Chapter 20

Yuan Ye actually hadn’t considered a lot of things when agreeing to come onto this show. He had only thought of it as a mission to complete. However, after filming, he realized that it really did somewhat affect his life. For example, these days, it was common for people to recognize him. It was no longer so easy to go out.

In the past, Yuan Ye had been a free person. There were very few people who actually recognized his face. When walking down the street, rarely did anybody know that this person was Yuan Ye. Now that the show had started broadcasting, there were quite a lot of young people who watched. It always felt a bit awkward when he got recognized by others outside. Yet, this had a time limit too. After the show finished airing, he would stop showing up in public. A few months later, everything would blow over. Thus, Yuan Ye didn’t make too big of a deal out of this.

Old Tu had a pub. Yuan Ye sat at the bar and chatted with him. He didn’t drink any alcohol, only crunching away at a small basket of pistachios. Out of his peripheral vision, he saw two little girls staring at him. They muttered between themselves; they probably wanted to come over to confirm, but also didn’t really dare to.

Old Tu pointed in their direction with his chin. He chuckled, “Your fans?”

“I don’t have any fans.” Yuan Ye stuffed a newly sh.e.l.led pistachio into his mouth and said, “Probably viewers. At any rate, I’m someone who appears on TV quite frequently now.”

“Isn’t that so. My girl is glued to her tablet on Friday evenings just to watch.” Old Tu told the bartender to bring them two bottles of dark beer. He opened them both, then pushed one over to Yuan Ye.

Yuan Ye took a sip and glanced at the little girl singing on the mini stage off to the side. The little girl seemed pretty young. She was also singing quite well. Yuan Ye said, “What a great voice.”

“Truly. I really like listening to her sing too,” Old Tu replied.

Yuan Ye glanced at him and laughed. “Didn’t you used to like rock and roll? The kind that could burst your eardrums.”

“I’m old now,” Old Tu laughed too. He shook his head and said, “Now I like gentler things as well. They’re comforting to the heart.”

The show had finished filming a little more than half a month ago. This was the first time Yuan Ye had come to drink at Old Tu’s place. Previously, he had gone to the TV station to make up an interview. After getting back, he rarely left the house. He planned to stay inside as much as possible until the popularity from the show died down. These little fangirls only greeted you and asked for pictures because they liked you. Yuan Ye wasn’t the type to be rude or reject them, so cooperated every time. However, he wasn’t used to this behavior after all. He also didn’t like it.

He wasn’t suited for this kind of lifestyle.

Yuan Ye also hadn’t come out today with drinking in mind. He had only wanted to sit around and let off some steam. He casually tugged on a jacket – a light down jacket in dark green – and a pair of jeans. He didn’t even shave, so there was currently a thin layer of stubble on his chin. Sitting there, he was the stereotypical handsome uncle.

The little girl onstage sang for the whole night. Singing for four hours consecutively could earn her about five hundred. When Old Tu had to leave, Yuan Ye sat there, listening to her sing. She had a very pure voice that was also the slightest bit raspy. Listening to it was quite enjoyable.

Someone sat down next to him, leaning against the bar counter to stare at him. Yuan Ye c.o.c.ked an eyebrow and stared back. This person pushed his phone forward. On it was a Wechat QR code. Yuan Ye chuckled and shook his head. Those who were looking for a good time wouldn’t be too bothersome after a rejection. Everything was about consent. If you weren’t willing, the other would just shrug and take their phone back to leave.

When Old Tu came back, he teased Yuan Ye, “It’s over for you. After going on a show, you don’t even dare to randomly pick up a one night stand.”

Yuan Ye looked down and continued sh.e.l.ling his pistachios. He said, “I’ve never picked anyone up.”

He had never picked anyone up. This had nothing to do with the show. He wasn’t that type of person. Yuan Ye appeared to be a very wild person, sometimes even extremely flirty with his words. He seemed quite coquettish, but in actuality, he was very conservative in this regard. He couldn’t accept doing the deed without any romantic feelings.

Old Tu clinked bottles with him. He took a gulp of his beer and asked, “What are your plans for the future?”

Yuan Ye laughed. “What plans could I have? Same as before.”

Old Tu nodded and didn’t ask any further questions. Either way, even if he asked, Yuan Ye wouldn’t answer.

On his way back from Old Tu’s pub, Yuan Ye received a message from Ji Xiaotao. It was a voice message asking him: “Ye ge, did that a.s.shole p.i.s.s you off?”

Immediately after, he received another message: “Where did this tiny piece of trash come from? He sure is dramatic.”

Yuan Ye was completely perplexed and replied with a question mark.

Ji Xiaotao said: “Just that director who followed your group around for this last episode. He said you scolded him? And now he’s apologizing! Apologize my a.s.s.”

Yuan Ye: Ah.

Ji Xiaotao: “What happened, Ye ge?”

Yuan Ye replied with a voice message after getting out from the shower: “Nothing much. He kept making a face at me, which I couldn’t be bothered to deal with. Did he tattle on me? Whatever.”

Ji Xiaotao exploded: “Whatever? That’s too interesting. Does he think n.o.body’s home?”

Yuan Ye didn’t even know what was actually going on. Even if he did, he wouldn’t be able to resolve it. Right now, even his Weibo was being managed by Ji Xiaotao. Yuan Ye couldn’t handle these things. He always said the wrong thing. Getting scolded was nothing. However, he was ultimately a couple with Fang Shaoyi. It would be bad if what he said negatively impacted Fang Shaoyi.

Yuan Ye told Ji Xiaotao: “I don’t understand your industry. Do what you need to. I’d only cause more trouble.”

Ji Xiaotao said: “We don’t need you to do anything! Go on and sleep, Ye ge!”

Yuan Ye: Okay. You’ve worked hard, Xiaotao.

Ji Xiaotao: “What are you even saying.”

Ji Xiaotao carried a few pain relief patches into Fang Shaoyi’s room to wait. Fang Shaoyi was discussing the screenplay with the director in the other’s room. This director’s habit was to film while editing. Many times, he would change scenes a day or two prior to filming. Occasionally, he even changed scenes on set. Then, the actors would need to immediately start memorizing their new lines. This film was close to finishing. Fang Shaoyi still had two important shots to film. After these two, he would basically be done.

When Fang Shaoyi got back, he saw that Ji Xiaotao was still there. He asked, “Why are you sitting here instead of going back to sleep in your own room?”

Ji Xiaotao waved the pain relief patches in his hand around. “It’s going to rain tomorrow. I’m scared your shoulder will hurt.”

Fang Shaoyi had old injuries on his shoulder and knee. When it got cold, they hurt. This career path was full of danger; it was inevitable. Additionally, Fang Shaoyi rarely partook in easy movies. Most of the time, the films he acted in required complex action scenes. Fang Shaoyi said, “Leave them here. I’ll apply them later myself.”

“It’s fine. I’m not sleepy.” As Fang Shaoyi showered, Ji Xiaotao stood outside the door and explained the situation with the a.s.shole little director.

Fang Shaoyi walked out of the bathroom after his shower. He said, “Let me see.”

Ji Xiaotao pulled up the other’s Weibo for him to see. After reading the post, Fang Shaoyi furrowed his brows and threw his phone back.

That Weibo post was a long apology from that young man. The general gist of it was saying that during the last episode of filming, he got temporarily transferred into this crew. He wasn’t familiar with the work and had limited capabilities, causing untimely communication during this period. Because of this, he caused a lot of trouble for the two teachers. He would remember Teacher Yuan Ye’s scoldings clearly.

This sounded like a polite thank you, but in actuality was an attempt at acting pitiful. He was young and got transferred over to fill in for someone. Thus, he hadn’t had experience with anything. Still, though, he got scolded by Yuan Ye. Originally, this little director’s Weibo only had a few thousands fans. n.o.body had even seen his post. But, the main director Lin Wei liked his post and commented: “Jiayou.”

In the beginning, half the comments were positive and half were negative. Many linked this post with Lin Wei’s previous post. They all mocked Yuan Ye for being the one in the show who had the lowest status but acted like the biggest shot. However, just now, the argument had gotten slightly turned around. Yuan Ye and Fang Shaoyi’s fans joined in. Additionally, fake onlookers started taking part in the discussion too. Now, most people were cussing out the little director for being overdramatic.

On the other end, fans started bringing up posts describing in detail how Yuan Ye had silently helped others during filming. Yuan Ye was always the best at every mission. Each time, he would secretively help other people when away from the cameras. In the first episode, when they were splitting the houses, Yuan Ye actually had left at least half of his boxes in his bag. He purposefully allowed the two female guests to live in the house. Even when only counting the treasure chests he had found in the footage that got edited in, the total number had been more than what their final amount had been. Such instances were quite numerous. Though they all happened off-camera, slight hints had still been discovered by careful viewers.

One side got publicized while the other got hidden away. The post didn’t manage to cause much of a commotion.

Ji Xiaotao said, “Jiayou my a.s.s. This show is really s.h.i.tty. Annoying.”

Fang Shaoyi wiped his hair while saying, “This is because they know Yuan Ye doesn’t have any background. They want to use him as a stepping stone. There are only eight people total on the show. Other than him, they can’t afford to p.i.s.s anyone else off.”

Ji Xiaotao looked up and asked, “They can afford to p.i.s.s off Ye ge?”

Fang Shaoyi said, “After getting divorced, he’s only Yuan Ye. In this industry, anybody can afford to p.i.s.s him off.”

Ji Xiaotao cussed quietly under his breath, “Pieces of s.h.i.t.”

Fang Shaoyi finished drying his hair. He asked, “Did you get people to join in?”

“Un, it’s mostly done.” Ji Xiaotao looked up and observed Fang Shaoyi’s expression. He carefully asked, “Should I have taken care of the situation?”

Fang Shaoyi didn’t say anything. He only made a noise of acknowledgment.

Fang Shaoyi sent Geng Jinwei a message telling him to talk to the people at the TV station. That director Lin Wei didn’t look like a trustworthy person.

Geng Jinwei replied: That was my plan too.

After, Geng Jinwei called him, asking when he would be finished with this movie. They also discussed a few other topics. Prior to hanging up, Fang Shaoyi said, “Tell their station not to use Yuan Ye as a topic of conversation anymore.”

Geng Jinwei laughed. He asked, “Why?”

Fang Shaoyi didn’t answer. He only added, “Talk straight to the station manager. Tell him to tell his subordinates not to cause drama using Yuan Ye again.”

Geng Jinwei still laughed. He said, “I f.u.c.king told you guys back then not to get divorced. Both of you faked anger to me, determined to get divorced. Seems to me like you guys are simply messing with me. How about just getting a marriage certificate again. It’s inevitable that he would get cussed out for attending this show. Didn’t I tell you ahead of time?”

Fang Shaoyi remained silent.

Geng Jinwei continued, “Yuan Ye said that if the divorce really gets exposed one day, to push all the blame on him. He wants to make sure there are no negative consequences for you. You guys refused to maintain your good, happy life, instead choosing to f.u.c.king mess around like this.”

Fang Shaoyi only stood up and looked out the window after his shoulder started hurting. It really had started raining.

He stood in front of the window, watching the raindrops forcefully hitting the ground. He reached around with his hand to feel his shoulder joint. A tender soreness emanated from there. It wasn’t intense, but it was very continuous and very painful. It was probably the discomfort from these old injuries that made Fang Shaoyi feel so agitated. Or, it might have been because he had just seen someone else cuss Yuan Ye out.

At the time, he should’ve listened to Geng Jinwei and declined the show’s invite. He shouldn’t have accepted it.

Thinking about Yuan Ye also made him remember that last accidental mess.

After, Yuan Ye had glued himself to him and asked: Who gave you the right?

It was true that the two of them shouldn’t have had that hookup. However, Fang Shaoyi didn’t feel very regretful afterwards either. They had already done it. This was nothing.

His monkey had been wild for too long and didn’t recognize his owner anymore. He needed to be taught a lesson.