Details regarding Jiang Siyang’s mother were nowhere to be found online; everything Zhang Jin’an knew had been told to him by Jiang Siyang himself.
That day, while they were eating boxed lunches on set, the conversation had turned to the scene where they filmed the confession. Zhang Jin’an had asked Jiang Siyang what he had been thinking about at that moment.
In response, Jiang Siyang told him about his mother.
From that conversation, Zhang Jin’an learned that the reason Jiang Siyang had been overweight in the past was that his father was away for years at a time. His life had been managed entirely by his mother, Jiang Yanlan. His grandparents had also been alive back then, and between the three of them, they had doted on him so much that they had practically fed him into his rounder shape.
"So that’s why you have such a huge appetite," Zhang Jin’an had said to Jiang Siyang with a smile.
Jiang Siyang had only offered a small smile before continuing, "Later, my grandparents passed away one after the other, leaving only me and my mother at home. Because her family had favored boys over girls when she was young, they never paid much attention to her. They didn't really care when she got sick, so she developed chronic health issues. Her immunity was lower than most people's, and she fell ill often."
Though Jiang Siyang’s expression remained relaxed as he spoke, the content of his words was anything but light.
Zhang Jin’an looked at Jiang Siyang and secretly took his hand under the table.
"Your mother must have been a wonderful woman," Zhang Jin’an said. Otherwise, how could she have raised such a fine son?
Jiang Siyang nodded. "Yes, my mother was very good to me. She was the one who told me to do whatever I wanted to do. In the end, I didn't choose the military academy my father wanted; I chose Shanghai University of Finance and Economics instead. I wanted to stay in Shanghai to be with her. I wanted to help shoulder some of her burdens, so I started working part-time as soon as I started university. I worked several short-term jobs. In my sophomore year, I landed a job as an extra. That was my first contact with the acting industry. I don't know why, but the assistant director later asked if I was interested in a supporting role. It only had one line, and seeing as it was little work for good pay, I agreed."
"How did it feel, filming for the first time?" Zhang Jin’an asked.
Jiang Siyang thought for a moment and said, "It felt very novel. It was the first character I ever tried—a character completely different from my real life. When I went home that day, I started looking for TV shows and movies to watch. That’s when I found *The Best World*, and then..."
Zhang Jin’an saw Jiang Siyang’s eyes curve into a smile.
"And then I saw you," Jiang Siyang said.
Zhang Jin’an loved it when Jiang Siyang smiled. Whenever he did, Zhang Jin’an’s gaze would remain fixed on him. He had forgotten what the other people around them looked like at that moment. He had even forgotten what the weather was like.
He only remembered Jiang Siyang and the words he had spoken.
"Your acting was so good. After the movie ended, I searched for you and discovered it was only your first film. I thought to myself—if I really become an actor, I want to be someone like you," Jiang Siyang said. "That was the first time I knew what I wanted. I was so happy. But just as I was about to tell my mother, she collapsed from lung cancer."
Jiang Siyang later showed him a photo of Jiang Yanlan. She was a woman who looked kind and gentle, with eyes just like Jiang Siyang’s—curving into crescents when she smiled. Jiang Siyang shared about sixty percent of his features with her.
"Your mother was very beautiful," Zhang Jin’an said.
Back in the present, Zhang Qingyue asked with a beaming smile, "How do you know all this so clearly? Did Jiang Siyang tell you his entire family history?"
Zhang Jin’an replied, "No, some of it I looked up online."
Zhang Qingyue looked slightly disappointed. "...And here I thought he had."
Zhang Jin’an reached past Zhang Qingyue and pointed at the photo on the phone. "Siyang originally wanted to join the military. He lost all that weight just to enlist, which is how he ended up looking like this. Later, for various reasons, he got into the University of Finance and Economics. For an actor who didn't come from a professional background, his acting skills are already quite impressive."
After Zhang Jin’an finished speaking, he realized he hadn't heard a response from the other three. When he looked up, he blinked in surprise.
Zhang Zekang and Du Nian were staring straight at him.
Zhang Jin’an couldn't find a way to refute them, so he could only let his sister tease him.
"Thinking about it, it’s true. You’re siblings, so your tastes are similar," Zhang Zekang said, shifting the conversation directly to Zhang Qingyue. "Qingyue, if you had to choose, what kind of person would you like?"
"Me? If I had to choose, I’d go for someone mature and steady," Zhang Qingyue said as she poured a glass of water. "I don't have much of a requirement for looks."
Zhang Jin’an let out a small laugh.
"I’ve never seen you look so happy while talking about someone."
Zhang Jin’an heard Du Nian say those words.
Du Nian looked at him with a smile. "You really do like him."
"Yeah," Zhang Jin’an nodded.
He had nothing to be embarrassed about admitting. He truly did like Jiang Siyang.
If he could, he would be as bold as Zhang Shuyu, sharing photos of Jiang Siyang directly on his Friend Circle and writing paragraph after paragraph of praise.
"Hearing you talk like that makes me really want to meet the boy. When you have some free time, bring him over for us to see. When the time comes, we’ll pay a formal visit to his family as well," Du Nian said.
Seeing this, Zhang Jin’an realized Du Nian subconsciously assumed Jiang Siyang had also come out to his parents.
Zhang Jin’an hurriedly said, "It’s easy enough for him to come here, but it might be a while before you can visit his home. He hasn't told his father yet."
"Right, it won't be that fast. China is different from the UK; it's not very open about this sort of thing yet, and there are more things to consider. Jiang Siyang’s parents are born and bred Chinese, likely around the same age as you, Dad. You should know how people of your generation think," Zhang Qingyue chimed in to help.
Zhang Zekang nodded. "Yes, I understand."
"Oh... I see," Du Nian nodded. "I don't know what his family is like, but I think if his character is truly as you say, then his parents shouldn't be bad either. After all, the family shapes the child."
"It’s *jiātíng*, first tone," Zhang Qingyue corrected her mother's pronunciation.
"*Jiātíng*," Du Nian repeated, learning.
"Exactly," Zhang Qingyue nodded.
The group of them burst into laughter together.
This harmonious atmosphere was exactly how his family was meant to be.
They chatted a bit more about Jiang Siyang before each going off to attend to their own business.
After Zhang Jin’an showered, he grabbed a bottle of cola from the kitchen and walked toward their small garden. Zhang Qingyue was the one who looked after the garden; she planted different flowers every year, and whenever they bloomed, she would take photos to share on her Friend Circle.
Today, she had planted verbenas and chrysanthemums. Both were autumn flowers and were currently in full bloom.
"It’s a real shame that only the few of us get to see the flowers I worked so hard to raise."
Zhang Jin’an turned his head. Zhang Qingyue had stood beside him at some point. She had changed into her pajamas. Unlike Zhang Shuyu, her pajamas were solid black without any flashy patterns.
"You didn't go back to your room?" Zhang Jin’an took a sip of cola.
"I was just about to, then I saw you here drinking cola and admiring the flowers. How could I not come over?" Zhang Qingyue tucked her hands into her pockets. "I’m giving these two types of flowers to the neighbors next year; I won't be planting them again. If you want to invite someone over to see them, you’d better hurry. Once the blooming season is over, you won't see them again."
Zhang Jin’an immediately caught her drift. "You’re speaking in riddles again."
"Today’s outcome was pretty good. It wasn't a waste of all that time you spent being nervous," Zhang Qingyue added.
"Yeah," Zhang Jin’an took another sip of cola.
"Enough talk. I have the early shift tomorrow, so I need to sleep. You keep on admiring," Zhang Qingyue patted Zhang Jin’an on the shoulder and walked away.
Zhang Jin’an didn't stay much longer either. A few minutes later, he headed back inside.
***
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Unable to be Arrogant [Entertainment Circle] | Chapter 108 | A Glimpse Into His Past | Novela.app | Novela.app
