Isn’t money good?

Chapter 26.2

“I saw it with my eyes.” Yan Shiqiu gave logical examples. “At Sister Bai Xi’s gathering, you were so happy when my brother appeared. Your eyes were sparkling with joy. When you like someone, instinct often reacts faster than the brain. That time was your instinct. Even if you don’t feel it now, you haven’t realized it yet, but it already exists.”

“What nonsense. Your ability to make things up shouldn’t be wasted. You should be a screenwriter.” Ji Yunnian crossed his legs and clasped his hands on his knee, patiently explaining for once. “You misunderstood. I was so happy to see Wen Chen that time because before he arrived, several people kept pestering me and I couldn’t shake them off. They happened to be afraid of Wen Chen.”

Yan Shiqiu looked at him skeptically. “My brother is that impressive?”

“Very impressive. He’s a top lawyer with strong principles who never helps criminals with their defense.” Ji Yunnian said. “Those people once tried to get Wen Chen’s help but were criticized so harshly by him face-to-face that they couldn’t even lift their heads. They have psychological trauma regarding Wen Chen.”

Yan Shiqiu nodded.

“So you don’t like my brother? No possibility of development?” He was puzzled. “My brother is so excellent.”

“Wen Chen is indeed excellent, and I don’t deny that I admire him. But who says that because he’s excellent, I must like him? I’m excellent too, so how come you don’t like me?”

Ji Yunnian was talking, but Yan Shiqiu wasn’t listening. He had fallen into his own thoughts.

Could it be that missing that emotional trigger event meant their red thread was truly broken? What other events were supposed to warm up their relationship?

…He couldn’t remember.

For the countless time, Yan Shiqiu regretted not memorizing the entire novel when he read it.

He clutched his pillow and suddenly buried his face in it.

Ahhhhhhh.

Ji Yunnian was startled. “What are you doing?”

Yan Shiqiu lifted his head and looked at him sincerely, pressing his lips together. “I’m sorry, both to you and to my cousin.”

Ji Yunnian thought he was apologizing for tonight’s events. The corner of his mouth twitched, but he ultimately didn’t make things difficult for him. “Don’t let it happen again.”

Yan Shiqiu knew he had misunderstood, but just shook his head and repeated, “I’m sorry, really.”

He paused for a second, hiding his disappointment, and said quietly, “Actually, you don’t need to save that 500,000 for me. I don’t seem to have anything I can compensate you with.”

He would have to apologize to Wen Chen tomorrow too.

“No need, I don’t lack that 500,000.” Ji Yunnian saw his dejected expression, how the light in his eyes had dimmed, and asked one more question. “What’s wrong with you? Are you that devastated?”

“It’s guilt.”

Yan Shiqiu’s voice was barely audible.

“What did you say?” Ji Yunnian didn’t hear him.

Yan Shiqiu shook his head. The atmosphere fell silent. The wall clock ticked away, its hand movements clearly audible.

For a long time.

“I’m leaving.” Ji Yunnian spoke.

Yan Shiqiu softly hummed in acknowledgment.

Ji Yunnian looked at him and couldn’t help frowning.

The previous Yan Shiqiu with his lively expressions who would banter with him was much more pleasing to the eye. His current listless appearance was somewhat annoying.

“If you keep acting like this, I won’t sell you the painting.” He said.

“That’s not allowed!”

Yan Shiqiu met his eyes. “Absolutely not allowed. You promised me!”

Ji Yunnian stood up, looking down from above. “Then stop looking like you’ve suffered a huge blow and lost your soul. I’m not with Wen Chen, and you can’t accept it? Do you think Wen Chen and I can only be happy if we’re together?”

Yan Shiqiu stared at him for a few seconds, then his eyes curved as he smiled.

“Thank you.”

Right. Even if it didn’t follow the novel’s ending, Ji Yunnian and Wen Chen were so excellent that they would definitely find people they liked and cherished, writing their own happy endings.

He had been trapped in the original story’s framework.

Tossing aside the pillow, Yan Shiqiu stood up and stretched, smiling at Ji Yunnian. “Let’s go, I’ll walk you downstairs.”

Ji Yunnian stared at him for a while, then looked away. “No need, I can go myself.”

“Oh.” Yan Shiqiu didn’t insist.

Walking him to the door, Yan Shiqiu held the door with one hand and waved with the other. “Bye then, see you at the press conference.”

—

The press conference for “Rivers and Mountains in Chaos” was held in City B.

On the day of the press conference, Yan Shiqiu was called to the company by Fang Yuhua at nine o’clock. Liu Xi accompanied him as his assistant. Fang Yuhua had heard him mention her on the phone before, and after meeting her in person and asking a few simple questions, seeing that Liu Xi answered fluently, he didn’t say anything else.

“Here’s the script. Memorize it so you don’t make mistakes on stage.” Fang Yuhua stuffed seven or eight pages of A4 paper into his hands, then hurried off to make phone calls.

There was a problem with the brand that was lending formal wear to him and Fu Baiqing. An assistant had accidentally spilled coffee on the clothes, ruining everything. Now they had to find two more outfits at the last minute. Fang Yuhua was nearly going crazy.

Liu Xi was sucking on a lollipop. Seeing Fang Yuhua spinning around like a top in his anxiety, she whispered a suggestion to Yan Shiqiu: “Formal wear isn’t that hard to get. You could ask Yunnian for help. He has access to any brand.”

Yan Shiqiu sighed. “Sister Liu, I’ve told you many times. Ji Yunnian and I really don’t have the kind of relationship you’re thinking of.”

“But I saw him the night before last.” Liu Xi said. “He came to find you and stayed in your room for over an hour.”

“He just had something to discuss with me.”

Liu Xi propped up her chin, tapping her cheek with her fingertip. “That makes sense too. Ji Yunnian’s stamina shouldn’t be that short.”

Yan Shiqiu: “…”

Stop! Qiuming Mountain is closed for traffic—no driving allowed!

“Should I help?” Liu Xi asked.

Yan Shiqiu didn’t react immediately. “Huh?”

“How about D brand? My ex-boyfriend is a young master from D brand, and we still keep in touch. Or A brand, I once saved their boss. Or maybe B brand, G brand? I know their bosses too.”

Yan Shiqiu listened in amazement. He knew Liu Xi was impressive—otherwise Ji Yunnian wouldn’t have sought her out—but he hadn’t realized just how impressive she was.

Compared to those people, he really was very ordinary.

Without Ji Yunnian, he wouldn’t even have the qualifications to meet Liu Xi, let alone ask for her protection.

“Sister Liu, you’re incredible.” Yan Shiqiu said sincerely.

“Just average, work connections.” Liu Xi said casually, bringing the topic back. “Which brand do you want?”

Before Yan Shiqiu could answer, Fang Yuhua, who had been on the phone for ages, suddenly cheered “Yes!”

He walked back with his brow relaxed, saying with relief, “I got the clothes. It’s D brand’s new spring collection this year. They’ll deliver them this afternoon.”

“D brand?” Yan Shiqiu was surprised. “Didn’t they refuse before?”

Originally, when looking for brands to borrow formal wear, Fang Yuhua had considered D brand first. However, D brand had turned them down, so Fang Yuhua had settled for another brand instead.

Fang Yuhua drank some water. “Not sure. I tried calling their person in charge again just now, and someone there said something, then he agreed.”

“By the way, is Baiqing here yet?” He asked.

“Here, here!” Fu Baiqing rushed in breathlessly, leaning on the table as he gasped. “There was traffic, I didn’t mean to be late.”

Fang Yuhua handed him a glass of water. “I know. Catch your breath before talking.”

Yan Shiqiu passed over the tissues from beside him. “Wipe your sweat.”

Fu Baiqing nodded, clutching the tissues as he sat down. After gulping down a large glass of water and breathing out, he was revived.

After lunch, the clothes arrived and the styling team was ready.

The stylist was famous in the industry. Many celebrities’ red carpet looks came from his hands. As soon as he arrived, he pulled Yan Shiqiu aside to examine him for a long time, then said with satisfaction, “Not bad. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs, straight back. Great figure.”

Yan Shiqiu smiled. “Thank you.”

D brand had sent three formal outfits this time. A classic black and white, plus a red one.

The stylist considered the three outfits, held them up to Yan Shiqiu for comparison, then said, “Try the red one. This color suits you perfectly. You’ll definitely look good in it.”

Yan Shiqiu had no objections and took it into the fitting room.

When he came out after changing, he found everyone staring at him.

“Does it look bad?”

Fu Baiqing gave him a thumbs up. “No, it looks amazing. You’re incredibly suited to red.”

Liu Xi took out her phone from her small bag and snapped a photo of Yan Shiqiu, then said, “Perfect.”

The stylist stroked his chin in evaluation: “Like a vampire prince emerging from the night. No one would refuse to be bitten by you. Instead they’d actively open their arms and shout ‘Come on, come embrace me!’”

Yan Shiqiu blinked and joked, “Then I’d have to cry harassment.”

Everyone laughed, filling the makeup room with a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere.

After Yan Shiqiu was ready, it was Fu Baiqing’s turn.

Fu Baiqing also had an excellent foundation. He was more lively and energetic than Yan Shiqiu, radiating unique sunshine and vigor. Black would be too oppressive, so he wore white.

Once all the styling was complete, it was about time.

Fang Yuhua called in a photographer to take several promotional photos of Yan Shiqiu and Fu Baiqing for posting on the official website later. After the photos were taken, he took them downstairs to the car heading to the press conference venue.

“Rivers and Mountains in Chaos” was backed by the Ji Corporation and had no shortage of funding.

The evening press conference was held grandly with simultaneous online streaming.

The venue had limited capacity, so most people couldn’t get in. By six o’clock, everyone was waiting on the streaming platforms.

The venue was an auditorium that could hold a thousand people. As the audience and reporters took their seats in an orderly fashion, the main actors also arrived backstage one after another, preparing to go on stage.

Ji Yunnian arrived last. As soon as he entered backstage, everyone greeted him.

He responded politely.

Then his gaze found Yan Shiqiu standing in the corner with precision.

He walked toward Yan Shiqiu, stopping about a meter away. After looking him up and down for a while, he gave a somewhat amazed evaluation: “Not bad.”

Yan Shiqiu smiled.

“Though I thought you’d wear the white one.”

Yan Shiqiu paused, then understood. “The person who spoke to D brand’s representative and got them to agree to lend us formal wear, that was you.”

“I was trying on clothes and happened to overhear.” Ji Yunnian crossed his arms and continued, “After all, we’re appearing on stage together tonight. If you couldn’t borrow clothes and looked too shabby, it would also affect the drama.”

He didn’t need to find such an excuse.

I know you’re a good person.

“For you, a thank you gift.” Yan Shiqiu raised his hand and made a flower gesture at him, his face blooming with a brilliant smile.

Looking at Yan Shiqiu’s slender, pale hand for a few seconds, then moving upward to gaze at his smiling face, Ji Yunnian unconsciously moved his fingertip.

“Speaking of which, our outfit colors…” Yan Shiqiu pointed to himself, then to Ji Yunnian’s blue formal wear, saying with a headache, “Let’s stay far apart when we go on stage.”

Ji Yunnian raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

“Red-blue and black-white are classic CP color combinations. We need to reject shipping and fan fiction.” Yan Shiqiu said seriously. “Otherwise your fans will definitely tear me apart.”

Ji Yunnian curved his lips. “So you do get scared?”

“I’m afraid of trouble. Your fans are too powerful in battle, and we just made peace. Your fans were even helping me charge into battle and speaking up for me a few days ago.” Yan Shiqiu grinned slyly. “How about this, give me a few more exclusive photos?”

Ji Yunnian looked at him sideways. “For what?”

Yan Shiqiu said matter-of-factly, “To maintain good relations with your fans.”

Ji Yunnian: “…“