Isn’t money good?

Chapter 20

To make his act convincing, Yan Shiqiu spent the next several days punctually checking in at Ye Corporation, sitting downstairs for half the day before leaving looking dejected and lost.

On the fifth day, he came to the Ye Corporation building again, this time carrying Ye Peiyuan’s bank card and a suitcase.

The receptionists had started to feel sorry for him.

“CEO Ye really isn’t in.”

“We can’t let you go upstairs.”

Yan Shiqiu hung his head dejectedly. “I understand.”

“It’s about to rain, you should go back.” The receptionist who had been dealing with him advised kindly.

Yan Shiqiu gave her a smile, the corners of his mouth barely managing to curve upward before dropping again.

His eyes were swollen, the corners red, his gaze vacant and unfocused. Even without tears, you could genuinely feel his sadness.

The receptionist’s heart softened, and she lowered her voice: “CEO Ye won’t see you. You should give up.”

The faint light in Yan Shiqiu’s eyes completely died out. “I see.”

“Could you do me a favor?” He placed Ye Peiyuan’s bank card and another bank card on the desk, pushing them forward, then pointed to the suitcase by his feet. “Could you help me give these two things to Ye Peiyuan?”

The receptionist looked at him with even more pity. “Alright.”

Yan Shiqiu lowered his head to compose a WeChat message.

[Yan Shiqiu]: I’ve spent quite a lot of your money these past six months. I can’t calculate the exact amount, but I’ve estimated a rough figure and am returning it along with the bank card you gave me.

There are also various odds and ends you bought me, I’m returning those too.

Let’s part on good terms. Goodbye, Ye Peiyuan.

After sending it, he immediately blocked Ye Peiyuan, thanked the receptionist who had agreed to help him, and left the Ye Corporation building.

Once he was out of sight of the Ye Corporation, Yan Shiqiu immediately perked up, feeling that even the gloomy sky was wonderful weather.

The only slightly sad thing was that the money from the variety show he’d just received last night was barely warm in his hands before he had to give away half of it today. He was still broke as ever.

Making money wasn’t easy, spending it made him sigh.

But it was worth it!

…

After returning home, Yan Shiqiu soon left again with another suitcase, heading straight to the airport to return to Shancheng.

While waiting at the gate, he posted on Weibo.

[@YanShiqiuV: Being alone is also good.]

After posting, he changed his relationship status from “in a relationship” back to “single.”

Refreshed and invigorated!

Less than two minutes later, Fang Yuhua called.

As soon as he answered, before he could speak, Fang Yuhua said: “You broke up with Ye Peiyuan?”

“Yes.” Yan Shiqiu stretched out his long legs, happily swinging his feet. “I’ve completely come to my senses. What’s the point of dating? Making money is still the best! Long live being single!”

Fang Yuhua was quiet for two seconds. “Are you traumatized?”

“Not at all, I’m very happy.”

“…” Fang Yuhua asked: “Where are you? The airport?”

“You heard the announcement? Yes, I’m at the airport, about to board.”

“…Never mind, it’s good for you to clear your head, but you need to study Director Chen’s script carefully and keep up with your basic training.” He paused. “Are you really okay?”

Yan Shiqiu felt wonderful, so much so that he wanted to write a thesis to celebrate, but he couldn’t explain everything clearly to Fang Yuhua, so he simply repeated: “Really, I’m fine.”

But Fang Yuhua probably really thought of him as a pitiful little thing who’d just suffered a devastating breakup. “Do you have enough money? I can help you apply to have the company advance part of your fee.”

“No need.”

Although the fee Fang Yuhua had negotiated for him wasn’t low, after deducting the company’s cut and taxes, it was only enough to buy one-third of a painting.

So there was no rush.

As for daily expenses, he still had over a hundred thousand in hand, which was enough.

The announcement was already calling his flight number. Yan Shiqiu exchanged a few more words with Fang Yuhua before hanging up and turning off his phone, pulling his suitcase as he hurried to board.

Meanwhile, Ji Yunnian’s fans also discovered Yan Shiqiu’s Weibo post and his changed relationship status.

The group chat immediately sounded a level-one alert.

[Sisters, Yan Shiqiu broke up with Ye Peiyuan!]

[Ah, should I congratulate Ye Peiyuan on successfully getting rid of that drama queen?]

[It would be better if they stayed locked together forever! The episode of “Each Grain is Hard-earned” with Teacher Ji as a guest is about to air, don’t forget Yan Shiqiu is on it too! Now that he’s broken up, when the show airs, won’t he be able to openly stick to Teacher Ji and leech off his popularity!]

[Damn, I forgot about that!]

[Defense mode, defense mode. Everyone pay attention, if any CP signs appear, immediately crush them. We absolutely cannot let Yan Shiqiu succeed.]

…

Yan Shiqiu sneezed.

He rubbed his nose, asked a flight attendant for a blanket, and after covering himself, continued focusing on reading the script, immersing himself in the story.

Three hours later, the plane landed.

Shancheng had rare good weather today. The clouds had parted, the sky was azure blue, and the sunshine was bright.

Yan Shiqiu followed the address on the original owner’s ID card and soon reached the front door.

He stood at the entrance, hesitating for a long time.

He felt nervous and at a loss.

Taking a deep breath, he finally took out his keys and opened the door.

It was dinner time, and the small house was filled with the aroma of cooking. Probably hearing the noise, a woman in her thirties or forties came out of the kitchen and froze when she saw him.

Yan Shiqiu stiffened. His gaze swept over the woman’s face, and suddenly his nose tingled with emotion as he involuntarily blurted out: “Mom.”

He thought how wonderful this world was.

The original owner’s mother looked so much like his own mother that for a moment, it was as if he saw his mother standing before him again.

Mother Yan’s expression was full of surprise, but she forcibly suppressed it, frowning as she said coldly: “What are you doing back here? Didn’t you say you wanted to sever our mother-son relationship?”

She added: “Get out, you’re not welcome here!”

So “his” relationship with his mother was this strained?

No wonder he couldn’t find Mother Yan’s phone number in the contacts, and there wasn’t a single photo to be seen.

Yan Shiqiu pressed the corner of his eye, suppressing his tears. “Mom, I was wrong. I was immature before. I want to change. Please forgive me, okay?”

Mother Yan looked at him and finally said: “Come in first.”

Yan Shiqiu took off his shoes and walked in, but after just two steps, Mother Yan said: “Your slippers are still in the shoe cabinet. Put them on properly before coming in.”

So Yan Shiqiu opened the shoe cabinet and took out the original owner’s slippers.

The slippers were very clean, clearly washed regularly.

His mother had always been waiting for her son to come home.

“Mom.” Yan Shiqiu changed his shoes and quickly walked to Mother Yan, bending down to hug her as he said earnestly: “I’m sorry.”

Mother Yan was silent for a while before patting his back and saying softly: “Forget it, it’s all in the past. It’s good that you’re back.”

Yan Shiqiu quickly blinked and wiped away a tear that had fallen, then stepped back and smiled. “Yes, I’m back.”

Mother Yan’s eyes were also red.

She turned away, taking off her apron as she spoke: “You should have told me you were coming back. There aren’t many dishes at home, and I didn’t cook enough for you. Let me go out and buy more.”

“No need, I’ll eat whatever there is.” Yan Shiqiu said. “I’m not picky.”

“You’re not picky? You won’t eat meat that’s too fatty or too lean, it has to be half-fat half-lean and sliced thin. When I tell you to eat carrots, your face gets so long…”

She suddenly stopped speaking and pressed the corner of her eye. “So you’re not picky anymore? You must have suffered enough to become sensible.”

“Sit down, let me see what’s still in the fridge and cook two more dishes.”

Yan Shiqiu rolled up his sleeves. “Let me help you.”

Mother Yan stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him, her eyes full of tenderness.

Before she could speak, Yan Shiqiu smiled at her and said gently: “Mom, I’m doing well. All the hardships I’ve endured have become nourishment for me. They’ll make me better and better.”

Mother Yan was stunned for a moment, then slowly smiled. She reached out to stroke Yan Shiqiu’s head. “Mom is very gratified.”

Feeling the gentle touch on his head, Yan Shiqiu closed his eyes, feeling incredibly warm.

Shancheng was a leisurely, slow-paced city. Yan Shiqiu stayed there for a week, going out to wander around every day and accompanying Mother Yan to the park in the evenings. His body and mind slowed down with the pace, living comfortably and contentedly.

Mother Yan didn’t have any serious illness, just a fever that day when Wen Chen happened to call.

By the time Yan Shiqiu returned, she had mostly recovered.

But Yan Shiqiu wasn’t entirely at ease, so he took Mother Yan to the hospital for a complete check-up. When the results showed that aside from slightly elevated blood pressure, everything else was healthy, he finally felt completely relieved.

On Saturday afternoon, Fang Yuhua called to remind Yan Shiqiu to remember to repost the promotional content from the official account of “Each Grain is Hard-earned”, as it would air tonight.

Yan Shiqiu indicated he understood.

Fang Yuhua reminded him again: “Don’t pay too much attention to netizen comments. Don’t look if you can help it.”

“I know.” Yan Shiqiu smiled. “Don’t worry, I have a strong heart. I won’t get upset by comments.”

Fang Yuhua didn’t believe him. “Anyway, just enjoy yourself and don’t let it ruin your mood.”

“Alright, I’ll bring you some local specialties when I come back.”

At nine o’clock that evening, the fifth episode of “Each Grain is Hard-earned” aired simultaneously on television and online platforms.

The preview at the end of the last episode had shown clips of Ji Yunnian arriving as a mystery guest, and marketing accounts had screenshot and spread it across the internet, bringing built-in heat. From the beginning of this episode, both TV ratings and online platform clicks showed a straight upward trend with no peak in sight.

[Looking at the preview, Teacher Ji won’t appear until later?]

[To be honest, I’m here to see Teacher Ji.]

[Me too!]

Netizens chatted in the comments until Yan Shiqiu and Tu Ya appeared on screen.

[Ahhhhh, this boy is so handsome, who is he? Which company’s newcomer? I’m interested!]

[That’s Yan Shiqiu, an openly gay guy.]

[So what if he’s out? Same-sex marriage law has already passed. It’s better that he can say it directly than some people who still hide it in this environment.]

[Let me give you some advice. Be careful about making him your bias. His character really isn’t great, he’s particularly dramatic and fake. I’m too lazy to explain, but you’ll know after watching the show anyway.]

Ji Yunnian’s fans left their comments and quietly withdrew.

In their small group, everyone was ready.

However, tonight was destined to be a face-slapping scene for this group of fans.