Bao Yunfei was a male actor whose career had started around the same time as Zhang Jin’an’s. He was quite well-known and a decent actor; the public perceived him as a "gentle god" who was kind and affable to everyone. However, just a few days ago, the media had exposed him for using drugs and committing domestic violence in his home. Following the news, others came forward to reveal that he had suppressed rookie actors simply because they hadn't greeted him in private.
The scandal had caused quite a stir, and even their film crew was buzzing with gossip.
Zhang Jin’an was aware of it as well. When he first saw the news, he had let out a heavy sigh.
"I knew Bao Yunfei before he got famous. Back then, he was very polite, had his own opinions, and was an upright person," Liu Wenping sighed. "In just a few years, he’s turned into this."
"Society is a giant dye vat; everyone gets stained with a bit of color eventually," Li Qiang said, patting Liu Wenping on the back. "Don't worry, I don't think Siyang will turn out like that."
"I hope so. Right now, I just want Siyang to take this chance to learn more from Zhang Jin’an. Not just acting, but everything—like how to conduct himself. He’s still experienced too little."
"True," Li Qiang nodded.
Although Zhang Jin’an often caught him off guard with sudden "surprises," his logic was always clear. He thought things through before acting and was very good at avoiding risks. Therefore, Li Qiang felt at ease regardless of what Zhang Jin’an did or who he befriended.
Liu Wenping was considered a serious and responsible manager. Other managers wouldn't bother fussing over so much as long as their artists didn't cause trouble.
"Fine, let him learn from Zhang Jin’an. If Jin’an doesn't teach him well, I’ll give him a beating," Li Qiang said, rolling up his sleeves.
"Then I truly thank you," Liu Wenping laughed.
Li Qiang waved his hand dismissively. "We’re old acquaintances, no need for thanks."
"But Brother Qiang."
"Yeah?"
"Can you actually beat Zhang Jin’an in a fight?"
Li Qiang: "...That is a soul-searching question."
"Hahahaha," Liu Wenping burst out laughing.
By then, the group in the distance had finished playing with the balance scooters and were heading back to their respective managers. Zhang Jin’an and Jiang Siyang were chatting and laughing as they walked toward them.
Seeing this, Liu Wenping stood up. "I’ll be going then."
"Yeah, bye."
Li Qiang stayed in his seat, watching Jiang Siyang being led away by Liu Wenping. Zhang Jin’an walked over and took the seat Liu Wenping had just vacated.
Before his seat was even warm, Zhang Jin’an looked at Li Qiang and said seriously, "Brother Qiang, I need to tell you something."
Li Qiang couldn't help but turn serious as well. "What is it?"
Zhang Jin’an asked, "Are you familiar with the variety show *Play-a-Game*?"
Li Qiang blinked. "I am. They sent us an invitation."
He knew the show; it was a popular indoor variety program. The format of *Play-a-Game* consisted of Q&A sessions and various mini-games. It had only one fixed MC and no fixed guests. Usually, each guest would record two episodes, which were staggered so that every episode featured different teams while the number of participants remained constant.
With Zhang Jin’an’s level of fame, the production team had naturally sent an invitation. However, even though Zhang Jin’an was now willing to take on variety shows, his free time was much more limited than others since he was the male lead.
Zhang Jin’an wasn't the type of person who liked to pile on extra pressure; Li Qiang knew this better than anyone. So, hearing Zhang Jin’an mention this specific show came as a bit of a surprise.
*He’s probably just asking,* Li Qiang thought uncertainly.
Then he heard Zhang Jin’an ask, "Really?"
"Why would I lie to you about that?" Li Qiang found it amusing. "Oh, right. I heard from Wenping that Jiang Siyang also received an invitation. He’s currently considering whether to go."
Li Qiang felt like Zhang Jin’an’s eyes lit up the moment he said that.
Zhang Jin’an nodded emphatically. "Yes, I heard from Siyang. I suspect the production team wants to pair us together."
Li Qiang: "..."
Li Qiang stared at Zhang Jin’an, and Zhang Jin’an stared back.
Li Qiang voiced his suspicion: "You... don't actually want to go on this show, do you?"
Zhang Jin’an gave a hum of affirmation. "Is that not allowed?"
He asked so candidly that Li Qiang felt like his own question had been redundant.
Li Qiang spread his hands. "It’s allowed, but what’s your reason?"
Zhang Jin’an straightened his tie, adjusted his posture, and faced Li Qiang to begin his explanation: "I believe appearing on more variety shows will help increase my public profile and allow me to make more friends. If I go with Jiang Siyang, it might even add to the hype for the *Hidden Shadows* crew. Furthermore, through variety shows, I can learn what young people are thinking and what the mainstream internet culture is like, broadening my horiz—"
Zhang Jin’an spoke with great eloquence, and Li Qiang nodded along as he listened.
Once Zhang Jin’an finished, Li Qiang looked at his closed lips and said calmly, "Mhm... so, what’s your real reason?"
Zhang Jin’an: "I like Jiang Siyang. I want to find every opportunity to get close to him."
Li Qiang jumped up instantly, laughing with the shock of a man who had just caught someone red-handed. "Aha! I knew you had another reason! Otherwise, why would you suddenly say—"
Li Qiang’s eyes suddenly widened. He sat back down and stared straight into Zhang Jin’an’s eyes. "Wait? What? What did you say? Say that again?"
Zhang Jin’an’s expression remained unchanged as he replied, "I believe appearing on more variety shows will help increase my public profile and allow me to make more friends—"
"Not that part!" Li Qiang interrupted immediately, terrified that Zhang Jin’an would repeat that two-hundred-word essay. "The part after that!"
Li Qiang felt he must have misheard. "Like"? He must have misheard.
Zhang Jin’an didn't give him a single second to believe it was an illusion. Directly and clearly, using that unique voice of his and with a steady gaze, he told him: "I like him."
The tone Zhang Jin’an used was incredibly tender—so tender that Li Qiang could hear the profound love hidden within. If this was an act, then he could only say Zhang Jin’an’s acting was too good; those words could deceive the entire world.
Therefore, it was real.
Zhang Jin’an really liked Jiang Siyang. Not as a friend, but with the romantic devotion of one person for another.
Li Qiang still struggled to process it, stammering slightly, "You... you’re being this sudden? Don't tell me this story starts with a balance scooter."
Zhang Jin’an shook his head. "It wasn't that fast. I’m not the type to fall for someone just because of money. In truth, I might have liked him for a long time; I only realized it yesterday."
Li Qiang swallowed hard. Good heavens. How was he supposed to explain this to Liu Wenping? One moment he was telling her that Siyang should learn from Zhang Jin’an, and the next, Zhang Jin’an had set his sights on her artist.
"He... is a man, though," Li Qiang asked, cutting straight to the point.
Zhang Jin’an shrugged. "It’s hard enough for two people to even meet in this world. If I didn't even try to pursue him just because of gender, wouldn't I be a coward? Whether it’s a man or a woman... Brother Qiang, don't you know me by now?"
Li Qiang: "..."
Yes, he knew Zhang Jin’an. Zhang Jin’an had been paying attention to LGBT issues for a long time and had even participated in related activities; he respected all forms of love and gender in the world. How could such a person care whether his partner was of the same or opposite sex?
The morning sun illuminated everything. Though the season was approaching autumn, it felt as if spring had arrived.
Li Qiang took a deep breath. "You’re serious."
"Yes," Zhang Jin’an replied. "That’s why I came to tell you."
Li Qiang fell silent.
Although Zhang Jin’an didn't show it on his face, the way his hands were clenched into fists revealed how nervous he was.
And what Li Qiang said next would determine the future path of Zhang Jin’an’s life.
This was the artist he had raised. He knew exactly what kind of person Zhang Jin’an was.
And so...
"Fine. I trust your choice."
Li Qiang watched as Zhang Jin’an’s hands slowly relaxed.
"Really?" Zhang Jin’an was ecstatic.
"Really. And until the two of you are actually together, I won't tell anyone else. After all, you trusted me enough to tell me first. Your Brother Qiang still has some loyalty," Li Qiang said with the patience of a father supervising his son’s homework, speaking with heartfelt sincerity. "But Jin’an, you must also understand that in today's society, the path of same-sex love is difficult even for ordinary people. As a public figure, the controversy you’ll face later will be even greater. After all, not everyone is like you and doesn't care about these things."
Zhang Jin’an said solemnly, "I know. I thought about it all night yesterday. I’ve weighed all the pros and cons."
Li Qiang sighed. "So you still chose this path."
"Yes," Zhang Jin’an placed his right hand over his heart on the left side of his chest, a bright smile breaking across his face. "The fact that I like him is already set. I can't change it."
Li Qiang remembered reading a sentence in a book once:
*Why should people worry about a distant, invisible future? Whether bitter or sweet, having come to this world for a visit, it would be a waste to return to the heavens without having experienced anything.*
Li Qiang couldn't help but shake his head with a smile. "Zhang Jin’an, look at you. You arrange everyone else's paths so perfectly and think of everything so thoroughly, yet you’ve carved out such an incredibly difficult path for yourself. Should I say you’re amazing, or just say 'that’s so you'?"
Zhang Jin’an laughed.
"Brother Qiang, you should say—I wish you success."
***
