Chapter 56

Back at the hotel, Jiang Chi sat on the sofa, playing with the key Ye Lan had given him. Li Weili pushed the freshly delivered and ironed clothes into the room, put them in garment bags one by one, and hung them up. He looked at Jiang Chi and asked casually, "Brother Jiang, what are you holding?"

“N-nothing.” Jiang Chi stood up, put the key away properly, and tried his best to suppress the smile on his face. “You... you should get some rest if you have nothing else to do. I’m going to bed now.”

Li Weili had seen Jiang Chi leave with Ye Lan and assumed Ye Lan had bought something for Jiang Chi. He didn't ask further, just saying, “While you were out, Brother Geng gave me a call. He asked if you could find time to shoot a commercial.”

Jiang Chi looked up. “What commercial?”

“For chocolate. That... French brand, I can’t pronounce the name properly.” Li Weili struggled to recall it, then stammered out a brand name. “It’s not an endorsement, just recording a TV commercial for a new chocolate bar they’re releasing this spring.”

“They said the shoot will take one day at most. The female artist acting with you hasn't been decided yet, maybe someone unknown? Anyway, the point is they mainly want you.” Li Weili gloated, “Ai, if this were in the past, Brother Geng would never have called me in advance, nor would he have asked you. He probably would have just accepted it on your behalf and then informed us. Now he doesn’t dare to. Brother Jiang, will you take it?”

His contract was about to be terminated, so arranging endless work at this time couldn't help but make one look down on their pettiness. However, it was quite in line with Century Entertainment's usual practice: milk every last drop they could.

Jiang Chi thought for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll take it.”

Jiang Chi gave a helpless smile. “It’s not that I want to, but I have no choice. I’m still under contract, and it’s stated very clearly that I have to cooperate with the company’s arrangements for commercial collaborations. In the past, I could still bargain with the company based on my minor achievements and fame, but now we’ve torn all pretense away. There’s no room for negotiation. Not accepting it means breaching the contract.”

Li Weili sighed, lamenting, “It’s a good thing you’ve already joined the film crew, and for a movie invested in by Century at that. Otherwise, who knows how they would torment you and squeeze out your remaining value in the time you have left.”

“Let them squeeze. There are only a few days left anyway.” Jiang Chi was rather open-minded about it. “This brand is quite famous, and it’s not some shady micro-business. Besides, it’s just shooting a commercial, not an endorsement. It’s no big deal. Did they mention a date?”

Li Weili shook his head. “They didn’t say. But it will definitely be easy to get time off. Since the company added this job for you at the last minute, they’ll naturally have their people coordinate with the film crew. We don’t have to be the ones to step up and offend people. As soon as you nod your head, they’ll probably start making arrangements right away.”

Li Weili couldn't help but complain, “Or maybe they’re waiting for you to refuse so they can sue you.”

Jiang Chi smiled. He thought for a moment and decided it would be best to tell his new boss about this.

Jiang Chi picked up his phone, hesitated, but in the end, didn't call his new boss.

That person was probably sleeping in the car. It wasn't a big deal, so it would be bad to wake him.

His new boss had such a temper when waking up. If he was woken up unhappily, there was no telling what demands he might make. He might even punish him. Today in the washroom, he had scared him by saying he would video and photograph him, specifically filming that place... If Ye Lan got into the mood later, what if he demanded that kind of video from him...

He wouldn't even know how to refuse him...

Jiang Chi couldn't help but replay the events in the washroom in his mind, his cheeks gradually turning red.

He rubbed his ears, calmed down, and called An Ya instead, briefly explaining the matter of the commercial shoot.

Jiang Chi was familiar with how brand commercials and endorsements worked. He frowned and asked, “On Ye Lan's Studio’s side... there aren’t any conflicts with similar food advertisements, are there? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking about future endorsement arrangements for me, but if there are plans for a chocolate endorsement or something similar in the future, I’ll find a way to turn this one down.”

After shooting this commercial, under normal circumstances, he wouldn't be able to endorse or advertise for another similar competing brand for the next few years. To put it bluntly, no one could shoot a commercial for Laundry Detergent A today and then promote Laundry Liquid B tomorrow.

“There’s nothing like that.” An Ya also looked down on Century Entertainment's shortsighted, kill-the-goose-that-lays-the-golden-eggs approach. She said sarcastically, “You’re overestimating them. They couldn’t come up with such a sophisticated scheme. If they really wanted to cut off your future paths, they’d have you take up endorsements in every single industry right now. I’m just afraid they don’t have that many resources.”

Jiang Chi smiled but didn't say anything.

“Take it. There’s no need to pay them compensation over this.” An Ya gave a comforting smile. “Just endure it for a few more days. Once you come over here, rest assured, we never overexpose our artists. Even if I were willing, Ye Lan wouldn’t agree. We’re already in contact for your commercial endorsements. It’s cosmetics-related. We didn’t tell you because it’s not finalized yet. A major international brand, it absolutely won’t ruin your popularity. There’s another one for a luxury brand... that one’s a bit difficult, we’ll probably have to wait a year. It can't be rushed.”

Jiang Chi quickly said, “No rush, no rush. Thank you for your hard work. So, I’ll accept this chocolate commercial then?”

“Take it.” An Ya smiled. “What could possibly happen?”

A week later, something happened.

The scandal between Jiang Chi and the female artist he shot the chocolate commercial with hit the entertainment headlines overnight.

On set, Ye Lan was dressed in a pair of black trousers and a white haute couture shirt. With a cigarette dangling from his mouth, he sat in a makeup chair, draping the seven-dragon imperial robe of the Regent Prince over his shoulders like a coat. He expressionlessly scrolled through Weibo. A dead, oppressive silence emanated from him, extending ten meters in every direction.

The hurried crew members hugged the walls as they moved equipment, giving him a wide berth.

An Ya, who happened to be visiting the set, said awkwardly, “Um... don’t go looking for trouble with him first. It has nothing to do with him. I can explain.”

It was just a commercial. An Ya had thought too simply, assuming Century Entertainment just wanted to squeeze a bit more money out of Jiang Chi before his contract ended. Jiang Chi, on the other hand, had overthought it, believing his old company had heard some news and was deliberately trying to occupy an endorsement slot in advance.

In reality, Century Entertainment just wanted to use Jiang Chi’s popularity to generate some fame for a newly signed female artist.

Century Entertainment was wary of Ye Lan, so they didn’t dare to slander Jiang Chi. They only dared to secretly leech off some of his popularity like this.

“These are all photos from the set. The female artist is feeding him that damned, unscrupulous chocolate he was advertising.” In the photo that was going viral online, Jiang Chi was smiling with his eyes closed, his lips parted, while the female artist beside him shyly fed a piece of chocolate into his mouth. An Ya looked at the photo, filled with regret. “He was very cautious and even specifically asked me if he could take it. I was careless... I was the one who told him to take it. It has nothing to do with him, so don’t fly off the handle.”

Ye Lan extinguished his cigarette, his face like ice. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

An Ya forced a smile. “I’m afraid you’ll go crazy. Just ignore this. Century Entertainment should issue a statement soon and promote their female artist at the same time. They wouldn’t dare to let the hype become reality. Jiang Chi has so many girlfriend fans, it would be a miracle if they didn't tear that female artist to shreds. The losses would outweigh the gains for them then.”

Ye Lan scrolled through Jiang Chi's Weibo. As expected, the comment section had already exploded. The more rational fans were all attesting that Jiang Chi was currently single and strongly condemned this malicious hype. The impulsive ones had already gone to that female artist's Weibo to curse her out.

Ye Lan exited Weibo and saw that Jiang Chi had already sent him several messages. He called Jiang Chi, but no one answered.

He must be filming.

Ye Lan pressed the end call button, his expression worsening.

He gently caressed his phone, not saying a word.

An Ya faintly sensed a murderous aura enveloping Ye Lan. She said, terrified, “Don’t fight... He has a soft temper and usually gives in to you on everything. Don’t bully him again.”

Ye Lan said faintly, “You’re overthinking it.”

An Ya felt uneasy. She had originally planned to just take a look and leave today, but then Jiang Chi's scandal suddenly broke online. She felt she was partly responsible for this and was afraid Ye Lan would lose his temper and hurt Jiang Chi by mistake, so she couldn't bring herself to leave. She checked the time and gave a dry laugh, “Well... I’m going to go chat with the Assistant Director for a bit.”

Ye Lan nodded.

Ye Lan picked up his phone, typed in the keywords, and read through Jiang Chi's scandal again, mulling it over in contemplative silence.

After about five minutes, Ye Lan’s phone vibrated. Jiang Chi was calling.

Ye Lan stood up, walked to the window with the imperial robe still draped over him, and answered the phone. “Yeah?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” As soon as the call connected, Jiang Chi hurriedly apologized. He said anxiously, “I was just called away by the director and missed your call. I’ve already contacted the company and asked them to clarify things immediately. They agreed and said they’d release a statement by noon at the latest. I’m sorry, I didn’t handle it well, but I really, really don’t know her. Even though we’re from the same company, I’ve never even met her before, really! If you don’t believe me, you can ask Li Weili, I...”

“It’s not that.” Ye Lan suddenly chuckled. “What is wrong with you people? I haven’t even said a single word, and you’re all rushing to apologize to me. Did I say I was angry?”

Jiang Chi was stunned for a moment, then stammered, “You’re not? But when you’re not angry... your tone isn’t like this.”

“...” Ye Lan was incredulous. “Impressive. You can even tell that?”

“Of course.” As a veteran fan of Ye Lan, Jiang Chi probably knew more about Ye Lan’s various nuances than Ye Lan himself did. Jiang Chi said pitifully, “If you’re angry, just say so. Being so lukewarm makes me feel even worse... It’s okay if you’re unhappy and want to scold me a bit, just... just don’t give me the cold shoulder.”

Ye Lan’s heart softened, and he let out a laugh. “I’m really not angry at you.”

“I am a bit displeased, but it has nothing to do with you, and nothing to do with this matter. Just now, I suddenly wondered...” Ye Lan paused for a moment, then smiled. “What did you think back then, when you heard about all my scandals?””

Ye Lan chuckled softly. “My heart aches a little.”

Jiang Chi recalled the situations whenever a scandal about Ye Lan had emerged over the years, and his heart clenched.

Jiang Chi’s eyes grew a little hot. The heart that had been hanging in suspense slowly settled back down after he realized Ye Lan wasn't angry. He said in a small voice, “It was nothing. I never thought I’d be able to date you back then, so I wasn’t really jealous.”

Jiang Chi thought for a moment and honestly added, “Just a little bit jealous.”

“How much is a little bit?” Ye Lan asked with a low laugh. “Did you ever cry?”

Jiang Chi let out a laugh. “No, I was just... just jealous.”

Jiang Chi pressed his lips together and asked softly, “Were you jealous just now too?”

“What do you think?” In his mind, Ye Lan had already cursed the ancestors of Century Entertainment's upper management one by one and was preparing for another vicious fight with Century. On the surface, however, he maintained his god-like composure. “Me, jealous of her? Who is she? Has she kissed you? Hugged you? Touched...”

“No!” Jiang Chi, beet red, cut Ye Lan off. He said quickly, “She hasn’t done any of that. As long as you’re not... not angry, it’s fine.”

“Feeling shy?” Ye Lan’s voice was tinged with laughter. “Didn’t you enjoy it a lot the other day?”

Jiang Chi was too embarrassed to speak. Ye Lan calculated the time and asked, “Going to shoot the commercial delayed you by a day, right? So that means there are still... about seventeen days left before you wrap up filming?”

Jiang Chi shook his head. “No time was lost. I rushed my work. Filming will wrap up in another fifteen days.”

“I’ve prepared a room for you.” Ye Lan smiled. “Come straight over after you wrap up filming... We’ll settle old and new scores together.”

Jiang Chi’s ears turned red. He said obediently, “Okay.”

Someone was talking on Jiang Chi’s end. Ye Lan said, “Time to film?”

“No, no.” Afraid Ye Lan was about to hang up, Jiang Chi explained, “That was Li Weili. I asked him to help me buy some books, and he just brought them.”

Ye Lan was puzzled. “Books? What books?”

“The ones I read in college.” Jiang Chi was a bit embarrassed. “When I have free time... I review them.”

Ye Lan understood and smiled. “What? Are you afraid you won’t act well in my film in the future and will really get scolded and punished by me?”

Jiang Chi hemmed and hawed. Ye Lan stopped teasing him and said with a laugh, “It’s fine. When you come over... I’ll personally teach you through words and deeds.”

Jiang Chi’s heart felt warm. Before he could thank him, Ye Lan added teasingly, “But I have to charge tuition. A live lesson from Film Emperor Ye, how could you learn for free?”

Without Ye Lan needing to elaborate, Jiang Chi knew what this “tuition” was. He blushed and mumbled, “Okay... I’ll pay it.”