filmed, and it’s mostly finished now. I’m not notifying you to make you panic, I’m telling you to manage your work so it doesn’t clash with the promotion schedule. I value every one of my works, so don’t worry about the quality. That’s all for now, I still have to notify the others.”

After hanging up, Qiao Zhiyu couldn’t help but wonder perhaps this was the Butterfly Effect? But he hadn’t really done anything…

He informed Gu Jiao about the premiere date. She was also shocked but accepted it well. She adjusted his upcoming schedule to clear time for promotions. As it stood, the only upcoming “broadcast” was the soon-to-air episode of My Countryside Courtyard.

Even though his scheduled appearances were fewer, Qiao Zhiyu had no “gap period.” He maintained a steady level of heat that kept him relevant without becoming annoying a perfect rhythm for him right now. Standing out too much too early isn’t always a good thing.

Saturday night, 7:00 PM. The sixth episode of My Countryside Courtyard officially premiered.