Unable to be Arrogant [Entertainment Circle] | Chapter 100 | A Proxy Kiss | Novela.app

“Chen Yijun! Cui Chi!!” Clad in a deep blue jacket and jeans, Ge Xianxu ran toward the camera from a distance. The wind machine nearby sent her hair fluttering wildly. Ignoring her frantic appearance, she kept shouting toward the lens, her voice strained with urgency: “Chen Yijun! Cui Chi! Jiarui!” She seemed to have exhausted every ounce of her strength. Once she finished her lines, her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto her knees, burying her face in her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably. Tang Shang signaled for the next person to enter the frame. Yuan Yuan ran up from behind and crouched beside Ge Xianxu. Placing a comforting hand on her back, she whispered anxiously, “Surong…” Ge Xianxu leaned wordlessly against Yuan Yuan’s shoulder, finally unable to hold back as she let out a low, broken wail. “Why? Why… why…” “Why… *hic*…” “Ge Xianxu’s acting in this scene is excellent. They’ve clearly put a lot of thought into it,” Zhang Jin’an whispered to Jiang Siyang as they watched the two women perform from a short distance away. He, Jiang Siyang, and several supporting actors were on standby. Once Ge Xianxu and Yuan Yuan finished their scene, it would be their turn to take the stage. While the other actors were sitting or crouching nearby, only he and Jiang Siyang remained standing to observe. “Mm,” Jiang Siyang hummed in response. Zhang Jin’an glanced at him. Jiang Siyang’s gaze was fixed forward, his eyes never leaving the actors in the middle of their performance. Zhang Jin’an smiled. “What are you thinking about?” “Ge Xianxu and Yuan Yuan have both made such obvious progress. By comparison, I feel quite weak,” Jiang Siyang replied. Zhang Jin’an considered this for a moment before saying, “I actually think you’ve improved a lot. At the very least, your delivery and handling of the dialogue are much better than before. There are several scenes of yours that I really like.” Only then did Jiang Siyang turn to look at him, offering a bright, clear smile. “Really? That’s good then.” The lighting in this corner was naturally dimmer compared to the center of the studio, where all the spotlights were focused on the active performers. No one noticed the way their fingertips brushed against each other. Zhang Jin’an found himself utterly enamored with this kind of subtle, secret intimacy. Ge Xianxu and Yuan Yuan’s segment concluded quickly, and the crew moved on to the next scene. It wasn’t until one in the morning that the final shot of the day was finally wrapped. The supporting actors were the first to leave. Before heading out, they each said their goodbyes to Tang Shang, who would pat them on the shoulder and say, “Good work, good work. Go back and get some rest.” By the time Zhang Jin’an had changed his clothes and stepped out, he saw Jiang Siyang chatting with Ge Xianxu and Yuan Yuan off to the side. All three had changed into their own clothes. Ge Xianxu wore a floral maxi dress paired with a cropped jacket; Yuan Yuan was in a navy blue utility jumpsuit with her hair tied in a clean, sharp ponytail; and Jiang Siyang wore a knit sweater, cradling his coat in one arm. Zhang Jin’an was a bit surprised. He had intended to wait for Jiang Siyang, but it turned out he was the slow one. Yuan Yuan was the first to spot him. She turned to the other two and said, “Oh? Big Brother is out.” Jiang Siyang was the second to turn around. The moment Zhang Jin’an saw Jiang Siyang, he couldn’t help but break into a smile. Walking up to the three of them, Zhang Jin’an asked, “Why haven’t you gone back yet? Standing around chatting here—is the hotel bed not comfortable enough, or is the Wi-Fi bad?” Yuan Yuan chuckled. “Aiya, isn’t the wrap-up coming soon? Chatting a bit more just makes for more memories.” Only then did Zhang Jin’an remember that Yuan Yuan’s filming schedule would conclude around the same time as Jiang Siyang’s. He nodded. “Oh, right. Less than a month left.” “Where’s Qiang-ge?” Jiang Siyang asked. Zhang Jin’an smiled slightly. “He went to get the car first.” He no longer had to hide his feelings when looking at Jiang Siyang, and the sensation was incredibly liberating. “Big Brother, did something happen?” Zhang Jin’an turned his gaze toward Yuan Yuan, who had asked the question. Yuan Yuan scrutinized him before continuing, “I noticed you’ve been in a great mood all day. I wanted to ask while we were doing our scenes, but I didn't want to delay the schedule.” Zhang Jin’an wasn't surprised. He simply replied, “Is that so? You actually noticed?” “Anyone could see it,” Yuan Yuan said, nudging Ge Xianxu with her elbow. “Right, Xiao Ge-ge?” Ge Xianxu nodded. “True. I noticed it too.” Zhang Jin’an stole a glance at Jiang Siyang and answered Yuan Yuan with a smile, “It’s nothing. I just encountered something wonderful today.” Yuan Yuan clicked her tongue twice, her mind spinning with deductions. “To be this happy, it must be something big. Could it be…” She paused. As the three of them watched her, she said slowly, “Did you suddenly strike it rich overnight?” Zhang Jin’an replied, “That’s it?” “Does Big Brother look like he’s short on money?” Ge Xianxu laughed. “Don’t go projecting your own wishes onto him.” Yuan Yuan grinned. “You caught me.” The four of them burst into laughter. After a moment, Zhang Jin’an checked his watch. It was already 1:40 AM. “Let’s go,” Zhang Jin’an said. “If we keep chatting, we might as well just move in here.” “Let’s go, let’s go. I refuse to become a balding girl,” Yuan Yuan said, hooking her arm through Ge Xianxu’s as they finally started moving. As they passed Tang Shang, the director called Jiang Siyang over, pulling him aside to whisper something privately. The remaining three parted ways on the first floor. After Yuan Yuan left, the car picking up Ge Xianxu arrived, leaving Zhang Jin’an alone on the first floor to wait for Jiang Siyang. While waiting, Zhang Jin’an ran into Liu Wenping, who was driving out from the parking lot. Liu Wenping’s car pulled up right in front of him. She rolled down the window and asked, “Where’s Siyang?” “Director Tang is talking to him. You might have to wait a bit,” Zhang Jin’an answered honestly. “Oh, alright,” Liu Wenping said, then added, “I came out right after you. You two didn’t… do anything, did you?” Zhang Jin’an laughed. “What could we have done?” Liu Wenping realized her phrasing was a bit clumsy and laughed as well. “Seeing your reaction, I assume nothing happened. That puts my mind at ease.” “Where’s Xie Jie? Why isn’t he here?” Zhang Jin’an leaned his head into the passenger window but didn't see Xie Jie. “Him? He had something to take care of and left early,” Liu Wenping said. “Oh…” Zhang Jin’an straightened back up. “Then have you seen Qiang-ge? Why hasn't he come out yet?” Zhang Jin’an checked his watch again. “With his driving skills, it shouldn't take this long.” “Oh, him? When he was trying to pull out, several cars cut him off. He’s making his way up slowly,” Liu Wenping said, waving at someone behind Zhang Jin’an. “Siyang—” Zhang Jin’an turned around to see Jiang Siyang running toward them, pulling on his coat as he ran. He looked a bit surprised to see Zhang Jin’an still there, but a wide smile immediately broke across his face. He stopped beside Zhang Jin’an. “You’re still here? I thought you’d left.” “Why would I leave? If I hadn't already made plans with Qiang-ge, I would’ve hitched a ride with you guys ages ago,” Zhang Jin’an said, reaching out to straighten Jiang Siyang’s collar. He had only just touched it when he heard a cough from inside the car. “Ahem. Careful now,” Liu Wenping said in a low voice. “I know what I’m doing. This is a perfectly normal interaction. Besides, look at this collar—don’t you feel uncomfortable with it tucked in like that?” Zhang Jin’an felt a wave of satisfaction after fixing it. “Fine, fine. Just blame everything on being a Virgo,” Liu Wenping joked. “Don’t ask why; the answer is always ‘because I’m a Virgo.’” “Hahaha,” Liu Wenping laughed loudly. After Zhang Jin’an finished laughing, he said softly, “But with you like this, how am I supposed to stop myself?” He spoke very quietly—at least, he thought he was the only one who could hear it. Jiang Siyang climbed into the car, taking the seat by the door. He said to Zhang Jin’an, “Then we’ll be heading off first.” Though he felt a bit reluctant to part, it wasn't as if they wouldn't see each other again. Zhang Jin’an nodded. “Bye.” Jiang Siyang closed the car door and rolled down the window, looking at Zhang Jin’an without saying a word. “Shall we go then?” Liu Wenping asked, glancing at the rearview mirror. Jiang Siyang shook his head. “Wait a moment, Sister Liu. Don’t drive yet. I still have one thing left to do.” “Alright.” Liu Wenping let go of the steering wheel. She had a vague idea of what Jiang Siyang was about to do. Her guess might not have been perfectly accurate, but she was probably eighty percent right. Liu Wenping shook her head. Not wanting to intrude, she looked out the window on her side. There were no stars in the sky tonight. Thinking Jiang Siyang had forgotten something, Zhang Jin’an leaned down until his eyes were level with Jiang Siyang’s. “What is it?” Jiang Siyang stared straight at him and beckoned with his hand. “Ge, stand a little closer.” Though Zhang Jin’an didn't know what Jiang Siyang was up to, he took a step forward. “What—” Before Zhang Jin’an could finish his sentence, Jiang Siyang pressed his joined index and middle fingers against Zhang Jin’an’s lips. Zhang Jin’an froze completely. He had no idea what Jiang Siyang was doing. A few seconds later, Jiang Siyang withdrew his hand. Before Zhang Jin’an could fully process the moment, he saw Jiang Siyang raise his right hand. Those same fingertips that had just rested on Zhang Jin’an’s lips were now pressed against Jiang Siyang’s own. Zhang Jin’an felt as though he were hallucinating. It wasn't his fingertips Jiang Siyang was kissing; it was as if he were kissing a red rose. Jiang Siyang had turned on the interior light of the car, so his features were vividly clear. As he lowered his eyes, his long, slender lashes cast soft shadows upon his face. Then, Zhang Jin’an heard Jiang Siyang speak in a volume meant only for the two of them: “I can’t help myself either, but there’s no other way. I can only use this as a substitute for now. I hope you don’t mind, Ge.” How could he possibly mind? Zhang Jin’an finally found his voice. He looked at Jiang Siyang and said deeply, “How could I mind? I couldn't be happier.” Jiang Siyang smiled. “Then, see you tomorrow.” Zhang Jin’an nodded, his gaze never wavering from Jiang Siyang’s face. “See you tomorrow.” As Zhang Jin’an watched the car drive away, he was absolutely certain: all the stars from the night sky had found their way into that man’s eyes. ***