The Scummy Top Desperately Tries to Win Back His Ex After the Breakup - Chapter 6

Jiang Zui could no longer remember how long it had been since he last contacted his mother, Lin Yan.

Perhaps their relationship had never truly thawed since the year he made up his mind to apply for the Acting Department. Back then, it had not been long since the incident involving Jiang Zui’s father; his mother’s emotions were unstable, and her words were like knives. In short, neither was willing to back down. Even after he was actually accepted into the program, his mother refused to take a single step back.

Jiang Zui still remembered handing his admission notice to Lin Yan after the college entrance exams. He did not speak; he just stood firmly before her, his back straight as if deliberately declaring his victory. Lin Yan’s gaze fell upon the notice, then she looked up at her now-adult son. Unlike her usual self, she was not hysterical with rage this time; she was calm and quiet.

The woman looked at him for a long time. Lin Yan asked, “Must it be like this, Jiang Zui?”

“Why?” She seemed to be asking him, yet also asking someone else. “There is clearly a better path in front of you, one that is more stable and better suited for you. Why must you be so stubborn? Why take such risks?”

At eighteen, Jiang Zui did not catch the subtext in her words. He thought about it and replied, “Because I like it.”

Lin Yan smiled. “Yes, because you like it, you fear nothing and can do anything.”

Her attitude softened suddenly. Jiang Zui thought she had come around and breathed a secret sigh of relief, only for her next words to pour over him like a bucket of ice water.

She said, “You will one day regret your choice.”

Lin Yan set the admission notice down and stood up to return to her room. Before closing the door, she looked back at Jiang Zui with a gaze so focused, yet seemingly distant. Her eyes lingered on him as if she were speaking to someone else through him.

She murmured, “How can you look so much like him?”

After that day, they never spoke of the topic again. Jiang Zui knew the hurdle in Lin Yan’s heart was too high to clear, but he still hoped his mother would eventually understand and support him. He thought that if he became successful and famous, everything would be fine.

With that mindset, he stopped overthinking. His role as the third male lead did not have much screen time, but he worked diligently on Xu Xizhe’s set. His pursuit of perfection and serious attitude actually made Xu Xizhe see him in a new light.

“Cut!” Xu Xizhe called a stop. “Let us end it here. Good work today, everyone. Go back and get some rest.”

With the director’s word, actors and staff alike exhaled in relief, ready to clock out. It was already winter; every breath turned into white mist. Though the costumes had fur collars, they were more for show than warmth. Jiang Zui climbed out of the snow, trembling, his face frozen pale.

To make matters worse, this scene depicted the emperor he played committing suicide in the snow after being forced to abdicate. Fake blood covered his hands, and that strange taste filled his mouth; he looked quite wretched.

A young production assistant ran over to help him, passing Xu Xizhe along the way. The director called out to him, “Hey, Teacher Jiang.”

Their relationship had been decent lately. Xu Xizhe had realized Jiang Zui was not some fool using his connections to act like a diva, and since the kid actually had talent, Xu Xizhe started calling him Teacher Jiang. “Congratulations on wrapping your scenes.”

Jiang Zui was an outsider dropped into the production by higher-ups and was not a man of many words. He did not suck up to people, and the big-name stars looked down on him; most were just nodding acquaintances waiting for him to leave. Truly, Xu Xizhe was the only one to say “Congratulations” to him.

At this moment, Jiang Zui did not look his best: heavy headgear, a sickly complexion, and messy robes. But as he stood there poised in the snow with a streak of blood at the corner of his mouth, Xu Xizhe could not help but recall the scene they just filmed:

The suspicious, cold-blooded emperor had exhausted every scheme only to be defeated by the hearts of men. The King became the captive, the defeat was absolute, yet the most noble man under heaven still held his spine like a sword. He tilted his sharp chin as if he were still the Son of Heaven whose word was law.

Amidst the vast white snow, his hair hung loose. He looked like the only red plum blooming in the bitter winter. The blade was sharp, his wide sleeves fluttered, and without a hint of hesitation, he slit his own throat. Blood splattered, creating a tragic, haunting beauty.

Watching those frames, Xu Xizhe felt a momentary trance. It was as if the emperor he had envisioned had truly come to life. In that instant, he realized he had misjudged Jiang Zui. He was a truly good actor, one born for this profession.

Xu Xizhe admired talent, so, looking into Jiang Zui’s eyes, he found himself asking uncontrollably, “Are you free tonight?”

Realizing what he had said, he quickly added, “I will treat you to dinner to celebrate your wrap-up.”

Jiang Zui seemed stunned for a moment, but he quickly reacted. He pulled his down jacket tighter and suddenly smiled. As if thinking of something, his whole demeanor became vivid; his well-shaped lips curved into a soft, beautiful arc.

“Director Xu is very kind,” Jiang Zui said. “But I cannot tonight.”

“Tonight,” his voice grew faint, “tonight, I already have plans with someone.”

Xu Xizhe was a man of status; usually, people fawned over him. When Master Xu spoke, few dared to refuse. His first thought was: who has more face than me? Who could make Jiang Zui say “no” to him?

Oh, he almost forgot who had pulled the strings to get Jiang Zui into the cast: Pei Yuting.

Xu Xizhe’s spirit deflated. He had forgotten Jiang Zui belonged to someone. Despite the fact that Jiang Zui actually had skills, unlike the typical “flower vases,” he was still spoken for.

This was normal; Xu Xizhe never touched other people’s property. Yet, at this moment, he felt a genuine pang of jealousy and resentment toward Pei Yuting. What a waste, he thought, at the end of the day, he is still just a plaything.

Disinterested now, he exchanged a few formalities and saw Jiang Zui off. Neither of them noticed a Rolls-Royce Phantom parked not far from the set.

The car window rolled down slowly, and a well-defined hand emerged to flick ash from a cigarette. The man inside leaned against the backrest, his expression unreadable.

As the set cleared and staff left, there were not many people around when Jiang Zui and Xu Xizhe were talking. Pei Yuting had seen everything clearly, including the look in Xu Xizhe’s eyes.

A bit annoying, Pei Yuting thought.

To respect Jiang Zui’s inexplicable boundaries, he had not publicized their connection, thinking there was no rush until he actually had him. But because of that, people kept forgetting whose territory Jiang Zui was.

The game of ambiguity had gone on long enough. Pei Yuting mused that it was time to close the net.

Director Chen’s movie was also approved.

Since it was a romance, it was set to release on Valentine’s Day. The pre-release trailers featured the leads, both popular young idols with huge fanbases, so the exposure was massive. Even Jiang Zui, the second male lead, gained a bit of fame.

To build his “devoted second lead” persona, the marketing team released behind-the-scenes clips of Jiang Zui weeping as he tried to win back the female lead. His eyes, shimmering with tears, conveyed a suppressed and profound love without saying a word. It was a hit with fans.

The promotion was a success. With his rising fame, Jiang Zui signed a few small brand endorsements, and Xu Yan struck while the iron was hot, booking him as a guest on several variety shows. This continued until the film’s official premiere.

For the premiere, the main cast had to attend, but this time was different. The busy Young Master Pei had specifically cleared his schedule to watch the movie.

Jiang Zui was surprised to see him until Pei Yuting waved the movie tickets from a distance, walked over, and sat in the seat next to him. Jiang Zui’s heart thudded. “Why are you here?”

Pei Yuting arched an eyebrow. “I am the investor, after all.”

Before Jiang Zui could respond, the theater went dark. Only the faint glow from the screen reflected off the sharp contours of the man beside him. They sat so close that in the silence, even their breathing became distinct. He could feel the warmth and the scent of the man next to him.

Jiang Zui felt his cheeks heat up. Fortunately, the darkness masked his youthful shyness. He sat there for nearly an hour, heart racing with a tension he could not suppress.

The film reached its climax. The wealthy female lead was forced by her family to go abroad. She sat alone in the massive departure lounge as time ticked away. She looked out the glass window at the falling snow, vast and sorrowful. Her eyes were red, filled with a plea for her young lover to appear like a god and fulfill their promise to stay together forever. But the fairy tale did not happen. Her lover stood at the airport entrance, shoulders covered in snow, realizing in that moment how weak and naive his power truly was.

Pei Yuting suddenly said, “Winter is such a tragic season.”

“Separations always seem to happen in winter,” he said. “In all that paleness, the only thing clear is the reluctance to let go.”

“It was winter when I went abroad, too,” Pei Yuting whispered. “City H never snows, yet on the day I left, it turned into a blizzard.”

Jiang Zui’s breath hitched; his heart felt like it was going to leap out of his throat. He could only listen as Pei Yuting continued, “Looking back, I still feel regret.”

“Jiang Zui.” Pei Yuting suddenly called his name. “Actually, that day, I saw you at the airport.”

Jiang Zui’s eyes widened. He turned to look at the man, meeting eyes that reflected fragments of light, a vortex that drew people in with such apparent sincerity and tenderness.

He said, “All these years, I have regretted it.”

“When you turned to leave, if I had rushed over to stop you, would things be different?” He smiled. “Fortunately, after all these years, I have found you again.”

“Jiang Zui,” Pei Yuting said, “Stay with me.”

Jiang Zui could vaguely guess what Pei Yuting meant, but when the words were actually spoken, he was overwhelmed. He could not believe that the love he had kept secret for years was being reciprocated today. An immense joy filled his heart, feeling as surreal as a drunken dream.

He was so caught up that he did not even notice that the phrase “Stay with me” was uttered with a casual lightness, as if spoken to a mere plaything.

Jiang Zui knew nothing then. In that moment, he only thought that Heaven had taken pity on him, that the gods were favoring him. He was lucky; he and Pei Yuting loved each other, and his wish had finally come true.

So, Jiang Zui said, “Okay.”

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