After returning to China, the two of them finally had a chance to slow down a little.
Huaying had been renamed after the acquisition and was now known as Qingyang Entertainment. Lin Zhu swiftly overhauled the company, establishing a new development strategy and direction. While aggressively consolidating resources of every kind, he also partnered with Tianxing to relaunch the second season of [Battle of Light and Shadow], successfully bringing a group of exceptionally talented yet long-overlooked actors into the spotlight.
Afraid that company affairs would take up too much of his younger brother’s time, Lin Song had already restructured the management before handing the company over. Lin Zhu only needed to oversee and coordinate things; even if he didn’t show up for several days, the company would continue operating normally. Once everything was on track, each department diligently fulfilled its own responsibilities, leaving the agent who had grown accustomed to doing everything himself, with the rare feeling of having nothing much to do.
Even more idle than Lin Zhu was Zhong Yao’s personal PR team.
Ever since the official announcement of their relationship, no matter what Zhong Yao and Lin Zhu did, the media and paparazzi could no longer be bothered to make a fuss. Aside from the occasional behind-the-scenes photo, they had practically given up stalking and secretly photographing the two of them.
The PR department was very bored.
The very bored PR department desperately wanted the two of them to walk a red carpet together so their boss could scoop his agent into his arms and kiss him right there on the carpet.
“The awards ceremony isn’t until the end of the year. What’s the rush?”
Lin Zhu couldn’t help laughing as he tried to calm the online team, who were already itching to stir up another sensation. “You don’t have to make headlines every single time. Isn’t the current level of attention enough? If you’re really that bored, go pay some attention to Zheng Lingyang…”
After Huaying changed ownership and was renamed, the industry had actually been rather pessimistic for a while, believing that abandoning the traffic-driven model so early would only backfire. Pessimistic voices were everywhere, and quite a few people lost confidence and terminated their contracts.
Zheng Lingyang had been the very first person to voluntarily sign with them during that turbulent period.
His contract with his previous company had expired. He brought along his own management team, and agreed to follow every arrangement they made. His only condition was he wanted to trend.
Lin Zhu had been unexpectedly touched. He immediately lent him the company’s PR team, who managed to keep him on the trending charts for several consecutive days.
The second season of [Battle of Light and Shadow] became a massive hit. Its ratings remained consistently high, and its review score climbed to 9.5. Riding that momentum, the newly established Qingyang Entertainment staged a beautiful comeback. Now was the perfect time to secure high-quality scripts and shift the company’s focus toward building a strong reputation.
Ever since entering the entertainment industry, Zhong Yao had been surrounded by veteran artists, giving him an abundance of connections in that area. Now those resources were fully mobilized as he personally sent invitations and arranged visits one after another, quickly opening doors. The remaining work was left to the company’s existing departments: selecting scripts, contacting production crews, casting actors, and officially launching new productions.
In a few days, Zhong Yao himself would be joining a new film crew. Marlensius’ team had officially entered the judging phase and had invited their indispensable co-producer to return and experience the nerve-racking wait with them, but Lin Zhu politely declined.
At any truly prestigious film festival, winning an award was always 50% ability and 50% luck. Every year, there were masterpieces with stellar reputations and exceptional quality that still walked away empty-handed.
Lin Zhu had already done everything within his power. He had complete confidence in the film he had personally helped create and could calmly accept any outcome. Unlike the rest of the team, who were constantly anxious over every possibility, all he wanted was to accompany Zhong Yao into the mountains and forests and quietly make movies together.
As the agent grew increasingly calm and composed, the PR department felt a little disappointed. Carrying their request for a new set of speakers, they went back to playing games.
Checking the time, Lin Zhu stood up and left his office.
He also had a livestream interview today with Zhong Yao. It was being held in the small conference room on the company’s top floor.
So now he, too, was someone qualified to answer one of those “100 Questions to Test a Couple’s Compatibility.”
The young president, dressed in a custom-made dark blue suit, rose onto his tiptoes inside the elevator. The corners of his lips refused to stay down. He carefully adjusted his cuffs and collar twice before quietly rolling up his sleeve just enough to reveal the watch on his wrist.
The small conference room was filled with lighthearted laughter.
Lin Zhu’s eyes lit up as he headed toward the room.
The livestream interview was divided into two parts. The first was Zhong Yao’s solo interview, while the second featured both of them together. Lin Zhu had deliberately waited downstairs for a while beforehand.
He was already looking forward to it.
It happened to be the intermission, when the host was chatting with the audience through the livestream comments. Lin Zhu knocked twice before gently pushing the door open.
Zhong Yao looked up, met his agent’s eyes, and the corners of his lips immediately curved upward.
The perceptive host stopped speaking and tactfully stepped aside. Before he could even invite Zhong Yao to bring his manager over, Zhong Yao had already bowed apologetically toward the camera and briskly walked toward the doorway.
The comments instantly burst into laughter.
[I feel sorry for the host. Zhong-laoshi definitely didn’t react this fast during the games earlier!]
[Hahaha, he was painstakingly trying to keep the atmosphere lively just now. Looking at Zhong-laoshi’s expression, I feel like the whole livestream is filled with pink bubbles…]
[The host probably doesn’t see any pink bubbles though, hahaha.]
[Poor host lol. Since the second half is a couple interview anyway, why didn’t they just put our Xiao Zhu beside Zhong-laoshi from the start?!]
[Probably because when they were collecting suggestions for this interview, two certain directors, surnamed Wei and Jin, submitted blood-written advice saying that if you want Zhong-laoshi to perform well, his manager has to remain in a state where Zhong-laoshi can find him whenever he looks for him, but absolutely cannot see him directly. Also known as Schrödinger’s agent…]
Despite the camera suddenly becoming an empty, lonely shot, the comment section entertained itself happily, enthusiastically speculating about what the two of them were doing just outside the frame.
Outside the camera’s view, Zhong Yao casually took Lin Zhu’s suit jacket and draped it over his arm before straightening his collar. Lin Zhu obediently tilted his head up to let him fuss over his clothes while whispering something quietly into his ear.
Zhong Yao leaned down a little closer, listening attentively before replying with a smile.
Lin Zhu’s eyes immediately brightened. He eagerly started toward the camera, only to be gently stopped by Zhong Yao, who guided him back, and the two of them calmly sat down together.
…
There wasn’t even the slightest hint of anything inappropriate. Yet somehow, completely naturally, they managed to isolate the host behind an invisible wall.
Holding his teacup, the host sighed sincerely. “When I interviewed Zhong-laoshi before, I already felt like this program didn’t really need me. Now I’ve realized… it genuinely doesn’t need me.”
The comment section once again dissolved into laughter, warmly expressing sympathy for the thoroughly excluded host.
Back when [No Bridge[ was being filmed, Zhong Yao had worked with this interview team once before, and the collaboration had gone very smoothly. This time, the same team had returned, so there was no need for formal introductions.
The host was only joking. Once the two of them had taken their seats, he smiled and resumed the interview. “Lin-laoshi, how have you been recently? Very busy?”
Glancing at the livestream assistant, who reminded him via the comments, he laughed and corrected himself. “Wait— that’s not right. I should be calling you President Lin now…”
Lin Zhu laughed and waved his hand. “No, no. If you call me that, I’ll be too embarrassed to stay seated.”
With Zhong Yao sitting beside him, Lin Zhu felt perfectly at ease. Smiling toward the camera, he said, “I’m busy, yes, but everything I’m doing feels meaningful. Right now we’re working hard to make [Battle of Light and Shadow] even better, hoping that all those wonderful actors who’ve been overlooked can finally find the opportunities they deserve…”
He had only recently taken over the company, so at the very least, he needed to project enough competence to earn everyone’s trust.
Having spent so much time by Zhong Yao’s side, Lin Zhu had perfectly mastered that composed, dependable aura. The moment the camera started rolling, he sat with impeccable posture and answered every question with confidence and grace. The youthful energy he’d displayed off-camera moments ago had almost completely vanished, replaced by a steady reliability that inspired admiration.
Ever since the [On the Road] special had wrapped filming, this was Lin Zhu’s first public appearance. The dramatic change in his demeanor caught fans completely off guard. While frantically taking screenshots of their agent’s inexplicably abstinent yet irresistibly alluring elite-professional aura, they flooded the comments.
[OH MY GOD… Is this our Xiao Zhu’s evolved adult form?!]
[Our Xiao Sun accidentally grew into a full-grown bamboo! Now he can protect not just Zhong-laoshi, but so many other teachers too!] (reminder, Sun here means bamboo shoot; while Zhu in Lin Zhu’s name means bamboo)
[“Battle of Light and Shadow” Season 2 is seriously amazing!! I discovered so many hidden gems! Zhong-laoshi and Lin-laoshi are both incredible! I hope this kind of genuinely quality variety show gets one hundred seasons!]
[The young master has grown into a little CEO QAQ I’m so happy… but I can’t help feeling sentimental too…]
[Sentimental, but somehow ridiculously attractive… I’m completely obsessed with this President Lin!!! I’m shipping them ever harder now!!!!]
……
Lin Zhu sat beside Zhong Yao, answering one question after another with practiced ease — questions that were ostensibly an interview but were really just excuses to hand out sweet moments. Sneaking a glance at the live chat, he couldn’t help secretly curling the corners of his lips.
Back when they were filming [On the Road], they had spent most of their time on that farm. Lin Zhu had been having far too much fun back then to pay any attention to how he looked on camera. Even though the production team had done their best with the editing, quite a bit of his true nature had still slipped through.
A CEO riding a giant spotted pig all over the place definitely wasn’t quite the right image.
With the limitations of a livestream, managing to establish this kind of public image was already no easy feat. Sitting beside Zhong Yao, Lin Zhu responded calmly to each question in turn while quietly thinking about the promise Zhong Yao had just made.
If today’s livestream went well, they’d go home and bake a cake together tonight…
Anything was enjoyable as long as he was doing it with Zhong Yao, let alone making something they could eat together. Having long since grown accustomed to hovering around Zhong Yao in the kitchen and sneaking bites whenever he cooked, the mere thought of whipped cream, frosting, and chocolate shavings for tonight instantly filled Lin Zhu with renewed energy.
The host was highly experienced and had already figured out exactly what the viewers were dying to know. After a few rounds of questions, he naturally steered the conversation toward the sponsorship incident that had caused such a huge stir not long ago.
Knowing the host meant well, Lin Zhu cooperated and nodded. “Yes… I received all the letters and gifts afterward.”
Remembering those carefully preserved gifts, Lin Zhu’s lips curved gently upward, his expression earnest. “I’ve put them all away safely. This time, I definitely won’t lose them.”
Only at moments like this did the composed aura around him unconsciously soften, revealing once again a hint of the gentle, pure-hearted youth he truly was.
Zhong Yao turned his head slightly, meeting his agent’s gaze as he enclosed Lin Zhu’s hand in his own.
After returning to China, the first thing they had done after waking up from a long sleep at home was go look at the letters and gifts Lin Song had kept safe all those years.
Lin Zhu had carried everything into the study and stayed there alone for an entire day.
Zhong Yao and Lin Song had waited outside the whole time. As the older brother, Lin Song had paced back and forth anxiously, torn between worry and hesitation, while Zhong Yao had simply stood there quietly, not the least bit impatient.
By the time darkness had fully fallen, Lin Zhu finally emerged from the room. His eyes and nose were still red, but his gaze had become clear and bright once again.
From that day onward, neither of them deliberately brought up the past or deliberately avoided it.
Watching them, the host felt his heart soften. Holding his cue cards, even his tone gentled. “Zhong-laoshi mentioned quite a few stories about filming his very first drama just now, and everyone found them fascinating… Lin-laoshi, you were still quite young back then. Do you still remember those days clearly?”
Lin Zhu nodded without hesitation. “I do.”
The warmth and strength in the hand holding his never wavered. Lin Zhu squeezed Zhong Yao’s hand back and smiled. “Very clearly.”
That had been where everything began.
It was where Zhong Yao had carried him out of the abyss, and the memory he had revisited countless times over the years. So of course he remembered every single detail.
The host nodded with a smile. “That’s wonderful. During Zhong-laoshi’s interview just now, we heard quite a few little stories. May I ask a few questions on behalf of the viewers?”
This segment wasn’t in the script. Slightly surprised, Lin Zhu looked toward Zhong Yao.
The livestream was meant to be casual conversation, and Zhong Yao had simply talked about whatever came to mind. Other than refraining from exposing Lin Zhu’s embarrassing moments, even he couldn’t quite remember everything he’d said. There was no way he could secretly feed his agent answers by reading his thoughts, so he merely gave him the slightest shake of the head.
“Relax, relax. They’re all simple questions, submitted on the spot by our viewers who specialize in collecting sweet moments…”
The host smiled as he picked up a fresh stack of cue cards. “First question. Back when you were filming your very first drama, every time Zhong-laoshi came back from filming, his thermos would mysteriously be filled with hot water. Lin-laoshi, do you know what happened?”
Lin Zhu was momentarily speechless.
So Zhong Yao remembered all of that too.
Some things were too embarrassing to say face-to-face. But somehow, saying them in front of the camera instead made them feel like tiny sparkling sugar crystals scattered everywhere, so sweet that they made him want to smile.
Zhong Yao raised an eyebrow and subtly adjusted his sitting posture. His fingertip lightly tapped twice against Lin Zhu’s palm.
Lin Zhu’s ears reddened as he held Zhong Yao’s hand and admitted honestly, “I filled it.”
The livestream chat instantly exploded in delight over the genuine sweetness.
The host nodded with satisfaction. “The filming conditions were rather poor. Zhong-laoshi’s dorm room was the only one whose windows didn’t let in drafts. Lin-laoshi—”
Lin Zhu coughed once and answered before he could finish. “I sealed them.”
“It seems Lin-laoshi has already figured out how this Q&A works.”
The host looked thoroughly pleased and pressed on. “There was one time when Zhong-laoshi couldn’t get a scene right. He had over ten NG takes and was feeling especially discouraged. When he returned to the resting area, he found a little cake waiting there…”
Lin Zhu couldn’t help coughing again.
The host smiled at him, then pointed toward the livestream chat, which looked like an enormous prairie dog colony, clearly having no intention of letting him brush this one off.
The young and accomplished President Lin’s face flushed almost imperceptibly. “I… I bought it.”
The livestream chat erupted into shrill screams.
Completely satisfied with the results so far, the host leisurely flipped to the final cue card and glanced at it. “Zhong-laoshi also mentioned that the horse trainer who neglected to check the saddle buckle… eventually went bald.”
Lin Zhu: “…”
Zhong Yao: “…”
Zhong Yao had expected all the previous questions even without any preparation. This one, however, had been completely unexpected. Seeing the host’s questions becoming increasingly bizarre, he was just about to step in and rescue the situation when the agent beside him had already straightened his back and taken a deep breath.
“Yes…”
Having answered so many questions that he was now doing it on instinct, Lin Zhu closed his eyes, steeled himself, and confessed honestly without hesitation, “I shaved his head.”
