Isn’t money good?

Chapter 23

Ji Yunnian had never seen Yan Shiqiu smile so brilliantly before, his eyes seeming to hold an entire galaxy of stars, sparkling and bright.

He suddenly became curious. What were they talking about that made him so happy?

“What are you guys chatting about?” Chen Hangsheng asked the question for him.

Yan Shiqiu happened to be standing facing them. Hearing the voice, he looked up and saw Chen Hangsheng, greeting him politely, “Director Chen.”

He then noticed Ji Yunnian beside him and was about to speak when Fu Baiqing spoke first.

“We were talking about games.” Fu Baiqing naturally placed his hand on Yan Shiqiu’s shoulder, showering him with praise. “Little Qiuqiu is super amazing, a master among masters.”

Yan Shiqiu smiled, “Just so-so.”

He then elbowed Fu Baiqing, “Drop the ‘little.’”

Fu Baiqing rubbed his waist, muttering, “Little Qiuqiu sounds so nice though.”

Yan Shiqiu brushed off the hand on his shoulder and called out to him with a grin, “Then how about I call you the same way? Little Qingqing.”

Fu Baiqing nodded like a pecking chicken, happily making a peace sign, “Yes, yes, go ahead and call me that. I have absolutely no problem with that nickname.”

He Qian and Xie Zhaoli: “Hahahahahaha.”

Yan Shiqiu: “…”

Chen Hangsheng also laughed. He was very pleased to see the actors getting along harmoniously. Friendly relationships helped create a good filming atmosphere.

“Alright, let me announce something.” He clapped his hands, calling the others over as well.

Once everyone had gathered, he introduced Ji Yunnian: “Ji Yunnian, I’m sure you all know him. He’ll be guest-starring as ‘An Mo’ in our drama. Let’s welcome him.”

Applause erupted. Everyone, including the two leads He Qian and Xie Zhaoli, was beaming with excitement.

Ji Yunnian hadn’t returned to television in several years, and with his popularity and national-level star power, his participation would undoubtedly bring massive viewership to the drama.

The most recent example was “Each Grain is Hard-earned.” The show’s ratings had never exceeded 1.1, but once the preview for the fifth episode came out featuring him, the show’s ratings immediately stabilized between 1.3 and 1.4. Later, one of his Weibo posts directly pushed the real-time ratings above 2, and after his appearance, they consistently stayed around 2.8, even breaking 3 several times.

These ratings directly broke the highest variety show viewership record of the past two years.

After calming down, everyone couldn’t help but wonder: Ji Yunnian hadn’t acted in TV dramas for so many years, so why would he suddenly agree to guest star as a character who only appeared in flashbacks?

As if knowing everyone’s curiosity and confusion, Chen Hangsheng said bluntly, “I asked him to come. After all, the main investor of this drama is Ji Corporation, so I might as well use what’s available.”

Ji Yunnian played along, “So I’m just a tool.”

Chen Hangsheng patted his round belly, chuckling, “Well, you happened to have free time.”

The two had a good relationship. Ji Yunnian’s debut work had been “Reunion”, directed by Chen Hangsheng.

Although they hadn’t collaborated since, Chen Hangsheng had worked extensively with entertainment companies under Ji Corporation, essentially serving as their go-to director. He frequently visited Ji Corporation, so they met quite often.

“Alright, that’s all I wanted to say. Everyone go get your styling done. Let’s try to finish shooting today.” After Chen Hangsheng finished speaking, he called Yan Shiqiu over.

?

Yan Shiqiu walked over with a question mark hanging over his head.

Chen Hangsheng chose his words carefully, “I just found out a few days ago. You and Yunnian had some misunderstanding?”

Yan Shiqiu was quite frank, “We did before, but it’s been resolved.”

Chen Hangsheng stared at him for a long while after hearing this, then nodded, “That’s good. After all, in the drama, Chu Yuexuan and An Mo have a teacher-friend relationship. They cherish each other and see each other as confidants.”

Yan Shiqiu had read the script and naturally knew what kind of existence An Mo was to Chu Yuexuan. The screenwriter had used a phrase to describe them—“Boya and Ziqi”—which he found very fitting.

Although he hadn’t expected the actor to be Ji Yunnian, he didn’t think their real-life relationship would affect the filming. He never brought personal emotions into work, and he believed Ji Yunnian was the same.

Moreover, though he had only skimmed through the book once, the praise and descriptions of Ji Yunnian’s acting skills in it made him very much look forward to working with him.

“Please don’t worry.” Yan Shiqiu said.

Chen Hangsheng continued, “Due to Yunnian’s work schedule, we’ll film your scenes with him first after we start shooting. You two should try to build some rapport over the next few days.”

Even if we spent time together, we probably couldn’t build any rapport, Yan Shiqiu thought to himself.

“I’ll do my best.” He smiled.

Chen Hangsheng was satisfied.

—

Period costume styling was mostly elaborate and complex. By the time the complete styling was finished, nearly two hours had passed.

When Yan Shiqiu emerged from the makeup room, he wore a moon-white round-collar robe with a butterfly jade pendant at his waist. His hair was half-loose, half-bound, secured with a jade hairpin. When he looked up with a gentle smile, his features were stunningly beautiful, breathtakingly so.

“You look great in this outfit.” Xie Zhaoli couldn’t help but praise.

He Qian nodded beside him, then sighed, “Good thing I don’t have many scenes with you.”

Yan Shiqiu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “You’re exaggerating.”

Fu Baiqing stroked his chin, walked around him in a circle, then said with mock seriousness, “The makeup artist definitely played favorites.”

Yan Shiqiu threw him a wink, “Of course, I’m universally beloved.”

At this moment, Ji Yunnian also finished his styling and came out. He wore blue robes with a jade crown, his hair pulled up, completely revealing his face. His features were as sculpted as a carving, angular and devastatingly handsome.

Although An Mo in the drama was a civil official, his martial arts weren’t lacking. Plus, having helped with farm work since childhood, he wasn’t weak and frail like typical scholars. Ji Yunnian regularly ran and worked out, maintaining an excellent physique. With his styling complete, he looked exactly like An Mo stepping out of the pages of a book.

So everyone rushed over to admire Ji Yunnian.

After a while, the camera assistant came to call them for photos, starting with the four main actors. The male lead, second male lead, female lead, and second female lead. The others sat aside waiting.

Fu Baiqing pulled out his phone, wanting Yan Shiqiu to play games with him again, but Yan Shiqiu declined.

He went to sit in a corner to play by himself.

Yan Shiqiu rested his chin on his hand, watching He Qian and the others posing for photos in the distance. Suddenly, someone sat down in the empty seat beside him. He turned his head and discovered it was Ji Yunnian.

“Something wrong?” He asked.

Ji Yunnian didn’t look at him, gazing straight ahead, “Does Ye Peiyuan know?”

“No.”

He laughed, “If he knew, would I still be sitting here peacefully?”

Only then did Ji Yunnian turn to look at him, “Then how did you two break up?”

“He was using me from the start.” Yan Shiqiu shrugged. “Once he discovered I was completely useless, he decided not to waste any more time on me.”

Ji Yunnian’s gaze became scrutinizing, “You knew all along that he was using you?”

Yan Shiqiu met his gaze without dodging, “No.”

The original host truly hadn’t known.

Ji Yunnian’s tone remained unchanged, “You said he was using you from the beginning. Besides having you go after me, was it because of Wen Chen?”

Yan Shiqiu was inwardly shocked.

What kind of development was this? Had he skipped over some melodramatic plotline where the big villain fell in love with the protagonist but couldn’t have him?

“…I don’t know.”

Ji Yunnian stared at him for a moment, then looked away, “Remember to remind Wen Chen not to have too much contact with Ye Peiyuan.”

Yan Shiqiu instinctively blurted out, “You should be the one to remind him.”

Ji Yunnian: “?”

Realizing what he’d said, he quickly covered, “I mean, you know the full situation. If you explain everything clearly, my cousin will understand. If I just give him this one warning, he’ll be confused and won’t take it to heart.”

“Of course, I’ll also mention it.” He added.

Ji Yunnian hummed in acknowledgment.

After a moment of silence, Ji Yunnian spoke again, his tone very light, “You’re not sad?”

“Not at all.” Yan Shiqiu’s eyes curved into crescents, “I’m extremely happy right now. Getting rid of a scumbag is worth celebrating. Being beautifully single is absolutely blissful.”

Hearing this, Ji Yunnian glanced at him, “Then congratulations?”

“Thanks.” Yan Shiqiu flashed him a brilliant smile.

At noon, the four main actors finally finished their group photos, and it was Yan Shiqiu’s turn.

After several sets of individual portraits were taken, Chen Hangsheng suddenly walked over and said to Yan Shiqiu and Ji Yunnian, “You two take a set together.”

Yan Shiqiu: “…”

Ji Yunnian: “…”

The two exchanged glances, both understanding Chen Hangsheng’s intention.

Ji Yunnian spoke first, “That’s probably not a good idea.”

Yan Shiqiu agreed, “Right.”

Chen Hangsheng looked at Yan Shiqiu, then at Ji Yunnian, furrowed his brow, signaled to photograph others first, and pulled the two aside.

He crossed his arms, “Give me a reason.”

Yan Shiqiu said, “It would backfire.”

“‘Mountains and Rivers in Turmoil’ is a serious drama focusing on court intrigue. Even the romantic subplot between the leads is minimal, which will attract many plot-focused viewers.

Teacher Ji and I aren’t the main characters, but Teacher Ji has enormous popularity. If the marketing focus shifts to us, it could easily derail from the drama’s core.”

Ji Yunnian was more direct, asking just one question, “Is deliberate marketing necessary?”

Chen Hangsheng: “…”

“Fine, since you both don’t want to, forget it.”

All the promotional photos were finished by six in the evening.

After removing his makeup and changing back into his own clothes, Yan Shiqiu was immediately approached by Fu Baiqing, who looked at him expectantly, “Where shall we go play games?”

Yan Shiqiu was hungry, “Let’s find a restaurant and eat first.”

“You’re going to eat?” Zhao Yutong, who played the second female lead, came over. “Let’s go together. We just discussed having a get-together tonight.”

She added, “Everyone’s going.”

With her putting it that way, Yan Shiqiu and Fu Baiqing couldn’t refuse and nodded in agreement.

“I’ll go tell the others.” She waved and walked away.

As soon as Zhao Yutong left, Fu Baiqing’s face immediately fell. His back slumped, shoulders drooped, and he looked so dejected he wanted to draw circles in the corner, “Can’t play games now.”

Yan Shiqiu reached out to ruffle his hair, “There’ll be other opportunities.”

This scene also caught Ji Yunnian’s eye, but after just a few seconds, he turned away and spoke to someone on the phone, “Can you reach Liu Xi? I need her help with something.”

The person on the other end was shocked, “You actually want her help? This must be big. What kind of favor?”

“Protecting someone.”

“Who?”

Ji Yunnian’s peripheral vision swept over Yan Shiqiu in the distance, and he said thoughtfully, “Yan Shiqiu.“