SH – Chapter 30

“Director Jian-”

Xiao Liu wanted to say more, but Jian You cut him off. “You can leave now.” She gave him a warning look. “Don’t meddle so much. You’re my assistant, not my mother.”

“Okay, Director Jian.”

“Book me a flight to Bei City for tomorrow.”

“Okay, Director Jian.”

“Send me the link to the forum post you were reading.”

“Okay, Director Jian!”

“Now get out.”

“What about my bonus for this month?”

“Say one more word and it’s really gone.”

“Okay, Director Jian!”

Xiao Liu left cheerfully. Less than half a minute later, the link to the post arrived. Jian You didn’t look at it right away. Instead, she opened her chat with Chen Shuangxu. “Are you busy?”

Chen Shuangxu was her go-to leading actress. She had won Best Actress at an international film festival for her role as Shen Tingyu in Kissed the Deep Sea—a bona fide award-winning actress.

Chen Shuangxu was clearly not busy, replying instantly: “Getting my makeup done. What’s up, Director Jian?”

“Tomorrow is Teacher’s wife’s birthday. I need to go back to Bei City.”

“Got it. You need to borrow a car, right?”

“Yeah.”

“What time is your flight? I’ll have Ming Chen bring it to you.”

“I’ll send you the flight details once it’s booked.”

“Alrighty!”

Since Jian You was asking for a favor, she felt it was too abrupt to end the goal-oriented conversation there, so she added another question: “When are you going public with your relationship?”

Chen Shuangxu sent a shy emoji. “Soon. When the time comes, Director Jian, you’ll have to bring your girlfriend to the wedding.”

Jian You: “…What girlfriend?”

Chen Shuangxu: “I saw it all! You even dropped her off at work. And you’re saying nothing’s going on?”

Jian You: “She didn’t drive, so I just gave her a ride.”

Chen Shuangxu: “Tell me more.”

Chen Shuangxu: “kdl”

Jian You: “?”

Chen Shuangxu: “It means ‘huge loss’.”

Jian You: “?”

Chen Shuangxu: “It means you dropped her off at work and didn’t let her repay you. What a huge loss!”

Jian You: “…”

Jian You: “Spend less time on forums and more time reading.”

Chen Shuangxu: “I will heed Director Jian’s teachings!”

Chen Shuangxu: “[Link – This melodrama is the GOAT! Jian You, goddess of the lesbian circle, can’t lose!]”

Chen Shuangxu: “kswl”

Jian You: “?”

Chen Shuangxu: “My connection is dying! The internet on this set is so laggy!”

Chen Shuangxu: “Go for it, Director Jian!”

Chen Shuangxu: “My makeup’s done, going to shoot now, bye bye!”

Jian You: “…”

Just how many threads have these people started on the forums?!

She clicked on the link. The picture in the main post was very high-resolution. Yun Chu stood under her umbrella, looking at her. In the fine, misty rain, everything was gray and drab; Yun Chu was the only spot of color.

She scrolled down.

“Jian You! Can’t you see her motive for getting close to you! How could you fall for it ahhhhh!”

“Wuwuwu I forbid it.”

“Does anyone else think this Yun Chu looks a bit like Chen Shuangxu? Could this be some kind of substitute lover drama? [Drooling] I love it! Yun Chu! Just a stand-in for our award-winning actress!”

“Wait, does Mangosteen Entertainment hire based on looks? Why is the head of the film department so good-looking? She could debut right now without any styling, okay? And I’m sure she’s definitely gay!”

“I think I’ve seen her at a lesbian bar…”

“Holy shit?”

“Where did you run into her? I want to run into her too [Shy]”

“Come buy stocks! The only real couple on Little Tricks for Love is definitely our Jia Jian Cheng Chu! Welcome to follow the CP Super Topic and join our big math family!”

“This CP name sounds like it would get good grades.”

…

Jian You casually registered a side account and replied to the thread: “Which bar?”

---

The bar’s name was “Cat Bar.” As the name suggested, the decor, facilities, drink names, and even the tableware were all cat-themed. Upon entering, customers were also given a cat-themed accessory.

Yun Chu ordered a birthday cake for Jiang Yu and quickly placed an order for a necklace before leisurely heading to Chen Jing’s office.

Chen Jing had many artists under her and a lot of work to handle, so she had a private office. When Yun Chu knocked, she was discussing a solo project with a member of a girl group.

Yun Chu pointed to the reception room next door. “Should I wait over there?”

“No need,” Chen Jing said. “We’re almost done.”

The girl group had just been formed. Although they were on the rise as a whole, their individual popularity varied. It was normal for the top member to be offered a solo project, but for the sake of the group’s development, she had turned it down.

Sister Jing nodded. “Taking a solo project less than half a year after debuting would indeed make the group’s fans uneasy.”

The top member stood up. “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Sister Jing.”

Sister Jing patted her shoulder. “It’s rare for you to have such foresight. There will be more opportunities in the future.”

After the girl left, Yun Chu said, “I like this little sister.”

Sister Jing: “…She’s older than you.”

Yun Chu quickly corrected herself. “I like this big sister.”

Sister Jing said, “Managing artists these days is so hard. The unpopular ones are prone to mental breakdowns, and the famous ones are prone to getting big tempers. I guess I’m pretty lucky. Look at you, you have such a great attitude. And look at her, the group’s top member, she has such a good temper.”

Yun Chu: “Stop taking subtle digs at me!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t take digs at you.” Chen Jing asked, “What was with you this morning? It’s all over the company. President Jiang personally came to the entrance to meet you and even had lunch with you in the cafeteria! When did you and President Jiang get so close? How come I didn’t know?”

Yun Chu asked, “And what would you do if you knew?”

Chen Jing: “Use the back door, of course!”

Yun Chu: “…”

She knew it!

Yun Chu collapsed onto the sofa. “We have a pretty good relationship, but it’s just a personal one. Who knows what got into her today, picking me up downstairs. She made it seem like we were going public.”

“I’m guessing-”

“What?”

“You were probably too obscure before, and she was afraid people would think you were just climbing the social ladder. Now you’re about to be Jian You’s leading lady, your career is about to take off, so she’s showing how much she and the company value you.”

“…That’s a sound argument.”

“By the way,” Chen Jing said, “the contract has been finalized. The start of filming is tentatively set for February, and the shoot will last for two months. I’ve coordinated your schedule. The dating show will continue filming as usual, and we’ve moved up your other commercial activities as much as possible. So you’ll have to work a bit harder during this period.”

“Don’t accept too many commercial gigs.”

“I can’t just turn down good opportunities that fall into our laps, can I? There’s an interview with an independent media outlet the day after tomorrow, and the cast of The You I First Met is doing a hot pot livestream the day after that. You have to go to that too.”

“Someone who played the fifth female lead can go?”

“Who told you to be so popular? Oh, and on Christmas Day, Little Tricks for Love is having a press conference livestream. Cancel any dates you have.”

“Christmas Day?”

“Yes.”

“The Little Tricks for Love press conference?”

“Uh-huh.”

“My date is at the press conference!”

“…Fine.”

“What are your plans for tonight?” Chen Jing asked again.

Yun Chu hesitated for a moment before telling the truth. “I’m going out to eat with President Jiang.”

Chen Jing reminded her, “Wear a mask and a hat. Don’t get photographed and give people something to gossip about. You’re not some ignored nobody anymore.”

Yun Chu said, “I know.”

---

So, for the first time ever, Yun Chu put on a hat and mask and secretly met up with Jiang Yu at the entrance of the bar. A waitress wearing cat ears handed them a box, letting them choose a cat-themed accessory.

Yun Chu picked a cat ear cuff. The little black cat head dangled from her earlobe, swaying gently, looking playful and cute.

The bar was buzzing with energy. The resident singer on stage was singing and dancing. Just as Jiang Yu had said, she had an excellent figure. When she swayed and smiled at the audience, it was a soul-stirring kind of beauty.

Yun Chu let out a cheer and asked Jiang Yu, “We got a private room, right?”

“Yes, a private room.” Jiang Yu led her to the one they had booked. “Chen Jing came to see me about the contract this afternoon and specifically reminded me to be careful if I took you out to eat.”

The bar was too loud, so they both had to raise their voices. Yun Chu shouted, “Sister Jing thinks I’m going to be famous!”

Jiang Yu shouted back, “You are going to be famous!”

Yun Chu was so happy her eyes curved into crescents. In truth, she didn’t care that much about being famous or not. She just wanted to become a little famous on her own merits, so that when she stood next to Jian You, both of them would face a little less criticism.

The walls of the private room were soundproofed. The noise from outside became distant, hitting the door and then flying off even further away.

Yun Chu opened a window a crack to listen to the lead singer’s slightly husky voice singing a seductive song. She couldn’t help but hum along for a couple of lines and asked casually, “With such a great voice, wouldn’t it be a shame not to sign her to our company?”

Jiang Yu glanced at the stage. “I’m in the film department.”

What did music have to do with her film department?

Yun Chu said, “Then I’ll have Sister Jing approach her.”

As she spoke, she recorded a short video and sent it over.

“Alright.” Yun Chu took the gift out of her bag and pushed it over. “Happy birthday, birthday girl! I’ve had my eye on this necklace for a long time. I’m buying it for you to wear first.”

She stood up, placed the cake on the table, turned off the lights, and lit the candles.

She didn’t know what Jiang Yu liked to eat, so she had chosen the cake randomly. It was very girly. The firework-like candles sparked, and she urged Jiang Yu, who was still looking at her gift, “Quick, make a wish.”

“Can I wish for anything?” Jiang Yu asked.

Yun Chu said as if it were obvious, “Of course. The birthday girl can wish for whatever she wants.”

Jiang Yu: “Okay.”

She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.

Yun Chu took out her phone to take a picture of her. As she was finding an angle, new message notifications suddenly appeared at the top of her screen, one after another. The new messages were from Jian You.

Teacher Jian: Where are you

Teacher Jian: I’m going to Bei City tomorrow

Teacher Jian: Return my clothes tonight

Yun Chu: !

Teacher Jian: ?

Yun Chu: I’m still out right now. Can I give them back after you return from Bei City?

Teacher Jian: Where are you?

Yun Chu: …A bar

Teacher Jian: Which one?

Yun Chu: [Location: Cat Bar]

Teacher Jian: I’m here too

Yun Chu: ???

Teacher Jian: Meeting a new producer. Which room are you in?

Yun Chu: 106

Teacher Jian: I’ll find you after my meeting

Yun Chu: …Okay

The candles suddenly went out. Only then did Yun Chu belatedly start clapping and singing the happy birthday song. Jiang Yu reached out and turned on the table lamp. Under the dark green lampshade, the light was dim and yellow. She asked, “Who are you chatting with?”

“Jian-” The word had just left her lips when she remembered Jiang Yu didn’t like Jian You. She quickly changed course. “No one.”

Jiang Yu was silent for a moment, then said, “You’re celebrating my birthday with me. Don’t get distracted.”

“I know.” Yun Chu put her phone aside and asked, “What did you wish for?”

Jiang Yu wouldn’t say. “It won’t come true if I say it out loud.”

Yun Chu tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Fine. I want the piece with the strawberry. Cut that one for me~”

Jiang Yu laughed at her. “You have no self-awareness as a female celebrity. Aren’t you managing your figure?”

“Aiya, I’m not filming any dramas right now, so it’s fine if I gain a little weight.” Yun Chu didn’t care at all. She took a bite of the strawberry first and praised, “So sweet, and delicious. I have to order from here for my birthday too!”

Jiang Yu said, “Okay.”

She poured a glass of alcohol and clinked it against Yun Chu’s. “Bottoms up.”

Yun Chu clinked glasses with her too. The crystal-clear sound of glass meeting glass rang out. She smiled, her eyes narrowing. “Happy birthday.”

After speaking, she tilted her head back and finished the drink in her glass.

To be honest, although Yun Chu and Jiang Yu were familiar with each other and often went out for drinks, they didn’t have many topics in common. They would look at each other and could only clink glasses. After a few rounds, Yun Chu was actually a little tipsy.

Yun Chu, remembering that Jian You was coming to find her, refused to drink any more. She whined unconsciously, “I’m not drinking anymore. You shouldn’t drink either. We have work tomorrow.”

Jiang Yu had a better tolerance for alcohol. A few glasses were nothing to her; her hand didn’t even tremble. She stood up and said, “I’m going out to take a call.”

“Okay.” Yun Chu was slumped over the table. She waved a hand. “Get me a bucket of popcorn when you come back.”

When Jiang Yu left, she didn’t close the door tightly. The sound from outside poured in unobstructed—an extremely rock-and-roll song about throwing this and that away and leaving the surface of the Earth. It was incredibly high-energy. Yun Chu’s foot tapped along to the beat, and she sang along unconsciously. As she sang, the world suddenly fell silent.

The door was closed, and the window was closed too.

Yun Chu yawned. “Jiang Yu~ open the door. I was listening.”

“Yun Chu.” The voice was like a piece of ice, cutting coldly through the warm air to her ear, making her shiver. Yun Chu froze for a second. She looked up and saw Jian You standing at the door.

Yun Chu stammered, “Teacher Jian…”

She pushed herself up using the table, stumbling slightly. “I… are you here for the clothes? But I can’t… I can’t take them off right now.”

Jian You asked, “Are you drunk?”

Yun Chu: “Mmm…”

It’s over, she thought. In Jian You’s eyes, I must be a drunkard. A drunkard who can’t even hold her liquor. This is the second day in a row. It’s so bad for my image. So, she slurred, “N-no, I’m… I’m not drunk!”

Jian You walked over.

She watched Yun Chu quietly for a long while before leaning down and cupping the back of Yun Chu’s head. Her voice was low. “Wearing my clothes, using my lipstick, spritzing my perfume… you’re mine from the inside out. How can you act cute with someone else?”

Yun Chu was stunned for a moment. She lowered her head to look at her toes and refuted quietly, “I didn’t.”

Jian You said, “You did.”

But Yun Chu felt inexplicably wronged. Jiang Yu’s words in the cafeteria at noon still stung her like needles, and the feeling had fermented and spread as the alcohol took effect.

On what grounds is Jian You talking to me like this? she thought. Even if her main CP on the show’s script is me, we’re not filming the show right now. How can she talk to me like this?

As if she cared a lot about her.

The more she thought, the more wronged she felt. Her eyes reddened as she retorted, “My earring isn’t yours.”

The little black cat earring swayed gently, baring its fangs and claws at Jian You, declaring that it didn’t belong to her. If she dared to touch it, she would surely get scratched first.

Jian You asked, “It’s not mine?”

Yun Chu sniffled and gave a heavy “mm-hmm.” “It’s not-”

The rest of her words were swallowed back down her throat. Yun Chu’s eyes widened.

Jian You had taken her earring in her mouth.

A gentle tug.

It came off.

Jian You said, “It’s not yours anymore.”

---

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