Chapter 44: Chasing an Idol
“Mr. Han.”
“Welcome, Mr. Han.”
“Mr. Han, you’re looking younger again. The rest of us old folks are aging, but you seem to get younger every year. Care to share your secret?”
“I think Mr. Han’s secret is love. With a boyfriend like Ji Xu, your mood is always good—people just don’t age when they’re happy.”
“Looking at handsome guys every day does improve your mood,” someone chimed in, and everyone approached to chat with Han Cheng. Zhao Dangjian nodded along but glanced at Jiang Yu hiding behind Kou Dehai.
Zhao Dangjian’s look was loaded with meaning. He knew Jiang Yu and was fully aware of Jiang Yu’s past with Han Cheng.
“Everyone is exaggerating. I’m just an ordinary person. There are plenty of handsome guys in the entertainment industry. Our cast is full of them. Brother Hai, Brother Feng, Jiang Yu—they’re all more handsome than me,” Ji Xu said, smiling and praising the lead actors.
He deliberately tilted his head toward Jiang Yu behind Kou Dehai and said kindly: “Jiang Yu, why are you hiding behind Brother Hai? You two just had a scandal, and you’re acting so close. Don’t let people misunderstand again. Come stand by me—I’m not single, and my boyfriend is here. Being with me won’t cause anyone to misinterpret.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Jiang Yu. Forcing a smile, he stepped forward and glanced at Han Cheng. Han Cheng gave him a genuinely friendly smile, as if they were just ordinary friends.
Seeing everyone else so relaxed, Jiang Yu, who wasn’t one to overthink, allowed himself a small smile—but before he could speak, someone grabbed his arm. Jiang Yu stumbled and fell into Zhao Dangjian’s arms.
Zhao Dangjian seized the moment, wrapping an arm around Jiang Yu’s waist, smiling at Han Cheng: “You two are busy people; it’s good enough to meet today. I don’t want to be a third wheel. I really like Jiang Yu. I’ve been his fan since he debuted. Today, give me a chance to take care of my idol. You two can enjoy your time together.”
Zhao Dangjian’s intentions were blatant. He had a habit of chasing after young celebrities who had recently broken up with someone like Han Cheng. He had caused trouble for other ex-lovers of Han Cheng before, and Han Cheng didn’t mind using these situations for collaboration.
This time, his target was Jiang Yu.
Ji Xu looked at Han Cheng, who smiled knowingly. He nodded to Zhao Dangjian: “You have good taste, Mr. Zhao, but Jiang Yu is about to terminate his contract with our company, so I can’t decide for him. If you like him, go ahead and chase him yourself. Chasing an idol can be fun.”
Han Cheng’s words clearly indicated he would not intervene. Ji Xu seemed relieved, still smiling politely, though his eyes toward Jiang Yu showed some smugness and mockery.
Zhao Dangjian grinned with excitement: “Then I’ll study these youngsters to learn how to chase an idol properly.” He pressed his hand harder against Jiang Yu’s waist, trapping him completely.
Jiang Yu frowned and tried to free himself. Zhao Dangjian looked slightly surprised, then sneered.
This young star hadn’t given up on Han Cheng and still hoped to rekindle things. No matter—taming a wild little horse is even more thrilling. Zhao Dangjian’s gaze toward Jiang Yu grew more intense.
“What a pity, Mr. Zhao got here first. I’m also a fan of Jiang Yu,” the old man with big teeth said jokingly, half regretful, half teasing.
The other investors nodded in agreement: “Mr. Zhao is young and strong; we’re old and sore after a few interactions. Now, finding a youngster is really just for looks. Compared to Mr. Zhao, we’re missing out on the fun.”
“Those young ones like Mr. Zhao too. He’s poached several of mine. If my trainee debuts one day, I’ll bring him to Mr. Zhao. If he likes him, maybe record a song.”
“No problem. Our company may not be as big as Han Entertainment, but we have a few good songwriters. Mr. Liu, we can discuss this properly,” Zhao Dangjian’s eyes lit up at the mention of a newcomer.
“Mr. Zhao is eager, huh? Already eyeing someone who hasn’t debuted?” someone teased.
“That’s for collaboration, not ‘eyeing’,” Zhao Dangjian replied casually, leaning close to Jiang Yu and whispering ambiguously: “You’re still my favorite. Tell me what you like; I’ll make it happen. Our next project is with Mr. Han—how about giving you a role?”
Zhao Dangjian’s hand slowly moved downward. Jiang Yu grabbed the hand at his waist, gently pushed it away, and smiled: “Sorry, Mr. Zhao. I’m leaving the industry after this film. Your role should go to a newcomer instead.”
“Leaving the industry?” Zhao Dangjian was shocked and glanced at Han Cheng.
Han Cheng smiled: “That’s Jiang Yu’s decision. I didn’t block him.”
“Oh.” Zhao Dangjian’s eyes darted around, frantically trying to interpret Han Cheng’s words—was it a block or not?
Unable to figure it out, Zhao Dangjian didn’t dare touch Jiang Yu again. After all, these two had been together for six years, and this situation increasingly looked like they were just sulking at each other.
Recalling he had just tried to make a move on Jiang Yu in front of Han Cheng, Zhao Dangjian panicked at the thought—what if they weren’t broken up but just sulking?
Fear coursed through him; cold sweat dripped down. He secretly glanced at Han Cheng and suddenly met Han Cheng’s icy, warning gaze. Zhao Dangjian’s scalp tingled.
Damn—it really was sulking. Han Cheng’s warning look could devour someone.
He had actually tried to exploit Han Cheng’s ex-boyfriend right in front of him? Zhao Dangjian broke out in a cold sweat, while Han Cheng smiled with a condescending, obsequious charm.
No one had seen Han Cheng’s cold glance earlier, so everyone was a bit puzzled by Zhao Dangjian’s sudden fawning. Surely you don’t need to grovel so humbly to flatter someone.
Ji Xu, sensing something was off, looked at Han Cheng. Han Cheng immediately noticed Ji Xu’s gaze and, affectionately, leaned in close to him and whispered, “What’s wrong?”
Ji Xu looked at Han Cheng’s gentle face; the deep emotion in those peach-blossom eyes made his heart race uncontrollably. The person he had thought about for nearly thirty years was finally his. Not wanting to doubt Han Cheng, he smiled sweetly and shook his head slightly: “Nothing, just a little hungry.”
“Hungry? Director Qi, you all go ahead and chat. Ji Xu and I will get some snacks,” Han Cheng said. With the person he loved hungry, he had no interest in small talk. He immediately led Ji Xu to the buffet table, and the two of them stayed close, laughing and eating various treats together.
Jiang Yu was also somewhat hungry, but the area around the table was crowded because Han Cheng drew so many people. Jiang Yu didn’t want to go over, so he found a chair, sat down, and poured himself a drink to fill his stomach a bit.
Half a glass of red wine later, instead of feeling full, he felt even hungrier. Looking at the buffet, Han Cheng and Ji Xu were still the center of attention. So many people were talking around the table, drooling in conversation—Jiang Yu pouted. There was no way to eat any of that food.
He really wanted to leave.
“Hungry? Eat some of this.” A plate of food suddenly appeared in front of him, all meat.
Jiang Yu looked up. Kou Dehai was holding a plate as well. He didn’t sit down, but looked at Jiang Yu and smiled: “The two of us—the rumored leads—shouldn’t sit together. I got this meat from over there; it has covers, so no one spat on it.
Over there by the cakes, people are spitting everywhere. There’s also fruit. If you’re hungry, take some covered meat and fruit. At these banquets, who knows how long it’ll last—if you don’t eat, no one’s going to serve you.”
“Thanks, Brother Hai.” Jiang Yu immediately bit into a chicken wing, sincerely grateful to Kou Dehai.
“Don’t thank me. I’m taking care of you for a reason,” Kou Dehai said meaningfully before walking away.
Jiang Yu watched him enter the crowd, clink glasses with Han Cheng, and join the group.
Jiang Yu frowned slightly—what did Kou Dehai mean by that?
