What to Do When the Best Actor is Clinging to Me? - Chapter 2

“Do you think it’s better for the paparazzi to catch you living at my place, or to catch us checking into a hotel?”

Jian Mubai was stunned by Yan Cen’s sheer audacity. Distracted from his initial annoyance, he couldn’t help but mock him, “Old Yan, have you been possessed? Since when did you become ‘Yan Cen, the overbearing CEO’?”

Ignoring Jian Mubai’s teasing, Yan Cen took the suitcase and wheeled it into the guest room. The room was clean and tidy, looking as though it had just been freshly prepared.

Jian Mubai watched as Yan Cen began unpacking his belongings, carefully placing each item into the wardrobe and onto the shoe rack. He couldn’t help but intervene, “I’m definitely moving out soon, you don’t need to unpack all that.”

Yan Cen didn’t listen. Left with no other choice, Jian Mubai sprawled out on the bed, watching as Yan Cen meticulously organized his meager belongings. Seeing him work so carefully, Jian Mubai began to wonder just how much stuff he had actually brought back with him.

When Yan Cen eventually turned around, he saw that Jian Mubai had already fallen asleep face-down. He let out a soft, helpless laugh. He gently adjusted Jian Mubai into a more comfortable position, tucked him in with a blanket, and stood there silently watching his face for a long time before quietly closing the door.

On the desk, Yan Cen’s phone was buzzing with countless messages. Most were from his manager and studio team, while others were from friends within the industry, all asking why he had just posted that specific Weibo update.

Yan Cen looked at the messages with irritation. He knew perfectly well that his post would give opportunistic people a chance to stir up drama. But he couldn’t help himself—he couldn’t resist telling the world that he was back, and that he was the very first person to see him.

On Weibo, the internet was already in a frenzy trying to figure out who “he” was.

Yan Cen had a massive following. Anything remotely connected to him would trend within minutes, let alone something this explosive.

Yan Cen had debuted at thirteen in a “trainee-style” boy group. The five members each had their own unique charm, and they became an instant sensation upon debut. When people spoke of China’s top-tier boy group and peak idols, they were talking about them.

Within the group, Yan Cen and Jian Mubai were the most popular. While the other three members had plenty of fans, they still lagged significantly behind those two.

Most domestic boy groups have a short lifespan. This group had struggled through seven years before finally reaching a peaceful disbandment. At the time, news of their split dominated the entertainment industry for an entire month.

Everyone assumed that Yan Cen and Jian Mubai would have the most successful solo careers. However, at that pivotal moment, Jian Mubai posted an announcement stating he was going abroad to study vocal music, with no set return date.

Jian Mubai’s fans were devastated, crying their eyes out over the post. But since studying music was a positive pursuit, everyone assumed he would still take on occasional projects while away.

Instead, Jian Mubai did the opposite. After the news of his departure, he vanished completely from the headlines.

The entertainment industry moves at lightning speed. No matter how devoted a fan is, few can endure years of total silence from an idol. Most eventually moved on to new idols and new favorites.

Jian Mubai became a name from the past. After six years, no matter how famous a star once was, few people remembered them clearly.

Yan Cen’s intention had been to express his joy over Jian Mubai’s return, but their three former teammates took it as an opportunity. They began flooding the internet with press releases, shamelessly clinging to Yan Cen’s fame for publicity.

They used gimmicks like “nostalgic brotherhood” and “the reunion of the top boy group.” One by one, they milked the hype for all it was worth.

Yan Cen called his manager, Shang Wen. Shang Wen had replaced his previous manager three years ago. As soon as the call connected, Shang Wen started shouting, “My dear ancestor! Don’t you usually hate it when your old teammates use you for clout? Why did you walk right into it this time? We’re doomed. Those three are going to stick to you like glue; they won’t stop until they’ve milked several trending topics out of this.”

Yan Cen listened to Shang Wen’s rant and replied flatly, “He is different.”

Shang Wen paused for a few seconds. “Huh?”

“I said, he is different. He is allowed to use me for hype,” Yan Cen continued.

Shang Wen hadn’t been in the industry for very long. When he started, he was a complete rookie, and he never understood why a top-tier star like Yan Cen would fire his previous manager to hire someone as green as him.

If it weren’t for the extra weight around his own waist, Shang Wen would have suspected Yan Cen had a crush on him to give him such a massive opportunity.

Since Shang Wen didn’t know the history of what had happened years ago, he decided that as long as Yan Cen had a plan, he would just follow orders.

“Alright, alright. Whatever you say, Boss,” Shang Wen nodded quickly.

Yan Cen smiled. This was exactly why he had hired Shang Wen back then—to have total authority so that a manager wouldn’t interrupt his personal choices with “long-term career planning.”

“Help me look into some good movies, TV shows, or variety programs. I want clean, straightforward production teams. If necessary, we can invest some money ourselves. Just find anything suitable for Jian Mubai and let him take his pick,” Yan Cen said, having already planned this out. “Also, contact W Music Studio. Ask if they can clear out a recording studio for me to use for a few months.”

The first part was easy enough, but W Music Studio? A recording studio? For months? Shang Wen hurriedly replied, “Scripts are easy; I can have those ready by tomorrow. But W is such a big name, they might not agree.” And they actually quite dislike you, Shang Wen added silently, not wanting to risk his salary by saying it out loud.

Yan Cen hesitated for a moment. “Just ask. If they refuse, offer more money.”

Shang Wen was stunned but quickly took notes. Finally, Yan Cen added, “When you come over tomorrow, bring some groceries. Buy plenty of shrimp.”

Once Yan Cen was sure there was nothing else to say, he hung up. Shang Wen found it incredibly strange. Everyone knew Yan Cen was a good cook, but he hadn’t touched a stove in years. Why the sudden change of heart?

There was, of course, a reason for the change. Before, he didn’t want to cook because that person wasn’t there. Now that he was lying peacefully in his guest room, Yan Cen’s heart had finally found its peace.

Yan Cen had spent all morning waiting at the airport and was exhausted, yet he felt no urge to sleep. He logged into his Weibo alt account to check in at Jian Mubai’s “Super Topic” fan page. These days, only a couple hundred people checked in daily. Yan Cen didn’t even have to race to be the first one like he did six years ago; the thrill of the competition was gone.

Because of the news of Jian Mubai’s return, the page was a bit livelier today, but it was mostly just a few veteran fans celebrating. Yan Cen scrolled through the posts and then checked what the big industry influencers were saying about Jian Mubai’s career prospects.

Even though Jian Mubai was once a top idol, he’s been gone for six years. The industry has moved on. Look at his former teammates aside from Yan Cen, they’ve all faded into irrelevance. If you ask me, if Jian Mubai tries to come back to the industry now, he’s going to have a hard time.

The comments below were mostly in agreement, noting that the film and TV industry was currently in a “winter” period. Even popular artists were fighting over scripts. Jian Mubai currently had no fan base and no connections. Even if he tried acting, he wouldn’t get any significant roles.

As for singing, it was even worse. Unless you were a massive star, releasing singles or albums simply wasn’t profitable.

Seeing the overwhelming pessimism, Yan Cen sneered and began typing a reply.

Screenshotting this. I’ll be waiting to see you get proven wrong.

To his surprise, the influencer actually saw the comment and replied.

If Jian Mubai can actually make it big again, he’d have to rely on Yan Cen’s help. But given their history, is it even possible for Yan Cen to help him? If Jian Mubai gets famous again, I’ll livestream myself doing a handstand while shitting!

Their history? What history do they think we have?

Yan Cen saw the comments below claiming that he and Jian Mubai had long since cut ties. People were saying that expecting help was nothing but a pipe dream. The more he read, the angrier he got. He was tempted to wake Jian Mubai up right then and there just to take a selfie together and shove it in their faces.

When Jian Mubai finally woke up, it was the next morning. As soon as he pushed open his door, he smelled the aroma of noodles. Both he and Yan Cen shared a morning habit of eating noodles preferably fresh, spicy, and savory.

Two bowls were already on the table. Jian Mubai quickly washed up and sat down, waiting for Yan Cen to bring over the fried eggs.

As Yan Cen approached, Jian Mubai watched him smooth down a stray hair on his own head before sliding a golden fried egg into the noodle bowl. Jian Mubai murmured, “Old Yan, how are you so practiced at this?”

“Practiced at what?”

Jian Mubai didn’t answer. He just sat there with a beaming smile, enjoying the breakfast Yan Cen had made. Before they could finish, Yan Cen’s manager, Shang Wen, knocked and entered.

Shang Wen had become Yan Cen’s manager while Jian Mubai was abroad, so this was their first meeting.

“Hello, Teacher Jian. I’m Yan Cen’s manager, Shang Wen. Please look after me in the future.”

Hearing Shang Wen being so polite, Jian Mubai’s almond-shaped eyes crinkled into a smile. “It’s Mr. Shang who will need to look after me.”

Seeing Jian Mubai’s “polite” smile, Yan Cen pulled him back. “Eat first. Talk later.”

Shang Wen was very tactful. He placed a stack of scripts in the living room, checked in with Yan Cen, and stuffed the fresh shrimp and groceries into the fridge.

Jian Mubai’s eyes lit up when he heard the word “shrimp.” Yan Cen waited for him to ask about it, but Jian Mubai just gathered the dishes with a smile, giving Yan Cen no opening to brag.

Observing their interaction, Shang Wen realized that the internet really was full of lies. If this was what “drifting apart” looked like, then no one in the world truly had a good relationship.

Yan Cen noticed Jian Mubai had given his fingers a careless wipe, so he pulled him back and made him wash his hands properly with soap before letting him go to the living room.

Shang Wen was astonished. “Yan Cen, since when did you become such a nagging mother hen?”

As soon as he said it, Shang Wen reflexively looked at Jian Mubai, worried he might take offense. Instead, Jian Mubai stuck his tongue out at the approaching Yan Cen. “He’s always been a nag. He’s Butler Yan.”

Yan Cen gave Jian Mubai’s head a playful pat and pulled him down by the arm to sit. He pointed at the scripts on the coffee table. “Take your pick. See which one you like.”

Yan Cen was now both a Film Emperor and a top-tier idol. He had invested in plenty of projects, so getting a script was just a matter of him opening his mouth. Jian Mubai flipped through them and was shocked. “I have no fame and no fans right now. Who would dare hire me?”

The scripts in front of him were mostly big-budget productions. Even the lower-budget ones were clearly high-quality, “prestige” projects. Jian Mubai laughed, “Even before I went abroad, I didn’t have this many great scripts to choose from.”

Hearing this, Yan Cen looked pleased. “See how well I treat you? Just say which one you like, and Shang Wen will handle the negotiations.”

Jian Mubai understood that even if Shang Wen did the talking, it was Yan Cen’s reputation doing the heavy lifting.

However, Jian Mubai’s heart wasn’t in acting. He shook his head. “I want to focus on music. I don’t really want to act right now. Besides, with my acting skills…”

He couldn’t help but laugh at himself.

Yan Cen frowned and turned to Shang Wen. “Did you contact W Studio?”

At this, Shang Wen’s face fell. He mumbled, “W Studio said they don’t have any vacant recording rooms.”

“Not even if we offer more money?”

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