“I heard there’s a live stream for this event?” Zhang Jin’an asked, one hand propped against a black shipping container and the other tucked into his pants pocket.
“Yes,” the young staff girl nodded. “Thanks to the celebrity effect, we landed a brand sponsor. They have more money than they know what to do with, so they’ve linked up with three websites for the live stream.”
Zhang Jin’an praised her, “You’re certainly honest.”
The girl chuckled. “Fans take after their idols, after all.”
Zhang Jin’an was amused by her remark and let out a few soft laughs. He looked around. “So, I just head over to the audience section and take a seat later, right?”
The girl nodded. “That’s right. Would you like to go now? I can lead the way.”
“No, I’ll wander around a bit more.” Zhang Jin’an stood up straight, pulling his hand from his pocket. “I haven’t met everyone here yet. I’ll make my rounds first to save myself from being bored once I’m in my seat.”
The girl extended her hand to point out the directions, introducing the groups one by one. “Over there is the boy group, and over there are the actors…”
Zhang Jin’an turned, following the direction of her hand. When she pointed toward a corner, he looked on with slight surprise.
That was…
Zhang Jin’an tapped the girl’s arm to confirm it wasn't an illusion. “Is that Jiang Siyang?”
The girl looked over as well, a knowing, doting smile appearing on her face. “Mhm, yeah, that’s ‘Four Sheep.’ He’s one of the guests.”
It really wasn't an illusion. Could this be considered an unexpected pleasant surprise? Who would have thought he’d run into the person he had just been thinking about?
Zhang Jin’an felt that the article he’d read was written quite accurately—*“Even in dim light, it only adds a touch of gentleness to Jiang Siyang; his appearance remains striking.”*
Jiang Siyang’s looks were indeed striking. He was handsome enough in photos, but he was far better-looking in person. It was no wonder Zhang Shuyu had used him as her wallpaper despite having followed so many boy groups and stars.
Since he was here, things would be easy.
The girl clearly didn't notice the change in Zhang Jin’an’s mood. Assuming he was simply observing his juniors, she continued chatteringly, “Big Brother, I’ve noticed that you actors look even better in person than on TV. On screen, some actresses look a bit plump, but in person, they’re really thin—their legs are like chopsticks. Like Gu Yirou; her face looks round on TV, but she actually has a perfect heart-shaped face.”
Hearing a familiar name, Zhang Jin’an asked curiously, “You’ve met Teacher Gu?”
The girl nodded proudly. “Uh-huh, she’s been to our mall.”
Thinking about it, that was indeed something Gu Yirou would do.
Zhang Jin’an nodded. “True. Teacher Gu loves shopping. If you ask her to play games, eighty percent of the time she’s out buying things.”
“...May I ask a bold question?”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Zhang Jin’an watched as the girl hesitated, looking incredibly conflicted. Finally, she took a deep breath and looked at him. “The internet says you two are dating… is it true?”
Zhang Jin’an had thought it was something serious, but it turned out to be this.
He smiled. “Of course it’s fake. I’m the type of person who wants the whole world to know the moment I’m in a relationship. I wouldn't do a secret underground romance.” With that, he waved his hand. “See you around.” He walked away, heading toward Jiang Siyang.
“He seems to be coming this way,” Xie Jie tapped Jiang Siyang’s arm. “He’s not wearing a mask right now… I don’t have my contacts in, so I can’t see clearly. What does he look like?”
Jiang Siyang had seen him, of course. Although he was staring straight ahead, he had been tracking the man with his peripheral vision the entire time.
Seeing him get closer and closer with no sign of turning away, Jiang Siyang’s heart beat faster. Finally, unable to hold it in, he took a deep breath to force himself to calm down and stood up.
“Why are you getting up?” Xie Jie stood up as well, looking bewildered.
“Senior Zhang Jin’an, it’s an honor to meet you.” Jiang Siyang gave a fifteen-degree bow to the approaching man and then extended his hand.
The man also reached out and shook it. His voice was deep and lazy, yet naturally commanding attention. He chuckled softly. “Oh? I didn't expect you to notice me.”
“What brings Senior Zhang here?” Jiang Siyang asked.
Jiang Siyang’s expression was calm, but in reality, he was panicking inside. His nervousness was no less than the day he had received the trophy from Zhang Jin’an’s hands at the awards ceremony.
At an obscure event venue, behind a messy screen, he and Zhang Jin’an were actually shaking hands.
Jiang Siyang glanced at Zhang Jin’an’s watch; it was exactly the same as the photo Xie Jie had shown him.
A thought flashed through Jiang Siyang’s mind: *Right now, I am holding over 300,000 RMB in my hand.*
He didn't dare hold on for long and quickly withdrew his hand.
“I’m on a break. I heard there was an event here, and since it’s close to home, I came to take a look,” Zhang Jin’an said.
Jiang Siyang realized then that while all the guests had arrived, Zhang Jin’an was essentially just an audience member.
“Zhang… Zhang?” Xie Jie took a step to the side, his posture immediately becoming upright and formal. He also extended a hand. “Hello, Teacher Zhang.”
“Hello,” Zhang Jin’an nodded to Xie Jie and shook his hand. “You’re the guy from the elevator, right?”
Xie Jie was instantly delighted. “Yes, yes, that’s me! I didn't expect Teacher Zhang to remember me.”
Because of Xie Jie’s intervention, Jiang Siyang finally had a chance to carefully observe Zhang Jin’an.
Their first meeting had been at the awards gala. Back then, Zhang Jin’an was wearing a suit, standing on stage under the spotlight. He was the focus of everyone’s gaze—exquisite, peerless, a man above the clouds. But now, the man from the clouds had descended. The shadow of his hat brim fell across his face, obscuring his eyes. He hadn't made a special effort to groom himself, and there was even a bit of stubble. He was still handsome, but more approachable. It made one involuntarily breathe a sigh of relief—thankfully, he was still a mortal man.
“Of course I remember. You were the only one here carrying that many drinks,” Zhang Jin’an said with a smile.
“I was just helping move them. Siyang paid for everything,” Xie Jie said, excitedly slapping Jiang Siyang’s back with enough force to nearly knock the heart out of him. “He’s always like this when he attends events.”
Jiang Siyang noticed Zhang Jin’an looking at him and quickly averted his gaze. “I just felt they were all working very hard. It’s a small matter, not worth mentioning.”
Zhang Jin’an shook his head. “Doing it once is a small matter. Doing it consistently is not.”
“Exactly,” Xie Jie nodded repeatedly. He looked between the two of them and immediately said, “Oh, you guys chat. My friend is calling me, I’ll head off first.”
Xie Jie left just like that, winking at Jiang Siyang before he disappeared.
Jiang Siyang: “…”
Jiang Siyang knew perfectly well that everyone here was a new acquaintance. Where would Xie Jie get a friend from? He was clearly just trying to stir things up.
Jiang Siyang said to Zhang Jin’an, who was waving goodbye to Xie Jie, “I’m sorry. I saw Senior Zhang Jin’an earlier but didn't come to greet you first, making you come over yourself.”
Zhang Jin’an was visibly stunned for a moment, then he burst out laughing. He took off his hat, holding it in his hand, and casually ran his fingers through his messy hair.
“There’s only a three-year difference between us. It’s like I just graduated when you entered school. There’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Zhang Jin’an. If you’re not used to that, call me ‘Brother,’” Zhang Jin’an said. “Besides, haven't we followed each other back?”
If he hadn't mentioned it, it would have been fine, but now that he had, Jiang Siyang had a question. It slipped out: “Then why did Brother follow me?”
“How should I put this?” Zhang Jin’an thought for a moment. “Because my younger sister is a fan of yours. Plus, I saw that your acting is quite good, and we’ve met once before, so I followed you.”
How could Zhang Jin’an possibly tell him that he followed him because he wanted a fanfic author to update their story? If he said that, it would be a miracle if Jiang Siyang didn't run away from him.
“Oh…” Jiang Siyang clearly believed him and nodded.
Zhang Jin’an took the opportunity to ask, “Siyang, do you have work in September?”
Jiang Siyang was startled. “Huh? No, why?”
Zhang Jin’an thought to himself, *There’s hope,* but he maintained a composed tone. “It’s like this. I have a script here, and there’s a second male lead role that I think suits you perfectly. Since I ran into you here, I wanted to ask if you’re interested.”
“Second male lead?” Jiang Siyang asked tentatively. “Then the male lead is…?”
Zhang Jin’an nodded. “Me.”
Jiang Siyang: “I’m interested.”
“Don’t agree so quickly,” Zhang Jin’an laughed. “The pay for this film is a bit low; it’s practically a labor of love. Can you accept that?”
Jiang Siyang shook his head. “Money isn't an issue. If I’m acting with you, my company would agree even if I were just playing an extra.”
He hadn't expected his name to be so effective.
Zhang Jin’an was inwardly jubilant, but he didn't let it show.
“Alright then. It’s about time to go on stage. I’ll come find you in the dressing room afterward.” Zhang Jin’an naturally rested his hand on Jiang Siyang’s shoulder. Jiang Siyang stiffened, not daring to move.
“ I saw your leg shaking just now. Are you nervous about going on stage?” Zhang Jin’an asked.
Jiang Siyang: “…”
Zhang Jin’an continued, his tone carrying the steady weight of an older brother yet sounding somewhat teasing, “Think about the film festival; weren't there more people there? Besides, your Brother is here, what are you afraid of?”
“…”
*The one I’m afraid of is you,* Jiang Siyang thought.
“Alright, next, let’s welcome our guests to the stage. The first is a group…” Jiang Siyang heard the host at the front begin the introductions, and a boy group slowly walked onto the stage.
Jiang Siyang saw Xie Jie in the distance making a hand gesture at him, so he said to Zhang Jin’an, “I have to go up.”
“Sure. I’ll head to the audience then.” Zhang Jin’an put his hat back on.
The two went their separate ways. Jiang Siyang lined up to go on stage, while Zhang Jin’an found a staff member to lead him to his seat.
Jiang Siyang felt somewhat restless as he walked onto the stage. He felt that these past two days had been far too strange. First, he and Zhang Jin’an had followed each other for no apparent reason, then they suddenly met here, and now he was being invited to act in the same drama.
It was too surreal.
“And one more guest, Jiang Siyang!” the host announced.
Jiang Siyang straightened his clothes and stepped onto the stage.
The audience area was already packed, and a crowd had gathered outside the barriers—men, women, young, and old. Passersby stopped to join the excitement.
Just as Xie Jie had said, there were audience members holding slogan banners with his name on them. Seeing him arrive, they waved the banners excitedly.
Jiang Siyang smiled at them and gave a small wave. Since this was a live stream, he couldn't hog the camera.
“I’ve finished the introductions, so let’s have the guests introduce themselves.” The host handed the microphone to the first boy group.
There were four members in the group, dressed in a coordinated blue and white color scheme that looked very vibrant. They made a square frame with their hands, rotated it, and said in unison, “Hello everyone, we are Unit1!”
“Hello everyone, I am the leader, Cui…”
The members of the boy group began their self-introductions one by one. Jiang Siyang nodded from time to time, clapping in coordination.
The live stream comments were being displayed on a public screen nearby. Jiang Siyang saw that the comments were mostly things like “Big Brother is here” and “Finally waiting for Big Brother,” scrolling by rapidly.
Jiang Siyang had looked into these two boy groups; they had a fair number of fans, but they hadn't reached top-tier status yet. They had only debuted a year ago and were still in their rookie phase.
Once both boy groups finished their introductions, the actors began theirs. It was then that Jiang Siyang spotted Zhang Jin’an. He was following a staff member through the audience aisle, walking with his head down.
Because everyone’s attention was on the stage, almost no one noticed him, assuming he was just a latecomer.
Zhang Jin’an took a seat on the far right of the second row, perfectly in line with where Jiang Siyang was standing.
Jiang Siyang saw Zhang Jin’an look up and give him a small smile. His lips moved, mouthing the words: “Good luck.”
Jiang Siyang froze for a moment, then tightened his grip on the microphone.
It turned out that remark hadn't been a joke. This man really had taken his nervousness to heart.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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四羊 | Four Sheep | A nickname for Jiang Siyang (Sìyáng) based on the homophone of his name.
用爱发电 | Labor of love / Passion project | Literally "generating electricity with love"; common internet slang for doing something out of passion rather than for profit.
手幅 | Slogan banners / Hand banners | Small banners held by fans at events, usually featuring a celebrity's name or a supportive message.
积家双翼 | Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre | A high-end luxury watch collection.
Unit1 | Unit1 | The name of the rookie boy group mentioned in the chapter.
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