It wasn’t exactly the answer she was looking for, but it wasn’t bad either. There was still some hope for Siyang.
Liu Wenping nodded, picking up the conversation naturally. "Well, hearing that makes me feel better as his manager. If Siyang knew, I’m sure he’d be quite happy too."
Zhang Jin’an smiled. "As long as he’s happy."
How could Liu Wenping have known that "He’s very good" was the absolute limit of what Zhang Jin’an could disclose right now? Hidden behind those words was the unspoken conclusion: *And that is why I love him.*
Zhang Jin’an had a nagging feeling that Liu Wenping had an ulterior motive in talking to him today. It was as if she knew something and was leading him toward a specific point, step by step.
His first instinct was that she knew he liked Jiang Siyang. But the more people involved in his feelings for Jiang Siyang, the worse it would be for both of them. He didn’t want to put any pressure on the younger man, so he hadn’t been entirely forthcoming with his answers.
"What about Siyang?" Zhang Jin’an asked tentatively. "What does he think of me?"
"Him..."
Zhang Jin’an waited expectantly for the answer, his eyes fixed on Liu Wenping. However, the moment their eyes met, she immediately looked away.
"It’s not like you don’t know he likes you," Liu Wenping replied.
Zhang Jin’an knew that their definitions of "liking" were different, but hearing those words still made him happy. He couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth curl up in a secret smile.
"Oh, looks like they’ve finished those shots and are setting up for the next scene," Liu Wenping said suddenly.
Zhang Jin’an looked over. Indeed, the atmosphere had relaxed significantly. Tang Shang had walked over to stand between Jiang Siyang and Yuan Yuan, seemingly blocking out the next scene for them.
"Let’s head over," Liu Wenping suggested.
"Sure," Zhang Jin’an replied.
"He’ll definitely be surprised to see you," Liu Wenping chuckled.
Zhang Jin’an smiled as well.
Liu Wenping’s guess was spot on. The moment Jiang Siyang saw him, his surprise was visible to the naked eye.
Jiang Siyang didn't say a word; he just stared at him.
But that was enough. It was enough that those eyes were filled with his reflection. He had rushed over here just to catch a few more glimpses of Jiang Siyang.
After all, Jiang Siyang would be wrapping up his scenes soon, and their opportunities to meet would only dwindle.
However, this time felt different from before. He felt there was something more than just surprise in Jiang Siyang’s gaze.
"Big Brother? Why are you here?"
Yuan Yuan’s voice snapped Zhang Jin’an back to reality. He shifted his gaze from Jiang Siyang to her. "I finished up my business and thought I’d come by to watch."
Tang Shang, standing nearby, clapped Zhang Jin’an on the shoulder, looking delighted. "You’ve come at the perfect time. The next scene is a heavy emotional one for Cui Chi. These two just did a dry run, but the effect wasn't quite there. Since you’re here, why don’t you walk them through it? Give them some pointers."
"Ah, caught red-handed," Zhang Jin’an joked. "I was planning to just say hello and leave."
"You’re already here. There’s no way I’m letting you leave without putting you to work," Tang Shang laughed.
Zhang Jin’an feigned a sigh. "Well, I brought this on myself. No escape, I suppose."
"Hahaha..." Tang Shang laughed heartily and handed Jiang Siyang’s script to Zhang Jin’an. "Take a look at this section. Teach them however you see fit." With that, Tang Shang stepped back a few paces to chat with Liu Wenping, leaving the space to the three of them.
Zhang Jin’an scanned the lines and the notes Jiang Siyang had scribbled in the margins. He then addressed Jiang Siyang and Yuan Yuan. "This part is a bit difficult, especially since the previous scene was unrelated. The key to this scene lies in the final few lines. The phrase 'I love you' is repeated. If we consider the first part of the dialogue as the base layer, then every time you repeat that phrase, you need to add another layer of emotion."
Yuan Yuan nodded as she looked at the script. "Oh... I understand the theory, but I’m not sure how to execute it."
Zhang Jin’an set the script down and said to them, "Then try acting it out once. I’ll see what’s off. Just focus on the lines for now."
Jiang Siyang and Yuan Yuan nodded in agreement. "Okay."
Zhang Jin’an handed the script back to Jiang Siyang, and the two of them began practicing face-to-face.
They started with the casual banter at the beginning of the scene. After a dozen or so lines, they fell silent for a few seconds, finally reaching the moment of Cui Chi’s confession.
Zhang Jin’an watched them intently. Beside him, Tang Shang and Liu Wenping had stopped talking to watch as well.
"Li Jing, I... have something I want to say to you," Jiang Siyang said, looking at Yuan Yuan.
"What is it? Tell me," Yuan Yuan replied.
"I..." Jiang Siyang paused for a few seconds and took a deep breath. "I want to tell you that what I said to you that day... I meant it."
"Which part?" Yuan Yuan asked.
"I said," Jiang Siyang’s voice caught slightly, "I love you."
"Wha—"
"Though saying this might be sudden, I’ve truly hesitated for a long time. These past few days, I’ve constantly asked myself what kind of feelings I harbor for you," Jiang Siyang said softly, his voice incredibly tender. "I tossed and turned, I denied myself, and finally, I found the answer."
Jiang Siyang paused. "I like you."
Zhang Jin’an’s heart skipped a beat. He pursed his lips and continued to watch Yuan Yuan’s reaction.
"But we... we are different," Yuan Yuan replied, her voice trembling.
"I know what you’re worried about," Jiang Siyang’s voice grew louder, his tone gaining weight. "Our identities, our positions, even our faiths are different. I understand that. I know there are many irresistible forces in this world. But I am willing. I am willing to give up my identity, to run toward your position, and to go against my own faith."
*The momentum isn't enough; it’s a bit flat,* Zhang Jin’an critiqued internally.
"I want to love you," Jiang Siyang said. "I love you."
Jiang Siyang took Yuan Yuan’s hand. "I love you."
He then lowered the script and looked deep into her eyes. "I love you, Li Jing."
As the final syllable fell, the two of them let go of each other's hands.
Jiang Siyang picked up his script and said to Zhang Jin’an, "Alright, that’s it."
Zhang Jin’an found Jiang Siyang’s business-like attitude quite amusing and couldn't help but smile slightly.
"See? It’s a bit strange, isn't it?" Tang Shang chimed in, walking over.
Zhang Jin’an nodded, still smiling. "Indeed. The beginning was fine, but the latter part—the tone and the emotion didn't quite hit the mark. It was too flat."
"Exactly," Tang Shang said to Jiang Siyang with a grin. "When Siyang confesses to a girl in the future, he’ll probably just hold her hand and say it in the most mundane way possible."
"Hey, Siyang, have you ever had a first love?" Yuan Yuan asked curiously.
Zhang Jin’an’s ears instantly perked up.
"Me?" Jiang Siyang replied calmly. "Yes, back in middle school."
"Whoa."
Everyone was a bit surprised.
"I wouldn't have guessed! Puppy love, Siyang? What happened next?" Yuan Yuan pressed.
"Next? She said she needed to study and that I had to rank first in the entire grade for it to work. So, I ranked first in the grade," Jiang Siyang said.
"That sounds like something out of a school drama," Yuan Yuan said, voicing everyone’s thoughts. They all nodded in agreement.
Zhang Jin’an asked, "So you ended up together?"
Jiang Siyang shook his head. "No. At that time, she said her studies were too busy and that I had to consistently rank in the top ten after that. But then, in our second year of high school, she came to find me again and brought it up. But by then, my own studies were very busy, and I thought she was right—studies should come first."
Zhang Jin’an: "So you..."
Jiang Siyang: "So I rejected her."
Everyone: "...As expected of you."
***
